Slow Poke Runner

How to get a new PB without really trying

2009-10-25T09:45:00.003+11:00

Well the answer to the blog title is I don't really know, but somehow I managed to do it! After managing 30:41 for 5km the other night, I figured I hadn't given that my all and still had a little left in the tank. I was curious to see what kind of fitness I had.

So this morning as I lined up for my 5km race, the hopeful goal was to see whether I could manage to get under 30 minutes. I had only done that once before, and only just - my time was 29:57.

I have a habit of sometimes going out too fast, so I tried to keep things steady for the first couple of kms. I didn't check my watch until halfway, and I was bang on target, 15:02. I knew I had to keep up the pace, and pick things up just marginally on the way home. Things stayed pretty steady, and I was at 17:58 for 3km, then I got to a point on the course where a bus transitway cross the route. The local SES man this intersection, and race rules are that if a bus is coming through and the SES tell you to stop, you have to stop. Unluckily, I had to stop. It wasn't for long though, maybe 10 seconds, but I didn't have much time up my sleeve at that stage! Truth be told, the very breif breather was welcome! Anyway, on I went again, knowing I had to make up a little time. I did that, and was again on target at 4kms, so then I figured with 2km to go, I would just give it everything to see what I could do and just hang on for dear life! I knew I had managed to pick up the pace a little and reel in someone I had been chasing for a km or so, but I was absolutely astonished to cross the line in 29:16 (by my watch)!!! I must have flown in that last km!

The funny thing is, I really haven't been running at all lately. I've done 2 runs this week, one a couple of weeks before that, and that's about it. I have done a long bike ride once every week (of between 35 and 60kms) which I think has improved my cardiovascular fitness and endurance, and I have lost about 5km over the last 3 months which I think has helped.

I've signed up for the full series of these races, one each month, so I'm curious to see if I can squeeze any more improvement out if I actually do some running training! Hopefully the new PB will help motivate me to keep running some more!

And again...

2009-10-23T19:05:00.002+11:00

Well, I've started on another comeback attempt on running. I've run a couple of times now, but I hadn't blogged about it yet just in case it didn't stick. I've also been doing some long bike rides, as I'm doing the Sydney to the Gong bike ride in a week or so.

So far, I've only done about 5 to 6.5km runs, but I have been pleasantly surprised that I have been able to run at about the same times as previously when I was running consistently. I did an informal 5km run at race pace last Friday with a group of Coolrunners, and I managed 30 mins 41 secs. My best for 5km is 29 mins 54 secs so I was pretty pleased with myself!

This morning I had to go to a course for work so I was able to get up at my normal time and fit in a run before work... I felt great going off to work knowing it was done for the day! Problem is on any normal day I leave so early I would be running in the dark, and I'm not fussed about that in my area.

This Sunday I have an actual 5km race planned, and the forecast is for rain, so we'll see how hard core I will be with my running! (And what kind of time I can post!) I've also lined up a work friend to run with each Thursday afternoon so hopefully that will motivate me a little.

Anyway, stay tuned for future posts!

Pushing me

2009-07-05T18:34:00.002+10:00

Unbelievable - I have some runs to report. My uncle is still here on his visit, and we have been out a couple of times, both forcing each other to run out of guilt that we won't make the city to surf! Neither of us have particularly wanted to, and we know we should, and neither wants to let the other down... the strategy has worked well!

The other thing that has helped my running is that he is faster than me. His pace is only a small fraction slower than my race pace, so I have been trying hard to keep up with him. I think I have slowed him a tad, but it has kept me working hard. I have managed ok until today, when we did a two lap run and I flagged badly half way through the second lap.

This week I ran on my own on Wednesday evening, then again yesterday and again today. I'll have my uncle to run with next week two, and then he will be home for a week or two before another visit.

Now, if only my calves would stop hurting I could recover for me next run!

Newton's Law

2009-06-28T15:27:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 6.4km in 43 mins 7 secs

I studied physics at high school. One of Newton's Laws said that an object at rest will remain at rest until acted on by a force. Well, as far as running goes, I had been well and truly at rest for the last month.

My excuses are as follows:

We had drenching rain every day for at least a week or so, followed by lots of just plain heavy rain after that
I had a cold
It was half-yearly-exam marking and report writing season at school, the busiest time
It's dark when I get home and there aren't too many safe places to run

And so I had remained at rest. The force that acted on my today was that my uncle was visiting, the same one I am doing the City to Surf with. He was in a similar boat - very little running over the last while.

So we gave each other a bit of HTFU and went out for a run today, which turned out to be one of the nicest days in the last month or two. Only a 6.4km run, but he runs a little faster than me so I worked quite hard to keep up the pace, which I suppose does me good.

Now to remain in motion!

That's more like it

2009-05-31T10:17:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 4.8km in 36 mins 15 secs

This morning I was a little sore after yesterday's longer-than-usual effort.

So I was very excited when I managed to get in a fairly good 5km. (Well, my loop is 4.8km but let's not split hairs). I felt so much more comfortable, with more energy and leg strength than yesterday. Now, of course I ran much further yesterday but even at the start of yesterday's run I never felt that good.

I just need to work out what pleases the Running God so I can have more nice comfy runs like that. I figure if I can keep churning out the kilometres like that fairly easily the speed and endurance will come.

Good for time, not for distance!

2009-05-30T11:51:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 10.8km, 1hr 41 mins 58 secs

Today, I really wanted to push myself to increase the distance of my long run. My longest run to date has been the Mothers Day Classic a couple of weeks ago, which was 8km. I want to make sure that when it comes to City to Surf time, that I can go for that length of time!

So on the one hand I was pleased that I went quite a bit further than lately, however it was super slow. There were definately several walk breaks, including most of the last kilometre, and I was very pleased when I had wait for quite a while at several sets of traffic lights to cross the road.

But the good thing is that the length of my "run" today was about the same length of time that I will likely be out on the road for the City to Surf. I'm thinking next weekend I might do the same route, hopefully walking a little less, and then increase it a little further again in a few more weeks.

Anyway, we're on the way!

At least now I can log a run

2009-05-26T21:17:00.003+10:00

Today's run: 4.9km, 39 mins 58 secs

Well I'm back to ridiculously slow times again. But at least today I can say that I went for a run after a week of no runs at all. No runs and laziness.

And I am so amazed that I got out for todays run at all. When I run during the week, I often run over to my parents place and stay and have dinner, then one of them drops me home. Their place is 5km away (well, 4.9 to be exact). I had to stay back at work for a meeting this afternoon, so when that finished at 4:30, I gave them a ring to see if it would be ok if I came over for dinner today (I love my parents). So I left work at about 4:45 and instead of the usual 30 minutes to get home, it took about 50 minutes. There was an accident today too which meant that I took a different route home, one that in fact took me past my parents place. My hands wanted so badly to take the steering wheel and veer over to pull up outside their place. I could have just stayed there instead of going home, changing, and running over and it would have been so much easier! I mean, it's not like I am one of those people who desperately loves running and can't wait to get out there.

But I tried valiantly to remind myself about how much I would like it once I started, and about how good it would be once I had finished, and so I did in fact manage to drive past my parents without stopping. I call that an achievement.

The run wasn't wonderful, in fact it was a tad uncomfortable in some spots, and I didn't really have the energy or motivation to push it much today. But like I tried to convince myself, I was pleased once I had it done.

'Spose I just need to keep reminding myself of that!

Cut-back week

2009-05-25T13:40:00.002+10:00

Which really means no-running week. I was a sook last week about running in the rain. I know so many runners who are tough, gutsy people and who will do ANYTHING to get a run in. But I am not one of them. And so I didn't run. And now I feel bad. Guess it serves me right really!

One thing I DID do though, was enter this years City to Surf again with my Uncle. We just made it into the SH2 start from our results last year. Hopefully the thought of having to run 14km in the not too distant future will motivate me to pound the pavement a bit more.

Oh well, everyone has off weeks I suppose...

Slightly better

2009-05-17T09:59:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 5km in 40 mins 21 secs

Well, today's run wasn't the complete disaster that yesterdays was. I usually don't run 5km this slowly in training even, but I was consiously trying to keep things slow and steady so I could get it all done comfortably, which I did. Once I reached about 4km, I had to decide whether to turn right, making it a 7.5km run, or left, making it a 5km run. Obviously, I chose left, but I figured after how tired I was on Friday night and my crappy run yesterday, I would just take this as my cut back week and keep it short and sweet. I also figure if I do lots of runs like todays that are fairly comfortable and not too challenging, whilst I might not get super quick super fast I will hopefully maintain some enthusiasm for running!

So today finished up my 3-runs-a-week-for-3-weeks goal. Go me! As of today, I'm setting myself the same goal again, which sounds like a bit of a cop out, but is actually harder. We're coming into exam and report season at work, which is always redunkulously busy, and it's getting colder too. (I know temperature shouldn't matter too much, but I am a wuss).

Some runs just don't go to plan

2009-05-16T11:10:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 5km in 46 mins 13 secs (yes, that time is apalling).

The last week at work has been a long one. In particular on Thursday and Friday I have been dealing with quite an involved, emotional and draining issue with some students. I knew on Friday evening that I was tired, but I didn't realise just how tired I was. I had my usual drink after work with some friends, and was starving on the way home so I grabbed some Mc Donalds for dinner. I really have been making such an effort to eat more healthily lately too, so I was a bit ashamed of that. When I got home, I just dumped my stuff on the floor and lay on the couch, where I promptly fell asleep for an hour whilst watching Better Homes and Gardens. I only woke up because I received a text message from a friend. I stayed awake for a couple of hours, then went to bed at about 10pm, sleeping through until 9am this morning. So that's 12 hours sleep. Like I said, I knew I was tired, but not THAT tired!

So when I finally got myself going this morning for a run, I felt quite refreshed and I figured I might likely have a good run with lots of energy. How wrong can I be? I just had NO energy whatsoever. I haven't walked this much in a 'run' for quite a long time. It was very windy out today, but it was a reasonably warm wind. I have to say that getting out for a walk/run was actually quite enjoyable, I just couldn't get myself going. I felt like a wind up toy that hadn't been wound up.

Oh well, here's hoping there's better runs around the corner. And only one more run tomorrow until I have completed my 3-runs-a-week-for-3-weeks goal. And I'm still not getting too worried by being slow or not running too far, which is good!

So sleepy...

2009-05-14T20:50:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 4.9km, 39 mins 21 secs

Well it's 9pm, and I'm in bed about to go to sleep with my lap top on my lap and the electric blanket on. It's been a busy week. I've been out on Tuesday and Wednesday until about 9:30pm each night, and tonight I was out until about 6, came home, changed and ran to Mum and Dad's for dinner. I sat on the couch for 5 minutes after dinner and the last few days really caught up with me - I just cameover so tired!

Tonights run was slow, but I got it done, and that's all I'm focusing on at the moment. After a crappy day at work, it was nice to pound away some frustrations and try and leave some of it behind. It also wasn't too cold tonight which always makes it not as hard to get out for a run.

The mother's day run last weekend was great. Mum and Dad came and watched, even though it started at 7:30am. Even though I hadn't run 8km in a long, long time, I didn't find the distance too bad, and in fact I ran the second 4km loop 2 minutes quicker than the first one. My time was about 52 minutes-ish - nothing to write home about, but remember we're trying to keep it all about having fun and enjoying it in Slow Poke land here at the moment. The goody bag was great too! A medal, tupperware drink bottle, fruit, vouchers, a magazine, some sample products and a mug. Even though it was an expensive entry, it was a good booty haul and a great cause.

