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  • 02-07-2014 5:19pm
    #1
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭


    When I start a new log I normally post an epic first post. Not this time.

    Since Feb - What happened? Are you still alive?

    I did a duathlon in Feb and I was in great shape for that time of year, my best season in tri lay ahead of me for sure. The week after saw the sh1t hit the fan for me. Lots of stress between work, college and life in general saw me on the scrap heap. School is out for the summer and I somehow got through my college course and although I thought I'd be able to get straight back into things in June - that didn't happen either.

    I don't mind admitting that the thoughts of having to start all over again, one stone heavier and seeing 20% BF on the scales for the first time in my life, scares the sh1t out of me.

    The beauty is though that every second of every day is a new opportunity to start again;

    "If you’re in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out, Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt." - unknown

    What Now?

    I got back training today and I am going to take one day at a time. The only goals that I have are:

    1) Exercise regularly
    2) Eat clean
    3) Drop the extra weight
    4) Try and race in Sept
    5) Improve my spelling ;)

    Longer term...

    Win a race (plenty to handpick from these days!)

    The ultimate goal...

    To be still very active, swim, bike and run preferably well into my 60's. I know a few of these guys and they are who I look up to. Hero's.

    The future begins today.

    Oh what the heck...here's a smiley face :)
    Tagged:


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    #2
    pgibbo
    Registered Users Posts: 4,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭pgibbo


    Welcome back my good man!!!! :cool:


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    #3
    Solobally8
    Registered Users Posts: 1,235 ✭✭✭Solobally8


    Woohoo delighted you're back. You know how much I have enjoyed your logs in the past.


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    #4
    Dory Dory
    Registered Users Posts: 6,888 ✭✭✭Dory Dory


    Yay!!!!! Smiley faces!!!! :):):) So, so, so, so glad you're back!!!! Whoop whoop whoop!!! (please note, this is the first time I have ever given a 3 whoop!) ;):D


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    #5
    ronanmac
    Registered Users Posts: 1,241 ✭✭✭ronanmac


    El D,
    Great to see you back here! Looking forward to following your adventure back. Best of luck with it!
    R


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    #6
    RacoonQueen
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 20,364 Mod ✭✭✭✭RacoonQueen


    Was wondering where you'd got to!


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    #7
    catweazle
    Registered Users Posts: 3,830 ✭✭✭catweazle


    Bull**** el d all lies - once you got down on bended knee that was it for you. Bet you typed that up in the toilet when she wasn't watching :D


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    #8
    griffin100
    Registered Users Posts: 4,766 ✭✭✭griffin100


    catweazle wrote: »
    Bull**** el d all lies - once you got down on bended knee that was it for you. Bet you typed that up in the toilet when she wasn't watching :D

    There speaks the bitter voice of experience :pac:

    Great to have you back ElD. I've always enjoyed reading your logs.


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    #9
    BTH
    Registered Users Posts: 3,075 Mod ✭✭✭✭BTH


    Good to have you back. We've missed you round these parts.


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    #10
    ray o
    Registered Users Posts: 701 ✭✭✭ray o


    Welcome back El D. The main thing is that you got through the stress and are ready to get back at it. It won't be the last roadblock so just get stuck in while you can.


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    #11
    couerdelion
    Registered Users Posts: 2,910 ✭✭✭couerdelion


    Great to see you back El D. Always enjoyed your logs and the honesty in them. I've done the work and late night studying and it does take it's toll but it's great to finish it and get through it all. You will appreciate the free time you have to train all the much more.


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    #12
    Fazz
    Registered Users Posts: 1,121 ✭✭✭Fazz


    Good to see you back sir.

    September race eh....

    There's some kinda gathering in Mallorca around that time a few of us are attempting - gives you till the end of Sept as well... :pac::P:D

    Onwards and upwards.


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    #13
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭El Director


    Thanks everybody. It feels like coming home :)

    It nice to hear that people like to read my ramblings! :)

    Today was a rest day so nothing to report. Already looking forward to an early morning run.


