bleurghhhhh!

Went for my first post-xmas run last night... felt every single mouthful I've eaten in the last two weeks! Bleurgh... mind you, we did go out at a reasonable pace (for me and Ronnie, anyway!) doing 5:43's for 10k. I can't believe I ran Doomben last year quicker than that, for twice as long!

Still, that's what slacking off does for you!

Did go and see Uncle Phil early to nut out a training program. As much as I'd like to do it, I think 6ft is off the cards for this year. Mostly because I don't think I'll be fit enough by that time and the date also clashes with my Mother arriving back from the UK after three months.

Basically though, I've got a month of working on base fitness - my long run will be an hour and a half with no increases til Feb. I'm going to try and hang on to Sam for as long as possible, Ronnie is going to do the same to me and between us, we should hopefully all improve!

I will get quicker, I will! LOL!

blah... need to detox!

Oh....god..... I can't wait for xmas to be over and be back to normal drink/eat patterns. I've got two more xmas parties to go (I've counted up about eight parties in total) and I'm feeling like a giant balloon. Ick. I don't normally drink and I rather suspect I made it into double figures tonight at my work function. Bleurgh. I've got a 5.30am personal training session tomorrow, more fool me. What was I thinking ?!!?!

Last night I went for the xmas run at the Run Inn which was nice. We went via Vic and Barbs place. Vic hasn't been very well, so it was nice to go and sing carols at them and spread some xmas cheer in a sea of orange shirts.

Told Uncle Phil (aka Coach) about the six foot track plans. KT reckons that because I did an ultra in the cut off time I can do six foot if I want. Uncle Phil wants to talk about it some more *weg* I think he thinks I may break my neck if I try it this year. Which is a fair concern I guess. I am more than a little undercooked. I dunno. I'm just gagging to get back into hardcore training for a goal. Anyway, I'll go and harrass him next week sometime with my crazy plans for the year and we can work something out. The main goal is 100km and a sub-4 marathon anyway. Six foot is just a passing fascination with the seemingly impossible. The minute someone tells me I can't, the minute I want to prove that I can.... ;)

I had some fun making the CR xmas logo last week. Looks like I might be doing a spot more web design stuff for local running clubs. We shall see!

Happy xmas y'all :)

fame, 5km and fabulous pancakes

Page 27 of the Sunday mail ;) The reason we all look so amused is that the photographer had us running in slow motion towards him ;)

Ran 5km this morning and walked a bit more - was more a social run thing for Steve's 50th. The breakfast rocked - pancakes and icecream and gluttony. My xmas food binge continued with lunch at a friend's place. She cooked us proper indian food and it was beaaauutttifull :)

Bought some new running shorts. Adidas made loose shorts with built in bike pants. Fabulous though my legs still chafe a touch. Am thinking they'll improve once I get rid of the xmas kgs!

Am thinking of giving 'lite n easy' a go for the new year... I'm crap at cooking, so may stop me from getting bored of my own stuff. Plus, it gets delivered which is fab and means not having to go shopping *and* all you do is heat it. It also looks yum!
We shall see.

I want to start planning my training out for 2007 now, but I can't find dates for half of the events. BRRC don't have them up yet. Guess that'll come. I'm also thinking about doing two track sessions a week when I can. Depends on work a bit, too as next year I'm going to be travelling a bit more and have a few more forums to chair. It may end up being an extra track sessions when I can squish it in, but that's better than nothing!

1:30 run from southbank

Ran for an hour and a half from Southbank this morning. Bit of a struggle to get up - I'm finding it hard to sleep in this heat. That and the fact I'm chugging back tons of caffeine before I give it up!

Very, very humid... ran over the story bridge, back up through the gardens, up towards the regatta to the railway bridge, turned around, ran back, over the goodwill bridge to the Ship Inn. Sweating absolutely buckets the whole time.

Still, we love our queensland summers. Honest ;)

2007 Goals

1. I am going to give up caffeine, chocolate and alcohol for a year. Mostly just to see if I can, but also, in an effort to get healthier, fitter and feel good.

2. This is a common goal for me, but 2007 is the year I’m going to do it – I am going to get to 70kgs if it kills me!

3. I am going to run a sub 4 hour marathon at the GC in July

4. I am going to do six foot track and finish (if they’ll let me enter!)

5. I am going to run 100km and finish

6. I am going to run a sub 54 minute 10km

7. I am going to run a sub 25 5km

8. I am going to train consistently and do exactly as I am told in order to get there!

The Biggest Blister on the face of the Planet!

So, I didn’t do Kurruwa… *rolls eyes at self*

But I do have an excuse or two. I seem to be in the wars lately!

I was all teed up to run with Schultzy – I was going to do the first leg, he was going to do the second. I finally committed to doing it on the Wednesday at the Run Inn. Then, on the thursday, I went to personal training and managed to pull a muscle on the front of my right ankle. I didn’t even know you had muscles there, but apparently you do and it hurt like a bastard.

By Saturday, it was no better (the pain of weights hitting the usual 48 hours after) and I met the girls at the park down the road from me for a gentle hit out. I ran there and after 500m knew I wasn’t going to be able to do Kurruwa. Waaa. Schultzy ended up running the whole 50km on no training, the crazy, crazy man.

Anyway, next year, I’ve decided I will do the whole 50km. So there.

My glass house running buddy extraordinaire, Susannah, came fourth female so I’m egging her on to get bling next year. She said she went out too slowly (!) so I reckon she’s got it in her! Go Suze! Woooo!!

On Monday, I went to the social run out at sandgate. Managed to forget my socks and ran without, thinking I’d be fine (I’ve run without at the tris without incident) we had the most fabulous (fast, fast, fast!) 45 minute run and I could feel my left shoe rubbing, but was feeling so good keeping up with Sam and Phil that I didn’t want to stop.

By the time I got back to the cars, I had gained the most impressive blister of my entire life to date – about three or four inches long, one inch wide along the arch of my foot. It is disgusting!

I bandaged it up, shoved a layer or eight of sports tape over it and tried to do track the next night. No way… any time I start running, it feels like someone is shoving a knife in the side of my foot. I went home in disgust, succumbed to the temptation (though I know you’re not supposed to!) and popped it. Ewwwwww. I should really take a photo, or name it or something!

Went and bought some of the gel dressings, had another go at taping it. Went to running tonight, 3km in, knives. Foot. Owww. Walking. I did however manage to end up getting my photo taken with the gals for the courier mail ;) Keep your eyes out for my five minutes of fame ;) two of the boys may be able to make their TV debut, too! Ah, fame ;)

Anyway, currently I’m planning no more hardcore running until Tuesday. Really annoyed since I actually feel semi-enthusiastic about it all again!

The last couple of months have been really weird for me for running. I've been really busy for work, struggling with weight and food and motivation and things. January 1 will mark two years since I started running... I think I need to sit down and plan out next year some more! Perhaps some goals will get me going again ;)

1:47 Mount Cootha again!

Monthly mount cootha run this morning. Didn't sleep very well last night or the night before so I wasn't feeling too optimistic about the climb.

That said, I got all the way to my furthest point I've ever reached - the yellow gate. Heaps better than the last run up there, heaps less walking too, though we did it in the same time apparently!

Am starting to reconsider Kurruwa... just a little... *L* Sam still doesn't want to run it, but Schultzy does and is hopefully still looking for a partner. Mmnnnn.

I have new, pink 2120s. They are bouncy!

update

Over the last few weeks, I've been focussing on getting fitter, thinner and more positive about my running. I'm back to doing two hour long runs (hurrah!) and am starting to feel the benefit, although it's making any runs I do a day either side of them crap.

The scales are moving the right way and I appear to have once again found the will power to say no to the veritable sugar-and-carb-fest that is my workplace, bless them! What I can't work out is how all my colleagues are so skinny. Sooo not fair. My theory is, once you've managed to turn down **unbelievable** french patisserie chocolate mud cake, double cream *and* dreamy donuts in the one day, you've come too far to give up!

It's actually amazing how socially incorrect it is to refuse cake/chocolate/naughty food. People actually almost get offended. I suppose it's the same thing as drinking. I don't drink (well, very very rarely anyway) and when you go out, if you don't have an alchoholic drink in your hand, people think there's something wrong with you. Very weird. At least with runners or fitness freaks you can say you're in training ;)

Circuit training is going really well. Loving being outdoors and with other people and it's in the perfect location for me. I've trained six days this week. Finally took today off as a rest day, since yesterday was a bit of a killer.

Yesterday, I went to do the 5km TT out at Shorncliffe, but arranged to meet Sam at 5am, then Tracey at 5:45am to run with them to make two hours running time total. Gods, it was hot. I sweated and huffed and puffed my way through the runs and ended up back at ye olde faithful marathon plod which at least keeps me moving forwards. The last 5km took 32 minutes *ROTFLMAO* I didn't feel too bad about that though, considering I've absolutely whipped my own butt this week.

Plans for the week ahead:

Mon: a.m circuit training, p.m social run (if I can get there in time!)
Tues: p.m track
Weds: a.m circuit training, p.m medium long run
Thurs: a.m hours run/walk on own or swim
Fri: a.m circuit training
Sat: a.m Mount Cootha 15km
Sun: Rest Day

Sam and I also made an executive decision yesterday that we're not going to run Kurruwa this year. Neither of us feel fit enough and we'd rather do Mt Cootha as usual.

I'm getting new shoes next week, too. The next 2110's are PINK! Woohoo!

yay...blah....

I have had a bit of an up and down week.

Circuit training is going well, enjoying the variety of sessions and being outdoors. Track is not so great with me feeling incredibly slow most of the time (but at least doing the whole session, which is something I suppose!) I have also eaten extrodinarily well all week, feel better for it and then got on the scales to discover I have put weight on. Again. *grrr*

Wednesday night running was okay, although training twice a day (circuit in the morning) was a bit of a killer. Thursday I did personal training which was, as usual, really hard. My trainer has a new torture device - I mean, machine - that vibrates at various frequencies. Then you do squats and stuff on it and the vibrations make your muscles work twice as hard to do the same exercises. I could hardly walk the next day!

Yesterday I went to the Regatta to do a planned two hour session. Ran out feeling like utter crap and thought I'd be walking shortly. Almost exactly after 5km of badness, I suddenly felt really, really good like I did when I was doing really long runs for the GCM. It was so nice to feel like that - I'd forgotten how good it is to run well.

