Slowly slowly, running again

Hi all,

I have been absent for what feels like ages. It has taken a long time to recover from this tendonosis. I didn't run for 3 months, I did try a few times but it was far too painful to continue. Since the injury back in July(was it that long ago?)I have run about 10 times. I am now able to run 50 mins every other day, but very slowly and carefully. It still hurts a little bit, just enough to remind me not to push it. Afer Sacha's awesome effort here in Melbourne the pressure is on me now to get back into my training. I am going to aim for the Gold Coast marathon in June 2011, hopefully the training will go well without more injury.

Team Ryco have now decided to aim for Boston 2012 (or are we now considering NY or Tokyo??).

Sorry this is a boring post without graphics but for some reason I can't upload photos at the moment...one more thing to sort out....

[Ry]

Yep - Its Flat

[co] Done and dusted!

3:29:47... so sneaked under my goal... but not quite my secret goal (we'll leave that hanging).

It was a great day as the gun went off... nice and overcast, as 4,500 of us got underway. Managed to find a good pace to start - felt 'quick' but decided to run by feel and the reality is I was going to fade (it is a marathon after all) and might as well bank time away if its feeling good.

So my strategy was keep it nice and relaxed - for as long as possible.

This lasted till kilometer 25... when the legs started to feel like they were cramping, but actually it was just the quads protesting to the fact it was a pretty flat course and they weren't happy... but kept it up till about kilometer 28 when went over the 5 min/km mark for the first time.

From there it was a battle of wills (with myself) to keep it up... make the goal.

At kilometer 29 I heard a massive stampede come up from behind, as the 3:20 pace group went past.. I tried to hang.. but to no avail...

Kilometer 35 (in the 'tan' - thats the botanical gardens for the non locals) sponge bob took me down... yes a chick in a sponge bob outfit... that one stung a little...

(can see here how it all started to go a bit downhill at 28 kilometers)

and then the slog into the MCG... but it was worth it (I think)... as I hobbled around for the rest of the day...

so:
good news: under the Boston qualifying time
bad news: Lisa was injured so only ran the 10 km
good news: still going for Boston - but 2012
even better news: my time counts for next year... so i don't need to do it again!

So Team Ryco on a little break... will update when we get back in training for 2012.

Till then 'over and out'

Nearly There...

[co]... little smurfs!

Okay into taper before the big day! Do I hear a 'yay'?

Taper is always a little weird - you look forward to it, love it, but in other ways it brings a strange slowing down of the body... that makes you feel raring to go and all sleepy at the same time... as well as the mental expectation of the big day!

Its always an interesting place to be for a few days. But have the plan and really until Wednesday the weeks pretty much standard... and then Friday off to Melbourne. So only a few days to worry... and that's more about making sure I am comfortable with the plan around pacing and eventualities (that will occur - its the way of the world)and making sure I get some shopping time in Friday before Saturday as official 'do nothing, hit the couch' rest up day... I know I can do it if I stick to the pre race plan...

So a marathon doesn't feel too big a deal these days (it is all relative)... but still its about the expectations (and i am fully aware that running this will actually be hard... and new for me), which are:

Goal one: run hard
Goal two: under 3:45
Goal three: its a secret

Now we all have secret times we set... so do I... so hence not telling... will keep you updated if I achieve it (I think thats fair).

Let the HTFU run training experiment commence!

Who Are You Racing?

[co] So this week has been about chugging through another steady week of running... but it did occur to me as I sat at work, on Friday afternoon at about 2 pm, struggling to get up from my desk and grab a caffeine hit... that not only was I very tired... but that I seemed to have pushed myself at run intervals that morning into a tired stupor beyond the norm.

Now I was hoping that this meant that I had managed to get good gains out of the session... and while I had felt terrible over the running set of around 5.5 km of intense running, I had got good feedback from my GPS readouts as I was on the move... and had been cracking a pass a good 5 to 10 seconds faster over a kilometer than I had for a while.

Now maybe I was finally over all the winter flus etc... and maybe it was just a good day... but a big part of getting the most out of these kinds of sessions, for me, is using others in our group to race myself around our sets.

Now we all do it. We have those people we train with who we pace ourselves against. They are our yardsticks... people we have been working on beating (be it all secretly) over the winter, or those we know we can not let pass us... there is pride... or those that we just try to stop lapping us (more than once) over a morning training session.

And yes I have my chosen few that I use on Friday mornings. There is that person I love to beat, the person I try to not be over 5 minutes behind... they all keep me going and pushing... it is why training with a group can be so powerful.

Just like in a race when we meet our yo-yo friends. Those people we see as the gun goes off, that we spend the next 10, 21, 42 or 225 kilometers chasing, passing and being overtaken by, in order to keep motivated. And yet at the finish line we can turn to them and smile, that knowing smile of an event shared... while having spent time stalking them down with all intent to beat them and be first, in a private race they in all likelihood don't know they were in.

So as I sipped on my double espresso... I toasted those that I had 'raced' that morning... looking forward to next week. Wondering who might win next time...

Cracking the 100

[co] Okay nearly there... 3 more weeks and I can tick the marathon box. That'll be a relief!

So last week managed to get in a solid-ish week of running (remember these things are all relative) and got myself over the 100km mark for the 7 day period Sunday to Sunday. Not sure if I had ever made that one before (maybe pre IM... not sure, but don't think so)... but regardless as I went through the week and realised that this could be achieved it certainly helped keep me going when it all gets a little tired and stiff.

So a couple of 3 hours runs thrown in there helped. Got in touch with my inner tough guy and managed to run the 2nd one pretty much in the rain... luckily not too cold... but pretty wet. Then again when you start before 5... some of it is still done on 'sleep time' so makes it all go a bit faster in that blur of crazy 'I am up too early' reality.

But importantly got to trial the race outfit last week - tick... Time to start wearing in some new shoes - tick...

Anyway onwards and upwards.... <20 days to go. Yay!

