Hello again,

I went for my normal Sunday run this morning, the first time in 2 weeks because of a mild chest infection had me coughing like a good’n last week. I enjoy running because of the obvious health and fitness  benefits but also it’s a great chance to think, connect with nature, and get centred.

I’ve set some goals to run two half marathons and one full marathon within the next year. I have done half marathons before but have  never fancied a full one because of past tales of endurance, pain and  suffering before, during and after the race.

I have been reading a fantastic book on running called “Slow Burn” by Stu Mittleman which debunks a lot of myths about endurance running, training and diet. Stu once ran 3000 miles across America in 56 days – that’s more than two marathons a day for 56 consecutive days!

His basic principle is to train your body to use fat as it’s energy source as opposed to sugar. This is done through diet and by keeping the heart rate within the fat burning zone. The optimum zone is calculated based on your age, resting heart rate.

Anyway, I strapped on my heart rate monitor and on a bright, crisp, spring morning  I found the pace to be really easy, a light jog which I found myself resisting the urge to stride out as I normally do.

I will be following Stu’s teachings with the intention of having a pain free marathon in a year’s time. I’ll keep you posted on my progress in future blogs.

Until next time

Ken.

“Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do”

Shaquille O’Neal