Round 6: Day 68: Just Arms

Golf yesterday was great. Not that I scored well (I didn't) but I was really limber due to yoga, and I was hitting the ball a ton. It was just my first game of the year (and quite possibly, my last) so I don't get worked up over my inconsistencies and frequent inability to string together several decent shots in a row, and I'm not even going to mention a complete lack of a short game and no feel whatsoever for putting. The bright side was that, when I hit the ball reasonably well, it went forever. I was easily the long man in the group, outhitting the kids playing with me, and I definitely owe it to regular exercise and decent physical condition. It was hot and humid (around 30°C) and I managed to stay hydrated and walked the entire (rather hilly) course, pulling my bag behind me on a cart. At no point did I feel like my strength was flagging. Thanks are due to Tony.

Today, I woke up feeling normal. There was no soreness or stiff muscles due to swinging the golf club. I was expecting a little bit of discomfort, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I came out of the experience with everything fully intact.

So, I enthusiastically dedicated myself to improving my arms through the Just Arms workout. I felt strong, and moved through the workout at a slightly faster pace than Tony, which gave me the opportunity to fast-forward through the DVD on occasion, or to take a slightly longer break when I felt I needed one. It's still a good workout, and although I've sort of stalled in my weight selection, I still don't feel like I could lift heavier at this time, without seriously decreasing reps. I'm just not quite at the next level yet, so I'll patiently continue working at the current level until I can bump things up.

It's been a great week, and I'm looking forward to some cardio tomorrow. I haven't decided what that will be, so I'll make a spur of the moment decision based on how I'm feeling at the time.

Round 6: Day 67: Yoga

I'm starting to get it: yoga is, for me, the most important workout of my week. I can forego resistance workouts and cardio routines, but if I miss a yoga workout, my body starts to stiffen, my joints are less flexible, my muscles are tighter, and I'm more irritable and less relaxed. I NEED yoga.

Today's practice was like a full body massage, starting with the head and moving down to the feet. The opening downward dog sequence was a welcome relief, enabling me to get a good stretch in my calves, which, due to my spate of recent running, have started to tighten up a bit, in spite of my post-run stretch. Overall, I now feel relaxed and mellow.

And it couldn't have come at a better time: I'm off this afternoon for my annual golf game. I'm a once-a-year-whether-I-need-it-or-not kind of golfer, so I don't have any expectations whatsoever. However, one thing I'd like to avoid is two days of post-golf pain due to the twisting, bending and gripping that happens during a round. I'm sure that yoga is a perfect way to limber up my body prior to commencing the round, and I'm hoping that all of the resistance training and cardio work I've done will increase my lower body power and result in some serious distance on the ball. We'll see. At least, I'm hoping that I can clear my mind, focus on the present, and just put a nice, fluid swing on the ball.

Namaste.

Round 6: Day 66: Diamond Delts

It's been some time since I posted, but it's summertime, and truth be told, I'd rather be outside enjoying myself than sitting in front of a computer typing away. After all, this fitness work is supposed to enable me to enjoy real life. Real life for me involves things other than the pursuit of fitness, believe it or not.

However, in the absence of writing, I want to assure readers (is there anybody out there?) that although I've been outside frolicking in the fields, I've still been keeping at my fitness regimen. This pursuit becomes more difficult for me during the summertime, when the regular schedule of life gets interrupted by long weekends, trips out of town, local festivals, and so on, but I've tried to keep up with things by waking up earlier in the morning to get in a workout, or by doubling up workouts.

So, over the last while, I've done some yoga, run several times, 30-15, and Diamond Delts.

Running has become intriguing for me recently, so I want to direct some specific attention to it. I've been teaching myself the Pose Method of Running, from the book of the same name by Nicholas Romanov. I've heard through numerous sources that this method allows you to run faster, without pain, and with greater efficiency. Who wouldn't want that? So I purchased the book and have been trying to implement the lessons. I've found that at first, it's difficult to un-learn everything that you've been doing naturally since you've been able to walk. It's a strange feeling to consciously think about what your arms, legs and torso are doing when you're doing something as "natural" as running. The point that Dr. Romanov makes is that running, like any other skill, has specific elements which must be learned to be executed effectively. So far, I'm convinced that I look somewhat foolish when I run, but I am now able to run longer distances with greater vigour, greater speed, and without any pain. So far, so good. I'm going to stick with it, and hope to improve my technique.

Train hard, and have fun!