Another mile run.
10 mins 10 secs.
Far quicker than any of my other times,( 33 seconds quicker than last run, and 1min 23 secs quicker than my first mile!) and I really felt comfortable. I had a slight pain down the front of my lower legs at the beginning which I think came from stretching exercises before the last run. I also had the feeling that a "stitch' was coming on in my left side as I approached the end, but my breathing and general energy was very good.
AS I approached my house, my neighbour was there and spoke to me. Had this been one of my first runs I would have embarrassingly spluttered and been unable to speak from lack of breath. However, I managed to say, very casually, "Oh yeah, just out for run!".
Great feeling!
I actually felt as though these were not my legs - they just seemed to keep going as though at times they defied my brain.
Everything on tonight's run seemed shorter. Probably because I was running quicker.
I actually believe the circuit is further than one mile, so that would mean that i ran 1 mile in under 10 minutes.
That is encouraging!
Feeling good tonight!
Thursday, 2 October 2008
Back to square one!
Weigh in yesterday and I was back to 83.8kg.
That is not bad as i was 900g more than that last week(84.7kg), and the weigh in was on a rest day.So i am pretty pleased at the weight loss. I do not want to lose too much weight too quickly, so realistically am looking to lose around 600-700g each month.
If I can do that then I should be down to BMI normal in around a years time.
There will be good days, and there will be bad days.
I feel I need to be disciplined and to keep running.
(Forecast 3 days of heavy showers. these are 3 days that I want to put in a mile on each day - so hopefully the rain will keep off as I still do not have the right clothing for a run in the rain)
That is not bad as i was 900g more than that last week(84.7kg), and the weigh in was on a rest day.So i am pretty pleased at the weight loss. I do not want to lose too much weight too quickly, so realistically am looking to lose around 600-700g each month.
If I can do that then I should be down to BMI normal in around a years time.
There will be good days, and there will be bad days.
I feel I need to be disciplined and to keep running.
(Forecast 3 days of heavy showers. these are 3 days that I want to put in a mile on each day - so hopefully the rain will keep off as I still do not have the right clothing for a run in the rain)
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
Weight Loss (Day 15)
One of the reasons that i am running is to lose some weight.
I do want to get fit, but I also want to lose some weight.
Last week I ate too much and I put on some weight.
Running is a real problem for an overweight middle-aged man, trying to get healthy, fitter and smaller around the waist!
Problem 1)
Running means i need to eat.
A car burns up petrol as it travels on the road.Therefore the need to fill her up with petrol.
A runner burns up calories as he runs. Therefore the need to stock up on some calories.
Just the very thing I am trying to avoid!
Problem 2)
I feel good about running. I am challenging myself. I am being disciplined. I am completing the tasks.
I deserve a "reward".
How about a Mars bar!
Result - I add on in 30seconds more than I burn off in my mile run! :-(
Problem 3)
I complete a run and come home ...hungry!
I have an enormous appetite after running.
Problem 4)
Running builds up muscle, putting on weight. Obviously this muscle should burn up more fat and calories as I use them later on...but the very beginning I need ENCOURAGEMENT and weight gain is NO encouragement!
So, last week was a disaster. This week i have cut back on my soft drink intake - only drinking sparkling mineral water, and Zero Coca Cola, and very little of that!
I have cut down my bread intake. I live in Albania and am used to warm, freshly baked bread, which you can easily eat 3-4. And that is THICK slices.
I feel like I have lost weight, but the weigh in will be after the meal tonight, and it is a rest day...so I will see how things go.
I do want to get fit, but I also want to lose some weight.
Last week I ate too much and I put on some weight.
Running is a real problem for an overweight middle-aged man, trying to get healthy, fitter and smaller around the waist!
Problem 1)
Running means i need to eat.
A car burns up petrol as it travels on the road.Therefore the need to fill her up with petrol.
A runner burns up calories as he runs. Therefore the need to stock up on some calories.
Just the very thing I am trying to avoid!
Problem 2)
I feel good about running. I am challenging myself. I am being disciplined. I am completing the tasks.
I deserve a "reward".
How about a Mars bar!
Result - I add on in 30seconds more than I burn off in my mile run! :-(
Problem 3)
I complete a run and come home ...hungry!
I have an enormous appetite after running.
Problem 4)
Running builds up muscle, putting on weight. Obviously this muscle should burn up more fat and calories as I use them later on...but the very beginning I need ENCOURAGEMENT and weight gain is NO encouragement!
So, last week was a disaster. This week i have cut back on my soft drink intake - only drinking sparkling mineral water, and Zero Coca Cola, and very little of that!
I have cut down my bread intake. I live in Albania and am used to warm, freshly baked bread, which you can easily eat 3-4. And that is THICK slices.
I feel like I have lost weight, but the weigh in will be after the meal tonight, and it is a rest day...so I will see how things go.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Day 14 - Struggling
Today was a holiday - Bajram.
Nice an easy day, and went for a run a little earlier than usual. The route that is normally quiet was crowded.
Maybe I am selfish, but now that it is MY route, I don't want lots of people walking and milling around. I got delayed by 2 cars that could not squeeze past each other, and it looked like it was the call to prayer as whole families walked to the mosque!
But that was the least of my worries.
I did some stretching exercises before starting, and almost immediately felt a cramp like pain in the back of my right leg. Then, turning to the main straight I juts felt plain bad. Running on empty. I decided at least to make it to half way, and was urging myself on to put pain at the back of my mind.
