Today was session 3 of boxing. Today's session was 45 minutes and involved learning another punch and putting everything I've learnt into practice in three 2 minutes rounds of sparring.
6 minutes of sparring doesn't sound a lot, however it was really really tiring. By the end of the third round I was a wreck but it was great fun and I'm glad I tried it and even more impressed that I didn't get a black eye as Mrs L feared.
The rest of the week has involved a PT session on Sunday which incorporated a weights session on arms and shoulders and four 20 second full effort bursts on the rower with 10 seconds break between them. Yesterday was a swimming session.
Swimming, as this blog demonstrates, wont be my strong discipline in my triathlon, however its coming along nicely. Its coming along that nicely that yesterday I was so proud of myself for managing to get my arms, legs and breathing coordinated I promptly forgot to take my head out the water and tried breathing underwater. I can confirm that this is not possible and results in the swimmer drinking half the contents of the pool! It was not nice!!!
With these three activities this week my arms now ache, so I'm having a few days off from training before Christmas.
Moving forwards, I now have 5 challenges done, so I am halfway to the finish. In the new year Judo starts at a local club, and between then and now I'm starting to train for my Triathlon properly, updates soon...............
Wednesday 21 December 2011
Thursday 15 December 2011
Boxing part two - finally I get punched in the face and nose!
Tonight was part two of my boxing challenge, and we spent an hour training after work today.
We started off with a little recap of last weeks session, and surprisingly I remembered more then I thought I would. We then moved on to ducking and weaving and sparring, before finishing with a core circuit again. I had done okay during the session until, whilst we were sparring, the inevitable happened. I was hit in the face. Now I know its boxing, and that's one of the aims of boxing but I really didn't expect it to stun me quite so much. All of a sudden I went to pieces (metaphorically) and forgot every block I had been taught and became almost a windmill of defence, with arms just swinging around! I'm sure it didn't look as bad as it felt as it felt like a four year old trying to fight! By the end of the evening I had been hot in the eye, the nose (several times) and the head. On a positive note though, still no bruises!
At the end we done the core circuit. Now last week my stomach hurt for around 5 days, so lets see if its stopped hurting in time for Sunday when I have a PT session!
Photos were taken and (most) weren't staged. When you see the photos you will see the staged one or two! Thank you to the trainer, Steve, and Billy for doing my photos. There will hopefully be another session soon.
We started off with a little recap of last weeks session, and surprisingly I remembered more then I thought I would. We then moved on to ducking and weaving and sparring, before finishing with a core circuit again. I had done okay during the session until, whilst we were sparring, the inevitable happened. I was hit in the face. Now I know its boxing, and that's one of the aims of boxing but I really didn't expect it to stun me quite so much. All of a sudden I went to pieces (metaphorically) and forgot every block I had been taught and became almost a windmill of defence, with arms just swinging around! I'm sure it didn't look as bad as it felt as it felt like a four year old trying to fight! By the end of the evening I had been hot in the eye, the nose (several times) and the head. On a positive note though, still no bruises!
At the end we done the core circuit. Now last week my stomach hurt for around 5 days, so lets see if its stopped hurting in time for Sunday when I have a PT session!
Photos were taken and (most) weren't staged. When you see the photos you will see the staged one or two! Thank you to the trainer, Steve, and Billy for doing my photos. There will hopefully be another session soon.
Thursday 8 December 2011
Boxing part one.
My aim was to have 5 of my challenges done by Christmas. Due to the problems of getting some shooting arranged around my work and other commitments I decided to swap it, and some one in my office pointed out they could teach boxing. Today was 1 1/2 hours of boxing.
Those that know me will know that my coordination leaves a lot to be desired. When coordination was dished out I was still in the line for a coffee! Today's session started with coordination. It must have been quite amusing to see me shuffling across the floor, trying to master moving with out crossing my legs! We then covered jabs, blocks and done some sparing. I was only hit once by the trainer, but learnt to put a space between my face and gloves after being hit several times in the gloves that then bounced into my face!!! We then finished with some circuit work.
Next session booked for next Wednesday.
Those that know me will know that my coordination leaves a lot to be desired. When coordination was dished out I was still in the line for a coffee! Today's session started with coordination. It must have been quite amusing to see me shuffling across the floor, trying to master moving with out crossing my legs! We then covered jabs, blocks and done some sparing. I was only hit once by the trainer, but learnt to put a space between my face and gloves after being hit several times in the gloves that then bounced into my face!!! We then finished with some circuit work.
