P90X Phase One - Day Thirty Three

Core Synergistics was the workout this morning. Today I was sluggish, and wasn't keeping up on some of the exercises. I kept an even pace throughout the workout, but could not get into the "X" level of it. As usual I did the extra. It does not make sense to me to stop, and fast forward to the cool down. Just keep going and do the extra stuff, at the end you feel much better for doing it.

Still having difficultly in doing the banana to superman. Will keep working on it. Presently I am setting up my calendar to do two rounds of P90X. The next one will be doubles, and should take me to the start of the spring surf ski racing.

P90X Phase One - Day Thirty One

This mornings workout was Kenpo. The one issue I have with this workout is that there is not enough of a warm up for the legs. So the next time I am going to do this one, I will do a separate warm up before I start.

At 5 in the morning, things are just not ready to go full out, and my hamstrings were not up to the task today. My kicks were basically pathetic. The punches no problem, actually they were a relief after trying to do the kicks. As with the other workouts, this is just another part to work on to get better. The workout is fast paced and fun.

I was still sweating from it, even after my shower. It really gets the heart pumping, and I guess that is what it is all about.

P90X Phase One - Day Thirty

Wow thirty days already. Time really flies when you are focused.

This mornings workout was Core Synergistics, and after only getting about 4-1/2 hours sleep, it was difficult. This is really a great core workout, and I felt it afterwards. On this first run through I did not add any weights to the exercises, just worked on form.

This was a good idea, especially doing the Lunge, Kick Back, Curl, Press routine. I tries it first with weights but had to drop them because I was such a spaz, I kept tipping over. I also had trouble doing the Superman to Banana exercise. Going from Superman to Banana I had no problems, but going the opposite way, I had to push off with my hand every time.

No one is perfect right off the get go, and these are areas I need to work on. It what makes this program fun. Learning new exercises and moves makes it interesting and challenging.

P90X Phase One - Day Twenty Nine

Today's workout was Yoga X, and It is becoming my favourite session. When I started doing this workout at the beginning, I cannot tell you how many times I fell over. I was thinking that Tony and the group was not human, but I kept working at it, and now I can go through the workout without falling.

Mind you my form is still no where near to the group. but I am going to keep pushing it. This workout has really helped my flexibility, and this will show up in the boat. My Quads and Hamstrings have always been really tight, which does not equal a good leg drive. The looser the muscles the better the drive with each stroke. It will also help prevent injuries, and increase my endurance.

P90X Phase One - Day Twenty Eight

Today I tried as usual to play catch up on the workouts that I missed. It was a grinder doing Legs & Back. It has a lot of pull ups, which is my weakest area of all, but even with that said, I have made improvements doing them. Small improvements, but improvements all the same.

Tomorrow I start week #4, and the cardio section of the program.

Monday: Yoga X
Tuesday: Core Synergistics
Wednesday: Kempo X
Thursday: X Stretch
Friday: Core Synergistics
Saturday: Yoga X
Sunday: X Stretch

It will be a good week of workouts, that's for sure.

P90X Phase One - Day Twenty Four

Today was my fourth round of shoulders and Arms, because I am re-doing week three over again.
Even with my cold, I managed to keep the same intensity was the last time I did this workout. The only exercise I did not match was the second round of Tricep Extensions. I had to stop two reps short because I was going to drop the weight on my head.

Since I have started P90X, my chair dips have gone from 20 reps to 40 reps, with my butt just short of touching the floor. Those last 5 reps are a killer. I am also up to 20 Side Tri-Rises, again the last three or so reps are difficult, to say the least.

Even though I am struggling with the weights I am using, I need to start looking for heavier ones. So I can decrease the number of reps I am doing. Less reps with heavier weights is where I am heading towards.

P90X Phase One - Day Twenty Three

Back on track with the workouts. Today was another plyometrics session. It is becoming one of my favourite workouts because it is a grinder. It really makes you want to work hard.

Even though I have been only at it for a little over three weeks, including the pre-P90X sessions, I am starting to see results. I need to add another hole in my belt, to tighten it up more, and I have lost about 5 lbs. Cool.

