Workout Wednesday - Running

Indoor v Outdoor running, when talking to people it is actually quite a debate - casual runners say they prefer the treadmill, serious runners say they prefer the outdoors - when in fact we all know that when it is raining, cold and in the depths of winter we all prefer the treadmill! 

But now spring has arrived in the UK, the sun is out and so are the runners! I was in London last week and couldn't move for runners everywhere running along the river bank - I was so tempted to join them! 

I live near a beach so again runners everywhere, but rewind a couple of months and there was far less to be seen. 

So what do I prefer? I always think it is treadmill, its softer, you know how far you have run, you can switch off if your not feeling it... I know, bad right! But then when I step out side and start running I remember why I like it so much! 

The fresh air for one is the huge benefit, I love the feeling of fresh air in my lungs and on my face.

The sunshine - when it is sunny I am happy, when I exercise I am happy so its a win all round! 

I push myself further and I run faster - who knew but my timings are far better outside and because once I start I can't just stop and get off my performance is better. 

Of course it is all down to what you prefer - if you prefer the treadmill and have no races pending then go for it! 

However if you are training for a race it is recommended you train outside, in the conditions you will be racing in, this will be far more beneficial for you when it comes to race day!

Running outside will also allow you to learn how to pace and maintain on race day. 

Reasons I use the treadmill - HIIT - sprinting up hill and adjusting the speed 30 seconds on 30 seconds off - its a killer but having control of the incline and speed really help you push and monitor your performance.

Injury - I have dodgy knees, sometimes they are great and sometimes they have their off days. On the off days I prefer running on the treadmill as it is softer on the knees and the surface is even. 

Where ever you decide to run, it doesn't really matter at the end of the day, your running and keeping fit and healthy! 

My favorite saying is "I may be slow, but I am lapping everyone on the couch" 

HIIT exercise

High intensity interval training. Its one of those exercise I used to dread, going all out for 30 – 45secs and then resting and then going again, essentially repeating until you’ve done 6-10 sets.

I will admit I used to be all about the endurance exercise, going for hours, putting the effort in, burning the calories, but over time by body got used to it and the exercise just became this thing my body was doing, it became used to it, and it as it became easier, partly because I was fitter, I knew I needed to shake it up.

So HIIT training it was.

I began slowly and built it up. My HIIT training began with spinning, the VP class held at Fitness First offers sprints section and race sections – short bursts of 30-60 seconds of full on, giving it your all with recovery in between.

I could feel myself getting fitter, and my body changing, but it wasn’t consistent enough for me to really feel like I was getting results, so I took advice from my partner and began interval training on the treadmill.

I started at my usual running pace of 10.8 on incline of 2 with 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off 6 sets, I gradually built this up over the months, trying to increase speed and incline as I go.

I have been doing this consistently for 6 weeks now, and I have improved from incline 2 -5 and speed from 10.8 to 13.2 each day is feeling easier and I am feeling far fitter and leaner. So it is safe to say I am a big fan of the whole HIIT thing now!

Benefits of this exercise:

It is fun! Time flies when you are on and off every 30 seconds and before you know 8 sets are done and you have finished!

Combine it with weight training for best results: I have started weight training properly 6 weeks in and I am doing less cardio more weights and feeling leaner and fitter every day. You burn more fat doing HIIT exercise, and you burn calories longer after weight training… so you want that hot summer body reevaluate your exercise plan and see the results!

Take it outside – sprints can be done on the treadmill, outside or on a bike! 

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