Cripes, where'd I pull that from!?!?!?

Today's training plan was a 3km Time Trial. Actually it was yesterday's plan, but, well... let's not go there. This morning I did RPM and caned it, but still had to do the time trial... that's what I love about having someone to check in to! I couldn't wuss out of it!

As I mentioned before, I've had a very disrupted 4 weeks with training and have conveniently opted out of the speed sessions in favour of the slower ones, when I've needed rest, so my speed hasn't been put to the test too much lately.

Based on that, coach said a strong run would be either side of 14mins. Last time trial earlier in the year I did in 14.06. His other instructions: DO NOT run the first km any faster than 4:40.

OOPS...

Seems I have a wee problem pacing myself.

I was against the wind and it hurt from the word go. My legs were so heavy (RPM certainly would have contributed to that!), I was so sure the first km would be at least 5mins .
I looked at my watch... 4:14. WTF?!?!? How'd that happen??

Righto, keep it strong, no need to go faster, just hold the pace or back off slightly as to not throw up. Passed the 2km mark in 8:52, so as expected, slowed down a bit.

In the back of my mind my 2005 PB of 13.46 was sitting there, wanting to rear it's ugly head, but odds were against me doing a newie today...

Last km was a lap of the park. A loop that seems to never end. Unfortunately there were a few people around, I'm sure they would have heard my breathing and talking to myself from 100m away. "COME ON".

I nearly passed out as I went over the finish line at the 3km mark... HOLY CRAPOLA, 13.20. After I crippled over, I had to double, and triple check the clock. Yep, I did it. I couldn't breathe, but I had done it! AND I wasn't in a real race, where there were people to catch-up to!

I was in quite a lot of pain and wondered why the HELL do I do this. And considered 'retiring' from all forms of running right there and then. But after about 2mins rest, the pain was gone and I jogged, very slowly, for another 25mins.

Runs like that prove that the PLEASURE of doing a PB and running strong, way outweigh the PAIN of the race -a few hours later that is :P

And MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! YIPEE!!!

Now, better let coach know... Hope I'm not in tooo much trouble for being bad and going against his wishes by going out way too fast ;P

The Bottomless Pit

That is my stomache! I'm so hungry, and it's just annoying!!!!!! I seem to never stop eating. Super duper metabolism, or something like that ;)

Must reign it in though, I've been a little carefree the past week, and it's showing on the evil scales, but more so in just how I'm feeling. Time to tighten it up, or that's what my pants are going to be doing. I'm feeling sluggish too, tired, all the time.

Or maybe that's just from all the running I was a little unprepared for on the weekend.

Only 5 more sleeps till the half marathon! ;)

Oh and on my last post - just wanted to clarify that OH's dad was in no way referring to me being 'over' weight in any way. Mackay gal, Olympian Benita Johnson had been featured in the newspaper in preparation for the marathon, and she appears really skinny - which is the only way to describe the pic - than when running the 10,000m. He was referring to the fact that I will never have that lean, middle-distance runners body, coz i'm just not that build :P

One Comment You Should NEVER Say...

...to someone like me.

"You'll never run a marathon, you're just not the right build"

That's what my OHs father said to me at the dinner table. My wonderful boy retorted with

"She will be able to run a marathon, just not fast".

Did he just make the situation worse? I'm not sure, my brain hadn't processed past the first comment yet.

!#$%^?&*(!#$%^?&*!#$%^!#$%^?&

Quite a few different thoughts swirled in my head in those few microseconds...

"Gee thanks for your support"

"What's he trying to say, I'm pudgy"

"I never said I was going to run a marathon"

"BUT DID YOU KNOW I JUST RAN 28kms A FEW WEEKS AGO... on a HILLY course... which is likened to the same difficulty as a marathon..."

"You bastard"

Unfortunately for him, I have a very very good memory and a few years back in the first few months of meeting him, he said a similar thing. Not that he'd remember it, but there's no way I've ever forgotten it...

"You just don't have the build for running. Runners are like this" *sticks little finger up*

(I almost stuck my middle finger up).

1. I've always been the first person to say I'm not a 'natural' runner. Built for comfort, not speed ;) I have muscles and I like my muscles. In fact Sue said to me in Brisbane "You have very muscley legs for a runner", (that stroked the ego!!! ;) ), and I always have and I'm proud of them. It's taken me a while to accept, but they are STRONG!

2. I've never going to be a fast runner, or break any speed records! But I don't do it for that reason... I DO IT COZ I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!

We get along great, and he's not trying to be rude or upset me.... it's just how he is. He's very lucky I'm in a lot more stable frame of mind than a few years back and can brush it off...

So now... First goal for 2009.... MARATHON!!! *EVIL GIGGLE*

(For some stupid reason blogger is being a sh!t and not allowing spaces between paragraphs...GRR)

The Countdown Begins...

6 more sleeps until my half marathon!!

The local one here that is :) My goal is to beat my time from last year. I should, based on previous runs, but who knows on the day! This will be only my second one - although I have covered this distance many times in training, but I love the adrenalin in the 'races'. My training has been quite errr... crappy lately. I won't even mention the foot - which WAS good until I wore little heels last weekend - but being away threw me out of routine and along with that goes the mojo...
The 18kms on Saturday morning killed me, I had a nana nap about lunch time. Backed it up with 10.9kms Sunday afternoon (and yes, the .9kms is very important!). I wasn't sure of the course we were to run, but my new shoes were all dry and ready to be run in, so I threw them on, only to get there and find we were running 5kms of it on the bloody beach. So again, they were soaked and filled with sand. Repeated cleaning process last night. I was buggered during the run, I came in second last - not that I care. My legs wouldn't co-operate and I didn't want to push it and be fatigued all this week.

I finally registered and paid for the Gold Coast half! Yay - 5 weeks and 6 days to go as coach kindly told me today!!

I'm looking forward to having a break from the longer training after the GC half, although it's been a part of my training since November last year. I think my body will like the break, and it gives my foot a chance to properly heal, along with all my other niggles that I'm need even bothering mentioning as they change weekly! I won't know myself though without a BIG goal. The fun (ie bloody tough) runs are later in the calendar... 3kms and 1.6kms, which as much as they kill me are more my 'thing'. Hoping to smash some more PBs :)

I'm tired of talking about running, so best do some real work!! ;)

How To Christen Brand New Running Shoes...

Prepare to do about an hour run.

Put NEW shoes on while still half asleep and without seeing the outside conditions.

Start running in the dark.

Oops it's raining lightly, but should pass.

Onto beach - OK, this wasn't in the plan for the Breaking in of New Shoes

And what better way to test their stability than to do some rock climbing, on wet slippery rocks.

Realise this is going to be a looong run, forget the one hour.

Now it's really pouring down, shoes are holding water and feeling 2kgs each.

Now we can't even see, shoes are squeaking and slooshing about - won't even mention that our clothes have become wetsuits... (now there is a reason I don't do triathlons)

On the home straight, the pathway has become a fast-flowing river ankle deep. No point salvaging the shoes now.

Finally arrive back at shelter 18kms later, take shoes off, pour out excess water.

Stuff with newspaper and put in warm spot. Except there's still no sun.

Admire the newly acquired blisters on feet.

At least I did learn today that you shouldn't dry running shoes infront of a heater... apparently the stuffing with newspaper is the trick. Let's hope the shoes don't get out of shape or lose their bounce they started with before becoming waterlogged...

And more pics!

Me & Lindy Olsen at Southbank
At dinner on Sunday night
Sue & I at dinner
The figure novice tall line-up

Whirlwind Weekend!

Lyndsay back stage.
Show us your abs!
Shelley & Lyndsay
Carolyn
Mwa, Sue and Carolyn. Love the distance, couldn't get any of that yukky brown stuff on us ;)

It started nice and early on Friday morning when Lyndsay and Steve collected me from the airport. It was great to see Lyndsday in person again - it's been about 2 and a half years!! I got to meet their Little Boy, he is just adorable!! He couldn't stop staring at the strange girl beside him in the car who was trying to make conversation with him :) Very cute! Lyndsay & Steve had to register for the comp, and Shelley was there so I got to meet her and have a chat :)

They dropped me at Intraining Run Centre where I got my new shoes! Yay! I'm now an Adidas girl - will see if my feet agree :) Went back to the city and did some browsing then went back to the hotel and met Carolyn and Heidi for the first time, and caught up with Sue. We sat round chatting for a bit - and making Carolyn practise her poses, before Sue and I went for a bite to eat.

Went for an hour run on Saturday morning along the path at Southbank. It was a gorgeous day, and soooo many runners and cyclists out. Perfect start to the day.

The comp - walked in and straight away saw heaps of people I knew. Although it did take me longer than it should have to register Hils and Alicia... and I've met them both in 'real life' before! I think I was just excited to be there and my brain couldn't register quick enough ;) Andj come along and by now the brain was working. Liz hobbled over next and it was really great to speak to everyone in person :) I went backstage to see how Lyndsday was doing - and she was just fine! No nerves, nice and calm, she was keen to get on there and let the 'inner goddess shine!' I felt quite important having the backstage pass around my neck most of the day ;) Comp was great - all the girls looked fab :) We celebrated with dinner on Saturday nite and it was good to chat to everyone a bit more.

Sunday we had an IBO photo shoot at Southbank. Nice windy and cool weather. Dallas & his 'helper' Lindy took some great shots. Was nice to see Lindy again and hear of her experiences. Next was a late lunch, some more shopping, and out to dinner at an Asian restaurant for Carolyn, Heidi, Zita, Sue and myself. Food was great, wine was better!! I certainly learnt a lot, and I know what I like now!! ;)

Monday I had a half day before I had to fly home. Met Carolyn & Heidi for breakfast, then said buh-bye to Sue & Zita and did more shopping before going home. Had a killer of a headace develop mid-morning, definitely wine-induced me thinks, but it was worth-it!!!

Thanks Kristy!

Kristy just left me a message to say she spotted me in the June-July edition of Run 4 Your Life Magazine. I didn't even know about it, so of course ran to buy it ;) It's only a race report, but hey, I'm still in a magazine! And the pics are in colour of course, unlike the newspaper, so you can see just how red I am - matches my shirt! Page 79, I will do autographs ;) Hee hee.
But, YAY!! Now my clients will think I'm reeeaaalllly good ;)

I had SOOOO much fun!

Just a quickie... I'm back. I'm exhausted but I had the bestestest time :)

On comp day, I met sooo many people, learnt heaps of stuff about competing, saw lotsa hot bodies, saw some boys bums backstage, learnt about dream tan, didn't even recognise Lyndsay she was so black. The girls - Carolyn, Shelley, Michelle and Lyndsay - and the one boy I knew, Mr Lyndsay, all looked fantastic. Again a huge congratulations to you all!!

I was also taught by the experts all about wine - they know who they are ;) - ate lots of yummy food, woke up with what must have been a wine headache today, so solved that by spending more money at LJ - more because I'd already spent up there yesterday...

I've got a kazillion photos to sort through, an overloaded suitcase to unpack, and a big day at work tomorrow to prepare for - playing catch-up, so I'll be back at a later date with pics and details!! ;)

I'm Outtie...

I managed to fit in a whole heap of stuff in this busy short week (for me).
*3 x weight sessions
*2 x 50min runs
*1 x RPM
*1 x 30min-ish interrupted walk (don't ya hate it when you see ppl you know and you really have to stop and chat).

I've been to 2 seminars, got to schoomze with Justin Herald yesterday, bought a new suitcase today and made an impulse purchase on a new handbag. ...And I haven't even hit the Brisvegas stores yet.

I've packed, been waxed, spray tanned, printed itineraries and directions to here there and everywhere (bet I still get lost at least once though!!).

And I've also worked!!! :)

Now to spend some last minutes with "what am I gonna do all weekend" OH!

So looking forward to seeing my gal Lyndsay, and Carolyn on stage!! They are gonna ROCK!!! Can't wait to meet lotsa ppl and catch up with others again :)

So see some of you soon, and everyone else enjoy your weekend!!

Just What the Doctor Ordered

I'm feeling a little bit cheerier now. At last. I had more annoyances occur at work - I think the Law of Attraction is working in this case, so I need to turn it into POSITIVE things to attract! ;)

I did get my run in. A nice easy 50mins. After what I've been doing lately, I felt lazy stopping at that! ;) It was just great when 20mins in, it started raining. Ahhhh two of my favourite things. Running and Rain. At the time, the song "Running" by Evermore was playing on my i-pod... I'm sure I had a goofy peaceful smil on my face, it was just like a scene from a really bad movie...

Little Miss Cranky Pants

I'm in a mood today. I hate the feeling of being so overwhelmed by everything, I nearly cried today when a client asked me how I was. I don't know why I've got that horrible feeling, I just want it to go away. I dealt with all that crap years ago. I do have a major big week, not so with appointments, just with stuff. A seminar today, another half-a-day one tomorrow - I think that's what's thrown me out of whack. I'm also still annoyed at the no-shows - GAH!! Get over it already!!!!!!!

With my schedule this week it's going to be a struggle to fit runs and weights around everything. When I'm free, the studio's not. Even if I'm running at midnight, I will fit it in.

I'm not going to be feeling like a fumpy toad on the weekend thank you.

Or maybe it's not that bad afterall - it's just because it's that time................

*YAWN*

Man I'm tired, and its just hit me now, bad. I only got about 6 interrupted hours on Saturday nite, I always toss and turn when I have to be up early for a big run. Not the ideal prep. Last night I thought I'd crash but had trouble dropping off. Last time I looked at the clock was about 10.15pm, and then suddenly it was 4.08am... then I was up not long later.

I've had a crappy day at work with no shows and cancellations. Where's the committment peeps!?! It's been raining today so I'm sure people thinks that means they can't train. ;) That and the change in the weather has been knocking people down with bugs. Yet another one now so what better way to make the most of the time than blog. My brain's not capable of much else I'm afraid! I'm won't get home till after 8pm tonite then will be back here for a 5.30am start again tomorrow. No chance of playing sleep catch-up tonite :( Rest of the week will be the same, but gotta suck it up and hang tough till Friday and I'm on that plane. I'll get on there and just crash. (to sleep, not the plane...)!

Sweet dreams all............. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I've Survived to Tell the Tale

First of all Happy Mother's Day to all the mums out there :) I'm certainly not one, but did enjoy having lunch and spoiling my wonderful mother.

I was up at 4.45am for my 28km race. Conditions were overcast which was perfect as I was going to be on the road for a loooong time. Start time was supposed to be 6.30am but we didn't actually get away till about 6.50am... which means there was more sun.

Me and the two ladies I run with took it niiiice and slooow. Our goal was just to finish it as 2 of us had never run that far before. Felt great through the 5km, 10km, 15km waterstops, and I actually got a second wind on the way to the 20kms. Had my GU gels at 10kms & 20kms and psychological or not, they worked a charm ;)

Pushed it to 25kms which surprisingly came sooner that I expected then I put on the accelerator for the last 3kms, overtaking someone (which at that stage of the race, I did feel a bit bad for... but my legs couldn't stop! ;) ), and came in in the grand time of 2hours, 38mins and 27 seconds.

I was goalling for under 3hours, so I'm more than happy with that time! The other two made it in just under the 2:40 goal as well. Yipee for the girls! I felt awesome after it, and I still do. Like I still have a bit more in the tank? But not stoopid enough to test that theory ;)

Running is very psychological for me... having never run past 23kms, I had to set my mind that I could do it, and that I would do it comfortably. Last year I only planned to do 20kms of it, and I was a mess at 20kms, and you wouldn't have gotten another metre out of me.

I've been psyching myself up for weeks for this, and all the way kept going with my mantra "I'm feeling good, I'm feeling good". It worked :) Never once did we contemplate walking 'just for a little bit'.

I'm stoked. The experienced runners say if you can do this run, you could do a marathon. The course is very hilly, I lost track of how many hills we actually had to conquer. So that stirs the brain into thinking a little bit... OH did say to me "You can do the marathon on the GC now". (this though, coming from a NON-runner...). Next year I think will be my goal for the big one!

I'm off, the wonderful OH has prepared lunch, and I'm STAAAARVING!! And so he should, he slept in till all hours!! ;)

What's Been Happening??

