oops I have let this blog slip a bit haven't I....
But fear not, I am well and truly ready! Last weekend I walked the Harefield Fun Run and so am a bit more confident now that I can do this. All that really remains to be done is to try on outfit, make large banner...fun things like that.
I am a little worried today as my feet swelled up yesterday and haven't really gone down. I am going to ring Harefield later but I am just really hoping it doesn't affect Sunday. It can't really surely; I mean if I went there with a collapsed lung last year, some puffy feet surely can't really stop me!
Showing posts with label Training 2007. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Training 2007. Show all posts
Friday, September 14, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Tortoise and the Hare
FVC: 2.84 FEV1: 2.32
Treadmill: Half an hour!!! Av 4.7km/h
Cross trainer: 2 mins (what can I say I was knackered)
Weights: only arms completed.
I decided to try and attack this from a different angle this time. No matter how hard I try, when I am pounding away on the treadmill at 5km/h I can't seem to push myself over 20 minutes without risk of flying backwards off the treadmill cartoon-style. So I figured as distance is the important thing here (not speed) I would slow down as my legs began to seize up, but still keep going. And it WORKED! Added another 10 minutes onto my time, and felt ok afterwards! So if I can just creep up 5 minutes at a time over the next month, I think it'll be feasable that I can complete the whole thing. WOOHOO. Obviously not quite as fast as I would have hoped (was hoping to do it in an hour, hence the whole training at 5km/h malarky) but hey as others have pointed out, if I finish the whole thing at all it will be fantastic. So that's all I'm going to aim for.
This post is entitled Tortoise and the Hare for that reason. "Slow and steady wins the race" and all that. Actually this is a very important motto for me, as someone told it to my mum early on in my transplant when I was struggling to move forward at all, and it kept her going, then when I was conscious enough to understand things, kept me going too. Hopefully on the day it will prove correct again.
I got my running, no wait, walking number through in the post yesterday so now it is very very real! I am still trying to decide what to have on my banner. Oh did I not mention that? Clearly this isn't going to be hard enough so I will be attempting to carry a banner explaining my scenario all the way round the course. Have already got in mind people who I will pass it over to when my arms are killing me...
Treadmill: Half an hour!!! Av 4.7km/h
Cross trainer: 2 mins (what can I say I was knackered)
Weights: only arms completed.
I decided to try and attack this from a different angle this time. No matter how hard I try, when I am pounding away on the treadmill at 5km/h I can't seem to push myself over 20 minutes without risk of flying backwards off the treadmill cartoon-style. So I figured as distance is the important thing here (not speed) I would slow down as my legs began to seize up, but still keep going. And it WORKED! Added another 10 minutes onto my time, and felt ok afterwards! So if I can just creep up 5 minutes at a time over the next month, I think it'll be feasable that I can complete the whole thing. WOOHOO. Obviously not quite as fast as I would have hoped (was hoping to do it in an hour, hence the whole training at 5km/h malarky) but hey as others have pointed out, if I finish the whole thing at all it will be fantastic. So that's all I'm going to aim for.
This post is entitled Tortoise and the Hare for that reason. "Slow and steady wins the race" and all that. Actually this is a very important motto for me, as someone told it to my mum early on in my transplant when I was struggling to move forward at all, and it kept her going, then when I was conscious enough to understand things, kept me going too. Hopefully on the day it will prove correct again.
I got my running, no wait, walking number through in the post yesterday so now it is very very real! I am still trying to decide what to have on my banner. Oh did I not mention that? Clearly this isn't going to be hard enough so I will be attempting to carry a banner explaining my scenario all the way round the course. Have already got in mind people who I will pass it over to when my arms are killing me...
Friday, August 17, 2007
A brand new experience!
FVC: 2.67 FEV1: 2.16
Treadmill: 20 mins av 5.2 km/h
Bike: 5 mins
All weights completed
This morning was really good. My mum and sisters picked me up bright and early as they were heading to aqua aerobics. I saw some of the class, it looks like fun, but I'm just not confident enough yet to go at someone elses pace; what if I need to stop then look like a fruitcake on my own? Anyway, whilst they splashed around "gracefully" I took myself off to the gym and did a really good workout. And even more excitingly I JOGGED for the first time!!!!!!! OK it was only for 60 seconds at a time before my legs felt like rubber, and I had to grip the handlebars as I felt so unsteady, but still YAY. Kept above 5km for the entire thing (except for 2 mins cool down) and felt extremely....well worked out afterwards.
With that and the bike combined I did just over 3k. I am a bit worried still though, less than a month to go and really I would have liked to be doing 4k in one go by now....I think September may be more of a struggle than I anticipated but am still determined to do it.
