Onigiri at the station
Originally uploaded by renfield
gots me a plan
SO last year I did 90 days of Peak Condition Project, then 90 days of Kung-Fu Body, and recently 6 weeks of Chisel. In between, I did some rebounding, but basically got healthier than I have ever been.
The main thing I learned is that I do really well when I have a plan, a program to follow. Otherwise I just make stupid choices.
So, now I will try my own plan. The goal: finish the FIT For Charity 10k run in 50 minutes. Barefoot.
I will give myself 5 weeks, starting Monday Oct 26.
Until then I will spend a week in Bakersfield, CA, swinging swords and binging on burritos and froyo, and generally being not healthy.
I have been running off and on since PCP, so I'm not really an expert. I figure I will start the first week running at a 10k/hr pace (i.e. 10k will take 60 minutes) and then bring the speed up every week for five weeks until I am at a 12k/hr pace (i.e. 10k will take 50 minutes).
So the first week I will set my handy watch to a 6min/k pace, increasing the pace by 30 seconds every week for five weeks until I get to a 5min/k pace...
Sounds simple, but keeping up a 12k/h pace for 50 minutes, barefoot, will be a serious stretch for me.
Fastest 10k I ever did was 53 minutes, with shoes...but that was last year, when I wasn't really training.
I will try to run 4 times a week, maybe Mondays and Wednesdays barefoot 3-5k just to build up the bottoms of my feet to the leather necessary to handle 10k of city running. Tuesdays and Thursdays I'll do 5-7k with shoes, and on Saturday I'll go for a big 10-15k run, mainly with shoes.
Probably have to try it and see how it goes; not sure how much recovery time I'll need after barefoot running. Maybe I should take a day off after barefoot running, so I could do Monday barefoot, Tuesday off, Wednesday shod, Thursday barefoot, Friday off, Saturday shod big run, Sunday off...hmm...
The main thing I learned is that I do really well when I have a plan, a program to follow. Otherwise I just make stupid choices.
So, now I will try my own plan. The goal: finish the FIT For Charity 10k run in 50 minutes. Barefoot.
I will give myself 5 weeks, starting Monday Oct 26.
Until then I will spend a week in Bakersfield, CA, swinging swords and binging on burritos and froyo, and generally being not healthy.
I have been running off and on since PCP, so I'm not really an expert. I figure I will start the first week running at a 10k/hr pace (i.e. 10k will take 60 minutes) and then bring the speed up every week for five weeks until I am at a 12k/hr pace (i.e. 10k will take 50 minutes).
So the first week I will set my handy watch to a 6min/k pace, increasing the pace by 30 seconds every week for five weeks until I get to a 5min/k pace...
Sounds simple, but keeping up a 12k/h pace for 50 minutes, barefoot, will be a serious stretch for me.
Fastest 10k I ever did was 53 minutes, with shoes...but that was last year, when I wasn't really training.
I will try to run 4 times a week, maybe Mondays and Wednesdays barefoot 3-5k just to build up the bottoms of my feet to the leather necessary to handle 10k of city running. Tuesdays and Thursdays I'll do 5-7k with shoes, and on Saturday I'll go for a big 10-15k run, mainly with shoes.
Probably have to try it and see how it goes; not sure how much recovery time I'll need after barefoot running. Maybe I should take a day off after barefoot running, so I could do Monday barefoot, Tuesday off, Wednesday shod, Thursday barefoot, Friday off, Saturday shod big run, Sunday off...hmm...
man-date
P took Ton to the Heart Catch Puricure event on Saturday, which is definitely Girls Only, so The Mighty Mo and I had a man date.
First we went to the hospital to confirm that he did in fact have hand, foot, mouth disease. Then went to the pharmacy to get some cream for his butt, since his diaper rash wasn't.
After that we took the ChiBus to City Hall, got some onigiri, then walked up to the monorail and road to Haneda Airport.
