lovestolift training log

[lovestolift]

Well, it didn't take long for my bad running form to manifest itself. I have had some knee and shin pain the last couple times I've run. So I did what I always do when a problem presents itself: I bought a book and approached the issue from an intellectual standpoint. The book I bought was ChiRunning by Danny Dreyer. It combines some of the postural alignments from T'ai Chi with running to reduce injury and make running a lot easier. I have a bit of experience with T'ai Chi and Baguazhang from my martial arts days, so this book appeals to me. I implemented some of it into my run last night and it was much better. My knee only ached near the end of the run, not during the beginning like it has been. I know it'll take a while to get all the form cues down, but it looks promising.

06/02/2009
Tuesday-Workout A
Squat- 125/5,5,5
Bench Press- 125/5,5,5
Barbell Row- 125/5,5,5
Pushups- bw/10,8,7
Unanchored Situps-bw/8,8
Shadow-Box- 3 minutes

Everything went fine, I cut the shadow boxing short because it was hurting my knee, which was sore from running.

[lovestolift]

06/09/2009
Tuesday-Workout B
Squat- 130/5,5,5
Press- 75/5,5,5
Deadlift- 175/5
Negative Pullup- bw/4,4,4
Unanchored Russian Twist-bw/8,8 (each side)

I started the workout with in agony from a bad headache...... and ended it in the same state. Otherwise it was good. I am still having a tough time motivating myself lately. I keep rededicating myself like "Okay, this is it. I'm going to get out of this hole and get my shit straight." I basically spend a lot of time and energy planning so that I can fuck it up later. Oh, well. C'est la vie.

[pagangoddess]

I keep rededicating myself like "Okay, this is it. I'm going to get out of this hole and get my shit straight." I basically spend a lot of time and energy planning so that I can fuck it up later. Oh, well. C'est la vie.

I could have written that myself. It's not funny and I'm not laughing at you. I completely understand where you're coming from LTL. I just recently started journaling. I'm hoping that it will help when I get into those ruts.

I push and push and drive myself into a particular direction and then I burn out. I'm trying to do things in a more moderate fashion rather than all or nothing.

[lovestolift]

06/11/2009
Thursday-Workout A
Squat- 135/5,5,5
Bench Press- 130/5,5,5
Barbell Row- 130/5,5,5
Pushups- bw/10,8,8
Unanchored Situps-bw/9,9,9
Side Bridge -bw/2/15sec each side
Stationary Bike-15 min

Wow, I felt really good today. Probably the first time I can say that in the last couple of months. I was energetic and focused. Everything went smoothly, I even added a set to the situps, and added some side bridges after. Then I did 15 mins on the bike. I wish everyday was this easy.

[pagangoddess]

I'm glad your workout went smoothly. Here's to many more.

[lovestolift]

06/14/2009
Sunday-Workout B
Squat- 140/5,5,5
Press- 80/5,5,5
Deadlift- 180/5
Negative Chinup- bw/6,6,6
Unanchored Russian Twist-bw/9,9,9 (each side)
Plank -bw/2/30sec
Stationary Bike -15 min

Another good workout today. I have been feeling great the last few days. I have completed all my planned workouts this week (3 strength and 4 running). I've racked up 3 hours of strength training and 2 hours and 45 mins of cardio.

I have also eaten completely clean. I think this is due to my new rule, which is this: If I want to eat a cheat meal, I have to do 50 push ups before I eat it. After all the exercise I've done, a Whopper just doesn't seem worth the push ups. This is not to say that I won't eat a cheat meal eventually, I just don't want to right now. I think in the future I will disregard the rule for 2 meals a week. That is 95% compliance, which is enough flexibility to allow me to enjoy an occasional get-together without derailing my efforts. I know that I have at least two things this month that will require a bit of flexibility, one is a stag-and-doe and the other is a day of golfing. I guess I'll be doing some push ups then.....

