Decided to go and do 5km before PT yesterday, so I drove there, parked and went for a run down the main road. Heaps of sets of lights which was more than a little frustrating, but a nice run to do because I did it once before, when I'd just mastered 5km and I remember how far it seemed! Seemed a whole lot closer this time round! Felt really good and I concentrated on my form - I feel like I'm able to run taller, put my shoulders back and take bigger strides these days, which somehow feels faster... I should really go and read up on the science behind form I guess, but it made me realise just how much I'd been slumping and pounding my feet previously... I guess because it requires less effort to run like that or something.
Did PT and told him of the evil 25km plan. He laughed and shook his head *L* He then proceded to make me do horrific jumping lungs over a low bar without losing my balance... really difficult and I'm really sore today. Tomorrow will be worse, too! We also did sit ups with a 6kg medicine ball, crunches, bridges and attempted one handed push ups (!!??!!) He also wrote my name on the public whiteboard list for the Noosa Tri teams, so there's no escape from that in november now, either! I'm interested to watch the transitions and things anyway, seeing as next year I may well be having a go at the whole thing myself!
In the new year, I think I'm going to try and get a bit more muscly. Not much, just a bit more definition. I don't want it to mess with running so it won't be anything major, but I'm going to try to do another couple of weights sessions during the week.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
Bring it On!
Bless you all. You're all such a bad, bad influence on me ;) *grins* How I love thee, CR bloggers!
I've decided I will do the 25km at the West End and just treat the initial bootcamp fit test as training. I think I was actually nervous about probably being the last to finish and holding everyone up, too. Not very many slow runners like me seem to do the longer distances there so it's a bit different to doing the 5k or 10k where I know I'm not going to be last. I'm guestimating the 25km is going to take me (at the very least) 2.30. That said, I had a bit of a look at the past 25km events on the websites and there were actually a few people who run similar times to me doing them, so that's reassured me a bit.
So, anyway, I'll do it and then I'll undoubtedly try to remember why it's character building as I am in worlds of pain doing multiple beep test shuttle runs ;) I'm just teasing (except for the pain part!) - no doubt it's not going to be easy, but at the same time It actually sort of appeals to me to see how hard I can push my body and my perception of my physical limits. Guess that's another reason why I got addicted to running in the first place! I must truly be certifiably insane.
Anyway, PT tomorrow. Wait til I tell my trainer what I'm up to! ;) *ROTFLMAO* Bring it on!
I've decided I will do the 25km at the West End and just treat the initial bootcamp fit test as training. I think I was actually nervous about probably being the last to finish and holding everyone up, too. Not very many slow runners like me seem to do the longer distances there so it's a bit different to doing the 5k or 10k where I know I'm not going to be last. I'm guestimating the 25km is going to take me (at the very least) 2.30. That said, I had a bit of a look at the past 25km events on the websites and there were actually a few people who run similar times to me doing them, so that's reassured me a bit.
So, anyway, I'll do it and then I'll undoubtedly try to remember why it's character building as I am in worlds of pain doing multiple beep test shuttle runs ;) I'm just teasing (except for the pain part!) - no doubt it's not going to be easy, but at the same time It actually sort of appeals to me to see how hard I can push my body and my perception of my physical limits. Guess that's another reason why I got addicted to running in the first place! I must truly be certifiably insane.
Anyway, PT tomorrow. Wait til I tell my trainer what I'm up to! ;) *ROTFLMAO* Bring it on!
Saturday, August 27, 2005
8km bush run and a bootcamp dilemma
Went for a run on Mount Cootha this morning. Was going to try and do the route everyone else does up there, but I couldn't work it out - perhaps I'm missing something, but I can't see a way to run to the top (on the road, as opposed to the tracks) without using the main road to the restaurant and having to run right right in the path of oncoming traffic... any brisbane people help me out here? *bats eyelashes* which roads do you use?
I ended up going up the JC Slaughters track like last time, doing a quick water pitstop at the cafe and then going adventuring down a few different trails. Went past a little roadside memorial for someone called 'Bear' - sad to see. Whoever he was, I think he was young - there were happy birthday notes from his mates tied to a tree. After that, I diverted down a few trails (the one that goes to chapel road?) but stopped because it was all downhill and what goes down, must come up and down again (to get back to my car, anyway!)