Had to fit a 5 day working week into 4 days! That's always fun :) I was back in the training groove on Monday, after the indulgences of the weekend. Did legs as hard as I could, which unfortuntately (and for ONCE!), didn't produce much DOMS. Did an RPM session somewhere in there along with 2 runs, a walk and a step DVD from Liz. Today was a noice sleep-in, and after stirring about 4.15am - normal time - I somehow managed to snooze till 8am! It's overcast, yay! It's a rest day because......

Tomorrow is going to be the run of death. I'm attempting 28kms. Just the thought makes me shudder... It can be done relay-style, individuals, or just-run-as-far-as-you-want. Last year I pulled out at 20kms as that was my longest training run prior to my first half marathon. Now that 2 hour runs are a bit more common, I'm sure I could force another 8kms out of my legs... surely! Foot has been going OK (thanks Amy!), and I'll strap it good tonite and cross my fingers. If it hurts, I'm done. And walking is definitely not beneath me! I'm not planning on aggravating any injuries with my stubborn-ness because.........

It's official, I've booked my flights to the GC. I'm gonna do the half down there!! YAY!!!

But before I get too far ahead, I'm looking forward to this weekend coming in Brisbane! Sooo looking forward to getting away and catching up with heaps of people. I'm going into Intraining - which Andj suggested so I can be properly assessed for shoes which are best for my foot. They do a very comprehensive analysis which I'm quite impressed with, so I don't mind spending lots of money in there!

Here she is...

Don't mess with me

So that was me on Saturday nite. I quite like my homemade job of a costume! Now, I just need another party that I can wear it too! LoL I love dress-up parties!!!

Thank God for Public Holidays

I had an awesome nite last nite. We all did. Along with Wonderwoman, Bat Girl, Super Girl, Buffy, Dracula and Jack Sparrow were some of the big names that attended. I've been good for nothing all day, and still in recovery mode now. I forgot how terrible I feel the next day after a big nite. Sad thing is, I think I only had 6 drinks. My tolerance levels are heaps lower, but that's definitely a good thing.

I'll post pics tomorrow when I have my camera on me. We're about to go to the movies, the late session... just because tomorrow's a pub hol! I'm soo needing another day to bounce back ;)

A Trip to the Hairdresser

As much as I hate wasting precious hours sitting in the chair, it was long overdue. December last year, she tells me today. I didn't realise it was that long. I went darker and got a few blonde foils randomly throughout, unobvious ones so that regrowth is hidden. I love these guys they know my lifestyle and know I'm a low maintenance chick - tie it back at off I go to work. I certainly don't want to be fluffing around with hair at 4.30-4.45am each morning, only to wash it every time I sweat, which is usually daily! Call me lazy, but I'd prefer the sleep-in time ;) So here's the before and afters...

Ok.. so you can tell its darker but can't quite see the foils. We've also puffed it up a bit, made the most of my minimal wave - its actually quite curly but the photo doesn't show it too well. Coz Wonderwoman has big hair!!!

Speaking of which, I think I'm due to save the world....

I've bin bizeeeee

Crazy week! All good though, I'm still alive.

Training has consisted of
Monday: legs
Tuesday: RPM
Wednesday: RPM
Thursday: RPM and upper body weights

Why have I become an RPM nerd? - I am really resting my foot from running. I have get it better properly or it's never gonna happen.

I've got a 21st this weekend - my friend and trainer who used to work for me has come back to town to party. Superheroes theme - it's going to be heaps of fun. I've got a costume I made a few years ago for a 30th with the same theme. I've been hanging to wear it again, and finally now I can! LoL Watch out world - Wonderwoman is hitting the town :) So I've got a few bits and bobs to finish off with the costume tonite and tomorrow nite, luckily it still fits me good.

Enjoy the rest of the week!

“The Man In The Glass”

When you get what you want in this struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Then go to your mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t you father; your mother, or wife,
Whose judgment of you – you must pass,
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life,
Is the guy staring back in the glass.

He is the man you must please – never mind all the rest,
For he’s clear with you up to the end.
And you have passed your most difficult and dangerous test,
When the man in the glass is your friend.

You can be like another and chisel a plum,
And think you’re a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum,
If you can’t look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world, down the pathway of years,
And get pats on your back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

Dale Winbrow

Stuff...

Couldn't really think of a better title than that. That's all this is going to be... just stuff :)

Yesterday morning I spent at my best friends house, as it was my goddaughters 4th birthday a few weeks ago. I couldn't attend the the party at a kid's play centre, so caught up with her this weekend to give her her pressies. Not that she minded getting them late, it was just like a second birthday all over again! One of her presents was a Princess Game pack with seven different games, so guess what I spent all morning doing!!!! After the games were over it was time to hassle dad to get into their 1mx1m play tent...

She really really wanted Seenie to get in to, but I didn't like my chances...

It was fun to be a big kid again though :)

After my big 2 drinks last nite I had a shocking sleep. Probably more to do with the caffeine in the coke zero than the actual alcohol. But that'll teach me! I got up this morning and had nothing much to do (OH had to clean the boat from the 2 nite trip), so I wandered over to the sports stores. Of course I couldn't walk away buying nothing. I'm so bad at that.
Here's my purchases... and I'm goofing around with my bronze medal from yesterday, and my March monthly medal (that's what it's called - which, funnily enough is a trophy).

Bronze Medal

This afternoon was a 6km Cross Country Run. It's actually an Athletics North Queensland event - so was officially the North Queensland Championships. I don't think it's advertised very well however, the majority of competitors were in the kids section (and man, there are some fast kids!). It was a killer run in sand dunes - fighting weeds and creepy crawly things that were easy to trip over. My legs were feeling fine, with no muscle soreness after yesterday (thanks again to my skins!!!) that was, until I actually had to run! I felt like my shoes were full of concrete. Foot went great, gave it only a small amount of strapping, but the soft surface certainly helped. I gave it everything I had in the tank, and came away with the bronze medal :) PLUS I won $25 in the random drawer prizes. Yeehaaa! I really like the sound of "I got bronze in the North Queensland Championships!!!" (however I will not add that there were only 4 competitors in my age group... shhh. LOL!!)

Because now I don't have to run Sunday, which is the norm, I'm letting myself have a total rest day, it's been well over a week since I've done no form of physical activity. OH got home from a 2 day fishing trip tonite, and I was keen to go out and DO something, but he's too buggered. So I'm being a rebel and I've had 2 drinks. whoooeeee. So on that note, I'm feeling a little sleepy...

Almost Famous

Check out the May/June edition of Runner's World mag! "On The Road" Section features none other than my home town!!! The club mentioned is the one I am a member of, the pics are where I run and the runners in the pic are my training partners! How exciting!!! I had to work the morning the pics were taken, or else my mug may have been in there too!!!
Maybe some of the runs mentioned there may tempt you as well Kristy!! ;)
Check it out. Page 84 :)

LEST WE FORGET

Here's my sister and I (on right) with our Grandpa in 1990 after marching on Anzac Day. Grandpa was a WWII veteran, and every year he and his mate from the war, Louie, marched together. Grandpa had a second set of medals that either me and my sister wore in the march. We took it in turns as we always fought over them :) We were so proud to show them off. Grandpa died in 1994, and took to the grave many untold war stories. My mum said he never spoke about it. All we ever knew was he witnessed one of his best mates being killed by a Japanese sniper by a hand grenade whom they didn't see above them in a tree. We could all understand why he never spoke of it. A few years later Louie passed on as well.
I went to the Anzac March today, as a sign of respect for Grandpa and all the Servicemen that were sent to war. It was really special seeing the old men from various conflicts marching along - all of them so proud. May the ones who didn't return, continue to Rest In Peace.

Naughty Girl

I went for a run this morning, a looooong run. How could I not, I didn't have to go to work!!! I really needed to see how my foot would pull up after a longer run again. It doesn't hurt on a normal day, or at work or RPM or anything else for that matter. And I still have to train. BUT I did a deal with myself, if it hurt, I listen to my body, not be a superhero, and STOP!

