Week 2 Session 1

New week, new regime.
Same 5 min brisk walk warmup, then run 90s, walk 2mins for 20 minutes total. The evenings are getting a bit cooler now so in some ways it helps, then again to counter that, the wind has got up over the last couple of days and it's telling. The jog with the breeze is fine, i'm reasonable fresh and even watch the kite surfers just off the beach as i'm running. All to quick its time to turn back and WOW, where did this hurricane blow up from! The run back feels 10 times slower, and the surfers soon lose my interest, i'm to busy hoping i can make the next 90s. Its during my next walk "break" i realise i've screwed up with my timing over the last few days. I've only been timing 20minutes dead, not 5 mins warmup + 20mins combined run/walk, oh no, i'm 5 minutes shy. So the extra 5 minutes i have to put in are dead into the wind, not the best of days to make this discovery. I suppose realistically its only about an extra 1 1/2 - 2 minutes running, but its surprising what a difference that can make this early in my training.

Week 1 Session 3

Have you ever tried to write something interesting when the events are virtually the same as the last few days. If not, then bear with me on the next few lines.
I work 3 days a week very close toLondon Heathrow Airport and curently face a 2 hr drive to get home to the south coast. (Bloody roadworks at the A3 cause a 10 mile traffic queue) Now the point is i leave work at 17.30, get home by about 19.30 by which time i'm starving. So by the time i've eaten and left a suitable time to digest its getting on for 21.00, and getting dark!
Now i dont believe in the bogey man, vampires or any other childhood beasty, so i dont mind actually running in the dark, but based on the training schedule i'm trying to keep i do need to at least see the timer on my watch! Any ideas on a postcard please.
Now the even more boring bit.
Drove to the beach, (i like to run on the sea front) five minute brisk walk warmup then into the usual run/walk routine for 20 minutes. It does seem to be getting a bit easier each time, wonder what will happen next week when we move up to running for 90s before a rest, that should sort the men from the boys. (Ok i'll probably end up in a big heap in the corner but i'm trying to hold some interest here)
Finished boring you now, roll on saturday and the next level of my regime!

Week 1 Session 2

I left the usual one recovery day since my last session with legs still feeling like lead. I wasnt particularly relishing the next days session but vowed to continue. Whats the old addage "no pain, no gain" cannot see myself believing that one for to long!
Fate played its hand when i remember i was down to play a round of golf the next morning. The course measures 6230 yards (thats 3.5 miles or 5.7k) but the way i play make that 6500.
With the temp peaking at 31 degrees, 4 1/2 hrs and 3 litres of water later i staggered back to the car, legs and feet aching (wrong socks, dont ask) It was now 14.00 with my usual running time of 21.00 looking very distant. Turns out not that distant, i went home crashed out and woke up at about 18.00 feeling totally knac***ed. Scratch one runnning session, but at least i exercised.

So on to today, this session a copy of the first. Walk 5 mins warmup, 60s jog, 90s walk for 20 mins. Just started getting dark when i set off along the beach front, still plenty of people about, some even swimming in the sea. The pace and my breathing seemed easier today, was i running slower, it seems not. My 10 minute halfway point (and time to turn back) was a little further than 2 days ago, not far perhaps a 100m or so but it all counts. Less aching calves on the return leg and back to the car feeling more relaxed. Perhaps it was a bit cooler tonight, then again, i'll take anything that helps.

Week 1 Session 1

Ok, first real session.
Have previously been pushing myself to do a straight 1 mile as fast as i can, (best of 9:22) turns out this is not the way to start running!
Have a program now which says:
5 minute warm up walk, then alternate 60 seconds running with 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
Easy i thought, if i can run a straight mile this should be a piece of the proverbial.
God did i get a surprise, calves hurt like hell and the 60 second runs seemed like 5 minutes. Got to stick with it though i suppose.
The plan says do this for 3 sessions per week (every other day) and within 9 weeks i should be upto 3 miles!
Time will tell.

Couch Potato

After 10 years of promising to start exercising and lose some weight, i've finally taken the plunge and brought myself some proper running shoes and actually gone out and started running.
Initially i was 18 stone and couldnt manage a fast walk let alone a run, but i've managed to shift over a stone and started to follow a structured format for my running.
Now i've got my new found interest, i'm going to bore the rest of the world with my progress!
If anyone else is starting out and want and advice i've found a great site. http://www.coolrunning.com/