Getting back on track

I haven't run much since the Sydney Bridge Run in September. My right foot has been sore, so I decided to give it rest. When that didn't work, I attempted a few runs but never seemed to be able to run more then 1.6K (or 1 mile). I mixed it up with walking, including hill and stair circuits but on Thursday I decided to give running another go. So out I went, along the harbour. The thing with my foot pain is that it doesn't bother me when I'm running, but the calf pain can be horrendous, this run I could push through it and made 5K.

Summary:

Pace: 7'45''
Distance: 5k
Time: 38'49'' (best time is 38'32'')

Leading up to my first "race"

So what's my training been like since 5th of September (or my last post)? Pretty average actually.

Tuesday 6/9
This was meant to be a morning 10K run, to see how my body handled a morning run (all my long runs have been at night). It didn't go so well and really should have been a sign of things to come. I did better than the last time I did this route, but only because I kept telling myself I had run to X point last time and I had been running more, but I only made it 1K further.

Pace: 7'57''
Distance: 7K
Time: 55'41''

Thursday 8/9
A short run, back in the evening, but still slower than normal (who would have thought!)

Pace:7'53''
Distance: 4.02K
Time: 31'54''

Sunday 11/9
Another kick-ass personal training session

Tuesday 12/9
A short run along Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, a nice cool breeze to push me along

Pace: 7'42''
Distance: 4K
Time: 30'54''

Sunday 18/9 Race day
It was a warm morning, I thought I was well prepared, but the mental block and going to fast out at the start got to me. See my race report here

Pace:9'07''
Distance: 9K
Time: 1:22:07

Race Report: Sydney Bridge Run

September 2011

Today I was too fat to run. Mixed with the heat, lack of confidence, sore feet and every other excuse under the sun I didn't run the full 9K, but I did run/walk it under the overall time I had planned if i did have to walk so I did ok.

It was a warm day for the Sydney Running Festival. The 9K DH and I were in was the last to go at 9 am (they also had a 4K family run, 1/2 and full marathon).

The 9K is a relatively flat course (3 "hills" which are less than 3% gain in elevation but over 1K long each), which you run over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was hot, there was relatively little shade and they ran out of water at the end....

DH was in the A group, finishing at 41'14'', I'm so proud of him.

I on the other hand ended up doing a run/walk. I have been running at night and wasn't prepared for the heat (I have been nauseous all afternoon and I'm guessing its dehydration?). I finished in 82 min, if I had run the whole way it would have been 74 min. In some ways I'm disappointed but my aim was the complete it and finish under 90 min.

I had been worried about the pace car picking me up, but I was NOT the last runner/walker, there were 2,000 people behind me.

My plan from now on is to continue on my weekly 10K runs, with 4-5K runs in between during the week. I have to figure out a way to get around the foot pain and the sore calves first though.

Well done to all and here's to a cooler (but not wet) race in 2012.

Where did the last month go? (A summary)

I knew I had been slack and hadn't posted for a while but I did realise it was back in the beginning of August! So what have I been up to? Am I still on track for my 9 k race in September?

13th August
Off on a training walk. It was classified as difficult and while at moments I could see why, overall I thought it was a moderate walk.

Distance: 5.5K
Time: 1.5 hr
Classification: Difficult

14th August
Our usual personal training session, in a new location due to council law changes.

15th August
After running 16k and walking another 5.5k last week my body sure struggled today. My aim was a 4k run, that did not happen.

What: Walk 12 min; run 1.6k, bike 11 min (5k)
Time: 30 min

20th August
This was meant to be a "long" run, but all I could manage was the 4k along the waterfront

Distance: 4k
Time: 31'14''
Pace: 7'47''

21st August
Another weekly personal training session

23rd August
Finally a real "long" run (well long for me ok?). Finally felt like I achieved something and that I will be able to complete the 9k in September

Distance: 8.5k
Time: 65 min
Pace: 7'43''

26th August
Early personal training session due to going to Brisbane for the Rugby

30th August
Another long run. I'm finding it strange that the longer I run the better my pace, it just doesn't make sense, shouldn't a longer run be slower?

Distance: 9.5k
Time: 73 min
Pace: 7'43''

1st September
A new month, where have the last 8 gone?

Distance: 4k
Time: 31'17''
Pace: 7'48''

4th September
No personal training this week, our trainers at a wedding...in Ireland (lucky girl), so we tried to create our own.

5 x 90 second fast run with 45 second breaks
10 x squats, 24 x walking lunges, 10 x step up each leg, 1 x 1 min run - repeated 3 x
10 x push ups, 10 x pull ups, 10 time tricep dips, 1 x 1 min run - repeated 3 x


With the 9k race in less than 2 weekends I have some more long run planned this week, a few short 4ks and then 1 personal training session left. Yikes we'll see how I go!

Running in the rain (and getting back on track)

So it would appear that I've been slack in the last few weeks, but in fact I've been sick. Since recovering I've clocked quite a few ks, including a new pace record and a new distance, maybe the enforced break was good for me?

