Distance: 12km
Time: 1:01:25
Pace: slow
Location: on my own from Regatta, through gardens, then back to Regatta via Southbank.
Exertion: legs felt tired and dead - but they are still there!!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Anzaz Day Run
Went out for a run tonight after a full day of Anzac celebrations.
Have no idea of distance, just ran for 59mins and felt great but slow.
Very emotional run as I was in full kit from the marathon and even when I turned on my ipod it was paused on the song that was playing when I got to the 42km mark in Canberra. (I paused it then so I could hear the crowd for the last 200m).
Have no idea of distance, just ran for 59mins and felt great but slow.
Very emotional run as I was in full kit from the marathon and even when I turned on my ipod it was paused on the song that was playing when I got to the 42km mark in Canberra. (I paused it then so I could hear the crowd for the last 200m).
Monday, April 24, 2006
I'm Back
Totally inspired over the weekend. Spent the day with the kids and the nights with hubby. Ate and drank all weekend but had a ball and mentally am ready for an enslaught of training.
Headed to the gym this morning and did 20min hills on the bike followed by some weights.
Will be at the Dawn Service tomorrow (4:28am) but will do a run immediately afterwards.
Officially....today marks my comeback.
Headed to the gym this morning and did 20min hills on the bike followed by some weights.
Will be at the Dawn Service tomorrow (4:28am) but will do a run immediately afterwards.
Officially....today marks my comeback.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Going Back to Canberra
Fly out next week to head back to Canberra for 4 days. Will be good to make the trip to pick up my running Mojo that I seem to have left behind. (forget the fact that my sister is actually getting married.....)
Coming home after the Marathon I had fully anticipated a lot of things - little running for the first week, immmuno suppressed body, and depression. This was all catered for as my pre-race strategy had included preparation for this.
POST MARATHON RUNNING:
I took 5 days off with no running at all. Then hubby took me out for a 4km run. It was good to get moving again. Two days later I went out for another run - 8km easy with Chris's training group. Again, the legs felt great but I just didn't get into it. I haven't run since Tuesday and am starting to feel fat, tired, grumpy and useless.
IMMUNE SYSTEM - POST RACE:
I ate healthily the week after the marathon up to Easter. No alcohol, low fat, lots of veges etc. This was good for the body and I managed to not feel tired or get any colds or flus or even much muscle soreness after day two.
DEPRESSION:
Not often talked about but certainly in all the marathon books etc to watch out for. I am just not the type to suffer from depression however my lack of motivations is a form of depression I am starting to think.
I purposely set myself some goal races for after Canberra so I would not feel this way and would be keen to get back into training. But it doesn't seem to be working. Tess isn't out there running with me and it seems everyone else is training for Brisbane Marathon so doing long long runs. I am not ready to kill myself at speed training just yet so have not been back to Pat Carrolls session with all my mates either.
I just keep thinking....I had the perfect race - what else is there?
I know I need to pull my finger out and kickstart my running but the kit kats and alcohol that I have been avoiding for three months now are my best friends.
On top of all that my hip is giving me grief - not when I run but certainly when I have been sitting for a period of time. Maybe Tess is right - all this inactivity is just not good for us!
Off to the Sports Doctor to get a professional opinion and will keep you updated.
Coming home after the Marathon I had fully anticipated a lot of things - little running for the first week, immmuno suppressed body, and depression. This was all catered for as my pre-race strategy had included preparation for this.
POST MARATHON RUNNING:
I took 5 days off with no running at all. Then hubby took me out for a 4km run. It was good to get moving again. Two days later I went out for another run - 8km easy with Chris's training group. Again, the legs felt great but I just didn't get into it. I haven't run since Tuesday and am starting to feel fat, tired, grumpy and useless.
IMMUNE SYSTEM - POST RACE:
I ate healthily the week after the marathon up to Easter. No alcohol, low fat, lots of veges etc. This was good for the body and I managed to not feel tired or get any colds or flus or even much muscle soreness after day two.
DEPRESSION:
Not often talked about but certainly in all the marathon books etc to watch out for. I am just not the type to suffer from depression however my lack of motivations is a form of depression I am starting to think.
I purposely set myself some goal races for after Canberra so I would not feel this way and would be keen to get back into training. But it doesn't seem to be working. Tess isn't out there running with me and it seems everyone else is training for Brisbane Marathon so doing long long runs. I am not ready to kill myself at speed training just yet so have not been back to Pat Carrolls session with all my mates either.
I just keep thinking....I had the perfect race - what else is there?
