A big week...and its not over yet!

Thursday 20th - off
Friday - 10km easy run
Saturday - Twilight Half Marathon. 23.5km including the race and a bit of a warm up beforehand. I had planned a longer warm up and a cooldown but I just didn't feel well. The race was good. Flat course, very strong headwinds in parts (it was a 4 x loop 5km circuit with the last two loops an extra 600m added on). It was a warm night and following the race I was violently ill for 24hrs with gastro so assume that had something to do with how I felt during the race. All things considered I was happy then with my 1:38:50 (was aiming for 1:33) and 1st Place Age Category trophy and cheque woo hoo!
Sunday - Sick! :(
Monday 24th - 21km steady @ 5:14min/km before work.
Tuesday 25th - off
Wednesday 26th -28km average 5:05min/km pace. Lots of slow stuff so some fast km in there too. A good fartlek session without planning that beforehand.
Thursday 27th - 8km easy with two buddies over mostly flat course around Bulimba.
Friday 28th - A magical run - just the fact I could manage 33.5km on my own plus the energy I was feeling was amazing. I practiced my marathon food and had a mouthful of powerade beforehand and a gu at 10km and a gu at 21km. Protein drink recovery of course. I normally run around the city and do only small runs around home (it gets boring otherwise) but out of necessity I ran from home today. Here are my thoughts that I emailed to a friend:

I had a perfect perfect run. Could not have been more magical. In fact I think it had a touch of magic in it. I ran around the neighbourhood – got out the door around 4:25am and just turned left (because right would have been UP a hill!). Travelled in the dark over many many hills through streets I have never ventured down and surprised myself when I came out on streets I knew well. It was so surreal watching all of suburbia come to life in slow motion.

At the halfway mark I needed water and the bubler taps in a park were turned off. A chinese yoga class was happening and they saw me and all yelled out “tap tap” and all 16 of them in one fluid movement pointed together to the tap at the top of the hill. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the weirdness of it. I couldn’t thank them as they got straight back into their silent chanting and movements.

The sun was up by now and having made halfway I figured I needed some encouragement to get me the rest of the way so I put my ipod on.

With 10km to go I found myself going over a small bridge crossing the river with lush greenery. It was like a childs fairy book. I kept following the path and found myself in the Rocks Riverside Park. I’ve been there many times but this was the first time so early in the morning. The grass was dewy, the river was flowing strong and it was so quiet. I ran right to the very end where industrial works have been turned into amazing area for kids. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol was on and I could have just wept and knelt down for the true beauty I was seeing in every step of my run. I felt it inside me and I was smiling and laughed aloud – more like a ‘weeeeeeee lets do this’ as I turned for home.

There was little beauty in the last 4km but I was still reeling from my moments with mother nature – in my own backyard!!!!

Two Weeks in One!

Been a bit slack so for prosperity's sake here is my last fortnights training.

Thursday 6th Sept - Linda's speed session - 13km all up. 2km warm up 10km @ 4:41 pace and 1km cool down.
Friday - off
Saturday - 37km @ 5:03 pace. Felt easy but running with Tess always does! Had a few spots in it that I mentally could have thrown in the towel but all in all I was so excited about getting this one in the bank. We got caught up in a race in New Farm so did some 4:20 km's as well as a few quick ones going over the Storey Bridge playing leapfrog so that bought the overall average pace down to a decent one.
Sunday - NOTHING!
Monday 10th - 5km easy
Tuesday - off
Wednesday - 20.3km @ 5:09 pace over hills. Happy with this one on my own but was totally wasted. Didn't want to do any speed but found I was progressing quite well. I had a number of breaks to stretch and get water and had to find a toilet at the halfway mark as my stomach was reacting to the heat a bit.

Thursday 13th - Lindas - 13km in total. 3k warm up, 8km @ marathon pace and 1km cooldown.
Friday - off
Saturday - 30km @ 5:06min/km. I loved this run. It was the toughest i have done because it was on my own. I had lots to think about though so it was good to be solo. I was running along Ballina and headed towards Lennox Heads. Didn't quite get there but got close. Did 5km on rocks and the beach and some climbing so a real tough run. About 15km was on trails along the beach - how awesome was that. Totally made me appreciate the beauty of the country we live in. Really helped give me a new respect for what running does to/for the body as well as made me feel closer to Mother Nature. Finished strong with a few
Sunday 16th- NOTHING!
Monday 17th - 10km easy with Tesso. Doing 5:15 pace average but started slow and got progressively faster. Fun! Finished with coffee which made it very pleasant start to the day.
Tuesday 18th - 18.5km - Started at work, met Tess at the GoBe Bridge and we made our way to PCRG for the speed session. Pat took us out to the UQ track where we did 2 x 3min; 1 x 6min, 1 x 4min, 2 x 1min and 1 x 30sec. It was a great setting and I loved being on the track (dirt track alongside UQ ovals) as opposed to concrete or road.  A bit congested in places but for speed work and not a race it was very manageable.
Wednesday 19th - off. Totally wiped out. Little baby is sick so all things stop and time to refocus on the family unit.

Work out what works for you!

I think it works for me to have higher mileage days and more rest days than spreading the same mileage over more days and having only one day off a week (or none!). I have a number of running buddies that prefer the complete opposite but I have spent a number of years contemplating this and I experience no injuries and reduced tiredness/soreness and more motivation when I have two rest days a week. I still need to be running 90-110 km a week though so double up days or high mileage runs twice a week are necessary.

This week shows lots of rest days but the plan was a low week in my NYRR program as well as after doing 99km last week and still trying to ensure the hammy doesn't play up. When I did run this week it was quality sessions. I felt great!

Thursday - Rested
Friday - Rested
Saturday - 25km. Ran from Ship Inn up to Mt Cootha and back. A wonderful run for many reasons and I loved every minute of it.
Sunday - Rest Day
Monday - 12.5km Steady
Tuesday - 6 x 1Mile Repeats: 1 Mile warm up; 1M @ 4:45; 1M @ 4:15; 1M @4:10; 1M @ 4:45 1 Mile Cool down. I did it. Completely exhausting running in the afternoon but this workout was to get you running at marathon pace (4:45) then exhaust you and then get you running at marathon pace tired. It worked. My marathon pace on the last one felt so easy despite my legs being tired and hurting. (10km all up)
Wednesday - Off

I am exhausted = best feeling in the world!!!!

I can't believe the difference a week makes (and some kick ass drugs!!!)

Thursday - 5.5km no pain felt good
Friday - rest day
Saturday - 13km. First few were okay but then felt niggles for the rest of the remaining 10km. Didn't get progressively worse but made me consider I wasn't as in good shape as I thought I was.
**Started Celebrax today**
Sunday - BRRC 10 Miler Race. All up I ran 21km. A good warm up and a little cool down. Took the race steady and didn't go any faster than 4:30min/km. Had a toilet stop but felt really good and NO niggles.
Monday - 39km (double up day - I'm not THAT Crazy)
Tuesday - rest day...go figure!
Wednesday - 14km @ 4:55 pace

So out of all the above I guess I am now feeling like I am actually going to really make it to NY!

The Monday session was amazing. I have some very crazy friends who - despite racing on Sunday a half marathon - came out to run 27km on the 27th August for my birthday. It was a tough run as we were all three of us exhausted. But we did it. It felt so good to stop!! The protein drink afterwards didn't hit the sides - just went straight down. My feet were blistered but that was left over from the run yesterday and some strange footwear I wore. I think all over my body was just tired.

Here we are at 6am halfway through our 27km run.

THEN
I had a great idea to double up and do another 12km that afternoon so it was 39km for my 39th Birthday. Woohoo what a great idea. Wait...where are my friends?? Ha in all seriousness I could never have done that on my own and I will always treasure that evening run with them. It was a very special time.

DESPITE THE FACT that after a pint or two at the pub we were ready to head off and Mark decided he would decorate us all in something he had 'prepared earlier'. So off we trotted all glammed up in helium balloons and Happy Birthday banners (and a big fucking badge!) to run 12km across the Story Bridge and through the CBD. AWESOME.

