Global Sport Stories

Forget Bert, last weekend was the turn for storm Darragh to sweep the nation. This ensured yellow weather warnings all over the North-East and a great excuse to stay inside. Before I knew it, Tuesday had rolled around, meaning I was last properly active the Wednesday before when surfing.

I’ll be honest and admit to not having many plans to be active over the weekend anyway. It was my girlfriend’s birthday weekend back at her home in North Yorkshire. Although maybe no 10k’s or skiing, we were hoping for at least a bit of a walk! Yet a loss of power for two days and driving wind and rain made for a cozy weekend indoors with good food and drink. 

By the time Tuesday was upon me I was itching to get active again. I of course enjoyed the weekend and know it is healthy to have some important rest, but as I may have said on this platform before, I can really notice it mentally when not being active for a few days. I don’t mean that to sound dramatic but I think the endorphins and overall positivity I felt, even on my first set, back in the gym on that Tuesday backs up my point of how important exercise is for me. It puts me in a better mood, I become less agitated and I feel healthier. Of course this is a common feeling backed up by multiple sources of research at this current time, but I can really get behind this research and see the importance of supporting it.

The gym session itself was not a massive one, just a combination of a few compound exercises before the working day ahead. I incorporated some pull-ups into the routine which I had somewhat neglected since summer. Probably due to my lower body weight but I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of regression I was finding. The session set me up nicely for the long shift ahead and it almost felt a huge weight off my shoulders to have properly raised my heart rate again.

Now, what sport should you probably avoid having had a long day at work the day before, all whilst aching from the gym also? Climbing. And what sport did I decide to take on on that Wednesday morning? Climbing. Probably not a smart decision, but one I enjoyed thoroughly. It was my first time climbing in a while but it seemed like being back in the gym for a little period was paying off. I felt stronger and like I had more endurance, meaning I was experiencing quite a bit of success. I was still very much plateuaing at the 6a+ level I must say, most of the 6b’s were proving a sterner test. But honestly I was happy where I was at and wasn’t experiencing the usual fatigue that sets in until right at the end – at which point I knew it was time to swallow my ego and go home. I knew I would be achy the next day and could in no way fathom climbing again that week…

But that’s just what happened, didn’t it. 

A visit from some uni friends on Friday meant we were looking for something to do and with a run planned for the next day and uninspiring surf conditions, I found the chalk on my hands once again. We had ventured to a different climbing wall, at least for myself anyway. And that, alongside catching up with some familiar company, definitely kept things fresh. This particular wall, Eden Rock, had a different grading system, so it was a little trickier to compare climbs to those of Wednesday. However, again I was happy with how I did, which definitely incentivises me to try and go more regularly.

As promised, Saturday morning started with a run. And guess what, it wasn’t along the Tyne for once! Instead myself and friends, Izzy and Will, headed for the coast for a relaxed (still freezing) 5k up to cullercoats and back into Tynemouth. It was lovely. There was of course no eye on the clock or breakneck speeds, just a relaxed canter along the coast at conversational pace. 

It goes without saying that being that close to the sea front meant a cold dip was obligatory. The thought of it after a run on a bright Saturday morning was really inviting, yet the temperatures were anything but. Myself and Will used to be avid morning ice bathers when living together, so we had no reason to be fearing the cold so much. It was just one of those days when it felt baltic. That didn’t stop the gaggle of middle aged women braving the conditions for a good fifteen minutes or so though, they made Cullercoats Bay resemble a hot tub the way they were lounging about in it. Lunatics. Nevertheless, we couldn’t put it off anymore, so in we ran. And saying we were in for 30 seconds is a push honestly; although Izzy did head back for a second dose leaving Will and I shivering on the shore. Another lunatic. 

Despite not being able to stress enough how cold it felt, it probably wasn’t the coldest water we’d ever faced and the heat was quickly restored, helped impecably by a white hot chocolate. 

That rounded off what became a very enjoyable week. Slightly less volume of activities but the enjoyment factor definitely made up for it. I was well and truly reminded of the positive impact that exercise has on my body and mind, and therefore acted as a great lesson to take forward with me.