Last night I realised that my blog celebrated (if it's even possible for a blog to celebrate) its second birthday earlier this month. I'd forgotten that I started my blog the day after my 30th birthday - doh, just gave away how many times I've celebrated my 21st birthday ;-)
There have been many times - particularly last year - when I came very close to abandoning my blog. But I'm so glad that I haven't. When I lose sight of the 'big picture' - that the journey is more important than the destination - reading my old posts never ceases to remind me of how far I've come & all that I have experienced (the good, the bad & the ugly) along the way. Over the last 2 years through my blog & CR, I have been lucky enough to meet people - or get to know people o/s through their blogs - who inspire me on a daily basis. I have adopted or been adopted by (I'm not sure which) a mentor who challenges me to challenge myself on a daily basis & without whom I would not be lining up for Six Foot next Saturday. I have also been blessed by friendships & deep bonds with people who I would not otherwise have met but for this wonderful sport & whose impact on my life can never be reduced to words. I have gone from running 20mins non-stop for the first time (in my very first post) to now being 10 sleeps away from my first marathon.
I've come along way baby - and my journey is really only just beginning…
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Stormclouds may gather...
Well a very long lunch with my girlfriends + an amazing thunderstorm & torrential rain meant that I was just not meant to run on Saturday night. So I dragged myself out of bed around 7am this morning & was out the door by 7.30am. It was a lovely morning actually - overcast, cool with a breeze. Nice :-)
Ran 12k around scenic - and smelly - Llandilo. Then got on the trainer & rode for 1:11 at 65-70% MHR. My glute is certainly improving though my right ITB (formerly known as The Problem Child) was having a bit of a whinge on the 2 small inclines that I stopped to walk. I'm *trying* not to get too frustrated or negative right now but I'm struggling a bit. Clearly my ITB is just annoyed that my glute has been getting all the attention lately - my application of the 1000% rule when it comes to riding may also have had something to do with it ;-) I'm sure a massage tomorrow combined with lotsa stretching & rolling pin action will bring it back into line soon.
Ran 12.04k in 1:19:25 (aver 6:35min/k) for a total of 2:31:25 for the morning.
MTD: 77.68k
Ran 12k around scenic - and smelly - Llandilo. Then got on the trainer & rode for 1:11 at 65-70% MHR. My glute is certainly improving though my right ITB (formerly known as The Problem Child) was having a bit of a whinge on the 2 small inclines that I stopped to walk. I'm *trying* not to get too frustrated or negative right now but I'm struggling a bit. Clearly my ITB is just annoyed that my glute has been getting all the attention lately - my application of the 1000% rule when it comes to riding may also have had something to do with it ;-) I'm sure a massage tomorrow combined with lotsa stretching & rolling pin action will bring it back into line soon.
Ran 12.04k in 1:19:25 (aver 6:35min/k) for a total of 2:31:25 for the morning.
MTD: 77.68k
Friday, February 23, 2007
Groundhog post...
Yes, you guessed it - another run, another ride ;-)
Thursday night I had an interesting meeting which meant that I had to run before work. It's sooo dark out there now - I took my snazzy new headlamp out for a test drive as my favourite loop near home takes in a few (rural) back roads with very few, if any, streetlights. Yes, I now own a headlamp. My god - what has become of me ;-)
Today the goal was to go a little bit further & run some of the little bitty rolling hills that I have been walking for the last couple of weeks. My piriformis was a bit more niggly than 'normal' but that's to be expected I guess. Still, finished pretty comfortably with 9.05k in 58:11 (aver 6:25min/k).
Today (Friday) I decided to sleep in - woohoo - 5.30am seems like such a sleep-in these days! Got up & did my stretches. After work tonight, I dragged out Apollo for an interval session -
5mins warm up
7 x 4mins efforts/1:30 recovery
5 mins cool down
I had it in quite a large gear to start with but again had absolutely nothing in my legs - so after the first interval I dropped down to a lower gear & increased the cadence. Really tough session - I was 'glowing' lots ;-) And I really shouldn't have eaten those 2 rice crackers just before getting on the bike - not a good idea at all...
Finished with stretches & more snowball building. Run + ride either tomorrow or Sunday - I had planned to do the session tomorrow afternoon but I'm off to a rather belated Christmas lunch first so we'll see.....
MTD: 65.64k
Thursday night I had an interesting meeting which meant that I had to run before work. It's sooo dark out there now - I took my snazzy new headlamp out for a test drive as my favourite loop near home takes in a few (rural) back roads with very few, if any, streetlights. Yes, I now own a headlamp. My god - what has become of me ;-)
Today the goal was to go a little bit further & run some of the little bitty rolling hills that I have been walking for the last couple of weeks. My piriformis was a bit more niggly than 'normal' but that's to be expected I guess. Still, finished pretty comfortably with 9.05k in 58:11 (aver 6:25min/k).
Today (Friday) I decided to sleep in - woohoo - 5.30am seems like such a sleep-in these days! Got up & did my stretches. After work tonight, I dragged out Apollo for an interval session -
5mins warm up
7 x 4mins efforts/1:30 recovery
5 mins cool down
I had it in quite a large gear to start with but again had absolutely nothing in my legs - so after the first interval I dropped down to a lower gear & increased the cadence. Really tough session - I was 'glowing' lots ;-) And I really shouldn't have eaten those 2 rice crackers just before getting on the bike - not a good idea at all...
Finished with stretches & more snowball building. Run + ride either tomorrow or Sunday - I had planned to do the session tomorrow afternoon but I'm off to a rather belated Christmas lunch first so we'll see.....
MTD: 65.64k
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Still rolling....
Another 2 days - another ride, another run :-) Must say I'm looking forward to getting back in the gym & doing some weights. I feel like I'm turning to mush with all this cardio stuff...
Anyhoo, Monday was a rest day. Surprisingly I (including my butt) recovered well after my long ride on Sunday. Must have been the nana nap. No DOMS at all - was just a bit sleepy at work in the afternoon ;-)
Tuesday night saw another post-work run. I'm really enjoying running in the afternoon. Though I sometimes struggle to get out the door, despite the heat I always feel stronger in the afternoons. Perhaps it's just because I'm awake - when I run in the morning, I'm on the road & running with 15mins of my alarm going off!. I took the same (flat) loop as the last few runs, again walking the hills. Very pleased to say that there was little in the way of complaints from my piriformis - yippee! Finished with 8.05k in 50:55mins (aver 6:19min/k). I'll be reintroducing mini-hills (ok, inclines really) on Thursday - fingers crossed!
This morning and I was up before 5 to get back on the trainer. I had planned to do 60mins at 75-80% MHR - but in all honesty, it probably ended up being a 20min warm up with 40mins at 70%. I had nothing - my legs felt like lead so I changed down (or should that be up?) to a lower gear & increased the cadence to try & get my HR up without my legs dropping off. It kinda worked. Will just put it down as one of those days me thinks....
