After months and months of planning it was finally here! The final arrangements were made, the minibus was packed, and then we were off on the long drive up to Fort William ready to start the next morning. This blog … Continue reading
I never used to be a morning person. I would sleep in until as late as possible and then scoff down some breakfast and rush to work. When I moved to the farm with Ash I would often sleep through … Continue reading
I’m by no means a running expert, but now that I have been running several times a week for over a month and have been along to a couple of Parkrun events I’ve already learnt a few hard lessons about … Continue reading
Today I set out with the dogs, picked a footpath from the farm and followed it. I love the sense of freedom and unknown as you explore new places, not quite sure where you are going to end up. After … Continue reading
All girls love shoes right? Well my love for shoes is a little bit different to the average girl. I love all things walking, running, waterproof and mud stomping shoes! Give me a pair of chunky kick-ass leather boots caked … Continue reading
Before you start reading this let me just warn you that this is not a detailed step by step walk guide. It’s a vague description of the walk we took with lots of photographs, so unlikely that you’ll be able … Continue reading
Christmas can be a great excuse to splash out and spoil your pet (not that we need much of an excuse) and a lot of dog owners like to give their dogs a gift to unwrap on Christmas Day. Have … Continue reading
The next step of our Aberystwyth adventure started on Sunday morning with Devils Bridge. Just a short drive along from where our cottage was, we parked up in the free parking and headed to the ticket office. Access is via … Continue reading
It’s been a while since I’ve been to Tittesworth. Ash and I have been a handful of times in the past but not for ages. We had a free Saturday last weekend and despite it being a murky day we … Continue reading
Distance:Â 5 miles approx Time:Â 2 hours No. of pubs en route:Â 2 Safety notes:Â Some small sections of country lane walking with no pavements. I’ve talked about walking along the saltline many times and recently posted some photographs of my Alsager – Rode … Continue reading
I’m not talking about a long walk along the cycle tracks or canal (although these tips will still apply), I’m talking about a hike up a mountain or across fields, setting off after breakfast with a full rucksack and a … Continue reading
Tonight I grabbed my camera and went for a long evening walk with Guinness. We started off at 7:30pm and slowly watched it go dark as we walked, occasionally stopping to snap the odd photograph or to sit and listen … Continue reading
I always enjoy getting outside with my dog but especially so if it’s nice and sunny. This week I had an afternoon off, it was glorious weather and we got out for an early afternoon stroll. When I walk my … Continue reading
Finished! My pace has slowed so bad after 2 weeks off, but that doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I kept going and I completed them.
Split into 3 runs. Each run starts and finishes with 5 minute walks.
Run 1 – 5 minute run. 3 minute walk. 8 minute run. 3 minute walk. 5 minute run.
Run 2 – 10 minutes run. 3 minute walk. 10 minute run.
Run 3 – 25 minute run.
This makes more sense now. Last week we increased through the week to a long run, then it has been important to go back to easier shorter runs and progress to a long run again. Next week we move on to longer runs every time.
Boy do I hurt now! I’ve really struggled with my stamina and breathing after my very pathetic cold & break. But I’ve managed fine and felt better each time. The 25 run was tough. I started off very well, then developed a horrible stitch that came and went. For the last 5 minutes it felt like a knife in my hip! But then I finished! Walked it off & feel a little sore, but good.
Now I can’t wait for next time and to keep improving! Brilliant program.
Well this week was interesting.
Usual 5 minute warm up walk while Laura explains this weeks program.
90 seconds jogging. 90 second walk. 3 minutes jogging! 3 minutes walk.
90 sec jog. 90 sec walk. 3 min jog. 3 min walk cool-down.
Ouch! 3 minutes jogging?! Bit of a step up. But it’s not bad at all! Not easy, but not bad. It’s really important to keep a nice pace. If you find your pace then you can keep running without getting tired. The 3 minute walk feels quite long so you are more than recovered.
My legs were certainly feeling it at the end. In a nice way. I benefit a lot from taking a bottle of water with me and my running bottle with a handle is lovely.
My second run of the week didn’t really go to plan; turned down a public footpath thinking it was a nice shortcut to the tracks but no.. Up and down hills, through long grass and cow pat! Not the best training route.
I am feeling a bit fitter so far. Let’s see what Week 4 is going to bring!
[FYI: It is not me in the photograph, unfortunately, I cannot stride that long. That is my boyfriend & my dog.]
Now finished Week 2!
90 seconds running and 2 minutes walking. Repeat for 20 minutes.
2 minutes sounds like a long time walking, however it’s enough rest time after 90 seconds running which feels long enough. 90 seconds is a good time of running, it’s doo-able, but you feel it.
Remember this is designed for people who can’t run very well.
After my first 90 seconds I had a stitch, but I walked it off after 2 minutes and it didn’t come back again.
As long as you keep a steady pace it is quite enjoyable. My muscles felt it afterwards in a good ache way. After last week I wasn’t sure I’d be able to step it up but I really surprised myself.
I feel great! Bring on Week 3.
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/c25k/Pages/get-running-with-couch-to-5k.aspx
