As we were both away at the weekend, Kirsty and I decided to go for 40 minutes on a Monday. We did it! Actually it was 40 minutes and 15 seconds as that took us to a magical 6km distance. Unfortunately from about 35 minutes, I started to feel some pain in my left knee and groin area. It was still there in the morning and I could feel it when walking. I decided to skip the planned Wednesay and Friday run to give it time to calm down. I helped it along by stretching. Groin stretches, woo!
I think it was a good decision as I had a pain-free run on Saturday. I tried short intervals but only got to 3 before deciding I lack the motivation to do intervals alone. I then did a 20 minute normal pace to atone for my sin. It was quite achey.
Sunday 20 June 2010
Thursday 10 June 2010
Long runs
*Retrospective updating has messed up my sense of dates, so I'm writing about a run from a couple of weeks ago and one on the post date, haha*
One Sunday Kirsty came to Battersea for a shot at running 35 minutes together. I had run 35 minutes with Mark, which was a really good run; at his suggestion, we'd even run faster for the last minute and it felt great. That was a real boost to the spirits. But Sunday was a horribly hot and humid day and it was a thoroughly unpleasant run. We got to 32 minutes and gave up. I think Kirsty was more annoyed at it than me as she hadn't done 35 minutes before. I hope there isn't too much of this sort of weather over the summer.
Our second shot at 35 came on this day, I believe, and it was successful. Unmemorably so.
One Sunday Kirsty came to Battersea for a shot at running 35 minutes together. I had run 35 minutes with Mark, which was a really good run; at his suggestion, we'd even run faster for the last minute and it felt great. That was a real boost to the spirits. But Sunday was a horribly hot and humid day and it was a thoroughly unpleasant run. We got to 32 minutes and gave up. I think Kirsty was more annoyed at it than me as she hadn't done 35 minutes before. I hope there isn't too much of this sort of weather over the summer.
Our second shot at 35 came on this day, I believe, and it was successful. Unmemorably so.
Tuesday 8 June 2010
Short intervals
Short intervals are hard work. I think I tried running them too fast, around 5min/km. But I managed the required 5 intervals with a bit of extra walking, plus the 5min lead-in and lead-out runs. I kind of wanted to die afterwards. As I'm updating this retrospectively I've messed up timings a bit, but I know that on June 10th I tried my second short interval run with Kirsty. Yet another thing that is better and easier with my running buddy. Still bloody hard though! The thing is, I really really like running at the faster speed, for about 30 seconds until I completely lose my breath.
That run is memorable because we got a couple of really nice compliments; from someone at work and from a (hot) random as we ran past. Running is a good thing :)
That run is memorable because we got a couple of really nice compliments; from someone at work and from a (hot) random as we ran past. Running is a good thing :)
Monday 7 June 2010
Plateau? Second wind? Actual fitness?
I concluded that a lack of proper warm-up contributed to my failure at longer intervals. However I keep forgetting that in warm up phase. Still brisk walking to warm up, but it quickly tails off into an easier walk and a chat. Warming up is boring!
After the disaster Kirsty and I did a 30-minuter on a dreary, rainy Saturday starting at Waterloo. We meant to run east along the South Bank, but the path was closed off so we ended up going over Blackfriars Bridge and doing exactly the same route we would do after work! Our desire for variety was thus thwarted, but happily the running went well.
I've started noticing a pattern. The first 5 minutes is easy. 5 - 15 is some sort of hell; breathing is difficult, muscles are complaining in their muscley way and I want to stop. Somewhere around 17 minutes - I don't know why - everything gets easier. I can't describe what happens exactly, but the breathing definitely settles into something I feel like I could maintain over a long distance. Happy Lisa!
After the disaster Kirsty and I did a 30-minuter on a dreary, rainy Saturday starting at Waterloo. We meant to run east along the South Bank, but the path was closed off so we ended up going over Blackfriars Bridge and doing exactly the same route we would do after work! Our desire for variety was thus thwarted, but happily the running went well.
I've started noticing a pattern. The first 5 minutes is easy. 5 - 15 is some sort of hell; breathing is difficult, muscles are complaining in their muscley way and I want to stop. Somewhere around 17 minutes - I don't know why - everything gets easier. I can't describe what happens exactly, but the breathing definitely settles into something I feel like I could maintain over a long distance. Happy Lisa!
Friday 4 June 2010
Interval madness
After looking at a few different plans, we settled on the Royal Parks Foundation's half-marathon training plan as a basic guide, but that we would essentially do what we wanted. I personally like the RPF plan because it has training weeks dated exactly to race day. I know, little things. There are intervals (starting at: run really fast for 1 minute, walk for 1 minute, etc), longer intervals (starting at: 5mins easy pace, 10mins a bit faster, 5mins easy) and long runs at the weekend.
