Today is officially my last day off - I'm on pager this weekend....
Where did the time go? Got thru about half of the chores that I'd listed for myself...
Clean the gutters - done
Get stones for driveway - done
Get edging stones for driveway - done
Plant extra pittosporums along drive - done
Mow backyard (1/2 acre) - done
Clean outdoor area - done
Spray weeds with roundup - done
Clean grinder - done
Frame jigsaw puzzle - done
Movies: Hancock - done Batman - done (tonight)
To be done:
Continue stones around side of house.
Put stones in path up from driveway to back of house.
Edging around back near rumpus room.
Top up mulch.
Cut and pile up fallen trees.
Burn said fallen trees.
Had also hoped to catch up with Simon from ASN regarding some possible promotion work in exchange for supplements but ran out of time unfortunately.
Oh well there's always the September hols and maybe a little more money to boot after paying Mojo's vet and medication fees last week saw be kiss goodbye to $600. At least we seem to have made some progress with him tho, this past 3 months of intermittent lamness has taken its toll. Yesterday we took him down to the pony club and lunged him in both directions and he's certainly moving a lot more freely and without obvious pain.
Training this week has been good too, my injuries not coming into play so much due to a much lighter schedule this week, the last for now until Nationals. As you may have noticed I have started the count down to the Nationals. Next week sees me 10 weeks out and I will be starting on my training cycle from Monday.
Back to work on Monday also and the Genesis membership kicks in from Tuesday, so I'll get them to 'assess' me and set up a cardio program designed to take 4kg off. Tuesday also sees me at the Chiro in Queens Pde, just around the corner from work and Thursday I'm heading into the city for a 'free' yoga class being being organized as some corporate benefit - 1 free class - BIG!
My colleague is heading off to the US this weekend (hence me being on call...) and I've ordered a new squat suit from Inzer which is being delivered to his hotel to bring back for me in a couple of weeks. Really should order a couple of new knee wraps while he's over there while the exchange rate is so good.... hmmm.
UPS
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Shipped/Billed On: 07/16/2008
Service: GROUND
Weight: 2.10 Lbs
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Tracking results provided by UPS: 07/18/2008 1:04 A.M. ET
CONFESSIONS OF A POWERLIFTER AND CAFFEINE ADDICT
Friday, July 18, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
An open letter to Hiram
Dear Mr. Codd,
How kind of you to point out my ever expanding derrier, bottom, backside, ARSE! Yes, it is getting bigger by the day and I have the wisdom of my coach Leigh W. to thank for that. His vision for my rear can only be matched by his desire to whip it with twigs.
Yours sincerly,
Fat bottomed girl.
How kind of you to point out my ever expanding derrier, bottom, backside, ARSE! Yes, it is getting bigger by the day and I have the wisdom of my coach Leigh W. to thank for that. His vision for my rear can only be matched by his desire to whip it with twigs.
Yours sincerly,
Fat bottomed girl.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Holidays.....
Holidays...
Well from work at least. Two weeks at home, sleeping, eating, training.....
Talking of the latter, have had a good week. Despite the pain in my hip, I had a good squat session on Monday. As the pin height gets lower for the partials I can really feel it working in my hips and glutes.
Some niggling joint pain in my elbow on Tuesday night - well not so much pain as an aching feeling... George suggested I might be coming down with the flu or such. Or perhaps I need to supplement with zinc and magnesium. I am seriously going to have to get myself a supplement sponsor!! Any sponsor! Someone to chip in the airfare for the nationals... some new Inzer lifting suits.... ahhh dreaming again.
A couple of visits to Andrea (Chiro) have started to sort out my shoulder problem and I even managed a massive 20lb overhead press - whoo-hoo! LOL I'm happy to be making some progress with this. At least I am dumbell pressing much better than a month ago. Still sticking with the close grip bench press for now tho' I want to protect my shoulder a little longer.
Wed night - rest.
Thursday - at Doherty's. Bought a four month membership off a lady who was traveling to Europe for 6 months - bargain price. Trained back - bodybuilder style:
Lat pulldowns 8 reps @ 40,40,50,60,60,60.
chest supported row 8 reps @ 30, 40, 50 and 60.
Reverse grip pulldown machine 8 reps @ 20kg,40kg,60kg,70kg,75kg.
Dumbbell rows 8 reps @ 12.5kg, 17.5kg, 22.5kg, 22.5kg.
Then 10 mins or so on the treadmill waiting for Angela to show so we could sign her membership over.
Tonight - rest
Tomorrow - Deadlifting at D's with Leigh
Sunday - rest
Monday - squat......
and the cycle starts over....
Sent an email off to Steve at Southern Powerlifting, introducing myself and making some inquiries about joining their club and federation. I think this will be my last year with CAPO.
On a lighter note: I chucked a couple of 'pre-packaged' ceasar salad things in the shopping trolley at the weekend - always on the lookout for simple, healthy-ish lunch things. YUMMMM! These Mrs Crockets ceasar salads were DELISH!! Anyway - after googling them and finding their website, in the hope that they sell the dressing as a separate item (then I can make HUGE salads...) I left some feedback on their website saying how much I loved their ceasar salad and asking if the dressing was available for sale (I wouldn't normally do this - you can see how much I liked it....) So later in the afternoon I got a call from them (From Queensland!) - thanking me for the feedback... unfortunately they don't sell the dressing but the guy said he would pass my great comments on to their marketing dept. What a hoot, I didn't think anyone actually read those feedback things! Well anyway here's a plug for them MRS CROCKETS CEASAR SALAD ROCKS !!! Maybe they will sponsor me ?! LOL I think they will become a part of my 'diet' while I try to drop 5kgs over the next few months...