Next session booked for next Wednesday.
Thursday 1 December 2011
A months recovery and now for some planning
After my 1/2 marathon and the training surrounding that I decided to take a months rest from PT and gold challenge activities. This has now come to an end so what better way to get motivated again then to plan my next few activities. With 4 done I have 6 to go.
Boxing - with the limitations I have had with the shooting, I have decided to do boxing as a replacement. This is going to hopefully be done during December, prior to Christmas. Photos will be available!
Judo - Arrangements have been made, this is going to be done over a few evenings in January at a local club.
Triathlon - I have today booked on to the Arundel triathlon on the 3rd June 2012. Supporters will be more then welcome. Again, photos will be available!
Cycling - With the increase in training for the triathlon this section will be completed in my training.
This will leave just sailing and rowing to plan and complete. My aim is to finish this with the Triathlon in June. Here goes.......
Boxing - with the limitations I have had with the shooting, I have decided to do boxing as a replacement. This is going to hopefully be done during December, prior to Christmas. Photos will be available!
Judo - Arrangements have been made, this is going to be done over a few evenings in January at a local club.
Triathlon - I have today booked on to the Arundel triathlon on the 3rd June 2012. Supporters will be more then welcome. Again, photos will be available!
Cycling - With the increase in training for the triathlon this section will be completed in my training.
This will leave just sailing and rowing to plan and complete. My aim is to finish this with the Triathlon in June. Here goes.......
Monday 31 October 2011
Its the day after and I hurt!
I've had quite a chill day today after yesterday's antics. I'm still really happy with the time I got (2:43) which has been confirmed by the official race timings. The whole day was really enjoyable, and even though I hurt so much today I really want to do another one. I cant put into words the feeling as you go over the line after 13 miles, and people you had never even met before are applauding and encouraging you, as you then realise you've succeeded in something that you've had to work for and towards.
However, I am glad I booked today off work, as it took me and Mrs L (who also done yesterday) 10 minutes to hobble down the stairs this morning. The walk round town was just plain amusing!!!
Photos are on the slide show in the top right corner, and also down the side. Bring on the Judo!!!!
However, I am glad I booked today off work, as it took me and Mrs L (who also done yesterday) 10 minutes to hobble down the stairs this morning. The walk round town was just plain amusing!!!
Photos are on the slide show in the top right corner, and also down the side. Bring on the Judo!!!!
Sunday 30 October 2011
Challenge 4 done - half marathon
Half marathon section of the gold challenge is completed.
I wanted to finish in under 4 hours, and I would be happy with 3:20. So, I hear you ask, what time did you finish? 2 HOURS 43 MINUTES!!!!! I didn't realise that there were so many hills in Barns Green.
I'm more then happy with this time, and really enjoyed it, although I have learned some valuable lessons for next year, when I want to do it again.
1. Take some food with you or some energy bars/gels. I had no energy left at 9 miles. Some gels would have dealt with that.
2. Make sure that your Ipod headphones wont fall out your ears as you run. Very annoying
There was a very surreal moment, when I saw a sheep that had escaped from a field and was picked up like a handbag by the marshal, holding on to the back of its neck and back area. The sheep was bleating and was very funny!
The sea cadet t'shirt seamed to go down very well, with lots of support and I'm happy I chose it.
Next on the cards is judo. I ache, so I'll update with more info and photos tomorrow.
I wanted to finish in under 4 hours, and I would be happy with 3:20. So, I hear you ask, what time did you finish? 2 HOURS 43 MINUTES!!!!! I didn't realise that there were so many hills in Barns Green.
I'm more then happy with this time, and really enjoyed it, although I have learned some valuable lessons for next year, when I want to do it again.
1. Take some food with you or some energy bars/gels. I had no energy left at 9 miles. Some gels would have dealt with that.
2. Make sure that your Ipod headphones wont fall out your ears as you run. Very annoying
There was a very surreal moment, when I saw a sheep that had escaped from a field and was picked up like a handbag by the marshal, holding on to the back of its neck and back area. The sheep was bleating and was very funny!
The sea cadet t'shirt seamed to go down very well, with lots of support and I'm happy I chose it.
Next on the cards is judo. I ache, so I'll update with more info and photos tomorrow.
