Planet Rugby Forum

12 x 2min sprints this evening with 30 sec rests.

12 x 2min sprints this evening with 30 sec rests.

YOYO wrote:

fishooks15 wrote:

Nolanator wrote:

fishooks15 wrote:

Joost wrote:Does anyone here use the Olympic lifts as part of their training?

I’ve decided to embark on the long process of trying to learn them; reckon the ‘snap’ power movements will cross over well to Judo and, let’s be honest, they do look f’ing cool and feel they’d be a real life skill to learn properly.

Planning to learn the front squat and power clean first (can’t even front rack the bar comfortably at the moment), does anyone have any good resource links for self-learning them? Will get a bit of technique coaching at the gym from time-to-time, as a couple of the staff are competitive weightlifters (just as long as I don’t end up at a cross fit ‘box’ )

I don't Olympic Lift but Clarence Kennedy has some good tutorials on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qIVRgE5yRE&t=347s

He's also an utter physical freak despite being Vegan. Also Irish

I've heard that he likes his juice blends.

ah really? Would explain it I suppose. There's me being all naive

I’m like you fishook. I believe in him being a clean freak.
Of course based on his insane lifting people will automatically claim he’s on the juice. There will be rumours. He’s never claimed to be on juice.

Even if he is what does it matter? He's still got to put in the work.

Not sure if this thread is for this, but may I ask a couple of questions.

I've got slowly back into running after a long, injury induced, break. I've put on a bit of weight in that time and my left knee is killing me when I never really had a problem before - at the top of the knee cap, at the front.

I'm taking it easy, building up slowly. However, the last couple of months in the gym I've noticed that when I'm doing squats, or leg weights or even on the cross trainer my left knee wobbles from side to side as I use it. So my 2 questions are:

1) What can I do to stop this wobble? I presume I need to build up the muscles around it or something, any good exercises?

2) Is it worth me getting a knee brace for running? I'm sure we have been through a stage where knee braces were bad. Would an old fashioned tubigrip help?

Go and get properly assessed. Any answer you get from the internet is complete guess work.

Also, on the juice debate... someone on the internet is bigger and stronger than me, must be all drugs

slick wrote:Not sure if this thread is for this, but may I ask a couple of questions.

I've got slowly back into running after a long, injury induced, break. I've put on a bit of weight in that time and my left knee is killing me when I never really had a problem before - at the top of the knee cap, at the front.

I'm taking it easy, building up slowly. However, the last couple of months in the gym I've noticed that when I'm doing squats, or leg weights or even on the cross trainer my left knee wobbles from side to side as I use it. So my 2 questions are:

1) What can I do to stop this wobble? I presume I need to build up the muscles around it or something, any good exercises?

2) Is it worth me getting a knee brace for running? I'm sure we have been through a stage where knee braces were bad. Would an old fashioned tubigrip help?

Stengthening the Quads and Hamstrings would be a start. I am also a big fan of proprioception type exercises - standing on one leg whilst doing running movement with arms and other leg and single leg deadlifts (form is vital on these). Would suggest getting some proper advice from a sports physio first though - Whats £40-50 against causing future problems?

blindcider wrote:

slick wrote:Not sure if this thread is for this, but may I ask a couple of questions.

I've got slowly back into running after a long, injury induced, break. I've put on a bit of weight in that time and my left knee is killing me when I never really had a problem before - at the top of the knee cap, at the front.

I'm taking it easy, building up slowly. However, the last couple of months in the gym I've noticed that when I'm doing squats, or leg weights or even on the cross trainer my left knee wobbles from side to side as I use it. So my 2 questions are:

1) What can I do to stop this wobble? I presume I need to build up the muscles around it or something, any good exercises?

2) Is it worth me getting a knee brace for running? I'm sure we have been through a stage where knee braces were bad. Would an old fashioned tubigrip help?

Stengthening the Quads and Hamstrings would be a start. I am also a big fan of proprioception type exercises - standing on one leg whilst doing running movement with arms and other leg and single leg deadlifts (form is vital on these). Would suggest getting some proper advice from a sports physio first though - Whats £40-50 against causing future problems?

That would make sense, I have strong quads and shit hamstrings.

slick wrote:Not sure if this thread is for this, but may I ask a couple of questions.

I've got slowly back into running after a long, injury induced, break. I've put on a bit of weight in that time and my left knee is killing me when I never really had a problem before - at the top of the knee cap, at the front.

