An update

I've been a bit slack the last few days.

Tuesday 29 March: weights session with Satan - 30mins @ 1pm

Another tough session with Satan - lots of work on my back, shoulders and abs. My next session with Satan is not until mid-May. That session is really going to hurt !

Wednesday 30 March: how Zen am I ?

After a week of (extreme) over-indulgence, I really really wanted to go for a run. But then I realised that I didn't do my strengthening exercises on Tuesday - I had a good excuse - so I would probably pay for going for a run (in the form of ITB or shin problems). So I made the sensible (yet boring) decision not to run and instead spent 45mins doing my exercises and stretches !!

I've also started reading The Zen of Running....Zen Jen is back !

Thursday 31 March: 35mins at 5.45am + 30mins stretching

Up early this morning to get my run in before work. It was beautiful this morning; overcast but still warm enough to run in a crop top (sans shirt). Misty rain early one. A sensational morning.

Ran part of the Mini-Mos course through Balmoral and Bradleys Head. I really enjoyed my run - I felt strong and I found it pretty easy/comfortable (notwithstanding the hills). ITB and shins were fine before, during and after. Very happy girl !!

Dancing Queen

Saturday morning I headed over to the Bay for breakfast following the 5km Challenge. Had a lovely time and met (amongst others) Belinda and Aunty Karin.

Sunday's focus was my left ITB. I spent about 2 hours on the dancefloor on Saturday night and have since discovered that my ITB doesn't appreciate me dancing for hours in high heels.

Monday: Ran (well slow jog actually) for 30mins on grass round and round the local oval. Boring. I felt heavy and lethargic. Blah. It was very much a mental and physical struggle today. Couldn't even be bothered counting laps or monitoring lap times. A part of me thought that I was being too conservative/scared/chicken in deciding not to do the CR challenge on Saturday. Today's run however confirmed that my decision was the right one. ITB felt fine after lots of TLC yesterday. However there was a slight twinge in my right shin at the start and after I finished and I can't shake my cough at the moment.

I will stop whinging now, think "Zen Jen" and appreciate the fact that I can run.

Spin - 45mins

Please someone remind me not to do Spin the day after my legs weights session. Oh my. Cardio-wise I was fine (notwithstanding I'm still try to shake my cough) but my quads were burning !!! Hehe - gotta love it. I really enjoyed the class - and now for those chocolate chip hot cross buns :-)

I had a great chat today with Wildthing and TP about patience and perspective - that I have many many long years of running ahead of me (and yes I know I've had conversations with half of the CR community recently). The last two weeks have made me realise that I want to run for as many years as I am capable. However I am also now beginning to truly understand and accept the fact that my body (perhaps more so than others) is going to take a long time to come to terms with - and cope with - the stresses that running places on it. So I'm adopting a very Zen approach to life and running:

* I will look after my body - I will do my strengthening exercises and stretches on a daily basis;

* I will listen to my body - particularly to my ITB and shins.

* I will not push to increase distances too quickly.

* I will not get jealous or frustrated when others increase their distances and times faster than I do.

(Well, at least I will try...)

Zen Jen signing off

I'm on the road again....

First run in almost 2 weeks. Not fully recovered from my cold but not far off. Did a relatively easy 3km on the treadmill at the gym tonight at 6min/km pace. Was getting a bit tired towards the end. Now I remember why I run outside - how bloody boring !! The new treadmills at the gym have individual tv screens but I couldn't watch it; it was making me a bit sea-sick :-( Shins and ITB were/are fine but I'm icing them just to be sure. Followed it up with a weights session for an hour. My new program is very long and tough - I love it ! The lunges however were very tough tonight post-run.

Tomorrow, my first spin class in almost 2 years. Yippee, bring it on !

An evening with royalty

Friday 18 March

Physio gave me the ok to run again - good news to start the day.

Day finished with CR drinks. What a fun night and what a welcoming and open group of people. I almost didn't make it to drinks but then I received an SMS from Owl telling me she was sitting next to royalty - CR royalty - in the form of LuckyLegs. What an amazing woman !! My guru/adviser and I had a chat about my goals/program/plans for the rest of the year which was good and much needed after the disappointments of the last week.

Monday 21 March

I haven't run now for 10 days, haven't done any exercise since Wednesday night and I'm really feeling heavy and flat at the moment. My cold is slowly subsiding. Today I had an easy session with Satan. My gym has just moved into new flash premises so we went through my program on the new equipment. Very easy session given that I'm still recovering from Friday and from my cold. Can't wait to get into spin again. It's been about 2 years since I last did a class. Hope to get back to full strength by Wednesday; I'm planning a couple of laps on the grass around the Domain to test out the shins, a spin class on Thursday and some weights somewhere in between so I can fit in lots of Bakers Delight Chocolate Chip hot cross buns on the weekend - yum !!!

