Long Time

It has been so long since I have written in this blog - I guess that I don't think that there is really much going on at the moment. I have been temporarily injured which I hope doesn't last too much longer as I really want to compete in the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon. I have hurt my IT Band and Knee again after a bad run last weekend, and it has also caused my foot to hurt - which I am getting quiet concerned about. This week I had a rest week and only yesterday went back to the gym with the BF, and did the bike and a speed walk on the treadmill. Surprising today I woke up with no pain in my foot or knee, but did not run today with the team, as I was worried that I might aggravate the injury and cause it to become inflamed again. I am currently training under a new coach and am finding it very hard to adapt to his training method.

When I previously trained with the team our coach was very understanding and was always there for our every run and approached all the team to make sure that we were going ok. Our current coach likes running ahead of the team, and I sort of feel that he gets impatient with me because I take so long to complete the runs that he sets out - the rate of increase in distance is incredible and it makes me feel very pressured to run such a great distance in a short span of time since starting training again. Another thing that I have been having trouble is that I don't have anyone that I can run with this time round. I like have someone run with me, so that we can keep each other motivated and distracted from the training that we are doing.

I think that this is part of the reason that I stopped running last week. Yes I did injure myself but I have never quit before, I usually speed walk my way back to base. Last week I just stopped running and didn't even make it back to the team. I ended up catching a bus home, which I am now disgusted with. So hopefully next week I can get back to training - even though I am not happy with running 15kms so early in the season. In reality it will help me prepare for the Vancouver 1/2 Marathon which is in May and then I can take a step back and run the 10km Sun Run the week after (very excited about), which I am very proud to say my BF has agreed to run in it, which is his first official running race.

So this week I am going to have a very positive week. I will start training again slowly at the gym with the BF and might run the 15kms next Sunday with the team. I will also start eating healthy - my current job makes it hard for me to take the proper measures to ensure that I am looking after my body and fueling it for the days work.

Cheers.

Thinking on A Run

One of the main reasons why I don't like running alone - besides the lack of safety, but I also find that I have way too much time alone, alone with my own thoughts. Today I had a lot of things running through my head. The first one was the different styles of running that there is out there. I am not spectacular to watch, in fact I encourage you not to watch me, as I get very self conscience, but looking around there are so many different ways to complete this activity. I had one fellow pass by me looking like he had something wedged up his butt, or that he had been for a very long horse ride, but then I just thought to myself, he is going so quick that technique must work for him. Another few that passed me (I am not going to lie, a lot of people passed me on my run today) looked liked they were in constant pain, they were wincing with every step, but that is a step towards their dreams and goals. I thought I wonder what people think I look like when I run. I get very paranoid about people assessing my booty. This comes from being paid out when I was a youngster in Sydney on a Family holiday to help my sister move into her new apartment. I was walking with my dad in front of my brother and sister and they started laughing hysterically. They pointed out that both my dad's and my butt wobbles when we walk. I was young and naive and thought that everyone's butt wobbled when they walked, but sure enough after examining people's walking styles, I realized that everyone is not the same. Now, i don't know if mine still does it (I am assuming that it does) but I can't feel it wobbling when I run, however when I run, I waddle like I am a duck doing their run up before taking flight. I wonder if people take notice as I waddle past them?? Another thing that I was thinking about was maybe I am way to ambitious for taking on a challenge such as a Full marathon in June. I can do 5-10 kms quiet comfortably, but, they way my legs held up today, makes me wonder if I make it, although, I am not going to pull out, I look forward to the day when I complete the marathon when I can look back on this blog and wonder, what was I thinking, that I couldn't do it, look at me I did it.

