Pretty as a Picture

NOT!!!!!! I so wish I was kidding but I've had an allergic reaction to something and I've broken out in hive-like lumps all over my body. I will not go out in public without paper bagging my head!!

I was cranky all week, my face broke out majorly, my eyes were swollen and weepy. (Probably just a coincidence though). Friday nite I started getting itchy. Saturday I woke up with flu-like symptoms and scratching the first layer of skin off my body, then my face and all my joints swelled up. Took an antihistamine and cold and flu tabs, slept the afternoon away. Didn't feel too bad last nite until the itching started again. Woke up and scared the bejeesus out of me - my face, neck and arms especially are red, fat, lumpy and burning, along with my back, stomache and legs. I look just gorgeous.

I visited the chemist, and was given stronger antihistamines. I'm told it's an allergic reaction to something, but I have no idea what. As far as I knew I was allergic to nothing?! To Spring maybe?! Took the powerful tablet and it knocked me out all morning - I hate sleeping weekends away. I'm irritable!!!!!!!! I need to cardio today, I WANT to cardio, but I think my face will burn off if I get sweaty!!

I've arranged for my double shift to be covered at work tomorrow. I did hope for a bit of a break, but this is just going a bit too far. ;)

As the PussyCat Dolls say "Be Careful what you Wish for coz You Just Might Get It"...

I'm still waiting for the boobies.

Why Hello There

I can't believe it's been so long. My longest break ever in my blogging career. I'm alive, I'm not in a sugar-induced coma, I'm all good!

I've been F-L-A-T out - but who isn't busy these days. At the end of the day after everything else, sitting at the computer for more waffling isn't very appealing! So I've been training, training, training and eating GOOD! I feel awesome :)

Training stuff
I'm in love with weight training again; the two of us have always had a love-hate relationship. My shoulder is improving I think - I'm not allowed to train without having it strapped, but this week my 2 strappers were out of town - how inconsiderate - and I wasn't skipping training for that minor problem, so I went naked. And it felt OK :) I'm getting and feeling strong!

I've been doing some awesome evil little cardio sessions too - I'm in love with my Spin Bike, and of course still loving my once-a-week hit of RPM. Nothing like "Psycho Bike", "Evil Knieval" and "Le Tour De Liz" named workouts to get me all excited about training.

Run stuff
Season is almost over, and all the Club Championship races are over now. Phew!

24th August - 3km Club Championship Run - 13.39. Bit disappointed as my last time trial was 13.20, and all by myself! I thought in a race I would have gone better, but it just didn't feel 'right' on the day. It was my second fastest time though so gotta be happy with that! Liz planted the seed of a 12.45 3km, so you can guess what my future goal is now! ;)

7th September - Magic Mile (1.6km) Club Championship race - 6.39. Stoked with that, as that got me third place in female division! Yeeha!! The place-getters photo was in 2 newspapers that week, so I had clients asking if I could sign their shirts ;) LoL

Other stuff
My best friend came up from the Gold Coast a few weeks ago and we had good time catching up. We made the newspaper in the Social (ie party!) Section, which was the week prior to the run picture, so I've been scattered all over the newspaper lately!

Another best friend had her third bubby - a little boy about 4 weeks ago. Our lives are worlds apart! :)

Like a few other blogger buddies, I've been having a bit of a rough time balancing everything lately... I know I'm not coping when my staff innoncently comment "Gee you've been cranky the last few weeks". I don't mean to be Miss Bitchy Pants! I only did a half day Monday by rescheduling all my evening appointments, I just needed a break. Half a day off was only a band-aid though. Got some thinking and re-structuring to do. :) I can't complain that I'm busy though - I stress when things are slow, I stress when things are crazy-busy!

I re-joined my old gym last week which was the best thing I could have done for my body and head! Between working and training, I was in the studio 9-13hours every day -although I worked as hard as I could, my head wasn't fully in it - the phone would be ringing, staff going in and out. I find at the gym I just zone out and all the time is mine. And I just tend to go harder. Little Miss Show-Off coming out to play maybe?

That's it in a nutshell! I've seen everyone's getting those fancy-schmancy blog applications... might have to have a looksy at that! :)

Locals Doing us Proud :)

Ooooh how I love the Olympics!! My favouritestestest event ever is the swimming, (yea work that out, I can't swim to save myself but love to watch!) so I've been having a great week this week and as expected, not quite enough sleep. I've teared up over every gold medal the gals have won. I can feel their pride. I'm sad huh :)

I've also developed a very adolescent-type crush on Eamon Sullivan. He's always been nice to look at, but there's just something else about him that gets my ticker going. LoL ;)

Great day today - local gal Linda Mackenzie won a gold medal in her final Olympics in the 4x200m relay!! Her bro is good mates with my sis, so we've met at parties and stuff. Being a swimmer-stalker-fan, that's exciting for me! ;) The paper will go rank tomorrow, and so it should. She's been a quiet achiever in the Aussie team for a long time now!

Nick Ffrost, another local, will be bringing home a bronze from the men's 4x200m relay. Can't say I've met him... yet ;P

Then we've got Benita Johnson in the marathon on Sunday, that will be an event worth watching. Another claim to fame - I used to work with her brother! LOL!! Of course this isn't a small town :)

Then there's a boy in the hockey team who I went to school with - not that he'd know me from a bar... :)

I'm so inspired by all the results, just being there; to achieving a PB is a massive thing, and to do it on the greatest stage - just imagine how good that must feel!! Winning something to wear on your neck must be unbelievable!!

So on that note, I'm gonna go dream about it, coz that's the closest I'll ever get :)

Found!

I found some pics from the King of the Mountain run I did a few months ago :) Here's some evidence for your viewing pleasure :P

It's been a bit of a bumming weekend, which is just how I like when the Games are on! Yesterday I did an 18km run early again - my golly gosh it was cold yesterday. 9 degrees when we started at 5.30am. Of course I don't have any cold weather running gear so I suffered in a singlet and compression tights. At least my legs were warm. And because we were running so fast the wind chill factor was quite chilly ;) The further we got the warmer my body was, but my hands just froze with the achey painful cold. I couldn't get my key in my car and manage to unlock it at the end; someone had to do it for me they were so frozen. That'll learn me! I've made a mental note to at least wear my weight training gloves next time :)

I organised a had a social ten-pin bowling day yesterday with clients. It was so much fun. I had a great game my first one - 66 :P My second game wasn't so good... In fact I only missed out on the Winner's trophy for the lowest score (without trying of course!) by THREE points. That was close ;) I was second-last last year as well... I have a problem with getting the ball to not go in the gutter. Of course my smart-ass boy whose never bowled before came second overall.

Anyway, it's time to go back to the TV! Swimming's about to start :)

Why thank you... NOT!

I had a trip to the physio on Wednesday which was an experience. I got my shoulder seen to by the only health professional who hasn't had a look, feel, squeeze and guess. After having the general chit chat "So what do you do? Ohhh, so where do you do that" rah rah rah and going through my history "Are you of good health", err, well I bloody should be, we got to the fun stuff.

I had to strip my shirt off (thank god I wore a padded LJ crop top - for concealing everything people, not for other reasons). It was a little uncomfortable I guess standing there half naked while I was eyed up and down "turn this way, now the other way, lift you arm up etc etc etc ". (On that note - thank god for having done 4 IPL sessions, I only need to shave 1-2 times every 6 weeks and no, I hadn't thought to before the appointment!!)

So he asked what weight I'm lifting for shoulders. I jumped in first and said,
"well not much because I'm not sure what's going on with it", like I had to justify myself or something. But I didn't, so I don't know why I did.
He replied "yea, that's not much". Compliment number #1.

Then while playing and poking my arms, he goes,
"you've got really small arms for someone who trains a lot". Hmmm me not getting happy now. "That's because I'm so inconsistent with this stupid injury". Justification #2 that wasn't required. And not quite true... I think I train hard and quite regularly considering; and I thought my arms were looking OK thank you. Definitely not skinny :P I nearly said yea, but you should see my legs buster ;)

Then he's playing with the arm again and goes "Nice ring". I'm like huh? I didn't have any rings on and he saw me look at my fingers and says... "nooo you're belly ring thing"
Get your eyes off my belly and onto my shoulder!!!!!!
Couldn't wait to get my shirt back on! LOL.

