Hill Repeats

It was 26oC at 7am. Yuk! Definitely summer is here.
Did warm up for 3-4km followed by some strides. Then Pat managed to find a hill in the botanical gardens where we had to sprint up and jog down - as many times as possible in 15mins. He met you halfway up too so there was no slacking off. Got lapped twice by the lead group but felt good throughout the run. Was about to give it up at 5min mark - couldn't imagine another 10mins of this torture - but somehow it got better?
Then had to run to Goodwill bridge which we sprinted up and over to the Ship Inn, then 3km cool down. I love the cool down!!!
Done my mileage now for November - 223km! Very pleased to see. Foot is still niggling but certainly nothing serious now I have been cleared for bone stress.
Looks like the year is going to end quite nicely for this little runner...just one more month (and Kurrawa) to go.

Kurrawa Training Run

With only a few hours sleep last night I was lacking motivation to get out of bed and head down to the Gold Coast for a long run with Loffy. Once on the road the drive went fairly quickly and I started to wake up. At 7am we met in the carpark and started our run. We agreed to go for one hour then turn around and come home - trying to follow the Kurrawa to Point Danger route as far as we could go. We got to 15th Avenue before turning around for home. Slighly over 1hour. I loved the run and was keeping a good steady pace, Loffy however was suffering from the heat and had to stop to walk and take a shower at each site along the way to cool down. I made him drink one of my powerades I was carrying in the 'Rambo' belt but it did not help much. I ended up running forward then turning around and running back to Loffy as I refused to leave him.
We made it home in 2hrs 13mins. The longest time ever on my feet but certainly a bit of very slow pace whilst waiting for Loffy to catch up. I don't think he will be doing a hard session the day before a long run again...
Glad I did the run this morning now and I don't feel too badly. Had a nap this afternoon when I got home and about to head off for party at Tesso's.....never been to a party of runners before. Should be fun!

Frazzled Friday

Got there just before 6am at the Regatta to find a crowd of runners...great to see the group growing in size. I even got given a singlet to crown me officially as a Regatta Runner :) so proud....
Headed out and picked up the pace very quickly tucking in behind the lead group. At the turnaround saw Tess who was doing her shepherding of the slower runners to help out. Decided to slow down and run back with her...was tired anyway as I have not had a rest day this week. Did the route 90sec slower than last week so still a decent pace. Not sure how Tess does it. Before we met up she did her speed session of 4x1km repeats to make up for missing yesterdays session. To then follow off with a decent 8km...
Worst thing about this morning was missing the breakfast as I had to put the car in for a service. Damn I love that Regatta Museli!
Heading out tomorrow for long run with Loffy in the heat. Should be educating.

Slow Speed Session

Turned up for speed session with Pat this morning but allayed his concerns and told him I was only there for a jog.
When asked about my xray results I said I had not opened them as it said 'Only To Be Opened By Referring Doctor' so was just going to give them to The Footman tomorrow. However when they all laughed and Pat threatened to have us all run past the car to check them out I decided yes I would check. Had a quick look and am very happy but will wait until the Doctor interprets it all and advises me further.
As for my run, we headed out for 3km warm up. Few strides then right into it - 4 x 1km reps with 90sec standing recovery. I just did the reps at 5:10 pace on the grass alongside where everyone was running. The most amazing thing about today - watching Pat run.
As I was not really pushing myself and was running alongside and not behind everyone, I made sure to watch their form and speed. For the first 4km (the fast guys did 5 x 1Km) Pat had been running at the front of the group encouraging others and getting them to Dig Deep, then on the last 1km he went so hard. Did 3:08 I think. Afterwards he told me that was his pace for when he was highly competitive in the marathon. Imagine keeping that pace for 42.2km!! I couldn't do it for 1km!!! He looked like he was flying and he wasn't too spent at the end either. He mentioned he was about to take up Kayaking so maybe he will build up his arms and that will slow him down enough so I can get past......dream on.

