Since starting this journey, I never would have predicated how far that I have come.  Having a goal has helped keep me focused on my training (the diet is still a hard part), but baby steps.  The diet has improved and I have cut a lot of the crap that I used to eat especially the muffins and cookies, although a treat once in a while doesn't hurt.  Anyway, since starting I have achieved so much including doing things that I never thought I was capable of and getting my own PBs.  This also helps when your doing a class with some great people.

The Thursday night Met Con class is always hard, especially when you get that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when it comes to the sprint runs.  No matter what I do, I still get nervous and feel sick, as soon as Jake mentions that its time trials its just such a horrible feeling.  I should really be getting used to it, as its the same feeling I get every time I do an obstacle run.

The class started off with some sprint drills, side shuttles and bursts and then we went into the time trails.  We must have all pushed each other as we all achieved our own PB's, of course we weren't going to stop at one and did another 2 rounds (untamed)

By the end of 3 rounds my legs and arms were like jelly, I don't actually think I could feel anything anymore but the scary thing is, I wouldn't have it any other way.  I love pushing myself and being pushed, at the time I am thinking of so many things, including trying to correct posture, breathing, time, grip and anything else that went through my head.  At the end of the day I know that it will be finished soon and that moment of sickness will soon pass, the part when I can breath again will soon be here and then give it another half an hour and I want to do it all again... Its a good job that its not quite half an hour but 12 hours later I will be doing it all again.

There is nothing worse that having that feeling that your just about to come down with something.  At first you think the muscle aches are due to your workouts, but you soon realise that your body feels like the aftermath of a heavy night out but without the alcohol.  The question then stands - do you or do you not go to the gym?

My answer is and always will be yes, if your healthy enough to go to work, you can still function at a normalise rate, then why not go to the gym.  That was my answer today and I am glad I followed through, it would have been too easy not to go to the gym, but somehow I actually feel a lot better now then I did before I went.  Yes my body wasn't functioning as well as what it should have been, the energy levels were not as high but I still had an awesome workout.  I still worked hard and kept on going and now feel so much better for it.  So why not do your workout if your feeling a little under the weather?  

Although, everyone is different.  You still need to listen to your body and let your body rest and recover, especially is you want to get the most out of your workout.  If you have have a fever, or the flu or stomach problems, stay at home and get better but if its a minor cold, or aching muscles or even a runny nose - you can still make the gym.   To reinforce this message check out the Mens Fitness website TRAINING Q&A: SHOULD YOU EXERCISE WHEN YOU’RE SICK? 

After all that the workout that I did still managed to complete today included 3 rounds of the following:

• 2 minutes of rower - keeping it under 2-2.10
  
• 1 minute of rope slams
  
• shuttle runs
  
• sled runs x 4
  

This of course is after a variety of sprint drills.

Not on the same day, I might be a little crazy but not that much.  I did my own session yesterday after my usual knee and ankle exercises which now seem to take me about 45 minutes (pretty much a full on gym session), but of course I want to make sure everything is in check and if I prevent injury I am going to do it.  During this time, I contemplate what I can do on my own so I came up with the following:
x 5 Sets

• 2 min skips
  
• x 12 Back extensions
  
• x 20 box jumps
  
• 1 min ball slams 6kgs
  

Today I did my Met Con session, so not that impressive really.  For some reason its not getting as scary as what it used to be, knowing that it is all achievable, even with the extra push that I am now receiving.  Which is for me is great, as if I say someone else doing an extra set, well then I would want to do an extra set.  I do really enjoy the sprint training, but just need to work on my turns.  The hardest part I am finding now is moving onto the sled (for some reason this really does take my breath away).

I am also focusing a lot more on my form and technique, ensuring that I am aligning my back and my chest is out.  These small adjustments are making me stronger and faster.  We did some sprint starts, based on reactions (which I now realised my are not that great), I don't relax into it and consistently on edge waiting or the start (then I feel like I miss it by a few seconds, and then I have to play catch up).

It was then followed by some shuttle sprints with sled push.

Next we did 3 sets of side shuttles, ski erg and rope slams.  Its a weird sensation when you feel you are giving it your all, but you still walk away thinking thinking you can do it all over again.  I guess thats a good thing, as I hope I will be feeling the same way during the 24 hour event.

