Return to the Gym!

So for various reasons I have had a bit of a break from training.  This is mostly a result of September being one of my biggest number event of the year!  Looking back I had an event every weekend!

I'm behind with video editing but as IO am so far behind I am working on a 'mash up' of the 4 events into one video ;)

I have also started to realize that I hadnt really been giving myself enough rest between events or refuelling appropriately.

Well as the end of silly season I am trying to settle down into a normal training regieme.  WOW does time off make a difference, I had also picked up a few strains and niggles ( a nasty stomach strain from rope climbing training, luckily nothing serious)

Whilst I had hobbled and struggled around 4 races being back in the gym I began to feel my lack of training.

I had been progressing nicely with my fitness and dead-lift and squats had progressed to a nicely to body weight reps.  My super sets (final part of circuit) whilst still destroying me felt respectable, like I belonged in the gym.

Unfortunately (and this is probably my ego speaking here) being back after nearly 2 months the workout feels like a HUGE step back. :(

I trust Phil (my trainer) and know that this is what is required to quickly get back to my old fitness levels, (plus avoid injury) but, ill be honest last week I became very frustrated.  I had begun making excuses as to why I couldn't go to the gym, missing the alarm or being grateful work was busy.

Don't get me wrong fitting in tranining around life in general has always been challenging, but when you are getting frustrated.......

As always try to finish on a positive, and Im getting there

I joined my wife for an Insanity training session on Sunday and again became very frustrated.  The session included allot of core work and I guess this is the area that I had suffered the most from my training break.  I had to sit out whole sections of the class as I just wasnt willing to push it.  A few twinges around my stoma and I knew I had to back off.

My alarm went off at 5.20 yesterday and after sunday, my ahces and general laziness meant I pressed snooze and slept on.

All day I regretted the decision, I had put my gym bag in the boot of my car with the ambition to go straight from work. by 2pm I had already began making excuses though as to why it wasnt a good idea.

 'The gym will be too busy'

'The equipment I want to use  wont be available'

Even as I pulled into the parking bay at the gym, I still wasn't committed. The gym as it happens wasn't that busy.

I started to warm up and didn't look back, I had a tough yet GREATworkout, I had found my gym 'mojo' again ;)

I am now looking forward to my next session Thursday and PT session Saturday and I am focusing on pushing the curve to get back to my old levels of fitness.

WATCH THIS SPACE PEOPLE I AM A MAN ON A MISSION!!

Stoma what the hell is a Stoma?? #re-published#

Hi all,

So again a repost but with more FB and twitter friends Im hoping this awareness post will reach some new people and the word Ostomy will not be so alien :)


An ileostomy is a surgical procedure to link the end of the small intestine to an opening in the abdomen (stoma)

In an ileostomy, the end of the small intestine (the ileum) is disconnected from the colon (large intestine) and re-routed through a hole made in the abdomen, which is known as a stoma. An external bag (stoma bag) is attached to the opening to collect waste products.
An ileostomy is a relatively common surgery. In England, an estimated 9,000 are carried out by the NHS each year.

When is an ileostomy needed?
An ileostomy is needed when the colon (large intestine) is damaged, inflamed or loses function. It is also used to treat some types of cancer, where it is necessary to remove part or all of the colon.


Types of ileostomy
There are three main types of ileostomy:
• loop ileostomy
• end ileostomy

Loop ileostomy
During a loop ileostomy, a loop of the small intestine is brought out through the stoma. The procedure is usually only used as a temporary measure when it is necessary to remove part of the rectum. Once the remaining colon has healed it can be reconnected to the small intestine and the stoma can be closed.
Loop ileostomies are often used to treat bowel cancer.
End ileostomy
During an end ileostomy the colon and rectum are removed and the end of the ileum is brought out through the stoma and attached to an external bag. An end ileostomy is usually permanent.

An ileo-anal pouch (also known as a J pouch) is sometimes used as an alternative to an external bag. This is an internal pouch surgically constructed from the small intestine and connected to the sphincter muscle that surrounds the anus. It means bowel actions can be controlled in the normal way.
Ileo-anal pouches are now preferred because they eliminate the external bag. However, they are not suitable for every patient. Disadvantages include having to go to the toilet frequently to empty the pouch.

So there it is, never thought this blog would be educational :) I have and will make reference to 'my bag', 'ileo' or 'stoma' regularily throughout these blogs. So thought it was good to share what these unusualy terms were :)

As I have already said my reasons for sharing are not for sympathy as my stoma in reality stops me from doing very little. My op was 6.5 years ago, but, I have a 5 year old son and I am traininig in a gym or running 5 days a week! Oh thats whilst trying to keep down a stressful career in Sales, look after our new puppy and try and spend some quality time with my wife!!! So all in all regardless if you are or are not an ostomist a hectic lifestyle :)

Oh....and for the record right now I LOVE MY LIFE!!!!

2nd Published blog

When I started this blog I never expected it to be any more than some rambling that a few people would humour me and read.  I ddint expect it to open as many doors and be read by so many people.

Last night it even inspired a fellow OCR addict to start writting his own blog! :)

Life has been hectic and I am a bit behind with my blogging.  I have 4 races that Im writting about (this will probably appear as a comparison of the 4 races) Lots of events have happened good and bad.

So many posts so little time...lol

Anyway here is a link to my latest blog posted by Clinimed, have a read, take a look learn something about the world of an Ostomist.


http://www.securicaremedical.co.uk/Menu/Securicare-Blog/ArtMID/15413/ArticleID/23/What-Is-It-Really-Like-At-SecuriCare.aspx