Thanks for all the encouragment and slaps on the back. Means a lot.
I know you are all going to think I am crazy but I turned up for speedwork this morning - more out of habit than anything else. That and the prospect of seeing Tesso and gossiping more about our run.
Tess however was caught up at work and that meant a wonderful hill session with no escaping. I made sure everyone knew I was in recovery and ran very evenly and peacefully for the duration of the session. I think it actually did my legs some good to get out and turn over. I thought it was a wonderful session and I was feeling great and cheering everyone on. Then Slash (who also did the 25k on Sunday) came up and said "last one clairie don't let me beat you to the top" well he is very fast but he gave me too much of a head start and I wasn't going to let him go past me.
Felt weird to be running fast after cruising for the whole session. Rest assured I only did it for 30sec :)
I am feeling so flat now. Depressed almost as the year draws to and end.
I have a goal of Canberra which I thought would be enough to keep me going but really I think I need to sit down and do a calendar of training and events for next six months to get me enthused again.
Until then I will have a two week hiatus from training hard and will spend next two weeks just cruising and turning over the legs with all my various running buddies.
See you all in the new year for the "New Look" Canberra blog.
Safe and happy holidays to you and your family.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Kurrawa 2006 - (25km Running Buddy Championship)
Firstly thanks to everyone for your very kind and thoughtful comments re: time trial.
I was too nervous to post in between but now have finished my goal race for the year and have some comments to say. Sorry it's not a two liner *grins*
Met up with Tesso at the hotel for some pre-race day relaxing. The great thing was to see I wasn't the only one consumed with nerves. After hearing our friends secret training regime it was very disheartening and I certainly felt immediately underqualified to race when I had done so little in comparison to their comprehensive training.
Nonetheless I knew Tesso and I had both worked hard towards this race and if nothing else...we will enjoy it.
I didn't get a good night sleep but was comforted by Jackie Fairweathers words 'sleep the night before has no impact on your race'. Now I know what she means - the adrenaline kicks in and wakes you and gets you to the start line. Your training gets you to the finish...and if you are like me...hubby gets you home :)
4:30am registration. There were so many last minute regos that the race was delayed 10mins. I didn't worry too much as I was in line for the loo and it would have been awfully inconvenient for them to start on time.
5:10 and off we go. The first few km were fun. We were all one big group running together with an aim to go hard and go long. 156 competitors in all - 67 teams doing 25km each runner (a 50km race) and the rest were solo runners.
I felt good but it was disappointing to not have km splits to be able to gauge how you are doing. I trusted my gut instead and maintained the pace - fully expecting to blow up at around 18km.
5km and David Lang went past me - WTF? - he is a fast runner from Pat's group and we started together. Turns out he took a wrong turn DOH. My worst nightmare.
I kept the runner in front of me in view and persisted on with the race. I was overtaken only a few times but each time thought it was Tess or Karen coming to exert their prowess in the endurance events so I pressed on.
I have to pause here and remember Allan my wonderful husband. He awoke with me at 3:30am. Drove me to the race, met me at each 2-3km with water/endura and yelled at me how I was going. He even held signs written from Matty (I had my ipod on) to tell me how others I knew were going. The worst/best one being "TESS IS 75sec BEHIND YOU" 75sec seemed a very tiny time in a 25km race and much as I wanted to finish with her it meant I was slowing down (she was running with a garmin and doing 4:45pace) so I had to kick in another gear.
I got sick after taking a gu but kept running and tried to not break my stride. I was aching and cramping but I just persisted in taking on cold water and it seemed to work. Some time later I asked "am I half way" only to be told I had 6km to go. In reality I had 4km...which shows how much I was out of it.
Not much else to say except when I felt I was getting near the end there was this ginormous hill. Wasn't this meant to be a flat course? I died going up it and then thought the finish was on the other side...but you had to run another 500m along the top before tumbling down to tag your partner. I had enough energy to yell out "Robbie get ready here I come" quite loudly and seemed to shock a few *grins*
Final result - I did my sub 2hrs. 1:57:12 and very very proud. I can now relax and enjoy my Christmas and look forward to lots of wonderful long runs with Tesso in the build up to Canberra. Tess I think you're terrific and I wouldn't have done today without you buddy.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY WONDERFUL E-FRIENDS.
Team results for Running buddies:
1st Liz (brilliant effort from her) and Glen
2nd Tess and Nick (who had a blistering run)
3rd Claire and Robbie
I was too nervous to post in between but now have finished my goal race for the year and have some comments to say. Sorry it's not a two liner *grins*
Met up with Tesso at the hotel for some pre-race day relaxing. The great thing was to see I wasn't the only one consumed with nerves. After hearing our friends secret training regime it was very disheartening and I certainly felt immediately underqualified to race when I had done so little in comparison to their comprehensive training.
