July Press Up Challenge Day 31: 31/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day 31

Monday 31/07/2017

Press Ups

Final day of the challenge! Day 31! It has finally arrived.

I went big for my first set, tried to get as many as I possibly could, my eldest daughter and wife had a bet, my daughter said I could to 110 (ever the optimism of a 5 year old) and my wife said 56.

I got....55, before collapsing in a heap on the floor! This was followed by my daughter jumping on my back and me doing 5 more. I then broke it down into the usual 20 rep sets.

I'm pretty proud of that achievement, when I started I could barely do 25, and by the end I've managed to more than double this effort.

Looking Back

The past month of July has had it's ups and downs and up again and back down (sorry bad press up joke!).

I've done 6,200 press ups over the last 31 days.  Most have been done in the spare bedroom, but I've completed 400 while camping in the rain in Great Langdales, 600 when pretty ill and didn't want to do anything except sleep, 15 with a heavy 5 year old sat on my back, 100 in Grizedale Wood.

Lessons Learnt

One of the key lessons is perseverance.  Needing to keep on going through the pain and sometimes boredom that can come with a repetitive task.

I'm glad that I persevered throughout the challenge, towards the end of the challenge I was excited about doing them, how many could I do in one go today? How quickly can I get them done?

Next Steps

Well the press up challenge is done, what is the next challenge?  I think I will be attempting a plank challenge, each day hold a plank pose until failure.  How's up for joining me and sharing their successes?

I think I'll carry on doing a few press ups every day as well, just to keep the strength there.

See you tomorrow,

Owen

July Press Up Challenge Day 30: 30/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day 30

Sunday 30/07/2017

Press Ups

Day 30 of the challenge, just 1 more to go!!! So close!  I don't think I've ever been this consistent with my exercise.....

Another lovely relaxing day with the family, so the press ups were done post me tinkering with my bike.

Tomorrow is a big day being the final day of the challenge, so wanted these to be a bit easier, so split them into smaller reps per sets just doing 20 reps.  My plan for tomorrow will be to do 1 large set, see how many I can do in one go without stopping.  Then will just get through the rest, however, I can!!

I'll see you tomorrow for the final day of the challenge,

Owen

July Press Up Challenge Day 29: 29/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day 29

Saturday 29/07/2017

Press Ups

Day 29 of July's 200 press up challenge, just 2 more days to complete the challenge.

Being a Saturday, I wasn't getting up early to do the press ups instead I had a lie in until 7am, when my daughter woke up.

After a day doing family bits and pieces and catching up on some R&R decided to go out for a short 2 mile run in town, before returning to do the press ups.

Over the last few days I have been doing 150 broken down into various sets first, having a long break before coming back to have a blast at 1 set of 50.  Yesterday was the first time I succeeded in completing all 50 in one set.

Because I would have chance to do this type of split, I decided to go for the 1 set of 50 first and then carry on with the remaining 150.  Running high on confidence from the day before I set off on the 50........only to fall short and fail at 40! I'm putting it down to the run before I did the press ups.

I then did sets of 20's to get me through to the end, fair to say that the arms and shoulders were pretty tired by the end.

Think I won't attempt the 50 tomorrow, so on the last day I will be fresher to attempt to see how many I can do in 1 go.

See you tomorrow,

Owen

July Press Up Challenge Day 28: 28/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day

Friday 28/07/2017

Press Ups

Rolling on from my success of yesterday's attempt on the 50 I thought I would give it another go today.

So again up at 5.45am and did 150 press ups before 6am, this was broken down into 6 sets of 20 and a set of 30, a good way to start off the 28th day of the challenge.

Once I finally I got in from a very long day at work, I got down and did the full 50 press ups in 1 go!!! That is twice the number I could do at the start of this challenge!!  I am so pleased that I managed it.  I wasn't sure if I could arms felt shaky at the 45 mark but I powered through and got to the 50.

Hopefully I can replicate it tomorrow!!!

See you tomorrow,

Owen

July Press Up Challenge Day 27: 27/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day 27

Thursday 27/07/2017

Press Ups

Day 27 of the July press up challenge.

Was up nice and early today, started my press ups at 5:45am! My plan for today was 150 this morning and then try and get 1 set of 50 in this evening.  I knew if I tried to do the 50 first thing I would struggle with the next 150.

So I repped out the 150 this morning in 6 sets of 20 and 1 set of 30, struggled this morning, I assume because my shoulders were tired from last nights press ups. 

Anyway, this evening I went for the 50.  I fell slightly short at 44, literally my arms and shoulders gave out on me and I face planted into the floor.  But still 44 in one go!!  So people might read this and think 44 press ups, no problem I can do that.  But for me that has taken a lot of work and a lot of press ups to get to that point.  Once my arms recovered I quickly finished off the remaining 6 to get to the magic 200.