I'm taking it easy, building up slowly. However, the last couple of months in the gym I've noticed that when I'm doing squats, or leg weights or even on the cross trainer my left knee wobbles from side to side as I use it. So my 2 questions are:

1) What can I do to stop this wobble? I presume I need to build up the muscles around it or something, any good exercises?

2) Is it worth me getting a knee brace for running? I'm sure we have been through a stage where knee braces were bad. Would an old fashioned tubigrip help?

The knee is a pretty basic hinge. I've had plenty of knee problems myself and most of them have been due to stability or mobility issues with my hip and ankle/foot. Usually lunges and single-leg stuff will help but for long-term health you're better to see a decent trainer who will get to the bottom of the problems.

slick wrote:

blindcider wrote:

slick wrote:Not sure if this thread is for this, but may I ask a couple of questions.

I've got slowly back into running after a long, injury induced, break. I've put on a bit of weight in that time and my left knee is killing me when I never really had a problem before - at the top of the knee cap, at the front.

I'm taking it easy, building up slowly. However, the last couple of months in the gym I've noticed that when I'm doing squats, or leg weights or even on the cross trainer my left knee wobbles from side to side as I use it. So my 2 questions are:

1) What can I do to stop this wobble? I presume I need to build up the muscles around it or something, any good exercises?

2) Is it worth me getting a knee brace for running? I'm sure we have been through a stage where knee braces were bad. Would an old fashioned tubigrip help?

Stengthening the Quads and Hamstrings would be a start. I am also a big fan of proprioception type exercises - standing on one leg whilst doing running movement with arms and other leg and single leg deadlifts (form is vital on these). Would suggest getting some proper advice from a sports physio first though - Whats £40-50 against causing future problems?

That would make sense, I have strong quads and shit hamstrings.

Shit hamstrings usually means shit glutes too and the glutes have a major role in controlling knee tracking.

slick wrote:Not sure if this thread is for this, but may I ask a couple of questions.

I've got slowly back into running after a long, injury induced, break. I've put on a bit of weight in that time and my left knee is killing me when I never really had a problem before - at the top of the knee cap, at the front.

I'm taking it easy, building up slowly. However, the last couple of months in the gym I've noticed that when I'm doing squats, or leg weights or even on the cross trainer my left knee wobbles from side to side as I use it. So my 2 questions are:

1) What can I do to stop this wobble? I presume I need to build up the muscles around it or something, any good exercises?

2) Is it worth me getting a knee brace for running? I'm sure we have been through a stage where knee braces were bad. Would an old fashioned tubigrip help?

I've actually been struggling with pain at the top of my knee caps recently. Any time I go up the stairs and particularly when I squat, although the pain diminishes after a while in the gym as my hips and ankles loosen up.
Fairly certain that tightness in the quads is a significant factor. Last night I had a quick go at my quads and IT band with my foam roller and it instantly felt better, although I'm stiff again today.
I need to make this a regular evening routine, to get more long-term benefit. Maybe give that a go too yourself and see if there's any relief.

If you've strong quads and weak hammies, there could be tightness/tension there which is pulling on your patella or causing to to track poorly. I had a quick read online (with the usual caveat that online diagnoses are often useless) and there's definitely something to the idea of kneecap alignment causing pain.
It's also mentioned that changes in exercise regime can cause this kind of pain, which fits with you having recently upped the amount you do.

BS's advice is good too. Learn to control the various muscle groups accurately. Form/technique helps a lot with little niggles.
Army, too, with the glute stuff. Learning to recruit the glutes more comes under technique etc.

Nolanator wrote:

slick wrote:Not sure if this thread is for this, but may I ask a couple of questions.

I've got slowly back into running after a long, injury induced, break. I've put on a bit of weight in that time and my left knee is killing me when I never really had a problem before - at the top of the knee cap, at the front.

I'm taking it easy, building up slowly. However, the last couple of months in the gym I've noticed that when I'm doing squats, or leg weights or even on the cross trainer my left knee wobbles from side to side as I use it. So my 2 questions are:

1) What can I do to stop this wobble? I presume I need to build up the muscles around it or something, any good exercises?

2) Is it worth me getting a knee brace for running? I'm sure we have been through a stage where knee braces were bad. Would an old fashioned tubigrip help?

I've actually been struggling with pain at the top of my knee caps recently. Any time I go up the stairs and particularly when I squat, although the pain diminishes after a while in the gym as my hips and ankles loosen up.
Fairly certain that tightness in the quads is a significant factor. Last night I had a quick go at my quads and IT band with my foam roller and it instantly felt better, although I'm stiff again today.
I need to make this a regular evening routine, to get more long-term benefit. Maybe give that a go too yourself and see if there's any relief.