Anyway the outcome was all good. He gave me what he thought was the issue and taped me up to see how things are affected. I feel real tough like a footy player now with my shoulder all strapped :P I have to go back on Tuesday for a re-strapping and more poking and prodding, but the good thing is he wants me to continue as normal, and wants me to do weight training to see how the strapping affects things.

Works for me!!

Except on Tuesday I think I'll wear a singlet top that I won't need to strip off :P

Getting Olympified

Not long to go now!!! I'm such an Olympic Games nerd, any games nerd for that matter :) As a 10 year old I collected every single clipping from the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland and that's when the addiction started. ;) My adolescent crushes were on sports stars not movie stars (oh, except for that one lad named Brad Pitt) :P

At work, we're getting everyone fired up to "Embrace Your Inner Athlete" - all our motivational posters are up in Green and Gold with quotes from athletes and generally any success quotes. We've set up an optional Olympic Event - a fun cardio-based session racing the clock. Clients are able to do it as many times as they want and beat their previous time within the 8-24th August. The three trainers are yet to set the standard (ah-hem) and do our time-trial... maybe tomorrow?! ;) We've also set additional weekly challenges for the clients to do at home - nothing like a change of focus to bring out the competitive streak in everyone!

Last Olympics in 2004 I had just started working again after living overseas and travelling for a year. I was an employee and the business was new therefore slow as it was still building. I did my few clients a day and was glued to the TV the rest of the day. And night. This time round, yea right :P So instead, I'm bringing the TV into work! ;) Hey, the clients would like to know what's going on too!!!

Seeing all those fit, athletic bods only fires me up to train harder!! I'm quite certain I'll be getting very little sleep! ;)

Personally, I reckon the two weeks should be a Public Holiday :)

SWEAT

+

SACRIFICE

=

RESULTS

That's it for today folks. :)

18 Before Breakfast!

I fought with myself all day yesterday as to whether I was going to get out of bed at 4.45am to go for a run. It's been effing freezing here the last few mornings (yes Kek - FREEZING! Single digits even!!) ;) but I knew if I didn't do the run with the usual gang, I'd probably not go at all.

My mind was made up though about 6.00pm when my boy called and said he was heading out for drinks. Last Monday evening, one of his friends from work was killed in a car accident - 19 years old with the world at his feet. Was a very sad event, and so unfortunate - he was the passenger in the back left hand side of the car and killed instantly. The other three young lads walked away without a scratch. It was a sombre week, as in a smaller town someone is linked to him, his family or his mates who were in the car. So the funeral was yesterday and the boys kept going till late in the night. (anyway I got off track there...). Oh yea, because he was out he asked for a lift home, but I hate doing it at the best of times, let alone in the freeeezing weather, so I said no, I had to get up early for a run. ;)

So that sealed the deal, I had to run this morning to get out of the pick-up!! I had no idea what distance or length of time was on the agenda, but 18kms later we were finished.

We're smart now, and start in the City Heart (so are lucky enought to witness the sorry state of the stragglers still out from the nite before!), and when we're finished the coffee shops are just starting to open up.... ah ha! Smart thinking huh ;)

Enjoyed a nice filling pancake breakfast when I got home. It went down soooo good :)

Gotta run, I'm catching up with a friend tonite who's in town for the weekend :) Yeeeha, I get to dress up and pretend I have a social life! :)

Knieval IS Evil

You know you're gonna be in biiig trouble when on the training menu is:

Evil Knieval Workout

I had to plan my day to get to the gym when I knew it would be quiet. I needed the tready, then some floor space, then back on the tready, and to repeat that a few times. The gym I sometimes visit has limited cardio equipment - two good treadys, 2 of those old wind up thingys. On Saturday mornings, you gotta line up 15mins before opening and run to the cardio equipment like boxing day sales, or you miss out. There's this evil gang of grannies who gang up on the youngies and put their towel on to save it for their friend. If you ask kindly if you can get on "no, that's for Evelyn" quite huffedly! 20 mins later... well I could've done my workout.... Anyway going off track there, in peak hour if I jumped off my machine, I'd never get it back, so I went at 2pm.

Only one more-mature lady was on a good tready (and she was a nice one! lol) so I snatched the other. Did my thang on it then got my floor space, and said to the nice lady, and another older gent who had grabbed a different machine behind me, "You'll have to excuse me if I start to make noises, I'm trying some new exercises".

I think I frightened them. ;) The man left not long after I was back on the tready and kept sneaking looks at me - I'm sure it was to make sure I hadn't passed out :P

A few others came and went throughout the period of time I was running and jumping and stumbling around. I kept 'feeling' attempted-discreet looks... whether it was what on earth is she doing or gee she's making a lot of noise or why would you push yourself that hard or IS SHE INSANE, while they continued with the same-pace-for-four-hours-coz-we're-too-posh-to-break-a-sweat type workout.

To cut a long story short coz I've gotta go to bed ;), The Evil Knieval Workout IS evil, and I can't wait to do it again!!!

I'll let you know tomorrow if my legs work :)

Body De-Clutter

Keeping in theme with the previous post...

I almost piked my 10km run this arvo. But there was no excuse. Is there ever? I always know how good I'll feel after, once the urge to throw up is gone. This wasn't an important run or anything, but I just don't know how to go easy when there's others racing too, it just drives me to push harder and hit the vomit zone.

We had an 'incentive'. The race was sponsored so the first 10 across the line (handicapped start) won $25 each. Well didn't that bring out the competitive streaks in some! A few PBs were broken today. It was quite funny! :P

I came in 7th (yay, I got $25!!) in a time I was pleased with - 48.53. Only a minute off my best ever, actually I think today's time is my second best then?! Gotta be happy with that :)

Felt good to blow out some steam, get some sugar out of the body... didn't make some wise choices today, moving on though... (if I put it in small writing, maybe no one will be able to read that part) de-clutter the system...

Mission accomplished.

My goal this week is to eat exactly as specified, none of 'just a bit of this or that' and fit in every training session as specified. Even if I'm be Queen Bitch by the end of the week. Maybe Rob will end up in tears this time ;P

Cleaning Up My Life

I've been heaps stressed lately, business is soooo crazy busy, which is GREAT, but I wasn't prepared mentally for the onslaught I've had the past month. It all just builds up and up and up... until last night it burst. I burst. Into tears, over absolutely nothing. Then I couldn't even explain to Rob why I was crying - he thought he'd done something wrong, again ;)

I've been feeling like everything is just out of control...... One thing that has been better is my eating; by no means perfect, but I'm going nutz with it when I'm stressed like I have been known to do... I make time to train; time will never find me. I try my best to fit it all in, and I have been doing well, if I say so myself. ;)

I don't know what went so wrong yesterday - I had a sleep in till 6.30am; went to RPM and ripped it up in the 1hour extreme class; went to work; got groceries... ya know, the normal stuff. Started to get a bit tired, which I didn't expect after sleeping in... Contemplated having a nana nap, but turned that thought off - had to prepare meals...

Looked at my bedroom, it was a shambles. Out of control. Just crap everywhere; not grotty stuff, just paperwork, clothes to put away in drawers that are too full; articles, research books, you name it, it's in there... I started to get grumpy.

Was going out last night, so tried on a kazillion items. Too tight, too cold, too daggy, too out-of-date... The voice starts... why the hell did you eat that cake, these damn jeans feel tight... Got pissed off. The cupboard was out of control - full of stuff I've horded for years. I don't throw stuff out. "One day that will come back in fashion; one day I will look good in that again; but that was my 21st birthday top; I can't get rid of that!!" etc etc etc...

I finally got something on that looked semi-decent, and got in my car. It was out of control... (noticing a theme here) - marketing fliers, equipment, gym towels, gloves, shoes etc... I looked at it and burst into tears. And I had make-up on.

Today was Clean Up My Life Day. Starting with the car. It's spotless now.

Then the drawers... "Workout Gear" drawer is the fullest and most used one. All the old stuff is gone now! It was hard to part with some LJ stuff, but if it hadn't been worn in 6 months, it got the sack.

Same with pyjamas; underwear; casual clothes; good clothes... etc etc etc. Some stuff hadn't been worn in at least 5 years, but I kept it just in case. In case of what, I still don't know...
4 full bags later, I can breathe again.

