There's a Ham in the Power Rack! Part II

[thehobbes]

Damn!

Nice bra too. ;-) Enjoy the rampage.

Heehee, Under Armor is my jam man.

Damn! Looking

THICK

SOLID

TIGHT

Seriously, I'd kill to have your forearms. Did you always have muscular forearms or did they come with training?

Dawwww thanks SS! Always had a fairly muscular upper body even as a kid - sports, climbing trees, kicking ass, but they really blossomed with heavy lifting.

good lawd. lookin' amazing hobbes! HOW ABOUT THIS WEATHER OMG. swoon all around.

Perfect for running AND flashing my gunz!

Holyee, shyte woman! Turning into a spiral Ham up in here!

LOLOL


Workout coming up...

[thehobbes]

DL/SQUAT

SUPPS:
PRE: Jack3d 2 scoops
INTRA: none
POST: True Grit 2 scoops

LOCATION: Home gym
BW: 150

WARMUP:
-Foam Rolling with Spike 8min
-Arm circles of peace
-BW squats

BACK:
DL:
135x8
185x5
*Versa Grips
225x4
*belt
250x3
270x1
280x1

LEGS:
Squats:
45x10
95x8
135x6
165x3
*belt
195x3
215x2
225x1


Lifts were fine but got an emergency call at the end so I had to cut lunges/stretching. My aunt is back in the hospital and is not doing well at all. This is the aunt dying of lung cancer (oddly enough there is a second aunt in the hospital right now for another issue), and she fell at home and broke her pelvis! It's been a whole big family drama trying to get her and my uncle to agree for her to go into hospice months ago, and now things have worsened. She's not well, refusing to eat, refusing IV so not getting fluids, and will likely pass this week. All the family is trying to get into town asap. So weird seeing all these people together that usually you don't see for a few years because everybody lives all over the country. Lots of familiar but sad faces in the hospital today.

[HomeGymChains]

So sorry to hear.
Our thoughts are with you.

[Fiction2Fitness]

Sorry to hear as well. That is an odd, hard time for family gatherings. Living far away you don't think too much about it but then when you have to gather for something like this, it's one of those experiences hard to put to words but we understand at the same time.

[mom2sethc]

looking awesome hobbes!!!! so sorry about the family/health issues.

[shesprints]

Oh hammy I'm so sorry. I went through this with my grandmother, who refused dialysis toward the end of her life (this was a couple months after losing my grandfather). The only upside was that we got to spend time with her in what we knew were her last days, and she got to come home for that and we had this family photo album and memory day. It was so, so hard, though, because she was visibly deteriorating and the whole experience was quite harrowing for all of us, especially my dad (her son). Anyway, my thoughts are with you and I hope her last days are as comfortable and full of family as they can be.

I guess the thing is seeing older people makes me so grateful for what my body can do now, you know? It lends a certain sense of urgency, or importance. Also seeing how frail my grandmother got made me very much want to keep lifting for life. A huge reason older people decline is because they simply don't have muscle anymore.

[LunaLifts]

Us too, 2 little snow storms this past week. :/ It was 50 today and supposed to be 60 tomorrow for my running day!! Corn on the cob is the tits! I'm also looking forward to cherries coming back and berries being on sale.

Lol, I just assume anything we got, you got to some degree too. Lol. Unless it comes up the coast.

Yeesssss to cherries! Can't wait!

Progress pics of arm vascularity, and weird serial killer face lolz:

Badass!

Lifts were fine but got an emergency call at the end so I had to cut lunges/stretching. My aunt is back in the hospital and is not doing well at all. This is the aunt dying of lung cancer (oddly enough there is a second aunt in the hospital right now for another issue), and she fell at home and broke her pelvis! It's been a whole big family drama trying to get her and my uncle to agree for her to go into hospice months ago, and now things have worsened. She's not well, refusing to eat, refusing IV so not getting fluids, and will likely pass this week. All the family is trying to get into town asap. So weird seeing all these people together that usually you don't see for a few years because everybody lives all over the country. Lots of familiar but sad faces in the hospital today.

I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm glad you can be there. Sounds like she'll have quite bit of family by her side through it, and sometimes that's all a person wants at that point. Wishing you, and you family well though this.

[MissKB]

Oh i'm so sorry hobbes that's so sad. i hope she's able to pass pain free. cancer is the ****ing worst. <3 sending my love

[anandagirl]

(((HUGS)) to you my Hammy friend. Thinking of you and your family

[Partyrocking]

Sorry about your aunt. Thinking of you and your family.

[thehobbes]

So sorry to hear.
Our thoughts are with you.

Thanks friend.

Sorry to hear as well. That is an odd, hard time for family gatherings. Living far away you don't think too much about it but then when you have to gather for something like this, it's one of those experiences hard to put to words but we understand at the same time.

Yeah it's strange, nice to see everybody but what chitty circumstances.

looking awesome hobbes!!!! so sorry about the family/health issues.

Thanks

Oh hammy I'm so sorry. I went through this with my grandmother, who refused dialysis toward the end of her life (this was a couple months after losing my grandfather). The only upside was that we got to spend time with her in what we knew were her last days, and she got to come home for that and we had this family photo album and memory day. It was so, so hard, though, because she was visibly deteriorating and the whole experience was quite harrowing for all of us, especially my dad (her son). Anyway, my thoughts are with you and I hope her last days are as comfortable and full of family as they can be.

Sounds like you guys handled it pretty well, that's nice family could be close near the end. The people in my fam are a bit odd, aunt's husband is a very anti-doctor, doesn't-trust-anybody kind of guy. Aunt is also going home in a couple days with hospice people coming in a couple times a day but our worry is my uncle will not let the hospice workers or family in. :/

I guess the thing is seeing older people makes me so grateful for what my body can do now, you know? It lends a certain sense of urgency, or importance. Also seeing how frail my grandmother got made me very much want to keep lifting for life. A huge reason older people decline is because they simply don't have muscle anymore.

Oh yeah, I think about that every day, more so as I get older and see parents and relatives get WAY older and decline in health. Most smoked, drank, ate like crap, and did not exercise and ended up with horrific health issues. I legit have a lot of fun working out/running but I get extra motivation knowing it's bettering my health and will help me in the the future. Lately I've been extra aware how awesome that is that I CAN go out and run a few miles or spend a couple hours at the gym. There are people who can't get out of bed and who would kill to be able to take a walk through the park. It is an amazing freedom to be physically fit enough to go out and do any activity you'd like.

Lol, I just assume anything we got, you got to some degree too. Lol. Unless it comes up the coast.

Very likely, next time KEEP IT!

I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm glad you can be there. Sounds like she'll have quite bit of family by her side through it, and sometimes that's all a person wants at that point. Wishing you, and you family well though this.

Yes, the family is all very supportive. Thank you.

Oh i'm so sorry hobbes that's so sad. i hope she's able to pass pain free. cancer is the ****ing worst. <3 sending my love

Yeah cancer fukking sucks.

(((HUGS)) to you my Hammy friend. Thinking of you and your family

Thanks girl! <3

Sorry about your aunt. Thinking of you and your family.

Thanks Party.


Workout coming up...

[thehobbes]

AMRAP BP/SHOULDERS/TRI/RUN

SUPPS:
PRE: Jack3d 2 scoops
INTRA: none
POST: True Grit 2 scoops

LOCATION: Home gym
BW: 150

WARMUP:
-Foam Rolling with Spike 10min
-Arm circles of peace
-Cuban Press
-BW squats

AMRAP BP:
45x15
75x12
105x27 urgh, that was an ovary buster!
135x14 ok, pretty good
95x28 oh Broseiden give me strength!

SHOULDERS:
DB Shoulder Press:
35s x 12
40s x 8
35s x 12
30s x 14
30s x 14

Incline BB Bench Press:
45x10
95x10
115x9
135x5
140x4

TRI:
Tricep Rope Pushdowns:
30x10
30x9
20x15

CARDIO:
Running
Distance: 3.2 miles
Time: 34:21
Avg HR: 138
Peak HR: 149
*53 degrees and drizzling, ran half on a trail half on paved path

OTHER PREHAB:
-Stretching 30min
-LAX/Spike glute rolling 10min


Strength was great today but endurance took a hit. Those AMRAPS are brutal! Incline bp was beast.

I'm going to start running on trails sometimes to make sure my feet/ankles get used to it. Since December I've been running on the paved path due to snow/rain and the trails being a mess. I signed up for the Full Moon Trail Series which is 3 separate trail races (3-5 miles each) through summer on trails in different metroparks here. The races are during the week but in the evening around 7pm, it'll be cool to try something different. Looks like it'll be pretty well organized, they limited the sign ups to 150 I think so it isn't too crowded. Looking forward to see what the event shirt looks like too. (Yeah I think I have an addiction to collecting ANIMAL and race shirts, I need an intervention. ) Also I registered for a 10k race May 12th that's like 10min away from where I live, so I'm excited for that too, it's in a couple weeks!