Safety First

[co] So its been a while since I ‘blogged’… but no time like the present for an update.

Got another long run in today. Close to 3 hours in the Waitaks – hitting the concrete monster (looking at my new GPS watch managed to hit the heady heights of 9.50 min/km on my way up that one today) and scenic drive.

A small crew got going after 9… so in preparation of my run back to the village (and cars, I thought its best to wear safely garments… and well I don’t actually need an excuse! So donned the race outfit for a test run. Passed with flying colors and managed to avoid most cars (though always a bit 50/50 at times).

Whats your scary car moment? Had more on bikes to be fair... but nothing like abuse thrown out a window at you when running... do they really think I can understand them... "Gettt .... ick". Hmm the possibilities are endless. And playing these word games can help fill in the time when you have an hour or 3 to kill.

Now home and (pleasantly?) tired… legs are shot! Good news 4 weeks to go. Scary!! Been a little sick over winter and so its been an up and down ride; one day feeling like hitting my running straps, the next it’s about surviving (today was in the later camp… but you get that… ticked a box though). I suppose it’s what we all go through and I am trying to keep my eyes on the prize, reckon I have another couple of tough weeks coming (and looking forward to it) before a gradual decrease and taper… and shopping… (did I mention it’s in Melbourne!).

Spring is in the air here and that helps! Now with all the ups and downs it’s time to really commit – as triathlon season approaches in earnest I will have to put my mind to focusing… not so much on the training (that’s the easy and fun part… yes I am serious) but to those areas which make a difference – hitting those key sessions, in the right way (i.e. when its steady - make sure it is) and nutrition (yes… this one never ends… especially when I am all over the show it’s what goes first).

Anyway nap time calls. Over and out

Brand Sacha Is Back...

[co] Okay so back into the week… rolling along… after 2 rather average weeks of training. Punctuated with the flu, despondency and general lack of oomph (so therefore the lack of posts).

So this week got a bit of the old mojo back and have been rolling through the sessions. Anything that involves hard efforts I have still been doing at 80% (if lucky) as body still not fully charged, but enjoying getting the routine back. But have managed to get all running sessions ticked, bar one, it’s the swimming and biking which have suffered the most… which kind of sucks as for once (and I remind you its all relative) I actually was almost enjoying swimming… almost….

Now the point/theme of this post is about personal brands. What it is that we project about ourselves to others and how we are seen by others…. Now the fit with a blog about running a marathon is that those of us who do these kinds of things, such as marathons, do project a certain type of image to others.

We find camaraderie with those who do the same kind of things and elicit certain responses from those who don’t. From a simple sharing of 'what are you training for?'... we have each other sussed.

Now I have just started a new job. Which is also which made me think about this. No matter what I try it is hard for me not to become this person who ‘trains’, ‘races’ etc… Because in the end when I am asked ‘how was your weekend?’ it inevitably includes a reference to swimming, biking or running… not as much drinking as there used to be… and there you go, I am put into a box.

Now its not like it’s a box I don’t like. And to be fair when thinking about why we do these things… when the training is hard and not the normal definition of fun… a part of me admits that there is an appeal in being the sort of person who can do this and also an appeal in not being a person who doesn’t and all the stereotypes that image conveys.

So looking back on the 2 weeks where my training was interrupted I was also having a crisis of ‘who am I?’ (well maybe not so dramatic, but sounds better). Because while I was enjoying my enforced time off etc and motivation lacking… what was I about? If I wasn’t working towards a marathon or Ironman? Could I become a corporate ladder climber only? What would take the place of my sport obsession?

If not, what would people think of me? What do they think of me now?

Am I boxed in as an intense, focused, driven person? Are these positive or negative traits? What does sport as a core to your personal brand say about you in the wider picture?

I guess in the end I am happy with what it portrays... I cultivate it and it becomes even harder to avoid over the years.... so maybe I should just embrace it fully.... (but no tattoo yet; thats a whole other box I am not sure I can to yet)... So the question is what brand do you portray? If you don't like it... maybe time for a change...

Will I ever run again?!

[Ry]. Ok, so on Monday physio gave me the all clear to run again. How long has it been??!! 5, 6 weeks now?? I was all excited, only to be sick with a major headcold by Monday night. Two days in bed, finally back at work yesterday, feeling pretty miserable. Will attempt my first run tomorrow - all 20 mins of it. Will I ever get back into my marathon training?? Things could be worse....

Third time Lucky

[co] … or not. So hit by 3rd bout of sickness over the past weekend… what’s it with me this winter? Seem to be ready to catch something a little too easy (I guess had it pretty good last few years, but really getting over it).

So Saturday lunchtime (post training… where I knew things weren’t going too well as the Codral wore off during the session and the hill running effort was all darkness and hurt) rugged up on couch, 3 layers of clothing, heater working overtime… and I am still cold. I realized the truth of the situation (that I had a fever) once I was half way through watching Kung Fu Panda and was laughing myself silly. Never was a cartoon panda so funny… yes I had succumbed again to the flu/or whatever.




So after some more serious denial of the situation, which wasn’t accepted by anyone in my house that day, I realized that there would be no training Sunday (again). So hoped to beat it and sort myself out this week.

I guess what can you do? I take various concoctions of vitamins and other random things which are meant to help. But maybe I have just been exposed to more bugs this year and so have caught more? Hard to say.

It is also hard to fit the urge to train on top of all this… or play catch up. Give yourself those 2 days off and then catch up on what’s lost…. I know what is gone is gone. But the reality is that after missing so many sessions and I guess feeling a little out of control of the situation it is tempting….

Anyway they say things happen in 3s. I agree. Now I don’t think I am superstitious etc, but in terms of sport I am. Lucky this, lucky that…. And so now with the 3rd bout of sickness I am done! There is nothing more after this re winter ails etc… so bring it on. After I have had a nap on the couch for a few more hours…. Arrggghhhhh!!!!!!

