Posts tagged as:

attitude

Day 83b - Attitude Readjustment (aka GMST)

by Bill Wallace on June 29, 2008

I know this morning’s post was a bit of a whinge. I think I had one of those moments where I saw myself slipping back into old habits and to be honest it scared me. I’ve lost 75% of what I plan to lose and I felt that, for no reason, I was slipping back into an old habit - just not bothering.

But, as I was writing, the exercises I had planned for the weekend were still possible. So, I grabbed my swimming gear and headed for the pool for my “planned” 500m swim.

550m later (50m added for penance and being a whinger!) I headed home feeling better that momentum had moved away from “back sliding”.

I then decided on 25 sit ups (not push ups) before also deciding to do a 10km run in the afternoon.

The FBH and I headed off into town to do some shopping for CN2’s 18th birthday and then we’d go to South Perth foreshore where FBH would sip tea while I ground out the 10km.

Making Small Progress

The last time I did this route I walked for 3 minutes then ran for 3 minutes alternating between the two for the whole run.

That was a few weeks ago so this time I started with a 2km jog, walk a couple of hundred meters and then jog until then next km was reached and so on.

My time came down around 8 minutes from:

  • 61m 17 secs to
  • 52m 53 secs.

I know that sounds pretty good but the route is pretty flat. No hills or inclines to speak of. All I had to do was put one foot in front of the other.

So I was pleased with the result and pleased my attitude had been given a swift kick in the a$$. (oh, the GMST stands for “Getting My S&^@ Together!”)

On Another Note …

My Adidas shoes that I have had for a while, with orthotics in them, are beginning to hurt a bit so hopefully by Friday I’ll be picking up my new Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8’s.

I mention that because:

  1. I’m excited - I like new shiny things :)
  2. I am finding that my aerobic level is getting a lot better but the pain in my feet cause me to stop jogging for a while just for a rest.

Hopefully, with the new shoes the running will get better as well.

In the end my Exercise Summary looks okay:

  • Swim: 550m
  • Run: 10.03km
  • Run Time: 52:53
  • Sit Ups: 1 x 25
  • 100 Push Up Challenge Exhaustion Test: 26

What I am Learning

And what I really am learning is the benefit of making small steps ever day.

Just a few weeks ago …

  • I wouldn’t have been able to run 10km in under 55 mins.
  • I wouldn’t have been able to push out around 70 push ups except for Steve’s program.
  • I wouldn’t have lost the weight that I have.

Everything has been one day at a time.

I am looking forward to the day when I can say I’ve been exercising regularly for a year as Joe Thorne has done.

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Day 70b - Another 5km and New PB

by Bill Wallace on June 16, 2008

Summary: 5km run in 23:56; MTD 48:49km (Target: 100km)

Life has definitely changed. There was a time, just a couple of months ago when I would crawl out of work, jump in the car and get home as fast as I could and have a nap. Yes, a nap. Sad but true. I didn’t sleep at night, I was tired all the time and the thought that exercising (i.e. expending energy) would go some way to addressing my lack of energy problems just didn’t make sense - but in the back of my mind I knew it actually did.

Fast forward two months and I find myself at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Work was good today. Busy! Very busy! I had a few challenges (challenges in HR never end) and I had a few issues that walked in the door - just when I wanted to have a “closed door” day. There are times when I really do need to hide away to get things done. Might work from home tomorrow morning.

But I digress, like I normally do.

At the end of a busy day I was looking forward to exerting myself with another run. I know you can over do it but I figure while I have the energy and mental capacity to get myself out there, I should take advantage of it.

I got home and had the temptation to sit down with a nice wine and chat to the FBH. It was cold outside, warm inside and my 3 favourite girls were home (FBH, CN1 and Sasha the German Shepherd).

But no, I resisted the temptation, got the shorts and shoes on and headed out for a 5km run.

And I said all that to day this: the 5kms was my quickest yet - 23:56!

Having the new footpod and ipod telling me how far I’ve been and how far to go is great as it keeps me focused on achieving the goal. It also means I have had two runs in a row where there was no walking. That is a paradigm shift for me because I always know I can slow down if I really want to. But these last two times I have focused on keeping up the pace.

Other Things I’m Learning

  • Run relaxed - I find I get more energy each time I remember to relax my arms and keep my head up.
  • Breathe properly - breathe in for 3 paces and breathe out for 3 paces (works for me)
  • Focus on what’s working - in most of my runs my feet hurt, or are discomforted. This makes me want to slow down and maybe walk but I am realising that, apart from my feet, the rest of me feels fine.
  • The Head Rules - this is the key thing for me. My body does what I tell it to, not the other way round.

I may take a rest day tomorrow, but then again I have to have something to look forward to after work!

:)

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