 At the Ship Inn ready to rumble.

On the Story Bridge with the view of Brisbane City in the background. And my big Fucking Badge@!! (you try run with it for 12km and see what you call it!)

All the Support in the World....

So much for a running blog - there's not been much of that!!!!!

Saturday No running
Sunday No Running
Monday 8 x 100m - pain free
Tuesday No running (2nd Phsyio appt)
Wednesday 2km pain free + 60min brisk walk as a warm up

Massage today with cupping and finally I am feeling like I am getting on top of this.

I have the all clear to run now after doing my appointments and the improvements being so drastic. I have one of the lucky bodies that will throw an injury when things are out of whack..but it doesn't take long to get back into whack and the injury to hide itself until next time.

The focus is regular massage, core strength and for now - a gentle increase to my mileage as I come back.

The coaches at NYRR have been great and have come back to me with a revised program to ignore all speedwork for 2-3 weeks My flex day must be a rest day (so only running 4 days a week). I am to do all the prescribed sessions in my program but only following the mileage (ignore the pacing and/or hill efforts). They have dropped me back to the Conservative program (uuugggh) until I am fully cleared and back up to running 65+km a week (ie 5 days). I'm guessing if I do this sensibly that will take me three weeks. Knowing me next week will be a big week.
Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk

I really really really want to be a runner!

Being injured is mental torture. I seriously am doing all I can to avoid focusing on anything negative. My beautiful husband has assured me that walking the New York Marathon is going to be an amazing experience. I don't WANT to friggen walk a marathon. (but bless him for trying to make me feel better) I want to push my body till it drops from exhaustion and I have the endorphin rush and a sense of achievement from accomplishing something truly amazing. I want to run!!!

Being injured it is more important that I blog what I am doing.
Saturday - 20km easy 5:10 pace. Felt great to be out there running.
Sunday - 4km easy - working at the Brisbane Half Marathon. Such an inspiring day!
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - 21km with Tesso @ 5:05 pace. A great run to remind me why I love running and that I have great friends.
Wednesday - Rest - still working on running every second day
Thursday - 19km @ 5:12 pace. Had planned on running further but my calf felt a bit weird and Tesso and Gooner were quite tired and wanted to turn back. They had big days yesterday.
Friday - Rest

August 11-17th
Saturday - 8km easy 5:13 pace. Felt great to be out there running. Getting excited about tomorrow.
Sunday - 11km including 4km easy 5km BRRC Race (20:59) and 2km cool down.
Monday -  14km @ 5:22 pace. Had to drop the car off to get serviced so ran into work. Woohoo what fun!
Tuesday - 11km. 3.5km warm up easy 6 x 1km repeats on the track (4:30 pace to mimic race pace) 100m sprint in which I felt my hammy curl up in pain. I stretched and we ran a few laps very very very slowly to cool down and get the pain out of my leg. FURIOUS WITH MYSELF for doing the 100m sprint.
Wednesday - Attempt to run. Did 9km before the hammy refused to budge. It was on hills out to Lone Pine so again - I was silly. Walked a few km before the ambulance came to get me (thanks Gooner!)
Thursday - Rest Injured
Friday - Rest Suicidal

Off to physio in a few hours to get correct diagnosis and onto a course for treatment. mmmm how to tell the boss I'll be away all afternoon.....

An Olympic Effort

Today was truly amazing. If you can just ignore the times for a moment and consider all the action - it truly makes for such a fantastic day out.

I arrived early to Brisbane Road Runners for a 5km Race. With my injury and complete lack of speedwork for three weeks I had to complete a 5km race to get my NY Marathon Plan realigned with where I was at. So regardless of what I would like to have achieved I just had to run my hardest and do the best I can. I was given a target of 1940-20:30 to aim for. Holy Moly that is fast (for where I am at).

I did the prescribed warm up of 4km very easy. Toilet break, some run throughs and was feeling eager to see what the body could do.
Standing at the start line felt a bit silly. There was less than 50 people in the race as most had decided to do the 10/15km option that started 30mins earlier. Regardless I was not here to compete, I was here for a time.

The time came and off I went. First female out of the block (I honestly was worried about the young little girls lined up in front that seem to run SOOO fast!). 
The slower runners in the earlier race (on the same course) proved to be good targets to just keep passing. It was amusing to be overtaking so many people so early on.

At the halfway mark I took note that I was first female. There was a group of men only 100m ahead of me so I tried to keep with them. I lost a bit of time at the turn around as it slowly goes uphill for a bit and I mentally sagged as I had no one chasing me and no one really to chase but then I picked it up. Soon I past the guy that was coming third. The other two were in front of me. They grabbed water at the water station - so I did too. Mistake of mine but I was trying to do everything they do. It didnt go down so well - even just a mouthful that it was - as I was running so hard. I didn't need water so was just a silly move.
With 1km to go I overtook the second male. Woo hoo this was just like the olympics. I was having fun and the feeling was amazing that I just felt so strong and like the fastest woman in the world. (great imagination heh!!).

I gave it everything I had and crossed the line 50m behind the lead male very happy to have finished. Not so happy with the time. It was a slow race - I did 20:59 and subsequently the coaches at NYRR have dropped my goal marathon time and relevant training paces to meet my current standards. A bit devastating but reality hurts and humility is a good teacher. Its an honest snapshot of where I am at and what I am capable of doing. Now to try to work on improving it. I have another race in two weeks and I really really would like to be showing some improvement by then.

It was pretty awesome feeling to be called out as the winner and go up and collect my trophy (sugar bowl). Great way to start the day I must admit.

Now to sit back and enjoy my dinner with the showing of the Olympic 2012 Men's Marathon...after all I know what they are going through. bahahahahaha

It's been a long week

Since last Wednesday I have been struggling to find the secret of healing. I think I have it. I should patent it. I call it DISTRACTION. If your body needs to recovery over time. You need to distract yourself. Get a hobby. Book yourself solid at work. Join a gym. Go on holiday. Whatever it takes.
Next time I might even follow my own advice.

This time around I have done the following:
Wednesday - awesome massage by the Demon (aka Jodi Willett) who pressure pointed my hammy but also rubbed the ITB raw.
No NSAID until I really knew what the issue was.
Thurs - rest
Friday - 6km easy in new shoes
Toasty sent me a book (aka long email) about injuries and what I should be doing etc. I then scoured the internet for information on hammy/ITB injuries and self diagnosed myself.
Saturday - rest. Massage and cupping with the Witchdoctor - Billy helped (my4yo) awwwww
Sunday - 8km easy (at night to extend the rest period). Felt pressure at 3km mark. Pain at 4km mark. Stopped and stretched then headed home. It actually started to get better on the way home. Likely it just didn't get any worse and I was warmed up now and close to home and mentally willing myself to heal and feel no pain.
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - 5km on treadmill and strength session at gym.
Wednesday - Rest. Full body massage more for overall relaxation. Company shout after hectic travel schedule.
Thursday 5km and strength session outdoors. No niggles during run but still not 100% when walking.
Started Celebrex - 2 x 100mg a day for a few days.
Friday - 10km new shoes and great run. Feeling fantastic and like I am actually getting on top of things. This coming week (Sunday to Saturday) in the NYM plan that the NYRR did for me was a down week - ie with low mileage and speed. So I might just throw myself back into that plan (60km week) and then get back on track.

I'll keep you posted.

Stupid Stupid Stupid Me

Okay so that was a short hiatus away :) I'm back for Robertsong's sake so he takes up the challenge to post again and keep it going to the NYM!

Actually I'm also back on line as this blog is a place to vent my emotions (good and bad) on how my running is going. Well today it is not going great and it is all my fault.

