3 x Tan (d=11.5, w=15.5, m=113.5)

Bella 2, Wildlife 0

Slept in until 6am this morning and I could hear Bella in the yard moving around from about 5am then when I went outside I saw two branches from my Japanese maples on the ground- but Bella wasn't hiding like she had done anything wrong. Then I noticed that there was a dead slightly mauled possum under the table. I turned into Morsey: Possum Detective- and after examining the crime scene I was able to determine that the possum was in the Japanese maple when it was attacked and killed by the protector of the maples, Bella. I stopped short of examining the contents of the possums stomach to see if it had been eating my maple or just taking a fool hardy shortcut.
Bella has killed two possums now and I am not very happy about it- I might have to start keeping her inside like a responsible cat owner!
Also the dirt in the clam shell worked- Bella did not touch the lawn at all yesterday despite being alone with the lawn for about 9 hours! She got praised like she had discovered a cure for cancer when I got home and didn't find one hole.

3 x Tan

Headed out around the Tan at about 7.20- no watch still- I was going to do two laps but I was feeling quite good so I did an extra one. The first two felt a lot quicker than the last one. My ankle niggled a bit but no real pain to speak of. I have been stretching my calves and I will ice my ankle when I get back from the gym.

I have no idea of the time, pace or heart rate because I still have no heart rate monitor. I was getting ready to sing the praises of athleticedgeonline but then I spent the whole day annoying our mailroom at work because I was expecting my new heart rate monitor in the mail. I finally rang them at 2pm (not very patient I know) and they said to expect it anytime before 5pm. Then they rang me back to tell me that even though they had sent me an email saying it was in the mail, they hadn't sent it yet. Apparently they were very busy. Not too busy to send me an email getting my hopes up.

If this is the worst thing that I can complain about then my life is pretty good and I cannot complain about anything (I don't mean to go all children-are-being-killed-in-Iraq on you a la Matthew Newtons silly lawyer- sorry). I am very lucky- I do not want for much and my complaints are very trivial.

Spin class/ 8 seconds to weight loss

Big walk for Bella this morning - though I am still angry about the second enormous hole she dug in two days then off to spin class. My knee and ankle hurt a bit when I wound up the resistance so I kept it light.

The instructor had recently read about the fat loss in 8 second study so after about 20 minutes we just did 8 second sprints followed by 12 second recovery. I am not surprised that people lose weight doing that- it was damn hard even on the easy resistance and I was happy to leave early- 20 minutes of interval training is enough to make me sweaty enough. I wasn't really sneaking off early, I thought the class started at 0615 so I was there warming up after riding my bike to the gym at 0610. So I was pretty exhausted at 0700 and very glad to climb aboard my real bike and ride to work.

I visited Bunnings last night and bought a lot of cheap dirt which I then put into Bella's clam shell and hid her toys, some snacks and every old bone I could find in the yard in the dirt. I then sprayed the lawn with stinky citronella which is supposed to keep the dog away. I really don't know what to do about her- obviously something is just too good in the lawn and she is prepared to risk the wrath for it. When I got home she wouldn't get out of her kennel, even when I pretended I wasn't going to shout at her- she it too smart for that.

Sprints (d-4,w- 4, m-102, y-102)

I took Bella to the park for some sprints this morning- she has been limping again so I didn't really drag her around much- though I had enough time to do everything this morning. My ankle was quite good and I put that down to anti-inflammatory drugs and gel. I also iced it all day practically (with appropriate rests in between).
I really appreciate all the advice about my ankle- I am going back to the physio hopefully this week and I will definitely get some massage. The physio has me massaging my ankle and calf myself at the moment, along with the exercises to build up my right calf which is currently at about 80% compared to the other one. But while the physio can make me cry when she massages my calf, I can just make myself grimace and curse.
I really miss my heart rate monitor, I am now watchless and have turned into one of those people who constantly asks what the time is. Can't wait for the new one.

3 x Lake (14.5- 24- 98)

Headed out for laps of the lake a little later than planned- despite being in bed very early I woke up tired so had another snooze before Bella was taken out for a walk.
I drove to the lake then did my laps. Without my heart rate monitor I was very lazy- it wasn't the same as I didn't have the clock to race so I just plodded along, every now and then speeding up but having no real idea of how fast I was travelling. I didn't enjoy it as much at all- not helped by the wind that was pushing me backwards on the golf course side. So I have no idea how long ran for (maybe just under 1 hour 30 mins) and no idea what my heart rate was doing- though I am sure it would be lower than usual.

