Hi All,
Quick update, I've had a crazy few weeks and a very disrupted training schedule, more lows than highs.. Some physical, some psychological, and some logistical.
But, there's just under six weeks to go now, and as of right now I'm feeling excited and positive to face the challenge ahead and make the most of the time that is remaining.
Fundraising wise with the remaining chocolate to sell I'll be at about $3000. I haven't wanted to do another fundraising push until my long runs are back on track, which will be the case, I'm quite positive, after this Saturday, but I also feel good that I have a full four weeks after the marathon where I can focus my energy on raising whatever is left.
This is a quick post to break the not-posting block, so I'll see you again later this week.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
City to Surf excitement
I'm excited about the city to surf now.. there's so many people here at the hostel doing it, it's really exciting! I've had my breaky, I'm hydrating, I'm just about to pop into the shower.
Was just doing a little online research about joining a boot camp for a few weeks to beef up the core strength and cross training in support of the marathon training (given the circus thing didn't quite work out). I'd do it at flagstaff gardens three days a week which would fit in around my three programmed runs (one alone, two with cantoo) and yoga... So I'd only have one workout to motivate myself individually for, and it'd also work me towards my goal of getting up earlier in the morning.. hmmm options options!!
Ok, loving you my dear reader, looking forward to today! can't wait to see bondi! xx
Was just doing a little online research about joining a boot camp for a few weeks to beef up the core strength and cross training in support of the marathon training (given the circus thing didn't quite work out). I'd do it at flagstaff gardens three days a week which would fit in around my three programmed runs (one alone, two with cantoo) and yoga... So I'd only have one workout to motivate myself individually for, and it'd also work me towards my goal of getting up earlier in the morning.. hmmm options options!!
Ok, loving you my dear reader, looking forward to today! can't wait to see bondi! xx
Saturday, August 8, 2009
City to Surf Tomorrow, brief mention of 5k disappointment
It's Saturday night and I'm at the youth hostel in Sydney.
Tomorrow is the city to surf and I'm downloading podcasts and ripping my two new cds by chairlift and the hilltop hoods to load up the ipod shuffle with listening material for tomorrow.
After a few days walking around Sydney I am recquainted with how hilly it is, tomorrow is going to be a challenging hilly course. However - I have run far greater distances in the past, and If I approach it just as a training run it should be an interesting and fun cultural experience (It's 75,000 runners, the largest fun run in the world, and it ends at Bondi Beach which I've never been to before).. I will try to remember to chill out and manage the moment (hence loading up the ipod, definitely not a run where I want to rely on breath association as the only tool to get me through).
Disappointingly, when I bolted out the house on Thursday morning I forgot to pack my cantoo singlet that I'd worn to training and then washed the night before. So I will be running without my cantoo identification, and hence without all the support and cameraderie a CanToo singlet generates! I will still go and say hello to the cantoo guys after the race, you can't stop me.. and at least I've got my shoelaces!
I think it's going to be pretty warm but I'll wear my addidas running tights since I can stuff some cash in the back pocket to head out for breakfast afterwards (If I can.. I'm sure Bondi will be a madhouse).
I'm pretty exhausted right now and a bit dehydrated. The last two days I spent wandering around Sydney and taking in the glorious sunshine, but haven't taken the best care of my hydration needs. I didn't exactly rest the past two days but I didn't train either, my legs aren't fresh but they don't feel like they're about to fall off.
Thursday morning though when I first got here I went for a run up to the Botanic Gardens and then spent an hour giving myself a personal training session, lots of repeated short bursts of activity like sprints and running up stairs and ab work. It was actually great fun and a type of workout I'd like to do more of in the future - very sore Friday though!
I was in part trying to appease for my very disappointing 5k run on Wednesday. I worked hard, had the heart rate about where I wanted it, and managed to just stay in control.. Conditions that I hoped would result in an improvement on the last 5k when I went too hard, had no control, but almost broke 30 mins - this time it was 31 mins something and I was really quite down about it.
