It was probably 4am but I'm just guessing. I stirred drowsily and felt the ache that' been in my hips since the long run on Saturday. It was a nice 22K (and another 3K of walk for me) with Amit and Ashwin, at a pace, conversational enough to permit exchange of several jokes. I wondered if it was just muscle soreness or a specific strain. It was clear that I would not be able to run this morning and so I reached out and put off the alarm. When I woke up next, it was bright and late for a run, so I decided I'd head to the Gym.
I gathered my towel and mused about my strength training over the last few years. I thought of the good ol' days when I trained with Nihal and Mainthan. There was this one occasion when Nihal and I worked out in the Gym for 4 hrs, much to the chagrin of the owner and the wonderment of fellow "spotters". The three of us were broad chested with well formed legs and biceps, and there used to be many that would want to train with us because of our aggressive, focused and heavy-set training. I felt a touch of nostalgia and melancholy about it all. Mainthan still trains in Australia and has won a few body-building competitions, while Nihal still retains a natural physique with his propensity to burn fat, as a certified "ectomorph":)
I reached the Gym with my workout schedule written on a paper, something that I have found useful. Charged with the enthusiasm of my recent thoughts on training, I set about meticulously arranging the Barbell and weights. It helped that the Gym was not too crowded and that I had enough time on hand. I focused on each set and racked up the weights to blast my pecs, traps and delts to a burn. It wasn't long before I felt the Tee tighten around my back and chest. I smiled a faint smile as I realised that I could still have blood pump up my muscles in a few sets, a benediction afforded to few. I chose to do three sets for each muscle group, something I had not done in years and I wondered as to why I had neglected my musculature when it paid me rich dividends for very little investment in time.
When I was through with military presses, by which time my muscles were fatigued but my Tee was taut around my chest, I breathed deep and went out into the garden outside the Gym. There were a few walkers and joggers still doing the 400m loop, as I hooked my feet under the parallel bars, while wide-eyed 20 somethings saw me do "roman situps". It is one exercise that really blasts your abs. I then went on to do box jumps at a rapid pace that got a guy and a girl, as well as the trainer teaching them to do leg raises, to pause and watch me. The trainer gave me a knowing smile (he knows me since the last 10 yrs) as he realised that such plyometric strength in the achilles tendon is unusual...except in a few (possibly runners), even as he whispered in marathi, "Thoe marathon runner aahe!".
Satisfied with my whole body strength and isometric workout, I went for a "spin" into aarey with my driver, who was parked outside the Gym. I watched the last few walkers hurrying home even as the heat was out and the strays had disappeared. I cruised down the hill and looked out, and I was reminded of the strains of "Danny boy", from the CD that was recently purchased for that very reason (it figures my name:)) and which I had played last night. I leaned back and sang the song even though it seemed narcissistic to do so:), but felt reassured that I was in a position to get back some semblance of my physique; even if it meant sacrificing my runs a bit.
Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow'
Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.