It was a nice run though - Tess, you were right, it does chase away the blues. I love going in the morning because there are people having barbeque breakfasts in all the picnic areas. I think that one of the nicest smells in the world is campfire smoke mixing with bush smells, fresh air and eucalypt. Magic. It reminds me of when I was younger and very much a hippy - I travelled a lot alone and spent a fair bit of time in the middle of nowhere, at festivals and the like. Being in the bush soothes me and I finished my run feeling very peaceful :)
I got home and decided that I should sign up for another 3 week bootcamp. It does however start on the 5th September, the day after the next West End run... which makes me ponder whether I should actually do the 25km there or go for the 15km or 5km instead - the first day of bootcamp is a fitness test, and there's no way I'll be able to do well at that the day after running 25km! Alternatively, I could just do both and not care if I do badly on my fitness test (afterall, it's the end test that shows how much you've improved!) mmm, dilemma! What do you lot think?
I ended up going up the JC Slaughters track like last time, doing a quick water pitstop at the cafe and then going adventuring down a few different trails. Went past a little roadside memorial for someone called 'Bear' - sad to see. Whoever he was, I think he was young - there were happy birthday notes from his mates tied to a tree. After that, I diverted down a few trails (the one that goes to chapel road?) but stopped because it was all downhill and what goes down, must come up and down again (to get back to my car, anyway!)
It was a nice run though - Tess, you were right, it does chase away the blues. I love going in the morning because there are people having barbeque breakfasts in all the picnic areas. I think that one of the nicest smells in the world is campfire smoke mixing with bush smells, fresh air and eucalypt. Magic. It reminds me of when I was younger and very much a hippy - I travelled a lot alone and spent a fair bit of time in the middle of nowhere, at festivals and the like. Being in the bush soothes me and I finished my run feeling very peaceful :)
I got home and decided that I should sign up for another 3 week bootcamp. It does however start on the 5th September, the day after the next West End run... which makes me ponder whether I should actually do the 25km there or go for the 15km or 5km instead - the first day of bootcamp is a fitness test, and there's no way I'll be able to do well at that the day after running 25km! Alternatively, I could just do both and not care if I do badly on my fitness test (afterall, it's the end test that shows how much you've improved!) mmm, dilemma! What do you lot think?
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
8km run, 2 km of walk breaks LOL
Well, kicked myself up the bum and tried to get back into things today. Went for what was supposed to be a 10km run on my usual route but my legs felt like lead from the weekend still so it ended up being 10km interspersed with a lot of swearing and walk breaks. I also have the biggest blister on my second toe on my left foot. Ah well! I'm so impatient about recovering but I know by the end of the week I'll be back to normal so it's no biggy and I'm complaining for no good reason ;)
I did see the most beautiful sulphur crested cockatoo on my run today - it was huge! They're my favourite type of parrot and this one just sat there eating grass while I passed by - great big fat cheeky chicken sized birds - and they're not stupid either ;)
Anyway, cheered up an otherwise sore old waddle!
I did see the most beautiful sulphur crested cockatoo on my run today - it was huge! They're my favourite type of parrot and this one just sat there eating grass while I passed by - great big fat cheeky chicken sized birds - and they're not stupid either ;)
Anyway, cheered up an otherwise sore old waddle!
Monday, August 22, 2005
Owwwww
Does anyone else get post race blues? I seem to have quite a nasty case today and am feeling quite sore and sorry for myself :( Shall no doubt get over it and get on with things tomorrow, but today I just dedicated to wallowing (I mean resting!) and tomorrow shall jump back into things.
This week, I want to start training twice a day so time to bite the bullet! Perhaps by the end of the week, I'll have more of a consistent and legitimate reason to feel sore and sorry for myself LOL!
