The Age of Absurdity

Last night I repeated my walk of a few weeks ago, with the added frisson of starting in the evening and completing the walk in the dark. It took around three and a half hours.

The weather was much less windy and it was quite a warm evening. The V5Fs were fantastic and I had none of the episodic, minor aches (tight right hip and knee) of the previous walk (which lasted for about the final kilometer). There was no problem with cold extermities either ths time. This was again done in a fasted state (24 hours). curiously I barely drank 250ml of water - I simply was not thirsty. I hope to repeat the route in a full-on night-nav stylee in the near future.

This morning my legs felt mildly tired so, after some light gardening, I headed on to my fingerboard for some climbing-focused work. Nothing too extensive.

Thjs afternoon has developed in to a beautiful and warm day with almost cloudless skies. As I shredded paper in to the compost bin (the contents are too 'wet' evidenced by the foul smell), I noticed a review in the Guardian for a book entitled 'The Age of Absurdity'. I found it engrossing; containing as it does, gems such as this:

• How did we become absurd? In the 1970s, Foley contends, liberation movements demanded specific rights and expressed anger at injustice. Now, though, those movements have been co-opted, as everything is, by capitalism and have mutated into a general demand for attention and a general feeling of grievance

So much of the review rang true. It gets better:

• Our culture, he contends, is one of endless complaint and bottomless claims of entitlement.

This is dynamite stuff and this book is now on my reading list (hence this little bit of computer time). I recommend you read both the Guardian and the Amazon review(s) if not the book. At the very least it will help you answer the question of where you were when 'Paleo' died.

Volume Wk6 W/O2

Warm Up (5 mins)
Main (30 mins)
1. Rowing (Medium 1x500m 00:01:38)
2a. Pistols (6/8x57kg/38kg, 6/8x57kg/38kg, 6/8x57kg/38kg, 6/8x57kg/38kg)
2b. Ice Cream Maker Levers to Skin the Cat (8, 8, 8)
3a. Wall Walk/BackBridge (15s, 15s, 15s)
3b. Pseudo Planche Press Ups (8, 8, 8)

The Pistols felt solid at a heavier weight and less reps. Reckon I can add a rep at this weight to each set next workout. The ICMs were tough and I only added a few STCs to each set.

The backbridges felt nice and relaxing as I formed the arch, stretching my torso. However the last rep on the last two sets of PPPUs were hard fought. My hands are as close to my waist as wrist flexibility allows. I am pivoting as my feet come off the ground (which in strength terms and in terms of progressing to the next movement, I think is a good sign).

The whole workout took thirty five minutes in all. I want to aim for three fast workouts a week rather than cramming everything in to two workouts. I am already slacking on pure planche and lever work......

Sunshine and Play

A high pressure has settled over much of the UK. This lunchtime I headed off to the gym for a (fasted), impromptu play-session. The gym has a courtyard which I had all to myself.

The sun was out in full force. Blue skies and a fresh breeze. Beautiful. I stripped to the shorts and practiced my handstands and handwalking along with some splits work. I also threw in some cartwheels (both directions). That kind of exposure should provide me with my 10,000 IUs of D for the day (notwithstanding the latitude).

I had to limit myself to twenty minutes - with big rests. This was not a workout per se, it was meant to be a bit of fun and playful. I left the courtyard in a good mood whilst still feeling physically fresh.

I hope to spend more lunchtimes in such a productive fashion - particularly on rest days. Use it or lose it. Fun in the sun....

Mission accomplished.

Volume Wk6 W/O1

Warm Up (5 mins)
Main (35 mins)
1. Rowing (500m, 00:01:37)
2. Deadlift (5x88kg, 3x120kg 3/1x130kg)
3a. HSPU/Press/Snatch (12x14kg, 12x14kg, 11/12x14kg)
3b. One Arm Chins (10x38kg/29kg, 10x38kg/29kg, 10x38kg/29kg)

The rowing was intentionally easy (ish), using long strokes. Deadlifts felt slightly rusty. I should have primed the movement with a light bar a few times before hitting the work sets. The Press felt solid, but I could not get that last rep on the last set. Never mind, I will up the weight and drop reps back to 10 next time. Similar story for the OACs - I dropped the reps to ten and added a kilo. Reckon I can up the reps again for this weight next time.

With Easter still in evidence all along the top of my piano (the kids got around seven Easter eggs each), I am in the position of HAVING to help them out with consumption. Weight is currently at 83kg but the forecast is sweet and gloomy.......

How I Fell In Love With A Fish

A farm that measures its success on the health and success of its predators, acts as a water purification plant and does not involve the feeding of its stock! Hat tip to Andreas on ADV's forum.

• Chef Dan Barber squares off with a dilemma facing many chefs today: how to keep fish on the menu. With impeccable research and deadpan humor, he chronicles his pursuit of a sustainable fish he could love, and the foodie's honeymoon he's enjoyed since discovering an outrageously delicious fish raised using a revolutionary farming method in Spain.

Christian Zombie Festival

Well, after a cracking workout earlier this week I was pushed again in a fierce Lau Gar session last night. Lots of kicking and punching drills of up to four and two minutes respectively. Double sets of each.

I was milked like a pup and awash with lactic acid by the end. Easter brings a suitable period of rest.

Enjoy the eggs. Eat lots of them (unless they are of the chocolate kind).

Sprinter vs Businessman

Hat tip to Coach Sommer at Gymnastic Bodies: