Struggling Through Another Week

Monday' Run 4.30pm
Distance: 11.15km
Calories: 670

I left work early as I knewI couldn't stay to the end of training tonight as I had babysitting duties. I managed to arrive in time for the early run at 4.30pm which was an easy run before the proper training session. It was a good warm-up with Ewen, speedygeoff and Jenny from Sydney. We then met up with the others at 5.30pm and ran another warm-up loop before heading for the back of PH where we were divided into teams to run 10 x 350m with easy runs between. I left early so didn't complete the session. however, I was pleased to fit in a bit more distance by arriving early.

Wednesday

I looked after the grandchildren all night and today which limited me obviously with running. However Mr B volunteered to go to work late so that I could go for a short run at 8.30am.

Distance: 8.17km
Time taken: 45:24
Average pace per km: 5:33
Calories burned: 473

I so need some more time to run longer distances. I am way behind schedule with marathon training.

Vets Handicap at Campbell Park

Unfortunately due to an emergency family situation I could not get to the long run yesterday so was glad I could run in the handicap today at least. Better a little run than none at all. It was held at Campbell Park and the conditions were perfect - not too hot for once. Of course there were hills but it was just 3km out and back so much shorter than what we usually struggle to run. The only trouble is it takes me at least 3km to warm up. I should have arrived earlier and run a decent warm up first! After the presentations and notices I went to Hudsons to enjoy a lovely cappuccino with friends.

Distance: 6km
Time taken: 33:03
Average pace per km: 5:30
Handicap: 25
Place: 74th (out of 102) - not brilliant!!

There's a Holiday Tomorrow - Woo Hoo!!

And it just so happens that I can sleep in - no alarms - no running. I may go for a swim during the course of the day but it will be a slow one if I do!

Tonight I chose to time going to track to take part only in the 5 lap spiral. At 6pm it was far too hot for the 3000m but by 8pm the temperature had cooled right down and it was a lovely time to run. Speedygeoff, Jenny (who was visiting from Sydney for a few days) and I ran an easy 4km warm-up first and that was lovely. Then we took part in the 5 lap spiral handicap at 8.15pm.

Handicap: Group 32

Distance: 2.19km (each time you run a loop you go into the next lane which means each lap is slightly longer than the one before)

Time taken: 10:14
Place: 21st
Average pace per km: 4:40
Calories burned: 122

Today was Maria's birthday and a group of us celebrated at the end of track with a glass of champagne to wish her well. Happy Birthday Maria - a most relaxing finish to a pleasant evening.

WTD: 31km
YTD: 166km

Happy Australia Day tomorrow!

Middle of the Short Week!

I love four day weeks - Australia Day rules! Tomorrow will be just like a Friday.

Gym - 6.15am
RPM Class - 45 minutes of dripping speed and hills on the stationery bike. It was very very tough with no let-up and jelly legs.

Running - 6pm
Distance: 6.42km
Time taken: 38:34
Average pace per km: 6mins
Calories burned: 383
WTD: 25km
YTD: 160km

I met up with CathyM, George, Ewen, Chris and Dennis at Lake BG where we ran the bridge to bridge with an extra section at the start. It was very hot although later in the evening it cooled down and was quite pleasant. It was good company and I enjoyed the fact that there weren't hills! My legs were not very responsive and didn't want to run fast but that may have been because of RPM this morning.

Hot, hot, hot!!

Is it just me or is this summer hotter than usual? I find it so hard running in 34degree heat and currently there seems no let up, even the nights don't cool down enough for comfort. Yesterday, after our warm up loop of PH, speedygeoff led us to a steep grassy bank which was slightly in the shade where we ran 20 hill repeats of 100m - up as fast as possible and jogging slowly down on 90secs. It was tough and hot and we all collapsed on the grassy bank for a rest before running the cool down loop to finish. There were 22 of us at training tonight which is a pretty good turnout in spite of the heat.

Time of day: 5.30pm
Distance: 8.50km
Calories burned: 500

This evening after work Mr B and I ran from home and round past Lake Ginninderra through Giralang and back home which is a 10km loop. Although we didn't leave the house until nearly 7pm it was still 34degrees and unbearably hot for running. I found it difficult to maintain speed and by the time I reached home I was literally dripping my way to the shower!

