I need the running for my head

As Mum and I were on our return lap running along the lake, I said "I need the running for my head". Eventhough the Monday run's are perhaps the hardest for me to get motivated for (due to a hard day at work), mentally I really need them (due to a hard day at work).
We did the path and road lap in about 22 min and my average heart rate was 163bpm though it felt a lot harder than that. We both felt like it was hard today but we always feel better afterwards.

Wednesday's run with music

I was meant to be doing a paddle with Anton this afternoon, but I got a casual day's work at the last minute. Since it looks like I might be picking up the casual work on Wednesdays, I'll have to come up with a contingency plan for my training schedule. Anyway, I decided to go for a run instead. It was too late to paddle, and a run only takes an hour all up so I could be back in time to help put the boys to bed. So as soon as Mum headed home, I drove to the lake and did the longer (path and road) run and back. I felt great - the fittest I've felt in a long time. I'm really enjoying my running again. I also had the MP3 player on and the music always gives me an extra lift. My music of choice is dance/techno (anything with good bass). I think this comes from my teenage and early 20's Aerobic Instructing days, and working in a gym until I was 28yrs. Anyway, I love it when the bass is pumping and it can really improve my mood. Total time was 25:17 (min:sec), with an average heart rate of 168bpm. Lovin it!

Shuffle, jog, run?

It was the same story this Monday as last. I didn't feel like going out for a run, but somehow when Chris got home I got the motivation and Mum and I headed out to the lake. The cooler change in weather was lovely. I felt good straight away. It just felt much easier. We went to the end of the path and end of the road, and back, so an extra distance of about 1km. It was the first time since early December that I've done that whole distance without walking. I felt really great. So now I think I can call it running instead of shuffling or jogging. Nothing fast mind you, but it feels good enough to call it a run. Total time was 25:30 (min:sec) and average heart rate of 165bpm.

Saturday and Sunday's quiet paddle

This weekend most paddlers I know went down to Canberra to race in the State Marathon Series race 1. This included Anton, my usual chatty paddling partner. I have to say I really do find paddling with someone else much more enjoyable and Anton's friendly chat does make the time go much quicker. But I decided to use the opportunity of paddling on my own to try a few things out.
On Saturday, the first was the MP3 player. I thought I would like listening to music whilst I paddle, as I really enjoy it for my runs. But, I didn't and I couldn't wait until the first lap was over so I could put it back into the car. I also decided to do a solid pace and see what time I could do for the 8km lap. The pace I did was probably the same as about 20km race pace, and I did the 8km in 51:40 (min:sec). Average heart rate was 170bpm. Average speed was 9.29km/hr. I then did another 8km lap comfortably (fairly easy) without the MP3 player and did it in 52:18 with an average heart rate of 162bpm and average speed of 9.18km/hr. Not much difference really. I was pretty happy with these times but know I need to improve a lot more. This is also the furthest I have ever gone in a K1 in one session.
On Sunday, I decided to do a 1.5km time trial. As soon as I started paddling I realised how neurally fatigued I was from yesterday. I was all over the place. I warmed up to the bridge (1.5km) and then turned around and went hard back to the boat ramp (1.5km). By hard I mean about 5km race pace. I did it in 8:07 (min:sec) and was stoked! Average heart rate was 179bpm and average speed was 11.09km/hr. Now we're getting somewhere. I decided to do the rest of the paddle easy and worked on technique. I was very neurally tired and my balance was off, but I was still pleased with the session.
After 2 weeks I have finally got my heart rate monitor back from it's service. And since I haven't used it in 5 years (when the battery died), it was soooo good to be able to use it again. It was certainly great to have such detailed feedback about my sessions and will be really useful in helping me keep track of my progress.

Run with Mum

Today was my first 'real' day back at work after the holidays. I had a 5 period day (full day) and barely time to eat. When I got home I was stuffed, and knew that by the time it was cool enough to go for a run I wouldn't want to go. Well I was wrong. Somehow at 5:30pm I just got off the chair and convinced Mum to go for a run with me. It was still hot but bareable. We did the usual lake path and it felt hard, but we did it in 21:05 and my average heart rate was 171bpm. I guess the huge improvement is due to me being able to run without pushing the pram, but still I was impressed. When we got back home we were both happy that we made the effort.

A Family Jog

Since I was due for a run today and Chris was home, I had 2 options...1) Go for a run on my own (without the boys) or 2) All of us go together. Chris was keen to come along for a jog too, so off we headed with me pushing the pram (with Clayton in it), Connor riding his bike, and Chris jogging along with us. It was so nice to do it together as a family and I think it's something that Chris will keep doing until his first game of Soccer for the season. I wore the heart rate monitor again (thanks Anton) and our total jogging time (not including warm up and cool down) was 21:45 with my average heart rate at 179bpm.

Today's run

I went for a run this morning. Connor wanted to ride his bike again, and I now have no concerns about this affecting my training because I can't even keep up with him now. So he rode the bike whilst I jogged and pushed Clayton in the pram. I was originally going to have a 1 minute break at the turn around point, but felt good and decided to do it all in one go. It's the first time I've done that in over a month. Anton has kindly lent me his heart-rate monitor until I get mine back from the service centre, and I used it during the run. My total time jogging (not including a 5 min warm up and cool down) was 22min, and average heart rate was 173bpm. I got it up to 187bpm at one point, which is not unusual for me. For some reason I can get my heart rate up a lot higher than I am 'supposed to' be able to. All in all a good run.