Well I think the initial novelty of the Nike+iPod is wearing off and it's getting quite hard to pull myself out of bed just to get knackered.  Nonetheless, I did it again today and the results are up on The Log.

In the words of the D-Generation X theme: Break it down.  Compared with Monday's run, this one looks a fair bit bumpier perhaps suggesting I wasn't as consistant in my pace or maybe it's just that the previous run was affected by the long dip at the end when I forgot to hit "End Workout" on the iPod and so simplified the graph a bit.  I can't know for sure but based on the fact that the Week One runs are as bumpy as this latest one I'd say the reason is the latter.

I had a wee surprise when I finished today: some lady came through my headphones to tell me I'd achieved a new Personal Best for the mile of 8'41".  Nice one!  (I'm sure I can beat this easily but not without keeling over at 1.1 miles.)  Also my average pace was 5'32"/km which is pretty consistant with my performances so far.  You may have noticed on the most recent graphs that playlists have started to appear.  They didn't before because I was just running with Shuffle but I'm trying to get some tunes that really push you when you think you can't go much further, and I'd love any suggestions you have so check out the playlists so far at The Tunes then suggest some via The Wire.

I'm trying to make the most of the experience so far, hence the blog and shiny graphics, because it won't be long until I have to start studying again for the August diet of exams that I missed in January.  I don't know how much time I'll have during this because I'll be pretty much re-teaching myself material for four or five classes in the space of a month, but I'll try and get some updates on and even if I don't, I'll make sure I'm still running.

So until next time, get trawling through those playlists of yours and send some belters my way!

Stay free,
Joe.

Some more pavement pounding led to a disappointing end this morning.  Don't get me wrong, the run was good, unfortunately I forgot to hit "End Workout" on time and an extra two minutes were added while I was just walking/standing/sitting in the house.  Check it out: Week 2: Run 1

So the analysis bit.  I managed to keep a very even pace for most of the time, and there's only a small dip where I walked for about 50m or so.  My average pace is a lot slower because I forgot to finish on the iPod but based on the first circle on the graph, i was running at 5'10"/km which is faster than my last two runs in comparison.

You may have noticed that I only ran twice last week.  That's because I started on Wednesday rather than Monday, and I skipped Saturday's run in favour of a long lie.  But don't worry, I plan on doing about 4 runs per week and I've set a goal on Nike+ to encourage me to stick to that.

Only a week of rest left for Lisa and Sean and then it's back to the graft.  Wonder when I'll get a holiday...

Stay free,
Joe.

Training day 2 and the results are up on The Log.  I've managed an increase in pace going from 5'48" to 5'29" per km but even this slight difference in speed hit me when I got in.  Also, the distance is noted as 1.98km compared with a previous 2.08km but I did run the same route and can only attribute the difference to when I hit start/end workout on the iPod.

Well I managed to go longer without stopping but did eventually walk for what looks to be a bit longer than the other day.  I suppose to hope for a marked improvement in performance each time you go out is a bit naive so I'm not really bothered about that or how I felt afterwards.  Hopefully with time I'll be able to find a comfortable pace that isn't going to kill me when I untie my laces.

I sincerely hope Lisa and Sean are sticking to their training because I really want someone else to feel as shattered each morning! 

Stay free,
Joe.

PS - Why not take some inspiration from the World Cup and donate £1 for each goal your team scores in the tournament?

Good morning guys and gals! 

Today marked the start of official training and you can find the results along with all future runs laid out in graph form on The Log.  Just a short run of 2km this morning that I think will be the usual for a couple of weeks until I get my distance legs back.  I can only hope that Lisa and Sean will be getting up in 3 or 4 hours and heading out onto a beautiful beach to pound the sand.  Am I being naive?

As a first run I think it was encouraging.  Based on the average speed, which includes a shameful walk, I should be looking at about the hour mark for the 10k.  Our initial goal was 1hr 15min which was allowing some wiggle room so perhaps I'll surprise myself after these 3 months of training.

Anyway head on over to The Log and have a swatch at the lovely graph produced by Nike+ and then if you'd like to encourage me a bit head over to CharityGiving and shed some of your own pounds!

Stay free,
Joe.