Running My Heart Out

McLaren Vale Half

2011-10-09T18:19:00.000+10:30


At About the 16kms mark

Ran the Mclaren Vale 1/2 Marathon today.

It was a last thought, as far as I go, to enter. I had won a SARRC Voucher at the Yurrebilla dinner and wanted a new goal to focus on so thought I'd enter...

But the whole lead up to this event was pretty poor on my part. I'd had one good run, the rest had all been sluggish and by the Wednesday before this event, I didn't even want to run anymore.
Yesterday I was starting to come up with excuses for why I wouldn't run it.
Could I say I was sick?
Something else came up?
All these thoughts were going through my mind.

Before the marathon and ultra marathon, I'd been quietly confident. The feeling I had before this 1/2 marathon was completely different...

Last night I had dream after dream after dream where I was late for it... I panicked all night that I wasn't going to get up on time.

But I got up with plenty of time. My son and daughter had put their hands up to volunteer (ok, so I put their hands up) and they were up early... we left the house and drove down there, arriving more than an hour before start time. I prefer that. That way I get to settle in, talk to other runners and just be a little more relaxed before start.

I did get to talk to a lot of people. There are still people coming up to me saying they know me from facebook or a messageboard or a friend of a friend... I think that's pretty cool. I love meeting new people.

Thanks Sadie for the pic!

There were more than I would have imagined running it! I was surprised... Over 650 entrants last I heard.
So we started and once again, just like in the marathon, everyone passed me. I honestly did try to get some speed up but couldn't do it. At about the 6km mark I relaxed a bit and by 9kms I was even enjoying it... thought I could have almost done a good time but when I got to the main rd with about 7kms to go, I saw there was a crowd building and runners were just stopped there. What the hell was going on!
It seems the police had stepped in to stop traffic congestion and stopped the runners.. some of them had been there for over three minutes. That's a long time when you're trying to go for a PB!!

The wait there took away what little ambition that was starting to build to go for a good time.
So I just ran...
Talked to a few runners along the way and finished.
Made it in a woeful 1:54

I can't tell you how much I hate that.. would have been less without the main rd stop but still not under 1:50 which is what I would have wanted.

Love this running community though. Got to talk lots of inspirational people before and after the event and I think, as I had hoped, my son and daughter got a lot out of it too. My son even asked me how long it would take for him to be able to run a good 5km. I don't know what I answered but his next words were "Don't get that excited mum.."
I'd love for both of them to take up running!

Oh!! And I should mention that I won a random draw prize!!!
I was standing there talking to another runner about what we've won in the past, when his name gets called out! He'd won a $100 athletes foot voucher! I don't mind telling you I was jealous!
So he gets back and we talk about how fantastic it is that he won while they're still reading out names... next minute, my name gets drawn out and I've won a $200 athletes foot voucher!!! WOW!!
I came back to him and said "What are the chances of that happening!! Two people standing next to each other each getting a prize!"
He said we must be standing in the lucky spot...
So for that alone, I'm glad I ran this event today, despite everything!

Another race down. Hopefully I have a better story to tell next time...

Yurrebilla 2011

2011-09-25T21:18:00.001+09:30


After I'd finished.

So where does one start to talk about a day that held a challenge that has been so long awaited...

It was August last year when I first heard of Yurrebilla. For one reason or another I was unable to do it that year and it's haunted me ever since.
Last year, while the event was on, all I could do was think about the lucky people who were running it and experiencing it and sharing in each others pains and triumphs.
I wanted to be a part of it too and was so gutted I hadn't been.

This year was always going to be different. There was no way I was going to let it escape me this year.

I started by doing the training runs. The first two were done "two way" so I could get familiar with the trail and get the extra trail time in my legs.

Between a few of us, we organised a couple more training runs including one starting from Eagle on the Hill and finishing at Athelstone... the finish line.
Although this was a fantastic day, my performance up black hill left a LOT to be desired. This hill has broken many a runner during Yurrebilla and I was more than a little worried how I would handle it with 50kms in my legs...

So I started training on it. Going up and down, up and down.. and felt pretty confident with what I had done. I knew it would be different on the day with tired legs, but I wanted to have the confidence, or positive mental edge. By this morning, I was very familiar with the Black Hill portion of the trail and knew exactly what was coming up and where. I knew I could run up most of it on a good day...

As expected, I didn't sleep well last night but that's ok.
I got up just before 4am as I was just waiting for the alarm to go off anyway... quickly realised that I was ready in 20 minutes and was way early... the bus was leaving at 5.30 and even if I left the house at 5am, I'd be early...

I ended up getting to the bus at 5am.. was just so anxious to start!

We huddled at the start line. I was in the first group. (There were three start groups)
The countdown happened and off we went!! and all I could think was "I'm finally running Yurrebilla" I was just so happy!
I was surprised at how quickly the pack thinned out. There was a couple of guys ahead of me, then another girl and I ran together for a long time. At the halfway mark, one more guy passed us from our group and said something about being on schedule for a 7 hour finish. The girl I was with and I just looked at each other and said "Does he know what the finish is like???" It may be 6kms, but you ain't going to be doing that in less than an hour... Not the regular people anyhow...

