Lady's running Adventures

Pimp my Camelbak

2008-07-13T11:34:00.007+10:00

A few years ago I got a Camelbak for a good price through a friend who was in the army. It is an old school camelbak classic, with a ~2L bladder and not much room for any cargo (a small pouch for phone, money, keys, 1 museli bar). The perfect size for most longer runs. Problem is it bounces around too much, especially as it empties and the weight distribution changes to being more to the bottom of the bag. It is not designed for running, but none the available running camelbaks have quite enough capacity for my liking (usually 0.8-1.4L)

The camelbak I have is a backpack style with a sternum strap. But it has no waist strap, I think a waist strap is ideal in stopping bounce (not a hip strap which are only good for carrying a lot of weight, not reducing bounce). So I have added a waist strap to my camelbak.

I have a $15 black wolf 'bumbag' that I got a few years ago from a factory outlet, quite a large heavy duty one with a large waist strap that I use just to hold a change of clothes and toiletries at work, that I don't actually run with, so i butchered it to take the waist harness off.

I took the waist harness down to a shoe repairer and got them to sew it on to my camelbak. Voila! Went for a run with it yesterday, it was perfect!

Taping boobs with duct tape

2008-07-08T12:46:00.001+10:00

Problem: Normal sports bra just doesn't do it for you support-wise. Or perhaps they just don't make them in your size. You could try an Enell bra which are very good, but here is an alternative if that is not available.

Solution: Duct tape! In Australia it is PVC tape without the cloth backing. It is generally water resistant, flexible, heavy duty so it should hold if you sweat a lot.

Ingredients:

A sports bra (or normal bra, the best, most comfortable fit you can find)
Duct tape (available from the hardware store)

Method:

1. Put bra on as per normal

2. Apply first layer of tape. Start under one arm, tape 360 degrees around the fullest part of the bust, following the strap that goes around your back. Do not pull the tape tight, but let it sit naturally. Do not tape to your skin, but tape onto the bra.

3. Apply second layer of tape. Tape 180 degrees around fullest part on the front only. Tape should go from under one arm, across boobs, and finish under other arm, near or on top of the first layer of tape. You can pull this layer tight if needed, but it may not be necessary.

4. Test by jumping up and down. If necessary, apply another 180 degree tape across top of boobs to stop them bouncing out of the top of the bra. Try to minimise tape stuck onto the skin.

5. Finish off with sports lube such as sports shield or bodyglide on any chaffing problem areas. Or maybe you could try WD-40!

If you find it too tight (you cannot breathe or get uncomfortable stitches), you can easily remove the front 180 degree layers while you are running. This is why you shouldn't do the first layer too tight because if you need to remove that you will not have much left.

Back again...

2008-07-06T10:58:00.005+10:00

OK so it's nearly been a year since my last post... whoops.

I had my eyes lasered just over a month ago and it has given me a renewed outlook on life. Including running. It was a new-years resolution to get my eyes done, and I did quite a bit of research on it (a friend thought I was going to do the surgery myself with all the medical journal reading I was doing). I went to a few different clinics and ended up opting for epilasik with Diana Conrad at Queensland Laser Vision. I was out of action for a week because surface procedures take longer to heal than with lasik. Overall I am very pleased with the result, my vision is very good with the exception of some night-time dryness which is usual and should resolve after a few months.

I have been trying to save money to make up for all the money I spent on the surgery, and I needed a new pair of shoes and decided $220 for my usual Mizuno Wave Riders was too much, so I have gone back to Nike Pegusus shoes, I picked up two pairs in the end of financial year sales for $130 each. These shoes are fine, not as schmick as the Wave Riders, but who cares with a saving of $90. Just hope they last.

I picked up a Nike Sportsband with the shoes and some socks (so ended up spending the same amount as if I just bought the Mizunos). I LOVE my sportsband, it logs kms run and session info, so you can just go exploring on a run and still know how far you have gone. Unfortunately, I have problems with the display (as in I can't read it at all) after I ran in the rain yesterday and water got into it, so I will exchange it. I won't run with the next one in the rain (even though you are supposed to be able to). If it rains I will put the reciever in a ziplock bag and put in pocket/bag or something like that.

BTW my weight is down to 65kg, probably from a bit of running and not pigging out for a few months. So I am not concerned with that anymore and now I just want to keep fit.

Weight loss

2007-08-06T20:38:00.000+10:00

I jumped on the scales a week or so ago and I now weigh 69kg, which is officially overweight for my height BMI-wise. So I have freaked out a bit and am now running just about every day.
Another thing that shocked me into action was missing Townsville marathon. I have done 3 in a row, and now missing this year I have blown my streak, and now I have not done a marathon in more than a year (i did that 50k last september though).
So I have really cleaned up my diet, watching portions, cutting out junk food, eating regularly, running and doing weights regularly. My aim is to be in shape again (lose 10 or so kgs, or at least some significant waist inches) by the end of the year.

Anyway - these next few days may be a challenge, I have a conference - Tech Ed on the Gold Coast. Have to be strong and stay away from the pizzas and cola which I am sure all the geeks there will be eating. On the plus side there is a gym at our accomodation, and there is a nice long beach to run along.

20070605

2007-06-05T07:31:00.000+10:00

Morning run, 5.73km (+500 or so meters while the gps got a lock), 00:45:19

Very slow, but I can feel that I am getting into a good rhythm, once I get my rhythm should start improving quickly. Had that funny period-pain thing at the start, but as usual it went away after the first 20 mins. It is funny to get up in the morning when it is so dark.

Saw Pat's group while I was out too. They went over the Goodwill bridge then along southbank.

I have been doing jump-rope as cross training and when it is too dark to go for a run. Yesterday I learnt a new trick, it involves holding one arm under the opposite leg and skipping, I can only do it for 2 jumps. I did 6 consecutive double-unders, my record is 12. I can do normal jumps for about a minute and a half before tripping.

N95 - from a runners perspective

2007-06-02T13:20:00.000+10:00

So I just got a new phone, it is the Nokia N95 and it is top of the range multi-device phone that does everything.

It is a bit big to clip on your shorts, in fact it doesn't even have a clip. It is a little bit bigger than an ipod mini. I find carrying it with one of those pouches that you put the little water bottles onto fine.

Things a runner can use it for;

- Nice MP3 player
- Maps and GPS so you can go exploring and not get lost
- Nokia Sports tracker application; tracks your run, makes a google earth file so you can see where you went, also keeps track of average speed and lots of pretty graphs while you are running
- 5mp camera in case you see something interesting on the way
- if you are really keen you can www upload the photos while you are still running
- update your running blog
- organise your events in the calender
- have an emergancy phone on hand when you run

So if you want a new running gadget, here is an idea, but it's pretty expensive at the moment, wait till the price comes down as it only came out in April.

Back for a bit

2007-05-31T20:14:00.000+10:00

OK so have just signed on for the first time in zonks... mainly because i just got a new phone and want to play with photo-uploads and see what else I can do.

Running-wise, have not been running much. Have entered the whitsunday run again for this year.
I want to do Townsville marathon again this year, but having trouble getting motivated to train. Maybe if i blog more i will feel guilty about not having anything to write and then will have to run.

OK - thats all for now. BTW the phone i got is a Nokia N95 and it's pretty trippy, should do a post on it and how it can be used from a runners perspective.

Bright 4 peaks - Day 3 - Mt Hotham

2007-01-23T17:50:00.000+10:00

Mt Hotham is the second highest mountain of the series. For me it was the most difficult.

I have made a google pedometer trace of the run, i am pretty good with maps and directions and am confident I have tracked out the right route.
The start was the same start as for the My Feathertop run, in a park in Harrietville. I got an early start because I didn't feel very confident. The run starts along what looks like the top of an old train track, or it might be a levy to protect the town from flooding. Then the run starts going up a nice picturesque ridge, and starts winding up the mountain. In fact the whole run is picturesque. The run starts going down a bit till the creek crossing (5-6km). There is a cute little metal bridge going over the creek which was flowing. After the creek is a really steep part to get out of the creek (up to 6km mark), this is where a lot of runners started passing me and most were walking. The scenery was stunning and helped take my mind off the pain.
I can remember what the bush was like - but can't really descibe it, but as you go up higher and higher the plants change and generally get shorter in height. There seemed to be a lot of winding back and forth to get altitude, but after a while we got to the top of a ridge, and then ran on top of this really cool razorback ridge (I am not sure what km on the map)- one side you could see toward Feathertop and into a Valley on the other. From there on it was pretty much straight up and along this ridge. Some parts of this ridge were very steep and I was on my hands some of the way. I also started getting hungry and felt stupid that I didn't bring any snacks. I was getting pretty bad, but I didn't have much choice but to keep going to the top, and I know I would hate myself later if I quit. Fast runners passing me kept telling me I was nearly at the top, and that when the trees are gone I would be just about finished. The trees were getting shorter and shorter, finally they disappeared (kink between 11 and 12km) and I could see the naked top of Mt Hotham. I could see the finish line but it seemed soooo far away. The last kilometer was very hard, maybe the hardest I have ever done. I stopped and lay down a few times. When I finally got near the finish, I crossed the road and nearly collapsed trying to climb up a little embankment to get up to the finish line. There were lots of people worried about me, i know I must have looked bad, but I knew I would be ok - i just needed some food and drink. Half an hour and a bit of food later, I was my usual bouncy self.

Note to my stupid self: you'd think that i'd have learnt by now, if i have enough food i am fine (eg. my first glasshouse ultra), but if i don't have enough it makes it very difficult.

Bright 4 peaks - Day 2 - Mt Feathertop

2006-11-09T14:59:00.000+10:00

Day 2: Sunday - Mt Feathertop

Distance: 11.990km
Start Altitude: 505
Top Altitude: 1922
Climb: 1417
Time: 3:35:21

The highlight of the 4 days was the Mt Feathertop run. Getting to the top of the summit of the second highest mountain in Victoria was great.

We started in a town that I have forgotten the name of. Harrietville maybe? I started earlier than most because I knew I would take a while. It was a nice clear day, but it was chilly for a Queenslander.
The run went through some suburban streets then on to a track. The scenery was nice, and the track was very busy with lots of walkers and runners, but not too many that it was crowded. It was good to see the scenery change with the altitude. The climb is frustrating, because just when you think you are close to the top, you find that you are just at the top of a ridge and there is more climb to go. I knew it must be a long way to the top because I didn't see anyone coming back down, despite more and more runners passing me. Stupidly I didn't take any food. Eventually I came to the campsite near the top, where there were lots of people and tents, and a block of tiolets. I could see a naked hilltop that I assumed was the summit. Thank goodness, because I was getting tired and beginnning to wonder if I would make it to the top and back down again. I asked some runners coming back down (only the second lot of people I saw going down the hill all day) where the summit is. Turns out it was still a long way away, 2 k's or so. Doh! Followed a ridge and then saw part of the real summit emerge from a saddle, complete with lots of little specks of people all over it. It was still a long way up. I was stuffed but kept pushing on, eventually getting to the 'real' top. It was great. The weather was perfect, a little bit windy but i bet it was probably as good as it gets. 360 degree views, we could see Mt Bogong and Mt Hotham. Could see heaps of mountains and valleys below, all the way around. Glad I stuck at it, the view was worth it. Pity I forgot to take my camera. It took me 3h35m to get there from the bottom. The 'run' finishes at the top, the only way to get back is by foot, back down the mountain. After a bit of a breather, we turned around to go back down.

I wanted to get down quickly because I was hungry, and stacked it. Was running and tripped over a rock rather spectacularly and have scabs on my hands, arms and belly to proove it. Found later that 3 others also injured themselves on the way down, even though the downhill is not actually part of the event. They must have been hungry too.

Bright 4 peaks - Day 1 - Mystic Hill

2006-11-09T14:45:00.000+10:00

ok, i have not written my report for the Whitsunday run yet, but i better get started on my trip to Victoria from which I got back from today.

The event in question is the Bright 4 peaks climb. You run up 4 mountains/hills in 4 days, all in the area around Bright in Victoria, in the Victorian Alps.

Day 1: Saturday - Mystic Hill

Distance: 11.092km
Start Altitude: 346
Top Altitude: 915
Climb: 569
Time: 2:31:46

Note the climb is just the difference between the top most altitude and the bottom most altitude, not like how orienteers measure it by measuring all the up-hill sections and adding them together.

The run was up a goat track up this not very big looking hill. The track varied from one similar to what you would find at Glasshouse (forrestry tracks/drivable dirt track), and very narrow almost bush-bashing track.

There were some very steep sections in the beginning which killed me. It was very steep, I am very unfit. I had trouble keeping up with three little primary-school aged girls who were doing very well. We got to the top where there was a paragliding launching platform. From there we went along the top of a ridge, then down a very steep track. I love running downhill and going wheeee.... but my shoulder was playing up so I walked down most of the way. Which is a shame because it is the only significant downhill for the whole weekend. Finish was the same place we started, at a cricket ground.

Was pretty tired after this, but it was nothing after what lay ahead in the next 3 days.

Mt Cootha training run

2006-09-09T20:10:00.000+10:00

Mt Cootha map (pdf)

Recovery this week has been good. In fact, not an issue at all - no soreness or tiredness apart from on Sunday afternoon after the 50k. Run most days this week, but nothing serious.

Dusted the cobwebs off my bike this morning, cycled to Mt Cootha, ran up the Summit track (detouring on the Aboriginal Art and Hovea), ran down Honeysuckle track, then up Resevoir track, back down Summit track and cycled home. Wanted to do the Owl track but could not find it, but I know where it is now. The map I had (the pdf) isn't that good - guess I have been spoilt by orienteering maps.

Getting stuck into the hills in preparation for the Whitsunday run and the Bright Alpine challenge.

I get really puffed on the uphill, need to work on aerobic capacity. Should do hill reps sometime during the week. Downhill is fun.

Also want to loose a few kilos as I have packed on a few over the last few months. But I guess that will take care of itself as long as I run regularly.

Glasshouse September 2006 50k

2006-09-04T18:35:00.000+10:00

I have been very lazy with the race reports so far - I have not written up the Queensland Orienteering champs or the Binna Burra run. I had better get this Glasshouse run out of the way.

I was not very confident about doing this run and have been trying not to think about it over the last few weeks, like somehow not thinking about it will make it go away. I have not felt very good, at Binna Burra last week my voice was reduced to a whisper from a bad cough (although the run itself fixed this rather dramatically), my training has been eratic - not due so much to illness rather lack of planning and sheer lazyness.

Rocked up to Glasshouse on Saturday, wondered about chatting to crew and helpers, watched the 100 milers strutting around looking rather fresh. Camped near the start line and woke up at 4 for a 4:30am start.

It wouldn't be Glasshouse without the customary excessive tiolet stops near the start. In fact I was in the tiolet when the start gun went off. Then I was in the bushes not 10 minutes into the run. All of which could be prevented if I simply woke up earlier.

For the first loop (base to 1a and back via hamburger hill) I ran with Hannah and her friend Suzannah. I was having trouble keeping up with them due to my eratic pacing strategy - it takes me a good hour before I get into a rhythm. It was good keeping with them because it was dark and a tinsy bit scary. Caught up with "Mr Smiley", not sure what his real name was; but he was doing the 100mile with no crew or pacers and with a permanant huge grin on his face, and was endlessly thanking crew when I saw him the day before at checkpoint 5 - what a top bloke. It was cool to walk with him for a bit when he only had 4km to go. I trotted off ahead of Mr Smiley, Hannah and Suzannah after 1a and could see their torches bobbing up and down behind me in the distance. I tried running with my torch off so I could guage if it was light enough to drop off at base. Note to self - wear contacts if running very early in the morning - my glasses kept fogging up from my breathing.

