I had a fabulous day with all my friends yesterday.
Very bad start to the day - my daughter Ashleigh got her "L's" yesterday and her and a friend were booked to climb the story bridge Saturday morning. They had to be there at 5am and Ash decided she wanted to drive us all there.
I got a fright when she woke ME up (how many years since she has done that!!!) at 3:45am....obviously she thought I needed hours to get ready!
So at 4:55am we waved good bye to the girls and wished them luck. By that time I was sick with nerves and was glad the trip was over. I could not believe she had driven us down the Ipswich Hwy amongst all the trucks. It was terrifying and I don't ever want to get in a car with her again. For a beginner though - she did extremely well. I just don't want to be a passenger until she has had her license for at least 5 years!!!
So after collecting my stomach Allan drove over to Tessos' where I had a good cup of coffee and a tin of creamed rice. Yuk I am really going off the creamed rice and will have to find another food to each before long runs.
It wasn't too long before Tess and I were picked up by Glenno and Liz and on our way up to the Beerburrum mountains for an adventourous day out (Allan had to go to work). None of us were planning to run hard so we were all very relaxed and jovial about it all. Must learn to be like that more often - it certainly made it all more fun!
We were there in plenty of time and registered and got ready. Before long we were lining up amongst about 60 other runners to head up into the mountains. Tess, Chelle, Liz and I had seen three other girls we called "competitors". They had new outfits, looked very fit and had matching camelbaks. Yikes - they looked fast. So we all agreed that as soon as the gun went off we would sprint for 500m to get a head start and give them something to worry about. Of course we were all laughing about it and only doing it to inject some fun into the race...however when the gun went off and I raced off like a scared rabbit my friends (it is with great reluctance I still call them that) were laughing at me and trotting along way way way behind.
Ahhh but I got the pleasure of being the race leader for 100m. It was a power rush and I wanted more. I'll guess that will come at night when I go to sleep and dream :)
So after totally embarressing myself I maintained running with the boys - Glenno, Johnny and Geoff for some time until they disappeared into the distance. For the rest of the 22km I was on my own! Yikes that has never happened to me in a race before.
The next 20km were absolutely fabulous. I loved it. Totally totally loved it. I had no idea what to expect but it was all so much fun. There was fire trails to begin with - fairly open to the sun and boring I thought. Then after the first water station we turned into bushland and literally I was running on grass and getting slapped in the face by trees. It was terrifying really because I had no idea except for the odd bit of white ribbon that I was going in the right direction. There were various tracks all over the place and only if you were paying attention would you see the arrow and/or ribbon directing you down that path. I had the odd glimpse of blue t-shirt in the distance and that kept me going at a reasonable pace so I would not loose sight of the runner in front.
At the first long uphill (not too steep but about 800m long) I overtook Mr. Blue Shirt and then was left with no-one near me for the next 15km.
There were water puddles and mud and tracks with treads in them that were either rock hard and punishing on the feet - crap did I mention I had blisters??? - or wet and difficult to keep traction as you jumped from side to side avoiding the obvious water puddles. It really challenged you and as soon as you started getting tired the terrain changed and you had to adjust to grass, or a hill, or another trail or a windy circuit requiring attention or you'd be lost.
From 6km on, I knew I had issues with my feet. I had selected old shoes to avoid damaging my good ones. Yeah well now I recall why these ones were banished to the 'old' bin. They hurt! I perservered and put the pain totally out of my mind. Unfortunately about 2km from the finish there was a wall of rock and stones. Each step my foot found a sharp or round stone that just seemed to penetrate my feet. Any blister I had was ripped and popped and the pain was unbearable. I had tears and was only running now to get to the finish and rip my shoes off.
2km back a woman had run up to me (and then gone past and eventually took 3rd place). She was so lovely and after seeing me run funny had stopped and offered me some bandaids etc. I told her to keep running (as I was) as the damage was done and I just had to get home now. Experience has taught me that stopping just makes the pain of re-starting all the worse. I wish I had known about the rocks coming up ahead that may have changed my mind to get those bandaids off her.
