Day 25

Day 25

Sunday 27 July 2014

I ran this morning in the loosest sense of the word. After my hard rowing and probably not the best stretch out after my legs are stiff and sore. 

Therefore I took it slow and short jogging a short distance around and not putting too much pressure on my thigh and calf (yes I'm a mess). 

This week is going to be pretty cardio heavy again. I have 2 races and 2 still waters sessions in. 

Warm ups needed...

Day 15

Day 15
Thursday 17 July 2014

2 x 1 min Plank
2 x 40 lay down leg raises
2 x 20 push ups
20 Body Squats
Fixed gear bike ride 6.82km 25.26 mins

Today was quite a varied day in all different ways. I woke up late so couldn't get to the gym. This is really bad time management and laziness I know but I made sure to do 2 rounds of core work. This was rather painful after yesterdays 18kg decline sit ups but it was necessary.
I also had a quick run out on the bike to meet Still Waters. My hip is still knackered so I'm not willing to run on it yet. I hope to get out on Monday with them.
I'm looking to go to the gym circuits class tomorrow morning and also do some cardio after that.
Saturday is heavy weights I hope.

Again I'm feeling good except a few twinges in my glutes and hips. These are probably off squats yesterday I presume.

Slow steady is the only way I think...

Day 14

Day 14 

Wednesday 16 June 2014

Leg day

Squat 10 x 70kg assisted

Squat 4x10 @ 60kg unassisted 

Leg Curl 4 x 10 @ 39kg

Decline dumbbell crunch 4 x 12 @ 18kg

4 x 21s @ 20kg

Hanging leg raise 4 x 15 to failure

At last I'm feeling the benefit! I had a really productive session at the gym this morning. Leg day is always an enjoyable routine as I love squats, I feel you can really push it. 

I tried really hard to push the weights this morning and up them from last time. Gaining 10kg on my squat is a great positive. I aim to get back to my original best of 90kg in 3 weeks. I understand the benefits of slow gradual progression and do not want to incur injuries so will up it gradually. 

Leg curls and weighted dumbbell crunches sting like hell but feel great after. 

I've come away feeling great and starting to feel like I'm getting somewhere again. No shortcuts this time just hard work. 

My diet is also getting a going over. Tomorrow is scale day... Weighing my food out not weighing myself. 

I will however be doing a weekly body photo as of Sunday. 

We love Manchester 10 k

This morning I ran the We love Manchester 10k. I've had a bit of a niggly hip injury and sore left calf due to over doing it and running 45 k a few weekends ago. Not my cleverest idea. 

As ever I got up and prepared myself at about 7 am. My hydro backpack filled with water last night and prepped. I use a budget version of a Camelpak I picked up a while ago because the Great Manchester 10k was the worst hour ever. I over hydrated, I had to pee, and I almost threw up. Jesus it was awful. So anyway, I run with a hydro bag because then I don't need to think about it. 

We all met up at the athletics arena as planned. I had my name card gifted to me by my good friend so I was named Kim today. 

Had a pee (another of my usual ticks) and lined up. Myself and another medium paced lad in Still Waters had planned to start out together but it didn't work out. I was actually a little pleased to be able to get involved with myself and have a nice time. I'd attempted a decent warm up of squats and leg raises etc., I felt okay. 

Set off at about 9:30am and listened to my body a lot. My hips weren't too bad but my chest was a bit tight so I paced it out. Choosing to get in my own head and concentrate rather than clapping at spectators and helping people on. 

I ran 2k at an average pace and felt a tap on the shoulder. It was Jamie (the lad I was supposed to be running with). I felt mixed emotions about that as we started running together. I instantly felt myself pacing rather than just going and instantly my legs said 'No'. We kept up with one another for a K or two but then he ran me off. I was happy to let him because I didn't have it in me. 

