Sunday, March 29, 2009
5K Training - Week 1 Recap
My first week of training for the 5K race has gone well. Including today, I will have done 4 running sessions this week. I missed Thurday's tempo run, but still, it's a good first week training start. I did my speed work on Monday, a 2 mile run on Wednesday, and I did my long run (5 miles at 6mph - 50 minutes) yesterday. The long run half killed me. Maybe I ran too fast for my current cardiovascular ability. I think a lot of running involves mental discipline, though. Today, is my 30 minute easy run. It's supposed to be an active recovery day. So, that will wind down the week of training.
Friday, March 27, 2009
4th Adult Level 2 Trapeze Class
Trapeze class was good tonight. Overall, it started off pretty slow, but I really got excited about the last trick and am going to use it to start off my performance.
Here's what we did:
1. Fairy Pose - did this twice, still not very good at this one.
2. Double knee roll-up - (twice) I'm getting pretty good at this one.
3. Sea Horse - When I did this, I turned the wrong way, which messed me up. I have to remember to turn into the wrap to wrap some more. Otherwise, this was good.
4. Amazon - (three times) sit sideways on the bar, left hand goes in the middle of the bar, right hand reaches up on the ropes, left hand is locked, lift hips off the bar and back, rope goes along the right side of the neck, let go with right hand
5. Shoulder Stand, Straddle back balance, bird's nest. - I did the first 2 in this sequence in my performance last time around, so this was no problem.
6. Front Pullover, Front Balance, Hip Circle into Catcher's Hang, Wrapped Angel, pulling out into a stand - (3 times), This is where I actually got excited about the class. I was able to do the hip circle pretty well this week. I did it successfully into the catcher's hang as well. I'm thinking this will be a good opening for my performance. It will be similar to the opening of the last performance, but it will be even more thrilling. The hip circle is a really cool trick. It's the one where I essentially hurl myself around the bar in a tucked position.
I also did quite a bit of conditioning. One of the worker's there recommended that I do my pushups with a close in hand position. It was much more difficult, as I typically have a wide position. It works different muscles. So, I'm going to try that for a while from now on. I definitely need to build up some more strength.
Here's what we did:
1. Fairy Pose - did this twice, still not very good at this one.
2. Double knee roll-up - (twice) I'm getting pretty good at this one.
3. Sea Horse - When I did this, I turned the wrong way, which messed me up. I have to remember to turn into the wrap to wrap some more. Otherwise, this was good.
4. Amazon - (three times) sit sideways on the bar, left hand goes in the middle of the bar, right hand reaches up on the ropes, left hand is locked, lift hips off the bar and back, rope goes along the right side of the neck, let go with right hand
5. Shoulder Stand, Straddle back balance, bird's nest. - I did the first 2 in this sequence in my performance last time around, so this was no problem.
6. Front Pullover, Front Balance, Hip Circle into Catcher's Hang, Wrapped Angel, pulling out into a stand - (3 times), This is where I actually got excited about the class. I was able to do the hip circle pretty well this week. I did it successfully into the catcher's hang as well. I'm thinking this will be a good opening for my performance. It will be similar to the opening of the last performance, but it will be even more thrilling. The hip circle is a really cool trick. It's the one where I essentially hurl myself around the bar in a tucked position.
I also did quite a bit of conditioning. One of the worker's there recommended that I do my pushups with a close in hand position. It was much more difficult, as I typically have a wide position. It works different muscles. So, I'm going to try that for a while from now on. I definitely need to build up some more strength.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Hashbrowns
This is a recipe that my mom used to make when I was little. Granted, my version is probably a bit different (smart balance instead of butter, salt sense instead of salt, and I use red potatoes - I don't remember what she used to use). But, the essence is the same. It's not even really hashbrowns, but that's what she used to call it. Also, she used to make it in the pan after cooking eggs, which added some additional flavor. But, enough of that history. Onto my version.
