20 min "Yoga for Runners" after 50 mins of hill sprints. Didn't feel amazing, but felt a lot better than I did on Wednesday. Hoping stretching is going to reduce jelly legs on all day ride tomorrow.
If not, early pub 🙂 Talking of which... best rehydrate with something cold and beer shaped from the fridge...
Didn't have much time today as flying to Rhodes in about half an hour and had to take the dog to my sister's (Leeds to Leicester). Decided I'd get a swim in first thing. Got to the pool just before 7:30am and then had to get out again after 19 minutes as they close for 15 minutes to move a rope or something!!....
Went home and took the dog for a walk.
I get really stressed on holiday leaving day so I've had an elevated heart rate all day although I've managed to keep the sweat levels down.
Another run. Bike tomorrow. Did a fat club weigh in on Thursday and saw a number I'd never seen before - in a bad way. Time to step things up! Off the juice and going calorie restricted. I'll be back in my mankini for Christmas.
I think I speak for all of us when I respectfully request you don't feel the need to share that image with the group 🙂
I'm back to 175lbs +/- 1lb on a weekly basis but no more coming off regardless of god knows how many hours of Z2/Z3 running. Garmin thinks I'm slacking! My new-ish withthing scales reckon I'm losing body fat and gaining muscle but those are hooky metrics not to be trusted. I'm waiting to see if the 4th rib appears 🙂
I got tired of doing the same couple of workouts on the trainer, so gave in and bought a sub to Tacx Premium. First night with that was a Medium on Wednesday and it hurt. I had to rest yesterday, but needed at least some time under my feet tonight, so did a short Easy loop. Having the films helps.
I’m still in the game but only just. I’ve been able to keep going but I’ve felt weak and washed out for a few days. The last three days I have had to count extended dog walks for my exercise but I’m hoping to get out for a ride tomorrow.
It’s frustrating because the weather has been amazing for the time of year and I haven’t been able to make the most of it, 19 degrees this afternoon on our dog walk!
Two days with no cardio, so weights and yoga. I've been feeling a bit tired for a week or more. Not exhausted, actually sleepy-tired. I'm hoping that's a reset and that I'm not just entering a state of hibernation 🙂
@willard I like Tacx as it feels more like just riding along IRL, but I can see that it's not for everyone.
Strength session and a short walk/jog today. MTB with the wife tomorrow.
Not exhausted, actually sleepy-tired.
That's how my whole family has been feeling.
40: I rode a mountain bike! Inners session introducing a new guy to off-pisting in the dark.
Followed by a pint of repeat offender at Durty Brewing.
introducing a new guy to off-pisting in the dark.
Hope he wasn't pist off.
Day 41: Swapped the bike for a walk with Mrs Reeksy round out local trails while the boys were doing their coaching sessions. Two hours fast pace. Hungry now!
Leaf raking. Then leaf moving. Then more leaf raking. Good job I had a foodbox in the fridge.
I’ve managed thirty miles, a mix of road and gravel but it took me almost an hour longer than usual. I’m just pleased I have been pedalling.
Leaf raking. Then leaf moving. Then more leaf raking.
Boy have I got a thread for you?
Went for an autumnal walk in Peebles and found a great rope swing.
Just shy of 1100m of climbing, 54km, fantastic weather and colours in the FoD. Conditions a bit more variable 😉 Felt a whole lot better but still full of cold/asthma so happy to get round. Even crashed on my dodgy elbow and it was nowhere near as painful as I expected!
Won't make my step count today. Have no issue with that, was a big day out on the bike.
The usual - park run today - gravel /MTB tomorrow - looks dry......
Never made it out on the bike, tomorrow 'appen like eh. Went to the gym instead.
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Yay! Made it out on the gravel bike today. 50km/750m with the club, taking in some of the Loch Laggan area.
We made it back to Wolftrax just before the rain hit and had time for a burger before setting off for home.
Lunch time skatepark yesterday
Then took the kids out on the skateboards today
Day 42: Hour gravelling with Reeksy1 and then a couple of hours coaching later this afternoon. All the gaps in between filled in with dismantling tree house and garden nursery in preparation for jump lines...
GMT not compatible with Dogs on BST 😉 So Charlie Follows Runners Yoga (one of my favs, mostly as it's only 20 mins), 20 mins weights and elbow rehab before what looks like a sunny hike in woods with now hyper mutts.
Not a bad start to whatever day we're on. Still not sure I'm doing the 10km run on the programme later tho...
Run yesterday morning that was a bit rubbish as I was knackered already..after only a few hours sleep and it's about 25 degrees here in Rhodes and I'm not used to running in the sun. Bloody lovely though.
Another 5k this morning the other way up there coast very nice.
