Building myself back up
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Fark, Thursday already. How did that happen?
Tuesday: Legs. Still feeling the effects of the Forrest 21 but did nothing silly on the squats and got through ok. Finished with 15 kettle bell swings, goblet squats and crunches x 5.
Wednesday: Bad night’s sleep due to storm so wasn’t feeling the boot camp but got through it and the 7.5 km after that. Tough work but those are the times that will help me for the big gig in July.
Was supposed to have swimming that evening but another massive storm meant that I was sweeping water away from my front door to stop it coming in. Not pleasant, but a pretty good workout I suppose.
Thursday: Chest and biceps. Yeah this is pretty much always mint. When I’m not rushed this is the best day.
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I repeat myself. Thursday again! Damn.
So much slower half on the Saturday. Deliberately took it easy. Wasn’t feeling it but happy enough to get it done. What’s cool is how I can function no problem after these now. After my first half a few years back I was a little bitch and didn’t leave the sofa for a few days. Now, I have breakfast and get on with the day.
Going for 30km this Saturday. Never been near that distance so will be interesting. Particularly after the swim.
Anyway, top chest and biceps session today. All I can say is preworkout = the 💣
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So Saturday. Dropped the swimming this time to have a proper breakfast before the run. Perhaps could have waited a bit longer before the run but otherwise went ok. Not the nicest topic of conversation but getting that poo out of the system before the start is absolutely essential.
Anyway the run itself (34km) certainly involved a range of emotions. It’s like you get a second wind every milestone (10km, 15, 20km) then hit a rough patch until the next milestone. This was completely uncharted territory for me and what was weird was how the legs went almost completely stiff after about 26-27 km. That’s where I fooked up in terms of having enough gels and shit like that on me. I only had one gel and a small bag of skittles and had nothing from about 25km onwards. Stoopid. You live and learn I guess and there will be plenty of that stuff available during the actual marathon.
But, yeah, was tough but reckon I could have made the full 42, so pretty confident about the main event now. Legs were stiff as hell and stairs were agony but I’m feeling ok now. I’m actually looking forward to it and I’m amazed how the body has adapted so well. I talked about burning my running shoes after all this but I think the long Saturday morning run may remain a staple.
Obviously stayed away from legs today but had a good shoulder session. Pool session tonight will be just what the body ordered.
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@rancid-schnitzel that prep should make for a really solid marathon! ha ha I think it's genius to plan out when you'll need to drop off the kids, would suck to get that feeling late in the run! Hadn't realised how much energy you might need later in the run, I figured hydration was the biggest thing. Do the gels and things help prevent cramping?
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@paekakboyz said in Building myself back up:
@rancid-schnitzel that prep should make for a really solid marathon! ha ha I think it's genius to plan out when you'll need to drop off the kids, would suck to get that feeling late in the run! Hadn't realised how much energy you might need later in the run, I figured hydration was the biggest thing. Do the gels and things help prevent cramping?
Drop off the kids 🤣. Yeah it would absolutely suck. It’s hard enough to hold in for 4 plus hours, let alone while running. As I said, a highly unpleasant topic but extremely important.
They’re supposed to I think. At least mentally I felt they helped. Particularly the skittles for some reason. I was most worried about my lower back and calves but they were fine. It was the quads and hammies that turned to concrete. I think I also need to have another banana before the run and maybe some kind of potassium replacement during. But, in terms of hydration I really didn’t get proper thirsty until after the 30km mark. Before that I was just having the odd sip from bubblers I passed.
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@mn5 said in Building myself back up:
You make everyone else on this forum look like a fat, slovenly lazy piece of shit. Great work !
Then my work here is done!
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@rancid-schnitzel said in Building myself back up:
@paekakboyz said in Building myself back up:
@rancid-schnitzel that prep should make for a really solid marathon! ha ha I think it's genius to plan out when you'll need to drop off the kids, would suck to get that feeling late in the run! Hadn't realised how much energy you might need later in the run, I figured hydration was the biggest thing. Do the gels and things help prevent cramping?
Drop off the kids 🤣. Yeah it would absolutely suck. It’s hard enough to hold in for 4 plus hours, let alone while running. As I said, a highly unpleasant topic but extremely important.
