P90x - Bring it

In acceptance that I need a big break from Running, I've decided to use the time well. I've got a real wimpy looking (and feeling) body. I want to make a difference but like I've mentioned in previous posts, I find weight lifting just dead boring.

Enter P90x.

It's a 90 day program to build muscle and lose fat. It uses dumbells, pull up bar and chair only. I've done three workouts so far and it's tough, but motivation. I actually am enjoying it so far... fingers crossed.

Still keeping the cardio going with the bike riding as well.

Plodding along

It's been two weeks since my attempt at a short recovery run (that revealed my leg is not better). I actually thought yesterday that I might test the waters again. That idea died as soon as I was having a mess around outside with the kids and the ball. I could feel pain in the same spot after just a little bit of running about :-(

I've kept going with the bike and my quads are really feeling it. On Sunday I managed to do the 7.8km route both to my parents house and back from it. That's a new "day distance" best for me. I'm going to look to up my midweek bike rides to the 7/8 k mark now and over the next couple of weeks try an even longer route to my parents house.

I've done the odd bit with kettlebells, weights and stretching but have no motivation in doing so and never feel like I've had a good workout. I just give up after one set of each exercise. Need to improve there!

I ran... for a bit.... injured again

Well, after about 10 days with absolutely no pain (hop test fine etc), I bit the bullet and went for a short (<3km) run. My fitness was still pretty good considering all things and my leg felt good - no pain at all.

The next day, it hurt. It's not enough to make me hobble, but there is a tell-tale twinge in the same place as previous pain.

Frustrated and almost defeated.

Took the bike out the next day instead

The longest journey (well, for me.. so far)

I've had 3 rides this weekend. The usual 5 3/4 km on Saturday, then a ride to and from my parents house. The trip there, I took to a 7.77km route. It was pouring with rain, but it went pretty well to be honest. The return journey was less in distance (cut through the lakes) but MAN did my quads hurt like hell. I felt like I needed to give up with those thighs and my sore bum!

My legs are feeling pretty good, pretty strong and it's just a case of how long can I hold out without going out for a ran. It's so hard, it really is.

My Cycles...

Saturday
Sunday to Parents
Sunday from Parents

Very small light, Very long tunnel

Yesterday, I walked without limping. Ok, so it's not a big deal, but I'll take it. It's getting on towards two weeks now since I was last able to run and I've been limping badly (seemingly getting worse as well) ever since. I was at the point of needing to book in to see a Doctor which for anyone who knows me will affirm to that being a sign of desperation for me!

My hope is that I've had a 2nd bad case of shin splints rather than a stress fracture. This would obviously greatly reduce my recovery time!

I still have real doubts in my body. It might be a case of underdeveloped muscles or overtraining (both good reasons for shin splints), but equally, it might still be biomechanics or that my running is on concrete - both of which are difficult to change for me.

I will continue with a program of stretching and biking for now because running, although tempting, would be foolish at this point.

More Bike + Injury update

Two more runs out on the bike, using the same route as previous (the 5k route I used for running). I spent over an hour trying to set the gears up so they don't skip and jump so much. It was mostly successful and the rear derailleur works quite nice. The front derailleur clatters a bit and I'm still struggling to shift if properly.
I am gaining a bit of confidence and technique although going downhill over our potholed cycle lanes at speed sets the pulse racing still!
My bum hurt too much to make it to my parents and back today so I had to give it a rest.

My leg is absolutely no better :-(

My two cyles are:
Here and Here

2nd trip out on Bike.

I decided to ignore my bum pain and just get on with it. I picked my 5k running course as my route as I know the hills and where it's flat.

Things to fix / work out.

• When I have the rear gear set to say 4 (out of 6), the chain is on the third cog, so it's one out I believe. I've found a site that tells you how to adjust the rear dérailleur so I can have a go at that one myself
• The front gear really struggles to go from 2 down to 1. It doesn't engage most of the time so I am left stalled out on a hill with the chain rattling around.
• The chain has slipped of the front gear on both bike rides now (usually when I shift to 1st).
• Peddling is MUCH too easy when I am on even the slightest of down gradients. In most cases I end up in a freefall and the pedals do nothing. I've switched to the highest gear 3/6 but it makes no difference. So I freefall to the bottom of the hill. As I am getting to the bottom (ready for a steep climb), I can't pedal in anticipation for the hill because they just spin and I can't change to a lower gear for the climb because the derailleur won't work without me pedalling. I have to wait until I'm on the ascent and slowed right down before slogging away in a high gear to the top!
• My newly installed Cadence sensor stopped working half way round.

So all in all, the technology is hindering me from just going out to increase my fitness!

I'm still working out how to keep in a straight line but I guess it's just a matter of practice!

I'm up to 14.9km/h now :-) My Ride