Glitches in the Matrix

[co] Glitches in the matrix... happen and I guess its all about bouncing back from them...

So hence not a post for a while... but glitch over and back on track (for now). No matter how focused we can be there is still the potential to have things fall over... sickness, new jobs... general flatness and apathy...

But its all back on track (till next time)...

So last week hit the running hard, got a good 7 hours in (plus a bit of other stuff)... which felt a good effort for me. Means today I am a little stiff and sore... but in a good way. The main reason being that giving running a kick in the ass meant hitting the concrete monster run.

Now this is a nice wee loop from Titirangi shops through Henderson and back via Scenic Drive (for those that know Auckland). Broken down it is:
a) run about an hour out,
b) then run about 30 mins up (to Scenic Drive... and if you know the Waitakere Estate driveway you are now with me), and then;
c) back to Titirangi along Scenic Drive (dodging cars) for another hour.

I think it is about 28 kms give our take someone once told me... or at least I pretend its about that... but its a good run that builds strength and mental toughness. As well it is one normally done in a group... so it ends up a little bit of a race even if you don't think it should be... but hey we are all doing it and it pushes you a lot more.

So 10 week countdown... lots more running to do... and I think a few more runs up big hills! And hopefully not too many "aberrations" along the way... at least none that last longer than 24 hours...

First pain free day (and no panadol either!)

I feel like jumping for joy, but I don't want to risk another injury. Today is exactly 3 weeks after my first day of severe pain. Today I am pain free. I feel like this is a major achievement. Not sure when I will be back running, but at least things seem to be healing! Yipee!

I have to thank my physio/torturer - he has been amazing at identifying the cause of this problem, and despite the extremely painful physio sessions he seems to have straightened up my back and i am walking straight again (the crookedness was a major cause of my pain).

Boston 2011 is looking more distant to me now, but bring on Boston 2012 (as a fall back plan for Boston 2011).

[Ry]

Tendonosis update

[Ry]. So, finally got in to see my physio yesterday (the one I have been to for the last 7-8 years for various problems). He took one look at me and said 'you are more crooked than I have ever seen you'. His aim is to straighten me up so I can get out running again. He believes the adductor tendonosis is a result of instability in my 'core' and that there is too much movement in my right hip. I have been running crooked for too long and hence the adductors have taken too much strain.

He is an optimistic guy - he reckons I can get back into gentle running next week. I am hoping he is right.

So, after 45 mins of excruitiating pain at his hands yesterday, I felt fantastic all day yesterday - my first panadol free day in two weeks. Felt ok today, pain, but not so much. Back to see him on Thursday for more torture - but it's all worth it.

I can't take too much longer of this inactivity, it is driving me (and my family) nuts.

Permanent transition in my living room…

[co] Well I am slowly getting over my ‘girl flu’ (bout 2) as we speak. Have gotten into this weeks training… ticking boxes, though still feeling the aftereffects a little in higher intensity stuff (well any intensity sucks at the moment).

And as it is meant to be… I have come right at the end of my ‘holiday’ and so its time to set transition up again as I start work tomorrow.

Now what I have found is that I seem to have a permanents corner in my living room that has become ‘transition corner’. Where I put out my clothes ready for the mornings training (so I can sneak (or try to) out of bed and not be too disruptive and get changed in the lounge) or for that nights workout, to make sure they are clean and no rush washing needs doing.

They say in triathlon that transitions are important, those precious seconds to win a race. Now this isn’t an issue for me… but it can be the difference between setting a PB, hanging onto a group or not giving away time to that stranger you have been playing tag with on the bike when you hit the run. So I find myself practicing transition everyday… juts a slower and perhaps split training method. Or maybe it’s more like Ironman transition where I hand my bags in the day before… however I am not on the clock at 5 am as I rush to get the running tights on… maybe something to add to the mix to spicen it up (not).

Perhaps all it really is an extension of my list-itis… looks like being prepared… but actually its about half ticking the list in anticipation.

How does everyone else handle the need to be organized for triathlons (I have a theory about Oompa-Loompas, but that’s the next post…)? Over and out.

The pain and agony....of not running....

[Ry]

Almost two weeks of no running....10 days to be exact. So the doctor has diagnosed me with adductor tendonisis. Good news is that I know what I'm dealing with, bad news is that is one of those really frustrating injuries that can take anything from 3 weeks to 3 months to come right.

Some days I feel better than others, but overall it still hurts like hell, so no running.

I was supposed to run the Run Melbourne half marathon today. Less than two weeks ago I thought it would be a walk in the park (easy). Today, my husband had to pin my number on his shirt and run the 5km fun run instead (on my behalf).

Arrghhhh......

Catching Concussion

[co] Okay so you can’t catch concussion… but I am going with this theory….

So today is about day 2 of my ‘concussion’… read cold/flu attack... man not fair! So earlier this week the ‘real’ concussion victim in our house was suffering from what we thought were the usual concussion fatigue symptoms. Tired, headaches etc… also thrown in dropping stuff and dyslexic typing… so a day off was called for (mainly in bed) to rest up and recharge the batteries…. Now seeing as I have been in bed from Wednesday mid morning till now (on and off) I have decided that I too have ‘caught concussion’ or perhaps actually it wasn’t concussion symptoms coming to the fore (as they do sometimes, still 18 months later, when tired etc) it was the dreaded flu…

Added to my ‘life isn’t fair’ woes is that I am currently on a week off (between jobs) and was looking forward to relaxing (yes I had planned naps… but also getting up from them as well) and training… well no training yesterday/today. Hoping to try the sensible route and rest and then get back into it tomorrow… fingers crossed.

Maybe its age… or the fact I am on holiday… I seem to be a bit more likely to catch things (or so it seems) as now twice this winter been laid low. Need to look at my fruit and vege intake!

Righto back to bed – exhausted!

INJURY - AGAIN!!