Treadmill: 20 mins av 5.2 km/h
Bike: 5 mins
All weights completed
This morning was really good. My mum and sisters picked me up bright and early as they were heading to aqua aerobics. I saw some of the class, it looks like fun, but I'm just not confident enough yet to go at someone elses pace; what if I need to stop then look like a fruitcake on my own? Anyway, whilst they splashed around "gracefully" I took myself off to the gym and did a really good workout. And even more excitingly I JOGGED for the first time!!!!!!! OK it was only for 60 seconds at a time before my legs felt like rubber, and I had to grip the handlebars as I felt so unsteady, but still YAY. Kept above 5km for the entire thing (except for 2 mins cool down) and felt extremely....well worked out afterwards.
With that and the bike combined I did just over 3k. I am a bit worried still though, less than a month to go and really I would have liked to be doing 4k in one go by now....I think September may be more of a struggle than I anticipated but am still determined to do it.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Good old treadmill.
FEV1: 2.30 FVC 2.77
Treadmill: 18 mins av 5.2km/h
Cross trainer: 4 mins
All weights completed
Sit-ups completed.
I went with Abby to the gym today. It's so much easier to motivate yourself when you have someone to go with. I headed straight for the treadmill, my faithful favourite whilst Abby went for the rowing machine which looks far too complex and scary for my liking. I maintained 5km/h for nearly all of it, but slowed down for 2 mins and sped up to a jog (first ever time!!!) for 2 mins. Jogging was very hard work, it must be different muscles that you use than for walking as my legs felt like jelly after seconds. Still it was a good morning and I feel invigorated for it. Just hope I can get my distance up before September...!
Treadmill: 18 mins av 5.2km/h
Cross trainer: 4 mins
All weights completed
Sit-ups completed.
I went with Abby to the gym today. It's so much easier to motivate yourself when you have someone to go with. I headed straight for the treadmill, my faithful favourite whilst Abby went for the rowing machine which looks far too complex and scary for my liking. I maintained 5km/h for nearly all of it, but slowed down for 2 mins and sped up to a jog (first ever time!!!) for 2 mins. Jogging was very hard work, it must be different muscles that you use than for walking as my legs felt like jelly after seconds. Still it was a good morning and I feel invigorated for it. Just hope I can get my distance up before September...!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Back on task
FEV1: 2.16 FVC 2.65
Treadmill: 16mins at 5km/h
Treadmill on high gradient (hill training) 5mins.
Cross Trainer: 5 mins
Weights completed
Sit-ups done.
After naughty NAUGHTY slacking I have been back at the gym, hurrah! I went with my mother (it's always better with two) and decided to try and go up a gear despite the small pause in training. Having completely lost my jogging bottoms I had to put on what I may or may not normally use as PJ bottoms (they look like jogging bottoms, honest) resulting in gales of laughter from my mother.
I upped my speed and also increased the gradient a bit, and managed surprisingly ok. 5km/h is what I wanted to get to speed wise, and now to work on the length of time I can maintain it really.
Tiredness has come back into play. I am thinking it's probably because I am doing too much, but I am struggling to slow down. This week will be quieter though (that's what I said last week) and I will try and rest up a bit more.
Although I haven't been at the gym recently, I did do a huge walk round london the other day which we calculated to over 3km, and am still continuing to use the stairs all the time etc to try and maintain a basic level of training. Still moving forwards, but 5k seems like an awfully long way away, I really hope I can do this....
Treadmill: 16mins at 5km/h
Treadmill on high gradient (hill training) 5mins.
Cross Trainer: 5 mins
Weights completed
Sit-ups done.
After naughty NAUGHTY slacking I have been back at the gym, hurrah! I went with my mother (it's always better with two) and decided to try and go up a gear despite the small pause in training. Having completely lost my jogging bottoms I had to put on what I may or may not normally use as PJ bottoms (they look like jogging bottoms, honest) resulting in gales of laughter from my mother.
I upped my speed and also increased the gradient a bit, and managed surprisingly ok. 5km/h is what I wanted to get to speed wise, and now to work on the length of time I can maintain it really.
Tiredness has come back into play. I am thinking it's probably because I am doing too much, but I am struggling to slow down. This week will be quieter though (that's what I said last week) and I will try and rest up a bit more.
Although I haven't been at the gym recently, I did do a huge walk round london the other day which we calculated to over 3km, and am still continuing to use the stairs all the time etc to try and maintain a basic level of training. Still moving forwards, but 5k seems like an awfully long way away, I really hope I can do this....
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Learning to space it out.
Current FVC: 2.45 FEV1: 2.02
ooh I have been terribly naughty and not keeping this blog updated nicely!
OK so Tuesday:
Treadmill: 20mins at 4.3km/h
Cross Trainer: 5mins
1/2 Weights completed (I was tired).