Saturday 29 October 2011
Nerves are starting to show!!
I am now less then 17 hours away from the start of the half marathon. I've packed my bag for tomorrow, unpacked it several times in a panic that I have forgotten something just to find I had everything in the first place. I'm also now starting to regret not training a little bit more for it!
After a long decision making process I have packed my Sea cadets T-shirt to wear instead of my running vest, still not confident enough to wear the running vest as it kind of says I'm a runner, which is a lie at the moment! Its 13 miles and I really want to get round the course in one piece in under 4 hours, but ideally under 3:20. We shall see.
With Mrs L also running tomorrow I have had to employ the services of another official photographer, luckily my mum's willing to do this role so there will be photos Monday.
You wouldn't believe how nervous I'm now getting, so going to chill for the evening. Think of me at 1100 tomorrow morning!
After a long decision making process I have packed my Sea cadets T-shirt to wear instead of my running vest, still not confident enough to wear the running vest as it kind of says I'm a runner, which is a lie at the moment! Its 13 miles and I really want to get round the course in one piece in under 4 hours, but ideally under 3:20. We shall see.
With Mrs L also running tomorrow I have had to employ the services of another official photographer, luckily my mum's willing to do this role so there will be photos Monday.
You wouldn't believe how nervous I'm now getting, so going to chill for the evening. Think of me at 1100 tomorrow morning!
Sunday 23 October 2011
Another week over, and less then 7 days to go until barns green
My plans for this week were thrown a bit of a low ball after a trip to the doctors found that I had pulled all the muscles in my upper arm on my left arm and, a muscle in my right shoulder. The advice was to ease off the training, once the pain had eased enough to move the arm around then to start slowly on weights and swimming again and build up gradually. This has obviously had a knock on effect on the training, with none happening until today.
Today's training was 1:1 PT session, and with less then a week 'till the half marathon it was an ideal time to concentrate on CV. After a brief "check up" on weight, body fat etc we started the CV circuit. In just under half an hour we done speed interval training on the treadmill, 1km in less the 3 1/2 minutes on the cross trainer, some bike work and finished with 4 circuits of interval training on a rower (20 second work, 10 second rest). This has shown me how far I have come along in the last 6 months, but at the same time I still have so much to work on before I do a triathlon.
With less then a week to go until barns green half marathon the nerves are starting properly.
Today's training was 1:1 PT session, and with less then a week 'till the half marathon it was an ideal time to concentrate on CV. After a brief "check up" on weight, body fat etc we started the CV circuit. In just under half an hour we done speed interval training on the treadmill, 1km in less the 3 1/2 minutes on the cross trainer, some bike work and finished with 4 circuits of interval training on a rower (20 second work, 10 second rest). This has shown me how far I have come along in the last 6 months, but at the same time I still have so much to work on before I do a triathlon.
With less then a week to go until barns green half marathon the nerves are starting properly.
Sunday 16 October 2011
some changes and updates and a wetsuit
You may have noticed a distinct lack of updates recently. This was mainly due to a shoulder injury where I think I overloaded my shoulder swimming and a cold (more of man flu, but I beat it!!!). My shoulder is almost better now (I can move it around with out a lot of pain) so its time to get my act back together.
Its now only 14 days until my half marathon, to say I'm getting nervous is a little understatement! I still haven't run 13 miles yet, and have kind of resounded myself to the fact that the day will be the first time I do it. There's so much to think of even before the "will I manage to get round in one piece?" question.
In an effort to try and keep my mind occupied I have planned this week with some activities, including a return to circuit training tomorrow and some swimming later in the week. This is all, of course, depending on my shoulder holding out, which I am sure it will if I'm just sensible.
After careful consideration, I have also decided that I am going to swap archery for Judo. I have a Judo club nearby that have said that they are happy to help me, so watch this space for judo updates (will probably be December I start this.) I did contemplate archery as well as judo, but none of the local archery clubs got back to me when they said they would. The judo club sounds fun.
I have also decided that I want to do a open water triathlon, as well as a pool based Triathlon, and am in the process of registering for the London triathlon in September 2012. I'm not going to be completely dumb and try a full triathlon, but the super sprint or sprint looks doable for me. I know that this wont go towards any points for the Gold Challenge triathlon section, but I need something to aim for, now my swimming coaching is starting to become more tri orientated. I mentioned this, along with the plans to start some open water swimming next year (too cold at the moment, I know I'm a wimp!) to my parents. I also have a birthday coming up and have been brought a wetsuit for my birthday by my mum and dad. Its not a new one, but its ideal for me. What better time to get one, then in the end of season sale!
