6 July 2013 - Double session

Time (mm:ss): 08:41
Distance (miles): 1.15
Pace (min/mile): 07:32
Avg. Heart rate (bpm): 162

This was supposed to be another gentle run, but I did get a bit carried away at times. Although the average heart rate was were I was aiming there were fast and slow bits, and because of that the inside of my leg has ached a little over the last few days. My heart rate peaked at 185, a lot higher than where it was supposed to be and without the excuse of going uphill.

I know I need to be more disciplined with my running. I start with the best of intentions but just get so carried away, especially coming off a long gap like now. Unfortunately now is when I need to be most disciplined or I'll end up injured again. I've taken a mile off Tuesdays run to give myself a little more time to heal.

On a brighter note I went swimming afterwards and it went brilliantly. We dug a set of goggles out of the bottom of an old swim bag, and I felt a lot more relaxed throughout the session. I managed 4 and a bit lengths of freestyle with only short periods of rest (I had to include these so I didn't catch those in front). In addition I was able to do pairs of lengths for a lot longer. It was a shorter session than usual, but a really productive one.

203 Miles to go.

30th June 2013 - Swimming Session

I'm still resting up, so still no running posts for another 2 weeks. Tomorrow morning I'm seeing the physio at 7am. I don't know what she'll say, but my leg has been almost pain free for the last couple of weeks. I had one issue with a bit of a jar on the top of scafell pike but it wasn't major. So hopefully it won't include any major revelations.

On the plus side I managed to get down the pool in Horsham Sunday morning, and did an hour and a halfs session. With Emma's help I've realised that goggles help a lot, though I'm not entirely sure why, so I'm definitely going to get my own next time. I've continued making progress with the crawl, but no major milestones yet. Hopefully going to go tomorrow evening so I'll let you know how that goes.

Swimming session - 21st June 2013

Today I went down to the pool to continue working on my front crawl, and particularly my breathing issues. I went to the pavilions in central Horsham, which is a 25m pool. There were about 6 or 7 people in the slow lane most of the time, though apart from one moment where I saw a pair of legs suddenly appear while underwater and took a lung-full of water in surprise the number of people wasn't an issue. It probably would have been quieter but half the pool was taken up by a local swimming club.

I warmed up by doing 6 or 8 lengths of breaststroke, and then started practising the front crawl. For the first couple of lengths I really struggled, and was unable to finish a full length. As I got used to it I settled down a bit, and managed to consistently complete a length 3 or 4 times. At one point I felt so good that I completed a length and then managed another half almost immediately before I was left gasping for air and had to finish with breaststroke.

I realise this is pathetic compared to most people, but for me it's progress and a sign that the hard work, and it is VERY hard, will pay off if I stick with it. As I continued swimming I got slower and out of breath quicker as I got tired. I played about with breathing more often than every 4 strokes but when you're breathing every other and still unable to get enough air there's no-where left to go.

Then half way down a length I got cramp in my right calf, and though I managed to finish the length it was pretty much a sign that the session was coming to an end, and after a couple more lengths I called it a day. In total I probably only completed 25 lengths or so in about an hour. More importantly they started to feel a little easier, and I continue to gain confidence in the water. On to the lakes...