A VIP Run

This morning started like so many other mornings lately -with me at the Gym doing a 15-20min run on the treadmill (did 3km this morning) followed by an hour of work on the strength training.
Straight after that I whizzed over to Southbank to catch up on all the goss from the latest Time Trial at Pat's session that was on this am too.

After much chatting and hearing about everyone's PB's or good efforts Tess and I stood around waiting for the official opening of the Brisbane River Run. A measured run with km markings starting at the Ship Inn at Southbank and going around the river.

After a breaky of yoghurt, fruit kebabs, juice and muffins it was a 3km run with Pat Carroll (while all the dignatories watched...) and the Brisbane State School Cross Country Team. It was heaps of fun. Pat cut the 3km run short (as no-one could see us) and we all turned around just after the first 1km marker. I felt good - it meant today I had run 5km with no pain or injuries. Cool.

Bit of a pity that running with all the food in my gut made me sick as afterwards...but ya get that.

Great photo op with all the pollies afterwards - good promotion for Pat and the team from the Gold Coast Marathon who were also there.

See below - Tesso and I with Anna Bligh.

Sucker for Punishment

Back to the Gym this morning.

Felt great to do a 20min warmup - 5mins walking and 15mins running. Even turned the treadmill to 4min pace for the last 5 mins as I was running against my friend. My lungs were busting but the legs felt great to be striding.
I noticed that unlike road running, I had to keep my arms close to me to avoid banging on the machine, so I was really concious of my form the whole time.

Did an hour of weights - both resistance machine and free weights without making an ass of myself. Did that in the locker room when trying to fit all my gear in. Reminder to self - need not bring the kitchen sink to the Gym each time!

I feel really good now and am very happy I have got back into the strength training. Even when I am back running at 100% I hope to keep up a few visits each week.

Had to giggle to myself when I broadmindedly walked naked into the showers and saw the majority of women sneaking their towels and underwear in with them and throwing them over the shower wall to keep dry so they could quickly dress in the basics after showering. I felt like an absolute exhibitionist so the rule is - do whatever you are comfortable with and don't just be a black sheep.....Big thick towel tomorrow is my guess :)

Strength Training

Got to the Gym this morning at 6am. A good friend met with me and we did a warm up on the treadmill.

I walked for 5 mins and then ran for about 6 mins (bliss). I didn't want to push it too much. Then I headed into the gym area where I proceeded to spend the next 60 minutes completely embarressing the female gender.

I was trying to do chest presses on the machine. You put your foot on the pedal at the bottom to bring the side bits forward (to avoid injury) then grab the bars that came forward with your hands and close your hands together - whilst lifting the weights. Well on the first one I realised the weight was on 45kg and there was no way I was going to be able to press that!!! So I put my foot on the bottom pedal to hold the weight whilst I bent down and pulled the pin out to put it onto a lower weight.

Can you picture it now....as soon as the pin came out the weights flew up, my legs (on the pedal) went flying and I fell forward onto the floor. Amusing for everyone I am sure. *groan*

I proceeded to get back into my seat and do 3 x 15 reps before being game enough to move onto another equally challenging task.

After a while I got into the swing of things and just starting to commiserate that I didn't look like all the other gym junkies with their brown oiled buff bodies. Though nowhere did I imagine the pain of the shower room.

Went to my locker and got my gear out and walked to the shower...then had to walk back and put my gear away. All the girls were walking into the showers with nothing. Some didn't even take their towels. So they were going naked into the shower, then coming out and walking through to the lockers with nothing on. Heavens above. Oh well when in rome......

Walk / Run / Walk

Got sick of walking around home and then defying the traffic to get to work. Thought I would go to Southbank and just do my workout there, shower and go to work nearby.

At 6:15 I was powerwalking along the river and lo and behond there is Pat's group stretching after doing their warm up run...well now what a coincidence (NOT!). Got to see all my mates and give Tess a hug before marching off to do another 1km before doing 10x 100m strides increasing in intensity.
The walking is to warm up the body for the strides and also to keep active whilst maintaining the leg (with ITB) in as straight a pose as possible.

