Diet Blow Out

Ellie was talking of willpower in her blog today, well I've decided I have none at all. While doing my grocery shop this afternoon I just happened to walk down the confectionery aisle - what are the chances of that? I saw Peppermint Aero Bars on special for 80cents and thought thats too good to pass up. It was devoured before I even made it back to the car to drive home. Not only that, but for lunch today one of my co-workers and I went to Hungry Jacks for lunch so I ate that rubbish as well. I have to agree though - their burgers do taste better (c:

When I got home from work this afternoon I was really tired. I flaked out on the sofa and ended up having a nanny nap for about 45mins. Still feeling guilty about my junk food binge I made sure I ran tonight - it would have been so easy not to. I was going to do a good sharp 10k but once again ended up doing 60mins. I went through 30mins having done 6.3kms and felt great so I upped the pace in the final 30mins and did 6.8kms for a total of 13.1kms. Very happy with that and I put it down to all that energy food I had today.

No more Peppermint Aero Bars - despite being 80 cents!
Listened to Dire Straits 'Alchemy' on the stereo while running today.

Wednesday.
Kms: 13.1
Time: 60.00

Not Too Much To Report

I'm still mourning the loss of my mp3 player and have since taken temporary measures to provide some entertainment until I can purchase a new one. I've put my old stereo a couple of metres from the treadmill and been throwing on some CD's while running. Lara has been eyeing off my stereo ever since I put it out there and I'm sure she's trying to work out the best way for her to put that into a million pieces as well. At the moment she's quite happy to just look at it and bark at it for 5mins and then walk away. Lets hope thats all she ever does.

I was in the shopping centre on Sunday afternoon when suddenly while I was walking I had the sharpest pain in my knee. It crippled me on the spot and I couldn't walk any further. I was petrified and didn't know what happened - it happened while I was just walking, not running, not jumping, not trying to sidestep another shopper. It was that bad I couldn't even bend my knee. I limped over to a seat and sat down. People must have thought I was nuts - here was someone walking along fine one moment and then the next moment trying to hobble off to a seat. So many things went through my head but mainly visions of Rugby League players grimacing when they do their medial ligaments in games and I was thinking whatever happened it was going to mean no more running for a very long time. I gave it about 10mins before I tried to put weight on it and then walked off. I found that after I had taken a couple of steps and stretched it out a bit it was back to normal. Within about 40metres I was walking as if nothing had happened and there was no pain at all. How weird is that???? When I got home I was worried if I tried to run the same thing might happen again so I cancelled my scheduled long run and decided to just run as long as the head and knee allowed. Jumped on the treadmill and had no worries at all. Decided then and there was going to do a fairly hard 10K. At about the 4km mark the knee was fine but I was buggared - I couldnt understand why. I went through the 5km mark at just under 22.20 and knew I was not going to make 10km's so pulled the pin at 25mins for 5.6kms. When I was cooling down I realised that I had left the treadmill elevation setting at 2 (from the previous night) rather then 1 - thats why I was so knocked up!

Monday night I was tired and had very little energy so restricted myself to 9kms at 40mins. Tonight I wanted to get a decent size run in and ran 13kms in 60mins at a fairly quick pace - I felt very good afterwards as well. Listened to my Best of Fleetwood Mac CD on all 3 runs and have killed that. I'm now in the process of looking for another CD. I can't believe how dusty my CD's have become!

Sunday.
Kms: 5.6
Time: 25.00

Monday.
Kms: 9.05
Time: 40.00

Tuesday.
Kms: 13.00
Time: 60.00

RIP MP3 Player

A couple of days ago I was saying how I enjoyed listening to my 80's music on the mp3 player while running. So tonight as I was getting ready to do my run I was searching the house for my trusty mp3 player - I couldn't find it anywhere. I suddenly remembered I left it out on the back patio table. I have a ritual where after I have finished on the treadmill I play ball with Lara (my dog - not my wife or g/f) afterwards - she gets really fired up while I run on the treadmill but she can't really do anything so she loves a good play afterwards. The last time I ran for some reason I took off my mp3 player and put it on the table before I played with Lara but forgot to pick it up when I went back inside. Unfortunately Lara is a destructive dog. If something is not nailed or tied down she will destroy it - and as you can imagine my mp3 player was no exception to this. I went out into the yard looking for it and sure enough it was in a thousand pieces. I'm crushed! Running on a treadmill is hard enough with the mp3 player but without it all I can do is stare at the blank patio wall. Ohh well, what can you do.

