Determined to get a full week’s training under my belt I went to spinning on Monday and tried to push it as hard as I could, although it helped that I was on an easy bike! You find some of them are easy as you put up the resistance and some of them you put a tiny bit of resistance on and it’s so hard! I think Marky B had a tough bike so looked like he was hating it mwahaha!! Standard gym session afterwards and it was a decent start to the week.
Tuesday has kind of become my day off as I don’t do anything too strenuous. Apparently one rest day a week is almost more important than the training itself so trying to factor one in. I did walk from B & Q back to the flat though which although only a couple of miles was at least something! Standard footy and squash on Wednesday which I’m really enjoying and was pleased to keep up the full week so far. It continued as I went to hockey training on Thursday and finished off the week with a good gym session on Friday! It’s scary to see our website clock which ticks down to when we leave, the time is fast disappearing and is another reminder I can’t skimp on the training!
An early start (for a Saturday) to get down to Castle Rushen for hockey game at 11:00, which was a pretty tense affair and was gutted we were defeated against Bacchas 3-2. It was fairly similar to our first game against them where we went down 2-1, in both games we had our chances to win and it is tough to take that we got nothing to show from two very competitive games with them. Still, sitting in the sun with an after game drink and then having the afternoon with my nephew & niece cheered me up from the defeat!
To finish off the week, we decided to go for a decent walk and try to incorporate road walking and hill walking into a decent length walk. We therefore walked up from Ronague to the round table back down the sloc and then back up to Fleshwick. The hill at Fleshwick is so steep and it doesn’t seem to get any easier to power up no matter how much training I’m doing! From there, we went around Milner’s Tower, down to Port Erin for refreshment, then back round through Colby to Ronague. It was about a 15 mile walk I think, but because it was a fair bit steeply uphill it felt like longer!
Still felt good to get a full week of training under my belt and even resisted the temptation to go out! What a professional……may be a case of the calm before the storm though as next week there is a 4 day hockey tour in Blackpool!
Dave.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Snae problem!
After the birthday celebrations of the weekend really wanted to hit the ground running on Monday and get in another solid week of training. Unfortunately, Monday had the worst possible start, as finishing work late I couldn’t manage to make it to the spinning class for 6. Marky B was also still feeling his knee so missed spinning and was called to coach some junior hockey so we decided to move the gym session to the next day. Tuesday we headed for the gym and did our Monday session but no cardio!
Wednesday I played footy as normal but as there were a few of the hockey guys who couldn’t make squash this was my only cardio fitness work for the entire week! Hockey training on Thursday was a no-go too and called off as only 4 people turned up! Bit of a crazy week seems that everything is getting called off all over the show! Trying to leave it to my self motivation is not a good idea, although I love the training I know I need more self motivation and really need to pick it up when things aren’t all organised! To finish the working week I had a work do out on Friday night at 7, but I was absolutely determined to at least get to the gym and do the standard workout on beforehand so at least I managed that one!
Pretty busy weekend in flat, sorting all sorts of DIY out and took me hours screwing rusted nails out of concrete to sort out my shed as trying to put a punchbag up! What a nightmare! Hockey match Saturday afternoon and a repeat of the bad-tempered derby of a few weeks ago! Not as bad tempered, but not a good result going down 3-0. To be fair we were outplayed by a better 3rd team and they fully deserved victory but it was just frustrating conceding 2 goals in 5 crazy minutes at the start of the second half! Unfortunately I took a hit to the knee in the game which was giving me a bit of trouble but I can’t let it stop me from my Sunday walk……Saturday night was probably the most fitness I had done all week on the dance floor as I went out for a “rubix cube” party, which involved wearing multicoloured clothes and swapping until you are all one colour! Was shattered!
On Sundays we’ve been concentrating a lot on training for the Parish Walk, and the last 4 walks we’ve done have been all on road. Obviously this is great training for the walk but I was getting a little concerned about the balance between road walking in trainers and going uphill in mountain boots! We therefore decided to climb up Snaefell for a bit of “altitude” training haha (all 2,036 feet)! The only problem was that we didn’t know the way or the best place to climb from! We drove out of Douglas, straight to Laxey and had no clue where to go so found the mountain road (via Ramsey!!!!) and headed up from there. If wasn’t the usual route up (we decided it was steeper!) and to be honest we didn’t actually know we were on Snaefell until we saw the tram lines at the top! It was just a big hill so we decided to climb it!
Although it picked up towards the end of the week I definitely need to pull my finger out and find my motivation from somewhere!
Dave.
Wednesday I played footy as normal but as there were a few of the hockey guys who couldn’t make squash this was my only cardio fitness work for the entire week! Hockey training on Thursday was a no-go too and called off as only 4 people turned up! Bit of a crazy week seems that everything is getting called off all over the show! Trying to leave it to my self motivation is not a good idea, although I love the training I know I need more self motivation and really need to pick it up when things aren’t all organised! To finish the working week I had a work do out on Friday night at 7, but I was absolutely determined to at least get to the gym and do the standard workout on beforehand so at least I managed that one!
