Nevertheless, I have strived to do all the exercises rather than sitting back and taking it easy on some -- no doubt my dubious macho instincts kicking in. The regimen has included an odd exercise that I had never heard of -- planking. My only previous experience with planking was an annual political gathering down in Southside Virginia where politicians gathered 'round to feast on barely edible shad being cooked on planks -- The Shad Planking. Revelers consumed more beer and stronger spirits than shad, and political gossip flowed just as freely.
Planking of the exercise ilk is basically a push-up held without going back down, and up, down and up, down. I gather it has evolved from being a fad to becoming a staple as an isometric exercise to strengthen the core -- i.e., your gut. A long, long time ago, in Infantry Basic Training, I could do 75 push-ups when commanded by a surly drill sergeant; however, holding a plank for as long as a minute may be tougher. (Of course I am older.) Anyway, I have gotten in the spirit, worn silly t-shirts to class, even gotten compliments from my shapely instructor, who says she loves my spirit.
![]() |
No we don't do our planks on Pepsi machine! |
Here is the sad part, though. After last Tuesday's class, my replaced knee started feeling gimpy. It hasn't felt that way since I had the total replacement in April 2013. It didn't help any when I pushed my DW in a wheelchair to our granddaughter's high-school graduation and basically had to park near'about a county away because the event was ultra-packed (nearly 500 graduates!) The knee felt gimpier after that joyous but tiring experience.
In sum, I am hoping the knee is just fatigued and will bounce back with rest. I am continuing the dawgwalking of course -- never will give that up willingly. However, I am wondering if I should drop the exercise class. Since I have imprudently paid ahead for the whole summer, I guess I could just drop in occasionally and do only the less-stressful exercises. But that is not like me. I go all in; I love workouts. Physical therapy sessions for the heart, back, and knees have been some of the happiest times of my life. (I know; must be a dull boy.)
So maybe it is time to take it easier? That is a depressing thought, frankly.
@ Robert Gray Holland 2017
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comments are welcomed.