Fasting, Racquetball, Cycling, and Kettlebell

Yesterday was a rather busy day in my fitness quest!

Impromptu Intermittant Fast - I didn't eat until 2pm yesterday but I didn't plan it that way. I came in to work, turned on my computer, fired up Outlook, and was promptly reminded of a class I was supposed to be in that started 10 minutes earlier! I rushed over to the base motor pool for my annual driver's training and a three year refresher on driving a forklift. Nevermind that I sit in front of a computer for eight hours a day--my company requires me to have a forklift license for "emergencies." So I had to skip my normal breakfast, and by the time I got out of class it was time to head directly to the racquetball court...

Racquetball - Lost my second straight match to Neal--he's off to a good start for 2009. But it doesn't get any closer than today. We split the first two games and he won the final 15-14. I served for the match but lost serve on an unforced error. It's a very aggravating way to lose!! But we played some terrific games and I got a hell of a workout!

Killer Commute - The ride home was against a steady 20-25 mph wind with gusts over 30. I really enjoy riding a bicycle but that ride didn't register very high on the fun meter. Looks like more of the same today.

Kettlebell - Did some clean and press ladders - 3 x 4.

I ate a slab of dead cow cooked in a little coconut oil.

It was a good day!

On The Road Again!

I got back to commuting to work by bike last week after having to give it up while working a little overtime. And not only did I get back on the road, I got back on a new bike. This is a Jamis Commuter 3.0--a 2007 model that I got for a great price on the 'net. It's an 8-speed but you'll notice there is no derailer (you have to click the image to see the whole picture). It has a Shimano Nexus internal gear hub--similar to the old Sturmey Arcer 3-speed that came on the "English Racer" I got for Christmas in '63. I bulit the tailbox out of coroplast and the base/tail light mounts out of pvc. It's a blast to ride!

Workouts were a little spotty this past week. I was off Monday so I went for a walk that lasted about an hour and a half. But Tuesday I had a really bad allergy day--I was anchored to a box of Kleenex and felt miserable. So no exercise on Tuesday. Wednesday I played racquetball with Neal. In both games I fell way back early, fought back to make it a game, but lost in the end. I was suffering from an antihistamine hangover so I passed on a third game.

I commuted the last three days, and the ride home Friday was against a 20mph headwind. I was tired as hell and ended going to bed early.

I have a racquetball match scheduled for Monday--beyond that I hope to get in some weight workouts and maybe a run on the rower.

Racquetball Week

I played three times this week-didn't do much of anything else. I had to work overtime this week which precluded my bicycle commute. But I got in three tough workouts on the courts. Monday I avenged my last week loss to Neal by taking three games. Then Tuesday I actually won a match against Ron! I won the first and third games. I don't remember the scores but I never faced a game point in the two games I won. Ron didn't go to his "A" serve at all in the first game, and used it sparingly in the last, so as usual I have to issue a disclaimer about my "victory." But I did play some good racquetball, and Ron commented on how well I was doing hitting kill shots from the back wall. I played Ron again Thursday. I got killed the first two games but gave it a good go in the last one. No time in the gym but still a pretty good week!

Walking to the Wah-Wah; Kettlebell C&P

When I woke up this morning, I knew I was looking at spending seven hours or so sitting on my butt watching playoff football today. Soooooo, I decided to get a little work in before kickoff. I went for a quick-paced walk around the neighborhood for an hour and twenty minutes. During the first half, I was listening to Curtis Mayfield/Superfly album (heavy use of wah-wah guitar). I finished up with some Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. I have one seriously eclectic Zune!!

When I got back to the house, I lifted some metal:

Kettlebell Clean and Press Ladders

3 x 4 Rungs 35lbs

It's been awhile since I've done these so I stayed with four rungs instead of five. I'll work up slowly.

Not sure what's in store tomorrow. I hope to get in a racquetball match--if not, I'll head to the gym and do some rowing.

Not sure about cycling to work tomorrow. A cold front just passed through and it's going to be pretty chilly tomorrow. It depends on the wind...I'll play it by ear.

Good Start To The New Year!

We had a beautiful south Texas day so my grandson and I rode our bikes to the Naval Air Station. Instead of our normal routine of heading out to the fishing pier, we instead went to the fitness center for a little workout. I spotted him while he did some dumbbell work, and then I did a little bit of legwork. Normally a bike ride would leave my legs too wasted for a workout, but the rides with Dominic are pretty slow so it just served as a warm up for the following:

Hex-bar Dead Lifts
15 x 140lbs
8 x 190lbs
4 x 210lbs

Leg Curls (Precor Machine)
15 x 90
8 x 100
4 x 120

Leg Extensions (Body Masters Machine)
15 x 100
8 x 115
4 x 130

Finished up with a nice ride in bright sunshine. It's been a great year so far! :-)