I have not been running for a few days, no real excuses. I think that I just needed a rest, and to refocus on my goals. I had been thinking about starting weight training again for some time, and today I finally got around to it. The last time I was weight training my sessions were a bit random, so today I decided that I would stick to a routine for a while. I have chosen a simple push & pull split, and today was the push part.

Here is what I did. For each exercise I performed 3 sets plus a warm up set, using a standard barbell and a power rack.

Barbell bench press (30kg - 15; 45kg - 6; 55kg - 6; 60kg - 4)
Barbell squats (30kg - 15; 60kg - 6; 70kg - 5; 80kg - 4)
Shoulder press (20kg - 10; 30kg - 6; 35kg - 5; 40kg - 4)
Close-grip bench press (20kg - 10; 30kg - 6; 40kg - 6; 40kg - 6)
Standing calf raise (40kg - 10; 50kg - 8; 60kg - 6)

This was the first time I had done either close-grip bench presses or calf raises, so I used quite a light weight. In the next session I will start heavier for both groups of exercises.

I found the session rewarding, it was a good workout. I was slightly concerned with my squats, as my left knee has been clicking a little since I started running, and continued to click during the squats. I am hoping that the weight training will strengthen the joint and sort this problem out. Time will tell. My left knee currently clicks whenever I walk up stairs, but is OK along the flat and down stairs. Hopefully this will not become a problem.

The pull session will probably be done on Tuesday, all being well, and will include deadlifts, bent over rows, curls (hammer, standard, drags), barbell shrugs and hanging leg raises.

I am currently following this routine: Standard Push & Pull Split Routine.