So we decided to try a longer interval run. I was still recovering from my cough and really not ready for that push. The faster pace was at 6min/km and I managed 4.5 minutes but my breathing was ragged and my legs really hurt. Kirsty and Mark were both along and they slowed down with me, but my legs hurt so much that eventually I had to stop. They kept running for a bit and, during this whole thing, I've never felt worse than when I watched them run on. Very frustrating, but a couple of ciders in the pub afterwards helped somewhat.
So we decided to try a longer interval run. I was still recovering from my cough and really not ready for that push. The faster pace was at 6min/km and I managed 4.5 minutes but my breathing was ragged and my legs really hurt. Kirsty and Mark were both along and they slowed down with me, but my legs hurt so much that eventually I had to stop. They kept running for a bit and, during this whole thing, I've never felt worse than when I watched them run on. Very frustrating, but a couple of ciders in the pub afterwards helped somewhat.
Wednesday 2 June 2010
So after my enforced break and 28-minute achievement, we moved up to 30 and started looking for a half marathon training plan. We didn't fully finish couch to 5k and I wondered whether we should have. They must have recommended 3x 28 and 3x 30 minutes for a reason. But the important thing is, we kept going.
Couch to 5k is a clearly outstanding programme for the average lardass to get up to a level of fitness, but I haven't found anything so good for taking someone on to longer distances. Even beginner plans have you running 4 times a week plus cross training, and ranges of experts have different opinions and agendas behind their plans. But none of them seem to match my agenda, which is that I want to run the whole way. That is the main goal, and I'll be so happy if I achieve it. My ideal secret plan is to finish the half in 2hrs 6 minutes, or 6 minutes per km. And I can't see me exercising 5 times per week - there are other things in my life!
Couch to 5k is a clearly outstanding programme for the average lardass to get up to a level of fitness, but I haven't found anything so good for taking someone on to longer distances. Even beginner plans have you running 4 times a week plus cross training, and ranges of experts have different opinions and agendas behind their plans. But none of them seem to match my agenda, which is that I want to run the whole way. That is the main goal, and I'll be so happy if I achieve it. My ideal secret plan is to finish the half in 2hrs 6 minutes, or 6 minutes per km. And I can't see me exercising 5 times per week - there are other things in my life!
Tuesday 1 June 2010
Running vs jogging
One thing that I've occasionally thought about is the difference between running and jogging. Naturally the internet disagrees with itself and I haven't invested any money on books or magazines about running. One does detect a slightly derisory tone about jogging, as if it is some essentially different and inferior activity, but without any definitions to qualify it.
But this morning I came across a BBC article by some sport trainer guy defining 6mph as a cut off point. So you have to be doing 10 minute miles to be running, any less is jogging. And what's more, if you are jogging, you might as well be walking, because it supposedly has the same calorie-burning benefits with less strain. I am a little incensed. My comfortable RUNNING pace is currently just under 11 minute miles. I certainly can't walk that fast, and in all my running, I've never been outpaced by a walker. It also says that you should always run on the balls of your feet, but I know the jury is out on this one - I saw a proper running article suggesting that up to 70% percent of elite runners are heel first, and that what matters is what's comfortable and doesn't result in injury. I'll keep heeling it, thanks.
I want to run faster - I currently get a little too out of breath, but I believe that if I keep at it, I'll get there. I don't think condescending articles like that really have any place on the BBC, which aims to promote health and fitness. It's potentially very discouraging to be told that you might as well be walking, when you've put all your best effort into doing something better. And I will keep going. Whether it's called running or not.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/health_and_fitness/4286146.stm
But this morning I came across a BBC article by some sport trainer guy defining 6mph as a cut off point. So you have to be doing 10 minute miles to be running, any less is jogging. And what's more, if you are jogging, you might as well be walking, because it supposedly has the same calorie-burning benefits with less strain. I am a little incensed. My comfortable RUNNING pace is currently just under 11 minute miles. I certainly can't walk that fast, and in all my running, I've never been outpaced by a walker. It also says that you should always run on the balls of your feet, but I know the jury is out on this one - I saw a proper running article suggesting that up to 70% percent of elite runners are heel first, and that what matters is what's comfortable and doesn't result in injury. I'll keep heeling it, thanks.
I want to run faster - I currently get a little too out of breath, but I believe that if I keep at it, I'll get there. I don't think condescending articles like that really have any place on the BBC, which aims to promote health and fitness. It's potentially very discouraging to be told that you might as well be walking, when you've put all your best effort into doing something better. And I will keep going. Whether it's called running or not.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/health_and_fitness/4286146.stm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)