Only Four Weeks to Go!

This morning I went to the gym to follow CJ's exercise program. It took me an hour to do the full session but it was a good start to the day.

I managed to arrive at PH for the early start of speedychief's training at 4.30pm which meant speedychief, Miranda, Ewen and I could run 7km before the main session started at 5.30pm.

After the warm-up loop of PH we were divided into teams of two for relays. One team member ran on a fast undulating loop while the other ran a slower shorter loop inbetween. It was tough but fun. Then to top it off we headed for the killer hill to do attrition sprints to the top. Fortunately I was out in the first attempt as the last five to reach the top were eliminated. The overall winner was Joel after Tim was given a handicap to hold him back!
Total distance: 13.7km
Calories burned: 826

Strewth - we're off to New York!

It's true - the airfares are very cheap right now and Mr B has booked the flights. We leave in June for LA and New York - how exciting! It will be summer there too so more sunshine to enjoy.

Today I ran late in the day before going out for dinner with friends to replace all the calories (plus more) I had lost! I just ran a short steady run from home along the cycle track to the tunnel past Giralang before turning and running back the way I had come.

Total distance: 8km
Time taken: 45:57
Average pace per km: 5:44
Calories burned: 470

Total distance for week: 93km

Another Long Run with my Mates!

This morning dawned cool (almost frosty) - ideal conditions for running for a very long time as the forecast was for 30deg later in the morning. I met up with the usual suspects at 7am and was pleasantly surprised when Cathy M joined us after her fantastic SFT last weekend. Roy and I ran the shorter loop of Mt Ainslie avoiding Mt Majura this time (as did most of the others) and after 10km ran along Anzac Pde to the lake and towards Molonglo Reach where we met up with Ewen who ran with us through the wetlands and round past Commonwealth Bridge (Roy left us to head back to the start) and back to Molonglo Reach where I left Ewen and ran on for another 5km to make up the distance.

Back at the lake off came the shoes and I joined Ewen in the water up to my thighs to ease the legs - absolute heaven. Ewen drove me back to the War Memorial where my car was parked and we enjoyed a wonderful cold drink followed by coffee and a yummy fruit pastry. It was great catching up with Ewen and hearing all about his SFT adventures (looking forward to that post Ewen - hurry up). He did a 'Good Samaritan' deed on our run by chasing a family of ducks across the road so that they took off in flight to avoid the next oncoming car!

Total distance: 34km
Time taken: 3:39:30
Average pace per km: 6:27 (those hills at the start definitely slowed me down)
Calories burned: 2000 (and I've sure made up for it since!)

It's turned into a stunning day and hopefully a perfect evening. We may well be taking our grandchildren to Skyfire tonight if Master Two has his afternoon sleep! It should be fun!

Track Session

This evening I just made it to the start of the Spiral Handicap at the AIS track not having time for a warm-up which was a mistake. Life is just too busy!! It was a 7 lap spiral and I started from Group 34. The runners were mainly made up of males. In fact there were only three females competing. Roy put on a real sprint and I couldn't catch him. Instead I ran just behind Laurie with him encouraging me every step of the way.

Distance: 2.92km (according to garmin)

Time taken: 15:16
Average pace per km: 5:13
Calories burned: 170

After the spiral I went for a gentle undulating run with speedychief to warm up (!) for the next event.

Distance: 3.07km

The next event I ran was the 3km GM series.
Distance: 3km (d'uh)
Time taken: 15:23:68
Average pace per km: 5:08
Calories burned: 175

Total distance for day: 9km

A Balmy Autumn Day

RPM is becoming busier in the mornings and when I arrived this morning all the bikes were taken. Therefore I decided to memorise the program CJ had set for me as I had left the written program at home. However, when I checked later I had remembered it all almost perfectly. I did make it to the abs class afterwards.