The last three days have seen me do some decents runs, all with some component of high intensity. This morning was going to be easy but still midrange in length (18km). I got to 9.7km and BANG the freakin hammy (I think I have no idea really) just started grabbing. I stopped when it really hurt (10sec later) and stretched it a bit. Started running again and made it 300m. 10km in 5:20min/km pace. The next 3km to get home took me 40minutes. I'm not even sure the garmin measures that slowly!!! I had lovely company to take my mind of it and just talk as I walked and limped back to my car.
I got home and had a shower and was intending to get dressed for work. I woke up 90mins later at 9am!! I had laid on the bed and thought "what went wrong??" and the next thing I was snoring!! I am just overworked (in running and at work). Its been great though and nothing too stressful so I have been very excited to be maintaining form and keepign to my program but today was a big wake up call.

I'll sort it out and find out what it is - (the injury). I know what I need to do to avoid it - stretching, strength and a slower build up to mileage. I just pushed myself too hard too early. Completely knew what I was doing as I was doing it but it felt great and I kept it up.  Stupid me. Stupid 10% rule. heh heh heh

Fingers crossed its only a small hiccup and nothing more serious. I've never had a muscle injury before. Its weird.

Ciao Kiddies

I have my program through a coach at NYRR now and it is in another online program so unlikely to duplicate what I am doing by typing it all out here again. I am going to aim to still update my blog from time to time on how I am FEELING about my running and put down significant race posts so I can look back on it historically. Maybe a monthly wrap up.

To finish out the week last week I ran:

Friday - Mount Coot-tha, awesome run. Did a bit beforehand as a warm up and to extend the distance. I'll keep doing this.
Saturday - tough love. Had Billy in the pram and we headed out on a hilly route. It was a tough 18km. Getting up the first big hill was so bad but Damo came back down and pushed Billy up for me. Not a nice road that one!! The average pace was around 5:24 for the run but my garmin had posted 6:02 pace as I did not stop it at some places.
Sunday - was not a good day for personal reasons and I didn't run.

The week begins again and I had an awesome fantastic run this morning. I just love running in this city and I am sure the route I took is going to quickly become my favourite one to do in early mornings.

The Week In Review II

Interesting doing this Thur-Wed. I might have to adjust to match my training schedule but for now am in a bit of a habit of blogging on Wednesdays. Its good for hump day - few days of training in the bank and preparation for the weekend to come. So here is the past seven days:

Thursday: 18.5km of hills. No walking. I found this very tiring after doing hills in the two days leading up to this session (Mon/Tue).
Friday: 10km Mount Cootha (hills) a lonely run and again HILLs. WHY??? I must be punishing myself for something. I didn't find this run as hard as yesterdays and was pleasantly suprised with my energy in getting up the 2km ascent. I did crash and burn at work later that morning though....
Saturday: 25km LSD.  Was going to be a mystery run but we have done every course in Brisbane. Turned out to be a reverse river loop. Interesting and the run past quickly. Tess gave me some gu with 8km to go that seemed to perk me up when I didn't even know I needed it!
Sunday: 5km easy. Loved this run. Down to the Gold Coast coastline to catch up with my son playing in the parks. Superb run with maybe a bit of a hangover so happy to get out and get some fresh air.
Monday: 10km @ 5:22 pace. Starting to focus on the pacing of my runs now instead of the 'intensity' level as I measure it. Should keep me honest though I am a bit worried there does not seem to be any rest days coming up *insert horrified face*
Tuesday: 13km:  3.5km warm up followed by 6 x 1km efforts on the sandy beach at Hervey Bay. Awesome run and was really happy I managed to pull this one off. I have not done 1km efforts on my own for years! Not to mention I got to my hotel and didn't eat dinner so was 'fuel-less'. The efforts all averaged around 4:27 with the last one being one of the quickest ones so I was happy to finish strong. 3.5km warm down back to the hotel and crashed in the spa bath. Divine.
Wednesday: 15km - 5km warm up that seemed to be crazy fast. I dropped back after this so I was at the middle/back of the pack out to the turnaround point (10km into the run). I knew everyone would race back to the start and I didn't want to get caught up in their passion. Unfortunately Graham pulled up alongside and we started chatting and then I didn't want to let him go. I had to ramp up one or two gears but we were still only doing 4:45 pace. The first two a bit slower and the last two noticeably quicker with average of the last 5km 4:47min/km. After a solid week of running I think the pace was just perfect. I was certainly feeling it but was also secretly happy I was able to do it and not fall in a heap.

New York Training - 16 Weeks

The Sixteen week program starts today. I have two programs. One really hard (supposedly 3:09-3:13 time) and the other one aiming for 3:20 which is the Runners World app on my iphone. Both have more similarities than differences. The biggest notable one is the NYRR program the coach did for me does not have many rest days. Starting today the first day off is August 12th!!! but they do give you a flex day that you can use as your body requires (to have off or run easy or cross train whatever you feel like).

I don't have a great track record for keeping with programs...so it will be interesting to see how we go. In NY I just want to be able to run sub 3:30 very comfortably and enjoy the surroundings.

P1 - 13km @ 5:22pace
P2 - 7Mile @ 5:34pace or *Flex*
Actual - 10km @5:22 pace

The thing I have noticed the most about these programs is they don't have much mileage for the long runs but keep throwing hard runs at you. I am used to doing long runs each week and a mid week long run, a hill or speed session through the week and the rest as easy/steady runs. Both programs have runs every day ranging in hardness and specicifity of toughness. I guess thats what I have never done so only one way to work out if it will suit me.....!

The week in review

A few days of rest and the training begins..

Thursday: 15km @ 5km pace. Tough gig at times on my own but very very enjoyable.
Friday: 10km Mount Cootha (hills) a great run with Tesso and ran with strength but not overly hard
Saturday: 16.5km easy. Nothing too long. Everyone still recuperating or recovering from the marathon so this was more just for fun and to keep the mileage in training.
Sunday: 5km race. Ha! This felt hard but the time wasn't that tough. 22:19. My legs were so heavy and my breathing was heavier than an elephants in a monsoon.
Monday: rest day
Tuesday: 10km warm up and cool down plus 3 x 2.7km hill circuits each one timed with the middle loop a race. I hope to increase the number of circuits but still keep a decent time. I love this loop.
Wednesday: 10km - after hills last night it was tough and my legs were tired. It rained the whole way and should have been miserable but strangely relaxing. The end of the run was much easier than the beginning but I was glad to stop. Tonight....stretching is on the menu.

Gold Coast Half Marathon 2012

Another pacing gig at the Gold Coast Marathon is done and dusted and what a run it was. This year the start was not as crowded as previously but I was soon to regret saying that as the crowds hung with us the whole way with no tapering once you got going!! Definitely need to talk to the organisers about some staggered starting times next year.

We had about 300-400 runners with Tesso (Pacer A doing gun time) and me (Pacer B doing net time) and it was a tough gig to run consistent pace when you could not even break into a decent run for 3km. Guess it doesn't help when you are wearing clown shoes *snigger*

I loved telling everyone around the 15-17km mark right before the bridge that they should all be hurting right now. I had someone tear up when I then said WE ARE ALL HURTING RIGHT NOW it's not just you. It's a shared pain and we can run together and finish this race and be HALF MARATHONERS!! (a number in the group are usually first timers).
Such inspiring stories as we made our way back to the finish and I really didn't want the run to end. Saying that though it is a tough day out there. Up at 4am to head to the tent, 6am race start, 8am finish by 9am we were at the 41km mark of the Marathon course and stayed there until noon cheering all the runners on. I got home at 3:30pm and was completely exhausted but wouldn't have it any other way. I hope I am always fit enough and keen enough to do the pacing gig. It is my favourite run of the year and gives me so much inspiration to carry on with my own goals that I need to include it as a MUST DO. I was 1sec per km out this year (1:59:40) as my garmin was on the setting that stopped timing when it sensed you were stopped (ie water station or when I turned around to talk to other runners and once when I was running backwards and then stopped and waited for this one guy to stop crying and be able to run again) so I knew I was a minute or so out and just had to fluke what time I was running in at.
I have to say one of the funniest things was getting asked to pace in the Sunshine Coast race in August. We tenatively agreed so when I got home the first thing I did Sunday night was log on and check out the run and the course. Proudly sponsored and raises funds for RONALD MCDONALD House. Pissing myself laughing....of course they want the clowns to pace!!!!

Committed - to a little Blue Book

I'm committed. Committed to doing the best I can for a preperation for New York Marathon.

Not necesarrily looking for a PB but certainly looking to go into this one prepared and ready to roll.

I bought a diary. It keeps me honest. I intended to blog but quite frankly I hesitate at telling the world what I just ate and how much I weigh and what training I intend to do...versus what I did.
My blog will still show the highlights of my training and be a diary for how I am feeling. The rest will be in my little blue book.

It is 20 weeks to go. My ramp up for km building starts on the 1st July. Good day to do the Gold Coast Half Marathon. Following this will be a week of relaxed running but steady at 60-70km for the week. It builds from there in terms of mileage and speed comes later.

I'm so excited that I am getting my head around the fact I am paying my weight in travel expenses to go to a race that cost me over $400 to enter. I roughly calculated a cost of $500 per km as what the New York Marathon will cost me. However I know it will really be PRICELESS. Running in that race, crossing that finish line and having a champers with my buddy will all be the most exilerating running experiences and the making of great memories (good or bad).

But for now I must do another couple of days of easy running before the pacing gig at the Half Marathon this weekend. Its so good to kick of this campaign with a pacing job - it grounds you and brings back all the reasons of why we run and how we can help those around us achieve their goals.

Okay I'll try to not go on about the NYM for a while and focus on the day to day aspects of training. Life does go on and the race will come and go and there will then be another goal. I run for me. Not for a friend, a race, a reason. Just. Because. I. Can.

Happy to be a failure

Oh the joy of failing at what we set out to achieve.
I had planned to run 5km every day this month. I haven't. It has been so much fun NOT sticking to my goal. I have been quite imaginative with my excuses and my home and work life are all taking the full benefit of my eagerness to stay indoors and find any reason to keep busy and not leave the comfort of my well lit, warm, dry office/home.

Having said that I have not been extremely lazy. I have still run regularly and try to run hard when I do get out.
Saturday was tough - a big celebration and weekend away meant running 5km through trails on a farm whilst under the influence of a big lunch (and wine). Quite hilarious and silly but an experience I'll always treasure.
Monday was another blast. I though I had arranged to meet people at Mt Cootha. Turns out all I had arranged was to dream it up. I waited in the dark and texted some people but no show and I realised then I was in the wrong. Quite funny really and I think I giggled my way around the big hills. A bit scary the first few km but once the sun was on its way up I was able to see (and be seen) so I felt more comfortable. It is never an easy run but always always a fun one.
Today was 11km with the buddies. I ran from the Ship Inn out to the bus turnaround at Orleigh Park and was breathing heavy. I decided to run on my own coming back. Graham was just up ahead so I wanted to keep him in sight. I didn't realise he was going so fast!!! Crikey. I was breathing a lot heavier on the way back. I think the last 4 km were average 4:40min/km but some were a bit slower and one was way faster. I didn't have GPS on to tell exactly but just going by how I felt.

Who knows what other runs I'll do this week. Interesting times ahead. I just treasure that I am so enjoying it at the moment.

So we begin again...

I managed a double up day yesterday - so motivating.

Today I had work committments. But when a lunch date cancelled on me I went for a run...WTF my mojo is coming back in big supply!!! I also spent 40mins at the gym doing some format of weights. It was laughable, though I was happy to just wander around and explore all the equipment and watch everyone else.

There are no women at my gym. Very strange and sometimes it makes me feel big and strong. Othertimes it makes me feel like I walked into the wrong changeroom!

So my 5km a day starts today for the whole of this month. No rest days. If I am injured - we will reevaluate. Though the idea is to build my base and focus - this month at least - on consistency.

Warwick 2012

If there was one thing that Warwick did for me this year - INSPIRATION.

Inspiration to lose weight - again all the photos of me are FAT photos. Ugh
Inspiration for me to train - seriously how can I expect to race well if I don't train well?
Inspiration for me to cross train - being on the sidelines gave me time to think how much I want to be out there. For me right now and I suspect for some time, I need to do things other than running to get my race strength, weight and mental capacity where it needs to be. I'm suffering a low runners confidence with my running. Nothing boosts that better than feeling strong and having a good run.

All in all I need to do a plan. Working on that now and really looking forward to the months ahead!!!

Warwick was the worst preparation I have ever had for a race. Hilarious and if it wasn't Warwick I don't think I would have even turned up!  I love this event and I love this weekend away - its fun, friends and frantic all rolled into one.

The week leading up to Warwick Weekend I had started at the gym through a work get fit program. I did a weights session on Wednesday and strained my Gluteus Maximus muscle. It would have been quite funny - having a pain in the ass...except it was hurting. I'll try not to let the guys egg me on to 100kg leg press's next time!

I had a few days off (wow thats new to me..NOT) and hoped for the best. Friday came and I realised I hadn't packed. PANIC! Okay I just went into work an hour late but was all sorted. When the afternoon came I was not feeling like I had much energy. I picked up Billy and headed home to get my suitcase I had left at home. I think that was the third trip home I made between 3-4.3pm! I went back when I realised I left my phone, then back after being 20km down the track when I recalled my race kit on the line...arrggggh not looking good.

Finally got to Warwick for 6pm. I was homing in with Gooner but had a call that afternoon to advise me my regular family room was waiting for me. GREAT. I had not booked ahead as I wasn't sure what my plans were so assumed I didn't have a room. Things were starting to look up!

We got there and headed across to the pub to say hello to everyone. Billy got hyped up so we then went back to the room and had some dinner there. Pikelets for me. Red Rooster for Billy.
Had lots of visitors and got to catch up with everyone from the comfort of my bed - in my PJ's awesome!

4am came and I was up. Yes I was racing today - I must be as I was feeling ill and nervous. Endless trips to the toilet made me think I was never going to be able to leave the hotel room. Unfortunately Billy had already decided to go see 'his friends' so I had to leave to go find him.

It was cold but no where near as cold as I anticipated. I was ready. I could do this. Just relax and enjoy the run. Having not trained meant I had no expectations of a time - so the pressure was of me in that regard.

My garmin died about 5 mins from the start. I gave it to Gooner but he could not get working. Toeing the start line and doing all the obligatory photos I realised I did not have my shoe tag (making me ineligible). Doing awesome so far! Gooner raced to the hotel and went into my bag (noooooo) to find it.

The race started with me not knowing where my son was, no official shoe tag/timer and a corrupt garmin watch. Did I mention I had no gu or other race supplement due to lack of forethought. Race from hell!!

I got my shoe tag at the 3km mark from Gooner. He also handed my gamin back - had manged to do a hard reset and get it working for me. My ipod was not working - despite me fully charging the night before. So at 4km I threw it in disgust on the road and hit the garmin to start the race from there.

About one mile along I realised I was going to be running in miles today. FML. I think I actually started enjoying the run here. It was going up the first big hill and I was laughing silly as I had to pull over and tie up my shoelace - that I had left loose to put on the shoe tag. My shoe tag was now firmly stuck in my bra getting sweaty.

The run itself was awesome. I was having fun and laughing. Most thought I was just crazy. The km markers flew by - I could not believe how quickly they were coming/going. I had found a friend to play leap frog with and just persisted with that.

I saw Gooner with Billy (my son) a few times. The last time Billy did not look well and was not interested in me at all. He was pale and I asked after him when I ran past but Gooner was waving me on. Earlier on in the race Billy had been blowing a trumpet and cheering loudly as he drove past at several points. The pressure was on now to finish and get to my boy. I started running - hard. It may have only been a 10-sec per km improvement but I actually felt like I was truly racing now. I was trying to beat the clock to get home. In no particular time but to finish the last 4 km in as fast as I could. I know they were my fastest km without looking at a watch.

When I finished I puzzled everyone by holding my shoe tag in my hand and bending over as I crossed to make sure it timed correctly so I would be 'qualified' as having run. Then I rushed straight over to my son. He was not well at all. Sweating badly. As soon as we got him in the car he projectile vomited all over Tesso and Gooner and myself.

Seriously the funniest thing ever!!!

