Journey to Fitness Chapter #18: No Pain… No Gain… But when there is pain…

No Pain… No Gain… But when there is pain…?!?

After missing 2 workout sessions in Week 2, Miles was determined not to miss any more session in Week 3.

Miles started Monday with a morning swim as cross training. It has been a few years since he last swam and the body was complaining almost immediately. Not only were his arms tired, his breath was also labored. He had to take a break every 200m, and it ended up as a 4 x200m swim, with a rest break in between sets.

Body was aching, but the mind was determined. Surprisingly, the ache disappeared the next day just in time for his run. However, the weather had other plans in mind and the rain made Miles skip his 6km run on Tuesday.

“Dang! Not a good start 2 weeks in a row….. seems like things are not going my way” Miles was getting worried if he will be able to hit his Half Marathon goal.

Fortunately, the weather held up on Wednesday. Being well rested the day before, Miles did an easy 8km run with average HR of 138 bpm.

Miles did notice that his pace had dropped since the last few weeks, but it didn’t bother him too much. The idea is still to get the legs used to the pounding and the distance.

Since there is a rest day on Saturday in Week 3, Miles decided to get another day rest on Thursday and to run 6km on Friday instead.

That one day rest in between proved useful, as Miles was able to run more comfortably, at a slightly faster pace without increasing his average HR by too much.

Running at such a slow pace meant Miles had to wake up early in the morning for his workout so that he could still go to work on time. Running faster is something that is always on his mind, but at the present moment, it seems unwise to increase distance and increase pace all at once. But every now and then, Miles has the urge to just push the pace to finish the run earlier.

Again with a day rest on Saturday, Miles met up with his buddies Wade and Gallop for their weekend 10km run feeling fresh and determined. Though the schedule was meant for a 9.5km run, Miles figured that since he missed the run on Tuesday, it wouldn’t hurt just to run another 500m more on Sunday.

Even with the encouragement from his buddies, Miles still felt lethargic and exhausted during the second part of his run. More importantly, he survived the run though at an even slower pace of 8:52mins/km. At least he managed to keep his average HR to below 145bpm, though he had hope it was closer to 135bpm.

What was worrying was that Miles started to feel some discomfort, to the extent of slight pain to his right knee near the last 3km of his run. Will the pain persist? Will he recovery in time?

“This is exhausting!” Exclaimed Miles at the end of their 10km run.

“Ha ha ha! It’s never meant to be easy!” Gallop laughed.

“It’s tough!!! I can’t imagine how we will survive the subsequent long runs, with the longest at 19km!” cried Wade.

“No fear! we will get through it together! But first, it’s breakfast time!!!” exclaimed Miles…. with a resounding “YEEEEEESSSSSSSHHHH!!!” a familiar battlecry coming in unison from Wade and Gallop.

“Let’s try the new Mala Wanton Noodles at Bedok Marketplace!!!” Gallop commented excitingly “Have been meaning to try it for some time!”

*Note they only open from 11am. Closed on Sunday & Monday

As they laugh and joke over breakfast, the pain and exhaustion from the run gradually faded away.

But a lingering doubt still exists in the corner of their mind, as to the completion of the goal. This will be a long 12 weeks schedule…..

… stay tune to see how they fare next week.