ARRRGHHHHHH I just lost my long ranting post about my injury!!

In a nutshell - damaged adductor tendons - top right leg.

No running.

In pain.

When will it heal - who knows.

No running since last Tuesday.

Supposed to be doing half marathon this Sunday. Clearly not running.

NOT HAPPY.

Its Frosty!

[co] OK it is now officially cold! Yesterday I braved the conditions to race the Run Auckland half marathon in Takapuna. Now I think I might have been doing this race for fun... as had not had an easy week or anything like that beforehand. It all seems part of the 'learn to run when tired' program from coach Tony (also known as the 'harden the f*** up' program).

So along with some other rather crazy people I rocked up at the start line just before 8 to get this sucker done and dusted. Only to be greeted with the news that the race would start 15 minutes late (and it was about 20 when the gun went off). Now I don't begrudge them trying to get all the late entries in... but on a morning when it was around 2 degrees at 6:45 when I got picked up (by fellow crazy person - thanks for the lift Irish) and had perhaps warmed to 6 by 8... not so generous now...

So we huddled together with strangers for warmth... and then we were off.

A rather mixed crowd, as I jumped around children to find some free space... had to hold the under 10s off for fear of trampling them and finding myself in the paper for serious injury to children... I mean really what were they (or their parents) thinking? Fun run? I doubt it...

So the run snakes off to Milford and then back to Devonport and up and around North Head till back to the beach. Now when I read the course description and saw North Head I didn't realise it was up it... so not so happy with all the hills... not then fastest course, but actually despite and probably because of it, a beautiful day with spectacular harbour views at times!



Graph above shows the altitude, my HR and energy extended. (the actual altitude is probably not right, as forgot to reset recently... but you can see the differentials)

So pushed myself, tried to follow those running in the 10km race until they peeled off at about 8.5 kms to get a sense of pace... and then made it up as we continued along... as kilometer markers were few and far between at this point (note to self need to get new gadget with GPS so I will know distance and pacing going forward...any excuse will do).

But all ended well. Ran 1:36, like 'what the...?' totally unexpected as didn't feel in it for most of the way. Perhaps the cold works for me... as certainly couldn't feel much for the first 10 kms...

So have decided I am retiring... I mean end on a high I say!

Thinking Space

[Ry] As I went for my run yesterday I thought about a lot of things. Running is great for thinking, as it's the one time of the day that you do not need to or usually, want to, speak to anyone. You can't answer your mobile phone or be interrupted by your blackberry buzzing each time a new email arrives. There are no kids pulling at you to go and get chips or chocolate from the pantry. There is no TV to turn down. There is no need to listen out for the door bell or to feel the need to do laundry.

Sometimes people comment to me that they find running really boring, and ask how on earth can you go and run for 60 mins, 2 hours, 3 hours at a time. Far from boring, running is fantastic. You can listen to your favourite music as you run (thanks to technology and MP3 players (or if you prefer iPods!, personally I am an iRiver fan). You can think about the day, or the day ahead, about decisions you need to make, about what you would like to say to that person that was rude to you during the day, you can daydream, you can reminisce about days gone by....personally I can't think of anything better than going out for a long long long run with a fully charged iRiver full of my favourite music.

Only problem right now is that I have another injury!! Yes, another one! My body is letting me down. I have yet another appointment with my friendly neighborhood phyiso on Thursday morning, I'm hoping he will tell me I'm fine and I can get back into my running by Friday.

The Cave

[co] One of the highlights of training is the ‘cave’. Now the cave is where one retreats on those Sunday afternoons after a long ride…. Or the end of an easy week, which always seem the hardest (my theory is all that tiredness you have been holding off – hits you like a ton of bricks) .. where you sit and hide from the world and relax.

Now for me the cave is the place I go (normally on a Sunday afternoon) with the blinds down, heater up (at the moment) and TV on. Now I prefer this to be a solitary cave, so all the better when no one else is at home and I can watch those secret pleasures of terrible TV.

So this weekend I had Sunday all lined up (with the rain helping to make the cave a more welcome sanctuary) to make myself one with the couch and cave it.

But this week I had something new to try… the chair had turned up. Now I have always wanted a Lazy Boy, ever since my youth, when we would visit my uncle on the farm and race to be the one to get the prized seat. It seemed the greatest thing on earth, to be able to recline and watch TV at the same time… oh the bliss… and so since then I have had my eye on one.

Now I live with someone who supports the cave, but not so much the Lazy Boy. Rightly or wrongly they have never been approved aesthetically.. and who’s to say…

But the good news (for me) is that there is an approved ‘version’ of the chair…. And it arrived last week (see picture). A replica Eames chair gets the tick.

So I got to be in my cave, now in my chair (please note the ‘my’ part of that)… and cave it. Bliss! The only problem I have now is actually getting out of it to train.

Greetings from Bendigo

(Ry). Ok, back online after a brief break this week. Have been taking it easy due to a few minor injuries. Am so paranoid about every small ache and pain....is the sore knee, hamstring, foot, hip the beginning of something much more serious? Or is it just a 'normal' ache and pain that you get with long distance running?

Just when I thought my training was coming along great I had to take four days off this week. Four days! It's like an eternity when you are counting every day of important training. I think I am doing my head in over this....afterall, nothing hurts *that* much. I did go for an easy 60 min run today. Slow, though, much slower than usual.

I have my first half marathon coming up soon, 18th July in Melbourne. Whatever is going on with my knee, hip, hamstring better be sorted out by then!!

Dances With Cougars

[co] Race 4 of the cross country series ticked off yesterday afternoon. This time we were out at Long Bay with the North Harbour Bays club (the Cougars) for their hosted event. We were pretty lucky as the weather had cleared from the morning’s fog and cold (operating in a cloud until about 11 am at 8 degrees) to a balmy and sunny 13ish… lucky us.