After doing the strides I was hot and tired but still had to get back to the car. Turned around and watched the runners in Pat's group come in for their last two efforts of 500m repeats (the last one being a 1km repeat).

Caught up with Tesso again and she jogged slowly alongside whilst I powerwalked back to the start. Got my new winter Pat Carroll shirt from Pat and stretched a bit before hitting the showers.

I did the same exercise/exertion level etc as yesterday but for some reason it seemed that today I finally did something. I think it must be because I saw the group instead of just powering around home.

Did my induction at the Gym today at lunch. Scary stuff that. Got a 60min session tomorrow at 6am for weights/strength training.

Tesso's Terrific Triumph

Well done to Tesso and many other fellow CR's/Banjo Players who competed in the Warwick Pentath this weekend.

This is a report of Tesso's weekend:

Well, started off well with the half marathon. Ran alongside Liz N till about the 11k mark or so then sped up just a bit. Its such a magnificent half marathon course, definitely my all time favourite. I just luv the point to point races, and out in the middle of nowhere but you get to run on bitumen!
Anyway, I felt great so just kept on cruisin.

About 20k I caught up to Ciaran who had caught up to Geoff. Geoff went out way fast, Nick only got him at 14k. Ciaran took off and I passed Geoff who was clearly dying, couldn't even run fast down hill by that stage! I was very happy to cross in 1:37.50.

Was feeling okay for the x-country after that (go those coffee beans). It wasn't as hard as last year, I was actually (almost) bounding over the obstacles. With about 300m to go I caught up to Glenno and Georgie! Of course Georgie took off so I passed Glenno to stir him up. It worked and he passed me and then flew past Georgie about 50m from the finish. Tee hee. Did 20.11 for the 4.6k.

The "I don't feel like running again" hit me before the 5k. Just got sick of eating protein bars and white English muffins. I was craving meat! Anyway, the 5k is pretty easy, a double loop with just one hill.
Liz N passed me in this one, I tried to give chase but the legs told me where to go. Though I did get some joy from passing someone with about 300m to go. Found out later he was in the 10 to 12 age group. Did this one in 21.58.

By this stage I was about 8 mins or so up on last year. I worked out that if I didn't die too much on the mountain I'd still come in under 3:30 and was rapt. Also thought that sub 3:25 was a possiblity, if I could just hang in there. We rang Cameron who had threatened to come out and nobble me if I was getting close to his 3:21 record. Figured if I had a really really good day Sunday I might get 3:23.

Felt so sick after dinner Sat night, the only reason I didn't chuck was I was too lazy to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Only had about 2 hours sleep. I was shot Sunday morning. Oh well, I still thought I'd go sub 3:30, but only just. So the gun goes for the mountain run and I felt like I was running really really hard, but was only doing 4:45s. And this was on the flattish bit leading up to the rise. Also there was a lady in front who I thought might be in my cat, turned out she was in Lizzles. I got her anyway at 4k. The real climb starts about 5k and I kept looking at my watch and calculating my time if I did 7 min kms. Not good. Cameron turned up and was at the start of the hill climb. Anyway, pushed on and on. Caught Ciaran at about 7k I think, then Glenno about 500m later. Then caught Nick at about 8k. Ran beside him for maybe a km but once it flattened out just a bit he got away from me. I forgotten totally about feeling ill and in fact felt great. Just kept visualising Pat's hill sessions. That kept me going. Kept on glancing at the watch and I figured I might do 55mins (did 56.30 last time) but that number got smaller and smaller. Hmmm, 54 maybe. Woooo, 53 ...... perhaps. The last km seemed to go sooooo fast, as its flatter and there's a big downhill to finish. Crossed the line in 52.36!!!!!! Ha, Schultzy was marshalling at the finish, shoulda seen the look on his face when I came in. Tee hee!

