I wish my belly would hurry up and pop out - I feel so frumpy. This week is 15weeks but I don't have a 'baby belly' yet so I just look like someone who is carbo loading and not running ha ha ha
I have been running 3-4 times a week. My plan was to keep it at 5 times a week but with being so busy at work and home I honestly have not found the time. Sleeping in is a rare thing - but instead of being on the road pounding the pavement I am at work typing away at 6am.
At Pat's I am still running twice a week. Only 6-7km each time doing the warmup and cooldown but it is fun and keeps me social with everyone.
I am now in training for the Gold Coast Half Marathon. I am going against my ob's wishes but he doesn't realise that a 4hr shopping trip with my daughters is more exhausting than a gentle run on the weekend!!! I'll talk him around when he realises a half marathon to me is not a big deal. It is not something I am doing for the first time or taking too seriously! Appointment on Thursday to discuss with him and hubby is insisting on coming along to ensure he says yes. *groan*
I plan to run with my Aunty. She did the half two years ago in 2:20hrs so we are hoping to run between 2:30 - 2:40hrs. Yes for the Half!!!!!! Our strategy is to run 6km, walk a km etc. always ensuring that I am not breathless or getting too hot. Might have to take a backpack with me in case I get hungry along the way lol!!
I can't imagine what it will be like to run an HOUR slower than my usual pace. It will be weird but no doubt by then I will be willing to go at that pace or even slower :)
Now........to do the training. Need to get my long run back up to 14km instead of the 10-12 I have been doing most weekends.
Hope you are all well and running strong - sorry for the absence and lack of blog entries/comments on your blog. I have not even read anyones blog for weeks so will have a few big days catching up. Still love you all though :)
Monday, April 30, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Easter Egg Run - 10km
Good Friday was fantastic - I got up early in the morning and could not rouse any of my family so headed out to the Family Easter Egg run on my own. That was the only bad bit of the day :)
The race didn't start until 7.00am so it was great to be able to just hang around and chat to everyone and soak up the fun race atmosphere.
Liz and I decided we were not in good enough form to race (well I won't be for another few months yet...) so we make a decision to pace Greg to his sub 50min 10km. He had been trying for more than 12months to do it and always failing for one reason or another. We both knew he was capable, he just needed to know it himself. We didn't tell him about 'our decision' as we knew he would just get really nervous.
At the gun we headed out reasonably slowly keeping just behind Greg. He had shot out and was racing ahead but we hoped he would pull it up soon. He was bang on 4:50 for the first km so we agreed he would just have to run that pace the whole way now. :) Just before the second km Liz and I caught him and told him to not talk and just follow us. We ran in front like bodyguards and kept telling him to stop looking at his watch. He was actually slowing down pulling paper from the back pocket of his shorts where he had his pacing table...and then putting it back. He did this every km for the first 4km then I wouldn't let him do it again. Did I mention I was the BAD COP. Liz was the GOOD COP. We had so much fun.
The second loop we could see that he was doubting himself so we just talked him through it and before you knew it we were coming up to the turn in the road - about 300m from the finish. I yelled out to his daughter who was official timer "Jen Jen we're coming" and she just looked up in disbelief. Then we told Greg to give it everything he had. Man did he ever. I was struggling to keep up - as was Liz - he really sprinted it in! Crossed the line in 48:31 with Liz and I pulling back to let him cross on his own. Jen and Greg (her dad) were crying and laughing and just so emotional. Liz and I were too - it was a great moment and I hope I have many more of them.
We got an email from Jen later that day:
>Dear Liz and Claire,
Thanks so much for pacing Dad this morning - you made his and my day. I was so overwhelmed to see that you both stuck with him all race, encouraging him all the way. When Dad started running about 18 months ago now he was overweight, over worked and unfit. Our first run together in Noosa was under 6km's, it took him ages and he threw up at the half way mark. After we finished the run, Mum told me I would give him a heart attack if we keep it up! Now he is running half marathons and sub 50 minute 10kms and has such a passion for running, he inspires me! We are so lucky to be a part of this community. I really appreciate what you did for Dad today. Anyway sorry to sound so gushy - I just really miss running at the moment, and today is what I love best about it!
Hope to be back soon,Love Jen.
The race didn't start until 7.00am so it was great to be able to just hang around and chat to everyone and soak up the fun race atmosphere.
Liz and I decided we were not in good enough form to race (well I won't be for another few months yet...) so we make a decision to pace Greg to his sub 50min 10km. He had been trying for more than 12months to do it and always failing for one reason or another. We both knew he was capable, he just needed to know it himself. We didn't tell him about 'our decision' as we knew he would just get really nervous.
At the gun we headed out reasonably slowly keeping just behind Greg. He had shot out and was racing ahead but we hoped he would pull it up soon. He was bang on 4:50 for the first km so we agreed he would just have to run that pace the whole way now. :) Just before the second km Liz and I caught him and told him to not talk and just follow us. We ran in front like bodyguards and kept telling him to stop looking at his watch. He was actually slowing down pulling paper from the back pocket of his shorts where he had his pacing table...and then putting it back. He did this every km for the first 4km then I wouldn't let him do it again. Did I mention I was the BAD COP. Liz was the GOOD COP. We had so much fun.
The second loop we could see that he was doubting himself so we just talked him through it and before you knew it we were coming up to the turn in the road - about 300m from the finish. I yelled out to his daughter who was official timer "Jen Jen we're coming" and she just looked up in disbelief. Then we told Greg to give it everything he had. Man did he ever. I was struggling to keep up - as was Liz - he really sprinted it in! Crossed the line in 48:31 with Liz and I pulling back to let him cross on his own. Jen and Greg (her dad) were crying and laughing and just so emotional. Liz and I were too - it was a great moment and I hope I have many more of them.
We got an email from Jen later that day:
>Dear Liz and Claire,
Thanks so much for pacing Dad this morning - you made his and my day. I was so overwhelmed to see that you both stuck with him all race, encouraging him all the way. When Dad started running about 18 months ago now he was overweight, over worked and unfit. Our first run together in Noosa was under 6km's, it took him ages and he threw up at the half way mark. After we finished the run, Mum told me I would give him a heart attack if we keep it up! Now he is running half marathons and sub 50 minute 10kms and has such a passion for running, he inspires me! We are so lucky to be a part of this community. I really appreciate what you did for Dad today. Anyway sorry to sound so gushy - I just really miss running at the moment, and today is what I love best about it!
Hope to be back soon,Love Jen.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
A wonderful Life...
Something glorious happened to me today. For just a brief moment.....I was a runner again.
Todays session at PCRG was a 50min run followed by a 1km race - where you can't look at your watch and have to guess your time. I love this session because you can use both runs to go as hard or as easy as you like - either way you still feel like you are out there doing something.
After warming up I think we were running around 5:15 pace. We headed out along the river and over the floating bridge. We got to the end of the floating bridge where the water tap is and I was very breathless so I stopped for water whilst everyone else went on.
There were a number of runners still coming and some were turning around where I stopped so I jumped up when I saw Liz and we headed off back to the start together. She is coming back from 'overtraining' and also was testing out some new orthotics (they were giving her blisters) so she was running over 6min kms. It was ok and I was just enjoying the morning.
At the end of the run we were in the botanical gardens. When Pat said the run was about to start I told myself I wanted to run a 5min/km. I knew it would be hard but it was only for 1km.
We took off and I was quickly overtaken by the usual crowd of those wanting to run much faster. I settled into a pace that felt fast but comfortable. Towards the end I was able to really let fly and sprint around a few people to cross the line in 4:05. I was so way off target....but I was secretly really thrilled. Yah I can still run!
I knew I was running fast but certainly would not have thought that fast. It was good to be able to break out into a sprint and really feel like you are doing something.
I'm over the moon now with my run and celebrated by eating all the pancakes in sight at breakfast.
Todays session at PCRG was a 50min run followed by a 1km race - where you can't look at your watch and have to guess your time. I love this session because you can use both runs to go as hard or as easy as you like - either way you still feel like you are out there doing something.
After warming up I think we were running around 5:15 pace. We headed out along the river and over the floating bridge. We got to the end of the floating bridge where the water tap is and I was very breathless so I stopped for water whilst everyone else went on.
There were a number of runners still coming and some were turning around where I stopped so I jumped up when I saw Liz and we headed off back to the start together. She is coming back from 'overtraining' and also was testing out some new orthotics (they were giving her blisters) so she was running over 6min kms. It was ok and I was just enjoying the morning.
At the end of the run we were in the botanical gardens. When Pat said the run was about to start I told myself I wanted to run a 5min/km. I knew it would be hard but it was only for 1km.
We took off and I was quickly overtaken by the usual crowd of those wanting to run much faster. I settled into a pace that felt fast but comfortable. Towards the end I was able to really let fly and sprint around a few people to cross the line in 4:05. I was so way off target....but I was secretly really thrilled. Yah I can still run!
I knew I was running fast but certainly would not have thought that fast. It was good to be able to break out into a sprint and really feel like you are doing something.
I'm over the moon now with my run and celebrated by eating all the pancakes in sight at breakfast.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
3km Time Trial
A good crowd at Pats this morning. Not sure of numbers but it was good to see everyone lining up to run instead of being injured or pacing because of upcoming races.
