I thought that I might speed up my 5k time a little by running on a continuous flat smooth surface, instead of the stoney, hilly track around the golf course. So I tried last year's triathlon route to gain some practical experience and a better indication of my run time.
27 minutes at 10 seconds.
Not all 5k runs are the same.
Current weight is 15 stones and 7 pounds (217 pounds / 98.5 kg).
Sunday 27 April 2008
Friday 25 April 2008
Run time
Not much to report after yesterday's PT session, other than we are concentrating on upper body weights. Kristy showed me two new exercises; the first was like training to be a Spiderman double (or a particularly drunken walk home from the pub) while the second was really like trying to pick a fight in a night club. Both require a physical demonstration as words are not enough. And on a training note, both are very good at targeting particular muscle groups.
Tonight's exertions were again rewarded with personal bests, of which there will be many in the forthcoming months until the weight loss slows and the real work begins.
My fifth 5k was 28 minutes 58 seconds.
(The fourth was completed on Tuesday after 40 minutes of Spinning and took 30 minutes 20 seconds.)
The 750m swim time has broken the target posted Triathlon entry time of 13 minutes and 50 seconds.
Personally, I'm giving myself a big pat on the back being able to produce these times even though my weight is still abundantly above "normal", so I celebrate with an entire pack of Salt and Vinegar Rice Pringles with Tzatziki dip. Food of the Gods.
Current weight is 15 stones and 7 pounds (217 pounds / 98.5 kg).
Tonight's exertions were again rewarded with personal bests, of which there will be many in the forthcoming months until the weight loss slows and the real work begins.
My fifth 5k was 28 minutes 58 seconds.
(The fourth was completed on Tuesday after 40 minutes of Spinning and took 30 minutes 20 seconds.)
The 750m swim time has broken the target posted Triathlon entry time of 13 minutes and 50 seconds.
Personally, I'm giving myself a big pat on the back being able to produce these times even though my weight is still abundantly above "normal", so I celebrate with an entire pack of Salt and Vinegar Rice Pringles with Tzatziki dip. Food of the Gods.
Current weight is 15 stones and 7 pounds (217 pounds / 98.5 kg).
Friday 18 April 2008
Landmark 4
This is a big one.
I've dropped from triple kg digits to only double. Psychologically, this is a big event and helps tremendously with the motivation to continue. I was despairing about the plateau, but Scarsdale kicked that to touch.
My BMI has also dropped into the 20s (29.8), which is down over 10 points since the weight loss began.
The running is also improving, but this is more due to the mental aspect as opposed to the physical.
The first 5k was 32 minutes flat.
The second 5k was 31 minutes 13 seconds.
The third 5k was 30 minutes 02 seconds.
Less than 6 weeks to go and I still haven't been on a bike!
Current weight is 15 stones and 10 pounds (220 pounds / 99.8 kg).
I've dropped from triple kg digits to only double. Psychologically, this is a big event and helps tremendously with the motivation to continue. I was despairing about the plateau, but Scarsdale kicked that to touch.
My BMI has also dropped into the 20s (29.8), which is down over 10 points since the weight loss began.
The running is also improving, but this is more due to the mental aspect as opposed to the physical.
The first 5k was 32 minutes flat.
The second 5k was 31 minutes 13 seconds.
The third 5k was 30 minutes 02 seconds.
Less than 6 weeks to go and I still haven't been on a bike!
Current weight is 15 stones and 10 pounds (220 pounds / 99.8 kg).
Tuesday 15 April 2008
A return to the Scarsdale
This is the longest plateau I've reached yet in my weight loss mission so far. I'm down a few pounds in the last day or two, but I don't feel that my weight has really reduced since before the 28th March.
The funny thing is that the stagnation began when I started running outside. Coincidence? Or body shock?
I shouldn't be discussing times here, due to the increasing competitive streak that's emerging within me, but it may serve to worry my arch nemesis before the big day.
My first proper outdoor 5k was just over a week ago. It took 32 minutes and was completed entirely without walking. That proved to me that I wasn't going to die. And it also highlighted that I need to run faster. Last weekend I did 6.5k in 40 minutes, but that contained about 5 minutes of walking at various stages to prevent myself from brining up an undigested lunch. The last 16 minutes of that run were the most successful, covering 3k without any stops. That gives a 5k pace of 26 minutes 40 seconds. I’ll see what I can do tomorrow's repeated 5k in.
Due to the long period of weight stability, I'm going to give the Scarsdale another go, and it'll hopefully last more than the previous attempt's 3 days.
The funny thing is that the stagnation began when I started running outside. Coincidence? Or body shock?
I shouldn't be discussing times here, due to the increasing competitive streak that's emerging within me, but it may serve to worry my arch nemesis before the big day.
My first proper outdoor 5k was just over a week ago. It took 32 minutes and was completed entirely without walking. That proved to me that I wasn't going to die. And it also highlighted that I need to run faster. Last weekend I did 6.5k in 40 minutes, but that contained about 5 minutes of walking at various stages to prevent myself from brining up an undigested lunch. The last 16 minutes of that run were the most successful, covering 3k without any stops. That gives a 5k pace of 26 minutes 40 seconds. I’ll see what I can do tomorrow's repeated 5k in.
Due to the long period of weight stability, I'm going to give the Scarsdale another go, and it'll hopefully last more than the previous attempt's 3 days.
Tuesday 8 April 2008
Nipples and Vaseline
Kristy and I have just been out for a run and finished stretching.
"What's the best thing for chaffed nipples?" I ask Kristy after she sees me looking downwards inside my top as we are walking to the reception to book another session.
"Vaseline" is her immediate reply.
I pause for a short time to think of something non-sexual to say. "Before of after?".
