The Incredible Hulk on the Gold Coast Hill!!!!!!

One word....just one word..... from any of you and I'll get Tesso to sort you out.

12 Days......Yikes!!!!

Getting ever so close now. I am starting to suffocate and feel claustrophobic from the pressure I put on myself to train. I feel I haven't done enough but I know I have. aaaaarrrrgggghhhh.

This morning I decided no matter how much the in-laws (I love em)and babies at home were tiring me out I would run as hard as I could this morning. AND I DID.

Session was 6 x 500m with 30sec recovery. I rushed out to start but found myself amongst the leaders (fast group) at halfway so I pulled in a bit to reserve some energy. Sure enough Tara then flew past me so I stepped up a gear and finished off just behind her.

The next lot of reps I made sure to keep in front, but what was really working me was only have a 30sec rest. Normally I take a full 45sec recovery so it was hard to back up so soon after busting a gut. I was chasing Mark and managed to run with him for most of the sets and not be too far behind Robbie - though he was starting 5sec before me each time.

We wrapped it up with two hill reps up Gold Coast Hill. That was tough but I actually didn't mind it today.

I just love running with the PCRG guys. It is so motivating and puts me on a high every time. Pat doesn't need to advertise - any newcomer gets a full welcome and gets to see first hand all the success stories and hear how people are improving and also see how motivated and encouraging we all are. It is one big family - where everyone is welcome. I don't even know the names of them all....but I love em just the same. Running is the best and running at Pat's is the icing on the cake. Where else in the world can Tess and I get up to mischief and get fit at the same time?

Seriously, I can honestly say I worked damn hard this morning and I deserve my luxury coffee today!

Two Weeks Today...........

Well two weeks Sunday (yesterday).

I got out of bed early (can't say I woke up till halfway during the run) and headed out to the BRRC 15km race at 6am. I got there early but sat on my bum feeling like not running. Tess was doing a half marathon and there was no-one else that would be running beside me. I managed to talk myself into it so after a last minute water and then loo stop I lined up at the start.

It was 3 x 5km loops.

First loop I did 5min/km pace; the second loop I ran at 4:50 pace and the last loop I ran at 4:30min/km pace. All up I ran in 1hr 11mins. It was a good run and I was glad that I was able to get faster - especially as my legs were dead tired from yesterday.

I spent the rest of the day swimming and surfing up at Mooloolaba. I got burnt, dumped and totally exhausted myself. When I finally went to bed I was totally bonked.

This morning - Monday - I went to the Gym but did not have much energy. It is not iron as I have been eating well but I am fairly sure it is just all the training at such high intensity (high for little ole me). Nonetheless....training tomorrow and I hope to put in a solid effort.

15 days.....and time to speed up

Okay I got the hint.

Turned up at the track at 7.30am to do a warm up with Tesso (who had been on night shift all night, ran with our normal group at 5.30am and then come out to run with me). I signed on but could not find the 3000m sheets until someone told me there was no 3km today - it was 5000m. *groan* I remembered Tess said that may be the case during the week. Oh well.
Tess was very tired and racing tomorrow so was not doing the run itself - just the warmup.

I was not really in the mood for a full on effort but decided that I had to start working on my speed. 12.5 laps of hot running doesn't really help the speed but I was determined to run my best on the day.

The first few laps up until 3km was quite good and I was in a rythym. Only problem was it was a fast rhythym so it was inevitable that I slowed down on the 4th km. The final lap was my fastest by 10sec so I was happy with that but determined that next time I will have to do TWO fast laps and not just one.

Final time 21:05. My first 5km on the track. Yah.

16 Days.....GULP!

After Wednesday's hangover I decided to sleep well Wed night and work hard at my Thursday run.

It didn't exactly look like that is what I was doing though. We were doing a loop of Mount Cootha via the trails and it was so bloody steep and rubbly that I could not get a good grip on my 'old' shoes. So there I was going backwards trying my hardest.

As soon as I got to the top I was in about 5th position. Miles behind the others.

I told myself...dammit you should be running with them so MOVE it. I did and was absolutely flying along. I suprised myself I was that damn fast. The smoke was coming of the back of my shoes and I was totally loving it. I could not breathe - because at that speed air is not of high quality.

