It's been a while - am I bad?

Firstly apologies. I know I've just declared I'm back blogging again, but it's been a big month and I'm sorry for neglecting it. Friends have visited from interstate, we've been interstate on holidays, and I just haven't had time.

During this time there's been a couple of big runs and new ones as well, so if you're interested, please keep reading ...

All the way back on the 10th September,  I competed in my first relay event with the red and black running group for Essendon Athletics against St Bernards Athletic club in the Burke-Stobaus Challenge.

In teams of 4, each of us had to run the 4km loop around Maribyrnong River. Like with most team events, it was spirited and there was lots of support from across the other side of the river as we ran around the loop.

Was a great afternoon watching some of our champions in action too. The winner ran 4ks in 12.01 mins - incredible. Was a great event, and will be looking forward to other similar ones like this in the future.

On Saturday 24th September we drove out to the Yarra Glen Racecourse the very first Harvest Run.

It was a muddy and wet track to start with, but a very enjoyable 6km through the picturesque Yarra Valley finishing with a lap around the track. It wasn't the easiest of runs but shouldn't complain as some ran in the 13k event which started and Healesville winding through some massive hills with some stretching for over a kilmoter. Def made the right choice there, but who knows, maybe next year. 

During the last month I have I also clocked up a few more parkruns and are only 4 away from joining the 50 club. Keen to be a tourist again and travel to a few different parkruns. Still have Albert Park on the bucket list and perhaps a Diamond Creek or Coburrg might be thrown in there too .

I've also signed up to a couple more big runs over the next few months so need commit now more than ever.. This includes:

• 10k in the Geoff Watt memorial run, Warragul on 30th October
• 15k City to Sea on Sunday 20th November; and 
• 10k Carmans Classic on Sunday 4th December

If you're still with me, thanks for reading. I know I do so much better when I put in the effort so with that in mind - NO MORE EXCUSES - JFDI!! Big few months ahead. 

That's it, 

Happy running x

Park run no.44

Another Saturday and another Parkrun under my belt. Edging all that bit closer to my 50th...

Yesterday was a very special Parkrun as it was Maribyrnong's 2nd birthday with a superhero villan theme... Was such a fun morning and the perfect way to start the weekend. 

Our Red and Black Running team in their finest

In terms of my run. It wasn't the greatest. In fact - it was a major struggle... 

We had a very hard training session on thursday night with the red and blacks which included a 2k warm up, 4 x 100m run throughs then 3 x 1000m sprints with 400m recovery in between. So pulled a bit sore from that and was am still on the come back trail after a dose of bronchitis .. 

I started off really well, but only just managed to get through the run without stopping. Really struggled in the last 2k's. I knew from the start, it was never going to be a PB, was just happy to be back out there again. Hopefully will be up around my 29 mins soon.  

Official time - 32.56. Bring on Pacers next week.

Approaching the finish line

 Until next time - happy running x

And she's ba-ack

So the other night I randomly stumbled across this great old blog of mine and was having a good chuckle reading through all my old posts. It seems like only yesterday and although it's been well over 18 months since I last wrote anything, I thought it's time to document some of my highlights and start blogging again. 

Since my hara marathon all the way back in October 2014, 2015/16 has been pretty quiet in terms of participating in major fun runs. My main highlights included:

• Sunset series Melbourne Zoo Run
• Run For The Kids - 5k
• Melbourne Marathon Festival - 10k
• Run to the Dog trail run - 10k
• Run Melbourne - 10k

For me, Park run has definitely become the biggest part of my life and I can't wait for every Saturday morning to come around. Parkrun organise a free, weekly, 5km timed run around the world and are open to everyone of all standards... It's a great community event that also encourages everyone to have a coffee or breakky afterwards at a local cafe. 

Through this experience I've been fortunate enough to have met and made so many wonderful new friends and even got involved with another running group (Red and Black running team associated with Maribyrnong Parkrun and Essendon Athletics Club).  Joining Parkrun was the best decision I ever made, and would encourage you to jump on the bandwagon. You can also check out some of my Park run stats here.

So what's in stall next? I've signed up to the Womens 10k Classic in St Kilda in December but are now trying to decide whether to enter the Harvest Run, Melb Mara festival or something else in between to keep me motivated. 

Stay tuned, and I'll look forward to my bringing you all my running updates / news once more!

Night all and happy running x

It's been a big year

A little while ago a trend started in my online FB 12wbt runners connect group. Everyone began posting collages of themselves at all the running events they've been in for the year. What an awesome idea I thought, and quickly jumped on the bandwagon and created my own. I also thought it was great opportunity to reflect on my achievements and to thank you all for the support and encouragement you've given me throughout the year! So hear goes:

It all started back on the 19th January when Raels & I decided to try out a local athletics club, so we entered ourselves into the 6 km New Years Resolution Run.  Being the first one of the year, I was bit sluggish and completed it in 39:59. Whilst it was a very well ran event and a lovely course, we were a bit disappointed with the attitude of those in the running club and won't be back.

