Thursday 1st July
Two classes today, RPM and circuits. Enjoyed both. Nicole is becoming a very good, confident RPM instructor. Circuits was good and very sociable afterwards, Michelle threw in some new exercises to make it fun.
Friday 2nd July
At Lords' tomorrow so long run tonight. Roughly 2.5 hours on my feet. Some walking thrown in but mostly felt good.
Saturday 3rd July
Day off. Had a really good day at Lords', England v Australia in a ODI. Got there early and had a seat about 3 rows up from the boundary, so saw the the players practising at close range before the game. Funny old game, it looked like they would get a modest total but ended up getting 270-odd. Had a wander round at the lunch break, and it struck me how there is always a party atmosphere at Lords' - it's not quite the same at other grounds.
England didn't quite get up to their total but there was some merry hitting and some fantastic fast bowling from Shaun Tait. In any case, we won the series 3-2. Stayed for the presentation which proved a good move, as on the way out I bumped into Mike Atherton and had a quick chat. It was nice to finally shake hands and speak to him in person at last.
Stopped at a Wetherspoons on the way home, there is one just outside Baker Street tube station which is good to know. Went to my friend Claire Davis' birthday party when I got back, but I really was quite tired by then.
Sunday 4th July
Day off. Just didn't have the energy to do anything, and needed to get some stuff done at home.
Monday 5th July
Abs class after work and then a 5-mile run. Quite a few aches and pains on the run, obviously need to take better care of myself.
Tuesday 6th July
Track session, 8 * 300m. 6 laps to warm up (4 on my own, then joined Janine for a couple). 8 * 300m again might sound easy but because there were so few I think we all pushed ourselves harder than usual. Couple of laps to cool down then a quick shop in Tescos with Janine which is always fun.
Wednesday 7th July
Abs class, 5k on the treadmill and RPM.
Thursday 8th July
Interval session at the lake, 5 laps. A good session.
Friday 9th July
Walked to and from work.
Saturday 10th July
Made my debut at the park run. Got there late, with literally seconds to spare before the off. Found it a real struggle, especially on the first lap, but very impressed with the organisation. Just wish it wasn't so early - 9am start! Disappointed later with my time but at least it's something I can work on.
Body pump at the gym (new release) and another 5k on the treadmill. Out later with Paul and Jason from the gym, so forming a nice circle of friends.
Sunday 11th July
Struggled with long run today, ran to the gym, did an hour on the treadmill and ran back so still about 15 miles in total. Not bad after a night out. Was amazed when someone on facebook questioned my having chicken tikka massala for dinner! I still remember Anthony telling me to have whatever I like on the days I do my long run, and I stick by that. I had deserved it.
Monday 12th July
Abs class. Just that. My body was screaming at me for a rest. People were trying to drag me into Octathlon and other stuff but I was having none of it!
Tuesday 13th July
Track session. A nasty one tonight: a 500m rep, followed by about a minute's rest, then a 300m rep. Five sets of this, with four minutes between sets. I surprised myself by doing all of it, but was knackered by the end. So much so I could only manage one lap to cool down, having done about 5 to warm up. Shopping in Tescos with Janine and guilt-free pizza when I get home makes the rest of the evening enjoyable however.
Wednesday 14th July
Abs class, followe by three miles on the treadmill. A lot of lower back pain, had to stop and stretch after every mile.
Thursday 15th July
Interval session at the lake, same as last week. A good session but again, a lot of lower back pain. Had a good stretch after the second rep and was a lot better after that.
Friday 16th July
Walked to and from work.
Saturday 17th July
Too late up to go to the park run and in no mood to rush like I did last week. Ran to the gym, did body pump, then ran/walked home (had to stop at the bank in town).
Sunday 18th July
Good long run today. Drove to gym, did 7 miles on the treadmill, then another two hours outside so about 19-20 in total - the longest I've run so far this year. It's good to be back into proper marathon training again.
Monday 19th July
Abs class and four miles on the treadmill. Legs not feeling as bad as I thought they might.
Tuesday 20th July
Track session. Four laps to warm up with Dom, which seemed about my 10k pace! Another two with Lydia to be sociable which were a bit more sedate. The session was 5 sets of 2*400m with a minute between the reps. It didn't feel as bad as I thought it would, but I think my legs would only go so fast because they were tired. Invited to warm down with Dom again and was glad when Janine had a stitch in the second lap as it gave me an excuse to stop. I was knackered. I guess it's a sign of a good track session when you are so spent you can't do the cool down. Had a right laugh with Janine in Tescos, people were looking at us and obviously wondering what a fat old man like me is going with a 24-year old blonde stunner! I wish!
Wednesday 21st July
Body pump. Hadn't been on a Wednesday for weeks as it is always too crowded, even when I have booked. Not too bad tonight though, managed to get enough weights to do it all properly. Three miles on the treadmill afterwards - I wanted to do more, ie go for a longer run outside or do RPM but I really wanted to see Toy Story 3 at the cinema. I should have gone for that run, as when I arrived at the cinema the queue was all the way out into the car park! So came home instead :(
Thursday 22nd July
Just did RPM with Nicole tonight. Wanted to make an appearance at my writers' cafe, which was worthwhile as I got some useful feedback on my book.
Friday 23rd July
Walked to and from work.
Saturday 24th July
Ended up doing quite a lot today. Ran to the gym, did an extra mile and a half on the treadmill, then did body pump (Nicole covering for Ali). Then after coffee and a chat I got back on the treadmill and knocked out another 7 miles in an hour! My friend Anna even questioned my sanity! Then I had to run home again, so probably 14-15 miles of running plus body pump so not bad going. Some days I really don't to train, some days I can't seem to do enough. This was one of the latter so I cashed in while I could.
Sunday 25th July
Not up to a long run due to my exertions yesterday as well as going out last night. Managed about an hour's run in the afternoon, but a very slow steady plod.
A sad day for me personally as I visited Dad who was just out of hospital and he wasn't looking well at all. Fortunately a visit to my sister Amanda's house cheered me up, especially as Tanya (my niece) was there with Taylor, her little boy. And the dog (Bear) played with me.
Monday 26th July
Just abs class tonight. Really not in the mood to do any more.
Tuesday 27th July
Track session. 5 * 600m. Four laos to warm up, two to cool down. A very small group tonight. Mostly females so I wasn't complaining! A fairly tough but enjoyable session. Am struggling to do more than a couple of laps to cool down so I must be working hard at these sessions.
Wednesday 28th July
Body pump and RPM tonight, Emma teaching the latter. More calories burnt. Am convinced that even wicking t-shirts shrink, as one of my old vests is getting tight, whereas another that used to be tight, isn't. Interesting.
Thursday 29th July
Interval session at the lake. Only did 3 laps tonight as felt very tired.
Friday 30th July
Walked to and from work.
Saturday 31st July
Up early today so headed off to the Park Run. Nice to see my friends Claire and Martin there. Had a good run (at least, it felt good) and afterwards headed straight for the gym. Wasn't sure if I really wanted to do RPM as well as body pump, but Nicole was teaching so it became a no-brainer. Had a feeling the triple would sap my energy for running tomorrow - enjoying the cricket and athletics meant I wouldn't have much energy left at all.