Saturday
My first run in 15 days, the aim was 7k, but I didn't quite make it.

Distance: 6.12 k
Pace: 7'48''
Time: 47 min 47 sec

Monday
Straight back on the horse, the best thing about this run was it made my aching muscles go away. I seem to forget what a good recovery a short run can be

Distance: 4k
Pace: 7'46''
Time: 31 min 10 sec

Tuesday
A bit of a struggle, very bad pains in the side of my calves, had to stop once to tie my shoes and then again near the end to wait for a truck to go at the lights, it was painful and a struggle to start again both times.

Distance: 4k
Pace: 7'49''
Time: 31 min 18 sec

Thursday
I was anxious about this one. My aim was a minimum of 7k, with the plan to run 4k one way and if I couldn't make the 4k back to walk once I hit 7k total. I made it though. The funny thing is the pain in my calves was bad again up to about 3k, and once I hit 8k I probably could have run another k. To me it doesn't make sense, shouldn't shorter runs be easier?

Distance: 8k
Pace: 7'43''
Time: 61 min 55 sec

Week and a bit summary

Still on my way to 10k. I entered the Sydney Running Festival 9k today, so good thing I started when I did! I've had a bit of an up and down week exercise wise, but the point it I stuck at it. We'll have to see how the upcoming week goes if the rain plans on sticking around!

Thursday
Personal training session of cross training, a fair amount of running in this one, and as usual you know you've spent an hour exercising by the end of it!

Terrain: Outdoors, sunny, cool
Time: 60 min

Saturday
Big training walk, we choose the location based on distance and due to it being classified as a hard walk. In all honestly I would have called it moderate, but maybe my fitness has improved that much?

Terrain: Mixed, multiple climbs
Walk: Killcare to Tallows Beach to Box Head to Killcare
Distance: 10.5 k
Time: 2 hr 20 min
Pace: 13'17''

Sunday
No personal training today, so we went for a "long" run, which for me involved running 3.3k and then walking. The pain in my calves was just too bad and I was very light headed (need to eat more, more hydration?)

Terrain: Outside, flat, day, sunny but cool
Distance: 3.3k jog, 3 k walk
Time: 50 min (25 min run)
Pace: 7'46'' (run only)

Tuesday
My second attempt at a long run this week, and I made it. It was a struggle for the first 4k and you can tell from my nike log that my pace improved significantly at 4k, personally I think it's because I knew I was on the home stretch!

Terrain: Outside, mainly flat, night run
Distance: 6.5 k
Time: 51 min 25 sec
Pace: 7'54''

Thursday
Short run night, but it was wet and late so I went on the treadmill. Not a bad pace for the dreadmill.

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline
Distance: 4k
Time: 31 min 20 sec
Pace: 7'49''


Saturday
Not exercise, but signed up for the 9k as part of the Sydney Running festival, basically I did it to keep on track for my 10k training plan and so I can say I ran over the harbour bridge!
Sunday
Another personal training session, my poor legs!

First Spin/RPM class

So I've been wanting to give one of these classes a go for ages, but being away from home alot and when I'm home commuting for a large chunk of the day it's always been hard to time one. So today I dragged DH along for the ride so to speak, and I have to say it was enjoyable and I can see myself adding this to my weekly routine. I have a feeling my legs will be aching tomorrow, but I need to build up my leg strength so this could be the way to do it. We had a small class and it really is at your own level.

Training walk (and an injury)

We decided to go on a easy walk due to knowing that our Sunday PT session was going to be on hills, it was a nice, but slightly windy day as we wound our way along the waterfront. But the pain in my left foot was unbearable at times, and I'm not to sure why or how to fix it.

Summary:

Walk: Flat, road

Time: 1.5 hr

Distance: 8 k

Short run on a cool night

It was a struggle tonight, it was obvious as soon as I started running, with cramping in both calves. I don't know if it was the cold or the "long" run on Tuesday, but I had only planned on running 4 to 5 k tonight, so 4 k it was.

Summary:

Run: 3 min walk; 31 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Outside, mainly flat, cool, dark

Pace: 7'50''

Distance: 4 k

On my way to 10 k

Armed with my new rain jacket (not that it rained, but it helped me keep warm till I had run for a bit), I decided to "follow" one of the many 10 k plans. I say "follow" because I won't be doing it step by step, but using the general idea of running 3 x a week, doing one long run, to which I add half a k each time and doing between 4 - 5k on the other two runs. It wasn't bad, except for the pain in my calves and shins from Sunday's PT session.

Summary:

Run: 5 min walk; 42 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Outdoors, mainly flat, dark

Pace: 7'42''

Distance: 5.51k

Weekly Summary

I had a busy week this week, three runs and one PT session. We had planned on a walk Saturday but that didn't pan out due to other commitments.

Tuesday
There was a lightening storm so I decided to get back on the treadmill which I had been avoiding like the plague. I forgot how much slower I am on the treadmill.

