I managed to do squats again at my gym on the smith machine. This second time around I piled on some more weight (total of 75lbs). I am thinking it was a bit too much because I had a hard time with form, surprisingly, today I am sore, but not as sore as I imagined I'd been when the two days later hit.
I feel lucky to have some personal training via Eugene about squats. He has read up a lot about heavy lifting (and does it two to three times a week) so he has been showing me at home the proper form. His excitement for the exercise has me a little pumped up too. I've never been one for strength training- it always seemed tedious. No matter how much I would try to convince myself that it would tone my legs or that as a woman its very important, I just haven't gotten into it. But since the rise of Sr. Sore Knee and Lady Cantankerous hip, I have become very aware of the importance of strength training. I am hoping to do this in order to get back into running!
And speaking of running...I ran before doing squats! I did the treadmill. About 20 mins in I had to stop and stretch and I did that a few times and I am still only running about 5.5 (around 11 min miles). I was able to speed up to 6.0 and even faster for a tiny bit - but I had to keep consciously telling myself "Hope, be careful - even though you're not running as fast as you would like to, at least YOU'RE RUNNING!" That is likely to be my mantra as I cautiously try to step back into the world of running.
yes you are running! I admire how you've kept at it even when it's been discouraging with your knee. and how wonderful to have Eugene there to give you pointers on the squats.
ReplyDeleteI have had to pull back on my workout intensity too and remind myself I don't always have to go all out. that even some effort is worth it and might mean I can continue for longer than a few days.
I completely agree. It's so easy to push myself and be super competitive with even myself. But to what end? Injury? Giving up? It seems we are all learning a gentleness with ourselves.
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