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Visiting dad took a month off running. Jetlag after one week in Beijing
needed three weeks in Fremont to fix. I did keep the morning routines
and strength training, going through kettlebell drills regularly.
After achieving the Simple Goal in Jan 2018, I tried to get to Sinister.
But this proved to be hard. The same moves with the 40kg demanded an
upgrade on all the muscles involved, including the stablizers. I haven't done the Turkish Getup
for a year by now. But recently, progresses in running and yoga
brought new hope. I will come back to S&S soon.
The goblet squat with the 40kg bell felt easier as my wrists were
stronger and able to support the weight for much longer.
I gave the No. 1 Captains of Crush hand gripper to a cousin and since
upgraded to the No. 1.5. I cannot close it with my left hand and even on
a strong day, I can only close it twice with the right. I tried the No.
2. No chance.
I gave a set of three grippers to L for his 60th birthday. We are going
to run another 50km at the end of the year. He has qualified for Boston
Marathon and will go next year.
I have fallen in love with the barbell deadlift and done it often in the
workplace gym. I read elite sprinters training DL and paid special
attention to the load on my glutes. My DL max is 225 lbs* but my glutes
(or some other leg muscles) can only take around 180 lbs. I have learnt this by hoisting the weight
off the floor using only the lower body and enaging the back at a later
stage. Those hip muscles feel on fire after a 2x3 session. I have since
been thinking about them in every exercise I do and noticing how the
strong glutes make my gait more efficient and powerful. It has been a
revelation that keeps unfolding.
* Steve Freides, one of my heros, at 148 lbs and 50 years of age, pulled
364 lbs, almost 2.5 times his bodyweight.
For the long term, muscle atrophy is the enemy to combat and grippers are handy.
A strength expert recommended if nothing else, train your grip and your core, because they have a higher representation of the nerves.
Last, a study from McMaster U correlates longevity with grip strength.