2009 Progress Entrant - Anna MacConnell

Contents:- -Intro- Report -1 & 2- -3- -4- -5- -6- -7- -8- -9- -10- -11- -12- -13- -14- -15- -16- -17- -Final-

Report 3 - Week beginning 19/01/09

Have you stuck to the training programme? If not any reasons why?

Yes, pretty much, although at the beginning of week three I was wondering what had possessed me to agree to do this or even think it was possible - by the end of the week I was more optimistic.

Have you done more or less than expected? Explain.

It was so very incredibly cold at night but I kept to the programme but it was pure punishment.

How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?

At the beginning of the week I felt like packing it all because when I got home my legs were aching for half an hour - think it must have been because I was cooling down too quickly then in absolute agony as I warmed up. However, at the weekend running on the beach was so much better and cooling down more slowly made all the difference I actually felt that it was possible. Once the brighter nights come in it should be so much easier.

Are you seeing improvements; in speed, distance, breathing?

Definitely seeing a little improvement in breathing and distance now, not a lot, but enough so you'd notice.

Where are you walking/running; gym, beach, roads, forests?

I'm still running around at night - we have a shortage of streetlights but my son is coming along on his bike with the lights on to show the way. By the time I reach the street lights I've done about half of the session. Runningon Armadale beach at the weekend was so much easier than the road and actually bearable.

Are you training alone/with someone else/mixture? How does this affect your training?

I know a few of the other beginners and its good to know that its not just me who's a beginner at this carry on.

Any injuries?

Apart from the agonies experienced when warming p too quickly or whatever it was, nothing so far. Running on the beach is so much easier on the joints tho an actually bearable. My daughter came with me and is really good at making sure I didn't cut any corners and encouraged me to do more than the session demanded - which I certainly would not have done if alone.

Are you feeling any benefits away from training as a result of the training; health, toning up, more energetic?

I've been watching what I eat and not scoffed a biscuit, chocolate or anything else sugary or fatty since I started the training.

Are you doing any other forms of exercise; swimming, cycling, yoga, pilates?

I've been going to the gym when I get a chance at lunchtime but only get about half an hour actually on the machines probably about three times a week. Got my bike puncture mended so planning to get onto that as soon as weather/daylight improves.

Any other observations?

I'm going to repeat week three as I was struggling with it so badly at the beginning of the and did not feel ready to move to week 4. Can't wait to get fitted for proper running shoes this week in Inverness.