2010 Progress Entrant - Linda Claxson

Contents:- -Intro- Report -1- -2- -3- -4- -5- -6- -7- -8- -9- -10- -11- -12- -Look Back 1- -13- -14- -15- -16- -17- -Final-

Report 11 - Week beginning 22/03/10

Have you stuck to the training programme? If not any reasons why?

Not exactly. I have used the idea of doing some fast work but have adjusted them to suit the area that I'm running in. I've done quite a bit of hill work also and although my times still aren't great I am managing to do pretty steep hills or long hills without the need to stop.

Have you done more or less than expected? Explain.

I think I'm pretty much on track for where I should be and I have found that I'm able to push myself and pick up pace on the flat, I just wish I could complete the hills with more oomph! Still, the fact that I can get up them without stopping is more than I thought I'd ever be able to do.

How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?

I felt pretty good during training. If I had the urge to stop I just thought of Eddie Izzard managing his UK run with little training.

Highs:- Tackling the hills without stopping.

Lows:- None really although I would like to complete the hills with a bit more speed.

Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?

Improvement seems to come and go. Some days I find 4 miles easy the next I find 2 miles hard. I'm always, always stiff for the first 10 minutes of running though and it effects my times.

Where are you walking/running; gym, beach, roads, forests?

I'm still mainly using the Achavanich road but boredom of it means I'm going to need to start looking elsewhere.

Are you training alone/with someone else/mixture? How does this affect your training?

I did one of my runs this week with my daughter - never again! She starts way too fast, can't sustain it then gets bored and wants to head home.

Running alone is the better option for me as I don't like the distraction of a partner.

Any injuries?

Nope.

Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?

Hopefully weight loss. I weighed myself for the first time in 5 years so we will see what happens on the next weigh in.

Are you doing any other forms of exercise; swimming, cycling, yoga, pilates?

Running is pretty much it because I've been busy outside on the land. Lame excuse but it really is quite hard work - honest!

Any other observations?

The first 10 minutes of a run are still really difficult for me. I feel very, very stiff and my breathing is quite heavy immediately. Both things settle down after 10 mins or so but if there's anything that will put me off running it would be those first 10 minutes.