The Manchester terrain is hilly and windy. The next few kilometers were very much me getting it done. It wasn't until I got to 6k that it felt good enough to start moving up. Getting faster. I started to help myself on by widening my stride and instantly gulping a few slugs of my backpack. At around the 6 mark my weird heaving fit came on as I neared our loving 'CheerDem' pack shouting me on as I ran past. One of the lads ran after me I think but I was actually zoned, and trying not to chunder. The nausea subsided a little and my legs started to feel good. Through the 7 and up to 8 mark I was going some. I passed Jamie on the way past the Etihad. There was no point me stopping with him as I was feeling okay and he was walking. I knew he'd catch me up. 

I continued to gain what I felt was a good pace and the oofs and eeks of my body were starting to get louder. 

The last downhill came up but I chose to steady pace it because I hoped for a sprint finish. Jamie gained me again as I was speeding up. I asked to run him and he was okay with that. The last kilometer came and funnily enough a good power song came on my iPhones. I truly believe music aids exercise. I put it down (maybe a little early) but hit the home straight with a few dry gags. 

The last half k was very confusing. It was winding and as you came into the athletics arena there was a big 300-meter run to the finish. I gave the extra I had and came through the finish at 50 minutes 50 seconds as far as the Nike app says. I've not checked my race time yet. It's a tad confusing. 

I'm happy with my time, as it's the fastest I've ever ran both a 5k and 10k. I got a 25:11 5k and a 50:50 10k next time I'd like a sub 50. 

My biggest contender is my own body pushing against me when I run. I enjoy it and I'm getting better at it but my body dictates my speed totally. I struggle with any speed at all as my legs strain and chest tightens easily. I hope to combat these things, as I'm sure it's psychological. At present my running backpack and slow steady mentality is working. I'm still a way from a marathon but gaining momentum. Every little helps! 

12 July 2013

I started exercising in May 2013 after several years of vegetation, because my friends, in their “lad” ways essentially bullied me into submission. I had gained 3 stone after starting a new career and ditching my bike and train rides for a car and couch. Taunts of "pudding tits” and "You can’t do that fatty” got me. I told them I would do a Tough Mudder, this was met with laughter and the same taunts but no raised hands or volunteers. I trained for 3 months and ended up running the Yorkshire Tough Mudder on the 9th of September alone, My girlfriend came and cheered loyally. It was a great day, lonely at points but I did it in a time of around 2:45. Average, but to say I’d never attempted anything like that before I was pleased. The taunts and nicknames are still there and probably will always be, but hopefully one day they’ll be just an old joke.

At the moment I’m a 29 year old fitness trier, weighing in at 90kg and 5,9 I’m overweight. I’m hoping to change this. I have been a regular gym attendee for well over a year. My body has changed slightly, but I am a self confessed yoyo’er (in all walks of life). This said I have set myself the task of exercising every day for a year. My diet will hopefully fall in line too. 

This is not a heinous weights and protein fest, more a make sure you move everyday tubby alarm call. 

I am using several books and plans, such as Mens Fitness 12 week plan as well as running with my mates. 

I run with Still Waters Run Deep in Manchester. A group of runners and nice creatives, I’m at the bottom end of the speed scale and thats fine with me. I leave the fast running to my athlete sister Sorrell Walsh and the names and numbers I’m sure I’ll introduce soon. I run like a bald gorilla, but at least I do cardio… To say “I do cardio” is a bit of a weird thing to say. I enjoy running and take great pleasure from it. I am not, however, a runner. I run, granted, but I’m slow and laboured. I have done Tough Mudder, Manchester 10k and Hackney Half for medals and headbands, and tomorrow i’ll take on the We love Manchester 10k with a dodgy hip and a Camelpak, looking like a bald gorilla.

I have no planned result after the year is out, and don’t really want to look like I’m in a magazine. I just want to be healthy and happy, maybe sans pudding tits.

This blog will hopefully be a testament to a life lead by my want to become better personally and physically, through exercise and necessity. 

Below are some pictures from the last year, from when I started working out to now.