3 Km Time Trial

That time of month again - first Tuesday of the month.

After the 25km on Sunday I honestly didn't think I would be up for much. However thinking that took all the pressure off me and I was keen to get out there and just do what I could.

Matty was pacing Jan to a sub 12 so I followed them out but it felt way fast. We got to 500m at 1:45 and I knew I had blown my chance of sub 12. I slowed a bit and turned at the 1km mark trying to be strong on the second km.

I got halfway and felt ok. I certainly felt strong out there so I was happy with that. Disappointed that Tess wasn't running fast as it is always a good feeling to have the people just in front to target and follow.

On the second lap Nicky overtook me but I let her go, I knew I would come home strong and I did. Last km was in 3:54 and I busted a gut to get her before the finish line.

Final time: 12:05 my second best ever. Just short of my 11.59 PB by 6 secs. Gotta be happy with that. For all you ITB suffer's out there - one thing to note. When you do come back...you come back mentally tougher because YOU REALLY WANT TO RUN!!!!

Little Girl now Big Girl

What a night! My beautiful Ash with her dad all dressed up - I swear it was like being in a room full of mini-brides.
I wore a jade chinese dress with a sexy slit up the side but as the slit kept going during the night and became an embarressment you won't see any photos of me!!!

Happy Fathers Day!!

Wow, I don't think I have ever lasted so long on sleep deprivation.

Wed Thur nights this week studying meant 5hour sleeps, Friday night out drinking with other CRs and up early to go back into the city and get my car meant 6hr sleep and last night at my daughters deb ball backed up by a 25km run this morning meant 4hrs sleep.
I am a definite 8hr a night MUST girl so I have been a basket case since Thursday. Thankfully my darling husband has grinned and beared it.

To return the favour I drove him up to the Sunshine Coast after my race and we had a delightful lunch on the water with the kids followed by scrummy italian gelato and a walk on the beach (heaven for my tired feet!!)

The drive home was a bit testy with him chatting to me the whole way to keep me awake and alert. We got home around 4pm and I crashed for an hour. Total zombie.



This mornings run was a total suprise. After such little planning and my lack of sleep I decided to do as many of the 5km laps as I could and would be happy to just get past 10km. Then they announced it would be 3km laps instead and I started to head off to the car but Hannah hold me back! *grins* It was great to have another runner as anxious about the run as I was.

The first lap was ok, the music on my ipod was shite so I was fiddling with it most of the way. By the second lap I had got into a good pace. I had decided to record my time of the whole loop as opposed to km markings. So thinking it was a 3km loop I was doing 15:30 and told myself - that was my planned 5:10 pace. I found out later the course was longer by 150-200m each loop so we ended up running 26.2km according to everyones garmin. Hence I feel better now as I was dismayed that 5:10 pace felt so fast but in actual fact it would have been less than that pace so I can accept that now.

Was so good to see Tesso at the water station each lap and then at the finish line on the last few laps and when I came in. She was so happy for me. I crossed in second place for females and more excitingly I did a great time I was happy with.
I discounted the clock time as I had to stop after the 3rd lap and use the toilet but I also paused my watch so personally I have down 2:07:10 the clock was just over 2:10 I think. Not bad for a 26.2km run.

The best thing is that I am feeling really good now in the legs, not too sore and no swelling so fingers crossed!! I JUST NEED SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bad news is - I do believe I blew the chance for a decent run on Tuesday at the 3km time trial. Oh well.....the things we do!!

Tesso Eviction

Because she can run faster and better and further than me I have decided to evict Tesso from my blog.

Nah seriously, young Tesso has finally agreed to start posting on her blog. I am dead keen to learn all her secrets and after her recent attempts here where she was warmly welcomed I think it will be a great blog. Way to go Tess.

This morning I woke up and felt fantastic. Very tired but the legs were not sore at all - suprising after all the hills on Sunday.

After a quick warm up I was reading for some 500's. Todays session was 6 x 500 and 1 x 1km. I started out okay, bit disappointed with how I felt but able to maintain Tess and Tori in my view. Then the wheels fell off after the fourth one and I hit the wall (yes it happened in a set of 500's!!!). Splits are below and this will illustrate my wonderful fall from grace (or is that speed??) :

1:50
1:50
1:55
1:57
2:10
2:07
4:20 (1km)

My legs never recovered and I think Sunday was catching up with me. Either that or I just can't run fast :(

Anyhow worse news to come - Pat has upped his charges and I'm pissed off. I know he is doing it to be flexible to all the people who are injured or sick. Hence he has developed a flexible charge - $50 for 8 sessions. You only cross a session off if you show. Hence once a week for 8 weeks or twice a week for 4 weeks etc etc.
At the moment it was a flat monthly charge and if you didn't make it, you didn't get any bonus or refund. Which I thought was ok to a point. If you were off for the full month it would be fair to just extend for another month.
Then Pat announced that he would be charging additional for his program - $30. So all up if you want a program and attend his sessions it is $80 a month. I love his sessions and will continue going, the people are wonderful and I feel so good and improve heaps doing this speedwork. However I think I will have to turn to my trusty CR friends for help on doing a program for all the non-running days.

mmmmm maybe I just wait to read Tesso's new blog and copy her :)

Back in Hometown

Isn't it the bestest thing to get back home and sleep in your own bed? Oh well that is if you can sleep!! I got in after 1am and had to be at work at 6am this morning. So I am a little bleary eyed today.

Had a great time yesterday in the Perth City to Surf. There were SO MANY people! Amazing. I got up the frontish before the start and met up with Spot - which was just great to see a familiar face among the crowd. The run itself was good and I will be keen to do it again next year though I did nowhere near what I had hoped for. It was raining hard the whole way and my clothes were soaked through but I was still smiling.

I went out hard and was doing a good pace going up all the hills but at the 8km mark I dropped to over 5min/km and was hard pressed to keep my legs going. I was really enjoying the crowd and listening to my music but the damage was done and I was just wanting to finish.
The finish is on an oval and I heard/saw the finish line just after the 11km mark. I pulled up a gear and ran for it, though I didn't realise you had to run AROUND the oval to get to the finish line so I ended up having to sustain my sprint finish for nearly a km!!! Nearly killed me. Did last km in 3:54 which I was happy with, even if it felt like 2:54. :)

Spot was waiting for me at the finish, he didn't do as well as he hoped (he had just won a 100km relay event a few days before!!!) and said the course was tougher and hillier than he thought, so that made me feel better about my 56min time.

The medallions were fantastic and I cheekily wore mine home on the plane. My beautiful neice saw it and decided I had come second (it was silver) so I gave her an extra hug before I left.

BIG DAY OUT

An exciting day all round. Woke up to sneak out of My sisters house for my first run of the week only to get a fright when i found my room and hallway full of balloons!! how magical!

Set out for a slow jog and it felt great, leg was going well and the cold air was refreshing.

Only did 30mins but at least I know tomorrow won't kill me. I'll take it easy n enjoy it but still hoping for sub 60!

Can't wait to finish and head on home to Brissy....

Back in the Swing

Tesso here ....

With 90 mins on the pgm yesterday I thought I'd put in an easy hour before taking the Intraining Beginners (aka School Of Pain). Had some music on the iPod just perfect for a cruisey run, "The Late Great Daniel Johnston - Discovered Covered" a compilation of some of Daniel's originals and cover versions of the same songs by the likes of Beck, Tom Waits, Bright Eyes and others. Oh, and he's not late, but he is great! Bumped into Langy and Melissa on the bike path and enjoyed the chance for a wee break to have a chat.

Had to cut School of Pain 5 or 10 minutes short as most of the group were attending a nutrition seminar after the class so I told them we'd be pushing it a bit harder as a result. I got them to do 8 x 30 secs fast/30 secs jog, then 4 x 1 min fast/30 sec jog. Tee hee, couldn't resist doing a 'Pat' on them and making that final 1 min a 1 1/2 min effort. We had a little time remaining so put it to the vote, more 30 sec efforts or some hill reps. Unbelievably they chose the hills! With a restricted timeframe there was not as much standing around as usual so it was a hard session for them. Oh, and a rather quiet one too without my trusty co-coach Clairie :-)

With less than 12 hours to recover the legs were actually a little sore for Pat's this morning (must start having a protein bar after Wednesday night sessions I think). It was a toughy, after a long warm up we had to do two lots of '2 mins fast, 30 sec jog, 1 min fast, 30 sec jog, 2 mins fast, 30 sec jog' and then a fast five minutes which ended at the amphitheatre in the Gardens and a killer sprint up the hill. Not my favourite session, but certainly my favourite location to train .... well, except for that little hill at the end maybe.

It was a smaller group than normal this morning. Quite a few people are out with colds and flu, and a couple are injured. And of course Clairie is on the other side of the country. Michelle was along so got to talk about all the fun of C2S. It was great to catch up with V, fresh back from her 3rd placing in Noumea Marathon, and good to see Glenda looking so sharp before this weekend's Australian Cross Country Champs in Adelaide. Gosh, we get to mix it with the best people!

After being out of action its good to have a few solid days of training under the belt. The dreaded lurgey has all but gone, so feeling almost normal again ... if you called knackered normal.

Perth

Perth gal here. Damn Noosa run made my bung knee come back worse than ever. I have spent last two days downing anti-inflamms and limping from meeting to meeting. Not a good look in the corporate head office.

My right knee is swollen but it is just fluid on the knee so I have my fingers crossed that it will go down before Sunday. I need to find a sports physician who specialises in Bakers Cysts so I can get this resolved once and for all.

So to answer your question Tess - I have done no runs at all in the last two days.

I was hoping to get out and meet Spot tonight at the WAMC (West Aust Marathon Club) but am still barely walking so won't be risking a run tonight.

Is it all worth it? Was one run worth limping around for 5 days and suffering bad stomach ache from a 4-day course of NSAIDs? yes!! I still remember my own personal disbelief on Sunday when I come in under my goal target. What an amazing feeling.

Hope the school of pain doesn't slack off too much without me there tonight! Make them do 60mins of hill reps Tess hee hee

Tesso here .....

