The Official Hype Fitness Thread 6.0 - Part 8

[Iceman]

Much less activity in the last couple of weeks with Xmas and family visits and the weather.

On Xmas Day I did a combined 10.7 mile run/walk, had planned on running the full distance but felt a bit off.

Today did 15.8 miles, had planned for longer but realised near the end that I'd left a bunch of my refuelling at home. Stopped there and walked home (2.8 miles). On the plus side, I tested out a lot of my cold weather gear and it went well. My first official running event (outside the weekly parkruns) is only a month away now!

 

[Iceman]

I've been in a bit of a training rut recently. Due to not having much energy my workouts have been pretty sporadic and not very focused. I have a 2 week christmas leave from work now, so I am using this opportunity to give myself a kick in the butt. It's a lot easier when I am able to not only train well, but also get plenty of rest. Hoprefully I will gain some momentum to keep me going once I get back to work next year.

Any idea what the cause of lower energy was? Work draining it away? I hope you managed to get stuff done over the holidays. I did much less than usual but very rarely end up doing a whole lot with the distractions and things going on plus weather in Dec. Rest is crucial yes, no chance of me getting a big week in without. If I don't rest then rest/ceasing activity becomes enforced soon after.

Yeah, anything you can do can help you hit the ground running for the start of the year. This was my goal too as I've usually only got back into exercise a while after the start of the year after a long break over winter, making it very slow progress to even get back to where I was. At least this year I had a massive November so I should have a much better base for the start of 2025 than in previous years.

 

[Iceman]

After sitting for about a month, after surgery I got back into it and took my former strength for granted. I went from 16 pull ups to 5 currently. I’ll be back in a few months though

Glad you got through this post surgery period. It will take time to build up again but you'll definitely get there and beyond if you take things sensibly. Good luck!

 

[Iceman]

Treadmill late at night last night after not doing a morning run. I did 12.4 miles and threw in a few faster intervals. My treadmill pace is so much faster than my outdoors pace it’s just silly.

 

[Iceman]

13.2 miles today. Had planned for more but got hard towards the end and had forgotten my gloves and my hands were absolutely freezing!

 

[Babillygunn]

My knee is still bothering me and still has fluid on it. I am pretty swamped at work until the middle of the month, but I may go to a doctor after things settle down.

In the meantime I’m taking walks with my wife and I’m lifting weights and using a sauna every day.

 

[ComicChick]

i woke up christmas morning sick as a dog and slept through the next 4 days in a feverish haze. man that wrecked me

temp got up to 103.5 at one point. finally starting to feel normalish again. off work until the 6th so that will help with rest

 

[gohei_]

Any idea what the cause of lower energy was? Work draining it away? I hope you managed to get stuff done over the holidays. I did much less than usual but very rarely end up doing a whole lot with the distractions and things going on plus weather in Dec. Rest is crucial yes, no chance of me getting a big week in without. If I don't rest then rest/ceasing activity becomes enforced soon after.

Yeah, anything you can do can help you hit the ground running for the start of the year. This was my goal too as I've usually only got back into exercise a while after the start of the year after a long break over winter, making it very slow progress to even get back to where I was. At least this year I had a massive November so I should have a much better base for the start of 2025 than in previous years.

I think it's mostly lack of sleep during the week days. It's been a bit busy outside of work so whenever I have the time to exercise it's already late and I am super tired. If I manage to get a workout in that means I get less sleep that night lol.
The weather right now isn't really inspiring me to go for a run, but I try to remind myself that the summer runs will be a lot more enjoyable if I can keep up a bit of volume during these darker months.

Yeah I've always been the same as wel. Trying to break that cycle and be somewhat consistent. A treadmill in the house would be golden for the winter months.

On the bright side, I have actually been pretty active during these days at home, so that feels pretty good.

