17 posts tagged “trainer”

I just wanted to post a little about the gym.

I continue to work with the same trainer.  She's alright, very entertaining.  She is really very funny, though we are two totally separate people.  She only reads celebrity magazines and apparently really likes to Line Dance (Last week she was showing me something involving "slapping leather..."who knew..) in addition to running, and biking. I on the other hand, keep trying to read the classics, don't dance at all, and actually like to listen to things like Ornette Coleman  and Tchaikovsky on occasion.  Yet we get along really well.  I think it's because we are both girls and thus she understands girly things much better than my previous trainers.  In addition she runs, and thus is able to actually provide me with all sorts of help with running....unfortunately, I have yet to let her see me really run, too hot when I go in for sessions....we keep talking about me coming to a run and race group but to be honest I am not sure I can.

I think she's actually pretty intelligent, especially about movement, kinetics, etc....whatever you want to call it.  In addition, she has the ability to really focus so I rarely lose focus when I work with her.  When I work with me alone i sometimes sort of lose track of what I am doing. 

Recently though, I have started to do an exercise that actually is difficult for me...and makes it hard for me to sit down the next day!  I can't figure out if its a good thing that the muscles I use to sit apparently are very flabby!!!

It started with this... which was actually a fun exercise.  On occasion I lost the ball and it was a lot of fun.

 

Unfortunately about 3 weeks ago she decided this wasn't that challenging, so now I have to do them one legged. the other leg goes straight up in the air. It's hard to do.  I tend to lose the ball, or start to bend my foot at an odd angle to get a hold of the ball.  This week it was slightly easier, but for the second week in a row, I find the next day...I am soooo sore.  I feel like a truck ran over me.  I can still run well, so I have come to the conclusion that whatever hurts isn't really used that much in running...but boy is it hard to sit!.  amazing.

Running is going well.  Upon advice from jeffandrew916 I am looking for softer places to run, but so far no luck.  I seem to be dropping time like crazy, so I suppose eating is good, I wish it was remotely something I want to do as much as I have to do it!    

I saw the Nutritionist today.  She said she was happy with my food intake over the past 2 weeks.  Not so happy with my attempt to decrease exersise, but...well...I can only do so much. She's starting to understand that I am eating to run...she wants to convert me to eating for fun, but it may or may not happen... 

I had a pretty exciting day at the gym today.  I was able to use Wilson, my friend like in Castaways, the ball in a newish way.

I did an exercise with the trainer called around the world.  Lots of you probably know it.  Essentially you use a weighted ball,eerr, Wilson,  and do a predetermined number of "Pick Pockets"  which is an exersise where you are in a V-sit...like this:

 

and instead of holding out the hands all nice like this woman is doing, you hold on to Wilson (8 pound ball) and move Wilson from side to side. for say 40-60 repetitions.  It's not hard, but it also isn;t easy to maintain the position.  After the repetitions, you throw Wilson to the other person in a circle, making the Around the world happen.  It's pretty hard for me to catch Wilson and maintain the Vsit.   

What was exciting, other than that this was semi-fun, was that I was able to catch my friend Wilson the Ball and did not damage my hand.  This is actually the first time I've done any catching of any weighted anything since the bad hand accident.  So.  that was fun.

Other than that.  I'm doing 2 runs a day now.  One longer one outside on a running path.  and then a mile or two on the treadmill when I come into the gym.  And still swimming. 

And I'm completely tired.

 

Had a long conversation with new trainer today while I spinned, much to my misery.  I would have preferred the long convo while I was NOT spinning.  I woke up feeling bad and it continued through the workout.  Every time I turn my head to a certain angle, I get dizzy and nauseous.  So needless to say, I am home sick from work. 

Anyway we talked about my poor fated mental breakdown at mile 2 the other day.  He found it really interesting and suggested that a lot of my recent lack of progress is mental.  He sort of continued to prove it throughout the workout.

