My Workout and Please Do Not Freak

Writer's Note: The duration and intensity of the workout described below are considered intense by some. A sane person would probably avoid it or at least work up to it. I do have some breathing issues during the workout and my heart rate is somewhat high for some time afterward. I do not recommend you jump right into this or any other workout without a doctor's release. 

 

 

 Over the years I have had some minor physical ailments resulting in a few procedures. My workout has suffered as a result. There are days when I drag myself down to the gym. There were a lot of days I did not drag myself down to the gym for awhile.

   Last week, after a procedure for which I  refused anesthetic, I decided the gym was a large part of my happiness. I returned to the gym. 

   As previously reported, for the sake of my distressed gastro-intestinal area, I eat a soft protein bar (350 calories) and drink eight ounces of water before each workout. There have been a couple of days when my stomach would not tolerate all that activity, so I work on the protein bar throughout the exercises. 

   I get on the treadmill, a device I have shunned for years. I do a warm up, then progress to a maximum of 3 MPH and take the incline up to 25, which is the maximum incline. In about fifteen minutes I am sweated out and heart pounding. I still get nauseated but I am  able to tolerate the discomfort.

   I have it broken down this way. I do one hour at the 25 incline, then take a bathroom break. I suck down some serious water at the fountain and refill my eight ounce bottle. I get back on the treadmill and do 45 minutes at the same 3 MPH and 25 incline. Then, I repeat the bathroom break and water. Afterward, I do my cool down of 30 minutes on the treadmill again, at 2.5 MPH and an incline not higher than 20.

   After the procedure last week, my BP was 124 over 71 with a Heart Rate of 63. This was in mid-day, after the procedure. I was convinced by these good readings that I could handle exertion if I did not jostle too much.

   My goal is to be in decent enough shape in muscular/skeletal and cardio to do up to 150 games in the coming UIL season. In order to make this work I will need to regain some muscle, so I will have to increase calories and proteins. My upper body needs serious work.

   The weight room hurts more than the treadmill, hence the incline work. I keep some light weights by my bed and desk. I hit them for awhile in the morning when I get up. When I feel stress during desk work I hit them again.

   I try to keep my shoulders down and work all the way through each repetition, as my trainer showed me years ago. How I do miss my trainer.

   I have paid my dues to the chapter and to the UIL. I want to be ready for Evaluation Camp in September, though the camp is scheduled for the weekend Abry is due to be born. I also intend to savor the experience of grandfatherhood again.

   Time takes things from us. Time will have to come and get what it wants from me. I do not intend to mail it in.

 

 

 

 

Opinions expressed here are mine alone.

Comments

[MR]

Wouldn't it be more rewarding just to play golf?

MR

[aintsobad]

Uh, no. Golf is a game. I am training for a sport.

[mm]

MR
I played golf with rdd once. It would be best for him, and the world as a whole, for him to stay in the gym and on the court.

[aintsobad]

MR,

By the way, MM is a really fine golfer. He can flat hit a golf ball.

R