Aunt is doing fairly well, eating and drinking a little bit finally and is more talkative. She'll be going home with hospice care in a couple days. I'm visiting her in the hospital tomorrow again. I'm afraid that may be my last chance though. My uncle is a very odd guy and likely won't allow anyone to come to the house and visit. We're hoping he doesn't freak out and send the hospice workers away (he's very anti medicine and has been extremely uncooperative with the docs the whole way and already hates the hospice rep. :/ ) We'll see how everything goes. I especially feel bad for my dad who wants to help so badly but it's been a bit of a fight with this whole situation. The fam needs to tone down the crazy, sigh.

[shesprints]

I'm so sorry about your uncle. I think there's a little crazy in every family (certainly some in mine) and it can come out the most at times of stress, like this. Dealing with death is so emotional, you know? But you're such a rock--at least you come across that way online--I'm sure you'll only help the other members of your family with your presence.

As for the workout, I'm impressed with how much volume you can handle. I will say that you maaaay want to consider getting some shoes specific to trail running. I was reckless and hit the trails in regular training shoes and sprained my ankle this past summer. I don't want you to get injured and it's hella easy to trip on a root or something out there. Also, be prepared to walk the hills. Even some of the fastest XC runners walk uphill sometimes on steep courses.

[thehobbes]

I'm so sorry about your uncle. I think there's a little crazy in every family (certainly some in mine) and it can come out the most at times of stress, like this. Dealing with death is so emotional, you know? But you're such a rock--at least you come across that way online--I'm sure you'll only help the other members of your family with your presence.

We have a lot of crazy spread throughout my family it seems. Haha, that's exactly what my mom always says to me! A while ago she made me her official person (forget the term) to make medical decisions for her should she ever be incapacitated in the hospital. She said there's no way in hell she'd trust my dad or anybody else with that because I am the only logical one in the family that would actually make a decision and not freak out. She's right, and my dad is terrible with that kind of thing.

As for the workout, I'm impressed with how much volume you can handle. I will say that you maaaay want to consider getting some shoes specific to trail running. I was reckless and hit the trails in regular training shoes and sprained my ankle this past summer. I don't want you to get injured and it's hella easy to trip on a root or something out there. Also, be prepared to walk the hills. Even some of the fastest XC runners walk uphill sometimes on steep courses.

Thanks! Any suggestions? I currently run in Hoka Arahi's. I tried New Balance and Mizuno running shoes before those and it felt like I was running on tissue paper - was beating the chit out of my feet. I initially assumed the Hokas were gimmicky but oh my god, everything feels so much better running in those. I have two pair I rotate through the week. Totally open to trail shoes but I do need someone with lots of support, I am not a dainty individual.

[shesprints]

Brahette I cannot give you a running shoe rec via internet because feet are SO individual. If you go to a store they can give you some options to try and YES, support and stability are great traits to look for in trail shoes, but you gotta try them yourself. Running stores are great about fittings. If you want to be cheap you can even not buy them there but then go find them online. Or maybe buy just one pair there to support local running idk.

[LunaLifts]

Some families definitely have more crazy than others, mine included. I hope you get to visit her more than once more, and that mr. crazy uncle chills out.

Re: you being in charge of your mom's care if needed, I think it's called a few things, but Medical Directive is one term.

[anandagirl]

I'm glad your aunt seems to be doing good despite the circumstances and that you'll be able to see her. Family often goes crazy in these situations, mostly because they can't handle the emotions, etc.

High rep bench FTW!

Shoes, I second hitting a running store and trying a few on. If the running store doesn't have a treadmill, they usually have an area where you can jog a short stint to really try them. I love Solomon but as SheSprints says, everyone is different.

[Partyrocking]

Hopefully they can keep your aunt comfortable at home.

If there's an REI near you, go there. They have a very friendly return policy, so you could take the shoes for a run and then return them if you don't like them. You can also order from them online.

[mom2sethc]

Hobbes - my thoughts exactly! I attached a pic of my tattoo (my friend did the artwork!), it is a runner girl, I have words above it that say "Because I can".

" Lately I've been extra aware how awesome that is that I CAN go out and run a few miles or spend a couple hours at the gym. There are people who can't get out of bed and who would kill to be able to take a walk through the park. It is an amazing freedom to be physically fit enough to go out and do any activity you'd like."

I agree with shesprints on trail shoes, I live in the CVNP (cuyahoga valley national park - we were listed in runners world in the top 10 across the nation for running trails!), I need to get myself into the trails soon as I have a couple of races coming up that will benefit from trails! I have ran trails with normal running, shoes, but it is advisable to get them. Just tell your local running store what your road shoes are and they can make a comparable suggestion for trail shoes.

