Hooked on OCRs

[Marius_Ursus]

Saturday 9/15/18 I ran the Patriot Highlander OCR. It was the 3-mile non-competitive course. When I finished, I was totally gassed, but it didn't take long to recover. I ate a half a chicken, baked potato, and cole slaw and found I could walk again. LOL

One of my veteran friends from Reno flew in for the race, and it was really something special to run with someone else who had been down in the shit. The course went 1.5 miles uphill, then 1.5 downhill, and it was a beast.

Now that I know what to expect, I know how to train, so after my 53-minute run, next year, I'll have that down by at least 15 minutes...I guess. I really don't know anything about running except for Airborne Shuffles.

I'd better learn.

Patriot Highlander OCR

[TM79]

Glad to see you back at it Marius. Good job on the run and even cooler than you got to do it with an old buddy.

[Marius_Ursus]

Glad to see you back at it Marius. Good job on the run and even cooler than you got to do it with an old buddy.

Thank you. It really drove home the adage that you need to do something outside your comfort zone if you want to learn about yourself. I have a lot of weaknesses I wasn't aware of...mostly in my ability to pull myself over things.

[Marius_Ursus]

9/21/2018

Various general health lifts

Power Clean
1x1xBar
1x1x55
1x1x65
1x1x75
1x8x75
1x5x75
1x3x75

Power Clean + Press
1x8x75
1x5x75
1x3x75

Front Squat
1x8x75

Squat
2x5x135
1x8x95

I don't think I've fully recovered from the race. I was much stronger before it.

Maybe I just need more food and rest.

[Marius_Ursus]

Lower back is "okay", not great. Way more DOMS than I should have from what I did yesterday. I'll work in one more easy walk today to help with that.

I had a physical a couple months ago. Cholesterol is down. Doc said not to worry about my weight because she could see how much looser my clothes are. "Whatever you're doing, keep doing it," she said.

So that's good.

Also started taking DHEA after talking to her. She said it was safe and to give it a try, so we could check my serum T levels again next month (after three months on it). Appetite is up, and bodyfat is down. I think it's working for something at least.

[Samraiwise]

Welcome back Tom!! I missed your return to the journal, it must be my old age. So how's your hip? (not your wife's, LOL)

Just a few days ago, I was watching DVD 'Hawaii Five-0' s6 ep5. The team was preparing for the Tough Mudder. Like Grouchy's ruck and other activities, very interesting. I didn't know there are other similar races like Spartan Race, Warrior Dash. (I've just checked online, )

Lower back is "okay", not great. Way more DOMS than I should have from what I did yesterday. I'll work in one more easy walk today to help with that.

I had a physical a couple months ago. Cholesterol is down. Doc said not to worry about my weight because she could see how much looser my clothes are. "Whatever you're doing, keep doing it," she said.

So that's good.

Also started taking DHEA after talking to her. She said it was safe and to give it a try, so we could check my serum T levels again next month (after three months on it). Appetite is up, and bodyfat is down. I think it's working for something at least.

Like Doc said, "Keep doing whatever you're doing", you sound happy!!
Take care and good luck!

[Marius_Ursus]

Yeah, there are lots of races. I don't know if I'll do more of them, but I'll do this one every year to support wounded veterans.

The hip pain comes and goes. I finally got a diagnosis. It's bursitis, not much to do for it but ice and rest.

[Marius_Ursus]

9/24/2018

1 mile walk

9/25/2018

Squat
2x5x115

Power Clean and Press
1x1x105
1x1x105
1x2x105
1x3x95
1x3x95

[TM79]

Good looking last couple of sessions. Speaking of bursitis, I was diagnosed with that a few months back. It has been plaguing me all year. I've more or less had to give up doing squats and that has helped tremendously. Deadlifts (especially trap bar) don't bother it that much. This is what I have come to in the past 5 months of not going to the doctor but trying to figure it out on my own (my insurance sucks with this new company). Maybe this will be helpful to you... I also used to cross my legs a lot when I sat and would do that "golfer stance" where you cross one leg over the other while standing in one place for a long time. I've tried my best to stop that and I believe that has helped too.

[Marius_Ursus]

Good looking last couple of sessions. Speaking of bursitis, I was diagnosed with that a few months back. It has been plaguing me all year. I've more or less had to give up doing squats and that has helped tremendously. Deadlifts (especially trap bar) don't bother it that much. This is what I have come to in the past 5 months of not going to the doctor but trying to figure it out on my own (my insurance sucks with this new company). Maybe this will be helpful to you... I also used to cross my legs a lot when I sat and would do that "golfer stance" where you cross one leg over the other while standing in one place for a long time. I've tried my best to stop that and I believe that has helped too.

