Keeping up with the Jones’s (Fair Dinkum – What was I thinking)

Well what I should say is keeping up with the Tong’s in my case. That would be brother-in-law and partner in all things adventure and exercise.

 Recently, Ray purchased a weight-vest to wear whilst exercising, and he has been using it almost exclusively with his sprint running training.

And he has made some substantial improvement in his mid-distance times.

Okay, he is a Kiwi so there is a certain amount of Trans-Tasman rivalry that goes on between us, unsaid of course, but it is all good, after all we egged each other on enough to line up for the 243 kilometre Speight’s Coast-to-Coast race across New Zealand 12 months ago, and the gauntlet has once again been tossed down for us to line up for the 2014 event.

Ray crosses the line after racing 243 kilometres across New Zealand (Baz is coming!)
Ray crosses the line after racing 243 kilometres across New Zealand (Baz is following!)

As a matter of interest The Speight’s Coast to Coast now features in the Worlds Toughest Endurance Challenges which has just been published by Bloomsbury Publishing.

Baz - Mountain Run, Coast to Coast Race, New Zealand
Baz – Mountain Run, Coast to Coast Race, New Zealand

But on this rivalry, a casual mention of seeing how far we could walk with a back pack had us traversing 240 kilometres through the Australian bush from my home in Sydney to his in Newcastle to the north, not to mention some of the other walks we have done and Tough Mudder events…

Baz & Ray - Tough Mudder, Sydney, Australia
Baz & Ray – Tough Mudder, Sydney, Australia

So when I heard he was making all these gains with a power-vest I did the only thing one could do. I bought my own.

 Strewth, all I can say is, what was I thinking.

Twenty kilograms weighted on your body doesn’t sound like much, and after all we frequently carry that and more on our outings in the bush, but strapped to your body during an exercise session is another thing altogether.

Ray - Great North Walk, Australia
Ray – Great North Walk, Australia

 My body is aching tonight!

That’s what you get for trying to keep up with the Tong’s, I guess.

And on the vest, I purchased one from Iron Edge, a Melbourne based company who specialise in weight and cross-fit training equipment…

If you get a chance, check out the video, it gives you some idea how the weight-vest can be used.

Well, if you want to keep up with “us boys” best you go and buy one and add it to your exercise workouts…

 And hey, good luck out there!

14 thoughts on “Keeping up with the Jones’s (Fair Dinkum – What was I thinking)

  1. Beth March 21, 2013 / 8:44 am

    I see where your first mistake was… running. Followed by walking long distances and hiking. 🙂 You know me and my take on these… so doing any of these activities with a weight vest is pure crazy talk in my book!

    But seriously, I’m impressed, Baz. Wow!

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    • Baz - The Landy March 21, 2013 / 10:38 am

      Strewth, I thinking what have I chewed off here!

      Like

  2. barbara grandberg March 21, 2013 / 6:18 am

    please keep us updated on progress with the vest please…and i enjoyed checking out the site…thanks :} and love all of your adventures..

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    • Baz - The Landy March 21, 2013 / 7:32 am

      Thanks BG. It is actually a great addition to the workout kit…

      My only problem remains my Achilles!!!!

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  3. Cowboys and Crossbones March 21, 2013 / 3:26 am

    Will this vest aid in your quest to reduce muscle in avoidance of the dreaded altitude sickness?! And what makes Ray a Kiwi? This inquiring Tennessee mind needs to know!

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    • Baz - The Landy March 21, 2013 / 3:35 am

      Keeping up with the Jones’s (Fair Dinkum – What was I thinking)

      It will assist in providing additional body loading when exercising, so for hill runs etc. So it shold do the job.

      And on Kiwi’s! He was born in New Zealand on the other side of the Tasman Sea, so we affectionately call them Kiwi’s…

      A Kiwi is a native bird in New Zealand…

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      • Cowboys and Crossbones March 21, 2013 / 4:01 am

        I love it! Learning new daily over here, Baz! And you’re a crazy rock star when it comes to training. Enjoy the extra load!

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  4. Sheslosingit.net March 21, 2013 / 2:19 am

    I saw a man wearing one of those on the treadmill the other day, and I wondered if I should get one. I guess I like to keep up with the Jones’ too!

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  5. kirisyko March 20, 2013 / 10:07 pm

    Reblogged this on Sykose.

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      • kirisyko March 21, 2013 / 8:12 pm

        You have a great blog-your pictures are spectacular,and I love the way you write. Your posts are a pleasure to read:)

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