Friday, December 29, 2006
'Tis the Season...
... To wake up with aching legs. Apparently.
Well, I did manage to take a few days off there, but now I have to make up for it. Danny pretty much wiped me out yesterday morning with a weights session and (with the body protesting loudly) I managed to get in and spend some time on the bike today. The real test will be tomorrow morning's RPM...
Well, I did manage to take a few days off there, but now I have to make up for it. Danny pretty much wiped me out yesterday morning with a weights session and (with the body protesting loudly) I managed to get in and spend some time on the bike today. The real test will be tomorrow morning's RPM...
Friday, December 22, 2006
One for the Ages
Well, it's official. I have been to the gym five times in the last week.
I would be pretty confident in saying that's the first time I have done that much exercise in a week since the late 1990s.
Damn. It's amazing what a little motivation is capable of.
I would be pretty confident in saying that's the first time I have done that much exercise in a week since the late 1990s.
Damn. It's amazing what a little motivation is capable of.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Another Trial Survived
Well, that whole RPM thing is an interesting little beastie.
Imagine one of the hilly stages of the Tour de France except in a disco. That's about as close as I can get without pictures. Oh, and just for kicks, schedule it for 7 am on a Saturday.
Essentially, there is a room full of about 30 exercise bikes - for reasons that I can't quite determine the room is black-lit - I guess it does look about as cool as you can make a room full of exercise bikes look. The stereo plays loud, fast music and the instructor bellows instructions. (Go faster, raise the resistance etc.)
Yesterday we worked through a few large hill climbs and some sprints. I don't know how, but at times I almost found myself enjoying it. Granted, by the end of it I was drenched in sweat, out of breath and my legs were burning but it is a hell of a lot more fun than just sitting out in the gym riding one of the bikes.
I daresay I'll be going back next week...
Imagine one of the hilly stages of the Tour de France except in a disco. That's about as close as I can get without pictures. Oh, and just for kicks, schedule it for 7 am on a Saturday.
Essentially, there is a room full of about 30 exercise bikes - for reasons that I can't quite determine the room is black-lit - I guess it does look about as cool as you can make a room full of exercise bikes look. The stereo plays loud, fast music and the instructor bellows instructions. (Go faster, raise the resistance etc.)
Yesterday we worked through a few large hill climbs and some sprints. I don't know how, but at times I almost found myself enjoying it. Granted, by the end of it I was drenched in sweat, out of breath and my legs were burning but it is a hell of a lot more fun than just sitting out in the gym riding one of the bikes.
I daresay I'll be going back next week...
Friday, December 15, 2006
In reference to yesterday's post...
I was absolutely right. As expected, my legs are suffering the most - the RPM class tomorrow will be a serious test.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
I'll Feel That Tomorrow...
This morning I had my first 'proper' training session.
I survived, which is encouraging. However I can just tell that everything from my quadriceps to my shoulders is going to be a bit stiff and sore this time tomorrow.
I'm going in on Saturday morning for an RPM class which I have been assured with be 'more than enough of a workout' for the day.
I just need to be able to get through the first few weeks. I am confident that once I have some base fitness and strength in place everything will be easier and I may even start to enjoy it a little bit. Until then I just need to shut the hell up and do the work.
I survived, which is encouraging. However I can just tell that everything from my quadriceps to my shoulders is going to be a bit stiff and sore this time tomorrow.
I'm going in on Saturday morning for an RPM class which I have been assured with be 'more than enough of a workout' for the day.
I just need to be able to get through the first few weeks. I am confident that once I have some base fitness and strength in place everything will be easier and I may even start to enjoy it a little bit. Until then I just need to shut the hell up and do the work.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Let the Training Begin!
Well, my fitness, flexibility and strength have all been tested. Here's what I learned:
In short, nothing surprising.
In my favour (at least) is my youth. Danny - my trainer - doesn't think any of these things should take more than a few months to rectify. Provided that I put the work in, I won't have any trouble being ready for the trip.
