Instant Motivation

I know I used the cheesy coverline we are so famous for at Runner’s World as my headline for this blog. But I promise you, get yourself an Adidas Micoach and you’ll agree. Strap that baby on and it is instant motivation.

I was fortunate enough to get one of these to try out, and due to suffering from a sore hip it has taken me a while to actually see what it’s all about. But my severe lack of fitness and my ever-expanding waistline has made me realize it is time for drastic action. So I dragged out the running shoes from the back of my cupboard and downloaded the Micoach software to see what it was all about. And I am so glad I did!

I am not really one for gadgets. I have an entry level Polar heart rate monitor but I only really use it to see how many calories I have burned and to keep an eye on my heart rate, but I have never really trained according to my heart rate zones. So the Micoach was all new to me. But a quick glance at the manual and following the instructions online and I was all set.

Basically, the Micoach either manually records your data while you run, such as calories burned, distance run, your stride rate and your heart rate zones, or you can download a certain programme and follow the pre-assisgned workouts. That’s what I am doing. I have set my sights on a 10km on the 9 May, so I typed the end-goal into the programme and it has worked out a programme according to that.

It’s pretty easy really. Almost too easy. You plug the earpiece in and just listen to the instructions. Speed up, slow down etc… and off you go. The only minor gripe is that I like to see in an instant how long I have been running for and what my heart rate is. If you want to know that you have to press a button and it will tell you. Oh, and my ears are not designed for earpieces! So I am having to run with a buff to keep it in place. Not so great when it is a sweltering day outside.

But on the whole, I am loving having a goal and having something fun to follow and interact with. I can’t wait for the next training run – which is definitely a new thing for me! I’ll keep you updated as to my progress. At the moment I am running four times a week, but relatively short distances – yestesrday’s run was on 18minutes (!) but it did include intervals where I had to increase my heart rate zones, which is also new to me, because I am a plodder and I think if I am forced to increase my speed, that can only be a good thing.

So keep an eye on the website for regular updates. If I make it, this will be third 10km ever. I’m really looking forward to it! Wish me luck!

No, that’s not me in the picture – I wish!