A Bit of This & A Bit of That

As I sit here trying to think of something to write, I think about my future and how happy I am at the moment. Sure I am in a area of work that has its challenges, but on a whole, the stress is somewhat fun, and being able to ressolve problems, make it all ok. I am still training, and I am happy that I have so many loving and supportive people. I did a really good run on Sunday, it was a quick 2km run and I did it in on of my fastest times. Tiger Woods came onto my Nike+ telling me that I had just completed my quickest mile which makes me strive for faster times and more training, just so I can get someone else other then Tiger telling me how good I am doing (to be honest, he isn't really my ideal role model, if you know what I mean). My quickest run however, wasn't quick enough to ensure that my housemates got to Costco in time, so that they could do their shopping, if only they had of told me they close early on Sundays, then maybe this problem wouldn't have occurred. But I wiped out my good workout in order to have a Vanilla Flavored milkshake on the deflated trip back from the shops, all courtesy of Mr L, as it had been a bad day for us all round (i never did get to buy the giant pack of TP). The good news is that the Mentoring meetings went well, and I am excited about the next chapter that is about to begin. I went to the first Info session on Monday night, have another one on Thursday and then have one on Sunday morning....hopefully we get some great people to these meetings so that they sign up to help this great foundation. To help with cross training, i have now got the papers ready for the kickboxing bootcamp, that I wanted to do, and will start that in the beginning of Feb. My only niggling thought is that I won't be there enough for the BF as he is going through some pretty heartbreaking stuff at the moment, but when you read this Mr M (aka adoring BF), i want you to know how much I love and adore you and you are the best thing a lazy girl can have ;)

On a side note I thought that it would be appropriate for me to concentrate not only getting enough execercise to make me super fit, but also start expanding my brain, and well some lack of knowledge (I may have completed a Uni degree but that doesn't neccessarily mean much - well to me anyway - and therefore i am only bagging myself out). This year I am determined to read 1 book every 2 months (why not 1 book a month, well to be honest i didn't really want to get ahead of myself and this seemed like  a good challenge). I completed my first book last week, wasn't the best book but i had to get through it. I have started the second book, and have only read the prelude, once again struggling. Also to expand my mind I am doing the daily crossword puzzle in my lunch break, that way i can expand my knowledge for words. Healthy mind = healthy body!

Becoming A Mentor

I got some exciting news whilst I was at work today! I am going to be a mentor for the runners in the Summer Season of Team In Training. Team in Training is an organzation that raises funds into finding a cure for Luekemia & Lymphoma. They have made some amazing breakthroughs in the past years and a huge amount of credit goes towards the volunteers whom raise funds for this much needed cause. (http://www.teamintraining.ca/). I am really excited about this new challenge. I met many of my friends through volunteering in Team in Training last year and they helped me reach my goal of running my first half Marathon. At this stage I am unsure of which event I will be assisting in there are 2 running ones which are a possibilty. The Rock n Roll San Diego & The Rock n Roll Seattle. I will find out all the details on Sunday!! :) I trained again this afternoon. If you can call it training. I walked home from the train station. I did the 3 kms in 30 minutes which was at a brisk walking pace. The were also hills (argh I detest hills so much!) but half way along i got a niggling knee spasm which continued until i got home. I am not sure what is causing this, I have had knee troubles in the past, but this year I am determined no to succombe to any injury! Hey I just realised that this is the second post in 2 days....wonder if this will become a habit???

Training Plans

Training has finally started - I am starting off very slow and will work my way up to a faster pace. This year I am determined to stay injury free! I went for a run with BF on Sunday. We ran 4km's around East Hastings. It was a good run, BF succumbed to a slight bout of shin splints, so we went a bit slower then we first expected. I am excited to have started again, and am so glad that I have someone to give me the motivational boot up the arse that I need. The other thing that I am excited about is my purchase of Nike+(http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/?rs=1) so that I can track my running. We took it out for a test run and it worked really well. I know that I will be more eager to run and exercise now that I have a new toy. I am also excited about the events that I will be competing in. I have 2 half marathons that I want to complete and then a full marathon. To guide me along the way I have also have a personal trainer in Runners World (http://www.runnersworld.com/channel/0,,s6-238-0-0-0,00.html) which I will modify to suit my needs (find schedule below). My only other toss up is whether or not to take up Yoga or Kickboxing. I like the idea of meditating to let my body relax, but I also like the idea of getting a good cardio workout. I will have to make up my mind shortly, so that I can participate in a kickboxing boot camp which is starting in the first week of February. I now have a really positive outlook on the year ahead, and I can't wait to continue training!!.