Once he got that out of his system he was fine. Was back to himself that afternoon and running around cheering on the next few races.
I never felt bad - my gut and legs held up remarkably for the whole race. No toilet stops, no pain. Even the next day I felt great.

Now I just want to go back and do it all again!!!!! 2013 watch out. You are on my target list for a PB next year!!!!!

June

Everyday in June I'm running 5km.

As a minimum.

Every Single Day.

I'm Not Complaining..honestly I'm Not!

I just wish I didn't have to 'come back' everytime I ease off the speed work. As I get older, fatter and slower the comebacks to include speed in my training just gets harder.

Today was just painful. Actually it wasn't, I refused to run fast. But that mental battle hurt. I don't like telling myself to take it easy.

It was only a 12km mid week run. I have a race on Saturday so knew I wasnt going to bust a gut. Still everyone was out running 4:50 pace and I decided 'no fuck you very much'. I ran around 5min pace and then after the halfway point decided to run alongside Robbie and dropped the pace even further. The last three km though I picked up and was running anywhere from 4:45 - 4:30. It was quick and I was feeling great but it wasn't easy like it should have been.

I noticed my breathing was all over the place so I'm guessing I am run down in general with the whole house being sick lately.

I had someone very unexpectedly remind me this morning that when we push through this feeling of crap running/energy levels...thats when we make the best progress and see results. It was good to hear it again.

Just like living in Paradise...

....and I don't want to go home.

Thats how I feel every time I run Cootha. Doesn't matter if I am on my own or with a buddy. It's just a good feeling to challenge the body and make it up that hill. The quick stop for water lets you catch your breath and prepare yourself for the onslaught of the undulations! Love it.

I wish hills were kind to your body and I could do them everyday!

Monday Morning

We needed a rest day. We wanted a run day.
We ran!
I laugh now because in the carpark at Cootha in the dark cold morning we moaned about how slow we were going to be - both of us vying for an award for the slowest lap. Tess was talking about walking the hill. I was talking about driving in the car!!!! In the end we got going and before you knew it we were back at the car after finishing the 9.6km hilly loop in just on 50mins. It was a great run - especially considering we were dawdling up the hill for the first 3km.
Once we had a bit of water at the top we just took off and it is the fastest (not in time perhaps) we have gone from the water stop to the Summit. It just felt like we did one undulation and we were there. I guess we were busy talking about our next run.....
After the run we were on a high and had that epiphany (as you do) about how glad we were that we managed to get out of bed (and then our cars) to do the run.
Its not always what you feel like doing...but that feeling when you get it done....SENSATIONAL!

Watching the amazing sunrise it is so easy to believe this is the perfect life. Friends. Running and a beautiful city.
GOOD MORNING BRISBANE!!!

One Day at a Time

I'm still here.
Just cruising along and trying to maintain 5 days a week of running for the rest of the month.
I have plans for June which I will detail later here.

July - Commence Marathon Training. Long runs this month will start at 25km and progressively get longer.
July - Long Runs every weekend of 27-30km
August - Long runs every weekend of 35km alternating with 30km - practicing all fueling and clothing
Sept - Long runs every weekend of 35km+ no fuel except last long run will be trial marathon
Oct - Taper after first week and focus on speed. Align my life to the time zone as best I can.

As you can see my training will focus around the long runs. The other key things I aim to do are:
Strengthening - three times a week
Mid Week long run - 20km without fail and regardless of long run length
One speed session and one hill session each week from July onwards.

Apart from that it will be about trying to hold it all together and get through my full time job, home life and the travelling.
I think the travel over to USA will be what hits me the most. I get so excited about these things and my energy will just overload. Fortunately I am building myself up to not expect any great time, just a great race!!!!

Right now, I'm still here....just plodding on through May because I don't want to waste my life wishingt for the next big event to hurry along and I'm quite enjoying no pressure on any weekly mileage or times. That will come soon enough.

Some Light in the tunnel

It's amazing how a decent run can really help you put things into perspective.

I didn't get out at all on the weekend and actually went a bit stir crazy, it didn't help that it peltered down with miserable rain the WHOLE DAY!! Its understandable when you are injured or in taper/ recovery mode. When it's just because you don't have a babysitter it is REALLY FRUSTRATING. So after taking it out on myself and drowning in a bottle of wine Saturday night I decided Sunday morning my life is not going to be like this. Mentally....I turned a corner. I  just have to be happy to run when I can and enjoy life in other ways when I can't.

I was not able to get to Pats for his 3Km time trial this morning, which was devastating but you know what - its NOT the end of the world. I got out of bed at 4.30am and went for a run. I came home 18.5km later and happy that I had made the effort and was still able to get Billy to daycare on time. I'm sure my boss will not appreciate me falling asleep at my desk at 3pm this arvo but...I'll be happy :) Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk.

I'm enjoying running on my own around my neighbourhood and doing the Mt Coothas though it will be great when the buddy contingent are back and in training for the next big race. At least it gives me someone to chase.

Some new shoes I picked up in Perth seem to be doing the trick and I even got Toasty to get me another pair from USA when he was there. So now it's just a matter of settling down and doing some base building for New York.

WOOOOHOOOOO only 26 weeks and 5 sleeps. Technically 6 months this week till the NYM on 4th November.

Stuggling

Yep, I am struggling. So help me God I am struggling.

Reallly trying to find out if I want to continue on my running journey. It is getting so hard to fit it in with my life. To juggle all the balls and not let anything slip.

I am on the verge of injury again. Painful hip, sore/tight ITB. I need to run for mental clarity and fitness but can I bear another block of time on the sidelines? Do I just give it all in and turn back to the world of weightlifting and gym where I was less injury prone? (though I do recall the habit of dropping the free weights on my toes!!)

I guess the real question is - am I going to go to New York for the NYM? I'll take the next week to work out with my husband and my running buddy if we are going. I won't go alone and I won't go unsupported.

If yes - I have something to aim and train for.
If no - I have no reason to run (I'll always run for fitness but I'm referring to TRAINING type of run).

I told you I was struggling. A weekend of watching all my mates start and finish their respective races across the globe has not helped my internal fight for a semblance of focus on my own goals. I am so amazed and happy and shocked and amused and encouraged at all their results. It really has given some inspiration to sort myself out...so one more week of struggling...then decisions must be made and plans drawn up.

Jeremy Jeremy Jeremy

Jeremy - I blame you.

Today was horrendous and tremendous. I am so glad I did the run I did and it went amazingly fast! Felt faster than a three km time trial. But at the time it was hurting. Just like a 3k TT I guess.

Ok so I can't blame Jeremy for me being late but that's what started it all. I turned up at five am in time to see the buddies take off. I chased them (and had been running very hard from the carpark already) and got them a few hundred metres up the road but I was sore and my groin was throbbing. Never had that before. Must not sprint on cold legs.

Half hour later and we returned to where we had started from to pick up the 5:30am crew. Liz was there and both Tess and I really wanted to catch up and run with her.
A new guy showed up (JEREMY) just as we were leaving. But he had a bike and a knapsack.sigh.
Tess and I told the others to head off whilst we took him to show him where the lockers were. Then he didn't have coins so we waited with his stuff whilst he ran off to the shops. Then we waited some more. Just because.
A good fifteen minutes later with the bike all locked up we took off. FAST!! We wanted to try to catch up to the buddies (Liz mostly) so off we went. Poor Jeremy he just hung on the best he could. I asked his marathon PB (4hrs but was a bad day) and his half marathon PB (90mins) so decided he could keep with us. He had only been in the county two weeks from Singapore and was suffering with the cooler weather today.
Anyhow a long story short - we ran 4:30 pace for the next 6km along coro drive and did not speak at all.
We finally caught up at St Lucia to the other crowd but sad to say Liz had turned around to try to catch us on the return leg in another direction. We were destined to not run together.

I had to be home early and was shocked to find when we were at the Tennis Centre it was already after 7am. The shortest route back to the car was 7km and I had to do it in under half an hour. I gave it my best shot but got stuck on a big hill up Stephens Street in South Brisbane. For the most part we raced back and at the car I was completely exhausted. A protein drink was necessary just to get me home (driving the car) safely.

