Typical Obsessive

Running
Couldn't leave well enough alone could I? Couldn't finish the month on 293Km could I?

Yep, headed out for a 7km run this morning, nothing taxing, just keeping the legs moving. I had a bad night sleep and it did help clear my head and set me up for the day, anyway, I am taking Monday as a rest day as part of my taper, so there! And this month should have been more like 335 Km, however there were 3 extra unscheduled rest days (mild quad strain and ASICS study testing and one run cut short when my foot hurt). Off for a nice easy shorter long run tomorrow, probably about 14 to 15Km.

As always, great therapy

Running
I did say it was going to be 13Km today, but reviewing my diary I remembered I did 13Km on Monday instead of the scheduled 10Km, so I did 10Km today. Finished in 49:08, average pace of 4:54. Was in a total mood today, especially as the afternoon progressed. It is rare for me to be sitting there thinking "I don't wanna!!", it is usually a case of "can't wait to get outta here and go for my run". I was thinking, I need to find a new route to run, I wish I was meeting up with someone today, maybe I should just skip it and run on Saturday instead, Aghhhhhh. I was also sitting there stewing and focusing too much on negatives and just letting myself get into a slump. Anyway, no matter how shit I feel I don't bail on a run, a tiny little part of my mind knows that once I get going it will be alright.

Sure enough once I had got changed and walked back to my car to stash my stuff the mood was lifting, then by the time I hit the bottom of Anderson Street I was feeling like myself again. When I got back through Birrarung Marr (car was parked at Fed Square) the 10Km was up and I just lay on my back on one of the benches and stared up at the sky through the trees. As if it were psychic my MP3 player decided to play a nice chilled song to cool down to, Hearts a Mess by Gotye (great band by the way). Decided I wasn't in a hurry so I did some stretches, walked back to the car and chucked the tracksuit on then went back to look at all the photo's on display next to Fed Square. I had been running past them for the last week and a bit and I kept telling myself I should stop and have a proper look at them.

Looking at the positives
If I had have posted earlier today it would have been a miserable self pitying pile of garbage, thankfully the mood left me and you have all been spared.

While I was running today I was reflecting on some of the positive aspects of my training over the last 90 odd days since the last half marathon.

The mid week mini long run was introduced, where Wednesdays (sometimes a Thursday) I'd run 14Km, but soon bumped this up to 16Km.

I started doing proper speed work and have had 12 Tuesday night sessions, which at first was a real challenge for me but I have enjoyed this aspect of my training immensely.

A solid tempo session once a week.

My general easy run training speed has increased as has my long run pace.

Some good advice on form has helped me run faster will less perceived effort.

As I mentioned in an earlier post the first half of the year was building a base, this second half has been about adding some variety. Going into next year I want to concentrate on keeping the weekly mileage consistent at 80+ Kms a week. I know I will be a back of the pack AV runner, but my goal is to get the best out of myself and am committed to doing what it takes, so I am looking forward to the challenges of 2007

And by the way, I survived winter!!!!! I can sincerely and honestly say that I did not miss 1 run due to rotten weather, rain or shine I was out there working my little heart out :-)

10 days to go

Running
12 Km in 1:01:57, and average pace of 5:09. A bit stiff to start off with but eased into it nicely after about 2 Km.

Life
I haven't mentioned it for a while but I still keeping up with the Pilates. I gotta confess I am not loving it, but I persist because it really is paying dividends. I have developed some killer abs, don't get too excited though, they are not visible and frankly the effort I would need to make to drop enough body fat to make them visible is just too great, I like my food waaaaay to much :-) Anyway, It's done wonders for my core strength and I can notice the positive impact it has had on my form.

I finished The Wasp Factory (Iain Banks) yesterday, it had a wicked little twist in the end, I have moved right on to another book by the same author. Unfortunately I am coming close to finishing everything he has written thus far which will be a bit sad. The amazing thing about him is that no two books are alike, it is very difficult to pigeon hole his style.

I am a bit teary eyed now. I just finished watching a show on ABC called Nerves of Steel, it was about the AIS's decision to take 4 girls and train them for the skeleton. This is an insane winter sport where you hurtle down an ice track FACE FORWARD on a tiny little sled at up to 130 KPH. I assume it is called skeleton because it is so basic, very little protection and a tiny sled. I think it is called skeleton because if you come off the sled that is all that will be left of you. Anyway, they took 2 sprinters, a surfer and a gymnast and had 5 months to get them to the world cup events, then had to qualify in the top 8 to get 1 team member to the 2006 winter Olympics. It was a very moving doco, just seeing the agonies of such amazing athletes as they try to do their best when only 1 person can get through. They managed to get Australia a 6th place ranking and the tiny little gymnast was our representative. I could barely watch the runs, it looks absolutely terrifying!!

Running
Just a quick one today, it is a bit late and I want to relax. Owing to tapering my usual mid week 16Km is being knocked back to 12Km. But I had a massage booked tonight so I was only able to fit in a quick 10km, 50:24, average pace 5:02. Then on the train, race home, jump in the shower and out for my massage. A few tight spots to work out tonight but over all in pretty good shape.

I'll do 12Km tomorrow and a 13Km Fartlek session on Friday, then a shorter long run on Sunday.

Alrighty, off to relax now, not a very exciting post tonight I am afraid.

Running
Session tonight - 250, 500, 750, 750, 500, 250 mtre Pyramid, Ladder, Ziggurat session, one of my favorites regardless what it is called. Splits as follows
56 (250 mtre)
2:03 (500 mtre)
3:12 (750 mtre)
3:11 (750 mtre)
2:02 (500 mtre)
52 (250 mtre)
I was quite happy with tonight's effort, and I am starting to hang on closer to the back of the pack now as well.

Life
Always a bit tired on Tuesday evenings so not really feeling very talkative and I always struggle to eat a proper dinner, just don't feel like it. Funny today, the nerves really started to set in for some reason, oh well, 2 weeks to go, better get used to it. Had a chat with TC about the taper over the next 2 weeks, all under control now.