This week, I want to start training twice a day so time to bite the bullet! Perhaps by the end of the week, I'll have more of a consistent and legitimate reason to feel sore and sorry for myself LOL!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Noosa 2:10
Well, at least I took five minutes off my gold coast time ?!?! I've come to the conclusion that it's just going to take me some time to get better at this. All things considered and having done three half marathons in three months, I'm feeling quite good about today's effort. It'd have been nice to crack 2 hours, but at the same time I kept thinking about what the lovely LuckyLegs and others have said about just enjoying the race - which is exactly what I did :)
Drove with Sam down to Noosa on saturday afternoon and checked into our youth hostel - which was quite literally next to the start line. We went and had dinner and watched the sun set on the beach. Had dinner at the SLSC and on the way back we overheard the big, burly bouncers outside discussing their crocheting and knitting. I'm serious *grins* I love it when people refuse to bend to stereotypes ;) May his craft project be very successful ;)
Played some pool (badly on my part) chatted to a backpacker and then hit the hay. Had another late-to-the-startline dream and woke up thinking we'd overslept. Which we hadn't of course, but race nerves get me every time! Headed down to the start line and caught up with everyone, then before we knew it, we were off.
I started with the 2 hour pacer, but pretty quickly decided just to run my own race. The purple balloons disappeared off into the distance, I missed my optimistic sub 2 splits right from the second km onwards *L* and so I just concentrated on getting comfortable. It took me the first 5km to get into a rhythym and warm up (my heels and calves were a bit tight). I started running with a couple of other women who were going at exactly my pace which really helped.
The weather was absolutely beautiful and the run itself is very pretty, with lots of scenery and stuff to look at. There were a couple of bridges to go over in each 10km loop, but surprisingly, they didn't bother me at all. As time went on, I kept expecting to have to walk like I did at the Gold Coast, but in the end, I hardly even stopped for water (perhaps twice) and instead, I drank my fuel belt bottles which were much easier to manage while running. I also ate half a power bar at about 10km, which I think made a huge difference. Previously, I've never eaten before or during a long run because I've been thinking about the extra calories or whatever, but having done it this time round, I'm sold - I'll have to check those gels out next time, because the power bar was hard to eat and swallow on the run.
Got to about 15km and thought to myself, any minute now I'm going to crash and burn like I have previously... but I kept on feeling fine. My legs were getting tired of course, but I could keep going. Even better, the orange pacers appeared next to us (I think they'd been going a little too fast and slowed down) so we were bang on target - At which point I just vowed to hang on, so I'd beat my GC time. Before I knew it, we were coming round the last km and into the home strait, and I found I could even sprint, so off I went - coming in at 2.10 with the pacer.
So even though I was nowhere near 2 hours, I still finished feeling really good - tired, but good. I just can't get over how much better I felt than the GC and even the B2B 12km. That's probably why I don't feel as disappointed as I did after the GC - I know that even though I didn't run faster, I ran better.
My next goal is the upcoming West End 25km - this time just to complete it ;)
Drove with Sam down to Noosa on saturday afternoon and checked into our youth hostel - which was quite literally next to the start line. We went and had dinner and watched the sun set on the beach. Had dinner at the SLSC and on the way back we overheard the big, burly bouncers outside discussing their crocheting and knitting. I'm serious *grins* I love it when people refuse to bend to stereotypes ;) May his craft project be very successful ;)
Played some pool (badly on my part) chatted to a backpacker and then hit the hay. Had another late-to-the-startline dream and woke up thinking we'd overslept. Which we hadn't of course, but race nerves get me every time! Headed down to the start line and caught up with everyone, then before we knew it, we were off.
I started with the 2 hour pacer, but pretty quickly decided just to run my own race. The purple balloons disappeared off into the distance, I missed my optimistic sub 2 splits right from the second km onwards *L* and so I just concentrated on getting comfortable. It took me the first 5km to get into a rhythym and warm up (my heels and calves were a bit tight). I started running with a couple of other women who were going at exactly my pace which really helped.
The weather was absolutely beautiful and the run itself is very pretty, with lots of scenery and stuff to look at. There were a couple of bridges to go over in each 10km loop, but surprisingly, they didn't bother me at all. As time went on, I kept expecting to have to walk like I did at the Gold Coast, but in the end, I hardly even stopped for water (perhaps twice) and instead, I drank my fuel belt bottles which were much easier to manage while running. I also ate half a power bar at about 10km, which I think made a huge difference. Previously, I've never eaten before or during a long run because I've been thinking about the extra calories or whatever, but having done it this time round, I'm sold - I'll have to check those gels out next time, because the power bar was hard to eat and swallow on the run.
