Training re-boot

So I got a new pair of running shoes, in an attempt to get my sorry arse running again.
This morning I took them out for their first run, and my first of the year.  Yeah, I've been slacking.

This morning's run - run 3/walk 2.  Repeat for 20 mins.

It's nowhere near where I was at last year, but, I've been seriously negligent in the running stakes, and have been relying on cycling and karate for fitness, so, I'm basically back to square one running wise.  But that's good, it means there's plenty of room to improve.

This aftermoon, I'll be off for a swim.  Target, is 30 lengths.

Avoiding getting lardy over winter

The weather lately hasn't been great for using the bike to commute to work.  The rain isn't an issue - someone went and invented waterproofs to deal with that - it's the wind.  Gusts threatening to blow you under a bus, or a headwind where you basically are peddling to stay still, are not much fun, so with one eye on the weather forecasts, the cycling has been reigned in a fair bit.

I've not managed to get out running much either.  My excuse being that when I get up in the morning, Pollok park is pitch black.  Same when I get home from work.  I've now got a wee headtorch that I actually bought as a second light when cycling through the park, but it can double up for running as well.

With the ever looming threat of becoming a couch potato again, I re-joined the gym, which being in my work, is really handy.  Oh, and I get a decent discount for being staff.  So while running on the treadmill isn't my location of choice, it's better than nothing.  The fact I have a locker in the gym and always keep some running gear in it, means I can get in a wee run up at Sighthill Park, or along the canal to Firhill at lunchtimes, if the weather is ok.

I spoke to one of the fitness instructors about getting a programme made up, and he's come up with three different routines, which is perfect, as I'm planning to go in three times a week. The first in muscles, upper and lower body, which is great, as all my exercise is lower, so I need to do some upper body work.
Next is cardio, so I won't loose out over the winter, and have breathing issues etc when I get out to run properly.
Finally something which will help with karate, a core session.

He's also recommended some classes to compliment the above - insanity, circuits, and spin - which I'll have a look at and give a go.  I also think I'll see if there's a yoga class that fits in with the time I'll have available.

Decision made. Let's see if I can stick to it.

So I've decided it's time to get back into running.  For about seven years, I was a member of Bellahouston Road Runners, and loved it.  I went from not being able to run the length of myself, so running the Edinburgh marathon, and regularly running half-marathons and 10k's, with my favourite race being the Brampton to Carlisle 10 miler, which is the oldest 10 mile road race in the country.
Then, I got gout, and couldn't walk much less run.  By the time I was mobile again, it came as a hell of a shock how much my fitness and stamina had dropped.  This in turn led to serious motivational issues, and I stopped running.

Well, it's been about 4 years since I last pulled on a pair of running shoes, but I've been thinking about it lately.  So yesterday, I picked up some running socks to try and motivate me to pull on the trainers and go for a run.  Admittedly, this will happen once I get back from holiday.  So, in about 3 weeks, I'll be coughing up a lung on the side of the paths in Pollok park.  Hopefully this won't take too long to overcome, and I'll be getting the miles under my belt again.