SLR - 13kms ~ WINNING

13km's in 1:25... Challenge accepted...

Rather than just getting up and going as I would usually, I decided to try a new pre-race regime.

 I actually had a bit of toast with honey and tried an ancient remedy. I recently discovered that if you inhale peppermint oil it's suppose to boost your mood and reduce fatigue. What have I got to loose I thought?  So I rubbed a few drops into my hand, inhaled it and off I went. 

My lucky rainbow, 2 k's in..

Coincidence or not, something just clicked and I managed to run the whole 13 kms without stopping. I even surprised myself. I decided to leave the car behind and run the 3km's to the river, run the 7 kilometer loop around it, then the 3k's home. What's more was I actually really enjoyed it. The run had a bit of everything, a hill to start with, a rainbow, couple more hills, several major road crossings and a hill to finish.

For most of my run I was able to keep up a 6'45"/km pace which I was pretty happy about.. I managed to get through the first 10 k's quite comfortably but started to struggle on the last few k's. I had slowed down a bit and it pushed my overall average pace to 7'/km.. I completed the 13k's in 1:30 mins. 5 mins outside my suggested time.... But like I said earlier, it was the first time I did more than 8k's without stopping so I was pretty stoked.

After my run, I was a little bit naughty and decided to treat myself ... All week I had been craving a vanilla slice. Considering I just burnt 800 calories I figured I could justify it. So, along with a copy of the latest Runner's World Mag, my afternoon was set.

 I eventually got off the couch and made my way into the city to enjoy a girls night out at the rugby and see the mighty Storm beat the raiders - woo hoo !!!

So there you have it folks, another week gone and 83 more sleeps to go... And another big week ahead with the Run Melbourne on next Sunday. Really hoping to go out and smash 10k's in an hour given my previous PB was 1:06. Fingers are crossed so stay tuned..

Night all and happy running xo

SLR - 12 kms

aka Saturday Long Run or in this case Sunday long run... The goal was 12 kms in 1:18 mins.

It was a bit of struggle to start with as we'd been out the night before to watch our storm boys in action and it was also a very chilly 5 degrees.. Thankfully, I was to meet up with my running buddy to run the first 4 km loop together, otherwise it would have been way to easy to stay snug in bed.

Looks can be deceiving - it was actually a chilly 5 degrees

It was great to have the company to start with as it meant those first few k's disappeared very quickly while we yapped away. As we were plodding along I started to doubt whether I'd be able to get through the last 8 k's. I was feeling a little bit sore and the late night certainly didn't help either but I managed to suck it up and battle my way through it.  I had to stop a couple of times to take advantage of the drinking taps along the way but managed to finish in an 1 hour and 24 minutes. 

 

I was a little slower than I'd hoped for but all things considering I was pretty happy to just get through it. The old me wouldnt have even got out of bed! I'm still trying to work on the techniques my coach taught me but tire quickly and fall back into old habbits. I guess when you're so use to doing things one way it's gonna take a bit longer than I hoped for.  I will get there though ... Eventually.... 

Happy to be alive. Just. Can't imagine how I feel when I have to double this distance

After my run, it turned out to be quite the busy day. I got home, stretched, showered, nana napped for half n hour, organised dinner to go in the slow cooker and then it was off to the MCG with Mum and Dad to see the mighty Bombers.. It was the perfect afternoon... The walk from Flinders Street Station to the MCG was exactly what I needed after my run and it was another Bomber win.

A special thanks must also go to my boy for the most awesome foot massage a girl could ask for - it was 'the best Foot Massage I've ever had'. The funny thing is he wanted me to write a whole paragraph on how awesome it was but I don't think you can get much better praise than that!. 

So there you have it a folks.. Another Saturday long run out of the way and other 9 to go. In the words of my little nephew "uh-oh" only 89 days to go... Getting a little bit scarey now..

That's it from me... Night all and happy running xo

My awesome slow cooked Sweet Soy Beef

I got this..

Finally... I know it's been a while, so apologies. Since run for the kids I've been enjoying a mini break so I can recover properly from glute injury and fine tune my technique with some one on one coaching lessons in time for my first  half mara.. The good news is I'm back, and finally feeling good again.

No injury, no soreness, and up to week 3 of my half marathon training program. 

