Which Head Am I Wearing This Week?

No running stats for me this week as I've got nothing to report!

My Frustrated Head is sitting on my shoulders right now, carrying my getting Smarter Brain!   At least I suspect it's getting smarter because said Smarter Brain has decided that next time I'm running and I feel a pain that doesn't go away after a half mile or so it will send the STOP signal to my feet - and the RING HOME FOR A LIFT signal to my fingers and all might be better than it is right now!

So, as I've mentioned - this week I've dusted down my Frustrated Head. I've also dusted down my Anxious Head - and I'm wearing both of these - mostly at alternate times but now and again they both appear on my shoulders at the same time  - which must look rather odd!!

My Frustrated Head is one that I don't wear too often as I'm usually on a fairly even keel and nothing much really phases me in my day to day life.  I tend to take things in my stride - only now and again getting frustrated. This week I'm feeling utterly frustrated at the apparent lack of healing that's going on with my foot.  Even walking my dogs in the morning is a struggle, although I'm finding that it feels ok during the day when I'm working even though I'm on my feet all the time. This is probably because I'm trying to walk faster when I'm out with my dogs. Pottering about doing housework for people is a nice slow moving job - no strain there!

As for my Anxious Head - well this one usually (but not exclusively) comes out of the cupboard when things are going on in my life that I feel I have no control over or things that involve authority! Anxious Head carries Stressed Brain in it! This week my Anxious Head is out for an airing because I'm probably consuming more calories than is good for me - not only that but I'm craving chocolate and sweet stuff!  Anxious Head keeps whispering about putting on weight - something that I don't really need to worry too much about when I'm running.  So I'm feeling very anxious about when I'll be running again!

As I've stated numerous times before. I run so I can eat cake, drink beer and not get fat! 

I'm not keen on this non-running state that I'm in at the moment!  Not keen at all!   Stressed Brain has decided to send signals to my back/shoulder - this always happens when Stressed Brain is in control!  So not only do I have a foot that's playing up, I'm now suffering pain in my left shoulder. I think I might have to bite the bullet and pay another £32 to go and get Nichole at the Newland Chiropractic Clinic to torture me again this week to see if she can put things right!   I think running takes away a great deal of my stress as I've not been troubled with my back/shoulder for months.   What an utterly crap state of affairs!

So, currently I have BOTH HEADS out - but I'm mainly wearing the Frustrated one!




My friend Adrian, who isn't allowed to run because of injury at the moment  has my full and complete sympathy!

Hopefully I'll be able to start 13:1 Week  6 soon!

Thank you dear reader for taking the time to view my moaning groaning blog this week.  Fingers crossed for a more upbeat report next week!

Bridge 2:10k Week 5 - the pressure builds!

The pressure certainly is building!   I checked out my friend Janet's blog earlier this week and thought - that's odd, she's gone from doing 66 minute workout during week 4 to only a 55 minute workout on Week 5 Day 1 - hmmmmmmm... how odd, what's going on?   Then I made the BIG mistake of investigating further and discovered what's in store for me this week:

It SCARED the life out of me when I first looked at what's in store - but then I got my sensible head on and thought - actually, the first 2 days I'm working out for less time than I have been during week 4 - and then on day 3 I'm only actually doing an extra 5 minutes more than I have been doing during week 4. 

I can do this!

(Then I think back to how confident I felt at the start of Week 4 - I really MUST take this slowly - this is a race I can win if I take it slowly, don't get over confident and wear myself out before I can see the finish line! )


Let the workout begin.....


Week 5 Day 1
5 minute warm-up walk
Jog 22 minutes
Walk 1 minute
Jog 22 minutes.
Five minute cool-down walk
55 minutes in total. 

Here's How It Went:
Amazing!  This can't be right?!  I actually managed todays workout without any major dramas or problems - until I came to blog my results - and then the problems started!   I'd written a huge amount this morning but blogger just wouldn't save my work so it was all lost. Anyway, not to worry - I'm back from work and trying again - Firefox still wont allow me to access my blog so I'm having to fire up IE (which pains me as I loathe and detest IE) however, at least I can report that my jog went well and (hopefully) I can now show you my stats!    My average heart rate seems quite low compared to previous runs which is odd. My maximum is around the usual rate. I'm not sure why.  It was rather cool in the conservatory today and I had the ceiling fan on maximum too so I was nice and comfortable - I wonder if that might have made a big difference?  I also had plenty of time to get the workout done before work - so I was very relaxed.  I wonder if that made the difference. 

I wonder....if changing my treadmill from kilometres to miles hasn't gone well and it's not configured itself correctly?   I suppose the only way to find out will be to do exactly the same workout on my old treadmill and see if I get pretty much the same result?

