Back soon...

I've decided to stop pushing myself and after having to take a break on Sunday again because of my back, will now take a month off.

Even if I feel great, I'm not going to run in November.

Then when I start again in December, I'm going to start by doing short distances and will increase them by a km or two each week.

If that doesn't work, I don't know what will. I think it's the only thing I can do if I want to have a hope of running in the Adelaide marathon again. I really really want another chance to get a better time.

I hate not running and I think this month is going to kill me.

Keep your fingers crossed for me...

Needless to say, I don't think I'll be updating this blog but if you want to follow along with other parts of my life, you can tune into my musings blog

See you in a month...

Really don't want to talk too soon....

I hope I'm not jinxing myself but writing this but every day my back has been getting better and I've been running Saturday thru to this morning. Every day it felt a little better.

The 16kms I ran on Saturday I ran in 1:28.00 which I was happy enough with.

Now I have three days off and I wonder if the inactivity will be bad for my back. That seems to be the trend but it's really hard to run when I work.. still, might get a short run in on Thursday night just to keep things moving...

Anyhow, the news is good but I'm still going to have low kms for the month of October

Current total kms for October, 149kms

Still battling thru injury

Had to take four days off... that coupled with the three days I worked means I hadn't run for 7 days.
I get so depressed when I can't run and feel like I'll never run again...

And then I think, don't be silly, of course you'll run, but I don't think I'll ever be able to do long distances again... God I hope that's not true. I get so depressed thinking about it.

Anyhow, today I felt like my back was bearable so I took off along the beach. I wasn't sure how far I was going to run but ended up weaving in and out of streets, running hills I normally avoid and although my time was slower, generally felt ok.
I mean my back was sending shooting pains thru to my hips and upper leg but it wasn't bad enough to stop me... just bad enough to make me wonder if I was doing the right thing.

But I had to run. I just had to!!

I've noticed that I don't like going for shorter runs... runs shorter than 10kms I'd say.
I just feel like it's not worth putting on my running gear for that.
It's dumb I know because it's better to run that, than to not run at all..
I wonder if that goes through other runners minds as well?

My total kms for October is really lame and I'm almost embarrassed about it. I just hate not being able to do something I should be able to do!!

total kms for October, 95kms

Loving this warmer weather...

My good feeling running is still happening despite being a bit rundown.
I think the rundowness has to do with the weather!
Warm weather is coming... but my body will get used to it!

I actually love Spring and Summer although I do have to plan my longer runs betters to make sure I'm hydrated.

Anyhow, went for another run outdoors on the weekend and managed 15kms in 1 hour 21 which I thought was ok.

I'm really looking forward to doing long weekend runs again! Now that the mapgie threat is almost over...

So far my back has been ok. It's not fantastic but it's not getting worse and hasn't hampered my running....

I shared some photos on facebook recently and was going to include this "toes" picture but then thought non runners just wouldn't understand!! Even runners might be grossed out by it but at least they'd understand and probably have their own black toes to deal with!

I must admit, I'm kind of proud of my black toe nails. It means I'm a runner!

My daughter asked if I was going to paint the rest of my nails black now!!!
LOL

Total kms for October 69kms

Feelin' it

Wow what a morning!!

I've been easing back into running. Yesterday I ran 10kms and today I set out to run at least 12, but ended up running 14kms and felt pretty good!

It was one of those perfect mornings.

Every runner has their most preferred conditions.
For me, it's a crisp sunny morning and the perfect time is just as the sun comes up... before the heat starts to set in - when the ground is still cool.
Just love it!

And at this time of year you can smell Spring wherever you run!

Even though I ran partway along a main road and had car pollution to deal with, it didn't phase me. It felt so good to be out there!

Can't wait to do it again on Saturday! I have a couple of days off now which is probably a good idea so my body can recover and I can see how my back holds up but I'm feeling pretty positive!!

Total kms for October, 30kms

Dipping my toe in....

Every night before I run, I lay my running clothes out neatly (well some may debate the use of the word 'neatly') beside the bed so in the morning, I don't have to think. I just put them on.

Since I gave in to my back injury, I've looked at them longingly every morning. I haven't put them away. They were still there ready.

Ever ytime we go out and I see people running, I'm jealous. It's been worse these past 10 days that I haven't run.

I almost ran yesterday...

Today I was in two minds about it again and didn't put on my running clothes when I woke up but an hour later I thought I'd just give it a go...

I set out for 6kms but after about 300 meters, I thought I was going to have to stop. I felt pain going from my back down my legs.
Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't excruciating or even bad enough to cause me to stop yet, it was just there and I'm so worried I'm going to injure myself more...


After a couple of kms in, I felt comfortable and finished my 6kms...

Later on still, I realised how much I love to run simply for the way it makes me feel! My body feels so invigorated!

The pain right now is no better or worse than it was this morning so hopefully I didn't cause more damage...

Might try for the same distance tomorrow.
Just a little at a time...

Total kms for October... a measly 6kms....

Succumbed...

I went back to the dr's today for the results of my xray and they tell me I have osteoarthritis.

It was a bit of a blow but from what they've said, it doesn't have to stop my running... however at the moment it's so bad I can't run... so I'm taking at least two days off... I won't make my 250kms this month. Not happy about that!!!

Not happy about the fact that it's not a condition that gets better... it will only get worse. Maybe not for some time but it's not reversible.

I'll have to search the internet to see what other runners do.

I was trying to get answers from the doctor but didn't really.
I was trying to ask him if running would aggravate it.. Obviously it will when I have the pain, but if the pain eases up, or if it's better with pain relief and I run, will I make it bad again?
I didn't get the answer to that question...

So I didn't run today and I'm really sad about that too....

Feel The Love

It's been a hard running week mainly due to a persistent back injury. Still, I'm managing to keep the kms going up.

Hubby and I may be going away for a few days... that will put a stop to my kms for the month but I have to learn to not get stressed about things like that... especially now when I'm not actually training for anything!

I'm up to 186kms so far this month... I'd love to see it around the 250kms mark and if we don't go away, should be able to get close... We'll see...

But I wanted to write about something else.

The other day hubby asked me how I was feeling about my body these days.

I've always considered myself chunky yet solid. I've always HATED, absolutely HATED my bigger bottom half. My legs are just huge. My bottom is wobbly and my legs are a not so nice mixture of solid and wobbly... full of jelly fat with nice hard muscle underneath...

I've run 1893kms so far this year so it's not a question of not enough exercise... it's just my genetics. (I've been running for 10 years)

Slowly I'm coming to terms with it.

I don't like it, but I'm almost able to accept it.

But when hubby asked me that question, I almost surprised myself with my answer.

I told him I actually am proud of my body. I'm proud of what my legs have managed to do. They've carried me through many kms and have helped me achieve my goal of running a marathon.

They may not be the prettiest things but goddam they're strong! So how can I not love that?

And yes I'll continue to wear long tops that hide my bottom and will switch to a running skirt when running in an event (hides the bottom nicely!) but I won't hate anymore... those body bits are mine and I'm damn proud of them!

Loving September...

I don't know what it is but I'm really enjoying running lately.

Yeah it's still hard but I'm working well with my mind again so I can just shut it out and let the body do it's thing.

Maybe it's because I'm not focused on an event?

Maybe it's because I'm starting to feel like a "real" runner now that I've run a marathon

Maybe it's because I know missing a week or two doesn't make a difference in the scheme of things and know what I have to do to be fully prepared for next years marathon..

I don't know.. I just know that I'm in a recovery phase right now but I'm running a lot of kms and enjoying it...

Injury wise... sometimes I think I'm completely cured and other times I'm not so sure having hip pains and lower back pains at the oddest time. They're not constant but when they come on, they make it difficult to move and I wonder how I run at all!! yet other times I feel great!

And I was having shooting pains through my legs the few weeks after the marathon but that seems to have gone too..

Another lesson learnt.... don't persist in shoes you KNOW aren't good for you!!!!


Total kms for September so far, 114kms

A memorable month

Today marks the end of the month and it's memorable in a few ways.

Firstly, after taking a break of about three years, in September of 2009, I started running again.
Prior to my break, I'd been running about 20kms a week (on a good week). Sometimes it could have been as low as 12kms...

When I started again last September, I was only managing a couple of kms four and five times a week. I slowly started building kms as my endurance and stamina improved until in January 2010, I ran 21kms for the first time. You couldn't wipe the smile off my face as I finished that run!

At that time I started to think a marathon could be vaguely possible... I just kept the thought in the back of my mind as I kept running...
At the end of March hubby and I went overseas for a month and I didn't run that whole time. I was devastated but knew that I could just start again when I got back...

It didn't take as long as I'd imagined to be back to where I was before we left for overseas and then... in June... I heard about the Adelaide marathon, to be held in August.
Crazily, I thought I'd have a shot at this and signed up right away!
The whole time I was thinking "on my god what have I done" but I started training for it with the few weeks I had left.

I ran distances I'd never run before and in August, completed the marathon.

I'd told myself that after the marathon, I was going to have a month break but within days I was running again... I'm enjoying my running more than ever!