I really slowed there and walked on the rocks to lessen the impact. Still it was hard and the exhaustion of the run was starting to take effect. I started running again sensing the end and was overtaking the walkers in the 8km event so for the first time I had some company along the way to catch and overtake and say hello to.
At the finish I just sat down where I stopped and took off my shoes. My feet were totally tenderised. Blistered, ripped and only the heels seemed to escape punishment.
I think I was 4th female with a total time of 2:04:07 but haven't seen official results yet. It was a great day out and I really had a ball and enjoyed myself. The laughing and story swapping was just fantastic. It was only at the finish when 7mins later Glenno and the boys rocked up that I realised they had gotten lost - even Tesso, Chelle and Liz had done an extra km after losing their way.
I can't wait for the next one!!!!!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Glasshouse
Decided finally last night that I would run the Glasshouse 24km....um ok. Now what.
Quick decision but I don't think the run will be all that quick!! :0
Quick decision but I don't think the run will be all that quick!! :0
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Wednesday Run - Regatta
6am start at the Regatta as usual - only I was late. Seemed like every man and his dog was filling up at the fuel station (including me) and at 5.50am I was 11th in line!!!! crazy. Anyhow I just got to the run as everyone was crossing the road so I was 30sec behind them the whole way.
Ciaran was at the back and it was good to run with him for a short while. My quads were very very sore. How do they get sore? Is that from yesterdays' speed session??? I have rarely had sore quads so it was a new one for me.
So today was just a recovery run but when I heard Tara was doing 12km at 4:10 pace I decided to at least do the last 3km fast. I ran 4:25min/km and then the final one at 4:12. It killed me and was stupid to do for a recovery run but....that's me.
Hill session tomorrow at Mt Cootha - just can't wait. "insert sarcastic snigger"
ok I got my knuckles rapped over this one. Tara did not run 4:10min/km she went out at 4:30's and Ciaran told me she was running 4:10's on the way back BUT SHE DIDN'T AND SHE WANTS ME TO CORRECT THIS.....sorry Tara. But regardless - we all think you can do it :)
Ciaran was at the back and it was good to run with him for a short while. My quads were very very sore. How do they get sore? Is that from yesterdays' speed session??? I have rarely had sore quads so it was a new one for me.
So today was just a recovery run but when I heard Tara was doing 12km at 4:10 pace I decided to at least do the last 3km fast. I ran 4:25min/km and then the final one at 4:12. It killed me and was stupid to do for a recovery run but....that's me.
Hill session tomorrow at Mt Cootha - just can't wait. "insert sarcastic snigger"
ok I got my knuckles rapped over this one. Tara did not run 4:10min/km she went out at 4:30's and Ciaran told me she was running 4:10's on the way back BUT SHE DIDN'T AND SHE WANTS ME TO CORRECT THIS.....sorry Tara. But regardless - we all think you can do it :)
TUESDAYS PAIN...
Had a great session this morning at Pats.
I had a plan to work hard and mostly kept to the plan.
We did a warm up and then had 7x500m efforts with the finish being a run up a very steep hill!!
In between efforts was a 60sec resting recovery but when has that ever stopped Pat saying "go" after only 20sec.....
I thought I would cark it on the 4th on but was actually feeling good right up until the sixth one. I pulled in behind Toastie but then realised he was actually going 'slow' for him and was about to pull out but he surged and took off. Being in my comfort zone I just kept plodding till the end of the rep. I ran the next one hard, picked up my jumper and then did the final rep and shot up the hill. I felt strong but was definitely tiring and eager to stop.
An honest session and I felt good about my efforts. A little bit of aching legs later in the day but haven't led to anything further....
I had a plan to work hard and mostly kept to the plan.
We did a warm up and then had 7x500m efforts with the finish being a run up a very steep hill!!
In between efforts was a 60sec resting recovery but when has that ever stopped Pat saying "go" after only 20sec.....
