I got my gait analysis today

** This is copied from my post on runnersforum.co.uk so sorry if it's a repeat! **

Yay so excited!

I went to InterSport today and the helpful lady analysed me on the treadmill and I was shocked at how much my ankles go inwards. I totally over pronate. I knew this would be the case but not so seriously. Running shoes cost mega bucks! I got some Mizuno ones that were £85 My other half was not impressed! I was so worried about injury though. I couldn't believe the difference they made to my ankles and legs while running in them it was so interesting to see.

Of course, I could have brought them elsewhere but this place charged a £10 fee for being analysed without purchasing so I thought I'd go for it. Luckily Mum was around with her credit card, so I need to pay her back over the following weeks.

I love them though, they're not the prettiest creating but they'll do a great job I know. Now to get some proper socks next...I used the shop ones to try trainers on and couldn't believe how airy they were. Much better than my standard old trainer socks!

Probably testing them on Sunday.







EDITED: Uh-oh I have new trainer syndrome.  I want to get out there and test them tomorrow but must resist...must resist...

Week 4 FINISHED!

Oh I am so pleased with how today went. :)

I woke at 5:50 reluctant to get out of bed but forced myself and subsequently thought it may not be the best day for my run!  However, before I went out I had half a banana and think it made a big difference.

So, RunKeeper loaded, iPod loaded and GetRunning loaded, I started walking telling myself I can do it! I was keen when the first 3 minute run started and managed that really well I was happy with it. :)  I didn't go as slow as I had before but kept it pretty relaxed as I knew the hard work really came later!

The first 5 minute run was great!  Of course it was hard work as usual, but I felt good and actually felt that I could run some more after it ended.  Since the beginning I've struggled with my breathing.  I've always had a problem with the 'jerky breathing' that comes from the impact.  I've always tried to run breathing in my nose and out my mouth which is the way I was taught many years ago.  This is the main cause of my difficulties.  I simply breathed in and out of my mouth today and focused on the oxygen making my muscles work and it was a million times easier.  In the past, I haven't been easily able to do this as I've got a sore throat/chest but it was fine today.  That's what I'm going to do from now on, I felt I was getting enough oxygen for a change!  Result!

My route follows very old paths/roads through the fields, they're not maintained so the concrete is all broken and uneven.  I think this makes my legs work harder to cope with the uneven ground (it is all up and down and dodging to avoid pot holes etc!) BUT I'm pleased that it's a difficult route, it must be better in the long run.  That's what I keep telling myself anyway!

Anyway, the last 5 minute run was downhill a little and as usual was much easier.  I felt great and although I did have slightly tired legs and was a little out of breath it wasn't anything major.  I usually struggle to open my backdoor as I'm so desperate to get inside and stretch but today I had to remind myself to stretch!  Normally I need to to make my legs feel a better!  I ate the rest of the banana when I got in too :)  I don't normally like banana that much, but I'm starting to do things just because they're good for me!

This new success could be a mix of things; dinner last night consisted of lots of pasta, I had a bit of breakfast before I ran, I worked out my breathing.

I also got into such a great consistent stride that it felt right.

So all in all - happy!

Now next week may be a different story, the dreaded week 5.  Think I'll try to get the first run in on Sunday instead of having a 2 day rest.  We'll see!

Week 4 Run 2

Today I ran my second week 4 run.  As before this contained two 5 minute runs and two 3 minute runs. 

I almost didn't make it.  I overslept by half an hour and was a bit unsure about going out as my daughter has been waking earlier lately but I took a chance and left her and my fiance sleeping as I crept out of the door!

SO glad I did.  It was a gorgeous sunny morning.  I did the 5 minute warm up but did it slower, I don't know what it is lately with my calves but they're really struggling with this uphill part of the route.  It's odd as it's been a regular walking route for years anyway and I've never had this problem.

The first 3 minute run went ok my legs felt tight but I had just got out of bed so that's to be expected!  The 5 minute run actually went better than Monday, no pressure headaches.  My legs were aching though.  After this run, I paused the app for a few seconds and stretched my calves before continuing with the walk that proceeded.

The second and last 5 minute run was a pleasant surprise.  It wasn't easy AT ALL, but was a lot better than Monday's.  It helped that it was downhill a little, and that I passed a dog walker who was heading in my direction so I knew he'd be able to see me and that spured me on! 

