Running Uphill

Yes

2009-08-22T06:45:00.002+10:00

... it has been a while.

The very brief story - the Graves is back which I'm not happy about. The good part is that I went to the specialist thinking he would recommend radioactive iodine which I had my mind set against. He was great - said nobody would make me do anything I don't want to. So I'm back on the medication and also back on a gluten free diet (I'm willing to do anything that might help).

I took a complete break from running to let my heart rate settle (while the medication kicked in). This was while we went to the Territory so it worked out pretty well.

Just back into it over the last few weeks but work has been busy (bringing lots of work home) so this week I haven't run since Sunday. I'm really taking it easy on the runs and trying not to let my heart rate get over 170 - so taking lots of walk breaks. This is a really nice way to run I have to say!

No real running goals at the moment just letting my health get back to normal (also low on iron at the moment). But I have to say that it is good to be running again. I'm yet to to see the gastroenterologist about the other tests. I go to see her in a few weeks, but I'm assuming that all is fine.

Disappointing

2009-06-13T08:08:00.002+10:00

Nearly a week later here is my race report:

Woke bright and early noticing that I had a slightly upset stomach (not just nerves but a bit sore feeling). I took my resting heart rate (as I couldn't get back to sleep) and it was 169, higher than the usual 156, but I just put it down to nerves. I hadn't had the colonscopy (as they had postponed it) so I was feeling reasonably confident of a PB - apart from the stomach and the heart rate.

Getting the family ready to go (J was running the 10k too) was a struggle. I had hoped to get to SWR in time for the start of the half to see a friend start but D (my 14 year old non-runner son) was grumpy at having been woken early and didn't want to go. G made him but he dawdled and we set off about 15 minutes later than planned. G was driving my car (the non 4WD) and got it bogged on the front lawn which is very boggy due to all the rain we've had this year. A quick change to the 4WD and we were finally off.

G dropped J and I off and went to find a park with about 10 minutes till race start. This year they had decided to have racing chips so I was madly trying to get J sorted and then myself so that I could make another pit stop at the loos. We were ready about 2 minutes before the gun!

The race started and J took off like a rabbit. I told him to run his own race and not to worry about me. I could see him for about the first two minutes then he disappeared from sight until we passed each other after he turned around.

I felt okay for the first half, I was aware of my stomach feeling uncomfortable, but I was chugging along. I got to the turn around in 27 minutes - If I could just maintain my pace I could beat my previous time of 54.49.

I'm not sure what happened in the last half. I wanted to negative split, but every time that I tried to speed up I just couldn't sustain it. I followed a young woman and we kept changing places, then I followed a tall man and tried to overtake him in the last kilometre but I just didn't have any oomph left. Both of them beat me.

My final time: 55.24 (J's time: 53.21). I missed my PB by 30 seconds but I just couldn't do it.

Some reflections:

I really didn't train well for this race. Partly because of the wet weather we have had this year and partly because I thought I was having a colonoscopy two days before, up until a week before the race.
Did no speed work and not enough long runs.
I lost 1 and a 1/2 kilos in the week before the race - with no change to diet ( a bad sign)
My resting heart rate has consistently been high for over a week now and the weight has stayed off, not sleeping well either. it looks like my remission from Graves Disease might be over which would explain it all. Graves causes a nigh heart rate, muscle weakness and general fatigue.

Yesterday I ran for the first time since Sunday and my heart rate shot up into the 170s very rapidly, it even reached a new high of 187 (on an uphill but not pushing hard at all).

Yesterday's run: Distance: 7km, Time: 45.47, average heart rate: 172.
Last time I ran this distance (about 2 weeks ago): Time: 42.44, average heart rate: 160.

I am going to see the doctor in over a week's time (she is very hard to get into at this time of year). In the meantime I will take it easy on my runs and walk when my heart rate gets too high - I did notice yesterday feeling very breathless on the hills and at one stage I could feel my heart rate becoming irregular and a generally heavy feeling in the chest. Not happy but what can I do?

Endless Options

2009-05-23T08:26:00.002+10:00

All Dressed up and Nowhere to go
Blame it on the Rain
Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head

I usually struggle to come up with a fitting post title but today it seems that the options are unlimited. Not a great deal of running to comment on this week as, once again this year, we have experienced flooding. Yesterday I had my third day (for the year) at home because of flooding. This is not a bad thing in itself, but it is annoying to have a day at home but be unable to run because:
a) it is pouring rain
b) the road has turned into a mudslide/creek in places
c) the bridges are under water
d) the wind is blowing huge gusts that, when combined with the soggy ground and massive trees, make the road quite dangerous

Despite the fact that I have only run once this week I am feeling quite positive about my running at the moment. I have been steadily improving my times and have been able to keep the niggles at bay (probably cos I'm not getting out much!).

Have signed up for the 10k at the Macleay River Marathon in two weeks, along with J (who I will struggle to keep up with as he clocked a 13.40 for the 3ks at his school cross country). As I write this the Macleay River has a major flood warning on it so that should be interesting. The major problem I face is that I am having a gastroscopy and colonoscopy two days before this race. So I may end up walking it or having to take it easy if there are any after effects. I mainly signed up because J and I decided months ago that we would run this 'together' this year, so I didn't want to disappoint him.

It's been a while

2009-03-29T07:57:00.002+11:00

Time sure flies. Have intended to update this blog but I didn't realise it has been quite that long.

I am still running (just haven't been blogging) and I have managed to stay injury free by not increasing my distances too radically.

I have decided that for the time being I am going to stick to 12ks longest run. This seems to be a good distance for me. I can run it without getting too fatigued, which is when I lose form and my niggles start to get worse.

So much for those thoughts of entering a marathon that I entertained for a while last year. I have realised that I enjoy running too much and don't enjoy walking around with sore knees and a sore back the rest of the time. So if I can keep running (and enjoying those runs ) then that is the most important thing.

I will probably enter the 10k run at the Macleay River Marathon in June. J is going to do it again and I am hoping that he might push me to a PB. I have only run a 10k race once and my time was 54.49 (that was 3 years ago). J (who was 10 at the time) ran it last year in 49.50.

She's Back

2009-01-11T07:32:00.002+11:00

I did it. I actually took a break (for 26 days) and ran again yesterday. My niggles all settled down during the break although my knees were a bit sore just walking at first.

Yesterday I ran 5 kilometres. I wasn't sure what to expect and so was pleasantly surprised that my fitness hasn't suffered too much. I half expected to have returned to when I first started out running. So it was good to be able to run the whole way, although a little slower than usual.

Of course I was on the alert for the slightest twinge from anywhere. It's amazing how many twinges you can have - tight right heel, sore tendon in right foot, but thankfully the knees were fine. I could feel a little tightness in my lower back throughout the run, not really a pain more of an awareness of that area.

It was great to get out in the bush again after being in Adelaide, Victoria and Canberra for the past few weeks. So nice to see all the familiar trees!

This morning the only tight area is in the groin/inner thigh area. Although my lower back is a little sore and gives the occasional little spasm. It's not too bad compared to others I know with back pain but it does concern me.

Thanks Scott for your concern. When a rest was suggested to me I reacted the same way as your initial comment but I am pleased to say that it seems to have been a good thing. Good to realise that your fitness doesn't totally vanish in that time period too, although I'm sure that if it was any longer it would have.

Lulu, I have never been to a physio but I have been considering it. I am a little concerned about finding one that won't just tell me to stop running. I might ask my work colleagues when I get back to work.

So what will the new year hold? I just looked back at my goals for last year and I don't think that I met any of them. So this year I will simplify it and just aim to keep running. The marathon plans are on hold for now. I really don't want to keep battling with various injuries/aches/pains. I just want to keep enjoying running.

Resting

2008-12-17T06:43:00.002+11:00

I have been having ongoing knee issues over the past few weeks and now my lower back is quite sore too. My last long run was a walk 1k, run 1k (for 10ks all up) but the right knee was still sore after that.

A work colleague (and fellow runner and triathlete) yesterday suggested that I have a rest from running for a month and I am seriously considering it. The only thing that really worries me is that I won't start again. I might forget how much I love it or just decide that it's not worth it.

We are actually heading off to Adelaide tomorrow so it might be a good time to just focus on walking with a bit of swimming.

Anyone have any ideas?

Catching Up

2008-11-17T19:11:00.003+11:00

After my busy week things have settled down slightly, although I am off to Sydney on Thursday for work, so this week's training will be disrupted again.

On Sunday of last weekend I did my longest run in a while. Fifteen kms or 25 laps of the creek flat! This was a mixed run. The first 6ks took 35.00 mins (quite quick for me), then I slowed down a little and started to get a bit of pain in my left knee which was quite sore by the last 3 laps (but I kept going as I really wanted to get to 15kms). All up this run took 1.31.47 which is a much better time than my last few 14k runs up the road (usually about 5 mins slower), but of course it is much flatter down there.

The knee has been playing up a bit since, strangely this seems to happen mostly when not running. So I have been taking it pretty easy with the running for the last week or so. The long run for this weekend was only 8kms and very easy.

The knee is feeling better today so I think I can probably get back into it this week (around work commitments which means at least one night away).

Thanks for the feedback regarding training and a program - I printed off the FIRST plan which looks ok, but I also like Scott's idea of planning around getting the long runs done (I guess they are the important ones). Still, that can all wait for the new year, when things will hopefully be less hectic.

Run Work Run Work

2008-11-02T07:10:00.003+11:00

Happy to report that the Graves Disease is still in remission. The doctor was also very happy to note that my heart rate was in the 50s and my iron levels back to normal. So now there are no excuses. Except for work, life,etc.

Have had a very hectic week at work and worked all day yesterday, today off, then the next 6 days straight. Plus I am working in Coffs for the next week so that means 2 hours of driving each day. Thankfully they have opened up a new section of highway (finally) which means that it is about 10 minutes quicker.

On the running front I managed two 5k runs in the morning this week and walked three mornings (as I worked late a few nights). I am always slower in the morning , even walking. It takes a while for everything to wake up and for my achilles to loosen up.

Yesterday I managed a 10k run (after work) which will have to suffice for the long run as is a bit busy - picnic lunch for MIL's birthday today (although I'm not sure that the weather is going to cooperate so it might be lunch at a restaurant).

Still mulling over the marathon plan. The most pressing questions are: should I follow a program? (I have a very strong aversion to any kind of plan for some reason, so maybe need to develop my own) and can I do it on three days a week? (this will be hard when not daylight savings as there is often only enough daylight to get in a 5 or 6 k run and I think my mid-week runs will need to be longer).

I don't plan on getting into this seriously until January and my goal is to complete it comfortably (as in without suffering too much, having to walk, or worse) but to get to the start feeling as though I have done enough preparation.

Any suggestions from those more experienced that I would be greatly appreciated.

What a Difference

2008-10-10T07:52:00.000+11:00

Yes, I am still here. No, no blogging doesn't mean no running.

The iron has made such a huge difference to my running that I admit to feeling a little foolish not to have realised how important it is. The lack of iron was causing my heart rate to get high with the slightest extra effort, hence my runs were getting slower but feeling harder.

Have been feeling so much better (apart from a rotten cold - my first for the year) that I have even started to harbour a secret desire to run a marathon next year. When announced to the family last night it was greeted with a groaning 'No' from G and 'What's the point of running one marathon?' I explained that I would probably do a half as well, in response to his suggestion that I try to get my half time down. His reasoning was that he didn't want me to turn into a scrawny-looking marathon runner. I had to explain that scrawny-looking marathon runners generally have that body type to start with which is why they make such good marathon runners. The boys didn't seem bothered either way but J (a sometime runner too) gave me a wry smile when his Dad started complaining.

The plan is to maintain and slowly build upon the current fitness and then start a program in January sometime. I really just want to be able to finish comfortably and run all the way. The plan is to either run the Macleay River Marathon (June) or the Gold Coast (July) which really depends on holiday plans we have to go to the Territory in the July holidays next year.

At the moment my long runs are about 14kms (1.38.00) with two other runs of about 6-8ks each week. I am still taking it pretty easy till I go back to the doctor next week to check on iron, thyroid, etc.

Now I just need to shake this damn cold.

Doh!