No running on Friday as I was totally exhausted. That throws out my little weekly schedule a little bit because it meant I needed to do a run today and I wanted to be nice and fresh for my longish Sunday run. Tonight I did an hour on the treadmill at a fair pace and also had the incline on the treadmill raised. I always run with the incline set at 1, but tonight I had it on 2. Its surprising how much difference that makes - but its all part of a master plan and sneaky secret training.

Saturday.
Kms: 12.3
Time: 60.00

Weekly Km Total: 66.5

New Shoes

It seems to be the time to buy shoes at the moment - I've just seen that Miners and Go Girl have also purchased new shoes. You can tell I still haven't quite graduated to the more elite running ranks, I only bought Asiscs 1110's which I think are one of the cheapest in the running line. I loved my last pair though as they are very light and don't feel real bulky but still give great cushioning. I've tried a pair of Kayano's on a couple of times and they always feel heavy to me and like I'm wearing the box instead of the shoe. I just don't like the feel of them. If I was a little more wealthy I'd buy a pair and give them a go but at the moment its a case of better the devil you know.

I did a good hill run yesterday. Since I conquered Heartbreak Hill at C2S with little difficulty this year I've commited myself to continue to do 1 quality session a week. I've changed the routine slightly now and instead of doing the whole run on an incline on the treadmill, I do 500metres on a steep incline and then 500metres on the flat. I was absolutely spent by the end of the run and staggered at how many extra calories you burn while runnin on an incline.

Tonights run wasn't anything exciting - just an easy session done at 5min/kms. I loaded a heap of 80's music onto the mp3 player. Dont you just love 80's music? A big highlight was listening to Nik Kershaw's 'The Riddle' and Don Henley's 'Boys of Summer' imagining running on a beach somewhere.

Running Research

Yesterday I went into the deep, dark murky depths of my magazine holders to find all the running magazines I've accumulated over the years - the reason for this? To try and find out what exactly a tempo run and speed training is. I am ashamed to admit this but I really don't know.
Since I started running in late November last year my training has mainly consisted of just chalking up the K's. Some days I put a bit of effort into my runs other days I just run slow and steady. But I read the blogs of CR's and read all about the speed training and tempo runs and start asking myself - if I did this would my running greatly improve? I'm happy with my progress but if so many of the people I admire and respect around here do them then I suppose I need to give it a try. So the research will continue and I'm going to try and find a program that appeals to me and stick to it.
Another thing which I need to look at is the crap runs that I do - such as last night. I didn't want to run but dragged myself out on the treadmill. I couldn't get any rhythm going, I felt uncordinated and just was really struggling but battled and then questioned whether or not the run did me any good. I think perhaps I may have been better served just resting.
Tonight I was pretty happy with my run - something that I've concentrated on doing since training for C2S is learning to pace myself and finish the back half of my runs strongly. Tonight I went out with the intention of doing a hard 10km run. The first 5kms I did in a good sharp pace but with plenty left in the tank to finish it off - I went through 5km in about 22-40. The next 5km I really picked up the pace but still felt fantastic. The end result was 10km in 44-15. I'm not sure what that makes the second 5km in (my brains fried at the moment) but I know it was quicker! Its also an unofficial PB for 10km. I ran for 50mins total and just dropped the pace back to about 5min/km to finish the run off.

