Week 8 term 3

I went for two runs this week.  The first was after school.  I wasn't really in the mood but my little dog looked at me with her big brown eyes that said, "you need to take me for a run!", so I put on my shoes and headed out of the door.  It only took a couple of minutes and I was in the zone.  We just had a short(ish) run because it was quite late really, but it was a good one.

Earlier in the week I had been reading my Runner's World magazine and there was an article about a guy running up a hill, just to make sure he still could.  With this in mind, I made myself plod up the hill and was very satisfied that I can now consistently conquer this final challenge of my runs.

The second run was with my awesome kids.  We did the 12 minute run to check our fitness progress and I found that I have improved by 1 and a quarter laps!  Yayyyyyy.

Catch up to term three

Okay, I admit it, I've been a bit slack at updating this.  Rest assured I have been running!  This week I started with a 7 kilometer run at the gym on Sunday.  I chose the video of the grand canyon run so I could pretend I was running all through the interesting rock formations in that area.  The video includes images of these really cool mushroom/toadstool shaped rocks.  Apparently, they are made by the wind and sand wearing away the softer rock and leaving the harder rock behind.

There is also a section named after someone called Ebenezer Bryce.  I always find this amusing because Ebenezer is one of my favourite names and Bryce is the Principal at our school so it makes me think of him every time I run this course.  It also makes me want to start calling him Ebenezer but I don't think he'd get it, and would just think I had gone a bit crazy.

My second run was in the morning before school.  It was hard getting up earlier to fit it in, but I felt great all day because of it.  I'm really pleased that I can now run 7 kilometers.

My next goal is seven and a half!

Week 8 term 2

This week I have only managed to fit in one run so far - it has been a very busy week!  Never mind, to make up for it, we went for a run along the motorway and back.  My handy dandy Garmin told me this was five and a half kilometers although I'm pretty sure it's only five.  My poor legs have been a little sore ever since which is weird because I'm sure the motorway run has fewer hills in it than the two laps around the block?!

Week 7 term 2

A very satisfying week this week.  I went for a few runs with my little guard dog and this time she wasn't so lazy.  We managed to do two laps on two runs AND run up the big hill.  The third run we were a little pushed for time so we only did one lap - I think Noco was quite happy about this!

Week 6 term 2

This week I didn't manage to go for a run at the gym.  The weekend was jam-packed with writing assignments and visiting friends, and attending my course.  By Tuesday I was feeling quite 'antsy' so I put my guard dog on the lead and we set off for a run together.  Two times around the block and then I am very proud to announce - ALL THE WAY BACK UP THE BIG HILL.  I haven't been able to run up that hill for a few years so I am very proud of this achievement!

Wednesday came along and I decided I needed another run.  Unfortunately, my guard dog was not so energetic.  We got to the end of the first lap and she stopped and looked up the hill toward home.  "We're not finished," I said but she just looked at me, then back up the hill.  It was quite cold and getting close to dinner time so I bowed to her judgement and we set off up the hill.  It was a little harder this time, but we still managed to run the whole way up.  Super Satisfying!!!

Week 5 term 2

I only managed a run at the gym this week.  I wasn't feeling so good and had to take a day off school, so I thought I had better not go out running in the cold.  Instead I spent some time reading my running magazine Runner's World.  It is full of inspiring stories and good tips and always makes me feel like going for a run.

Week four term 2

This week I went out for one run at the gym and two runs around my neighbourhood.  The neighbourhood runs were particularly enjoyable because my little guard dog came with me.  She loves to run and always gets very excited when she sees me put my running shoes on.  With her running along ahead of me, I felt like I could run faster and further.  Very satisfying.

Week 2 term 2

Hmm I've been a bit slack at posting on this blog lately.  Never fear though, I have continued to run.  This week I hit the gym on Sunday and was very proud of myself for completing six kilometres at a around the 8.3 pace.  I wasn't sure I'd make if around the 4k mark.  This is when I really really really wanted to stop.  I didn't.  Result?  Happy, proud, tired runner with first running goal for the week achieved.

