Huhhhhh. Ahhhhhh. Huhhhhh. Ahhhhhh. Oooohhhhhhh.
Yes. I've just come in from W2R2 60 seconds ago, am on my 3rd pint (water, sadly), and looking forward to a nice shower as soon as this post is posted.
I have come to enjoy Laura's voice. Today she taught me how to breathe. Suddenly I remembered a drill sergeant's characterisation of my natural breathing when running, nearly 30 years ago. Hyperventilation. I also remembered his explanations about why this was bad and seriously obstructed the flow of oxygen to the lungs, hence making the run even harder. Oh yes. He explained, but it was Laura who made me follow the advice. Although, I think she either takes loads of very small steps, or else has enormous lungs. The advice of 4 steps for each breath seems impossible for me. 2. Maybe nearly 3 at a push. But still, it's loads better than the 4 breaths per step that was the norm up until now. Sgt Jensen would have been proud of me!
So I made it through the 6 x 90 seconds, and there was even one of the runs that I actually enjoyed. A brief moment where it felt effortless and pleasant. Quickly followed by the normal heavy legs and lungs that felt like exploding. Particularly as I tried to not hyperventilate.
But the final bit? After all the huffing and puffing, after the final 90 seconds, after the "yes, I've DONE it!", she tells me to walk BRISKLY to cool down? Briskly? Sure, it was more brisk than snail trying to keep up with me. Just. But I'm afraid it wasn't very brisk, and certainly shorter than the 5 minutes brisk walk I had started with 20 minutes earlier.
But all in all, a good workout, and I'm beginning to believe in my ability to carry on with this!