5kms

It was so unbelievably good to run today. I ended up staying at a friends last night, so I got home after lunch and headed out... it was lovely to have the wind in my hair again, feet pounding along. I'm trying really hard to think about my form lately, since the podiatrist said I run with my feet going in circles (hence why I sometimes kick my own ankles!) I couldn't stop focussing on my foot either, trying to see if there was any pain. I think perhaps there was a tiny, tiny twinge but it's hard to know if that was just psychological or not!

FINGERS CROSSED that my foot is fine in the morning. If it doesnt hurt, I'm going to go to track, just to touch base with people and run gentle and non-speedily for a couple of loops (it's on grass too which is good) Then I might run (gently!) on wednesday too. I'm so impatient! If it hurts at any point I'll stop of course.

I've also decided to amuse myself in the mean time by doing floor and weights exercises every day for the next couple of weeks and writing down my number of reps to chart the improvement. I think PT on friday inspired me, with the evil ingenuity of the things Tony got me to do - ie. doing push ups on my toes with one hand on the floor and one hand on a medicine ball to work my core muscles as well. *L* I wish they had a chin up bar at the gym!

Tentatitve Week plan:

M -
am: Weights/Floor Exercises
pm: Spin 5.30pm, Yoga 6.30pm

T -
am: Weights/Floor Exercises
pm: Non speedy track session (dep. on foot!)

W -
am: morning run group with In Training? (dep. on foot!)
pm: Weights/Floor exercises

T -
am: Spin 6am
pm: Pilates 6.30pm

F -
am:
pm: Body Balance 6.30pm

S -
am: Yoga 10.30am (not risking BRB til next week!)
pm:

S -
am: B2B (dep. on foot)
pm: Pilates 3.30pm

Like I say, am hoping this is how the week turns out. Might throw a few swims in there, too!

Hope you all had a great weekend :)

PT

Went and did a PT session today. I appear to have trapped a nerve in my armpit somehow, since I woke up not being able to lift my right arm above my head. Not nice. But I refused to let it stop me training and went anyway. It was great to do some grunt work on the weights and start sweating. We did push ups on toes, with one hand on a medicine ball, with sets of five reps on each hand. Just to you know, make me suffer. I nearly died *L* still, I'm up to 45kgs on the lateral pull down now too. I can almost hang off the bar *L* I really wish that my gym had a chin up bar, but if there is one, I've yet to find it.

I'm looking forward to running on sunday immensely, thinking I might not go to the west end and run since most people will be at Ipswich anyway. I could go out there and perhaps do the 10km but it's a long drive and I'll feel tempted to go too fast. Plus, I'm not supposed to be doing more than 30-40 minutes anyway... I dunno. I could run half I guess. Blah, waste of money. Mount Cootha is looking good, since it's off road, no concrete and therefore may be a little better for my foot. Though it is hills, LOL!

I've eaten so badly this week as well. I feel all stodgy and lethargic. Starting sunday, I'm going back to eating healthily. Everything seems to sit on your stomach without training every day and I know I'm up a few kgs again, dammit. Anyway, next week is the B2B, which I wasn't going to do, but if my foot is okay, I would really like to do the 12km. I chickened out of it last year, so I've sort of got unfinished business there ;)

Can't really plan next week's training yet, since depends on sunday's run, but lets hope it's better than my slacko week this week!

Not Running

Well, I've done no running for over a week now - sunday is R day and I can't wait. I'm feeling a bit frustrated by my lack of activity - all I've done this week is go swimming once. Mind you, work has suddenly become so busy that I wouldn't have had time to go exercise if I could have! Definitely not complaining though, it's sooooo nice to be busy again!

I have been keeping up my CR quota, squishing in dinner with Tesso, Clairie, Skizzik and Karisma last night. I was a bit dead, having pulled an allnighter to hit a rush job deadline - 17 houra straight on a computer is not good for ones sanity LOL! Then I taught at uni all day! Again with the nice-to-be-busy thing though! *nods* Anyway, it was lovely to see the gals, although sad at the same time, now a certain person is moving down to Sydney :( Who am I going to paddle inflatable kayakes down rivers with now? LOL!