Run: 5 min walk; 40 min jog; 3 min walk
Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline
Pace: 8'00''
Distance: 5 km

Wednesday
Also inside, the weather turned cold very quickly this week. I had to stop short on this one due to low BGL, reminding me why I eat before I run the majority of the time.

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 1 min walk
Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline
Pace: 7'50''
Distance: 3.95 km

Thursday
I decided to give it another go, I was away from home so really what else was I going to do? But boy was I slooww

Run: 5 min walk; 41 min jog; 3 min walk
Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline
Pace: 8'19''
Distance: 5 km

Sunday
PT session of 1 hr, with DH. It was a bit of a killer, intervals always are but I can see the improvements I have made.

Weekly Summary

I had a very busy week this week and therefore didn't post as I went, so I've done another weekly summary. Bad news is I skipped Wednesday/Thursday run due to work commitments, and while Tuesday night was a struggle (hamstrings still recovering from Sundays PT session) I am pleased that I am able to run 5 k consistently now.

Summary:
Tuesday Night Run
Auckland harbour again, cool evening, but dry, relatively flat course.
Run: 5 min walk; 39 min run; 3 min walk
Pace: 7'46''

Sunday
Personal Training Session
1 hour
I have a bit of a cold, so besides struggling for breath at times because my chest is a bit congested, it wasn't to bad (was by no means easy either, but the last two weeks have been more manageable than three weeks ago!)

Let's see how this week pans out.

5 Lands Walk

I wasn't overly impressed, but it was a good training walk, with 2 hills of 1 km climb, that were relatively steep. It was also meant to be MacMasters beach to Terrigal, but the bus only stopped at Copacabana. The weather was great, and we did 9 km in just over 2 hours, but I wouldn't do this walk again.

Thursday Night Run

I had a great run Thursday night, the weather in Auckland was mild, it was dry and the wind was tolerable. If only every run could be like this, or maybe even a bit better...

Summary:

Run: 3 min walk; 39 min run; 4 min walk

Terrain: Outside, road, night, slight incline

Pace: 7'45''

Distance: 5.01 k

Tuesday Run

I finally ran 5 k again, it's only my third time, I didn't get there at all last week. It wasn't easy, but the point is I made it. I also just missed the rain, it bucketed down when I got in the car.

I've been meaning to run three times during the week, and I haven't managed to do it yet, yes I know everyone struggles for time and it's really just another excuse, but I can't see how I can fit it in and stay sane in other aspects. This week I will struggle to get another run in before our Saturday training walk and our PT session Sunday.

Summary:

Run: 2 min walk; 39 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Path, waterfront, 15C, windy, slight inclines

Pace: 7'53''

Distance: 5 km

Thursday Night Struggle

So we ran around the oval, this time with the big lights on, and we weren't alone. It's bad enough to get lapped by your husband, but by strangers, it's frankly embarrassing, I know I run slow. I really struggled, I don't know if it was the cold, my low sugar levels or the fact I'm just not cut out for this running thing.

Summary:

Run: 2 min walk; 30 min jog; 2 min walk

Terrain: Outside, oval, flat, cold

Pace: 7'47''

Distance: 3.87 km

In the dark and in the cold

The oval we planned on using, which has lights was packed so we went to our usual park, where it was very dark. It was also very cold tonight, 6.1C, which apparently feels like 3.5C...yikes!

It was a struggle tonight, I actually thought I was running very slow, but it was an ok pace (actually it was my best), I think my body is still feeling the pain from Sundays session from hell.

Summary:

Music: On the go mix

Run: 2 min walk; 31 min jog; 2 min walk

Terrain: Outside, dark, cold, dry, flat, field

Pace: 7'37''

Distance: 4.13k

Weekly Summary

I didn't get a chance this week to post about my runs, work was just to hectic and it was madness trying to actually do the 2 runs, needless to say the guilt made me so in summary:

Tuesday Night Run
I struggled this night, so didn't push for distance just time.

Run: 3 min walk; 31 min jog; 1 min walk
Distance: 4 km
Pace: 7'49''
Terrain: Outside, moderate hill 2/3


Wednesday Nigh Run
The weather was crappy, but it only drizzled with rain so I went anyways. I was staying in an area I use to live in and even in my fit early 20s I would have thought you were crazy for me to run the distance/route I did Wednesday night.

Run: 3 min walk; 39 min jog; 3 min walk
Distance: 5 km (my second!)
Pace: 7'50''
Terrain: Outside, flat, wet

Saturday Afternoon Walk
We need to train on hills for our Inca Trail walk at the end of the year, so it was 1.5 km downhill walking and 1.5 km jog/walk uphill. I don't think I did too badly, but we probably need to do it 3-4 times to make it truly worth while, maybe that can be an aim, to run the full way up in a few months?

Time: 1 hr
Distance: 3.2 km
Terrain: Track, paved and unpaved, steep on return

First 5 k!

So I had a plan to be able to run 5 k by mid June, we'll I've beat that plan by a few runs and done it tonight. It had been a horrible wet day in Auckland and I had been dreading coming to the hotel and having to run inside on the dreadmill, so I was thrilled when I saw sun on the drive home and was glad for the slight improvement in the weather. I must have had other things on my mind because my intent was to run 4.7 k, but I ran too far in one direction and didn't really see the point in stopping on the way back until I hit the start point.