So we kept running... The girl I was with has had knee problems and has had limited running leading up to this event. She was worried how her knee would pull up.
She had her support crew come to meet her at just over the 30kms mark. Somewhere around there anyhow.. So I left them to it and went on as I was pretty confident of the route here on in.

Everyone kept telling me I was the first girl to come through. Made me feel pretty good even though I knew there were two groups starting after me.. so even though I was the first girl through, didn't mean I was placing first. But I was first in my group.

Finished strongly without too many dramas.
Runners from the 2nd and 3rd group starting passing me about the 44kms mark.

When I was 400 or so meters from the end I felt a lump in my throat and thought I was going to cry... but then my calf cramped up again as it had been doing off and on in the last 6kms and at that point a group B runner whizzed past me so the tears were put away and I forgot the cramp so I could just finish...

My time was 7.41.
If you had told me that I'd run this this morning, I wouldn't have believed it.
I was secretly hoping for 8 hours but thought I'd get 8 1/2...
Don't know if I could top it next year though!

When it's too perfect....

2011-09-05T11:15:00.003+09:30

What an amazing morning I had.
After debating with myself about which trail to take, I decided to drive to Chambers Gully and run along Bartril track, then down longridge track till I got to the look out point.
(You don't know how proud I am of myself that I'm starting to remember the names!)
This was the first morning I'd ever run it by myself.
I wasn't out to break any records. This morning was just about being out there and enjoying the experience.

It was chillier than I expected so I tried to get into a good pace to warm myself up. It was a gentle (and I use that term loosely) uphill. I found it hard going at the start but once I was about 5kms in I got that euphoric feeling that only other runners can really know about.

When my legs felt too heavy I stopped to take a photo or two.

I took this one to prove that yes, I really do have different running clothes although I will always be wearing a skirt of some kind...

Saw a koala or two. Too bad I couldn't get a good shot of this one.

So I got up to longridge feeling like I was having the best day of my life but it was only to get better... Kangaroos lined the path almost all the way to the longridge look out point.

They looked at me curiously (well I can't blame them really) and let me take a photo or two before hopping off to another location.

I took video of these two because they were cleaning each other or something but they stopped when I started filming...

The look out was beautiful as it always is.

I stopped to breathe it all in.

I had seen quite a few magpies along the longridge track on the way down, so on the way back through that part, I picked up a couple of branches... just in case... I felt invincible with those!!! But I was ready to toss them should I encounter another person.
Thankfully there were no magpie swoops to write about.

There was a pretty awesome thing that happened though.
I was back on the Bartrill track, not long turned from Longridge. I was watching my feet, making sure I stepped in the right spot and on the look out for potential snakes, when I almost ran into a kangaroo! I had just rounded the corner and it was right in the middle of the path!
I think we gave each other a fright!
He took off down the path in front of me. He was SO fast but he made it seem effortless!! Such graceful elegant creatures they are.

I kept running down the same track the kangaroo had gone on and about a km down, there he was again. This time he was stopped and just looking at me.
I'm sure he was thinking "You call that running???"
He watching me for about ten seconds this time and then pushed off again and unfortunately I didn't see him anymore

Kangaroos, Koalas, no Kookabarra's this morning though... but....

I got to the car, completely euphoric, wondering why the rest of the world doesn't know about this. I got in and started to drive when I got a message, so I pulled over.... while I was pulled over, a pretty little blue bird came and sat on my side view mirror! He alternated between the mirror and the window!

He was dancing from point to point, showing off just for me!!

I watched and luckily caught a few photos even if they aren't that good.

Mother Nature loved me lots this morning

How will the rest of my day be able to compete with that??

Adelaide Marathon 2011

2011-08-28T13:54:00.000+09:30

As always, before any race or running event, I ask myself "What the hell am I thinking?"
And this morning, while I was sitting in the car waiting (yes I came way early as I always do..) those doubts started to nag at me again.
Why was I doing this?
Had I done enough training? My training this year was so different..
Am I going to be humiliated and have to pull out?
Are those last few kms going to be the death of me as they were last year?

It was pretty exciting at the start though. So many people came up to me and said hi. A lot of them even knew me by name and I wasn't sure who some of them were but I guess if you start showing up at running events and races, (not to mention having a voice on facebook) people start to get to know you.
And I really love that about running. I love how everyone is just so supportive and so nice and we all want everyone else to do well.

So there was a lot of back slapping and well wishing going on at the start.

Before we knew we were off... and the start was good. I didn't think I took off as fast as I did last year but maybe that was a good thing.
Last year I remember overtaking people at the start, this year it seemed EVERYONE was overtaking me! I tried not to get discouraged because I knew the times they do are not going to affect my time.
I'm running against myself.. and I was running at just over 5min/km pace then so I was doing alright...

So I think I went pretty well on that pace till just over the halfway mark. Then we hit some winds and it wasn't that bad and maybe I would have slowed down a bit anyhow, but I forced myself not to look at my garmin. I just wanted to run to make it... But I knew I'd slowed down...