Today turned into quite a hot sunny day and I left my run until quite late, probably a bit too late as it turned out as it was very dark by the time I returned home and the cycle paths were not lit so I ran with caution. The forecast is for hot days going into the middle of next week. The best part of this time of year is that the nights cool down enough to sleep comfortably and the days don't become hot until late morning.

I ran from home to and round Lake Ginninderra and home the long way to make the correct distance. Interestingly as I approached the last few kms of the run my ipod played "I Want to be Old Before I die" followed directly afterwards by "I want to be 18 til I die" which was an amusing contrast in terms!

Total distance: 18.2km

Time taken: 1hr53mins

Average pace per km: 6:12

Calories burned: 1073

I have decided that this marathon will be just a case of completing it and not to worry about the time or I will be disappointed. I'm running far too slowly in training.

Fartlek on Rolling Hills

Having spent the morning looking after Master Two year old grandson (he's very cute) I didn't have a chance to run until mid afternoon when the sun was at its hottest. I ran a 15mins warm up (that was really tough as I was under the full sun at that stage) before heading for the trails and hills of North Lyneham ridge. There was a sign on the gate stating that bulldozers may be around during March and April and sure enough a lot of the uneven surfaces had been rolled flat. This however had created even more dust although there were less obstacles on the way. I headed for a shaded uphill section (perfect) to do my hill repeats.

My main session was:

2 x 60secs/60secs float
4 x 30secs/30secs float
2 x 60secs/60secs float
4 x 30secs/30secs float
2 x 60secs/60secs float

Not sure about the float but I certainly enjoyed the downhill bits back to the starting point. I finished the session by jogging a loop of the Nth Lyneham ridge before heading for home.

Total distance: 12km

Calories burned: 700

In the evening Mr B and I headed out to the AIS to see Chris Isaak in concert - another great performer - wow! This was a Christmas gift - talk about making the most of the good life - awesome!

Five Weeks to Marathon

Yesterday morning, before leaving for Sydney, I squeezed in a short run to make up my total for the week. It was slow but not as bad as I expected after yesterday's hills.

Total distance: 9km
Average pace per km: 6:12
Calories burned: 543

Total distance for week: 95km

A New Week

Last night we attended the Coldplay concert in Sydney and it was absolutely awesome. We stayed with our daughters in their apartment thus killing two birds with one stone - catch up with the kids and a fantastic concert. We drove back this afternoon after a lovely lunch with the girls and youngest daughter's partner. We arrived back in Canberra cutting the time a little fine for making it to training. Instead I ran a gentle run from home desperately seeking bushes on the way back after consuming too much junk food on our one day and night away!

Total distance: 12km
Time taken: 1:13:53
Average pace per km: 6:09
Calories burned: 710

The Long and Dusty Trail!

Phew, maybe I was out in sympathy with the six footers this morning but I managed all of my run on the hills and it was hard, hot and slow. I met up with Mike, Graeme, Chris, Roy, Nadine and Brett at the War Memorial carpark and we walked to our starting points on Mt Ainslie.

There we dispersed in two different directions, the short course and the long. I ran with Nadine, Roy and Brett and we ran our usual course up and over to the highway and back (about 18km) then Roy and I ran on to the Masters' Handicap course. Nadine caught up with us there as she had detoured to stock up on water (a wise decision as the weather was humid and we became dehydrated very quickly). She ran round the whole of that loop while Roy and I turned round and ran back past the war memorial again to restock on our water.

At this point Roy stopped but I still had 8km to go so ran back out over Mt Ainslie again on my own sighting Nadine on her return. I also spotted an enormous lizard (?) - a really big one covering a quarter of the track, and lots and lots of kangaroos everywhere no doubt looking hopefully for water. It has been threatening rain all day but not a drop has fallen. The clouds are becoming blacker and blacker outside now though and the wind has picked up so any minute now??

I'm wondering how my six foot tracker friends have gone today. I thought of them a lot this morning on my dusty run imagining how much tougher their run would be and hoping that they had a great day for it after so much training.