This then led to the trying on of the wetsuit. I have never really worn a wetsuit, so took the instructions upstairs with the wetsuit and followed them. 2 minutes later Mrs L got the shout of "Hunny, I think I'm in trouble" She came in the room to find me stuck in this wetsuit. I had misread the instructions and tried to get both my arms into the wetsuit at the same time. My hands then had become stuck half way down the forearms and I couldn't move my arms either back out the wetsuit or out the arm holes. I looked like a creature from Dr Who. When she finished laughing at me, Mrs L helped me get one of my hands through the sleeve hole, which then made every thing so much easier! Lesson learnt, one arm at a time.
Its now only 14 days until my half marathon, to say I'm getting nervous is a little understatement! I still haven't run 13 miles yet, and have kind of resounded myself to the fact that the day will be the first time I do it. There's so much to think of even before the "will I manage to get round in one piece?" question.
In an effort to try and keep my mind occupied I have planned this week with some activities, including a return to circuit training tomorrow and some swimming later in the week. This is all, of course, depending on my shoulder holding out, which I am sure it will if I'm just sensible.
After careful consideration, I have also decided that I am going to swap archery for Judo. I have a Judo club nearby that have said that they are happy to help me, so watch this space for judo updates (will probably be December I start this.) I did contemplate archery as well as judo, but none of the local archery clubs got back to me when they said they would. The judo club sounds fun.
I have also decided that I want to do a open water triathlon, as well as a pool based Triathlon, and am in the process of registering for the London triathlon in September 2012. I'm not going to be completely dumb and try a full triathlon, but the super sprint or sprint looks doable for me. I know that this wont go towards any points for the Gold Challenge triathlon section, but I need something to aim for, now my swimming coaching is starting to become more tri orientated. I mentioned this, along with the plans to start some open water swimming next year (too cold at the moment, I know I'm a wimp!) to my parents. I also have a birthday coming up and have been brought a wetsuit for my birthday by my mum and dad. Its not a new one, but its ideal for me. What better time to get one, then in the end of season sale!
This then led to the trying on of the wetsuit. I have never really worn a wetsuit, so took the instructions upstairs with the wetsuit and followed them. 2 minutes later Mrs L got the shout of "Hunny, I think I'm in trouble" She came in the room to find me stuck in this wetsuit. I had misread the instructions and tried to get both my arms into the wetsuit at the same time. My hands then had become stuck half way down the forearms and I couldn't move my arms either back out the wetsuit or out the arm holes. I looked like a creature from Dr Who. When she finished laughing at me, Mrs L helped me get one of my hands through the sleeve hole, which then made every thing so much easier! Lesson learnt, one arm at a time.
Thursday 29 September 2011
Swimming takes an evil twist!
I've made the decision that although I can swim now, I'm going to continue with the swimming lessons to work on technique and ability and had my latest session last night.
Normally the pool is quite warm and nice, and is a pleasant wind down from a busy day in the office. However it would appear that who ever is in charge of the temperature gauge was not working last night. I got in the water and I'm sure I saw an ice cube float past it was that cold. This was such a surprise as its an indoor pool!!!! Now I can swim front crawl I am also starting to experience different swimming experiences. Last night I was introduced to two of these new experiences. The first was cramp in my foot whilst swimming, which was a bit of an eye opener, and the second was underwater swimming.
Now, I can hear you saying "But surely to swim front crawl you have to be underwater to a certain degree you fool" and I would agree with this comment, but last night I was again trying to swim along the bottom of the pool. This started with me dolphin style flipping in the water, trying to dive to the bottom of the pool. This didn't seam to work, but did get the attention of the pool guard! Once it had been established that I couldn't do this it was decided that maybe I needed something to aim for. So a hoop was placed on the bottom of the pool for me to try and swim through. After a brief discussion technical discussion with the instructor, and me trying to argue that if I had been swum up to the hoop, put it over my head and then stood up then I had swum through it, it was pointed out if I was standing up I could not be swimming and told to do it properly. Several attempts were made, and I was starting to get a little audience watching. In my head I was moving gracefully and athletically through the water, from the outside it looked like I was doing my best impression of a dolphin having a seizure.