So after my morning training session of about 2.5 hours, it was off to practice running ‘fast’ (it is all relative) that afternoon. Now today was only 4 kms, short and sharp. Not something I am very skilled at… so as usual got to practice my prerace nerves and apprehension control. I try to laugh it all off… but actually I am normally rather nervous and even when fighting it out near the rear, I still know it’ll suck!

Today I was told, as I warmed up on my way to the bathroom (a 5 minute warm up is pretty good for me… even did a + 10 minute warm down as well…. Needed to crack 6+ hours running this week… so that made sure I actually had to warm up and down…. Not saying I wouldn’t of anyway of course), that there were plenty of good (national level) athletes here today. Apparently it was Nationals soon, in the athletics world, and Long Bay being relatively flat, they were all out to eye each other up….

… And yes there was certainly a lot of running glamour about. As I noted the obvious ‘good’ athletes from their legs to Africa, or perhaps their immaculate eye liner (whoops, no one told me… so I hadn’t put any on… now I know it makes you faster… I will consider it); I could feel the buzz up front.

So after a small rain shower to cool us all down (thankfully, as I was heating up as we reached double digits), the gun went off. Two laps of pain…. Here we go.
So I sighted my usual spotters and today worked hard at keeping up with them. First lap steady-fast; second lap fast (don’t fade…), was the plan. Managed it with a first lap of about 8.52 and a total time of 17.12.

My personal highlight was the end of lap one, when a ‘well meaning’ older guy (yet to run in his race) yelled out the supportive words of wisdom “Keep going ladies, you know you can run faster, its only 4 kms today”. Hmmmm lets say in the immortal words of Hannibal, Face, Murdoch and BA “Alpha Mike Foxtrot” to that…. But I had bigger things to worry about. Like breathing, so on I went.

As we rounded into the second lap, made my move past my arch rival Liz (well arch is strong, but makes a good story) and tried to beat her in… managed to do so. The score is 2 -2 so far in the meets… not sure if we will need extra time or penalty shoot outs to decide the result yet.

Learned a bit more about my racing, as my gut issues didn’t surface. Decided that eggs on toast and flat whites are the way to go between training (and probably a later start of 3.10 pm helped)… none of this going home and eating properly. Eat out for brunch I say… coffee always wins! Embrace the JAFA within.

Go the All Whites… but now can I get more sleep?

[co] Don’t get me wrong, what the All Whites achieved rocked! But the only bright side (small) for me that they didn’t make it through is that I can get more sleep… 2 nights with 2 am get ups and then a couple of extra hours before work/training doesn’t make me a necessarily happy camper.

Though on the upside I also got to watch the end to the longest tennis match in history… so ready for that pub quiz question: “Who lost the longest game of tennis?”. Come on, you know the answer…

But back to running and training. When you have that goal… you get up. So this morning I picked myself out of bed at 6 to join the crew for some run interval work in the Domain. Just under an hour of hard work… but we avoided most of the rain which had been hanging about, so luckily no one melted during the session.

Now I have to be honest and say I popped some caffeine prior to the session this morning. Knew I would need something to keep me going. I don’t have an adequate coffee barista at home, so pills had to do. Sometimes taking caffeine can make me a little spacey, today, it seemed to help me stay awake.

What came first the need to be awake or the caffeine? (my diet coke addiction is a whole new post…).

But watch out at 2 o’clock people. Its not going to be pretty. Though I suspect this will be true across NZ where a ‘few’ people will have gotten up to watch the All Whites potentially make Football World Cup history… not to be, but still a valiant effort. Don’t misunderstand me. I am not saying they tried hard so its ok to lose, I think they went beyond that into a space where they gave everything they could… and that’s all you can ask for…. And expect when representing yourself and your country.

Remember sleep is not to be over rated! Make it your friend!

Night Running

[co] So when is it classified as night running? This morning as I got out of bed at 5 minutes to 5 and started hitting the pavement at 5.15… I thought ‘this is still night time’. My old rule of thumb was anything before 6 was officially still night, not early morning.

Increasingly as one gets more into the (slightly) crazy world of triathlon and endurance sports you begin to change your outlook on this. I mean when does it end and begin? As I ate dinner last night at 9 (after a fun bike spin class) and then running less than 12 hours later.

It is fair to say that at 5.15 there is still that feeling of night. It is quieter, you feel more alone (even when running with someone) and the space feels bigger. Its funny as it ticks over 6 the traffic picks up, the air seems busier and everything seems to wake up.

So reflecting on my 3.30 run… while I felt apprehensive etc… 5.15 is not so different. Its just that its closer to that unspoken of waking up time of 6 and if you run long (as I did this morning… 2 hours 25 minutes… all good until you stop…) the sun comes up… you forget it was so early and you join the rest of those running in the park… seemingly at a normal hour.

So what’s the point of this reflection? Maybe to say that it is weird how we assign meaning to time, when all it is, is our own construct we piece together to create normalcy.

I dunno…. In the end I guess I am just gutted I had to get up so early to fit it all in...

A cold saturday....

I'm freezing. It's cold today. My hands feel like icicles. I really can't be bothered getting ready to go for a run, but I will make myself. I know that I will only regret it if I don't, but I have never regretted it when I have gone out for a run. At least it's only 50 mins today. That is not so bad. I can get the dinner going before I go and leave instructions for my better half so that he can watch over it and prevent a dinner disaster while I'm out running. (RY).

It Should be Training Life Balance

[co] that everyone talks about...

Okay there is a lot written about work life balance, whether in your weekend paper or your management journal. Telling us how important this is to make sure that we are well rounded, rested people... blah blah. Sometimes I think it is perhaps more aimed at those with babies (not knocking it... but we don't all have them yet) and perhaps a way to help justify the fact that not all work is that exciting so actually we don't want to be there 24/7.

Anyway this little rant is about the fact that maybe for those of us who do more endurance sports (like a marathon or triathlon) actually are more about 'training' balance. And that is balance with anything... life or work... but maybe more importantly with life.

