Just got back from another 5k run at Brueton Park. After beating my debut run time by 24 seconds yesterday
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/brueton/Results/LatestResults.aspx
, I really wanted to get back out there and see whether I could get faster than 32 minutes on my own. Turns out I couldnt (lol) but I gave it a bloody good shot. The winds are still terrible today, and Id like to think that impacted my performance a little but I guess the important thing is that I got out there and did it, rather than sitting on my arse watching catch up TV which is what I normally do on a Sunday!!
Today I decided to test out RunKeeper (www.runkeeper.com)- a new app that I downloaded for my iphone, which uses GPS to track your exercise, (whether it be a run, jog, cycle etc). It allowed me to record my time, my average page (minutes per km) and how many calories I burned, including a little graph to show changes in pace.
I found it very easy to use, only negative was I couldnt figure out how to get my music on at the same time, and didnt want to stop it once id pressed Go, so ended up running the whole 5k with just the sounds of people chatting and walking their dogs instead of my usual more uptempo ipod tracks!
Im sure this will be easily resolved for next time I try it. The graph was really useful, as I was able to see that my pace was fairly consistant throughout the whole 5k. If id slowed right down towards the end, id be able to assertain that id probably started off too fast, and therefore try and fix my pace accordinly on my next run. The app talks to you while you are running (as often as you set it to), therefore I had an update every 5 minutes telling me how far I had run and what my average pace was.
This was really useful, until it got to 30 minutes and I knew I wasnt going to beat my score from Saturdays Parkrun and then I got a bit disheartened and just wanted to finish and get home! lol 
There are various different running apps, so I may review a few over the next coming weeks but for now RunKeeper seems to have done the job I asked it to. The distance measured is accurate, as I ran exactly the same route as the park run on Saturday.
I have also logged back on to www.dailymile.com – which I was a regular member of a few years ago when I did a lot more running than Im doing now. Daily mile is effectively an online community for joggers, runners and cyclists, and allows you to create a network of friends who help keep you motivated and share their activities. Its really great to have someone comment on your hard work, particuarly when that someone might be on the other side of the world, but going through exactly the challenges in their attempts to get fit and healthy!
Thanks again to everyone who has supported me so far in my training and fundraising for Trek Iceland, I really appreciate your support. If you havent already done so, and would like to sponsor me, please see my justgiving page at www.justgiving.com/lccotterill
Lucy x