Next up was the sunset series. A series of three 8km runs. This included a race around & through the Melbourne Zoo, The Tan and Princess Park. The zoo run was pretty awesome and one of my favourite events - will definitely be doing it again next year. Luckily throughout the three races, I improved my time at each one. 56:22; 53:21 & 51.22.

Run for the Kids was next. It's an event that has always been one of my favs as it raises money for the good friday appeal. So on Sunday 13th April I set off to run my longest ever - 15km's! It's a course so unique that it takes you through tunnels and over bridges taking in some of the best views around Melbourne. I was exhausted, but finally made it over the line in 1.58.

Next up was Run Melbourne on Sunday 27th July. This was a special one as it was the first race Peter signed up to do with me and we were also celebrating our sixth anniversary together. Pete of course smashed it, and I finished in just over the hour.

And finally, the big one... My first Half Marathon at the Melbourne Marathon Festival on Sunday 12th October.  And what a big day it was... The adrenalin, the emotion, the highs, the lows, it was the race that had it all, and I actually did it! Amazing.. 

City 2 Sea on Sunday 16th November was next on the agenda. The weather wasn't on our side for this one but it was a nice and flat 15k course that started at the MCG and finished in St Kilda.

And, finally, my last run for 2014 was the Sussan's Classic on Sunday 7th December. Again, weather was terrible, but it suited me as I smashed my 10k record and I'm now only a few minutes off cracking that hour!

So there you have it folks. Thank you again, for the support and encouragement you have given me a long way. It's what has motivated me and kept me going. Who know's what instal for 2015, guess you'll have to just wait and see,

Happy Running
xo

Susans Classic Re~Cap

Well folks, yesterday marked my final fun run for 2014. 

It was an early start, 5.30am to be exact and Melbourne was experiencing a massive down pour. It literally had not stopped raining the entire night... Vastly different from the extreme heat wave we experienced at the same event this time last year. So while the rest of you were sleeping and snuggled up in your doona's I braved the conditions and headed off to St Kilda to run the 10k course.

Ready to go !!! Huddling under a tree from the rain!

 The rain didn't let up for the entirety of the race and it was a bit on the cool side, but I was happy.. Give me rain rather than heat any day. It was a lovely flat course but thanks to all the rain, the last half a kilometer became a bit of cross country course. The course finished on a dirt pathway that was covered in pot holes and puddles, and we had to dodge our way through them making sure we didn't fall over at the same time. 

And we're off

I didn't quie sub the hour I was hoping to but I did beat my PB from Run Melbourne in July by 2 mins to run over the line in an 1.04. At the same event last year which was my first 10's I ran it 1.11 so I'm pretty stoked to think I've improved my time by 7 mins. 

It's all about the Bling!

So what's install for 2015 you might ask? 

At the stage, nothing. I'll probably do my favourite Run for the Kids, but that's pretty much it. As I've said before I really just wanna enjoy the running now and focus on getting quicker and trying to crack that hour for my 10k's and getting under the half n hour for 5k's.  I'm so close, so watch this space!

 

Until next time,

Night all and happy running xo

P.S. The Susan's Classic Women's Fun Run  raises money towards the Breast Cancer Network of Australia.  The BCNA provides support to Australians affected by Breast Cancer and provides Women with the very best support, information, treatment and care appropriate for their needs. It's a women only event, where women run in pink to honor loved ones that lost their battle and to also raise awareness.

Field of women

City2Sea

It's all about the bling

Firstly, apologies for being a little slack with my blogging since my half marathon. To be perfectly honest, I haven't been doing much running since. Just my weekly run group with friends and a couple of park runs. I hadn't run more than 6k's since.

I was under prepared and feeling pretty anxious about it and had no one to blame but myself. I was even considering downgrading from the 15 k event to the 5. But thankfully I have very good friends and encouraged me to get out there and JFDI... But I needn't worry cause it ended up working in my favour as my legs felt so fresh and ready and raring to go.

Our race was scheduled to start at 8.20 so me and the girls, (Hayley and Katherine) decided that a taxi into town was the best option as the first train wouldn't have got us in on time. Overnight there had been a massive thunderstorm and it poured rain the entire night. It was still bucketing down as we made our way into the city and huddled under the shelter of the MCG. DJ Havana Brown kept us entertained and soon enough the starter gun went off and we were off and running. Through green confetti and all...