They’re supposed to I think. At least mentally I felt they helped. Particularly the skittles for some reason. I was most worried about my lower back and calves but they were fine. It was the quads and hammies that turned to concrete. I think I also need to have another banana before the run and maybe some kind of potassium replacement during. But, in terms of hydration I really didn’t get proper thirsty until after the 30km mark. Before that I was just having the odd sip from bubblers I passed.
All I could think of was - wow, it's great that Todd is giving back by providing bubbling service to passers by
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@paekakboyz said in Building myself back up:
@rancid-schnitzel said in Building myself back up:
@paekakboyz said in Building myself back up:
@rancid-schnitzel that prep should make for a really solid marathon! ha ha I think it's genius to plan out when you'll need to drop off the kids, would suck to get that feeling late in the run! Hadn't realised how much energy you might need later in the run, I figured hydration was the biggest thing. Do the gels and things help prevent cramping?
Drop off the kids 🤣. Yeah it would absolutely suck. It’s hard enough to hold in for 4 plus hours, let alone while running. As I said, a highly unpleasant topic but extremely important.
They’re supposed to I think. At least mentally I felt they helped. Particularly the skittles for some reason. I was most worried about my lower back and calves but they were fine. It was the quads and hammies that turned to concrete. I think I also need to have another banana before the run and maybe some kind of potassium replacement during. But, in terms of hydration I really didn’t get proper thirsty until after the 30km mark. Before that I was just having the odd sip from bubblers I passed.
All I could think of was - wow, it's great that Todd is giving back by providing bubbling service to passers by
When writing the post I was wondering whether I should change it to tap or something to avoid the connection with Todd the Retard, but I thought you’d be above that. Clearly I gave you far too much credit. I’m disappointed in you. 🤨
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@rancid-schnitzel given I'm an experienced marathoner (I've done exactly 1), I feel qualified to give advice...
You definitely want to get your water/powerade in way earlier. Constant the whole way is the way to go from the outset. You're pretty unlikely to get a stich given the pace you'll be running. Gels the same, early, slow feeding, you don't want to rely on smashing one when you're already cooked.
The other thing that I reckon causes cramps for weekend warriors like us, is that you're out there for a really long time doing the exact same motion. Your leg circle is really limited, and every step is the same (on a flat course anyway). Not much you can you about that unless you're prepared to run faster!
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@voodoo said in Building myself back up:
@rancid-schnitzel given I'm an experienced marathoner (I've done exactly 1), I feel qualified to give advice...
You definitely want to get your water/powerade in way earlier. Constant the whole way is the way to go from the outset. You're pretty unlikely to get a stich given the pace you'll be running. Gels the same, early, slow feeding, you don't want to rely on smashing one when you're already cooked.
The other thing that I reckon causes cramps for weekend warriors like us, is that you're out there for a really long time doing the exact same motion. Your leg circle is really limited, and every step is the same (on a flat course anyway). Not much you can you about that unless you're prepared to run faster!
Very much appreciated Mate! On reflection, it was pretty ridiculous of me to wait so long in between. When you start gagging for that stuff it’s generally too little too late.
Ill go the slow fleed this weekend.
Really appreciate the advice 👍
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@rancid-schnitzel said in Building myself back up:
@mariner4life said in Building myself back up:
I'll take running and laps over the hour on the bike trainer this morning. Although at least i watched ESPN.
I really struggle using stationary bikes or treadmills. Now that is boring!
I hear you. I do wonder though if there any good console gamed hooked up to a stationary mountain bike..that could be both tiring and fun and no muddy bike to clean afterwards...
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@nostrildamus said in Building myself back up:
@rancid-schnitzel said in Building myself back up:
@mariner4life said in Building myself back up:
I'll take running and laps over the hour on the bike trainer this morning. Although at least i watched ESPN.
I really struggle using stationary bikes or treadmills. Now that is boring!
I hear you. I do wonder though if there any good console gamed hooked up to a stationary mountain bike..that could be both tiring and fun and no muddy bike to clean afterwards...
There are lots I think. A Mate of mine does all kinds of interesting virtual rides. Think one was Tehran.