The great thing about doing a class built on HIIT, is that you are most certainly pushing past your own personal limits both physically and mentally.  To get to a certain stage in your fitness on your own is always difficult to conquer, but when you have some pushing you to more than what you think you can achieve is definitely something else. 

Stepping off the treadmill today was more like wobbling off the treadmill, there was a stage when my legs didn't actually feel like my legs any more, they just felt legs jelly, your breathing is so heavy and hard that it doesn't feel like its you doing it, but you just have to push.  Although there were points today when I did stop to catch my breath, will the feeling of not being able to get past it is just horrible. There was points that I truly did think I was going to see todays lunch again, but the worst thing about it, you move on and within a minute you've recovered and then you question yourself, can you push yourself harder or longer.  Is there a point in my own head that I stopped not because I couldn't actually do it, but mentally I started to struggle.

Have to say that there is something so addictive about feeling of achievements afterwards, that you have achieved so much more than what you expected and you can give so much more.  24 hours is a bloody long time and will be a challenge both physically and especially mentally, but having faith and belief that we can do it will make the world of difference.

I was lucky enough to meet up with Julia on Monday morning, so I had the opportunity to push myself that little bit more, as we came yo with our own morning met con session.  After the haul warm up we did the follow 1 minute intervals moving to each station within 30 seconds, 5 rounds:

With Jake being away we had Roxy aka 'mini Jake', the sweat came quick and fast especially on a 31 degree day.  After the warm ups, including some sprints, we did a circuit as follows:

1 minute on x 3 rounds

• Side shuffles
  
• x 30 rope slams / x 50 rope slams / x 60 rope slams
  
• Sled runs
  
• 45 sec treadmill 11km 8% incline
  
• Hammer slams on tyre
  

The morning started, as most morning do ;) with a workout.  Started off with an 1/2 hour bootcamp session, the only major thing that was probably most concerting would have been the additional pushups on the bosu ball, considering my workout yesterday also consisted of pushups as well as a full on boxing class.  Felt good to get through it, 4 and a bit rounds of the following:

• x15 box jumps
  
• x 15 ab crunch (legs high and straight)
  
• x15 kettle bell row 12kg 
  
• x15 plank up/downs
  
• x90sec treadmill 14-15km
  
• x15 push ups on bosu
  

and then we incorporated the 20,000 plus steps done today (to be far this does include the run later on in the day), and then a 5km run.  Felt great and good to be moving again (missed having those run moments), and now just need to increase the distance which I am sure I will get there with some time and patience.

Yes, it is a crazy thought to actually get up at some extremely stupid time and do a workout, whether you are heading to the gym or just going for a run, but I will tell you the reason why I do.. Because, you roll out of bed get your gym clothes on, brush your teeth, brush your hair and your out the door within 15 minutes.  Well not all of you are as lucky as us, and have a gym literally in our back garden, so it takes probably less than a minute to get to the gym, however the other gym does take 15 minutes, and if you go for a run its even closer.  Not to mention you can workout at home (so its even closer than close).

Anyway back to the point of getting  up at some stupid time to go to the gym, it basically there are a couple of reasons:

1. Its done - your whole workout is done for the day (you don't get a chance to feel like you can't be bothered, you haven't got an excuse that work has kept you from going, its done and dusted and you don't have to worry about it until the next morning).
   
2. The feeling of achievement first thing in the morning is unreal, the release of endorphins also helps.
   
3. There are a bunch of other reasons including increased metabolism, better diet and productivity, but for me its convenience (its done and I have no excuse for the rest of the day), plus by the time you get to work it feels like a lifetime ago that you had that workout.

So based on this, yes I do have the alarm set at 5.15am every morning, but by 7am its all done, and that also includes this morning, which for me, I had to push through some serious barriers.  Doing 3 1km rows with only a minutes break was both mentally and physically challenging, there were times that I was seriously considering giving up and walking away, and there were times were I actually wanted to break down and cry, which to think that wasn't that long and somehow we have to pull through mentally for 24 hours!  That will truly be a test.

The great news is I got through it, and surprising managed to carry on with the next part:
3 sets

• 90 secs on ski erg
  
• sled push
  
• rope slams x 50
  

Now at 9pm, I am feeling a little tight but it does seem like a lifetime ago, and seriously it really does set you up for the rest of the day.