The plan for the rest of the week is another slightly longer run on Thursday, an interval session on the bike on Friday & then hopefully a 12-15k run followed by some time on the bike on Saturday. Not long until Six Foot now - right now I'm feeling confident & positive that all my snowball building, time on the bike & calculated decisions about when & how far to run without pissing off my piriformis will get me to the start line. It hasn't been the ideal preparation but that's life - and I'm not going to die wondering :-)
MTD: 56.59k
Anyhoo, Monday was a rest day. Surprisingly I (including my butt) recovered well after my long ride on Sunday. Must have been the nana nap. No DOMS at all - was just a bit sleepy at work in the afternoon ;-)
Tuesday night saw another post-work run. I'm really enjoying running in the afternoon. Though I sometimes struggle to get out the door, despite the heat I always feel stronger in the afternoons. Perhaps it's just because I'm awake - when I run in the morning, I'm on the road & running with 15mins of my alarm going off!. I took the same (flat) loop as the last few runs, again walking the hills. Very pleased to say that there was little in the way of complaints from my piriformis - yippee! Finished with 8.05k in 50:55mins (aver 6:19min/k). I'll be reintroducing mini-hills (ok, inclines really) on Thursday - fingers crossed!
This morning and I was up before 5 to get back on the trainer. I had planned to do 60mins at 75-80% MHR - but in all honesty, it probably ended up being a 20min warm up with 40mins at 70%. I had nothing - my legs felt like lead so I changed down (or should that be up?) to a lower gear & increased the cadence to try & get my HR up without my legs dropping off. It kinda worked. Will just put it down as one of those days me thinks....
The plan for the rest of the week is another slightly longer run on Thursday, an interval session on the bike on Friday & then hopefully a 12-15k run followed by some time on the bike on Saturday. Not long until Six Foot now - right now I'm feeling confident & positive that all my snowball building, time on the bike & calculated decisions about when & how far to run without pissing off my piriformis will get me to the start line. It hasn't been the ideal preparation but that's life - and I'm not going to die wondering :-)
MTD: 56.59k
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Rolling along...
My weekend kicked off nicely with a late night on Friday night catching up with a friend (*waves*), 'some' red wine & sensational banana maple syrup pancakes for breakfast on Saturday. After a crazy couple of weeks, it was exactly what I needed.
After a siesta on Saturday afternoon & loads of water, I was ready to head out for my run. It was still 29*C when I left the house about 6pm. Came home about 50mins one very happy chicky. I stuck to the flat loop near home (walking two short hills) & was really pleased to have almost no complaints from my piriformis. Yippee! Finished with 8.02k in 50:24mins (aver 6:15min/k). I've got alot of work to do over the next 3 weeks but this run gave me a big confidence boost :-)
Arrived home, filled up my water bottle & jumped on the mag trainer to round about the afternoon. 40mins & several stages of the 2005 TdF later I just about crawled off Apollo. This was a real struggle actually - my legs felt like lead. Still, I finished the day a very chicky with a total of 1hr 30min run/bike combo.
Sunday morning and a sleep-in was needed so it was after 9am by the time I got to the M7. The plan for the day was 60k or 3 hours with Apollo on the M7 bike path. During the first 30mins I was wondering how on earth I was going to make it to 2 hours, let alone 3. I was regretting the fact that I'd done my sessions so close together - my legs felt dead & I had absolutely no energy. But I started to think about Six Foot - nothing like terror to get the adrenaline - and legs - moving ;-)
3:15 & 62km later (my longest ride ever!), I got back to the car one happy, tired & rather sunburnt (stoopid) girl :-)
After some food, a stretch & shower, I had another nana nap! I don't think I've ever had 2 in a weekend before - I'm such an old woman now ;-)
I think I've spent 5hr 50min on Apollo this week. Wonder how long its going to take my butt to forgive me ;-)
MTD: 48.54k
After a siesta on Saturday afternoon & loads of water, I was ready to head out for my run. It was still 29*C when I left the house about 6pm. Came home about 50mins one very happy chicky. I stuck to the flat loop near home (walking two short hills) & was really pleased to have almost no complaints from my piriformis. Yippee! Finished with 8.02k in 50:24mins (aver 6:15min/k). I've got alot of work to do over the next 3 weeks but this run gave me a big confidence boost :-)
Arrived home, filled up my water bottle & jumped on the mag trainer to round about the afternoon. 40mins & several stages of the 2005 TdF later I just about crawled off Apollo. This was a real struggle actually - my legs felt like lead. Still, I finished the day a very chicky with a total of 1hr 30min run/bike combo.
Sunday morning and a sleep-in was needed so it was after 9am by the time I got to the M7. The plan for the day was 60k or 3 hours with Apollo on the M7 bike path. During the first 30mins I was wondering how on earth I was going to make it to 2 hours, let alone 3. I was regretting the fact that I'd done my sessions so close together - my legs felt dead & I had absolutely no energy. But I started to think about Six Foot - nothing like terror to get the adrenaline - and legs - moving ;-)
3:15 & 62km later (my longest ride ever!), I got back to the car one happy, tired & rather sunburnt (stoopid) girl :-)
After some food, a stretch & shower, I had another nana nap! I don't think I've ever had 2 in a weekend before - I'm such an old woman now ;-)
I think I've spent 5hr 50min on Apollo this week. Wonder how long its going to take my butt to forgive me ;-)
MTD: 48.54k
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Girl, you'll be a woman soon....
A very busy week for this pussycat.
You found me out Tesso ;-) Yes, Wednesday - Valentines Day - was my birthday. I turned 21. Again ;-) So after a long (and wonderful) dinner with my folks on Tuesday night, I gave myself a rest day ;-) I had a great day (days actually) which culminated in dinner on Wednesday night. Lorna & I had planned to have dinner at my fav spanish place in the city. Much to my surprise, we arrived at the restaurant to find Chonky, Lulu & Wine Trail Runner, Don Juan & Sparkie there as well - with Ellie arriving shortly afterwards! What a coincidence ;-) Thanks Owly & The Don for organising it and for everyone whose birthday wishes, hugs & kisses Owly passed on ;-)
Thursday morning, I almost didn't make it out of bed. I've been burning the candle not only at both ends but in the middle as well lately. Far too many late nights, early mornings & (unusually for me) not sleeping well, have combined to leave me a rather tired pussycat right now.
But I did. And I'm glad I did. I took largely the same route as Tuesday morning & my butt (my piriformis actually) continues to improve, albeit slowly. I ran 6k almost niggle-free this morning before making a strategic withdrawal at 6.72km in 42.54min (aver 6:22min/k).
Friday afternoon I had an appointment with Saint Andrew which meant another early start so I could drive into the city. Got into the city at about 6.30am & headed for the gym for an interval session on the bike. I think I had the bike seat a bit too high cause I really felt this in my VMOs.