I'm not looking forward to finding out if my legs feel it tomorrow, but we'll see. Now to keep running 5k, and then improve my time (which I did do it at my 4 k pace!).

Summary:

Music: Audio book Scar Tissue

Run: 5 min walk; 39 min jog; 5 min walk

Terrain: Road, dark, wet, mainly flat

Pace: 7'48''

Distance: 5 k

Monday night run

So I knew tonight would be a struggle, after yesterdays double effort (climb and run). I spent most of this morning with sore calves and sore legs from the fall, but I did make my required distance, just very slowly. At this rate I'll be running 5 km in 2 more weeks (mid June, unlike my other post which stated mid-July).

Summary:

Music: Audio book Scar Tissue

Run: 3 min walk; 37 min jog; 3 min walk

Pace: 8'04'' (run only)

Distance: 4.61 km

Tuesday night run

This is a late post, as I ran late Tuesday and then life got in the way. My plan had been to post this after my Wednesday night run as a combo post but that run never happened due to a work dinner. My current aim is to get to running 5 km. After about 12 weeks of running for 30 minutes I've decided it's time I bit the bullet. My plans are to be able to do this by mid-July so we'll see how I go.

Summary:

Music: Audio book

Run: 4 min walk; 34 min run; 3 min walk

Pace: 7'52''

Distance: 4.33 km

Sunday afternoon run

It was a lovely run this afternoon along the harbour, the sun setting, the water lapping against the shore. But after this morning strenuous climb of Mt Maunganui it was a slight struggle. I am no longer under any illusions that I like to exercise, it's something I have to do if I want to function fully in society and not sit of the sidelines as I use to. I still hope it will get easier.

Summary:

Music: Audio book

Run: 2 min walk; 35 min jog; 4 min walk

Pace: 7'47'' (run only)

Distance: 4.51 km (run only)

Heart Rate: Maximum 180; Average 165

Thursday Night Run

It wasn't a bad run tonight, my aim was to run 4 km and I did it (in just under 32 min). But I did have pain in my right calf and hip, it would be nice if I could get to the stage where this didn't happen, but I guess I need to run a bit more often...

Summary:

Music: Audio book

Run: 4 min walk; 31 min 40 sec jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Grass, flat

Temp: 14C

Pace: 7'45''

Distance: 4.08 km

Heart rate: Maximum 188; Average 171

Tuesday Night Run

At home this week, so instead of running around in circles at the local park we decided to run down by the waterfront. It was a little bit cool to start, but it didn't take long to warm up! It also included some tiny, tiny hills but it's good to shake it up once in a while!

Summary:

Music: Audio book - The lost continent

Run: 4 min walk; 30 min jog; 4 min walk

Terrain: Outside, concrete, tiny hills

Temp: 15C, cool

Pace: 7'39'' (run only)

Distance: 3.93 km

Heart rate: Maximum 197; Average 174

Tuesday night run in the (near) rain

Ok, so it wasn't raining still when I went out, but it had been all evening (thanks to a tornado on the North Shore side of the city), but I enjoyed my second night run in the great outdoors (well as close as I'm going to get at this time of night). I really do feel energised running along the waterfront, with the lights reflecting and the sound of the water on the rocks...

Tonight was the first night I tracked my km and pace for my running only, so it's not that I got super fast all of the sudden! I want to work towards running 5 k, so I decided I needed to know how much I was walking vs. actually running.

Summary:

Music: Audio book - Does my head look big in this (yes, still!)

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 5 min walk

Terrain: Outside, path, wet, dark

Distance: 3.9 km (30 min jog only)

Pace: 7'43'' (30 min jog only)

Heart rate: Maximum 187; Average 168

Sunday afternoon run

Normally we have a (gruelling) PT session on Sunday mornings, but seeing we had our 4 day hike last week we were given the day "off". So we went for a run instead. It was still a struggle, and I'm starting to think it will always be, maybe I'm not meant to run, maybe I'm not meant to be fit (seeing every other form of exercise makes me want to scream from boredom or pain) or maybe it's just not meant to be easy.

Summary:

Music: Audio Book - Does my head look big in this

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 3 min walk (got it right this time!)

Terrain: Outside, field

Pace/Distance: Forgot my watch the tracks my km and pace, so I don't know if the difficulty was due to the fact I was running harder/quicker or just that I suck (I did "sprint" the last min)

Heart Rate: Maximum 190; Average 165

First run in two weeks and a LOL

So this was our first run after our 28 km walk over 4 days last weekend and our first run in two weeks, it wasn't too bad (although we both thought we struggled a bit). The funny thing? DH left his watch at home, so I was the clock monitor and I stuffed up. I had us stop on 30 minutes, but because we walk for 5 minutes prior to running I should have had us stop at 35 minutes. Needless to say as we got in the car it absolutely poured with rain, so maybe missing 5 minutes on our first run back wasn't too bad!