I did some fancy strapping work to see if it would help...
Check it out ;) (scuse my old chipped toe polish!)
And this is the bottom. Looks like a full cast eh!
But, it did good! Bit of "hello, I'm still gonna hurt even though you strapped me" niggles about 3kms in, and then slightly on and off throughout. Towards the end was gonna be the challenge. By then my feet were simply numb, so it didn't matter ;) I was out there 2 hours, and I can still walk on it. Yeha! Kept the strapping on for 4 hours after it to keep it compressed, then dunked it in ice and for now, it's doing good :) *fingers crossed*

If I have to resort to strapping it just to get through the next few weeks before I can rest more, I'm OK with that. Must remember to purchase more tape...

Hoping...

I really really really would love to get to the Gold Coast in July for the half marathon. I've never been to a big running festival and the GC has the rep for being one of the best in Australia. I couldn't imagine anything more exciting than having people line the streets cheering you on as you run past, or crawl. Cost was a factor, considering I'm going to Brisbane in only 3 weeks, then this would be 6 weeks after. But I did some sleuthing and realised that my business could sponsor me to run there! HA! How easy - just wear something with my logo on so it's legitimate, get some happy snaps, and do some mingling with other fitness people, all as a tax deduction. After all I'm there to 'learn' ;) (If any accountants or ATO officials happen to stumble across this, please don't correct me if I'm wrong, I'm happy with my theory!! )

So now the only issue is THE injury...
Coming up is May 11th - 28kms and then June 1st - local half. That's a lot of stress on the bod with only a few weeks recovery between. I still have this silly foot concern. I did as the boss said and rested for a few days, have been icing and putting as much goo and gunk on it as I can. I can feel it just a bit only when I run, but nothing like after the 23kms a few weeks ago. So me thinks it's just the prolonged impact that makes it scream. After the 23kms I thought it was a stress fracture, but I think I would be in a lot more pain during and after running and unable to run at all if that was the case. Maybe it is just a strain from my high heels, as my masseuse originally thought. I'm going to get Amy's opinion... as she's a podiatrist maybe she can give me some advice. I know, I know, I should just see a doctor. But they'll only tell me to rest and ice it... which I'm doing already! However, I'm not that silly, if symptoms persist....

My Poor Legs

My Poor, STRONG, legs. They've had a big week, but they're tough enough to handle the pressure ;).
Monday was leg weight training, which is always torture.
Tuesday afternoon I went to the beach for some soft sand runs in the sand dunes. Well that was stupid. As if sand dune runs aren't hard enough without DOMS coming out to play as well!
This morning was what is now going to be a weekly RPM caning, then this afternoon I did a steady, lots of emphasis on the steady part, 40min run. Or jog. It all hurts.
I've been trying to sleep in my skins after the big sessions to speed up the recovery. They do their job very well with the compression side of things... they compress everyting so much, I'm running to the loo all nite!

Fancy...

The Runners World website has a calculator with some fancy formula to predict finish times for certain races. So of course I had to have a play. Based on a 10 kilometers race at 00:47:52, my projected finish times for the following distances should be: (but remember that 10km on the weekend was a gut-busting, near death experience...)

the mile(1.6k) 6:54
3000m(3k) 13:22
5000m(5k) 22:58
a half marathon 1:45:36
a marathon 3:40:10

Interesting.... It's a dream to run a half in that time (my goal in June is sub 1.55!), but PHWOA look at my marathon time! Gee I'm good ;) LOL! Our local magic mile and the 3km run is towards the end of the year - so now I have a goal, it will be interesting to see how the predictions go!

Up, Up and Away!

Flights - check!
Accommodation - check!
It's all happening now... I'm off to Brisbane in three and a bit weeks (and so not counting), to see my gorgeous friend from years ago, Lyndsay strut her hot stuff on stage in her first comp! The moment she told me she was doing it, I said I'd be there :) It's all very exciting as Carolyn, IBO buddy is also in her first comp, so that's all the more reason to get pumped up!! Andj and I have pencilled in a run date of 15kms so it will be fun running in a different environment. I'm staying with Sue and another IBO gal, and catching up with heaps of other wonderful women, and I just can't wait. Sunday is a photo shoot, so that'll more fun fun fun too!
EEEEeeeeeeeeee I love little holidays!!

The 10km Race Results are in....

+ a nice little surprise!

Before the run we get our directions and any notices etc etc etc. The monthly medal is also awarded. And I WON IT FOR MARCH!!!! It's for who gets the most points in races for the month, based on the handicap format. Only the 'fast' and 'good' runners usually get it, but I GOT IT!!! I totally didn't expect it so I was SOOO happy.

The race begun. I didn't quite feel I was in a good rhythm, until the 5km mark, it all just felt right, and the clock said I was doing pretty alright too! I sprinted over the finish line to clock in

47mins 52 secs

I was over the moon (again!!). Coach said to aim for either side of 49mins after last weeks efforts - and I knew I could do that. But to go sub 48mins is just AWESOME!!! NEW PB FOR ME!!! By about 2 and a quarter minutes. I am just so unbelievably happy at how I'm running this year. The good thing is, I can only get better as I've only been training with him for 5 months!!! After 3 years of doing so-so, why did I wait so damn long!! Foot's a bit sore, but.. whatever :P

I'm a happy chappy!!!!!!!! Next stop is... oh crap, 28kms in May. Yes, well, we'll see if I even get to the finish line in that one :)

Nerves

I've been doing 'normal' stuff all day and feeling normal. Till I read Andj's blog (Congrats again girl!!), and the nerves have started to flutter in the belly and the self-questioning has begun. Have I eaten well enough to fuel me? Have I drank enough water? Have I had too much water? (I suffer badly from stitches that make me stop and walk in races... WALK, I NEVER walk, but these are crippling). Did my week off running to rest my foot stuff up my chance of getting a PB today? Will my foot be OK today? ARGH! I drive myself crazy before a Championship race like today's is. Thank god there's only one per month, I would drive myself bonkers.

I intend to come back later and post my results, by then I'll know my answers to those questions. So on that note, I'm off to the toilet... again.

Lost for Words

Now that's not like me, usually you can't shut me up! It has been a few days since my last post, and I have made an effort, only to get to this point and *blank*. And thanks to Kek's nasty poke I will report in on the RPM class. I didn't die (so that's not why I haven't posted since!!). It was acutually a lot easier than I remember, sooo that means up goes the resistance next time slack-arse! And I have booked in for the same class next week. Unfortunately only one of the 8 classes suit my work schedule. How inconsiderate! I was feeling all hyped up after it (was a morning class), so that afternoon I tested my footsie for a walk on the beach. I was dying to break out into a run, but held back. I didn't realise just how fast I could powerwalk. I'm sure the other walkers thought I was trying to get to Brisbane for tea...

And so right now is Filex and Fitness Expo. All yesterday I was doing the "awww right now Kek and I would be wagging the opening address in favour of Starbucks coffee and a catch-up", "damn, now is when we'd be jumping round on BOSU's with hot guys as our instructors", "and now is when we'd have bought one of every style, in every colour and the LJ stand" and "about now is when we'd be feeling all bloaty and er gassy from too many protein samples!" Maybe that last one I don't miss! ;) But, following Kek's lead, I might just head off to Lorna Jane today and just have a look ;) Because I've saved sooo much money not going - Convention, flights, accommodation, food, etc - I think that justifies spending some $$$ here ;)

Scared?

I've booked in tomorrow to go to an RPM class. The first one in about a year. I loved them, but could never fit them around work and running and weights. Now that my footsie is sore (some research last nite has me a little worried.. but I'm not going to say out loud what I think it is, coz it might come true ;) ), I'm resting from running today and will cane myself in RPM tomorrow. I remember my first ever RPM class, I was dizzy and pale and felt like death warmed up for the rest of the day. I know I'm a lot fitter now, but we shall see. The instructor is also a fantastic runner. She did the 17kms 2 mins faster than me on Sunday, so I'm very excited to have her kicking our butts on the bikes! That's motivation for me :)

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I had a great chuckle on Kek's blog with the shirts she found online! Wonder what looks I'd get wearing a shirt saying that... www.i will not bonk.com LOL!!

Now I'm off to check out the cupboard for ingredients for the NOT evil sticky date muffins. How divine do they sound!!

Feedback!

This is what my coach had to say after yesterday...

