...I'm just saying.
You head out and do something you are familiar with and BAM it takes your breath away. You just have that awesome run where the legs turn over and take you where you want to go, the breathing is settled and you feel very capable of achieving anything.
Today was one of those days. One of those runs.
Mark was doing a trial to see how his legs were working after his physio and rest days - big GC goal coming up. I was just along for the ride. I certainly didn't expect to even enjoy today after completely exhausting myself yesterday (and this week). Suprise Suprise.
We headed out to Orleigh Park from the Ship Inn just as the light was coming up, which meant a sleep in for me as I have been starting early for most runs this past month. (Can't wait for summer!!)
If I was honest, I was a bit apprehensive about how I was going to go with this run. I didn't want to hold Mark back - and certainly I wanted to see if I could run with him the whole way - but I just assumed my tiredness and sore legs were going to get the better of me. I just never felt a bad spot the whole way.
I'm guessing we ran about 12km under 5min/km. We saw lots of fellow friends out there on the way who were all happy to see Mark running. Tesso and I had a hug mid-run (she was doing a marathon pace run with the Intraining crew). It was just perfect all round.
Heading back to the Ship Inn I was tempted to just keep running. You know its a good thing when you don't want to stop. Maybe I wasn't running hard enough?? I was concious of Mark though and we pulled in at the beach and got our breath back.
That post run glow will keep me happy for many days. I just wish I could adjust to the cold showers like I can to the increase in km!!!
SOUTHBANK BRING BACK THE HOT WATER!!!!
oh did I mention the breakfast? Its been so long since I have eaten at Poppys and it was just perfect to finish the run there with Katy and Mark. Off now to face the non-running tasks of the world...sigh.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
The Saturday Slog
I'm starting to feel tired. My legs are great, doing all the right things...maybe twinging here and there but in a good way - I can feel them!!
Today was going to be a drag - literally! With no babysitters I had to take Billy in the pram for our planned 21.1km practice run at race pace. This was going to be interesting.
In actual fact it was totally fun. Tesso and I talked and ran and KEPT TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. I hardly noticed the pram - well except on the small rise out to Orleigh Park. Billy was wonderful - just sat there the whole time.
After about 80mins though I was feeling the pull of my muscles that you use when you run with a pram (arms/stomach) as opposed to the legs and I was not all that comfortable.
I wrapped the run up at about 17.5km - we were close to averaging our race pace and that was good enough for me. I know with the delays to the start, the water tables and just running back and forth, we will nail this and ensure those around us have a ball as well.
I was completely exhausted a few hours later - totally incapable of even watching TV (Cairns Ironman was on!!) and just crashed and burned. Nothing a good steak and a restful sleep didn't fix though!
Today was going to be a drag - literally! With no babysitters I had to take Billy in the pram for our planned 21.1km practice run at race pace. This was going to be interesting.
In actual fact it was totally fun. Tesso and I talked and ran and KEPT TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. I hardly noticed the pram - well except on the small rise out to Orleigh Park. Billy was wonderful - just sat there the whole time.
After about 80mins though I was feeling the pull of my muscles that you use when you run with a pram (arms/stomach) as opposed to the legs and I was not all that comfortable.
I wrapped the run up at about 17.5km - we were close to averaging our race pace and that was good enough for me. I know with the delays to the start, the water tables and just running back and forth, we will nail this and ensure those around us have a ball as well.
I was completely exhausted a few hours later - totally incapable of even watching TV (Cairns Ironman was on!!) and just crashed and burned. Nothing a good steak and a restful sleep didn't fix though!
The Joy of Running
Friday morning - another work day and the weekend is within reach but not quite here yet.
I woke up and began to worry already - what have I committed to? Running Mt Coot-Tha after two big hill sessions already this week???? Idiot.
Still there I was sitting in the carpark way too early - didn't want my fellow companion to turn up and not find me there!
Graham arrived and we took a few minutes to ensure we had the right equipment on (he had two pairs of gloves!!) and then we headed off. An easy pace, it was very dark and we adjusted our eyes as we headed off down the road.
I do recall mentioning to my friend that we usually re-group up the top at the flat bit just after the first TV station. He said 'but we're running this together, we won't need to re-group" ha ha ha that was just before his hot little heels became two glow worms in the distance.
It was great to have a little fox to chase, we both worked hard going up and still looked out around us to see the lights of Brisbane coming on. Such a magical hour.
Graham totally missed the top and kept going, but I had enough breath left to call out to him and get him back.
After that we just ran, mostly in companionable silence and totally enjoyed the breaking in of the new day.
We had a decent pace going on (I was just trying to madly keep up with him!!) and I felt the joy of running the undulations across the top.
We made it around the corner and put on the pace to get to the Summit.
Just Bloody Beautiful!!!
We stopped for a few minutes to give the view the respect it deserved and watch Brisbane rise from its sleep. You could just tell it was going to be a great day.
Off we trotted to finish off the run and made it back to the carpark in good time - not withstanding a quick jibe at two walkers who were taking up the whole road (well not really but it was fun watching Graham tease his sister who was out walking).
It was Graham's first time. But I am sure he'll be back...and I hope I'm there to try to keep up with him!!!
I woke up and began to worry already - what have I committed to? Running Mt Coot-Tha after two big hill sessions already this week???? Idiot.
Still there I was sitting in the carpark way too early - didn't want my fellow companion to turn up and not find me there!
Graham arrived and we took a few minutes to ensure we had the right equipment on (he had two pairs of gloves!!) and then we headed off. An easy pace, it was very dark and we adjusted our eyes as we headed off down the road.
I do recall mentioning to my friend that we usually re-group up the top at the flat bit just after the first TV station. He said 'but we're running this together, we won't need to re-group" ha ha ha that was just before his hot little heels became two glow worms in the distance.
It was great to have a little fox to chase, we both worked hard going up and still looked out around us to see the lights of Brisbane coming on. Such a magical hour.
Graham totally missed the top and kept going, but I had enough breath left to call out to him and get him back.
After that we just ran, mostly in companionable silence and totally enjoyed the breaking in of the new day.
We had a decent pace going on (I was just trying to madly keep up with him!!) and I felt the joy of running the undulations across the top.
We made it around the corner and put on the pace to get to the Summit.
Just Bloody Beautiful!!!
We stopped for a few minutes to give the view the respect it deserved and watch Brisbane rise from its sleep. You could just tell it was going to be a great day.
Off we trotted to finish off the run and made it back to the carpark in good time - not withstanding a quick jibe at two walkers who were taking up the whole road (well not really but it was fun watching Graham tease his sister who was out walking).
It was Graham's first time. But I am sure he'll be back...and I hope I'm there to try to keep up with him!!!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Wicked Wednesday
It was another glorious day running along the Brisbane River with the buddies.
I met Brett in the carpark early and we headed out for a quick stint at a warmup. 5:30am the group then took off for a steady 10km. Tesso and I had other ideas, we decided to practice our pace (5:37min/km) for our upcoming 2Hr Pacing gig at the Gold Coast Marathon. We were chatting and laughing and just having a good old time out there. But we couldn't run slow enough. It felt like we were walking pace at some places..but we still averaged 5:17min/km.
Whilst I had a great run, totally enjoyed the morning - and followed it up with a hot coffee on the bridge with my buddies...I am nervous about the upcoming gig and carrying through on my promises!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Torture Tuesday
It wasn't hard to get up this morning - I was already awake. Lots going on at work. EOFY etc etc
I was looking forward to running but didn't think I would have much in me. Suprisingly my butt was a bit sore from the mountain climb. It was going to be one of those days where I PLAN to do 80%.
Imagine my suprise when I got to Pats and saw he had a HILL SESSION planned *groan*
It was a long warmup with Tesso - we had lots to catch up on as we hadn't seen each other in two days!!! We made our way to the gardens just in time for Pat to call out for the strides to begin. A few of those and off we took for a 20min session of hills.
Go hard on the up and coast the downhills.
Damn I love this session. It is by far my favourite at PCRG.
My heart wasn't in it today but I worked hard nonetheless - more than the planned 80% and banked another worthwhile session. It was interesting to see who I could go past on the uphill - a lot of the fast guys/gals, but they totally kept going and blew away from me on the downhill where I had to drop back 99 gears to get my breathing under control.
One day, I vow, I am just going to hang on.
A note to self - just get out of bed and get there, the run will work itself out no matter how fatigued I feel!
I was looking forward to running but didn't think I would have much in me. Suprisingly my butt was a bit sore from the mountain climb. It was going to be one of those days where I PLAN to do 80%.
Imagine my suprise when I got to Pats and saw he had a HILL SESSION planned *groan*
It was a long warmup with Tesso - we had lots to catch up on as we hadn't seen each other in two days!!! We made our way to the gardens just in time for Pat to call out for the strides to begin. A few of those and off we took for a 20min session of hills.
Go hard on the up and coast the downhills.
Damn I love this session. It is by far my favourite at PCRG.
My heart wasn't in it today but I worked hard nonetheless - more than the planned 80% and banked another worthwhile session. It was interesting to see who I could go past on the uphill - a lot of the fast guys/gals, but they totally kept going and blew away from me on the downhill where I had to drop back 99 gears to get my breathing under control.
One day, I vow, I am just going to hang on.
A note to self - just get out of bed and get there, the run will work itself out no matter how fatigued I feel!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Wow wow Wow! - Mt Coot-Tha
You take a few days off to face the stresses of life that are not related to running...and just assume its going to take its toll when you next lace up those shoes.
Then magic happens. You load the ipod up with some meaningful beats and hit the familiar road to test the legs. Zoom you're off. Yep that happened to me tonight. I had to laugh when I saw two cyclists in the distance and worked my way up to gain on them. Done. As I went past they said óh the shame overtaken by a jogger'. I had to retort "I'm a RUNNER!!!" They were too far back to hear me I am sure :)
I got to the top and the family went past in the car to check on me (it was getting quite dark). I tried to run as hard as I could to get around the Mountain so they didn't worry so much. Allan knew how much I needed this run so he told me to go around TWICE and they'd meet me at the top.
The first loop was amazing. I still now, a couple of hours later, can't put into words the emotion and feeling I had when I turned the corner and saw the Summit. Running up to the top was just sublime and I took a few seconds to watch the last of the sun go down.
I won't bother discussing the next loop up again. It was hard and I hurt and I was very stupidly running in the dark - even the police stopped to check after some idiots hooted and were driving crazy.
But the run was all about that first loop. Just need to get faster and life would be perfect!
Then magic happens. You load the ipod up with some meaningful beats and hit the familiar road to test the legs. Zoom you're off. Yep that happened to me tonight. I had to laugh when I saw two cyclists in the distance and worked my way up to gain on them. Done. As I went past they said óh the shame overtaken by a jogger'. I had to retort "I'm a RUNNER!!!" They were too far back to hear me I am sure :)
I got to the top and the family went past in the car to check on me (it was getting quite dark). I tried to run as hard as I could to get around the Mountain so they didn't worry so much. Allan knew how much I needed this run so he told me to go around TWICE and they'd meet me at the top.
The first loop was amazing. I still now, a couple of hours later, can't put into words the emotion and feeling I had when I turned the corner and saw the Summit. Running up to the top was just sublime and I took a few seconds to watch the last of the sun go down.
I won't bother discussing the next loop up again. It was hard and I hurt and I was very stupidly running in the dark - even the police stopped to check after some idiots hooted and were driving crazy.
But the run was all about that first loop. Just need to get faster and life would be perfect!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
2 Steps Forward...1 Back: 18km Mid Week run
Today was a beautiful morning for a run, I just couldn't get my mojo to run in sync with my legs. A few sleepless nights and not eating right totally made me feel like finishing the run early. It started out great though so was a bit of a shock to hit the wall.
I did a few km warm up with MattyO and made it back to the Ship Inn in time to depart with the 5:00am Buddies. We headed out to New Farm via Kangaroo Point over the Story Bridge. I was chatting and running with Tesso and after a few km we were running 4:50's quite easily. She dropped me on the bridge though and whilst I managed to keep running around 4:45-4:50pace they all got faster.
Ran with Brett and Graham for a bit then eventually after hitting the river again on the way home I let them go and just hung back. The calf and hip were killing me today. I think I'm on the verge of experiencing some intense pain that is very much NOT welcome. Might rest up tomorrow or maybe just book a massage. Got to be in top condition for my run on Friday.
I did a few km warm up with MattyO and made it back to the Ship Inn in time to depart with the 5:00am Buddies. We headed out to New Farm via Kangaroo Point over the Story Bridge. I was chatting and running with Tesso and after a few km we were running 4:50's quite easily. She dropped me on the bridge though and whilst I managed to keep running around 4:45-4:50pace they all got faster.
Ran with Brett and Graham for a bit then eventually after hitting the river again on the way home I let them go and just hung back. The calf and hip were killing me today. I think I'm on the verge of experiencing some intense pain that is very much NOT welcome. Might rest up tomorrow or maybe just book a massage. Got to be in top condition for my run on Friday.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
PCRG - a long one!
Was not too cold a morning but a bit lonely. Ran by myself most of the warmup over the Vic bridge and around into the gardens. It was good to ease into the run.
The strides are my favourite bit of the session at PCRG, they just seem to warm me up ready to run fast (doh! thats why we do them). But today it was terrible. I did a few and felt great, slowly increasing each one. All of a sudden chaos, runner down, blood, ripped clothes and a gut feeling that today maybe I should have stayed in bed. Wasn't my blood thank goodness (sorry Fi!!) but I felt bad as I was trying to get her to run fast with me.
