Yesterday's run: 5.0km, 36 mins 51 secs
Well, I surprised myself by actually fitting a run in yesterday. I managed it by running to my parents place, because I was going there for dinner anyway, and then my Dad dropped me home afterwards. :-)
The run was along footpaths next to the road, however - which isn't necessarily a problem as I've done that many times - but the particular road is a fairly major highway and the loud noise, the smog, the crappy uneven footpath, the construction, all made it a fairly annoying run. I think the fast cars driving so close to me meant I ran faster though! Pleased at this stage of the week just to fit that run in.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Still recovering
Today's run: 3.2km, 24 mins 48 secs
Today I went for my first run since my race on Sunday. I was hoping to be able to do 4.8km, but my legs were very heavy, particularly my feet and ankles. In fact, my ankles were a little sore and my calves were a little tight during my run. So I was happy just to do the shorter run. Today's run also seemed to take forever... I didn't have enough entertainment around in the form of other people, or stuff going on. This week - work wise - is going to be a long one, and I think I'll be struggling to fit too many more runs in. I don't mind a recovery week now and then, but I seem to be on a permanent recovery week and just getting my weekly km's up past 20 has been a challenge!
Today I went for my first run since my race on Sunday. I was hoping to be able to do 4.8km, but my legs were very heavy, particularly my feet and ankles. In fact, my ankles were a little sore and my calves were a little tight during my run. So I was happy just to do the shorter run. Today's run also seemed to take forever... I didn't have enough entertainment around in the form of other people, or stuff going on. This week - work wise - is going to be a long one, and I think I'll be struggling to fit too many more runs in. I don't mind a recovery week now and then, but I seem to be on a permanent recovery week and just getting my weekly km's up past 20 has been a challenge!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Another great race
Yesterday's race: 8km, 56 minutes
Yesterday I did my 8km race. I wasn't really sure how it would go... for a number of reasons. I had only run 8km once before, in training last weekend, and that took me 1 hour 6 mins. So I figured I would be a bit quicker, but still slow! I was tired when I got up in the morning too, plus I didn't have breakfast. Now I don't usually have breakfast before I run on weekends, but I hadn't counted on how long I would be awake before I actually ran (then it took me almost an hour to get done). So by the time I started, I was pretty hungry! Also it's been pretty warm the last few days (finally a hint of summer!) but yesterday morning waiting around for the race to start was pretty cool temperatures and I hadn't taken a jumper with me.
Anyway despite all those things, I started off in my usual very slow starting pace. I know that when I get better, I will need to run a km or two before races to get the legs going and find a good pace, but the problem is now that if I added a km warm up, then I would struggle to run the actual distance. Basically all of the field except for two old men shot off in the distance, but the three of us kept shuffling along. I think it was about 2km before I really got into a good rhythm and a pretty fast pace (at least for me), which was about 7 min kms. As soon as I got running, the sun really started beating down, and there was no shade on the course. It was around a cycling / walking track around a bay of Sydney Harbour, which was a great location, and I had lots of things to look at and think about, which really helped! A nice flat course too.
My intial goal when I started was that it would have been nice to run the race 6 mins faster than my training run and to do it in an hour. Once I was about halfway and realised that that wouldn't be a problem, I revised it to wanting to run 7 min kms, ie. to finish in 56 mins. As I got past halfway and my legs still felt good, I did try and crank things up a gear so that I could finish in less that 55 mins. The last couple of kms were certainly faster, and I made up ground, but only just got in under 56 minutes.
I'm still reasonably happy with that effort. There's of course plenty of room for improvement, but I guess that will happen over time. The great thing about the race (well, one of them anyway) was the post race pancakes that were provided. I had mine with nutella and undid all my calorie burning efforts! I also met before and after a few more Cool Runners (from the Aussie Coolrunning website) which was nice. There were some others that I didn't "meet" persay, but that I recognised.
My right ankle and right hip/back were just a tad sore yesterday afternoon, so a rest day today, and hopefully some more kms tomorrow.