We started with side planks, which are a weakness.  I kept coming down, and he kept making me complete out the time.  He said, that if I could get up in the plank, then there was no reason for me not to be able to hold the plank.  I almost cried during the planks.  then we did some "axes" with increased weight, I was surprised that the axes were OK.  He was too, apparently people usually hate them as much as I dislike planks.  After the "axe chops" we did the reverse fly, which is really hard for me, but not painful.  Then we headed to the bench and I was filled with dread:

 

The V sit ups.  I do V sit ups with the bicycle crunch involved.  Oh Pain.  Interestingly, I had trouble with the first set, but managed to do the other sets with very little trouble.  Trainer pointed that out and said, So...I must work on your mind-set. Post workout, I headed to the pool which really was alright today, sun was out and helped the heating. The way the pool is though, all sorts of things run through your head when you are doing laps. 

I think since I broke my fingers I've really struggled with believing I can go faster or stronger.  I feel a need to be very cautious with running so I won't fall. And I also have this feeling that I can't get any faster despite the fact that I am slowly getting faster, more efficient.  It's a wierd thing to not be at the same level you are used to being at, I bop in expecting one thing and then struggle to achieve it now.  I know everything takes time, but.

Poor Jason has 4 more sessions with me.  I'll be interested to see what I can achieve from them.

More running tomorro, If I am not still dizzy.

Whoo Hoo!

 

I have a New trainer!!!  I like him.  While he is not an entertaining as brendan was....I think he is going to kick my behind.

Today he showed me an awesome place to run, round a lake, so I'm going to go there next time I run, then I ran a little for him, so he could see my gait.  I ran about 2.5 miles.

I was pleased to find out that there is actually not anything wrong with my running gait at all.  I have a tendency to hunch over, which he points out causes some breathing issues, but my actual feet and legs seem to be landing properly....

After that we went to do weights....Mostly easy stuff, lunges, Squats on the wobble board (Ahhh I Love these!)

some wierd ankle exersises, push ups (ouch)....

I then swam for 30 min. 

Tomorro we are going to work on a Spin bike and do some more weights.

I have finally started to shed a few pounds...

He seems very very smart and is targeting very specific areas for improvement. 

Interestingly, i think he was very surprised at some of my strength...but I also think I am going to be so so sore tomorro morning!!!!

Fingers crossed that this will help me to get ready for Canyonlands in March, and beyond....of course I am eyeing an actual marathon, but....first things first.

Oh gee.  I knew it was coming.  I just didn't realize when.  My wonderful trainer is done and is moving on to Graduate school, where he will be learning more about Psychology.  He'll do great. 

 

Brendan was a super trainer.  He really listened to what I wanted to do and actually helped me do it.  He introduced me to Squats (the exersise of the kings I think), he introduced me to a normal diet, and to a variety of sports gels and goos.  When my fingers were broken, he provided constant encouragement and appropriate concern.  When I came back. he patiently and valiently attempted to restore my level of fitness. 

I had so much fun with him.  He would consistently tease a smile out of my grumpy gym face.  in fact, he sometimes had "face making" contests with me. 

At any rate.  He informed me today that my new trainer's name was "Pip"  I absoloutely panicked.  I don't want Pip.  Not sure I can handle Pip, and I am pretty sure Pip can't handle me.  Brendan even said to call him when I set up a time with "Pip" and that he would drop by to make sure that "Pip" is doing alright with me.  I'm really sort of confused.

I'm leaving in a few weeks, so it doesn't make sense to try to work with Pip...whomever this Pip creature may be. 

I need to call and see about how many visits I have left....if  I can do them all before I leave , MAYBE.  If not, I think I'll try to buy out the contract.  :( 

Brendan did give me his email, asking me to mail him after my races and such, so I think it's likely we'll keep in a bit of touch, but.. I really will miss him telling me to keep going and to stop stalling and him grinning saying, "Ha, I got you to smile...."   

So, after reading a few issues of Runners World and getting recommendations from havybeaks I decided it was time to really give speedwork a try.  I'm curious what my online coach Julio  will think of my slow turtle like attempts. ;)

 Prior to this, I had been so obsessed regarding mileage, that I never did anything even run.  I would occasionally pop up in speed, but that is not speedwork. 

