MM Pacer

I signed up to be a pacer for the Melbourne Marathon. It is something that I have always wanted to do and I am really looking forward to it.

Unfortunately I did not get the 4:00 group as I would have preferred, but I will lead the the 4:15 group. I expect that 90% of my group will be first timers and I am can't wait to see if I can help them finish.

Lead up to Melbourne Marathon

A mixed bag of running over the past 6 weeks. After running the Tan Ultra (only 11 laps) on top of my injuries I was not able to run without severe pain for nearly two weeks. Slowly eased back into it with a 30km run (!!!) and some interval work.

I am going to run MM anyway and will probably be happy with a sub-3:40 based on my lack of training. It does frustrate me because 8 weeks ago I was doing the kms and starting the speed work for a real bash at a 3:20ish time. I guess I will just go out and enjoy the day.

Injuries

Yesterday I was diagnosed with Hamstring Origin Tendinopathy plus Piriformis condition.

I knew it was getting bad. Sitting down sometimes hurts more than running. The pain is really deep in my butt very difficult to identify, but the physio did a test yesterday to confirm it:
I was lying on my back with the physio sitting on the bench next to me. My left leg was raised straight up and resting on his shoulder and my right leg was bent 90 degrees. I had to press down with my left leg onto his shoulder and raise my butt a couple of inches off the bench. Total agony!!! I could not even attempt it! The same test on the right side caused me pain as well, but nowhere near as bad as the left side.

I knew had problems in the lead-up to and then during Six Foot Track this year. Dispite the rest I took in April & May, the condition has worsened and now would be classed as chronic.

So, do I stop running? Of course not!! We have set out a management plan for the next couple of months. It will continue to hurt, but with treatment will probably not get any worse than what it already is. I want to get through until Melbourne Marathon, then I will take an extended break. The one rule is no more hills.

Back to Blog

My blog way out of date. I haven't really had anything to say. Running anything from 60km to 100km each week depending on what I have time for.

Next Sunday I am attempting the 100km Ultra around the Tan. I know I can run at least 50-60km of it and would be happy with that, but I just want to see how far I can go. No pressure at all.

I still have a big problem with my left hamstring/glute. It is a really deep pain that hurts when I sit down - and even more when I am in the car driving. I am hoping that I can alleviate this this with some therapy this week.

Note to self: MORE STRETCHING!

Gold Coast

At one stage I was going to run the GC Marathon as a nice long training run. On Friday afternoon when I went to enter the race, I decided that it would probably be better for me to do a quick Half Marathon.

Saturday afternoon and those plans changed again when I caught up with a friend who was doing her first Half and aiming for a 1:50 time. I decided then that I wasn't in the right frame of mind (or training!) to run a PB so I chose to run with her to help her out.

So to make up for doing an 'easy' Half, I ran 5km before the start and did another 6km down the marathon course at the finish to clock a steady 32km for the day. We ran 1:50.01 gun time, 1:48.24 net time. I was surprised that it took a little more out of me than I expected and I was sore on Monday.

Bad few days

My ex husband remarried on Saturday. I can't put a finger on exactly how I am feeling. I have cried an awful lot the past 48 hours - but it is not about him. It's more of a reminder about how shitty my life has become and I feel like I am drowning at the moment.

I saw them this morning in Williamstown and I totally broke down in the car. I know they are off on their honeymoon today and I really want them to be happy. Why can't I be happy?

Running the past few days has been the furthest thing on my mind. I did not even have the energy to get up this morning for the Run Melbourne Half Marathon. There's $80 wasted.

Plodding along

My Sunday long run this week just didn't happen. I am so sick of being tired. I have been travelling way too much for work lately and it totally mucks me around. Add to that my messy house I simply can't get motivated to go for a run when I look at everything I need (washing, cleaning, etc).

I was planning to go to the Dandenongs early on Sunday morning but I had so many things to do that I just couldn't justify the time for a run. I also had MCC tickets to the Carlton/Collingwood game (Go Blues!!!) which meant I had to be at the MCG by 1pm. Therefore the only run I could fit in was 1 hour whilst my youngest son was at footy training (thankfully he had a bye this week!)

