Another milestone achieved

This week I finally achieved one of my goals. I managed to run 5km non stop! Took me 35 minutes, which I know it is slow, but it was all run and no walk.

I finally cracked it. Finally realised that if I just run at a pace where my heart is comfortable with, I can keep going for miles. Distance is more important at the moment that speed.

You know what is even more astonishing... I actually look forward to running now... Even I surprise myself when I say this.

And just in case it was all just a fluke, I did it again today. I ran 5.37km, a lot slower but did it non-stop. The speed was more due to attending a WOD the day before, muscles were hurting already.

So now I can say I CAN run and look forward it.

This lady is achieving her goals one by one!

When running becomes achievable

This week I have finally achieved something wonderful with my running!

After spending many weeks running the same 3.1km circuit and stopping loads to catch my breath, after trying to run faster and trying to stop as little as possible. At last something dawned on me...

My muscles do not hurt when I run and not even after I run. I have CrossFit to thank for that. Maybe bottom of my feet slightly tense but nothing to cry about. So I obviously can last the run. However, everytime I run, I feel that my heart is about to pop out of my mouth.

My family suffers from high blood pressure and even my dad has suffered a heart attack at a young age. So controlling my heart beat and getting a better cardiovascular system is important for me. One of the many reasons I exercise. Perhaps this is why I struggle so much with the running?

On Friday, after a not so nice week at work I got up early and went for a run. Have not been able to attend CrossFit this week and I miss it. I decided to slow down... Right down to a comfortable pace. In fact, it was (according to the app) 7.39min/km. And I did it! I ran the whole of the 3.1km... No stopping and no walking... Little legs running all the way! In fact, I felt I could have kept going but lack of time to get ready for work prevented that.

At long last... I CAN run... All the way :)

Weight... gaining and loosing

It is quite disheartening when you find yourself doing an awful lot of exercise and seeing the scales going up... but equally puzzling when you strip naked in front of the mirror and actually see that you look better. Clothes still fit... so the shape is OK...

But don't panic!! (I said to myself...) Google the problem...

I did find some interesting articles, and I usually treat most things on the internet with a huge pinch of salt. However, in this case, I might just take what they say as true, as it satisfies the inner me who is panicking over scales.

This article Why Am I Gaining Weight On a Diet and Exercise Program?, explains rather easily that most of the weight I have gained is water. CrossFit is quite high in intensity and it is also a lot of weight training. Therefore that explains it. I know I have an awful lot more muscle.

But if you are still in doubt, here is another article. Working out but gaining weight

However, this article is better at explaining everything and I believe slightly more thorough. Weight loss vs fat loss. I am now going to get the Body Fat Clippers and have worked out that for me 2340 calories a day is maintenance. My aim is to reduce that by 10%, keep eating well.

So there... a little research I had to do for my own benefit if nothing else...

and I am one step closer to throwing the scales away...

And the running starts...

Last week our Box (CrossFit gym) started a challenge, 40km running in 40 days. In a way to get us running more...

So far I have done 9.9km since the 1st May, not bad.

For the next two weeks I am unable to attend my Box... so shall be running for the next two weeks...

Oh, did I mention? I hate running... but I am going to get better at it. At the moment I stop a couple of times and walk for 100m or so... I want to be able to run 5km non-stop!

The aim has been set...

A week of Personal bests (1RMs)

This week we have been doing a few 1RMs at my box. In other words, your personal best.

RM stands for Repetition maximum. Your 1RM is your maximum lift for one rep.

We have been doing a strengthening programme for a few weeks and this week we got tested.

I am very chuffed, I have achieved a lot of personal bests.

Starting with the Deadlift.... my 1RM is 90kg

Next, the Back Squat... 85kg

Push Press... 47.5kg

And then the Front Squat... 65kg

Very pleased with the results as they have increased from the last time we did RMs!!

I can now celebrate this weekend...