So now I was up 12 minutes. I could walk the 1500 and still break 3:30! If I ran okay I'd break 3:20. Cameron wasn't impressed. His 3:21 had gone!!!! I wasn't at all nervous now lining up for this one. Lizzle and I had showered and changed (yet again) and that makes such a difference. Took off and MJ and Chelle were both off like scalded cats. It took me until 1k to get MJ. Got Glenno at the same time. Then with just 200m to go finally reeled Chelle in. Finished in 6.05! Woooooohooooooo!!!!!!!

By my calcs (could be dodgey) I ran 3:18.35. I am sooooooo happy, just feel so good. Why didn't I run that well in Canberra? Who cares! Ended up winning my category in all five and was 4th overall.


So many laughs on the weekend. Missed Clairie but we know she'll be there next year for sure, okay!

MMMM MASSAGE

Thought I hadn't shelled out enough cash this week so booked in for a 90min sports massage - focusing on the ITB. Can you believe the non-inflammed leg is sorer than the inflammed leg???? Am I meant to ice both of them now?

Heading out for my first cycle tonight - after a 10min stride session. Will be good to get out on the road for any amount of time.

I am really missing my running buddies. :(

Monday Madness

Gosh another day of doing nothing. I am sure to go insane. This is worse than any pain....

Can't wait until Wednesday when I will be permitted to do some light jogging, gym work, swimming or biking - or all of them. As long as I don't do more than 10mins of running for the first 4 days of activity.

At the moment I just would like to see my heart rate go up for something other than getting out of the loungechair.... :)

Needles are Nice

Well after much anguish and discussion with various sports professionals and longtime runners I made the decision to go to a Sports Doctor for a full diagnosis and treatment.

Within 10mins I was on the table and had a long needle being inserted into the muscle in my right leg. I only felt a pin prick and for most of today have just got a dull 'heavy leg' sensation. No real pain. However I have been warned that if anyone gets pain - it comes on the first night when in bed after having the injection. Might have a few red wines tonight then...

I didn't make this decision lightly, and I didn't do it under pressure to get out to the Warwick Pentath, but I was a frustrated person. I have a well aligned body and the incorrect orthotics that were prescribed to me really have done their nasty work on me. However they are all fixed and now I am working on the inflammation and will continue working on stretching and icing the muscle/tendon itself. I don't think I will be out for much longer. It wasn't overuse or a change in intensity as can often be the case - and lead to much more severe and chronic ITB problems.

It was simple - I got orthotics and within a few weeks was not running. I removed them immediately and have had new ones made - with the assessment from Podiatrist and 2 physios.

So watch out cyclist and gym junkies...I'm out there with you next week. Another few weeks and I'll be carving up the road with Tesso again discussing what our next race will be...... looking forward to it.
loves you all

Tesso's Running Class

Well it's offical. Tesso is now a running teacher....such a perfect role for her.
She takes the Intraining Wednesday night running group. They are mostly beginner runners who have started to do speed training and are working towards 10km race goals.

After I spent the afternoon at UQ with the Physio I headed over to Intraining. Tesso got there and soon after all the runners turned up. Despite my warning to not run for a few weeks from the Physio (I'll start that tomorrow...) I went out with Tesso's Group. It was fun.

We warmed up for about 1.5km then after about 6 strides headed out for some 60/60's. Ran fast for 60sec then slow recovery jog for 60sec. Did 6 fast before stopping, stretching a bit then doing the warmdown. Got back to where we started and Tess took the group up the ramp for 3x 70m hill reps.

It worked out really well. I went at the front and was supporting the faster runners, Tesso stayed at the rear and made sure everyone was coping with the session. We all got back around the same time with the exception of one really slow woman. I thought she really hated us for the session (we changed it from what they normally do to give some variety) but she came up to me afterwards and asked some questions and said it was a good session.

The fastest girl in the group was on her virgin run so she was excited to be doing so well. I think she might hurt a bit today though as she has never done speed work before and was pushing it a bit.

Now onto those weeks of pure rest....

First Speed Session

Today was the hardest run I have ever done. Seriously.

Started with a fast paced warm up for 15mins, some stretching and strides, then the speed session.

