Another stunning day in Canberra - pity I had to spend the majority of it in the office!

Activity 1: Swim at 6.30am with cj
Location: Civic Pool
Distance: 1km
Time: 29mins
Comments: I can only improve! I'm just returning to swimming and finding it tough. I swam my km in 5 lots of 200m very slowly but worth it for the relaxing brekkie later at Red Belly Black with cj.

Activity 2: Run at 5.30pm with speedygeoff's group
Location: Parliament House
Distance: 8.3km
Time: 49mins
Comments: I really enjoyed speedygeoff's session tonight. The warm up took us out on the road as there were roadworks happening where we usually run round Parliament House. It was a 3km undulating warm up and then we ran up and down incorporating sprints diagonally across the grass. It was interesting because it was different and a good work out with great company.

This morning I went to the start of the Half Marathon at Stage 88 to cheer on my "mates". Then JD and I went for a run while Mr B went for a cycle. It was a stunning day in Canberra - sunny and warm - yes, it reached 21deg later in the day when I was having a drink in Manuka with a couple of friends outside in the sunshine.

Activity: Run (gentle)
Location: Lake Burley Griffin
Distance: 10km approx
Time: 60minutes
Comment: Comfortable and a glorious day

I have decided to create a separate training blog where I can record any strange things I might do in the way of exercise. After my return from overseas and a day later a 5 day trip to the Gold Coast for work purposes, then 2 weeks off running due to Doctor's orders cos of a virus, I finally returned to running last Thursday week.

Thursday 18 August
Activity: Run at 6am
Distance: 6.1km
Location: Kaleen block
Time: 38:50
Comments: That was so hard - leaden legs. After 11mins I wasn't even sure I could keep going but I did - so difficult after a 2 week break but I can only improve!

Saturday 20 August
Activity: Run with Mr B at 2.30pm
Distance: 11km
Location: Kaleen to David St, Turner
Time: 63minutes
Comments: Ran to Ms B's new location via cycle track and returned via main roads which was a little further. Enjoyable.

Monday 22 August
Activity: Run with speedygeoff's group 5.30pm
Location: Parliament House
Distance: 9.7km
Comments: Warm up of two loops of Parliament House then 12 sprints interspersed with 12 slower runs then cool down of another loop. I was back of the pack and found it really tough but at least I did it all.

Wednesday 24 August
Activity: Run 5.30am
Location: Kaleen block
Distance: 6.1km
Time: 34:56
Comments: A lot faster than last week thank goodness! Pushed myself in 2nd half.

Thursday 25 August
Activity: Run 6pm
Location: Kaleen block (again!)
Distance: 6.1km
Time: 33:35
Comments: Woo hoo - that's a much better time at last. It was dark by that time so I was pleased I did it in that time as it gets a bit scary round the back of the high school. I prefer running early mornings in some ways as it's getting lighter earlier now.

Friday 26 August
Activity: Swim 6am
Location: Civic Pool
Distance: 800m
Time: 24mins
Comments: Oh dear me - now that was very very slow and painful although not as bad as I thought it would be after two whole months of no pool swimming!! I can only improve hopefully!

Activity: Run 5.30pm
Location: Cycle track past Giralang through tunnel towards Gungahlin
Distance: 10.5km
Time: 60minutes
Comments: Comfortable - didn't push it. Ran in dark for last half of run so a bit careful on unlit cycle track.

Saturday 27 August
Activity: Walk 2.30pm
Location: Kaleen past Lake Ginninderra and home via Giralang
Distance: 10km
Time: 105minutes (yes 1 hour 45 mins - remember it was a walk)
Comments: Stunningly beautiful day - bright sunshine, blue sky. Babysitting 3yr old grand-daughter, Talia, so took her for a walk in her stroller stopping at two parks on the way. Feet a bit tired at end but felt like good exercise.

I'll be at the start of the Vets' Half Marathon in the morning as support crew then I'm going for a separate run before returning to cheer them in at the end. It's sad not running it but I would just be disappointed if I attempted it without the necessary training. I'll concentrate on the CT Fun Run in a few weeks instead. Go cj go!