Disappointment, Excitement, Anxiety, Concern, Elation....had it all today.
Dragged Allan (hubby) and Matt (13yo) out to the Road Runners at 5.30am this morning. It was a 21km run with 3 team members each completing a lap of 7km.
I was really excited about having a 'Family Team' until we got there and found out you have to give your 10km times and they allocate you to a team to even out so all teams are due in around the same time.
Shock horror. The look on my sons' face when I told him he would have to run with two strangers :) If I wasn't so disappointed to not be running as a family I would have laughed at his face!!!
I had planned to go out first, then run with Matt for the second loop and Allan would bring it home. Now we were all on different teams. After finding our new team mates I realised it wasn't so bad after all, mainly because I would still be able to run with Matt - who was now doing the third leg for his new team - as I was doing the second leg for our team.
Guess who was in my team??? Fellow CR Runnerbee and none other than the wonderful Jackie Fairweather (Gallagher). Jackie was after a run with other people before heading off to Tokyo for a marathon - hoping to do 2:30 finally for prep for Commonwealth Games. It was very exciting only now my non-serious family run was turning into 'shit claire you better run fast today' type run.
Jackie went out first, quite easily for her - doing 3.40 min kms. She came in second overall and tagged me and off I went - soon to be overtaken by Jackie who was doing the whole 21km with the team - I kept her in sight for about 2km then had to drop back. I managed to do 4:30km most of the way but the 4-5 km was very hard heading towards Southbank.
Finished up my lap with our team now leading by 30 sec. I tagged Brenda who was next/last out and grabbed some water before seeing my sons second team mate come in and tag him.
It was so much fun running with Matty. He was giving it all he had but was doing it tough. In the last km he was wobbling all over and said he was feeling sick. I told him I loved him more that this race was worth and suggested he walk. Nope. Stubborn child. Pushed on and even sprinted at the end. So proud of him I was.
He had overtaken my team and brought his team home in good time.
One of the highlights of the day was when Brenda crossed the line. She was very upset and said "I lost it for us, Im sorry" Jackie immediately went up to her and scolded her. She said 'it is not about winning but about doing your best'. Incidentally Brenda ran her fastest 7km PB time ever today. *cheers* I was so proud of her and very thankful for Jackies praise of her efforts - it really meant a lot coming from an elite runner.
We hung around and watched Allan come in. He did very well too. Flashandy was on his team doing the initial leg and had run first in a time of 25mins (and something sec) so very fast!!!! However their second runner was a bit slower and they fell back on the placings.
All in all it was a good day and lots of fun to mix everyone up like that.
Matty even won the random draw prize. How funny. He had a choice to choose between a water bottle or an envelope. He took the envelope and got a $50 voucher for Run on Down. *claps*
Time to get serious now...3km Time Trial on Tuesday followed by the final Club Championship race on Sunday - 5km. So lots of speed this week.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Friday, October 28, 2005
Regatta Runner Once Again......
Woo Hoo,
In my goal to run Marathons I am slowly increasing my weekly mileage. Today was my first day for many months that I was back with the Regatta Runners.
It felt great to see the old crew again. Most of them I run with on the weekends anyhow but Friday's people like Nat, Grant, Robson and Suzy etc were all there too.
Headed out with the fast runners and started a conversation with Nat. Before I knew it we were at teh 3km mark and I was still in the lead. Woo Hoo.
Chris came up and told me to steady on...that only made me push a bit harder. At the 4km mark we turned around and headed home. Robson was going strong so he came up to me and told me to keep going I was looking strong. I ran with him for another km before pulling in behind him. He slowly increased the distance between us as I dropped a gear and started running 5min kms. We did the first 4 in 4:30min/km then dropped to 5min/km and finally a few even slower km before picking it up again in the last 500m.
I got overtaken with about 1.5km from the end by the guys but managed to stay in front of the girls - with the exception of one really fast one who zipped past me and ran with Robson to the finish.
All in all 40.10 for the 8km circuit so I was happy with that. Next time I will try to run 42 and keep an even 5:30/km pace going. It is meant to be a recovery run before my long run on Saturdays and my speedsessions on Thursday so I can't afford to be doing too fast.
Cant' wait for Tesso to be back in town and on the road again. We have planned to do Regatta every Friday with a Mount Cootha run thrown in for good measure once every three weeks. *gulp*
In my goal to run Marathons I am slowly increasing my weekly mileage. Today was my first day for many months that I was back with the Regatta Runners.
It felt great to see the old crew again. Most of them I run with on the weekends anyhow but Friday's people like Nat, Grant, Robson and Suzy etc were all there too.
Headed out with the fast runners and started a conversation with Nat. Before I knew it we were at teh 3km mark and I was still in the lead. Woo Hoo.
Chris came up and told me to steady on...that only made me push a bit harder. At the 4km mark we turned around and headed home. Robson was going strong so he came up to me and told me to keep going I was looking strong. I ran with him for another km before pulling in behind him. He slowly increased the distance between us as I dropped a gear and started running 5min kms. We did the first 4 in 4:30min/km then dropped to 5min/km and finally a few even slower km before picking it up again in the last 500m.
I got overtaken with about 1.5km from the end by the guys but managed to stay in front of the girls - with the exception of one really fast one who zipped past me and ran with Robson to the finish.
All in all 40.10 for the 8km circuit so I was happy with that. Next time I will try to run 42 and keep an even 5:30/km pace going. It is meant to be a recovery run before my long run on Saturdays and my speedsessions on Thursday so I can't afford to be doing too fast.
