Chefprefers BLOG

Being 10kgs heavier and unfit, it was a long road back from my sciatic flare-up I had posted about last year.

Touch wood, I’m still getting around without pain and have been getting back to my usual self. It had been 18 months of a slow decline in fitness, one where I had worked so hard to get to top fitness. In May 2022, I was the fittest I’ve ever been in my 57 years. Getting old does that; with so little time left, health becomes a priority. Diet and exercise, I’ve been told, extend your life. Although your body breaks down as you age, you must be careful about how you go about it. I was not thorough enough.

I’ve just finished a 15-km trail run, one that I didn’t think I would be able to do. Looking back, I still wasn’t ready for it. My wariness at the end of the run had my concerns. However, it was an achievement, and hopefully, it will kick-start me back to what I want to do.

When you sign up for a running event, you need to train. There are two types of training: training to complete or training to improve your PB or compete with others. I had done the 30k trail run two years prior but had a different mindset. My heart rate for that race was 3 hours in the red zone. Perhaps not what I should be aiming for at my age. I ran out hard and just barely made it to the end.

Next time, I need to strategise my efforts; I’m not out there to win races but to fulfil a goal. My recent 15k run was tackled a bit better; walk the climbs and ran the flats. Then why call it a run if you will walk some of it? I believe it’s about conserving your energy to finish the race. 

 

Two weeks before my run, I rode MS Gong, an 82kms ride from Sydney to Wollongong, a charity ride for Multiple Sclerosis. Dean (a work colleague) and I signed up months ago. We created a team and enticed two others to join, Craig and Ken.

We had to raise at least $1000 for our team, which we did; Craig raised over $1000 alone, which put him in the VIP bracket. The VIP treatment allowed him to enter the VIP tent at the finish. The tent provided a banquet of food and drinks free of charge. Craig somehow got us in as well. It was a great way to finish the ride—free beer in one hand and a sandwich in the other.

Our team member, Ken, had an interesting day. Apart from bringing up the rear, he managed to lose his car keys at the chaotic finishing arena, only to be found by Dean, who was walking by without knowing who they belonged to. Then, when riding to catch the train that takes us back to the start, he got a flat tyre, therefore missing the train and having to wait another hour for another one. It was a memorial moment for him. Also on the ride Dean recorded a crash via his bike camera.

It was a big day, one I would do again. The ride was wonderful, with closed roads, the etiquette of the riders and the drivers, the scenery, and, of course, the company.

Until next time..