Anyhow I was very happy to find that I came in first - totally not expecting that. Well to be really honest there was three runners that came in and went back out again but they are elite and were not in the group that I was chasing. I think they were running at 3:50min/km pace going UP the hill so I was never going to catch them!!! All up it was a great feeling and gave me a good start to the day.

FRIDAY
Down to 16 days until Kurrawa and the doubts are still niggling there. I am not training today - had to pick the in-laws up at 5am at the airport. But am considering my options for running on the weekend. Will let you know what I come up with. Choices are:
Sat - Riverloop (25-30km) or 17km flat or 18km Hilly or 3km Masters Track race
Sun - 15km BRRC race or 5km BRRC race or Half Marathon race with Tesso.

ooohh the choices....

18 days......and lots of beer to get through

I am never drinking again...till tonight.

The great Adventure Race was amazing. Lots of fun and many many hilarious moments. I was extremely competitive, suprise suprise, and had my team of six out in the lead for most of the race.

As the teams Navigator, I had them all blindfolded and running through the streets of Caloundra to find some red markers, we then (unblindfolded) had to ski - all six on one set of ski's - across 1km of grass, carrying some wooden poles. Do you know how hard that was!?? Next we had to go through a massive (man made) spiderweb without breaking/touching it - with the poles. We searched for the next clue at the end of each task and found ourselves directing the driver to a beach where we had to build a pontoon and float someone out to sea (that would be me). Yes I got soaking and came to shore firmly grasping two poles and four rubber rings so no-one could see the ropes had come undone. My undoing was the jellyfish in absolute swarms going past me and brushing up against me - lucky I had my jeans on, but I was still screaming the house down.
Next clue saw us tearing down the highway to the go-karts, we rocked up jumped in and sped away for 15mins of lapping. All the schoolies were watching and wondering what on earth are they doing.
We were forced to take a break as the next thing we had to do was eat a whole mars bar and bottle of water (it was a fun size mars bar and I don't know why they call that a task......). The filling up of a giant bin was very difficult - it was covered in tiny holes so the water kept coming out. We lost a lot of time on this task but still were in the lead.
Along the way we had to do riddles and puzzles. I felt like I was back at school driving along in a van screaming answers at everyone (okay so maybe I was screaming FOR the answers....).
The bowling alley was lots of fun - but take a hint and dont' try to save time by running into one with just socks on. I slipped A over T much to the amusement of everyone. I blame that on me not being able to get a strike. Anyhow we raced out of there and were now neck and neck with the other team.
The next few tasks don't get much of a mention because I was completely hopeless and let my team down big time. We all got handcuffed together and had to Houdini our way out. They all assumed it was something I do all the time......???...but I had absolutely no idea. The other team got undone in 3 mins!!

The pool task of making some letters with bits of rubber float was also a joke and I ended up paying $50 to the facilitator to let us out of that one (bribes were permitted). So at the end of the day we didn't win.....but we won the loudest and most enthusiastic award. Dare I say we also won the best drinkers at the after-party!! Everyone even commented on how I ran so well between the tasks and was the first one there everytime - yah does that count as training?

Wednesday morning was a struggle with getting out of bed and doing a run. I managed 6km without being ill and even had a wonderful I LOVE LIFE SO MUCH moment after throwing myself in the surf for a cold refreshing swim during the run. Pity it didn't last long and I felt shocking for the rest of the day.

19 days now....

Getting closer to the day and I am starting to feel like I have not done sufficient training. Certainly I have not done any heat training so that will be the focus from Wednesday to Wednesday this week. MIDDAY RUNS. Well one or two anyhow.

This morning we had 5 x 1min efforts with 30 sec jog recovery then turn around and come back with all 30sec effort and 30sec job recovery until we got back to where we started. Tess and I were running hard but still able to keep up a brief conversation. The plan for both of us today was not to run 100% - Tess had a big week last week and I am off for A GREAT ADVENTURE RACE in a few minutes. So I was conserving energy.

Have no idea what we are going to do but it sounds like fun.

21 Days left......recovery time

7.5km of hills. I ran this very slowly but was in good spirits and condition (ie. no sore muscles) so was holding myself back most of the way. A lot hotter this morning than Saturday's run.