Yesterday I did my 8km race. I wasn't really sure how it would go... for a number of reasons. I had only run 8km once before, in training last weekend, and that took me 1 hour 6 mins. So I figured I would be a bit quicker, but still slow! I was tired when I got up in the morning too, plus I didn't have breakfast. Now I don't usually have breakfast before I run on weekends, but I hadn't counted on how long I would be awake before I actually ran (then it took me almost an hour to get done). So by the time I started, I was pretty hungry! Also it's been pretty warm the last few days (finally a hint of summer!) but yesterday morning waiting around for the race to start was pretty cool temperatures and I hadn't taken a jumper with me.
Anyway despite all those things, I started off in my usual very slow starting pace. I know that when I get better, I will need to run a km or two before races to get the legs going and find a good pace, but the problem is now that if I added a km warm up, then I would struggle to run the actual distance. Basically all of the field except for two old men shot off in the distance, but the three of us kept shuffling along. I think it was about 2km before I really got into a good rhythm and a pretty fast pace (at least for me), which was about 7 min kms. As soon as I got running, the sun really started beating down, and there was no shade on the course. It was around a cycling / walking track around a bay of Sydney Harbour, which was a great location, and I had lots of things to look at and think about, which really helped! A nice flat course too.
My intial goal when I started was that it would have been nice to run the race 6 mins faster than my training run and to do it in an hour. Once I was about halfway and realised that that wouldn't be a problem, I revised it to wanting to run 7 min kms, ie. to finish in 56 mins. As I got past halfway and my legs still felt good, I did try and crank things up a gear so that I could finish in less that 55 mins. The last couple of kms were certainly faster, and I made up ground, but only just got in under 56 minutes.
I'm still reasonably happy with that effort. There's of course plenty of room for improvement, but I guess that will happen over time. The great thing about the race (well, one of them anyway) was the post race pancakes that were provided. I had mine with nutella and undid all my calorie burning efforts! I also met before and after a few more Cool Runners (from the Aussie Coolrunning website) which was nice. There were some others that I didn't "meet" persay, but that I recognised.
My right ankle and right hip/back were just a tad sore yesterday afternoon, so a rest day today, and hopefully some more kms tomorrow.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
A nice slow easy hit out
Today's run: 3.2kms, 23 mins 20 secs
Todays run was another measly 3.2km, which means after 3 runs this week, I haven't even hit 10km! That's pretty sad, but at least I got out there I guess.
I felt like I could have done another lap of my route tonight without much drama - my legs felt pretty good and I had quite a bit of energy. However tomorrow morning for some crazy reason I entered myself in an 8km race (crazy since the only time I've run 8km before - which was last weekend - it took me 1 hr 6 mins!). So the legs are being saved for tomorrow morning. Tonight it was just nice to get out there for a gentle run.
Not much to report from my run either, except that about half way round I got the most intense smell of bacon wafting from a local bistro I pass. Man I love bacon! And I'm on a healthy eating thing at the moment cos I'd like to lose a few kilos. (Although in the interests of honesty I should own up to the Medium Fries I had for lunch from McDonalds.)
Will report on how the race goes tomorrow.
Todays run was another measly 3.2km, which means after 3 runs this week, I haven't even hit 10km! That's pretty sad, but at least I got out there I guess.
I felt like I could have done another lap of my route tonight without much drama - my legs felt pretty good and I had quite a bit of energy. However tomorrow morning for some crazy reason I entered myself in an 8km race (crazy since the only time I've run 8km before - which was last weekend - it took me 1 hr 6 mins!). So the legs are being saved for tomorrow morning. Tonight it was just nice to get out there for a gentle run.
Not much to report from my run either, except that about half way round I got the most intense smell of bacon wafting from a local bistro I pass. Man I love bacon! And I'm on a healthy eating thing at the moment cos I'd like to lose a few kilos. (Although in the interests of honesty I should own up to the Medium Fries I had for lunch from McDonalds.)
Will report on how the race goes tomorrow.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
So have I overdone it?
