Home again

I went out for a run this morning and I wasn't all that successful- my right calf was screaming at me from the time I got up but I thought it was a bit better after I had walked Bella for a bit so I drove to the lake for my long long run. The plan was four laps at 7 min/km pace- but I didn't even manage one lap because the pain in my calf became so intense that I really struggled to keep going. I walked the last half of my pitiful one lap and stopped several times to stretch it out but the pain was still there at the end so I just limped off the car in a foul mood. I am going to give it a rest and have another crack tomorrow morning- but there would want to be a miraculous recovery.
I am a bit disappointed because I wanted to finish June with a big run, not 2.5km of pain. Oh well, maybe I will start the next financial year with a big run in the bank!

We got back from Sydney yesterday afternoon- though our flight was delayed so we got to kick back in the Qantas lounge because my boss is a member- so much better than sitting at the gate waiting because there was a Krispy Kreme cart right beside the gate and it made reading my book very difficult.

On Thursday we worked until late so thankfully there was no big pub crawl and I got to bed shortly after midnight- though it was a long day. I had a few more swims and trips to the spa- the boys thought I was ridiculous but the facilities are there to be enjoyed and I know they were actually very jealous. They laughed at the size of my suitcase the whole time but at least I packed my bathers- I think it is a competition with the boys, who can bring the most ridiculously small bag so that they can brag about how light they travel.

Bella was so happy to see me- I missed her so much!

View from the room, me and the pie, me and the bridge

Running and kebabs in Sydney

I have escaped my colleagues and found an internet point- that in itself is a massive achievement for today!

We flew up yesterday and found our accommodation to be so fantastic that we have decided to never return to Melbourne. We are staying on the 74th floor of this enormous building and the view is so fantastic- I have seen that bridge that they talk about all the time too and I have to say it is quite impressive. We did a bit of 'work/shopping' yesterday and then worked last night before we went out for a drink or two.

I went for a run this morning which was also an achievement for the following reasons;
1. I had a kebab at 2a.m. this morning
2. Several litres of beer preceeded the kebab
3. My bed was enormous and so comfortable at 6.30 when the alarm went off that I seriously contemplated pulling the pin then I recalled spruiking off about how I was running in the morning which meant I had to run to save face.

I ran through Hyde Park then along to Macquarie Point and the Opera House then got lost and dithered around the various streets of Sydney until I found my way back to the hotel. (I tasted garlic sauce for most of the 7km trip) Then I had a quick swim because the guys weren't up yet and then did some stretches in the spa. The view from the spa is amazing!

Then we did some more work/shopping and headed to Potts Point to Harry's Cafe De Wheels which I hadn't really been told about before- but they take a pie, put a scoop of mashed potato on it, then a scoop of mushy peas, make a little well and put a ladle of gravey into the well. It was so good that I wanted another one even though I was so full.

Then we did some work/sightseeing- Circular Quay, Rocks etc. We have to do some more proper work tonight then we will probably head out and have a small drink.

I haven't really bought anything but I don't know why I am excited to shop in the same shops we have in Melbourne. And my colleagues are good fun but it isn't the same as shopping with a friend- I am unlikely to ask either of them 'does this make my butt look big?" because I am fearful of the answers I could get!

5km Tan

I had a quick run with Bella this morning around the Tan- though when I say quick I mean excrutiating- she was so annoying that I nearly just stopped and walked. She was pulling on the lead, stopping dead, flirting with male joggers and just plain being disruptive. We did 5km but it felt like 25, I am not even going to look at the time.

I created the avatar the other week when I was at home waiting for tradesmen- all those characters and outfits and settings and I just chose one that looked the most like me, put her in my clothes and set it in an enchanted forest. She is supposed to be waving JRuns - she also wiggles her hips but I can't seem to get her to do that on Blogger. I will have a fiddle and see if I can get her to do something more interesting.

Beki we are going to be busy every afternoon/ evening in Sydney so I don't think we will be able to catch up- though thank you for your very kind offer- might be able to see you for a coffee when you come to Melbourne and I will be back in your town for the City2Surf which is getting very close now.

I was tagged by Jaykay so here are my answers- Lisa, Briony and Superjacent you are both next:

1. Where is your cell phone? Here
2. Relationship? No comment
3. Your hair? Short
4. Work? Changing
5. Your sister? Buddy
6. Your favourite thing? ipod
7. Your dream last night? work
8. Your favourite drink? Red wine
9. Your dream car? Electric
10. The room you’re in? Office
11. Your shoes? Black Mary Janes
12. Your fears? Ageing
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? Contented
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? Family
15. What are you not good at? Starving
16. Muffin? Orange and poppyseed
17. Wish list item? New runners
18. Where you grew up? Dunkeld
19. The last thing you did? Breakfast
20. What are you wearing? Work suit
21. What are you not wearing? Jewelry
22. Your pet? Bella
23. Your computer? Work
24. Your life? Good
25. Your mood? Cheerful
26. Missing? Catie and Vic
27. What are you thinking about? Lunch
28. Your car? Newish
29. Your kitchen? Messy
30. Your summer? Social
31. Your favourite colour? Black
32. Last time you laughed? This morning
33. Last time you cried? Last night
34. School? Eons ago
35. Love? Nope

And I forgot- Kathrynoh- I am going to take my ipod to beyondthebox in Moonee Ponds.

Keep on truckin'

"Highway fever's got a hold on me
And that's the way it'll always be"

My sister and I drove home to the farm on Friday afternoon after I finished work- Prue picked me up with Bella already warming the front seat. We stopped in Ballarat at the "Beechworth Bakery" and Prue bought some custardy Beestings, lemon tarts and chocolate eclairs! We made it home by about 7.30 and I hadn't even had a little nibble on the corner of the eclair because I made chicken rolls for the trip so I wouldn't feel like getting fast food.

Bella
Mum and Dad like Bella but they don't really like dogs inside at all- until now- for some strange reason Mum and Dad let Bella inside and at one point Bella was sitting on Dad's knee trying to sleep on his chest while he watched TV. We had a few drinks with dinner and next thing I was on Mum's treadmill with Bella who loved it- she just stood at the back with her front paws on the treadmill and walked along happily!
I put her kennel in the laundry after Mum and Dad said that she could sleep inside! But when I checked on her she had pulled all of Dad's jumpers off the bench and put them in her kennel to sleep on.
Dad took Bella to do some sheep work in the morning and said that when he told Bella to jump up the back of the ute- she jumped on the bonnet of the ute 5 times. He was not very happy at all.

Running
I went out this morning for a run with Prue's ipod because mine had died again and got to listen to her country music for a change- lots of Dolly and Slim Dusty covers. I don't know why but I ran so much faster and more easily than usual- don't know if it was the mountain air or just fresh legs but I was ablo to keep the speed up without a problem. I ran 8ish km first and averaged 6.40 min/km despite trying to keep it at 7 m/km. I did a loop then tried to finish my run on Mum's treadmill but it is designed more for walking or running gently not pounding away so Bella and I headed back out the road for another 4km.
My average HR was 72% (adjusted recently- 161bpm) and my max was 80% or 181. After maxing out my heart rate monitor several times recently I have adjusted the maximum again.

We drove back this afternoon and Bella slept the whole way exhausted after her weekend of chasing farm dogs and working out on the treadmill! Prue and I took turns at the wheel - one knitting and the other driving!

Tan

Bella and I ran around the Tan this morning- we were going to do another lap but we ran out of time so I just added in a loop along the Yarra to the Swan Street bridge and back again to make it just over 5km. It took a while but I kept an eye on the pace while I was actually running to make sure I was within the range for my easy run- but Bella stopped for four pit stops and about four hundred times just for random sniffs so it took a lot longer. It was easy going and with my new heart rate maximum loaded into my watch (after I got up to 108% during a run last week and then 104% during the Run2G) I averaged 69% and my maximum was 76%.

Yesterday morning I tried out my new idea of doing 30 mins on the rower instead of spin class for every second morning- I took it easy because I don't want to aggravate my neck and shoulders but I barely raised a sweat so I might have to raise the intensity next week.

My trip to the physio for my neck and shoulders went well- though when I said that I was doing the City2Surf in August she was very concerned. Apparently when you start introducing hills then everything changes and ITB problems appear from nowhere- even just running downhill is a problem. So now I am scared! I was going to start doing hill sessions but I think I will gradually introduce them now. I remember that she wasn't happy when I did the Puffing Billy run for the same reasons.

Going to Mum and Dad's this weekend - it is going to be damn cold so I have packed all my woollies and I am hoping to have a run but I am not fussed if I don't get out.

I am going to Sydney for two nights next week and we are staying in the city in Liverpool Street so if anyone can recommend a nice little scenic 10km loop then that would be great too! (Beki??)

9km Caulfield Park

I got up this morning and after walking Bella I went for a run around the streets- in the rain. I ran to Caulfield Park and did two laps and then ran home again - 9km all up and at a fairly slow pace. I realise that I hate walkers even when they are just getting out in their local area- I was ready to hip and shoulder a few of them during the Run2G for not self seeding themselves and getting in my way, then I was running around Caulfield Park and there were several groups who took up the entire path walking towards me and had no dramas about forcing me onto the grass instead of one of them dropping back and letting me through. Grrrrr. Usually I say something like "oh it is good that they are out there as well" but I really wish they would stay at home.