If you've strong quads and weak hammies, there could be tightness/tension there which is pulling on your patella or causing to to track poorly. I had a quick read online (with the usual caveat that online diagnoses are often useless) and there's definitely something to the idea of kneecap alignment causing pain.
It's also mentioned that changes in exercise regime can cause this kind of pain, which fits with you having recently upped the amount you do.

BS's advice is good too. Learn to control the various muscle groups accurately. Form/technique helps a lot with little niggles.
Army, too, with the glute stuff. Learning to recruit the glutes more comes under technique etc.

Thanks, this is really helpful. And all the rest of you, cheers.

I also iced my knees for a good bit last night, just to be on the safe side if there is any inflammation. The bank holiday screwed my training week, so I've four days on the trot lifting, with a parkrun on Saturday morning. Possibility of 5 a side on Saturday afternoon.
Serious amount of fatigue to accumulate without recovery, so sleep and taking care of myself is a bit more of a priority this week.

I also have a manky lateral meniscus on my right knee, from an injury like 17 years ago. It gives me a bit of shit anyway, but the recent patellar pain in both knees has caused it to complain a bit more. Need to keep on top of little niggles or they get worse and they you've to take more time out to recover.

So it turns out I am allergic to the Biologic inection I take for my RA.

I've been feeling like baked shite for the last 3 months and my stamina has disappeared. Oddly, no problem with power.

I was also on Prednisone and put on about 5Kg despite riding 4 times a week.

Everytime I try and cycle, my sinuses block after 5 mins.

Luckily, it seems that the biologics work so well that I may not need to take them again for a few years - the Inflammation is very minimal now.

I just have to wait 6 weeks for it to leave my system

Did a bushwalk yesterday though and felt much better

After the talk of sore knees yesterday, my right knee was not happy this morning.

Quite a bit of pain when squatting. Was a volume focused session, so wasn't too heavy and I was able to soldier through. Really not ideal. Hopefully it's mostly because I had a day less recovery since my last leg session than usual. Foam rolling on fairly strong DOMS this morning was all sorts of unpleasant.
Gonna buy an icepack now at lunch.

In the never ending search to improve form I seem to have hit on a decent vein of technique for RDLs and bench glute thrusts where I'm really hammering the glutes and keeping the abs braced. Was absolutely shattered after the session this morning, cold sweats, felt sick, the works.

Squat: 100 x8, 5 sets
RDL: 100 x8, 3 sets
Bench glute thrust: 100 x12, 3 sets
Seated calf raise: 40 x15, 3 sets

Mat - glad the inflammation is currently low. What are your next RA treatment options?

Slick - like others say, single leg stuff may be key. Might need to be fairly remedial initially, so have a look at Petersen step-ups.

Training is a bit shit for me at the moment. Crappy lungs and high humidity are a bad combination. Had a second stage interview for an interesting PT company on Tuesday. Would be joining the gig economy, but they've got a studio attached to a 33,000 patient GP practice and about 70% of those that use that studio come from the practice in some fashion. Hopefully right up my street.

bobbity wrote:Mat - glad the inflammation is currently low. What are your next RA treatment options?

I'very already struck out on Humira , Arava and Methotrexate. ..there are about 4 more Biologics but their is some evidence that the Biologics retard further damage.

Fingers crossed!

I think I weneed into anew inflammation cycle after my ankle surgery and have struggled for 3 years now.

But, I am opening up a second dojo space soon and am about to try and boulder again after 4 years!!



Hope that gig works out

newportblue wrote:

Joost wrote:Does anyone here use the Olympic lifts as part of their training?

I’ve decided to embark on the long process of trying to learn them; reckon the ‘snap’ power movements will cross over well to Judo and, let’s be honest, they do look f’ing cool and feel they’d be a real life skill to learn properly.

Planning to learn the front squat and power clean first (can’t even front rack the bar comfortably at the moment), does anyone have any good resource links for self-learning them? Will get a bit of technique coaching at the gym from time-to-time, as a couple of the staff are competitive weightlifters (just as long as I don’t end up at a cross fit ‘box’ )

Not that helpful but I think if you’re not getting full time coaching you’re better just doing power cleans and jumps which should give you same affect is the full lifts but easier to learn and less risk.

Most of my trusted resources say this; it’s a sport in itself and requires full-time commitment and proper coaching to master the techniques.

