A week later!

Sorry for the delay in posting, but I was away last week on a business trip.

Last Saturday (9days ago)I did a 9km run with some mates and then nothing again till last friday. That was the normal 7km run in around 37minutes. This past Saturday I ran on my own on a different route in the late afternoon in sunny conditions of around +5C. A full 10km in close to 51 minutes (my best time for this distance so far).

This morning was a little tougher with an air temperature of -4C but with sun in the sky back to the standard run of 7km in 36m20s. You could just feel the sun hitting and warming your skin on some segments of the run. However, my hands did not feel the benefit of that and were quite numb by the end of the run. I really must remember to wear gloves on such cold mornings (however, I think that wearing gloves while running shirtless looks even more strange than just running without a shirt).

My weight has been up a little these past 2 weeks (nearly 67Kg) but that could be because I have been entertaining clients and eating a much larger breakfasts and richer meals than normal when away. This week it is getting back to the normal 66kg level. Also no running time when I was away, although I must admit that I should have taken a run on one morning last week when I had the opportunity to. They always say that it is the runs that you don't do that you regret.

I still keep getting the odd comments shouted or spoken to me when people pass on these colder days. Comments like "Put some clothes on, Man!" or the more common one from other runners: "Your'e brave!" are quite the most common. Anyone else have any common remarks of note that people shout at them when running without a shirt? Let me know.

Weekend Update

As it turned out I didn't go for a run on Thursday. I felt lazy and stayed in bed till it was way too late to hit the pond run again. It was cold too, -2C. Coldest this week and I missed it! From the weather forecast I am going to have to wait till next weekend for similarly cold temperatures again.

I punished myself Friday for the laziness though. Air temp was hovering around 0C with the occasional snow flurry as I ran shirtless with my running partner pushing us hard to the fastest time we have done to date 35m24s for 7.1km. A full 40seconds plus off the best time so far. My reward was a cold shower of 5 minutes. My next goal for the standard route is to do it in less than 35 minutes.

Today, Saturday, I went off with some mates for a slightly longer (55minutes) shirtless mixed country track and road run in -1C air temp with quite a strong wind chill. All the other guys bar one were in full track suits with multiple clothing layers on! The run was quite hilly and slow (6m55s per km) compared to my normal pace (approx 5m30s per km) but adequate enough to keep warm and have a decent conversation along the way too which makes a change. I mapped the run on www.mapmyrun.com and it worked out at 8km.

I am considering entering my first 10k race soon in the UK. Problem is, I dont know whether race organisers allow you to run without a vest (which is what I want to do). Anyone know if UK athletics or race organisers of official races will let you run shirtless? Please let me know via the comments section.

Another week

Seems like Fridays is my day for updates. I have been away this week on business. I did manage to get a 5k run in on machine at the hotel gym and 2 days where I managed a 1km swim. I also managed to get a good start to the summer all-over tan as I grabbed a few "my time" sun hours next to the hotel pool in a thong.

I feel like my body fat level is coming down but the weight has gone up a fraction since my last report to 70.3Kg. Is this muscle gain or just that I have been eating more and exercising slightly less? Can anyone give me ideas as to how to bring my body fat level down quicker? Are there any supplements that would help this fat reduction process so that my muscle definition comes out more?

Last night's normal 4.5mile run was in my best time yet - just under 40 minutes. I still have to regulate my run so that I can do it all without walking for a portion of it and so improve my time even further. I am still looking for a running partner - any volunteers?

Day 12 - A Good day

I stared the day with a 5 minute cold shower - to make up for yesterday - no time for more! It actually felt good although I still prefer immersion to a shower. I felt i should have stayed in longer.

I also started my exercise program today. I took a fast walk of about 3-4 miles after dinner (around 18h30 in the dark and alone). I started the walk on roads but then headed to open fields and footpaths close to my house. I was dressed in a button-up shirt, jeans and a winter jacket as well as having my walking boots on. There was a small amount of snow on the ground and the wind was quite chill - around 0C, and lower with the wind chill. As I walked I got hot after only 5 minutes so I undid the jacket and unbuttoned the shirt baring my chest. When I reached the open field I took both the jacket and shirt off and waked around topless for about 20 minutes before heading back to civilisation - I buttoned everything up for the last 500m or so and, surprisingly, I was nicely warm by the time I got home. I think I need to change the gear for the next walk - shorts, t-shirt, fleece and a light windproof jacket that I can stuff into a bum-bag. That should keep me generally cooler than tonight but give me ample warmth if I really need it. For safety, I also had my mobile phone with me. All I need now is an evening toughness walking buddy in my area.

I didn't feel cold at all, the skin went numb on my body and if I had worn shorts instead of jeans I probably would have taken those off too as I love to walk around naked in the moonlight. I still have a problem with my hands getting really cold on a day like today and quite painful. I know I can stand to put them in cold in water at 10C but in ice cold air with a wind chill is different in my view - warm hands means the rest of me doesn't feel cold (I think!). Will need a few more evenings of this to see if that is really the case. Maybe I need to work through the pain and cold in my hands.

Snow expected tonight so tomorrow evening's walk could also mean I could go naked or play naked in the snow when I am out.

Two questions for today:

1. Is it really cheating when out doing "Toughness" walking/hiking to keep your gloves or a hat on?
2. Do you think some pictures would help illustrate the things I am doing here?

Please leave a comment and let me know.


Temperature: 10C
Duration: 5 Minutes (shower)