Tomorrow I have PT - It'll be so good to do some work. I'm totally craving cardio! (and sleep!)

Roll on sunday and running, I say!

Bugger

Went to see the podiatrist at InTraining today. Apparently I've managed to get not just one injury but two - "Plantar Fasciitis" and "Petroneus Brevis Tendonitis" which both sound very exotic (they should be cocktails or geraniums or something) but aren't too bad in comparison to some of the things I read about with similar symptoms! I've got a follow up in two weeks, have to take anti-inflammatories for ten days, ice and stretch every day and (the bit I wasn't too impressed with) I can't run for another five days. Waaaaa. After that however, I can have one run of 30-40 minutes max. Therefore, I'm thinking the west end 5km on the 31st might be the go, although more as a chance to stretch my legs than get a decent time.

I'm thinking postively about this, in that it could be worse - I could have had to take months off. Five days isn't a great deal in the scheme of things and if all goes to plan, I'll be back on track in time for Noosa. For the time being, I don't need orthotics, either! (Huzzah! I don't think my mastercard could take the strain!) Also, the Podiatrist was beautiful (Kent, his name is ;) and having tasty men play with my feet always lifts a girls spirits :)

So, I'm hereby dedicating this week to copious amounts of stretching, pilates, yoga, spin and swimming instead... I'll worry about my kms next week :)

No running for me today. Again.

Oh dear, this blog is starting to get repetitive, isnt it? My foot is shot again today after last night's run :( *bangs head against keyboard* this time, the pain is right underneath my heel and along the side under the ankle bone - feels like a stone bruise, only worse... limping again quite spectacularly. I think it's a sprain.

I think it may be time to go and see someone about it :(

Bugger.

12km Run Group + a few resolutions!

Got up this morning feeling a bit sore from track last night - Just goes to show it's good for you! *L*

Ran 12km or so, but felt like more (again, probably from having done track) - Told Sam and Tracey the news re my teaching work, but hopefully I'll get to see a bit of them anyway, with Noosa coming up and the odd social run, track session and BRB!

Even better though - after the run, I won the bottle of red! Yay me :)

rest of week and next, now having had a bit of a shuffle, looking like:

Thurs - 5 - 10km, gentle effort
Fri - REST
Sat - BRB (10km? more? Depends how long I can keep up with them LOL!)
Sun - J2J (10km)

WEEKLY TOTAL: 47km? (erm... looking at that increased mileage, might scrap that 10km tomorrow and do 5km instead!)

Mon - Social Run (8km?)
Tues - track 5km
Weds - easy 5km
Thurs - PT (must arrange this)
Fri - REST
Sat - BRB (?km)
Sun - 15km at West End (sure I read there was a 21k happening? If there is, I'll do that!)

WEEKLY TOTAL: not sure yet - minimum 43km?)

So, looks like I'm finally increasing my mileage, doesnt it ;) I just noticed that there's a 25km on at the West End on September 4th - I think that once Noosa is done, I'll make that my next goal! I'm sort of feeling a bit zen about my running at the moment... On some level, I feel that if I listen to my body, allow myself to slowly increase distances with the aim to just finish them, then eventually, the times will follow. I know this stuff doesnt happen over night, so I'm trying to look at it as a plan unfolding over the next few years.

Before the end of the year, I want to be able to run 35km, even if it takes me hours :)

5km Track

Did track tonight. I think I did about 5 x 500m - took it easy because of my foot (which felt fine, but I figure it pays to be cautious!) my times were 2:22, 2:21, 2:35, 2:45, 2:35. Not too bad, though I certainly felt it. Much prefer 500m's to 800m. Felt good to be back at track, although I definitely felt it (ah, how I missed that familiar sort of I-might-throw-up sensation! NOT! LOL!)

Some good and bad news this week - I've scored a bit of teaching work which is very good. However, the tutorial times include (wait for it) Wednesday Nights. Which is long run night. Waaaa. I can't swap with another tutor, can't not do it, so looks like I shall be having to find alternative long runs for the next 12 weeks. Might be able to do one or two (Ekka holiday is a wednesday I think, don't know if there'll be a group run if it's a public holiday?)

