Nothing Happening Here

28 May 2007

I treated myself to a rest day, given that I had ran for 9 consecutive days and had definitely broken the 10% increase in training rule.

29 May 2007

I had to commence a diet of clear fluids only in preparation for some minor surgery on Thursday. Sean had incorporated this in my program so I was instructed to just "cruise". I met Katie and Peter and did a nice easy lap of around the park and then ran two laps of the lake. I had a couple of people offer words of encouragement as they rant past me during their time trial, not knowing I was in "cruise" mode. When Kerry finished her TT I joined her for another lap of the lake.

30 May 2007

No exercise today.

My Rendezvous with 6 Foot

26 May 2007

When Blue Dog decided to run 12 Foot, I made a foolish statement that I would like to do that one day. So after some thought I decided to head up to and do part of 6 Foot. I have not completed any long runs for a quite a while and was a little unsure if the body was up to the challenge. I had tossed around a few ideas about what sections to run etc.

I watched the start and drove to Caves Rd. I then ran from Caves Rd to Pluvi and back, a total 24km at a comfortable pace and just enjoyed the trails. I returned to car at Caves Rd and waited for the runners to come through. I had taken a few drop bags to Caves Rd and looked after a few backpacks that the runners left with me while they ran the 14km to Jenolan House and back. After I saw Blue return to the car on his way back to Katoomba I then drove down to Jenolan Caves to pick up a couple of people who opted for the 6 Foot option.

We returned to Explores Tree waiting for everyone to return. Based on the times the guys ran and how well they looked at the finish I believe the "Aussie Assault" at WS100 is shaping up well.

27 May 2007

After what I consider a Sunday sleep in, Blue Dog and I both ran the Botany Bay Bolt (4km xc) treating it as a "recovery run". I ran with Katie and "Baby Rowell" and then sat around and enjoyed the company of the "Morning Squad" whilst we watched the presentation and lucky door prices.

Things Have Changed

24 May 2007

Speed session today, although there was not much speed out of these legs today. Sean is definitely playing mind games with us this week, Tuesday it was Big Bertha in reverse and today every second rep was in the opposite direction. This is a lot for the brain to comprehend early in the morning. I did 5 x 500m reps and can honestly say I had no top gear at all today, I think I was last across the line each time, but at least I was consistent. However, I am just really happy to back training again! At the end of the session I decided to advise Sean of my running plans over the next couple of days, he gave me the green light and told me to really enjoy it. Very excited!

On another exciting note, I managed to my hands on two pre-sale tickets for Bob Dylan's concert in August 2007. Blue Dog and I are both huge fans so we are very excited.

25 May 2007

Tonight my running club, Sydney Striders, is having it's annual presentation dinner which includes Kerryn McCann as the guest speaker so I arranged to meet Kerry and Deanne for an early morning run. We did a comfortable 7.5km around Centennial Park.

I have now ran for seven consecutive days, and can honestly say the glute injury seems to have recovered and is holding up well with the training. Unfortunately, I had a minor set back with my cold, and I am scheduled for day surgery next week so hopefully all the desruption to training will so be behind me.

Wake up legs - today it's Hills.

21 May 2007

I joined Blue Dog for a nice run after work, but I did remind him I only wanted to take it easy, but we both have difference levels of "easy". We did our usually 7.4km circuit. I was a great night for running the water in Botany Bay was like glass, perfect water skiing conditions. We did an average pace of 5:44/km and finished off with some stretching.

22 May 2007

I arrived at Centennial Park and it was still very dark and nobody in sight, so I did two laps of the lake as my warm-up as I know nearly every foot steep along the lake so their was no fear in doing a face plant. Today's session was Big Bertha, but today we did it in the reverse direction with a little sneaky. I did 10 laps and finished in 25:44 minutes, nearly 2 minutes slower than my PB, but I was happy. I received a couple of compliments on how well I was running and that I was looking strong, so I have got be happy with that. Finished with another 10.5km in the bank.

Afternoon Delight

After watching everybody at the SMH Half Marathon this morning it was my turn to go for a run this afternoon. I really had now I idea where I should run and how far, but I then bit the bullet and decided to jump in the deep end and do one of my favourite local runs. Around Kogarah Bay, through Carrs Park, Blakehurst, across Tom Ugly's Bridge, Sylvania Waters, over Captain Cook Bridge, along Botany Bay then back home. A total of 15.7km with average pace of 5:40/,km. I was very happy and felt strong throughout the whole run and was pleasantly surprised, I was doubting I would go the distance.

Test Run

Ventured out the door with Blue Dog this morning for my first run in seven days and it felt great. My legs felt so fresh and thankfully I am only suffering from head congestion now, the chest felt pretty good. We did a nice run along around Botany Bay and I just enjoyed the fact I was running again. We did 7.5km with an average pace of 5:40/km which felt very comfortable.

One of Blue Dog's drinking buddies is an "Immortal" of Rugby League, is about to launch a new brand/version of compression tights onto the market. We were both given a pair to trial and provide feedback, so today I ran in mine for the first time. I was very impressed.

