CyclePUPs Week 4

[yellow]

OK, ladies, here we go: week 4! Several of us will be repeating week 3, some will be flip-flopping between the "old" and the "new" targets on the 100 pushups website (http://www.hundredpushups.com/index.html), but we will all move forward. Here are the results from last week (week 3):

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1/tasdan/Just%20for%20Fun/CyclePUPs_Week3.jpg

WOW! Over 1,000 pups total!!! (for some reason the total won't show...it's 1136)

A big HOORAH for group 3: everyone completed the week at the suggested level! That's some serious pups, ladies!

For week 4 into week 5, I will be cavorting with the PUS on the trails in central Oregon, but I'm sure we'll continue our routines. Unless she kills me.

:D

[SadieKate]

Hey! I just ran off (contrary to what I said) and did Week 3/Day 3.

11-13-9-9-25 = 67

Because of my GD wrist I did plank position but from the edge of my bathroom counter. I can't take the more acute angle in my wrist if I do them lower.

Oh yeah. Hutch's West Side has 3 bikes that should be in your size range.

[OakLeaf]

Okay okay I know. I wanted to title this message "Giant FAIL" but I'm not gonna. Still feel that way...:o

I started the week with my shoulders still sore from Thursday's trail cleanup, Friday's pups and cardio/strength class, and Saturday's hilly 80 miles. Plus probably not enough protein over the weekend. Knew I was going to be in trouble when I did a short set in my cardio/strength class yesterday - half of them on my knees - and they weren't "nothing" as those short sets were for me last week.

Yesterday was supposed to be a consolidation day - many fewer pups than we'd done last week - instead I managed the fixed sets but only 18 on the max-out :o (instead of the 32 minimum in the plan)

Now I'm not sure of the best way to retrench. I'm inclined to step down to group 2 for the rest of the week, then do week 4 again in group 3 next week.

[Flybye]

Sorry for my delinquency on posting last week. I guess you can give me a demerit or something.
Here is Week 3
Day 1 =81
Day 2=91
Day 3=102 - yowza baby!!
Total for week 3 = 274

[yellow]

With Flybye and SK's additions, we're up to 1,325 for last week. Just think of all the power we could generate with that many pushups!!!!

Oakleaf, I'd just do whatever feels good. I've decided that the sets are nice goals, but if I end up doing them in a different order or tacking 2 onto one and taking 2 off another but still reach the total, I'm doing OK. I did last week's day 3 pups on Sunday and then day 1 of this week 's the following day because I wanted to get back on schedule. It was tough, but not as tough as I thought it would be. I like doing the longest non-max set first, and will probably continue with that trend. But doing pups a day after a long, hard run was much harder that doing pups two days in a row. I think those other activities take a lot more out of the rest of you...

That said, tomorrow I have to go to a birthday party so I will try to do my pups in the morning. That will be a new one for me!

[Grog]

So I'm really back in the swing of things:

I did Week 3, Day 2, Column 1 today:

10 / 12 / 8 / 8 / 12 (which was the "minimum" max). So

50!!!!!

is my total.

I experimented on the breathing thing. I got it right on the second and third level, and then kept "experimenting" and that's how I almost failed the fifth level, as my breathing was totally out of whack. Anyway I've figured out what I have to do: I need to breathe out before I start, then I breathe in during the descend and the start of the push up, and exhale the rest of the way up. Start inhaling again before I start going down, and the beat seems about right. My heart rate shoots up, but that will improve in time.

I think Saturday will be a good day: 11 / 13 / 9 / 9 / 13+ is the plan, so total 55... am I getting this right? :D

[jesvetmed]

I think that even though this week is supposed to be a little easier, it seems harder.
I managed to get through the numbers of Day 1 Column 3. BUT... I have to admit I had to hit my knees to finish some of the sets.

Here's how it came out:
Set 1: 21 on toes
Set 2: 25 on toes, but VERY difficult to finish.
Set 3: 15 on toes, 6 on knees, and I felt like I wasn't going to finish that!
Set 4: 11 on toes, 10 on knees -- again almost didn't make it
Set 5: 23 on toes, and finished out to total 35 by hitting my knees.