So...
Saturday - 50 minutes with the dog, Williamstown
Sunday am - 1 hour, Williamstown
Monday pm - 1 hour, Williamstown - included some hard efforts
Tuesday am - walk the dog
Tuesday pm - Speed/Strength session at the gym

Wasted week

Monday I ran from Williamstown into the city and around the Tan. It did become a little chilly after 5pm but I was very happy to feel so good doing a 2.5 hour run with no gels.

The rest of the week was a waste. I flew to Auckland for work on Tuesday and despite having my running gear packed, I did not get out at all. I don't sleep well when I travel and the two hour difference was enough to muck me around further. Thursday I woke up sick with a top lip full of cold sores and my glands swollen. Today I am a little better but very tired.

Going through a hate myself phase.

Back into it

This week I have managed to get out for a run most days and my results look like this:
Sunday - 21km
Monday - 11km
Tuesday - 10km
Wednesday - 12km
Thursday - Gym/weights
Friday - 8km
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - 2 hour bike + 16km run
= 78kms in 8 days.

Tomorrow (Monday) I am planning a 2.5 to 3 hour run which sould give me 100+kms in 9 days. I would like to head to the Dandenongs but I don't think I have time. Perhaps I will run into the city (15km) then over to the Tan for a couple of laps. I will have to see if I can get someone to give me a lift home if I turn up on their doorstep.

Food has been pretty bad this week. On two days I didn't eat after breakfast then Wednesday & Friday nights and this afternoon I binged. Planning to see a professional on Friday when I get back from Auckland.

A blog hiatus

I haven't written here for quite a while, I have lost motivation.....and that probably mirrors my running and life for the past 2-3 months.

I still go out an run simply to maintain my weight. I did lose quite a bit of fat in the lead-up to Six Foot and I liked the way I looked (photos here). I am a few kgs heavier now which I know looks better on me, but I prefer to be slimmer. My eating disorder is getting worse not better and I know I need help. I am sitting down tonight to write up a running/training calendar for the next 8 weeks which I hope will be the start of a better period for me.

Six Foot Track 2008

I started training for 6 Foot with two goals in mind:
1. to break 5 hours
2. to finish in the top 20 women
I knew from past events that if I achieved goal 1 then goal 2 should be attainable.

I woke up on race morning with a sore lower back. It had been playing up for a week, then the flight and 2 hours in the car the day before didn't help. I had a long hot shower before which seemed to help and we headed off in the fog to find the buses.

The start line was buzzing! I chatted with a few of the guys from Melbourne and got myself into a great position to watch the Wave 1 starters charge off. What then seemed like just a minute later they were calling us into start Wave 2. I started in the front 'half' of Wave 2 and made a good steady progress down the stairs chatting with the guys in front and behind me. At the bottom of the stairs when the road opened up everyone in front of me seemed to sprint off! I tried to get into a good pace but for some reason my head just wasn't in it. My back was sore and I was running with a slightly different posture to compensate, which in turn had started to tighten up my hamstrings.

I felt like I was running on my own until the 8k mark and [scarily] this early on I was struggling for motivation. Up to Pinnacle Hill and here was where I first realised that I may be in for a bit of trouble. As soon as I started up the hill my heart rate went nuts. I have no idea why, but it left me a feeling light-headed and sick. Down the other side I recovered quickly except for now stronger back pain going down hill. Despite all of that, my run down to Cox's was just lovely. I had no one in front of me the whole way and so I got into a groove, ignored my back and hammys and just tried to enjoy myself. I crossed the river in 1:27 after stopping to take off my shoes - pathetic I know, but this year I just didn't feel like having wet shoes for the first climb. With hindsight I should have just run through it!

Mini Mini was just ugly. Again as soon as I hit the hill my heart rate went crazy again. I was walking sections I should have easily been running but I could not keep my heart rate under control. Added to this was that my hamstrings had tightened up and even walking uphill was painful. I kept going though (thanks to the encouragement of other runners) but approaching the aid station at Alum Creek I was seriously considering pulling out of the event. I popped a couple of panadol and decided to walk to the top of the hill anyway. Yes I am a masochist.