It was hard, but I'm pleased that it felt a bit easier than Monday.  I'm not sure if I'll manage week 5 yet, I may just have to repeat this week because I'm running at such a stupidly slow pace (at least on my first runs today, where there was no-body about.

Can't wait till they've harvested round here, that's going to make it so much easier, less irritation via heyfever!

So that's that.  I can't write properly as I keep getting my attention taken by the little one lol!

I don't ache yippee!

That's given me a bit of confidence for the rest of the week.  I thought I was really going to suffer after yesterdays struggles with the 5 minute runs.  Looking forward to doing a better job tomorrow!

Week 4 Run 1

I am SO going to ache tomorrow.

That was really tough.  It's a nice cool(ish) day with a breeze so that wasn't the problem.  I really did struggle.  I'll break it down.

• 5 min warm up - calves already starting to ache and feel tight on my usual uphill warm up
• 3 min run - kept experimenting with different running forms so it wasn't great.  Tried to go heel to toe and 'spring' forward but it's not natural for me so that didn't work!  Felt easier on the legs, but too much concentration to keep it up.  Out of breath by the end.
• 1 1/2 min walk - managed to recover quite quickly which I was pleased about.  Was ok by halfway through the walk
• 5 min run - started off not too bad, by 2 mins I was already suffering with breathing and my legs were giving up but I managed to finish this run.  I did worry halfway through a bit, every time I took a breath I got a short pressure headache.  Only on my in breaths.  Not sure what that was about, not enough oxygen?
• 2 1/2 min walk - nice recovery despite my difficult run.  Had to stop a little to stretch, my calves were hurting.
• 3 min run - I couldn't complete this.  I did about 1 minute but my legs wouldn't let me do it.  I stopped, stretched, then walked until the next run. Was disappointed.
• 5 min run - was determined to do this!  Managed to run slowly for the first half of the run and somehow sped up a but for the second half but I did start to get the pressure head again.  Maybe dehydration?  I tried to think about what to do for dinner, that took my mind of the run for 30 seconds!  Was VERY happy to stop running when I was told to.  

All in all, I am pleased I managed the 5 minute runs though they were uncomfortable for me.  Disappointed I had to interrupt the programme for the first time so far.
Happy to try again on Wednesday.

I may have to repeat week 3 but I don't want to go backwards so will try not to.

So,

that's that!

:)

Week 4 starts today - argh!

Nervous!  I have to run 5 minutes continuously today and looking back at my diet over this weekend I am right to be nervous!  Will update later...

Ps. I've heard that trainers call this the 'drop out week', great!

Edit to add my shiny new week 4 run 1 setlist!!!  Will see how it goes.

Week Three FINISHED!! :)

Another week done.

Actually I'm having thoughts that I should repeat week three but I'll see how it goes on Monday first. 

Today the weather was cloudy and it had been raining a lot overnight so it was a lot cooler which made it much more comfortable.  I fancied another route so instead of my usual, I went along the main road to a turning that took me towards the village church, which I had thought was quite a long way.  However, halfway there and I regretted it!  The road/lane to the church has some major steep downhills which meant only one thing and I didn't want to face that on my return!  So I turned around after the first downhill and made my way back aware that the times would be out.  I took a swift turning into a field marked public footpath and walked along that for a while before turning back just past the halfway announcement.

This is the first time I've ran along a proper road!  The final 3 minute run saw me running partly along the lane but mainly on the pavement of a sometimes very busy main road that links villages and nearby towns.  At 6:20 it wasn't too busy but there were some cars!  Oddly enough, on that run I was faster, had a much better pace and was completely spurred on by the cars and me knowing I didn't want to look like an idiot! That's the only part of road I can run on here, the pavement stops for about another 2 miles.

I'm not sure whether it was because I had warmed up by the last run or whether it really was the cars helping me along but it was such an easier run.  Very happy with that.

Still unsure about whether I should re-do week three.  The first 3 minute run was hard going, and that's three minutes for God's sake...THREE MINUTES!  That should be so easy, no?  So I'm undecided I'll see how week four goes and see from there!

Now, I'm only just fresh from the shower so gotta go get ready for the day ahead.

V