I decided to continue on with my training scedule today. Sprained foot be damned!
Today's program was:-
Warm up
15 minute jog
7 x knee press ups
7 x dorsal raises
7 x chair dips
7 x sit-ups
Cool down
The jog wasn't too bad. I had a rough spot about 7 minutes in. For the next 3 minutes I kept wondering how long I'd been jogging for and couldn't concentrate on anything else. However once my watch beeped the 5 minutes remaining signal I was fine.
2 hours after the run my foots not feeling too bad. It's a little stiff and sore, but it doesn't feel any worse than it was. I guess Ill see in the morning whether I've buggered it up more.
For the muscle development portion things a re progressing steadily. The press ups are stilla struggle for me, but I find that if I put some agression into them I'm ok. Agression doesn't come naturaly to me, so I see the press ups forever being a challenge.
I actually swapped the shair dips for a different exercise. I don't really have a chair or surface that's comfortable to use for this exercise. So after flipping through my "Official Army Fitness Guide" (Amazon link at bottom of post) I decided to the "Single-Arm Row." It says it's a good alternative to the pull up (which I can't do) if you don't have the right equipment. Also, instead of doing 7 reps, I did 21 reps for each arm with a 5kg weight.
Hopefully doing this will help me progress with my upper body exercises as I continue to struggle there.
Link for "The Official Army Fitness Guide" http://www.amazon.co.uk/Official-British-Army-Fitness-Guide/dp/085265118X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251493086&sr=8-1)
I've found it to be an invaluble guide in my fitness quest. Simple and easy to follow exercise instructions/guides with pictures. A fitness program for 3 different difficulty levels, info on nutrition, equipment, staying healty, clothing and motivation.
Friday 28 August 2009
Thursday 27 August 2009
The 1st Bump
Hit my first bump. I've sprained my left foot. Apparently the pain in my foot that I've had for a couple of weeks now was a sprain. Damn...
I'm hoping it won't take too long to clear up. I mean I've been running on it for over a week now, and cycling hasn't been a problem. I'm guessing it's not too serious. I just really don't want it to drag on, or become something worse.
I postponed todays run until tomorrow. I know it's not much, but I figured an extra day without too much strain would help a little.
I'm hoping it won't take too long to clear up. I mean I've been running on it for over a week now, and cycling hasn't been a problem. I'm guessing it's not too serious. I just really don't want it to drag on, or become something worse.
I postponed todays run until tomorrow. I know it's not much, but I figured an extra day without too much strain would help a little.
Sunday 23 August 2009
Lots of sweat. No tears...yet.
I had my third training session today.
Jog/walk for 20 mins (Jog 3/walk 1 x5)
2 sets of
5x Knee Press ups
5x Dorsal raises
5x Chair dips
5x Sit ups
The jog was mostly fine, although I found the last 8 minutes somewhat tough. I find myself doubting that I can do this. So for those last 8 minutes I just had to keep telling myself that I could, and that this is what I want.
The strength exercise side of things is where I have a long way to go. Dorsal raises are no problem. I think I could do them all day. Sit ups also aren't to bad, but press ups and chair dips are a real nightmare!!! I'm thinking I might throw in some weights work to supplement this program otherwise I'm going to seriously struggle to keep up the programs demands.
Planning on visiting my doctor soon to. I think I may have injured my foot prior to starting the program. It's not stopping me from running. However I am getting pains in my left foot, and I'd rather find out sooner rather than later whether it's going to be a problem or not.
Jog/walk for 20 mins (Jog 3/walk 1 x5)
2 sets of
5x Knee Press ups
5x Dorsal raises
5x Chair dips
5x Sit ups
The jog was mostly fine, although I found the last 8 minutes somewhat tough. I find myself doubting that I can do this. So for those last 8 minutes I just had to keep telling myself that I could, and that this is what I want.
The strength exercise side of things is where I have a long way to go. Dorsal raises are no problem. I think I could do them all day. Sit ups also aren't to bad, but press ups and chair dips are a real nightmare!!! I'm thinking I might throw in some weights work to supplement this program otherwise I'm going to seriously struggle to keep up the programs demands.
Planning on visiting my doctor soon to. I think I may have injured my foot prior to starting the program. It's not stopping me from running. However I am getting pains in my left foot, and I'd rather find out sooner rather than later whether it's going to be a problem or not.
Friday 21 August 2009
The beginning...
Three days ago I started training to join the Army.
Through this blog I shall share all the ups and downs of my stuggle to get fit, and what will hopefully be my successful attempt to join up.
I'm not the fittest person in the world, and heaven knows how many injuries and illnesses I've had. However I'm determind not to let this hold me back.
A strong desire to join the forces has burned within me longer than I can recall. No matter what career path I've started down, something's always called me back to Army.
The training plan I'm following is the online Armyfit one, which can be found at http://www.armyfit.mod.uk/. Here they give you a conditioning program which lasts 2 weeks. Then they move on to the main program which has three levels of difficulty, each lasting 12 weeks. Making 38 weeks (including the conditioning).
Each training day is followed by a rest day. Giving my body time to adapt and recover.
I'm no fan of running and my upperbody strength is beyond a joke. It really is going to be a challenge completing this.
I started on the 19th August. My days exercise consisted of a 20 minute jog (walk 2 jog 2) and a cool down. I have to say it was pretty tough. The weather was cooking me and I'm on the tail end of a cold. I finished it though so I was pleased.
Today I had interval running (also called shuttle running). A good warm up to start and then out into streets for some road time. I had to run fast for 30 seconds, followed by 2 minutes rest. Repeated 5 times.
As much as I dislike running, interval running is even more unpleasent. I find I'm ok for 20 bursts, but after that it's horrible. I'm not a fast runner. Even when I was at a really good physical fitness level running was never my thing. I kind of have one speed and plod along. I'm going to find my progression really interesting.
After the running I have a cool down, which today I followed by a stretch session. Due to various injuries over the years my hamstrings and lower back muscles are pretty tight. So I have some serious work to do.
Through this blog I shall share all the ups and downs of my stuggle to get fit, and what will hopefully be my successful attempt to join up.
I'm not the fittest person in the world, and heaven knows how many injuries and illnesses I've had. However I'm determind not to let this hold me back.
A strong desire to join the forces has burned within me longer than I can recall. No matter what career path I've started down, something's always called me back to Army.
The training plan I'm following is the online Armyfit one, which can be found at http://www.armyfit.mod.uk/. Here they give you a conditioning program which lasts 2 weeks. Then they move on to the main program which has three levels of difficulty, each lasting 12 weeks. Making 38 weeks (including the conditioning).
Each training day is followed by a rest day. Giving my body time to adapt and recover.
I'm no fan of running and my upperbody strength is beyond a joke. It really is going to be a challenge completing this.
I started on the 19th August. My days exercise consisted of a 20 minute jog (walk 2 jog 2) and a cool down. I have to say it was pretty tough. The weather was cooking me and I'm on the tail end of a cold. I finished it though so I was pleased.
Today I had interval running (also called shuttle running). A good warm up to start and then out into streets for some road time. I had to run fast for 30 seconds, followed by 2 minutes rest. Repeated 5 times.
As much as I dislike running, interval running is even more unpleasent. I find I'm ok for 20 bursts, but after that it's horrible. I'm not a fast runner. Even when I was at a really good physical fitness level running was never my thing. I kind of have one speed and plod along. I'm going to find my progression really interesting.
After the running I have a cool down, which today I followed by a stretch session. Due to various injuries over the years my hamstrings and lower back muscles are pretty tight. So I have some serious work to do.
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