5mins warm up
6 x 5mins efforts (L10, 105RPM)/2mins recovery (L5)
5mins cool down
Total: 52mins
followed by a quick stretch. Then I went back to the gym at lunch to work on my snowball (ie strengthening exercises & stretches)
MTD: 40.52kms
You found me out Tesso ;-) Yes, Wednesday - Valentines Day - was my birthday. I turned 21. Again ;-) So after a long (and wonderful) dinner with my folks on Tuesday night, I gave myself a rest day ;-) I had a great day (days actually) which culminated in dinner on Wednesday night. Lorna & I had planned to have dinner at my fav spanish place in the city. Much to my surprise, we arrived at the restaurant to find Chonky, Lulu & Wine Trail Runner, Don Juan & Sparkie there as well - with Ellie arriving shortly afterwards! What a coincidence ;-) Thanks Owly & The Don for organising it and for everyone whose birthday wishes, hugs & kisses Owly passed on ;-)
Thursday morning, I almost didn't make it out of bed. I've been burning the candle not only at both ends but in the middle as well lately. Far too many late nights, early mornings & (unusually for me) not sleeping well, have combined to leave me a rather tired pussycat right now.
But I did. And I'm glad I did. I took largely the same route as Tuesday morning & my butt (my piriformis actually) continues to improve, albeit slowly. I ran 6k almost niggle-free this morning before making a strategic withdrawal at 6.72km in 42.54min (aver 6:22min/k).
Friday afternoon I had an appointment with Saint Andrew which meant another early start so I could drive into the city. Got into the city at about 6.30am & headed for the gym for an interval session on the bike. I think I had the bike seat a bit too high cause I really felt this in my VMOs.
5mins warm up
6 x 5mins efforts (L10, 105RPM)/2mins recovery (L5)
5mins cool down
Total: 52mins
followed by a quick stretch. Then I went back to the gym at lunch to work on my snowball (ie strengthening exercises & stretches)
MTD: 40.52kms
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
It's all about the bike...
Monday was not my best day. Woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a bus & was about to come down with a cold but I seemed to improve as the day wore on - nothing like a work-induced shot of adrenaline to get you through the day.
I ran away from the office at lunch & headed to the gym for a chest/shoulders/triceps weights session. Great session - despite feeling so blah-ish in the morning, I felt really strong & was able to increase the weights on almost every exercise. Noice.
And later in the day I ran away from the office again (me bad) & headed home for a date with my trusty steed Apollo. Torrential rain (is it wonderful!) ruled out heading out on the roads so I hoped on the trainer & watched the '05 TdF (thanks Miners!). Kept the effort at 75-80% MHR. Tough but enjoyable. Was exactly what I needed after not one of my finest days.
After another terrible nights sleep, I headed out for a run at 5am this morning which went pretty well. Again I pulled the pin at 6km. My glute was slightly more unhappy than it was on Sunday though I wasn't really surprised; the course I took this morning was a touch hilly compared to my pancake- flat run in Canberra & my glutes were feeling a bit fatigued after my session on the bike & strengthening exercises last night. It probably wasn't the wisest decision to do these sessions so close together but a busy social calender this week left me with little choice. Still, a pretty pleasing run on a clear, humid morning :-)
Finished with 5.85k in 37:07mins (aver 6:20min/k)
Spent an hour in the Tiger's torture chamber this afternoon...'nuff said.
MTD: 33.8kms
I ran away from the office at lunch & headed to the gym for a chest/shoulders/triceps weights session. Great session - despite feeling so blah-ish in the morning, I felt really strong & was able to increase the weights on almost every exercise. Noice.
And later in the day I ran away from the office again (me bad) & headed home for a date with my trusty steed Apollo. Torrential rain (is it wonderful!) ruled out heading out on the roads so I hoped on the trainer & watched the '05 TdF (thanks Miners!). Kept the effort at 75-80% MHR. Tough but enjoyable. Was exactly what I needed after not one of my finest days.
After another terrible nights sleep, I headed out for a run at 5am this morning which went pretty well. Again I pulled the pin at 6km. My glute was slightly more unhappy than it was on Sunday though I wasn't really surprised; the course I took this morning was a touch hilly compared to my pancake- flat run in Canberra & my glutes were feeling a bit fatigued after my session on the bike & strengthening exercises last night. It probably wasn't the wisest decision to do these sessions so close together but a busy social calender this week left me with little choice. Still, a pretty pleasing run on a clear, humid morning :-)
Finished with 5.85k in 37:07mins (aver 6:20min/k)
Spent an hour in the Tiger's torture chamber this afternoon...'nuff said.
MTD: 33.8kms
Sunday, February 11, 2007
The snowball effect
I'm feeling shattered tonight. In a good way. I think.
Friday was a weird day. An early start to drive into work, 2 x visits to the gym to do my stretching/strengthening regime, a bollocking via email, a really frustrating day at work, a trip out to Concord to see Saint Andrew after work, dinner in Leichardt & then driving home to Penriff left me feeling physically & mentally tired. Got home about 10.30pm I think. It was lovely to catch up with Mr & Mrs Miners , Gnomy, Go Girl & Owly over dinner but I'm sorry I wasn't the best company.
Saturday the alarm went off at 4.30am so I could do an interval session on the bike before leaving for Canberra at 7am. Fark.
5mins warm up
6 x 5mins efforts/2mins recovery
5 mint cool down
Total: 52mins
followed by another 30mins of stretching. I watched What It Takes (a doco on a couple of triathletes) while doing this which was fascinating. I actually felt really strong during the session but had an overwhelming urge to sleep the minute I got off the bike. I had asked Mum to drive to Canberra so I could get some sleep in the car. I even brought my pillow. But could I sleep? Nope. Not even a single 5mins doze. At least I got to sit on my arse & do nothing for 3 hours for the first time all week I suppose....
One of the highlights of my weekend was (unsurprisingly) when I met up with CJ, Strewth and Ewen for lunch (*waves*). Given that 3 of us are doing Six Foot, it was not hard to guess what the main topic of conversation was ;-) Oh that & the decoration on CJ's right knee ;-)
Today I had planned a reserve brick - a short run followed by a long ride. Alarm went off at the decadent time of 5.30am so that it would be light by the time I headed out on the bike.
After Thursday I decided this time I would do a 5k out & back from the hotel and then, if my glute was ok, to tack on an extra block or 2 to bring it up to 7k so (unlike Thursday) I wouldn't get stuck a long way from home with a grumpy glute. It was a beautiful run - the sky was relatively clear after a huge thunderstorm on Saturday night & the War Memorial & Parliament House were all lit up. Noice. I made a strategic withdrawal at 6km as my glute was just starting to niggle - which was a big improvement on Thursday's run. I was really pleased with this run. On Saturday afternoon I was bitching to mum about all the boring stretching I'm doing at the moment (3 x per day) but clearly its paying off. Reminds me of an article that Susie Power wrote in R4YL last year I think about snowball building. Finished with 6.07k in 39:49mins (aver 6:33min/k).
Back at the hotel & I had to make a decision about where to ride. The roads were still wet after a thunderstorm. Not being confident on wet roads (both of my own abilities & those of Canberra drivers), I decided to avoid the Federal Highway which was plan A and go for plan B - the bike path around Lake Burley Griffin. Ewen had kindly offered to come for a ride with me but my indecision about where to ride meant I was running out of time to ride, stretch, eat, shower, check out & get to the Art Gallery before the hoards. Thanks anyway Ewen - hopefully next time!
