h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Time for another sponsored challenge. I have an app on my iPhone that promises to get me to run 5K in 9 weeks, if I just stick to it. The problem is I've never got past three before...

So what can possibly motivate me to keep training?

Why a sponsored 5K in a mere 14 weeks time?

Yes I'm doing the Challenge Scotland

Running is difficult, I have to go out after dark at about 11pm to actually get it done! I have a torch and I can run on private land so I should be ok. I'll probably do it in aid of Chest Heart Stroke Scotland..

http://www.challengescotland.com/run-for-scotland-2012.html

Now this is a bigger challenge for me because I'm not a very fit person. I'm actually quite fat! My current BMI is 32, which is less than it's peak of 38 but not much less.

So two training sessions done so far.

Is it the c25k app? It's dead good that, unless (like me) you continually pick up a calf/knee/thigh/willpower injury on week 4 and decide to get back on the fags and kebabs for a fortnight.

That's it! I had a willpower injury on week 3. My pace isn't bad for a fat blob, but not really fast enough to do 5k in 30 minutes.

Willpower injury! I am so stealing that!

It's brilliant.

I had a strange phase where I tried to go running every evening, knee-deep in the sea. Living by the sea helped.

I've found that a good way to get in better shape is to warm up by walking fast, then run at full speed as far as you can manage, then walk until you breathe normally again, then run at full speed again, regain normal breath, rinse and repeat.

If you do this for at least 30 minutes at least 3 times per week, you'll soon find that the distance you can run will increase pretty quickly - at least it did for me, and it improved how far and fast I could 'jog' at an even pace the other days of the week.

Besides, it was much more fun than going at the same speed

Not sure how your app works, whether it is time based like the iPod ones where you run for 30s walk for 30s and it builds up the time you run for, in which case work on building up to running for 30 mins and don't worry about the distance. If it is GPS based and work on run for100m walk for 100m then focus on doing the distance and worry about the speed later. Firmly believe you can increase distance or speed but both at once is much harder to sustain without getting disheartened or injured.

My runs are crowbared into random available timeslots, but I find I very addictive and worth it for how much better I feel.

Z, you are not fat!

What makes me run is sheer bloody mindedness. Knowing you're being sponsored for something does help too.

What makes me run is usually a police car behind me.

KB ---->

Pastey, I have a BMI of over 30, therefore my weight is concerningly high, and of a level which is defiantly associated with health risks. If I lost some I would be fitter.

I used a heart rate monitor this morning as well as the app, and it made a huge difference, without pushing myself, my pace was a lot faster.

Z, you know yourself though that BMI isn't an accurate guide though, well, not for short or tall people. According to BMI stuff I should be 13 stone. 13!? There'd be nothing of me.

It good to lose weight though, I saw some of the photos of me from the meet and my spare tire is definitely getting more noticable

Time to start running again. Actually, I'm supposed to be doing a 10k in May! Eeek!!

I can ponficiate on the BMI with papers and references. If your BMI is over 30 you are not has healthy as if it is smaller.

The 'overweight' / 'normal weight' cut off is a bit different and less clear cut from what I've seen. But yes, BMI over 30 is bad news.

Mine's over 30, but I don't consider it to be unhealthy.

Mine's just under, aided by the fact that I'm bloody tall. Still need to drop a stone though...

According to the Wii, my BMI is only 28 and a bit. I'm a fat bastard, though.

B

I think your Wii's just being nice to you.

While I'm not in the business of massaging Z's ego (perish the thought ), I did wonder about the body mass index thing. Because you didn't look particularly *chubby* never mind fat. Just within the average range of healthiness.

My BMI is currently 26.1. This week I ran 15 miles over three sessions including 2pb times. I swam 80 lengths at the pool, I biked about 10 miles. I've eaten 1200-1400 calories per day(can't be exact as don't count up the non-starchy veg). I gained a pound. *sigh* but I did run 4 miles in 37:17 today so will try to feel happy about that instead of down about my weight.

Basically the whole weight thing is a confusing mess. I'm a fit size10-12 who is told by the NHS I'm shortening my life by being fat. *shrug*

Which is why I ignore BMI

I ran 2k this morning in 11:31 and thought that wasn't bad. Kelli, you make me look lazy. Oh, hang on, I am