Goals/Areas of Focus

With the race and bench press meet behind me, it's time to start regrouping again. Things I am thinking about (besides marathon prep!)

• Squats - add them back into the routine more consistently - light and mainly focused on good form
  
• Deadlifts - 225 for 3; 185 for 15
  
• Bench - hit chest harder - maybe supplement with pushups at home on chest and tricep days. Goal of 135 lb bench by August 30.
  
• Triceps - work on those blasted medicine ball pushups
• June 20th Sundown 5K - meet sub-7 minute/mile goal
• Fall Brush Mountain Breakdown

VT Bench Press Competition

Today was the bench press competition and it was a very well-run meet in War Memorial Gym on the VT campus. I was very satisfied with my efforts, opening with 105, then 115, then finishing with a personal best of 120 that I had not been able to get in the gym prior. I weighed in the night before at 119 so I can say I benched my bodyweight.

So now I am determined to work toward a solid 135 lb bench. I was never able to get that in a meet WITH the assistance of a compression bench shirt, so I'd like to finally achieve that goal "raw". I am giving it a year, but JRP predicts by the end of the summer.

So now it's strange to look at my list of "upcoming competitions" and see only ONE on there. Granted it's a big one, but I need some intermediate goals and a few following. I know I want to do the Brush Mountain trail race again next fall, and I'd like to support BCC in the swim meets this summer, but I need to find a few other adventures along the way. No doubt, I will!!

Bench Press

Saturday is the bench press competition where I expect to get 115# and hope for 120#. Rec Sports contacted me for some info for the program, and I like to archive that stuff so here it is. I am monitoring my weight pretty closely. I should make the 122 cutoff but weight can fluctuate a few lbs either way so the next two days will be interesting.

Hometown: Blacksburg, VA

Age: 41

Department: Industrial and Systems Engineering & Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Favorite Exercise: in the gym - sumo deadlifts; out of the gym - running and tennis

#of Competitions you have competed in: Six or so powerlifting meets in the early 90's. This is my first meet since then.

Key to success: An experienced and knowledgeable trainer to manage and optimize my workout and nutrition plans, an integrated resistance training and cardio program, inspiring goals, supportive family, competitive drive, no excuses, and lots of fun. A good massage therapist and chiropractor help too!

Mentor: my trainer Jake Parks, who challenges and motivates me beyond what I thought possible. In just ten months he's gotten me into the best shape I've ever been in and the resulting energy and enjoyment have enhanced many other areas of my life.

Current iPod music: contemporary Christian for the gym and NPR podcasts for long runs

Obstacles overcome: my own false assumptions that motherhood, family, and work wouldn't allow a fitness lifestyle.

Reason for participating: knowing I like goals and challenges, my trainer suggested it.

Fitness background: over the last six months I began competing in races - from 5Ks to half marathons - and I am currently in training for the Pittsburgh Marathon on May 3.

Blacksburg Classic 10-miler

I think I have finally recovered from an all-out effort at the Blacksburg Classic 10-miler. It was such a busy week for me with a conference + teaching + family duties, so I didn't feel rested or as prepared as I could be mentally or physically. Nevertheless, as I toed the line at 1:15 pm, I told myself to give it all I had and how disappointed I would be if I finished without doing my absolute best. That was not the last conversation I had with myself on that course. It was a constant battle of wills out there and by the time I finished, I was tired of listening to myself!

I finished right around 1:15, with an average pace of 7:30. It was an improvement in pace over the last half-marathon, and although this race was shorter, it was definitely hillier than anything else I have run competitively. I managed a nice kick for the last 150 m and finished strong.

We couldn't have asked for a better day - it was in the upper 40's/low 50's and sunny! The promise of spring was palpable.

The icing on the cake was to receive the overall master's win for the women (40-49). I enjoy the training process as well as the pre-and post-race festivities, but the actual race itself can leave me bereft, wiped out. Not until the next morning do I feel OK again.

The running community is a great one - welcoming and mutually supportive. I've run into old friends, made some new ones, and it's just enjoyable to get together for what my friend Steve calls not a race, but "an organized run." We are ultimately running against the course and against our own doubts and self-imposed limits. Sometimes I can just feed off my own positive energy and those are the best races. Other times, like yesterday, it's a battle of wills and pure stubbornness that gets me through. That was a tough one.

Word Cloud of the Unblobbing

My WORDLE cloud of this blog. Bigger words are found more often; smaller less so. A neat perspective!