I turned around at the hour mark and I really must've been going faster because I did the return 20 minutes faster than I went out! I think what that means is that I was moving really slowly on the outward leg!

Today I went to the 10km BRRC run at the West End. The AGM was today so there were quite a few people there. I was asked if I wanted to be involved in the committee this year, but bearing in mind that I hardly have time to breathe at the moment, I said no.

The 10km was definitely hot - I was absolutely drenched by the time I finished. It was positively the worst 10km I've run in ages. I ran the same time that I did when I ran my second 10km ever. 59:20. Ugh.

I know I ran yesterday and all, but I usually manage around 57 something even when I feel bad/have run hard the day before. Bit of a wake up call really. Definitely leaves me wondering about Kurruwa and whether I should do it. Heat really kills me. Not that I would dream of running at 10km pace or anything (the aim being just to finish!) but still. I am severely undercooked for the distance and there's no time to prepare. Hmn.

Oh well - nothing to do but stop whinging and work harder I guess!

1:48 Mount Cootha Run

This morning we did a very soggy mount cootha run. Met everyone at 6am and was great to see there was about twenty (?) of us. There would have been a few more too, had it not been for the rain and the various family commitments.

Headed out together, but soon enough I dropped off the back as I was the slowest there today. I'm still much too heavy and I knew I was going to have a hard run within the first couple of kms. I chugged along though and groaned when I passed my usual yellow gate (the furthest point I've managed to get to, running continuously up there) and had already had several walk breaks! Actually, I didn't even make it up the first hill by the botanical gardens. LOL!

I swore at myself and my dodgy stomach and an achey knee, but even though Mt.C was soundly whipping my arse, it still worked it's magic on me. The cloud was low and it was all misty and beautiful. Quiet too, since no one goes up there when it's raining. Got to the highest point to find Sam, Jill and Ronnie had waited for me, bless them. Ronnie had run from Slaughter Falls and ran the **entire** thing! WOOHOO! Go, Ronnie!

I felt INCREDIBLY slow and disgusting, but apparently it wasn't as bad as I thought, since I still went quicker than last time! Once we started running as a group, I got more of a rhythym happening and it wasn't so bad. My stomach settled a bit and before I knew it we were at the top and coming back down.

I have a secret plan of attack to make Mount Cootha my biatch - I'm going to run it as slow as I possibly, possibly can one day. Even if it takes me three or four hours. .. so watch this space ;)

The badness that was the way up also made me realise how much I really need to get back into some decent training. I've done nothing about Kurruwa! I'm still exercising loads (though no long runs, particularly) but I'm still too heavy and I feel like I'm running with a backpack on the whole time. Only one way to cure that! Back on the diet wagon with me. Working in an office full of sugar junkies and foodies is not helping - I need to get some self control!


Plan for the week:

Sunday: REST
Monday: Circuit Training + 5km
Tuesday: Track
Wednesday: Circuit Training + Medium Long Run
Thursday: Personal Training
Friday: Circuit Training
Saturday: Long Run
Sunday: BRRC 10km

losing my pants!

My plan to beat back the lard continues :) I'm tired already and it's only thursday...

Track on tuesday went well - that is, until my knicker elastic broke (seriously!) and I had to cut the session short. Everyone thought it was highly amusing to see me lolloping along whilst holding up my pants! I don't think I'm ever going to live it down - duct tape jokes abounded the following night at the Run Inn *LOL*

Mental note to self: Stop buying dodgy cheap Woolworths underwear - bonds for running all the way, baby!

On Wednesday morning, I went to my first circuit training session at the park just round the corner. I think it was truly invented for me, since I can literally roll out of bed at 5.30 for a 5.45am start. Lots of strength work, mixed with sprints. Lots of company and did I mention the trainer is hot? *L*

On wednesday night I went to the Run Inn (cue knicker jokes) and we did a nice cruisy 10km. Ran with Ronnie and caught up on all the goss. Tracey was nowhere to be found.

This morning I did personal training session and then went for a swim. That, combined with the circuit training has left me pretty sore - I can barely lift my arms above my head and I hate to think what my legs will feel like tomorrow!

Tomorrow I'm going back to circuit training - tossing up between doing it two or three times a week. Currently, I think I'll do three sessions a week for a little while, so I can get some general fitness back and lose a bit more weight.

Plans are afoot for next year, also, thanks to a 2007 Goals thread on CR. It involves six foot and then 100km at Glasshouse. No getting out of it now it's public! Whoah!

Perth

This weekend, I went to Perth to visit my Dad. Consequently, I ate lots of delicious but evil food and am fatter again. Was lovely to see him though. It's a beautiful place though and I have a plan to tackle my most subsequent weight problem. Again!

I've been running since my last entry as usual but haven't been going to the gym. I think I've just reached saturation point with the gym. Plus, it's indoors and the treadmill is BORINGBORINGBORING. Weights I do with my trainer anyway. On monday I ran on the bikepath at Kedron Brook. (yes, alone! bad me) There were loads of people out though, so it was safe.

While I was running, I picked up a leaflet for a group fitness session that runs three mornings a week just around the corner from me. So I'm thinking I'll give it a go tomorrow morning and see if I like it. If I do, I'll ditch my gym membership and do the group sessions instead. It's outdoors, I'll have company and someone to push me - for the same price. It'll hopefully complement my running and increase my strength.

Group run tomorrow, 5km TT on saturday.

15km with Tesso :)

It's been ages since I last blogged. Again!

What have I been doing? Group run up Mount Cootha last weekend was fun... reallyreallyreally HARD PT session which almost had me throwing up, then a reallyreallyreally hard track session. So good to feel like I've got some juice again. By the end of the session, I wanted to just hug the ground and cry. I truly did.

Had to work on wednesday night, so I didn't run again until today. I made the huge and stupid mistake of eating KFC for dinner last night. The smell got me (love it) but I haven't eaten it in years and I forgot just how greasy it is. As someone that doesn't even cook with oil, I've felt nauseous ever since.

Consequently, when I went running this morning, I felt like absolute death warmed up. Seemed to be a few variations on a theme too - Liz and Tess both felt off colour but for different reasons. Ended up doing about 15km and Tess ran with me the whole way, bless her! Thanks Tess!

When we finished, I felt a ton better than I had when I started and prolly could've carried on a bit. Couldn't have gone any faster during the run though! Definitely time to start planning out the next month or two - Kurruwa is rapidly approaching and I had better get some fitness back for that!

track + medium run + 5km TT + Bribie Beach Bash

Whoah, another big update. I shall endeavour to keep this brief:

On tuesday, I did track. First time in ages I've felt like I can really dig in again. Helped massively to have Linda there to chase. Worked my butt off and paid for it the next day!

On Wednesday, I did a medium long run - 10km. It poured with rain and we got soaked. I loved it - there's something so honest about running in weather like that - slogging it out - and once you warm up, it feels fantastic. Fab. Felt pretty good, could've gone further.

On friday, I did personal training and whipped my butt doing squats, lunges and various other torture devices. Good hard session, really REALLY sore from it.

On Saturday, I did the 5km time trial at Shorncliffe. 27:something. Could've gone a bit harder. I seem to be scared of starting too fast. Must fix that. But at least 27:something is around an average time for a 5km for me. Nowhere near my PB (25:50) but better than I had thought. Shows I'm not quite as slow as I feel I am. There's hope for me yet!

Today, I did the Bribie Beach Bash. Ummed and Ah-ed over 15k or 30k, in the end, chose 15km on instructions from Coach Phil. Not really training for anything, just wanted to have fun so did. Good run, best I've had in AGES - annoyingly I'm positive I did waaaaayyyy better than last year, but I didn't blog the time then, so I don't know. I did 1:37 this year and again, could've gone harder. I actually overtook people. Couldn't believe it! The weather was great and remembered to wear sunscreen this year, so I'm not burnt, either!

Now my energy/enthusiasm is back, am now plotting away for goals for next year. Next year, I'm aiming for:

- Six foot (if I'm ready in time and if I'll stand a chance of making the cut offs)
- Glasshouse 80km/100km (if I feel ready)

Along the way, I'll also do the Gold Coast Marathon, but that'll be as a bit of a training run. Flat bitumen is becoming a little bit boring, unfortunately.

bang goes the 5kgs :) yay!

Got on the scales this morning to find I now weigh 79.8kg - despite having cake last night with the lovely Sam ;) Got my first 'reaction' from eating high fat food on Xenecal... not too bad (not as bad as I had been led to believe!) but not something I really want to repeat *L*

Total weight loss is now: 5.2kgs! (in a week - holy crap!)

Today I've done nothing except potter around in my unit, unpacking stuff and putting together my kitchen table from IKEA. I had thought that IKEA stuff comes with everything you need to put it together (usually an allen key!) but apparently not. I had to go out to Bunnings to buy a screwdriver. On my return, I got a flat tyre and a lovely man changed it for me! Restored my faith in men, somewhat! ;)

I'm feeling good from yesterdays run. Slightly sore glutes, but nothing major. Feeling better and better about running as you can probably tell from the sudden blog increase! I'm currently contemplating having a go at both RPM (spinning) and BodyAttack (aerobics or something) this week... time to try some new stuff at the gym...

Plan for next week (still messing around with this schedule):

Monday -
a.m RPM
p.m Social Run

Tuesday -
a.m
p.m Track

Wednesday -
a.m
p.m Medium Long Run (may even attempt to hop up a group again!)

Thursday -
a.m Body Attack
p.m Yoga

Friday -
a.m PT session
p.m Balance

Saturday -
a.m 5km TT

Sunday -
a.m Bribie Beach Bash 15km? 30km?

2 hours and a new place!

Met Sam at 4.30am this morning to go for a two hour run. It reminded me of GCM training, running along the brissie river with the water soooo still. We met so early because I had to be back by 7am for my sofa to be delivered.

The good news is that I'm now in my new unit and just sorting through stuff and getting settled. Hopefully I should be able to read more blogs and comment a little more! Sorry, guys ;) I feel terrible not answering questions or leaving you all comments. Still, new house, new start!

