You may have to drop the weight to really be able to work on using your back and then build up gradually. Like Gary says, start off with some chin ups/pull ups (again thinking about your back) and then move to the pulldowns.
The llama has made his (not so) glorious return to squatting! Good Mornings 3x10 @ 40kg *Kept these ones light today as this was the first time doing the exercise. I love it. I think I could have happily handled more weight, but I'm not in the game of injuring myself... Front Squats ATG 8 @ 40kg 2x5 @ 50kg *No knee pain at all. Don't even really think there was any clicking going on. I didn't see if there was any difference in back squats. Well off my 1RM, but I haven't done front squats for ages, and I don't think I was that comfortable with 50kg last time. Again, this time I thought I could easily handle more weight, but I'm going to stick to ones well within my range, and with front squats, until I hear what the physio has to say about my knee. Anterior Lunges 3x8 @ 18kg DBs, so 36kg total - both sides *Got this off a list of knee friendly exercises. They are awesome. I think these might become the new exercise I love to hate. Was going to do some deadlifts too, but decided to leave them for now. Getting back in to lower body and was feeling pretty tired at this point. Plus I have a rugby match on Saturday and I'm expecting 2 day DOMS. All in all very happy again!
Glad you had a good workout1 It really boosts your mood, doesn't it! I think you're wise to not push up the weights too rapidly when getting back into lifting - that's the approach I'm taking as well. I'd rather get comfortable with each weight before pushing on to the next one up. It can be frustrating knowing that it will take longer to reach your goals, but in the long term I think it's better to look after your health rather than try to boost your ego!
17/09/2011 Today was my first rugby match of the season. Riding on the wave of euphoria that was Ireland's win over Australia in the world cup, I had a good game. Made a number of try saving tackles, did a bit of ball carrying, survived some high tackles, but alas no tries. I think I'm going to log it pretty much as 80 minutes of HIIT. I spent the game sprinting and stopping, sidestepping etc, and then a fair bit of contact and resistance work in the form of rucking and mauling and whatnot. I was only expecting to play 40 mins because of what I suspect to be a bit of bronchitis, but we had injuries so I stayed on (although it felt like I was going to stay on anyway...). Either way, the exercise helped open up my airways. Luckily. I seem to have hurt that muscley bit in between the thumb and forefinger. It hurts when I do opposable thumb things. It's not really swollen or anything so nothing to worry about, and I'm sure it'll go in a day or so, but I think I'm going to strap it for a bit just so I don't move it around too much. Monday night is karate night.
Rugby is quite possibly the greatest sport ever invented. I am super jealous here. We have a local team which I started to practice with prior to my son's birth, and it was an absolute blast. Tough, tough game.
Spread the word, Kuma. I play on the wing so most of my game is spent running, tackling, and getting knocked around by big people (or so it feels). I have nothing but respect for forwards. But don't tell them that - they'll start to think they know how to play proper rugby... Get back in to it when you can!
Strap it and ice it and hope for the best. I don't see it being a problem for you - its not like Llamas need opposable thumbs anyway!
Exactly! No ice, but strapping with me. I've had much worse ones, so really it's just a case of not moving it too much. Still off to karate tonight though. Like a real (stupid?) man.
Tonight was karate training, as said above. Spent the first session observing a new yellow belt kid, making sure everything was ok. So just basic line work. Missed out on the press ups in the warm up because of my thumb (aching a bit, but that might be the support?!) Second session was kumite drills (mostly speed and reaction/countering) and then kata. Moderate anaerobic workout, bit of co-ordination stuff. Mostly just getting back in to the swing of the karate routine after a while of irregular attendance.
My thumb isn't up for catching and applying pressure to things today. My right AT band (that's the one going up the outside of your leg, right?) is also sore near my ankle. So I think I'm probably going to miss rugby training tonight and rest up instead. Apparently it's called the IT band. Every day's a schoolday...
Well, I'm a rugby fan outside as well as inside of the RWC, and as much as I don't like missing training, if I take a knock to my wrist/thumb and it gets worse, that's me out of rugby training, rugby matches, and probably karate training for longer than I'd want.
Hmm, looking a bit odd as opposed to not drinking your pint... I suspect the straw would win in the end! You're a Llama anyway. Surely Llamas drinking Guinness look odd whether or not they have a straw?!