Grassy Run

Contemplated not going after a crap day at work but had already committed to meeting Tesso before she headed off for night shift so pulled my finger out and headed down to Davies Park.
Did 30mins of laps - having to go around many times and then turn around and go back in the other direction to avoid getting dizzy! Not used to oval running at all...
From Davies Park ran another 10-15mins to West End Ferry before turning around and back to Davies Park and another 10mins of laps on the grass. All up just over 1hr mostly on grass. Would be really boring on my own but Tess has all the goss from the running scene so time just flew by and I didn't want to stop running. Foot was starting to ache a bit though so did the R.I.C.E thing when I got home.
It is great to hear all about meeting those CRs out there and what they are really like as opposed to how they come across on the net. Looking forward to a big reunion at the Gold Coast as that seems to be when most of them cross the border..

Go the Drugs!

I never realised that my foot had been a constant source of ache....until I took a course of NSAID's and found that I could sleep through the night and have no pain whatsoever during the day! Go those anti-inflammatories!!!!!
I suspect that means the diagnosis for my foot will not be a stress fracture but something more bearable like osteoarthritis. Thanks Goodness.

Went out for a solid 40min run last night after warming up with hubby for 10mins. Cooled down afterwards in the freezing pool for a few laps. Looking forward to another good 90min run tonight with Tesso - on grass!

Will be at speed session tomorrow morning with Pat's Group but will take is easy for another day or two just to be sure.

One thing I have learnt...I don't think my life can survive without running in some form or other. I've been addicted for over 8 years so I can't stop now :)

Rest Day

I can barely move from all the activity yesterday...and it was supposed to be a rest day. The only thing I rested was my eyes - no working on my PC all day!
After all my time consuming running I promised to take the kids to the beach for the day. We boggie boarded for a couple of hours until I could barely stand - let alone head back out to the waves, though Matty (12yrs) was keen to keep going. Hubby had been dumped big time so was eager to get back to sand!
There we continued to keep the kids active and played footy and soccer for the next 70mins. After the girls won again we called it a day and headed for the nearest fish and chip shop, which coincidently the eldest daughter works at so we got a VERY good feed!!!!
After the long drive home and a hot shower I had a sneaky suspicion of the aches and pains I was going to feel today from using muscles that have been dormant all winter. I feel like I need another rest day today......but will head home for a 40min run tonight with hubby.
Spent 2 hrs at the hospital today getting an xray on the foot for suspect stress fracture. Don't think it will turn out to be serious....but am avoiding all speedwork this week.

Long long long run

Did it. At last! For the first time ever I have completed a run longer than 2 hrs (without walking). I am so happy - and tired and achy. Not the best route to be running around the city on the concrete and bitumen but running with a group of other runners certainly makes up for the tedious pavement pounding! Gave the new fuel belt a try out but felt a bit silly running around the city looking like RAMBO!
Not sure how far we went but I would hazard a guess at 22km. The guys did an extra lap of New Farm park as that route is a premapped 24km so I must be close.
Headed home for 2 hrs in the garden and tonight can barely life the glass to my mouth! Will certainly be sleeping soundly tonight.
Can't wait for Kurrawa now. I am really starting to get excited.

Friday Regatta Run

Steady 7.9km in 36.40mins. Very happy with the run but bit lonely this morning. Tesso on night shift and all the other runners too fast or too slow.
Kept within 500m of the lead pack the whole way so I was going well. Very hot out there this morning and was almost tempted to turn when they went past on way home but kept going the next few hundred and turned at the proper spot - needed to make sure I did the distance to work out the pace!!
My foot is definitely playing up today so off to see Steve 'The Footman' at lunch. Will be doing Kurrawa regardless. Stubborn person I am! Just might be a bit slower than usual.
Keen to head out to do some trail running over the next few weeks. Must be cooler and easier on the legs than this concrete and bitumen running.
Finished up, showered and stayed for breaky with the Regatta crew. If ever in Brissy, you must try the museli at the Regatta Pub. It is fantastic! Still moaning about it. Might break in tonight and still their weeks supply.....

Love that Heat!