Seems like there's no way around it unfortunately, so I think I may just have to deal with my own saturday morning reluctance and get my butt out of bed and down to the Running Buddies after all! *grins* I don't think I can make myself run more than about 10km on my own and I'm determined not to slip backwards - worked too hard to get here!

Anyway, will run tomorrow night and let Tracey and Sam know if they haven't read this entry first! Still going to be doing Noosa Half and everything, just means I'll have to rework my training times a bit.

Weights

Went and took my frustration out on the weights this morning. Feel so annoyed I couldn't do the fun run - the weather looked perfected for it. Oh well, it's only one run out of many more to come, hopefully :) Foot feels a bit better today, feeling better much more quickly than last time round which has to be a good sign. Based on how frustrated I've been just from this, I think I'd be really unbearable to be around if I ever did anything more serious to myself! *touch wood!*

Anyways, carrying on with the positive vibe, am planning the week to look like this:

M - Gym Session (no foot stressing stuff! might even go swimming!)
T - Track: 5km?
W - Group Run: 15km?
T - Weights Session
F - 10km
S - Rest Day (gentle mt cootha run/walk on hills, maybe!)
S - Jetty to Jetty 10km

This is based on a 40km week again, with the understanding that I'm just going to concentrate on running as I feel for the week. Or feeling how I run *L* Or something. But you get my drift. I'm not going to be pushing things hard anyway... the emphasis will be on having fun and not stressing.

I think I'm also going to ban the treadmill for the time being, which I'm thinking may also be part of the problem - the repetitive movement or something (and the fact I can actually feel the belt slipping slightly under my feet) plus, it's so mind numbingly BORING... same, same, same..... I can hardly bear it anymore! *L*

Foot - AGAIN!

Nooooo !!!!!

My measly, half hearted 5km at the gym last night seems to have aggravated my foot again, because this morning I woke up to beautiful blue skies and honey coloured sunshine, all set to go running at Mt.Cootha again, hopped eagerly out of bed - only to find I am limping again and my foot is really sore. Can hardly walk on it.

This also means that I probably won't be able to do the Rail Trail fun run tomorrow because although I could possibly grit my teeth and run on it, it'll only make it worse. So, I'm thinking the sensible thing to do would be to rest it for a good few days, until perhaps tuesday track session at least. I'm so frustrated :(

If this is what happens every time I try and increase my mileage, I might have to stay on my 30km for a while, I think!

current weight: 77.4kgs (HURRAH! Back to non gluttonous pig out weight!)

Feeling a bit uninspired tonight and almost want to declare today a rest day but I've already had two this week (one of those was actually PT but still counts as rest cos it wasnt running!) but despite my lack of enthusiasm shall now disengage from the internet and go and do 5-10km, then camp in the sauna and steam for a while :)

A Brief Entry (for a change!)

Ended up doing 5kms and a bit of a weights session at the gym tonight instead of my planned 10km - my inner thighs are still sore from PT on monday and after running last night, I felt a bit creeky. No biggy though, just means I'll do a longer run on saturday, probably.

Good news:
- feel fine today (maybe I won't come down with a cold!)
- current weight: 78.2kgs - the scales are moving in the right direction again! hurrah!

New Shoes + 12km

Finally got some new shoes before running tonight. They feel so different to the old ones - which, on inspection from Phil, were past there use by date. Amusingly, they're the same ones that Sam (and apparently, Tesso) have, so now we all match! *grins*

Did about 12km I'm guessing. Foot started to hurt towards the end, but bearable. Think I might be coming down with a cold (can you believe it? Mind you, what where this blog be, without me having something to whinge about? LOL) On a positive note, the rest of the week is looking like this:

Thurs: 10km
Fri: Weights/Cardio of some sort
Sat: 5km Mount Cootha Summit Trail (might try and make this 10km)
Sun: 8.2km Rail Trail Fun Run

Want to try and get this week's mileage up to 40km, so I should probably aim to do 10km options where possible. (Had Mon + Tues as Rest Days, did 12km tonight, so that leaves 28km to spread over the next four days)

Fun Run Addiction

I'm sure you'll all be glad to know my foot is much better today (I must stop blog-whinging about it!) and so I'm going running tonight, dammit :) Am also firmly back on the eat-properly wagon, after excelling myself at eating-badly in the last few weeks and going up to 81kgs (now 80kgs) which at least had the side effect of shocking me into a stronger resolution to get rid of it once and for all! I will get there. I will.