My ankle hurt so badly when I got up that I doubted that I would make it around once, but after some laps of the park with Leslie, Arnie and Lucy the pain had subsided. My knee didn't hurt at all which was a relief. My ankle hurt after about 10 km and the pain didn't really go away. It hurt on the inside of my ankle and now my heel is sore when I push on it (I know- so don't push on it!) I completley forgot to tape my ankle this morning.

Am thinking about giving up booze and carbs for February (yeah, just because it is the shortest month)- I really need a proper regime to get me back on track.

Hungover + tired= resting ankle

I have continued my rest so I am hoping that when I get out for a run tomorrow morning I should be free from niggles and pain. Okay the truth is that I got very drunk on Thursday night (who else eats Hungry Jacks at midnight??) and I was a little scratchy at 5a.m. Bella got her walk a little later than normal on Friday and then I had to work at 8. Thankfully we were allowed to leave early (not early enough for me though!) so I made it home for a LLD (little lie down). I complain very loudly whenever BF has an afternoon nap so I was trying to stay awake but reading on the bed with the light off isn't fooling anyone.

Then we went off the Edinburgh Gardens in Fitzroy North for fish and chips, bocce and beer in the park (no beer for me, just mineral water and greasy food) with some friends. It was a great night- Bella got to meet some dogs from north of the river and interrupt a game of cricket.

For some reason we didn't get home till after midnight so I had a massive sleep in this morning and the only exercise was walking Bella.

I have just been shopping on-line and bought a Polar Heart Rate monitor after mine died the other day- the keepers had broken off the band so it was time to get a new one (just doing some self justification). I decided on a RS 200 SD- not the cheapest but not the most expensive. I got it at www.athleticedgeonline.com.au and I can't wait for it to arrive. It was $100 cheaper than any other shop or site (more justifying).

Anyway big run planned tomorrow with no recording device which will be very strange.

No running today- just another walk for Bella. The plan is to run tomorrow morning - but I drinks tonight for a friend who is leaving to go on a peace keeping/ law and order tour of the Solomon Islands so that plan is fairly flexible. So there are a few things I should answer/ mention:
Sekmet- you have convinced me- I will do the Puffing Billy run- though I am nervous about my ankle!
Steve- you should know that the BF does not get out of bed early for anyone, and does not run unless someone has stolen his beer and tried to run away.

I was planning to write my 100 things about me when I had done 100 posts, but I forgot, so here is 102 things about me. (I know everyone went through this phase several months back, but I have always been a bit behind everyone else- unless I am running, then I am a lot behind!)