Cant' wait for Tesso to be back in town and on the road again. We have planned to do Regatta every Friday with a Mount Cootha run thrown in for good measure once every three weeks. *gulp*
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Gym....again
Gosh two days in a row. Um this could get boring...... :)
Nah seriously it was heaps of fun. Me and LWP decided to skip the speed session with Pat. I tend to push myself in that group (doh - that's the whole idea I know) so thought I would be best at the gym where I could stop/start according to my pain threshold.
Still, as we have a 3K TT next Tuesday I thought I had better do some hard running.
After warming up for 5mins I did 2 x 4min km on the tready. Just have to manage to string one more (and sprint the finish) and I will have my sub 12. Not really thinking it will happen next week but I am certainly hoping to feel good on the day and will give it a shot.
It would be really really exciting and motivating if say someone who had stress fractures and couldn't run was able to come down and cheer us on. And maybe someone with hamstring tears might want to run at a slower pace and cheer me on.... lots of possibilities. That would all be cool *grins*
Nah seriously it was heaps of fun. Me and LWP decided to skip the speed session with Pat. I tend to push myself in that group (doh - that's the whole idea I know) so thought I would be best at the gym where I could stop/start according to my pain threshold.
Still, as we have a 3K TT next Tuesday I thought I had better do some hard running.
After warming up for 5mins I did 2 x 4min km on the tready. Just have to manage to string one more (and sprint the finish) and I will have my sub 12. Not really thinking it will happen next week but I am certainly hoping to feel good on the day and will give it a shot.
It would be really really exciting and motivating if say someone who had stress fractures and couldn't run was able to come down and cheer us on. And maybe someone with hamstring tears might want to run at a slower pace and cheer me on.... lots of possibilities. That would all be cool *grins*
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Gym Gym Gym
Went to the gym today with my new best friend (little white pill) and got into my normal routine.
Not quite 100% pain free - as I was not able to do as much weight on the chest press and still not able to do any pushups but aside from that it was good to feel like I did a workout. Much better than Friday's session which I found really hard.
I am beginning to learn the stretches I do at the end of my weights session is one of the most important things for injury prevention and I look forward to long stretches and feeling more and more flexible each week.
Not quite 100% pain free - as I was not able to do as much weight on the chest press and still not able to do any pushups but aside from that it was good to feel like I did a workout. Much better than Friday's session which I found really hard.
I am beginning to learn the stretches I do at the end of my weights session is one of the most important things for injury prevention and I look forward to long stretches and feeling more and more flexible each week.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Tuesday's Pain
Today was pain day. It was wonderful seeing Andy again - he has been on a ship over in the middle east serving his country and now he is back again after 6 months.
We warmed up by running out to New Farm then did some strides. Pat announced we would be doing 7x500m reps with 60sec rest. The elites had to do 9x 500m so I felt great that I was not elite today.
On the warm up my ribs had been hurting but I assumed that like last week the pain would subside. However after the second rep my lungs were hurting real bad and the pain was tearing through my right side.
When I went to the Doctors on Monday (I have two broken ribs) he said I could still run and gave me some drugs to help with the pain, though I don't like to take them.
On the fifth rep I was in so much pain I could not breath and my lungs could not get any air in them. I felt like I was being suffocated whilst being stabbed at the same time. It was really scary and even though I was getting air in my lungs it wasn't deep enough and I was starting to feel my body panic.
I walked off and thankfully Scotty came over to the rescue (Tess I think he looks after us well doesn't he.....) and Dan even said he was going to get his ute (promised I could lie in it and he would make an ambulance noise!!) but all I needed was air and the knife from my chest removed. After 10mins I calmed down and the body went into relax mode. I jogged/walked back home with Scotty and then went straight to the chemist and got my Dr. prescript filled.
Am now pain-free and will take one tablet (it is just Panadeine forte) before I go running. The ribs should heal within the next 4-5 weeks and running won't do any further damage but will cause pain.
Damn we runners are one tough breed (quote from Dr!!!!)
We warmed up by running out to New Farm then did some strides. Pat announced we would be doing 7x500m reps with 60sec rest. The elites had to do 9x 500m so I felt great that I was not elite today.
On the warm up my ribs had been hurting but I assumed that like last week the pain would subside. However after the second rep my lungs were hurting real bad and the pain was tearing through my right side.
When I went to the Doctors on Monday (I have two broken ribs) he said I could still run and gave me some drugs to help with the pain, though I don't like to take them.
On the fifth rep I was in so much pain I could not breath and my lungs could not get any air in them. I felt like I was being suffocated whilst being stabbed at the same time. It was really scary and even though I was getting air in my lungs it wasn't deep enough and I was starting to feel my body panic.
I walked off and thankfully Scotty came over to the rescue (Tess I think he looks after us well doesn't he.....) and Dan even said he was going to get his ute (promised I could lie in it and he would make an ambulance noise!!) but all I needed was air and the knife from my chest removed. After 10mins I calmed down and the body went into relax mode. I jogged/walked back home with Scotty and then went straight to the chemist and got my Dr. prescript filled.
Am now pain-free and will take one tablet (it is just Panadeine forte) before I go running. The ribs should heal within the next 4-5 weeks and running won't do any further damage but will cause pain.
Damn we runners are one tough breed (quote from Dr!!!!)
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Weight Loss
I have been doing a lot of reading lately and thinking about running and my body shape.
Can I just say - Yes I know I am not fat.
