Week 4 Trial

I did the trial this morning with ok results (not great/not bad).

Daily Total: 50
Overall Total: 1674

I was counting by 10's instead of counting in sets of five like I normally do. When I finished my 5th set, I was done. I probably could have done a few more, but not much. Maybe 3-5 more if I really pushed it, but I didn't see much point.

I've come a long way, and completed 50 pushups today. That sounds pretty good, but it well short of 100. Technically I only have week's 5&6 to complete, but it seems doubtful that I'll complete them in two weeks.

So... Let's say it take four or six weeks. Will I be able to complete another 50 pushups and get to my hundred by then? Seems doubtful to me. I've improved from 30 to 50, but it's a long way to get to 100. We'll see where the next few weeks take me, but I could be repeating weeks 5&6 a long time.

Well, if so... I'm game. I don't really have anything better to do anyway.

Week 4 Day 3

Week 4 completed without incident! Yay. Which brings me another week closer to my ultimate goal.

Program: 30,22,22,20, max (at least 29)
Actual: 30,22,22,20, 32
Daily Total: 126
Overall Total: 1624

The first two sets fell quickly. I paused during the 3rd set and struggled with the set of 20. The max of 29 really concerned me at that point.

I just got my self pumped up, focused on finishing 30, and managed to complete 32. The last ones were really (really really) hard. But it's done.

I'll try the test some time tomorrow morning. Over the last 4 weeks I think I've gained a lot of strength and my total number of push ups per day has gone up nicely (graph).

So I think I can complete 50, I'd like to do 60 (or better yet 100 :-) We'll know tomorrow.

BTW. I looked at week 5 and thought "OMG" when I saw Day 1. If I complete 40 push ups in my next test, I'll have to do that again twice on Monday. WTF is Steve thinking putting that in there. I could be repeating week 5 for a long time.

We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Week 4 Day 2

Looking over today's workout I expected it to be easy. Unfortunately I ran into some complications. (I did finished the workout though.)

Program: 27,21,21,18, max (at least 25)
Actual: 27,21,21,18, 25
Daily Total: 112
Overall Total: 1498

Ok here's the scoop. I got through the 1st two sets fairly easily. Somewhere around the 3rd set my wife started yelling at one of the kids (broken lamp).

So I'm not sure but I may have done; 27,21,21,21,18, 25
I wasn't sure if I did an extra set of 21, so I just did the set of 18 anyway and moved on.

After 13 pushups into my last set, I realized it seemed way too hard. I anticipated doing thirty, but barely managed to get the 25 complete. It was really tough. So I think I did an extra 21.

Another workout down, and a reminder that you have to pay attention to even the "easy" workouts.

BTW. I don't really care for the lamp either, but let's not tell her that.

Week 4 Day 1

Ok, this one was a bit tough, but I pulled it off.

Program: 27,20,20,17, max (at least 27)
Actual: 27,20,20,17,28
Daily Total: 112
Overall Total: 1386

First set 27 no problem, the next twenty started slowing down, and I had to paused around number 15 of the third set. So it just started getting tougher like that.

I made it through the set of 17 ("It's only 17 after all"), but I did have to pause and grunt out a couple of them.

The last set was mostly psychology. I looked at how many I did today, and compared that to last Friday's workout. This quickly showed that I did less today, so I should be able to complete the last 27. That put my head in the right place and I finished them out. It wasn't easy though.

I've been starting to think about what to do next. Not that I'm anywhere close to hitting the hundred pushups, but I've been thinking about it. I think a pull up program might be good to help balance these extraordinary muscles I've developed doing pushups. Or at least it would give me cool looking arms ;-)

Also, I need to burn this gut, so I'm thinking about getting out and doing some running.

Your right, I should probably just focus on completing week 4 (and 5, and 6, and 100 push ups)

Week 3 Day 3 - Repeat 2

Woo hoo!
After repeating the week twice, I was not going to do it again.

Program: 30,22,22,20, max (at least 27)
Actual: 30,22,22,20,28
Daily Total: 122
Overall Total: 1274

I knocked out the set of 30 fairly quickly, but noticed the first set of 22 was a bit tough at the end. That was worrisome. Sure enough I didn't get through the second set of 22 without pausing.

I really had to grunt through the last 10 pushups of the 20 set. It was tough. All that being said, I really psyched myself up for the last 27.

"There's no way I'm going to repeat this week."
"It's only 6 sets of 5."
"It's only 6 sets of 5."
"I can do this."

One key thing I did was focus on 30 pushups NOT 27.

I made it through the first 10 consecutive without stopping. The next ten were tough. For the last 10 I gave up on the "sets of 5" mentality and just started counting them out. One by miserable, grueling, painful one. When I hit #9 I did a face plant. My left arm hurt sooooo much, there was no way I could even try to haul my gut off the ground again. Had to roll sideways to get off the floor.

... but that all totaled 28, and 122 for the day. Yippee!!!

BTW. I think that breaking cleanly through the 100 pushup mark was a mental ceiling for me. I was stuck at 94-99 for a while. The last two workouts were great.

