This was the key long session of the block: fifteen minutes in the straight-arm plank, three minutes of complete recovery and a final five-minute hold. Stretching and nerve-glide mobility before and after brought the full session to approximately forty-five minutes.

Fifteen minutes

The opening hold was demanding but more manageable than I had imagined. From approximately minute ten, numbness developed progressively in my thumb, index and middle finger.

General fatigue remained under control. Without the hand symptoms, I felt that several more minutes might have been possible.

A three-minute reset

During the first recovery minute the numbness persisted. In the second it changed into a sharp tingling sensation; by the end of the third it had almost completely resolved.

The final five-minute plank then felt extremely easy. Numbness returned only in roughly the last minute, confirming both strong specific recovery and the repeatability of the local symptom.

A limit in the hands

The session did not resemble a cardiovascular or whole-body failure. Today the limiting factor was local: pressure through the palms, hand position or irritation somewhere along the relevant structures are possibilities, but the diary cannot determine the cause.

I will continue recording the onset minute, the fingers involved and the time needed for resolution. Earlier onset, increasing intensity, persistence or weakness would mean stopping and seeking professional assessment.

Nine out of ten

The full session was completed. Fifteen minutes were managed better than expected, the three-minute recovery worked and the second hold was easy. The only point withheld concerns the recurring numbness.

Before the maximal test, strength work capable of leaving soreness in the triceps, shoulders or chest would now create more risk than benefit.

THE TAKEAWAYThe endurance is growing. The next breakthrough depends on respecting the local signal that may become the true limit.