SCC50 Week 6/28; Road Trip

SCC50 Week 6/28

Long Run: This weeks long run included a road trip to the  Australian Running Festival Canberra Half Marathon (21.1kms)

Other Training:
Monday - PT legs
Tuesday - Aus Run Club 6km under 33 mins
Wednesday - Usual Metcon + Thursday nights PT sesh without my PT
Thursday - 8km run normal pace
Saturday - walked Wagga Wagga parkrun
Sunday - long run above

Feeling: Stong!  Last weeks Aus Run club run was to run a fast paced 5km which I did at parkrun.  We were then placed in pace groups & given a chart showing the pace we need to maintain over a longer distance which this week was 6km.  It was quite difficult & I pushed hard to achieve this with 90 seconds to spare!!!

Eating: I think I still have the munchies from Easter!  Can't seem to curb that chocolate intake!  I usually eat a couple of squares of dark chocolate every day, but my intake over the past week has been somewhat greater!!!  My eating over the weekend was woeful but apparently that's what happens when you go on a road trip!

Other:  Went to Canberra via Junee/Wagga Wagga with a couple of running buddies!  The 3 of us on the right drove up to visit the one of us on the left!

Off to the pub for dinner then an relatively early night as we had to leave by 7am to make it to the Wagga Wagga parkrun (after testing out the charcoal toothpaste)!

We walked it due to the half marathon the following day.  It was a crisp morning, but once the sun came out it was lovely!  Next stop Gundagai - had to take a pic with the dog on the tucker box!

Rescued a turtle who tried to cross the road & got tired & decided to have a nap in the middle of the road....

Onwards to Canberra via the dinosaur park, just because....

Checked into our hotel & chilled out a bit before heading to Jamie's Italian Canberra for dinner - so damn good!!!  Shared garlic pizza, three of us had Fettuccine Bolognase & 2 of us shared a chocolate icecream/brownie desert after the other two refused to share wanting their own LOL.

In bed by 10pm as we had a 5am start to be up & ready, parked & at the Australian Running Festival by 7am for our 7.45am start.  It was 6 degrees & windy!!!

Plumbing Boy said we looked like lumber jacks! I had a red flannie on under my vest :-) Thanks Big W @ $7 they made a good start line warm top to be donated to charity as that's where we left them!  Next minute we were off running starting at the old parliament house, around the new parliament house, along the lake & out towards the arboretum before heading back from whence we came.

I came in at 2.07.57 - my aim was between 2 hrs & 2hrs 10 minutes so wasn't too bad.  I did need a bathroom stop at 4kms & then someone rang me at the 17km mark & I dropped my handkerchief while trying to stop it from ringing out loud so probably could have taken another 3 minutes of my finish time.  It was just a training run so I wasn't unhappy.  I did like the course & the first 10kms flew by without me even thinking about them.  

Saw the girls after the turn around point all within a km of each other.  Up to 15kms I felt good; but the last 6kms were hard.   I had a gel at 13kms, not sure if that didn't sit right, but I was glad to be done.  I ran the whole way only walking through 3 of the 4 drink stations.  I did want to stop & walk in the last 6kms, but refused to give in to the temptation!  After all, how will I be able to manage 50kms in September if I bail on a 21.1km road run!

I got out of my wet gear & into dry clothes while waiting for the girls to finish, then we went & had a bit of fun with the 21.1kms event sign.

Getting everyone's legs working to climb up on the sign was rather entertaining....

4 happy to be finished runners!!!  Back down the highway to Junee via a truck stop for some food; hot showers & baths & a relax on the couch & more food before another early night as 1 of us had to work Monday & the other 3 a 5 hour drive back to Melbourne town.

A fab weekend with fab running chickees!!!!

SCC50 Week 5/28

SCC50 Week 5/28

Long Run: 12kms - this week was on Friday after work on an Urban Trail.  half on a concrete path, half on a dirt trail, 3 decent hills which I conquered!!  Conditions were great & I felt good!!

Other Training: Catching up from Easter!
Monday I caught up on last week's Wednesday Metcon & Thursday's PT session (did the PT sesh on my own!)

Tuesday 5km Aus Run Club Hill session also from last week (had my hill run done before I got the week's instructions!)  How beautiful is this view & sunset!!!

Wednesday this week's Monday night PT session on my own + normal Wednesday Metcon

Thursday 5km - this weeks Aus Run Club session + PT

Friday - Long run above

Saturday - parkrun 5km fast pace

Feeling: Fine.

Eating: Easter was all over the shop but got back into it Tuesday!  I bought home eggs from my sister's chooks & tomato's from my parents veggie patch; the basil is from my garden.  How good does my post Monday public holiday breakfast look!  Way better than my usual work breakfast in a mug at my desk I must say!