[thehobbes]

Brahette I cannot give you a running shoe rec via internet because feet are SO individual. If you go to a store they can give you some options to try and YES, support and stability are great traits to look for in trail shoes, but you gotta try them yourself. Running stores are great about fittings. If you want to be cheap you can even not buy them there but then go find them online. Or maybe buy just one pair there to support local running idk.

Good advice, I'll have to hit up Fleet Feet or Second Sole. (I do have a gift card I won in the previous race! )

Some families definitely have more crazy than others, mine included. I hope you get to visit her more than once more, and that mr. crazy uncle chills out.

Re: you being in charge of your mom's care if needed, I think it's called a few things, but Medical Directive is one term.

Ah Medical Directive, that sounds right. Yeah usually the crazy is sprinkled throughout a family, but with us it must've been a whole freaking rainstorm of crazy coming down on everyone, we got some weird ones.

I'm glad your aunt seems to be doing good despite the circumstances and that you'll be able to see her. Family often goes crazy in these situations, mostly because they can't handle the emotions, etc.

Family was crazy before this, now it's like their craziness took too much pre-workout and is flipping out, heehee.

Shoes, I second hitting a running store and trying a few on. If the running store doesn't have a treadmill, they usually have an area where you can jog a short stint to really try them. I love Solomon but as SheSprints says, everyone is different.

Oh that's a good idea to run around a little and try them. Will do, I'd love to get some pro advice (and I'll use any excuse to browse the tanks, and shorts, and cool socks. )

Hopefully they can keep your aunt comfortable at home.

If there's an REI near you, go there. They have a very friendly return policy, so you could take the shoes for a run and then return them if you don't like them. You can also order from them online.

Googled REI holy chit there's one right by the gym! I love those easy return policies. I order clothes and shoes from Road Runner Sports all the time and you can return stuff for any reason, even shoes after you've taken them out a few times if you don't like them.

Hobbes - my thoughts exactly! I attached a pic of my tattoo (my friend did the artwork!), it is a runner girl, I have words above it that say "Because I can".

Ooooo that's a sweet runner girl tat!!

I agree with shesprints on trail shoes, I live in the CVNP (cuyahoga valley national park - we were listed in runners world in the top 10 across the nation for running trails!), I need to get myself into the trails soon as I have a couple of races coming up that will benefit from trails! I have ran trails with normal running, shoes, but it is advisable to get them. Just tell your local running store what your road shoes are and they can make a comparable suggestion for trail shoes.

You do?!! Are you aware of the third trail race of the Full Moon Trail Series in that park in August? I am all signed up for all 3 races already! Very cool, I didn't realize you lived so close to me, I'm in Strongsville. Yeah I'll definitely hit up the running store. I'm going to do a walk through and test run of the trail races as well to see how difficult the terrain is. I want to know in advance if I'm expected to scale any mountains.


Run coming up...

[thehobbes]

RUN

CARDIO:
Running:
Distance: 3.00 miles
Time: 31:23
Avg HR: 139
Peak HR: 156
*48 degrees and dark


Ran up a huge ass hill that must have been a mile long. I'll add in some speed work soon, today I was just trying to get in a run before it got too dark out.

[shesprints]

Brad Hudson says hills are speedwork in disguise, so technically just running a hill even at normal pace is damn good.

[mom2sethc]

OMG! I didn't know you were in Strongsville! I am in Cuyahoga Falls. We are not more than 40 minutes from each other!!!
I should look into doing some of those races with you!
I'll take a look at where those races are, we do have some tough trails in my area, but also very passable trails too.

[mom2sethc]

Hobbes - I am familiar with all 3 of those trail races, the 3rd race is less than 5 minutes from my home! Let me know if you want company for these races, I can do them all, but don't want to force myself on you if you prefer to do your own solo running thing!

[anandagirl]

Family was crazy before this, now it's like their craziness took too much pre-workout and is flipping out, heehee.

Googled REI holy chit there's one right by the gym! I love those easy return policies. I order clothes and shoes from Road Runner Sports all the time and you can return stuff for any reason, even shoes after you've taken them out a few times if you don't like them.

Yay REI! Roadrunner is awesome too if you have a location close to you. They have a pressure point mat they test your feet on, treadmills, etc.

Brad Hudson says hills are speedwork in disguise, so technically just running a hill even at normal pace is damn good.

YUP!

Hobbes - I am familiar with all 3 of those trail races, the 3rd race is less than 5 minutes from my home! Let me know if you want company for these races, I can do them all, but don't want to force myself on you if you prefer to do your own solo running thing!

Running buddies!

