Today was my AMRAPs (as many reps as possible) for part of Stage 1 in my training program. These were easier and harder than I expected. Since I didn’t think I’d accomplish much with my starting weights I picked ones somewhere between my starting and ending weights.

A: Barbell Squats (45lbs) - 31
B1: Push-up (knees) - 22
B2: Bent-over Row (45lbs) - 32
C1: Step-up (15lbs ea) - 20/18
C2: Prone Jackknife - 29

I realized after I started the step-ups that I should have alternated them. After doing 20 with my right leg I switched over and thought I’d do 20 with my left. No, not going to happen. I’m not quite sure I should count 29 for the Jackknife as I fell off the ball after 22 reps, but managed to eek out another 7 before I called it quits. I also made a point to do the push-ups on my knees. I’m still at the point where 8 in a row are about my max, so there wasn’t any point in picking them. However, I did start at the 60-degree push-ups, so I think the 22 wasn’t too bad.

In theory I was aiming for 30 minimum for each, so I didn’t quite hit what I wanted. The catch was if I’d done say 30 push-ups I’m not that sure I could have kept going. I made up the morning session to 45 mins with a 15-min treadmill warm-up and whatever it took to go up to 45 mins afterwards (I think about 12 mins). I recovered enough to do another 30 mins on the treadmill before lunch.

After lunch I did some yardwork (planting raspberry canes, digging over the empty bed that we’re going to wait to plant until someone comes and braces the fence). Then I finished the afternoon with 30-mins of laps in the pool. I think that’s what I’m going to do during my rest week - gardening and working on my laps. I stopped doing them as often as I felt it was affecting my shoulders and possibly recovery between lifting sessions. I’m hoping that a week of laps will help me build a little stamina there.

From the HRM today:

Water: 20 cups

Food: 2793 (27% fat, 39% carbs, 31% protein)

Breakfast: egg white/egg omelet with cheese, pecan cherry bread, jam, grapefruit (462)

AM Snack: almonds, protein shake (344)

Lunch: mixed bean soup, smoked ham, apple (450)

PM Snack: protein shake with sweet & sour cherries, soy nuts (452)

Dinner: chicken & sausage gumbo, rice, mixed veg, salad w/dressing (689)

Late Snack: protein shake, fruit salad, biscotti (396)