After being confined to quarters all weekend with a bad headcold I felt like I was finally on the improve and last night decided I'd be running this morn. Had planned just to do my own thing but couldn't resist heading to Pat's session to catch up with the gang. I knew many would be taking it easy after their fantastic runs at Noosa so there'd be very little temptation to overdo it. Another reason to go was to drop off some entries for the Intraining Women's Run on September 11th and see if Pat wanted to get a group of guys together to man a water station. Chris (from Intraining) is offering a carton of beer to the best water stop, voting to be done by all the women post race. So hopefully some of Pat's guys will be keen, though they're gonna have some tough competition from the boys from the Brisbane Running Buddies, they've got something pretty special planned.

Anyway, its wierd, but you'd think that after four days of no running the legs would feel rested, but on the contrary, they felt kinda stiff and sore. Not far into the warm-up to the Story Bridge they started to feel normal again.

On the pgm was 1 minute efforts. Guess I was going at about 80%, I didn't want to push it too much. We did six of these, with a 45 second standing recovery. To finish off Pat said we could do a 3 or a 2 minute effort, 3 mins for those who didn't race on the weekend, and 2 mins for those who did. Hmmm, what to do. Started running with a group who stopped at 2 mins but I felt good so forged on. Was gonna do 3 mins but I reached Langy (also suffered the dreaded lurgy on the weekend) so stopped where he had stopped.

As always a good session. Best of all was seeing everyone and hearing all the Noosa stories, not just about the race but everything from the drive up and the pre race dinners to the ice cream stops on the way home.

Matty and Jodie are still grinning from ear to ear. And it was great to see MJ at Pat's again, after all those weeks off with her back injury. Missing in action though were Chelle (you can read her blog for her excuse .... and a laugh) and Clairie. Clairie's over in the wild west working. And still smiling I bet after her great PB on the weekend :-) Just hope she's not too busy to do a few runs there this week in the lead up to the Perth City to Surf on Sunday.

Noosa

Firstly, thanks for all your comments and support. Tess, just wasn't the same without you. There was no-one waiting for me at the finish line to jump for joy with me! Fancy that!!

I went through so much pain today, a sore gut, blisters and lots of mental anguish. Today is the first time that I have felt, well if I can't meet my goal time then I might as well walk. I can't believe how disheartened I got in the 15th km. I had been about 30-40secs in front of the 1:40 pacing group but it was around here that the leader pacer got me and went in front. It was a mental thing that I had to get over and hearing Tess's voice in my head got me over it. But I have to say it was hard and I fought all my demons to get over the line.

It is easy to say 'great run' when you do a pb - and I did mine by 6min 20sec, but during the run if you had spoken to me I would have broken down in pieces I was feeling that bad at times. I truly believe running is all in the mind now. I didn't feel my gut or my blisters as much as the thoughts running through my head that I hadn't worked hard enough at training or how disappointed people will be if I don't run well etc. A very enlightening day.

Anyway gotta fly. literally. Off to perth in about oooh 40mins. :)

Watch This Space

Tesso here ....

Just wait till you all hear how Clairie did today! I'll let her tell you.

I'm excited :-)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSAAAAAAAAA

BRING IT ON

Takin' It Easy (ish)

Tesso here .....

Wasn't feeling 100% when I woke up Thursday, sort of verging on fluey but not really that bad. The scheduled session was one of my favourites, just some short reps, so I didn't want to skip it.

The warm-up was out to under the Story Bridge. I sensed Clairie was on fire when in the 3k or so warmup she shot ahead with Tori and Allison and the three of them were almost out of sight of the rest of the pack!

Pat told us it was going to be an easy session, just basically get the legs moving fast in the lead up to Noosa. We started with 4 x 1 min, with a Pat type 30 second rest. Just quietly I think we all need to pitch in and buy him a new watch. On the second rep Clairie and Rent Boy were battling it out, and there was a fair bit of argy bargy going on. What a laugh! Jan called out to them that they were behaving like triathletes. But Clairie was able to hang in there with him, with Lizzle and I chasing in vain - they got further and further away from us. On the fourth one Scotty joined in the battle, and again Clairie was able to keep up with them. Gosh, I'd love to have some of that speed. I think she has those boys worried!

After the 1 min reps we cruised on over to the floating walkway to do some 30 second efforts. These are great, you just bust a gut for 30 secs and its over before you know ... well, almost. As I said this is one of my fave sessions, but also one I find a little frustrating as I rarely keep up with those I can normally keep up with or finish in front of in the longer stuff.

Warmed down back to the Ship Inn where Pat supplied for our usual treat of watermelon and pineapple. And mini Crunchies .... arrggghhhh! I had to turn my back and not look at them. And as hard as he tried Langy couldn't convince us girls of the zero calorie content.

Anyway, another great session. No matter how you feel before it starts, why do you always feel so much better afterwards?

There are a few pre-race nerves in the group with Noosa Half/10k/5k just a few days away, lots of PBs on the cards for sure. And after seeing her in action yesterday I reckon my co-blogger is in for a big one :-)

Wednesday Run

Public Holiday today - Show Day.

So what do all good runners do on a holiday? Turn it into a run day....with breakfast to boot :)

Headed out from the regatta with Hubby in tow. I got to the 2km mark and my right knee was quite sore. Allan has a viral infection as well so at the 3km mark we turned around and waved goodbye to all the others who were setting off to do longer runs.

Tesso ended up doing around 25km!!! No wonder she is the State Champion.

Her first 10-15km were at 5:10 pace as her and Liz were practising for their role as Official Noosa Pacers for Pat Carroll (1:50 goal). I wish I was running with them, they are going to have so much fun.

On the way back to the Regatta my knee totally gave way and I was in immense pain. I have no idea what has happened to it and am a bit concerned. At this stage, nothing will stop me running Noosa but to err on caution I have begun NSAID course and am icing and stretching religiously. It is not ITB but a very sharp pain at the front bottom of my knee..... any ideas?

**********HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU PAT CARROLL**********

TUESDAYS EFFORT

Contrary to many others I really like this session. It is a good teller as to how you are going and what you can expect from the 3k TT.

We did 2 x 2km and then 1 x 1km.

Normally I would go hard to see what I could do and try to do it as close to 8mins as poss for the 2kms then a 4min for the final km.

Today though, with Noosa beckoning and me feeling like I didn't want to be there (I can't wait for summer) I decided to stick with Ciaran who was practicising his pacing for Noosa. We are running together so today was 4:44 per km pace.

The first km we did in 4:10, then the second. I kept yelling at him to slow down but I don't know why I didn't. Then I stopped to rest but he kept going to work it out, no doubt being frustrated with his pacing efforts.

Again I set off to do another 2km. This was much closer to target (4:30/km) but my legs were tired now and I have big doubts about my goal time at Noosa because of this session. I found it hard to do 4:44 when everyone around me was going so fast but yet I also felt like I was doing more effort than the time was indicating.

Poor Ciaran, as he has the flu I am not sure how he is going to go in his role as official pacer at Noosa. Get better mate and rest up until Sunday. Garmin can pace for us :)

Banjo Player in the Big Smoke

Tesso here with my first ever real contribution to the 'Clairie & Tesso in Bris Vegas' blog .....


Saturday 13 Aug

Well Sydney might have been sunny but it sure was chilly. Worried that just a jumper and a windcheater weren't enough to keep me warm waiting for the start of the City to Surf I scrounged around the Glebe markets Saturday morn and found myself a $5 ski jacket which just happened to be CR blue :-)

Headed down to the bay mid afternoon for a liesurely 9k run with JD. Hmmm, not too many runners around, must all be saving themselves for the big one the next day. Ha, Sydneysiders are soft ;-)

Had a great dinner out at No Name at Leichhardt, plenty of food (minestrone, bread, potato wedges, steamed veges .... er, better stop there) and a glass or six of red. Fuelled up!


Sunday 14 Aug

Race morning didn't seem quite as cold, maybe it was just the ski jacket. I was expecting crowds at the start line though when we got there around 7.15 we found ourselves basically one row back from the barricade. There was a great little pack of Sydney CRs plus Miners and I. We had lots of laughs admiring eachothers throwaway gear. Marty, clearly jealous of my jacket, told me I looked like the best dressed homeless person in Sydney :-) Me, I had my eye on ORunner's sweater and seriously contemplated snaffling it when he tossed it and racing with around my waist.

My teammate Karisma turned up but with a few minutes to go decided to move back a few meters and start with Aunty K and crew. I thought I'd brave it with the fast guys.

Didn't seem too long before we were moving forward waiting for the gun to go. Flying down William St I couldn't resist the urge to look back over my shoulder at the crowd behind - what an awesome sight!

I missed a few of the km markers so wasn't sure of my pace. I thought briefly about chasing Dash but glad I didn't, he took off like it was a 100 meter sprint! I knew Flashduck had a similar goal as mine so I tried to keep her within reach and finally caught up with her at the top of Heartbreak Hill.

Over halfway now which was a good feeling, and it didn't seem too long before the 10 marker loomed - I think it was 46:40 or thereabouts and I figured bloody Chris (my mate from the Regatta Runners) would probably be close to finishing. I was right, he ran 47:50!

It was so exciting when the CR cheersquad came into sight (JD, Superflake, Gronk), I knew exactly where they'd be but still had been looking out for them for the past 5 minutes.

I had a great final km, wasn't really sure I'd break 65 mins even until I rounded that bend and hit the finish straight so was pretty happy to see the clock on 63 something! My card said 63:30 though my watch was 63:38 - but I'll take the official time thanks ;-)

Grabbed my gear and headed up the road to join the cheersquad for a while. It was fantastic to see Lucklylegs coming in, surrounded by people probably a third of her age .... and passing some of them I might add. What a legend! We gave her a huge cheer but she was so 'in the zone' she missed us.

The session at the pub was so much fun, the room was a sea of blue and yellow. Hadn't eaten since pre race (where I ate Bernie G's muesli bar that Blue Dog had given me, finished it just as she was asking for it - I thought it was his!) so headed off to pizza and dessert with JD, Aunty K, Truckie, Owly, Wobbly, Blue Dog and Bernie. Topped it at Owly's place drinking hot tea and listening to her upstairs neighbours.

All in all a great weekend. Already thinking about 2006 where the goal is sub 62. Should be do-able with a few more Mt Coot-thas in the months before .... and a few less red wines on the night before.

Oh, and Clairie WILL be there next year!!!!!