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Another pretty ridiculous week. Dad started chemo, GFs dad went to doc because he was a bit short of breath and ended up being admitted to hospital and will have a coronary bypass tomorrow (apparently would have been dead before the end of the year if he hadn’t), my eldest got some kind of parasite in his guts (thankfully not too serious), and my mother has a very painful fracture in her hip. Oh yeah, and GFs uncle is on his last legs. I’m having my 5 yearly doc visit on Tuesday and now I’m concerned. Absolutely ridiculous.
So was quite keen to have some exercise therapy this morning. Hitler was filling in this morning and delivered an interesting set of massive warmup and then sprints plus breathing challenges. That was 4x50 and you go 4 breaths on the first 50, then 3, 2, 1. Managed the 1 without much problem which was cool.
But obviously this wasn’t optimal prep for a 30km run. First 20 was pretty good but last 8 or so was murder. Had plenty of stash with me but no bananas beforehand and just a protein/carb shake. Turned me into a farking gimp. Better after shower but damn that was some serious pain. I will sleep well tonight I think!
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Hump day. I just discovered there’s an Instagram page for that. It’s...awesome.
Bootcamp today. One of Hitlers better ones. Smashed core to bits. Really going hard on abs at the moment. Lots of exercises I really didn’t know about. Used to just think it was all sit-ups. 8km after that.
Slight twinge in calves after legs yesterday. Going to have to watch that. Will freaking open a vein if I can’t run the marathon because I’ve injured myself at the gym.
Evening swimming sessions have been absolutely mint. Just hammering them. I generally much prefer morning training but for whatever reason my body likes evening swimming whereas I struggle in the mornings. Would actually happily do an evening session every day. Just the best way of getting the bullshit of the day out of your system and being low impact it’s also great after a morning weights session.
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Good week, punctuated by a Hitler session. No swimming tomorrow. Looking to have proper run prep. Bit busy so probably go 25km. Hoping to do that comfortably. Legs a bit iffy but feeling better today. It’s strange how much I actually look forward to the run. Never thought that would happen.
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25km run on Saturday. Not very comfortable and a bit demoralising actually. First 10 was ok but was a struggle after that. Hammies just not functioning. Ironically felt ok rest of the day and day after. Hopefully I’m just a bit fatigued. Just one more of these next week then the taper begins.
Just to put things into perspective, my swimming coach (who was also on Aus team at junior triathlon world championships) just ran a cross country half-marathon in 1:32 after a year recovering from a heart condition. Fark
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Farking pool has problems with the heater and filter so no low impact water stuff for me this week. Pissed off because the body kinds of needs it, but what can you do. Problem is that it’s basically impossible to replicate swimming training. Did some core work, intervals, slow jogging on Monday night then did an extra 4km on the run this morning to cover lack of training tonight. Actually was a decent session this morning. Boot camp then 12km jog. Felt pretty good and could have easily gone another 10. Tested a new VPA gel. Was easily the best I’ve had so far. Except for the name of the flavour. “Birthday Cake”? Wtf? Who even wants to imagine eating a birthday cake in the middle of a run?
Probably put a massive hex on myself now but what I’m finding really amazing is that I legit haven’t been sick for well over 2 years. Everyone else in the family has come down with something but I’ve sailed through. I don’t say that to brag but to note that I must be doing something right and that the exercise/diet combo is highly effective. And you can’t forget the huge benefits it has had for my mental health. I should write a book or something😜.
Can’t compare myself to him, but I recall Bartman saying something similar when he was in top nick.
Will probably get Covid now.....
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Fark a week!
Run on Saturday was absolute murder. Legs felt terrible. Still cracked out 25km but it was hard. Leg training is also a joke. Definitely time to rest and taper I think. This week I’m just going to stick to boot camp and swimming and will do maybe 10-15km on Saturday.
Lucky to be swimming actually because the pool heater failed. Thankfully club transferred lessons to another pool. But it’s a 50m pool and fark that makes a difference. In a 25m pool you’re pushing off from both ends so maybe you have 20m to swim until you can push off again. Obviously with a 50m pool it’s more than double that. Didn’t help that the coach (not Hitler although I think he should be dubbed Hitler instead) decided to fück me up. I did mention to him that I was 42 years old but he just gave me a grin. Asshole lucky bastard young 21 year old.
So hopefully legs get better before the big day. Have racing number and everything now. 🙏 for no injuries until then.