So, today was my first attempt at this type of workout.  Phew!  Exhausting.  I didn't even do too much, as I'm still building base...but I did do some. 

I did 4 400's, essentially running .25 of a mile and then walking .25 and then running again.  It wasn't terrible, but it was not easy.  I only speeded up to a little bit above my goal pace for my upcoming Marathon, but since I can't actually run at my goal pace anymore (or so I thought) this seemed practical.

I thought a lot about Havy's graphs in his why run blog as I was doing this exersise.  I did find it interesting that even though the speed I chose was difficult to maintain, and I was definitely feeling a lactic acid burn and also a significant shortness of breath, I could maintain it.  I can actually see a faster time for the next 5k in my future....and a decent shot at finishing my Marathon in well under 5 hours.  I never ever want to run a 5 hour Marathon.  my Dad the 3:25 speed demon would have a field day, and I would feel unfufilled.

 

Post Running to try to relax I did the wobble board squats.  One set of ten.  It was fun.  I like the wobble board. I need to advance to the super wobbly wobble board, but its a lot less fun.

 

It was a training day as well.  I had done the speedwork experiment ahead of time, and I was feeling a bit nauseous.  So Trainer Boy and I did upepr body with low level weights.  We had a fairly pleasant day.  I revealed to him that indeed all the wheezing I had been doing for the last 3 sessions was probably allergy related, not Trainer related, which is what I thought before.  I'm only sure of this because this morning I wokeup wheezy and coughy and coughed for a good 10 minutes...He of couse says, "You know, I hear this ALL the time, but I never get tired of hearing it" (That he's right).  He made fun of the signs on the pool saying "Don't go in the pool" (They are renovating it) and so on and so forth.  I was absoloutely exhausted, I asked for permission to skip planks today and he said that was perfectly fine.  I suppose I looked tired.

I'm torn on whether to continue with a trainer at the gym, or to go with the local running coach.  I really like having someone at the gym who I can ask advice about and someone who will advance my weights and add in different little exersises....but then the idea of having a coach just for running seems very attractive too, especially given the sloppy running I've been doing.  We'll see...

I'm now off to take some allergy medication.  I am also wondering if maybe its time to grow up and ask for a script for Zyrtec, rather than taking over the counter cold medication for my increasing allergies.    

Today was a historic day at the gym for me....

 

I made myself cry without the trainer at the gym today.

 

I can barely believe this.  In a way, I suppose it's a breakthrough, but I'm not particularly sure.

 

his morning, I had a good breakfast and a nice amount of coffee, and water and felt really ready to go to the gym.  A bonus this week is that I found a bunch of singlets on sale at Marshalls, and while they aren't top quality Nike or new balance, they are low end New Balance and Nike, so they are lots of fun to try out.

Today was NB day.  This singlet has pockets in the back like a bike jersey but smaller...big enough to hold GU and an Ipod though, so I am thinking it may become my racing shirt.  The shirt worked quite well, I, on the other hand....

 

I noted walking into the gym that I was feeling just the smallest bit sore in the hips and quads, and lower legs...essentially all over...I stretched a bit and put on my shoes, and ignored the lingering soreness.

I ran.  3.2 miles with some varying elevation.  I followed havybeaks suggestions of doing a few intervals.  I was shocked to find that the difference between 5.4 miles per hour and 5.7 was negligible, but bump it to 6.0 (a mere ten min mile) and I could barely keep on pace...6.5 and I was struggling.  I sopped at 3.2, apparently my password to the 4 mile club is still in the making.  I did feel better today again running, things seem to be coming back. 

Post run, I was feeling a little winded and tired.  So I stood on the wobble board.  I did wobble board squats while listening to the Grateful Dead's Lady with a Fan  i love this song, it may just be my favorite thing ever, it brings back lots of different memories, so I just let them sort of wash over me as I balanced.

After this Crunches.  About 50.  These were not good and I did not enjoy them.  I then forced myself to do the quad extensions.  i had about 25 pounds of weight on each leg, and it was just terrible. It was horrid.  I did it, but at the very end, was when the historic tear was shed.  I pretended it was sweat, but...I think the expression on my face was enough.  After all this, I just quit.  I was going to go swim, but I had timed it wrong.  The army of water aerobics ladies were doing basic training.  So I just went and got my hair cut. 

tomorro I have a training session.  My legs still hurt all over. 