2008-09-01T18:02:00.000+10:00

Another week of gentle plodding and some mixed health news. I managed a total of 16kms (over 3 runs), plus about another 12 or so of walking. Yesterday I ran up part of Mt Yarrahpinni. I have been wanting to run up there for years as it's only a short drive and a beautiful area (although quite steep in parts). The boys dropped me off at the bottom and I ran about 7 ks to meet them at one of the creek crossings. I saw a train on this run (very unusual as I rarely even see a car or motorbike) and had a few encounters with farm dogs. One of which was quite funny - I picked up a stick to fend it off just in case but decided to offer it to him instead when he ran up wagging his tail. He took it, ran off into his yard and looked back as if to say 'Aren't you coming to play?' The last part of this run was fantastic - once I got into the National Park. Beautiful trees, including lots of palms and cycads and the last kilometre was all downhill (after some walking on the preceding uphill).

The great news healthwise is that my thyroid levels are normal!! The not-so-good news is that I am really anemic. Luckily on my previous visit to the doctor I had mentioned that I was really tired (thinking it was to do with the thyroid) so she checked my iron levels. They are at an all time low so I am now on double the iron dose to try to build them up again. I feel pretty stupid about this as I really should have known. I have been anemic enough times to read the signals by now: extreme tiredness, pale around eyes and nail beds virtually white, some pins and needles in hands and feet. As my yoga teacher says 'Listen to your body' - it was trying to tell me but I wasn't listening very well. The good side of this is that at least I generally respond well to the tablets (apart from the unpleasant side effects) and now hopefully my running will improve again.

So, I have finally decided that I won't do the Sydney Running Festival half this year. I really need to continue to take it easy until the iron picks up.

An interesting side effect to note is that my left foot has been getting tingly about 3 ks into each run for the last little while and last week on one run my left hand got tingly too. Obviously you need iron to carry the oxygen around properly. Note to self: No it isn't your imagination, take note of symptoms and act accordingly.

Wildlife

2008-08-25T17:58:00.000+10:00

Life seems to have been getting in the way of my running (and blogging) somewhat over the last week. I managed only 2 runs last week and no long run. When I ran on Saturday afternoon it was extremely windy here so the only option was the creek flat. The plan was to do 20 laps (about 12ks) but my stomach was really playing up so I quit running at 10 laps and walked another 5. I finished my stomach ulcer meds last week and the stomach was settling down.

Still I did manage a 14k long run the previous weekend which was good. I have a new plan for myself to get over my running/energy slump and that is that when ,y heart rate gets over 170bpm I am allowed to walk until I either get to the top of the hill or it goes back to 160bpm. Strangely this is having a positive effect on my enthusiasm levels. I want to run if I think it will be enjoyable. I started on this plan as I didn't want to jeopardise my Grave's remission (and heart palpitations were one of the first symptoms I noticed when I first became aware of the Grave's). Now I just need to find the time to run!

As for the title I had some good wildlife spotting last week: an echidna (seen and patted while out walking), a python (seen by me and patted by the boys - it is living in the ceiling near the chimney) and 2 eastern grey kangaroos (we see thousands of wallabies, no exaggeration, but very few kangaroos on our road).

Scabbly Knees

2008-08-03T16:33:00.000+10:00

Still plodding along. My running has been slow but consistent. Today I managed a 10.2k long? run down the creek flat. I didn't want to go too far as G is away at the moment (somewhere off the coast of NSW in a friend's catamaran) and I didn't want to be too far from home if the boys needed me. I was pleased to run this in 1.07.47 - under 7 min pace for the first time in ages! The quicker pace was helped by it being a lot flatter than my usual hilly route. I used the Ipod but am wondering how people cope with running on a treadmill. This was 17 laps of a 600m circuit with birds, wallabies, trees, kids, dog to look at and it was still a bit tedious. How do people run on a treadmill? I guess it must be like swimming laps where I used to get into the zone and it was a bit like meditation. I prefer running up the road where I have little choice but to run home again when I get tired.

In good news my thyroid levels are perfectly normal and I have been off the medication for three days. I know this is early as it takes a few days for things to get out of your system but I am feeling fine so far.

As for the title of this post? I had a spectacular fall about a week ago while out running. Was trying to do a tempo run, going downhill at the time, glanced down at my watch ever-so-briefly, caught my foot, propelled forward and had one of those moments where you think 'This is gonna hurt' and it did. I shredded the knees of my favourite long running pants, not to mention the skin on my knees and hands. My right knee was quite bruised too as I went down hard on it. It is coming good now just over a week later so I guess I can be excused for a few slow ones this week.

No Whinging

2008-07-21T17:05:00.000+10:00

Okay I think my last post was a bit of an 'Oh woe is me', so time to look on the positive side.

At this stage G still thinks I am doing the half in Sydney so I won't bother to discuss it any further with him until I am sure. Maybe I should do it just for more race experience...

Last week was a better one exercise-wise. I am still running pretty slowly but I didn't have any real shockers. I got in plenty of walks as G's sister and her 4 boys were up from Canberra (and 6 boys under the age of fifteen need plenty of exercise)

Monday:6k run (39.15 HR 155)
Tuesday: 13k walk (3 ks with Pip, 5 ks up beach & 5 ks over the headland with boys)
Wednesday: 7k run (47.28 HR 157)
Thursday: 5k walk
Friday: 10k run (1.10.13 HR 158) & 6k walk over to Middle Head and back
Saturday: 5k walk
Sunday: 6k run (low heart rate run on creek flat 44.18 HR 148)

Back to work this week but at least the days are a little longer now which helps with squeezing in the afternoon runs.

Giddy

2008-07-13T10:05:00.000+10:00

That's how I'm feeling a lot of the time at the moment. I went back to the specialist and she confirmed that I don't have coeliac (good news), however I do have a chronically inflamed stomach with lots of little ulcers(not so good news) which the pathologist believes may be a result of the thyroid medication. She has put me on some medication which has several unpleasant side effects including headaches and nausea. As a result my running has been pretty slow this week. I have been getting out there but not really achieving what I would like to do.

Monday was an attempt to do some hills/speedwork where I tried to run hard up the smaller hills. This was okay (I think the nausea was better then) but for the total 8ks my time was very average. Then an easy and very slow run on Wednesday - 8ks at about 7 min pace. Friday was a long run (as I'm on holidays) but I think that my stomach was still too full from lunch (even though I waited 2 hours) and I felt really bleugh and had to walk up the short side of Killer Hill and then do 1 minute run/2 minutes walk up the long side. The average pace for this 10k run was about 7 1/2 minutes and I was exhausted when I got back.

So, at this stage the idea of doing the Blackmores Half is not looking good. I do not want to do it if I cannot attempt going under 2 hours as it is a big inconvenience to my family for us or me to go to Sydney and I would want to at least give it a good crack.

Fortunately I am only on the strong dose of this medication for another week or so then reduce to half that for another 4 weeks. I am also going back to the GP to check my thyroid levels in about 3 weeks and then probably attempting to go off the thyroids meds altogether (with the possibility that I may have to have radioactive iodine to kill off the thyroid if the Graves hasn't gone into remission).

So basically I am just grateful to 'get out there' at the moment and think that the best plan is just to enjoy the running without specific goals for the time being and see what happens over the next month. I should know a bit more by the start of August and can make a definite decision then.

Checking In

2008-06-30T17:49:00.000+10:00

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

2008-06-08T16:15:00.000+10:00

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

2008-06-06T17:08:00.000+10:00

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

2008-06-03T06:44:00.000+10:00

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.

Chaotic

2008-05-26T06:54:00.000+10:00

That's the only way to describe my work at the moment. A week off when I went to Adelaide meant a week of catch up last week. This week will be slightly better.

Mum is doing really well and building up her (very slow) walks each day. I was the dutiful daughter and left them with lots of meals in the freezer, a defrosted freezer, clean house, etc. I managed some good runs in Adelaide including a 16k run on much flatter ground than usual. It was faster than usual but felt hard. I think partly because I ran past the house at the 10k point and felt like giving up then. I bought new shoes whilst there, Nike ZoomVoomero - they are great. They feel so bouncy that you want to go running!

Back home again to some shorter runs - I even got Pip to come on one as nobody had walked him while I was away(slack). Then Saturday was long run day. I decided to go in the morning so as to best fit in with family activities. I wasn't sure if it would come off as I woke up at 4.00am with an excruciating cramp in my left calf. It was still tender when I got up but surprisingly felt fine once I ran at about 8.30. In fact the only time I noticed it was when I started walking for my cool down. It was a beautiful run: great weather, lots of bird calls, no traffic and the niggles were fine. The new shoes went well and I managed 18ks in about 2 hours and 5 minutes.

The half marathon is in two weeks and I need to work out my race plan. Last year I sat behind K who I work with until the last few ks when I went past, but missed my goal time. This year she is planning to beat her best time of about 1.57 so I guess I could do the same. The problem is if she is going too slow which is what happened last year. So I guess I should just run my own race and try for a negative split which I find hard. I know I haven't done the speedwork that I should have, but other than that I feel better prepared than last year when I was waiting for the thyroid medication to kick in and sort out the heart rate issues. Any suggestions?

In other news J came 5th in the district cross country and is in the zone this Friday.

Why won't blogger accept the real time (Australian date and time)?

Update

2008-05-08T23:49:00.000+10:00

Just a quick update while I eat my brekky. Things have been going well running wise. 16ks last weekend at a slow but comfortable pace. This week has been quiet with only one run so far. I got up early to run this morning and my right ankle was sore. This is quite strange as it was fine yesterday, but after my run on Wednesday I had this prickly sensation right where it is sore today. It is not too bad but I decided that I would leave the run till this afternoon and see how it goes today. Walking around seems to help and it mainly hurts when I rotate it.

In other news my mum had to have a heart bypass (involving 5 arteries) last week. This was very sudden as she just went in for a test on the Monday and they did the operation on the Wednesday so it was a bit of a shock to her (and the family). Her family has a history of heart disease and she had a heart attack about 10 years ago so I guess it wasn't totally unexpected but just very sudden. So I am off to Adelaide for a week tomorrow. Not sure whether I will get a long run in but I will certainly get in a few shorter ones. No access to computer (but given my recent efforts that won't be obvious).

What blog?

2008-04-23T08:42:00.000+10:00

Time sure flies - I hadn't realised it was that long since I had posted. Thanks for the prompt Scott!

Running news

I have run a couple of long 15k runs over the last few weeks. They have been fairly slow but comfortable.
The entry form for the Macleay River Marathon arrived last week so I now have a goal race to prepare for. It is on the June long weekend and this year they are giving away a free T-shirt to every runner if anyone is thinking of coming up this way. My goal is to go under 2 hours!!
J won his cross country at school running 3kms in 13.54. Not a bad time considering his nearest rival was about a minute and a half behind him. He is considering running the 10k at the Macleay (just for the free T-shirt!)

Other news

J got hit by a falling tree. Luckily it just glanced the side of his head and one ear, but it knocked him off his feet.
D survived his first term of high school and even enjoyed it. It has been a big transition from a school of about 80 to one of about 550.

Have to go to take a friend of J's home. The friend's mother is going to give me a foot massage as she needs practice for her naturopathy course. Promise I will blog more frequently.

Consistent

2008-03-31T11:31:00.000+11:00

A much better week this week, running-wise that is. Helped by a holiday on Monday which saw a 6k run (not the planned long run as we decided to also go for a bush walk/poke around up in the bush). Then Wednesday should have been speed work but my left calf was quite sore so I decided on an easy 8k run (not that easy with one half of killer hill to contend with).

Yesterday I finally did a long run, clocking up 14ks, which is my longest run this year. It felt good to get up in the bush again and there was no traffic at all so it was very peaceful. The time was slow - 1.37.19, with a big positive split (the first half took 47.05) but the second half includes killer hill and yesterday it felt at times as though I was running on the spot. That kilometre took nearly 10 minutes (possibly a PW) but who cares? I did it and I enjoyed it. My average heart rate for the run was 157 which shows that I took it easy (it's usually up in the 160s on my shorter runs). Apart from some chaffing I feel fine today with only a slight ache in the left calf when I walked Pip.

THis week
Run: 27km
Walk: 15.5
Total: 40.5
Year Total: 450.6*

* Am under my target at the moment, if I want to run and walk 2008 in 2008, but this should pick up as I start to run longer over the next few months.

Life Begins

2008-03-23T02:51:00.000+11:00

at forty doesn't it?

