Advances

Well, hello there - long time no write/read.

The training still continues, as does life. I must admit I do not have quite as much urgency as I once had but that is mainly down to a shift in work priorities. Some dear people have commented on the fact they have read this bloggage and have envisaged me training so I may run up Gangkhar Puensum with a camera (or something). Well, they're not too far off. Not quite Gangkhar Puensum or K2, but not far off and bloody cold to boot.

The training is indeed linked to work, but due to a recent reshuffle in my projects, the 'training project' will now be a bit further away - and good, I say...more time to run, lift and strengthen. God knows, I am going to need the long term stamina.

I will be dipping in and out of here with odds and sods as I go along, but expect it to be sporadic. Just know in your heart I haven't melted into a lard-arse. Well, not totally, anyway...

Til next time.

Gentle Jogging

It's been a little while since I updated, but I have two and three quarter minutes to spare, so I thought I'd bring you up to speed.

The Tenacious Training continues and has not let up since we last chatted - I just haven't had much time or inclination to waffle on about it all, to be honest. Shortly after my last post I launched into full-on pre-production for two films which have resulted in two edits for each - one very tight, short edit; one not so tight and slightly looser edit. During filming I managed to indulge in my penchant for crunching sweets and manically chewing gum - gum is fine, but the amount of sugar content in those darn chocolate limes created a total addiction and I have just managed to wean myself off. So I am back to oatcake addiction now - much finer it is too (for my ass).

Other happenings have really been pre & post production centric but as the weather hots up it makes it so much more difficult to decline the masses of BBQ invites I seem to get every week. It's not the social aspect - it's the yummy carb laden food and sparkly alcohol that accompany the invites that are the issues here...

Oh and then of course, there's the fact that at some point in the last six months or so, I fractured and/or chipped a bone in my ankle but hadn't realised. It's not actually sore unless it swells up, which in the heat, is happening more frequently. And yes, I have been running on it all this time, Mother; and yes, I know I should be resting it and being fed grapes by strapping lads in loin cloths and fans; and yes, and yes and yes...but unfortunately life goes on, films have to be finished and (sensible) training has to continue...

Right that's yer lot. My time here is up. Til next time.

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Pressing Times

Here's a little tip for training.

If you decide to have a really interesting conversation with someone in the gym, try not to overlook how many sets and reps you have already done - for example - when you are working on the leg press. 

I did this the other day and considering I was pressing 80kg (which roughly equates to my own bodyweight plus a bloody heavy backpack), by yesterday I was starting to walk like John Wayne. Today, I rushed back to repeat the process (minus the conversation that made me do four+ sets of 20-odd reps) to try and ease out my hamstrings and...well...glutes. Ouch.

All sore bits aside, it was actually quite good to 'feel the deal' again as I was worried I had completely plateaued - it really is amazing how quickly the body reacts and deals with exercise or lack of.

Perhaps it's not very comfortable, big or clever to push to this degree, but hell, you know what: at least I know I'm alive.

Running on Full

I may have not updated, but the training goes on, I promise you.

In between my last post and this, I have been a tad bit busy filming and then went straight into edit and post production in general, so not a great deal of time for the gym! 

However, as I have been existing on very little sleep and very long days (not great, but has to be done at the moment), I have managed to shoehorn in at least some sort of activity each day - even if it has just been a quick run along my local canal towpath. I do know I need to make some adjustments to my training schedule again soon though, as I am pretty much on top of the levels I am working at - and with this gig, there's no room for complacency.

Now the weather is starting to level out a bit, I am really looking forward to getting more active outside. I am, quite frankly, rubbing my hands in glee at the thought of cross training by going for a good climb and then trying not to break anything kitesurfing... ;)  Yay! You've got to love the scent of summer...

Legs of Lead

So...it's pretty much all go with the project side of this training schedule as well at the moment, and as a result, I was suffering from very tired, heavy leg syndrome today. Not even an ear-bashing from Prodigy and Carter USM lightened my stride.

My energy levels in the gym this morning were about on par with the rate of deflation, so I only did a 1.5 hour session, which at this stage of the game is pretty rubbish. Partially down to the aforementioned affliction and the rest due to the nag of the sheer amount of work sitting on my desk, waiting to be completed, it did make me run a bit faster on the treadmill - as if I was 'going to get there' a little quicker. But time is time, and it moves for no (wo)man.

Never mind, still managed a pretty decent run, ride and resistance ritual, and I am really feeling the difference in my strength training now, which is a very good thing.  

Long term strength and endurance levels are rising.  As are the stakes.

Chin Up

I foolishly decided to go to the gym last night after not being able to spare two seconds throughout the day.  As anyone who reads my rubbish on FB or Twitter will know, I also reminded myself why I don't like Friday night gyms - full of red faced grunting of the male variety with bulbous veins and necks the size of my waist. Now, that's not to say my waist is particularly large or small - it's proportionate to the rest of my bits, I guess, but the 'men' just look silly, silly, silly.  They remind me of that ticket-swapping, currant-headed character in "Beetle Juice". In fact, he was there last night - big body, small brain/head, big gob.

Regardless, I did my time and circuits, keeping to my schedule as per usual.  Ears were battered by no-one I recognised: some strange training mp3 thingy I came across - techno babble and pushy pop, but good to run to all the same.  However, I did have the most excruciatingly embarrassing moment.  Now, I say I had the moment - but strictly speaking, it was an all round awkward moment or two and it involved Mr Currant-Head and his big mouth.

You see, my new mp3 training track thingy had just finished and whilst I was minding my business amidst my narrow grip (nearly) chin ups, I overheard a silly comment or three. I continued until the end of my sets and then, ever so lady-like (I know - not like me at all), I picked up my water bottle and towel and smiled at the Currant-Head Gobsh*te. He faltered and blushed slightly whilst his mates giggled like schoolboys, and became quite uncomfortable as I just stood and grinned. Without removing my headphones, I then advised him he should be a little more careful when he's talking about people's arses. Especially when he is right next to the subject matter and they don't have their music on...

Oh for a camera and an ECU reaction shot on that one...

Treading the Water Mill

Didn't manage to get to the gym yesterday morning as I felt like death warmed up having been all 'woozy' throughout the night - no idea why.  Knowing I had a day of meetings ahead, I was predisposed towards reserving as much energy for them. And so I did.

At silly o'clock this morning, the gym was attacked with renewed vigour and whilst my little legs whipped the treadmill's ass, my aural senses were crushed by Queens of the Stone Age. It really was that kind of morning. During my resistance training session I was graced with the calmer presence of the Pet Shop Boys, as quite a lot of their new tracks are mellow but rhythmic enough for reps. I'm quite happy with my leg strength/endurance training now. In addition to the steep gradient cardio, I'm well on schedule with 68kg leg press x 20 x 2 sets and abductor/adductor 45kg/50kg x 20 x 2 sets, respectively. 

Right, I need to drink more water today - I must have consumed about 4 litres throughout the day/evening yesterday and today I feel quite dehydrated only being 1.5 litres in so far.  How strange the body is.

Hoping to do a run with Old Bill mates tomorrow but work's hotting up, big styleee. Just got to remember this is all part and parcel of it, and make the time ;)