I'm have a program prepared, which I will be running through on Thursday. Danny also leads an 'RPM' class at the gym which he recommends I start attending. Basically it's just insanity and punishment on an exercise bike. Sounds like something I am going to have to get used to.
I am also going to have to diarise my food intake for the next week or so to see if I need to change my diet much. On the plus side, as part of the training, I will be able to eat plenty of carbs - as someone who loves bread, pasta, potato and all that stuff... we just need to work out how much.
Well, I'm off to stretch out my hamstrings. I have been informed that I may even be able to touch my toes at some point in the reasonably near future. Might not sound like much, but I can't remember the last time I had that kind of flexibility...
- My fitness and endurance will need extensive work
- My hamstrings need some serious improvement in terms of flexibility
- I am going to need to do some heavy work on my core strength and upper back
In short, nothing surprising.
In my favour (at least) is my youth. Danny - my trainer - doesn't think any of these things should take more than a few months to rectify. Provided that I put the work in, I won't have any trouble being ready for the trip.
I'm have a program prepared, which I will be running through on Thursday. Danny also leads an 'RPM' class at the gym which he recommends I start attending. Basically it's just insanity and punishment on an exercise bike. Sounds like something I am going to have to get used to.
I am also going to have to diarise my food intake for the next week or so to see if I need to change my diet much. On the plus side, as part of the training, I will be able to eat plenty of carbs - as someone who loves bread, pasta, potato and all that stuff... we just need to work out how much.
Well, I'm off to stretch out my hamstrings. I have been informed that I may even be able to touch my toes at some point in the reasonably near future. Might not sound like much, but I can't remember the last time I had that kind of flexibility...
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Baby steps...
Well, I found a trainer at my gym: a former Army officer and current competitive road cyclist/triathelete/marathon runner.
If this guy can't hep me get into shape, nobody can.
I'm doing a fitness/strength/flexibility test on Tuesday morning. I see pain in my future.
If this guy can't hep me get into shape, nobody can.
I'm doing a fitness/strength/flexibility test on Tuesday morning. I see pain in my future.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Mission Accepted
Insanity is hereditary. I am living proof.
Following a recent overseas trip - including about a month in the country of her birth, my Finnish mother decided that she would like to cycle from the north of the country to the south. A journey of roughly 1300 kilometres. This is only mild insanity however, as despite the fact that she is a woman in her sixties, I have no doubt that my mother is capable of such a feat. She takes her fitness very seriously and probably does more exercise any given day than I currently would in a week.
The real insanity lies in the fact that I, unfit and lazy though I am, have agreed to join her. Sure, I visit the gym occasionally, but I have barely even ridden a bike since I finished high school back in 1999. Presently, I don't even own a bicycle and a 13km ride would challenge me. 1300km? 'Sif!
We are planning on making the trip around July-August 2007, giving me approximately seven months in which to shape up. Like I said, insanity.
I've created this blog moreso for the trip, but I'm sure there will be the occasional interesting moment between now and then. If anyone has any constructive advice or the number of a good shrink, your comments are most welcome.
Following a recent overseas trip - including about a month in the country of her birth, my Finnish mother decided that she would like to cycle from the north of the country to the south. A journey of roughly 1300 kilometres. This is only mild insanity however, as despite the fact that she is a woman in her sixties, I have no doubt that my mother is capable of such a feat. She takes her fitness very seriously and probably does more exercise any given day than I currently would in a week.
The real insanity lies in the fact that I, unfit and lazy though I am, have agreed to join her. Sure, I visit the gym occasionally, but I have barely even ridden a bike since I finished high school back in 1999. Presently, I don't even own a bicycle and a 13km ride would challenge me. 1300km? 'Sif!
We are planning on making the trip around July-August 2007, giving me approximately seven months in which to shape up. Like I said, insanity.
I've created this blog moreso for the trip, but I'm sure there will be the occasional interesting moment between now and then. If anyone has any constructive advice or the number of a good shrink, your comments are most welcome.