I thought I would cark it on the 4th on but was actually feeling good right up until the sixth one. I pulled in behind Toastie but then realised he was actually going 'slow' for him and was about to pull out but he surged and took off. Being in my comfort zone I just kept plodding till the end of the rep. I ran the next one hard, picked up my jumper and then did the final rep and shot up the hill. I felt strong but was definitely tiring and eager to stop.
An honest session and I felt good about my efforts. A little bit of aching legs later in the day but haven't led to anything further....
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Brisbane Road Runners - 15Km Race
It seemed the whole of Queensland had decided to give this race a miss - bar a handful of diehards.
Todays race clashed with the Jetty 2 Jetty 10km run which is the 2nd in the series of USM Events (1st being River Run 10km and 3rd being Noosa Half) so most runners were out there no doubt contesting their placings.
That left Tesso, Shane, Jo, Adrian and Karisma to battle out this one for ourselves.
Tesso and I had a plan *groan* to go out at 4:45 min/km and then in the final 5km drop it down to 4:40 min/km to mimic trying to get faster on tired legs like you want to do in a 'real' race.
So out we shot with about 30 other runners and hit the first km in 4:28...hee hee hee did I mention that Tesso and I very rarely run to plan. Not sure what that is about.
We settled down and did 4:42 for the next km. Then Tess screamed at me (yes we both had Ipods on) that her leg was doing something weird (apart from running) and she was pulling back. Well I won't fall for that the next time round!! :) Needless to say Tesso overtook me 5km later looking like she had just started running!!!
So believing Tesso was running a slower than planned race I pulled in front and focussed on a steady pace. The next 3km were 4:39's followed by a 4:52 (WTF??) where I was overtaken by a number of runners - I hadn't even realised I had slowed so much.
At the 8km mark I moved back in front of Jo Sherman and tried to maintain that position running 4:27 before slipping out to finish 14km with some 4:30's. Just before the last km mark I stopped and watched as Tesso and some guys I had worked to overtake just flew past. I was waiting to run Jo in who is making a comeback to running. She is very fast and it must have been tough mentally for her that I went past her earlier.
I know I felt shocking when that happened to me so I assume she was working very hard and not feeling like she was getting any benefit. The other issue was in the second lap of the race I had taken my shirt off and accidently ripped my garmin off my arm and had to find my pin that holds it together. So before long Jo came cruising up and I asked if I could run in with her. We did and it was very rewarding for me knowing that she had done the same for me 12months ago.
Then Tess and I finished with a 2km cooldown the same as our 2km warm up. So all up 19km for the day and I felt great. It was only a training run for Tess and I who wanted to be fit for speed work on Tuesday. But nonetheless we both worked hard and Tess got Third prize for her fabulous efforts.
Unfortunately we had a BRRC committee meeting straight afterwards and I frooze and went stiff sitting around in my wet running gear. But now that I have showered, eaten and coffe'd myself up I feel much better......perhaps time for a nanny nap?
Todays race clashed with the Jetty 2 Jetty 10km run which is the 2nd in the series of USM Events (1st being River Run 10km and 3rd being Noosa Half) so most runners were out there no doubt contesting their placings.
That left Tesso, Shane, Jo, Adrian and Karisma to battle out this one for ourselves.
Tesso and I had a plan *groan* to go out at 4:45 min/km and then in the final 5km drop it down to 4:40 min/km to mimic trying to get faster on tired legs like you want to do in a 'real' race.
So out we shot with about 30 other runners and hit the first km in 4:28...hee hee hee did I mention that Tesso and I very rarely run to plan. Not sure what that is about.
We settled down and did 4:42 for the next km. Then Tess screamed at me (yes we both had Ipods on) that her leg was doing something weird (apart from running) and she was pulling back. Well I won't fall for that the next time round!! :) Needless to say Tesso overtook me 5km later looking like she had just started running!!!
So believing Tesso was running a slower than planned race I pulled in front and focussed on a steady pace. The next 3km were 4:39's followed by a 4:52 (WTF??) where I was overtaken by a number of runners - I hadn't even realised I had slowed so much.
At the 8km mark I moved back in front of Jo Sherman and tried to maintain that position running 4:27 before slipping out to finish 14km with some 4:30's. Just before the last km mark I stopped and watched as Tesso and some guys I had worked to overtake just flew past. I was waiting to run Jo in who is making a comeback to running. She is very fast and it must have been tough mentally for her that I went past her earlier.
I know I felt shocking when that happened to me so I assume she was working very hard and not feeling like she was getting any benefit. The other issue was in the second lap of the race I had taken my shirt off and accidently ripped my garmin off my arm and had to find my pin that holds it together. So before long Jo came cruising up and I asked if I could run in with her. We did and it was very rewarding for me knowing that she had done the same for me 12months ago.
Then Tess and I finished with a 2km cooldown the same as our 2km warm up. So all up 19km for the day and I felt great. It was only a training run for Tess and I who wanted to be fit for speed work on Tuesday. But nonetheless we both worked hard and Tess got Third prize for her fabulous efforts.
Unfortunately we had a BRRC committee meeting straight afterwards and I frooze and went stiff sitting around in my wet running gear. But now that I have showered, eaten and coffe'd myself up I feel much better......perhaps time for a nanny nap?
Friday, July 21, 2006
An amazing experience
What can I say? I had the run of my life.
It wasn't a race.
It wasn't the fastest I have gone.
It was just amazing because I was enjoying it, I felt pain (good pain) so knew I was working hard, the view was gorgeous running along the river, the weather was perfect to be running hard in and I was told my running form looked great. I was also amongst some very good runner and able to keep up - which was a big suprise. Then again they were likely doing a recover run :)
All up a top morning and welcome back into the spring of things.
8km Differential - ran out for 4km then turned and ran home. Here are the splits:
1km - 5:00
2km - 5:00
3km - 4:45
4km - 4:43
5km - 4:35
6km - 4:30
7km - 4:20 ....and tiring badly
8km - 4:15
Yah I made it.
And you will be pleased to know I then spent 15mins doing stretches and cooldown.
Can't wait to run again.
It wasn't a race.
It wasn't the fastest I have gone.
It was just amazing because I was enjoying it, I felt pain (good pain) so knew I was working hard, the view was gorgeous running along the river, the weather was perfect to be running hard in and I was told my running form looked great. I was also amongst some very good runner and able to keep up - which was a big suprise. Then again they were likely doing a recover run :)
All up a top morning and welcome back into the spring of things.
8km Differential - ran out for 4km then turned and ran home. Here are the splits:
1km - 5:00
2km - 5:00
3km - 4:45
4km - 4:43
5km - 4:35
6km - 4:30
7km - 4:20 ....and tiring badly
8km - 4:15
Yah I made it.
And you will be pleased to know I then spent 15mins doing stretches and cooldown.
Can't wait to run again.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
A Jealous Woman......
I am very unapproachable today so just stay away!!!
Talk about being the grumpiest in the world. I just can't seem to even manage a warm smile at people. Just a lift of the corner of my mouth to appear like a snubby smirk.
I hate not being able to run. It just messes with your brain.
I am at work thinking of all my wonderful friends out there running - at Pat's, at the Regatta, in freezing Canberra (yah CJ), Melbourne and Sydney and they are all doing the one thing I want to be doing.
I hereby swear that I will spend my running life (when I get one back) dedicating myself to avoiding injury.
I will stretch
I will warm up
I will cool down
I will wear good shoes
I will eat protein
I will race hard and enjoy the pain.
I will never take for granted the ability to run again.
Three more days before I venture out (LL if you are reading this -it's a misprint!!)
In the meantime my butt has grown, I cut my hair (my daughter swore the mullet would suit me!!!) and even the gym is no fun when you can't do a great warm up workout.
Ho hum......I'll be back in three days!
Talk about being the grumpiest in the world. I just can't seem to even manage a warm smile at people. Just a lift of the corner of my mouth to appear like a snubby smirk.
I hate not being able to run. It just messes with your brain.
I am at work thinking of all my wonderful friends out there running - at Pat's, at the Regatta, in freezing Canberra (yah CJ), Melbourne and Sydney and they are all doing the one thing I want to be doing.
I hereby swear that I will spend my running life (when I get one back) dedicating myself to avoiding injury.
I will stretch
I will warm up
I will cool down
I will wear good shoes
I will eat protein
I will race hard and enjoy the pain.
I will never take for granted the ability to run again.
Three more days before I venture out (LL if you are reading this -it's a misprint!!)
In the meantime my butt has grown, I cut my hair (my daughter swore the mullet would suit me!!!) and even the gym is no fun when you can't do a great warm up workout.
Ho hum......I'll be back in three days!
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Back to the small group....
Turned up at Pats this morning to be met with a very tiny crowd of only 15 or so runners.
We just did a 50min run out to New Farm and back.
I felt very unco-ordinated on the way out and was struggling somewhat with motivation and pain but really got into it on the way back.
Finished strong and was really happy I had made myself do it. I felt great, invincible and ready to take on the world.
Alas after going straight to a meeting at 7:30am and then sitting for 90mins I stood up to immense pain. I called the doctor and he got me straight in.
So yep all cortisoned up now and feeling looooveeely. Bugger of it is that I am now sidelined for a bit.
This was the conversation after he injected me:
"so clairie, no running for 14 days now ok?"
"really 14 days? that's a bit extreme isn't it?"
"do you want a hip replacement in 10 years time?"
"mmm good point" "so can I bike?"
"no"
"swim?"
"no"
"walk fast?"
"get out of my office"
So being the medical expert that I am I have decided on the following plan of action - after all, I really know best and know my body the most. *evil laugh*
Today - injection
Fri - nothing
Sat - nothing
Sun - nothing
Mon - gym (upper)
Tue - gym (upper)
Wed - gym (upper) (are we bored yet???)
Thur - easy 6km
Fri - easy 8km
Sat - easy 15km run
If I get to this point injury free I will then do the Noosa attack but I do need to minimise distance for another week so have no excuse to not focus on speed training.
We just did a 50min run out to New Farm and back.
I felt very unco-ordinated on the way out and was struggling somewhat with motivation and pain but really got into it on the way back.
Finished strong and was really happy I had made myself do it. I felt great, invincible and ready to take on the world.
Alas after going straight to a meeting at 7:30am and then sitting for 90mins I stood up to immense pain. I called the doctor and he got me straight in.
So yep all cortisoned up now and feeling looooveeely. Bugger of it is that I am now sidelined for a bit.
This was the conversation after he injected me:
"so clairie, no running for 14 days now ok?"
"really 14 days? that's a bit extreme isn't it?"
"do you want a hip replacement in 10 years time?"
"mmm good point" "so can I bike?"
"no"
"swim?"
"no"
"walk fast?"
"get out of my office"
So being the medical expert that I am I have decided on the following plan of action - after all, I really know best and know my body the most. *evil laugh*
Today - injection
Fri - nothing
Sat - nothing
Sun - nothing
Mon - gym (upper)
Tue - gym (upper)
Wed - gym (upper) (are we bored yet???)
Thur - easy 6km
Fri - easy 8km
Sat - easy 15km run
If I get to this point injury free I will then do the Noosa attack but I do need to minimise distance for another week so have no excuse to not focus on speed training.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Dismal Effort Clairie.....
Pretty disappointed with my weekend on the Gold Coast.
My run was fairly ordinary but I am happy that I was able to run the best I could on the day - can't really ask for more than that. And I figure with all my good runs this year I was destined to do a not-so-good one anyhow!
I am mostly disappointed because I let everyone down this weekend.
Jen_runs was counting on me to bring my bike down so she could be more involved in the run and cycle along supporting everyone. A great idea but guess who forgot the bike when I decided to get a lift down with Tesso instead of going with the family in the 4wd??
Then in the race itself Miners was running along at a great pace - exactly as prescribed - but I just couldn't keep up. He gave up his run and getting others across to come back and get me and push me to the end. I will never forget that. But I also feel I don't ever want to run with a pacer again. I can't handle that feeling of not performing as expected. It is bad enough having a bad run but even worse when everyone knows it and they feel responsible for you.
Finally my choice to not rehydrate on the run - aside from two sips in the early stages was based around me thinking I would only be running for 95mins and that didnt' require much additional fluid. I forgot I'd had a runny nose all night and did not drink anything from when I woke up - so I started behind the eight ball.
We learn from these experiences but I will never get back the moment of seeing my boys (Mr Clairie and Master Clairie) crossing the finish line together in their first big race. It was momentous for Matty and I am still cursing that I missed it all.
The best thing to come out of the weekend was actually seeing everyone finish and realise their goals. Tara was outstanding, Glenda was amazing, Lizzle a tower of strength, JD making his comeback sneaking past Tess, Eddie - not for his run this weekend but because now I get to race him at Canberra once more and take him on. Robertsong for making the startline, all the PCRG runners who either achieved their goal or "finished the damn race" and celebrated anyhow - thats spirit. Then there are the coolrunners - Blue Dog (dammit ok so he is much faster than me, I admit it), Aunty - for giving me someone to chase when I needed it, VAT - Holy Shit Vat!
I think I will have to do a separate post on the CR Cheersquad. They just really lifted everyone and selflessly gave something back to the running community that reminded us all out there why we love to run.
I guess that's why I'll be lining up at Noosa - so I can get a cheer or two when I go past attempting to break another Clairie World Record :)
My run was fairly ordinary but I am happy that I was able to run the best I could on the day - can't really ask for more than that. And I figure with all my good runs this year I was destined to do a not-so-good one anyhow!
I am mostly disappointed because I let everyone down this weekend.
Jen_runs was counting on me to bring my bike down so she could be more involved in the run and cycle along supporting everyone. A great idea but guess who forgot the bike when I decided to get a lift down with Tesso instead of going with the family in the 4wd??
Then in the race itself Miners was running along at a great pace - exactly as prescribed - but I just couldn't keep up. He gave up his run and getting others across to come back and get me and push me to the end. I will never forget that. But I also feel I don't ever want to run with a pacer again. I can't handle that feeling of not performing as expected. It is bad enough having a bad run but even worse when everyone knows it and they feel responsible for you.
Finally my choice to not rehydrate on the run - aside from two sips in the early stages was based around me thinking I would only be running for 95mins and that didnt' require much additional fluid. I forgot I'd had a runny nose all night and did not drink anything from when I woke up - so I started behind the eight ball.
We learn from these experiences but I will never get back the moment of seeing my boys (Mr Clairie and Master Clairie) crossing the finish line together in their first big race. It was momentous for Matty and I am still cursing that I missed it all.
The best thing to come out of the weekend was actually seeing everyone finish and realise their goals. Tara was outstanding, Glenda was amazing, Lizzle a tower of strength, JD making his comeback sneaking past Tess, Eddie - not for his run this weekend but because now I get to race him at Canberra once more and take him on. Robertsong for making the startline, all the PCRG runners who either achieved their goal or "finished the damn race" and celebrated anyhow - thats spirit. Then there are the coolrunners - Blue Dog (dammit ok so he is much faster than me, I admit it), Aunty - for giving me someone to chase when I needed it, VAT - Holy Shit Vat!
I think I will have to do a separate post on the CR Cheersquad. They just really lifted everyone and selflessly gave something back to the running community that reminded us all out there why we love to run.
I guess that's why I'll be lining up at Noosa - so I can get a cheer or two when I go past attempting to break another Clairie World Record :)
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