Roxie out with her mum, sister and half brother. Trying to work out which dog is ours isn't always easy. I was tired just watching them running about. 4.5km for me about triple that in dog miles I reckon!
Family spin up and down the west side of windermere. Was meant to ride home from Sawrey but the weather was turning and am doing a roast for some visitors so knobbed it off.
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Went for an hour local MTB to clear a fuzzy beer head. Still love Autumn.
Too much time in the gym this week (hiding from the rubbish weather) but still on the 100 day wagon and today was a fine sunny one on the South Downs.
Not a great picture but close to where we scattered my dad's ashes last year, overlooking the village he lived in most of his life.
Missed a day on Friday, gutted, after a 'bad day'. GAD and depression can go eff themselves...
Anyway, despite a moderate panic attack, managed to get out with some of the cycle club gang on Saturday morning for a glorious mooch out on some new to me trails. Stunning morning, superb cheese scone. Autumnal colours are just amazing.
Quick tootle today just to get out and mobile.
Mrs S is just back from sunnier climes so we had a wee walk up to Ryvoan to help her re-acclimatise 😀
walk up to Ryvoan
Ah, Ryvoan...Always raises a smile here 🙂
Day 43: 43km gravel loop.
Going early Day 43 as dogs got me up. 30 Mins Yoga with Charlie Follows before 7am! Definitely feeling the benefit, but so far to go flexibility wise. Didn't do the run yesterday, just needed an easier day. Back on it later.
Had to fit things around visitors this weekend, so not the best but..
Day 40: played 30 mins of football with the U15s that I ‘help’ coach. Plus laying all the cones out/in, running after stray balls, shouting etc..
Day 41: pre-breakfast 5.5 k run and stretches. Then wondering around the streets of Bath.
Day 42: walk with dog on the tops for an hour or so. Later, prepping/testing my gravel bike in the evening (went for a spin of about 5 miles).
I’ll get out for a bike or run today.
Plan for today's exercise... a "Ramp Test" on the indoor trainer!
Never done one before, Although I did do a 20 minute FTP test a year ago. I'm curious as to what my VO2 Max, FTP and max HR might be as I'm hoping to be a little more structured in my riding this winter; I've previously just gone out and rode. I know that my maximum heart rate plummeted by almost 20 bpm after chemo, and it never came back. Well... only one way to find out!
I'll report back.
YOG-AAAAAAHHHH
"Ramp Test" results...
This test really didn't suit me at all. I like long and steady efforts, and love to dig in on a climb. This progressive increase in demanded watts was horrible. Too short and abrupt. It was all over in 15 minutes... and only 3 or 4 of those required much effort. I suddenly could not continue and then felt sick.
FTP= 225 Max HR= 160
55 years old, 80kg and been riding forever... although stage 4 cancer takes its toll I suppose!
I should be happy (last test FTP= 199) but I thought it would have been higher. Max heart rate was lower than expected too.
Ah well, something to build on 🙂
15k walk today. Walked into Rhodes Old Town over the hill and looked round the ancient ruins at the acropolis, rather than getting the bus, then walked back along the coast.
Its about 24 degrees here so really nice, not too hot.
Nearly* half way. I'll probably take a break for xmas but I'm already thinking about cracking on with at least another 30 days in Jan to go with a booze free month. Have the annual 'are you dead yet' checkup at docs on Thursday, so be interesting to see how BP/Cholesterol compares to last year. Based on my efforts to reduce the European cheese mountain to a mole hill in 2024, I'm not expecting great things 😉
Another Yoga start to the day. Be good if I can keep that up. Run last night was hard, got through it but didn't feel like I'd had a day off.
*44 days is close to 50 right?
*44 days is close to 50 right?
Sorry mate not even 90% ?
Multi day update #1, with pictures.
day 33 (18 Oct) travelling to Dubrovnik for a 4 day long weekend, so mainly walking, a lot of walking.
day 34 did a turbo session at the resort in Dubrovnik 45 minutes indicated 21.5 km. Then walking round Dubrovnik old town in the afternoon, seeing the sights all told 3.45 km in 70 minutes, there was a break for food and snacks somewhere in this.
day 35 walked (6.5 km in 2.5 hours) round Dubrovnik Old town and then did the City Wall walk late afternoon to see the sunset from the city walls, amazing weather for mid Oct and great walk. Loved it.
multi day update #2, with some more pics.
day 36 travelling and walking through airports, walking, walking, walking.
day 37 pool swim 2.5 km in 49 minutes and 20 minute walk with for the dog later on.
day 38 nothing nada zip, ran out of time and energy to do anything. I had planned to do something, but life had other plans.
day 39 pool swim 3.02 km in 60 minutes, quick 20 minute walk with Wombat later.
day 40 pool swim 3 km in 60 minutes
day 41 turbo ride 63 minutes on the Wattbike, indicated 31.4 km
day 42 pool swim 3.3 km in 65 minutes and 2 km walk in 46 minutes.
day 43 pool swim 2.48 km (clearly tired and unable to count properly to get to 2.5km) in 49 minutes
day 44 (29 Oct) pool swim 2.6km in 51 minutes
Day 45: 35km of gravel.
