Matt's Journal

[.V.]

Yeah, I read an article about it on their site once. I can't find it now, but in the Q&A there are a couple of questions about why to do 50. It explains a little. Doing the 4-6 rep sets with a weight belt works too.

[Azanmi]

Arms and Abs
Warmups First

Straight Bar Curls: 3x6 w/100
Hammer Curls: 2x6 w/40s
Curl Bar Curls: 6 w/70, 4 w/80

Hanging Leg lifts: 4x15 (two oblique, two straight to an "L" position)
Cable Rope Crunches: 14,10 w/150

[Azanmi]

see post below

[Azanmi]

The sets listed in the workout below do not include warm-up sets.


I think this is the first time I've ever squatted 300 : (Parallel not A2G)! Big milestone for me! I can already feel the acid though! Tomorrow the stairs up to my office are not going to be fun.


Legs
Leg Press 2x6 w/500
Squats 3x4w/300!!

Leg Curls 6,5 w/120
SLDS 6 w/275
Seated Calf Raises 6 w/580

[.V.]

300- nice milestone and great PR. Nothing wrong with parallel.

[Azanmi]

Whassup? So I AM still alive! I've been really busy (yes yes I know it's no excuse) but it's all good stuff. New job, building a new house across the country in AZ, Training for my first marathon, and watching the boys while my wife completes her personal training course and cert.
Whew.... Wears me out just thinking about it!

I will be running the Detroit Free Press Marathon for TEAM leukemia lymphoma on Oct 21st. Our Saturday runs are in the 12-14 mile range right now and it's kicking my butt! I am a Mesomorph with NO aptitude for distance so this has been BY FAR the biggest physical challenge I have ever taken on. In high school I was a sprinter and the 1/4 mile was too much for me...

My body composition has changed dramatically, I really have leaned out, added a lot of hard meat to my wheels and (unfortunately) lost some muscle mass on my upper body. That will change when the run is over though. I plan to hit the gym hard after this is all over and add it back... and then some!

I will say that training for this run has done a lot for me mentally though, as it has really pushed me to approach fitness (and life as well) with a calculated, regimented, long-term goal oriented focus. It's been quite a ride these past 6 months and the hardest part is yet to come!

Anyway, just wanted to say hey!
-Matt

Oh and I tried some pull ups for the first time in quite a while yesterday and I was still able to do 8 straight without hitting fatigue! Not too bad.

[Azanmi]

Anybody have any real good remedies for patella pain? I have NEVER had any issues with my knees until now as I have been running quite a bit. I have a 14 miler again tomorrow and the following two Saturdays jump to 16 and 18 miles respectively... I can't imagine the pain!!! I have been icing them and popping Ibuprofen but I have still been in quite a bit of nagging pain. :confused:

[gcs118]

Intense running man wow...what takes you all the way to AZ? If all goes according to plan I'll be there next summer *fingers crossed*

[Azanmi]

I grew up in Scottsdale. I moved to Michigan when I was a freshman in High school. I have always wanted to move back and the company I work for now is based in LA (I work from home and travel a little) so it makes sense now. We are having a house built in Gilbert. In a community called Bella Via. This is the house we're building. I still have a little family and a few friend out there so hopefully we'll adjust ok.

Why are you heading there?

[gymgirl]

hey matt! wow training for a marathon, you are brave! Knee pain I guess is par for the course when it comes to training for a marathon. Sounds like you are doing the right things with ice and ibprophen. best of luck!

Building a new home is fun and exciting. Have fun going with your wife to pick out the carpet, tile and all that other stuff.

And have fun digging out rocks as build a backyard. Or better yet, build a pool, but darn are they expensive nowadays.

Regarding your knee pain: obey your body. The pain is your body talking to you, telling you that you are abusing it. Work around your pain. Training in a pool is what alot of athletes do. Try some heavyhands training, walking about 4 mph swinging 3 lb. dumbells. It's great cardiovascular training.

[gcs118]

Wow that house is going to be phenomenal. I hope to be in the Southwest (hopefully Arizona) next summer with either a job with U.S. Border Patrol or maybe with Phoenix PD or a surrounding department to jump start my law enforcement career.

[Azanmi]

Greg, Cool! I have a friend that works in the Chandler PD.

Thanks all for your comments. I still am struggling with my knee pain but I will try the 16miler tomorrow and let you all know how it goes!

[Azanmi]

So I decided to cut back on my runs last week for the sake of my knees. It helped A TON, and I bought a new pair of shoes so that helped a lot too. The downside was that I wasn't able to get the full 16 in yesterday... I did 12 and was wiped out! It's amazing what happens when you take just 1 week off and don't watch what you are eating... I didn't do a good job of managing my pace either. I usually run a slow 9:45 per mile but I averaged 8:50 per mile for the first 6 miles yesterday... WAY off pace. I paid for it from mile 9-12 when I had to walk several times.

Oh well, I feel good (little sore) and ready to do the regimen proper this week. Oh and no more french fries for me until AFTER the marathon!

Are you using a heart rate monitor with your marathon training?