A thoroughly British Jubilee

Wow, what a fantastic Jubilee weekend! We have done everything that a decent British family should do; we have had BBQ's, garden parties, village races and family get togethers - and I have continued to train and (pretty much) stick to the diet!!!

So, I kicked Sunday off with my usual 5k route (must start finding some new routes soon!!) and smashed the time from Friday morning. Really enjoying my running at the moment, I hope this sticks.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/133506701

After my run it was family BBQ time; I only had a tiny helping of the potato salad, didn't have baps with my meat and only had the one beer.

Woke up this morning feeling really stiff for some reason. Not sure what was so different about yesterdays run or even it was a culmination of the week, but my legs were like lead! That said, I didn't stretch much before my run and didn't warm down at all so I've only myself to blame. All the same http://www.juneathon.com/ is keeping me focussed so did a weights workout instead of running. As I'm going for lean muscle rather than bulk (which is what I've always focussed my weights on in the past) I had a look for a decent workout. I found the below 12 minute cardio dumbell workout on men's fitness and it was great. I felt pretty much every muscle get used and I will definitely be adding this to my regular training routine.

http://www.mensfitness.co.uk/exercise/home_workouts/6079/12minute_total_body_workout_3.html

Finally, I wanted to say thanks to those of you that have read my blog or sent me messages of support so far. Week one has been completed and I have burned 2170 calories, lost 3.5 lbs and covered 28.8k by foot and bike. I've got a hell of a long way to go but it's been an enjoyable start....

Saints and Sinners

Well the last two days have been a real mix of good and bad. I have signed up to http://www.juneathon.com/ which looks like a great way to get me started - the plan is that you run (or do some other exercise) every day of June. I then blog about it and link in with their twitter. Two days in and I'm doing ok.....

Friday morning (June 1st) I got up at 0545 and went out for a run before work. I did a hilly 4.96k around the village and it was bloody hard work! I felt really sluggish for the first half of the run but I started the run within minutes of pulling myself out of bed. I certainly feel better running later in the day and my time reflected that :(

http://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/132758015

Friday night was not a good moment for my diet. I had arranged for a night out with some friends (all of whom run and tri so I got some great tips!). All week I've been telling myself I'd drink Gin and Slim or Vodka and Diet Lemonade but when it came to the crunch my will power buckled and I was on the Cider. Bad Ryan. I did however refuse the crisps at the bar and waited outside the kebab shop when the boys went in - huge calories succesfully avoided!!

Felt dreadful this morning but have got back on the diet - stayed away from the usual junk food hangover cure and instead filled up on water, fruit juice and fruit. No run today as I was playing cricket for the mighty Newton St Cyres. As per usual our batting performance let us down and we were skittled for 72. I was given out on an appalling LBW decision for a big fat 0. However, an awesome team performance in the field (including a catch for me) meant that we very nearly defended the score. Cullompton got there in the end but lost 8 wickets. Gutted as always to lose but felt good about an active couple of hours in the field and a really good team attitude.

BBQ tomorrow for my sister in law's birthday, I've volunteered for driving duties so can be alcohol free and will fit in a run at some point

Brrrrrrrr

Really pleased with myself today as I did my second run of the week last night, repeating the same 5k route from my first and shaved three minutes off the time.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/132081065

I'm realistic enough to know that there will be days when I run slower, but on this occasion I used my frustrations for giving up on some hills on the bike to push myself harder. I'm still getting a stitch within the first 1k and my legs feel like lead by 2.5k but hopefully that will get better in time! My mate uses compression skins on his legs and swears by them; anyone know which the best ones are?

When I got back I decided to try a DIY ice bath so filled the tub with cold water and got in.....Brrrrr. Once I'd finished giggling like a little girl I relaxed into it. The legs did not feel so bad this morning so maybe it worked?

Anyway, busy couple of days coming up with nights out and jubilee BBQ's and it'd be really easy to let this slip. I've really enjoyed the first couple of days though so I have every intention of keeping to my diet and training. Wish me luck!

Harder than I thought!

