Ian's training - the story so far.........

26th January 2008. Having done little or no exercise (beyond the odd walk around a golf course) since the Autumn of last year, I realised that it was time for action on the fitness front.

27th January 2008. Joined Chartham Park Golf & Fitness Club in East Grinstead

29th January 2008. Initial assessment - Not Good.

Weight was 17st 4lbs, blood pressure a little on the high side, but at least my resting heart rate was a "normal" 72 bpm. The instructor put together an initial series of Cardio Vascular exercises to help me achieve my goal of losing 2st 7lbs and being fit enough to give these "French hills a bit of a pasting!".
The exercises comprised of running, rowing, cycling, cross trainer and "wave" machines. All in all about an hour's worth of CV workout for Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings.

30th January 2008. First workout - Not Good. Breathless on the running (didn't finish the 2.6kms I'd been set), and felt a severe twinge in my right calf. Thankfully this didn't stop me from completing the remainder of the workout which was OK once the initial feelings of nausea had subsided

1st February 2008. First spin class - Not Good. Struggled to keep up with Katie Melua, let alone the Techno stuff. Finished in a bit of a puddle, hot and frankly a bit concerned that I was ever going to make the grade for the trip.

5 weeks and 15 workouts later.........

Weight is down to 16st 7lbs, lower blood pressure and a resting heart rate of 64.

Have upped the CV workout and added about half an hour of weights, concentrating on legs and upper torso/arms. Total Calorie burn is around 950 - 1000 per workout.

Also this week.......fitted clipless pedals and got the Nike Altea's out of the box. What a difference!

Last Sunday I rode a 17 mile circuit from Lingfield, through Dormansland (including a fairly stiff climb of just over a mile) down to Cowden and back through Marsh Green in 1 hour 10 minutes. Average was 14.5 mph which isn't too shabby for my MTB.

Yesterday I rode a bike with lights for the first time since I was 16! - Left the house at 5.30am and rode the 11 miles into Crawley, where I did a presentation of the ride to my business networking group. Subsequently received donations / pledges of £1,285.
Took a full 4 minutes off my time on the ride back home....I wonder why!

Spinning class at 6.45am this morning went well, followed by 3000 metres on the rowing machine.....good prep for the ride planned for Sunday morning to Boxhill and back - some 50 or so miles......should be stopping at the top for a cup of tea / slice or two of fruitcake around 9 am if anyone else is in the area...(?)

Keep on spinning,

Ian