I know I want to run another marathon and will probably do so next year, but just don't know which one I'll do yet. Would be nice to do it on a new course but I think Adelaide will always be special to me being my first.

Did I mention how much I love running??

Total kms for August, marathon month, 250kms

Waterfall Gully

Last night my mum, brother, sister and our kids decided we were going to do the Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty Walk.

My brother and son did it lost week. My brother hadn't done it in about 10 years and struggled up. My son and I did it fairly easily and I'd run 12kms prior to the trail walk.

We all loved it though and encouraged the rest of the family to join us this week.

This week I'm really looking forward to it as the slow ones can go up together and my son and I can race up. Can't wait!

I just love it there. Love the smells, love the feel of nature, love being up high, love the sound of the waterfall, LOVE IT!

I ran another 12kms this morning in my Thorlos and my god I am kicking myself for not having these earlier!!! I wore the shoes that had given me such blisters in the past and there was absolutely no discomfort with my run this morning!! Just love it!

And now it's time to jump into the shower before I sweat it up again!!

Total kms for August, 212kms

Training goes on...

Yesterday I bought a new balance running skirt. I'd always said I'd never wear one and thought they looked kinda silly but you know what, after seeing those pictures and video of me running the Adelaide marathon, I wished I'd been wearing one!!!
It would have hidden my gigantic flabby ass.

No getting around that!

So this morning I ran with it and it felt pretty good. I have to wear skins underneath it though but that didn't seem to bother me.

I'm also wearing my asics... the ones that had given me those bad blisters in January. Although I have a bit of tenderness in that area, I don't think I'll blister again and I was way overdue for new shoes.
I like the way these feel.
I'm sure the last pair of shoes I wore were bad for my running form and perhaps contributed to my current hip injury... but it's all going to come good!

I've got to put in an extra .8kms somewhere to give myself a whole number of total kms for the month!

Total kms for August 186.2

A few reflections since running my first marathon

I've had this week or so to think about different things.

I was so nervous leading up to the day but on the morning I was well prepared and just did everything I had planned to do and before I knew it, I was standing at that start line.

I had such a welling up of emotions as I heard the count down. "Three, Two, One, Go."

Wow.

And my first thought after that was "I'm running a marathon!"

I had been so worried about the weather and it really was goddam awful but once I was running, it didn't seem to be as important. Sure it was awful. Sure it was hard, but I just ran anyway!

Being part of a group of runners was great too. I was passed and I passed others. I ran with one guy for the last 22kms. We must have just had the same pace.

When there were 8kms to go and I hit my wall and had to walk, he left me but I caught back up to him with less than 2kms to go and I can't tell you how good that felt! He was annoyed to see me I think!

My cyclist companion called this man "my frog" as I kept bouncing back to him but at that point the man turned around and talked to me for the first time saying "I'm not a frog I'm a tortoise""What does that make me?" I called out and he replied "the hare"

Hmmm!!!

But we ran into Adelaide Oval together and I was sprinting too but he out sprinted me and got me by a few seconds. Not that I cared about that at that moment.

I've learnt that doing most of my running on a treadmill during the winter months is still beneficial. I don't have to be afraid of it as it seemed to hold me in good stead during the marathon. I'll continue to do that next Winter. Although I will still do runs of over 20kms out on the road.18kms on the treadmill has been my max to date.

I've learnt that I can take water from the water stations and don't need to carry my own water (I didn't carry any during the marathon but had been worried about it)

I've learnt that I don't want music playing while running in an event like that. That people talking to you here and there and volunteers cheering you on makes such a difference.

When talking to people about it this week, I've called it "one of the best days of my life" and it would seriously be in the top three!! Not going to mention what the other days are or what order they're in! :)

I'm surprised at how I feel about wanting to run another one. I need to beat my time. I'm almost embarrassed about it. Strange though, because when I first wrote about running a marathon, I just wanted to finish.. then I said I'd be happy with anything under 4 and 1/2 hours... Then after doing a couple of runs over 30kms and seeing my times for those, I was hoping for a 4 hour marathon... so I was disappointed with 4 hour 18 but at least it gives me an easy mark to beat next time...

My plan now is to take it "easy" for the rest of the year and start running harder start of next year. I'll probably be running 40-50kms weeks till then.

Don't know whether to go for Gold Coast Marathon or just do Adelaide again next August. Don't know if my body could handle the two even though they're 5 or 6 weeks apart.Don't know if I'd like the crowds of the Gold Coast Marathon but running in qld appeals to me as I used to run along part of that marathon route and I love QLD.

But all these things don't have to be set in stone now.. just gives me more to think about!

I've had this week or so to think about different things. I was so nervous leading up to the day but on the morning I was well prepared and just did everything I had planned to do and before I knew it, I was standing at that start line.I had such a welling up of emotions as I heard the count down. "Three, Two, One, Go."Wow.And my first thought after that was "I'm running a marathon!" I had been so worried about the weather and it really was goddam awful but once I was running, it didn't seem to be as important. Sure it was awful. Sure it was hard, but I just ran anyway! Being part of a group of runners was great too. I was passed and I passed others. I ran with one guy for the last 22kms. We must have just had the same pace. When there were 8kms to go and I hit my wall and had to walk, he left me but I caught back up to him with less than 2kms to go and I can't tell you how good that felt! He was annoyed to see me I think!My cyclist companion called this man "my frog" as I kept bouncing back to him but at that point the man turned around and talked to me for the first time saying "I'm not a frog I'm a tortoise""What does that make me?" I called out and he replied "the hare"Hmmm!!!But we ran into Adelaide Oval together and I was sprinting too but he out sprinted me and got me by a few seconds. Not that I cared about that at that moment.I've learnt that doing most of my running on a treadmill during the winter months is still beneficial. I don't have to be afraid of it as it seemed to hold me in good stead during the marathon. I'll continue to do that next Winter. Although I will still do runs of over 20kms out on the road.18kms on the treadmill has been my max to date.I've learnt that I can take water from the water stations and don't need to carry my own water (I didn't carry any during the marathon but had been worried about it) I've learnt that I don't want music playing while running in an event like that. That people talking to you here and there and volunteers cheering you on makes such a difference. When talking to people about it this week, I've called it "one of the best days of my life" and it would seriously be in the top three!! Not going to mention what the other days are or what order they're in! :) I'm surprised at how I feel about wanting to run another one. I need to beat my time. I'm almost embarrassed about it. Strange though, because when I first wrote about running a marathon, I just wanted to finish.. then I said I'd be happy with anything under 4 and 1/2 hours... Then after doing a couple of runs over 30kms and seeing my times for those, I was hoping for a 4 hour marathon... so I was disappointed with 4 hour 18 but at least it gives me an easy mark to beat next time... My plan now is to take it "easy" for the rest of the year and start running harder start of next year. I'll probably be running 40-50kms weeks till then.Don't know whether to go for Gold Coast Marathon or just do Adelaide again next August. Don't know if my body could handle the two even though they're 5 or 6 weeks apart.Don't know if I'd like the crowds of the Gold Coast Marathon but running in qld appeals to me as I used to run along part of that marathon route and I love QLD. But all these things don't have to be set in stone now.. just gives me more to think about!

I've had this week or so to think about different things. I was so nervous leading up to the day but on the morning I was well prepared and just did everything I had planned to do and before I knew it, I was standing at that start line.I had such a welling up of emotions as I heard the count down. "Three, Two, One, Go."Wow.And my first thought after that was "I'm running a marathon!" I had been so worried about the weather and it really was goddam awful but once I was running, it didn't seem to be as important. Sure it was awful. Sure it was hard, but I just ran anyway! Being part of a group of runners was great too. I was passed and I passed others. I ran with one guy for the last 22kms. We must have just had the same pace. When there were 8kms to go and I hit my wall and had to walk, he left me but I caught back up to him with less than 2kms to go and I can't tell you how good that felt! He was annoyed to see me I think!My cyclist companion called this man "my frog" as I kept bouncing back to him but at that point the man turned around and talked to me for the first time saying "I'm not a frog I'm a tortoise""What does that make me?" I called out and he replied "the hare"Hmmm!!!But we ran into Adelaide Oval together and I was sprinting too but he out sprinted me and got me by a few seconds. Not that I cared about that at that moment.I've learnt that doing most of my running on a treadmill during the winter months is still beneficial. I don't have to be afraid of it as it seemed to hold me in good stead during the marathon. I'll continue to do that next Winter. Although I will still do runs of over 20kms out on the road.18kms on the treadmill has been my max to date.I've learnt that I can take water from the water stations and don't need to carry my own water (I didn't carry any during the marathon but had been worried about it) I've learnt that I don't want music playing while running in an event like that. That people talking to you here and there and volunteers cheering you on makes such a difference. When talking to people about it this week, I've called it "one of the best days of my life" and it would seriously be in the top three!! Not going to mention what the other days are or what order they're in! :) I'm surprised at how I feel about wanting to run another one. I need to beat my time. I'm almost embarrassed about it. Strange though, because when I first wrote about running a marathon, I just wanted to finish.. then I said I'd be happy with anything under 4 and 1/2 hours... Then after doing a couple of runs over 30kms and seeing my times for those, I was hoping for a 4 hour marathon... so I was disappointed with 4 hour 18 but at least it gives me an easy mark to beat next time... My plan now is to take it "easy" for the rest of the year and start running harder start of next year. I'll probably be running 40-50kms weeks till then.Don't know whether to go for Gold Coast Marathon or just do Adelaide again next August. Don't know if my body could handle the two even though they're 5 or 6 weeks apart.Don't know if I'd like the crowds of the Gold Coast Marathon but running in qld appeals to me as I used to run along part of that marathon route and I love QLD. But all these things don't have to be set in stone now.. just gives me more to think about!