I eventually completed my scheduled run and it took nearly four hours - oh dear, it was tough and slow but at least it's done! It was great to have company for most of the way. Roy waited for me while I finished my last 8km and we enjoyed a beautiful coffee afterwards.

Total distance: 34km
Time taken: 3:56:06
Average pace per km: 6:56
Calories burned: 1975

Friday is my favourite day!

Friday has always been my rest day although usually I do go to the gym early in the morning to a Body Balance class - great for stretching. However this morning I had the pleasure of my daughter's company instead which seemed like a lovely alternative.

As I collected aforesaid daughter from the airport in the middle of my scheduled 5km track race last night I obviously gave the race a miss and ran earlier in the day instead. In fact it was 12.30pm before I ran my planned tough run and oh boy it was hot. I ran from home past the AIS down to the highway and then back to O'Connor Ridge where there are some trees for shade. The surface is great but the hills are very steep. My session was as follows:

15mins warm-up jog
15mins tempo run
3mins jog
4 x 1min hills (I think the ones I selected were too steep - phew)
warm down run to finish

I found a lovely gently undulating surface for about 3km of my warm-down and it felt great but then I headed for home on the concrete cycle paths, couldn't avoid them unfortunately. It was hot, I was dripping, but with the workout done I could enjoy the rest of the day without rushing back to work - woo hoo!

Total distance: 12km
Fastest km: 5:27
Total time taken: 1hr15mins
Average pace per km: 6:12 (damn hills!)
Calories burned: 708

Later in the day I headed for the CIT to meet with CJ who had produced an exercise program for me designed to assist with upper body strength, abs, back fat etc. It took about an hour to go through everything. I'm hoping for great improvements although with my current training program I will probably only be able to squeeze in two or three weights sessions a week until after the marathon.

Less Than Six Weeks to Canberra Marathon!

Anaerobic Threshold and Race Preparation

Monday - recovery run on Canberra's Birthday
This morning I ran a gentle run from home at 10.30am!
Total distance: 12km
Time taken: 1:15:18
Average pace per km: 6:16
Calories burned: 715

Tuesday
Today I ran twice - something I do very rarely
Run at 8am
Total distance: 5km
Time taken: 31mins
Average pace per km: 6:13
Calories burned: 300

6.15pm Run - Summer Series at Acton Ferry Terminal
Warm up with Thea - 2km

Race total distance: 5km
Time taken: 27:01
Average pace per km: 5:15
Calories burned: 300
Total distance for day: 12km

Wednesday - Today
6.15am - RPM
7am - Abs class
4.30pm - Run from home to and round lake and home again
Total distance: 16.29km
Time taken: 1hr 31mins
Average pace per km: 6:04
Calories burned: 960

Weston Creek Half Marathon

I have mixed feelings about today's run. I felt decidedly ordinary at the start with my nose running like a leaky tap and my throat dry and sore. Yesterday's short 5km run was not comfortable and I admit I was a bit dubious about running at all feeling the way I did at the start line. However I was glad that I didn't wuss out. Although this was definitely not one of my better results I actually quite enjoyed the run in spite of the hills and the constant cycle paths. There were lots of familiar faces and Mr B was out there with extra supplies of tissues when needed. He ran about 17km off and on although he didn't compete and he just turned up at odd places with tissues! Rachelle was out there running here and there and popped up about 2km from the end as did speedychief who of course had already finished the race and was on his cool down when he found me and encouraged me to put on a bit more of a spurt to make it to the end. The clock had just clicked over the 2 hour mark when I ran through the finish line and no matter how big a finishing spurt I could not have run any faster. My name was accidentally called out as winning my age group and when I corrected the error I was rewarded with a bottle of NZ sauvignon blanc for my honesty - yay!!

Later I spent FOUR hours at Tilleys enjoying the company of CJ, Ewen, Lulu, Steve, Carol, Bruce (not to forget Bella the border collie) and Rachelle - such a great way to spend a sunny Sunday.