Turned up at 5.40am and sat around for 20mins waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. Pat was first at 5.50am and he saw me and just laughed. There was no way I was going to be late today!
Headed out for a warmup run. Kristy took the lead and Tess, Suzanne and I tucked in behind her. Cracked a reasonable pace going out there too! Over the bridge and back around into the gardens, about 4km. One lap then back to the start of the gardens where we did 8x strides to loosen the legs. Then raced out along the path for 2.5mins turned and ran back BEYOND the starting place - running for another 2.5mins (negative split). Had a 20sec standing recovery (madly trying to relace my shoe in that time!) and headed off again for another 5min split. Got further and went faster on this one. Not sure why. Had Tess in sight and was just coming up to her but had to turn around. Sprinted home so no one could fly past me...got nipped with 2 sec to go!
Then the hills - 8x repeats to the top of the bridge and jog down. Last one we went all the way over and back to our starting place. I went hard knowing it was almost over. Ran with the mens lead pack till the top of the hill but then they picked up pace whilst I slowed to permit my body to breathe again...
It was hot but I love that sweat. Makes you know you've done a good workout.

Lost...

What a loser! Got up this morning and everything seemed to take longer than usual. The spider in the bathroom did not help. I brushed my teeth whilst staring at the ceiling to ensure it did not drop on me. IT WAS BIG!!!
Got to the running group start at 6:07am - not too late but they had already left and Pat had forgotten to leave a whiteboard showing where they had gone to for the days speed session. Hence I spent the next 55mins of steady running searching all over Brisbane for them. Headed over the bridge into the gardens and could not see them, so went back over to West End - under the scary bridge with all the homeless people cheering me on, then out past the Rowing club where I then realised they had not come this way either so off I turned for home. I got back to the bridge at the same time as the group - though in better condition. It had obviously been a very hard session. They were all red, breathless and soaking with sweat so maybe it was good that I missed it and did a steady 9-10km on my own.
Will be up a half hour early on Thursday just to ensure I won't ever be late again!!!

The Ultimate Motivator

After a rest day yesterday I was fully geared up to do a good run today.
I decided in preparation for Kurrawa to go out in the hottest time of the day in full race kit - sunscreen, hat and water bottle. Hubby came along for the exercise but stopped short on the last hill for fear of bringing on a heart attack.
Started at our house and went down the hill just warming up. Moved up the pace at the lights and covered the big hill in just over two minutes. Kept the pace up for the next 3km then attacked the third hill with double effort. Felt the lungs burning on this one and started hallucinating..face was bright red and I could feel it burning from inside out along with my lungs. Still felt like I was pumping so after slowing the pace to allow hubby to catch up (then realised he was never going to) I hit the next hill at a steady pace. Started to conserve engery on the downhill before remembering Tess's advice to go hard downhill 'like kids do'. It was time for the final hill before home and I was exhausted, hot and hot and hot!!! It was 30oC and lots of humidity. No leaves were moving on the trees and there was no shade. The heat was also coming up off the bitumen and there was not a dry piece of skin or clothing on me. My head was even hot (maybe should wear a cap during Kurrawa?).
The last hill is always the hardest - not sure about gradient but it is extremely steep. Nonetheless I could feel Hubby behind me so I DUG DEEP and plowed to the top of this one. Turned around and saw hubby walking....aaah the pleasures of life. Fell into the pool and did a few laps but it took at least an hour for the internals to cool down and the red face to subside.
I really felt like a runner today.

Friday Long Run

Word of warning - don't do long runs with a faster runner than you!
I survived and kept pace but am EXHAUSTED. My body does not like to do 18km at 5Km pace!!!
Met up with Tesso at 5am. Headed off along the river to the Botanical Gardens and did 10.5Km in 54mins finishing at the Regatta Pub. Had a quick guzzle of water and went back out with the 6am Regatta Running Club for a quickish 8 km (always seems easier in a group).
Finished up a few mins short of 01:40:00. I had aimed to do the same course in 01:45:00 so was sad to finish a few minutes early. I really need to spend the time on my feet. Might have to do another long session on Sunday or mid week next week. Pat Carroll has put next weeks long run at 2Hrs in prep for Kurrawa and I need to build up to that.
Had the pancakes today with berry compote! Went down a treat with the extra large skinny latte!