Tuesday's run: 3.2km, 24 mins 36 secs
Today's run: 3.3km, 25 mins 31 secs
Not a great running week this week. After my longest ever run on Saturday, and a 5km race on Sunday, followed by an hours bike ride, my legs just don't seem to have much in them this week.
Tuesday's run was dreadful. Not only was it really slow, but my legs felt like lead. Today wasn't much better. My legs felt a bit stronger, but today there were toilet issues. I had to stop after about 14 mins for the loo, and as I was nearing home after about 3km, I had to put aside any thoughts of continuing on another smaller loop to make the run longer. My stomach wasn't having any of that. So another dodgy run today.
I had actually entered an 8km race this Sunday last night. However that was a mistake for a number of reasons. I don't think I am ready to race that sort of distance. But besides that, I had forgotten I had agreed to go to brunch for my friends birthday that morning. So I think I will have to forfeit my $20 entry. After a lousy week at work, some great running would have perked things up.
Do your runs often match your mood?
Today's run: 3.3km, 25 mins 31 secs
Not a great running week this week. After my longest ever run on Saturday, and a 5km race on Sunday, followed by an hours bike ride, my legs just don't seem to have much in them this week.
Tuesday's run was dreadful. Not only was it really slow, but my legs felt like lead. Today wasn't much better. My legs felt a bit stronger, but today there were toilet issues. I had to stop after about 14 mins for the loo, and as I was nearing home after about 3km, I had to put aside any thoughts of continuing on another smaller loop to make the run longer. My stomach wasn't having any of that. So another dodgy run today.
I had actually entered an 8km race this Sunday last night. However that was a mistake for a number of reasons. I don't think I am ready to race that sort of distance. But besides that, I had forgotten I had agreed to go to brunch for my friends birthday that morning. So I think I will have to forfeit my $20 entry. After a lousy week at work, some great running would have perked things up.
Do your runs often match your mood?
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Race number one!
Today's run: 5km Race, 31 mins 7 secs
Well I made it to my first race! (Actually I've done quite a few races, but not since I have been back running this time around, so it feels like my first race all over again). It wasn't a PB for 5km (that's currently 29 mins 27 secs), but I was reasonably happy with it.
Got up at 6:10 this morning, which for a weekend, is incredibly early for me. After changing into my running clothes and a glass of water, I hopped in the car and drove the 20 mins to the race. As I got there, the earlier 25km start got underway, so I had half an hour to pay my entry fee, go to the loo and store my bag. It was just enough time to get everything done comfortably, then I strolled over to the start area. I suppose there may have been about 60 or so people (I'm really bad at estimating numbers), but there was a 10km and a 5km starting at the same time, so not sure how many for each. As usual, I was towards the back, and I started out quicker than normal, but still reasonably slowly. I got to the first km in about 6 and a half minutes, so I figured 30 minutes wasn't going to happen. After today's run, one thing I know I need to work on is breathing deeply and getting enough air in when I am running faster. It's never an issue on my slow long runs, but I had just a small stitch for a fair portion of the way today, and there were times where I wanted to breathe deeper and get more air in but my lungs wouldn't oblige.
Once I hit the 2km mark, I tried to pick up the pace a bit - I reasoned I was nearly halfway there. Then each km after that I tried to pick up the pace more and more. I was pleased that I managed to pass a few runners who had been frustratingly out of reach earlier in the race. I was really pleased with my speed from about 4km onwards. There were some definite negative splits happening today!
Like I said, 31:07 is not a PB, but hey, they can't all be. And this means now that I have a time registered for Vanilla's Shave your 5k, I have something to work towards later in the year!
To top things off, after my race this morning, I came home and managed to ride further on my bike than I have before... 22.4km in about an hour. So now I am feeling very healthy, pleasantly exhausted, and pretty pleased with myself!
Well I made it to my first race! (Actually I've done quite a few races, but not since I have been back running this time around, so it feels like my first race all over again). It wasn't a PB for 5km (that's currently 29 mins 27 secs), but I was reasonably happy with it.
