The burning question - 13 February 2009

Posted by Paul Collins No comments

Not me...

As the winter weather in the UK has turned roads into ice rinks and caused untold transport chaos, schoolchildren and those dreading Monday morning in the office alike were happy to see most of the country at a standstill for much of last week. My own excitement at the heavy snowfall was tempered by the fact that it made it almost impossible to do anything I needed to do, and the problems I might face in making my way to see my girlfriend in Manchester at the weekend.

Outside of work and relationship considerations, the snow also came at a bad time for the exercise I have been beginning to undertake to get back in shape and start training for the Tough Guy 2010 race.

Like most people, in order to be able to maintain good habits in training, I need to be able to exercise regularly and build up momentum. That way, not only do you feel like you’re getting fitter all the time, you are able to notice the results in both your body and the quality of the exercise you do. Having managed to get out for a good 9km run on Sunday morning, I then sat working in my lounge on Sunday afternoon and saw the snow come sheeting down.

The resulting four days may have improved my abilities in making a firm snowball, but did little for my training. Even getting down the road from the office for swim in the local pool was treacherous for most of the week. Even on Monday, when I was once again confined to working on the dining table, there were people out jogging in the thick snow. Now, I don’t think I’m being soft if I suggest this is slightly silly. Not only is the risk of being targeted by kids with snowballs pretty high, it must be a bit dangerous to run on the ice and snow – especially if anyone else has knees or ankles as fragile as mine. I’ve no doubt the benefits of a tough run in snow are huge, but for me they still don’t make it worthwhile!

The weekend brought a welcome trip north, and on Sunday a good 7-mile walk in the Peaks (via a pub of course, I’m not daft…). Back in London this week I have been able to get back my training mojo, with a run around the sodden common and an intense swimming session. Hopefully this weekend will allow me to have a good 10k run and a long bike ride, keeping the momentum going.

The next question will be – how much should I be doing? I don’t want to burn out and do too much, too soon. Or worse, push too hard and get injured, and then have to start all over again. These are questions I’ll be asking the next people I contact to help me on the fitness trail – who will likely be the same person shouting at me on a London park on a Saturday morning in the near future… More soon.

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