Disorganised Monday!

What a disaster of a day it turned out to be! While unpacking our swimming gear at the pool CJ realised she had forgotten her running bag. "Silly Billy" I said smugly only to discover after work as I half changed for Parliament House that I had no top half packed - no crop top or singlet top. They were still hanging on the rack at home waiting for me to pack at the last minute after drying overnight. Damn! Speedygeoff will think it's a conspiracy. I rushed home just after 5pm nearly gaining a speeding ticket in the vain hope of changing and returning in time for the Parliament House run. No such luck at that time of day. I was home and changed but it was 5.30pm by then and I knew I would never find the group ten or fifteen minutes after the start! So it was a run from home. As it turned out it was probably auspicious that I didn't join the group as I felt absolutely dreadful and ended up only running 9.19km of the planned 10km run.

Activity: Swim 6.30am
Location: Civic Pool
Distance: 100m plus 1km
Time: 27:20 (slow, slow, slow)

Comments: I felt fine and the slow lane had only one other person in it. In fact towards the end I was swimming alone - fantastic. The outdoor pool is now open so the water polo people train outside which clears a bit more space for the indoor pool. It felt a comfortable swim and better than Friday when I took 28mins to swim a km but still slow compared to the rest of the world!

Activity: Run 5.35pm
Location: From home along cycle track towards Gungahlin
Distance: 9.19km
Time: 52:13
Pace per km: 5:41
AHR: 163bpm
MHR: 204bpm
Calories: 537 (something positive here)
Best km: 5:17

Comments: I felt fine at the start apart from sore calf muscles which gradually eased, probably from that nasty hill yesterday but at about the 7km mark I began to feel positively revolting - a return of that nauseous feeling which keeps happening to me. By the 8km mark I was trying to hang on and just after 9km I had to give up and walk the rest of the way home. I felt like I literally could not run any further - not a good feeling at all. I am very cranky that I keep feeling like this and would like to feel 100% again. It's been on and off for over a week now - enough already! I'm not sick enough to stay home from work - just blah enough to be a bit disheartening. I don't like it affecting my running. Yesterday running up that hill I had the same feeling. I'm sure I could have run faster otherwise. Grrrrrrr!

On a brighter note tomorrow is Melbourne Cup Day and there are big plans afoot in the office - should be a fun day. I would have cycled in the morning but my bike is in for servicing - what a shame!

An Aussie Run - Cowpats and Flies!

Activity: Vets' Monthly Handicap Run
Distance: 7:01km
Time: 41:08
Average Pace per km: 5:51
AHR: 165bpm
MHR: 200bpm
Fastest km: 4:57
Calories: 485
Locality: Blewitts Pines - Coppins Crossing

Comments: I woke early in the morning to the sound of rain. At about 7am Mr B said "we won't be running in this will we?" "Ha ha - joke - the vet runners run in all weathers. Rain is not an issue - so out of bed with you!"

As it happened the weather cleared and although bleak it did not rain again and the conditions, although very muddy, were fine apart from the multitude of flies and having to avoid numerous cowpats on the course. The drive to the parking was a bit interesting too. I was waiting for someone to become stuck in the mud as it had obviously rained solidly most of the night. However everyone appeared to plough through it ok although I think there may be a few very muddy cars to wash - mine for one!

Lining up for the toilet queue I managed to miss my group being called and had to start in Group 17 instead of 15 which was a bit unfortunate. I also felt and still feel rather below par - that blah feeling of nausea in my tummy appears to have returned. I think I'm hungry, eat, but then feel worse. I do hope it clears up soon cos it's driving me crazy.

Apart from that it was a good surface but there was one very long hill which never seemed to end. CJ passed me threatening to walk but of course she didn't stop and did a brilliant time. Mr B also passed me from Group 19 and finished 5th place although he's not eligible for points yet - next time!! Later JS, CJ & Mr CJ, H & T, Mr B and I went for coffee at Black Pepper. It was lovely to catch up but I think next time we might try FlashDuck's recommendation of Musica e which is next door. The coffee was nicely presented with reasonable froth today but it was a bit milky and weak for my taste.

Back to it (I think) !