So I set out on the bike path and, let's just say, I took the road less travelled. It was certainly scenic (well, except for the industrial estate I rode through) but thanks to my natural sense of direction (good thing too cause I didn't have a map) I made it back to the War Memorial. Eventually. 3 hill reps near the War Memorial to finish off & I was back at the hotel 1:37 later. My scenic ride left me with a total of 2:17 for the day. I would have preferred a total of 3 hours for the day but ran out of time.
I had thought about getting back on the bike tonight for 40mins (to round out the day to 3 hours) - but that was until I spent 3+ hours on my feet at the Art Gallery & then drove home (largely) in torrential rain. But I can't sleep yet, I've got more snowball building to do...
Friday was a weird day. An early start to drive into work, 2 x visits to the gym to do my stretching/strengthening regime, a bollocking via email, a really frustrating day at work, a trip out to Concord to see Saint Andrew after work, dinner in Leichardt & then driving home to Penriff left me feeling physically & mentally tired. Got home about 10.30pm I think. It was lovely to catch up with Mr & Mrs Miners , Gnomy, Go Girl & Owly over dinner but I'm sorry I wasn't the best company.
Saturday the alarm went off at 4.30am so I could do an interval session on the bike before leaving for Canberra at 7am. Fark.
5mins warm up
6 x 5mins efforts/2mins recovery
5 mint cool down
Total: 52mins
followed by another 30mins of stretching. I watched What It Takes (a doco on a couple of triathletes) while doing this which was fascinating. I actually felt really strong during the session but had an overwhelming urge to sleep the minute I got off the bike. I had asked Mum to drive to Canberra so I could get some sleep in the car. I even brought my pillow. But could I sleep? Nope. Not even a single 5mins doze. At least I got to sit on my arse & do nothing for 3 hours for the first time all week I suppose....
One of the highlights of my weekend was (unsurprisingly) when I met up with CJ, Strewth and Ewen for lunch (*waves*). Given that 3 of us are doing Six Foot, it was not hard to guess what the main topic of conversation was ;-) Oh that & the decoration on CJ's right knee ;-)
Today I had planned a reserve brick - a short run followed by a long ride. Alarm went off at the decadent time of 5.30am so that it would be light by the time I headed out on the bike.
After Thursday I decided this time I would do a 5k out & back from the hotel and then, if my glute was ok, to tack on an extra block or 2 to bring it up to 7k so (unlike Thursday) I wouldn't get stuck a long way from home with a grumpy glute. It was a beautiful run - the sky was relatively clear after a huge thunderstorm on Saturday night & the War Memorial & Parliament House were all lit up. Noice. I made a strategic withdrawal at 6km as my glute was just starting to niggle - which was a big improvement on Thursday's run. I was really pleased with this run. On Saturday afternoon I was bitching to mum about all the boring stretching I'm doing at the moment (3 x per day) but clearly its paying off. Reminds me of an article that Susie Power wrote in R4YL last year I think about snowball building. Finished with 6.07k in 39:49mins (aver 6:33min/k).
Back at the hotel & I had to make a decision about where to ride. The roads were still wet after a thunderstorm. Not being confident on wet roads (both of my own abilities & those of Canberra drivers), I decided to avoid the Federal Highway which was plan A and go for plan B - the bike path around Lake Burley Griffin. Ewen had kindly offered to come for a ride with me but my indecision about where to ride meant I was running out of time to ride, stretch, eat, shower, check out & get to the Art Gallery before the hoards. Thanks anyway Ewen - hopefully next time!
So I set out on the bike path and, let's just say, I took the road less travelled. It was certainly scenic (well, except for the industrial estate I rode through) but thanks to my natural sense of direction (good thing too cause I didn't have a map) I made it back to the War Memorial. Eventually. 3 hill reps near the War Memorial to finish off & I was back at the hotel 1:37 later. My scenic ride left me with a total of 2:17 for the day. I would have preferred a total of 3 hours for the day but ran out of time.
I had thought about getting back on the bike tonight for 40mins (to round out the day to 3 hours) - but that was until I spent 3+ hours on my feet at the Art Gallery & then drove home (largely) in torrential rain. But I can't sleep yet, I've got more snowball building to do...
Thursday, February 08, 2007
A date with a passionate tart
Work is driving me batty at the moment. My job would be great if it weren't for the clients (geez, I hope none are reading this). I just get frustrated by clients who don't return emails or phone messages until 2 days before their deal is due to be finalised & then I have to drop everything cause they were too lazy to get back to me earlier.....arrrrrgggghhhh
Sorry. Rant over.
I've had a good day today. Lunch with some of my favourite girls - Go Girl, Lulu, Ellie & Owly - at the Lindt cafe before the IronBlouse dropped by just in time for dessert. 2 x (skim) mochas + a little bit of chocolate (+ lunch of course) meant I was a productive ball of sugar & caffeine all afternoon. Of course it might also explain why I am, um, kinda putting on a bit of weight at the moment.....
Anyhoo headed out this evening for a short (7km) flat run to test the progress of my hip/glute. The first 4kms were fantastic - though by the 5km mark my glute had had enough. Ideally I would or should have pulled the pin then but unfortunately I had no way of getting home other than under my own steam so I slowed right down & took it easy until I'd hit the last hill before home (which I stopped to walk). I've still got along way to go before my hip is anywhere near 100% but I'm feeling positive :-)
Finished with 6.52k in 40:26min (aver 6:12min/k)
MTD: 21.88km
Upper body weights session in the gym tomorrow morning (Friday) before heading to Canberra on Saturday morning for the weekend. Looking forward to catching up with a few fellow bloggers while I'm there (*waves*). And yes, Apollo is making the trip too ;-)
Sorry. Rant over.
I've had a good day today. Lunch with some of my favourite girls - Go Girl, Lulu, Ellie & Owly - at the Lindt cafe before the IronBlouse dropped by just in time for dessert. 2 x (skim) mochas + a little bit of chocolate (+ lunch of course) meant I was a productive ball of sugar & caffeine all afternoon. Of course it might also explain why I am, um, kinda putting on a bit of weight at the moment.....
Anyhoo headed out this evening for a short (7km) flat run to test the progress of my hip/glute. The first 4kms were fantastic - though by the 5km mark my glute had had enough. Ideally I would or should have pulled the pin then but unfortunately I had no way of getting home other than under my own steam so I slowed right down & took it easy until I'd hit the last hill before home (which I stopped to walk). I've still got along way to go before my hip is anywhere near 100% but I'm feeling positive :-)
Finished with 6.52k in 40:26min (aver 6:12min/k)
MTD: 21.88km
Upper body weights session in the gym tomorrow morning (Friday) before heading to Canberra on Saturday morning for the weekend. Looking forward to catching up with a few fellow bloggers while I'm there (*waves*). And yes, Apollo is making the trip too ;-)
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The Power of One
Bryce Courtenay's book has always been a favourite of mine. It's been probably close to 10 years since I last read it - I've always been drawn to it & certain paragraphs from it often come to mind. A few weeks ago I decided that I was only going to read positive, strong, inspiring material in the lead up to Six Foot so this book was always going to make the grade. This paragraph seems particularly relevant for me (and perhaps all the Six Foot virgins) right now -
The power of one is above all things the power to believe in yourself often well beyond any latent ability you may have previously demonstrated. The mind is the athlete; the body is simply the means it uses to run faster or longer, jump higher, shoot straighter, kick better, swim harder, hit further or box better. Hoppie's dictum to me: 'First with the head and then with heart' was more than simply mixing brains with guts. It meant thinking well beyond the powers of normal concentration and then daring your courage to follow your thoughts.
