So hungry…

Could be taken a couple of different ways I suppose.  Although the meaning of this title is literal.  I’m STARVING.  Perhaps not as starving as some Africans, but still, starving.

Running training again today.  I really did not feel like doing it today.  I don’t know if it was lack of motivation, cause I am feeling motivated, just fatigue perhaps.  I slept well enough last night, but still took a while getting to sleep.  I think I may have been too well intentioned – the lights went off at about 8.30, but I struggled to sleep then.

C25k – Week 3, session 2.

9.2kph, 1% incline

R 1:30

W 1:30

R 3:00

W 3:00

R 1:30

W 1:30

R 3:00 – 9.2/9,5

W 1:30

R 1:30 – 9.5

10 x hill climbs on bike.  100m @ 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 then 400m recovery.

 

41:52 (including walk home)

437 cal, 19% fat

AHR: 161

MHR: 197

Zones: H: 21:28, M: 14:30, L: 02:33

 

I think the HRM worked pretty consistently today, although I really can’t be sure as I can’t say I was checking it a lot.  I think it may have not worked for the first run.  The zones seem pretty accurate though.  I would say the H zone was mostly running (I do have a very high HR when I run) and the top end of the hills, and the M zone would, I assume have been from the walk intervals and bike recovery. 

Considering my condition before the workout, I was pretty pleased with how I went.  The running was still a bit tough, and to be expected.  I think though the shorter ones are getting easier, and I found on the longer ones that I was struggling at 9.2, but was more comfortable at 9.5.   Hmmm.

Running Program

After work today I ran, as planned.  I tried the C25k program today.  Started on week 3 cause I thought the first couple of weeks were too light.  I did it on the time intervals rather than the distance cause of the variation of distance with speed.  I will keep the speed and time intervals constant and only increase the speed when I can.

Week 3 workout:

90 sec run

90 sec walk

3 min run

3 min walk

x 2

 

 

Today’s workout

C25k, week 3.nn9.2kph, 1% incline.  (* changed final walk to 90 sec, 1 final run x 90 sec.)  Aprox 17 mins

14 mins Bike.  3 x tabata intervals.  2 @ 5, then 2 min @ 5, 2 @ 4.

 

 

35:48

310 cal, 17%

AHR: 164

MHR: 198

Zones: H: 16:42; M: 08:39; L: 00:57

 

The zone times tell the story with the HRM data from today’s session.  It didn’t fucking work for over 10 minutes of the session.  I would say, in that case I could count on another 100cal just from the times when it was not working.  Very unimpressed with it at the moment, the bastard!

First run

Due to lack of sleep last night I ran this afternoon – keeping to the every other day theory.

Ran 4 x 500m and it was quite hard.

Speed wise it was a little all over the shop.  I started at about 8 and was struggling.  I upped it at regular intervals – say every 30 seconds or minute and was more comfortable running at 9 or 9.5.  I think that attitude wise I was not thinking that I couldn’t run for a time at the higher speed cause I was struggling with the lower speed.  I’m glad that I upped it a bit, even though I realise that I am still running quite slow.  Attitude wise, it proved to be a turning point for me.

I had to stop a couple of times during the last 500, but that’s ok, for the moment.

I’m kind of considering a C25k program, but I’m not real sure.

4 x 500m with 200m rest between

returned

So, once again, we restart.

A lot has happened to me since I last wrote. I moved, I worked, I fell for someone, I got screwed over, I moved back, my heart broke, my heart repaired itself. I got fat. I got unfit.

So it feels very much as though I am right back at the beginning; although without the same motivation I once had.

The motivation should be there. Police is the external drive that should fuel intrinsic motivation. Motivation has somewhat returned albeit in minimal form. It was a bit of a shock at how badly unfit I am at the moment. After running only 2k I was fucked. Absolutely fucked! Truly atrocious how I’ve let this happen.