I did sneak a peak from time to time and saw that I was actually close to being able to make a sub 4 time but it would require that burst of effort which I knew I didn't have. I was working at the maximum...

And those last eight kms especially were difficult. I wanted to stop so many times but I just talked myself through it.
"Just keep putting one foot in front of the other, doesn't matter how long you take, loved ones are waiting for me at the end and they may even be there now... the quicker I get there the sooner I can see them and the quicker I can be finished..."
And it worked.

I stopped at the drink stations but only so that I could drink....

Got to the end and I just couldn't take the smile off my face.
I'd beaten last years time.
My garmin showed 4.05.02
It also showed that I ran 42.53kms so a bit longer than an actual marathon course... and believe me, when you want to die, those 300 metres mean a lot!!!

After last year's marathon I was saying "never again" but this year, although I know it was hard, I'm not saying it... I'm not saying I'm looking forward to my next one but it's definitely an option!

Yurebilla Stage Two

2011-08-15T18:34:00.000+09:30

In preparation for the Yurrebilla Trail Run 56km Ultra, I've been running the trial runs.

The course has been split into three stages. The first was 16 1/2 kms long and was four weeks ago.
The second was 17 1/2kms and was held last Saturday.

I don't know why I work myself up so much before these runs. It could because I've not run on most of these trails before so I'm always worried about getting lost. It could be because I know I'm going to run it two ways, and would prefer to start at the end, run to the start and start with the group, then run with the group back to the end.... than start at the start with everyone, run to the end and then run back to the start.
I know, I have you all confused and I probably could have worded that much better but...

For the run this last Saturday, at least I knew where the start and finish were, so I wasn't worried about that, but to get to the start by 8am (which is the time the main group was starting) I'd have to start at the finish at least two hours before, and that means running on trails in the dark...
That was fine when I didn't know what to expect, but having done that once before, I knew what to expect and wasn't looking forward to it...

I barely slept Friday night because I get anxious about silly things sometimes and I still hadn't decided whether I was doing a 6am start or going with the main group at 8am and doubling back that way... I really didn't want to do that... so I decided I'd just head on out there early and if there were people I could run with, great, I'd go with them, if not, I'd just go back home and make it to the 8am start with the others...

As I couldn't sleep, I checked my emails during the night and found out that at least one other runner (Thanks Callum!) was going to be there at the finish point, ready to run to the start, but he was leaving at 5.30am...

I'm only 15minutes from the meeting point so I got up, got ready and went!

The early morning and the sheer silliness of what we were doing caught up with me though and after about a kms of uphill, in the dark running I stopped and said very embarrassingly "I don't think I can do this today"
Callum spoke like a doctor trying to soothe a frightened child and said wisely to just give myself twenty minutes and if I still felt bad, to turn back then...

Magically, after those words were spoken, it all went away! I felt fine or at least, back to normal and we went on our way.

Running in pitch blackness, with only our little torches to light the way is quite an experience and not one that I'm too fond of. I did have a "mid-light trip" which is becoming customary for me. I've got quite the selection of scrapes and bruises on my lower limbs at the moment but nothing serious and nothing to stop me running!

At one point there was a heavy rustling in the bushes which I'm sure was a kangaroo but we just kept moving.... moving fast....

We heard the howl of a koala and stopped to try to find it with our litte torches... we didn't find the one howling but we did see one just a few meters away right at eye level!! So close!!

I've pasted our route as mapped by my garmin but I only turned it on after we'd already gone 1.3km so it's short by that much.

We ended up getting to the start with plenty of time left before the actual start took place. We were going to take it easy on the way back but everyone was running so we just ran along with them.

When we got back to the spot where we'd seen the koala, we noticed he was still there so I took a couple of photos. Those things don't move for nothing!!

As every run is, it was great once it was finished! I was driving home thinking "Did I really just run that far?" and you know, I really felt pretty good... just the odd niggle or two but nothing major...

Just one more training run to go now before the main event!

Too late to back out now...

2011-08-06T21:04:00.001+09:30

I've really been enjoying my running lately. So much so, that I've neglected to update this blog!

Last year I ran the Adelaide marathon. After an injury setback, and starting again slowly early this year, I didn't think the marathon would be a possibility but....

I started running trails and that seems to have made my general running stronger.

The great thing about trails is that there is so much going on, you forget what you're doing! There is so much to take in from the different terrain, to the smells and sounds around you. Not to mention the gorgeous scenery...
Starting at 6am in pitch darkness adds an interesting dimension too!!

But on Sunday the 31st of July I ran the Hills 2 Henley race.

I was looking forward to doing this as it was the first long non trail run I had done in a while.
I did an ok time but I just felt like I had such a bad run. I'm not sure why.
The conditions were perfect.

I had told myself that I'd see how I went with this race before deciding if I was going to tackle the marathon but who was I kidding? Of course I was going to do the marathon!!
Not that I think I'll do well... but I know I'll hate myself on the day, thinking everyone else is running and I'm not in it...
So no matter how badly I'm going to do, I'm in...

And strangely enough, I'm no where near as nervous as I was this time last year about it all!

When you're all in it together...

2011-07-18T18:55:00.000+09:30

I knew I was going to do the next organised trail run no matter what obstacle may have been put before me. I just loved the last one!

And I'd been inspired by the 6/12/24 hour runners the day before...
They'd been running for most of Saturday and some where continuing on into the night and following morning.
How could I not do a little 21kms trail run?

So I had all my clothes ready. Got dressed and when I opened the back door to get my shoes, realised it was raining heavily.
I must admit, I did think about cancelling for half a second there... but I was dressed and my mind was set on it so off I went.

I was the second one there. Always anxious to start! With the amount of rain that was falling, I wasn't sure too many more would show up but I was wrong...
Slowly they started coming from all over the city...
Think we were about 12 or so... only three women.
We all laughed about how mad we were but there was never a question that we weren't going to do it.

So with our sanity clearly not functioning, we set off! I kept up with the front group for about 2-3kms but at about that time I, along with two other guys started falling short of the front pack.. As I had no clue of the trail we were going to do, I pushed myself to keep up. I may have pleaded "don't leave me" but maybe not.. I'm sure I didn't actually say it out loud!

I may have even made a girlie "ew" sound or two as my shoes squelched into slippery, sloshy mud. I was wet through to my socks within the first kms... we were completely drenched!
And yet, with all of that, it was still fun!
And I think it was because we were all in it together!

If you look at the garmin map you'll notice that the first part was quite uphill! And we were just getting up to a high point when I looked to the right of me and saw a big kangaroo!!! We stopped to admire it for a while (just me and the two other guys as we were completely alone at that point) then were off again...

About midway through our run we caught up with front pack runners... well actually, they caught up with us as they'd taken a wrong turn and had to double back. They were with us for a few minutes then quickly took off again...
We didn't see them until the end.

Like most runs, I really started to enjoy it from the midway point. At that time I could just relax and enjoy my surroundings even though it was still raining heavily.

We had to cross the freeway over the bridge a few times and I heard a beep or two as we were going over. I'm sure the beep was saying "What the hell are you guys doing????"
Only another trail runner would understand...

And yet what a great feeling when we finished!! We'd done it and it really HAD been fun!!!

And I can't wait for the next rail run!

Trail Running...

2011-07-03T13:37:00.000+09:30

Ok it's no secret that I get obsessed... and my latest obsession seems to be trail running.

I just can't get enough of it!

This morning I did a trail run with a few other trail running nuts.. stole this photo that was taken of the group. Can you see my bushy pony tail?

I met most of these guys for the first time this morning. We were a little quiet, not knowing each other, but that soon changed by the time we'd finished.
I find the group so encouraging and friendly. And the difference with going with the group is that I won't stop if I get tired.. can't let anyone see me stop! So it pushes me further and I really felt like I pushed myself up those hills this morning and loved it! Can't wait to do it again! So nice to have sore quads!

Another photo I stole from another runner...I was still near the front here... Actually I did ok and would have finished sooner if the group I was running with didn't take a slightly longer scenic route. We weren't quite sure where to go but we did know the destination so we just followed the signs and knew we'd eventually get there...

So that's two trail runs in two days... how will my treadmill ever compete with that??
Not a chance!

Today's run courtesy of Garmin

I think I found heaven...

2011-06-19T13:44:00.006+09:30

Honestly, I just can't describe how I feel when I run in Morialta.
Maybe it's just that it's still relatively new...
Maybe it's the fact that I've been going first thing in the morning...
Whatever ever it is, it's almost a spiritual experience to be runnning through that place.

Yesterday morning Nick and I got there before 7.30 and off we went... we went further than last time, not even realising the kms we were building up.

The fog was so thick and intense! Everything around was was so still. It felt like we were in some prehistoric time.
It even felt like our conversation was polluting the sereness of it all.

He's still working up to a run and I must admit, I found it hard to just hang back and walk, although from time to time I would run on ahead (Especially up the hills!) and then come back down to where he was and go up again...

We had sort of planned to go to Nortin Summit but we reached the road and walked a little way... not knowing how far we had to go on road before we met up with the trial again... And it was foggy and he was nervous of running so close to the roads edge in the hills in those conditions so....
We turned back...

We'd gone 13.3kms when we got back to his car and I decided to run back to his place from there... Did another 7kms for a nice 20.3kms this moning. And honest to god it doesn't even feel like I've done anything...

I hope the feeling I have as I run through there never goes away....

Sea to Summnit

2011-06-12T17:42:00.003+09:30

I don't know where to start when it comes to today.

Today I ran the George Driscoll Sea to Summit trail. It was supposed to be 32kms but my garmin and another runner who finished with me, both showed it to be 33 1/2kms... and at the end, that extra kilometre and a half really made a difference!

I was just beside myself with excitment.
I got there pretty early but didn't know anyone so just walked around to try to keep warm. It was a cold morning!
One of the buses was late coming from the finishing line so we had to wait a little bit and by then, there were people I knew around so it wasn't so bad.
Of course, I was filled with self doubt!
Firstly that I could complete the course, and secondly that I wouldn't get lost!!! The getting lost factor was probably a bigger issue....

