Thoughts on training, w/e 4 August 2024

This week I’ve been thinking again about training motivation and prioritisation. There’s one way of approaching a hard workout, which is to think that all life is hard being fit is hard, but being unfit is also hard, so you ‘choose your hard’ (Devon Brough).

There’s also the bloody-minded, ‘put the work in‘, ‘grind’, ‘only stop when you’re done’ almost angry, definitely badass, mindset towards exercise which I have also used loads at times but which long term feels more like self-punishment than self-love.

But is it possible to keep up an intensive fitness pattern without this badass attitude which seems to need to be fueled by some anger/ fear/ aggression/ stress/ or heightened feeling of competition with others in order to sustain it?

Is it possible to be Badass without actually feeling it?

Even though I am not always maximally motivated and sometimes have to find ways to dig a bit deep even to turn up I don’t really have that angry attitude towards fitness right now – currently I feel zero aggression, and care a lot less than previously about what others think, or what they are doing.

In trying to accept myself as a worthwhile fallible human (3 stars out of a possible 5 let’s say) some of the intense pressure and fear of Losing or Stopping has gone, so is it possible to still keep up the intensity of intentional fitness and strength training without the masochism being dialed up to the max? And without the validation of a competition being the goal?

I have been working to find a different, third way of thinking that will help me more over the long term.

Last week for example, starting my solo workouts took some doing because I was distracted and stressy, but even so, understanding the curveballs that Life could throw at us at any time to stop us being able to workout makes me thankful for the ability to do it. And when there’s a lot of work and family responsibilities to juggle that free time to train really is incredibly precious. So it’s that old chestnut of gratitude for the ability and opportunity to do a workout….

Sometimes choosing to workout over other things feels like a selfish act and can induce feelings of guilt. For me these add massively to the pressure to perform amazing feats of lifting.

But my present thinking on this is, if not Now, then, When? Even if I am not brilliant why should I not pursue self-development?

So even though I am deep into my years of gym-going I am realising more than ever that every workout achieved is in itself an every day, minor miracle.

….a perfect product of effort, intention, and interest…..

…..a process of creation.

I want to feel that I am in some ways always developing, always trying to improve. Because developing is the opposite of ageing, and we are all ageing, so is in my view there is no time to lose….

So this week I went too light on my solo workouts, bombed at trying to run 5km, got worse at Dragon Flags, and yet, felt proud of squatting with just the bar overhead (working up to a mighty 25kg), felt more comfortable in high bar back squats, and got through all of the workouts that Chris Allen set for me.

6 days in a row, again.

These are the times where the biggest gains are made (if only mentally) because the investment in your future self when you don’t feel up to it but do it anyway feels like a minor miracle and worth celebrating.

And because I always used to take the easy way out for the first 40+ years of my life I am probably overly proud of just keeping on, keeping on now.

The training week this week (programming by and PT with Chris Allen at Origin Athletic, Bristol):

Day 1: Monday, Max heart rate plus Upper Body including:
5x 25 seconds assault bike
5 sets of 5 reps on bench (rpe 8)
Shoulder superset
Banded pullups
Seated row machine
Bicep curls

Day 2: Tuesday, Hoppy, Squatty, Starfish PT session
Plyometrics (jumping and bounding)
Overhead squats (up to 25kg)
Back squats
Hamstring curls

Overhead squats into back squats are an absolutely revelation, according to Chris something to do with opening the hips more. But I hope this continues, whatever is happening here.

Day 3: Wednesday, Jog
Flaming Nora it was hot outside. Went with my husband for a 5km attempt and managed only a very ‘stately’ 3.5km. Next time 5km is mine. I looked up my Strava from 3 years ago and 5km used to no biggie, as was 10km. This is what happens when you only strength train for 3 years. I am happy to be stronger but my running sucks right now…..soon, I will be able to do both, that is the aim.

Day 4: Thursday, Back Squats and Hamstring Isometric holds PT session
Backsquats (back to high bar) feeling kinda natural. Doing more volume at the moment and actually enjoying it. Praise be for this.

Day 5: Friday, Circuit training, 40 minutes

Rounds of: sled push, 12 x db neutral grip press, ski erg, 10 high pulls, 12 butterfly sit ups, over and over for 40 mins. Yucky/lovely.

Day 6: Saturday, VO2 training day
No running this week as sore legs so did 4 minute row intervals with 3 minute rest x4, then some core stuff. Also haven’t really rowed in a while and forgot to utilise my long arms until the very end but kept going at an even pace and even enjoyed it.

The End/Rest Day