Other:  Much needed trip to the hair dresser.  I do not like this grey hair business!!!  Plumbing Boy went camping with a couple of mates so I caught with a friend in Fitzroy for dinner & drinks.  Can you believe I bought this dress almost 2 years ago & this was its first outing?  

SCC50 Week 4/28

SCC50 Week 4/28

Long Run: 17kms / 2hrs trail running
This weekend I ran my long run on the Rail Trail between Illowa (where my sister lives) & Koroit (the trail goes all the way between Warrnambool & Port Fairy.  It's predominantly uphill one way making the return predominantly downhill with some undulations of both on Illowa Road proper.  I had a great run & the pace was faster than the 5km I did early on Thursday morning so very happy with that!

Other Training: 1 x PT Session (legs); 2 x 5km runs

Feeling: was a bit slack with the training this week as I had a few family commitments.  My niece graduated from Navy Recruit School on Thursday & plumbing boy & I were able to go to the ceremony!  It was all very exciting & of course we are very proud!

Had 14 back for dinner at ours that night (also had the day off work, & off PT).  Feeling great this week!

Eating:  Out for breakfast before the grad ceremony Thursday morning; ate too much at the celebration feast Thursday night; had PB's niece visit for lunch Friday (fish n chips down at the beach); then a friend visit Friday night who wanted to go out for dinner (Thai)!  Let's say my eating has been well out of the normal this weekend!  Plus Easter Chocolate; but only 1 hot crossed bun!

Other:  I think I've noted it all above.  Spent half the weekend in Melbourne & the other half in the country with my family!!  Went for a lovely long walk on the beach at Killarney Sunday morning - good active recovery from the long run the day before.

Cutest Puppy in the world on the way home in the car; just coz.  Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend for Easter enjoying time with those you love!!!

SCC50 Week 3/28

SCC50 Week 3/28

Long Run: 10kms
This week's long run was the Brimbank Trail event! Lots of fun & I ran all the hills!!  Wasn't sure if I could manage as some of them are quite never ending LOL, but I did!  Having mates doing the run also made the day more fun!

Other Training:  PT sessions x 2; Metcon sesh x 1 (see last week); 1 x 6km run, 1 x 5km run.

Feeling: 😨

Still no further along in figuring out what is causing Mum's TIA's although there is talk about them being a mimic & not actually TIA's.  She's been told there is evidence of previous TIA's which are supposedly part of the again process.  Next stop is a neurologist. 

Eating: all over the shop this week.  As I went to the country last weekend to see my Mum the usual shopping & prep didn't get done so have done the best with what I have.  It's not all bad although cup noodles made an appearance for lunch one day for me - that's a rarity these days!!

Other:  Had a great run on Tuesday night after procrastinating about whether to do it or just get the groceries done & if I did do it where.  I ended up in a little housing estate around the corner from work (on the way to the supermarket) that I used to run all the time.  Has a massive hill which the last few times I've run it has defeated me & I've had to walk the last half.  Tuesday night I ran the whole way, 4 times over & didn't feel like I was going to die.  Clearly the training is paying off & my fitness is on the improve!  And I got the groceries done.

We've also been without a bathroom last week as the floor had to be re-done.  The original tile job was poor with no waterproof membrane below so the water was leaking through & rotting the floor boards beneath.  Luckily I married a plumber!  We went a week without; we have a separate loo & a bath in another room so between that & my mother in law's shower we didn't stink too much!  I am very happy to not have to worry about someone standing on any of the dodgy tiles & falling through the floor!!

The toilet, vanity, basin, screen & shower rails are all existing; but the floor & the hydronic heating panel are new!  Forgot to take a before picture; we had pale green tiles & I'm really happy with the new tiles I chose!!!

SCC50 Week 2/28

SCC50 Week 2/28

Long Run: 15kms / 1.5 - 2hrs trail running
This week I didn't actually do my long run on a trail.  I ran the local foreshore on Wednesday after work & had a fabulous run!!  For the first time in ages I did not stop at all!  I guess wearing my hydration pack probably helped as I didn't stop at the drink fountains either.  I felt strong & ran well.  Below is an old photo - remember I did not stop!  But it is one of my favourite things on this route!