However my thoughts have evolved around how changing my body shape may be able to help with my running. As a runner you fall into the trap of overeating by assuming that the higher the mileage the more you can eat! Yes true for calorie count, but the type of food is important too and in my family we all too often tend to eat poor food if I am not cooking. (like pizza on a Wednesday when I have running group and don't get home till after 7.30pm)....
On the coolrunning thread there was a discussion about BMI and running pace with the suggestion being a direct correlation between your personal BMI and your capacity to run faster. The lower the BMI the faster you can run.
So for the month of November I am going on a very strict diet. Okay so a month won't do much but it is long enough to change some bad habits and highlight areas that I might be able to continue. Also any weight loss that may come from this will be highly welcome and I am sure with my increased mileage leading up to Canberra will be easy to maintain.
FRESH Fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, wholegrains, etc etc all the healthy foods. There will be no alcohol, no coffee, no softdrinks, no chocolate, no lollies, no white bread, no cheeses, no refined foods.
I will try to restrict fat intake to 15gms a day but I really have no idea so this will at the very least make sure I think about the food before I eat it (or check labels when shopping).
This sounds just like a healthy diet that we should all be doing (and you may be) but will be very difficult for me. Hence I have put this on my blog. So please feel free to remind me at any time. Additionally if you wonder why I turn down your party invite for a wild night at the local Indian - rest assured it is not your company I am turning down. Just the temptations :)
(ps invites will be accepted in December *grins*)
Can I just say - Yes I know I am not fat.
However my thoughts have evolved around how changing my body shape may be able to help with my running. As a runner you fall into the trap of overeating by assuming that the higher the mileage the more you can eat! Yes true for calorie count, but the type of food is important too and in my family we all too often tend to eat poor food if I am not cooking. (like pizza on a Wednesday when I have running group and don't get home till after 7.30pm)....
On the coolrunning thread there was a discussion about BMI and running pace with the suggestion being a direct correlation between your personal BMI and your capacity to run faster. The lower the BMI the faster you can run.
So for the month of November I am going on a very strict diet. Okay so a month won't do much but it is long enough to change some bad habits and highlight areas that I might be able to continue. Also any weight loss that may come from this will be highly welcome and I am sure with my increased mileage leading up to Canberra will be easy to maintain.
FRESH Fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, wholegrains, etc etc all the healthy foods. There will be no alcohol, no coffee, no softdrinks, no chocolate, no lollies, no white bread, no cheeses, no refined foods.
I will try to restrict fat intake to 15gms a day but I really have no idea so this will at the very least make sure I think about the food before I eat it (or check labels when shopping).
This sounds just like a healthy diet that we should all be doing (and you may be) but will be very difficult for me. Hence I have put this on my blog. So please feel free to remind me at any time. Additionally if you wonder why I turn down your party invite for a wild night at the local Indian - rest assured it is not your company I am turning down. Just the temptations :)
(ps invites will be accepted in December *grins*)
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Slow Speed
After the 25km on Sunday I pulled up with really tight calves and thought I had done an injury - the left calf in particular.
However thanks to Miss Magic-Fingers (Chundachick) I had a brilliant massage on Tuesday and seem to be in excellent shape now. Though damn I didn't realise my ITB was still tight. Hurt like hell!!!!
This morning was a great session. We basically were tapering for the 3km race tomorrow so Pat had us run into New Farm park from Southbank (took 25mins so was a cracking pace) then turned around and met up in the Gardens on the way back to do some strides. Did about 12 of them to loosen the legs.
Finished up and still felt like I had done a decent workout so I was happy with that.
However thanks to Miss Magic-Fingers (Chundachick) I had a brilliant massage on Tuesday and seem to be in excellent shape now. Though damn I didn't realise my ITB was still tight. Hurt like hell!!!!
This morning was a great session. We basically were tapering for the 3km race tomorrow so Pat had us run into New Farm park from Southbank (took 25mins so was a cracking pace) then turned around and met up in the Gardens on the way back to do some strides. Did about 12 of them to loosen the legs.
Finished up and still felt like I had done a decent workout so I was happy with that.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Tag Time
I've been tagged....
CR Blog game:
Here are the rules:
1. Go into your archives.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or the closest one to it)
4. Post the text of your sentence in your blog along with these rules.
5. Tag five other people.
My Sentence : After the speedwork I noticed all the girls had left early for work or other reasons, so I thought I would just walk back but then I fell into pace with Eddie.
This was back in December. A speed session with Pat after a xmas party the night before *groan*. I do recall needing cooldowns after doing this cooldown :)
I now tag Melski, Eddie, Matty, Allyoop and Chelle.
CR Blog game:
Here are the rules:
1. Go into your archives.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or the closest one to it)
4. Post the text of your sentence in your blog along with these rules.
5. Tag five other people.
My Sentence : After the speedwork I noticed all the girls had left early for work or other reasons, so I thought I would just walk back but then I fell into pace with Eddie.
This was back in December. A speed session with Pat after a xmas party the night before *groan*. I do recall needing cooldowns after doing this cooldown :)
I now tag Melski, Eddie, Matty, Allyoop and Chelle.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Gloriously Pathetic 25km Championship Run
What a day! I have never laughed so much throughout a run in my whole life. But then again - I have never had everything go so badly either. It was either laugh or cry and I choose laughter :)
I had been psyching up for this run for quite some time now. It is my last hitout at 25km before Kurrawa and I really wanted to see what the legs were capable of.
Tess and I had been discussing it for weeks and already worked out what we hoped to run and what we were going to eat etc.
The day before the race my legs were quite sore from the gym on Friday so I bought a pair of skins and wore them around home. Not the most glamourous look but they felt bloody fantastic.
