Long day

Long day at work today! Feeling a bit achey from being stood over our new measuring rig most of the day - think I'll have to be more careful in future, especially given my history of back problems, but I really feel like I've done a good day's work. Also stayed until 6, so hoping to take that hour back tomorrow and get my run in before I get too tired or want my tea too badly!

Going to treat myself to a nice long soak in the bath ... deserved I hope!

Week 1 Day 2

So I decided to go for run number 2 today after all ... partly because I decided to take the day off work after manic day on Saturday. There is only so much useful stuff one can do when one is exhausted after all. 

Was definitely feeling more confident about pushing myself a bit this time, not sure how well it's reflected in the stats because I completely missed a 'run' repetition to give directions to some tourists ... blinking people. I think the flatter route helped too, but I do quite like the road round the other side - perhaps I'll have to think of a way of cutting out the biggest of the hills.

The only thing that I would criticise the app for (and it's such a tiny detail), is that the GPS doesn't measure your distance after your designated 'workout'. Because of my annoying tourists I had a chunk more to go after the time ran out, so I've measured that on the good run guide route planner. Perhaps will have to ask Grandad nicely if I can nick his Nike+ now he's upgraded to a more sophisticated one!

Not sure what day I'll do my next run - maybe Wednesday after work ... so watch this space!

STATS

Distance:                             2.1 m  [3.4 km] (GRG 2.4mi/3.9km)

Walk pace:                          15:25 mins per mile [3.9 mph]

Run pace:                            10:54 mins per mile [5.5 mph] (despite tourists!)
Calories burned:                  202


P.S ... I think my scales might be a bit rubbish! Keep giving me odd readings. But at least it's better than a guess!

Rest Day ...

... if that ever applies to a Sunday in my life!

Although I did really enjoy my run yesterday, I'm definitely glad of a day or two off to recover (not decided if I'm going to go again on Monday instead of Tuesday). My achilles tendons are really complaining today despite cooling down and lots of stretches, but I'm sure that will improve gradually - especially when my heel inserts arrive.

I do slightly regret starting my regime on a day I was going to spend 12 hours at work, more because it's left me completely nackered today when I actually need to be on my game a bit more that on a normal Sunday. But hey ho - that's life.

Am actually looking forward to my next outing  ... and have even bought some scales so I can track progress of calorie burning etc. Roll on the rest of Sunday!

Week 1 Day 1

My first run! I only wavered once on the second repetition of the 60s run (gave up about 5 seconds early) but my excuse was that I was running up quite a steep hill at the time. Might try going the other way around the park next time although I was going out towards Duddingston which is a rather lovely bit of the city.

By the end of my app-driven workout I was beginning to feel like I could keep going a bit longer, but then I guess it's best to stop before it gets too painful (especially as I'm in the office till stupid o'clock tonight). Quick shower, drop of coffee, and an egg on toast and I'm feeling ready to face the day!

Got two running rest days till next outing (which will be on TUESDAY for all those with permission to nag!) ... I think starting the 'week' on a Saturday will help as each time the workout is pushed to the next level I'll have time to recover!

All in all I think today was a success :-)

STATS
Distance:                               2.0mi  [2.5km]
Walk pace:                            17:09 mins per mile [3.5mph]
Run pace:                              11.58 mins per mile [5 mph]
Calories burned:                   197

Clobber

No going back now. I have my trainers, super bra, and some running gear thanks to a rather good sale at JD sports. Even got some bits and pieces for running morning breakfasts (eggs and wholemeal bread). So first run is tomorrow!

I have to say that I'm impressed with the trainers - despite not usually being able to walk in flat shoes for very long, they're quite comfortable ... and nice and bouncy at the front of my foot which I guess is going to get a lot of the strain until my heel inserts arrive.

One of my favourite things I got was a wee armband for my ipod - it's surprisingly comfortable to wear and easy enough to work the phone while it's in it either. Link below

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002CVCK0S/ref=oss_product

Wish me luck for my first run tomorrow!

Motivation

I know that I can be a very faddy person. Although I'm all up with the excitement of buying trainers and general stuff for this whole C25K challenge, I really don't want to back out of it. So I've made a wee bit of an extra motivation ... I've signed up for the Scottish Gas 5k on the 7th August and got Grandad to sign up for it too.

Half considering doing the East Neuk 10k in September to continue the plan, but lets see how far we get on the 5k first. Got one friend already offering to do some running with me if I want ... so really have to keep up the motivation. Will be so much easier when I have trainers!

C25K challenge

So I've been feeling like a bit of a pig the last few years. Ever since I overdid it in the last few months of my Masters degree, my junk food/eating out habits have been AWFUL and I have a wardrobe full of clothes that no longer fit. Still being a student on a tight budget I figured jogging might be a way of getting fit a bit more cheaply - bar the cost of the first pair of trainers I've owned since high school.

I found the C25K challenge started by the guys at Cool Running via their iphone app which makes me feel all geeky and happy, and hope to complete this challenge with help from goodrunguide.com for some route planning!

As a secondary goal I'd like to go for a run around Arthur's Seat with my Dad (affectionately known as Grandad) in September - a route I've calculated to be nearly 7k and being Edinburgh also quite hilly.

So 1 pair of trainers ordered, and 9 weeks in the training plan - can this couch potato make the 5k? Wish me luck!