Week 6: One Hundred Pushup Challenge Progress

 

So....yeah.  In theory we were supposed to be able to do one hundred pushups after we completed week 6 of the training program.  Hmmmm....

I finished the last day of the program last Sunday and then promptly became sick.  Very sick.  I've never been sick that long.  My body apparently didn't want a single ounce of food in it.  Anyway, I didn't do anything for five days so I didn't do my exhaustion test until a week later - this past Sunday.  Trevor did it with me.  Here are the results:

Trevor:
Initial Test:	39
Week 2 Exhaustion Test:	39**
Week 4 Exhaustion Test:	58
Week 5 Exhaustion Test:	63
Week 6 Exhaustion Test:	60
Steph:
Initial Test:	2 . . .  HA!
Week 2 Exhaustion Test:	16
Week 4 Exhaustion Test:	31
Week 5 Exhaustion Test:	46
Week 6 Exhaustion Test:	55

**Since Trevor could do 39 pushups on his initial test, it told him not to start the program until week 3, therefore he didn't actually repeat the week 2 exhaustion test.

You may have noticed that Trevor actually could do less this week than last.  I'm going to have to tell on him.  He hasn't been quite as consistent with the training program as I have been.  In all fairness, he was working out a ton at wrestling practice and would do pushups there, but not the actual amounts in the training program.  I think now that I can do FIVE less pushups than him, he's going to get a little more serious about it! :)  I'd been kidding him all day after the test that I must be as strong as him now.  He even challenged me to an arm wrestling match that night.  He can still whoop me.  So he felt a lot better after that....just don't tell him I let him win. :)  (Not really.)

Well, 100 is still far away, but I'm going to keep repeating week 6 to see if I can get any better.  I have a feeling this might turn into a 12 week challenge!

Week 5: One Hundred Pushup Challenge Progress

 

Week 5 of the Hundred Pushup Challenge was rough.  So rough that we actually repeated it.  In our defense, we both ended up getting sick during the first attempt, but it still seemed like a big jump in difficulty.  It also didn't help that I decided to begin the Couch to 5K program the same week.  I decided that it was pathetic that I would get out of breath doing pushups, so I thought I should start working on my cardio too.  I hadn't done much exercise since before Thanksgiving, so needless to say, I was pretty sore. 

We tried to do the exhaustion test after the first week and neither of us improved, so we just decided to repeat the week again.  We finished up the second attempt last week and did the week 5 exhaustion test this past Thursday.  Here's the update!

Trevor:
Initial Test:	39
Week 2 Exhaustion Test:	39**
Week 4 Exhaustion Test:	58
Week 5 Exhaustion Test:	63
Steph:
Initial Test:	2 . . .  HA!
Week 2 Exhaustion Test:	16
Week 4 Exhaustion Test:	31
Week 5 Exhaustion Test:	46

**Since Trevor could do 39 pushups on his initial test, it told him not to start the program until week 3, therefore he didn't actually repeat the week 2 exhaustion test.

I barely squeaked by yet again!  I had to be able to do 46 to move onto week 6...and again, that's what I did.  I see a repeat of week 6 (or two, or three, or four repeats!) in our future as 100 pushups stills seems SO far away.  I have to admit I've been feeling pretty pessimistic about it lately, but then I remind myself I can still do FORTY-SIX pushups....considering I could only do two at the beginning of the year, I should still feel good about that.

How's it going for those of you that have joined me....Tyler, Karen, Jarrod?

Week 4: One Hundred Pushup Challenge Progress

 

Whew!

We made it through week 4 of the Hundred Pushup Challenge and, boy, was it a tough one.  We did our week 4 exhaustion test Thursday evening.  Here's the update on how we're doing!

Trevor:
Initial Test:	39
Week 2 Exhaustion Test:	39**
Week 4 Exhaustion Test:	58
Steph:
Initial Test:	2 . . .  HA!
Week 2 Exhaustion Test:	16
Week 4 Exhaustion Test:	31

**Since Trevor could do 39 pushups on his initial test, it told him not to start the program until week 3, therefore he didn't actually repeat the week 2 exhaustion test.

So we definitely have improved!  To be honest, I can see how Trevor is getting closer to being able to do 100, but I just don't see how in just two more weeks I should be able to go from doing 31 pushups to 100!  Seriously!??!  Right now, I'm just trying to focus on the current week and not look ahead.  I just keep telling myself that I'm still staying on track with the training program.  I had to be able to do 31 pushups to move onto week 5 and that's what I did.  Thirty-one on the dot. 

I will have to say that I am impressed with how quickly your body adjusts and improves.  I like having a training program.  I would have given up long ago if I had just set out to do 100 pushups haphazardly.  I probably would have quit on day 1 when I could only do two!!  The program gives me affirmation that I'm improving at a reasonable rate. 

So has anyone else gotten motivated to jump on the band-wagon with us?!?

Week 2: One Hundred Pushup Challenge Progress

 

My arms are shaking as I type this.

Trevor and I are currently on week 3 of the Hundred Pushup Challenge and we just finished up our sets for the day.  I thought I'd give you a little update on how we're doing so far!

Trevor:
Initial Test:	39
Week 2 Exhaustion Test:	39**
Steph:
Initial Test:	2 . . .  HA!
Week 2 Exhaustion Test:	16

**Since Trevor could do 39 pushups on his initial test, it told him not to start the program until week 3, therefore he didn't actually start the program with me until week 3 and he didn't repeat the week 2 exhaustion test.

So even someone as pitiful as me can improve!!  Sixteen still feels a long way from 100, but it's still quite an accomplishment considering I could barely eek out two on the first day. 

My original plan was to do "girly pushups."  You know, the pushups that you do on your knees that eliminate about half of your body weight?  But when I did my initial test, I could do 25 pushups and the program told me not to start the training until week 3.  So that gave me the motivation to see if I could do regular pushups.  I will be SO impressed if I can actually do 100 REAL pushups!

Stay tuned to see how we do....

#97: Complete the 100 Pushup Challenge

 

So you may have noticed that I left five of my 101 in 1001 goals open when I made my list.  The first one I marked as "Left open for new goal - to be determined by 1/1/2009."  I just realized that date was quickly approaching! 

I thought it would be a good idea to leave some wiggle room to allow for new things that come up that I would like to do.  I'd seen this challenge somewhere in the past few months and it had been in the back of my mind.  The theory is that you should be able to do 100 pushups in 6 weeks.  My first thought was, "Oh sure, I can do 100 pushups in 6 weeks" and then I realized it meant 100 consecutive pushups! :)  Just kidding...I knew what it meant.  And quite frankly, I am a little scared I won't be able to do it!   So I contemplated not putting it on the list because I am such a perfectionist/determined/competitive person and it would kill me to not complete an item on my list!  Then I realized that the whole point of the 101 challenge is to stretch yourself to do things that you didn't think you could do....even if you try and fail, at least you gave it an effort. 

So Trevor and I will be embarking on this adventure together by following the training plan.  Let me know if you decide to join us!