Not sure about that but my life has been pretty crazily busy since then. I've had the last two weekends away (including going to Sydney on my own to see Billy Elliot with my sister) and have had something on every afternoon, after work, this week. Ah, it is bliss to stay home over Easter and today I am going nowhere.

Unfortunately my running has suffered this week with the hectic schedule. It is too dark to run in the mornings at the moment. I managed to get out for a decent 6ks on Monday afternoon. This was a good run as it included a 4.51 (I think that's a 1k PB) and my legs felt really strong. Yesterday was in complete contrast; the legs felt heavy, my feet felt sore and my achilles was whining. Plus it was quite humid. But I did it! Only 7ks. I was tempted to run up the aptly named trail but ran out of time waiting for a thunderstorm to disappear, plus we has 2 extras for a sleepover so I thought I'd better not go for too long.

The plan is to do a long run on Monday, probably 13ks again. Then try to get back into some consistent running this week which should be a lot easier.

Tick, tick, tick

2008-03-07T15:45:00.000+11:00

Time sure flies doesn't it? Have been meaning to blog but things seem to have been hectic around here lately. I have been finding time to run, of course. Had another good 13k run last weekend - faster than the last one and much less humid.

Yesterday was a speed session so I decided to do a 5k time trial. I felt heavy and not really comfortable fr the whole run, in short it just felt hard. But, I managed it in 29.09 which is a good time (for me) and included about 600m of walking (total) for warming up and cooling down. I even managed a 4.57km!!

We are off to Glenn Innes for the weekend for my birthday. We will be doing lots of fossicking for gems, but I don't think I will be getting in a long run somehow. Will need to update my profile when I get back as its a big one. Had a b'day morning tea at work and many colleagues couldn't believe I was that old!

Company and Conversation

2008-02-24T07:05:00.000+11:00

Have been intending to blog all week but this have become a little hectic around here.

I'm just back from my 13k long run. That is the longest I have run this year. It was an extremely humid run, 96% humidity before I set out and about 28*, which made it seem hard. I started out slowly and knew that it would stay that way. The road was even boggier than last week as we have had even more rain but it was good to do the three bridge run again.

The title of this post is due to the company I had out in the bush this morning. A Parks and Wildlife guy was up there spraying lantana. I called out to him so that I wouldn't scare the life out of him. He commented that it was an awesome place to run and I had to agree. Then on the way back I ran past a group of 4 who were checking out the creek, one of them said 'Jeez you must be fit' and another one warned me that I had a good run ahead (he didn't realise that I had already come down that way and was well aware of the rather large mountain ahead!). It was a novelty to exchange a few words and kind of nice in a way as it can get pretty lonely out there at times, and of course a compliment is always welcome.

Killer Hill was pretty slow today - 9.10, and all up it took 1.28.31 (under 7 minutes/km so that's okay) but I wanted a negative split which I missed by 50 seconds. Still I am happy considering the mugginess.

Stump to Stump, Trunk to Trunk

2008-02-15T13:37:00.000+11:00

Catchy title eh?

I actually did an interval run yesterday and it was okay. I didn't really decide what to do until I started running. I warmed up for the first kilometre and a half, then decided I would pick a pair of tree stumps (the bush here was logged extensively several years ago) or a pair of tree trunks that stood out or even a termite mound or two and run hard between them then rest until I was ready to go again and repeat.

I still ran the same ol' 7k route, but it felt a lot harder. I managed to get my heart rate up to 185 briefly (at least I know I was working hard on that one). Overall I was only 15 seconds faster than Monday afternoon but it felt like it was a lot harder. It was also extremely humid - by the time I got back my eyes were bright red from perspiration running into them.

I learnt a few lessons:

It's not that bad (really it's not)
slow down in mud puddles because they can be slippery
Cheap tissue tucked into your bra on a humid day's run soon turn into pulp
Bugs in the eye hurt more when you are running faster.

Getting Longer

2008-02-11T12:26:00.000+11:00

Managed to increase the kilometres of running this week including a 12 km run yesterday. This meant running the nice section through rainforest along the creek which is flowing well at the moment. There were some nice squelchy sections due to all the rain we have had and the road is much more like a trail in parts. I felt pretty good afterwards (I took it easy) and woke up feeling fine today. The achilles has reared its ugly head again but is no worse than usual.

I felt motivated to get back into it after chatting with a colleague earlier in the week. She runs about as well as I do (although she has managed a half in under 2 hours) and is training for her first marathon in the middle of the year. She runs with a couple of friends and she says they have a pact that they are only allowed to use an excuse (for missing a run) once. I decided to make the same agreement with myself. I promise myself that the only excuses allowed are if it isn't safe to run (apart from illness or injury). Although I guess my problem isn't getting out there it's just that when I do I tend to always run at the same pace. I just don't enjoy speed work! So I need to find a way to incorporate some variety (ie speed sessions) where I will actually do them! Does anyone have any suggestions?

Weekly Roundup

Run: 25km
Walk: 15km
Total: 40km
Year Total: 215.6km

Soggy

2008-02-05T01:43:00.000+11:00

Wet here again all weekend. Got out for a 10 k run in light drizzle on Saturday afternoon. Was a bit slower than last time (66.39, HR: 161) but managed to run the two halves very equally. Also managed to give myself some new chaffing spots from the heart rate monitor which look very attractive! Then yesterday I took Pip for a 5k walk in the rain. It was quite warm and very enjoyable to walk in the rain. We have had so much this year that there are some really cool fungi around. I must take my camera with me as thay really are quite unusual and some of them are quite beautiful (in a fungi kind of way).

D had his first week of high school and seemed to enjoy himself (only got lost once). He also managed to give himself a mallet finger while putting his hand in his pocket on Monday night. This is where the tendon in the end joint of the finger can't be straightened. Fortunately it was his left hand as he has to wear a splint and can't use it for 4-6 weeks. He is devestated as this means no guitar!

Weekly Wrap (for last week)

Run: 22km
Walk: 15km
Total: 37km
Year Total: 175.6

Do I Really ...

2008-01-28T11:28:00.000+11:00

have to go back to work that is?

Have had a good week of running. Managed to get in 4 runs including a 10 k run up big mountain (formerly known as 'killer hill') which felt good. I also had a good walk up one of the steepest mountains close to home and realised that walking up and down mountains must be the best exercise there is.

I realised after this morning's run that I am feeling excited abut running again. The last few runs have felt good. I was even reading a marathon training plan this morning (just out of interest no definite plans in that direction).

This Week

Run: 28km
Walk: 12km
Total: 40
Year Total: 138.6

Home Again

2008-01-25T02:55:00.000+11:00

Back from our quick visit to Adelaide (made even quicker by a cancelled flight due to low cloud/rain in Coffs which meant arriving a day later than expected). I had a nice time and managed two runs while there. It was nice to run in a dry climate but it was very windy on one of them. Caught up with lots of family except two niece - J very disappointed to only catch up with 16 out of 18 cousins these holidays.

Yesterday I finally had my appointment with the gastroenterologist (5 months later) and will have to have a gastroscoscopy sometime in the next 3 months to get a definitive diagnosis of the coeliac. The great part about this is that I get to eat gluten for a week or two before the procedure. I am already planning the pizza, beer, bread, real muesli, Lindor balls, etc (see how deprived I am). It will be interesting (and hopefully not too unpleasant) to see if the gluten has much effect.

I also managed a run yesterday before heading off to the appointment. 7 ks up the road in 42.43 - av. HR: 168. After the appointment I managed a marathon of sorts - buying D's books for high school. I learnt a valuable lesson - go to the newsagency. They are so much better organised than Big W (and similar prices) and also check out second hand book stores. I accidentally stumbled across the atlas needed for $6.00.

Weekly Round Up (for last week)

Run: 13KM ???
Walk: 16KM
Week Total: 29
Year Total: 98.6

Scott - you will need to look closer ... as in behind the tree (in the brown murky water:)

Monday Morning

2008-01-15T03:34:00.000+11:00

Can anyone guess what this is?

Ran 7ks yesterday at about 6.00PM and it was still about 29 degrees and felt hot. I took it easy and was pleased that my average heart rate was 158 (which at least reflected that I was taking it easy). Time in zone (according to HRM: 28.47)

Weekly Round Up

Run: 20.6KM

Walk: 21KM

Weekly Total: 41.6

Year Total: 69.6

Off to Adelaide with boys tomorrow for a week. I will be running but not blogging as my parents have no internet. I'm looking forward to some dry weather (sorry Adelaideans!) as it has been a very humid start to the year here.

I Choose Dingoes

2008-01-09T13:27:00.000+11:00

The title reflects my new running mantra. At times I can get a bit freaked out when running and I'm not sure if it's my overactive imagination or running solo in the bush that does it. At the moment the cicadas are crazy-loud, you feel like you are in a science fiction movie and it is very hard to hear anything else. It is a little disconcerting as I rely on my sense of hearing to figure out what is going on around me while I am running due to the many twists and turns my road takes. So I am easily spooked at the moment.

So what do dingoes have to do with all this? As long time readers would be aware I have had quite a few 'encounters' with dingoes whilst out running. Admittedly the most threatening they have been is either following me for about 5 minutes or just staring at me before running away.

About a week ago while running up the road I came across a dingo only 500m from home so I decided to run down the road (decisions, decisions). The run was okay but as I came back up my own driveway our next door neighbours' (on the down the road side) two fully grown male rottweilers came growling at me out of nowhere and scared the heck out of me. Luckily the neighbour was out on his mower ... I had picked up a handful of rocks and yelled at them by this time.

So the upshot of all this is that dingoes are much less scary than fully grown rottweilers and so I will run up the road and stop being paranoid! I usually love it up there but I think those cicadas are sending me crazy.

Today's effort: 8.2ks (the longest one in a while) in 52.29. I'm happy with that and am still figuring out the heart rate monitor - accidently reset it when I got back today and didn't get to look at the data first.

Sunday Snapshot

2008-01-07T05:16:00.000+11:00

Some wild weather and rough seas in this part of the world this week.

I will need to increase the ks this week but I blame the weather as it has been very wet here. Apparently our road was cut off but we have been at home blissfully unaware. This morning's run was extremely humid. I am still figuring out the heart rate monitor and need to adjust it again. My average was 165.

Weekly Round Up

Walked: 15k

Ran: 13k

Week Total: 28k

Year Total: 28k

New Year Goals

2008-01-06T03:03:00.000+11:00

Decided to keep the goals few and simple in the hope that I might actually be able to achieve them. I am turning 40 this year so being fit and healthy is even more important.

Cover 2008 kms - running and walking.
Run at least 2 half-marathons.
Complete a half-marathon in under 2 hours (luckily I saved this one for this year!)
Complete a fun run with J - maybe the City to Surf.
Use this blog more (I will need more running talk now that my car pool buddy and fellow runner S is moving interstate - I need that running talk as everybody else finds it really boring ... I wonder why?)

I think that will do. I have had one run with the heart rate monitor and it was mostly in the 90%s. I remember from aerobics when I was about 19 that my heart rate was always higher than everyone else's. I will have to figure out how to adjust it.

I have already started the 2008km goal but didn't get out yesterday as it rained all day. It means that I have to walk or run 5.4 ks per day on average so it should be achievable if I am consistent.

Reflections

2007-12-31T03:42:00.000+11:00

It's time for a quick look back over 2007 before starting to think about some new goals for 2008.

My first half marathon: I was just so glad to get out and complete this one. After being diagnosed with Graves Disease about a month earlier and the related racing heart and loss of fitness I was happy to complete this one and pleasantly surprised with a time of about 2hrs 3 1/2 minutes.
The diagnosis of Coeliac Disease on top of the Graves meant a change to a gluten free diet. I survived my first gluten free Christmas thanks to G's family (his sister cooked a gluten free pudding and another sister bought me a gluten free cake!). I'm feeling much better overall now.
The second half marathon: this one was a little disappointing. Knee pain for the last third of this race meant missing my goal by 3 seconds. I am reassured by the fact that I know I really hung in there just to keep running all the way.

I guess they were the major running related events of the year. I enjoyed the longer runs and the commitment paying off with being able to complete a half marathon.

G gave me a Polar heart rate monitor for Chrissy. I haven't run in over a week due to a chronic chest infection (passed on by D and the G, thanks) so I have only done the walk test. Was meant to be done on a flat course but I went up the road anyway and the analysis was 'good', whatever that means!

