Sunday 26 April 2015
Week 17 - highest number of km, done!
Week 17, it's that week I never would have even thought I'd ever be able to do, and it's over, and ....... I did it!
I remember putting together my training program and thinking, man, that is a lot of kilometres. The total number of kilometres for the week was 67. I did have some doubts, during the week, I changed my mind a number of times about the distance of my longest run. Unfortunately it does not take much to have someone totally throw you off your plan,a small word in your ear saying "ooh, I'd never run 37km in my training plan!"
And yes, someone did say this to me and it did throw me off track. And then I spent numerous hours researching the net only to find that most people don't run that far, so I guess I was wrong. But my one issue is, once I decide on something, I generally will at least give it a go, I try to stick to my plan.
So I went into Saturday's run deciding to cut back to 36km, yes, I know it's only 1 kilometre! But of course, in my mind I pretty much knew what I was like, and chances are, I would run 37km. And, yes, of course I did run 37km. Mentally, I think I had to.
As for the run, it wasn't as pretty as my 34km run, but I think that probably came off the back of a pretty solid week where I did some nice paces on my shorter runs. So really, the 37 was pretty good. My overall pace was 5:59/km, so quite solid.
The main thing I took out of this run, was I kept going, even when my hamstrings felt like they were about to explode. I stopped, had a little stretch and then just ploughed on. The thing I liked most about my run was that I added the extra distance in at the start of the run, so rather than having to do extra laps at the end, I'd already completed the extra distance by the time I got to the 10km mark. My 10km mark of this run was where I'd normally be at 4km.
I saw lots of friendly folks along the way again, and also some really cute pooches, they kept me happy and motivated.
I also have to mention that today was ANZAC day, so there was no way I was giving up today, when the going got tough, I just thought to myself, imagine how hard it was for those diggers Megan! This is nothing! The ANZAC spirit kept me going.
As for the rest of week 17, I did a 10km, a 12km and an 8km. All very nice runs and again, it was a pretty good week weather wise. A little bit of rain around, but nothing to complain about.
For my long run the weather was not great, but I only got a tiny bit of rain at the 7km mark and then managed to stay dry. There was a bit of rain when I was in the pool recovering after the run, but that did not matter.
So, that was week 17. Now it's taper time.
Today I also want to mention all the people who have been so encouraging to me on Facebook and Twitter. It's so lovely to get such nice words of encouragement, it really motivates me.
Well, that's all for now folks. I'll update you all next week on the status of my first taper week.
Until then, enjoy yourselves folks and remember to take some time to think about the ANZACS, those who sacrificed there lives through war, so we can live the life we do today! Lest we forget.
I remember putting together my training program and thinking, man, that is a lot of kilometres. The total number of kilometres for the week was 67. I did have some doubts, during the week, I changed my mind a number of times about the distance of my longest run. Unfortunately it does not take much to have someone totally throw you off your plan,a small word in your ear saying "ooh, I'd never run 37km in my training plan!"
And yes, someone did say this to me and it did throw me off track. And then I spent numerous hours researching the net only to find that most people don't run that far, so I guess I was wrong. But my one issue is, once I decide on something, I generally will at least give it a go, I try to stick to my plan.
So I went into Saturday's run deciding to cut back to 36km, yes, I know it's only 1 kilometre! But of course, in my mind I pretty much knew what I was like, and chances are, I would run 37km. And, yes, of course I did run 37km. Mentally, I think I had to.
As for the run, it wasn't as pretty as my 34km run, but I think that probably came off the back of a pretty solid week where I did some nice paces on my shorter runs. So really, the 37 was pretty good. My overall pace was 5:59/km, so quite solid.
The main thing I took out of this run, was I kept going, even when my hamstrings felt like they were about to explode. I stopped, had a little stretch and then just ploughed on. The thing I liked most about my run was that I added the extra distance in at the start of the run, so rather than having to do extra laps at the end, I'd already completed the extra distance by the time I got to the 10km mark. My 10km mark of this run was where I'd normally be at 4km.
