#airalert

Air Alert: Week 2

I knew getting that this program would gradually get more difficult. Day one of week 2 was no exception. Even though it was only an increment of more reps, not even sets, it made such a huge difference. After each set of every exercise, especially step ups, I doubted that I would even finish the program. I then looked at the agenda for the last week of the program and I felt even more discouraged.

During week 1, the workout for leap ups are 2 sets of 20 reps. I found that fairly difficult already. The last week, week 15, the workout for leap ups are 8 sets of 40 reps. That seems impossible especially after comparing the amount of difficulty I had during week 2 which was only 3 sets of 20 reps.

Day One. I went to the college gym to log in some time. Today's workout seemed as if it took forever. Through each workout I realized a significant increase in difficulty.

Leap ups: My quads were dying by the second set but I pushed through my third set. Luckily I realized that this is a very high impact program and can be very hard on the knees so I started to use a mat instead of just the floor.

Calf raises: They were especially difficult for me because I'm not used to pushing through that burning sensation especially with my legs. I faltered a couple times but only because I lost balance. 

Step ups: This is where I first started feeling that this program would be impossible to finish. The increase from last week's workout was only five more reps from the previous 10. As soon as I hit the 11th rep, my body truly wanted to stop. I took a deep breath and powered through. Of course I would never put my body in danger, but I do have to push myself and further my own limitations.

Thrust ups: These are my personal favorite and they go by the fastest. Not much complains here except that I started to lose proper form and position on the mat after 15.  

Burnouts: Last weeks burnouts weren't so bad because I felt that 1 set of 100 reps was fair. Weeks 2 demanded 200 reps and I felt I started pushing my hardest starting from 125

Day Two: I went to 24 this day so I could bring in my gym bag and also for squat hops which use a basketball. It felt just as long as a workout as day 1 considering that I probably took even longer because I used a jump rope to warm up and It was my squat hop day. 

Squat hops: Last week's reps were only 15 and I didn't feel I got much of a workout from it. The difference from week 1 and 2 can really be felt during the "blast off" rep. The blast off rep on 15 felt good but on week 2's 20th rep, it felt like a hard battle trying to get off the ground

Today, my legs are SO tired. Not from air alert, but from Vegas. Walking up and down the strip was exhausting of course but I also used the stairs at every single opportunity. They're not sore. Just tired. And I was thinking earlier, "Damn, and I have to do air alert later tonight". I still went through it and gave my all.

It's only the first week and I find it very difficult. After the first two exercises are over, I feel more relieved and as if today's exercise session is almost over. Today was the first time I got a good sense of the toll the program could take on your knees. Even with massaging the area before and in between sets, I still could tell the high impact on the knees.

On Monday I was super hyped to start air alert but I didn't get to it until Tuesday. Tuesday went by fine; I knew the only way to see if this program will do any good would be to keep going.

Wednesday morning however I felt really depressed. Hopeless, in fact. I got into the shower and just sort of sulked. I felt helpless and that I could be wasting my time. Even if the program works like it should, with this body that I have, I may not reach my goal. What if I push my body to it's fullest potential and it still isn't enough? I wouldn't be able to take that kind of defeat -- the kind where you work so hard and give your everything and it still isn't enough. I've had too many of those in my life. I don't want to build this tower of dreams as high as I can only to find that through all my efforts, it just quite isn't high enough to stand next to the other skyscrapers. I have a long amount of weeks ahead, I can only hope my resolve and my determination is strong enough to plow through these hurdles.