Building character

[ruckus]

after lurking here a couple of years i think it's time for me to get one of these things too..

i've been training on and off (mostly off, due to injury or sickness), and after a long pause i've had a hard time getting started again. i'm hoping to change this somehow, and writing things down could be a start.

my initial goal is to not die when i go to Thailand in the end of July for 2+ weeks of muay thai training. after that.. dunno.. everything?

it's been about a year since i trained muay thai. i'm signing up for the summer classes that start on June 1, we'll see if i'll have time/energy to take it up earlier.

my two main problems are that i have a really weak upper body (i managed 3 pushups taking the initial test for [0]) and i suck at running, so at the beginning i'll focus mostly on those (and on having regular sessions).

[0] http://hundredpushups.com/

[ruckus]

apart from bike commute (1h per day, mon-fri) this was my week:

7/5:
* 15 minutes of slow running, barefoot style. felt surprisingly good. i've always hated running but this was almost enjoyable.
* 2-3-2-2-3 pushups. not nice at all.

9/5:
* 20+ minutes of slow running, barefoot style. calves felt a bit sore, but not much. things are suspiciously easy.
* 3-4-2-3-4 pushups. struggling.

11/5:
* 20 minutes of slow running, barefoot style. realised i don't like running on asphalt, but not much choice around here. not feeling as cocky anymore, but i managed and i'm almost looking forward to next time.
* 4-5-4-4-5 pushups. really struggling. had to rest between the last few. looks like i'll be doing the same routine next week too.

[Konstantin]

Sounds like a potential for a lot of improvement - which is an exciting time. Could be an interesting log.

[baldy]

Cool to see another training log! Are you on the pushup table, might give some motivation if you know an extra rep will take you up a place in the table.
You need to promise to stop before you overtake my place though.

[ruckus]

14/5:
* 25 minute run, felt ok. shoulder started hurting after 2/3. too much bouncing? o0
* 2-3-2-2-3 pushups. still struggling with the form..

@baldy: once i feel i can do proper form pushups i'll start chasing you..

[ruckus]

15/5:
* top roped two routes and lead one after work. unsure about the grade, but i think around 5c. i really like being outside in the fresh air and being completely terrified at the same time.

[^toby^]

good work!

[ruckus]

17/5:
* 27 minutes barefoot running (3.72km). calves feel good now, not at all the same soreness after running on asphalt. either i'm making progress or body has given up. \o/
* 3-4-2-3-5 pushups. Note to self: pushups are a lot easier to do if you start in the up position than in the down position. it helped, but i still feel shaky. baby steps..
* couple of hours climbing out in the sun, did one 5a and one 5b (lead) and it wasn't terrifying. :/

right now it feels more important to stick to my schedule than how fast/far i run, but even that seems challanging. the plan was to run mon-wed-fri, but i got stuck in a meeting at work and didn't get home until i had to leave for the evenings social engagement. how do you combine full-time work with training and some form of social life? suggestions welcome.


also, thank you very much for the encouragement! if i had realized how much positive impact a training log would have, i would've started one years ago. <3


edit: added climbing

[ruckus]

18/5:
* two hours bouldering indoors, did most of the blues, failed on most of the reds. body felt weak, hopefully just due to bad sleep. fingers crossed..

[ruckus]

19/5:
* 5.63km run on 39:51, almost all asphalt. felt good apart from the fact that i now have blisters on both my big toes. :/
* 4-5-4-4-5 pushups. we're getting there, but i think i'll do the same numbers next week too. once more, with feeling..

[ruckus]

20/5:
* 1h badminton with dad. first time in many years.

21/5:
* barefoot run 7.27km/50:40. this is the longest i've ever run in my whole life. two popped blisters on my feet, but apart from that it felt quite ok.
* 2-3-2-2-7 pushups. we're getting there..

[ruckus]

23/5:
* 10,3km/01:18:06 barefoot run. blisters on six toes, the broken one on the right big toe hurt most of the time and got worse during the last km. i'll take it easier next time.
* 3-4-2-4-7 pushups

[ruckus]

24/5:
* 17km bike ride in the sun. more for fun than for training, but it felt good for my sore legs.

[ruckus]

25/5:
* 4.91km/35:28. body felt sore after last time. looking forward to two days of rest.
* 4-5-4-4-7 pushups. progress! \o/

[ruckus]

29/5:
* 5k run, 35:13. everything hurt :/
* 4-6-4-4-6 pushups.