I know I need to pull my finger out and kickstart my running but the kit kats and alcohol that I have been avoiding for three months now are my best friends.
On top of all that my hip is giving me grief - not when I run but certainly when I have been sitting for a period of time. Maybe Tess is right - all this inactivity is just not good for us!
Off to the Sports Doctor to get a professional opinion and will keep you updated.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
2006 CANBERRA MARATHON
Oh My goodness, I am now a marathoner!
Even on the morning of the race I was extremely nervous. Some things you just can't control. JD and Tess were absolute legends in talking me through it and calming me down. I also replayed all the great things everyone has been telling me over the past few weeks in my head and that helped as well.
I think I was more nervous about letting everyone down and making a fool of myself than anything else.
I did a 400m warmup - was going to do longer but when I ran from the start line down 200m I say the sign saying 42km and I felt like vomiting so I then turned around and went back to the start.
Found Tesso and we lined up like giggly girls all ready for the big suprise.
For the first 2km I was grinning from ear to ear. I couldn't believe I was running a marathon. It was wonderful and to have Tesso there beside me was just like in my dreams.
At around the 3km mark I saw Tara and Ciaran ditch their clothes so I took my jacket off too and threw it on the pile beside the road. My gloves I kept with me the whole race!
I got to the 5km drink table and looked at my watch - WTF it said 29mins. I then pushed on and tried to get in front of the 3:30 group that I was running behind. I felt better when I got to the 10km mark as I was in front of schedule. I couldn't work it out. Later Tess told me the 5km Drink Station was not at 5km it was closer to 6km mark. Now I understand!
So at 11km I caught up with RobertSong and we ran together for quite some time taking turns in front. At 12km I pulled back a bit after some lovely woman told me I was running too fast and would burn up and hit the wall shortly. By 16km I threw her nasty words out of my head and got back on track to my plan.
At 17km I saw my dad on the side of the road and slowed enough to tell him I loved him. I then continued up the rise and then the downhill that follows to the turnaround. I saw Dad again on the way back and he had crossed the road to slap my hand as I ran past. I felt very happy and stong here.
Soon after I went through the half marathon point and looked at my watch for the last time. It said 1:41:50. I was stocked. When I got back to Cow Bell corner and there was the CR cheer squad in full regalia I got all excited again. But it totally blew me away when I saw Pat standing waiting for me to come around. He ran up to me and slapped my hand and told me to keep it strong I was doing well. Nothing like a pep talk to make you run hard :)
The guys around me said "you have lots of support here today" and I told them it was my first one and they all nodded and smiled secretly. I then vowed to beat every one of them and not hit the wall as they expected me too.
Coach Chris was a big support out there and kept me going with good vibes and waves and cheers. It is just undescribable to say how that sort of support just lifts you up.
The 30km mark soon approached on the way out to Black Mountain and I told the guys I was with...this is where the race starts and I upped the pace a bit to break away. Silly childish girl :)
Around 32km I saw my Dad again and went up then down the rise to the turnaround for the final time. After he saw me so ill from the 10km run last year I had to be strong for him so just before the 34km when I saw him again I puffed up my chest and put on a big smile and slapped his hand and told him I would see him later. He had to be a church at 10am so I knew he wouldn't see me finish. But just having him out there for several hours was so good for me.
Coming in to the finish all the coolrunners i was passing on the other side were calling out to me and I can barely recall the final few km's as it is a blur of support and good wishes.
Sue (Pat Carroll's) Missus came up to me around 41km I think and she was screaming at me and so so happy for me that I got all emotional and started crying. I calmed myself down but it was hard - I was so emotional. I realised then I could finish the race as long as I got to the next corner in one piece.
I had also just gone past Luckylegs and Horrie and this was also emotional. Both of them are inspirational to me and I felt a swell of pride that I knew who they were and what they were doing out there. I am proud to be a coolrunner and to know all this wonderful people and see them doing amazing things. It is a feeling only other coolrunners will know. A community spirit like no other I have seen.
Near here, I saw a girl a pink hat in front of me and just focussed on reeling her in. Damn it, at the same time she pulled away and was reeling in others in front of her! We were both getting faster but even though I gained on her slightly I was never going to catch her. At the 42km mark I didn't care, I knew then I was going to finish this marathon without hitting the wall, 42.2km without walking or stopping or feeling any major pain. 42.2km of hard work that was the most rewarding of all my runs I have done.