May just stick to trying to learn the power clean and maybe the power snatch instead. Having enough issues getting my rack/timing sorted with the hang clean as-is!

Not even really necessary to learn to rack the bar. On my phone but YouTube kozmus clean

bobbity wrote:Not even really necessary to learn to rack the bar. On my phone but YouTube kozmus clean

Like the early lifts in this video? (being performed by a man who’s fairly handy at Judo himself!)

Been struggling with a slight neck spasm the last week and a half or so. Was putting together Ikea furniture and it pinged when I was picking something up. Wasn't even heavy or anything.
Old injury, but there hasn't even been a hint of complaint in years. Was really sore for a day, but cleared up a lot after that. Hasn't really progressed since then though.

Lifting probably isn't ideal, mind you. Been doing neck stretches and chasing the tight spot in my neck/trap with a ball, but it's annoyingly persistent.


Managed 25:19 5km on Saturday. Sub-25 next.

Nolanator wrote:. Was putting together Ikea furniture and it pinged when I was picking something up.

Sorry but

Youth is firmly in the rear view mirror

Stevus55 wrote:

Nolanator wrote:. Was putting together Ikea furniture and it pinged when I was picking something up.

Sorry but

Youth is firmly in the rear view mirror

So true.

I also managed to tip a piece of a couch over and it fell against the wall, gouging some of the plaster. This was literally the second day my gf had been in the place. I'll have to go at it with some polyfilla and paint at some point if she ever wants her deposit back.

I also go excited recently when I discovered a massive DIY retailer is around the corner from me. Youth definitely behind me.


How's the new gaff? Moved in yet?

It’s slowly getting there, spent every waking moment over there painting this weekend. My whole body is in bits today, I too am old

Some highlights of my recent training

Hexbar deadlift of +200kgs on bar for an easy double - think that is 218kgs in total.

115 x 3 on the flat bench.

105 x 3 for 2 sets on the incline bench today.

100 x 5 on bent over rows with good form.

Started to Military press for the first time in ages. Struggling to do sets of 60 x 5.

This is slightly embarassing, especially considering the exploits of some posters in this thread (BC) ... but today I ran 5km+ for the first time in my life without stopping or walking. At a respectable (but not fast) pace (for my standard) too. If anyone remembers when I first started running around this time last year, and was complaining about not being able to run 300m without having to stop due to shin-pain (and just being unfit), then this is a fairly noteable little milestone for me. I'm also down from 103kg -> 93kg in that time.

Obviously fitness was never my forte on the rugby field (but I could lift heavy objects), and also the shin pain was never as bad on grass with studs.

Mog The Almighty wrote:This is slightly embarassing, especially considering the exploits of some posters in this thread (BC) ... but today I ran 5km+ for the first time in my life without stopping or walking. At a respectable (but not fast) pace (for my standard) too. If anyone remembers when I first started running around this time last year, and was complaining about not being able to run 300m without having to stop due to shin-pain (and just being unfit), then this is a fairly noteable little milestone for me. I'm also down from 103kg -> 93kg in that time.

Obviously fitness was never my forte on the rugby field (but I could lift heavy objects), and also the shin pain was never as bad on grass with studs.

Its not embarrassing at all. Its only a few years ago that I first ran longer than 5km myself. I tend to be a bit blasé about distance but as a parkrun run director I often get to see people struggle to complete 5km at all.

Well done on completing it.

Also, IMO its often a mistake to measure your achievements against those of others. There is always someone running faster/further/better than you. It can be difficult with things like STRAVA leaderboards etc. but the only person you ever need to beat is yourself.

Yeah, that's it & thanks for the encouraging words.

I'm a bit embarassed to put my runs on Strava, particularly when I see my ex-team-mates posting sub-5/km pace 10km runs regularly. They must look at my shit and be like, "damn, I knew he was unfit, but...". Anyway, safely "retired" now so I don't care. There's no way I could have run 5km without stopping to walk at any stage just six months ago. The improvement is quick. FWIW, I'm also doing it fasted (I don't eat until 12 at the earliest as of the past month) and with a ~3kg pack on my back (work clothes), which makes it a bit harder. I should have oats for breakfast and do it with nothing but shorts and a singlet one day and see if it makes any difference...

If you’re getting shin pain then it’s probably because you’re pronating

Go and see a podiatrist and get some orthotics. Should work a treat

shanky wrote:If you’re getting shin pain then it’s probably because you’re pronating

Go and see a podiatrist and get some orthotics. Should work a treat

Thanks mate, however that discussion was had in this thread in depth about a year back.