 

[Babillygunn]

i woke up christmas morning sick as a dog and slept through the next 4 days in a feverish haze. man that wrecked me

temp got up to 103.5 at one point. finally starting to feel normalish again. off work until the 6th so that will help with rest

I hate to hear that. Hope that you get to feeling better soon

 

[Iceman]

While the weather is all over the place it's good to have a treadmill in a building very close to use when I might have otherwise completely skipped the runs.

Thurs - 18.6 miles on the treadmill (while watching LOTR: FOTR)
Friday - rest
Sat - 18.2 miles including a good time on a trail parkrun (I'm usually **** at these) and the last 10.6 miles on a treadmill.
Sun - 14.1 miles on the treadmill split over 3 separate runs.
Mon - prob nothing

Plus 2 walks in this period totalling 10.2 miles.

 

[Iceman]

I think it's mostly lack of sleep during the week days. It's been a bit busy outside of work so whenever I have the time to exercise it's already late and I am super tired. If I manage to get a workout in that means I get less sleep that night lol.
The weather right now isn't really inspiring me to go for a run, but I try to remind myself that the summer runs will be a lot more enjoyable if I can keep up a bit of volume during these darker months.

Yeah I've always been the same as wel. Trying to break that cycle and be somewhat consistent. A treadmill in the house would be golden for the winter months.

On the bright side, I have actually been pretty active during these days at home, so that feels pretty good.

Ah, always a balancing act. I have tons of work to get done this month so may have to pull back a bit, even though I have my first running event on Feb 1. Hard to fit sleep/work/family/exercise in when things are busy! Just got to do the best you can with the time you have on all those fronts. Anything you get done on any should be seen as a contribution to the end goal.

There are much more convenient totally foldable running pads now which only go up to about 12kph if you're interested and don't have much space. I've been looking at getting one for my parent's house to use there.

Whatever you can do to keep things going during these times will certainly pay off when the easier seasons roll around. Summer and Winter are just about survival in the running stakes!

 

[Iceman]

My knee is still bothering me and still has fluid on it. I am pretty swamped at work until the middle of the month, but I may go to a doctor after things settle down.

In the meantime I’m taking walks with my wife and I’m lifting weights and using a sauna every day.

i woke up christmas morning sick as a dog and slept through the next 4 days in a feverish haze. man that wrecked me

temp got up to 103.5 at one point. finally starting to feel normalish again. off work until the 6th so that will help with rest

Sorry to hear and hope both of you are up to speed as soon as possible.

 

[Iceman]

Tues: 10.4 miles on the way to work and 4.5 miles on the way home.
Weds: 11.1 miles on the way to work, hopefully run home.

So far 90.2 miles / 145.1 km for Jan.

 

[Babillygunn]

While resting my knee I’ve been lifting weights daily and spending 30 minutes in the sauna. It’s actually been really good. But I am really missing running. I had been walking with my wife throughout the holiday season, but the past week has had a foot of snow and ice outside. So no walking for us.

 

[Iceman]

Tues: 10.4 miles on the way to work and 4.5 miles on the way home.
Weds: 11.1 miles on the way to work, hopefully run home.

So far 90.2 miles / 145.1 km for Jan.

Definitely thought I wasn’t running home until changed my mind at the very last minute and glad I did. An enjoyable comfortable slow jog and would have been dumb to miss it. Did nothing yesterday though and having the usual Friday rest day ahead of parkrun on Sat.

 

[Iceman]

While resting my knee I’ve been lifting weights daily and spending 30 minutes in the sauna. It’s actually been really good. But I am really missing running. I had been walking with my wife throughout the holiday season, but the past week has had a foot of snow and ice outside. So no walking for us.

Weights are essential, I need to get back into that routine asap. Likely after Jan when my deadlines are out the way. I’d like to go to a steam room and sauna but my gym doesn’t have one. Everything will be easier when this weather eases up (I’ve at least got access to to a treadmill nearby which helps). Hopefully your knee responds well.