Back to base, we had to run right into the tuckshop area to get our names ticked off. There were a few people there - Clairie and Davo I
think were there. I giggled to myself upon seeing a bottle of coke "zero" on the table, I never get why you would want coke minus a
sugar-hit, especially while running an ultra. I told people at base that "Mr Smiley" was coming in, and from that they knew who I was talking about. Decided to loose the torch as it was getting light, and donned my visor I got from the Gold Coast Marathon goodies bag.

I don't know why, but I don't remember seeing the sun rise. Possibly because we were running west. From base to the next stop was along
forrestry trails - pine trees on either side, wet and slippery muddy logging tracks. Running toward "the twins", of which you can only see one from the direction we were approaching, the base was covered in a layer of mist. Everything was covered in a soft dew, including these little spider-web like things on the ground. I wondered what creature made these little webs. I knew the next stop was near when some smaller powerlines revealed themselves from the fog.

I was met by a man and a woman at the next stop. They had Endura sports drink, which I am not particularly fond of - tastes like yukky medicine, but had a guzzle on it, and filled one of my bottles with it anyway. The next section darts around the twins, firstly though a narrow walking track then onto a wide, well formed road, through patches of native bushland and pine forrest. The next aid station had strawberries, so I grabbed a handful. I also saw the same man and woman from the previous stop, who reported Hannah and Suzannah were 8 minutes behind at the previous stop. Well approaching the climb up toward checkpoint 5 (weetbix hill?), I could hear them chattering behind me, so I put my foot down to try not to let them catch up. I really enjoy the goat track section, it's rough and bumpy. You have to use your hands on the ground to get through some parts, and other parts you wedge your feet one step at a time in eroded wheel ruts that are as wide as your feet and come up to your calves. I get a kick on the up and downs, especially the downs where I imagine myself being on a mountain bike just rolling down with no brakes, at any moment at risk of going face first into the mud. The mud was not bad, it had a clay-like tackyness and had surprisingly good grip.

I got to checkpoint 6 smack bang on 4hour mark, not a second more or less. I remembered how I suffered from the heat going from 6 to Beerwah to 5 the year before, and as a precaution filled my bottles with as much ice as possible. It didn't take very long for the ice to melt, but I held the cool bottles against my face to try to keep cool for my least favourite section. This powerline section is very up-and-down, straight, wide road, unsheltered with no shade, and can be a killer when it is hot. This time, with a 2 hour earlier start, ice, a visor, minus a backpack, and with only a cool t-shirt on my back, it was much easier than last years effort. Before I knew it, I passed 6a and was on the fun, bumpy track to 5. At 5 I scoffed down some potatoes and salt, anzac biscuits, lollies, cake, coke, thankful that I could stomach it all. What a guts - all in a 3 minute stop (as opposed to 20 minutes last year). Filled up with more ice and was off again up to the lookout. Then ducked back into the bush again amongst pine forest for a few k's and crossed Gympie road. The rest seems to whiz past quickly, I did some mental calculations and realised I might make it under 7 hours if I hoof it, but I just couldn't hoof enough. Before I knew it, I was trundling up hamburger hill for the second time in the day, and shortly after running into the finish. My watch read 7:02 but my official time was closer to 7:06 (not sure how I got a 5 minute difference). Either way was stoked, being a bit less than 2 hours better than last year, when I came in just under 9 hours. Felt very good and fresh at the finish, but deteriorated over the next few hours. Tried my best to be friendly and chat to everyone but felt like going to sleep under a tree. Was anxious to know how all the 100 milers did, was sorry to miss a lot of them finish, but it was good to see how well they all went. Can't wait till next friday coolrunning drinks - should be good to remanisce.

Townsville Marathon 2006

2006-08-08T18:20:00.000+10:00

Yay! One major goal crossed of the list. I can now say I am 24 years old and have done 10 marathons.
Yet I feel like I didn't really finish this one. I did technically finish, but I walked the last 7k.

Anyway, starting from where I left off from the last post...

I am a complete dill and got to the airport an hour earlier than I intended. So I sat in the departure lounge playing with the Mandelbrot set on this cool fractal program I just installed - xaos. I have had a facsination with mathematics in the last few months, and have been reading a book by Roger Penrose called The Road to Reality. Facsinating stuff. Also have been reading a biography of Nikola Tesla who is my favouritisist scientisist.
Arrived in Townsville and a bloke from work picked me up from the airport and it was straight to work to install the new UPS. Then from there to registration to pick up my race number - 005 which sounds like one of James Bond's collegues. Ran into Vlastik on the way, he had run to Ingham and back, and was going to skip that distance plus the marathon distance when he is off again - all so he could be at Townsville for the marathon. Walked into the city to catch a bus home, and stopped off at the Cowboys club and got one of those oversized foam hats - they are so cool! Ended up taking a cab home (public transport in Townsville on a Saturday - say no more).
Early night, salmon sandwich for dinner, watched Cowboys play Bulldogs on TV - don't ask me the result, lets just say the next day I was to do about as bad as the Cowboys did.
Now to the start line. Bit of the usual chit-chat, and we were off. Awwww... i forgot my mp3 player! How can i run without my mp3 player! doh. Looking at the watch and I wasn't too sharp - 6:30km's and I was feeling pretty drained. This is going to be tough. As usual first lap of 10ks go by without much effort. Stopped off at start/finish to pick up MP3 player. A little more difficult the next lap. Ran into a friend from school doing the 5km. Yakked. Ohhh 21k in just under 2:30... and still not feeling very sharp. Crap this is bad... I am in big trouble. Plodded out to Pallerenda. Hit 34k mark and I could not run at all. Not AT ALL! A bloke with an accent (he got lost earlier and asked me directions) passed me. Nooooo! No one passes me after 30k! I had to walk back. Time of 5:32. The bloke who passed me did 5:08 - if (big IF) I only kept up with him...
Walked through the finish line, the lady who gave me my medal said I felt cold to the touch. I wasn't even sweating. Some smart-arse (whom I know) asked if I had a nice stroll. How embarrassing. I am so embarrassed!
Went with some Hashers out to lunch and felt pretty good the rest of the day. Went for a run after work today and I am not sore at all (two days later). Ripped off!

Anyway, this is the end of a chapter. I know you probably should not stick to rash decisions made between the 30 and 40k mark, but this is the end of my road marathoning. No more road marathons - bar three exceptions - 1.there is a good chance I will do a PB, 2.it is off-road, or 3.it is in Townsville (out of tradition). I am a trail runner now. Long road runs used to be fun, but now they are a drudgery. I love trails.

Glasshouse 24-ish km

2006-08-05T07:35:00.000+10:00

The Glasshouse Flinders tour was last weekend (one week ago as I write this). There was 50km event - which was two laps of the 24km with a run up Mt Berrburrum added in for fun, the 24km - which is a big loop, and the 8km, which I have no idea where it goes because I was out running when it started and finished.

There seemed to me to be quite a lot of people there at the start. The first couple of km's were a bit difficult for me, I had to stop for the tiolet 2 times before the first checkpoint, and again after the before the second checkpoint. I felt heavy and flat, and because of the stops was coming last. Rob Ware was doing the 50k and overtook me very early on - he must have been flying. Then many other fast 50-kers passed me also. I was very slow and coming into checkpoint 2 I was on the verge of pulling out. I felt like crap - probably due to lack of sleep during the week. But luckily, just up ahead I saw 3 runners running, It was Vegie Girl, Davo and Hannah. I soon caught up, and ran the rest of the way with them. From then on, with the company it was a lot easier. We chatted the whole way. It was Vegie-Girls longest run ever and she was doing well. I helped navigate and provided commentary on the run, as I have done the trails we were on a few times before. I obviouly did not look at the map properly before we started because I was sure we were supposed to do the goat track - which I was looking forward to - but no - the goat track is not part of this particular run.

The four of us finished 3 hours 15 minutes (I think) which seemed quick considering how slow we were going. I wonder if the course was over-measured. I won a sugar bowl in the lucky-door prize.

Afterwards, I chatted with a lot of people, then went for a walk up Mt Beerburrum just to see what it was like. Golly it is steep! I really need to work on the hills, even though I only walked up the hill I needed to stop for a breather once in a while.

Anyway - at lunch today I will be off to the airport to fly to Townsville for the marathon. I work for the Dept. of Housing and will also be visiting the office this afternoon to install a new UPS to protect the server from power outages. I figure it is easier to do this myself than to try to talk someone through it over the phone. Vlastik remembered me and left a message on my phone yesterday to see if we can catch up at registration tomorrow. He is running the marathon after-all. I doubt I will be able to as I have to install the UPS, but will surely see him on Sunday.

I am flying Virgin and used the online check-in for the first time today. Note: you need a printer to print your boarding pass! I don't have a printer so will have to find one before I go to the airport. The web check-in is good because you can check in early get a good seat - I got a row 5 window seat. Usually I rock up at the airport late as possible, but get a crap seat at the back with all the screaming babies.

TV Alert: Anatomy for Beginners

2006-07-20T19:34:00.000+10:00

Monday nights 10:35 on SBS - a new series has started. The first installment - movement - was on Monday just gone. They skinned a body and showed all the muscles underneath. Not for the faint-hearted, but very interesting and worth a look. Next week is circulation. Here is the blurb from the SBS website;

10:35 pm DOCUMENTARY SERIES - ANATOMY FOR BEGINNERS
This four-part series profiles Professor Gunther von Hagens'work that is considered by many to be shocking and controversial.However, anatomist Gunther von Hagens believes that the dissections he performs on human bodies lays bare the intricacy of the human design. During each episode, von Hagens carries out a human dissection and focuses on a different set of anatomical systems: movement, circulation, digestion and reproduction. In tonight's episode, Professor von Hagens dissects a man in front of a live audience to reveal the workings of the respiratory and circulatory systems. He inflates and deflates the lungs before removing them, slicing open the heart and injecting artificial blood into the veins to demonstrate the vascular system. (From the UK, in English) (Part 2) CC WS MA (A,N)

New Shoes - Nike Pegasus

2006-07-18T06:58:00.000+10:00

I have been looking everywhere for a new pair of shoes, normally I run in Mizuno Wave Riders (the absolute perfect shoe!), but have been having a hard time trying to find somewhere that has my size in stock. The shoes I am wearing now are really past their time and are starting to give me grief. I have had the current pair since April - normally I would have chucked them 3 weeks ago, it was pushing it wearing them for Gold Coast marathon' but I cannot wait any longer. My knees and feet are getting sore, and I feel every step as the concrete hammers on my bones as the cushioning is gone.

So I have gone for a pair of Nike Air Pegasuses. I have had some success with these shoes before, and they are pretty cheap too. I don't like the weight, they feel heavy, and the last pair I had didn't last very long, and they do not seem to fit quite as well as the Wave Riders. I have been doing a little reading on the web and found a lot of people say the Pegasus wear slowly - which is contrary to my last experience with them. Hopefully they will do the job for a month or so until after Townsville and after Rebel gets the Wave Riders in.

Went for an 8km run in them yesterday, they seem pretty comfy. It was a relief to have some decent cushioning. Maybe they might be ok, and I can save some money by switching to them more permanantly.

Vlastiks run for kids

2006-07-10T18:58:00.000+10:00

On Saturday I went for a run with Vlastik Skvaril who is running from Tasmania to Cape York to raise money for Camp Quality. The event went well, and the sausage sizzle and raffle at New Farm park raised just under $400. I ran to New Farm from home, had a few sausages, then ran with Vlastik through the Valley and up Gympie Road. Vlastik is very nice and he talks a lot... I am sorry but I could not talk back, I can't talk while I am running. He has lots of stories to tell, and he told Davo, Lindsay and I how he started running and all the Ultras he has done.

I went shopping Saturday afternoon and fell in a pot-hole and sprained my ankle. Stupid - I spend all morning running and nothing happens, then I go for a 10 minute walk to the shops and injure myself. Sprained ankles are funny things, they feel ok till it gets cold. I didn't run on Sunday and instead did a 7k walk, which was a little painful, but did a 10k run this afternoon and felt fine. Am feeling pretty fit actually, running seems effortless, I have a good feeling about Townsville - dare I say it - maybe a PB?

The pic up top is from Gold Coast at about the 42k mark - I was in a cranky mood at the time, but it doesn't show.

Gold Coast Marathon 2006

2006-07-04T18:43:00.000+10:00

Woke up at a criminal time (4:30am) at my friends place who was running the half. She lives at Roachdale, it is sort of on the way to the Gold Coast so we thought we would stay there. Two other friends were there too - one of Cath's workmates who was doing her first 10k, and another who was doing the half. Last-minute decisions - I was going to wear a green wig for fun in the run, but had a nightmare about overheating, so I left it behind and went for a sensible Coolrunning cap with hand-held pom-poms instead. We jumped in the Rav and drove down to the Coast.

Traffic was a bit chaotic with all the road closures and redirections, but we scored a park in Australia Fair Shops which is very handily across the road from the start/finish area. I was surprised we got a spot at all - but I guess most of the shorter runs start a lot later so there were less people about that early.

We watched the half marathoners start, then I lined up for the full. I got a bit confused because I forgot the full goes the opposite direction to the half and nearly lined up at the start of the pack. Didn't hear the start gun, but soon we were off. At the 2k marker I whizzed past a bloke I always see at ultras, but I was not sure of his name - I thought to myself- 'it would probably be really sensible to stick behind him because otherwise he would just pass me at the 30k mark'. Funnily enough that is exactly where he did pass me later on. :)

As usual, the first 20k's or so go by easily. I waved my pom-poms at runners coming back the other way. I waved my pom-poms at spectators - especially the little ones. I looked out over the surf, saw surfie people, side-road entertainment acts just for us, spectators hanging off their balconies making a day of it, with baloons and all. Passed through halfway in 02:13:50, which is 20 seconds slower than I did the Doomben half in a month ago.

Came back to the start/finish area and was surprised to see the 4:30 pace group about 500m ahead. Maybe I can catch them? I had just gone over th bridge when the 10k started and felt depressed when 100's of people so full of energy come sprinting toward me. Felt a bit better seeing all the people cheering and the CR cheersquad.

The north part of the course is where it started getting difficult. I saw other faster runners (sub-3ers) coming into the finish and they looked pretty stuffed. I knew what lay ahead. Someone on coolrunning put it well - the mood changes from chatting to each other to being quiet and sombre while demons are being battled. A bloke rode passed on his bike and said something like "only 17k to go...". I wanted to smack him. :) That darn ultra runner passed me spot on the 30k mark, and just went off lost in the distance. I tried to keep running, but had to walk for a bit. Saw the 4:30 pace group coming back from the turn-around, i waved "bye-bye, PB", they looked to be going so fast. Stopped at the servo to get some much needed coke. Chug, chug, along, still passing a lot of people - davo, lostboy and mrs lostboy and someone else running with them. The "United States of Whatever" came on the mp3 player - yeah - I thought that was appropriate - meh, I should push a bit harder but, 'whatever'... couldn't give a toss as long as I finish so I can do my 10th next month.
Grumpy little Miss tired and grumpy.
~40k mark and was tempted to stop at Maccas and get a cheeseburger, but there was only 2k to go so that would be pretty ridiculous. Bloody CR cheersquad were still out (hoping they would be gone by now, was not in the mood). They 'made me' start crying, but made me feel better at the same time. Ran through the finish, surprised that I made it under 4:50 (gun time was over, net time was 4:48:28?). Crappy negative split - 02:13:50/02:34:38 - oh what shite..
We all went out and had a cooked brekky.... mmmm bacon, eggs, toast, tomato and a cup of tea. I was craving Tomato soup all afternoon. In the afternoon I went over another mates place who has a spa - lucky me also got a massage and got spoilt rotten all afternoon.