I Did It

So, where do I start?

I guess at the finish. I completed the marathon in 4 hours and 18 minutes. At least, that's the time my Garmin gave me. Have to wait for official results but that's about it.

The weather was against us but by race day I was resigned to it and it didn't phase me before the race although I'm sure it affect my time along with everyone else.


It was tough to say the least...

And the westerly drove the water from the ocean up onto the path for that part of the course. It was brutal!


Sure was an experience for my first marathon and everyone says it will make my 2nd a piece of cake. I hope so because I can't tell you I didn't want to quit.
I had hip problems, cramps and a goddam stitch that wouldn't quit.
I hit the wall at 34kms and started walking... I ran again after about 500mtrs but walked a few more times after that. All in all, I don't think I walked more than a km but my time was so bad.
Based on my 30 and 32km run, I was hoping to get around 4 hours so I was really really disappointed with my time and disappointed that I stopped to walk.

My husband followed me on his bike the whole way and another friend joined him for the last 10kms or so. I'm not sure if that was a help or hindrance as I think I got a bit sooky when there were others to hear of my plight...

And I don't work well with encouragement!! the more they told me I was doing great, the more I wanted to put less effort in (well if I'm doing great, I've got room to slow down right?)

Anyhow, it was an experience.

I was so excited this morning. When the alarm went off I jumped out of bed and said "it's time" which kind of reminded me of a woman who feels the first stirs of labour during sleep and wakes her husband with the same words...

But with everything considered, I still can say I have run a marathon and regardless of how bad I thought I did, I have that achievement and I've left myself a lot of room for improvement for the next one!!!

Photos will be on facebook as I find it too hard to post them here...

End of the training Road...

End of the training road... at least for now. At least until I've recovered from this upcoming marathon.

The way my nerves have been, I can't imagine doing another. I feel like more of a fake than I've ever done. I don't know if my training has been enough and on top of that, I don't know if it's my shoes wearing out or what, but I'm so sore. My left hip is sore and I just lie in bed at night with aches in my legs and feet.
I'm completely overwhelmed. Everyone seems to have done more training than me.

I want this experience so badly because I don't know if I'll ever have another shot at it. Mostly because of how nervous I am! I can't stand this feeling!
But if I want the achievement I have no choice....

And I've completely let go of any times... whatever time I do it in, I do it in... But I'm deathly afraid of being the lone one out there that everyone is waiting for.

I won't care about how awful I look with no make up and my hair pulled back... I just wish I wasn't meeting those other runners from the message boards in that state!
I also won't care about how bad I look when I have those photos taken with my medal.
Yeah I know the medal is nothing to seasoned marathoners but this is my first and it will always be special if only for that reason....

So now I have 4 days to go.

Just wish I could look into the future and see my report from the race...
Sigh..

Total kms for August.. 102kms

Now it's the end of the month....

I just realised I tallied my monthly kms to quickly... I still had one more day in July to run.. and that was today!


Today I ran with my new water belt that I wrote about in my regular blog.

I only ran on the treadmill because I want my joints to heal a little more and the treadmill is far more forgiving than the road...
The water belt annoyed me at first and the velcro bit has to be covered but I think it will be ok. I got used to it after a few kms but when I got off and undressed, I saw my middle was completely red raw!
I ran 16kms on the treadmill which sounds like torture but there's so little stress on my body while still giving me running time and kms... I don't know why I feel like I need to defend it.
Sometimes I prefer the road, sometimes I don't mind the treadmill. I don't have a passion for either although if I had to choose one, it would definitely be the road...

So now my revised stats....


July km's 265kms Y.T.D 1457kms

Injuries Nothing significant... just general muscle soreness after longer runs

Excuses None although feeling overwhelmed a little..


Upcoming Race Adelaide Marathon - 15th August


Summary Can't complain as I'm on track with my training. I've gotten a couple of 30kms or 30kms+ runs in so the rest is just up to performance on the day.

End of my running month

Well I've got a two day break now so thought I'd write a quick catch up entry.

18 days till the marathon now.

I'm still unsure what I'm going to do for water. I don't think I'm going to like the water stops... drinking from those cups.... So I think I have no choice but to bring my fuel belt.
I think I just have to play with it to see if I can make it sit more comfortable.
It's so bulky though! I think I'll be a little embarrassed with it but never mind... better than no water.
And it has a nice pouch where I can put some goodies in case I need some extra energy near the end...

Not feeling so depressed/overwhelmed about it today. I've done all I can do.. Just have to perform on the day now.

July km's 248kms Y.T.D 1441kms

Injuries Nothing significant... just general muscle soreness after longer runs

Excuses None although feeling overwhelmed a little..


Upcoming Race Adelaide Marathon - 15th August


Summary Can't complain as I'm on track with my training. I've gotten a couple of 30kms or 30kms+ runs in so the rest is just up to performance on the day.

A 30km run..

Saturday I set out to run 28kms. I wouldn't normally have done a run that long so soon after a long run (32kms run last Saturday) but the marathon is in 3 weeks and I wanted to get one in and let my legs rest for the following 3 weeks.

Anyhow, I did a completely different route than last time and it didn't actually seem very long at all. I was wearing a new water belt and it annoyed the S*&( out of me so I ended up taking the water bottle out and just holding it the whole way. I knew I shouldn't have trialled it on a long run! ugh!

So I started off good. I got to 21kms in 1 hour, 56 mins and 49 seconds. I little slower than last week. Don't know if it was that that started to make me feel depressed. I know I shouldn't have been depressed about it but I was. And I'd been toying with the idea of running 32kms instead of 28... I figured I was there, I was out, why not just do the extra?
Well the balls of my feet (of all things) were hurting and I was starting to cramp a little. It wasn't bad but I was just looking forward to that finish line so badly! I passed 28kms, my original goal, and kept going (that was a miracle in itself) and then at 30kms I finally stopped and walked the last 1 1/2kms home.

Another thing that's bothering me is that both weeks when I've done these longs runs, I haven't been able to walk properly straight afterwards. Makes me realise that if I do have to stop during the marathon, and walk a little, I don't know if I'm going to be able to start running again!

The good thing about the run though was that I didn't have any calf soreness like I did last week and the cramps really weren't bad at all. overall, my body is a lot better than last week. My hips are still a little niggly but this is the first time I've ever really felt it and now that I won't be doing any more long runs I should be fine.

I completed 30kms in 2 hours, 49 minutes and 56 seconds. Slower than last week.

I was a little depressed and disheartened and again overwhelmed at what I'm going to have do in 3 weeks time.

Am I maybe not ready?

Ready or not, I'm still giving it a go but it seems like such a massive task.

Total kms for July 212kms

Longest run yet...

Don't know how I feel about today's run.

I did 32kms in 3 hours and 19 seconds. Damn those 19 seconds! I even brought out a semi sprint at the end to try to keep it under 3 hours but never mind.

It started off pretty good. I tried not to think about anything and just focused on running a new route. I was going towards part of the course that will be in the marathon in 4 weeks time.
Part of it is on a bike path and goes up and down and I was worried how my tired legs would handle those (as the last 12kms of the marathon is on a similar path) but I did it ok. In fact, at one point, my husband (who was trailing behind me on his bike carrying my water) asked me if I could feel that when I was going up an incline and I had to say honestly that I couldn't. But I think I couldn't because my legs were numb!!

Towards the end I was on familiar ground... a familiar route and rather than be comforting, I just wanted it to be over so bad!
I don't think I dipped in speed too much which I'm happy about. I kept it pretty steady for the three hours...
I guess I should be happy with it, and I am, but I have to wonder how I'm going to cope in 4 weeks time, doing an extra 10kms.

The difference will be, I'll be on a new course and I'll have people around me encouraging AND I'll know at the end, I would have completed a life time goal... so they're all motivators...

I'm glad I didn't stop when my head was telling me so many times!

I'm also not too sore but I probably will be tomorrow...

Total kms for July, 158kms

Been absent from blogging

I haven't written here for a while but I have been running.
Mostly I just feel overwhelmed by the enormity of this goal I've assigned myself.

I will do it, even if I don't finish, even if it's the windiest, stormiest day out...
I don't think I'll have another chance.

And last night I was thinking it's kinda cool that I'm running 42kms when I'm 42. Maybe there's something in that?