I saw lots of friendly folks along the way again, and also some really cute pooches, they kept me happy and motivated.
I also have to mention that today was ANZAC day, so there was no way I was giving up today, when the going got tough, I just thought to myself, imagine how hard it was for those diggers Megan! This is nothing! The ANZAC spirit kept me going.
As for the rest of week 17, I did a 10km, a 12km and an 8km. All very nice runs and again, it was a pretty good week weather wise. A little bit of rain around, but nothing to complain about.
For my long run the weather was not great, but I only got a tiny bit of rain at the 7km mark and then managed to stay dry. There was a bit of rain when I was in the pool recovering after the run, but that did not matter.
So, that was week 17. Now it's taper time.
Today I also want to mention all the people who have been so encouraging to me on Facebook and Twitter. It's so lovely to get such nice words of encouragement, it really motivates me.
Well, that's all for now folks. I'll update you all next week on the status of my first taper week.
Until then, enjoy yourselves folks and remember to take some time to think about the ANZACS, those who sacrificed there lives through war, so we can live the life we do today! Lest we forget.
Monday 20 April 2015
Even pace!
Sunday 19 April 2015
And it's 4 weeks to go, woo hoo!
Week 16 has been very kind to me, I've had some really nice runs this week, even though there was one run in the rain.
I don't know what it is, but I felt like I'd turned a corner this week, I managed to do some of my shorter runs at a quicker pace and did not feel tired like I had the previous week.
Monday was my first run of the week and I decided to tackle a couple of hills, but I still managed to run a 5:19/km pace, which was great given I'd had my long run on Saturday. I did not feel any fatigue and even kept my pace up as I hit the hills. It was a 10km run, so put in in good stead for the week ahead.
Wednesday was scheduled for 12 km, so I took all my clothes etc into work on Tuesday so that on Wednesday morning I was able to get off the train at Corio station. It is exactly 12km in from Corio station to work, it's a nice easy run. I did the same run last week and really felt tired, but this week I did not feel like this at all. It was a humid morning, but I managed a 5:27/km pace, so was again, really happy with this and how the week was tracking.
Friday was my long run day this week, I took my stuff into work on Thursday and then on Friday morning I ran into work. I did a small 3km loop before heading out along the track to give me the 21km distance. It was a perfect morning, still conditions and nice and mild. Although it was my long run and I really should be taking it easy, I could not help but lift the pace this week, which I think mentally for me was a good idea. I managed a 5:37/km pace and felt good the whole way, no issues at all. If I can do this sort of pace for the marathon I'll be really happy!
Today was my last run of the week, it's a rainy day but I just decided to get out there and get it done. My schedule called for an 8km run, so that's not too long to be in the rain! Mind you it was not raining when I started so I was quite lucky, but I did get hit by a shower as I ran. I felt fantastic again, nice and easy and did not realise I was travelling so fast, I was surprised to see my pace at 5:25/km.
So amazingly after feeling a little bit sad and sorry for myself last week, this week could not have been better. Maybe it was the high of doing my 34km last week, it really did have me buzzing. I'm not sure, but I just hope I can carry this feeling on until the marathon. I think I can. My spirits are high and knowing that this time in 4 weeks I should have finished the run, I just can't help but feel excited. I imagine crossing the line and having a medal hanging around my neck! I just can't wait.
But, I won't get too far ahead of myself. This week is my longest run with 37km scheduled! I am excited and just can't wait. Saturday can't come soon enough. It imagine how your mind shifts through the training cycle, 37km seemed so daunting to me, and now, I feel it's really achievable. Let's hope so. I will take it easy, no record breaking to occur!
Also, in other exciting news, I bought some running tops which I will try out this week to decided which top I will wear on race day! And I also bought a new flip belt which I will use to carry my gels and phone etc. Its very cool, I will post some pics!
