Heart Rate Monitoring
The table below represents my heart rate data over the last few runs.
I mentioned in a previous post that while I capture this data I do little nothing with it. But with all the gadgetry and technology available it would be stupid not to have a look and see what it is telling me.
I might start logging this more regularly. The Avg Heart Rate is a bit all over the place (though seemingly lower than the top 3) but what I find interesting is the Max Heart Rate is coming down even though I am now running longer distances!
I’m thinking that on the runs where I walk as well that, when I resume running I may be subconsciously upping my speed to “make up for the walk”.
If anyone has any thoughts on this or can shed any light on my thinking that would be great!
| Heart Rate Progress | |||||
| Date | Distance | Avg | Max | Run | Run/Walk |
| 24/1/10 | 4.09 | 161 | 185 | Y | |
| 24/1/10 | 5.59 | 158 | 172 | Y | |
| 26/1/10 | 5.75 | 156 | 176 | Y | |
| 31/1/10 | 6.64 | 141 | 172 | Y | |
| 3/2/10 | 4.7 | 143 | 153 | Y | |
| 7/2/10 | 7.61 | 150 | 163 | Y | |
100 Push Ups – Week 3 Day 2 – Do Over
Filed under: 100 push ups, Challenges, Exercise, achievement
This is gonna be a quick post as my arms are 2 masses of jelly after doing Week 3 Day 2 again of the 100 Push Ups Challenge.
Basically the schedule is:
14, 18, 14, 14, 20 (min)
That’s exactly what I did so I am just happy I can move on to Week 3, Day 3.
Oh, if you have an iPhone there is app for the 100 Push Ups (as well as the 200 Sit ups ad I assume for e 200 Squats). A great little app, though I must contact Steve Speirs who developed these and see if they can have an edit button for repeats when you don’t get it first time. That function would be a very big help to me.
Having a nice breakfast this morning with the FBH and my broker was walking by and he mentioned that he had taken up the challenge as well. Very cool. Good to see I’m having a bit of influence with others.
Knowing Nick, he’ll achieve it first go. He’s a very dedicated and driven individual.
Tomorrow is a rest day for running and Push Ups but I think I’ll get up and do a 5k.
Have a great week everyone. 
HHW3 – Long Run (8km)
Filed under: Exercise, achievement, marathon, run, running
Today was the day to do the long run in Hal Higdon’s Marathon Training Program.
Based on my last post about struggling to get out and do this I can confidently say that today was:
Struggle (to get put of bed): 4/10
Bounding (to get out of bed): 6/10
So it was relatively easy to get going. Plus the FBH promised me a short macchiato when I got back! (I am easily pleased!)
I may be learning something too. I struggle to run s-l-o-w-l-y. So I find myself either running at around 5-odd mins/km or walking ‘cos I’m buggered. But in the last 3 runs (5k, 7k, and today’s 8k) rather than walk if I am feeling tired I just slow right down. This way I seemed to have learned to keep running the whole distance.
The next thing I did was ran around a park that I think is equivalent to about 1km. I have heard that running on the softer surface of grass is better for your knees and ankles (which makes sense as it has to be softer to some degree!) That helped break up the run a little and the only danger was from some friendly beagle who wanted to make my acquaintance!
I am also finding that the pace is relatively good. Today’s pace according to my Garmin was 6.26 mins/km. That is about the pace I want to train at so that seems to be working.
Another win is the lack of alcohol over the past 4 days. These little babies taste extremely nice but, being the sugar fix that they are, not good for weight control. And not good for my diabetes. It is quite amazing how the slump can hit after a beer.
The Spifire is an English Ale and pretty easy to drink. The Hoegaarden Grand Cru is my favourite. It is from Belgium but is not a Trappist (made by Trappist Monks) beer, but I think is an Abbey Beer. It is also a wheat beer which for me is interesting because I don’t normally like wheat beers! The last is the St Sebastiaan – Dark. Not a bad brew. I really only bought it for the container!
(Disclaimer: If alcohol is a problem for you please do not go and buy these beers. I take the view that most things in moderation, and some things not at all!)
Please don’t misread me, I do not drink a lot of alcohol but tend to have something at night, maybe a Drambuie or a Sambuca (Molinari!).
The FBH suggested that I cut it out for a while and I will admit that I think it is helping with the weight control and energy levels during the day.
Diet is also back on track with salads during the day at work and watching what I eat at night. (e.g. salads and not two bowls of home made pasta last thing!)
Hope you are all having a great weekend.
Ahem! Shameless Plug
Just a quickie.
I’ve been playing with the idea for a while about writing a blog about management and leadership. Just quick posts that may be useful, may be humorous around management and leadership.
It is here if you want to have a look. Posts are about 4 days apart. Feel free to comment (or ignore). More than happy to have a debate but let’s not take ourselves too seriously. The main aim is to try and help people in management roles with quick tips about what to do with staff.
It’s also from a staff perspective on what to do with their manager.
