Reward For Effort

It's taken me two days to recover from Sunday's run. Two! Whole! Days! Never underestimate the effect of heat and humidity on how much and how hard you can exercise. In hind sight, it would have been far more sensible to finish at 15k, or even 12. But I am obviously not sensible. My brain said - "Okay, you've got a half marathon in 7 days and you haven't done a long run in a couple of weeks so maybe you should cram one in." All I can say is that Sunday's half WILL be much easier than Sunday's run - or today's, for that matter.

Today was speed session (of course - it's Tuesday and Tuesday is always speed) I'd promised myself an easy session because I was so knackered after Sunday's run, and because I've got a half on Sunday, and because my knee was a bit niggly last week, and because I've got a weird tight hamstring thing that isn't a strain or a tear but it feels tight, and because I only had four hours sleep last night and because today was going to be every bit as hot as Sunday. (Excuses, excuses, excuses) So we do our warm up and get put into pace groups and I start thinking that this does not bode well for running easy. And I was right!

Coach Chris's mean streak is continuing and he had us doing Kenyans again - but not just ordinary, nasty Kenyans ... we had to do 2k Kenyans!! I knew I was going to be in a world of pain. And I was right. The only redeeming feature of this session was that it finished! And my knee didn't hurt, not one little bit. And I probably was 2 kilos lighter when I finished (but not now).

After the session I had breakfast with Jenny. We have it at a lovely outdoor eating area which we have to share with the local wildlife. Today we had to share our table with a butcher bird.

He sat on the back of a seat and watched us eating. Of course I couldn't resist feeding him a small bit of my toast, which he took right from my fingers. He spent some time swallowing it (it was a bit dry and he didn't have any coffee to wash it down with) and then, to thank me he burst into this beautiful song. It was like a birdy flash mob! All the other diners stopped eating to listen and once he'd finished they refrained from applause so he wouldn't be scared away. And I rewarded his efforts with another piece of toast. What a smart bird!

Last Long Run Before Hobart

My knee was a little upset about having to run so many hills last week so Coach Chris banned me from coming to the session that he'd planned today. Personally, I didn't know how the group was going to cope without me - seeing as I am THE most popular runner in the group as voted by them. So I decided to run my long slow route past where they would be running - just to give them a lift. (I did have permission to run from CC as long as I didn't have many hills in the route)

It was interesting running up the river path. We've had a ridiculous amount of rain in Queensland over December - three times our normal yearly average. The dams that were down to 20% capacity are now at 122% (I know - it didn't make sense to me either) The far north has entire towns evacuated and houses flooded to the rooftops. Brisbane hasn't fared too badly but the river path showed where the water got to last week when there were a few king tides. There was debris all over the path - bottles, branches, water weed, and a knee pad. I some places the entire path had been under water and other places still had water lapping at the path.

It took about 10k until I ran into the group (no, not literally) and, just as I'd suspected, they were mighty pleased to see me. Probably a little less pleased when they realised I hadn't brought cupcakes. Seriously, people! Where am I supposed to carry cupcakes when I'm running? They would be crumbs by the time I'd arrived.

I got to run a couple of k back to Southbank with the group but them had to continue on cause there was still a way to go to get home. It was tough going. I was trying to keep my heart rate low and I'd managed to for the first 15k but it didn't matter how slow I ran now, it was pushing 170. And I was ready to be finished. Not the most confidence-building run to have the week out from a race.

When my watch beeped at 20k I stopped and walked the last 200 m home. Then I got on the computer and checked out the temperature. No wonder it was such a struggle - the perceived temperature was 27 degrees C (80 F) at the start and rose to 30C (86F) by the end. And the humidity was 92%. My heart was having to work overtime just to try and keep me cool. Next Sunday in Hobart the start temperature should be about 8 or 9C
and it should max out around 20C (68F) Now that's the sort of weather I like to run in!

Getting A Kickstart Into 2011

I'm sitting here typing with my leg resting on the desk (very lady-like) and an ice-pack on my knee. Today was my third day running some form of hill in a row and my left knee is not happy. It's not really bad and didn't hurt at all when I was running but I can feel it and I'd rather not feel it so the ice-pack is precautionary.

Yesterday Coach Chris threw in a special session. It was a mystery session where we only found out the meeting place at 9 pm (via text) the night before. We knew the start time and the length of the session but not what it was going to involve. Boy did he have a doozy for us.

The suburb where I live is really hilly so that's where CC chose to run. He picked out two of the gnarliest hills he could find and made us run reps up them. One of the streets, Gower Street, is rumoured to be the steepest hill in Brisbane. He had us run that one 5 times. And by run I mean run until you can't run any more and walk the rest of the way. I managed to get to the top (very slowly) 4 times out of the 5 but on the last rep one of the walkers passed me, I was running so slowly.