The two hours was done at a very slow pace and was a bit of a struggle towards the end. I can't believe not so long ago I was running 42.2 on the flat and feeling fine for at least the first 3 hours. Oh well. My legs remembered how to work so with a few more repeated efforts, I'm hoping my form (such that it was, ahaha!) will reappear. Sam is a bit quicker than me normally, so once I get back into it, she's going to start upping the pace on me a bit. That should get me faster!

I have now lost 4.8kgs - monday marks a week of xenecal. I feel fine - actually, I feel heaps better without the extra weight. Now all I have to do is keep up the good work for a few more weeks and I'll be back to fighting fit in time for summer :) Naturally, when I eat low carb diets it tends to drop off me at the start. I have no doubt that now I'm hovering back towards where my weight has stabilised in the past (76-79kgs) it'll slow right down. But, the emphasis will always be on healthy eating. I'd love to get to 70kgs, but we shall see! Not up for starvation to get there LOL!

3.2kgs down and feeling better :)

Feeling better :) Have lost 3.2kgs of the extra 5kgs of doom. Xenecal is interesting stuff. I admit, I found it a bit scary that they would give me the stuff that easily - I was right on the threshold of not having a big enough BMI. I only qualified for it because of the family risk of diabetes. I had a bit of a mental fight with myself because using it feels a bit like 'cheating' - but at the end of the day, I was spiralling back the way I used to be and needed to take control again. So I'm not going to feel guilty about using dietary aids. I've got nothing to prove any more ;)

In the end I bought a 2 week supply because it's as expensive as all hell and will see how I go. Really, I'm just looking at it as a kick start. If you eat a very low fat diet (which I do normally) it doesn't really make any difference. Except it makes me extra cautious about not eating the wrong stuff. Another deterrent is always good.

I feel so much better being 3kgs lighter again. Did track last night and though I still ran badly, it wasn't so much of a struggle. I did the whole session which I haven't done in a few weeks.

Tonight is medium long run and I'm looking forward to it! I really must be picking up again!

Two laps of Mount Cootha and White Goods

Again, a huge gap in blogville, sorry guys! I should hopefully be moving on wednesday, so fingers crossed, by the end of the week everything will be back to normal. For the curious, I'll be moving to Wooloowin, just near clayfield/nundah on the northside - very near a lovely park and prime running area! (though, is also smack bang in the middle of crazed-brisbane-runner-rapist territory, so we'll see!)

On the plus side, I've spent most of the last week or so trying to get my head straight about everything. Mostly freaking out over the fact I'm 5kgs heavier, which, I must say, is a sterling effort, even for me! Still, nothing to do but get it off again.

Yoga monday, did a track session tuesday (still feeling crappy) medium long run wednesday (now tracey is back it's fab, yay!) PT on friday and then my long run (!) today as it was pouring saturday. I used the alone time to think about everything - I ran about 2:45 and did two sloooow laps of mount cootha at a walk/run. Felt reasonable, although I'm half dead from my trainers attempt to kill me on friday still. My thighs are in agony!

I do love the changing smells on mount cootha - warm eucalypt, cool air wafting through the trees. Yummy. And, I got SPOTTED! by a cyclist cool runner - I must have looked amusing - It took me a while to process the fact that a cyclist was yelling 'GO COOLRUNNER!" at me - I thought they were yelling, "GET OFF THE ROAD" or somesuch! LOL! Not sure who it was - didn't recognise them with glasses and a helmet! Anyone?

So, my trainer has a nifty idea about getting me to drop the extra weight - firstly, I'm going to eat the same thing for an entire week. I admit, I'm a creature of habit, so that's capitalising on that fact. Have to get me out of my bad habits again.

Even though I find it incredibly embarrassing to admit, I talked to him a bit about my comfort eating issues and his solution (which is quite clever, actually) is to take the emotion out of food - get the focus back on food being something I have to do to live, rather than something to live to do. Simple really, but we shall see if it works. I'm also contemplating going on Xenecal. Nearly took it when I was much heavier, but then even when I was seven kgs lighter than I am now, I could never shift the last five kilograms. So maybe it'd help, we shall see! My other strategy is possibly going to see the Psychologist - can get three free appointments through work - might help, who knows. Maybe some good strategies for breaking myself of the habit once and for all, dealing with the issues or whatever.

Now seems like the best time to be doing all of this stuff - while I'm moving, it's a perfect time to break old habits and form new ones. New stage in my life and all that. Accordingly I spent a TON of money today on white goods, gods help me. Tomorrow shall do the same at IKEA. But, at least my new place will look beautiful!

My plan for the week is to get up and do **something** every morning - even if it's just a slow jog/walk for 30 minutes. Will do track and medium long run and long run as per usual - just want to start throwing in other stuff, other classes and things as well.

sorrrreeeeeee

I have *never* been as sore as I was on monday. I hobbled into work and actually felt nauseous when I moved. I took four ibuprofens during the day.

Thankfully I felt infinitely better the next day. Currently I feel pretty much back to normal, although I haven't yet attempted to run or do any sort of exercise - I will try and do a gentle run on saturday.

The unit I thought I had got in Hamilton, fell through :( so I'm back to unit hunting, which is why I'm a little quiet... but I'll get there!

50km at Glasshouse! We did it AND we got bling!

Wellll, I'm alive! We made it. Today we ran 50km :) I must thank the amazing Suzannah for being brave enough to have a go at it with me. I couldn't have done it without her! Now for a bit of a race review...

Woke up this morning at 2:00am after having absolutely no sleep. I spent the whole night (ha! make that, interlude!) tossing and turning and waiting for my alarm to go off. Thankfully no late-for-race dreams! Got up, got myself together and waited for Suzannah to pick me up at 2:30am.

We headed off up the coast and shared our mutual sense of holycrapwhatonEARTHarewedoing and general panic. I don't think I have ever felt as nervous for a race as I did today. Absolutely packing death would be an understatement.

Arrived at the starting point, the local school at about 3.45am and met up with a very bleary eyed looking bunch wrapped in blankets. The mosquitos were absolute murder but managed to borrow some much needed bug spray so all was well. Saw Lady Jove who completely inspires me with the way that she is so independent out there. Sister doing it for herself! The time went by so fast that before we knew it we were off.

I was soooo glad to have Suze with me - my sense of direction is terrible at the best of times let alone in the pitch black. Thankfully Lady Jove was able to point us in the right direction several times and thus we avoided doing 50km back to Caboolture!
Directions aside, I actually didn't mind running in the pitch black. The advantage is in not being able to really see how far you're going. The disadvantage is not being able to really see where you're going either at times - I was soooo close to doing THE most spectacular face plant, ever. I narrowly avoided falling head first into a deep pit of muddy water, piroetting gracefully and leaping to one side, then doing a bit of a out of control drunken sideways tiptoe for a couple of meters. Suzannah nearly wet her pants, as did I. *L* We had a blast.

The first loop was short (8km I think) and ran out over "hamburger hill" which surely has THE best view in the entire universe, through the macadamia farms and beyond. We passed through the school checkpoint, grabbed some water and waved at Clairie, Cindy and Sam who had arrived for the 30km. It was starting to get light which made things a little easier. We headed out for the biiiigggg loop and gossiped our way through.
We made a rare sighting of what we think was a giant, black cat eating cockatoo - they were ENORMOUS... beautiful things. I continued my usual habit of tripping over every two seconds. Usually as we broke into a walk on the rougher, muddier sections and just as I expressed how you couldn't really run on them without breaking your neck. There was a lot of walking up the hills and through the mud - it was just impossible to go any faster, really. That and I had another bad case of the gold coast 'be conservative' approach that told me even though I could've run up many of the smaller hills, I should save my legs.

We could see Lady Jove off in the distance for a lot of the way, but as we entered what I'll call the just-like-the-powerlines section (not sure exactly what it was called, but similar in difficulty and steepness) she got way ahead of us and we didn't see her again til the end. This section was full of massive, massive near-vertical rock cliffs. They were definitely the hardest part, but also the most enjoyable. I actually love going up them because they look so impossible. Great to really start puffing and working and using your hands and feet together in parts. I felt like neanderthal woman at times, my knuckles were almost dragging the ground at that point!

We climbed up and up, around and down and broke through into some easier track sections where we could run again. My legs started to feel it but I kept on keeping on. A quick loo spot (a very scenic loo stop!) at the top of the hill in the above piccie and we were on to the next section.

I think one of the nicest things about the GH trail runs is the peace and quiet - being completely away from any non-natural sounds. It smelt beautiful and just the chance to look at the flowers, brightly coloured agate rocks and fungi, the amazing variety of soil colours which change so frequently and the wildlife makes it really special. All stuff you'd probably never see if you didn't get right out there.

As we passed through the last checkout, Suzannah and I had practically exchanged life stories which was great and we knew we were on the way home with 12km to go. Tracey texted me to see how things were going, not knowing I'd taken my phone out with me so I texted her back ;) I keep forgetting my phone has a camera in it, so I tried to use it a bit this time. The photos I took were a bit steamy like the one above - from all the body heat in my fuel belt I guess.

The last 3km seemed to go FOREVER. Poor Suzannah had to humour me whilst I stopped to walk up some relatively tiny hills but once we were over hamburger hill again, I realised we were really going to do it. We hit a run down the very last track back towards the school and finished with a lap of the oval. Done, done, done in 7:29 - We got silver and bronze bling for our trouble, too!

Sam and Cindy had waited around to see us finish which was so lovely of them! Phil left his number and we rang him to say we were alive. After the presentations, we packed up and headed home. When I got in I had an amazingly good shower and a couple of hours sleep.

Tonight, I'm actually physically feeling *infinitely* better than I did after the GCM. I'm stiff and sore (and the next few days'll be fun!) but nothing like I was then. All that worry about running like crap and I felt fine, really. Perhaps it was something to do with all the enforced walking we did, but I didn't struggle nearly as much as I thought I would.

As we were running, I waa thinking to myself how absolutely bloody amazing the 100 milers were... infact how amazing the 100k-ers are too.... when I think about how hard it is to run 50km, then think about doing it three times and then some, it just blows my mind. It made me doubt if I'll *ever* be physically able to do that sort of distance but we'll see. My plan is to spend the next little while doing some quality, shorter training and getting stronger overall. Then I'll think again about goals.