He passed out just as we arrived, so I grabbed some lunch whilst he napped. When he woke up we went up to the observation deck to watch the planes, the raced a slot car around the huge track at the toy store.
We headed back down to the monorail, road back to Hamamatsucho, switched to the JR, and cruised to Harajuku. We walked up to Omotosando, took a Bucks break, checked out the National Treasures and other goodies on display at the special sword exhibit at Nezu Museum, walked down to Nishi Azabu, then up to Roppongi Hills, and finally home.
First we went to the hospital to confirm that he did in fact have hand, foot, mouth disease. Then went to the pharmacy to get some cream for his butt, since his diaper rash wasn't.
After that we took the ChiBus to City Hall, got some onigiri, then walked up to the monorail and road to Haneda Airport.
He passed out just as we arrived, so I grabbed some lunch whilst he napped. When he woke up we went up to the observation deck to watch the planes, the raced a slot car around the huge track at the toy store.
We headed back down to the monorail, road back to Hamamatsucho, switched to the JR, and cruised to Harajuku. We walked up to Omotosando, took a Bucks break, checked out the National Treasures and other goodies on display at the special sword exhibit at Nezu Museum, walked down to Nishi Azabu, then up to Roppongi Hills, and finally home.
Lunch nap and pocky
Lunch nap and pocky
Originally uploaded by renfield
Wife had the kids for the day, last day of summer before school starts tomorrow. They were out in the morning, but Mo fell asleep and no stroller, so P called me and came by wokrk. We got Ton an onigiri and some Pocky for lunch whilst the Monster slept.
Then they both got icecream.
Apparently that pushed Ton over her sugar quota for the day and she went ballistic, so from now on no chocolate except for once on Saturday, Swedish style!
D?
Got my yearly health check results: D.
WTF?!
I just finished 6WC and am in the best shape EVER!
Two problems with the blood and urine:
1) Elevated ALP (362 U/L) and Total Bilirubin (1.6 mg/dL)
2) Protein in the urine and elevated blood urea nitrogen (20.5 mg/dL)
So I might have blocked bile ducts (maybe gallstones), bone disease, liver disease, or I am on the verge of kidney failure...or maybe eating nothing but fruit, veggies, and protein, having 13% body fat and twice the normal muscle mass has screwed up my blood and urine results.
Similar crappy results last year, too, right after PCP!
Luckily my step-mom is a nurse and will probably tell me something like eating six egg whites a day will definitely screw up the results.
WTF?!
I just finished 6WC and am in the best shape EVER!
Two problems with the blood and urine:
1) Elevated ALP (362 U/L) and Total Bilirubin (1.6 mg/dL)
2) Protein in the urine and elevated blood urea nitrogen (20.5 mg/dL)
So I might have blocked bile ducts (maybe gallstones), bone disease, liver disease, or I am on the verge of kidney failure...or maybe eating nothing but fruit, veggies, and protein, having 13% body fat and twice the normal muscle mass has screwed up my blood and urine results.
Similar crappy results last year, too, right after PCP!
Luckily my step-mom is a nurse and will probably tell me something like eating six egg whites a day will definitely screw up the results.
Mcgyver would be proud
Mcgyver would be proud
Originally uploaded by renfield
Gauze, medical tape, hair clip from 100yen shop makes a hands-free
skin-to-cartilage-fusion-encouragement device. Rapid healing AND bold
fashion statement! I am practically steampunk.
ear pain
So my ear infection wasn't. It is in fact a texbook case of cauliflower ear. I won't like to that term, but if you google it, don't do so immediately before or after (or during) eating.
So after dropping off the kids at summer school, I went down to Kitasato Hospital, made a reservation at the automated reservation ATM machine, and waited about ten minutes. Doctor took one look at me and said: "Yup, cauliflower ear...why are you here? This is Sports Medicine, you should be at Ear, Nose, and Throat. Down the half to the right."
So I went down the hall and sat and waited...for two hours. Luckily Kindle on iPad2 is utterly brilliant.