I have used the Macmillan Pace Calculator to determine what pace I need for all my different runs:
Recovery- 6:56 to 7:15
Long run- 6:19 to 6:56
Easy run- 6:19 to 6:36
Tempo- 5:23 to 5:34

So that is the new plan, every first week has one hill session and every second week has either a tempo run or intervals (600m in 3:15 mins is the goal). The long run gets longer then shorter week in week out and varies from 10km to 20 km. Every second day I hope to get to the gym and use the rower but I have to check it out with the physio today to see if she agrees.

Yesterday I went to the gym for my run but my PF really really hurt (that is my plantar fascitis? Smithy) so I changed fairly quickly to the trainer for my work out but I didn't really have time for much because I had to take Bella to get her shots at the vet.

I stood on the scales, but it was in the afternoon and I was so horrified that I am not posting it- but I am going to Weight Watchers tomorrow and sticking with it- Thursday nights will now be known as Fat Night and I hope that it works because I can't go on expanding like this, getting all angsty about it and then just stuffing my face regardless.

I have found a place that will replace my ipod battery for $70 and it only takes a week and I don't lose my songs! Woo hoo- so much better than having to spend more money. I only got 4km this morning before it died on me.

Official time 1:00:21

The age website didn't magically make me a faster runner- official time is 1:00:21- no surprises apart from the fact that I am still feeling happy for myself. I had a quick peak at last years time which was 1:06:43 so that is why I am feeling positive about my run.

I am home from work today because the painter is here doing the ceiling in the kitchen- I was going to work afternoon shift but then I thought, I have earned myself a rest day so I am planning on reclaiming my kitchen and doing some massive cleaning- already removed the mould from the bathroom ceiling.

I will go for a run later on but I think it might be a treadmill run- it is so damn cold and while I can cope in the dark, cold and daylight does nothing to interest me in running. I avoid the gym now that I can't do pump or spin and because I associate it with the scales!!!!

My ipod is now definitely cactus and I need to get something else to block out the sound of my own breathing while I run- but I am worried that if I get another ipod I will only have the same problem with the battery deciding to give up after three years.

There has been mention made of the Canberra Marathon in April next year which got me thinking can I? My heart says yes, my head says no and my legs still aren't talking to me. I don't know if I am mentally tough enough- need to get faster first anyway- maybe Melbourne next year.

The painter has commandeered my heater to get the paint drying faster which means I am sitting here wearing everything in my cupboard and cuddling up to the dog.

60:20- Ooops!

I nearly did it! I am feeling pretty happy with my effort- though how those 20 seconds escaped me I don't know...well I do really:

10am is a very late time for a run to start IMHO so I had plenty of time to get ready even after sleeping in until 6.30a.m. I walked Bella and got the tram into Fed Square in time to watch a lot of half marathon runners come over the line in 1:23:xx- I got all teary watching them and thinking of the pain- they looked so fresh, sprinting for the line like they were running for the tram, even the poor guy who was throwing up as he sprinted for the line looked fresh.

I did the usual toilet trips, dropped my bag off and headed down to the start line. I was looking everywhere for Sweetlee but saw a friend from school and a guy I used to work with a few months ago and a guy I worked with a long time ago at Target- there is no co-incidence in the fact that they are all very very tall. We were all crammed in like sardines so I wasn't cold at all.

I headed out feeling fresh and strong- this only lasted until the first hill, up the car park at the MCG, as we turned around I could see the 55minute pacing bus about 200metres behind me. I vowed to try to hold them off for a bit longer. I couldn't see the 60 minute pacing bus.

My ipod died at the 3km mark which made me pretty angry and I was contemplating just throwing it in the bin because it was only slowing me down. Over the Brunton Avenue bridge- which was bouncing and rebounding under the feet of all those runners- it really made me feel like I had drunk 10 pots and was searching for a souvlaki.

The next section involved that hill up to Flinders Street again- ouch ouch, I took a few steps just walking and then I remembered the pacing bus would be breathing down my neck so I kept running. We ran down the pedestrian bridge near Birrarung Marr and the pacing bus over took me- one poor girl was running flat out down the bridge and ran straight into the waist high wooden pole in the middle of the path. She hit it so hard that I nearly cried for her. If a bloke had hit it at that speed there would have been no more fathers day.

We ran along the Yarra to the bottom of Anderson Street then back along the Yarra to St Kilda road. I was getting so tired and angry at myself because I realised I was going to have to really dig deep to get anywhere near 60 mins. I picked up the pace and concentrated on getting into a rhythm.
Finally we went up the little hill to St Kilda road and along the bridge until I could really sprint to the finish line. I was looking at my watch and thought I could make it under 60 minutes, I could see the line but the 150 metres seemed to be getting longer, then I sprinted under the gantry and then realised that the finish line was another 50 metres away. I tried to sprint again and made it over the line and stood there for a while before I remembered to turn off my watch. I am pretty sure I made it over in 60 mins and 20 secs.

Then there was the queue from hell for the showbag followed by the queue from hell to collect our bags.

I am pretty happy with my time, can't believe that I didn't try harder but I had worked my butt off to get even close to the time.
Splits:
6:08
5:40
xx
xx
5:54
6:15
7:13 (??? don't think it is right)
xxx
5:50
5:59

All over the place!

Max heart rate = 104%- might need to adjust my limits!
Average= 88% (well given that the max is wrong then this is obviously wrong too)

Usual pre-race program

Just the usual eating rice, watching funniest home videos, checking weatherzone.com.au pre race plan.
I didn't lower my expectations on the advice of anyone- everyone is so fantastically positive. Rather it was me being very negative and frightened of failure!

I didn't run on Friday morning after I had a terrible nights sleep during which I had to get up due to my dinner making a break for it- at least my stomach muscles got a work out. I chose the extra hours sleep option and stayed in bed.

Good luck Lee, StuMac and AJH and everyone else heading out tomorrow.

Early to bed tonight.

Lowering Expectations

After careful consideration and much consultation with numerous people more experienced than myself I have decided to lower my expectations of my abilities. I am still going to try to run as fast as the wind on Sunday but I am really just hoping to beat last years time- if I don't break 60 mins then I still might cry myself to sleep but I won't be totally devastated and unable to get out of bed for three days.

The forecast for Sunday is still showers and 14 but I still check it every fifteen minutes to see if there has been a fast moving warm front that is arriving on Sunday- and I have to check the bureau just in case they think it might be one degree warmer...oooh 15 degrees!

I managed a quick little run around Caulfield Park twice yesterday after the plasterer arrived (at 10.30) and BF had managed to get out of bed to supervise the plasterer and make sure he didn't go through my undie drawer while I was out. It was only 4km which I feel a bit silly about because normally if I only had time for a 4 km run then I wouldn't bother- unless I was going to try some speed work. But I did it effortlessly (and so it should be) averaging 6.30min/km with sniffy Bella and stopping to chat to a friend.

The plasterer has finished and now the painter is coming next week.

I walked Bella this morning dressed as though I was about to head up to Falls Creek! Ski jacket, beanie, scarf, gloves- and I was still cold, I might have to get a balaclava and I was wondering if it would be too weird to wear my ski goggles?
There was ice on all the cars and it smelt like cold- I don't mind the cold, but only because I can just put more clothes on, when it gets hot there are only so many things you can take off before someone calls you into the boss' office and has a little talk about dressing appropriately at work.

My crafty friend

One of the links on the side there is to my friend Leslie's blog- but she has another blog, onegirl which is very crafty and was actually mentioned in an article on the joys of blogging in the TheAge on Sunday. I don't have to tell you about the joys of blogging, but you should check out Leslie's craft blog to see how clever she is!

Behold the Strasbourg Sock

I could sleep for Australia and be a gold medal chance. Reset the alarm this morning- that is two days in a row now- despite being in bed WELL BEFORE 9pm- don't know why I am so trashed or why I am such a sooky la la. Time for me to harden up and just get out of bed I think, it didn't help that I was woken up at 3am by he-who-will-remain-nameless as he got home from the boozer. Much silent fuming followed before I went back to sleep.
I am sitting here in my pyjamas waiting for the plasterer to turn up and fix the kitchen ceiling, so far s/he is only 15 minutes late.
I think I might have to get out and go for a run when the plasterer gets here- surely it is possible for me to run around the block- I only need to do 5km this week while I am "tapering" for Sunday. Speaking of which, the weather forecast is all bad for Sunday's run- the only thing missing is squally winds and coastal wind warnings.

Lazy Lap of Lake

I have made it to work this morning, despite resetting the alarm from 6am to 7.10am- I decided it was too rainy to walk Bella so she will most likely destroy my garden today. I had my second cousins wedding last night and it was a bit of fun- I did have massive b00b overflow but no-one saw anything untoward! I am a little scratchy this morning and planning on having at least a week away from the booze. As for the wedding itself- I was dancing with my mother to Funky Town at about 10pm, need I go on?

One lap of the lake yesterday- sort of a taper for next week but also because I had dinner with some friends on Saturday night and ate and drank too much (yum lemon meringue pie!) so I was a little slow out of bed and had to take Bella with me.

I am very nervous about Sunday - only because I have placed a massive expectation on myself by aiming to go under 60 mins, but I guess there is no other way to go about it.

