Week 1, Day 4 (!)

(9:00am Saturday)

Emotions (before): 

I wasn't satisfied with my efforts on Friday and I felt I was not ready to start week 2. I decided to repeat the run. I could of slept in. I would normally have slept in. But something in me has changed. I wanted to go out and exercise.

I put on my running gear and as I was putting up my pony tail in front of the mirror, I had a glance at myself. I had a feeling I have never had before. I felt like a runner, an exerciser. And I looked the part. Okay, for some of you, this may be a bit premature, but for me it felt wonderful. I wanted to run.

The run:

As I was repeating a day, I thought to myself "If I cannot do any of the runs I will just walk them," as I did not want to push my 'developing' muscles too hard. Funny though, I did every run. Yes I was tired, but something in me wanted to get through it. I wanted to achieve what I didn't the day before. I wanted to feel ready for week 2. So I did it and I confidently completed it. I gave myself an imaginary medal as I had completed week 1 :).

Tips for next run:

• If you feel like exercising - go do it! Even if you are repeating a day or just going for a walk. If your in that frame of mind don't waste it!
• Have your running gear always ready or with you, even if you go away.  

Week 1, Day 3

(Friday 6.00am)


Emotions (before):

G - RUMPY! I knew exactly what I was going to be like the night before. I knew I would be making up excuses about going. So I made myself stay up 30 minutes longer before bed to make my lunch, do the dishes, lay out my sports clothes and complete any extras around the house. I was not going to let myself have ANY excuses of why I shouldn't get up and go. Cause somehow I knew I would be in that frame of mind. I even drove back to my sister's house to pick up my sunglasses, which I had left there earlier in the evening (30 minute round trip).

So, I woke up 30 minutes late...not a great start. Oh how I was trying to convince myself not to get up and go. But because I had stayed up and done all the extra bits the night before, I felt bad for myself (!) and said "Okayyyyy" I will go. I knew the psychological benefits of going would far out way the extra sleep in.

The run:

I was sucking in the air today! I really struggled to get through the runs...It was definitely psychological more than physical. I was so grumpy. Grumpy because I knew I wasn't as efficient in my jogging and grumpy that I was grumpy (!).

One thing I had to pick myself up on was my running style. I knew in my laziness I was just slightly lifting my feet up a little quicker than walking, rather than properly jogging. I am very tempted to do this session again tomorrow. I am not sure if I am ready for a 1 and a half minute run, as Week 2 of the program specifies.

Once I arrived home, stretched and cooled down, surprise, surprise I was really happy I completed it. I am very thankful I did not give in completely into my laziness. 

Tips for the next run:

• Follow a routine. Your frame of mind is very different to when you stick to the allocated time for exercising compared to when you have missed it.
• Don't give in to those evil thoughts. You actually do feel happier when you have completed it and not the guilt, anger and disappointment you would feel if you didn't.

Week 1, Day 2

(Tuesday 5.30am)

"I Am Learning How to Run"

Emotions (before): 

"Sore, so sore!" My 'evil' side of my brain kept telling me, "You better just sleep in."

"No, if I skip one day, I will never do it again."

Luckily, my better half (of myself) motivated me to open my eyes and I put my running gear on. I was even more nervous this time to get started because I knew what to expect. I was scared I was going to fail. Especially because my muscles were still a bit sore from day one. I made a mental note I would not try and go as fast this time and I will jog at an easier pace.

The run:

I did it! I am so happy! It is amazing how much of a high you get from achieving something that was a challenge. Just making that one decision to get up has made my day. As I noted before, I did not go as speedy as my first run, but I still jogged and got my heart rate up.

I was so surprised how fast the session went. I did struggle on the last run, but when I was just about to slow down, I heard "Only 30 seconds left of this run," and that was just enough to motivate me to want to finish it.

I am finding myself so happy with my achievement I am sharing it with others. To keep going, I have decided to say "I am learning how to run," not "Trying to lose weight." I have never in my life been able to run and now I am learning how. The want and drive to learn how to do something is more encouraging to me than just trying to lose some kilos. I want to keep going.

Tips for next run:

• Wear a headband to hold in headphones.
• Take the time to stretch, before and after. Do not slack off on the stretching! 
• Further on that, schedule 10 minutes before and after the session to stretch. Find an area of your home that is relaxing where you can quietly warm those muscles.
• Always prepare your training clothes and water the night before. Make any work lunches the night before also. Don't give your brain any excuses of why you can't go, "Because I have to do..."
• Drink a glass of water before the session.
• If you aren't feeling it, don't skip it! Just go at a slower pace. You will find you will get into it once you have started.
• For the ladies: make sure your bra straps are properly adjusted! Nothing worse than a slipping strap!

Week 1, Day 1

28 ½ minutes of exercise: 5 minutes to warm-up, 5 to cool-down and 8 minutes running.

(8 x run 1 minute, walk 1 ½ minutes)

(Monday morning 5:30am)

Emotions (before): 
I was very nervous to get started. I have never been able to run...my whole life. So last night I made my lunch for work, placed my running outfit ready on the bed and settled down for an early night sleep. My alarm was set at 5:20am for a 5:30 start. Early, yes, but I wanted everyone to still be in their houses asleep and a minimum amount of people to see me panting! 

The run: 
Wow! It was so much easier than I expected! It was definitely a workout, but doable and I achieved it. The motivation from the iPhone app was fantastic, and having pop singalong songs on the iPod helped me get through the minutes. Singing the lyrics made the minutes go fast. Yes, there were points when I was thinking "How much longer!?" then the app will tell me "Just 30 seconds of running left" and that made it so easy.

I will add, my run was a jog. My type of 'run'. Really proud of myself I could do 8 minutes of staggered 'running'. 

I actually didn't care about the other people who were also walking. I was red, sweaty and so involved in achieving the program, that when I gave my "Morning" hello to the passer-by I kept on running without a care. Having music also drowned out my 'panting' so my brain didn't psychologically give up from the sound of my heavy breathing. I was so involved I forgot to put my sunnies on and ran with them on my head!

Tips for next run: 

• Basement Jaxx - Do Your Thing, is great first song to begin the walk with a smile and a zip in my step. 
• Definitely have upbeat poppy songs that I can sing to, singing along (miming!) makes the running minutes go faster. 
• Have at least 30 minutes rest time after the run.
• Don't give up. You will finish it and you will feel so proud of yourself.
• Stretch after!