Overall it was a good day out. I didn't really think I would like Gold Coast Marathon because it is so big, but it was not as bad as I thought. I had visions of waiting in endless lines for everything, but it wasn't like that.

Can't wait now! Hopefully in a months time I will be doing my 10th marathon! Coolies!

Porcupine Gorge Challenge report

2006-06-22T18:37:00.000+10:00

The Porcupine Gorge Challenge is an annual run at Porcupine Gorge (funny that) which is about an hours drive north of Hughenden, which is 4 hours drive west of Townsville. The gorge is formed by Porcupine creek. The run starts in the gorge, runs up the gorge (the direction changes from year-to-year), U-turn to the start, then up and out of the gorge on a steep track.

It's a beautiful run, it's 'only' 8k's, but it's probably one of the hardest 8k runs you will ever do. There are rocks to scramble over and between, creek crossings (bring your can-getting-wet shoes), tough sand, and if that doesn't make your heart race the climb up out of the gorge will.

As for my experience - this was the 6th running of the event, and my 2nd time (did it in it's second year). I can't help comparing it to my first time - there were less people (30 maybe) where-as last time there were heaps more walkers. Got sand in my shoes which was annoying, was glad to have company from a backpacker named Emma, got a singlet for participating which I wore in the race and got burnt. Funnily, they drew my race number on my arm in nikko - tri-athlete style - and I now have a "15" tan line on my arm. :) Coming up the track out of the gorge I think my heart rate maxed out - it was like 3 beats a second. I was trying to get away from Emma. Was happy at the presentation to get fourth female - and guess what else? $60 prize money! I'm a pro now! Of course does not come near what I spent on air-fares to get there. :) Arnstein came 2nd and got $150. A male and female (couple) from Brisbane took out first male and first female - with $300 each. I am surprised there were not more "bounty runners" there. Everyone got a certificate.

Afterwards I climbed the "pyramid" for a really good view of the gorge. Hint - go up the right-hand side - it is less steep.

To bad it is so remote, it really is one of those unique runs that you always remember.

Doomben half

2006-06-04T14:34:00.000+10:00

Executive summary: This morning I did the most poorly paced, eratic run ever. Went out way too fast (5:40 pace), died (7:00 pace), came back for a strong finish (5:50 pace). Finish was somewhere around 2:13, which is better than I thought I would do, but pretty average.

Ramblings: I found the course itself very boring, nearly as boring as the Toowoomba November marathon/half-marathon. But I can see why it is like it is because it was probably set out like that to be flat as possible - which it most certainly is. I'd prefer a bit more undulations. It was two loops, and the loop was made up of out-n-back sections. I have been so spoilt with all these lovely trail runs I don't know if I like road-running anymore. I was running along lamenting to myself about having to look at chunks of concrete for 2 hours.

On a more positive note, it was good to see many other coolrunners did well. Special congrats to Hannah for a fantastic PB and breaking the 2h barrier. And thanks to Cirque and Davo for their very good cheersquad efforts.

meh I am tired and have a headache, i am going off for an afternoon nap.

cheap airfares

2006-05-31T18:41:00.000+10:00

There are some really cheap airfares on at Virgin Blue, so I have booked a few flights for various runs.

1. Porcupine Gorge Challenge
2. Whitsunday Great walk
3. Townsville Marathon
4. Bright Alpine 4 Peaks Challenge

I am worried that I have bitten off more than I can chew with the 4 peaks run, I will just have to chew faster! Will have to start running lots of hills. At least it will force me to address my weak spot - which is running up-hill.

Also I have entered the Queensland Half Marathon at Doomben this weekend. It would be nice to break 2 hours, but I don't think that is going to happen. Prediction - more like 2:30.

So many events to look forward to! I'm excited!

Tamborine report

2006-05-29T19:28:00.000+10:00

What I ran was not actually the Tamborine run, it was called the mini-kokoda challenge and was designed as a test run for teams doing the Kokoda challenge in July. The Kokoda challenge is like a poor-mans Kokoda (same distance as the real Kokoda trail) and it is held in the Gold Coast hinterland. The mini-Kokoda challenge is in the same area and is 27km.

I travelled down with Greg (from my work), Siri, and Rob. We got a hire car for the day. We had to leave at about 4:30am... eek! That was the hardest part of the day.
The 62km runners went first - there were solo 62-k runners and teams of three doing it as a relay. After they were off, the mini-kokoda had a briefing, then we were off too. I went out like a bull out of the gate because there was about 100 people in it and most of them would be walking, i didn't want to get stuck behind them. 25 minutes into it another team in front of me already got lost, there was a fork in the road and no markings. They had gone the wrong way and had come back to the junction. I got some sticks on the ground and made some makeshift arrows so people behind didn't make the same mistake. After not very long, I was completely alone. There was not much pressure to run fast, because there were only walkers behind me (no way they will catch up) and runners in front (no way I would catch them) so I got very lazy. Not like at Glasshouse where I had the Run-inn group in their fluro orange shirts just behind me the whole way. It was a nice run. It was undulating, but the undulations were quite big, some big-ish up and downhills. Dissapointing to see someone had discarded Gu wrappers on the track. It took me 4h 18min, which isn't very good because I did under 4 hours for Glasshouse two weeks ago which was a longer course. I felt really good and fresh at the finish (see photo, that is a hundred meters from the finish line), if you saw me hobbling it was because my skin was stinging from the salt and the cold, not due to muscles.
I waited with Greg for an hour or two for Siri to finish, she did very well, she broke the womans record by an hour or so. Rob and Greg did the same run as me so they drove up the mountain to see how the ultra runners were doing - Rob escorted Siri on the way back - so much for him taking it easy with his 100km in two weeks time. Chatted to lots of runners in the meantime, including a bloke from Townsville who had a fall and looked like he had been mauled by a bear after a downhill fall. Hermy told me he is getting too old, I am still not sure if he is pulling my leg when he told me his age because he sure looks good for 50. That's about it - was a nice run, but not sure if I would want to do the 62km, it sounds like there are some monster hills in the ultra.

Why are all the good runs on at the same time?

2006-05-25T18:36:00.000+10:00

sorry i have not posted for a while. I broke up with my boyfriend who i have been going out with longer than I have been running for. Don't worry about me though, you should be more worried about him. I won't get into that now, it's not something I really want to blog.

With that job application I was talking about before, I had the interview today. I think it went well, I didn't feel nervous, I was more worried because I didn't feel nervous - I think a bit of nerves is a good thing. It was more boring than anything - sitting there talking about yourself for 40 minutes does not feel very natural.

Anyway - back to the good stuff, running. Why are all the good runs on at the same time? At the moment, every weekend there seems to be a really good run on, sometimes multiple. It's like public holidays, they are all bunched up toward one part of the year, then you are left wanting the rest of the time.

The weekend after the marathon I actually got up early one Sunday morning and joined the Brisbane Road Runners. I made a vow not to shuffle my way through runs anymore - if I am going to do a run - I am going to run it - no more Cliff Young-ing unless it's at least 30km. So anyway, at roadrunners I attempted 10km, but after 6 I was shuffling, so I stopped at 7km. It felt good.

The weekend after that I was feeling pretty good. I went to Glasshouse with Arnstein who just had an operation about a month ago. He had a weird calcius growth growing on his archillies removed. (sorry me spell bad). The lump was so big you could see it sticking out. So he was very annoyed with it because his running was affected so after trying various drugs and some sort of ultrasound thing that was supposed to break it up, nothing worked so he had it cut out. He hobbled the 10km (took him 2 hours) and I did the 30km , and finished a few seconds shy of 4 hours, which I was pretty happy with.

Last weekend I didn't run much, I meant to go run around Mt Cootha but something more fun came up. It was Warwick weekend and I missed it - I just didn't get organised in time due to recent happenings. I know - that's a lame excuse.

This weekend I am looking forward to. Mt Tamborine run. I am doing the Kokoda team training walk, except I am doing it solo and as a run. It is 27km, sounds like a good distance. 30-ish km I think is the perfect distance.

Speaking of 30km, I have entered into the Whitsunday "Great Walk" run. It looks really cool - 30km - that nice sweet spot of a distance, on the trail, finishing at Airlie Beach. What more could you want? Entries are limited - but that's ok - my entry has been accepted so it's safe to tell others about it now. :)

Brisbane Marathon report 2006

2006-05-01T08:03:00.000+10:00

I really need to finish a job application today, but it is hard not to keep thinking about the marathon yesterday so I thought maybe blogging it will get it out of my system.

It seemed like an un-seasonally hot and humid day, which contributed to a hard day at the office. I don't deal very well with the heat. I am a bit superstitious that I jinxed myself by walking under the finish line chute on Saturday.

Lap 1

Well starting from the beginning. I live a 20 minute walk from the start-line, and I didn't want to be waiting around at the start for the gun because that just makes me nervous. I woke up 40 minutes before the start which was cutting it a bit too fine, I made it to the start line with three minutes to spare. Even just walking to the start line I could tell it is a bit hotter and humid than usual for this time of year. BOM says it was 19 degrees at the start and 28 by the time I finished. Anyways, the gun goes off, fired by Deputy Premier Anna Bligh and I am glad to run past everyone cheering especially the coolrunning cheersquad at the beginning because they were so loud! Going over goodwill bridge I ran into Rodney, who I seem to always bump into at Townsville marathon, we had a bit of a chat. Also chatted with a man who was doing the marathon as a training run for Great Wall of China Marathon. I refrained from making jokes about "the wall".

Pretty soon the half-marathoners were out in force - they started 30 minutes after us, and the bulk of them were coming the opposite way when I was between Oxleys and William Jolly Bridge. I got in a close collision with some bikes trying to push their way through, it was a tight squeeze through some of this section. The drink station at coronation drive were serviced by some blokes dressed in drag which no-matter how many times you see them it's a hoot.

Back to goodwill, through the gardens, Claire the winner of the half passed me on the hill on the way up to the gardens.

Then I got to see the Coolrunning cheer-squad near William Jolly Bridge on the other side of the river after southbank. I knew I was in trouble when I started feeling tired about here, when it's not even half way. I heard someone loudly yelling at me from behind, it was Tam and she said I am looking strong, so for a while I believed her. I didn't have my watch with me so I had no idea how I was doing, but then the half-marathon pacing groups started to pass me. The 2:45 group passed me at the turnaround at West End, now last year the 2:30 group passed me at this same turnaround so at this point so I knew it wasn't going to be a fast one.

Lots of half-marathoners were passing, I was run/walking, they were speeding past me assuring that there isn't very far to go - probably not realising I was doing the full and not even half way yet. Then we got to the point where our courses split off, and I wished I could go with them, but alas I have another lap to go, and I knew it wasn't going to be pretty...

Lap 2

Heading out along the riverside expressway the second time round, I started feeling a bit better again. It didn't last long, on the way back I ran into the tail end of the 10k-ers at which point I just shuffled along with them. I am glad I put my personal drinks out, I got some of those little pop-top juice bottles and filled them with coke, they were nice and easy to carry with me and sip along the way. From here it really was a matter of one-foot-in-front-of-the-other, I felt like I was going to vomit, I slotted myself in to a pack of 10k runner/walkers and just tried to keep up with the same bunch. I started using affirmations "Cliff Young shuffle, Cliff Young shuffle - don't walk, shuffle to the finish, shuffling isn't that hard, it's quicker than walking, Cliff Young shuffle, Cliff Young shuffle". Then they turned off for the finish-line at southbank, and I continued on for what seemed an eternity out Riverside Drive. I passed the CR cheersquad on the way out, they looked like they were just about to pack up, but they still made a hell of a raquet. Someone on a bike asked if I was alright, which I think made me mentally worse because I knew from the concern in his voice that I probably wasn't "looking strong". The trip out riverside drive was very hard, it certainly is the business end of the marathon. Lots of negative thoughts along here, but determined to finish.

nearly there...

With 1k to go, I was coming along the wooden boardwalk and there was no marshall and I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to turn right under the cultural building (like last year), or go straight ahead. I remembered at the start line the announcer saying something about one thing of the course being different from last year, but didn't understand what he meant, was this it? I struggled to remember if faster marathoners turned off there when I came through that spot earlier. I had a mini panic attack and started crying because I was so close to the finish but didn't know how to get there. I thought I have come this far and now I am not going to be able to finish because I don't know where to go, and if I go the wrong way I will get disqualified and it will all have been a waste of time. In the nick of time the marshall comes out of the building and points right toward the building, and starts asking me how many others are out there. I got cranky - how am I supposed to know, don't these guys have radios or something? My answer to him "about 5, and they are very spread out", but that really was a wild guess; with my mental capacity at the time, if he had asked me what the capital of Australia was it would have been just as much a wild guess.

Finish

Ran to the finish line, glanced at the clock - 5:16:something - didn't really give a shit what it was - just bloody glad it was over, staggered to the recovery area, there was one apple left which I left because I don't think I could have stomached it, I drank all the cups of sportsdrink that were left, it tasted like crap. Then I went sat on the lawn for the presentations. Karisma came and asked how I went and I started crying again, I don't know why I was crying; as bad as my time was I didn't really care about it, I just felt overwhelmed. Presentations were finished so I had a swim in the nearby fountain with Tina who came in not long after me.

Walked home very slowly, quick post on coolrunning, cried again, ate some. A friend came over and we went for a drive to Sirromet Winery at Mt Cotton to get some port, they didn't have any. I cried again because they don't have any port. I cry at anything. Feeling normal again today, thank goodness. :)

New email address

2006-05-01T07:57:00.000+10:00

This is a message to anyone who emails me, my old email address lady underscore jove at ozemail dot com is now disabled, and I can't get to it anymore, so please email me at work if you know that address, or email me through the coolrunning message boards and I will give you my new home address. Or you can email me at ladyjove (with no underscore) at gmail dot com, but I only check that once every couple of weeks. cheers!

breaking the rules

2006-04-28T20:56:00.000+10:00

I got my Enell bra on Tuesday and have gone on two runs (total of about 12k) in it so far. So far I think it's fantastic, it really holds it in good. I just ordered two more. Report coming soon. I like it so much I am going to break the golden rule of marathoning of using un-tested (or inadequetely tested) equipment and am going to wear it on Sunday - with half a stick of bodyglide just in case.

Another rule to be broken - I am sure you are not supposed to do a marathon three weeks after another marathon, but I reckon it's all right as long as you don't "race" them.

Another first for Sunday is I plan to run gadget-free. No watch, no MP3 player. I am putting faith in my body to go as fast or as slow as it feels.