It's not a (major) issue anymore. New shoes and orthotics definitely helped get me past the first little hurdle, but continued stretching, yoga, losing weight and simply just getting my body used to running all made a bigger difference I feel.

(and I still run with the orthotics fyi, but they defo weren't the biggest fix)

shanky wrote:If you’re getting shin pain then it’s probably because you’re pronating

Go and see a podiatrist and get some orthotics. Should work a treat

Or it could be down to the fact he was running at 100kg+. I used to have the same issue, now I am at 90ish I don't get those issues.

Treating pronation with orthotics is likely to be treating the symptoms rather than the cause IME too. I'm a big fan on working on biomechanics and proprioception to solve issues - problem is once I resolve an injury issue I tend to get lazy with the maintenance.

Hit the weights for the first time in months at the weekend, in the double IM I had a shoulder issue from 17 hours on the bike and a few leg issues I think its down to robustness and decided I need to do more S&C to harden up in these areas. To make the lifters laugh here are my pathetic numbers, my shoulders are weak as a babies

5*10 Bench Dumbell press with 16kg dumbells
5*10 Row @ 40kg
3*10 Shoulder press @15kg Failed on set 3 of 5
5*10 Leg Press @ 60kg - Can lift a lot more but starting conservatively
5*10 Leg Extension @ 35kg
5*10 Leg Curl @ 30kg

Well done on the run. Everyone has to start somewhere, the problem is you will get addicted and want to go further and further

Shin pain is definitely something you should have looked at, could be lots of things but the internet can't diagnose that.

When I was running, unless I was going for a long run (over an hour) I never found eating before hand to make any difference, but dropping 3 kilos definitely would.

Fair enough. Glad to hear it’s going well.

blindcider wrote:Also, IMO its often a mistake to measure your achievements against those of others. There is always someone running faster/further/better than you. It can be difficult with things like STRAVA leaderboards etc. but the only person you ever need to beat is yourself.

This times a million. It's the same with weightlifting. There are always a people who can lift more, run faster, run longer or whatever; and they always will, no matter how much you improve.
Judge against yourself.

The most important parts are these bits:

Mog The Almighty wrote:today I ran 5km+ for the first time in my life without stopping or walking...I first started running around this time last year...I'm also down from 103kg -> 93kg in that time.

blindcider wrote: 5*10 Bench Dumbell press with 16kg dumbells
5*10 Row @ 40kg
3*10 Shoulder press @15kg Failed on set 3 of 5
5*10 Leg Press @ 60kg - Can lift a lot more but starting conservatively
5*10 Leg Extension @ 35kg
5*10 Leg Curl @ 30kg

Well like, if the appropriate weight for your bench press is 16kg, then it's not hugely surprising that you'll fail much earlier at 15kg for shoulder press!


My session this morning.
Bench: 80 x6, x6, x5
Seal row: 70 x6, 3 sets
OHP: 60 x5, 65 x1
Pull up: 12.5 x6, 20 x2
Lar raises
Tricep pushdows


Any of the other meatheads here have any useful tricks/exercises for keeping your shoulders depressed during various movements?
I have a habit of hunching my shoulders up when I struggle on things like bench and rowing/pull up, particularly on my left side. When I work really hard to prevent it, I can really feel the exercises hitting where they're supposed to.

Mog The Almighty wrote:Yeah, that's it & thanks for the encouraging words.

I'm a bit embarassed to put my runs on Strava, particularly when I see my ex-team-mates posting sub-5/km pace 10km runs regularly. They must look at my shit and be like, "damn, I knew he was unfit, but...". Anyway, safely "retired" now so I don't care. There's no way I could have run 5km without stopping to walk at any stage just six months ago. The improvement is quick. FWIW, I'm also doing it fasted (I don't eat until 12 at the earliest as of the past month) and with a ~3kg pack on my back (work clothes), which makes it a bit harder. I should have oats for breakfast and do it with nothing but shorts and a singlet one day and see if it makes any difference...

Don't be embarrassed about putting stuff on Strava, everyone needs to start somewhere. It will also be nice to look back on when you inevitably get faster and it's quite a nice feeling to note your progress. I've some cycling segments on Strava where I've improved week on week timewise and it's very satisfying to see that chart. Saying that though, people really take strava way too seriously sometimes, there's some good articles online about people arguing over KOMs or accusing others of using motors, well worth a read for the general insanity! http://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/lates ... ing-354014

Anyway, for me the big day is coming. 200km cycle with 2,600m climbing next Sunday Dreading it because I think my training has fallen a bit due to a crash and bike being out of action, and then a weekend away with the missus. Will give it a bash though, I have 13 hours to complete it, and there are two food stops at 75km and 150km. Pace myself and it might be ok.