I need to find a run to do in July - there are a few Sri Chinmoy ones that I could do I guess but I like doing the bigger runs.

I have finished "Footprints on the Water" and if anyone wants it next, just let me know and I will send it off on another journey.

Dusty

Got way drunk last night, ate my body weight in MacDonalds and woke up a little dusty! It was good to catch up with JoJo though I wasn't making much sense by the time we left. I am much better now and have to go buy shoes for a wedding tomorrow- nothing like leaving it to the last minute. My dress is A-line so it isn't around the stomach that I am worried about- it is the bodice, if I wear my fantastic padded bra it is a little tight(too much information??).
Rest day today then a light week preparing for Run2G- hoping to smash last years time of 1:07 (I think)

2 laps of Tan

Another night with the stras sock and it isn't getting any more comfortable- I am hoping that at some stage I can get through the night without taking it off, otherwise it will be $75 that I could have spent on more physio!
Got up early with no hesitation this morning and took Bella to the Tan for two laps- she is getting better and I was able to get around 5 minutes quicker than on Tuesday morning. She really likes to interact with other joggers- smiling and trying to get closer to them all while wagging her tail and generally just trying to pull my arm out of its socket.
I was wearing my compression tights and it really felt like I couldn't get my legs warm- I suppose that is the idea but it was a very strange sensation and lucky it was dark so I didn't have to freak out many people at the sight of me in my tight tights. I did some more weights when I got home but I was running a bit late so there wasn't a lot of time.
I keep forgetting that the Run2G is next weekend (thanks for reminding me StuMac) so I will probably take it easy this weekend and next week.

Strasbourg sock

When I woke up this morning I re-set the alarm for another 30 minutes sleep but I just lay there dreading climbing out of bed. I finally made it to the park at about 5.30 (or half past stupid!) and ran a lap for a warm up then I did some intervals- they weren't that quick, and they weren't that long but I was out there, trying, sweating and that's the main thing isn't it?
The path around the park is 600m so the first interval was only 150m, then I kept jogging back to the start, the next interval was 300m, then jogged back to the start, 400m, jog, then 150m and finished off with a warm down lap. It was only 4km all up- including some shuffling home. Then I dragged out the fitball and power bar and did some weights, sit ups and push ups before hurrying into the shower and missing my tram.
I should learn that I should not wear heels to work after a run- my PF and ankle are killing me today so I took my shoes off whenever I could- very professional!
I bought a Strasbourg sock yesterday and it is so weird to sleep in- in case you don't know, it is a large white sock with a piece of material that ties your toes to your knee! It is designed to stretch your calf muscle and your feet tendons while you sleep, if you can sleep while there is a strange piece of velcro holding your foot at such a strange angle. When I relax my feet point down like I am pointing my toes like a ballerina, this holds my foot at right angles to my leg and man it feels strange. I took it off after a few hours because I couldnt sleep properly, then I put it back on at about 3am for a while as well.

Yesterday I had a physio appointment for my neck and back which included acupuncture- it was too weird for me and I don't know if I will agree to it, I really didn't enjoy it but I have to say I have more movement back in my neck.

After my physio I went shopping into Bridge Road and finally bought a dress to wear to a wedding this Sunday- do you think I am cutting it a bit fine if I need to lose a kilo or two in order for it to fit??

2 laps of Tan

Got up at stupid o'clock again- even Bella tried to go back to sleep and pretend I wasn't trying to get her up for a run. We went to the Tan and did 2 laps but they were pretty slow. It was so cold this morning but it didn't take long for me to roll up my running tights and tie my jacket around my waist. Bella was her usual annoying self and was trying to socialise with dogs, sniff grass, chase possums and generally be annoying while I was trying to run in a straight line.
The Tan was very busy this morning and I have never seen that many pairs of skins getting around- must be the cold that has brought them out. Might have to wear mine just to fit in- though they are 2XU brand and I am not sure if they are as cool.

I crack myself up too much- people at work ask me about my blog- it is my fault because I just shouldn't talk about it but a lot of them don't even know what a blog is and ask "how does it get it's name?" So I have been joking around saying that my blog is called saucy morsey- well today I actually set it up- and now I am happy to give people the address!

Gym

I made it to spin class this morning which was a bit difficult because I cannot stand the Monday morning instructor and I was hoping that he had left . Sadly there he was jiggling up and down on the seat out the front, saying incredibly patronising things and generally being a tool. It didn't help that I didn't have my heart rate monitor on so it was always going to be a struggle to stay interested. About 5 minutes into the class my neck and upper back was starting to get sore so I endured it for a bit more then I just left- hope the instructor took it personally. My physio warned me that cycling is not good for my neck and back because of the posture on the bike which will aggravate my problems.
Instead I did 15 mins on the stepper and 15 mins on the elliptical x-trainer. It was boring because I didn't have my headphones either but I felt like I should do something leg related!

I had a very mixed weekend- Saturday night I had dinner with my pregnant friend Catie who was visiting from Mackay - we had great Japanese in High Street Northcote. I had to work at 7am on Sunday which is alway hard when you don't get to bed early enough- so by the time I finished at 3pm I was ready for a sleep and starving. I just walked Bella, had dinner and was in bed at 8pm.

I am having dramas having my kitchen ceiling repaired after the flat upstairs had a leaky hotwater system last year- they fixed that okay, but had to jack hammer in through my ceiling. So then they let a big hole in my ceiling and said they would be back in 6 months to patch it up. Well they never came back and it took forever for the body corporate and insurance company to arrange for someone to look at it and now I have to wait for someone else to come and look at it before they can fix it. I love how they say, we will be there between 9 and 12 and no we can't ring you half an hour before we get there.
So I am sitting here waiting......

2 Laps of Albert Park Lake

I had Friday off due to a very poor nights sleep on Thursday night- I am blaming the doona not being "fooffed" properly (too chunky around the top and my feet were cold) and having caffeine after 4pm. Sadly I didn't sleep very well on Friday night either despite sorting out the caffeine and foofing the doona correctly- had to collect BF and then drive home via MacDonalds (No I don't want any nuggets) so back in bed by 1.30.
I reset the alarm at six for another hours sleep and then took Bella for a walk and finally made it to the Lake.
It was raining as I got there and it kept raining for the first lap then it was really pleasant. My first lap was four minutes slower than my second- I tried to keep the pace well under 6 min/km for the last few kms of the second lap and while it wasn't that successful it did encourage me to keep the pace up instead of just turning the legs over. I think I normally just jog, but I have to remember to run.
My ipod battery is still behaving badly so I had to listen to the radio on my phone- which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be (woo hoo Joy FM) and while it was no match for the carefully selected running playlist on my ipod, the world didn't end because I had to run without it.
Ist lap: 82% max HR, av 75%
2nd lap: 90% max HR, av 83%

So goals for June are:
-to lose some more weight (and not just because some loser shouted out "Fat B1tch" to me as I walked the dog the other night)
- run under 60 mins in the Run2G
- re-introduce the cross training aspect spin, pump etc that has been missing since the "dog park incident"

Gym session

I am back at work today- though afternoon shift is good because I can walk Bella and go to the gym or for a run without rushing around. I did make it to the gym but because of the silly cold I took it easy- just 10 mins treadmill, 10 mins stair climber, 10 mins cross trainer then my weights program. I was puffing just walking to the gym so I didn't expect any great workout.
I got on the scales and I have dropped 1.1kg since I last weighed in which was good news, getting my weight heading back in the other direction was a big priority recently so I am glad that it is sort of working.
I had lunch with a friend and I won't tell you what I ordered but let me just say if you want a fantastic $3 pizza in the vicinity of Chapel Street, head to the Lucky Coq! It is perfect those of us who are fiscally challenged sometimes (recent purchases have included 4 dining chairs, 2 bedside tables and 2 lamps).

Another sick day

Due to your overwhelming support for the sick day I have taken another one- well actually because my head feels like it is going to explode and I seem to be spending a lot of time face first into a box of tissues. I have been drinking a lot of water but it just means my naps are ruined by toilet breaks!
I feel like crap for not doing any exercise since Sunday but I don't feel like going out in public- so once these rotten pills start working I might try a Pilates video- gotta do something.
Yes Deege, I don't feel guilty about taking "mental health days" when I am not physically sick- I always feel like I have earned them! We get 9 weeks leave a year though, so they are few and far between.

Off Sick

My head cold didn't go away despite my very early night so I decided not to go to work and share the love around! I shuffled out of bed a while ago and have spent some quality time on the couch hoping that my head doesn't explode. I have also been trying to avoid the kitchen- a. because it is a mess and b. because then I will eat too much.
I checked the blog archive and I didn't get sick after my last two HM so I am just blaming random germs for this one.
I always feel guilty for taking real sick days but this is disgusting so I am sure my colleagues don't want me snuffling and sooking beside them. (and I don't want this to linger so that I can keep training- ah yes, so thoughtful and so selfish at the same time).