Well from work at least. Two weeks at home, sleeping, eating, training.....
Talking of the latter, have had a good week. Despite the pain in my hip, I had a good squat session on Monday. As the pin height gets lower for the partials I can really feel it working in my hips and glutes.
Some niggling joint pain in my elbow on Tuesday night - well not so much pain as an aching feeling... George suggested I might be coming down with the flu or such. Or perhaps I need to supplement with zinc and magnesium. I am seriously going to have to get myself a supplement sponsor!! Any sponsor! Someone to chip in the airfare for the nationals... some new Inzer lifting suits.... ahhh dreaming again.
A couple of visits to Andrea (Chiro) have started to sort out my shoulder problem and I even managed a massive 20lb overhead press - whoo-hoo! LOL I'm happy to be making some progress with this. At least I am dumbell pressing much better than a month ago. Still sticking with the close grip bench press for now tho' I want to protect my shoulder a little longer.
Wed night - rest.
Thursday - at Doherty's. Bought a four month membership off a lady who was traveling to Europe for 6 months - bargain price. Trained back - bodybuilder style:
Lat pulldowns 8 reps @ 40,40,50,60,60,60.
chest supported row 8 reps @ 30, 40, 50 and 60.
Reverse grip pulldown machine 8 reps @ 20kg,40kg,60kg,70kg,75kg.
Dumbbell rows 8 reps @ 12.5kg, 17.5kg, 22.5kg, 22.5kg.
Then 10 mins or so on the treadmill waiting for Angela to show so we could sign her membership over.
Tonight - rest
Tomorrow - Deadlifting at D's with Leigh
Sunday - rest
Monday - squat......
and the cycle starts over....
Sent an email off to Steve at Southern Powerlifting, introducing myself and making some inquiries about joining their club and federation. I think this will be my last year with CAPO.
On a lighter note: I chucked a couple of 'pre-packaged' ceasar salad things in the shopping trolley at the weekend - always on the lookout for simple, healthy-ish lunch things. YUMMMM! These Mrs Crockets ceasar salads were DELISH!! Anyway - after googling them and finding their website, in the hope that they sell the dressing as a separate item (then I can make HUGE salads...) I left some feedback on their website saying how much I loved their ceasar salad and asking if the dressing was available for sale (I wouldn't normally do this - you can see how much I liked it....) So later in the afternoon I got a call from them (From Queensland!) - thanking me for the feedback... unfortunately they don't sell the dressing but the guy said he would pass my great comments on to their marketing dept. What a hoot, I didn't think anyone actually read those feedback things! Well anyway here's a plug for them MRS CROCKETS CEASAR SALAD ROCKS !!! Maybe they will sponsor me ?! LOL I think they will become a part of my 'diet' while I try to drop 5kgs over the next few months...
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Another day
Tuesday night squat session, not quite as planned. Maybe its the colder weather but my hip as sore as its ever been. Struggled thru just 4 sets of 3 at 90kg. Lockouts were not so bad, pin height 24, so still only a fairly small movement bringing the hips forward. Then finished with some bottom partials in the smith machine.
Benched last night, worked up to a 3 rep max with my inzer shirt - just to see what it was like. No dumbell presses this time.
Tricep press down 120lb x10 x5
Dumbell press across chest 25lb x8 x4
Rope Face pulls 80lb x 10 x4
Lying pulldown 80,90, 100 & 120lb x8
Then home and traded a 'hair dyeing' for a foot massage with Madii. Which uncovered a lump under my foot - which now after being prodded is quite sore!
Joined up to Genesis for 6 months after negotiating a deal - Oracle corp price and some gifts, and extra week on my trial membership and delayed my start date until I return from leave in July. Then I will have an 'assessment' and they will devise some cardio plan, I assume, to help me lose the 5 kg for October's Nationals. That's the plan anyway.
Louise, if you're reading this, I'll email you my opinion on Genesis shortly, now that I've been there for a few weeks!
Had A chiro appointment today with Andrea Bisaz, who I saw last year when my hip first started playing up... He's moved to 1 Queens rd in Melbourne, really handy, just around the corner from work! so walked over there this morning and he adjusted my shoulder - his diagnosis also irritated shoulder capsule - shoulder not sitting in the socket correctly, so between his adjustments, physio exercises and massage I hopefully will get this problem sorted out.
That's it - night off training tonight. Deadlifts tomorrow. Should finally be able to finish reading Underbelly:The Gangland War.
Benched last night, worked up to a 3 rep max with my inzer shirt - just to see what it was like. No dumbell presses this time.
Tricep press down 120lb x10 x5
Dumbell press across chest 25lb x8 x4
Rope Face pulls 80lb x 10 x4
Lying pulldown 80,90, 100 & 120lb x8
Then home and traded a 'hair dyeing' for a foot massage with Madii. Which uncovered a lump under my foot - which now after being prodded is quite sore!
Joined up to Genesis for 6 months after negotiating a deal - Oracle corp price and some gifts, and extra week on my trial membership and delayed my start date until I return from leave in July. Then I will have an 'assessment'
Louise, if you're reading this, I'll email you my opinion on Genesis shortly, now that I've been there for a few weeks!
Had A chiro appointment today with Andrea Bisaz, who I saw last year when my hip first started playing up... He's moved to 1 Queens rd in Melbourne, really handy, just around the corner from work! so walked over there this morning and he adjusted my shoulder - his diagnosis also irritated shoulder capsule - shoulder not sitting in the socket correctly, so between his adjustments, physio exercises and massage I hopefully will get this problem sorted out.
