Thursday, August 30, 2007

More Challenges

Tuesday - Bodypump - 6.15am
This morning I rose early to go to a Bodypump class at the gym and oh boy I found it so hard after such a long break. It was a new program and ouch, ouch, ouch, everything hurt!

Wednesday - RPM - 6.15am
Another early morning, this time for an RPM cycle class and if yesterday was difficult today was massive. I worked so hard and for the entire day my legs hurt!

Thursday - Run - speedygeoff's training session at Dickson Oval - 5.30pm
It was a stunning day in Canberra today and a very mild evening. We ran two warm-up loops and then divided into teams of three for a relay session of 8 x 200m round the oval passing the baton to each team member as we reached them or vice versa. After this we used the same teams and batons and ran 8 x 100m straight changing batons for each runner. And after all that we ran another cool-down loop. It was a tough session but enjoyable although I was struggling with a sore throat. I found it really challenging as my team consisted of two fast men and slow me. I also raced against Marg who was in an opposing team running in the same spot as me so of course that meant we both had to try harder. However I really did enjoy the challenge and it was great to see that Allrounder has joined our Thursday group!
Total distance: 6.5km

Monday, August 27, 2007

Trying to return to a normal routine!

Thursday 16 August - Run 5.45am - Distance 6km
I couldn't go to training today as I had an ACT Awards night to attend. However I did run early in the morning instead, a gentle 6km around the local block.

Sunday 19 August - Run in Noosa
Distance: 10.09km
Time taken: 63mins
Calories burned: 535
Average pace per km: 6:19
After a long weekend in Noosa and the rest of the week in Melbourne I am now back in sunny Canberra trying to return to a normal routine. Noosa was wet and became much wetter after I left on Tuesday while Melbourne was pleasantly sunny. Mr B ran the Noosa Half on Sunday 19th but was disappointed in his result although for me it would have been a good time, so it's all relative! Dressed in our CR gear CJ and I found some trails to run on before running down to the race to cheer on the runners and run part of the course on the edge of the road. At the start we met up with some of the CR cheer squad, Cirque and Vege Girl and a few others. It was great to put faces to CR names. We also met up with ILikeToast and had a great meal with him and a few others from his training group the night before the run and a relaxing coffee after the run as the rain started to fall.

Tuesday 21 August
This was our only other opportunity to run in Noosa as the sun came out in the morning and it was gorgeous for a brief amount of time, so lovely that Mr B went for a swim while CJ and I found some hills to run in the Nature Park after running from our apartment down to the beach.In the afternoon I left CJ and Mr B to the Noosa storms and headed back to Canberra before flying to Melbourne.

Distance: 10.18km
Time taken: 64mins
Calories burned: 588
Average pace per km: 6:19

Wednesday 22 August

Back in Canberra briefly I managed a short run before flying off to Melbourne for yet another Awards ceremony.

Distance: 10.16km
Time taken: 62:17
Average pace per km: 6:08
Calories burned: 602

Saturday 25 August
Back in Canberra knowing I was incapable of running the half tomorrow I decided to try a longer run this morning - still painfully slowly.
Distance: 16.67km
Time taken: 1hr 45:15
Average pace per km: 6:19
Calories burned: 987

Monday 27 August
The extra kilos from all these social events lately do little to help my running pace. Today I started my diet with the aim of losing 4 kilos. Then I might find it easier to run at a reasonable pace!!
Tonight I went to speedygeoff's training session at Parliament House. After our warm-up loops we ran some undulating loop repeats (approx 500m) winding through the tracks - (six times) incorporating 4 push-ups, 6 push-ups then 8 push-ups in the middle. Then a warm down loop incorporating a run right up the grassy verge to the fence surrounding PH at the top where we stopped to admire the stunning view of the city lights below and the bright full moon shining above on a balmy Canberra evening almost akin to Spring weather.
Total distance: 7.3km
Calories burned: 425

Tomorrow morning it's back to the gym!



Monday, August 13, 2007

Weekend Shenanigans!


Friday: Gym
I just missed the last bike in the RPM session this morning so I did my own thing instead. I spent 15mins on the treadmill (boring cos I didn't take my ipod as I thought I was doing a class), 10mins on the bike then shoulder press, chest press and lots of abs and stretches.

Saturday - Run
It was a dreadfully windy day and a real battle for the first half of the run. I started off with Mr B but he lost me by the end of our street! I ran from home, round Lake G then back towards Gungahlin before turning and running home. The last half of the run was much more pleasant as the wind had calmed down and it wasn't such a struggle.