The night before we got a last minute invite down to the Gold Coast for dinner. One of those ones you can't turn down. So off we went with strict instructions to Allan - we MUST be home early! Yeah right. It was cricket and the tri-nations on their big screens and champagne all round. The worst thing was they had made some Bailey's Creme Brulee and we all had to have some. (the things we do..) my stomach was immediately upset from the cream and I was clock watching so not long after I dragged the family away and headed home for the long drive.
Went straight to sleep and woke up feeling refreshed. Went to the cupboard and found the creamed rice all gone...noooooo. Damn had to have weekbix instead...mmm not a good start.
Got dressed, put on the sunblock and hat and looked outside to see rain pouring down - still! (it had been raining all night). I stood still for 5mins thinking - bed or run. Knowing Tess would be out there made it easier to choose the run so off I went.
Arrived for the 6am start at about 5:15am. Lots of time to ummm sit in the car and watch the pouring rain. Tess and I were going to do our warmup together but by the time we dragged ourselves out of our cars and went to register there was only 8mins left before the race. It was cold and raining and I was very disheartened.
Just before they called us to the start line I put on my fuel belt and ipod. My fuel belt I wear on my hips and boy did it really hurt. I have really bad bruises from the go-karting still and didn't even think of the fuel belt. Oh well I needed my drink so I put it on anyhow and put up with the pain.
We lined up and were all smiles (and groans). The gun went off and Tess and I flew up the street. We were racing away and the pace was really tough. Got to the first km mark and almost laughed aloud. 4:40! It had soooo felt like sub 3mins.
We did the new few in 4:45 - which was our planned pace. At the 4km mark I had to have some drink as I had not picked up some water when we went past. In doing so I put my bottle back in the fuel belt but a bloke came up and yelled at me (ipod = deafness I guess) that I had dropped the bottle. *groan* I turned around and went back for it and told myself the race was over. Shortly afterwards Karen overtook me so I lost a bit more spirit. Tess was still going well and I was cheering her on.
The race was 5 x 5km loops so it was good to pass everyone as you went around. Though the gap between Tess and I widened up sooo much. The rain was still coming down hard and my shoes were soaking wet. On the first loop I think I had hurt my legs by trying to jump around all the puddles and avoid the rivers of water on the road. By the second loop I just waddled right through them - there was not a dry bit on me. I even had to keep ringing out my CR hat and PC singlet as they were heavy with water.
My legs felt great in the skins but my tummy was getting real bad pains. Not too keen on the creme brulee afterall..... I stopped in around 15km to go to the toilet and felt much better after that. Though pulling up the skins was quite a task with them all soaking wet. Nothing was going to go well for me today :) Back on the road and I threw the fuel belt on the table at the water station - it really was hurting. Felt much better to do the next few kms without it. Then just at the 19km my ears started crackling BLOODY HELL I thought my ipod is electrocuting me. I whipped it off and handed it to the nearest marshall (2km later I prayed the guy in the raincoat I gave it to was a marshall or someone just won a free ipod....).
It was weird finishing the last 5km of the race with no music by I could not stop laughing. Here I was struggling to run (it was a nasty sight) with soaking wet clothes, heavy wet shoes, no music or fuel belt and a puky tummy.
Can you believe that despite all of this I was in the zone...none of it mattered. I was really enjoying the run and having everything go wrong.
My planned time of sub 2hrs blew out to 2:10 including my various pit stops.
But you know what - I got out of bed. I ran in the rain and fought all the odds. That's what running is about sometimes. The challenges.
To top of a wonderfully sad run - I won the gold medal for first in my age group. Yahhh.. So did Tess, Hannah and Karen. Well done guys :)
Fingers crossed that it all went wrong in the warmup race and that it all goes smoothly for Kurrawa.
I had been psyching up for this run for quite some time now. It is my last hitout at 25km before Kurrawa and I really wanted to see what the legs were capable of.
Tess and I had been discussing it for weeks and already worked out what we hoped to run and what we were going to eat etc.
The day before the race my legs were quite sore from the gym on Friday so I bought a pair of skins and wore them around home. Not the most glamourous look but they felt bloody fantastic.
The night before we got a last minute invite down to the Gold Coast for dinner. One of those ones you can't turn down. So off we went with strict instructions to Allan - we MUST be home early! Yeah right. It was cricket and the tri-nations on their big screens and champagne all round. The worst thing was they had made some Bailey's Creme Brulee and we all had to have some. (the things we do..) my stomach was immediately upset from the cream and I was clock watching so not long after I dragged the family away and headed home for the long drive.
Went straight to sleep and woke up feeling refreshed. Went to the cupboard and found the creamed rice all gone...noooooo. Damn had to have weekbix instead...mmm not a good start.
Got dressed, put on the sunblock and hat and looked outside to see rain pouring down - still! (it had been raining all night). I stood still for 5mins thinking - bed or run. Knowing Tess would be out there made it easier to choose the run so off I went.
Arrived for the 6am start at about 5:15am. Lots of time to ummm sit in the car and watch the pouring rain. Tess and I were going to do our warmup together but by the time we dragged ourselves out of our cars and went to register there was only 8mins left before the race. It was cold and raining and I was very disheartened.
Just before they called us to the start line I put on my fuel belt and ipod. My fuel belt I wear on my hips and boy did it really hurt. I have really bad bruises from the go-karting still and didn't even think of the fuel belt. Oh well I needed my drink so I put it on anyhow and put up with the pain.