That's it - night off training tonight. Deadlifts tomorrow. Should finally be able to finish reading Underbelly:The Gangland War.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Winter Solstice
Yay - the shortest day has passed. Roll on longer days!
Worked from home today - one of the perks of being in IT I guess. After the farrier came last week and removed Mojo's shoe he was confined to the 'Jenny Craig' paddock and so he's had to be hand fed and Madii and I put a poultice on his hoof. Today Anthony came back and put the shoe back on - hoof abcess hopefully dealt with.
Friday night did a killer hamstring workout.
Good mornings up to 60kg for 8 reps x 4 sets,
Speed deadlifts with 80kg and the green jump ban.
Hypers with a 20kg plate 8 x 4 sets,
Deep leg press up to 170kg 8x4 then
back to 100kg for 4 more sets of pause/push reps.
All ok 'cos I'm not back under the squat bar until tomorrow night. My hammies are still tight tho!
Into my last week at Genesis and I've been getting txt messages, snail mail offers and phone calls. One of the personal trainers there, Madi (Madelaine) is doing her best to make me a good offer to take up a membership there. So far I've not lost any weight from the cardio but I think taking the time to stretch when I'm there is certainly having some benefits. And lets face it, its the only chance I get to do stretching, honestly, when I get home after training, shower, make dinner etc the last thing I want to do is stretching.... i just want to unwind from the day have a latte and veg out watching some inane television programme.
No training tonight, R&R before the big squat session tomorrow night at Doherty's
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Physio
Been back to Melbourne Sports Medical centre getting treatment for my dud shoulder. The diagnosis I believe is a tight / restricted shoulder capsule, so my shoulder is not sitting in the socket properly - hence the pain and weakness thru the arm. Massage and stretching excerices - so far seem to be helping. Managed to press 65lb dumbells for 6 reps, after having warmed up on 45lb and 55lb respectively. Incline press gave me a little more pain so settled that at 50lb only. No chance of overhead pressing yet.
Still managing to get to the gym at lunchtime, except when I have to go to physio - like today. But as today was my day of weight training, I headed into Definition for a 40 minute stint on the stepper.
Not much else to report - Mojo lame again, Farrier coming out on Thursday to check for a hoof abcess. Time for bed, I'm bugggered.
Still managing to get to the gym at lunchtime, except when I have to go to physio - like today. But as today was my day of weight training, I headed into Definition for a 40 minute stint on the stepper.
Not much else to report - Mojo lame again, Farrier coming out on Thursday to check for a hoof abcess. Time for bed, I'm bugggered.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
NOT a morning person
Long weekend spoiled by being oncall - and getting called out all day...
Thankfully pager finished on Sunday night at 8pm - an hour over due to getting paged 3 times fifteen minutes before the end of my shift.
No sleep in Monday tho'. Leigh wanted me to squat early, so instead of our usual 7pm session I was up at 6.30am and in the gym by 8.30am. Training in adverse conditions or some such... yawn. He did take it easy on me - sort of.
5x5 @70kg
3x2 @ 90kg
lockouts 165kg pin height 25 5x3
hack squat partials continuous to failure 4 sets
Post workout Latte in Brunswick st - needed that!
Legs sore by the evening - must have been the hack squats
Cardio today on the stepper at Genesis - late didn't get there until after 2pm. Tonight Bench press - close grip 62.5 5x5 is the plan.
Thankfully pager finished on Sunday night at 8pm - an hour over due to getting paged 3 times fifteen minutes before the end of my shift.
No sleep in Monday tho'. Leigh wanted me to squat early, so instead of our usual 7pm session I was up at 6.30am and in the gym by 8.30am. Training in adverse conditions or some such... yawn. He did take it easy on me - sort of.
5x5 @70kg
3x2 @ 90kg
lockouts 165kg pin height 25 5x3
hack squat partials continuous to failure 4 sets
Post workout Latte in Brunswick st - needed that!
Legs sore by the evening - must have been the hack squats
Cardio today on the stepper at Genesis - late didn't get there until after 2pm. Tonight Bench press - close grip 62.5 5x5 is the plan.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Cardio o' cardio
Have been making a regular appearance at Genesis during lunch and cardio'ing away. Dont think I could ever get motivated to train there tho'. Doesnt quite have the atmosphere - but great for the cardio. Oodles of machines - treadmills, steppers, bike etc.
I had hoped they would have yoga classes. I really enjoyed them when 'what's her name' used to come in and take classes twice a week (if I remember her name....) Anyway they have a couple of pilates classes but only one at a time that suites me and I'm not into the spin or bodypump thing. I'm sure its good - they have a reasonable size class from what I saw - just not for me tho'.
Squatted last night at D's. Still working on depth and slowly increasing the weight. There is no point adding a load of weight to the bar if I'm going to squat shallow so I have to be patient. As Leigh says, its about longevity and so I'm taking my time to build a better foundation for the future.
Not that the future is looking that great for CAPO with no comps in Vic this year and the National committee stepping down. Rumour has it that some dill is trying to sue after injuring themselves at a comp a few years back. I dont think anyone wants to take on an official role in light of being legally responsible.... so I hear anyway.
Tonight = benching. Close grip seems to be working and the stretching and rehab stuff is kicking in. Last week I was able to flat press 55lb dumbells for 8 reps - was not a problem with the weight but previously even the 25lb dumbell would make my shoulder scream - like a nerve being pinched or something and causing weakness down the tricep. Will have a go at the 60lb dumbells tonight my bench work.
xx
I had hoped they would have yoga classes. I really enjoyed them when 'what's her name' used to come in and take classes twice a week (if I remember her name....) Anyway they have a couple of pilates classes but only one at a time that suites me and I'm not into the spin or bodypump thing. I'm sure its good - they have a reasonable size class from what I saw - just not for me tho'.