So I've been doing my usual daily 12kms and now will have thursday and friday off before my 32kms run on Saturday.
Hubby will be following me on his bike. He wants me to go along the beach the whole way so it will e easier for him on the bike.
While I don't mind that, I know it's going to be against the wind for at least part of the way and that's going to be awful. It will go over some of the route that we'll be doing in the marathon though so I guess it's beneficial.
I'd mapped out another route entirely which I thought would be a lot easier mentally (and would be sheltered from coastal winds) but never mind.

On Sunday it will be four weeks until the marathon so I've left plenty of healing time after this long run.. I'm sure I'll do another long run before the marathon but I want to cross this bridge first.

I'm really worked up about it no matter how much I try to talk myself down.
I'm excited but scared. Scared of failure.

I don't know what to wear either.. I usual go no sleeves but I don't start running at 6.45am which is when the marathon is supposed to start. I'm pretty sure I'll heat up quick but what if it's stormy and windy? Will I wish for long sleeves?

I wish I had this achievement under my belt already!!

Total kms for July - 126kms

A sense of urgency

I keep feeling this sense of urgency, like I should be doing nothing but running...

I'm doing my normal 12kms runs during the week, having Thursday and Friday off and running 30kms + on Saturday.
That's the plan anyhow..

The marathon is now 5 weeks away. I want this to be over so much because as much as I'm trying to relax, I think I'm getting pretty worked up about it!

Did 12kms this morning

Total kms for July, 90kms

Couldn't make it outside...

I was all set for a 20kms run outside today, no matter what the conditions, just to get used to running outside in awful conditions..

Well, the conditions were more awful than I could have imagined. The storms were so violent last night I couldn't sleep....
So I did just under 2 hours on the treadmill instead.... Yeah I know, it was torture! Although I couldn't make myself go outside in that weather.. Hubby said "what if you get sick and won't be able to train?" and while I don't believe getting wet in the rain makes you sick, it still made me stay inside today.

Total kms for July, 78kms

Really didn't feel like it

I wish I knew if I were doing the right thing with my training.

Ran 12kms on the treadmill tonight after work.

I'm NOT a nightime runner. I HATE it! I hate doing it especially after a mentally draining day at work...
But because I want to build the kms, I did it tonight...
And I was tossing up between 8, 10 and 12kms... Naturally I did 12 because I'd feel like a failure if I did anything less.
I don't know if it's a good thing or bad that I push myself like this.

Anyhow, Saturday has been forecast to be windy and rainy!! I'm going to run my 20kms in it though no matter what it's like, just in case it will be like that on the day of the marathon... Gotta get used to it!

Glad the run is over tonight anyhow... and now I better hit the shower!!

Total kms for July, 60kms

Training Training

I ended up taking yesterday off as my legs were just so sore. My quads were the worst hit.
Funny though, after the 24kms run on Saturday, I felt ok and ran 12 on Sunday but was a wreck Sunday night...
So rather than chance injury for no reason (and mental fatigue) I took Monday off.
Think it did me good.

I still found it hard today, Tuesday, to do my 12kms. As usual, once I got into it, it was ok but I was still counting down to that finish...

So now I have a few days off until my next run on Saturday where I hope to do about a 20kms run.
I guess I should show someone who knows about training for a marathon my proposed training schedule to see if it's ok... I haven't done that yet!

Sometimes I'm confident I can do it, other times I'm thinking "what the hell was I thinking when I signed up!!!!"
So who knows how I'm going to do on the day!
Sometimes I wish the day was here already so I can just get it over with!

Total kms for June, 48kms

Back on the treadmill

Had a 'recovery' run in mind today on the treadmill. Just wanted to loosen up.

Actually my body recovered pretty well from the 24kms on the road yesterday. I don't know if it's conditioning with many kms behind me, or the 45 minute bath I had after my run.... Think I'll go with the bath!

So this morning I didn't know whether to set the treadmill for 8, 10 or 12kms... I ended up setting it for 12 with the option of stopping earlier if I wanted.
I ran the 12.
I had an interesting sbs movie on which started slow (bit like my run) and then got interesting. I was pretty sore and stiff to start off with but loosened up nicely and felt pretty normal by the end of the run.

Although it was only 24kms and 18kms shy of a marathon distance, running it yesterday gave me a lot of confidence and I'm really looking forward to my 32kms run coming up in the next few weeks.
I know a lot can happen and mental preparation is a lot too... part of me just wants this marathon to be over so I can say I've done and got the first one under the belt!

Total kms for June, 36kms

First of the long runs....

So today, my aim was to do at least 21kms, and maybe look towards 24kms depending on where I was when the finish line was coming up.
This was going to be my first "over 20" since before hubby and I went overseas in April. So it had been a while!
Anyhow, I was confident and trying to keep the right thoughts in the head...not overthinking it all, just going out and doing it.

Don't you find that it's not always the amount of kms you run, but the route you choose? Sometimes it's 15kms but on one course it can seem so long to get to the end, while on another, it just flies!
The end 7kms of my course seems to go quite quickly. I wonder what it's going to be like on marathon day as it's all going to be new roads more or less. I've cycled on them before but never run...

I checked my time at the 21kms mark and it was 1 hour 57. Not great but I'm not unhappy about it either.

I ended up running 24kms in 2 hours and 14 minutes and 34 seconds. It's ok I guess. Makes me wonder if I'll get the marathon in under 4 and 1/2.. just depends on how much I taper off with the last 10 kms..

So I'm glad I've got that run under my belt now. Am aiming to do a 30kms run in 2 or 3 weeks, depending on how my body recovers from this run.
So far feel good but have only just come home and spent the last hour in the bath!
Heaven!

Total kms for June, 24kms

Last run before a 2 day break

Finished off stronger than the last two days today.

I'm realising more and more how much the mind controls what the body does.
If I set myself out for 18kms, then my mind is set on completing that much... If I set myself for 12kms, then my mind focuses on that... and when I'm approaching the end, I start looking forward to it and think "i couldn't run a metre more..."
of course, I know I could, but my point is that the mind controls this.

So I'm hoping it's going to be in place on Saturday when I do my over 20kms run...
I hope it won't be too hard on my body. That's what I'm most worried about.
Think I'm going to take Sunday off to recover.. maybe just do a slow jog or walk instead..

Total kms for June, 220kms

Rain Rain Rain...

It was raining when I got up this morning and now, at 9.55am, it's still raining.
All I can think is that if this was the day of the marathon, I would have been running in rain for 3 hours already! I know I have no control over the weather on the day but god I hope it won't be raining hard and windy...

I wasn't as sluggish as yesterday today but I did start to get plagued with doubts... 42kms? What am I thinking!!!

The test will be this weekend when I do my first over 20kms run for over 10 weeks. That is, I haven't run over 20kms for at least 10 weeks...

Did 12kms this morning

Total kms for June, 208kms

Danger of overtraining?

I think a lot of runners fall into the trap of overtraining.

Not sure if I'm there but I was pretty sluggish this morning and kept watching the clock and the kms, counting down for when my 12kms were going to be up. It was fairly hard and I have two more morning of 12kms to come.
Then I have two days off to my long run this weekend and I'm hoping to do a run of over 20kms on the road on the weekend... Hope the weather holds up!

I'm feeling so nervous about the marathon. It's a long way! But then I've read of people walking the last 10kms and things like that and I don't think I'll be in that position but at least I know if I do have to walk, I won't have been the first one to do it!
I just hope I make the end before the cut off time. LOL

Total kms for June, 196kms

Stepping Out...

Amazingly, I actually ventured outside today.

My main goal was to experience a few hills...

It was GREAT to be outside! I'd forgotten how much I loved it! It was cool but the sun was out and there wasn't any wind so it was nice.
I ended up running 14kms outside.

The last 4kms are all uphill and that's what I was focusing on... and I was surprised at how well I took the hill.
I was pushed by an adrenalin rush I had at the beginning of the hill... a tough looking staff put it's nose under my foot. I had no idea he was there until I felt him and it scared the bejeezus out of me!!! He was sans owner too!! Luckily he quickly lost interest in whatever was under my foot and run down another street. And lucky also that he didn't make me trip because he did knock me off my running pattern a bit.

Good news is I wasn't scared by any magpies...

so I'm looking forward to my long run OUTSIDE on Saturday!

total kms for June, 184kms

Almost made it out the door....

Ok so now that I'm signed up for the Adelaide marathon, I know that I have to get in more long runs and more runs on the road... I've got to stop wussing out and using the treadmill...

This morning I was going to go on the road. I got dressed in my gear (The clothes I'd bought from the discount Nike store in Vegas... wearing them for the first time!) put on my Garmin and went outside to acquire satellites....
Well... wouldn't you know it but over the sea were the blackest clouds you could imagine.
Now I did consider running anyhow, but I really wanted to run a set amount and was relying on my Garmin and didn't want to chance it getting wet in a downpour. Those things aren't waterproof are they?

Anyhow, I ended up going back inside and did my longest run on a treadmill ever... 18kms. I know, i can't believe it either.... it was pretty boring....
But still I got a sort of longer run in and was running for a good amount of time so it's a good start to my training.
Tomorrow I might do a short run outside and do my normal stuff during the week...

Think I'll try for 21kms outside next saturday...