1. My sister thinks I am the only person who goes shopping in Chapel Street but only goes Rebel Sport.
2. I love horse racing, especially but not just the Spring Racing Carnival
3. I spent four weeks in Italy a few years ago but haven’t really travelled around Europe.
4. I went to Italy because I like the food.
5. I always wanted to be a police woman but my parents made me go to university so I didn’t waste my private school education.
6. I am 32 years old and I can just hear my ticking biological clock starting up.
7. My brother and his wife live in Perth with their kids Harry and Daisy and I travel over there every chance I get.
8. I drove to Perth with a friend last year in a campervan (for $1 a day!)
9. I played the piano for six years when I was at school but I can’t play now.
10.My horse was called Modesty Blaise and I lent her to a friend 12 years ago.
11.I can’t sit on the couch and watch videos or TV, I get restless.
12.I sprained my ankle 18 months ago doing step ups on a park bench.
13.I sprained my ankle at 5am and no-one answered their phones so I practically crawled home.
14.I worked at Target while I was studying at uni.
15.I completed a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne Uni in 1996.
16.I have never put my degree to use.
17.I love chips, hot or cold.
18.My sister had cancer and had a bone marrow transplant and now she is well again.
19.I become anxious when I see water being wasted.
20.My first car was a 84 Nissan Bluebird.
21.I left home to go to uni when I was 18.
22.I returned home for a year when I was 26 and enjoyed living with Mum and Dad.
23.I worked part time for my dad as a yard hand at the sale yards and enjoyed it more than my full time work.
24.I grew up at the foot of the Grampians and love to go bushwalking, mountain bike riding whenever I am home.
25.My parents both love golf but I hate it.
26.I still have the scar on my hand from when I crawled in the fire when I was 1.
27.I have no patience and rudely finish people’s sentences.
28.I shaved my head to raise money for cancer research.
29.I like my hair very short.
30.I love listening to Johnny Cash- especially while I am running.
31.I also love listening to Dolly Parton.
32.I had braces on my teeth from age 17 to 20.
33.I only just had my retainer removed because I was worried my teeth would become crooked again.
34.I have no interest in football
35.I have given blood 27 times- and fainted only twice.
36.I can laugh until I cry watching “Funniest Home Videos”.
37.My cat died and my sisters cancer came back at the same time, my dad didn’t know which one to tell me first.
38.He told me about the cat, then the next day about my sister.
39.25 was my favourite age
40.No-one in the family was a bone marrow match for my sister- but a stranger in London was.
41.I said I would never become cynical, but it has happened.
42.I cannot believe that people listen to Andrew Bolt.
43.I try to be conscious of being manipulated by the media.
44.My hair is quite grey so I dye it dark brown and pretend!
45.I have a pet sheep called Brian (even though it is a girl) that I hand raised.
46.I taught her how to lap milk from a bowl so I didn’t have to bottle feed her in the night.
47.Brian is now 15 years old.
48.I wish I could play the guitar and sing at the same time.
49.I wish I could play the guitar.
50.I wish I could sing.
51.I used to be in love with Han Solo.
52.I wanted to be Princess Leia.
53.I love red wine – but not Pinot
54.I don’t drink spirits often, beer is my preferred beverage.
55.I have very large hands.
56.I wear a lot of black.
57.I turn the shower off while I shampoo my hair.
58.Sometimes I am frightened of the dark.
59.I can never watch Wolf Creek.
60.I never had a dog, only cats, horses and lambs until I got Bella.
61.My boyfriend said I wasn’t allowed to get a dog, but I did.
62.I found Bella on the internet by googling “lab x staffy for sale” and for $80 she was mine.
63.I do not excel at anything.
64.I am 32 years old and a Virgo.
65.I am not particularly Virgoan, but I aspire to be.
66.My mother is my harshest critic as well as being my strongest supporter.
67.I was suspended in Year 10 for drinking and I was innocent.
68.I missed my netball grand final because I was suspended and I cried a lot.
69.Bella partially tore her anterior cruciate ligament when she was a pup.
70.I don’t eat red meat but I love chicken pies.
71.I am obsessed by food, I think about it constantly.
72.I get separation anxiety when I leave Bella.
73.I enjoy taking Bella to the park and meeting strangers with dogs.
74.I love oysters.
75.We had a pet kangaroo (Hoppy) when I was young, and a pet kookaburra (Kookie)
76.I encourage my 4 year old nephew’s sense of the ridiculous.
77.I wish I could eat what I wanted and stay under 70kg.
78.I think I order chicken parmies because I love that they come with chips.
79.I don’t think I should have to eat broccoli now that I am grown up.
80.Or cauliflower or brussel sprouts or squash.
81.I have a mortgage and I feel like I will never go overseas ever again.
82.I always enjoy work.
83.I bought chooks when I lived on the farm with Mum and Dad and named them after my friends Nano, Savanna, Kendra and Vic.
84.When Dad’s dog ate my chooks he bought new ones thinking I wouldn’t notice- I was 26 not 6 years old.
85.My dog isn’t interested in eating Dad’s chooks, but the cat is living on borrowed time!
86.I was happy with my weight when I was 65kg but I just can’t get back there.
87.I get along well with my brother and sister.
88.I can wiggle my ears.
89.And curl my tongue.
90.I have been to Fiji, Italy, France and Thailand.
91.I would love to go to New Zealand and South America.
92.My feet are size 10
93.I wish the rest of me was size 10.
94.I have a problem with water wastage- it makes me very anxious.
95.I blame the ‘82-83 drought for my water problem.
96.I am very forgiving.
97.I don’t know how to say no when people ask for help.
98.My brother, sister and I all appropriate each others memories and each of us think we broke Dad’s Davey Crockett record.
99.I am not frightened of heights, spiders or snakes.

100.I want to do the Kokoda Track before someone makes it a concrete tourist path.

101.I love cheese.

102. I am pretty self obsessed but man this was harder than I thought!

WORST DAY IN THE WORLD (yes, very melodramatic this morning)

By 6.15 a.m. I had decided that today was the WORST DAY IN THE WORLD for the following reasons:
1. Creepy park guy was at the park and I didn't have my phone with me so I was too wary (frightened) to walk Bella at the usual park and had to find another park
2. Ankle was very sore this morning and I couldn't really walk properly on it
3. Rode my bike to gym- tyres are half flat so it was hard work
4. Got on scales and it appears that despite drastic diet improvements have put on 1 kg in the last week- I was so confident there would be a 2kg loss!
5. Tried spin class but my knee AND ankle hurt too much so I left after 10 minutes
6. Rode my bike to work IN THE RAIN
7. Realised that I had left my socks at home after my shower.

