The return of the runner, featuring runkeeper.

Yeah! So like I said earlier. I'm back!

And I really am trying this time. I run 4-5 times a week, an average of 40miles every week. I know sounds like a lot, but you've got to realize i'm in training to beat my PB in the 10k and Half marathon, and with two events coming up a month apart I really do have to ramp it up.

I just have to comment on an app I use: Runkeeper. In my opinion the best running app in the world. I'm currently using the free version but thinking of paying for the elite and not because of the features but just as a way of saying thanks to the team. Seriously guys check it out. It is amazing.

My posts will not be complete without a petty gripe. My gripe for the week is my lack of motivation to do strength training. Since I cancelled my gym membership for lack of use I've hardly done any strength exercise apart from the random push up. i really need to do something about that and my swimming.

Anyway, gotta run(yeah I know), but before i go just want to remind you to check out runkeeper especially the training plans they are amaze balls, especially for a stats nerd like me needing to see the improvement from week to week.


http://runkeeper.com/user/tommyspark/activity/184524485

back on the block(starting block)

Hello my fellow earthlings,

Following my stint in the injury netherworld, I've being out of shape, form and gained 10kg to boot.

So looking myself in the mirror and not liking what I saw I decided to take my running into my hands again and register for two events. See the links: Tough Mudder and The Great Scottish Run.

Tough mudder is one of the toughest half marathon races on the planet, it's basically an obstacle course designed by the british special forces, don't take my word for it, check it out at your own peril.

The great scottish run is a race I did last year just about the time I was developing (and ignoring) my injury. It's a fun race covering a lot of Glasgow, friendly people come out to watch you run and give you candy as you go by.

So I'm back on the treadmill(figuratively) and i'm on a training plan which sees me running approximately 40 miles per week. I'm slowly increasing my speed as well as my distance and hopefully will be injury free. Check out my profile: My Profile

In the long run (ha ha, runners pun), I see myself becoming a better runner and look forward to a triathlon next year.

In passing, I do have to mention that devoting time to run and raise a baby is difficult and I couldn't do it without the support of my lovely wife. Kudos TJ.

Resolutions: Exercise & Diet??

It's a new year!! Yippee, woohoo, Happy new year.....
Now that all the festivities have died down, all the food munched, the drinks gulped. You look in the mirror and wonder when you got pregnant, you climb the scale and scream, rapidly check your pockets for where the added weight is coming from, and slowly, very slowly come to the realization that in the last month and a half you've added 10kg.

Yes, that happened to me, the biggest advocate of keeping fit, Mr. runner, Mr. Marathon, Mr. Gym and all the other sobriquet and sometimes expletives that are associated with me. I became human, I fell to the wayside, became one of my own congregation. I am so disappointed with myself.

Now don't get me wrong, I have all the usual excuses and some unusual ones that people in my situation have i.e. I and my wife +Theresa Ewere are having a baby (YAY!!) and it's medically proven that expecting fathers put on as much weight during pregnancy as mothers, I'm currently in a province in Canada (Manitoba) where the average temperature is -30 degrees in winter (I tried running outside once and I saw people driving by with tears in their eyes, you could imagine them saying to their families another stupid stranger is planning to die today).

I even joined the Y (YMCA), went twice, once to workout and the other time to swim. Didn't work for me put on 1KG the next day.

So I'm starting the new year overweight and unmotivated, but I PLAN to kick myself into shape!

I've watched quite a  lot of TV and half of it has dealt with diets (it seems that TV, like google is being personalized for the viewer), so as much as I hate diets, I'm seriously considering the cave man diet and the wife doesn't look too pleased.

So new year get ready!! It's gonna be a hard training, lean eating Oti (I hope).

Happy new year y'all.