The Joggers Update, Part 3: Runner Solstice

So last night was the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and as good a place as any to talk about the halfway point (or nearly) in the Seasonal Jogger's Season, [see March Blog for Details]).

How to describe my results? Hmmm Curates Egg (Good in Parts); If I was a PE teacher I would give myself C+ Okay but could try harder. On the one hand I've not had any disastrous weeks where I've not run at all which is good. But on the other hand the amount of weeks where I've hit the golden "3" runs have been very sparse, with most weeks featuring 1 or 2.

1 or 2 runs only allows for some improvement and can lead to a real mixed bag of runs - some good, like last nights 5 mile solstice jog to sunday nights heat-stroke disaster of 2.5 miles (before I had to sit down ala Paula Radcliffe (that is sit, as in exhaustion, not squat ala Paula having a No.2)

Therefore this is not a disaster! I have toned up and probably lost a couple of pounds. However, unbeknownst to the reader, a new priority has appeared on the agenda - I am surfing in October. With this in mind, its no longer just about getting fit, no, its also about looking good in a wetsuit - that involves pecs and muscles which is a whole other kettle of fish!

So I have extended my regime and it now also involves a few weights and sit ups which do appear to be having the desired effect. But three other cogs need to be added to this mechanism:

1. Swimming: I have no upper body strength. I'm sure most children could beat me in an arm wrestle - not a boon if you are going to be paddling very hard on a surfboard.
2. A Diet: Currently I'm working on the philosophy of "I Jog, therefore I eat". In other words if I jog, I have more excuse to have a pie - "I've earnt it". Ok, but not condusive to weight loss and could lead to eventual heart problems (I jogged last night on a stomach of fish and chips - nutter). So I need to find a love of lettuce and stick to it for the rest of the season.
3. Regularity: My runs usually occur at the beginning of the week -the best intentions of course but peter out toward the weekend, but if I want to lose the stocky image and be slim and svelt I really need regularity so I'm going to try and up it to 3. Almost like a case of impotency, it's not the length that's the problem, its the relaxed muscles and times per week that's the issue (good analogy!)

And with the solstice over, and my 27th birthday suddenly hoving into view, there is less time and less daylight to do it - efforts must be doubled!

Speedo Cat.