Weight progress ticker

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Do I need a change?

I had another bad weekend last weekend. My legs were really sluggish on Friday so I decided not to run, I then had 3 days in a row of drinking which is both unusual and REALLY bad. Because of my drinking on Saturday - I therefore also decided not to run on Sunday as I wasn't feeling too good. I really need to get back on it today!

I've been thinking a lot about my training program in the past few days. It's becoming a bit mundane with the LONG runs during the week, I don't mind if it's a long run at the weekend because I have more spare time. My local football team start pre-season training next Tuesday so I may substitute one of the runs for a Tuesday training session. I may also start playing Badminton on a Wednesday with my good friend Eddie as a substitute for another run.

I figure if I run 2-3 times a week instead of 4 it would be a LOT more interesting as long as I do something in it's place. I also think it would be good to mix the training up, fartlek and more stop-start exercise will help my muscles become more explosive.

Another thought I have had - is to try and incorporate some weights in to my weekly schedule. I've lost a fair bit of weight - not enough in my opinion but I already feel like I could do with 'toning'.

I think I will do this week as normal and then re-evaluate. What do you guys think? I still think 2-3 runs per week would allow me to increase my mileage sufficiently to complete the marathon. Hopefully mixing my training up will allow me to run faster miles as well.

All the best

Erik

Thursday 23 June 2011

New experience

Yesterday I had a hard time of it, and experienced something I haven't before. I went to do my 6 mile course, and I wanted to really push on so I did the first 2 miles with both miles being 9 minute-somethings. I then got to a massive hill which I normally run up but I struggled. I had to walk for a large chunk of the hill. This has never happened before.

I think it's partly due to the (relatively) fast opening pace and also some fatigue from my 13-miler on Sunday. I was still a bit annoyed. I had to cut my route short and I still did 5 miles in 55 minutes at 11 min per mile as average. If you take into account I walked for 3-4 minutes of that, it's not a bad pace.

I have a cross day today which means Gym and so hopefully I will fare better on my run tomorrow.

Wednesday 22 June 2011

Lowest ever and speedy recovery

So I weighed myself this morning to find I've lost another pound and I'm now at my lowest 14st 2lbs or 198lbs which is good news. I really want to push on and go below 14st (196lbs) in the few weeks!

When I did my long run on Sunday which was 13 miles - I really suffered with my knees on Sunday night. They were really sore due to the pounding they took during the long run. I had Monday off - I could still feel them but they weren't too bad. Yesterday I did a 4 mile run and they felt fine - even afterwards and today. This is a sign that my body is recovering quicker.

The impact on my joints will be lower, the lighter I get and so I can't wait to push on and lose some more weight soon.

All the best

Erik

Monday 20 June 2011

Training plan - updated!

I thought it might be good for you guys to see the training plan. The pink is completed sessions.


As you can see I've got a tough few weeks coming up - no rest for the wicked!

HALFWAY THERE :-) !!!!

So I've reached a couple of more milestones yesterday; 150 miles total as well as the halfway distance of a marathon - 13 miles.

I was only due to do 11 according to my fitness program but I thought if I am going to run 11 I might as well squeeze out an extra 2 and reach this milestone. I am very pleased I did all though I was VERY tired in the last 2-3 miles.

For the first 8-9 miles I felt good and even though my route has a LONG stretch of uphill running (which I pass twice) I still felt like I managed it very well - even on the 2nd time round. In the last 2-3 I nearly felt like giving up and it was will power that kept me going.

Since I got back yesterday - My knee and legs have been hurting so it will be interesting to see how the recovery goes.

I am already looking to the next milestone - 15 miles which I am due to do in 3-4 weeks time. Until then I hope to push on and lose some more weight.

All the best,

Erik

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Run in the rain

Out of all of my 137 miles of running I can't remember ever running in the rain - until today. I really enjoyed trying to get back into the swing of it. The rain was actually quite nice as it kept me relatively cool and I managed 6 miles.

I just want to keep it going over the next few weeks without interruptions as the last few weeks have been very stop-start.

-Erik

Back and ready for it

So I've got the 2 weddings and the festival out of the way and I haven't really put any weight!

Now that I'm back it's really time to put some miles in, I went for a 3 mile-run yesterday and it felt painful! I am due to do 6 miles today but I don't know if I'll manage that. I'll definitely give it a go!

All the best!

Erik

Tuesday 7 June 2011

Tough week, then time to push harder

I have been a bit frustrated with the last few weeks. A few trips abroad, weddings and days out have meant my eating and drinking habits have not been the best and so I've stayed around about the same weight with no real progress for the last 3-4 weeks.

This week coming up will be no different - in fact, I am going to a music festival up north which means camping for 5 days and so probably a lot of junk food. When I come back I think it's time to find some new drive to really try and get my weight down a bit more.

According to my training program I've got some really long runs to do in the next month or so, and so I hope this will help. I just need this festival out of the way and I can start again in a way.

Until then - all the best!

Erik

Sunday 5 June 2011

Running with a hangover is no fun

So I've been a bit sloppy recently and had more alcohol than I probably should have and I've even missed a couple of sessions. A similar story where last night I was a little bit on the drunk side - and this morning I was due a LONG one at 7 miles.

I was determined to not let my sloppiness affect my run this morning and so I got up and ran 7 miles in one of my best times of 1h 13mins so just over 10min per mile. I was very impressed and I pushed myself the whole way, even drawing up a route that would mean finishing on a long punishing uphill just as punishment for myself for being sloppy. I hope this is motivation to be a bit better in the long run. It certainly wasn't enjoyable on the run as I could smell and taste the alcohol from last night.

This week coming up is another sloppy one as I am going to Download festival and camping for 5 days. I will catch up with you guys when I'm back.

All the best.

Erik

Wednesday 1 June 2011

I'm back baby!

My 5 miles today went ok! I did it in 55 mins which to me is acceptable and I felt great, nowhere near as tired as yesterday! Let's hope I can keep it up this week as I am away for some of next week.

It feels good to be back in the swing of things!