Hoboken Pump N' Run

  I enjoy bench pressing. Although many other exercises are more functional for athletics, I like the feeling of grabbing a bar loaded with weights, bringing it down to your chest, and exploding it back up.
   My one-rep best I achieved at around age 40, a 240 lb. "single' at a body weight of 148. I never  quite reached my goal of 100 lbs. over my body weight, but was happy with that, nonetheless. I also was able to do my body weight for 22 reps, which, again, I was pleased with.
   Soon after that, my focus turned back to running, primarily, and my body weight has dropped down a good 10 lbs. I've also lost some inches on my hairline, and what's left is quickly turning into more "salt" then "pepper."   That explains why, at 54, I've lost at least 40 lbs. off of my all-time one-rep max.
     I saw the Hoboken Pump N' Run advertised and it appealed to me in a few different ways. You combine a bench-press "rep" competition with a 5-k run - right up my alley! It's also a benefit for the Wounded Warriors Project, which I like to support.
    For guys under 40, the bench was set at 145. For geezers like me, 115. Women under 40 had to lift 65 lbs., over 40, 45 lbs.
   The race is held on the last Saturday in June, right along the waterfront overlooking Manhattan. You bench outside on the gazebo at Frank Sinatra Park. Inspiring!
    A bit anxious and arriving early, I may have warmed up a ltttle too much for the bench. Keeping my back flat against the pad, and locking out each one, I got 29 reps at 115, which I was satisfied with, definitely.
   The 5-k was held about 10 minutes after the last competitor finished, and I honestly didn't know what to expect, time-wise. The crowd of about 100 was primarily young and "jacked" , with men and women showing off muscles and "rips" not normally seen at an average 5-k. There were active and ex-military guys, as well as many "20-somethings' who look like they were perfect extras for a Coors Light commercial.
   The pack went out pretty fast, and I tucked in around 10th place or so. There were no mile markers or splits, so I just gave myself the credo of "no one passes you!" after what I estimated was the first mile. The first woman runner and I stayed together through most of the race, and I was very pleasantly surprised when the finishing clock read 19:46, sixth overall in the run.
    The overall scoring is a bit complicated, but, bottom-line, I placed ninth and third in the 40-over division. The winner, in fact, was a very fit 40 year old.
    All in all, a fun day, and event I will keep on my calendar for next year. Besides the novelty of it, I think it will keep me inspired lifting, and perhaps "turning back the clock" a bit on my bench.