I looked up and saw both sides full of people screaming at me. I saw Truckie (bright green suit helps distinguish him!!) and heard the blur of others. I then looked up at the clock and say 3:22 and almost burst out crying then. I crossed in an official time of 3:23:14.
I saw Mark at the finish (iliketoast) and just clung to him whilst I sobbed on his shoulder. Little did he know that he was also holding me up! My legs had turned to jelly as soon as the tears started. I calmed down and just grinned and grinned. I looked around for someone and there she was....good Ole Tesso at the finish line with a gigantic grin on her face!!! We hugged and cried together and I will remember it for the rest of my life. I got some water and had a tap on my shoulder.....it was my dad. He had given up church to see me finish and that was a big thing. I was ecstatic and hugged him and he told me how proud I had made him. He knows nothing about running but he knew I had achieved/bettered my goal of 3:30. I found out later he had texted my whole family 8 times during the race about how I was in front of the 3:30 train. No-one knew exactly what my dad meant but thought it was exciting ha ha. My beloved Allan knew and he held his breath the whole way until he got Dad's final text.
I had done it. I had run my first marathon and my mind is still boggling with the result. Thanks to absolutely everyone one of you out there for your support and your calming efforts pre-race and for the big cheers afterwards. It made my experience greater to share it with you all. xxxxxx
Lots of love,
Clairie - the Marathoner.
Even on the morning of the race I was extremely nervous. Some things you just can't control. JD and Tess were absolute legends in talking me through it and calming me down. I also replayed all the great things everyone has been telling me over the past few weeks in my head and that helped as well.
I think I was more nervous about letting everyone down and making a fool of myself than anything else.
I did a 400m warmup - was going to do longer but when I ran from the start line down 200m I say the sign saying 42km and I felt like vomiting so I then turned around and went back to the start.
Found Tesso and we lined up like giggly girls all ready for the big suprise.
For the first 2km I was grinning from ear to ear. I couldn't believe I was running a marathon. It was wonderful and to have Tesso there beside me was just like in my dreams.
At around the 3km mark I saw Tara and Ciaran ditch their clothes so I took my jacket off too and threw it on the pile beside the road. My gloves I kept with me the whole race!
I got to the 5km drink table and looked at my watch - WTF it said 29mins. I then pushed on and tried to get in front of the 3:30 group that I was running behind. I felt better when I got to the 10km mark as I was in front of schedule. I couldn't work it out. Later Tess told me the 5km Drink Station was not at 5km it was closer to 6km mark. Now I understand!
So at 11km I caught up with RobertSong and we ran together for quite some time taking turns in front. At 12km I pulled back a bit after some lovely woman told me I was running too fast and would burn up and hit the wall shortly. By 16km I threw her nasty words out of my head and got back on track to my plan.
At 17km I saw my dad on the side of the road and slowed enough to tell him I loved him. I then continued up the rise and then the downhill that follows to the turnaround. I saw Dad again on the way back and he had crossed the road to slap my hand as I ran past. I felt very happy and stong here.
Soon after I went through the half marathon point and looked at my watch for the last time. It said 1:41:50. I was stocked. When I got back to Cow Bell corner and there was the CR cheer squad in full regalia I got all excited again. But it totally blew me away when I saw Pat standing waiting for me to come around. He ran up to me and slapped my hand and told me to keep it strong I was doing well. Nothing like a pep talk to make you run hard :)
The guys around me said "you have lots of support here today" and I told them it was my first one and they all nodded and smiled secretly. I then vowed to beat every one of them and not hit the wall as they expected me too.
Coach Chris was a big support out there and kept me going with good vibes and waves and cheers. It is just undescribable to say how that sort of support just lifts you up.
The 30km mark soon approached on the way out to Black Mountain and I told the guys I was with...this is where the race starts and I upped the pace a bit to break away. Silly childish girl :)
Around 32km I saw my Dad again and went up then down the rise to the turnaround for the final time. After he saw me so ill from the 10km run last year I had to be strong for him so just before the 34km when I saw him again I puffed up my chest and put on a big smile and slapped his hand and told him I would see him later. He had to be a church at 10am so I knew he wouldn't see me finish. But just having him out there for several hours was so good for me.
Coming in to the finish all the coolrunners i was passing on the other side were calling out to me and I can barely recall the final few km's as it is a blur of support and good wishes.
Sue (Pat Carroll's) Missus came up to me around 41km I think and she was screaming at me and so so happy for me that I got all emotional and started crying. I calmed myself down but it was hard - I was so emotional. I realised then I could finish the race as long as I got to the next corner in one piece.