Monday.
Kms: 8.0
Time: 40.00

Tuesday.
Kms: 11.2
Time: 50.00

Sunday Longish Run

I haven't done one of these in a long while. I'm still deciding whether or not I want to do the Sydney Half- Marathon, so in anticipation that I do decide to take the plunge I thought I'd better start doing some sort of decent long runs. A couple of weeks ago I did a 15km run that didn't feel too bad, so tonight I thought I would run for 90mins and just sit on 5.00min kilometres. Its been quite hot here in Cairns the last few days and I really felt it while running. By the end of it I was absolutely saturated and even the shoes and socks were soaked - running with wet socks is the worst feeling and always gives me blisters. I finished the run doing 18km for 90mins and was very happy. I felt like I could have easily kept on going but didn't want to push too hard too quick.

Ever since City 2 Surf I've been eating a fair bit of junk - very strange for me because I eat fairly healthy. But I have been having cravings for Chocolate quite a bit ( I'm not even a chocky fan) and on Friday night I had cravings for Marshmallows. Starting tomorrow its back on the healthy food train.

Yesterday I had planned on doing a local 5km Cross Country Run that was part of the Pyramid Race Weekend. I got out there a bit late and went to register but was told I was too late - probably a good thing because I just didn't feel up to it.

Friday.
Kms: 8.0
Time: 40.00

Sunday.
Kms: 18.0
Time: 90.00

I'm Feeling Old

Still feeling proud of my City 2 Surf time I was sitting at work today trying to work out realistic times I could achieve for future City 2 Surfs - I was all excited thinking how if I kept on training hard for a few more years anything was possible. The it dawned on me - 'I'm old!' No matter how hard I train in a few more years the body just isn't going to respond and keep going faster. What a horrifying thought!

I had a good sharp run tonight - 9kms in 40mins exactly and feeling good afterwards. Very happy with that and starting to worry that my treadmill calibration is all out of whack. Is it possible a person can run with confidence?

Thursday.
Kms: 9.0
Time: 40.00

Official C2S Results

Offical time: 66.12
Placing: 2890th

Not too much difference from my watch time of 65.55 but would have been nice to been able to say I went under 66mins - I always use the official time in the record keeping.

I did a run on the treadmill tonight - the body has almost fully recovered from C2S and I put that down to wearing my skins the night after the run. One thing I have learned from the past month is that I can get just as fit running on the treadmill as I can running out with nature but I'm always going to be doing it tough in terms of aches and pains once I've done a road run - I might have to start incorporating a road run once a week to try and rectify this otherwise I can see myself doing an injury at some stage.

I felt good once I got going on the treadmill - I've been feeling really guilty the last few days as I've eaten more then my fair share of junk. Its amazing how your discipline can go right out the window once you start telling yourself you deserve it! I had intented to do just an easy 40mins but as I was feeling really good I went for 50mins . Very pleased with myself and glad I had the motivation to snap myself out of my little junk food binge and sloth stage.

I'm going to start logging my km's and times once again. I avoided it the last 4 weeks once I got back into the training as I was afraid if I saw it in black and white I might fear I hadn't done enough and start to overtrain. Now, I wish I had logged it because whatever I did (I cant really remember) it worked!

Wednesday.
Kms: 10.3
Time: 50.00

Post C2S Depression

I suffer this depressing feeling every year that I've done C2S - for weeks I train for it and its always in the back of my mind and usually its a nice little getaway weekend for me. Now, its finished. I have to wait another 12mths to experience that pre C2S feeling which I love so much and it kinda bums me out.
Still not sure of my official C2S time and place. I'm back in Cairns now and its a lost cause even trying to get a Sydney Morning Herald. I'll just have to wait for the website to be updated to find out. I'm still over the moon with my effort and for the first time I actually feel like a runner. Its not a briliant time but its a time I can be proud of to put on the running resume at the moment. I've been trying to size up what my running options are now that C2S has been done and dusted. I need to find a goal to aim for otherwise I'll sit back and live off this achievement for the next 12mths. There is a local 5km cross country event this weekend that I might have a go at but then I'll seriously consider venturing back to Sydney next month to have a shot at the Half Marathon. A couple more weeks solid training and I'd like to think I could run a respectable time in that event as well.
Its been great reading how everyone ran at C2S and my congratulations to you all. I promise to be wearing a Cool Runner cap at my next major running event so that I'll be a little more identifiable.