Sunday Run

Got a late call to head down the coast to watch the Bledisloe Cup with some friends. It was a late night so we stayed down there at the unit. Meant missing out on BRRC 10Miler this morning, which in hindsight was probably good but at the time I was very disappointed.

Headed out for a run to compensate around Southport but after 4km I was in all sorts of pain. My legs were hurting, tired and I just could not get moving. I called it quits after 10km with an overall pace of 5min/km. How on earth am I going to try for 1:45 at Noosa next Sunday?????

Tess you are a legend. Great run today and I look forward to your blog post.

Rest Day

Today is a rest day, normally I do a hard gym session but I took Allan to the gym last night instead of our usual Thursday night 'date night'. It was fun doing it together but even funnier to watch him on the ecliptical (?) machine.

Got massage booked in for tonight and going to play with Tesso's garmin (whilst she is away) on my Saturday run.

Got a 10Miler race at Bris Road Runners on Sunday...should be fun but won't be the same without Tesso.

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE RUNNING IN THE SYDNEY CITY TO SURF. REMEMBER TO ENJOY THE MOMENT - oh yeah and have a drink for me at the end :)

10 TURNS TO 5

I felt like shit today. Ran like shit and had heavy legs. However looking back over previous weeks (even BI - before injury) I see that Thursday speed session is always a hard one for me. It is at the end of the week, I am tired from late TV wed night and hard working all week, plus my weekly training up till then is pretty intense. So sooner or later something is going to give.

Anyhow no excuses - at the end of the day it is DAMN FANTASTICto be running injury free no matter how tired, or slow I feel.

We warmed up then did 5 mins fast turned around and ran 5 mins fast back to the starting point.

Meant to have 60sec rest before sprinting out again (only managed 40sec) but this time Pat turned us around after 2.5mins. At the end of that we had to run up the big grassy hill and collapse.

A very long warmdown with Flash - so at fast pace - was in store for me. Liz did hers with Phil so we both finished totally exhausted and unable to hold up a conversation very well.

I guess that's why we love running....the exhaustion!

Gym and School of Pain

Went to the gym this morning. Everything hurt.

My whole body is tired yet I had a great sleep last night. Had the window wide open and got the fresh cold air blowing in whilst I huddled under the doona. Lovely.

Not looking forward to school of pain, mainly because I have tired legs, but I am sure by 6pm I will be firing on all cylinders. Doesn't help that I have 30 hours of work to get done today before I leave *sigh*

I knew the day was going to be terrible when I got out of the shower at the gym and found my bra didn't match my knickers *shock* Sorry Mum :)

Hill Repeats

Wow Tesso if that is you going slow then I'd hate to see you on a week when you are going fast and not got so many miles in the leg!!!

Got the to the gardens on a lovely warm up this morning, I really enjoy going over the Victoria Bridge, nice views and good paths all the way.
Everyone was talking about Bridge to Brisbane and it was good to hear all the good reports on everyone's efforts.

I said I was going to take it easy today - my quads are still sore (they are never sore) so I assume that is my body telling me to watch out. I have been ramping the mileage up totally ignoring the 10% rule so today I played it safe. Well that was the plan. However Tess then said she was going to run with me and I am sure on each lap she was going faster and pushing me that little bit further.
She is amazingly strong on the downhills no matter how hard she goes on the uphill so it was interesting to keep up with her today. Hopefully I picked up a few tips.

I say it often and I will say it again, I have so much respect for Tess as a runner. She puts in all the hard efforts and long kms and it always there with an ear to listen and offer advise. Tess I wish you all the best on Sunday at the Sydney City to Surf, we'll be thinking of you. I was going to say to rest up for it on Saturday but one thing I have noticed with your running is that you bounce back very very quickly from high mileage. Each time you do a 30km+ training run you then pull a pb or do really well in the days to follow...mmmm might have to try that one day.

Myself - I think I take a lot longer to recover, but that's okay I'm still learning :)

I was steady up the last hill on the bridge this morning watching Tess and others fly off into the sunrise but at the top some of the others starting slowing down and pulling up preparing to finish, I kept the legs turning and managed to pass a few on the downhill. That is the first time I have done that so I was happy with the session.

Another bloody cold shower at Southbank so I was shivering all the way to work!!!

Clairie the Elite Runner

It was my intention to run from the finish of the Bridge to Brisbane to the Regatta for breaky but it turned out that we drove to breaky and after cooling down I didn't feel like a long run. I had a sore blistered toe that was bothering me too.

After breaky we went home, then showered and headed out for some shopping. Got home and made hubby lunch then decided to go and do a run now at 2pm before lunch (to see if no fuel would be good). It was great that Tesso had loaned me her Garmin 201 Forerunner so I had a new toy to play with.

Off I set and the first km I kept thinking "WTF are you doing??" My foot was sore, my quads were sore, my left calf was tight and I had a headache. But after two massive hills they all got sorted out and I was flying along. The garmin kept saying different paces and I was always looking at it - very distracting but took the mind of the pain.

I stopped for a drink at 4:85km at a park and then started up a steep hill on the way home. I decided I was not up to 15km so would just circle the golf club and go home.

At around 7km I had a brain meltdown. I felt strong, legs were ticking over and breathing was well under control. It was hot and I was very sweaty. I felt alive and exhausted. This is what elite athletes do. Run twice a day, put their bodies through extreme measures to fine tune their systems. I was telling myself this would make me a better runner to copy what the elites do...and I felt my body get a resurgence of strength just thinking about it. Though at the same time, I think it was because the planned 15km had been cut short to 11km and I was happy to be on the home stretch.

To entice me to run fast I had my fuel belt on with 3 square of cadbury dairy milk tucked away. I told myself I could eat them when I got to the school oval (approx 8.5km). After finally getting there with a teeny show of a shuffle towards the end I devoured my squares and drank a gallon of water. Did a few stretches and then headed off for home with 2.5km to go. The last km to home is very hilly but I think this was better for my legs at this stage than just running on the flat.

I got home and was in loads of pain. I took my shoes and socks and Garmin off and hopped in the pool. Blimey! 16oC!!! The pain immediately went away and was replaced with numbness. I stayed in for 4mins - the longest I could bear and jumped out for a hot shower.

The little blister I had earlier had now progressed to a 10cent blood blister (covering my whole big tow) and I could barely walk but still, I was happy with my efforts.

I felt so good after my shower, totally invincible and went looking for the remaining 47 squares of chocolate. *mmmmmmm*

Bridge To Brisbane - 12km

What a magnificent day!!!

The cold weather greeted us all as we huddled outside the bowls club waiting for the bus to come and collect all the Regatta/Intraining runners. It was good to be cold with so many others - made you feel all warm inside :)

I had planned to pace Allan, my husband to a 60min finish - so 5min/km for the 12km course. Though we managed to get up close to the front and I think that encouraged him too much. He took off and I spent the first 4km about 100m behind him. He was doing 4:10 pace then 4:20 then 4:30 so I knew eventually he would blow and I promised myself I would not say "I told you so" hee hee hee

Got to the 5km mark in 22:30 and maintained that until the 10km mark. Then the wheels came off the bus. By now Al was trailing behind and I was jogging on the spot waiting for him to catch up every 300m or so. He told me to go on ahead but I was keen to run with him and I had vowed that we would cross the line together at 60mins.

We got around the corner and heard the finish, he grabbed my hand and we ran the last 300m hand in hand and crossed the line with a very ecstatic husband at 56:00. He is hurting all over now and nursing a hammy but very very happy with his run.

It was the most rewarding experience being out there with him the whole way. It was a first for us but I certainly hope not the last. I enjoyed not having any pressure on me as well and it seemed to make a big difference to my performance. Getting to the 10km mark in under 47mins was a pb for me but I certainly wasn't running hard so amazingly I seemed to have improved a bit lately.

The only bad spot I had was seeing someone go past just after the 10km mark that should have been behind me on any normal day - that stung. (does that make me a bitch?) Oh well I guess that's the breaks with pacing. Good and Bad.

Now a bit of a rest before an easy 15km tonight using Tessos Garmin to make it a bit exciting.

400's

My legs felt like lead this morning after the 3K TT on Tuesday followed by a gym session Wed morning and a 60min run Wed night.

But I was in the same boat as many others who were starting to feel the effects of a running 'build up'.

We headed out to New Farm - which is around 3k warm up and I was tired by the time we did that. Pat said we were doing 400 or 500ms and i stupidly thought he would make it up at the time (ie stop at either 400 or 500). But after we started and then Tess stopped just ahead of me I pulled up too thinking she had injured herself. Then EVERYONE behind us pulled up as well. I get it - that was the 400m mark. The 500m runers had gone ahead and stopped at the next marker Pat had put out.

We had ample rest today and that made me feel much much better than normal. I started to enjoy it even. I called out for the boys to catch us as we all took off to head back to the start. They never had a chance. However on the next rep when we headed out we had to laugh - Pat had moved our marker further out and closer to the guys so this time they were bound to catch us on the way in.

Tesso is so consistent yet I was all over the place. One or two I managed to get in front of her and then the others I was about 10m behind - but she kept the pace all the time. Need to learn her secret.

Lizzle was running with us too and after doing 500m on the first rep, stayed with us for the remaining ones.

We then did the cool down and included a 1km no watch run. Money is donated to Camp Quality and the winner gets the receipt for tax purposes. It was fun. I put down 5mins (this is what I want to run on Sunday) but got to the line in 4:24. WAAAAAY OOOOUUUT. I can only say that after a speed session it is really really hard to guestimate your times/pace as your legs have so much fatigue in them but are still keen to go a bit fast. Oh well, next time maybe :)

Well done to Liz and Tess who both crossed the line in 5:10 as they guessed - the exact pace they will both need as they are Official Pacers for the Noosa Half at 1:50 pace.

3 Km Time Trial

12:45, I sux.
500m splits - 2:02, 2:12, 2:10, 2:12, 12:11, 1:55 I think it came to total of 12:42 but I stopped my watch a bit after I crossed and gave my offical time to Pat as 12:45.

Monday Morning

Big day at work today and tomorrow.

Not helped by nightmares after watching Constantine last night..

I woke up this morning and Allan asked what I had on today. I said I was late I had to go do my 3k TT. He then reminded me that it was Monday and the TT was tomorrow. Obviously it is weighing on my mind a fair bit.