OK. Now getting even more sleepy... time to turn this baby off and get some shut eye.

Ying and Yang

2009-05-09T09:47:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 3.2km in 25 mins 56 seconds

As I predicted the other day, I had a crappy run today following my fantastic run during the week. I don't know whether it was a fait au complit or because I expected it to be bad.

I had no energy in my legs (a problem I regularly complain about though....), no motivation and no mental toughness. I resorted to walking up the hill on my route, something I haven't done in quite a while.

Tomorrow I have entered an 8km Mother's Day fun run. Here's hoping I last all 8km respectably. I have some doubts at the moment. My parents are coming to watch, and then we're going back to my place to have breakfast on the balcony. Should be nice!

I finally get it!

2009-05-05T21:00:00.003+10:00

Today's run: 4.9km in I-have-no-idea-how-long

Today was a long day at work. It was school photo day, so that meant getting up fifteen minutes earlier at 5:15am to make myself pretty! Then my day started with a parent interview at 7:30am and the entire rest of the day was taken up with student interviews. Follow that with a faculty meeting after school for an hour and a half, and I'm surprised I made it home in one piece. Often I leave school with at least some energy, but after a half an hour drive home, anything remaining is well and truly gone...

But tonight, strangely, I still felt alright when I got home. A miracle! So I decided to change straight away and get a run in. If I sit on the couch for even 5 minutes it's a dangerous thing, so it is to be avoided at all costs if I want to run. Off I head, down the three floors of stairs in my apartment block. Bottom floor. Damn, no watch. Now, as a maths teacher I love nothing better than having lots of numbers to put into nice graphs and charts and tables to measure stuff about my running, so not having a watch bothered me. The most bothersome thing about it is entering a distance for my run but no time. Oh well, I think, you can cope without a watch this once, and it's three floors back up. I walk a little further down the street, still thinking about turning around to go back and get the watch, but decide against it. On I go.

As soon as I started running tonight, for reasons unknown to me, I started running with a different style. And it just felt good. Smooth. Powerful. More 'bouncy' rather than a shuffle. Energetic. More efficient. Faster. In all the years that I have been running off and on, I have had moments of 'brilliance' like this where things have felt goof, but it has never lasted past 100m. Either I lose my form, or energy or both. Today, I kept expecting that sooner rather than later I would run out of steam and my old shuffle would return..... but it just never happened.

It's funny, I have always been adament in calling what I do "running", but in reality when I say it's a bit of a shuffle, it's not far off the truth. Today, for the first time, it really felt like running. It felt good!

Long live the good runs! Now I wonder how long this little breakthrough can sustain my interest and motivation, cos no doubt there'll be a crap run coming my way soon now!

PS. And after such a good run, no way of checking whether it was a PB for that route, or whether in fact I felt faster vs actually ran faster! Pooh!

A slightly longer run

2009-05-02T10:29:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 7.5km in 1 hr, 1 min and 8 secs

This morning I planned on runnning a little further than I have normally been running. I entered myself in the 8km Mother's Day Classic next weekend, so I figured I needed to get something in that was close to that distance as at least some sort of quasi-preparation.

It was a little cool when I headed out this morning... I could have done with gloves to start, but I am a wuss about temperature. Today's run though just wasn't a patch on yesterday evenings. I had much heavier legs, I didn't feel as smooth or comfortable, and my head wasn't in the game quite as much. Funny how sometimes runs are like that. Still, aside from a toilet stop and a couple of sets of traffic lights I had to wait at, I kept it going for the whole distance in the embarassingly slow time of an hour.

Still, it's done and I know I can run the distance now. I've just come back in and cooked and eaten my scrambled eggs for breakfast, now it's shower time and on with the rest of my day!

No drink, but a run

2009-05-01T21:39:00.003+10:00

Today's run: 4.9km in 37 minutes

On Friday afternoons after work, I normally go with a couple of friends to a local pub for a drink. It's a great opportunity to unwind, socialise and have a good long whinge about work before going home for the weekend! After the first week back, I really felt like my normal Friday drinks, however my usual compadres had other plans today. So rather reluctantly, I headed home early.

It turned out ok though. When I got home, I had a really long nap (for an hour and a half!). I love my nana naps as much asthe next person but I usually don't sleep that long - I must have really needed it! Once I woke up, I ran over to Mum and Dad's again. In the evening when it's dark I like doing that run. There are plenty of street lights, and although the route is on a busy road, in the dark that's not such a bad thing. I'm not too keen on running around the streets too close to my place in the dark and alone.

Dinner was fish and chips (yum!) and after a cup of tea, Mum dropped me home where I have promptly changed into pyjamas. A little tv, maybe some craft time and an early night.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to do a reasonable length run since I'm doing the 8km Mother's Day run next weekend and I'm not technically back to running 8km yet!

Back to the grindstone

2009-04-28T20:36:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 4.9km, 39 mins 3 secs

First day back at school today. Man, it was hard. It's the kind of job where you really hit the ground running... there is no 'easing' back into things. All I seem to have done today is make an enormous list of things to do, not cross a single thing off, and get a big fat headache.

So after work today, I got out of there as soon as possible. I came home a crashed on the couch for an hour (I love a good nana nap), then got up, dressed and ran to Mum and Dad's for dinner. Whilst I didn't achieve anything work-wise, I really needed the sleep (I had to get up 4 hours earlier today than what I was at the end of the holidays!!!) and the run helped me clear my mind and de-stress (well, temporarily because I have now just gotten home again and seen the big fat pile of work!).

Oh well. Only an hour or so before my early term-time bedtime, so I won't get too much done tonight. I can't work just before bed otherwise I get worked up and can't sleep. Surely it can only get better!

Run wise the best thing was I have the first of my three-runs-for-the-week done, and it wasn't a bad run. (Sorry, for the moment there I forgot that this was a running blog and not an opportunity for me to just have a whinge!)

Hopefully the mood here will be better next time!

No run, but a ride

2009-04-27T13:07:00.002+10:00

Today's ride: 31km, 2hrs and 15 minutes

Last day of my holidays today. :-( It would have been a good opportunity to get a run in so that I didn't have to find time to run after work, but since it was a nice morning and a ride is hard to fit in too, I figured this was a good choice!

Since I'm not really big into cycling (yet?...) I just wore a long sleeve running top and some 3/4 leggins. But man, that wind was cold! I think lycra certainly offers more protection from the wind, although we have a running joke in my family about cyclists and lycra. Still, once Dad and I got going, we warmed up enough.

We are lucky that very near my place there are some reasonably new bike paths, and the route we took today was better than the one we took the other day - it is next to a freeway so far fewer roads to cross. And when I say next to a freeway, there is a wall between you and the cars and trucks, which is reassuring because I would never ride just on the shoulder of the road. I am such a woos when it comes to riding, I hate going fast down hills, I hate sharp turns, and actually I hate going up hills too for that matter.

Anyway a pleasant way to spend the morning, and to top it off, I'm off to look at lycra riding stuff this afternoon with my Dad!

Holiday goal achieved!

2009-04-25T17:28:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 4.9km in 38 mins 33 secs

As I have said in previous posts, these school holidays were all about getting back to some regular running. I had sort of done that towards the end of last term, but weeks 10 and 11 of the term I pretty much gave up and went into survival mode, so the running got ditched.

With that in mind I set myself the target of doing 10 runs these holidays. The idea behind that was that if I could run 5 times a week in the holidays and enjoy it, I would have more chance of being able to run 3 times a week during the term. With good reason I'm not following a training plan at the moment, I just want to be able to get out there and run. I want to MISS running when I don't do it. I want to WANT to go for a run.

Anyway, as the title suggests I did run number 10 today! And generally speaking my runs have all been quite enjoyable. Not every one of them has felt 'easy' or 'blisteringly fast', but they have mostly felt good. I think in the past I have been so bogged down about how many kms I SHOULD be running etc, then feeling guilty if I haven't made the distance.

So what's the next goal you ask? (You didn't ask? Tough. I'll tell you anyway).

My next mini-goal is to run at least 3 times a week for the first three weeks of term. (OK, three weeks is not long, but I need to break things up into manageable bits. If I think about having to do that for the WHOLE term, it just becomes too big of a goal to imagine accomplishing it).

I'm wondering whether I should do some fun runs or races at the moment, or whether somehow feeling like I have to get faster will take the fun out of this again? What do you think?

An ordinary run

2009-04-24T07:35:00.002+10:00

Yesterday's run: 3.2km, 26 mins 4 seconds

Yesterday I went out for my normal 3.2km loop. It was my fourth day straight of running (I don't normally do that) and the day after my longest and fastest and bestest run in ages. So as expected, my legs felt like I was running through wet cement for most of the way.

I do think that there was some success in this run though.

a) I went yesterday knowing that it would be hard to fit runs in over the next few days, and I really want to achieve my '10 runs in the holidays' thing.
b) There were several times during my run yesterday when I really felt lazy and lethargic and I wanted to walk. A couple of weeks ago, I would have easily stopped running and started walking, and for the rest of the run it would be hard to convince myself to run again (walking is so much easier!). But yesterday it wasn't as hard as normal to give myself a talking to and decide not to walk, but to keep running.

However small, I'd call that a success!

A mad, mad run

2009-04-22T12:33:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 6.4km in 49 mins 54 secs

Today I am really cranky about some things that have been said to me. I won't go into the detail of what that is here, but suffice to say I went out and did my best run in ages!

I left the Ipod at home so I could think over the issue, with a view to 'getting over it'. Well, I didn't get over it, I got even madder, but my form felt great, my legs were turning over faster than usual (well, ok, I'm still slow) and I kept going for longer than I have in a while!

I even got to the point today where I really wanted to run, and felt like I needed a run, a feeling I have been hoping for and trying to kindle as I build back to where I used to be. In the holidays I usually run when I get up (and I get up late in the holidays!), but today I had something being delivered this morning and had to be home. So I got showered and dressed for the rest of my day. On so many other days I would have not bothered with a run under those conditions (I hate running later in the day), but after my delivery came, I actually really felt like pounding some frustration out!

So I'm still mad, but it's nice to have a good run every now and then!

"Kaizen"

2009-04-21T10:08:00.004+10:00

Today's run: 3.2km, 25 mins 4 secs

Nothing much exciting to report about my run today. I had planned on doing my 4.8km loop, but about halfway there were a few spots of rain. For the record, I didn't wimp out because of the rain, but I did call it quits early and make the loop shorter because I had my Ipod on. It's still relatively new and I'm not sure that my arm band will really protect it from rain... I would hate for it to die already!

Mentally I'm still struggling a little with not pushing myself to go too far or too fast, but as I have said before, I think slow and comfy is the way to KEEP me running longer term. There is a Japanese term 'kaizen' that means something like 'slowly, slowly' that captures it for me. The analogy that I had was someone starting running. The first day you go for a 10 minute walk. Then a 10 minute walk and somewhere in there you do a 10 second jog. The following day the jog is 11 seconds, then 12 seconds etc. Whilst the progress is super slow it's obviously well within what you are capable of. I'm not quite taking it to such extremes, but I it's certainly a principle I think as I go out and do my measly 3.2km runs at such a slow pace!

Inspiration

2009-04-20T16:33:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 5 km in I-have-no-idea-how-long

I love the school holidays, for a great many reasons, but one of them is that I can pack up and go away for the weekend without having to think about when I'll get my marking done, or how I'll fit things in. So on Saturday morning, it occured to me that the Canberra Marathon was on on the Sunday morning, and why not drive down there to watch a bit of it? Since my sister and her husband lives in Canberra I have free accommodation, and I thought it might give me a little inspiration to keep running!

