Busy, busy, busy

Not much to report on the exercise front, sadly. I've been busy, busy, busy. I know that I SHOULD always try to find time to exercise but lately it's been easier to just pike. I'm still cycling to work, so that is something. But it's been a week since I've been for a run. I'm feeling guilty about it and I miss it like anything, so I take that as a really good sign. It means that it has become part of my lifestyle. Best not to get out of the habit though. So I need to go for a run!!!

I'm not too keen to share really intimate guff on here, so suffice to say there have been some changes recently and I am trying to develop a new routine.

On a VERY positive note I have met someone who is studying to be a personal trainer. She is looking for some bunnies to practice on so I told her I was willing!! I am jealous of reading of Kathy's personal training sessions, so I am looking forward to linking up with Sam. Sam will plan my sessions for no cost, while she is still learning, and at the moment that suits me very well. She is thinking of starting her own business and needs "clients" so we're happy all round. She mentioned Jacob's Ladder (long term readers will remember my experience on THAT!) so it is all very exciting. I'm really looking forward to it. She's been talking about flexibility and improving my stride and all sorts of things that sounds like she knows what she's talking about. It is very motivating. Hence my feeling of MORE guilt for missing my runs!! Hee hee! Watch out you Melbourne Marathoners - I'm in training!!!!!!!

Run in the rain

I had a run/walk home in the rain today! First time ever I have run in the rain. It was pouring as I walked out the office door and I confess I wasn't that excited about the soggy trip home. That feeling lasted all of 2 minutes and I then had a big grin on my face! Once you are wet, you don't get any wetter and you can actually enjoy it!! I wrapped the iPod in glad wrap and stuck it down my dacks and took off at a good ol step. Soon I couldn't help it and I broke into a run. I didn't really have a running plan except that I was going home so I ran then walked then ran again whenever I wanted to. All up about 6km. I had a blast! I had to put up with a bouncy back pack but in the big scheme of things that wasn't really a problem.

I needed a bit of cheering up actually. Some of you already know that my house was burgled. It's crap to lose sentimental stuff and material objects can be replaced but it makes me sick to think of what the baddies did to my cat. Poor little thing has been hiding in the clothes basket for days. I don't know what they did and maybe it's worse not knowing because my mind fills with all sorts of devious deeds. The guys at work have been joking that I should get new toothbrushes - or maybe they are not joking. I lost my sense of humour about a week ago.

Getting fitter

I'm feeling very confident this morning. I've discovered a new way to assess my fitness. And it's painless. I wanted to do another interval session this morning, using Week 1 of the C25K. I had such fun last week. Well I managed to convince hubby to come with me. I told him it was one minute running and I said we could do 90 seconds walking. To make it a little more tempting for him, I told him he could have the iPod and control the speed. Now, as a bloke he naturally walks and runs faster than me. I thought it would be cool that I would (for once) probably be able to keep up with him. Now he is not fit by any stretch of the imagination, but he's also not quite as, ummm, well-built as I am. Anyway, I could more than keep up with him, I was running the pants off him!! (Well, not literally of course.)

It was a great revelation for me.

I AM getting fitter. I mean, I know I am because I can now run 30 minutes. But sometimes it's nice to have confirmation, you know? Hubby struggled. The running was much faster than I usually do it, at about 10 km/h. But I managed fairly easily. It wasn't easy but it was comfortable.

You'll see from the picture that the distance was much shorter than usual. About 3.5km. Another revelation! I've been covering a pretty decent distance in my runs lately - well for me. We didn't even make it as far as the old boat shed, let alone to the Eliza statue!!

And, Em, I haven't used the "O'" word once!!!!


Unfortunately, on the back of all this confidence is another trip away for study. Not unfortunate for the study, but unfortunate for the running. Seven days this time instead of four days like last time. Very intensive. But I will try my best to find time for a run or two. I leave tomorrow. You probably won't hear from me for a week - I tend to get quite one-minded and extremelly focussed in my own little bubble of study. Bear with me until I catch up with you all.

Great Court

I decided to finish my run a little differently this morning. I've been doing the same route so I can see how I feel at certain points and be pleased when I notice the difference. For example there is a little hut on the water that must have once been a boat shed. I can remember trying very hard to make it as far as the hut. Now I power past it! But anyway, this morning I decided I'd take the scenic route through UWA to come home. UWA is a beautiful old sandstone university - one of the top "8" in Australia. The green dot in the picture is me running across the Great Court! Hee hee!! Makes one feel all edjamacated just being in that environment. Now I don't know if I got all excited going through the uni or what it was but my last half was a full minute and a bit faster than my first half. That's one heck of a negative split!

Still really enjoying my running. I think because I can just run and not worry about lasting the distance. I know I'm only going 30 minutes so I don't even think about it. Great fun.

Week 1 C25K

I ran along the beautiful East Perth precinct this morning. I dropped hubby off to work and decided to take the opportunity to run somewhere just a little different. So instead of heading down to the foreshore, as I usually would, I headed up the other direction. Lots of trees, parks and shade, and many, many schmicko houses.

I decided to run my own little version of intervals. I downloaded Week 1 of the C25K which is 60 seconds run followed by 90 seconds of walking. I thought I'd do the 60 seconds as a run and the 90 seconds as a slow jog. It was only for 20 minutes. How hard could that be?? Well in my enthusiasm I took off too quick and pushed a little harder than I had anticipated. I managed 4 of the 8 sets before I started walking in the walk breaks instead of jogging! I still pushed hard in the runs but it was not an all out sprint. I have a new challenge. To complete this training run as running and jogging! Man it was hard work!! Meanwhile ol' mate on the iPod is telling me to relax and run slow enough to have a conversation with the person beside me! If there had been anyone beside me, they would have only heard me puffing and panting and hacking and swearing. I think it's just as well I don't wear a heart rate monitor! But at the end of the run I had managed 4km in 33 minutes which includes the 5 minute warm up walk and the 5 minute cool down walk. Not too shabby!!!

And, man, it felt good to be striding out even if it was only for 60 seconds! 60 seconds is short enough that I could still concentrate on form and breathing without blowing up and falling into my comfortable shuffle. It was incredibly hard work, but it has given me the confidence that I CAN run faster - maybe even 6 minute k's. But I have to run a sub 7 minute km first!!

Lil' ol' plod!

I have to say I am really enjoying my running at the moment. I am comfortable in my decision to stick with 30 minutes running and no more. It allows me to go for a run with no pressure on myself to "do better". I'm still not at 5km so I guess that is another magical barrier. I'm going to start to incorporate some interval training now - with a maximum of 30 minutes. I want to increase my speed but I don't have that need to be fast. Physically, I can't because of my arthritis - but I can go a bit faster than I do. I know that because I can still "sprint" when I need to. My sprint is not that quick of course, but it does say to me that I can speed up a little in my "normal" pace. So I'm thinking of doing Week 1 of the C25K as an interval run. I haven't done that yet, and I'm thinking once a week would be pretty good. Week 1 is only 20 minutes which sounds about perfect for me.

I can't believe how excited I am about my lil' ol' plodding!!! Another 30 minutes yesterday - all joy. I convinced hubby to get out on the bike while I was running and our paths crossed on the river. He high fived me as I went past and I had a big stupid grin on my face. I'm sure the other runners/cyclists and cars were wondering what the heck was going on. I hope they saw a fat woman trying hard and really enjoying her exercise!!!

30 minutes - DANCE JIG!!!!

30 minutes!!!
30 minutes!!!
30 minutes!!!
30 minutes!!!
30 minutes!!!

Hee hee!! I am a LEGEND!!

I have wanted to make 30 minutes non-stop running for ages - and now I have. It was at this point last time that I got overly enthusiastic and ended up injured, so now I am going to stick with 30 minutes for a while before I start to push up the kms.

I thought I might just run the same route and see if I can make further distance in my 30 minutes. But for now I'm content to stick with a 5km loop, running 30 minutes and walking the rest.

Great run today. I knew I was set to make 30 minutes without stopping as soon as I started. I took it easy, and enjoyed the run. I even got that long forgotten but welcomingly familiar pain in my big toe at about 28 minutes. It was hot today and I wonder if that helped me in a funny sort of way. There were a heap of flies and apart from running along the water (and trees and traffic and grass), I could have been in Karratha.

NOW I feel like I'm back from injury.

"Eliza" dressed for the Cup

I'm happy with my run again today. 25minutes running without stopping. All up 4.6km in about 40minutes. I felt strong all the way through the run. Percy shows my pace as up and down but I felt consistent and very comfortable. I had enough in the tank to try for a negative split. I made it, but only just. Funnily enough, I felt my strongest at about 3km in. According to Percy I pushed out a 7minute 15second km!!! Wowwy Zowwy!! Although I still felt OK, I consciously made the effort to slow down again because I knew it wouldn't last.

