Monday to Friday May 31

This was so stressful. I can honestly not think of a more stressful set of days in twenty years. Twenty years. Since stressing to try and finish high school. Since thinking what it was that I was going to do for the next sixty years... Yup. That level of stress Monday was a learning session at work, then looking after my youngest kids Tuesday was a work day, then packing for a move. Wednesday was a packing day- and i had to make a couple dozen choices. And rented a second truck. My wifetook care of the kids, i lifted heavy crap. A lot. Thursday was a work day, then unpacking. it was 30 degrees C outside. Missed rugby training and generally was sweaty for an entire set of daylight hours. Cranked the AC and had a cold bath.

Thursday May 16 to Sunday May 26

Thursday was a rugby night. Did a 90 minutes session, then this for three rounds:

6 x 50m sprints
20 feet up push ups
20 seated knee tucks

Friday was a weird one - light kettlebell workout in the morning, nothing hard, as I was sore

Saturday is a rugby day. We won in a game we made harder on ourselves by being stupid. I got my nose picked and squished. I had to move heaven and earth to get my kids t my parents place, then get to the game. It was worth it, though.

Sunday was the Grand Final for my Rugby League team. I just didn't want to stress myself out with child care, so I missed it. I was missed, though ... but my team still won.

Wed May 22

I thought this was going to be more fun

The caption says it all. It was chilly on the beach this morning - like 12 degrees or something like that. I was in shorts and a t-shirt. Yeah, whatever.

I got this done for five rounds before having to go to work. Legs were still a little sore from Tuesday night's training, so I left my legs alone. 50 lb bell used throughout.

20 two handed swings
10 kb cleans
10 kb squat and two handed overhead press 

Yeah, five rounds of that was a bit much, but ... I just needed to keep warm.

At least I noticed that my clothes were beginning to fit a bit better and my sleeping pattern is getting a whole lot better, too. 

Tuesday May 22

Right, this is going to be brief, as I have to get moving along here.

Tuesday is a rugby night and so ... did a 90 minute (or so) session on the field. Lifting, throwing and running. Passing, too.

After that, did this for three rounds

50 m sprints x 6
20 feet up push ups
20 seated knee tucks

I sent a message to a facebook friend about the technical part of sprints - on some reps, felt as though I was dragging 60 lbs, other reps I was flying.

In the flying reps, I focussed on reaching forward with my lead leg, and extending the ankle and foot for a harder push at the end. I don't think I'd be doing that in a regular chance with the ball, though. Too easy to get something broken.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday May 20

Legs were Jello - went for a recovery walk Friday.

Had to spend most of Saturday on my feet or driving. I did some recovery work, though. About 20 minutes of stretching and yoga practice. Man, stiff ligaments.

Sunday, I was getting back into the groove and it feels pretty good. After doing this workout, I had one of the best sleeps I’ve had in a while. I had to use the 50 lb bell for all, as my wife lifted all the other bells out of the van we used to go away.
My Facebook status is this:
Me: Dear wife, where is my 30 lb kettlebell I put in the van?
Wife:Oh, I lifted that out and put it back in the garage.
Me: Dear wife, where’s the 20 lb kettlebell?
Wife: Left that at home, too.
Me: So, just the 50 lb kettlebell is in the van?
Wife: yeah, I couldn’t lift it out, so yeah, it stayed in the van.
Me: Ok, DOMS tomorrow it is then!

 That pretty much sums up this trip so far. In any case, I got this done for four rounds after a bit of a warm up:
20 two handed swings
10 Kb cleans
5 KB snatches
20 body weight squats
20 feet up push ups

 I did this in the garage of the cottage I’m at. I’m sort of able to post and write things, depending on the weather. It’s raining now, so ... this might have to wait a few days.

 Monday was lifting, driving and otherwise being active. No bell work though. And I got a load of mats back into my garage that were away for a while.

Thursday May 16

I wonder at this navel gazing I'm have been doing for the last while. Really really hard to think that this is solving any world issues, but ... at least I'm solving my own.

It was Thursday, so it was a rugby training night. Lots of scrummaging work - lots of set up and hit.

At the end of it, there was a dude doing some SAQ's, so I got in on it.

After that, I got this done for three rounds

6 x 50m sprints (not a typo)
20 feet up push ups
20 seated knee tucks

Lots of stretching afterwards. My legs will be jello tomorrow.

Wed May 15

Man ... the stuff just keeps on coming.

At least I got my workout in.

There were dudes doing the carpet in my son's room. Someone spilled paint on the carpet while he was painting it and ... well, the carpet got replaced. 500 dollar lesson for me. I mean whoever it was that spilled the paint.
 In any case, as the guys were doing that, I worked out. Got this done for four rounds:

20 two handed swings
10 kb cleans
10 kb snatches

Felt good, but I was friggin' tired after that late night bingo. Work went by nicely. Moar sleep needed.