Also found some bad news a few days ago - the Warrumbungles Marathon which I think is the best marathon course I have done has had a major course change. It is no longer on the trails in the National Park, but now it will run along bitumen road from Coonabarabran toward the park and back. I don't think the change will attract more runners. For starters Warrumbungles is out of the way so is only ever going to have a following from die-hards who are willing to travel. But moving it on the road will make it less unique therefore turning many of the die-hards away, and at the same time it is not going to attract typical road-runners because they won't like the hills. I think the event has potential to be a cult event like the Six foot track marathon, but moving it on the road will make this less likely. The 2005 course through the national park is absolutely stunning, it is a real shame to see it go. I doubt I will be back this year after hearing this.

Feeling fantastic

2006-04-17T09:31:00.000+10:00

I am not sure what it is but I am feeling super-fit at the moment.

Now last year, I did Canberra marathon 5:00:20, then two weeks later I did Brisbane marathon not expecting too much because they were close together, but Brisbane did a PB of 4:29:16 which was way better than anything I expected. Maybe the same will happen this year? It seems highly unpredictable, who knows.

Recovery regime is I have been keeping the runs down around the 40min mark. No running at all for the first 3 days after the marathon, but during that time did walk 3km each way to work and home (yeah I had to go to work on the Monday after the marathon). Been drinking protein shake every morning, yuk, but I think it is helping.

Yesterday went for a hilly 7km run, incorporating a sprint over the goodwill bridge that clocked 2:03 - which is about a minute less than what I was clocking in January, and 10 seconds off PB. :) yippee! Am feeling really good.

Canberra Marathon 2006 Report

2006-04-12T11:34:00.000+10:00

Woke up with a headache on Sunday marathon morning after a bad nightmare. Was not feeling very well, and started to doubt the whole thing. Before I knew it, was sitting in the hall near the start line trying to keep warm until the start in a moment of quiet contemplation. Before I knew it, I was jogging along in my seventh marathon. There is always one of them - a bloke on a push-bike called out to us runners "come on guys, only 42k's to go" which gave me a bit of a laugh. My mp3 player would not turn on, i think because it was so cold, so i left it off for a while. The first 10 k's go by so quickly. I remember a hot-air baloon land on the lawn in front of parliment house, along with crew letting all the air out of it, with the passengers watching.
The 10km loop ended, the morning headache was gone (all I needed was a bit of a run) and we were headed out along one of the bridges. I knew the course route, but I was a bit disoriented and thought I was going out on the wrong bridge. Just after the bridge I passed an older man (turns out he is 73) who was walking pretty fast. I asked him if he is walking the whole way, to which he replied "yes". He sounded like he didn't want to chat, so I passed him and left him to his own devices.
The race leader, I think it was Magnus Michelsson (although seems he got second place in the end) lapped us here. It is amazing watching the really fast guys and to comprehend how fast they run. Soon I approached the second bridge, from there on I could see many other runners running back the other way, and gave people I know and some coolrunners a wave. I remember seeing Tess, Karisma, Plu, and lots of coolrunners who I didn't know. I didn't see Clairie, maybe she was too fast. From the position of some of them it looked like some of them were running very well and I could see there were going to be a lot of smiles at the finish line.
Ran out toward Glenloch interchange, and shortly after the turnaround was passed by Emma Murray, I yelled "Go Emma", while thinking I sure hope it was not a case of mistaken identity. Shortly after I saw Luckylegs coming from the opposite direction and gave her a high-five.
Nearly got run over by the sub-3 bus on the parliament house side of the lake, before going around for the second loop.
After I got off the bridge coming back from the parliament house side, was directed on to the footpath for the 5+ course. I cannot remember what kilometer was, but I was sure I was on track for a 5h finish and was initially dismayed about being directed onto the 5h+ course. It meant the organisers didn't have faith in me to do a 5h finish, so I began to loose faith myself. At that point I gave up mentally, and thought about walking the rest of the way to the finish. Still it was a long way to go, and would take a long time, so I thought if I run I will get back sooner - so I did keep at it. The 73 year old walker passed me, I kept just behind him for a few kilometers, he was walking and I was jogging behind, but I just couldn't keep up. It was rather embarrassing, a 24-year-old runner being overtaken by a 73-year-old walker! At this point I could swear the kilometers were gettinglonger and longer. I got all my Gu out of my pockets and took the lot and washed down with sports drink. That picked my spirits up, but I was still very tired in the legs and was run/walking. Then I got a bit hyper on all the sugar and started cheering at everyone. My focus shifted from my run, to cheering everyone else on the course. I was clapping and cheering the other runners and the volunteers, hoping to make the gruelling last few k's a little less gruelling for them - especially as many of them were first-timers. I changed my mind about the cycle path, and was glad to be on it because it was more scenic, undulating and curving than the road. Kept chugging along for the finish line, meanwhile daydreaming about the next marathon which seems too far away. All I wanted was a shower because my skin is very dry at the best of times and it was uncomfortable from the dry air and salt encrusting from my sweat. I cannot actually remember crossing the finish line, I remember scoffing down a handful of grapes, but the rest is a blur.
The medal was very nice, it was the 30th Canberra marathon and the medal reflected that.

Number crunching

The plan was to do 7min/km, mostly because it is easy to calculate the splits in your head and also gets me in at about 5h. Actual splits vs target splits;


dist  split    target    difference
05km  0:34:16  0:35:00   -0:00:44
10km  1:09:55  1:10:00    0:00:05
15km  1:44:58  1:45:00    0:00:02
20km  2:20:40  2:20:00    0:00:40
25km  2:55:07  2:55:00    0:00:07
30km  3:31:52  3:30:00    0:01:52
35km  4:13:36  4:10:00    0:03:36
40km  4:55:54  4:40:00    0:15:54
42.2  5:13:30  5:00:00    0:13:30

Preliminary Official finish time: 5:13:29. Slowest road marathon yet!

Recovery

I am absolutely stoked because my skin/eczema has been really good in the couple of days so far after the marathon - maybe it was the cold, the dry, the salt, the marathon itself - who knows. A bloke at work reckons it is because my normally over-active immune system is stressed. Leg soreness peaked on Monday night/Tuesday Morning, but am ready to run again today. No back soreness as mentioned in previous post.

Bring it on Brisbane Marathon!! Can't wait!

Fit-ball dilemma

2006-04-11T10:08:00.000+10:00

For the last three weeks or so I have been using a swiss ball rather than my normal office chair. And on Sunday I ran the first marathon that I have crashed and didn't slouch and managed to keep a straight back, as a result I don't have back pain today like I would normally. I attribute this to using my fit-ball, however I got some bad news yesterday, fit-balls are prohibited under workplace health and safety laws. Something about most people not being fit enough to sit on them, so they will get tired and fall off. Nevermind the fact I am allowed to wear stilletos to work. Poo. In that case, next time I do a marathon or training run and my back is sore in the days following, I will have no guilt whatsoever in taking sick leave. Guess i will have to set aside a few more hours a week to do strength training.

Oh yeah, marathon report coming soon - briefly I did 5:13:29 which is bloody slow, but I am not disappointed and am happy just to have finished.

arrived in canberra

2006-04-07T16:51:00.000+10:00

Flew into Canberra this morning. Karisma, Adrian and another runner were on the same flight as me. There was quite a bit of turbulance - especially coming into Canberra.

Spent the day walking around, seeing the sights with my backpack in the city - which might not have been the best idea seeing I should be keeping off my feet. Carb loading is good - had pancakes for brunch with hash browns, tomato, bacon and egg. mmmmm.... Will sleep well tonight.

T(canberra) = -6

2006-04-03T20:24:00.000+10:00

Went for a gorgeous run last Sunday 26th, 32-ish km, 3h 40min, Nundah to Redcliffe via Nudgee Beach and Boondal wetlands. Ripper of a bike path to run downstream along Kedron Brook from Toombul Shopping Centre out to the golf course, then another ripper stretch from Nudgee beach road through the wetlands to the Boondal Entertainment centre. Some parts of the run you wouldn't know you were so close to the city, it was nice to get away from it all.

According to my watch I did 1h run on Wednesday, 2h on Saturday, but I can't actually remember where I went - I really couldn't be bothered keeping track - I just like to get out and do my thing - at the moment I am just really enjoying being able to go out and run for a couple of hours a time - the novelty of doing so has not worn off. Today I did about 10k and it took about 1h 10min - pretty slow, looks like I will be lucky to break 5 hours on Sunday, unless maybe it is really cold - I hate it when it's cold but I have had some unexpectedly good runs in the past when it has been cold. Forcast is min 2 degrees, max 22 degrees, and sunny for the big day.

I ordered one of those Enell bras, is due to arrive soon, but don't think it will arrive in time for adequate testing prior to Canberra, but should be good for Brisbane. Will do up a product report when it arrives for the benefit of other well endowed female runners who might be reading.

2.5 weeks to go

2006-03-22T18:53:00.000+10:00

I thought since it is so soon till Canberra I should start taking note of what I am up to - because being an orienteer, no doubt I will want to do the "post-mortem" afterwards.

Running Stuff

From what I could get from little bits of paper lying around;
060322 - strength/circuit training
060321 - 1h run + 5x100m
060320 - 1h hilly recovery walk
060319 - 3h40min run (only about 30k I think - slow)
060317 - 1h run
060314 - hill reps (botanic gardens x 7)

Diet

I have been eating stacks of fruit and veges as long as I am at home. When I am at work is another story. I think I have worked out what is causing my skin to break out via a sort of elimination diet - potato chips - the ones in the chip machine not the hot fish-n-chip type.

Logistics

- Booked airfares last night. Going up Friday night (anyone want to do the touristy thing on Friday/Saturday in Canberra?)

Will do another 30k-er this weekend - I am not going to bother tapering - I will instead treat Canberra as the long run for Brisbane which is nicely positioned 3 weeks after.

quick update

2006-03-17T11:31:00.000+10:00

been doing a bit of hill work in the botanic gardens, bought new shoes (hot-pink Mizuno Wave Rider 9's), been panicking slightly as this weekend marks the magical 3 week countdown - and apparently it takes three weeks to get full benifit from a long run so I better do a very long run this weekend. feeling confident I will finish, not confident about doing a good time. Not to worry - I tell myself Canberra simply marks the start of the running/cool season, and will give a good base to go the rest of the year. Did not manage to get the Monday after canberra marathon off work, so will have to rush back to work.

secret training

2006-03-10T22:07:00.000+10:00

I have not blogged in the last week due to top secret training.

Nah, not really, I just have been bored of blogging, but am still training well, and have been doing lots of running. Not getting much faster, but endurance is picking up. As long as I have a few easy days beforehand, I can run for 2h 40min without feeling too bad afterwards.

In the last week I;

- bought a new acoustic guitar
- put in my entry for canberra
- have slept 9-10 hours a night
- shown complete disregard to the "10% rule"

My diet is terrible, I have relapsed into eating junk-food again, and don't eat much fruit and vegetables. Will work on that on the weekend - i will have to cut up some carrot sticks, nuts or something to snack on at work so I don't get too hungry and pig out on crap.

Ring Road

2006-02-23T18:54:00.000+10:00

First time trial of the year. Was hard going - while in the last 500m a bloke advised me not to have a heart attack, another kind soul asked if I was ok as I staggered back to work afterwards.

split	dist.	total
2:39		02:39
3:06	1km	05:46
3:11		08:57
3:13	2km	12:10
3:08		15:18
3:19	3km	18:38
3:14		21:53
3:26	4km	25:19
3:31		28:50
3:28	5km	32:19
3:20		35:40
3:28	6km	39:08
3:30		42:19
2:48	7km	45:27

I really should add in my runs this week properly;

Date: 060222
Distance: 6km
Time: 42.32
Time: 1720
Temp: ??

Date: 060220
Distance: 6km
Time: 46:14
Time: 1750
Temp: ??

Date: 060219
Distance: 14km
Time: 1h58
Time: 0640
Temp: ??

Shopping Misadventures

2006-02-22T21:28:00.000+10:00

Lorna Jane had a $10 off any of their lycra-like gear. Sale ended Monday, so I missed it. I bought a new crop top and shorts today - it's not cheap.

I have been trying to find a model of bra that I believe has been discontinued. A sales assistant told me last year they are phasing this particular bra out, so I bought as many as I could afford at the time. I have run out of supply now - it's time to get some new sports bras. It is very frustrating, I can't find any that I like that come in my size. There is one sports bra I have found that comes in my size, but I have tried it before, it costs $60 and lasts about a month before it starts ripping apart and needs to be retired to a day bra. It seems bra manufacturers think the only sport woman bigger than a D cup do is yoga. grrr... Looks like I might have to order one of those Enell bras.

Update

2006-02-22T21:25:00.000+10:00

I have been having so much fun the last few days I have forgotten to blog. (I actually typed this post up yesterday)

On Friday night I saw The Choir Boys, Ian Moss (from Cold Chisel) and Jon Stevens (from Noiseworks) at the Kedron RSL. The Choir Boys were very funny and entertaining. They played "Run to Paradise" - sounds like a running song. Ian Moss is awesome on the guitar and has inspired me to dust the cobwebs off my guitar and start playing again. It is the 4th time I have seen Jon Stevens and the novelty has not worn off, he has the most amazing voice, and is a drool-worthy spunk despite being old enough to be my father. He sang "miles and miles", I pretend that is about running because of the title but it isn't really.

Went for a long run on Sunday, up Kedron brook again from Nundah to Stafford and back. Went for about 2 hours. It was tough going, and hot. I got a tan line from the run, now my legs are nice and brown.

Monday I ran home from work over story bridge - not very original. I felt really good and full of energy, as a result it was more like a fartlek - I would run along, slowly accelerating until I was sprinting, then collapse in a heap and walk. It felt great. Overall it took me 3 minutes longer than normal to do the route, but I felt fantastic and invigorated at the end of it. I think that means I am ready to incorporate some speedwork into my program.

Oh yeah, I got a new MP3 player. It is really cool. It holds 1GB. My old one held 512MB which was not quite enough for my longest runs. It charges via USB, and has good battery life. It is very small and comes with a sturdy clip that clips on to my shorts and doesn't even threaten to come off even when I sprint. I don't like the headphones it came with - they are white which is way too trendy for me (I think white headphones look stupid anyway), and they are assymetric with one cord longer than the other. I like to hook the headphones under my shirt and thread them through my bra shoulder straps and that doesn't work with assymetric headphone cords.

RU486 bill passed

2006-02-16T20:10:00.000+10:00

Date: 060216
Distance: 6km
Time: 42.42
Time: 1720
Temp: 27.1C 65%

Date: 060215
Distance: km
Time: 24:23
Time: 1740
Temp: 27C 74%

I have been debating on various forums for the last week about this RU486 bill. I get quite worked up about it and have been cranky the last two weeks. Why I even give a shit about these things is beyond me, I just get so angry with the world sometimes. Feeling better now the debate has been settled in the house of reps. There is only one good reason I can see that it shouldn't be passed, in that it may set a precedant for other "un-ethical" drugs to get on shelves without proper scrutiny. There are many good reasons for it to be passed. Abortion should be available, safe and rare. Sadly, it is not rare in Australia, but restricting it, reducing availability and safety is not the answer. Reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies, and making it easier for woman who really want to have kids is the real issue that needs to be addressed.