But tonight that's not on my mind at all, I just want to get some hydration in me, get the ipod loaded and then get some rest, and get my gear ready for the morning! It's a 9 oclock start and apparently the back of the pack won't start until after 9:30 or perhaps even closer to 10, so I don't need an early start which is quite nice! I will probably shower tonight so tomorrow morning I can get up, eat a light breakfast (not an option on those 7am starts), and head out the door just before 9.
Tomorrow is the city to surf and I'm downloading podcasts and ripping my two new cds by chairlift and the hilltop hoods to load up the ipod shuffle with listening material for tomorrow.
After a few days walking around Sydney I am recquainted with how hilly it is, tomorrow is going to be a challenging hilly course. However - I have run far greater distances in the past, and If I approach it just as a training run it should be an interesting and fun cultural experience (It's 75,000 runners, the largest fun run in the world, and it ends at Bondi Beach which I've never been to before).. I will try to remember to chill out and manage the moment (hence loading up the ipod, definitely not a run where I want to rely on breath association as the only tool to get me through).
Disappointingly, when I bolted out the house on Thursday morning I forgot to pack my cantoo singlet that I'd worn to training and then washed the night before. So I will be running without my cantoo identification, and hence without all the support and cameraderie a CanToo singlet generates! I will still go and say hello to the cantoo guys after the race, you can't stop me.. and at least I've got my shoelaces!
I think it's going to be pretty warm but I'll wear my addidas running tights since I can stuff some cash in the back pocket to head out for breakfast afterwards (If I can.. I'm sure Bondi will be a madhouse).
I'm pretty exhausted right now and a bit dehydrated. The last two days I spent wandering around Sydney and taking in the glorious sunshine, but haven't taken the best care of my hydration needs. I didn't exactly rest the past two days but I didn't train either, my legs aren't fresh but they don't feel like they're about to fall off.
Thursday morning though when I first got here I went for a run up to the Botanic Gardens and then spent an hour giving myself a personal training session, lots of repeated short bursts of activity like sprints and running up stairs and ab work. It was actually great fun and a type of workout I'd like to do more of in the future - very sore Friday though!
I was in part trying to appease for my very disappointing 5k run on Wednesday. I worked hard, had the heart rate about where I wanted it, and managed to just stay in control.. Conditions that I hoped would result in an improvement on the last 5k when I went too hard, had no control, but almost broke 30 mins - this time it was 31 mins something and I was really quite down about it.
But tonight that's not on my mind at all, I just want to get some hydration in me, get the ipod loaded and then get some rest, and get my gear ready for the morning! It's a 9 oclock start and apparently the back of the pack won't start until after 9:30 or perhaps even closer to 10, so I don't need an early start which is quite nice! I will probably shower tonight so tomorrow morning I can get up, eat a light breakfast (not an option on those 7am starts), and head out the door just before 9.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
5K Time Trial Tonight
Not as optimistic as I'd hoped to be about a good time tonight at our third 5k time trial.
I was hoping for well controlled run with a time under 30 minutes. Last time I did 30:12 but went out too fast and then had nothing left at the end and even stopped several times.
But, I have been eating too much food and am feeling fat and blurgh, to be quite honest, so I will just give it a red hot go at keeping control of my pace and see what arises!
After the time trial I'm off to Sydney for a few days to chill out and do city to surf. should be good!
I was hoping for well controlled run with a time under 30 minutes. Last time I did 30:12 but went out too fast and then had nothing left at the end and even stopped several times.
But, I have been eating too much food and am feeling fat and blurgh, to be quite honest, so I will just give it a red hot go at keeping control of my pace and see what arises!
After the time trial I'm off to Sydney for a few days to chill out and do city to surf. should be good!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Team! and update.
Here is a photo that was taken at training on Saturday morning, before we headed out for our 22km run.
I haven't run since then, my foot and back are feeling fine and rested. I was intending to run yesterday but was a bit sniffly and took the day off, unless I skip philosophy class tonight to do some training (which is tempting to be honest, I'm in a strange mood right now), I will be totally fresh and rested for 5k time trial tomorrow night (perhaps slightly too rested)
After that I'm off to Sydney, I don't have many plans while I'm there other than the city to surf, which I'm just doing as a training run and a bit of fun, so will hopefully be training every day I'm there.