Squatted last night at D's. Still working on depth and slowly increasing the weight. There is no point adding a load of weight to the bar if I'm going to squat shallow so I have to be patient. As Leigh says, its about longevity and so I'm taking my time to build a better foundation for the future.
Not that the future is looking that great for CAPO with no comps in Vic this year and the National committee stepping down. Rumour has it that some dill is trying to sue after injuring themselves at a comp a few years back. I dont think anyone wants to take on an official role in light of being legally responsible.... so I hear anyway.
Tonight = benching. Close grip seems to be working and the stretching and rehab stuff is kicking in. Last week I was able to flat press 55lb dumbells for 8 reps - was not a problem with the weight but previously even the 25lb dumbell would make my shoulder scream - like a nerve being pinched or something and causing weakness down the tricep. Will have a go at the 60lb dumbells tonight my bench work.
xx
Friday, May 30, 2008
Cant get enough
As if a gym membership at Definition and a 20 pass card at Doherty's isnt enough, I've just scored myself and one month trial membership at Genesis just a block down from where I work. Ideal for that extra bit of cardio lunchtime on the cross trainer and a chance to do some stretching in the right environment. Might even venture to doing some bicep and tricep stuff, maybe some speed work too. Seriously they don't have enough weights in the gym, but what the hell.... its free.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Latte me
Went back to Mocopan and retrieved my beloved machine. The tech had not touched it yet and was unlikely to get to it for another 2 weeks. After posting a whinge on coffeegeek I decided to take the advice given, order the parts and service the machine myself. As a dry run to make sure I could pull it apart and put it back together, I did just that:
Deadlift training on Thursday night, was not feeling particularly strong. In fact for the past few days I've been feeling like I'm about to come down with something, seems to affect me in the evening. Anyhoo...
Rackpulls from below the knee , no wraps, straps or belt 5x5 at 120kg.
Close grip rowing 8x8
Chest supp row 4x6
20 mins on stepper
Trained today at Doherty's with Leigh
close grip
dumbell incline press
rotator cuff
standing calf raise
** Bit late.. but here's a pic of what the girls bought me for mother's day. Some tulips and a voodoo knife block ;-)
Deadlift training on Thursday night, was not feeling particularly strong. In fact for the past few days I've been feeling like I'm about to come down with something, seems to affect me in the evening. Anyhoo...
Rackpulls from below the knee , no wraps, straps or belt 5x5 at 120kg.
Close grip rowing 8x8
Chest supp row 4x6
20 mins on stepper
Trained today at Doherty's with Leigh
close grip
dumbell incline press
rotator cuff
standing calf raise
** Bit late.. but here's a pic of what the girls bought me for mother's day. Some tulips and a voodoo knife block ;-)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
what? no latte?
close grip bench - 3x8reps @ 60kg
lockouts @ 80kg
dumbell press @ 50lb dbells - shoulder/delt pain tolerable, hopefully this is a good sign.
wide upright rows - 4x10 @ 30kg
front raises (rehab) 4x8 @ 12.5lb dbells
stepper - 20 mins
I attribute the reduced shoulder pain to the extra stretching I've been doing through the chest area, plus the rehab / rotator cuff exercises.
I'm starting to add in a little cardio when I can, just the stepper for now. I wouldn't mind getting one of these for home. Have checked on ebay - of course the ones I like would have to be the most expensive so I'm unlikely to get one unless I can find a good 2nd hand one.
Nasty headache when I arrived at work this morning, slept well, but I think it was caffeine withdrawl. My coffee machine is out being serviced - no late night latte before bed.... hope its back by the weekend. Had to run out tonight and find a local place that was open to get a take away latte!
Deadlift training tomorrow night.....
lockouts @ 80kg
dumbell press @ 50lb dbells - shoulder/delt pain tolerable, hopefully this is a good sign.
wide upright rows - 4x10 @ 30kg
front raises (rehab) 4x8 @ 12.5lb dbells
stepper - 20 mins
I attribute the reduced shoulder pain to the extra stretching I've been doing through the chest area, plus the rehab / rotator cuff exercises.
I'm starting to add in a little cardio when I can, just the stepper for now. I wouldn't mind getting one of these for home. Have checked on ebay - of course the ones I like would have to be the most expensive so I'm unlikely to get one unless I can find a good 2nd hand one.
Nasty headache when I arrived at work this morning, slept well, but I think it was caffeine withdrawl. My coffee machine is out being serviced - no late night latte before bed.... hope its back by the weekend. Had to run out tonight and find a local place that was open to get a take away latte!
Deadlift training tomorrow night.....
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A good week
Trained well all this week.
Monday, squat per usual at Doherty's, raw and working on depth and balance.
Tuesday, bench press at Definition. My usual bench was being used so I decided top warm up lightly with dumbells, seeing how it felt and to my surprise no so much pain as usual. Pressed to a max of 45lb dumbells - whoo-hoo (LOL) Still, I take this as a good thing and put it down to some extra stretching I've been doing at night - in particular neck and chest stretches. Main exercise was still close grip bench. 5x5. Tricep press and standing behind neck tricep press.
Wednesday at Definition, upper back, wide rowing, t-bar rowing, lat pulldown (alternate front and rear). attempted some overhead shoulder press but that was pushing my luck too much with my sore rear delt. Then finished off some oblique training - cable woodchops.