Shins

Fucking hard on the legs today.  I ran further today, and straight from work, as is the plan.  I was feeling pretty good after work and had a coffee and headed out. 

I felt quite good, and really made an effort to run further again and to try to feel as though I was running with rhythm. 

Ran further and longer today and was happy with the run; although the stretch up Howe was definitely the hardest and needed a couple of breaks in there at times.

Although I really don’t feel as though the rhythm was completely there I did feel better about my ability to push and to run further in one stretch than I have been.  I pushed the first leg today and tried not to stop at lights if possible.  I figure I ran nearly two k with out stopping, although about 800m of this was down hill and there were a couple of small breaks in it; the total time coming up to about 11mins 30 secs or something.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1k

Really felt better about running today, and yesterday morning I wondered if it was ‘running day’ and was mildly disappointed when I realised that it wasn’t.

The only dampner is that my shins are starting to hurt.  Going to focus on preventative measures, ice & stretching and probably do a little taping job on my orthotics, as well as backing off the running when I get into the gym.  Will have to replace it with some cycling sessions at the smacky gym.  And going to try doing some running on the beach or something, the only pain in the arse about that is that I have to run down there, and back.

Quitting

Although the time this morning was not all that much slower than the other day, the run hurt more. Not surprising after how I felt last night, even up until this morning. I honestly was surprised at the time I ran this morning. I tried to run further between breaks today; and I was somewhat surprised at the first length that I ran. I was pleased at how I pushed myself, although the second half of the run was much harder than the first.

 

I felt pretty good up until Beach, but even the short stretch up beach wasn’t as hard as I expected. It was a pretty tough run, but I feel better for going, and I feel so much better about things for actually getting off my arse and going something.

 

Sticking to the promise that I made to myself – now it’s about the food.

 

3.34k

22:07

319 cal (11%)

AHR: 181

MHR: 195

 

Probably ran more consistently given that my MHR wasn’t as high as the other day; but at the same time I felt that I was running faster. Perhaps. It’s time to quit.

Ignorance is not bliss

So we’ve had a row.  Quite a big one for our standards.  My phone bill is significantly down but my feelings are completely up the left.  It all started about us going to Dublin for the weekend to meet Ms K.  It started when she lied to me about the reason she didn’t want to come, and said that it was my fault.  If only she had of been honest there wouln’t have been nearly the drama that there now is.  Safe to say that I’m feeling really shit about things at the moment.  We’ve agreed that we need to talk, but I’m just not sure where to start.  Perhaps some more ‘I’m angry at you cause I don’t want to be hurt by you’ time is needed.  I just don’t know.  Friday night stuff happened.  Sunday night stuff happened again.  Monday night we both ignore everything that probably needed to be said; Monday night I confront the issue (probably not in the most delicate way).  Tuesday I only text to find out the necessary questions – do you still want to come to the coast or is that too cookie jar?  Yesterday – communication embargo and ignoring each other when we’re in the gym.  Hmmm…what a way to go about repairing a friendship.

Just wasn’t into training today.  Did make the effort to go in and do something though, so I’m pleased about that.  I’m bitterly disappointed at the state of myself after a weekend bender.  It was so big that on Monday morning I actually phoned Mrs U to ask if we’d been drunk all weekend.  We both whole heartedly agreed that there was at least 12 hours when we didn’t either have a drink in our hand or be lost in a hazy morning after.  We don’t seem to get hangovers anymore.  A product of much alcoholism training we believe.  But it’s getting well expensive.  Mr U commented that the utility room looked rather like a bottling plant and that just cause you’re on pints doesn’t mean that you have to neck them.  Yet strangely enough neither of us really felt that blotted.  Hmmm.

Right, so training…

30 mins cardio

10 mins run intervals 60:30 at 11.5 & 5 mins walk at 5.8

Bike – 15 mins level 3 – 4.