Pretty busy weekend in flat, sorting all sorts of DIY out and took me hours screwing rusted nails out of concrete to sort out my shed as trying to put a punchbag up! What a nightmare! Hockey match Saturday afternoon and a repeat of the bad-tempered derby of a few weeks ago! Not as bad tempered, but not a good result going down 3-0. To be fair we were outplayed by a better 3rd team and they fully deserved victory but it was just frustrating conceding 2 goals in 5 crazy minutes at the start of the second half! Unfortunately I took a hit to the knee in the game which was giving me a bit of trouble but I can’t let it stop me from my Sunday walk……Saturday night was probably the most fitness I had done all week on the dance floor as I went out for a “rubix cube” party, which involved wearing multicoloured clothes and swapping until you are all one colour! Was shattered!
On Sundays we’ve been concentrating a lot on training for the Parish Walk, and the last 4 walks we’ve done have been all on road. Obviously this is great training for the walk but I was getting a little concerned about the balance between road walking in trainers and going uphill in mountain boots! We therefore decided to climb up Snaefell for a bit of “altitude” training haha (all 2,036 feet)! The only problem was that we didn’t know the way or the best place to climb from! We drove out of Douglas, straight to Laxey and had no clue where to go so found the mountain road (via Ramsey!!!!) and headed up from there. If wasn’t the usual route up (we decided it was steeper!) and to be honest we didn’t actually know we were on Snaefell until we saw the tram lines at the top! It was just a big hill so we decided to climb it!
Although it picked up towards the end of the week I definitely need to pull my finger out and find my motivation from somewhere!
Dave.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Happy Birthday!
Ow! Woke up Monday morning, got out of bed and nearly fell straight on my face. After the walk on Sunday my legs had stiffened up and spent most of Monday walking around like I’d wet myself (and I haven’t done that in weeks). Have also been out at clients auditing for the past couple of weeks and had to scale 3 sets of stairs straight legged! Ever the professional accountant! I thought spinning was going to be an absolute nightmare but weirdly I found it a massive relief! Getting my legs spinning on the exercise bike loosened them up and it was a good session, followed by the gym.
As it was my flatmate Dan’s birthday on Tuesday, this was my day off for the week and I went down the pub to watch the football with a few beers, which made a nice change from training! Had a good footy session and squash games on Wednesday, after the last couple of weeks of my co-ordination being all over the place didn’t play too badly for once although I did manage to blow an 8-1 lead in my final squash match to Mark C! Thursday again was hockey training on a freezing pitch, not too many people turned out and we finished with a full pitch game with not many players! Was a good excuse for a decent run about!
After a really busy week at work was glad to get the working week out of the way and bring on the weekend! Did a quick gym session on Friday night and then went to the steam room, hydro pool & freezing cold plunge pool at Mount Murray. Is a great way to finish the week and chill out and try to rest the weary muscles!
Saturday arrived and was keen to play hockey, we had a winnable game at home and I was desperate to open my account in front of goal as it was my birthday weekend! After switching from the right wing in men’s hockey to defensive midfielder in mixed I miss (literally) getting in the D and swinging blindly trying to bag a goal! I started defensively but as the game wore on moved further and further forward trying to score, eventually hitting a shot which was kicked off the line, penalty flick to us! I stepped up, flicked the ball past the keeper and trotted back to the centre delighted….only problem is my foot had been in the wrong place (I’m a bit sketchy on the rules…..) and the goal was disallowed! Taxi for Dave! Still, after that I decided I was going to stay up front and get a goal by hell or high water and despite also missing a few gilt edged chances I did manage to grab a couple of goals in a 4-0 win....result!
As it was mine and Dan’s birthdays in the week, we decided to have a flatwarming/birthday party on Saturday night, play a bit of beer pong and head into town! Was a really good night, cheers for everyone for coming, hats off to Chunk and Graeme Brown for passing out soon after each other….and hats definitely on for Dale for bringing the port! Also congratulations to Sam R & Keggy, taught beer pong by Americans and left undefeated champs! Was a hilarious night and definitely need to sort out a rematch soon!
Being my birthday yesterday and nursing a wee bit of a hangover I knew the walk was going to be epic! Unfortunately (?!) Marky B picked up an injury at hockey the day before and was limping about, in no fit state for walking! To keep up the training, I therefore went to play football in Nobles park at 2, something I used to attend religiously but has had to take a back seat since Sunday is the only day we can put in a big walk. Was a good kick about on a pretty sunny day (for March!) and I really enjoyed the run about, there just aren’t enough days in the week! Was amazed how much the fitness has helped at football and was a good indication of the difference it’s made. I’m usually knackered but I felt I could do much more running even after 2 and a half hours. Spent the rest of yesterday back down south with the family on my birthday and had my 3 year old niece Poppy “help” open all my presents for me! Although she seemed completely disinterested when it wasn’t a Barbie doll/pink hairdryer! (I got them both last year).