Thursday - would have been deadlift, but Leigh wanted me to rest up my back and hamstring as we're going to have a heavy night for squatting on Monday - The first in a long time. So bicep curls with the ez-bar, dumbell hammer curls and cable straight bar. Then instead of any deadlift work I did some grip strength training. Holding a 8kg dumbell in a pincher grip for 30 seconds. Sounds easy...... but not! It didn't seem enough so I spend 20 mins on the stepper - goddamn I'm unfit!!
Talking about unfit, last Sunday I decided to WALK to the servo to get the paper rather tan drive. This is a 5k round trip which I might add I used to run.... I got halfway there and thought 'I wish someone would come and pick me up'. Cant believe I used to run this!!! I am so UNFIT.
This weekend is a 'horsey weekend' I was out riding this morning at Adult riding club. I'm getting better at going over the jumps at a canter and even managed some grade 4 jumps - I am only graded to level 5 (the lowest grade!) but I'm getting more confident and balanced.
Tomorrow - Pony club for Madii, and an extra early start as we have a special seminar being held by Collen Kelly - so much for a mother's day lie in or breakfast in bed Oh well cant complain - Leigh came over Thursday morning after I had a early morning conference call and he made a yummy breakfast of omeletes, bacon and hash browns. Lucky me!!
Monday, squat per usual at Doherty's, raw and working on depth and balance.
Tuesday, bench press at Definition. My usual bench was being used so I decided top warm up lightly with dumbells, seeing how it felt and to my surprise no so much pain as usual. Pressed to a max of 45lb dumbells - whoo-hoo (LOL) Still, I take this as a good thing and put it down to some extra stretching I've been doing at night - in particular neck and chest stretches. Main exercise was still close grip bench. 5x5. Tricep press and standing behind neck tricep press.
Wednesday at Definition, upper back, wide rowing, t-bar rowing, lat pulldown (alternate front and rear). attempted some overhead shoulder press but that was pushing my luck too much with my sore rear delt. Then finished off some oblique training - cable woodchops.
Thursday - would have been deadlift, but Leigh wanted me to rest up my back and hamstring as we're going to have a heavy night for squatting on Monday - The first in a long time. So bicep curls with the ez-bar, dumbell hammer curls and cable straight bar. Then instead of any deadlift work I did some grip strength training. Holding a 8kg dumbell in a pincher grip for 30 seconds. Sounds easy...... but not! It didn't seem enough so I spend 20 mins on the stepper - goddamn I'm unfit!!
Talking about unfit, last Sunday I decided to WALK to the servo to get the paper rather tan drive. This is a 5k round trip which I might add I used to run.... I got halfway there and thought 'I wish someone would come and pick me up'. Cant believe I used to run this!!! I am so UNFIT.
This weekend is a 'horsey weekend' I was out riding this morning at Adult riding club. I'm getting better at going over the jumps at a canter and even managed some grade 4 jumps - I am only graded to level 5 (the lowest grade!) but I'm getting more confident and balanced.
Tomorrow - Pony club for Madii, and an extra early start as we have a special seminar being held by Collen Kelly - so much for a mother's day lie in or breakfast in bed Oh well cant complain - Leigh came over Thursday morning after I had a early morning conference call and he made a yummy breakfast of omeletes, bacon and hash browns. Lucky me!!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tree trunks
I swear, I keep training legs like this and they're just gonna turn into tree trunks. I only have to look at the leg press or leg extension and my thighs engorge with blood. So much so that it almost inhibits my training and recovery seems to take days.... Here it is Wednesday afternoon and my legs still hurt from Monday nights session and tomorrow I'm booked in for a massage. Dont know if I'll cope with Ruth going hard core on my ITB.
Bench tonight, shoulder no better and I'm downing the voltaren like smarties. Close grip will have to be my main exercise for a while.
Bench tonight, shoulder no better and I'm downing the voltaren like smarties. Close grip will have to be my main exercise for a while.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Latest Project
A few weeks back Leigh handed over his brand new TomTom Navigator for me to setup/play with etc and being an absolute gadget freak I decided that I had to have one....Of course being me I had to have one with all the bells and whistles which was going to be quite expensive. I also had to consider that this would be an independent unit - not really ideal.
So I set about researching GPS software for my Dopod. A lot of the pre-packaged software and maps available here in Australia, while getting great reviews from retailers and the like, were being trashed in the various forums that I joined. Upshot is that I managed to get a copy of TomTom Navigator 6.00 (which technically is not for sale in Australia) and 650.1114 maps (somewhat out of date - no Eastlink). Coupled with a $99 bluetooth GPS receiver it worked like a charm and with a few tweaks from some other sites I was able to get red light and speed camera warnings.
Dissatisfied still tho' that the maps were not current I set about trawling the forums until I found a site where I could get both a software update 6.032 AND current maps 675.1431. After much fiddling I have the new maps working and Eastlink now shows on the maps, however routing onto the freeway doesnt take place, I know its not open yet but I'm still wondering how it will know when the freeway can be used.... Some more investigation required I think.....
Training is plodding along, setting the ground work for deeper squats still and squeezing a little more out of my deadlift - neither of which I've trained particularly heavy for quite some time. Benching... that is definitely on the backburner at the moment because of my rear delt injury, close grip benching is about as close as I can get to doing a real bench press at the moment.Leigh is quite content for me to keep chipping away at the close grip and strengthen my triceps further while I get treatment. Unfortunately he's still suffering from healing loss and so communication is pretty much one-way - in some respects thats good for my training, no point complaining 'cos he cant hear me so I just listen to his instructions and focus on what I'm meant to be doing.