Activity: Run 5.50am
Location: Kaleen block
Distance: 6:04km (says Gandalf)
Time: 33:18
AHR: 161bpm
MHR: 184bpm
Best lap: 5:18kph
Average pace per km: 5:31

Comments: Still not feeling 100% and this was my first run since last Thursday (a whole week). However, in spite of myself I ran a PB by a few seconds so after I recovered from feeling very queasy I felt quite positive about the run which felt pretty ordinary at the time. It's been a pretty ordinary week altogether actually. I've just been feeling totally blah with no energy or motivation and that generally unwell feeling. However yoga last night was great - lots of good stretches including a quite painful calf stretch which I felt early in the run this morning. I felt so much better after the yoga session though. My tummy is still a bit unpredictable and I'm stocking up on Flash Duck's remedy before the Vets' Run on Sunday!

Tonight was ballroom dancing and I'm feeling exceedingly discouraged! We learnt the start of the samba tonight and the modern waltz which was fine until we danced together and had to do all the extra bits with it. I am seriously uncoordinated and I don't think I'm enjoying this dancing business. It definitely doesn't come naturally! We've now learnt (or attempted to learn) the slow rhythm foxtrot, the quickstep, the modern waltz, the evening two step and the start of the samba. I am so confused!

Dragons Galore

Friday morning before work we had our final training session for our dragon boat race and it went really well. We had two more new people, our group has not once been the full contingent but today was pretty close in spite of our early start of 6.45am. It was a drizzly morning but out on the lake, with the mist swirling over the water, it was quite magical and the water was perfectly still. It was glorious out there - a great training session.

Sunday dawned sunny, clear and warm. We were so lucky with the weather considering the way it had been earlier in the weekend. We had a rather bad heat but the main race went really well. By then we had perfected our timing skills and the adrenalin was pumping. We were only 1/8 of a second behind the second place getter in our final so I am told we scored a trophy but we didn't qualify for the grand final unfortunately. It was lots of fun though.

Monday - Just a Swim
Activity: Swim 6.30am
Location: Civic Pool with CJ

A slow swim in a slow lane full of slow swimmers. Yes, it was a busy morning at the pool and difficult to avoid other swimmers or find a lane that wasn't very full. I just swam 2 x 500m. I felt lethargic and definitely lacking in sleep after a late night celebrating daughter and daughter-in-law's birthdays this week with Turkish take aways and a few glasses of wine followed by chocolate birthday cake - yum! Too much food sat on my stomach until the small hours of the morning when I woke with some discomfort and didn't manage to fall asleep again until 5mins before the alarm. The overnight rainfall didn't help as my wrist ached painfully without respite. However, breakfast at RBB with CJ was definitely welcome!
As the moment drew near to leave the office at the end of the working day to join speedygeoff's training session at Parliament House down came the rain in absolute buckets followed by hail, thunder and lightning - definitely not the night to drive to training. In fact driving home at that time was a challenge as it was quite difficult to negotiate the car through the storm as vision was at a minimum. It was comforting to stay home tonight while Mr B had to go out to play squash on the other side of town. I've had a fairly slack few days exercise-wise so I guess I should return to running tomorrow if the weather clears.

"Just Singing in the Rain" ..........
.......................well running, actually but it sounded like a song coming on!

Activity: Run 5.50am
Distance: 6km
Location: Kaleen block
Time: 33:39
Pace per km: 5:37
AHR: 159bpm
MHR: 188bpm
Calories: 355
Fastest km: 5:31

Comments: The alarm woke me at 5.30am and I didn't realise it was raining until I stepped out the door. By then I was all set to run anyway so there was no turning back. It wasn't too bad - just a steady light rain which kept me cool (or something) and wet! There were still a surprising number of people out walking appropriately dressed unlike me. By the time I arrived home I resembled a drowned rat but never mind, at least I did it!

Tonight at ballroom dancing we learnt the remaining steps in the Evening Two Step (27 steps in this so-called "Two Step"!) and more variations of the quick step and the cha cha cha - my head is spinning! More practice is definitely required although I think we have improved slightly. It's surprisingly exhausting - all this concentration and spinning round! Tomorrow morning I have dragon boat training at 6.45am - here's hoping the rain stops while we're out on the lake as it can become very cold out there. I plan to meet CJ for brekkie afterwards. I'll be looking forward to a nice hot coffee I imagine.

Wednesday - My favourite Day

This morning I dragged myself out of bed quite early to do a few abs and upper body exercises. I did 2 sets of 15 reps of dumbbell press on the swiss ball, dumbbell lateral raises, dumbbell curls and crunches spending about 25mins doing these.

Activity: Yoga

Tonight was my second yoga class. There's so many good stretches. I can feel it doing me good and the relaxation at the end of class is absolute heaven - nearly as good as chocolate! I've decided I love Wednesdays - only one drawback - I have to go for an early morning run tomorrow!

Cycle and Run Day
Activity: Cycle 6am
Distance: 17.56km
Time: 53mins
Av sp: 19.7kph
Max sp: 33kph
AHR: 115bpm
MHR: 135bpm

Location: From home to Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club and return
Comments: A lovely sunny morning - crisp and clear. A gentle ride with energy lacking but pleasant. Unfortunately I set Gandalf on "run" instead of "bike" which made for an interesting result - a fast "run" but a slow "bike"!

Activity: Run 5.30pm
Distance: 9.41km
Time: 57:39
Location: North Lyneham
AHR: 154bpm
MHR: 209bpm
Calories: 548
Rate per km: 6.08
Fastest km: 5:33

Comments: Met CJ to run the North Lyneham hills again. A little slow but it was a bit windy and very undulating but the company was good! We saw lots of kangaroos bounding near us, some slowed down to stare at these strange humans and others leapt off at an enviable pace!

In the evening I took a bottle of champers and visited close friends who have just had their entire house renovated. It is stunning and it was so nice to sit down with them for a couple of hours and toast their "new" house with champagne.

Back to the Dragon
Activity: Swim 6.30am
Location: Civic Pool
Distance: 1.2km
Time: 27mins for 1km

Comments: Managed to arrive at the pool at the same time as CJ. 100m warm up and cool down and 1km main set followed my toasted muesli for brekkie at RBB - yum.

Activity: Dragon boat training 5.30pm
Location: Yacht Club
Time: 1hour

Comments: We're improving but it's a pity everybody can't attend practice. We have one more practice (6.45am Friday) before our big race on Sunday!

My Turn to be Tagged!
I have been tagged. CJ has tagged me in the latest fun 'get to know your fellow bloggers' chain game. Here are the rules:

1. Go into your archives.
2. Find your 23rd post.
3. Find the fifth sentence (or the closest one to it)
4. Post the text of your sentence in your blog along with these rules.
5. Tag five other people.

This is my sentence:

"CJ joined us soon afterwards and we spotted lots of familiar faces in the crowds waiting for the starting gun". This entry was taken from Sunday 12 September at the start of the Canberra Times 10km Fun Run. What's more our CR team won the female open category which was pretty exciting! I tag Aki, Flash Duck, Lucky Legs, Speedygeoff and Friar but I have no idea how to link them so CJ, if you read this - heeeeeeeeeeelp!!

Saturday - Food Depletion!
Activity: Run 10.20am
Location: Lake Ginninderra from home
Distance: 15.02km
Time: 85:55 (1hour 25mins 55secs)
AHR: 165bpm
MHR: 224bpm
Rate per km: 5:43
Calories: 905
Fastest km: 5:16

Comments: Late start today as I had not made arrangements to meet anybody so just ran in my own time. It was still slightly overcast but quite hot by the end of the run. As I had only eaten a banana and a glass of water before leaving home I was suffering from hunger pains and hanging out for food by the time I arrived home. I ran from home to Lake G, round the lake and home again. There were lots of people out there and it was quite pleasant but next time I'll have more sustenance before I leave home! That coffee and toast sure tasted good afterwards!

Sunday

A nice relaxing day! I went to the Kingston Markets this morning then to Manuka for a great coffee before going on to Civic to purchase a Mini Ipod Nano for my daughter's 22nd birthday next week. It's very cute and little, about half the size of my mini ipod. Tomorrow morning a swim is scheduled but I have dragon boat training after work and it clashes with speedygeoff's running at Parliament House so it looks like I'll have to run extra hard on Tuesday!

Friday at last!
Activity: Swim 6.30am
Location: Civic Pool
Distance: 1.2km

Comments: Met CJ at the pool and swam 3 x 400m then off to brekkie at RBB. I had lunch with a friend at Flash Duck's favourite haunt, The Deck. It was a stunning day and delightful sitting out in the sunshine by the lake - such a lovely setting. Tomorrow I will wake naturally - no alarm - and go for a long run to start the weekend.

A PB and a Dance
My first yoga class last night was really good. I had to concentrate hard but the relaxing time at the end and the feeling afterwards was amazing. I'm thoroughly looking forward to my class next week now. It dispelled all my cynical feelings towards yoga and now I am truly a convert!

Activity: Run 6.10am Thursday
Distance: 6km
Location: Kaleen block
Time: 33:27
Rate per km: 5:34
AHR: 161bpm
MHR: 212bpm!!
Calories: 361
Best lap: 5:25

Comments: The alarm on my mobile woke me at 5.30am. I switched it off and next thing I knew it was nearly 6am. I leapt out of bed in a dazed state and ran out the door at 6.10am. In spite of a blurry start I managed to run the block in a 2005 PB of 12 seconds for this course. It was a stunning morning - still, sunny and fresh which certainly helped! I do love mornings like that.

Activity: Dancing 7.30pm
Location: Belconnen - Danceway

Comments: Tonight we did a continuation of last week adding extra steps to our foxtrot and cha cha cha. We learnt turns and promenades, twists and spot turns. One of the leaders zoomed in on Mr B & me. He kept correcting our moves and took over as my partner for a time while Mr B was led round by his partner. It helped but we are definitely not "naturals" to the art of ballroom dancing! Still, it was fun and I'm sure (hopefully) that we will improve.

A Busy Tuesday
Activity One: Cycle 6am
Distance: 14.12km
Time: 42mins
Locaton: Through tunnel towards Gungahlin on cycle track
Calories: 248

Comments: A gentle cycle from home along cycle track towards Gungahlin. I struggled out of bed but was glad I cycled even if it was slow. It was pleasant and a good start to the day.

Activity Two: Gym 12.30pm
Location: Canberra Club Gym
Time: 35mins approx

Comments: Walked over to gym at lunchtime, had a 5 minute warm-up on the strange leg machine and lifted weights on the bench press, standing dumbbell lateral raise, alternating dumbbell curl, abs on the swiss ball, prone fly etc.

Activity Three: Run 5.30pm
Location: North Lyneham
Distance: 10.95km
Time: 69mins
Rate per km: 6:19
AHR: 148bpm
MHR: 185bpm
Calories: 666

Comments: Started running at 5.30pm and met up with CJ half way round the 1st loop. She had already completed 1.5 loops. Each loop is an undulating 3.1km. I ran 3 more loops with her. We didn't run fast but it was hard work on the hills at the end of the day. I had to remove my sunglasses as the sun was low by the time we finished. It was a good day but I'm tired! Tomorrow will be lovely. I have brekkie in the morning with friends, a hair appointment at lunchtime and yoga tomorrow night. That will be interesting!

A Typical Monday
Due to the bleak windy weather yesterday dragon boat training was cancelled which cleared up the day for me for house cleaning, washing and shopping (oh joy) but I also managed to visit my grand-daughter which is always a special time. The extra training session will be rescheduled for another day. This morning I dragged myself out of bed to start my week.

Activity: Swim 6.30am
Location: Civic Pool
Distance: 1.2km
Time: 26:48 for 1km
Comments: Boy, I didn't want to get out of bed this morning. I had such a dreadful night with an unquenchable thirst and a rotten cold. However, in spite of feeling pretty awful the swim actually went really well and I certainly perked up with yummy hot porridge with dates & almonds and a good cappucino. Ah, I love starting Mondays with that brekkie at RBB.

Activity: Run 5.30pm
Location: Parliament House
Distance: 8.14km

AHR: 137bpm MHR: 212bpm!!
Calories: 505
Time: Approx 50mins (with stops)

Comments: A tough brisk undulating 3km warm-up then another run to the High Court - a new spot for training - on the grass there. It was a little uneven but we ran 12 x 30secs sprints with 60secs slow recovery jog between each then another gentle jog back to Parliament House. It certainly felt like a good work out.

Tomorrow I have a morning cycle planned, a gym visit at lunchtime and a run at North Lyneham after work with CJ. Wonder if I'll manage all that - depends a bit on work and how I feel and whether I ever go to bed tonight!

A Longer Run on a Bleak Day

Activity: Run 9am
Location: Lake Burley Griffin
Distance: 15.33km
Time: 1hr 29mins 57secs
AHR: 162bpm
MHR: 179bpm
Av Rate per km: 5:53
Calories: 971
Best km: 5:25

Comments: It was certainly a miserable looking morning with threatening rain which fortunately did not eventuate. Mr B & I met CJ at the Yacht Club and while she ran the whole lake including Kings Avenue Bridge (20km) Mr B & I ran the shorter loop of 16km which measured 15.33km on Gandalf as we lost the satellite for a short distance while running through the trees - yes, there are still a few trees left in the forest! We soon warmed up and it was a good run culminating in an enjoyable coffee and date scones at the Yarralumla Nursery where our friend Jon joined us.

Thursday 6 October - Run and Dance
Activity: Run
Location: Cycle Track towards Gungahlin
Distance: 10:02km
Time: 59:09
AHR: 150bpm
MHR: 163bpm
Rate: 5:54
Calories: 591
Fastest lap: 5:21

Comments: I felt very tired at the start but although it wasn't a fast run I eventually found my rhythm and felt fine. It must have rained overnight as it was very wet underfoot. As I was running through magpie territory and noticed a few of them 'lurking' nearby I picked up a stick to carry. I probably looked a bit strange but I didn't have any problem with swooping!

Activity: Dancing!

Location: Danceway, Belconnen

Comments: Tonight Mr B & I had our first dancing lesson. We learnt the slow rhythm foxtrot, the cha cha cha and the first part of the evening three step. It was fun and we were going ok until the last dance which we had to learn in about 5 minutes flat. Oh boy, talk about uncoordinated! Fortunately they go over the dances we have already learnt next week before teaching us more steps. In the meantime I think we need some practice!

Friday - Another new exercise!

Activity: Swim 6.30am

Distance: 1km

Time: 27:24

Location: Civic Pool

Comments: Met CJ at the pool for a swim where I swam 1km in sets of 5 x 200m after which we had our usual brekkie at RBB - always the best start to the day.

Activity: Dragon Boat training - 5.30pm

Location: Yacht Club

Time: 1 hour

Comments: There were only 9 of us from the Vets' team who turned up for the training on a very bleak cold evening. We combined with a team from Telstra to make up the numbers to fill up the boat. We had a good coach and it was a lot of challenging fun but oh boy, it was cold out there. It became even colder when the rain came down and it took me the entire evening and a very hot shower to warm up afterwards. I had planned an early night but it is now midnight and I've just been watching a movie on the telly. Oh dear, I'm meeting CJ at 9am at the Yacht Club in the morning - hope this rain stops by then!

Gandalf has a hissy fit!

Activity: Run 6am
Location: Kaleen block
Distance: 6.05km
Time: 22:20 for 4.04km (see below)
AHR: 158bpm MHR: 180bpm
Av Rate per km: 5:32
Calories: 267

Comments: The readings are probably inaccurate as when I reached the 907m mark Gandalf started chirping consistently - chirp, chirp, chirp - breath - chirp, chirp, chirp - breath etc - no stopping. The distance didn't change and after a km of this I tried everything from switching him right off and on again - back came the chirping, to changing the mode - no luck. In the end the only way to stop him was to reset to zero and start timing again. It was just over the 2km mark as I still ran 4.04km to home. It was a bit frustrating and I have no idea what caused his displeasure. Hope he's better tempered tomorrow morning!

Activity: Swim 7pm

Location: Belconnen Aquatic Centre (CISAC)

Distance: 1km

Time: 26:53

Comments: Met CJ at the pool and went for a good swim. The pool was clean, cool and quite busy but I felt quite comfortable. The best part was the fact that the cafe was still open afterwards and we could enjoy a decaf cappucino which, although slightly bitter, had great froth.