 

Monday and Tuesday May 14

Monday was a rest day, as I had a lot of crap to get done. I was really sore on Monday and took some time to stretch and make sure I was properly hydrated, but had to get crap done.

I got most if it done, then went on to Tuesday ... and then it all got done.

I love it when the stressful time of my year is finally over. Working that much and then trying to raise kids and move house is a lot.

I wanted to train on Tuesday, but just didn't have the time to make it happen.After work, I had to run a bingo for my daughter's swim club until 1am. Eesh.

Friday Sat and Sunday May 12

Friday, I was sore and off

Saturday was an intersquad game at my club. Not a lot of fun, but I learned a lot about what to expect from myself, my club mates and the game this summer.

Sunday was to be a League game, but the opposition only showed up with five guys. So, I and a few of the guys on that team switched sides and we played 9s rugby. I sucked at it, to be frank. I was cold and whiny and just sucking the suck out of a pile of suck on the suck side of Sucky street.

I felt horrible after and so, I had a few laughs to lighten up. Seemed to do the trick.

Wed and Thurs May 9

Wednesday was insane. Again.

The time I set aside for training was sucked up by driving kids to swimming practice and looking after a cranky child.

Thursday, at least, has always been a rugby day ... and I got to go to rugby.

After an hour on the set piece part of rugby (lots of hitting and lifting) I did this for three rounds:

5 x 5o m sprint
20 feet up push ups
20 seated knee tucks

I did look at setting up a chin up bar between the stands at the side of the pitch - too far a space between the stands, I'm sorry to say. I'll try hanging knee tucks at some point this summer.

I feel a heck of a lot better after doing the sprints, though. Adds a bit of confidence.

I'm also at the end of my crazy section of my school year. Next week I get to get back to training on the beach and at the rugby club in the mornings. I'm so looking forward to that, man.

Tuesday May 7

Tuesday was supposed to be an easy day - but my kid's allergies popped up and I got the call to come pick 'em up by 10:30am.

The rest of the day was spent in a constant case of worry about whether I should be at the hospital or what.

My work suffered, too. Of course ... it would be on a busy day when I gotta jump through hoops and run around like an idiot.

At rugby training, it was the SAQ guy showing up. My legs felt like jelly by the end. I still got this done for three rounds:

4x 50 m sprint
20 feet up push ups (or other variations)
20 seated knee tucks

Monday May 6

Monday was a rest day. Work is jsut almost at the end of the stressful time of the the year.

I hit the sack shortly after my youngest child did at 7pm. I got up at 3am and did some stuff for work and got ready for the day, then went back to sleep.

I still didn't get enough sleep.

Thursday May 2- Sunday May 5

Thursday was rugby training - this one was all hitting.

I was so sore. Then, I got home to barfing children. Why is that? Because life hates my guts, that's

why.

Friday, of course, I caught whatever the kids puked on me and was wrapped in a blanket in the fetal position for most of the day. At least Saturday and Sunday we all got out of the house to enjoy some of the sun.

Sunday was a rugby day, too. That wasn't very fun, especially with the flu bug making it's way through the team. No one washes their hands and I end up sick.

Ugh.

Wed May 1

Oh, man ... I'm ever grateful that the warm weather is back today - or at least it was today.

I was sitting there, in my living room, waiting for my wife to come home from some errand ... and as soon as she stepped in the door, she was mobbed by our kids. In the ensuing confusion I escaped to the ark across the street from my house:

For four rounds:

20 kb OH swings each side
10 Kb cleans
10 Kb snatches
20 bw squats
stretches

(30 lb bell used ... it was the one near the front door, so I grabbed it in my escape)

As I was there in the park, dude walked up to me with a beer in his hand (yeah, I know) asked me if I was doing the Tough Mudder. I had gotten the email from TMHQ that afternoon telling me about my start time on May 12th. I had to sign in and shift my date to the one on Sunday in September. I told the guy this and he looked at me like I just won the lottery for him.

He turned on his heel and said I just made his summer.

Glad to have helped, man...

Tues April 30

I got back to blogging on this blog today.

Tuesday was a rugby night. I've been going to Tuesdays and Thursday training sessions all month, I just didn't get a chance to ... oh, never mind. I'm here, now. Let's get this done.

I ate ok - there is a move on to get my entire family eating better. So far, I think they are eating better than I am.

I'm pretty stressed at work these days and moving house at the end of May, besides prepping since Christmas isn't helping me at all these days. I can hardly wait until the end of May.

I did get the "extra fitness" done while at training, then went and got my own done after that.

Got this done for three sets:

4 x 50 m sprints
20 feet up push ups
20 seated knee tucks

I feel good, and playing well. People comment positively on my running and positional play over the weekend, which made me happy.