Drop down and give me 100!!!

So in my quest for 100 pushups, I found some more ways to do them! Read on :-)

Pushup #4 – At the track, post run, in VFF Treksports. Yeah yeah!

Pushup #5 – Up the bleachers!

  Pushup #6 – DOWN the bleachers.

I ran on Friday for the first time in my new Treksports. So this is what I noticed:

1. HOT! These VFFs cover the tops of my feet unlike my Sprints or Classics, and I noticed that my feet heat up quickly. Man, I must be fast.

2. Squishy. The thicker sole is quite noticeable after running so long in Sprints. This is going to be great for the trails. I’m not talking shock-absorption thickness, but noticeably softer thickness. Methinks it’s a good thing, plus it’s preparing me for the mukluks.

3. SUPER-comfy! They have a different material inside of them. Not sure if this is model specific or subject to the whole VFF brand, but they were comfy to wear, even with my worn-out-leper-like-heel-blisters.

October 15th, 2010. First snowfall. Oh yeah! Me likey! Mukluk running here I come! I just need my mukluks now!

So after 1 week of the 100 pushup routine here is what I have discovered. My triceps are weak-weak-weak! I need to work on that if I want to get to the full 100. I also discovered that a faster tempo will get the job done with much less effort, however it will require a lot of anaerobic muscle work. I also need to work on proper hand placement to maximize my results! Here’s to week 2!

:-)

Pushups Anywhere!

Since I am in week 1 of my 100 pushup challenge, I figure I would explain the benefits of doing pushups. Pushups are great for many reasons:

1. They strengthen the upper body, specifically the triceps, deltoids and pectoral muscles.

2. They are a functional, multi-joint exercise.

3. The are a closed kinetic chain exercise, meaning they can be done safely with little risk of injury and with better control.

4. They make you look really good if done correctly. The thing I like about the program I am doing is that it also involves strengthening the back and biceps, core, lower back and shoulders. This prevents the hunched-shoulder look that so many people develop from overworking their chest. Strengthening the back literally pulls the shoulders back, and I am happy to do this as I don’t want to look like a muscle goon.

5. But most of all, I like pushups cause you can do them ANYWHERE! See below for examples.

Pushup #1 – At the gym

Pushup #2 – At the office

Pushup #3 – On my boss’ desk (seriously).

I will continue to post clever places to do pushups. I will even take suggestions for creative locations. See what you can come up with.

My Treksport VFFs came in yesterday! While my parents were travelling through the US, they stopped at REI and picked me up a pair! So awesome! My mom calls them monkey shoes, so she asked the sales clerk for “monkey shoes” and apparently he got very offended and said “They’re Vibram Five Fingers!!!”. My dad then said: “Don’t your feet have toes, not fingers?”. Oh well, thanks mom and dad!

They’ve got tread which will be great for the trails! They also have a slightly thicker sole, which will be super nice for those sharp pointies that nature seems to leave everywhere.

As you can see, the shoes were a little big for me, but I think I will grow into them.

I was driving home the other day and I pulled up behind this semi. The bumper sticker made me smile. It so beats those I *Heart* my Shih-Tzu stickers.

:-)