I have a new route to try out after checking with a neighbour that his dogs are fenced in. There is actually a road off our road only a couple of hundred metres from our door, but I have never walked, run or even driven on it in the five years we have been here! Exciting!

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T02:13:00.000+11:00

It is great to be on holidays at last, but wouldn't you know it? I have come down with a horrible chesty cough and general feeling of lethargy. However, as D has pneumonia a few weeks ago and G had a chest infection last week, I guess I can hardly be suprised.

Fortunately I don't feel too bad and am not bed ridden or anything like that. But, I haven't been running since last Thursday as I feel like there is a big rock in my chest and the thought of running does not appeal at all. Walking is okay.

I hope everyone has a good Chrissy. We will be out at the in laws with 30 for lunch (that is just siblings and their families plus G's parents). Fortunately they live by the beach so there will be swimming and beach cricket at some stage.

J's comment this morning "I wish that my tiredness would neutralise my excitement" - in relation to the wait for Christmas.

151

2007-12-13T14:50:00.000+11:00

That's the number of posts so far, not the number of kilometres or anything.

I have been running a consistent three runs a week now, although my longest run this week has been 5ks. It has been pretty humid up this way and I didn't get out till too late for a long one on the weekend.

Went back to the doctor today. She had the coeliac checked out and it was negative this time which means that the gluten free diet is working. My iron levels are also back to normal (finally) so I can stop taking iron and my blood cells are normal size. The thyroid info hadn't come back so I have to ring about that tomorrow.

It has been a bit of a crazy year health wise this year but I think it has all been related to the coeliac disease, I am sure that it triggered the Graves Disease. So it is great to end the year in a positive way. Maybe time to start thinking up some new running goals for 08. Now that's a scary thought. Have to get through the next little busy patch first. Any ideas what to buy for teenagers who have everything?

What?

2007-12-03T13:16:00.000+11:00

Not quite sure what blogger is doing with my posts at the moment but I guess this one will appear under the other one as it's still not December 11th! Thanks for pointing that out Scott, I hadn't even noticed. Are you still blogging?

Yay - I managed 3 runs last week, finally back to normal. Today I only had time for 8 ks as I had to make lunch for the inlaws. My MIL has just had surgery for breast cancer so we took lunch over: gluten-free vegetarian lasagna, regular lasagna (for the boring folk) and a pavlova.

The run was good. Loads of cicadas buzzing away. They were even drowning out the birds.

A weird thing happened on one of my early orning runs this week. There was someone walking up the road. This is really strange as it was about 6 am and this road leads into the bush. You do reach the nearest village but it takes about an hour in the car, in other words it is a very long walk. Judging by the way he was dressed (I only saw him from behind and I don't think he saw me) he was not exercising. I am not happy about this! It is very isolated up there and I like it that way. It is one thing looking out for dingoes let alone people.

Anyway I have been up there three times since and no sign. Good.

A busy week at work (again, sure I'm not the only one) but I will need those runs for stress release.

Hello

2007-11-27T13:16:00.000+11:00

Yes I am still here. Things have been pretty hectic around here and I have spent three nights away for work (one in Coffs and two in Sydney) since my last post.
I have run a few times, not as much as I would like, but ten ks on Sunday afternoon made up for it. It felt good to get out there again and the beauty of not running much lately is that I felt no pressue to run fast. Slow and steady felt good.
This week should be more normal workwise and the plan is to get in the three runs of normality.
I notice that some of my favourite bloggers seem to be having a break (from blogging at least ) too. Is everyone hanging out elsewhere in cyber space or sticking to the real world? I have to admit that when I get busy I find it is much easier to read blogs than write them.
When I was in Sydney last week I had a little walk across the bridge as I got to Kirrabili too early ( no I don't work in politics). It brought back memories of my last visit there and those three little seconds. See, I have still have some fire somewhere, now I just need to rekindle it a little more.

Monday Monday

2007-11-12T13:46:00.000+11:00

The last week has flown by in a blur of driving and working. Some very intense days, so it will be nice to settle back into the routine, for a few days at least. I get to go away for a couple of days at the end of the week but this time it will be much more relaxing (ah, I can siwtch off for a while - a conference).

I managed to get in one run last week on Thursday but was way too tired for more. Plus the rain gave me a really good excuse. Then yesterday I had my longest one in a while. Ten ks including revisitng 'Killer Hill' which I hadn't run since September. It was nice to get out there again, but I felt a bit nauseous for the last 2 ks. Not sure why, could have been hunger or dehydration. Had to walk one steep section.

Plan on getting back some consistency this week. The leg pain was still there as a dull ache yesterday, but it didn't get any worse which was good.

I have to share J's dream with you as I found it quite amusing and it probably reflects the media saturation of the moment. It was the day after the election and apparently John Howard had turned into a green alien and Kevin Rudd had turned into a weird thing. the weird thing one.

A Typical Sunday

2007-11-05T15:38:00.000+11:00

The day started with a relaxing morning. G and D went fishing so J and I hung out at home. When G got home he had to go down the creek which is immeadiately below our house. A few minutes later he appeared telling us all to come straight down to look at 2 platypus. I was skeptical - I've never even seen one platypus in the wild before. Well, there certainly were two and we think that they were mating. I got to watch them roll around and bite and wrestle with each other for about 20 minutes (from about 5 -10 metres away). I got some photos and video - bugger, I wish I had a better zoom lense, I would have had some fantastic photos. This was certainly a once in a lifetime! Will post a photo when I have time.

Then off to the in laws for lunch and french champagne. It was MIL's special b'day.

Then an 8k run. Not the best ever but the longest for a while and the leg pain wasn't too bad.

BTW 2P if you read this can you explain the stretching advice you gave me again. Do I push the knee straight down or toward the ground? Didn't notice any clicking and I love a good click!

TV

2007-11-01T13:37:00.000+11:00

Blogging in front of the TV.

I've had a couple of runs since my last post. Last Sunday I ran around Wahroonga in my new shoes: Asics Gel Nimbus. It was okay running around the burbs and the shoes were good.

Then this morning I had a 5k run at about 5.30. The pace was pretty slow but the shoes feel good.

My foot problems seem to have disappeared for the time being but I'm still getting pain down the back of my leg. I have revised my diagnosis of sciatica as I don't really have all the symptoms. 2P suggested that my hip might be out and that could be right. Maybe I should see a physio - although I'm not sure just when as the schedule is pretty tight for the next little while.

I will be happy just to get out in the next week as I will be putting in some long hours (including 2 hours of driving each day). Will try to blog and to find some motivation.

Mornings

2007-10-22T11:26:00.000+10:00

Have run three times since my last post, each time in the morning. This morning I set out at about 9.30 and decided to try for 8 ks (my longest run since the half and subsequent foot problems). Felt fine until the 6k mark when I started to get a pain like sciatica down my right leg and backside. I just kept going, hoping that it would go away - it didn't.

Got home in 49.50 which wasn't too bad. Still felt the pain and the touching-the-toes-test confirmed it as sciatica (no way could I touch them) which I have had twice in my life before - firstly when I was about 19 and doing lots of aerobics and then again when I was pregnant with J (and no, don't even ask). I also noticed once I had cooled down that my foot was a little sore again. Bugger. Applied some ice but it has felt a bit sore all day.

So it will be an easy week of running here. I will leave it till Wednesday and maybe again on Friday if all is okay. We are then off to the big smoke on the weekend for a family do so I might be tempted to run around the posh suburbs (if I can do so without getting lost).

I have a confession to make: I am still running in my old shoes (that may or may not have been part of the cause of the foot problems) but I promise I will get new ones next weekend and I might even splurge on them. Any suggestions for someone with high arches are welcome!

Wildlife spotting: Just one goanna and numerous birds (mostly heard rather than seen).
Traffic: One horse (with rider)

blogiversary

2007-10-16T11:18:00.000+10:00

I missed my one year blogiversary a week or so ago but I thought I should mention it and give a thanks to the first person who commented on my blog: Scott. I started writing a blog in order to stay motivated with my running, to keep a log and to make contact with other runners. It has been a good experience and I must admit that I am amazed that I am still going with it (going on past experience of diary writing from my younger years) and I guess I am also pretty impressed that I am still running after almost two years of running consistently each week. I think that keeping the blog has been a good aid to my running and I have had some great advice from some of my readers which has helped a lot.

In running news I got out for a 7k run yesterday afternoon and it was a good one. One of those afternoons where it was warm but cool (just right?) and I was really enjoying getting back to running my old route through the bush.

This afternoon I took Pip for his walk and saw heaps of wildlife - a wallaby with a joey in the pouch, kookaburras, a big goanna and I am certain that I also saw a rufus bettong. G thinks that I imagined it after seeing them at Cania Gorge but I can't think what else it might have been and I know that we are supposed to get them here, although they are endangered. Sometimes I just love living here.

Sunshine

2007-10-13T04:45:00.000+10:00

Just back from our massive road trip/holiday in central Queensland. Had a fantastic time, saw some great stuff and really enjoyed ourselves.

We visited Lake Monduran (so G could try to catch a barra again, no luck only catfish and a bass caught by D), Cania Gorge (a fantastic place with lots of great family-friendly bushwalks, heaps of birds and wildlife, Yepoon (stayed at the scuzziest place ever and was very disappointed with this place), made up for Yepoon by going out to Great Keppel which was gorgeous (especially on the quieter beaches), Keppel Sands (another lovely place but as the name suggests the sandflies were bad) then Lake Awoonga (more fishing, but another great place) and back home. We also visited Mt Warning on the way up and stayed with G's sister in Brissy for a night. These are only the places where we stayed overnight we also did a lot of other fun things like fossicking for thunder eggs (found heaps of little ones)and visiting a crocodile farm where the boys all got to hold a baby (I took photos!) and of course a few runs as well as lots of walking.

I took it very easy with the running as my foot was still sore when we set out. I self-diagnosed tendonitis which my BIL (who is a doctor and runner) agreed with as there is a tendon that runs around the side of the ankle and along the side of the foot. This can take a while to heal, especially if you rush back into it so I wanted to stick to my resolution to be patient.

So, taking 2P's advice about running stride I gave it a little test run at Lake Monduran with a run/walk and the great thing was that I didn't have to alter my stride at all. Although it was still a little tender and sore.

A few more days rest and the foot was feeling a lot better so I decioded to head out for half an hour at Cania Gorge. The caravan park where we were staying was right next to the National Park which meant a 5k run along one of the walks. How good is that? Beautiful scenery and a good run. Foot felt pretty good.

The only other run to report was a nice sweaty run (very humid) around Keppel Sands with a great view of the islands and lots of hellos along the way (this would have to be the friendliest most relaxed place in Australia). No problems with foot at all!

So, the foot is feeling good. I don't notice any pain/discomfort at all unless I push fairly hard along the side of the foot. The plan is for a run this afternoon - might try for 7ks and see how it goes. I think I'll stick to shorter runs for the moment and ease back into the long runs over the next few weeks.

Just Walking

2007-09-30T03:47:00.000+10:00

Have not run at all since wednesday's 2 1/2ks. The pain seems to have settled into my right ankle/foot area with a little bit of swelling along the outside of the foot and some discolouration. It is a little painful to stand and walk on. I am going to be sensible and rest it until the swelling and pain have gone (although I am itching to get out).

A guy at work who is a football player/coach reckons that I should have 'run it out' on Monday and then been resting for at least a week after that as a general rule (not as treatment for this particular injury). What do you more experienced runners think? What do you usually do?

It is pretty annoying as this week we are off on a holiday to Qld. We are staying at a lake/touristy place for the first three nights where there is a 6k walking track that I was planning to run. Oh well, looks like I might be walking instead. G and the boys will be doing lots of fishing (for barramundi), I plan to do lots of reading (fishing is only fun if you have a good book!)

I will be patient. No running until this is resolved.

Ouch

2007-09-27T10:43:00.000+10:00

Not too bad evolved into some serious soreness and a limp by the time I got to work on Monday. the pain wasn't coming from the knee that gave me trouble but from the other leg. Tight quads and sore hamstring to begin with and a tight calf by the end of the day. Yesterday my right ankle/heel/underside of foot was hurting too and has been since. I can only guess that this is due to running the last 3ks in a very stiff legged manner trying to nurse my left knee through the rest of the race.

The ankle pain has continued today but I thought I would try a little run as sometimes it seems to help when I am sore. I walked about 2 1/2ks and ran the same. Strangely enough the ankle was actually better when running but I could feel it in the quads and hamstring.

