A tip for your time in the gym

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Thursday, July 14. 2022

A tip for your time in the gym

Do not compare yourself to others, or to what others do.

I admit that it is impossible not to notice others but, like golf, your important comparison is to what your performance and condition were a month or two ago. I know - you start with one chin-up while some 60 year-old lady is doing 10 or 12. Admire what she does if you must, but aim for 1 1/2 or two for next month.

As I mentioned, Mrs BD and I are in "training" for an 7-day hiking trip, 12 miles/day (with a side visit to Edinburgh). It's remarkable to me how endurance can advance by training for it. For serious hikers, our challenge is no big deal even with 50 lb. packs. Not me - I am fine with 12 miles once, but I don't know about daily.

Addendum: I heard on the radio this morning that Edinburgh is the #1 tourist destination in the Western world this year. I've been there. I don't really see the attraction... the appeal of Scotland is the grey dreariness as a contrast to the warm and sunny summers in the US.

Posted by Bird Dog in Physical Fitness at 13:33 | Comments (10) | Trackbacks (0)

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The problem will be your feet. The trick is to have the proper Band-Aids with you and recognize when you are getting a hotspot and fix it right away. Find "liner socks" and have them with you and an extra pair of socks. If you are a sandal person carry them and change out of shoes into sandles for a mile or so. If not try to have two comfortable pair of shoes so you can change if you need to. I know it sounds like everyone harps on blisters and shoe fit etc. but it is 100% true and it will be a shame to have to quit while you are feeling fine but your foot is bleeding or will be if you continue.

I'm jealous. I would love to be making that hike. Can't wait to hear all the details.

#1 OneGuy on 2022-07-14 17:20 (Reply)

The military tattoo is good

#2 Assistant Village Idiot on 2022-07-14 21:33 (Reply)

There's a guy in my gym who only shows up from late May to late October.

He turns 70 this year I think.

I mostly see him on "leg day". He's only squatting (box squats, not full depth) at 175 or 195 right now. 3 or 4 sets of 20. Then he hits the leg press for some more work.

By October--if the last couple years are any guide--he'll be hitting 325 for 3 or 4 sets of 20. Note that I'm 15 years his junior, and between my knees and hip flexors I'm lucky to squat 135x10, so this isn't a comparison.

Then sometime in early november the ski slopes open, and he's gone. Apparently skis 4+ days a week *ALL WINTER LONG*. Once the resorts close down he takes a month off and starts getting ready for the next season.

I don't compare myself to him, but it's an aspirational goal.

#3 William O. B'Livion on 2022-07-15 00:48 (Reply)

325 for 3 or 4 sets of 20? Just how tall is that box he's squatting to?

#3.1 RJP on 2022-07-15 11:43 (Reply)

Dude's a freak of nature--his legs don't even look that big.

#3.1.1 William O. B'Livion on 2022-07-15 21:02 (Reply)

If he could manage a single full squat at 325 (or a bit more), he would almost certainly break his state USAPL record and possibly the American record for his age group, especially if he's not too heavy (under 175 lbs).

#3.1.1.1 RJP on 2022-07-16 18:11 (Reply)

Forgot to note:
> the appeal of Scotland is the grey dreariness as a

That's a funny way to spell Whiskey.

#4 William O. B'Livion on 2022-07-15 00:49 (Reply)

Do you actually know any 60 year old women who can do that many chinups? That's an impressive number for anyone that age.

#5 anon on 2022-07-15 11:11 (Reply)

Yes I do. I can say that she is not overweight. She likes to do speed bike and pullups as warmups for calisthenics class.

#5.1 BD on 2022-07-15 11:28 (Reply)

18 miles alone in the U.P., the last 9 miles limping on a heel blister, you start checking your six cus you are looking like prey.

#6 u.k.(us) on 2022-07-22 23:05 (Reply)

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Thursday, July 14. 2022

A tip for your time in the gym