So headed to the gym and did a very quick warm up on the eliptical machine. Then worked my arms, back and core mostly and spent a good 25mins stretching before hitting the showers. Great way to start the day when you need a break from running.

Tomorrows TT is not going to be a PB for me, but I do hope to be able to master the art of pacing myself.
My second km is ALWAYS SLOWER so tomorrow I am going to hold back on the first km, then do the second one at the same pace, then come home.
looking to do 2:05 500m splits to finish in 12mins 30sec. I need to look at my 500m splits (which I never do) to ensure I keep to pace. My B goal is to keep Tesso within 500m of me. I think I can do that as she should be around the 12:00 mark.

Park 2 Park

What a lot of fun today. Tess and I were marshalls at the finish line for the Park2Park run in Ipswich.

Great to see everyone out there running and helping out.

Best laugh of the day was when a bloke with his camera kept filming Tesso and I to the point where we were questioning his sanity. Instead of getting worried Tess just turned around and started to dance a little jig - had me in tears and still smiling thinking about it.
Also the bloke was not a weirdo - just trying to film the finish line - where we were standing - to catch his child coming home first!

Another funny moment was when we were packing up and Tess and I were trying to pull one of the banners down. I had climbed one tree and undid it but the other side was higher and harder. Tess tried to lift me up - but I am a heffalump and was also worried about breaking her arms! Then Run67 (Adrian) came bounding out of nowhere and like superman yelled 'out of the way' he ran up the hill towards the tree in the hope of getting up it. All he managed was a matrix like bend backwards as soon as he planted his feet on the tree. It was hilarious. I gave him a lift up then, and he got down the banner. But what a laugh :)

Michael - one of the guys Tess talked into doing the long run with her yesterday then fronted up for the half marathon today! Talk about Crazy. Still ran it in 1:44 with all his commando gear on so I was very impressed.

Great day out but after Saturday's run and working all day at the Park, I was exhausted. I went home and ate a big bowl of pasta, had a shower and spent some time with the kids. Allan then took them out shopping but I stayed home and he came back 2hrs later and I was still asleep. Love those nanny naps!!

SATURDAY LSD

Was just that sort of morning where you felt like greeting everyone you met along the path. The sun was shining (when it finally rose) the birds were chirping, the runners were all talking and puffing along. Very poetic.

Had a good group of us head out to do a 22.5km run around the river and back in along Fairfield Road. It is a undulating course with a few testers but mostly very pleasant. This was the first time I had run this course and I loved it.

We stopped about 4 times to allow the group to merge back together and for water breaks but never for more than a minute.

My legs were fine and I felt really strong on the hills (though Tesso still was flying past me). There was one constant hill where Tesso and I were running alongside and I was enjoying it and feeling good but Tesso - she was chatting away as if we were running downhill! I just nodded and typical wog kept gesticulating with my arms as a response.

When we finished back at the Ship Inn I was exhausted but a very happy girl. Damn if I didn't look in shock when Tesso said 'I'm heading out for another hour - anyone coming?' and off they went. The came back just as I was finishing my breaky and had done 32km!! Can't wait to do those long runs.

Pump it Up!

What a laugh at the gym this morning!
Thought I would avoid the treadmill - so I dont end up doing too much running this week. Got onto one of the arm and leg thingys (what ARE they called?) but the music wouldn't work so I moved. Then moved then moved again. Finally a gal was nice enough to tell me the music won't turn on until you start it up ha ha ha. What a goose.
Anyhow I wish she had hung around to tell me HOW to start it up. I ended up having to put in my weight, DOB, eye colour etc just to get the damn thing moving! Crazy....

So after 10mins of that I was bored shitless and jumped off (yep you guessed it - didn't know how to stop stupid machine!).

Then the very greatest thing in the world happened to me. I did my chest press's, calves, hammy's and quads and headed over to the free weights to do my arms.

A big heavy guy with muscles was lifting two 10kg doing some tricep movements and then he was finished and went to put them down. He was breathing hard (keep reading this is not pornographic...) when I walked up and just as he put the weights down I picked them up. Okay so it was just a dumb thing to do but he just stared at me as I did 30x reps before walking away (grinning) to work my abductors.

When he left the gym I raced back over there and picked them up again to make sure it really happened and did 2x10 reps with them. Ha! I am getting stronger.

I am certainly getting more muscle somewhere - the scales have jumped up more than 2kg and I don't think I am getting fatter but geez I wish the damn flab would hurry up and disappear!!!

DEPRESSION; PAIN; DISMAY

After taking School of Pain last night on my own I was feeling a bit weary this morning. I didn't go hard or fast last night but still it was time spend on my legs and going up and down the ramp (hill) with the other runners.
When I finished the session I met up with Skizzik, Hannah, Tesso (who had been working late) and Karisma for drinks and pizza. I was the only smelly one there yuk! After my glass of 'red coffee' I decided that Tess and I would be more than capable of running 3:50 for each of our 4 x 1km repeats this morning....

As soon as the alarm went off I knew I was in for a hard session. I was not tired but my body felt tired. My legs felt like thick bags of cement yet I assumed they would sort themselves out during the warm up.

Lizzle turned up so it really felt like old times. Yaaa!!! The warm up was good. Didn't really feel bad but my stomach was a bit gurgling at the end and I wasn't sure if I needed to go for a pee or not but decided I didn't.

Felt great after the strides and really was looking forward to getting this session over with to see what would develop....I really shouldn't have bothered.

Tesso said we had to chase Tori - who is really fast. So off we went and I pushed ahead to get Tori. Kept her real close but busted a gut doing it. Went through the first km in 3:48 (500m in 1:50). Rested for 90sec but never got into a decent rythem again. Tried to keep with Tesso and Liz on the second but just after 500m they surged ahead and I found my own personal quicksand. Pulled in at 4:18. The remaining two were slow as well, both 4:12 but I was starting to feel better so I settled with that as a compromise. Tess and Liz were on fire with 4:00's and 4:04s.

Tess was right when she said this morning that my endurance is what I have lost. The gym work kept my fitness up and I don't think the short sharp speed is a problem, but maintaining pace and form over a period of time is really hard for me right now - I'm devastated but I guess I really shouldn't be, after all I am RUNNING AGAIN *bigclaps for clairie*

Looking forward to my long run on Saturday. 21kms woo hoo. Will be a good training run around the river with friends. After that I will nominate a time for Noosa Half.

Gym tomorrow to work the arms and take the load off my legs for a day.

Ready for Speedwork...

Well I thought I was ready for speed work, that was until we headed out this morning and had a 1min/1min, 30sec/30sec and 15sec/15sec workout to do.

Was feeling good on the first two sets, didn't push the envelope and I physically felt I was holding back but I thought I best do this to enable me to perform more consistently. However the third one was hard. Then Anna Bligh - our local member - was running with us and pulled up so I went to make sure she was okay (it was her first time at Pat's). She was okay just recovering from flu and not used to speedwork. So I missed a 1min/1min rep and then fell way back.

Tried to catch up and had almost done this when we got back to the start. Then just Pat yelled out 'last one'. I pushed myself really hard because
a. that's what I was there for and
b. stopping to check on Anna had given me a not wanted but much needed rest
c. I wanted to close the gap between Tesso and I after falling so far behind!!!!

Then I heard Pat say 'all the way to the end after we turned around and I groaned (loudly I think).
Sure enough as fate would have it - I was running pretty fast and picking of the people I had just managed to pass on the way out - when Pat was behind me yelling "don't let me catch you clairie!" So I went harder and he yelled "thats great keep it going" which made me feel good and push a bit more. Man I went harder than I ever had and got to the end in very good time.

Damn it though I was almost vomiting and my legs were wobbly and throbbing - I kid you not.

I almost collapsed when Pat said 'grab your gear lets do one more on the way home'.... I had nothing in the tank. I was so dejected. I had tried so so hard and done well but had no inclination or energy to do one more.

Then Jan came up. She smiled at me and said 'lets do this'. So I took off with her. She is fast and along the way dropped her jumper so I got in front a slight edge and told myself - 'just keep in front and finish it off'.

Well I did and I am really happy with myself but I never want to feel so dejected again like I did after that last effort. I know Pat throws in these things all the time so I normally keep SOMETHING in reserve.... but not today with him chasing me. I guess it's runs like this that will see me improve. Damn not looking forward to the next one then :)

Punishment

*groan* it was hard to leave my nice warm bed this morning but after the excesses of the weekend I was determined to put things right by a good hard workout at the gym.

With two speed sessions planned for this week I knew I had to take it easy on the treadmill, so I told myself I would just warm up for 10mins before hitting the weights. However after 5mins I felt like a wuss that it was almost over so upped the pace to 4min/km and finished off with 5mins of hard effort.

Then hit the weights and whilst in between reps on the calf machine I think I actually fell asleep! This morning was so hard but I kept at it and feel I gave everything I had in me. My arms are throbbing and certainly not feeling strong like they did last week.
Might need to get to sleep tonight earlier than usual or start taking some vitamins, I have a big week ahead of me and don't want to drag myself through until the weekend.

Tess please....promise me no more parties until after Noosa!!! *wickedlaugh* but it was fun :)

Saturday Long Run

ABOVE: Nick, Clairie, Ciaran, Tesso and Tara

I forgot how draining the long run can be. Went out and did around 17km this morning. Did one km in 4:34 - that was about 4km from finish but knew I couldn't sustain it so we slowed down to 5:20. I smelt the end though and did the last one in 4:50 - I was soooo exhausted by then I would have gone faster if it meant finishing sooner!

Should have kept going as I left my protein drink at home on the bench but decided to stay and have coffee and toast with everyone else and wait for Tesso & Co to return - they had been doing a 24k loop and I didn't think I was up to that long just yet.

Cleaned the house like a frenzied mamma followed by a nice granny nap and am now on my way over to Tesso's for a big night out. Glennos 40th Birthday. Should be fun. Hope we dont get persuaded by Nick again to wear napkins on our heads like the above shot at last weeks Pat Carrol Dinner!!!!!! Talk about embarressing!

Hard Efforts

This morning I went to the Gym and for the first time in weeks actually noticed that the weights are having an effect.

You know how I can tell? The flabby bits on my arms don't flap as much! How cool is that.

To remain fresh for tomorrows long run (the only one that actually feels like I am running it seems) I opted to do a walk on a very high incline for my warmup instead of a run. 15mins of walking is really quite boring!