I lost my running partner right at the start but didn't feel so bad as at that stage, there were other people around so I felt confident I wouldn't get lost... as the group thinned though, it became a little more of an issue but still it wasn't too bad until I stepped wrong over a creek and injured my knee.
I almost cried.
I knew I was going to finish one way or another, but the thought of the next 20kms running in the pain I was in was almost too much to bare! I kept looking at my garmin wishing it to clock over faster...

Then it happened... there was no one to the front of me, no one to the rear of me and I came to a point where I had no clue where to go...

So I waited for the next runner... His name was Dave and he was just amazing... running along at my hobbling pace to be sure I wouldn't get lost.
I should have known already, but he told me what markers to look for and I felt a little more confident so I told him to run on ahead (didn't want to slow him down) but he said he'd stay with me to Belair and he did! How nice was he!!

Did ok on my own... at one point I had to ask a guy who was doing some gardening in his front yard if there had been a group of runners come by, because I wasn't sure if I was going the right way and he said "Yes there have been tons of runners coming by"
I really wasn't THAT far back I thought... There were tons behind me too!

So I kept going until I got to another spot where I couldn't see any markers... This was about 8kms from the end... I doubled back as I was scared I'd missed a turn off... about 500mtrs later I saw a girl and a guy coming and ran with them.. They were familiar with the course and were fantastic company for those last hills back to the finish line.

Can't express how much I enjoyed today... Everything about it... well, apart from the injury!

And after I got home and showered I realised I have a monster bruise on my right leg just behind the knee... Not sure if that came from when I stepped wrong or from something else!

And I just love this running community. Everyone is just so supportive! what a great bunch of people to be associated with

Now, when's the next run???

Seemed like a good idea at the time.

2011-06-06T06:22:00.002+09:30

So yesterday, I was still on a high from my trail run the previous day... and as I'm lying in bed contemplating my life and such, I remembered that the Sea to Summit trail run was occurring in a weeks times...
For some reason, I started toying with the idea of entering...

A few minutes later I was on facebook asking if I was stupid to even consider this (Where else would you go for support) and after a few of my running friends ecnouraged me, I entered!

Don't know if I'm crazy or just really love trail loving a lot! LOL

So there you are... Next Sunday I'll be out there with the lot of them and I hope that I will NOT get lost!

Breathless Beauty

2011-06-04T11:48:00.003+09:30

What a fantastic morning!

Last night my brother and I had organised to do a trail run up at Morialta Falls. He's only getting back into running but those trails are so beautiful anyhow I jumped at the chance.

We got there fairly early.. about 7.30am.

It was hard going for him and a few times I left him to run up ahead, then ran back to him just to keep warm.

It was just so exhilirating!

My brother got warmed up after about 30 mins and started to really enjoy it also, picking out trails we could go to make it last just that bit longer...

Had a funny (although not at the time) incident when we were going downhill. My brother was just turning to tell me to be careful as it was really slippery and... you guessed it, I fell straight down on the end of my backbone! Must have looked so funny!
Had a few bumps and scrapes and a bit of an ache in my back but I ran it out and it was fine.

The scenery was gorgous and I saw part of Morialta that I'd never been to before.

I really can't wait to do it again!

I was so pumped when we finished (only did about 9kms there) that I ran another 6kms when we got back to his place.

And nothing else I do today is going to compare to that!

Have to get rid of my timidity...

2011-05-21T09:22:00.002+09:30

Ok so I've been going through a pretty good running period lately but I still can't get past my 12kms a day.
Adittedly, I haven't really tried to go for more than that, but only because I don't want to fail.

So my plan was to feel strong with my 12.
And I'm there now...

So it's really time to move on and start incorporating some long runs.

The problem is, I'm scared to! I keep tentatively scheduling a long run in, but when the time comes, I don't go for it citing one excuse or another.

Tomorrow I was hoping for a longish run... 18kms at least... but now they're forecasting wind and rain so there's an easy out for me....
I haven't decided but I don't think I'm going to be going out in those conditions so I'll probably jsut do my regular 12 again which is better than not doing it, but i'm not really pushing myself.

Total kms for May: 162kms

Back after a work enforced short break...

2011-05-14T09:47:00.002+09:30

It wasn't really a break but it sure did feel like one.

I normally don't work Monday, Tuesday's and every 2nd Wednesday but due to special training at work this week, I had to go in those days... and that meant I couldn't run.

now I know I could organise my schedule, get up at 5am and go, but I just felt I'd get too worn out with everything else I have to do and I like to enjoy my run, not think of it like a chore...

So I ran last Sunday, then didn't run again till Friday and it's amazing how good it feels after a break. It felt like I hadn't run for weeks but it was only four days... and I felt like I had a strong run...

Today's run was pretty good too... So far so good!
I keep being afraid I'm going to overdo it, and then not feel like running at all. Don't know where that fear comes from but it's there at the back of my mind all the time.

Total kms for May - 90kms

New Shoes!

2011-05-04T22:00:00.002+09:30

Well the highlights of my last five days of running were ....
the first three days were fantastic... 12kms and felt good ... well as good as it feels when running...