So the following measures will be considered to try to pull today back from the brink:

• Food diary
• Going home and starting again?
• Anti- inflammatory drugs
• Fish oil tablets
• More ice
• More socks

Will make today a rest day after such a bad start- will probably be good for my ankle and knee, but not my sanity (or my ever increasing butt)

2 x Lake (9.5, 83.5, 83.5)

I had a lovely sleep in this morning- during the night I decided there was no need to get up at stupid o'clock when I don't have to be at work until 3. So I got up when BF got up to go to work (still it was 0630) and took Bella to the park.

Then I drove to the Lake, realised I didn't have any money for parking (damn that greedy Port Phillip Council) so I had to drive back up High Street till Iand found a spot I could park for free. Walked a kilometre back to the lake and started running.

I have realised that I am lazy- I run too slow even though I can go faster just because my comfortable pace is 6.30 m/k. So I am trying to make 6.0 m/k my comfortable pace. I was timing my k's and I was pretty close to 6 m/k for the first lap- though when I zone out, my pace blew out too- must remember to concentrate.

The second lap was different because I got this silly pain in my right knee. I walked a little bit and then it gradually went away when I started running again. I still think it is from when I twisted it a bit in the stairs last Thursday. I resumed my pace and kept going at about 6m/k

So I have been icing both ankle and knee after running this morning, my ankle is sore in the back, front, inside and outside. I also managed not to have evil toast for breakfast after my run- muesli and yoghurt again.

So my main issues at this stage of running are:
- ankle pain
- ridiculously high pulse rate (sure it drops like a stone after I stop but while I run it is out of control)
- lack of concentration to keep my pace going
- unsure of whether to wear a hat, no hat or a visor (man my head gets hot with a cap, but I want some sort of shade!)

Damn ankle

Obviously no run today so I have tried to distract you with more photos of Bella and her new toy.



Damn damn ankle- it was pretty sore this morning so when I got up at 5.00 and it was raining it didn't take much for me to can the plan of sprints at the park. I still took Bella for a walk- but instead of around the park in the rain we walked up and down Glenferrie Road and High Street Armadale- so Bella got to walk under cover and I got to do some window shopping.


My ankle pretty much hurt all day, even just sitting at my desk so it was easy to can my other plan of running tonight. Instead Bella will get another walk (making it 3 for the day - spoilt puppy!) maybe around the lake. I am on arvo shift tomorrow so I will get a proper run in as well as a trip to the gym so all is not lost.

Tam x2, Fed Square loop (12, 39.6, 74.3)

I was planning a quick shortish long run this morning- i.e. 15 odd ks tryint to keep the pace about 6 m/k. However this plan was thwarted when my soon to be shouted at boyfriend rang at 4a.m. and wanted to be picked up from wherever he and his mates were standing. I said no and tried to get back to sleep. Two minutes later he rings again, "please, it is raining and there are no taxis." I can believe the no taxi bit because if I was a taxi driver I wouldn't pick up four blokes, all drenched, carrying souvlaki and a stubby either. So I picked them up- less than a kilometre from home. Angry?

I walked Bella and my right knee was really sore- I twisted it walking down 15 flights of stairs during a fire drill at work (even though we had been evacuated when the power went out on Tues)

I was just testing all my joints when I went out to the tan and at the start I was so slow, it was bad. I had to keep speeding up and then I would forget and slow down again. I think it will take me a while to realise that I am quicker than I was but my legs are used to running slowly.
I did a lap of the Tan then up to Fed Square along the Yarra, back through the gardens to the Tan and then two more laps of the Tan. I think it was about 12k all in all and the pace was okay by the time I stopped. I was going to do another lap but my ankle was starting to niggle so thought I would call it a day.
I did some proper stretches and my knee and ankle both feel fine.

This is Bella and her new toy I just had to buy for her- even though she will just destroy it within days.

No running today - or exercise, I am just staying home trying not to leave the house because I only spend more money. So I have the internet, papers and too much spare time on my hands. My boyfriend has two old school buddies down to stay the night and one of them said he would come for a long run in the morning- but chances are they won't be home from the pub when I am heading out tomorrow morning.