I vow to never be a horder again.

I'm a control freak, my 'stuff' got out of control, so I felt out of control. Funny how by physically de-cluttering I feel mentally de-cluttered as well. Can't wait to attack my shoes next.... ;)

(I have old runners that 'just cost so much' that even though they've done 1000+kms, I can't get rid of them. They'll be my gardening shoes... what garden. Or I'll mow in them... I mowed once when I was 18 - for a bottle of vodka.)

PSYCHO?

After the blah-ness of yesterday I'm feeling really good today :) Sometimes I do wonder if I have a split personality disorder :P

Trained upper body today, after it finally recovered from last Friday's smashing. I don't know what I did different but I was so sore I couldn't do anything without severe pain! I did train at the gym though - as opposed to by myself in the studio - so I subconsciously must have went harder with other people around... I was feeling like the cat that caught the pigeon when 2 different men asked me "what's that exercise, and what's that working". I should have had Liz's business card there... ;) Or just subtly handed them mine :P Next time I go, betchya the whole gym is doing that exercise... HA!!!j/k ;)

I missed RPM today - how devastating :( The only day a week I can usually make it. My chiro appt went late; if I broke all the road rules I would have got there in time, but with the rain and roadworks (of course, all at the same time) traffic was crawling. It took 15mins to get 1km. I should have just ran :P

On that note, good quote...

"You have to forget your last Marathon before you try another.

Your mind can't know what's coming."

Frank Shorter

BLAH

That's today. I feel BLAH, and have the mojo levels and care-factor of a dead fly. I'm blaming the weather - it's raining. I'm really tired too, but that's not the rain's fault. And by typing away here I'm procrastinating... there is much weight training to be done, not alot of mojo to do it with.

For the first weekend in a while I got one to myself. Didn't have to work on Sunday as I have been and I wasn't out of town. I could do nothing if I pleased. I sacrificed going to the 'big' social event of the year (well, you'd think. Remember, small town - not a lot to do!). The annual Wine and Food Fest. Every Bob, Sally and Joe went - except my sis and I - we did the visiting thing. I knew if I did go I'd eat too much and end up pissed. Not the ideal prep for a 16km Club Championship Race at 6.30am the next moring...

I was up at 4.45am on Sunday, do the ritual and head to the other side of town for the run. I did OK :) 1.24.11. I had no reason to feel sluggish; I'd rested up well. Felt OK in the beginning of the run but it got tougher after that. I lost sight of the people I train with at about 5kms, not sure what they had for breakfast! My 10km split was 51.34... to give you an idea, the 10km mark in the Gold Coast half was 50.40. So I was struggling a bit. I got caught and overtaken by a few people at 10kms, I was frustrated with me at first, but then not concerned. I decided I wanted to finish the race and not be ratsh!t for the rest of the day... by pushing it I wasn't going to gain any ground, or change my position - overall or in my age group.

Last time I did the exact same course in 2006, my time was 1.29.55. Beat it :P Was still slower than the 16km mark in the GC half, but hey, I'm still recovering from that ;P.

I'm definitely feeling like I'm on the down-side of my huge peak I had earlier in the year. Everyone else in the club is getting faster in comparison to earlier in the year; whereas I'm slowing down. But that's cool, there's only a few months left and I've achieved all I've wanted to - more than I really believed I could, so I can't ask for more than that.

All that's left for 'important' races is a 3km and 1.6km bolt. I would like to shake my 3km PB around. CAN I?? Continual And Never-ending Improvement is all I can ask for ;)

SUCKER!

I got caught out (again) with strategically placed marketing. A handful of groceries to go through the express lane at the supermarket; a larger than normal line-up; all the bright colourful magazines to stare at. Good Health & Medicine had a free gift - a pair of Everlast socks and sweatband - valued at $13!! - so of course in that split second before I had my turn at the check-out, it ended up in my basket.

Last time it happened was with Women's Health mag earlier in the year. Another free pair of socks. Which I've worn a total of once. As bedsocks.

Definition of Driving Me Insane...

Check email early morning at work.
See new email has arrived with program attached.
Client walks in door, no time to open the attachment. ARGH!!
It had to sit there, unread, for FOUR hours as clients were back to back.
I could hardly contain myself.
For an impatient girl and one that gets excited at any non-junk email, let alone a NEW program, that was pure torture!!

Been crazy busy this week, to the point that something happened that I thought was impossible. I forgot to eat. Miss Piggy here who eats everything, forgot to eat. Then when I did remember, I was too busy to make the effort to put it in the microwave. It was a belated lunch, but better late than never :P

The poor bod is screaming this week. Different leg session on Monday then a home spin session; Tuesday was new upper body program - OUCH - and an run training session with faster efforts - not good on legs that won't work.

Today was an 'easy' day - only RPM. They did an old release, and it was FUUUUN!! Being only a return-RPMer for the past 4ish months, I like hearing all the older songs, as I know the lastest ones off by heart. Nerd I am.

That's my week in a big nutshell. Tomorrow I'm getting smashed with work, then racing off for IPL session number 4. I lurve getting my hair zapped, it's nearly all gone!!! :)

A huge congrats to all the competitors from the All Females on the weekend! I've had a stick-beak at some pics, no chance to congratulate you all though :)

I Could be the New Nike Model

For the 'Run Yourself Ugly' Campaign...

Check out these pics of me in my glory finally sighting and stumbling over the finish line last weekend.

Pics courtesy of marathon-photos.com.

The starting field... I'm the black dot in there!

I must be flying, look at the hair bouncing around. HA!

The serious face. Hey look at all those men I'm beating!!! ;)

One word - UGLY ;P LOL
Now I'd love a souvenir, but do I really want to purchase pics looking like that!?!? hehe

GOOD LUCK!!!

To all the girls competing today!! Have a great time and enjoy yourselves up on stage :) Looking forward to seeing lots of pics of everyone's hard work!!

************************************
I had a sleep-in today. First one in weeks. Gosh it was good. OH was up at 5.30am to go to work (sucker!), that's when I thought, 'OH NO, I've missed my run!' as that's when we usually start on Saturday morning. Then I realised, it's a rest weekend. Aaaaaaaahhhhhh. And drifted back to sleep with a smile on my face I'm sure.

As good as I feel from the extra sleep time, I've also got the guilty little voice saying 'well, when now are you going to do your training today huh?'.

I think sacrificing sleep to not feel like a lazy sloth may have been a better option.... MAYBE ;)

So What's Next??

With my Finisher's Medal - and see, it's Gold!! If I only turned it round a bit better...

For a long time now I've been focused on this up-coming run, or that up-coming run, that I was looking forward to the day that I didn't have to worry so much about "what's next". I still have 3 months left in my local competitive run season, and only 3 Club Championship Races - which are the important ones people - the runs I can win points towards a coveted trophy!! (Not that I'm hungry for a trophy or anything) ;)

Now that the big one - the Gold Coast half - is all over, I was expecting to sigh in relief, but quite the opposite - I want another "what's next?"!! I guess I've become so used to having a big goal, that the smaller ones coming up don't seem as important.

So, this is my plan...

I'll continue on with my running coach till my training with him is due for renewal, which is end of the season. Since November last year in my off-season, I was doing what the other club runners have called my 'secret training' - because with the runs and times I was pumping out, no one - except for me of course - knew where they come from!! Those days and weeks of training till I almost passed out around the back streets and cane paddocks really did pay off. After a few years of no real gains, he finally helped me to some break-through performances. I've re-written most of my PBs and I know I can continue to get better!!! From September to December I'll recycle and re-jig the training plans he gave me last year, and see how I do 'going it alone'. January will start the serious training again - getting ready for the BIG one - my first marathon!!

On the flip side - now that all my long runs are out of the way, I'm excited to focus again on gaining some more muscle! For the past month I've had expert advice in assisting me with that, and keeping my food on track, without hindering my running performances. Yes, unfortunately I do want it all - run speed, endurance, muscle, to look hot! - even though it may not be complimentary! If anyone can help me in that direction it's Liz :) We're going to be focusing more on doing the short, sharp stuff and gaining more speed - just in time for the 3km and 1.6km races! Watch me as I try to defy science and gain muscle, burn fat as well as run lots! LoL. Of course nothing is simple with me... I do do my best to be a pain in the butt!