One for the girls.....

Running
13 Km today in 1:07:15 an average pace of 5:10. Cruised along and felt lovely and comfortable today.

I am happy to report that the body feels fine, no paranoid injury panic attacks in sight. I have a massage booked in for Wednesday night just to help keep me feeling loose and comfortable.

Life
I bought a new pair of jeans today, size 9! The last time my jeans were in single figures I am pretty sure my age was too :-) Funny thing is I have not been losing weight, but I have noticed a slight change in my body shape, must be a reduction in body fat, either way, I am not complaining.

God, has Mark Latham totally gone off his trolley or what!!! I mean the man is seriously off his rocker, here is his latest, the Aussie male has been replaced by a nation of "metrosexual knobs and toss bags", onya Mark, you certainly have a way with words. Honestly, it is not really my place to discuss what it means to be an Aussie male (being that I am a girl and all), but it takes all types. Some of us love the metrosexual type, some of us prefer a bit of rough. Personally I don't really have a type, as long as he isn't squatting in a ditch pushing berries up his nose I am not really all that fussed, though a good sense of humor and a sharp mind help. Alright, I'll also admit that the guy in the picture who accompanied the article isn't too shabby either and does closely resemble my "type". This post does not really seem to be going any where, guess I was just looking for an excuse to post that pic ;-)

2 weeks to go

Running
20 Km on my own today, in 1:46:36 and at an average pace of 5:19 was too fast for a long run, this always happens when I do these runs on my own. God it was windy out there, at some points I think I was running sideways!

So, 2 weeks to go until my second half marathon hit out. Yes, the nerves are starting to set in now. Looking over the training plan I know I have done enough, but not quite as much as I wanted. Since 24 July there have been 2 weeks in the 70s, 2 weeks in the 80s and the rest in the high 60s. I feel that the prep has lacked a little consistency but overall I am pretty happy. The main difference from the last HM prep is that I have added the speed sessions and longer long runs and I have put in more Kms. It has to be noted as well that the "official" prep period has been shorter, I pretty much took 3 weeks to recover from the GC and did not start proper training until 24 July. Then again I had already done the hard yards building the mileage so this time it was about adding some variety.

I guess tapering starts next week, never quite 100% sure how to approach this. I think this week will be much of the same but I will probably cut the long run to 15Km next Sunday, then next week rest Monday, session Tuesday (maybe??), 10Km Wednesday, 8Km Thurs and Fri, rest Sat and Sunday, a lazy 21.1 Km up Beach Road :-)

Nerves, nerves, nerves!!! I know I have gotten faster, but how much? 1:44:00 is still the goal, anything quicker will be a bonus, and really, who knows what sort of day the Melbourne weather gods will grant us. I probably gave about 90% to the last one, mainly because I was unsure of the distance, this time it will be 100% and I am expecting a degree of pain, both mental and physical, it's all just part of the fun really.

Then it will be time to cast my mind forward to what comes next (yes, already thinking ahead)........

ME!

No running to talk about today, Saturday's a rest day. Instead I am pinching an idea from another blog I read today, so here are 100 things about me -
1 - I have blue eyes
2 - I refuse to celebrate my birthday
3 - I tried to bleach my freckles off my face when I was 12, but now I love them
4 - I don't dye my hair
5 - I hate housework and gardening
6 - My favorite colour is green
7 - I have always wanted to learn French, but can't seem to find the time
8 - I love trashy chick flicks
9 - I keep buying clothes that are too big for me
10 - I may well be addicted to Whizz Fizz
11 - I can't sing, but I still do, in the privacy of my car
12 - I love potatoes, in all forms
13 - I love Dove chocolate with hazelnuts
14 - I love Darrell Lee Rocky Road
15 - I own jewelry, but I never wear it, unless my running watch counts
16 - I hate capsicum
17 - I won't ever have children, my choice
18 - People who tell me that it is sad I never want to have children piss me off
19 - I never finish hobbies that I start, so I have stopped starting them
20 - I think Nick Cave is a brilliant story teller
21 - I have tried every stoopid diet ever invented, they all sucked
22 - I am not religious
23 - I have never voted Liberal
24 - I have never voted Labor either
25 - I haven't seen my father for 11 years, it is as much my fault as it is his
26 - My sneakers are US size 9.5
27 - I have 3 cats, all rescues, they are called Tin Tin, Scully and Asterix
28 - I have 2 tattoos
29 - I played baseball for 3 years
30 - I stopped because I got hit in the mouth by a baseball and was too freaked out to play anymore
31 - My spare rooms are still full of junk from when I moved here, almost 4 years ago
32 - This is how old I am
33 - I am a Capricorn
34 - Banana's are my favorite fruit, so it's been a rough couple of months
35 - It's really hard to think of 100 facts about yourself
36 - My brother and sister live interstate, I miss them
37 - I get really bad PMT
38 - I really want to run 10Kms in 42 minutes one day, but worry I stated running too late to get that good
39 - I never had a boyfriend until I was 18, I was an awkward teenager
40 - I have not been to any of my high school reunions
41 - I am much happier at 32 than I was at 22
42 - I wish I knew at 22 what I know at 32, I am sure I will wish I knew now what I will know at 42
43 - I wear almost no make up, I just can't be bothered
44 - I love cricket
45 - I'd love a Nestle Crunch bar right now
46 - I am making mexican for dinner tonight
47 - I barrack for Carlton
48 - I decided when I was 13 that I would never get married, I haven't changed my mind
49 - Mmmm, Guinness, day no more
50 - Mmmmm, Jamisens
51 - I love the orange and poppy seed muffins they sell at a bakery on my way to work, but I rarely indulge
52 - I hate people telling me I can "eat what I want", I can't
53 - I am going to be an Aunty in February
54 - I have a red car
55 - I can't wear strapless dresses, I don't have the assets
56 - I don't mind about 55, it makes it easier to run :-)
57 - There will be some facts I won't put in here
58 - I love salmon and tuna sashimi with heaps of pickled ginger and wasabi
59 - I have very ticklish knees and I crack up when I get a massage when the MT touches my knees
60 - I am not allergic to anything
61 - I am claustrophobic
62 - I am TERRIFIED of spiders
63 - I have never had surgery
64 - I have had both my thumbs dislocated, baseball again
65 - I don't think I'll ever like my legs
66 - I was 16 when I first got drunk, I have not touched Southern Comfort since
67 - Fresias are my favorite flower
68 - People who drive at 60 in an 80 zone really piss me off
69 - I had my belly button pierced once
70 - I love the smell of frangipanis
71 - I wish my teeth were straight
72 - I am probably going to pay through the nose to get my teeth straight
73 - I bought my coach from Ikea
74 - I have had the same bed for 10 years, when I get bored with it I paint it another colour
75 - My coffee table came from Ikea as well
76 - Xmas is a stressful and horrible time of the year for me and I hate it
77 - I have an odd sense of humor
78 - I think this guy is absolutely gorgeous, even though he is 15 years older than me
79 - I am not too embarrassed to admit I love watching The Bill
80 - One day I want to visit Iceland
81 - I don't and never have collected anything
82 - I Love to run
83 - Baby animals make me go Awwwwwww
84 - I need to be less rigid and more spontaneous
85 - I am the oldest of 4 kids
86 - I never met a carbohydrate I didn't love
87 - The only meat I eat is fish
88 - I hold my breath when I walk past the butcher shop, I hate the smell
89 - I wish I had more time to cook healthy dinners
90 - I Love banana smoothies
91 - I want to run to th best of my abilities, I will give 100% to this goal
92 - I am a little bit neurotic
93 - I love the new Dr Who series
94 - I was scared of the Cybermen when I was a little girl
95 -I don't dwell on "what could have been", it is a waste of time
96 - I Love hot weather, despite being a freckly red head
97 - I last went to the doctor 6 years ago
98 - Blade Runner is one of my favorite films
99 - I am reading The Wasp Factory at the moment, Iain Banks is one of my favorite authors
100 - I saw fairies once when I was a little girl