My New Goal

After my time off with injury and now illness, I have finally managed to set my new goal. After much debate between a road or trail marathon today I decided on the Fitzroy Falls Marathon. After some discussion with Blue Dog and some advice from Sean it feels good to have a running goal again and get stuck into some solid training, I have been feeling a bit lost lately.

The new program will kick off tomorrow!

SMH Casuality

There is absolutely no running or exercise of any type to report here, except for the 10 minute walk to the Doctor's surgery yesterday.

Saturday afternoon I finished up a with temperature and felt absolutely terrible and not great company. Sunday was even worse when I began vomiting blood. However, I put on a brave face for Mother's Day and had lunch with my family and then straight back home into the PJs. The Dr has given me a Medical Certificate declaring me unfit for work until Thursday, which he believes may be extended.

I'm not even going to consider lining up for the SHM now. I would prefer to conserve all my energy for regaining my health, after all our big trip is very soon.

It's My Hens Day

Yes that's right my hens day. Even though Blue Dog and I are legally married we are planning an extremely tacky Vegas wedding whilst were in the States, so us girls didn't really need much of an excuse. So today we are off the races which should be great, the only problem is have a shocking cold and was awake half the night. But I'm sure it won't rain on our parade.

I went for a run yesterday with the Blue Dog and felt terrible, I have been battling a head cold for weeks, but now it has finally reared it's ugly head. I was given strict instructions not to even consider running today.

Anyone I'm off now to back a winner!

Razor is Awesome!

7 May 2007

Ahhh Monday's = rest days. However, I went to the gym last night and did a Spin Class. I was a bit concerned at first as the instructor was new and I found the warm-up track a little subdued, however as we progressed the session I was pleasantly surprised it was a great session. I finished with some core work, and for some strange reason push ups!

8 May 2007

Hills this morning, Wild Walter in fact. I arrived early to do a couple of laps of the lake as a warm up to ensure I didn’t send my glute into shock. I managed to get through 8 reps although the times were very ordinary (2:10, 2:06, 2:12, 2:17, 2:08, 2:06, 2:08, 1:56).

9 May 2007

This morning I meet Deanne and Alan at 5:15 for our midweek long run. Gosh I couldn’t believe how long it had been. We ran through Centennial Park, towards Oxford Street, into College Street, and then did a loop of SMH half marathon. It is always good to have a bit of a course refresher, and we spotted another Squad member doing the same (name withheld for confidentiality reasons). I really struggled in the last couple of kilometres, but managed to make it back to the Park in one piece. We did a total of 19km with average pace of 5:50/km.

Tonight I’m off to the presentation night for the Relay for Life. Our team, Happy Feet, will be collecting a couple of trophies. Should be a good night, I am looking forward to Razor’s acceptance speech. Razor’s dinner is on me after such an awesome effort.

Building Up

5 May 2007

Under instructions not to race the Striders 10km, I enjoyed a nice easy run around North Head. This course is always spectacular, but even better when you are just running so you can really take it all in. Katie agreed to run with me to keep me honest and ensure I didn't go out too hard. It was very pleased to see some deserving PBs, (Deanne, Professor, and Mary).

We finished off a great morning with a coffee on the beach with a few friends.

6 May 2007

My first long run since 25 February 2007 and I had 2hrs 20mins on the program. I did think this was a little odd, and decided to pull the pin when I had enough. I managed 90 minutes (15.5km) and decided that was enough for the day, and was quite happy with the distance. Just as I was about to leave the Park I ran into Sean, so I questioned him about my program and advised him I only did 90 minutes. Sean advised me 90mins was great, he had obviously made an error on my program (a sigh of relief).

I was really happy that arrived home feeling pretty good, and I had no signs of any stiffness or soreness during the day.

Some Hard Work Ahead

This week was the start of my new program, my first one since March and after the weekend's activities I was very happy Monday was a rest day. I was truly buggered.

1 May 2007

Four Lap time trial. I was a little unsure how I would go given that I have not done any speed work since 20 February 2007, and still feeling a little fatigued. I took off a little too quick at the start but then settled into a bit of a rhythm. I finished in 29 minutes flat (average pace 4:58/km), not too shabby but I have lost a fair bit of speed. I then did a cool down lap and as I finisihed Sean call my time and quickly corrected him advising that was my cool down.

2 May 2007

Unfortunately I had to miss my run, even though it was only 30 minutes, but I was in Deniliquin and Blue Dog suggested I give my run a miss particularly when I was not familiar with the locals.

3 May 2007

This morning I had 7 x 500m reps. I was little unsure about the number of reps, but soon discovered Deanne was also programed for the same session. Sean then advised anybody racing on Saturday should only do 4 reps, unfortunately I'm not racing (on running) so 7 reps it was. I was very consistent, I finisihed last in 500m group each time, however it was interest to watch the some of the faster runners go past cutting corners. My times ranged from 2:19 to 2:26 with most of the reps ran in 2:25. A long way to go!

I spoke to Sean after the session who commented I looked strong, and will take me at least 4 weeks to get back a bit of speed. I also asked about the SMH 1/2 marathon. I had already entered prior to the injury and really didn't want to just donate my money, I suggested my option of running 1 lap hard and DNFing or just treat the run as a training run. Sean suggest I treat the half as a training run, as $70 it too much to pay for a 10km run.