Anyway, am currently in fun run heaven, almost overwhelmed with the amount of races I could do in the next few weeks. In fact, looking at my calendar, there is something on every sunday for the next 10 weeks! Admittedly one or two of those are BRRC events, but it still counts! This is becoming an addiction!

I'm actually thinking that I may not do the Ipswich Half - mostly to conserve the contents of my wallet for as long as possible, but also because it's so close to Noosa - I'm thinking perhaps it might pay me to just work on my endurance and speed more between now and then and then do Noosa at full throttle. Or maybe I should do the Ipswich half, but purposely do it really slowly. Decisions, decisions!

PT session and knotted moans

Foot still sore and am now limping like a pirate. For some reason I can't help but poke the sore parts from time to time to see if they're any better, which probably isnt helping matters! Did a good solid core weights session... had shakey legs from it so it must've been good.

Had a long chat with my PT about my foot and he pointed out that I turn my knees in when I'm training (he's forever correcting me) so I probably do it running as well. Makes sense actually, because I quite frequently clip my ankles with my feet when I run and am starting to suspect that my bad habits may be why my foot is sore. That said, I've been running six months without a problem (shhh! fatal last words, I know!) so maybe its just time I got new shoes. Which I will.

Had a brief talk about podiatrists and orthotics, but after a bit of discussion, decided to try and work on my core muscle strength more, so that I don't turn my knees in so much and hopefully that will go some way to improving my running technique. I really don't want to have to resort to orthotics unless absolutely necessary.... have some highly unattractive exercises to do every day so I'll give them a whirl.

I've also got some serious knots under my shoulder blades from tensing my shoulders as I run too - so all in all, I feel like I'm kinked up and off kilter! I always thought most runners adopt their technique from the way they naturally run, but I think I need to stop running 'naturally' and start really looking at my form before I end up inside out and back to front!

Tomorrow I was going to do track, depends on my foot I guess! *fingers crossed!*

14km in 82mins + Marshalling

West End this morning - hurray for me, I survived the 14k due in no small part to the lovely Adrian and Schultzy pacing me through at various parts of the run. Really nice of them to do that for me considering how much slower I am than them. Felt like stopping several times, but somehow didn't and came in in 82 minutes, so just under six minute pace :) Soooo happy.

Seem to have cracked the problem I had the last few months with running just before 'that' time of the month and being crippled with violent stomach cramps - the secret is taking two ibuprofen, ten minutes before the run.... stops the cramps and meant I could feel it but instead of doubling over, I could just run through it. So very pleased with that little discovery!

Unfortunately, my foot is worse after this mornings run - having a rest day tomorrow (doing PT instead) so hopefully that'll fix whatever it is that is wrong - feels a bit like I've sprained it or something. Not happy Jan. Might also have something to do with the fact that I've just worked out that in the last 15 days, I've run 78kms (18kms more than usual). Oops. Broken that 10% rule there somewhere, although spread out on my calendar it doesnt seem too excessive!

After the run, Skizzik and I headed off to volunteer at the Adventure Race we were planning to do today - very glad we did volunteer before actually doing it because we came away with a list of tips and tricks for making it all run just a little bit smoother. Had excellent chats with Skiz and we gossiped our way through the afternoon and watched all the most stunningly beautiful male competitors fly through the bush. Even the other marshalls were gorgeous! There were some huge bike stacks, one occurring right infront of us, where a guy on a bike breaked hard and came to a full stop without warning and his team mate barrelled straight into him from behind... blood and expletives were free flowing, but they hopped back up and kept going. Another guy had a major stack and cut his chin down to the bone - he kept going too! The Kayaking looked hugely amusing with one or two newbies paddling themselves round in circles down the river :) I can't wait to find out how we go at it *LOL*

The whole thing was pretty well organised and is becoming really, really popular - there were over 100 competitors today. Looks like heaps of fun and Skiz and I thought it would be fantastic to get a CR adventure race going! Might be a goer when it's a bit warmer though - this morning was just absolutely freezing and I didn't take my four layers off all day! All in all, it was heaps of fun :)

The Upside of Hills is their Downside!