Annoyed that I didn't do more at the gym, on Wednesday I did a 20 minute walk into town. This was clearly pushing it a bit however as I struggled to get back to the car, and once I got home fell straight asleep for 4 hours. I may space out my exercise a bit more than that in the future...
ooh I have been terribly naughty and not keeping this blog updated nicely!
OK so Tuesday:
Treadmill: 20mins at 4.3km/h
Cross Trainer: 5mins
1/2 Weights completed (I was tired).
Annoyed that I didn't do more at the gym, on Wednesday I did a 20 minute walk into town. This was clearly pushing it a bit however as I struggled to get back to the car, and once I got home fell straight asleep for 4 hours. I may space out my exercise a bit more than that in the future...
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Pink in a world of black and white.
FVC: 2.45 FEV1 1.97
Treadmill: 16 mins
Bike: 4.30 mins
Crosstrainer: 5 mins
All weights completed
Sit ups completed
Another round at the gym; I am getting slightly more confident every time. Even though I still blatently don't fit in (everyone else seems to be in white Tshirts with black bottoms, I am in a pink stripey vest top and pink jogging bottoms) I am getting to know the little customs - wiping down the equipment after use, working out which attachment goes on the weights, being able to work my own padlock first time, that sort of thing.
I was overjoyed at my progress on the Crosstrainer, which I found incredibly hard last time, until I looked at the screen and realised I hadn't upped the level at all therefore was actually working less hard than last time. Never mind. On the whole, pleased with my progress, and definitely enjoying it still!
Monday, June 04, 2007
How lovely bobbing along...
FVC: 2.27 FEV1: 1.94
Went swimming yesterday, we took Abby as part of her birthday present. My transplant has clearly made me wussier when it comes to water as yet again I spent a rather long time edging myself into the pool. We did several lengths, then I raced my mother (and won. again. Ha) and then she decided it would be a bright idea to try running through the water as this would be harder work therefore better fitness training. The result was neither pretty nor highly successful. It probably made for amusing viewing though. A few more lengths later, and I decided to call it a day. Definitely more swimming done than last time, big yay for that!
Went swimming yesterday, we took Abby as part of her birthday present. My transplant has clearly made me wussier when it comes to water as yet again I spent a rather long time edging myself into the pool. We did several lengths, then I raced my mother (and won. again. Ha) and then she decided it would be a bright idea to try running through the water as this would be harder work therefore better fitness training. The result was neither pretty nor highly successful. It probably made for amusing viewing though. A few more lengths later, and I decided to call it a day. Definitely more swimming done than last time, big yay for that!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
sponge legs
FVC: 2.23 FEV1 1.81
Treadmill: 18 mins
Bike: 4 mins
Cross Trainer: 3 mins
All weights completed.
Ohmygoodness I am so not naturally sporty! Neither is my brain it seems, as I jumped expectantly into the car, sped off to the gym...and realised I had not brought my gym bag with me. I had however remembered to bring my handbag which was of no use whatsoever and would get in the way prompting me to hide it in the car. I rang my mother to tell her and she errupted into gales of laughter. Supportive.
It is fantastic because I am now no longer out of puff merely from glancing at the equipment, but my legs are like pieces of sponge. The treadmill is definitely my favourite but something tells me I shouldn't just stick to that as I wont develop other muscles (no one professional is telling me that, that is my guess). The bike just kills my legs after about 2 minutes, but at least I managed a minute longer this time than last week. And did a great deal longer on the treadmill so yay!
Lung func staying ok, Harefield tomorrow so we shall see what they have to say about this persistant wheezing which keeps cropping up...oh and I am going to do a glossary post (idea nicked from Oli's blog) to explain these funny numbers I relay in various blogs and posts!
Treadmill: 18 mins
Bike: 4 mins
Cross Trainer: 3 mins
All weights completed.
Ohmygoodness I am so not naturally sporty! Neither is my brain it seems, as I jumped expectantly into the car, sped off to the gym...and realised I had not brought my gym bag with me. I had however remembered to bring my handbag which was of no use whatsoever and would get in the way prompting me to hide it in the car. I rang my mother to tell her and she errupted into gales of laughter. Supportive.
It is fantastic because I am now no longer out of puff merely from glancing at the equipment, but my legs are like pieces of sponge. The treadmill is definitely my favourite but something tells me I shouldn't just stick to that as I wont develop other muscles (no one professional is telling me that, that is my guess). The bike just kills my legs after about 2 minutes, but at least I managed a minute longer this time than last week. And did a great deal longer on the treadmill so yay!
