Take away Take Aways

I hadn't had a fish supper for over a year. I was mentally practicing the lip smacking movements of enjoyment that I would be making after visiting the UK's best Fish and Chip shop, 2006, but I was bitterly disappointed.

In order to check if my taste buds were faulty, I thought it best to try a different shop after a few days, and I can safely say that the second portion restored my faith in the old fashioned favourite dish. Although I'm pretty sure I can wait another year before succumbing to temptation again.

I hadn't had a Chinese takeaway since November last year. At least not until last weekend. It was nice, albeit a little sugary, but nothing I wouldn't miss for another 6 months either.

I hadn't had a Mars Bar for 18 months. At least not until the other day. It wasn't even nice. I felt pretty bad after eating it actually.

In fact, during my past week's holiday, there were half a dozen meals eaten out in restaurants, but each time some thought was put in to avoid the greasiest dishes and have the healthiest option, without sacrificing on flavour. Even this has its pitfalls as I discovered when ordering fresh prawns (legs, eyes, arms and all) ,which came smothered in a garlic butter sauce.

The best meal in the past 2 weeks? It was the vegetable mix that I "created" when I was forced to stir fry all the remaining veggies in the fridge before leaving to go on holiday. I would take that over any take away any day of the week, and probably will for the next long while. A tenth of the fat and calories, but 10 times more tasty. For those who fear I may have turned to the "other" side (vegetarian), there was also a couple of slices of left over bacon that were thrown in.

Despite all this gastronomic extravagance, my current weight is remarkably 13 stones 8 pounds (190 pounds / 86.2 kg).

No sweat

Well, quite a lot of sweat actually.

Tonight's training session kicked off with some running on the treadmill, something which I haven't done for a while. I was feeling quite the part in my new running tights. Then straight in to weighted squats to focus on leg strength. I was quite happy with the lack of projectile sweating from the head at this point, right up until Kristy pointed out the sweat stripe across my shoulders and all the way down my spine. Upon reflection in the mirror, I looked like a T-bone steak. So it appears that my increased level of fitness is resulting in a seismic movement of sweat glands. I wonder where the sweat might eminate from after another few months? I hope it's not "there".

I suppose I will need some "special skills" for my new role as Plyometric man, what with all the jumping up and down off the bench.

However, Kristy had different ideas. She christened me with possibly the worst super hero name in the world. I hope "Lycra man" doesn't stick.

Current weight is 13 stones 13 pounds (195 pounds / 88.5 kg).

Unlucky for some

Aided by this month's "Swim the Channel Challenge" comprising swimming 22 miles during the month of June, which is compressed into the just-below-boredom-threshold of 200 lengths every other night, my resting heart rate has fallen to 40 bpm. I was half way though giving myself a congratulatory pat on the back until Google informed me that Lance Armstrong's resting heart rate was 32. There's always one, isn't there.

The reason for the "unlucky" title? Triskaidekaphobics should look away now:

Current weight is 13 stones 13 pounds (195 pounds / 88.5 kg).

If you further suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia then you really shouldn't be reading this in the first place.

Sale: 1/3 off, everything must go!

Another couple of round numbers have been breached.

My current weight loss is 102 pounds, officially more than one third of my original body weight, or over 50% of my current body weight depending on which viewpoint your prefer. Statistics, eh. I don't need to tell you, but that's a lot of fat. I calculate it to be 711.79 Mars bars*.

Current weight is 14 stones 3 pounds (199 pounds / 90.3 kg).

* Standard weight Mars bar of 65 grammes. Figures rounded to 2 decimal places.

Czech Republic beware

The official Sprint Triathlon times will be available in a few days, but to summarise:

1) Swim time was fantastic. Much better than expected.
2) Bicycle time was shocking.
3) Run time was merely OK.

Note 1) Despite the swim warm up time being reduced to 40 seconds, I managed to lap everyone at least once and a couple of them twice.

Note 2) The bike time wasn't helped by having to dismount and put the chain back on after 8k. Nor was it helped by using a bicycle designed before the last great war. I knew I should have removed the rear parcel carrier to save weight. Thankfully the perished (and flat) rubber tyres were spotted yesterday, in time for replacements to be purchased.

Note 3) The run time was slow for a stand alone event, but OK considering what came before.

I'm not disappointed. I put in a full effort, completing the course respectably and giving notable grief to my gluteus maximus during the cycle. Either that or I was sitting funnily. Unofficially, my time was 1 hour, 26 minutes and 05 seconds.

But I'm not elated either. I had hoped for an overall sub 1 hour 25 time to beat The Editors previous PB. I wouldn't have come close to his new PB time set today.

I fear he won't stop at Poland.

Current weight is 14 stones 4 pounds (200 pounds / 90.7 kg).