Grass, sand and cement

Today I thought I'd try and find some grass, so I headed off to Kings Park. Turns out all the paths are either cement or sand - neither surface makes for pleasant running! There is a great wide grassy strip right through the middle of the park so I headed for it. It is almost two km long but all uphill. I didn't realise it was uphill - I tried to run it, but the combination of grass and hill meant that I was simply incapable. Mind you, my calves were burning so I knew I was still working pretty hard. At the end of that 2km hill is DNA tower - a metal tower in the shape of a DNA molecule with stairs around the outside that leads to a lookout. I decided to have a go at climbing the stairs. Man, if I thought my calves were burning from walking up a grassy hill, I had no idea it was so hard to climb a set of stairs!! I was puffing and panting and carrying on by the time I got to the top! I had to hold onto the rail to come down because I thought my legs would give out!! Meanwhile I'm thinking that this is a different type of workout from a standard jog, so it can't be all bad having only limited running in it. I found another sand track and started to head home. It lead onto a cement path and bottom line is I walked home. I tried to keep my pace up and I feel like I've done some exercise even though it was mostly walking. All up 7km.

Kings Park is a great place to exercise (not QUITE as good as the river!) because you could be a million miles from the city. All you can see are trees and scrub and the traffic sounds like it's miles away. It's a shame the trails are cement or sand. Still, a wonderful alternative for my runs when I want some peace and quiet.

I've also filled in my entry form for the Asics Bridges fun run on April 1. I've decided to have a go at the 10km. I've convinced hubby to enter the 5km run/walk so he should be at the finish line before me. That way he can tell them not to pack up until I've finished!! I'm going to aim for 80minutes. I made 82 the other day, so I should be able to give it a good shot I reckon. I'm also buying a running singlet from the run which is VERY exciting. I hope it has Asics Bridges fun run 2007 plastered all over it!! The ladies sizes only go up to 14 (sigh) so I've ordered a men's extra large. That seems to be the biggest size on offer. I currently run in a men's XXL so I hope the extra large will fit. (Hee hee - then I can run in that singlet at BUNBURY and I won't look like a complete novice!!!!) :)