Time of day: 7pm
Temperature: 34degrees
Distance: 10km
Time taken: 58:47
Average pace per km: 5:52
Calories burned: 587
WTD: 18.50km
YTD: 153.50km

Putting Things in Perspective

Friday Run - 5.45am
Distance: 10km
Time taken: 57:30
Average pace per km: 5:47
Calories burned: 585
Fastest km: 5:29

On Friday morning I decided I should rise early and go for a run to make up for missing Thursday night's track. It wasn't a startling time but it was a lovely run. I listened to my music and I ran thinking of everything that has happened lately - in fact, suddenly a silly accident in my little car didn't seem so bad in the big scheme of things. Nobody was hurt and the car will untimately be fixed. Gee, some days I am so glad I can run. The temperature was warm and muggy even at 5.45am. We have been experiencing a very hot January in Canberra.

Saturday's Molonglo Group Run - 7am
Distance: 22km
Time taken: 2hours 24mins
Average pace per km: 6:37
Calories burned: 1339
Total distance for week: 51km
Total distance for year: 135km

I started off running with the group at Molonglo and we headed off on our usual route round the base of Mt Ainslie and over the hills fairly slowly as it was very hot. Today the temperature soared yet again to over 38deg and even at that time of day we were dripping by the 3km mark and consuming lots of water. Just past the 12km mark Ewen and I decided to head towards the War Memorial and round the lake. We ran to the Carillon for a top up of water and then on to Kingston and round through the Wetlands and back to Molonglo. It was a good run incorporating the hills to start and finishing on the flat - good company and an enjoyable distance. Hopefully we will do something similar next week but for a longer distance.

After the run we joined the others who were having nibblies and drinks back at the picnic ground in the shade. Then Ewen and I immersed ourselves in the cool refreshing lake water. It was absolute heaven and soothing on the hot tired muscles - a lovely way to finish the run.

Some Days You Should Just Stay in Bed!!

And today was one of those days! Last night we babysat the grandchildren and arrived home quite late after which I updated my blog then I laid out my gym gear for the morning and packed my bag for running. The alarm went this morning and I just could not drag myself out of bed. Okay, forget the gym, after all I'll still be running track this evening so should be nice and fresh!! Hmmm - the best laid plans........ Next thing I know Mr B is leaving before me (unheard of occurrence), saying "see you at brekkie"! Oopsy daisy - forgot it's Thursday - brekkie with CJ. Speed up the work day process, grab running bag and arrive for brekkie 15mins before due at office - rats! Still I did spend 20mins enjoying brekkie and coffee before the start of a totally stressful day full of disasters work-related!

At the end of the day I realised I still needed to print off a flier to take to track - printer trouble - change to another printer - no luck. Change to colour printer - waste of ink, but it worked! Great, nobody left in office, quickly change for track, set alarm very very gently as it is sooo sensitive and I keep receiving calls from Security when people set it off by mistake. Done! Rush to car - may still make it for 3000m if I hurry. Quickly put car in reverse and back out straight into pole - crunch - can't move either way - finally move slightly forward out of way of pole. Gingerly survey damage - damn - what a mess! I managed to rip off passenger wing mirror and make a nasty mess of the passenger door - aaaaaaaah - my poor little car! I promptly burst into tears and rang Mr B who was surprisingly sympathetic. As a result of all this I did not end up going to track, instead I collected Mr B from his office and drove home without even delivering the fliers! Tomorrow starts the long process of having my car repaired and no doubt the inconvenience of being without a car. I think I'm stressed!! I also think I should have stayed in bed this morning. Can I start the day again please???

Speedygeoff's PH starts the Week!

Monday's Parliament House Session
I arrived three minutes late for training and spent my warm-up lap trying to catch up to the group. I eventually caught them stretching back at the start. It was a really hot evening and difficult to run fast intervals. We ran relays in teams of two and Ewen was kind enough to partner me as he had already run a 7km warm-up before the session and was happy to go slower. We ran a practice set of 820m followed by the 300m recovery loop to check the route.

Main set
4 x 820m
300m recovery between

We then did a warm down of another loop of PH.
Total distance: 9km

Tuesday - Gym - 6.15am
Bodypump class
Interesting and tough as this was my first class for this year.

Wednesday - Run - 5.40am
Distance: 10km
Time taken: 56.49mins
Week's total: 19km
Month's total: 114km

It was hot even at this time of the morning and I found the run quite difficult mainly because I spent the entire run searching for convenient trees!! Not a good run this morning unfortunately and I was dripping with perspiration by the end of it.

Squeezing in just 10km more!

This evening Mr B and I decided to go for a quick run before dinner but in order to avoid the hot sun we didn't run until 7pm so it was a late dinner!

