W4R3 completed... half way through..

[Blistersnbliss]

I Completed my W4R3 today and I want to share a few things about myself before I comment upon my run this morning. After today’s run I am really beginning to feel like a runner , runners that I used to watch as they ran past me whilst I walk in a park like a really old man (no disrespect at all) even when I was aged 20s and 30s. Now picking up running at the age of 43 hasn’t been easy but it hasn’t been nigh impossible either. As I am off a slight disposition (168 cm, 63 kg) and fairly active (not gym going type active but active as in walks, doing things out and about sense of active) I never underscored the importance of exercise in my life. However, to make the matter worse, the last 5 years I also picked up drinking and smoking. Finally, it dawned on me that I cannot carry on like this and I have a duty towards my 12 years old daughter and I don’t wish to become a father who is a burden on his child in future. I have almost given up smoking about a year ago but was still smoking every now and then (when opportunity presented). Beginning of August, I decided to follow my very own " road to recovery" where I have not touched a single drop of alcohol (not gone to the pub or bought any for home), no cigarettes and most importantly I have started to look after my diet. I know a lot of the people in this programme are after weight loss but I for once on a weight gain programme and if anyone else is looking to gain weight (not fat gain) then I will be happy to share my diet plan as when I started the programme on August 1 I weighted 62 kg and on 31st August I weighted 64.5 kgs! I am aiming for > 70 kg and I can assure people that it’s very difficult for ectomorphs to gain weight and I am so pleased with my progress in the last month. I want to thank everyone who have taken their precious time out to read what I have written in my post thus far,

now about today's run:

As I mentioned in my previous post that for my w4r2 I just continued running even during the walking phase and completed a straight 20-minute run. Today I tweaked the program a little. After the initial 5-minute walk I paused the program and ran for 17 minutes straight as I unfortunately encountered a massive steep path (going towards Blackheath park from Lewisham) which despite my best intention didn’t allow to get the satisfaction of 20-minute straight run but I was not too disappointed as I knew I would have completed 20 mins had I not faced the insurmountable hill. After this run, I carried on walking and recovering and I once I felt I had recovered to a reasonable level I then moved onto following the programme and I followed all the run and walk steps as instructed. I have also downloaded STRAVA to keep a record of my runs and to " show off " to others!

Will keep you posted with more run that await this month. Happy September to all but especially to those who have children and who will have to factor in the usual morning school runs from now on.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

You’re doing greater than great... just be careful... those running muscles need time to develop. If you have to run long (fair play, I always want to) try and limit it to once in a week. We don’t want you injured out of this and staring again.

Congratulations on being smoke free, I would say it’s easy I’ve done it hundreds of times, but I also quit altogether about the same time that you did. Stay strong with those smokes, you don’t need them.

Great job with the alcohol... I do like a tipple every now and then, but my hat is off to anyone who can just not have one.

As a former loser of a lot of weight, I struggled like hell to get into healthy BMI... it’s not easy. It’s the same with weight gain, you need to do it slow and steady to then be able to maintain it... looks like you’re doing it perfectly to me.

My 12 year old is also my driving force... have you dragged her out for a run yet? Mine started with me and is now two weeks ahead due to my injuries... but we now lap in about the same time.

Great job so far... keep on going. My school run starts again on Wednesday, but the car isn’t coming... we are walking and then I’m running home, or about town until I’m done.

[Blistersnbliss Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you so much... yes I agree, we don't need cigarettes. About alcohol, I downloaded an app by Health England called " DRINK AWARE" and started recording my consumption honestly and I was shocked to see money spent and units consumed. Do give it a go. Ironically the success of that app is that I have not used it for a month!

all the best..

[Grandai]

What a turnaround in your lifestyle - great decisions and Good Luck even though I am sure you will make your own luck ! Keep posting. G

[Blistersnbliss Graduate in reply to Grandai]

Thank u so much for the kind words and encouragement.