2010 Progress Entrant - Linda Claxson

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

Report 14 - Week beginning 12/04/10

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

I've tried to stick to it but I've pretty much been doing my own thing and just trying to make sure that I'm covering the ground needed. I haven't actually completed a full 10k yet in my training but I'm hoping that the atmosphere on the day will help drag me along.

Have you done more or less than expected? Explain.

Probably not as much as I should have done but more than I thought I would because of the shin and calf problems I had last week. I had a little pain with them at the beginning of the week but a couple of days rest, ice packs and plenty of stretching seems to have helped.

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

Highs: Changing the running route again and feeling as though I could keep running even though I'd done enough. Also doing a short run one day in a pretty fast time - for me anyway!

Lows: Haven't been any really.

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

I thought I was getting slower which I couldn't understand but I've realised that my watch needs new batteries and so it's not keeping time. Duh!!!

Distance seems to be hit and miss. It really depends on my mental attitude. Some days I feel as though I could run forever quite comfortably and then some days I feel as though I'm trying to run in Tar right from the start.

I'm learning to control my breathing during the run but I still struggle for the first 10 minutes. I wouldn't say I ever sound as though I'm running comfortably even though I feel as though I am.

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

Roads mainly and at least I've not had to use the dreadmill this week.

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

Alone but I have been relying on music to help with motivation. Basically listening to music prevents me from convincing myself to walk, plus it drowns out my heavy breathing. Lol.

Any injuries?

No. The shin / calf problems last week haven't been an issue since my first weekday run. My shins do feel bruised to touch but don't hurt to walk / run on.

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

Energy boosts and better sleep on running days is pretty much it.

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

Just running. Although I did one Bellydancing class if that counts!

I've signed up for some more 10k runs for this year too just to make sure I have the motivation to keep the running up after the Mey 10k.

Any other observations?

Finally joined an online slimming class. I felt a bit like a fraud though, signing on the dotted line with a bar of Dairy milk in one hand and a Coke in the other. Still it's the intention that counts - isn't it?