The second run was a practise cross country run with my team.  Since I haven't been running outside I was mildly worried about this run.  I was also a teency bit tired from not sleeping well the night before.  Not to be deterred however, I set off with the boys and although they left me in their dust to begin with, I did gain on a small group by the end of the run.  I didn't stop - even though that lazy 'put your feet up' part of my brain did suggest it a couple of times.  Result?  Happy, proud, tired runner with second running goal achieved for the week.

Today I ummed and ahhhed about going for a walk with the dog.  It was getting late and I didn't really want to be caught out in the dark.  Solution?  Run.  Dog was very happy to oblige - she doesn't care about the pace as long as she's out!  We managed to run for 37 minutes without stopping (except for quick sniffs of the occasional lamp post - dog not me).  Based on performance at the gym I would put this as just over 5 kilometres.  I'm particularly happy with this because it was a) outside and b) I ran up all of the hills that I used to walk up in the summer.  Result?  Happy, proud, tired runner achieving longer term goals!

Week 6 term 1

Didn't manage to have a run at the gym this week.  I played with the weights but that took all of my energy so I went for a lovely long walk afterwards instead of a run.

Thursday came along and I went for a run around the Bridge run with my awesome class.  I definitely felt faster as I kept up with everyone.

Friday we had the Fun Run around the lagoon.  We got dressed up as multicoloured rainbows and ran 7 laps (5 kilometres).  It was a great day and I was very impressed with the persistence and community spirit that everyone showed.  The parents were wonderfully supportive and helped us keep a tally each time we ran a lap.  I even managed to pass speedy Chloe and Laiton (Chloe was injured but Laiton had NO EXCUSES ;) ).  I had a lot of fun and was very proud of myself and my team.

Week 5 Term 1

I haven't been for a run this week.  I sat down and read my running magazine instead.  It has been very busy.

Week four term 1

Whoop whoop!  Managed to knock 2.5 minutes off last year's Round the Bays time.  46.29 was the official time.  That's only four seconds slower than back in 2011 when I ran it with Ben.  I could probably have squeezed out a little sprint at the end and shaved off those four seconds if I had realised at the time, but I was happily running along with Jo who had encouraged me to keep going further back.

It's so nice to have a bit of team work in what can be a solitary sport.  When I first started running round the bays I did it on my own because none of my friends were runners.  Now I have a whole team - some walk it - some run, but we all encourage each other and at the end we all get to go out for a yummy lunch. :)

My other achievement this week is to take my dog out for a run around the local area.  I think we managed about 5k altogether, although I took a walk break at around 32-33 minutes.  The hills in my area are just a bit too steep for me at the moment and I didn't want to strain my delicate calf muscles.  Once I was back on the flatter section we started running again.  My little dog was very happy and collapsed like a fluffy rug on the floor when we got home.

Week 3 term 1

Okay it was a pretty busy week this week, what with school and Ben's theatre, and taking the dog for her walks.  As a result I only managed to squeeze in my run with the class.  We did two laps of the bridge run.  I was pretty happy with my effort - no walk breaks needed, even though running up those bridges is a bit of a challenge on the second lap!  I also felt like I was getting a bit faster - not much but a bit.

Now I'm looking forward to the weekend when I get to run ROUND THE BAYS!!!!

Week 2 term 1 2016

Okay, I confess... I've been a slacky baby.  Not with my running, but with my blogging.  I have managed to keep up the running all through the busy term four last year, and even through the VERY HOT and sunny summer holidays.  When it's too hot, I head to the gym and run on the treadmill where there is a fan blowing.  This has also been a good choice when I wasn't feeling very energetic, but still wanted a short run.

So this week, I toddled down to the gym, did a few weights, and then launched into my run.  I started off at 8.2 kph hoping that going a little slower than I had been would help me run further.  It worked!  Actually at the five K mark I sped up a little to 8. 4-8.5 as I was feeling pretty good.  At 6.7k I slowed down again and cruised through to the 7k point.  Very exhausting - but very satisfying.  This is my longest run in a LONG time.  I am very proud of myself and, when I got home I told my son and made him tell me he was proud of me lol.