"Before of after what?" Her brain has obviously moved on from my question, and we've since arrived at the main reception desk. So I'm forced to repeat myself in front of the entire staff "Should I put Vaseline on my nipples before or after we go out?"
That's one way to stop everyone's conversations.
Current weight is 16 stones and 4 pounds (228 pounds / 103.5 kg).
"What's the best thing for chaffed nipples?" I ask Kristy after she sees me looking downwards inside my top as we are walking to the reception to book another session.
"Vaseline" is her immediate reply.
I pause for a short time to think of something non-sexual to say. "Before of after?".
"Before of after what?" Her brain has obviously moved on from my question, and we've since arrived at the main reception desk. So I'm forced to repeat myself in front of the entire staff "Should I put Vaseline on my nipples before or after we go out?"
That's one way to stop everyone's conversations.
Current weight is 16 stones and 4 pounds (228 pounds / 103.5 kg).
Monday 7 April 2008
Average weight
Since every single person I speak to expresses concern about my target weight of 11 and a half stones (161 pounds / 73 kg), I decided to have a look at "average" weights for western men.
The average weight of a UK male is 12 stones and 8 pounds (176 pounds / 80 kg). Pretty good news for me. Not nearly as far to go as I thought until I become "average".
The average weight of a USA male is 13 stones and 8 pounds (185 pounds / 86 kg). There is not data available that excludes the residents of Texas. But if I pretend I'm American for the purposes of weight loss, then I'm nearly there already!
What's most interesting is the USA female weight. The following comes from a Wikipedia article on Human Weight:
Over the ten year period (1991 to 2001), the average American woman's weight increased 11 pounds, while her height has remained about the same. Ten years ago, she weighed 152 pounds (69 kg / 10 st 12 lb) at a height of 5' 3.7" (162 cm). Now, it's 163 pounds (74 kg / 11 st 9 lb) and 5' 3.8" (162 cm).
If that increase is sustained up to 2008, then the average US lady will now be an incredible 170 pounds (77 kg / 12 st 2 lb) and she'll still be the same height.
When I reach my target weight, I'll be lighter than the average American Woman. I'll need to look to the East, I think.
Current weight is annoyingly still 16 stones and 6 pounds (230 pounds / 104.5 kg).
The average weight of a UK male is 12 stones and 8 pounds (176 pounds / 80 kg). Pretty good news for me. Not nearly as far to go as I thought until I become "average".
The average weight of a USA male is 13 stones and 8 pounds (185 pounds / 86 kg). There is not data available that excludes the residents of Texas. But if I pretend I'm American for the purposes of weight loss, then I'm nearly there already!
What's most interesting is the USA female weight. The following comes from a Wikipedia article on Human Weight:
Over the ten year period (1991 to 2001), the average American woman's weight increased 11 pounds, while her height has remained about the same. Ten years ago, she weighed 152 pounds (69 kg / 10 st 12 lb) at a height of 5' 3.7" (162 cm). Now, it's 163 pounds (74 kg / 11 st 9 lb) and 5' 3.8" (162 cm).
If that increase is sustained up to 2008, then the average US lady will now be an incredible 170 pounds (77 kg / 12 st 2 lb) and she'll still be the same height.
When I reach my target weight, I'll be lighter than the average American Woman. I'll need to look to the East, I think.
Current weight is annoyingly still 16 stones and 6 pounds (230 pounds / 104.5 kg).
Wednesday 2 April 2008
My alveoli are burning
I'd like to note some further unusual bodily activity that manifested during my initial introductions to running. I'm delighted to say the pains in my chest were not a precursor to an imminent heart attack. I'm far too fit for that (touch wood). It was my Alveoli trying to expand ever further for increased oxygen gathering that caused this sensation in the lung.
I write the above in past tense, because since dropping the speed down from 9.6 to 9.3 it's made the world of difference. I ran for 20 minutes tonight, with a 2 minute pause between 10 minute bursts, and everything felt great. Breathing was normal. Legs were normal. Everything was normal. In fact, I am becoming increasingly suspicious that the running could actually become enjoyable.
The above session was followed swiftly by an hour of swimming club, which again passed without any major demands placed on the lungs. I wonder what I might have to do to exert myself fully?
Current weight is still 16 stones and 6 pounds (230 pounds / 104.5 kg)
I write the above in past tense, because since dropping the speed down from 9.6 to 9.3 it's made the world of difference. I ran for 20 minutes tonight, with a 2 minute pause between 10 minute bursts, and everything felt great. Breathing was normal. Legs were normal. Everything was normal. In fact, I am becoming increasingly suspicious that the running could actually become enjoyable.
The above session was followed swiftly by an hour of swimming club, which again passed without any major demands placed on the lungs. I wonder what I might have to do to exert myself fully?
Current weight is still 16 stones and 6 pounds (230 pounds / 104.5 kg)
Tuesday 1 April 2008
Concept 2 makes me sick
This month's gym challenge is a timed 2km dash on the Concept 2 rowing machine. Sounds simple, but it's the most physically demanding 7 minutes of my life. Everything aches during and afterwards. It's the closest I've come to being physically sick without the prior enjoyment of 10 pints plus.
My first posted time without any rowing practice for months is 6 minutes and 57 seconds, which incidentally is 1 second slower than my previous best acheived during my last fitness burst in 2005 when I weighed in at over 18 and half stones. I reckon I can knock off a few seconds during the next go.
Current weight is not disclosed due to massive overdoses of beer at the weekend.
My first posted time without any rowing practice for months is 6 minutes and 57 seconds, which incidentally is 1 second slower than my previous best acheived during my last fitness burst in 2005 when I weighed in at over 18 and half stones. I reckon I can knock off a few seconds during the next go.
Current weight is not disclosed due to massive overdoses of beer at the weekend.
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