I must admit I'm very excited to try some of the sessions that are in store. Bet you I'll be taking that line back very quickly!!

So there, that's what's on my agenda. I have a plan, I have a goal, I have my "What's Next!!".

Back to Earth

With a thud :)

My body (and brain) weren't very impressed with a 4.30am wake-up call. No chance to catch up on or to have any extra rest before straight back into work! I hobbled all day due to the whopping blisters... (isn't it pwetty!!!)

Needless to say I had another rest day which ended with a massage. That was just what the doctor ordered :)

***********************************

The nite after the half on the Goldy, we went out for drinks to celebrate my PB. Or that was the excuse anyway. We ended up at the Minus 5 Ice Lounge. That was an experience!!! Everything made of ice, including the glass we drank from.

All dressed up and ready to go...

My friend all rugged up - this pic gives a good look at everything made of ice.
Me looking... angelic?!?!

It was cool in there! No pun intended :P

Part #2

I made it!!!!
Friday

- Arrived in Brisvegas and got in our little hired Hyundai Getz, so cute those cars are! We were Victorian for the weekend according to the number plates.
- It took 2 and a half flipping hours to get from Brisbane airport to Helensvale. All we needed was a shopping centre before they closed, and got to Helensvale Westfield at 5.00pm.
- Surprise visited my aunty and uncle who I used to live with down there at the same time :)
- Weather was crap. Rainy and windy. We had an apartment right in Surfers on the beach. The wind was howling all night though, it was hard to sleep.

Saturday

- Weather was a nightmare - we went straight to buy umbrellas and rain poncho thingys.
- Collected my race gear from the precint which was part of the Asics Sport & Leisure Expo. Oh I love expos!!
- I met Pat Carroll :) Legend he is ;)

- Spent some dosh - bought some 2xu compression tights - my OHs opinion was that they made my legs look leaner than the skins, so there was no way I wasn't going to buy them!! ;) I was due for more anyway, one pair to run in, one for recovery.

- Caught up with Kristy briefly at the Expo.

- Did lots more shopping that day at Harbourtown :) Shoes... need I say more! I found them in size 5!!! YAY!

- Nice big carb-up meal on Saturday night, and into bed as early as possible, but had a very interrupted sleep with the howling wind.

Sunday - THE BIG RUN :)

4.30am wake-up, shower, breakfast and off to the bus. Crammed in at the start-line as close as possible to the sub 1:50 pace runner - which was a fair way from him.

For 3kms I overtook people - obviously the majority of runners didn't read the etiquette part of the entry form - to align yourself with the pace runners equivalent to the time you expect to run. And yes people there is a huge difference between sub 1:50 and sub 2:00 hours!!! I finally caught the red balloons I had to follow at about the 3km mark. I felt awesome, the legs were turning nicely, I promised to have pasta more often the night before :)

About 6-7kms the pacer got a bit slow. I didn't want to change rhythm, so continued with my same pace, and went past him, and ended up catching the other red balloons - on track to do a lower 1:49ish run. As soon as I felt I was going maybe a touch too fast, I slowed it, I wasn't planning on going nuts or letting ego get in my way! I couldn't believe how great I felt, I was ON TRACK!! It was surreal - bod was feeling good, my lungs were hardly being challenged :) I only just started getting pins & needles and numb feet - mainly in my right foot which I'd strapped.

Went through the 10km mark in 50:40. Whoa! I was shocked, and still felt good :) Felt a mammoth blister, but sucked it up. By now both feet were numb. Probably a good thing!

Had my gel at 11km mark. Made the mistake of not having enough water with it. About 14kms my mouth was dry, I couldn't swallow properly and I started losing form. And my legs were starting to feel it. Hence the pace slowed a bit.

I damn well missed the next drink station, so had dry mouth syndrome for another 2kms when I had a short little walk as I was drinking. It's a fine line between quenching the thirst and dry mouth and drinking too much and getting one of my infamous crippling stitches...

It was while I was re-hydrating that the first set of red balloons went past. No worries I thought, just keep the legs turning. But after having a walk, they didn't want to move. The couldn't. That's when the swearing started...

Then the 2nd lot of red balloons went past! OMG!! Then I felt the self-inflicted pressure... "C'MON". Everything went kaput after that. My legs just couldn't move how I wanted them too. I couldn't work out how I went from feeling awesome to crumpling so quick... that's never happened before. It's either a bad run from the start, or a good run from the start with usual exertion pain at the end. ;)

I didn't bother to look at my watch or pacing chart after that, I didn't want to create any extra pressure, I just had to make it to the end in one piece.

At 18kms I felt a 'lift'. There was one girl walking, and another ran past her at the same time as I did and yelled encouragement "c'mon, just keep your legs going for another 15mins", so I took on the advice too. The encouragement from everyone was fantastic.

The last 3kms were absolute pain. I felt like I was crawling, but I snuck a look at the watch and maybe just maybe I could do a low 1:50ish time. Didn't dare pressure me though as passing out was a more likely outcome.

It was so exciting to see people lining the streets and cheering! I saw the finish line so put the big sprinter legs in. The clock was at 1:52:40 (gun time) something so I knew I must have been fairly close, but knew I didn't do it. I had to sit as soon as I finished, but was quickly made to stand and ushered through to the 'recovery area'. Good thing too, considering thousands more were to come through and if we all sat down... Remembered to stop clock as I was collapsing and it read 1:50:16. Damn I thought and took off 6 seconds for my delay in stopping it.

Found a tree in recovery area and sat beside it, almost comatose. So of course the Gold Coast Bulletin thought that would be a good picture to take.......... so I'm a star in yesterday's paper. Pic and a mini interview. Which they totally concocted. I so did not say half that stuff! And apparently I'd run the marathon too!

Mosey-ed around trying to find OH which didn't take toooo long. Hung around a bit then home for shower and relax :)

This was the view from our motel.

Saw the official results on-line yesterday and was almost devastated to see I only missed the magic mark I'de set, by five seconds! See if I didn't walk that drink-stop.... ;)

Here's me yesterday on the balony yesterday morning with the sun-rise, before we drove back to the airport. In my Finisher's T-Shirt, which I've hardly taken off ;) lol

What I gained:

- 2 mammoth blisters on each foot. Size of a distorted 50c piece.

- a blood blister on one toe, just to add some more colour

- a bruise 5cms below my belly button. I think it's from the compression tights - they have a skinny drawstring which must have been compressed into me!

- I've got chafing in a lovely place. Again bloody compression tights. Compressed my butt very well - keeping it all in place and together, so guess where the chafing is!! Didn't find that one till I hit the shower and got the stinging feeling!

- Sore abs!!! And ribs!

- Dead legs - only quads though.

What I learnt

- To not strap my foot (with a different type of strapping being used for the first time) in a big event!! The pain of the blisters was way worse than the maybe-pain from the right foot which still isn't 100%.

- To stick with the pace runners, even if they are going a little too slow. They still got over the line before me, which is the whole point :)

- That pasta is GOOOOOD the nite before. I'm not a pasta eater usually, but I felt full of beans, for the most part, anyway :)

I'm so stoked that I smashed by last PB from a month ago by 3 and a bit minutes!! And I know I could have gone under 1:50 if I really knew I was that close. Always next one!!

Over and out...

Blisters, Bruises, Pins and Needles and Dead Legs - My Gold Coast Experience!

The Short of it...

I did it, and I did it well :) AND a new PB in the bag thank-you very much!! Cause I 'crashed' quite badly in my local half only a month ago, I didn't re-set the sub 1hr 50m goal, I just wanted to enjoy the big run and have fun :)

Net time: 1:50:05. SO CLOSE, yet so far!!!!!!! Surely I could have found five seconds somewhere!!

Gun time: 1:52:44, so it did take quite a while to get to the actual start line after the gun went off!

Now, this is the fun part - if you get excited over numbers and stuff like I do ;)

There were 6848 starters.

6278 finished.

I finished 2,178th overall - I estimated maybe in the top half, so pretty happy with that!

567th female - now that's sounding nice - of 2956 that finished.

128th in category of F25-29 years old. (558 in total).

I've run 3 half marathons in total now, and each time I've chopped 3 and a bit minutes off the previous race, so I can't complain about that. (So if I apply that, next one I should do a 1:47 run... lol!) ;)

Will I go back next year - hell yes :) But I wanna do the BIG one ;)

****************************************************

And the Long of it!!

to be continued....