Total kms for June, 170kms

On my way...

Well a lot has happened since I last blogged!

I decided to take the challenge and signed up for the Adelaide marathon, even if I'm going to be crawling across that finish line.
My aim is just to finish.
I suspect I'll be walking a good portion of the last 10kms but who cares... I'm going to try my hardest and just see what happens.

I've worked out a training schedule but when I showed my husband he thought there was too much running in it and I don't want to overtrain. But I definitely need to get some long runs in there! haven't done more than 16kms since before we went overseas! Am going to do at least 16 this weekend and then build my long runs (on the weekend) from there until the 15th of August.

Will give myself a nice break after the marathon!

it's good to have something to work towards.

Ran 12kms after work tonight

Total kms for June, 152kms

Just a smidgen of hope

Well I got an invite on facebook to the Adelaide Marathon in August.

Wow

I'd really like to do this but know it would kill my body in it's current condition.

But my goal would be just to finish and I know I can do that! I'd be happy with anything under 4 and 1/2 hours... but happier still just to say I'd done it.

So I put a status update asking if anyone else I knew would be running it... and the chances of that are NIL!!! LOL. I don't know any other runners.
I just need that bit of encouragement.

My husband won't give it to me... not after seeing how I was suffering with my back/shoulder last week but man... I think I could almost do it with the right backing... I'd be scared to death but I think I could do and what a feeling when it's over!! I'd love to have that experience.

12kms run today

Total kms for May, 140kms

Grey skies are going to clear up...

I said on yesterday's blog that I felt the black cloud shifting.
Well it's moving even more!

Ran a good 12kms this morning. I was a little stiff after running the two days prior after a week off, but felt pretty good..
although must remember to snip those toenails because that was bothering me all through the run!

Don't want to speak too soon but feel really good.

Total kms for May 128kms

Surprising...

I had a bit of pain in my back/shoulder after my run yesterday and started to despair that I wouldn't be able to run again today but by the end of the day, it was feeling a lot better.
I'm still taking the pills the doctor prescribed.
Anyhow, today I set myself for another slow 8kms... After I had done them, I figured why not do 4 more as I felt pretty good and what's 4kms?
So I did them and I can say I feel really good about it! I'm not sure, so I don't think it hurt my body.

I'm the type of person that when I don't run, like if I have a day or two off, I don't think I can do it again. no matter what my past history of running is.

So after that week off, i was surprised I ran the 8kms and surprised today that I've managed 12.
It's a stupid thing that happens in my brain but I guess that's why drives me to keep striving... thinking that I can't do it, so I have to prove myself wrong.

So I'm pretty pleased today and dare I say it, the dark cloud I've been sitting under seems to have shifted ever so slightly...

Total kms for May 116ms

Trying to make it back

I thought my running days were over.
Sounds dramatic and I guess I don't mean that literally, but I just couldn't see myself running again.
I even stopped visiting running sites and forums because I felt like a fake.

My injury got worse. I'm finally on some anti inflammatory's and they've helped.
I took that week off.

I don't know what caused it all.
Was it a naturally occurring injury?
Was it over training after we came back from o/s and I had that month off?
Was it being down after the death of my father?
It could have been all or nothing.

In any case, this morning I thought, what the hell am I pushing myself for? What am I trying to prove and to who?

So I ran just 8kms. And it probably should have been easier than it was but doesn't matter I did it.
I didn't have the same pain as I did last time I ran... otherwise I wouldn't have run, but now I feel a bit of pain and hope I have started up the injury again. I'll see how it goes for the rest of the day.

My goal was to run the Gold Coast Marathon next year... so I'm crazy to push myself NOW aren't I? What for? My goal should be just to keep running steady, and start my proper training for the marathon early next year.
Not that I'm an expert, but that's the way I'm thinking right now.

Total kms for May, 104kms

A Forced Break

Well it looks like I'm going to be taking a bit of time off running.

At this stage I'm thinking a week. I did end up going back to the doctors today and as I already knew, it wasn't a blood clot in the lungs, but something to do with my discs. I asked the doctor
specifically about running and he said the running wouldn't hurt it (good to know) but that I shouldn't run while it's flared up.
So I'm taking the week off.

I guess I feel ok about that.

I'm pretty sure my feeling of dread before running last week was due to the pain.
So I guess I'll just see how I go this week and maybe will run again on Saturday.
Even though it's due to injury I feel like I'm being lazy and losing my desire to run.

I hope not.

When I think about how I ran with those tremendously infected and painful blisters, I wonder if I'm the same person.

Fought Through

For today at least, I fought through.

Got up very late for me. 7.50am. I was so tired.

And the last thing I felt like doing was running...

so I told myself I'd just 'run later' but I put on my running clothes anyhow.

Within 30 minutes I felt like I could start.

Even as I started though, I wanted to stop.... But once I got past a few kms I was a lot better and by the time I was finishing, felt quite strong.
So that's good.
I was so close to not running today and how horrible would I have felt if I didn't run!
so I'm glad I did.

But tomorrow is another day.


Total kms for May 96kms

Made It

Didn't think I'd make it to today. I have two mornings off now. Won't run again until thursday night.

It was ok today although I still have that damn shoulder pain that makes it hard to breathe.

Not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. It will be the first time I'm there since my father passed away. Anyhow, those thoughts are not for this blog...


12kms today. Easier than it has been although still struggled in places but bottom line is I did it.

Total kms for June, 84kms

Another day, another negative thought...

Ok that title is probably a little misleading because although I did have negative thoughts, it was a lot less than the past couple of times and after I got into my groove, about 5kms in, I was ok.

I think my main problem right now is my shoulder. My husband thinks it's a pinched nerve. It's really the whole right side of my rib area, up to my shoulder. It's painful when I breathe so you can imagine what it's like to run with that...
The only time I feel relief is when I bend over from the waist and just hang there.
Running with my infected blisters was easier than this!

But after tomorrow I have a little break so I guess I'll see if it gets better after that... for now I continue with the voltaran and may even take a trip to the doctors tomorrow..

Total kms for June, 72kms

Just Doing It

Before I went overseas, before my father got very sick and passed away, my head was full of training and preparing for running a marathon.
In the last week especially, I feel like that's just a dream that really, will never happen.

Every morning I seem to fight with myself about running.

I did my 12kms this morning but still, I could have stopped.
My right shoulder is in constant pain, making it hard to breathe as I run. I'm living on volatran.

What I'm telling myself now is that I'll just settle for 12kms a day, not pushing myself to do anymore or to go outside or anything like that, until I get out of this rut.

total kms for June, 60 kms

Fighting the negative mind

I really didn't want to run this morning.
I could have so easily talked myself out of it.
Anyone would have said I was justified in not running... after all, i've already done 60kms this week... and that's not even considering what else has been happening this week....
Nobody would have blamed me.
On top of all that, I have a horrible right shoulder injury. I don't know what caused it but I know that Voltaran helps... but there's only so much voltaran you can take and I'm out now... I devoured the packet in a matter of days..

So I told myself I'd just get going and see how I'd go, giving myself the option to stop any time..

And after I was 5 or 6 kms in, I just put myself into automatic and finished the 12kms.

And yes, I was happy I'd done that in the end! Especially as I've been feeling soft and flabby lately. I don't know why. Maybe I'm retaining fluid or something.


But anyhow, bottom line is I'm happy I did it.

Total kms for June, 48kms

Still haven't ventured out

I had to take my daughter to the train station this morning and rather than get up early, especially after this emotional weekend, I decided to run after I'd dropped her off...

And seeing as I was dropping her off about 8.15am, I toyed with the idea of running outside....

But though it was completely sunny, it was pretty cold and just thinking about running outside made my joints hurt!

So I chickened out and ran inside while watching a re run of "Wife Swap"
Amazingly, the bad tv made the time go quickly

Total kms for May, 36kms

Every day the same

I guess it's not unreasonable to think I'm rundown.

I did another 12kms this morning and it wasn't hard but I'm just not feeling it anymore. These days are really taking their toll.

Tomorrow is the funeral and I'll be taking a day off running.

Friday things go back to the new normal.


Total kms for June, 24kms

Not feeling it...

Felt a bit run down this morning. An accumulation of days past I guess. I know I haven't been drinking enough water too so that adds to it.

Still I ran 12kms this morning.

And I'm off to be with my family again today.

Funeral is on Thursday

Total kms for June, 12kms

Routine, routine...

Another 12kms down this morning.

Had to be up and started early as I've got to get Miss 15 to the train station, then drive over to mums to meet with the funeral home people. After that we're going to the nursing home to pick up his stuff.
Another high emotion day

Total kms for May, 230kms

Sad news

I didn't run yesterday.
My mum and my sister and I had spent all day and all night at the hospital with my father.
I did get home to have a shower and get changed but went straight back to the hospital without a thought of running.

My father passed away 7.15pm last night, the 29th of May.

This morning I ran 12kms because I needed to more than anything. I needed something to feel normal.
Now we're on the way back to my mums to spend the day with the family again.

I'm so glad he's at peace but he suffered so terribly the last few days.