Nonetheless I knew Tesso and I had both worked hard towards this race and if nothing else...we will enjoy it.
I didn't get a good night sleep but was comforted by Jackie Fairweathers words 'sleep the night before has no impact on your race'. Now I know what she means - the adrenaline kicks in and wakes you and gets you to the start line. Your training gets you to the finish...and if you are like me...hubby gets you home :)
4:30am registration. There were so many last minute regos that the race was delayed 10mins. I didn't worry too much as I was in line for the loo and it would have been awfully inconvenient for them to start on time.
5:10 and off we go. The first few km were fun. We were all one big group running together with an aim to go hard and go long. 156 competitors in all - 67 teams doing 25km each runner (a 50km race) and the rest were solo runners.
I felt good but it was disappointing to not have km splits to be able to gauge how you are doing. I trusted my gut instead and maintained the pace - fully expecting to blow up at around 18km.
5km and David Lang went past me - WTF? - he is a fast runner from Pat's group and we started together. Turns out he took a wrong turn DOH. My worst nightmare.
I kept the runner in front of me in view and persisted on with the race. I was overtaken only a few times but each time thought it was Tess or Karen coming to exert their prowess in the endurance events so I pressed on.
I have to pause here and remember Allan my wonderful husband. He awoke with me at 3:30am. Drove me to the race, met me at each 2-3km with water/endura and yelled at me how I was going. He even held signs written from Matty (I had my ipod on) to tell me how others I knew were going. The worst/best one being "TESS IS 75sec BEHIND YOU" 75sec seemed a very tiny time in a 25km race and much as I wanted to finish with her it meant I was slowing down (she was running with a garmin and doing 4:45pace) so I had to kick in another gear.
I got sick after taking a gu but kept running and tried to not break my stride. I was aching and cramping but I just persisted in taking on cold water and it seemed to work. Some time later I asked "am I half way" only to be told I had 6km to go. In reality I had 4km...which shows how much I was out of it.
Not much else to say except when I felt I was getting near the end there was this ginormous hill. Wasn't this meant to be a flat course? I died going up it and then thought the finish was on the other side...but you had to run another 500m along the top before tumbling down to tag your partner. I had enough energy to yell out "Robbie get ready here I come" quite loudly and seemed to shock a few *grins*
Final result - I did my sub 2hrs. 1:57:12 and very very proud. I can now relax and enjoy my Christmas and look forward to lots of wonderful long runs with Tesso in the build up to Canberra. Tess I think you're terrific and I wouldn't have done today without you buddy.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL MY WONDERFUL E-FRIENDS.
Team results for Running buddies:
1st Liz (brilliant effort from her) and Glen
2nd Tess and Nick (who had a blistering run)
3rd Claire and Robbie
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
3Km Time Trial Caffeine Experiment
Time Trials always affect me somehow...
This morning I bounced out of bed and quickly dressed and got on my way. Hubby encouraged me to drink some caffeine to see how it would go - so I chugged it down on the way out the door.
Got there a bit early but could not find a park (all closed off for roadworks) so I had to move the car to the other side which took up all my time. I got there just as Pat was saying for the first group to head out.
Tess and I headed out and then I felt ill (=nerves) so raced to the loo. Came out and found Tess and Tara waiting for me....true meaning of friends :)
We ran to the start line and got there just as Pat was about to start the strides. I never felt great on the strides. I was hot and it was very humid. The sweat was pouring off me and I felt dizzy. Not a good sign.
I asked Min for a mouthful of her water (no-one else had any) and then it was time.
Pat paused us for a moment to tell us about his experience in racing and I smiled inside thinking "elitist bullshit won't work for slow (relative to Pat) people like me" .
He said he used to relax his body when running hard and that got him in the zone without him feeling like he was doing as hard an effort.
So we took off, with such a large group it was hard to get going and I was dodging people and sidestepping to the point of hilarity. We are so friendly I almost expected someone to move aside and say "you first".
Anyhow....there I was trying to do what Pat said and relax. It wasn't easy as all my fellow runners were in front, Tori, Andy, Jan, Tara and Tess. Usually I've got the gun on them until at least the 1km turnaround before they overtake me. As it was I ran well until the 500m staying behind but then started to catch a few without increasing the effort. By the 1km turnaround I was running and quite comfortable with my effort. I remembered telling Tess that the second km is always shocking and real slow so I put in a sprint for 30m to save on any time I lost by turning (pathetic heh) then settled back into chasing Ciaran in front.