We lined up and were all smiles (and groans). The gun went off and Tess and I flew up the street. We were racing away and the pace was really tough. Got to the first km mark and almost laughed aloud. 4:40! It had soooo felt like sub 3mins.
We did the new few in 4:45 - which was our planned pace. At the 4km mark I had to have some drink as I had not picked up some water when we went past. In doing so I put my bottle back in the fuel belt but a bloke came up and yelled at me (ipod = deafness I guess) that I had dropped the bottle. *groan* I turned around and went back for it and told myself the race was over. Shortly afterwards Karen overtook me so I lost a bit more spirit. Tess was still going well and I was cheering her on.
The race was 5 x 5km loops so it was good to pass everyone as you went around. Though the gap between Tess and I widened up sooo much. The rain was still coming down hard and my shoes were soaking wet. On the first loop I think I had hurt my legs by trying to jump around all the puddles and avoid the rivers of water on the road. By the second loop I just waddled right through them - there was not a dry bit on me. I even had to keep ringing out my CR hat and PC singlet as they were heavy with water.
My legs felt great in the skins but my tummy was getting real bad pains. Not too keen on the creme brulee afterall..... I stopped in around 15km to go to the toilet and felt much better after that. Though pulling up the skins was quite a task with them all soaking wet. Nothing was going to go well for me today :) Back on the road and I threw the fuel belt on the table at the water station - it really was hurting. Felt much better to do the next few kms without it. Then just at the 19km my ears started crackling BLOODY HELL I thought my ipod is electrocuting me. I whipped it off and handed it to the nearest marshall (2km later I prayed the guy in the raincoat I gave it to was a marshall or someone just won a free ipod....).
It was weird finishing the last 5km of the race with no music by I could not stop laughing. Here I was struggling to run (it was a nasty sight) with soaking wet clothes, heavy wet shoes, no music or fuel belt and a puky tummy.
Can you believe that despite all of this I was in the zone...none of it mattered. I was really enjoying the run and having everything go wrong.
My planned time of sub 2hrs blew out to 2:10 including my various pit stops.
But you know what - I got out of bed. I ran in the rain and fought all the odds. That's what running is about sometimes. The challenges.
To top of a wonderfully sad run - I won the gold medal for first in my age group. Yahhh.. So did Tess, Hannah and Karen. Well done guys :)
Fingers crossed that it all went wrong in the warmup race and that it all goes smoothly for Kurrawa.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Battered and Bruised
Who would have thought running would help me at work?
I HAD to take some customers to Kingston Raceway yesterday afternoon. I wasn't that keen on it but my guys were so I was enthused enough to warrant a good time.
We got there for 3pm and kicked off with some drinks and nibbles then had a debrief on how to ride the karts. Scary stuff. We did about 8 practise laps each and I was quite slow and very scared as the other karts whizzed past me.
We all re-grouped (there was about 60 of us) and got into our teams of 3. Each driver had to do 8 laps then come in for a pit stop. The pit crew had to count laps, signal the driver in and help him out of the kart (then get in and go do 8 laps). It was so much fun. I had two really really fast guys on my team so they told me to go first and then they would try to make up the difference. Total laps you have to do is 72 (8x3 each).
I got in and they started me up. First lap you have to stay in single file until the green light. Then it was all on. WOW. I didn't realise how much of a competitive spirit I had. A race is a race though and I would not let anyone go past me and hung the corners real tight. Okay so a few got by me on the real hairy curves.
I was going so well and out of the 20 teams we would have come 3rd but came 10th. There was a big collision and I got held up behind them until they cleared.
On my second round of laps I was going down the straight and one of the guys pinged my wheels. I flipped around and another guy behind me t-boned me. The cart was crushed in and I have massive bruises on my hips, back and bruised ribs on my right hand side. But I kept going!! Had an absolute ball but am very stiff this morning. In the gym showers a girl actually commented on my colourful skin. *grins*
I HAD to take some customers to Kingston Raceway yesterday afternoon. I wasn't that keen on it but my guys were so I was enthused enough to warrant a good time.
We got there for 3pm and kicked off with some drinks and nibbles then had a debrief on how to ride the karts. Scary stuff. We did about 8 practise laps each and I was quite slow and very scared as the other karts whizzed past me.
We all re-grouped (there was about 60 of us) and got into our teams of 3. Each driver had to do 8 laps then come in for a pit stop. The pit crew had to count laps, signal the driver in and help him out of the kart (then get in and go do 8 laps). It was so much fun. I had two really really fast guys on my team so they told me to go first and then they would try to make up the difference. Total laps you have to do is 72 (8x3 each).
I got in and they started me up. First lap you have to stay in single file until the green light. Then it was all on. WOW. I didn't realise how much of a competitive spirit I had. A race is a race though and I would not let anyone go past me and hung the corners real tight. Okay so a few got by me on the real hairy curves.
I was going so well and out of the 20 teams we would have come 3rd but came 10th. There was a big collision and I got held up behind them until they cleared.
On my second round of laps I was going down the straight and one of the guys pinged my wheels. I flipped around and another guy behind me t-boned me. The cart was crushed in and I have massive bruises on my hips, back and bruised ribs on my right hand side. But I kept going!! Had an absolute ball but am very stiff this morning. In the gym showers a girl actually commented on my colourful skin. *grins*
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Chaff's Session
Phew what a day. It is damn hot out there - well was this morning anyhow. More humid than hot I guess.
We did the warmup and some strides then Pat advised we would be doing:
4mins hard out
30sec jog
2mins harder
30sec standing recovery
- repeat above (ie. go back to the start).
