I told James that I could help him with that. Specifically I promised that if he did the exercises as I taught them in a dedicated fashion he would become stronger but more importantly he would become better conditioned. At the end of the game I promised, he would still be able to run as fast and jump as high as he could at the beginning of the game. That alone would give him a huge advantage over stronger, faster opponents. James worked diligently and after four years he has come far. His fastball hops, over 80 MPH and his leg strength is superior. He also wrestles for St. John's Prep Danvers, MA and made some varsity appearances in both sports in his sophomore year of 2009-10.
This is not about all of that.
James decided that this was the year he would challenge and beat me in doing military style push ups. I teach this exercise very strictly and have yet to have a client be unhappy with the results. He challenged me at the beginning of the summer which gave both of us time to prepare. I taught James a palms on the floor version of the classic "Jack LaLanne" push up in order to help him prepare. His Dad kept me apprised of his dedication and progress and began in the last few weeks to drop hints that I was going to get whipped.
Well, not being a fool and also being a gentleman of a certain age (I was born at the end of the "I like Ike era") I took steps to insure that I also would be ready.
Today the day of the challenge arrived. James and his father Peter were waiting for me when I arrived. First we agreed to flip a coin to see who would go first. We also agreed that the basic military rest position would be allowed (ass raised to take the stress from the arms and shoulders but no contact with the ground except for hands and feet). You could assume the rest position as often as desired but only could hold it for a five count. Peter flipped the quarter, James called heads. When the coin hit the floor it rolled for about twelve feet and for a moment we thought it would stay standing on it's edge. When if fell, it was heads. James opted to let me go first. Bastard!
We then warmed up. James did some dips and a couple of pull-ups. I did 20 Jack LaLanne push-ups on my finger tips. That may have psyched him out just a little bit. There was method to my madness.
His Dad did a set first just for kicks. Peter is 54 and had never been a muscle head but keeps himself in good shape. He did 46 but I think could have done 8-10 more.
Down to the floor I went. I had rested my upper body for two full days. I pumped out 40 good strong ones before choosing to rest. Perhaps I should have gone to 50. Hindsight is 20/20. I assumed the rest position and then did 10 more. After that I did increments of five until I got to 60. From 60 to 70 it was three or two until I got to 71. There were a few left, but at 50 years old I worry about injury when fatigue reaches a certain level and decided discretion was the better part of valor.
James was up next. He also did 40 good strong reps before resting. I had to remind him to go good and low a few times but overall they were good solid push ups. He began to slow down after 45 and ended at 56. I think he could have done a few more but I am still in his head a bit.
He did very well for a 16 year old. We don't do the push ups your average high school athlete does. Ours are full range of motion, chest to the floor, elbows straight at the top, ass staying level with the shoulder push-ups. They are not for the week end superstar.
Just for the hell of it we all did a second set after a ten minute rest. Peter did 51, I did 47 and young James went to 52. He got me there. Recovery comes faster at the younger age.
I have no intention of letting him catch me next year, but think his intentions may be different.
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