Next challenge is an old challenge
I’ve had a few people ask me what is next in terms of running and I’m going to be doing the Adra Half Marathon on the 29th of November. I’m going to run this with my wife and I’m really looking forward to it as it will be her inaugural half marathon.
However, my next big fitness challenge is to get the 100 push-ups challenge out of the way.
I was very fortunate in that Steve Spiers, who is the mastermind behind the 100 push-ups craze, sent me a copy of his book:
![4078500278_abaa821393_o[1]](http://www.andrewisgettingfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/4078500278_abaa821393_o1.jpg "4078500278_abaa821393_o[1]")
I found the 100 push-ups website quite useful the first few times that I tried to do this challenge but I have to admit that I think the book is much better.
In part 1, Steve starts off with a great introduction about why he started doing push-ups. He’s a runner who was looking for more strength. Similar to me! Except he is really really fast. 
The book is a very easy read with lots of interesting tidbits about push-ups. There is some Japanese bloke who has done more than 10000 in a row!
In part 2 we move on to the actual training programs. There are a lot more training programs offered in the book than there are on the website. I think this is a big plus as the one on the website was fairly hardcore and there are quite a lot more pathways for push-up beginners in the book.
In part 3 Steve offers a section on more complicated/challenging push-up types for those who need more challenge. Needless to say I’m not there yet but it’s something to aspire to.
Part 4 is an appendix that has some stretching routines and a program for folks who are not able to do any push-ups yet. It also has a training log but I’d use my computer for that myself.
I found the book easy to read and it has got me inspired to do more push-ups. The last time I attempted the challenge I got up to the mid 40s however, when I did my initial challenge last night I only managed 20 so I’ll report back once a week or so on how I’m going. There is a real sense of achievement in managing to do a lot of push-ups. I suspect it’s a guy thing. What do the ladies think?
I reckon this would make a great Christmas gift for someone who was into fitness!
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November 6th, 2009 07:34
Thanks for reminding me about this. The last time I had a go I got to 59 I think before the marathon got all too consuming. Must be a good thing to try again.
I found my dumbells in the garage gathering dust so am thinking on a new home work out program (which I will post about).
Good luck with ADRA. That’s a great course and I’m sure it’ll be very familiar for you
There is a small hilly bit up St Heliers but most of it is flat and fast.
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Sally
reply on November 6th, 2009 8:34 pm:
He will be running the ADRA one with me… so yes, it will be flat… not so sure about fast!
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November 6th, 2009 11:38
This “lady” gets the same sense of achievement. But the real kicker is when you casually mention to any nearby blokes that you did 20 (or whatever) pushups that morning. Real ones, not girly ones. And sometimes you get a few sheepish looks as the really fast skinny guys wonder to themselves if they could actually manage that many.
I’m with Aaron – must get back into them.
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November 6th, 2009 23:03
Yeah, me too – maybe a good 2010 goal.
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November 7th, 2009 04:36
well, now that I can actually do like 5 pushups, maybe I should try getting to 100. Looks like a book worth checking out.
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November 7th, 2009 14:54
I’ve been working on this for several weeks now using the website plan. I’m making progress, but its very, very slow…
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November 8th, 2009 03:50
It’s not just a guy thing. there is nothing better for a woman than also acquiring upper body strength by doing some “real” push ups. I am on week 5 of 100 push ups and am enjoying my new found strength. I just wonder how one maintains it after 6 weeks. You don’t want to let all that hard work go.
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November 9th, 2009 20:33
way to go!! a new goal….and I tried that push up programme once -stumbled on to it, but only got to about 6…hmmmmm…
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November 10th, 2009 10:50
Hmm.. maybe I should do this while we’re in Europe!
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Andrew
reply on November 10th, 2009 1:15 pm:
Or you could just enjoy yourself!
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November 10th, 2009 14:21
I’ve got to get back and try this again myself. I put some time on the treadmill today and felt my back was a little weak, I think using more body weight exercised like pushups and situps is something I have to start incorporating.
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November 11th, 2009 03:22
Great idea! I’m not sure I could do one real pushup and can likely barely do any “girly” ones.
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November 11th, 2009 03:36
A belated congrats on yet another marathon! Nice job.
And I look forward to following your quest to do 100 pushups. I accomplished this almost a year ago, and it was fun to be able to do that many in a row. Unfortunately, I didn’t keep it up and can’t even begin to come close to that number now. Perhaps I will try this challenge again…
Good luck!
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