;)

I Made it!!

11 straight days of work, the shortest being on the weekend - 2 eight and a half hour days :) I'm OVER IT it is an understatement ;) Very tired, mentally and bodily :) Training has sucked a bit lately, but I'll just say I'm doing a maaajor taper before the half on Sunday :)

So Lyndsay and I caught up last Thursday on her way thru town to Cairns. I'll steal the pic from her blog that we took in my studio- she's looking G-R-E-A-T, and I'm in my uniform, looking... short.

Friday I did my last long run of one and a half hours. I felt like death warmed up after it. One of my trainers ended up in hospital really really sick last Thursday so I prayed I didn't have what he's got. So we were one man down staff-wise which threw a spanner in, but at least he's OK now.

Monday - my new spin bike arrived!! Sooo excited, but haven't yet had a ride on it :( Got to put it together first :)

I did RPM on Wednesday and it just didn't feel good. I had to stop coz I thought I was going to fall off the bike... ;) Got a bit dizzy and hot and cold flushes, but I'm putting it down to no cardio since the afore mentioned death run last Friday! What won't kill me will only make me stronger right ;)

Today well, was today. I was the only human in QLD to not watch the footy last nite. Hey this grandma needs sleep! However the obsanities and cheers from the neighbours told me what was going on... *sigh*. My first 2 clients starting from 5.30am this morning crawled in and said "You're so lucky I'm here", being my cheery self at that time of the morning, I grumbled back "No buddy, you're lucky you're here" LoL. He knows how much trouble he's in next session to stand me up at that time of the morning!

And today my other staff member has the vomitting, so we're man down again. So along with end of financial year reports and getting the group certificates out etc etc etc it's been a crazy two weeks, but I'm alive.

Went for a run this afternoon, first one since the again mentioned death run from last Friday, to blow the cobwebs out and I felt really good. Hope my legs feel like that on Sunday! One more slooow jog in the morning then that's it. I'm setting no goals this time, just to enjoy the day and the atmosphere! I'm catching up with Kristy on Saturday so that will be nice!

YAY! I get to go on an airplane tomorrow!!!!!! I'll be back next week with results!

And while the camera's out, here's a pic from 2 weeks ago when OH and I did our road trip up to Airlie Beach for the day on our Show Holiday. How nice does that look!!! (the water, not the boy) ;)

Bizeeeeeeeeeeee

But what's new! I'm working every day until I'm on that plane for the GC half. EEeek, it's come so fast and my preps been very disjointed the last month or so. Hope I've done enough ground work earlier in the year to hold me over :)

I'm sacrificing my whole weekend to work at a health expo being held here. 9am - 5pm both Saturday and Sunday, so I'm reshuffling all my training as I won't get my long Saturday morning run in, and will be pushing it to get to the Sunday arvo one. If things have wound down, I'm packing up early and getting outta there. I won't accept my training plan being disrupted into the last week! ;)

I've got sore sore sore hammys from leg training on Monday, and my bad shoulder isn't behaving after upper training yesterday and all the computer work I've been doing. I was booked in for a massage yesterday but had to cancel - in advance of course ;) - coz I was snowed under but she did the guilt trip on me "you need to look after your body you know, you have to make you a priority" so she convinced me to re-book for today. So I did. Then went straight to the beach for sprints near her house and I discovered some stairs I'd heard about but had no idea where they were. Or how many there were. So after already having sore legs, being pummelled at massage, then beach sprints, what better idea than to run stairs! It was better not knowing how many, as I just kept running till the top. 102. So I went back down and repeated that 2 more times. I couldn't even hold my right leg straight to stretch it, it was shaking so bad. It was not alot of fun pushing the clutch in all the way home, in peak hour traffic. It kept quivering and I could do nothing to make it stop! It's in shock ;)

Tomorrow's crazy busy as well, and Lyndsay is on her way through here, so we're catching up around lunch time!! YAY! She wants to check out where I get to 'play' all day ;) It will be good to see her again as god knows how long it will be till next time :)

Best be off, I'm in the middle of a really good book, which is the worstestest thing I could do when I really need quality sleep. I have a problem putting down a good book, although my eyes are drooping and its only 6 hours till my alarm goes off. I should have it finished tonite though, and that problem is solved! ;)

Lunch & Dinner...

Thanks to Kek!

I was st-ar-ar-ar-ving at lunch time yesterday after the mountain run and subsequent drive back to town.

Opened the fridge to...
NOTHING.
Bare, unexciting, nothing.

I could scavenge up something and not enjoy it and then continue to want to eat all afternoon as I wouldn't have had an enjoyable meal, or take time to prepare. Which is rare on a weekend for me - unless it's done FOR me ;)

Lunch ended up being the devine chicken enchiladas. With a few minor changes, as of course I didn't have all the ingredients. It was so worth the preparation time, they were the best thing since *insert food of choice* ;)

I had the same dilemma at dinner time.
Chicken? Nah, had that for lunch.
Salmon? Had that last nite for tea.
Other fish? None in freezer
Beef burgounion? Have that during the week for lunch.
BOooooooooooooring.

So it was sweet potato pancakes. I skipped the banana but it tasted great! My whey protein was *ah-hem* white chocolate flavour, as I have no vanilla, but whatever, my stomache was happy. And for me, that's the main thing. ;)

I'm also due to make up another batch of the mini quiches. They are a yummy snack to grab and go.

That woman knows how to weave her magic in the kitchen. And no, I'm not being paid to 'pimp' her food blog! ;)

So thanks Kerryn, my tastebuds were very satisfied this weekend ;)

The Elevation Chart...

max: 721m
min: 166m

MapMyRun.com View King Of The Mountain in Eungella Qld 4757, Australia

I was only trying to cut and paste the elevation chart...
Anyway I somehow linked to the route, so anyone is remotely interested, click on the link.
I have no idea if you have to be registered on the site to access it though.

*Shrugs* I'm just a newbie as of 30mins ago.

I Conquered the Mountain!

It was the run this morning. King of the Mountain. Woke at 6am, and needed a shower to wake up and get warm. Quick breakfast and into the car to the meeting point where 4 of us car pooled. Started the long trek. Had a stop about 20kms from the start line as that was the last time we had toilet access. It was sooo cold. Until we warmed up.

The run was the same as every year, I'm sure I blog the same stuff every year about how hard it was! So I'll just skip that, and say I got to the top in 46mins 41secs. Pretty chuffed with that. It's about 2 mins faster than last year, and a measly 15secs off my best time in 2006. If I knew I was that close, I would have pulled 15sec from somewhere! But you can never tell on that hill what corner turn will be the last.

Thank god that's done for another year. Next year will be my 5th one - I'm considered a veteran then! :)

Now time to focus on the GC half which this time in 2 weeks will be all over :)

Edit: Let's see if I can work Map my Run and transfer the data here...

King Of the Mountain

I've had the worstestest week in a long time, and I can't wait to see the end of it. Tomorrow is our show holiday here - if it wasn't for the fact my infectious boyf and I were going on a road trip tomorrow for the day, I'd be in at work ploughing through the kazillion items on my desk.

So I'm focusing towards the weekends run - Sunday morning is King of the Mountain. 6.4kms of pure torture. Every year I swear I will never ever do it again...

At the bottom. The break in the trees at the top is a chalet. I have to run up to that.

This is the 'reward' from the top. Just above the shadow you can make out the road - it's the little squiggle.

So think of me on Sunday morning when it's still dark, crawling out of bed, to drive an hour out of town, only to then park my car and run up the mountain.

Yea... no logic in that.

Banned from my Boyfriend

How ridiculous hey! He's one big infectious disease...
Let me start from the beginning.

One month ago - got a boil on his leg. In heapsa pain, went to doc, given antibiotics. Called back 2 days later to get different meds as the first lot he was given he was immune to. Boil ran its course, all good.

2 weeks later - boil appears on his arm (this was one I've mentioned). I took him to doc. His usual wasn't there, so saw a locum. Was given antibiotics again - same as the first lot the first time. He told the locum they would do no good, doc said "it'll be OK. These will kill it". Didn't argue. Boil got worse, became infected, ended up in hospital under general anaesthetic for them to clean it up as they were concerned the infection may have gotten into the bone (bad news).

