Day 22, Jan 21st 2019 Long Run Day


What do you do on long run day when you can't run? Elliptical machine!! I have a hate/love/hate relationship with this machine now. I am ever so grateful to have it, don't get me wrong, but as I spend more time on it I have several trains of thought, firstly, I hate it, its so basic, not enough variation on it, wish I had one with an incline, and more data, you can never have enough data! It might make using it less boring. I love it also, as its keeps my running muscles going whilst protecting my calf. I also hate that it makes my quads burn, and my hamstrings when going backwards. I love that the burn means I am getting a better workout and stronger legs. I hate that it faces a wall and theres not much to look at. I love it because it works a my arms, back, chest, core, glutes alongside my legs. When training consistently on the same machine, technique is important, but so is variation, not only does it relieve the boredom, but it also stops your training reaching a plateau. Today I did 1 hour on that darn machine, so to shake things up, I varied my workout, 10 minute warm up, up the resistance, Pyramids (pedal backwards for 10 seconds, forwards for 20, back for 20, forward for 30, back for 30, then reverse the pattern, forward for 30, back for 20, forward for 20, back for 10), then forward again for 5 minutes. 5 minutes without holding on (great for your core,  and balance, squeeze your abs, butt and hips). Another set of pyramids, up resistance again, 5 mins not holding on and then just randomly mixing it up until the time had passed. It is not a miracle cure for the boredom but at least it made it more bearable.



I still had 20 minutes of my "long run" training to do, so thought I would test out my calf on the treadmill for 10 minutes, then cool down speed walk for 7 minutes, finishing off with 3 minutes slower walking. All was good and I had to finish off with cool down stretches, as always. 



I am feeling pretty chuffed with todays training and rewarded myself with poached eggs on toast for breakfast 😛


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