At the 2km mark I was tiring but looked at my watch and saw 8:01. How exciting, so I did the same little sprint before settling into a very un-relaxed uncomfortable 1km. It was hot, legs were tired and I wanted to sit down.
Tess zoomed past along with many others and they all yelled out for me - where did they get their breath??? This really encouraged me and I persisted to the very end.
Got to 200m out and Jodi was on my shoulder and said "30sec you can do it 30 more sec" so I groaned and kept it on.
Then it got really hard as I was determined to do as best as I could so I wanted a strong finish. I pushed really hard and sprinted as much as I could - which wasn't that great but it got me there.
Finished at last!!!!! And a bloody great PB too!!! 11:56 and many smiles...........
Did the obligatory vomit and tears at the end *shame* but nothing could wipe the smile.
Daughter just rang and is cooking dinner and her special brownies. Hubby is picking up bottle of wine. Man oh man it is Christmas today :)
All my thanks and gratitude go out to two wonderful women. Tess and Jodie.
Tess for believing I had it in me and not being suprised at all when I finished with a PB!!
Jodi for her magical words "there you are clairie, I was looking for you, hurry up and I'll wait here" - made me feel very special and gave me the incentive I needed to pass Ciaran.
PS. Caffeine Roolz :)
This morning I bounced out of bed and quickly dressed and got on my way. Hubby encouraged me to drink some caffeine to see how it would go - so I chugged it down on the way out the door.
Got there a bit early but could not find a park (all closed off for roadworks) so I had to move the car to the other side which took up all my time. I got there just as Pat was saying for the first group to head out.
Tess and I headed out and then I felt ill (=nerves) so raced to the loo. Came out and found Tess and Tara waiting for me....true meaning of friends :)
We ran to the start line and got there just as Pat was about to start the strides. I never felt great on the strides. I was hot and it was very humid. The sweat was pouring off me and I felt dizzy. Not a good sign.
I asked Min for a mouthful of her water (no-one else had any) and then it was time.
Pat paused us for a moment to tell us about his experience in racing and I smiled inside thinking "elitist bullshit won't work for slow (relative to Pat) people like me" .
He said he used to relax his body when running hard and that got him in the zone without him feeling like he was doing as hard an effort.
So we took off, with such a large group it was hard to get going and I was dodging people and sidestepping to the point of hilarity. We are so friendly I almost expected someone to move aside and say "you first".
Anyhow....there I was trying to do what Pat said and relax. It wasn't easy as all my fellow runners were in front, Tori, Andy, Jan, Tara and Tess. Usually I've got the gun on them until at least the 1km turnaround before they overtake me. As it was I ran well until the 500m staying behind but then started to catch a few without increasing the effort. By the 1km turnaround I was running and quite comfortable with my effort. I remembered telling Tess that the second km is always shocking and real slow so I put in a sprint for 30m to save on any time I lost by turning (pathetic heh) then settled back into chasing Ciaran in front.
At the 2km mark I was tiring but looked at my watch and saw 8:01. How exciting, so I did the same little sprint before settling into a very un-relaxed uncomfortable 1km. It was hot, legs were tired and I wanted to sit down.
Tess zoomed past along with many others and they all yelled out for me - where did they get their breath??? This really encouraged me and I persisted to the very end.
Got to 200m out and Jodi was on my shoulder and said "30sec you can do it 30 more sec" so I groaned and kept it on.
Then it got really hard as I was determined to do as best as I could so I wanted a strong finish. I pushed really hard and sprinted as much as I could - which wasn't that great but it got me there.
Finished at last!!!!! And a bloody great PB too!!! 11:56 and many smiles...........
Did the obligatory vomit and tears at the end *shame* but nothing could wipe the smile.
Daughter just rang and is cooking dinner and her special brownies. Hubby is picking up bottle of wine. Man oh man it is Christmas today :)
All my thanks and gratitude go out to two wonderful women. Tess and Jodie.
Tess for believing I had it in me and not being suprised at all when I finished with a PB!!
Jodi for her magical words "there you are clairie, I was looking for you, hurry up and I'll wait here" - made me feel very special and gave me the incentive I needed to pass Ciaran.
PS. Caffeine Roolz :)
Friday, December 02, 2005
Thursday / Friday
Well yesterday was the first day of Christmas - hence my post. I had hoped it would catch on so I could read others...but not to be.
Yesterday was a good solid session with Pat. 2 x 2km and 1 x 1km. We did a 3km warm up and my aim was to run each km in 4mins or thereabouts. Did the first 2km in 8mins, then the wheels totally came off. I think I was too busy cheering Mark on :)
Did each km in 4:15 and 4:17 for an 8:32 2km. Took a 90sec rest then managed to bang out a 4:01 km to finish so I was happy with that.