So on Saturday afternoon I headed down, singing along to Dire Straights in the car! Sunday morning I got up relatively early (considering it was the holidays!)... I had missed the first lap or so of the race but positioned myself at a point in the course where the runners pass by 4 times. One of the things that struck me as the competitors ran past was that runners really do come in every shape and size. There was every age of competitor, some rake thin, some with a few kilos to lose. Some had the most awkward looking gaits, I wondered how they could keep it up for so long. Some were obviously struggling, some were doing it easy (well, it looked that way anyway). Some looked pretty 'normal', and there were definately a few odd-ball looking characters!

Whils tthe thought of getting out there and running for that many consecutive kilometres and hours is an obcene thought at this stage of my "running comeback", I did get a sense of "Well if they can do it, so can I".

I do have no doubt that if I put my mind to it, I could run a marathon. After all, that's what I did when I trained for and ran a half. Aside from my distinct lack of endurance at this stage, one of the biggest hurdles I think I would have is how many HOURS and HOURS it would take each week to invest in training. It was one of my most dominant thoughts as I watched the runners... especially for the back-of-the-packers, it involves such a big chunk of time (already a precious commodity) being invested in training. And for me, at least, it's not only the time on your feet, but time recovering afterwards. I know when I was doing my long runs last year in the morning, I would be absolutely pooped during the rest of the day!

Anyway, strong respect to all competitors!

Following the marathon, I of course went for a run today before I came home. Just a 5km loop around the middle of the lake in Canberra. Normally, it's a beautiful and very scenic spot to run. Well, I suppose it was still scenic today with the autumn colours all around (we don't really get autumn here), but there was quite a cold wind and it was incredibly overcast. I forgot to set my stopwatch too, so I have no idea how long I took, but I can say I did enjoy the run and it wasn't too strenuous. I suppose that means I could have pushed it harder, but like I've said, I'm all about getting back to the consistent and enjoyable training.

I have now done 6 runs in my 10-runs-in-the-holidays goal. Go me!

Take your own advice

2009-04-18T10:26:00.003+10:00

Today's run: 4.8km in the blistering time of 45 mins 43 secs

I post on a running forum, and just yesterday there was someone who posted a question saying that they had completed the Couch to 5km program, but seemed to be stuck running 5km and couldn't get past that point. It's not often there are questions posted that I feel I am qualified to answer, but this one was different. So I replied that I thought the runner should slow down, even if they felt they were going at a snails pace. Anytime I have wanted to increase my distance, I have found that if I slow down even more I have the longevity in my legs to keep going further.

It occurred to me today as I ran that I have had some difficulty in getting past 3.2km without stopping to walk a few times and running out of energy. Duh! Slow down, Slow Poke! And whilst I struggled to overtake some people who were WALKING around my regular loop, I did slow down, and I did manage to do 4.8km without having to take any walk breaks. My time was embarassing, but I guess you have to start somewhere.

I wore my new shoes for the first time. They felt pretty comfy, although I think I tied them too tight, particularly around the toe box. On my right foot, I got a little pins and needles in my toes! I'll have to adjust them and give them another burl.

Also I ran with my Ipod again... and I wore it on the other arm to normal. Now this is going to sound really OCD, but I am very much a creature of habit. As silly as it sounds, that threw me off completely. My earphone cord tangled the wrong way and I managed to get my arm caught and nearly rip my ear buds out of my ears. To anyone behind me I think it would have looked like someone swinging wildly as they went through a spider's web!

The other funny thing I saw was a crow with a golf ball in its mouth. It just sat there for ages... didn't drop the ball, just staring at me with the giant golf ball. There is another crow I often see on my runs. It has had a broken wing for years now and can't fly, but seems to make a living just scavenging on the ground.

OK well I've now had breakfast and typed all of this, I think at 11am it's now time for a shower and to start my day!

One more thing...

2009-04-16T20:20:00.002+10:00

I also meant to wish myself a happy 100 posts and 900 visitors! Such lovely, round numbers. As a maths teacher, I have a thing for nice, round numbers.

Wow... I actually have lots to post about!

2009-04-16T17:42:00.003+10:00

I suppose, since I actually have a bit to say, that I should do this chronologically.

Let's start with yesterday. I ran over to my parent's place for lunch (I love school holidays... running whenever I want without struggling to fit it in!) by a new longer route. The route itself was nice, but I had trouble with my back. After the first 30 minutes or so, I just found that with every step I took I had a jarring sensation in my lower back (and by lower back, I almost mean the top of my bum). It got so that it mostly turned into a walk over to Mum and Dad's. But it was a lovely walk... the sun was shining, I was on holidays, it was warmer than it has been in a while... one of those days when it's glorious to be alive!

I think part of the reason for my back ache was my shoes. They are really old. No, even older than whatever you're thinking. Not only have I had them for years, but they have about 650km on them, and that's since I started keeping a log of my running. They have just about NO tread under the ball of the foot and the lining inside is torn in a few places. Now I have read all the information out there that says you should change your shoes much more frequently than that. But because my running has been so stop / start, each time I start again, I think I should buy some new shoes. But then I questions whether its worth the money if I'm going to lose interest in running again. Now that I have a mortgage hanging round my neck finding $150-$200 for a pair of shoes is no easy feat (or "feet"... get it?!).

But after yesterday's effort I decided I had to bite the bullet. I had been to the Athlete's Foot a couple of weeks ago, and had asked to try some runners on that were the current model of my old ones (Mizuno Wave Maverick, to be exact). So I tried some on, and the lady there tried to sell me some orthotics, for my perfectly evenly balanced, not-rolling-in and not-rolling-out feet. If MY feet need orthotics, then there is NO help for anyone else! I felt so pressured by the sales person I ended up not buying anything. Yesterday though, I went back and was very insistent on the model I wanted, which were $159. They wanted me to try on a pair that were $199, and supposedly the "model up" from mine. However the sole under the heel and under the ball of the foot was soooo cushioned I felt like Neil Armstrong bouncing up and down in them! So I went with my gut, which was the $159 ones that felt exaclty like my oldies, only new!

Here's a picture of the pretty things........

Nice and shiny and new!

I know lots of advice is to go to a proper running store to get fitted for shoes, but in all honesty, there isn't one within a 50 minute drive of me. So as long as these are as comfy and good as my ol' faithfuls, then I'll be very happy.

I'll have to give them a test run tomorrow.

The other thing that I did isn't really running related, but exercise related, so I guess it counts enough to post on here. It's my blog anyway, and I'll do what I want to!

I went for a bike ride this morning with my Dad. He rides regularly, about an hour or so every day, now that he is retired. I haven't ridden in months and months, but the weather has been so nice I figured a ride would be a good way of getting some extra exercise, but would be a change from running. So this morning we did a 35km ride over about 3 and a half hours. Now that may sound pathetically slow to anyone who cycled, but it was just a lovely leisurely ride... we didn't want to break any records (don't worry... we didn't!), just enjoy the ride. There were some painful hills at the beginning and end, and lots of traffic lights to cross at at the beginning and end, but aside from that the middle part of the ride was great. Long, uninterrupted stretches of bike paths and gentle undulations. We even stopped for a coffee at Mc Donalds on teh way home to get some extra energy!

Of course the only down side to the bike ride is that I now have a case of what I termed "bicyle butt". You know, the bruises that develop on your sensitive tail bone from too many hours in the saddle! Hopefully my butt recovers so I can try out my new kicks tomorrow!

Phew.... I'm now exhausted from writing so much.... I don't think I've ever had a post this long!

Ran out of steam

2009-04-13T12:54:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 5.8km, 49 mins 15 secs

The first 30 minutes of today's run went a-ok. I did my usual, slow shuffle. However I got to the 30 minute mark and just ran out of steam. I think switched between walking and running, and even walking was something that seemed to suck the energy out of me.

I suppose it shouldn't be too much of a surprise really. For one, there are the easter eggs I have been eating the last couple of days. Then yesterday's great, fast run took it out of me too. Add to that this is my third run in a row (something I haven't done for months and months) and I suppose that's a recipe for not a great run.

3 days down on my run-10-times-in-the-school-holidays goal!

A quick game is a good game

2009-04-12T19:34:00.003+10:00

Today's run: 3.2km, 22 mins, 19 secs

Today I ran in the afternoon instead of the morning. I hate running in the afternoon - by the time the day is half over, I have much less energy and motivation. Plus I get so sweaty after a run I really need to shower again and wash my hair!

I ran with my Ipod today, which I had left at home yesterday, and I think it helped. The songs I have on my running playlist keep my fairly pumped, and were responsible for me running much, much quicker than normal. After I realised I was running much quicker than normal, I decided to do a short, quick run rather than a longer, slower run. My pace turned out to be less than 7 minutes for a kilometre, something of a miracle for me in any situation other than a race!

My goal these school holidays is to run 10 times. I don't care how long or how far, but I just want to establish the habit of running again pretty solidly so that when school goes back I have half a chance of keeping it up!

Back to square one

2009-04-11T10:13:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 3.2km, 26 mins 11 secs

Well for the last two weeks I have been bad and have not run. Two weeks ago we were having torrential rain everyday. I might have had some chance of convincing myself to run if it were only showering, or if there were breaks between the downpours, but not in the weather. Then last week was the last week of school. Which meant that I was in pure survival get-to-the-end-of-term mode. It was all I could do to get myself to work each day and home without falling asleep.

So there's my excuses. Sad isn't it?

Today's run, therefore, was rubbish. I had jelly legs, no energy and couldn't even run the whole way. I also had no mental fortitude to make myself keep running when it got hard.

Onwards and upwards then eh?

Numbers

2009-03-28T10:52:00.003+11:00

Today's run: 6km in I-don't-know-how-long

This morning I went for my longest run so far - 6km. I was pleased to be able to run this far already, and I was actually able to run the whole way without walking. But I am now very annoyed with myself... as I waited to cross the road at some traffic lights somewhere, I paused my stop watch. I would hate for my times to be even slower than what they already are because of waiting for lights to change. Problem was, as I started running again, I forgot to restart it. Consequently, I had a brief moment where I thought perhaps I had run 6km in 32 minutes (the time my watch said when I got home), followed by the realisation that I had actually paused my watch quite a while a go! I can only imagine my time was ridiculously slow.

I now have the conundrum of what time to enter into my online log. I can't not enter a time (I'm a maths teacher, I love having numbers and statistics), but as I haven't run this distance in a very long time I don't know what to estimate either.

A conundrum indeed.

First goal achieved

2009-03-22T16:33:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 4.9km, 39 mins, 10 secs

Well in fact my first goal was to run for 5km without stopping to walk. I ran 4.9km today, but I'm not quibbling over 100m... the route from my place to my parents place is only 4.9km and I wasn't going to jog on the spot to make up the distance! It's nice to see that at least each time I start running again it takes me less to get back to running 5km again.

My next goal is to run 5km regularly three times a week. This week it was my 'long' run.

In other running related news, I went to the Athlete's Foot today to look at some new runners. As comfy as mine are they have over 600km on them and I know they are very worn down. But I didn't want to buy from there as the sales person was quite pushy. She tried to get me to get some orthotics, which I know I don't need and have never used, and tried to sell me a Nike + armband system, when I asked about the Nike + that goes with an Ipod (and which is much cheaper than the armband one!). I did however try on a comfy pair of Mizunos (the equivalent of what I have now) but they were $200 and ever since I got my mortgage a couple of years ago, I have lost my ability to spend money. Now, at face value that sounds good (and it usually is), but it has actually gotten to the point where I find it hard to justify buying ANYTHING that isn't a bare necessity. However I fear the life of my old runners is coming to an end....