Everyone really busted a gut on the last 2min back to the start but then Pat said - after just arriving - back out again for another 2mins. I turned around at 60sec when it looked like everyone else was doing a 2min out 2min back, please understand I was really dying here. I hated Pat, I hated speedwork and felt quite nauseous - everyone else pushed on for another 10secs or so then turned.
I was first back to base and sprinted (as best I could) up the hill because I knew Pat would make us anyhow when he got there.
Not my favourite session - but certainly sorts the wheat from the chaff. Today I was the Chaff!!
I can't really blame being ironless, as I have been taking supplements for more than a week now. I guess somedays we just don't run according to our own expectations.
I'm glad Tesso wasn't there to see me cut it short. I would have felt real shame then :)
Oh now I remember- I damn well made up for it on the warm down. I stopped for water and half the group kept going. The half behind me don't always do the warm down so they stopped totally. Like a good exhausted runner who wants to improve I waddled off but soon the others had turned and I didn't know where. So I ended up going for another 15mins out to the bridge and back before arriving back at the Ship Inn for drinks.
After my shower I felt sore all over but I knew for sure - I do love Pat (or should I say what he does for me...) and I do love speedwork. Still felt nauseous though :) Going to have to take my own water supply soon it is getting to long between drinks.
We did the warmup and some strides then Pat advised we would be doing:
4mins hard out
30sec jog
2mins harder
30sec standing recovery
- repeat above (ie. go back to the start).
Everyone really busted a gut on the last 2min back to the start but then Pat said - after just arriving - back out again for another 2mins. I turned around at 60sec when it looked like everyone else was doing a 2min out 2min back, please understand I was really dying here. I hated Pat, I hated speedwork and felt quite nauseous - everyone else pushed on for another 10secs or so then turned.
I was first back to base and sprinted (as best I could) up the hill because I knew Pat would make us anyhow when he got there.
Not my favourite session - but certainly sorts the wheat from the chaff. Today I was the Chaff!!
I can't really blame being ironless, as I have been taking supplements for more than a week now. I guess somedays we just don't run according to our own expectations.
I'm glad Tesso wasn't there to see me cut it short. I would have felt real shame then :)
Oh now I remember- I damn well made up for it on the warm down. I stopped for water and half the group kept going. The half behind me don't always do the warm down so they stopped totally. Like a good exhausted runner who wants to improve I waddled off but soon the others had turned and I didn't know where. So I ended up going for another 15mins out to the bridge and back before arriving back at the Ship Inn for drinks.
After my shower I felt sore all over but I knew for sure - I do love Pat (or should I say what he does for me...) and I do love speedwork. Still felt nauseous though :) Going to have to take my own water supply soon it is getting to long between drinks.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
30Sec Effort
Pat you are a liar. You can't tell us we are doing 30sec efforts and then pull a few 1mins in there!! That's not fair and my legs can't cope!
Did a nice leisurely warm up of about 3km with the team - though everyone was partnered off and I had no one... Tess hurry up and come back :)
My calves are as thick and tight as a brick. After the warm up I did a few stretches but I suspected DMO from Bribie was starting to happen.
We did 4 x 30sec then 2 x 1min then 2 x 30sec, 3 (?) x 1min and a final 1min - all with jog recovery. I had to pull over in the second lot of 30sec during the jog recovery and stretch the calves. Man they were bound so tight I thought they would snap.
After the session I had an Up n Go. Interesting. Not what I am used to.. but better than waiting an hour before having breakfast.
Got to work and had to walk upstairs. Then back down to get my faxes that had come in overnight OUCH. Calves really hurt then. Now this afternoon they have settled and I am looking forward to a nice soak in my pool tonight I think.
All in all a good session but maybe should not have done speedwork today after Sunday. Oh well...
As Matty said this morning - focus now is building a base for next 4 weeks and remaining injury free. Then 4 weeks of solid speedwork before a taper for Kurrawa. Not that sure if I will taper for it but will certainly not run the day before :)
Did a nice leisurely warm up of about 3km with the team - though everyone was partnered off and I had no one... Tess hurry up and come back :)
My calves are as thick and tight as a brick. After the warm up I did a few stretches but I suspected DMO from Bribie was starting to happen.
We did 4 x 30sec then 2 x 1min then 2 x 30sec, 3 (?) x 1min and a final 1min - all with jog recovery. I had to pull over in the second lot of 30sec during the jog recovery and stretch the calves. Man they were bound so tight I thought they would snap.
After the session I had an Up n Go. Interesting. Not what I am used to.. but better than waiting an hour before having breakfast.
Got to work and had to walk upstairs. Then back down to get my faxes that had come in overnight OUCH. Calves really hurt then. Now this afternoon they have settled and I am looking forward to a nice soak in my pool tonight I think.
All in all a good session but maybe should not have done speedwork today after Sunday. Oh well...
As Matty said this morning - focus now is building a base for next 4 weeks and remaining injury free. Then 4 weeks of solid speedwork before a taper for Kurrawa. Not that sure if I will taper for it but will certainly not run the day before :)
Monday, October 10, 2005
Bribie Beach Bash + Suprise Party
Saturday I prepared for the worst - it was going to be a stinking hot day Sunday so I froze my water bottles, picked my shortest running shorts and a singlet that would breath but not get me too burnt. Packed all the sunblock, bathers, sandals etc and made sure I got to bed reasonably early Sat night.
Sunday morning woke up and nearly froze to death! Cold wind had come in overnight.