Total kms for May 218kms

Another 10 despite....

Yesterday our family received the news that my father has a few days only to live. Even though we knew this day was coming, it was still distressing as you can imagine.

I don't really want to talk about that here in my running blog but the reason I mention it is because I wonder how it will affect my running.

I spent all of yesterday and a lot of today at the hospital and when I came home, I ran 10kms. It was only on the treadmill which seems to be norm for me of late but I don't care. It's what I like for now and better than doing nothing.

So I ran 10kms and felt a little better even though I still don't know what tomorrow will bring.

Total kms for May, 206kms

14 more down

Watched the rain coming down hard as I ran my 14kms on the treadmill again this morning.

It wasn't too bad. The last four days must have conditioned my legs well. Amazing how much your mind plays on your ability to run. If I just switch off sometimes I think I could keep on going forever.

But I'm glad to have a break tomorrow.


Total kms for May 196kms

Not into it

I've been feeling a bit rundown lately.
I think it's a combination of a few things...
1. My dad's health
2. Doing too much to quickly
3. Being obsessed with my new ipod touch and wanting to play with it all the time :)


So I've told myself I'm not going to stress about doing long runs and just stay at this level of 12kms a time until I start to feel strong again.
Everything else I don't have control over so it's no use worrying about it.
The ipod touch.. .well I have another 23 hours in the day to play with that!

Run started off hard but ended up ok... While I running and feeling good, I tell myself "tomorrow I'll run 16 again" but I wonder if that's such a good idea... See how I feel tomorrow morning but if not, there's no shame in running only 12kms again...

Total kms for May 182kms

I hate the wind

There's nothing I hate more as a runner than strong winds. I won't say I like rain (unless it's been really humid and then it rains) but I can run in it... Wind on the other hand, is like someone standing in front of you with their hand on your chest saying 'stop now'

I ran 12kms on the treadmill this morning. I was stiff and sore from yesterday for some reason and as I walked to the treadmill I said to my husband "i don't feel like doing this today"
But as I ran and just lost myself in the process it was ok and the end came quicker than I was expecting. So I was glad to make it in the end.

I feel like I'm in danger of never running outside again.

Total kms for May, 170kms

A Clayton semi long run...

I should have run outside today. The weather was pretty perfect.
But I chickened out because I'm scared of magpies.
I'm not kidding. I know my fear is insane and in the past, I've used my fear to make me run faster (not kidding about that either) but I just wasn't able to do it.

So I ran 16kms this morning but I did it on the treadmill so not sure that really counts. I watched a whole sbs movie...
I like watching those while I run because reading the text takes my mind off the running...

Anyhow, running 16 on the treadmill is better than doing nothing at all...

Total kms for May, 158kms

P.S GUESS WHO NOW OWNS AN IPOD TOUCH!!!!!!!!

Running off the stress...

I got some bad news last night. News I knew was coming but it's still a shock to hear it.

Anyhow, it motivated me through my run today. I just ran without even thinking about what I was doing.

Today I will face it and whatever comes with it in the following days.

Total kms for May, 142kms

Those harder runs make the next ones easier...

I've increase my standard runs to 12kms each time. I don't know if I did it too quickly, but didn't want to bring it back to anything lower after making 12kms the standard. But today, while I was running, I realised that those times when it seems harder, means that my body is working and building and will do whatever it has to do, to make that run be standard for me.
So that the next time I do that distance, it will be just that bit easier.

That's what I found this morning anyhow. I won't say it's easy, but it was ok.

I still don't know how I'd go running a 16kms - something that would have been nothing for me before we left to go overseas... but maybe I'm just trying to do that too soon. I should be happy with 12kms each day right?

Total kms for May 130kms

Dreading Winter

I hate Winter.

I would hate to live in another country where the climate was colder than here. We don't even really have cold winters but I'm hating these cold mornings.

I was thinking about cold and muscle recovery, and how injury seems to happen more in the colder months... so does that mean that after a run, it's better to have a warm bath than a run in the ocean? I've heard the opposite is true as a general rule but I don't know that I'd be in a hurry to do it.
I find a good stretch here and there throughout the day works wonders...

So I ran 12kms again this morning. I haven't been able to shake this chest thing. I don't know if it's an infection or something else but it comes up particularly when I'm running. I feel really tight in the chest, especially in the lower chest and I have a little trouble breathing. I hate that. I hope it will go soon.

Am generally still pleased with my progress.

Total kms for May, 118kms

Nothing to see here

Ran 12kms this morning. Am finding I'm not having much to write about when it comes to my running.
That's probably a good thing. I'm not having any injury problems as I'm getting back to where I was before.
It's becoming relatively easy although I'm still nervous I won't be able to complete my course every time I set out. But I think that feeling is what drives me.

I'm remember how important stretching is for muscle recovery. I wish I'd remember how important water was too as I'm not drinking nearly enough... but I'll get there...

But the marathon still seems so far away....

Total kms for May, 106kms

54kms for the week...

I'm getting there slowly. 54kms this week which isn't bad but I still haven't done a "long" run.
I was thinking about doing a 16kms one today but chickened out... maybe next Saturday...
I'm hoping to do 12kms for the next four days. That should contribute nicely to my next weekly total!

I hate that I don't have access to blogger and other blogging sites from work anymore.


Total kms for May, 94kms

Love those "extra" runs

Tonight's wasn't a planned run. I knew I wanted to run but after a stressful day at work (bomb scare and all!) I knew I could have easily piked out...

In the end I ran 10kms which is more than I've ever done at night I think. I'm a morning run type of person.
I started off surprisingly well but found I tapered after about 4kms... and then by the end I was struggling a bit but I'm glad I hung on and finished. Nothing like the satisfaction of crossing that finishing line!

Each step brings me closer to better fitness and you gotta love that!

Total kms for May, 82kms.

A little bit longer

Last night I was even considering doing a 16kms run this morning.
While I knew I could probably do it, I didn't want to face failure in case I couldn't make it.
So I ended up doing 12kms this morning and you know it was actually pretty good!

We all have different ways of getting through our runs mentally. I don't say "getting through" as if it's always a struggle but we all know that if you have the right frame of mind, a run can be a breeze, or a fight to the end.

This morning was a breeze and it wasn't anything to do with physical conditioning, but that I used a secret mind weapon. Can't do it all the time or it will cease to be a weapon but I was glad with how i went this morning and it made me almost wish I had gone for more.

I now have at least one day break before my next run... might go for a 16kms run on Saturday...


Total kms for May, 72kms

Eating too many vegetables isn't a great thing...

Last night, for mothers day, us siblings and our families went out to dinner with mum.
She likes going to this Mongolian restaurant.
The novelty of this restaurant, is that you go up to the "buffet" area and pick out the foods you want in your stir fry. The line starts with frozen meats.. kangaroo, lamb, beef and chicken... then your veggies.... and then the sauces. You put what you want in your bowl, then take it to one of the cooks who throw your combination onto a big hot plate. It cooks in minutes!
It's delicious and dare I say it, nutritious.
But I really should have stopped at three bowls.... I knew I couldn't fit the fourth in but still.. value for money and veggies being my favourite food and all that... I went for the fourth!

I was paying for it last night and this morning, I think it made my run a little sluggish but still I got through it with enough ease that I think I will go for 12kms tomorrow morning.

Total kms for May, 60kms

Nothing new...

Not much to say but I told myself I'd write every time I ran so I'm writing.

It's mothers day. Not that that makes any difference to me today. My son muttered happy mothers day but that was it. My daughter hasn't said it yet but she has done other things that were very special to me this weekend... life goes on.
Ran my 10kms, did the cleaning (and the kids helped) and it's just a regular Sunday.

10kms is feeling really good but I'm not upping my kms. I feel like I need to keep writing that.

I've got a feeling I might go for a little longer on Tuesday seeing as I'll have a bit of a break after that. I just want to be back to where I was before!

So for anyone who reads this who has a mum, treat her special today cos god knows she's probably always thinking of you.

Total kms for May 50kms

Start of four days in a row...

So I did another 10kms this morning. I'm almost where I was before I left. The test will come this week when I run four days in a row of 10kms. Before I left I was running four or five days of 12-14kms runs and a 20+ on the weekend... something like that.
I feel pretty good but I'm scared of over doing it and I feel like I always need to explain/defend myself!

Started my 10 pretty good this morning but felt it a bit at the end. Will be interesting to see how the rest of the week holds up.

I'm also more than a little depressed that Winter is coming and it's yuk outside...and we're getting closer and closer to magpie season which means I won't be doing any cross town runs for a while.
And THAT means I probably won't be ready for the Melbourne Marathon later this year and will just concentrate my sights on the Gold Coast marathon next year... don't think I'd make it this year. That's a little disappointing too.

But I'm taking each day at a time for now and trying not to look too far ahead..

Oh and off topic, they've taken away access to ALL blog sites at work. I HATE that!!! Now what am I supposed to do? Work???
hehe

Total kms for May 40kms

Each day is feeling better...

Ran 10kms this morning. I was confident on the outset and finished strong. Feel pretty good about it. I guess I just have to be careful I don't try to do too much too quickly and get burn out. I'm trying to hold myself back this month.