I guess I'm still working the same muscles by dropping to my knees, but it feels like such a failure.
I think my arms are quite tired this week -- and I went to boot camp last night and did tricep dips and pull ups and overhead shoulder presses. I'm sure that isn't helping.

Anyone else falling to their knees to finish any of their sets?
Wondering if I should be backing up to last week... I think I'll see how this week goes -- maybe I will feel better later in the week.
Jes

[Grog]

I guess I'm still working the same muscles by dropping to my knees, but it feels like such a failure.


I don't think so!



I think my arms are quite tired this week -- and I went to boot camp last night and did tricep dips and pull ups and overhead shoulder presses. I'm sure that isn't helping.


You're asking quite a bit of your upper body there!



Anyone else falling to their knees to finish any of their sets?
Wondering if I should be backing up to last week... I think I'll see how this week goes -- maybe I will feel better later in the week.


I really want to do them all on my toes, but I don't think it's necessary. Just a matter of taste I guess. I started in column 2 because of my initial test but my stickwoman arms did not allow me to stay there. I decided to switch column to do smaller sets instead. I am trying to keep perfect form the whole time, I go pretty slow so it's even more taxing. I don't really care about how fast I get to 100 but my guess is that it will take me 8 to 10 weeks. I'll probably throw another rest week in there in a couple of weeks, too.

Frankly I think the 100 pushups in 6 weeks idea is a good one to drag people to get started, but at the same time I find that the program is not very realistic for most and can be discouraging, which certainly isn't the point. However, I don't know how much people would embark in a "100 pushups in 10 weeks" program, not so sexy. Anyway.

Don't break your body or your soul over this!

[jesvetmed]

Thanks, Grog! It's so funny what a perfectionist I tend to be. I need to probably lay back and take it slower. I'll see how the rest of the week feels and go from there!

[michelem]

Just thought I'd chime in here even though I'm doing this thing on my own (got started late and such). Anyway, I learned a neat trick yesterday that upped my max pushups quite a bit over what I was able to do prior: instead of counting one through whatever my max is, I just keep starting over at 1 every time I hit ten. For some reason, I think this fools my brain into thinking I'm not doing as many as I am. Before, I kept maxing out at the same number day after day and not improving on the max efforts.

Maybe give it a try . . . :p

[emily_in_nc]

I'm so impressed with you all! I don't understand exactly how this all works yet, but I've got the gist of it from reading the hundred pushups site. I was on vacation the week most people started, and then took forever to get back to being caught up enough on other things to get around to doing the pre-test. Finally did it today. I'm 47 and did 11 (though the last two were pretty shaky -- they are HARD to do on the toes since I'm used to doing knee pushups). That puts me in column 2. I'm planning to start with the regular weekly ones soon. I can't imagine doing set after set, but I'm game to try!

[bluebug32]

Last week severely kicked my butt. I've been doing a lot of other upper body stuff, but I started the new week in group 1 instead of 2 and that's feeling better. This program really keeps things moving along!

[OakLeaf]

Yep, I stepped down to column 2 today and that felt about right. My shoulders are (still) pretty sore.

[SadieKate]

I am afraid. Very afraid.

The PUO arrives tomorrow . . . .

[Aggie_Ama]

I did mine last night, still hanging on for dear life in group two. The first 4 sets went okay, then I got to the max out. Oh my that was awful. I am doing the knee push-ups and it is not that much easier. Sure I can do more but my muscles are sore this morning anyway. I am on a W-F-Su schedule again this week, I was hoping Tu-Th-Sa but alas it is getting harder to get moving on these things!

[NoNo]

Week 3, Day 3, Column 1 (I was a week 2 re-doer): 11+13+9+9+14=56! I'm a little scared; by the end of next week we're supposed to be able to do a minimum of 32 in order to move on to week 5:eek: Then again, two weeks ago I was only able to do 14 for my max-out, and now I can do that after doing 42 pups. Progress is good:D

[yellow]

I am afraid. Very afraid.

The PUO arrives tomorrow . . . .