Guinea Pig Take 2

Running
I had grand ambitions of a 10Km run this morning. Then I woke up feeling like crap (day 1 of cycle, hence a return to Melb Uni for more testing this afternoon) and decided that 2 weeks prior to the half marathon a missed training session wouldn't kill me. So the only running was 1 lazy 6 minute Km on the treadmill in the lab.

Life
So I was back at Melbourne Uni (Dept of Physiotherapy) for my second round of testing, the first was around ovulation time and today was for day 1 of my cycle. When I finished running on the treadmill one of the physio's said that I had a "nice efficient running style". I NEVER thought I would hear my clumping unco style described as nice or efficient, but I really have been trying to improve so it was cool to get that sort of feedback. We got through the testing nice and quick today because I remembered everything from last time, just one more session to go, apparently we missed my ovulation by a couple of days last time so I need to go back. I got some cool ASICS stuff too, a sports bag, a tech T-shirt, socks and a drink bottle.

My latest copy of Run For Your Life turned up yesterday so I had a good read of that today. One of my favorite sections is Stories From the Vault, rather than a tale of victory this time around it was Lee Troop writing about his Marathon at the Sydney Olympics. I wasn't that aware of Lee back then, I remember watching it on TV as I knew it would be Mona's last major competition. Anyway, Troopy didn't have a good one and it was a great article because I find that the tales of woe can be just as inspiring (is that weird or do other people feel that way too?), I mean to hang on when you just want to sit down and give up really takes guts. I can't believe he had a torn rectus abdominous, I just wouldn't pick that as an injury a runner would get, but what would I know. It's experiences like that which I hold in the back of my mind to try and inspire me when I am racing and it's starting to hurt. Obviously at my level if I had an injury I would be likely to pull the pin, there is no point in me pulling out any heroics. The type of hurting I am talking about is just the lactic, chest burning effort of that final push, when you have to tell yourself, 1 more Km and it's over, just another 800 metres, come on the sooner you finish the sooner you rest, DON'T GIVE UP!!!

This turns my thoughts to the mental side of this next half marathon, 2 weeks out, the majority of the training has been done, now it's time to consolidate and I start spending more time thinking about the run. Last time I was just plain scared! This time, how do I feel?? More on that tomorrow.......

Nice and easy

Running
Nice and easy tonite, as I had promised myself. 13Km in 1:07:38 an average pace of 5:12. I have to go in for testing again tomorrow afternoon for the study I volunteered for so I will back up for another easy 10km in the morning.

Life
It is my mum's birthday today, so with the brother and sister living on the Gold Coast it was just a small group of us for a lovely dinner at our favorite Vietnamese place (jeans for me tonight, not the trackie dacks like last week). Mum was thrilled because she wasn't expecting to see me until I took her out for lunch on Saturday. We had a bit of a moment during dessert when I felt like a five year old again. Mum was trying to make me eat some of her ice-cream with fudge sauce, but I was refusing. So here I am, aged 32 in a restaurant with my mouth clamped shut refusing to eat something my mum was trying to feed me. If I had have started eating it I would not have been able to stop! There will be enough time for ice-cream as a treat in 17 days time.

What The!!!

Running
16Km in 1:19:23, an average pace of 4:57. Yes, you are reading that correctly! I eased in the first 3 Km then found myself running quite comfortably in spite of last nights session, so I decided to do as I did 3 weeks before the last half marathon and have a go at race pace over a longer run. From the 4th Km onwards 11kms worth were at sub 5:00 pace
(4) 4:59
(5) 5:10
(6) 4:58
(7) 4:55
(8) 4:48
(9) 4:50
(10) 4:58
(11) 4:52
(12) 4:44
(13) 5:04
(14) 4:44
(15) 4:43
(16) 4:44

I am still mulling over my plan of attack but I am hoping to hit between 4:50 and 5:00 minute Kms on the day.