Wk	Dat	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
1	1/18 1/24	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	9 km
2	1/25 1/31	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 km @8:43	11 km
3	2/1 2/7	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 6 km @8:43	14 km
4	2/8 2/14	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 8 km @8:43	16 km
5	2/15 2/21	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:38	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 8 km, inc Warm; 5 km @ 7:38; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 10 km @8:38	21 km
6	2/22 2/28	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:38	Rest / XT	Speedwork Dist: 8 km, inc Warm; 2x1600 in 11:35 w/800 jogs; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 10 km @8:38	21 km
7	3/1 3/7	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:38	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 8 km, inc Warm; 5 km @ 7:38; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 11 km @8:38	22 km
8	3/8 3/14	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:38	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 10 km, inc Warm; 6 km @ 7:42; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 11 km @8:38	24 km
9	3/15 3/21	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 6 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 5 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 6 km @8:33	17 km
10	3/22 3/28	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Speedwork Dist: 11 km, inc Warm; 3x1600 in 11:28 w/800 jogs; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 13 km @8:33	27 km
11	3/29 4/4	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 10 km, inc Warm; 6 km @ 7:37; Cool	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 13 km @8:33	29 km
12	4/5 4/11	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 11 km, inc Warm; 8 km @ 7:41; Cool	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:33	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 14 km @8:33	31 km
13	4/12 4/18	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:27	Rest / XT	Speedwork Dist: 13 km, inc Warm; 4x1600 in 11:21 w/800 jogs; Cool	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:27	Rest / XT	Long Run Dist: 14 km @8:27	33 km
14	4/19 4/25	Rest / XT	Easy Run Dist: 3 km @8:43	Rest / XT	Tempo Run Dist: 8 km, inc Warm; 5 km @ 7:42; Cool	Rest / XT	Rest / XT	Race Day Dist: Half-Marathon @7:40 Time: 2:41:59	32 km

A New Year, A New Beginning????????

So, it appears that my motivation has failed me again. My first goal for the new year was to do the polar Bear Swim on the 1st of January. Did this hapen - well no it didn't. The appeal of sleeping in after a late night out just seemed like a good idea. I did pay for my late night and lack of nutrition and exercise. I came down with an incredibly sore throat on the Saturday and the weekend seemed very much like a blur - lots of sleeping, drinking fluids and rest, and now is the perfect time for me to reasses the goals that I hope to achieve this year. I am not going to go way over my head this time. With the right training and the right nutrition and support i think that I will make it. It helps that along the way I have the support of my loving BF who is also in the mood to "get fit" and will compete in some events with me this year. I also am living in a friendly and happy environment and my fantastic roomies are also in the mood to make 2010 count :)
So new goals in mind - I have set up a events Calander and also a training schedule to make 2010 count. I will be competing in the BMO Vancouver Half Marathon, The Scotiabank Vancouver 1/2 Marathon  and hope that I can compete in a full marathon by the end of the year.I will be entering into the Mitsubishi Challenge and also the Vancouver 10km Sun Run with my adorable BF.. Along with these my other goals is reaching optimum strength in mind body and spirit and make 2010 the year to count. Also....I will blog more often to keep myself motivated and so I can track my progress.

Still Lazy But New Goals in Mind

So, it has been a while, and yes the motto remains the same, I am lazy and unmotivated. Now that the year has nearly ended, have I achieve all that I set out to. In a nutshell, no I haven't. I was due to run in the fall classic in November, I transferred out of the 1/2 Marathon to the 10km, and then the weekend that the event was to occur, my adorable BF talked me out of running. This mainly due to me being very cripple and barely being able to walk without wincing in pain. I am all recovered now and am now setting goals for 2010. Will I be motivated next year and will I complete all the goals that I set out to achieve. I don't know, but I know that I will start the new year with a positive attitude and will not put any pressure on myself to achieve goals that are too far out of my reach. I know that my friend W & I were tossing up which Sprint Triathlon to complete in. But I think that my goals will have to change. My main priority is to take care of myself and take one step at a time. The first thing that I have registered in is the BMO Vancouver 1/2 Marathon. My goal in that is to compete it in 2 hours 30 minutes - only 7 minutes off my previous time in the 1/2 but I am being realistic. Another thing is that I will also complete in the Vancouver Sun Run 10km. I will competing in that race with my BF MJ. I would also like to complete in a full marathon, but I will make up my mind in the new year. I have a bit of a conundrum, will I compete in the Seattle Rock 'n' Roll full marathon or will I compete in the Scotiabank 1/2 Marathon, as they are both on the same week. If I chose not to run in the Seattle Full Marathon, I have the alternate choice to run in the Victoria BC Full Marathon, all these races sound so appealing. I have brought a few books on running and training and will start to journal my progress. However, first things first though, on January 1st, 2010 I will be doing the polar bear swim with MJ, this is to start the new year off with a giant leap. My new mantra for the new year.....I will strive to be the best me that I can be...............