Week 5 Session 2

Sessions bounce around a bit from here on, tonight is 5 min warmup walk, jog 8 mins, walk 5 mins then jog 8 mins.
It doesnt seem long ago i was struggling with the 3 minute stints, now they go up to 8! Once i got going, I tried all sorts of things to not think about how long i had been running, the obvious not checking my watch every 30 seconds helped, as well as guessing roughly where i would end up when the walk break came. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to stay focused, lets face it running alone isnt exactly riveting. (well not for me anyway) Wonder how different it would be with someone to train with?
In the end i followed the program again and did the 2 x 8 mins.However, definately not comfortably i might add.

Week 5 Session 1

5 min walk warmup, then Run 5 mins, walk 3 mins, run 5 mins, walk 3 mins, run 5 mins.
Over half way of the 9 week program and the target of 3 miles still seems along way off. I'm starting to really appreciate those 5000m and 10,000m runners on the tele and the pace they set. Cannot quite grasp how first timers do marathons with little training though. (often see "run a marathon in 10 weeks", those people must be bloody fit in the first place)
Tonight went well, the 5 minute stints dont seem as bad any more. Soul to Soul on the ipod may have helped!
Pace is still slow, but at least i'm sticking with it.

Week 4 Session 3

I realised today i may well stick to the whole 9 week program. The reason, Its raining and a bit on the cold side but i'm still going out!
I wondered what would happen the first time i had to make the decision stay in and keep warm, or go out and get wet? In the end it was actaully quite easy. The scales were shouting "still more pounds to get off"
As it turned out it felt good to run whilst it was cooler, the first 3 and 5 min stints went well, but on the 2nd 3 min session the pain in the back of my right ankle started up again and i had to walk an extended time. The rest of the run went fine, (although a little dark by now) with the pain only forcing me to slow the pace down a little more (anything less would count as a sponsored walk)
Next week see's some big jumps in the schedule with the first 2 mile non stop. Oh well, anything for a laugh!

Week 4 Session 2

Its getting harder finding things to write about to try and make this a bit more interesting to read. Then again its not as if i have a huge audience that comment on this blog (Hi Wes)
A local town had their annual air display on Sunday and the airport played host to a number of interesting planes. Just started my warmup walk and a Harrier Jump jet starting doing several low level passes over the runway, culminating in a quick hover and gentle touchdown, all within 100m of where i was! Not a bad start to the jog.
Following the same pattern as the last session, it still doesnt really seem to be getting much easier. I have to keep reminding myself 10 years of sitting watching television isnt going to go away in just a few weeks. That said, when i eventually made it back to my car i was still feeling pretty good and my recovery period seemed quite short. The only slight concern was the tightness of the muscles just above my right ankle. (Must find out what its called)
Decided to leave an extra days recovery before the next session.

Week 4 Session 1

Nearly half way through my 9 week plan (to reach 3 miles non stop) and the increase in distance and shorter walk breaks are beginning to tell a little.
This week its obligitory 5 min warmup walk then 3 mins jog, 90s walk, 5 mins jog, 2 1/2 mins walk, 3 mins jog, 90s walk finishing with 5 mins jog.
The evening was nice and cool, but definately not cold with no wind at all. Just for a change decided to take my ipod and run along to Red Hot Chillies, it certainly passed the time!Everything was going fine until i misread the last 90s walk and naughty me took an extra 60s, then halfway through the last 5 mins took an extra 30s walk break. I'm taking the view that i'm doing this to lose weight and should at least enjoy it, rather than pushing too hard, getting fed up and going back to my old ways.
Only time will tell. Hopped on the scales this morning, 229lbs. When i originally started jogging 6 weeks ago i was 252lb. Still big but going in the right direction.

Week 3 Session 3

Actually left 3 days between my last run and this one. Today is my birthday, 44 years young and i'm all kitted out in my new running vest the wife brought me. The weather has taken a bit of a downturn, 16c with light drizzle and a gusty wind. Could do with someting a bit warmer but what the heck.
Started running and straight away felt a difference. No aching legs within 5 minutes and breathing easily. The first 90s and 3 min stints passed quickly and i felt that good i even halfed my 3 min mid run recovery slot down to 90s as well. Not sure if it's the cooler weather or the 3 day break but something was going right!
Back to the car and i usually approach it at around 24:30 feeling a bit knackered. Today, 23:00 and still with a bit in the tank. Could probably have gone a bit quicker, but at least I finished the session again.
Week 4 sessions are different again, but i'll save that for the next blog.