The session commenced a bit late with 4min, 45sec rest, 4min 45sec rest and 8min all the way back. It was great and everyone seemed to be giving it oh 70%. For some reason people tend to go a bit slower on the longer repeats. I was flying past everyone. Maybe they were just scared I was going to trip them??
As usual Pat reserved a few 1min efforts at the end to finish it off with, so all up about 19mins of speedwork and roughly 10km.
I did the cool down with the A Team - Pretty Matt, Jason Hall, Clowes etc and felt like a fraud as they talked of their sub 3 marathon approaching all too soon. But it was good to keep the heart rate up a fraction.
All in all, I feel a comeback on the horizon.
The strides are my favourite bit of the session at PCRG, they just seem to warm me up ready to run fast (doh! thats why we do them). But today it was terrible. I did a few and felt great, slowly increasing each one. All of a sudden chaos, runner down, blood, ripped clothes and a gut feeling that today maybe I should have stayed in bed. Wasn't my blood thank goodness (sorry Fi!!) but I felt bad as I was trying to get her to run fast with me.
The session commenced a bit late with 4min, 45sec rest, 4min 45sec rest and 8min all the way back. It was great and everyone seemed to be giving it oh 70%. For some reason people tend to go a bit slower on the longer repeats. I was flying past everyone. Maybe they were just scared I was going to trip them??
As usual Pat reserved a few 1min efforts at the end to finish it off with, so all up about 19mins of speedwork and roughly 10km.
I did the cool down with the A Team - Pretty Matt, Jason Hall, Clowes etc and felt like a fraud as they talked of their sub 3 marathon approaching all too soon. But it was good to keep the heart rate up a fraction.
All in all, I feel a comeback on the horizon.
Monday, June 13, 2011
11km Recovery Run - Monday
Had just about the best possible run ever - the Recovery Run!
I'm still trying to work out what I was recovering from...ha!
Ran around 5:30 pace give or take for 11km but threw in about 6 x 100m sprints that got the heart rate up and racing.
Which brings to mind - I have no idea what my heart rate is sitting at these days. I tried to measure this afternoon but everytime Billy came to sit on my stomach it shot up to 80bpm. It was sitting around 62bpm lying on the floor but I think I need to actually do a test and see what I can record for my maximum as well as do the garmin test to measure the minimum first thing in the morning.
i will endeavour to find out my max and min this week. CHORE # 1.
I'm still trying to work out what I was recovering from...ha!
Ran around 5:30 pace give or take for 11km but threw in about 6 x 100m sprints that got the heart rate up and racing.
Which brings to mind - I have no idea what my heart rate is sitting at these days. I tried to measure this afternoon but everytime Billy came to sit on my stomach it shot up to 80bpm. It was sitting around 62bpm lying on the floor but I think I need to actually do a test and see what I can record for my maximum as well as do the garmin test to measure the minimum first thing in the morning.
i will endeavour to find out my max and min this week. CHORE # 1.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Its time to move!
This week I commence training.
I have no idea what I am training for, hopefully that will come. But I want the pain and joy and excitement that training gives when you achieve the little goals along the way and I want to see the benefits of training in both gains in speed (times) and fitness.
I am unlikely now to be doing City to Surf 2011, though I have entered it doesn't coincide well with other events in my life. We'll wait to see. Airfares are not yet booked.
I'm running Gold Coast Half Marathon as the 2hr official pacer with Tesso - that should be a lark. It will be good to finish and still have plenty of time and energy to cheer on all my friends to the finish of their big event.
Then there are months of training and small races of various kinds before December arrives and the K U R R A W A event is on once again. A rest of two weeks and then the real build up to Canberra. My goal would be to go sub 3:20, my A Goal being 3:15...but that all depends on the ability for me to focus and stick to my training over the next 9 months.
So hopefully this blog will be resurrected again for no other reason but to keep me honest and start a record of my training. Its Time.
I have no idea what I am training for, hopefully that will come. But I want the pain and joy and excitement that training gives when you achieve the little goals along the way and I want to see the benefits of training in both gains in speed (times) and fitness.
I am unlikely now to be doing City to Surf 2011, though I have entered it doesn't coincide well with other events in my life. We'll wait to see. Airfares are not yet booked.
I'm running Gold Coast Half Marathon as the 2hr official pacer with Tesso - that should be a lark. It will be good to finish and still have plenty of time and energy to cheer on all my friends to the finish of their big event.
Then there are months of training and small races of various kinds before December arrives and the K U R R A W A event is on once again. A rest of two weeks and then the real build up to Canberra. My goal would be to go sub 3:20, my A Goal being 3:15...but that all depends on the ability for me to focus and stick to my training over the next 9 months.
So hopefully this blog will be resurrected again for no other reason but to keep me honest and start a record of my training. Its Time.
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