W1R1 Again, but "faster" this time.

[Diamondwitch]

I've decided that the Speed podcast isn't for me. I've tried it a couple of times and it really is either too easy or I'm doing something wrong. I think my main problem is the slow bits are far too slow. Ha, or so I thought to myself. Before I just went out and did W1R1 "running" the jog bits and jogging the walk bits. OMG!

I set out with Laura in my ear. Someone else had blogged about hearing the music and thinking back to the trepidation and excitement of beginning the programme and I had the same feeling. It was great hearing it, but knowing that a couple or 3 months later I'm now a graduate. I was almost bouncing down the road on my warm up walk. I decided to go back to the field where it all started as it seemed the appropriate thing to do as this was going to be a "proper training" run, not a nice little run round the countryside. And so it was time.

Laura says off you go, and off I went. Like the clappers. Oh boy. The 1st bit of the field is up an incline (hill would be an exaggeration) and I fair sprinted up it. As I got to the top, it was time to slow down to a jog. Hmm. Ok. Was a bit shocked at how tired i felt. It was only a minute! So I jogged for 90 secs, then ran the next 60. Note no more use of the word sprinted. Well, on it went. By run 6, for the first time ever I slowed to a walk. Ok, only for a few steps, but blimey, I was shattered! By the end I walked the warm down walk home with my tail between my legs. Proper runner my &*%$.

It takes me about 38/40 mins to do 5k and I really want to get it down to 30 mins. This speed training malarkey will have to just be once a week I think cos I feel quite flat and defeated right now. I'm looking forward to a longer run next time to get my confidence back. Oh well, onwards and upwards.

[Mitts Graduate]

I did something similar this morning (due to downloading problems) - used my own music, and I split my almost 1km circuit of the woods into 3 shorter fast sections and 3 sections where I just jogged. It was good because I could go at my own pace and I really enjoyed it, and got more rounds into the 30 mins I was out for. Up till today I'd had about 35-40 mins for 5k, today I did 4.9K in 30 minutes (and if I'd realized I'd have gone for the other 0.1K but unfortunately I didn't know at the time.)

I'm going to have a go with the W1 podcast too, and I'll definitely be repeating this morning's run as well.

I don't think you need to be too despondent - sounds like you had a good workout! (Note to self - start slowly when doing this)

[Anniemurph Graduate]

Ha - this is very selfish, but I'm glad it's not just me! I failed twice at this before I finally cracked it, and it was bloody hard work! I hadn't realised just how tiring it was going to be, and mine is all on the flat. Like you, my first 'sprint' was quite fast, but the others were a lot slower, and the last one wasn't much different at all from my jog.

Keep going, though. I agree, it was great to hear the first week's music again and to recapture that excitement of starting. You're faster than me anyway because I think it takes me around 45 minutes to do 5k, but don't worry, we can do this and we will get faster!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

If you did all 6 x 1 minutes sprints/fast runs on the first attempt you did darn well, its really not easy this HIIT it takes a while for your body to get used to the faster pace, also your lungs need time to adjust, they have to work much harder as does your heart. I know this by my Garmin HRM. The first time I recorded HIIT my heart rate was up to 184bpm which believe me I knew I had worked hard. So don't feel dejected, feel very proud of yourself. Its all good training towards getting a faster time. But I would add too, if anyone is trying it and can't manage all 6 don't be dejected because your stamina will soon improve and so will your strength. Good luck with your training schedule.

[tantrumbean Graduate]

When I did it for the first time, I had a minute walk break after the first 4, then did the next 4. The next time, I managed to get through all 8, although the pace was definitely going down rapidly by the end. The 3rd attempt added a 5 minute cool down jog at the end and next time, I'm going to try and add a warm up jog as well, which will bring it to the full 30 minutes. It's hard work, but I have to say I quite enjoy it - the speed variations make the time go a lot faster!