Pretty successful week all in all and feeling confident I’m not burning out, bring on the mountain!
Dave.
As it was my flatmate Dan’s birthday on Tuesday, this was my day off for the week and I went down the pub to watch the football with a few beers, which made a nice change from training! Had a good footy session and squash games on Wednesday, after the last couple of weeks of my co-ordination being all over the place didn’t play too badly for once although I did manage to blow an 8-1 lead in my final squash match to Mark C! Thursday again was hockey training on a freezing pitch, not too many people turned out and we finished with a full pitch game with not many players! Was a good excuse for a decent run about!
After a really busy week at work was glad to get the working week out of the way and bring on the weekend! Did a quick gym session on Friday night and then went to the steam room, hydro pool & freezing cold plunge pool at Mount Murray. Is a great way to finish the week and chill out and try to rest the weary muscles!
Saturday arrived and was keen to play hockey, we had a winnable game at home and I was desperate to open my account in front of goal as it was my birthday weekend! After switching from the right wing in men’s hockey to defensive midfielder in mixed I miss (literally) getting in the D and swinging blindly trying to bag a goal! I started defensively but as the game wore on moved further and further forward trying to score, eventually hitting a shot which was kicked off the line, penalty flick to us! I stepped up, flicked the ball past the keeper and trotted back to the centre delighted….only problem is my foot had been in the wrong place (I’m a bit sketchy on the rules…..) and the goal was disallowed! Taxi for Dave! Still, after that I decided I was going to stay up front and get a goal by hell or high water and despite also missing a few gilt edged chances I did manage to grab a couple of goals in a 4-0 win....result!
As it was mine and Dan’s birthdays in the week, we decided to have a flatwarming/birthday party on Saturday night, play a bit of beer pong and head into town! Was a really good night, cheers for everyone for coming, hats off to Chunk and Graeme Brown for passing out soon after each other….and hats definitely on for Dale for bringing the port! Also congratulations to Sam R & Keggy, taught beer pong by Americans and left undefeated champs! Was a hilarious night and definitely need to sort out a rematch soon!
Being my birthday yesterday and nursing a wee bit of a hangover I knew the walk was going to be epic! Unfortunately (?!) Marky B picked up an injury at hockey the day before and was limping about, in no fit state for walking! To keep up the training, I therefore went to play football in Nobles park at 2, something I used to attend religiously but has had to take a back seat since Sunday is the only day we can put in a big walk. Was a good kick about on a pretty sunny day (for March!) and I really enjoyed the run about, there just aren’t enough days in the week! Was amazed how much the fitness has helped at football and was a good indication of the difference it’s made. I’m usually knackered but I felt I could do much more running even after 2 and a half hours. Spent the rest of yesterday back down south with the family on my birthday and had my 3 year old niece Poppy “help” open all my presents for me! Although she seemed completely disinterested when it wasn’t a Barbie doll/pink hairdryer! (I got them both last year).
Pretty successful week all in all and feeling confident I’m not burning out, bring on the mountain!
Dave.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Gamblin' and ramblin'
I really needed to pick up a bit of motivation this week after a scrappy week including no walk on the Sunday. Felt like I needed to kick myself to get back into the intensive training of a couple of weeks ago, and forget about the previous week. With only 13 weeks until we go although I am in far better shape than 2 months ago I think that stepping off the training is dangerous and I just need to keep at the same fitness level but increasing the distances.
Standard start to the week, went spinning and then to the gym. Tuesday did a bit more cardio with an hour and a half of squash with Marky B & Claire J which was good. Wednesday again played football and then went to squash with the hockey boys. Was a bit off form again on the court, including taking an 11-1 kicking by Cooky which didn’t exactly put me in the best mood! I am ultra competitive and get very frustrated with myself if I play badly. Luckily I have calmed down a lot in the last few years, I remember in my first year of university by the end of the year I was on my sixth squash racquet!!!
Trying to keep up the training I went to hockey training on Thursday which I really enjoy. It’s not the most intensive sport I do all week but it’s great banter and a good laugh and does get you running around! Since spinning has now been cancelled on a Friday (apparently not enough people turn up….turns out the pub is a more tempting option on Friday night…..don’t I know it!) I went to the gym and then headed back to the flat to host a poker night at the new flat. Was a good night but a few hours later and £20 down the swanny I was counting the money I didn’t have!