Anyway, enough whingeing. It was good to get out there and better than I thought. I have gotten over the slight disappointment with my time. I have realised that I can be really proud of my effort in the last 3 ks. I really wanted to walk but I hung in there till the end. I had a few tears at one stage but I managed to pull myself together. I would have liked to finish strongly but it wasn't to be on the day.

Some highlights:

Running with lots of other people (a real novelty for this solo runner)
Of course the Bridge and Opera House (was I ever glad to see it at the end)
Watching other inspiring people run their own races, like the serious runners and people from all walks of life
Nearly reaching my goal (and knowing that it is still there for next time)
My friend S running her first marathon, not that I got to see her, but she ran 3 hours 40!!
he Cool Running Cheer squad at the end and the encouraging policewoman. Thanks!

Of course the question now is what's next?

Update

2007-09-24T22:57:00.000+10:00

My net time was 2 hours and 3 seconds. Can you believe it? Missed my goal by 4 seconds! But still a pretty good effort of beating my PB by 3 1/2 minutes. A bit stiff this morning but not too bad considering that I sat in a car for 5 hours after the race.

Did I? Didn't I?

2007-09-24T11:38:00.000+10:00

Race Report

Didn't have the greatest pre-race preparation on Saturday - spent most of the day walking around, trying to figure out to get to where we wanted to go and discovering that certain train platforms were closed! Plus an hours walk with J in the morning.

Anyway, this morning started very bright and early. Four am to be exact! Had to get up in time to eat breakfast in order for it to digest, not to mention some 15 (I don't think that's an exaggeration) trips to the toilet.

The boys walked me down to Milsons Point (about 15 minutes) and I queued for the toilet (again!) which took up most of the time before we were called to line up. It was pretty cool but not too bad amongst the crowd.

Finally the gun went off and we got moving. It was good to see signs showing you where to line up as I tend to look at other runners and think that they all look like faster runners than me (which can be very misleading).

The first k was onto the bridge and went by in 5.42 (perfect as I wanted between 5.30-5.40ks). I enjoyed the run across the bridge but missed the 2k mark and got to the 3k mark in 15.53 (a little too fast but I felt ok). I can't really remember all of the splits (and missed more markers) but I do remember getting to the 8k mark in 43.27 (a little too fast maybe).

It was great to see the front runners going past the other way and the runners around me gave them a great cheer (especially the first woman). I got to 10ks in 54.56 (hmm my only 10k race was done in 54.49!). I knew that I was ahead of the 2 hour pacers and I was hoping to keep it that way.

Alas, they passed me some time around the 12k mark. I wanted to catch up to them but couldn't really summon the energy, and according to my calculations I was still okay for going under 2 hours. It was great to see a friend from work going past the other way at around this point, that was a bit of a boost.

I had been feeling a dull ache in my right hamstring since somewhere near the beginning of the race and it was starting to make its presence felt more strongly from about the 14k mark. I noticed that I was slowing a little too and wondered if I had gone out a little fast.

All was going pretty well till about the 18k mark when my left knee started to feel like it wanted to give out. This quickly developed into a pain, but I decided that I had to keep running. I have had this happen before and sometimes it stops again.

It didn't and the last 3 ks were pretty hard. It was really hurting at times but at least it didn't stop me altogether. I really wanted to finish strongly and I was so relieved when I saw the Opera House. I had a couple of little bursts over the last 2ks but I couldn't really sustain them for long.

As I came up toward the finish I could hear the announcer calling out 2 hours. Anyway I crossed not long after and can you believe that I forgot to stop my watch for a little. When I stopped it it said 2 hours 26 seconds. So now I will just have to wait for the result to be posted on the net.

I guess it wasn't the ideal race (only the end really). I just wish I could have sustained the great time, but maybe it was just too quick. It was a good experience, but much harder when you are not at home with your own bed and the ability to cook for yourself (especially when you are a coeliac, fish-eating vegetarian, an oxymoron I know).

One other little detail that may explain the day. I need new shoes. I didn't get them because I thought I wouldn't have time to break them in but I think I really should have because I also had sore feet at times during the race.

All up a pretty satisfying effort. Now I just have to wait and see. I have some more details, but I think this post is long enough.

Short Long

2007-09-17T11:35:00.000+10:00

Went up the road for my 10ks this afternoon - I had forgotten how much nicer it is up there (apart from the hoons on dirt bikes, one even did a wheelie as he went past!). Ten kilometres feels so good (compared to eighteen which is what I have been doing) and flew by in 64.04 including getting up the other side of KH in under 8 minutes (just!).

Feeling nervous about next Sunday but I think it is more to do with the organisational aspects than the actual run itself (that will come later). I managed to find some accommodation after a frustrating hour on the net this morning. It seems that families do not stay in inner Sydney as every place had double, twin or single rooms. The one I booked said a queen bed and a roll away on request but in the photos there was a lounge so I figure it'll all work out. It will be really nice to stay in that part of town as I really only know a few areas in Sydney.

Goals for the race:
a) Under 2 hours
b) Under 2 hours, 3 minutes and 35 (my PB!)
c) A respectable time and just enjoy myself

No matter what time I get I know that it will be a huge thrill to run over the Harbour Bridge and to the Opera House. I will be enjoying the sites and soaking up the atmosphere.

10 To Go

2007-09-14T12:39:00.000+10:00

Had a great run this afternoon - 8ks in 47.24. Cut 36 seconds off my previous PB for this run (which includes one side of KH). Also did 6ks yesterday morning - nice to see the mornings getting lighter. The highlight of this run was getting to watch some wallabies having a fight, one of them went flying upside down at one stage. Luckily they weren't too close. Last Sunday's long run was just 13ks, down to the highway and back in about 80 minutes.

So, hopefully the running is on track for the half. Now I just need to organise the accommodation. After much nagging G finally rang his sister today to confirm the date, only to discover that she is having 90 people over on the Saturday night!! So, I think we might stay in a motel somewhere near the start of the race. Anyone have any suggestions for somewhere close to Milson's Point? (BTW despite living in NSW for 11 years now my knowledge of Sydney is pathetic). Actually I am kind of glad it has worked out this way because I would rather stay somewhere within walking distance if possible. That way I don't have to stress about the road closures.

Slogger

2007-09-07T12:25:00.000+10:00

That is an acronym for slack-blogger, which is what I have become of late. Partly I am blaming the slooow internet, but partly I have to blame the slack operator.

I have also been feeling a bit of a lull in enthusiasm for running lately too. Don't worry I've still been getting out there, just not as enthused about the whole thing and wondering why I signed up for the Blackmores Half (probably a good idea that I did hey?).

Saturday's long run was just hard work. I felt a bit bleugh in the morning (not sure if I accidentally ate some gluten) but I made myself go anyway. Eighteen kilometres, 2 hours and some aching muscles later I was just glad to be finished. This week I have done a 5k on Tuesday and that's it so far. Too wet this morning and got home too late tonight.

Will try for the morning if the weather co-operates. Sorry, but heading out into a cold, dark, wet morning on a muddy, slippery road just isn't my thing. Then on the weekend I will do a 15k long run and try to pick up the pace a bit (maybe 6 minutes?).

Any motivational tips?

Gr8

2007-09-01T11:08:00.000+10:00

Had a great 8k run yesterday afternoon - 48.00 (exactly) which I am pretty sure is a PB for this run.

It's great that the days are starting to get warmer and longer. It was 32 here yesterday.

TGIF!

Finally ...

2007-08-30T11:20:00.000+10:00

got onto blogger that is! Our internet has been so slow that I have given up on logging in a few times.

Last week was very quiet on the running front, however I managed to clock up about a thousand ks in the car (up to Tweed Heads and back for work).

I did my 18k long run on Saturday down the road which meant about 10ks on bitumen. I felt dead in the legs, probably due to the driving, but I did it. The time was okay - 1:56:23 - but not as good as it should have been as down the road is a lot easier than up (it is a literal description not just cliche).

Have managed one 5k run this week (29.53) and will go again while the boys are at piano lessons. Then a repeat of the long run on Saturday afternoon (better not go on Sunday with Father's Day!).

A little bit of a slump, mostly due to lack of time, but I'm still on track for the Blackmores Half.

Another one gone

2007-08-21T11:11:00.000+10:00

Some running over the last week, but alas no blogging (seem to be losing some motivation to blog as many of the bloggers I like to read are on injury or other breaks). So I will try to get back into it but have an extremely busy week at work.

Did my usual three runs last week with the standout being a 7k run in 39.44 (a big woohoo here for another training PB). Then had a morning run that was 6ks in 39.00. the time of day makes such a huge difference to my running times.

I didn't manage a long run for the first time in ages. the weekend was pretty hectic with social activities so I only managed a 5k run in the rain late Sunday afternoon.

It is pouring rain here this evening. Definitely the most that I have seen on the road here, maybe I will be flooded in tomorrow! (I have three creek crossings in my 6 k drive down to the highway) That would be both good and bad as I have some major activities to organise at work tomorrow for the following days.

Contrasts

2007-08-14T10:57:00.000+10:00

the past week of running has seen some incredible contrasts in the conditions. Did a quick 7ks on Tuesday afternoon (40.38) as yoga wasn't on. Then a short 5ks on Friday morning before work, nice and frosty in the paddocks and 2 degrees under the eaves. then yesterday afternoon I did my long run in a dry (31 percent humidity) and warm 27 degrees!

I saw a pair of dingoes about three ks up the road. I wasn't too happy with this as the ones I have seen in the past have always been solo. Still, they took off when they saw me (although to each side of the road). This slowed me down a bit as my head swivelled around in all directions to make sure they weren't following me (and not to mention the metre long stick I carried for a while). Then at the top of killer hill there were distinct paw prints in the dust and finally about 6ks from home on the way back I saw another one.

I knew the warm weather would bring them out, but I have only ever seen one per run in the past. I hope this is not a sign of things to come. Those who have read this blog for a while will know that I am a bit nervous of them (for no real reason except that I feel pretty alone when I am out in the bush).

I might run down the road (as opposed to up, which is nicer and quieter) if it is still warm next weekend. Or should I stop being a sook and enjoy communing with nature?

Running not blogging

2007-08-07T10:51:00.000+10:00

Still running but haven't got around to blogging in the last week. Had a couple of great runs last week with a 5k in 28.16 (a PB for this run). Ran from down the road (near the highway) to home on Thursday which was fun. Saw a boy taking a leak where he obviously thought no-one was around and had some cows follow me along a fence line for a couple of hundred metres (wanting food). Only had two dogs bark at me and both were behind fences (this is one reason that I go up the road and not down, although up is also a lot prettier but also harder work).

Then on Saturday afternoon I repeated the 18k run from a few weeks ago - in 1:58:15 (I think this is a few seconds faster than last time). I was suffering from reflux (not nice when running) for the first half and some stomach cramps, but not bad enough to slow me down too much.

A busy week with work and various other commitments this week so I'm not sure how I'll squeeze in the runs, but I'll do it. So glad to have some improvements lately, maybe the gluten-free diet is helping.

Weekly Roundup

2007-07-29T11:47:00.000+10:00

I hope blogger didn't just publish that. I had started to write this when it went to the published post window with just 'wee' in the title. But i guess after today's run that could be appropriate.

I finally conned G into a pick up run which meant that I could run to the nearby (12.5 ks actually) nature reserve as it's just a little too far for a turn around run.

This was a great run. A fair bit of uphill for the first 10ks then a couple of ks of mostly downhill, so i guess wee would be appropriate. What a great way to finish the run. I got to the reserve about 10 minutes before the boys so I got to stretch and have a walk about under the beautiful tree canopy. This is one of my favourite places so it was really great to be able to run there.

I did have a couple of runs during the week but have been too busy to blog. Six ks on Tuesday in 34.55 and 8 ks on Thursday in 48.10 (definitely a PB for this run - it has a fair amount of uphill). I am pretty happy that my pace for these shorter runs is starting to improve.

Am starting to make plans for the Blackmores Half but have to admit that I feel nervous about a race among crowds in the city (I have become such a country person) when i am so used to my solo bush runs.

Wee

2007-07-28T18:36:00.000+10:00

kly

Great Stuff

2007-07-23T11:48:00.000+10:00

Am really pleased with yesterday's long run. i started out feeling pretty good so I deceided that I wanted to run at 6.30 pace and try to improve on last week's time of 2hr 3 min 36.