65.55 - What A Run

Four weeks ago I set out with the goal of cracking 75mins so I could get an A1 start for next year. A couple of days ago I thought maybe, just maybe I could crack 70mins - never did I even think about running 65.55!

I had a reasonably good nights sleep the night before - something that I normally don't do when looking forward to something as much as this. I got to the start line at about 7-30am and met my mate from Cooktown there - he was running in the HSBC group. We stood in the sun for a while and defrosted and then thought we had both better go and line up. As I was walking over to the A2 start I saw a collection of Cool Runners - not sure who everyone was but I did see Tesso and was going to go and say G'day but I saw the volunteers eyeing me suspiciously as if I was going to try and sneak in. While walking to my start line I passed 2 very fit looking CoolRuners and don't ask me how but I knew straight away it was Miners and GoGirl - I didn't say anything because I didn't think they would take too kindly to be pounced upon by some strange guy. Sure enough as they walked past me I turned to look at the back of their hats and it said 'Miners and GoGirl'.
So after standing around for over 90mins we were finally off! The moment I started running I had a feeling this wasn't going to be a good day - my achilles were aching (something that has never happened to me in my life) I put it down to standing around in the freezing cold doing nothing. I decided to just take it easy and it might go away - after about 2kms it did thank god. So I went through the 2km marker in 9mins - way too fast for my liking. I needed to slow down and start reserving some energy for Heartbreak Hill. I slowed down and got to the 5km marker at about 23.30 and was feeling fairly comfortable - great sign and was feeling good about my pace. As Heartbreak Hill approached I passed a Cool Runner wearing a singlet - not sure who it was but I said 'Go Cool Runner' - I would love to know who it was. Got to the 7km mark at about 33mins and was really excited thinking by this stage that sub7omins was definitely on the cards. I think my saving grace for this years run was the fact that I got trapped behind a wall of runners up Heartbreak Hill - no matter which way I zig zagged I was having no glory getting through - it forced me to go much slower then I wanted which in the end was a good thing.
I keep forgetting that once you get through Heartbreak Hill there is still a heap more little tough hills to negotiate. I went through the 10km mark at about 47.30 and was running into a heap of runners which was starting to worry me a little and I was using so much energy and running so much further trying to dodge and weave my way around them. Finally I got to the 13km marker at 60.05 which in my opinion was way, way off because that means I ran the final km in 5mins 50 seconds which I know I didn't do - no way! I gave everything in the last 3km but I knew I was starting to tire, my legs were hurting, I had only taken 1 drink during the whole race and I was just generally feeling like I was going to collapse.
But much to my delight I crossed the line in 65.55 - I was so happy! If I didn't feel like having the obligatory chuck I may have even danced a little jig. As I was waiting to get a drink I turned and was standing right next to CR Kit - once again I didn't say Hi to her as she was too busy talking to a Sydney Strider about her time and run.
Collected my bag of goodies, found my mate from Cooktown - who ran 69.47 I think and spoke of what a tough but brilliant run the City 2 Surf is. Can't wait for next year.
I'm at an internet cafe now and will post further updates once in WARM Cairns. Apologies for spelling mistakes - strange keyboards always stuff me up.

Its All In The Hands Of The Gods

This is my last post before C2S! I'm off tomorrow. It hasn't been the best preparation for the race but I've really put in the effort in the last 4 weeks. This time a month ago I was in a real rut and had serious doubts about whether or not I could even run 14kms. But now I'm cautiously optimistic of running a reasonably good time - anything under 75mins and I'll take it. Tonight I did a quick 5km at about 90% - I probably shouldn't have run it so hard but thats my last run now until Sunday so I thought I'd better at least put in a real effort.