Week 3 Session 2

I'm beginning to think i need 2 rest days between sessions rather than just the one. Today I only ran for about 5 minutes before my legs were aching and my calves felt solid. The whole thing never comfortable from the start. I'm possibly seeing a bit of a pattern in one good session followed by a tougher one, either that or i'm losing it all together!

Week 3 Free run Session

Having got home later than usual and as it was getting dark I abandoned my regular route around the river/airfield and decided on a quick run around my local area.
When I first started this jogging lark I thought a straight run around the block was all I needed. Back in the day (actually only 5 weeks ago but seems like much longer) I would run the 0.4 miles as fast as I could, best time 3.00 dead. However, after I finished it took 10 minutes to feel anything like normal again.
Armed with this I thought I would see what 3 weeks (and 1/2 stone less fat) of structured training would do to my time. Started with a five minute walk to warm up then out of the starting blocks. The quick trip felt good and as I coasted towards my house felt sure I was faster. I checked my watch, the time 3:23. I looked again, still 3:23. How can this be, was I wasting my time continuing. It then dawned on me I had settled into my new session pace and had not actually tried to run it any faster. Then I also realized I hadn't collapsed in a heap and was still feeling quite good. mmm interesting, what else could I do. So off I went again intending to do the same route. About half way round the road splits and creates a bigger loop, so I decided to follow this instead. The last part is 200m up hill and previously I had always had to walk the last 100m, this time I ran all the way. Total for the night including the warmup walk, 1.9 miles. Not bad considering I only intended to do the original 0.4. The time, haven't a clue and to be honest, I wasn't bothered. All I know is, its getting better and yes the pain is worth it. Wonder what I can do in 4 weeks time. (and hopefully another 1/2 stone lighter)

Week 3 Session 1

Seems like a bit of a step up this week. So far I've managed pretty well to follow the previous programs, however this is session was by far the toughest.
5 min brisk walk warmup, jog 90s, walk 90s, jog 3 mins, walk 3 mins, then repeat.
I decided to run alittle earlier than usual and started about 17:30, weather was a bit warmer than last few days and not much breeze.
Halfway through the first 3 min jog I knew I was going to struggle. Cannot quite figure out how I started off running 1 mile in about 9:30 without stopping, but now after 3 weeks regular jogs and losing 1/2 a stone I seemed to be hurting more! Please tell me this isnt unusual, I need to think I'm benefitting from all this effort.
In a nutshell, I managed to get through to the last 3 min stint with eyes stinging from the sweat driping into my eyes and blurred vision from it bouncing off on to my sunglasses. I can see my car for the last couple of hundred meters and I know somewhere in the boot is a large bottle of delightful cold water. Tonight it's half for drinking, and half to use as an impromptu shower to cool me down!

Week 2 Session 3

If someone had told me a couple of months ago that I would actually be looking forward to running, I would definitely have laughed. To be honest, I'm a little surprised myself. Then again I did go out and spend £80 on a decent pair of trainers and £50 on a couple of decent tops and shorts so I intend to get some decent wear out of them!
On to the running.
Same course and program as per my last post, except I parked my car just that little bit further away to add another hundred metres or so to the run, everything helps as far as I'm concerned.
The program calls for a brisk walk startup, but either I'm doing this too brisk or I still got a long way to go. I'm finding my calves are a bit tight even before I begin to run. Also I still need the breaks after the 90s jogs, could be I'm trying to run to fast or as I said before, the walk may be to quick. Even so I made it back to the car, in one piece and still able to continue for a couple of extra minutes as a cool down session.
Not sure what's going to happen next week, the program seems to ramp up a bit, but I'll save that for the next post or I wont have anything to write!

Week 2 Session 2

I think its time to add a little variety to my running.
So far I've stuck to the seafront promenade for everything, but to be honest its getting a little samey. Tonight, something different. We have a small airport near to where I live, with a river and a railway track cutting everything in half.
The first part of the run takes me along the rivers edge and under a railway bridge, then through a small park down to a main road. Turn right and after a couple of hundred yards it starts to head back towards the airport along the access road, all this over a mixture of tarmac, grass and gravel.
Its amazing what looking at a different bit of scenery does. The running felt easy and the walk breaks seemed exceptionally long, perhaps I could have run for longer but I decided to continue with the format of the program I'm following. I don't think it would take to much for my body to rebel if it thought I was getting to confident!
When I had finished I drove as much of the route as I could and estimated the rest, all told its about 1.8 miles. Things are looking up and I can definitely see an improvement from the first day.