At my turn around point is a statue in the water called "Eliza". It is a bronze statue of a woman about to dive into the water. It is in the location of the old Claremont baths. Today Eliza was decorated for the Melbourne Cup. Someone had put a dress, gloves and hat on her. Goodness knows how they managed to get it on her -I suppose someone swum out and climbed up. They would have to be dedicated. Speaking of the Melbourne Cup, I only just realised that Victorians get a public holiday for the Cup. I don't know where I've been all my life, but anyway today was the first time I realised that!!! Obviously I've never lived in Victoria. Of course life goes on for the rest of Australia.

Thanks for the comments about the Red Bull air race. Unfortunately I didn't take any photos! I didn't think of it. My bike was already packed for a BBQ, I had heaps of stuff, and a camera was the last thing on my mind. It was spectacular. You'll just have to trust me.

Red bull air race

Yesterday I had the choice of going for a 5km WAMC fun run or watching the Red Bull air race. I couldn't do both because of the difficulty with transport. All the roads in the CBD were closed yesterday for the air race, so I was going to ride. I ended up piking on the run and watching the planes. I rationaled it by telling myself that I can't yet run 5km, although I am getting closer. I also was going to get heaps of exercise riding everywhere. So the choice ended up being fairly easy. I had a wonderful day. The planes were spectacular!! The news said there were 300,000 people along the banks of the Swan River and I'd believe it! I've never seen so many people!! Everyone there to watch these little acrobatic planes fly just metres above the water looping through gates at 400km/h.

I started off on the river then I made my way up to Kings Park to meet Java and family for a BBQ. Just as packed with people at Kings Park!! Heck of a climb on the bicycle though. I've never ridden from that direction before and there is a dirty great steep hill from the city up to Kings Park Road. I had to stop and push my bike and it STILL almost gave me a heart attack! Obviously my cardio vascular fitness is not as good as I would like to believe it is.

We headed to Synergy parkland for our BBQ. We figured it wouldn't be as packed because you can't see the river from there, but we were wrong. People, people everywhere. We had to line up for the BBQ. But it was worth it. Great company, great weather, great day.

The weather nudged 30 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, beautiful and clear. Perfect weather for an air race. I got a bit too much sun though. My poor winter skin had no idea what hit it and I was exhausted last night. My legs are sore this morning, so I take that as a good sign. Clearly the bike ride was decent exercise for me even though it doesn't count to my monthly km run.

This morning I couldn't even drag myself out of bed for a run. An early night tonight for me. I hope I can go for a run this afternoon - otherwise definitely in the morning.

Kings Park run

This morning I rode to work early and then went for a 4km run through Kings Park. I took Percy with me but I'll have to upload the maps later. I'm looking forward to seeing the map from this morning! It was a beautiful morning - clear, crisp and utterly delightful. I ran past the reservoir in Kings Park, through the Botanic Gardens and onto the Law Walk which goes right along the edge of the cliff and has spectacular views of the river and CBD. There were two very nasty hills and I was tempted to walk up them but I persisted. Actually, I could have walked up them faster than I ran up them but I didn't want to stop. Ironic really that "stopping" would actually mean going faster. Meh. Apart from the two hills I felt pretty good during the run, so I kept going past my 25 minute cut off and made it to 29 minutes. I would have done 30 but I hit the main road and had to stop for traffic. Once stopped, that was it!!

I'm pretty pleased with the effort today. Now off to my Friday weekly massage!! Unfortunately this is my last one for a while. :( Very disappointing since I've enjoyed the luxury of an hour's massage at work once a week. I might actually have to go to a masseuse in my own time! Horror!!

My chiropractor is disappointed with the progress of my neck - which is surprising since I think it's amazing. He said that 80% of people respond well to chiropractic treatment but for 20% it takes much longer. I'm the 20%. I tell you what though, those 80% must feel INCREDIBLE! I think he's done a marvellous job. My hip is not improved either. Andrew, I'm taking glucosomine tablets now - like you said. Apparently they will be good for me but it will take 6 - 8 weeks to notice anything. We'll see.

I'm still running well, so clearly something is going right.

Edit. Here are Percy's pictures. This is my cycling commute and the next one was my beautiful run through Kings Park and botanic gardens.

Out and back

I decided to run out and back today to see if I could gauge whether I start off too hard or whether I am steady at the same pace all the way through a run. On the podcast I listen to, the fellow (who periodically tells me I am doing a good job) lets me know when it is halfway. At that point I turned around. At one minute to go I pushed harder a little bit and finished about 20m past my starting point. I guess I would have finished spot on if I'd kept at the same pace for the last minute. That tells me a couple of things. One, my pace is very consistent. Sure it's only 25 minutes running, but it's steady. Two, I'm travelling very slowly if I only made an extra 20m by pushing hard for a minute!!!

One more 25min run then I kick up the time to 28min!!

Another 25 minutes

Another 25 minute run today! It felt good too. We started daylight savings today so I went out late this afternoon. I had heaps of time and heaps of light so I decided to walk a bit before I ran my 25 minutes. I walked the long way to the river then started running along the river. I ran on grass the whole 25 minutes. Both my physio and chiropractor would be pleased. Then I walked another km or so home. All up about 8km in an hour 20. I enjoyed the run today. I feel absolutely no pressure on me. I am running simply because it is something I like to do. I wonder if that is why I am finding the times easy at the moment.

Hi Vanessa! I am coming back to Burswood soon I promise. There is a run in another week or so and I will do that too. I'm busting with confidence at the moment. But I don't want to ruin it all with injury so I am NOT overdoing anything!!!

The plan is another two 25 minute runs and then three 28 minute runs and then consistent 30 mintues runs. Good plan eh?

Blogger won't let me upload Percy's picture - I'll try again later.

25 mintues!

It was decidedly hot here this morning, by Perth standards. But still another beautiful day. Today I was set to run 25 minutes without stopping. I can remember (not so long ago) doing this run once before and the jump from 20 minutes to 25 minutes was very ugly. I wanted to finish strongly and not ugly so I took it very steady. I honestly felt like I was jogging on the spot, I was going that slow, but Percy show me that I did actually cover some distance. For the first time in a long time I wasn't overtaken by anyone - I think more because it was quiet out there than because I was running swiftly!

So I made it! I made 25 minutes. I'm starting to feel like I'm getting back some of which I had lost. Next week is all 25 minute runs. Very exciting.

Special message to Beki. I missed you. I am so sorry. I would like to have caught up. I hope you enjoyed our fair city.

Another beautiful morning

A pretty good run this morning but a little chilly. Two lots of 10 minute runs with a 3 minute walk break. All up 4km including the warm up and cool down. Not too bad I guess. I've decided I'm not looking forward to daylight savings - sorry to all of you who love it!! It'll be too dark in the mornings! Maybe as it starts to get light I might enjoy it more - but it's just perfect now. I love it when the sun is just rising and the air is clear. Beautiful.

I took it really steady this morning and I finished strongly again. I don't know how fast I was going and I haven't looked. There's a 5km run in a couple of weeks and I think I might head towards that. I won't be ready to run it all, and I'm not going to try, but a run/walk might be perfect. I'd like to start going back to runs again. And I want to go back to my weekly training runs at the Marathon Club - but I'm just not ready for that yet. When I can make 4km without stopping I will look at it again.

Week 6 day 1 C25K

Today's run was 5 min then 8min then 5 min with a 3 min walk in between, plus a warm up and cool down. Percy let me down and told me I'd only gone 1.8km but he was having problems locking onto the satellites. I reckon about 4.5km. I am becoming consistent again. This morning I couldn't wait to get up again. The dawn was beautiful - bright red clouds. Isn't there a saying red in the morning shephards warning? Not really sure what that means. I tried to finish strongly again today. Now I'm taking it easier, I feel I've got more in the tank. I hope that doesn't mean I'm being lazy because I'm enjoying the running at the moment!

My chiropractor is a miracle worker. Yesterday he worked out that I've been running lopsided which means my left leg has been working harder than my right. Yet I had no strength on that side because the nerves weren't firing or something. Then he poked and proded and hey presto! I had strength! Both sides are about the same now which is amazing. I had never noticed. But now I do. Go figure. I've still got no movement because of the arthritis but he can balance me out at least. He reckons I might get some movement so I'm cautiously optimistic. PLUS today I get my weekly massage. I'll get him to dig into the sides of my calfs which are what have been bugging me lately.

I'm kind of looking forward to daylight savings but kind of not. It's always better in the mornings once it starts getting light really early - but I'm such an early riser that I'm in bed when it's still light!!! I'll see how I adapt this year. Then we get to vote on whether to keep it.

