On the plus side, I picked up a double packet of Jammie dodgers before the match and we managed to console ourselves after it by eating most of them (and then I went home and ate the rest). Thinking about it now, in all likelihood, any calories burned off while playing badminton were probably but back on in Jammie Dodgers. Best not to dwell on that I feel.

It was another good general workout for my basic fitness level, and that’s still the basic aim of the game at this stage. After Christmas and into the new year, that level of exercise wont cut it on it’s own, but I’m still only 16 days in training, adn I’ve 13 years of no exercise to make up for, so I have to keep reminding myself that it has to be baby steps at this stage or I will just hit a wall and either injure myself, or give up, or possibly both!

It was Lucan that beat us by the way, and the average age of their players must have been at least 10, maybe even 15 years older than our team’s average age. I don’t mean to me ageist, but that really does feel like salt in the wound. I’m not sure why, but there’s something about being beaten by someone old enough to be your parents that is thoroughly demoralising!!

Mmmmm, Jammie

Today’s training was just a badminton session, and it didn’t go well. I play for the Trinity badminton club, and we have a match next week, so we were practising for that. Unfortunately not all the team turned up, so it was a reduced number of players and games. In an hour and a half I played 3 sets of doubles and didn’t break sweat once. I wasn’t too happy from a training point of view because that was my only exercise for the day and it was nowhere near enough to be happy with. On top of that I had left the apartment at 5.30 and didn’t get home until just before 9, so I effectively spent 3 and a half hours of my evening to get 20-30 minutes of not great exercise. That’s just the way of it, it was nobody’s fault, but it’s still frustrating and not very helpful in terms of general fitness training.

Still, I tried, and I was pushing in the right direction.

Play badminton, it's fun!

Firstly, I got through 24 Hours without having a custard cream, which I’ve you read Days 1 & 2 you’ll realise is something of an achievement. In fact, I didn’t have any biscuits at all. I know, O.M.G!!

Today’s fitness training involved having my ass handed to me on a plate by my badminton buddy Tom, who hockeyed me off the court 3-0. The mind is willing, but the body is SLOW!! It’s actually a very frustrating experience, because when I used to play badminton competitvely (granted 13 years ago!) I could totally make all the shots I’m missing now, and cover the court better and faster. A lot of the time today I just couldn’t get to the Shuttle…..oh go on then, COCK. I ran, well, more skipped, nay sashayed (I just had to look up how to spell that FYI) my litttle legs off, but I’m just a lot slower than I used to be. That was kinda depressing to be honest, and a timely reminder, like one was needed, that I’m no longer 16.

Still the basic plan for the first 2 months of operation marathon is to take in less calories, and burn more by doing more exercise. Boxes ticked for today. I have set myself a goal of losing 5lbs before Christmas, and this is a good step in the right direction.

I haven’t set a date for when I’m going to beat Tom, but his time will come!

I would and all...