Run (x4), gym, push-ups (x822), plus cruising, Canada and ‘can I push now?’

The 100 push-up programme went back to 5 sets on Monday: 45, 55, 35, 30, 55+ (I managed 65) for a total of 230.

I ran with my wife after the push-ups – she’s just getting back into it after a break. We did 5.75km (3.6 miles) taken gently, thank goodness, as the push-ups are getting to me now. It’s not just the arms, chest and shoulders but also the cardio vascular system and everything used to hold the whole body straight during the exercise.

Continuing to mess with my head, the programme went to 9 sets (45 second rests) for Wednesday and Friday. Wednesday was 22, 22, 30, 30, 24, 24, 18, 18, 58+ (I struggled and managed just 60). Of course, it’s not that I’m nervous about the challenge itself but I did do another 60 later in the day.

After that I ran again with my wife – the same run as Monday. Mild and dry, but it was blowing a gale.

On Thursday morning I ran with my friend who is starting to think about training for the Brighton Marathon in early April. He chose the route (11.7km – 7.3 miles) and it was very largely cross country along field edges and muddy tracks. I lost my heel out of my shoe twice as it stuck in the mud, but the shoe stayed on and neither of us fell. I nearly always run on roads and well compacted farm tracks so it made for a hard run – but a really nice change. With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps wearing my trail shoes would have been a good option.

Friday was the final session of the push-up challenge training with sets of 26, 26, 33, 33, 26, 26, 22, 22, 60+. I got through it (70 for the final set) and that is the 6 week programme finished – I did 822 in the final week. Secretly, I had hoped that a miracle would occur and I’d do the whole 100 for the final set – but that was never likely.

Now all that is left is the attempt at the real thing – one hundred push-ups in one go. I’ve done all the training so it ought to work (?) but I doubt that they set up the programme with 67 year olds in mind. I think my arms need some rest before trying it.

Afterwards I went for a short session in the gym and then to do my usual Friday morning at the (newly relocated and reopened) bike shop – very smart it is too.

Domestic stuff on Saturday so on Sunday morning I tried the finale of the push-up challenge. I was going to leave it until next week but simply got to the point where I wanted it finished. How did it go? I’ll do a post on the whole experience next week.

Later on Sunday morning I ran with my wife (the same route again) and then we are off out to supper with great friends – it will be an excellent evening.

Interesting stuff this week

1. African wise words: If money were to be found up in the trees, most people would be married to monkeys

2. BBC News website: Just as you thought it was safe to go back on the cruise ship

Hundreds of passengers have been stranded on a cruise ship off the Australian coast after a potentially harmful growth, “biofoul” – an accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae or small animals – was found on its hull. Officials said the ship’s hull must be cleaned before entering Australia.

The ship was also, reportedly, denied permission to dock at Christchurch, Dunedin and Hobart. Passengers had not been able to leave the ship since 26 December and four scheduled port stops had been missed.

3. BBC News website: Bricks and mortar stay at home

A two-year ban on most foreigners buying homes in Canada has come into effect aiming to help ease one of the most unaffordable housing markets in the world. As of this summer, the average home price in Canada is C$777,200 ($568,000; £473,700) – more than 11 times the median household income after taxes.

New Zealand passed similar legislation banning foreign homebuyers in 2018 as the country grappled with its own housing affordability crisis. Inflation-adjusted home prices have continued to rise since the ban came into effect.

4. BBC News website: I wonder what influenced his decision?

Cristiano Ronaldo says his work in Europe is done, but he had “many opportunities” from clubs in Brazil, Australia, the United States and Portugal before joining Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr.

Ronaldo is reportedly set to receive more than £177m per year in a deal that runs until 2025.

I’m generally pro free-market … but £177m p.a?

5. BBC News website: Congratulations, it’s a … (immigration scam)

Spanish police are searching for 14 people who ran from a commercial plane flying from Morocco to Turkey after an emergency landing in Barcelona – which was forced by a woman ‘faking’ that she was about to give birth.

Authorities say that, once the plane touched down, a group of 28 people exited and “tried to flee”. Police managed to stop half of the group, but 14 escaped and remain at large. The woman, who was pregnant but not about to give birth, was arrested on suspicion of public disorder offences.

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