 

[gohei_]

Ah, always a balancing act. I have tons of work to get done this month so may have to pull back a bit, even though I have my first running event on Feb 1. Hard to fit sleep/work/family/exercise in when things are busy! Just got to do the best you can with the time you have on all those fronts. Anything you get done on any should be seen as a contribution to the end goal.

There are much more convenient totally foldable running pads now which only go up to about 12kph if you're interested and don't have much space. I've been looking at getting one for my parent's house to use there.

Whatever you can do to keep things going during these times will certainly pay off when the easier seasons roll around. Summer and Winter are just about survival in the running stakes!

Yeah I totally agree. There are only so many hours in the day, and you gotta make the most of what you can. Especially when one have other hobbies that are not fitness related as well. It can be tough to fit everything together.

Yeah that's right. I might look into that, as a full size one will definitely not be an option.

I am in my fifth week of consecutive running and strength training now, which feels good. I am also making an effort to go to bed early even when not tired.
The main thing for this year will probably be to focus on consistency, to make sure that every week I do something, even if it's just a little bit.

 

[Iceman]

Yeah I totally agree. There are only so many hours in the day, and you gotta make the most of what you can. Especially when one have other hobbies that are not fitness related as well. It can be tough to fit everything together.

Yeah that's right. I might look into that, as a full size one will definitely not be an option.

I am in my fifth week of consecutive running and strength training now, which feels good. I am also making an effort to go to bed early even when not tired.
The main thing for this year will probably be to focus on consistency, to make sure that every week I do something, even if it's just a little bit.

I’ve tried to involve movement if not outright exercise into as many hobbies as I can. A bunch of people I meet up with I go on walks (live in central London so plenty to see) or get food with (no time wasted ). I watch films, shows, sport, play games and even get some work done on a cross-trainer/elliptical or while going on walks. But yeah, even then my sleep needs to improve and it’s very difficult to fit in everything I want to do.

Nice. I definitely plan to get one and will let you know how it goes, if you haven’t already bought one by then. I have access to a full size treadmill close by which goes up to 21kph (good for intervals), but for all of my other runs aside from tempos, these pads seem totally fine and very convenient to hide away between workouts (which my mum will be very grateful for ).

I love to hear consecutive weeks.

Consistency is absolutely the path to success and much improved health and fitness. And great that you are doing both cardio and strength training (I need to get organised again on that front, outside of lower body work where I’m getting it done to support the running).

Yep with sleep habit is crucial so that is the best method. If you can sleep at the same time regardless of work day/weekend etc, you will be making it much easier on yourself. I have a tougher time now after having a history of long and rapidly changing work hours across EU/US/Asia shifts.

Ah, you go on to mention consistency yourself! You have your head screwed on well my friend. This will pay you many dividends the longer you can keep it up.

 

[Iceman]

On Sat I had all my gear on for minus 5 temps (super cold for London) and it went well. Only my hands got cold, despite wearing gloves.

Surprisingly packed parkrun with more than 500 people in such cold weather. I went to a very hilly one with a monster hill in the middle which you have to go over 4 times over the course of 2 laps. That absolutely destroyed me each time I struggled to the top, so given that I was pretty happy with a 25.04 time, thought it would be at least a few minutes worse than that. Usually I recover well post parkrun and can run another 10-20 miles afterwards but cut it short this time as I was legit destroyed and stopped at the coffee shop and walked the rest back. Altogether 9.7 miles.

99.9 miles / 160.7 km for Jan

 

[gohei_]

I’ve tried to involve movement if not outright exercise into as many hobbies as I can. A bunch of people I meet up with I go on walks (live in central London so plenty to see) or get food with (no time wasted ). I watch films, shows, sport, play games and even get some work done on a cross-trainer/elliptical or while going on walks. But yeah, even then my sleep needs to improve and it’s very difficult to fit in everything I want to do.

