fitarthritic.com Blog

Well, 986 in one hour.  It took another 2 min and 25 seconds to finish the 1000.  I had an odd number, 9, to complete and I did a set of 10 to finish; so 1001 in one hour 2 min and 25 seconds.  Not bad for a middle-aged physician.

No about performance enhancement.  Of course I was tempted, but I stuck with the natural stuff.  I was nauseous and achy in the two days before the event; I was afraid that I may have had to cancel.  It was not pre-event jitters, I think that it was a mild case of  viral gastroenteritis. (That’s what I get for taking care of sick people)  So on the morning of the event I took two Tylenol and later two ibuprofen.  I drank a venti non-fat mocha from starbucks and consumed two low-fat chocolate milks during the one-hour event.  Thanks to everyone who supported me, and especially the lack of doubt of my abilities.

200 today in sets of 50 with a 10 pushup warmup.  Left elbow tendons threatening to cause trouble.  As my tricep has grown (not much visibly bigger, though) the muscles tend to slide back and forth pulling the tendons over the bony prominences of the elbow.  This causes pain and local tightening, with the feeling like it may clench at any time.  This usually settles down within a couple of sets, so I plan for the same pattern on Saturday April 10.  Did some stretching of a tight band in my left pectoralis, don’t expect trouble from that, though.

Heard from my friend, George Drysdale http://www.drysdalept.com/ that he will be up to the challenge.  He has pledges and has been putting in the workouts.   He may have to do it in parallel or at another day, I wish him great success.  He will have his own walk team for the Arthritis walk www.fresnoarthritiswalk.org  as well,  Go George!

Staying on schedule.  Is not likely that I can add much to strength or endurance at this point.

200 in sets of 40 with 5 as a warm-up.  Finished with 100 (4X25) 20 lb vest.  No more for today.

Got my 15 minutes of fame today.  Went on Channel 26, KMPH for their Great Day morning program to promote the Arthritis Foundation and the penny-a-pushup event along with the Arthritis Walk.  Went well.  I was doing pushups when the camera was on me before and after the interview; the most difficult part was maintaining the pushup position–made my arms shake toward the end of the segment.  Will see it tonight after watching the recording.

Totals: 200 this am in sets of 40; multiple at the station 50-80 or so.  Did 65’s before/after lunch; total around 400 today. 

Tomorrow high number plus weight vest, then decreasing counts Thursday and Friday; possibly complete rest Friday.

Channel 26 Great Day Arthritis Foundation Interview

Now I am in the last week of training.  This week will be for maintenance, as I would expect little gain from these next few days.  Did 50 in a warm-up of 5 then two by 20 pushups.  Noting some popping in the left elbow that resolves a few sets in.  Then I did 200 20lb vest pushups in sets of 20.  I may have done more, but I lost count.  I have planned the rest of the week’s workout to avoid overdoing it.  My right shoulder is doing well.

Rested on April Fool’s Day.  Change in my normal routine prevented a good workout.  Decided to just hold off and work out on Friday.

Friday, out of town.  Started the day with 400 in 10 sets of 40, resting 60-120 seconds between sets.  Added 55 in a single set later in the day.

Saturday, April 3; one week to go.  Did a time trial for 20 minutes.  Did 405 in 21 minutes, 50 seconds.  Not as good as the 500 in 20 minutes the week before.  Added 300 in sets of 30 in the evening to build up  muscle endurance.  4 more workouts before the event.

Today went well.  Muscles are still bored and looking for something else to do now.  Did 50 one set warm up followed by 300 20lb vest pushups in sets of 20.  None for lunch today.  So far, so good, my goal now is to avoid injury and be ready for the event. 

Will need to hand distribute flyers to gain support prior to the event.  Plan to do so Monday.

I knew that I had to push today.  I did 200 in sets of 40 followed by 100 in sets of 25 with 20lb vest.  Felt ok.  Will need to add some at lunch.

I added 140 at lunch with two sets of 70.  Muscles are getting a little bored of the exercise.  Hope it starts a windfall for the Arthritis Foundation/Walk or at least an event in addition to the walk for fundraising at the local and national chapter.   Scheduled to go on TV next week…

Oh boy.  First weak day in a while.  Did 100 25 lb vest pushups.  No pain, no cramping, just little drive.  Did not want to incur injury so I bagged the rest of the workout.

500 in 20 minutes and three seconds.  Initially 150 in sets of 25 followed by sets of 20 and one set of 10.  I was able to work faster than one set per minute to acheive the above.  This was preceeded by a 4 hour hike in Yosemite Valley, so not bad for today.  Had not been sleeping well due to the cramped conditions and uncomfortable bed.  Onward.