 Week 5 Day 1 - those vital stats!

Duration	Calories	Av. ♥	Max ♥	Distance	Walk Speed	Running Speed	°temp
55mins	369	129	154	4.39 miles	3.7	5.0-5.4mph	64°f

NOTE: the final 10 minutes of the second jogging increment was at 5.4mph. All other
jogging was at 5mph





 Week 5 Day 2
5 minute warm-up walk
Jog 25 minutes
Walk 1 minute
Jog 25 minutes.
5 minute cool-down walk
61 minutes in total. 

Here's How It Went: 
Another great workout today!  Our dogs woke us up at 6.30 - it hardly seemed worth going back to sleep, even though I'd only had 6 hours sleep I got up and got on with it!  Today I made sure my ipod didn't die on me (ran it on mains power not battery while I ran) so at least I had music all the way.  I started out listening to a talking book but I couldn't concentrate on the plot so I changed back to music. I think I need to put some new stuff on there. I'm getting bored with what I've got - either that or I'll "borrow" Neil's ipod and listen to Meat Loaf for a change. 


It's great running at the weekend with no pressures on my time.  I feel relaxed and happy knowing that I haven't got to stress about getting the workout done before grabbing a shower and dashing off to work! By the end of the workout I could have continued but I do like to be exact in what I'm doing - that way I can make a good comparison of my progress against Janet's weekly stats.   I did decide to jog on after I'd written down todays B2:10k stats though.  I had intended to run another 3 miles but in the end I decided that one mile at 6mph was enough thank you very much!   I forgot to put my foot pad on today - and with 6 miles of jogging done I was feeling a little bit tender.  Must remember to put it on for the next few weeks just to be sure things are ok.


 Week 5 Day 2 - those vital stats!

Duration	Calories	Av. ♥	Max ♥	Distance	Walk Speed	Running Speed	°temp
61mins	465	138	157	5.05	3.7-4.0mph	5.0-5.4mph	68°f

Week 5 Day 3 
5 minute warm-up walk
Jog 30 minutes
Walk 1 minute
Jog 30 minutes
5 minute cool-down walk
Total Treadmill Torture: 71 minutes


Here's How It Went: 
This is my last B2:10k workout before I do the Race For Life this coming Saturday (9th July 2011) so I really wanted to get it done early in the week to give myself plenty of "rest time" before the big day.  I started to do this yesterday but at 88°f it was just too hot - and it wasn't much cooler in the garage where I have my stand-by treadmill.  My foot is also still a little tender after my previous run.  I seem to be plagued by aches and pains of one sort or another! It's very frustrating.   After flinging the french doors and the side doors and all the windows open I embarked on Week 5 Day 3. I struggled a bit today and it wasn't until part way through the first 30 minute jog that I realised that the side door had blown closed - no wonder I was melting! I had to jump off the treadmill at the end of the first 30 minute jog portion and used my 1 minute walk time to prop open the side door AND get a cold wet flannel before leaping back on for the next bit of the torture!   The jogging portions seemed to go on and on this morning - I don't think the temperature helped matters at all.  Goodness knows how I'm going to cope when I do the 13.1!  (ah, did I tell you about that yet?)

As always, once I've completed the workout I feel bloody marvellous! So pleased with myself for not giving in and for pushing on even when I really would like to stop!  I blame my friend Janet for this. I WILL NOT give up! If Janet can do it - I can do it too!  :)    Once again, thanks to my virtual Jogging Buddy for being there, pushing me onwards and for helping me to leave my comfort zone right back there in the far distance, almost a memory away!

Week 5 Day 1 - those vital stats!

Duration	Calories	Av. ♥	Max ♥	Distance	Walk Speed	Running Speed	°temp
71mins	574	142	162	5.69	3.7-4.0mph	4.8-5.3mph	77 °

I'm just loving the amount of calories I've burned today! Woohooo! Cream cake here I come! ;)

Bridge 2:10k - Week 2

Somehow I always manage to get myself stressed about day one of any of my workouts!  I started to do that after I got out of my comfort zone on C25K and I'm doing it now on B2:10k!   Sometimes I infuriate myself with it!   Last week on day one I was stressing because my ipod wouldn't pick up the running podcast from my laptop - so I was having to time my intervals on my phone - no big deal, I know, but the playlist sounded good and I just thought it'd be easier if it was all on my ipod and all I had to do was follow instructions!

My Race For Life Back-Card!

