Week 14

Week in Review:

As I am trying to get into the habit of running after work, on Monday I was out running before dinner. Unfortunately, it was still 34*C outside and the run was a true test. I was very hot, dehydrated and ready to stop at any moment. I was ready to finish the session at the 20 minute mark, however, I managed to mentally take hold of the situation and pushed myself right to 5kms!

I set myself 'mini-goals' of distances or times. When I reached these goals I willed myself to go that extra bit further. My jogging was slow and I was gasping because of the heat, but I made it. No other run can match this and now when I ever feel like stopping, I will remind myself of this run and how I made it.

Wednesday I was a bit naughty. I took the day off work to run (amongst other lazy reasons). Hehe. Instead of having 1km distance prompts, I changed the GPS to only prompt me when I reached 2.5kms. This was a great decision. I was jogging continuously with no mental thoughts of "Oh no, I have this long to go..." slowing my pace. Instead, I was running to one end of the path, turning around and heading back.

And then my next run was a few days (!) later, on Sunday morning. This time, however, the temperature had dropped down to the early 20s and this made a world of difference to my session. I ran my fastest time yet and when I arrived home I wasn't even tired. It was like I hadn't even gone and done a 5km jog! I never knew that temperature had such a dramatic effect. I thought I was taking longer than others to reach the 5kms in 30mins because of only my (lack of) ability! No, it is the Australian heat that has been testing me!

I was told (after this successful session) that as I have been training in the heat in summer (and pushing myself), my winter runs will be much easier and I will get through them with much more success.

Woo hoo! I can't wait to finally conquer this pace/distance.

I must get back into a routine of days when I run, at the moment it is a little bit all over the place and the weeks are not flowing onto each other evenly.

Day 1 (Monday evening): 5.0kms, 34mins, 6:48mins/km

Day 2 (Wednesday morning): 5.02kms, 32:57mins, 6:38mins/km

Day 3 (Sunday morning): 5.00kms, 31:45mins, 6:22mins/km

Week 13

The week in review:

It was a generally good week. My goal was to complete 3 runs because in the last couple of weeks I had only managed two (that sounds so lazy!). I am very happy to report that I achieved this target.

For the first time (ever since I started back in November) I ran after work on Monday afternoon. I figured this is a new routine I have to get into as the mornings get darker with the season change. The first 10 minutes were very difficult as the day's lunch and coffee bounced around. Although, as always, once I pushed through this discomfort, I was jogging and I completed 30 minutes. This was definitely a new challenge for my body after being on my feet for a good part of the day. Jogging through the usual route in afternoon light was lovely and felt very rewarding. I definitely cannot drink coffee past 11am if I am running in the afternoon though!

Although it was visually nice running in the afternoon, on Wednesday I was very keen to do my jog in the morning - before work. I must admit though, it is becoming difficult getting up at the required time (5.30am) now that it is darker than during the height of summer. I guess I shouldn't whinge, some of you are jogging in snow!

So I missed Friday's scheduled jog and forced myself to go today (Saturday). I procrastinated in my running gear for a good 30 minutes before I finally convinced myself it was time to go. I ended up having a pleasing run and really pushed myself in the final k to try and get a positive time. As I wasn't that keen (at first) to go, I decided this would be a "no pressure session" and went through some bush tracks, where the natural path slows me down. Knowing I achieved a good time, taking this into account, has given me great confidence that last week's faster run wasn't a fluke. The 5km in 30 minutes goal is slowly, ever so slowly, starting to be in sight.

Week 13:

D1 (Monday afternoon): 4.26kms, 30mins, 7:08mins/km

D2 (Wednesday morning): 5.01kms, 34:39mins, 6:56mins/km

D3 (Saturday morning): 5.0kms, 32:47, 6:43mins/km

 

Week 12

Week Review:

I started the week off with a revived energy - I was ready to move on from the struggles of Week 10 and 11. I had 5 days off before my first run and wow it made a difference.

I ran first thing Monday morning before work and (to my surprise) I completed the 5 kilometre distance in 31:48mins! I wiped off 3 minutes in one run, without any real intention or exertion! I was (and still am) so excited knowing that I can get closer to 5kms in 30.

I missed my run on Wednesday due to an unforeseen commitment and ran again on Friday. Unfortunately, I must of knocked my GPS and it did not record the run. Once I realised this during the jog my motivation waned and I just completed the 30 minutes.

As I am back at work, I am also eating much healthier on a daily basis. I can noticeably see how unhealthy foods affect my runs and this is motivation enough to avoid them.

Although I only got the two runs in this week, my speedy Monday run has boosted my confidence again that W10 and W11 had pilfered. I am very much looking forward to doing it again.
 

Week 12

D1: 5.0kms, 31:48mins, 6:23mins/km

D2: 30 minutes
D3: -

Week 10 - 11

Week Review:

These last two weeks haven't been as successful as I hoped for. I had set myself the goal of fitting in the 5ks into the 30 minute time frame - planning to achieve this by today. Although, things have not gone as planned!

In week 10, I managed to achieve 5kms in around 35 minutes and beat that time by a few seconds on the Wednesday. Unfortunately, due to Australia Day on the Thursday, I missed Friday's run. So I thought that a 4 day rest before the next Monday would set me up for a positive week, but the opposite happened!

On Monday's run I barley got to 2kms and I had to walk the rest of the way home! My legs would not rotate and I was not comfortable at all. I told myself I would just try again on Wednesday. Then on Wednesday I just made it through the 30 minutes of jogging, covering a dismal distance of just over 4kms. This morning, I was just too tired from starting work again to get up.

I really do not know what has happened. I am jogging slower than I was when I first started the 30 minute jogs of Week 9 and my running action has become so awkward.

Well Week 12 is going to be a new start. I am really hoping I can get back into the swing of things. I still really want to achieve my goal of jogging in the 6.5km fun run that is on at the end of March.

I am going to write here weekly to keep myself on check. I will not stuff up the work I have done over the last 3 months!

Just a bump in the road...next week is a new week :)

Week 10

D1: 5.01kms, 35:23mins, 7:04mins/km

D2: 5.01kms, 35:08mins, 7:02mins/km

D3: -

Week 11

D1: 4.61kms, 42:19mins, 9:12mins/km

D2: 4.24kms, 30:19mins, 7:09mins/km

5kms, Weeks 10-12

As I have finished the Cto5ks coaching app, I now need to coach myself! I am now going to only write weekly reviews reflecting on my progress.

Over the next 3 weeks, my goal is to complete 5kms in 30 minutes.