When something is better than nothing

Today was just one of those days I woke up and just didn't feel like running. I was suppose to attempt 17k's but knew both mentally and physically I just wasn't up for the challenge and thought it wasn't even worth trying. Not quite sure what brought it on, I guess some days, your body knows it's just not up for it...

I had my alarm set for 9 am but hit the snooze and didn't get up til 11. Whoops.. No. 1 mistake hey... I had a quick bite to eat and then procrastinated for about an hour as to whether to even go out at all.. Thankfully commonsense prevailed and I snapped out of it. I thought just get out there and at least do the 4km loop and hopefully once I get going I might just wanna keep going.

I finally got my butt into the car and headed down to the river. Conditions were perfect. I enjoyed the run but pretty much just went through the motion. On a positive note, I got through the first 3k's and felt good so decided to extend my run to the 7k loop instead of the 4. I smashed it. I normally plod along around the 6.40 - 7 min per km pace but managed to keep a pace up on 6.30 mpk, so was pretty happy with that.

It may not have been the 17k's I was suppose run, but I know I have time up so sleeve til my half, so one slip up aint gonna matter too much. The best thing was I still got out and did something. The old me, would have just stayed at home and not moved off the couch.. I'll just have to make sure I get out and make up for it next weekend.

And on that note, only 48 sleeps to go.. Just a little bit scared..
Night all and happy running xo

A Day of Firsts ~ 16ks

I can proudly say that yesterday was my LONGEST RUN EVER!! And better yet, it was the first time I really started to feel comfortable with that distance. 

It was a day of many firsts, so here goes,

It was the first time I listened to my body and had a rest day before my long run. I even took myself off to a local massage therapist and enjoyed a painful but much needed sports deep tissue massage. I also had a Hammer fuel electrolyte to make sure I was well hydrated the day before my run. I've always taken them after my runs, but never thought of taking them before. 

It was the first time I'd ever tried a Gel. I was little bit nervous about it as Id heard so many different stories about them but I wasn't gonna leave it to Race Day to try so it was now or never. I decided to try it at the mid way point, just cause it seemed logical. Plus, I also knew there was a drinking tap roughly at that point so I could gush it down with. Surprisingly, I didn't mind the taste, and i didn't gag. Bonus I thought. Off I went again feeling pretty pleased with myself that I could not only keep it down and but I didn't break into cramps. 

It was the first time I ventured into the reserve on the other side of the bridge. Normally I would turn at one of the bridges but I needed to add on an extra couple of kilometers and thought why not. It was time to enjoy a new part of the river, and that I did. 

 

But the biggest first time of all was that I got to the last few kilometers and didn't feel sore or tired. Mentally I was in a happy place and I was able to finish strongly.... Big Big relief...  

It was to be my LONGEST RUN EVER!!! I couldn't be happier...

My records never stood a chance. But importantly, for first the time in a while, I felt that I just might be able to do this. And that is scary, but exciting. I don't know whether it was a combination of all these firsts, but something definitely worked so I'll be sticking with it..

And on that note, only 55 days to go!
Night all and Happy Running xo

    

15k's and my equal furthest yet

So the challenge for Sundays long run was 15ks which was to equal my furthest longest run ever.

Although I was a little sore from a pump/grit double two days before, I went into it this run with a much better mind set than this time last week. I decided to try a different technique and set off a bit slower than usual to try and save energy for the last few k's..

As usual the first 5k's were pretty good, then I got to the 8/10 k without too much drama but then the same old battle began. I started feeling the pain by the 12/13th and it became a real struggle. I nearly cut my run short but thankfully I had some fight left in me and pushed through by walking/running the last few k's.

Some good news though.. I managed to beat my first attempt at 15ks in run for the kids earlier this year by 5 minutes so that's something, right?

As I waddled my way through these last few k's I couldn't help but feel anxious and wondered how I could possibly add on another 6 k's on top of this. Thankfully, since then, I've seeked and received some great advice from a very good friend who just happens to be an experienced marathon and ultra marathon runner. With this new advice and some tweaks to my current program I'm feeling much better about things and know I've got time up my sleeve to re-focus and get my run on. So thank you CB - you're support and avice means a lot and it couldn't have come a better time.

And with that in mind, it's off to bed for another big day tomorrow.
Night all and Happy Running xo

14 km's ~ it was a cold one

AKA Sunday long run. The Goal 14km's in 1.30... According to my program I should have been running 15 k's this wkend but with Run Melbourne on last weekend it put me a week behind. The plan was simple. Go out and try my best to get to 15 but the aim was to get through 14.

All rugged up, it was that cold I had a red nose, lol. Weird though cause also needed the sunnies

 It was 1.3 degrees which felt like -1.6 and was very frosty when I left home but that didn't bother me. I layered up, and just wanted to get it over with. Despite the cold and frosty conditions the sun was out and there was no wind. The perfect conditions. As I headed out, I wasn't very confident at all and was already pre-empting a bad run... That probably set the tone all morning and I haven't got anyone else to blame but myself. Since Run Melbourne last Sunday I haven't run all week and I think that must be why I really struggled. 

A very frosty morning

As usual, my first 4 k's were awesome, another record - I smashed it. Got through the next few k's ok, but as I approached the 10k mark I was really struggling. Although, somehow, looking at my splits, my 10th k was the quickest so not sure how that happened. By the 11th the mind games set in and I was finding any excuse to not run. I stopped at the loo, stopped at the drinking taps, it wasn't good. I thought at this rate I'd never get home, and every time I hit the next km and my nike app came on with my times & pace I was getting more annoyed with myself as it kept slipping. I eventually got to 14ks and then walked / ran the last kilometer home. 

One of the bridges covered in frost which I nearly face planted on as it was that slippery.

During the last couple of kilometers all I could think about was how can I get better at running the second half of these runs. I'm really comfortable with 8-10ks but how can I finish better and stronger. With 69 days until my first half, it's getting a little scary now. I know I can do it, and we're allowed to have bad runs. Its just annoying that you can go from having an awesome run one week to then have a bad one the next.

Today's run

At the end of the day, I can't be too disappointed with the end result. I eventually completed the 14ks in 1.36. (6 mins outside the suggested time) and I still managed to keep under my overall average pace of 7'mpk... I guess all I can do now is put today's run behind me, move on and work towards a better week next week. After all, I still just ran the 2nd furthest run I have ever run before.  

But, after getting home, there was no time to rest cause it was off to our favourite cafe where my man shouted me a lovely a brunch and I indulged in some lemon ricotta pancakes with mixed berries and ice-cream. So yum and very spoilt.... 

So until next time, here's to a better week next week, 

Happy running and night all xo