I am planning to run to the lake, around twice and maybe run home- that would be about 16k so maybe a walk home for 13km. Thankfully it has been raining all day- my lovely green lawn will live another day without me having to put the washing machine water on it.

So because I have nothing else to write about- I will use the tag from Sharon that I read on her fantastic blog:

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Waitress
2. Checkout Chick
3. Yard Hand

4. Distributor of Educational Publications (I packed books)

B) Four movies I would watch over and over:

1. The Sixth Sense

2. Pulp Fiction

3. Monsters Inc
4. The Castle

(Man I struggled with that one)

C) Four places I have lived

1. Dunkeld
2. Carlton
3. Glen Waverley (but only for 20 weeks)
4 Prahran

D) Four favourite T.V. shows (the movie bit was hard enough!)

1. Top Gear
2. MythBusters
3. CSI
4. The Shield

E) Four of my favourite foods: (see previous post about why I am so fat again!)

1. Blue Cheese

2. Persian Fetta
3. Fish and Chips
4. My mum's Xmas pudding with white sauce

F) Four places I would rather be right now:

1. Nice - swimming in the Meditteranean
2. Mackay visiting Catie who left last week

3. Roxby Downs visiting another friend who left last week
4. Yunderup with Harry and Daisy

G) Four friends I think will respond:

Come on Steve,

Smithy,

Leslie and

Kim

Spin Class/ Fat Club

Spin class this morning- the Friday one is really good because the instructor is a proper cyclist not an aerobics instructor and he really makes us work. I walked out as the usual bucket of sweat.

I weighed in last night- I was expecting to get into trouble for going over my "goal weight" which is actually my upper limit. Fortunately I was 0.2kg under it- so I didn't have to pay $17.95 just to stand on the scales in front of solemn looking women. So I have put on 2.7 kg since 9-12-06 and it was great fun- almost worth it. I think back to the blue cheese, cheezels, red wine, beer, pies, chips- hot and cold, camembert, creamy dips, bread- lovely bread and realise that I never thought that I should deny myself something in the last 6 weeks. So now it is time to just work hard and get rid of it all plus an extra 1.1 kg. I figure I have four good kilos to lose. I only have to weigh in monthly but I think I might go back at least every two weeks just to keep me vigilant about what I eat.

I took Bella to the park this morning- I am in a good routine now and I do the physio exercises for my ankle while Bella has a big sniff around.

2 x Tan (d- 7.7k, w- 27.6, m 62.3)

Two laps of the Tan this morning, pace was pretty slow and the hill really killed me this morning, I usually imagine a rope attached to my middle pulling me up the hill, but today I felt like I was dragging a tyre behind me. I did max out my heart rate monitor and made it to 103%! Not good I know but I only averaged 162 bpm which is better than it has been lately.

Yesterday at spin class I concentrated on staying in my fat burning zone instead of trying to get my heart rate as high as it can go- don't think that will help me when the judgement time comes tonight at 6pm when I get on the scales and realise that I have no self control unless I am on a controlled eating program (note the avoidance of the d word Steve!)

I drove to the Tan after walking Bella then scoot home and do the panic getting ready for work so I could pick up my dry cleaning then make it on the tram with seconds to spare, got to work, had to iron shirt and get changed and was barely late at all. I hate starting off in a rush but the dry cleaning threw me this morning.

My ankle has been fine with the running and taping so I have started to ease up on the anti- inflammatories- I am hoping that there will still be no pain. My chest pain has also subsided so I am a bit happier today.

Spin and maybe Pump

Spin class this morning and I am very nervous about how my posterior is going to feel tomorrow morning! I finally rode my bike home- it seems I ride it to work something happens and I need to be dropped off so my bike lives in the car park at work for a week until I can get organised to ride it home again. I feel lucky that it is still there after a week- someone stole my rain jacket that I had drying over the handlebars while it was in the car park.
I am planning on venturing back to Pump class tonight to get the muscles back in action, but this class is usually so crowded that I miss it all the time because it isn't worth the elbowing to get in the door. Will ride my bike there and back so it will be exercise regardless.
Bella has had her second walk for the day and I think I would rather head to bed but I will soldier on!

*edit* I didn't soldier on at all, I collapsed like a sooky la la and am heading to bed ridiculously early. I get these silly chest pains which I have had checked out and apparently there is nothing serious wrong with me, but the pains don't stop. So I feel like I have a huge rock on my chest so I didn't feel like lifting weights. Maybe tomorrow night.