P sent me an IM saying "Maybe you shouldn't go until you have to cry..."  but even through the IM, I could see he was sort of pleased that I'm working so hard... and he offerred me another leg massage, but I think we'll take a rain check, since his Mom is in town and i think she needs entertaining.

I am astounded that I could make myself cry.  I'm used to the feeling, as Trainer Boy does it to me occasionally.  But to myself... alone? 

Now, to conquer my sudden onset of hating the weights. and my adoration of food...and get back to it. 

and sleep....

I feel as if I am finally getting back into some sort of fitness/shape.

 

I had another session with Trainer Boy today, was not nearly as bad as last week...

I decided to run ahead of time, just because I wanted to use most of my gas for running.

So I ran 3.2 miles.  At a supa slow pace.  My only comfort is that I was able to decrease my walk breaks, to just one after 2.2 miles.  I walked for about 45 seconds....

Post run, I did the wobble board for a while.  I am getting more steady on the wobble board and am actually able to balance on it while doing mini-squats, which isactualy quite fun.

Then Trainer Boy gave me a look which sort of said he was behind, so I sat down and stretched. I wanted to do crunches, but I was a little leary that I would be doing more, so I just stretched.  Trainer Boy was working with a woman in a wheelchair who appeared very discouraged, so I was very patient. 

Trainer Boy thought I'd be sore from the crunches.  I told him not really, but unfortunately, I was nauseous for a good long time.  Upon learning of the nausea, he said....Great....you worked hard....but he did not have me do any crunches...which is probably a good thing!

We did the hack squat.  I harassed Trainer Boy and told him there needed to be more weight on the hack squat.  He obliged by throwing on a 25 pound weight onto the bar.  I was able to handle it for a while, but then he kindly took it off.  He kept at me to squat lower.  I thought I was really not going low enough, but then suddenly I was banging the squat apparatus to the floor, so of course that attracted some attention.  We both thought it was funny. 

After the hack squat, we did lunges...I had never really done lunges before so TB got sort of annoyed because I was doing them all wrong.  Eventually he explained how to do tem and suddenly he was saying..."yes its right now, good good."  lunges are actually pretty easy.  Post lunges I went on to the half swiss ball and did more unsteady squats....Unpleasant, but for some reason, give me a ball and I find it less unpleasant.  I actually slipped off the ball at one point, but I had fun.  Then came the single calf raises...3 sets of about 30...burn...I felt the burn.  then he let me be done.

He told me he thinks I'm finally improving back to my old form, because now I can sass him throught the workout.  I felt better too.

Post all that I swam for 15 minutes.  I still get a little difficulty with my fingers and swimming, so I am trying to increase slowly...

then I sat in the hot tub.  i don't particularly like the hot tub at the gym, but it is the one place where my hand feels normal, so I do it just for the pleasure of moving my hand without stiffness or pain, even if its just for a minute.

So, p wants me to run in the Komen race for the Cure in June.  Hopefully I can beat him.  ;)

I had a workout with trainer boy today.  Actually, I am a total dork, because I switched my time and showed up an hour early for our appointment, of course, that wasn't a problem for me....I just switched up.

I ran.  1.10 miles, then met trainer, only to be told I was at the wrong time. So I went back to the mill and ran again, 2.0 more miles for a 5k combined.  after that, I did the wobble board for about 8 minutes.  its getting easier and I'm going to soon have to switch to the smaller swivelley balance board. 

After which I ran into my buddy R.  He's great, and I have not seen him in forever, so we chatted.  I then rode the lazeboy bike for about 10 minutes until Trainer boy was ready for me. 

TB and I have been doing weeks and weeks of squats.  I've had a lot of trouble with them and have been in general feeling pretty miserable.  I USED to think I was fat and out of shape.  Now, I know I was neither and wish that I could have my former level of fitness back!  So, today to change it up, he decided to do 45 or so minutes of abs.