 Week 2 Day 1 dawns and I do my usual dog walk before jumping on the treadmill - stressed as usual! This time I know the running podcast is on my  ipod however, I'm a bit pushed for time (Monday is my day to start work early) but I know that I really do need to make a start on week 2 - and I'm also thinking that the jump from 10 minutes of jogging which I did last week to 15 minutes of jogging this week is quite large. Now, that's a silly thing to worry about because I graduated C25K - so I know I can run! Even before I've hit the start button I'm thinking of reasons why I might fail!   My friend Janet said that psychologically she felt better about there being just 3 reps of 15 minutes (last weeks running involved 4 reps of 10 minutes)  I have to say that I wasn't convinced!
Podcast started, 5 minute warm up walk was done and then - Boy oh boy what a HUGE disappointment that long awaited for podcast was!   Now, don't get me wrong - the music was good - and somebody has taken the time and trouble to put it together and make it available for us to download - but it was NOT music to run to - the beat just wasn't heavy enough nor at the right tempo (in my humble opinion)   So, I found the run on day 1 rather monotonous to say the least!   The good news is  I got through the workout! I had a bit of a twinge going on right at the bottom of my right shin/ankle/foot but I chose to ignore that! Mind over matter and all that! I found the workout was not as bad as I'd built it up in my mind to be!
NOTE TO SELF: Delete Bridge2:10k podcast  - it's doing you no favours!

Duration	Calories	Av. ♥	Max ♥	Distance	Walk Speed	Running Speed	*
57 mins	426	137	152	4.47	3.7	5.0	*

My Ribbons of Remembrance

Week 2 Day 2 and I was feeling pretty confident.  I dumped the podcast for my own choice of music (Queen, Simply Red, Annie Lenox, Police, G4, Billy Idol, Sisqo, to name but a few) and off I went with a "done it once can do it again" attitude!   My final 15 minute rep was done at 5.1mph but the first 2 were just at 5mph.  I stuck to walking at 3.7 which is comfortable for me. The twinge in my shin didn't return today, however I did get a bit of discomfort in the left groin area and after my run I found that my left hip was feeling a bit achy. I did all my warm up stretches and had been on a good walk before hand so I should have been ok.  I think I might have to do more before my runs.  Trouble is, the intervals take 57 minutes of my day and time is precious just before I go to work - still, I'm on week 2 of 6 so this isn't forever.    I'm considering setting up a yoga workout on my wii to give me some extra stretches... I have to MAKE THE TIME to do more stretches!       Not too long ago I was glued to my xbox sat on my idle little arse playing games whenever I had chance - now all I want to do is run or walk!    Not a bad thing I suppose!  I wonder if He-Who-Must-Be-Ignored would consider allowing me to become a housewife again so I can pursue my hobbies and have all the time in the world.......



Day 2

Duration	Calories	Av. ♥	Max ♥	Distance	Walk Speed	Running Speed	*
57 mins	411	135	174*	4.5	3.7	5.0-5.1

*Max heart rate of 174 seems pretty drastic doesn't it?  Well, in my defence I would like to say that while I was jogging I was thinking about what I was going to write on my Race For Life Back-Card and when I thought about my mum (who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year) I got all choked up and upset.  I love my mum so much and the thought of her being ill scares me to death!   My heart rate dropped back to normal really quickly once I told myself to get a grip and stop being silly!   :)


Week 2 Day3: I had a really bad night sleep last night last night - concern about my dads health (he was taken to hospital last night - released later but it still caused me to worry) followed by restless dogs who wanted me to get up at stupid o'clock - these events conspired to make me feel very tired and grumpy when I got out of bed!   My usual 3 to 4 mile dog walked turned into a strut of 1.4 miles (I was very annoyed with my dogs and didn't feel charitable enough to take them for a long walk!)   I have to say I now feel like a bad mummy - it's not their fault but it's just not what I needed!     

Looking on the bright side -  My B2:10k workout went very well today.  When my timer went off to indicate the end of my first 15 minute jog I really couldn't believe it and had to check my watch and still didn't believe it!   The middle 15 minute jog I did at a slightly faster pace and felt pretty good through that too but during my final 15 minutes I was feeling some discomfort in my left hip area again - but I ignored that - I can't afford to let a bit of discomfort stop me from getting on with this.  I am considering visiting my chiropractor, Nichole, though - maybe the week before Race For Life just to make sure I'm in good condition.

I was really looking forward to doing an outside run again tomorrow morning but I've decided that I'll probably make tomorrow a rest day and will try to push on with week 3 on Sunday - I'm really looking forward to week 3!

Watch this space!!

Duration	Calories	Av. ♥	Max ♥	Distance	Walk Speed	Running Speed	*
57.00	447	140	156	4.63	3.7	5.0-5.3mph	*

Full stats for all my weeks can be found by clicking the link on the right - Bridge to 10k Weekly Torture Stats.

THANKS FOR DROPPING BY - please feel free to leave a comment to let me know you've been. Have a fantastic day