Running for Fitness/Weight loss

Lunchtime road run of 3 miles in 23:26 (7:49/mi). Lovely day for running, first time this year that I did'nt need hat, gloves jacket etc.

Apologies if this log is getting a bit boring and unvaried !!

Yet another 3 mile road run in 23:31 - felt really good today despite the strong wind, I chose a differnet route today which has a very steep hill for about .5 mile would probably have run a much faster time if it was all on the flat. I'm curious to see what my last mile time was, will check it later when I download the details.

I have'nt ran with my IPod for about the last 3 weeks actually finding my concentration levels better without it

Wow lots of people training here I miss a day and already put to page 2 (great to see)!.

I did a 5 miler in 39:01 abolsutely buzzing possibly the best run I've done over the last few years I was totally comfortable over the whole run and totally in control.

I previously did a 5 miler on the 2nd Feb but did'nt enjoy it at all, the run but today was so different even tho the times were much the same. This is how I want to feel during and after running, makes it so much easier. Got into that lovely runners high after the first mile. These are the sort of targets I want to achieve along the way. Now I know I can run faster just need to keep the focus and increasing distance. Its good to know that my diet and weight training are helping.

This run will not seem much to the majority of runners but from my starting point its a major milestone. No running this weekend as my wife is working all weekend so I have the juniors to content with! Happy with that weeks work tho...

Just check the stats and I ran that last mile in 7:16...gives me even more confidence

First run (or any exercise) in a week today after 5 days of excess in Krakow (fantastic city btw). Wasn't sure how I would be feeling so I just headed to the gym and did a good stretching session for about 15 mins and then went out and ran 2.45 miles in 18:36, only got a few hours sleep last night after getting in late so did'nt want to over do it as I was feeling very tired.

Weighed myself this morning as its the mid month point and am happy to report 14st 5lb - considering the amount of food I ate over the last few days I'm pleased to not have gained any weight.

After yesterday I decided to hit the threadmill and work on a hill program as this was always my weakest area. I thought about doing this outdoors but there nothing to stop me moving off the pace slightly, at least with the threadmill the pace will always be constant.

So I ran for 25 min at 5min/km and alternating the incline between 0 and 5 for each .5 km. Going was tough enough wanted to stop after 20 mins but grinded it out. Will probably work this in once a week.

Also with my weight training I added in some squats to add a bit of strength to the quads. Basically its the same as doing squats as in weight training but without the weights/bar. At the moment I'm up 100 consecutive squats 4 times per week

5 miles this morning in 39:25. Was a major slog kept looking for any excuse to not go out! Anyway got my arse in gear and grinded it out, was happy to have run the 5 under 40 min again. Quads felt a bit heavier than usual but that probably due to thursdays hill session. Rest today tomorrow

Cheers tomm, thanks for the support. To be honest I'm not sure if I could last the pace at a decent football training session, its a different level of intensity than what i'm training for. I suppose with any training program you've got to get it into your head or down on paper and know what you want to achieve and set mini goals along the way. In your case you could set a target of being able to cruise around the pitch without a struggle.

Firstly don't compare yourself to what the others are doing in you training some people have been training for longer and some guys are just naturally fit. I think if you did maybe two more sessions on your own during the week you would'nt be long about getting there. Years back I always found interval training one of the best ways to gain fitness/stamina fast. Google interval training and you'll get loads of ideas/variations. Combine that with maybe seperate 2-3mile run on another day. Keep a log either privately or put it up here

How do you feel after the training sessions? If you feel good the next day and little or no ill effects then you've definately room for more and need to push yourself on.

You'll only get out what you put in and never underestimate the importance of diet, training will you teach your body to go faster and longer but you diet will give it the fuel it needs to do this.

Thanks blah, I've planning a 10k in May (bout 5 weeks time) and would love to sneak in under 50min. Good luck with your race and training!

Was feeling very tired today and the legs were a bit heavy have planned on 3 miles today but cut it short to 2.5 in 19.18. One of those days where I reckon I needed another hour of sleep in the morning. Think I'll take a rest day tomorrow and do a hill session on the threadmill on Thursday and another 5 miler on Fri.

The warmer weather is certainly making it easier no matter how I feel...

Went out with my mate from work again today and decided on a 10k and ran it in 49:18, kept a really steady pace of just under 8min/mile, mile 5 had a very steep hill but I kept it on the pace, normally I'd fall right off the pace on a steep hill.

Nice day for running too, overcast and only had the wind in our faces for the first two miles. Will see how the weekend goes and hopefully will get a run in on Sunday morning.

Just checked and around this time last year I ran the Bupa 10k in 53:53 so between that and going under 50mins I'm well pleased.

Just back from a 5 mile run today (39:04) feeling very comfortable running at this pace now.

2 months ago I would have pushed hard to to achieve that time, I did it after 1 month of training and nearly passed out after it! But now sub 8 min mile are the norm for me at the moment although the max I've done is 10k. I'd say on a good day if I really pushed my self I could go close to 38min. Today I ran the first 4 miles averaging around 7:55 - 8:00, but I just pumped the legs a little bit harder on the last mile and averaged 7:23. A while ago a sub 7:30 mile would have nearly killed me bit today if felt grand and didn't feel like I was running all out.

I invested in a Garmin Forerunner 205 (no heart monitor) and I have to say it really helps me keep on the pace. A quick look and I know what pace I'm at so i just keep running trying to keep it consistant. I'm trying to get more of a feel for how I run so I don't need to look at the watch every couple of mins. Today I probably checked my pace only at the mile markers.

Thats the one alright - Is is quite chunky - wouldn't be far off having a box of matches on your wrist, but you get used to it very quickly it fits sungly on your wrist and its acutally feels quite light. That was my concern before buying it, but after the first run its a non-issue now.

The map functionality is very basic, its a true gps in the sense that you can get your coordinates but it won't give directions based on pre-loaded maps. when you download each workout you are given a very basic map showing where you ran. So it basically just remenbers where you ran.

I think the documentation says it accurate to within 10metres and I'd say that's true based on a run I did with a mate of mine his 10k stopped a few meters before mine. I'm probably only using about 5% of its total functionality as out of the box its ready to go. For the last few weeks I've been putting in predefined distances and pace and running to that and it automatically stops when the distance is completed.

Personally I'd definately recommend it.

Was feeling good after yesterdays rest - so I decided to push myself a bit more over 5 miles and based on previous runs I definately felt I had a lot more left in the tank. So I went out with my mate from work and ran it in 38:19 - really pleased with that, more so with how I feel afterwards - ran the last mile in just over 7min.