Raw speed and everything is raw!

Today I started my raw speed training phase. I spent all of last week getting ready. Last week's workout was mainly conditioning weights. Of course, more weights than running because of the weather. But I basically conditioned with a lot of high rep/high speed kind of weight training for the shoulders, upper arms and legs. So today I went in to the track at SDAT with some strength built in. However, I also went in with 5 whiskies and several unhealthy cocktail samosas as my energy source. Bad, bad, bad.

Todays workout started with a 10 minute warm up jog - the entire work out today was on spikes by the way. The main deliverable for today was 150m x 2 x 3 with full recovery between sets. No recovery between reps - just the time it takes to walk back the 150m. Shumit gave me company and ensured that I finished the workout.

I hit 150m on the first rep and was already winded. The second rep ended at 120m with several muscles screaming for a complete shutdown. After that first set, I made the mistake of chatting with my friend and that also hampered my recovery. The second set was similar. First rep good, second burnout at 120-130. By now a boy who was watching us joined in. He kept screwing up my rythm by running across me from his lane (far one) to the closest lane to the field.

Anyway after the second set I was all ready to throw in the towel. Shumit however ensured that that didnt happen and pushed me to finish my quota.

Thanks Shumit!

I managed to run the last two with a great deal of rest before I started the final set.

Came home, showered and took the family out to brunch. From the time we left the house my thighs have been screaming daggers. Never felt this whupped before. Fortunately today is a holiday and I can get some sleep.

Until next time.

Missed a workout this morning!

Wanted so much to run today. It was supposed to be Rolling sprints – 30m jog + 30m Sprint + 30m Jog + 30m sprint 4 mins repeat thrice.

Several factors contributed to the missed workout.

One – party last night. A friend of mine was celebrating her birthday last night and I had to go. I didn’t want to drink at all – but I had to drink – probably about 5 small whiskies. Came home and hit the sack at 0100 hrs. Not a good idea when you are trying to manage your weight.

Two – no car. My car had gone to pick up my parents from the airport so I was wheel-less.

Three – I am very frustrated with my work at the moment. I have a bunch of crazy political issues at my biggest client weighing me down.

So even though I woke up at 0500hrs this morning, I just didn’t go out. This after I thought I put in a pretty good day yesterday. Did almost everything according to plan. Except one task which has to turn around and bite me. Anyway hoping to undo some damage this morning.

In the meantime it looks like I will have to travel to see my grandfather who is on his deathbed. So I have a bunch of things going on right now.

Ah – the joys of rat-racing!

 

 

 

 

New Schedule for Speed

Got myself a new schedule for speed work this month (Actually November 1 - 30th). Im pretty excited about it.

Been weight training for the last several days focussing on shoulders and arms for the drive. My shoulders feel powerful and I feel like I am actually converting that strength into movement below my hips. My weight has reduced slightly - hovering around 73kg. My fat around my stomach seems to be the same though. While I feel my shoulders and chest somewhat bigger, there is definitely a layer protecting my stomach.

I got the new schedule from my trainer and put it into my calendar yesterday. The plan is to also eat exactly right for the next 4 - 5 weeks. Taking some advice from Josh Hillis! So I have this paper schedule on which Im going to mark off If I have eaten right or not. So lets see how it goes. Planning to cut back severely on alcohol. I think it might just work.

Until next time.

Another day without Running

So there it is. Another day without running.

This time I blame work. I had a crazy slew of emails yesterday that really threw me out of whack the whole day. Some guys just don’t know how to send emails. I ended up having to make several phone calls and return emails just to keep what is probably a minor situation into becoming a major one. Anyway today is another day and should be better. Ive noticed days usually get better after being really bad.

I know I now sound like one of those motivational emails that flies around.

I also however feel, my workout yesterday was far more strenuous than I realised. It really took a lot out of me. And considering the fact that I was coming in from a 2 week hiatus, it was a pretty comprehensive work out. I will probably just do a few stretches this morning and get set for a fast and furious  start tomorrow.

Until next time.

Resting to pick up speed!

I’ve got to write a book about ‘Rest’. Im doing so much of it that I must be really good at it.

 

My break from working out started two weeks ago when we headed out to Nagercoil for a holiday. Decided I would rest completely. Took my running shoes along and managed a short run around the place where I was staying. Got into Scot Christian College that is next to my host’s house and ran inside their campus. Not a great campus but the view around the horizon with the hills was fantastic. Then I played a game of the most awful tennis of my life. Fortunately the guys I was playing with were indulgent and excused several of my moves on court. By the end of the game however, I had picked up a little of the game. My old tennis muscles seemed to be there somewhere hidden.

 

That was two weeks ago. I came back got on a round of anti-biotics because of an ant bite that blew up my left arm like a balloon. For a while I enjoyed presenting my profile and saying “I’ll be back” like the Gubernator! But it got a little to irritating with the itching and all. So the last week was spent wallowing in self pity about how I was weak and drained by the powerful drugs.

 

Effectively killed two weeks of October. But I have been eating well. 5 boiled eggs and fruits for breakfast, brown rice for lunch and various types of proteins for dinner – roast chicken, panneer rolls, etc. Not much alcohol. Losing some weight.

 

Tried out my legs today with a one mile run and then 4 x 100yard fast strides. Felt good. Went into the gym and did some weight training for the arms and shoulders. Used very light weights and fast movements – about 25 to 30 reps each set. Barbell presses, dumbbell flyes and bicep curls. Finished up with a slow walk.

 

My shoulders are a little sore and I expect they will be very sore tomorrow. But I think I will be able to do atleast a 5 k tomorrow.

 

All of October and November will be speed work in preparation for December 7^th. Let’s see how it goes!

 

In the meantime, Josh Hillis continues to impress. Check out his latest article on lingerie and animal ears :-D

 

Until next time.