This race has sort of marked the end of the racing season for me. Looking back on this year, it's been insane! I've done three marathon length events, two of them longer than a marathon. I've set myself a new half PB and trained harder than I ever though possible to get there. I've met some new and amazing friends, both on CR and off. (speaking of which, I met blue dog and horrie today! *waves*) All up, it's been fab. Who knows where the road leads next :)

the big 5-0 tomorrow!

Haven't blogged in ages! Haven't read blogs in ages... more to the point, haven't read CR in ages! What is the world coming to? ;)

Mostly, I've been working hard - unit hunting seems to have been successful. I found a great two bedroom unit in Hamilton. It's very run down, but that means the rent is cheap. With some TLC and possibly an argument with the real estate about needing a new cooker, it'll be fine. It's near kingsfordsmith drive, almost on the river - which has miles and miles of bikepaths and my fave running spots :) I went past the end of the road almost every week during my long runs for the coast... funny how these things turn out!

I've also been writing applications for exhibiting at various galleries around bris in 2007 and trying to put together a grant to fund the research and production for my book. Fingers crossed!

Soooo..... tomorrow (or rather, it's going to seem like tonight) is the big 5-O. I'm soooo unbelievably nervous. Way worse than the GCM. I haven't done much running at all in the last two weeks. I am feeling terrified, but underneath that I have some vague zen sense of acceptance in my impending fate, whatever that may be! ;)

I'm also looking forward to having a rest, truth be told. The more I think about it, the more the lets-have-fun approach for a while appeals. Wednesday night was the lovely Tracey's first run back after her stress fracture and torn stomach muscle and we've decided to kick back into things together. She has to ease back into it slowly, I have to recover from GH and work on running quicker than a slow lollop again. Together we shall be victorious, muahahaha!

Noosa 2:06

Well, a truly disgusting run today, but, mea culpa – I suspect the following may have had something to do with it:

1. I have eaten rubbish in the last fortnight. Thus, I am heavier again and feeling every bit of it.
2. For whatever reason, I am not running as well as I was before GCM.

I’m not quite sure why I’m still flat as a tack after the GC. I mean, eventually you have to reach a point where you stop blaming the marathon. I’ve definitely not been running as fast since then – more focussed on distance and endurance for the GH and I guess with speed it’s a case of use it or lose it.

I used my plod today as time to reflect on where I want to go and what I want to do with my running next. My last big event for the season is the GH 50km – anything else after that will just be for fun.

As you guys all know, I had gotten all fired up for getting into ultras (and still am) but I think I need to spend some time going back to basics, cementing all the groundwork I’ve done in the last year before I try to ramp things up any further. I think I’d be nuts to ignore everything and just keep on pushing when my body (in numerous ways) appears to be telling me it’s not happy. Quite ironic really, to feel most comfortable in long slow runs but to struggle physically to recover in an average timeframe! LOL!

Between September – March, I’d really like to have a bit of a break, then get a bit quicker on shorter distances, work on my technique and overall fitness. I’m also going to go and visit the podiatrist because I think the time has come to admit (much as my wallet would like to deny it) that I need an orthotic or something. Whenever I get injured or something twinges, it’s on the left side. My left foot hurts during runs and my left hamstring is constantly really tight. All of which gives me the sneaky suspicion that it’s not quite right. It doesn’t feel the same as the other leg during a run.

Anyways, on to the Race Report:

Sam and I drove down to Noosa yesterday afternoon, just in time to pick up our race kits (aka race number, chip and pins) and the biggest race tshirts in the history of the known universe. Last years shirt was so small, I ordered a large this year and (of course!) this year they’re different and massive. So, have consigned this one to the gym/nightie pile.

I do love Noosa as a place – the atmosphere is great and it’s really relaxed. We had an icecream, sat on the beach to watch the sun go down and then checked in. Followed by dinner at the RSL (where I kept expecting to see loads of Crs – felt like GC all over again!) and then had a reasonably early night.

Got up at 5am, headed to the startline and chatted with some familiar faces. Noosa is nice like that – small enough to see loads of people you know, big enough to be fun but not chaotic like the B2B.

Before I knew it, we were off and heading out on the road. Forgotten just how flat the whole course was. Two loops meant I got to see everyone a few times which was great for waving and high fiving people. Which was a great distraction for me, since by 3km I knew I was going to have a shocker, let the 2 hour pacer go and slowed right down.

It was soooooo hot. Me and heat don’t seem to mix well at all whilst running and I could hardly see where I was going during most of the run (note to self: buy new sunnies!) I tuned into my music, tried to zone out and decided at the very least, I was not going to walk ANY of the course (since last year I did 2:13?) and walked quite a few chunks.

When I got to about 9km, my body decided that it had had enough. Despite having breakfast, all of a sudden, I was absolutely STARVING. It was like I suddenly felt my blood sugar drop and I ran out of juice in a big way. Luckily, I had packed a couple of gels in my fuel belt and downed one that more or less instantly picked me up again. I have no doubt that if I’d run that distance without gels (which I’ve often done!) I would have DNF’d. Anyway, kept on keeping on and started feeling slightly better. Had another gel at about 15km just to be on the safeside.

The rest of the kms chugged by, and I amused myself by waving at everyone and experimenting with my running stride, loosening my shoulders up and trying desparately to stop sticking my thumbs up when I run. It’s so subconscious but I must look ridiculous doing it… I’ve got no idea why I do it, either - it just feels comfy. Something to work on when I get cracking on technique, no doubt!

Finished in 2:06 by my watch, which is ten minutes slower than Doomben but a fair bit quicker than last year on that course (so it bloody should be, mind! LOL!) so all up, I’m being philosophical about it all. Quite a few people seem to have bad runs, so at least I’m in good company!

busy!

Everything is so busy lately - I haven't read blogs in ages :( Sorry guys... hopefully things will calm down soon.

On monday I did Yoga and managed to reach my toes in one of the stretches for the first time ever! As someone who is terminally unflexible it was a great moment - I almost crowed in jubilation, but I don't think the rest of the class would've appreciated it!

Tuesday (yesterday) was track and a bit better than last week. I'm still slow as all hell but I felt much better than I have been. Last week was just disgusting. I have reallllyyyyyy sore inner thighs today from it so I must've worked hard.

This morning I went for a run with the group up at Redcliffe along the water. Reminds me of GC training as there are kms of bikepaths to run on along the front. Fabbo!

Sunday brings Noosa - 1.55? Think I'll be heaps slower, but we shall see...

3 Hour Trail run + Yoga

Well, mount cootha may not be my biatch, but Mount Gravatt now is ;) It's a lot easier (and smaller) than Mount Coot-tha, but yay me. I clearly remember not so many years ago being dumbfounded at the thought of even walking to it, let alone up it!

This morning my lovely GH 50km partner in crime, Suzannah, took me for a run around our local area. She lives just around the corner from me which is handy and I was amazed at the trails within running distance of my house! We went all through Toohey Forest which I've been itching to do for ages.

My long, long runs are the only time at the moment where I feel good about my running. I love it... love the fresh air, the scenery. Suzannah and I seemed to both have a bad case of the break-yourself-bug, because we continuously managed to trip over stuff, slip and almost turn ankles on the way. Honestly, I'm clumsy at the best of times, but this was a new level for me! I stopped counting after eight near misses.

The run was lovely and very civilised. The most amusing point was about five minutes from the end of the run where we got back into suburbia, only to come face to face with three, extrodinarily loud Geese, honking their heads off. Both of us stopped dead because geese have a bit of a reputation, but we got by without being chased! We also came across an enormous grey dog in the bush that put it's hackles up at us too. The owner didn't seemed to care!

We also bumped into half of the river city runners on the back of mount gravatt, a ton of people doing bootcamp and a guy walking a dog that looked more like a powderpuff on legs than a canine!

Contemplating doing west end tomorrow - depends on how my legs and feet are. Did yoga after this mornings run and my yoga teacher told me I should do a shoulder stand after training to drain the crap out of my legs. Makes sense in theory and I did it today, so we'll see if it (and skins) make a difference.

Oops!

I got the wrong date for my party - it's actually going to be on SATURDAY 26th August... got to have sunday for recovery!

birthday party

We interrupt this whinge-cast to bring you a special announcement. On 27th August, I'm having a bit of a birthday bash, to which you all invited. Two of my friends have taken it upon themselves to throw a party for me (awww!) so I've sent out a big email.

However, I don't have some people's email addresses, so if you're reading this and I know you and you would like to come, please let me know what your email address is and I shall forward you an invite!

Broken record alert!

Yes, welcome to another whingy post ;) I'll try and keep it short until such times as my mood and/or running improves!

On the positive, my heel feels okay today. On the negative, crap track last night was followed by an even worse medium long run. I'm never doing weights the morning of a run again! That aside, 10km felt like 100km. I'm hanging out for my long runs because at the moment, it's the only time I feel like I'm not running backwards coming forwards.

On another positive, I'm looking at a unit in Ashgrove tomorrow, so I might be living back on my beloved northside soon! Yay!

Also, cirque asked the reason for my very late night on saturday. Nothing exciting I'm afraid (still single!) I went up to woodford to visit friends.

Hope you are all feeling better than me! Must read some blogs!

crap track session :(

Track tonight sucked... only made it half way through the session - my right achilles is twingy (feels tight) and I didn't want to push it. I think I stretched it too much in Yoga last night.

I'm doing my best to suck up the feeling crap at running thing, but it's sooo frustrating. A lot of the people around me who I used to run the same speed as are now doing incredibly well and zooming off ahead - great for them, lonely for me!

I must be hormonal or something - up and down like a yoyo at the moment!

25km hilly long run + 12km B2B = big weekend!

Huge running weekend! It's so nice to start to feel some enthusiasm for running again!

Saturday: 25km including a lap of Mount Cootha: 3 hours

Woke up at 4.30am and met Sam at the Regatta at 5.30am. Lucky for me, Sam wanted to run long too and now I'm not doing ridiculous 35km distances every week I'm getting more company!

We set off down to the Botanical Gardens and back, which gave us a flat initial 10km. Was expecting to feel quite disgusting after wednesday's horror, but it was fine. Did a nice, slow plod which surprised me when we hit 5km in about 28:00 minutes (close to my PB, not so very long ago!) Was having a lovely time chatting as we ambled along.

Quick toilet stop at the Regatta on the way back, then we headed off out through toowong to Mount Cootha. Was curious to see how much (if) I had improved since last running it, which must have been at least six months earlier.