"Congrats on doing so well. You have certainly come a long way in such a short period. Keep in tune with your body though and address any niggles in the early stages. When things are going so well it can be easy to get carried away and believe you are indestructible." (But I am, aren't I?!) ;) But, YAY!! Go me ;)

He's right on the mark though with the injury issues - I must be sending subliminal messages as, I haven't mentioned it to him or anyone as it hasn't been much of a deal... but my bloody foot is not behaving. Ever since THAT incident when I wore heels out for a nite for my birthday (see previous post in March... I wish I knew how to link back to it... anyone?!?), my poor lil foot hasn't recovered. I haven't been going overboard with it, as it does start to ache on the long runs, but yesterday was just too much for the poor lil thing to handle. I've been icing and elevating when I can. ie - not much with work. *Fingers crossed* it gets better soon.

Oh and Kek - it was purple all the way for me!! :)

Getting Skinned

After my efforts yesterday (and no, I didn't get a nana nap), I thought I deserved to get something worth a lot of money that I usually just wouldn't go and buy - some SKINS!

I got the capri style. I felt like scuba steve in the long ones, plus, being vertically challenged, there was a lot of excess SKIN. ;) LoL! It did take me a half hour to decide what colour. It's a big choice you know, aqua blue stitching or purple stitching!

I Bonked!!!!

(please read previous post before you make assumptions!!!)
I had a muscle-glycogen bonk. (Don't I sound smart!) I was looking for the little purple men but luckily they didn't come today. ;) This morning was our road runners 17km run. It was a handicap start, but one of my training partners left about 20seconds after me, so by about 3kms we were together and pushed each other the whole way. We were flying too! (by our standards). I passed the 10km mark in 49mins, 17secs, which smashes my best ever 10km time (see right). And we were pacing for a 17km run, so I've got high hopes for the 10km Club Championship race next weekend. (ok getting off track here). We held together sub 5min kms till the 12km mark. I guess I had a mini bonk at about 13kms, and thanks to the course director, the last 5kms had a few hills to conquer. Just what you want at that point of the race! I held it together to cross the finish line in.........

1hr 27mins and 25 secs

which is faster than my 16km best time, and only 1 and 1/2minutes off my best 15km time!! I love my training program and my coach, have I ever mentioned that! I love peaking and feeling good and strong!!! I still feel like death when I'm done, need to throw up, but that's all the fun of it. ;)

So once we were in, we had a 5-7min oxygen break, GU gel and drink, and we took off again - of our own accord. How stupid. We planned to do a 2hour run today so were happy to keep running until we hit that time. If we were smart, we would have run the 17kms slooower. Anyway, we took of at snail's pace and this is when I totally bonked. Legs and brain did NOT want to co-operate. But still, we went 3kms down the road and turned back. So throw another 6kms onto the total and today I did my furtherest ever mileage in one go. 23kms. Total running time was 2hours, 6mins and something seconds. Needless to say my feet are SORE and I can only move in slow motion. Burnt some serious calories according to HRM - 948 (being anal-ly exact).

I think I've earnt myself a nap this afternoon, if I get all my jobs done... so on that note... :)

HOW TO MAKE A TRAINER CRANKY
In just 8 easy steps.

1. Write your name down as interested in a Complimentary Trial Session
2. Book in a time 2 weeks in advance, on a Saturday, requesting a female trainer, for a mother and daughter.
3. Female trainer is happy to work the Saturday as has enough notice to re-arrange usual Saturday schedule, and would love to meet up with you. (Male trainer usually only works Saturday). This is the only session booked for that particular trainer, that day.
4. Trainer re-confirms the session 24 hours in advance by leaving a message on home phone and mobile.
5. Trainer rides her bike into work early to avoid the crazy traffic.
6. Trainer receives phone call at 7am saying yes, we will be there. They discuss what to wear and what to bring.
6. Trainer showers and makes herself look respectable and does other work for 1.5 hours until session.
7. Trainer organises prospective client's analysis and assessment paperwork, and drafts a pairs training session on paper.
8. Trainer receives phone call right on the dot when session is due to start. "We've changed our mind".
COULDN'T YOU COME UP WITH THAT EARLIER?!?!?

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Don't get me wrong, I really really really love my job :)

The good points: I can leave earlier and get all the other errands done that I need to do today. And this weekend, the list is looooong.

So, off I go shopping now! :)

So, that's what it's called...

THE SCIENCE BEHIND BONKING

When your body stalls mid-run, it's called bonking. When scientists debate the causes, it's called a food fight. Here's everything you need to know.

By Paul Scott (PUBLISHED 03/01/2004)

Chiang Kai-shek is said to have received news of his army's mutiny while still in his pajamas. Chances are you will be equally unprepared for the mutiny of your own body--in other words, for bonking. We're not talking about the mere cramping of a calf, or the everyday slowing caused by lactic acid build-up, or the deep muscle pain sometimes caused by downhill running.

Marathoners used to call bonking "hitting the wall," but it's actually a bodily form of sedition. In some form or another, it becomes a collapse of the entire system: body and form, brains and soul.

Consider the muscle-glycogen bonk, where the brain works fine but the legs up and quit. Then there's the blood-glucose bonk, where the legs work fine but the brain up and quits. Let's not forget the everything bonk, a sorry stewpot of dehydration, training errors, gastric problems, and nutrition gaffes.

And then there's the little-purple-men bonk. "After about 20-K, I started to see little purple men running up and down the sides of these cliffs," says Mark Tarnopolsky, M.D., who wears hats as both a leading sports nutrition researcher and an endurance athlete. "I knew it was an hallucination, but I stopped in the middle of the race to look at them anyway," he says. "It was kind of crazy."

If you have run a distance race, chances are you have already become an aficionado of the bonk. You remember how your form held until you hit mile 18 and your feet turned into scuba fins. How your motivation held until you faced that last hill and became preoccupied with the idea of lying down on the pavement. Or, if you bonked thoroughly enough, how you began to see beings that belong in Dr. Seuss. And you thought sports nutrition was dull.

And now, the field is undergoing the scientific version of a food fight. The sanctity of carbohydrates has come under question. Endurance athletes are rediscovering protein. Products are making new claims, nutritionists are taking sides. And we haven't even gotten to the reasons why many runners act so weird about food in the first place. But in essence, the science of bonking comes down to 10 laws. If you learn them, you won't merely be on the cutting edge of sports-nutrition science, you may never bonk again.

Read the rest here.

Interesting

I was on a business visit to a Naturopath and she did a Metagenics Body Composition and Cellular Health Analysis. (taken straight from brochure.) I've never seen or done anything like this so it was interesting to see the results.
She measured me at 158cm (puh! I always say I'm 162cm). My wrist was also measured to give a frame size - 13cm around.
So after being hooked up to the machine, this data spat out...

Body Composition
My ideal weight is : 51.6kgs
My actual is: 52.5kgs. I'm overweight!!!!!!!! LOL
Frame size: small. no surprises there.

Fat Mass
Ideal: 12.69kgs
Actual: 13.93kgs ahhh, I really am!!! But this is where it gets funky...
% of total weight: 24.17% OMG, that's the highest reading I've ever had, DO NOT LIKE this machine!
% of Ideal Fat Mass: 91.08%
Difference from ideal :-1.24, which means I'm 'underfat'.
So totally contradictory readings there...

Active Tissue Mass (muscle)
Ideal ATM (kgs): 20.12
Actual ATM: 20.67 yipee, something works in my favour!
% of total weight: 39.37
% of ideal ATM: 102.72 :)

It also spat out some other pretty little graphs with hydration levels and other 'Optimal Health Indicators'.
It was interesting to see what it read - the body fat was the surprising reading, from all other scales/machines I use, I never read over 20%. So what is more accurate? I really don't care, as long as; if I'm trying to lose BF and all scales say I'm dropping, I must be doing the right thing!
Conclusion was, in her words "a picture of health". Unless I had a strict goal or need, I wouldn't do it again. I was lucky as she did it just to show me how it works.
Now, about that fat... ;)

Good start :)

To today. Had a few clients from 5.30am this morning but have had a whole heap of cancellations, so I made the most of my gap between clients and went out for some training. It's getting nice and cool here, so it was really nice running down by the river. However I have bad leg DOMS from yesterday, so my 4min efforts were just that - a huge effort! It's good I do my speed work in secluded areas... I'm sure there'd be many people who would run over to perform CPR if they saw me by the end.

