Frankly, I'm gob smacked. In a good way.
New muscles are appearing daily. On my arms, legs, stomach and back. Flappy skin is disappearing by the minute. Swim times are improving, run times are improving, cycle times are improving, hill walking is improving, breathing is improving. Overall well being is improving greatly.
I wonder what would happen if I applied the same training to my brain?
I have hit a moment of realisation, though. The feeling of continually improving my physical performance is great, but what happens when that levels out and the body reaches a peak? A long way to go yet, but how is the motivation upheld when that point is reached? Or does improving by 0.1 second then give the same joy as I get when I knock 20 seconds off my latest run time now?
The next milestone is fast approaching - breaking through the 200 pounds mark. Then I will have shed more than a third of my body weight.
Current weight is 14 stones 9 pounds (205 pounds / 93.0 kg).
Friday, 16 May 2008
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
The Maiden Voyage
The "on loan" 1950s racing bike has had a new seat post, a new saddle, newly lubed up bearings in the front wheel, a whole lot of gunk removed from the chain and some tinkering with the brakes and gears; £6.99 (eBay).
Using it to beat my initial mountain bike 20km cycle time by over 4 and a half minutes; priceless!
Technically, it was a hilly 20.8km course completed in 41 minutes 03 seconds, which equals a pro rata 39 minutes and 28 seconds over 20km. But a flat course should see the total time decrease slightly further, as will more practice.
Coupled with the new personal best run time of 28 minutes and 40 seconds over my usual hilly "off road" course and my improved swim time approaching 13 minutes, The Editor is becoming increasingly outwardly concerned. However, inwardly I suspect it is also having the positive side effect of enhancing motivation for his two least favourite component parts of the Triathlon.
However, if the same age and weight related handicapping used in the 2000m Concept 2 rowing challenge was carried over to "The Event", I wouldn't be in the running, so to speak.
Current weight is 15 stones exactly (210 pounds / 95.3 kg).
Using it to beat my initial mountain bike 20km cycle time by over 4 and a half minutes; priceless!
Technically, it was a hilly 20.8km course completed in 41 minutes 03 seconds, which equals a pro rata 39 minutes and 28 seconds over 20km. But a flat course should see the total time decrease slightly further, as will more practice.
Coupled with the new personal best run time of 28 minutes and 40 seconds over my usual hilly "off road" course and my improved swim time approaching 13 minutes, The Editor is becoming increasingly outwardly concerned. However, inwardly I suspect it is also having the positive side effect of enhancing motivation for his two least favourite component parts of the Triathlon.
However, if the same age and weight related handicapping used in the 2000m Concept 2 rowing challenge was carried over to "The Event", I wouldn't be in the running, so to speak.
Current weight is 15 stones exactly (210 pounds / 95.3 kg).
Sunday, 11 May 2008
Thigh bursting weekend
My left foot doesn't hurt badly any more.
My thighs, however, are protesting loudly after completing my request for them to work overtime at the weekend. This will pass in a day or two, and I'll be left with "Super Hero" quads. It was definitely worth it, though, despite hardly seeing further than 200 metres all day.
To top it off, I was recalled to compete in the final of the 2000m rowing challenge today, less than 16 hours after yesterday's mammoth 9 hour ridge walk. I gave it everything I could muster and was shouting like a mad man during the final 500m push. But I won! By 0.2 of a second. Nobody remembers second place. For my troubles, I earned a free massage, which will come in very, very handy after the Triathlon.
Current weight is 15 stones and 3 pounds (212 pounds / 96.6 kg). Which is a slight increase, but relates to the 8 or 9 litres of water consumed yesterday.
My thighs, however, are protesting loudly after completing my request for them to work overtime at the weekend. This will pass in a day or two, and I'll be left with "Super Hero" quads. It was definitely worth it, though, despite hardly seeing further than 200 metres all day.
To top it off, I was recalled to compete in the final of the 2000m rowing challenge today, less than 16 hours after yesterday's mammoth 9 hour ridge walk. I gave it everything I could muster and was shouting like a mad man during the final 500m push. But I won! By 0.2 of a second. Nobody remembers second place. For my troubles, I earned a free massage, which will come in very, very handy after the Triathlon.
Current weight is 15 stones and 3 pounds (212 pounds / 96.6 kg). Which is a slight increase, but relates to the 8 or 9 litres of water consumed yesterday.
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Sore foot
In my previous entry, I was very self congratulatory regarding completing the full Sprint Triathlon distance as a personal practice event.