Nana nap and some TLC required now.

Groundhog Week

Wednesday
Started out with the Buddies who said they were running slow. Never trust Brett!! We were doing 4:40's on average for the first 5km. I slowed down a bit after we hit 9km and turned for home. The way we ran it was only 3km back to the starting point. After enjoying being on my own I then saw some runners up ahead and decided to try and catch them. I never did but the intent to focus on form was a good one and saw me finish strong.


Thursday
It was Ash Wednesday yesterday so I didn't eat anything the whole day. Getting out for a run this morning was tough and sluggish. I managed 7km but I believe that was only due to a pre-workout drink I had taken ten mins before I left home. My intent was to do another three km in the afternoon but it didn't happen. I'm not going to be a sook about not getting my 10km done though. It has been fantastic to have a reason and goal each day to try to achieve but I have to let go a bit on the odd occasion when I don't hit the goals.

Friday
10km around home. Very calming and felt in the zone. Wasn't fast but I felt like a runner.

I'm still at it...

Sunday - best run!! 16km hilly around Caloundra with two fast men. Made me feel like a runner having to keep up with others and not just plod along on my own. Yippee

Monday - 12km slow but it felt solid. Must be all the kms in my legs.

Tuesday - PCRG : did an extra long warm up with Tesso the Besso doing 5.5km then a further 2.5km before getting into the speed session. 5 x 1min with 30sec jog recovery. 45min rest then 30 on/off the whole way back. This was followed up with a 4min effort and then a final 1min effort. Total run - 15.5km.

Run baby run

Done and dusted.

Such luxury doing a 10km on a Saturday morning. Very delicious and wonderful way to start the day. Long run tomorrow...maybe 11km Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk

Had a Shocker

Let me set the scene - It was hot but not that hot.

I had driven from Caloundra to Brisbane for a meeting that was cancelled when I got there so worked an hour in the office then drove back. Feeling off I laid down to sleep for a minute and woke up an hour later. Just not right.

I headed out for my run regardless around 5pm but after a while I actually felt like I was having a heart attack. I stopped and sat on the beach and was waiting for someone to come past me to ask them to call an ambulance. No one came close. After twenty minutes I felt ok enough to stand up and the pain in my chest had subsided. I walked up to the path and then even started running again. I ended up doing about 6km instead of the required 10km. I'm guessing indigestion or stress. Scared the crap out of me but glad I didn't have to suffer the embarrassment of an ambo telling me it was the Maccas for lunch cursing heartburn LOL

Today I woke up and it was completely different. I still had some pain in my chest - yes if it is there tomorrow I will get it checked - I am not worried. It went away and I had a glorious run along the beach and stretched in the rising sunrise then ran back and swam before heading up to our unit soaking wet and sandy. Aaaahhhh the joys of beachside living. Today was perfect. 13km all up. A few km to make amends for yesterday but mostly because I was really enjoying my run out there.

All done

10km run around the Brisbane River. Some really slow and some fast kms just to shake the legs.
Beautiful way to start the day.

10km Sunday

Im on holidays!!! Okay so that's a bit of a joke seeing as I'm working all week - but at least I get to do it from the gorgeous beachside.

Woke up this morning in a strange bed and felt achy all over.... Ahhhh the day after a long run and a bottle of red Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk. Hubby and I headed to a nearby cafe where we had a gourmet breakfast with little Bill. It was a lovely cafe that also sells bothers - a very important deal for someone who has come for a week on the beach and left hers behind!!

After a lazy day walking and swimming (it's lazy if you don't race on a Sunday!) I decided to head out around 3pm for my daily 10km. This was mental torture. The first km was agony mentally and physically but aft that my legs got into the swing of things and I settled into the run. I didn't bother checking the kmsplits as I was running on sand then over rocks and checking out the scenery along the way. I was in the zone. At 5km I turned around. Coming home I happened to notice I was running 4:30min/km and it finally dawned on me that I had been running mostly uphill the whole way out - hence the sluggish slow chug. Home time meant I was downhill and nearly finished so the legs were turning over quickly. I felt great!! Met up with hubby in the ocean and cooled down before heading back for a shower.

Maybe this running every day thing is starting to work for me.

Saturday Slog

I approach the Saturday run with some trepidation lately. I'm not training for a marathon, yet I seem to be doing some reasonably mileage. I want to run with my friends and they all seem to be running long. So off I trot on another long run.

This morning was easy. We had a slow pace on with lots of Hill climbs and bridges and undulating streets to make you not want to look at the watch. The distance went so quickly but there were lots of times we were running in silence in single file each of us in our own contemplative thoughts.

I was regretting instantly the dinner of creamy pasta last night. I never eat creamy sauce yet all the pasta at the place we went to was exactly that. I had the worst stomach during my run but pushed on just to finish. In the end Tesso added up my km and I was sitting on 99km so she made me do another one which was not EXACTLY what I felt like....but I did I it.

Another week another 100km. Please now let me just do an easy 70km this coming week!!

Freaky Friends Friday

Seriously need to find some new running buddies. Some SLOWER ones!!

We met up this morn for a lap of Mt Coot-Tha and as soon as we left the car park it was on for young and old. Flying!!

I stayed in front for about 500m up the hill....which is a lot!! But then stepped aside to let the fasties go past. I hung in the rear but by the time we got to the top they were a good 15sec in front.

The undulating bits were awesome. We cruised then racing up and down and Tesso and I stayed ahead of the pack the whole way. I got in front just at the last rise to the summit and wouldn't you know it some flashy Gooner streaks past - he had been sitting right behind us waiting for the opportunity to get ahead without giving us time to catch him.

The rest of the run it was all pace. We hit 3:45min/km for the last two km but being downhill I guess that's called gravity assisted. Still it was fast. I'm feeling it now.

Nothing like that hot shower and coffee afterwards!!!

Twilight Zone

...tonight's run was scary. Literally scary!!!

I thought I'd run out to a house that's for sale in Darra to take a look. I have nothing against that suburb in fact I believe it could be the home of a good little nugget - hence why I was looking - but you need to choose wisely.

Anyhow for some reason I got to the street past the railway station and I started thinking of the movie Wolfcreek. It wasn't the terrain, it was the terror I felt. Then when a car went past full of kids and making lots of noise I felt like I was in The Outsiders and I had crossed the wrong side of the tracks. Ummm not buying that house!!!

I hit the 5km mark and turned for home....quickly. Negative split.

10km done and dusted. I'm not bothering to look at the watch and I never stopped the timer when I crossed roads. I didn't want the pressure to run fast, I just wanted to know when 10km was finished. my body is aching all over from running and massage and my brain is fried from stress at work. Basically I'm running on oil rags at the moment - but such is life and I'm having fun!!!

Wednesday Whiplash

I had to do an airport run with the daughter.

Which meant getting up at 3:30am. Driving out there (airport) I felt great but by the time I had dropped her off and parked the car at Southbank I was weary. I was also alone. Missed the 5am crew but too early for the 5:30am crew so just headed out for a jog around the river.

The moon was glorious - it was huge!!!- and the sunrise was simple stunning. So I just kept changing directions according to the views I could attain.

I started slowly but finished strongly which surprised me after yesterday's core fitness session and time trial. The last few were 4:40's and I was happy with that. 11 km all up for the morning.

PCRG 3KM TIME TRIAL

I love and hate these things. I love that they make me work hard and when I am finished how good I feel.

I hate how I feel beforehand and how the smallest thing can upset me. I hate how I feel the need to go to the toilet 20 times or drink lots or drink nothing or feel like vomiting or feel like my legs are concrete on the warmup run. The seeds of doubt in my head as we do run throughs...arrggggh its just mental torture.

And then the whistle goes and you are off. Nothing else is on your mind. Nothing else matters. Its just you and the road and how quickly you can turn your legs over.

