Inspiration and Just Around the Bend

Basketball Grandma

Yesterday I read about the latest internet darling, China’s Basketball Grandma. Grandma Zhu is a remarkable woman. She’s 76 years old and exercises every day. She plays basketball, runs, does pull ups, and climbs a pole. She exercises in order to keep healthy because she can’t afford to get sick. Unfortunately after her divorce, which was over 20 years ago, she was left to care for her mentally-challenged daughter and subsequently she also lost her job. They subsist on a meager government subsistence allowance.

Throughout her hardship, she keeps a positive and cheerful attitude. Grandma Zhu became an internet sensation when a local student decided to profile her because of her amazing shot and a life story that pulls on your heart strings. Grandma Zhu amazes me and I find her incredible.

I had a very busy week and I wasn’t able to work out until yesterday. I went to the gym to do some weightlifting. I’ve been in a plateau for several months. I started with Rippetoe’s Starting Strength (SS) training program, then moved onto Reverse Pyramid Training (RPT). RPT wasn’t really working for me and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I just really worked on form and didn’t worry so much about gaining strength. I started reading about Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1/ training program. It looks good, so next week, I’ll start a new training program with this protocol. I’m quite excited.

After the gym I went to the track to do a little interval work. I did 4 sets of fast 400 meter laps with a long slow walking lap and water breaks in between.

Lap Splits

1. 1:26
2. 1:30
3. 1:33
4. 1:33

Two weeks ago I did the exact same interval work. My fastest lap was 1:31, so I improved by 5 seconds for my fastest lap. In addition, I also improved for overall time. Yay!

Ben’s out of town this weekend. He’s in Miami for a half Ironman. It appears as if this year, just like last year, there will be some sort of major weather disturbance for Halloween in the East Coast. My favorite name so far is Frankenstorm. This year, just like last year, Ben is in Miami for a half Ironman. Coincidence? I think not! I’m positive that Ben’s being in Miami is the reason for huge weather problems in the East Coast around Halloween.