Without the sweat-pouring effects of a run I decided to go hard on the weights and increased them all by 5kg. Well except for the bicep curls. Afterall I don't want to go home and have hubby say "are you here to fix the washing machine because my wife should be home any minute now....." so I will continue with increasing my reps but maintaining the weights so I don't get butch or anything. (note - for all you gay {can i use that word????} girls out there I don't think there is anything wrong personally with appearing to be butch, I just choose to keep my feminity!)

So back to me.....

Realised it was 8am so I had been at it for 2 hours. Headed for the showers and didn't give a damn, I don't think I would have been able to hold the towel up let alone carry it into the shower with me anyhow.

So now it is the end of the day and I can really vouch for a tough morning session. Great way to end the week and you won't feel as bad when you OD on the vino at the work lunch :)

Lazy Bones

Absolutely nothing this morning. Can't remember the last time I slept in on a week day and woke up with my hubby.
Stayed up most of last night working on a tender document - and a damn fine job I did too! So I decided to skip the gym and get some extra shut eye.

Feeling abit "blah" at the moment but hopefully things will improve.

Have 'SCHOOL OF PAIN' tonight as Tess and I have come to describe our beginners speed session that we take each Wednesday night for Intraining (thanks for the apt description Melski!). Should be fun tonight as we are going to go very hard, then finish 15mins early to have a glass of wine/coffee/beer and socialise with the group a bit afterwards.

Exhaustion Sets In

Okay so I am fully recovered from the weekend - now I just need to recover from this mornings speed session with Pat. Man I forgot the pain and the hurt! I thought I had just been missing out on fun and catching up with friends twice a weeek!!!

This morning we headed out towards New Farm, took a detour and did a hill rep with Tesso (well actually I needed to go to the toilet and it was at the top of a hill in the gardens and Tess was my bodyguard....) then we had to up the pace somewhat to catch up to the rest of the group. Talk about a warm up!

Pat said a few words about Saturday night - the big formal dinner. It was loads of fun and can't wait till we do it again. Anyhow then it was straight into it.
I found the strides quite hard to do as there was so many runners and I got stuck at the back. So on the second one I bolted to the front just so i could get out of the crowd. I went hard on the strides - I wanted to make sure my legs were prepared for the speedwork.

Before long it was on - 30sec fast, 30sec slow - though Pat said to not go too slow, make sure the heart rate was kept up and it would end up being a solid 20min session but not be as taxing on the body as a 20min steady session. It was a great morning but I just had to go slow on the slower ones. I needed to get my breath back.
Pat threw in a few 1mins which really sorted the wheat from the chaff and yes....I was the chaff. Not to worry at least I realised I had not lost as MUCH fitness as I thought. A few weeks and I should be back to square one and up there trying to chase Tesso again.

My goal for the year is renewed. Tesso I am out to get you. *biggrin*

Seriously though, Tess is the official 1:50 pacer for the Noosa Half. So I would like to think that I will have some speed back to be able to finish in front of her. Might even run with her and then just take off in the last kilometre. Guess I had better get a few solid weeks of training in before I make too many rash gestures of competition :)

Mondayitis

Don't know how I pulled myself out of bed - I am STILL suffering from lack of sleep from Saturday night. AND my house is a pigsty *groan*

Arrived at the gym just before 6am. As soon as I got running I was okay. Did 3km warm up at 5 min pace on a gradient. Then headed over to do some weights.

I put my compression bandaged on my knee this morning after my shower - it is feeling tingly and I hope the Bakers Cyst is not going to be a recurring thing.

At work now and all I really want to do is go back to bed. 90mins at the gym only made me more tired and achy all over :(

Will try to go to bed by 8am tonight and WON'T stay up late reading Paula Radcliffes book!

Met up with the Running Buddies at the Ship Inn at 6:30am for a long run. My very first long run with the group for many months. It was a good feeling.

Just headed out at a steady pace over Story Bridge and into New Farm park. We stopped a few places along the way for water, took a detour past Geoffs new house to have a look and then turned around and went back via the Botannical Gardens. A very pleasant run.

It felt like 17km but Tess assures me it was only 14km - damn!

Now off to get ready for the party tonight!

It's a Wonderful Life....

Jumped out of bed today with joy in my heart. The day got crappy from there....
Decided to make my husbands lunch at the last minute so i was late leaving home, got to the gym and lost my carpark - so went to nearby parking. My coins didn't work so I had to reverse out (oh the shame) and wait for the attendant (who was late) to arrive.
He got in and then let me in - my coins were still showing so he let it slide.

Raced over to the gym and decided to just do a walk to warm up as I have a speed session tonight with Intraining. Everyone around me was running - and hard. So I was surrounded by runners (this is unusual in my gym) and feeling sad about it. As I was walking I wanted to scream out "I can run too". I turned off and left the treadmill and went into the weights.

The muscliest woman in the gym came up to me and starting to chat 'you've been coming here a while now, hows it all going'. As I was trying to grunt through some chest presses. Did she really expect me to talk back. So i stopped and chatted and lost more time.

Went to do my steches and realised my shorts were not designed for gym work - the ones with teh slits down the side. By then I didn't give a shit so the whole world got to see my lovely undies and I persistenly and stubbornly stretched and stretched.

Headed up to the showers where they were all taken - this has NEVER happened before. Waited and ironed my top - burnt it aaaarrrggh. Got into the shower and heard someone drop their stuff. Got out of the shower and stepped on a piece of glass.

Getting my car out of the carpark was a nightmare - the attendant had been changed and he wouldn't believe I had paid already. I drove off and am waiting for the police to arrive any minute *biggrin*

But you know what - I am sitting at my desk with my cup of coffee (the tea just wasn't going to cut it today) and feeling bloody fantastic. I ache from my efforts but it is a good ache. I feel strong and nothing can dampen my mood. I am really looking forward to running tonight followed by a long hot shower at home!

Speed Kills

First speed session in 12 weeks - though you wouldn't know it. It looked like I was still jogging but the whole of my insides knew I was running hard.

Jogged the 3km warm up - felt great and wanted to keep going. Then after a few strides did 6 x 500m with 1min rest. I did them all under 2min with the first being the easiest and the second last the hardest. The last one was good and I felt strong but fading - managed to do 1:53.

I knew I would have a lot of work ahead of me but after this morning now I realise just how HARD that work is going to be. *groan* I might have a stronger body but the legs just aren't ticking over fast enough and I forgot what it was like to have your chest burning inside during an effort. Don't you just love that feeling when you finish a hard run and someone comes up to talk and you can only just look at them and pant.... that was me this morning! Doing the panting I might add! :)

So good to be running with Tesso again. Though I only just managed to keep with her this morning - and she did a marathon just over a week ago and it 'taking it easy' - personally I think she got faster whilst I was away *more groans*

Winners are Grinners!

I won I won I won I won I won I Won I Won

How exciting a day can you get?

Turned up at BRRC and met with the most disgusting weather imaginable for Brisbane. It was cold and extremely windy. Most runners sat in their cars until the last minute to escape the biting wind and prevent themselves from being blown over. Seriously you had to lean forward just to walk anywhere.
My husband had come for his very first run with the BRRC (normally he just watches) and was giving me killer looks as we sat in the car hoping the wind would die down.

Eventually race excitment got the better of us and we got out to go and register. I signed up for the Novice 14km and Allanf or the open 7km.

A quick two laps of the grassy oval to warm up (and I mean WARM up - my hands were numb). Al didn't start until 15mins after me so he stole my warm jacket and I lined up with Tesso and Karisma in my tracksuit jacket (no way was it coming off).

The gun went off and so did Tess and I. The first km was really good. Felt like a warm up and we got into a rythmn fairly quickly. Out to the turn around and back past the finish - that meant 3km done. We were doing just under 5min/km even splits so I was happy to maintain that. After the turnaround we realised we were the first women and the competition was about 200m behind. Around the 4km mark my leg felt fantastic - totally lost it's tightness and started to want to run. It was here that I first realised I was going to finish this 14km run today if it killed me.

My longest run since Canberra and certainly not one that I had trained for but with Tesso chatting to me as I panted along it was a great deal of fun and I was just ecstatic to be running.

At the 10km mark I was both very very excited and very very tired. The really strong headwind was making us lean into the wind and if it stopped suddenly I would have fallen on my face! It was very discouraging. However the finish line was around the corner and Tess kept her mantra up "you can win this clairie you can win this".
As soon as the finish line was in sight my brain said 'lets do this' and my legs kicked into gear for a sprint finish. The funny thing was with the wind and my tiredness it felt like I was going fast but not getting anywhere.

I crossed the finish line one very happy chicky - thanks mostly to my bestest runnin pal Tesso.

It was great to see Skizzik come down to see us all finish and hubby had done well with his 7km race too. It was fun to cheer Hannah into a sprint finish as she crossed the line with a Shultzy - a male runner. So great day all round.

Did I mention I got a trophy? Well it is a ceramic cup. The tea just tastes soooooo good out of it. But of course now it will be washed and polished and put behind protective glass..... so this is what it feels like to win :)

BRRC

Totally missed this feeling for the past three months - nerves!

Tomorrow morning I am going to attempt the 14km. I will be happy to do half without stopping and then see how the next 7km feel on the leg.

Tonight I am thinking about getting a good sleep, getting my racing gear ready, cleanig my shoes and setting the alarm. IT is a good feeling knowing I will be up early for a running event. Okay so it is not a serious race, but it is still exciting and I have missed this feeling of anticipation and aprehension for many weeks now.

Will let you know how I go :)

Worst Sister in the World

Feeling really good about the leg. I just have to accept some form of ache for the next few months but that doesn't mean I can't run. Even going to attempt the BRRC 14km this Sunday for a lark.

Last night I got a call from my sister (Darwin bound) who does triathalons. She said she now has ITB. I didn't grin (MUCH!) but was very (OVERLY) sympathetic. hee hee hee
After 3 weeks she is already been told to have a cortison injection and no one has even suggested the rolling to her. Just stretches, rest, ice, voltaren etc. so first thing - I sent her out to buy a rolling thingy and some plastic cups to make ice (great for massaging the leg with and it ices at the same time).

Maybe this means it has left me and moved on to greener pastures (wishful thinking).