I got to the turn around (9 ks) in 59.11 which I was happy with. the 9th k is all uphill in a mountain to almost rival killer hill that I've dubbed Little Cousin. This kilometre took just over 8 minutes but the great thing is that you then get to turn around and cruise back down. Am trying to concentrate on going a little faster on the downhills as I tend to be a little too cautious.

Managed to complete the 18ks in under 2 hours (1 hr 58 mins 53) with only a slight negative split. That is a 4 1/2 minute improvement on last week's novice 18ks (training run that is).

Next week will cut back to a shorter long run - might run to the local nature reserve, which I haven't done before, and get G to pick me up.

BTW has anyone else watched the netball test? The umpiring has been soo bad. But hopefully Australia should win the last one.

Quick Creekwork to Music

2007-07-20T10:50:00.000+10:00

Had a great 5k run on Tuesday afternoon which was completed in 29.30. I'm not sure, but I think this was the first time I've broken 30 minutes for this run.

Today i thought I'd repeat the creek run from last week. The eclectic music this week included: Bec Runga, Midnight Oil, Michael Jackson(!), Christine Aguilera(!), Keith Urban, Lior and Don Walker amongst others.

All up 11 laps (6 at a steady pace and 5 with some fartlek thrown in) - about 6.6ks in 29.47.

Bloody freezing here this week. We've had a couple of huge frosts and it was in the minuses under the eaves of the house this morning. I have to admit that we must be a bit warped here as we all commented on the frosty dead wallaby on the side of the road that we'd noticed.

Normal Weight

2007-07-16T11:57:00.000+10:00

When i weighed myself this morning I noticed that my weight is now back to what it was before I discovered the Graves Disease. This is okay, but I did enjoy being skinny for a while (I lost about 4 kilos). The only worry now is putting on more as my thyroid levels mean that it is now underactive (which causes weight gain).

Anyway, I set out for a seventeen kilometre long run this morning but got distracted at the turnaround and missed the 8 1/2k tree so I went on to the 9k stump (hey there is nothing but trees out there) and back for a total of 18ks (which I planned on doing next weekend anyway).

It was a nice steady run and I did it in my half marathon time plus a second: 2hr 3 min and 36 seconds. Felt good the whole way and drank the whole bottle of water.

There were three guys out on trail bikes who passed me twice. I was just contemplating how that would be a good way to check out the fire trails when I noticed that one of them had chucked a Bundaberg rum can on the side of the road. What? Idiots!

Music to my ears

2007-07-13T07:58:00.000+10:00

This morning I decided to run down on the creek flat for a change. The plan was to attempt some speed work and I figured it would make a nice change to use the Ipod.

The track was pretty rough - not long grass but very uneven underfoot as it hasn't been mowed in a few months and there were lots of stinging nettles in a couple of sections to make it fun. It wasn't easy to do the usual 400m interval session so I decided to just make it a fartlek instead.

I actually realised that I prefer this type of run as I was only doing smaller fast runs interspersed with steady jogging. As well as a kind of obstacle course through the stinging nettles at the narrow end of the flat.

I realised on the third lap that there was a dead possum about a metre from where I was running (luckily it hadn't reached the smelly stage as yet).

It was interesting to use the Ipod for a change. I think it's only the second time I have run with it. I realised how eclectic G's musical taste is (as it is all from his computer) as I listened to U2, Cold Chisel, Pink Floyd, Missy Higgins, Andrew LLoyd Webber, the Dirty Three and The Finn Brothers amongst. Although I enjoyed the music I realised that I also missed the rhythmic sounds of my own breathing (am I weird?) and the sounds of nature such as the birds, wind,etc. But, I can understand why city folk love them (to block out unpleasant sounds of traffic, etc). I might try doing this session once a week. It is very pretty down there and we really don't use it as much as we should.

BTW the only stinging nettle that got me was when I was picking lemons at the end of my run (which was about 40 minutes and 6 -7 ks).

Catch Up

2007-07-10T06:48:00.000+10:00

A medium-long run of 12ks on Saturday morning. This was a good run, it's amazing how 12ks (at a steady pace) feels like a breeze these days. This took 77.43. I even managed a little negative split.

Then today I had a shorter 7k run. I wanted to stick to 6min/km pace and managed the run in 41.56 - right on pace. It is good to be able to finally get some consistency into these runs. I forgot that I was supposed to be doing a speed session today so I will have to do that next run.

The gluten-free is diet is going well but I still seem to have a bit of an upset stomach every morning. Not sure what is causing it but I'll be back at the doctors next week so I can ask her then.

Midday

2007-07-05T17:49:00.000+10:00

Got out for a 10k run at about 11.00 this morning, how civilised is that? I decided that I would try for a tempo run, of sorts, trying to stick to 6.30 min/km. Not fast, but manageable given that the run would include a lot of uphill (which you never seem to make up for on the downhill).

It was great running at this time of day (it was about 20 degrees, but windy) as I had sufficiently warmed up and the legs felt good. I made sure that I didn't dawdle on the downhill-side of killer hill (KH) and got to the turn-around in 32.15 (pretty much on pace). The uphill-side of KH took 8.15 (okay) and I figured that I could easily make up the time to get back on target.

Made it back in 64.29. A negative split of 1 second!! Even with KH thrown in.

This was a good run. I felt strong the whole way and it was great to be able to pick a pace and stick to it.

So far this week: 34kms.

BTW I finally uploaded the photos from the half marathon onto the computer. G took one right at the start and I didn't realise that there were only 6 people behind me then. No wonder it took so long to get going! Note to self: don't be afraid to join the pack in the middle next time. I checked the numbers against times of those featured in the photos and of course they were all much slower than I was.

Time Trial

2007-07-04T11:22:00.000+10:00

Set out for the time trial that I promised myself I would do this morning. I had the bright idea of doing a 2k time trial at the start of each month a few months ago. The first one was a disaster as it was right in the middle of my health/fitness decline and it took me 11.28 (from memory). I have not wanted to do it since but have decided it is a good way of tracking my fitness and hopefully pushing me to work on my pace a little.

It was about 5 degrees this morning (at about 7.30 as I'm on holidays at the moment) when I set out in a running shirt, long sleeved t-shirt and fleece with trackie pants. I ditched the fleece along the way and warmed up sufficiently to shed the long sleeved t-shirt for the 2k section.

Why 2ks? Basically this is about the best section of reasonably flat even ground with no significant up/downhill.

As some of you may be aware mornings are not the best time for me running-wise. Not sure why but I always seems slower in the morning and it doesn't help that I haven't eaten (although I did have a banana this morn).

Anyway I felt okay and did the first k in 5.10 (looking good) but knew that the second one felt slower (a very slight uphill) and it was - 5.32. All up 10.42. Not too bad, although it would have been nice to keep up the pace of the first one. I had a slight niggle in my right quad from Sunday's long run but otherwise felt okay.

I remembered that I hate to push myself to the point of heavy breathing and feeling like it is too hard. I know that it is good for me to do it, but I guess that this is one of the hardest aspects of running alone. It is very easy to always run at my nice comfortable pace. I guess I need to find a compromise and this was okay. I run because I like the feeling it gives me and I don't want to lose that in trying to get faster, but on the other hand I would like to push myself a little more and maybe crack the 2 hour mark if I do the Sydney Running Festival half.

BTW Scott this morning's temperature is fairly average for this time of year here. We do get frosts so it can and will get colder but the days are usually up near the 18-20 mark. Where we live is a bit cooler than many areas around the mid-north coast, we live in a low spot in a valley with a big mountain between us and the ocean.

Seventeen

2007-07-03T10:53:00.000+10:00

That's how many kilometres I ran yesterday. Set out at about 3.00pm planning on trying to stick to 6.45 pace. I was pretty steady on the first half, sticking to 6.30 min/kms mainly. My throat felt dry so I drank a lot of water as I went.

This was my longest run up our road and it was fun to go around new bends and up new hills. When I want to do 18ks it will involve another big hill.

Reached halfway in 56.37 which was nice. I felt good and had eaten properly unlike last week's long run. I ate a couple of lollies (unfortunately I hadn't been able to buy the Starburst Jellybeans and had to settle for another one of their soft lollies - not so good to chew when you are running, the jellybeans are perfect). I didn't really needs them but figured they were in my pocket so why not.

The second half saw a 2 1/2 minute positive split, but as the killer hill took 8.49 I can easily see where that snuck in. All up 17ks in 1.55.15.

Measured it in the car this afternoon to make sure and my guesstimate was pretty good. We also found an interesting looking firetrail that takes you down to a creek crossing which we will check out soon - only for walking I think as it is a bit too isolated for my solitary runs.

I also took Pip for a walk today (he doesn't come running anymore) and felt like his personal trainer - nagging, coaxing and generally hassling him so that he would keep coming. I did 6ks while he sat down at the 5k turnaround to wait. Then after coming for the drive this afternoon he refused to get out of the car. I think he is one very smart dog. Why walk when you can stay home or get a ride!

I plan on doing a 2k time trial in the morning. Just to see where things are at.

Only One

2007-06-29T11:16:00.000+10:00

Not known for my brevity so this will be a challenge. Tagged by Celeste:

1. Where is your cell phone? Charging
2. Relationship? Solid
3. Your hair? Crazy
4. Work? Busy
5. Your sister? Outgoing
6. Your favourite thing? Family
7. Your dream last night? Glutenfreefood (sad, but true)
8. Your favourite drink? Coffee
9. Your dream car? Sporty
10. The room you’re in? Office
11. Your shoes? Adidas
12. Your fears? Heights
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? Healthy
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? Family
15. What are you not good at? Tidiness
16. Muffin? Rarely
17. Wish list item? Garmin
18. Where you grew up? Adelaide
19. The last thing you did? Walked
20. What are you wearing? Tights
21. What are you not wearing? Perfume
22. Your pet? Cat-dog
23. Your computer? Laptop
24. Your life? Hectic
25. Your mood? Relaxed
26. Missing? Family (extended)
27. What are you thinking about? Running
28. Your car? Ford
29. Your kitchen? Fantastic
30. Your summer? History
31. Your favourite colour? Green
32. Last time you laughed? Today
33. Last time you cried? Today
34. School? Socialising
35. Love? Nice

Think I'm supposed to tag some people. If you want to d0 this then consider yourself tagged (it was fun being brief).

I read today in The Cynics Dictionary the definition of a hermaphrodite: an end in itself (Gave me a good laugh anyway).

Gluten Free

2007-06-28T12:53:00.000+10:00

The gluten-free eating is going pretty well, but I haven't noticed any amazing transformation as yet. Not bursting with energy! Hopefully my iron levels will pick up soon. I noticed that the doctor has ordered a blood test for copper levels next time and I have read that you can be copper anaemic (iron interferes with the absorption of it I think). I also googled ceruloplasm (which was mentioned on the form) and the first hit was related to schizophrenia (ah, now I know what's really wrong with me!).

On to more interesting topics ... running. The weather has been a bit wet here the last few mornings (as well as dark) so I didn't get out till this afternoon when it was just windy. I don't really like going in the wind due to falling tree limbs/branches/twigs but it was okay. Seven ks in 41:11 - not too bad. Will go again on Friday morning and a long one sometime on the weekend - hope to do 17ks this weekend and gradually build up to about 19. I plan on doing another half marathon in 3 months. Any suggestions as to long runs more than welcome. Should I get any longer?

Confirmation

2007-06-24T23:46:00.000+10:00

Have had two runs since my last post. Another little run in the dark on Friday morning, also the coldest yet. A big frost on the paddocks when I got back (too dark to see on the way out).

Then yesterday afternoon I did my long run - 16ks. I wanted to keep it under 7 minute pace which I did for the first half. Then I started suffering with stomach cramps for about the next 5ks. Ate all my jellybeans and drank quite a bit of my water. I think the problem was that I had a small lunch (scrambled eggs, no toast, an apple and a handful of nuts at about 11:00 then a packet of chips at D's soccer) then ran at about 3:15. I meant to have a banana before I went but forgot. It can be hard to co-ordinate food, soccer and running! Anyway I slowed substantially on the second half to go slightly over 7 minute pace. Overall time 1:52:27.