Distance: 17.28km Time taken: 1hr 47:05 Average pace per km: 6:12 Calories burned: 1019


Monday - speedygeoff's training at Parliament House
Tonight after our 2km warm up loop we ran on the grassy loop in front of PH. Our session was as follows: 30secs sprint, 40secs sprint, 50secs sprint, 60secs sprint with the same amount of time running a recovery run inbetween. We repeated this three times then ran a cool down loop of PH.
Total distance: 9km exactly! Calories burned: 530

Addendum:
My calorie intake is still greater than I'm burning. This weekend was my son's 30th birthday (eeek) and party time. The theme of his party was the letter "P" (P being the first letter of his name) thus Mr B went as the Pope and I went as Pocahontas. It was loads of fun. After the party it was babysitting duties and a family dinner next night. Last weekend our grand-daughter turned 5 and tomorrow is our 36th wedding anniversary - another celebratory dinner coming up! How am I supposed to lose these extra kilos with all these celebrations going on!!

A Pink Elephant for Talia's 5th birthday Family dressing up as "P" - Pocahontas, Pope,
Pupil, Policewoman, Pacman, Prisoner, Pussycat


Thursday, August 09, 2007

"Strewth! This is good for you!"

Thus spake the speedy chief as he watched me struggle to run the 8 x 300m sprint relays in our training session tonight. Oh I felt such a slow goose as I plodded as fast as these little legs could carry me. We ran a couple of warm-up loops of Dickson Oval then divided into relay teams of three with batons. Marg and I were put with poor Colin who is probably the fastest of the speedy geese. I say 'poor' because he was lumbered with the slowest goose ever!! However I just kept on running and managed the session without stopping.

After the 2km warm-up it was 8 x 300m, pass the baton to the next team member, then jog back 200m to wait for the baton - not enough rest for some of us! The session was followed by one long loop for a cool-down.

Total distance: 8km
Calories burned: 490

Wednesday - 5.45am - Run
With gloves, ear warmers, arm warmers, long sleeves and leggings I struggled out the door and ran the Kaleen block of 6km slowly but surely enjoying my music on the run! I'm not getting any faster!

Distance: 5.9km
Time taken: 36:47
Average pace per km: 6:14!
Calories burned: 350

Tuesday - Return to the Gym
This morning I returned to the gym for a Bodypump session - oh boy, it was hard. I used really light weights. Having a 7 week break is like starting all over again. But I'm sure it's good for me!!

Speedy pelicans preening themselves in Mykonos!!

Monday, August 06, 2007

A Couple of Runs to Keep Me Going!















CJ and Mr B running in Italy

Saturday
Distance: 14.88km
Time taken: 1hr 31mins
Calories: 872
Average pace per km: 6:08

Mr B and I ran from home, round Lake G and back home except that Mr B ran an extra 5km in training for Noosa. It was actually enjoyable. I was finding it a bit difficult towards the end but at least I'm gradually running further.

Monday - speedygeoff's running training at Parliament House
Distance: 8km

We ran a 1.9km warm-up of PH and our main set consisted of up to 12 x 300m diagonal laps across the grass in front of PH. We ran it like a relay with our partner running the opposite diagonal when we met on the corners. It made for an interesting speed session. We next ran another 1.9km cool-down lap. It was great to catch up with all the PH group again after a 7 week break. Now I just have to improve!

Today Mr B bought himself a new bike with a view to training for duathlons and perhaps qualifying for the duathlon championships in Italy next year ...........!! Hmmmmmm!




Thursday, August 02, 2007

Enjoying Running Again and The Black Knight's Family


The Black Knight and his lovely Daniela with Sir Giorgio and Anneliese at the lovely Italian restaurant in the hills.








T-shirt presentations for CJ and Strewth

Wednesday

Yesterday morning I actually rolled out of bed at 5.30am and went for a short block run in the freezing cold complete with ear warmers, leggings, long sleeved top and gloves. I only managed a short run as my tummy was complaining but it was a start albeit an extremely slow one!
Total distance: 5km

Thursday
Distance: 8.5km
Location: Lake Burley Griffin (no sunsets Ewen)

Mr B ran from home and met me after work when we ran to the lake and round the two bridges and back to the office. Apart from one loo stop I managed the whole run comfortably and felt great. Yay, at last a good run. Now I feel better. Mr B ran 16.5km and obviously has had no ill effects after our trip. Must be cos he doesn't have to go back to work!

Note I am not recording my times until they improve more. Currently they are over 6min km and I'm not happy with that! But I will just keep on running and hope for improvement. The extra 3 kilos I put on overseas probably doesn't help!