The tag line is “Faster Management in 6o Seconds”, meaning that each post should take no more than 60 seconds to read.
Anyway, enough of the plug. Have a look, or not!
HH – 6.5km run
Filed under: Challenges, achievement, iPhone, run, running
Today was supposed to be a 6.5km run according to the HH Marathon Training program.
Funny start to the day and how the mind works.
For some reason my alarm went off at 5:20am (I never set the alarm!) I knew I had to get up and get out but still struggled.
But, dutifully got up and got ready.
Garmin 305 battery had run down. Laptop had rundown but not all the way so I could find out how far I had to run today from Hal’s site – 4 miles (about 6.6 kms)
The whole time I was getting ready my mind was doing the “go back to bed, go back to beeed!” routine.
Got out the door, very reluctantly. Started walking while I untangled the headphones and set up the iPhone to record the workout.
Started to run. Ran a kilometer.
Thought: “Just run 3km and then you have to come back, that’s 6. That’ll do.”
Got to the 3km mark.
Thought: “May as well keep going now.”
And on an on until, lo and behold, 7km!
So, to all those like me who struggle sometimes to get going … don’t think about it. Just get up, get dressed and get out there! We’ll feel better afterward.
To those that do bound out of bed each morning … b@st@rds!!!! But I find you motivating and inspiring so keep it up … please.
I hope you got up ‘n’ out today, happy running!
HHW3 – 5km Run
Filed under: 100 push ups, Challenges, Exercise, achievement, run, running
Week 3 of the Hal Higdon Novice Marathon Training Program – 5km run.
Life is weird. I went to bed exhausted at 9:00pm. Work is a nightmare at the moment. I have been through change before but this … well, it can do your head in.
Then I woke up at 2:30am and listened to the radio till 5:30am. Didn’t think too much, just got up, got dressed headed out. Great morning, light cool breeze, cloudless and a great sunrise.
Wanted to turn around and get back into bed after about 300m. But, pushed on and even after little sleep I had a great run. 5km all the way, still a little fast, averaging 5.20/km but really pleased even though this is a relatively short run, good to get it done.
Now I need some sleep but I have a big day ahead dealing with that thing called “change”. Actually I’m okay with it, it’s bringing others along for the ride that is the hard part.
100 Push Up Challenge
Repeating Week 3 Day 2 tonight. We’ll see how we go.
Oh, I stopped by Steve Spiers site recently and looked over the people who had completed the challenge. Some interesting reading. I jumped on a couple of sites and I liked this one Dickie Armour. He has a good story and a great training diary. Simple and to the point. (well, I liked it!)
HH – Week 2 Long Run
Headed out for a long run yesterday to complete week 2 of the Hal Higdon Marathon training.
Never start running at 2:30pm when its 30+ degrees!
We had headed into the city for a coffee and some blogging with the C1. Very cosmopolitan. And we had a bbq at a friends place at 5:30 pm. So the timing was to catch up for a coffee for an hour or so, get the togs on and run home from Mt Lawley – about 12 – 13kms. The run called for 11.25km according to the training program.
Anyway, the heat got to me, as it might, and around 5.6 kms I wasn’t sure if continuing was a good idea. So, on the phone for the FBH to come get me.
Two lessons:
- Don’t run in the heat of the day!
- Carry water with you!
- (bonus) Stick to the plan and get up early to complete your exercise
Rest day today, let’s see if I can do that!!!
Have a great week!
100 Push Ups Progress
Today was Week 3, Day 1 of the 100 Push Ups Program
Up front I have to say that the last set was a struggle and I didn’t hit the 20 minimum required. So I get to do this day again on Tuesday. Woohoo! 
The first set (14) was no real problem and the second set (18) was okay though I did feel a little jelly come into the arms at the end.
The next set (14) went okay. Mentally knowing it was less than the 18 seemed to make it a better set.
Then the 4th set (14 again). This is what hit me. I stopped at the top of the 12th,13th and 14th to gather my thoughts and strength. Made it but you can tell how this made me feel for the 20 in the last set.
Instead of waiting just 60 seconds I waited probably 120. Just to give me time to gather my thoughts.
I made a big mistake.
Going into the set I rationalised. I rationalised that I could do 2 x 10 if the break between was short. So my body was ready for 10, not 20. I did 12. I then stood up, shook myself down and proceeded to get to the next 8 as quickly as I could. I managed 5, very quivery, shaky and not too convincing pushups. So I’m counting 17, but that isn’t 20. So, as I said, I get to do it all again, Tuesday.
For those who may be wondering, no I won’t be pausing when I do the 100 Push Ups live on March 31. That will be 100 genuine, straight push ups … or not. There is no compromise there.
So, after my ride yesterday and my push ups today, I still need to do the long run for the Hal Higdon Marathon training – 7 miles, or in Australian terms, 11.25km.
Bike Ride
Last night we went to the Australia v Pakistan cricket match.