The title of this post relates to my most recent doctor's visit (I have been as many times this year as in the last 9 years). It appears that I do have coeliac disease. The blood test showed the level of antibodies to be 42 when normal is under 7. So this means a radical change in diet - no bread, muesli, cakes, etc (well, the regular ones anyway) it is amazing how much food has gluten in it. I will need to see a gastroenterologist sometime (apparently it takes months to get in) and she will probably do a biopsy to confirm, but the doctor has said to start the gluten-free diet straight away. My iron levels are not picking up like they should, so maybe this is why. Bugger is all I can think. I had to go to Newcastle on Thursday and we stopped at the fake Ayers Rock place. There was Subway, a pie place and a hamburger place. The only food I could have bought was fruit or hot chips. Luckily I had my own food and just bought a coffee.

The thyroid meds are also starting to work too well and am feeling very tired. Have reduced the dose so hopefully that won't last too long. G was on the phone to his brother the other day telling him that I was coming down with new diseases all the time I had to yell out to remind him that I also ran a half marathon recently. I am not quite falling apart yet!

Quick one in the dark

2007-06-20T12:35:00.000+10:00

Got up early to make the school lunches so that I could run this morning. Didn't actually get running till about 6.15 and it was still very dark. I had to take it slowly on the first section which was wet, boggy and slippery after last night's rain. I decided to just do 5 ks so that I could still enjoy my breakfast when I got back (rather than having to bolt it).

Thankfully the winter solstice is this week so the mornings should lighten up soon. I am trying to get back into running on Tuesdays and Thursdays so that I can do the long run any time on the weekend. But Thursday is out this week as I'm off to Newcastle for the day (yes the day - it is about a 3 1/2 hour trip) for work, it will be a long day.

BTW the boys both had a sick day. All those wasted minutes making lunches!!

8 1/2 is the new 9 1/2

2007-06-18T11:33:00.000+10:00

Decided to do 12ks for the long run this weekend to give the legs a little more recovery time. After spending half the day at soccer I set out at 4.00 this afternoon. It was cool again (16 degrees) but not cool enough for long sleeves.

I warmed up pretty quickly and had a good run. The time all up was 81.15. I am happy with that as I felt comfortable the whole way and wasn't trying to push at all.

The time for the killer hill was 8 1/2 minutes. I am very happy with that. I felt good the whole way, didn't rush, just kept it steady. When I compare not eve being able to run/walk without stopping a few months ago (before I knew about the Graves) this makes me really happy.

Last night I was watching netball and one of the commentators was discussing how fit one of the players was and remarked that "She even runs half marathons for fun".

Cool

2007-06-15T11:57:00.000+10:00

It was cold today. One of the few days in this part of the world hwen it did not hit 20 degrees. I headed out for a run at 4.30 this afternoon and it was just 13. I wore long pant and a long sleeved t-shirt which I have never done for an afternoon run before. When I got back it was already down to 10. Brrrrr.

And don't tell me to stop whingeing! I lived in the Territory for about 5 years and I think that the warmer the climate you are used to the more you feel the cold. I'm also thinking that the medication might be starting to make the thyroid levels dip too low now, which results in sensitivity to cold (as opposed to the sensitivity to heat which I had a month ago), this also results in weight gain.

As for the actual run ... I felt okay before I left (over the DOMS) but my legs got tired pretty quickly. I noticed that my hamstrings felt tight when I got back so maybe they were trying to compensate.

Better go and puree the soup I made for dinner. I also made a casserole for the boys which is in the oven. Ahhh comfort food (but no sweets!!!).

Post Race

2007-06-14T12:57:00.000+10:00

The official time was 2.03.35, 86th overall (out of 111) and 10th (out of 11) in my category.

Still happy with my performance and trying not to dwell on that 3 1/2 minutes. On the day I did my best and had a nice strong finish. I beat the two closest runners by 15 and 25 seconds which I am happy with as that shows that I finished well.

I've been a little sore but not too bad - better than last year after the 10ks. I had a nice gentle 5k run with Pip yesterday which loosened the legs nicely. I had the day off to have an ultrasound of my liver which was probably just a formality to make sure there is nothing visibly wrong. Another blood test due before going back to the doctor next week to check out a heap of things that could be causing the increased liver function results. Hopefully nothing nasty but it would be nice to know what's causing it. Should I tell the doctor I just ran a half marathon?

One strange thing that I have noticed (post race) was that I was very sore in my upper back/neck/shoulder region almost straight after the race and on Monday. I guess I must have been holding myself strangely as I have never felt that before.

Scott made a comment about me being competitive in the race and I guess that (being competitive) surprised me. I think that I wasn't really competing with these runners but using that urge to give myself a boost at times. I found that the last 5 ks was really a mental challenge as much as a physical one and it was good to use the reward for my early patience to overtake those runners who started more quickly than I did.

So, what now?
- I am considering going to Sydney in September for the Blackmores Half. It would be nice to run a half that I have trained more consistently for and it would also be good to run in a big race in Sydney with all the sights of the city.
- I need to start getting into a more regular program. So far it has consisted of running 3 times a week with a long run and 2 shorter ones, no real speed sessions or tempo runs. Just running when and where I can. I would like to get in some longer runs again, maybe build up to 18-19ks.
- Watch my weight. I lost about 4 kilos with the Graves Disease, but now that my medication has really kicked in I have put most of it back on. While I was losing wight I had a great appetite and got into the habit of making yummy desserts at least once a week. I need to get back to healthy eating and make sure that my weight doesn't start to go the other way.

Race Report

2007-06-12T12:49:00.000+10:00

Warning: this could be a very long post!

The day started very early when I woke at 1.00am, looked at the clock and thought six and a half hours till the race starts. I immediately kicked myself because I then started to think about it and didn't really get back into a good sleep for the rest of the night. In fact at about 4.00am I just decided to stay awake as I was getting up at 4.45 anyway.

Got up and had a very early breakfast as I have been having tummy problems in the morning lately (not sure if it's the medication or something else) and I wanted to be certain that my breakfast was well digested. It was good to have a relaxed start to the day with plenty of time to eat, shower, organise drinks and snacks for the boys, go to the toilet about 6 times (no exaggeration), etc. Got the kids up at 6.00am and we headed off at 6.15.

Got to Trial Bay just in time to see the marathon start. It looked like a smallish field and I think they said there were 53. Apparently numbers were down due to the crazy weather down South. I got my number, collected my shirt, had two more trips to the toilet and then caught up with my friends from work who were also running the half. One of my friends S had forgotten her watch but was not at all fazed about it. We saw another workmate whose wife was running the 10ks and she borrowed his watch with a few minutes to spare.

I lined up toward the back. It wasn't that big a field and looking around me they all looked like serious runners (but of course looks can be deceiving). The weather was cool and a bit windy but not too bad.

And then we were off. A little maneuvering around slower runners and trying to get into a rhythm saw the first km go in 5.48. Not quite the pace of 5.40 that I wanted but it probably took a while to get through the start.

Over the first few kilometres I made up the pace and got to the 5k mark in about 28 minutes. My plan had been to stick behind K (a workmate who runs at about my pace) and to see what happened. I tried to drink water at each of the water stations that I passed as I decided not to run with the fuel belt as it's too cumbersome.

K was running with a group of 3 other women and I was sitting roughly 200 metres behind them. I was a little confused to realise that there were no markers for the next part of the course so I had no idea how I was going. I was relying on K's group to set the pace for a 2 hour (maybe under) finish. I realised on the way back that there actually were markers painted on the footpath (bugger). So basically I ran from 5ks to 10 1/2 ks with no idea and I only checked my watch at the turnaround - 1hr 26seconds. I figured that I could still manage under 2 hours by upping the pace a little, but wasn't sure if that was possible.

Apart from the Jerseyville Bridge the section from 5-10 1/2 and back was the most boring part of the race. Basically South West Rocks has turned into a sprawling suburbia in this area and it is just running past houses, shops and service stations most of the way. The other hard part of this section is that there was no water between 5 and 10 ks. I didn't realise that this would be the case and I was wishing I had carried some with me.

It was great before the turn-around to see the front of the pack coming back. I noticed two women and started to wonder where S was as I knew she would be doing a fast one. Just as I decided to think about her I saw her, she was coming third (out of the women ) and I was really excited for her as the next woman was a long way back.

At about the 13k mark I looked down and saw that someone had dropped a jellybaby. It looked so tasty and I was fantasising about eating it. I remembered that I had put some jellybeans (tiny little Starburst ones) in my pocket so I had two. I was reluctant to eat any more without water but I needed a little sugar hit. I hadn't really practised eating while running so I didn't want to do anything too radical.

Although I had discovered the kilometre markers at this stage I wasn't too sure of my pace. I was starting to think that under 2 hours was out of reach but I wasn't too bothered as I still had K in my sights, although she was now lagging behind her group and running on her own. My initial plan had been to try and run each 7ks in just under 40 minutes which I probably did for the first one but as I missed the markers I wasn't sure of my pace after that.

At around the 16k mark I managed a vanity fartlek past the sidewalk cafes which really helped ( I think it helps that I am not used to having anyone watch me run) and I overtook about 4 people which was a great confidence booster. One was a woman who had been just in front of me the whole way with her husband on a bike giving her drinks and chatting to her. K was still ahead and I decided that I would try and bridge the gap and then maybe go past if I had it in me at the 19k mark. My time at 16k was about an hour and 35 minutes. I started to think that under 2 hours was definitely out as this section had taken 28 minutes at the start.

This part of the run was a lot prettier and there were plenty of water stations, although I very nearly got water up my nose (need to practice that a bit more). I was working hard to keep the runners that I overtook from getting past again. I would just speed up a bit when I heard their footsteps coming up and they seemed to drop off again.

At around the 17k mark I was starting to close the gap on K. I remember thinking that 4ks wasn't far (but it's amazing how long that 4 ks seemed) and also realising that this was the furthest that I had ever run. The next section was on a walking/bike track behind the sand dunes and I couldn't see K as it was quite a windy path so I wasn't sure how far ahead she was. It was great to come out of this section to see that she wasn't that far ahead.

At about the 18 1/2 k point I decided to go past as she seemed to be struggling and I could also see that the woman ahead of her was walking. I said hi and she was so fantastic, she told me that I was looking strong and could make it in under 2 hours and to go for it. It was a great boost and I felt that I had to try and run strongly for a while, not just overtake and then die off. The next woman was running again but I had seen her walking so I knew she must be struggling. As soon as I came up behind her she pulled to one side to let me go past. At the 19k mark the time was 1hr 51.44 and I knew there was no way I could get in under 2 hours but I just wanted to finish strongly.

With just over a kilometre to go there was the biggest hill on the course (which of course is nothing compared to the hills around here). A man was just ahead and running very awkwardly, he looked like he was injured. I felt bad going past him, but I wanted to get up that hill at a steady pace. I was just crossing over the road when there was the woman that I overtook earlier(with the bike husband) right there. "No you don't" I thought and managed to speed up slightly for the last part of the hill, leaving her a little way behind.

Cresting the hill I saw G and started to get quite emotional. I had tears in my eyes (and have them as I write this) and this was the only time that my breathing became quite ragged all day. J ran alongside me for a few metres till G called him down the bank. I wished I could follow but had to follow the road up for a hundred metres and then back for a hundred metres (how cruel at this point). J and D were running along with me and I heard them calling my name over the PA.

Finally. I finished in 2hrs 3.32 (by my watch). So close. But I am not disappointed. I did it. I ran the whole way. I learnt a lot. I finished strongly and most importantly I had fun.

Will I do it again? Definitely.

BTW - S did come 3rd and she didn't use a watch as she couldn't work the one she borrowed. How good is that?

Scott - I wrote this this morning but didn't have time to read over it (had to go fishing on the river, Queens Birthday holiday). Sorry to keep you waiting (and thanks for your interest).

Done

2007-06-08T16:54:00.000+10:00

I've done all that I can for now. Just a short 5ks this morning in the semi-dark. Ican't believe how dark it is even at 6.00am. The road was a bit boggy after the rain so I took it nice and easy.

I have had a sore back for a few days but it seems to have settled down now (maybe I stretched something too hard at yoga?).

Very nervous, but also excited.

Still Undecided

2007-06-06T18:13:00.000+10:00

About how hard to go out on Sunday, that is. I seem to have confused some readers by mentioning the 10k run from last year. I am actually doing the half marathon (my first) which is why I am thinking about it so much. I have no idea how to approach this race, but the main thing is that I want to finish it.