Got up at 6:10 this morning, which for a weekend, is incredibly early for me. After changing into my running clothes and a glass of water, I hopped in the car and drove the 20 mins to the race. As I got there, the earlier 25km start got underway, so I had half an hour to pay my entry fee, go to the loo and store my bag. It was just enough time to get everything done comfortably, then I strolled over to the start area. I suppose there may have been about 60 or so people (I'm really bad at estimating numbers), but there was a 10km and a 5km starting at the same time, so not sure how many for each. As usual, I was towards the back, and I started out quicker than normal, but still reasonably slowly. I got to the first km in about 6 and a half minutes, so I figured 30 minutes wasn't going to happen. After today's run, one thing I know I need to work on is breathing deeply and getting enough air in when I am running faster. It's never an issue on my slow long runs, but I had just a small stitch for a fair portion of the way today, and there were times where I wanted to breathe deeper and get more air in but my lungs wouldn't oblige.
Once I hit the 2km mark, I tried to pick up the pace a bit - I reasoned I was nearly halfway there. Then each km after that I tried to pick up the pace more and more. I was pleased that I managed to pass a few runners who had been frustratingly out of reach earlier in the race. I was really pleased with my speed from about 4km onwards. There were some definite negative splits happening today!
Like I said, 31:07 is not a PB, but hey, they can't all be. And this means now that I have a time registered for Vanilla's Shave your 5k, I have something to work towards later in the year!
To top things off, after my race this morning, I came home and managed to ride further on my bike than I have before... 22.4km in about an hour. So now I am feeling very healthy, pleasantly exhausted, and pretty pleased with myself!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
My longest long run yet
Today's run: 8km, 1 hr 6 mins 18 secs
For a lot of people my longest long run to date is not that long, and my time is not exactly blisteringly fast. But I am happy with it. I had second thoughts as I got out the door as it was sprinkling with rain (enough of the rain here already!), but I'm really glad I kept going as it lasted only a few minutes, and then was nice and sunny. It took a good couple of km's to get a steady comfortable pace, but after that I just plodded along for an hour. The only time I stopped was to cross roads at traffic lights etc. My mind did well too - I was trying not to focus on my route and how far I was going, just concentrate on what was happening around me. The route was one that I hadn't taken before, so I was looking at all the homes and apartments around and that kept my head occupied. I only started thinking about the fact that my legs were tired about 1.5km from home.
Nothing terribly exciting or interesting happened on this run, but I did want to post about something that I saw on one of my mid-week runs, and I never got chance during the week. I often run through a local park, and there are lots of other jogger, cyclists and people out walking. Anyway, I saw this guy who was standing in front of a tree. The tree was a biggun' - you couldn't put your arms around the trunk of it. The guy was pumping himself up, grunting, making strange noises, and then would start pummeling the tree really hard with his fists! Now he didn't look like one of those zen karate masters who can punch through concrete, he was just an overweight lunatic! It certainly kept me amused, as he was in view for quite a while...
For a lot of people my longest long run to date is not that long, and my time is not exactly blisteringly fast. But I am happy with it. I had second thoughts as I got out the door as it was sprinkling with rain (enough of the rain here already!), but I'm really glad I kept going as it lasted only a few minutes, and then was nice and sunny. It took a good couple of km's to get a steady comfortable pace, but after that I just plodded along for an hour. The only time I stopped was to cross roads at traffic lights etc. My mind did well too - I was trying not to focus on my route and how far I was going, just concentrate on what was happening around me. The route was one that I hadn't taken before, so I was looking at all the homes and apartments around and that kept my head occupied. I only started thinking about the fact that my legs were tired about 1.5km from home.