Tomorrow it is back to the weights and my top work out, Shoulders and Arms

P90X Phase One - Day Twenty-Two

Today is my re-start of week three. Last week I had a cold, and wasn't feeling that great that I only managed one P90X workout all week. So I decided to re-start at week three. I managed to go beyond what I did last time with some of the exercises, but on others I bombed and could only do half the reps.

That is what it all about. Trying to better the last time, and kept on improving. Even if it just one more rep than last time or more weight with the same number of reps. Inch by inch, step by step, just keep pushing yourself, and you will get better.

Deep Cove Distance Surf Ski Paddle

It has been two weeks since I was actually in a boat, that you can paddle. It was a group paddle out of Deep Cove, on a beautiful partly sunny day. It was a well organized paddle and thanks goes to Jeff of SurfSkiBC for setting it up.

It was a good turn out with eight paddlers taking part. There was Jeff in a Fenn XT, Katja in a Think Legend, John in his Fenn Millinium, Ben in a Fenn 6, Tom in a Westside X-Par missle, Gary in a Think EVO, Caroline in her Huki SX-1, and myself in a Think EVO.

We had a brief discussion on which course we were going to do, and the north or old marathon course was picked. this would take us out of the cove going, of course north, to the power stations and back. So off we went, at a nice easy pace. The pace was perfect for practising technique, and since I had missed the previous days' Technique Class, this is what I needed.

As I was paddling along, I heard a boat motor coming from behind. I turned and saw Tom riding the stern wash of a big sail boat that was going up the arm. So I jumped over and rode the side wash for a little while. Then I dropped off the waves and let it go for a short distance, and then hammered along the side wash back up to the boat. It was a good drill, but very tiring. By this time Ben and John were up in the distance ahead. We managed to get spread out a bit, but every once in a while the leaders would stop and we would regroup.

As we were coming to the point where we turn to cross the arm to head over to the power stations on the east side of the arm, I saw a familiar face coming towards us. It turned out to be Bern coming back from paddling to the end of the arm and back. This was a long paddle of about X kilometers.

We all stopped and grouped up to cross the arm together. Caroline had cut the corner, and was at the north power station waiting for us to cross. As we headed south along the east side of the arm back to the cove, we were four across, and cruising at a nice pace. I could see Tom off to our right closer to the middle of the arm, and Gary and Caroline bringing up the rear. As we came to Twin Islands, the front group stopped for a quick rest and then we were all off in different directions.

Jeff and Katja headed towards Bedwell Bay, John and Ben headed towards Raccoon, and Tom and myself waited for Gary and Caroline to catch up. Tom and I discussed which way to go, and I said I was just going to head straight to the cove from here. Once Gary and Caroline had caught up, off we went in a group of four. Once we had passed Raccoon, I could not see which way Ben and John went. It turned out that they went towards Jugg. As we headed towards the cove, our group split in two, with Tom and Caroline going down the middle, and Gary and myself heading over to the west side of the arm.

At this point I was starting to get fairly bagged, but I looked over and Gary was going strong, so I sucked it up, and kept up the pace. It wasn't until we got inside the cove did Gary say I needed to take it easy on him. The whole time I thought Gary was driving the pace. Oh Well.
Since I did not know when I was going to get out actually paddle with a group, I decided to crank up the pace, just for fun. At first it was 10 kph, then I upped it to 11kph, and then I had some left in the tank, and pushed it pass 12 kph. It was a good hard push at the end of a great paddle. Hopefully I will start feeling a little better, for the next paddle. hopefully next weekend in the Thunder. So the paddle ended up being 18+ kilometers in two hours.

P90X Phase One - Day Seventeen

I have the past two days of P90X, one because of travel and the second because of illness. Monday had to be the worst day on the ferries I have ever experienced.The first ferry out of Earl's Cove was an hour late. Which made us late for the ferry at Langdale. We had a two boat wait while in Langdale, so my evening was completely shot. So no Chest and Back workout.

The next night, my cold was getting the best of me, and so no workout. So tonight I was really looking forward to getting back on track. Tonight's workout was Shoulders and Arms, which is one of my favourites. I upped the weight and lowered the number of reps. That sure made a big difference. I could barely hold the pencil to mark down my info after each exercise. I tried to do each exercise to failure, and at one point I thought I was going to drop one of the weights on my head during the laying down triceps extensions.

