Help Me....Please

Its been many months since I have run. Despite doctors request I have my husbands permission (yes that was important!) and am ready to get back into it.
My problem is...I don't know how. I have tried to run with my buddies but they are all off talking marathons and ultras and IronMans (I joined in that conversation until I realised they didn't even know who Tony Stark was!).  Maybe I need to just start on my own.

It is winter now in Brisbane. Some could laugh at that oxymoron but its cold and dark and I don't feel like getting up.

What do I do?

Get fat(ter) and do nothing. Go back to the gym or Yoga classes? Get a level of fitness back up before I add on the running? How can I motivate myself to get out there and run again?

I went for a run on my own last week and I felt that buzz, somewhere as I was huffing and puffing my way around the local suburbs I said "Clairie remember this feeling the next time you don't want to get out of bed" but it was over in a flash.

Looking back over this blog even I have been motivated to start again but then I see how good I used to be - so disciplined in training, so in love with my running and so ignorant of anything else. It was bliss  (in a narrowminded kind of way). I have so many struggles nowadays with work, home, moving house, you know the everyday sort of things you have when you are almost 40!!!

Is there any sort of starting to run program for people who were runners? All the Couch-to-5k are so boring and not really cutting it for excitement.

Okay so this post is a bit of a diary read more than anything. I'm lamenting my old running life whilst trying to dream myself into fitness and a new running life.

If you see me out there on the road don't be a stranger, cheer me on - heaven knows I need it. Oh and don't laugh at the saddlebags they are doing their bit to keep me warm for a few more months.

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.