Squatember :Squat till I drop...UPDATE

Hi
with this injury one leg exercise I can do is squats, so smashing squats everyday will be interesting see the effect when I can start running especially on the hills again!

right decided see what I can get up to doing in squats in one hit by the end of September going try for 1000 :)

Gareth (TheTryAth)

 decided to record them
03/09 = Total 550 = 550 squats.
02/09 = rest
01/09 = Total 500 = 500 squats.
31/08 = Total 500 = 400 squats+100.
30/08 = Total 450 = 350 squats +50 med ball+50.
29/08 = Total 300 = 300 squats.

my new best friend...Foam Roller

Say hello
to my new best friend, hopefully foam roller will help my calf recovery and prevent it going again...

Hope all having a great weekend, what ever your doing and if out running I'm jealous, today should have been at the Grand tour of Skiddaw Ultra but that will have to be next year!  :)

Gareth (TheTryAth)

rolling...

I've now given in and ordered a foam roller to try help with calf recovery and to try prevent future injury too. so will post a how I get on with it and the results too. I'm trying be more positive and proactive to prevent this again.

hope this finds everyone well
Gareth (TheTryAth)

on the mend..

Well been back to the Doctors today they say enough of the muscle is still attached to the the tendon so no surgery (good news). So now I can start walking even though painful and try build it back up, not going be able run for a while yet but says  cross trainer/walking and swimming will be ok so at least some stuff I can do. Need use sports massage and roller too and see how is in 2 weeks.

happy at least it seems to be mending

Gareth (TheTryAth)

Brooks running competition Oxford half marathon

Hi
the Folks at Brooks Running uk have a competition going on social media, they are offering running gear and race entry to the Oxford half marathon.

you can enter at their facebook or twitter you can see their full terms and conditions here Brooks

TWITTER
FACEBOOK


good luck all! (this comp is not run by me and in no way affiliated with me, I'm just posting the links so check with brooks terms and conditions etc)

Gareth (TheTryAth)

cabin fever!

Well this enforced rest is driving me crazy, my mood is all over the place being stuck inside with myself means depression level goes right up. I have found my energy levels gone all over the place too as not burning off i'm struggling to sleep at night which does not help as I get insomnia anyway....sorry to be here moaning needed vent it somewhere.

I have been trying to find positives like reading my depression help and mindfulness books, also looking at future races and training tips etc and other runners blogs, but at moment I'm really struggling see positives...

I hope next post will be more cheerful, I'm not always like this you know!

sorry for moaning
Gareth (TheTryAth)

my latest gear....

my latest running. :(  sadly, hopefully not for long, soon as can hobble without they are ditched!

Injured :(

So totally devastated
 went for gentle jog today and 3 miles in felt something snap in left calf then absolute agony when tried walk or run in left calf...hobbled 3 miles home and knew something really not right, a trip to hospital and calf is ruptured now on crutches and pain meds and have to go back in a week to see what is happening with it as this is a repeat injury but this time most severe its been.


feeling really down I was so looking forward to the Grand tour of skiddaw Ultra...

Gareth

Depression makes it easy to see the things you cannot do and have not achieved, instead we need celebrate what we can do and have achieved.

updated

Hi all

sorry to say this has been a bad week, everything been going wrong and had leg pain in calf and my back pain has been worse than usual (the back pain is never going away completely) so been unable to run.
So all this has left me feeling really down and depression and anxiety have flared to the point I've found everything difficult to face. I'm going to try spend some time reading through the support books I have, and just hope pain eases so I can run again soon. I really want to complete the Ultra in 2 weeks even if have to walk most of it.


thanks for reading all, and wishing everyone well

Gareth(TheTryAth)

Updated

well took some of my pain meds, and managed a 5 mile sensible jog pace feeling much better mindfully for being able to get out and hope that my leg needed a warm up and stretch out as was feeling painful doing nothing anyway.

things a bit better now

stretching out

Well calf problems still today got really painful cramp in left calf so enforced rest, I've tried a few gentle walks to try warm it then stretch it out but still not feeling right and painful if try and run...its frustrating when your body lets you down.


hope it loosens up tomorrow :(

Gareth (TheTryAth)

medals :)

Thought post these rewards for my efforts :)

My week in training

this week had some highs and lows.

Monday         rest
Tuesday        8 mile run
Wednesday   5 mile run
Thursday      9 mile run
Friday           rest
Saturday       8 mile run
Sunday         2 hour cross trainer/ had a long 15-20 mile run planned but calf not feeling right painful cramp.


so feeling down could not do today's run :( but at least got some good miles in and some stamina training today. so off to try find my positives and not let today get to me.

hope been a good week for all.

Gareth (TheTryAth)

rest days, trying to keep focus :)

Hi
 taking a deserved rest day for a change! did three good runs this week and want get 1 or 2 long runs in at the weekend, ankle is a little sore so will dictate if can run Saturday or wait till Sunday. Also going to be using Clif Bar energy bars and chews in the Ultra so will be posting my review of them too.

Really enjoying training for the the Grand tour of Skiddaw Ultra and starting to feel stronger after Snowdonia marathon now.

I am also working hard using the help techniques to try focus on the positives and upcoming things like events during my down days and difficult times, not always working but sometimes it helps and that's a step forward too.

wishing everyone a good weekend
Gareth (TheTryAth)

Caterpillar Active Urban Case Cover for iPad - Review

Hi
I've been lucky enough to get the chance to review the Caterpillar Active Urban Case Cover for iPad, great first impression the case I got is in a nice bright colour (great if your like me and need stuff noticeable to find it!).

It is really easy to fit the case once you have and edge in just pop the other edges over and it gives a good tight fit, the case is light too (254g) so does not bulk out the weight of the Ipad air.

The info about the protective abilities is pretty impressive too I've not had the nerve to test out by dropping from large heights etc (I'me sure I will accidentally soon though it is a normal thing for me!). but after using for few weeks it has done a great job of protecting.

Product Description

The Active Urban rugged case is engineered using anodised metal sides and impact resistant SAIF material offering robust protection for your phone. SAIF is an "active"' material, offering a step change in shock absorption and impact protection performance. Your impact resistant case helps protect your device from drops of up to 1.8 metres in height, utilising the same shock absorbent properties used in SAIF motorbike personal protective equipment. The Active tablet case range is designed for the needs of today's demanding lifestyle, building on the hard working Caterpillar reputation for durability and quality.

Box Contains

Result is I would recommend this case and already have, and a friend now sports one on their ipad too! :)

thank your for reading
Gareth (TheTryAth)
@thetryath