Went to Gym this morning and walked on the tready at a ridiculous incline. (I can honestly say I did rockclimb training this morning thats how vertical I was) followed by 60mins of intense weights.
I am getting more confident about lifting my little weights surrounded by beefcakes lifting their 1Tonne. The fact that I don't appear to be gaining any muscle is a bit perturbing but perhaps that is for the best.

Today is the very first day I have done sit ups in 5 years!!!

Shocking I know but I haven't really bothered with them before. I didn't understand how they could assist with my running. Now I am into the core-training and strengthening I feel the pressure to have the 6 pack like others around me. *groan*

Does anyone know of a red wine that gives 'instant tummy'?

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Felt great yesterday. Got up went to Pat's session. It was supposed to be just an easy run - after the Gold Coast marathon. Though I forgot it was only an easy run for those who are used to doing 60mins of speed work on a Tuesday morning.

Started out with a steady paced warm up with Langy. Was good to run and talk to someone (whenever I try to talk to the person on the tready next to me at the gym I get THE LOOK) with a love of running and an understanding of why we were all willing to give up our warm beds.

At the turn around those who hadn't done any races on the weekend (excuses everyone now please...) did 8 x 1min and the rest of us just kept on running at a steady pace. At just after 4km we turned around and headed home.

Pat joined up with me with 2km to go. He started chatting and before I knew it he was increasing the pace and I was struggling to keep up with him. But I did.

Got to the top of the bridge and he sprinted off....dammit how does he do that? I was left to finish the run puffing and panting like I had just run a 10km race. So sad.

Today I took it easy and ran for 20mins with an incline of 2 on the tready - nothing serious but I felt a bit of niggle.

Then tonight at the physio I was told I had lost 20% of movement capacity in my left leg. When I did the two stretches on video and he played it back I could see how I could not get anywhere near the stretch I could do in my right leg. Also the left leg (one with ITB for those who live on another planet) could not bend when I layed on my stomach on the bed very well. So strange. So back to more stretches and strategic exercises. Good thing is I can keep on with ramping up my running. I guess I just need to be more aware of my body without becoming a hypochondriac!!

Getting Close Now....

It is so very exciting seeing everyone getting nervous for the GC events. I am almost glad (not really) that I am not running so I can enjoy the atmosphere without my shocking nerves getting to me.

Great to hear Marty has caught the boat to come on down (or plane to be precise).

Hope you all say hello when you see me. I'll be at the Pacing stand at the expo handing out balloons or screaming at runners on the side of the road :)

SEE YOU ALL IN TWO SLEEPS.

Walking Again

After my run on Sunday, Pats session yesterday and taking the intraining running group out tonight with Tesso I thought this morning should be just a walk.

Got on the treadmill and to compensate for not running put the pace to 7km/hr with the elevation up as high as it would go. Almost like walking vertically!

Did 15mins then headed over to the weights for 60mins and then spent extra long on the stretches and cooldown.

Feel very good now. mmm maybe I could do the full marathon on Sunday?

Sucker!

What a great morning.

Turned up to Pat's group and it was so fab to just see everyone and be with my running friends again.
Saw Wayne - who has been off with ITB as well so I took off after him and we did the warm up together discussing the best stretches, techniques and cures for our injuries. Both of us are coming back - slowly - still a few niggles but nothing to write home about.

After the warm up it was a 3 or 4km at race pace in preparation for most of the group who are doing one run or another at Gold Coast. Tesso was running at 4:50/km so I thought this would be easy to run with her. By the third km I was glad of the chance to stop. I didn't mind the rain or the cold, but for some reason that pace felt faster than it did a few months ago - a sure sign I have lost a lot of speed.
Naturally Tesso went on to do the 4th km whilst I cheered everyone on to their finish. She is going to do well this weekend I am sure but better not jinx her again!

The best news was when I finished Pat asked if I would work for him on Sunday. I get a pass into the finishing area etc and am now his Official Photographer for all the pacing groups. As well as that I need to hand out all the balloons etc at the stand on the day so I am chuffed - I am sure to meet up with all my fellow CRs along the way and it will make me feel more productive than just standing on the sidelines and yelling - though I am sure I will still be doing a fair bit of that!

GO TESSO GO
GO TESSO GO
GO TESSO GO

She's A Runner

Braved the cold this morning and turned up to BRRC 5Km run this morning.

Did a few laps on the grassy oval with Karisma and Skizzik to warm up then Tesso (who had been running a much longer warm up) joined us and we all headed off together.

It was a great run, felt really comfortable to be able to just turn the legs over and talk with the girls.

Skizzik was amazing when we came near the finish and she just bolted off. Went over the finish line about 5 seconds in front of us - fantastic effort!

Hopefully the leg will rest and heal for the rest of the day and will still be in good nick for running on Tuesday with Pat's session.

I feel bloody fantastic!

Got up this morning, went to the Gym and was very ho hum about it all. Then after running 4km and feeling F*$&ing fabulous I spent the next 90mins working on the weights and finally doing some stretches.
My body is really responding to the low impact weight session - though I wish I had muscles...but I certainly do feel stronger.

To top it all off for breakfast I got one of the Gym Junkie smoothies from Boost. Yummo.

Now off to relax (that means housework) and spend some time with the kids (that means vocal exercises or yelling).

Don't you just love being healthy?

KNEE DIAGNOSIS

In response to RunDaves comments I thought I should post what went on with the non-ITB knee that was blown up.

It was put down to being a Popliteal Cyst (commonly referred to as a Bakers Cyst).
Nasty accumulation of fluid behind the knee which then results in swelling and limited range of movement in the knee - oh and pain!

Causes can be overuse, sudden knock or twist, knee cartiliage damage etc. Doc has assumed that it was so sudden that my recent long driving history (up and down the coast) with cruise control was a contributor and then to hop into bed and perhaps sleep with that leg bent - assisting with the build up of fluid.

So lots of ice, anti-inflammatories, rest and a compression bandage all led to it disappearing within 48-72hrs of first coming up.

Annual Update

Okay so it hasn't quite been a year since last posting - but it feels like it.

Lately I have been doing daily sessions at the gym (amazing how comfortable you can get stripping off in a room full of women and strolling to the showers...). It has been so much fun but all the while I have been really missing my running and my running buddies.

Did an hour on Wednesday night when Tesso and I looked after the Intraining group. We haven't had any men turn up for a few weeks so think we have totally scared them off. Don't think they liked seeing women run faster than them!
I finished up Wednesday feeling great and no pain or niggles. I went home smiling away.

Yesterday I followed that up with just a fast walk on the tready before doing a 90min session on the weights - can someone tell me - when do I get stronger??? I thought muscles would come overnight. Maybe it is a good thing that I am able to run again.

Will be doing the 5km race at Brisbane Road Runners this Sunday. Should be fun, though I won't be breaking any records!

Go the Maroons........

Hence my lovely colour change.

Go Queenslanders!!!!!!

SLAP IN THE FACE

Had a crap day. Started out with a still swollen leg. Not so scary but for some reason more painful today.
Doctor advised my knee had pinched something and in my sleep or over time (driving long periods etc) the pinch had caused a great deal of inflammation - hence the swelling. He gave me some more medication, put a compression bandage on the leg and said to keep it elevated and ice it regularly.

If it doesn't go down or flares back up I will need further testing for an internal bleed or infection. But that is unlikely as it has started to recede already with the compression bandage. But man it is hurting.

Then I raced home to pick up Allan and found my Gold Coast Half Marathon Race Number in the mail. What a slap! I looked at my sorry legs and cracked a wobbly.
Al then put me in the car and we went out to the movies - oooh Gold Class. Saw Star Wars. Alot of other runners were there (it was a running movie night courtesy of intraining) and it was a good night out. We ordered so much food and I felt sick from all the maltesers I struggled to eat (yeah right).

The day ended well so I am hoping tomorrow will start well.

heh - maybe the Gold Coast 10km might still be feasible?

ELEPHANITIS LEG

Oh what on earth has happened to me?
I woke up yesterday morning with a fat leg!
I was laying in bed and hubby said the kids were waiting for me to get up (I had been out to the Rugby Presentation dinner and got home about 1am so had slept in till 8am) then he looked at me and said "what are you doing?" I told him I was trying to straighten my leg and I couldn't. He took the covers off and looked at my leg and was shocked. It was like a tree trunk. You could not even tell where the knee was. I jumped up (um proberly the wrong thing to do) and ran to mirror. I'm talking ugly leg here.....

I am on my way now to Dr. Paul McConnell (sports dr) to see what it is. It went down a bit yesterday with icing and NSAID's but I can't drive properly and can't bend or straighten it without pain. The swelling just looks like someone has pumped the kneecap with 2litres of water. The rest of the leg seems okay now.

Anyone got any ideas what happened? BTW - this is not my sore leg with ITB.....

Prep for Endurance Session

Got dropped off at the local gym this morning by my hubby who was on his way to do a round trip up to Mooloolaba. So I had about three/four hours I had to fill in.

I planned to run for 12km but got really shitty that my leg started flaring up at 5km so I pulled up then and called it a day.
Headed over to the weights area and made up for my lack of running by pumping iron for 2 hrs. Man I was so exhausted afterwards. Could hardly lift the soap in the shower to wash myself my arms were that sore.

I walked out of the gym (in Indooropilly Shops) and got a coffee from Gloria Jeans. It was like magic syrup. I felt so good after drinking it. Hit a few shops before hubby phoned to say he was in the carpark.

After a few hours more at the shops and home we headed off to Punter Matts birthday. Now that was one training event I was not going to miss. If there is one thing my broken body still knows how to do - it's party.

Racing Session

To try and make things a little different at the Gym (its not like running on the treadmill you can just change the route...) my friend (male) and I decided to race each other side by side. First one to 4km. Had to do 5min warm up, then 5 min at whatever pace (I choose 5min/km pace to be safe) then we had to run hard for 3mins (choose 4min/km pace) then easy for 5 mins (5min/km) then hard for 3 mins (4km/hr again). Then whatever speed was required to get to the 4km mark.

I won. Thats all you really need to read here..... :)

Following that session - total 25mins including the cooldown I did an hour on the weights. Went really hard today and am feeling tired all over. My arms don't want to type, my legs don't want to walk but my brain is alive and kicking and is thinking of how poppy seeds are extracted from poppy flowers and cleaned so we can eat them....and weird things like that.

