Sunday Week 7 term 3

Back on programme today.  Went to the gym and did an hour and a half of strength exercises before starting my run.  Completed a walk run ratio of 1:10 x 3 quite comfortably.  Increased my speed in the third set ever so slightly - didn't want to overdo it but after yesterday's run I realised I should probably start increasing my pace slightly if there would any hope of a personal best in the Round the Bays next year.

Saturday Week 6 Term 3

Woke up this morning to a beautiful blue sky shining through the skylight, so I decided to head outdoors.  I was a little nervous, having been running on the treadmill for most of my training, so I decided to just treat it as a fun run.  No watch.  No programme.  No pressure.  I was surprised to find that I was running quite slowly (the treadmill had clearly been lulling me into a false sense of security).  However I managed to run around the inlet and back without stopping - a good four kilometres I would say.  I'm not sure how long it took me (no watch remember) but I'm pretty sure it was less than half an hour.  It was a good run and although some parts were quite windy, for the most part it was a lovely warm sunny day.  There were a few people out walking their dogs/children/husbands to say hello to, and the views were (as always) both inspiring and relaxing.  A great way to start the day.

Sunday Week 6 Term 3

A bit slack last week.  I think I was fighting off a cold, but whatever it was I just didn't have the energy to go for a run.  Today however I got my mojo back.  Easing my way into exercise, I took the dog for a 40 minute walk along the river.  It reminded to approach exercise like a dog: Enthusiastic excitement and constant joy at the prospect of being out of the house!

Followed the walk with a trip to the gym to run 3 x 2:10 walk/run before completing an hour of body balance (stretching).  Felt great afterwards.  Next run is 3 x 1:10 - I think I'll be okay but a bit nervous about the shorter recovery time.

Sunday week 5 Term 3

Another great run today. After a warm up walk of five minutes, I managed a walk run ratio of 2:10 x 3 quite comfortably much to my relief.  This was then followed up with a Body Balance class (a mixture of Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi) for an hour of delicious stretching and core work.  Very sweaty, but very relaxed by the end of all of that. :)

Tuesday Week 4 term 3

Another great run today.  The video on the gym treadmill was showing a run through the Zion National Park and around the Grand Canyon area in America.  I did this run the other day and quite liked it so had another go.  This was my last 4 x 1:7 walk run ratio.  Next time I move up to 2:10 walk run x 3 so that will be an interesting challenge.  I did try increasing the speed a little this time but since I'd had a shorter warm up (or maybe I'm just not ready yet), I found it too hard, so dropped by to my usual pace.

Saturday Week 3 Term 3

Had a big argument with myself before today's run:
"Go for a run."
"But I don't feel like going for a run."
"Okay, read your runner's magazine."
"But that might make me feel like going for a run."
"You need to go for a run today."
"I'll walk the dog instead." ....... (one dog walk later)
"Okay now go for a run."
"But..."
"Just put your gear on." .....
"Okay I'll just go to the gym and do some weights, but I'm not promising to go for a run."......
"WOW!  What a great run.  So glad I talked myself into it."
4 x 1:7 walk run ratio = Feeling very pleased with myself and appreciative that my body showed such persistence when arguing with my brain.  Hehe.

Tuesday week 3, term 3 2014

Still a little stiff after Sunday's Body Balance (stretching) class, but kicked myself off the couch so I could fit a run into my busy week.  Completed a walk run ratio of 1:7 minutes x 4, which was great to start with but by the fourth set was starting to challenge me.  Luckily the treadmills at the gym have great video courses, so I could pretend to be running through the Zion National Park in America and around parts of the Grand Canyon.  Quite spectacular and helped to take my mind off my poor struggling legs. ;)

Saturday week 2, term 3 2014

I didn’t really feel up to running today, having had two days off sick with headaches and sore throats, but I decided to suck it up and go to the gym anyway.  Once there I couldn’t wait to be warmed up enough to try a run.  There was a very fit looking woman already running on the treadmill and she looked so happy that I was inspired.  I started a walk run ratio of 1:5 minutes and was doing really well.  Then I had a panic that the gym closed earlier on Saturdays and I didn’t want to miss out on completing my run.  I decided to push through and try to run the remainder of the time (15 minutes) without a walk break to decrease the time I would take to finish. I was amazed that I managed to complete the run and felt really great by the end of it.  I’m glad I went.   It just goes to show that sometimes we can achieve a lot more than our brain tells us we can.

Sunday week 2, term 3 2014

Another great run today.  Warmed up thoroughly at the gym first then hit the treadmill.  Managed a 2 min walk: 5 min run ratio for 35 minutes.  Had to stop half way through to stretch the niggly calf muscle but after that it was fine. 

Thursday week 1, term 3 2014

Managed to run for five minutes/walk 3 minutes for half an hour. Felt really good – almost like I could have run for longer. It was very tempting to push myself further but I am trying to resist the urge because I don’t want to injure myself (again!). Am running on the treadmill at the gym since the last couple of times I ran outdoors my calf muscle cramped and I had to hobble home. Hopefully the treadmill will help me build my strength enough that I’ll be back on the tracks soon.