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How did this happen? I spent a chunk of time at the library--the main research library on Fifth Avenue, with the lions outside and the gorgeous reading room--then got some lunch, ordered new eyeglasses, and went to the gym. I went to the gym thinking that I should probably go back to the library, but I'd rather be lifting weights.
Given the shape of the current research project, not going back to the library was a reasonable choice--in fact, I might have been wasting my time there. But how did bookish me turn into someone who would rather lift weights than be at the library? A chunk of the answer is, of course, that it's paid research, rather than a question or project that caught my interest on its own. Another chunk is that I was working with an annoyingly designed database interface, not with actual printed books or magazines.
The new glasses are significantly smaller than the current pair: the current pair are large and heavy enough to rub against and irritate my cheeks, so smaller is not merely a fashion choice. The frames go well with my coloring, in an unobtrusive way. After much discussion with the optician, I'm not getting prescription sunglasses, but am getting what they call "transitional," which I used to call "photogray"--the kind that go dark in sunlight, and then lighten again indoors. She assures me that the current version of these do lighten all the way to clear. I'm not entirely convinced--but with a 30-day unconditional guarantee if I don't like them, I'll try it, because swapping glasses repeatedly is a nuisance. I won't have the new glasses for at least a week, more likely two, but I can wait. I also bought some lens-cleaning cloths, the kind that are individually wrapped and pre-moistened with an appropriate cleaning solution, suitable for use when I don't have running water handy.
The library now requires an "Access card" for researchers. To get one, you fill out a form (either in advance online, or at the library), then show them photo ID, get your picture taken, and a couple of minutes later have a card with photo and bar code. [Without a photo ID, they'll give you a three-day temporary card, but only once.]
As is the way of things, I'm increasing weights on some of the equipment, when it seems sensible. Today, I took it up to 300 pounds on the leg press. This feels like a milestone, because it's a round number. It's a ten-pound increase over the previous weight; 290 to 300 is less than a four percent increase, so in that sense not a big deal. What pleases me, other than the round number, is that I was able to increase the weight without having to (temporarily) reduce the number of repetition.
The heart rate numbers the cardio machine reported were so good, so quickly, that I'm not entirely convinced they're valid. The time is. (Getting to 154 is not unusual--getting into the 140s by the third minute is, very much so.)
Cardio, 26 minutes, top heart rate 154
Calf machine, 75 pounds, 13, 9; 70 pounds, 9
Lower back bench [no moving parts except me], 9
Leg press, 300 pounds, 3 sets of 12
Calf raises using leg press machine, 90 pounds, 15 [This is something that going back to tag old posts reminded me of]
Chest press, 65 pounds, 2 sets of 12 [Make sure I can complete two sets consistently before increasing the weight or adding a third set. Do not do both.]
Tricep pulldown, 45 pounds, 2 sets of 15; 40 pounds, 10
Crunches, 4 sets of 20
Back arches, 3 sets of 17
Tree, 4 sets of {3 on each side}
Bicep curls, 25-pound bar, 25, 25, 21
Lateral raise, 7.5 pounds left/3 pounds right, 15; 5/3, 2 sets of 15
Hip adduction, 110 pounds, 13, 13, 11
Hip abduction, 80 pounds, 13. Only one set because it's feeling a bit wrong again. Drop the weight for a bit.
Adjustable row, 80 pounds, 3 sets of 15
Wrist curls, 30 pounds, 3 sets of 15
Stretches
Given the shape of the current research project, not going back to the library was a reasonable choice--in fact, I might have been wasting my time there. But how did bookish me turn into someone who would rather lift weights than be at the library? A chunk of the answer is, of course, that it's paid research, rather than a question or project that caught my interest on its own. Another chunk is that I was working with an annoyingly designed database interface, not with actual printed books or magazines.
The new glasses are significantly smaller than the current pair: the current pair are large and heavy enough to rub against and irritate my cheeks, so smaller is not merely a fashion choice. The frames go well with my coloring, in an unobtrusive way. After much discussion with the optician, I'm not getting prescription sunglasses, but am getting what they call "transitional," which I used to call "photogray"--the kind that go dark in sunlight, and then lighten again indoors. She assures me that the current version of these do lighten all the way to clear. I'm not entirely convinced--but with a 30-day unconditional guarantee if I don't like them, I'll try it, because swapping glasses repeatedly is a nuisance. I won't have the new glasses for at least a week, more likely two, but I can wait. I also bought some lens-cleaning cloths, the kind that are individually wrapped and pre-moistened with an appropriate cleaning solution, suitable for use when I don't have running water handy.
The library now requires an "Access card" for researchers. To get one, you fill out a form (either in advance online, or at the library), then show them photo ID, get your picture taken, and a couple of minutes later have a card with photo and bar code. [Without a photo ID, they'll give you a three-day temporary card, but only once.]
As is the way of things, I'm increasing weights on some of the equipment, when it seems sensible. Today, I took it up to 300 pounds on the leg press. This feels like a milestone, because it's a round number. It's a ten-pound increase over the previous weight; 290 to 300 is less than a four percent increase, so in that sense not a big deal. What pleases me, other than the round number, is that I was able to increase the weight without having to (temporarily) reduce the number of repetition.
The heart rate numbers the cardio machine reported were so good, so quickly, that I'm not entirely convinced they're valid. The time is. (Getting to 154 is not unusual--getting into the 140s by the third minute is, very much so.)
Cardio, 26 minutes, top heart rate 154
Calf machine, 75 pounds, 13, 9; 70 pounds, 9
Lower back bench [no moving parts except me], 9
Leg press, 300 pounds, 3 sets of 12
Calf raises using leg press machine, 90 pounds, 15 [This is something that going back to tag old posts reminded me of]
Chest press, 65 pounds, 2 sets of 12 [Make sure I can complete two sets consistently before increasing the weight or adding a third set. Do not do both.]
Tricep pulldown, 45 pounds, 2 sets of 15; 40 pounds, 10
Crunches, 4 sets of 20
Back arches, 3 sets of 17
Tree, 4 sets of {3 on each side}
Bicep curls, 25-pound bar, 25, 25, 21
Lateral raise, 7.5 pounds left/3 pounds right, 15; 5/3, 2 sets of 15
Hip adduction, 110 pounds, 13, 13, 11
Hip abduction, 80 pounds, 13. Only one set because it's feeling a bit wrong again. Drop the weight for a bit.
Adjustable row, 80 pounds, 3 sets of 15
Wrist curls, 30 pounds, 3 sets of 15
Stretches