Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Last chance workout

Feeling like I need to really work hard today and get every extra ounce of weight loss possible for this week (Start of week is on Wednesday morning), I did the following:

Running: 3.00 Miles - 4 x (.5m run, .25m walk) 2.5% grade on everything. 6 mph on run, 3.5 - 4.0 mph on walk.

Lifting: Preacher Curls - 6 x 15 @ 95, Concentration Curls: 6 x 15 @ 30

Felt really good about the run. Felt really strong on those and while it was hard I wasn't feeling like quitting. Had a great swim yesterday and plan on having another good one this evening.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Shoulders and run

Treadmills taken at 12:15pm so I lifted first:

Bent Over Rows: 15 @ 95, 15 @ 115, 2 x 15 @ 135
Seated Cable Rows: 4 x 15 @ 130
DB Shrugs: 4 x 15 @ 40
DB Lateral Raises: 4 x 15 @ 35

Running:

2.25 miles - 3 x (.5m run, .25m walk) @ 2.5% grade and 6mph on all run and 3.5mph on all walks.

Run felt strong. Increased the grade by .5% each .05m on the last walk set.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Evanston Table Tennis Tournament

Here is a 4 minute video with highlights.

The drive up to Evanston was nice. The roads were dry and we made it up just over an hour.

We started with Austin and I in doubles. There were about 20 teams in 2 divisions. We were put into the A division. We first played Slobocan and Joey. Slobocan is a good player. I overheard Ryan Gubler, the best player in the state tell Joey who was looking for a partner that Slobocan was in the top 5 in the state. Austin and I were able to beat that pair 3-0 and advance in the bracket.

We then played Braxton and Jazva. These two players are from Provo and we usually see them in every tournament in Utah. The first four games ended up in a 2-2 draw. We played one more and barely squeaked by with the win. I was sweating that we were going to the losing bracket after that one.

Then we played Matt and Bryce. This couple had also kicked two teams into the losing bracket. Matt is currently rated 1179 and Bryce 1406 for a total of 2585. Austin is currently rated 686 and I am rated 1344 for a total of 2030. So we were the underdogs. Bryce asked me during lunch how we have been able to do it. I said “lots of luck”. He said something like “Yeah right, with lots of skill mixed in.”. Then when he heard that we were to play next, he said “Goodbye luck, goodbye skill”. It would take a near miracle for Austin and I to beat this team.

We started out and won the first match. They won the second. We won the third, and then the fourth. Austin and I were shocked. Austin was ready to throw a huge party. I warned him that it wasn’t over. In fact the next match would determine whether we took first or second. The losers bracket resolved back down to its final which ended up being Bryce and Matt again.

We played them in the finals. Austin and I were able to beat them 3-0 straight. I took video of this finals match.


We were really blessed today and Austin was thrilled. I was very pleased to have such a great partner who was hitting great and making some fantastic shots. We were able to take the first place medals for the A Division Doubles.

Then we started singles. To determine which bracket you play in there is a ladder format where you play significantly better players to find out what bracket you should be in. Austin lost to Reiner Eysser (rated 1645), a man who is very commonly used as a coach at the club. Austin lost and then lost to Braxton 2-3. This really upset Austin and he spent nearly an hour crying and mourning that loss. Jacob (rated 449) played Dale Majors (rated 1568) and lost. But that didn’t bother him. He kept having fun at the Rec Center and went swimming with Jonas.

I played Reiner Eysser in the ladder and beat him 3-0. They were all close games and Reiner was a great sport and complimented me several times on my game. The results of the ladder put me in the Open (The highest division), Austin and Jacob both were in the C Division (The lowest division). I told Austin that he would have more fun and success in that bracket and not to be depressed about it.

In each singles division it is a double elimination round. Jacob lost both of his first matches and visibly had a great time. He had a few great shots, but consistency is something we need to work on. He went on to just play on the climbing wall at the Rec center.

I played Jeff St. Clair (rated 1632) and took him to 2-1. Then he gained some momentum and won two more in a row to beat me 3-2. He also complimented me several times on my game and was a good sport. I was in the losing bracket now. I then played Bryce (rated 1406) and beat him 3-0. I had several “edges” which I apologized for because those can be frustrating especially when you get a lot of them.

I then played Dale Majors (rated 1568) and had a 1-1 match on him, but then he beat me two in a row to kick me out of the tournament. I had several good shots, but his forehand loop was unstoppable.

Austin was undefeated in his bracket and played an older gentleman, Jordan in the finals. He lost the first match 2-3, but since Austin was undefeated and Jordan was in the losing bracket, Jordan had to play another match with Austin to claim the C division medal. I sat Austin down and told him to calm down and not let anger or frustration consume him (I used master Yoda’s teachings). That he could not be successful if he used his emotions to dictate his play, instead of his instincts and techniques. He played much better and I stayed nearly out of Austin's view so he could use his own inner strength to play instead of constantly looking to me for advice. He did much better and won 3-1. Austin took first place for the C division.