22 Days to go....long run time

Today was 30km on the menu but when I arrived at the Ship Inn everyone was talking about only running 25km....very disappointed. I knew Toasty was running 30km so I was happy to see him there.

After the first few km a group of us let the lead pack go - we were running 4:45's and that was just too fast for a long run. The weather was really quite cool so it was perfect weather and we were all in good moods.

Toasty shot off with Phil after 5km and we never saw them again so there went my plan of running with him.

We did a long tempo run to compensate running 4:30's then 5:30's for the duration of the run. There are a few hills included so it was a solid workout and I was really quite exhausted afterwards with very tight muscles. A good stretch was in order before I got in the car and raced home to get ready for more house guests - November is a busy month!!!

23 Days to go - Friday GYM

No running as such.

Did RPM but hit the wall so to speak. It was weird but I found I had to keep my resistance lower than usual to cope with the unusual amount of hills we had today. We had a whole song dedicated to hovering - the wonderful art of being out of your seat and leaning forward, your bum is hovering just above the seat and your hands are gripping the end. We had to race in that position and forget the legs - I think I pulled a back muscle!!

Did weights after that and almost dropped them on myself. I am very drained of energy. So todays diet is all porridge and carbs. Big run on the agenda for tomorrow so I need to be well fueled as I am not likely to be well rested.

24 Days to go

Yesterdays run was still in my legs but I managed to get up and out to the base of Mount Cootha.
Coach Chris told us we were running the whole loop this morning instead of hill repeats. I thought this was a bloody stupid idea until I got dropped (too slow) of the fast runners and was way ahead of the slow runners. So there I was totally on my own running as best as I could and totally enjoying the surroundings.
After the rain last night it was slighly damp, very cool and extremely pleasant to be out in hills running.

A solid 9km hill session.

25 Days to go....

The Big countdown to Kurrawa has started. Only 25days now till race day. Getting very excited - that means less than 40days till Christmas!

This morning Tess, Toastie and I ran together around Brisbane city. Tess and I had started earlier and did about 4.5km, then picked up Toastie, Tara and Ciaran to do the Story Bridge route (16km). Tara and Ciaran dropped off early due to work committments.

The run this morning was a big tough one for me. I found it hard going all the way. We ended up running 21km (Tess did another 100m to make it a half-marathon but I wasn't budging).
The most fun I had was when we were going over the Storey Bridge and Tess tore in front like a little general. Naturally we turned it into an Indian run and took turns racing to the front in single file. I'm sure many walkers were thinking we were nuts.

Tess was miles ahead this morning and I was struggling just to keep her in view. She is really on fire and going to be my main competitor at Kurrawa. Think I might have to put up some fake detour signs on race day morning :)))

So from here on I am Focussed. Determined. Hardworking. Committed. oh and Buggered.

Weekend Racing

It's all good....because it's all over.

Friday I had to work so no gym and no running. Partied hard instead with my sister who flew in from Darwin.

Saturday I met up with Tess and we braved embarressment by running in the 3000m at the Masters Monthly Track race. It was good to pick a low profile event to do my very first track race in. They are a great bunch of runners with a lot of respect for ANYONE giving it ago. I was very nervous beforehand but was assured of not coming in last when I saw a few of the other competitors whom I know are 7-8min/km runners.

Tess and I took off when the gun went off (so that's a good start I guess)....I was just following everyone else and went through the first line (200m) in my planned time. For the next few laps I suffered from the extreme heat and weirdness of running the track. I was on target time but this slowly moved out by a second or two each lap. The 5th lap I think I realised I was 20sec outside of my goal time so I increased the pace slightly...then the bell rang and Jonesy slapped my hand and I realised the bell was for me this time...so I dug deep and went very fast. I don't know what my last lap was but for someone slowing slightly each lap I made up a lot of lost time.

My goal was 12:00 but I ended up with 12:10. I was very disappointed with this but have since quietly accepted that it is a time I can work on. The track will see me back again - but I admit it is a much harder form of running that the road.

