25 minutes in 27 years!

Into week 7 of my training, I can now run continuously for 25 minutes (the most I would have ever done in 27 years of my life - this timing is doubly accurate as today is my birthday). Current progress - 58.52 Kms and counting!

During runs, I average a distance of 4 to 4.5 kilometers. Within the next few weeks, I hope I can up the ante to reach 5 kilometers in 30 minutes. The Couch to 5K training routine is good - but you need to keep to the schedule no matter what, and sometimes that can be tough indeed.

Winter is catching up, and with it falling temperatures. Tonight (I just finished a run) was really cold - even with my (decent?) layers of clothing. The secret to running in cold weather is, as they say, layering.

So on to my gear list:

Base layers - the innermost layer of clothing, ideally should feel like second skin. I have four, one from Adidas (with anti-microbial technology built in), one from Puma, two from Nike (I like Nike), one of which has compression technology. Not that I am all too technical into the details of running gear and fabric technology - there was a sale online and I just got lucky to gear up for real cheap. All the base layers have wicking built in, they let sweat transfer outwards of the clothing but traps heat.

Mid layers - When its cold, you need these. I have two (as an experiment) Nike Dri-Fit Thermal Mid Layers. These are designed to do two things, transfer sweat from your base layer outwards, and trap and maintain body heat. They have thumbholes that is well placed, and the overall fitting is great. These are really good, but pricey at 40 quid a piece. I should get more.

Outer layers - Just a humble jacket (Nike Dri-Fit Hoody). I wear it primarily for the hood, which helps in light showers. Also, the top half of it it a nice bright flourescent yellow - helps when you are running at 6PM and its pitch black outside.

Running tights - I feel like a girl wearing the Karrimor tights - but man do they help in providing mobility and keeping you protected in the cold. Plus points for simplicity and feel good factor wearing these - cost efficient and works.

Running socks - Ankle length Nike and Asics gear, designed for running. Most of these may purely be marketing hype, but hey, who cares right?

Shoes - A Nike (like I said, I like Nike) StoneShield Trail Shoes, which is pretty decent, and really nice for the canal side running. I need to buy another pair soon though.

Misc. - In cold weather, the body has a tendency to draw blood from its extremities to your inner core. This is why your hands hurt in the cold - your body is ready to sacrifice your fingers and toes in order for it to have more oxygenated blood circulating in your core body. And 40% of body heat is lost from one's head. Which means having a good pair of gloves and headgear is quintessetial, especially if you are running in the cold. So yes, you guessed it, Nike HeadCap (but I must get a balaclava) and Gloves.

Yup, that's about it. Good gear is essential in extreme conditions - and I don't mean sub zero temperatures when I say extreme conditions. For me, 3 degrees C without windchill at night is extreme :-). Until next time!

On Running Again - A Prelude

Well, I am not too inclined to be the fitness-conscious type. Generally a lazy person, I despise any sort of activity that requires me to burn more calories than devouring the next cheesy meaty slice of a Domino's pizza. Which is exactly the reason I have decided to run.

Sure, I thought, that would be an easy ordeal. All you need to do is walk around, in fast motion. Do it for half an hour and be done with it. And that should make up for the guilt I have when I realize that I am 27 years old and as unfit as hell. So I took up running (again). Last time I started running was over an year ago, I don't remember why I started, but it culminated in me and some buddies (JD, Suttan) going on to participate in the Sun Feast 10K in Bangalore - which we managed to complete (in decent time) - yay guys! if you get to read this :-)


That, however, was a long time ago. And a yearful of pizzas later, I am afraid I am back to square one (round one by appearance). Hence this time-to-run-again moment. This time, though, I decided to be more serious about it. I decided to set clear and definite goals I needed to achieve. I wanted to track my runs and see what I was doing right (and wrong). And I wanted to do it differently. So with a new found determinism and enthusiasm that I normally reserve to code something, I charted out the goals:

Goal #1: Be able to run 5K in 25 minutes (which actually is ambitious considering my fitness level)
Goal #2: Participate in a charity event next summer
Goal #3: Raise at least 100 pounds for the run

I started running around three weeks ago, and so far, it has been good - I am sticking to the Couch to 5K training routine, and the tracking I get is awesome.

Motivation, on the other hand, is hard to come by, and every morning before a run day, making myself get out of bed is the hardest thing to do. But I have decided to stick to it. And I need to get fit. (And be able to eat more pizza's with no guilt along the way!). Well, let's see how Take 2 goes.

PS: BTW, I hope I keep blogging as well in the current pace.