Got to about 15km and thought to myself, any minute now I'm going to crash and burn like I have previously... but I kept on feeling fine. My legs were getting tired of course, but I could keep going. Even better, the orange pacers appeared next to us (I think they'd been going a little too fast and slowed down) so we were bang on target - At which point I just vowed to hang on, so I'd beat my GC time. Before I knew it, we were coming round the last km and into the home strait, and I found I could even sprint, so off I went - coming in at 2.10 with the pacer.
So even though I was nowhere near 2 hours, I still finished feeling really good - tired, but good. I just can't get over how much better I felt than the GC and even the B2B 12km. That's probably why I don't feel as disappointed as I did after the GC - I know that even though I didn't run faster, I ran better.
My next goal is the upcoming West End 25km - this time just to complete it ;)
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Inspired!
Reading everyone's C2S race reports has gotten me fired up for Noosa on the weekend! I'm also adopting a little bit of a different strategy for it, in that this time round I'm not going to taper to any great degree, or carbo load (which is always a twisted excuse in my mind to eat crap!). Partly because I'm still trying to lose a little bit of weight and partly because I think I feel better psychologically with regular running before a race. Feels more like training (so less pressure). I'm not going to do insanely long runs or track or anything, but I am going to keep my legs turning over and run as I would usually.
The two hour mark is once again looking all glowing and shiny and tempting in my mind though I don't think my training has been good enough lately to do it. It gives me something to day dream about I suppose - I have a little 'mind movie' going on where I'm sprinting towards the finish, watching the numbers tick down and then jumping up and down wildly as I cross the line feeling fantastic. If I actually went sub 2 (or even just 2!) you'd be able to hear me screaming from sydney I think...
That said, whatever time I manage will be fine as long as I enjoy it, but doesn't hurt to dare to dream! I'm also thinking that given my impending trip back to the UK for xmas, I should also make a much more sincere effort to lose weight since you can guarantee I'll be putting it back on while I'm there. So I think this calls for another bout of hardcore training, twice a day. I'm thinking a nice, interesting mix of running, cardio, classes, weights, yoga and swimming. Best of all the weather is getting warmer which always inspires me to be more active. I'm going to start this little regime after Noosa. (weekly plan shall be forthcoming!)
The two hour mark is once again looking all glowing and shiny and tempting in my mind though I don't think my training has been good enough lately to do it. It gives me something to day dream about I suppose - I have a little 'mind movie' going on where I'm sprinting towards the finish, watching the numbers tick down and then jumping up and down wildly as I cross the line feeling fantastic. If I actually went sub 2 (or even just 2!) you'd be able to hear me screaming from sydney I think...
That said, whatever time I manage will be fine as long as I enjoy it, but doesn't hurt to dare to dream! I'm also thinking that given my impending trip back to the UK for xmas, I should also make a much more sincere effort to lose weight since you can guarantee I'll be putting it back on while I'm there. So I think this calls for another bout of hardcore training, twice a day. I'm thinking a nice, interesting mix of running, cardio, classes, weights, yoga and swimming. Best of all the weather is getting warmer which always inspires me to be more active. I'm going to start this little regime after Noosa. (weekly plan shall be forthcoming!)
Sunday, August 14, 2005
10 Miles (16.1km) 1:36:45
Got up this morning and headed to the West End. I am sooo happy that it's starting to get warmer! Made it much less difficult to get out of bed and I didn't have to wear eight layers of clothes once I got there! It was all a bit lonely this morning as I think everyone is down in sydney running the C2S. I can't wait to find out how everyone went!
This mornings run was good for me I think as I'd been a bit phased by my last effort in the Bridge to Brisbane. Works out to be bang on six minute pace, so I'm happy enough with that. Makes me feel like I may not be quite as crap at the Noosa Half as I predicted! I'd be happy with 2:10 I think. In fact, anything quicker than the GC (2:15) would be fabulous.
I started out really slowly, took my time. Managed to overtake the woman in front of me, who then over took me shortly thereafter. Quite good fun actually having someone to focus on! Decided not to push things anyway, particularly seeing as the back of my left thigh (the tendon?) started to hurt at about the 13km mark. Stretched it out, so hopefully it will sort itself out.
