Oh damn Cal, running like that with sciatica is rough. I have flare ups of it my self and you have my sympathy.
Good stuff on improving your 10k time despite your issues.
bully to you for all your running.
i still refuse unless im being paid or chased.
please tell me you’re still doing foam/ball rolling with all these tight spots you have!
Yeah, I know running isn’t most people’s first choice and is generally a poor idea if you are going for increased muscle mass or strength. But I happen to enjoy it. Fresh air, time to daydream, and a challenge. I’ve been at it for, hrm, 28 years I suppose (which is a frightening thought). My only caveat now is that I don’t do it too often, and I try to make as much of it as possible off-road, to save my joints.
I have a special super-hard practise tennis ball for my piriformis. Unfortunatley, as I’m no longer working, I’ve had to put the ART on hold, so the foam roller is my friend.
I have to confess to feeling a little bummed today. I guess it’s a few things - the course is done, so I’m left with the reality of being unemployed. I did go to the gym today but just couldn’t get into it. I messed about - did a few light squats and rack pulls to see if my back could handle them, and some shoulder presses, but ran out of steam. Then I made the mistake of weighing myself and was dismayed to see that my weight had gone back up to 10 stone 11 (151lbs). Given that I must have lost some weight last week, I hate to think what it had crept up to previously. I did go on one hell of a PMS food bender, so I know exactly why I’ve put on weight - I think the overeating thing also has to do with my current situation.
Obviously I need to slap myself around a bit and pull myself out of this mood - I’m just venting right now. It’ll pass.
the course sounds like it was really cool. glad to hear you did well in it.
bum shoulder bumpin. hot!
Cal, given all your knowledge, I have a feeling the unemployment will be a very temporary situation.
I did nothing yesterday. Nothing. I didn’t go out. Just sat at the computer playing Dragon Age. Oh and I watched some telly. That was it. Just didn’t feel like doing anything at all. I didn’t feel like training today either. I can’t seem to get back into the gym - my motivation has evaporated. I did go today, took the kettlebell (the small one) and did a bit:
Barbell Press:
1 x 10 x bar (warm-up)
1 x 10 x 25kg
20 KB swings
(rest)
1 x 8 x 30kg
20 KB swings
(rest)
1 x 6 x 30kg
20KB swings
(rest)
3 pull-ups (yeah, the extra weight doesn’t help here)
10 decline push-ups
20 KB swings
(rest)
2 pull-ups
10 decline push-ups
20 KB swings
(rest)
2 pull-ups
10 decline push-ups
20 KB swings
(rest)
3 rounds of:
5 squat rack pull-ups (this is where you use the bar as a rail and put your feet on the rack)
5 KB snatches, alternating arms
(rest)
And at that point I’d had enough, so I took my KB home, then went for a 3 mile run outdoors. I felt much happier doing that. I made it round in 32 minutes, but was pushing myself all the way. On the map software I use, I measured it as 3.18 miles, but that doesn’t really take into account the layout of the paths and trails since they’re not marked on the map and I have to guess where they are. It’s possible the distance is slightly more, perhaps. Either that or my stride is really, really short and though my legs and lungs are pumping, I’m not covering much ground.
I suppose I need to pay to go to the track so I can find out my real mile speed.
Either way I felt good when I got back. I feel a satisfaction from running that I’m not getting from the gym right now.
I’m not sure how to get my gym mojo back - with my shoulder and back issues, most of my favourite exercises are verboten and I really can’t get excited about rehab. If anyone has any suggestions I’d like to hear them.
Sorry you are down. The only thing I can think of is to keep doing the things that don’t hurt and what makes you happy. Running sounds like one of those things, and it beats watching tv all day…although we need some of those days too.
And it’s ok to feel bummed out. You’ve had a tough year. Maybe you just need a little time to chill out. As long as that time doesn’t pull you further down.
Do you keep a journal at all?
Hey Cal! I can’t agree more with MiM.
You could just be having one of those days, or one of those weeks…or months. The point is when you’re feeling down and unmotivated, you should really do the things that bring back some of that positive energy. And while for a lot of us hitting the gym and lifting gets us out of a funk, I’d be lying if I said that its the ONLY thing you can and should do.
I’ll confess that lately i’ve been a bit off-put by weight lifting. Not sure what it is, maybe I’m just a bit burnt out by it, or that it feels a bit monotonous right now. But i’m VERY much looking forward to starting a new regime that incorporates a different kind of lifting and more CARDIO (yeah, that’s right). I even took a spin class last night and was reminded how much I enjoyed a vigorous, heart pumping, lung busting session.
All this to say, that if running is what turns you on right now, then go for it. You know a lot about health and how to take care of your body, so you should know what your body needs to stay healthy while putting in less gym time. Especially since you know how to manipulate your diet and do some resistance work to keep the strength you’ve worked so hard for.
You’ll get your mojo back! I wouldn’t worry. Just enjoy the things that you make you happy - especially if its something that good for you like running (yeesh! you’re not smoking, drinking, binge eating or visiting local glory holes ffs!).
Well, now I’ve got a sore throat so perhaps I am coming down with something. Awesome. sigh
I had a day last week where I felt like I had a virus, but I got rid of it within 24 hours. But this is a proper scratchy sore throat, ugh. Just showed up not long after I’d been back from my run. Hrmmm.
Glory holes eh?
[quote]Cal Jones wrote:
Glory holes eh?[/quote]
Like booze, cigs and chocolate - everything in moderation…
Hrmmm is right - I forget who, but someone said they used to run a lot and would also get sick more frequently…interesting…
Well hopefully whatever it is it passes!
Yes, doing a lot of very long distance stuff will break down the immune system - however I generally run no more than twice a week and often it’s just the once. I think I’m just unlucky this time. I’ve not been properly sick in over two years. This throat is painful though - really hurts to swallow.
hey Cal - gargle with hot salted water. eat honey to sooth. take vitamins, especially C&D and rest plenty.
get better soon.
hey cal…sorry your feeling under the weather and what not 
its tuff being sick when you rarely are -- sending good healing vibes
Thanks guys. This is a proper cold - shivers, achey joints, throat (this is getting a little better now), snot fountain. Been a few years as I said. Sucks hard though.
I wonder if my motivation problem was my body sending out subconscious vibes to say “hey, I’m fighting something here, don’t even think about going to the gym.” ponders
Only started feeling sick yesterday afternoon, though.
sending get well thoughts ur way!
Thanks. I’d forgotten how fucking awful a cold can be. I’ve now graduated to coughing up khaki-coloured lumps. Hurrah.
Needless to say, my training is on hold. Again.
rest up Cal - funny when I have insomnia I can always count on you updating your log across “the pond”. There is no better remedy than rest. although if I could I would literally tear my head off. I’ve been sniffly all night due to spending hours not moving in a cold pool for my diving classes. If I come down with something for my vacation I will go sniper on their ass.
Cheers. Last night I slept pretty well (apart from coughing myself awake at 12.45am) but the previous night I went to bed at 9.30pm then work up at 2.30pm with a nose that was dripping like a tap. I ended up going on the computer until 5am and then going back to bed for a couple of hours. Insomnia’s a bitch, especially when it’s caused by sniffles.
get well soon!!