Post graduation run 3, Stamina, woo hoo!

[ellerunner]

Well I can't quite believe that I've done the stamina podcast, I was really scared of it so decided to try it instead of putting it off and becoming even more scared of it. 35 minutes of running, getting faster and faster, seemed quite impossible BUT I did it this programme never fails to amaze me.

The first 10 minutes was quite a nice jog, twice more it got faster and still felt comfortable. For the first time I felt good after 30 minutes. Then it was the dreaded 5 minutes of super fast, I was struggling with my asthmaticy breathing and thought I wasn't going to make it but suddenly there was Laura telling me I only had 2 minutes left! I'm sure the time passes quicker the faster you go!

Yay! Really enjoying these podcasts, Think I prefer Speed and Stamina to the stepping stone one.

[Legion Graduate]

Hi ellerunner. You almost make me want to try these, having graduated today, but they do seem a bit scary. What do you actually have to do on the stamina podcast? Are there set speeds or how do you increment your speed? This sounds like it might be good for me to do on the treadmill... if I'm brave enough. Also how bad is the music and how much of Laura is there? I tried the strength and flex podcast and it was nearly all Laura and hardly any awful music.

[happierswimming Graduate in reply to Legion]

I was tempted by the stepping stones one because the name sounded as if it might be easier- it's 10 minutes at 150bpm (music with a beat and Laura counting you in for the first few bars) then 15 minutes at 155bpm and then 5 at 160 which is the bit that always defeats me! I found that short steps would enable me to keep to the beat but I wasn't getting very far. I like speed best because it's 60 second intervals of 165bpm and 150 bpm 6 times bracketed by 155bpm for 5 minutes. I like interval. I'm too scared to try stamina which is 158 bpm for 10 minutes, 160 for 20 and 165 for 5. I'm full of admiration, ellerunner!

[sfb350 Graduate in reply to happierswimming]

Gosh, Stamina sounds scary ! Very well done, ellerunner !

[Legion Graduate in reply to happierswimming]

Thanks hs. I guess I'll just have to try them and see, but not before I've done some 'free' post-grad runs.

[ellerunner Graduate in reply to happierswimming]

Thank you, I'm really surprising myself, I have never been able to run before!

[ellerunner Graduate in reply to Legion]

I really like these podcasts, I think the music is much better, its more tunes than annoying repetitive singing so I didn't really notice it. Laura is there much more than in weeks 7 - 9 when I kinda missed her telling me what to do. I find that when Laura chats away the time goes much faster. I did the speed podcast first and really enjoyed that one, its only 16 minutes of running and that to me felt like a bit of a reward after 3 30 minute runs of week 9. When I did it I went off far to fast but soon learned that I would have to shorten my stride if I wanted to keep going!