Fit Test: Wed 10th Dec 2003

I did my second 'Fit Test' with my HRM, no improvement (yet): -

• OwnINDEX = 36
• HRmax-p = 188

Report: Wed 10th Dec 2003

Easy run this time, I ran for 25 miutes which is around 2.5 miles at my pace. It was bloody freezing so I'll be investing in a beanie for next time.

• Exe.Time = 25:00.0
• HRmax = 164
• HRavg = 146
• KCal = 130

I want one of those!

I'm pretty pleased with my HRM but one of the main things I need to improve this time around is my pacing and the HRM I own has no way of monitoring that. Well, here is one that does - I guess I should have done a bit more research.

I've always run 10 to 11 minutes miles over distance so I guess the only way to improve is to run the same route over and over again?

Cool Running

Another good site with a good training section.

Tut tut tut

I really should have gone for a run last night but I worked quite late and made the mistake of lying down when I got back to the hotel, it would have taken a great deal of money to get me out of the door. I'll have to put more effort in for the rest of the week ....

Runners World Marathoning

The Runners World (US) Marathoning section is fantastic- full of tips, article, expert advice. Its going to take me a loooong time to work my way through this lot.

Apologies if this sounds like a shameless plug but the print version of Runners World is a monthly must-buy. Apart from genuinely interesting articles, race calendar, product reviews etc I find it to be a great source of motivation.

Marathonguide dot com

Pretty good site for useful articles on Marathon related topics (it does what it says on the tin). Particular articles that caught my attention were: -

Heart Monitor Training

Heart monitors are devices that are designed for wear during strenuous exercise, and serve the purpose of measuring and recording your heart rate, while giving you instant feedback about the work level of your heart. The fitness of the heart is the key to one's aerobic endurance - sometimes called 'cardiovascular respiratory endurance'. Both for health and racing reasons, aerobic endurance is a point of focus for almost any runner. Heart monitors are one of the most effective aids for tracking and developing your progress on the path to increased aerobic endurance.

Fuel on Fat For the Long Run

Always nice to know that fat is necessary for runners!

Developing your fat engine will increase the amount of energy you can generate, reduce the amount of carbohydrates you use, and stretch out the glycogen supply during long runs. Added together, you have a more stable and enduring energy supply, better endurance, and faster finish times.

Running and Fitness Calculators

Very useful for working out pacing, nutrition, heart rate etc

Report: Mon 8th Dec 2003

Did another Steady run last night - I think most of my weekday runs will be until I get to the stage were I can run a few miles without feeling like I'm going to collapse!

• Exe.Time = 21:07.45
• HRmax = 166
• HRavg = 152
• KCal = 114

Weekend rest?

Not a lot done over the weekend- hangover to deal with on Saturday then lunch with friends on Sunday which lasted ages so I managed to fit in a weight training session midday Sunday. I'll probably be using a free-weights session as my 'cross-training' sport on days that I don't run but still need to exercise. Still, back to the running tonight!

Official 2004 Paris Marathon Site

... is here.