Pain report
Yesterday I got my 1mi jog done in the morning, but was busy all day and didn't find a window to get the workout in.
Today instead of my jog, I did two hours of yard work (mowing, edging, sweeping, etc.) in the morning sun.
(afternoon)
Crucifix Crunch - 1 set of 15 reps just to get the abs warmed up.
Core Hold Series (immediate transitions)
Form 1 - Today I positioned my arms at a slight incline (maybe 20 to 30 degrees) to the plane of the floor instead of keeping them parallel. The higher the hands, the more difficult the hold. I thought I'd try doing this until I can do the hold with the back off the floor and my arms in Form 2's position. I really focused on keeping the abs tight and made it to 30 breaths, but just barely. My back hit the floor as I was exhaling breath 30.
Form 2 - I moved my arms into position and immediately felt the lower back move slightly off the ground. It wasn't a full blown arching, but I fought to keep it a hair's width off the floor the whole time. I had to elevate my legs/feet more than I really wanted to, but lower back on the floor is higher priority. Made it to 30 breaths.
Form 3 - I really had to focus to keep the abs tight and the lower back low to the floor (as in previous Form). Kicks to 30 breaths weren't a problem.
Abs struggled to keep the lower back in place, but I didn't really feel pain or burning as they worked. It feels strange compared to what I experienced over the last couple of months while doing these abs workouts.
Side planks - Right side, I pushed it and did 25 reps today even though my shoulder was signalling pain. My shoulder was very sore when I finished. The reps felt good and smooth though. Left side, I also did 25 reps however, the left shoulder signaled pain much faster than the right side had done. After rep 20, my form got very sloppy and it was not "good and smooth".
Horse Stance - 1 set of 60 is MY goal
Set 1 - First 10 breaths I'm still playing with the position (again) and finally get my hips rotated so that my spine is straight/vertical. Quadriceps start burning. Around breath 20, the burn is noticable, but good. Around breath 30, the burning intensifies. The knees start shaking/spasming around breath 42. I keep breathing. Around breath 50, my legs are burning all over (not just the quads). The last ten breaths to 60 are excruciating. I reach 60, audibly groan and use hands on knees to reclaim a standing position.
Wall Sit - 1 set of 60 is MY goal
Set 1 - I sit into good position immediately today. Quads start burning immediately too as I drive down on my heels. The burning is strong and intense, but not overwhelming. There is no panic within me - just acceptance of the burning pain as I count my breaths at a steady pace. Around breath 40 I'm noticing that my knees are not shaking. I finish 60 breaths without any shaking in the knees and again have to shimmy my back up the wall to stand up again. Whew!
(workout interrupted as I had to run some errands)
Bottom Push Up Hold - 1 set of 45-60 seconds is MY goal
Set 1 - I lasted 21 breaths. I felt a burn in my triceps, but it was my back that really failed to maintain tension at the end. Which is surprising as the hold is supposed to stress the chest/pecs with the triceps.
Bear Crawl Hold - 1 set of 45-60 seconds is MY goal
Set 1 - Similar to last time, it wasn't until breath 30 or so that I noticed any strain at all. Arms/elbows/shoulders started shaking then, but it was mild. Shaking stayed more or less steady as I finished out 60 breaths. Quads started to burn around breath 55 or so. I think the errand interruption gave them too much rest post Wall Sit.
Iron Bridge - 1 set of 60-90 seconds is MY goal
Set 1 - I chose the "easy mode" straight plank bridge today. Around breath 40, my shoulders started shaking. Around breath 50, shoulders are shaking worse and my right hamstring starts to cramp. I keep breathing and it's getting harder and harder to keep it together. Shoulders are shaking so much that my head is now bobbing up and down and I can't stop it. Right hammy starts to cramp and I collapse at breath 59. Almost made 60 breaths.
Active Dead Hang - I used shoulder width grip today. Lasted 24 breaths. Today, my left hand/grip was the weak link.