I chopped up 2 medium red potatoes into cubes. Sprayed a pan with non-stick pam spray. Added some smart balance. Set the heat on the stove to medium. Once the smart balance is melted, shake in some salt sense. Then, add the chopped up potatoes. Use a spoon to move the potatoes around so that they don't burn or stick to the pan. Heat until the potatoes are just a little crunchy. Then, serve.
It's a really tasty dish, and not bad health-wise. Red potatoes are very healthy. Plus, they're an excellent source of potassium (better than bananas for that). The smart balance gives it a good fatty acid omega 3 ratio, and the salt sense isn't too bad sodium wise. All in all, it's a great dish when you're in the mood for potatoes or comfort food.
I chopped up 2 medium red potatoes into cubes. Sprayed a pan with non-stick pam spray. Added some smart balance. Set the heat on the stove to medium. Once the smart balance is melted, shake in some salt sense. Then, add the chopped up potatoes. Use a spoon to move the potatoes around so that they don't burn or stick to the pan. Heat until the potatoes are just a little crunchy. Then, serve.
It's a really tasty dish, and not bad health-wise. Red potatoes are very healthy. Plus, they're an excellent source of potassium (better than bananas for that). The smart balance gives it a good fatty acid omega 3 ratio, and the salt sense isn't too bad sodium wise. All in all, it's a great dish when you're in the mood for potatoes or comfort food.
5K Training
I've decided to also focus on my running. I'm now starting to train for a 5K race on May 23rd, which gives me 9 weeks. I have an 8 week training schedule that I got online. So, I'll be following that. One of my friends is also training to do the 5K, too, so that will be awesome. My training has me running 5 days a week. Monday is speed work (speed intervals of .25 miles), Wed is a low mileage run day, Thursday is a tempo run day "running at a sustained comfortably hard pace". Saturday is the long run day. And Sunday is the easy run day. Each week builds extra mileage/speed, etc.
It looks like a good schedule. Plus, it gives me Tuesdays and Fridays off, which will let me do the gymnastics open gym if I want and the trapeze. Plus, on the Low mileage Wednesday day or the easy run Sunday, I can do strength training. I'm hoping to do more running outside, especially for Sundays, where I can run with my dogs, since it's a timed run rather than a distance run. I'll probably need to do some of my long runs outside as well. I'll need to look into finding a nice park to run at.
It looks like a good schedule. Plus, it gives me Tuesdays and Fridays off, which will let me do the gymnastics open gym if I want and the trapeze. Plus, on the Low mileage Wednesday day or the easy run Sunday, I can do strength training. I'm hoping to do more running outside, especially for Sundays, where I can run with my dogs, since it's a timed run rather than a distance run. I'll probably need to do some of my long runs outside as well. I'll need to look into finding a nice park to run at.
2nd and 3rd Adult Trapeze Level 2 Classes
I missed posting about my 2nd class. Essentially it was just ok. My instructor was sick, so we had a substitute. We were told to work on combinations of tricks. I worked a sequence of Split Under the Bar, 1 knee roll-up, Straight Up and Down, and Thread the Needle. I also practiced the Angel Sequence, Back Balance, Double Arm Flag, and Free Handed Hammock. I learned 1 new trick - 1/2 Angel on the Ropes. I was on the trapeze 5 times. A lot of the other people were just sitting around, so there was a lot of trapeze time open. But, there was little instruction. I also did some conditioning. All in all, it was a fairly uninspired practice.
Last Friday (my 3rd class) actually had the feel of the lessons the first time around. Only 5 of us showed up, which was nice. My instructor was there as well (along with the 2nd instructor). It was a good class.
1) We started with a combination - Double knee roll-up, Pull to Stand, Iron Cross, and Forward Roll. I was at the trapeze with the 2nd instructor. He was very impressed with my Iron Cross. I actually was able to get my arms completely perpendicular to my body. Also, with the Forward Roll, I had complete control. It was a good sequence for me.
2) Then, we learned the Fairy Pose. It was a difficult one for me. I don't even know how to describe it. You're standing, with one hand higher on the ropes than the other. You pull yourself up, upside down and position one leg straight out (the one near your lower hand). The other hand pulls up, and you wind up in a position on the ropes. My position didn't quite look like it was supposed to, though. I tried it twice and didn't quite get it right either time.