We all had a great time at the tournament and enjoyed the company of all the players there. We’re looking forward to the Utah Valley Open in April.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Racquetball rocks!

This morning I got up at 5 am, cooked up some hot oatmeal on the stove. Cathi and I had a romantic breakfast together. I then left to the South Davis Rec Center for playing Racquetball with Dan Harmer and his group of coworkers. Their website sucks, but their facility is great! Makes me want to move to Bountiful.

Played cut throat with Dan and one of his friends. Pretty close game. Played singles with the guy (I suck at remembering names) and lost 15 - 9. He had to leave so I played cut throat again with Dan and a new guy we met named Tim. He said he hadn't played in a couple years, but he was definitely keeping up. During one of the rallies when it was Tim and I against Dan I hit the ball in the backcourt with my backhand around Dan. Tim had looked straight back and I nailed him right in the face. It wasn't an overly hard hit, but definitely not fun. I apologized a few times. I felt bad. But at the same time, if you look backwards instead of using peripheral vision, you risk injury.

Anyhow I won that round. So I played for 1 hour 45 minutes and made several great hussle plays. Sweating profusely and quite aerobic. Great workout. Definitely going to keep doing this weekly. Plus I got to work at a decent time since I cut the traffic commute in half.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Killer workout

Today's run was even tougher than yesterday! I honestly felt like giving up half way into my first running set. Instead of doing that I turned down the speed. Today's workout was a little bit slower, but was able to get the distance I wanted:

2.25 Miles - 3 x (.5mile run, .25mile walk) (6.5 -> 6.0, 5.5, 5.0 mph)

Lifting:

Deadlifts: 5 x 15 @ 135
superset with
200 - 4 x 2 x 25 crunches

I should stretch my calves out before running, they were burning and tight only a minute into it which was pretty painful.

I'm officially registered in our neighborhood's biggest loser. I weighed in this morning at 224.6 pounds. Cathi did great this last week. She lost 5 pounds.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Triceps and run

There were three people already in the treadmill room so I lifted first:

French Press: 15 @ 95, 3 x 15 @ 65 (Form was really bad on first set, not gonna worry about how wimpy the weight is and do good form and get a burn rather than joint pain).
Dips: 4 x 12 @ bw (225)
Cross Face Tricep Extensions: 4 x 15 @ 30
Standing Cable Tricep Extensions: 4 x 15 @ 60

Two other guys came in and lifted too. That's great! Hopefully they're regular and we can coordinate something. We'll see.

Went in to the treadmill room and Jaron was on one but the other was open so I jumped on and did the typical run (with 2% grade):

2.25m - 3 x (.5m run, .25m walk)

The run was really tough this time. I was sweating profusely and my ankles hurt, but I didn't give up and kept going. All the runs were at a 6 mph pace and walk anywhere from 3 - 4 mph. Today is my first day doing Cathi's strategy of having a really good breakfast and dinner and then nothing for dinner (fruit in case of emergency). Munch on baby carrots throughout the day and drink alot of water. Want to get down under 220 by Valentines day. Had a great swim yesterday.

Monday, February 04, 2008

Running, then chest

2.25m @ 2% grade - 3 x {.5 mile run, .25m brisk walk}

First time running with someone else on the other treadmill. Hope it doesn't get more crowded than that! Cause there is only two.

Flat Bench: 4 x 15 @ 185
Incline Press: 4 x 15 @ 95 (easy)
Flat DB Flys: 4 x 15 @ 40

Ryan Gubler at the table tennis club last Friday said I should put the treadmill on a 5% incline when I run so I end up doing the work rather than the treadmill just pushing my legs. I tried 5%, but that was too overwhelming so I moved it down to 2%. I'll try that for a week and move it up more to maybe 4%. Then back down to zero and increase to four reps or something.
Looking forward to tonights swim. I'm going to time and video a 825 yard swim (750 Meters) for estimating what my time will be for team Tomax at the Echo Triathlon in July.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Run, then do legs

Same old routine for the week on running:

2.25 Miles - 3 x (.5m run, .25 walk) (6.0, 6.5, 7.0)

Squats - 4 x 15 @ 115
Hamstring curls: 4 x 15 @ 25
Quad Extensions: 4 x 15 @ 35

Felt good about the workout.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Run at home on the crappy treadmill

Today I worked from home and during lunch ran the following:

2.25 miles - 3 x {.5 m run, .25 walk} (5.5, 6.0, 5.5 mph)

Very tough. I think the treadmill at home is a little faster or something.