7, or is it 8 weeks worth of Tuesday night sessions has paid dividends, particularly with the improvement in my form. I think my ability to get out there and run that little bit faster is down to the fact that my stride/form is starting to get better. You certainly do move along quicker with less perceived effort when your form is good (no shit! I hear some of you say, but it is not as simple as just saying, "oh I am going to run this way now", it takes time and the right advice to make the change). Don't get me wrong, today was not what I would call easy but it was not particularly difficult either.

Anyway, after a quick start to the week I will ease off the pace for the next few runs, also I have ASICS study testing again on Friday afternoon so will have to squeeze in a morning run.

Oh yeah, something odd happened around the 10Km mark, my right leg fell off, don't worry I stuck it back on and kept going, I am sure I'll be right as rain tomorrow :-)

6 by 500 meters

Running
Speed work tonight, 6 by 500 metres with 2 minute recovery between sets. Why 500 meters you ask? Because the funny little 2 lane track we train on next to Olympic Park is about 500 meters long, just to make it interesting.

First really warm running night since the start of the year really, 27 degrees when we got started. But is soon "dropped" to about 19 degrees and came accompanied by a rather stiff wind. After a slow first rep and despite the wind I was pretty happy with my splits tonite (yes, finally managed to take some split times)
2:11
2:02
2:02
2:05
2:06
1:59 (thanks to a pacer who made it look all too easy but pushed me to a good quick rep despite the headwind)

It was great to have some of the boys who had finished their 6 by 1000 mtre session join us for our last set. I don't know how the others feel but that sort of thing always helps me find that little bit extra, even when my legs are burning and my lungs are bursting. Though at the time I want to kill the buggers for making it look easy when I am pushing 100%.

A bit of shoe lace trickery courtesy of TC made the world of difference to my right shoe, felt a bit odd at first but it took off the pressure I usually feel over the bridge of my foot, so I'll give it go on my Brooks as well. Now the less said about my "oh my god I have a stress fracture" episode the better really. Sheesh, since when did I become so hysterical, I am normally so level headed it is almost tedious! Obviously displaying my now typical, 3 weeks before a big race diva behavior.

The Queen of over reaction

Running
Well, if over reaction were an olympic sport I'd be standing atop the podium, with my hand on my heart singing the national anthem. I hammered out the quickest 10Km training run I have ever done today, 49:35. I eased into the run for the first few Kms, just testing my foot, but by the time I got to Anderson Street I felt so fresh and just let my legs do what they wanted. Here are the splits
5:45 (easing into it)
5:02
5:10
5:18 (Anderson St leg, was pretty happy with that)
4:48
4:35
4:40
4:35
4:40
4:52 (dodging pedestrians)

You know some days you just feel totally on par, today was one of them, I reckon if I had have raced today I would have killed my 10Km PB. So what do you reckon the issue with my foot was? Thanks to several hours on Google I went to bed totally convinced I had managed to sustain a Metatarsal Stress Fracture, I was also a certified expert in all things foot related, Plantar Whatsit, Tendonitis, Metatarsalgia, Mortons Neuroma, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome and Gout just to name a few. Curse the internet, it may have opened up the world but it also provides fertile breeding ground for the hypochondriac! Anyway, I am MORTIFIED to admit, after careful consideration that it may just have been a case of me having my shoe laces done up too tight, yep, you read correct! I have high arches, which does not help and I think that in securing my foot pod to my shoe I did the laces up too tight, add to that fact it was a warm morning which caused my feet to swell and there you have it, massive over reaction. Thanks for the support, and thanks to Michelle for the concerned SMS this morning, I promise never to cry wolf again - until the next time ;-)

Life
Very happy to read this morning that Craig Mottram defended his 3000mtre title at the world cup athletics at the weekend, and also ran a PB, broke his Australian Record and the event Record, what a champ!

Finally got to meet another Ausrunner today, I had a lovely lunch with Boston at Cookie in Swanston Street. The do a fantastic steamed salmon with lemongrass and ginger, just about my favorite way of eating fish, especially with lot's of steamed rice. Poor Boston discovered the hard way that I tend to babble alot and pretty much speak without thinking, I hope I made some degree of sense today!

Here is the gorgeous Craig Mottram after his win at the weekend

Running
I was not sure how honest I wanted to be here, but denial won't make it better. A 22Km run was planned for today and I met Tony at the Koonung Trail at 730 this morning. The pace was quicker than my long run pace should be but I was still comfortable and I could easily talk. I told Tony that I was happy for a quick first half but would prefer a slower trip back.

All was going well until about 12Km in when I had a dull pain on the top of my foot. I pushed through because I often have mild pain in my right foot, since I was about 14 when I did some ligament damage as a result of having a heavy bench dropped on the top of my foot. This incident resulted in some bad swelling and bruising and time on crutches (resulting in the nickname hopalong carrot, I have red hair, very amusing) but no broken bones.

Anyway, we got to about the 16Km mark and I had to pull up because the pain suddenly became quite sharp and it takes alot to stop me! We walked close to another Km then I tried to run again, no good and I pulled up again at the 17Km mark.

Right now I am very unhappy and just wanna type a whole string of bad words to describe exactly how I feel right now. I have my feet up and have been icing every 20 minutes. Not sure if the icing is really going to be doing any good though because there is no swelling and there is no pain if I manipulate my foot with my hands. Anyway, there are two little words lurking in the back of my mind right now and I don't want to say them out loud, let alone type them. Right now I just don't know what to do, perhaps waiting until tomorrow before I start to panic is a good option.

The 17 Kms I did manage was pretty good though, 1:29:13, an average pace of 5:17.

Am I allowed to have a little cry??

Big thanks to Tony too who would not let me walk out the rest of the course, instead I waited at the bus shelter on Station Road while Tony ran back then collected me in the car to drive me back to my car, chivalry is not dead.