Summary:

Music: Audio book Does my head look big in this

Run: 5 min walk; 25 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Outside, field

Pace: 8'16''

Distance: 3.8 km

Heart rate: Maximum 192; Average 179

Night Run

So after months of jogging on the treadmill in Auckland, I decided to give running outside a go. Outside is my preference, time goes quicker, my legs seem to ache less and I definitely run "faster", but I've always felt uncomfortable running alongside a road. Well no more. First off it's not just any jogging track, it's the path the runs parallel to Auckland harbour, so tonight the moon was shinning off the water and you got glimpses of Mt Rangitoto on the way out, whereas on the way back you had the port on the left and Sky tower in all it's might on the horizon on the right.

When all gets accounted for however, I only just beat my best time, so I am slightly disappointed. BUT this is the first run I think I truly enjoyed and definitely my best run of all runs.

Summary:

Music: Audio Book, Does my head look big in this

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Road, slight incline on way and on way back for about 100 m

Temp: Night, 18C

Pace: 8'14''

Distance: 4.58 km

Heart Rate: Still playing up but Maximum: 210; Average 162

Tuesday Night Run

I don't know why I think it should be getting easier or that I should be running faster. But I'm not. I'm embarrassingly slow and I still clock watch for 25 out of the 30 min. Who knows maybe one day I'll be able to breeze in 5 k?

Summary:

Music: Audio Book Does My Head Look Big in This?

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline

Pace: 8'42''

Distance: 4.37 km

Heart Rate: Maximum 180; Average 166

Friday Funk

I had another DNC (Did Not Complete), although I'm probably being a little hard on myself as I did complete 2/3 of the run I had planned. I can't quite figure if it's fatigue (I've been standing in heals for 8 hours a day the last three days), if it's becuase I forgot to add the incline or becuase I pushed myself with my inital pace for too long. I hope to get some outdoor running in this weekend, so hopefully that will get me out of my funk.

Summary:

Music: The Hunger Games #1 Audio Book

Run: 5 min walk; 20 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, incline at 2% only from 15 min jog (forgot)

Pace: 8'40''

Distance: 3.23 km

Heart Rate: Failed for some reason, will have to google it and see what might be the cause

Wednesday Night Run

So I tried Wednesday night for a change, after a hard PT session on Sunday I think I was lucky to make it tonight. But make it I did, and not at a bad pace either. Still with bad cramping in my calves I am not looking forward to my next run (or tomorrow!).

Summary:

Music: Hunger Games #1 Audio Book

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline

Pace: 8'39''

Distance: 4.38 km

Heart Rate: Maximum 179; Average 168

Training walk: Pearl Beach to Patonga Return

It was a nice afternoon for a walk, cool and overcast but not raining. We had done part of this walk before and this was definitely the difficult part, in particular the uphill part returning from Patonga. Patonga is a nice town, with a quaint pub for lunch. My calves kill today, probably from the 40 minute climb, but hey you do what you have to do.

Summary:

Time: 2 hr 25 minutes

Terrain: Rocky, with step incline for part

Temperature: 22C, cool and overcast

Heart Rate: Maximum 172; Average 133

Thursday Night Run

So I made it tonight, it was tough but I did it. I guess 6/7 attempts isn't too bad. It does have to get easier at some point doesn't it? I tried it this time listening to an audio book instead of music, worked ok, but if it was an average audio book it wouldn't have worked.

Summary:

Music: Hunger Games #1 Audio Book

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline

Pace: 9'01"

Distance: 4.2 km

Heart Rate: Maximum 175; Average 162

DNC (Did Not Complete)

I'm disappointed in myself, and I'm not sure if it's because I gave up after 5 minutes, or because I'm being so hard on myself. In reality I did another 5 minutes walking, and 10 minutes on the cross trainer so I did something, but just not what I was "supposed" to do, not what I "should" have done.

Another part of me blames it on my PT session Sunday, my thighs hurt so much to sit or stand let alone walk/jog!

Summary:

Not much really

Activity: 5 min walk; 5 min jog; 10 min cross train

Heart Rate: Maximum 180; Average 156

Thursday Night Run

This was a horrible run. You no things will be bad when you're only 3 minutes in and you think is this over yet? I was slow, I hurt and I just wanted to give up. Guess I should concentrate on the fact that I didn't give up, and this was my 5th 30 minute run, although I did think it would get easier.

Summary:

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline

Distance: 4.14 km

Pace: 9'00''

Heart Rate: Maximum 176; Average 162

Tuesday Night Run

This was a struggle, I'm not sure if it was due to the 14 hour shift I had just worked, the lack of sleep due to changing time zones the night before or because my PT session was cancelled on Sunday and I wasn't primed. Mind you at the end of the day (or looking at it a day later) I still ran for 30 minutes, my pace was ok and I didn't pike out.