Cool Runners: Eddie, Tesso, Clairie, Loffy, Annie and Kato

Cool Night Classic - Wednesday Night

5.13Km in 00:25:20 not too bad, especially considering it was over two bridges.
I was happy with the run and was even able to sprint towards the end (to eventally collapse in front of the Corona Ice esky). The absolute crowds of people - stopping with no notice or just running three abreast was not conducive to any PBs but I still feel I really did run as hard as I could. My running partners advised it was a total distance of 8km if we included all the dodging and long cuts to avoid the crowded footpaths...
Don't think I am ever going to do a 45min 10Km if I run so fast and yet still only do 25min for 5km!!
Skipped my speed session this morning in leiu of my sprint last night and Friday's 2hr long run with the Regatta Runners. Groan....got to get up at 4am to be at the start by 5am....whoever said running was fun?

Steve Moneghetti and I - opening night for Intraining Running Store

Inspirational!

Just an average day for me yesterday, speed session in the morning, long day at work, chat with Steve Moneghetti, dinner at Southbank with Hubby and the usual activities that follow the bottle of red ;)

.....did you catch that - a chat with STEVE MONEGHETTI. He has really inspired me. Such a quiet man but still happy enough to come out of his shell to meet with likeminded runners and swap a few tips and training ideas. There is nothing better than an athlete who gives back to his supporters. The true definition of Hero...

Tuesday Session - Lapped!

It was raining when I got out of bed but it did not deter me from my twice weekly speed session with Pat Carroll and the group. I love running with them and seeing everyone improve or take it easy after a big race. Today was no different but I did realise one thing - I don't like anyone lapping me!!!!!
We did a 4km warmup, some strides, followed by 15mins of sprints (had pegged out a square that is 120m each side, sprint up one leg, jog the other, sprint, jog etc). A great session and for the first sprint leg I even managed to stay with the lead group...was falling behind on the first jog leg and by the time I had got around the whole square (2mins) I was officially running with the back of the pack. At the 12th minute I was lapped by the lead pack and felt humiliated. I know they are 38min 10km runners and elite athletes but still! Shouldn't the guys let the ladies finish first?
In the end I was happy to finish without walking and without falling to THAT POSITION - the last one. The warm down home was quicker that I wanted with a full agenda for the day starting with a work breakfast in the city so I had 30min to shower, dress and drive to the city (which I did in 10mins spending the next 20 finding the best park!!). My whole life feels like one big Speed Session!

The Long Run

I really wish I could film myself running. I am most keen to know what I look like pounding away on the pavement out there....on second thoughts it could easily fall into the wrong hands and be published as the way 'not to run'.
Regardless, this Saturday I really felt like I was in good form, I felt like a RUNNER! I headed out for a longish run (long for me but not for those marathoners out there!) with a belly full of water and half a Snickers Marathon bar - yes I tried it again. Much better BEFORE the run!
At the 2km mark I was being tailed by a couple of kids in a car and got very frightened, I had just launched on a 1km stretch of empty land in a deserted industrial estate and had no where to go. I pretended to push a button on my watch and then began a sprint to cover the 1km as fast as I could, I am sure it looked planned. I looked back and saw the car had turned into an empty carpark where I had been passing and was doing burnouts - they weren't after me after all!
After the sprint I slowed down again and enjoyed the regular route back down to the River and along Millionaires Row (dreaming about the lotto) before covering a few big hills and heading home. I am not sure if it was the early sprinting or the overcast weather but I felt great the whole way. I did not want to go home and felt confident I could keep going at that pace for at least another 5km. However, home beckoned and I did not want to encourage any injury so I finished in 01:36:00 for just over 16kms. I hope this pace is doable for Kurrawa!

Regatta Runners - 8Km

No longer will the Regatta be deemed the best pub for a Friday night...Now I can honestly say it is the best place for Breaky on a Friday morning.
Of course breakfast always tastes better after a good steady run.
I turned up as a newbie hoping to join another Brisbane running group and was warmly initiated into the Regatta Runners. About 20-25 runners turned up and we headed towards the city on the river walk/cycle path. Running alongside the water helps with the heat but I am sure they will be fishing me out of the river in another couple of months. Darwin was not this hot!
Tesso The Runner was proving that she loves those speed sessions by running to the front of the group, taking photos, then falling back, then running to the front again for more photos....yes she has a new digital camera!
00:36:34 for a gps measured 7.9KM course. I am starting to feel more confident about that 25Km run in December!
Did I mention the fruit toast was wonderfully thick and full of fruit........and yummmmmmmmmmy????? See you next Friday Regatta!