@stanley - my FTP is apparently about 170. I look at Garmin and that tells me that I'm just into the "Fair" category - i.e. not even "Good". I'd be over the moon with 225. Thing is, in "real world riding" I'm not usually the person tiring at the end of a longer ride and that matters more to me than a number that seems to bear no relevance.
Cracking pic @ton - brings a smile to my old face.
Yesterday was the usual evening run with the club - now fully in dark mode as a result of the clock change. 10km in a light mizzle, but temps holding up at 11C feel a bit unseasonal.
A body weight session in my gym today to loosen up the legs and keep things ticking over.
@walowiz - off topic but my wife and I were looking to book a long weekend to Dubrovnik, and we love waking as well. Would you recommend it? Everyone who we know who has been tells us to just book it!
Swapped Zwift Run for a Turbo last night. Was just a different type of tired legs. "Fast Sprints" this morning as I have a busy day and need to get my exercise in early. Good job most of that busyness is sitting down 😉
Nice pics - FoD looks like that @jimmy but not for much longer I think.
Hmm that was surprisingly easy. A combination of disciplined pre/post run stretching, no booze in the week, actually following the programme this time and - probably - not starting a run after an hour of slogging up and down muddy hillsides with the dogs!
My initial weight loss (2 kg) has stopped dead. I've actually put a bit back on. I did the vanity thing of taking a photo at the start of the challenge of upper torso (beer belly casting its own shadow) and will do at end of each month. Don't worry I won't be sharing! This is only to give me some evidence (I hope) of some fat turning into less fat or a bit of muscle. I have my expectations set low tho 🙂
@Alex re Dubrovnik - yes. Just book it.
we went spur of the moment as all the stars aligned on all the various calendars and child school trip. Flew with BA and stayed here Sun gardens
total cost incl flights, accommodation, breakfast and transfers was £800 for 4 days.
weather mid Oct was 24 during the day and as you can see from my pics really sunny and bright.
Dubrovnik old town is amazing and the whole area is worth a visit. We’ll definitely be returning. Thoroughly recommend it.
Day whatever- lost count ages ago, but I've been doing press ups everyday as my constant exercise, and my left shoulder is killing me. I had surgery on my right shoulder 4 years ago, and I fear the other shoulder is heading the same way. I fear I may have to back off a tad.
Day #45 turbo session on the Wattbike using the Wattbike app for 60 minutes indicated 30 km at 175w.
feels like my real world ftp really is 175w - which feels low - but I’m not too sure on whether it is or not, will do a ramp test to see what ftp that comes out with.
@walowiz - thanks we're looking to go next Spring I think. That hotel looked great, shall see if we can get in there.
My "best" FTP was about 265 I think after spending about four months dedicated turbo training on the FTP builder and similar programmes. I was good at Zwift but I don't really remember it helping me much on the MTB. I had some goals on Zwift - sub 1hr on the alpe, being able to hang on to easier 'B' rides etc that didn't translate to the winch and plummet riding we have here.
It's probably 230-250 now depending on how much pain I'm prepared to ensure for 20 mins, but I feel better on the MTB. Probably as I've massively cut down on the turbo - as I just got so sick of it last winter - and rode outside in the slop instead
Day 45: lunchtime 5 k plus stretches and warm down.
New PB for me. The time is not at all impressive, but it’s my fastest on Strava in 13 years! I don’t normally run much and am not built for running, so I’m celebrating by falling asleep at my laptop.
A Peak classic with an old mate; We've been mates for 40 plus years. He's just about recovered from running the Dragon's Back race (the length of Wales and pretty much all of it's mountains) so have me a good run for my money. Now for a kip on the settee before yoga ?
Day 45 (apparently)
Did a one-hour intervals session on the Speyside Way. The weather is unseasonally mild, making my annual timetable to stop shaving seem a bit pessimistic.
Went for my monthly 1:1 stroll with my boss in the Pentlands. Supposedly tapering off for an attempt at running the Skyline on Saturday but that might be in doubt. Nevertheless, an easier few days feels welcome.
Day 46: Did my weekly early morning singletrack thrash. A bit slippy in the dust here at the moment. Felt fat on the ups but fast on the downs.
Well I jinxed that didn't I?