I will have to work myself up to splurging on a pair soon!

Ipod running

2009-03-21T10:11:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 3.2km in 24 mins, 17 secs

For my last birthday I got an Ipod from my family. It was such a great gift as I'm a miser and won't spend money on things I don't really need, but it's a great toy to have. I have put some music on there, but I haven't set up a running playlist yet. It's on my must-do list for this week. But just playing my songs on shuffle was great this morning - it's something to keep my mind on and it keeps me up tempo.

I need to have a look on the net for some ideas for songs that would be good to run to. I think Eye of the Tiger is probably the most popular choice from what I've seen so far!

I love daylight savings!

2009-03-16T20:01:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 4.9km, 41 mins 32 secs

Today I ran over to Mum and Dad's for dinner like I used to in the good ole' days. It's nearly 5km, and the best bit was that I ran almost the whole way, just a couple of walk breaks thrown in. Not a bad effort!

The best bit was that it's still daylight savings, and so when I left it was still daylight at 6pm, and when I got there about 40 minutes later the sun was only starting to go down. I'm not looking forward to winter when it's dark when I get home from work....

OK short post today... lesson prep for school awaits (man, work gets in the way of a good time!)

Chafing sucks

2009-03-15T13:22:00.003+11:00

Today's run: 3.2km, 30 mins 9 secs

Today's run was really more of a walk. After running 3km straight for the first time in a long time yesterday I was all out of energy, and besides that I had some bad chafing between the thighs, and under the arms. After a few steps I could feel my skin rubbing and it was quite painful. The best thing I got out of this "run" though, was that I got out there, hopefully starting "getting out there" as a habit!

Third run, and I mean run, not run/walk!

2009-03-14T09:31:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 3km, 22 mins 36 secs

And as the title said, I ran the whole way. That seems like such a small achievement in one sense, but in another I've only done two walk/runs before this, so to still have the muscle memory / ensurance to be able to run (ok, well shuffle) 3km is great! It was a beautiful morning for it too - blue sky, lovely temperature.

Now to get back into the habit of some consistent running... with work at the moment (well, I guess at any time really) that's a challenge.

I broke my one run streak...

2009-03-08T19:37:00.002+11:00

by running for a second time this week! Unvelievable. Soon it will be a habit again!

I ran on Saturday morning after a bit of a lie in. It's so nice not to have to rush around. Got up and got myself ready and did a walk / run around my usual loop. It's amazing how much fitness you can lose so quickly - the loop is only 3.2km. I ended up with a little detour past the newsagent for the Saturday paper and past the cafe for a take-away cappuccino and proceeded to spend the rest of the morning on my balcony reading the paper with my coffee. 'Twas lovely, and I roused myself to get showered after my run and ready for the rest of the day a little before midday!

Take two...

2009-03-02T19:53:00.002+11:00

My second attempt at "I'm going to start running again." This one came about because when I did the City to Surf last year with my uncle, I kept bugging him and teasing him that we would do it again this year. Then I stopped running. I spoke to him the other day and after for ever replying with "Nope, that was a one time only deal" and being incredibly sure he would never do it again, he's now said that he would.

So since I couldn't run 3.2km tonight without alternating running / walking 50:50 I had better get back out there a bit!.

Goal 1: Run my 3.2km loop without stopping.

Let's see how this plan goes.

I actually ran...

2009-01-01T17:01:00.002+11:00

Well my last post was last August after the City to Surf.

Since then, I have been a couch potato. No really, I mean it. I haven't done much physical activity at all.

It's funny, last night just before midnight people were talking about their new year's resolutions and I didn't have any. I didn't actually have a plan to start running again this year. But the last few days I have been feeling bad about myself, and for whatever reason, I decided in the middle of a boiling hot, humid day, to get my fat ass off the couch and go for a run.

I managed 3.2km with 2 walk breaks. Not great, but I suppose it could have been worse. I ran with an ipod for the first time (I only just got one), and I think I'm going to have to create a running playlist.

Of course the million dollar question is... will I run again?

(Almost) back into it

2008-08-17T20:55:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 5km, 35 mins 30 secs

This morning I watched the women's marathon at the Olympics on tv. Man, those women run literally twice as fast as I do, and for twice as far as I have ever run. Which brings me to what has been sitting at the back of my head for a little while.... I think one of the reasons why I have lost my mojo so badly is that what I really loved about training for and running a half was working towards a goal and achieving it... it wasn't so much about the running necessarily. My plan is to do the Central Coast Half in December, and then perhaps Canberra Marathon in 2009. Perhaps I am getting a little ahead of myself, but just aiming for another half doesn't have the same appeal to me. We will see how I go.

At least it got me motivated enough to get out the door to run the 5km to run to Dad's tonight for dinner!

City 2 Surf

2008-08-12T21:46:00.003+10:00

Well I know it's amazing, but I ran the City to Surf on the weekend. Why amazing you ask? Because of my lack of running mojo and very limited training recently.

The only reason I ran was because I had convinced my uncle to enter with me. He runs for fitness but hates it, and wanted to do the C2S so he actually got something out of his running. His longest runs to date had been about 8km, so he did really well.

We ran together the whole way, I did it pretty comfortably and probably could have gone a bit faster, but really I wasn't out there for a fast run. Finish time was 96 minutes something. Actually that's not bad. My last C2S was 2 years ago - I had trained for it and did 99 minutes.

Whilst I enjoyed the run, I don't know whether it's going to be enough to get that mojo back. I'm thinking about the Central Coast Half in December but that's a while away. At the moment a big problem is fitting anything else in around work.

OK I'll stop whinging now.

Bet you thought I'd given up for good

2008-07-19T10:24:00.002+10:00

Well I nearly did. However the City to Surf is in about 3 weeks and I've currently been running about 5km once a week - since I've promised to run it with my uncle I figured I had better put some kms in my legs.

This week being school holidays I've had the chance to run when I like, which is great. I've done three runs of 7kms - the first was a bit dodgy but it's gradually gotten easier. Monday is a public holiday for me, and I plan on running 10km. Another solid couple of weeks of running, and a 12km run and I should be good to go. So much for 10% rule...

At least it's got me back running again!

Another run...

2008-06-25T20:54:00.001+10:00

Today's run: 5km, 37 mins 10 secs

Well it's unbelievable that everytime I actually make it out for a run at the moment it's news worthy. In fact, it's only been three days since my last run... that's almost a streak! Tonight's run was actually quite good and pretty enjoyable. I had better start getting my act together though, the city to surf is in 6 weeks!

Well, I went for another run

2008-06-21T10:37:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 5.9km, 48 mins 55 secs

A pathetically shuffly run in a pathetically slow time, including me giving up and walking in the last km or so. But once again, I made it out for another run. I have the city to surf coming up, which I have convinced my uncle to enter with me. He runs about 6km, 3 times a week and have never entered any races or anything, so I've decided this should be his first! Knowing that the city to surf is coming up is the only thing that has gotten me out of the house for a run, the few times I have managed to do that. Last week I had a virus and was off work for a few days, so no running, and I was away last weekend, so no running. In fact today's run was the first run in about a week and a half.

But like I said, I went out today. It may not fix everything, but it's a start.

Wow - I actually ran tonight!

2008-06-10T21:41:00.001+10:00

Today's run: 4.9km, 37 mins 27 secs

Well, not much time to post now, since I should already be in bed, but I am excited by the fact that I actually went for a run. And I did enjoy the run too - it was nice to get out and clear my head after a crappy day at work. I did have some twinges though - my left shin below the knee was uncomfortable, and my right ankle was a little tender. But as I said, it was just nice to see that whilst I am a lazy, unmotivated sod at the moment, I do still have it in me when I want. The rain the last few days hasn't helped at all - I'm unmotivated at the best of times at the moment and whilst I've run in the rain before, it just ain't going to happen at the moment.

Time for bed!

Short post and short run

2008-06-07T11:09:00.001+10:00

Today's run: 4.9km, 38 mins 25 secs

Well as you can see the motivation is still lacking somehwat. But I made it out this morning for 5km. Nothing too exciting, but it was a nice morning and with 3 days off I wanted to fit some running in. I need to remind myself about how I do actually enjoy running. My legs were really tired pretty quickly - my lack of kms recently is obvious to me.

Last week at work was insane - and to boot I had a sore throat and hacking cough all week. The good news was that whilst I ran my cough was just about gone.

Now to enoy 3 days off!

Great Nosh Footrace

2008-06-02T16:51:00.004+10:00

Yesterday's race: 15km trail run, 2 and a quarter hours

As you might guess with my lack of posting, I am finding it really difficult to make myself get out and run since my half. I am trying to enthuse myself with a focus on speed training, thinking it is quite different to what I had done before, but it hasn't really been working. I posted about this on Cool Running, and got some good suggestions. The best ones were to find people to run with, and to try some trail running - either the Great Nosh Footrace (15km) on Sunday, or Woodford to Glenbrook ( a 24km run) in a couple of weeks. I posted my question about my motivation on Saturday, so when I saw the suggestion to try the Nosh run, I figured why not? I thought 15km would be relatively easy compared to my half. Boy was that wrong! The run took me only 10 minutes less than my half marathon!

I ran for about the first 3 or 4 kms with Emjay and TigerAngel. To be honest I was surprised I kept up with them for so long... the few times I had been to runclub earlier in the year they were always miles ahead of me. Anyway, I started to drop back a bit further, then a bit further... The view in the first parts of the race were just spectacular - I only wish I didn't have to concentrate on the ground in front so hard - I missed most of the sights! Most of the middle 5km was run pretty much on my own, playing leap frog with a couple of other runners. I was pretty disappointed that I had to do some walking in the middle parts - I could feel that I didn't have enough km's in my legs recently, but I think the very undulating and rough terrain took more energy than I realised! There were certainly some hands and knees parts over boulders and up some very steep inclines, and there was one boulder I'm sure I wouldn't have made it up without a friendly runner giving me a hand.

The last 5km or so I started to chat to one of the runners I had been playing leap frog with in the middle section - it turned out to be Slow Maniac's girlfriend. She was exactly my pace, and running with someone else my pace kept me honest - there are times I probably would have let myself walk but I made myself keep up with her! I haven't really had the experience of running in a race with someone else - normally I'm so far in the back I race mostly on my own. The last 5km went much more quickly and were quite enjoyable with the company.

About a km before the end another lady who was running just in front of us took quite a fall and really knocked the wind out of her sails. We stayed with her for 5mins or so as she recovered - at this point my time was so slow that I wasn't really worried about that aspect at all! I did feel bad for my parents though, who had driven to the finish line so they could give me a lift back to the start where my car was - I think they were expecting me to be quicker (so was I) and they ended up waiting around for ages.

All in all, I enjoyed the trail running aspect of things, but boy it was a hard run. I've never had to do so much walking in a run for a long time. There were still a few kms in there were I wondered why I was doing it, but hopefully my motivation improves from here.

First interval session

2008-05-27T17:30:00.002+10:00

Intervals are hard! Today I did my first session. A 1.6km (13 min) warm up run. I then did:

400m in 2:24 (5 seconds above goal pace)
200m walk then 200m jog back to the start to recover
400m in 2:14 (5 seconds below goal pace)
200m walk then 200m jog back to the start to recover
400m in 2:12n(7 seconds below goal pace)
200m walk then 200m jog back to the start to recover

I was a bit of a wimp and stopped after 3 intervals. I should and could have pushed on to do 4 intervals, but if I'm completely honest with myself, I did give myself an 'out'.