I haven't run since then, my foot and back are feeling fine and rested. I was intending to run yesterday but was a bit sniffly and took the day off, unless I skip philosophy class tonight to do some training (which is tempting to be honest, I'm in a strange mood right now), I will be totally fresh and rested for 5k time trial tomorrow night (perhaps slightly too rested)
After that I'm off to Sydney, I don't have many plans while I'm there other than the city to surf, which I'm just doing as a training run and a bit of fun, so will hopefully be training every day I'm there.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
beyond the marathon lee still can too
as you may know I have some time off later in the year to look forward to, i'm off to bali for 10 nights at the end of nov / early dec (including my 28th birthday!). I plan to have lots of lee taylor time and lots of yoga time!
I am also thinking about joining a 'Bali Bootcamp' for 5 of the nights, with two workout sessions a day. There is so much I want to achieve with my physical condition, and I think being away and not having to juggle all my other commitments is a good way to focus on this.
One of the things I most want to be in good condition for is my other trip. Mid Dec I leave to spend three weeks in Nepal and then a week in Thailand. During the Nepal time I am spending two weeks on an Intrepid adventure tour. There will be a five day trek and other smaller treks plus a day spent white water rafting. It will be freezing at nights, warm during the day, physically and emotionally challenging and should also be spiritually very rewarding. I can't wait to see Nepal it seems like such an incredibly beautiful place.
ciao for now xx
I am also thinking about joining a 'Bali Bootcamp' for 5 of the nights, with two workout sessions a day. There is so much I want to achieve with my physical condition, and I think being away and not having to juggle all my other commitments is a good way to focus on this.
One of the things I most want to be in good condition for is my other trip. Mid Dec I leave to spend three weeks in Nepal and then a week in Thailand. During the Nepal time I am spending two weeks on an Intrepid adventure tour. There will be a five day trek and other smaller treks plus a day spent white water rafting. It will be freezing at nights, warm during the day, physically and emotionally challenging and should also be spiritually very rewarding. I can't wait to see Nepal it seems like such an incredibly beautiful place.
ciao for now xx
22Km report, plus wednesdays speedwork
Wednesday night I managed my sub 6 min Ks - doing 5:50, 5:48: 5:49, 5:44, and 5:29. I was really stoked to achieve so much consistency on the first four and be able to lift it up a notch for the final repeat.
Thursday I took a half an hour easy run at lunchtime and checked out the turnaround point for saturday.
I managed to get plenty of sleep for wed, thurs, and fri nights which really helped me when it came to getting out of bed at 6am Saturday morning.
The 22k run took me about 2:33, I negative splitted by just over a minute and beat my half marathon time, so I'm pleased. It was my longest run to date and after being a bit all over the place the last few weeks I was a little worried, but catching up on sleep this week has really put me out ahead and I was able to run without struggle the whole way and pick it up a little, but not a lot, on the way home.
I did walk up anderson st hill on the way back. I started shuffling up it, little steps, keeping my heart rate constant, and then I thought "bugger this" and walked up it, taking big strides and getting the circulation pumping.
I didn't walk any other time though, and I started jogging again as soon as practical, near the top of the hill where there is still an incline but it is less dramatic.
During the long run I wore my hydration pack and used my gels at 45 min intervals. No dramas internally from the fuel and hydration, but I did have some uncomfortable tightness in my back from the hydration pack, not keen. I think practicing with it on my shorter runs could be a good idea.
I am keen before the next long run (which is a fortnight away, due to city to surf in sydney next weekend) to have a go at making my own race fuel, gels or bars, and just take gels as a backup - watch this space for an update!
Though I finished quite strongly and comfortably, I feel shattered now. I am sore in my right foot (on top of the foot, near the toes, in an area I had pain earlier in the year that I was worried was a stress fracture at the time). I am staying chilled about it and rested with my legs against a wall at home after my hot shower which felt good. I'm just going to take it as easy as possible this weekend and be off my feet as much as possible - avoiding my typical frantic weekend behaviour basically.
I'm also a bit sore in my left calf but it doesn't feel like a big deal. I am off to the movies this afternoon and dinner with friends tonight, but have an easy day planned tomorrow and will hopefully get a little relaxation time in the pool later.