Summary:

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline

Distance: 4.26 km

Pace: 8'54''

Heart Rate: Maximum 176; Average 160

Friday Morning Run

This was my first outside run in a while, and while I didn't exactly find it easy, my pace and distance were the best ever. I definitely prefer outside running, especially now the weather is cooler, but I'll have to stick to the treadmill while travelling.

Summary:

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Outdoors, cloudy, cool

Pace: 8'15''

Distance: 4.69 km

Heart Rate: Maximum 180; Average 168

Tuesday night run

So I did my second 30 minute run and again did my best pace. I'm hoping now that I've proved I can do it twice that I can continue to run the 30 minutes, getting stronger and faster as I go. Hopefully I may get an outside run in towards the end of the week, but we'll see how that goes.

Summary:

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline

Pace: 8'38''

Distance: 4.32 km

Heart Rate: Maximum 175; Average 160

First 30 minute run

So I finally did it, I started the C25K in late November, which technically means I should have been running 30 minutes straight in 10 weeks, or by late Jan, but I am Too Fat to Run, so I guess early march isn't too bad. Now all I have to do is maintain it. My aim is to run 30 minutes each run for 5 weeks, and then after that try and work on my pace/distance, we'll see how that goes.

Summary:

Run: 5 min walk; 30 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline

Distance: 4.3 km

Pace: 8'46''

Heart Rate: Maximum 175; Average 158

Tuesday Night Run

So I ran my longest again tonight. 28 minutes straight! It was a struggle, but then if it was easy everyone would do it right? I also had another great pace and can't wait to see if I can get to the 29 minute or 30 minute point on Thursday, but I probably shouldn't think too far ahead right?

Summary:

Run: 5 min walk; 28 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline

Pace: 8'41''

Distance: 4.13 km

Heart Rate: Maximum 176; Average 160

Thursday Night Run

Back on the treadmill, but after some online advice I made my 25 minute run! I was about to give up, but I'm so glad I didn't and I can't wait for my next go. The treadmill's not really the dreadmill after all! What was the advice? Slow the speed down, and due to this I actually had my best pace ever!

Summary:

Run: 5 min walk; 25 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline

Distance: 3.69 km

Pace: 8'54'' best ever!!!!

Heart Rate: Maximum 179; Average 163

Monday on the treadmill

It was a horrible run tonight, maybe it was thinking about it for 30 minutes before half heartily deciding I may as well or maybe I'm just down on myself (because the numbers aren't THAT bad). I've had enough of the treadmill but struggling for other running options. It just keeps on making me feel like I'm going backwards and not making any progress. I thought this was meant to be "easy" and "fun"? Yeah right...

Summary:
Run: 3 min walk; 11 min jog; 2 min walk; 7 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline

Pace: 9'00''

Distance: 2.93 km

Heart Rate: Maximum 175; Average 156

15 km Walk

It was a beautiful day in Auckland today, so we decided to do a training walk along the harbour to Mission Bay and back. It was an easy 15.8 km return walk, in the sun, and needless to say we got a bit burnt! There's not a lot to summarise with, but if your looking for a walking/running path/route in Auckland, this is the way to go.

Thursday Night Run

So this is my first run this week. My hamstring was sore after Sunday's PT session and my lower back has been very painful so I gave myself a few "days off", that however wasn't without consequences! It was meant to be a straight 25 minutes, but it's been split with only 21 minutes running in total

Summary:

Run: 5 min walk; 10 min jog; 3 min walk; 11 min jog; 3 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, 2% incline

Pace: 9'00''

Distance: 3.52 km

Heart Rate: Maximum 181; Average 161

Tuesday and Thursday Night Jog

So I didn't post about my runs this week as they were late in the evening and after long days and early starts it's the last thing I wanted to do. Both were a struggle, particularly Thursday where i didn't meet my target and I think that was mainly due to fatigue.

Tuesday Night
Run: 5 min walk; 22 min jog; 5 min walk treadmill on 2% incline

Distance: 3.49 km

Pace: 9'03''

Heart rate: Maximum 174; Average 159

Thursday Night
Run: Was meant to be 23 min straight jogging, however it ended up being 5 min walk; 15 min jog; 3 min walk; 8 min jog; 4 min walk, so still 23 min jogging in total. On treadmill at 2% incline.

Distance: 3.76 km

Pace: 9'00''

Heart rate: Maximum 178; Average 160

Staples Lookout to Somersby Falls Walk

So it was another day to do our training walk. This one was 5.7 km from Staples Lookout to Somersby Falls. It's actually downhill, with the return being uphill and I found the downhill part slower, mainly I think due to watching footing around rocks. It also happened to be a very wet and overcast afternoon, but we figured that when we do our 4 day hike we can't just not walk because its raining.

Summary:

Walk: 2 hours 5 minutes

Terrain: Various, hilly in parts, rocky in others, classified as moderate

Distance: 5.7 km according to wildwalks, 6.17 km according to my Nike+

Heart rate: Maximum 176; Average 139

Back on the treadmill

So I had all intentions of running outside, but when it came to it the anxiety was just too much, so it was back on the treadmill. And while about 12 min into the run I thought this is it I have to stop, an old song came on and I just ran, I don't know exactly what it was but something just clicked in my head. Needless to say I had the best pace in the last few weeks, so it couldn't have been that bad right?