What a wimp, if I can't run a mile!
So I kept going. I was sure I was running ultra-slow and was just looking at finishing. I did not want to stop as psychologically felt this would be a set back. In the end I made it, feeling encouraged at overtaking a cyclist as I made it towards home.
Time - a very surprising 10 mins 43 secs.
That is seven seconds quicker than yesterday!, and the quickest I have so far run. Almost a minute up on my first attempt at the mile.
I did not think I was running quicker than yesterday.
However, i am not too encouraged, more disappointed as the last 2 runs felt good, and this one felt bad.
Still glad that I run, as tomorrow will likely be a rest day given that I am teaching at church in the evening.
Total miles run for September - approx. 7 miles
Nice an easy day, and went for a run a little earlier than usual. The route that is normally quiet was crowded.
Maybe I am selfish, but now that it is MY route, I don't want lots of people walking and milling around. I got delayed by 2 cars that could not squeeze past each other, and it looked like it was the call to prayer as whole families walked to the mosque!
But that was the least of my worries.
I did some stretching exercises before starting, and almost immediately felt a cramp like pain in the back of my right leg. Then, turning to the main straight I juts felt plain bad. Running on empty. I decided at least to make it to half way, and was urging myself on to put pain at the back of my mind.
What a wimp, if I can't run a mile!
So I kept going. I was sure I was running ultra-slow and was just looking at finishing. I did not want to stop as psychologically felt this would be a set back. In the end I made it, feeling encouraged at overtaking a cyclist as I made it towards home.
Time - a very surprising 10 mins 43 secs.
That is seven seconds quicker than yesterday!, and the quickest I have so far run. Almost a minute up on my first attempt at the mile.
I did not think I was running quicker than yesterday.
However, i am not too encouraged, more disappointed as the last 2 runs felt good, and this one felt bad.
Still glad that I run, as tomorrow will likely be a rest day given that I am teaching at church in the evening.
Total miles run for September - approx. 7 miles
Monday, 29 September 2008
Starting to Run
Here are some web sites that might help if you are thinking of starting to run!
Couch to 5k
and
Running Injury Free ( lot of good advice here!)
Couch to 5k
and
Running Injury Free ( lot of good advice here!)
Day 13
Yesterday was a day of rest , so back out today.
To be honest, was not looking forward to it. Feeling kind of lazy regarding running today. I think I would have far rather gone out earlier...but I ended up going out about 7.15pm.
This run was a little hectic as it was the night of Bajram and a LOT of people and cars on the road. This made me a little apprehensive, but it probably took my mind off the run. By the time I was half way round , I realised that a few of my mental checks (the barber shop, the shoemaker) had passed unnoticed.
I really felt good this run, and thought i must be cruising and not going particularly fast. As i finished I really felt very easy and was surprised to see the mile done in 10mins, 50 seconds. That is a full TWO seconds quicker than last time.
have not been keeping my eye on the watch recently as my aim is to complete
10 x 1 mile runs ( done 4 already)
10 x 2 mile runs
then go for 3 miles ( roughly 5km)
I hope to be doing 3 mile runs comfortably by the end of October.
Been encouraged today.
feeling good. eating a little less, and hoping to see some weight off. My stomach feels like it is pulling itself in, so I'm hoping to be under 84kg at the next weigh in. (2 days away)
To be honest, was not looking forward to it. Feeling kind of lazy regarding running today. I think I would have far rather gone out earlier...but I ended up going out about 7.15pm.
This run was a little hectic as it was the night of Bajram and a LOT of people and cars on the road. This made me a little apprehensive, but it probably took my mind off the run. By the time I was half way round , I realised that a few of my mental checks (the barber shop, the shoemaker) had passed unnoticed.
I really felt good this run, and thought i must be cruising and not going particularly fast. As i finished I really felt very easy and was surprised to see the mile done in 10mins, 50 seconds. That is a full TWO seconds quicker than last time.
have not been keeping my eye on the watch recently as my aim is to complete
10 x 1 mile runs ( done 4 already)
10 x 2 mile runs
then go for 3 miles ( roughly 5km)
I hope to be doing 3 mile runs comfortably by the end of October.
Been encouraged today.
feeling good. eating a little less, and hoping to see some weight off. My stomach feels like it is pulling itself in, so I'm hoping to be under 84kg at the next weigh in. (2 days away)
Saturday, 27 September 2008
Day 11 - Steady
1 mile run late this evening.
10 mins 52 seconds. A full 45 seconds quicker than the last 2 days.
Positives.
3rd run of a mile in 3 days.
Quicker time.
Psychologically, I ran through times I thought I might not make it to the end of the run.
Continued with 12 press ups today.
Negatives.
More visitors - more eating.
This run tonight was quicker but I also felt I had run enough. I couldn't have gone on any further.
Think I need a rest.
Overall, very encouraged at the progress.
Forecast rain tomorrow, and am planning a full day rest, as I am taking the teenage class to the movies in the evening.
10 mins 52 seconds. A full 45 seconds quicker than the last 2 days.
Positives.
3rd run of a mile in 3 days.
Quicker time.
Psychologically, I ran through times I thought I might not make it to the end of the run.
Continued with 12 press ups today.
Negatives.
More visitors - more eating.
This run tonight was quicker but I also felt I had run enough. I couldn't have gone on any further.
Think I need a rest.
Overall, very encouraged at the progress.
Forecast rain tomorrow, and am planning a full day rest, as I am taking the teenage class to the movies in the evening.
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