Stoptober 2012

[Sweder]

Before Movember descends upon us we now have Stoptober, a month where people are encouraged to give up sinful pursuits. I've toyed with the idea of a booze ban, but with a golf trip to Cork in the company of SP, Captain Tom and the Tipster on the horizon that's not going to happen. So, I'm laying off bread. Cue bunting, marching bands and dancing in the streets.

As ever, being away for work makes running a tough proposition. I managed a paltry 2.2 miles yesterday evening, plodding heavily around the rain-slicked suburban streets of Acocks Green. All the way laconic traffic kept me company, cars hissing by, headlights shimmering in the enfolding gloom. It was a thing of ugliness, no redeeming features, except perhaps the solace to be found in 'getting out there' when a quick change of togs and a hop into the heart of the city would have been so much easier.

I'll get out there again early tomorrow morning before a return home late on Friday. There's the prospect of a very early Sunday run with the Jog Shop crew to look forward to. They're ramping things up with a pre-JSJ twenty-miler, so I'll escort them to the Wire before tramping back along the cliff tops to complete a modest eight miles, my longest run since the Seaford Half, way back in June.

Softly, softly, catchee monkey.

[marathondan]

Ah, Acocks Green in the rain, you're making me jealous!

Good effort though - we all know that consistency is the key (at least, the key that lets you onto the next level).

And congratulations on finally identifying the evil foodstuff that's causing you to put on weight - clearly it's bread. Can't be anything else.

[Sweder]

And congratulations on finally identifying the evil foodstuff that's causing you to put on weight - clearly it's bread. Can't be anything else.

Yes, that's it, I'm certain. Stand by for Swederlite.

[Bierzo Baggie]

Acock's Green, Moor Green FC, Hall Green dog track, Tysley incinerator... you're bringing back memories Sweder. So many Greens for so little green. Try running along the canal through the centre of Birmingham. I'm told it's been tidied up a bit. If you've got more time you could look up Clent Hills or Lickey Hills....

[Sweder]

The canal idea is a great shout, BB. I'm staying in Acocks Green (in the Bridge Hotel next to the station). I'll check out a route and report back.

Things have taken a series turn in the weight loss department this morning. I may be signing up to a fat reduction trial with a fitness author. This involves dietary changes and strict exercise regimens, daily logging and measurement. It sounds, and is, daunting, but at this early stage of my return to running, may be just what the fat doctor ordered. More soon.

[marathondan]

I may be signing up to a fat reduction trial with a fitness author. This involves dietary changes and strict exercise regimens, daily logging and measurement. It sounds, and is, daunting, but at this early stage of my return to running, may be just what the fat doctor ordered. More soon.

Does he/she know about the impending trip to Cork?

[Sweder]

No, but as it's next week I think the impact on the 12 week programme will be minimal. Besides, I'm determined not to eat any bread whilst in Cork ; )

[glaconman]

You could extend the ban from bread to wheat.

But just make sure you don't miss out on the barley

[El Gordo]

Things have taken a series turn in the weight loss department this morning. I may be signing up to a fat reduction trial with a fitness author. This involves dietary changes and strict exercise regimens, daily logging and measurement. It sounds, and is, daunting, but at this early stage of my return to running, may be just what the fat doctor ordered. More soon.

Sounds interesting.

I'm also on a no-wheat kick at the moment, by accident really. Casually re-read a detox book last week (Patrick Holford - 9 Day Detox) and have decided to do it again. Beginning in earnest on Saturday but I've knocked out a couple of things in preparation, notably wheat, dairy and caffeine. Monday and Tuesday without caffeine and muesli/yoghurt for breakfast was hellish, but suddenly today I feel reborn. I did this regime a year or so ago and found it beneficial. The jury's out on detoxing -- I've read about a couple of sceptical studies recently -- but whether they do or don't do what they claim, you can only feel better after not eating processed food for a week or so, and you tend to drop a few pounds into the bargain. So can't be bad.

Rye bread, e.g. pumpernickel is your friend.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Crikey, what's going on around here? This is getting serious.

[Sweder]

Welcome to day one of a TWELVE WEEK fat loss regime.