Other Training:  PT sesh x 2; Metcon (box jumps, rowing, V-sits, KB swings then rest 60 seconds - 5 repeats) sesh set by my PT x 1, 1 x 5km run, 1 x 6km run

Feeling: Better than expected (see other)

Eating: The usual 

Other: My Mum has been quite unwell dealing with clots in her lungs, a distended pulmonary artery & possibly damage to her heart valves as a result of either of these.  She's seen all the specialists, had all the tests & is in blood thinners currently for the lung clots & the rest is a bit of a wait & see as the distended artery is looking to be congenital.  The on top of that she has had 4 x TIA episodes over 3 days (2 were at her doctors surgery).  Awaiting more test results at this stage.  All slightly stressful.  I'm trying to remain positive & running helps.  I went to the country to visit her (took my aunt with me).  Just in case.  The visit was lovely.  Time spent with family always is. 

Surf Coast Half Century Week 1/28

So begins the next running adventure.  This year's major event for me is the Surf Coast Half Century, which is the 2nd half of the Surf Coast Century. This will technically be my 4th ultra marathon, having run the Great Ocean Road Marathon @ 44kms 3 times qualifies me as an ultra runner, but I don't think I will truly be an ultra runner until I do a trail ultra - so I'm calling it my first ultra!

I have 2 girlfriends running the 50km with me (at our own paces) & 1 who has registered for the 100km event.  Theoretically I could go straight to the 100km, but I'd like to savour the experience & work my way up with 50kms this year, & if I survive, 75kms next year & then maybe try 100kms the year after - could be a fit at 50 birthday challenge.  Lets see how my body (& mind) hold up to 50kms first!!

Registration opened the day my long run training plan started which was fitting.  I have a friend who was halfway through training for her 50km event before entries opened last year, that would have done my head in!  I have my running coach from my first marathon on board coaching me (on line); & I've had my PT reading up on ultra's & trail running - his job is to make my running muscles bullet proof as he says :-)

Last years start line - we get to run on the beach for a short while at the start & 3.7kms at the end which may be at high tide eek!!

I will run on trail like this:

And have views like this:

Plumbing Boy will be my support crew - he only has to be at the 28km mark, so its a pretty easy job.  He can see me off at the start line @ 10am, then grab brunch with my girlfriends support people before coming to meet me.  Then he can wander back to the finish line at his leisure.

**above images courtesy of Rapid Ascent Ultra Running Events

On with the training!!

SCC50 Week 1/28

Long Run: 14kms / 1.5 - 2hrs trail running

This week I went to my local park for my long run on Friday night.  I went back in the morning for parkrun!!.  The site was an old quarry before being turned into a park, half dog friendly & the other half is a nature & wildlife reserve.  We have 2 lakes & the terrain is a combination of gravel, grass & a little bit of asphalt, & with a couple of hills qualifies as trail  👍.  As the distance progresses I'll be heading down to Anglesea to run on the actual event trail once a month; the alternate long run I'll head down to 2bay's which is my friends local training trail.  The inbetween shorter ones will be a combination of road & my local park. 

Other Training:
Each week I have 3 runs altogether scheduled + 2 x PT sessions.  This week was a solid week of training with the PT sessions done, 1 x 8km run (which included 2 x 2km intervals), 1 x 5km, + 1 x other day at gym (1km tready walk, 15 mins Jacobs Ladder, 10km spin bike, core).

What you may ask is a Jacobs Ladder......

This bad boy.  It's got a waist belt with a cable connected to the machine that works like a brake.  No tension = brake on.  Clip the belt on & climb away (you now have tension) - basically you climb a revolving endless ladder. YES, I know, some of your would think it torturous!! 

It's a complete body workout & requires more coordination than I'm used to - unlike the bike or treadmill I can't watch TV, I have to concentrate but it will improve my overall coordination.  

I started out using it for 5 minutes a few weeks ago, then 10 minutes for the last 3 weeks, this week I upped it to 15 minutes.  Talk about sweat fest!  I think I'm going to need a bandanna or something to keep the sweat out of my eyes as I'm not coordinated enough to climb without my hands on the rungs at the same time!

Feeling: Calm about the event (can't say the same for the rest of my life, but here & now is not the place to elaborate - lets just say I had a bit of a melt down this week, but I am working on improving the situations causing the stress).  Training plan is all drawn up, printed out & blue tacked to the wall at work & home; accommodation for the weekend is booked so really all I have to do is train.   

Eating: The usual.

Other: It was PB's birthday this week (well - last week now by the time I'm getting this published!).  As we were going out to a dinner & show on the weekend to celebrate, he actually cooked dinner that night.  He'd split marinated a chicken (nando's style) on Sunday so BBQ'd it.  Delicious!  I did the accompanying veg & salad.  Yum.  Dinner (average) & show (great) were for the 50th Anniversary of Chain, an Australian Blue's band.  We had a fab time & I may or may not have been the only person under 50 in the audience. LOL.

Onward!