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    #14
    shotgunmcos
    Registered Users Posts: 8,208 ✭✭✭shotgunmcos


    Welcome back El D, good to have you around again :)


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    #15
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭El Director


    Okay, time for an update! There isn't much TBH A few spins here and there and a run or two, nothing worth mentioning. I thought I was ready to just jump back in but it does not work like that.

    Lately though, the last week or so I have felt the motivation and the fire in the belly again. I was really looking forward to training this week, alas it has not happened. On Sunday night I left the bedroom window open and my mouth open, I can only do one - not both! Got a throat infection/cold. Feeling a lot better today though so perhaps tomorrow I'll get in a spin.

    Next week I am holidaying but I hope to fit in some exercise of some sort. I have 2 stone put on since Feb so I needed to start "eating" into that ASAP ;)


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    #16
    kennyb3
    Registered Users Posts: 6,724 ✭✭✭kennyb3


    Hi El_D,

    Good to see you back. Does it not concern you that your weight seems to spiral out of control when your not exercising 8+hours a week? Surely that's not right. You seem to be the Jan Ullrich of triathlon! I'd sort out the diet permanently (eating sustainably so that yo don't need to exercise to stay in shape) as a priority.


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    #17
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭El Director


    kennyb3 wrote: »
    Hi El_D,

    Good to see you back. Does it not concern you that your weight seems to spiral out of control when your not exercising 8+hours a week? Surely that's not right. You seem to be the Jan Ullrich of triathlon! I'd sort out the diet permanently (eating sustainably so that yo don't need to exercise to stay in shape) as a priority.


    Hey KB, great to hear from you dude!

    As usual a good insight and you are right of course. It's something I've always struggled with. I am very much like, training going well, diet going well and when I'm on top of it it's great! I mean in Feb I was 74.5kg and 9% BF, I HAD 3 months to train at that weight and body comp to get used of it but I blew up mentally tbh. Now, 88kg and 19% BF. I have that all or nothing personality I think and throw my toys out of the pram when things are not going well. A self sabotaging trait I have. I preach one thing but often practice the opposite. I bet there are people reading this that can relate.

    Anyway, I am taking steps in this regard and as you said I really need to get on top of this first. TBH the weight thing is really not the problem but more a symptom/effect of something else (cause). As corny as it sounds it's really all about loving thy self :) I'm glad to say I'm getting to grips with it and I've started yoga again and meditation/mindfulness. I believe this log will be as much about the mental side of things as the physical training.

    Thanks KB and again, great to hear from you again.


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    #18
    kennyb3
    Registered Users Posts: 6,724 ✭✭✭kennyb3


    Glad to hear it - I'm an all or nothing person too and was very much of the same mould. Then kids came along - couldn't train and realised 'hey i shouldn't need to train 8 hours a week just to stay the same shape - there is something wrong here'. Turns out I was eating too much crap - more so without realising it - the amount of sugar in simple things like half can of beans (13g fyi) is unreal.

    I prob eat more now, just less sugar or carbs that turn into sugar. I've mentioned it on a few diet threads on the main forum in recent weeks if you're interested. Don't want to be banging on though as not trying to convert others or anything like that. Just convinced people don't have a clue what they are actually eating.

    Also on the all or nothing side of it - it needs to be sustainable and a lifestyle. No point otherwise or it will be back to teh beginning.


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    #19
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭El Director


    TBH I knew what I was eating was crap and that's why I was doing it. I'm well versed in the low sugar/carb and high fat way of eating but in spite of that, being mindful of what I was doing, I still went ahead and did it, knowing it was not right. Not sure if you have heard of Prof. Steve Peters "Chimp Paradox" but I recommend checking it out. It makes complete sense to me and I really relate to it.


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    #20
    Solobally8
    Registered Users Posts: 1,235 ✭✭✭Solobally8


    El Director wrote: »
    Not sure if you have heard of Prof. Steve Peters "Chimp Paradox" but I recommend checking it out. It makes complete sense to me and I really relate to it.

    Looks good I must get a copy. Have you read "The Happiness Trap" ? Has helped me a lot.


