For those of you wondering what I’ve been up to lately, I’ve just been really caught up in the many things happening in my life – kitchen renos, work, freelance, helping my grandfather move etc (thus the lack of updates) and at the same time, trying desperately to make time to ramp up my training routine in anticipation of the Toronto Tough Mudder event on Saturday August 18. Yes, I’m one of those crazies who signed the ‘Death Waiver’ as I signed myself up for the Tough Mudder obstacle course event. There’s no quitting now and the only option is to embrace the beast and train harder and smarter to be more prepared for what it may bring.
In mid July it kind of hit me that Tough Mudder was coming up in about a month and the fact that I really haven’t really been focusing as much on things like running/muscular endurance/grip strength in my training. I was hoping that by this point I’d feel stronger, leaner, faster, and just more prepared for this thing but I was left feeling otherwise. My life just got really busy and my diet and training suffered as a result so it’s kind of a wake up call to do better and work hard within my means.
My training still consisted of Strengthbox workouts, rollerblading, and short kettlebell workouts at home, so I don’t feel horribly unfit, but I do feel a need to train my weakness which is running ’cause I know there’s going to be a LOT of it in Tough Mudder.
Adding to the pressure and stress of the whole thing, there were moments where I really felt like a fatty, had fears about the course and my ability to finish or complete every obstacle. For a while it felt like I was just training out of fear and sometimes hate (especially with the running). I’m a very competitive person who doesn’t like doing things that I’m not the best at. The fear of failing is what drives me to improve and be a better athlete because the only person I want to impress is myself. Of course it helps to impress others too, but I’m not one to compare. To be able to train and succeed at the goals I set out for myself comes tremendous satisfaction.
As long as I make it out alive and complete the course to the best of my abilities, without quitting, I will be one ecstatic camper!!
Here’s a look at how my training has been looking. This past week was quite jam packed. I tried to incorporate more running, hill sprints, and swimming into my routine.
Monday August 6, 2012
Today was a Civic Holiday so I decided to get the most out of my day and get some extra workouts in. I did a total of 3 workouts today because i felt like it!
11am – 1pm – swimming at the outdoor pool
This was a perfect way to ease into the day. Very relaxing, easy on the joints, and good for the abs. I’m not the best swimmer yet but swimming has really grown on me.
7:00pm – Kettlebell workout
1min each x 3 sets
swings
circular cleans
front squats
presses
snatches
8:00pm – Hill sprints x10
To make progress and gains in your training, you must push yourself out of your comfort zone and get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Thank you Funk Roberts for the added push and inspiration! I was this close to going to the smaller hill within walking distance of my home until my friend Funk Roberts text’d me about a project then somehow motivated me to get into my car and drove (top down of course) to a bigger, steeper hill in the Riverdale area. That was one grueling workout but I’m so proud that I did it! Just me against the hill. I sprinted up the hill and walked down 10 times! It sounds a lot simpler on paper.
My legs were burning half way through the workout but I powered through til the end. Completing this workout felt AMAZING!! …and I was even happier that it was over!
Sunday August 5, 2012
11am – 12:30pm – swimming 1.5hr
Saturday August 4, 2012
5:30pm – 15 hill sprints
Sprinted in the park near my place. This went by pretty fast. Probably means the hill’s not steep/big enough, lol.
6:30pm – 30 mins rollerblading
Today was a scorcher, so I was really looking forward to swimming but the pool was so busy that they decided to close it for an hour 🙁 Instead I went rollerblading.
Friday August 3, 2012
12pm – 1pm – swimming 1hr
I didn’t feel like doing anything too intense so I fit in an afternoon swim before starting the day. It’s a lot easier on the joints than running. And for me, much more enjoyable.
Thursday August 2, 2012
1hr swimming
4.75km run along the boardwalk
10 hill sprints
Wednesday August 1, 2012
Back in action today!
8pm Kettlebell
16kg swings, cleans, jerks, figure 8’s, windmills, squats
9pm 5.08km run
This run was a bit longer than my last. I literally couldn’t stop sweating afterwards!
10pm – 8.9km rollerblade
Rollerblading is my meditation. This was my cool down from the run. Felt great, and didn’t even feel like 9km. I could just go on forever but it was getting late…
Mon – Tues
Rest days
Was busy with work and needed to take it easy on my ankle.
Sunday July 29, 2012
9:30pm – 4.27km run
Went for a night run. All was good until I ran on some uneven grass and twisted my ankle. I just stopped and shook it off then continued running another 1.5km after that.