I didn't do much of a run yesterday because I was in a foul mood. I had a really crap day. It was raining in the morning, so I walked to work in an old pair of shorts and a shirt. I remembered to pack all my running gear (i have my priority right), but forgot my work clothes - so had to duck down to target to buy some clothes, and had to be quick to get back for a meeting, and a very busy day. Everything in my bag got wet, my phone got water under the LCD, as did my USB stick, my MP3 player and my running gear. I pulled my phone apart and leaving it to dry - it looks sort-of dry now, but i will leave another day just in case. End of the day and time to run home I had to put on wet running gear to run home... why is it so icky to put on wet clothes even when you know they are just going to get wet from sweat within about 15 minutes anyway? And not only that, but my skin has been really good for about a week, but the sudden humidity change from the rain made me break out in eczema again, and I felt ugly and didn't want anyone to see me with my red blotchy neck and arms. It's a lot better today though, the redness isn't so bad.

slow

2006-02-13T21:09:00.000+10:00

Date: 060213
Distance: 6km
Time: 44:24
Time: 17:40
Temp: 28.6 64%

Date: 060212
Distance: 12km
Time: 1:32:13
Time: 16:30
Temp: 26.8 72%

At this pace it is going to be a 5h 50min marathon. Hope I get faster than this soon, otherwise I will need to build up to 4 hour long runs.

stupid mp3 player

2006-02-09T19:05:00.000+10:00

stupid mp3 player, have to get a new one. The headphones keep falling out and it's too big. I want to get one of those sexy little cube ones - and they come in pink! Or maybe I should do something positive for the world and go for one that plays ogg's, but there aren't many of those around.

As for the run today, I feel like I am getting better every time I hit the pavement.

Date: 060209
Distance: 6.1km
Time: 45:50
Time: 1735
Temp: 27.7 62%

Inspired

2006-02-07T21:21:00.000+10:00

Date: 060207
Distance: 6.4km
Time: 49:09
Time: 1721
Temp: 28.6C 57%

First run for a while that I finished feeling comfortable and more invigorated than tired. Still have to walk a bit but not very much.

Have been reading reports on the Caboolture Dusk-till-dawn, wishing I had gone at least to watch. Some bloody good efforts put in. Check out the links in my sidebar under "Events in this blog may also be in these blogs". If you think my blog is boring (which it is at the moment) have a look. Hannah (first marathon, plus a bit) and Tamyka and Tess (first 100km - in 12 hours) in particular impressed me, and also make me feel guilty for being so lazy the last few months.

I did the Caboolture run last year - a 2 hour stint as part of a relay. I managed a pathetic 16 or 17km. So I am probably similar fitness or slightly worse as I was then, which means I am on track for Canberra, although it may be a slow one like last year. No time for slacking - I was looking at blogs of other people doing Canberra and they are training heaps more than me! It's probably not very smart to try and train for a marathon from scratch in three months, but oh wells, I'm not very smart! :)

Edit: got new glasses, they look cool but I can't seem to keep them clean when I am running. BTW I am short-sighted so wear them most of the time, but I wear contacts too.

Even longer run!

2006-02-05T17:19:00.000+10:00

Date: 060204
Distance: 13km
Time: 1:32
Time: 1700
Temp: 29.8C 63%

Ran from Nundah toward Stafford along the creek and back. Was in Nundah helping a mate set up his photography website. In return, got free dinner and got fussed over which was good because was feeling a big crook by the end of the run.

1 hour!

2006-02-02T19:23:00.000+10:00

Yay, first run over 1 hour! Well, since getting back on the horse anyway. Pretty darn slow though. :( Skulled half a 1.25L bottle of sars afterwards, burrrpp...

Date: 060202
Distance: 8km
Time: 1:02:??
Time: 1715
Temp: 28.3C 61%

Will try another hour-long run this weekend.

2006-01-31T20:56:00.000+10:00

Date:060131
Distance:6km
Time:39:46
Time:0617
Temp: 24.1C 72%

Range
Date:060123
Distance: <4km
Time:32:26
Time: 1710

LOTR
Date: 060121
Distance: 8km?
Time: 52:19
Time: 1730

Catch up

2006-01-29T13:59:00.000+10:00

Thank you for the excellant tips on eating. I gave up junk food for a few days - and then found I no longer craved it anymore. Then I went backwards again because there was heaps on at work and I resorted to raiding the chip/lolly machine. Recidivist.

I have been running but have not kept track. Went for a really nice run last week - I listened to lord of the rings soundtrack and I swear I was running in a mediaeval forest complete with horses, maidens and men with swords. It was raining ever so lightly, but the sun still shining through the rain drops; magic.

Anyways - was talking to someone about euthanasia. I don't know if a blog has any legal validity - but I post my intentions anyway: if I am incapable of communicating - please switch me off and/or remove and feeding tubes. If in doubt, let me die. Pleeeasse... If I change my mind (which I won't) I will post this in my blog. I have to make sure everyone knows my preferance and that there is no doubt.

Bad diet

2006-01-18T18:23:00.000+10:00

Ran for 20 minutes mostly non-stop on the way home from work.

Date: 050118
Distance: 3.1km
Time: 20:00
Time: 1715
Goodwill: 3:08
Temp: 27.3C 67%

Have been eating a lot of crap lately - lots of softdrink and take-away. Am trying to eat more healthy. I set myself a small goal - have three peices of fruit every day, and limit softdrink (except soda water) to every second day. Anyone have any tips or easy goals to help me?

Lava lamp

2006-01-17T21:25:00.000+10:00

Date: 050116
Distance: 4.8km
Time: 40:42
Time: 1740
Goodwill: 3:09
Temp: 27.5C 62%

Have fallen off the horse a bit in the last week, I am only running when I feel like it. I can't have that luxury for much longer though if I want to do Canberra and Brisbane marathons. Still feeling positive. Title of post is lava lamp, just because I bought one today.

Note: Goodwill is the time taken to run over Goodwill bridge. My PB is just under 2 minutes.

Tammy's first marathon

2006-01-15T09:00:00.000+10:00

Blog: My First Marathon

Thought you might be interested in the blog above. I have been reading Tammy's blog for a few months now, and today is her big day - her first marathon!! She has raised lots of money for a charity and has been training hard. Wish her the best of luck. Will all happen late tonight Brisbane time, so check her blog in a few days to see how she went.

International Geek Song

2006-01-15T08:50:00.000+10:00

If you are a geek or know one, and have a fast connection, you might appreciate this. ;) download AVI

Happy run in the rain

2006-01-08T11:54:00.000+10:00

It was raining ever so lightly this morning. It was lovely, cool and refreshing. What I love most about starting up running is that initially you improve so quickly. I ran along the first 15 minutes before I felt the need to walk, and during those 15 minutes that awkward feeling that plagued me the last few runs was gone. I didn't imagine everyone staring at me, laughing about my uncoordinated gait, thinking "why is she running - she is so hopeless, and she should give up". I felt free. I felt like a runner. Then I had to run/walk the rest of the way, but didn't feel guilty about it. I am feeling very positive about running now, and look forward to the future. Yesterday I updated my upcoming runs table (see right-hand margin) so I have a lot to look forward to. I am so happy!

Distance: 4.8km
Time: 38:01
Time: 0700 (morning, again!!)
Temp: 22C 91% (light rain)

Baby run

2006-01-06T22:19:00.000+10:00

May have been my shortest run ever. Meant to run after work yesterday, but went to the golf driving range instead. Am tired, and sore in the legs from the run two days ago - I have felt better after marathons. How embarrasing. It can only get better from here.

Distance: 1.6km
Time: 13:38
Time: 0700 (morning!)
Temp: 26C 84%

edit: i think there is something wrong with my blog banner, will fix it later. Maybe it is because the whole Internet is slowed by the latest Sober virus trying to update itself. ??

Sanity

2006-01-04T19:20:00.000+10:00

I just wanted to respond to a comment from jen_runs in the post previous to this, because I think it is really important.

Now I don't know why spot feels he needs to take a month off. I found his post on coolrunning but he didn't say why. He is a very good runner and did sub 3h Brisbane Marathon so he obviously would have trained very hard and I think deserves some time off.

But I know why I needed some time off. It wasn't because of my physical health - I have not been injured from running. It was my mental health. It was a big year for me and many months of training and sacrifice takes it's toll on your motivation. I found myself standing at the start line of a marathon thinking about one the next weekend. I was keen and loving it at the time, and would do it all over again (which I intend to this year). Eventually - while I was in good shape physically, I was wiped out emotionally. I was flogging a dead horse every time I laced up the shoes and went out the door. I made all sorts of excuses not to run. I needed time to refresh the mind and not think about running for a while.

A lot of readers of this blog will relate to running being an obsession - sometimes it isn't healthy. You have to look after yourself mentally just as much as you do physically. The two aspects of health are linked - you can't ignore either. Poor mental health can lead to poor physical health and visa versa. If you need to, don't be afraid; vent, talk to someone, have time off training for some non-running fun. It's just as important as taking time off because of a knee injury.

The mind is very powerful. Powerful enough to sabotage your body. If you try to ignore it when it is screaming for you to slow down, you will find yourself physically injured. I think if I tried to push on training - I would have ended up injuring myself or getting sick and would have no choice in having time off.

Interestingly, I was speaking to a mental health nurse on the plane back from christmas holidays. Mental health care is in a very sad state due to the stigma. The nurse told me they have to have minimum 50% male staff on duty at any time. Why? Because they need staff who are physically strong to control the patients. He said most of the patients are admitted as a last resort and because no one else can handle them. A lot of them are drug users. It's only those in a really bad condition that get treatment. Goes to show that you have to take responibility for your own mental health, because you won't get treatment until you are in such a bad state that no-one can handle you.

Remember - all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Don't just listen to your body, listen to your mind. Keep an eye on your mates too and let them know you are there for them. Take care.

Before the after

2006-01-03T21:14:00.000+10:00

Ran part of the way home from work today. Didn't make it the whole way and decided to walk the last km. I measured it with google maps because I want to tally up my kilometers over the month. Whether or not I have the patience to keep up the measuring and adding up is a different story.

I ran 3km. If I had kept running the whole way it would be 4km.

Route: work -> goodwill bridge -> musgrave park
Distance: 3km
Time: 25:46
Temp: 30C 60%
Time: about 5-6 pm

Seeing that my shape today will be the "before" reference point - time to analyse the shape I am in.

Normally I can run the 4km route faster than the time above. The heat, breathing or my muscles didn't bother me. Limiting factor was my heart felt it was beating rather ferociously and I had to stop for walk breaks after 10 minutes. And the sweat dripping into my eyes was a bit annoying. Note to self: wear hat.

Afterwards when I was walking I think I felt that my back is weaker. I wanted to slouch. It felt like my boobs were weighing me down. Guess I have lost a bit of strength.

I weighed myself - 60kg. Same as usual. I did not put on any weight over Christmas or from not running. I feel my belly is a bit flabbier and sticks out more. And my legs - particularly my calves and thighs have shrunk and are not as chunky and muscley as they once were. Maybe I am just imagining it. I don't have my 'sock' tan line and am paler than normal. If i remember I will take my heartrate monitor out and get some resting measurements.

I have a type of weariness at the moment that feels comfortably familiar. It's nice to be out puffing and sweating again. I feel like I am doing an experiment on myself.

Back again

2006-01-01T18:45:00.000+10:00

Happy New Year!

I am feeling fresh and ready to run again. After spending a week in north Queensland with no airconditioning I think I am ready to run even if it's hot and muggy. Funnily, my skin has miraculously cleared up whilst up north, even though I didn't run. Now I have a theory that it is sweating that keeps the skin nice and not running.

I was going to start running toward the end of January, but I have decided to start now. Will start very slowly with some short run/walks. I feel like a beginner again! It's sort of exciting, I can't wait to see how unfit I have gotten. :)

I got the latest Brisbane Road Runners magazine and found that I came dead last in the annual points competition. It's not because I am slow (which I am), but it's more of a participation competition, and I have not gone to many meets last year. I think I have gone as many times on race duty as I have gone to run myself. I am just not a morning person. Even though the start line is only a 2 minute bike ride from my place, I just can't seem to get myself out of bed that early on a regular basis. I have race duty on the 29 Jan, I will do my duty then, but I am not going to renew the membership this year as I will be better off going on a casual basis.

New Years resolutions

I will be 25 in August this year so a good time to get my drivers licence because I will pass the magical insurance barrier and will be able to hire a car without having to sacrifice my first-born. I can drive a manual confidently, and have a lot of experience behind the wheel for a learner, but need a few lessons for fine-tuning things like parking. Also want to get my CCNA certification which I have been studying for.

Running-wise - I want to have done 10 marathons by my 25th birthday which means running 4 between now and late August which should be easy enough. Maybe I will do Gold Coast this year to see what all the fuss is about. Townsville is a must - I want to do that every year to build up a streak. Other than that, I'll just take it as it comes. My main reason for running is for fun, and I don't want to get hung up on doing such-and-such a time. I just like to participate. So no particularly ambitious goals for now.

stay tuned to read all about the hard slog of starting up running again!

see ya in January

2005-11-30T18:45:00.000+10:00

"Ran" on monday for an hour. I didn't think it was possible to run so slow - I did a 7:15 km.
Ran for 30mins today.
At the moment I have no motivation to run except to fix up my skin. My eczema is killing me, I am itchy and can't sleep. So I am running to fix that up. And that's the only reason. I am so bored when I hit the pavement, it is so dull. I wonder how I ever liked it sometimes. At the same time after not running a few days I miss it, have dreams (both night and day about it), and feel lost without it. It's a love-hate relationship.
Well I have decided to quit the blog for now because I don't have anything worth writing. Honestly you don't want to hear me bitching and moaning about how I have to go for a run for health reasons but am bored to tears doing so.
End of January I will start ramping it up for Canberra and will start blogging again. My motivation will be back then - when it comes to exercise this is a normal yearly cycle for me.
Come back then. :)

Stupid idea of the day: Warmarathoning

2005-11-26T11:19:00.000+10:00

Warning.. this post is not really running related.

Yesterday I walked home from work, but not the usual way. This time I was 'warwalking'. This is walking while scanning for wireless access points, it's the same sort of thing as wardriving but without the car. Or more importantly without the antenna, because in the age of terrorism fear I would probably get dobbed in by the "stay alarmed, not alert" campaign and thrown away in jail for 3 months and no one would even know what happened to me. I turned my laptop on, put my Orinoco silver card in (yes i know you can upgrade the firmware to a gold card, i havn't got around to it), started up kismet, put the lappy in my backpack, and walked home. I found about 240 access points! I didn't think I would find that many in only 3km. Here is a list of access points I found, hardware addresses and SSID's.

I was thinking it would be cool to go war-running, or even warmarathoning. I bet no one has war-run a marathon before. But that would be rather expensive. The gear you would need is detailed here. You would need a handheld like a palm. Something you could install linux on would work better, I doubt any windows based OS would be customisable enough to get everything working on limited hardware resources of a handheld. At least 1 pcmcia slot to put in a wireless card with a decent chipset, because I doubt any handheld would have built in wireless that would run in promiscious mode. Another pcmcia slot for a GPS card would be awesome, because then you could plot your points on a map. Maybe a built-in GPS would work. You would need it to be small enough and strong enough to run with. Maybe you could wear a hat with an antenna mounted on top... now that would make people think you are really wierd!

That way, if you don't run your fastest time, you might do a PB for the number of wireless points detected!