Lung func staying ok, Harefield tomorrow so we shall see what they have to say about this persistant wheezing which keeps cropping up...oh and I am going to do a glossary post (idea nicked from Oli's blog) to explain these funny numbers I relay in various blogs and posts!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Training of sorts.
Current Lung Function: FVC 2.37 FEV1 2.09
Saturday counts as a training day to me as I went to Thorpe Park. For those who have been (or been to any Theme park) the place is huge, and since I stopped using the wheelchair completely about a month ago now, I decided to try the whole thing on foot. We arived around 9am and were padding round all day till 5! I also suspect the amount of screaming I did on certain rides was good for strengthening the lungs.
It was hard work, and I had to sit down for breaks at quite a few intervals, but generally I felt really good afterwards (after a long sleep that is). Unfortunately neither Sarah or myself brought the pedometer so I don't know exactly how far I walked. Am guessing it was quite good training though! 2nd gym induction tomorrow, we shall see how it goes...
Saturday counts as a training day to me as I went to Thorpe Park. For those who have been (or been to any Theme park) the place is huge, and since I stopped using the wheelchair completely about a month ago now, I decided to try the whole thing on foot. We arived around 9am and were padding round all day till 5! I also suspect the amount of screaming I did on certain rides was good for strengthening the lungs.
It was hard work, and I had to sit down for breaks at quite a few intervals, but generally I felt really good afterwards (after a long sleep that is). Unfortunately neither Sarah or myself brought the pedometer so I don't know exactly how far I walked. Am guessing it was quite good training though! 2nd gym induction tomorrow, we shall see how it goes...
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Angels take flight!
Now I have posted my long and official type blog I can start waffling for real, woohoo!
Today I joined my local gym! This really was the most bizarre experience, I feel totally out of place amongst the lycra-clad lean bodies pounding along on the treadmill, but wore my nice pink jogging bottoms and a vaguely sporty looking vest top, and grasping my gym bag (purchased by my mother) tried to saunter nonchalantly in as if it were totally normal and acceptable for me to be there.
The man who did my induction was lovely. I may have scared him somewhat when actually confessing that my "small op" was a double lung transplant. I did however reassure him that I was safe to start gentle gym exercise and that I would double check again with my team and get a confirming letter. I have been walking half hour walks for a while now so I want to do a bit more, and I would like to work on my muscle strength which is quite frankly currently that of the pilsbury dough boy.
I was introduced to many daunting and formidable looking machines and attempted them one by one. I struggled greatly on the first two (bike and cross trainer) which was quite dispiriting, however once I got onto the treadmill I found a comfortable stride and was able to maintain it for 5 minutes (woo!) Bearing in mind in February I could not lift my own head, let alone walk, I feel this wasn't too bad a start.
I also learned what all the weight machines (which looked to me like complicated methods of torture) do and how to work them (I shall be asking for assistance next time I encounter them I'm sure.) After an hour wandering round and trying everything out, I left feeling slighty more confident and pretty determined to get stuck into this. Today revealed I have an AWFUL lot of work to do, I struggled with 3 minutes on the bike, but that is what challenges are for, so I should stop worrying about it and get going! Next session is wednesday, also with a trainer's guidance. Pink trainers check, sporty type water bottle check, bring it on....
Today I joined my local gym! This really was the most bizarre experience, I feel totally out of place amongst the lycra-clad lean bodies pounding along on the treadmill, but wore my nice pink jogging bottoms and a vaguely sporty looking vest top, and grasping my gym bag (purchased by my mother) tried to saunter nonchalantly in as if it were totally normal and acceptable for me to be there.
The man who did my induction was lovely. I may have scared him somewhat when actually confessing that my "small op" was a double lung transplant. I did however reassure him that I was safe to start gentle gym exercise and that I would double check again with my team and get a confirming letter. I have been walking half hour walks for a while now so I want to do a bit more, and I would like to work on my muscle strength which is quite frankly currently that of the pilsbury dough boy.
I was introduced to many daunting and formidable looking machines and attempted them one by one. I struggled greatly on the first two (bike and cross trainer) which was quite dispiriting, however once I got onto the treadmill I found a comfortable stride and was able to maintain it for 5 minutes (woo!) Bearing in mind in February I could not lift my own head, let alone walk, I feel this wasn't too bad a start.
I also learned what all the weight machines (which looked to me like complicated methods of torture) do and how to work them (I shall be asking for assistance next time I encounter them I'm sure.) After an hour wandering round and trying everything out, I left feeling slighty more confident and pretty determined to get stuck into this. Today revealed I have an AWFUL lot of work to do, I struggled with 3 minutes on the bike, but that is what challenges are for, so I should stop worrying about it and get going! Next session is wednesday, also with a trainer's guidance. Pink trainers check, sporty type water bottle check, bring it on....
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