Arrived at the race on Bribie Island at about 7:10am not the ideal time for someone racing a 15km at 7:30am who hadn't even entered yet. I quickly completed my registration, jogged to the loos and then threw my shoes on before they called us over to the line.
All the runners doing the 30km and the 45km had left already but I was looking forward to seeing them come in as we ran out.
MJ was on the starter gun and we all took off as she said go. It was very sandy and then a narrow bridge/stairs going down onto the beach. I went faster than I was aiming for so I could get in front of everyone and not get stuck at the back. Unfortunately my legs stayed running in that position and for the first 3km I was only 200m behind Lizzle. Then at 3.5km there was a river that you had to cross. Surely not so I started running up the beach trying to find the sandbar that you ran across the river to get to the other side. Ummm there wasn't one. The boys - Glenno, Scotty and Geoff came up and just barrelled through the water. Yikes. So I did the same and then whinged about getting blisters and having to run in heavy wet shoes.
Shortly after this - around 5km I think, we past a herd of the 30kms coming back in - Little Kirloo, Tesso (woohoo first woman), Karen and Nick and loads more. It was fun to high-five them and boost their morale a bit. A bit sad to think they were so close to the finish and we were still on our way out though :(
Up until the turn around I kept with the guys - was almost drafting I suppose as I didn't want to excert the energy required to pass them and was quite happy to tuck in behind. Then I felt my legs ache a bit so I thought I would stride out and ended up going in front. Glenno said 'whoa claire where you going' and I said "home straight boys time to kick in" and then started widening the gap between us. Secretly I was wondering how I would recover from the shame when they just cruised past me towards the end and I think I fixated on this devastating event and incidently kept widening the gap.
When I ran past Nick who was doing the 30km and should never have been anywhere near me (he is fast!) I felt great and knew I could take it home.
Got home as the second female but more importantly - got home in front of the boys :) How good was that?
The rest of the day just went in a blur. As it was also Tesso's suprise party we had to suspiciously organise a load of balloons, champagne, birthday cake and dips and chips. Was quite hard to arrange to bring all the balloons out without her seeing so we made a big announcement as soon as we got them from the car and sang Happy Birthday. She was so suprised (yah) and totally loved her cake - it had all the names of the races she had run in the past twelve months. So cool!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TESSO. I know it was last week but as you were in Sydney we couldn't exactly have a party without you. What a great present to get First place - especially seeing as you did it injured!!
Everyone else went home but Allan and I and the kids decided to stay behind and play cricket on the beach for a few hours. The water was so refreshing but I did jump out when a jellyfish landed on me and refused to go back in....okay it was harmless but if you knew how many bluebottles I popped with my shoes on the run earlier that morning I was still a bit panicky.
Red Rooster for Dinner (OMG I am a glutton) and a long hot bath. What a wonderful, fabulous day :)
Sunday morning woke up and nearly froze to death! Cold wind had come in overnight.
Arrived at the race on Bribie Island at about 7:10am not the ideal time for someone racing a 15km at 7:30am who hadn't even entered yet. I quickly completed my registration, jogged to the loos and then threw my shoes on before they called us over to the line.
All the runners doing the 30km and the 45km had left already but I was looking forward to seeing them come in as we ran out.
MJ was on the starter gun and we all took off as she said go. It was very sandy and then a narrow bridge/stairs going down onto the beach. I went faster than I was aiming for so I could get in front of everyone and not get stuck at the back. Unfortunately my legs stayed running in that position and for the first 3km I was only 200m behind Lizzle. Then at 3.5km there was a river that you had to cross. Surely not so I started running up the beach trying to find the sandbar that you ran across the river to get to the other side. Ummm there wasn't one. The boys - Glenno, Scotty and Geoff came up and just barrelled through the water. Yikes. So I did the same and then whinged about getting blisters and having to run in heavy wet shoes.
Shortly after this - around 5km I think, we past a herd of the 30kms coming back in - Little Kirloo, Tesso (woohoo first woman), Karen and Nick and loads more. It was fun to high-five them and boost their morale a bit. A bit sad to think they were so close to the finish and we were still on our way out though :(
Up until the turn around I kept with the guys - was almost drafting I suppose as I didn't want to excert the energy required to pass them and was quite happy to tuck in behind. Then I felt my legs ache a bit so I thought I would stride out and ended up going in front. Glenno said 'whoa claire where you going' and I said "home straight boys time to kick in" and then started widening the gap between us. Secretly I was wondering how I would recover from the shame when they just cruised past me towards the end and I think I fixated on this devastating event and incidently kept widening the gap.
When I ran past Nick who was doing the 30km and should never have been anywhere near me (he is fast!) I felt great and knew I could take it home.
Got home as the second female but more importantly - got home in front of the boys :) How good was that?
The rest of the day just went in a blur. As it was also Tesso's suprise party we had to suspiciously organise a load of balloons, champagne, birthday cake and dips and chips. Was quite hard to arrange to bring all the balloons out without her seeing so we made a big announcement as soon as we got them from the car and sang Happy Birthday. She was so suprised (yah) and totally loved her cake - it had all the names of the races she had run in the past twelve months. So cool!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TESSO. I know it was last week but as you were in Sydney we couldn't exactly have a party without you. What a great present to get First place - especially seeing as you did it injured!!
Everyone else went home but Allan and I and the kids decided to stay behind and play cricket on the beach for a few hours. The water was so refreshing but I did jump out when a jellyfish landed on me and refused to go back in....okay it was harmless but if you knew how many bluebottles I popped with my shoes on the run earlier that morning I was still a bit panicky.
