It only took 371 days.
On November 10, 2020, I broke both of my wrists while exercising.
Of course, I had to write about it – I’ll do anything to keep my streak going. π
While the thought of doing a push-up was the furthest thing from my mind, I also told myself I would try a push-up in one year.
Now I am sure some people would have been doing push-ups within six weeks of such an injury, but I’ve become a big fan of slow and steady wins the race. And I mean s-l-o-w.
As part of the process, our family rejoined a gym about three months ago.
I figured that gave me three months to get ready for the big push-up day. So I started using the bench press machine at a very low weight setting. And I mean l-o-w. In fact, I’m not sure it can go any lower.
But after those 12 weeks, I thought I was ready.
So today, a week later than planned, I decided to give it a shot.
And lo and behold – success!
One and done.
At this rate, I’ll be doing seven pushups in a row by the time I’m 70.
Like I said, slow and steady wins the race.
*image from 123rf
The most incredible part of your streak was that you found a way to keep it going with two broken wrists. Take that Cal Ripkenβyou never did that!
It’s funny why some exercises are easier than others for us. I remember one of your posts about doing planks for some outrageous amount of time, which I wasn’t even close to achieving. I’m not that strong, but I’ve always been able to do a lot of pushups for some reason. I do 40 every night before bed and set a goal of doing 50 on my next birthday when I turn 63. I’ve come to terms with that’s not going to happen. I keep trying each night, but I can barely get to 40 anymore.
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40 is impressive; I remember reading that a man who can do 40 pushups is less likely to have heart attack or other cardiovascular problems. Of course, I had to write about it: https://jborden.com/2019/02/23/this-new-york-times-story-made-me-jump-right-out-of-bed/
good luck with getting to 50 – I have confidence in you!
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I think you’re into something with being good at different things. Granted, men are better at upper body strength stuff anyway, but I can plank more than push up as well.
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I remember kids with smaller body types scaling that damn rope we had to climb in high school. All I ended up with were a bunch of rope burns.
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as a swimmer, I was good at the rope. anything else, I was the 98-pound weakling…
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π I climbed the rope in first grade…. I don’t know if I could have done in high school.
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I think we tend not to take as many risks as we get older…
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I agree, we all have our strengths…
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Congratulations! You’ve done more pushups this year than I’ve probably done over the past 10 years.
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but you come up with more puns in one day than I can in a decade…
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That’s because I try too hard.
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someone has to do it…
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Gah, my first thoughts were ‘weights’, but now that I saw that they were those tubes, I’m now wary of all exercise equipment. I guess I’ll stick to bodyweight. And yeah, like Pete said, I’m actually impressed you kept writing with two broken wrists. Surely, there was no better excuse to take a break? Lol.
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yes, I don’t think I’ll be using tubes again π
and it helped to have a family that got me through the blogging!
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You’re right! No matter how slow you must’ve been, you’re still winning the race (as in I’m totally losing)! I will at some point hopefully soon find the motivating to get going again! Good for you!! π
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When I was young, I once worked up to 20 pushups. I have not tried any for decades but managed four tonight. They were probably illegal ones but so were the 20.
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way to go! as long as the exercise police weren’t there, you should be good…
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Congrats!!
That’s 100% more than me!!
I separated a wrist doing ‘sexy’ pushups in a pole dance class. Unfortunately, the doc’s office said it wasn’t injured and I didn’t find the radiologists “oh yes it is” msg till a month later.
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I hope you found a new doctor!
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I did!
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No goal is too small if it keeps you going!
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that’s a great perspective!
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Wow, has it been a year? Good to see that you are fully healed and back in the gym. I am going to assume I can do one too. And I would appreciate it if everyone else makes the same assumption. I may only have one left in me and I don’t want to waste it showing off.
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I believe you, and thanks for not stealing my thunder π
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that’s huge, Jim! I have neither broken either wrist and still have a huge struggle doing a pushup. but I am an excellent keep the balloon off the floor player
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we’ve got play to our strengths; I remember that post about the balloon game!
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Glad you remembered
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Wow, I’m really impressed that you blogged through that.
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my wife and son were a big help…
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I donβt knowβ¦. You may be pushing it.
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I am taking a rest day today…
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I have a shoulder injury and can’t try to do push-ups at the moment. But I know if I could, it wouldn’t be pretty. Good for you for getting back to it.
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a shoulder injusry seems like it would be harder to recover from – I wish you best with your recovery…
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Thanks. But two broken wrists at the same time sounds worse to me.
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it was a problem, but my sense is that our shouldersare probably much more involved in doing a push up that our wrists are
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I’m just glad you’re feeling better.
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thanks, me too!
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Great that you remembered the goal and met it.
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it was the highlight of my week; I’m taking today off π
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Congratulations, Jim. I think you were wise to wait. I have never broken a wrist or damaged a shoulder but I think those are inconvenient body parts to damage.
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it makes you aprreciate being fully healthy!
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Congrats! The first one is the hardest. π
2 broken wrists sounds awful, glad you are healed.
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yes, that first one os always the hardest; I didn’t know what to expect. and it was disruptive a couple of times, but I had a lot of help from my wife and son π
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yes, that first one is always the hardest; I didn’t know what to expect. the two broken wrists were disruptive a couple of times, but I had a lot of help from my wife and son π
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push ups do place a lot of pressure on the wrist joints…So don’t “push” yourself too hard!! (Haha)
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I don’t think I’ll have to worry about that π
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Two broken wrists and the streak continues… amazing Dr. Borden
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thanks to my wife and son!
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I am allergic to push ups, but Congrats to you! π
And here’s to no more injuries!
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yes – to no more injuries!
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π
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You can’t rush these things.
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I don’t plan to π
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That’s still an achievement.
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Two broken wrists?? Congrats on the push-up and be VERY careful!
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thanks; I am probably being too careful π
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Gaun yersel Jim, as we say in Govanhill. Think you need a sit down and a beer after that,,,,,cheers!
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Not sure what all those commas are about…………………
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I thought it was some sort of Govanhill thing,,, π
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Ha ha. And I’m not even drunk yet
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you’ve got the whole day ahead of you…
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Actually off out with my brothers in a few hours, watching celtic game in the pub. Could get messy π
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go celtic!
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been there, done that. and when I do two pushups, that will deserve two beers!
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π
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Way to go, Jim! I’m a fan of the slow and steady, too.
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thanks, Jennie!
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You’re welcome, Jim!
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I was already cracking up, but when I saw the photo it just got funnier. I can’t believe it’s been a year already since you injured yourself. π
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I’ve been waiting for that one-year anniversary!
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I can see that! π
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Well Done, Jim….Planks I can do…Push Ups I just can’t I watch my son pumping aways and doing something ridiculous like a 100m
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planks are a great exercise…
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100 I can’t even count that high…lol…walking is my limit now..but well done and long may it last π x
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planks and walking sounds like a great combo…
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Steady is a great attitude to follow whether blogging or exercising. As for me and pushups, the judge is still waiting.
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I agree; no need to rush things. consistency is the key…
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πprogress is progress. No matter how little. Welldone ππΎππΎππΎππΎππΎππΎ
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thanks…
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