Update: 6/5/08

After 6 days of soreness, I finally got most of it out of my system.  I went kayak fishing at the coast last weekend, which meant a lot of hard paddling against the Rockport wind.  That seemed to do the trick.  As of Tuesday, I could extend my arms again.    I worked out again yesterday morning, and I am extremely sore today, but not the same kind of soreness.  This soreness I recognize this time. 

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Oh my!  Have you ever worked out with a personal trainer?  Before Tuesday of this week, I had not.  I decided a few weeks ago to take the step to sign up for six sessions with a trainer, and the first session was on Tuesday night.  I realized I needed some help to get my butt in gear, so that I can increase my body strength, fend off changing metabolism, and get in good shape for an upcoming referee camp (not to mention just to look good for my wife...sorry if that's TMI.)  So, I hired a guy that I play ball with up at the church from time to time.  He's a great player and athlete, and I know he does a great job with his basketball training and physical training.  He's also a former college player, so he can definitely ball (not that this is a requirement but worth mentioning.)  He's also a Believer and we prayed together beforehand.  Great start, I thought!

So, he worked me out extremely hard...much harder than I had expected.  We just jumped straight in and went after "burning out."  That's an appropriate description, I eventually learned.  Most of the stuff he had me doing was resistance training to focus on abs and triceps, as well as biceps and back.  I was doing diamond push-ups, military push-ups, bicycle kicks on my back, etc.  That was the first half hour.  The second half hour when we jumped onto some weights kicked my butt even harder.  I was hurting so bad by the time it was over, that I literally could not extend my arms.  They were locked kind of like you see those meathead body builders when they walk around with their chests out and arms bent.  I guess they really can't help it I now realize, given that I was doing it not out of my own choice. 

So, here I am three days later.  How do I feel now?  ABOUT TEN TIMES THE PAIN I felt after the first day!  I still can not extend my arms.  Is this normal?  My left arm when bending it bends about 40 degrees, when normally I can bend it nearly 90 degrees.  Some of you know my hidden talent/stupid human trick of basically being able to invert my elbows.  It's kind of freaky.  Well, I'm pretty sure at this rate, I will lose my special arm trick capabilities.  That's fine, as long as I don't permanently have that meathead body builder arms locked pose the rest of my life. 

My next session is Monday night, and man I hope I can get rid of some of this soreness before then.  If not, I'm in for some trouble.  Holy schnikees!  Pray for me.