All in all it was one of those magical mornings that last with you through the day with the feeling that you put in some honest efforts. I feel good, the leg is a bit achy but will get some loving treatment at home tonight to make up for it.

Have a great weekend everyone. Not sure if I will be legible to type here again til Tuesday as Puntermatt has his big 30th tomorrow and I am planning an endurance session!!!

A Run....a Proper Run

Woo Hoo...
Turned up today for Pat's speed session very apprehensive. After not doing any run for more than 30mins for the past few weeks and certainly not doing any speedwork - it was nerveracking to see how the leg would hold up.

At the beginning I felt a few clicks but after stretching and doing some strides I didn't feel it again until now - sitting at my desk.
A great session that really showed how much speed I have lost. 1min fast, 1min slow, 30sec fast, 30sec slow, 15sec sprint, 15 sec slow then repeat four times.

The 15min fartlek session ended with a 300m sprint to the end. I was feeling alive again. I didn't care that Tesso and all my buddies were like way in front and doing so well. I was running - painfree.

Tesso you are truly beyond definition. A long 3hr+ run on Saturday, a 10km PB on Sunday, followed by a week of heavy speed sessions (in which you blitz and put us all to shame). I nominate you Most Inspiring Runner of 2005 (after you go for that drug test). :)

Got back to the Ship Inn and shared the love with everyone before hitting the showers. My leg is noticeable now but I am sitting here with ice on it so tonight will be the decider. I expected some aching today - not just from the run but because I rolled it so much yesterday at the gym and again last night. It hardly hurts when I do it anymore but I know it is doing good so I will keep rolling, stretching and icing. Might put a touch of voltaren on it tonight after the ice....

Injuries aside, damn it was good to run today in the outdoors. I am feeling so much alive right now, still grinning!

Gym Girl

Up at the gym this morning. Was very tired and hard to wake up.
Did 20mins of running at 4:45pace. Up'd the rate to 4min/km just as the guy next to me got on. I only did it for a few mins to burst the heart rate but he was pretty impressed so maybe he assumed I had just done all 20mins at that pace ha ha

Was pretty boring today. Best exercise today was the calves. I managed to press 40kg on the calf machine so they are certainly benefitting from the strengthing gym equipment.

Saturday Long Session

I got to the Gym just at Tesso would have been finishing up her 3hr long run this morning.

Did a 30min warm up on the treadmill. It was great to be running and sweating again. Did 10mins at 4:45 pace then did a 10min session with 1min on 4min pace, then 1min on 5min pace and kept repeating this cycle. Got the heart rate up without being too strenuous to make me need a break.
The last 10mins I played around a bit with the hills but reduced the pace. I'm told this is really good for the ITB.

Went into the weights area. I was the only girl there (but before I was finished some more turned up). There were loads of girls in the spinning class though - very popular. Note to self: Will have to do one with Tesso next week.

Did 90min session starting with lighter weights and moving up to doing the same exercises but with heavier weights. It felt so good and I didn't want to go home but after being away for more than 2hours thought I had better get home to the kids.

There was an obese man at the gym who had obviously lost a great deal of weight but had a bit more to go. I was proud of him working out there. I can't believe he was doing ab's on 80kg and chest pressing 60kg!!! I felt so weak taking over the equipment after him and having to move all the pins to much much less weight.
But I am happy to say I can press 40kg now with the adbuctors so my legs are getting stronger in just a few short weeks. My arms are still like cooked spaghetti - all wobbly and skinny but hopefully they will gain some strength in the coming months.

Never has a hot shower felt so damn good and deserving!

Nothing.....

Nothing today. Feeling really weird. No running, no gym. Do I really exist???

Gym Junkie

It is official. I am addicted to the Gym...now that didn't take long did it?

Been there everyday this week for about 90-120mins so will be having tomorrow off before a big session on Saturday. At least then I can say I don't go everyday!!
I hear that tell you to go away anyhow if you keep going all the time.

Best thing is I strut around that bathroom better than any of them now. Though I hereby promise to never stand in front of the mirrors blowdrying my hair (okay so my hair doesn't even know what a blowdryer is....) whilst wearing just a g string. Can't believe the exhibitionists that do that - everyday!

Did lots of reps this morning and even went back to the Chest press to do a second round. *gasp* They make me feel strong. (Think Zena Princess Warrior!!) The abductor machines are my favourite. It is just sitting in the chair and moving your legs...open/shut open/shut. I can do more than a lot of the blokes on that machine. Maybe I'll end up like that woman on James Bond with her iron thighs!!!
Seriously it helps with the ITB heaps too as it is building up the TFL and other linking abductor muscles.

Off to celebrate painfreeness with some red wine......ciao

A VIP Run

This morning started like so many other mornings lately -with me at the Gym doing a 15-20min run on the treadmill (did 3km this morning) followed by an hour of work on the strength training.
Straight after that I whizzed over to Southbank to catch up on all the goss from the latest Time Trial at Pat's session that was on this am too.

After much chatting and hearing about everyone's PB's or good efforts Tess and I stood around waiting for the official opening of the Brisbane River Run. A measured run with km markings starting at the Ship Inn at Southbank and going around the river.

After a breaky of yoghurt, fruit kebabs, juice and muffins it was a 3km run with Pat Carroll (while all the dignatories watched...) and the Brisbane State School Cross Country Team. It was heaps of fun. Pat cut the 3km run short (as no-one could see us) and we all turned around just after the first 1km marker. I felt good - it meant today I had run 5km with no pain or injuries. Cool.

Bit of a pity that running with all the food in my gut made me sick as afterwards...but ya get that.

Great photo op with all the pollies afterwards - good promotion for Pat and the team from the Gold Coast Marathon who were also there.

See below - Tesso and I with Anna Bligh.

Sucker for Punishment

Back to the Gym this morning.

Felt great to do a 20min warmup - 5mins walking and 15mins running. Even turned the treadmill to 4min pace for the last 5 mins as I was running against my friend. My lungs were busting but the legs felt great to be striding.
I noticed that unlike road running, I had to keep my arms close to me to avoid banging on the machine, so I was really concious of my form the whole time.

Did an hour of weights - both resistance machine and free weights without making an ass of myself. Did that in the locker room when trying to fit all my gear in. Reminder to self - need not bring the kitchen sink to the Gym each time!

I feel really good now and am very happy I have got back into the strength training. Even when I am back running at 100% I hope to keep up a few visits each week.

Had to giggle to myself when I broadmindedly walked naked into the showers and saw the majority of women sneaking their towels and underwear in with them and throwing them over the shower wall to keep dry so they could quickly dress in the basics after showering. I felt like an absolute exhibitionist so the rule is - do whatever you are comfortable with and don't just be a black sheep.....Big thick towel tomorrow is my guess :)

Strength Training

Got to the Gym this morning at 6am. A good friend met with me and we did a warm up on the treadmill.

I walked for 5 mins and then ran for about 6 mins (bliss). I didn't want to push it too much. Then I headed into the gym area where I proceeded to spend the next 60 minutes completely embarressing the female gender.

I was trying to do chest presses on the machine. You put your foot on the pedal at the bottom to bring the side bits forward (to avoid injury) then grab the bars that came forward with your hands and close your hands together - whilst lifting the weights. Well on the first one I realised the weight was on 45kg and there was no way I was going to be able to press that!!! So I put my foot on the bottom pedal to hold the weight whilst I bent down and pulled the pin out to put it onto a lower weight.

Can you picture it now....as soon as the pin came out the weights flew up, my legs (on the pedal) went flying and I fell forward onto the floor. Amusing for everyone I am sure. *groan*

I proceeded to get back into my seat and do 3 x 15 reps before being game enough to move onto another equally challenging task.

After a while I got into the swing of things and just starting to commiserate that I didn't look like all the other gym junkies with their brown oiled buff bodies. Though nowhere did I imagine the pain of the shower room.

Went to my locker and got my gear out and walked to the shower...then had to walk back and put my gear away. All the girls were walking into the showers with nothing. Some didn't even take their towels. So they were going naked into the shower, then coming out and walking through to the lockers with nothing on. Heavens above. Oh well when in rome......

Walk / Run / Walk

Got sick of walking around home and then defying the traffic to get to work. Thought I would go to Southbank and just do my workout there, shower and go to work nearby.

At 6:15 I was powerwalking along the river and lo and behond there is Pat's group stretching after doing their warm up run...well now what a coincidence (NOT!). Got to see all my mates and give Tess a hug before marching off to do another 1km before doing 10x 100m strides increasing in intensity.
The walking is to warm up the body for the strides and also to keep active whilst maintaining the leg (with ITB) in as straight a pose as possible.

After doing the strides I was hot and tired but still had to get back to the car. Turned around and watched the runners in Pat's group come in for their last two efforts of 500m repeats (the last one being a 1km repeat).

Caught up with Tesso again and she jogged slowly alongside whilst I powerwalked back to the start. Got my new winter Pat Carroll shirt from Pat and stretched a bit before hitting the showers.

I did the same exercise/exertion level etc as yesterday but for some reason it seemed that today I finally did something. I think it must be because I saw the group instead of just powering around home.

Did my induction at the Gym today at lunch. Scary stuff that. Got a 60min session tomorrow at 6am for weights/strength training.

Tesso's Terrific Triumph

Well done to Tesso and many other fellow CR's/Banjo Players who competed in the Warwick Pentath this weekend.

This is a report of Tesso's weekend:

Well, started off well with the half marathon. Ran alongside Liz N till about the 11k mark or so then sped up just a bit. Its such a magnificent half marathon course, definitely my all time favourite. I just luv the point to point races, and out in the middle of nowhere but you get to run on bitumen!
Anyway, I felt great so just kept on cruisin.

About 20k I caught up to Ciaran who had caught up to Geoff. Geoff went out way fast, Nick only got him at 14k. Ciaran took off and I passed Geoff who was clearly dying, couldn't even run fast down hill by that stage! I was very happy to cross in 1:37.50.

Was feeling okay for the x-country after that (go those coffee beans). It wasn't as hard as last year, I was actually (almost) bounding over the obstacles. With about 300m to go I caught up to Glenno and Georgie! Of course Georgie took off so I passed Glenno to stir him up. It worked and he passed me and then flew past Georgie about 50m from the finish. Tee hee. Did 20.11 for the 4.6k.