I had also just gone past Luckylegs and Horrie and this was also emotional. Both of them are inspirational to me and I felt a swell of pride that I knew who they were and what they were doing out there. I am proud to be a coolrunner and to know all this wonderful people and see them doing amazing things. It is a feeling only other coolrunners will know. A community spirit like no other I have seen.
Near here, I saw a girl a pink hat in front of me and just focussed on reeling her in. Damn it, at the same time she pulled away and was reeling in others in front of her! We were both getting faster but even though I gained on her slightly I was never going to catch her. At the 42km mark I didn't care, I knew then I was going to finish this marathon without hitting the wall, 42.2km without walking or stopping or feeling any major pain. 42.2km of hard work that was the most rewarding of all my runs I have done.
I looked up and saw both sides full of people screaming at me. I saw Truckie (bright green suit helps distinguish him!!) and heard the blur of others. I then looked up at the clock and say 3:22 and almost burst out crying then. I crossed in an official time of 3:23:14.
I saw Mark at the finish (iliketoast) and just clung to him whilst I sobbed on his shoulder. Little did he know that he was also holding me up! My legs had turned to jelly as soon as the tears started. I calmed down and just grinned and grinned. I looked around for someone and there she was....good Ole Tesso at the finish line with a gigantic grin on her face!!! We hugged and cried together and I will remember it for the rest of my life. I got some water and had a tap on my shoulder.....it was my dad. He had given up church to see me finish and that was a big thing. I was ecstatic and hugged him and he told me how proud I had made him. He knows nothing about running but he knew I had achieved/bettered my goal of 3:30. I found out later he had texted my whole family 8 times during the race about how I was in front of the 3:30 train. No-one knew exactly what my dad meant but thought it was exciting ha ha. My beloved Allan knew and he held his breath the whole way until he got Dad's final text.
I had done it. I had run my first marathon and my mind is still boggling with the result. Thanks to absolutely everyone one of you out there for your support and your calming efforts pre-race and for the big cheers afterwards. It made my experience greater to share it with you all. xxxxxx
Lots of love,
Clairie - the Marathoner.
Friday, April 07, 2006
It's Time
It is 5am. I am tired. Not sleeping well at all this week.
Will try to be in bed nice and early tonight if I can.
I have to leave in an hours time and I have not packed. My ipod that had all my carefully picked songs on it decided to delete them all when I reconnected after loading some mp3's last night so I was up till 11pm trying to recall the order I had them in. Gave up and whacked the library on it so now counting on a suprise to great me every 4mins out there on Sunday :)
I have not actually been NERVOUS until now. The cold weather has really put doubts into my head but I think I am using that as an excuse, surely cold weather will only make me run faster. But do I wear short skins or long......???
This week has gone so fast. A few short runs in absolute extreme humidity and heat - each of them leaving me feeling very hot, sweaty and exhausted. And none of them have been at faster than race pace or for long periods. It has just been that humid - our Tuesday run was 23 degrees and 95% humidity at 6am.
I haven't really been carboloading much. Just eating extra helpings, though I have been drinking way more than usual - with powerade mostly. Yesterday afternoon I had a big handful of chico babes (lollies) does that count? Today I will ensure I eat well and not let my nerves dictate my diet. much.
So here we are. I have 60mins to pack. Not to fear my race kit is in my rucksack already. It is just everything else. I have a list so I FEEL organised.
My race plan is imbedded in my head and I keep reminding myself to go out slow. The first 5km I plan to do in 26mins. Then build it up from there.
I have had so much support over the lead into Canberra and it has been great and until this week I was floating and gloating on all that support. It truly has been wonderful that so many people can provide me with advice, reassurance, warm hugs, positive vibes and all the rest that you all do for me. Then I came crashing down when someone phoned to say "you still have to run the race, and only you can do that".
I think somewhere along the line I got so caught up in the hub of training for a marathon I forgot I was actually going to have to run this marathon.
Again, reading Superflakes blog I was reminded - It will be hard. It is a challenge. That is why I wanted to do this in the first place. IT WILL NOT BE EASY. I have to keep telling myself so at 10km or 35km when the going gets tough I don't think 'man no one told me about this' and believe my race is over.
I have a very tough day to get through at work and I can't even think straight. Yesterday I was in a meeting and was noting my splits on a notepad and was very distracted. This marathon has been my life for so long now that I am desperate to prove myself to me and to all of you.
It is funny, I don't have doubts.....just nerves of the unknown.