Distance: 10km
Time taken: 56:48
Average pace per km: 5:41 (one second quicker than the last time we ran this route!!)
Calories burned: 590
Fastest km: 5:25 (our last km)

We ran from home to Lake G and home via Giralang. It was still hot even at this time but at least the sun wasn't as intense. As the distance yesterday was only 18km (in spite of the time taken) it seemed necessary to add a few more kilometres this weekend so I was glad we squeezed in another 10km!

Running with champions

Aki, CJ (the champion), strewth, Ewen, speedygeoff
and Mr B after the 10,000m event

Aki pacing Luckylegs in the 800m track event












Thursday night's track

I managed to arrive at track in time to cheer on LL in her 800m event. It was a stinking hot night - still about 38deg by 8pm and probably even hotter when LL competed at 7pm. The heat certainly affected a lot of people but in spite of the conditions LL still managed to improve her PB by 15secs which was pretty impressive!

In the 10,000m event after persuading CJ to compete, she managed to win first place in the women and become the ACT 10,000m track champion! Wow, well done CJ. Aki achieved a bronze medal in the same event. I am running with champions. How exciting!

I found the temperature a bit restrictive and was about 40secs slower than last time I ran 10,000km on the track.

Distance: 10km
Time taken: 54mins
Average pace per km: 5:22
Calories burned: 605

However, it was great to see everyone and we really appreciated the help and support of FD and PRB who lap scored for four of us which is a pretty impressive effort. Thanks guys.

Saturday - Early morning hill run

Distance: 18.18km
Time taken: 2hours
Average pace per km: 6:42
Calories burned: 1173

I met up with Graeme's group at Molonglo at 7am. It was a much more comfortable temperature than yesterday which at one point reached 43degrees! Today only reached 29degs although once the sun came out it still felt very hot.

For this morning's run however, the day started slightly overcast and it was a good time to run. A large group of us started together, some going the very long distance with Steve and some going the shorter distance with Graeme. I chose to leave the others in my group at about the 6km mark when some were turning and some were completing the usual loop. Instead I ran with long-legged Chris up Trent's hill, to the start of the zig zag where we turned left instead of right, ran a bit more then decided on a steep "diversion" as Chris named it. We ran back via the beautiful grounds of the Defence Force Academy and back to Molonglo. It was much tougher than the usual loop although only a couple of kilometres further. Running is such a panacea and an excellent distraction from other events in our lives. Those hills defnitely require concentration - slowly, slowly but surely improvement will eventually happen!

Luckylegs hits the town!

A lovely evening at Belluci's -
From left: PRB, strewth, Ewen, Aki, Luckylegs and Flashduck

Earlier in the evening before Ewen's arrival

And tomorrow evening LL will hit the AIS track and run the 800m event with Aki pacing her. Look out Canberra - LL is ready to take on the world! I so hope I can be there! Good luck LL! We will be cheering you on!

A Window of Opportunity

After spending a virtually sleepless night at my son's home caring for my little grandchildren I took time off work to take little Talia to Cockington Green. A friend came with me and we had a magical day with little Miss Four - train rides, icecreams, picnic, miniature village, sunshine and a chance to just spend quality time away from the stress and sadness currently surrounding our lives. Tonight I am going to dinner with Lucky Legs, Flash Duck, Thea, Peter and Ewen. It will be wonderful to catch up with these beautiful people.

Unfortunately I was unable to go to speedygeoff's session at PH on Monday and I believe it was a good one too. I did manage an early morning gym session however and yesterday morning I squeezed in a run before work.

Tuesday 9 January - Run
Distance: 10km
Time taken: 57:18
Average pace: 5:43
Calories burned: 600
Fastest km: 5:29

For some reason I am unable to post photos on this new Beta Blog. Can anyone help me figure this one out?

Back to the hills!

2007 has not started well but it is sometimes difficult to blog personal family tragedies so I will stick to the running stuff and just say that sometimes family becomes the most important focus in our lives.

Today is my daughter's birthday and we had a lovely brunch in Manuka with most of us together. Tonight we will have a birthday dinner for her.

This morning I did not run but yesterday at 7am I ran with the Molonglo group and chose to run the longer, tougher distance with Steve, John and Ewen. To say "with" Steve and John is using the word very loosely but we managed to keep them in sight most of the way. The word "run" is also used loosely as it was tough and very very hilly and in many parts impossible to run. We "ran" around Mt Ainslie, Trent's (twice), the Zig-zag to 4 Ways and back via Campbell Park stopping at Duntroon for more water. It was very hot and still weather and both Ewen and I ran out of water. I had taken three little water bottles but I could have done with twice that! It was very thirsty weather and as we were out for three hours I became very dehydrated. When we finally reached the tap at Duntroon I just couldn't drink enough. I splashed my face, filled my drink bottles over and over and poured water in my cap to throw over me. When we arrived back at Molonglo Reach Steve and John had just arrived. They went a slightly different route for the last few km. We all had a dip in the lake and the water was so cool and soothing on the sore legs. I had intended to go for a longer run this morning but hadn't intended to run for three hours!! It was hard work and very slow. I hope it will toughen me up!

