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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 At the Ship Inn ready to rumble.

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

All the Support in the World....

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

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

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

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

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

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

I really really really want to be a runner!

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

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

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

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

An Olympic Effort

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's been a long week

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

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

I'll keep you posted.

Stupid Stupid Stupid Me

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

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

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

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

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

Ciao Kiddies

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

To finish out the week last week I ran:

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

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

The Week In Review II

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

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

New York Training - 16 Weeks

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

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

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

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

The week in review

A few days of rest and the training begins..

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

Gold Coast Half Marathon 2012

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

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

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

Committed - to a little Blue Book

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy to be a failure

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

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

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

So we begin again...

I managed a double up day yesterday - so motivating.

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

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

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

Warwick 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seriously the funniest thing ever!!!

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

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

June

Everyday in June I'm running 5km.

As a minimum.

Every Single Day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just like living in Paradise...

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

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

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

Monday Morning

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

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

One Day at a Time

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

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

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

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

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