Ran 12:30min for the 3km. I'm happy with that considering all things. The splits were 4:18; 4:19; 3:53. I have no idea why the last km was the fastest. But damn it was the best thing ever to just be able to go past so many people coming back. NYUK NYUK NYUK

Mondayitis

10km done. That's all I have to say today.

Sunday Session

Had an amazing run this morning. I turned up to the Intraining Marathon School debut run for the year - together with 100 other runners. It was an electrifying atmosphere. The anticipation of what was to come but as a training run there were no nerves you get at a race environment.

Within secs Tess and I had head out and were amongst the leading group. By the 1km mark the fasties flew past and kept going out of sight and we sat comfortably at the front for the remainder of the run.

It was 10km out then turn and come home but people decided to turn at any place - 5km mark (10km run) the 7.5km mark (15km) like we did or the whole kahuna.

My garmin didn't start working until the three kilometre mark exactly so I got an average of 4:55min/km over the hilly terrain. It I know we ran the first few slower and the overall average would have been around 5min km. it felt great and there were a few flat ones that Tess and I were doing 4:35 pace and we weren't talking. IT JUST FELT GREAT!!

Can't wait to do that again. Just love running with my buddy.

Sizzling Saturday

Wow Geez it's hot today as I write this. Might go and put the aircon on and watch a movie with Hubby. I didn't feel hot at all whilst I was running though - weird.

It was just a casual run with the buddies this morning - glad to not be on my own again! We all started at 5:30am and headed out towards Portside - though people turned whenever they had gone as far as they determined the halfway point was for them.

We arrived at New Farm Park at 8.5km and I decided to turn back. We had been running quite slow and it was dragging on forever. I felt I could have walked faster!
Also I had arranged to meet Tesso at 7:30am so we could have breaky together at our favourite place hence I was keen to turn back. The trip home was faster but only slightly. Liz and I just ran without too much discussion and as we went around Kangaroo Cliffs it was necessary to arrange single file just to get by all the peoples. That's cool only 1km to get home so we put our heads down and shot off. Finished the run with average 5:25min/km pace - told you it was slow!

all up today 17km and I am feeling great. It was good to run longer than 10km but not too far that I was tired or needing a nap later in the day.
I actually feel replenished now which is a strange thing - normally my Saturday runs tire me to some degree. Breakfast at Poppy's was a treat though - I don't normally eat eggs if I am at The Point so maybe the protein really helps!!

Day Two and Three - It's not getting any easier.

Thursday was really hard. I woke up to rain and a headache and decided to go back to bed for half an hour. I got up at 5.30am but still lacking the motivation to head out for a run. Thursday is usually my rest day for the week after a hard Tue/Wed and before a hard Fri/Sat/Sun. To have to run on this day really hit me - no more rest days for a month!!

I managed to convince my boss to give me a half day from work so I went home at lunch, did a lot of things I have been meaning to do and then realised.... Now I can run.

It was around 3.30pm when I headed out - hot and steamy but overcast so no real burning heat on the skin scenario.
The time passed pleasantly enough but I was conscious that I was literally just counting km's. This isn't running. This is mileage. Could very very easily get bored of this. I raced home and was happy to do the same course a few minutes faster than the previous day. The most unfortunate thing was I took my ipod out to alleviate the boredom. But it still had the 5km music from BRRC race on Sunday. Hence I had about 30mins of playtime on it. So not only was it what I had listened to on Sunday...it was what I listened to on the first 5km and then again on the second 5km arrggghhhh. Seriously there should be a law against replays!!!

Friday Morning - Yah today's Friday!
I was pretty happy to not be running around home again. Three days in a row would have mentally killed me!
Gooner and I met up at Slaughter Hills to wind our way up Mt Coot-Tha. It was extremely pleasant. I loved talking to him but mostly because the time just flew. We went through work, friends, home, travel, girlfriends and diets. It was amazing that for a bloke he didn't seem to take a breath!! Both being competitive we pushed each other up the hills and cruised down them for fun. The misty clouds and hidden views made it seem magical and not quite the Coot-Tha we usually experience. Something different. For that I was glad. Another 10km....done and dusted.

Rolling into February

Today was day 1 of my challenge. I think this is going to be one of the toughest things I have ever done. Not the distance but getting out every day and not letting other areas in my life take control.

I ran exactly 10km. Not a km further! After having some pain last night in my right ITB I went out cautiously fully expecting to be turning around for home within a few minutes. Nope. No pain. Yah. And double yah for nurofen doing the trick last night.

That said it wasn't a pretty run. My legs were like concrete from the core fitness class I do on Tuesday nights and I live at the bottom of the hill so the first km was straight up. Uggghhh. I need to move house. The rest were slow with a couple of tempos but overall the run was "trudging" not running. I'm still happy I did it.

Driving to work I felt chuffed *endorphin rush* and really strong and happy with myself. I can do this! I will really try to make this work. Come on February.

February Challenge

Doesn't sound too scary but my challenge for this month - to run a minimum of 10km EVERY DAY.

That's no rest days/days off.

Each day can be more than 10km but no less. I still hope to run long on the weekends and mid week with some speed work sessions so nothing too out of the plan. Just that I want to see how the body and mind holds up with running every day no matter what the challenge of family, work or racing holds.

BRRC - 5km

Just another lazy Sunday.

After a big week there was no way I was signing up for the 15km that most others were doing. Tesso was doing the 10km and if I didn't hate that distance I would have contemplated running with her but decided I needed to run hard and not long.

Felt great to be out there today. My heart wasn't in it initially but once I was half way through I started to feel great.
My heart rate was no doubt through the roof and my legs had a weariness to them that comes from high mileage (high for me) but they were still turning over. I was glad that in just a short 5km I was able to run each km faster than the one before.

Finish time was 22:05 certainly not a PB but I'm wrapped with the result regardless. Average 4:22min/km. Now for a rest day before getting into the half mara program for Canberra.

Oh and stay tuned to hear about my February Challenge. It's going to be fun!! (NOT!)

Saturday Night - the week in review

I did it. I stuck to the plan. Today I ran 30km in the horrid humidity. I was sick, I had not slept all night but I did it. I am happy I did so now and extra happy Tesso my buddy made me venture out of my bed.

My legs are very tired. I had a nanna nap.

The timing was slow. We ran flat but averaged 5:18min/km. Some were faster than others. Some were torture and others felt easy. I was all over the shop but my mind was elsewhere so it was just good to finish and be done with it.

Total for the week even with three days off - 97.5km!! woo hoo. Sounds like I might be training for a marathon.

Maybe I'm Chinese...the New Year starts NOW.

I’m starting to think I should never kick off training programs. It always seems to derail me from my focus and goal. As soon as I announced to the world I was starting on my half marathon campaign I fell into a heap. Work ramped up (which was great) and I found myself at home alone – ie with no babysitters as everyone was on holidays interstate or away working (which wasn’t great).

So there I was all raring to go and not able to get out of the house. The torrential rain each day meant I could not take Billy in the pram no matter how much I tried to convince myself he would only get marginally wet if I glad wrapped him up. Ho hum the week was shot.
 By Saturday I had gone 4 days of no running. I was literally feeling depressed and very emotional. Wow running does good in so many areas we just take for granted. It’s not just physical fitness!
So Saturday was pleasant enough day – a bit hot but at least there was no rain. I got Billy out for 10km very easy (you try pushing 40kilos!) around Southbank and we then spent the next two hours wading around in the beach and water facilities – so it was lots of fun!

Sunday the husband had come home. YAHHHH! I was able to run solo. (I do love my baby, I do!). All my friends had run long the previous day so I choose to run with a group much slower than myself but focus rather on spending time on my feet. It was slow! I managed 30km and the garmin tells me we averaged 5:47/km. That really suprised me as it was very hilly around Mt Cootha so we must have put in some solid km when running flat. I guess the difference is we stopped (or I went ahead and then looped back) quite a bit more than I am used to. All in all – I was out there for 3 and a half hours. It was totally awesome. I didn't feel tired at all that day and no soreness the days that followed. Running slow is really good!

Monday – Wed I then had off (same as previous week). Then the big kids (aka babysitters) came home so I have been running ever since.