It is fair to say that sometimes going to work is about recovering from one training session... and sometimes training is recovery from work... they seem to morph into one big roller coaster of time that you just need to manage when you can be averaging 1 to 2 hours of training a day (and more) during the week.

Now I am not complaining. I choose this. i enjoy it. Even when i don't.

But perhaps for me the hardest 'balance' is life balance. And thats because there is the least amount of room for it. You have to work (well most of us do) to fund this fun stuff (and the shiny new toys), but where do you find the time for family and friends... I guess it is about those choices again.

So you become selective about your time. You learn to know when you need to give more to others, for them and yourself, and make choices around it.

So last night I sat on my wind trainer for a few hours after work (3+ hours of sweaty fun) in order to free my Sunday up. Now the reality is 8 weeks out from a big race this is less likely to happen... but in winter I think its fair to make those small adjustments to give space to your home life. Now this all makes sense... but still to the list ticking triathlete it isn't easy... yes I am weird.

But in the end you have to think about the other person who puts up with your early starts (and those which don't happen... but the alarm still rings); the racing (and cost of it); who traps around the country (and sometimes over the ocean) with you to support you doing this crazy stuff; and the fact they live with someone who in the end is ultimately a very selfish person.... so you need to stop being that person for a while... even if only for a day.

And selfishly it's nice to be able to do that for yourself as well (if being honest).

Vegas Baby...

[co] or perhaps the title should 'What do I want?'...

So I was looking at my to do list for 2010 yesterday (on my way to a weigh in) knowing that it was 'all bad' i.e. I hadn't really stuck to anything resembling a plan re eating and that I would have achieved zero loss. The upside I do suppose was that I hadn't gained anything... So could be worse.

Now I hear you say 'How can you not lose weight with all this training?'. Well the trouble is I don't think I (and maybe a lot of triathletes) are particularly normal or healthy around food. So I am all on or all off. I don't know how to eat without thinking about it or without going crazy (or maybe just a little over the top), because I am not training, so hey I might as well... Yes its perverse... The other side of the coin as well is that as you start training you get hungry and need energy/calories to perform. So to lose fat you need to not fully replace, something I don't do naturally.

So anyway back to 'What do I want?' because that's really what it is all about... As I struggle to focus on my food.... Training that's okay, can tick those boxes (and at the moment that's around 3x swims, 4x bike, 5x runs a week; give or take a little on each.. At the moment seems to be all give more...), but the need to focus on nutrition escapes me without constant inspection.

..and so it has begun. Operation 'Sort it Out'. So what I want is to make it to Vegas next year as part of the NZ Long Distance Age group team. Phase 1 complete, entered qualifying race today (hey, that was hard it sold out in 56 minutes this morning). Phase 2 harden up and lose weight.... So that's what I need to work on in next 6 weeks.

And I guess if it was simple as that: what do I want?

King of the Mountain

[co] As part of my new cross country career I have received the invite to the annual King of the Mountain race... unfortunately I am busy... but seeing as apparently Lisa's dad was the owner of the race record for this I have to put it out there. Lisa you free this weekend, feel like coming over?

6 weeks - noticeable difference in fitness?

Ry: Well, it's been 6 weeks now since we officially began our quest to qualify for the 2011 Boston Marathon. Apparently it takes, on average, 6 weeks to see a noticeable difference in fitness once you start to train. Well, according to my training log, this is correct!

(photo: Faneuil Hall, downtown Boston, at night)

1st week of training:

Monday - 40 mins (had to stop twice to walk a few mins)

Tuesday - 60 mins (had to stop once)

Wednesday - 30 mins (didn't stop but felt tired)

Thursday - 60 mins (felt ok, stopped once)

Friday - day off (phew!)

Saturday - 40 mins (felt good)

Sunday - 60 mins (stopped once)

Fast forward 5 more weeks

6th week of training:

Monday - 40 mins (easy!)

Tuesday - did not run due to weather (was supposed to run 80 mins

Wednesday - 65 mins (felt good)

Thursday - official rest day

Friday - 75 mins (good, no stopping)

Saturday - 43 mins (had to stop at Coles on way home to buy stuff for dinner)

Sunday - 90 mins (felt great, could have kept going)

Amazing how much you can improve in 6 week periods. I hope I have the same level of improvement as October draws near (Melbourne marathon - qualifying time, under 3:50 for Boston; 3:40 for Co).

Tales from the (almost) Ultra World

[co] Okay now this is a confession blog…. Was not going to tell anyone about my adventure (I am home alone… so thought could get away with it, though to be fair it probably explains why it happened)…. But hey why not? And anyway need to have something interesting to write about (that’s kind of running related).

So last night I got my first taste of ‘UltraMarathon Man running’[1]. Not so much the Ultra, more the night part. So okay craziness…. 3.30am out for a 30 minute run.

Now why? What? I have often thought about doing this… running in the dead of night has always intrigued me… but never been brave enough to try. So last night after having a weird sleep and waking at 1.30am… well waking means you have slept… I decided to hop on my wind trainer to do an hour bike spin.

Now this luckily can occur as I am home alone…. Otherwise I would be reading a book. It just seemed to me that I was awake, so why not?

So after this fun event I was on a roll… okay its now or never… so I put my bike away and put my running shoes on.

It was a new world. Deathly quiet and bare. I was trepidatious, as a chick running in the night… but then again I would often leave at 5.30 am for a longer run and roll with it…. But still I ran with caution. No iPod, just listening to my breathing, footsteps and the silence.

Now I live in the middle of a (normally) busy shopping area… so decided to use this a my track, as well lit and less ominous feeling. So ran a couple of out and backs up the main shopping drag of Newmarket and Parnell. Watching parked cars (is there anyone in there?), rubbish men (who knew there were so many streets cleaned by so many) and deliveries occur.

The other safety part of this is the fact my night vision is not so flash… I have tripped over a speed bump before at night and ended up with a cast… so taking no chances here.

Made it to the end of my run… slightly excited by the adrenalin high…. Not too cold wrapped up with only 30 minutes done… and not sure if I would do again. Still got another 3.5 hours sleep after a quick shower… so in the end got a round 7 hours in bed, just with a gap….

So would I make this a regular thing? Not sure I think running in the day has more to offer… less fear (it is hard to remove those pre conditioned societal norms, particularly as a chick) and more scenery! But I do think I have ticked a box I think I have had for a while.

Just gutted I didn’t call up for a pizza delivery… hadn’t run for 12 hours… but maybe could justify a slice on the go???

I know you are out there… all of you who have done this at least once (come on I know there have been 4 o’clock bike rides) or wanted to… what do you think? Crazy? I think, why not?


[1] For those who aren’t sure what I am referring to it’s the “UltraMarathon Man’ book by Dean Karnazes.

New Gadget!!

(RY) My newest gadget, the Polar FT40. After weeks of researching the ultimate heart rate monitor/running watch, I decided upon the Polar FT40 in 'lime' green (unfortunately it does not come in either pink or orange!). I didn't want anything too over top (eg, I didn't need the GPS monitoring, or the foot pod to tell me how far I have run) - I just wanted something easy to use (and useful!) that would help me stay in the right zone for performance training. I could not find a negative thing about this, apart from the fact that it's not compatible with the 'foot pod' but I really was not concerned about this.

I have not used it yet, I'm hoping for tomorrow. I am still reading the manual learning the various functions, but I must admit it does seem pretty straight forward.

So far the training is coming along well. Have been running most days, and feeling good (knock on wood!). Can very easily run for 70 or 80 mins at a time now (without stopping!!). Am going to sign up for a half marathon in Melbourne for weekend of 18 July. Before that I'll do a few 10km fun runs. It has been so long since I did a fun run I think I need to get back into them so I can be as ready as possible for October.

Other exciting news is that the Boston Athletic Association have announced registrations open on October 18th this year - they expect the marathon to fill up within 2 1/2 months of opening. The good news is that hopefully we'll have qualified before registrations open - so all going well we're in!!

Countdown clocks

Ok, let me know what you think of this countdown clock (the orange one to the right). I have successfully spent more than an hour trying to get this to load up. Arrghhh, I clearly need some IT assisstance! It didn't take me as long to delete the other uglier one though.

Fashion-fasting - does this apply to running gear?

(RY). Ok, so I heard about this blog called www.fashionfasting.com (check it out). This lady has inspired me to fashion 'fast' - essentially stop by new stuff (clothes, shoes etc). I have so much stuff I can barely decide what to wear each day so I end up wearing the same things all the time. I am determined to remain on my fast until at least the end of September.

I am in a quandry though, does this apply to running gear? I think I will have to make an exception for anything running related, what if I find a hot pink & orange running top. Ok, so I don't really 'need' it - but I will 'want' it, and hey, it's part of Team Ryco's quest (that is to run a marathon whilst wearing pink & orange).

So now that I'm running up to 80 mins each day (daily runs vary between 45mins - 60 - 75 - 80) I'm trying to figure out how to fit this into my day. I have been getting up by 6am to get my runs in, but with an 75 min run looming tomorrow I'll need to be out the door by 6am if I want to fit a run in and be at work by 9am. Luckily I am able to run to work on Fridays, so I can save some time having to use the train as well. I'm fast forwarding now thinking about where I'll fit these runs in when they increase in time, and I still have to do morning daycare drops off, get the train, get to work etc. I'm guessing I'll be in bed by 9pm and up at 5am or something like that.

Continuing with the Boston theme this is a photo of one of the residential buildings at Harvard University - pretty huh?

It Can Get Better…

[co]… little by little. So cross country number 2 done and dusted last weekend.

The good news is that if you don’t get stomach cramps then any race seems better.

So off we rocked to the eastern suburbs (Howick/Pakuranga) for the second cross country race of the year. This time it was approximately 6.5 kms of fun on the grass. Not as hilly as race one, so one for the faster runners.

So us ‘masters’ women had 3 laps to count down – a lot better than 4 or 5 for the men (masters and seniors) and it is fair to say that 3 was enough!

Gun goes off, watch buttons pressed and you are off! Heart rate gets right up there pretty quick. So it was an interesting exercise in trying a race plan. Start slow – try to get faster… or perhaps start slow and try not to get slower…

So had some success at this each lap seemed fractionally faster – coming in at 28:49. At least faster than last time and felt ‘ran’ the whole way… have to say it was weird running the course around the soccer (or cricket) pitches at Lloyd Elsmore Park…. Never thought I would be doing that when I played cricket out there!

But the best lesson for me that day (courtesy of an experienced nana runner… and I say that with all respect!) was about learning to use another runner to help push yourself through, when it gets a little tough. So Molly (as I learnt post race) ran up to my shoulder at the start of lap 3… fair to say we were holding up the rear of the field at this stage… maybe 4/5ths through the field. As she came up she whispered “stay with me”. Never so powerful 3 words uttered. And so I did.. any time I looked to flag she gave an encouraging ‘come on’ etc. Now to be fair this helped her… but it really taught me how much you can use other runners and push yourself.

So as I closed in to a fellow triathlete, out for a jog, I uttered the 3 words (“stay with me”) as I went past… and so Liz did. It was interesting how her determination to hang off me pushed me and vice versa.

Fair to say it helped me through a roughish 800m, that I could then push through to get home.

So learnt some lessons. 3 laps are better than 5 and that when racing we should all ‘help’ each other, because really we are only helping ourselves.

We're In...

[co] just a quick note to say we're in... entered... signed up... paid the $$. Melbourne marathon here we come.....

The Week That Was... & Still Going...

[co] okay crazy week! First big training week now back into it. So its the kind of week you look forward to and also dread!