Everyone else was running around a loop in the gardens that Pat had set out followed by a sprint up the hill, then easy down and back around the loop (300m) - starting to sprint at the turnaround of the loop. As I am not encouraged to do hills just yet Pat had me doing just the loop.

I started out with a slow jog, then sprinted at the turnaround up to the bottom of the hill, then slow back to the turnaround. Basically 30/30s. It was so hard. I was hurting all over and really noticed a lack of fitness. I am totally devastated.
I had a red face for about an hour afterwards. I have taken a beating today and it really brought me back to earth. There is some hard work ahead to get me back to where I was before Canberra......

On a chirpier note, Tesso ran like a demon up those hills. It was fun to race with her then turn around and giggle while she had to sprint up the hill. It really takes it out of you but you can almost see her get stronger with each hill. It is our favourite session with Pat and I look forward to when I am in good condition and my leg is 100% so we can tackle the hills again. My goal this year is to keep with her for 6 hill reps. Then I will be happy to lay down and die... :)

6km

Woo hoo. Big deal. Ran 6km....and THAT was my long run.

I AM A RUNNER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay maybe I should wait until tomorrow to post this...but I can't I am so excited. I am truly pain free - even when squatting and kicking my leg. First run tomorrow am.

I went to see that wonderful brute - Bruno. He massaged and pummeled and found all my problems and fixed them....JUST LIKE THAT!

News is I have the best ITB and glutes in the world (strange to hear that from someone you are paying...but then again I was paying him to tell me the worst news not the best). Apparently I had a tear in my left calf (from pressure from incorrect orthotics as confirmed by visit to Dean of Physio at UQ tonight) and the whole calf had become so tight and mangled it was pulling on my hammies and affecting the ITB. All that damn bloody rolling on that stupid foam thing was doing good but it would never have disappeared without looking at the calf. Now that is on the mend I don't have any ITB pain at all.

But you should see the photos. I came home and got undressed and my husband went beserk. My back and my legs are all bruised and look like I have been hit by a car! He was really concerned. I don't give a toss. I can run again :)

Will post photos tonight. Gotta go find the best red in the house and crack it open....*********BIG BIG BIG BIG SILLY GRIN*********

New Cure for ITB

For all ITB Sufferers, I have found a cure!!! Well a treatment at least.

After my massage with Jodi yesterday afternoon I came away with a new technique to attempt that she swore by as providing relief.

Last night just before I was about to go to bed I took my clothes off and put a big handful of Voltaren gel on my flared ITB. THEN WRAPPED MY WHOLE LEG IN GLADWRAP.
Got into bed feeling a bit like a cross between a desperate housewife wanting attention and a peanut butter sandwich getting squished in the lunchbox. Anyway I eventually fell asleep amid my husbands sniggers.
I awoke just after midnight to a crazy itching on my leg. It was driving me insane, like ants crawling all over it. I kept scratching and eventually it dawned on me that my leg was sweating in the gladwrap and this was causing the itchiness.

I tore the gladwrap off and went back to bed.

Got up this morning - NO PAIN. Okay so I haven't run but for the past few days the leg has been aching even without running so I am happy to have come this far. Will see how it goes with my run tomorrow.

Off to the shops to get Caterer's pack of Gladwrap now. :)

Living on the Edge

Turned up to the 3km Time Trial this morning.

Was great to be with the group and then watch them all run fast (damnit!) whilst I stretched and cheered from the sidelines.

My leg has gone through more than 200 laps in a freezing cold pool, many ice glasses, constant massage and endless stretches.
Still aching today after this mornings 30min run (I did the warm up and cool down) but the pain at least has subsided to an ache as opposed to the sharp pain of last week.

Is there anything in life more depressing to a runner than an injury?

TESS COMES THIRD

I slept in - due to big night last night (and misery as I couldnt' run) but Tesso turned up for the BRRC 7km Club Championships.

Good thing she did - managed to take away third prize. Well Done Tesso!

After a few weeks of consistent running I know she has been feeling sore and has tired legs. Still after Saturdays long run up Mount Cootha, she still pulled out a good effort.

What a champion. I definitely need to see what batteries she is using..mine have run out of charge!