That one is still healing and he still has to strap it as the skin is very tender as it grows back over. It's below his elbow - if you pull your arm up to look at your elbow, it's just few cms in. Not much skin there huh. Well he had a massive crater in there. Looked like a flesh-eating monster had a big chunk. Being a boy, he took some great pics which I could post ;)

This Sunday - has a 'pain' on his arm that feels like a boil. I had a look and said it's prolly only an ingrown. Lucky I'm not a doctor as on Monday he went, and sure enough... got it taken out there and then to save the pain of another one. Blood test ordered to see what's going on in his system.

Tuesday - back again, another one appears on his arm and his stomache. He's really p!ssed off by now. Doctor had to ring the 'infectious diseases' specialist to see what's going on. He's given a massive course of antibiotics - taking 2, four times per day - over $200 worth of meds.

Although we've done it all many times lately - we have to disinfect all the bed clothes again, the towels again, disinfect the bath again, and he's even bathing in some disinfectanct stuff. I'm not allowed to sleep in the same place as him till it's sorted.

He'd never had a boil till a month ago, and I've never had one, and certainly don't want one. So if I have to be banned from him I will.

Makes my poor boy sound grotty, germy and gross - he's not!! I just hope the blood test can get it sorted so they can go away and STAY away!!!

So I'm at mum and dad's for now :)

When You Really Don't Want a Photo to be Taken

Professional pics I found on the website today from the half marathon 3 weeks ago.

Gee Woman, show some leg hey!?

Although it doesn't look like it, I am moving! ;)

Why oh why can't running be a glamour sport?!

Lucky!

I didn't read the comments telling me to REST before I ran this morning ;P

I took some night cold and flu tabs and slept like a baby. It was what I needed, I haven't been getting much sleep during the week, with work and training and just being SO busy lately. I think that's part of the reason I got a bit sick - rundown.

But I was up at 4.50am this morning, all stuffed up in nose. Best thing would be to run in the cool weather and clear it all out, right! So I did :)

I did 1hr 30mins, 30secs. (I'm so anal with the time) It was roughly 16kms. Certainly had the nose running, but the more I ran, the better I felt for it. But the nose wasn't the major problem this morning - there was an emergency toilet trip I had to make. So in the almost-still-dark, in a secluded area, other runners about 50m ahead of me, I ducked into the cane paddocks. AHhhhh. The others wondered how I got so far behind ;) LOL!

I feel GREAT now, almost all better! Not tired, and legs aren't lethargic.

I just cooked up a bit batch of food for lunch for the next week or 2. I love being organised, there's no way around it at the moment :)

OH is at work today, so I'm doing the leisure thing. After I've cleaned, I think it's time for a DVD or a good book or something.... Oh the choices ;)

BLEUGH...

I'm ill, with the flu :( Not the full-blown flu but not far off it. I'm sure it would be if I wasn't consistent with taking my vitamins and supps. Everyone around me - OH, Mum, bro, trainers at work and clients have had it lately. I thought I avoided it but unfortunately not!

Nearly wagged upper body training today coz felt like crap, but my training schedule is so full on that I wouldn't have fit it in anywhere else! So I sucked it up and got on with it. Ended up being quite a good session, and I felt heaps better after it. Always helps to sweat a few germs away :P
I did however skip my planned run training this arvo :( Naughty.

I'm running 2 hours in the morning - last long run before the GC half! YAY!! The taper starts ;) I'd prefer to have fresh legs for that as it's going to be a bit of an effort me thinks! I'll be taking my hanky on that one. Tissues are good for nothing!

I survived another crazy week at work. We also get a 4 day week here next week - it's our show holiday on Thursday, so that's another 5 days jam-packed into 4. Not complaining though, it is the last pub hol for the year!

That's me for this week, its blanky time for me! :)

It's Official, I'm IN!!

I just received my rego confirmation for the Gold Coast Half Marathon.
I am H2233. That's nice and easy to remember! Yay! No turning back now ;P

I've been MIA again, so busy! Just finished having professional pics taken - of staff and some clients doing stuff in the studio and in the park - to use on all my marketing material. It was fun, can't wait to see them tomorrow :)

Gotta run, more clients coming...................... I'lllllllll be back!!!!!!!!!

Pics from Rogue Traders Concert

Nice dress :) Very short, but she wears it well!!

Stage lighting was cool :)

Second dress - very funky!

And a snippet of the concert from my sis' camera. Sideways sorry!

I'm In Love!!

With Natalie Bassingthwaite! ;) She's gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanna be just like her when I grow up! ;) The concert last nite was great!!!!!!! Had to wait around for a very long time before it started, and lots of people were getting irritated, more drunk, and well I was just getting sore feet from standing! We were about 3 people deep, and at times, had I had inspector-gadget arms, I would have been able to touch her :) And the not-too-bad looking guitarist!!! ;P They sound great live as well, she's got a great voice, and a hot body. My OH had the most enthusiasm of the whole nite she came out in the shortest dress, and got lots of photographic evidence on his phone. I'm sure all his mates are enjoying it at the moment as well ;) My sis also got heaps of pics on her camera so I'll post some pics tonite when I see her again :)

Baby baby baby, you are my voodoo child, my voodoo child....

Close Your Wallet WOMAN!

I've been on a money-parting roll lately!! If I see something I want/need I've been going for it, with not too much thought involved. But, a girl's gotta get what a girl needs!!!

This has been my spree of the past week...

LJ Singlet - I did manage to walk out of there with only that. And changing topic here, did you know they have massive sales on at the moment, up to 50% off some stock!! Minimum of 10%. Refrained again today, I think I have most of the shop anyway.

Kambrook Omelette Maker - I did have one of these that I stole from my nan, but someone at work used it, didn't clean it properly, food particles were left on the surface, was put back in cupboard not to be pulled out and used again for a few months, when I did, the paint stuff had all crackled and peeled off from the food... No good to anyone. So to cut a long story short, I bought a new one. Good Guys had 15% off, so even better! I make my PANCAKES in it today, soooo easy and no mess!!

Nearly Knee High Boots - This was a total spur of moment thing. I went shopping for some cool stockings to wear with my new suede ankle boots, but walked away with new bigger boots. (and no stockings!) They are sooo comfy! They've got the pointy heel and pointy toe, which is oh-so-in at the moment. I've had a pair of the thicker, squarer toe ones which I bought when living in Canada years ago, so I was definitely due for an update!

Stockings - didn't get them the day I went looking for them, but picked up a pair today. Not sure if I like them, but someone will wear them if they aren't right.

CD - love the fast-paced remix CD's. Nick Skitz's remixes are my faves. The boy at work has every single album he's done. Except the new one. I beat him to it. Nick Skitz - Come Into My World. Lots of old stuff remixed on there in with new stuff. My kinda old stuff. Melissa Tkautz does 2 songs! Who else remembers her, she was my FAVE actress on E Street - then how excited was I at 10 or so years old when she brought out a song. Or two. That did any good. She does a remix of the Transvision Vamp song - I Want Your Love. Who remembers THEM and THAT song!! LoL. That'll keep me busy this weekend transferring them to my i-shuffle.

Hmmm I think that's it... that's not so bad after all. I just haven't stopped after my spree in Brisbane 3 weeks ago, and that was a scare when the credit card bill came through.

Oh and how could I forget!!!!!!!!!!

Tonite I'm going to ROGUE TRADERS!!! So tix for me and the boy is another spend! (He's fine btw, got out of hospital last nite, is at the races at the moment!). Plus the few drinks I'm going to have tonite. :) And I did say only a few. No big, important race tomorrow, so I'm kicking back :)

Addictions...

I've become an RPM nerd. I'm going through the addiction stage again. It's all I want to do!!
I didn't run at all this week, just did the few RPM classes. My pain memories of the half have scared me off ;P I booked in with myself to go to the RPM Extreme class this morning. I planned it all week - I'll just have Saturday morning off running.
Last nite I got the guilts... 8am is toooo late! Half the day is gone. I really should run. No I really want to do RPM, just this week. The guilt won. I got up at 4.50am to fly to the other side of town to meet my usual training buddies for our normal Saturday morning run. We did hills. Lots of hills. The steepest hills you're gonna find in our town. I really shouldn't have had the week off running. I forgot how much it hurts when I do. Or my legs still haven't forgiven me for putting them through the half. I wasn't in good shape when we finished (story of my life lately), in fact the other guys asked during the run if I was a bit sick today. Err no, just feeling really unfit. My legs are tired I can't keep up with you guys! Anyway after 30mins of hills no addiction to RPM was going to have me rocking up there to repeat it all on a bike, in an hour. No sireee.
Had a nice warm shower and make protein pancakes. Enjoyed them at 8am when I should have been RPMing. Not once did I feel guilty! ;)

I recovered...