3) Seahorse - This was one I had trouble with during my private lesson. It actually went quite well this time, though. Sit to the side, lay back, balance, switch your knee to the other side of the rope, reach up and pull up (twisting your body into the ropes, legs are in a 1/2 split position), head back against the ropes (back arched), balance, unroll, balance, switch knee back, reach up and sit. I think this will probably go into my act.
4) Double-wrapped angel - This one was one that I didn't try 2 weeks ago. I only did the single wrap then. However, I actually did the double wrap this time. Front balance into catcher's hang, reach up and pull body up, push body through and around (wrapping again), move the ropes to the inside, roll down and out twice into catcher's hang. My roll down was less than graceful. I sort of got stuck both times. But, I did it, which was something. It felt like an accomplishment.
5) Zip Drop - We actually got to do the zip drop this week. I was excited because I want to put this into my act. High straddle, wrap both legs in the ropes, cross ropes behind back, handstand, unhook legs at the knee and slide down (zip), hold the bar into position where legs meet body, unhook legs the rest of the way and push them through to a pike (which causes the drop), then the rope untwists, so you spin 1/2 way, you wind up hanging down from the ropes. This could make a good finale trick.
6) Hip Circle - Front pullover to front balance, hurl yourself forward into a ball, circling the bar and reach through. The trick is the hurling part. You need the momentum to make it all the way around. I actually did it the 2nd time (although it looked really ugly).
7) Heels and Toes - this was the first time I did these where I actually felt like there was hope for me to master them. I actually supported my entire weight with both for maybe 10 seconds each. Granted, I have a long way to go, but it was progress.
So, it was a good class, which got me pumped up again about doing the trapeze.
I also did some conditioning. I didn't do as much as I could have, though. I find that I do better on the trapeze if I don't use all my strength doing the conditioning. I can do pushups and such at home. I go to trapeze class to learn and practice the trapeze moves. So, I think I'm going to go light on the conditioning while in class so that I can do my best at the trapeze part. I'll have to make sure I get my conditioning and strength training in at home.
Last Friday (my 3rd class) actually had the feel of the lessons the first time around. Only 5 of us showed up, which was nice. My instructor was there as well (along with the 2nd instructor). It was a good class.
1) We started with a combination - Double knee roll-up, Pull to Stand, Iron Cross, and Forward Roll. I was at the trapeze with the 2nd instructor. He was very impressed with my Iron Cross. I actually was able to get my arms completely perpendicular to my body. Also, with the Forward Roll, I had complete control. It was a good sequence for me.
2) Then, we learned the Fairy Pose. It was a difficult one for me. I don't even know how to describe it. You're standing, with one hand higher on the ropes than the other. You pull yourself up, upside down and position one leg straight out (the one near your lower hand). The other hand pulls up, and you wind up in a position on the ropes. My position didn't quite look like it was supposed to, though. I tried it twice and didn't quite get it right either time.
3) Seahorse - This was one I had trouble with during my private lesson. It actually went quite well this time, though. Sit to the side, lay back, balance, switch your knee to the other side of the rope, reach up and pull up (twisting your body into the ropes, legs are in a 1/2 split position), head back against the ropes (back arched), balance, unroll, balance, switch knee back, reach up and sit. I think this will probably go into my act.
4) Double-wrapped angel - This one was one that I didn't try 2 weeks ago. I only did the single wrap then. However, I actually did the double wrap this time. Front balance into catcher's hang, reach up and pull body up, push body through and around (wrapping again), move the ropes to the inside, roll down and out twice into catcher's hang. My roll down was less than graceful. I sort of got stuck both times. But, I did it, which was something. It felt like an accomplishment.
5) Zip Drop - We actually got to do the zip drop this week. I was excited because I want to put this into my act. High straddle, wrap both legs in the ropes, cross ropes behind back, handstand, unhook legs at the knee and slide down (zip), hold the bar into position where legs meet body, unhook legs the rest of the way and push them through to a pike (which causes the drop), then the rope untwists, so you spin 1/2 way, you wind up hanging down from the ropes. This could make a good finale trick.