Tho' I did have a whinge about some bruises I discovered on my butt Tuesday morning after our Monday night squat session. Doing low box squats, a couple of times I fell heavily onto the box and so had some rather distinctive bruises which I photographed and showed Leigh when we met for a latte in the city later on Tuesday morning.... No, dont even ask, I am not posting the picture here!
Work has organized for a masseur to come into the office once a week, not free, but may as well be since Oracle provides us with great hospital and extras cover. Remedial massage is claimable and with HBA (who we are moving to in June) cover 90% of the cost. Tried out the new masseuse last week, Ruth, little lady with tough elbows!! Got into my right ITB and and glute where I am getting pain squatting and then she worked on my right shoulder and pec. I know I'm not doing enough post training stretching, this is something she says I really need to address if I'm to get over these injuries - another appt next Thursday.
Earthworks last week - finally got the driveway extended. Tuesday they started digging and Thursday they poured the concrete. Hard yaka walking up and down the driveway for those few days - really unfit!! By Sunday night we were able to drive on it. The mount of dirt and rock from the escavation is still to be moved - Leah's boyfriend Andrew is organizing a bobcat for the job.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Giddyap
On pager last week, reasonably quiet except for Wednesday when it wouldn't stop going off! Still I was glad when Friday came around and that I was not 'on' for the weekend.
Entered my first riding comp in over a year, A combined training event out at Wandin, so big and open... Mojo was terribly excited - which was not good news for me. My first ever dressage test and I came dead last, Mojo simply would not settle and jogged thru where he should have been walking and traveled sideways instead of straight down the line. The judges commented that I 'did the best I could' given that Mojo was so unsettled. Fared better in the show jumping arena with a clear round - albeit some time penalties - at least I stayed on which was more than some other poor competitors.
Benching is still giving me grief. Delt pain is so intense - but only when I lift, doesn't trouble me for day to day stuff, ohh it does play up at night sometimes, the way I sleep I think.
Deadlifted well on Thursday night, heavy partials, Worked in with one of guy's that George is training whose name escapes me, anyway we were both doing 3's at the same weight - although he made it look a little easier - I think it was his determination not to look bad against a woman - LOL.
Lower back was pretty sore into the weekend but I was keen to ride at DARC. Dressage was a little boring and quite hot sitting on our horses in the arena in the sun. The show jumping lesson was more fun and the instructor encouraged me to have a go at cantering over the jumps which Mojo took in his stride - even managed a low grid which was 3 jumps very close together - like bouncing over the jumps - no strides between. I was trying to slow Mojo be he went at them at a canter. Adrenalin plus!
Pony Club on Sunday for Madii, while I helped out back at the working bee.... had to shift piles of pine logs used to build jumps on the new cross country course that we are getting. Needed to move them into the compound so they don't get stolen (the clubhouse was broken into during the holidays - kids, took the drinks, chocolate stash and the kettle. Yeah, the kettle - go figure!)
Anyways, result = trashed lower back from the training, riding and working bee... Tonight it has to hold up for an intense squat session - I think Leigh has plans to make me cry.
Cheers
Vicki
PS. Bobo... yes the stats on Andy's page are out of date. My current stats are on the right side panel of this page.
Entered my first riding comp in over a year, A combined training event out at Wandin, so big and open... Mojo was terribly excited - which was not good news for me. My first ever dressage test and I came dead last, Mojo simply would not settle and jogged thru where he should have been walking and traveled sideways instead of straight down the line. The judges commented that I 'did the best I could' given that Mojo was so unsettled. Fared better in the show jumping arena with a clear round - albeit some time penalties - at least I stayed on which was more than some other poor competitors.
Benching is still giving me grief. Delt pain is so intense - but only when I lift, doesn't trouble me for day to day stuff, ohh it does play up at night sometimes, the way I sleep I think.
Deadlifted well on Thursday night, heavy partials, Worked in with one of guy's that George is training whose name escapes me, anyway we were both doing 3's at the same weight - although he made it look a little easier - I think it was his determination not to look bad against a woman - LOL.
Lower back was pretty sore into the weekend but I was keen to ride at DARC. Dressage was a little boring and quite hot sitting on our horses in the arena in the sun. The show jumping lesson was more fun and the instructor encouraged me to have a go at cantering over the jumps which Mojo took in his stride - even managed a low grid which was 3 jumps very close together - like bouncing over the jumps - no strides between. I was trying to slow Mojo be he went at them at a canter. Adrenalin plus!
Pony Club on Sunday for Madii, while I helped out back at the working bee.... had to shift piles of pine logs used to build jumps on the new cross country course that we are getting. Needed to move them into the compound so they don't get stolen (the clubhouse was broken into during the holidays - kids, took the drinks, chocolate stash and the kettle. Yeah, the kettle - go figure!)
Anyways, result = trashed lower back from the training, riding and working bee... Tonight it has to hold up for an intense squat session - I think Leigh has plans to make me cry.
Cheers
Vicki
PS. Bobo... yes the stats on Andy's page are out of date. My current stats are on the right side panel of this page.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Change of plans
Leigh suggested that we train on Friday morning rather than Thursday night which suited me quite well as my upper back was still a little sore from back training on Tuesday. Plus Madii was desperate to go a pick up her new phone, a Hiptop Slide. This also afforded me a $200 JB Hifi voucher which after sweet talking the salesman I was able to get a $50 discount on the Office 2007 software I've been after to connect/sync my Dopod. The software was (over)priced at $299 so with my discount and vouchers I only had to shell out $49. Not bad, especially as I hate paying for software.