Well, as planned I went out on the bike Tuesday afternoon with my little boy in a rear child seat. I chose to do a big loop around the village I live in and managed to clock up 8.77km. IT WAS A LOT HARDER THAN I THOUGHT! It was very hot, I was riding a touring bike with gears that I haven't properly worked out and there are (as I have said before) a lot of hills to contend with. Oh, and to top it off my son weighs the same as a small elephant!! I stopped a couple of times for him and (I've promised to be honest) twice for me. There were two hills in particular that I just couldnt do in one go. I was pretty disappointed with myself for doing this; I need to learn to keep going. Perhaps it's in the mind? On both occasions I told myself I needed to pause before I'd even tried to attack the hill - bad Ryan. That said, it is really early days.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/131451803

On a brighter note the diet seems to be going well. My wife is trying to lose weight so we've been keeping each other on the right path so far. I did the weekly food shop today and our fridge has never been so packed; there is heaps of fresh fruit, vegetables, salad, yoghurt and lean meat. Plus the cupboards are now full of porridge oats, beans, cous cous and ryvita. Our "naughty cupboard" is practically empty and there isn't a scotch egg or bag of crisps in sight!

Finally, I've measured my chest and arms (hopefully they will get bigger) and middle/stomach (which will get smaller). So; biceps 14", Chest 43" and stomach 39" - I wonder how quickly these will change.....

The morning after...

So, yesterday was the first day of the new regime and I kicked it off with a 5km run. I am aching a bit this morning but I can move!

Where I live in Mid Devon the countryside is beautiful and the traffic is light so there are loads of routes to play with. However, there are also A LOT of hills. As a result I seem to have spent most of yesterday running uphill. Initially I was worried about my dodgy knee but quite quickly this was pushed out of my mind by the various aches and pains everywhere else around my body! I completed the route in 32 minutes, which is slow but means I can only get better ... right???

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/96942869

I've also started putting some thought into what I eat. I have always eaten big and enjoy my food. I don't have a particularly sweet tooth but will quite happily put away sandwiches, pasties, pies and scotch eggs. None of which are going to help me strip fat and get the abs I'm after! So it was shreddies for breakfast, scrambled egg and tomatoes for lunch and roast chicken and sweet potato frittata with green salad for dinner followed by fruit salad and meringue. I also had a banana and yoghurt when I got back from my run. I'm not obsessed with the calorie counting but do want to be sensible. Luckily, I'm not a fussy eater so happy to try new things so if anyone has any recipe ideas that will get me lean but not leave me hungry then please share away!!

Well, I'm on daddy-day-care duties today so have decided to take my (nearly) two year old son out on the bike for the afternoon. I'll hopefully be able to get a few miles in but won't be going for speed - I'd hate to fall off!!!

Here it goes!

Hello and welcome to my blog! I have decided to do this having been inspired by two close friends who have been competing in triathlons for a while now, one of whom has his very own blog www.marts2smooth.co.uk.

Up until a couple of years ago I was in pretty good shape; using the gym or running every day, playing a good standard of rugby and hitting level 14 on the beep test. Then in April 2009 I dislocated my knee in a Rugby match. I rushed my recovery and made things worse. My knee is still a bit shaky and my last game of Rugby was in September 2010. A busy career and young son has seen time fly by whilst my fitness levels have plummeted. I last used a gym over a year ago, I’ve lost weight and my muscle mass has decreased.

In one months time I turn 30 and have decided now is the time to act. I am going to get back to the levels of fitness I had a few years ago, and who knows, maybe exceed them. To do this I have set three goals:

1. Get a six pack
2. Compete in the 2013 Crediton Crunch (10k running race, usually in May)
3. Compete in the 2013 Bideford Triathlon (usually in July)

I have never run more than 4 or 5 miles in one go and have never competed in a triathlon. I don’t own a road bike. I swim like an old lady. Oh, and as the photo below shows; I am some considerable way off having a “men’s fitness” torso!!

This blog is going to be an honest and open account of my journey from slightly flabby and out of shape 29 year old into a toned, 30 year old triathlete – I hope you enjoy it!!