A nice easy 5ks in the rain this afternoon. I wanted to sit on 6.30 pace after my speedier efforts of late and I managed this nicely by finishing in 32.13.

It was a little muddy with one slippery patch, but the rain wasn't too heavy. Just checked bom.gov.au and the forecast is for rain Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but fine on Sunday. This is pretty much what happened last year so I hope it is accurate (not that I have never run in the rain before).

One more short one planned for Friday morning and that's it!!

And Another One

2007-06-04T17:30:00.000+10:00

Got home early today as the normal meeting was cancelled which was great as it meant I could run.

Decided to have another crack at the 7ks and try to shave a little more time off. I started out well and did the first k in 6.38 (a PB), then 5.40, 5.51, 5.00, 5.09, 5.41 and 6.22. All up 40.20!! (Compared to last week's 41.39).

I would love to run at this pace on Sunday and given that the course is flat it is not a too unreasonable goal. But, I'm not sure that I could keep it up and I don't want to go out too hard and then crash.

Last year I ran the 10 ks in 54.49 so I should be able to handle 5.40 pace which would get me in under 2 hours. Am I being too ambitious given my recent health issues? Should I go for it? Or should I aim for 6 minute pace and try to finish comfortably? Will my legs stand up to it?

Any thoughts?

Last Long

2007-06-02T11:02:00.000+10:00

decided to do my last longish run (before the half marathong next weekend) early this morning before going to soccer. I was out the door at about 6.45 and it was only about 4 degrees. I wore a long sleeved t-shirt over my running top and a pair of thin tracksuit pants.

The plan was to do 10ks at an easy pace (I don't seem to manage any other pace first thing). I felt quite good the whole way but wasn't pushing hard.

The great things is that I managed a negative split which I don't always do due to the killer hill involved in the second half of this run. I actually had another PB for this hill and managed it in 8.44 (my previous best was 9.12).

Got back to discover that D was not well and so we decided that he could give soccer a miss. G had some things to do in town so he took J and his friend to soccer and I got to stay home. This means that I could have done my run later but I'm glad that I got it out of the way.

I can't believe that it's a week till the Macleay River Half Marathon. I just wish that I had a few more weeks of the great training that I have been getting into this week. Still, my main goal is to finish and it will be a PB no matter what. I will try to stick behind a friend from work who is aiming to beat last year's 1.57. the course is good. It is incredibly flat most of the way so it should feel a lot easier than my normal route.

Another Minute

2007-05-31T12:57:00.000+10:00

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

2007-05-28T23:53:00.000+10:00

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

2007-05-27T12:35:00.000+10:00

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

2007-05-24T12:23:00.000+10:00

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

2007-05-20T11:30:00.000+10:00

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

2007-05-17T10:34:00.000+10:00

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

2007-05-15T12:50:00.000+10:00

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

2007-05-14T02:35:00.000+10:00

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

2007-05-10T12:37:00.000+10:00

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

2007-05-07T01:20:00.000+10:00

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

2007-05-06T10:20:00.000+10:00

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

2007-05-04T11:59:00.000+10:00

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.

Medium Long

2007-04-28T16:50:00.000+10:00

Decided to try a longer run but keep it nice and easy. The aim was for 16ks, but I was doing an up and back, up, back, etc so that I could cut it short if need be.

I didn't take the fuel belt and regretted it by the first k as I had a very dry throat (very breathless at the moment).I decided that 12ks would do when I was starting to day dream about a nice cold drink ( also daydreaming about lollies - really craving some sugar).

It was a very slow run but I was glad to get in a longer one. I am still a bit tentative about my heart rate as it really climbs on the hills, so I made sure that I took it easy. I am finding it hard to even run at 7 minute pace at the moment! Still contemplating the half in June. I think I'll do it but with the aim of just finishing and running the whole way (my previous goal was under 2 hrs).

BTW the Anzac Day march was great. There were lots of school children and members of the community there. D read really well and got lots of compliments on his reading. On the way home he commented that it was great fun and I think he felt proud wearing the medals. J and I then went for a 6k run in the afternoon. He ran all the way which is pretty good for a 10 year old.

More Tests

2007-04-26T00:42:00.000+10:00

More tests are required so the doctor can find out what is causing the overactive thyroid. This means that I need a thyroid scan which I will probably need to take a day off work for and also more blood tests. Apparently my liver is slightly inflamed too but this may be unrelated.

In running news I had a 7k run on Monday afternoon. It was okay apart from the last few ks when I started to get severe stomach pains. The time was pretty slow again - but my new mantra must be 'at least I can still run'.

Going to an Anzac Day March (for the first time ever). D will be reading a prayer and wearing his great grandfather's medals. Then it's back home to catch up on some work and maybe get in a run this afternoon.

No more googling ...

2007-04-21T18:01:00.001+10:00

at least until I have seen the doctor again on Tuesday.

Yesterday's beach run became an 11k walk up the beach, across the sand dunes and back along the creek with 6 boys and one other adult. A great walk apart from the 2ks along sharp gravel without shoes.

This afternoon I set out for a 6k run but decided that I felt okay and would do 7. Glad that I made the choice as I saw an echidna on the road. It just froze so I got a really good look and it was still there but trying to hide under some leaves on the way back.

I felt a little better today and even managed to keep it under 7 minute pace. I have been keeping it very slow and not pushing on the hills at all.

Thanks for the support and advice. It makes me feel good that some marathoners take the time to read my blog (hope to join your ranks one day, but in the mean time I will just keep plodding and be glad that I can run).

Diagnosis

2007-04-20T08:20:00.001+10:00

The doctor rang at 7.30 last night (still working!) to give me the results of the blood test. It seems that I appear to have an overactive thyroid and therefore need to see her again next week. Hopefully they can add tests on to the blood I have already given otherwise I will have to give more, I don't really like blood tests. Plus she needs to see me about some other things (she did not elaborate) and I also have anemia.

Of course I immediately got onto Google to discover that I do have several of the symptoms including the racing heart, breathlessness when exercising, tiredness and weight loss despite overeating Easter eggs. Another symptom is irritability and I warned G that now I have an excuse:)

It is annoying that I now have to wait until next week to talk to her and find out more. Not sure whether to go for a run. I might go for a short run this afternoon at the beach but will give up on the long run for this weekend until I have seen the doctor again.

It is annoying to have health problems when I am fitter than I have ever been and eat well and generally try to look after myself. Still, no point getting worked up till I have more information.

Thanks

2007-04-18T18:07:00.001+10:00

Thanks for the support guys!

Finally got to the doctor today. The good news is that my blood pressure is fine (110/70). She listened to my heart and said that she could detect a slight murmur (which I didn't know I had) and that it certainly was 'chugging along'. She then sent me off for a blood test to check my iron, so I will have to wait a few days for the results. The best part was that I saw the doctor and then walked up to the pathology and had the blood test all within 30 minutes. Is that a world record?? The other doctor I used to visit could sometimes keep you waiting for over an hour.

I had another easy 6k run when I got home. I have noticed that I seem much more breathless at the moment even though I am taking it easy. Not sure whether to attempt a long run on the weekend. Maybe I'll do 10ks to see how it goes. I'm worried about losing fitness before my race in early June. I got the entry form in the mail the other day and I'm determined to do the half marathon this time.

Easy Does It

2007-04-16T18:37:00.000+10:00

A nice easy 6k run this afternoon. I am just going to take it easy and be thankful that I can still run at the moment. It would be quite easy for me to stop running with the symptoms I have been experiencing. I know from past forays into running that once I stop for a while it will probably turn into several years.

the first time I took up running i was living in Katherine and just wanted to get fitter (had plenty of time on my hands). Then I met G and moved out of town where I could only run on the soft red sand. Combined with dizzy spells (anemia I later foumd out) it was just too hard and I gave up, however I did an incredible amount of walking.

The next time I took up running I wanted to lose the weight I was carrying after having 2 children. All was going well until I got a bad flu, one of thse ones wgere you feel weak for a month afterwards. We then moved to where we lived now and I thought there was no way i could run up these hills.

This time I want it to be different. I love running and I'm determined to stick at it this time. that said, I know that I have to be sensible about my health (especially with a family history of heart disease). So, I will continue with the easy runs until I know what is wrong and I will also continue blogging/reading blogs for motivation.

BTW does anyone know anything about The Athletes Foot and the fitprint thingo. I took J to get new shoes today and the woman kept asking if he had pains in his feet, hips or back (he answered no) as he leans on his left foot and walks on the inside of his feet and has a falling arch. I'm not sure if I shoulf get this checked out by a professional as he has never complained about any kind of pain. Any thoughts?

Slow Week

2007-04-14T19:44:00.000+10:00

Yes, I'm still here!

It has been a busy but relaxing week. I had visitors from interstate for Easter and then went camping up on the Styx River (don't worry the name is misleading) for a couple of nights.

As for running ... I wasn't feeling too flash earlier in the week. I had a cold, thumping headaches and the racing heart. As I had one of my best friends visiting I went for a run with her husband but couldn't even make it up the first hill without walking (how embarrassing - I tried to explain that this was not normal for me) and had to send him on ahead while I only managed 5 ks. That was it until today but I made up for it with lots of walking. I worked out that I walked about 30ks over the week (not including toilet visits while camping - the drop toilet was about 500m away from our tent).

My legs were twitching for a run and I finally felt well enough (after I got over the waking up headache) for a run. I set out from the campsite up the track leading in. I avoided the steep hill by walking the first part but managed some gentler uphill and a nice long stretch back down again. It felt good to run again after a 5 day break:)

Scott - thanks for your concerns. I have been a bit wary of pushing it this week. My heart rate is still up but I will get to the doctor this coming week to get it checked out. As long as she doesn't tell me not to run:)

BTW the camping was great. Got lots of reading, eating and walking done. The kids had loads of fun as we invited some friends, who have children the same age, this time. It is such a beautiful spot and I loved not having to do anything. It was still nice to have a hot shower when I got home though.

Update

2007-04-07T07:34:00.000+10:00

Another busy week at work. Have been running but not blogging. But, luckily now I'm on holidays for 2 weeks.

Tuesday: 7ks
Wednesday: 7ks with a 2k Time Trial. The time for the 2ks was 11.27 (not great but I think I know why). This gave me a new appreciation for J's cross country time.

Friday long run:16ks. The time for this was not good at all. I decided to do the straight up the road route which means that the challenging hill is kilometre number 12. But, this is a much prettier route as I get to run along the creek for some time and get into a pocket of rainforest which is beautiful.

I started out very slowly but decided to just go with the flow. I have been experiencing a racing heartbeat for about a week with pounding in my ears any time I sit or lie down. My resting heart rate has been in the eighties rather than in the fifties-sixties as normal. I was a bit concerned about this as the pounding in the ears is not pleasant. I had an inkling that maybe it was connected to anemia as I have not taken iron tablets in ages so I googled it before leaving and found that I was right. I promptly took an iron tablet and headed out.

The first 11 ks were okay but by the time I got half way up the hill I was starting to feel unwell. I started to walk and as soon as I did I wanted to stop which I did and then I wanted to sit down which i also did (get the picture). The last 4 ks were very ordinary and I even contemplated ring G as I had my mobile. Anyway I stuck it out but walked most of the last 3 ks and was dry retching over the last 1/2k.

I got home and had to lie down on the bed - sweaty clothes, dirty legs and all. I managed to recover after a while but I had a pounding headache for the rest of the day. I think that this must be connected to the elevated heartrate (and yes I will make an appointment to see the doctor asap).

Still glad that I got in the long run, even under those circumstances.

Medium Long

2007-03-31T18:33:00.000+10:00

Only had 90 minutes to run today as we were out for most of the day at a soccer round robin for J. I wanted to do the 16 ks again but it would have been too dark so I had to settle for 13. It was nice to have a cool afternoon for running - it was 18 degrees when I got back.

I ran straight up the road this time and managed a PB of 9.19 for the hill (it climbs about 300m over the km according to mapmyrun.com) and actually managed a very slight negative split. I have to say that I actually felt really good and strong today and did the last 4 ks at just over 6 min pace.

The only gripe today is an unusual one for me and that is crazy drivers. Two cars of P platers zoomed past me when I was nearly home (and didn't even return my wave). G said that they were doing fishtails past the house. We have a lot of wildlife on this road and it is very narrow with steep drop offs in parts, in other words it is not a good place to drive flat out.