Training started at 6.30 am, which as we discovered is not my best time of the day. My enthusiasm to train was thwarted by my inability to lift heavy at that time of the morning. Persevered thru partial deadlifts, but not to my usual standard. Continued after that with some rowing, shrugs and finally hamstring work - lying leg curls.
Breakfast minus the training debrief, Leigh still deaf from his ear infection, or whatever it is, so very difficult communicating. Spent the time writing messages on the napkins in the cafe.
Back home in time to get up the paddock and catch Mojo for new shoes and then off to a cross country clinic for Madii and Mojo.
Fell asleep in the recliner waiting to pick Madii up from a party later that night. Soooo tired.
Today trained with Leigh again at Doherty's. This time a little later... like 12 noon!
Chest
Dumbbell press with neutral grip
Incline dumbell - extreme pain right shoulder traveling down into the triceps - dropped weight back to like 10kg dumbells. This is the shoulder that I'm having physio treatment for - I'm getting so frustrated with this and nothing seems to be helping.
Light shoulder press - just trying to get some blood into the affected area.
Calves
Seated raise - 3 sets toes in, 3 sets toes out.
Discussed over lunch (as much as possible with Leigh being deaf...) my debilitating shoulder problem and the possibility to stopping benching totally for a while. Reality is that I will not be making any gains in my bench press this year. This is quite depressing.
Went over to Shazza's to see her new place, she's only moved in today. Only a quick visit as her BF, Brett, was there and I didnt want to impose too much while they were busy getting the place set up. Few things I'd like to chat to her about but no chance... it can wait.
Earth hour tonight, I will turn off as many appliances as I can but I'm not sitting in the house in the dark all by myself for an hour... stuff that, I'll have one light on and read my book (with my nerdy classes on) Talking of earth hour its 7.50 so I'd better go and start turning off thing and make myself a latte before turning Silva off.
Training started at 6.30 am, which as we discovered is not my best time of the day. My enthusiasm to train was thwarted by my inability to lift heavy at that time of the morning. Persevered thru partial deadlifts, but not to my usual standard. Continued after that with some rowing, shrugs and finally hamstring work - lying leg curls.
Breakfast minus the training debrief, Leigh still deaf from his ear infection, or whatever it is, so very difficult communicating. Spent the time writing messages on the napkins in the cafe.
Back home in time to get up the paddock and catch Mojo for new shoes and then off to a cross country clinic for Madii and Mojo.
Fell asleep in the recliner waiting to pick Madii up from a party later that night. Soooo tired.
Today trained with Leigh again at Doherty's. This time a little later... like 12 noon!
Chest
Dumbbell press with neutral grip
Incline dumbell - extreme pain right shoulder traveling down into the triceps - dropped weight back to like 10kg dumbells. This is the shoulder that I'm having physio treatment for - I'm getting so frustrated with this and nothing seems to be helping.
Light shoulder press - just trying to get some blood into the affected area.
Calves
Seated raise - 3 sets toes in, 3 sets toes out.
Discussed over lunch (as much as possible with Leigh being deaf...) my debilitating shoulder problem and the possibility to stopping benching totally for a while. Reality is that I will not be making any gains in my bench press this year. This is quite depressing.
Went over to Shazza's to see her new place, she's only moved in today. Only a quick visit as her BF, Brett, was there and I didnt want to impose too much while they were busy getting the place set up. Few things I'd like to chat to her about but no chance... it can wait.
Earth hour tonight, I will turn off as many appliances as I can but I'm not sitting in the house in the dark all by myself for an hour... stuff that, I'll have one light on and read my book (with my nerdy classes on) Talking of earth hour its 7.50 so I'd better go and start turning off thing and make myself a latte before turning Silva off.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Training log: week starting March 24
Easter Monday (public holiday)
Trained legs at 3pm at Doherty's - earlier than the usual 7pm.
Light squats (hip/piriformis strain still giving me grief) and partial hack squats.
Tuesday (at Definition)
Benched 5x5@65 - bit of a sticking point for reps
Rowing 4x8 @ 120
T-Bar 4x6 @ 40 (narrow grip)
Attempted to use the shoulder press machine but the rear delt strain put a quick end to that.
Rear delt very very light aka rehab 4x10 @7.5kg dumbells
Wednesday (rest)
Thursday (tonight)
Partial deadlifts...... (TBC)
Trained legs at 3pm at Doherty's - earlier than the usual 7pm.
Light squats (hip/piriformis strain still giving me grief) and partial hack squats.
Tuesday (at Definition)
Benched 5x5@65 - bit of a sticking point for reps
Rowing 4x8 @ 120
T-Bar 4x6 @ 40 (narrow grip)
Attempted to use the shoulder press machine but the rear delt strain put a quick end to that.
Rear delt very very light aka rehab 4x10 @7.5kg dumbells
Wednesday (rest)
Thursday (tonight)
Partial deadlifts...... (TBC)
Monday, March 24, 2008
In a rut
Lately life just seems to be rolling by. Day after day of the same old thing. Sitting in bumper to bumper traffic along the freeway and Hoddle street. Some mornings taking over an hour to get to the office to face an endless queue of software bugs to be reviewed and backports to be processed, pager going off monotonously. Basic repetitive training, rehab work, painful ITB massage......
Early morning traffic & city skyline from the freeway
some time later on Hoddle street...
Nationals are still my goal this year but I'm having to think carefully about about it. With it being the only comp this year, it may wind up being a practice run for 2009 - an expensive one if I do go as its in Perth, Western Australia.
On top of that I've recently completed the nerd look by acquiring a pair of reading glasses. Long distance vision is perfect, but close up - forget it. While I was in at the new NIB health insurance center claiming back yet another remedial massage I decided to have an eye test with their in-house optometrist and the result, as I've just said is I need glasses for reading, not for my computer work - just reading (and painting my nails!)