I did straight leg crunches.

for a while.  then, he apparently got bored with the straight leg crunches, so I moved on to more crunches

the traditional bent leg crunches.... and then oblique crunches, then some work on the transverse abs and then some more crunches. 

It just kept going and going and going.  Crunches are always easier than squats, so I was giggling a lot even though it was difficult.

About 30 min into it, though I started to feel horribly seasick.  TB of course just sits there on the bouncy ball and keeps saying keep going...keep going.  I was pretty sure at the end, I was going to vomit.  Just as I turned quite greenish, he allowed me to do a set of 30 second planks.  some with both legs, and some with one leg, and some with one leg and one arm....ugh. 

Ah the end of the workout, I still felt queasy.  and now, about 4 hours later, I still actually feel slightly nauseated. 

Goodness.  I suppose its worth it, but my tummy doesn't think so!

i finally made the cd i'd promised trainer boy for so long... it was eclectic, and as i was checking it in the car, i realized i hadn't really mixed all the songs i'd intended to, and also i'd mixed in some red hot chili peppers by accident...

here is the playlist for the poor guy:

nick Lowe's Cruel to be Kind....

with lyrics like this: Oh, I can't take another heartache,
Though you say you're my friend, I'm at my wits' end!
You say you're love is bona fide,
But that don't coincide with the things that you do
And when I ask you to be nice, you say

You've gotta be
Cruel to be kind in the right measure,
Cruel to be kind it's a very good sign,
Cruel to be kind means that I love you,
Baby, you've gotta be cruel to be kind.

Well I do my best to understand dear,
But you still mystify, and I want to know why.
I pick myself up off the ground
To have you knock me back down again and again!
And when I ask you to explain, you say repeat chorus etc etc etc

i figure i can't lose, unless he takes the i love you part too seriously....but he is a trainer and often very cruel....

Harold melvin & the Blue Notes Wake up everybody 

 

Red hot Chili Peppers :Californication  this was the oops but its a good song, on many of my playlists, just didn't intend it for there...

Judith Sephuma's le Tsephile Mang  nice South African music with an easy relaxed rhythm

Jimmy Cliff  The Harder theycome, the Harder they fall.

The Jacksons  Enjoy yourself  (love the section where michael in pre child molesting days shouts out "you can do it!"  very motivating)

jacob "killer" Miller and inner circle's Tenement Yard...

Dillinger aka Lester bullocks  Cokane in my Brain

The Tramps  Disco Inferno.. know by most for the infamous "Burn Baby Burn" phrase, which has been uttered a time or two by trainer boy... he asked for the inferno.

Al Green's  Play to Win

Buju Banton  Champion  interestingly, I adore this song, but never got the lyrics till today, oh shock!!! oh well. i still like it.

Safari Sound Band:  pole pole  in swahili.. "polay polay"  meaning slow slow... apt for a running tune right??

Bob Marley and the Wailers  Dracula  a nice funky reggae tune instrumental with a phenomenal bass line.

Grateful Dead  The Golden Road 

Michael jackson, again pre child lovin stage, Don't stop until you get enough  this song always comes near the end of a run...

and shamefully

Aaron Carters  Life is a party....

 

Do you think trainer boy will speak to me again after this??? and I also wonder what does this play list say about me???

We spoke for about three minutes, during which time he made me feel absoloutely special.  What a nice quality he has in that way.  All the other trainers spoke to me, even Chad, the one I fired, but mostly they looked at me like i was to be pitied... TB just asked, how ya feeling slacker?  He grinned when I showed him my wavey fingers and said my hand therapists are freaks for telling me i'd not catch a  medicine ball for years...he had clients lined up until like 4 pm, so I left...but it was still a huge lift to see him.  I'll be really bereft when he goes to grad school....

my pins get pulled on Thursday the 21st... I think i'll go back to the gym on the 22nd,...unless i have to go back to work! can't wait until my hand feels less sore. 

I miss : opening cans.  grooming the dog with two hands,  and the medicine ball....

but not really the squats yet....though i'll be doing double time on them...