Under starters orders

Today was my last training run before I tackle my first 5k on Saturday morning. A lunchtime in an air conditioned gym is a bit different to what I can expect on Saturday in Black Park, on what is meant to be a glorious summer's day, but I'm pretty happy with how I've progressed since getting on the treadmill for the first time in a long while back on 16 May.

For the first time today I managed to run 4k without slowing, and had it not been for the fact that I did not want to push myself too much before Saturday I think I could have managed the full 5k. I had plenty of energy in reserve and even managed 4 x 1 minutes sprints during my warm down. When I see that finish line on Saturday, I'll be looking to end the run as quickly as possible!

So I've got my running shoes. My Parkrun barcode has been printed and laminated. I've got a mate coming along to do the run with me (love you Shaney!) and I've got some change ready for the car park. All that remains to be seen now is can I convert my treadmill running to an outdoor timed event? I'm feeling confident, and will post results on here on Saturday.

Lunchtime activity 4 July - gobbles up breakfast and lunch calories

Slower beginnings back on 16 May

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Wednesday Weigh-In 3 July

Well here is a bit of a turn up for the books. I've managed to lose 2lbs this week taking me down to my lowest weight of 2013. Here is the evidence

Loving those numbers going backwards

I'm going to consider this as a birthday bonus, because I had not expected to lose weight this week. The following sentence is likely annoy a lot of people, so consider this a health warning! When I've eaten cheesy enchiladas, take away from Pizza Hut, polished off 4 Damme Cold beers, showed little restraint in eating party food at a 4 year old's birthday and demolished moussaka and raspberry panna cotta from the M&S Dine 2 for £10 range, I'd have little complaint at levelling out or had the numbers nudged upwards. Well done me then, even if I don't really think my efforts of the past seven days deserved it.

That said, my increased food consumption has coincided with stepping up my running somewhat. 4 trips to the gym covering circa 20km will have gone some way to burning off the excess, and apparently helping to tackle the long-term flab. Back to the gym shortly to road test the new trainers and grease the wheels for hopefully another successful week of weighloss.

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The Running Man

Just over half way through 2013 - Year of the Diet, and I'm reasonably happy with how things have gone so far. I've said goodbye to 24 of the 41 lbs I plan to lose, come through the traumas of a new addition to the household and have got my fitness regime up and running after a slow start. My aims between now and the end of the year are to push on towards 15st 7lb and focus upon getting my body into condition for tackling a 10k at the end of September.

With my 33rd birthday on the horizon, today I got an early present, in the form of a new pair of running shoes. I've been getting by with a cheap pair of trainers the last couple of months but as I'm starting to take things a bit more seriously I decided it was time to get myself more suitable footwear. These little beauties came into my possession early today.

Birthday present - thanks mum!

My plan is to break them in with a couple of trips to the gym on Wednesday and Thursday, rest up on Friday and then use them in my first timed running event since coming a distant last in the 400m at Sports Day in 1995. I'm making my debut in the local ParkRun event, and the world will be able to see how I get on with my first 5k run. 

If you're not familiar with ParkRun, check out the link. They are free timed running events that take place across the country. Participants register their details online, print out their personalised barcode and take it with them on the day. Once you've completed your run, your barcode is scanned and your time is recorded. 

Rest assured, I'll let you know how I get on. Before that though attention reverts to the Wednesday Weigh-In. Check back here tomorrow to see if I've managed to build upon the success of the last 4 weeks.

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