6) Hip Circle - Front pullover to front balance, hurl yourself forward into a ball, circling the bar and reach through. The trick is the hurling part. You need the momentum to make it all the way around. I actually did it the 2nd time (although it looked really ugly).
7) Heels and Toes - this was the first time I did these where I actually felt like there was hope for me to master them. I actually supported my entire weight with both for maybe 10 seconds each. Granted, I have a long way to go, but it was progress.
So, it was a good class, which got me pumped up again about doing the trapeze.
I also did some conditioning. I didn't do as much as I could have, though. I find that I do better on the trapeze if I don't use all my strength doing the conditioning. I can do pushups and such at home. I go to trapeze class to learn and practice the trapeze moves. So, I think I'm going to go light on the conditioning while in class so that I can do my best at the trapeze part. I'll have to make sure I get my conditioning and strength training in at home.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
First Trapeze Adult Level 2 Class
I went to my very first adult level 2 trapeze class. It was still down at the City Museum, but it's on Friday rather than Thursday night. The museum is open during the lesson, so that makes parking more of an issue, since we can't just park in the lot without paying $5, which would make my lessons significantly more expensive. They told me about a nearby parking lot, which we can park in for free. So, that's what I did. But, the walk to the lot from after the lesson was slightly intimidating. I kept a close eye out for shady looking people who might be looking to assault me or something. Other than that, though, the lesson was good.
There were a LOT of people in the class - probably almost 10 in total (I didn't count). The guy from my last class was there. And, I think a lady from the other adult level 1 class last time was there. I think I recognized her from the group performance. Other than that, though, I didn't really know anyone else in the class. There were a lot of younger people. I'm not sure of the minimum age to be in the adult class.
Onto the lesson. Because there were so many of us, my instructor had a co-instructor there with her. So, there were 2 trapeze bars open to practice/learn the skills. Also, she had a list of conditioning exercises for us to work on between our turns.
I'll talk about the trapeze skills first.
1. Around the World - You're sitting on the bar. Left hand is gripping the bar palm out. Right hand is gripping the rope near the left hand, gripping up high. Both arms are straight. You tuck your legs into your chest and pull up with your right hand. Your body revolves around the rope that you're holding onto. when fully around, your legs go over the bar, and you wind up sitting in the same position that you started in.
2. Ladybug - already knew this one, as it was the final trick in my performance.
3. Toe Hang and Heel Hang - Oowww, need I say more. I first did these at my private lesson. I did the Heels better than the toes this time and was actually able to hold most of my weight. Toes, I kept skipping off.
4. Wrapped Angel - Start off with the sequence from my routine - front pullover, front balance, catcher's hang. Then, reach up and grab the ropes. Then, pull yourself up so that you are wrapped in the ropes. There's another step where you go under and around again (double wrapped angel), but the ropes were really tight as is, so I just did the wrapped on this time. Better not to kill myself the first night back.
5. Iron Cross - From standing, wrap both arms around ropes, keep arms straight. Make sure the ropes are into your armpits tightly. Lift body off bar to make sure you can support your weight. Then, lift arms out to make the cross shape.
6. Thread the Needle - This is one I've been wanting to learn and will probably put it in my next performance. Stand, wrap your left leg around the rope (still standing), reach down and hold the opposite rope. Lift your right leg up and onto the rope (making a split). Walk your hands up the rope and arch your back into a nice position.
7. 1 Knee Rollup - we did a sequence into this, split under the bar, then arch your back into a deeper split, 1 knee hang, lock legs, reach up with arms, and then do the roll up (described in more detail in my post about the last private lesson)
So, that's it for the tricks for this week. For conditioning, I did 30 pushups, 3 sets of 20 V-crunches, 3 sets of 15 superman lifts, 3-4 climbs up the rope (don't remember), 3 30 second planks on each side, 3 sets of 15 dips, 3 sets of 15 shoulder shrugs, 1 set of 5 chins (assisted). On the list we were supposed to do 3 sets of 5 chins, 3 sets of 5 pull ups (different grip), and 10 climbs up the rope. So, I did most of it. I was working almost the entire 90 minutes, so I think I got farther with the conditioning than most of the people. I think the guy from my last class might have been the only one to get through everything. It was a lot of conditioning. But, it was good. Between the gymnastics and the trapeze, I'm going to get really strong.