Post Script - it is about 21:05 and have taken it easy most of the day and iced the foot quite a bit. No pain when walking or weight bearing and no tender spots at all (trust me I have been doing a bit of prodding). Maybe I am starting to become a paranoid runner??!! I will see how things are tomorrow afternoon.

Just like riding a bike really!

Running
None today, it is my rest day

Life
Now that I have a car that is big enough for more than me and a passenger the bikes finally got a look in after almost 3 years in the shed! I used to keep fit by riding to work every day when I lived in Kew, it was only about 12Km each way but it kept the podge off. But when I moved to Blackburn I became far less active and next thing I knew I was the not so proud owner of 16 unwanted extra kilo's.

So earlier this week the bikes were dragged out of the shed, a bike rack was purchased, tyres pumped up and bikes generally checked over, surprisingly there were no punctures. I decided to take us to the Warby Trail I have run it enough times but I really wanted to take the bike there and go out in the opposite direction to the normal running route and see more of the track.

The weather could not have been more perfect and we headed out from Wandin Station towards Warby, we kept going until about 4 Kms past Worri Station and stopped for a spot of lunch. Nothing fancy just some good fresh bread with cheese and tomato, simple but yum. Then it was back on the bikes to head back to Wandin. It was only about a 2 hour ride at a pretty leisurely pace, not even remotely taxing from a cardio point of view, in fact I would barely even call it active recovery, I doubt my heart rate went up more than 55%. I will have to buy one of those padded gel seat thingies to go over the normal bike seat, seems that I have far less padding in the bum region these days and was most grateful for the down hill sections so I could stand up on the pedals.

I'll have to psych the other half up for an assault on the Wandin to Warby and back again stretch, I might try and tackle that one Sunday in lieu of a long run during my "off" season (January), it will be about a 55Km return journey.

But for now running still reigns and I have 22km long run planned for tomorrow, hopefully with a running buddy.

It was either that or kill someone..........

Running
Redemption!!!! I had the run today that I was supposed to have yesterday. 13Km in 1:06:11, average pace 5:05. I settled in for 6 Kms or so then I was feeling pretty good so thought I would try and up the pace somewhat, so from the 7th Km on it looked like this, 4:54, 4:41, 4:56, 5:08, 4:50, 4:48 and 4:46. What a relief and a confidence booster, it was like I had a different set of legs today. My half marathon race pack arrived today, 3137, I am coming up in the world, my GC number was 4342. I love getting the race pack, the countdown is really on now.

Life
The good run probably stemmed from a frustrating day at the office, a long and boring tale for those who are not in the line of work I am. Suffice it to say, I am very far from perfect myself but my biggest frustration is dealing with people who do not work to the same standard that I do. In fact I heard a great description of anger the other day, it was something like, the feeling of dissapointment when something does not live up to your expectations. I take pride in my job and I get a little crazy when other people that you reley on do not meet you half way, particlarly when people who are supposed to be on call can not be raised and when you do get ahold of them they say it was because the credit ran out on their phone. Let's just say a quiet sort of calm came over me at that point, probably the same calm a serial killer feels before they.........well, I was mad but it would have been pointless yelling at the guy!

Anyway, it was just one of those frustrating days and at about 2pm I caved in to emotional eating and ended up with a bag of Haigs choccie freckles, basically it was either the chocolate or kill someone! But I didn't eat them all, I only had a few, just enough to take the edge off.

Politics, so Johnny Boy wants to put in place some sort of charter of "Australian Values" for potential citizens to sign up to. Hmmmm, and just what will these values be and who is going to decide what they are?? More pressingly what will my position as a citizen be should I not agree with said values, will I be asked to leave the country? Where will I go?

Big fat blah

Running
I had a tempo session planned for today, 1Km warm up and cool down and 8Km in the middle to test my hoped for half marathon race pace of 4:50 to 5:00. The less said about it the better really, just not one of those good runs. I just could not find my rhythm and my shoes, which have 530Kms on them now seem to have just gone flat all of a sudden. All the bounce has gone and I scored a couple of big flat blisters. Not too impressed really, I was told they were a high mileage trainer and I would expect more than 500Kms out of them. Maybe it was just a crap day, they felt fine over 16km yesterday. Anyway, finished up with 10.3Km in 52:59, an average pace of 5:07 with only 4Km at target pace, pretty shitty considering I did a 10Km tempo session 2 weeks ago in 49:18.

Whatever, it's done now and it was better than not running, it's just knocked my confidence somewhat.

Confession
Just watched a show in Biography Channel, Meatloaf: Bat out of Hell. Although it is before my time I totally love that album, Meatloaf has an amazing voice. My brother and I used to put Dad's Bat out of Hell album on when we were kids and jump around the living room, we new all the lyrics! And of course I do remember his turn as Eddie in the Rocky Horror Picture Show and I thought he was great in Fight Club as well. He was on JJJ the other morning and was a pretty good sport.

Everything's going to be allllllright

Running
Mini Long run day, 16Km in 1:24:31, an average pace of 5:17. Totally gorgeous afternoon a bit overcast but lovely and warm, this may sound weird but it was kinda cool to be able to work up a proper sweat for a change. Happy to report that the achilies stood up well up some of the mini hills and bumps I had to negotiate today, not a niggle to be had!

Life
Couldn't be bothered cooking tonight so when I got picked up from the station we headed to our fave Vietnamese place. Problem being I was in my trackie so I asked the BF to bring me a top to change into (it is a pretty casual place), however even with a polo top on and the trackie dacks I still felt pretty self conscious, I looked like a drug dealer! I am of the school of thought that tracksuits are sports wear, ie for before and after a work out, they are not an outfit, anyway, I am sure no one else noticed and dinner was fantasic as always.

