Hey hey,
I have a couple of things to talk about this week so forgive me for a reasonably long blog.
The first item for discussion today will be a mini breakthrough I have had with my eczema. On the recommendation of a friend I started to use Bio Oil (http://www.bio-oil.com/en/product/introduction) after my shower every night on the affected areas mostly hands and legs. Bio Oil is described as working on scars, stretch marks and dry skin conditions so I thought I would give it a try, I’ve tried damned near everything else for it! Within 48 hours the hands where a lot better and the other areas started to heal to. It’s now a week since I started to use the oil and my skin is feeling great there is still a little of the eczema remaining but my hands especially have responded very well to the oil. For the first time in a long time I am not itching every five minutes and have pretty much full mobility in my hands! If you suffer with dry skin conditions it really is very good (just wanting to share not being sponsored by Bio Oil!!!). If it helps anyone else as much as it has me that would be amazing.
The fitness has been going great guns over the past few weeks in that it is now a firmly set routine and I am really enjoying it. I have started to introduce some core muscle work now I have lost a fair bit of weight (Garry our engineer at work has started drilling new belt holes as I am to tight to go out and buy a new one!). I have been working on a technique called the plank (http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/abdominalcorestrength1/qt/plank.htm) which is designed as a starting base to strengthen all of the core muscles I need to work on. I have slotted in to my gym workout 3 x 30 seconds hold with 20 second rest in between. This may not sound a lot but it is really testing me to the max. At the end of each set I am physically shaking from the effort to hold the correct position. I am sure it will get easier as I work on it and become stronger in my core areas. I have also done the usual spinning with friends and done two Wattbike sessions which where really productive. I am still yet to fit the swimming back in, which I really need to do. I have to make some time somewhere to do this.
I want to share some of the data I am working on for my Wattbike session just for interest really. I performed a 3 minute all out test with Tony Jolly from Manchester Triathlon club (http://www.man-tri-club.org.uk/) so we could determine my average watts for the threshold workout. After a three minute world of pain session we worked out that 80% of my maximum heart rate equated to roughly 240 watts. This means that I have to hold 240 watts for 5 minutes then a 2 minute rest then repeat for five repetitions. It is hard work but I am definitely improving and my heart rate recovery has improved immensly. I intend on doing another test at some point this week to see if I have progressed and to see if I can increase the wattage requirement. Watch this space.
The last thing I want to talk about this week is a friend of mine. Rich had lymphoma a few years ago and got through it. Rich writes a blog on BlogSpot (http://pedalprecision.blogspot.com ) and I cycle with him also. In Rich’s latest blog he speaks about working for a charity called Cyclistsfc they obtain bikes for cancer families and have volunteers build them and deliver the bikes to the families. Rich is also involved with a volunteer project for the Lymphoma Society whereby he buddies up with people who are going through what Rich had to a few years ago. I just want to wish Rich well publically and say that he has inspired me to start to take a look at myself and how I can help others. Over the next few weeks I am going to try and get involved with something that I can relate to and commit some time to.
Guys have a positive week. Take your chances and opportunities and make sure you live each day to the full!
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