I set everything up yesterday afternoon by borrowing a trundle wheel from work. I mut have looked quite an idiot walking down the pedestrian path, eyes to the ground, counting the metres. The worst thing was there are lots of other cyclists and runners, and I couldn't look up at all or I'd miss seeing the little arrow tick over on the wheel (there was no 'click' noise), so I couldn't see anyone coming.

I suppose though, that I should be pleased with my run today. For starters the whole way home from work I was having an argument with myself in my head about how tired I was, and how much I didn't feel like going for a run, and how much I wanted to lie on the couch and eat chocolate. I nearly didn't win that argument - the temptation was huge. So I managed to at least get out there, and I also managed to run some intervals.

As I said, the intervals themselves are harder than I thought. 400m might seem pretty short, but it takes longer than I thought and there is enough time to have another conversation with yourself about how tired your legs are and how much you don't feel like it.

Onwards and upwards though. Next week I'll try for 4 intervals, and I'd like to not have to walk in between each set too. Certainly something to work on, and hopefully this will give me a focus for my running.

Picking up speed

2008-05-25T20:26:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 5km race, 31 mins 22 secs

Well it was bloody freezing this morning lining up for the 5km race at 7:30am. Lots of fog and not many degrees. I was pleased to be able to line up though... my sister and her husband were visiting Sydney and so I needed my run to be done early so I could go and have breakfast at Mum and Dad's with them. And truth be told, there was a part of me that thought that if I did the 5km race, I wouldn't feel so bad for not pushing for a further distance in a training run!

The race wasn't too bad. I didn't feel very speedy but it wasn't too shocking a time. No where near a PB, but I figure that since my half, I only did a puny run yesterday so I wasn't expecting big things. Nice as always to run in company.

It has also solidified what I want to focus on post-half... speed training. I think I'll always be a slow poke, but slow poke is a relative term, and after being comprehensively beaten by not just one but many kids under 15, and by quite a lot of minutes I might add, I think it's time I focused on getting quicker. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being beaten by kids, but I guess it has made me realise that I just haven't put the effort into running fast like I've put the effort into running long. I'm going to borrow a trundle wheel from school on Monday and look like an idiot measuring a 400m track for my intervals. I've worked out what pace I think I should be running at, and I keep playing with my watch to see if I can work out the lap timer function (I can't). All that's left to do know is put my money where my mouth is!

It's been a while...

2008-05-24T09:21:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 3.2km, 23 mins 38 secs

This is my first run back after my half last Sunday. On Monday, I could barely get around, I felt every little movement in all my joints and stairs were a problem. Tuesday was better - I felt very stiff but could get around reasonably ok. On Wednesday and Thursday I felt good, but didn't get home until really late. It was already dark and I don't fancy running in my area in the dark on my own. So no run then. Friday afternoon is drinks with the girls after work, so I figured I may as well just call this a week off and be done with it.

I have been eating like a guts all week - lots of work stresses happening, plus with being away last weekend I haven't done any grocery shopping and have had very little food left to choose from! I can actually feel the difference in my pants with eating rubbish and no running this week. Must work on that!

This mornings run was ok. It was nice to get out this morning, although I didn't have much energy in my legs and I think I need to build up a little again. I also need to get some direction pretty soon, I feel a bit aimless without a goal in sight. Only managed a measly 3.2km, but I just didn't have the heart or energy to go further.

Onwards and upwards eh?

Race Report - First half marathon!

2008-05-18T18:04:00.004+10:00

Today's race: 21.1km Canberra Half Marathon, unofficial time 2 hr 24 minutes

I did it! I'm sore and walking like an old, old lady, but I did it!

Drove down to Canberra on Friday evening with my parents - we used the weekend as an opportunity to visit my sister and her hubby and my aunt and uncle whilst we were there. Saturday was freezing... not only was the temperature pretty low but the wind chill factor was hideous, and every time I checked the weather for Sunday the forecast got worse. Of course I had only packed a t-shirt and shorts to run in on Sunday morning, but on Saturday I was getting very worried about whether I would DNF due to hypothermia. The girls in the family had a shopping trip on Saturday afternoon, and as a 'just in case' measure, I bought a new long sleeved running top. I know the golden rule is not to wear in a race what you have not tried in training, but I didn't know what would be worse. Saturday night was a family dinner - I chose the pasta option!

As it turned out, Sunday wasn't too bad a day. When I woke up it was already about 8 degrees (although windy), so I figured surely the temperature would have to increase a little bit. Had breakfast, got myself dressed and ready (in my long sleeved top - and with plenty of Bodyglide applied), and my Dad and uncle came down with me to the start. I had a tracksuit over my running gear until the last moment, which was very necessary, and had gloves on and a headband that covered my ears. Didn't see many cool runners at the start, although I think I spotted BigAdam ahead of me as we waited for the gun to go off.

Took the tracksuit off and handed this to Dad, but kept the gloves and headband on, which was a wise move. Although it was sunny and the temperature had increased a little, there was still quite a cold wind. Off I went - the first part of the course was a 4km loop that went back past the start line. By the time I had gone 1km I was a tail end charlie, but that was ok because it meant I didn't really get overtaken much on the run but managed to peg quite a few runners back along the way. At the 4km mark I handed my gloves to Dad, and he and my uncle went back home and left me to it.

Then the real work started. I had tried not to start out too quick - I did go a bit quicker than I had wanted to but felt comfortable - figured it wasn't too much quicker and I would just try and hang on. I don't have a garmin, so I have no idea of splits. Most of the run was quite pleasant in terms of scenery - it was almost always next to the lake, and through woods and trees. Most of the run just involved my sticking at my pace and trying not to think too far into the distance about how far I had to run. My sister and hub were planning on meeting me at Scrivener Dam - at about 11km. That perked me up as I approached it, but they weren't there... so for the next 5km, I kept looking out for them at every corner - it kept me going quite well as a strategy! It turned out they were at the 15km mark. They had waited at the bottom of quite a hill, and my sister ran with me to the top of it, which was great. The then drove round to the finish to meet me there.

Things got a bit tough around the 17-18km mark, and there was some gritting of teeth, but the good thing was I was close enough to convince myself that it would be over soon.

The worst part of the run was the last km, coming over the bridge over the lake. Man, that wind was freezing and went straight through me! My sister was waiting about 200m from the finish, and gave me just the motivation I needed to put on whatever turn of speed I had left in my legs.

I was excited to finish. I was excited to go less than 2 and a half hours. I was excited to go less than 2 hours 25 mins. But when I finished, we didn't hang around - the whole family had come to the finish line - I didn't have the energy to talk or do anything except drink some gatorade! But what a great day!

The three hour car trip back to Sydney this afternoon wasn't very helpful to my recovery - I had a hard time getting out of the car! Just trying to catch up with how all the other competitors went on the day. Will have to start planning my next half!

Counting down the days...

2008-05-13T20:07:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 6.4km, 47 mins 6 secs

As I left work this afternoon, I said to my colleague "If I can't tell you tomorrow morning that I went for a run tonight, then please kill me!" So under that sort of pressure, I went for a run this afternoon, even though I was pretty bushed and really didn't feel like it. As normal, though, I didn't feel too bad once I got there.

The run itself was ok. No niggles and I managed a reasonable pace considering I raced on Sunday, so that was good. Didn't want to push things too much today though. I had hoped to do 8km, but I didn't get home from work early enough and by the time I had started it was already starting to get dark, and I won't run in my area in the dark.

Counting down the days now until my half. I need to start getting all my gear organised so that I don't forget anything. On the other hand, not thinking about it has been a great strategy at the moment for not getting nervous, so perhaps I will leave the organisation until later!

Mother's Day Classic

2008-05-11T13:41:00.005+10:00

Today's race: 8km, 52 mins 29 secs (I think - I forgot to stop my watch!)

This morning's race took place only a couple of hundred metres from my place. So I set my alarm, tumbled out of bed, had a glass of water, got changed and went! A nice change from getting up hours and hours earlier, then driving for ages to get there! There was quite a crowd when I arrived, and a nice atmosphere too.

My parents came to watch this race, which was nice. It was a big effort, especially on the part of my mum, who on the other 364 days of the year likes to sleep in as much as possible! This morning she was up and there at 7:15! I did tell her that it was mother's day and she could sleep in, but she wanted to come and see me run, which was nice.

Once the run started, after the first km I worried that I had gone out a bit too fast, and I started to fear that I wouldn't be able to keep it up. I don't think I run particularly even splits. I think there were a couple of km's in the middle that were quite slow, but my overall average pace wasn't so different to what I started out at.

It's kind of sad when you're a slow runner and there's lots of people ahead of you who are not regular runners and they stop and take walk breaks - and still manage to stay ahead of you!

I think the best part of my run was when I finished my first 4km lap and was off out for a second lap. As I approached the finish line to start my second lap, the winner of the men's race crossed the line almost literally at the same time I did (although he's already completed two laps!). However, for perhaps the only time, I did get to experience the cheering from the crowd and the MC going nuts etc as I approached the finish line which was nice!

I managed to finish really well today too. I'm always good for a sprint finish, which probably tells me that I could have put more effort in. But the last couple of hundred metres or so I really stretched out and felt like I was flying. I really am going to have to start some serious speedwork once my half is done next week.

Today's run is not a PB - I ran a 48:xx 8km race when I was running back in 2006. But today was about 3 mins better than when I ran my first 8km (this time around running) a couple of months ago, which was nice. And plugging the numbers into McMillan, he says I can do a 2:27 half. As far as the half goes, my number 1 goal is finish, and my number 2 goal is 2:30, so that's reassuring. I'm getting scared though... 21.2kms is such a long way!

Hopefully I can add some photos from my race here later.

I should have run on Thursday

2008-05-10T11:01:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 6.4km, 48 mins 4 secs

Since last weekend, I only ran 5km on Wednesday and now this morning. I was planning on running on Thursday, and felt ok when I left work, but once again on my drive home I truly struggled to keep my eyes open I was that tired. So when I came home, I managed to convince myself that curcling up on the couch for a while would be a good thing. Truth be told, I actually felt better when I got home and I'm sure I could have managed a run, but I just didn't.

So when I ran this morning, I really thought that I would have been a bit faster and felt better after quite a rest. Not that my run was bad, but it wasn't anything to write home about. I ran in my local park, where they're setting up all the finishing chutes and tents and things for the Mother's Day Classic tomorrow that I'm running there. It will be interesting to see what my time is. I don't want to go all out because it's only a week until my half, but I would like to go faster than I did a couple of months ago when I ran my first 8km.

Off to get my mother's day things in order for Mum tomorrow! :)

The start of tapering...

2008-05-07T20:43:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 4.9 km, 37 mins 27 sec

A nice gentle run tonight over to Mum and Dad's for dinner again. I don't know what it is about that run - every time I do it, I seem to have problems with my left shin! Weird. But at least tonight it was only extremely mild, no pain at all.

I'm starting to go through the whole "have-i-done-enough-training-and-am-i-going-to-make-a-fool-of-myself" phase at the moment. Here's hoping it's just the nerves talking!

All out of juice

2008-05-04T08:46:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 3.2km, 24 mins 23 secs

Didn't have much energy left in my legs after yesterdays effort. I could only manage a very short run, but since I'm finding it so hard to get out and run during the working week, I figured it was a chance to add a few more km's to my total whilst I had the chance.