All in all, a lovely morning. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and all was well :)
This mornings run was good for me I think as I'd been a bit phased by my last effort in the Bridge to Brisbane. Works out to be bang on six minute pace, so I'm happy enough with that. Makes me feel like I may not be quite as crap at the Noosa Half as I predicted! I'd be happy with 2:10 I think. In fact, anything quicker than the GC (2:15) would be fabulous.
I started out really slowly, took my time. Managed to overtake the woman in front of me, who then over took me shortly thereafter. Quite good fun actually having someone to focus on! Decided not to push things anyway, particularly seeing as the back of my left thigh (the tendon?) started to hurt at about the 13km mark. Stretched it out, so hopefully it will sort itself out.
All in all, a lovely morning. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and all was well :)
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Engleesh Winters + slack days
Had another slack day yesterday, naughty me. Still, shall endeavour to run 5km tonight, 10km tomorrow, have saturday as a rest day before doing the 16km at the West end on sunday (10 miles?) Am aiming to do 40km this week total. Have been reading the free fitness mag I got at B2B which has made me feel all motivated again :)
Reading everyone's blogs makes me want to be doing the C2S but alas, my finances won't permit it. Besides, I'm doing Noosa on the 21st. I'm also going back to my native UK for three weeks at xmas, which will be fascinating since it's going to be freezing, freezing cold and a bit of a shock to the system no doubt! I'll take my running gear and everything - maybe I can angle this as another excuse as to why I actually really need to spend $100 on beautiful, beautiful full length skins. They'll keep the cold out you know *cough-cough* hmmm ;) I think I'll have to lose about a million kilograms too, to cope with english xmas food. (no cold meat and salad in sight!) It will of course be lovely to see my english family though :)
Reading everyone's blogs makes me want to be doing the C2S but alas, my finances won't permit it. Besides, I'm doing Noosa on the 21st. I'm also going back to my native UK for three weeks at xmas, which will be fascinating since it's going to be freezing, freezing cold and a bit of a shock to the system no doubt! I'll take my running gear and everything - maybe I can angle this as another excuse as to why I actually really need to spend $100 on beautiful, beautiful full length skins. They'll keep the cold out you know *cough-cough* hmmm ;) I think I'll have to lose about a million kilograms too, to cope with english xmas food. (no cold meat and salad in sight!) It will of course be lovely to see my english family though :)
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
10km
Ran 10km tonight and enjoyed it... felt stacks easier than the B2B on sunday and I ran quicker too I think... the first 5km were harder than the second but once I settled into it, I felt like I could've carried on. Soooo good to feel good while running again.
Thankyou all for your comments about being a proper runner and walking breaks and all :) I think the frustration just got the better of me. I've decided just to embrace my walking breaks and adopt an attitude where I'll walk when I need to in training and then aim not to in races (but won't beat myself up if I do have to). All of which is really what I was doing prior to this whole foot debacle and it was working for me then so I'll carry on carrying on and just try not to stress about it all.
The good news is that the podiatrist gave me the all clear yesterday. To celebrate I bought myself a two bottle fuel belt - it's so much more comfortable than one of those water bottle belts - it doesnt bounce and I can also carry my MP3 player, keys, money and my phone if I want. Now I just have to master putting the bottles back without having to stop dead and twist it around!
Thankyou all for your comments about being a proper runner and walking breaks and all :) I think the frustration just got the better of me. I've decided just to embrace my walking breaks and adopt an attitude where I'll walk when I need to in training and then aim not to in races (but won't beat myself up if I do have to). All of which is really what I was doing prior to this whole foot debacle and it was working for me then so I'll carry on carrying on and just try not to stress about it all.
The good news is that the podiatrist gave me the all clear yesterday. To celebrate I bought myself a two bottle fuel belt - it's so much more comfortable than one of those water bottle belts - it doesnt bounce and I can also carry my MP3 player, keys, money and my phone if I want. Now I just have to master putting the bottles back without having to stop dead and twist it around!
Sunday, August 07, 2005
71:37 B2B
Beautiful, perfect crisp blue sky running day today. The sun was shining, there wasn't a cloud in sight and everything had that golden sheen on it as the sun came up. I love the way that sunrises have two very distinct colours - the liquid silver of first light on water, then a honey gold as the sun comes up over the landscape.
Woke up at 4.15am and forced myself out of bed, got dressed and headed to the shuttle bus pick up point at the RBH. Hopped onto the bus and scored one of the last seats. Was greatly amused to hear the couple standing in the aisle beside me start complaining mightily to each other about the pool the husband worked at, oblivious to the fact that the woman sitting infront of me was actually wearing a shirt with the pool name emblazoned across the back, who on hearing the conversation, turned around and stared very pointedly at the two of them. They still didn't see her and progressed to poking fun at other staff members. The look on the woman's face was classic and I think the guy will have an interesting day at work tomorrow!
Arrived at the start line and had to jog through thousands of people to get my bad in the luggage truck before it left. Thankfully, opting for the sub 70 category paid off because there weren't quite as many people to squeeze past and I started seeing a few familiar faces - luckily I managed to squish through right next to where Sam was lined up which was good because we were running together!
Before long we were off and I was amazed at the view from the top of the gateway bridge - it's so high up and when you drive over it, you just don't get to spend any time looking out at the scenery. It was gorgeous. The 1.1km incline seemed to pass by quite quickly and looked a whole lot scarier to run than it actually was. I know I'm going to take complete satisfaction in driving past it from now on and thinking about having run over it - it looks so huge!
Soon enough we were on the downwards side and off to the relative flatness of the rest of the race. Which is where things started to get interesting for me. I got to about the 5km mark and found myself having to walk for 30 seconds. Then, off we went again and then the same thing happened. I can't work out if it's the fact I'm not doing long runs on a wednesday night at the moment, having had a couple of weeks off with my foot or if it was just purely psychological because a month ago I did 14k at the West End without really stopping. Poor old Sam was very patient with me and I felt bad about the stop-starting. I felt really frustrated, then I got a stitch through my shoulder which I know is a result of running with tense shoulders but was trying to relax them. Once we got to about 7km, I started to get into a bit more of a rhythym and didn't need to stop as much but I felt about three times as tired as I did after running the Gold Coast Half. I started thinking about what Noosa is going to be like if I'm struggling with 12km now and then (sooky girl that I am!) I nearly started crying. Or at least, I would've if I'd had enough oxygen to spare. *L*
My foot held up well, although I started getting a mild cramp along the underneath of my toes in the second half of the run. All will be revealed tomorrow morning I suspect, as to whether my PF really is fixed or not. I have that follow up with the Podiatrist tomorrow as well! *guilty look* so I could well get sprung for running against advice!
Anyway, I really thought I'd just trashed my whole run with the stop starting this morning, but we came in at 1:11:37, only 1:37 over the cut off for the category that I was aiming for. So now I have to wait and see if the chip time might just push me into 70:something. I ran the 14km a month ago at 5:51 pace, and I did the 12km this morning works out as 5:58 pace. The thing I'm still trying to work out though is that I didn't really walk during the 14km. So does that mean my pace this morning (sans walking parts) might actually have generally been quicker and that's why it felt harder?
As we crossed the finish line, I had a brief moment of dizziness and then I thought I might throw up but somehow managed not to ;) Had the usual scuffle for water and sample bags. Caught up with a few people post-race and chatted. Great to see everyone and although I don't know what'll happen at Noosa, I think the only thing I can do is just aim to do it in however long it takes me and just enjoy it. If I'm doing an average of 5:something pace (which is quite good for me) then perhaps whether I have to take occasional walk breaks is irrelevant. I know it probably doesnt make me a 'proper' runner but at the same time, it's my overall times I'm looking at.
I guess my goal for the next few weeks is to sort out a better training schedule for myself and really stick to it. Number one priority I think is to find a long run to do. Sam was saying the running buddies hardly stop, so I might check out the wednesday morning run with InTraining first... I think that the pressure of knowing people are waiting for me to catch up is probably a bad thing for me at the moment. I also think that I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself at the moment - it's so dangerous to compare myself to the other runners I know, but I have to try and remember they've been running for years and I've been running for months. I've got years to improve and hopefully improve my times.
Anyway, bit of a mammoth race report, so I'll finish it here. It was a nice day though and it was lovely to be out running again!