The power of one is above all things the power to believe in yourself often well beyond any latent ability you may have previously demonstrated. The mind is the athlete; the body is simply the means it uses to run faster or longer, jump higher, shoot straighter, kick better, swim harder, hit further or box better. Hoppie's dictum to me: 'First with the head and then with heart' was more than simply mixing brains with guts. It meant thinking well beyond the powers of normal concentration and then daring your courage to follow your thoughts.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
HUCC me
Well I dusted off my trusty steed Apollo on Monday night -
(you can relax Miners, there were no cobwebs) & took him out for a quick spin (in fading light) to test if riding was going to further annoy my glute/hip. 35mins later after some hills (seated & standing) I decided the answer to that question is no :-) Of course, that's not to say that my butt has forgiven me - it's been a while since I rode ;-)
Today included another hour in the Tiger's lair (one my left ITB is not likely to forget soon...) & another 50mins on the bike after work tonight. I'd post my average speeds but they are really quite embarrassing (not to mention that Apollo has a flatish tyre....)
Rest day tomorrow thanks to a day full of appointments & meetings before an easy, short run on Thursday morning.
To answer Tesso's question from Sunday - there were sheep. Plural. About 5 or 6 on the road & another few still in the paddock - which had also managed to escape by the time I had knocked on a few doors & ran past the paddock again. Glad I didn't have to go & round 'em up. Never a dull moment in Penriff....
Suppose I should learn how to change a tyre on Apollo now that I'm actually riding him on the road & not just on the mag in front of the TV....
(you can relax Miners, there were no cobwebs) & took him out for a quick spin (in fading light) to test if riding was going to further annoy my glute/hip. 35mins later after some hills (seated & standing) I decided the answer to that question is no :-) Of course, that's not to say that my butt has forgiven me - it's been a while since I rode ;-)
Today included another hour in the Tiger's lair (one my left ITB is not likely to forget soon...) & another 50mins on the bike after work tonight. I'd post my average speeds but they are really quite embarrassing (not to mention that Apollo has a flatish tyre....)
Rest day tomorrow thanks to a day full of appointments & meetings before an easy, short run on Thursday morning.
To answer Tesso's question from Sunday - there were sheep. Plural. About 5 or 6 on the road & another few still in the paddock - which had also managed to escape by the time I had knocked on a few doors & ran past the paddock again. Glad I didn't have to go & round 'em up. Never a dull moment in Penriff....
Suppose I should learn how to change a tyre on Apollo now that I'm actually riding him on the road & not just on the mag in front of the TV....
Monday, February 05, 2007
Knockers & acceptance
Over the weekend I saw this quote from Serena Williams after she wiped the floor at the Australian Open last month -
"I could lose 20 pounds and I'm still going to have these knockers and I'm going to have this bum. That's just the way it is."
I love it. If only there were more women in the world who accepted & appreciated their bodies more for what they are capable of than simply for the way they look...
"I could lose 20 pounds and I'm still going to have these knockers and I'm going to have this bum. That's just the way it is."
I love it. If only there were more women in the world who accepted & appreciated their bodies more for what they are capable of than simply for the way they look...
Sunday, February 04, 2007
I'm still here :-)
Another one of those rollercoaster weeks. 2 months today until I fly out for Nepal :-)
Struggled mentally earlier in the week. I allowed myself to dwell on the negative thoughts that I was having about Six Foot & my recalcitrant hip, rather than accept them as part of the journey & let them wash over me (thanks Owly).
I did 3 x upper body weights sessions during the week and my shoulders haven't forgiven me yet. Let's just say that I'm still paying for not doing much weights over the last few weeks....
After a week off I set off to do my long run today. Saint Andrew & Easy Tiger want me to stay off hills for the time being (!) so I picked a reasonably flat 12k loop near home with the intention of running it twice. I really struggled today, mentally & physically. Unfortunately my hip hasn't improved during the week off. Not even doing a a door-knock at 7.44am to find out who owned the sheep that had escaped from a paddock & were now running down the road ahead of me did little to improve my mood. I pulled the pin after 15.36k in 1:48:44 (aver 7:04min/k) . More time off running is needed me thinks - might be time to dust the cobwebs off my bike...
MTD: 15.36k
Struggled mentally earlier in the week. I allowed myself to dwell on the negative thoughts that I was having about Six Foot & my recalcitrant hip, rather than accept them as part of the journey & let them wash over me (thanks Owly).
I did 3 x upper body weights sessions during the week and my shoulders haven't forgiven me yet. Let's just say that I'm still paying for not doing much weights over the last few weeks....
After a week off I set off to do my long run today. Saint Andrew & Easy Tiger want me to stay off hills for the time being (!) so I picked a reasonably flat 12k loop near home with the intention of running it twice. I really struggled today, mentally & physically. Unfortunately my hip hasn't improved during the week off. Not even doing a a door-knock at 7.44am to find out who owned the sheep that had escaped from a paddock & were now running down the road ahead of me did little to improve my mood. I pulled the pin after 15.36k in 1:48:44 (aver 7:04min/k) . More time off running is needed me thinks - might be time to dust the cobwebs off my bike...
MTD: 15.36k
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The universe IS unfolding as it should
Back & biceps weights session at lunch in the gym today & I'll be back in there tomorrow (Wednesday) doing chest, shoulders & triceps.
Today I also booked myself a holiday in April (& yes, this departure is already confirmed) - a 25 day trip to Nepal including a 20 day trek! Woohooooo! This is something that I have wanted to do for probably 15+ years - not to mention a bloody great way to use (& build on) my Six Foot training and sets me up perfectly for a tilt at my running goals in the second half of the year. I'm excited :-))
Taking a break from running this week brings me to the end of January with a total of 160.43km! My biggest month ever! It's been a huge month physically & emotionally. I feel like I've been on an emotional rollercoaster actually - some lows, fear, uncertainty & tears but also a lot of highs. Needless to say the Black Stump run on NYD will be one of my highlights of the year. I can't believe it was only a month ago that I qualified for Six Foot - it seems like a lifetime. How things (or more correctly, how perceptions) change!