*&$^!. My shoulders still hurt. At least I get a couple rest days to work it out.

Week 3 Day 2 - Repeat 2

I spent all day on a flight back from Mexico, so I'm wiped out. I was thinking it would be hard to get through this workout successfully because I'm so tired. And then, I realized my poor attitude would doom me.

So I got things together...

Program: 27,19,19,15, max (at least 25)
Actual: 27,19,19,15, 30
Daily Total: 110
Overall Total: 1152

Yep, I crushed it today. I treated it like consecutive sets of five; one, two, three, four, five... two, two, three, four, five... You get it.

So for the last set I set my goal to do 6 sets of 5. This made sure I didn't stay focused on only doing the min 25. But I really had to push to get those last pushups out.

Overall I'm very pleased with this workout. I just blew through each set without too much difficulty. Not sure why this was so easy, but I think it all goes back to having a good attitude.

We'll keep positive about completing Friday and week 3 (finally).

Week 3 Day 1 - Repeat 2

This would be the 3rd time I've attemped the W3D1 workout. It's getting easier every time.

Program: 25,17,17,15, max (at least 25)
Actual: 25,17,17,15,25
Daily Total: 99
Overall Total: 1042

I blew through the 1st couple of sets with no problem, but started to get concerned when completing the second set of 17. It was tough, and I started doubting my last 25. But I caught my self, grit my teeth, and push through them 5 at a time.

The last time this workout was successfully completed I barely managed to get the last pushup done. This time it went more smoothly.

I got in the habit of just trying to complete the last 25, so that's all I did today. It's a shame as I could have probably squeeked out 1 or 2 more, but I was focused on 25. It would have been nice to break 1oo pushups today. Oh, well. I'll plan for that on Wednesday. ;-)

Yes, the other big milestone; I've completed over one thousand pushups. That's a lot anyway you cut it.

As you can see, my attitude is much better than my last post, and I'm looking forward to the next workout. Catch you then!

Week 3 Day 3 - Repeat

Ok. Feeling a bit frustrated today. My wife was messing with me while I was doing pushups. It kind of shows you there's more obstacles than expected when trying to do this program.

I'm just not happy with this week's workouts compared to last week. I expected to get stronger and do better, but I really didn't. Ugh!

Program: 30,22,22,20, max (at least 27)
Actual: 30,22,22,16, 17
Daily Total: 107
Overall Total: 943

As I tallied the numbers right now, I was actually surprised to see it add up to 107. ?? It really makes me wonder why I struggled with 94 two days ago. Must be something about how the workouts are structured.

I just have to make it through week 3 next week. It'll be sooooo depressing if I can't. If nothing else, Monday I should break 1000 pushups since I started this insanity.

Stay tuned for next week when I attempt week 3 (AGAIN!!!!).

Week 3 Day 2 - Repeat

umm... ...well, get ready for week 3 repeat 2 :-(

I fell 11 pushups short today. It just wasn't going to happen. I think it's because I've been working a lot this week, and not getting the pushups in until it's already late and I'm already tired.

It really stinks.

Program: 27,19,19,15, max (at least 25)
Actual: 27,19,19,15, 14
Daily Total: 94
Overall Total: 836

So I'm still wondering how I knocked out 106 pushups last Friday. ??

I'm really disappointed that I'm going to have to repeat this week again. Drats.

But let's try to focus on the good news. About the only silver lining I can find is that I did 7 more pushups than my last attempt at W3D2. That and maybe the fact that I think my chest, shoulders, and triceps are looking bigger. (That's my story & I'm sticking to it)

The daily totals have been hovering in the 90's for the last couple of days. I'm not too worried. The overall trend still looks pretty good; 49, 57, 65, 55, 69, 74, 81, 87, 106, 99, and 94 (see graph). I really just think I'm exhausted and it's holding me back. Whatever... we'll get there.

If I really do plateau, I've got a plan to get over the hump. Basically it amounts to doing double workout sets (am & pm), but I'm not ready to radically deviate from the hundredpushups plan just yet.

Like I said, we'll get there... Maybe I'll crush out another 100+ pushups this Friday too.

"The stuff that dreams are made of."

- Samuel Spade

Week 3 Day 1 - Repeat

Ok, good news & bad news...

The good news is that I completed the Week3 Day1 workout. Whoo Hoo!

Program: 25,17,17,15, max (at least 25)
Actual: 25,17,17,15,25
Daily Total: 99
Overall Total: 742

But I'm not getting too excited; here's the bad news. I barely managed to get the last 25 pushups out. I mean, I barely managed. I grunted out the last 10 one at a time with my arms shaking. It was brutal. If I didn't know that I'd have to repeat the whole week, there's no way I would have been able to do it. I also suspect that I simply wouldn't have been able to push my gut off the floor one more time either. I was spent.

but I did it ;-)

Let's hope that I have more workouts like my last one and fewer like today. Ouch.

Week 3 Day 3

Yazzzz....

While, I still didn't complete this workout 100% I cranked on my pushups today.