Played hockey on Saturday against the league leaders, managed to lose 5-1 but I didn’t feel that the scoreline was a fair reflection on the game, we put in a good performance and Dale scored the only goal they had conceded all season! Still it was played in a great spirit and but for some questionable refereeing decisions (I have to say for both teams!) it could easily have been closer. Stayed down south to try to win some money back again at a poker night at PK and Chunk’s new flat and despite being down to 2 chips at one point managed to win the game and the £60 kitty!! Problem was that we went down the pub straight after and the victor bought the first round in! As I’d paid £15 into the kitty and the round cost approx £23, I worked out that after 2 poker nights I’d managed to make a total profit of about £2!!!! Still a great couple of nights and coming out with any profit at all was a bonus!
Finally it was time for the day of truth and the big walk. As we’d not had a big night out before we decided to start earlyish (11!) and head from Rushen church up the sloc and over to Peel, and then back again! The total walk was about 23/24 miles and was up and down hills so would definitely be our biggest test so far. After about an hour I was really struggling, I get pains in my calves and round my ankles and the first hour of uphill walking is an absolute killer. The weird thing is that after about an hour the pain dies off and I don’t feel it any more, if anyone has any suggestions why please let me know! I just have to keep going and walk through the pain!
The other point it highlighted for me is that we need to concentrate on our pace, I think on the way back we had it about right (as it was getting dark) but we need to maintain a consistent pace and monitor it more closely, I’d hate to be denied the opportunity to complete the Parish because of a time constraint. Overall though I felt the benefits of the walk outweighed the negatives. It showed that I could walk for an extended period of time and the legs could stand up to it, after you learn to walk with the aches and the pains I think it will be more of a mental challenge than anything else. It is also helping that we are hardening our feet to road walking. These longer walks hopefully will toughen up our feet and decrease the chance of blisters etc.
All in all though a very satisfying week, I feel I’m back on the trail and back on target to tramp all over that mountain and put my best into completing the walk!
Dave.
Standard start to the week, went spinning and then to the gym. Tuesday did a bit more cardio with an hour and a half of squash with Marky B & Claire J which was good. Wednesday again played football and then went to squash with the hockey boys. Was a bit off form again on the court, including taking an 11-1 kicking by Cooky which didn’t exactly put me in the best mood! I am ultra competitive and get very frustrated with myself if I play badly. Luckily I have calmed down a lot in the last few years, I remember in my first year of university by the end of the year I was on my sixth squash racquet!!!
Trying to keep up the training I went to hockey training on Thursday which I really enjoy. It’s not the most intensive sport I do all week but it’s great banter and a good laugh and does get you running around! Since spinning has now been cancelled on a Friday (apparently not enough people turn up….turns out the pub is a more tempting option on Friday night…..don’t I know it!) I went to the gym and then headed back to the flat to host a poker night at the new flat. Was a good night but a few hours later and £20 down the swanny I was counting the money I didn’t have!
Played hockey on Saturday against the league leaders, managed to lose 5-1 but I didn’t feel that the scoreline was a fair reflection on the game, we put in a good performance and Dale scored the only goal they had conceded all season! Still it was played in a great spirit and but for some questionable refereeing decisions (I have to say for both teams!) it could easily have been closer. Stayed down south to try to win some money back again at a poker night at PK and Chunk’s new flat and despite being down to 2 chips at one point managed to win the game and the £60 kitty!! Problem was that we went down the pub straight after and the victor bought the first round in! As I’d paid £15 into the kitty and the round cost approx £23, I worked out that after 2 poker nights I’d managed to make a total profit of about £2!!!! Still a great couple of nights and coming out with any profit at all was a bonus!
Finally it was time for the day of truth and the big walk. As we’d not had a big night out before we decided to start earlyish (11!) and head from Rushen church up the sloc and over to Peel, and then back again! The total walk was about 23/24 miles and was up and down hills so would definitely be our biggest test so far. After about an hour I was really struggling, I get pains in my calves and round my ankles and the first hour of uphill walking is an absolute killer. The weird thing is that after about an hour the pain dies off and I don’t feel it any more, if anyone has any suggestions why please let me know! I just have to keep going and walk through the pain!
The other point it highlighted for me is that we need to concentrate on our pace, I think on the way back we had it about right (as it was getting dark) but we need to maintain a consistent pace and monitor it more closely, I’d hate to be denied the opportunity to complete the Parish because of a time constraint. Overall though I felt the benefits of the walk outweighed the negatives. It showed that I could walk for an extended period of time and the legs could stand up to it, after you learn to walk with the aches and the pains I think it will be more of a mental challenge than anything else. It is also helping that we are hardening our feet to road walking. These longer walks hopefully will toughen up our feet and decrease the chance of blisters etc.
All in all though a very satisfying week, I feel I’m back on the trail and back on target to tramp all over that mountain and put my best into completing the walk!
Dave.
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