So, I’ve been lifting weights and going on yomps and while I’ve put on a bit of muscle and shed a bit of lard, neither did anything for my cardio-vascular fitness.
Eight days ago I got on a rowing machine and managed to do 2 minutes before having to stop. #embarrassing
Every time I’ve gone to the gym since, I’ve got back on the embarrassment engine. Today (drumroll) I did 4mins, and the distance was (drumroll) …1k.
This is not particularly good. At all.
So, now, discouraged, Imma sit on the couch and comfort eat….
Nah, I’m gonna persist, and keep adding two minutes to each session. However, if I haven’t done it at the same speed as this, keeping to “500m per each 2mins” then I stick at that time till I get my time under. That way (which is probably not the most sensible, but hey, I will be able to hit the 5k in 20mins threshold on my first or second go (up from 18minutes).
Once I can ‘comfortably’ do 5k/20mins, then start working on bringing the distance up to 5300m in the 20mins (probably throwing in some longer – 30 to 40 minute rows to properly build up stamina).
According to some table I found on the internet (so therefore it must be right, right?), 5300m in 20mins would make me “elite.”
More to the point, it will probably help with the lard shift….
And will provide some data for a graph, for the lulz.
marchudson.net 
Hi Marc, The leave a comment thing didn’t work so I am replying here.
If you have difficulty with a rowing machine, why not try a rowing boat? I think there is a canal near you; there must be some where one can hire a boat. I used to love rowing but have not done so for years; it’s good exercise and the danger of over straining oneself is minimal.
I came out of hospital late Friday, it should have been Wednesday but, though the procedure to fit artery stents went OK, I has excess swelling of the are at the blood penetrated the muscles and the whole arm swelled excessively; It should go down in 2 to 3 weeks. Then it will be physiotherapy to get me back to some form of normal.
Cheers, Ian
>
Hi Ian,
to quote the notorious cheat Lance Armstrong – “it’s not about the bike'” It’s about me being massively unfit! But I am getting a bit better – did 6 minutes on Saturday, and will probably do 8 minutes tomorrow… slowly slowly monkey and all that…
It’s great to hear that you are on the mend!