I went along to a "friendly" fitness coach at the local university for some advise. I told him about the challenge and the sort of pounding we are likely to take. I told him I hate long distance running with a passion and with that in mind could he put together a training plan for me? Well he did but he did not listen to my passionate dislike of running.......or so I thought!!!!
Basically he has tuned into the need for core strength and stability, leg endurance and mental toughness. Core strength exercises involves doing various balancing acts on and with a big inflatable gym ball. The exercises look simple but are not!!! Anyway I am starting to cope with ball balancing and the whole core stability thing. Leg endurance is dealt with by doing squats and running, and more running.........and more running!!!! Mental toughness........well this is where he did actually listen to me regarding my passionate dislike for running!!! He figured that if running is the one thing that I hate most then it is the ideal exercise to toughen me up mentally........I guess there is some sort of logic there...not that I wanted to hear it!!!
What else is in my programme?
- Grip strengthening.....particularly important for me being one digit down since Christmas!!! Using squeezy rubber balls and a thing called a powerball (basically a ball with a gyroscope inside - the faster it spins, the harder it is to hold so you have to grip harder to hold it ).......yes Mac it does work but you have to get in the groove with the right wrist action!!!
- Skiing 3rd week of March.......( Don't worry Mac I won't try pushing that through the expenses!!)
- Already opting out of the mental toughness training i.e. running!!!! Instead I am playing cardio tennis twice a week and will be doing more and more cycling once the weather improves. Might even throw in some swimming and rebounding for variety....far less impact on ageing joints......that's my excuse and I am sticking to it!!!
I have been advised that the whole immersing yourself in icy water to help muscles recover post exercise is no longer the "in" thinking....thank God !!!!! A hot bath or shower followed by a glass of red wine apparently will do just as good. I would love to believe this so I'll give it a try until I've proved it wrong or anyone else can convince me otherwise!!!
(Paul ...I am sure you have an opinion on this being a fitness guru!!!)
Epilogue
Well here's to attempting to rediscover the missing six packs that have been mysteriously absent since the late eighties........Where did they go? They just seemed to quietly sneak out the back door when no one was looking........a cowardly act most foul!!!
Say good bye to man boobs, jelly tummies and love handles and a big HELLO to Six packs... Let's round them up, bring them home and firmly shut that back door!!!!!!.......gotta aim high....... onwards and upwards!!!!
PS: Any training tips that DON'T involve self denial, pain and serious self motivation gladly received.
Guy (Maps) Hayward
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