There were a LOT of people in the class - probably almost 10 in total (I didn't count). The guy from my last class was there. And, I think a lady from the other adult level 1 class last time was there. I think I recognized her from the group performance. Other than that, though, I didn't really know anyone else in the class. There were a lot of younger people. I'm not sure of the minimum age to be in the adult class.
Onto the lesson. Because there were so many of us, my instructor had a co-instructor there with her. So, there were 2 trapeze bars open to practice/learn the skills. Also, she had a list of conditioning exercises for us to work on between our turns.
I'll talk about the trapeze skills first.
1. Around the World - You're sitting on the bar. Left hand is gripping the bar palm out. Right hand is gripping the rope near the left hand, gripping up high. Both arms are straight. You tuck your legs into your chest and pull up with your right hand. Your body revolves around the rope that you're holding onto. when fully around, your legs go over the bar, and you wind up sitting in the same position that you started in.
2. Ladybug - already knew this one, as it was the final trick in my performance.
3. Toe Hang and Heel Hang - Oowww, need I say more. I first did these at my private lesson. I did the Heels better than the toes this time and was actually able to hold most of my weight. Toes, I kept skipping off.
4. Wrapped Angel - Start off with the sequence from my routine - front pullover, front balance, catcher's hang. Then, reach up and grab the ropes. Then, pull yourself up so that you are wrapped in the ropes. There's another step where you go under and around again (double wrapped angel), but the ropes were really tight as is, so I just did the wrapped on this time. Better not to kill myself the first night back.
5. Iron Cross - From standing, wrap both arms around ropes, keep arms straight. Make sure the ropes are into your armpits tightly. Lift body off bar to make sure you can support your weight. Then, lift arms out to make the cross shape.
6. Thread the Needle - This is one I've been wanting to learn and will probably put it in my next performance. Stand, wrap your left leg around the rope (still standing), reach down and hold the opposite rope. Lift your right leg up and onto the rope (making a split). Walk your hands up the rope and arch your back into a nice position.
7. 1 Knee Rollup - we did a sequence into this, split under the bar, then arch your back into a deeper split, 1 knee hang, lock legs, reach up with arms, and then do the roll up (described in more detail in my post about the last private lesson)
So, that's it for the tricks for this week. For conditioning, I did 30 pushups, 3 sets of 20 V-crunches, 3 sets of 15 superman lifts, 3-4 climbs up the rope (don't remember), 3 30 second planks on each side, 3 sets of 15 dips, 3 sets of 15 shoulder shrugs, 1 set of 5 chins (assisted). On the list we were supposed to do 3 sets of 5 chins, 3 sets of 5 pull ups (different grip), and 10 climbs up the rope. So, I did most of it. I was working almost the entire 90 minutes, so I think I got farther with the conditioning than most of the people. I think the guy from my last class might have been the only one to get through everything. It was a lot of conditioning. But, it was good. Between the gymnastics and the trapeze, I'm going to get really strong.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Post-Gymnastics
The morning after my gymnastics open gym, my muscles really weren't all that sore. I was actually quite surprised, given the level of intensity of the session.
Now I realize what happened. I woke up this morning (2 mornings after), and pretty much every single muscle in my body started screaming at me. Now, that was what I was expecting. I knew I probably had used muscles that I hadn't used in years. So, this definitely turned out to be one of the single best type of workout. I had tons of strength training, and I had some cardio on the trampoline.
I'm glad I have an extra day until my trapeze class. If it were tonight, I'd be in bad shape. So, today I might walk on the treadmill, but other than that my body needs to rest and recover.