Could barely raise myself to a shuffle however!

Today I'm enjoying a relaxing day - I've got some friends coming round and we're going to work on various craft projects whilst sitting in the sun eating and chatting. Sounds nice!

Last long run before my first half

2008-05-03T12:51:00.002+10:00

Wednesday's run: 4.9 km, 36 mins 24 secs

Today's run: 18.75 km, 2 hrs 37 mins 27 secs

First week back at school this week after the holidays - and so finding the energy and strength of mind to go running midweek was pretty difficult! As you can see from the above, I only managed it once! On Wednesday I ran over to Mum and Dad's and had dinner with them, then Dad drove me home. It wasn't a fantastic run - my left shin was quite sore, and I just never felt very comfortable on that run. But at least I got one done.

As for this morning, I got up at about 6am for breakfast - since I'll have breakfast before my run on race day, I wanted to see how that went today. Following breakfast though, I fell asleep again for another hour or so whilst it digested! Once I woke up (again) and got myself and my gear together, off I went. It wasn't a bad run, but not wonderful either. Legs felt ok, and no shin tenderness - having said that I wondered whether I had more of a heel strike happening today? (Something to check out at a later date). Mentally I tried to think only about running to the next corner, running to the next traffic light etc, rather than thinking of the whole long way I would be going. I was able to do that alright today, but I didn't feel quite as energetic as last week.

I have some concerns about my time in the half. I should say that really my goal is to finish, but I think anyone would be lying if they said they didn't have a time in mind. My first time goal is 2 hrs 30 mins, and the secret second time goal is 2 hrs 20 mins. Neither of them are quick times, but it's such a long time to keep up a quicker pace that I'm starting to get a bit worried. Today I managed nearly 19 kms, but on the day I'll need to do 2 more kms, and even at 19kms it took me 2 hrs 40 mins roughly.

Perhaps it's the nerves starting... Two weeks of tapering, here I come!

A new PW for 5km but a nice run anyway

2008-04-27T10:03:00.003+10:00

A beautiful morning for running today. When I got to the race I still couldn't work out whether to run the 5km or 10km. I ended up deciding not to push things too much and do the 5km. I'm glad I did - whilst I felt ok before hand, once I started running I knew I just didn't have the energy to go too hard. It's my worst result in a 5km race ever. So I'm pretending it's not a race - I'm counting it as race pace training for my half, since I'd like to do just under 7 min kms if its humanly possible! Oh well, a nice morning for a run, and a few more kms under my belt.

Second time's a charm

2008-04-25T12:06:00.003+10:00

Todays' run: 18.75km, 2 hrs 38 mins 13 secs

After 13 straight days of rain... it held off this morning although it was very overcast. A lovely cool but not cold morning, perfect temps for running.

Mentally it was a much better run than the last couple of weeks - got up just knowing it would be ok. It was a long run, mind you, and my ankles, knees, hips etc are a little creaky now. Calves were tight to start with, but aside from those few little things, I'm just so pleased and relieved to have completed this run... I thought it was going to haunt me! I managed to keep my mind focussed on what was going on around me, rather than the route or distance I had to run.

As I said though, the best thing is that now I feel like I'm in a position to finish a half marathon, whatever happens in the next few weeks. The plan is for one more long run next weekend and two weeks to taper. On Sunday I'm planning on a race, but I'm not sure at the moment whether a hard 10km race after today will be too much, or whether I should go for a more realistic 5km. We'll see.

Yeah - it's done and the monkey is off my back!!!

Getting slightly better

2008-04-23T13:05:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 9.6km, 1 hr 15 mins 49 secs

Well it's getting a little bit better. My legs felt better today than they have over the last few runs, which was pleasing. My head was in a slightly better space today too, although it wasn't quite where it needed to be to completely get my mojo back. It was raining quite steadily during my run too, so I think the fact that I didn't pack the run in earlier was quite positive too.

I'm worried I've lost interest too much to get in the last few long runs I need for the HM I have planned. I don't want to lose interest... I want to be a runner, but I've been struggling with enjoying running for the last week or two. In the meantime, I'll keep trying...

Where has my mojo gone?

2008-04-22T21:58:00.002+10:00

Todays' run: Dreadmill - 37 mins 30 secs... I think only about 4 kms

Shocking run today. Was supposed to run this morning but it was pouring. Didn't really feel like it anyway. Went to work to get some marking done and took my running clothes with me. Even though it wasn't raining I didn't feel like running outside once I had finished at school - in fact I didn't feel like running at all, but for some stupid reason I thought that going to the gym and running on the dreadmill would be ok. Hah! What a stupid thought is that! It was shocking. I was very slow, and just didn't have the heart or stamina to keep going. It was hot and stuffy inside too. I'll try again tomorrow... I really need a good run right about now.

I threw in the towel

2008-04-19T12:28:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 5.8km, 46 mins 20 secs

Today I was meant to run 18km. As you can see from the above, I didn't make it. My lungs were fine and my breathing was nice and easy. I didn't even get particularly sweaty on the run. It wasn't raining like I had feared. I got up early to have breakfast a couple of hours before my run, so everything should have been good.

Currently I have two voices in my head that are giving me different opinions on why the run didn't go so well. Here are their opinions...

Voice 1:
The last two weekends have been very long runs for me... 15km and 16.6km. I've never run that far before. My legs just needed a break and a cut back week before I attempt an even further long run.

Voice 2:
I got soft on myself. My head wasn't in the right place and I could have kept going if I wanted it bad enough. Just because it got slightly hard I gave up.

The truth of the matter is probably somehwere between the two. Worst part was, not only did I cut the run short, I also stopped about a km from home and walked the rest of the way. So pretty disappointed.

Not so hot...

2008-04-18T14:13:00.002+10:00

Yesterday's run: 4.8km, 37 mins 38 secs

A slow, heavy run yesterday after a great run on Wednesday. I suppose that's the way it goes - you can't run well all of the time. It was raining too, which never makes me feel like being out there for too long. (Although I continually surprise myself that I get out for a run in the rain in the first place - it would be so easy to stay indoors).

Looking at my total kms for each week, month etc... I am amazed at how far I have come. I may still be slow, but to be running these sort of distances is amazing. My goal for tomorrow is 18km. It will probably take me about 2 and a 1/2 hours. I can't believe that that sort of distance is achievable for me!

I think I have been too easy on myself...

2008-04-16T11:13:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 9.6km, 1 hr 9 mins 59 secs

Many of you will probably look at the time it took me to do today's run at scoff at how slow I was. But I am very happy with this run for a couple of reasons.

1. 9.6km is my longest midweek run yet. One of the benefits of school holidays is that I now have time to do these longer runs midweek, plus I can do them in the morning rather than after a busy day chasing after several hundred kids, when it's sometimes all I can do to get up the three flights of stairs to my apartment.

2. Slow as it may seem, the pace for today's run is one of the fastest regular training runs I've done in ages. My pace was 7:17 - often my runs are between 7:30 and 7:50 for a regular training run - on the weekend my long runs are over 8:00 a km. And considering the length of the run, I'm pretty happy with that!

My run was 3 laps of a 3.2km loop... the first lap my shin on my left leg was a bit sore... I hadn't run yesterday because it was sore then too. I started to get a bit worried, wondering whether to pull the pin and rest up, but just before the end of the first lap it felt a bit better, so I kept going. And during the second and third laps, it actually felt good! I managed to get a longer stride going for the second and third laps, which was great, and my shin is only a little sore now.

Yeah for me!

Cut short

2008-04-14T10:50:00.003+10:00

Today's run: 6.4km, 47 mins 11 secs

Today's run felt good. When I left the house it was sprinkling, but it soon stopped. Everything felt ok today... I didn't feel like I was running particularly quickly, but my pace was better than it has been for a while. I could have run further today, and I wanted too, but I had to get home for an appointment so that was the only disappointing part. Whilst I don't seen to be getting very quick, running these sorts of distances used to be my long runs, and are now not so much of an effort. Nice to see that sort of change happening.

Confidence building...

2008-04-12T22:39:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 16.6km, 2 hrs 16 mins 50 secs

After some cruddy running during the week, I managed to make up for things with a new longest long run. Whilst once again it was a pretty slow plod, it's confidence building in that the Hal Higdon Half Marathon plan only has 16km as its longest run. So now I figure any further I can do in training is just a bonus.

I didn't feel too bad today - no real niggles or anything. Thought I might feel worse because I didn't have breakfast before I left (it's the first day of the school holidays and I couldn't face getting up too early) plus I'm due for my time of the month and I often feel like rubbish on those days (sorry if that's TMI).

So all in all I'm pretty happy with those efforts. In fact at the moment, I seem to be struggling to increase the distance of my midweek runs more than I am with weekend long runs. Hopefully during the holidays I can rectify that.

A new worst. run. ever.

2008-04-10T18:06:00.002+10:00

Today's run: 3.2km, 25 mins 27 secs

I just didn't feel it today. Within 50 metres of starting, I could feel my shin playing up again, and so I contemplated walking. But then the shin was ok, and I still wanted to walk. I had a toilet break, mostly so I could stop for a moment. I kept going, but at a snails pace. And it was such a mental battle today. The only reason I kept running instead of walking was because it would have been so humiliating to think that I couldn't even do 3.2km. Even so, considering I'm going to attempt a half in 5 weeks, 3.2km as a midweek run is just weak.

School holidays for 2 weeks now... I'm hoping to get some good solid training in. Only problem is that I started getting swollen glands and an earache today so I' hoping I don't come down with something.

So-so midweek run

2008-04-09T19:09:00.002+10:00

Yesterday's run: 5km, 37 mins 22 secs

Yesterday I was struggling for time to run... I had to stay late at school for a meeting and I was going to Mum and Dad's for dinner (Dad had cooked and was extremely proud of himself!) So I combined my run with the last activity and ran over to Mum and Dad's, which is 5km away. Now that daylight savings has ended it was pretty much dark when I started, and it had been raining off and on all day, so the road was a bit wet and slippery.

The moment I started the run though, I didn't feel very comfortable. The whole way I had niggles. First my shin hurt, then my knee, and back to my shin again. This has happened before, but after a few minutes, the niggles seem to go away and I start feeling good - but not yesterday. Perhaps part of the problem was that since I was only doing 5km, I had gone out with the intention of trying to make them fairly quick kms. Of course the time it took me will show that was not the case in the end - part of the is because of the niggles, but also partly because I stopped to stretch and had to wait to cross quite a few roads.

So unhappy in that it was not a great run. Happy in that I managed to sneak a run into the busy last week of term.

Getting chilly...

2008-04-06T09:14:00.004+10:00

Today's run: 6.4km, 49 mins 20 secs

After the clocks changed last night for the end of daylight savings, I got to sleep in for an extra hour this morning! However after a long nana nap yesterday, I wasn't really tired enough to sleep in this morning, so I got up at 6:20am. Now for me, on a weekend, when I didn't really need to, that's early! Anyway, it meant that by the time I got myself organised and out the door for my run, and back, it was still early!

My run today was pretty good. It's started to turn pretty cold in the mornings now - there is a definite 'freshness' in the mornings and evenings, although it's still lovely during the day. My calves were pretty tight after yesterday's effort, but aside from that I felt pretty good. I guess it should tell me I should stretch more after my runs, but at the end of the day I am a pretty lazy girl. Maybe one day I will get into that habit - so for now, my stretching routine is a bit sporadic.