What's the route, Bullet?

Your reduced training workload might actually work in your favour as an enforced taper, provided it hasn't been weeks without a decent session.

Nolanator wrote:

blindcider wrote: 5*10 Bench Dumbell press with 16kg dumbells
5*10 Row @ 40kg
3*10 Shoulder press @15kg Failed on set 3 of 5
5*10 Leg Press @ 60kg - Can lift a lot more but starting conservatively
5*10 Leg Extension @ 35kg
5*10 Leg Curl @ 30kg

Well like, if the appropriate weight for your bench press is 16kg, then it's not hugely surprising that you'll fail much earlier at 15kg for shoulder press!

Bench press weight is 32kg total rather than 16 though - so didn't think 15kg on a machine would be unachievable.

the 16kg dumbell press was pretty easy so could up the weight to 20kg fairly quickly - aim for me is not to get big as carrying unnecessary muscle around is self-defeating in endurance sport.

Happy to take on any advice though. I find being in the gym so boring that I can't motivate myself.

Nolanator wrote:What's the route, Bullet?

Your reduced training workload might actually work in your favour as an enforced taper, provided it hasn't been weeks without a decent session.

Route in the link below. Out by your old stomping ground. It's quite a nice route with a lot of the good stuff in Wicklow, Enniskerry-Long Hill-Wicklow Gap-Slievemaan-Meeting of the Waters and back via Greystones:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20453699

Yeah I was thinking I've been feeling fresh, I still think we could have done more but life has a habit of getting in the way at times. Had a good session this past weekend and will get a 30-40km in tonight or tomorrow night, so I think that will put me in good stead. No doubt it will be tough on the day, but it would be tough with the training too. Myself and my mate would be fairly able for 150km with very few stops, if any, so maybe we should be more confident. We've also talked it up too much so there's no alternative

blindcider wrote:

Nolanator wrote:

blindcider wrote: 5*10 Bench Dumbell press with 16kg dumbells
5*10 Row @ 40kg
3*10 Shoulder press @15kg Failed on set 3 of 5
5*10 Leg Press @ 60kg - Can lift a lot more but starting conservatively
5*10 Leg Extension @ 35kg
5*10 Leg Curl @ 30kg

Well like, if the appropriate weight for your bench press is 16kg, then it's not hugely surprising that you'll fail much earlier at 15kg for shoulder press!

Bench press weight is 32kg total rather than 16 though - so didn't think 15kg on a machine would be unachievable.

the 16kg dumbell press was pretty easy so could up the weight to 20kg fairly quickly - aim for me is not to get big as carrying unnecessary muscle around is self-defeating in endurance sport.

Happy to take on any advice though. I find being in the gym so boring that I can't motivate myself.

Ah, didn't realise one was DBs and one was machine.
TBH, the shoulder press machine is probably my least favourite resistance machine ever. One piece of advice would be to use DBs. The machine is just so restrictive in the movement. Everyone is different heights and widths with different lever lengths as well, and the shoulder press/OHP involves an extremely wide ROM. It's daft to think that a machine which only moves in one plane of movement will suit you, even if you fiddle with all the seat settings.

I hate it.

Bullettyme wrote:

Nolanator wrote:What's the route, Bullet?

Your reduced training workload might actually work in your favour as an enforced taper, provided it hasn't been weeks without a decent session.

Route in the link below. Out by your old stomping ground. It's quite a nice route with a lot of the good stuff in Wicklow, Enniskerry-Long Hill-Wicklow Gap-Slievemaan-Meeting of the Waters and back via Greystones:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/20453699

Yeah I was thinking I've been feeling fresh, I still think we could have done more but life has a habit of getting in the way at times. Had a good session this past weekend and will get a 30-40km in tonight or tomorrow night, so I think that will put me in good stead. No doubt it will be tough on the day, but it would be tough with the training too. Myself and my mate would be fairly able for 150km with very few stops, if any, so maybe we should be more confident. We've also talked it up too much so there's no alternative

You'll be cycling within a few metres of my parents' house (and Diego's, for that matter) at the start.
Some tasty looking peaks in there.
If the weather's good, you'll get some ridiculous scenery.