Health and fitness

I have been nursing a terrible cold the past few days. Today, despite much sleep it meant that I slept through a panto that was reasonably entertaining. I want to run, and would probably feel better for it. But, the truth is that I do not feel able to run. Or, rather, my spirit doesn't allow me. Or, more likely, I do not allow my spirit.

A 5k run

Yesterday I ran the 5k Park Run for Bridlington. Despite running it in 22 minutes, I was leading for all but the last mile, and still finished 15 seconds behind the winner. My pal admirably made it, and ran a 24 minute 5k too.

I think that my weight is as much to blame for my fitness as anything. Yesterday I ate eight fajitas (and nothing else) over the course of the day. Today I have eaten cereal, ham, two jacket potatoes with chicken, and I intend to make some mince (and possibly eat a roast.) I have avoided eating heavily in the evening, and that brought my weight down to 11 stone 4 pounds. Nothing amazing, but something substantial.

I remember the days when I ate quorn meat... I lost weight, and didn't taste terrible. But compared to butcher's meat, it was disgusting. No, that's not entirely fair. It was tasteless. And I can't quite equate that as a worthwhile price to pay for losing weight. Can I?

Looking at my 5k times makes me realise how fit I was. My splits are slower and slower and slower. For example, my 5k time this time last year was always 19 minutes, and dipped just below at one point, too.

Stretching has made a difference. There is, though, an ignorance about my training. I should, I think, start training in the gym again soon: perhaps even this week. I need to start again on my usual routines, but stretch a little more, too.

There is no goal, as you can read, other than to fit some fitness with some lifestyle.

Park Run

This weekend I have again managed to embark on some physical endeavour with little ill-effect, save a bruised thigh from an enthusiastic friend during football.

Thanks to the suggestion of a friend at work, I made it to the newly-founded park run in Sewerby (about 18 miles from me.) Normally I have been compelled to drive at least an hour to get to the nearest park run. This one, though, was much better distance-wise. I woke up at 7:00am, and then again properly nearer 8am. I set off with water and an orange at 8:15 or so and arrived just after 8:50.

On the watch was 25 minutes. While I remember my first park runs were all under 20 minutes, this is down to a very fast start rather than keeping strong the entire way. We managed to get 25 minutes, or thereabouts, and not keel over in the process. Like with all such things, I think running regularly - to get a base of running and fitness - is more important than trying to run my fastest right now. Like my pal said, you have to know how much further you can push yourself, and be reasonably comfortable with that, before you do.

I also managed to climb a little yesterday, too. It was suitably terrifying. I did, though, twice manage to get to the top of some very high walls. My friend and his partner were encouraging of my efforts, although she was massively more confident than me. Again, for me it seemed it was about knowing how far you can push yourself than simply a lack of strength. There is a necessary wisdom in that.