Help for Heroes/Turbovember/Sports Massage/PT/Ab Challenge.....

It has been a while since my last post (Ironman Wales race report) and boy has it been boring!!

Having built up all year to this fantastic race, I think I caught some of the ‘Ironman Blues’.

Having injury I decided that I would have 1month complete rest with no running, cycling or swimming.

Unfortunately it has not seemed to help as I am still suffering daily with this issue. I think it’s going to be another year of moaning and treatment, because I have entered for Ironman Nice next June and definitely want a return to Wales. Maybe then ill step back, but if I have not responded to rest and medication then something is not right.

In the days following Ironman Wales, I decided to jump in get the M-dot tattoo, which I have always wanted since a young lad, and decided I wanted something different. After scouring the internet looking at designs, I settled on trying to incorporate the 3 elements of triathlon into the M-dot itself, and I am so pleased with the outcome. One thing I have noticed is that so many people don’t know what the logo is or represents (which means I get to tell them every time they ask!).

Here is the finished article:

I would like to thank everyone who donated to my fundraising for Help for Heroes (Ironman Wales), I have raised over £900 for the charity so far, you can still donate at www.bmycharity.com/robcrabtree.

Having grown very bored of doing any activity and exercise, at work me and my boss Tara (@Tarahammett) decided to challenge each other to a ‘who can get a six pack first’ competition. Normally im not majorly bad or good with my diet but put a challenge in front of me and I commit to it 100% and shift all my focus to that task. So, it’s on with the healthy eating. I am actually surprised, I have spent years mocking Tara’s eating plans and habits, yet I find myself 2 weeks in to the challenge, not craving chocolate or any junk food etc. I have shocked myself at how disciplined I can actually be with my food. I think if I were hammering the cardio like I use to I would not be as strong willed, but the goal is decrease body fat %, that’s what I am doing!!

2 weeks in and already I have a noticeable difference (in my head, pictures might prove otherwise lol), and my body fat % has dropped from circa 15% down to 13%. I would love to reach 10%, we will see.

However Is till cant see me winning as Tara is in fantastic shape and has a lot less fat to lose than me, in fast she hasn’t any so I am screwed J However the challenge is all I needed to kick start my improved diet, which I will 100% maintain! I have tried new foods and combinations, and feel far more energised and refreshed, combining more fruit, vegetables with lower complex carbohydrates, which use to make me feel lethargic.

Since Ironman I have also enrolled on a part time Sports Massage Therapy course at Gower College Swansea, which I am loving! I have always enjoyed having sports massage and its something I have always wanted to do, I want to keep people in the best shape possible and help them recover from injury, just like what has or did happen to me.

I am looking for volunteers to reach my target of 120hours of massage, so if anyone wants a freebie, after a run, injury or in general, just get in touch and ill be happy to help! (twitter or email, details in my logo) 

Another aspect I have focused on since Ironman is my personal training business. This is done in conjunction whilst working at the Dragon Health Club in Swansea. I have started to get some new clients, all with different goals and targets. I also now offer online nutrition packages from as little as £15 (for 1 month period, not a contract etc) and online fitness plans, all with round the clock support.

So if you want some help with your diet, your training plan, or anything at all, please get in touch. I know some of you on Twitter (@Trirob249) already have and I look forward to helping you all reach your goals and targets.

Oh yes, and cant wait to get started on the November Twitter/TriTalk challenge of ‘Turbovember’, which involves getting to know our turbo trainers a little better throughout November (@Davmort is the ring leader, he’s worth a follow too!).

So, it is going to be another fortnight before the next blog, hopefully with me boasting a 6-pack and nice strong core, however I doubt it.

One thing this challenge has taught me is that I will definitely maintain this throughout my triathlon training and all season long, it really is essential and so beneficial.