SUNDAY 15km
Again had something different on this morning - met up with Tess (for a change) and we did a 3.5km warm up which told me that I was exhausted and tiring easily. Our goal today was to pace Cassie to a 50min 10km. I thought that would be easy but after the warm up Tess and I were moaning to each other that it would be a tough day out there.
I raced to the loo and came down the hill just as they were firing the gun. I chased Tess and was looking around for Cassie. After the 1km mark I turned around and waited for Cassie but she was no-where so I sprinted hard back up to Tess and asked her what was going on - turns out whilst I was in the loo Cassie had said she was not up for it today due to all her racing and hence Tess was just doing her own thing. We ran for a km or so together before I realised Tess was in the groove with her music so I got a few metres in front and just sat there. Each km I worked on my breathing and trying to get the person in front of me. It was a good race but I was tired.
At just before 5km I passed a Marshall who told me my hubby was right on my tail...so I did the only right thing and accelerated further. I finished the race in 45:38 with a gutsy last km - (hubby had to pull out at 7km with ITB worries). So back to regular training for him.

I wonder why I was able to run well still despite the solid warmup and with racing all week. Funny how these things come about. I think without the mixup in the first km I would have ran close to 44mins today so I was happy with the end results of todays race. Heat forcasted all week so I am going to plan a few days of running at lunchtime.

RUNNING UP FRONT.....

Pat had a 50min run on the agenda this morning - he calls it a recovery run but a few of us tend to use it as a chance to get a tempo run done.

This morning was no different as we headed out from the Ship Inn towards New Farm Park. We got into a steady but comfortable pace early on so we were just able to keep up a conversation. Pat joined us and began to entertain us with some jokes and funny stories. Sure enough though he kept increasing the pace slightly so I was very keen for the turnaround to come.

We turned around just after 25mins and headed back. Tesso and Deborah got up front and kept each other going. Robbie had a bit of a chat with me and then moved past and joined the girls. They were soon specks on the horizon as I slowed with Scotty because we were both struggling towards the end.
Just over 10km and we were back at the start for the 1km race. I predicted 4min but thought I would be running a 5min now after pouring cement into the legs on the 10km.

However Toastie stuck 4 fingers up to me and urged me to join him. I figured what the hell....and we were off. I raced out hard and then for 200m felt totally shite. However I came good and actually felt quite comfortable. Obviously I was going very slow and was easing off a bit to feel like that. Then when I crossed the line Pat yelled 3:49 - ha! here I was thinking I was running slow when really I was running fast! Amazing your perception when you are tired. I was happy with the result but slowly made it up the hill and over the top to finish the session. No chance of running a long cooldown today. But I watched Tesso do it...does that count?

Followed the run with pancakes and fruit....mmmmm I love NO WATCH THURSDAYS.

Punishment Run - 20km

After yesterdays Time Trial I decided to punish myself this morning with an extra long midweek run.
It was really weird because no one joined me so I had to run on my own and I left my ipod at work so I had to listen to myself the whole way (breathing that is - I wasn't talking out loud!!).

I choose to run from the Regatta in case I saw anyone I knew up and about (sorry about those rocks on your window Tess). I headed down the path and then doubled back when I realised I should have parked at the gym so I could shower when I finish. I ran past Steve and laughed to myself....got in my car...drove 3km up the road and then got back on path just as Steve was coming. He was very puzzled as to how I got in front of him. We ran together for a few km - which is a big ask. He was doing a tempo run at 4:20min/pace and I was struggling to keep up, but doing okay.

When we stopped in the gardens for water he turned around and I said 'yah now I can slow down'. He laughed and said "I was only trying to keep up with you, I wasn't going that fast before.." Too funny. We both had been getting faster thinking the other was increasing the pace and we just wanted to keep up!!!

After that I kept going out to New Farm park. Something big was happening and there were lots of trucks unloading equipment so did two full laps trying to be nosy. I was telling myself I needed to run on grass anyhow so the more mileage I did on grass the better but I forgot that regardless of how much I ran on the grass at New Farm - I still had to get home!!!!

The return journey was uneventful and fairly slow. Garmin stopped so I have no idea how far I ran until Gadget Fabian tells me.

I think it was 20km. It felt like 30km. Despite doing it to punish myself I actually really enjoyed it and wasn't doing it tough until the very end.

3km November Time Trial

I was all fired up this morning. I really wanted to do a good run and get as close to a PB as I could. I even entertained idea's of going sub 11:35.