Woke up at 4.15am and forced myself out of bed, got dressed and headed to the shuttle bus pick up point at the RBH. Hopped onto the bus and scored one of the last seats. Was greatly amused to hear the couple standing in the aisle beside me start complaining mightily to each other about the pool the husband worked at, oblivious to the fact that the woman sitting infront of me was actually wearing a shirt with the pool name emblazoned across the back, who on hearing the conversation, turned around and stared very pointedly at the two of them. They still didn't see her and progressed to poking fun at other staff members. The look on the woman's face was classic and I think the guy will have an interesting day at work tomorrow!
Arrived at the start line and had to jog through thousands of people to get my bad in the luggage truck before it left. Thankfully, opting for the sub 70 category paid off because there weren't quite as many people to squeeze past and I started seeing a few familiar faces - luckily I managed to squish through right next to where Sam was lined up which was good because we were running together!
Before long we were off and I was amazed at the view from the top of the gateway bridge - it's so high up and when you drive over it, you just don't get to spend any time looking out at the scenery. It was gorgeous. The 1.1km incline seemed to pass by quite quickly and looked a whole lot scarier to run than it actually was. I know I'm going to take complete satisfaction in driving past it from now on and thinking about having run over it - it looks so huge!
Soon enough we were on the downwards side and off to the relative flatness of the rest of the race. Which is where things started to get interesting for me. I got to about the 5km mark and found myself having to walk for 30 seconds. Then, off we went again and then the same thing happened. I can't work out if it's the fact I'm not doing long runs on a wednesday night at the moment, having had a couple of weeks off with my foot or if it was just purely psychological because a month ago I did 14k at the West End without really stopping. Poor old Sam was very patient with me and I felt bad about the stop-starting. I felt really frustrated, then I got a stitch through my shoulder which I know is a result of running with tense shoulders but was trying to relax them. Once we got to about 7km, I started to get into a bit more of a rhythym and didn't need to stop as much but I felt about three times as tired as I did after running the Gold Coast Half. I started thinking about what Noosa is going to be like if I'm struggling with 12km now and then (sooky girl that I am!) I nearly started crying. Or at least, I would've if I'd had enough oxygen to spare. *L*
My foot held up well, although I started getting a mild cramp along the underneath of my toes in the second half of the run. All will be revealed tomorrow morning I suspect, as to whether my PF really is fixed or not. I have that follow up with the Podiatrist tomorrow as well! *guilty look* so I could well get sprung for running against advice!
Anyway, I really thought I'd just trashed my whole run with the stop starting this morning, but we came in at 1:11:37, only 1:37 over the cut off for the category that I was aiming for. So now I have to wait and see if the chip time might just push me into 70:something. I ran the 14km a month ago at 5:51 pace, and I did the 12km this morning works out as 5:58 pace. The thing I'm still trying to work out though is that I didn't really walk during the 14km. So does that mean my pace this morning (sans walking parts) might actually have generally been quicker and that's why it felt harder?
As we crossed the finish line, I had a brief moment of dizziness and then I thought I might throw up but somehow managed not to ;) Had the usual scuffle for water and sample bags. Caught up with a few people post-race and chatted. Great to see everyone and although I don't know what'll happen at Noosa, I think the only thing I can do is just aim to do it in however long it takes me and just enjoy it. If I'm doing an average of 5:something pace (which is quite good for me) then perhaps whether I have to take occasional walk breaks is irrelevant. I know it probably doesnt make me a 'proper' runner but at the same time, it's my overall times I'm looking at.
I guess my goal for the next few weeks is to sort out a better training schedule for myself and really stick to it. Number one priority I think is to find a long run to do. Sam was saying the running buddies hardly stop, so I might check out the wednesday morning run with InTraining first... I think that the pressure of knowing people are waiting for me to catch up is probably a bad thing for me at the moment. I also think that I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself at the moment - it's so dangerous to compare myself to the other runners I know, but I have to try and remember they've been running for years and I've been running for months. I've got years to improve and hopefully improve my times.
Anyway, bit of a mammoth race report, so I'll finish it here. It was a nice day though and it was lovely to be out running again!
Saturday, August 06, 2005
6km + new running stuff!