Sprints (17/51.5/51.5)

Sprints this morning because we were back at 7am at work and I didn't have time for anything else- and it is probably a good idea after my long run yesterday. I didn't realise until I got to the park that I had no soreness anywhere- not even my ankle. Normally I limp to the park then as I warm up my ankle is okay. I did 10 x 100m (ish) sprints while Bella chased, then over took me as well as three laps at a slow jog. I also did my physio exercises too. Walking Bella is the only thing that never changes much in my routine so I figured if I did my exercises while walking her then I could be sure they would be done. So far so good. I am not sure how long it takes to build a calf muscle but I need it to be soon!

I am thinking forward to my February run- maybe the Zoo 8km? I don't have a plan for March either.

I have booked my accommodation for the Bunbury Half Marathon- my brother, his wife and the kids are coming along so it should be a bit of fun.
I might even be heading to Perth in the next few weeks because my brother has a car he needs driven from Ballarat to Perth so I offered. Even though I have done the drive before it was good fun - Mum wants to go as well so I will wait and see what happens. Maybe there is another run in Perth in Feb!

I have put on some serious weight in the last month- it is time to bite the bullet and head back to fat club with my tail between my chubby legs and say "I tried to go it alone, but I need your help!" I will go Thursday night.

Damn blogger

This is a gladdy I caught when Dame Edna was tossing them into the crowd on thursday night!








I have been struggling to post recently because Blogger is testing my sadly lacking computer skills so this may be one long post: (if anyone else is struggling you have to open every window by right clicking and opening in a new window)

Thursday night:
I went to see Dame Edna with my Mum and sister, as well as my sisters friend Sob, and her Mum, Judy- and it was quite possibly the most I have ever laughed in my life. My guts hurt from laughing as did my cheeks. I was crying with laughter. I was not helped by the fact that Judy was one of the people dragged up on stage by Edna for a bit of fun. We were in the second row so we spent the first half trying to dodge spit from Les Patterson who I don't find funny at all- he is too disgusting for words. Fortunately the second half was just Edna.

Friday:
I was flat out trying to clean up, pack and do some grocery shopping because boyfriend, Bella and I were going to stay with friends at Venus Bay. I didn't run because I had a pod and physio appointment and I didn't want to be inflamed! The pod was first and she said I don't need orthotics (hooray!) but just some strapping and exercises. She agreed that I have been running with only 3/4 of my right leg! The physio did some "massage" which is more like torture and usually has me saying "yes that hurts a bit" through gritted teeth as I try not to cry!

Saturday:
Woke up with a fuzzy head from waaayy too much red wine last night but I did sleep well. I took Bella for a walk to the boat ramp but she wouldn't relax and just stroll because of all the wildlife- kangaroos especially- she was on high alert the whole time, tensed up with hackles too. She looked ferocious and I think she is actually quite scared when we are in Venus Bay because it is all so different. There is also a resident brown snake so I don't leave her alone.

Sunday:
Bella and I got up early and went to the beach for a big walk- Bella likes to run like a crazy dog in and out of the surf, chasing seagulls and generally acting like a carefree puppy. I was careful to keep her away from the dead seal and numerous washed up birds - they smelt so good to her but I really didn't want her to roll in any of them.

Today: (17/ 51.5/ 51.5)
Got up at stupid o'clock and took Bella for a quick walk so she doesn't sook when I leave. Then headed out the door and ran to the lake, then three laps and then walked home- I think it is about 3k to the lake but will have to check map my run before I post my totals. I strapped my ankle as per instructions from the pod (I think I got it right!). My ankle was fine, my hip flexors were a bit tight when I finished but I stretched well and will walk Bella again soon then stretch out once more. the pace wasn't very good, but it was good to get a proper long run in as I haven't been very serious about it recently. Afternoon shift today and it is supposed to be hot this week so I will have to be good about my morning exercise.

2 x Tan (week 14.5 k, month 34.7k, year 34.7k)

Thursday- Tan
Man it was hot out there this morning- and the flies were driving me absolutely batty. I was so slow and for once I stopped and drank out of every bubble tap- I was thirsty before I started so it wasn't very fun. I did two laps and that was enough- I had planned three but I ran out of time because I got halfway to the tan and realised I was still in my dog walking shoes. I have been trying to get some k's up in my shoes with the heel lifts in before my podiatrist, physio appointment tomorrow morning. My ankle has been very sore and I think that has given my knee some dramas.

Wednesday- Nothing!
I had to drive to Corowa for work so we left early and drove as fast as decency allows. We made it back late afternoon and it was just too hot to do anything. I tidied up because mother is coming to stay and finally took Bella for a walk when it was a bit cooler (but not much).