Yesterday I did a bit of a weights session at the gym, did a couple of short sprints and floor exercises. I love doing stomach crunches with a medicine ball. I think all this running has finally shaken my brain into madness!

Had a very late night last night and so yet again managed not to make it to the saturday morning BRB run. I think that I will have to admit defeat at attempting to attend any regular runs on a saturday morning - try as I might, I am just not able to make myself get out of bed after three hours sleep, on a saturday!

I am sort of unrepetentant however, because instead, I spent a lovely afternoon running up and then down the JC Slaughter falls track to the summit of Mount Cootha and back. No idea how long it took me as I decided just to enjoy it and not worry about how fast/slow I went or how many walk breaks I took (and there were quite a few!)

Not very far (2km ish up, 2km ish down, plus about another k back to where I parked the car. It felt really good to do a few hills and I enjoyed the change of scenery and surface. Speaking of which, my left foot is now sore again and the right one is fine. No idea what is going on there - must remember to get my shoes checked!

The best part of the run was by far, getting right to the top, looking at the view for a few minutes, then running down the track - felt like I was flying, no effort involved and had lots of fun jumping over the steps along the way. Lovely. I do like the bush (not that Mt Cootha is out in the wilds!) the smells, quietness and the calmness of it. It's good for the soul, I think :) Definitely left me feeling at one with everything :) (Endorphins: don't you just love 'em?)

As I was running down the track, I remembered the very first time I walked that trail, early last year, puffing and panting and thinking the occasional runner I saw bolt past me must be insane. Now I'm one of the *insane* people. It sort of put a few things into perspective for me and made me realise how stupid it is for me to moan about my times etc - even if I never get any faster at running, at least I'm lucky enough to now be able to run and to love it - this time last year, I couldn't do that :) I did have to giggle when I saw a guy actually carrying his dog up the trail!

Tomorrow morning, as long as my foot is okay, I'm going to do the 14km at the West End :)

London

Just as I finished my run at the gym tonight, I saw the breaking news on the television about the bomb blasts in London. Being both a Pommie and a UK Child of the 80s, I grew up with bomb scares and terrorist threats from the IRA, but what has just happened is a whole new breed of awfulness.

My sister rang from the UK to tell me our family are all fine, although my father was less than a mile from the site of the first explosion. I haven't been able to talk to him yet because all the phone lines are down, but I know he's okay and that's the main thing. I had to tear myself away from the television tonight because it all started to get a little too much.

My heart goes out to everyone who was affected by the blasts, and their family and friends.

Inside Out Shorts + 40 mins (8km? no idea!)

Went to run group tonight - feeling pretty much back to normal. Thankfully, my foot seems to have sorted itself out and doesnt hurt any more which is definitely a good thing :) Was having paranoid nightmares about stress fractures. But all is well :)

When I arrived tonight, everyone was adding their times from the weekend to a white board on the floor. I didn't particularly want to add mine, but after some prodding, I squatted down and started writing. It was then that John whispered in Sam's ear, and Sam whispered in mine that in my rush to get out of the door at home, I'd accidently put my shorts on inside out and the labels were poking out from under the bottom of my shirt and were on display to everyone in the shop. Oops. *laughs* Oh well! It wasn't til later that I realised that John must've been looking at my arse in order to notice - which I find far more amusing anyway! *L*