Finally got to see the ENT doc, who took one look at me and said: "You understsand Japanese? Good. The skin of your ear has separated from the cartilage, and the space is filled with blood. First I'll drain it, than tape it up and try to get the skin to meld back down. And come back in a week, because I'll probably have to drain it again. If it doesn't heal, or you keep getting his in the ear, surgery might help...this will sting a bit..."
What he really, REALLY did NOT need to do was show me the syringe filled with blood that he sucked out of my ear, thanks.
So now I am thinking I need to head down to the 100yen store and figure out a self-pinching contraption that can keep adequate pressure on my ear without me having to hold it all the time. Maybe a combination of clothes pins and rubber bands...or document clips...?
So after dropping off the kids at summer school, I went down to Kitasato Hospital, made a reservation at the automated reservation ATM machine, and waited about ten minutes. Doctor took one look at me and said: "Yup, cauliflower ear...why are you here? This is Sports Medicine, you should be at Ear, Nose, and Throat. Down the half to the right."
So I went down the hall and sat and waited...for two hours. Luckily Kindle on iPad2 is utterly brilliant.
Finally got to see the ENT doc, who took one look at me and said: "You understsand Japanese? Good. The skin of your ear has separated from the cartilage, and the space is filled with blood. First I'll drain it, than tape it up and try to get the skin to meld back down. And come back in a week, because I'll probably have to drain it again. If it doesn't heal, or you keep getting his in the ear, surgery might help...this will sting a bit..."
What he really, REALLY did NOT need to do was show me the syringe filled with blood that he sucked out of my ear, thanks.
So now I am thinking I need to head down to the 100yen store and figure out a self-pinching contraption that can keep adequate pressure on my ear without me having to hold it all the time. Maybe a combination of clothes pins and rubber bands...or document clips...?
me and my bro, 1976
Chris-Ren-Milan-1.76
Originally uploaded by renfield
Living in Milan, Italy.
Uncle D scanned a bunch of old photos -- these are great!
ear infection
Went to the doctor yesterday to get some antibiotics. Have an ear infection. Specifically, the inside of my left ear LOBE is all purple and green and swollen.
Current theory is that during practice I get boxed or squished in the earlobe, and then what was a miniscule scrape or cut got infected and is now a multi-colored, puss-filled catastrophe.
Doctor couldn't find any obvious entry wound so I just got some generic antibiotics, but if those don't kill off the infection in a few days, will have to go to a Dermatologist and see about having the whole damn earlobe removed.
Can't sleep with my head turned to that side; squishing the ear hurts too much. So now my neck is sore from sleeping with my head in one position all night...
Current theory is that during practice I get boxed or squished in the earlobe, and then what was a miniscule scrape or cut got infected and is now a multi-colored, puss-filled catastrophe.
Doctor couldn't find any obvious entry wound so I just got some generic antibiotics, but if those don't kill off the infection in a few days, will have to go to a Dermatologist and see about having the whole damn earlobe removed.
Can't sleep with my head turned to that side; squishing the ear hurts too much. So now my neck is sore from sleeping with my head in one position all night...
new hat
On our way to lunch in Aoyama, passed Yamada Hat Shop, a proper haberdashery. Yamada-san recommended the summer weave pseudo-Panama, in Yamada original blue.
I now sport proper head gear.
I now sport proper head gear.
punch
Today at lunch in the dojo there were a couple of guys I hadn't worked with before, including one who is a semi-pro boxer getting ready for a fight soon.
At the end of the session I went one minute with him: mistake. Hands too fast it was all I could do to keep my head from getting knocked off, and then I took a hook to the ribs that didn't so much hurt as instantly knock all the air out of my lungs.
Dropped to my knees and tried to take a slow, deep breath, having flashbacks to the one and only time I played baseball as a little kid, and caught a hoppy line-drive right into the stomach. Same feeling of can't-breathe!, only this time I knew what to do.
