After running 17 races last year as a complete beginner, I am now training for my first Half Marathon on the 13th May 2018.
Once at a dinner party my husband made the bold statement that “The default setting of a human being is laziness”. There was an awkward silence at the table as people assessed whether they fell into that category and I remember thinking husbands can be quite embarrassing! But I think he was onto something especially when you look at fitness. It takes a lot to put those trainers on. I battle on the drive home, thinking of all the excuses I can come up with NOT to do my run or gym. If I rush into the house and get changed before I have perfected my excuse then my workout will get done. But if I give my mind enough time, I WILL eventually find an excuse I can live with. On Monday and Tuesday, laziness won. That word “laziness” seems so harsh… maybe “inertia” is better? Although I had a lot of things on my mind, I could have done both workouts. In the end, I got through most of my workouts – it just felt like I had to fight myself each day to get there!
Monday, 5th March: Unplanned Rest Day
Tuesday, 6th March: Unplanned Rest Day
Wednesday, 7th March: Easy Run, 40:04 min, 5 km. After two lazy days, I was determined to get my run done. It started raining on the drive home so I was a bit annoyed that my run would have to be on the treadmill. But once I had warmed up, the rain had stopped and I managed to run outdoors. 81% humidity is no joke! I was sweating like crazy and it was a tough run to get through. But I did it and was so relieved to get back home!
Thursday, 8th March: Gym, Pilates, 1hr. That lazy feeling hit again and I told my kids, “I don’t feel like going to pilates” but my daughter Kaia simply said “Then you won’t get strong”. Smart girl. That did it for me and we all hopped into the car – I dropped the kids at the gym’s play centre and made my way to pilates where I lay on my mat and started breathing as the class was settling down. Our instructor Oliver focused on legs and it felt AMAZING. I listened to everything that was being said and just really got into the zone, executing each move as best as I could. Chin to chest. Engage your abdominals. Relax your shoulders. Head up. Hold for 10…9…8… pulse pulse pulse. I left feeling really good.
Friday, 9th March: Treadmill, Fartlek Run 34:45 min, 5 km. Sadly, with no one to watch the kids this ended up being on the treadmill again. The first 2 km was an Easy pace; the next 1 km was a Fartlek. It felt weird to do on the treadmill but I just sprinted as fast as I could for about 200m and then recovered for another 200m, before doing it again until the 1 km was up. Not as fun as outdoors but still fun nonetheless. The last 2 km was supposed to be an Easy pace but I was running late for something so I Tempo paced it!
Saturday, 10th March: Rest Day. Yay!
Sunday, 11th March: Long Run, 1:09:36, 10 km. I had planned a really nice route but on Sunday morning I woke up to the sound of rain. With a deep sigh, I hopped on the treadmill. I knew if I delayed until later on in the day, the run would just not get done. But what a boring run! I tried to listen to some music but even then I kept looking at my watch wondering when on earth I’d be done! What I discovered though is doing a Long Run on the treadmill really helps with the mental side of running. I started thinking of different ways to get through each km, estimating where I would have been had I been outdoors. I focused on my form, making sure I was upright and not slouching, squeezing in my glutes. My knee felt sore towards the end but otherwise it was an okay run.
Mileage this week: 20 km
Mileage this training cycle: 122.72 km
Gym Classes this week: 1
Grade: B– (I took a while to start my week but in the end I managed all my runs if not all my gym classes and strengthening exercises)
To keep myself accountable I am linking up the inspirational Holly from HoHo Runs and fabulous Wendy from Taking the Long Way Home
The Gaborone Runner 
I must say I am envious of your run photos in warm weather–can’t wait till it gets back to that here! I’ve been on the treadmill all winter–I just finally gave up on battling the cold. I actually like doing intervals inside though so it’s worked out ok. Hope you have a good week!
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Well done for keeping it going through the winter months even if it means on the treadmill. I find hopping on a treadmill takes so much more motivation than just going outside for a run. Hope you have a great week too, and hang in there, your spring is just around the corner!! 😉
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Thank you, I know you’re right, just a few more weeks of cold I think!
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You did great this week! I love your selfies, lol! You are too cute.
I agree with what your husband says. It would be so much easier just to stay in bed in the morning…or would it?
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Haha! Thanks for the compliment Wendy – slowly getting the hang of holding the phone at the right angle, LOL!
When I was less active, it was so much easier for me to stay in bed or to watch the crime channel (my guilty pleasure!) with not a care in the world…. But I have found though that the more active I have become the harder it is to stay in bed in the morning when I know I have to do something.
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Ugh. treadmill runs are so tough! I need to follow your example and focus on the current km/mile and not obsess over how many remain afterwards. Maybe my mental training is my problem LOL…I’m just quite happy to avoid the treadmill than face it head-on 😉
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It is so hard!! I don’t mind the short runs on the treadmill so much. But longer runs are just a nightmare. My mental game is very low so maybe I need to deliberately schedule in long treadmill runs just to work on that!
