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

Run Melbourne

What a day! It's so hard to know where to start with this blog so apologies in advance as 

it might be a long one. So here goes...  

Ready to go

Peter was running his first 10km fun run and I was hoping for a PB and to get as close to the hour as I could.. Alarms went off at 6.30 and we were a little bit nervous but both stuck to our own pre race regimes. Pete went for a quick run to loosen everything up and enjoyed his bowl of porridge and banana. I on the other hand, stuck to my toast with honey and a quick walk up to the front gate and back to loosen up and suss out the weather. It was perfect.

We caught the first train into the city and arrived at fed square with an hour to the starting time. I always like to get to fun runs early to allow time to soak up the atmosphere and get in the zone. It also gave us time to meet up with some fellow running buddies from my 12wbt runners connect group. The time flew and with the traditional pre-race group shot done we were off to the start.

The lovely girls from our 12wbt rnnners connect group

As we stood in the starting zone, I was overwhelmed by the amount of competitors. There were thousands and thousands it was crazy. We all stood there waiting patiently to make our way to the starting line. To put things into perspective you, we were suppose to start at 9.15, it was 9.45 by the time we got to the front. It was crazy. Finally, the horn sounded and we were off.

The Pre Race Selfie

My race plan was to smash the first few kilometers, plod my way through the middle bit and finish strongly. Early on it was going well. I got through the first 4 four kilometers and was feeling strong and ahead of my best time. I got myself into the groove and was really enjoying it. We even got to run down the dreaded Anderson Street hill which was nice for a change so I made sure I smashed it... We got to about the 6th/7th kilometre and found ourselves on a dog leg. Peter was smashing it. He flew past me on the side with a smile and a wave. He was bout a kilometer in front.

I was on the home stretch which is when things started to unravel. Not quite sure what happened, by around the 8th kilometer I started to feel sick. Not happy jan. Thankfully there was a water stop ahead so I stopped for a bit and re-gathered.. I managed to pull through it and with the finish line just around the corner and crowds of people cheering us on I managed to find another gear and finished strongly. I smashed the last kilometer in under 6 mins (a new record for me) and finished in 1.04 mins ..  Peter was already over the line waiting for me - we did it. We were so happy. He did it in 50 mins - amazing..

Me and Peter ~ we did it!

I didn't quite break the hour I was hoping to. My nike app said i crossed the line in 1.04, but by the time I pulled it out of the pocket and hit stop, it clicked over to 1.06. Officially my time was 1.07 which would have included the few minutes I stopped when my app was paused. But it was still a pb so gotta be happy with that. Considering my last official 10km race in December my time was 1.11, I should be proud of my improvements and that's all I can ask for.... I will crack the hour one day, no matter how long it takes me. 

With a few post race pics done, we hung around to watch the medal presentations as Pete knew the MC and was keen to catch up with him. We even got to meet Craig Motram who is an Olympic champion and won the mens 10kms in 29.27. The first woman over the line came through in 37.33... Very impressive..

After such a lovely morning, we eventually made it home and collapsed on the couch. It wasn't for long though as we had a dinner booking at Rockpool to celebrate our six year anniversary. Im such a spoilt girl and really want to say thanks to Peter for being such an awesome bf. For not only joining me in our first 10km together but for all his support and encouragement.
It means a lot..

Until next time, here's a few more pics 

Craig Mottram

Me and Katherine

Thanks it folks,
Night all and happy running x

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