Easing back into training

DarkShadow · 17 Nov 2006 at 23:45

I'm in need of some advice. As of the past couple of days, it was almost 2 months since I last trained.

I've been boxing on and off for years.

My training schedule prior that, for the past 4 months (Summer holidays, a free man!) pretty much consisted of the following:

Monday: 2 Mile jog then a Boxing Circuit, thereafter sparring.
Tuesday: 2.5 Mile jog, either a Boxing Circuit or Bench Circuit (Variety of workouts, had my heart pounding after a few minutes!)
Wednesday: 3 Mile jog then a Weight Training based Circuit (This was rediculously hard, yet very rewarding)
Thursday: 3 Mile jog then on 7 bags (3 Minutes each) then Sparring and most probably royal rumble (Pile on a person, group brawl for fighting more than 1 person)

The guys I used to train with had a fair amount of guys, all with different styles of fighting. 1 Guy in particular, called John was well . . lets say a machine. He's known in Sheffield as a big time brawler, practically as tough as nails. The first couple of months I sparred with him I used to have a very bruised body, later on we became best brawling buddies, he is and always will be superior but I managed work my up in the ring which gained me a fair amount of respect.

However, I started University and my timetable has been mad, along with that I got a part time job. I also have other prioroties.

I did start training again on Wednesday and the loss of peformance/power is pretty amazing. I found that I had major problems whilst jogging, according to my Ipod Nike+ kit I managed to do 1.9 miles and I had a really painful stitch and I did stop a couple of times for a second or so, sheer lack of heart whilst my mind was focused. I then did the weight training circuit and I cut my reps down by half and felt literally dead. I went for a jog earlier and managed 1 mile (With a 0.15 mile sprint) before my blister became soar again.

I'm trying to organise myself to find ways to train among other things, but more importantly I'd like advice on easing back into jogging and training in general. As I don't have to the same amount of time as I use to

Thank you for your time.

dobbsy · 18 Nov 2006 at 13:49

I'm in the same position mate, it's an incredibly hard and long road back after you stop for a while after doing intense training.

My situation was the same as yours, in that, uni had been extremely intense and i had to cut out the gym.

The main problem is motivational, you come back into the gym and become demoralised when you cannot lift as much as you could at your peak, or cannot run as far without feeling knackered, you just have to blank it out, maybe going everyday, at a lower intensity (what i've done this week) It doesn't take long!!! Keep it short!

This week i've done a 10 minute jog every day, with the distance being just over a mile each time. I've then gone and done my usual weights routine, albeit with more reps and less weight.... my sessions this week have consisted of about 30 minutes, short, sharp, fast blast, reps rather than weight.

Monday - Chest
Tues - Biceps/Triceps
Wednesday - Light cardio
Thursday - Legs...
Friday - Back/Shoulders

Now, i feel even after a week, my motvation seems to be back, i don't feel demoralised, my body in general feels tighter, and i'm ready to roll, back on the road!

DarkShadow · 20 Nov 2006 at 19:19

Great advice, my mindset was "If I'm to train, I have to do the full works."

I took your advice and put on my hoody and wooly hat and went for a jog a few minutes ago, to my suprise according to my Nike+ stats, my ipod indicated it was my longest run yet!

To top that, I ran on the main road which was very hilly and I was often slowing my pace down to change music/re-insert headphones!

I think I could easily get that to below 20 minutes!

I'll be running tomorrow, I think I'll cut back a bit and run faster. I'll also use my Shure E2C's this time round, ipod headphones for the lose!

My body feels really wierd, I'm sweating and cold, my body also feels numb!

Redman · 20 Nov 2006 at 20:17

Is it fine to run 4-5 days in a row and just have weekends as recovery then?

dobbsy · 20 Nov 2006 at 22:55

dark_shadow said:
Great advice, my mindset was "If I'm to train, I have to do the full works."

I took your advice and put on my hoody and wooly hat and went for a jog a few minutes ago, to my suprise according to my Nike+ stats, my ipod indicated it was my longest run yet!

To top that, I ran on the main road which was very hilly and I was often slowing my pace down to change music/re-insert headphones!

I think I could easily get that to below 20 minutes!

I'll be running tomorrow, I think I'll cut back a bit and run faster. I'll also use my Shure E2C's this time round, ipod headphones for the lose!

My body feels really wierd, I'm sweating and cold, my body also feels numb!

Superb mate!

I've just bought the air zoom moire's but have yet to purchase the ipod attachment! is it any good fella?

Keep up the good work training and maybe use this thread as a way of recording your progress.

Training is all psychological, you come back and think 'i've got to lift what i was doing before' but this is simply not the case! Training at a lower intensity, for a longer time (meaning less recovery) seems to have done me the world of good, for the first week back into training (maybe more from a psychological point of view as i feel tight, body looks good, however, i ache like hell!!!) and i now feel as if i can step it back up, no miracle cure, just perseverance! I am fully aware of the importance of recovery though, it's just the first week back into training with little rest, has helped me wonders psychologically.

Keep up the training fella,

Craig

monkeypants · 20 Nov 2006 at 23:10

What exactly are you using to record your runs there DS?

dobbsy · 20 Nov 2006 at 23:18

monkeypants said:
What exactly are you using to record your runs there DS?

i'll answer for him....

it's the nike plus device (Nike+) it's like a pedometer you can either attach to any trainer, or if your stupid enough and fooled by the gimmicks like me - buy some nike + enable trainers, one piece fits in your shoe, the other in your ipod nano, and it records distance/time once you've downloaded your results to computer.

DarkShadow · 21 Nov 2006 at 20:09

Today, I feel stupidly exhausted!

As soon as I set off, I got a stitch :confused:

. In addition my neck was hurting (could be due to the weather) and my legs felt very weak.

I do have some good news however

I managed almost a minute quicker and did so over a 3.88km (2.42 Miles) distance

I must buy nike+ holder from the US, as I am slipping the device on the side of my trainers which isn't as accurate as it should be.

Craig, thanks for you advice and support bud, you've been supportive

Buy the Nike+ kit, you know it makes sense

DarkShadow · 21 Nov 2006 at 22:02

Forgot to post screenshot:

The speed uphills were very different to the previous one, I tried to maintain my speed up those long hills.

Redman · 21 Nov 2006 at 22:42

Redman said:
Is it fine to run 4-5 days in a row and just have weekends as recovery then?

dobbsy said:
I am fully aware of the importance of recovery though, it's just the first week back into training with little rest, has helped me wonders psychologically.

Just want to mention that I wasn't taking the pee or anything, I'm currently commuting to work on a bike (about 2.5 miles each way so not much) and running 2ce a week 2-3 miles depending how I feel. Yet I've bottomed out on weightloss/shape and am looking at ramping up a little.

Now I cant really alter the distance to work, but I can increase my running - so cycling 5 days a week, and running 3-4 times a week going to be bad? I'm fairly old school with my approach - the last time I was reasonably fit was 10 years ago & that was more down to dancing in 8 hour stretches