391 cal, 18% Fat

MHR: 97:

AHR: 82%

Zones: H; 19:09; M: 11:39; L: 01:12

 

The other day when I ran I felt great.  No bother at all knocking out 2 minutes at 12 – today was a completely different story.  All shite and well up the left.  I don’t know whether it was something to do with my earphones breaking again.  I always, always train better with the ipod in.  Maybe cause it blocks everything else and all I’ve to focus on is the workout.  Maybe it’s cause I can just ignore everything and everyone.  Maybe it’s that it’s the music I want to hear, and I can have it LOUD!  I don’t know, but training isn’t the same without it.  I was fucking angry.  I had to get off the treadmill before the urge to hurl the ipod at the nearest wall overtook me…  I walked away, fuming.  I can’t live without my ipod.

 

We talked briefly in the gym this afternoon.  It was all uncomfortable.  I offered a spot for her last set of DB Bench, but she said she didn’t want one, she didn’t want me to drop the dumbbells on her head.  She said she thought I looked as though I wanted to kill her.  I wasn’t thinking that at all, I was thinking that it was uncomfortable; but I made an effort to go in and speak to her.  We talked as she left, but it was uncomfortable as hell and people kept coming along so it wasn’t productive at all.  I wouldn’t want to talk about that stuff in work anyway.  I don’t do head stuff at work.  I couldn’t even look at her, but when I did make eye contact I liked her just as much as ever.  It’s so confusing.  My head’s so messed up… 

Driving by the book

Training
Bike. 25 mins.  1 song at 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, + 2 mins @ 9. 2 mins @ 6 to 25 mins.
Run 1km at 10.5, 1.5% – 100m @ 11 & 120m @ 12 to end.  Under 6 mins.

 

Right shin is sore as fuck.  Icing  it now.  Cooling down the insides with an ice cold Miller.  Ice feels so good.  So so good.  I’ve drunk so much alcohol this week.  3 Millers left in the house – then it’s gone.  Till Pretty Marys Friday.

 

Pushed hard on the bike, although I feel fitter, so the easier level songs felt easier.  Very pleased that I pushed to 2 minutes at  9 when I was only going to go at 1 min.  Felt strong through the run, breating was in rhythm and my legs felt strong, even after the bike which was good.  Shins weren’t sore at all during the un, but sure are killing me now.

 

Was quite motivated through training.  Work was a completely different story though.  Did SFA and didn’t care at all.  Not the best employee at the moment.

Top Gear

Sad. Depressed. All alone. That’s me. Still hurt by the ex lying to me – took it out on the treadmill and felt great after a banging workout.

0945 – Thermobol, Detox
1000 – Training – 15 x 35:25 Run intervals – 12.0kph, 2% (6), 3% (9). 3 x 10 DB Bench (16s), VT (37.5) DB Lat Raise (5s), Cable Straight arm pulldown (12.5), Leg Press (70, 80, 70). 15 mins bike. Stretch – Hip flexors, glutes, hamstrings, calves, quads (by GI Joe). 1 lit water
11:30 – Thermobol, Promax Diet shake on 250ml Water
12:00 – Hot tub – stretch whole body + some hot/cold shower stuff. 1 lit water
12:40 – I’m knackered!
1530 – Oats, 2 scoops natural yoghurt, 1 plum, 1/2 nectarine. Coffee.
1600 – Coffee. 4 x 2 finger kit kat
1730 – 2 small packets of crisps
1830 – Golf – walked 11 holes – 2 hours. Approx 800cal.
2130 – Small packet of crisps, 150ml skim milk.
2200 – Grilled chicken & green veg, 1/8 avocado, 3 tsp balsamic dressing.

Cracking workout. Really pleased with my run intervals. Feel a lot stronger now running at 12. I think I will max out the speed there for a bit, work on volume – longer intervals and more of them. Sweat was pouring out of me today. After my run I was sitting on the end of a bench, composing myself (“come on, you’ve got to lift this weight”) & a puddle accumulated under where I was hanging my head. Was fair roasting in the gym this morning though. Worked hard, pushed through. Can definitely do more weight on a lot of the exercises I feel. Grip strength is the main issue with VT I think; but my shoulder is giving a little curry at the moment. Feels uncomfortable when I’m at full abduction, elbow just about above my head. Leg press I felt my lower back form giving a little at 80, which is why I dropped the weight for the last set – form over load.

