ust over 15 years ago I started lifting weights. I had only just turned 14 at the time. The memories are many and it was only about 7 years ago that I started writing abut it. I can probably reference my older blog posts about health and exercise, starting with recent and older photos of times when I was in top shape and before I turned to more running (I could run long distances well) and cycling. Back in the days I competed in Mr. Fitness contests (see 2008 victory and photos also from prior years as I had won several times since 2004). I did well at strength events of all kinds. My main competitor was Mike Coogan, who won previous contests (here are some highlights and awards).

I participated in mini triathlons and won rowing competitions too, several times in fact, until recent years.

As a scientist, I strongly reject sport quacks and embrace solid, credible research instead. Although I did not pursue sports professionally as a child (I preferred it being a hobby/game), I do maintain a high degree of knowledge and skill in the area and I spent most of my life (over 15 years) doing regular exercise without ever taking a long break, even when time management seemed hard.

Mike Coogan in Manchester

Roy Schestowitz and the bike

Roy Schestowitz and Manchester City Stadium

IFTY miles along the river/canal assure some exercise. Well, yesterday was a nice day with good weather for the journey. Today I got my bike fixed (a screw had been loosening), so there is likely to be another 8-hour bike ride next Monday (Bank Holiday). It’s very different from riding on the roadside. It is also a lot safer.

am well past my prime time (shown in the linked post is 2005, even though the prime was around 2002 when I was 20), but while I’m still in my 20s I manage to find time to do exercise, currently with a folding keyboard and a PDA on my lap (between sets). The above photo is days old and it is totally unedited (taken with an iPhone). Since I never took illegal substances like steroids it might not impress those who are accustomed to seeing so-called ‘body builders’ (where the name of the game is consuming as much/many steroids as humanly possible before passing out or passing away). Anyway, the above was the first time in 6 years that I took photos of myself flexing muscles and it may be the last time before I’m in my 30s. I will never exceed in terms of strength or stamina what I reached at age 20 not just because of physical limitations that accompany ageing but also the excess amount of time spent on the computer and other activities. Diet too has gotten a lot worse, but there will always be the memories.

HIS month’s schedule has been erratic so far and I spent a lot of time outdoors, owing more than anything to improved weather. Today too I spent almost all day at a friend’s house. Cycling has become a lot of fun, especially along the canals here in the UK. The terrain is rough though, so the bike breaks down quite routinely. I will try to spend the next two weeks blogging a little more as I never neglected my online activity as much as I have recently. Well, frankly, not much has happened either. Since Novell is dead, the “Boycott Novell” push is hardly necessary anymore. We won.

S Independence Day/Weekend was a lot of fun. The Manchester City Stadium 10K (ten kilometers, which is about a quarter of a marathon) took place on Sunday. I was among the runners there and the following day I cycled for 9 hours because it was nice and sunny (now it rains again). Today I spent over 3 hours at the gym, making the total of time spent on exercise in the past 3 days something around 16 hours. In order to keep in decent shape but not make races just a torturous experience (I went to the gym straight afterwards for weights), I took it easy in this race and I intend to carry on running and cycling more than before, maybe building up stamina for a change. My diet too has improved somewhat. So anyway, it was a very pleasant weekend, maybe I will upload more photos later. I will probably do the same Manchester 10K race next year as it exceeded my expectations. The number of participants was a couple of thousands, meaning far smaller than the great run, which is also 10K but has a low of slow runners. The race was by mere chance talking place on one of the more pleasant days of the year, even though it was a little too hot for running (early in the day and not a cloud in the sky). Anyone who considers doing future K-Swiss Manchester 10K races probably won’t regret it.

couple of weeks ago I updated the Sports page, adding some new awards. In two weeks from now the annual rowing competition will take place and that requires hard training. Other competitions will follow, so stamina improvements will pay off. I have also made it into the quarter finals of the table tennis tournament (next game pending). So far, so good.

xciting news today: I have won the contest for the first time in 3 years. I finished second last year and the year before that, having won it in 2004 and 2006.

Trophies have not been handed out yet, but I’ll need to update this page, which is well out of date.