Nothing terribly exciting or interesting happened on this run, but I did want to post about something that I saw on one of my mid-week runs, and I never got chance during the week. I often run through a local park, and there are lots of other jogger, cyclists and people out walking. Anyway, I saw this guy who was standing in front of a tree. The tree was a biggun' - you couldn't put your arms around the trunk of it. The guy was pumping himself up, grunting, making strange noises, and then would start pummeling the tree really hard with his fists! Now he didn't look like one of those zen karate masters who can punch through concrete, he was just an overweight lunatic! It certainly kept me amused, as he was in view for quite a while...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Another quick report
Today's run: 4.8km, 35 mins 40 secs
Another busy day at work... another meeting after school... but once again I managed to drag myself out for a run at the end of the day. I'm pretty happy about that. It was a pretty good run, fairly comfortable again, and 4.8km is not seeming as far as it was before. I'm pleased that during my two midweek runs this week I have not wimped out and only done my 3.2km loop.
I might not get another chance for another run until the weekend, so rest days here I come!
Another busy day at work... another meeting after school... but once again I managed to drag myself out for a run at the end of the day. I'm pretty happy about that. It was a pretty good run, fairly comfortable again, and 4.8km is not seeming as far as it was before. I'm pleased that during my two midweek runs this week I have not wimped out and only done my 3.2km loop.
I might not get another chance for another run until the weekend, so rest days here I come!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Quick run ... quick report ...
Today's run: 5km, 36 mins 58 seconds
Not much time to post about my run tonight. I took my running gear to school and even after a long and tedious meeting, and a shitty, emotionally draining day, I managed to get out for a run around a lake near work. I'm pleased I managed to do that because opportunities will be limited this week, and it also helped clear my head after my day. I was starving because I hadn't had time for lunch, and I had a headache from stress, plus I'm knackered! Have now raced home to do a couple more hours of work before I jump into bed and have to do it all again tomorrow!!
Not much time to post about my run tonight. I took my running gear to school and even after a long and tedious meeting, and a shitty, emotionally draining day, I managed to get out for a run around a lake near work. I'm pleased I managed to do that because opportunities will be limited this week, and it also helped clear my head after my day. I was starving because I hadn't had time for lunch, and I had a headache from stress, plus I'm knackered! Have now raced home to do a couple more hours of work before I jump into bed and have to do it all again tomorrow!!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Another great training day
Today's run: 4.8km, 35 mins 31 secs
Today's ride: 19.2km, about an hour
Well as the heading says, I had another good training day today. My run felt really comfortable again. It was faster than yesterday (it would be hard to go much slower!), but I could maintain the pace the whole way. My stride felt pretty good too, and I didn't have any aches and pains or anything. My total km's for this week is hardly impressive, but hopefully the good workouts I've had this weekend will help me stay motivated and get out there during the next working week.
After my run I got straight on my bike and went for a ride. My Dad came for the ride too, which was good. He has recently gotten into cycling in a fairly big way, and whilst he is no professional yet, he is certainly better than me. For me that means that I ride much quicker when I'm with him, mostly because I don't want to not be able to keep up with a 64 year old! Whilst I haven't done much cycling except for cross training, I am starting to feel like I am getting a better cycling technique there too.
So about an hour and a half of exercise this week for me. I'm going to jump on the scales at my parents place this afternoon when I visit and if I haven't lost a kilo this week I will be mighty unhappy!!!
Today's ride: 19.2km, about an hour
Well as the heading says, I had another good training day today. My run felt really comfortable again. It was faster than yesterday (it would be hard to go much slower!), but I could maintain the pace the whole way. My stride felt pretty good too, and I didn't have any aches and pains or anything. My total km's for this week is hardly impressive, but hopefully the good workouts I've had this weekend will help me stay motivated and get out there during the next working week.
After my run I got straight on my bike and went for a ride. My Dad came for the ride too, which was good. He has recently gotten into cycling in a fairly big way, and whilst he is no professional yet, he is certainly better than me. For me that means that I ride much quicker when I'm with him, mostly because I don't want to not be able to keep up with a 64 year old! Whilst I haven't done much cycling except for cross training, I am starting to feel like I am getting a better cycling technique there too.