Rest Day

I had today off but I still did a lot of walking- Bella had some big walks today at varying speeds! This morning I shuffled around the park like an old lady who had forgotten her walking frame but I eventually got a bit more movement back in my hammies and quads. My hip flexors are really sore still and walking down stairs or even a small hill really hurts. I guess I didn't stretch as much as I need to.
Yesterday I took JoJo's advice and went to the pool for a float around but it was pretty cold so I didn't stay there for long- and because the temptation to have a big swim was too great. My knees were a bit sore though so I didn't. I tried to sleep in my 2XU tights but they are just too uncomfortable.
I am getting a little head cold at the moment so I decided to forgo the gym tonight and head to bed early. I didn't sleep very well last night because every time I turned over in my sleep the pain woke me up!
I have decided to HARDEN UP and get back training (sensibly) until I am a lot quicker- 132 days until the Melbourne Marathon. (Yep I am putting pressure on myself all ready)

200th post today but I won't bore you with 200 things about myself!

Trying hard not to feel like a loser

I had a terrible race today- it went as follows:
Got up early and got ready then took Bella for a walk in the park- I wasn't feeling the best and I don't think my normal pre-race jitters can explain the nasty tummy thing I had going on- it felt more like gastro than nerves. I was worried I had talked myself into getting sick so I ignored it. I was a bit worried about eating or drinking anything in the morning in case I had to deal with it during the run so it meant that I was actually feeling thirsty before I had run.

I got to Williamstown in plenty of time for two more trips to the toilet including one stint of queueing in the worlds slowest queue while everyone took their children to the toilet and someone else who was obviously not feeling the best- but I can never change queue once I am committed in case the previous queue then starts moving. Still got to the start in plenty of time anyway. Saw a few people I knew like Superjacent and Smithy.

Once I got started I felt really good- my pace was around 5.45 min/km as I dodged and weaved around the walkers and people who were poor "self seeders". I enjoyed the run and got to encourage Smithy and Steve was they came back past me at the turnarounds.
Once I got to the 8.5km mark, I hit the wind and it was bad, I felt like I was jogging up and down on the spot- I tried to duck in behind other groups but the wind was gusting all over the place and I thought it might be a bit rude if I was right in someones space. We ran into the wind for about 10km and it just ruined my plans of a PB. My iPod battery died after just an hour and a half leaving me alone with my negative thoughts and nasty self talk. When we did finally turnaround and head back with the wind my legs were too tired to pick the pace up significantly but I managed to get back to 6min/km which had been a dream in the wind.
At the 19km turnaround it was back into the wind and I allowed myself something to drink- before that I hadn't felt like a drink- I was probably just after a walking break. I struggled into the running track for the final 200m and I was passed by Cool Runners runrtom and SlowSue who I had been trying to beat after they headed to the toilets at about the 7km mark. I stumbled across the line got myself some pancake and apple crumble (love the rolled up pancake with crumble inside Jaykay and Beki.
So my time of 2:18:xx has made me realise that I need to lose some weight (a LOT of weight), train faster and realise that if there is a coastal wind warning where I am running on the coast then I should be happy to finish.

As for my brief flirt with doing a full marathon, let me say right now that it is not even a remote possibility right now- (I believe you should never say never, never say always- and that is the only thing stopping me from saying I WILL NEVER RUN A MARATHON). I just don't have the mental toughness at this stage.
I did just get off the phone from JoJo who I think must have thought I was feeling a little unbalanced after I declared I was never running again- I felt terrible after my run. I drove home from Williamstown feeling at least 0.19 blood alcohol%. I was all over the road and had to concentrate on staying awake. I walked inside and lay down ready for a nap, remembered I had left my phone in the car, struggled out to get it, came back inside, climbed into bed in my stinky clothes and slept for two hours.
I have eaten and I feel okay- but just so you know Steve- I am not running the half marathon at the Run2G this year- I will do the HM at the REAL Run to the G this year- the Melbourne (half) Marathon in October- I have a lot of work to do before then.
Thanks for all your good wishes. (I nearly dedicated todays run to you runners out there who can't run at the moment, glad I didn't now because you would all be saying "Geez, Sara, don't bother next time!)

Pre-Race Program

Just more of the pre-race program which consists of this:

1. Check www.weatherzone.com.au to see if it is going to be windy
2. Eat some bread
3. Drink some water
4. Check the Bureau of Meteorology website to see if they are forecasting less wind than weatherzone for race day
5. Eat more bread
6. Drink more water
7. Check the Melways so I know where I am going
8. Panic and try to think up believable excuse for pulling out of run
9. Contemplate buying whole new running outfit for race day
10. Become conscious of every little niggle and twinge in every muscle
11. Lose and find race number, runners, sports bra, running shorts, hat and sunglasses three times whilst preparing race day outfit
12. Eat bread, drink water
13. Watch Funniest Home Videos
14. Worry about bad karma for laughing at grannies falling over
14. Go to bed at 7.30pm and continue to worry about karma, not waking up in time, losing car keys etc
15. Get woken up by BF at 2am as he asks would I like some MacDonalds chips to help with carbo loading
16. Consider then decline offer
17. Wake up at stupid o'clock and begin the first of many trips to the toilet!

That is pretty much it, am so sick of eating that the new diet plan which starts after I have eaten pancakes and apple crumble tomorrow after the run, should be easy!

For those of you that love your treadmill check out half-fast- his link to youtube is hilarious.

Walk around the Tan

Got up "early" this morning and caught up with JoJo for a walk around the Tan with Bella - I am still sort of on Perth time which is 2 hours (and 10 years) behind. Resting up from now on and hopefully running a massive PB on Sunday (as long as there is no wind).

I am home!

I got home from Perth last night and I am a bit tired this morning but managed to make it to my physio appointment for my neck and back. I am still really sore and stiff in the neck from my small accident at the park a few weeks ago- a week away from the computer has made me a bit better but I will wait and see how I go on Sunday when I do the Sri Chinmoy HM in Williamstown.

Running
I had three runs while I was away- an 8km along the beach road in Scarborough which was okay but not that picturesque because of all the traffic and the lovely fumes I got to breathe in- it was just a nice gentle run, starting slow and building up to a normal 6.20 min/k pace. I cooled down then had to take Daisy and Harry for a run as well - they are so cute and stopped to stretch with me too!
I ran on Sunday morning along the Murray River in Yunderup which is south of Perth- a 10km run around the streets, some of it with my nephew Harry on his new bike (we raced for one section and I was flying along at 4.30 min/km before I had to admit defeat and let him beat me). I then ran along a little sandy path that runs alongside the creek and home again.
I had a final little jog on Wednesday morning- just a slow 5km before taking Harry and Daisy for a short run as well.
I didn't see that many people running- but every person I did see said hello!

Perth
I don't normally spend that long in Perth but the original plan was to do the Bunbury HM so I thought I would need time to prepare and recover. Instead I just spent a lot of time with my brother and his family- Harry is nearly 5 and he is adorable and so lovely and sensitive, he gives me kisses and asks lots of questions like "who makes sheep?" Daisy is nearly four and she is a little monster- toilet training is a drama and she throws constant tantrums when she doesnt get what she wants- so we had a lot of stand offs because I refuse to give in to her- she locked Harry and I outside while her mum was out shopping and then she couldn't get her out until her Mum came back. I was happy enough reading in the sun!
We went to Yunderup and spent a day out on the boat fishing and crabbing (with no luck) then motored over to a friends holiday house for a BBQ- such a lovely way to spend the day.
It was good to catch up with my brother (and beat him at Trivial Pursuit) and spend some time with the little monsters.

I got to meet Celeste finally and we went out for Japanese - such fantastic food cooked so well and we got to chat about running and work without having to provide much background because we knew a lot about each other all ready. I hope I didn't talk about nasty toddlers too much!

I got up this morning and have read everyone's blogs (160 entries!) and found 51 topics I had to read on Ausrun! I also found time to buy four new dining chairs and walk Bella- she has been bugging me all day, trying to get me to make up for the 12 walks she missed out on while I was away after she was only walked TWICE in the last week- hence the Japanese maples are missing branches and the lawn looks horrendous.

Damn that gym

My neck and back are still sore so I went to the gym today instead of running- it seemed like a good idea....I started on the spin bike for half an hour, making up my own class by doing standing climb for one song on my ipod then sprinting for the next song so I was a damn sweaty girl when I finished. I then thought I would do my intervals on the x-trainer- I did two three before I just got a headache because they are still renovating the gym and they are painting with something toxic so when I was gasping for breath all I was doing was poisoning myself. So I slunked out and went to the supermarket. (before I left the gym I stood on the scales and had the rudest shock of the year- I am fat again, it isn't water, it isn't muscle, it is the product of eating too much because I tell myself that I deserve it because I am unhappy sometimes- so here it is- I weigh 77kg- and that is after I finally got down to 70kg in December, I have put it all back on. I don't know what it is going to take to get me out of this eating thing, but I think I have to just bite the bullet and take Weight Watchers seriously instead of half doing it, I can't keep carrying this bulk around that is for sure)

I am off to the blood bank this afternoon- though they rang me and asked if I would donate plasma instead- they take out your blood, remove the plasma and put the blood back. I like donating because then I get to be all weak and pathetic, "look at me, I am saving lives and I have a huge wound in my arm where they sucked the blood out of me"- I don't know if plasma has the same effect, people might be interested in the plasma process, not my courage and that wouldnt be the same!
Yep, I am on leave and I have too much time to think about how important I am. I won't be posting for a while because I am heading to Perth to meet Celeste and I won't have access to the internet, but I hope you have some great runs- good luck Beki for SMH.