Program: 30,22,22,20, max (at least 27)
Actual: 30,22,22,17, 15
Daily Total: 106
Overall Total: 643

First off, W3D3 is a lot of push ups. That's why I don't mind whiffing so badly on the last two sets. Plus there are a couple of milestones to point out;

1. During the first set of pushups today I equaled the number I did during my initial trial.
2. Also, my total for the day crested over 100 pushups. That's the first day I've broken one hundred.

There's really not too much real significance with either of these, but they felt really good. It shows strong improvement.

Truthfully, I'm not sure how I got a bug up my butt to blow out that many push ups. It's 19 more than I did last time. ?? Must have been the Wheaties.

The first two sets went pretty well, with only the last couple of push ups hurting. The third set was a real struggle but I completed the 22. Obviously I just burned out during the 4th set only managing 17 of the required 20. I actually surprised myself by pumping out the last 15 push ups. I was afraid I'd end up with only 7 again or something, but I cranked through the first 10 fairly well.

Anyway, it was a good day that makes repeating W3D1 seem a lot less daunting. The last 25 of the workout still concerns me. I guess we'll all know how that goes on Monday.

Week 3 Day 2

My short term goal is to focus on crushing w3d1 when I repeat this week.

Program: 27,19,19,15, max (at least 25)
Actual: 27,19,19,15, 7
Daily Total: 87
Overall Total: 537

As you can see I managed through each set pretty well, but wasn't even close on the last 25.

Here's the thing, if you look at the number of pushups I did for each day it's increasing nicely. I did 87 pushups today. Not too bad.

From a total perspective it's gone like this; 49, 57, 65, 55, 69, 74, 81, and 87. So, in order to complete W3D1 when I repeat the week, I just need to keep increasing to 99. It's entirely possible. I've been going up by 5-7 per workout, so Friday could be 94, and the repeat could get me to 99.

That's my plan & my focus anyway.

Thanks again to Steve and everyone else for the words of encouragement.

Week 3 Day 1

ARRRGGGG!!!!

I got my self all fired up. No way I'd miss, but I did! Arrrggg!!! I'm so ummm... ANGRY!!! (that wasn't the first word I chose)

Program: 25,17,17,15, max (at least 25)
Actual: 25,17,17,15, 7
Daily Total: 81
Overall Total: 450

Ok, so I'm calmed down now. A bit anyway... Now I'm just annoyed. I really thought I'd get through this. Got through the 1st 25 & 17 unscathed, and the next 17 was a bit challenging but I made it. The last 15 was really tough, and by the time I got to the third push up of the last set, I was counting them out one by one. There was just nothing left. Darn.

Now I have to figure out what to do next. Looking over the program all it says is if you can't complete a workout you need to repeat the week you struggled with.

So I'm going to continue on with week 3 doing my best to complete the workouts. When I'm done, I'll repeat week 3 again. This really sucks.

I really thought I'd get through it. Darn.

BTW. I've completed 450 pushups since starting the program <= That's my silver lining.

Week 2 Trial

We'll, I was surprised and disappointed to only do forty pushups for the 2nd trial. I really expected I'd blow away the 30 I did in the initial trial. I guess the two weeks of pushups didn't help me as much as I expected. Bummer.

Daily Total: 40
Overall Total: 409

Sooo.... I looked at week 3. That's one of the weeks that the blogs I've read indicate people tend miss. Looking over W3D1 it does look really scary. The first set starts off with 25 push ups. The workouts are getting pretty serious.

Here's how I plan to deal with it;

1. Keep a good "I can do this" attitude. Mean and aggressive. As I've already written, attitude is huge.
2. IF I miss, I'll finish out the week as best I can and then repeat it. Eventually I should be able to get through it.
3. If I just can't get through week 3, I may back up and redo week 2, just to help with the attitude.
4. Regardless of what happens, I'll just keep trying. No quitting. Tenacity.
   

While I may have been a bit disappointed with the 40 pushups I pumped out during this trial, it should be a heck of a lot better next time, after I survive week 3.

BTW. I'm 80% sure I'll make it through week 3. Just got to get tough.

Week 2 Day 3

In case you missed it, at the end of my last post I invented a new word. We'll explore that subject is a few minutes. Meanwhile...

Week 2 successfully completed. Woo Hoo!

Today's workout was "a bit strenuous", but I got tough and knocked it out.

Program: 15,15,12,12, max (at least 15)
Actual: 15,15,12,12, 20
Daily Total: 74
Overall Total: 369

I'm not sure how I pulled off the last 20, but I squeaked them out. Thinking about that, I'm looking forward to tomorrow trial. My initial test was thirty so I ought to be able to blow that away. (we'll see, won't we?)

My word from yesterday, and a few more;

• Pushuper: Noun. One who does pushups (a lot of pushups)
• Pushuping: Verb. The act of doing push ups.
• Centepushuparian: Noun. One who's completed the hundredpushups challenge. (or is it a pro-noun).
• Pushupifacationismist: ????. Something George Bush would say.

If you have any others to add, just drop them in a comment.

Another one down... 74 push ups today... Not to bad.