What does it mean?! Before I get lynched, I appreciate that these numbers may mean bugger all, but I like to review my performances at work, and it seems I'm the same with exercise. I am going for 1 rest day between runs, with an extra one at the end of the week:
R1 - I went off too fast, meaning my heart rate was too high pretty much all the time, no wonder it was so difficult, I couldn't get my breathing right, and it felt like my legs would give way any moment.
R2 - After reading posts on here, and watching the Japanese Running thing, I slowed it down, this shows by my heart rate, and my average pace. It was easier, and I felt more in control.
R3 - I felt so strong; I couldnt believe the difference between Thursday and today, thats only 4 days! Blown away! Granted I am thinking about fuel, hydration etc in preparation, but in R1 & R2 I was completing the runs, but know my brisk walking pace could have been better. I think the numbers above prove that today I managed to get the walks a little faster, I certainly didn't run any quicker!
I actually feel ready for W2, I want to go on Wednesday, but I'm going to allow myself the extra day to repair*; I will go for a long walk and look into doing more of the exercises recommended on here instead.
See you at the finish line!
*it has absolutely nothing to do with the chinese we have planned for Saturday evening; meaning my following run will be Saturday morning to earn a little more Chow Mein!
Written by
Sedge
Graduate
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Are you measuring your heart rate with a Fitbit? If so, you're probably right, I'm afraid - they mean bugger all. Wrist based heart monitors are notoriously unreliable, and Fitbit is probably the worst.
Learn to listen to your body. If you're gasping for breath, as red as a tomato and sweating buckets, you're going too fast. If you're out of breath but feel you could recover within a few minutes, your challenging yourself. If you can speak in short sentences (or could, if there was anyone to talk to), your at your perfect pace to improve your cardiovascular system.
Heart rate monitors are not that accurate and should not be trusted, they are great however for showing improvement over time, one week isn't really enough resolution to provide any meaningful data. I use a Garmin Watch which outputs to Strava, both provide as many stats as anyone could wish for but the real joy comes at looking at them over a longer period. I graduated in January and can see week on week improvement in almost any metric you would like to see. Just be consistent and you will see the results soon enough. I was 19.5 stone when I started and also 6'2" I'm just over 17 stone now but much fitter and my measurements have changed more dramatically than my weight, you might find your weight actually goes up initially so its a great idea to take all of your measurements and update them every couple of weeks.
Well done for starting the program, the benefits are absolutely life changing and well worth the effort
Thanks Rigpig, I agree with everything you say, I just love to look at numbers though. Thankfully my weight has dropped this week by three pounds, but I fully expected it not to, and would have been comfortable with static or small increases... I believe it has something to do with water and repairing tissue...
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My C25K Story 
W1 R2 Completed