But I'm so happy that I'm getting back into this quicker than I thought I would. I can feel my body hardening up a little again. I'd gotten so soft so quickly of that month off! Yuk... Amazing what running can do for you! How good it can make you feel!

I'm almost sorry I'm working the next two days and have those days off running...

Total kms for May, 30kms

Getting closer...

I feel like I'm getting closer to what I was before we left to go on holidays.
I can't imagine doing the 60-70kms weeks now but surely I can't be that far off...

This morning I ran 8kms very easily. I knew I could have done more but I'd promised myself I'd ease in slowly... so the question is, will I just do 8kms tomorrow like I'd planned or spike it up to 10kms? After tomorrow I get a 2 day break so maybe I will go for the 10...

I'm not trying to break any records this month. I knew it would be a low kms month.
There's no hope of me reaching JH's months totals so I'm not trying for that but I hope to be right up there next month! :)

Feels good!

I hate writing this monthly total because it's so piddly but..

Total kms for May, 20kms..

Getting my groove back

It feels so good to be putting on my running gear! I just love it! And I'm not using my super cheap Las Vegas Nike outlet store clothes yet!
I am using the outlet store shoes though and they're great so far....

So yes, it's May. I've been ditzy about a lot of things lately... I'll put that down to no running!

Only did another 6kms this morning and probably could have done more although with my chest feeling as it does, I didn't push myeslf.
Tomorrow I have a rest day and maybe on Tuesday I'll go for 8... see what happens.
Think I'll get back into it pretty quickly fingers crossed!

Total kms for MAY, 12kms

So happy to be running....

So I was only on the treadmill as I work my fitness back up...

but as I started running I spontaneously threw my hands up in the air and said "I'm running!!"
My husband thought I was crazy of course!

Seeing as I felt pretty good Wednesday (apart from a heavy chest but that's another issue!) I ran 6kms today. I know I could have done more but I promised myself I'd ease into it and I want to stick to that. There's no way I'll be ready for the Gold Coast Marathon.. think I knew that but depending on how I go, I may still be able to give the Melbourne Marathon a go... see what happens...

So speaking of my chest, when I ran Wednesday, it felt really heavy and I HAVE had a chest cold so it's not surprising... and today, about 3kms in it started to get really heavy and hard to breathe. I persisted because that's just what I do but it's a little uncomfortable now....
Tomorrow I intend to do another 6 only again... See if it's better.
My body feels pretty good apart from the extra kilo's I'm carrying.

Total Kms for April - 10kms

Back....

Well it's good and bad...

I've put on weight! I haven't weighed myself but I can feel it... I feel soft and I HATE that! I started feeling soft a week after no running... and now it's just eww... but I'll be back...

And I did my first post holiday run today (I didn't run ONCE the whole time away)
I thought I'd start with an easy 4kms and see how I go... and surprisingly, I ran it very easy, barely breaking a sweat. So I might do another one later today if time permits. Being that it's the first day back. I have a million things to do!!!
I'm happy that it was easy though.. that's something. Will just ease back in slowly...

Oh, and for anyone interested, I'll be posting a holiday blog up when it's ready...

I'm back!
Not spectacularly, but still there..

(Oh and I picked up BARGAINS at the Las Vegas outlet mall in the Nike store.. ran with the new shoes today. BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

No running... nothing!!!

Nothing but pudge!!! I haven't run since March 24th...

And another thing, I now understand why runners can run with long sleeved/track tops. It's fricken cold!!!!! It's so frosty!!!

I desperately wanted to run when we first got to Las Vegas but hubby was against it and seeing as we'd only just got here, I didn't want to push it. When we went into Canada... Winnipeg... I didn't want to run. It snowed one morning, and it was just so cold, even though it didn't rain when we were there... It was just miserable and I had resigned myself to not running
(although I got to tell you I'm still over the moon about the deal I got at the nike outlet store in Vegas!!!!! Saved at least 50%... AT LEAST!!!)

So now we're in Niagra Falls and the weather is nice and I want to run... We went on a hike today and just the fact that my heart rate went up made me feel good and made me wanted to do more... Don't think I will though...
And we leave here on Sunday to go back to Vegas.

I'm already planning on starting again from scratch.. maybe starting at 4 or 5 kms a day and seeing how I go till I build up to where I was before I left. Can't wait to wear my new gear!

The one good thing is that my body has benefit ted from this break... but I do miss it!

Last Run in Australia for a month....

Well today was my last run in Australia for the next month. We leave on the weekend and don't return until the 27th of April.
God how much fitness will I have lost then? I so hope I'll be able to run... I hope hubby won't prevent me from going... I hope I'll have opportunity even if it's only for a few short runs a week!
And I hope I'll still have the drive to do it when we come back.

I was up early this morning and was going to go for longer but in the end went for the regular 14kms. I kept thinking.. this it he last 4kms... this is the last 3kms... this is the last 1kms.. etc etc... And then when I finished it was over...

Now I could run before work tomorrow or Friday but I can't see it happening. Too hard to orchestrate with packing before we leave and having clothes ready etc etc....

Total kms for March, 242kms

Second to last run before break.

I'm getting so sad now! I can't believe I only have one more run until we leave. As much as I know the break will be good, I can't stand knowing I will also lose fitness!!! God I really hope I'll be able to get a few runs in a week... even if they're only short ones... That will be better than nothing at all!!

Ran 14kms this morning... was fairly easy. There's no such thing as an 'easy' run but it was relatively easy... and it's always good when it's done...

So one more run to go now.... And I'm wondering whether I'll make it a longer one. Just don't have time for it in the morning when there's hubby and kids to make ready... and then have to get the kids to school.. but will do the best I can.

Total kms for March so far, 228kms

Now that was encouraging!

So last night I went to check my mail and such and saw that a comment had been left on this blog.
The comment by JH read

"Thank god you're taking a holiday. I've been trying, and failing, to keep up with you monthly km total. I'm 9km behind right now, but that's only because I did a 28km run this afternoon.

BTW - you're definitely in shape to run a marathon, at least in my opinion. Why not take a trip to the Gold Coast in early July? It's a good marathon - very flat, very fast, and well organised."

I can't tell you how much this encouraged me!
First of all, that someone was measuring their progress against mine and secondly, because they thought I was in shape to run a marathon now!! That made me feel REALLY good.

If I wasn't taking this month off then I'd probably go for the Gold Coast one this year but as I haven't been in this position before, I don't know what running little over the next month is going to do to my fitness.
Someone else wrote me an email saying my body will probably welcome this break and come back stronger. I hope so.
And I have no idea with what intensity to come back with! Right now I'm running about 60kms a week.. maybe even a little more, so what do I do when I come back?
And I really hope I'll have a chance to run at least a couple of times a week when I'm away...

That note made it easier for me to get up early and go for my14kms run this morning. It was relatively easy. I just felt good! And you just have to love those runs!!!

Total kms for March, 214kms...

Coming to an end....

I've only got a few more running days until we leave for our trip.
It seems to have come up so quickly now.

Don't know why but I've also been feeling run down now so I guess while I'm dreading, I'm also welcoming the little break. Not that I won't be running at all... I intend to do some running while I'm over there but I know hubby will be over protective and won't let me go out alone so I don't know how that's going to work out. Still, I hope to do SOME running....

And then hopefully I'll get back to it when we come back because I've never been this close to realising my dream of running a marathon... could I really do it? Could I really achieve this goal?

Anyhow, I did another 14kms this morning... felt ok. I was back in the old shoes as I didn't want to chance blisters so close to going away..

This time next week we'll be in LA. How strange does that sound!!! Think the LA marathon is on this week... if things had been scheduled differently, could I have considered running that??? Probably not but it's nice to think about.

Total kms for March, 200kms...

Running Before the BBQ

Seems to be all happening at once today!
Miss 15 had a friend stay over last night and with the bbq today, I knew I wouldn't really be able to do a very long street run, so ended up doing 16kms on the treadmill.... in my asics!!!! I'm so happy I can use those shoes!!

I noticed something else this week too. When I run before work, I am so stiff!!! It's because I have a sit down job I'm sure! I run, I get ready for work, I travel to work and sit.... and when I get up for my first break, I feel like I can hardly move!
When I'm home and I run, I feel fine... in fact most days I don't even feel like I've done anything at all but it's always different when I go to work.

Anyhow, it's now 11.06am and the salads are all mostly ready, meats in the fridge marinating and ready to be bbq'd... Still have to vote but otherwise all ready to go for a very pleasant afternoon indeed!

Total kms for March so far, 186kms

Think I'm Blister Free!!

Thought I'd take advantage of hubby being on night shift to run and early morning 10kms.
Seeing as I was doing a shorter distance, I thought I'd try out my new shoes... the asics that had given me such terrible, blisters that had bloodied up my shoes.

Last time I tried to wear them I started feeling discomfort about 7kms into my 12kms run...

This morning I was only doing 10kms and being paranoid, I wasn't sure if I was feeling discomfort or not but my knees and hips felt FANTASTIC!!! I love the way these shoes treat my joints!!!

