The main focus has been strengthening my core, in a bid to stabilise my running and sort out the alignment. So that means literally, sucking it (the abs) up. I have never felt my abs work like they do when I'm working this program. Hopefully by the end of this I should have a wash board stomach.
The running itself is knackering, mentally as well a physically. The combination of core work, and trying to remember to pull in the tail bone, keep the back soft, remembering to lift and pull (hamstrings and glutes) rather than push (calves) AND lean forward from the ankles to aid momentum, my brain is having a hard time keeping up with my feet. That's only doing two minute intervals (running) and three minutes walking. Exhausting and I have to keep reminding myself to breathe.
Most of the time all I can hear in my head is my coach shouting ARMS and ABS! Repeatedly. Arms must not swing across my body. Ever. Abs need to be in pain. Constantly.
Once a week I get filmed running on the treadmill (*cringe* but a great motivation to pull in the abs!) so my running coach and me can check out what's going right and what's still going wrong. Everything from my left hip collapsing half way through the cycle and the weird flick I do with my right foot. But its also great for seeing how far I have come, with four weeks still to go.
The great news is that I am already faster. Like much faster. I can't quite believe it was as simple as bring the feet in line with my centre of gravity, upping the cadence and leaning forward. Just a tad. Well, let's be honest, I'm running faster in two minute spurts. Not sure I could keep up the pace for 13.1 miles. But we'll see.
Here's me after 20 minutes (that reflection is actual sweat + smudged mascara for proper authenticity). I usually looked like this after 2 hours. So that's efficiency for you!
Here's hoping for a 5km for Christmas.
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| Hair a complete state and V sweaty. Not well documented here! |
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