Today I also booked myself a holiday in April (& yes, this departure is already confirmed) - a 25 day trip to Nepal including a 20 day trek! Woohooooo! This is something that I have wanted to do for probably 15+ years - not to mention a bloody great way to use (& build on) my Six Foot training and sets me up perfectly for a tilt at my running goals in the second half of the year. I'm excited :-))
Taking a break from running this week brings me to the end of January with a total of 160.43km! My biggest month ever! It's been a huge month physically & emotionally. I feel like I've been on an emotional rollercoaster actually - some lows, fear, uncertainty & tears but also a lot of highs. Needless to say the Black Stump run on NYD will be one of my highlights of the year. I can't believe it was only a month ago that I qualified for Six Foot - it seems like a lifetime. How things (or more correctly, how perceptions) change!
Monday, January 29, 2007
I'm a safety girl....
Apologies for just spamming everyone using Bloglines :-)
Lulu asked yesterday about whether I carry ID when on a trail run in case I get bitten by a moving stick ;-) I've been taught by the master so I actually carry -
- drivers licence
- mobile
- triangular bandage
- roller/crepe/pressure bandage
- space blanket (small)
- glasses case with a second pair - either my sunnies or my normal glasses depending on what I'm wearing. If I fall & break a pair, I'll need a backup otherwise it would be a long & slow walk back to the car as I stop to check every stick to make sure its not a snake!
- toilet paper !
- maps (depending on which trail I'm running)
plus (of course) water & gels. Sounds like alot but it actually fits within 2 small ziplock bag & weighs almost nothing. In addition, I show my folks on the map the course that I'm planning to take & when to expect me back (ok, this should be in writing...smack....) & I SMS mum as I'm leaving the car & then again when I get back to it. What can I say - I'm such a girl scout ;-)
My hip is in need of some TLC this week so I've decided not to run at least until the Mastery of Megalong fat ass run on Sunday (at the earliest). Last weeks interval bike session didn't appear to aggravate it though I will talk to the experts before getting too stuck into the bike. Looks like its gunna be an easy week. 5 weeks & 4 sleeps to go - plenty of time ;-)
Lulu asked yesterday about whether I carry ID when on a trail run in case I get bitten by a moving stick ;-) I've been taught by the master so I actually carry -
- drivers licence
- mobile
- triangular bandage
- roller/crepe/pressure bandage
- space blanket (small)
- glasses case with a second pair - either my sunnies or my normal glasses depending on what I'm wearing. If I fall & break a pair, I'll need a backup otherwise it would be a long & slow walk back to the car as I stop to check every stick to make sure its not a snake!
- toilet paper !
- maps (depending on which trail I'm running)
plus (of course) water & gels. Sounds like alot but it actually fits within 2 small ziplock bag & weighs almost nothing. In addition, I show my folks on the map the course that I'm planning to take & when to expect me back (ok, this should be in writing...smack....) & I SMS mum as I'm leaving the car & then again when I get back to it. What can I say - I'm such a girl scout ;-)
My hip is in need of some TLC this week so I've decided not to run at least until the Mastery of Megalong fat ass run on Sunday (at the earliest). Last weeks interval bike session didn't appear to aggravate it though I will talk to the experts before getting too stuck into the bike. Looks like its gunna be an easy week. 5 weeks & 4 sleeps to go - plenty of time ;-)
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Heading for the hills (again)
I had thought about heading to Quarry Road or back to the Six Foot Track this weekend but decided I needed some time alone with my thoughts so I headed to the Glenbrook National Park (which is about 15mins from home) for part of a route that Mr G suggested. He described it as "seriously hilly". He wasn't kidding. I think I did more walking than running today...
I parked at the gate just after 7am. I had planned to go earlier but couldn't get out of bed this morning. It was beautiful & quiet with only the occasional MTBer & walker around. Ran down to the causeway, walked up the other side & then ran along the main road to the Ironbark picnic ground, where I turned down a trail to the Euroka Campground & was greeted by the resident kangaroos. After a stop to powder my nose, I walked back up the road out of the campground, turned right & headed to the Portal Lookout. This was a constant climb but the incredible view down the Nepean River was worth it. I can't believe that in all the time I spent at the Euroka campground as a kid that I've never been to the lookout before - it's stunning. Will take my camera next time...
I turned around & started heading back to the Euroka Campground. On the way, a car stopped to warn me that there was a red belly black snake was on the road a bit further down. Farkkk. Unfortunately I wasn't lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it - it had moved on by the time I got there. After another pitstop at Euroka, I decided to head back up Bennetts Ridge Road - better known as the last section of the Woodford to Glenbrook trail. Yikes. It certainly didn't feel particularly 'downhill' during the W2G race - it wasn't a big climb but it's constant.
Eventually I made it back to the Oaks Fire Trail. My hip had been complaining for a while by now & I had just about had enough - if a car had driven past I have have hitched a lift back to my car. But alas, no cars so I ran back down to the causeway & walked up the other side, managing to catch, overtake & leave for dust a poor dude trying to ride his MTB up the hill..
Energy wise I felt fine so in that regard it was a confidence boost that I need after last week. Easy Tiger & Saint Andrew have some work to do though...
Finished in 22.51kms in 2:47:47 (aver 7.27min/km). It was what I needed - some thinking time by myself on a trail with only kangaroos & snakes for company.
MTD: 160.43kms
I parked at the gate just after 7am. I had planned to go earlier but couldn't get out of bed this morning. It was beautiful & quiet with only the occasional MTBer & walker around. Ran down to the causeway, walked up the other side & then ran along the main road to the Ironbark picnic ground, where I turned down a trail to the Euroka Campground & was greeted by the resident kangaroos. After a stop to powder my nose, I walked back up the road out of the campground, turned right & headed to the Portal Lookout. This was a constant climb but the incredible view down the Nepean River was worth it. I can't believe that in all the time I spent at the Euroka campground as a kid that I've never been to the lookout before - it's stunning. Will take my camera next time...
I turned around & started heading back to the Euroka Campground. On the way, a car stopped to warn me that there was a red belly black snake was on the road a bit further down. Farkkk. Unfortunately I wasn't lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it - it had moved on by the time I got there. After another pitstop at Euroka, I decided to head back up Bennetts Ridge Road - better known as the last section of the Woodford to Glenbrook trail. Yikes. It certainly didn't feel particularly 'downhill' during the W2G race - it wasn't a big climb but it's constant.
Eventually I made it back to the Oaks Fire Trail. My hip had been complaining for a while by now & I had just about had enough - if a car had driven past I have have hitched a lift back to my car. But alas, no cars so I ran back down to the causeway & walked up the other side, managing to catch, overtake & leave for dust a poor dude trying to ride his MTB up the hill..
Energy wise I felt fine so in that regard it was a confidence boost that I need after last week. Easy Tiger & Saint Andrew have some work to do though...
Finished in 22.51kms in 2:47:47 (aver 7.27min/km). It was what I needed - some thinking time by myself on a trail with only kangaroos & snakes for company.
MTD: 160.43kms
Friday, January 26, 2007
You can't say we're satisfied...
It's been an interesting, intriguing & emotional week in more ways than one...
