Hi

I love reading everyones inspirational stories of improvement but am getting frustrated with the lack of my own. I run a couple of times a week and have been doing for some time. I also do circuit classes and aerobics 2-3 times a week. My running however is not improving and I still have to walk part of the way  especially the hills. ( I live in a hilly area so flat routes are not easy to find). My longest run/walk is 5-6 miles. I am not sure how to improve - Am I not doing enough running or am I doing the wrong kind. Should I slow down or shorten my distance until I can run it all.

Thanks for any help

Clare

Keith

Thanks for the reply

 I think you could be right . I do tend to do the same old thing.I have now planned a couple of new routes and will see how I go.

clare

Hi Clare,

 Check out RunnersWorld SmartCoach, it creates you a training plan.

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/smartcoach

This mixes up different types of run so should be useful both to keep interest

On walking part of the circuit, perhaps set targets for how much you will run and how much you will walk. For example on the runners world website some of their plans start as the majority walking then half and half, two thirds etc. I think thats funky becuase it makes the progress more visible.

Hope that helps,

Martin

Hi Clare.

In addition to previous posts, can I suggest using a heart rate monitor as well?  It really helped me to get past a plateau in my training, it may do the same for you too.  There are lots of useful training programmes on-line that work with HRMs that you can tap into as well.  Hope that helps.

Steve.

hi

thanks everyone. I'll give your advice a go

:-))

Clare - if you still have to walk quite often then it could be you are running too fast or you are tired from your other activities. So try slowing down and scheduling your runs after a rest day: so hard day, rest/easy, hard and have two days no exercise per week. If as others have said you look for a structured program these will be factored in, but don't forget to allow for your other activities which should be complimentary.