Chapter 4: In which our hero runs in a fog

Everything in moderation...

So far I've written a new entry every time I've ventured out for a run. I'm like that in the early days of anything, excitable and with a "look at what I can do" approach, much like a four year old child that has learned to burp on command. Going forward, that'll probably be dialled back a bit to maybe one or two posts a week. Let's be honest, if it is overdone, that figurative four year old becomes tiresome and stops getting invited to parties.

This week started slowly. A rest day on Monday following Sunday's run, and then another (sort of) rest day on Tuesday. Tuesday wasn't meant to be a rest day as such, but I forgot to turn my alarm back on (back shifts this week) and slept right through to daylight. Don't get me wrong, I had plenty of time to fit a run in before work but there are certain conditions I like to run in at the moment. What I mean by this is darkness. Frankly I'd rather be a bit fitter before I'm running in conditions where people can actually see me so no morning run for Ally.

On to the actual run itself then. I should just point out that the title of this thrill filled installment isn't a metaphor or anything fancy like that, just a meteorological observation. It was indeed a bit foggy. Still, got up, gubbed a few jelly babies for a pre breakfast snack, and out the door I went, for week two, run one. According to the schedule I'm trying to follow that means equal three minute intervals of walking and running. I started off well and managed the first three minutes fairly easily. By the last two periods of running though my muscles were aching and I only ran 2 minutes on the final part. We'll call it week one and a half. I'll see how I get on with friday's (planned) run. If it's the same, then I can always extend the week 2 schedule into next week until I'm comfy with it.

Other bits and bobs...

I'm thinking of trying out some of those running leggingy things. Last week in a dry cold I was fine in a pair of long shorts, but today in the fog I was freezing.

I weighed myself this week for the first time in ages. 15 stone 4. I've put on a stone in the last year and a half (roughly equivalent to the time I started my current job, with all it's sitting around), so this whole exercise malarky is definately required.

As a 36 year old adult, let me just say that Adventure Time is one of the best cartoons I've seen in ages.

Chapter 3: In which our hero gets up early on a Sunday

So then, Sunday, the day of rest, the day in which people are supposed to relax, watch sports, have a nice dinner. The day in which I got out my bed at 6.10am. If I hadn't, if I'd left it until later, I likely wouldn't have made it out the door. I'm like that. If I don't do something immediately, I'll put it off and put it off until I get to the point it's too late to do anything that day. Hence, even on a Sunday, the alarm went off at six (I may have used the snooze a little bit, but only once. More than that and I'd be there for the day).

Now before talking about the actual run, let's just discuss some important details about the previous evening preparations. As part of this whole runny around thing, I'm trying to cut down on my snacking as well. Watching Man Vs. Food does not help with that process. Dammit Adam, here I am, trying not to fill my body with crap (well, not too much crap, do biscuits count as crap? They're probably good for you. I'm convinced Chocolate Hob Nobs count towards a healthy diet since they're practically porridge) and there you are, whispering to me from the telly. 'Look at the massive pizza Ally.' 'You want these chicken wings Ally, don't you?' Begone foul (fowl) temptress! Luckily, I managed to resist temptation (I had feck all in the cupboard). Incidentally, why the hell would anyone eat something (you know, put it inside with all your delicate internal organs), if you've had to wear gloves just to touch the damn thing in the first place? Crazy.

So this morning's run then. Similar to the previous run, I was managing to get my breath back a bit quicker in between each running phase. As before, I have no scientific proof to back this up, but it just feels that way. My muscles ache a bit more this time around, particularly the thighs. This probably isn't new to anyone that's been doing this type of thing (exercise) for a while, but it's new to me. Still, since there was only one day between runs this time, I guess it was to be expected. I left it two days last time around (mostly due to being sleepy), so the muscles had less of a chance to recover this time.

There are still a couple of things I need to work on. First of all, my breathing. I'm a chronic mouth breather as soon as I start any form of exercise, and need to work on that whole 'in through the nose and out through the mouth' thing I've heard so much about and which is supposed to be wonderfull. The other thing that I still need to figure out is the pace I'm actually running at, and trying to maintain a steady speed I guess. I also have a sneaky suspicion that both things could be linked.