What a week.
I was shattered from the half marathon, so Monday was tough. Spent an hour and twenty minutes (yes that's right) just WAITING in the doc's surgery for my OH to get in to his appointment. Then he had another 15mins in there. It was a great way to spend my break! ;) His 'injury' that kept him AND ME awake all Sunday nite, is a boil. A very large, disgusting boil. He was given the strongest painkillers, antibiotics, and a week off work as he can't drive or operate machinery when under the influence.

Tuesday was work, CPR update - gee I love them - decided at last minute as my legs were still sore that I needed another recovery day. More like i-just-ran-21.1kms-on-the-weekend-i-don't-have-to-do-jack-so-nerrr kinda day.

Wednesday got my butt back into it for the lauch of the new RPR Extreme - the one hour class.
Lurrrved it! Had all intentions of a run that afternoon, but I came up with another excuse.

Thursday - work, had TV cameras in as my business is going to be part of an ad airing soon (at no cost to me which is a bonus!!), so cleaned like mad. Only found out on Wednesday nite that they wanted to use us. Got to RPM last night as well, I absolutely smashed myself, I was sweating madly at track 2... Maybe coz I got there so early that I had time to do about 15mins cycling before the class? Maybe coz it was later in day so I had less energy left? Whatever, I caned it, and lurved it! My OHs aunt and uncle are up from Sunny Coast and he's an insurance broker, and I'm a slack woman and have never arranged income protection or life insurance or anything (nothing major of course!!), so chatted to him. The company he deals with don't insure personal trainers for life insurance....
UMMM???? What?!?! Woudln't they be your target market?? Fit, healthy and conscious of staying that way? Not very smart are they! Anyway, I've got a few more options I'm working on, it's only been in progress for four and a half years. ;)

Today - busy busy. Had heaps of back to back clients and I don't get a chance to drink my water as much as I'd like, and always end up with a sore throat, from talking too much (not yelling of course), and not sipping. It's still a bit husky, but whatever...
Had hassles with Fitness Qld with re-registering so was on the phone to them for a bit. I've got more than enough CEC points but things have changed... I had no issues re-registering that way last time, but this time, dramas dramas. I didn't know some of the rules had changed, how rude! ;) (Had I taken the time to actually re-search, I'm sure I must have been sent some form of notification in the past 2 years!).
AND then to top the day off, I got a call at 3pm, my OH is in hospital having surgery tonite. Right now in fact! His boil has gone from disgusting to SUPER-feral. The doctor prescribed the wrong anitibiotics which has made things quite messy...
It's huge and gross (gore isn't my thing, I'd never make a good nurse), infected, and it may have infected the bone. Went to the doctor today to get it cleaned out, and was admitted to hospital. Right now he's under general anaesthetic. I'm just waiting for my call to get back there.
Never a dull moment in my life this week!!

Gotta love him...

I asked my boyf to take a few happy-snaps of the half mara yesterday. This is what I flicked through my camera later that day to find...

WHY THANKS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was when I was at my worst (obviously), I couldn't even remember seeing him, never mind knowing he was taking a photo.

This is the shot 10 seconds before, I was in a world of pain... Get me to that damn finish line...

Results are up on the website today. I came 73rd of 122 participants. Donna came in 52nd!! Thanks everyone for the kind comments you left, I am happy, don't get me wrong, I just have high expectations!!!

I had a rotten night's sleep. My legs were aching sooo bad I had trouble sleeping. Not even my usually-life-saving skins were helping! My efforts were made no easier as my OH has an injury and that was so painful for him he couldn't sleep. I remember our half asleep conversation..

What's the time now? 12am. Crap woman, get to sleep

What's the time now? 3am. Dammit only 2 hours left

Then it was time for the alarm...

I didn't have a sickie today of course. Did manage to re-arrange some bookings so they worked in my favour... only as I was leaving my other trainer said she was too sick to go on, and she looked it too. So who had to stay and take over?? Nevermind, I again re-arranged as much as we had too so there weren't too many germs being spread.

I've got a sore throat, so am having an early nite and drugging up. 2 hours of running in the rain then standing around cold isn't a good idea for staying WELL!

Half Marathon Round-up... (cripes this is a long post)

The home-made healthy pizzas were great last nite! Just what I was looking forward too. I got to bed at about 9.30pm, of course had problems actually getting to sleep but I'm guessing I was out to it by 10pm. At 2.15am, heartbroken, distraught, drunk little brother called me for big sister advice. I didn't get to sleep until well after 3am, then the alarm was off at 4.45am. I felt terrible before I'd even started! :)

Conditions - Bit cool. It was still dark when we started, really overcast.

Bang, gun went off. Donna (training buddy) and I took off, yes, just a little too fast. First km done in 4.37. We headed straight out to the breakwater, as due to popular demand, the windy route along the beach was done at the front end of the race, which was a lot better than having to struggle with it when feeling really ratsh!t.

Uh,oh... legs aren't feeling very good at all. Quads tight as rocks, breathing through the roof. Into the 3rd km and chest is tightening up, heart was going insane that I was a bit worried. Slowed the legs a touch, although it's hard to make yourself slow down...

3kms, Donna's cruising, about 50m ahead, I just cannot get my legs to move. That was the last we saw of each other!!

From there it just got worse for me. Into a strong headwind for a few kms, and tried to keep the pace but the legs weren't liking it at all. Felt like 2kg ankle weights were strapped on.

By 8kms, it was all over. I was way over the time I needed to have been at, and there was no way I was going to be able to do negative splits at the back end of the race!! 'Just maybe', I thought, I could come good and still do it. Do I surrender now and enjoy the run, or bust it to the point of discomfort like I currently am, and give myself every opportunity'. I did slow the legs, only they got faster again to that max happy-discomfort spot.

By now it was raining as well, nice and cool, but slow drizzly rain that the wind blows into you. It never stopped. Donna in her bright shirt (thanks D, just so I could see her from the great distance!!), was nowhere to be seen. Just way too far ahead.

11km got the GU out. Psychological edge, anthing was going to help. 'Just get to the end, you're past half way'.

15km saw I was gaining on one of my fellow road runners. That's always a bit of a booster although it is the worst feeling to have someone pass you. And trust me, I had MANY of them today.

18kms, I'd overtaken him - giving him encouragement along the way (how I got words out I'm not quite sure) - and another girl who earlier overtook me at 5kms. (Still people are overtaking me though, so it's bittersweet).

19kms, knew there was NO way I'd reach my goal unless I did sub 5min kms for the last 2.1km... Also developed one of my infamous crippling stitches. Ran most of the rest of the race one armed, other arm pressing on the stitch. I may just make the low 51 mins...

20- 21kms - didn't dare look at the clock, I'd rather not know.

21kms - as fast as I could for the last 100m. (gotta make it look good over the finish line) ;)

21.1kms - 1.53:11. Disappointed. Absolutely shattered after run, had to hunch over, couldn't talk to anyone. Although my lovely supportive clients tried to talk to me, I couldn't even comprehend what they were so saying. Except to say "can't (deep breath) talk." Didn't even see my other half, who was right in front of me. My legs are aching, they've never felt so bad. I feel drunk, swaying, need to sit down. I was so depleted of everything. Will I pass out, crap can't do that in front of clients ;P

Conclusion
It just wasn't my day today :) I knew that from the first few kms, the body just didn't want a bar of it. Donna did AWESOME and I hugged her in excitement when she told me her news - 1.48:20. She smashed our goal!! And did say she kept waiting for me to join her... oops :P She shouldn't have run so bloody fast then ;)

I'm absolutely shattered still. I have never pulled up this bad from a race before... ever. My whole body is aching like I'm ill. My legs are heavy as logs. My feet are just caning in the arches, I can't actually walk on them yet. I came home and crashed for a few hours, and I still will tonight. Haven't got my ravishing appetite yet... what's going on there. I think my body's in shock.