I haven't mentioned my glute recently - not because its been fine but because I don't want to dwell on it. After visits to Saint Andrew on both Monday and Tuesday and one of the most painful hours I've spent in the Tiger's lair yet, we have gotten to the bottom of the problem (pun intended). And it's not my glute - basically the structural/biomechnical problem relating to my pelvis that I was having last year (the cause of my old ITB problem) is starting to flare up again. At least now I know what's going on & the best way to manage it & minimise any damage over the next 6 weeks & 1 sleep
;-)
Wednesday morning I headed out for a run. I was feeling emotionally fragile after some 'stuff' on Tuesday & still physically beaten up after my run on Sunday so I decided to let me old bod decided what it wanted to do.
It was a rough start. After an incredible light show on Tuesday night during a storm, it was soooo humid out there. For the first 15mins I couldn't even get into 1st gear & was thinking of pulling the pin early. But after about 15mins (& a couple of stops to stretch my calves) my body not only found 1st gear but was threatening to move up to 2nd gear. And then one of my most favourite things in the word happened - it started raining. Heavily. There are few things I love more than running in summer rain - trail running, chocolate & red wine immediately come to mind but there are others ;-)
Although my hip complained for most of it, it was a bloody fantastic run :-)) It was THE perfect confidence boosting run - just what I needed after the last few days. Finished with 7.33k in 46:07mins (aver 6:17min/k).
Thursday started well. I stayed at Ellie's place on Wednesday night after dinner with a constellation of CoolRunners. So as Ellie headed off to join the SWEAT crew, I headed into the gym for an interval session on the bike -
5mins warm up
5 x 5mins efforts/2:30mins recovery
5 mins cool down
Total: 47:30mins
Finished off with 3 sets of single leg hamstring curls - part of the treatment for my eager pelvis (thanks Ellie!), ab/core stuff & lots of stretching. Great way to start the day :-)
Unfortunately I found out later in the day that my holiday to Central America has been cancelled by the tour operator for lack of numbers! Farkkkk. I know the universe is probably unfolding as it should but I don't like the universe today ;-) Back to the drawing board…
With the Australia Day fun run on at the Regatta Centre at Penriff, Owly & Ellie came to stay at Chez Penriff on Thursday night. While the prospect of being able to leave home 3mins before we wanted to arrive at the Regatta Centre had some appeal, I think (at least so far as Ellie was concerned) the fact that Mum had offered to cook a baked dinner was the major selling point ;-)
I had previously decided to do one of the races (5k or 10k) at my usual Friday run pace - ie slow. After Wednesday's run, the decision to do the 5k was easy. Owly decided to run a slow 5k too so to make sure we did, we decided our goal was to run a PW! It was great to run with Owly again (it's been far too long). We had great fun at the back of the pack, cheering, talking, laughing, solving the worlds - and our - problems. Thanks Owly! Finished with 4.98k in 32.07mins (aver 6.27min/k). No complaints from my hip today so the stretching/strengthing is paying off.
Afterwards Owly & I sat around catching up with Go Girl (waves!) while Ellie went off for a ride. It was great day - I don't know what I'd do without you gals :-)
MTD: 137.92kms !
To answer Tesso's question, my next visit to the Track is next weekend as part of the Megalong Mega fat ass run (hopefully not the Megalong Massacre as someone has nicknamed it!) unless I head up there again this weekend. Dunno yet. I'm still undecided where or for how long I'll run this weekend....
I haven't mentioned my glute recently - not because its been fine but because I don't want to dwell on it. After visits to Saint Andrew on both Monday and Tuesday and one of the most painful hours I've spent in the Tiger's lair yet, we have gotten to the bottom of the problem (pun intended). And it's not my glute - basically the structural/biomechnical problem relating to my pelvis that I was having last year (the cause of my old ITB problem) is starting to flare up again. At least now I know what's going on & the best way to manage it & minimise any damage over the next 6 weeks & 1 sleep
;-)
Wednesday morning I headed out for a run. I was feeling emotionally fragile after some 'stuff' on Tuesday & still physically beaten up after my run on Sunday so I decided to let me old bod decided what it wanted to do.
It was a rough start. After an incredible light show on Tuesday night during a storm, it was soooo humid out there. For the first 15mins I couldn't even get into 1st gear & was thinking of pulling the pin early. But after about 15mins (& a couple of stops to stretch my calves) my body not only found 1st gear but was threatening to move up to 2nd gear. And then one of my most favourite things in the word happened - it started raining. Heavily. There are few things I love more than running in summer rain - trail running, chocolate & red wine immediately come to mind but there are others ;-)
Although my hip complained for most of it, it was a bloody fantastic run :-)) It was THE perfect confidence boosting run - just what I needed after the last few days. Finished with 7.33k in 46:07mins (aver 6:17min/k).
Thursday started well. I stayed at Ellie's place on Wednesday night after dinner with a constellation of CoolRunners. So as Ellie headed off to join the SWEAT crew, I headed into the gym for an interval session on the bike -
5mins warm up
5 x 5mins efforts/2:30mins recovery
5 mins cool down
Total: 47:30mins
Finished off with 3 sets of single leg hamstring curls - part of the treatment for my eager pelvis (thanks Ellie!), ab/core stuff & lots of stretching. Great way to start the day :-)
Unfortunately I found out later in the day that my holiday to Central America has been cancelled by the tour operator for lack of numbers! Farkkkk. I know the universe is probably unfolding as it should but I don't like the universe today ;-) Back to the drawing board…
With the Australia Day fun run on at the Regatta Centre at Penriff, Owly & Ellie came to stay at Chez Penriff on Thursday night. While the prospect of being able to leave home 3mins before we wanted to arrive at the Regatta Centre had some appeal, I think (at least so far as Ellie was concerned) the fact that Mum had offered to cook a baked dinner was the major selling point ;-)
I had previously decided to do one of the races (5k or 10k) at my usual Friday run pace - ie slow. After Wednesday's run, the decision to do the 5k was easy. Owly decided to run a slow 5k too so to make sure we did, we decided our goal was to run a PW! It was great to run with Owly again (it's been far too long). We had great fun at the back of the pack, cheering, talking, laughing, solving the worlds - and our - problems. Thanks Owly! Finished with 4.98k in 32.07mins (aver 6.27min/k). No complaints from my hip today so the stretching/strengthing is paying off.
Afterwards Owly & I sat around catching up with Go Girl (waves!) while Ellie went off for a ride. It was great day - I don't know what I'd do without you gals :-)
MTD: 137.92kms !
To answer Tesso's question, my next visit to the Track is next weekend as part of the Megalong Mega fat ass run (hopefully not the Megalong Massacre as someone has nicknamed it!) unless I head up there again this weekend. Dunno yet. I'm still undecided where or for how long I'll run this weekend....
Sunday, January 21, 2007
One of those days....
Thankfully yesterday was a rest day. It got to 41*C (105*F) out here at Penriff & today (Sunday) is about the same. Thankfully there was plenty of sport on telly & we have ducted air-con.
Anyway, today was my first visit to the Six Foot Track. Apart from the fact that the company was great & I didn't see any snakes, it was pretty farked.
I woke up feeling flat, tired & unrested. I'm not sure why - I made sure that I was properly hydrated cause I knew it would be hot. Just one of those days I guess...
