Sunshine on my shoulder makes me happy!

Woo hoo - a tiny bit of warmth and the wind has eased. It looks like we're in for a pleasant change of climate and the temperature is rising again after a freezing weekend.

Monday

I wasn't able to attend speedygeoff's training last night as we have interstate visitors this week. Instead I ran early in the morning before my physio appointment, just a short run from home.

Total distance: 8km

Time taken: 50mins

Tuesday

This morning I went for run just like yesterday, running early before breakfast and work.

Total distance: 8km

After work I did some strength work at the gym.

Here comes another one - just like the other one!

Indeed, the conditions this morning were similar to yesterday although even colder and more bleak.It was blustery and barely 6deg with an even colder wind chill factor - not at all pleasant at the Vets' Handicap run this morning. For very brief moments during the hilly run the sun peeped through and there was a little warmth but it didn't last and after the run I became freezing again very quickly. However, it is always good to catch up with all my running buddies and see people I only see at those monthly runs.

Total distance: 8km
Handicap group: 19
Place: 63rd (out of 88)
Time taken: 48:42
Average pace per km: 6:05

Battling a bleak and blustery day!

I faced the elements, wore 3/4 leggings, a t-shirt and spray jacket and took off into the wind at about 9.45am. Boy, it was cold. Where has spring gone this weekend? Tomorrow's forecast is much the same - nasty!

I ran from home past the AIS into the city where I turned left and ran along a hilly Dryandra St at the back of O'Connor Ridge and back home via O'Connor and Lyneham. I was caught in a shower of rain a few times and had to battle a head wind other times and when the wind came on the uphills it felt like I was barely moving. I didn't take off my spray jacket at all but when the sun peeped through very briefly I did unzip it a little! Tomorrow's vets' handicap run will be interesting!

Total distance: 10km

Time taken: 1:05

Average pace per km: 6:30

Calories burned: 592

Photos from speedygeese dinner: Craig and Neil; Yelena and Ken; Neil and Peter. All these speedygeese will probably be at the vets' run tomorrow.

Last session at Dickson this season

The oval wasn't open tonight which meant there were no lights and the toilet block remained closed. In spite of the sudden cold change it was quite reasonable weather wise and we had enough natural light to see our way around the track.

We ran a long lap followed by a short lap as a warmup. Our main set was: 200m fast 200m slow, 400m fast, 400m slow, 600m fast, 600m slow, 400m fast, 400m slow, 200m fast/slow, 400m fast/slow and 200m fast/slow. We then did one more cooldown lap.

Total distance: 10.8km

Then to finish off Janene produced an enormous chocolate cake with cheesecake inside - just magnificent! This was to celebrate three recent birthdays in our group - Brett, Heidi and Bronwyn's 40th and also the fact that tonight is our last session at Dickson for the season. Next Thursday is the first week of track.

Photos from speedygeese dinner: Janene and Heidi; Bronwyn sporting her Disneyland Half Marathon medal

A fun run after the dust settles!

This morning I did an RPM class followed by an abs class at the gym and after work I joined Chris, Andy and Jen at Parliament House for a training run. The strong winds from earlier in the day had eased and the rain never eventuated. In spite of the storms of the last two nights and the dreadful dust storm that hit Canberra yesterday it was a very pleasant evening and I really enjoyed the run even when Andy and I lost the others and ran back to the start a slightly different way due to serious lack of direction from both of us!

Photos from speedygeese dinner: Mr B and Jen, Chris and strewth.

Total distance: 10km

Time taken: 1:03

Average pace per km: 6:20

Calories burned: 570

I Hear Thunder!

Last night instead of training we had a speedygeese dinner at La Capanna in Kingston. Only 16 of us attended but it was lots of fun. We arrived home just before a huge storm struck. I went for a run again after work this evening and home just before another storm and at this moment I can hear huge claps of thunder outside which probably means I should turn off the computer!

However, I will just record the stats first as it was only a short run tonight.
Total distance: 6.03km
Time taken: 35:56
Average pace per km: 5:58
Calories burned: 350


Photo: Our speedycoach with his lovely Jenny

Running in the spring sunshine

Floriade - springtime in Canberra

World Age Group Championships Triathlon

Today, Monday, I have just been for a 15km run from home and round the lake. Tonight is the speedygeese dinner so there is no official training session. It has been a lovely day in Canberra today but now there are threatening black clouds on the horizon.

Such a Busy Little Life!

Having been gallivanting once again, this time in Noosa and the Gold Coast, in stunning weather, it is now time I returned to some serious training and healthy eating habits. CJ and I joined Mr B at Noosa for four days before driving on to the Gold Coast. I ran and walked every day in Noosa on lots of hills and undulations and the weather, shopping and coffee was fantastic. Then on to the Gold Coast for a week - lots more running and walking but this time on the flat - no hills whatsoever.

The world triathlon championships were great. Mr B took part in the age group championships and was placed 31st out of 43 in his age group. His cycle and run were really good but his swim let him down. However, the whole experience was fun and we enjoyed the social activities with him. My daughter joined us from Sydney for the weekend of the race and we all had a really good time.

I returned to Canberra late on Monday when Mr B then flew to Melbourne for a squash competition for the rest of the week and I returned to work and routine. I ran on Tuesday, returned to the gym for RPM and abs on Wed and to training on Thursday.

At training only four people turned up and we ran on the oval without lights against a nasty wind and threatening rain. In fact we just finished our session before the rain really came down - excellent timing. Craig led us as our speedy chief was on holidays. We had two warm up loops of the oval, one long, one short before our main session of 10 x 300m fast and 100m slow.

On Friday it was back to the gym for a Body Balance class and yesterday I ran an 8km run. Today we enjoyed a visit to floriade as spring has come to Canberra. It was really beautiful. Tomorrow the plan is for a long run and more constant blog entries. Yes, twoapples, I am alive!

How can she possibly be turning 80??

It's about time I caught up with my blog. I think I'll just start from yesterday and forget the last few weeks. I'm too far behind now.

Yesterday was a fantastic adventure. I ran early (8km) instead of going to the Vets handicap today as Ewen and I decided to go for a road trip and visit LL in Mittagong for an early birthday surprise. As I leave for Noosa and the Gold Coast on Thursday, this weekend was my only opportunity to visit.

A few weeks ago I made a ladybird birthday cake for my grand-daughter and posted a picture on my blog. LL commented facetiously that she would like one of those for her 80th. Now, I thought about this and originally thought that I would make 80 cup cakes, one for every year and then I reconsidered. How would she cope with that many ladybugs, what if she didn't like them?? Thus it was that on Sat I made a mummy ladybird and lots of little babies instead. My girlfriend came over to help me decorate them and it was such fun.

After our respective runs on Sunday Ewen and I drove off to Mittagong to surprise LL. And surprise her we did. LL was in the shower when we arrived having just completed a 20km training run (she boggles my mind). Jim showed us inside to wait and this gave us an opportunity to set up the cake, cards and wee gifts in the kitchen for when she emerged. It was a wonderful reaction and we had such a lovely afternoon enjoying a cuppa, a ladybug each and a tour of her pretty garden. We also met their three beautiful little dogs. What a pretty location and what a great place to run. How can this lovely lady be turning 80? She is such an inspiration and a treasure. We just love her.

And as for running, today I went to training at Parliament House to join the speedygeese in about 14 x 200m sprints in relay teams of three - challenging, tough, exhausting but fun! Is that possible?

Total distance: 7km

Calories burned: 390

Spring is springing!

Monday

This morning as the sun was shining I decided to dust down the bike and go for a ride. It's been a very long time! The sun was deceptive as it was bitterly cold and I fought against a head wind on the outward trip. The return trip was much more pleasant as, apart from the fact that the wind had dropped, I had warmed up considerably and my legs were starting to work. However, I had forgotten the discomfort of a bike seat - ouch! I will get back to cycling as the weather warms up as it is a quite pleasant form of exercise and is good cross training. Today I only rode 10km but it's a start!

5.30pm - Parliament House training

This evening after the warm up loops our main session was 8x400m with 400m jogs on a 600m course. It was tough but the pain was completely alleviated when we celebrated Helen's pending 50th birthday with champagne and dip - very civilized! Thank you Helen.

Total distance: 8.64km

Today - Tuesday

6.15am - Gym - upper body strength and abs exercises

5.30pm - I ran from home. It had been an absolutely glorious day with little wind but at this time it had cooled down somewhat and I needed a long sleeved top. However, it was still an enjoyable run. As I ran along listening to my music I was shaken from my 'stride' when a lady cycled up beside me and said, "excuse me, can I ask you something? I noticed your strides are much shorter than mine. When I run I get sore joints." I asked if I looked funny - after all, I've been told I look like I'm 'running in a bucket' and I know my style is less than ordinary.

"Oh no" she replied. "I thought to myself that this woman looks like she knows what she's doing so I thought I would ask about the short strides."

"Ah", I said "Our coach says that short strides are more efficient."

"Thank you so much. I will defnitely try that next time. I appreciate your help!"

Wow, thank YOU speedycoach, you have taught me something which I could pass on to someone else.

I continued on my way feeling quite motivated and happy to finish my run in the dark.

Total distance: 8km

Time taken: 49mins

Average pace per km: 6.18

Calories burned: 467

38 years on!

Hmmm - dreadful fashions back then! However, here we are 38 years on and so much has happened in the interim!

Last night we went out for a lovely dinner and came home to watch old black and white videos of Route 66! This morning I went for a long slow dodgy run - tight hammies, sore quads and dodgy tummy (probably too much wine and rich food) - not the best way to run but it was a stunning day - sunny but breezy.

Total distance: 16.29km

Time taken: 1:46:59

Average pace per km: 6:34

Calories burned: 970

A very slow time but at least I didn't waste the sunshine!

Short and Sharp!

Tonight's speedygeese session was a mix of 100m and 50m sprints in relay teams. After our warm up loops we were divided into four relay teams. We were evenly matched in terms of gender, being six guys and six girls, but we were obviously mixed up in terms of speed. Marg and I ran as one person splitting our 100m into 50m each as speedychief supervised the relays which meant an uneven number otherwise. Thus it was that in the first ten 100m sprints Marg and I ran 10 x 50m. This was followed by a reshuffle of teams where we were next divided into two teams and everybody ran 10 x 50m sprints - short, sharp, challenging but fun. Afterwards however the hammies twinged and I knew I had really worked!

Total distance including warm up and cool down: 7km

City to Surf - Slow but Fun!

Golly gosh, it's a week since I last blogged - oops, where do the days go? On Saturday CJ and I caught the Murrays bus to Sydney Central where we were met by Mr B (who had driven to Newcastle a few days earlier to try out his wetsuit in the sea) for the start of a great weekend. As our daughters live in Sydney we managed to spend some time with them as well as some Canberra friends before and after the run. It was a great day for the C2S - rather chilly to start but ideal really - just very crowded with 75,000 starters. I felt very comfortable even running up the hills (although Ewen did comment that was because I was running so slowly - quite true) and enjoyed the atmosphere. This was one of my slowest results for C2S, proably due to lack of training and excess kilos, six minutes slower than last year. However, it was fun and I was just happy that I ran it. CJ, who has an injury, walked briskly and we all had a fun weekend. It was amazing too that we came across quite a few Canberra friends in such a big crowd. The evening before we had met up with a couple of friends and as we were deciding where to eat we were suddenly bombarded by a large crowd of running friends including a number of speedygeese - it was such fun seeing them there!

I think my happiest moment was when my daughter (who is not a runner) managed to run almost the entire 14km without stopping in a time of 89mins. She trains in the gym doing RPM classes and has never run more than 5km in her life! It was a great achievement for her and made me feel very proud.

CJ, Mr B and I had rooms in the Hilton Hotel where we had a special deal - two nights for one - and it was just amazing. The shower even had a television on the wall - aquavision! The hotel also had a huge gym and on the Monday morning before a delicious breakfast CJ and I did an hour's workout. We had a luxurious and fun weekend.

Distance: 14km

Time taken: 86:07
Average pace per km: 6:07
Calories burned: 813

Wednesday

Yesterday was my son's 32nd birthday - eek, now that makes me feel really old. Steak and kidney pie was the request for the family dinner at our place. We are the only family I know who all love steak and kidney (apart from our vegetarian daughter-in-law)!

In the morning before work I went to the gym for my RPM class followed by the abs class - always a good way to start the day!

I'll start my diet (again) this weekend!

Ladybugs!

Yesterday was my grand-daughter's seventh birthday - how the years fly! I squeezed in a short run after work before joining in the family celebrations. The conditions were ideal, cool but no wind and I made it home just before dark!

Total distance: 8km
Time taken: 48:19:64
Average pace per km: 6:04 (almost down to 6 Ewen)
Calories burned: 470

This afternoon I have been making ladybugs - a mummy and lots of little babies for Talia's birthday party. It was lots of fun but as I was in the throes when it was time for training I missed it tonight. Looks like I may have to go for an early run before work tomorrow - a last hit out before City to Surf on Sunday.

It was a gorgeous sunny day today - maybe, just maybe, the coldest days are over but I won't hold my breath. Anything can happen in Canberra!

Bring on the Warmer Weather!

Tonight at Parliament House I ran just a little warm-up, meeting up with five other early geese on their return run just by the lake. Our main session consisted of the usual warm up laps before a similar session to last week in the same spot, except tonight it was 5 x 600 repeats as fast as possible with jogs back to the start each time. I managed 4 repeats before the warm down loop.

Total distance: 11.2km
Calories burned: 662

It was good to see Cathy M and Ewen for the first time since I returned from the States except Ewen didn't stay for the main session having already run 8km with speedychief earlier. Quite a number of speedygeese are heading for the City to Surf in Sydney this weekend. It will be fun even if I am totally unprepared this year.

I am so looking forward to the warmer weather. I am so over the cold and I've only been back in Canberra three weeks.

Sunshine and Great Friends!

With a very full weekend ahead I squeezed in a longish run early Saturday morning before reuniting with a friend we hadn't seen for more than 22 years. I just ran my usual route from home and round the lake. The sun was out early and although there was a bite in the air with a cold headwind in parts I still warmed up enough to run in singlet and short (and gloves!) for the majority of the run.

Total distance: 16.54km
Time taken: 1:48:32
Average pace per km: 6:34
Calories burned: 982

Obviously I'm not getting any faster and I used up those calories on a very full-on weekend - too much food, wine and loads of fun!

Geese Outnumber The Bilbys

We had 15 starters at Dickson Oval for training tonight (including a couple of new people) and outnumbered the Bilbys triathlon squad by 3 which I believe is a first! Perhaps us runners are pretty hardy people on these cold Canberra evenings.

Tonight after our warm-up loops we ran round and round the 400m track up to 12 times with a sprint on the straight. I managed 10 laps after being lapped twice by the fast runners. We finished with a cool down lap of the oval in the opposite direction.

Total distance: 7.7km
Calories burned: 450

The Anti Taper!

Next weekend is the City to Surf in Sydney for which I am totally unprepared. Since returning from the States I have felt lethargic and although I have been back to the gym and running I feel sluggish and I have not yet lost the weight which I managed to gain while I was away. I find these days that it takes months to gain a good fitness level and only a few weeks to go right back to square one and even gaining a few kilos can make all the difference to my speed and how I run.

This year I will not expect any PB's in my races but I do hope for improvement when the warmer weather arrives and I can run comfortably again.

Yesterday I went to my RPM class and abs class at 6.15am before work. Our usual coach was back to take abs class but I think she must have been on a course as she came back with all sorts of new exercises and it was very challenging!

After work I ran from home at about 5.30pm. It was dark half an hour into the run and I ran with caution along the back paths.

Total distance: 8.05km
Time taken: 49:59
Average pace per km: 6:13
Calories burned: 475

I have very recently finished reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. It was very exciting and if possible more gripping than the movie. Part of it was a race to find a bottle of anti-matter before it destroyed the vatican. At the moment I am working on an anti-taper (referred to in speedygeoff's blog recently). I need to building up my distance and speed with the C2S and the Vets' Half Marathon on the horizon and very little time left to train!

Speedygeese training on a cold Monday

It was sooooo cold out of the shelter tonight. I arrived at training about half an hour early but too late for the early session. However I ran on my own down to the lake and met speedychief and a few early starters on their return run. Training officially started at 5.30pm and after our warm up loop of Parliament House our main session consisted of:

8x400m with a 400m jog between (I only managed 7 repeats) along the south and west side of the road around PH sheltered from the cold wind on a fairly flat course

We finished with another loop of PH.
Total distance: 12km
Calories burned: 700

Blewitts Forest Monthly Handicap

On a brisk Canberra winter's morning a large number of hardy veteran runners turned up ready to face those nasty hills for the July handicap run. Many started in long sleeves and beanies but soon warmed up on the many challenging hills. It was good to be back out there again and I ran (generous terminology) all the way. It was great to catch up with lots of running friends out there even when one certain mountain goat ran up behind me calling "I can see where those extra kilos are strewth" as he flew past up the hills. Hmmmm, what are friends for if not to say it how it is! Methinks there is definitely lots more work to do!

Distance: 7km

Time taken: 44:30

Average pace per km: 6:20

Calories burned: 396

Handicap Group: 20

Place: 67th in the Thomas series (out of 88)

This is the first time I had run in an event using my new gandalf3 so was glad it seems to work okay. It's certainly more compact than gandalf2 but will take me a little time to adjust to using it.