Next time for the open gym session, I'm going to work on a trampoline routine. I had been working on one before I stopped doing gymnastics, and it would be fun to get back into more purposeful trampoline work. The only negative about the open gym session is that you have to be pro-active. There's no one to tell me what I need to do step by step. Of course, this also has its benefits in that you can tailor the intensity of the time to whatever you want.
Now I realize what happened. I woke up this morning (2 mornings after), and pretty much every single muscle in my body started screaming at me. Now, that was what I was expecting. I knew I probably had used muscles that I hadn't used in years. So, this definitely turned out to be one of the single best type of workout. I had tons of strength training, and I had some cardio on the trampoline.
I'm glad I have an extra day until my trapeze class. If it were tonight, I'd be in bad shape. So, today I might walk on the treadmill, but other than that my body needs to rest and recover.
Next time for the open gym session, I'm going to work on a trampoline routine. I had been working on one before I stopped doing gymnastics, and it would be fun to get back into more purposeful trampoline work. The only negative about the open gym session is that you have to be pro-active. There's no one to tell me what I need to do step by step. Of course, this also has its benefits in that you can tailor the intensity of the time to whatever you want.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Gymnastics Open Gym Recap
I think I've just had the most intense workout I've possibly ever had. I did so much at the gymnastics open gym! I started off with stretching. Then, I warmed up with forward rolls, backwards rolls, handstands, handstand to forward rolls, cartwheels on both sides, round-offs, forward walk-overs, more handstands, more cartwheels, etc. Then, one of the coaches spotted me on my back handspring on a wedge mat. After doing a bunch of them, with the coach gradually lightening his spot, I started doing them without a spot. I don't think I had lost much progress on that at all. I did probably 20 back handsprings overall. That took me through the first 30 minutes. Then, the other side of the gym opened up.
I did 3 sessions on the trampoline. I did my tuck jumps, straddle jumps, pike jumps, seat drops, seat drops twisting for a chain of 5 of them, back drops, front drops, back drop into front drop, table drop. Then, I asked for a spot on my back tuck (back flip). I did quite well with that, and after a bunch of them, I was doing them without a spot - no problem. Like I said, I did trampoline 3 times, with easily over 20 back tucks total. I also did a little on the balance beam. I did some on the vault (jumping on the spring board and onto the vault table, then doing a handstand and kind of arching over onto a mat). And, I did some uneven bars work. I was still able to do a pull over. Then, the coach set me up with this attachment which helped me to train for a thing where you rotate backwards around the bar (with the bar touching the pelvis area the whole time - not swinging all the way around with your whole body extended, that's much more advanced and you need a grip thing). Then, I practiced my kip (pushing off the bar), and the coach spotted me to do the revolvy thing without the attachment. I have a ways to go on that one.
After all of that, I ended with some conditioning - pushups and 4 point crunches. And, finally I did a lot of stretching again. All in all, it was an hour and 20 minutes. And, I barely took any breaks. It was essentially non-stop action.
I am going to be sore tomorrow!
I did 3 sessions on the trampoline. I did my tuck jumps, straddle jumps, pike jumps, seat drops, seat drops twisting for a chain of 5 of them, back drops, front drops, back drop into front drop, table drop. Then, I asked for a spot on my back tuck (back flip). I did quite well with that, and after a bunch of them, I was doing them without a spot - no problem. Like I said, I did trampoline 3 times, with easily over 20 back tucks total. I also did a little on the balance beam. I did some on the vault (jumping on the spring board and onto the vault table, then doing a handstand and kind of arching over onto a mat). And, I did some uneven bars work. I was still able to do a pull over. Then, the coach set me up with this attachment which helped me to train for a thing where you rotate backwards around the bar (with the bar touching the pelvis area the whole time - not swinging all the way around with your whole body extended, that's much more advanced and you need a grip thing). Then, I practiced my kip (pushing off the bar), and the coach spotted me to do the revolvy thing without the attachment. I have a ways to go on that one.
After all of that, I ended with some conditioning - pushups and 4 point crunches. And, finally I did a lot of stretching again. All in all, it was an hour and 20 minutes. And, I barely took any breaks. It was essentially non-stop action.
