Skipping as an alternative to a run!

[martinhermanus]

All South Africans are truly locked down no dog walks and no exercise. You will get fined if you venture out. Therefore, I have taken up skipping, 1 500 skips every second day, using a boxing timer on my phone, 1 minute per round and 1 minute rest thereafter. I have 15 rounds and get to 1 500. Hope I am going to be able to do the parkrun or is it going to be the parkwalk! So missing feeling very hot, tired and sweaty. Asking forgiveness for all the times I was too lazy to run. My favorite run is a beach run is 10 km. White sand, waves crashing, deep smell of the ocean, with my friend chatting alongside me and the beach as far as the eye can see. Absolutely beautiful. I will have myself in tears if I go on much longer! 😢

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

That is absolutely ridiculous that you can't even get outside to walk the dog or do any exercise in South Africa, that long term could cause more problems than Covid 19, I assume that the authorities allow you out for shopping.

There are plenty of YouTube videos around for everyone to do exercises, glad to hear that you enjoy your skipping.

[martinhermanus in reply to AlMorr]

The majority of the population is very undisciplined so in Africa measures need to be very simple! Out for food or medical. We are all coping. Thank you for the connection.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to martinhermanus]

👍

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Oh my that’s really severe lockdown- I must say I appreciate every run during lockdown such a sense of freedom. I’ll think of you and “take” you with me on my next run on Saturday, then you get to do a virtual marathon with me next week in the Scottish Highlands. That skipping sounds really hard work, it will definitely keep you fit - and surely a little hot, tired and sweaty.

[martinhermanus in reply to Grannyhugs]

Would love that! Looking forward to the virtual run. Thank you for reaching out.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to martinhermanus]

You’ll be doing a short’ish run on Saturday, especially after achieving two PBS today, then we’ll have 4 runs totalling 26 miles next week at the same time as raising money for Alzheimer Scotland. We’ll pass new born lambs, have beautiful views of mountains with the last traces of snow, and as I’ve been running in sun all week it’ll be cold and wet 🤣🤣🤣

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Sorry to hear you have such a strict lockdown to deal with. Ours, in the UK, allows daily exercise, but the noises from government make it sound like things like parkrun won’t be able to come back until there’s either a vaccine or treatment that stops it being fatal. And you live in such a beautiful place too. I have fond memories of staying in a B&B along the coast path just to the Cape Town side of Hermanus one October and being able to see Southern Right whales with their babies from our bedroom window. Plus the gorgeous fynbos all over the coastal route. Happy skipping.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Indeed Coddfish, judging by the latest developments the government says such things as large social gatherings such as events, concerts and large sporting events might not return until 2021, that could mean no more parkruns this year, ouch, we will just to continue with our 5K "virtual 5K parkruns" for the rest of 2020.

[GoogleMe Graduate10]

Oh that sounds hard (it's rather busy and hilly round my house so I'd been staying in, using the trampoline, running in the house and using a bike turbo and it did not agree with me. Hope your body can take it, but bravo for doing what you can.

[martinhermanus]

Variety is good! I am fine not sore at all. Getting strong going to be interesting if my times improve over 5 and 10 k. Thanks for reaching out.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10 in reply to martinhermanus]

Let us know if it does. I might take it up. I used to love it as a child. I wonder how many I could do now...?Glad you are coping with lockdown. What a great idea for exercise!

[martinhermanus in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thank you, feels like I have had a work out, for some reason I don't sweat when I jump rope only when running.

[DiverIzzie]

I empathise with you! We’re in a similar position here in Spain - every day I look longingly at the river and canal bank I used to jog - and am now reduced to running round my roof terrace...(still have the view so mustn’t moan). Skipping is a great alternative and will keep your cardio rate up so well done you and keep going!

[martinhermanus]

Thank you for the encouragement. Enjoy the roof top! I am going to report back in the next month the effect of skipping and whether I am fitter or not.

[Speedy60 Graduate10]

Can I ask, do you skip using alternate feet in a running motion, or do you jump with both feet off the ground? Just interested as I have a sports skipping rope that I've been trying to ignore (🙈) and was wondering about the best technique.

My heart goes out to you, I think I would find your situation unbearable. X

[martinhermanus]

I jump with two feet off the ground. I have no rhythm! I do use a plywood board 18 mm thick which is 1 meter squared and have put two 25 mm sides on the top and bottom. This gives me the feeling I am jumping on a flexible wooden floor, very knee friendly. I am sure jumping alternatively is better but I am not there yet. To get the body used to different types of exercise takes months / years rather than days. One can start 50 skips every second day for a week and add very small increments weekly. Thanks for reaching out.

[Speedy60 Graduate10 in reply to martinhermanus]

You sound like you've really thought this through. Good on you. 👍

[Runawaytrainer]

There are YouTube videos on how to skip safely. Seems it's quite easy to injure yourself! I started skipping this week and have ceiling height to jump on carpet. Hubby, being a tad taller, can't, and nowhere outside is suitable for him.

[Comfortnotspeed Graduate10]

It sounds like a tough situation. You’re resourceful though. And it sounds as if there is much to plan and look forward to.

Let us know how it goes. 🙂

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Enjoy your skipping martinhermanus! It’s a shame the Brits don’t realise how lucky they are to be able to get outside. I was walking along the promenade for exercise yesterday and three policemen were having to ask people not to sunbathe or sit on the beach. Although they were well spaced out, the authorities know that if they are left there, everyone will think it’s ok and it will be uncontrollable. Most people get it, but are those who just don’t.

[martinhermanus in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you for reaching out. Maybe all those who transgress should have their hospital passes canceled! Sorry! I have been appreciating life more!

[sigasiga Graduate10]

I was in Hermanus six months ago (I'm British) and the coast is just beautiful. Keep skipping and you'll enjoy the running even more when you can do it again 😊

[martinhermanus in reply to sigasiga]

Yes I will so glad you know Hermanus. Small world! Will be welcoming tourists again soon. September 2020!

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

Skipping is supposed to be brilliant for cardio fitness and for speed, which is why boxers do it in training ( so I heard on my Nike Run Club commentary yesterday!) Last time I tried it, it nearly killed me 😂 so well done. It must be really tough for you just now, but stay positive. It can’t last for ever. Take care!

[martinhermanus]

Encouragement is appreciated, thank you!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

You live in the most beautiful country which i have visited twice, the news i read looks like it will be a long while before we can go out and do the things we want, we are lucky here that we can still get out to run

Skipping is wonderful i can’t sit to find out if it’s improved your fitness

Stay safe

[martinhermanus]

Thank you, after lock down continue skipping twice a week. Next week we will be able to go outside for dog and exercise. We are excited between 07h00 to 17h00.