Physio

I visited the physio this morning and she gave my neck and back a pounding. Apparently the problem with my back isn't me, it is you- all of you runners and fitness fanatics who blog and cause me to spend the whole day on the computer checking your progress and oohhing and ahhhing about your latest PB or injury! Well it is more likely to be the way I slump at my desk while I am at work everyday. I am not sure if the pounding works, it hurt so much and really still hurts. I have some exercises to do which involve lying on the floor which always makes it highly unlikely I will persist. I do my calf exercises because I can do them at the park while I walk Bella, but I can't see myself doing this all the time.
I haven't felt like exercising at all today- I nearly needed Bella to drag me up the hill to the park (and it is a really little hill). I really like the dog park- there are so many different people and different dogs - I am even starting to learn the owners names instead of just the dogs. Panda B. Bandit is a gorgeous staffy who has appeared on his own blog.

4 laps of the Lake

I had a terrible nights sleep then got up at 5.30 and took Bella to the park before driving to the Lake. I did four laps which is about 18.2km and I felt good! I didn't have any pain in my ankle so I feel happy with the run and I will enter the Sri Chinmoy HM in two weeks time. For some reason the first lap was the hardest and my laps got quicker and quicker. I was trying to stay at about 6.30 min/km but in my last lap I was sitting at about 5.50 without a problem.
The only problem was my upper back- there is a really sore spot that still gives me a bit of grief from when I was knocked over at the park. It pretty much hurt constantly for the last 15km and I was concentrating on keeping my shoulders relaxed and not letting my arms creep up higher than my hips but the pain was pretty bad.
I am icing my ankle right now but I don't know what to do about my back other than book into the physio and find out if I can tape it?? I tape my foot and ankle so much that I think I am using about 5metres a week of tape!
Mothers Day today so we are heading out for lunch because Mum and Dad are in Melbourne after a 60th last night.

I have been bad

I used to drink a lot more, in volume and frequency but I really cut back because it was affecting my Saturday run, but yesterday I returned to my bad bad days. It never occurred to me that being in a shout with boys is a bad idea before- I could easily keep up or even be the one pushing the pace, but now it just makes me drink too much too quickly. So lunch was the start and then by the time it was 7pm I had drunk enough beer to make me witty, fun, skinny and a great dancer (don't worry there wasn't really any dancing- but if there was I would have been a chance to be a new Pussycat Doll)
Thankfully I have an inbuilt go-home meter which always sends me home before I become too embarrassing- my sister missed out on the go-home meter! My lovely pregnant friend Sav was driving so she dropped me home then Bella and I got fish and chips for dinner before I fell asleep on the floor (not for too long)

Anyway, onto more important things:
I didn't run on Thursday morning even after eating too much on Wednesday- I forgot that I had done a massive load of washing and all my running gear was still wet- such a bad excuse. I did run on Friday morning- a lap of the Tan then a loop up to Fed Square and then a little bit more along the Tan to make it up to 10km. Bella came with me so it was slow and she was playing games the whole way along. She still smiles and flirts with men as they run past! The only bad bit was then not having a chance to ice my ankle and then wearing heels to work so my ankle is feeling a bit fragile.
I am resting today then doing laps of the Lake in the morning- trying for a slowish 20km or thereabouts so I can make a decision about the HM in 15 days.

Rest Day

Had another rest day today- not really planned but when I remembered I was catching up with two school friends last night I realised I wouldn't be home early so I set the alarm for a bit later and had a lovely sleep in.
I have to say that my friends are amazing cooks! I am holding them all responsible for this weeks blowout- (the past four weeks have been my own doing) first it was Leslie with her maple glazed salmon, fantastic crunchy potatoes and a wonderful cheesecake on Sunday night, then it was Sally's turn last night with creamy beany soup, fantastic fresh pasta with a lovely garlicky simple sauce and then red wine poached pears.
I am still a bit tired because I got home a bit late so I will be in bed early because Bella and I are going to have a good run in the morning.
I am planning a big run on Sunday morning before deciding about Sri Chinmoy on Monday.

Intervals in the park

I took Bella to the park and after a warm up lap we did our intervals- the plan was 4 laps as quickly as I could but I had to keep an eye on Bella in case she needed cleaning up after, or in case she decided that people walking along having a peaceful morning walk also needed to be jumped all over.
So the splits are:
warm up- 6 mins
1st interval- 6 min/km and 0.55km (that is when I noticed the gentle rise really felt like a hill)
recovery 200m walk- I was knackered
2nd interval- 5.40 min/km and 0.51km
recovery- 200m walk
3rd interval- 5.40 min.km and0.55km
recovery-200m walk
4th interval- 5.41 min/km and 0.5km
recovery 330 m walk
short jog - 2.6km
warm down walk

About 6.4km not counting the walk home and it felt really hard- I was sweating so much because it is quite mild. I did some good stretches and I have to say that I am really not sore after Puffing Billy- I think I tried my guts out but why don't my muscles hurt?? I have been wearing my skins to bed and then taking them off when it gets too hot in the night- maybe they are the wonder pant that everyone says?
I feel quite good- not sure about the Sri Chinmoy HM on the 27th yet but I will keep an eye on the weather for that one.

My name is Dorfus Pottyd**dle

Recovering today- though my legs aren't sore and even my ankle is feeling good. I am planning on the 600m sprints again tomorrow morning- I was thinking I had nowhere to do them with Bella in tow and then I realised that the park where I walk every day with Bella has a track that I have mapped out to be 630 metres!

Below is something I received in an email and it amused the whole office for about an hour:


We all need a little stress-reliever! This only takes a minute.Sometimes when you have a stressful day or week, you need some silliness to break up the day. If we are honest, we have a lot more stressful days than not.Here is your dose of humor...The following is excerpted from a children's book, CaptainUnderpants And the Perilous Plot Professor Poopypants, by DavePilkey, in which the evil Professor forces everyone to assume new names...
So:-1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your New first name:
A = snickle
B = doombah
C = goober
D = cheesey
E = crusty
F = greasy
G = dumbo
H = farcus
I = Dorky
J = doofus
K = funky
L = boobie
M = sleezy
N = Sloopy
O = fluffy
P = stinky
Q = slimy
R = dorfus
S = snooty
T = tootsie
U = dipsy
V = sneezy
W = liver
X = skippy
Y = dinky
Z = zippy

2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the firsthalf of your new last name:
A = dippin
B = feather
C = batty
D = burger
E = chicken
F = barffy
G = lizard
H = w affle
I = farkle
J = monkey
K = flippin
L = fricken
M = bubble
N = rhino
O = potty
P = hamster
Q = buckle
R = gizzard
S = lickin
T = snickle
U = chuckle
V = pickle
W = Hubble
X = dingle
Y = gorilla
Z = girdle

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:
A = butt
B = boob
C = face
D = nose
E = hump
F = breath
G = pants
H = shorts
I = lips
J = honker
K = head
L = tush
M = chunks
N = dunkin
O = brains
P = biscuits
Q = toes
R = doodle
S = fanny
T = sniffer
U = sprinkles
V = frack
W = squirt
X = humperdinck
Y = hiney
Z = juice

Thus, for example, George W. Bush's new name is: FluffyChucklefanny.

Beaten by a train

I was actually beaten by two trains and a lot of people- but it was such a fun day and I am absolutely exhausted

I got up too early and took Bella for her walk before getting ready and heading to Ringwood Train Station. I had a little sara-time in the car, trying to relax, maybe sleep because I was very early. Then I got the train to Belgrave- though before we left a woman who appeared to be a little rough, shabbily dressed and lacking in a little hygiene boarded the train and said "Has anyone got a spare ciggie?? Spare ciggie for me anyone??"- if she had looked a little closer she would have noticed that everyone was wearing a tracksuit and looking a little fitter than your average smoker!

I got to the start area, one trip to the portaloo, got rid of my bag and extra clothing then joined the loo queue again- with Chilliman for company (in the queue, not the loo). I headed off to the start- bumping into Beki, Deege and Blackbox. Gotta love the National Anthem- followed by the start then... Chariots of Fire theme over the PA system causing much laughter.
It was downhill for ages and all that did was make me nervous, to re-arrange Newton's Law- what goes down must go up.
Sure enough it was heading up and up very soon- one hill that took us to nearly half way seemed to go on forever, I hated every second of it.

The locals had all walked to the bottom of their driveways to see us run by but they must have been tired of clapping and shouting encouragement by the time I puffed past because they were just standing there looking solemn at us. Every now and again someone would shout a bit of encouragment but mainly it was odd stares.

Eventually it went down again and finally we were nearly there- the last little bit was just through the park and it was very steep downhill- I said that I preferred the uphill to the people around me but we all knew I was lying.

I managed to make it the finish line in 83:xx I think- averaged 84% with a max heart rate of 92%. My pace was about 6:15 min/km which I was happy about especially considering the hills where I was shuffling along at 7:20 min/km.

I found the ausrun cheer squad- thanks guys and headed to the tavern with Jo to catch up with everyone. Two beers and an enormous plate of wedges later and I was ready for bed. Jo kindly drove me back to my car and I tried to stay awake long enough to get home. I fought off taking a nanna nap for about 45 seconds when I got home- had a kip for an hour and am about to go out for dinner. I might be a very boring dinner companion tonight.

Still Tapering

The first photo is quite obviously the train race number and the second photo is for deege
I have been tapering for the run on Sunday so I have done little or nothing for the past two days- unless you count walking naughty naughty Bella. The day that I ran 8km with Bella she still had enough energy to start excavating the lawn and then followed it up the next day with about 8 more holes. I have told her that the next hole she digs I will bury her in it.
Not sure whether tapering is going to do anything for me this time- my legs are going to get the fright of their life when I hit those hills. The aim of the game will be to run hard where I can and to tiptoe like a little princess when the terrain gets rough- I am more frightened of rolling my ankle again than I am of the hills.
I haven't been on the net very much lately because I am actually working during the days now while I am at work, and someone who I live with has been looking at certain websites and used up all the downloads for the month so we are now as slow as dial up- grrrrrrrrrr (for both reasons)
Good luck to everyone doing the run and here is hoping I am still injury free this time tomorrow!

Two laps of tan with Bella

Took Bella with me for a run around the Tan this morning so the pace was pretty slow- but she is getting better and doesn't have to sniff everything and everyone as much as she did. She is pretty happy just running along beside me unless there is another dog in the vicinity and then she likes to try to pull my arm out of it's socket.
I did two laps plus the little bit up to the monument that hopefully makes it up to 4km for each lap. My heart rate was pretty constant at 74% though obviously it was a lot higher up Anderson Street. Though for some reason I didn't struggle up Anderson Street - maybe because I was concentrating on Bella or something else- I am still very frightened by the hills on Sunday.
Bella took the opportunity for a bath when I stopped at the start of the Tan so she could have a drink out of the trough there (for some reason there is nowhere else for her to drink) and she jumped into the trough and lay down. I think she has been overheating a bit recently because she lies down in puddles at the park all the time so she ends up all nice and muddy. Does wonders for her coat because she is always so shiny! Maybe it is all that cheap supermarket food that I give her.

5km on treadmill

I took it easy this morning- short jog with Bella around the park then drove to the gym. I had a little run on the treadmill- just half an hour using the plan that I read in Runners World- I did four efforts 600m @ 3km pace with a 3min recovery in the middle, because I didn't know what 3km pace was I just set the treadmill on 11.5km/hr and tried to keep that up. I was just able to keep that pace up without really pushing myself. My back felt a lot better so I didn't mind a little run.
I am going to try to head to pilates during the week as well.
It is nearly two weeks until I head to Perth for a week and I can't wait- I spoke to Harry on the phone last night and he said that we are going fishing when I visit. Last time we went fishing I was a bit unwell because it was quite rough out on the boat and then in the middle of the night I felt sea sick again but it turned out to be hideous gastro that was making the room rock and roll. I don't need that again.

Sore back still

I didn't run yesterday or go to pump class because my back was a bit sore- I am sort of glad that I didn't go to pump because if I did then I would have thought that the back pain was from pump.
I did spend a lovely day at the Flemington Market and Chadstone- spending all the money that I saved from having an early night on Saturday. I also caught up with a friend for a coffee in the afternoon.
My upper back and shoulders were so sore by the time I went to bed and they are sore now so I have put off doing any exercise today as well. I might try to go to the gym in the morning and have a run on the dreadmill. I can't think of what else I am going to do. I can't not exercise but I am frightened of back pain and I don't want to make it worse.

Albert Park Lake x3

I slept in till 7am this morning thanks to a very disrupted sleep so I didnt really get to the lake until 8. Because I was so tired I really struggled to keep the pace up but I concentrated on making the first two laps good ones- it was so lovely and sunny that I was glad that I was wearing a singlet top. My third lap was awful, the wind had picked up on the golf course side and it was pushing me backwards- I slowed right down to 6.45min/km even though I had been hovering around 6min/km for the rest.
Then when I should have been having a glorious tail wind I had a terrible stitch. I had started having sports beans while I was running and I was pretty happy with them even though they weren't as good as Roger Ramjets proton pills like I had been secretly hoping. I must have had too many beans because I don't normally get a stitch when I run. The beans are just like jelly beans but not as sweet- I prefer them to the gels which get me heading to the toilets very quickly (I think it is the caffeine). So I was practising being hard core and running through the pain but it just got worse and worse so I ended the run about 1km from the car- 13.5 all up in an average pace of 6.20 min/km.
I will have to revise the plan of just running every 3rd day because I am not going to get enough kms in before 27th of May- I am not prepared for that run at all. I am not even averaging 100km a month at the moment- must start to get those kms up a bit.
My PF was pretty bad at the end- I think I was just in a bit of a slump at the end, tired from lack of sleep and then my PF started hurting. I have been icing it in a bucket all morning in between random bouts of cleaning after BF tells me that his friends are coming here in an hour and the place looks like a bomb hit it.
Working day shift all week is going to take its toll- I just can't seem to keep on top of the detritus that litters every free surface!
You have to check out completerunning.com it has a video of how to pick a marathoner and it made me laugh out loud!

I ran! (and stayed on my feet the whole time!)

I went around the Tan this morning with Bella- she was so well behaved and hardly stopped at all to sniff random patches of grass. I did a proper warm up and then a lap, then the loop from Anderson St hill down to the Swan St bridge and back along the other side.
Man, I was so slow but there were no ankle, neck or shoulder problems so I am still counting it as a success!
Now the idea is that this weekend I will get 3 laps of the lake in (at 3 varying speeds), then the Great Train Run Disaster will be next weekend (where I realise that doing no hill training is not the best preparation for a hilly run) followed by a massive 18-20 km run on the Mothers Day weekend before starting to taper for the Sri Chinmoy HM on the 27th of May. Half of me wants to pike out and do the HM at Run2G in June instead but I figure that I have gone into every run very underdone so one more won't hurt.
Looks like a rainy run on Saturday- I can't wait!

Physio Says Yes

I am allowed a short moderate run tomorrow- very excited! I think I will take Bella to the
Tan again. The physio gave my neck and back a pummelling- considering on Friday my neck was too sore to touch and today she was kneading it like it was bread. Still no cycling and I have to make sure it doesn't hurt and if it does- stop (that sounds like common sense but I think we all know that I need those things spelled out).

I got up early and went to the dawn service- I left it a bit late and so had to park and then nearly run there. Sadly I was dressed for work and so I was in the worlds most stupid shoes - apart from my other heels- I am actually quite sore from powerwalking down St Kilda Road- I think I undid all the good work from my weeks rest.
There was a couple behind me also running late who were definitely in the ANZAC spirit- they embodied the whole ANZAC concept by fighting furiously, refusing to admit defeat and never giving up. I wanted to turn around and say 'It doesn't matter who was supposed to get up early and check the road closures and whose fault you got stuck on Punt Road, just start practising that minute's silence now or you will both be walking home'. Then I remembered it was none of my business.

I was so tired after work that I had a little nanna nap before taking Bella to the park. I did some more powerwalking around the park with my friend Jane and her dog Wilbur. I am always a bit unhappy with a nanna nap because I don't sleep very well afterwards but I have started re-reading my school novels and I am sure that Wuthering Heights can still send me to sleep!

Still Resting

I am going to the physio tomorrow- nothing to report again but I did take Bella to the Tan this morning for a good walk. I try to take her to different places so that she gets to sniff some new things (and I got to do a lap of the Tan even though I wasn't running). We also walked along the Yarra for a bit too.
I feel like I am getting a head cold and I am generally cranky about other non running related issues- but normally being able to exercise allows me to cope with everything but having been told no swimming or cycling as well has meant that I am just a little less tolerant of everything. Boring. Promise I will be happier tomorrow.

Still Not Running

I am not running yet- I will go back to the physio and get the okay first- so I really shouldn't be sitting here eating yummy fudge that I bought in Hobart (chilli chocolate fudge- so chocolatey and so hot) seeing as I haven't exercised for days and the diet has been terrible.
My neck and back are still a bit sore and I am just sick of it now. I had no idea how bad it is to have this sort of injury- and mine is minor- you just can't do anything without being reminded of it. At least with my ankle I can sit at my desk and forget about the pain until I stand up. This enforced rest is probably doing wonders for my ankle- just not the size of my butt.
New office is sort of ok, a bit complicated but I hated the other place so this was always going to be better.
Oh dear, it is quarter to seven and I am wondering if it is too early to go to bed- I really need a life.

Weekend in Hobart

I have just returned from Hobart and I am so tired but I am resisting the urge for a nanna nap.
Friday- I went to the physio and he said no running, no cycling or swimming (not much chance of that in Hobart!). He said my neck tendons are like piano wire and gave me some movements to practise and suggested anti-inflammatories. We flew to Hobart and had dinner with Dad's cousin and his wife who had also come over with us from Melbourne to find out about the Tasmanian Morses.
My sister and I were tired so we went to bed early - though not before I had gone up to the room we were sharing and short sheeted her bed. I know it is childish and I am 32 now- but it is almost tradition and the look on her face was hilarious- she rang my brother in Perth to complain but I had already told him what I planned to do so he just laughed at her.