[thehobbes]

Brad Hudson says hills are speedwork in disguise, so technically just running a hill even at normal pace is damn good.

Ok, I'll go with that!

OMG! I didn't know you were in Strongsville! I am in Cuyahoga Falls. We are not more than 40 minutes from each other!!!
I should look into doing some of those races with you!
I'll take a look at where those races are, we do have some tough trails in my area, but also very passable trails too.

Wow, I assumed you were way further away, more like Columbus! I've heard of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and thought oh man that race is wayyy far from me, but google says 30min. Holy ham man!

Hobbes - I am familiar with all 3 of those trail races, the 3rd race is less than 5 minutes from my home! Let me know if you want company for these races, I can do them all, but don't want to force myself on you if you prefer to do your own solo running thing!

Sweet!! It'd be nice to see a familiar face, I do run slow though, and for the trail runs I'm planning on going slowwww LOL. My goal is to make it all three races running the whole thing and not getting injured, not going to do my "race" 5k pace even for the first, cause trails.

Hey, you found my uncle! That's what he does when somebody starts talking about gun control, srs.

Yay REI! Roadrunner is awesome too if you have a location close to you. They have a pressure point mat they test your feet on, treadmills, etc.

I'll have to see if Roadrunner is out here, I order stuff online from them a lot, srs just got some awesome running tanks in the mail today from them.

Running buddies!

We're all like...

[thehobbes]

BACK/BICEPS

SUPPS:
PRE: Jack3d 2 scoops
INTRA: none
POST: True Grit 2 scoops

LOCATION: LTF
BW: 150

WARMUP:
-Foam Rolling with Spike 10min
-Arm circles of peace
-BW squats

BACK:
Pull Ups:
bw x 11
bw x 9
bw x 7
bw x 5
bw x 5
bw x 5
*total of 42

DB Rows:
60s x 10
70s x 8
75s x 6
70s x 7
70s x 7
65s x 10

HS Rows:
1pps x 10
2pps x 10
2.5pps x 6
105lb ps x 8
2pps x 10

Lat Pulldown:
100x10
115x9
130x8
145x4
120x8

Face Pulls:
35x20
50x13
50x12
50x12

Cybex Low Cable Row:
block 8 x 9
block 7 x 10
block 6 x 13

BICEPS:
DB Curls:
35s x 10
30s x 13
30s x 11
25s x 20
upper body vascularity of peace

OTHER PREHAB:
-Stretching 30min
-LAX/Spike rolling 10min
-Foam Rolling with Spike on wall 5min
-Hot tub 10min
-Pool time
-Sauna with rolling 15min


BOOM - back and biceps of arm vein death and destruction! Tis the season for tank tops, looking jacked and stacked running around the gym flexing everywhere, heehee.

[mom2sethc]

Hobbes , I will register for the series! You don't need to worry about pace with me! yes, you won't run the same pace in trails as you do on roads, that is the beauty of trails!!! hee hee!! At least for me, I don't feel the need for speed!! unless I'm on the highway in my A4, that car "can't drive 55!!!"
Have you ever been to Blossom Music Center? If so, that is where I live, about 2 miles from Blossom.

[LunaLifts]

Lol at that gif.
Fluff though, I haven't had pre in forever. Broke ass needs to be less broke.

Nice volume on back & bis, get them pumps!

[thehobbes]

Hobbes , I will register for the series! You don't need to worry about pace with me! yes, you won't run the same pace in trails as you do on roads, that is the beauty of trails!!! hee hee!! At least for me, I don't feel the need for speed!! unless I'm on the highway in my A4, that car "can't drive 55!!!"
Have you ever been to Blossom Music Center? If so, that is where I live, about 2 miles from Blossom.

Awesome! Haha it's gonna be some slow pacing with those trail runs. I want to make it the distance all three races and then proudly wear the race tee and tell people "hell yeah, I did that" (and probably flex my bicep because I always do. ) HOLY HAM you're by Blossom?! Yeah I've been out there a ton for concerts! Love that place, been going there since I was a kid. Every time I go south of Cleveland I feel like I don't know where I am lol but there is a lot of stuff down there I've visited. I know this is not quite as far south but are you familiar with the Towpath Marathon (and various smaller races they have out there)?

So ready for summer running, got some new running shorts (ohhhh yes Hammie wears short shorts), tanks, and lightweight hats hnngggg!

Lol at that gif.
Fluff though, I haven't had pre in forever. Broke ass needs to be less broke.

May Broseiden deliver some good fortune your way so you can get jacked and stacked with pre.

Nice volume on back & bis, get them pumps!

Arm veins making a big appearance.