As the crowd gathered at the Ship Inn I said to Tess I was off for a last minute dash to the loo, she said she'd come with me so off we headed on our warmup. We visited every loo in Southbank to find them all locked. Pretty desperate situation to be in really! I entertained ideas of using the loo under the GoodWill Bridge and even went inside but came straight out. Enough to make you ill. Drugs, syringes, mess and clothes all over the place. Even having Tesso guard outside was not enough to convince me to use them. I held on.

The race got underway after our warm up and I felt great for 100m. Then I felt really lethargic. I just could not get going. I was still running around others who would be doing 11.40'ish so I was happy but my energy was gone and I had to fight to not just stop and walk.

On the way back I really lost the plot and slowed down and just tried to encourage those around me. My heart wasn't in it at all. My legs felt ok and I was breathing well. No excuses really. I think mentally not being able to go to the loo made me grumpy. Tess caught up to me and was working towards her goal of going hard but not 120%. She was working hard on the last hill and I knew she had it in her to catch me so I kept calling out to her to come and get me....and she did. We crossed the line together in 12:15 and I was very miserable (but ecstatic for Tess who earnt her medal!). Before we started I had assumed I would be at the very least sub 12 today. I knew as I was running I wasn't going to do that but I was still disappointed to hear Pat say our time.

Okay race over.....what one's next?

RACING FIT

Tomorrow morning is the monthly 3km Time Trial.

I am so gonna bust a PB there tomorrow. I am all fired up and as fit as I'll ever be. I know I am going to jump out of bed all excited and run a fantastic race. It is just gonna be my day, I can feel it now.

Okay well that's it for the afternoon daydreaming session...............

I'm Glad I am a Runner

...and not a mountain biker. They are all so strong and intense and determined!! Totally out there as hard core endurance athletes...

Today was the 6Hr Mountain Bike Endurance about 90mins from Brisbane. Jodi Willet was contending so I was keen to get down there as soon as I could after my role as Race Director at Road Runners this morning.

The BRRC run was a 3 x 5km Relay - which was loads of run and it was good to be at the other end watching all the runners work hard. Tess's team won which I was doubly proud of!

I raced home then showered and headed out for a long drive with hubby.

It was hot out there and dirty and there was lots of tears and blood and vomiting.

See below photo - that's Jodi just after she finished.



Then just a few minutes later the cramps kick in and this was all you saw....



All that white stuff on her shorts is the salt from sweat! Man she did it tough out there today. I am so very proud. Out of 20 odd solo women (there were hundreds of teams) doing the six hour event she came third with lots of great (bike) prizes. How cool is she!!!

COOL NIGHT CLASSIC

WIPEOUT!

Sorry to disappoint everyone - including myself. I had Eddie in my sights early (despite him being incognito without his Coolrunning cap) on and tucked in behind him, went past him YAH! around Kangaroo Point only to be overtaken MOAN!. It was a game of cat and mouse the whole way. In the end he cruised past me evilly laughing - with 800m to go and whopped my butt by more than 20sec.

I felt good in the race - went out hard and kept it going but found my new shorts really sweaty and I also got a stiTch - which is nothing new. I find I tend to get them when I run in the afternoon (and have had big roast beef roll/gravy for lunch ha!). But I was happy with my efforts for sure.

Stephen - no prizes :( But I got to run....that's a prize in itself. And had fun!

Next year instead of lining up with the elites....I'm gonna be at the front of the line - not the back!
I could not believe how many lined up at the front and then went out in 5min/6min pace. I had to duck and weave the whole way to get past them and also towards the end as the fast runners stopped to walk (part-timers I call em). Very frustrating...still all in all a great run and whilst poorly organised it is good to run in the city with so many people.

I just love the end where you run them down one by one!!!!!!!! well except Eddie..

Cool Morning + Cool Night Classic 5.14km

This morning was a very easy session. I could'nt be stuffed doing anything to exerting. So I did a warmup at the gym and then an hr of weights and mostly stretching. It was very good for the body and soul.

Tonight - I am racing with the PatCarrollRacingGroup in the Cool Night Classic. It is a run for the corporates around Brisbane that starts at 5:15pm. Some great prizes and they get a good crowd - which unfortunately means slow times and a congested start/finish areas. I'm just heading out there to have fun....oh and beat Eddie :)