First Week Update

1 week in and blog meant to be updated twice weekly has already fallen behind.  As a result this post will be broken into 2 parts.

To start, a few extra details about my situation.  I currently play hurling with an intermediate club in a Liam McCarthy county but live and work in a Nicky Rackard county.  I also play junior football with a seperate club in the same parish.  I've done so for the past 2 years.  In the past I've travelled home to train.  This return journey is in excess of 3 hours.  As a result, I developed some bad eating habits and a recurring shioulder injury exacerbated by all the driving.  This year, I've decided not to travel home on any evening between Monday and Thursday inclusive.

I found last year that had lost the strong training discipline I used to have since I left home.  I've contacted a local club where I live now and they have kindly let me train with them.  Physical conditioning should not be an issue but hurling where ball practice is extremely important which will be lacking as a result of all the football training.

This is the first day I've had off since Ash Wednesday and it doesa come at the expense of a missed training session.  The week has included 4 circuit training sessions, a fitness test and a hurling game.  I hoped to include a basketball training session along with these but a game was scheduled and I'm not currently registered to play this year.

The fitness test was a success as I was measured in 4 categories and made improvements in 3 over the past month.

1. Weight - No change from the previous test but I think the original reading was inaccurate.  According to my own measurements I've lost 1.5 to 2 kg.
2. Push Ups - Increased by 16.
3. Sit Ups - Increased by 20.
4. 2 Mile Run - Decreased by 1:30.

The Intention

Misguided as it may be, a suggestion was made to start something new for Lent rather than to give something up.  Some of the normal vices will again be shorn until Easter.  I've tried starting blogs in the past but never felt I had anything worthwhile to contribute to the blogosphere.

This attempt is tied to an intent to get at least 30 minutes exercise on 6 days every week.  I have moved to a different county but still play with my home club.  Injuries and bad habits have resulted in significant weight gain at the end of last year.  Another aim is to eventually get my BMI, which currently stands at 27, to 24 and eventually to 22.

One of the frustrations of being a club player in the GAA is the uncertainty of the year.  Master schedules are made in February and March around the country only to be binned by May.  I have cancelled holidays in the past because of a game being rescheduled.  One year, it was because 1 player in the opposition was injured training with the county panel which resulted in the game being postponed on 3 consecutive weekends.  I hope the schedule is adhered to this year.

That's the intention.  Ash Wednesday is tomorrow.  Training tomorrow night.  Indoors thankfully.