Another Minute

Had a 6k run yesterday morning. The first morning run (before work) in ages. Remembered that I am usually slow in the mornings (40.31) but it's great to get out there while the bush is just waking up.

Decided to go out again this afternoon while the boys were at soccer training. I wanted to push to see if I could improve on the previous 7k time of 42.39.

The first k took 6.45 which is a PB. The 3 1/2k turnaround was 21.27 and I knew that I could manage a negative split due to more downhill on the way back. I managed a PB for this 7ks of 41.38 (I know that I have never got under 42 minutes).

The great thing is that the average pace was under 6mins, even with the walk at start and end. Woohoo!

Next run will be a longish one. Probably an hour on Saturday morning.

Confidence Booster

Managed the 16ks yesterday afternoon. It was pretty slow (about 7 min pace) and I was very tired for the last few, but I did it. I really needed this one to ensure myself that I have a hope of making 21ks.

It's strange that now that I have built up again (the last 16k run was nearly 2 months ago) I have to start tapering. Next time I will be more prepared.

Only 2 weeks to go.

Photo Blog

As promised I took a walk this afternoon with the camera in order to show you where I run. I can't really call this places I run, as I run the same route most of the time. So I guess this is more like things that I look at while I run.

After fiddling around trying to do this I might make this Part1 (don't think I've got enough time to do much more today!!).

Here goes:

This is the first creek crossing, only about 400m from home. It's a bit hard to see the bridge from here. At this stage I get a little taste of downhill before it's all uphill for the rest of this kilometre.

Apparently there are a pack of marauding wild dogs in the area at the moment! (Note the hint of sarcasm). So most of the neighbouring properties are putting out 1080 baits. It is nasty stuff so I have to watch out for Pip.

Obviously this is a termite mound. I get to see heaps of these on my runs. Note the surrounding lantana which is a big problem around here.

I was hoping that this photo would show the hill here better. It gets quite steep here for a minute.

More poisoning, this time for foxes. This sign has been on the tree since 2005 so I'm not sure how effective it is now.

Look how flat it is! Unfortunately it doesn't last long, about 400m.

I love it when I get back to this spot. It is about a kilometre and a half from home and it's all downhill from here. Pip just got into this one.

On the last bend you can just see our house through the neighbour's paddock.

Well that was fun, if time consuming. Our internet is quite slow (although it will be quicker soon) so those photos took ages to download. I had plenty more photos but that will have to wait for another day.

ORN: I did the same 7k run yesterday and made it in 42.39 (over a minute faster that Wednesday). It felt like it was harder but I guess that's cos it was!

In health news: my thyroid levels are pretty good (so the medication is working) but I need to have some more tests as my liver function is still elevated. I stupidly googled all the things that were listed on the pathology slip (some nasty stuff, although I was interested to notice that it includes a coeliac screen). I also have to have an ultrasound, but don't need to see the doctor for 4 weeks so I guess it's not urgent.

Long run tomorrow - aiming for 16 ks if I have time.

Fun Run

Another enjoyable run this afternoon. I got to the first k mark in 7.12 which is unheard of as I walk for 2 minutes to warm up and then it's all uphill for the rest of that kilometre. I was feeling really good and the next k was under 6 minute pace. I tried to focus on keeping it up and did pretty well apart from a slight lapse on the fifth k where I was still under 7 minute pace.

All up 7ks in 43.47!! The only niggle was a cramp threatening in the right calf. I haven't run since Sunday so the knee was fine.

It is hard to believe that I can do this again. Although I was not too keen on taking medication I have to say that it has had a huge impact on my health. I go back to the doctor tomorrow to check my levels. Do you think I should tell her I have just signed up to do a half marathon in three weeks?

Scott - I have been inspired by your plan to post photos of your running spots so keep your eye out for some (of mine) here. It's great to be able to visualise where my fellow bloggers run. The only problem for me is that my camera is too chunky to run with so I will have to take it when I go walking.

Happy Girl

Woke up feeling good this morning and as G wasn't fishing (due to a cold) I decided to have my long run in the morning. It was the coolest morning we have had so far, but crisp and clear. As I didn't head out until 9.30 the chill had gone and it was really pleasant.

I decided to run for 90 minutes and just see how far it took me. I forgot to look at my watch until the 3k mark and was just under 7 minute pace and feeling very comfortable. I decided that I would do the straight up and back route, which I haven't run since the terrible run on Good Friday (the start of all the health problems). It was great to run this section again as it takes me across the creek two more times and is very pretty.

Even the scenic view hill didn't faze me this morning and that kilometre took 9.12 (which I believe is PB for that HILL). I continued along at a very consistent pace up until the last 2 ks where my left knee decided to play up. I really had to hobble the last kilometre with it threatening to give way.

I was a bit annoyed about the knee but will not dwell on it. It didn't actually hurt and it feels fine now. So far as me heart and lungs were concerned I could have powered h0me the last 2 ks. All up the time was 90.29 for 13 ks (just under 7 min pace).

I was very happy with today's run. In fact I think I am happier to run 13ks today than the first time I ever made the distance. Not being able to do it gives you a much better appreciation when you can.

Happy Birthday to D for yesterday. Twelve years old!

That's More Like It

Managed to squeeze in an 8k run this afternoon before it got dark. they have started grading the road which made it interesting once it was nearly dark - like powder in places with roots, rocks and even barb wire mixed in.

The time was 54.08 which is not too bad as this run took in the easier half of my favourite hill. I felt pretty good most of the way apart from a cramp that was threatening in my right calf. I don't usually get cramp while I run but I guess that I have not been doing too much lately. This is the first week that I've managed two mid-week runs in ages.

The weekend will be busy with D's birthday so I will aim for the long one on Sunday afternoon and might even have a short one Friday afternoon.

I felt good yesterday when I was talking to my yoga teacher about only running 5ks on Monday afternoon, there were a couple of new women there who sarcastically remarked "only 5ks". So I should still be pleased that I can do what many people cannot even conceive of doing. Must send that entry form off soon!

Wireless

G finally worked out how to get the wireless network going, so I am now blogging from the comfort of the lounge on my laptop. Woohoo!!

Am making an effort to eget the kilometres up again this week , but slowly. Only had half an hour this afternoon before it got dark so I got in a quick 5k run (respectably under 7 minute pace).

Spoke to a fellow runner at work about the half. She recommended that I need to get in a few long runs before then so I'm not too sore. I will run again on Wednesday afternoon and do a long run on Sunday afternoon.

I also need to stop eating rubbish this week.

Mothers Day

Having a lovely morning. Very spoilt with gifts and attention. I am feeling very full after a breakfast of pancakes. Thanks boys!

Had a walk that became a run yesterday afternoon. Seven ks all up with about 5 of actual running. Felt pretty good throughout.

Have been reading a book which advocates a gluten and dairy detox to improve your autoimmunity. Might give it a go but definitely not until after the half. The book was written by the woman who wrote the liver cleansing diet book.

Happy Mothers Day to any mothers reading this.

Couldn't Resist

I know I said ... well the heart rate was down a little this morning so I decided to have a nice easy paced run this afternoon. Only 6ks at just under 7 minute pace.

Apart from being a little breathless (it is a teeny bit hard to get enough air in, although breathing in through my nose seems to help) I felt pretty good. The good thing about not running much lately is that the achilles niggle has settled down a lot.

If my resting heart rate is reasonable (mid to low 70s) on the weekend I might try a 10k run. I am also thinking that maybe I will do the Half Marathon in June, but just not worry about training too hard for it (in other words just keep doing what I am at the moment) and just take it easy on the day. After all it is only 3 7k runs strung together. As long as I don't have any more nauseous episodes.

Come Clean

Time to 'fess up. There are a few things that I have not mentioned in this blog, I think for fear of having to face up to them myself. My running/fitness has not really been al plain sailing lately.

The last three Saturdays after running I have not been well. Last week I was very hungry and thirsty when I got back so I had three drinks and a few snacks in a short period of time. A little while later I felt very sick and couldn't eat dinner (I think pretty much the same thing happened the week before). Then last night I was putting on the vegies for the roast when I started to feel faint. I called out to G to put them on and walked down the hallway to the bedroom and nearly fainted when everything started to shimmer. Luckily I know the feeling well and managed to lie down before-hand. I managed to eat a little dinner but felt wiped out for the rest of the night.

I spoke to me sister-in-law who is a GP yesterday afternoon (after my run) and decided to ask her about whether I should run as I had forgotten to ask my doctor on my last visit. She said that I should wait until my heart-rate is back to normal which should only be a couple of weeks. Otherwise I could risk a thyroid storm (this is not nice) and it's not good to put your heart under that much stress.

So, it's time to be sensible. I need to stop pushing myself. G seems to think that I can just walk the half when I get tired but I know there's no way that I want to walk it (it just seems pointless - what is the challenge?). I also know that I wouldn't beat last year's time for the 10k. Whereas if I run the 10k with J it will be fun and a good challenge for him. We will make a reasonable time based on the 6ks we ran the other week as it's a nice flat course and time doesn't really matter.

Or I can see what happens when the medication starts to take effect. The problem with this is that it will only leave about three weeks to train properly. I still have a few weeks to decide before I send the form in.

My big goal for this year was to run a half marathon. So, if I miss this one I will do another one...maybe Sydney in September. That sounds like a more sensible plan.

A Good Cheat

I talked myself out of a mini-long run today and decided that I would walk for an hour instead as I had some pretty bad stomach cramps (those rotten monthly ones). However, about half a kilometre up the road I decided that I would run from the 1 & 1/2k mark (it's a lot flatter from there for a few ks) as the cramps had eased off.

So it ended up with 6ks of running and 2 ks of walking. Nice! This is a great cheat to remember for those days when I don't feel like it as the first k and a half is the least enjoyable part of the run. It always takes a while to get into any run but this section is pretty much all uphill.

Was also thinking about not attempting the half in June but G has kind of talked me back into it. As he pointed out I only want to do it for me (not to try and win!!). It is just frustrating that I know I was a lot fitter a few months ago. I really wanted to make a good job of it, not just finish. Any thoughts? The other option is to do the 10ks with J (my 9 year old son).

Thanks for the comments and suggestions left on my last post. I am going to order a copy of that book Scott as it looks good.

Tired

Back to the doctor (again) today after having the scan on Tuesday. Apparently I have Graves Disease (sounds worse than it is) and I have to have medication. So, on the one hand I am happy that things should improve I am not all that happy about having to take medication. I am one of those people who only take panadol a few times a year. This medication I have to take twice a day and it will take a while to get the dose right, which of course means more trips to the doctor (and more blood tests!!)

However, as the title suggests I am very tired at the moment and have lost some weight (which I would normally be happy about). So I have only fitted in one run since Saturday. Just 6ks yesterday afternoon which I completed in under 42 minutes. I actually felt quite good during the run but nearly collapsed from tiredness a few hours later.

So hopefully this medication will start to kick in and I can get back into training for the half marathon. It is on the June long-weekend so I hope that I will be fit enough.