It just wasn't meant to be....

The CR community never ceases to amaze and inspire me. Today I received so many lovely (blog) comments and emails; each and every one of them made me smile. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciated it. Thank you.

Another visit to the physio today for more stretches, strengthening exercises and ultrasound. My left shin is just about right; the right shin is still taking its time. The physio is working on the assumption that I will still be running on Sunday so I'm off to see him again on Friday morning.

However this afternoon I have decided to pull the pin on Sunday's run. On top of everything else, a cold which has been threatening for some time has finally arrived. It seems that I am just not meant to make my race debut yet. C'est la vie. (At least it will give my shins some extra time to recover I suppose).

Offensive language warning

You have been warned. Not looking for sympathy, just expressing frustration today.

Monday started with visit to the physio so massage, ultrasound and stretches were again the order of the day. Instructions to continue stretches, strengthening exercises, ice and voltaren with a return visit scheduled for Wednesday (and instructions not to run before then). On leaving, he said you should be right for Sunday....

Then Monday afternoon a visit to the specialist. Plans for the weekend were dashed. "I wouldn't recommend that you run this weekend. Take it easy for a day or two." Fuck. I suppose I could always wait and see how I feel on Sat afternoon but I really can't risk complications so close to my holiday. Also for that reason, I may have to rule out the CR 5km challenge on Easter Sat. Fuck. I'm so frustrated and annoyed; shins were coming good, I was so looking forward to the race and now this. I know there will be many other races to come in the future but I still can't help but feel extremely disappointed.

A night to sleep on it, a much needed pep talk from Wriggler and a tough session with Satan has me in a (slighty) better mood. Tonight was another great session with Satan. Lots of squats on pillow/cushion things, push-ups, dead lifts, reverse flyes and ab work. Feeling very strong. :-)

Losing my virginity

6ft track - Saturday 12 March.

What an incredible day. I am having difficulty finding the words to sum up today's experience (I can't imagine how the competitors are feeling). It was truly inspiring.

Left work a bit early on Friday to head up to Katoomba. Today started at 6am when I was dropped off at Catalina Park to help with check-in. Met Plu (my first CR encounter), Spud and Mr G. After taking care of a few last minute things, the very kind men of the NSW Fire Service offered me a lift to the start of the race in their fire truck !! How could I say no ?? (and all of this before 8am !). Unfortunately they wouldn't turn the lights and sirens on for me :-( but I very much appreciated it.

I arrived at the start shortly before wave 3 headed off. The energy and excitement in the air was just infectious - the mood amongst the spectators was one of joy, happiness and anticipation. I can't imagine how the runners were feeling at this point in time. After the runners set out, we headed to Blackheath for breakfast and then onto Jenolan Caves, arriving about 40mins before the winner.

I spent the afternoon at the merchandise stand with a good view of the final 50m of the run. For the first time, I saw Kel compete which was pretty special. Carole & I gave him a 'high five' as he came down the shute at the finish. Met, and had a chat to Colin and, later in the afternoon OR (avoiding that sweaty, smelly bear hug !) and Mr G. Unfortunately we had to leave just as the presentation ceremony started so I didn't get much of a chance to meet any other CRs but it was a fantastic day.

So what am I doing with all this post-6ft inspiration - thanks to my physio, absolutely nothing. He has made me hang up my Asics for the weekend. Inflammation of both shins (and because I am favouring my left in particular, my left ITB is a little unhappy) caused my inflexible calves. My shins were actually warm to the touch on Friday when I was at the physio....not good. The rest of my weekend will be spent with ice, voltaren and lots of stretches and strengthening exercises for my calves and ITB. The physio has said I should be right to run next Sunday. I bloody hope so. Off to see him again on Monday morning.

Edit: after I wrote this post, I continued to think of 6ft. I couldn't possibly write down all the things that I wanted to remember (god only knows how the competitors feel) but one does stick in my mind. There were, I think, two 70yo + competitors. I hope I forever remember the goosebumps and sheer awe I felt when they arrived at the finish.

TTs @ NRG

Next Tuesday I WILL make it out of the office in time to do my intervals while it is still (reasonably) light. Trust me to do 2 x TTs in the space of 3 days.

TTs tonight were over a measured 800m course (unlike Tuesday night's course which was unmeasured). There were a few very tight turns in this course as well as 2 slight declines and a short sharp hill (which was right at the start). I'm surprised by how much my fitness has improved just over the last month. I'm now able to recover my breath while running - not that long ago I would have had to stop and walk in order to get my breathing back under control. Happy days.