I'm only doing light squats now because of it, and very low volume. The deadlifts are still all good for me, too.

I know what you're saying about crossing the legs. That really aggravates it.

Something else that helps when it flares is I use a muscle rub called "Muscle Rub" from the dollar store. That really cuts the pain...totally worth a buck.

[Marius_Ursus]

9/29/2018

Has it really been five days since I lifted?

Damn...

Power Clean
1x1x115
1x1x115
1x1x115
1x5x95
1x5x95
1x5x95
1x1x95 + 5 presses
1x1x95 + 5 presses
1x1x95 + 5 presses

Barbell Bentover Row
1x8x85

Press
1x8x85

Dumbbell Hammer Curl
1x12x15

[Marius_Ursus]

10/1/2018

I woke up this morning in agony. Every joint is in pain. I sat working for about an hour and decided if I was going to hurt this much anyway, I may as well work out. The lifting relieved the pain for a while, but it's back to agony now.

Deadlifts
1x5x155
1x5x155
1x5x155
1x10x135
1x9x135
1x8x135

Press
1x5x95
1x8x85
1x10x75
1x10x75

Barbell Bentover Row
3x10x75

[Marius_Ursus]

10/1/2018

Walk 1 mile

[Samraiwise]

10/1/2018
I woke up this morning in agony. Every joint is in pain. I sat working for about an hour and decided if I was going to hurt this much anyway, I may as well work out. The lifting relieved the pain for a while, but it's back to agony now.

I feel you Tom,

over ten years ago right before I had joined BB.com, I was (and still am though lesser degree) struggling with the pain from sciatic nerve. It was so bad that I wasn't able to cross the street before the traffic signal turned to red (I was 48, but I felt like 80). One day, I heard that weight training, which was also my old habit, would help to relieve that pain from a dentist who had the same problem and also lifted weight for that same reason. Yes, the lifting ease the pain and it lasts for a while but not forever. However we all know when one finds something to concentrate on, other things even the severest pain somehow disappears. And you keep repeating this, one day you notice the baseline of pain shifted and you have a new sense of hope. Hope becomes conviction and belief.

But we face so much variables there, how hard, how much, how often, and when or not when..........it's also killing me that I cannot tell you exactly what is the best for your situation.

Ahem, at least you have your better half's support which I haven't and never had. *LOL & tears*

During the next ten years from now, I know something positive will happen to you with your wife beside, that I am sure to tell you, provided you keep lifting or do something interesting for you to forget everything except for your beloved wife.

As always my English sucks, sorry. *bow*

Oh, I love my last ten years. NO regrets.

[Marius_Ursus]

Thanks, old friend.

One of my issues is my Sciatic Nerve. I have a lot of issues in my lower body. Usually it's joint pain this time of year, but today especially my Sciatic Nerve is inflamed, and it was keeping my left buttock from firing during squats.

That was fun.

I think your English is better than most native speakers when it comes to written communication. Maybe some day in the future, we can meet face to face, and you can see how bad my Japanese is!

We love our wives. We have to...or they'll kill us!

[Marius_Ursus]

10/3/2018

Squat Walkout
185

Squat
1x5x135 - Left buttock wasn't firing on recovery. Sciatic Nerve is inflamed today.
1x8x105
1x5x105
1x3x105

Scapular Retractions (from chin up bar)
1x20 seconds
1x30 seconds

Bench Press
1x10x95
1x9x95
1x8x95
1x7x95
1x6x95
1x5x95

Dumbbell Hammer Curl
3x10x15

I felt pretty weak again, low energy. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's that my eating was all thrown off yesterday. I forgot lunch and didn't eat breakfast, so all I have in my system is dinner and a couple of snacks.

Speaking of that, I need to eat some eggs...

[PtReyesGreg]

I didn't notice you had started logging workouts again until now Tom. It looks like you've been doing some good stuff. Way to go working around your bursitis. I've fought with sciatic nerve and piriformis pain for a while and the only thing that seems to keep it at bay for me is regular walking and yoga...although I often get lazy and leave out the yoga, and then pay the price later. Doing what you can do, and keeping after it is a great way to go.

In any case, I'll be following along and watching your progress. Good to see you back in here.

[Marius_Ursus]

I didn't notice you had started logging workouts again until now Tom. It looks like you've been doing some good stuff. Way to go working around your bursitis. I've fought with sciatic nerve and piriformis pain for a while and the only thing that seems to keep it at bay for me is regular walking and yoga...although I often get lazy and leave out the yoga, and then pay the price later. Doing what you can do, and keeping after it is a great way to go.