Summary:

Music: Still on those old Wild compilations on shuffle, this time #12 and the magic song? Rock It by the Bad Habit Boys, feeling old anyone?!?

Run: 5 min walk; 21 min jog; 6 min walk

Terrain: Treadmill, gym, 2% incline

Distance: Once again a huge discrepancy between my Nike+ of 3.55 km and the treadmill of 3.26 km. Actually there's not a lot of difference this time.

Pace: 8'57''

Heart Rate: Maximum 182; Average 169

On the treadmill...

So this was my first "run" on the treadmill since I started back in Sep 2010, and I have to say I didn't like it one bit. Mainly due to the fact that outside I can just run, I don't have to worry about the settings, I don't have to worry if I slow down then speed up, I don't have to over think things. Seeing that I'll be away from home during the week due to work I'm going to have to find a better option and put up with the stress of running outdoors in a foreign city (make that country).

Summary:

Music: Wild Volume 13 on shuffle

Run: 5 min walk; 5 min jog; 3 min walk; 5 min jog; 3 min walk; 5 min jog; 3 min walk; 5 min jog; 3 min walk. So yeah, not my aim, nor the way I wanted to run, but still 20 min in total.

Terrain: Treadmill, gym

Distance: 4.15 km on my Nike+, only 3.36 km on the treadmill! Not good data!!!!

Pace: 9'09''

Heart Rate: Maximum 185; Average 166

Thursday Night Run

So I knew before I went out that this was going to be an average run, as in slow, very slow, but all things considered I'm pretty happy that I made my first 20 minutes straight and ran 2.5 km straight, so not all's lost.

Summary:

Music: Wild 8 on shuffle

Run: 5 min walk; 20 minute jog; 8 minute walk

Terrain: Grass, flat

Distance: 3.72 km; pace of 9'12''
Temperature: 28C, with a nice breeze

Heart Rate: Maximum 167; Average: 157

Too hot to run!

So it hit 42C (108C today, and took some time to cool down (32C or 90F at 8 pm) so we decided it was too hot to run. So instead of skip training all together we turned on the air and tried to make the most of it indoors.

Summary:

Music: Ke$ha - We are who we are; Afrojack - Take Away Control; Jay Z - Empire State of Mind; repeat x 3

Activity: 30 minutes up and down the wooden stairs in our house, jogging never looked so good!

Heart Rate: Maximum 172; Average 165

It doesn't look like it will get any cooler, so look for a repeat of too hot to run!

Saturday Beach Walk

So we decided to try our first beach walk as training for Bay of Fires. It was ok, although I struggled at the start due to my ankles being swollen and the socks cutting off the circulation, but the irritation seemed to go away after about 1 km. The best part was this is a replica of Day 1 (9 km) and we did it in 1 hr 47 min (not including the 30 min we stopped for lunch half way!).

Summary:

Walk: 1 hr 46 minutes, break at 53 minutes for 30 min lunch

Terrain: Mainly sand, flat or angled

Temperature: 26C, with a nice sea breeze

Distance: 9.54 km

Heart Rate: Maximum 161; Average: 133

Thursday Night Run

I thought I had a great run tonight. The pain in my calves were minimal, my breathing was steady for the first 10 minutes at least and I did 17 minutes in a row! Unfortunately the data doesn't support this, but if you look at the individual points there were times I was at a 5'00'' pace! 20 minutes doesn't seem so unachievable now, only a couple more runs will tell.

Summary:

Music: Wild 8 Mix on shuffle, great to run to!

Run: 5 min walk; 17 min jog; 3 min walk; 3 min jog; 8 min walk

Terrain: Grass, flat

Temperature: 28C and humid

Distance: 4.05 km, pace of 8'50''

Heart Rate: Maximum 187; Average 169

Tuesday Night Run

So we waited for it to cool down a bit, after a very warm day. I actually prefer these twilight runs, the sky is beautiful, the sun is down and it's just that bit more peaceful. Needless to say after our first PT session after the holiday season on Sunday, my hamstrings were screaming, my ankles ached, but I still made it.

Summary:

Music: Listening to my old dance music didn't work as well this time, I think as there wasn't many words to distract me. Wild Anthems, originally released 1999!

Run: 5 min walk; 16 min jog; 3 min walk; 3 min jog; 8 min walk

Terrain: Grass

Temperature: 30C and dropping

Distance: 4 km! My Nike+ worked perfectly this time due to finding a good location to wear it during my run. It now gives me something to track again. My average pace was 8 min 49 sec per km!

Heart Rate: Maximum 180; Average 162

Flashback Friday

I knew this was going to be a bad run, when 3 minutes into the warm up walk my calves were already cramping. As much as I struggled however, I did manage to achieve my planned run! It's the longest I've run for in one go and in one run!