2 trips around the course produced a 3.12 then a 3.10. I'm very happy I was able to run the second one quicker. Not sure why. Think I didn't fly down the hill as much at the start and left a (very little) bit in reserve.

My ITB has again reminded me that I'm not doing my strengthening and stretching exercises as much as I should be. I've also discovered that ITB issues and high heels do not mix. Interestingly, my shins were quite tender tonight (a new problem) so I'm off to the physio for a tune-up. 9 sleeps to go to my first ever 10km race !!

Total distance: 5kms

Satan inflicts more pain...

Had a lunchtime session with Satan to go through my new program today. Much much tougher than the last one. We only did one circuit (and I'm supposed to 3) and I could really feel it in my back and arms already. Excellent !

I wanted to go for a 10km walk tonight to clear my head but unfortunately I couldn't leave work until late. Bugger. NRG tomorrow night, excellent - looking forward to it.

My brush with fame

My body pulled up very well after Sunday's long run and yesterday's long awaited return to yoga.

First, my brush with fame - I set out on my warm up this evening and was feeling really good (no doubt thanks to my new shoes). But then I ran past Tani Ruckle and Michael Lynch - members of, and coaches with, NRG - and by chance, I was wearing my NRG hat !!! They were talking to someone when I passed but they both gave me a nod and a smile - and boy, did I power up the hill after that encounter !!

Anyway back to the real world. An interval session was on the cards for today. However I got stuck at work, didn't set out for my run until dusk and the lights weren't on in my local oval so I decided to do a TT instead. A month ago I did an 750m TT along a street near my house. Now I admit that the course isn't the best for a TT (you have to cross a road - it's a quiet road mind you) but it's the best one I've found so far. I did it a month ago in either 3.02 or 4.02 - I'm pretty sure it was latter but I'm not going to claim it as it (unfortunately) turns out that it was the only workout I have done in the last 18 months that I haven't recorded (not at all happy Jan). Anyway tonight I did it in 2.44 so in either case it's quite an improvement. Pacing myself is so hard - I went out way too hard, died in the middle, (somehow) managed to maintain some degree of speed and form - but I could not have taken another step by the end of it....Must get out of work early enough for next weeks intervals session - it will have been 3 weeks since my last one :-(

Edit: distance today 5kms

Bend and stretch...

I should have done this a long time ago - firstly, I wanted to thank everyone who has encouraged, supported and advised me so far on this journey - I really don't think that I would have come as far as I have without it.

OK enough mushy stuff - the entry form for my first fun run went in the mail today. Yikes, yikes, yikes, yikes. It's going to be such a slow time.............(yes I know, I know - the most important thing is that I finish the run and enjoy it - but my competitive side isn't too happy with that approach...). After Sunday's run, I've been thinking of buying a drink bottle fuel belt thingy.....does that mean that I'm now really a runner ???

Monday night is now yoga night. I haven't done a yoga class since I had a bulging disk in my back early last year. After reading the recent CR thread on it, I decided it was time to get back into it. The class was great - hard work yet very relaxing and will, I think, balance out the rest of the program nicely. Despite a number of yoga poses being part of my daily stretching regime, I have still lost a considerable degree of flexibility particularly in my lower back. I left class feeling energetic, refreshed, fantastic and ready to eat !!

8kms all on my lonesome - woohoo !!

I don't normally eat before a morning run but I woke up this morning starving (ok, I am ALWAYS hungry but was unusually so) so I had a piece of white toast (yuk) with honey (yum), then did my stretches and wasted a bit more time before setting out.

Today I set myself the goal of running 8kms for the first time by myself (the only other time I've run 8kms was with NRG). Why does the first km always feel so hard ?? I ran from half way down Middle Head Road along the harbourside trail to Sirius Cove, then up along Raglan Street to make a total of 8kms. It was absolutely beautiful this morning, albeit a bit chilly. I took it very slowly today, not wanting to die early. Parts of the trail between Clifton Gardens and Taylors Bay were again/still overgrown (in places, I had to fight my way though the chest high grass so I could even find the trail) so it was very slow going - 36.01 to Bradleys Head (approx. 5kms). I felt very strong between Bradleys Head and Taronga Zoo and had to resist the urge to increase the pace just a little - which is good because I didn't know that there was a god awful set of stairs to head up from Sirius Cove to Raglan Street. D'oh. The next time I run that course, I'll head in the opposite direction so I get to come down the stairs instead !