On the third day I wore my new Brooks Adrenaline and they really felt so good! So much lighter than my last shoes AND they don't bother my feet/toes/arches. Love them!

The fourth run... well I don't know what happened but I had a walk break in the middle of it, and the same thing happened with my run today however I still completed.. but I just hate when I have to break the run up like that... So both days I ran 12kms and walked another 1km midway through the run...

Now I have two days off to recover, get my energy and mojo back and do it all again Saturday...

Total KMS for May 48kms

One kms off 200 for the month...

2011-04-30T10:37:00.002+09:30

It kinda sucks and I may just get on the treadmill and run another kms because I hate odd numbers... and to finish at 199... well that's just not right!

But I'm happy with that and today I ran an easy 12kms so I'll attempt that for the next four days as well... hopefully it will be just as easy.

Yesterday I was talking to a young guy at work who was talking about running along the beach. He's got a 4km run along a regular part of my route and we were just talking about how nice it was and how much we love running... and now I've got to be paranoid that I might see him when I run.
I really don't like the way I look when I run!!
Anyhow, it's good to talk about it with a fellow enthusiast and I was really looking forward to it this morning which is probably why I had such a good run!!

Total kms for April 199kms

Absent from Blog but still running...

2011-04-17T09:05:00.002+09:30

I haven't been writing because it's been so hard lately. I've been running my allotted kms but only just and I've felt AWFUL afterwards... pretty sure I've had some kind of virus.
I'm not really sure what's been going on but I can't remember it ever being this hard before.

I had to resort to taking walking breaks inbetween just to reach my kms....

today was the first time in about 2 weeks where I ran 10kms straight. No stops... but I had to run at a slower pace.
So maybe I have been sick. I know I've been coughing and spluttering in the morning and feel a bit chesty but that's just today... and today was a good day!

Anyhow, analysis aside, I'm happy I ran a good one today and hope I've turned the tide.

Kms for April holding steady at 112kms

I guess all things considered that's pretty good...

Hard going...

2011-04-06T08:24:00.002+09:30

So this week I've run 52kms which is more than I've done in a long time however it's been REALLY hard going.
I ran 12kms on Saturday, which used to be my usual daily run, but I think it really taxed me so much that it affected my following runs.

I just feel like I should be back to normal now and am trying to get there as soon as possible...

Each run after that Saturday one got slightly better but it was still depressing how hard it was.

Add to that another lost toenail, and toe so sore it feels like it's going to drop off, and a strained left hamstring... well it was all conspiring against me..

But I can't be too unhappy because like I said, I did manage 52kms so guess I should be happy...

Total kms for April 52kms

Getting better all the time

2011-04-03T08:40:00.002+09:30

Yesterday I actually ventured outside and did a 12kms run.

It felt fantastic to be taking in the morning air and I was early enough to not be bothered by traffic... I headed off to the beach and enjoyed the serenity of calm seas... It was really beautiful and the time just went!

I've been running along that esplanade for about 10years off and on and it's amazing to me that I'll see the same walkers doing their daily routine.
Ten years to be walking the same route is a long time!
I like to mix my running routes up.

So I ran and by the time I hit the 10kms mark, I was ready to stop. 10 kms is the most I've run so far since coming back from injury but I'd set myself 12kms to do this morning and didn't want to let myself down!

So I perservered and ran 10km.. The last kms were harder because I was running away from the beach and back into traffic and it just wasn't pleasant at all.

Add to that a serious case of chafing... Now why is it that you can wear the same clothes over and over and then one day you put them on and get chafing!! I just don't get it! Especially as I love my running skirt and will be upset if I can't wear it anymore!!

So today I was back to a comfortable 10kms and I almost wussed out and stopped before reaching 10 but I got myself to forget about how many kms left and just kept going..
I did slow my speed though.. but still I did it

Total kms for April 22kms

Biggest running week in a while...

2011-03-30T08:26:00.002+10:30

I feel pretty good today because I'm almost back to my normal pre injury running.

Almost.. about 75% of the way there.

I've run 42kms in the last five days and feel pretty good about it although, I'm also looking forward to a two day break now!

I'm still not brave enough to venture outside. I don't think I'll cure that until I just ignore my fears and go out there. I just don't "feel" like a runner. I don't look like a runner...

Having said that, I know that when I do venture outside, I'm going to LOVE it...
I'm penciling in Saturday morning....

Total kms for March, 125kms

Hoping for a much better month next month!

Doubt and victory

2011-03-23T10:15:00.002+10:30

Everytime, before I run, I have a feeling of dread.... like I'm not going to make it.

While I'm running I can think myself thru it and I make it just fine...

And today I ran 8kms which is a recent high... Not the 12kms a day I was doing a few months ago but still, it made me feel good.

Now I have 2 days break before my next run.

32kms in the last 5 days. Not to bad but I'd like it to be better...

Total kms for March 83kms

Holding Steady

2011-03-15T08:34:00.002+10:30

I feel like I'm almost there.

In the last four days I've run 6kms every day. 24kms in four days. I used to run 48kms in four days but that's ok... I'm moving forward and that's the most important thing.

