A pivot

So, it’s a Sunday and I just got back after a smooth 5k minute at a little over 60 minutes. Okay! 65 minutes to be precise. Was hoping to keep it under 60. Didn’t happen.

Started the day with two sets of pushups, sit-ups and crunches. While that was easy, it acted like a shot of dopamine, first thing in the morning despite being a little under 10 for each set. I must say, must do this more often. And make it a habit. I don’t know how and why do we forget the advantages such moves deliver?

Time you ask, whatever happened to the 8k plan I was on?

Well! Team Thylio asked me to reflect on how did the week go. I had to be honest and admit it didn’t go to plan for various reasons despite the best of intent.

That is why a pivot that makes it harder, than where we started from, but more manageable appears viable is what I was told. Which means, I wake up to some stretches and basic exercises. I wouldn’t have thought of moving my backside until I had got my mugs of chai when this set of instructions came in. After muttering a “what the hell”, got down to do it today. Like I said, could manage it while the chai was simmering (I like the tea leaves to boil a while until the flavours of the leaves come out). Rounded it off with the brisk 5k walk. Surprised myself with the timing because today is sweltering hot and all I wanted was to stay indoors. But glad I stepped out. At one point, honest to God, I thought I could break out into a run.

Life doesn't care

Unlike yesterday, the exigencies of life took over and it was pretty much impossible to step out in the morning. And I punted I’ll do an 8k after work.

I was in half a mind when I had a window, past noon to do a 3/4 k. But with the mercury breaching 36, I gave it pass and put my eggs in the evening basket.

Now, that’s the thing about life — it has a mind of its own. Just when I stepped out and barely 2k into the walk, and I hadn’t even picked pace, a call came in. There was work to be done and it had to be done: Now. There was no way I could duck it. So, back to the work desk it was.

Moral of the day: Start early.

Shared my disappointment with Team Thylio. They said they hear me. But can’t afford to break the streak. We worked the cals burnt today. I’m still in excess. But the deal as I write this is: No desserts tonight like I usually do.

Chunking works

Big story of the day — 8k done.

So, started today morning with a 3k walk. And this was right after waking up — without having my regular mug of chai that I need to get the mind and body going.

A warm day I thought, but logged on as I always do to the morning team call. I thought I’d do a 4k during the first half. But the heat was beginning to get to me and I needed the breakfast as well. Had worked up a sweat too and wanted to get indoors.

So what changed? A few things with the benefit of hindsight.

• Unlike other days when I need two and a half large mugs of tea to get started, 1 1/2 was good after the mug. But needed the breakfast earlier than usual.

• The time it took to begin focusing on what needed to be done shrunk dramatically. I thought I could stay focused for longer as well. Clearly, there are benefits to starting with a workout.

Cut to the evening when I did a 5k so I complete the 8k loop. This time around, it was a fast clip. Appeared faster than usual, or at least that’s what I thought. But my watch didn’t seem to catch it. The movements appeared more fluid, and I certainly think I covered a lot more distance than what my Apple Watch captured.

Sometimes, I get the snarky feeling that the data these contraptions capture are approximations and not the exact numbers. For the record, I’m using an Apple Series 2. That may sound dated to the gizmo crowd. But it does the job for me. And I like to juice my devices until it begs for mercy. But that’s another story!

Now, to fix my diet! Have to get more greens in. Team Thylio is watching and they’re beginning to give me those snarky looks and I can feel the stares come through the feedback.