I've come to the end of the first week of the schedule, so next time out I should be upping the running to three minutes at a time. Not really sure I'm ready for that, but not going to improve without exerting myself either. I'll see how I get on.

Fight the power

Ally

Chapter 2: In which our hero runs again...

Second verse, same as the first...

 Out of bed, shorts on, ipod on, go for a 'run'. I use the word run again and will continue to do so with a sense of expectant optimism, but obviously now that we know my fitness level from the first expedition, that term is applied loosely, and only to parts of the venture. Anyway, as Shackleton famously stated (possibly, though I should point out this is entirely speculative on my part) when setting foot on Antarctica, 'Bloody hell! It's chuffing freezing!' And so it was.

Anyway, I've only gone and done it again. The actual excersise itself felt slightly easier this time around. I expect that may only be imaginary though. The main trouble I had today was just making myself get out of bed. The alarm went off at 6am, and I immediately awoke, switched it off, and began trying to convince myself that things would be better if I just went back to sleep (important distinction here children: short term, things would be better, long term probably not as much; we're playing the long game here). The voice in my head soothingly saying 'Go back to sleep, Ally'. I imagine the voice now to have sounded like HAL from 2001, you know, the same voice you imagine Facebook has when you log in and see that little 'How are you feeling, Ally?' message. Not that I'm comparing Facebook to the murderous computer in 2001. That comparison doesn't bare up in any way. No, given it's spread across the world, the Cyberdyne Skynet model is a far more apt comparison, and just in case it sends any futuristic cyborg minions after me let me just express my adoration of our mechanical overlords.

I seem to have diverged a little. As I was saying, the excersise today did seem a little easier. It was the third period of running before I felt completely fecked today, as opposed to the second on Monday (see Chapter 1 for schedule).

Other things of note from this morning:
development of a good playlist continues apace. 'Death or Glory' by the Clash is pretty good to run along to. 'Living Thing' by ELO, not so much (not quite as fast a tempo as I'd thought, a bit ploddy).

Anyway, onwards and upwards. Well, not so much upwards, as more onwards again, but you get the drift.

Ally

Chapter 1: In which an unfit idiot starts to run

So then, having decided to improve my fitness, mood, and general all round well being through the miracle heal-all method of running several weeks ago, I finally got out of bed and strapped on my running shoes today. The alarm went off at 6am, and for the first time I managed to resist the siren call of the snooze button. Out of bed, shorts on, ipod on, go for a run.

Now I know the image you have in your head of me. A lean figure, striding manfully through the pre dawn blackness. The reality is not too far off, though there are some subtle differences. For instance, rather than lean, read as slightly "cuddly". Striding manfully may perhaps translate more closely to "plodding along wheezily". Also, I say "run" but the truth is walking interspersed with short bursts of running. Sod it, it's a start. To be fair though, this approach is part of a well thought out (by other people, thank you internet) plan.

I'm not fit. That's a simple statement of fact. There's no way I'm going to head out and immediately be able to run for half an hour solid. Therefore, I looked up a sort of graded introduction to running, building up over time.

The Plan

Week

1. Run 2 minutes, walk 4 (x5)
2. Run 3 minutes, walk 3 (x5)
3. Run 5 minutes, walk 2 1/2 (x4)
4. Run 7 minutes, walk 3 (x3)
5. Run 8 minutes, walk 2 (x3)
6. Run 9 minutes, walk 1 (x2) then run 8, walk2
7. Run 9 minutes, walk 1 (x3)
8. Run 13 minutes, walk 2 (x2)
9. Run 14 minutes, walk 1 (x2)
10. Run 30 minutes

The object is to try and do these 3 or 4 times a week.Whether or not I manage, I don't know. Week 10, without any form of break in the half hour will be a test. After this period, I'll be looking to try and extend the time and distance that I'm running. Seems simple. More likely painfull, but as many people (fitter than me) say, "No pain, no gain!". I suspect these people to be friendless arseholes mind you.

Pray for me.

Ally