So I tried the Stamina podcast again this morning after a disastrous first attempt two days ago.
I had been all set to go on Wednesday. All dressed up at 7am in the rather strange-feeling running gear, putting on my trainers, when 'ping' an email arrives. Then 'ping', 'ping'. It's a busy time at work so I sat down to answer them. 8 hours later I stood up, feeling less than refreshed after only a cup of tea and two espressos, and thought I've got to get outside. Not the greatest start for a run. Nor did I realise until I stepped outside that it was now 26C and HOT. Hmm.
The walk was fine of course, pleasant even. And then I set off on the run. I noticed the Garmin beeping 'Ahead of pace' regularly but it felt OK, and with so many people around in the afternoon I didn't want to appear to be shuffling along. Ran alongside the beach which looked nice and was populated with lots of people wearing nothing discernible. Then at 3kms I had a small incline to negotiate and hit the infamous wall. I couldn't do it - my legs had gone, my mouth was dry, I was a mess. Walked, ran, walked back, had a drink and looked at the stats. Simple - I had been running faster than normal (under 5.30mins/km), propelled along by the impatience in my head and too fast to complete the time and distance given my fitness.
So today I was determined to control things more. It helped that I could get out early and the weather was a lot cooler. I set off deliberately slowly and concentrated on the beat. Like others I found it a bit hard to keep the beat when Laura was talking, as her cadence is different, but generally it was all good. It stops you thinking about time and distance and more about your running. And this time I felt fine at 3k and just carried on going. I'm not sure that I felt the final 5 minutes at the fastest beat was as 'invigorating' as Laura enthused, as by then my stamina was indeed being called into question, but I moved my feet more quickly even if my pace was no faster...
And taking it on for an additional five minutes of running was good for me. I didn't feel as exhausted at the end as I had been with some of the runs in the programme, so things are definitely improving and the regular running is definitely building fitness and stamina at a noticeable rate.
My plan is to repeat these podcasts at least once more then, once they feel comfortable, to move on to the B210k set. All going well so far. 
However, it is sensible to mix tempos. Before attempting B210 I even downloaded some Audiofuel stuff. A change is as good as a rest? 
Post graduation run 3, Stamina, woo hoo!
Stamina & Speed
1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4 Stamina Podcast
Stamina - run 2
Stamina - Oh so hard!
