Accountability leads to results

On Tuesday my structured training plan started off with a threshold fitness session to establish a baseline.  It was tough as I'm not used to picking up the pace every five minutes but because I knew my results would be evaluated, I got on with it.  I also measured my resting heart rate first thing every morning for a week.  Now the numbers are plugged in I will be training in the right heart rate zones for each session.
Two other sessions had me running above my normal pace but I knew what targets had to be hit, and I hit them.  I wonder what sessions I would have selected if I'd nobody looking over my shoulder?  I can assure you they would have been easier.
On Saturday I was going to run first thing for an hour.  I had stayed overnight in Aberdeen and the weather was "filthy".  I check the weather forecast back home and decided to postpone the session till I got home.  After a 3 and a half hour drive all I wanted to do was have a cup of tea and a snooze but I forced myself out the door for my fastest run in a long time, and faster than my target.  The weather forecast had lied so it was a wet run but it had to be done.
Today's run was a slow one concentrating on my heart rate.  With the freezing cold and hills it was all  over the place and as I was finishing the snow started but I got in before it got too bad.  What I love about running in the countryside, other than the scenery, is the lack of cars and therefore exhaust fumes.  My mid-day week runs in Uddingston are flatter runs but I really feel the difference in my breathing.  But as soon as the lighter mornings arrive, most of my running will be in the clean fresh air in the countryside.
Tomorrow I have a extremely slow recovery run in HR zone 1 which is going to be difficult and embarrassing.  It will be at best a shuffle to keep my heart rate down so I'll try and do it somewhere quiet where nobody will see me.  And on Tuesday I'm back in the pool!  It's great to have a well thought out plan.  All I've got to do is follow it!  Have a great week folks whatever you're training for.