PB- 5.29 mins (Time taken to donate blood!)

To & From Tan etc 6.8km, av 161 bpm
Struggled out of bed this morning- don't know if I am just getting lazy or the donating blood has slowed me down a bit. I took Bella to the park and strolled around a few times trying to get my ankle warmed up because it was really sore. I then rode my bike to work and headed off to the Tan. I ran to and around the Tan plus another km just for fun then back again- it is only 6.8km but I needed to get a run in today because I am not going to be able to exercise tomorrow morning and then it is going to be stinking hot again on Thursday.

I did struggle with the run today but again I am blaming the blood loss. I had no dramas donating which was good because my iron stores are a bit low most times and my blood pressure is also low. It was a record time too but I think that was because I was clenching and unclenching my fist to get a good vein up then I just kept going and it absolutely pumped out. (In my mind it is because my heart is so efficient!)

Sprints

I took Bella for her walk this morning (after sneaking around under the cover of darkness putting all my recycling into the neighbours recycling bins because ours was overflowing from NYE and it is collection day today finally!) and then did sprints around the park. My ankle was really sore but by the time I had done a few warm up laps it was okay. I have been taking the anti-inflammatory tablets for it but now I am a bit worried because I have booked half the office in to give blood this morning and I might not be allowed.
Anyway the sprints went well and Bella seems to love it more than when I just jog around. I then did the exercises the physio gave me and some proper stretching before returning home.
Wish me luck for the blood bank!

I am not sure if I will have a little jog this afternoon or not- I am waiting for the rain to come and make it pleasant enough for me to run in the afternoon two days in a row. My ankle is fine at the moment but I guess I didn't really run that far- but it is more likely to be due to voltaren.
One thing I didn't mention yesterday was when I went past the 1km mark I checked my watch and surely enough I had run a 4.20 k.... so I thought, damn I have gone out tooooo hard and eased up a bit. But by the time I got to the 4km mark I was back doing my usual slacker 6.00 km- though I am blaming the hills for that.
Bella and I have been for our usual 3km walk (no fights today- hers or mine!) and no creepy guy thank goodness.

Portsea Twilight

My sister kindly drove me to Portsea for the twilight run and as we got out of the car I almost instantly saw Deege in her new race day cap. So I got to finally meet someone who was just another supportive name on the computer until today. So we got to get all our nervous energy out with chatter before the race. I also met chilliman and kelvin at the start line but then when the whistle blew they were miles away.

Ohmigod, when people say it is hilly, they don' t mean a little bit hilly they mean hills that go for ages and then you turn a corner and it still goes on. Having said that, then you get to run down hill on the way back- until they make you go out onto the sand for a bit of extra fun. The sand was actually good to run on because it wasn't soft squishy sand.

The hills were hard but I resisted any urge to walk. I never usually drink when I run, especially if it is less than a 10 km run, but the fact it was 35 degrees for most of the day meant that I stopped and drank at every drink station. I drank a bit of water all day before the run but I didn't know how to prepare foodwise so I just had a honey sandwich for lunch.

I did the run in 41:15 (unofficial) which isn't that good for 6.7km run but the hills and the heat just changed everything. The worst thing is that I averaged 179 bpm!
Anyway, the end result is that I am exhausted and stinky, but my ankle is okay.

Spin, weights etc

I got to sleep in this morning because I am on afternoon shift today- but I was planning on still going to 6am spin but sadly I forgot to set my alarm so I got up at about 6am and tried to let some cool air into my flat before taking Bella to the park. Bella started a fight so we didn't stay as long as we planned and creepy park guy was there calling out to me the whole time so I was happy to find another park before it got too warm and then went home.
Rode my bike to the gym and did 30 mins of my own cycle class by myself- I lost .5kg in sweat. I have put on 3kg now- all of it bad bad bad. It is just poor food choices- like last night my sister rang to say it was too hot to cook so we ended up going to the Lucky Coq for $4 pizza- how bad, but soo good. Then I get on the scales and act all shocked.
Anyway did weights at the gym and some hard proper stretching of my calf. The physio said that there is a massive difference between good calf and sore calf- in size, strenght etc and so it is no wonder that my ankle struggles and hurts a lot. So did the exercises she gave me and have vowed to continue because I know I slackened off last time and that is why I still have pain.
Too hot for another walk for Bella so a lot of house cleaning on the cards until I go to work.