As I said before, when I got home, it was only 8:15am, so I decided to treat myself to bacon and scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast, which was lovely. So by 9am, I'd had breakfast, cleaned up, showered and dressed - again, unheard of for the weekend! Particularly when I run it usually means I'm not ready to go until much later.

Now to decide what to do with my day!

Another longest long run

2008-04-05T11:39:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 14.9km, 2 hrs 3 mins 39 secs

After a cut back week following my 14km race, I thought it was time to up the ante again as far as distance was concerned, so my goal for today was about 15km. Last night I was playing about on my computer trying to map a nice route for myself on gmaps-pedometer, and I started to get a bit worried by just how far I would be running... it's a long way!!!

This morning I got up early and had my usual breakfast. Up until now I hadn't eaten before my long runs, but they weren't really all that long, so that was ok. I know that if I enter a half marathon though, I'll be up for quite a while before I run, and will get hungry, so I wanted to see how my stomach would cope with breakfast then a run. After breakfast I actually curled up under a blankie on the couch whilst I waited for that to digest - I had had to wake up too early on a Saturday to east breakfast for my liking! After a short nap I finally got moving and organised my fuel belt with 2 bottles of gatorade and 2 bottles of water, along with some jelly beans.

Once I got going I was surprised by how easy and comfortable the first 5 kms were. I was running quite a bit slower than I usually would over 5kms of course, which obviously helps it be more comfrtable, but I guess it just made me think about how far I've come. The second 5km were also not too bad, but they involved crossing quite a lot of roads so that meant stopping momentarily to look for traffic etc and that was a bit of a pain. Around 8km - 12km there were a number of quite big hills, which considering how long I'd already been running for, I handled pretty well. My ankles were actually the part that complained about them most, due to the camber of the road. The last few kms seemed to go reasonably quickly too, and it certainly didn't feel like I'd been running for 2 hours when I got home. Made it the whole way without stomach discomfort after breakfast or any loo stops too, which was great. Each time I had a drink I did walk though - I just can't coordinate myself to run and drink!

Mentally, I was pretty pleased with how I handled it. My runs always suck when I spend my time thinking about how far I have to go, and whilst I try not to do that, sometimes I just can't help myself. Today, however, I managed to amuse myself with all kinds of other random thoughts!

So as I sit here, clean and warm on the couch, I'm pretty pleased with myself again. It's amazing to me that a half marathon is seeming like a more realistic achievement every day...

Midweek

2008-04-02T19:47:00.003+11:00

Today's run: 8.1km, 1 hr 2 mins 30 secs

Today was one of those days. You know, the kind where you just keep getting one thing after another to deal with, and just when you think you can't handle anything else, there's another 3 things landing on your desk. The worst part of my particular role (I'm a teacher but also responsible for a year group of students) is that when you're dealing with people, you just can't put some things off - they have to be dealt with.

So by the time I got home this afternoon, I was very happy to go for my run to have some time to think things through... not that I solved a thing, but it gave me a break at least. My goal for this afternoon was to do a run of a decent length - ie not pike part way through and cut it short! And I was very happy with 8.1km... that's my longest midweek run to date. It is a bit of a pain because of course these longer runs take longer amounts of time, especially at my pace! I was a little less enthusiastic about this run compared to plenty of other afternoons, but I figure at the stage of my training that I can't afford to be piking on things - if my program says to run, then I need to run. I kept repeating to myself this afternoon "If you can't run, then walk, if you can't walk, then crawl." And funnily enough, I managed to run the whole thing.

A good way to start the month.

100km for March!!!

2008-03-30T10:12:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 8km, 1 hr 1 min 23 secs

I felt pretty flat again today on my run, and in all honesty my heart wasn't really in it. But I figure that the more runs like that that I struggle through, the less I will hopefully struggle later (if that makes sense). So I kept going. It would have been really easy to stop part way through and call it quits early, but I had some pretty good motivation... if I ran 8km today I have my first monthly total over the 100km mark! 100.2km to be exact! I was planning for this to be a cut back week after last weekends big effort, but I was happy with 8km as my longest run this week.

Now just to get my head back in the right place for the upcoming half marathon.

Running funk broken

2008-03-30T07:59:00.002+11:00

Yesterday's run: 6.4km, 47 mins 58 secs

Well I broke the running drought yesterday as promised. I guess I was a bit disappointed in only running 6.4km... I was hoping to do 9.6km, but my legs were pretty tired yesterday and I had things to do that morning - at the moment a 9.6km run simply takes me a pretty long time! I think the other reason that I didn't run so far yesterday was that I have been eating nothing but crap last week.

I'm off for another run this morning... distance wise we'll see how we go.

A bad week

2008-03-28T13:29:00.002+11:00

This week has involved no running whatsoever since my PB in the 14km race I did on Easter Monday. Partly that's because I had quite a sore shin in the 3 days afterwards, to the point where I could feel it when I walked. And part of it, I have to admit, is laziness. I've fallen off the wagon a bit. I've also eaten nothing but rubbish this week after being so good at packing salads for lunch every day in the few months prior. Today is no good for a run because it's the traditional Friday work drinks and I'll be home late, but I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things on Saturday and Sunday. My shin feels good now, I don't notice anything, so hopefully it goes smoothly. In a strange way, as long as I get back on track this weekend, I'm kind of glad I've fallen off the wagon a bit - I think the more I 'get back on' (so to speak), the more it reinforces running as a habit. I have missed running this week, but just haven't been able to beat the voice in my head into submission to actually get out there and do it.

I keep on thinking to myself that if I want to do a half marathon, whether it's in May or later, that I can't stop running every 5 minutes when I don't feel like it.

Hopefully my next post will be a lot more positive.

A PB for me!

2008-03-24T18:47:00.005+11:00

Today's race: 14km, 1hr, 33 mins

When I woke this morning at 5:45, it was dark, but not too cold, and it wasn't raining. Had some brekkie, got dressed and started my drive in towards the city for this mornings 14km race. I had been driving for about 10mins when it started sprinkling lightly on my windsheild. "That's ok, a little sprinkle won't hurt" I said to myself. I keep driving another 10 minutes or so, and it gets a little heavier. "Well, I'd rather it didn't rain, but I guess I'll just get wet" says I. I continue on, and by the time I pull up to the race venue, it is chucking it down, and there are a few rumbles of thunder. Now I'll admit that I'm a more wussy runner than some, but I can cope with running in the rain. But I just didn't like the thought of running in torrential rain for an hour and a half.

But because I had told my family that I would be running, and because I didn't want to get called a wimp for backing out, and because I was there anyway, and because it may clear up, I went and got my race number and got ready. The start of the race was delayed a little, which in the end turned out to be a good thing because it had started clearing quite a bit by then. In fact when the starter called "Go", it had pretty much stopped raining. Of course what that meant was that the course was quite slippery and muddy, and I ended the race with some lovely brown splodge marks all down my legs, and I've had to wash my runners tonight!

The run itself was ok... I was at the tail end of the field, which I expected, but I wasn't on my own which was good. After just a km though, I looked at my watch - I had done the first km in about 6 mins 30ish, which I was worried was too fast and unsustainable. After a short argument in my head though, I decided it felt comfortable enough, and I figured I would just keep going about that pace and see if I could stick it out.

So on I kept plodding. The only point of confusion for me was the two times we came back near the start... I could just not work out where the route was meant to go. Both times I followed the runners in front of me, but both times they went different ways! Particularly as I started the 7km loop again, with all the early finishers milling around the start / finish area eating their pancakes, it was impossible to know where I was meant to go! Oh well!

In the end, I managed to maintain a pace of around 6:39 (some faster kms, some slower), but I was really happy with that. Also at the end of many races I can still sort of sprint it in, but this time, it was all I could do to maintain my pace - so I'm happy I gave it my all. I finished in a watch time of 1 hour 33 mins 14secs (no official time yet) which I'm completely thrilled about. When I ran in 2006 I started running in January and continued until August when I ran my best 14km time of 1 hour 39 mins 9 secs. So today after only 3 months back running I blitzed it by about 6 mins! It certainly gives me hope that with some more training I'll be able to hack a half marathon in May!

After the race I had my free pancake with nutella, and some fruit, had a chat, and made my way home. I've been pooped all day - I only managed to do my groceries and make dinner, punctuated in between by a very long nana nap!

I love good days!

A few more km

2008-03-22T11:53:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 3.2km, 22 mins 22 secs

Got a few more kms in today in between rain showers. I didn't want to do too much, as I think 14km on Monday will be a big ask, but I did want to add a few more kms to my weekly total because it's looking incredibly sad at the moment. My run this morning was a bit faster than most of my training too, so it was good to get my legs moving a bit quicker.

I managed a run today

2008-03-21T09:49:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 8km, 1 hr 3 mins 27 secs

Well after not running all week, and being in a bit of a funk, I managed to get out for a run this morning. It was nice because, being Good Friday, it's a public holiday which meant I could get up when I wanted and run when I felt like it.

When I woke up this morning, after being stinking hot all week, it was raining and incredibly cool and overcast. The cool weather was nice, but I have to say I had doubts about whether I would manage to throw myself out the door for a run if it was still raining. Anyway, soon enough the rain stopped and I did get a run in, and I didn't even get wet!

I was hoping to do a medium-length run for me... I am entered for a 14km run on Monday (my longest run so far is 11.5km) so I didn't want to do something too long, but since this is my first run for the week I also didn't want it to be too short. I'm pretty happy with 8km, although the pace was pretty slow, and I felt like I could have run further.

Not sure at this stage whether I might go for a short run tomorrow, just to get some more kms up for the week - we'll see how I go.

Have a great long weekend everyone.

I'm in a funk

2008-03-20T19:10:00.003+11:00

This week... no running since Sunday.

The week started off innocently enough. After a weekend of my longest run to date and a 5km race where I ran my second fastest time ever, I decided that Monday and Tuesday would be rest days. No problems there. Then Wednesday came. I got home at about 4:30 - 5:00 after work, and crashed on the lounge and slept for an hour. I could have run after that, but my heart just wasn't in it. In fact I made home made pizzas on pita bread for dinner, and had a piece of crusty pita bread stick in my throat and make me choke. I ended up coughing and actually vomited in trying to get the bread up. Needless to say after that I was ok, but I'm glad I didn't run, because I didn't feel great after that. That brings us to today - Thursday. I had an inservice course to go to, and could have easily run when I got home from school. Today, it's really hot (now that it's Autumn it's decided to deliver us the summer we never had), and very sticky and humid weather for running. But whilst I had the time, and could have easily gone, I just didn't feel like it and I let myself off the hook. I'm not really pleased about that, but I've felt in a funk all week.

My funk has extended to my diet too. For the last month or so, I've been making 5 salads on Sunday evening for my work lunches for the week. Last Sunday I had people over and never had a chance... and then I just didn't get to / feel like making them on Monday, or Tuesday, or Wednesday ... So my lunches have been rubbish. And not just my lunches... there was a day when I didn't get lunch at all at work, so there I was pulling into the McDonalds drive-thru on the way home and ordering a quarterpounder and small fries. And snacking in general has been bad this week. There have been several chocolate bars purchased (and I haven't done that for a long time) and this afternoon was full of both boredom and comfort eating.

The only positive thing this week was that I signed up for the 14km race on Easter Monday. I suspect I will finish last (I know lots of people say that and they are middle of the packers - but I really think I will be last), but I'm just interested in doing the distance. A jump from 11.5km to 14km is probably a lot, especially after a crap running week, but we'll see how we go.