The Need 4 Speed

After changing my schedule around so my rest day for the week was inbetween Tuesday and Thursdays speed session I had high hopes for a big display of immense speed. Today was the day I was going to float past Pat and feel great at the end of it... I passed him in the carpark on the way home - does that count?
4km warm up; 8 run throughs to get the legs pumped then followed by 8x 30sec sprints with 30sec job recovery. To add element of suprise some 30sec efforts were dragged out to 1min efforts. Pat wouldn't let us stop till he raised his arm. Yes I did wonder if he was ticklish but I could not get close enough to find out..
When we couldn't run any further Pat made us have a resting recovery for 30sec then did another 4x30sec efforts followed by 4 x 30sec standing recoveries. That was better...but I did hope a mercy bus would come past to take me home. When none showed I turned around and shuffled my way back the 4km to the starting point.
I rewarded myself with a snickers Marathon bar and feel unwell now. Not the best breakfast! Need to keep trying these things out - Next goal is Kurrawa to Point Danger 50Km (am going to do it with Net Man as a relay so 25km each).
One thing about a speed session - lets you know you are alive and pumping...
PUMP ON!

Gold Coast Half - 2004

Joining a Running Club

..and you thought public speaking was hard!
Well try to imagine turning up in the dark of night on a cold morning to meet up with 10 others you have never met for a run that you don't even know if you are capable of completing! Yep that's what I did and that's what I would recommend to anyone interested in running. Join a Club!
Meeting others with the same interests is fantastic - you get to swap stories and hear tips and techniques - everyone has something to share.
You will usually find that you fit in somewhere in the group - up there with the elite athletes or at the back with the injured or beginner runners or anywhere in between. Either way continuing to attend runs with the same group allows you to measure your improvement against other runners.
It is also very motivating. Look at me - back of the packer who loves the guarantee that whenever I finish a run there will be plenty of runners waiting to cheer me home (okay so maybe it's so they know I got back safely and can now all go home.....but it all helps!)

3KM Time Trial

It was time to prove myself this morning - according to my Coach Pat Carroll (www.patcarroll.com.au) . Time to stand up and take it on the chin and show what I've been working for...well obviously I've been working towards running last in a race before finally collapsing at the feet of all those now-refreshed runners who were waiting for me to finish so they could leave and not be tooo late for work..Sorry Guys.
It just did not happen for me today. 3km - 00:13:36, I was aiming to best 00:13:20 but went out too hard in the first km, then cruised for the second one (this is all according to the watch as my efforts felt I should have been at the front of the pack!) before giving it all to get home.
I knew when I was doing the 3-4km warmup that I did not feel right, but as a runner you just can't keep making excuses. You have to accept the day and accept the run for whatever conditions and just do your best. I did - and now I have a time that will be good to blow to bits next month.......who knows maybe a cyclone will hit on that day and cause me to run slower again as I run into a headwind?? That's the beauty of running....no two are the same.
Run on :)

Clairie's Very Important Meeting

Finally my family and friends have been proven correct....I am certifiable.
I did the one thing my mother talks about in whispers and is always warning all 5 daughters about - I met up with a man I MET ON THE NET!
My husband didn't even seem to mind as I got up at 5am, got dressed and left to drive to Kurrawa Surf Lifesaving Club.
Once there I stood around and waited for the bright blue car to drive into sight. At last my 'Net Man' had arrived...together with wife and neice. There is something to be said for safety in numbers after all.
Loffy and I had met on the Coolrunning website www.coolrunning.com.au and agreed to meet up for a Saturday long run. It was fun and great to be able to run with someone who shares the same interests - and runs with you not ahead of you.
A great 15km along mostly flat coast - following some of the Gold Coast Marathon route, then up 100 steps (or was it 1000??) to a beautiful view at the top of the ocean and all the keen surfers waiting to catch their next wave...
Waiting for my next trip to the Coast so I can confirm the families perception of me and again, met up with Loffy and Co and try to add some more 'strangers' to the group.