It's all about the journey

Walking home

2008-10-30T21:00:00.000+08:00

I have decided I am not a Daylight Savings fan. I like mornings.

However I am determined to make the most of it, so I have started walking home from work. It is lovely along the river in the early evening, albeit a bit windy at times.

I just need to maintain this consistency and I'll be right!!!

Iris, I have been very conscious of bike riders and whether they are wearing helmets. I have yet to see a cyclist who is NOT wearing a helmet. Every single cyclist that I have seen has worn a helmet. So there you go.

Over my bug

2008-10-25T09:51:00.003+08:00

I've been pretty crook. :(

I was off work for two weeks plus not feeling myself for another week. Whatever I had hit me really hard.

Now I'm back and since I've been on an enforced detox for almost a month I have decided to continue with the detoxing. I am making a conscious effort to stay off sugar, wheat and dairy as well as processed foods. I don't want to maintain this level of effort forever, but I figure lots and lots of vegies is a good thing with my immune level still recovering.

After a month I will take a long hard look at any benefits and make another decision about lifestyle diet. Anyone who knows me will know I don't do diets. But I think I can handle a detox. Kind of like having the light at the end of the tunnel before you start if you know what I mean.

I have been physically unable to exercise and I will take it easy until my cough is completely gone but I'm looking forward to some nice gentle walks again.

Melbourne

2008-10-05T15:04:00.004+08:00

I spent most of last week in Melbourne for work. The best part of my trip was catching up with Andrew. It was great to finally put a face to the name. We met for coffee and it was like catching up with an old friend. He's a skinny bugger but almost exactly as I had imagined. We talked about people in blogland like we knew them. Andrew is the third person I have met "for real" from blogging. I am usually a little cautious because, well, you just never know, but Andrew was as nice in person as he seems from his blog.

I managed to get in a couple of decent walks and I even spent half an hour on the treadmill in the hotel gym. Melbourne is a great city. The food, the shopping. I went up to the Rialto skydeck which was very cool. Great for tourists.

But now I'm home and I seem to have some sort of chest infection. It's a nasty cough that hurts all the way down. I'm blaming the flight home. There were some sick people on the plane who coughed and carried on. A plane is an enclosed space - no dodging the bugs there. I've been dosing up on the Vitamin C but I think I'm beyond that being helpful. Sigh. Hopefully I'll start feeling better soon.

Beautiful weather

2008-09-28T19:37:00.003+08:00

A beautiful day today. I had a lovely walk down to the river. Heaps of people and their dogs out and about.

I am enjoying just getting out there and trying to find some consistency. I am still at the stage where I am pleased to just go outside. I will not be attempting "distance" or "speed" or anything that remotely puts pressure on me - at least for a little while.

Plus, I am not comfortable dwelling on what was. I want to dwell on what IS. And that is comfortable walking (with the occasional little burst of jog when I get excited!!)

I'm off to Melbourne for work, staying in the city. Might do a couple of laps of the Tan, slowly...

Wildflowers!

2008-09-24T19:45:00.002+08:00

I walked home from work today. I had a choice of via the river or via Kings Park. One of the benefits of living so close to the city. I decided to go home via Kings Park. It is wildflower season and was just glorious. It took me over an hour so I figure that's a nice decent walk. Now I have decided that I am not pushing myself, I can enjoy my exercise. I'm after consistency at the moment and then I can start building speed and distance. I've made a deal with myself. No pushing it until I can prove to myself that I am committed to this. So I've got the luxury of just enjoying the fresh air and sunshine! I love it now the days are getting longer again!!

I also walked the other day but my blog seems to have disappeared. Oh well. As long as I keep it up.

Another walk

2008-09-18T08:09:00.002+08:00

I got up early again this morning and went for another walk. It was not quite as long as the other one but decent enough to get a sweat up. I forgot to get Percy - I just didn't think of it.

Caught the bus and got off early again.

I'm looking forward to this becoming a habit. Now that it's light-ish and warmer, it is actually quite pleasant. I'm looking forward to finding some new walking routes. I have a nice 7km lap that I am not quite up to yet, so I am looking for some shorter routes. It's kind of fun discovering new streets.

REAL exercise

2008-09-16T08:27:00.003+08:00

This morning I got up early and went for a real walk for about an hour. Golly it sinks in how much fitness I have lost - this will be a long term thing I think. I tried to have a couple of little jogs but lasted no more than a minute or so.

No more excuses like yesterday's pathetic attempt. If I want this I will do it.

I didn't start work until 8 this morning - very late for me. I felt like a naughty school girl!! I caught the bus again and the traffic is horrific at that time of morning! I got off at Jacobs Ladder again, mainly because the traffic was at a standstill and it felt quicker to walk the distance. I'd made it all the way along Mounts Bay Road to Mill St before the bus passed me, such was the congestion.

So I walked the distance I walked yesterday from the bus stop PLUS an hour's walk along the river. Time to bring Percy out of retirement and show you my walks again.

More museli for breakfast. I FEEL like I've started again - now just to keep the momentum going. I'll be running again in no time. But I'm not going to push it. That is, I am not going to overdo it. Regular improvement is what I am after - not dramatic change.

Changing habits

2008-09-15T07:50:00.002+08:00

Thank you all!!

Well this changing habits thing is harder than I thought. I was all set to go for a "real" run/walk but then other things cropped up - and as I have done so many times in the past few months, my exercise was pushed to the side.

So I'm trying a different approach. I'm working within my existing habits and making them more mobile. For example - there are two buses I can catch to work. One drops me off directly outside my building - the other stops at the convention centre and it is a bit of a hike to my building. Normally I catch the "lazy" bus and mentally congratulate myself for getting to work quickly. Today I caught the other bus and got off one stop early. For Perth locals, I got off at Jacobs Ladder and walked into the city. Not a long walk by any stretch of the imagination, but fairly decent. Then, because I normally get into work very early I eat breakfast at my desk. Instead of my croissants and hot chocolate I got muesli and orange juice. Remarkabley satisfying.

So while my exercise is not up there - yet - I am conscious of the choices I am making.

For the record, I was still cycling to work until a couple of months ago when it was dark when I got to work and dark when I left, and very very cold. I got out of that habit - and perhaps time to get back into it now that the season has changed.

Starting Again

2008-09-11T18:46:00.003+08:00

Is it seriously September?? How on earth have I missed so much time??

It is true what they say, when you get out of the habit of doing something, it becomes easier to avoid it again and again.

On a professional note, things are doing well. I work in a great job with fabulous working conditions and I have a passion for what I do. I tend to work long hours, but that really hasn't bothered me because I love it. However, considering it is SEPTEMBER perhaps I should take a look at what I am doing with my time because I always seem to be too busy too blog.

Too busy to blog, too busy to run, too busy to scratch myself, too busy for anything except making excuses.

You know how something happens and it's the kick up the backside you need? Well I had a kick up the backside today and I took a long hard look at myself. And I have concluded that my downward slide of poor time management began when I gave up blogging.

No exercise to report today. In fact no exercise of particular note to report for, ummm, nine months or so. What a great opportunity to start again! If anyone has me on a feed and notices that I'm back - I'd love a hello.

Busy, busy, busy

2007-12-13T15:58:00.000+08:00

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

2007-12-05T17:59:00.000+08:00

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

2007-11-23T05:52:00.000+08:00

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

2007-11-20T05:33:00.000+08:00

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

2007-11-16T08:18:00.000+08:00

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!

2007-11-14T08:42:00.000+08:00

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!!!!

2007-11-10T18:08:00.000+08:00

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

2007-11-06T18:21:00.000+08:00

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

2007-11-05T08:09:00.000+08:00

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

2007-11-02T07:23:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-30T06:01:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-28T18:38:00.000+08:00

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!

2007-10-25T06:29:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-22T06:24:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-19T06:31:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-17T06:26:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-15T06:20:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-12T15:10:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-11T09:18:00.000+08:00

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?

2007-10-10T08:02:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-08T06:26:00.000+08:00

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?

2007-10-05T07:24:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-03T08:49:00.000+08:00

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

2007-10-01T11:13:00.000+08:00

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!

2007-09-26T07:41:00.001+08:00

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

2007-09-21T07:22:00.000+08:00

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!!

2007-09-20T06:42:00.000+08:00

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

2007-09-16T10:20:00.000+08:00

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

2007-09-13T13:14:00.000+08:00

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

2007-09-13T08:31:00.000+08:00

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

2007-09-06T08:34:00.000+08:00

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!!!

2007-08-23T09:06:00.000+08:00

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

2007-08-20T10:43:00.000+08:00

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

2007-08-15T08:15:00.000+08:00

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

2007-08-14T09:21:00.000+08:00

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

2007-08-07T08:44:00.000+08:00

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???

2007-08-03T13:23:00.000+08:00

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

2007-07-31T08:31:00.000+08:00

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

2007-07-25T14:37:00.000+08:00

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

2007-07-23T16:50:00.000+08:00

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

2007-07-17T08:27:00.000+08:00

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!

2007-07-16T08:19:00.000+08:00

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

2007-07-12T16:27:00.000+08:00

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

2007-07-09T11:49:00.000+08:00

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

2007-07-05T11:46:00.000+08:00

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!!

2007-07-02T08:52:00.000+08:00

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

2007-06-28T09:25:00.000+08:00

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

2007-06-27T08:58:00.000+08:00

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

2007-06-25T13:31:00.000+08:00

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

2007-06-21T14:06:00.000+08:00

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

2007-06-18T08:25:00.000+08:00

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

2007-06-13T08:35:00.000+08:00

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!

2007-06-07T11:24:00.001+08:00

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

2007-06-06T11:22:00.000+08:00

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

2007-06-05T16:23:00.000+08:00

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!!!

2007-05-31T09:19:00.000+08:00

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

2007-05-30T12:32:00.000+08:00

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.

PHOTOS!!!

2007-05-24T17:55:00.000+08:00

OK I have succumbed to the pressure of posting where I run - well, cycle. I had enormous fun stop-starting my ride the other day. I left a little early for my second job and the route is substantially the same as my ride to and from home (except for the boring bits) so I thought photos during the daylight hours would be far more impressive than those at night or before dawn!

That's my workplace through the trees. My office has a beautiful view of Kings Park - I never get sick of it! I see joggers running through the park all day!

Kings Park avenue of trees. One tree is planted for every soldier killed in World War I and II (Except I think this bit is for "committee members" who planned Kings Park.) The avenue is kms long.

Ahhhhh. Beautiful Perth on another beautiful day.

OK - my ride. The scenery changes a lot over the 5kms I am in Kings Park. Yet it's all beautiful.

I think you can imagine just how dark it is at night - and scarey!! The only light is my bike headlight. I can barely see anything. I have to concentrate just to stay on the path.

When I hit the UWA campus, I'm almost home!!

Great day!

2007-05-22T07:50:00.001+08:00

I had a great day yesterday! I was excited most of the day because I had planned to meet morseyruns for dinner. I know this wonderful little Japanese restaurant and I had booked us a table. Because I'm still working two jobs, I am usually late leaving work on a Monday, but at 5.30pm I just walked out of the office (and hoped that no one saw me leave so early!!). I jumped on the deadly treadly to get home and started pedalling as fast as I could because Sara was meeting me at my place at 6.30pm and I needed to shower and change.

THEN, as I was riding through Kings Park in the almost-dark there were a bunch of joggers in front of me. One of them looked familiar - it was Bob! I cycled beside him for a while and told him all my injury woes. He said he was wondering where I'd gotten to. Further up through the bunch of joggers were Jenny and Vanessa. Remember Jenny? She was the one kind enough to run slowly with me the couple of times I made it to the club runs. And speedster Vanessa would start her runs with us, until we got too slow!! I have felt bad that they must have thought I just ditched the club because I had no way of telling them what had happened to me. (I had thought of cycling to a club run just to stay in touch but I haven't!) Anyway, the beanie and helmet didn't really help in the recognition department but it was so good to touch base with them! I cycled beside them, expecting to have to explain my absence - but they have been reading my blog!! (Hi guys!!) They even congratulated me on the downward dog!!! They were in Kings Park on their Monday night run - if only I finished so early on a Monday I would have seen them MONTHS before this!!! We chatted until they turned off to head back up the hill - I was really happy to have caught up with them, but I was now running really late for my meeting with Morseyruns!

I zoomed home and made it home by 10 past 6. I had 20 minutes to shower and get ready and make myself as beautiful as possible to give morseyruns a good impression (the things we do). Nothing like a bit of panic to keep you focused. I was ready at 6.29 when a car pulled into the driveway. But it was hubby coming home from work! I was holding the door open for him when another car drove past really slowly - we're like "that must be her!" She pulled over in front of the neighbours house and walked back to our place. She said "Celeste?" and then it was like meeting an old friend that you haven't seen for years. I was instantly relaxed with her and hubby was there to meet her too. I think she was almost slightly concerned that hubby was coming with us!!! But it was just the two of us that drove off to the Japanese restaurant and we had a fabulous meal. We were like chat, chat, chat, chat all night. Then to another place for hot chocolate and mud cake (diet? what diet?). Thanks for a great night Sara!

I've got some new injury woes after my last visit to the physio, but that will have to wait for another post - this post is too wonderful to go and ruin it with injury!

Yoga progress

2007-05-17T16:25:00.000+08:00

I had yoga today and I am so excited I just had to blog! I did the downward dog for the first time today! Even the instructer was surprised. I heard her say "Well done Celeste" and she started to head over to me to correct my technique but by the time she got to me I had already fallen over. Still, it was definitely 5 seconds of downward dog. Man that's an improvement!! My first beginner pose! It fills me with confidence! I definitely want to continue the yoga - as usual I could feel it working my body, and I can physically see how tight nearly every joint in my body is.

The lady who was discreetly spying on me last week, stood next to me this week. Neither of us can do the dog very well!

In other news, I have spoken to Morseyruns and because of logistical difficulties we won't be able to meet until Monday. Bless her, she asked if I was allowed out on a school night! I'll make an exception in this case!! More about that next week.

Steve, you mentioned that my cold might be your warm - and if it is then I vow NEVER to visit Melbourne in the winter!! We've been getting down to 7 degrees!! I can't remember EVER being that cold! And more to come. Brrrrrrr. Even the cat has been sleeping under the covers. She's never been in the cold either!

Visitors to Perth

2007-05-16T08:52:00.000+08:00

It seems Perth is a popular spot. Not only am I very excited about meeting Morseyruns, but it seems Runmumrun is also heading this way. And why wouldn't you visit our beautiful city? MUCH more beautiful than Sydney or Melbourne! (he he - any bites from anyone for that?)

I've signed up for runjanerun's ausrun challenge - which sort of commits me to a bit of weight loss. I am even less inclined to post my weight than I have been previously, mainly because it keeps moving in the wrong direction - and because there does not appear to be anyone quite as large as me who posts regularly. All these skinny ones worried about being 60kgs or 70kgs or even 80kgs! I scoff at such figures!!

It's getting VERY cold to cycle to work in the mornings now but I have been soldiering on. I'm going to have to start wrapping a scarf around my nose so I can breathe without that icy pain that hits my chest on each breath! I also discovered "arm warmers" at the bike shop. Might invest in a pair of those too. All these accessories......

My gym is STILL not open. :( I'm getting antsy about it. I want to get into it while I'm still enthusiastic! Thankfully my second job finishes in two weeks so I'll have a bit more time to exercise (and post). At the moment, I feel like I am chasing my tail - thank goodness for my cycling commute or I wouldn't be exercising at all. And the BEST part is that on my busiest days I exercise the MOST because I commute to and from my two jobs up to 3 times a day.

Flat tyre

2007-05-11T10:16:00.000+08:00

This riding gig is all fun and games until you get a flat tyre. Luckily I'd managed to get to and from my second job and I was heading home. Still, very inconvenient. Of course I am completely incapable of changing a tyre and all I could manage was a sigh of frustration. I locked my bike and took the wheel off. I was pretty proud of myself for managing that much. The next day I rode hubby's bike to work while (don't laugh) I took the flat to the bike shop for them to fix. So this morning hubby gave me and my fixed wheel a lift to work. Now, this is something they don't tell you at the bike shop (and for ages I couldn't work out what was going on). I THINK a tyre should really be fairly flat in order to attach it to the frame, because otherwise the tyre doesn't fit between the brake pads. Well I learnt that the hard way after struggling for quite a while to get the goddam tyre on. It's all experience. And the batteries in my front light needed changing. Yes, ok, I must be pretty silly because I didn't know it took batteries (I don't know what I thought the power source was) and then I couldn't work out how to open it. I had almost decided to just buy a new light when - pop! - the thing opened and two AA batteries fell out. I had bought AAA batteries so d'oh again. I'll learn. I'm now dreading getting a flat tyre on the BACK. I don't even know if I could get that tyre off. Mind you these "quick release" things are handy. Still, nothing quite like the feeling of incompetence when you take a flat tyre to a bike shop. It's that whole look of pathetic sympathy.

I've finished MAR's book "Footprints on the Water". An interesting read. These elite athletes literally live, eat and breathe running. I love running, but I don't LIVE running. That level of committment is incredible. And natural talent was not something I was blessed with either. Still the moral of the book seems to be that being an Olympic Champion means nothing unless you are true to yourself - and a kind of like that philosophy. I am happy to send this book to the next lucky reader. And just to be completely random, I'll send it to the first person who posts a comment that they would like it. If you are an Ausrunner, PM me your address.

My new gym is still not open. Waiting, waiting. My leg is still not better. Waiting, waiting. The latest accessory on my bike is a pouch thing that sits on the crossbar. Good for the mobile and the swiper thing to get into my workplace garage. And my latest "wishful thinking" accessory is trouser clips so I can ride to my second job already dressed and save myself 10 mintues.

For note: I must be getting better at cycling because I love the downhill ride home more and more each day. I'm getting more confident and am braking less. I am confortable hooning down the hill at 30km/h! I can sort of see cars a bit through the trees at some points, and the cars are generally stationary at that time of the evening in peak hour. Love it!!

For second note: I am NOT getting better at yoga. Patience.

*Edit* Gosh I almost forgot!! I had the BEST bike ride on the weekend when I met up with Hann. It was such an amazing experience to meet up with another blogger. We had so much in common! I was quite surprised. But then again, I'm bound to have something in common with someone who has the patience to read my blog!! Or perhaps it was because she already knew so much about me and vice versa! Anyway, more meetings planned on the agenda!

Ride in the rain

2007-05-04T18:20:00.000+08:00

Well I finally got to ride in the rain today. I still haven't run in the rain, and I'm a little less keen given todays experience. This is what I learnt:

Rain hurts when it hits you at speed.
You have to ride with your eyes squinty or you can't see anything.
The bell doesn't work, unless "clink clink" instead of "ding ding" counts.
You get very wet. All over. (I mean ALL over....)
Rain is cold.
It feels like there's a cobweb on your face. And brushing it off doesn't help.
You get a rather unpleasantly coloured streak running up your back starting right at your butt.
Your brakes don't work very well. (Hmmmm perhaps that's one more reason to consider disc brakes.)
The panier rain covers are obviously only designed for light showers and not heavy downpours.

Still, I've been wanting to ride in the rain, and now I have so I can't complain I guess! I've had a couple of rides where it was a bit damp but this evening was full on rain. Great for the grass.

In other news, I have made remarkable progress at yoga. I have learnt how to breathe! Seriously - this is a big step for me. I can now do that audible breathing thing they do through the nose - it's pretty cool. I still can't do the downward dog, though. The instructor finally took pity on me and showed me the one on the elbows rather than the hands. Woo Hoo! I can do a stretch! I can't even do the child pose - I need a blanket under my forehead. It's quite sad really. But there's another lady in the class as bad as me, and I caught her watching me (I bet she was comparing herself to me!) so I feel a bit better. You know, misery loves company and all that. I was beside a lady who was just awesome - mental note not to stand beside her again for a few months.

Hubby went to the doctor for his ribs. Turns out they are probably not broken and it's only muscular or cartlidge or something and they can't do anything anyway. He's on painkillers for 6 weeks!!! Holy cow! Slow recovery. We got a call from the bike shop - his bike is ready to be picked up. Hee hee!! Like rubbing salt into the wound really! He's VERY cranky and I'll probably have to go and pick it up.

I'm still getting physio three times a week on my leg. We seem to have reached a plateau in the recovery so I got some very very physical massage on it. Crikey it hurt. A lot. I cried. It was as painful as getting capsicum sprayed in the eyes! But you know I think it might have helped. I've still got a bruise from his thumbs but it's not a deep pain, it's more superficial. It's still inflammed so progress is slow.

I'm looking forward to my gym opening and I can get on the treadmill!!! How amazing is that statement. (1. I am looking forward to a gym, and 2. I WANT to run on a treadmill.) My regular readers will see enormous progress in my personal development here!!!!! Amazing how your mindset changes when something you love is taken away. I can't run on the road for a while, so I'll take anything running, anything at all. I'm counting down the days. Still two weeks. My leg will be hopefully up to running a bit by then. Hopefully.

Bike buster - but not me!

2007-04-28T16:53:00.000+08:00

I'm finding I'm not posting as often, because I just don't have anything to say! I mean, how many different ways can I say I cycled to work. At least with running, every run was different. And every one was an acheivement.

Cycling is going well. I think I'm forming a habit because I had the option of driving the car the other day and I chose to ride the bike. Even the cold dark mornings don't turn me off. I'll wait to see how long that lasts however - as it gets colder and colder and colder.

My leg gets better every day. I don't have a constant ache anymore and it really only hurts if I poke it. I still can't bear weight on it (jumping or hopping for example) so I know within myself that there is quite some way to go.

I've had my second yoga lesson. (I really hope my new gym offers yoga because I need all the help I can get.) I was, again, the only person who could not do the downward dog. Apparently this is a basic beginner pose. The most basic of the basic. The yoga instructor was very kind when she told me I had a long way to go. She did not make fun of me at all. She said I MIGHT notice an improvement in my flexibility in three months. Three months!!! Crikey that's a long time to wait. But I don't have anything better to do.....

Hubby has bought himself a new bike but they had to order it in and it hasn't arrived yet. He is very enthusiastic about cycling now (I've created a monster!) so he decided to take my bike for a spin this morning in lieu of having a bike himself. I didn't mind so much, until he came home and told me he had a buster!! He's got a few bruises and scratches and maybe a cracked rib - but he's too stubborn to see anyone about it. Fine. Let him be tough. I have to confess though that all the while I was giving him sympathy and asking if he was alright, I was busting to ask about my bike! What was the damage? Does it still ride OK? I lasted a couple of minutes (I was being strong I think) and then I just had to ask about the bike. It's got a couple of dings but appears OK. He's scratched the seat and the handle bars but nothing appears bent out of place too badly. I was so cranky but I didn't rouse on him. It's my bike - if anyone is to come a cropper on it, it should be me! I've managed to convince him to put ice on his ribs but that is the only treatment he will agree to. Still, he's managing to whinge, complain and be miserable so he must be in pain. He doesn't like my bike anymore. (Like it's the BIKE'S fault he fell off.) If he had his own bike it wouldn't have happened. Yeah right.

Lots to tell!

2007-04-25T17:12:00.000+08:00

I went to the running shop and bought a pair of gloves and a reflectorised vest for my bike. Bob was there and he said he wondered where I got to. He felt bad for me when I told him it was an overuse injury because he knew how much I had improved. He invited me to go riding with the group on Saturday mornings but I'm not sure about that yet. I've got a chunky bike with paniers and I'm slow at the best of times so I'd hate to be at the back of the pack. My confidence is not the best riding on the road either. Bob didn't seem too concerned. He said it would give him an excuse to take it easy. He'd stay at the back with me. Nice bloke, Bob.

Hubby and I went to the bike shop to look at bikes for him. I wanted to buy a pump because it's a pain going to the servo to get air. Hubby ended up getting himself a bike so we'll be able to go for rides together. Hann, we'll have to do a family thing around South Perth and end up at a coffee shop somewhere on our bikes!! I also bought a beanie that fits under the helmet. Now I didn't even know all this sort of guff existed! There's sooooo many accessories you can get. Anyway this beanie is perfect. I wore my gloves and beanie riding to work this week and they were perfect. I think I'll be able to handle the cold now! The beanie covers my ears and the reflectorised vest zips up to my chin so I can bury my nose in it. The only bit of me exposed now is my eyes - I must look really freaky! I also bought another red light for the back of my helmet. I've got lights and the vest and my gloves have reflectorised strips on them, so I should be able to be seen a mile away! But I tell you what, when it gets dark, riding through Kings Park is not particularly pleasant, even down hill. There is NO lighting anywhere along the route and it's tough to even see the path, let alone anyone actually using it. Hence all my lights. I'm like a Christmas tree!!

I had THAT meeting with the physio this week, and while my leg is healing the news is not good. I'm still at least another six weeks away from running. I could cry. I'm pleased I am enjoying the cycling but I want to run. At least by the time I get back on my feet, my fitness will be excellent and I'll be flexible from all the yoga, and I might even be lighter! The physio said I could start doing some walking but no more than 10 minutes at a time. 10 minutes. Who walks for 10 minutes I ask you? You can't even walk around the block in 10 minutes. What does he expect - walk up and down my road?? Then I thought of the treadmill - so............

I have joined a gym!!! I am very excited about this next step in my development. It is the new Next Generation gym at Kings Park. I ride past it on my way to work! How convenient is that???? I can ride to the gym and have a work out before work, (including the dreadmill) and get all my exercise in one foul swoop. Cool eh? Then, as I get better I can RUN to the gym!! I am so excited about all these options. They even have spin classes, so I can join the ranks of the spinners instead of just wondering what the heck that is all about. The gym is literally 5km from my home, perfect commuting distance. It's only 500m from my work - there are showers and lockers, and an iron and ironing board. I'm set! The ONLY problem is that it is so new that it isn't open yet! The gym won't open for two weeks. But I'm paid up and ready (and rearing) to go. I've worked out the times I can do this, factoring in my yoga and my other (goddam) job. So even though it's not for a fortnight, it's given my brain time to adapt.

Hee hee!!! Except for not running - things are pretty good!

I've discovered yoga!!

2007-04-21T09:30:00.000+08:00

We have yoga at our workplace so I decided to enrol for one session a week, for an 8 week block. I had my first class this week.

It was awesome!!!

I reckon yoga should be compulsory for everyone! It is so good! Of course I'm an unco gumby with ZERO flexibility but the couple of beginner stretches that I could manage felt great! I could feel it working. Amazing! I was the only one in the class who couldn't manage the "dog" one - but the ones where I got to lie on a blanket to fill my crevices were excellent. We finished with a minute of "breathing" which was pretty cool too. I'm not sure what the deal is with the bell though. The yoga instructor dinged some bell. Ding. Ding. Ding. Scared the crap out of me. I thought we were supposed to be relaxing!!

The classes are run four times a week, and I only signed up for one of them. I think next time I'll sign up for 2! I am so surprised at how good it was. Thankfully I'm in a beginner class - and I'm looking forward to seeing my improvement. PLUS it's gotta be good for my running!!

Roll on Monday so I can get to the physio and find out how my leg's going. Cycling is still good but it's not the same. It's almost cheating somehow because it's not all you. Running has got to be the ultimate exercise.

I'm heading to the running shop today to buy a pair of gloves. It's too damn cold in the mornings now not to have a set of gloves. Last time I was at the shop, I noticed they had running gloves. I thought I might get a pair of those and also use them cycling - sort of like killing two birds with one stone. I hope Bob is there today. He must be wondering about me. I hope he doesn't think I've given up running! The last time I saw him was at the Bridges fun run and on the Wednesday after that I was hobbling around like an old cripple.

By the way, thanks for all the tips about keeping my ears warm! I intend to try all of them! I particularly like the idea of cotton wool Em - that's exactly the problem I have!

What I've learnt from cycling

2007-04-18T18:11:00.000+08:00

OK I've been cycling to and from work for a week and a half. That's gotta make me close to an expert now. And this is what I've learnt so far:

1. Use the low gears to go up hill.
2. If you ride as fast as you can down hill then you make it further up the other side before you start stuggling.
3. You can't REALLY tell how fast people are running as you overtake them. (This was a pleasant surprise to learn.)
4. Some idiots on bikes ride far too fast for the conditions, or they take up the whole path, or they are just rude. Runners and walkers in general are very polite.
5. Riding is like a short sprint followed by a walk break, then a short sprint followed by a walk break. You get much more "rest" riding a bike than you do running. Except going up hills. Hills are hard.
6. You get a sweat up even just going down hill. I'm not sure what the go is there - but I find it just as hard to get home (downhill) as getting to work (uphill). Of course I love getting a bit of pace up on the downhill and maintaining it for as long as possible - so that could have something to do with it.
7. 40km/h is just plain silly - and damn scarey. I found a big hill and rode down it. I don't need to do that again for a while. Silly.
8. When it's cold in the morning, your fingers freeze into shape on the handlebars. And your nose goes numb. And your ears. (I'm not sure how people would cope with me wearing a balaclava - but I might have to do something for when it really gets "cold".)
9. Lights are a really good idea at dusk and at night. Plus the flashing ones are pretty.
10. OK OK, so cycling IS fun after all!

My commute to work is about 11km all up (there and back). Today I started a second job so I cycled to work, then cycled to my other job, then back to my first one, then home. All up 27km!! Now that sounds like a long way, but when you do it in four stints, it's quite achieveable and much more convenient than driving. NO parking problems, no traffic problems. My second job is three days a week for five or six weeks. Then I'm ditching it so I only have one job. But during that 5 or 6 weeks, man my fitness is BOUND to improve!!!

I'm really itching to run again, so I haven't been bitten by the tri bug (phew!) but I will make cycling my commute. And even though I've only been exercising 25 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes at night I've lost weight! Not sure how that works so I have to credit that completely to cycling.

I get to find out on Monday if I can run again soon.

Patellar

2007-04-14T08:24:00.000+08:00

Well I've had a week of commutes on my bike and not much else. I've been enjoying the rides, but as much as I like them, running is still my driving force. I've got myself a nice little routine, found myself a place to park my bike at work, and schnavelled a locker. But it's not the same. However my legs are getting better. I'm starting to feel confident that I will be able to go for some walks soon and then short runs soon after that.

I've been to the physio a couple of times now. My injury is to my patella, but at the point where it joins the shin bone. I've managed to partially detach it from the bone - it appears my muscular "tolerance" (is that the word?) is weaker than most. It was not my weight alone that caused the injury, but weight combined with overuse and insufficient stretching. I've got to discover my balance between running and running to cause injury. Apparently this is a classic runners injury - normally to runners doing longer distances, but my weight has meant it happened to me from running 30km a week.

So... more stretching (which I find painfully boring). Any tips on making stretching fun?? I've joined a yoga class for "fun" stretching. It doesn't start for a couple of weeks though. My flexibility is non-existant so I hope yoga will help that too.

My bike is still wonderful, and doing a great job! I think I will continue to commute by bike - it's all uphill on the way to work, but all downhill on the way home! Weeeeeeeeee! Although one night I was late home and there were other cyclists without lights and when you travel at speed it doesn't give you much time to react! Fortunately my fast is only about 25km/h. I've managed to crank her up to 30km/h but that's not a speed I'm comfortable at. I like travelling between 15 and 20 km/h but I'm sure I'll get more confidence and pick up speed. My speedo doesn't give me an average speed but I can wear Percy for that I guess. I'm getting much more familiar with the route and I know what gear I was in at what point last time, so I can sort of compete with myself like that. I tend to spend a lot of time in the lowest gear on the way to work, so I want to change that. Lots of cyclists zip past me so clearly it's possible to work the gears a bit more. A little personal challenge until I run again!

First ride on new bike

2007-04-09T11:36:00.000+08:00

I took the bike for a spin today. It was good to get out there and do something again. I had forgotten what it was like to get the heart pounding! I rode my commute-route to work so I could time it for tomorrow. I knew it wouldn't take long but the hills are a bit steeper than I thought so it took longer than I expected. About 25 minutes. But only 20 to get home! I've run along this route before but I never noticed the hills were quite as steep. You feel every lump and bump on a bike don't you?

Here is my little beauty! Pookie also managed to poke her head into the photo. She was very curious as to what on earth I was doing down in the vegie patch. Notice the enormous seat and fat-girl tyres. But otherwise looks pretty schmick, eh?

All up today only about 11km in almost 45 minutes. (Ha! STILL slower than some runners. I've thought of a new demoralisation - being overtaken by a runner while on a bicycle. May it never happen.)

Bike owner!

2007-04-08T08:53:00.000+08:00

Thank you all for your sympathies!! I'm feeling much better about the whole thing today because I've bought a bike!!!!! I'm the first to admit I know nothing about bikes so I just explained to the young fellow that I wanted to ride to and from work, plus a little bit of exercise. I kind of gravitated to the big and chunky mountain bikes, but he steered me towards something called a "hybrid" which apparently is a mix between a mountain bike and a racer, except that the handle bars are higher so I don't have to bend over as far. I took one for a test ride and I bought it!! It's a GT Nomad (if that means anything to anyone) but I had to buy a new seat. I got the biggest, softest, widest seat I could buy. If I'm gonna ride, then I want to be comfortable! Plus it's white! Looks very cool and sleek!! I got all the optional extras - drink bottle, speedo, front light, back light, mounted lock and a panier. (I asked for one of those side saddle back pack thingos and the young man looked at me with sympathy and told me it is called a "panier".) So now I can commute to work, get my daily exercise AND rest my shins all at the same time!!! I'm back to being quite excited again!

Then, as my shins get better, I'll be able to add on a morning run before my ride to work. Work doesn't start until 9am and I figure it'll only take about 15 to 20 minutes to ride there so that leaves heaps of time for a run beforehand. If anything, it's better than just running to work!! I'll be able to have more variety in my runs including distance and location, and leave the boring ol' commute to cycling!! Now just to get through the next few weeks until I can run again.

I should clarify that the physio is a sports physio and he used to be a runner. He doesn't like running now because of all the injuries it can cause and encourages others to choose alternative forms of exercise, however if they are hellbent on running (like me) he tries to show them the safest way to do so. For me, my first step is to lose some weight and reduce the distances I am running. Walking will be OK for me too, but not for a couple of weeks yet. (I may become one of those damned run/walkers who beat the pants off plodders!!!)

A break is as good as a holiday........right?

2007-04-06T09:23:00.000+08:00

I found a sports physio on Wednesday. He was a lovely fellow but told me all sorts of stuff I didn't want to hear. OK the bad news first. I have to stop running - temporarily. At least until I get myself better. The good news is I WILL get better. I've had a good cry but I'm coming to terms with it now, after a few days.

My problem is not shin splints, nor stress fractures. It is biomechanics. Or more bluntly, I am too fat to run. I'm doing this whole weightloss/exercise caper the wrong way around!!! I need to lose weight so I can run, not run to lose weight. I will not be able to run again for a few weeks at least, so in that time I need to lose weight or I won't be able to run again until I do.

Remember how I started running to lose weight? But then I changed my focus because I enjoyed running so much. I kind of thought the weight loss would be a bonus effect of the running but it appears it does not work that way! Nothing like a new challenge to focus the mind.

I told the physio about the wonderful online support that I have, at which point he wouldn't write down my condition because he doesn't want me to google it (who me?) and he doesn't want me to hear all the horror stories associated with it. He wants another week to be sure he's got the diagonsis right, but it's something that could easily stop me running permanently. Thanks to all the wonderful advice I got here by telling me to get to a physio, we seem to have caught it early enough.

Anyway, no running or walking for me for about 3 weeks. I intend on cycling everywhere. I was never really into cycling, but now I'm looking at it with new eyes. Quite efficient really, cycling. Good cardio, low impact etc etc etc. I need to buy a new bike. Hopefully I will find a shop open over the Easter weekend and pick up a nice, solid, mountain bike with a big soft seat. I will determine the best bike for me by the colour. (I've got to really hope the salesman knows what he's on about, because I wouldn't have a clue.)

THEN, when I get myself better, I will have to cut down the distances I am running - for the immediate long term. :( Looks like 5km will be tops until I can lose about 20-25 kilos. (Yes, I'm THAT fat.) But 5km is better than 0km. And think of all the speed I can gain in the meantime!!!

Morseyruns, you realise where this is heading don't you?? Bunbury is out for me. :( I was inconsolable on Wednesday. Yesterday was only marginally better. But I've got to have a long term outlook to get through this. Running is still new to me. I'm sure you were all aware of how much I was looking forward to Bunbury. But I want to run in the future. In years to come. Bunbury has a half marathon every year. There'll be another Bridges run too. So I miss this year. Oh well. Next year I'll go down and I'll run it all and I'll be very fit, and much slimmer.

This has been much easier to deal with, ironically, because of all the other miserable people in blogland. Misery loves company eh? My thoughts go to RunMumRun, LBTEPA, and Morseyruns. Especially thinking of Em, who missed R4K and was quite philosophical about it.

Anyway, I've wallowed in self pity long enough. I'm excited about my new bike - whatever it ends up being. I'm motivated, I'm ready to go, and I will follow the physio's instructions to get myself back running sooner rather than later. The physio doesn't like running at all, but that's another story. At least he understands that I do.

Taking it easy

2007-04-03T19:03:00.000+08:00

A big virtual hug to you all for your encouraging comments about my run. It really does make it better when you know that there are others who DO understand!!! Hubby took a photo of me and I might post it if I am brave enough. It is not flattering and I am not a small girl. We'll see.

I think RunMumRun was a bit heavier than I thought as I carried her around the run on Sunday because my shins are sore again. I walked to work today with the intention of running home (about 5km) but my shins have ached all day. I tried to run slow and gentle and softly but it doesn't seem to help. During a couple of strides the pain was shooting and sharp - which is never a good sign. I ended up walking home very slowly, and very sadly. I'm still stretching, icing, strapping and putting gel on it.

Yes, I WILL go to a sports physio. The pain was scarey enough that I will not run again until after I have been. Now just to find one....

In the mean time I will cycle to work. I have just started a new job so I don't have a routine of how to get to work yet. Maybe cycling will be it. Warriorwomen will be proud of me I'm sure!! My bike at the moment is really a rather poor excuse for a bike so I will probably buy a new one if I make a habit of this. At least cycling will give me the cardio I desperately need, and some leg exercise too. Better than catching the bus for such a short distance.

As an aside, I caught the bus on my first day of work and it really put me off buses. All those people so close together, coughing and sneezing all over each other. The bus was so packed that the bus driver only let on half the people at our stop and left the others standing there. We all had to literally squeeze in. It was stifling. I'd rather take a bit longer and enjoy the fresh air on the way.

Bridges Fun Run

2007-04-01T11:04:00.000+08:00

It was a beautiful morning for a run this morning - nice and cool. I got there early because hubby was doing the 5km and needed to catch the ferry across the river to the 5km starting point. The ferry left at about 6.3o so I had an hour and a half to kill before the start. I stood around aimlessly for a while, then said hello to a couple of people I recognised from the running club. I stood in the sun because I was freezing, and eventually just sat in the sun and waited for the start.

I didn't see any numbers I recognised from the list I had written on my hand of people from the forum. (By the time I finished the numbers had worn off so I had to hope others would remember mine.) Soon there was a heap of people arriving for the start. The organisers said about 2000 runners so it was all very exciting as I lined up on the road for the start. I started Percy when the gun went off and then stood there for a while waiting for the people to move!! It was probably only 30 seconds I guess - and I started running!!!

Very early on I realised I would be one of the slowest. There were a handful of people run/walking and they managed to stay in front of me all the way (dammit). Someone would start walking and I'd overtake them and then they'd run and zip past me. Then they'd walk and I'd overtake them and they'd run and zip past me. It was actually VERY demoralising. I did not manage to reel them in. I got overtaken by a walker too. I was trying to do little mental calculations as I was going along. I knew I wanted to aim for 1 hour and 20 minutes. That's 8 minutes a km. At 5km, I was on track. At 6 and 7km I was still just on track. That's when I knew I had to push it because I could feel myself slowing down. But I had nothing left. I could feel myself getting slower and slower. The run/walkers were getting further in front and I couldn't do anything about it. At the final straight, there were a group of walkers toddling along towards the finish and I couldn't catch them. It was all I could do just to keep moving.

Suddenly hubby appeared at the side of the road and cheered me on. It was a wonderful boost and I picked up for the last 200m or so. But it was too late by then. An hour and 20 had passed. Sigh.

I finished in an hour and 22 so I ALMOST made it. I thought I would feel quite chuffed because it's a great time for where I'm at physically. But seeing those run/walkers has just reinforced to me how slow I am and how much work I need to do. I was buggered. I gave it everything. And I still struggled through 8 minute k's. NEXT year I'll do it in under 70 minutes. AND I'll beat home the run/walkers. So there. So while I'm feeling disappointed, I'm also feeling incredibly motivated. Just wait, you'll see good things out of the Pilbara household in the months to come.

I never did see anyone from the forum, which was a shame. It would have been good to put faces to the names.

Final hit out before Sunday

2007-03-30T08:13:00.000+08:00

A short run this morning, so as not to overdo it before Sunday. 5km in what I thought was slow but ended up being 43 minutes. (Which I guess IS slow, but not as slow as I thought.)

I'm still a bit worried about my shins. I'm icing them at the moment, but there was a bit of pain this morning. More so when I finished. I've been trying to stretch and I've been using Nurofen gel so I guess I'll just have to take it semi-easy until they get better. I've got my new shoes now too, so hopefully I'm not putting more pressure on them.

This morning I thought I'd try to run on my toes. I tend to run on my forefoot, but I flap. Loudly. Bob suggested I try and run as "quietly" as possible. Since I run on my forefoot anyway, this would help me run on my toes. I did that for a couple of k this morning, but I couldn't sustain it. It wasn't natural for me, so I guess I'll have to keep working on it. Forefoot running is better than heel running, but toe running is better again - especially with shin splints. I must admit I was also inspired by Em who said that it came as a revelation to her that she no longer "flapped". The sooner I can learn to run properly, the quicker my times will improve - or that's the theory.

Sunday is looming and I am excited. Like most of my fellow runners in Melbourne doing the R4K, I have planned where to park and when to leave home, where to meet people, what to wear, what to drink, eat - everything. I am very excited. This will be my first timed 10km. Phew! How amazing is that?? If anyone happens to be in Perth, and notices number 825 pant across the line after about an hour and 20 something minutes - come and say hi!! That's if you can catch me!!!

Shorter club run

2007-03-28T19:37:00.000+08:00

Another great club run tonight! Bob didn't run because he was off organising the run on Sunday but Jenny was there. Off we plodded. Only 6km tonight because I don't want to do too much leading up to Sunday. It wasn't until I got home that I realised I'd managed it with an average pace of 7.37 min/k!!! Holy cow!! And I thought I was being fairly conservative too. I must admit I do tend to run that little bit faster when I'm with someone though.

New shoes today too! I went and visited Bob at his shop. I bought a pair of Brooks Glycerin 5. Very schmick. Bob had me running up and down his back laneway in various pairs and we eventually settled on the Glycerin. But the men's not the women's.

While I was there I picked up a Fuel Belt, new socks and a long sleeved running shirt for those brisk mornings in Perth!!

I've got the Bridges fun run on Sunday and I've managed to work out that I was issued a 5km number instead of a 10km number. It was only coincedently that someone mention a "red" number and a "white" number or I would never have known. I swapped over my numbers tonight at the club house but now I'm home I've realised that my new number doesn't have a timing chip on the back of it. Sigh. I'll take it in to Bob tomorrow and see what we can work out. Someone else on the run tonight said that happened to them last year and they had their 10km time put down as a 5km time!! Nothing like a bit of last minute drama to keep me excited!

Stairs hurt

2007-03-27T08:53:00.000+08:00

You know those stairs at Kings Park I found a few weeks ago - that I went DOWN? Well I've been wanting to do the route along the river, UP the stairs and back home through Kings Park. So I decided that's what I'd do today. I figured, in my wisdom, that the stairs couldn't be all that hard, and that it would be good fun, since I could then enjoy the gentle grassed downhill on the way home. I also figured it'd only be about 8km. Maybe 9.

I now know I have NO wisdom.

It was 5km to the stairs. A nice gentle jog since I didn't want to aggravate my shin. I took it slow and really enjoyed the run - but it was damn cold!!!! I am NOT used to this cold weather. My nose, ears and fingers were FREEZING!!! Anyway, 5km to the stairs. The stairs are not the Kokoda trail stairs (they've been closed because of a rock slide) but the ones near the Aldephi Hotel. I saw some people coming down, reaching the bottom and then turning around and going back up. One of them was jogging. Right, I thought, this will be fun! So after about 10 stairs I realised that I was in big trouble. Man, stairs are HARD WORK! I tried to keep an even pace, just walking, but I stopped at one of the landings to let someone go past me. Then every step was hard. My heart rate was absolutely through the roof. I was sucking in breaths but there was no disguising how hard it was for me. When I only had two flights to go I had to stop again and I thought I was going to pass out. I started gagging and dry reaching (pleasant thing, these stairs). I eventally got to the top and I had to sit down for about 5 minutes before I could even take a swig of my water bottle. Inside, of course, I am laughing at myself. I must have looked ridiculous. Chicky babe who passed me on her way down, reached the top again, took a mouthful of water and headed back down and was not even PUFFING. And here I was, unable to even stand up after only one "lap".

Here's the elevtion chart, just to show how damn hard it was!
I now have a new challenge. To climb those damn stairs and get to the top feeling as though I can keep going - ala Rocky.

I knew I was only halfway through my run. But I was still looking forward to the gentle grassed downhill. A thought came through my head that I could also climb DNA tower in Kings Park. When I passed the tower, a grin came onto my face and I headed over. But the tower was closed "for safety reasons" so I couldn't climb it. Probably just as well. I can be a stubborn idiot sometimes and I would have climbed that damn tower even if it killed me. Perhaps someone is looking out for me. So I ran the downhill and I DID enjoy it. I was pretty well stuffed by the bottom so I decided to walk the last couple of k's home. Almost 11km, in a time you most definitely do not want to know.

Another day of stretching, icing and anti-inflam cream for my shin - and I'll be fine. Haven't bought my new shoes yet either. That's either today or tomorrow. (I may also have to buy a beanie and a long sleeved shirt - OMG it's COLD!!!!!)

I think it will be OK

2007-03-25T11:28:00.000+08:00

I went for my planned run with Bob this morning. As soon as we got started I was nattering to him about shin splints and sore shins and that I needed all the advice I could get. Despite the fact that my Asics shoes only have 350km on them, it does, indeed, appear that I need new shoes. Bob, who is a nice bloke but subtle as a shark attack, said my extra weight is wearing my shoes a lot faster than "normal" people. No beating around the bush here.

However, Bob doesn't seem to think that the shoes were the only reason my shin(s) were/are getting sore. Ever since my first funrun, Bob has been around. He has seen my meteoric improvement from a 32 minute 4km to a 63 minute 8km to a 85 minute 10km. My distances have been steadily increasing since I moved to Perth. Add onto that my desire to run as fast as I can (which, admitedly is not very fast) and he thinks I've done too much too soon.

He thinks I should either cut back on my distances, or cut back on pushing myself to get faster. I decided as I was running that distance is much more important to me than speed. So Bob and I decided to run very slowly this morning. And NO SHIN PAIN!!! (It was sore before I started, and is sore now I've stopped, but I couldn't even feel it for the first 8km this morning.) The last two km I became conscious of the pain, so it seems 10km might be my limit for a while - at least until my body gets used to it. And no upping the speed, AND upping the km.

Thank you everyone for your advice - it is greatly appreciated. I will continue to ice 2P, and I take on board the cross training suggestions (if it's not running, then it's not fun! But I'll try.). I will try a few slower runs and see how my shins go. If they are not improved in a week, then it's off to a sports physio. But today I managed a slow 10km quite easily.

Bob runs the Runners World shop here in Perth so I am going to visit him this week and get a new pair of shoes. He'll fit me and check my gait and all that sort of stuff. While I'm there, I might just pick up one of them fandangled fuel belts too.

Oh by the way - 10km this morning in 86 minutes.

No running :(

2007-03-24T07:57:00.000+08:00

I don't know what I've done to my leg, but ever since the run on Wednesday it's been SORE! It's more in the shin area and I am paranoid about shin splints, so I haven't run on it. It's now day three of no running and it's still not better. I wish there was someone I could ask, but this running malarky is still too new for me to know anyone.

I was supposed to run 10km tomorrow with Bob, so I might go along and ask him then. If he says I shouldn't run, then I won't. Gosh I don't want an injury. I think perhaps my 18km stupidity took more out of me than I thought.

Anyway, I'm very unhappy and frustrated. I want to run, but I don't want a long term injury. I don't even know what is wrong. Would a massage help? Should I see a physio? Should I just stay off it for a while? Am I panicking over nothing?

And just when my fitness was starting to improve.

Aaaarrggghhhhhh!!!!!!

8km club run

2007-03-21T19:24:00.000+08:00

Well there was a BBQ tonight so Jenny, Bob and I headed out at our usual pace, but Jenny and I wanted to be back for the BBQ. Bob did 10km but we are so slow that the BBQ would have been over when we finished the run, so Jenny opted to turn around at about 6km, so we finished at about 8.5km. Still over an hour - but get a load of this pace chart!

I seem to get faster the further I go. I'm really not sure how I manage that. In the first half, I was running with Bob mainly and he did most of the talking. At about 6km, Bob kept going so I ran with Jenny and she kept asking me questions! I had to answer her, and you know I think that's why I went faster!! Bizarre, but there it is!

It was hard work, but at the same time I felt strong. Even Jenny noticed the change of pace, and she said my breathing is not as noticeable as when I first started! I have a sore shin tonight, so I am icing it and stretching - I hope it's not because I was running on the path instead of the grass. Naughty, naughty.

18km. Oh dear.

2007-03-19T19:57:00.000+08:00

I did 18km today, but before you panic Ang, 13km of it was walking. So much for my 10% rule. I was on my feet for 3 hours! And boy are my feet sore!!!!

I had no intention of doing a run/walk over 18km today - it was as a result of a miscommunication with hubby. I sometimes run or walk to meet him as he walks home from work. Today I THOUGHT that's what we had arranged. I decided I'd walk for a km then run as fast as I could for a km, then walk for a km and so on. I expected to meet him about 5 or 6km into the run. I figured it would be a sort of faster session, with a big long recovery between runs.

Percy tells me I did a marvellous job! My runs were 6.53, 6.34, 6.44, 7.16 and 7.03!! :) But I gave it everything and I was absolutely stuffed when I finished each km.

The problem was, I ended up 10km from home at hubby's work, with no sign of hubby and no other way home except to walk!! A quick call to hubby and he was still at work, so I stretched while he got changed and we walked home together (via the city so it was a bit quicker).

Now I'm sitting here in my skins about to soak my aching feet in a tub of water!! But I'm secretly very pleased about the time on my feet! Only 5km running, but 3 hours exercising. Surprisingly my legs are not sore, but my feet are. Plus I think I need to rethink my *ahem* underwear for such a long time - a little chafing. All good practice for BUNBURY!!! I am now confident I will make the distance - even if I walk!!!

However it will be quite a while before I do something as stupid as 18km again!

Darlington cross country

2007-03-18T08:09:00.000+08:00

The organised club run today was a cross country at Darlington. There was a 6km run or a 12km handicap run. I did the 6km. (Just out of curiosity, my handicap for the 12km would have been 25 minutes - the highest possible. It wouldn't have been enough!) I managed to finish today in about 48 minutes which I'm really pleased about since it was pretty hilly and rough underfoot in parts. I thought it was very hard, however, and I struggled. A nice feeling to struggle through 6km in 48 minutes especially since my first 6km in Karratha was close to an hour!!

I dragged hubby along again - he was not pleased but came reluctantly. He finished about a minute behind me, but walked most of it. That's not fair, I reckon. Sigh.

Pretty good week for me - 32 km. I'm starting to feel good too.

Invoking the 10% rule

2007-03-16T09:05:00.000+08:00

I was so inspired by Scott's post yesterday that I was just itching to get out there this morning. I planned on jogging to hubby's work (yes, he's home safe!) to pick up the car and drive home. It's 10km but I wanted to try a different route, and cross the bridge and run on the other side of the river. That's the route for the Bridges Fun Run and I wanted to test it out. But then a little voice told me that perhaps I ought to invoke the 10% rule. I've had a FANTASTIC week, and I'm all inspired, but I don't want to stuff it up by overdoing it. Better to enjoy a shorter run, than blow up trying to do more and more and more.

So, I drove with hubby half way to his work and jumped out of the car at a set of traffic lights (it's OK the lights were red and hubby was driving!!). Then I jogged the rest of the way, picked up the car as planned and drove home. Just a shade under 5km.

But I felt GUILTY!! I'm really not sure why. I know I'm being sensible but I feel like I'm slacking off somehow. The 5km was hard too! My usual pace (well, I've only got one pace) and I could have easily walked it, but I didn't. So while my brain feels guilty, my body is telling me to take it easy, and another part of my brain says I'm doing the right thing.

I just want to RUN! But I must be strong and behave myself. I've come so far, I don't want to be stopped by an injury caused by overenthusiasm. And anyway, 5km is still pretty good!

Club run

2007-03-14T19:24:00.000+08:00

I had a blinder of a run tonight!! At the running club there is a 6km option, a 10km and a 14km. I set off tonight with the intention of running the 6km. But Bob was there! Remember Bob? He was the bloke who helped me across the line on Sunday's 8km race. We started off at his pace (and soon slowed down for me - lol!) with Jenny (my usual partner) and another lady Di. They were discussing how far we should run tonight. Bob suggested I might try the 10km after my performance on Sunday! (What a nice bloke!!) I have run 10km - as you well know - but never WITH someone and I was a bit shy. I am VERY slow. Anyway, I gave it a go and I made it! OMG - 10km AGAIN!!

Bob and I had a lovely chat during the run - it was great!!! And then when I finished there were a lot of people calling me by name (!!) and congratulating me for my run tonight and my ripper of a run on Sunday! I'm still the slowest (with Bob!) but I felt sooooo welcome! I told myself I would go 7 times before I decided if it was for me - but after only 4 times I absolutely love it! All the runners are celebrating my milestones with me - it is awesome.

Of course, now I have set a precedent and will have to run the 10km loop each week.....

Proud of myself

2007-03-13T09:02:00.000+08:00

OK so it's not a fluke. I ran 10km AGAIN today. Still slow - 83 minutes but I'm starting to become convinced that it's an achievable distance. Well, I've only managed it 3 times, so clearly it's still a novelty - but nonetheless I managed it. And I think I managed it fairly well too. Km number 8 was my fastest at 7.15 pace. Not sure where I pulled that from but there was a bit of a downhill and I felt strong so I just went for it. There were a few hills today so my pace was a bit all over the shop, but I enjoyed the feeling of striding out (if you can call 8 minute k's striding!!).

I wanted to run to my new workplace at the top of Kings Park to see if I could commute the distance like warriorwoman. It only seems to be 5km, so I reckon I could easily run there and back, depending of if they have showers and change rooms. At worst, I could cycle. We'll see how it pans out.

Mighty proud of myself, just quietly! I'm starting to think of trying 12km but that is SO FAR!! When all of this started, my ultimate goal was to run 10km. I'd still like to improve my time, but I've achieved that goal. I remember in Karratha doing a run/walk over the distance and wondering how I would EVER run it all. And now I have. I'm heading to BUNBURY for the half marathon but I never dreamed I would run it all. My intention in Bunbury is to cover the distance (still a mighty feat) but as a run/walk. Now there is a tiny, tiny voice just whispering that maybe, just maybe, a half marathon CAN be run. I don't think it is realistic to aim for 21km non-stop by May - but I might just go further than I ever thought.

Darlington fun run 8km

2007-03-11T09:17:00.000+08:00

I went to the Darlington Half Marathon today and they had an 8km option so I ran the 8km. I was very pleased with myself because I lasted the whole 8km. It was an out and back course with the first half predominately uphill which meant it was mostly downhill coming home. Best way to have a run! I had the most awesome negative split! It still took me 63 minutes so I'm not breaking any records but I was at 4km in 34 minutes so it only took me 29 to get home!!!!

This is my pace chart - I got faster and faster and faster!

After my initial excitement, I settled into the run and I felt strong! The gentleman (Bob) who I was chasing at the 5km fun run the other week was there again. I was in front of him most of the way today, but he gradually reeled me in. He ran with me for the last couple of k and I really needed to dig deep. I was struggling at the end and had no idea my speed was so good! Bob pushed me and then right at the end, he stopped to let me go across the line in front of him! What a nice bloke!! He shook my hand and told me it was a good run, and I felt great!

THAT's what running is all about!!

I dragged a friend along too, and she walked the 8km. I was so proud of her. After I finished, I toddled back along the route to walk with her to the finish. She was the last of the 8k runners and the half marathoners had already started to finish. It was a lovely morning!

George and Jacob

2007-03-09T17:16:00.000+08:00

I was supposed to be on a rest day today but I've spent the past two days listening to the live stream of the cyclone coverage up in the Pilbara and I felt a great need to get outside! I decided to just have a run/walk - whatever I wanted to do, just to enjoy the outing. I ended up covering 5km but only ran 2km. It was so nice to get outside and see people going about their normal business - it helps to reinforce that life goes on even after such devestation.

Cyclone Jacob has now intensified and is bearing down so hubby will not be home any time soon. The picture below is from the weather bureau. I've never seen anything like it. Two complete severe systems in the one graph. I'm glad I'm not in Karratha but at the same time, I'd like to be there sharing this with them. I haven't heard from hubby but I'm sure he's fine - just very, very busy.

Another night listening to the cyclone coverage on the ABC...

*Edit* Just heard from hubby - he's in Port Hedland!! Aaaarrrgghh!!! The company that he works for covers the entire Pilbara, not just Karratha, so he's in Hedland. He flew there from Karratha and has no clothes, no toilteries, nothing. Now he's stuck there with no power, no water and extreme heat - wearing the one set of clothes. He reckons he hasn't slept and the clean up continues - he should get some sleep tonight before more clean up tomorrow and then bracing for Jacob. If there are any shops open, he will buy some clothes - I know people go to extremes to get new clothes, but this is ridiculous!

A new habit?

2007-03-08T07:37:00.000+08:00

I made 10km without stopping again today. Goodness, if I'm not careful I'll make a habit out of this!! Another big thrill for me - but slower than last time. I seem to be very consistent with my speed. If I start slow, I maintain that speed the whole way. But if I start faster, I maintain THAT speed. Work it out. I went slow today with the intention of covering 10km but I didn't expect to run it all!! I thought my calves would give me a bit of grief but they were fine. I'm starting to feel fairly confident of lasting the distance in the Bridges fun run on April 1. In fact, I felt really good at the end of 10km this morning. The last km was my fastest and I wasn't puffed at all today. But I'm still travelling at walking speed, so it's not as impressive as it sounds.

A very slim, blonde haired girl wearing the latest tight fitting, skimpy running gear zoomed past me this morning. I thought she was running fairly effortlessly but I think she had an attack of vanity fartlek because not 20m in front of me she stopped and started walking. I overtook her and thought she would just start running and zip past me again, but she didn't. I'll take that as a little victory. Of course, she might have just finished 20km coincedently at that time, you never know.

In other news, Cyclone George is bearing down on Karratha. What was going to be a routine bunkering down for hubby has become a full scale alert at Category 4. (Cyclone Tracy was a Category 4 when it destroyed Darwin, and Larry was a Cat 4 in Innisfail, so things are a little concerning at the moment.) The building where he is is only engineered to withstand Category 3 but we think it should last a Category 4. Anyway, we'll find out tomorrow! The positive out of all this is that George will cross the coast sooner than expected (tomorrow) so hopefully hubby will be home sooner than expected, provided the aftermath is not too bad. Still, my thoughts are with him and the town. I know how damn scarey a Cat 4 cyclone can be, having survived Glenda last year. (AND there is a 2nd system off Christmas Island - Cyclone Jacob. We have to madly hope the two don't join.)

Sore calves

2007-03-07T15:58:00.000+08:00

My calves are sore today! Ha Ha - must have been those damn stairs and that nasty hill yesterday. Plus I obviously didn't stretch sufficiently. Naughty me. But it feels like I actually did some work - so it's good!

It's hot here today (I came to Perth to ESCAPE the heat) so I am not going to the running club this afternoon. It's still high 30's and I don't need to impress anyone with my stamina, so I'm not going. I'll run tomorrow morning, so I don't feel guilty - I'll still run 4 times this week.

Plus I'm feeling a little sorry for myself. Hubby has had to go back up to Karratha for Cyclone George. The new manager who took over from him has had no experience bunkering down for a cyclone so she needs a hand. Typical. We rejoice that we never have to go through another cyclone - and he flies into one deliberately!! And a big one at that! So I'm by myself for a week or so. I've got some comfort food, a DVD, an air conditioner and the cat - so all is not bad!

Grass, sand and cement

2007-03-06T07:19:00.000+08:00

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!!!!) :)

That's better

2007-03-05T11:50:00.000+08:00

After my failed attempt at a run yesterday, I decided to have another go last night. Hubby and I went to a flash hotel for our anniversary and stayed the night. They had a schmicko gym so I jumped on the treadmill. I set it to 8km/h and managed 30minutes (4km)! It was hard work, but I was really pleased with the effort. Then I jumped in the spa which was too hot so I sat in the freezing cold pool and pretended I was giving myself an ice bath! Then back in the spa to warm up and last night I felt great!!

I've worked out that all I need is a pool in the backyard and I'll be set! As the weather cools down I'll have an ice bath ready to go. But I don't have a pool (and no bath either) so the ice baths will have to wait.

Whimped out

2007-03-04T08:36:00.000+08:00

I didn't want to get out of bed this morning and I didn't feel like running. But I got up and started walking. I figured I could walk for a bit longer as a warm up and then I might feel like running. The plan was to go the "usual" route down to the river and along the river back home. About 7 or 8 km's. I walked the first km and noticed the roads were closed to traffic. Before long hundreds of female cyclists zoomed past me - another triathlon! (An all ladies triathlon) I kept walking and watched all the cyclists. After the main bunch, the number started to trickle out but then came some oldies on ladies mountain bikes and some ladies who were clearly just in it to compete. I wanted to run at that point, but felt embarrassed, so I kept walking and then cut down a track to the river. I started running along the river, on the grass. I must say, I don't really like running on grass. Karratha didn't HAVE grass so I'm not at all used to it. Grass has little bumps and undulations and you have to concentrate to keep from falling over. Plus it's slow. Anyway, I was jogging along the grass for about 1km when I realised I was on the running route for the triathlon. The leaders effortlessly zoomed past and I am ashamed to say I stopped running then and there. I continued to walk towards home, as far off the path as possible. All the runners started going past me and they were all fit and very slim. I felt conspicuously out of place. I didn't like that feeling at all, but had no choice but to continue. Soon, though, the really fast ones had passed me and we were at the not-so-fit ones. But the time I walked past the transition, the just-competing ladies were finishing. THEN I started wishing I was there. But I'm a long way from that.

All up 7km this morning - mostly walking. Sigh.