Red Rooster for Dinner (OMG I am a glutton) and a long hot bath. What a wonderful, fabulous day :)
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
FLORADIX...
Thanks for the tip Ally-oop :)
But you could of warned me. Yuk. I thought it would taste like Ribena but no...tastes like medicine.
Big juicy roast last night and beef noodles to be had for lunch today.
Fingers crossed by Sunday I will be able to feel my legs again.
Still managed a decent gym workout this morning. Actually pushed myself harder than normal to see what effect it would have.
I was able to finish all sets/reps but noticed the fatigue kicked in earlier than in the past months.
Also the warm up was the longest 10mins on the elipical machine ever. I thought it was just because of the low iron level so I kept up the pace and refused to give in until the 10mins was up.
I had the music on my ears so when I got off all sweaty (yes after 10mins) I was not suprised to hear the man beside me say "wow you had that machine ticking hard" apparently it was clunking as I pushed harder on it and I didn't feel/hear it...
Note to self - don't overdo it and don't put all the tiredness down to low iron.
I think I will follow this for the rest of the week instead of my normal routine:
Thurs: Gym 90mins
Fri: 8km Regatta Run - slow
Sat: REST DAY
Sun: 15km Beach Race - Bribie Island Bash
But you could of warned me. Yuk. I thought it would taste like Ribena but no...tastes like medicine.
Big juicy roast last night and beef noodles to be had for lunch today.
Fingers crossed by Sunday I will be able to feel my legs again.
Still managed a decent gym workout this morning. Actually pushed myself harder than normal to see what effect it would have.
I was able to finish all sets/reps but noticed the fatigue kicked in earlier than in the past months.
Also the warm up was the longest 10mins on the elipical machine ever. I thought it was just because of the low iron level so I kept up the pace and refused to give in until the 10mins was up.
I had the music on my ears so when I got off all sweaty (yes after 10mins) I was not suprised to hear the man beside me say "wow you had that machine ticking hard" apparently it was clunking as I pushed harder on it and I didn't feel/hear it...
Note to self - don't overdo it and don't put all the tiredness down to low iron.
I think I will follow this for the rest of the week instead of my normal routine:
Thurs: Gym 90mins
Fri: 8km Regatta Run - slow
Sat: REST DAY
Sun: 15km Beach Race - Bribie Island Bash
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
3Km Time Trial
Thanks for your kind words everyone - and for Jodi coming on down to cheer me on.
Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. Did my slowest Time Trial all year today. Am feeling completely gutted but weirdly happy. Jodi said to check my iron levels and you know what - I can't remember the last time I had a piece of meat! Will have to rectify that tonight with a rump steak on the BBQ.
I will skip the Thursday speed session this week but aside from that I don't think it is anything serious. Just tired from a big month in Sept of running/racing.
21st October is a 3km Race on the same course as our Time Trial course. It will be at 6pm instead of 6am and is a race between all the various running groups in Brisbane. Should be fun and I hope to do close to a PB then.
Unfortunately it wasn't meant to be. Did my slowest Time Trial all year today. Am feeling completely gutted but weirdly happy. Jodi said to check my iron levels and you know what - I can't remember the last time I had a piece of meat! Will have to rectify that tonight with a rump steak on the BBQ.
I will skip the Thursday speed session this week but aside from that I don't think it is anything serious. Just tired from a big month in Sept of running/racing.
21st October is a 3km Race on the same course as our Time Trial course. It will be at 6pm instead of 6am and is a race between all the various running groups in Brisbane. Should be fun and I hope to do close to a PB then.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Tomorrows Run
It is Monday night and I am very nervous about tomorrow's run. Nothing special just another 3km Time Trial.
Only this time I think something is really wrong with me. After last Thursdays session (no it wasn't a misprint I really did do 9:40 TankGirl) I felt so dejected. Then on Saturday's long run I could only do 10km before collapsing in a heap. I felt like those people you read about with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Just could not go any further and the whole body was sluggish and totally totally wiped out.
In view of this my dearest husband did what he could and ensured I had a kid free weekend (ok you can return them now whoever has them...) with cheese and wine and 'married peoples moments' with lots of sleep and water and laughs. A perfect weekend - oh except the Cowboys lost.
But tonight here I am going to bed - it IS nearly 8pm and very anxious that tomorrow will just be the same - dead legs.
I am not worried too much about the time but more how I feel. Actually I lie. I do worry about the time. Imagine if I did like waaaaaay longer than what I normally do. How devastating.
Oh well whatever it is I can't solve the problem here. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to report that the weekend worked wonders and I am a renewed woman....HOPEFULLY.
Only this time I think something is really wrong with me. After last Thursdays session (no it wasn't a misprint I really did do 9:40 TankGirl) I felt so dejected. Then on Saturday's long run I could only do 10km before collapsing in a heap. I felt like those people you read about with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Just could not go any further and the whole body was sluggish and totally totally wiped out.
In view of this my dearest husband did what he could and ensured I had a kid free weekend (ok you can return them now whoever has them...) with cheese and wine and 'married peoples moments' with lots of sleep and water and laughs. A perfect weekend - oh except the Cowboys lost.
But tonight here I am going to bed - it IS nearly 8pm and very anxious that tomorrow will just be the same - dead legs.
I am not worried too much about the time but more how I feel. Actually I lie. I do worry about the time. Imagine if I did like waaaaaay longer than what I normally do. How devastating.
Oh well whatever it is I can't solve the problem here. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to report that the weekend worked wonders and I am a renewed woman....HOPEFULLY.
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