I'm going to get some brand spanking new Asics Kayanos. My feet/ankles/shins are getting sore so I must be due for some new wheels. I tried to order some size 5 and a halves, but they have none left at the suppliers till the new model comes out end of June. Yea - no good, I need them NOW! ;). I'm going to try and order in a 6 (absolutely NONE of the sports stores up here have small sizes!), hopefully I'll have more luck with that. I wear a 6 at the moment, only because I didn't think Asics made 5s. I just double up on the socks :)

18 in the bag

Was up at 4.45am for the usual long Saturday morning run. 18kms this morning. I was right till about 15kms, whether it was psychological or not - knowing we were close to home, my legs decided to pack up and go home. Except we had to run 3 more kms to get there!
To say my legs are D.E.A.D now is a huge understatement. They were sore already from the sprints on Thursday. Oh and my abs, I never knew my abs could get so sore from sprinting! Add to that my upper body DOMS, oh yes, it's there with a vengeance. I plan on playing lazy buggers for the rest of the day. I sat on the couch for a good 40minutes when I got home from my run (after a shower of course ;) ), only because I could not move - not even to answer the phone. HA!

I'm attempting to put new songs on my i-pod today. Except I can't think of any!! I'm so not in touch with the latest stuff. I looked up the take40 countdown on the net to get some inspiration. Now if only I knew what the songs actually sounded like... ;)

Filex

Is on soon. My favourite event of the year. Unfortunately this year for the first one in a few, I'm not going. :( I don't need the CEC's, and it does turn out to be quite an expensive little trip when I add in all the stuff I usually end up buying at the Fitness Expo. As Kerryn said - Lorna Jane will go broke without us! And of course I miss my annual catch up with her :(

I had a call from the Australian Fitness Network earlier this week, just checking up on me to see if I was going as I hadn't paid yet... I was sad to say I wasn't able to attend this year, because I know just what I am missing out on!!

The upside is that I have a friend who is going, who promised to bring me back a show bag with all the freebies!! YAY!!! That would also be one of the bestest parts :)

Goal Review

As it's already a quarter into the year, so thought it's time for a review of the goals I posted up in January...

Professional:
To take the studios to a new level Working on it... baby steps. Unfortunately the floods slowed things down in many businesses considered 'luxury' - beauty, hair, fitness, but we're getting there!!
To cut back my hours – realistically I cannot work 14hour days forever. And I have!! However now I feel like I'm not busy enough!!!! Of course.
To take more time out. Yep... as per above.
To implement some different training sessions I’ve been working on. YUP!! A few different processes are going through right now :)

Personal:
See all those run times to the right, they’re all gonna get smashed!!! ;) I’m working with a trainer who is KILLING me in training. My times aren’t breaking any records at the moment, but consistency and the WANT will get me there. Realistically – the longer distance times can improve, but the shorter ones may just hold their place on the blog board for a little longer!
Well I was right with the consistency and the WANT will get me there comment! I've blown myself away with results! My 5km PB still stands, but surprisingly I gave it a thorough shake-up a few weeks ago! A second-fastest PB can count ;) Some course PBs have been broken though! Yay to me!!
To do my first triathlon!! It’s coming, in March! DONE!!! And loved it!!!
To get my shoulder sorted out for good. Currently in progress! Yea.. sorta happening. I'm sick of babying it...
To respect my body, feed it nutritious fuel, and it will perform better and stronger. Yes, I'm feeding it LOTS of fuel... does sugar count ;)
To be a more giving, loving and understanding partner, daughter, sister, friend and trainer. OK, I must have been and an "I'm in touch with my emotions" mood for that one. That doesn't sound like me! ;)

Not bad for a 1/4 year effort!!

Today's training consisted of upper body training. I've had total rest all year with weights (that sounds bad, does 'a 12-week-break' sound better??), just swimming to keep it going. Bad I know, but I needed to sort the shoulder out. I haven't lost much strength, or size, it just feels a little softer than I'd like, of course. Today I went nice and easy, but I'm getting sore already. Bring on the pain tomorrow.........................................

Went for a 30 min fairly fast run with one of the other trainers, and finished off with sprints. That killed us. Especially at 2.30pm....

I'm all Better now Thanks!

It was definitely just a 24 hour bug, thank goodness. I couldn't handle that for much longer. I just felt so weak and drained. I have managed to keep all of today's food in my stomache so far...
Not sure if I push it too much and try to train this afternoon, I'll probably be stuffed after a day at work! Anyway, skates on...............

Feeling Hot Hot Hot

I'm sick :( It came on last nite so quickly, and I was throwing up all nite, which has now led to diahorrea. I had massive stomache cramps and couldn't get comfortable - lying down was painful, the only thing that felt OK was curling into a little ball on the floor. But I got a bit sick of that after awhile! I left OHs house about midnight to go home to mum's, as he had no drugs to make it go away. After getting rid of everything in my stomache, I finally got to bed at 2am. Needless to say, there was no 4.30am alarm today - I had to text my early clients late last nite. I don't like being sick, I never get sick, and I never have a day off work from being sick. I feel so weak, my whole body feels like it's been hit by a bus, and my eyes are sensitive - sounds like a bit of a bug to Dr. Selina :) Enough of oh poor me, I gotta toughen up to get back to work tomorrow.
Actually it's funny, OH called me at 4pm yesterday to pick him up from footy. He got clean knocked out. Couldn't even remember my name (and he wonders why I don't like him playing league - let alone going down to watch...). I was to be his baby-sitter to make sure everything was OK last nite before I took him to the doctor today... well at about midnight he was ready to take me to the hospital! Goes to show, anything he can do, I can do better ;)

Oops, I did it Again ;)

I did another PB today. Yipee for me!!! Had another club championship race this morning at a national park, so it was a nice, rocky-road (mmm... who thought of chocolate then!!), hilly, green trail run. And unlike last year, it wasn't raining today :) I completed the 9kms in 45mins and 19 secs, which is 2 and a half minutes faster than my previous best on this particular course in 2006! I am stoked :) The hills are just sooo steep, no amount of hill training could prepare my heart and legs for that. My legs feel like balls of knots right now, right in my quads. I thought I would pass out at one point after getting to the top of the hill, I had hot and cold flushes and my heart was going insane. But I didn't die! And I didn't walk - at all :) I'm a very happy lil chappy!

Thank Goodness

I survived the week relatively unscathed...
I had an absolute shocker. I now remember how important adequate sleep is in everyday life and decisions. I'd previously been a bad sleeper, but things have been really good for about a year or so - I think it's mainly as I know how to cope better with stress etc now. This week was a shocker though! Minimal sleep made for a grumpy girl, with massive SUGAR cravings. Oh my god, and of course, being so tired it was a "I don't give a shit" attitute to everything. So sugar I ate, or chocolate left-overs from easter, or whatever I could get my little hands on. I felt like I'd eaten a few kgs of it, until I actually wrote it all down in a food diary, and of course it wasn't that bad. Thank god my tolerance for that crap stuff is very low - I don't have to eat too much to get that ill feeling in the guts - due to being usually 'good' with that stuff. And then I was too tired to do my scheduled training...
I am happy to report that I had a 100% perfect day yesterday, even being a party pooper and declining at the last moment to go to a farewell dinner with OH, to avoid having to make a food choice. And the hassle of getting dressed up. I had a late nite anyway, then got the call at 1am for a pick-up. That is the worst job in the world. And of course "can you please drop home blah blah and blah blah too". Yea sure, just don't expect me to be polite, or hospitable... Just get in the car and shut up!
Because of the interrupted sleep, I still felt like I was hungover.... A shopping trip today that resulted in me buying more clothes that I'll hardly ever wear, does make me feel better though!! ;)

Deja Vu

I had the same sleep problems as Tuesday nite. I haven't struggled with sleeping for a loooong time, I don't know what's going on with my system to be doing this to me again. Worst part was knowing that I had to get up at 4.30am today, and of course when my eyes finally decided to shut, the alarm woke me up quite rudely.
The icing on the cake - my 5.30am appointment decided to not show up. I received the call at 5.40am - "I didn't realise it was Thursday. Sorry for making you cut your sleep short for no reason". Now let's not even go there............

