Checking In

Have neglected this blog for long enough! Don't worry I'm not sulking about the half still:)

The running has been fairly slow and steady and I'm not really sure what the rest of the year will hold running-wise.

I had the gastroscopy two weeks ago and saw the specialist briefly afterwards. She said that the coeliac looked 'okay' (but still needs confirmation from the biopsy result) but that I have an ulcer. Over the two weeks since I have had lots of stomach pains, grumbles, gassiness, etc (I think that's enough information). I have no idea if this is related to the gluten or to the ulcer, or to the ulcer reacting to the gluten. I go back to the specialist tomorrow (a sick day!!) to get the actual results which will hopefully be enlightening. This time I am going to write out the questions that I want to ask beforehand as I tend to forget once I get there and then they continue to nag at me afterwards.

This has all had an impact on my running. I have still been 'getting out there' but I quite often have a stomach pain or nausea (forgot that little symptom) and despite actually 'wanting' to do some speedwork I haven't been able to do it. I have also found that I get a bit nauseous on my long runs too. So at this stage I'm not sure whether I will train for another half this year or not. I see no point to having another mediocre performance as that is too disheartening, but unless I can do some speedwork and get in the long runs I know that is all that I will achieve. I could do the City to Surf with J (which he is keen to do) but I'm not sure.

So I am trying to keep up a weekly long run of 10-12ks so that it won't be too hard to build up again if/when I get these issue sorted out.

Bugger

The day started quite well apart from the bad night's sleep and J coming in at 4.40 to say 'the race is on today'. A little bit of an upset stomach but I felt okay by the time the race started. I started in front of K from work who was going to try and crack her PB of 1.58. The first k was a little slow (5.54) but it did take 20 seconds to get across the starting line. I sped up for the second but already had a feeling that it was going to be hard to sustain the pace. My legs felt rubbery and I just lacked energy. The first half wasn't too bad apart from the head wind. I went too fast up one hill and actually felt a little nauseous for a while afterwards. I knew then that I wouldn't be able to push it too much.

I got to the turn around in an hour and 44. not too bad but I was going to have to speed up to reach my goal. I missed a few markers after that and got to the 15k mark in about 1.21. at this point it was still doable but I was starting to struggle. Nothing specific just a general lack of energy. By the time i got to the 16k mark I knew there was no way that I'd beat my time unless I ran my fastest 5ks and that was very unlikely to happen.

the rest of the race was a struggle. I started to take a wrong turn (luckily someone called out) and I must have looked like I was struggling as a few people tole me "Don't give up yet",
You're nearly there', etc. By about the 18k mark I felt like crying in frustration and it was an effort not to walk. I got overtaken by those who still had some energy and only overtook those who were finding it even tougher than I was for the next 3ks. It was already over 2 hours by the time I got to 20ks. An old gut tried to race me overtake and race me for the finish line - I must admit that I sped up and he said 'that was mean' and let me go first (not sure why I felt compelled to race at this stage but G said that I was running well at the end!).

The final result: 2.07.29. I am fairly disappointed but I must take what consolation I can get. I learnt how to really hang tough and I didn't walk. I know that I need to do the speed work if I want to get faster so that is something I will try to fit in.

As for J - 10ks in 49.59!! He came second in his category (10-13 year old boys) and the boy who came first was much older and fast! He said it was the most fun race he has ever been in and he managed that with one shoelace undone for much of the race. I think I have found my running partner.

Don't want to edit - sorry if there are mistakes!

Done

I've had my last run before the half - 5ks with J this morning. I got to work and noticed a slight sore throat (G has been sick this week, J had a day at home and D was home today) but I am ignoring it and hoping that it will go away.

After the half on Sunday I get to eat gluten for a week before my gastroscopy. That means I can eat kitkats, timtams, decent bread!!, lindor balls (is there a theme developing here?), go into a abkery and choose anything and drink beer (not that I'm a huge beer drinker but a cold one might be nice after the race). I'm sure there are other things that I have missed and if anyone has any suggestions. Then after I have the test I am going to cut back and then be weaned off my medication and hope that the Graves Disease has gone into remission. If not they will kill my thyroid with radioactive iodine - I know which option I prefer.

As for the race plan. I just need to keep to pace for the whole race. I'd like each 7 ks to be run in about 38 minutes. This should be achievable but I need to make sure that I concentrate as that is where I lost it last time. That, and try to take note of the kilometre markers so that I will know if I am on pace. I also need to get to the turn around in under an hour. Last time it was just over and that was hard to take mentally - I'll feel a lot more comfortable if I know that I am not trying to make up time. I know that a huge part of the race is overcoming the mental barriers so I need to stay strong and remember to use the hills to my advantage (not that I am actually racing anyone but myself!).

Earlier in the week there was a flood warning for the Macleay River (the race is the Macleay River Marathon) and some flooding around here too. The forecast is for showers on Sunday, hope it holds off until later in the day.

Two Mediums

The plan for the weekend run was a fairly quick 10ks as the half is only a week away. So I did my 10 on Saturday afternoon after we were all back form travelling around the countryside to kid's soccer. then on Sunday j decided that he needed a run as he is doing the 10k next weekend. So I broke my unwritten rule and ran two days in a row, this time it was 8ks. J coped really well with the distance (his longest run ever) and he should be able to run the whole 10ks in under an hour which is his goal. I don't want to suggest that he tries to beat my 10k time of 54.49, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he might. He is pretty excited and it was fun to talk about the race with him and to give him some advice.

I am still formulating my race strategy, but thinking that pacing myself well will be the key.