Health nut em

The 2-part high-low diet is starting to yield results--3 weeks of high fiber meals and low beer intake has resulted in a net loss of 7 lb. Yay! Yup, I'm a regular diet guru.

And as always, part of the em regimen is the regular run. But because I've been pounding up and down the same routes for quite some time now without much, if any, increase in overall fitness and stamina, I decided that as of the running months of April through November, I will extend my distances, cover new ground, expand into new frontiers. Translation--I add a 10 minute loop to whatever route I'm taking that day. But this too will grow and expand, perhaps in direct correlation to the shrinking of the em backside...

In addition to the distances that I'm covering, I'm also working on other aspects of my running. It's my theory (and this may be stupefyingly obvious to you guys--if so, please excuse) that over time our body gets accustomed to exerting certain muscles in certain situations and at certain--minimal--levels. So even though we're "exercising regularly," our body is busy cutting corners and doing only as much as is required to keep the momentum moving in a forward direction. Consequently, the fitness level remains, at best, static. I've flat-lined. 

One problem is my gait--it's lazy. When I say I chug, I do--movements are minimal: arms are bent at the elbows with hands at hip level where they remain fairly still; pumping legs manage only to keep my feet from getting tangled in the uneven sections of the sidewalk. Back in the day, I used to run with a really good runner--a trained runner--and he gave me some good pointers for improving my running efficiency. But at some point along the way, I had disregarded these pointers in favor of the "going through the motions" type jog. So now I'm returning to my old form--I'm lengthening my stride and as I execute the heel-toe gait, I'm pushing off harder with my toe and kicking my heel up in a more pronounced way, as if to touch the back of my lower leg with my heel. I'm telling you I already notice a difference--I'm moving along at a faster pace without (much) additional effort and this makes it easier to cover more territory. The only thing is this adjustment to my gait takes some concentration to maintain or I fall back into the old slouchy chug. I'll try to remain focused.

So now I'm a kinesiologist too. 

Comments

[Jamie]

Woo! Go Em!

[Tilesey]

Grrr plateau-ing sucks.

Lenghening the run is a good idea, but I have some other suggestions as well...

Try varying your pace through out the run - do 2 minutes at a fast(er) pace, then drop back down to normal pace for 5, then fast, then normal etc. This will break up the run and not let your body get used to a set chug.

[The Long Lost One]

You're clever aren't you?

[Greavsie]

To extend Tileseys comment. I used to pace myself between trees or lamp posts.ie The next gap is fast the next is a jog the next is a sprint etc