I don't have any Cool Running gear - shame on me! But if I see any Cool Runners I'll be sure to give you a yell and introduce myself if I'm not feeling too shy. Chances are if I run a great time I will be keen to tell everyone and anyone that will listen - so watch out!

Hope everyone has a great day and if you don't do a PB there is always next year! Have a great run and enjoy it!

And Then There Was One ....

I got a phone call this afternoon from my mate that was coming to Sydney with me - he's piked and isn't going. I'm not exactly sure of his reasons but I suspect it had something to do with the fact that he's training has been non-existant for the last month and before that his training was what you could only describe as light. Still even if you don't run a good time the experience is definitely worth it and as I told him ( don't mean to sound like a male chauvanist here ladies so please forgive the very male comment ) 'its a great perve!'

Another solid hit out tonight - 40mins on the treadmill. Another short, sharp run tomorrow and then thats it. Cant wait!

Rest And Taking It Easy

After my run on Saturday night I decided to have a rest day on Sunday. It would have been nice to have gone to Brissy and run B2B but that will have to wait until another year. I can't really see myself forsaking C2S for B2B though.

Monday night I did a quick 8km that felt really good - must have been the day off. Come C2S I am really going to make a conscious effort to pace myself. I have a tendancy to go out way too hard in my races and am always knocked up 3/4 of the way in. But I have a very good idea in my mind what pace I can sustain and complete the run in so its just a matter of maintaining that and not deviate no matter how good or rubbish I feel.

Nothing to report for today as I had another day off because I have a bit of a cold again! Rather then take the risk of making it worse I decided to have another nights rest.

Longish Run

I promised myself I would only do shortish sharp runs 2 weeks out from C2S but tonight couldn't help myself and went out with the intention of doing 10kms. I was feeling great and didn't hit the wall at any stage - by the time I got to 10kms I still had plenty of fuel in the tank and told myself I'd run 12kms and upped the pace slightly. I got to 12kms and was still feeling fantastic so I then decided I'd run 14km (C2S distance) and picked up the pace again. So I did 14kms and said to myself '14kms is such an odd distance lets make it a nice even 15kms' and much to my delight I did the last 1km at 4.00min pace! I'm not going to get to carried away with myself but I could have easily kept going and its a huge boost to the morale knowing that after 14kms I still could do 1km comfortably at 4.00min pace. Now I really have to get a grip of myself ( that sounds a bit sus doesn't it?) and make sure I dont over exert myself in the next few days. I so wanted to keep going tonight and run a half-marathon distance.

If only C2S was all on the flat - that mean mother hill is just waiting to chew me up and spit me back out.

Catch Up

Tueday:
I woke up feeling like crap on Tuesday (snuffed up nose, little bit of fever and headache) but I went to work since I'm a real trooper - the Government depends on me and if I didn't go the whole country would have been thrown into disarray. I think my ordinary run on Monday night must have been because I was coming down with whatever this was. I got home and had a bit of a nanny nap and then tried to do my hill run on the treadmill later that night - it just wasn't going to happen. After about 1min of running on the treadmill I knew I couldn't do it, but I wanted to do some sort of exercise so I decided to turn my 30min hill run into a 30min hill walk which was still very hard work.

Wednesday:
Apart from a bit of a runny nose I didn't feel too bad. I also started my new work schedule which means I start early in the morning and finish earlier in the afternoon - great news (no I'm not being sarcastic) I love getting home early and it doesn't bother me too much getting up early. I also get to miss the traffic which is a big plus. I did a decent run at a nice casual pace. I'm finding at the moment that I really suffer after about 15mins into my run for about 15/20mins but if I run through that difficult period I am ok and feel like I could keep going all day.

Thursday:
Same deal as Wednesday. Started my run feeling great but had a difficult middle section. When the going was getting tough 'Hey Ya' by Outkast came onto my mp3 - never really realised but this a good tune to run with - it really got me motivated. Told everyone at work I was going to Sydney for C2S and got the usual ' why are you going all the way to Sydney for a run?' questions. I didn't bother explaining!