The "I don't feel like running again" hit me before the 5k. Just got sick of eating protein bars and white English muffins. I was craving meat! Anyway, the 5k is pretty easy, a double loop with just one hill.
Liz N passed me in this one, I tried to give chase but the legs told me where to go. Though I did get some joy from passing someone with about 300m to go. Found out later he was in the 10 to 12 age group. Did this one in 21.58.

By this stage I was about 8 mins or so up on last year. I worked out that if I didn't die too much on the mountain I'd still come in under 3:30 and was rapt. Also thought that sub 3:25 was a possiblity, if I could just hang in there. We rang Cameron who had threatened to come out and nobble me if I was getting close to his 3:21 record. Figured if I had a really really good day Sunday I might get 3:23.

Felt so sick after dinner Sat night, the only reason I didn't chuck was I was too lazy to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. Only had about 2 hours sleep. I was shot Sunday morning. Oh well, I still thought I'd go sub 3:30, but only just. So the gun goes for the mountain run and I felt like I was running really really hard, but was only doing 4:45s. And this was on the flattish bit leading up to the rise. Also there was a lady in front who I thought might be in my cat, turned out she was in Lizzles. I got her anyway at 4k. The real climb starts about 5k and I kept looking at my watch and calculating my time if I did 7 min kms. Not good. Cameron turned up and was at the start of the hill climb. Anyway, pushed on and on. Caught Ciaran at about 7k I think, then Glenno about 500m later. Then caught Nick at about 8k. Ran beside him for maybe a km but once it flattened out just a bit he got away from me. I forgotten totally about feeling ill and in fact felt great. Just kept visualising Pat's hill sessions. That kept me going. Kept on glancing at the watch and I figured I might do 55mins (did 56.30 last time) but that number got smaller and smaller. Hmmm, 54 maybe. Woooo, 53 ...... perhaps. The last km seemed to go sooooo fast, as its flatter and there's a big downhill to finish. Crossed the line in 52.36!!!!!! Ha, Schultzy was marshalling at the finish, shoulda seen the look on his face when I came in. Tee hee!

So now I was up 12 minutes. I could walk the 1500 and still break 3:30! If I ran okay I'd break 3:20. Cameron wasn't impressed. His 3:21 had gone!!!! I wasn't at all nervous now lining up for this one. Lizzle and I had showered and changed (yet again) and that makes such a difference. Took off and MJ and Chelle were both off like scalded cats. It took me until 1k to get MJ. Got Glenno at the same time. Then with just 200m to go finally reeled Chelle in. Finished in 6.05! Woooooohooooooo!!!!!!!

By my calcs (could be dodgey) I ran 3:18.35. I am sooooooo happy, just feel so good. Why didn't I run that well in Canberra? Who cares! Ended up winning my category in all five and was 4th overall.


So many laughs on the weekend. Missed Clairie but we know she'll be there next year for sure, okay!

MMMM MASSAGE

Thought I hadn't shelled out enough cash this week so booked in for a 90min sports massage - focusing on the ITB. Can you believe the non-inflammed leg is sorer than the inflammed leg???? Am I meant to ice both of them now?

Heading out for my first cycle tonight - after a 10min stride session. Will be good to get out on the road for any amount of time.

I am really missing my running buddies. :(

Monday Madness

Gosh another day of doing nothing. I am sure to go insane. This is worse than any pain....

Can't wait until Wednesday when I will be permitted to do some light jogging, gym work, swimming or biking - or all of them. As long as I don't do more than 10mins of running for the first 4 days of activity.

At the moment I just would like to see my heart rate go up for something other than getting out of the loungechair.... :)

Needles are Nice

Well after much anguish and discussion with various sports professionals and longtime runners I made the decision to go to a Sports Doctor for a full diagnosis and treatment.

Within 10mins I was on the table and had a long needle being inserted into the muscle in my right leg. I only felt a pin prick and for most of today have just got a dull 'heavy leg' sensation. No real pain. However I have been warned that if anyone gets pain - it comes on the first night when in bed after having the injection. Might have a few red wines tonight then...

I didn't make this decision lightly, and I didn't do it under pressure to get out to the Warwick Pentath, but I was a frustrated person. I have a well aligned body and the incorrect orthotics that were prescribed to me really have done their nasty work on me. However they are all fixed and now I am working on the inflammation and will continue working on stretching and icing the muscle/tendon itself. I don't think I will be out for much longer. It wasn't overuse or a change in intensity as can often be the case - and lead to much more severe and chronic ITB problems.

It was simple - I got orthotics and within a few weeks was not running. I removed them immediately and have had new ones made - with the assessment from Podiatrist and 2 physios.

So watch out cyclist and gym junkies...I'm out there with you next week. Another few weeks and I'll be carving up the road with Tesso again discussing what our next race will be...... looking forward to it.
loves you all

Tesso's Running Class

Well it's offical. Tesso is now a running teacher....such a perfect role for her.
She takes the Intraining Wednesday night running group. They are mostly beginner runners who have started to do speed training and are working towards 10km race goals.

After I spent the afternoon at UQ with the Physio I headed over to Intraining. Tesso got there and soon after all the runners turned up. Despite my warning to not run for a few weeks from the Physio (I'll start that tomorrow...) I went out with Tesso's Group. It was fun.

We warmed up for about 1.5km then after about 6 strides headed out for some 60/60's. Ran fast for 60sec then slow recovery jog for 60sec. Did 6 fast before stopping, stretching a bit then doing the warmdown. Got back to where we started and Tess took the group up the ramp for 3x 70m hill reps.

It worked out really well. I went at the front and was supporting the faster runners, Tesso stayed at the rear and made sure everyone was coping with the session. We all got back around the same time with the exception of one really slow woman. I thought she really hated us for the session (we changed it from what they normally do to give some variety) but she came up to me afterwards and asked some questions and said it was a good session.

The fastest girl in the group was on her virgin run so she was excited to be doing so well. I think she might hurt a bit today though as she has never done speed work before and was pushing it a bit.

Now onto those weeks of pure rest....

First Speed Session

Today was the hardest run I have ever done. Seriously.

Started with a fast paced warm up for 15mins, some stretching and strides, then the speed session.

Everyone else was running around a loop in the gardens that Pat had set out followed by a sprint up the hill, then easy down and back around the loop (300m) - starting to sprint at the turnaround of the loop. As I am not encouraged to do hills just yet Pat had me doing just the loop.

I started out with a slow jog, then sprinted at the turnaround up to the bottom of the hill, then slow back to the turnaround. Basically 30/30s. It was so hard. I was hurting all over and really noticed a lack of fitness. I am totally devastated.
I had a red face for about an hour afterwards. I have taken a beating today and it really brought me back to earth. There is some hard work ahead to get me back to where I was before Canberra......

On a chirpier note, Tesso ran like a demon up those hills. It was fun to race with her then turn around and giggle while she had to sprint up the hill. It really takes it out of you but you can almost see her get stronger with each hill. It is our favourite session with Pat and I look forward to when I am in good condition and my leg is 100% so we can tackle the hills again. My goal this year is to keep with her for 6 hill reps. Then I will be happy to lay down and die... :)

6km

Woo hoo. Big deal. Ran 6km....and THAT was my long run.

I AM A RUNNER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay maybe I should wait until tomorrow to post this...but I can't I am so excited. I am truly pain free - even when squatting and kicking my leg. First run tomorrow am.

I went to see that wonderful brute - Bruno. He massaged and pummeled and found all my problems and fixed them....JUST LIKE THAT!

News is I have the best ITB and glutes in the world (strange to hear that from someone you are paying...but then again I was paying him to tell me the worst news not the best). Apparently I had a tear in my left calf (from pressure from incorrect orthotics as confirmed by visit to Dean of Physio at UQ tonight) and the whole calf had become so tight and mangled it was pulling on my hammies and affecting the ITB. All that damn bloody rolling on that stupid foam thing was doing good but it would never have disappeared without looking at the calf. Now that is on the mend I don't have any ITB pain at all.

But you should see the photos. I came home and got undressed and my husband went beserk. My back and my legs are all bruised and look like I have been hit by a car! He was really concerned. I don't give a toss. I can run again :)

Will post photos tonight. Gotta go find the best red in the house and crack it open....*********BIG BIG BIG BIG SILLY GRIN*********

New Cure for ITB

For all ITB Sufferers, I have found a cure!!! Well a treatment at least.

After my massage with Jodi yesterday afternoon I came away with a new technique to attempt that she swore by as providing relief.

Last night just before I was about to go to bed I took my clothes off and put a big handful of Voltaren gel on my flared ITB. THEN WRAPPED MY WHOLE LEG IN GLADWRAP.
Got into bed feeling a bit like a cross between a desperate housewife wanting attention and a peanut butter sandwich getting squished in the lunchbox. Anyway I eventually fell asleep amid my husbands sniggers.
I awoke just after midnight to a crazy itching on my leg. It was driving me insane, like ants crawling all over it. I kept scratching and eventually it dawned on me that my leg was sweating in the gladwrap and this was causing the itchiness.

I tore the gladwrap off and went back to bed.

Got up this morning - NO PAIN. Okay so I haven't run but for the past few days the leg has been aching even without running so I am happy to have come this far. Will see how it goes with my run tomorrow.

Off to the shops to get Caterer's pack of Gladwrap now. :)

Living on the Edge

Turned up to the 3km Time Trial this morning.

Was great to be with the group and then watch them all run fast (damnit!) whilst I stretched and cheered from the sidelines.

My leg has gone through more than 200 laps in a freezing cold pool, many ice glasses, constant massage and endless stretches.
Still aching today after this mornings 30min run (I did the warm up and cool down) but the pain at least has subsided to an ache as opposed to the sharp pain of last week.

Is there anything in life more depressing to a runner than an injury?

TESS COMES THIRD

I slept in - due to big night last night (and misery as I couldnt' run) but Tesso turned up for the BRRC 7km Club Championships.

Good thing she did - managed to take away third prize. Well Done Tesso!

After a few weeks of consistent running I know she has been feeling sore and has tired legs. Still after Saturdays long run up Mount Cootha, she still pulled out a good effort.

What a champion. I definitely need to see what batteries she is using..mine have run out of charge!