Anyhow, the great news is no blisters!!! I took one of the bandages off and there was nothing there. I've left the other on but I'm pretty sure there's nothing there...

You don't know how happy this makes me!

Total kms for March, 170kms

Just an update

Nothing much else to say except ran my 12kms today...
Looking forward to the rest day tomorrow.
We're having a bbq at our place on Saturday at lunchtime so not sure how I'm going to work a longer run into that day... See what happens...

Total kms for the month, 160kms...

Back to Early Mornings

Hubby is back on night shift so I got on the treadmill fairly early this morning.
I was watching some tivo'ed SBS movie. It was ok... made the time go quick enough.

Feeling a bit sore in the joints though. Not sure if it's due to the slightly extra running I've been doing or the age of my shoes. Probably a bit of both...

Total kms for March, 148kms...

You're Goddam Right I Can!

It was supposed to be a recovery run but I wanted to run an old route right along the beach this morning. I guess it was a recovery run in the fact that I was going pretty slow... Averaged 10.7kms/hour. (13kms in total)
But I won't beat myself up about it as I was against a bit of a wind for the first 6kms and I was still sore from my half marathon yesterday...

But what irked me most of all, was when I was about 10kms in, I was coming up from the beach to the road and I had to go up these steps. This old man was coming down the steps and he said to me "you can make it" with a smile on his face.

Now I'm sure he was just trying to be encouraging but I felt like saying "You're @#$#$## goddam right I'm going to make it" I wonder if my face betrayed my emotion.
Or maybe I just looked half dead and he was trying to encourage me... god I hope not... I didn't feel like I was dying... I didn't feel like I was struggling up those steps.... I think he just wanted to make conversation or something.

I did see something funny though. At one point I was on the road and noticed a very large woman jogging on the beach. She really looked like she was going for it and all I could think was "good for her!". But then I heard her shouting "Coco!!!!! Coco!!!!!" and saw she was trying to catch her dog who was fighting with another.... but this dog was at least 800metres away!!! Poor thing. I had to feel sorry for her AND the dog her dog was fighting with!

Kind of sorry that I'm back on the treadmill tomorrow as I enjoyed these last two days on the road. Especially today... didn't realise how much I'd missed the beach. I tend to stay away from the beach because there's too many runners and I feel intimidated... luckily I wasn't passed by any although I did pass a few (on the other side of the road as I hate passing other runners)

Total Kms for March, 136kms

Another Half Marathon

I had two high calorie days on Thursday and Friday... the two days I didn't run! Don't know why I had to eat so much. I didn't actually feel full or bloated so maybe my body just needed it all.

Anyhow, I knew today was time for another half marathon at least and the condition were JUST TOO DAMN PERFECT!!!
I'm not kidding! The sky was red as dawn was almost gone as I head out and there wasn't much wind at all. There was a strong ocean smell and I almost changed my mind and ran along the beach but I didn't... Maybe tomorrow...

So I did my favourite 21kms course I've set for myself. The first 5kms were a little hard... I got into my groove from 5-10 but then after the halfway mark, I started wishing I was closer to the finish line and it got a little hard again.
When I had about 7kms to go, something weird happened. I don't know if it was my heart rate strap shifting but I suddenly felt tight in my chest. I must admit, it scared me a little but that's probably not saying much because I always tend to jump to the worst conclusion!!!
I even almost stopped.
I took one step then thought, "what the hell are you doing, you've done this many times before!!!" and started again albeit, a little slower. 1/2kms on and I was fine and even found a good pace.

There were runners ALL OVER THE PLACE and I have to wonder if any of them write on the message boards that I visit... how big is the Adelaide running community? I don't think it's that big...

My time wasn't fantastic for the 21kms... 1 hour, 55 mins, 31 seconds.
I've been faster... but as I kept telling myself throughout the run, it's not speed I'm concentrating on but distance. I just want to make it!

Sometimes I wish we could have an LED display over our heads that told everyone that saw us running on the street, how far we'd gone already because I wonder how fatigued I look towards the end of my run... maybe it's not as bad as I think.... at least I can hope that!

Total kms for March, 123kms

Last Run Before A Two Day Break

Because I won't be running Thursday and Friday, I thought I'd do a couple of extra kms this morning.
It's sometimes hard to fit in though... I mean I have to get up early(which I do anyhow) and the more kms I want to do, the earlier I have to get up...
And it depends whether I'm showering before or after I take them to school too.... :)

Speaking of that, one time we had to leave just as I finished my run and we're on the way to school when we see their cousin (who goes to the same school). The kids begged me not to stop as they said I stunk and were embarrassed to have their cousin in the car with them. LOL

Anyhow counting today, I've run the last five consecutive days for 66kms. Today I'm rewarding myself with a nice long warm bubble bath. Hope the thought of it isn't better than the actual event as I tend to get bored easily... but I'll have my mp3 player and a book in with me...

Total kms for March, 102kms

Nothing much to report

Nothing much to say.

Ran my 12kms this morning without incident...

Towards the end of my run I thought.... now if I was running a marathon I'd still have 28kms to go... and that felt a little daunting....

But I'll plod along towards my goal.

Total kms for March, 88kms

Setting My Goals

Well yesterday I announced that I'd like next years Gold Coast Marathon to be my first marathon.

Hubby scoffed under his breath "that's if you're still running then".

It's no secret that I get obsessive about thing, then when I get sick of it, leave it by the wayside. I don't know that it would apply to running though because I did start running 10 years ago and only gave it up about 2006... and even then, still ran from time to time, I just didn't do it with any regularity... and because I didn't think I'd ever be able to run longer than about 14kms, I didn't aspire too...

I've proved I can run further now, and I'd like a goal to work towards. If we weren't going overseas later this month, I'd be setting my sights for this years marathon I think...

Anyhow, my brother said he'd like to come so with at least him, hubby and the kids, I'll have a cheering squad of five.
Can't imagine doing it but I'm closer than I've ever been that's for sure!!

And the wonderful news is that the headache that's been plaguing me the last few days has finally gone!!! It was a fairly easy run this morning.


Total kilometres for March, 76kms.

Still fighting a migraine

I'm being punished for something I'm sure!

Yesterday after my run, the family went to the local Westfield and I had a blinding headache. It was like a knife was piercing my skull every few minutes.
It lasted throughout the day and being as paranoid as I am, I was convinced I had a brain tumour!

It lasted throughout the night and was there again this morning.

I briefly debated not running, and knew if I told hubby about it, he'd get me not to run (well he does have to listen to my whinging after all) but I ended up doing it.
Clocked 12kms on the treadmill while watching a SBS movie. They're great to take my mind off of what I'm doing.

Still I was glad when the treadmill beeped that my run was over.

Head is still pounding but at least I can rest for the rest of the day now.


Total kms for March - 64kms.

Passing up an outdoor run

Think I've been feeling a bit off lately. A few members of the family have been sick so I wonder if I'm picking up the bug a little... not enough to hit, just enough to wear me down...

Anyhow I managed a 12kms unscheduled run this week... and I was supposed to go outdoors for my longer run today but it just didn't look nice (was supposed to rain) so I just figured I'd stay indoors on the treadmill and believe it or not, clocked up 16kms on there.
It's better for my joints anyhow...

Total kms for March, 52kms

Getting That Hunger

This morning I checked my email etc before my usual morning run.

I happened to come across someone's you tube channel that had different running clips/stories on there. I started to watch some of them and just became so inspired!

They were showing different people of ALL ages, running a marathon. I saw a 77 year old woman make it across the line. I don't know how long she had been running for but I thought if she can do it, there's no reason why I can't do it!!

I saw their faces as they crossed that finish line and wanted that experience for myself so badly!

I know I'll do it. It's just a matter of when I guess but I can't wait to claim that experience for myself.

Anyhow this morning I had a relatively easy 12kms run.

I'm looking forward to my day of rest tomorrow though.

Total kms for March, 24kms.

A New Month

Can't help but wonder how many kms I'm going to manage this month.

I tend to be obsessive about things and I wonder how long this running obsession will last. Right now I still can't believe that I'm running the kms I'm doing. I would hope that it would never end. Well I guess the intensity won't last but I think I'll always run to some degree.

When I did that 26.5 run Saturday morning, I started from my usual spot and encountered a group of walkers. They were a HUGE group, all dressed the same and all carrying their water bottles and cackled away as they took up the footpath and half the road.

We had to go in the same direction for a little while and I'm ashamed to say I was hoping no one who saw us thought I was a part of them...
Does that mean I'm a walkist? Antiwalker?

Anyhow, I know the thin line that separates me from them. I'm really no better, I just a few more months under my belt.
I can't believe that I just started running again Sept 2009 after not doing it for two years, and have gone further than I ever did before. It's like a dream.
It makes me think that one day, I may really be able to run a marathon...
I'm not in a rush though. Whatever will be will be, but I can almost see that dream out in the distance, ready to be a part of my reality...

So enough with the jibber jabber.
New month, an easy 12kms this morning... what will the rest of the month bring?

Total kilometres for March so far, 12 kms.