Best part was, after me he went 3 minutes with another new guy, and 2 minutes into it, the semi-pro boxer (not the new guy!) suddenly stopped the fight and dropped to his knees -- he was panting, covered in sweat and totally out of breath!
Everyone told me: "If you just kept your guard solid, come into him more, and got aggressive, you would have tired him out!"
Good practice; at least now I know what it's like to square off with someone exactly my size but completely out of my league.
At the end of the session I went one minute with him: mistake. Hands too fast it was all I could do to keep my head from getting knocked off, and then I took a hook to the ribs that didn't so much hurt as instantly knock all the air out of my lungs.
Dropped to my knees and tried to take a slow, deep breath, having flashbacks to the one and only time I played baseball as a little kid, and caught a hoppy line-drive right into the stomach. Same feeling of can't-breathe!, only this time I knew what to do.
Best part was, after me he went 3 minutes with another new guy, and 2 minutes into it, the semi-pro boxer (not the new guy!) suddenly stopped the fight and dropped to his knees -- he was panting, covered in sweat and totally out of breath!
Everyone told me: "If you just kept your guard solid, come into him more, and got aggressive, you would have tired him out!"
Good practice; at least now I know what it's like to square off with someone exactly my size but completely out of my league.
Prison eggs
Prison eggs
Originally uploaded by renfield
With cabbage, red onion, green beans, chick peas, smuggled can of scallops.
body plant
Several days a week I head up to Body Plant at lunchtime to do MMA training with a bunch of guys from the industry, as well as some locals and the occassional pro fighter.
Body Plant is run by Adachi-san, a health, fitness, and fighting entrepreneur who is well known in the MMA circuits and was a former pro body builder.
He heard I did iai so he took a photo of me and put me on his blog!
Body Plant is run by Adachi-san, a health, fitness, and fighting entrepreneur who is well known in the MMA circuits and was a former pro body builder.
He heard I did iai so he took a photo of me and put me on his blog!
Self chizzle
I will a some point soon start a proper and official chisel, as administered by the master of Peak Condition Project.
But right now, I have about 6 weeks to my yearly health check, and I have been slipping.
Calorie-laden frapuccinos to beat the heat, late nights and late mornings mean no AM workouts, big lunches, lots of sitting about...at least I have been going to fight club two or three times a week, and utterly sweating liters, but I seem to use that as an excuse to have some ice-cream or another cool and refreshing frap.
So as of July 1, I am back on the program.
I will start with a modified week 2 PCP diet (cutting the carbs seriously because I simply cannot eat that much anymore), and I will get up every morning for a short (likely barefoot) run and some pull-ups before breakfast. I will drink only decaf coffee from Starbucks. I will snack only on my prescribed fruit. And every week I will change to the following week's diet, carb adjusted, until my health check.
And we shall see what happens, but I predict I will drop a couple of the silly kilos I have slapped back on, covering my six-pack criminally a just the point in the summer when it needs to be out and gleaming in all its chiseled glory...or something.
But right now, I have about 6 weeks to my yearly health check, and I have been slipping.
Calorie-laden frapuccinos to beat the heat, late nights and late mornings mean no AM workouts, big lunches, lots of sitting about...at least I have been going to fight club two or three times a week, and utterly sweating liters, but I seem to use that as an excuse to have some ice-cream or another cool and refreshing frap.
So as of July 1, I am back on the program.
I will start with a modified week 2 PCP diet (cutting the carbs seriously because I simply cannot eat that much anymore), and I will get up every morning for a short (likely barefoot) run and some pull-ups before breakfast. I will drink only decaf coffee from Starbucks. I will snack only on my prescribed fruit. And every week I will change to the following week's diet, carb adjusted, until my health check.
And we shall see what happens, but I predict I will drop a couple of the silly kilos I have slapped back on, covering my six-pack criminally a just the point in the summer when it needs to be out and gleaming in all its chiseled glory...or something.
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