Saturday- I got up early and wandered around Hobart - it is such a beautiful old city though I am surprised they don't really make the most of the water frontage. Then Prue finally got up (a bit grumpily because our hotel was next to a pub that had loud music and yahoos out the front all night) and we went to the Salamanca markets- so close to the hotel and so much food! I had a great vegan pie- I wish I had two! We didn't buy a lot but I think we must have wandered around for about three hours. We went to meet Dad's 2nd cousin Eric who is 88 and has researched the family history. We had lunch and were each given a book that traces our ancestory. It was so good to meet relatives! We only have a few that we are in contact with and thankfully Eric has written down where we have come from or it would all be lost.
From Eric's we walked to the Cascade Brewery and although my Dad was concerned we wouldn't be able to get a drink there (!!!) we settled in and sampled some of the local wares.
Saturday night we went to the Casino with Eric and his daughter to have dinner at the buffet- the food was ordinary but that is not surprising- when I hear the word buffet I think only of Smorgy's. Then we had a few drinks in the bar (where Eric Bana was telling his friends about smashing his car during the Targa Rally) and went back to the hotel to hear the live music from the pub next door through the walls until about 3am!

Such a great weekend- it would have only been better if I had a chance to run along the path that runs along the water from the war memorial- it looked so good- and you can even run over their bridge which is enormous.

My head, neck and shoulders are feeling much better- I am sure I should be allowed to run soon but I have learnt the hard way that it is better to listen to the advice of medical professionals- after all we do pay them for it!

Me at Cascade Brewery

Harbour at dawn

Mt Wellington from Hamden Park Road.

My neck and shoulders are still sore so I am off to the doctor today then I might have to consider some physio if it doesnt get better- my neck is very sore to touch and my non- medically minded colleagues have diagnosed whip lash.
I am heading to Hobart tomorrow to meet the long lost relatives so Bella is under the control of BF which is causing me angst all ready. BF doesn't like to walk Bella (unless it is 6am and he just got home from the pub and decides to follow me to work with Bella wearing only his red man panties- but that is a whole other story) and so I am preparing to be greeted by a lot more damage to the lawn on Sunday.
I was hoping to have a run in Hobart and I haven't ruled it out yet, I will try to go to spin tomorrow morning before we leave but if I am still in pain I may give that a miss. Funny, I don't mind ankle pain, but this is horrible.
Thanks for all your kind comments- I had forgotten about falling over on Saturday too so yes, I do spend a lot of time on the ground.

Hit by a truck (well dog really)

You might remember my friend Leslie, with the arm in a sling after surgery after she was knocked over by her dog at the park?? Well this morning she and a friend came to the park just as Bella and I were leaving so I could go to the gym (you know where this is going don't you?) and they had Arnie and Lucy, Leslie's two dogs with them.
I very nicely offered to pick up Arnies poop because Leslie was still in a sling and her friend looked freaked out by the thought- as was I but I figured if I can pick up Bella's, I can pick up Arnie's. As I walked back from the bin Arnie hit me from behind as he ran along chasing Bella and knocked my legs clean out from under me. The first thing that hit the ground was the back of my head.
It took me a little while to realise where I was and what had happened by which stage Leslie and her friend were trying to make me stay on the ground while I was trying to get up while the dogs were coming over to slobber on me.
I didn't make it to the gym and now I am sitting at work, my neck and shoulders are so stiff I can barely move them and I have a thumper of a head ache.
I think I might have to go home but I am moving offices to a new task force next Monday so I have a lot of stuff to tidy and arrange.
I haven't googled my symptoms (yet!) but I am tipping this could nearly be a mild concussion- all I want to do is sleep but Leslie was a nurse and said I should try to stay awake!

*Edit* I came home from work early and rang "Nurses On Call" and after asking a lot of questions the kind nurse stopped laughing at me and told me it was all right to have a sleep, some panadol, no alcohol and if my pupils were different sizes, my arms felt tingly or I started vomiting then I should go to hospital. So I have just had some sleep and I feel a bit better.

Morning Run

I am on arvo today so I slept in until 6 and then took Bella to the park before heading to the Tan. I did one lap then headed over the Yarra and ran to Clarendon Street and then back along the other side, then another lap of the Tan and I was done. I bumped into a friend on the last lap of the tan and so I stopped for a quick chat that turned into a long chat so when I went to run again my muscles had cooled down and my ankle was hurting a lot more. I was going to run a bit further but I decided not to push it. I think it was about 13.5 km and my heart rate max was 86% and average was 75%. I averaged 6.30 min/k which was what I was aiming for.
Steve was right- I need to find new places to run- I really enjoyed this run because I had the security of knowing where the toilets were in the early part of the course (!) and then I was along a path where I don't normally run and I also got to run amongst the normal people in suits heading off to work along southbank.

My legs were still screaming at me from pump class on Sunday- I had to run and answer my phone at work yesterday and every step hurt everywhere, including my pecs. Luckily I had a very good bra on today so there was no painful pec jiggle!
I had a swim yesterday morning before work because I was having dinner with girlfriends last night and wouldnt make it to spin class. I am not sure about the swimming in the morning thing- I was so tired all day and it makes me hungry.

Anyway I am off to walk Bella again so that I can wear her out so she doesn't dig anymore holes.

Too much red wine (and pump class)

I got up very very late this morning- possibly the latest I have slept in for ages- and I really earned it. I drank and ate so much yesterday that I definitely needed a little lie in. Sadly while I was at the wedding Bella chose to punish me by digging SIX holes in the lawn- it looks awful. I didn't notice last night so it was a rude shock this morning.
I walked Bella to East Malvern to collect my sisters car and then drove it to her house and she drove us home.
I pretty much just cleaned all day then went to Pump class tonight and I really cranked up the weights- my legs, butt, arms and shoulders will be shouting at me tomorrow.
I was planning on going swimming in the morning but I will see how things pan out- I am worried my shoulders will be too sore- might just use the kickboard and flippers.

Boring run

I headed out this morning feeling less than happy after a very bad nights sleep and I think I should get used to it, definitely more where that came from. I walked Bella and for the first time I realised that it didn't take me a 2km walk to get my joints moving freely and pain free! Bella had a very good run and didn't get into any blues in the park.
I drove to the Tan simply because I was lacking in imagination and did two very poor laps- on the second I stumbled over my enormous feet and did that stumbly run where you are trying to stop from falling but all you do is increase the pace for when you eventually hit the deck. So now I have a wedding to go to with nasty scrapes on my right leg (the right side is the problem everytime!)
I got up hastily- but there is no disguising the fact I had been lounging on the track, I was covered in dust and bleeding.
I kept running- but I decided to head down the path along the Yarra so I didnt have to look at anyone who saw me reclining on the ground. I wasn't very happy and my leg was stinging so after I stumbled two more times but managed to stay upright I thought I should quit while I am still in one piece. I must have been more tired than I thought if I couldn't even lift my feet properly without concentrating.
I am icing my foot but it really felt good after my run, I had no real soreness in my PF or ankle- mainly just the toe extender- and the palms of my hands and my right lower leg. One day I will be grown up enough not to have scabby knees and grazed palms!

3 Laps of Tan

I headed out a little later than usual this morning- got to the Tan at about 8am after walking Bella and driving to the Tan in the luxury of a car that doesn't wake up the neighbours everytime I drive off!
I did my first lap averaging 6.30min/k and then tried to ramp up the pace for the second lap- sadly I had used up all my energy on the first run up the hill and found myself severly lacking for the second trip. I still averaged 5.33 min/km for the second lap and the third was pretty abysmal because I was exhausted but I concentrated on keeping it around 6.30 min/k. My heart rate was okay- it was climbing through the roof for the quick lap when I was going up the hill but otherwise stayed around 75%.
I was a sweaty girl when I finished- and very unhappy because it meant climbing into my new car and being far too concerned about how dirty the seats would get. I don't know how long I will be this precious for!

I went to the physio afterwards and she told me that the pain in the top of my foot is a strained big toe extender tendon (yes Deege, I made that one up too!) so she got stuck into it and I nearly cried- but it is better than my diagnosis. The rest of my problems are all being managed nicely according to the physio and she said I should just keep going, every 3 days for a run and only go back to her if there is a problem. I am happy with that because my health insurance doesn't subsidise my visits very much after this many.

More rest days....and a new car

I took the train to Warrnambool yesterday and bought a car! I have said goodbye to my 94 Laser TX3- red of course and now I have a 2006 Mazda3 and a lot more debt. I do miss my old car- but the exhaust got so loud that I kept turning up the radio to drown out the sound that I eventually blew out the speakers. It really sounded like a truck- my new car purrrrrrrs!
I spent the night at Mum and Dad's then drove home this morning- it is nice to go home even if it is just for the night though it always results in too much red wine.

The top of my foot has been really sore, it doesn't matter what shoes I wear or how much I ice it, it just really hurt to walk. I think the rest has been fantastic though and it is getting better so the plan is to see how it is in the morning when I go for a walk with Bella and have a run if it doesn't hurt at all.
I have booked to see the physio in the morning so it should all be sorted out anyway.

The new plan (depending on what the physio says) is the Sri Chinmoy HM on 27th of May (after I get back from Perth).

Damn rest day (strange foot pain)

I had to work early this morning so I didn't make it out for anything other than a walk with Bella before I had to stand at the tram stop waiting for a very very late tram. I was still the first one in the office and spent a very boring day doing nothing worthy.
I took Bella for another walk when I got home and realised that my weird top of the foot/ big toe pain is getting worse. Of course I have been checking runner's rescue and have decided that I have a stress fracture in my metatarsal- who knows but it damn hurts.
I have two days off now and I am heading to the countryside to buy a new car- hopefully! My old car is safely in the hands of BF's dad who is fixing it for the new owner (18 y.o guy- I am sure he would have preferred the noisy exhaust).
My Mum has found the perfect car for me in Warrnambool so I am off on the train in the morning to see if she is right! Hopefully I will be driving back to Melbourne- not that I don't like the train but it wears thin after a while, especially during school holidays.