I spoke a little too soon.
I now have a sore left foot.
My self diagnosis keeps shifting between a tiny fracture in a small otherwise unnoticed and useless bone, to deep tissue bruising. Not having any medical training means that I really don't have the foggiest what's going on, other than my run time is going to get slower due to lack of training. However, to combat The Editor's possible buoyed mood after reading this news, what with the current regime of squats , I have spent time off my feet this week reducing my swim time.
The new projected swim time is now dangerously close to 13 minutes flat. The Event time might vary considerably from this as new evidence emerged late yesterday afternoon regarding the haphazzard approach to the electronic timing station locations. Basically, your swim time includes getting out of the pool and getting to the transition point entrance, which could be some distance away.
Current weight is 15 stones and 2 pounds (212 pounds / 96.2 kg).
Interesting point of note: The average male has begun to notice my weight loss (after nearly 6 and a half stone), whereas the average female began to notice after only a few pounds.
I spoke a little too soon.
I now have a sore left foot.
My self diagnosis keeps shifting between a tiny fracture in a small otherwise unnoticed and useless bone, to deep tissue bruising. Not having any medical training means that I really don't have the foggiest what's going on, other than my run time is going to get slower due to lack of training. However, to combat The Editor's possible buoyed mood after reading this news, what with the current regime of squats , I have spent time off my feet this week reducing my swim time.
The new projected swim time is now dangerously close to 13 minutes flat. The Event time might vary considerably from this as new evidence emerged late yesterday afternoon regarding the haphazzard approach to the electronic timing station locations. Basically, your swim time includes getting out of the pool and getting to the transition point entrance, which could be some distance away.
Current weight is 15 stones and 2 pounds (212 pounds / 96.2 kg).
Interesting point of note: The average male has begun to notice my weight loss (after nearly 6 and a half stone), whereas the average female began to notice after only a few pounds.
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
The art of nobbling
In retaliation for my suspected nobbling of The Editor's training, he secretly chose to make a pre-emtive sabotage stike many weeks ago. After trying all the available sizes of replacement seat post for the bicycle lent to me by The Editor, it is becoming clear that the correct size either no longer exists, or the bicycle frame was modified to ensure that no available seat post would be suitable.
I have the option of riding the triathlon without a seat, trying my hand at fabricating a collar for the seat post, or finding another bike from somewhere. Notably, I still haven't done any cycle training and "the event" is only about 3 weeks away.
On the plus side, I did complete a full event last night (swim, cycle (spinning) and run). The run was completed within 3 seconds of my personal best on that course, so it appears that the prior swimming and cycling has little or zero negative effect.
Current weight is 15 stones and 3 pounds (213 pounds / 96.6 kg).
I have the option of riding the triathlon without a seat, trying my hand at fabricating a collar for the seat post, or finding another bike from somewhere. Notably, I still haven't done any cycle training and "the event" is only about 3 weeks away.
On the plus side, I did complete a full event last night (swim, cycle (spinning) and run). The run was completed within 3 seconds of my personal best on that course, so it appears that the prior swimming and cycling has little or zero negative effect.
Current weight is 15 stones and 3 pounds (213 pounds / 96.6 kg).
Friday, 2 May 2008
Circuits, or how to raise the pain threshold
My first proper participation in "Circuits" was two days ago. I still can't walk without deep muscular sensations not unlike pain. Certainly, I know my legs are still there because they object a little every time I move them. It was a tough class and uses nearly every major muscle in the body.
On the plus side, it helped tremendously with my swimming time during last night's swim club. I could knock another 60 to 80 seconds off my updated swim time if I went flat out, but of course I'd be ruined for any further sporting action immediately afterwards. The Editor, despite succumbing to recent intimidatory tactics, should not be concerned since there is now less than 4 weeks training to go, which doesn't really leave any scope for improving times or participating in many more Circuit sessions!
Current weight is 15 stones and 3 pounds (213 pounds / 96.6 kg).
On the plus side, it helped tremendously with my swimming time during last night's swim club. I could knock another 60 to 80 seconds off my updated swim time if I went flat out, but of course I'd be ruined for any further sporting action immediately afterwards. The Editor, despite succumbing to recent intimidatory tactics, should not be concerned since there is now less than 4 weeks training to go, which doesn't really leave any scope for improving times or participating in many more Circuit sessions!
Current weight is 15 stones and 3 pounds (213 pounds / 96.6 kg).
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Not all 5ks are the same
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).
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).
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