Easter long weekend, Leigh attended an auction by telephone from my place and later we watched episode 11 of Underbelly - unfortunately there seems to be a problem with the sound which I'll investigate at with my 'supplier' next week.
Saturday morning up early and we drove to Beechworth for the day, stopping at Avenel for breakfast. While we were there I took time out to visit the museum and get this photo of my great grandfather, Michael Considine.
Michael Considine
Also drove out to the cemetery to see my great grandparents grave - a bit of family history!
Beechworth Cemetery
Back on the home front, a family of magpies have decided to adopt us and have been calling in daily for a feed. Such bold little characters they've been taking the food from our hands.
Magpies
This morning we were treated to a couple of white cockatoo's - but I'm not feeding them, they're known to be quite destructive to timber deckings!
Early morning traffic & city skyline from the freeway
some time later on Hoddle street...On top of that I've recently completed the nerd look by acquiring a pair of reading glasses. Long distance vision is perfect, but close up - forget it. While I was in at the new NIB health insurance center claiming back yet another remedial massage I decided to have an eye test with their in-house optometrist and the result, as I've just said is I need glasses for reading, not for my computer work - just reading (and painting my nails!)
Easter long weekend, Leigh attended an auction by telephone from my place and later we watched episode 11 of Underbelly - unfortunately there seems to be a problem with the sound which I'll investigate at with my 'supplier' next week.
Saturday morning up early and we drove to Beechworth for the day, stopping at Avenel for breakfast. While we were there I took time out to visit the museum and get this photo of my great grandfather, Michael Considine.
Michael Considine
Beechworth Cemetery
MagpiesThis morning we were treated to a couple of white cockatoo's - but I'm not feeding them, they're known to be quite destructive to timber deckings!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Oops I did it again....
Still rather slack on the blogging side.... but.... my exciting news....
What an amazing and inspirational woman, living in the U.S. but a true blue aussie at heart.
who weighed in at 146.4kg, benched 'only 300kg' as he put it!
The next few placings were very close with body weight being a determining factor:
Daniel "Chucky" DiPasqua 220kg
Rhys Jameson 240kg (who works at Definition part time...) Rhys took a 4th attempt at 260 but unfortunately missed the lift and it looked as tho' he burst an eardrum in the process.
Steve Kirby 220kg
and awesome lift from Queensland teenager Guy Belgrove, 180kg at age 19! Go Guy!!
There were some big attempts from Martyn Girvan (240kg) and Dave Park (280 & 300) both from Apollo gym, but unfortunately not successful on the day
Unfortunately I don't have any pics from the bench comp as I was on the scoring table along with my fellow powerlifter Louise VuDuy. Good to hear that she is also planning to make the trip across to WA later this year for the Nationals - Victoria will have a strong team!
Also I missed the local show that was on prior to the pro-show, so no pics there either, but looked to be a strong although small lineup.
Random pics from the Pro show will be uploaded later (once I sort thru them).
Foot notes:
My review with Mark Blackney (my toe surgeon) resulted in a cortisone injection into the joint (read OWWWWW) While the joint now has more movement, the arthritis is still a problem, hence more Mobic and the injection. If there is still a problem in a couple of months, Mark will inject a local anaesthetic into the joint and we'll have a go at some hard core manipulation of the joint and if all else fails he'll cortisone it a few weeks before Nationals so at least it wont hurt.
SO at this stage, still no running and with daylight savings coming to an end soon, this has been my least successful "summer running" to date.
.
I MET BEV FRANCIS !!!!!!
Powerlifting & bodybuilding legend!
Powerlifting & bodybuilding legend!
Bev and myself with Bev's Daughters either end, Tara and Haley.
What an amazing and inspirational woman, living in the U.S. but a true blue aussie at heart.
KING of the Bench....
goes to...
you guessed it....
goes to...
you guessed it....
Shaun Bostock
who weighed in at 146.4kg, benched 'only 300kg' as he put it!
2nd place Paul Nay (255kg) & 3rd Yuval Bar (220kg)
The next few placings were very close with body weight being a determining factor:
Daniel "Chucky" DiPasqua 220kg
Rhys Jameson 240kg (who works at Definition part time...) Rhys took a 4th attempt at 260 but unfortunately missed the lift and it looked as tho' he burst an eardrum in the process.
Steve Kirby 220kg
and awesome lift from Queensland teenager Guy Belgrove, 180kg at age 19! Go Guy!!
There were some big attempts from Martyn Girvan (240kg) and Dave Park (280 & 300) both from Apollo gym, but unfortunately not successful on the day
Unfortunately I don't have any pics from the bench comp as I was on the scoring table along with my fellow powerlifter Louise VuDuy. Good to hear that she is also planning to make the trip across to WA later this year for the Nationals - Victoria will have a strong team!
Also I missed the local show that was on prior to the pro-show, so no pics there either, but looked to be a strong although small lineup.
Random pics from the Pro show will be uploaded later (once I sort thru them).
Foot notes:
My review with Mark Blackney (my toe surgeon) resulted in a cortisone injection into the joint (read OWWWWW) While the joint now has more movement, the arthritis is still a problem, hence more Mobic and the injection. If there is still a problem in a couple of months, Mark will inject a local anaesthetic into the joint and we'll have a go at some hard core manipulation of the joint and if all else fails he'll cortisone it a few weeks before Nationals so at least it wont hurt.
SO at this stage, still no running and with daylight savings coming to an end soon, this has been my least successful "summer running" to date.
.
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