I think my back is holding up pretty good too but I don't want to speak too soon!

So for now I'll keep going at 6kms a run and when I feel comfortable with that, I'll move on to a higher amount.
I still feel like my fitness is bad. By the time I'm getting to the last couple of kms I'm really hanging out for the run to be over but when it is over, I recover pretty quickly.

It can only get better I guess!

Total kms for March 51kms

Hit a recent high

2011-03-09T07:49:00.003+10:30

This used to be a casual, between training days run just to loosen myself up... but I ran 6kms this morning and it felt pretty good..

Taking my total to 27kms for the month

I used to run 60 kms in five days... In the last five days I've run 23kms
Such a far cry from where I was..

I just hope my fitness will build up quickly.

I'm still hanging in there though so I guess that's something...

When to increase?

2011-03-06T09:17:00.002+10:30

So I've been going along pretty good but I'm still only doing 4kms a run. The last two mornings I felt I could do more but I'm scared I'm going to increase it too soon. I've told myself that I should do another 4kms tomorrow and maybe only Tuesday and Wednesday increase it to 5kms.

Shouldn't be a problem right?

Physically I'm ok although I do have a bit of hip soreness... so I really don't want to push it too soon but I'm loving the feeling of being able to run again...

And I'm dying to do some decent kms..

Each time I get up I have a sense of "I can't do it. I've lost my ability to run again"
Don't know why that is but when I'm doing it, and especially at the end, I feel really good... so I try not to dwell on the negative and just get dressed and let whatever is going to happen, happen...

So I'm still hanging in there...

Getting easier...

2011-03-01T08:17:00.002+10:30

I still can't believe how unfit I had become. Not that I'm much better now but I'm better than not running at all!

I've run 4kms, 4 days in a row now. By today, the last day, I found it quite easy. I was almost tempted to run a little further but I don't want to make the mistake I have made in the past and do too much too quickly... so I'll keep it at 4 for at least one more time, then I might switch it up higher...

Anyhow, this was just a progress report.. I'm doing well, I'm still going, and hoping to increase my kms soon...

The numbers still sound so small...

2011-02-23T08:25:00.002+10:30

So I managed a 3kms run yesterday and had set myself four for today.
When I got to three, I stopped running but kept walking. I was disappointed because I'd set 4 for myself even though earlier in the week I was going to sit tight on 3....

Anyhow, after walking 300metres or so, I set off running again and run the last kms, and then walked another 300metres or so...

4kms running, 600metres walking... guess that's not too bad but I cringe when I think about the numbers compared to what I used to run.
I KNOW I have to run these low numbers if I ever want to see the high ones again but it's not very sexy...

At least it is getting better/easier every day... and that little break I took after 3kms really made a big difference, helping me to finish my short run strong.

It's been a week since I started running again now and I've run 16kms in total... That would have been a casual Saturday morning run for me in the past!
I do feel better and I know it's doing wonders for my singing voice!! (That's a whole other side of me)

I wish I could see into the future to know what kind of kms I will be doing in a few weeks from now...

Now I have a two day break, so I will enjoy that, recoup and get ready for 4kms on Saturday...

Little by little...

2011-02-21T08:11:00.002+10:30

And I do mean little...

Yesterday and today, I only ran 2.5kms (each day). And while I'm embarrassed about the amount, it's 5kms more than I ran this time last week!

And the other good thing I've noticed is that after I ran for the first time last week, I was terribly muscle sore!! It was horrifying! And it took me a while to recover from the run on the day...

However with the last two runs especially, I've recovered virtually straight away and feel like I haven't run at all... So my fitness is coming back!
Also, with the first few short runs I was wanting them to be over halfway thru... but today especially, I ran to the end of my 2.5kms and felt I could have done more...

But tomorrow I will make myself do only 2.5 again, and maybe go for more on Wednesday because then I'll be taking a two day break...

I think I'm on track... I really HATE the small no. of kms though!!

Still here...

2011-02-19T16:21:00.001+10:30

I got up this morning and thought.. "oh no, I said I was going to run again..."

But the rest of the house was sleeping and it was wet outside (so I wasn't going to go out there) and just went downstairs and had a coffee...

After ten minutes or so I felt a lot better and after the rest of the household woke up, I got my running gear on... yes only for the measly two kms I was going to run, I got dressed and went on the teadmill...

And today it felt better than Tuesday...
I know I could have pushed myself another kms but I want to be consistent and run over the next few days so I left it at that.

I'll keep it there until I'm totally comfortable then raise my kms again.

It's pretty depressing that I'm only running 2kms. I feel embarrassed even writing that down but it's better than doing none and it's bringing me further along the road to complete recovery (and fitness!)

So I'll keep going...

Well whaddya know...

2011-02-15T11:40:00.003+10:30

Over the months, I've stopped going to running forums, I've stopped reading running blogs... and I stopped being so depressed that I wasn't running.

I know that my injury doesn't stop me running, but it may give me pain following run.. so there's my dilemma...

But anyhow, this morning I put my 'walking' clothes on and walked down to the shops.
A 4kms round trip..
nothing exciting about that!