Music: The reason this is Flashback Friday, shuffle of Wild 11, 2000 was the original release date (the memories). Its mainly dance/techno tracks and it was a pretty good mix to run to.

Run: 5 minute warm up walk; 15 minute jog; 3 minute walk; 3 minute jog; 5 minute cool down walk. That's 18 minutes of jogging total!

Terrain: Grass

Temperature: 26C

Distance: My Nike+ sportsband arrived, but I didn't properly attach the sensor to my shoes and it came off a couple of times skewing my numbers. It gave 1.63 km, we'll have to see over the next few runs what it is, because I was expecting 3-4 km. I only love data when it's good data!

Heart Rate: Maximum 185; Average 166

Tuesday Evening Run

So with a few days off since my last run (Saturday) I was hoping that my muscles would be recovered and I wouldn't get cramping until at least half way through the jog. We'll it didn't work out exactly that way, but the cramping was definitely better. I know a minute difference might not seem much to some, but I'm proud (currently, I'll let you know how that works out).

Music: Should have stuck with Podrunner, I used my On the go list on my ipod and there were too many gaps

• Gold Digger Kayne West
• Hey Mama Black Eyed Peas
• Low Flo Rida
• Shut Up Black Eyed Peas
• I Ain't Goin Out Like That Cypress Hill
• Baby Boy Sean Paul

Run: 5 minute warm up walk; 14 minute jog; 3 minute walk; 3 minute jog; 5 minute cool down walk

Terrain: Grass

Temperature: 24C

Distance: Ordered my Nike+ Sportsband yesterday, so hopefully I will have a little more data to track (because who doesn't love data!)

Max Heart Rate: 183; Average Heart Rate: 167

Pearl Beach to Warrah Lookout

We're doing a 4 day walk in the not too distance future, so part of our fitness plan is to do a bush walk every fortnight. So armed with my new walking shoes and some water we headed off on the 5.1 km loop that is Pearl Beach to Warrah Lookout.

The recommended time is 2 hour return and we managed it in 1 hour 26 minutes, which I was pretty pleased with considering they count it as a moderate walk.

I felt pretty good for most of it, my ankles were a bit stiff from yesterdays run, but they're was very little puffing or strain on the legs.

I found the walk using the online resource http://www.wildwalks.com/, which allows you to download walk notes and maps.

In summary:

Time: 1 hr 26 min

Terrain: Rocky, small climbs

Temperature: Humid, 31C

Heart Rate: Max 161; Average 135

Saturday evening run

So we went out this evening, we had planned to go earlier, but hoped by leaving it late it would cool down, and to a certain extent it did. I managed my planned run, but not without a lot of ankle pain. This one's new for me, I usually get cramping in my calves, but this time it was matched with ankle pain. I have the feeling it was from walking around all day in thongs, which I'm not use to wearing.

Music: Podrunner C25K Week 5 Run 3

Run: 5 minute warm up walk; 13 minute jog; 3 minute recovery; 4 minute jog; 5 minute cool down walk

Terrain: Grass

Temperature: 27C

Heart Rate: Maximum 175; Average 157

My "training" plan C25K

You may have heard new runners in your life mention C25K and wonder, what is this?

http://www.c25k.com/

It's a great program to get you to start running, supposedly from the coach to 5 kilometers in 9 weeks. Take note that it's only a guide, just because you don't exactly finish one day or one week don't give up! Just keep on doing that session until you get there. I had to stop in a about 3 of my first 12 runs, and the C25K police haven't come looking for me yet!

Mind you I got to week 5, session 3 and couldn't make it. So I've developed my own plan moving forward.

A great part of this program is you can download podcasts for free from itunes from Podrunner. The music is programed to tell you when to walk and when to run, it takes all the hassle of watch staking out of the equation.

Week	Workout 1	Workout 2	Workout 3
1	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
2	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
3	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)
4	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
5	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) Walk 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.
6	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2-1/4 miles (or 25 minutes) with no walking.
7	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).
8	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).
9	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).	The final workout! Congratulations! Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).

Week	Workout 1	Workout 2	Workout 3
1	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
2	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.	Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
3	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following: Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds) Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes) Walk 400 yards (or three minutes)
4	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes) Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
5	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) Walk 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.
6	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes) Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes) Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2-1/4 miles (or 25 minutes) with no walking.
7	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).
8	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).
9	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).	Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).	The final workout! Congratulations! Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).

What is Too Fat to Run?

So like everything, I should have started this when I started my quest to start running, but I didn't really want another blog and kept putting it off. The further along I get the more I want/need this blog so here I am!

I called it Too Fat to Run, as I kept on running into people who had been told that they were in fact "Too fat to run", in fact an Auckland fun runner was told this when he won a race, yes won one.

This is NOT a weight loss blog, that's not my aim. Nor is it a guideline on what others should be doing. It's just what I'm doing and anything running related that I find interesting. You may also notice as I post more the absence of photos that you find in my other blogs. This is as it's more of a training log and there are no need for pictures (yet).

So enjoy following my journey. I hope it inspires you to do something active and maybe realise that you're not too fat to run!