Up Pluvi and along the way I walked with a guy who was doing his 4th race, but this year just out enjoying the day. He unwittingly motivated me by saying that my sub-5 hour goal was completely gone and we were on pace for a 5:45 finish. No bloody way! I didn't do all that training for 5:45. The last section of Pluvi I managed a walk/run strategy and made it to the top in 2:56. It took me nearly 1:30 to the top and it was horrible most of the way - slower than last year too. I said to myself as I grabbed another banana that I could still do a sub-5 if I didn't walk from here to the end.

It wasn't pretty but it I was running. I can proudly say that I ran 90% of Black Range and tried to push the downhills too which I run well. I crossed Caves Rd at 4:23 and knew I had to go all out for the last 7k but I could still do it as I can run downhill pretty quickly. The last 3k, when I realised I was going to hit my sub-5 goal were just sensational. I could not wipe the smile off my face. I was running in total agony as my back seized up on the downhill sections, yet I continued to overtake people. So many runners that I passed were giving me encouragement to keep going.

I do not believe there is any better feeling than that final km of Six foot when you can hear the noise from down below and you know it is almost over! I looked down at the finish line from the last hill and saw my friend standing there waiting for me. I had a huge smile on my face, yet at the same time I just wanted to burst into tears.

4:58 - 18th female.
Happy & proud; frustrated & sore.
Pretty much sums up Six Foot for me!

Last long run

Last week I had 4 huge working days in Auckland during which time I only was able to get out for 1 run - a lovely 45 minute loop around the Domain - I met up with pbig (Peter), Caleb, Oldknees (Nick) & Brian for a run in the Dandenongs.

God I was tired but so glad that I agreed to meet them at the bottom of One Tree Hill - If I didn't then I would probably still be in bed! Starting up Lyrebird Track I ran at least 75% of it and hit the top feeling puffed but not totally buggered. Nick lead us (yelling from behind!) for the next hour over some great hills to Sherbrook. From here we took Ridge Track down to Micawbers then over to Grant's Picnic Ground. Peter and I wanted to to a loop here but Caleb and Nick were planning to head back so we decided to go with them an possibly to another Lyrebird/Steps repeat to finish.

Well I am glad that we did turn around. The rain was continuing and it became very cold very quickly. I was really struggling back along Lloyds Track and my hands were completely numb. I kept a good steady pace though and ran all the way through to the top of One Tree Hill despite both hamstrings/glutes seizing up in the cold and the pain in my hands. Down the steps very carefully as it was wet and slippery. Halfway down you could feel the temperature change and by the time we hit the bottom it was perfect running conditions again.

The last 400m run down hill absolutely killed me in my butt and I could not speed up like Peter and Caleb managed. I briefly contemplated the Lyrebird/Steps repeat but I was cold, wet and sore so I bailed!

A good tough 2.5 hours though

Maroondah Dam - 3rd race, 3rd girl

A mixed day for me at Maroondah. The first hour and a bit was just terrible. My heart rate was way too high, I had to pull right back and I was walking some of the hills I ran last year. I was starting to think this early on that it was going to be a very long and ugly day out.

It was on the second steep grass hill that the first 50k runner passed me. It was just astounding to see him demolish the hill that we were all walking.

After the nice downhill run towards the start of Mt Monda hills I actually started to feel good. I had overtaken 2 female runners during this section so I knew I was in 3rd. Amazing how motivating that is so I set the goal of not being passed by anyone if possible. I ran a few of the t Monda hills pretty well and made it to Chilliman & OldKnees' banquet feast feeling great.....maybe it just takes me an hour and a half to warm up? Up Mt St Leonards and back down the other side and I was feeling fabulous!

I managed to maintain a good pace for the last hour and continued to overtake runners all the way down to the bridge at Donnelly's Weir - at least 10 guys. I caught up to the 2nd place girl here but she took off again along the viaduct looking really strong.

The final km I tried to speed up again and surprisingly the legs worked. Cruised down the path to the dam and almost sprinted along the dam wall passing another 3 runners. I turned down the final path and I felt like I was flying. I run the downhills pretty well and it was here about 200m from the end that I caught up with another runner. It wasn't supposed to be shoulder-to-shoulder sprint finish...but it was downhill, I was on a roll and somehow it just happened that we were pushing each other to the end. Shockingly he tripped with about 100m to go and had a really bad fall onto he knees and face. It didn't look pretty.