Lakeside Raceway

2005-11-23T07:17:00.000+10:00

On Sunday I went for a short run around Lakeside Raceway. Lakeside is a track that has hosted all sorts of motor racing but it closed down I think in the late 90's. It is too narrow and I think the starting grid and facilities got too small for the V8's. Personally I think it would be a ripper of a track to watch aussie cars go around. And motorbikes. Or opening it up for somewhere for hoons to go would be great. Anyway - the raceway itself is in a state of limbo along with it's heritage status, so most likely another ugly housing estate with an un-Australian, wanky name like "Lakeview Waters" will be built there. Better run on it while we still can. Speaking of un-Australian - I hate the word and it's chronically misused, but I think very appropriate in this context. Seen any new housing estates with Australian names?

Ran home from work on Monday, saw cooolrunner Dom and gave him a wave. Should run today but not sure if I will find the time. I really should be out now rather than blogging. better go to work now.

Thanks everyone for all the kind comments.

Kurrawa is off

2005-11-18T18:17:00.000+10:00

Sorry I have not blogged for a while. I have been flat out with work this week. There are so many projects happening at work and everyone wants their project finished by christmas. Along with most of the others in our team, I have been in at 8am and leaving anywhere between 6 and 7:30pm. Today is the first day this week I have come home while it's still light.

I havn't done much running, and after a week and a half of no decent long runs, and only three weeks to go, Kurrawa is off, even the 25k. I am disappointed, but I have to be realistic and respect the distance. On the bright side, I will have lots of work flex time so I can go for long lunchtime runs, or leave work early for a long run later when things are less busy.

I am certainly feeling the effects of not running, am feeling sluggish, have stuffy sinus and my skin is starting to break out in exzema. I'm now convinced running helps stop these things because I never get them while I am running. I will definitely go running on the weekend, I really miss it.

the usual

2005-11-10T19:00:00.000+10:00

ran home from work again, was a shorter run - only about 50mins. Pretty ho-hum, nothing exciting to report on. Was nice and cool - there is a storm on it's way from the west, it should be here in about an hour.

Day off, tired

2005-11-09T19:15:00.000+10:00

I think I did about a 70 minute run after work yesterday. I know it was over an hour. Am feeling the effects of the training, and have been very tired lately. Decided to have the day off today, but must run tomorrow.

I've warned my friends about the upcoming 50k. They know the drill - I am now at risk of a Grandpa Simpson snooze at any moment. I will probably pike out early from any night time activities. I will fall asleep on their couch no matter how loud the music is, and you can stick things up my nose and I will keep snooring away. And yes, I will have seconds please, give me a man sized portion of that lovely beef stroganoff. And hide the coke and vegemite if you don't want me consuming it all.

ADSL!!

2005-11-09T19:06:00.001+10:00

Yay, I got broadband! I have been using dial-up for a few years now. I have been paying by the hour and as a result, usually type up emails and what-not, dial up, have the connection going at full tilt while I download updates and stuff, and hang up. I don't like having the connection just sitting there idle.

Well now it doesn't matter, now i'm charged by the MB. And of course it's heaps faster. The ISP is exetel. Only bug at the moment is DNS isn't working properly - i have to keep editing resolv.conf every 20 minutes or so - it doesn't seem to hold the dns server entries I configure, and keeps reverting to the default. I must stress I know this is my fault and not the ISP's, they have been terrific in keeping me informed with the progress of the connection. I am sure i will be able to work it out soon enough.

Yay! Now I can take my time when I write up my blog.

Morning run

2005-11-07T18:47:00.000+10:00

I'm not sure what happened to that post yesterday, looks like blogger ate it. Anyway on Satuday I ran 1h, followed by 1h brisk walk, followed by 1h water aerobics, making a 3 hour mixed session. The reasoning being I can't run for three hours yet, but I can still try to get the body used to at least moving for three hours.

I ran to work today. Got up pretty much the same time as normal, shoved a change of clothes in my bag and was off. Funnily, I was sitting at my desk 15mins earlier than usual. I usually spend too much time getting ready and walking to work. Amazing - I just squeezed in a 50 minute run without taking time away from sleep, work, or social time. Just goes to show how inefficiant I am normally.

I feel that I am improving at an exponential rate. Plan for this week is to do a daily 45 to 75 minute run. Then I will do another 3 hour 'session' on the weekend, and try to make the running component at least half that time.

Saturday 3 hours

2005-11-06T21:54:00.000+10:00

First of November

2005-11-01T19:21:00.000+10:00

I really enjoyed the run home today. I think the roadrunners run has shaken the cobwebs out and I am feeling fresh and motivated again. My fitness is certainly lacking, but the motivation is getting better, which is the most important thing. I ran home through the city - which was interesting - the usual dodging through crowds was further complicated by half of them being drunk from lunch time celebrations of a certain horse race. By the way, just to show how much attention I pay to the Melbourne - while the race was on I was at my desk, munching on a packet of chips and reading on the net about winmodem drivers. I should have chosen salt-and-vinegar chips because the weather is getting hotter now and I am getting salt cramps in my feet as I am typing this. The run was from work in the city, over the story bridge, Kangaroo pt to the Goodwill bridge, and then a lazy walk-run up vulture st to home. I am not going to bother keeping record of the time it took because I think it is irrelavant at this stage.

It's the first of the month again. Time to do up a chart showing days that I have run for the month that has just gone. This really shows how lazy I have been.

October summary

sun	mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat

						x
x
x		x
	x	x
x

It's also time for new goals and aspirations. I have decided to do the Kurrawa run. There is a 25km and a 50km, and it's in early December so I've only got a month to train. I really need a goal to get me off my butt, Canberra marathon (April) is too far away to think of at the moment. I dunno whether to do the 25k or the 50k. 50k might be a bit much, but I will see how my training goes in the next couple of weeks. Maybe my fitness will be ok for the 50- I have done 4 marathons and an ultra since April this year, and then 6 or so weeks of lazyness, so that base fitness might still be there. I have to admit the challenge of doing a 50k with a months training lights my flame more than 25k does. Yeah I'm a crazy git - you already knew that. See how I go.

Roadrunners

2005-10-30T09:54:00.000+10:00

I did manage to drag myself out of bed at 5:15 which is way too early, but at least this time of year it is light. Roadrunners had a relay, 3 runners per team - mixed up so hopefully teams finish around the same time. 7km each. They used runners 10km bests to determine what team you go in. I have realised the only 10km I have done has been the Killarney Ascent at Warwick, so technically my 10km PB is like 1h20m. I rounded it to 60 minutes, I know it would probably take me longer than that now anyway, it didn't really matter because I would be in the slowest category anyway. Funnily enough, people were commenting about 7km being an odd distance and hard to predict their time for, whilst I do a 7km time trial every (cough, splutter) week.

It was a tough run, I faded off badly. But what do you expect from running twice a week, if that. I was the second of three in the relay, and started with and tried to keep Comrades extrodinaire Annie on my tail. I had an embarrasing moment coming through the start-finish area on my 3rd km when I nearly drowned in a cup of water. I usually stop to drink, but while our first runner was out, I watched other runners grab cups so professionally I thought I would give it a go. I failed miserably, thank goodness no cameras about. Annie was catching me at the end as I slowed down badly, but then she started yacking with another runner who came up to meet her. I reckon she would have had me if she wasn't talking. How people can talk while they are running I don't know.
splits: 05.47, 06.05, 06.22, 06.35, 06.51, 07.28, 05.58 total:45:09

Paintings are framed

2005-10-29T19:39:00.000+10:00

got my paintings back from the framer today. I shuffled the furniture around in my bedroom in order to hang one up in a decent spot. They are framed in rosewood.

The pictured painting I think is called 'bush tucker'. The title was written on the back but now I can't see the back because it is in the frame. The snakes are really cool, also you can't see it very well in the photo but there is a watercourse running through it with rockfaces along it.

The second one is Womans Dreaming, there are woman with digging sticks and coolomons with witchety grubs in them, with more witchety grubs around the outside. I am not putting up a photo till I figure out how to put more than one photo in a post. Link to Womans Dreaming.

Good news from the US that has made my day - Libby has got it up the arse.

Anyway - 7km relay tomorrow, it's not looking rainy, I told runnerbee I would be there, no strange men staying over tonight (yet...) so I don't have any excuses.

Running a little again

2005-10-26T18:50:00.000+10:00

Wanted to blog last night but the ISP was down. The connection was so bad it actually manage to freeze my computer, the whole thing, my system monitor and mouse halted. It freaked me out. I mean - on windows it's a regular sort of occurance and is expected - you reboot, and it's all good. But on linux - I have never in three years of using it managed to freeze the whole system. So I thought I might have had a surge or something and computers insides were fried. But all is working fine now.

Ran home on Monday, 30minutes. I was puffing a bit. :) But I did manage to run most of the way.

Today I ran home also, a bit better, less puffing. 40 minutes, a longer route. Listened to the radio - triple J about a book - Female chauvanist pig - or something like that. It was quite an interesting discussion about the sexualisation of our culture. I laughed when they mentioned sex doesn't sell so well in Europe because they are not repressed prudes like Aussies and Americans are. So true.

I did a write up of my installation on my new laptop. Need to add screenshots and pretty it up, but the gory bits are all there. Hopefully someone will be able to solve a problem in their own geeky conquests from reading my guide. That is actually not what has been keeping me busy as of late - I have been working on some job applications. Despite being working at the same place for 2 years I am still a temp. If sucessful I will be upgraded to permanant status, if I end up second in line maybe I will get extended another couple of months to backfill the person who did get the job... It's like bloody musical chairs in the public service. :)

Humbug

2005-10-22T17:23:00.000+10:00

Writing this from humbug from the new second hand laptop. Have not run much have been busy with the new toy and other things. I have actually been productive, doing more things I have put off - eg I got a vacuum cleaner today. Bagless, but cheap one, with a washable filter so no ongoing costs. Nice and small to fit in the cupboard. The network isn't crash hot today and isn't that fast.

Run home, scrawny

2005-10-18T18:28:00.000+10:00

Ran home from work. 37 minutes. Via goodwill bridge and roadrunners start area. Actually I stopped at the roadrunners start area and walked the rest of the way home. Lazy I know.

My laptop is going to be delivered to work, and if it arrives tomorrow I don't want to run home with it so I thought I should run home today.

Also - a little side-track story. I got changed into my running gear while at work - I was wearing a tight top and shorts. The lifts in my building have big mirrors in them. On the way down in the lift I saw my reflection in them, I think I am starting to look scrawny. When I got home I jumped on the scales. I have lost exactly 10kg since starting up running in April last year. I don't want to loose anymore, and I still am slowly loosing weight, but I want to keep running. I suppose I will have to eat more and do more weights and hill work.

Rain rain, go away

2005-10-16T11:36:00.000+10:00

I didn't have a very good sleep last night. Next door who is in the same building as me were having a party and making a bit of racket. Not that I would complain - they have just as many loud parties as I do and they don't complain when I have one, so I won't complain either.

I set the alarm for 5 this morning, for a 6 oclock start at roadrunners (a 10 minute walk away). I woke up and it was dark and raining. Hmmm, should I go outside in the rain for three hours, or stay in a nice warm bed and catch up on a bad nights sleep? The latter won in the end.

The rain hasn't let up. It has been constant all night and all morning. I substituted a run with my budget treadmill substitute - a jump rope, and went out in the covered courtyard at the back and jumped for an hour. Then I did some work with my girly weights. 3x12 sit-ups, 3x12 abdominal leg raises, 3x12 dumbell bench press, 3x12 bicep curl, 3x12 of two other excercises I am not sure of the name of.

Jump rope has worked well as a substitute before, a lot of the training I did for Warrumbungles marathon was on jump rope because of lack of daylight hours (winter) and work taking them all up. I don't feel comfortable going on longer runs in the dark on my own.

Art collecting

2005-10-16T11:16:00.000+10:00

Speaking of spending money, also have been on art framing. I bought two aboriginal acrylic on canvas paintings when I went to Katherine (NT) - which was a while ago now. I am getting them framed in rosewood. I told the framer he can take his time with it, the paintings have been sitting in a mailing tube for so long they can wait a bit longer before being displayed. I will post pictures of the final product. There is some very nice aboriginal art on Ebay at the moment, including a lovely large work by Michelle Possum Nungarrayi picturedthat I am considering putting a bid in for. The colours are maginificant.

Spending money

2005-10-16T11:15:00.000+10:00

I have been E-Baying. I bought an IBM Thinkpad X22 yesterday. The X series is an ultracompact notebook. The X22 is a late 2001 model. Size is reduced by having the optical drive (cdrom) and floppy external. It has a compact flash (CF) slot which will come in handy because that's what my camera takes. I am not actually sure if the CF slot works but we will see when it arrives, probably on Tuesday or Wednesday. The X22 is very well documented on the web and is well supported under Linux. I am going to put Debian Linux on it, and will start going to Humbug again now I don't have to lug my Shuttle (my small PC, the size and shape of a large toaster) and CRT screen along (big and heavy). Humbug is a group of Unix/Linux enthusiasts (geeks) who meet once a fortnight at University of QLD (UQ) - taking advantage of the insanely fast connection speeds.

Busy @ Work

2005-10-14T18:26:00.001+10:00

It's been busier than normal at work. Normally it wouldn't be such a bad thing. But when there is normally 5 people in a team and it's reduced down to 1 due to holidays, illnesses and 'personal' problems, it isn't much fun being the one left. Not only is there less people, there is 1/3 more work than normal. Luckily people are in general understanding and realise I am on my own and don't get too cranky if their job takes a while to do. I guess that is because they know normally I get requests done promptly. Luckily no disasters struck. My job is a System Administrator for a State Government department. I've got about 40 servers to look after, all over Queensland, and goodness knows how many clients connect to them. When things go wrong in my job, the whole department crawls to a standstill.

Good thing is the week has gone by fast. I barely know what day it was, this week was a matter of cycling of getting up, go to work, come home. Although I did catch a movie last night Serenity which was pretty good. Cheesy special effects, but it was a story that was easy to get into. I also saw last week Dukes of Hazard and Wallace and Gromit. They were all pretty good. Dukes got bad reviews, but i reckon its just a case of critics being snoots. They can't be caught saying bogan movie with Jessica Simpson is good.

Got my tax return back. Wasn't very much. I am considering paying off my HECs debt. I have the money, and paying it out gives a 10% discount - eg you pay $100, reduces the debt by $110. I'll be $200 better off if I pay it off now. I don't know if I can be arsed though. Got an email from passport office and it's in the mail. Already. Less than a week - that was bloody quick considering I didn't pay any extra for fast service. Well now I am waayy off topic.

Anyhoo this weekend is the 25k. I really don't care how I do in it. I'm just going to put one foot in front of the other till i'm finished. I was thinking today about my first half marathon and how I panicked and how ridiculously far I thought it was. And now I am blasé about an even longer run. How things change.

One step forward, two steps back

2005-10-12T19:27:00.000+10:00

OK, after all this lazyness I wonder how much fitness I have lost. Didn't run Monday, Tuesday, or today. Although I did to some upper body work tonight.

I promise myself I will run tomorrow. I do feel like a run now. I have to do something, I have the 25k on Sunday.