Yesterday was another big test. I was at home in Warragul for the weekend and decided to take on the two towns trail again. There's something I love about being at home and running in the country. Not sure whether it's because of that fresh "farm" smell, or if it's because it's just me being surrounded by rolling hills with no one in sight or if it's my new best friend Jeffrey the cow, either or, I love it. I mean really what's not to love.

Last time I completed the 10km track I did it in an hour and 14mins. Yesterday. the goal was 11kms. It was cold, it was wet, it was windy, and there was hills. I had to battle the elements and run against the wind for the entirety of my run. It was hard work, but I was stoked. I completed the 11k's in 1:16 and beat my PB by 4 mins. **Insert happy dance**... 

My new friend Jeffrey

Dad had also got up earlier to play golf in Drouin so luckily he had finished just in time to meet me at the end of my run to cheer me through the last Kilometer. So yay, thanks dad. He also wanted to get there as I finished so I didn't have to wait around in the cold waiting for him.
What a dad hey xo.

O oh - Not another hill

I know it's still not a super fast time, but I'm happy that not only did I get a pb - I haven't pulled sore at all.. If I can keep this going and keep clocking up PB's I'll be able to beat my goal of finishing a half mara in 2 1/2 hours. Who would have thought hey. 

And on that note, only 97 more days til half mara - arrrgggghhhhh!!!! 

Night all,
Happy Running 

Gotta love running through mud... NOT

My shoes have seen better days

Excuses

It seems like all I'm doing lately is making excuses and I don't like it. If I'm not injured I'm sick. If I'm not sick I'm injured. When will it end??  

I was finally feeling back on track last week with 4 solid running sessions and strength work in-between. It was the best I've felt in a long time and was happy to be back into it as I haven't done much since Run for the Kids. Injury wise, I was also feeling pretty good. But alas, it was short lived. This is week I've had a cold and done absolutely nothing. 

I was dreading this mornings coaching session as he'd warned me to bring my A game and to be prepared to get that heart rate up.. That he did. It was tough. Lots of sprints and more fine tuning of technique. Had to have a couple of breathers to blow out the boogers in my nose and catch my breath. Lets just say I barely made it through it. I got home showered and went back bed to bed. It was coach's orders of course! 

I've really gotta get my act together and get a few more long runs back in before my next big event ~ the 10k's at Run Melbourne in July. I also need to get back on track and continue my half marathon training. A few 6/8k runs aren't gonna cut it.

lovely morning for coaching session no. 4

Yes Coach

So it's a been a big couple of days running wise for me with a couple of fist pumping moments...

It all started on Saturday morning when I had my first ever session with a running coach. I was a little bit nervous and the extra icy cold temperature made it particularly difficult to get out of bed for my 8.00 session but I was excited and ready to take on this next big step.

To start with, my coach ran the first 400 m lap with me, then I set my own pace for the second. Little did I know he'd have me running at a 4 min per km pace. By the time I started the second lap, I was almost out of breath and thinking what have I got myself into? It gave me even a greater appreciation for marathon runners who can keep this going for 42 km's. They're mad I say. Mad.. 

My new training grounds

After a quick break, it was back into more running drills and sprints to work on my technique. I was happy with my feedback and have a few things to work on. The biggest challenge will be trying to change my ways and pick up on these new techniques. With each stride I take, there's so much to think about it, but I know I will get there.. When you've been running one way for so long it's gonna take a bit of time to get use to a new style. Despite all this, I'm pretty excited to think that if I can take all this on, it will help take me to that next level.

The second big fist pump moment of the weekend was yesterday when I'd made plans to meet my friend Kristen for a run around the river. It had poured rain all night and at the time we were due to meet it was still pretty patchy and not to mention freezing cold. We decided to embrace it and as the saying goes we "Just F'n did It" (sorry mum). We may not have fitted in our usual 'long run' but we still managed 4k's and no bit of rain is gonna stop us so yay us. 

Kristen & I just a little bit wet

In other news, I've also  finally registered for my first half marathon as part of the Melbourne Marathon Festival. If I don't do it now, I'll never do it. Good news is there's 159 days til I have a nervous breakdown. Bad news is I have a lot of hard work ahead of me.