Went out for a bit more of FLOG. I went round the back 9 in 41 shots, which got me 25 points. Absolutely astounding considering the crap I’ve been producing on the last couple of occasions. I did really well…focused on shots, concentrated. Putting was much better. I’ve no idea what the fuck is going on. It pisses me off that I can’t be as good as I want to be. Fucking shit! Why am I swearing so much?

Bit of a headache. Should probably come up with some meat & veg for dinner. I’ve some chicken thawed – just about getting the motivation up to cook it. After Top Gear. Right after Top Gear.

Things that have made me laugh this week:
1. Fies (feesh). Irish dancing competition. Hmmm.
2. NU’s Ireland jumper. Worn to Carnalea. I’d forgotten if I’d given it back to Mrs U. This was mentioned in the gym; to which she replied “We have it at home. I’ve washed it and all”. For a couple of moments there was sheer terror – I didn’t undress in the carpark did I? Finally remembered I wore my pink shirt home – phew. Terror over.
3. Radio Quiz. Q. “What’s the capital of Hungary?”. A. “Germany”. Enough said.
4. African children. HF kindly offered that I should give my curry stained clothes to SW to have washed. “She’s washing everyone’s clothes”. “Why”. “She’s African children”. “What; to wash her clothes?”.

Train relentlessly – never quit, never cheat and never give up.

Wrecked

God, bloody work again. Shit. Slept alright last night. Woke at 7ish when the alarm went off, but was good enough.

0800 – Thermobol

0840 – Oats, 2 spoons greek yoghurt & 2 nectarines. Green Tea.

1030 – Coffee, small apple

1300 – Medium bowl cream of tomato soup, 2 small white rolls, 2 tsp butter

1400 – Coffee

1630 – Thermobol

1730 – Training. Run intervals – 29mins. 30:30 ratio, 5% at 10, 10.5, 11, 11.2, 11.4, 11.6, 11.8, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12, 12 (40:20), 12 (45:15), 11.8, 11.6, 11.4 (1 min break), 11.1, 11.1, 11.1, 11.1, 11.1 (60sec). HRM – 36min, 458cal (25% fat), MHR: 204% (203bpm). AHR: 88% (173bpm).

2000 – 1 kiwi fruit, green tea

2040 – Steak Sandwich (2 slices brown multigrain, piece of lean steak, 1 egg, 50g cheese, lettuce, 1/3 avocado, >1 tsp mayo, 1 tsp tomato sauce). 200g green veg – broccoli & green beans. 750ml water with drop of juice.

Absolutely busted. My head is sore. My legs are fatigued. I know when I’ve worked hard. I get ‘itchy’ across my forehead & around my eyes – feels like it’s burning up. Today it’s on fire. Shit! I worked so hard during the run today; but felt really strong. Didn’t feel like spewing at all, but was pretty maxed out. Very pleased with the workout today. I caught myself thinking of excuses not to train – mostly that Mr Big was still in the building and I thought he’d shout. HEL was right though…he didn’t. Merely asked if a big crowd could come and watch. No worries I said & off I went. I initially thought that I wouldn’t do as much as I did – particularly the 11 reps at 12kph. Busted, but very impressed with myself; the work that I put in. CLASS!

I maybe didn’t really eat enough today; although I did have something else. I just can’t remember. I can barely remember my name at the moment. I just want to lie down and sleep. But no. Wait a few hours – then sleep through the night. Fuck. I’m fucked. Although I felt tired this morning it wasn’t really fatigue; probably cause I had a feed of carbs last night. Was so good too, but at the moment I can’t stand the thought of having curry. Fish and veg for dinner tonight I feel.