Highs and Lows

Since my last post I have managed to keep running regularly and, on the whole, it has been going well. I've done a lot of Heaton Park runs after work, including one that lasted 20mins without walking! I was so happy after that one, my longest yet! Unfortunately, it was also the first run in my new running shoes, which meant I was a bit of a cripple for 3 days afterwards. They make me run better, but my calves weren't used to them at all so they were very sore after. I've now got some compression socks, on the advice of my physio (mum), so the problems don't seem to be reoccurring quite as badly.

I have had 2 runs since that one. The first one I set off from home with the aim to run to a local landmark which, up to then, had been the place where I turned around after the first half of my run/walk. I hadn't managed to make it all the way there without stopping, but this time I did :D I set the stopwatch as I set off and didn't look at my watch until I got there. It was a 15min run in the end, which I'm quite pleased with given the distance and the fact there are a couple of hills. It was also dismal weather. I only did 5 mins jogging on the way back, my legs really couldn't take any more. I was disappointed, but considering I could barely walk the day before I suppose it wasn't too bad.

Today's run started out ok. I had decided to go back to following the C25K plan, starting at week 6 (so 10mins run, 2mins walk, 10mins run). The first 10mins was ok, but the 2nd was awful! I even had to walk for 30secs in the middle, I just couldn't keep going. I think (hope!) the reason for it was because it was a morning run and I'd only had a banana before it. I know the distance I'm running should be fine on a banana, but seeing as I usually do evening runs my body isn't used to having less in the tank. Fatty! I ended the session with a fast walk up a very long hill. My cereal tasted fantastic though after that :D



I've also been swimming a couple of times in preparation for the triathlon. I'm beginning to think the swim will be the hardest part. I'm just not an efficient swimmer! I'm improving though, in 3 weeks I've managed to reduce my 200m time from 5:48 (argh!) to a slightly more respectable 4:49. I'm aiming for 4:30. I'm also trying to use my arms for the majority and keep my legs fairly still, so that I'm not knackered for the bike ride and run after the swim. It seems like a million miles away now, but hopefully by September it will be something I can do reasonably well.

It's my birthday tomorrow, so I'll be having a couple of days off running and a couple of days on restaurant food and (hopefully) cake :)