Nice. I definitely plan to get one and will let you know how it goes, if you haven’t already bought one by then. I have access to a full size treadmill close by which goes up to 21kph (good for intervals), but for all of my other runs aside from tempos, these pads seem totally fine and very convenient to hide away between workouts (which my mum will be very grateful for ).

I love to hear consecutive weeks.

Consistency is absolutely the path to success and much improved health and fitness. And great that you are doing both cardio and strength training (I need to get organised again on that front, outside of lower body work where I’m getting it done to support the running).

Yep with sleep habit is crucial so that is the best method. If you can sleep at the same time regardless of work day/weekend etc, you will be making it much easier on yourself. I have a tougher time now after having a history of long and rapidly changing work hours across EU/US/Asia shifts.

Ah, you go on to mention consistency yourself! You have your head screwed on well my friend. This will pay you many dividends the longer you can keep it up.

Sounds good! I enjoy reading and have tried a few Times to do so while riding a stationary bike but it doesn't work for me.

Yeah. For me, unless it's speed work, one of those treadmills will be just fine for my needs.

I don't wanna neglect any major muscle groups so I try to work full body, even if Upper body isn't much of a priority right now. I am not Really enjoying strength work so much right now, whereas running is fun to do.

 

[gohei_]

On Sat I had all my gear on for minus 5 temps (super cold for London) and it went well. Only my hands got cold, despite wearing gloves.

Celsius or fahrenheit? My latest run had - 13 C, it's a bit of a hassle with all the extra clothes, but other than that it's fine for me.

 

[Iceman]

Celsius or fahrenheit? My latest run had - 13 C, it's a bit of a hassle with all the extra clothes, but other than that it's fine for me.

Celsius. But weren’t not used to those kinds of temps in London lol. 13 is another level haha. Good to see you cope easily in that weather with extra gear. Means you don’t have to be on the bench throughout winter and can keep momentum up to make gains during the better running seasons (spring and autumn).

 

[Iceman]

Sounds good! I enjoy reading and have tried a few Times to do so while riding a stationary bike but it doesn't work for me.

Yeah. For me, unless it's speed work, one of those treadmills will be just fine for my needs.

I don't wanna neglect any major muscle groups so I try to work full body, even if Upper body isn't much of a priority right now. I am not Really enjoying strength work so much right now, whereas running is fun to do.

Reading sounds more difficult. Maybe TV might be possible, otherwise music/podcasts/audiobooks. Stationary bike is very low risk and can be done for ages every day, definitely a good complementary option.

Great. I expect to get one within about 6 weeks unless my timetable clears up.

For longevity/general health (my main goal), upper body is equally important. I hope you can get into it. I am stuffed for time right now so being forced to run less but expect much more time once a bunch of things are out the way and then I plan to go back to the ultra high mileage, get a bunch of complementary things in like martial arts and elliptical while on leisure stuff (particularly gaming) and regular (but not long) gym sessions.

You’re doing great though and I’m excited to hear that you’re keeping things up over winter and looking like making progress and getting consistent. Big motivator for me when I see others around me making conscious improvements to their health and fitness. Keep going please!

 

[Babillygunn]

Great work @gohei_ and nice to hear the updates @Iceman.

I’m really envious because my recovery still is slow going. But at least there is progress inasmuch as the pain in my knee and the tenderness is drastically reduced. But I am going to wait on running on this until another couple of weeks just to make sure that there are no setbacks. Most of the fluid is down and I actually can kneel a bit without significant pain. Everything is still tender. But I am itching to get back out and run.
At least I have the benefit of there being 10 inches of snow and ice covering our sidewalks, so I couldn’t really run right now even if I wanted to.

 

[theastsunnn]

Have to readjust how I’m working out. I can still go pretty hard and lift an hour, and then do 2-3 hours of mma, but is leaving My elbows sore, with my older bones. Might have to cut out lifting weights everyday and opt for four days a week and still do mma 5 days a week