So about an hour and a half of exercise this week for me. I'm going to jump on the scales at my parents place this afternoon when I visit and if I haven't lost a kilo this week I will be mighty unhappy!!!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
A wash out
Today's run: 6.8km, 56 mins 1 sec
Well this week has pretty much been a wash out for running. After running once on Tuesday, I haven't managed a run until today (Saturday). For the last few weeks we have had a lot of rain here, but this week it has been torrential. Now I don't mind running in a shower or two, but the rain we've been having is like God was emptying buckets of water right over the top of us! I suppose, to be honest, it wasn't raining yesterday afternoon after work, but Friday afternoon is always a drink with colleagues at the local club. And it's not even an alcoholic drink, but I do love venting after a week of work and getting together with friends.
Anyway, this morning I got up and it wasn't raining (there's a first time for everything!), so on went the running clothes. It was nice to get back to running, but doubly nice to be able to do it in the morning when i get up. I don't get up particularly early like many people to run, but I do love running in the morning much better than in the afternoon. So off I set.
The whole way I ran a nice comfortable pace. Well comfortable for me - I'm sure many people would have been walking as fast as I ran. In fact I ran at 8mins 14secs per km. (To convert for you imperial people, for a 3.1 mile run, that would be over 40 minutes!!!). My legs felt good, and I had no aches and pains or twinges or anything. I got two very small stitches, but a bit of deep breathing helped both of those ok.
It was quite an interesting run. It was on streets I hadn't run on before, so I had a great time looking at all the front yards I ran past. After all the rain we've had I also had to dodge quite a few big puddles. There was a point towards the end of my run where there was no footpath to run on, and the road was a highway, so no running on it! That meant for 100 or so metres I had to walk through long grass and sodden ground - I ended up with wet shoes after that! I also passed the storm water drain near my place a couple of times. Most of the time there's not a skerrick of water in there, but today the water was high and gushing along. In the last week or two there's been about 6 drownings in storm water drains as kids have been playing in them and get caught off guard as the water gushes down them.
I also passed a couple of dead animals, which wasn't very nice. One was a dead dog, by the side of the highway where I had to walk in the long wet grass. I think he was probably hit by a car, but he'd been there a few days at least, and after all the rain it was pretty gross to look at. Closer to home I passed a dead bird. It was a little pidgeon, and at first it didn't look dead. It was sitting on the side of the footpath, huddled up. But as I got closer, it never moved. I'm guessing it couldn't find shelter last night in the storm and the poor thing probably died of cold and exposure over night.
Anyway, the good news is I'm pleased to have done that distance today. I'm so impatient with myself I'm disappointed once again with how slow I am (even though logically I know that I'm going faster than people still sitting on their couches!).
After years of drought, everyone says we should be pleased that we have all this rain, but really, I'm over it. I mean - it's summer!
Well this week has pretty much been a wash out for running. After running once on Tuesday, I haven't managed a run until today (Saturday). For the last few weeks we have had a lot of rain here, but this week it has been torrential. Now I don't mind running in a shower or two, but the rain we've been having is like God was emptying buckets of water right over the top of us! I suppose, to be honest, it wasn't raining yesterday afternoon after work, but Friday afternoon is always a drink with colleagues at the local club. And it's not even an alcoholic drink, but I do love venting after a week of work and getting together with friends.
Anyway, this morning I got up and it wasn't raining (there's a first time for everything!), so on went the running clothes. It was nice to get back to running, but doubly nice to be able to do it in the morning when i get up. I don't get up particularly early like many people to run, but I do love running in the morning much better than in the afternoon. So off I set.
The whole way I ran a nice comfortable pace. Well comfortable for me - I'm sure many people would have been walking as fast as I ran. In fact I ran at 8mins 14secs per km. (To convert for you imperial people, for a 3.1 mile run, that would be over 40 minutes!!!). My legs felt good, and I had no aches and pains or twinges or anything. I got two very small stitches, but a bit of deep breathing helped both of those ok.