Thanks for the kind comments yesterday, I only posted the pic to show off the new Skins, and you know, it is all about the pose! Have you ever noticed the before and after shots for weight loss commercials? The before photo is almost always a full frontal shot, the after shot is almost always that sideways, one leg pushed out in front pose, thus minimising the "frontage" presented to the camera. Only the Kate Moss's and Nicole Ritche's of this world get away with the front on pose, because let's face it, if they stood sideways we wouldn't be able to see them :-)

Just the running

Speed session tonight, 6 by 400 mtre with 100 mtre floating recovery, so the momentum was moving forward the whole time. As I do most Tuesdays I spent the day psyching myself up for the session, though I am pleased to say I am feeling more comfortable with the quicker pace now and despite still finding them a little bit daunting I enjoy the challenge immensly. My worries were eased somewhat this evening when I discovered this was a tempo session, phew, because all day I was wondering how I could go all out for 6 reps with only a floating recovery! As per usual I did not take any splits, I am still concentrating on pace and stride and just doing it right, I promise I'll start taking splits from next session.

I wore my capri skins tonight and appreciated the extra support on the quads and hammys that they offer, in fact I am sitting here feeling reasonably fresh. Also very pleased to report no twinges from the achilles, seems the icing and extra day's rest has done the trick. Only 26 days until the next half marathon now, yikes, I am starting to have the odd nervous bout now, memories of how I felt before the Gold Coast are rushing back :-) still, it's all part of the fun isn't it!

Here is a piccie of my new skins, this was taken with my mobile in the change rooms at work so the quality is a bit crap, I am attempting a wave at the camera :-)

Guinea Pig Duties

Running
None today, I had my first round of testing (see below) for the ASICS runners study, I am also resting a niggly right achilles

Life
So I fronted up for my first round of testing today, first time I have ever been a guinea pig. The 3 Physio's were lovely and made me feel very much at ease. Lot's of interesting things to do "running" on a tready for 6 minutes @ 6 min/km, very weird because I haven't been on one for so long and I felt very unco, especially with all the wires stuck to my legs. It took me a minute to hit my stride but even then I kept running into the barrier at the front as I tried to run off the treadmill :-) Then I had to hop up and down on one leg, they assure me there was a point to it other than for their own amusement, oh and I never want to see footage of myself from behind again, especially while hopping! Then they put pressure down on my knee and I had to push up against it while a ultrasound was taken of my poor achilles. Because it had been bothering me yesterday I was half expecting a gasp of horror as the ultrasound image came up, but nope they told me that Mr Achilles was looking pretty good and performing as he should. While this was going on I was chatting with one of the physio's about my running, I mentioned I ran 26km yesterday and I thnk he thought I said "last week" because a moment later he said, "what! in one go!" LOL

We also talked about the pressure running puts on the body, apparently when your foot strikes the groud you are putting about 6 times your body weight worth of force down!! I just laughed and said "well, us runners keep you guys in business"

Finally I had to give a little bit of blood, not really an issue for me as long as I don't look. The girl who took the blood said, "right I am telling your this for legal reasons, you shouldn't run for up to 48 hours after this, but I know you will so don't freak out if you get a bit of a bruise around where the needle went in, that's normal"

The only annoying bit was I had to get weighed :-( something I have been avoiding lately because of the mood it puts me in, so, naturally I am now in a grump! Why oh why am I so cursed? I really wish I could just be happy with myself the way I am, but no, I have to pick myself apart at the seams. Sorry I am totally neurotic, you know that by now, I simply can't be told.

Ice Ice Baby

The alternative name for this post was simply going to be the one word I yelled out upon jumping into the icebath, I'll leave that one up to your imagination

Running
Long run today and finished the week on 81Km. 26Km in 2:27:46, an average pace of 5:40. This included some nice slow early Kms and a handful of speedy sub 5 minute Kms towards the end. I wore the new Skin Capri's toay and they were damn comfy, I may consider wearing them on raceday. I was feeling a bit spent at about the 22Km mark and stopped the watch to walk about 500 mtres. It was a gradual uphill and the achilles in my right leg was gicing me some gyp, I'll get the ice onto it tonight when I have time to put my feet up, also some nurofen. Also I think I hit the famous "wall" for the first time at about 22Km. Despite me telling my running companion that I can usually manage up to 26Km without a gel I think today I really needed some nutrition along the way. I think this will be my last long run over 25 Km between now at October, I'll probably knock the distance back to 20 to 22km.

I also think I am in need of a lighter week of around 65Km, so that will fit in nicely next week as I have testing for the ASICS study on Monday afternoon which will give me 2 rest days next week.

As the title suggests I did brave the icebath today, the legs really needed it. Well, to be honest I didn't quite cope with the full lower body imersion, for some strange reason putting my feet in was incredibly painful. Not just "wow this is really cold", rather "Dear God, this really hurts I can't keep my feet in here". I tried chucking on a pair of explorer socks (very amusing sight, undies, running top, socks, bath) but to no avail. I ended up soaking a towel in the water and wrapping it around my legs for 5 minutes, resoak, repeat 3 times. This worked well and I followed up with warm shower and Skins. All up I'll do this again, the legs feel considerably fresher than they usually do after a long week.

Life
Foxtel have been replaying all the Star Wars movies, never a massive fan but I will say that Empire Strikes Back was my favorite installment, Han Solo be still my beating heart :-) The first 3 (recent) installments really were a pile of poo that were no more the vehicles for merchandising. Seriously, did everyone else find Anakin to be the shittest character in movie history? I felt zero sympathy. He was a whiny sooky wussy little pain in the butt, go on you spineless little wimp join the freakin dark side, I really don't give a stuff, sheesh! And jar jar binks, What they hell were they thinking, was any movie character ever more pointess? All right, Sunday seems to be turning into Em's rant about movies that shit her.

Rest, Glorious Rest

Running
Ahhh, no running today, rest day. Thank goodness because it is awful out there, cold and nasty.

