You never regret a workout

I think it’s Joe Wicks that says that you never regret a workout.

Some graffiti along the river

Last week, I was sitting on the sofa on Sunday afternoon, feeling a bit tired, contemplating what dinner might be and feeling slightly guilty for not doing a run.

I’ve been trying to rebuild my streak of perfect Freeletics weeks that I broke when I had Covid, and I was in danger of losing it after just two weeks again.

So I forced myself up off the sofa and put on my running gear. As soon as I’d put it on I knew that I had to run, because I’m just going to take it all off again am I?

And so I ran. In the late afternoon golden sunlight along the river. A 1km run, followed by an interval run of 10x 400m with a 2 minute gap in between each. It was great. I felt refreshed, energised and thankful for having got some outside air. In fact it was probably the best run I’ve done in a while. I was able to push myself a little harder on the interval runs and then walk for a couple of minutes taking in the city around me. Very nice.

And then I could feel content returning to the sofa to watch TV and eat lasagne. A good end to the week.

Golden hour

First glimpses of spring and a perfect week

Photo by Simon Berger on Pexels.com

Spring is beginning to make itself known, and this week was my first full week after Covid. Three workouts – Metis, a bodyweight interval session and a 4km run. I’m just back from the run and it felt good, despite choosing a route that included quite a lot of uphill running and having to cross a main road. Side note – it would be good to be able to pause Freeletics runs, in the same way you can do on Strava, so that when you’re waiting for traffic your clock isn’t still ticking.

Other highlights this week included being able to do perfect form assisted pistol squats, which I haven’t done for ages and thought I’d be rubbish at, and finding Metis way more difficult than I remember. I did it much slower than I’ve been used to, but I’m not beating myself up about that.

I find that Covid has meant that I have a bit less lung capacity than I before. Trying not to let that worry me, but I do notice I am more out of breath more quickly, so I’m building back up more slowly.

Next week I have a 4.5km run and some interval stuff, including some sprints which I’m looking forward to and will be a good test of recovery.

Easing back in

Photo by S Migaj on Pexels.com

I still felt a bit wiped out on Monday this week after spending the previous week laying low from Covid-19. I was hoping to pick up my routine and head out for a run, but my body had other ideas so I didn’t exercise.

On Wednesday I felt up to it, so I ran. I was going to adapt the coach session to an easier run, but in the end I thought I’d just go for it, so I did a 4km run and it was absolutely fine. I even quite enjoyed it.

So then on Friday I continued with a 1km run followed by an interval run, and that was fine too. So I guess I’m back on it again.

Next week I have some progression exercises, including progression to handstand walk. I think I can fairly confidentally say that I won’t ever be able to do that, but hey, let’s give it a go. The first step is plank shoulder taps.

I also have Metis next week, which means the dreaded burpees.

Anyway, it feels good to be back in the saddle. Just a shame I lost that seven week streak 😦