I was not going to be beaten by a hoop, and started to suffer flash backs to the hopper war (see earlier blog entry) and made one last attempt to do this. I managed to get to the bottom of the pool, I swam across the bottom of the pool, I got my head through the hoop, I got my shoulders through the hoop and then had to stop as the hoop was stuck. Yes, the instructor had got a CHILD'S hoop out the cupboard. I'm over 6' tall and now had this light blue child's hoop stuck round my chest and shoulders. I'm glad the audience found this funny! After removing the hoop it was decided it was time to end the session.
On the way out I saw my PT trainer, now got a PT session booked Sunday. I'll keep you updated.
Normally the pool is quite warm and nice, and is a pleasant wind down from a busy day in the office. However it would appear that who ever is in charge of the temperature gauge was not working last night. I got in the water and I'm sure I saw an ice cube float past it was that cold. This was such a surprise as its an indoor pool!!!! Now I can swim front crawl I am also starting to experience different swimming experiences. Last night I was introduced to two of these new experiences. The first was cramp in my foot whilst swimming, which was a bit of an eye opener, and the second was underwater swimming.
Now, I can hear you saying "But surely to swim front crawl you have to be underwater to a certain degree you fool" and I would agree with this comment, but last night I was again trying to swim along the bottom of the pool. This started with me dolphin style flipping in the water, trying to dive to the bottom of the pool. This didn't seam to work, but did get the attention of the pool guard! Once it had been established that I couldn't do this it was decided that maybe I needed something to aim for. So a hoop was placed on the bottom of the pool for me to try and swim through. After a brief discussion technical discussion with the instructor, and me trying to argue that if I had been swum up to the hoop, put it over my head and then stood up then I had swum through it, it was pointed out if I was standing up I could not be swimming and told to do it properly. Several attempts were made, and I was starting to get a little audience watching. In my head I was moving gracefully and athletically through the water, from the outside it looked like I was doing my best impression of a dolphin having a seizure.
I was not going to be beaten by a hoop, and started to suffer flash backs to the hopper war (see earlier blog entry) and made one last attempt to do this. I managed to get to the bottom of the pool, I swam across the bottom of the pool, I got my head through the hoop, I got my shoulders through the hoop and then had to stop as the hoop was stuck. Yes, the instructor had got a CHILD'S hoop out the cupboard. I'm over 6' tall and now had this light blue child's hoop stuck round my chest and shoulders. I'm glad the audience found this funny! After removing the hoop it was decided it was time to end the session.
On the way out I saw my PT trainer, now got a PT session booked Sunday. I'll keep you updated.
Monday 19 September 2011
41 days to go and I still havent run 1/2 the distance I need to!
As the title has hinted, I have just realised that I now have only 41 days until the half marathon. Had I managed to follow my training plan then this would not be daunting at all, however I lost track of my training and have been concentrating on my swimming. Now not doing the half marathon is not an option, but I may have to adjust my aim from finishing within 3 hours to just finishing in one piece. This does however leave me with three pre-race options:
1. Continue with the level of training I am doing and just accept that I will get round in my own time and use it as a bench mark for next year.
2. Up my training NOW, forget about weights and swimming and just concentrate on running, risking a recurrence of the dreaded shin splints.
3. Stop running all together, negate the chance of an injury before the race and increase the chance of an injury during the race.
No brainer really, its got to be the first option. Just got to remember its not a race for me.
For those of you in or around Sussex if you fancy a morning out and laughing at/supporting me then feel free to email me and I'll pass you details of where Team Lawrence Gold Challenge (Mrs L and my parents) will be meeting that morning.
I'll keep you all updated on how things are going!!!
1. Continue with the level of training I am doing and just accept that I will get round in my own time and use it as a bench mark for next year.
2. Up my training NOW, forget about weights and swimming and just concentrate on running, risking a recurrence of the dreaded shin splints.
3. Stop running all together, negate the chance of an injury before the race and increase the chance of an injury during the race.
No brainer really, its got to be the first option. Just got to remember its not a race for me.
For those of you in or around Sussex if you fancy a morning out and laughing at/supporting me then feel free to email me and I'll pass you details of where Team Lawrence Gold Challenge (Mrs L and my parents) will be meeting that morning.
I'll keep you all updated on how things are going!!!
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