[lovestolift]

06/16/2009
Tuesday-Workout A
Squat- 140/5,5,5
Bench Press- 135/5,5,5
Barbell Row- 135/5,5,5
Pushups- bw/10,10,8
Unanchored Situps-bw/10,10,10
Side Bridge -bw/2/15sec each side
Stationary Bike-20 min

Another good one today. I even added time to the bike. I have decided to add weight to the squats only on Sunday from now on due to the heavy amount of leg work I am doing with running four days and lifting three days a week. I have no rest day right now so I think this will help stave off burn-out and injury. I'll have time to acclimate to the weight instead of trying to barrel ahead each session. This will put my squats behind but I'll fail on the other lifts and it'll balance out eventually. The marathon is what I am focused on right now, so this is the plan.

[pagangoddess]

Nice job LTL. I'm glad the workouts are going well.

Are you sure working out 7 days a week is a good idea? Seems to me you'll burn out rather quickly.

[rbtrout]

Good job, but as one that has lifted/exercised 5, 6 & 7 days a week, I think you'll get burned out. Good luck.

[lovestolift]

@RB and PG- I probably will eventually, but right now I feel good. I believe in striking while the iron is hot. I'll cross the burn-out bridge when I get to it.

I'm loathe to admit it, but I can't think of a better way right now. I am following a training program for running that requires 4 days a week and I don't want to lift less than 3 days right now. I don't feel like I'd be able to give the lifting or the running due attention if I tried to do both in one day.

I was considering a rotating schedule for lifting, such as one day off every two weeks. A week is just an arbitrary time frame anyway, who says a day off every two weeks wouldn't suffice? I'll think about it further down the road.

[Kathy]

Well, it didn't take long for my bad running form to manifest itself. I have had some knee and shin pain the last couple times I've run. So I did what I always do when a problem presents itself: I bought a book and approached the issue from an intellectual standpoint. The book I bought was ChiRunning by Danny Dreyer. It combines some of the postural alignments from T'ai Chi with running to reduce injury and make running a lot easier. I have a bit of experience with T'ai Chi and Baguazhang from my martial arts days, so this book appeals to me. I implemented some of it into my run last night and it was much better. My knee only ached near the end of the run, not during the beginning like it has been. I know it'll take a while to get all the form cues down, but it looks promising.

Hi LTL - just going through your log. Nice progress...and discipline with the cardio (this is where I am sorely lacking).

I have taken up running and was considering buying the ChiRunning book (I approach problems the say way you do). I don't have any pain but just feel like my running form is not as efficient as it could be. Would you recommend the book even for someone who has no experience with T'ai Chi and is a beginner? Does it help with running form?

Thanks for any insights!

[lovestolift]

Would you recommend the book even for someone who has no experience with T'ai Chi and is a beginner? Does it help with running form?

I'd say it's worth it. There is a bit of fluff in the book, which I've heard isn't in the DVD. I'd like to get the DVD and perhaps attend a clinic eventually.

Being a skeptic, I don't really believe in Chi as a tangible force, but I do know that aligning the body can produce great power. I feel this is where the benefit comes from. One of the tenets of T'ai Chi is that you do not fight an incoming force, you redirect it and use it for your own ends. As Dreyer explains it you are dealing with two forces when running, gravity and the force from the road. You use gravity to pull you forward and you use the force of the road to pull your legs backward. Essentially you are in a controlled fall, using your legs only for momentary supports rather than propulsion.

I will admit that it is difficult to implement all the form focuses. I think it'll be worth it in the long run though. Prior T'ai Chi experience is not a pre-requisite, and I think the earlier in your running career the better - less bad habits to break.

Sorry for the loquacious answer - I'm sure you were looking for a simple yes/no, but you just don't get those with LTL.

[Kathy]

Thanks LTL - the more loquacious the better for me!

Good thing you explained what the 2 forces were...I was thinking that I don't feel any forces! As you can tell, I am not in touch with my Chi!

I thought the clinics looked interesting too - probably the easiest way to learn the technique.

Thanks again.

[lovestolift]

Due to the consciousness raising efforts of RB and PG, I have done some thinking about my current schedule. They are right.* I should work in a rest day. I would love to continue three weight sessions a week, but I need to prioritize the running program. I will now lift on Tuesday (workout 'A') and Sunday (workout 'B'). My rest day will either be Thursday or Friday, which ever the current phase of the running program dictates.

*I'm sure you both love to hear that, so enjoy it. It won't happen again.

[pagangoddess]

Due to the consciousness raising efforts of RB and PG, I have done some thinking about my current schedule. They are right.*

You will never live this down.