I can't believe I've said that out loud, but it's out there now and there's no taking it back.
The first item on the agenda as I rolled out of bed was to take a 'before' picture and mail it to Julie, our attractive, svelt instructress. Not much fazes me in this life but I confess this was horrible. I'm fairly certain that most of us subconsciously 'suck in the gut' when approaching the bathroom mirror - or, at least, we do when we catch sight of something pale and blubbery as we walk in. Julia had prepared me for this moment, assuring me that honesty is the best policy if I really want to enjoy the results. Ye gods, this was not a sight for the squeamish.

I then set about my day one work out, or 'Metabolic 1' as it appears on my *gulp* spreadsheet. (Cue gales of laughter from Messers Dan, MLCMMan and El Gordo). A series of as yet gentle exercises that took me about 40 minutes. Another cruel reminder of how out of shape I am, as by the end I was sweating like a Jimmy Saville apologist and keen for it all to be over.

Food wise I'm not going overboard. Protein for breakfast - poached eggs and bacon with coffee and juice this morning. I too will miss the muesli and yoghurt start-up, but also accept this works primarily for the deceptively high sugar content. Porridge will be back on the scene as winter rolls in, and no matter what anyone says that will feature chopped banana, blueberries and honey. Bread's a goner, potatoes, rice, pasta all getting the cold shoulder (but not banished). Lean meats and fish are in, but I'm including lean bacon, too. Vegetables are in big time, the more the merrier, as are fresh fruits of course. After next weekend's golf/ debauch in Southern Ireland beer is also getting the heave-ho for a month.

There's no point in starting this unless I mean to go all the way, hence the plan to keep taking coffee (without sugar) and the occasional pasta or rice dish. It can't be too austere else I'll pack it in after a week. If I want to get anywhere near PBs next year in the full and the half I'll need to drop around ten kilos. It's daunting, I'm not looking forward to the process, but I do aim to keep that 'before' photo close at hand, for those days when doubt rises and resolve pulls the duvet over its head. I am the walrus, and I'm a big bugger at that.

[El Gordo]

Good man.

I've been on my own private plan for about 10 days now - since my long weekend in London which I knew would see debauchery and gluttony on a grand scale. After 6 months' deprivation, it was inconceivable that proper ale and fish & chips wouldn't appear high on the repeating menu. I succumbed without a fight. Indeed, I succumbed with a large grin on my face, while hands were being vigorously rubbed.

The day after attending the cremation of someone who has died prematurely through alcohol abuse is, let me tell you, a very good point to start a spell of teetotalism. My target is even more outlandish than the great Sweder's. On the plane back 'home', I peered at my spreadsheet with the usual throb of excitement. From that Monday to Sunday November 17 2013 is... precisely... 60 weeks. Hmm, that'll do, I thought.

And that's the plan. More than a year off the booze. Ten days in, and I'm feeling good. Other stuff too, but I should put it in a proper post.

Good luck, Sweder. Enjoy these first few ethusiastic days. They won't last. (He said, encouragingly...)

You are dead right, I'm sure, that a serious assault on your PBs next year doesn't stand an earthly without blubber loss. Ten kilos? Funnily enough, I was pottering about in a cupboard last weekend and came across 2 x 5kg dumb bells. I picked them up and sort of weighed them in my hands. It is surprising how heavy 10Kg is when you hold it in your hands like that, and even more astonishing to think what a burden it must be to try to carry that excess up a hill or around a marathon course. I've left the dumb bells out to remind myself just what a burden it is. In fact, I reckon 15kg in my case would be a minimum target.

Anyway, good luck. We are now expecting regular bulletins from the frontline...

[Sweder]

Cheers Andy, all support is welcome. I know I've a while before I hit the wall on this one, when the early blush of innocent enthusiasm gives way to the fervent desire to choke down some fat-drizzled carbs. I will hark back to this post when the Devil shows his face.

To re-state the obvious, this won't be a religious crusade. I will stray (Ireland looms large), but that 'before' photo, a mountain of rubbery flesh hanging over the waistband of my boxers, is never far from my thoughts.