C25K Week 5 Day 3

Well I'm thrilled to report I managed 20 minutes today! It's given me a huge confidence boost. I've been looking forward to this run since Monday when I decided I'd give it a go. Since I don't run every day, I had to content myself with a bike ride yesterday. This morning I had no problem getting out of bed, although it was very hot overnight. Kind of reminded me of Karratha - poor buggers are already getting 27 overnight. But here the heat was because it was overcast, not that it's really heat!!! I was awake before the alarm and while I contemplated whether or not to get up early, the alarm went off. Out the door in five minutes flat intent on making 20 minutes. I took it really slow, even for me, but I finished strongly. I'm still sitting at about 8 minutes a km but I don't care anymore. I know 20 minutes is not really a big deal, but I'm excited. Now to jump on the bike again and ride to work.

Day 2 Week 5 again

Today I did two 8 minute runs again. I am no longer concentrating on how slow I am running, and I had a great run this morning. I made it fairly easily and am confident to try the 20 minute run next time. I figure as long as I am out there and it looks something remotely like running, then it's got to count. All up during my run/walks I am covering between 4.5 and 5km, so a marked improvement from where I was a month ago. Now, to jump on the bike and cycle to work!

King's Park story true

Well the King's Park story was TRUE!!!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/12/2057917.htm?section=wa?section=wa

So THANK YOU to the person (whoever you are) who commented on my blog. There's a comfit of the person and I am racking my brain to think if I saw him. I was EXACTLY there on the spot, by the description on the news. I can't remember seeing anything odd - certainly no one running with a beach towel! A few minutes either way and it would have been all over. A shame really, I'd love to be able to do my bit to nail a bad guy.

*edit*
I just rang Crimestoppers to tell them I was in the area. I don't know if it will help, but maybe they can rule out times or something. I would also recognise the elderly couple the police want to speak with - because they walk every day too.

Arthritis

My visit to the chiropractor yesterday has given me lots to think about. We've been working on this pain in my neck but I thought I may as well ask him about all my other aches and pains. I have this constant dull ache in what I thought was my hip, which I thought was as a result of me not stretching properly. The chiropractor took x-rays and I could clearly see that on one side is a "normal" looking hip and on the other side is a mass of bones all fused together. I have arthritis. It's not in my hip but my sacrum. I have no movement on that side at all. How could no one have not noticed that??? That's why I can't do the downward dog. It's why I can't run. I physically can not lift my knee high enough on the right hand side. And I am crooked so use energy to straighten myself as I run/walk. I am destined to shuffle for the rest of my life. Sigh. On a positive note it is not my lack of flexibility preventing me from touching my toes! I CAN touch my toes but only on one side, which of course is NOT what you do when you are at the gym!! On another positive note - I have an explanation for all my difficulties! It's rather encouraging, really.

Of course the chiropractor is disturbed at my running and even wants me to cut down my cycling. I said no to both (of course!!) and he was very polite and said he wouldn't push the point. I am very pleased that I can continue and I feel an enormous relief that I CAN'T run. I no longer have that pressure on me to improve my times. What I will do is improve my distances!! And just stick at my 7 or 8 minute kms. In the big scheme of things WHO CARES how fast I run???

So with this enormous relief I went for a run last night. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I decided to see just how much movement I do have when I run. You'd think I'd be relieved to take it easy, but noooooo I have to go and push it. I don't know what the muscle is but it's not my calf and it's not my ankle but somewhere in bewteen on the outside. Anyway it started hurting, so I stopped running. I lasted one 8 minute run and 3 minutes into the next one.

I've got to get it into my brain that I'm after time not speed. I'll continue on the C25K and see how I go.

Avoid Kings Park?

Thanks to Anon for your comment yesterday. I don't scare easily but you've given me something to think about. The Western Path is the one I cycle on and I was on the Western Path at 7.15am on Monday morning! It is a very long path in a very big park, so not really surprising that I didn't see anything. Obviously the baddy is completely stupid because the path is at it's busiest in the mornings!! Still, occasionally I can go for a couple of kms without seeing someone. Unfortunately I have no one to cycle with, so I will continue to brave the ride alone. I am very confident I can look after myself! I do, however, avoid the park at night - especially on foot. Seems like the time of day is no longer relevant though...

I was supposed to go for a run this morning but it was raining. I wussed out. It wasn't the rain so much as getting my iPod wet. Percy can stand a bit of water but not the iPod. I think I read on the forum that someone wraps their iPod in glad wrap - I guess I could have tried that but it didn't occur to me at 5.30 this morning when I saw the rain and was nice and snuggly warm in bed. I have every intention of going this afternoon, looks like the rain will clear. As long as I run on Wednesday (sometime) I haven't missed a day, right? I've got a chiropractor's appointment after work, so hopefully it'll still be light enough to go after that. (Yes - STILL with the damn sore neck!!)

Day 2 Week 5 C25K

Two 8 minute runs this morning. That's day 2 of week 5 of the C25K. I managed 4.5km in about 37 minutes all up. I decided to angle up through Kings Park on the way home but did not realise the hill was so steep. I huffed and puffed up the hill but then enjoyed a long steady downhill for my effort! I might do day 2 again before I attempt the 20 minute run for day 3. I kind of feel like I cheated today because of the very long downhill - like it wasn't me running. It might be a good route to take for the 20 minute run, so I can feel like I end strongly! But another two 8 minute runs first I think, on level ground. I'm in no hurry - I'll get there. And this time, I'll get there with no injuries!!

Well done to all those who ran in the Melbourne Marathon, half marathon and 10km yesterday. I'm jealous of the 10km-ers, in awe of the half marathoners and staggered by the effort of the marathoners. Nothing like a gritty marathon race report to talk you out of wanting to do a marathon!!

Getting faster?

Today I apparently managed almost 4km in 33 minutes. But I think Percy was lying to me because he told me my fastest pace was a 3.43min/km!!! Not sure what happened there. I did three 5 minute runs and although it wasn't fast, I felt relatively comfortable. Not super comfortable, but confident I would make the time. I guess that's something.

Pretty ordinary weather today. Overcast and a little nippy. I hope that means I have sent the beautiful weather over east for the MM runners. Good luck guys, especially Andrew. I'll be thinking of you all.

Flawless weather

Today's weather was absolutely perfect. Flawless. Clear blue sky, a soft gentle breeze, and it was cool (but not cold). I headed straight down to the river for my run. THIS is what running outside is all about! I wish I could bottle today's weather. We've had rain and overcast conditions for so long that I can't remember the last beautiful day. (And I noticed on the news that Karratha is already getting 40 degrees.) It was so wonderful that when I finished my run, I jumped straight on my bike and rode to work. I just wanted that "outside" feeling for as long as possible. I pretended I was in a transition for a duathlon - well, I got the run and the bike the wrong way around but you know what I mean. It was funny, my bike ride was harder than usual. I wouldn't have thought my Week 4 on the C25K would take it out of me that much - but I guess it is an indication of how unfit I am!

This morning's run was about 3.5km in 32 mintues. I'll have to upload Percy's picture later. Today was a three minute run, 90 seconds walk, then a five mintue run. Then a second set after two and a hlaf minutes walk. I felt strong in the last five minute run so I ran the last minute at 10km/h. That's pretty quick for me. I think I might jump straight back to Week 5 again, and three 5 minute runs.

Back out there

My neck is still sore but it's been a week since I went for a run, and I don't want to fall into another lazy habit - so I went for a very slow run this morning. I went back to Week 4 of the C25K and took it steady. There were two sets of three minutes and five minutes with 90seconds break. My fastest pace was 7 mintues 15 a km but I did mange to get up to 11km/h for the last minute. All up 4.5km in about 42 minutes.

It's a public holiday here today and a beautiful day! There were lots and lots of people along the river running, walking and cycling. It felt really good to be out there again.

What a pain in the neck!

A couple of days ago I was very proud of myself, having lifted my run/walks to two 8minute runs on the C25K.

Today - not so happy.

Actually, more precisely I am cranky.

I have hurt my neck and it is, of course, self inflicted. Apparently it is a combination of poor posture, sitting at a computer and lots of other minor things that have built up over years and years (I was in a high speed car accident about 15 years ago) - until I hit the tipping point on Sunday. I thought I "slept wrong" but by Monday I was dizzy and the pain was getting worse. I skipped my run (and felt guilty). By yesterday my arm was numb and I had pins and needles in my hand. I knew then it was more serious than sleeping wrong. I went to a physio who told me my neck was like cement. I got feeling back in my arm, thankfully, but no relief from the neck pain. This morning I woke up and I couldn't move. Very scarey. I went to the chiropractor and he took x-rays. Not surprisingly, my neck is out. The discs in my neck are pushing on my nerves and grazing the spinal cord. This is not uncommon, apparently. And usually only manifests itself when something tips you over the pain threshold.

The good news is I WILL get better. I won't ever have full movement in my neck, but that's hardly an issue since I did not realise that I didn't have full movement to start with! And the good news is I can get better with regular chiropractor visits.

The bad news is I need to stop running and going to the gym (AGAIN) until the pain settles down. I will be able to run and cycle and go to the gym SOON but not until I at least get full feeling back in my arms. Then the chiropractor will give me gym exercises which suit me and will not aggravate my neck.

I have to be flat on my back today, with very slow deliberate neck exercises every hour - just to get some movement back. Hopefully by tomorrow I will be able to go back to work. The chiropractor expects me to be immobile when I first wake up in the morning, but I just need to wiggle a bit and gradually move my neck and I should be able to get out of bed. I have no strength to lift my head up when I am lying down, but I can quite happily sit upright once my head has been lifted.

If I sit still, I FEEL perfectly fine. It's just pain. Finally I get up to two lots of 8 minute running after all that time and this neck-thing kicks in. I just hope I won't lose too much of that fitness before I can get out there again. I reckon it'll only be a week or so. So it's really not as bad as it sounds. Just like a cold or something.

Just a walk

Just a walk this morning, but another clear, crisp day. I could really get used to this weather! I didn't want to run two days in a row but I still want to get out there. My enthusiasm must be showing because I convinced hubby to get out of bed this morning and walk with me! It was nice to have company for a change.

Lots of people out enjoying the early morning sun this morning too! Plenty of joggers passed us - just to keep me motivated.

4km in a tad over 44minutes. At my level of fitness, it was enough to raise a sweat!

Beautiful morning!!

I can't believe I've been stuck inside on the treadmill all this time. This morning it was beautiful!! It was clear, crisp and the sun was just rising. It's so easy to stay motivated when the weather is kind, of course!!! I've got to keep reminding myself that it HAS been cold up until now. Anyway, this morning's run was another C25K - still Week 5. I'm not ready to jump up to long time like 20 minutes yet!!!!

I had another run earlier this week on the treadmill - I don't know why anymore. Strapping Percy on the wrist and jogging along the river makes me feel like a real runner! I was a bit slower this morning though. I averaged about 8.30minute k's (including walking). But I really enjoyed it and I was comfortable - so perhaps that's why it was slow!

Running outside

This is my run this morning. It's the first time I've been outside to run since about April. Using the podcasts for the C25K has given me heaps of confidence - even though I am way back at Week 5. I can't overdo it - but by the same token I can't cheat either!!! I was going up a hill on the last five minute run and I wanted to stop but then this voice came on "Only a minute to go - keep going!" So I kept going! Still, three five minute runs is a long way from where I was and I am a little disheartened - but all the more determined to get back.

Interestingly enough, my pace is consistent with what I've been doing on the treadmill. My pace (for all of five minutes) is steady between 8.5 and 9 km/h. I can't say I'm disappointed with that!!

I've been tagged

Courtesy of Iris. I'd love to know this stuff about Morseyruns, Warriorwomen, Hann, Kathy and Andrew. Consider yourselves tagged.

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
I had just started my Masters study. I was very happy living in a small sea side town in Queensland.
2. What were you doing one year ago?
I was in Karratha, furiously writing a university degree. I’d just finished the C25K and was devastated to discover my 30 minutes was less than 4km!
3. What are 5 snacks you enjoy?
Salt and vinegar chips
Cheese and onion chips
Plain chips (Hmmmm is there a pattern here?)
Strawberry Freddo frogs (or anything with gooey strawberry)
Vita Wheat with vegemite (or, rather, vegemite with Vita Wheat)
4. What are 5 songs that you know the lyrics to?
American Pie – Don McLean
Piano Man – Billy Joel
Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits
Billy – James Blunt
I’ve got a plan – My Friend the Chocolate Cake
5. 5 Things you would do if you were a millionaire?
Buy a house (nothing extravagant – but comfortable)
Buy a car (a red convertible – and why not?)
Study full time and volunteer for charities (purely for selfish reasons – makes me feel good)
Get a house cleaner and a gardener (cause I’m inherently lazy)
Help out the family (I’m selfish, but not THAT selfish)
6. 5 bad habits
Over eating (This one is head and shoulders above all the others)
Procrastinating (usually only when I have really important stuff to do)
Forgetting birthdays (and anniversaries, and dinner dates)
Starting early and working late (caused by a high work ethic – is that a bad thing?)
Excessive internet use!!! (I can, and do, lose myself for hours)
7. 5 things you like to do
Sleep (Including naps on the weekend)
Run (I'd like to do this better, of course, and more of it, but I like it all the same)
Study (seriously, I do!)
Watch movies (especially *ahem* Star Trek)
Read books (Nothing better on a rainy Sunday afternoon)
8. 5 favourite toys?
iPod (music and podcasts – how did we EVER survive?)
Laptop (for games, DVD’s, oh and study)
Tin whistle (sooooooo much easier than the flute)
Cryptic crossword book (is this a toy? Well it’s a game!)
Killer sudoku!! (Ditto – obligatory brain exercise)
9. 5 things you would never wear?
Mini skirt (a bit too “mutton dressed as lamb”)
Ugg boots with shorts (it’s a fashion faux pas)
Police uniform (to be judged just because of what you wear is not appealing)
Excessive jewellery (it’s an OVER statement – like driving a Porsche)
Bikini (out of respect to those who might see me!!)
10. 5 things you hate to do
Go to loud, noisy, busy places (gives me a headache)
Wait (like waiting for a bus, or waiting for Christmas)
Diet (I refuse to diet! But I will eat healthily…)
To see suffering of any kind (from animals to people and even sick pot plants – unhealthy is unhappy and I hate it)
Be late (lateness is the epitome of rudeness – time is valuable)

Bored with being scared

It's still raining and I've had the boss's car while she's away so I haven't ridden to work. Still, driving to the gym has been somewhat of a novelty.

Anyway, I'm getting bored with this insane fear I have of running. If I behave myself, of course I won't get re-injured. But I don't trust myself. I'll push myself and be stupid, simply because I love it so much!! Anyway, like I said I'm bored with that attitude. It achieves nothing - and I miss out on running.

So I decided to do the C25K again. I did it once and managed OK. It was only when I started kicking up the distances that I got myself into trouble.

I've downloaded the podcasts and man, it makes it easy!!! It's set to dance music, which is not usually my scene, but makes a pretty cool change from what I've been listening to. Old mate on the podcast tells me when to run and when to walk. I know I'm not overdoing it because I stop when he tells me to stop.

I've started at week 5 which is 3 runs of 5 minutes with a 3 minute walk in between. Not right at the beginning but not where I was either.

I think I've become a little precious because it was raining this morning, so I did my run on the treadmill at the gym. I WANT to run in the rain, but this morning it was, like, it's WET - so off I toddled to the gym. I was so paranoid that I wouldn't make it or that I would overdo it, that I set the treadmill to 8km/h for the runs. Now I KNOW I can run at 9km/h. The first two runs were so easy that I increased the speed to 8.5km/h. Ooooooooo 8.5!!! I think I'll stay on Week 5 until I can make it at 9km/h.

Wildflowers

There are more and more flowers appearing every day now. We've had a few cool days but it's more fresh than cold. Spring is finally here! The weather is still being kind if you are a farmer but it's still damn wet if you are a cyclist! I took photos this morning on the way to work in what passes as sunshine these days. Still, it's a beautiful day, and LIGHT now as I cycle!

This first photo is as I enter Kings Park on the UWA corner. The sweet smelling freesias are everywhere. The dominant colour is white and yellow, but there are the occasional red kangaroo paw and some other pink and purple flowers that I don't know the name of.

The freesias are apparently a weed, but I think they are a very pretty weed!

This is the spectacular kangaroo paw. They are dotted throughout the park....
.....except just here where they have been deliberately planted enmasse for effect.


I went for a walk the other day. A real walk. You know, like walking for EXERCISE. Not even on the treadmill. I wasn't game enough to break into a run, but I've had no ill effects and no niggles in the achilles. It was a wonderful change from cycling, although I am comfortable in my routine now. I'm even starting to get to know the other cyclists on my route!! You know how you always pass the same people? We've now moved up from "good morning" to "great day!" or "you left early this morning!"

There is nothing out of the ordinary happening at the moment - everything is blissfully routine. There is no improvement in my fitness levels, although no decrease either! The weights at the gym are on the same level - hmmmm maybe I need to spice things up again, I'm getting too comfortable....

And THIS is the Mulla Mulla (courtesy of Gargoyle - thanks mate!). This is my FAVOURITE wildflower, native to the Pilbara. Check out Gargoyle's blog for some absolutely fabulous photos of my old home, Karratha.

Wildflowers!!!

I had the best ride to work this morning. I have a late meeting so I started late and didn't leave home until 8am. It was 15 degrees and beautiful. I had forgotten what it was like to ride in the warmth! It rained all night and Kings Park had that beautiful sweet smell of freshness - and there are wildflowers everywhere!!! They weren't there yesterday! But this morning the bike path is lined with beautiful white flowers. I'll have to bring my camera and take a photo. It was absolute joy to ride through. Flowers make everyone smile don't they?!

The wildflower festival is just about to begin in Kings Park. I thought it was just in the Botanical Gardens. I didn't realise the flowers would be EVERYWHERE!!! And I didn't realise they came up so quickly - literally overnight!! Those of you who have been reading my blog since I was in Karratha will know my favourite wildflower is the Mulla Mulla. I didn't post a photo last season. I'll have to get some photos this season.

Hmmmm, and as I write, the clouds have come over again and rain threatens once more.

Open day

Hubby's work had an open day yesterday so somehow I got roped into being a volunteer for the day - crowd control, answering really dumb questions about stuff I know nothing about, and generally being polite and friendly. Man it was tiring - especially that bit about being polite and friendly!!! Some people ask really, really stupid questions. The best one was "Do you use any special cleaning equipment to clean your lights?" What do these people think??? I told them that, in fact, we DO use special cloths - and they seemed satisfied with that! And I don't know how many times I described how to get to the portaloos.

I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I suggested to hubby that we cycle to the open day. You know, get some exercise and sunshine, not worry about parking, etc, etc. It was just a tad over 10km and a lovely ride! Then at about 1pm, after my feet were starting to really hurt, it started raining. It continued to rain steadily for the rest of the afternoon. It was a long day, I was tired, my feet hurt, I hadn't sat down all day and I had to face cycling home in the rain.

I decided to turn the situation into a positive experience (as I am wont to do). I told hubby it would be fun to cycle in the rain. We found ourselves disposable ponchos, got all decked out for a ride in the cold and took off! We took turns overtaking each other, just for fun, and the person in the lead could choose the song to sing. We rang our bells at everyone and hubby said hello to everyone we passed, plus hello to a few birds and trees and fish (we were on the river). It was a hard ride but enormous fun! My legs were aching last night, like they haven't ached for ages.

I'm sure a lot of people raised their eyebrows at us - but by that stage of the afternoon, I just wanted to be at home in the warm and dry!!!

We went and ruined it all by having pizza for dinner, but that was fun too!!!

And now, ANOTHER week of rain....

I've been tagged

RunMumRun tagged me so here goes...
Jobs I’ve Held: Bar wench, journalist, long career in a public service department, university lecturer, now another public service department.
Movies I Can Watch Over & Over: Ummm... anything Star Trek (Sssshhhh), Dead Poets Society, Animated movies.
My Guilty Pleasures: Star Trek (hee hee), potato chips (yum!), long hot showers (it'd be baths if I had a bathtub), reading.
Places I have lived (in order): Queensland (Bundaberg, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton) and Western Australia (Karratha and Perth).
Shows I enjoy: NCIS, House, Simpsons, Law and Order, does Star Trek count?
Places I Have Been on Holiday: Europe, Scandinavia, Heron Island, Whitsundays, Broome, Margaret River.
Favorite Foods: Chippies, pasta, cheese (Castello is my favourite at the moment), really good quailty eye fillet cooked blue.
Websites I Visit Daily: Bloglines, ABC online, Media Monitors (a subscritpion news site).
Body Parts I Have Injured: Achilles, patellar.
Awards I’ve Won: None really.
Nicknames You’ve Been Called: Cel - not much else you can do to Celeste is there?

Riding commute back

I'm back riding to work again. It's good to be back. Yesterday was very cold however. Three degrees. It's still dark in the mornings but the birds are waking up, so it's quite pretty. By the time I got to the gym this morning, the sky was just light with only a few clouds. I love dawn, easily my favourite time of the morning.

I did another 1km on the tready at 9km/h just to prove to myself that it wasn't a fluke last week. I found it pretty hard going but I made it. Gosh I am so unfit! Got my heart rate up to 168. That can't be good. I might slow it down a bit and hang on for a bit longer. I'm excited about swapping the elliptical trainer for the treadmill but my injury-fear still lingers. I tell myself that I can feel the pull in the achilles, or the calf, or the hamstring - I think I am my own worst enemy.

I know that if I push any longer than about 7 minutes at 9km/h I'll be overdoing it. At least you have control on the treadmill. You don't get that in "real" running - unless you are far more experienced than I am and you are able to keep the same pace.

I'm still looking for mini milestones. I had another one last week. I was at the gym and a lady couldn't work out how to adjust the seat on one of the machines. I was able to help her and I also showed her how to do the exercise. Hey, it's a little thing for most - but a thrill for me! you know what they say - small things....

Rain again

Well it is forecast to rain again for the week - but fine up on the weekend. I thought that I'd still risk the ride to work anyway. I mean, it only takes 25 minutes. Surely, if it's not raining when I leave the house then it won't rain for 25 minutes, right? Well yesterday, I rode to the gym in only a few sprinkles. Once in the gym though, the rain started to bucket down. Heavy. I did my weights then chose a treadmill on the window where I could watch the rain. My thoughts were turned to how I would manage showering, getting changed and still ride the rest of the way to work without getting wet. Suddenly my clever plan of riding when it was forecast rain didn't seem so clever. It ended up being quite a complicated process. I decided to not shower, and stay sweaty so that it didn't matter if I got wet as I rode the rest of the way to work. There are also showers at work, so I knew I could still be fresh as a daisy - it's just that the showers at work are not the nicest and I rather shower at the gym. My bike was parked in the rain (of course) so I left my backpack near the gym door, toddled off in the rain to get the bike, wheeled it back under cover while I packed the paniers, and then rode unpleasantly all of 500m to work. Only 500m, but it doesn't take long to get soaked to the skin!

Meanwhile, I was so distracted by the rain that I found it quite easy to run 1km at 9km/h on the tready! That's a 6.40min km!!! I don't think I could run that fast "for real" though, somehow the treadmill makes it easier. And it was only 1km.

Duathlon???

Well the rain has stopped and I'm cycling again. All up, I think I missed 7 days cycling.

Thank you for your wonderful comments, particularly the suggestion that I should give duathlon a go. I have been giggling about duathlons ever since. I think it is necessary to remind you that I ride a CHUNKY bike, with chunky tyres, a fat girl seat and paniers. I would look decidedly odd lining up for a race with my bike!!! Fair enough I could remove the paniers, but there is no disguising that my bike is built for comfort not speed (a lot like me, really). I can safely tell you that duathlon is not on my "to do" list. But, perhaps you have planted a seed of thought - we'll see.

I've been getting massages every week because they are organised through my workplace. (Yes I DO work at a very cool workplace!!) Anyway, Jim, the massage guy has noticed I've been using the elliptical trainer! I've been keeping him up to date with my progress and he said there is a big difference in my calves - mainly that they are tight - but that clearly I have been using them a lot more recently. I get an hour massage a week, and he works on which ever area he thinks needs the work. Sometimes it's a full body massage, other times it's just the legs. One time he spent half an hour on my KNEES!! He's only a remedial masseuse, not a sports masseuse, but I love it! I love my Friday mornings, even though it hurts like hell most times.

Jaykay, you were asking about the calf machine. I'll try and describe it. You sit on a chair with a back rest and there is a bar that you rest your feet on. You then push the bar down with your toes and it exercises your calf muscles. I find that if I sort of put my feet on the side of the bar, instead of the top, I can use the weight of the machine to hold my stretch in place.

Still more rain

Hmmm, I hope I am not using the rain as an excuse, but I haven't ridden to work for a week now. And I didn't ride again today. I've been hitting the gym in the afternoons instead of the mornings, and I'm starting to get used to this new routine. This is not a good thing. I want to ride. In fact I miss riding to work - but the rain just hasn't stopped. More rain and storms forecast all this week. The crappy thing is that I COULD have made it to work in between showers this morning - but I guess one never knows when the rain will start.

I'm working an 8-4 shift now, which is SOOO much better. When I get to the gym at 4.05 there is hardly anyone there. By 5pm as the hordes come in, I'm already on the elliptical trainer. PLUS I still get to ride home in light. And getting lighter all the time!

I did 7km yesterday, still on a resistance of zero, but 7km nonetheless. 1km warm up, 5km as hard as I can, and 1km cool down. Managed to finish the lot in 40mins. I love it because I sweat heaps. I can feel it working. I always concentrate on stretching my calves afterwards, because that's what hurts the most once I cool down. Yesterday I sort of did things in the wrong order - the cardio and then weights. But I sat on the calf machine after the elliptical trainer and let the weight of the machine stretch my calves. It was so good, I might do that next time too.

I'm not going to wish the rain away, because we need it so desperately, but I do wish for a day to dawn clear and bright so I can jump on my bike and just enjoy the ride. It was so nice to pick up my bike from the bike shop after being serviced and ride home. It felt comfortable and very very familiar. Gosh I hope I'm not turning into a cyclist... I'm a runner! A RUNNER!!!!

Rain, rain, rain

It's been raining for the past week. This is great news for our dry west, but not so good for us cyclists. I've piked from riding to work the past couple of days. I don't mind getting wet once I've started my ride, and I don't even mind riding home in the rain - but the thought of riding TO work or the gym in the wet is not appealing to me.

I've been wanting to get my bike serviced because it's started squeaking a bit - probably from riding through all the rain (!) and having the oil washed off. I'm no mechanic and I need help in fixing the squeaks. But the bike shop doesn't service on the weekends, only during the week. Well, this is problematic since I ride to work before the bike shop is open and ride home after the bike shop is shut.

So - I am taking this voluntary break from riding to get my bike serviced! Sort of like killing two birds with one stone. Instead of having my bike sit at home, it can be at the bike shop! Of course I didn't think of this brilliant idea until today - but luckily there is rain forecast for tomorrow too! Sometimes I am sooooo clever...

I'm really digging the elliptical trainer at the gym. Kills the calves, but I sweat bucketloads. Yesterday (on my way to another 6km in 30mins) I checked my heart rate. 156. Oops - it is supposed to be between 120 and 130. I felt OK and I wanted to maintain my speed, so I decided to just keep an eye on my heart rate and see if it went up. (Not that 156 is low of course...) Anyway I found myself concentrating on my breathing instead of mindlessly watching the Lifestyle Channel (the sports channels had football, football and motor racing - yuck!). Suddenly my heart rate started going DOWN. What the?? I watched it drop to 140 and then it stayed there. The ONLY thing I can think of is that I concentrated on my breathing. I can't believe it would make that much difference - but it seemed to! (Jaykay, you asked what resistance I have it on. Resistance?? I press quick start and that's it. I'm guessing the resistance level is at the default - zero. You mean I could make it harder????)

By the way, my speedo reckons I've ridden over 800km on my bike since I got it. If that's right then I'm a legend!

Another workout

I just had the most fabulous workout at the gym. It is pouring with rain outside and I am happily sitting in one of the gym's cafes on the free internet. I had a crap day at work with one thing or another, plus I missed my workout this morning, so I just left work early and came straight here. Nothing like a bit of sweat to clear the mind. I did 6km on the eliptical trainer in a little over 30 minutes and I don't feel a niggle from my troublesome legs. I was feeling all lethargic and just wanting a nap - but now I feel pretty good. It still amazes me about this whole exercise thing. I'm just glad I now have the knowledge to come to the gym after a crap day instead of heading home to eat up big and go to bed!!

I think that also being at a fabulous gym helps. I had a lovely warm shower, gave my hair a blow dry and am now sitting down with a lovely drink. I'll wait here on the comfy couches for hubby to come and pick me up (I'm not riding home in this weather!). Right at this point in time I can't think of anywhere nicer. I've got that workout-contented feeling. Beautiful.

A small victory

I'm so glad to read in the comments that 3 degrees actually IS cold! I don't feel so bad complaining about it, now. We're only heading to 20 as a top today, although I notice Melbourne is looking at something like 11. Yikes.

A small victory. When I ride in the mornings it's uphill. I have learnt what gear I should be in at what point, and even what is a good speed for certain sections. Sometimes I have little competitions with myself to maintain a certain speed or stay in a higher gear past the crack in the concrete where I usually change down. There is one bit where I try and stay at an average of 12km/h. I realise that is not fast, but it's uphill and I find it quite a challenge. Well I rode it and stayed at 13km/h for the whole section! A tiny victory but I was quite chuffed. I remember that same stretch when I was trying to maintain 11 and was chuffed at making 12. And now I have suddenly improved again! Now the challenge will be to keep it at 13 regularly along that section. And that's staying seated. If I stand up I can maintain 15km/h because I can stay in a higher gear. Hmmm... I wonder if I could maintain 15km/h and seated??? Something to work towards...

Box head!

OMG it was cold this morning!! I was all set to get up for an early ride to be at yoga at 6.15, but one little toe out of the covers at 5.30 convinced me to stay in bed! Guilt got the better of me however and I was out of the house by 6.30 - too late for yoga though. Man it was cold. Apparently it was 3 degrees which I am sure is warm for the Victorians! I was rugged up like the Michellin man. I had two pairs of pants, two shirts and a jacket, two pairs of gloves, a beanie and a scarf. My feet were cold with my lonely one pair of socks but the rest of me was OK. Or perhaps I was already numb - I'm not sure. I could see my breath through the scarf! I passed a couple of runners wearing only singlets and shorts - and I wondered if perhaps I had become a bit precious. At least there was no wind this morning.

I was staring out of my window at work, looking into Kings Park and there was a person wearing a big box over their head and arm holes cut in it. They were holding a sign and standing in front of traffic. I couldn't see the sign from where I am but it occured to me that you get all sorts in the city! There was no one else around this whacko, so I can only assume they were acting like that off their own back. Perhaps they were protesting something. But really, who wears a box? It was decorated with red tinsel so at least it was a fashionable box. Then they wandered off down the road and I lost sight of them.

"Thoughts" about running

I have quite recovered from my bad mood - thanks! I have not, however, caught up on the work I had done before I lost it all. Oh well.

Exercise has been going well. (Read: cycling, gym and yoga.) I have convinced hubby to ride to work now too! He's only riding a couple of times a week, but it means we can meet up along the river and ride home together. It's good actually, because I can ride in his direction along the river and add an extra 7 or 8km to my ride home. I can recognise his flapping red arm warmers from some distance away and I know to turn around!!

I hope to "encourage" him to cycle daily - but it's still a chore for him.

This morning I didn't want to ride to work (I was snuggly and warm in bed), but I thought of the ride home and it was enough to convince me to suck it up and just go. Golly, my ears are getting cold just thinking about this morning's ride - weird.

I'm having "thoughts" about my running. A little voice is telling me that my five minutes on the treadmill is still too much while I am so overweight and that maybe I need to concentrate on losing weight first. The physio says it's not the impact but the load.

I saw some great photos on the Ausrun forum when the "girls" met up. One very quick glance at the photos tells me that I have less in common with the girls - weight wise - than I hoped. I read comments about people being overweight, and take comfort that we are fighting the same issues. But weight is a relative concept (as is speed). Skinny Morseyruns, Em, Jo and Jaykay think they're fat!! Joey and Kathryn you are both gorgeous! Deege, I could relate to your journey above all others, right from the start - but you are also travelling better than me.

Hmmm, this smacks of a negative post, but it is not meant to be. What I am saying, badly, is that I can't expect to be a runner while I do not have a runner's physique. Now running will help me get a runner's physique, but I can also enjoy lots of other exercise better suited to my current physique UNTIL I get there. So I do not need to be bitter about "missing out" on running - because I have plenty of options that will still get me to that point.

Bad Mood

I am in a VERY bad mood. I have just spent the morning developing a data base and I have lost the LOT. I am Cranky with a capital "C".

So I am taking a break to let my blood pressure settle. Thankfully my hormones are normal at the moment or I would be in tears.

And my day started off so well too. I managed to cycle to yoga this morning which started at 6.15. Then an hour of weights and cardio, a lovely shower and I was at work 15 minutes early.

I definitely have need of yoga - this is the second class of my week and is held at the gym. I was the only one in the class (again) who can't hold the downward dog longer than about 5 seconds. The instructor says hold for five breaths! I don't have a hope. She says that the sooner I can learn not to hold my breath, the easier it will become. I'm also the only person in the class who needs to do the "variation" on the poses - because the beginner poses are too hard!! However I don't mind. I have no shame. I figure the more I improve the more dramatically everyone else will notice!! A fairly busy class, surprisingly, at that time of morning but most left after the class. There were only a few who went on to do weights.

I felt good to start the day - until about 15 minutes ago.

Actually I feel a bit better now, just by thinking about my early morning!

Routine

I seem to be easily falling into the routine of going to the gym before work - but now I find it difficult to go after work. Go figure. The gym has introduced more classes in the mornings, which is a good thing, so I should be able to fit in a few more classes.

Having said it is harder for me to get to the gym in the afternoons - I managed to make it yesterday. It was full, as usual, and kind of reinforced to me why I may well be subliminally avoiding afternoon sessions. I did my weights then went hunting for a cardio machine. No treadmills, no cross trainers, no bikes, one free rower (sigh - OK then), but wait! A stepper! I jumped on the stepper and quickly jumped off again as a treadmill freed up. Yay! A treadmill!

I did my five minutes and then thought I'd be extra daring and add on another minute. All up SIX minutes running. Woo Hoo!

I had an early start at work today - so may hit the gym in the afternoon again. Two afternoons in a row.

Thanks to everyone for all your wonderful birthday wishes!!! I got an iPod - a pink one. Just a little shuffle, but suits me wonderfully. I'm not game enough to use it on the bike, but I will use it at the gym!

Happy Birthday!!

It's my birthday! Happy birthday to me!

I have a company car for a few days while the boss is away so I got to drive to work. I missed my ride!!! But at the same time it was quite a novelty because it is pouring down with rain and I got to park in the basement without getting wet!

Plus I could bring in a cheescake for morning tea without difficulty....

Flag this post

My ride home from work yesterday is one I will remember for a very long time. It was cold (freezing!!), windy and raining. The rain hit like little icicles which stung when they hit my exposed bits. By 10 minutes in, my hands were numb. My feet were so cold it was painful and when I got home I couldn't feel my toes. My shoes filled up with icy water and my socks just soaked it up and kept the cold close to my skin.

I normally push hard up hills and I say to myself "feel the burn" like a mantra. If I can feel the burn then I know I am working hard. Well yesterday the burn was the only thing keeping me warm!

However I laughed pretty well all the way. No one saw me because no one was fool enough to be out in weather like that - but if they had seen me they would have thought I was insane. I'm not sure if my laughing was hysteria brought about by freezing my butt off, but the ride struck me as hilariously funny.

It was funny because I CHOSE to ride home. I knew what the weather was like and I still went out in it. If, in the future, I question my dedication to this whole exercise guff I will remember that ride. If, in the future, I wonder if I have the will power to keep going - I will remember that ride.

I don't know if anyone has ever experienced an epiphany where everything seems to come into focus - well for me it was yesterday, through the rain and the cold and the gusts of wind that almost knocked me off my bike. THAT'S what was so funny - that clarity could come in such conditions!!

Piker

Yesterday after work I started riding to the gym as usual and I got to the car park and it was full. I looked up into the windows on the upper level and I could see people using all the treadmills. So I went home. Just like that. I didn't even go inside. I didn't even get off my bike!! It has been so busy at the gym it's painful. It seems to take forever to do my weights routine and sometimes I don't get a choice on the cardio equipment - I just take what's left. Well not yesterday!! I wasn't cranky or anything - just passively resigned to the fact that the gym is always super busy after work.

But this morning I went in BEFORE work. I had great plans of doing this when I first started but I just haven't been organised enough. Today I was organised! And you know what - the gym was almost empty!! I used all the equipment when I wanted to in the order I wanted to. I had a selection of treadmills and I even chose the fitball because it was purple - instead of grabbing anything. I was in and out in an hour - including showering! And best of all - I feel great! Beaut way to start the day.

I normally get to work early because I tend to be a bit of an early bird. But if I just plan to be on time instead of early I reckon I could hit the gym every morning. That way I could give my workouts some variety because I'm not doing weights every day. I never leave work early anyway so I'm just working extra for nothing.

He he - I did my five minutes running at 9km/h again! Shhhh.

Tagged

I got tagged by Kathy - so here goes:

1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Relationship? Soul-sharing
3. Your hair? Multi
4. Work? View!
5. Your sister? Nope
6. Your favourite thing? cat
7. Your dream last night? freaky
8. Your favourite drink? tea
9. Your dream car? convertible
10. The room you’re in? office
11. Your shoes? Sachi
12. Your fears? cockroaches
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? Happy
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? hubby
15. What are you not good at? Dieting!!
16. Muffin? yuck
17. Wish list item? House
18. Where you grew up? Queensland
19. The last thing you did? Laugh
20. What are you wearing? Suit
21. What are you not wearing? necklace
22. Your pet? cat
23. Your computer? flash
24. Your life? Fortunate
25. Your mood? Contented
26. Missing? Nothing
27. What are you thinking about? Gym (!)
28. Your car? old
29. Your kitchen? old
30. Your summer? HOT!
31. Your favourite colour? Yellow
32. Last time you laughed? Today
33. Last time you cried? Yesterday
34. School? Valued
35. Love? Blessing

Umm... I'm not sure who HASN'T been tagged yet. (Seems like all the regulars!!) I choose Hann and Running Uphill.

New cycling route

I have found a different way to ride home from work!! Kind of sad, really, the things that get me excited... It is slightly longer - but the best part is that there are street lights all the way! I have been riding home that way all week. It is much, much steeper to start with but takes me directly to the river and I get to ride home along the river. Even though I ride the brakes for the first km, the rest of the trip actually requires more effort than my old route. So it's all good really. Longer, slightly more effort and well lit. I feel much safer than struggling through Kings Park in the pitch black. Plus this new way is a lot more populated. I don't really like the first section because it is along the freeway and it reminds me that I'm in the city. (Not that there is anything wrong with Perth - it's just a ... well ... city.) At least through Kings Park I hardly saw traffic and cars - just trees. But then once I hit the river it's beautiful again. A tad breezy, but beautiful. 5km along the river and I hit UWA and I'm almost home! I'm still riding through Kings Park on the way to work, so I've got some variety.

I lost my chain for the first time and managed to put it back on with only minimal swearing. I haven't found that quick release thing that is supposed to be on the chain somewhere, but a bit of gentle prodding seemed to work as well.

I've invested in some thermal underwear. (Boys can stop reading now.) I have never worn thermal underwear and I had no idea it made such a difference!! I shopped around (as you do) and eventually settled on some woollen stuff called "icebreaker" from Mountain Designs. I had no idea that wool could be so soft and light. Plus if I am to believe the brochure it does not retain odours, warms better and breathes better. "This 100% natural fibre is the undisputed champion of outdoor wear. It is silky soft, lightweight and strong. It insulates and breathes perfectly. It doesn't hold odour, stays warm when wet, dries quickly and doesn't itch. What's more, your icebreaker is annually renewable and biodegradable." Sounds impressive, eh? What actually sold me is the fact you can wear it during exercise. I bought a pair of leggings and a t-shirt. I even got a pair of gloves that I can wear UNDER my cycling gloves. I'm still trying to work out whether I can wear my skins at the same time, but that might take a bit more practice. I wore the t-shirt under my shirt when I cycled in to work this morning. It was really good. Nice and warm. I still don't have anything for my nose and face - I'll have to see if they've got anything for your head at Mountain Designs. Might even have to check out the socks now that I know the other stuff is so good.

Gym stuff goes well. I'm doing weights, aqua aerobics and yoga. I missed spin this week which is a bummer. I've treated myself to 5 minutes on the treadmill at 9km/h - moving up from 8.5km/h. Such a speedster! I found it quite challenging, so clearly my cardio fitness is not as good as I would like to think it is. I was pretty happy to finish at 5 mintues. A great feeling to get the heart rate through the roof though. My plan is to stick at 5 minutes but maybe gradually increase the speed when I get comfortable. I ran into Vanessa from the WAMC at the gym and she said that sometimes if people have been injured, they take a long time to get back into it simply because they are frightened they will become injured again. That's EXACTLY where I am at. But at the same time I have become comfortable in taking it slowly, and I am happy in myself not to overdo it. I realise now I was pushing myself too hard, because I thought my progress was too slow. But progress is still progress - I'm learning that now.

Any hints on keeping warm whilst cycling to work would be greatly appreciated.

Back into routine

I completed my test and have now returned to the world of reality. As I suspected, for the past four days I have done no exercise and I've eaten absolute crap. However (*lightbulb*) I missed my bike (!!) and craved healthy food instead of fast food. I was so pleased to jump on the bike this morning and ride to work. It was freezing, but that didn't matter. I've packed the gym clothes and am heading to the gym this afternoon. Now just to make the mental link to study-stress and exercise and I should be able to start living a much more healthy existance. Psychologically, study means constant snacking - my last hurdle.

Work means cycling. Free time means time for the gym (or running *sigh*). But study time still means snacking.

My latest gizmo for the bike - a pair of arm warmers! I looked at the leg warmers too but I didn't think any would fit me, and I wear long skins so I decided just to stick with the arm warmers. Bright red! I would have got yellow, but the colours seemed decidedly conservative. Red, black, white and blue. Boring. But very practical - they were great this morning.

My plan this afternoon - weights and 5 minutes on the tready as part of a 20 minute intense cardio session. As well as my cycling commute of course. In the dark. And cold.

Treadmill triumph

Those of you who know me well will know that I am studying. I've got a very important "exam" coming up. It's not really an exam, but essentially it is the same thing. I either pass or fail. It has consumed my thoughts recently - because if I fail I will not be permitted to keep studying at the university, or I will have to change my focus substantially which amounts to the same thing.

Anyway - the point. For the next four days I will be enveloped in my own little world, not even coming up for air. I am worried about my exercise regime. I'm no good at maintaining a routine when I travel at the best of times. Unlike people like ajh who seem to be able to exercise anywhere!!

I went to yoga at the gym on Sunday. It was yogalates - sort of a combination of pilates and yoga. The class was so big I couldn't see the instructor because of all the people. I found it very difficult and tried to copy off the people in front of me. I was one of the lucky ones who got a mat and a fitball. Others turned up and were told there was no room, and no equipment left. Not really good organising.

I did weights on Monday but struggled to find empty machines. It was so busy you had to wait at a piece of equipment until someone finished and then you could use it. I think I might need to rethink the times I am going. Clearly everyone is going at the same time!!

Now for the naughty bit. I jumped on the treadmill for 5 minutes. Only 5 minutes, but I found it easy at 8.5km/h! Man it was great! I was really frightened I'd get into trouble - like a little girl stealing lollies from the lolly jar! But I didn't get into trouble and I had minimal pain. Still I am not going to overdo it - having learnt the hard way - so 5 minutes will be plenty for now. Almost like a reward for going to the gym! Hee Hee!!

And now I am away for four days - sigh. Still, my cardio seems surprisingly good so hopefully I'll be OK if I don't manage to do too much exercise.

Spin - weeeeeeeeee!

Spin last night was a blast!!! Although I have to say that it was damn hard work!! My calves are so sore today. I think it will still take a bit of practice to get the technique right though, because I worked really hard on one of the sprints and gave it everything, then wanted to slack off but couldn't! You can't stop your legs moving!!! No one ever said that before! I almost fell off and exploded from lack of breath. I understand the bit about not tightening the knob thing to make it easier. Phew! What a workout!! There were a few beginners there so we all got help adjusting our seats and handlebars and the instructor kept an eye on us. I'll be back!

Then I decided to brave the road home - and I think I'll stick to the path from now on. It didn't seem to matter how far to the left I rode, the cars zoomed past so damn, damn close to me. And a bus. Man that was freaky. I was concentrating so hard that it was unpleasant - but I noticed (when I got home) that my top speed was 44.2! Aaarrgh!!! No WONDER I was freaking out. But there were fewer uphills - the road must be smoothed out for the cars compared to the path.

Shallow pool

I had a wonderful time at water aerobics last night, but it looks like the deep water running will be a bit difficult because the pool is only 1.1m deep!!! D'Oh! Still, I arrived a little early and sort of ran up and down the pool and that was fun - but weird. There was another bloke doing a similar thing so I didn't feel stupid - just weird. I asked my physio and he said the water should be no lower than my chest or it is too much impact. So I kept low, not knowing if that was the right thing to do or not!!! Em or Jojo - fly to Perth and I'll sign you into my gym and we can do a session in the pool!!! Lulu - I wish I couldn't touch the bottom but I CAN - so I'm going to have to modify "deep" water running to something else.

At the end of the aerobics session my legs felt like jelly and I could barely walk!! I think the cycle home was actually a good cool down - but I'm going to have to rug up like Andrew suggested. The other thing is that it was damn dark, and I am seriously thinking about risking the road on my way home in the dark. At least there are street lights. But it's the road. Hmmmm - lights and really scarey road, or really scarey dark and path? I don't know!!

I'm heading back tonight - there is a SPIN SESSION on at 5.30!!!!! Yippee! It'll be my first one ever!

First gym session

Well I've been to the gym "properly" now and I've got a real weights programme!! He he - I'm like a pro! It's very basic but I'm doing core strength exercises and all that good stuff. I have to say I enjoyed myself immensely. NOW I understand why everyone likes the gym so much! My arms are sore today - but I'm only supposed to do the programme every second day. So tonight is aqua aerobics. I'd like to do deep water running, but I want to check out the pool and stuff without oddly gawking - you know, less attention being drawn to being out of place and that sort of thing. Besides I figure I can ask the instructor about it - in the hope that she is knowledgable of course. The only description of deep water running is what I've read from Em and Jojo's blogs - I think I need some further instruction. PLUS I figure the aqua aerobics is good exercise anyway. That's at 6pm so it'll be a late (and cold) cycle home!

I want to develop some good habits, so I'm going to go to the gym before work for my weights, and after work for the organised sessions. But not every day because I think it would then become a chore. So Monday, Wednesday and Friday for weights and at least Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for sessions. Then anything else is a bonus. Plus I'm still cycling to work, so I'll get a little cardio every day anyway. There's yoga on the weekends too.

Oooh! Oooh! I bought some new gym clothes. And some yoga pants - which just look like floppy tracksuit pants to me. But they're Nike and they say "yoga pants" and they were expensive - so I hope someone will be impressed by them. Now I have one gym outfit and one yoga outfit - I'll see how long I last before I feel the need to buy more. I only own fat girl swimmers (you know with the little skirt that supposedly hides all the rolls of fat). I might yet be too embarrassed to wear them at aerobics - so togs could also be on the shopping list. I'll have to sus out what the "pros" are wearing. Except if they are all in bikinis. I don't do bikinis.

Wowwy zowwy schmicko gym!!!

I went to the new gym yesterday and my goodness it is flash!! It was PACKED - there must be a row of 20 treadmills and all of them were being used. I plonked myself on one of those recliner exercise bike things - you know the one with the back rest, very comfy - and watched Foxtel on my personal TV!!! All the bikes, treadmills and other cardio equipment have their own TV. I asked the bloke if they had a DVD too but they don't - and I was disappointed! Then I jumped on one of those machines where you stand on it and your feet go in circles and your arms move backwards and forwards (gosh, I don't even know the name of it!) and that was cool fun too! TV with that one as well! I steered clear of the treadmills because I would have ended up running - because I am DESPERATE to run. There is a big spin room which must have 20 or 30 bikes in it. Classes don't start until tomorrow - but I imagine it will get hot and sweaty in there. Then there is another big room which must be for other classes. It's full of colourful swiss balls like in a kids play gym! I haven't really had a good look at the weights yet - I've booked an "assessment" for Monday when I will have a program written for me. I'm sure it will include weights - then I'll get some instruction about what the equipment does. The pool is awesome - only four lanes and 25 metres but fully indoors and heated. Complete with spa, sauna and steam room. The other pool on the rooftop is a bit bigger - apparently also heated but not noticeably! There are four or five squash courts and you can watch the squash from the same level as the change room. Man, the change rooms are flash!! Big and airy and lots and lots of lockers. There are individual cubicles if you want to get changed in private, although I noticed yesterday no one seemed to have any problems ripping their clothes off in front of everyone. They will be offering yoga classes but not at particularly convenient times - I'll have to organise myself. There are NO classes in the early mornings! Can you believe it? Perhaps they will introduce some if there is demand for it.

I wore my cycling clothes into the gym yesterday, and I realised almost immediately that I will need dedicated "gym clothes". I felt quite out of place, my bike pants were too tight and my shirt simply not flowing enough. Fortunately, for people like me, there is a clothing shop on the ground floor. They've thought of everything! (I'm heading back today!!)

The restaurant and cafes do not open until tomorrow - but looks like a nice place for a feed.

How utterly, utterly exciting! I've got everyone here excited about my gym too. My physio thinks it's great, as does my masseuse and those work colleagues who are not already members elsewhere. (Those who are members elsewhere are insanely jealous - and rightly so!)

See you there Vanessa!!!!!!

Injury report

OK time for some (more) sad injury news.

A couple of weeks ago, I aggravated my achilles on my right leg. My right leg used to be my GOOD leg, with the patellar injury on my left leg. Now I was probably not walking properly and I probably walked too far, and my right leg wanted to compensate for my left leg - but nonetheless I have micro-tears in my achilles. According to the physio it is not TOO bad, but it is worse than being minor. BUT it is not getting better. And the fault is all mine - cycling. Unless I cycle with my heel on the pedal I am aggravating the achilles - and I cycle every day so I haven't let the achilles heal. I try and cycle with my heels, I really do, but going up hill is too hard unless you stand up.

The physio threatened to plaster my leg to force me to stop using it - but I think he was joking!!

The GOOD news is that my gym has finally opened!! I am heading off this afternoon to see what I can do. They have a pool so I might borrow the wisdom of Em and Runjanerun and do some deep water running. At least I should get some more variety now, to take my mind off MORE time not goddam running.

I'm glad the gym has opened, because I was starting to struggle with the frustration of this injury. I've been toying with the idea of just ditching the whole "runner" thing, because clearly it does not suit me. Then I thought - it's not running's fault; I have to make myself suitable to running! There's a runner inside me that is just itching to get out!! You just can't see it at the moment, that's all.