For those that have never run Mount Cootha, it has a 2km hill after a 2.5km flat run to it. Last time I did it, I was walking by about 500m up the initial slope. I know exactly where I could run to because there's a chevron sign at the exact spot and I hated never being able to get past it. This time however, I ran all the way up that initial bit without feeling like I was going to die, took on the next bit, and the next and the next without having to walk - and finally got to about 500m (?) before the television towers when I caved in to a slight walk.

I have to say, I'm not feeling too bad about that, considering I thrashed all previous attempts at the run and had already done 10km before trying. I have a sneaky suspicion that if I had a go with fresh legs and took my time, I might actually now make the entire run without walking.

So, Mount Cootha is not yet my biatch, but watch this space! *LOL*

After the run, stopped for fruit toast with Tesso and co, then headed off to Yoga. I'm still as unflexible as buggery, but am hoping I will start to get some benefit soon!

Sunday: B2B 12km: 1:13

Had a very late night last night, coming home at 12.30am then getting up at 4am. Three and a half hours sleep does not a good running hannah make! Still, at least I had the motivation to get out of bed which is a step in the right direction after the last month or so!

Drove to Sam's and carpooled with her and Jill to the bus and then on to the race. Last year, I had a shocker of a race at B2B so it was a bit of a mission for me to run the whole thing this year.

The race started early (wonder if any elite athletes complained about that to the race director for this event? LOL!) and I was immediately reminded how insane massive events over shorter distances are. I had promised myself not to sprint up the bridge but to take things steady and consequently got just about flattened by a ton of people from the yellow zone doing the glory dash. I got elbowed and pushed and shoved around and one guy cracked me so hard that I think I'm going to have bruises. He just ignored me when I bellowed (aka swore) at him and didn't even acknowledge me.

2km in, was highly satisfied as I started passing all the rude, yellow glory dash people but had to stop and use the loo which took me about five minutes because there was a queue! Felt much better afterwards and then settled into a steady pace. Felt surprisingly okay considering the long run yesterday and spent the rest of the time being fascinated and horrified by the various people (can we call them Ruggles? like Muggles - but non-running folk?) doing all manner of rude, obnoxious and disgusting things.

I couldn't believe the number of people cheating - some going down side streets, others chopping massive corners off the course. I just don't understand where the sense of achievement is in selling yourself short like that. I also had the misfortune to run next to a guy who spat at my shoes and coughed like a metronome (hacked up crap every six strides - I know because I counted!) Just disgusting...

Crossed the line in 1:13 or so. Was a bit miffed to miss out on the 70 minute line by so little, but considering the long run yesterday and the toilet stop enroute, I think I would've scraped under so I'm happy enough. Safe to say I think I now got the monkey off my back for this race and won't be doing it next year!

Give me trails and smaller proper running events any day. The one thing I will say for the B2B is that it was very well organised and the marshalls were great.

meh

Argh, I hate crazy busy weeks! The good news is that my most recent cold seems almost gone. About time! Other good non-running news includes the recent purchase of shiny red shoes. Just call me Dorothy ;)

Anyway...

Track on tuesday was pretty hard. Nasty session, with no drills and a combo of 400m and 800m sets. Yucccckkkk. I still feel really, terminally slow and got my butt whipped by everyone. Only started to feel halfway human towards the end. How does that happen?

Despite my crap running, I enjoyed the last thing we did - we got staggered into 2 second intervals (slowest to fastest, with me being about fourth from the front) and did an all-out, give-it-everything-you've-got-then-fall-over-dead 400m sprint. I went for it and crossed the line joint first with someone from behind. Not really sure what that means exactly, other than that I am perhaps able to do better earlier on in a session than my running suggests. Blah.

Wednesday night saw my first medium long run with the group for a few weeks. Again, utterly, utterly shite session. Angie's garmin said we were running 5:50 pace (though that was what it said at the top of a hill!) and to me, it felt like 5:00 - I struggled like hell and ended up running in with a first timer who had had time off running.

I want to make excuses for myself and say wednesday night was crap because I was tired and had done a weights session at PT that morning, but the truth is that I'm also just shit at running at the moment. I need to suck it up and just keep on keeping on.

Seems I have also managed to miss the cut off date for the Lamington classic accommodation - Schultzy put the wind right up me on tuesday about everyone twisting their ankles up there and now I'm feeling slightly nervous about entering.

I'm sure I'll feel better about everything after this weekend - doing a long run tomorrow 25km-ish which will include another attempt on Mt Cootha with Sam and then the 12km B2B on sunday.

Onwards and up (and up, and upwards)!

A cunning training plan

Thanks to Vege for the lovely 'after' pic of us (Me, Vege and Davo) in which you can also see my new haircut (although, it's a bit sweaty and revolting in this pic!)

Have put together a bit of a training plan for the next few weeks in the lead up to the GH. Am also going to try my hardest to lose a few kgs before then too. I look like such a lard arse lately. It's all this time off I've been having ;) I know I keep saying I'm going to lose weight, but I figure, it's better to keep on trying and fail sometimes, than not to try at all!

Spaces are where I've not decided on what to do as yet (am still tweaking this plan!) Really, I would like to do a long run every weekend, but it's just a case of fitting them in. I'm going to start running laps of mount cootha I think...


Week 1

Sun 30 July REST
Mon 31 July Yoga
Tues 1 Aug Speedwork
Wed 2 Aug PT + Run Inn 15km
Thurs 3 Aug gym
Fri 4 Aug gym
Sat 5 Aug Yoga + BRB 30km (inc. two laps of mount cootha?)

Week 2

Sun 6 Aug B2B 12km
Mon 7 Aug Yoga
Tues 8 Aug Speedwork
Weds 9 Aug Run Inn 15km
Thurs 10 Aug gym
Fri 11 Aug gym
Sat 12 Aug Yoga (+ poss long run w S)

Week 3

Sun 13 Aug BRRC 16k (or long run w S)
Mon 14 Aug Yoga
Tues 15 Aug Speedwork
Weds 16 Aug PT + Run Inn 15km
Thurs 17 Aug gym
Fri 18 Aug
Sat 19 Aug

Week 4

Sun 20 Aug Noosa 21.1km
Mon 21 Aug Yoga
Tues 22 Aug Speedwork
Weds 23 Aug PT + Run Inn 15km
Thurs 24 Aug gym
Fri 25 Aug
Sat 26 Aug Lamington Classic 1 22.5km

Week 5

Sun 27 Aug Lamington Classic 2 22.5km
Mon 28 Aug Yoga
Tues 29 Aug Speedwork (TAPER)
Weds 30 Aug Run Inn 15km
Thurs 31 Aug (TAPER)
Fri 1 Sept (TAPER)
Sat 2 Sept Yoga

Sun 3 Sept 50km GH!

Glasshouse 24km + six hour at GC?

*claps hands* ladies and gentleman, girls and boys - the running mojo has landed on planet Hannah once more, hurrah! I was starting to fear it wasn't ever coming back!

Woke up at 5am, pulled on my clothes in the dark and hopped in the car. Stopped at my local servo to get some petrol. Every time I do a long run, I seem to end up stopping at my local servo for one thing or another, and the guy in the shop thinks he's gotten to know me. He always asks me where I'm off to at that hour in the morning even though I tell him every time I go in there I'm going running. Then, he tries to get me to do a multi-buy of whatever it is I'm buying, usually water. Yes, it may technically be better value to buy three massive bottles - but I just want the one small one, thankyou.

You would think, after six months of early morning visits, he'd cotton onto the fact that I just want the small one sooner or later, wouldn't you? I'm developing a nasty case of water rage *L* soon I may even resort to taking it out of the tap ;)

Anyway, slight detour there. Where was I? Oh Yes.

Drove up the coast (and think I got done by a speed camera on brekkie creek road, even though my speedo said I wasn't speeding, bugger it). Arrived with plenty of time and hopped out to get my number. Before long, people started rocking up and there was quite a CR convention.

Davo and Vegie Girl arrived to do the 8km but somehow I (according to them ;) managed to twist their arms into doing the 24km with me. My cold was a bit better and hasn't gone to my chest like the last one, so I felt okay to run even though I knew it would be slow. I felt a bit uncomfortable and realised in my early morning stupor, I had put my tights on back to front. Oops.

We chatted our way through the run, walking up the nasty bits. There was a fair amount of mud, but nothing too bad. We bumped into Lady Jove somewhere along the way and ended up running as a group. The scenery was just unreal - it's so beautiful and green up there - the mountains are just stunning.

The time seemed to fly by so fast, before I knew it we were back at the start and finishing the run. 3:13 or so, so a nice long run over a short distance :) Thanks Davo and Vegie for running with me!

Am contemplating doing the six hour track run at the Gold Coast, depending on how things pan out. Apparently, it means I have to join AURA. *LOL* But you know what they say, in for a penny, in for a pound. Are any of you guys going? Six hours is the shortest event.

EDIT: Stop the press! No GC 6 hour for me - have just seen how much it costs to enter! Shall have to do my own long run instead... oh well!

Public Health Hazard. For a Change.

Well, I'm sure you'll all be delighted to know that I am sick... again! *L* I really don't know what's going on with me this winter - normally, I'm healthy as an ox. So far I'm stuck with just an excrutiatingly sore throat and extreme fatigue. My mother had the same thing and now has mild pneumonia (!) but I'm hoping that the fact that I'm healthy and don't smoke like a chimney will prevent it from progressing any further.
I'm eating enough vit C to sink a ship so fingers crossed!

I went to track on the tuesday. Good session, good to break a sweat at last. Feeling like a tub of lard from the time off. It's definitely getting warmer because the mossies are already out in force biting me on the arse. I had skins on, but still I walked around scratching my behind like a bogan. Good job it was dark!

Went for a little run wednesday morning as this was then the bug I've got had started to kick in. Did 5km reasonably quickly for me - my old run took a bit less time, so that was quite nice. Came back in with the hot and cold flushes and gradually felt worse from there.

Consequently, today has consisted of nothing other than a ton of soothers and some croaky swear words, inbetween having to speak for an hour last night at a public forum and then teach for six hours straight today. Blargh. LOL.

