Once more working out

I went to the gym today, and my wife/ chief photographer came along. She is brilliant. 

Warm up

The seated leg press was not being used, so 30 reps using 150lbs was the warm up. As the photo demonstrates, I had already warmed up inside. 

The rowing machine was great, me pushing and straightening my legs and pulling back with the arms. 

10 minutes was a good workout, especially as the person next to me did the same distance as me in 16 minutes. 

A great touch of the runs

A gentle start, walking for two laps, then the overjoy came along for 11 laps of running.

It was manifested by pointing at the shirt, and frankly, grinning.

I even practiced breaking an imaginary finish line tape:

I even limited the temptation to yell "I'm back!" According to my watch, I ran 1.3 miles/ 2.09 kilometres in 7 minutes, 20 seconds. That makes 3 minutes, 47 seconds per kilometre. 

Keep it up!

Lots of friends have been encouraging to me, hence the selfies. Non-friends are now notorious for their misgivings, so the images in this post are dedicated to my friends, solely and exclusively.

Recovery of Hope

Return to the gym

Today was for the return to the gym for various workouts and some running. Starting with a walking warmup, I had been aiming to start on the rowing machine, but both of them were "under occupation". Awaiting for them to be "liberated”, I had to watch 2 men dragging the handle over their heads. The temptation was to approach them and pontificate: "I'm Peter, and you are under arrest." 

Return to running

I got started at pace around the track, in fact I lapped many others. Keeping the technique correct involved me reciting "arms, feet, legs" to myself. It was a matter of swinging both arms evenly, keeping my feet straight, and with my height using a long stride. 

11 laps, according to Strava used on my phone which fortunately didn't jump off my belt, was 2.7 km long. 8 minutes 30 seconds long, would work out to a 5k time of 16 minutes 42 seconds: potentially a PB of 4 minutes and 3 seconds!

Warm down

So then some weights to cool down with.  The lateral pull down wasn't very selfie-able, although over 40 reps of 100lbs got me going. The seated leg press was available for me, so 30 reps of 150lbs it was. 

The rowing machine had me going extremely well, almost declaring "the magic is back!" Endurance and strength had both demonstrated themselves well to me personally, leaving time for a walking cool down and a selfie.

Refuelling lunch

Upon my return home, time for noodles, chicken, broccoli and lemonade. The return to good shape is well and truly back on. I just need to wait for doctoral permission to run, drive and work again at a couple of points in March. Here's to life and recovery. 

Recovery Update

Hello friends, you all know who you are. Non-friends shall remain nameless.

Refuelling before workout

The morning started with rice balls.

Then for lunch, I went to Chinatown with my wife, her Mum and cousin. I had my favourite food to celebrate Lantern Festival: Xiaolongbao, hence the beaming look on my face. 

Rowing Time

That kind of rowing, of course. A good way to get fit and healthy, one month after getting home after 6 months in hospital.

I managed 2,100 metres in 10 minutes and 10 seconds. If I may say so,  good technique, endurance and strength.

Running again!

Then back to the run yet again. 

All my concentration was on technique: both arms swinging, feet straight and long stride.

3 minutes, 29 seconds per kilometre, about half marathon PB pace. 

2 weeks before, according to Strava, I ran 3.8 km in 13 minutes, 0 seconds. Using a calculator, that would mean 5k in 17 minutes, 0 seconds, a PB of 2.5 minutes. Hopefully that will happen at the end of May, my first comeback race if I get Doctor's approval for running again. 

 

Hopeful expression

Good time for a selfie? More recovery is coming for my head and body daily. I aim to get back to working, driving and running in the next few months.

Confidence has returned of late, all due to my lovely wife's care and planning for our future. I am giving my upmost to recover well in workouts and therapy visits to home. I said so during the subsequent dinner:

Therefore, it is time to raise a glass to my recovery and comeback to life!