Thursday – 23.5km St Lucia – Lone Pines. A very very hilly run and extremely humid. I stripped off at the halfway point and ran in my bra just to wring out my singlet. It was horrid. I was very sick at the end and collapsed on the ground in the carpark. Someone put a towel under my head and after a few minutes I was fine. Very nauseated though and I didn’t (couldn’t) eat until about 11am but kept drinking plenty all day.

Friday – 14km in the rain. Was very pleasant and didn't feel like we had run far at all. Just felt like a warm up. 5:08min/km pace so not too fast but again, a few hills (bridges) and lots of chatting. A great run and one to copy again one day. Tomorrow…if I can the plan is 30km and then 10km on Sunday. I’ll rest up again on Monday and get back into the schedule of training and doing some speed work. I see you Canberra. I’m getting excited now.

New Training Scheme

Talk about not raining....it's POURING! (Literally too which is really weird!) I was at the airport this morning with my little man being all sad and sobby. When I arrived at work I logged on to do some banking and noticed a few hundred dollars gone out of my account...wooohooo New York Marathon now paid for and I'm accepted and officially in the run. Crap. That means training! Before that exciting news I had already been talking to Gooner about our training programs via SMART COACH. Not the most personal of touches, but a program individually prepped for each user once you have inputted your data. I am aiming for 1:32 at Canberra Half in April. That gives me 13 weeks starting today to train. We'll see how I go and then revert to a full marathon program once the Gold Coast half pacing job is out of the way in July. This weeks program is: Monday -10k easy (good I need a run to get my head sorted) Tueday - PCRG 10km Wednesday - 10km tempo Thursday - 10km easy run Friday - 8km easy (Cootha) Saturday - 19km 5:15 pace Sunday - cross training The program ramps up to 90km weekly mileage (for a half!!) so it suits me pretty well.Most of the time it sits around 70-80 and I'm comfortable with that. The only thing about me and programs that I have to be aware of...I have to fit it in around Billy and finding carers. So I am fortunate that a program like this helps motivate me even if I can't get out to run with my buddies and I have to do the damn hard work on my own...at lunch or late at night. Heh it's still running right??!

BRRC - 14KM Club Champions

Today really sucked. I felt sick when I went to bed last night but woke up and felt fine. Thinking I was just doing an easy run I didnt think anything of it. After warming up for 3km with Tesso we found the start line and started telling each other how slow we were going to be running - I'm pretty sure we do this before every race regardless of how hard we actually run ha ha! - The start went off without a hitch and Tess and I were running together at the back of the crowd, just cruising and chatting away. Being 14km the course was 4km then two laps of 5km course. The first 4km we just took it easy running around 5min/km pace. I then realised I had my ipod with my Kurrawa Race playlist so I turned it up high and started to chase down the girls in my age category. Stuff the plan to run slow. I felt good. The next 5km was great, I was able to keep a steady pace and wasn't tiring like I thought I would. I got water from the table each loop but as it was quite cool/overcast I didn't need anything more than that. The last loop I started to lag. I felt funny. Not sure if I was going to be sick or need to go to the toilet. Tesso cruised past me and I was excited at first - yah we can race each other to the finish (which we love to do as it pushes us both to do better than just running solo). However With 3km to go and having skipped the last two water stations I thought I'd best duck to the loo. There went my race. I got back on track and ran the last few km very solidly. It was actually quite exciting to be able to just run hard and pass heaps of people. Though I got asked by a lot of people at the finish - 'didn't you pass me twice'. Bit embarressing to have to constantly tell people you needed to go to the loo. But for me the worst thing was hopping in the shower when I got home. Clearly I need to lose some weight. For the first time in ages I got chafing on my legs WTF??!!! Stung like crazy. Time now to ramp up the training and focus on a diet to match.

Just keep moving Clairie

Since Tuesday I have been in a constant state of aching.
Tuesday night saw the introduction of a Core Fitness program (thanks for organising Tesso!!) for the next six weeks. We did heaps of squats, stretches, sit ups and skipping. Wow skipping - I haven't done that for years and have forgotten how good it is and how much I loved it. Almost fell flat on my face after tangling my feet up in the rope...but I was one of the more co-ordinated ones!
Wednesday morning was surprisingly easy to get out of bed. I felt it in my legs (my quads) but thought a run would be best anyhow to move the lactic build up. Sure was. Only problem I was running with a group of runners who all felt fresh and competitive and eager to ramp up the speed. I just hung at the back of the group and struggled my way out to the Tennyson Tennis Centre (where Serena Williams had played the day before) and back to SouthBank. 13km all up with a bit added on each way (officially the run is exactly 12km).

Wednesday night was house moving furniture night. Three hours of up and down the stairs, box after box. Chairs here...no there. Strip all the beds. Wash wash and wash. Needless to say Thursday morning I woke up and smiled. It was a rest day.
Then I went to get out of bed and realised I couldn't. Ha! Good thing it was a rest day..I wasn't going anywhere. It took me hours to get around and get moving. Not to mention a few coffees!
Thursday night was a late night. Got to bed around 11:30pm and was up again at the mercy of a promise to a friend to meet him at 5am at Mt Coot-Tha. So much for the friend - he stood me up.
Lucky I had old faithful (Toasty) and Matty O who let me follow them around the hill for the next 9.6km. We finished in a reasonable time considering and I felt much much better having finished. Later in the day though I was extremely tired and the late nights and early mornings, all the moving, all the stress at work and many other things were just all catching up.

A big day today (Friday) and I am trying to consider my options for the weekend. I have family commitments now for Saturday but am aiming for Sunday race day to still complete my 14km at BRRC. I won't be going for a PB at this race (thanks for your encouraging comments though...) I am not back to speed work yet. Just  trying to practice maintaining a decent /consistent pace.

Now...I'm off to scrub another wall.

Mike Hansen is Slow

Ha! Well I did warn him that I would blog about it. :)

PCRG Session today - with heat, humidity and no motivation. Seemed to work out okay though. After initially being a tad late I did the 3km warm up only to find out today's session was the one I hate the most...1min/30sec efforts. I find these quite easy as they are short hence I don't feel I get the full value of a speed session as a 'marathoner' but I'm guessing any speedwork for me at the moment has to be good.

We did a few strides and got stuck into it. 5 x 1min efforts with 30sec job inbetween. Felt really good though we were doing it on hills and I was constantly getting stuck with the 30sec recovery whilst going UP the hill...which meant it wasn't much of a recovery for the lungs.
After standing still for a minute we then turned around and did 30sec fast/30sec slow till we got back to where we started from. I lost count how many it took but it was fun. The fast efforts never seemed to last long. Maybe I wasn't really working hard enough??

Finally to finish it all off we had to do some hill repeats (WTF...didn't we just do that in the session??) so up the hill we went. Up hard, down easy. 5 x times. I'm guessing the hill is between 100-200m in length with a steep incline depending on where you start from. I like this hill but today I was burnt out. In a nice "I've worked hard at speedwork" kind of way.

On the last hill I saw the fast guys at the bottom. Just what I needed - incentive to get up. HARD. I called out to Mike to move it and off he went. I tried to keep with him and just hung on his shoulder and he raced up. Just near the top I managed to accelerate and get past him and push it to the very top. I'm not going to mention once at the top I had to stop or I was going to be sick...and he just cruised past and said 'nicely done'. I walked for a few metres before forcing myself to jog down the hill and get ready for the 3km warm down.

All up a nice effort that I'm happy with.

And now I've made up my mind. I need to PB at every distance this year (excluding marathon). Thats my goal. Seeing as I haven't kept track of my PB's that could be quite difficult to work out. I'm going to take a stab in the dark and put these as rough estimates that I want to improve on:

5k - 20:20
10k - 42:30
14k - 1:01:01
10Mile - 1:09 - mmm I think this one will be tough to beat!
21.1k - 1:34:19

2012: A New Year

It's a new year.
New goals.
I'm just still trying to work out exactly what they are going to be.

In the meantime I think I'll just run and enjoy that I can.