Good Morning for 2-1-6

February, already?

Geez Louise on her knees being spanked with cheese!

I was contently exhausted by the end of last night, so I went to bed sometime before 10 PM. I don’t think I fell asleep, but that wasn’t an issue. There’s a difference between being really relaxed in bed, and knowing you’ll fall asleep eventually, than being restless and praying you fall asleep. Last night was the former. I find that when I GOTO bed early, I will wake up a few times throughout the night, as opposed to sleeping like a rock when I GOTO bed later. *shrugs* I don’t know, I don’t mind much. My dreams are returning, which is a good sign.

When I was in the dorm, I got into the habit of not touching my computer until after class. Mostly so I wouldn’t disturb my roommate, but also so I’d be more efficient. It was pretty effective in getting me out of the door fast. I’m typically not awake the first half hour to hour I’m awake, so if I just GO without arguing with myself, I’m inordinately efficient.

So I woke up a little earlier this morning so I’d have time to shower. Haven’t since Saturday, and I knew I would need to before weight training this morning. As is my habit, I drape my bathrobe over me, and stubble over here. My LCD was so bright on my eyes that I said “Fuck it” and went straight for the shower. Used enough hot water that I had to turn it up a little, but not so much that I ever hit cold water.

Since I trimmed my toenails, my right big toe has been sore. I examined it after I showered (and washed my feet for once). Don’t really see anything wrong. I thought maybe the edge of the nail was jamming into the skin, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. The area that’s normally covered by nail when it’s grown out just looks a little red and “out”. I trimmed a little of the dead skin, and that was that. This happens now and then, and it’ll go away in a few days.

Since I was fifteen minutes late last week, I’ve been conscious of getting out of the house earlier so I’d have time to change (and probably #2; I hate post-shower #2ing, but I usually can’t #2 first thing in the morning. Everybody can pee in the shower, but my bowels usually aren’t ready to go in the morning.). I’ve been neglecting to shave, so I gave my beard a trim and .. shaved. *nods* It doesn’t take that long anymore, but only feel comfortable doing it right after I shower, or first thing in the morning. Just how I’m wired? *shrugs*

Teacher wants us to start with a light cardio warm-up. Which is incredibly awkward for me. Those things are so.. WEIRD. They’re like torture machines, I don’t understand how anybody could use them. Fine, I’ll get my heart rate up. But I’m not wasting energy on them.

I was paired with Shawna today, one of only two females in the class. Which, oddly enough, made me feel less self-conscious. I was more concerned with encouraging her than proving myself. *smirks* I’m an odd boy. Teach still wants us doing twenty reps. *shakes head* That’s a lot of reps in a single set! Nonetheless, I’ll comply, it’s good for benchmarking where you’re starting. Nevermind that when I GOTO the Y, I’ll kick up the weight a little. I feel much better about doing more TOTAL reps over a couple sets, than doing it all in one shot and exhausting myself.

He hasn’t said anything about pull-ups, as there’s no lat pull machine. I may ask about doing them myself, as I don’t want to ignore my lats. *nods* My rear delts are weak, I may have to drop the weight so I can actually finish 20 reps, as I’m stalled at 15 reps @ 45 lbs. Just the thing where you’re laying on an incline and pulling the weight towards you. I actually did one less rep for the overhead press, with just the 45 lb bar. I did 15 Monday, 14 today. Quaint. I’ll see about kicking the shit out of my deltoids and triceps this weekend.

Finished 20 preacher curls @ 45 lbs. Meaning next Monday I’ll be up to 50 lbs. That’s typically what I do for reverse curls. I do reverse curls specifically because it puts the bicep at a mechanical disadvantage and works the forearm more. It’s a curl, yes, but since it hits the forearm more, it’s a nice compromise.

Finished 20 squats at 60 lbs. Note that I typically do 8 x 3 @ 85 lbs. Or was it 6 x 4. Whatever. I forget what popular notation is, but I put reps first, then number of sets. I always, always ALWAYS forget what people mean when they write out their notation. No wait, did I do 90 lbs last time? *blinks* I’m not up to 95, that’s for sure. I did deadlift 100 lbs last night; I intend to go back to 95 lbs next time and add another set.

I also did a leg press, because she’s interest in actually working out. Hey, cool, I’ll do it. I threw two 45’s on and went to work. Only after did I ask what the sled was by itself. I didn’t realize the sled by itself was 70 lbs. *laughs* I haven’t used a sled since high school. I rely on squats and deadlifts simply because they’re more organic movements. My balance has really improved as a result. You know that phrase “lift with your legs”? You’ll never catch me arching my back to pick something up, I’ll always squat down. Especially useful when you’re putting 45’s back. And I’m not talkin` vinyl.

And word to the wise: Never do back extensions before squats. I know this, but I did it anyway on Monday because that’s just how the flow of the room went. Today I was able to do them after squats, so I should be fine. Yesterday was the first day I’ve ever felt my lower back feel a little sore. I’ll let any part of my body get sore. It happens. But it’s just not worth it to let your back get sore. I felt fine this morning, so there you go. Sleep is the best recovery mechanism we have.

…So I came home and had what seems to be my post-workout meal of the moment. Tomato soup and a burger. And OJ. All things considered, I could do a lot worse. I know I’ve mentioned how I refuse to shower at CCM. It’s dirty and I fear hung black men raping me. (Damn you, American History X.) And I do normally shower at the Y, because most of us want to feel clean afterwards? Yet because I showered this morning, I don’t really feel like I need to. I still feel clean. It’s clean sweat, if that makes any sense.

I think I’ll end here and post another entry detailing the push/pull split I’ve fallen into.