We ran as one big group tonight because everyone was supposed to be recovering from the weekend, only, as usual, their 'slow' is my 'fast' and I found myself struggling slightly towards the end of the run and it was only 40 minutes or so! *pouts* I'm thinking maybe I'm still tired from the weekend and that's why it felt hard, but I generally feel fine and my muscle soreness is gone, so I don't know. I got the worst stitch right at the end too - went from my right shoulder, right the way across my back and down my right side which left me feeling slightly nauseous. Sam was lovely and massaged my sweaty shoulder, bless her! Anyway, If I can stop moaning for a minute and look on the positive side of things, it was probably better to feel challenged by the run than not. If you don't challenge yourself, you don't have any reason to improve afterall. Onwards and Upwards and all that! :)

Spoke to Skizzik tonight about the adventure race - which may still go ahead, depending on Skizzik's cunning plan re the logistics of getting bikes - and even if we don't do the race, we might volunteer at it, or alternatively, do the west end runs (7/14kms) and then volunteer (which would be cool, because I feel like I need all the kms I can get at the moment!)

Tomorrow, I think I'll aim for 10kms, weights friday, running buddies saturday and then sunday will be west end 14kms or the adventure race. Should be a full week!

Footloose?

Yesterday I was sooo sore, I could hardly walk. Not surprising I guess! I'm almost back to normal today. Yesterday it was all I could do to go to the gym, stretch a lot and then camp in the steam room to massage my aches! I've been sore from training many a time - PT always has me groaning 24-48 hours after a solid weights session, but I think this was actually the sorest my legs have ever been from running alone. Strangely proud of that too for some reason *L* must be the runner in me finally coming out - I knew it was in there, somewhere!

Can't believe how obscene the caffiene withdrawals have been from giving up Diet Coke. Mostly in the form of intense headaches and major cravings - but then, caffiene is addictive, so I don't know quite what I expected to happen! While I was finishing my MA, I pratically lived on it to get me through the day - it was just so exhausting trying to juggle full time work and full time study, all at once. Anyway, I'm now trying to flush my system out a bit by drinking lots of water, so hopefully things will soon calm down and I can have the occasional one as a treat without any probs.

I really want to go to track tonight, but my foot is still painful - though it was my left one that hurt during the half, it's the right one that's now causing problems- only hurts when I pick my foot up off the ground which freaks me out because I don't want to think about what that may mean. So, I'm being cautious and will have today as a rest day too. Fingers crossed tomorrow it will be fine. Will definitely be asking Phil to check my shoes for me on wednesday, too.

Looks like Skiz and I may have to raincheck the adventure race for a while - it's still a bit too soon to organise everything in time. If we don't do it, I think I'll have a go at the 14km Novice race at the West End. If my foot isnt right, I may not even do that *pouts* Positive thoughts - lots and lots of positive thoughts.

Oh, and thankyou all for all the supportive comments, emails and text messages re the half :) It's so lovely to feel so supported :) you're all stars!

The Gold Coast Half Marathon

The Night Before

So much happened this weekend, it's difficult to know what to blog and what not to! I arrived on the coast on saturday morning and found my hotel. Very swanky place and made a nice change from the type of place I'm used to staying in (ie. grotty backpackers or camping LOL) Met up with my running and room buddies, Tracey and Sam, found our room and then went out to do a bit of shopping in Cavill Mall. Mostly because the hotel had a spa which was very appealing but neither Sam nor I had remembered our swimmers!

In the evening, we had dinner with CR people. Tracey and Sam were a bit fascinated by all the online names and hugging that was going on! (They don't read the message boards - yet!) Got to meet some of my fellow bloggers, including The Owl, Jen and Plu. It was soooo nice to put faces to names. Funny how familiar people seem and how you feel as if you really do know people, all from online contact. Anyway, lots of interesting conversations going on, including the possibility of changing my CR name (currently with no imagination) to 'Dammit' - particularly relevant considering I wasn't very happy with my half time, but we'll get to that ;)


(Me and the Owl)


(dinner table)

We decided to have an early night and were in bed by about 9.30pm - a record for me, being a bit of a night owl. Of course, none of us could sleep properly... woke up every half an hour to see if it was time yet.