For a while now, I've been saying "I'm going to run this week... I'm going to run tomorrow..." and those days have come and gone...
I was only intending to run a couple of kms.. I just wanted to get the feel of it again.

Today after I came back from my trip to the shops, I was still in light clothing so I figured what the hell, why not... and I stepped onto the treadmill.
I didn't want to run outside as I didn't want to have people seeing me stop running... at least if I have to stop and I'm on the treadmill, I'll be the only one who knows about it!

So I set the treadmill for just over 2kms and ran.

I've got to say it felt pretty magical when I first stepped on to it. Who would have imagined that? And then as I started running I felt like I'd come home.

I've lost a lot of fitness though. I ran 2kms without any trouble but I could still feel it... but from past experience, I know the fitness comes back soon.

So now I'll see how I go and give it another couple of kms on Saturday which unfortunately, is the earliest I'll be able to run again.

2kms is hardly anything to be happy about but I think the corner of my mouth are slightly upturned...
;)

Still not running...

2011-01-25T12:40:00.002+10:30

It pains me to say it... but at least I can now drive by another runner without getting a lump in my throat.
I'm coming to terms with it.

And I know that most of this is psychological... I know that exercise actually helps osteoarthritis and there's no need to run 12kms a day.. I can just do 4 or 5 but I can't bring myself to do it. I'm scared I'll hurt more even though everything rational tells me I won't.

As it is, if I'm moving I'm fine, if I'm stationary I'm also fine... it's getting from one of those states to the other that causes me pain...

I know I'll run again, but I also know that there's no chance of another marathon this year and I'm really upset about that...

Back soon...

2010-11-01T06:54:00.003+10:30

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....

2010-10-26T08:34:00.002+10:30

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

2010-10-20T10:29:00.002+10:30

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...

2010-10-11T13:41:00.003+10:30

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

2010-10-06T11:01:00.002+10:30

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....

2010-10-04T11:03:00.002+10:30

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...

2010-09-25T15:44:00.003+09:30

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

2010-09-23T19:08:00.001+09:30

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...

2010-09-14T08:31:00.002+09:30

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

2010-08-31T08:12:00.002+09:30

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

2010-08-28T08:32:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-08-24T11:20:00.002+09:30

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

2010-08-20T17:57:00.004+09:30

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!

2010-08-20T17:57:00.001+09:30

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!

2010-08-20T17:57:00.000+09:30

I Did It

2010-08-15T16:31:00.000+09:30

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...

2010-08-11T15:28:00.002+09:30

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....

2010-07-31T10:04:00.002+09:30

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

2010-07-28T12:53:00.003+09:30

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..

2010-07-25T07:51:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-07-17T16:00:00.003+09:30

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

2010-07-14T11:35:00.002+09:30

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

2010-07-11T09:50:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-07-10T10:45:00.002+09:30

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

2010-07-08T19:39:00.002+09:30

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

2010-07-06T09:47:00.003+09:30

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

2010-07-04T10:51:00.002+09:30

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....

2010-07-03T11:27:00.002+09:30

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

2010-06-30T09:01:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-06-29T09:54:00.003+09:30

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?

2010-06-28T08:25:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-06-27T10:32:00.002+09:30

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....

2010-06-26T10:02:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-06-24T20:11:00.001+09:30

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

2010-06-22T09:05:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-06-21T08:25:00.001+09:30

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...

2010-06-20T10:02:00.002+09:30

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

2010-06-19T10:57:00.003+09:30

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

2010-06-14T19:32:00.000+09:30

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

2010-06-12T10:40:00.001+09:30

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

2010-06-08T08:51:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-06-07T08:40:00.002+09:30

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

2010-06-06T09:13:00.002+09:30

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

2010-06-05T10:38:00.002+09:30

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

2010-06-04T10:19:00.001+09:30

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

2010-06-02T08:27:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-06-01T08:45:00.001+09:30

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...

2010-05-31T07:41:00.001+09:30

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

2010-05-30T09:05:00.003+09:30

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....

2010-05-27T18:08:00.001+09:30

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

2010-05-25T08:45:00.001+09:30

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

2010-05-24T08:42:00.002+09:30

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

2010-05-23T10:23:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-05-22T10:18:00.003+09:30

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...

2010-05-19T08:04:00.001+09:30

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...

2010-05-18T10:11:00.002+09:30

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

2010-05-17T10:31:00.002+09:30

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

2010-05-16T09:32:00.003+09:30

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...

2010-05-15T10:32:00.001+09:30

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

2010-05-13T19:30:00.001+09:30

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

2010-05-11T09:26:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-05-10T08:40:00.003+09:30

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...

2010-05-09T10:16:00.002+09:30

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...

2010-05-08T09:15:00.003+09:30

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...

2010-05-05T09:37:00.003+09:30

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...

2010-05-04T08:00:00.002+09:30

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

2010-05-02T09:17:00.001+09:30

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....

2010-05-01T09:46:00.003+09:30

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....

2010-04-28T10:32:00.002+09:30

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!!!

2010-04-15T06:39:00.002+09:30

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!