1.3km (dont worry it was a swim)

Had a great sleep in- it is so nice when I wake up, realise it is morning and I haven't been called into work during the night! One more night- touch wood.

I walked Bella then rode to the Prahran pool for a swim- I took my flippers and after a short warm up I just grabbed my kickboard and used my flippers to power along- my legs were burning and it felt really good. I finished off with some laps - freestyle up and breaststroke back. I felt so tired while I was swimming but when I got out I felt really good.
I forgot my thongs again so when I had a shower I stood on my kickboard- last time I forgot them I showered in my flippers and nearly fell over several times- I imagined that I would fall and someone would have to break down the door to rescue me as I lay on the floor wearing nothing but flippers. Maybe next time!
I also rode my bike for about an hour- I said I would feed my friend Amy's two cats while she and her family were away- forgot I had no car but it wasn't too hard to cycle there and go to the supermarket as well.

I have decided not to do the Bunbury HM- I really wanted to run with Celeste because it would be her first HM but now she is injured and I don't think it will be the same. I rang and cancelled the motel I booked for Cam, Bec, the kids and I and they didn't charge me for it. I think I might either do the Run2the G HM or the Sri Chinmoy Williamstown HM on 27 May instead. So I am still going to Perth to see Harry and Daisy (and Cam and Bec) and I will hopefully get to meet Celeste also. I sort of feel a bit relieved- I wasn't feeling that confident with such a small field and they make the HM start 90 minutes after everyone else - and I need a head start not a time penalty! I feell like a piker especially because I have already sent off my entry form- I emailed the organisers and told them to keep it for next year!

Run around the lake

I got up at stupid o'clock this morning (5am)- took Bella for a quick run then headed out to run to Albert Park Lake- fortunately my friend Deb was driving past on her way to the Tan and she offered to drive me to the lake.
So I did two laps- the first at 6.30 min/k pace and the second at 6 min/k pace. I am so bad at keeping a constant pace and considering how flat it is around the lake it is a bit embarrassing. I just lose focus and slow down. I tried to keep on top of it and stay focused but I was a bit all over the pace. I also tried the sports beans I bought at a cycle shop the other day- I think the gels have caffeine in them and it is no good for my guts and usually results in a "comfort stop"- the beans were fine, though I couldn't chew and run at the same time! What an unco loser!! Sadly after I paid $3 at the cycle shop I found them at Coles for $1.50.
I ran home from the lake - making it 12km all up and I was pretty happy that I averaged 6.10 min.k for my two laps.
When I was walking Bella I noticed that the bone that runs along my foot towards my big toe was quite sore- I thought I must have taped my foot too tight so I loosened off the tape but it just got very sore as I was running and now I am in quite a bit of pain.
It all makes sense- now that I can run without the PF or my ankle hurting I have to have another niggle- surely it is psychosomatic- I just need the attention for my feet!
Back to the physio next week for sure.
BF has gone to his parents for a few days and work told me to do my computer assignment from home for the weekend so I am not going to work- just hanging with Bella in the sun!

Great Friday (Only 4.5kg to Bunbury!)

The weather is fantastic this morning- such a glorious day and such a shame I have to work at 3pm but thems the breaks.
I got up early and went and met Leslie who has the two large dogs, she had recent shoulder surgery after her dog Arnie knocked her over while we were out walking and dislocated her shoulder and broke part of the socket off! So it is hard for her to walk her dogs and I have been terrible and haven't helped her apart from one measly walk a few weeks ago. So I took Bella and Arnie (enormous white American bulldog - possibly part pony!) and she had her elderly boxer Lucy.
We wandered around the various parks in the area until the dogs were exhausted and then we walked them back to her house. I feel like a much better person now- she pays a dog walker because otherwise the dogs become destructive so I must make more of an effort in the next few weeks. Bella loves playing with Arnie too because he is indestructible.

Anyway- yesterday I did spin class in the morning and rode my bike to and from work- I took Bella for a massive power walk as well. I went to Weight Watchers last night and I have lost 1.3kg in the last two weeks! I was so happy with myself- finally I am making the right decisions.
I am going swimming this morning before I go to work- because I have no car, I have no choice but to ride to the pool but it is such a lovely day I think I would anyway. My legs are killing me from pump the other morning but I am feeling strong at the moment- though my PF is a bit sore so I am definitely thinking that the 2 rest days between runs is a good idea. I will go back to the physio next week.

46 Sleeps Until Bunbury!

Had a massive sleep in until 7.30 this morning- Bella didn't even mind because she was asleep beside the bed because BF had to work until 5am. After I had taken Bella for a walk I ran down Orrong Road to the Yarra and back again- 5km all up and it is very undulating! This is the beginning of my Great Train Race training- but I think the key might be to do the hills as part of a much longer run because it was pretty easy today. My heel/ PF thing is pretty sore but the usual ankle problem is slowly subsiding!
I also went to Pump class today (with the crazy shouting nasty instructor who likes to tell people off for putting away their step early!!) as well so I am feeling all right about going to weigh in tomorrow night- I will probably keep putting on weight thanks to last weeks inactive little tapering session but seeing as I am working over Easter there shouldn't be a blow out with chocolate and hot cross buns.
I need to find a pool that is open on Good Friday so I can keep my plans of cross training going.

Bella is a Staffy Lab cross- which makes her very playful but very determined!

Taking it very easy

I had yesterday off and today was a bit of a rest day also! My BF organised for his dad to fix my car up a bit and sell it so I drove it to Bendigo at 5.30 this morning and organised to work an afternoon shift- I got the train back from Bendigo after saying goodbye to little red car (hopefully forever!).
I didn't get to walk Bella properly because I left so early so I was not surprised to see she had dug a massive hole in the lawn. I took her to the park and she got into a fight so I gave her a talking to about smartening up- just like my mum would have given me.
I decided to make it to 1200 Pump class at the gym but halfway out the door on my bike I realised that it was Tuesday not Monday and I was actually hurrying to Yoga. So I went anyway but spent my 40 minutes on the x-trainer doing interval work then gave the stepper a hiding as well. The intervals were based on the ones I would do around the Tan but it is surprising when you get a speed up on those things that they get a bit wobbly and I was a bit frightened that I was about to cause an incident!
I weighed myself at the gym and I am horrified at myself.
My muscles are still a bit sore but my ankle has pulled up really well so I am almost committed to the Great Train Run (and also Run2G)
Arvo again tomorrow so I might try a run tomorrow morning.

Run4Kids 88mins!

I am pretty glad that is over! It was so much fun and I beat last years time by 7 minutes!
I got up way too early, walked Bella to the park (where I was standing beside the road trying to work out what a noise was then I realised it was a couple having "ooshmackoondy" in the car I was standing next to- I was embarassed and they should have been).

I got home, stressed some more about doing number 2s then went and picked up my friend Kendra. I parked near work and we walked to the mosh pit! There were so many people- we ended up going to the Music Bowl toilets because the queue was only 20 metres long, not 120m! Then we had to find the baggage drop off then join the start. It must have taken 20 minutes for me to cross the line and the whole time I was getting less friendly with the organisers. Finally we were running and over the line and heading straight for the tunnel.

I didn't think the tunnel was that bad this year- last year I couldnt breath in there- but I lost Kendra who sprinted away. As usual the hills killed me and I was seriously thinking about walking up the Bolte but I took a few steps then realised I might never start running again so I kept going.
The Latrobe Street hill was probably the shortest but the worst for me- I was really struggling and hating every second- then when I got to Spencer Street I was back weaving through the crowd again.

My ankle was fine- my inner calf muscle was very nasty though and I might have to routinely strap it because I was starting to think that I would have to stop on the Bolte because it hurt so much. But I got distracted by Britney on my ipod and tried to forget about it.
My splits are all over the place- a few in the 5m/k and a few 6m/k and a 4 and an 8???? But my average pace was .......5.53 m/k! That is my fastest yet- faster even than the 8km Zoo Run! That is based on the course being 15km, and I am more inclined to believe that it was 14.8 which would still keep me under the 6min/k limit! I was so excited when I realised that I was going to beat last years time - I actually had some go left in my legs which is the opposite of last year where I could barely raise a trot at the end!

When I finished we were shunted into a mass of people that moved ever so slowly and all I wanted was a drink- I didn't drink at all on the course - though I poured one cup over my head. I was hungry, tired, blood sugar was getting low and we were shunted in with all the prams and bikes on sticks- the next person who pushed their pusher into my ankle was going to have that pusher pushed somewhere unpleasant!
After about 15 minutes I was given a bag containing rubbish but thankfully it had a tiny bottle of water in it and some lollies so my patience, tolerance and happy thoughts returned.

I went to Transport and met lots of Ausrunners and Coolrunners- had two beers (or was it three) then headed home (via the fish and chip shop....I know, but I decided I had earned it)

So I am sitting here in my 2XU tights (had to return them and get the small ones!) with my foot in a bucket of ice bricks. So tired and I was hoping the housework fairy might have visited while I was away but she must have run out of time.