This weeks schedule is a little crazy trying to get all the workouts in, I might decide to re-do this week.

P90X Phase One - Day Fourteen AM

I was so bagged from traveling up the coast yesterday, that I did not do the Kenpo workout, but did it this morning instead.

This is definately a cardio workout, wth not much if any breaks inbetween sets. For the breaks you have a choice of running in place, jump rope, and jumping Xs, or actually taking the 30 seconds break. I did the cardio. This workout is a tough one. I main problem was with the kicks to the side and back. I had to really slow down and concentrate on my form, verses speed and power.

Hopefully I will find time tonight to do the X Stretch workout, but I am not going to hold my breath.

P90X Phase One - Day Twelve

Another round of legs and back. This time I didn't progress as well as I wanted. I managed to do one or two reps more on some of the pull ups, but basically stayed the same.

The wall squats are a killer. I still can't go the full 60 seconds at 90 degrees. For some reason I am better at the one leg version verses the two leg one. Also my coordination when doing the three way squats with kicks, is quite humorous to watch. What a spaz, but I still keep going no matter how stupid I look.

One Year To Go

Today is a special day, it is the one year count down to the World Masters Games.

No other multi-sport event in the world attracts as many participants as the World Masters Games. Since 1985 the Games have brought together mature aged sports men and women from around the globe who share a commitment to the simple philosophy of "sport for life". 
 
"Masters" is simply an age designation; it does not denote a level of proficiency or a particular achievement.  To compete, all you need to do is to satisfy the age criteria for your sport. The World Masters Games are for you.
 
The World Masters Games have been held on six previous occasions:

Toronto 1985
Copenhagen 1989
Brisbane 1994
Portland 1998
Melbourne 2002
Edmonton 2005

The seventh Games will be held in Australia's global city, Sydney, from 10 - 18 October 2009.

The sports for the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games were endorsed by the Games Advisory Committee in April 2006 and subsequently approved by the International Masters Games Association (IMGA).

The sports are separated into two groups;
The Core Sports that must be conducted under our contract with IMGA are:

Archery                  Athletics                    Badminton
Basketball               Canoe/Kayak              Cycling
Football (Soccer)      Hockey (Field)            Orienteering
Rowing                   Shooting                    Softball
Squash                   Table Tennis               Weightlifting

SWMGOC recommended the following Optional Sports that have all been approved by the IMGA.

Baseball                 Diving                       Golf   
Lawn Bowls              Netball                      Rugby
Sailing                  Surf Lifesaving            Swimming 
Tennis                   Touch Football           Volleyball  
Water Polo  

Optional Sports and disciplines in the Core Sports have been chosen on the basis of:
Their tradition in the World Masters Games and other similar events,
Sports expected to attract a base number of participants,
The response by Sports Associations when invited to submit a case for their sport to be included,
Local interest in the sport, and Venue suitability and availability.
A discipline of a sport that did not meet the majority of these criteria may not be included in these Games.

Triathlon has been in previous World Masters Games but at this stage will not be included in the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games as the International Triathlon Union (ITU) is no longer a member of the International Masters Games Association (IMGA) and have resisted our invitation to be involved in the Games. However, we remain open to any future change of direction by ITU and suggest that you occasionally check the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games website for updates. 

Mountain Biking will not be included in the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games.

Registration ...
Ready to Register for the Sydney 2009 World Master Games? To start, you must first complete our personal details form. This will provide you with a User ID and Password to access myGames.

Please allow up to 5 minutes to complete this form and approximately 15 minutes to register for the Games. Click here to start your Games registration.

P90X Phase One - Day Eleven PM

Just finished Yoga X. As with the other workouts Yoga X was a "little" easier. I still have balance issue, but isn't that what it is all about. I am finding that I can remember the poses better, and can move form one to the other fairly easily.

This is definitely a good workout, that works every muscle in your body. This is what killed my abs last week. We will see how they feel tomorrow.

P90X Phase One - Day Eleven AM

I did not have enough time to do day ten's workout of shoulders and arms so I did it this morning. So today is going to be a double day.

