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 6 - Week beginning 15/02/10

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

No, I've completely changed my running sessions so that I aim for distances rather than times. After last weeks debacle I needed to find a way of training that suited me mentally and it seems I can relate to distance better than time.

Have you done more or less than expected? Explain.

More. After last week I really didn't think I would improve but a change in the programme has helped no end and I can now run 3 miles. My mile times aren't consistent as I find there are many things that affect my running such as what I've eaten, how I slept, time of day etc.

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

I felt fantastic, confident and relaxed during every run.

Highs:- Every running session, being able to stop the constant walks I kept doing, being able to control my breathing and not having another EIA attack.

Lows:- Ummmmmmmmmmmm..... nope, got nothing.

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

Definite improvement on distance with no stops plus distance in general. I also seem more able to increase my speed later into the run - I always start off fairly slowly. Better mental attitude also.

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

All 4 runs this week have been out on the roads on fairly up and down surfaces, one run was even in the pouring snow - how brave am I! I was determined not to have to use the dreadmill.

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

All my runs are alone now. As much as I appreciated my husband running with me, I found that I competed and compared myself to his abilities. I'm finding it so much easier to run alone and learn to control my own pace to suit each particular mile and how I'm feeling at that point. Hubby was a great pace setter but just too fast so I couldn't sustain the pace.

Any injuries?

Slight ache to the outside of my left shin bone when running.

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

Definite toning of the legs and still sleep better on a running day.

Don't know about weight loss as I've not weighed myself but don't see any drastic improvement there.

I'd hoped that running would mean that Dairy Milk and I could be friends again - apparently not!

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

I've only done the running this week but will be back to cycling and cross training next week.

Any other observations?

My heart rate recovery after a run has improved no end, I no longer have to lie on the ground gasping for 10 minutes before I can breathe normally again.

I'm actually enjoying being a runner again!