Gower Street is in a residential area and while we were running it a man was packing up his utility for his day's work. I can only imagine what was going through his head. I'm sure he was questioning our collective sanity - I certainly was.

The other hill, Miskin Street, we only had to run up three times. And we had a cheer squad (a rowdy group that I think hadn't been to bed yet) to give us lots of encouragement. It somehow made it easier to run.

Today's session was hills, which seemed a little superfluous after running hills the previous two days. My legs weren't happy. I could feel the remnants of yesterday's session weighing them down but I put my head down and tried to enjoy it as much as possible. Thank goodness there's two days of rest until I have to run again. The next run is another mystery run - can't wait! (disclaimer - please note the heavy use of sarcasm)

I think CC is giving us a kick start into 2011. Personally, I'm looking forward to a much more positive running year. I'm starting at a healthier level. I've learnt about resting being a fundamental part of training. I've now seen a kinesiologist to get some help with the nutritional side of things. He's put me on some specific vitamins and minerals to help with recovery. (I'm not a big believer in alternative medicine but my sister swears by him so I've decided to open my mind and give it a go) And I've sorted my first race of 2011 - the 9th of January (yes, next week) I'll be running a half marathon from the Cadbury chocolate factory in Hobart, Tasmania. When we finish we get a sample bag - yay!

Christmas Wrap-Up

It was so nice to run - and run hard this morning.After all the indulgence of the Christmas period it was cathartic to burn off a few calories. Coach Chris had us running some pretty nasty reps which involved a hill but I managed to keep my pace really consistent.

A little Christmas miracle happened at our house. If you're a regular reader, you may recall that one of the Rockettes has been clucky. She'd stopped laying and refused to leave the nest and was giving us her most maternal looks. She was actually in a psychotic state, believing that she was the re-incarnation of the Virgin Mary.



Christmas morning came and she got herself off the nest and started scratching around their run again - just like nothing had happened. I'm not sure why or how she snapped out of it. Maybe it was the Prozac I'd been dissolving in her water (just kidding. It was Zoloft which has fewer side-effects - in particular less anger issues and with a face like that we can't afford for her to get any moodier than she already is). Or whether it was the fact that the 25th of December had rolled around and there was no star above her chicken coop and no shepherds had come a-calling and there was not even an egg under her expansive and maternal posterior. I'm just relieved that things are back to normal.

And on another animal note - Nelson, our 12 year old dalmatian was a very naughty boy. He managed to break into Iven's Christmas truffles and scoff the lot. He obviously didn't see the ad on TV which clearly states that chocolate isn't good for dogs.



Luckily there weren't any serious side-effects (the theobromine can cause cardiac issues) but there were a few unpleasant consequences. Let's just say that it WASN'T a Silent Night. And, Iven, I DO NOT FART THAT LOUDLY! Heavens know how Bubbles survived the night. And I'm really glad our Christmas is in Summer and there's no need for a lovely, warm fire.

Christmas is done and dusted for another year. Phew! We survived the over-indulgence and the weather without too much pain. (I haven't dared stand on the scales yet)

Christmas was incredibly wet. We've had the wettest December for as long as I can remember. It's rained nearly every day so far this month. Our dams are full and our soil is sodden and my house is getting mouldy. Yuk!

I was supposed to start the day with a run with Coach Chris. Both of us aren't big Christmas people and I thought a run would give me the shot of endorphins that I needed. But CC piked at the last moment and I just wasn't feeling like running by myself. When the boys woke up we had our gift exchange. I'd given Josh some running gifts - a pair of shorts, singlet and a Nike + Sportsband. He decided that they needed to be used so he, Sam and I headed out. Woohoo! I got my run and my endorphins.



Even though it was rainy it was still pretty warm and humid. We finished the run like this -



Then it was off to my parents' place for lunch. Home for a nap. Then back for the big Christmas dinner - turkey and heaps of veggies, followed by my sister's famous Christmas icecream (chocolate icecream with white and dark chocolate pieces and roast nuts), plum pudding and brandy cream.

This morning we woke to more rain. I started to feel a bit claustrophobic in our damp, dark house so Iven and I went for a walk to the local shopping centre to have a coffee. The walk was just what I needed. It was so nice to see the creek flowing (last Christmas it was almost dry)



and to see the little gifts of nature



I am hanging out for a real run, though. Roll on Tuesday!

Tagged

Tis the day before Christmas and I'm finally all ready. Still not feeling the spirit but at least all the presents are bought and wrapped.