We had to go after work (so didn’t see the whole game) and the Pakistani’s were 4 out (out of 10 for those not familiar with cricket) when we arrived. Fortunately they hung around for a bit so we got some of our money’s worth but the the final score made it a non-competitive match. The weather, on the other hand, was magnificent. My iPhone battery ran out completely so no pictures but think of a golden sunset with a full moon rising above the horizon with a zephyr of wind. Magnificent!
On Australia Day (last Tuesday) we agreed with friends to go for a bike ride this morning (Saturday). The plan was to head out at 8:30am and ride around the river. Stopping for coffee somewhere along the way.
We were still happily in bed sipping espresso and Sambuca (yes, I know how that sounds. Don’t judge me till you’ve tried it!) at 8:30 when we got the reminder call!
“No we won’t be going, we are too comfortable, how about tomorrow?”
“No, don’t worry, we’ll go ourselves” our friend replied, tersely. (she insists she wasn’t terse on the phone but we all agree we copped a serve from her! ) (Sheryl, if you read this, we all love you! )
We changed our minds and went. How could we refuse???
It was a great ride although the wind was pretty bad on the final leg. I also forget to start the Garmin 305 so the distances and figures are completely wrong, as is the map. So I manually calculated how we went.
According to Map my Run it was around 18.75km. We stopped a few times so it was a casual ride/workout. And it was pretty flat, so not a lot of excessive effort required. From the image below it was “out and back ride,” not a loop. So the way out we were “with” the wind, the way back we were “against” the wind.
The FBH and the friends have mountain bikes while I have a road racing bike. BIG difference. While I was riding slowly on the last leg I must have got at least 500m ahead of them at the end without trying.
Bike Ride, Perth
Biking is obviously different to running and the only thing that gets sore (pretty much) is your “tusch!” We’ll see how that is tomorrow. It’s okay, it’ll either be sore or not. (No deeper descriptions of how sore or where it is sore! )
Later to day I am up to Week 3, Day 1 of the 100 Push Ups Challenge and I feel pretty much up for it. But we’ll wait and see on the results. I am getting a bit of feedback about the “wall” so I will likely add some weights to my routines to strengthen my arms generally. And, although I am a hopeless swimmer, as it is a great activity for endurance and aerobic fitness, that may be added to the regime. However, when I say I am hopeless, I mean there is no hope of me ever taking that up as a sport!
P.S. One last thing on the cricket. Congrats to Tom Beaton and the Under 19 Australian Cricket side who just won the U19 World Cup against the U19 Pakistani side. I’ll kind of name drop and say that our Tom when to school with that Tom. We’ve been keenly watching their results since we knew. Great results guys, we’ll watch and see how many make it to the Australian side.
100 Push Up Progress
Filed under: 100 push ups, Challenges, Exercise, iPhone, run, running
It’s been a weird week. Work Monday. Holiday Tuesday. Daughter enrolls in Uni Wednesday.Son flies out to Army Thursday.
Gotta love change!
On Australia Day I headed out after 7pm when it was relatively cool to do another 6km run around the lakes area in my suburb. I can’t match Andrew for scenery on his runs in Auckland so the pictures aren’t that inspiring. It’s roads and houses folks! Asphalt!
But still, getting out is good and you do feel good afterward.
That was Tuesday. Didn’t run Wednesday or Thursday simply because of the heat. Last night when I left the office at 6pm it was 30c. Planning to run when I got home while the FBH organized delicious dinner was the plan. Only problem was that at 6:30pm it was 35C!!! What the???
So it was lamb chops and sausages on the barbie. More bbq’d figs and a fresh salad. (You MUST try bbq’d figs. Divine! Just let them simmer in olive oil for about 30 seconds.)
Ah, to the push ups, yes, almost forgot.
I was about to do my 5 sets last night when the cool little iPhone app told me it was a test day. How many could I do in one go?
From memory there are 3 categories:
- 10 – 15
- 15 – 25
- > 25
I really wasn’t sure how I’d go but I got to 20 pretty easily once I got into the groove of it all. Then at around 24, I got the feeling there wasn’t that many left and I pushed out 26.
Could I have done more? I think so, possibly another 2 or 3. But I was content with 26.
Today’s sets are 14, 18, 14, 14, 20 (80 total) I’ll do them tonight.
This morning is a 6km run while it’s “cool”. (it’s 4:38am and it’s 22C!)
Just as a name dropping exercise (all exercise is healthy 
) I am having breakfast with Justin Langer (famous Australian Test Cricketer) this morning. Justin and I go way back and it’ll be good to catch up. Well, actually it’s a corporate breakfast and I don’t really know Justin. Though we did work for the same company many years ago. Before he made it into the Australian side.
Here’s to the weekend where we have a couple of more bbq’s planned with friends, more runs and push ups. Have a great day everyone.
Push Ups :: Sit Ups- Today I did a total of 77 pushups thanks to the Hundred Pushups iPhone app. (Week 3, Day 1, Level 3) #100Pushups
- latest Push Up test: 26. is that good?
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