valstrengthtraining

I consider myself very lucky to be at my mid-40’s already. For some countries even to this day, that is just their life expectancy. And I am slowly coming to realize that I am living in another stage in human history- we are leaving the industrial revolution and we are now in the era of information, of computers, of technology making life so convenient. I should plan to be as healthy and as strong as I can be for as long as I can one day marvel at how far the world has come, and still be amazed by the beauty of this world.

I am now accepting that I am growing old. So I better plan how to grow old in a better way. Realizing that there is so much information available almost for free at this era, I am trying to learn concepts and ideas. That way, I will not be left too far behind. It also gives me some goals- to make myself better by learning.

And now, via the internet, you can access books: ebooks, and audiobooks. I used to read pages of a book while commuting on the train to and from home to work. Then lately, I started biking instead of commuting. It makes me healthier too. But then how can I read? Easy, I don’t have to read, I can just listen. Instead of ebooks, there are audiobooks. I tested it first though. Since it is important to focus on the environment while cycling. I tested listening while cycling back home yesterday. And it works! I don’t need a loud volume, and I can still hear the environment and understand the audiobook at the same time.

This morning I had a longer ride going to work. There is another loop that goes up a hill and goes around a mountain range so it is twice longer than the usual route. I was able to listen to an audiobook and it was great! I also enjoyed the scenery.

 

These simple things, which are not available during my parent’s times, gives me and their grandchildren a lot more chance to learn and discover. But not unless we appreciate and value it, we may not really use it to our advantage.

So as I grow old, I discover new ways of doing things. And I also am very much blessed to live in an environment where I can do what I love.

 

44, that will be your age in three days. You are doing good by making a tradition of lifting your age for reps on your birthday- or this time, near your birthday. You started three years ago with two 20kgs. Had a video clip of it… Look for it. Then last year you challenged yourself with two 24 kgs. That was hard. It is good you documented with video and a blog. It is nice to think about it.

This year you plan to spend quality time with your family on your birthday so you won’t be in your office- the gym. The 16kg pair you have at home won’t be a challenge anymore, for your age as reps anyway, so you decided to do the annual tradition earlier.

You may be the only person who will patiently count all the reps in your video. The heart rate seems not accurate. Well, your chest strap is around 9 years old already. Time to buy a new one!

 

 

 

 

Your wife lovingly bought you your Garmin Fenix 3. Then when you went for a training camp in Jakarta with the Laser kid you and Ben were training, you must have left it in the airport on your way back. You didn’t want to disappoint your wife so you looked for a way to replace it. That is when Facebook Marketplace helped you.

 

 

And you were able to “upgrade” it to the HR version. Although the infrared sensor needs improvement.  From what you learned in that situation, you are now able to buy yourself a nice bike as a gift.

 

 

Back to your birthday tradition, 44 reps will not really impress a KB Athlete. So you should not stop there. And 1 year to add another rep is too long. I noticed you became better at pacing yourself. You lifted with more confidence this year than last year. Not as nervous, but it still felt hard. Well, if it is easy it is not worth it. It was hard enough that your plan to do 44 snatches with 20kg per hand after the Jerk did not push through. And this morning you still felt a bit tired. So have a better preparation compared to your 4 weeks this year so you can do a more impressive lift next year. That way, it would be a bit more impressive.

 

Your technique – your mobility did not improve though. Work on that if you want to  have an impressive lift next year and if you want to compete this year. It is exciting to compete but will you be able to afford it financially and given time constraints? It is challenging. Smile, you just read in social media that growth happens outside of your comfort zone. You have been comfortable enough. Grow up more- don’t just grow old!

 

So next year, why not try the 28’s? That is another level. Last week, you felt good training with the 20’s that you were too confident for the 24’s. Then you were reminded in the middle of your lift that the 24’s are another type of animal. Another thing to learn- how to challenge yourself and be motivated without stressing yourself too much and how to be confident but know how to manage it.

Stepping up to 28’s would take time. You have to improve on the 20’s first- maybe 2-3 months of consistent practice will do. That would be July this year. Then move on to 24’s for 2-3 months. Plan forward after that if you are able to move forward for the next 6 months.

Work on your mobility too- the overhead squats seems a great tool for that. So be consistent in training 2-3 times a week. You also just bought a nice 2nd hand bike so you can work on endurance more. And also save on time and money when going to work and going back home. So when you lift it is more focused on KB lifts. The 2km minimum warm-up can be shortened to dynamic warm-up.

 

 

Keep working on improving your habit of writing your thoughts. You surprised yourself more than once when you read old notes. You initially thought they were written by someone smarter than you then you realized you were the author. This blog is something you will be thankful later on, since you will know that you planned to grow older into a younger, better you. Your body may be older but you should be stronger than when you were in your youth.

View from the top of the hill covering our village. Taken 6 April 2019.

 

Remember you are doing all these because you love yourself and your family. And also everything around you. You are scarred by the ugly side of this world but that is a part of why you are here- to experience and be better amidst all these. To pass through this world without scars is not passing through this world at all. Be better, not bitter.

Remember that you want to be a better person as you age. And also have a more abundant life, both in quality and quantity. You want this so you can share to others and so that someday when you leave this world, it will be a little bit better because of you.