Tomorrow I have a run scheduled for the morning and dancing starts in the evening. Then we're swimming again Friday morning and my first dragon boat training session is after work. Sat a long run, Sun dragon boat and a cycle. Next Wed I start yoga in the evenings - now that will be interesting. I'm not exactly well coordinated so it could indeed be a challenge!

A Change of Pace
Activity: Cycle 6am
Location: Lake Ginninderra
Distance: 15.45km
Time: 44:47
AHR: 117bpm MHR: 138bpm
Calories: 278
Maximum speed: 34kpm Av sp: 20.7kph

Comments: Cold morning with a light frost. Wore long gloves, leggings and ear warmers. Cycled to the lake and round it and back home the same way rather than past the maggies. Gandalf says my heart rate isn't working hard enough - not enough effort involved! Damn, it felt like hard work to me!

Activity: Gym

Location: Canberra Club

Exercises: Free Weights to work upper body and abs exercises

Time: 1 hour

Comments: About 10mins warm-up on the treadmill then 50 minutes with weights working upper body followed by swiss ball abs exercises and crunches. Had some exercise sheets to follow which made it easier but still had to concentrate!

Tomorrow is another early start to go for a run and I plan to swim tomorrow night and start dancing (yes, dancing) on Thursday night! On Friday I start training for the Dragons Abreast Dragon Boat race on 23 October. It's good to try a few different forms of exercise!

A Hill Run at 5pm
Activity: Run
Location: North Lyneham
Distance: 10.73km
Time: 65:36
AHR: 155bpm MHR: 173bpm
Av Rate per km: 6:08
Calories burned: 664

Comments: CJ met me at my house and we ran to North Lyneham and ran the 3.1km loop in an anti-clockwise direction. This is slightly less hilly than the opposite direction and avoids the killer hill but although we were aiming for more downhills guess what you have to do before you can run downhill! As we approached our first steep downhill Mr B joined us from the opposite direction meeting us at the top! We did the loop three times and it was hard work on those hills. I blame my slow average speed on the undulations! We sighted a family of curious kangaroos who waited until we were quite close before they bounded off into the distance. In the last loop CJ sprouted wings and flew away from us! However she waited to run the home stretch together. It was such a beautiful day in Canberra today, more of that Spring sunshine and we managed to fit in our run just before the sun went down below the hills.

A Sunny Spring Sunday and Garmin is named!

Activity: Run

Location: To and round Lake G from home (Kaleen)

Distance: 13:55km

Time: 1:15:02 (75:02)

Av Rate per km: 5:35

Fastest km: 5:17

AHR: 157bpm

MHR: 174bpm

Calories: 787

Comments:

Today I ran down to Lake Ginninderra, ipod on my arm, garmin on my wrist, to meet CJ, H & T and Mr B at Black Pepper in order to continue round the lake. I didn't feel particularly wonderful, the headphones kept falling from my ear, the music wasn't set up properly as I kept playing slow songs which are not conducive to running fast and my stomach felt decidedly dodgy. In fact by the time I met CJ & Mr B I felt decidedly blah! However, after a short rest I continued round the lake with CJ. Mr B couldn't restrain himself and had to run on ahead to pass H & T who had already had a head start. I was surprised at the end of the run to note that it was actually 2 minutes faster than when I last ran that course. I had to stop for a loo break in the last km and I really didn't feel great so I was pleased that at least the time was ok. CJ has inspired me with a name for garmin - Gandalf. I think that's very apt as I believe it really is a little wizard and I'm certainly hoping that it will perform magic for me! Thanks CJ.

Brekkie at BP was great. We were joined by The Hare, Mrs Hare and Mr CJ as well as a non-running good friend of mine, Andrea. Later Mr B & I followed Andrea home to admire her house extensions which are almost finished - absolutely fabulous. Then we drove to Commonwealth Park to explore floriade. There was a rock & roll band performing and it was very pleasant sitting in the sunshine on this glorious Canberra day listening to the music. In the evening our son & grand-daughter joined us for dinner so it turned out to be a lovely day in spite of the fact that I still feel a bit ordinary!