Even Jodi turned up - which was great to see her run again!
After the warm up I was a bit delayed in getting out to the marshalling spot 600m into the race - so I had to sprint up the road before the first runners caught me. I ended up getting there with plenty of time - obviously Pat had given one of his loooonnggg pep talks before starting.
It was just awesome to watch a swarm of runners coming straight for me. I was in awe of them all - fast and slow it was just great to see them all coming towards me - and 99% of them had a smile on their face when they saw me...aaawwww
Some great results out there and I enjoyed hearing them all on the cool down.
I must have worked a bit harder this morning because despite having a banana at 5am, then a piece of watermelon and pineapple at Pats at 7am I was starving when I got to work. I felt very sick and I had to eat cereal before I went for a shower (sorry to all my colleagues!!). It took me 30mins to feel normal again. I think I need to carry food around with me in the car so I don't get so low again.
Even Jodi turned up - which was great to see her run again!
After the warm up I was a bit delayed in getting out to the marshalling spot 600m into the race - so I had to sprint up the road before the first runners caught me. I ended up getting there with plenty of time - obviously Pat had given one of his loooonnggg pep talks before starting.
It was just awesome to watch a swarm of runners coming straight for me. I was in awe of them all - fast and slow it was just great to see them all coming towards me - and 99% of them had a smile on their face when they saw me...aaawwww
Some great results out there and I enjoyed hearing them all on the cool down.
I must have worked a bit harder this morning because despite having a banana at 5am, then a piece of watermelon and pineapple at Pats at 7am I was starving when I got to work. I felt very sick and I had to eat cereal before I went for a shower (sorry to all my colleagues!!). It took me 30mins to feel normal again. I think I need to carry food around with me in the car so I don't get so low again.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Coolum Classic
For Allan's birthday he wanted to do something to get outside in the fresh air so we ended up doing something he has wanted to do for ages - climb Mt Coolum.
The sign said "Experienced Climbers take 2hrs return trip" we ran to the top in 20mins (that includes where you have to climb on hands and feet so it isn't a fast slope!!!). The kids were keeping up with us and we had a fantastic time at the top looking at the views and discussing life. We had loaded Allan up with a backpack full of yummy food and water so he had to grab a stick out of the bush on the way up to ensure he looked like the bushwalking signs on the way up. (the blue man with a stick and backpack)
He really did - it was hilarious!!
I challenged Matty to a race on the way down but slowed down as soon as he was out of view. He won the race but I was very happy with my run and totally enjoyed the experience.
Next up we hit the beach for two hours. It was now 3pm and the wind was quite strong so I sat on a towel and watched them brave the water. It was soooo cold.
All up it was a good day out - topped off a great morning where we had watched the Australian 1500mx4 relay record being smashed in the morning by the most talented Pete, Mark, Andy and Dave. An exciting race resulting in a further 22 sec off the Australian Record for the U50 age group. I was glad to be there to witness it.
Monday
Only 4km on the treadmill this morning. I could not get in to the carpark so had to be in and out by 7am or my car (in the street) would have been towed. I looked like a manic running from the treadmill to the weights, furiously lifting and then racing upstairs to shower before running out the door.
Totally exhausted now. Can't wait for Pats time trial tomorrow - so I can rest!!!! :)
The sign said "Experienced Climbers take 2hrs return trip" we ran to the top in 20mins (that includes where you have to climb on hands and feet so it isn't a fast slope!!!). The kids were keeping up with us and we had a fantastic time at the top looking at the views and discussing life. We had loaded Allan up with a backpack full of yummy food and water so he had to grab a stick out of the bush on the way up to ensure he looked like the bushwalking signs on the way up. (the blue man with a stick and backpack)
He really did - it was hilarious!!
I challenged Matty to a race on the way down but slowed down as soon as he was out of view. He won the race but I was very happy with my run and totally enjoyed the experience.
Next up we hit the beach for two hours. It was now 3pm and the wind was quite strong so I sat on a towel and watched them brave the water. It was soooo cold.
All up it was a good day out - topped off a great morning where we had watched the Australian 1500mx4 relay record being smashed in the morning by the most talented Pete, Mark, Andy and Dave. An exciting race resulting in a further 22 sec off the Australian Record for the U50 age group. I was glad to be there to witness it.
Monday
Only 4km on the treadmill this morning. I could not get in to the carpark so had to be in and out by 7am or my car (in the street) would have been towed. I looked like a manic running from the treadmill to the weights, furiously lifting and then racing upstairs to shower before running out the door.
Totally exhausted now. Can't wait for Pats time trial tomorrow - so I can rest!!!! :)
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