As with most fun runs, the first few kilometers flew by... It was still drizzling but not as heavy as it had been during the night. It was actually quite refreshing for a change instead of running in the usual heat. There was plenty of entertainment along the way, and before I knew I made it to the 8's.. I was starting to tire but thankfully just around the corner was another a drink station. So I had a gel and a Gatorade, and it was like boom!! I went into another gear, which was exactly what I needed for the last 5.

As we turned the last corner, I finally saw the finish line off in the distance and went for it. For the last 1.5 kilometers I managed to keep a 5.20 per km pace, and geez it felt good. Just need to work on keeping that pace for an entire race. A girl can dream hey :) 

So there you have it folks another big fun run done and dusted. As I mentioned after my half I'm really excited to just focus on getting quicker now and to just enjoy. The next challenge will be the Susan's classic 10km in 2 weeks, which I'm hoping to crack the hour, or if not, at least a PB...

So until next time, night all and happ running,
xo

We did it!! Hayley, me and Katherine

My Official Results

My First Half Marathon

Complete. I can now tick a Half Marathon of my bucket list. And what a morning it was. I was always find post race re-caps so hard to start cause I'm just so excited and there's so much to share but I'll try and do my best not blab on for too long.

The night before a big race I tend to stick to the same routine. A nice big bowl of pasta for dinner, a bath, and sometimes a sneaky vodka as a night cap to help me sleep. But this time, i tried something a little different. I added a few drop of Serenity Essential Oil to the bath which helps calms the mind and relaxes your body. Lets just say, I reckon I was asleep as soon I hit the pillow and had the best sleep I've ever had pre race day.  So thankyou to my good friend Raels for opening my mind to these wonderful oils, was the bestest sleep I ever had!!

After such a great sleep the alarm went off at 6am and I bounced out bed. I was so nervous but excited. After a quick slice of toast with honey on it, a banana and a electrolyte for breakky we were in the car and on the way.

The Starting line - was just crazy!

 It was a picture perfect morning, and I was getting more and more nervous as we hung around at the start line.  Thankfully, I found my friend Hayley and it was almost time to start. A quick kiss good luck from Pete and we were off..

The 1st kilometer flew by and I said goodbye to Hayley as her and her long legs ran off into the distance..... But surprise, Mum had caught the train down and was just around the next corner waiting for me. Big hug from her and then time to re-focus and keep going. As usual I was feeling pretty good during the first few k's, then I randomly bumped into my friend and fellow running buddy Katherine. Who would have thought hey. Was great having the company as we could push each other along.

As we ran down St Kilda Rd, approaching the 5km point we couldn't believe our luck. The front leaders (Ethopians and Kenyans) of the marathon were streaming past on the home stretch already. Cheers went up and they looked amazing.  So inspiring as we continued to plod along. About another kilometer down road, and Steve Moneghetti past it. He was competing in the half also and ran an incredible time of 69 mins. Ridiculous. 

Mum was awesome, she somehow managed to find us at the 6km / 14km and 17km. She had wet cold towels for us, much to the jealousy of everyone else around us, as by about the 14ks it was starting to get very very warm. Unfortunately, Pete kept missing me. Apparently I was too slow and he kept thinking he missed me and moved onto the next spot. DOH. 

I was feeling OK up until about the 15kms ...  the last few k's in particular were horrible and I was so glad to see mum around the 17k mark. She ran along side me and told me I could do it and to keep pushing. I was in tears and feeling really overwhelmed but that push was what got me through the last bit.

The last couple of K's were a real struggle. But nothing could beat running up the bridge to the MCG and having the cheers of the crowd and marathoners come streaming past you to push you a long. I broke down in tears again, clearly overwhelmed by the whole experience but so happy we were almost finished. Thank goodness I had the sunnies on !! 

On the home stretch

Again, Mum somehow found on the last corner, and we could finally see the finish line. Into the home stretch I finally saw Peter on sideline cheering us through. Katherine and I grabbed each other's hand for the hero's finish. WE DID IT.... 

Hayley, Me and Katherine

So overall I was pretty happy with how I went. I managed to run the whole race without stopping and only walked a couple of times during the water stations. I was aiming for around 2.30 - 2.40 but realistically thought I would be lucky to get in around 2.50. My nike app said 2.43 but officially my time was 2.48 ... 

Hayley & Me

Whilst I enjoyed the experience, for the moment, I don't think I'll ever do a half marathon again. I would much rather focus on improving my speed and working on my 10-15's and subbing the hour.. It's far more realistic for me and at the moment I just wanna enjoy it rather than struggle through half of it. 

So on a final note, thank you everyone for all of your support and encouragement, it really got me over that finish line. As I head into the next chapter my goal is to become a healthier, happier and even more fitter Sarah. To just enjoy it and keep on running.  

Mum & I

Me and Peter - Thanks so much getting up so early on your day off, what a trooper!

It's all about the BLING!