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 13 - Week beginning 05/04/10

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

Pretty much stuck to the programme. I'm pretty confident that I'll manage the 10k without the use of a stretcher but I'm concerned about my time as I'd really like to complete it in a decent time and not the 3 hours I'm headed for at the moment!

Have you done more or less than expected? Explain.

Up until Sunday I would say I was on track and had achieved what I needed to but Sundays run was a disaster. 2.5 miles in and I was limping with left shin pain. I ran it out as much as I could but ended up having to get a lift home.

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

I felt great on all runs except Sundays.

Highs: Change of scenery because I ran a different route and managing some fairly steep hills.

Lows: Sundays run and bad mental attitude as soon as I hit the Achavanich road.

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

My speed seems to have reduced bizarrely! I think it may be a mental block preventing myself from being able to pick up the pace going away from home. As soon as I head homeward I find it easy again.

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

I tried a different route this week which was great but then headed back to the Achavanich road on Sunday and boredom of the same run is having a negative effect on my effort.

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

This week I ran with the Black Eyed Peas, Pink, scissor sisters and a few country singers. Lol.

Other than that I run alone. I have reintroduced the music though to help motivate me.

Any injuries?

Left shin pain and cramp then numbness in my feet.

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

Seemingly not weight loss. I weighed myself for the first time in 5 years and was chuffed to see that I'd stayed the same as 5 years ago. The following week I'd put 3lb on - go figure!

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

Just running at the moment as I am really busy outside on the land.

Any other observations?

I can't seem to overcome this stiffness in the first 10 minutes of running. I feel like cardboard man and it's really effecting how I run. I manage to pick it up after a bit but by then it's had a negative effect on my attitude.

My aim for this week is to overcome my negative mental attitude and get back to enjoying my runs regardless of how far or how fast I manage.