The shock for me is how relatively quickly I've gone to seed. I wasn't in tip top form in Brighton but I did equal my marathon PB, so I can't have been too bad. How age accelerates the process of decrepitude. Last night I passed my first mini-trial. I ordered a steak (lean meat: good), switching chips for a 'crisp fresh salad' and adding a side of cabbage. The change wasn't made and I was left with a collapsed Jenga of man-sized, hand cut, double-cooked fries. I left them there, untouched. A small step for Sweder, a giant leap in the fight against the lard.

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Good God!

Here's a deal for you though Sweder: lose 10kgs and I'll run the Canberra marathon next April for JDRF.

And EG ... great Scot! I can't think what a year on the wagon deserves, but I'm sure we'll think of something for Nov 2013.

Tremendous effort fellas... much impressed.

[El Gordo]

Good God!

Here's a deal for you though Sweder: lose 10kgs and I'll run the Canberra marathon next April for JDRF.

And EG ... great Scot! I can't think what a year on the wagon deserves, but I'm sure we'll think of something for Nov 2013.

Tremendous effort fellas... much impressed.

Er. Be impressed if these things are achieved, rather than at this point

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

Er. Be impressed if these things are achieved, rather than at this point

OK. I'll put the Krug away for the moment then.

[Antonio247]

Best of luck on both great challenges, S. and EG.!

I'm also trying to lose weight by doing exercise and eating in a helthier way. I have fruit for breakfast, a cup of herbal tea with no sugar and a slice of toast with tomato and olive oil at midmorning. Lunch and dinner without too much bread and lots of vegetables. In the afternoon some fruit or a yoghurt, etc.

[glaconman]

a collapsed Jenga of man-sized, hand cut, double-cooked fries.

Brilliant.

[marathondan]

And that's the plan. More than a year off the booze.

[Sweder]

I got a bit of a shock as I settled down to watch Strictly on Saturday night. A tweet popped up from Tom Roper, saying how sorry he was that he wouldn't be able to join me tomorrow on the Lewes Downland 10. I read it twice before replying 'is that tomorrow?' It was.

I'd entered the race a couple of weeks back and promptly forgotten all about it. My race number and directions arrived last week (whilst I was in Brum) and still sat on my desk. Hmm. There was a five mile option but there was no time to change. I thought about it for a while, decided to sleep on it and see how I felt in the morning.

This morning a weak sun did it's best to shine on a perfect autumnal day. Mist lingered in the vale, birds swooped and chirrupped in the garden and a gentle breeze ruffled the turning leaves. What the heck, may as well give it a go. Sticking to my carb-light regime I downed a plate of eggs, bacon and baked beans, sluiced down with a sugar-free coffee and some water, before setting off for the start. My hopes were realistic. This would be my longest run since the Seaford Half back in June. My previous time in the race was 1:26, but anything under 1:50 would be reasonable.

The course is tough enough, offering long climbs and steep drops. Mother Nature had chipped in with a week's worth of rain, adding a slippery slime to the trenches. The first six miles passed without incident. I chugged along quite happily, soaking up the race-day atmosphere, drinking in the views across the downs. I coped with the hill climbs, shortening my stride, pumping my arms, working hard. I took it easy on the drops, saving energy for that brutal mile seven. And brutal it was. The woodland trail appears flat, the sole-sucking sludge running an apparently level course through the trees. My legs told a different story. Thighs creaked, calves groaned, knees and hips grumbled. We were climbing, no doubt about it. Gradually, inexorably, the incline increased, winding into an impossibly steep scramble as we neared the other side of the wood. I started walking long before the steepest section, a good quarter of a mile before we emerged, blinking, into the daylight. I walked again, first up the west face of Blackcap and again up Wicker Man Hill. My legs were burning, outraged at my unreasonable demands.

All this walking paid off, for I managed a veritable sprint finish, careering down the grassy slope to cross the line in 1:37 and change. Wholly acceptable given the conditions, not least my own. Now, on to week two of my personal road to Perdition. No carbs, please.

My day was capped nicely as Lewes Ladies handed QPR Ladies their hats, dominating their contest in all but scoreline, the Rookettes running out 2-1 victors. Three points and fifth in the table, above Spurs and QPR. Happy days.