I finished with a time of 57.43. Pretty bloody slow for 8kms but I did it. Woohoo !! But now of course I'm a little annoyed that I didn't keep running for another 2mins 17secs..... I still can't believe that I can run for over 50mins.....

Took myself off to Athletic Edge this afternoon to get a new pair of shoes. After going for a jog down the street in them, Steve told me that I had a good running style and he could see me doing a half this year ! ("tell 'em his dreaming").

Total for the week: 14.5kms (only two sessions)

This weeks plan
Monday - yoga
Tuesday - intervals
Wednesday - Satan
Thursday - NRG
Friday - weights session
Saturday - my 6ft track debut (as a spectator) (ie rest day)
Sunday - 8kms

Satan loves lunges...

I've just realised it's only 2 weeks (tomorrow) until my first fun run. Yikes. I'm a little scared and excited already but I am looking forward to it.

Satan didn't have an obstacle course lined up for me today - instead it was a circuit consisting of front lunges (ie with front foot on a step), push ups, back lunges (ie with back leg on a step), reverse flys and shoulder braces (obviously these are my names for exercises) which circuit was repeated twice. It was a very tough session but I love it ! I just know I'm going to thank her for all this leg work when I'm hiking over the Andes next month - woohoo !! While waiting for our session to start, I did a couple of my glute strengthening exercises - which, when combined with Thursday's hill session, had my legs wobbling after all those lunges !! Fortunately there has been no muscle soreness after Thursday's session, and the itb-related knee niggle is now behaving itself again, so I'm ready for tomorrow's long run of 8km (which will be my first time running this distance by myself). Yikes !

Long walk home

I pulled up very well this morning after last nights session. Knee (itb related) niggle is only very minor and is my own fault - I've just realised that I haven't done my lazy glute, physio-ordered strengthening exercises for a couple of days . Opps. But otherwise there was no muscle soreness at all. Happy days.

I had a look at old CR threads on the Lindfield fun run today. Someone described it as one of the hardest 10kms....Great....trust me to pick one of the most 'challenging' courses on which to make my debut. It is going to be a PB I suppose !!

Only 10mins of stretching first thing this morning (hit the snooze button one too many times).

Walked home from work today (1hr 10min trip and largely uphill), followed by stretches. Then to keep my ITB happy, desert tonight will be a course of lazy-glute strengthening exercises followed by some more stretches so I'll be ready for Satan and her obstacle course tomorrow.

Hills are my secret weapon !

20mins of stretching to start the day and then off to NRG after work. Hills were on the menu tonight (I was very glad to be coming off an easy week). Hills, I've decided, are going to be my secret weapon (thanks Wriggler !).

Our warm up run around Crows Nest, Nth Sydney and Neutral Bay felt very comfortable and easy. We then arrived at Eaton Street, Neutral Bay - a hill approximately 150m long (gradient: bloody steep). 3 times up the hill with an easy recovery jog back down again. The last rep was bloody hard. My legs were very wobbly when I got to the top (ok, they are wobbly anyway but they didn't want to work properly !) It would have been very interesting to check my heartrate at the end of the last rep - I must have maxed it. Interestingly Mr Jen pointed out this particular hill to me the other week suggesting that I should run up it - boy, did I delight in telling him about it !! Hehe

After a short walk recovery, we set off up Alfred Street, alternating a fast run with a walk recovery between the parking meters (which I think was repeated 3 times). I had a mini-stitch by the end of the last rep but was still able to run strongly. After another short walk recovery, we set off for home. Once the mini-stitch subsided, I felt really good - still running very strongly and I was able to pick up the pace on the way home.

Steve has suggested that we set our ourselves the goal of doing the Lindfield 10k on 20 March. He described it as an "undulating" course (mmmmmmm). Keeping my new motto in mind (hills are my secret weapon), I have printed the entry form. My first fun run - woohoo !!

Distance: approx 6.5kms.

Thank god it's over !

My easy week that is. I am climbing up the walls, ready to run and do some strenuous exercise. It's a good thing I've conserved my energy - off for a run with NRG tomorrow night. Legs are feeling quite good. My right quad is OK - but I'm not convinced it's back to 100% so if it plays up tomorrow night, I'll be off to the physio on Friday.

Got up 20mins early this morning to do some stretching. How good am I ? Though I'm not sure how long that routine is going to last, but I'll try...

Thanks to work getting in the way, I had to reschedule my appointment to see Satan at lunch today until Saturday (not happy!). Instead I did a(nother) upper body weights session tonight for 40mins, including stretching and abs. Very much looking forward to tomorrow - yippee !!!