Yesterday I rode to work after having a little jog with Bella- I was planning on doing cycle class in the evening. I had a shower at work and then all of a sudden it felt like I had been stabbed in the left side of my stomach. I was in so much pain I felt like I was going to pass out- and very worried that my colleagues would have to break the door down then find me nude on the floor and then I would have to get a new job.
After about 15 minutes the pain slowly moved away but I was left with an aching stitch all day- it was really sore. So I went to the doctor last night (googling symptoms only ruled out exploded appendix) and he told me it was most likely to be shingles! Then he said it could be a torn stomach muscle but it really isn't in the right place. I was worried he was going to ask me what I had eaten in the last week and I would still be there remembering pieces of pudding. Maybe I ate too much and my stomach was just starting to explode. Who knows but now I am frantically checking for the rash that should appear to indicate shingles.

So I didn't make it to cycle class- I ended up having dinner with a good friend who is a doctor who is also sceptical about the shingles call. She is moving to Mackay next week so I am going to miss her (and not just for the second opinion!).

I was a little concerned this morning heading out for a run- so I ran 3km, walked 2km at the local park because my stomach is still really tender and hurts a bit. I normally would just write today off but it has been so hot I am worried I will struggle to get a run in the next few days.
My new years resolutions aren't going that well (see previous post about snickers) and while I was planning a run per month, I had the Sri Chinmoy 10km at Princes Park pencilled in for 14-Jan only for boyfriend to say we were going away that weekend so unless I do the Portsea Twilight this weekend, my favourite resolution may just bite the dust very soon. (Haven't picked up guitar yet either but boyfriend is going away for the next day or so and won't be here to complain about the noise/lack of rhythm.

Have physio appointment this arvo - 3rd different physio so I am hoping this one will be able to help my ankle.

*edit*
Medical Update
No sign of the shingles rash.
Physio has recommended lots of ankle/ calf stretching and strengthening exercises, Voltaren gel and tablets, and has given me heel lifts. Appointment made for podiatrist re:orthotics. PT says that I just have a poorly rehabilitated ankle injury.

Sprints and Tan

I was up at stupid o'clock this morning- though I was thinking quickly when the alarm went off, trying to justify sleeping in. I had a terrible warm chicken salad for dinner last night, and nothing gets me angrier than salad, it was awful and made me feel so sick that I had to take drastic action. I won't go into details but it involved me eating a snickers, a big one. to "get the taste of bad salad out of my mouth", yeah right.
So I got up and took Bella to the park, I did sprints down the straight edges of the park and tried to out run Bella who just stayed ahead of me, almost laughing at my attempts to catch her! I then drove to the Tan and did a "quick" lap before work.
A colleague has some sports degree and he was getting into me about how slowly I run (though I had the log to prove that I am getting quicker!) and he said I should do a sprint session a week. This morning was a good opportunity because I felt so ordinary about the salad that I had for dinner that I felt sick all night and didn't sleep very well.
I averaged 151 bpm for the tan and the sprints and burnt 369 calories- but the best thing is that I got to enter in my first run for the year on my running log.

No photos this week because I have left my charger at the farm so my camera is out of action- I wished I had it this morning though because the sky was so pink and crazy at 5.15.

Happy New Year

No run today, might stroll to work later - am on at 3pm, but feeling a little scratchy this morning despite not actually drinking that much, it must be a food hangover. Shane and Leslie came over with so much good food that we all sat there stuffed by midnight. We could barely shout Woo Hoo and wave a few pathetic sparklers over our heads because we had eaten too much. But we did manage a little woo hoo and wave the sparklers before collapsing into bed shortly after those in Adelaide would have been shouting woo hoo! Leslie made bagels- and her fantastic smoked salmon dip, and sushi- add that to a lot of yummy cheese and bbq chicken wings and it is now time to begin the starvation again.
Man, we are old now- though having said that I am sure that my parents stayed up dancing to the Beatles until those in Perth had shouted Woo Hoo.
So, time to get back into healthy eating, no more drinking during the week for no particular reason, wonton soup instead of pad thai on afternoon shift at work and back to the exercise routine I loved so much before Christmas.
I am hoping to run in an organised fun run every month- here are the certainties:

April 1st - Run For The Kids
May 20th - Bunbury Half Marathon
August 12th- Sydney City To Surf
October 7th- Melbourne Half Marathon

Will have to search the net for other good runs. (good = easy and not to expensive!)

I ran 1058 kilometres last year- surely I can make it up to 2000 this year!!!! (maybe 1500)