Distance: 21.1km

Official Time taken: 2hrs and some seconds (tbc)

Average pace per km: 5:40

Calories burned: 1255

A Good Day

This morning I went to Body Balance - I love that class, compulsory stretching, amazing abs work and so lovely when we have total relaxation for ten minutes at the end. Last night I was CJ's guinea pig at CIT for a fitness assessment. It was good fun but these abs of mine defnitely need more work!

After the gym this morning I went for a run which incorporated fartlek training. My legs did not want to cooperate and the fact that I'm still coughing madly doesn't help much. Here's hoping I don't disgrace myself at the half marathon on Sunday. However, I had a good day today. After my shower I went to lunch with my ex-admin staff as an opportunity to say thank you and farewell. It was so lovely being able to do that and we had such a nice time. Management covered the cost and had sent a very nice gift for me so it was all good.

Total distance today: 11.13km

Ups and Downs!

Since Sunday I've had a dose of flu and a bad cold - not very pleasant but I think I'm starting to feel better. I didn't run at all on Sunday and Monday - just no energy and totally blah. However I did go out for a gentle run yesterday and managed a slow 8.45km. This morning I returned to RPM and later I went to track which was held today as tomorrow there's a big footy match being held at the AIS and the track is closed. I was a bit apprehensive about racing as I'm not 100% yet but I decided to at least give the spiral a go. I started from Group 33 and finished in 8th place so was happy enough with that.

Distance: 5lap spiral - 2.47km
Time taken: 12:35
Average pace per km: 5:07

Next Marg and I decided to enter the 2km walking race which is always fun. We don't do the proper race walk, we just power walk a fast as we can. We still have a handicap but are not judged. It really is fun and I was very happy to come in second place - what a fluke!

After this Marg and I jogged outside the track for 3km just gently but as I was coughing a lot and feeling decidedly ordinary gave the 3km event a miss and instead headed home. But it's a start and I'm hoping I'll be ok for the half on Sunday, just taking it fairly easy this week.

Total distance today including warm-up: 8km

Friends make running fun!

Today it was another early start to be at the War Memorial to meet the others by 6am. It was still dark and I ran with some trepidation watching the ground all the time determined not to trip! Since yesterday I have been suffering from a sore dry throat and as a consequence felt very dehydrated and appreciated all the fluid I took with me. I ran with Cathy M, Graeme, Nad & Brett for the first 11km then left them at the steps to climb Mt Majura as usual. I felt a bit more sluggish today, could be related to my cold but plodded on alone and met up with Ewen back near the start. From here we headed to Campbell Park, Duntroon, Molonglo Reach and through the wetlands and round the lake heading back to the War Memorial - a 17km loop. It was great to have company and this meant I only had to run alone for about 8km. In the first part of the run over the Mt Ainslie trails there were large numbers of curious kangaroos and a few frisky bunnies. I was really tired and slow but achieved the required distance so that's good.

After the run we met up with the others at the picnic area for a little while then when everyone dispersed Ewen and I enjoyed beautiful coffee and cake at the Outpost Cafe.

Now I'll take my time recovering before going on a train ride with Mr B's squash group this evening to a French restaurant - should be lots of fun.

Total distance: 34.4km
Time taken: 3hrs 45mins approx
Average pace per km: 6:50
Calories burned: 2000

Echidna instead of a Wombat!

Wednesday without Wombat
6.15am - RPM
7am-abs

6.15pm - Medium/Long Run

I ran all alone (no ipod, no Ewen) from home to and round the lake and an extra loop round Kaleen. It's very quiet without music but I had lots to churn over in my mind so it made for great thinking time. It started off hot and sunny but was quite cool and dark by the time I reached home. I was pleasantly surprised by the number of runners, walkers, cyclist and dogs out there.

