2-18-17 HY: Insanity MAX 30: Cardio Challenge + Ab Attack: 10 + Weightlifting: Biceps and Traps + Splits + TCF.

2-18-17 HY: Insanity MAX 30: Cardio Challenge + Ab Attack: 10 + Weightlifting: Biceps and Traps + Splits + TCF.

Today begins week 4 of the first month of MAX 30.  Or in other words, the final week of the first month.  Back to the "Fit Test" routine.  I have done a few minutes better each time after the first time.  My max out time were 8 min, 12 min, and 16:10 min.  So if I were to follow suit, I should top 20 minutes today.  But I didn't do that.  I did a FULL MAX OUT!!! Yes, I got through the WHOLE ROUTINE without a break!  I was feeling like I wouldn't make it anywhere near 20 minutes during the second round of the warm up.  As usual, my calves were aching and I couldn't keep pace with Shaun T, but I kept going as best I could.  But somewhere in the second round, I hit my second wind and my legs felt a lot better.  When I got to the 16-minute mark, I blew past the Plyo Squat Jacks and completed the circuit.  I hit my goal of 20 minutes, but I still felt good, so I pressed on and although there was a time when my breathing got labored, the 3 moves 3 rounds system worked in my favor to push me to the end of the next-to-last circuit.  I almost tapped out in the last circuit because that third move had Jump Tucks.  2 Punches 2 Jump Tucks was the finisher.  I'll admit, my range of motion on the Jump Tucks wasn't as high as I would like, but I was fading fast and I did my best with the best form I could muster.  And I made it to the end.  When I finished, I collapsed to the floor.  My lungs felt a little congested and I couldn't breathe very well.  Deep breaths came with a little pressure in my lungs. But here, the 30-second breaks at the end of each circuit really helped.  I was able to recover quicker and get ready to start the next circuit with the team.

I moved right into Ab Attack.  Started out okay, but again, those Switch Kick Punches totally rocked my world.  I kept it going, though.  I wasn't able to keep my legs straight, so I modified a bit by bending my legs, but I didn't touch down.  I was able to get through but maxed out at pretty much the same time as the last few time.  My MAX OUT time was 6:13.  I forget the move, but I could only get about three reps done and I was out.  But the good thing is that I was able to continue for the next two moves without a break until the Ab Attack.  Then I needed a break right at the beginning and then I did the whole minute.  After another break, I got into the V-Punches and got only 40 seconds in before I had to take another break.  But I finished out the 20 seconds.  BURN BURN BURN!!!

I took a few minutes to recover then got into the weights.  Today was Biceps.  So, I did a series of biceps moves most were three sets of 12, but a few new additions to the routine had a different rep and set count.  The moves were 1. Bicep Curls (7.5kgs), 2. Hammer Curls (7.5kgs), 3. Static Bicep Curls (7.5kgs, 4 curls on each side with the opposite arm static 2X per set), 4. In to Out, Out to In Curl Up Out Hammer Down In (7.5kgs), 5. Speed Curls (6.25kgs).  At the end of Body Beast, I had some popping or starting to pop Traps.  But this morning, I noticed that their definition was way less than before, so after finishing my Biceps, I decided to do just a few sets of Shoulder Shrugs, and Trap Raises at 12.5kgs.  But I did them Super Set style, non-stop between moves.  I felt them for sure.

The Splits are coming, but I have definitely hit a plateau.  I need to up the game and push harder.  I'm still trying to figure out what that means, though.  Do I need to go twice a day? or do I have to go longer?  or do I have to use more dynamic stretching to open up the hips enough to touch down?  As I said before, the pain I feel when I stretch is not muscle stretching pain, rather hip joint pain.  I'm beginning to think that my structure might not be fitted to doing the splits. I don't know, but after faithfully stretching and pushing 6 days a week for 3+ years, I feel I should have gotten it by now.  Frustration is setting in, and I may just call it quits and stretch just to maintain flexibility.

Flow was as usual, on point.

In the end, I torched a good 1401kcals.  Nice big number to start my final week of the first month of MAX 30.