Still feeling a bit 'out of the running loop' from all of this. I feel a bit off kilter :( once I get my wednesday night runs back on track, all will probably fall into place. I entered the Bridge to Brisbane today and sent my GH entry off the other day too (decided on the short course this time round, the long one in september)

Slightly more motivated

I've been getting much needed pokes and prods from people to update my blog (waves at tracey and sam!) and to get back out there and get back on the horse, so to speak, so here I am!

My week off has been pretty good - scares me that it's so easy to lose the will to exercise - Though I do feel absolutely disgusting without it. Instead, I concentrated on getting more sleep and relaxing...

I went and had a float tank session - best $25 I've spent in ages - sooo relaxing and definitely something I'd recommend for de-stressing. Apparently, they get quite a lot of athlete types using it.

Also had a massage (soooo NOT relaxing!) I really should've done it regularly during the build up to the GCM, but my finances protested. I think it was the most physically painful massage I've ever had. My hamstrings and calves were particularly bad. *wails* she chased knots from my shoulders down to my hips on both sides. Blah!

Contemplated running saturday (running buddies) and today (the Jetty to Jetty was on) but decided to enjoy the rest of my week off. Mustering my enthusiasm (I know it's here somewhere!) the next week is looking like this:

M - easy run a.m - yoga p.m
T - PT a.m - Speedwork p.m
W - medium run - a.m
T - yoga p.m
F - run in the a.m - body balance p.m
S - Glasshouse 24km
S - BRRC 10km

What I really need to do is sit down and write out a program on how to get myself ready for the GH 50km in September....

Enforced Holiday for a Week

I think I'm discovering what is known as post-marathon blues. Although, it's not really because I don't want to run, just that when I do, I can't get out of first gear and I feel like crap.

Work at the moment is really stressful. The downside of doing three jobs simultaneously is that each workplace only think about what you deliver in terms of their needs - (which is fair enough because that's what I'm there for) but it makes meeting simultaneous deadlines more than a bit challenging. It usually means burning the candle at both ends for prolonged periods of time and it's just not healthy.

For quite a while now I've been realising that I am neither superwoman nor immortal and have slowly making my way to having just *one* full time job like a normal person. I'm starting to get there, but days like today just make me wish for it to happen just a little sooner. The stress is insane and has to stop!

Anyway. Enough of a work related whinge. Save to say, It probably goes a long way to explaining why I am still so dead tired and generally feeling not good. I actually feel like I'm falling apart slightly physically, which is weird. Nothing hurts exactly, but my left hammy is twinging still and I've booked a massage to try and fix it. I just know I'm still not 100% and it's three weeks since the bloody M! grr!

I went to PT this morning, and struggled again. So much so that Tony made me take another week off running. I'm allowed to do Yoga but that's it until next tuesday. I'm hoping it's going to be a case of taking the time off and then coming back heaps stronger.

Ho Hum.

D2W Relay 74km - First Female Team!

I've been fairly slack this week. Mostly because I'm still struggling to recover. Entirely my own fault, I know. Hopefully things will improve this week and next.

Thanks to my trainer, who had the bright idea to shift my PT session to a tuesday morning, track on tuesday night was really, really hard. He absolutely thrashed me into the ground and consequently, trying to run that night was like trying to wade through mud.

Anyway.

Because I felt sooo tired and because I have also been working 14 hour days the last week or so, I didn't go running on the wednesday night. Infact, I really did nothing until today, when I somehow got roped into taking part in the Dayboro to Woodford Relay.

D2W is a really small race through very hilly land ajoining (and at some points crossing into) the Glasshouse trail run terrain. Teams of seven compete with members doing two legs each during the day. I did a 6km leg and a 3km leg. Sounds like nothing really, after 42.2, doesn't it?

Schultzy coordinated the teams and alotted the legs and he knew I wasn't up to much, so I got the easier legs. My first leg (the 6km) was the first to start. It was graded as easy and "mostly flat". Let me just say, it was FAR from mostly flat! As the day wore on, we all started to realise the difficulty ratings of all the runs were more on the (how shall we say?) optimistic side of accurate!

We started in Dayboro, outside the school. I found myself sorrounded by uber quick whippets and started freaking out wondering what I'd let myself in for. The pressure was increased by the fact that the next leg required a restart and they couldn't go until I go there! The weather was shocking - it was freezing, rainy and grey and the wind started picking up.

Sure enough, when we set off they went 0-60 in about 6 seconds. I knew within the first 100m that I was going to spend both runs struggling. I feel like I'm stuck in first gear at the moment - I'm fine on the flat at a plod, but the minute you throw decent hills into the mix, it's a major struggle. (patience, grasshopper, I know)

Anyway, I plodded along, wishing I'd taken my ipod with me, but trying to enjoy the views. It's such a beautiful area. I distracted myself with promises that when I feel better, I'll go back to train on the hills for the GH 50km. Next year (or the year after at this rate) it'll be great for 6ft, too.

I don't think I've ever run such a lonnngggggg 6km before. It was technically supposed to be 5km I think, but felt like 10km and there were loads of hills. I had really bad period pain the whole way which didn't help either. Not to mention, the pace car was about two inches from my behind the whole way and I felt fairly pressured by the noise of the engine just behind me (another reason for ipods!)

Eventually, I came around the last corner and everyone was there cheering me in. I know someone has to be last and normally I wouldn't care, but there was just such a big gap in the level of ability between me and the other runners that I felt weird having them all *see* me finish. I think it's the first time I've felt genuinely embarrassed at finishing a run. Blah!

Hot cup of amazing *proper* coffee from my teammate Suzannah (my GH50 collaborating running buddy! *waves*) and a slice of toast had me getting over my self and we headed off for the next leg. Some of the runners in our team did bloody amazing runs. Tania in particular blitzed the hardest leg, Karen did a sterling job on hers too. Suzannah did sub 25 on a hilly 5km and then a great longer 8km. While she was running, I got to drive her 4WD which was a first for me and loads of fun!

My second leg was a 3km on part of the Mount Mee Classic course that Phil organises. There was one other all-female team from the Caboolture Road Runners and their runner whipped my butt in the first 6km leg. We ended up running in the 3km together too.

As per normal, everyone took off like they were on fire for the 3km and I tootled along behind. Went out at a somewhat faster pace than previously though. The other lady got the hop on me at the start, but slowed a little after about 800m. She was about 50m ahead of me.

We crossed off into a bush trail (lots of mud, broken rocks and hills) and I started to catch her. We crossed through a freezing creek (wet socks and shoes, lovely) and I started gaining fast. It was my favourite bit of both runs - I think because I realised that while I couldn't keep up on the bitumen, if you put me on trails, it's a different story. Love that sensation of flying along and calculating where to put your feet. Sort of like your body floating while your legs are going like the clappers beneath you.

Unfortunately, we crossed out of the bush side by side and the other runner took off again. No chance to keep up. More and more hills and again, the LONGEST three kms I have ever run. Even walked up a particularly steep bit. In a 3km race! Couldn't help but laugh at myself ;) If we'd stayed on the trails I'd have had her, but C'est la Vie!

The rest of the legs flew by and we finished up being the first all-female team. We even got a HUGE bit of trophy-bling and is going on the wall at the Run Inn. Felt quite relieved that me being terminally slow didn't hold the others back. They said they didn't care, but it's still nice not to have been an entirely dead weight! We then got back to the Showgrounds and had a barbeque which was yummy, before heading back to Brisbane.

It was an interesting experience really. I'm not entirely sure I like relays now. Bit too much pressure. The weather was shocking but I imagine on a nice day, it would be an amazingly scenic run (wasn't bad as it was, but blue sky is always good!) The Caboolture Runners seem like a nice bunch and I learnt some new training spots for running which was good. Got to gossip and catch up with lots of people and we got bling, so can't complain at all :)

BRRC 14km 1:22

Went to the West End this morning to do the 14km. Ate a load of carbs yesterday (was my 'cheat' day!) and consequently felt a zillion times better when I woke up this morning. Felt like I actually had a little bit of energy back. Not much, but I wasn't dead on waking like the last week! Going back to yoga seems to agree with me too.

Arrived at the West End and saw the lovely Shane, Cass and Sam. Sam is getting so big. I'm so clucky it's terrible! Angie arrived and I discovered that she's not run this week at all and Phil told her not to run longer than 30 minutes as part of marathon recovery so she was doing the 7km.

*looks around sheepishly after having run 35kms this week*

Oops. Oh well. I've been listening to my body and not pushing it at all so I'm hoping that's okay. I did have a few twinges on the run today, although they settled. Oh, and a rather unpleasant bout of palpitations when I did try to speed up. Again, settled when I slowed down so I think it's just my body telling me not to get my heart rate up too soon.

Todays run was definitely better than yesterday - and in the last couple of kms I was able to up the pace a bit to overtake the girl in front. All up, I'm very happy with my 1:22 - that's under six minute pace and I was comfy the whole way. It may even be a PB for the distance :)

recovery

It's been a pretty easy week this week. Looked like this:

Monday: Rest, glorious rest
Tuesday: 15 minute slllooowww walk at gym + stretching
Wednesday: Gentle group run - 7km easy?
Thursday: Personal Training
Friday: Gym
Saturday: 13km easy
Sunday: 14km easy

km total: 34km

Tomorrow I'm planning on doing a very easy 14km at the West End. Today's 13km easy was a very slow plod from New Farm to Bretts Wharf and back.

It's good to be able to run again, although I've got absolutely no juice in the tank! Bit of a weird feeling really. Can't wait for it to go, but then, I am terribly impatient. How long does it take most people to recover from a marathon, anyway?

I've tentatively pencilled down next saturday as a long run (2 hours?) though I'm not aiming to start pushing hard any time too soon - I'll only make things worse! *grins*
The main thing is that today's run felt better than wednedays and hopefully tomorrow will feel better than today and so on.

Which brings me to try and formulate a cunning plan for the next couple of months. I would like to do these races:

J2J 10km - 23rd July
???GH 50km end july???
B2B 12k - 6 August
BRRC 16k - 13 Aug
Noosa Half - 20 Aug
BRRC 14k - 27 Aug
???GH 50km - 3 Sept???

I am a race slut. Love them. I've probably missed a few too!