Life
I found out this week that one of my fave food shops, Macro has a store in Glen Waverly so now I don't have to trek out to Richmond to stock up on goodies. Being a vego it can be hard to put together a quick healthy meal sometimes, you can get damn sick of pasta and I HATE tofu! During the week I don't get home until after 630pm at the earliest because I am running, and trust me the last thing I want to do is slave away in the kitchen making dinner. At Macro they sell these yummy frozen lentil and pumpkin patties that I can make a quick wrap out of with some humous (protein along with the lentils), salad and pita bread. The same company also makes these great brown rice and lentil burgers that also make a good quick dinner. I also picked up some brown rice and buckwheat noodles to make a ramen from with miso soup base and veggies. Very :-) because I will be eating well this week.

Right next door to Macro there was a sports store and I have finally been able to track down a pair of Capri Skins (at this point the girls are thinking, Capri Yep no problem, and the boys are thinking What The! Well just for the boys Capri pants finish just below the knee, so longer than bike shorts and shorter than full length tights) and they were selling them at 10% off. They came out a few months ago but no one seems to stock then, they are not even on the Skins website. This shop also had the new top for girls but I couldn't any advantage in a Skins top. I was pleasently surprised to find that I have gone down a size since I bought my full length pair in Feb, I am now an XS. Now I am not exactly petite so I am not sure how the really little girls fare, I can't see how a 155 cm 45 Kg pocket rocket would get much compression from the same size tights as I wear, I would have thought they would go down to XXS. Anyway, I am not complaining and it explains why I had to keep stopping during last weeks long run to hitch my full length Skins up, think I will have to relegate them to recovery wear only now.

Kids!! They're everywhere, help!!!!

Running
12 Km today in 1:03:33 an average pace of 5:17. Bloody uninspiring though, cold and windy and still battling some general leg soreness, nothing serious just heavy and tired. In fact I felt as about as light and graceful as a 3 legged hippo today. My mind was playing funny buggers today too, telling me that it's all over and I'll never run a decent half marathon, kept trying to shut the nagging cow up, grrrr. Ughh, not to worry tomorrow is a rest day and I'll enjoy a sleep in and some general loafing about.

Life
My work gives us a day off every year for community service. A group of us have been supporting a charity for the last couple of years called NAPCAN which stands for National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. We chose to support them becuase the operate with little government funding, apart from ocassional special grants. Interestingly many of us who help fund raise for NAPCAN do not have children of our own. Personally I have consumed more than my fair share of charity choccies to do my bit ;-) every year on the Friday at the end of National Child Protection Week NAPCAN have a big morning tea/Kid's party at the Royal Childrens Hospital. They invite all the community groups that are being recognised with special awards for their work with kids and they also invite about 200 kids from surrounding schools. This is the second year we have volunteered to provide morning tea for the adults and kids, prior to that they were never able to provide refreshments because the Vic branch operates on a budget of a mere $12,000 a year. It's no drama for us to get together and bake some cakes and buy some chips and dips. We also put together about 200 lolly bags for the kids (kids don't mind Reject Shop lollies do they??).

There were also volunteers from another company providing the entertainment, games, face painting, coloured hairspray, so the whole vibe is kind of like a big kids party. It was further reinforced for me today why I won't ever have kids, we just don't relate. One little fella totally did his 'nana when he couldn't open his lolly bag (we used little zip lock bags) and when I tried to help him he clutched the bag to his chest, dropped to the floor and really let loose, I just stood there like and idiot "WTF am I supposed to do here?", I just backed away and let his teacher sort him out, I truly believe that like wild animals kids smell fear!

Running
Mid week long run today (slightly delayed couldn't do it yesterday), 16Km at a very easy 5:30 pace, finished in 1:28:24. Not too bad today, a tad cold and windy but I have run in worse. Feeling a bit looser today after my massage. Funnily though my quads are really achey, I am wracking my brains to figure out what could have caused it, it feels like I have done a heap of squats. Then it struck me today, in Pilates on Tuesday I did these wicked hard toetaps to a box from the end of a raised platform. Veeeeery difficult to control properly and as a result my lower abdominals and quads have a case of DOMs.

Life
There was a comment left as a result of yesterday's post about me relaxing with a glass of water ;-) Come on now, I am not that much of a goody two shoes! I am extremely partial to a good red, a Jamiesons or a Guiness, but definitely not after a massage, hence the big glass of water. Though at the moment I am in my month before a major race mode which means no alcohol, no chocolate, basically no crap. By race day I will never want to see another salad sandwich or pot of yoghurt ever again. There is no particular logic or benefit to it, I think it just gives me a psychological egde, a feeling that I have done everything I possibly can. Not that my diet is particularly bad at any other time, it is just giving up those little vices for a couple of weeks, it helps me focus.

WTF happened to Spring

Running
I had a massage booked tonight so not much time to squeeze in the run. 6Km in 31:40 so an easy pace of 5:17. A 10Km run was planned but not a big deal it will be easy to make up the extra 4km over the rest of the week. AND frankly the weather was even too much for me tonight, cold, wet, windy, bloody miserable. As usual a massage hit the spot and now I am relaxing with a big glass of water.

Life
Very disturbed to read on the front page of The Age this morning that 4 more of the Bali 9 have had their appeals against their jail terms over turned and the death penalty imposed instead. I guess that is Indon's slap on our wrist for granting asylum to the West Papuans. I know what they did was wrong blah blah blah, I have heard all those arguments, but I simply can not condone the death penalty under any circumstances. It will be a sad day for me if I find that my heart has become so hard that I can accept capital punishment.

Back to school

Running
Speedwork tonight and a good fun session. Quite alot of the group were resting after half marathons on Sunday so those of us who were there just had a bit of fun. I won't describe it all but it reminded me of the games we used to play in PE at school. After all the serious training I have been doing of late it was great to just run around and have a laugh, in fact it was just what the doctor ordered. And I have a massage tomorrow so I will be right as rain. With warm up and cool down clocked up about 10Km today.

