Training Post 1 - Track Record

It's fair to say that I'm not much of a runner, or indeed a natural athlete, as my record of coming second to last in the 1500m every Sports Day attests to. My only saving grace is that I am better over long distances than sprinting, and thankfully my fitness is pretty high after being a regular at the gym. It still doesn't mean that a half marathon is going to be a breeze though. So, in order to help me run to South Shields (which, right now, seems so very very far away!), I've enlisted the help of a running programme and good old shopping:

Running programme - kindly supplied by Eva

(I should take this opportunity to mention that I wouldn't be doing the GNR if it weren't for Eva's enthusiasm and powers of persuasion!)

Week 1 - Run 1min, walk 1min (total of 20min)
Week 2 - Run 2min, walk 1min (total of 20min)
Week 3 - Run 3min, walk 1min (total of 20min)
Week 4 - Run 5min, walk 1min (total of 23min)
Week 5 - Run 8min, walk 1min (total of 26min)
Week 6 - Run 12min, walk 1min (total of 25min)
Week 7 - Run 15min, walk 1min (total of 31min)
Week 8 - Run 30min

Which looks fairly easy? I'm on Week 1 currently, which has been fine. I think the next run I go for, I'll attempt the 2min/1min strategy. Most noticeable so far has been the fact that jogging uses different muscles to those I normally use when I go to the gym. Fortunately there have not been any twinges or aches yet, apart from the very first run I went on, which lead to aching shins for a week...probably due to not wearing the right trainers, which leads me smoothly onto...


Running gear

I think the most significant step so far in my training has been buying a proper pair of running shoes. These are the trainers I wear to the gym. They're roughly 7 years old, and the label 'trainers' can only be used in the loosest of senses:

And here are my lovely new running shoes!

They're Asics, and they have supportive padding to prevent over-pronation. The difference they made was, to put mildly, astonishing. They also contain gel cushioning, which make them incredibly comfortable and reduce the impact on my shins.

Other important purchases include a breathable running top, a pair of shorts (ready for the summer months), some special running socks, a new sports bra, and an all important retro-90's stopwatch...

 

My next task is to create an armband to hold my MP3 player in place. It'll probably involve a sock...