I can't wait to get out of this funk.
I'm trying not to beat myself up about it and figure I will get back on the horse soon. My philosophy is that the more I run long term, the less frequent funks should be. If I beat myself up about it too much now, I think I will turn myself off too much. But maybe this is me giving myself excuses. Who knows... all this thinking has made my head hurt. Tonight it's an evening of crappy tv and a glass of wine whilst reclining on the couch.

5km in under 30 mins!

2008-03-16T09:20:00.004+11:00

Today's run: 5km race, just under 30 minutes! (I think - official time not posted yet)

This morning I got up at the crack of dawn (well actually before the crack of dawn - it was still dark) to do a 5km race. After my longest long run ever though, I thought this might have been a tad optimistic. I got there this morning with plenty of time to spare, and sat in my warm car waiting thinking about how nice my bed would be... but once I got over to the start line I was pleased I had turned up.

My first km was pretty slow, about 6 mins 33 secs. People always say don't go out to fast in a race, but my problem is the opposite, I don't seem to be able to go out fast at all! Second km was a bit better, this one I did in 6 mins 14 secs. Third km was approx 5 mins 50 secs. During the fourth km I felt like I had run out of steam a bit, and it really felt like I had slowed down quite a lot, but when I looked at my watch, I had done it in about 5 mins 45 secs I think. During that last km, my head kept saying to slow down, that I was going to burst a boiler soon and that it was just too hard, but I told it to shut up, and that I was nearly home, and I reminded myself of how disappointed I would be if I missed out by a tad and felt like I hadn't given it my all. The last 100m or so was pretty much an all out sprint - there was a guy ahead who I was trying to catch for quite a while - I think it was pretty much a dead heat at the finish line.

My final time isn't posted yet, but I'm pretty sure it was just under 30 minutes. That's only about 30 secs off my PB from 2006 when I was running before, so I'm pretty happy with that. I think that these shorter races are good for reminding my legs about how to go faster - I love the long, slow distance runs but I need a little speed every now and then too.

Best thing is that whilst I didn't really want to get up at 5:50am on a Sunday, by 9am I was home and having breakfast. I'll have to see if I can squeeze in a nana nap though!

Long and slow...

2008-03-15T11:02:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 11.5km, 1hr, 34 mins, 21 secs

Well another longest long run for me today. It felt a lot slower than last week's longest run, but in actual fact it was only about 10 seconds a km slower. I know the first part of my was extremely slow, so I must have picked up some pace as I got going and found a rhythm. The good news was that I had grave fears of bathroom issues on such a long run, and except for a planned pitstop after 4km, I was all a-ok. I also tried out wearing my fuel belt for this run, and I took some jelly beans with me, and had about 5 or 6 spaced out over the run. They went down well but I don't know whether I could say I noticed a difference, and they stuck to my teeth which was annoying! Call me fussy, but I just don't like the idea of sucking back a gooey slimy gel though.

When I finished, up my run, I had tiny little niggles in my right ankle, knee and hip, but I felt pretty good. I jumped straight in a cold bath to try and help my recovery for the first time too. Well, actually I lie. I had to start out by making it a luke warm bath (or else I could never have forced myself to sit down), then I kept adding cold water and let out any warm water that was left. Not sure if the bath has worked yet, since it's only been an hour or so since then.

If I recover ok today, I'm thinking about doing a 5km race again tomorrow. Getting all of this distance is great, but I need to practise some runs at a faster pace too. We'll see how we go. And then depending on how next week goes, I might jump a little in distance and try a 14km race on Easter Monday... or maybe I am getting ahead of myself here and stick to the 8km...

Bleh...

2008-03-13T09:53:00.002+11:00

Runs this week: Tuesday: 3.2km, Wednesday 3.6km - both very slow!

On Tuesday afternoon I came home early from school. That in itself was amazing because literally every day for the past few weeks there have been meetings, open nights, parent / teacher conferences etc to stay back for. By the time I got home, even though it was early, I crashed on the couch for a nana nap for over an hour! Once I got going again, I went out for my run, hoping it had cooled a bit - it hadn't. I also still had tired and heavy legs from my big efforts on the weekend.

Yesterday (Wednesday) I went out for a run after work, and once again it was pretty hot and humid. And once again, my legs were tired and heavy, and just a short run required me to do some serious talking to myself to keep my legs moving. And once again I had issues with needing to stop for the loo... I was going to run longer, but by the time I needed to stop for the second time, I have to admit I just gave up and walked home. It's a bit disappointing and frustrating really. I even tried the glass of warm water trick before I went, but no success. I don't really want to look at changing my diet either because I have just started to successfully lose some weight with my new eating habits - and they're pretty healthy. I normally have peanut butter on toast for breakfast, a salad for lunch and pasta, or rice or something fairly healthy for dinner. My snacks are now fruit and rice biscuits rather than chips and chocolate.

Hmmrphh. Here's hoping things get better.

I think I can...

2008-03-09T10:24:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 6.4km, 47 mins 42 secs

I've been toying with the idea for the last couple of weeks about entering a half marathon. Like I said yesterday, there's two that I have in mind and both are on May 18. But for the last week of so I've been having this conversation in my head about whether I would be ready and able to run a half by then. One minute I think I should go for it, the next I am asking myself "but what if I don't make it?"

I think this weekend I have gotten to the point where I think I will just take the leap and go for it. I'm not going to send in an entry form just yet, but I guess I am now serious where I think I will follow the HM training program a little more strictly. I am using Half Higdon's novice program - at the moment I'm a couple of weeks ahead of the program but I'd like to do at least one run that a little longer and have a few weeks up my sleeve in case of set backs.

On the training program, next week is an 11.2km long run, followed by about 13km the following week. However next weekend is a 10km race held by Sydney Marathon Clinic and the following week is a 14km (or 7km) race held by Sri Chinmoy. I'd love to do at least one of those races, so at the moment I'm thinking about doing my own 12km long run next weekend and the 14km race the weekend after. That's increasing my distance just a little more than I'd like but the week after the race I would be planning on a cutback week.

I'm going to play it by ear and see how it goes... and of course I'll update here with what I decide to do!

After my run today, I went for my first bike ride in a couple of weeks - just a short 12.8km ride - it was slow but nice to get out there for a ride with Dad.

New longest long run

2008-03-08T10:14:00.003+11:00

Today's run: 9.9kms, 1 hr, 20 mins, 1 sec

I impressed myself today by running 10km. Not that I thought I couldn't but I guess the part that I was really pleased about was that it was just a nice comfortable long run. No niggles, and my legs did get tired, but overall it was pretty good. I had to stop for the loo after half an hour - I must try and get that under control!

At the moment I'm trying to gear myself up for a half marathon. There are two to choose from on May 18, and I'm hoping I might be ready for one by then. I'm going to leave entering for another couple of weeks, just to make sure I keep going ok and think I can make the distance by then. The next choice is which one to do. One is the Sydney Half Marathon, which is a bit event in a picturesque part of Sydney. The other is the Canberra Half Marathon which is smaller but also around the picturesque Lake Burley Griffin, and it doesn't have time cut offs.

Time will tell whether I make it that far and which one I do!

Worst. run. ever.

2008-03-06T20:45:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 3.2km 26 mins 09 secs

Even though now it's officially autumn here, we had one of the few 30+ degree (celsius) days here for a long time. Normally summer is over 30 most days, but this year we only had 2 days over 30! So now that's it's officially autumn, it decides to be hot. Needless to say that as a result, my run was completely crap. I had sweat dripping off me immediately, and just couldn't get going. I stopped for a toilet break halfway, which turned out to be unnecessary. But of course I sat there on the toilet just enjoying the break from running! ;-) Once I started running again, convincing my legs to do anything more than a walk was near impossible - but I did, and I completed my shockingly short run in a shockingly long time.

Oh well, here's for better runs on the weekend.

Another day, another dollar, another run

2008-03-05T18:56:00.001+11:00

Today's run: 5.0 km, 38 mins 29 secs

Well today's run was bloody slow. But I was very happy to make it out for a run regardless. I've had a crappy few days at work, just feeling overwhelmed by the very volume of stuff I have to do. Today I finally felt like I got somewhere, which was great. So after a long day my legs were tired, but all those km's add up...

Intervals ahoy!

2008-03-02T18:22:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 6.4km, 46 mins 38 secs

Yesterday I mentioned that I could 'feel' the inside of my right ankle after yesterdays run. Well I could still 'feel' it this morning, so I left my run. But I've had a crappy weekend and haven't felt relaxed at all. My sister and her husband, and my aunt visited for my mum's birthday, and we went out for the day yesterday. It should have been great, and it was, but I couldn't stop thinking about all the work I should have been doing to get up to date. I couldn't even stay at mum and dad's last night for dinner with everyone, I came home and worked instead. Also for some stupid reason that defies explanation, even though my sister is my bestest friend, I always seem to feel inadequate after spending a weekend with her. I can't quite work out why. So I wasn't feeling very relaxed today, and was pretty down, so I decided it was worth the risk in going for a run.

Something I noticed about that too - a couple of months ago if I felt like that I would have reached for the chocolate and chips - but today, I really needed to get out there and pound the pavement. I'm so pleased that's my new reaction.

Anyway, my first 3.2km lap was nice and easy. I had a couple of twinges in various places on both legs, but nothing I would consider painful, and after continuing on, it became pretty comfortable. After a toilet stop, I decided that today would be the day when I started my first lot of interval training. I didn't want to do anything too rash or full on, since I don't really want any injuries, so I decided that for my second lap, I would run 1 minute hard, then 2 minutes recovery jog. I don't know that my 1 minute hard was very consistent, but I was pretty happy overall with my efforts.

Here's hoping that this week at work is much, much better than last week!

Cut back week

2008-03-01T09:17:00.002+11:00

Today's run: 6.4km, 48 mins 44 secs

This week I am reducing my running a little bit to give myself a bit of a break after some hard racing weeks. So a shorter long run today...

I managed a nice consistent pace as I ran today. I could "feel" my right ankle and the top of my right foot. Nothing hurt, but it just didn't feel quite the same as my left foot! Will try and be careful over the next couple of weeks because the last thing I want is an injury. I'm the kind of person that if I have to stop running for something for a while, it's hard to get back into it.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to get a run in, but it may be hard. I have lots of work to do over the weekend, and my sister and her husband and my aunt are all visiting this weekend for my Mum's birthday. So I think not only will I be busy, but I'll also be eating lots of rubbish after being so healthy over the last few weeks. I've also managed to lose 2 kgs so far!

Road running

2008-02-28T17:02:00.002+11:00

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.

Still recovering

2008-02-26T20:58:00.002+11:00

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!

Another great race

2008-02-25T20:04:00.005+11:00

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.

A nice slow easy hit out

2008-02-23T20:52:00.003+11:00

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.

So have I overdone it?

2008-02-21T17:52:00.002+11:00

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?

Race number one!

2008-02-17T10:56:00.004+11:00

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!

My longest long run yet

2008-02-16T10:34:00.002+11:00

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...

Another quick report

2008-02-13T19:05:00.002+11:00

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!

Quick run ... quick report ...

2008-02-12T20:23:00.000+11:00

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!!

Another great training day

2008-02-10T11:45:00.001+11:00

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!!!

A wash out

2008-02-09T10:55:00.000+11:00

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!

What a wimp!

2008-02-05T20:44:00.000+11:00

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.

Another day down...

2008-02-03T10:26:00.000+11:00

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.

I've found the cure... rest!

2008-02-02T10:40:00.000+11:00

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!

M.I.A

2008-02-01T20:41:00.001+11:00

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!