So about 15 minutes slower than last year (3:01) - and I would attribute that my woeful first 10kms and a bit of heat on the day - but a fantastic back half for me. I will take that any day rather than a great start but a blow up/struggle to the end. This year we also took the path over 2 huge grassy hills, rather than the road which we followed last year. There were more runnable sections on the road so I think at least 5 mins of my time is the extra walking on these hills.

In the end I was overtaken by 6 guys between Mt Monda and coming off Mt St Leonards , but I got five of them back in the last section, plus at least another 7 on the decent and last 2km. Very happy with that!

A good week before Maroondah

Nice solid runs this week, including a few with intervals and efforts.

I am really looking forward to Maroondah Dam on Sunday. I think I was in better shape to race it last year because it was after Six Foot. This year I have done plenty of long runs, but as I am reaching the end of my training for 6FT the legs are very heavy.

Not much running again

Back from Hong Kong on Saturday evening and I only did one run the whole week.

Thursday am I made it to the treadmill at the gym for a 45 min run increasing the speed every 5 mins - 10.5 kmph, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 12 kmph.

On Saturday morning before our flight I posted to the Trail Running group that I was going to run in the Dandenongs at 8am. By doing this I knew then I would be committed to getting out of bed and running them hills!

Thankfully pbig met me at the base of 1000 steps and we headed off to the Channel 10 towers with a powerwalk up Lyrebird Track. I can't believe I actually ran that entire track a few months ago.

Great hard run which too us around 3:20. I then added some extra torture with another walk up Lyrebird Track and back down the steps again for nearly 4 hours on my feet.

Monday - rest
Tuesday - sore but easy 1/2 hour before early flight to Sydney
Wednesday - right quad very sore but did 3 laps of the Tan after work. Should have done 4.
Thursday - stuck at work, no chance to run at all
Friday - headache, no run again

What is going on?

4.6 weeks to Six Foot

Sunday was a long tough run with CRs pbig and kai li at Lysterfield. We were out there for a bit under 3 hours and did a good 30k with some big hills.

All of us struggled at some point and we each were very glad that the others were there to keep us going! I think the humidity really took it's toll, despite the 7am early start.

God I wish I had kai li's strength up the hills!

I fly out to Hong Kong this afternoon but the legs feel ok.

5 weeks to Six Foot

Again my running has been very ad hoc. There is once again no pattern or routine.

The past two weeks I have ridden to work (city to Burwood) a few times which I feel is really good cross training. Last Wednesday rode to work then ran home on the trail and did a lap of the Tan for about 22km.

Sun 13 afternoon 16km Williamstown
Mon 14 evening 2 x Lyrebird Track and 1000 Steps
Tue 15 Ride to and from work (40km total)
Wed 16 Ride to work, run home via the Tan for 22km
Thu 17 --- rest
Fri 18 --- no time (should have run Thursday)
Sat 19 evening 12km
Sun 20 Slept until 11:50am! 9km steady in the evening
Mon 21 6am start at One Tree Hill for 3:20. Evening 45 min ride
Tue 22 --- rest
Wed 23 --- no time (should have run Tuesday)
Thu 24 Morning easy 6km with dog, evening 11km with final 5km hard
Fri 25 stiff & sore so morning walk with the dog
Sat 26 8km including 3 x 3min efforts
Sun 27 Plan: Lysterfield, 3-4 hours

Running in FNQ

I have just returned from 5 days up at Trinity Beach (north of Cairns). Let me say that running up there in the humidity is hard bloody work!

The first morning I went out for 1/2 hour and it was a huge struggle with my breathing the entire way. The second day seemed a little easier, but even just a 50 minute run with a couple of hill repeats left me totally spent.

On my birthday (8th January) I had the guys drop me off at the local gym where I did a solid workout in lovely air-conditioned comfort!!! I freely admit that I was becomming very uptight that I couldn't run properly in the heat and I hate the feeling I have when I don't exercise.

Treadmill: After a 3km warm up (ha) of steady running I did 8 x 800 at sub-4min pace (quick for me) with 2 min recovery in between. Even with an air-conditioning unit blowing directly on me I was drenched in sweat. Followed this with 100 sit-ups and about 20 minutes of light weights. A nice an easy 2k jog back to the house in light rain and I was happier than I had ever been!

Dinner that night never tasted so good!