It was quite an interesting run. It was on streets I hadn't run on before, so I had a great time looking at all the front yards I ran past. After all the rain we've had I also had to dodge quite a few big puddles. There was a point towards the end of my run where there was no footpath to run on, and the road was a highway, so no running on it! That meant for 100 or so metres I had to walk through long grass and sodden ground - I ended up with wet shoes after that! I also passed the storm water drain near my place a couple of times. Most of the time there's not a skerrick of water in there, but today the water was high and gushing along. In the last week or two there's been about 6 drownings in storm water drains as kids have been playing in them and get caught off guard as the water gushes down them.
I also passed a couple of dead animals, which wasn't very nice. One was a dead dog, by the side of the highway where I had to walk in the long wet grass. I think he was probably hit by a car, but he'd been there a few days at least, and after all the rain it was pretty gross to look at. Closer to home I passed a dead bird. It was a little pidgeon, and at first it didn't look dead. It was sitting on the side of the footpath, huddled up. But as I got closer, it never moved. I'm guessing it couldn't find shelter last night in the storm and the poor thing probably died of cold and exposure over night.
Anyway, the good news is I'm pleased to have done that distance today. I'm so impatient with myself I'm disappointed once again with how slow I am (even though logically I know that I'm going faster than people still sitting on their couches!).
After years of drought, everyone says we should be pleased that we have all this rain, but really, I'm over it. I mean - it's summer!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
What a wimp!
Today's run: a wussy 3.2km in 24 mins 12 secs
Well I was a bit of a wimp today. It should have been a good run, since yesterday was a rest day (it was pouring torrentially so would have been no run anyway...). I don't really like running in the afternoon after work, but I don't have much choice. In the morning it's still dark when I get up for work, and I can't get up earlier and run in the dark because I wouldn't feel safe in my area. I also don't have a treadmill and in Australia gyms tend to open at 6am at the earliest, and that's not early enough for me. Besides which, I hate dreadmills.
So I went out and ran this afternoon anyway. My legs were tired from walking around all day at work (I'm a teacher, and never sit down!), and after 6 minutes of running I had to take a toilet stop. Let's just say that the diet modifications in the hopes of me losing some weight are having an effect!!! I'm annoyed with myself because rather than just toughing it out for a bit longer, I wimped out and stopped after only 3.2km. Where once I was happy running that distance without walking, I now think that my shortest run should be 5km or so. I let myself off the hook for a longer run by reasoning that I would ride my bike for 30 mins or so too. But 10 minutes into that, one hill later, and I again wimped out. What a wimpy wimp wimp wimp.
I need to open a can of woop-ass on myself.
Well I was a bit of a wimp today. It should have been a good run, since yesterday was a rest day (it was pouring torrentially so would have been no run anyway...). I don't really like running in the afternoon after work, but I don't have much choice. In the morning it's still dark when I get up for work, and I can't get up earlier and run in the dark because I wouldn't feel safe in my area. I also don't have a treadmill and in Australia gyms tend to open at 6am at the earliest, and that's not early enough for me. Besides which, I hate dreadmills.
So I went out and ran this afternoon anyway. My legs were tired from walking around all day at work (I'm a teacher, and never sit down!), and after 6 minutes of running I had to take a toilet stop. Let's just say that the diet modifications in the hopes of me losing some weight are having an effect!!! I'm annoyed with myself because rather than just toughing it out for a bit longer, I wimped out and stopped after only 3.2km. Where once I was happy running that distance without walking, I now think that my shortest run should be 5km or so. I let myself off the hook for a longer run by reasoning that I would ride my bike for 30 mins or so too. But 10 minutes into that, one hill later, and I again wimped out. What a wimpy wimp wimp wimp.
I need to open a can of woop-ass on myself.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Another day down...
Today's run: 3.2km, 24 mins 45 sec
Today's ride: 19.2km, 1 hour
Today's effort wasn't too bad. My run was nowhere near as easy or comfortable as yesterday. My legs and even arms felt a bit like jelly. I guess in a way I was disappointed in myself that I only ran 3.2km - I would like my shortest standard run to be my 4.8km loop - but I knew I wanted to ride about 20km afterwards so I was trying not to kill myself before my ride! For the first (and I suspect not the last) I got cut off by some stupid car who turned in front of me. That was not fun!