Monday, January 28, 2008

After work run and lift

Today I worked straight through lunch and had to work on something that I never actually figured out by the end of the day. Frustrating day at work. Afterwards I went downstairs and did:

2.25 miles - 3 x {.5 mile run, .25 walk} (6.0, 6.5, 7.0mph)

Bent over Close Grip Rows: 4 x 15 @ 135
DB Lateral Raises: 4 x 15 @ 30
Seated Wide Grip Cable Rows: 4 x 15 @ 120

Felt good about the workout. Snowed a bunch today. Convenient to stay late and let traffic subside a little. Looking forward to tonight's swim which has been logged here.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Chest and run

Legs up Flat Bench: 2 x 15 @ 155, 15 @ 165, 15 @ 175
DB Flys on the floor: 4 x 15 @ 40
Axel Pushups: 20, 25, 30, 35

Axel Pushups are where you take a 45 pound bar and put 10's on each side, then rest it on the ground like an axel for a train or something. Hold the bar at shoulder width and do pushups off it. It will have a tendency to move just a little so you have to use small twitch muscles to stabilize it. Not too tough.

1.5 miles - 2 x {.5m run (6.6mph and 7.0mph), .25 walk (3.5mph)}

Soreness in triceps from yesterday and light soreness in legs from all this week's running. Glad it's a weekend so I can rest up a little.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Arms and Running

Preacher Curls: 5 x 15 @ 75
French Presses: 5 x 15 @ 75
Arm Blaster Curls: 5 x 15 @ 75
Nose Breakers: 5 x 15 @ 75

1.5m - 2 x {Run .5m + Walk .25m} - This was tough. I put the speed at 6.5 on the last run. @ 330 paces running = .5m, 30 paces = .05m

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Legs

1.5 miles - .5 mile run, .25 walk, .5 mile run, .25 walk

Deadlifts - 4 x 15 @ 135
Midrack pulls - 4 x 15 @ 225

The run was at 5.5 mph for the first set and 6 mph for the second. Walk is at 4 mph.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Shoulders

Standing Lateral Raises: 4 x 15 @ 30
Standing DB Rows: 4 x 15 @ 30
Standing Overhead DB Press: 4 x 15 @ 30

Really need some new tunes, the MP3 music isn't very inspiring lately.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Chest

Flat Bench: 5 x 15 @ 155 (with chains)
Incline Press: 5 x 15 @ 115
Dips: 5 x 10 @ bw (@228)

Dips were tough and the tower isn't very stable. It shakes a little which is annoying. Wishing I had a partner.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Back 2

Good Mornings: 4 x 15 @ 95
Raised Bent Over Rows: 4 x 15 @ 115
Seated Close Grip Cable Rows: 4 x 15 @ 120
Windmills using bar: 2 x 15 @ 45

Arms are not as sore as last time so I'm getting more used to this.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Curls

Seated Preacher Curls: 5 x 15 @ 75
Alternating DB Curls: 5 x 15 @ 30
Concentration Curls: 5 x 15 @ 25
Reverse Grip Curls: 5 x 15 @ 45 (Speed)

Biceps should be sore tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Chest

Bench Press: 4 x 15 @ 155
Decline DB Press: 4 x 15 @ 45,50,55,55
Flat Bench DB Flys: 4 x 15 @ 35

Upper back is a little sore, but not bad. I'm liking the lighter weights. Getting a pretty good burn.

Later in the evening I did 20 pushups for every commercial break of biggest loser. For two commercial breaks I did the 20 pushups with Jacob laying on my back (+80 pounds). Total pushups @ 120.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Upper Back

Deadlifts: 3 x 15 @ 135
Bent Over Rows: 3 x 15 @ 115
Seated Close Grip Cable Pulldowns: 3 x 15 @ 60, 100, 140

Lower back feeling tight near the end of the Deadlifts, but not too bad. Time to step it up a bit.

Friday, January 04, 2008

Lifts I don't normally do - and weight loss plan

Good Mornings: 15 @ 65, 15 @ 75, 2 x 15 @ 65
superset with: Jumping Jacks: 4 x 25

Alternating Overhead Press: 4 x 15 @ 65
superset with Captains Chair: 4 x 15

I know this is wimpy, but I'm trying to not be concerned with heavy, but quality and reps (15 minimum). I also setup a weight goal plan.


















DateGoalActual
Jan 7230231
Jan 14226
Jan 21222
Jan 28219
Feb 4216
Feb 11214
Feb 18212
Feb 25210
Mar 3209
Mar 10207
Mar 17206
Mar 24205
Mar 31203
Apr 5202
Apr 12201
Apr 19200

With my Lifting, swimming, dieting and occasional racquetball and table tennis playing, I'm hoping that should be enough to reach this goal!