And on that note, that's week 1 over so night all and happy running xo

The next chapter

As you may know a couple of weeks ago I completed my longest run ever (15 k's in the run for the kids). It may not have been my best run or the fastest run, but it made me even hungrier and more determined to reach my next goal - the half marathon.

For the last month, my routine has been disrupted by lots of travel with work, and an injury. However, tomorrow will mark the start of my next 12 week challenge in which I'm looking forward to getting back to basics. It will take me back to 10k's so I can slowly build up the k's, week by week to reach that half marathon distance of 21 k's. Little scary when I think about but I know I can do it.

My biggest challenge will be getting through Melbourne's winter without using the rain or cold as an excuse. I think the key to this will be finding more run groups and buddies to run with. I love it when I get random messages from friends wanting to catch up for a run, its exactly the motivation I need and I hope a little bit of rain won't get in the way of this.

Finally, I'm also going to invest in a running coach. Little bit nervous bout it, but know it will help and I can't help but be excited!

With that being said, I know I don't need luck as our running community is awesome and I have all the support I need. All that's left to say is BRING IT ON!!

Night all and Happy Running
xox

R4TK - My longest yet

It' hard to believe how quickly 12 months has passed us by. 

You may recall this time last year when I posted about my 5km run in the Royal Children's Hospital Run for the Kids and how much it meant to me. Well another year on, and I just completed my longest run ever - 15 kilometers!

This year was no different. It was a beautiful autumn morning in Melbourne and another 6.30 am start. I met up with my 12wbt mates prior to the race for our traditional pre-race pics and then made our way to the start line. Before we knew it we were off and running. We took off in the second wave which was for semi to serious runners hoping to run the whole distance. 

With Katherine on the start line ready to go

Within the first few K's we had to tackle an incline up through the domain tunnel and up onto the Bolte Bridge. Running through the tunnel was one of the weirdest experiences. It was so hot and humid almost 'tropical' like conditions and the hill just seemed to go on forever. It's doesn't seem like much in the car, but running it was a whole different story. Not to mention the smell. 

Running through the tunnel up the big hill

 We were very relieved to see the light at the end of the tunnel as we headed back into the fresh air. As we got to the top of the Bolte, we stopped for a quick breather and couldn't resist the opportunity to take some selfies. After all it's not every day you get to stop on the bridge and take in these views.

At this stage I was feeling pretty good. We were about half way through and plodding along quite nicely. My glute injury was holding up ok, although on the hills I was starting to feel it, so had to take them slowly. What was lovely about this run, was my friend Katherine ran with me who was also recovering from injury so it was great to have buddy and we were able to motivate each other through the race.

On top of the Bolte Bridge

I hadn't run more than 11k's so I really started to feel it in the last few k's and was in a world of pain. Thankfully by now there so many people cheering and kids high fiving us along the way which pushed me to keep going. The volunteers were also amazing.. Every kilometer they were on the loud speakers cheering us on, blowing the horns and making as much noise as they could. 

We eventually made our way back down Footscray Rd, through Docklands into Spencer Street, up the dreaded Collins Street hill, along south bank and home. As we ran around the last corner and up the straight to the finish line, the emotions started to set in as I realised what I'd accomplished. Lets just say I'm glad I had the sunnies on. 

We did it. Our time of just under 2 hours may not have been the best, but it wasn't about that. We just got out there and did it and had fun doing it whilst raising money for our children's hospitals that gives so much. 

I would never in my wildest dreams thought I could run 15 k's and to think it's only extra 6 to make that half mara. I must say though, there's a lot of hard work still ahead of me. 

On the finish line - I did it

I eventually made it home, and more or less collapsed on the couch after some stretches and more ice. Peter then took me out for a well earnt breakfast at favourite cafe. YUM. I could barely move the rest of the afternoon but was one spoilt girl. Mum brought me some relaxation crystals, so I took a nana nap and then enjoyed a long bath. Pete also took care of the cleaning and then took over cooking dinner.. All so I can just chilax on the couch. I couldn't be more thankful.

So there you have it folks, that's run for the kids over for another year. Thanks for all of you good luck and messages of support then congratulations. I've been overwhelmed and it's means a lot. 

Until next time, a couple more pics for you. Night all and happy running x

Views from the Bolte