I might have another go tomorrow night at the 50, fingers crossed I'll get it!!!

See you tomorrow,

Owen

July Press Up Challenge Day 26: 26/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day 26

Wednesday 26/07/2017

Press Ups

26th day of the challenge sees the same method I've used the last few days in a bid to complete my daily 200 press ups.

Once again broke that bad boy up into 6 sets of 30 reps and finished off with a 20.  Wrist is still aching towards the end.  I shouldn't be surprised essentially I've done 5200 press ups in the last 26 days.  That is the equivalent of doing just of 8 press ups every hour for 26 days!

Tonight I finally got out for a run.  I haven't run in ages and really wanted to get out.  I'm a bit disappointed with myself as after I completed the ultra marathon I said that I wanted to continue with that fitness level and carry on running long distances.  But unfortunately I didn't keep to it.

With a half marathon in September I need to get my training in.  So tonight I ran around town, doing 3.2 miles in 34 minutes, pace of 10:22min/miles and an elevation gain of 289 ft.

See you tomorrow,

Owen

July Press Up Challenge Day 25: 25/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day 25

Tuesday 25/07/2017

Press Ups

Day 25 of the 200 press ups a day for the month of July challenge.  Just 6 more days to go!!

Was feeling pretty tired tonight when I got in, was falling asleep on the sofa, but determined to get my press ups in I got up and hit the floor.

Feeling confident from yesterday I went with the same rep ratio, 6 sets of 30 reps and 1 of 20.  Felt good doing it, slight twinge in my left wrist and right shoulder but nothing too bad.  The press ups definitely helped to wake me up, which is a small issue at 8pm and you are feeling pumped and awake.  Hopefully it doesn't affect my sleep tonight.

See you tomorrow for day 26!

Owen

July Press Up Challenge Day 24: 24/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day 24

Monday 24/07/2017

Press Ups

Day 24 of July press up challenge.  I'm starting to feel like the voice of the guy from Big Brother - "Day 24, 8.30pm and Owen has done another 200 press ups, what do the housemates think of him?" (In a Geordie accent, obviously!).

As I hoped for yesterday I shot for sets of 30 reps and succeeded!!!  :-)

6 sets of 30 and finished off with a set of 20 reps!!

I think it shows,  if you are persistent with something and you try at it everyday you will see those improvements.  It might not be press ups or exercise in general for that matter, but it could be anything you want to achieve, learning Spanish, writing a blog (which I've found harder to persevere with than the press ups), cooking, painting.......  whatever is your passion to do.  Coming back to it day after day, even when you have those days when you really don't want to, when you are too tired, when it's late, when the baby has been crying all night, when.... whatever the excuse could be, you didn't take it.  Instead you battled through to see the outcome at the end of the day.

I think it needs an accountability partner involved in these processes.  No one cares if I don't practice my Spanish, but I know if I don't do my 200 press ups and write about it Paddy will be onto me.  He's my accountability partner in this, as well as the GO Cumbria community.  I feel I need to write it or I let you down, a woman in work asks me every day how the press ups are going, that is accountability.  Find your accountability partner in a challenge and shoot for a goal.  Try and do something every day for a month and see what difference it makes to your skill on that task but also your view on that task. 

Give it a go and let me know what you are going to try for a month, every day without fail.

See you tomorrow,

Owen

July Press Up Challenge Day 23: 23/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day 23

Sunday 23/07/2017

Press Ups

Day 23 of the 200 press up challenge and another weekend over with.  I'm surprised how quickly this challenge has gone, it is almost the end of July already!

The report for today is pretty short and simple really, all my press ups were done this afternoon when the kids were out, once again broke it down into 8 sets of 25 reps.  I've done this the last few days and I'm already feeling it being easier doing this set routine.  At the start I would be struggling for the last couple of sets, but not today.  I think next week I'll be upping it to set of 27 or even 30.  I would feel a great sense of achievement if I could get to doing 30s by the end of the week.

See you tomorrow,

Owen

Review: Urge Supatrail Helmet 2016

Review

Urge Supatrail Helmet 2016

I recently required a new helmet as my old one was getting to about 3 years old  or so.  Even though you might not have dropped or crashed you still need to replace your helmet every few years because they get damaged by UV weakening the structure, therefore not providing adequate protection at the critical time.

After setting my budget and trawling the internet I came across the Urge Supatrail Helmet 2016 on Chain Reaction Cycles (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com).  If we are all honest the first thing we look at on a helmet is how cool it looks!  And I really like the shape of the Urge Supatrail, also both my mountain bike and road bike are red and black so thought it would match perfectly.  I love the large circle air vents on each side and the front, the narrow profile  of the helmet is great as well.  Also the reviews were really positive.