Bah! The PUO hit failure last night for day 2 of week 4 in column 3 (new version). I made everything except for the max. I could have done the *old* program, but made the decision on Monday to try to follow the *new* program.

So for Friday I'm not sure if I'll go back to week 3-day 3-column 3 or go to week 4-day 3-column 2. I'll compare and see what I feel like after SK rides my legs off. I'm inclined to go back to week 3 and then try week 4 again next week.

But, yah, I did more in each set yesterday than I managed for my initial test. So that's GOOD!

:D

[Flur]

Week 4, Column 1, Day 3: I barely eeked out the minimum, 80 pups.

I'm, nervous for the test on Saturday. I don't think I'll be able to advance to week 5. I'm okay with that though, because I can do twice as many pups in one set than I could do 4 weeks ago. So what if it takes me a little longer to get to 100? I don't mind. :)

[SadieKate]

I'm okay with that though, because I can do twice as many pups in one set than I could do 4 weeks ago. So what if it takes me a little longer to get to 100? I don't mind. :)Hey, that's what it's all about. The PUO and I even got into a discussion of technique and I ended up doing a 6 set. If I wake up tomorrow and can't raise my arms, it's all her fault.

She even had me trying headstands again. Jiminy.

[jobob]

Oh that's just scary.

[Grits]

Week 4, Day 3: 160, barely

I have decided I am going to go for the numbers even if I have to take more breaks. Day 2 and Day 3 this week, I had to take a few extra seconds during the last "as many as you can, but at least...." set.

If I do say so myself, my arms are looking pretty good! :D

[Grog]

I must also admit to finding my whole body more toned this week. True of my arms and middle in particular, but perhaps it's the commuting (which includes hill sprints) but my thighs are lookin' good too.

[OakLeaf]

Stepping down to column 2 was the right decision for me.

Week 4, day 3: 23+28+23+23+36 = 133

[Flybye]

Well, I have to bag this one for now.

I fell on my wrist when I went hiking September 1st. I have ignored it even though the simple things like folding laundry HURT!

I have wrapped my wrist before I have done push ups and it really has not bothered me. BUT, it has been 25 days and I still haven't healed, so I am going to baby my wrist until it gets better.

I went to the medical supply store (not a place I would suggest if you are looking for a little shopping therapy) and got a splint. Ugly. Black. Not quite the fashion statement I was looking for.:mad:

Anyhow, I have every confidence in my ability to keep going with the push ups, it really has been easy for me. I just think that I need to pamper my wrist.

sorry...............:(:(:(:(:(:(:(:(
I REALLY like this challenge and wanted to keep going. I'm sad.

[Kvixen23]

I forgot to do my PUPS this week....:eek:

One might ask oneself how exactly do you forget??? I'm not sure really...:confused: I somehow got busy and didn't think about it until Wed. night....At this point in the week it didn't seem like a good idea to start b/c I would end up doing too much, too close together. Anyways, now my lower back is really hurting (it's Friday night).

So, I'll have to start week 4 next week. Oopsies :rolleyes:

[SadieKate]

The task master PUO is upstairs right now finishing up tonight's round. 1st three sets were from group 3 . . . .













and the last 2 sets from group 2. :cool:

All this after riding almost 25 miles of singletrack. Shall I withhold her beer allotment tonight?

[aka_kim]

I repeated Week 3 this week. Day 3 = 22+30+20+20+30=122. That's only 2 more than last week, but I can at least still move my arms this week, so some small improvement. I'll move on to Week 4 next week, but I'm not sure which column. These big weekly jumps in minimum pups are killers.

[Becky]

I'm doing "Week 3" this week, Column 1

Day 3 yielded 11+13+9+9+16 = 58! Yay!

I'm scared to look at next week's program.... :eek:

[Grog]

Reporting 3rd day total - Imagine the Footloose music in the background, which provided the beat for today's workout:

Week 3, Column 1, Day 3:

11 + 13 + 9 + 9 + 15 = 57 !

Youppi!

Getting ready to pass 60 next week. Interesting to think that I'll do more than 30 at the exhaustion test at the end of next week!!