I ran twenty two kilometres today! I did well on my splits on Wednesday night! I got enough sleep this week!
And sold my house, and (I think) passed my last exam for my grad cert!
So, good times. I am proud of my efforts.
Tired... but proud.
It's wonderful at the moment that because of the condition I'm in (ie, not great!) any training leads to some improvement. That's the positive way to look at it!
But I'm again reminded, if I could do a bit better on the nutrition over the next 10 weeks, keep up the good work on the sleep front, and keep working on my strength building, well those things will all help tremendously!
I leave for Sydney on thursday after the 5k time trial Wed night so hopefully a bit of time away will give me a chance to eat well, rest well, keep the stress levels low.
It's crazy to think that in 10 weeks it will be the day before the marathon. 10 weeks! I am happy with how things are progressing. It doesn't totally match my expectations - I had been expecting it to get easier all the time and for the weight to fall off. What can I say, I'm an optimist! But it's the optimism that gets me into the place to do the difficult things, so for that, I am greatful. It is true that I need to spend a bit more time enjoying the present moment rather than giving all my attention to comparing the present to an imaginary optimal present, or living in the future.. But it's all coming along..
Thursday I took a half an hour easy run at lunchtime and checked out the turnaround point for saturday.
I managed to get plenty of sleep for wed, thurs, and fri nights which really helped me when it came to getting out of bed at 6am Saturday morning.
The 22k run took me about 2:33, I negative splitted by just over a minute and beat my half marathon time, so I'm pleased. It was my longest run to date and after being a bit all over the place the last few weeks I was a little worried, but catching up on sleep this week has really put me out ahead and I was able to run without struggle the whole way and pick it up a little, but not a lot, on the way home.
I did walk up anderson st hill on the way back. I started shuffling up it, little steps, keeping my heart rate constant, and then I thought "bugger this" and walked up it, taking big strides and getting the circulation pumping.
I didn't walk any other time though, and I started jogging again as soon as practical, near the top of the hill where there is still an incline but it is less dramatic.
During the long run I wore my hydration pack and used my gels at 45 min intervals. No dramas internally from the fuel and hydration, but I did have some uncomfortable tightness in my back from the hydration pack, not keen. I think practicing with it on my shorter runs could be a good idea.
I am keen before the next long run (which is a fortnight away, due to city to surf in sydney next weekend) to have a go at making my own race fuel, gels or bars, and just take gels as a backup - watch this space for an update!
Though I finished quite strongly and comfortably, I feel shattered now. I am sore in my right foot (on top of the foot, near the toes, in an area I had pain earlier in the year that I was worried was a stress fracture at the time). I am staying chilled about it and rested with my legs against a wall at home after my hot shower which felt good. I'm just going to take it as easy as possible this weekend and be off my feet as much as possible - avoiding my typical frantic weekend behaviour basically.
I'm also a bit sore in my left calf but it doesn't feel like a big deal. I am off to the movies this afternoon and dinner with friends tonight, but have an easy day planned tomorrow and will hopefully get a little relaxation time in the pool later.
I ran twenty two kilometres today! I did well on my splits on Wednesday night! I got enough sleep this week!
And sold my house, and (I think) passed my last exam for my grad cert!
So, good times. I am proud of my efforts.
Tired... but proud.
It's wonderful at the moment that because of the condition I'm in (ie, not great!) any training leads to some improvement. That's the positive way to look at it!
But I'm again reminded, if I could do a bit better on the nutrition over the next 10 weeks, keep up the good work on the sleep front, and keep working on my strength building, well those things will all help tremendously!
I leave for Sydney on thursday after the 5k time trial Wed night so hopefully a bit of time away will give me a chance to eat well, rest well, keep the stress levels low.
It's crazy to think that in 10 weeks it will be the day before the marathon. 10 weeks! I am happy with how things are progressing. It doesn't totally match my expectations - I had been expecting it to get easier all the time and for the weight to fall off. What can I say, I'm an optimist! But it's the optimism that gets me into the place to do the difficult things, so for that, I am greatful. It is true that I need to spend a bit more time enjoying the present moment rather than giving all my attention to comparing the present to an imaginary optimal present, or living in the future.. But it's all coming along..
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