February 15, 2007

Life Press

Sometimes I feel like the demands of life are an Olympic bar and each responsibility is a separate plate. The job is a 45# one, the kids are 2 45#'s, the house a 35#, training maybe a 25#.

And me, I'm trying to press that bar successfully.

Now any of you that have spent any time pressing know the importance of technique. A successful press requires perfect form, with feet shoulders width apart, knees nearly fully extended, wrists extended and elbows pointing forward. The motion should be all upper body - no lower body cheating allowed. Straight up, then slightly back as the bar extends over your head.

Sometimes I feel like that bar is so loaded with responsibilities that I'm maxed out. And any additional plates will force me to break form and use my legs, or, even worse, send me crashing to the floor in defeat.

I guess that's why flexibility, and compromise, is important, so that I won't be so bull-headed about perfect press form and will let myself use my legs for a little extra oomph when needed. That extra oomph might just keep me from crashing.

And that's also why repetition is important. If I practice enough, get fluid and strong enough, I will master the form and be able to handle a heavier load. My responsibilities sure don't seem to diminish as I get older, so the capability to gradually handle more seems a necessity.

But lately, it seems like there's been an extra 10# plate added to just one side, knocking off the entire balance of the bar. And that one, that one I haven't figured out how to handle yet...

6 comments:

LoneStarCrank said...

If you ever get that figured out send me the recipe. To hear your schedule and the demands of your everyday life pulling you in so many directions, I am impressed with the incredible balance you're already showing.

Our success on race day has already been determined by the challenges we've already overcome in the months leading up. TriJack, you will be rewarded.

RunBubbaRun said...

Yeah, if you ever figure how to "balance" everything let us all know.

But sometimes we just have to take a step back, take a deep breath, and attack that "bar" again. That seems to work sometimes.

M said...

If my last few days are any indication, I would say that taking a break and letting the muscles rest and re-coop seems to be the key to strength building (and by muscles, I mean the mind too). Although at times I need people to remind me of this, I find that rest breaks often leave me feelings stronger to put on extra "plates" the next time. (To keep using the metaphor), if the muscles aren't ready for two "10s" to keep the balence, maybe a longer breather is need to make you stronger. And while "perfect form" is always helpful, sometimes just getting to the gym is an accomplishment in and of itself (read: little steps lead to big success).

Thanks for your feedback the other day.

Steve Stenzel said...

That extra #10 plate is why we drink....

Lisa said...

Good luck with the extra 10#. You really do an amazing job of balancing so you'll figure it out. Add a little extra play with the kids, it'll help you figure it out.

Triteacher said...

Add 10# to the other side as well?? Pay someone to spot you?

I'm laughing on the outside but commiserating on the inside. Hope it lightens up soon.