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!
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
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...
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...
Saturday, August 12, 2006
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.
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.
Friday, August 11, 2006
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!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
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!
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!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
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!
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!
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
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!
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!
Sunday, August 06, 2006
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.
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.
Friday, August 04, 2006
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)!
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)!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
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!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
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!
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!
Thursday, July 27, 2006
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)
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)
Sunday, July 23, 2006
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....
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....
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
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.
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.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
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 :)
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 :)
Sunday, July 09, 2006
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 :)
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 :)
Saturday, July 08, 2006
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!
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!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
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?
Monday, July 03, 2006
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*
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*
Thursday, June 29, 2006
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
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
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