Total distance: 20km
Time taken: 2:05
Average pace per km: 6:14
Calories burned: 1198

Thursday

I decided not to enter any events at track tonight as my schedule suggested hills. However, I still had to go to track to deliver and collect a few things for people and decided to make it a base and ran from there out to O'Connor Ridge and hilly trails. I kept losing the correct path back to the start as there are too many opportunities to go down the wrong turn-off and if there's a way to become lost I will find it! However, it was a great surface and it completely blew me away when a gorgeous little echidna waddled across my path with its nose poking straight ahead. How exciting. That was a first on any run I've done. There were lots of steep hills which obviously slowed me down considerably although Idid try to push myself up them as quickly as possible. I ran back to the track in time to see the last half of the 10,000m. Some of the times were amazing.

Total distance: 13km

Time 1:26

Average pace per km: 6:39

Calories burned: 760

Gainfully Unemployed!

Sometimes life doesn't turn out quite the way you planned! I was so glad I went to RPM at the gym yesterday morning because I didn't make it to training after work as I was held up at work - my last day at work in fact as although I had put in my notice of retirement to finish in four weeks, due to my managerial position and the company "protocol" this afternoon I was escorted off the premises - not the best way to end my full-time working career and a very sad day. It was too late to go to training and I was rather distressed so no running happened.

Tuesday - Cross Country Summer Series
Location: Boathouse running towards Commonwealth Park.
Distance: 5km (plus 1km warm-up) = 6km
Time taken: 28:02
Average pace per km: 5:34
It was lovely to catch up with Marg, Cathy M and Carolyne before and after the run. There was a tough head wind heading out to the carillon but on the way back it eased off. Overall I was glad I ran as it really helps having those endorphins released!

Strewth - I did a CJ!

Saturday's run at Mt Ainslie started at 6am and suddenly 6am is still quite dark. Our little group started off and I chatted happily with Cathy M as we enjoyed the trails in the semi darkness. About 1.5km into the run I tripped on a tiny hidden rock and couldn't stop myself from falling flat on my front, arms splayed, flying dramatically to the dirty ground. I lay there quite stunned but eventually managed to stand with help with water poured from Chris and Graeme's bottles. They led me to sit on a branch of a tree as the world was defnitely going round - just shock I guess although I was in some pain! Roy in the meantime ran back to fetch his car and drive it closer but by the time he arrived I was feeling much better and ready to continue running. Roy rejoined us and we continued on the trails.

I know I looked quite a sight covered in dust and dirt and blood and scratches. My knee was stiff and sore but after Roy returned to his car at 17km I continued on slowly and found a great trail on the other side of the road. Next week I will run further along it. This week I was on a time frame as I needed to take Mr B to the airport for a triathlon in Brisbane. However I did manage to fit in 30km and all of it off-road which was fantastic. On the way back towards Roy's car after our turnaround point we came across CJ, twofruits and softshoeshuffle all looking extremely fit and healthy as they are nearly at the tapering stage for 6' track. Twofruits did point out that I might need a shower before taking Mr B to the airport!

At the picnic ground after the run I caught up with Cathy M, the two Graemes and all the 6' track group briefly before heading off for that shower! My knee felt a bit stiff and I have a big bruise in a spot where the sun doesn't shine but the only bad after effect is a very stiff neck - wierd - where did that come from?

Total distance: 30km

Average pace per km: 7mins (blame the stiff knee)

Today - Masters' Handicap at North Curtin

This morning I collected CJ and we drove out to the monthly handicap at Curtin. It was different to the Cross Country run on Tuesday although part of the off-road hill was the same route. There was quite a lot of the run on cycle track and I have to admit I definitely prefer the trails. The concrete is so hard on the feet (can't believe I said that). There were plenty of hills at the start but the second half of the run was almost boring even if it was much faster being both flat and downhill. However, I did pass a few people but was pipped at the post by speedy CJ who sprinted past me just before the finish and no way could these dead little legs catch her. I did enjoy the run and I do love seeing people I haven't seen for ages at these events. Later CJ and I enjoyed the most beautiful and welcome coffee at Black Pepper and a little piece of yummy loaf to go with it.

Starting group: 21

Distance of run: 6km

Warm-up: 1.5km

Time taken for run: 34:05

Average pace per km: 5:27

Finish place: 30th

Total distance for day: 7.5km

Total distance for week: 76km

Decision time!

Here it is Sat night and I haven't blogged since Monday. It's been quite a week - dreadful work-wise and big decisions made. My notice is in and I retire on Friday 20 March - woo hoo - so now it's countdown time! Already I feel better having made that decision!

Tuesday - Summer Series

Cross country race at North Curtin. This started with a 2km hill which seemed to go on forever and speedygeoff ran with me encouraging me to go faster. I enjoyed the run but it was tough trying to run fast after the training session the night before. I kept Caroline in sight and managed to finish just 6secs behind her. Speedygeoff let me run in just before him and as it turned out that wasn't necessarily a good thing as the number called for the barrel draw was our speedy leader. Being a gentleman gains its rewards!

Total distance for race: 5km
Time taken: 27:44
Average pace per km: 5:32
Warm-up: 1km
Total distance for day: 6km

Wednesday

After an 11 hour day at work and no Ewen to run with I ran from home starting much later than I had intended. I felt tired and cranky and it was good to run. However I only managed to fit in 10km which again was shorter than my original intention.

Total distance: 10km
Time taken: 59mins
Average pace per km: 5:54
Calories burned: 586

Thursday - Track
Tonight I arrived just in time for the 5 lap spiral and decided to run it as I always find it fun.
Total distance: 2.08km
Time taken: 10:29
Average pace per km: 5:08

Next Marg and I went for a gentle jog to keep the legs moving until the 3km event later in the evening. We ran 3km out of the AIS and met Ewen going out as we returned. He did however arrive back in time for the race and unbeknownst to me kept me in his sights. This was a handicap event according to age and he started well behind me. Just as I was coming to the finish line I heard these pounding feet coming up behind me. I put on a mad sprint but the long-legged wily wombat just pipped me at the post! I will plot my revenge!

Total distance: 3km
Time taken: 15:28
Average pace per km: 5:10

I never seem to manage that elusive under 15mins for 3km.

Total distance for day: 8km
And now it's late and I have the Masters' Handicap in the morning so I'll write about my eventful Saturday run tomorrow - goodnight!

Nine Weeks to Canberra Marathon - Focus Endurance and Anaerobic Threshold

6.15am - RPM

5.10pm - short warm-up run to meet Ewen and Miranda

5.30pm - speedygeoff's PH training

I was held up at work and didn't arrive at PH on time to do the 8km early warm-up, only time for 3.2km to meet up with the other early birds.

The training session started at 5.30pm with a bit of extra warm up before our main session at the grassy bank in front of PH. We ran (40secs fast/80secs slow x 3) x 4 up and down the slopes. Then we ran quite a long warm down loop - a bit different and quite fun.

Total distance: 14km

Sprint Marathon Relay

It was another early start this morning as we needed to be at Govt House for the organisation of the teams for the sprint marathon relay by 7.15am. Mr B had to leave even earlier for the triathlon which started at 6.30am. Rachelle and I went together and arrived exactly on time. It was great to see Marg's stunt double who had come to Canberra with Ron from Queensland for the weekend to celebrate their birthdays.

There were 8 teams with 6 in each team starting in order of estimated speed per km. The aim was to mix fast and slow runners in each team to make them as equal as possible. I started as No 4 in my team. It was lots of fun although the morning was very fresh and a long top was necessary for some of the long waits between runs. Our runs were split into 1 and 2km laps and in the last lap each runner picked up the next one so that all the team ran over the finish line together holding hands. Our team came 4th which was exactly in the middle and a quite exciting finish. Marg's team won which was so fantastic considering that she was asked to stand in for someone who had to drop out at 8pm last night.

Total distance: 6km (with about 1km run inbetween) = 7km

Total distance for week: 76km