Saturday 6 January - 7am
Location: From Molonglo Reach
Hill "Run": 25km
Time taken: 3hours
Calories burned: 2490 (I was hungry and thirsty for the rest of the day!)

Friday 5 January
Gym - RPM/Spin/Bike class
This was a tough 45minute class with lots of uphill sprints. What is with all these hills lately! It was a very good workout.

Thursday 4 January
6am - Run
Distance: 8.21km
Time taken: 45:56
Average pace per km: 5:36 (I can do it when I try!)
Calories burned: 477
Fastest km: 4:51

I went for a run before work towards Giralang along the cycle track. I turned on the music and ran as if possessed. So much is going on and buzzing in my head. It was so good to run.

8pm - Track
4 lap spiral handicap
Distance (according to Gandalf) - 1.7m
Time taken: 7:56
Average pace per km: 4:41
Handicap: 32
Place: 18th

I had a window of opportunity to drive to the track just for this event but was so glad I ran it and was pleased with the result. It was good to catch up with a few running friends such as Ewen, Cathy S, speedygeoff and Geoff B who had safely returned from his sailing trip.

Wednesday 6am - Gym
I did a 15minute abs class and then spent the next 45mins using the weights machines. Ouch, after a couple of weeks away from them I found it very tough indeed.
I was glad I went to the gym as the rest of the day was a write-off.

A Good Run to Start 2007!

Today I went for a run with Mr B from home to Lake Ginninderra, round the lake and home again. We arrived home in time to find our son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren waiting to see us. They stayed for dinner and it was so nice to spend the first evening of 2007 with them. Our girls are due back from Sydney tomorrow. Our run was a good one, working off some of this over-indulgence which has been happening lately! There's still chocolates in my house. That is not good, they need to be eaten!!

Distance: 15:10km (Day 1 of 2007)
Time: 1hour 26mins 8secs
Average pace per km: 5:42
Calories burned: 884

Over the past few weeks I have run a couple of long hilly Saturday runs from Molonglo, (16.3km each) - one including Trent's Hill and the rollercoaster - now I have discovered what they are talking about! Chris was our long-legged mountain goat leader on those two runs when Cathy M and I followed him on the longer loops and met the others later.

On the last Sat before Christmas we stayed to share Christmas cheer and beautiful Christmas mince pies made by one of our male runners. Someone brought champagne and it was such a lovely morning. Oh, but I did have a fall on that run. The ground was very dry and dusty and I tripped on a stone and fell flat down and slid along the dry ground before I even realised I was falling so I didn't even try to stop myself! I lay there winded for a minute but was surrounded by friends who dusted me down and threw water on me. It really does make such a difference to run with friends. I had a few grazes and a bit of blood but it was mainly my pride that was injured and I was quickly back into the run. We met up with lots of other vetrunners coming in the other direction that day including Maree and Amanda who commented on my rather dusty appearance as it was pretty obvious I had had a fall! It was great to see them and exchange Christmas greetings on our way.

The interesting part about those two runs is that they were almost the same distance but quite different routes, both heading off towards Mt Ainslie but the first run was the run to the peak of the hill while the second run was our usual loop round the base in comparison a much easier run but still quite hilly.

Saturday 16 December
Distance: 16:22km
Time taken: 1:54mins - the tough hilly run
Average pace per km: 7:05 !!!
Calories burned: 1122

Tuesday 19 December
Distance: 9.64km
Time taken: 56:35
Average pace per km: 5:52
Calories burned: 564

Saturday 23 December
Distance: 16:30km
Time taken: 1:44:22
Average pace per km: 6:24
Calories: 1000

Tuesday 26 December
Distance: 8.44km
Time taken: 45:22
Average pace per km: 5:23
Calories burned: 470

Thursday 28 December - an undulating run by Cronulla Beach
Distance: 10km
Time taken: 1hour

Saturday 30 December - another hilly beachside run
Distance: 10.07km
Time taken: 1hour 1min!

And now I must look to increasing my distances and number of runs as the Canberra Marathon is only three months away! And tomorrow it's back to the office - oh joy!