SHOCKER!

Of a sleep I had last nite. Last time I saw the clock it was 1.10am... Yay. It's not fun seeing the time that late if I'm not (a) intoxicated or (b) out acutally having fun. Many thoughts in my head were annyoing the **** out of me. My nite felt a bit like this...
GUILT - for eating that stoopid chocolate that was begging me to.
STRESS - all things work related. No further explanation required.
PANIC - How the hell am I going to fit in the training I didn't get to do today, along with all my other sessions this week.
WORRY - Now I'll be a grumpy bum at work all day due to not getting to bloody sleep!
PISS-OFFEDNESS - GO TO EFFING SLEEP!
That'll serve me right for eating the chocolate, and not training to plan... wired on sugar and not using excess energy up is a recipe for a sleeping disaster!
Today, I have a mammoth headache, and my eyes are puffy. I look damn attractive :)

4 Days!

Yay!! I love work, but I also love having a break :) I can do heapsa training! And why is it that tha majority of people look at me like I'm a fruitcake when I do say that's all I have planned for the long weekend?! That's how I like to relax, not gorge myself on chocolate and vino!!! (although, that has been known to happen ;) )
I woke at 4.30am (maybe that part is worth the fruitcake look) to get out and about for a long run. 1hour and 30mins later I was done. I had a look at the run calendar, and realised our local half marathon is 1st June... and now it's end of March... so I better get moving on the longer distances! My legs are pretty tired now, but nothing that a good sleep tonite won't fix.
I also completed another of this weekend's goals - to clean and vacuum the inside of my car. Mission accomplished! And when it's so nice and clean I always promise myself I'll do it more often. Yea... right.
Being Good Friday, I've had a noice seafood day. Crab for lunch with salad, and tonite all us kidlets are going to mum and dads for dinner - salmon cakes and prawns are on the menu I think. How spoilt is that? I'm just lucky that my lil bro went crabbing to get all the goodies, we never normally indulge that much on Good Friday! Mental note to avoid any chocolate that may be spotted lying around............

Sugar & Spice and all Things Nice...

That's what little girls are made of. These little munchkins are who I spent last Sunday at the beach playground with as my belated birthday lunch - and their mummies of course, who both have another one on the way. We had lots of fun :)

Little Miss R - Peek-a-bo!!

Yummm.. chippeeez

Looking funky in Aunty Seen's hat!

Miss B - 'Seeee... I know how to smile big for a picture!'

Man, that was fun :)

I love my friends little girls. The big sister of Miss R had the day riding bike with her daddy, so I didn't get any hugs from her!!
I can't wait till my sis has kiddies, I will be the bestest aunty in the world!!!

These are the gorgeous colourful flowers that I got delivered to work from my OH for my birthday 2 weeks ago. A massive box of hand-made chocolates were also attached. :)

If I thought I had it bad in the legs yesterday, today's not much better. I did interval training yesterday, of varying times with varying rest periods, and the legs felt good with the blood pumping through. Not so good after I'd cooled down however!! DOMS is such and inconvenience as it interfers with all the other training! I'll just suck it up all the same.

Today I'm having my first IPL appointment. IPL stands for... something! I can't remember at the moment, but it's permanent hair reduction. And lucky me, as I'm a business contact with the girl that owns it, I get my treatments half price. I'll let you know how it goes, I'm looking forward to being zapped and on the road to a hair-free future! ;) More info is here.

OUCH!!!

It's one of those days when the legs are so sore! I trained them yesterday and after having 2 weeks off leg training (to rest for the tri and club championship race, of course!), I'm certainly paying for it. In a good way. My butt hurts to sit on the floor, and and I'm no state to be demonstrating leg exercises to clients. Although I have to still, but add "Just without that part, and make sure you don't do that". LOL!
I've come down off my Sunday nite high. It took me ages to go to sleep, I haven't been that pumped for a LONG time! It was better than all my birthdays and Christmases. I mean, my fastest time in THREE years. And I really really thought I was over the hill and my 'peak' days were behind me. If anyone ever doubts their own ability in whatever your chosen sport may be, never ever give up. If you want it bad enough and do the hard yards, you WILL get there!!
I'm so close to achieving another goal from my list posted up in January - which was to crack my PBs. I did note that the shorter distances might not be under threat, but wow, within 3 months, I certainly gave the 5km a shake-up!!!!!!!!!!
Oh and of course I overestimated OHs ability to wash my car the other day... When I peeked my head out he had started to hose it. But he suddenly appeared back inside the next minute... "It was too hot, and I didn't want to get burnt"...

OVER THE MOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO (i think that's enough o's) EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just sitting here, freshly sweaty and wind-blown from my 5km Road Race Championship. I did it in my second fastest time in HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!! Only 10seconds of my best ever!!!
I cannot believe it!!! I hoped for, but didn't expect it, and tried not to do the self-inflicted pressure... I would have been content with anything under 25mins as that's been the elusive mark for about 18months, but I SMASHED IT to finish in 23mins 06sec.
I had many people asking what I ate for lunch ("Rocket salad?"), what secret training I've been doing, and asking for a not-so-random drug test. LOL! So I surprised not just myself but everyone else.
My trainer predicted it, I wasn't so sure of myself doing it, but man, he knows his stuff!!! I cannot wait to see what else I can achieve this year!!!

HARD WORK + PATIENCE = RESULTS!!!

Super Saturday!!!!!!!!!!

It's here again! I've had a busy one already,up early for a cycle with dad. I'm on a 'rest' day for running, as I have a 5km Club Championship race tomorrow afternoon, in which I'm hoping to pull out a really good time. My coach was really happy with my splits on the Wednesday training run, and if I can pull something similar out of the hat tomorrow, I should be on my way to my fastest time in over a season. No pressure though!!!!!!!!!! That's when I crash and burn, I put so much pressure on myself, no one else does, that I get so worked up and nervous, then run like crap. Tomorrow I just have to ENJOY it!

It's our local council elections today, and one of my great friends, who is also a mentor and loyal client is running to be re-elected, so I've been helping her on her campaign. So after breakfast I was down there handing out fliers. You know those annoying people who try to hand you a kazillion sheets of paper as you're going in to vote, well that's what I did! LOL! And now as I know what it's like to be on the other side, I will always look at them and smile, and politely decline if I'm not interested. Honestly, there's some RUDE people out there. Where's the love these days!! And also, if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all!! I heard alot of very rude comments like "Well I won't be voting for her/him". Honestly, your vote doesn't faze me!

Anyway, enough politics :) Tonite I'm a footy widow. It's OHs first game tonite and he told me, (note I didn't say, asked me), that he was going out with boys for a piss-up after the game. I did a littly oh-poor-me-what-am-i-going-to-do tanty, only to get "Well babe, get used to it, it's footy season!". PUH! We'll see about that!!

Tomorrow I'm going to the beach for my belated birthday lunch with my 2 pregnant best friends and between them, their 3 little girls. Weather is just gorgeous at the moment, so it should be a nice day!!

Righto, I'm going out to enjoy it!!

Oh and look at that, OH is washing my car!!!!!!!!!!! HA!!! He hasn't washed my car in the 3 years we've been together!! Reckon he's feeling guilty?!? ;)

The results are in...

For the mini tri on the weekend, and I'm a happy little chappy!!
Of 58 competitors, my time put me in 18th position!!!!!! I'm stoked!!! Had I not gone off on a tangent and ran an extra 500-600m, based on the times, I predict I would have come in round about 10th or 11th. :)))) How exciting!!! I have lots to work on before next year's event - learning to listen to directions, and learning to swim with some form of techinque! The winner did it in 18mins, 32secs. How fast is that!!!!!

In training news, I did the afore mentioned dreaded 1km efforts last nite. (In case you're really interested ;) it was 4 x 1km with 1min 30sec standing rest between, 2 x 500m with 1 min standing rest) I blew myself away with my results! All my training is finally coming together. Instead of running for my life like each effort was my last, I tried to pace myself, which worked like a charm. Funny that! I didn't quite feel like throwing up after each effort, which made it heaps more enjoyable (funny that -again!). So me thinks that next time I have a scheduled training session like that, I'll want to do it, to compare times! I'm learning how my brain works!