There is also another Glasshouse event at the end of July. If I'm recovered fully (which I bloody hell hope I am by then!) I may have a crack at it then. Make hay while the sun shines and all that. I can't decide whether to do it then or in September though. Suzannah from the run inn said she'd do the september one with me, but she's a lot quicker than me, so I'm worried I'd hold her up. Then again, I'm just as worried I'll get lost on my own! Shall have to chat with her about it all.

How much do we all love this time of year? All these races to be run, great weather for it.... life is good!

happy hannah

The lovely Tracey emailed me this pic today... I think my grin says it all ;)

I'm still floating around from the weekend and generally bouncing off the ceiling. I'm sort of switching between feeling intensely relieved that I did it and incredibly zen-like and peaceful. Gotta love those endorphins, huh?

Honestly though, I haven't felt as mentally clear about everything as I do right now. Talk about unexpected benefit!

Went to the gym this morning for a very gentle 15 minute stroll on the tready. Tomorrow night I'm going back to run club for a very gentle jog. I'm still sore as all hell and tired, but am dying to hear everyone's race tales so I'll see how I go.

Thankyou all so much for all the comments - it means so much to me! Cass - you know, running is always a good idea ;) I hear there's a mothers beginner running group at Intraining on a wednesday morning... you could run with Sam in the stroller! *wicked grins* Yes, Shane - I'm attempting to corrupt your wife! *grins*

Now to plot out what my next race will be muahahahaha! Looking forward to Noosa half actually. Thinking along the lines of 1:55?

Gold Coast Marathon: 4:42:50

Phew! What a huge weekend. Where to start?

Saturday

Headed over to Sam's house, where Rell and Tracey were meeting us. Couldn't believe how much stuff I brought, just for a weekend! It seems I've lost all ability to pack lightly these days! We picked up Jill en route and headed down to the Gold Coast together.

We booked a unit in Surfers which was lovely. Even better was the fact it had a Spa! Wasted no time in making use of that! CR Vegegirl (Lisa) was also sharing with us and came down later. We had lunch and then visited the expo and caught up with heaps of friendly faces.

My nerves weren't too bad although I had my moments of hyperventilating and squealing like a girl at marathon related things - the road I was going to run down, the km markers.... as you can imagine, I did quite a reasonable guinea pig impression at points during the expo! The girls did a great job of putting up with me!

On saturday night we had dinner with the CR gang at the SLSC and got to meet a few new faces, Lostboy and Mrs Lostboy among them. Also saw Phil K from our running club and Tanky with her boy. Lovely to see Jen and Davo again of course and Cirque who was in fine form for cheering the next day.

Headed off reasonably early and ended up hitting the hay at about 10pm.

Sunday: The Big Day!

Got up at 4am. Surprisingly, none of my usual late-for-race dreams during the night. Ate a tin of creamed rice for breakfast (thanks Sam!) and hopped on the bus, which stopped just around the corner from our hotel. The other girls were all running the half, which started earlier than the full and it seemed like two seconds before they were heading off. The atmosphere was starting to build and people were all starting to jump out of their skins in anticipation.

Watching the half marathoners take off was incredible - last year I was in the middle of it so I've never seen it from that perspective before... thousands of people all surging forwards, loud music pumping, people cheering - talk about explosive!

Bumped into Suzannah (also coached by Phil for her first big M) and confessed how terrified we were to each other, then headed to the start line. Managed to bump into Mr and Mrs Lostboy who were running around the same pace as me, as well as a couple of new CR faces, then off we went!

The Race

I had decided to run very conservatively during the first half, remembering Caboolture and how I felt there at 3:30. I think I was a bit scared of hitting the wall again, so I plodded along with my ipod going full blast... started with Like a Prayer by Madonna, then by the time I got to Surfers, I was onto one of my all time favourite songs for running Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf. Perfect for cruisy running!

Hit the first turn around (13km) with Lenny (Are you gonna go my way?) and started to see familiar faces on the approach. Suzannah breezed by, as Did Schultzy, Angie and Kate and a whole myriad of others. I realised then that there was no way I was going to catch Angie. Secret training I reckon! Half wondered if I might get catch up a bit later on, but tried just to enjoy the music and the atmosphere.

Ate my first gel (have since decided that enervit products are really disgusting and I'm never using them again!) and looked around me at the people cheering and the other runners. I saw blind runners, amputee runners and transplant patients all crusing along and thought about how bloody lucky we all are to be able to run at all. There was a guy running in his marshall arts whites, complete with black belt. He was starting to look HOT - the temperature was rising by then.

In the air tonight by Phil Collins came on and then a couple of irish folk songs. Ran past our hotel and then headed back up towards the start. I got to about 16km without even feeling it. I knew I was well ahead of the 4:30 pacer but didn't dare look behind to see where they were. First half done in 2:09:39.

By the time I got back to the startline and passed the CR cheersquad yelling their lungs out (you fabulous, fabulous people!) I was starting to feel really tired. That was at about 27km I think. The cheering helped enormously, but it was then that I became intimately reacquainted with "The Wall" (enter shock horror music!)

I told myself there would be no walking until 30km and there wasn't but it was a fight. I had been drinking my water bottles of endura the whole way to there, to avoid walking through the drink stations. Perhaps that was a mistake, since in training, I stopped once every 10-20km for water and stretched. It works for me in the half because I don't have to stop at all, but it's twice the distance (d'oh!) and a very different beast, as I am learning.

My wall lasted until about 32km, where the 4:30 pace ground blitzed past me like they were on roller skates. The pacer asked me if I was okay, I grunted yes and off they went. I swear they were doing faster splits. Bugger it! LOL! I watched my 4:30 debut skate off into the distance and decided that I should drink more water. So every drink stop thereafter, I downed two cups of water and strode out. It did teach me the squash the paper cup trick though - so you learn something every day!

My legs and feet were starting to kill me by this point - the continual flat surface made the backs of my knees ache like hell. I actually found myself wishing for hills to try and alter my stride and move my body weight onto different muscles. It is the strangest sensation to want to kick your legs up really high but have nooo energy to do so. Reminded me of weights sessions a bit. I walked and ran a little bit.

At about 33km I started to feel better and resumed my shuffle. Felt slightly heartened to be with so many other people equally as buggered and shuffley. Saw Angie coming down the other side of turn looking good and Suzannah beating Schultzy! Go, girlfriend! Passed Mr and Mrs Lostboy along the way and walked through another drink stop. The kms seemed to be getting longer and looooonnngggeeerrr from there on out and I found myself wondering how one km could possibly be that far.

Giggled to myself as Macey Gray told me I try to say goodbye and I choke, try to walk away and I stumble... even though, on rereading it, it's not as funny as it seemed at the time! Blame dehydration ;) My emotions were all over the place and I found myself on the verge of tears on and off for the rest of the race. It took me by surprise actually - just how much this race cleans out your insides. It's a great big chunk of thinking time, that's for sure and I found myself facing some of the problems in my life and realising that if I could finish this race, I could do anything. More on those resolutions later!

At 39km, as I was starting to flag again, my mother and aunt scared the crap out of me by jumping out of the bushes with a camera! They started cheering and taking photographs of me... My mother has never really understood why I started running or why I love it so much. When I said I was training for the GCM I think she was more concerned I was going to hurt myself in the process than anything else. So, to see her there, jumping up and down and cheering for me and looking so proud of me just meant so much. I started crying again and the realisation dawned that the end was in sight!

The last three kms were definitely the longest as I shuffled my way towards the distant shape of the race precinct on the horizon. As I approached the home strait people started cheering for me left, right and centre. Phil K (uber fast triathlete and runner) from our running club was there yelling for me which was so lovely of him , then I saw the river city runners with Run67, Karisma, Tanky and others - then the sound of hooters and clappers and mayhem approached and I saw the giant CR cheersquad all bouncing around for me.... by this point, I'd passed the tearful stage and just couldn't stop grinning. Jen_Runs jumped onto the road and ran me in towards the finishing chute and everyone started chanting my name!!! Everyone else around started looking at all the noise and probably wondered what on earth was going on! By that point, I was incapable of coherent speech (sorry Jen!) and just grinned and laughed and rode the high.

I ran down the finishing chute which seemed to be a mile long in its own right and Phil (coach) who was commentating, saw me coming and announced me to the crowd with a big round of applause and more cheering. It was like every single emotion it's possible to have, all at once.

Crossed the line and almost fell over when I stopped moving - big case of jelly legs! After a brief sit down and lots of water, I was fine. Wandered out of the enclosure to find the girls all cheering and happy for me. All of them did great times in the half and we compared finishing tshirts and gossiped. It was all I could do to find a patch of grass and fall in a heap. After a while, found I could eat, so had a ham and salad wrap and watched people I knew pass by for gossip. I was really hoping the cheersquad crew would wander by, but I just didn't have the energy to go and find them! Dammit!

Eventually, we decided to head off for a shower, since we all felt disgusting. Me particularly! Tracey was staying another night so we went to her hotel (Gold coast international!) and used their spa and showers. Naughty us! I know you shouldn't get into hot water straight after a race but it felt soooo good I couldn't help it. I felt tons better afterwards anyway.

I was going to come to the after race drinks but I didn't know I was going to feel quite so absolutely buggered... so instead I sent a round of text messages, spoke to the lovely Tess who rang up to see how I was going and then headed home. Crawled into bed for a few hours, got up to eat and take painkillers and then went back. I couldn't believe how much my body hurt - I'm used to post-race pain on moving, but hurting while staying absolutely still was a new one to me!

Thankfully I feel heaps better today and am going to the gym for a gentle stretch and possibly a steam. Am still drinking tons of water, too.

Congratulations to everyone who ran this weekend... was so much fun! Can't wait for next year! Hmmm, next year... 4:15? *L*

Distracting self from freaking out...

Tagged - thanks, Owen! (owwweeeeeennnn!!!! *tesso voice*)

4 jobs I have had: Call centre operator, waitress, nude centrefold (yes, really! in an ironic, political-statement sort of way) debt collector.

4 movies I could watch over and over Mists of Avalon, Monsters Inc, Sixth Sense, Rocky Horror.

4 places I have livedMacclesfield (north UK) Farnham (south UK) Toowong (brisbane) Tarragindi (brisbane)

4 TV shows I love to watch - Big Brother, House, All Saints, Supernatural

4 places I have been on vacation India, Peru, Ecuador, Minorca

4 websites I visit each day coolrunning, livejournal, bloglines, blogspot

4 favorite foods Smoked salmon, mangoes, cashews, chocolate.