I am bagged from this workout because I really pushed on it. The max reps from the last time I did this one, was my starting point for todays. I had to pause the DVD a couple of times, once to get in the reps I wanted to do, and once just to catch my breath. By the time I was finished my arms were and shoulders were rock solid. Thank god, there is a cool down, and a hot shower afterwards.

During the few exercises that they go through that has a mandatory 16 reps, I actual did more. What a rebel eh.I would do an extra 4 more reps with each exercise.Even though this only week two of thirteen, I am starting to feel a difference. The weights I am using are getting easier to do at the same number of reps. So I am increasing the number of reps first, and then increasing the weight.

Tonight's workout will be Yoga X, which I am looking forward to. Simply to see if I can do it better than the last time.

P90X Phase One - Day Nine

I just finished my second Plyometrics workout. It was a good one today. I managed to keep up to the video, i.e. no extra long water breaks, just kept the DVD going. Also I managed to only modify two of the exercises.

The Rock star, where I only did the legs part of it. I am too much of a spaz to get the hand part down just yet. Which made it so I could do the whole exercise without stopping.

I also had to modify the one legged criss-cross. In stead of doing the cross pattern, I just hopped up and down in one spot. Again this made it so I could finish the entire exercise with the group.

The sweat part hasn't changed either, I am totally soaked yet again, and loving it. this is what I need. A good kick in the butt, to get into better shape.

P90X Phase One – Day Eight

Today was the first repeat week of P90X. I did the Chest and Back workout. This one was a bit of a killer this time for two reasons. First I up the reps, and my abs were sore from the Yoga X I did on the weekend. I never realized how much you use your abs on pull ups, but boy could I really feel it with each rep.

I really went out too hard on the first set, and paid for it on the second. There were a couple of exercises that I did not pass the number of reps on the first set. These were of course the pull up ones.
The push up exercises and the weight exercises, I manage to meet or beat the numbers of reps. By the time I was finished, I was beat. There was no way I was going to be able to do the Ab Ripper X workout afterwards, so I skipped it.

I also found out why you should not do these workouts after eating. I did not think I was going to make it without running to the bathroom. So note to self, do not do these workouts within an hour of eating, or you will pay.

P90X Phase One - Day Five?

Well I just finished Fridays workout of Legs & Back. So I managed to only one day short this week. This gives me incentive to complete all the exercises this coming week. I am going to try and do them before going to work. That means getting up early and doing them.

It is going to be tough getting up at 5 am just to work out, but it is the end result I am striving for. Which means in way better shape and faster as a result in the boat. Of course this will not help my technique in any way, but I will have more power to propel the boat forward.

I am having a tough time with the pull ups. The first sets are ok, but as the workout goes on, I get sweater and sweater, and my hands keep slipping off the bar. I am going to have to use some hockey tape to make it so I don't slide off.

P90X Phase One - Day Four

Since I am way behind schedule, I did Yoga X this morning.

It is a lot harder than I imagined. There are positions that right now I just cannot do. So I do them the best that I can and just keep going. I managed not to fall over doing the workout, but I think that was just a fluke.I certainly do not have the flexibility of the people on the DVD, but that is why I got it in the first place. duh. If I was good at it I wouldn't be using this system.

The workout is the longest of the series at 1-1/2 hrs.long, but worth every minute. It is definately one of the best of the twelve, and most likely the hardest.

P90X Phase One - Day Three

I am really getting behind with this program. I missed last night's workout, so I got up early this morning and did the Shoulders & Arms workout. Sometime today I have to do the Ab Ripper X workout as well.

On the weekend I have to do two workout per day to catch up on top of my paddling workout on Sunday. It is going to be a tough weekend for sure. Then I get to start the whole thing again on Monday.

Next week I will make sure that I don't miss any more workouts. Trying to make them up is painful.

P90X Phase One - Day Two

Todays workout was plyometrics. Which turned out to be a really hard one. It is just under an hour of jumps, squats, and lunges. Some of the exercises I had to do the modified version because there was no way I could do the regular form. Even then it was hard. Sixty seconds of jump, reversing squats is a killer, especially at the 45 second mark. That is where it is really burning good, and I had to zone out just to finish it.

Hopefully I will get better at it in the weeks to come. This workout is one of the few that you do every week for the full 90 days.