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    #21
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭El Director


    Solobally8 wrote: »
    Looks good I must get a copy. Have you read "The Happiness Trap" ? Has helped me a lot.

    I actually got the audio book as Steve Peters himself actually narrates it. I have heard of that book alright but I have not read it but I will! I've always enjoyed reading for info and not pleasure (something I want to change actually!) and these days instead of swim, bike, run books I find myself wanting to know more about meditation, mindfulness, happiness, sports phycology etc... all very, very interesting!


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    #22
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭El Director


    Hi :)

    Okay, take 2. There were a few glitches/bugs in the new OS, not as bad Apple obvs but still!

    So get back into exercise has not been easy but slowly improving. I have only 2 targets right now:

    1. Drop 10kg in 10 weeks. So far so good, down from 93kg to 91kg
    2. Exercise everyday. Once I rattle off 14 days I may start to call it training again.


    Right now I am just trying to re establish my good habits.

    I must say reading the new structure of racing in Ireland yesterday has really excited me. I don't care if there is no NC for age groupers. NC are for the very best and so only those good enough and proven should be competing for it. This leaves the NS open for the next tier of athletes to fight for. Also, there is a huge aim now...try to become a Cat 1 athlete. Very good for my motivation.

    But one step at a time. I'm so far away from even racing yet.

    This week I have ran, biked, swam and yoga'd! Today I plan to run, Saturday swim and Sunday bike. These are very, very short in duration, I'm just trying to establish a habit of getting out there right now.


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    #23
    sconhome
    Registered Users Posts: 5,468 ✭✭✭sconhome


    Good to have you back.

    Need more smilies around here :)


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    #24
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭El Director


    okay, I'll try again to kick start my active life style.

    I'll go into more detail when I can. I'm at a disgraceful weight now and completely detrained. Also I have a broken hand and a bad knock to the head. The cast comes off on Friday so training will start Monday, turboing only for a week or two I suspect, then running and finally swimming.

    3 Goals for 2015, goal 2 and 3 depend on 1:

    1. Lose 15kg
    2. Do an middle distance event
    3. Do my first marathon

    It's kinda scary starting from rock bottom all over again but I have done it before, acquired and retained a lot of knowledge along the way and I still believe in myself despite the year that was 2014.

    Here is to a better, healthier 2015!:cool:


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    #25
    ray o
    Registered Users Posts: 701 ✭✭✭ray o


    Nice to see you back El D. I hope you keep the momentum through the coming year
    El Director wrote: »
    3. Do my first marathon

    This is on my list too. Have you picked one yet?


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    #26
    RacoonQueen
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 20,364 Mod ✭✭✭✭RacoonQueen


    Bet you still look skinny with your extra 15kg :)


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    #27
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭El Director


    ray o wrote: »
    Nice to see you back El D. I hope you keep the momentum through the coming year



    This is on my list too. Have you picked one yet?

    Not yet Ray. Going to pick one in the next two weeks. Not too keen on Dublin I must say. I'd like a flat one with decent weather and a chance to see somewhere new!


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    #28
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭El Director


    RacoonQueen wrote: »
    Bet you still look skinny with your extra 15kg :)

    I think you mean an extra 20.6kg!! I look grand I suppose, sick of everyone telling me how much better I look and that I used to look sick! Also sick of sweet f all of my clothes fitting me!


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    #29
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭El Director


    Today the cast came off. Hand still swollen, stiff and very sore. The clean diet and exercise starts tomorrow with a vist to the gym and an hour there doing what I can and the Physio exerdises on my hand.

    I'm a man of numbers of course so here's one, grip of both hands measured:

    Right 44/sq inch
    Left 4/sq inch :o


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    #30
    shotgunmcos
    Registered Users Posts: 8,208 ✭✭✭shotgunmcos


    20.6kg :eek:

    The grip will return. Broke my hand years ago and all good soon after


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    #31
    El Director
    Registered Users Posts: 4,117 ✭✭✭El Director


    shotgunmcos wrote: »
    20.6kg :eek:

    The grip will return. Broke my hand years ago and all good soon after

    Thanks Mike, good to hear! Sure the 20kg will fall off me! :D


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