- 1 training session with Markus, always hell.
- 1 run to the gym (7 miles) followed by a weights and abs workout.
- 1 just gym session.
- 1 British Military Fitness (see link) session.
- I think I'd like to swap the just gym session for playing squash or something similar so if anyone fancies a game let me know.
This is all having the desired effect, thankfully. My gut is slowly starting to recede, and I am definitely getting fitter and stronger. I attribute a lot of that to Markus. He pushes me much further than I ever would on my own, which is providing really quick results. This also translates to when I'm on my own as I have more confidence to try harder. I am becoming less self-concious at the gym now so I don't feel such a muppet lifting 20kg when the guy next to me is doing 50kg!
Also, following a really rough session with Markus a few weeks ago, I have seriously reduced my beer intake. That morning was a bit of a watershed moment really. We were doing interval training on the treadmill, which is scary enough on it's own (he was trying to see how high he could get my heart rate - at one point the treadmill was on maximum incline at about speed 16 - heart rate peaked at 179!!!). However, I'd done no exercise for 2 weeks, and had had at least a couple of beers on most days during that period. I very nearly passed out, did throw up, and thought I was gonna cry! Sat in the loo, hugging the toilet, I was coming up with excuses as to why I had to leave. I talked myself around (lots of "come on you pussy!") and finished the session, but was really embarrassed with myself. I realised at that moment there was no point playing at this - if I'm going to get fit then I need to rein in the beer, and exercise at least 3 times a week. Given my job title, Professional Beer Drinker, this has been a challenge. However, I have just cut out the cheeky beers - 1 or 2 at lunch time, 1 after work etc and swapped them for orange juice and lemonade. The serious beers, like Jamfest last week, will remain. This has a knockon effect as when I have a beer I don't feel like exercising which creates a vicious circle; now I am breaking that circle, and I feel great!
Some of you may have had a look around the Tough Mudder website, perhaps feeling inspired to join me on this epic quest? If you have you may have noticed the Moustache Man... This is his training video which I certainly find aspirational, although I am clearly a long way away from that! (see link) But in the hope that it will help I have decided on starting a little homage of my own...