Life
I am terribly bad at admitting to being anything other than 100% on top of things, so here goes.......the last couple of weeks have been a battle for me, higher mileage, more stress on the body and no racing to break it up. I have certainly not been questioning why I do this, that is never in doubt, I have just been a bit strung out and tired. Last night as I was trying to get to sleep I had to tell myself "don't think about running!" then I dropped right off. I have my head around it now though and am just approaching it as yet another challenge. I should have used my resources and talked it through rather than keeping it to myself. Talked with other runners that is, non-runners would have just told me to stop running, how little they know. So thanks guys and gals, I know you would have all been good shoulders to lean on and full of great advice, but I run on, I am back in the game again :-)

Running
Easy recovery run today. 11Km in 58:53 an average pace 5:21. My calves are really tight at the moment so I stopped to stretch halfway through the run. I have a massage booked for Wednesday evening which always sorts them out. No niggles from the quad thank goodness. It is a long slog to this next half marathon with no other racing to break up the schedule, I just try to keep my mind focussed on the main goal. The consistent higher mileage has been tough but I am starting to break through the barrier and I know that it will pay dividends. It still feels a bit surreal that little old me can manage to do what I am doing, I used to be the biggest excuse maker, I had not motivation, now look at me. I honestly couldn't find the words to describe what keeps me running and training, it has become automatic, like breathing. I never have a "will I or won't I" moment, 4pm rolls around and it's Running Time, no questions asked.

Life
A bit of a shock today, Steve Irwin died after a run in with a Sting Ray. My brothers fiance sent me an e-mail this afternoon with the title "Steve Irwin in Dead", after about 20 seconds looking for the punch line I realised it was serious.

Phew - Back on Track

Running
The quad is fine! Friday night was spent with the leg up with ice pack strapped on for 20 minutes at a time. Saturday was a rest day anyway so I just took it easy. By this morning I felt right as rain and headed our for my long run with no worries at about 730 am. For the first time I was without company for the long run, Father's Day and some events put paid to that. So I was armed with my iPod and my own thoughts. It was not too bad, a bit of a struggle over the last 5Kms, usually the chat and the company helps ease the final grind. Pretty happy with my effort though, 22Kms in 1:58:56 with an average pace of 5:24. Thanks to Friday's unscheduled rest I finished the week on 67 km *EDIT - Thanks Steve, how could I forget, have racked up 2000km for the year. First 1000 took 138 days, second 1000 took 103 days!.

Life
Quite a bit of family stuff on this weekend. Visited the BFs Aunt and Uncle who had recently moved to Research which a beautiful area north east of Melbourne. They hadn't seen me since February and the old "You are so thin" drama's cropped up again, now I have only lost 3Kgs since March but I just had to grin and bear it. Then I had to repeatedly refuse extra helpings of dessert at dinner, "come on, you can afford it", well the reason I look like I can eat what I want is because, in fact, I don't eat what I want. I just resorted to saying "The less I have to carry the quicker I can run". I also pointed out that by distance running standards I am not really that thin, Anna Thompson who is a bit taller than me is 5 Kgs lighter. All fell on deaf ears of course but I just let it wash over me now, they don't understand.

I bought some books on Amazon today, one called "Satan - A Biography" which I have been waiting to come out. It takes the concept of Satan back to the original rather than the "Bogey man in the closet" (my words) character than was dreamt up by the early Christians, I'd just to point out that I am not religious but am extremely interested from a Philosophical view point. I also picked up a couple of running books, "running Within - A guide to mastering the mind, body, spirit connection for ultimate training and racing" and "Fast Track: Training and Nutrition Secrets from America's Top Female Runner" (Suzy Favor-Hamilton). Now I just have to wait a couple of weeks to take delivery, there were over 800 books on running at Amazon!!!

Well, that's it for tonight, there is a show about King Arthur on channel 2 that I have been looking forward to, a bit of a pet topic for me. Please don't even talk to me about the atrocious movie with keira knightly that came out a couple of years ago, what a F$%# travesty, aghhhhh. I couldn't believe 2 gorgeous Celtic men Clive Owen and Ioan Gruffudd where involved with such tripe.

Enforced Rest %#*&

Running
No running today

Not happy. During my tempo session yesterday I noticed a twinge in my quad, just above the knee towards the inside. It does not hurt to walk or use stairs but at lunch time when I ran to catch a green light it certainly twinged. I am reluctently erring on the side of caution and will take two days (Saturday is rest day anyway) to R.I.C.E and then try my long run on Sunday. Bloody frustrating but one day now beats several weeks if a niggle becomes a tear. I also booked a massage quick smart for next week. I am awful aren't I? One minor niggle and I am having a big fat sook. Well, it is a wake up call I suppose, I was starting to feel a bit bullet proof.

Monthly Summary
Total - 338 Km
Year to Date - 1985 Km
Injuries - None. Towards the end of the month I was starting to battle mentally with higher mileage and some new aspects to my training. But that is all part of the challenge of the sport and I have taken it in my stride and I feel sronger for it
Excuses - None
Races - None. Training is the focus this month
Goals - To PB to the Melbourne Half Marathon (104 minutes is the goal) and to pay more attention to my nutrition

Some Stats
My training run pace has taken a noticeable dive since I started taking records in May
Easy Run Pace
May - 5:30
June - 5:30
July - 5:27
August - 5:17

Long Run Pace
May - 5:45
June - 5:58
July - 5:47
August - 5:29

Ramblings
I downloaded some articles on Stem Cell research today. I miss the news most nights and haven't had time to read the paper and I know there have been some developments this week. I spent 3 years studying philosophy at Uni as part of my BA degree, my main focus was Ethics and Existentialism. I was fortunate to have Peter Singer as a lecturer for Bioethics in 2nd year, a hell of an inspirational guy. Anyway, I think it is time for me to pull out of my funk and start exercising my brain again as well and making more time for myself to read. So my many and varied opinions and ideas may get an airing here in future. Be warned however, do not have a very ordered mind and I tend to "think aloud" and constantly evole my ideas so don't jump down my throat if I keep changing my mind, it's what I do.