Oh and I say hello to my sister who reads this blog. :)

La-la land

2005-10-10T20:19:00.000+10:00

Have been distracted in the complex world within my mind. So distracted I forgot to run from last Monday until Saturday. Went for 40mins on Saturday and Bribie Beach Bash 15k on Sunday. Can't remember much of the runs at the moment, they aren't important. At the moment the complexity of economics in particular macroeconomics is boggling my mind, and I must know all there is to know about it. Futile I know, but I can't concentrate on anything else at the moment.

Falling in love again

2005-10-03T18:25:00.000+10:00

I really lost motivation after last Thursdays run. I'm such a sook sometimes. I got really put off and didn't want to run all weekend. I didn't run Friday, Saturday or Sunday. I just mentally couldn't get out there. It scares me a bit because I know I love running, and once before when I had one of my 'tantrums' I didn't run for two years afterwards.

Well today I actually felt like going out, and I was looking forward to it. I was going to run at lunch but it was 30C (86F) out so I chickened out and ran home in the afternoon instead. I ran for about 1h10m, then did some circuit exercises along the river at West End. I think I am going to have calouses on my hands from trying to hold on to bars for some of the exercises. :) And my abs are sore from some dips. Ha ha I am such a noob - I thought I was doing dips at the time, but I looked it up now and turns out I was doing something completely different - Parallel Bar Abdominal Knee Raises. That explains why my abs are sore and not my triceps! To help me feel like going out again, I put some good tunes on my mp3 player (aussie beer songs) and bopped along and tried to make it fun. It worked! And I want to go out tomorrow too! I'm in love.

I ran into Coolrunner Dom too. Hope he doesn't think I am stalking him - I bumped into him just outside his place. :) We were wearing the same R4YL hat too.

Last night: Grand final

2005-10-03T18:24:00.000+10:00

This cartoon from The Townsville Bulletin sums it up best. I'm so proud of our boys, they played well. (wipes tear from eye)

Pinch and a punch...

2005-10-01T13:05:00.000+10:00

...for the first day of the month! I think the blog is working. I can't beleive I have kept it up for a whole month. I can for the first time ever look back and see what training I have been doing. I am still basically ambling along with no real plan, but at least now I know what I have done and can figure out what I can do better.

I suspect I had too many rest days, so did up a chart of the month to see how true it is.

sun	mon	tue	wed	thu	fri	sat
				x		x
x	x					50k
x		x		x	x
	x	x		x
x		x		x

*I remember I went for a run with Arnstein (maybe even two) in those four days before the ultra but can't remember which day now.

Yup, there is certainly room for improvement. Note I never ran on a Wednesday - it is the day after my hardest speedwork (which knocks me out more than long runs do) and the day before my time trial so I think I will keep that as a rest day and try to run more on Fridays.

As for getting faster, I don't see any results yet. I was expecting to see some results after a month of regular speedwork, but to be fair tapering and recovering from the ultra put things back a bit.

The month ahead

Toowoomba marathon is in two weeks. I would like to do it and I know I can do it, but it doesn't fit in with my goals, and will put my training out like the ultra did, so I will give it a miss. The same day as Toowoomba marathon is the 25k club champs. I did really well in a 25k late last year (a complete fluke), but I would like to give it another go.

Climate: It's starting to get hot now. Right now it is 25C (77F) and 61% humidity. I woke up this morning and thought it was like Townsville weather, but I know that's not true as after several months I still have my down quilt on my bed which would only be usable for about a week a year in Townsville. I am going to have to get used to the heat, as training for Canberra Marathon in April means running the middle of summer.

So basic plan is still - Tuesday speed work, Thursday time trial, weekend long run (with some hilly ones like Mt Cootha added in), and time-on-feet running to and from work.

p.s. New posts on my rantlady blog

Ring Road (what's wrong with me?)

2005-09-29T18:41:00.000+10:00

split	dist.	total
2:32		02:32
2:46	1km	05:19
3:03		08:22
3:20	2km	11:43
3:04		14:47
3:20	3km	18:08
----		----
6:27	4km	24:35
4:06		28:41
3:19	5km	32:00
3:33		35:33
3:16	6km	38:50
3:22		42:12
3:19	7km	45:32

:(
Felt like crap. Legs didn't want to go anywhere. I don't understand how inconsistant I am.
Have been in a foul mood all day. It's not even that time of month.
Sorry for anyone who got it dished out from me today.

Off topic

2005-09-27T19:17:00.000+10:00

I made a new blog for non-running stuff as not to hijack this one. Sometimes I just gotta let it all out...

http://rantlady.blogspot.com

Hill repeats in the Gardens

2005-09-27T18:51:00.000+10:00

Hill reps in Brisbane's beautiful botanic gardens today. I wondered how people manage to do hill work in the gardens, there are no hills in the gardens!! Well I went snooping on my long run on sunday and I found the hill. Unfortunately it is not a particularly high one and only takes 20-30 seconds to run up. A hill can never be too long - you can simply turn around earlier if needed, but you can't do much about a hill that is too short.

Well who'd have thought a mere 35 minutes would leave you feeling like jelly. I will no longer assume people who go run in the gardens, and come back a mere 30 minutes later are posers. They might have just done hill reps! Look at my times fading away. Look at my rest times, shocking stuff. Can do with a lot of improvement. I bow my head in shame and vow to get those times down - particularly the recovery times. It is so humbling it feels like I am starting running from scratch all over again.


Warm up: 7:58

up       24     23      26      21      27      27      28      25
down     20     20      21      22      24      25      24      24
rest     30     30      50      46      80      52      60      72

Warm down: 5:28
Stretch: 7:10
Total: 34:14

Headache is finally gone

2005-09-27T07:36:00.000+10:00

I was still feeling a bit off weather yesterday. Had a headache behind my right eye, took some paracetemol and it didn't do anything. I didn't run, not because of the headache, but mostly because of a big day at work. There were other people in my team away so I took on most of the additional day-to-day workload. Didn't get home from work till 7"30, then made me some leek and potato soup with some french bread, and had an early night. Seemed to do the trick as I am feeling ok again now. Feeling up for some more hill work today.

Cowboys in Final!

2005-09-25T18:50:00.000+10:00

I wish I was home in Townsville now... the Cowboys have just thrashed the Eels 29:0, earning them a place in the Grand Final. I imagine what it would be like up there at the moment. It must be totally crazy.

I went for a 2h run today. Purposely went out in the heat (left at 9am) in an attempt to customise myself to it. Now my arms are sunburnt and I have a headache. I didn't drink enough, and worse, had a few beers while watching the footy. Oh well who cares... yay Cowboys!!

Time wasting

2005-09-24T17:47:00.000+10:00

I just spent about 3 hours making a banner for my blog, finding a photo, using The Gimp to crop it and add a title, trying to position the image itself and the text correctly on it. So much stuffing around. I was going to go for a run this arvo but now it's dark... whoops. Will have to do a long one tomorrow to make up for it.

BTW the photo is of me on top of Turtle Rock at Girraween National Park, stopping for a lunch break and to take in the view.

Queensland Roar at Lang Park

2005-09-24T11:02:00.000+10:00

Last night with a group from work I went to a soccer match between Queensland Roar and Sydney at Lang Park (I refuse to call the venue by it's sponsors name, as I dislike the company in question)link. I have to admit I was on the edge of my seat cheering and hollering and now I think i've lost my voice. I can certainly get more excited over soccer than basketball, perhaps because it is lower scoring.

It was a good game, overall both teams played well, but Queensland was not consistant and kept giving the ball away and wasted a lot of opportunities to score. Sydney scored first less than 5 minutes into the game. At the start of the second Queensland was finally getting it together, were playing very well and scored. But later in the game Sydney put two easy ones in the net.

Oh yeah, and the ref was full of crap...

Queensland: 1
Sydney: 3

Ring road 40:12

2005-09-22T20:54:00.000+10:00

Did my 7km time trial. I did a dismal run last week but it was probably due to being stuffed from the 50k. I was hoping to do under 42 this week which I did easily. I thought most of it was at a nice even but still hard pace. Seeing I was only 13 seconds off today, next week I will have to break 40 minutes.

split	dist.	total	av.hr
2:27		02:27	166
2:45	1km	05:12	168
2:57		08:09	168
2:49	2km	10:59	170
2:52		13:52	170
2:58	3km	16:50	169
2:56		19:46	168
2:56	4km	22:43	170
2:55		25:38	171
3:00	5km	28:38	170
2:58		31:36	170
2:54	6km	34:30	171
2:54		37:24	170
2:47	7km	40:12	172

recent 7k trials
20050901 38:43
20050908 taper
20050915 46:03
20050922 40:12

Whynot hill repeats

2005-09-20T20:53:00.001+10:00

I almost forgot - this is a running blog, not a soapbox. :)
So here is running stuff.

Monday: run work to home via story bridge and cultural forcourt, run time 56:58

Tuesday: run work to whynot st + stop at home (3k-ish) then some hill reps up Whynot St.
Work-whynot st + stop at home: 23:24


Hill reps
up    1:11  1:11  1:16  1:12
down  1:00  1:00  1:13  1:01
rest  0:35  0:41  0:35  3:35

I wasn't going to do any speedwork - but then thought hills would be good because it's hard to injure yourself unless you cane it on the downhill. Yet they still build your strength and help out in the cardiovascular department. I only did four of them, but will build up to more later. Naughty, I didn't do much of a warm down.

\begin rant
The security in my building has been revised and now I have to have my photo ID on display when entering the front entrance of the building. Unlike a lot of other people, I hate walking around the city with a public servant name tag on - I don't want everyone to know I work for the Government. I hide it away as soon as I leave the building. If I go through the back entrance I gotta flash it to the security cameras. What a pain for lunch time runs - I already have to take my building swipe key card with me to get back into the building (I tie it on my shoelace and lift my whole leg up to the sensor on the doors to swipe it, if anyone is watching the security cameras I wonder what they think I am doing), now I gotta take yet another card with me, grrrr...
\end rant

Speed on Tweed

2005-09-19T18:46:00.000+10:00

I wasn't going to write much on my blog on this, but Tess's comment made me reconsider. It was a very windy day, and driving down the Gold Coast Motorway with a strong side-wind was an interesting experience in itself. The event itself was at Murwillumbah (i'm glad I can simply type that and don't have to pronounce it) which is just over the border in NSW and slightly inland. There were lots of different cars there. It is amazing the imaculate condition of them, most of these cars are 20 years or older and look brand new. Lots of shiny chrome, the black bits really are black, and not a nick or scratch to be seen. Highlights for me were not one, but two GT-40's, and the "gogomobile" (pictured) from the Shannons ad. Doh - I missed the 1922 Wikner Ford special. There were lots of lovely cars, and a good variety. I am still learning differnt cars and don't know what many of them are, but they sure look nice!

Driving on the way back along the motorway I saw a distance marker that read "Brisbane 52". It's mind boggling thinking just a week ago I went that far on foot.

Thoughts on eating disorders

2005-09-19T18:44:00.000+10:00

A recent A Current Affair news item on closing down "pro-ana" websites, and seeing Claudia Schiffer looking skeletal, got me thinking about eating disorders. Being an INTP http://www.personalitypage.com/INTP.html I like to analyse things and have been thinking most of the weekend about body image.

Don't worry about me readers, occasionally I have a bad day and think my belly is like Buddha, but on the whole I reckon I've got a nice body shape. I have no experience with eating disorders, don't know of anyone personally who has suffered, so this analysis is purely from an outsiders perpective so feel free to shoot me down in flames with comments. I went on a diet once (no crash diet, just watched the portions and ate healthy food), and it sucessfully and permanantly got me out of the danger zone when my weight crept up to 1kg off being overweight according to BMI.

My perception of anorexia is that it is primarily a mental disorder. The sufferer feels a need to be in control of their life, and part of that desire for control manifests itself as a desire to control their weight. They see other woman (or men, males can suffer too) and images of other woman and compare themselves unfavourably. I think it is obvious something wrong is going on in their head when they stand in front of a mirror, skinny as a rake, and think they are fatter than the glamourous girl in the magazine who is probably heavier than the sufferer anyway.

People like to blame all the magazines for having skinny models dominating the pages. The magazines don't like this as it affects their image, so once in a while to make themselves feel better they will have an article about "real woman". Fat lot of good that does when on the very next page is an ad for Calvin Klien jeans modelled by yet another bony model. The magazines can't refuse the ads, they do refuse extreme ones but they can't turn down too many as then they will loose a main source of profit, which without there will be no magazine.

Suppose the advertisers jump on the feelgood bandwagon as well and use larger models. No matter what happens, there will always be an ideal. The models will have a bit more meat on them, but they will still need to meet certain criteria. They won't have all shapes and sizes, that would be too difficult. The idea of a model is to be a living coathanger. If the clothes can't fit the coathanger, the coathanger is rejected. With time constraints, the clothing can only be adjusted to a certain extent. I know how much trouble it is to buy clothing that fits me. My bust, waist, hips are size 14, size 8, size 12 respectively. If I were a model do you think they would bother adjusting clothes everytime I go in for a photo shoot, or just dump me and get someone who is a perfect size 12? That's the reality of having "real woman" as models. And if you want lots of different body shapes, it is going to be a lot of work. It will be too hard - it is so much easier with a woman with a more boyish perfect size shape. The previously prized skinny girls, and those who don't fit into a perfect size will be left behind.

Back to the anorexia, even if you do have the media dominated by plus size, real woman models, it's not going to help anorexics. Because as I said before - it is in their head. No matter what graces the magazines, it's always going to be someone who is slim and beautiful in their eyes. And those same eyes will see their own reflection as being inferior no matter how beautiful that reflection really is. The crux of the problem is they cannot see themselves realistically. Changing media images of woman isn't going to fix that. However it may make other woman in general feel better about themselves.

Run home on a jug

2005-09-16T20:10:00.000+10:00

Had some beer at lunch (three jugs between three of us) and ran home from work, so may have been under the influence whilst running home. I wonder if you can get pulled over for that? Somewhere around 40-50 minutes. Didn't want to time it because I knew I wouldn't like the result. Had to run today so that I don't have to run tomorrow to free up the day for Speed on Tweed.

Ring Road

2005-09-15T18:09:00.000+10:00

2:31		2:31
2:54	1km	5:26
3:10		8:36
3:14	2km	11:50
3:13		15:04
3:18	3km	18:23
3:30		21:54
3:25	4km	25:19
3:29		28:48
3:37	5km	32:26
3:24		35:51
3:33	6km	39:24
3:21		42:45
3:17	7km	46:03

Crap - wish i hadn't bragged so much about my legs being fresh, they aren't very fresh today. I went for my weekly 7k time trial and struggled to do 6:30/km. It's not that my legs felt sore or stiff, they just didn't want to move. I just checked the weather and it was 26 degrees, 25% humidity, so now I don't feel so bad about being slow.

I didn't feel like going for a run, I felt more like sneaking into the conference room at work and having a cat nap. The whole run felt like one of the rough patches you go through in the later stages of a marathon. I wanted to cut the run short, but thought it would be good practice in keeping on moving for when it gets tough. I find the marathon rough patches hard to simulate during training, so looked on the positive side and saw this as a golden opportunity to practice mental strength when running through the wall.

I think I might skip my planned Tuesday speedwork until the Thursday 7k gets back under 42 minutes = 6min/k.

recent 7k trials
20050825 39:59
20050901 38:43
20050908 taper
20050915 46:03

Bullets and Breakers

2005-09-15T07:19:00.000+10:00

Went to my first basketball game last night. Geez it was weird. My main thought about it is it's a great sport to watch if you have ADD. It's is so fast and jerky, and I found it really hard to get into when they keep stopping all the time. When the clock says 5 minutes left, it really means 15 counting the stops.

