OK quick update.

I went to the nationals and did a little better than last year so I guess I achieved my original goal. I'm a bit disappointed I didn't get to test myself against the southpaw again and not entirely happy with a few factors which i didn't predict but have to put these things into perspective and get over it!

Anyway I'm going to do weekly posts now rather than daily since I've taken some time to work out how to use my Polar Protrainer software over Christmas and have a semi-structured training program all set out on a calendar at home! Organization always being my weak point I'm hoping it helps. I've decided to own up to how much time I actually have this year and only plan to use that instead of planning things that are too ambitious, failing and then doing crap all.

Back is happy right now. Still saving for a new mattress but sleeping on the floor when it's bad helps. Also not cycling much anymore since buses are more convenient in my unit now than the share house I was in before. That seems to help the back.

I've planned 4 fitness tests - one for testing lactate threshold - test named after some dude starting with a C - will try to remember that later.

Also weekly Ownoptimiser test to check am recovering properly.

There's a walking fitness test which seems a bit dodgy. The software calculates it based on your heart rate after walking for a given time. It doesn't take into account some pretty serious variables though like the pace you walk! I'm going to do the test multiple times on the same day with a good rest between times to make up a standard curve and calibrate the method.

I've also designed a flexibility test routine and strength test routine. Unfortunately I don't have a partner to spot me for weights so I can't calculate my one rep maximum weight so I guess I've made it more endurance based by counting max no of reps I can complete at a moderate weight.

Last test is a mobility test - basically hopping between two points on the floor and seeing how many hops I can do in a minute and I'll do something similar punching set point on a bag aswell maybe.

I intend to do one of these every week so I do each of them once every 4 weeks but not all at once. I think it'll take up too much time to do them all at once and the lactate threshold and strength tests might tire me and interfere with the results of whichever I do second.

I guess it's time to set some new goals .............. Still thinking about it.

Going pro is a possibility - after the nationals my coach was up for it seeing why I don't feel there's much point in me continuing with the amateurs. Need to feel like a machine after 6 months though.

Need to learn to balance stuff with work better which is what I hope my new training program will allow.

I am running again too! Ok sounds crazy but I did a one hour tempo run the other day and my back feels fine - my quads HATE me - I'm lowering myself down on the toilet seat with my arms but my back is fine . It was meant to be 40 mins but had accidentally set the HRM to start the tempo phase when I pressed the button and forgot so it was a really long 40 mins .

Anyway I'm not aiming for a marathon and am only doing 4 runs a week with really long warm ups and cool downs and two swim a week with the purpose of concentrating on exercises which will balance the muscles in my back, stretch them and strengthen my abs and gluts - all to help my back.

I guess though one of my aims will be to maintain my ability to run without any abnormal pain, That'd be GOLD!!!!

Anyway I've just been doing easy cardio up until Tuesday this week and have now started weights and plyometrics (YES I can do them now!!!! ). Next week back at boxing. I'll use this log for weekly summaries and technical issues and keep the daily conditioning details in my polar calendar at home so I don't have to wade through hours of crap when I'm trying to work out why I'm tired or sore but people can still offer me suggestions etc on here.