My week ended last week with hope that I could get back running.
I was so disciplined since my return to running in June after knee issues. Come December though, the runners knee was starting to flare up again, becoming debilitating towards the end of the month. I have been so disappointed that this coincided with my venture into the personal training world. I was eager to get out running again, too eager. I went out Sunday night and was done after 2.5km. I limped home disappointed. Monday and Tuesday morning was filled with trekking through the Comeragh mountains. Surprisingly my knee held up well, incline was fine, the decline became at stages a bit of a struggle, I am only 32 lads!
First Session :
So I came back from being a mountain man on the Tuesday with training set for 5pm. Like last week, back and chest started us off. Supersets were on the cards, chest into back. I noticed the plates were getting that bit heavier but manageable. Well manageable until you get into the upper echelons of the rep. Vinnie was on hand today, which made me pick up on the universal ethos of the gym. What I mean by that is, all though the gym have various personal trainers, they all sing off the same hymn sheet. They know how to build muscle, they know how to lose fat, they know how to get you stronger. I think this contributes to the positive atmosphere in the gym. My mother and sister told me they would be hesitant to join the gym due to the pre-conceived notion that it is designed just for Strongman training. That thought could not be further from the truth. People of all shapes and sizes, on different journeys all frequent the gym, to create a vibrant fun vibe. I was teamed up with a fellow chap named Shane on chest and back, swapping machines at supersets, it was a nice dynamic. We blasted out a good few super-sets in quick succession, incline chest, row, decline chest, row and repeat. We finished it off with a bit of prowler action for the crack, but my legs were fairly dead from the earlier climb, which leads me to……
Second Session :
Leg F’N Day! I always enjoy the session, but I do dread it. After about three squats Davy could tell something was up. I have Buttwink ladies and gentlemen. Whats Butt wink? The butt wink is the posterior tilt of the pelvis that occurs towards the bottom of the squat. When this occurs, it causes the lumbar spine to round and go into flexion. There can be many causes of it, but it was very pronounced today. My legs practically had seized up from being a mountain man the previous days. Davy took me aside for an assessment and we came to the conclusion that I have the groins of a 90 year old. It was suggested, this horrible flexability issue contributes to my knee pain He asked me about stretching, I informed him I probably do not take as much time as I should for it. Why? I hate it. Its boring and it hurts. Not the good kind of hurt either, just pain, boring sustained pain. He showed me a few stretches , and I could feel the difference. Was a little to little to late though. Davy in fairness to him was quick to readjust the workout. Not making it easier, no chance, just to focus on different parts of the legs. Squats and lunges oh my! Hamstrings also played into it, and my oh my I felt it for the next few days, as I type it I am still feeling it!
Third Session :
Shoulders and arms dominated proceedings today. Davy challenged me with the weights at times, and I felt good about it. I felt stronger with the extra plates going on. Reps were still high, but you need to challenge yourself in these situations. That is the thing, I am feeling challenge and its up to me to either embrace it or disregard it. it is easy to give up, especially when your on your tobler-own. That is why having someone like Davy egging you on, helps with accountability. Can I get that extra rep? When Davy is standing there, that question does not enter your head, you go until failure. I said it the first after the first week, form is king. Tricep pull-downs , I thought I knew the mechanics, however I now know my form is all over the place. It is not just a 10 week program. This is setting me up for life. The variety of machines designed to isolate muscle groups is a stark reminder that I am not in a leisure centre anymore.
My knee issues are still very prevalent. I tried getting out for a run , with a knee brace on, but it was no use, 2km into it I was in severe pain. So it turned into a walk, I took off my earphones and just enjoyed the ambiance of the world. “Life moves pretty fast, If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Ferris Bueller circa 1986.
If you want to make a change, you can contact Davy on 0892528904 or email [email protected].