I ordered a large/extra large for me.  Chain Reaction Cycles were great, as usual in posting out the Urge Supatrail and it arrived with a couple of days.

Once it arrived I adjusted the chain straps and the one at the back to get the right feel.  Very snug feel, but not too tight and zero wobble, which I've experienced with other helmets.

I've used in now twice since it has arrived.  Once on my commute into work and also I took it with me when I went to Glasgow to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome for my level 2 accreditation.

Very comfortable to wear, the sweat band at the front works brilliantly.  Previous visors on other helmets have been easy to pull off but on the Urge Supatrail it is riveted on.

Helmet is lovely and light and with the large air vents provides good cooling, even worked well when going around a warm velodrome.

Overall very pleased with my purchase of the Urge Supatrail Helmet 2016 and would recommend it to others.  Overall giving a five chain ring grading.

See you later,

Owen

https://www.urgebike.com/index.php

July Press Up Challenge Day 22: 22/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day 22

Saturday 22/07/2017

Press ups

Day 22 of the July 200 press up challenge.  Today I was up in Glasgow's Chris Hoy Velodrome (http://www.emiratesarena.co.uk/cycling/Pages/default.aspx) for my level 2 accreditation for track cycling. 

I did level 1 back in January and haven't had a chance to get back up there to do level 2 until today.  The accreditation system introduces you to track cycling and teaches you safe riding skills.  Levels 1 and 2 are an hour long, while levels 3 and 4 are two hours long.  By the time you pass level 4 you are then allowed to go to any of their numerous open sessions and ride around the track.

Today's session was teaching us how to cycling in a train on the black and blue line.  Cycling within

a wheels width of each other and then with us peeling off one by one and re-joining at the rear of the line of riders.  An interesting skill to master because you don't have any breaks on a fixie bike, meaning if you cycle to fast and get to close to the person in front you can't just squeeze the brakes and slow down.

Glasgow is the closest velodrome for us to go to but there are numerous centres right around the country and would really recommend that you have a go, it is exciting to go around.  I know a lot of the velodrome's have their own accreditation, and I believe it can be transferred between places, i.e. once I pass at Glasgow I should be able to ride in Manchester for example.

Onto the press ups.  As I was up and out early doors this morning, giving it is a 2.5 hrs drive to Glasgow from home, I did all my press ups this evening.  And late on this evening as well as we were watching Beauty and the Beast with my 5 year old.  So she was allowed to stay up late as a special treat for finishing school.

Today I broke the press ups into 8 sets of 25 reps, so pushing myself a little bit harder.  I could definitely feel it in the shoulder area on the final couple of sets.

I hope the rain is not washing your weekend out and you are having fun.

See you tomorrow,

Owen

July Press Up Challenge Day 21: 21/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day 21

Friday 21/07/2017

Press Ups

Day 21 of the 200 press up challenge.  Just 10 more days left to go.  I'll have to think of another challenge for August, any suggestions?

Today I part commuted into work on the bike so I wasn't planning an early session on the press ups.  I had planned to get up early and get into work early.  I drive about 20 miles to work, park up and cycle the final 10 or so miles into the office.

I find this a great way to get an extra piece of training in to a busy day.  The final 10 miles are pretty busy heading into Carlisle, so I'm only getting in 10 to 15 min later than I otherwise would, I save on petrol as well.  So all and all a good deal.

The morning ride in was great a nice tail wind over the 10 miles meaning I averaged 16.1mi/h, with a max of 28mi/h.

Came a slightly different way back to the car on the end of the day commute, avoiding the main roads as much.  Had a head wind for a good portion of the 11.2 miles, but by far a nice journey.  Even with the head wind averaged 16.2mi/h and a max of 30.2mi/h.

On the press up front, did these watching the Tour de France while the wife put the little ones to bed.  10 sets of 20 reps with a minute rest in between.

Off to Glasgow Velodrome tomorrow for a session which is going to be good fun.

See you tomorrow,

Owen

July Press Up Challenge Day 20: 20/07/2017

July Press Up Challenge Day 20

Thursday 20/07/2017

Press ups

Day 20 of the 200 press up challenge, just 11 more days left.

Pretty short and sweet update on today's blog.  Baby and me have been up since 4.45am, as well as numerous times over night, remnants of her immunisation jabs, lets hope she has a decent nights sleep tonight, I think we all need it!

So as you can imagine none done this morning, all done once I had put the kids to bed.  Split up quite simply 10 sets of 20 press ups with 1 min rest.  Seeing an improvement now on the ease of doing this number.  Maybe by day 30 I'll be knocking out 40 or even 50 reps at a time?! Who knows.

Catch you tomorrow,

Owen