Thank you for your support along the way. I know also that you will all be supporting me on the day too. That's when I need you and that's also when I can repay you for all your support by showing you that I can do this. I can run a marathon and enjoy it and work hard and achieve my goals.
I'll log on before I fly out at 3pm. See you all there Canberra or here in cyberworld next week. *waves, tears and hugs to you all*
Cirque, Hannah, Shane - wish you were coming. :(
Will try to be in bed nice and early tonight if I can.
I have to leave in an hours time and I have not packed. My ipod that had all my carefully picked songs on it decided to delete them all when I reconnected after loading some mp3's last night so I was up till 11pm trying to recall the order I had them in. Gave up and whacked the library on it so now counting on a suprise to great me every 4mins out there on Sunday :)
I have not actually been NERVOUS until now. The cold weather has really put doubts into my head but I think I am using that as an excuse, surely cold weather will only make me run faster. But do I wear short skins or long......???
This week has gone so fast. A few short runs in absolute extreme humidity and heat - each of them leaving me feeling very hot, sweaty and exhausted. And none of them have been at faster than race pace or for long periods. It has just been that humid - our Tuesday run was 23 degrees and 95% humidity at 6am.
I haven't really been carboloading much. Just eating extra helpings, though I have been drinking way more than usual - with powerade mostly. Yesterday afternoon I had a big handful of chico babes (lollies) does that count? Today I will ensure I eat well and not let my nerves dictate my diet. much.
So here we are. I have 60mins to pack. Not to fear my race kit is in my rucksack already. It is just everything else. I have a list so I FEEL organised.
My race plan is imbedded in my head and I keep reminding myself to go out slow. The first 5km I plan to do in 26mins. Then build it up from there.
I have had so much support over the lead into Canberra and it has been great and until this week I was floating and gloating on all that support. It truly has been wonderful that so many people can provide me with advice, reassurance, warm hugs, positive vibes and all the rest that you all do for me. Then I came crashing down when someone phoned to say "you still have to run the race, and only you can do that".
I think somewhere along the line I got so caught up in the hub of training for a marathon I forgot I was actually going to have to run this marathon.
Again, reading Superflakes blog I was reminded - It will be hard. It is a challenge. That is why I wanted to do this in the first place. IT WILL NOT BE EASY. I have to keep telling myself so at 10km or 35km when the going gets tough I don't think 'man no one told me about this' and believe my race is over.
I have a very tough day to get through at work and I can't even think straight. Yesterday I was in a meeting and was noting my splits on a notepad and was very distracted. This marathon has been my life for so long now that I am desperate to prove myself to me and to all of you.
It is funny, I don't have doubts.....just nerves of the unknown.
Thank you for your support along the way. I know also that you will all be supporting me on the day too. That's when I need you and that's also when I can repay you for all your support by showing you that I can do this. I can run a marathon and enjoy it and work hard and achieve my goals.
I'll log on before I fly out at 3pm. See you all there Canberra or here in cyberworld next week. *waves, tears and hugs to you all*
Cirque, Hannah, Shane - wish you were coming. :(
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Taper Time
Well and truly felt the taper this morning.
Went out and ran 10km. Tried to run at race pace but could not slow down that much. I felt great and just ran at average of 4:40 pace with some faster and some slower kms.
When it was finished I wanted to keep going and run for much longer. But I didn't.
It was hard to see all my other fellow Canberran's doing 16km this morning but I stuck to my program and just did my 10km.
Now this week I will be sorting out my music and packing my bag and cleaning the house...not much running so gotta fill the gaps somehow.
Won't blog this week as I found reading everyone's posts this weekend very exciting and it made me feel a bit nervous. That and I won't have much to blog!!!!
Have I bitten off more than I can chew? Course not, I am confident but will have to work hard to keep the nerves away now....this time next week I will be a marathoner. Wow!
Went out and ran 10km. Tried to run at race pace but could not slow down that much. I felt great and just ran at average of 4:40 pace with some faster and some slower kms.
When it was finished I wanted to keep going and run for much longer. But I didn't.
It was hard to see all my other fellow Canberran's doing 16km this morning but I stuck to my program and just did my 10km.
Now this week I will be sorting out my music and packing my bag and cleaning the house...not much running so gotta fill the gaps somehow.
Won't blog this week as I found reading everyone's posts this weekend very exciting and it made me feel a bit nervous. That and I won't have much to blog!!!!
Have I bitten off more than I can chew? Course not, I am confident but will have to work hard to keep the nerves away now....this time next week I will be a marathoner. Wow!
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