Week 6, Day 2

  33 minutes of exercise: 5 minutes to warm-up, 5 to cool-down and 20 minutes running.

(2 x run 10 minutes, 1 x walk 3 minutes)

(Wednesday 9:00am)

Emotions (before):

I had typical Wednesday-I-can't-be-bothered-going-but-I-will-anyway-itis. So I procrastinated for a couple of hours, chatted, had a coffee, then decided to go much later than usual...big mistake.

The run:

This is my first session in 6 weeks that I have not been able to complete. I finished the first 10 minute jog with good pace and covered the furthest distance I have so far. I got through the first 5 minutes of the second 10 minute run....

Then I couldn't jog anymore and I stopped. I was dehydrated, my mind was circulating negative thoughts about the jog continuously and I was very hot from the weather. As soon as she said "You only have 5 minutes to go," my body decided that it had had enough and could not go on any longer. When my pace turned into a walk, I could not get back into jogging.

I even paused the program and gave myself a walking rest with the intention to start jogging again - but as I said, once I had stopped, I could not get back into a jog. So I slowly walked the long distance home with my tail between my legs. I have never arrived home so exhausted, even after my 20 minute jog. I have learned a few lessons from this session. I will try it again on Friday. I thought of doing it this evening, but I find it easier to exercise on an empty stomach in the morning. I think I will have to repeat this week!

Tips for next time:

• Do not do the session at a time when the temperature is starting to really heat up (especially when it is climbing to a maximum of 36°C). You will physically suffer.
• Do not drink coffee before the exercise session - it will really dehydrate you, even if it is an hour before.
• If you do fail to complete a session, it is okay, you can always try it again. There is no race to finish the program - you can repeat days or weeks
• Psychological and endurance barriers are something you need to try to push through - dehydration, dizziness and injuries are alerts you will need to listen to.
• Do not put off your scheduled session, even for a couple of hours, you made that time for a reason (such as weather).
• Hydrate your body right from the day before, aim for eight glasses during the day to set your body up for the exercise.