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Great job getting back to being in motion this week! Once you get in to a solid routine it’s much easier! But I totally understand how one lazy day leads to another!
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You are right, it is easier when there is a routine! In the past, one lazy day would easily turn in to 2 – 3 lazy WEEKS, but now I’m back after a couple of days which is nice.
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I actually like to run in the rain when it’s really hot out. Takes the edge off of the humidity and keeps me cooler
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I should take a leaf out of your book! At the moment, just one drop of rain has me running inside!
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Oh man, all that sunshine and warm weather! Lucky you!
Great week of training….as an injured runner right now, I am the opposite of your husband’s quote..I so wish I could be active/running right now. I’m trying to do what little activity I can, but I am jealous of all your running this week!
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I have been following all your updates after your accident and I have to say you are definitely the opposite of my husband’s quote. I have so admired how you have just made all efforts to do whatever fitness activity you can. Such an inspiration especially when I am looking for some silly excuse not to run. Not many (including myself) would have kept it going as you have.
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Wow! I kind of feel like your husband was spot on with that comment. It definitely made me think!
Great job on your training this week!
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It does make one think. And I don’t like to think of myself as lazy at all, but there are so many days where I ask myself, “Okay, but what stopped you from doing A-B-C?” And a lot of the time I do come up with legitimate excuses, but I know deep down – Yeah, but you could have done it.
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Your daughter is a very smart little lady. She’s learned from you in the past and just gave it the wisdom right back! What a great motivator. I admire you for getting your training done on the TM. And, I like your tips for getting through those TM miles. Thanks for linking!
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I loved hearing her say it because that’s my response to her when she doesn’t want to go for her tennis lessons. I needed to hear it at that exact moment. So looks like I have a 5 year old accountability partner!
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Great job getting those treadmill runs done! Definitely good mental toughness training!
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Thanks Michelle! That 70 min was the longest 70 mins ever!! I need to keep working on my mental toughness.
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I agree, I think some days are much easier to get out and get my workouts in. Especially on days when it is not so nice. The nicer it is the more I feel motivated to go outside for a run, rather then being stuck inside on the treadmill or doing a workout video.
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Oh definitely! I also find when I have planned to run with someone I am a lot more motivated. When it’s just me, the battle is a lot harder!
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I like inertia better, but that also means a body in motion stays in motion — like you pushed through on your long treadmill run. I love your daughter’s words of wisdom.
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She’s a wise little 5 year old! She really got me out the door on that day.
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Your daughter has a great mind set. Great job getting your workouts in. It is easy to be lazy, especially after long days at work.
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Thank you Lesley – it is easier, but now that I am generally more active, I find that the lazy days always come with a big dose of guilt! The former me was quite content to enjoy my laziness!
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Way to get your long run done on the treadmill–that takes some strong mental toughness! Also, I’m probably in the minority here but I love the heat/humidity and am totally jealous of your sweaty, tank top runs 🙂 Excited to follow along your training to your first half-you’re going to do great!
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Hahaha! I used to complain a lot about the heat but after reading so many blogs from the Northern Hemisphere these last few months – with all the snow, blizzards, sleet, wind etc., I must say I’m a bit more grateful for my sunny days 😂 Thanks for following and thanks for your encouragement! I love all the support I’m getting from the blogging community. It really has helped to get me to this point.
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Your kids are so cute! And that was smart advice from your daughter on Thursday 🙂
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They are quite cute when they are not driving me crazy 😂 Thank you Chaitali.
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Well done! I like “inertia” better than “laziness”, lol! It’s okay to have a couple of rest days sometimes and you clearly made up for it during the rest of the week!
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I agree! Inertia sounds a whole lot better – laziness has such a dirty taste to it, LOL! I think the good thing is I bounce back a lot quicker than I used to after lazy days.
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I like the idea of inertia more than laziness – that reframe helps me not beat myself up over it.
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Agreed! And once you start beating yourself up it becomes even harder to get back into action.
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Oh my I can so relate to allowing myself to ‘find excuses’ to not get a workout in …Heck, I’ve been doing that for the past month and a half! You’re doing great with your training and I have no doubt you’ll crush your first half marathon!!
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The more time that passes, the harder it becomes harder to get back into things. But like you just said on your blog, sometimes you just need that break, that time out. And that also serves its own purpose and is important. I will probably be doing that after I get this Half Marathon out of the way!! 😉
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I also find that the workouts that I really didn’t want to do end up being the ones making me feel like a million bucks.
LOVE your blog banner pic, by the way – looking so fit and strong!
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great job!
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