Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was filled with playtime with old HT&F teammates ranging from '07 to '13 [and a visitor from Penn track '08], and a lot of NCAA bball...which was insane this weekend, 2 thumbs up for underdog victories. I don't think I have spent more time talking about sports/fitness in any given weekend in my entire life. If you have read my other blog posts you know that means a lot. Mostly recollections of funny college experiences but also a lot of convo about the passions that D1 varsity graduates pursue after selling themselves to a sport for 4 years.
After hours of chatting, I have realized that my identity is mostly centered around my athletic experiences. Even after graduating from high school and college, no longer part of any sort of organized athletic team, I continue to define myself as an athlete. My old teammates have all gone in different directions. Some continue to train intensely, although inevitably more varied in their day to day workouts [track occasionally gets a bit monotonous if you can imagine], some can only get themselves to go to the gym if they partake in group exercise classes, some have transformed themselves into distance runners [LOUD shoutout to Jill for her new half-marathon PR, you are amazing], and some haven't stepped into a gym since graduating.
Upon graduation, I had no option to cease my athletic pursuits. I found myself running my first half-marathon 4 months after graduation, my second in another 6 months. After deciding that distance may not be the best use of my physical strengths, I have spent the last year getting back into sprinting, plyos and heavy lifting, which caters a lot more to my natural abilities. I am very proud of my athleticism, and I feel like my body is a machine meant to explore different types of physical activity. It is amazing what my body can do: it can sprint over hurdles, run 13 miles, play 90 minutes of soccer, cycle 50 miles, hike the Colorado Rocky Mountains, play hours of tennis, swim laps, squat 300 lbs...and most importantly, it can survive ice cold showers. I love being able to challenge my body to achieve what looks to be impossible and look forward to a life of continuing to push my limits.
Some athletes pursue other passions after college sports end, whether it be their line of work, relationships, marraiges, cooking, tapping into their creative sides etc, but my passion remains in athletics. My dad amazes me every day and has effectively convinced me that athletics is a life-long pursuit. At age 51 he has been a multi-sport college athlete, ran one of the most difficult marathons in the US, killed 150 mile cycling races over three mountain passes, and climbed some of the most dangerous mountains in the world. He uses his body as a body should be used and has been an exemplary role model in doing so. My mom has had her own athletic feats [including marathons, triathlons, long cycling rides, raising 3 kids...], and I am so lucky to have parents who have the passion for adventure, it continues to drive me every day.
With that said...here was my Monday funday workout! I took it easy this weekend, so back on the grind this week
Ass blasting workout #2 - heavy squat day
Back squats w/ barbell, adjust weight as appropriate:
8 x 155 lbs
8 x 175 lbs
6 x 185 lbs
4 x 200 lbs [finally at 200. 225 needs to happen soon. 2 plates > 1 plate]
Split squat w/ dumbell, back foot on elevated surface [I used a plyo box]
3 sets x 10 each leg, 25 lb dumbells
Sideways lunge w/ dumbell
3 sets x 10 each leg, 25 lb dumbells
Hamstring curl, I used the hammy curl machine but you can do it on a physio ball also
3 x 10 reps
Hip circuit - 3 times through
20 x each leg fire hydrant
20 x each leg donkey kick
Your ass will thank you later, I promise.
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