To celebrate my running-again-ness, I bought some new running gear today - a pair of aasics three quarter length shorts. Ran in them tonight and am sold! I felt like I was naked from the waist down, they're so light and comfy! And, they have a pocket on the back which is really useful. I think I even prefer them to my beloved nike bike pants! Tomorrow I may even go mad and buy a water bottle belt too. I want one that's diagonal, since the straight ones seem to bounce up and down too much.
Went out tonight for an easy run of 6km - slow as slow, with heaps of walking breaks (usually because I run along a main road with about a thousand traffic lights, but it was getting too dark to run on the bike paths. There I was, daydreaming at the next set of lights when who should I see but Run67, riding his bike! Nice to be able to hello and wave though by the time I realised who it was, the lights had changed and he had to take off! The southside seems so empty of runners compared to north brissie and the city. I hardly ever see any around my area and when I do, they never say hi or acknowledge a smile.
Looking forward to the B2B on sunday. Sam is going to run it with me. We're not going for particular times, since there'll be soooo many people on the bridge, it'll no doubt be virtually impossible to move for the first km or so. My back is a bit sore tonight, though I think that's because I did a photoshoot today and it involved a lot of bending and crouching down and hefting of gear. Meh. She'll be right!
I've got my review with the podiatrist on monday which I'm feeling slightly guilty about considering he told me not to run the B2B, and I was only supposed to run the once between appointments, but I think my mental health warranted additional running and it's only been gentle running. I'll finish the week with 31kms which is less than what I was doing before the problems began anyway. Naughty me. It all feels fine though, no pain since, so I'm sure it's all fine :)
Went out tonight for an easy run of 6km - slow as slow, with heaps of walking breaks (usually because I run along a main road with about a thousand traffic lights, but it was getting too dark to run on the bike paths. There I was, daydreaming at the next set of lights when who should I see but Run67, riding his bike! Nice to be able to hello and wave though by the time I realised who it was, the lights had changed and he had to take off! The southside seems so empty of runners compared to north brissie and the city. I hardly ever see any around my area and when I do, they never say hi or acknowledge a smile.
Looking forward to the B2B on sunday. Sam is going to run it with me. We're not going for particular times, since there'll be soooo many people on the bridge, it'll no doubt be virtually impossible to move for the first km or so. My back is a bit sore tonight, though I think that's because I did a photoshoot today and it involved a lot of bending and crouching down and hefting of gear. Meh. She'll be right!
I've got my review with the podiatrist on monday which I'm feeling slightly guilty about considering he told me not to run the B2B, and I was only supposed to run the once between appointments, but I think my mental health warranted additional running and it's only been gentle running. I'll finish the week with 31kms which is less than what I was doing before the problems began anyway. Naughty me. It all feels fine though, no pain since, so I'm sure it's all fine :)
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
8km
I haven't been sticking to my plan for the week at all - this morning I went running by myself because I slept through the alarm. Ran for 45 minutes. Guessing that was about 8km. I had quite a few walk breaks ;)
Really missing running group on a wednesday night. Hopefully when the ekka is on, I'll be able to go (though I don't know if they'll run on a public holiday). I miss having company when I run.
The good news is that I entered the B2B yesterday. I even ticked 70 mins or less for my grouping *L* hopefully I should come in within that timeframe! I'm looking forward to doing a longer run unbroken by walk breaks and water stops, so I can see if I've got work to do to get back to where I was pre-foot trouble. Should also get a wriggle on and enter Noosa, though it looks as if there'll be a change in our acommodation plans. I think Noosa will now be more of a case of aim-to-finish rather than getting sub 2. We shall see!
Really missing running group on a wednesday night. Hopefully when the ekka is on, I'll be able to go (though I don't know if they'll run on a public holiday). I miss having company when I run.
The good news is that I entered the B2B yesterday. I even ticked 70 mins or less for my grouping *L* hopefully I should come in within that timeframe! I'm looking forward to doing a longer run unbroken by walk breaks and water stops, so I can see if I've got work to do to get back to where I was pre-foot trouble. Should also get a wriggle on and enter Noosa, though it looks as if there'll be a change in our acommodation plans. I think Noosa will now be more of a case of aim-to-finish rather than getting sub 2. We shall see!
Monday, August 01, 2005
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