[emily_in_nc]

Okay, I just started. Today was Week 1, Day 1. I'm in column 2. It was HARD! I did 6+6+4+4+5. Don't know how you all are doing it, but I'll try!

BTW, what is PUO? I'm so behind on all the lingo!

Thanks!

[Aggie_Ama]

I didn't want to get behind but I somehow forgot to do day 2 until today. It hurt. A lot. Column 2 is kicking my butt however it is where I tested so I am attempting to stay. Let's see if I can make Day 3! :eek:

[yellow]

WOW, Grits! You win the tough woman prize this week! No way I could have done 160. As SK posted yesterday, I ended up having to drop to column 2 for my last 2 sets for day 3, so I ended up with 147. Still 17 more than last week, so I'm pretty happy with that.

Flybye, we'll catch you on one of the next go 'rounds. :)

Emily, the acronyms were defined way back, but are PUO = pushup organizer (yellow), PUS = pushup statistician (SadieKate), and PUC = pushup coach (Oakleaf)

Grog, even though you skipped a week, you still went WAY higher than your last day 3. I just felt the need to point that out! :p

aka_kim, 122 is still a lot of pups. Just thinking about it makes me thirsty for a beer (oh! and look! there's one right here next to me!)

SadieKate just did her day 3 and she SLAMMED it! 92 pups...and to think that her starting number was in the 5 and less zone!!! I think she earned her beer tonight!

:D

[jesvetmed]

Yeah everyone!
Well, I will admit right here that I skipped DAY 2 of week 4. I did two Boot Camp workouts mid week and they kicked my butt -- and my chest, arms and back! I figured I'd be too far behind if I started day 2 today, so I just skipped it! :rolleyes:

So I rounded out the week today on Week 4, Day 3, Column 3.
HARD HARD HARD. But I never dropped to my knees this time and I finished like this:

23/28/23/23/36. So that is (grabbing the calculator.. worked too much and slept to little today).... 133 :eek:

OMG!!!!!!! Never thought I could do that. It helped that I took just a bit longer breaks -- instead of 2 min they were often more like 2min 10-15 sec.

WHO CARES! I just did 133 PUPS! :D

BTW: MichelM: Thanks! Counting only to 10 DOES HELP! Play with the mind -- you get a lot more accomplished that way!

[Grits]

Yellow, Full disclosure, I am doing "girl" pushups on my knees! My goal is to finish this challenge and then go back and do toe ones (column one, I'm sure!) so I'm not as tough as it sounds!

[aka_kim]

BTW: MichelM: Thanks! Counting only to 10 DOES HELP! Play with the mind -- you get a lot more accomplished that way!It did help! Whatever part of my brain is involved in the pushing up part of the pup must be very gullible. :o

[bluebug32]

Column 2 was really kicking my butt, so I switched over to column one and it feels more like where I should be. So, 20 was my max this week.

[Jones]

I fell behind this week. I didn't do my pups when I woke up and then would get busy and plan on doing them after work but I get off of work at 3 am so it really was a dumb plan. Anyway, I finished day 2 yesterday with 72 pups total. I am hoping to some how catch up but with re-testing and recovery time I don't know that it will be possible, so my results on Sunday may not be based on my third day pups. Jones

[spindizzy]

Ouch!!!! Between these PUPS and my other workouts...well let's say pain has a whole new meaning this week. It hurts to lift a beer bottle to my lips.... :eek:

Week 4, column 2 - 132

[Aggie_Ama]

Finished the week in column 2 even though I was really struggling to finish set 3. I surprised myself by being able to do the 33 max required. I can only hope I test out as a column one gal for week 5! :p

Week 4: 130

[NoNo]

Week 4 looks scary. I semi pulled something finishing week 3. I have my second ear infection this month. Things are stacked against me. Rather than getting frustrated, I think I'll redo yet another week, and try to do week 3 at level 2 this time.

The good news: Yesterday I saw my cousin, whom I challenged. She's the catcher on her college softball team. I asked if she'd been doing her push-ups. She said she hadn't been following the program, but did a bunch the other night. Her total: 60. My total last week: 56. I've caught up to her!:D