Yes, I talk about aging and attempting to do sports quite a bit. Reason: as I age, the formula changes.
Weight lifting: though I am NOT as strong as I once was (not that I ever was strong; best dead lift was 425 and best bench was 310) my strength seems to have taken less of a hit than my running ability.
Part of the reason, I think, is that lifting involves fewer systems. The other reason: I am not a natural runner. I’ve noticed that, among the men who were a bit faster than I several years ago: some are much faster than I am not. These tend to be the small boned, “runner body” men. My guess: their efficient running stride and lighter weight means that they didn’t have to decrease their training to the degree that I’ve had to. Much of my slow down comes from the fact that I can’t train as much as I once did. Ok, part of that is my knees: I’ve had 5 operations total.
But I can lift 3 times a week and while I don’t do as much as I once did, I can still do a respectable amount.
Some key differences:
1. I need more rest between sets if I want to handle the same amount of weight. This is why I do better in the summer when I don’t have to rush through.
2. I sometimes get out of breath; this happens when I challenge myself to do a set of 15 pull ups (instead of just 10); I am breathless when I finish.
Today’s workout: (more detail than normal)
rotator cuff (usual)
pull ups: 5 sets of 10, one of 5 (varied the grip; notice: I now keep my eyes open and make sure that I can see over the top of the rack…this changes has lead to a bit of “core soreness” at first but has done me good.
bench press: 10 x 135, 3 x 185 (solid)
dumbbell military press: 10 x 50 (standing, full reps..best in a while)
bench press: 7 x 160 (kind of gave up; left shoulder sometimes acts up)
dumbbell military press: 10 x 45
rows: machine 3 sets of 10 x 110 with sets of other things in between
machine military: 10 x 180 (90 each arm)
goblet squats: 6 x 30, then 6 x 40..felt some soreness
planks: 2:30 bent arm, side plank
head stand
Crow pose (yoga)
knee stretches: kneeling then sitting on a ball. This is what I cannot do:
I have to put a medicine ball or an “on edge” yoga block under me.
Life of an old goat 