It is so commercialised - with ads on everything. There is never a dull moment with pom-pom girls, acrobats, men on stilts, the "silver bullet" shooting tshirts into the crowd. There was a really odd half time entertainment act of an air-string-quartet, except there were only three of them - girls in very short skirts, miming/air-guitaring what looked like toy violins to some Bond numbers (i think it was senoirita). Sorry if they really were playing and I got it wrong, but the 'backing track' was up so loud you wouldn't/couldn't hear them anyway. They can't be serious.

I can't help but wonder what the actual players thing about all the shenanigans. They probably just want to play a good game. So many distractions.

ps bullets won, i think 107 to 98.

back to business

2005-09-13T20:48:00.000+10:00

Now the 50k is over, time to start working on the speed again. (the blog is going to get boring now) I looked at the Glasshouse web site and it seems I was lucky that I did a slow 50k this event and not any of the others. I may have been pulled off for not making the cut-off for any of the other 50k runs during the year. That is what I hate most about being slow - is that it means I miss out on runs that I might want to do. Eg. I want to do six foot track and Brindabella classic solo. So time to start working on my goal of getting faster.

Started today by adding 6 strides/sprints into one of my shorter runs home from work. Ran to Davies park and did some repeats across the soccer oval. Did them at a harder effort each time, trying to stretch out and lift my legs up near my bum. Did the last one flat out in 18 seconds. Total run time: 49:11.

My legs feel quite fresh, I feel I have a lot of energy but my heart races and breathing is hard. At the same time as having energy, I also want to sleep alot. So I haven't recovered from the 50k yet so better not go too hard on the sprints. Better also not go too hard because I am only starting out.

Trying to decide whether to do the riverrun this weekend. The racing experience would do me good, but it is a "fun-run" and I don't find them very fun. 100's of people, less than 20k, more than $20, not my cup of tea. I think I might do the roadrunners 14k club champs instead.

50k in sub 9 hours

2005-09-12T18:17:00.000+10:00

It's hard to know where to start writing this, so much has happened in the one weekend, there is probably enough to write that would double the size of my blog.

Executive summary

I did the Glasshouse 50k, my first ultramarathon on Saturday. There was also a 100km and a 100mile event on at the same time, and a 12km and a 30km on Sunday. I did the 12km just for fun and to shake out the stiffness. For the 50k I predicted I would do just over 7 hours based on my time at the off-road Warrumbungles Marathon, but totally blew that out and did just under 9 hours! I blame not being fit enough for the blowout.

Blow-by-blow gory details

I went to Beerburum after work with my friend Arnstein who came down from Townsville also for the 50k. We went to the pasta party on Friday night and camped nearby for an early start. I woke up on Saturday to watch the 100mile start.

Start

Half an hour later, the 100km and 50km (me) started. I spent the 30 minutes flapping around trying to get organised. Very close to the start I realised Tamyka (another starter in the 50k) wasn't around and I tried to ring her on her mobile but it was switched off. The gun went off and still no Tamyka - but then seconds later I saw her running to the start line - talk about a close call. As for me - I am so disorganised I had to stop at the park 500m into the run for a tiolet break! At least it wasn't a city fun-run so there was no queue. I soon caught up with Coolrunner GT and Carol LaPlant who were doing the 100k and Nik Maloney in the 100 miles. I did a podcast interview on my mp3 player with GT and Carol, but it didn't work. :( Carol was doing her 150th ultra! She started in 1979 - I wasn't even born then! I hope I can keep it up and make running a lifelong habit like it is for her. They both had a early pit stop too, hence why they were at the back of the pack. I ran with them on and off, and it was pretty uneventful first 20-or-so km to checkpoint 5.
Checkpoint 5 was well stocked with all sorts of goodies. It's overkill for a 50k, but it's not really there for us - more for the longer events. It was tempting to just stay and stuff your face! I tried to make it quick, filled up my water and grabbed a hand full of anzac biscuits and walked out of the checkpoint while I ate them. Karisma was at 5 waiting for Run67 to come in, and I saw the 50k leaders Run67 and Dom coming into 5 (~40k for them) just after I left 5 (speed demons!).

5-6, 4wd's

Ran along the goat track which was really fun, I like running downhill on the rough bits, whilst flapping my arms about like a windmill. Went up Hennesys hill and this is where I had my encounter with the nasty 4wd'ers. There were 3 cars, they drove up behind me and I pulled over to the side to let them through. One passed me, but the other two wouldn't. The one in front stopped, and then started reversing toward me. Then stopped, and started going forward again. The one behind was driving too close for comfort behind me. They seemed to be enjoying themselves at my expense. I stopped and got right off the track in hope they would get bored and piss off. Nope - they just stopped too. So I kept running along off the track, I knew it wasn't far to the road. The one in front stopped again and put his reverse lights on and started coming back toward me again. Then I realised why he did that - we had come up to a closed gate - which I could get through - and they couldn't. I know if i get lost I should back-track, but that would mean following the cars, so i went through the gate instead, while they had to turn around. I got on to a major road and walked up and down and with my emergancy map worked out where I was and made it to checkpoint 6. The whole incident didn't loose me much time, but left me feeling pretty cranky.

6-5 Heating up

A chat with Schultzy and co. at checkpoint 6 made me feel better. They told me I was last (i already figured that bit out) and an hour behind the next person in front of me (Tamyka). I felt a bit dismayed again knowing the rest of the run will be on my own, as at this point the 100k and 100mile courses split off. I started off on the trip to 5 via Mt Beerwah. It was along powerlines, the sun was beeting down and there wasn't any shade. I was feeling ok along here, but by the time I got to the turn-off at 5a, I was deteriorating. My head felt really hot, and when I started running my face and arms would feel like they are overheating, my skin was bright red and not sweating much, pulse was fast and weak. I knew I was in a bit of trouble and would have to slow down. I walked, drank plenty and ate all the food I had in my bag. Luckily I was in the shade now and when I was walking I felt ok, but when I started running I started getting hot again.

checkpoint 5 - recovering

Approaching 5 I practised looking cheery and healthy because I didn't want them to pull me out, but wanted to sit down and rest a bit and see how I went. I know a little bit of a rest, food and drink can really fix things up. Checkpoint 5 was just under the marathon mark, and I got in at in 6h 44min. Crap - I did off-road Warrumbungles Marathon in 6h10min just a couple of months ago so this was really slow going. I spent 17 minutes at 5, I had some salt with a sandwich on it and some potatoes. I put lots of ice in my camelbak, in my hat, and down my crop top and tipped the water out of the little ice bucket on my head and it cooled me down. I left 5 at 7h 2min. I was hoping to be finishing around this time, but still had 12k to go.

5 to finish

I was feeling a lot better, but still had the overheated feeling when I started running, so I walked until I got around Tibberoowuccum. By then it felt like it was getting cooler again, and I could run and felt pretty good. It wasn't actually getting cooler - i checked the weather report, but it was shadier. I ran/walked the rest of the way. As I ran through the carpark near the finish, everyone was cheering and I was getting that chokey teary-eye lump in my throat. I happily ran across the finish line with a huge smile on my face. In hindsight was glad I wasn't totally rooted and was alert enough to enjoy finishing. I picked out a brown finishing mug and sat down to chat with everyone to explain why I took so bloody long!

Post-mortem

Why did i take so long?

My fitness or lack of it I blame my lack of fitness and inability to deal with the heat. Fix - get fitter and stop being such a sook in training! Do a lunch time run once in a while.

The 4wd incident also upset me and I should have not let it get to me. It didn't cost me much time, but did upset me. Fix - get the rego next time and get Tamyka to bash them up! And get tougher mentally so I can brush off any incidents that may arise and try not to let them affect me.

Started out too slow I know you are supposed to take it easy at the start, but I took it too easy. I wondered out of the start with no real plan. Fix - work out a realistic goal time and try for even splits.

Overall it doesn't matter - it's my first attempt at 50k, and I finished. I've now got lots of room for improvement and I'll be back next year to shave at least an hour off. :)

The Anti-climactic 12km shake-out

I got a free entry for helping out Coolrunner RunnerBee with some computer problems so I decided to use it on the 12km on Sunday morning as a shake-out-the-muscles run. I find it difficult to enter a 12k, it doesn't seem worth getting out of bed for; especially when there is also a 30km on offer; so I thought it was a good time to use the freebie. The run contrasted with the day before because I could actually see lots of other people both behind and in front the whole way. I started out very slowly and sped up as I warmed up, it felt really good to get the legs moving.

Watching the 100 milers and 100k

Being there to see people in the 100k and especially the 100 mile was very inspirational. The 100 mile runners were out all day and night. I don't know how to express how admirable and gutsy that is. One guy in particular stood out to me. Saturday night I saw the torch light of a runner coming in and I ran out to the carpark to greet them. It was Paul Every, and he was really struggling. I wanted to let the organisers know if he was a 100k or 100miler, and didn't want to shine my torch in his face to see his race number, so I asked him what run he was doing. He looked wobblyand incoherant, so I asked it simpler "Are you finishing?" to which he said "no". I yelled back to the organisers that he is a 100 miler. He came in to the station and sat down and didn't look well at all. He had a blanket on him, and got his legs rubbed. I thought there is no way he would be let out again. Well I wake up in the morning, and a while later he came running in again - to finish... I was pretty excited that he finished, and dropped my breakfast to meet him. Can't believe he went out again! Tough nut!
I could go on and on about other runners, but I would be writing for a long time... not as long as they were out running though!

The volunteers

There were people at the aid stations who camped out from Friday right through the whole weekend. They lovingly prepared food, some of it wasted because the runners couldn't stomach it. They put up with cranky runners, provided lots of support. There were pacers, and crew - following the runners around catering to their needs as best they could. They stayed up all night, went without a shower (Runnerbee!), drove around running errands, spent hours cooking, collating entries and other organising of paperwork, permits etc. Many Thanks organisers.

Pain in the a***

2005-09-09T07:06:00.000+10:00

I didn't bleep that word out because I really am a lady, but it was in an attempt to make this blog 'work safe'.

Anyhoo - i woke up Thursday morning and my left glute was sore. In a really strange spot too. Was it from going hard at roadrunners on sunday? Maybe it was from bowling. I dunno but it's annoying. I applied some ibuprofin gel and that worked pretty well. Also going for a short run and a good stretch helped. I don't think it will affect me on Saturday because I don't feel it much while running. But who knows what happens after 42k... ???

The next report here will be the race report!

three more sleeps

2005-09-07T20:25:00.000+10:00

gee i hate tapering... I have been swinging to and from being lethargic and energetic/hyper. I have started 'carb loading' (which i am not convinced actually does anything over just eating normally). It's having an affect as I have put on a kilo in the last two days. Maybe I should start going a bit easier on the food. I also being keeping my drink/water bottle handy.

I have been thinking a lot about the run. I don't think I have ever been so excited about a run before. The excitement is not because it's my first ultra like you would expect - it's because it's my first official Glasshouse mountains run. I have done training runs out there and love the Glasshouse trails. Now I am going to do it as a proper event.

As for predictions - I think I will do between 7:00-7:15. As for goals - aim is to finish, but under 7 hours would be extra sweet. I also predict that soon after finishing, I will open that bottle of bubbly I bought today and drink it out of the bottle, or perhaps out of the finishers mug. :)

Started fussing

2005-09-05T20:43:00.000+10:00

Another very easy run home from work today. 2:50 over the goodwill bridge and 6:49 for a measured kilometer I ran through on the way. 42:42 all up. I am feeling very fit and I am beaming with energy but my legs are a tad tired. I thought I should practice running slow again after all this fast stuff since my 'new year'. After all - running slow and easy is what Glasshouse will be all about.

Have been making preparations for Glasshouse 50k on Saturday. On Sunday I cut my toenails, gave my feet a good rub and got rid of all the flaky bits of skin. They are now worthy of wearing a nice pair of dress thongs. I cleaned my camelbak, and also made sure it was extra tidy at home so I can relax at home when it's all over. Last thing I want to do coming home from an ultra is the washing.

I will make an extra effort to eat better in the next few days. My diet over the weekend consisted of chips, hotdogs, maccas, soft drink - pure junk. I went drinking two nights. (Now you know why I never responded to the "Female running diet" thread on Coolrunning.) Today, I said to myself "that's it" and had three square homemade meals. No more beer till I finish and have my Glasshouse finishers mug. mmmmm... beer...

BRRC 5 k-ish

2005-09-04T08:16:00.000+10:00

You'd think after all that guiness the night before I would be feeling sorry for myself this morning. Well you'd be wrong.

I woke up full of beans this morning. I meant to do the 15k but did sleep in a bit too much and was late, so I did the 5k instead.

It wasn't actually a 5k due to a boat racing event closing part of our course. So instead it was something like 6.3k. Feeling sorry for the 25k-ers this morning as the course change means they do more laps.

Here are my splits;

05:42	05:42
05:45	11:27
06:25	17:53
05:08	23:01
05:44	28:45
05:19	34:05

Something is not right here - I would have collapsed had I really done 5:08 for 1km. I am surprised that I did 5:19 for the final km - and I know that split was accurate. I think I was even catching Clairie in the last km, she was doing one of the longer runs and passed me earlier with 1.5k to go. Yay! I'm getting faster already!

I am feeling quite full of energy after the run - maybe I should run in the morning more often - it's a great way to start the day.

Geek note: as for the debian upgrade, I am still downloading the packages over dial-up, so it's going to take a while before I actually get to install and possibly break my computer.

Riverfire fat'n'bloated run

2005-09-04T07:59:00.000+10:00

Yesterday I was busting to go for a long run, it was like my body was expecting to do it's usual 3 hour run. But I had to hold myself back and limit it to half that.

When it came to actually getting out on the pavement, my guts started churning and my belly felt bloated. I kept burping, and felt heavy. It was difficult to run in such circumstances. I was still feeling a bit stiff from the Thursday tempo run. Note to self - don't go so hard next Thursday or I might feel it in the 50k. Well the whole idea of this run is a "recovery" run. (thanks McMillan, every run now has a purpose). So I stopped midway and had a good ol' stretch and my muscles thanked me for it the next morning. All up I went for about an hour.

I had to divert my run due to Riverfire - for non-Brisbane people, this is a night-time sky show with fireworks and some F1-11's. There were lots of boats on the river and lots of people staking out prime viewing estate since the morning.

That night, I didn't go to Riverfire, but went into the city with some mates and got intoxicated on Bundy Draught and "Irish car bomb's" which is half a pint of Guiness with a shot of Baileys dropped inside. Actually quite nice. But maybe a bad idea with Road Runners on at 6 the next morning!

Geek stuff - Sarge to Etch

2005-09-02T22:31:00.000+10:00

If I don't post for a while - it is because I am upgrading (or is it downgrading? - going stable to testing) to the new testing distro of Debian linux. I am currently on Sarge (which was testing, now since about June is stable) to Etch (the new testing distro).

I have never done an upgrade like this before - so who knows - maybe that's what I'll be doing all this weekend.

I have an old partition with Mandrake on it so I guess I might be able to blog from there. We'll see how it goes. Fingers crossed.