Week 6, Day 3

  35 minutes of exercise: 5 minutes to warm-up, 5 to cool-down and 25 minutes running.

(25 minute run with no walking)

(Friday 6:10am)

Emotions (before):

After I did not complete Day 2 of this week, I was sure that I would have to repeat that run. Although, last night I decided, 'No, I am just going to go straight into the scheduled 25min jog, if my body isn't ready for it, I won't be able to do it and I will just have to repeat the week.'

Once I had decided I was going to do the 25 minutes I started to get really nervous. Oh, the debates your mind has as you are trying to get to sleep...

'I couldn't even finish a 10 minute run, how am I going to complete 25 minutes straight!?' 

'You can just try, its only 5 minutes more than the 20 you did last week...' 

I have to admit, I was very nervous about this length of time, more so than last week's giant leap into 20 minutes. I think it was more the desperation of not wanting to repeat this week and the 'need' that I had to finish today's session.

One of the contributing factors to my incomplete run on Wednesday (notice how I am not using the word 'failed') was that I did not stick to my scheduled time and therefore it was too hot. So, going back to the previous weeks' routine, I ensured I laid out my running clothes and accessories the night before and set my alarm. Okay, yes, I didn't get up until 45minutes after the alarm went off, but I was still in the 5am to 6am time frame.

The run:

Yay, I did it! 25 minutes jogging straight! Although the length is longer, I think the fact that I am not stopping for a walking rest made it easier (does that make sense?) as my legs are continually rotating. 

The last 5 minutes of the jog today were all about breaking through the psychological barriers. Similar to Wednesday, where I stopped exactly at the last 5 minute mark, my body got excited today and told my brain 'Okay we can stop now' at that same point. But my brain had to keep telling my body 'Not long now, just keep going.'

The endurance side was okay today, the psychological side of things to ensure that I finished the session was the battle.

I only started the GPS when I started my jog, so it isn't really comparable to last week as that included the walking. The numbers indicate the kilometers covered.

I covered 3.81kms in my 25 minute jog, at an average pace of 6:56mins/km.

My pace:

I just find it interesting, I am not yet taking into much consideration.

The app said I had burnt approximately 280 calories. I have never really taken notice of calories, so I wanted to know what foods add up to this. I found this site that showed me exactly what it looks like:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-200-calories-look-like.htm

Tips for next run:

• Have external motivations that may help you break through the psychological endurance barriers and ensure you finish your jog. For example, the want to not have to repeat a week of the program helped me.

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.

Week 6, Day 1

  34 minutes of exercise: 5 minutes to warm-up, 5 to cool-down and 18 minutes running.

(2 x run 5 minutes, 1 x walk 3 minutes; 1 x run 8 minutes, walk 3 minutes)

(Monday 7:00am)

Emotions (before):

It is Boxing Day morning, all of the Christmas festivities are in my tummy and I am down in a holiday house. Despite all these deterrents from exercise, I was determined to go and at least work off some of the pudding! I did not know my area well so I just stuck to the immediate area around the house I was holidaying in.

The run:

I ran on soft grass today, so the workout was intense! I really had to break through the endurance barriers. The whole time I was telling myself, 'You ran straight for 20 minutes a couple of days ago, you can complete 5 minutes!' and I slowly got through the session. I ended up doing about three laps of the block, which included a little park.

Once it was complete though, I was very happy and confident for the next session.

I am really starting to notice that what I am eating the day before is effecting my running efficiency. It is commonsense really, nice salads, fruits and meat, chicken or fish = energetic run...cakes, biscuits, chocolates, white bread = sluggish run. 

Tips for next run:

• Just because it is a certain special day, or your on holiday, doesn't mean you still can't stick to the program - it is only 30 minutes of your time and it will make you feel so energetic for the rest of the day!
• What you eat the day before will effect your running efficiency. It is simple, nice salads, fruits and meat, chicken or fish = energetic run...cakes, biscuits, chocolates, white bread = sluggish run.