Got to the Explorer's Tree just before 7am after getting every red light between Penriff & Katoomba and within about 5mins, we were off. Moh, Ine, 2p & someone else whose name I didn't catch quickly took off leaving me at the back of the pack with Terry.
The steps down Nellies are a bitch - differing heights & widths. I'm sure there is a technique to running down them (quickly) but buggered if I know what it is. Having no fear & long legs perhaps. Unfortunately I was too busy trying not to bust an ankle to take in the view but the few glimpses I saw were pretty spectacular. The soaring sandstone escarpment which disappeared from view as we passed through the 'rainforest' section. Bewdiful.
By the time the course had started to flatten, 2p suddenly appeared - dropping back to check up on me. After dropping about 500m in the space of 2kms, my legs were (surprisingly) feeling pretty good at this stage.
At the first gate, we climbed through the fence which I didn't handle particularly well. It's been a few years since I climbed fences! Contrary to 2p's cheeky suggestion, it wasn't that I was too fat too squeeze through but that I over-rotated on the landing. You had to be there ;-)
Terry, 2p & I continued to run along the firetrail when 2p started to entertain us by telling 'snake encounter' stories. No doubt part of his campaign to desensitise me to snakes. His attempt to distract me worked too well - I almost went A over T thanks to a stick at about this time.
The rest of the run down to Megalong Rd was pleasant and different - from a wide firetrail, through a dry creek bed & then across a paddock. By this time it was starting to get bloody warm. The pace had been pretty comfortable for me but I was really pleased that I planned to turn around at the road rather than continue onto Cox's River as the rest had planned.
On hitting Megalong Road in 57mins, we stopped for a quick chat & I had a GU before we parted company & I set out for home by my lonesome.
Unfortunately I had absolutely nothing in the tank on the way back. The GU made no difference whatsoever. I couldn't catch my breathe no matter how much I slowed down, nor could I get my heartrate down. At about the 10k, I found that I wasn't absorbing any water - it was all sloshing around in my tummy & before I had made it to the Nellies Glen sign, I was feeling lightheaded & faint. About this point I had another GU which made bugger-all difference again. FYI - I had drunk just on 2ltrs of water by the time I made it back to the car.
Finished in 2:16 (splits of 57 & 1:19).
Positives to come out of it - I have strong quads which don't mind downhills. It was 'time on my feet' and (more) practice at moving forward (albeit slowly) when the tank is bone-motherless-dry.
'Nuff said. Time to rest, recover & refocus.
MTD: 125.61kms
Anyway, today was my first visit to the Six Foot Track. Apart from the fact that the company was great & I didn't see any snakes, it was pretty farked.
I woke up feeling flat, tired & unrested. I'm not sure why - I made sure that I was properly hydrated cause I knew it would be hot. Just one of those days I guess...
Got to the Explorer's Tree just before 7am after getting every red light between Penriff & Katoomba and within about 5mins, we were off. Moh, Ine, 2p & someone else whose name I didn't catch quickly took off leaving me at the back of the pack with Terry.
The steps down Nellies are a bitch - differing heights & widths. I'm sure there is a technique to running down them (quickly) but buggered if I know what it is. Having no fear & long legs perhaps. Unfortunately I was too busy trying not to bust an ankle to take in the view but the few glimpses I saw were pretty spectacular. The soaring sandstone escarpment which disappeared from view as we passed through the 'rainforest' section. Bewdiful.
By the time the course had started to flatten, 2p suddenly appeared - dropping back to check up on me. After dropping about 500m in the space of 2kms, my legs were (surprisingly) feeling pretty good at this stage.
At the first gate, we climbed through the fence which I didn't handle particularly well. It's been a few years since I climbed fences! Contrary to 2p's cheeky suggestion, it wasn't that I was too fat too squeeze through but that I over-rotated on the landing. You had to be there ;-)
Terry, 2p & I continued to run along the firetrail when 2p started to entertain us by telling 'snake encounter' stories. No doubt part of his campaign to desensitise me to snakes. His attempt to distract me worked too well - I almost went A over T thanks to a stick at about this time.
The rest of the run down to Megalong Rd was pleasant and different - from a wide firetrail, through a dry creek bed & then across a paddock. By this time it was starting to get bloody warm. The pace had been pretty comfortable for me but I was really pleased that I planned to turn around at the road rather than continue onto Cox's River as the rest had planned.
On hitting Megalong Road in 57mins, we stopped for a quick chat & I had a GU before we parted company & I set out for home by my lonesome.
Unfortunately I had absolutely nothing in the tank on the way back. The GU made no difference whatsoever. I couldn't catch my breathe no matter how much I slowed down, nor could I get my heartrate down. At about the 10k, I found that I wasn't absorbing any water - it was all sloshing around in my tummy & before I had made it to the Nellies Glen sign, I was feeling lightheaded & faint. About this point I had another GU which made bugger-all difference again. FYI - I had drunk just on 2ltrs of water by the time I made it back to the car.
Finished in 2:16 (splits of 57 & 1:19).
Positives to come out of it - I have strong quads which don't mind downhills. It was 'time on my feet' and (more) practice at moving forward (albeit slowly) when the tank is bone-motherless-dry.
'Nuff said. Time to rest, recover & refocus.
MTD: 125.61kms
Saturday, January 20, 2007
...7....
49 sleeps to go!
And it's a rest day :-) So once I sit down with my maps & check out tomorrow's route, it's back to the couch with the papers & to watch the tennis. Geez, this training thing is hard work ;-)
And it's a rest day :-) So once I sit down with my maps & check out tomorrow's route, it's back to the couch with the papers & to watch the tennis. Geez, this training thing is hard work ;-)
Friday, January 19, 2007
Accept the landing
I've been feeling really tired this week (*yawn*). Looking at my diary over the last 3 weeks - and now that I'm covering for both of my bosses who are currently on holidays - I'm not surprised. I've even been sleeping on the trip to AND from work - which I would normally consider to be a great waste of reading time. But for the next 7-odd weeks, I prefer to think of it as recovery time ;-) Thankfully I have a (much needed & long overdue) quiet & relaxing weekend ahead.
I chose to give pilates a miss this week after overdoing it a wee bit last week so instead I went to the gym yesterday (Thursday) for an upper body weights session. Today (Friday) I headed out for an easy 40mins run. I felt really flat & tired at first but after stopping to stretch my calves about 10min in, I started feeling (somewhat) relaxed & comfy. Finished with 6.55k in 40:14mins (aver 6:08min/k).
All systems are G-O for my maiden visit to the Track this weekend :-)
MTD: 109.65kms
I chose to give pilates a miss this week after overdoing it a wee bit last week so instead I went to the gym yesterday (Thursday) for an upper body weights session. Today (Friday) I headed out for an easy 40mins run. I felt really flat & tired at first but after stopping to stretch my calves about 10min in, I started feeling (somewhat) relaxed & comfy. Finished with 6.55k in 40:14mins (aver 6:08min/k).
All systems are G-O for my maiden visit to the Track this weekend :-)
MTD: 109.65kms
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