I am going to be sore tomorrow!
Adult Gymnastics Open Gym
Tonight I'm going to an adult gymnastics open gym session in Maryland Heights. It's actually at the very first location where I took my first gymnastics class 4-6 years ago (not sure when exactly). It will be very interesting to see what I can still do.
The open gym sessions are on Tuesdays from 8:30 - 9:50pm (and you can go in to warm-up and stretch before 8:30). There is an instructor there to give tips and do spotting, but it is an unstructured session rather than a structured class. At least since I've done gymnastics before, there are a number of drills that I know that I can practice. So, it should be easy to have things to do for the whole time.
This should be good for me. It will be a fun way to exercise. Plus, the skills/strength-building will carry over with the static trapeze (of which I was able to rejoin the class, so I'll get to start back on Friday). I am a bit nervous, though. I'll just have to make sure that I ease into it and not take risks. Hopefully this instructor is good and safe. It will be strange not having my previous coach there. I trusted him when he was spotting me. With this new person, I'll have to rely on myself not to do anything risky.
I'm planning on mostly drilling with the basics tonight - forward and backwards rolls, hand stands, handstand to forward roll, cartwheels, round-offs. Also, I want to do some basic trampoline work. And, then depending on how I'm doing I might do my back tuck on the trampoline and then start working my standing back handspring again with spot. But, I might wait on those if I don't feel comfortable.
This gym also has all of the apparatus equipment - uneven bars, etc. Maybe I'll try to do some of that, too. I had been learning some very basic skills on the uneven bars - front pull-over. And, I was trying to learn the skill where you rotate around the bar. There are lots of possibilities. Hopefully I don't wind up looking really silly. I'll bet I'm the most novice person there. But, that's how I was when I was taking before, and it didn't bother me. As long as I'm working on improving what I can do, that's all I can ask for.
The open gym sessions are on Tuesdays from 8:30 - 9:50pm (and you can go in to warm-up and stretch before 8:30). There is an instructor there to give tips and do spotting, but it is an unstructured session rather than a structured class. At least since I've done gymnastics before, there are a number of drills that I know that I can practice. So, it should be easy to have things to do for the whole time.
This should be good for me. It will be a fun way to exercise. Plus, the skills/strength-building will carry over with the static trapeze (of which I was able to rejoin the class, so I'll get to start back on Friday). I am a bit nervous, though. I'll just have to make sure that I ease into it and not take risks. Hopefully this instructor is good and safe. It will be strange not having my previous coach there. I trusted him when he was spotting me. With this new person, I'll have to rely on myself not to do anything risky.
I'm planning on mostly drilling with the basics tonight - forward and backwards rolls, hand stands, handstand to forward roll, cartwheels, round-offs. Also, I want to do some basic trampoline work. And, then depending on how I'm doing I might do my back tuck on the trampoline and then start working my standing back handspring again with spot. But, I might wait on those if I don't feel comfortable.
This gym also has all of the apparatus equipment - uneven bars, etc. Maybe I'll try to do some of that, too. I had been learning some very basic skills on the uneven bars - front pull-over. And, I was trying to learn the skill where you rotate around the bar. There are lots of possibilities. Hopefully I don't wind up looking really silly. I'll bet I'm the most novice person there. But, that's how I was when I was taking before, and it didn't bother me. As long as I'm working on improving what I can do, that's all I can ask for.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Sunday, Week 33 (with Progress Update)
I'm exhausted today. I worked overnight last night until 4:45am. Then, I got up at 9:45am and started again. I'm really tired, but there is still so much to do... Here's my progress update from this morning. I needed a break from the coding, so I figured I'd post.
Stats:
Weight: 115lbs (goal weight 110-115)
Waist: 26.5 inches (goal 24 - 27)
Below Waist: 28.5 inches (goal 26 - 29)
Stats:
Weight: 115lbs (goal weight 110-115)
Waist: 26.5 inches (goal 24 - 27)
Below Waist: 28.5 inches (goal 26 - 29)
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