March 19, 2009

Exercising is getting tough. This whole week has been rough. The only thing that gets me running or lifting is remembering my goals. I just finished lifting so I'm about to reward myself with a smoothie...then I have to run the stairs. Blah.

Today I'll be up to 10 "reps" in running. I think I'm getting to know the people at the apartment complex I run in because they same couple kids always yell at me. I don't know what they're saying because I'm listening to my iPod. I'm sure I look odd with a 45 lb pack on my shoulders. I notice I run differently too. It's goofy, my toes are pointed inwards more and it's hard to compensate for that.

One "rep" (for lack of a better term) is this: run to the top of third floor, over to the other side, down those stairs, back up the same stairs, then over to the other side and down those stairs, ending where I started. When I first began I was doing 5 reps and it took about 8 minutes. But yesterday I was at 9 reps and 16-18 minutes. By tomorrow, I'll be at 11 reps and 20-21 minutes.

My thighs and calves are starting to adjust too. Because of the severity of the workout, I don't do squats or any other leg exercises of any kind. This is plenty. By the time I set out for my trip my calves are going to be as big as my head.

Even though it is encouraging to know what I am accomplishing, it has become increasingly harder to get out the door and throw the pack over my shoulders. I don't quit but I think about it. I know have to put my body through hell so I can enjoy the challenge of the trail. Otherwise, it's gonna suck.

On the days I run and lift (such as today), I focus a lot on practical exercises. For abs: bicycle crunches (although I am looking for something new cause I can do 130 of these now), side plank and regular plank and swiss ball crunches. For back: Pullups and neutral grip pullups, barbell bent-over rows, romanian deadlifts, superman (not sure what its called). For the rest of the upper body: explosive pushups, swiss ball pushups and push press. It takes about 45 minutes and I do it Tuesdays and Thursdays.

On the days I just run, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I am going to add some Yoga. Certain poses are reparative to muscle and excellent for athletic conditioning. Warrior poses especially. There are also a few poses that have really helped with my ankles. They have the tendency to twist but since doing Yoga it has happened only once in the last year and a half, and that's because I've been slacking on the exercises. Twisting your ankle can be a real trip killer and I want to avoid that by training them to better adjust to heavy weight and constant movement.

On a different note, some exercises that magazines like Mens Health list for building muscle are absolutely useless. They aren't practical. It's like buying a SUV and then never going off-road. It's just for looks.

I'm learning a lot about myself through all this exertion. I'm placing myself under physical stress and my resolve is being tested. It's a test of the body as much as it is of the mind. I'm not only building muscle for the physical journey but also the mental strength needed to endure it.