4 places I would rather be right now hammock on a tropical beach, asleep, camping in the bush, mt everest base camp trek.... anywhere on holiday basically!

4 favorite bands Currently... Ben Harper, Martha Wainright, Eskimo Jo and that incredibly annoying song by the aussie idol girls. Stuck in my brain!

4 Bloggers I am tagging - Cirque, Aki, Jen, Owl

FREAK OUT!

Last night I had dinner with my mother, who is a nurse. Everyone she works with at the moment has been catching a really highly contagious stomach bug. Tonight she had it in full force, poor thing. She felt awful about catching it and being around me so close to the marathon and everything, even though no one can help these things. I felt awful for telling her so then walking out and freaking out over it!

Of course, I'm absolutely paranoid I'm going to catch it before sunday. I have been disinfecting everything she's come into contact with and washing my hands frequently and all I can do is cross my fingers and think good thoughts.

I absolutely, steadfastly REFUSE to get sick. Again. After sunday, I don't care if I catch bubonic bloody plague. It didn't really strike me until this happened, just how devastated I would be if I couldnt run on the weekend. I almost cried just thinking about it, sook that I am!

Anyway, all of this is entirely irrelevant because as I said, I REFUSE to get sick. Dammit!

easy track, easy run... here I come!

Track last night was a very easy session ;) Enjoyed it ;)

Tonight we had the 'cooks tour' (aka an easy run where everyone runs together) which was heaps of fun - about 25 of us, all sorts of abilities, all running (read, gossiping and running) for a very gentle 50 minutes. Lovely. Feeling better and better, healthier and healthier.

I have realised that as I am wearing my run inn orange, I'm going to have absolutely no coolrunning colours on me! woe! I really should've bought a hat but didn't get round to it in time. Oops! Oh well, no doubt I'll still be able to wave at coolrunners en route!

As tesso suggested, I shall publish my playlist before the weekend... once I decide what to put on it, that is! I'm feeling the urge to raid the iTunes store!

Tomorrow morning, I've got an easy stretch, et voila! Nothing til sunday wooohoooo!

almost there!

I couldn't believe it but I pulled up slightly sore from the 5km on sunday! It's amazing how totally paranoid I've become about every single tiny twinge, ache, pain or sniffle in the last three weeks *L*

Last night I went to the social run out at Sandgate which was nice. The run felt slightly easier - according to Angie's Garmin we did 7.5kms at 6:30 pace, but I'm still having to work harder than normal for it. It seems weird that I ran the entire queensland half a few weeks back at 5:30 pace and it felt sustainable! Meh!

Tonight is an easy track session, wednesday is an easy run, thursday is a stretch session with Tony - et voila, I'm there. I had a brief panic yesterday when I couldn't find my iPod - it's so small it's quite easy to misplace...but all is now well.

Five sleeps to go...

Another sucky 5km

Went to the West End this morning and ran the 5km in 27:03. Really wanted to do the 10km because it was the champs, but was good, took Phil's advice and did the 5km instead. Blaaaahhhhh... was working reaaaaaally hard to do that time, too.

Little voices in the back of my head have started playing mind games with me. Knowing how neurotic I can be, I think it's fair for us to say I'd have those anyway (bug or no bug) but I think I shall just have to do my best not to irritate the shit out of everyone before the weekend.

*positivethoughtspositivethoughtspositivethoughts*

It's all going to be fine. Yes it is. *nods to self*

I'm just impatient to feel full of juice again. It could be worse. At least I can run on the weekend, slow or no.

On the positive side of things, I do believe a certain blogger by the name of Clairie may have won the 10km this morning! Go, Clairie! Wooooooo! I did come third in the 5km, too (no bling though. Woe!)

and another positive - the race pack for the full at the coast is fab. It's a backpack not another drawstring affair. The half has a shopping bag thing!

5km TT 26:53

Did the 5km TT this morning at Shorncliffe. Everyone took off like steam trains and I shuffled along behind. I wasn't last however - it always amazes me when there are amazingly skinny athletic people slower than me. But then, maybe they were injured. Or, maybe they'd been sick too! Who knows! Anyway, just goes to show once more that you can't judge a book by it's cover.

Felt pretty crap during the time trial. I miss my cruisy 30something km lollops. It's surprised me actually. I thought I'd be dying for a good taper (as opposed to dying during it LOL!) but I really started to get into the long, long runs. Which is good really, since if I plan to do the 50km in September, I shall no doubt be continuing with them (post GC recovery of course!)

Mostly today I just felt verrrrrrry tired. My breathing was okay, though still have gunk in my chest. Afterwards I felt like throwing up. Never a good thing but I suspect it's from doing not much for a while. Crossed the line in 26:53 which is not as bad as I was expecting, to be honest. I thought I'd be a few minutes slower than that. I'm looking forward to the next few months of getting into good shape and attacking all my times at the various races around the place. So even if the GC goes badly, it's not the be all and end all (says H, convincing herself)

Phil tells me I have to drink two cups of endura every day til next weekend and tomorrow at the West End, I've been told to run the 5km slowly. Waaa. Monday I can do the social run as well.

Was good to catch up with everyone this morning - and even bumped into the lovely fellow CR blogger Chelle, who was out on a run and stopped to chat. I hope the weather is the same for next weekend. Slightly cold and overcast suits me perfectly!

Feeling better! yay!

HURRAH!

I finally feel better! Antibiotics rock and aside from being uber tired from coughing all night still, I feel so much more human. As someone who rarely, rarely gets ill, I can't believe I've been sick for almost three weeks all up.

But anyway. There is now a light at the end of the tunnel and without wishing to tempt fate, I'm starting to think I shall be fine come next weekend!

On wednesday I went to the Run Inn thinking I might run, but by the time I got there, I felt awful still. Phil took one look at me, told me not to be stupid then gave me a much needed lecture on how he's flogged my butt over the last six months, all the hard work is done and how I'll be fine ;) Definitely needed to hear it!

Instead of running, I stayed around and chatted with everyone before they ran. Got to love the atmosphere close to big events... everyone is so pumped! I'll probably (gingerly) run the 5km time trial tomorrow and see how I go. No big efforts, but just enough to see if I can move more than ten feet at speed without coughing my lungs up.

On thursday, I ventured to Personal Training for a repeat lecture from Tony. I really think Phil and Tony should meet one day - they'd get on famously ;) *grins* Again, the lecture helped reinforce in me that I haven't wrecked six months of hard work and it will be okay. Did a reasonable weights session, although felt really tired and very nauseous afterwards. Hopefully that's a thing of the past from now on!

I have been reading running magazines today and making a conscious attempt at getting myself all enthusiastic and in a positive frame of mind. Thus far it's working!

Thankyou all for your lovely comments... they mean so much to me :) I finish my antibiotics tomorrow - cross your fingers for me!

still sick... (broken record, aren't I?)

Well, the good news is that I don't have bronchitis... yesterday I felt so awful that I caved in and went back to the doctor. What I do have is either a nasty throat infection or a particularly nasty virus. Personally, I think it's the former since I have the most bizarre constant feeling of someone squeezing my throat (pressure? swelling?) and am coughing up nasty, nasty never-before-seen stuff. My voice is still mostly MIA, too.

But enough about that, TMI, I know!

Either way, I'm on another course of antibiotics which (thanks to a double dose - shh!) seem to be starting to have an affect. I almost contemplated dragging my butt to track tonight, but have decided not to tempt fate any more than I already have. Instead, I'm going to try and do ALL of my marking at work so I can stop stressing about it. If I feel better tomorrow, I may run, but not holding out much hope. What I'd really like is three days off work completely in which to sleep hugely, but alas, that isn't going to happen any time soon. Having three different jobs, two of which are casual, negates the desire for unpaid sick leave. *sighs*

Not much I can do but wait this out I guess.... at least it happened this week, not next week... though it's all rather too close for my liking. Am being philosophical currently :)

Fingers crossed

GGGGRRRR!

I'm going back to the doctors tomorrow if I'm not better....
I think I might have mild bronchitis :(

Pass me the antibiotics....

2:00 hours - Easy (?!?!)

Grrr Arrrgghh! I can't believe it! I'm sick AGAIN! The only good thing being that it's not quite as bad as before - this time I can at least do stuff... I'm just incredibly snotty, tired, irritable (whodathunkit?) and best of all (!) have lost my voice. I can grate out an attractive two-octaves-high-than-normal squeak, but that's about it. My students are going to have fun with me tomorrow!

I did my best to ignore the crappiness yesterday when I went out to run two hours easy. There was I thinking, ha! I only have to run 2 hours! and that it would be cruisy, but nope, it was hard. Very bloody hard actually. Sam started off with me but I sent her off ahead after the first 5kms because I knew I had to slow down or I wouldn't make it. Had a couple of stops and stretches, but ran somewhere near to 20kms (to the bowls club by new farm park and back)

7km track + 16km hills + PT = tired!

Hmmmnnn..

I was sooo unbelievably sore on monday from the 32km of killer hills that I almost couldn’t walk! For those of you who are curious to know where we went, I’m going to try and get a copy of the route from Angie, who was wearing a NavMan Garminesque thingo and shall post it here. I went to the gym and tried to do my 5km slow recovery run and after about 30 seconds on the treadmill decided it was a bad idea. Instead I stretched and came home. I’m a little bit paranoid about breaking myself before the big one! LOL!

Track session on tuesday. Less sore, but still hurting. One of the gals was wearing a garmin and interestingly, it showed that we run a lot further at track than I thought – I thought we were doing possibly 4 or 5km but tonight we did almost 7km and that was an easy session. The session I missed last week was closer to 10km.

The interest in blogging continues to mount at the Run Inn and I am compiling a bit of a list of blogs to put in the newsletter – so you might all be getting emails from me asking if you mind! I have also finally managed to start using bloglines properly (had to chance browsers to get it working) and am loving it! Saves so much time seeing who has updated!

Wednesday (last night) was medium long run. 16km hills, hard!!! Still feeling the effects of sunday I think. Came home strong though, running with the lovely Sam. I think she wss doing it easy, but it was funky to be able to keep up with her for once!

This morning I did PT ...

Meh. Onwards and upwards! Back to your regular viewing!