Crunch Time

We got up at 5am, got dressed, got on the shuttle bus and were at the race by about 5.30 - wandered around, faced the toilet queues, put our bags in and before we knew it, we were at the start line. It was a huge crowd and took about two minutes to cross the actual start line. The atmosphere was just electric; there was such a buzz!

Soon enough we spread out enough to be able to start running and off we went. Tracey, Sam and I had thought we'd try and follow the two hour pacer, but because of the number of people around us, those balloons disappeared off into the distance pretty quickly. The next pacer after that was 2.10, so we kept up with him for the first 5km. I found it really hard to get into my stride with the run and felt, after the first 3km that I wasn't going to be able to go quick enough to break 2.10, let alone 2.00 - I started to walk through the drink stops (admittedly, so that I could have a drink without it going up my nose, but also to conserve energy) and Tracey and Sam went ahead.

It was a bit strange running alone, particularly since I'd forgotten my watch (*slaps head*) and couldn't see how I was going in terms of splits, which I think would have made a difference. I also think I may need new shoes as my left foot started to hurt, below the ankle bone on the side and it felt like the shock was greater in that foot or something. Will get them checked. Anyway, by 7km I finally started to get into a rhythym and kept a slow but steady pace until about 15km when I started to feel tired.

My breathing was really comfortable the whole way through, but the thing that got me was heavy legs... psychologically when I run alone, I think I always feel more tired, so I'd started adding a couple of walk breaks every ten minutes or so. The last couple of kms seemed to go on forever, but I amused myself by passing a huge, 6ft4 muscle bound famous footballer who I'd been playing tag with during the entire race. Then I saw the CR cheer squad and felt a burst of energy - they were sooo fantastic, I can't express how much of a difference it made having people cheering you on so enthusiastically right when you feel your worst... almost made me teary! Anyway, I took my new found juice and adopted my usual 'glory dash' for the last 500m, passing a few people on the way *grins*

I came in at 2:18 (clock time) which I was not very happy with - during my last half, I felt like we were going so incredibly slow and we had so many long walk breaks, toilet stops and the like, that I thought I would take at least 20 minutes off, just in the fact that we werent doing those things. I know it's still a ten minute PB, but it doesnt really feel like it because I feel that I could've done so much better.

On a positive note, Tracey went on to do a huge PB from memory, coming in at 2:09, and Sam did sub 2 which was just fantastic.


Me looking unamused ;)


Me, Tracey and Sam :)

The Afterparty

After the presentations and some horrific children's entertainers, I bumped into Clairie and Mr Clairie and they gave me a lift to the afterparty (thanks, C! Was so good not to have to walk it!), arrived, collapsed onto a bar stool with a drink and before long the entire place was absolutely full of CR people *grins* It was like a CR convention and a sea of blue and yellow!

Tess arrived after lunch, after having a nasty fall on her PB marathon effort! She couldn't stop grinning though which was lovely. After a couple of hours I needed to have a sleep and recover, so the lovely Cirque dropped me back to my hotel (again, big thanks for the lift and not having to walk, cirque! xxx) and I got my car and drove back to Brisbane.

What Did I Learn?

I learnt that I need to increase my distances so I have better endurance for longer runs and that just because I'm getting better at 10 and 5km, those sorts of times don't necessarily translate accross to a half marathon. I don't think my long runs have been long enough, so I'm going to start increasing distances again. At the moment, I'm doing about 30km a week which just isnt enough.

It's probably good that I feel I buggered up, because it's definitely fired me up for the next one - which I'm planning to do at the end of the month (31 July - Ipswich Half Marathon). I am now a woman on a sub 2 mission (dammit!). The good thing is that there's quite a few races coming up in the next couple of months (want to do the Noosa Half as well) so I've got some goals to work towards. General Resolutions to achieve this include:

a. Drop 5kgs (without obsessing about it!)
b. Give up diet coke (which I drink far too much of and it is bad, bad, bad for me)
c. Go back to Track sessions and speedwork once a week
d. Finally Make it to the Brisbane Running Buddies Saturday Runs and do so regularly!
e. Check if I need new shoes
f. Increase my mileage sensibly

Big Thankyou to everyone who made the weekend so enjoyable!