I feel as though I've had my peak this year. The 17km race in April I did way faster and felt fantastic through the whole race. By the 8km mark today I was already slower than the pace I did in that one. I felt better and pulled up 10x better after the 28kms four weeks ago. I think had the half been 6 weeks earlier, I would have cracked the mark. So much long training for so long, the body's on the downward 'i want a break' spiral I feel :) I have been going hard at it weekly since November last year.

So what's next
'Unfortunately' I still have the GC half in four weeks time!!! So there's still some long-ish stuff in training, but there's nothing I'm going to be able to do in four weeks. The hard yards are done already, just need to keep the legs turning over. I will speak to coach about how I've felt the past few long runs and see what training we should put together this next 4 weeks. A few of my fellow road runners said today already "you'll go heaps faster in the GC one then". We'll see. I won't place any pressure on myself as that takes some of the fun away. I want to enjoy the atmosphere and the run!!!

What I can do better
- Watch nutrition a little more the last week leading in. Food for optimum performance, not pleasure, and no using 'I'm running a half, I'll need the energy' excuse...
- And following on from that, I need to get my body fat down, less to carry, faster I can go. I'm not being unreasonable, but it is a little higher than I'm comfortable with at the moment. Lean, Mean, Running Machine is the goal!!!
- Unless there's been disaster or another break-up, turn off my phone, so I don't get calls :P and can have a real sleep!
- Don't place too much pressure on myself
- Warm up better
- Don't go out too fast!!!!!!!!!!!!! But you just can't tell me that ;P

So that's that. I'm still in a comatose state, I really need to chuck a sickie tomorrow, what will the boss say ;) I'm not being a wuss, if I feel like this tomorrow still it won't be safe for anyone. Mentally and physically exhausted!

Hope I don't sound like a sore loser, I was disappointed only because with all the training I've done, I should have been able to crack the 1.50. I only knocked 4mins off last year's time, which was my first half so I went in blind - not knowing what I could pull out. 4mins over 21.1kms isn't a lot... I took 2m30s off my 10km time 2 months ago!

BUT I still have a NEW PB!!!! So I'm happy with that! I can only go better next time, and that's always the goal - CONTINUAL AND NEVER-ENDING IMPROVEMENT!!! :)

ONE MORE SLEEP!!

First - not so nice news :( Today I saw my lil bro and his GF shopping, she was trying on dresses for the races next weekend. My bro was talking to my OH while I goo-gaaed her looking gorgeous. Chatted for a bit and left. My OH said "You know he just told me they broke up. He's just with her today as friends shopping". I nearly burst into tears in the shopping centre. My voice went shaky and tears welled up... They've been together about two and half years. She's such a sweet girl, and he's nuts about her. I have that 'problem' where I take on everyone else's issues and feelings and it cuts me so deep. I don't know whether I was crying for him and the pain as my little brother he would be feeling, or if it was for the fact I won't see her anymore as she's become part of the furniture, or just because it's a sad thing to happen to anyone. My bro did come to me later today and we had a good chat... I gave him the big sister 'been there done that' kind of advice, and I think he's actually listening :) It was nice, as I'm 7 years older than him, we've never really been 'close' in a close way if you get me, but I'm glad he knows he can talk to me about that stuff when he needs to. And luckily I don't have that bad feeling in my chest and stomache anymore, that deep, horrible sensation.

Because, after all.......... I HAVE THE HALF MARATHON TOMORROW! (You see, it's always about me :P)

It's forecast to be very windy which is not good as the last 3kms of the run is done along the beach (on a road though), so is veeerrryyyy blowy. I swear when it's really bad no one can run in a straight line. Then add in the legs which have just run 18kms. Today has been overcast, raining and cold. So if it stays like that, hold the rain and the wind ;), conditions should be perfect!

EEEKK! I've picked up my race kit (GO NUMBER #59!!!) ;), got the clothes ready on the bed. I've just gotten an attack of nerves though... my training partner and I have just been finalising our race plan. We're goaling for a.... wait for it... sub 1hr 50m run... eeek. I didn't want to say it out loud as we may not go under it... but anyway, there. I've said it :) My inital goal was to better last year and go under 1hour 55mins. Then everyone at RR pushed me... You'll go under 1hr50m. Gee, no pressure guys :P Coach said I have a 'very strong chance'. Just got to PACE MYSELF, you know, that thing I have a problem with... so I don't burn out too early, need to come home strong!
OK so there's a bit of *wafle waffle* yes I must be nervous...

So the plan is:

4.45am - wake up. Chances are, I will be awake anyway as I can never get a decent sleep the night before a big run. Of course. Just when I need the sleep!

4.50am - straight into warm shower. Put eyes in and race gear on + dressing gown & ugg boots for the kitchen.

5.00am - breakfast, will have the usual. 1/3c oats + 1/2 cottage cheese. I've recently read you shouldn't have too much protein before a run as it can play up in your stomache, but I have that every single day, including all previous runs, so I'll try to ignore that 'research', and go with what I always do!

5.10am - strap foot. I usually do this the night before and sleep in it, but last time it drove me insane and got so hot and itchy that in my sleep I tore it all off.

5.25am - shoes on, check strapping and insoles are all in right position. Fix if have to. Use biro to mark on hand 5km split times I need to be under to reach goal!

5.30am - Check everything needed is in backpack including spare clothes, towel and a COMB! (I never seem to have a comb in my bag after I've washed my hair!). Grab water, gatorade, food after double check GUs are in pocket of race shirt.

5.40am - at the latest. In the car, straight to the start. Shouldn't be too much traffic on road that early on a Sunday morning.

6.00am - Should be there. Dump my bag, learn the course, chat to everyone, psyche myself up.

6.10am - last toilet run.

6.13am - warm up for 2-3 minutes before taking jacket off. Don't want to warm up too long, I've gotta survive 21.1kms, there's a lot of warming up to do in there!!

6.30am - race begins!

8.30am - my fate is determined :P

There's also a 5km fun run that starts at 8.30am. I've got seven excited clients I've talked into giving it a go. I most probably won't see them before the start as I'll still be running, or just coming in. They're determined to see me... which won't be a pretty site coming over the finish line!! I'll be there with my camera as they finish though, I can't wait to see how they go!! I'll convert everyone to running just yet.... *evil giggle*

10am is random prize drawers including $1000 worth of stuff from our local sports store. One being a pair of the latest, not-even-on-the-shelves-yet Asics Kayanos. THEY ARE SOOOO MINE!!! I'd even sacrifice my goal time for them.
Maybe.
Uhhh.
Maybe not.
Who am I kidding... NO WAY!! ;)

PS: I did buy the LJ top today!! YAY!! Will be part of my post-race outfit :P

Good enough reason for me!

Another LJ purchase is on tomorrow's agenda! Got an email today advertising this:


(OK so it's a little small, but 50% of proceeds on these $29.99 tops will be donated to the Heart Foundation)

It does have my favourite word on it so how can I say no!?

ONLY 2 MORE SLEEPS TILL HALF MARATHON!!

ONLY 1 MORE SLEEP TILL MINI PIZZAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

3 More Sleeps to go!!!!!!

Quite a non-eventful day. I had a great sleep last nite, out to it by about 9pm and slept all the way through till 5.30am - yipee for later starts! Still didn't stop the yawns all day though.

I had my sports massage this afternoon, so I'm all limbered up for the half. She used a 'tens' machine on me... not sure if I like it or not, especially the accupuncture setting. It really felt like a sewing machine was running rank on my back! Then the cups came out, I will have my bewdiful alien-like bruises up my spine again! I did have a thorough working over, which I needed as it has been about a month :)

Did a small little run this afternoon as per my program. Warm up then 10 x 30secs on, 30sec off intervals, then cool-down. My legs are a bit tired from yesterday so didn't want to over-do it :)
My feedback from yesterday's effort was "What an amazing run!". Gotta be happy with that!!

So 3 more sleeps to go... I've already ordered my Saturday nite carb-up meal. OH is going to make our favourite splurge meal of our healthy mini-pizzas. Topped with chicken and lotsa veges and fruit (ok that sounds weird, but pineapple IS a fruit!!). MMMmm bring on Saturday nite!!!