The best part is, if I add all my times together, I would SMASH my PB over the 5kms! Yay for me, just need to work on stringing them altogether without hitting the wall :) Slowly but surely I'm getting there!! And I'm EXCITED!!!!!!!!!

A bad case of the..

Couldn't-Be's... Couldn't-Be-(insert word of choice) doing anything requiring effort. Yesterday was one of those days. The plan was 4 x 1km, 2 x 500m timed runs, and that just seemed too daunting. So after evil me and angelic me had our arguments, I compromised and went out for a 40min walk. Not even a run, a walk. I haven't walked in years, and it was a nice change in pace, no pun intended. Except I had too much time to think. Ideas came from all angles, I was getting so excited I had to tell my mother; she had that 'mmmm-hmmmm, yea-that'll-happen' kinda look on her face.
I went to bed exhausted last nite. So tired from all that thinking!! That'll be the last time I walk instead of doing my intervals!! There's no time to think with intervals!! ;)
And I'm thinking that's the last day I can use the excuse "oh but, I did a triathlon AND a 5km race on the weekend..."
The bad news is, that training session is now waiting for me tonight!

I DID IT!!

I did it, I did it, I did it! I've officially completed a life goal to compete in a triathlon. Tick that one off the list :) Of course it wasn't without drama... as usual for me! If you're not interested in triathlon stuff, you definitely won't be interested in reading further! :)

THE SWIM
Well what can I say - I sucked! It was in the pool for the 100m (don't laugh), and 50 of us were in the first race. (Too many people, had to be done in 2 waves). I was speaking to other gals before the swim and they were saying they hadn't swum in years, "I'm gonna be so bad" etc etc etc. But I just KNEW I would be bad - and I've trained 2x week since Christmas! To my horror, just before I jumped in the pool, I saw my client, dammit she did come to watch! So off we swam. I did the first 50m OK, then I hit the wall at about 75m again... I stopped to catch air because, as usual I had the breathing fit. It was very disheartening to see more than half the girls already out of the water and running off to the bike transition. I got to the end as fast as I could and beat a few people out, only because they had trouble lifting themselves out of the pool. At last my arms were good for something!! I swear I was second-last of 50 people out of the pool. I overtook a few running to the bike area though...

THE BIKE
3 lots of a 2km loop. I seemed to take forever putting my shoes on and organising myself. The more I hurried, the worse it was! Once I was off, the bike was ALLL MINE!! I overtook about 10 people the first loop, probably about 20-25 in total. (Yeeehaaa... made up a few places from that horrendous swim leg!!). I did feel bad though, flying past them on my road bike, the poor girls struggling on their heavy mountain bikes. Well, OK, not that bad ;). The cycle leg felt fantastic!!

THE RUN
2kms. Walk in the park... right? Well Miss Smarty-Pants here didn't do enough transition training from bike to run... My legs were sooo unbelievably heavy - kinda like running through mud in steel cap boots. A few cyclists I passed got their revenge. I just couldn't lift my legs, it was the most horrible feeling! About a km into it, I felt better and made up ground and overtook a few people and kept following the ones ahead... I was in heads down, bums up mode, just powering along, as I mentioned following the ones ahead... (so like, it's totally not my fault ;) )...who missed the turn-off!!!!!!! So we kept running till we realised... ahh I don't think it's this far along. Soooooo we ran an extra 500-600metres which is quite alot more considering it was only a 2km run!!!!!!!! But I got to the end in one piece, sooo mad at myself for not taking more notice of the course, but I finished it all the same.

Final time was 24mins 12secs. I'm really happy with that. I had no idea what time to expect as I've never raced a bike, or swum in a similar situation since grade 3, let alone put three disciplines together. I plucked 25mins out of the air and goaled to get under that, so was stoked with 24min 12secs considering I did an extra few minutes on the run leg!

I saw my client after it and the conversation went a little like this:

Me: So did you see me get out of the pool about second last??

Her: No, there were about 5 or 6 after you!

Me: Really? So I was about 44th or 45th then??

Her: Yes, that's about right!!

WILL I DO IT AGAIN?
Hell yes!! I hated most of it, that pain of really pushing yourself, but I love the satisfaction of completing it!! I'm feeling awesome today, on such a high from the whole experience. I knew I sucked at swimming, but I didn't realise I sucked that BAD! I've already asked around for info about adult learn-to-swim classes, I'd really like to get my stroke corrected, so may consider doing that soon. I don't particularly like swimming, but I don't particularly like being that bad at it either!! LOL! I thought I was a runner, but I really enjoyed the bike, and my 'big' legs were such an advantage. It's opened up so many choices!

I'm checking the website every 10 minutes to see if the results are up yet. They're not! I'm just interested to see where that time placed me in the field :) Will keep you posted!!!

The day wasn't over after that though, yesterday afternoon I backed up for a 5km road run. Conditions were really really windy, so bad the road through the harbour was closed as it's too dangerous for cars. I somehow pulled out the second fastest time I've done in over a year. Go figure - whole body, legs especially were tired from the triathlon, wind resistance was insane - I thought I was going to be blown off the road to the rocks below! - but pulled that out. I'll take it!

YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEE GOAL ACCOMPLISHED!!

Only one more sleep!!

The long-awaited mini triathlon is on tomorrow morning. Bring it on!! I am looking forward to giving it a good shot. I cannot wait to get the swim over and done with, I am absolutely petrified of doing those laps. This past week in training, I've gotten to about 70mtrs before I've had a breathing fit. I'm really struggling with it!! I'm fine if I've done 100s of metres warm-up with fins, but get me straight in without them and I'm a lost cause! Just can't seem to get into a rhythm. What's making me even more anxious is the fact that I've got some clients coming down to watch... ARGH!!! When I say I cannot swim, I'm not being modest or down-playing my ability, I seriously cannot co-ordinate it all!!! I'll be so embarassed. I hope they realise their trainer is only human too ;) Bring on the bike and the run - I love my comfort zone ;)

I'm not going into this in the best shape though... My foot dramas aren't over yet! My Massage Therapist thinks I've pulled the tendons in my foot! LOL! How funny is that for a nite of wearing high-heels! It's obviously not real bad, it just aches after being on it for a while. At least the run is only short tomorrow, it'll be over in a flash. Just gotta suck it up till then.

And mysteriously this morning I've woken up with a stiff neck. Can't turn it to the right side - OUCH! It's gotta be from my swim yesterday - I must have been trying too hard. That's gonna be fun tomorrow if I can't move it much still! I honestly think I'll be faster deep-water running it than actually swimming!!

Now there's a thought...

Everyone have an awesome weekend!! I hope to catch up on blogs tomorrow when I won't be capable of much else ;)

My Back

Doesn't it look pretty today!!! I had a massage session with a bit of cupping yesterday. I love cupping, so thought I'd show off the evidence, just like Hils did not long ago :)

They are darker than in the pic, the lighting just doesn't do it justice! ;) Now lets hope the scars go before the weekend, as I may not be allowed in the pool for the mini triathlon for fear of spreading some bizarre disease...

High Heels a Health Hazard??

Well for me I think they are! I'm only in flat comfy blacks for work, or trainers for everything else!! I picked up some cute heels in Brisbane and they are sooo comfy on. Thank god the big cities actually stock my size! I can't get anything in a size 5 here, so whenever I'm in Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane it's not unusual for me to take home a few shoe boxes!

Anyway I wore the heels out on Saturday nite - I went out with my sis and a few friends I haven't caught up with in years to have a few birthday drinks. It was only 8 hours I would have been in them, alot of that time sitting down. Well the next day I felt like I'd done a massive leg work-out! My quaddies were aching! But worst were my feet. Yeeeouch! The balls of them felt bruised, and still today my right one is a bit tingly and hurts to crouch on it. I swear I've pulled some lil muscles in there or something! And in case anyone asks - no, it definitely wasn't from doing any fancy moves on the dancefloor! :) The things we girl put ourselves through...

Here's a pic from the nite, with the offenders ;)