A whole week ago Marlene tagged me to answer a few questions. I know I'm a little late but better late than never.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in 2010?

My best running moments this year were running the Sydney Half Marathon in September with my son Josh and running my first marathon in Melbourne. This year was a lot about survival, not so much pb's. After a bout of over training syndrome I was happy to just be running, especially with the major family/work issues that had to be dealt with.

What are your running goals for 2011?

My goals for this year are to continue to get back to where I was running-wise in July 2009. And to continue to enjoy my running.

What was your favorite race?

Without a doubt my favourite race was the half in Sydney. It was amazing to be able to run with Josh, to run over the Harbour Bridge, around most of the Sydney landmarks and to finish in the Opera House forecourt. Plus my time was better than I'd expected.

What is your favorite holiday guilty pleasure?

Naps! I love making myself some lunch and taking it to bed with me. Then reading till my eyes just have to close. Both my dogs think afternoon naps are a must and join me so it gets a little crowded on the bed. And sometimes a little stinky.

What is your most embarrassing running moment?

My most embarrassing running moment involved an urgent call of nature, a lack of conveniently sited toilets and a fire hose. You've all got imaginations so I don't need to say anything more.

I'm going to tag

Amy
Stefano and
LMC

Talking about running - I've actually done some this week. Speed session was Tuesday and Coach Chris had us do mile repeats again. We did these two weeks ago and they were not so great. I started at 7:09 then things went down hill - 7:17, 7:34 and 7:45. It was a very poor show of consistency.

But this week I was a lot happier with my pacing - 7:09, 7:06, 7:11 and 7:22. I still died a little by the end but the first three were pretty even.

Then we had hills yesterday. The weather has been so wet here that we had to avoid the trails and just stick to the road so we ran the loop of the mountain. It starts with a 2.2k section uphill and then undulates around the top for a while then it's downhill. The first section is tough - I was managing 7 min k's - but you get your legs back once it starts undulating and then you can kick it home. My last three k's were all around the 4:30 mark and they felt great. I wish all my running could feel so good and be as fast. I finished the loop 2 mins faster than I'd done it before!! And I even stopped at the top of the first uphill to catch my breath.

Happy Christmas to Everyone - One Sleep To Go.

Today is the calm after the storm. I have had a massive few days and now, finally I can get my head into the Christmas thing - after I recover a little.

It started Friday. Josh graduated. Woohoo! Unfortunately the day didn't start the best with him and I having a big fight as he left the house. Let's just call it too much stress. He did apologise via text which defused the whole situation and allowed me to enjoy it. This year's graduation, unlike Sam's last year, didn't make me cry. Not sure why.



Saturday started really early. I woke up at 3:30 am for a 5:30 run. Again - not sure why - maybe the anticipation of the work that was ahead. The run was great, a brisk 20k. Then it was home, breakfast, fruit and vegies market then home to get stuck into the real work of the weekend - 4 dozen caramel mud cupcakes for the wedding the next day. Apart from being distracted and letting the first batch catch a little on the bottom of the saucepan, it all went smoothly.

Sunday was another really early start. 3:30am! What the?? I didn't have the alarm set until 5:15 but my bladder and an overactive mind preempted that. It was the squad's Christmas run. We all dress up and run through the streets of the City, often where people are just leaving their party's/clubs and we always get loads of comments.

My outfit - The top


Please excuse the bad photo - I had to take about a dozen to get one where you could read the shirt so disregard the bad hair and the bags under the eyes and the weird expression on my face.

and the hat


Such a fun run, followed by breakfast then the mad dash home to get decorating. The decorating didn't take as long as I'd feared but I had to take the cakes up to the venue without causing any damage. My sister Julie came to my rescue and nursed them while I did my best impersonation of a granny driver and we managed to get them their intact. Then we had to assemble the stand, put on the wrappers and the finishing touch of the hearts. We finished with less than an hour before we had to leave for the wedding and I was still dressed in my Christmas run clothes (sweat included)

Mad dash home for shower, quick change, slap on a little make-up and then off again. It had started pouring by now and we were a little damp by the time we were sitting in the chapel. Lucy arrived and was looking as beautiful as we knew she would, with her two girls as bridesmaids. Dad sniffled his way through the service as we knew he would and we all enjoyed the opportunity to be involved with this new beginning.



When we left the church we realised that it had rained pretty hard.



The reception was lovely but the weather hadn't been too kind to the hearts on my cupcakes. The outline hearts just wanted to lie down and have a rest but I did manage a photo with it looking the way it should.



So that's why I'm tired. Today will be a day of rest.