In any case, I'll be following along and watching your progress. Good to see you back in here.

Thanks, brother!

I practiced yoga religiously (no pun intended) for seven months, and the pain went away...then came back...then went away...came back...

It was the same thing with physical therapy. Nothing has ever made it feel better consistently...so I just lift and walk and run in pain. LOL

[Marius_Ursus]

Saturday 10/6/2018

Power Clean
1x8x65
1x1x85
1x1x95
1x1x115
3x5x95
1x1x95 + 5 presses
1x1x95 + 5 presses
1x1x95 + 7 presses - AMRAP, got 2 more than I expected
1x1x65 + 5 front squats
1x1x65 + 5 front squats
1x1x65 + 5 front squats

The front squats were abysmal. My movement patterns are all kinds of messed up. I need more practice to remember how to do these smoothly again...very awkward today.

Power cleans are getting better with my form. Elbow whip is good, catch is improving.

[Samraiwise]

Thanks, old friend.

One of my issues is my Sciatic Nerve. I have a lot of issues in my lower body. Usually it's joint pain this time of year, but today especially my Sciatic Nerve is inflamed, and it was keeping my left buttock from firing during squats.

That was fun.

I'm surprised to know that many people here suffer Sciatic Nerve pain. Is it perverse!? Being not alone makes me feel better!?

We love our wives. We have to...or they'll kill us!

Shh....do you know walls have ears?

Dumbbell Hammer Curl
3x10x15

I felt pretty weak again, low energy. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's that my eating was all thrown off yesterday. I forgot lunch and didn't eat breakfast, so all I have in my system is dinner and a couple of snacks.

Speaking of that, I need to eat some eggs...

Hammer Curl was my favorite before giving up all exercises but heavy compounds. You can watch TV while doing it. Just kidding.

A great exercise for brachialis and brachioradialis, both are important muscles for developing shapely arms. Good choice, m'friend!

Never skip meals, especially eggs!!

Saturday 10/6/2018

Power Clean
1x8x65
1x1x85
1x1x95
1x1x115
3x5x95
1x1x95 + 5 presses
1x1x95 + 5 presses
1x1x95 + 7 presses - AMRAP, got 2 more than I expected
1x1x65 + 5 front squats
1x1x65 + 5 front squats
1x1x65 + 5 front squats

..........
Power cleans are getting better with my form. Elbow whip is good, catch is improving.

Way to go, TOM!!

[TM79]

Great work on the last few sessions Tom! Strong power cleans and FS. Sorry to hear that the squats weren't firing but am jealous that you can even do squats. The bench and deads looked strong too. Great job!

[Marius_Ursus]

Thank you, guys!

It's a struggle some days. With sciatic pain, nerve pain in my feet, bursitis, and whatever is wrong with my spine that my doctor swears isn't there...

Haha...no way I'll ever quit being active, though...at least in some way.

[Marius_Ursus]

Monday, 10/8/2018

Minimalist Training

Kettlebell Clean
1x5x16 kg
1x5x24 kg

Kettlebell Press
1x5x16 kg
1x5x24 kg

Walk
1 mile

[Athena]

Nice workout...and, hell's bells it's good to see you back! Subscribed!

[Marius_Ursus]

Nice workout...and, hell's bells it's good to see you back! Subscribed!

Well, look who the cat dragged in!

[Athena]

Well, look who the cat dragged in!

Heh-heh...yeah...

[bamazav]

Marius and others,
Been a while since I have been here but your log caught my eye. Welcome back.

I noticed a couple mentions of sciatica, I really recommend the book, "Gift of Injury" by Brian Carroll and Stuart McGill. I have applied their principles and have not had any issues over the last couple years.

Great to see you and Athena. After my meet on Saturday, I may have to consider starting my log back up.

[Marius_Ursus]

Marius and others,
Been a while since I have been here but your log caught my eye. Welcome back.

I noticed a couple mentions of sciatica, I really recommend the book, "Gift of Injury" by Brian Carroll and Stuart McGill. I have applied their principles and have not had any issues over the last couple years.

Great to see you and Athena. After my meet on Saturday, I may have to consider starting my log back up.

Great to see you!

Thanks for the tip on the book. I'll look for it. I love Stu McGill's work.

[Marius_Ursus]

Wednesday 10/10/2018

Deadlift
3x5x155

Power Clean + 5 presses
2x5x95
2x7x95 (AMRAP)

The presses were easy enough that I'm going to add weight Saturday.

Walk
1 mile

[Marius_Ursus]

Friday 10/12/18

Jog 1 mile