Next Tuesday is Time Trial day - last of the year. I am aiming for sub 12:15 if I can.
This morning was run recovery day. Did 30mins on the bike followed by a few weights. Felt flat so showered and went to work.
Yesterday was a good solid session with Pat. 2 x 2km and 1 x 1km. We did a 3km warm up and my aim was to run each km in 4mins or thereabouts. Did the first 2km in 8mins, then the wheels totally came off. I think I was too busy cheering Mark on :)
Did each km in 4:15 and 4:17 for an 8:32 2km. Took a 90sec rest then managed to bang out a 4:01 km to finish so I was happy with that.
Next Tuesday is Time Trial day - last of the year. I am aiming for sub 12:15 if I can.
This morning was run recovery day. Did 30mins on the bike followed by a few weights. Felt flat so showered and went to work.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
A few of my Favourite Things - in no particular order
Twelve Movies I Like
Labryinth
Face Off
High Society
Ice Age
Tango and Cash
Pride and Prejudice
The Outsiders
Independance Day
Colour Purple
One Long Night
Beaches
Pulp Fiction
Eleven Favourite Runs/Races
Kurrawa 25Km
Noosa Half
Gold Coast Half
Pat's 3km TT
Any run with Tesso and the Buddies gang
30km run with Iliketoast
Mt Cootha
Bridge to Brisbane
Dusk to Dawn - 2hr Caboolture Run
Any run on New Years Eve
Any run on Christmas Day
Ten Things About Me
I love to run
I love to eat
I love to dance
My friends are very important to me
I am an extrovert
I love my job (so why am I on the net so much??)
I love my husband more than life itself
I don't have a birthmark
I have had laser surgery on my eyes
I literally have the biggest nose in my family
Nine Good Books
Pride and Prejudice
My Place
Seventh Scroll
Magic Faraway Tree
Harry Potter Series
It's not about the Bike
Paula Radclife Story
BattleAxe
Hostage in Iran
Eight Favorite Foods/Drinks
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Red Wine
Clairies Meatloaf
Haloumi Cheese
Water Water Water I love it
EnduroFX - the biggest lift!
Champagne
Chocolate
Seven Things I wear Daily
Wedding Ring
Shoes
earrings
sunscreen
deoderant
clothes
moisturiser
Six Things I hate
Injuries
Whingers
Cyclists who don't toot
The cost of running shoes
Flying in planes (see below)
Heights
Five Things I do Daily
Eat
Sleep
Kiss Allan
Think about running
SMS someone
Four TV Shows I watch
House
McLeods Daughters
Big Brother (groan)
Sunday Night Movie
Three Places I have Lived
Darwin
Alice Springs
Scotland
Two Things I Really Want
Faster Legs
Bigger Lungs
*One Person I can't live without*
Allan
Labryinth
Face Off
High Society
Ice Age
Tango and Cash
Pride and Prejudice
The Outsiders
Independance Day
Colour Purple
One Long Night
Beaches
Pulp Fiction
Eleven Favourite Runs/Races
Kurrawa 25Km
Noosa Half
Gold Coast Half
Pat's 3km TT
Any run with Tesso and the Buddies gang
30km run with Iliketoast
Mt Cootha
Bridge to Brisbane
Dusk to Dawn - 2hr Caboolture Run
Any run on New Years Eve
Any run on Christmas Day
Ten Things About Me
I love to run
I love to eat
I love to dance
My friends are very important to me
I am an extrovert
I love my job (so why am I on the net so much??)
I love my husband more than life itself
I don't have a birthmark
I have had laser surgery on my eyes
I literally have the biggest nose in my family
Nine Good Books
Pride and Prejudice
My Place
Seventh Scroll
Magic Faraway Tree
Harry Potter Series
It's not about the Bike
Paula Radclife Story
BattleAxe
Hostage in Iran
Eight Favorite Foods/Drinks
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Red Wine
Clairies Meatloaf
Haloumi Cheese
Water Water Water I love it
EnduroFX - the biggest lift!
Champagne
Chocolate
Seven Things I wear Daily
Wedding Ring
Shoes
earrings
sunscreen
deoderant
clothes
moisturiser
Six Things I hate
Injuries
Whingers
Cyclists who don't toot
The cost of running shoes
Flying in planes (see below)
Heights
Five Things I do Daily
Eat
Sleep
Kiss Allan
Think about running
SMS someone
Four TV Shows I watch
House
McLeods Daughters
Big Brother (groan)
Sunday Night Movie
Three Places I have Lived
Darwin
Alice Springs
Scotland
Two Things I Really Want
Faster Legs
Bigger Lungs
*One Person I can't live without*
Allan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)