Its day 5 and Monday went well... and then all downhill.

So I have had a delayed flight home Tuesday (shot training post work - home at 10)... burgled Wednesday - cramped training style (hours on phone... and well no door to close or lock made it hard to go run long that day).... and general training malaise... not sure what has that in. Maybe the lack of carbs in diet (yep its week post nutritionist visit).

Anyway the point of this is not to moan (well ok a little), but to then demonstrate the power of the list. At weeks end I am 2 sessions short going into the weekend (that's 2 on top of the already planned 6...), so as all triathletes do - its rearrange time to fit them in, with a sneaky gym visit. I can not let those sessions go... its crazy.

Luckily I am a nana and have no life... but even so...

Oh and did I mention tomorrow is cross country number 2. It really keeps on getting better!

Have fun out in there - enjoy that winter weather... I know I will

Running in Singapore

Ok, I know I've been absent from the blog for a while, but I have been running almost every day. So far so good. Am running 6 days a week, up to 70 mins at a time.

Had a small spanner in the works last week as I was in Singapore for work for four days. Had to resort to running on a treadmill in the hotel's gym - it was far too hot and humid outside to even contemplate it. Not to mention I wouldn't have known where to go!

To keep up my energy levels I ate huge amounts of food while I was there. See the evidence to the left. This is the remains of what was 'white pepper crab' at the No Billboard Restaurant - YUMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!1


LR

Winter's is here...

... and with it the rain!

[co]Now rain is part of the training course... no pain, no gain etc etc.

But this morning I have to confess to piking on run intervals this morning. All night I had been listening to the rain hit the roof, hoping it would disappear by 6 am.

However at 6.05 I was poking my head out the door - yep the rain is real... check the ran radar... yep it is here to stay. So I made the hard (or not) decision to do a swap...

...with the pool (the bed did call, but guilt won on the day). I figured might as well get wet while warm (???). So did some interval training tonight on my own.

So intervals is about warming up and down with some hard work in between. So I found a wee hill and ran up it or 7 minutes and down a few times (well 3 to be precise). A good workout... but never the same by yourself. Running with others (my usual Friday morning activity) just adds 5% to the mix.

But today was just too wet for me. Have to admit it there is a point where I admit defeat. Where is yours? Running in the rain is fun, except when you feel dryer going up and down the swim lane.

Ok time to relax. It is Friday after all.

Guts... No Glory

[co] Well cross country number one done.

Have to say I enjoyed it! Was different to what I thought... the terrain was not as crazy as I anticipated, but there was mud, cow pats and hills galore... so everyone was a winner on the day.

It was fun to have an adventure. Something completely different and a challenge (ida here being to practice running when tired and then legs with cross country running). So this morning up just after 5 to head down for a 6am brick session (that's a swim/bike/run) with the crew. A few of us were trying cross country for the first time and so there was nervous anticipation...

I have to say I was worried it would be really hard and I would be out of my league. But it was great - as most of these things are - and fears not founded.

So rocked up and it was hosing down!!! The threatened thunder storms arrived. Helen (also a cross country virgin) and I huddled under a small marque getting to know our fellow cross country runners in the hour before our 2 pm start (that's when us senior women going...). Lots of free advice was given, as we watched the under 16s get drenched and fight hypothermia! Looked great (at this time was thinking we can sneak out and leave. No one will notice! What many people don't know is that triathletes melt... unlike cross country runners).

[quick segway... have to say a lot of encouragement at this stage in the tent was from a fellow Auckland Athletics club member (who I joined to do this craziness)... who was lean and looked experienced. Yes a 'nana', but I knew she would burn my dust. Even after the obligatory 'you guys will do great'... I was not fooled; and so it proved. I followed her back for the first lap, her tantalisingly 2 metres in front. My cunning plan was to make a move on the 2nd lap...yeah right! She burned me (and deservedly so)into lap 2. Yes my fears were true in this sense. I was going to be left behind in the dust/mud of the nanas. Welcome to cross country! I look forward to more of the same in the weeks to come].

But it cleared (Auckland weather) and it was 10 to... time to get to the start.

Off we go... it s fun running on grass and different. But 'it' struck during the last 1/4 of the first 2.5 km lap (only 2... a sort hard fast 5 km blast). My stomach cramped.

Now I don't want nor look for excuses.

I have had this before on and off. Where particularly if I push myself running (and often if there is not a gradual increase in effort) I cramp up and need to fight the need to find a toilet and the like.

So theories abound on Google and in my head re diet, body adjusting to hard training again, period etc... but it all adds up to frustration. So I am putting it out there: Who else has been struck with this? Ideas?

(Think I am getting to be fan of HTFU approach... just need to find the HTFU pills to take with me on the course).

So with my fear being last - I think I might of been. Or not far off it... From a 13 minute first lap to a 30 minute finish... so its time to try different tactics, to get a good race out of myself.

But despite that it was 'fun'... but frustrating day!

Onwards and upwards (2 weeks till next mud fun)

I’m Back……

[co]Well after putting it to the test… re when one should return after feeling under the weather, the answer is… not too soon!

So hence not much blogging action… last week was a little bit up and down… ended up only training 3 days out of 7… as needed another 2 complete rest days to shake this virus.

It is fair to say the girl flu turned into man flu (I only say this as the severity and seriousness of it seemed to exponentially multiply… and well, I also seemed to need to talk about it a lot more).

So that’s the ups and downs of it… finally into my stride and then frustrated.. but that’s training… so fingers crossed, so far so good this week. Was able to hit bike class last night and get power level outputs somewhere near what I would of hoped for… yay!

Though with this break in training I am a little trepidatious about the coming cross country this weekend. It isn’t too long I think about 4 kms. But it is all sheep paddocks and hills etc… I will be hoping there are enough grannies at the back so I am not too far behind when I am running in to fight for last place.

But I am resolved that change is a good thing to shake up my training… really help my running… so I wait and see!!!