Step it up

We've been doing this for almost a month now, 4 weeks in theory, although I was a bit of a late starter... But it's time to start making it harder and harder, testing my limits, finding my failure point, that sort of thing.

I don't remember Friday's session, but pretty sure it was weights after a brief 1km jog. It was another drive-to-work day, and I was sad because I had now driven to work twice in a row - hate that! Today I had another 45min session, and after lat-pulldowns and dumbell flies, I managed to do 8 push-ups before failing, and 20 overall. That is a vast improvement on the 7 I managed in a minute a few weeks ago!

Saturday was a lazy day, spent on my laptop doing work. But Sunday arrived and we had finally agreed to do the Bowenvale to Sugarloaf hill walk. Sugarloaf is pretty high up, and after some time, we seemed to be getting closer, but not higher... The cars were parked at the end of Bowenvale Ave, elevation 15m above sea level. The carpark on Sugarloaf is at 420m, so this was an ascent of about 400m. For the 8.5km loop, the first (and last) 1km was basically flat. Well, except for the sidetrack I went on which added some excitement, but I did stumble over an overgrown Hidden Valley track, so might have a walk up there one day, see where it goes.

To get to Sugarloaf, spend 3.5km walking up, up, up. Some parts were easy, gradual, wide, others were steep (sometimes vertical), narrow, rocky and hard. All the way tho, awesome views, lovely scenery, and a mental dog (Chester on this walk, bonkers mutt)

We made it to Sugarloaf in good time, with the wind howling at us, we quickly descended through Vic Park (again, plenty of sidetracks, will take notes/map next time) and after avoiding some mad downhillers were back at the car in 2.5 hours. That was maybe the hardest walk so far, or so I think, so the crater rim challenge is looking good for some time soon. Up Kennedys Bush to Summit Road, follow the Crater Rim track to Godley Head, then drop down to Taylors Mistake for an ice cream (or a stick of celery).  That's about 30km as the crow flies, maybe 35km on foot. A bloody long way to go for an ice cream, that's for sure!

On the subject of celery, my diet has changed a bit, but not enough. I don't see a lot of gut-reduction going on. I'm sure it is, but I like instant results! So, I'm trying harder and harder to lower carbs every day. Today's lunch is protein high (chicken legs, bacon & lettuce salad, 2 x boiled eggs), carb low (a muesli bar and a banana) and will set the bar for the week. I'm a diabetic for gawds sake, carbs are poison for me! Why do they taste so damn good? Why are they in every convenient edible product? Must try harder.

Hoping to do 10 sessions this week and add some distance to my commute somehow, maybe taking the long way through the park or doubling back on the tracks. Riding on the grass in the park is hard, so may add a few extra km's of that when I get the chance.

Onwards!