Short post today. Can't think of anything to write. Too tired now.
Today's ride: 19.2km, 1 hour
Today's effort wasn't too bad. My run was nowhere near as easy or comfortable as yesterday. My legs and even arms felt a bit like jelly. I guess in a way I was disappointed in myself that I only ran 3.2km - I would like my shortest standard run to be my 4.8km loop - but I knew I wanted to ride about 20km afterwards so I was trying not to kill myself before my ride! For the first (and I suspect not the last) I got cut off by some stupid car who turned in front of me. That was not fun!
Short post today. Can't think of anything to write. Too tired now.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
I've found the cure... rest!
Today's run: 6.4 km, 49 mins 36 secs
Today's run was fantastic. I ran the furthest that I've run so far (ok, so for all you people who have been running for a while it's still pretty measly), and it was a really comfortable run the whole way through. I found a great rhythm, and my breathing was pretty easy. I even managed to pick up the pace in the 200m or so stretch before I finished.
I think there were a couple of reasons why today's run was great. The first is that in the park where I run, there was a fair or something setting up, as well as the local triathlon club doing some training. So I had plenty of things and people to look at, which helped keep my mind from what I was doing. I find sometimes that when I run and it's quiet around, I start thinking too much about how much effort I'm putting in, and how tired my legs are! The other reason is that I have run less last week, since I've just started back at work after the holidays and have been knackered. I had just had two rest days before today's run, and it made such a difference! My legs felt really fresh.
I have always been an overachiever, and I am so impatient to be able to run much more quickly and to be able to run much faster. Hopefully the great run I had today will remind me that rest days are important and will help me run better!
Today's run was fantastic. I ran the furthest that I've run so far (ok, so for all you people who have been running for a while it's still pretty measly), and it was a really comfortable run the whole way through. I found a great rhythm, and my breathing was pretty easy. I even managed to pick up the pace in the 200m or so stretch before I finished.
I think there were a couple of reasons why today's run was great. The first is that in the park where I run, there was a fair or something setting up, as well as the local triathlon club doing some training. So I had plenty of things and people to look at, which helped keep my mind from what I was doing. I find sometimes that when I run and it's quiet around, I start thinking too much about how much effort I'm putting in, and how tired my legs are! The other reason is that I have run less last week, since I've just started back at work after the holidays and have been knackered. I had just had two rest days before today's run, and it made such a difference! My legs felt really fresh.
I have always been an overachiever, and I am so impatient to be able to run much more quickly and to be able to run much faster. Hopefully the great run I had today will remind me that rest days are important and will help me run better!
Friday, February 1, 2008
M.I.A
Well I've been missing in action for a few days. There's a couple of reasons for that. The first is that I was back at school this week, and have been coming home really tired each afternoon. The second is that on the first day of work, the power pack for my laptop died. Now for anyone who knows me, my LIFE is on that laptop. All my school work, everything I had prepared for the first few days of school... all on that little machine. I had backed it up like a good girl, but since my battery had run out and I couldn't get mains power, I was stuffed. Anyway, I had a new one delivered today so all is good again!
As for runs to report, I haven't been so good this week. But first week back at work, I am trying to give myself a break. Also, we had a couple of days of about 35 degrees celsius, followed by a day of electrical storms, so that minimised my running a but. After running on Sunday and Monday (our Australia Day Public Holiday), I have only run on Wednesday. I managed 3.2km in 25 mins 1 sec. No blistering speed records there, but happy I made it out after work.
I'm now just hoping to get some good solid runs in this weekend, in between all my school work!
As for runs to report, I haven't been so good this week. But first week back at work, I am trying to give myself a break. Also, we had a couple of days of about 35 degrees celsius, followed by a day of electrical storms, so that minimised my running a but. After running on Sunday and Monday (our Australia Day Public Holiday), I have only run on Wednesday. I managed 3.2km in 25 mins 1 sec. No blistering speed records there, but happy I made it out after work.
I'm now just hoping to get some good solid runs in this weekend, in between all my school work!
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