Back in the Weight Room and Loving It!

During my training for the Chicago Triathlon, I had stopped lifting weights in order to focus on the rest of my training. Fitting in three runs, three bike rides, two swims and two lifting sessions seemed a little daunting. Now that the tri is over, I'm ready to get back in the weight room.

I love lifting weights; it is my favorite exercise. Throwing iron around is a great way to relieve the frustrations of the day. Also, whenever I've had a good lift, I feel strong, fit and confident. I love that little bit of soreness that tells you you worked hard, and that your body is busy getting stronger.

Getting back into weights has been a problem, though. First of all, I had my finger incident, which is better now. It's still not completely healed, but can be bandaged and managed. The harder problem has been waking up in the morning. When we were on a regular lifting schedule in the spring, the Misses and I would wake up at 4:30. Once you get in the pattern of waking up early, it's not as bad as you think. Your body adjusts, you go to bed earlier, and you get used to the routine. When you aren't in that routine, whoa Nellie, it is not easy to get back in it. This morning was the fifth morning (or forth or sixth, I wasn't really counting) that the Misses and I turned off the alarm. I get cranky when I don't get my work in, and I know it. For that reason, I really try to wake up, but it just hasn't happened. I've tried making commitments to myself and going to be early. Anyway- I missed my morning lift today.

Normally, we try to make up missed workouts in the evening, but my folks are coming to visit tomorrow. The Misses laid out the prorities; 1) clean the house, 2) the Boy's homework, 3) bathe children, 4) set up the guest room, and 5) exercise. I got home and put on workout clothes to motivate myself to workout. Then I busted my ass getting one through four done. Since we got it all done, I was able to lift!

I'm gonna pay for it tomorrow. When I was on a regular lifting schedule, I wouldn't get that sore after a session. Now that I've laid off the weights for four months, I know that it'll be hard to walk tomorrow. It's worth it though, because I know that once I get through the initial soreness, I'll feel much better, and I'll get my body like Bond.

I'm also going to start setting am alarm across the room to make me get out of bed!