Right around the corner

Here's me from three years ago in a video I call the plyometric power over pushup using a medicine ball take 2. It's my second video performing this pushup variation exercise.  I haven't done these since then for various reasons such as a shoulder injury, a wrist injury and lack of interest due to laziness to name a few.

Looking at these older videos of stuff I've done in the past but not lately motivates me to challenge myself with some exercises such as this that require an above-average skillset. Perhaps a future video of plyometric power over pushups take 3 is right around the corner.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum

Let me know what you think

My current approach to cardio training is short duration and high intensity workouts lasting about 10 minutes or less.  Here's one of my favorite workouts for your viewing pleasure:



If you currently enjoy an above-average level of fitness conditioning, give this workout a try and let me know what you think.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum

I'll find out in two weeks

About four weeks ago I announced that I was a retired runner who was coming out of retirement with a goal of running a 6:30 mile on the track by the end of summer. I wrote this sitting on the comfort of my behind. Belching out lofty goals is easy in this position just as it is to be a Monday morning quarterback or a backseat driver.

My training is moving along slowly and perhaps a little slower than ideal but that is the price I pay to avoid training injury. For me and my calculating mind, it’s all about simple and well-thought progressions in the pace and duration of my running training. I know to run faster I must train faster so I don’t do that trotting type of pleasure running that some people do. I’ll take a nice walk if I want that kind of pleasure.

I’ve done some outdoor running but have yet to visit the track for a workout; I’m not ready yet. To the dismay of many real runners, I’ve chosen the treadmill for its safety and speed precision to work on “perfect pace management”, the key to running a smart race. I tested myself last week and ran a 7:18 mile on the treadmill at a one percent incline. When I consistently can do this distance at a 6:45 pace, I’ll be ready for track training to close in on my 6:30 goal.

Some people comment that running on the treadmill is easier than running on the road or track and I agree but I know, based on past experience, that I can cover a given distance on both in about the same time with my best effort.

My first track timed trial to see where I’m at will be on July 5th at a local all comers track and field meet at the high school I attended many moons ago. An all-comers meet is a fun competition where anyone who has an interest in track and field events can compete – real track athletes and “ham and egger” types like me. A client and I will enter the 1,500 meter race distance and see what kind of middle-age man fitness shape we are in.

I may come in last place and that thought doesn’t bother me so long as I run my very best because I know that if I run my very best, I’ll complete that distance in a good time and move closer to my goal. I don’t have a clue what my race time will be but I’ll find out in two weeks.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum

Such a felonious act

For illustration purposes only.  This is
not Pierini's real 'stache, thank God!

I've had a mustache (‘stache) for as long as I can remember and the thought of not having one is something I can't comprehend.  I’m a proud card-carrying member of the American Mustache Institute, the world’s leading facial hair advocacy organization and think tank protecting the rights of, and fighting discrimination against, Mustached Americans by promoting the growth, care and culture of the lower nose forest. 

My calling to wear a ‘stache for life is genetically-inspired for I'm one from a long-line of Pierini men who lived most of their adult lives with manly hair between the bottom of their noses and the top of their lips.   My 85-year young Dad, to this day, still carries a “killer ‘stache”. 

To shave off my ‘stache would be to dishonor my Pierini surname so I’d probably have to change my name if I did so.  Personally, I can’t see myself being a Jones or a Smith; I prefer to be a Pierini and that comes at the duty of wearing a ‘stache as my coat of arms.

I must confess, though, that lately I’ve become tired of looking at the aging white and gray whiskers that have taken over my ‘stache.  To my frustration, I’ve discovered that no amount of exercise or diet seems to offer my ‘stache any hope of returning to its youthful self.  To make matters worse, my no juice policy prohibits me from ending my frustration with a chemical color enhancement so I'm stuck with what I have - unless I change my policy.  Changing my policy is something that I’m not ready to do. 

Might I one day change my current thinking in a moment of disgust and rage, grab my razor and ferociously end the long life of my elderly-looking grandpa fuzz ‘stache?  

I suppose anything is possible but right now the rage isn’t strong enough to make me resort to such a felonious act.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum

Like a splash of Old Spice

About one week ago an article appeared on the internet with a title that caught my attention; it was that old people do smell, but not that badly. As a middle-aged man who knows that old man land will soon be my mindscape, I had to go past the title and actually read the article.

Seems like a group of supposed scientists with nothing better to do conducted a study where study participants were given “whiffs” from pieces of pads worn under the armpits of young, middle-aged and elderly people for five consecutive nights. Researchers found that study participants were able to reliably distinguish the body odor of the elderly, who were 75 years and older.

Does this mean that this middle-age man can bellow a sigh of relief since he’s not 75 years or older, and does this also add validity to those private thoughts of “Grandpa you really do stink?”

Not quite as the participants rated the body odor of men to smell the worst and the strongest in middle age. “Those are fighting words” shouts this middle-age man, the self-proclaimed ambassador of all middle-age men of the world.

I’ve always been slightly skeptical of scientific research and know that the design and findings of research can be skewed by who funds it. Obviously this research was funded by women since the study found that the odor from women of all ages was rated as less intense than men, and closer to neutral smelling for the young and middle-aged. Do I hear the sound of the Avon lady calling?

Well this middle-age man is not buying any of this scientific research nonsense. Just as every middle-age man who looks in the mirror sees a 16 year old kid, we middle-aged men will always smell nice like a splash of Old Spice.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum