The Color Run

As a kid I always loved rainbows so as soon as I heard about the Color Run, I just had to sign up for it! It sold out months ago and yesterday the wait was finally over. It was finally Melbourne's turn.

Decked out in our official white color run gear, over 20,000 of us made our way through the gates of Flemington Racecourse where we huddled under any umbrellas / shelters or anything we could find to hide ourselves from the rain and cold. It was so dark and gloomy but it wasn't gonna stop us. After what seemed like forever, we finally were called to the starting area.

 

We ended up being in the third wave of competitors to start the race, but it took a good 1/2 km before we actually got to start running. To put things in perspective for you, it was such a big event, that even as were leaving there still competitors starting the race. Crazy hey!

The 5km course took us up hills, through a blue paint zone, a yellow zone, then a bubble zone and an orange zone, eventually making it onto the track where we got run round the course through a pink and another blue zone. The best bit was making our way up the famous straight finishing on the finish line where Caviar and so many other great horses had crossed before us. It was awesome.



People danced / walked / galloped and ran their way around. There were costumes / tutus and even a guy on crutches. It was definitely the happiest and funniest fun run I have ever done.

Once we crossed the finish line, we were moved through to another area and given packs of brighter coloured chalk which meant it was chalk fight time. As if we weren't dirty enough already, I ended up with everywhere. Down the pants and all - thanks Peter.

At the start of the race us girls decided it wasn't gonna be an event to try and break my 30 min record and we were just gonna have fun. And that we did. We stopped at each zone and danced our way through the chalk and took loads of pics. Peter on the other hand a point to prove and bolted ahead beating his own PB and finishing it in 20 mins. Very annoying considering he's only been training for 3 weeks.. I will get there eventually, even if it takes me a year. It was also a special day, as it was the first fun run Peter had ever signed up for and one we got to share together. I've now got him on the band wagon and looking at other 5km events early in the new year.

Here are some more highlights of the day! If you haven't done one before then jump on the band wagon and look out for the event next year.

Bring on the Color Run 2014.

Fish & Chips with a twist

Bit of a random blog tonight and I hope you get a laugh out of this.
Last night after I published my blog abut Fist Pump Moments, I got in trouble by my beautiful man. I'd forgotten to put a pic up of his Classy Fish and Chips that he cooked as my "Treat Meal" on Saturday night. It was a drilling in a joking kinda way but I didn't hear the end of it all night! 

Even though at the time I posted it all of Facebook and told him how all girls had been commenting on how awesome it looked, it still wasn't enough. I figured the only way I could make up for it would be to write a whole blog in dedication of Peter and his amazing Fish n Chips.

Not only was it the first time he baked a whole fish on the BBQ, which in this case was a Snapper and cooked to perfection, he also created a fresh watercress, pear and potato chip salad with his very own famous lemon aioli. And of course a meal like this wouldn't be complete without a German Riesling Kabinett to match! Thanks Peter, Amazing!

So I hope I'm now forgiven and I promise to never forget to post a pic of your amazing meals again.

Fist pump moments

I know I'm not alone when I sit here and think about all the times I have compared myself to others. 

Whether its been about how many more kilos someone has lost / how much taller, skinnier or prettier one is, or how much fitter or a better athlete one is, it's hard not to. It's in light of this that my fellow 12 wbt'ers have decided to celebrate the mini achievements we're reaching along the way, instead of trying to beat each other with the kilo's we've loosing each week. It's all about the Fist Pump Moments when we've smashed a pb or got up at 6 am for a morning work out or gone to bed early.  And with that in mind I thought I'd share my top 3 fist pump moments for the week. 

FPM #1 ~ Getting a PB on my 12 min time trial 

Today was just one of those days, where all I wanted to do was come home and veg out on the couch. I'm soooo tired (Probably because I'm lacking the sugars and caffeine from the soft drinks I've stopped having); My nose hasn't stopped running all day and it's raining outside. All the voices in my head kept saying I can't be bothered but somehow I managed to fight it, jump in the car, head down to the river and just go for it.. And I'm so glad I did. I smashed my 12 min time trial and managed to reach 2 km - so YAY I think that's what you call a double fist pump !!!

FPM #2~ Kicking My Soft drink addiction in the butt

A little while ago, you may recall me saying I gave up soft drink. Well I did for a little while but then I went to Peru and discovered their Inca Cola... Bad Sarah, I know, but it was traditional and just sooo good! Ever since I got back from South America I've been trying really hard to give up soft drink once again. I'm happy to say that's now been 6 days since my last coke. (I used to have one every day).. The best thing is I've now found a substitute and enjoying a cold fruity Tea 2 herbal tea instead. You should try it!  

FPM #3 ~ Not having a vodka with the girls

18 of us 12wbt'ers went to the local pub for dinner on Sunday night to celebrate a birthday. The old me would have ordered a vodka and soda, but instead I ordered just a soda water with fresh lime. 

Things I could do better next week are to go to bed earlier so I can get up at 6 and get my work out of the way and cut back on carbs.

And of course on a final note, here my fav foodie pics from the last few days!

Turkey Swiss Cheese and Cranberry Wrap

Brazillian Feijao

T2 Citrus Punch Icy Tea

Night all xo

Ouch!

Not quite sure where to start with this post. It's been such a crazy week and I'm definitely feeling it. I'm so sore and can hardly move but it's definitely paying off cause guess what - I brought a new dress this morning and it was size 8. I'm So happy and can't wait to show it off! 

Torrential rain played havoc in Melbourne this week so we unfortunately we had to cancel our run group. I still managed to fit in my 12min time trial with a short 3 km run instead. No bit of rain was gonna stop me! 1800 meters is now the distance to beat next week! 

JFDI - It's just a little bit of rain!

Yesterday, with a little encouragement from a friend at work, I decided to mix it up a little and start going to body pump again! I loved it and had forgotten how good it is. The Instructor really knows how to push you and got so much more out of it that I would have, had I of done my normal workout on my own. I followed this up with a 5km run this morning as well as our Saturday Super Sess with the transformer girls. Let me just say, I'm really feeling it now, and it's gonna be struggle to get off the couch. Was totally worth it though as I love sat mornings with the gals.

So Great to have our SSS back again. Have really missed our Sat Sessions!

 Was really happy with this morning's run. With a week to go until the Colour Run, I'm almost at my goal time. Hoping to break the 30 mins and this morning I did it in 33. Looking at my splits, it looks like I really need to work on the middle part of my run. 

It's been a tough week, and the weather certainly hasn't helped but It's so good to be back in the full swing that is 12wbt. Hopefully things will get easier. Given the silly season is fast approaching, I think I'm just gonna have to suck it up and get up for 6am workouts cause otherwise it just aint gonna happen. I have so many parties already and I'm actually a little worried that I'm not going to fit it all in. Guess I'm just gonna have to be super organised and not let that alarm beat me!

On a final note, as always, here are my favourite foodie pics of the week.. 

If you wanna see more, then follow me on Instagram under "skeats19"..

Broccoli Past with Chili Ricotta

Sweet Potato, Roast Capsicum and Ricotta Pizza

Balsamic Strawberries with Ricotta and Mint

And that's a wrap - thanks folks! x

And we're off and running!

So another week has passed and today marks the start of Round 4 for us 12wbt'ers. 

Is it crazy to think that I'm actually excited by the challenges that lay ahead and to just get out there and keep running. With that in mind it's time to re-visit my goals. Not just because it was one of our pre season tasks but to keep myself focused on what I want to achieve. 

So my goals for the next 3 months are:  

• Improve my 1 km time trial to under 5 mins which is currently 5 mins 39 secs.  
• Break 30 mins with my 5 km
• Run 10 km without stopping on own and try to break 1 hour
• Compete in the 5 km Colour Run / 10km  Susan's Classic and 10 km Summer Tri Series and get PB's each time
• Lose another 3-5 kilos to reach my goal weight
• Not over indulge this Christmas!

 CONTINUE TO BE FIT, HEALTHY AND HAPPY!!

So there you have it my friends. You've heard it here first. Theres's gonna be blood sweat and tears but I really want to get to the half marathon next year, and would love to do it in my home town Warragul or the Great Australian Outback, or Paris, I really can't decide. But I will get there, and Rain, Hail or Shine ~ there will no be NO excuses.

Unfortunately I don't have any foodie pics for you this time however, I highly recommend that you all go out buy Michelle Bridges Herb Mill. It's become my new best friend in the kitchen and for $10 - it's a bargain and so awesome!

I've started drinking Green Tea again! The great debate continues on wheather or not it actually does assist with weight loss. Either way, it's good for you and I'm enjoying it! 

And on that note, it's cup of tea time and bed. Night all, xo.

Hill Intervals and time trials

Okay ladies and gents, its confession time.

I didn't go for my long run on the weekend as originally planned. My bad?

Me & My Gorgeous Girls at Derby Day

Saturday there just wasn't enough time, I was up early to get ready for the races and had an awesome day thanks to my 12wbt girls. Who would have thought six months ago I would have made such a lovely bunch of new friends. You girls rock. Once I got home, it was time for a quick bite to eat, then shower, refresh and head out to a friends farewell drinks in the city. It was midnight by the time we got home and I honestly don't know how I lasted the day.

I had every intention of going for my run on Sunday instead, but I was that exhausted, I pretty much crashed out on the couch all day.

Soooo, today was all about making up for it, and that I did... Hill intervals and my first 12 min time trial before Round 4 kicks off next week. I've decided that now the weather is getting better and since I work literally across the road from Treasury Gardens, I really should use them more often! Would be nice to mix it up rather than using Maribyrnong River all the time. 

In other another news, I'm bit disappointed with Running Fit as it's now been over a week since I first contacted them in regards to coaching. If I haven't heard by the end of the week I'm giving up and going else where. Most annoying... Oh yeah, and I finally brought this foam roller to help get rid of those niggles

My new Foam Roller - it's Pretty and Purple :)

And finally to finish off here's some more foodie pics for you. Night all xo

Sweet and Sour Pork

Thai Pumpkin Soup