Until next time folks, enjoy yourself, keep fit and healthy. And remember, those dreams that you have today, will become reality tomorrow and then memories the next day. Keep dreaming and living the dream. :-)
Sunday 12 April 2015
Week 15, 3/4 of the way there!!
It's now officially only 5 weeks until my marathon. I have to say that my training has gone really quite fast and I'm surprised to be at the end of week 15.
The highlight of this week has to be my 34km run. I won't focus too much on my shorter runs, as once again, I felt a little lonely and although I ran faster paces, I can't say I was loving them this week. Having said that though, conditions were perfect all week, which made for beautiful running, but my heart was not in the shorter distances, I think I had my eye on the prize of completing the longer run!
I was planning on doing 33km this week, and was all set to do this with my run mapped out. But as I started my long run, I had a little thought about adding on an extra km. The reason I did this was purely to challenge myself a little, but also to give myself a mental edge. The Great Ocean Road Marathon is 44km, they throw in an extra 2km just to make it a little bit more daunting! So I sort of figured by running 34km, in my mind I know it's only another 10km to complete the marathon distance.
So I set out and once again, felt good right from the start. I had my typical early run loo stop - how many times do I have to empty my bladder! But once I got going, it was smooth sailing the whole way. it was another glorious morning, slightly on the warm side, but no wind.
The thing I find most pleasant about doing a long run is the people you encounter along the way. I saw a few people out walking, some running, some biking and some playing with dogs. Lots of people gave me a smile and said good morning. I saw an old couple I'd seen two weeks before, I am sure they recognised me and they gave me a hearty hello!
My running sound track today proved to be a great choice - my favourite is the song "I'm on top of the world", it just gave me little boost as I hit the 20km mark and I felt like I kicked into a higher gear - although, overall my pace remained consistent the whole way. Apart from a couple of hills, at one hill I slowed right down and ran 1km in 6:34! But my overall pace for the whole run was 5:55/km, so a little faster than some of my other long runs.
I finished the run strong and after a stretch and something to eat & drink, I took a dip at Eastern Beach, which I really find helps aid recovery. I also met 2 other runners in the pool which was really nice. We had a great chat about our training, they are both training for the Great ocean Road half marathon.
I've got one more long run to go in my training program. I am excited about this as it means the marathon is edging closer. This time in 5 weeks hopefully i will have crossed the finish line.
For now, though, I am focusing on journey along the way - it's good to focus on the finish line, keep my eye on the prize, but I don't want to be so focussed that I forget to enjoy the journey.
Until next time folks, travel safe, enjoy the journey and focus on the good things in your life xx
The highlight of this week has to be my 34km run. I won't focus too much on my shorter runs, as once again, I felt a little lonely and although I ran faster paces, I can't say I was loving them this week. Having said that though, conditions were perfect all week, which made for beautiful running, but my heart was not in the shorter distances, I think I had my eye on the prize of completing the longer run!
I was planning on doing 33km this week, and was all set to do this with my run mapped out. But as I started my long run, I had a little thought about adding on an extra km. The reason I did this was purely to challenge myself a little, but also to give myself a mental edge. The Great Ocean Road Marathon is 44km, they throw in an extra 2km just to make it a little bit more daunting! So I sort of figured by running 34km, in my mind I know it's only another 10km to complete the marathon distance.
So I set out and once again, felt good right from the start. I had my typical early run loo stop - how many times do I have to empty my bladder! But once I got going, it was smooth sailing the whole way. it was another glorious morning, slightly on the warm side, but no wind.
The thing I find most pleasant about doing a long run is the people you encounter along the way. I saw a few people out walking, some running, some biking and some playing with dogs. Lots of people gave me a smile and said good morning. I saw an old couple I'd seen two weeks before, I am sure they recognised me and they gave me a hearty hello!
My running sound track today proved to be a great choice - my favourite is the song "I'm on top of the world", it just gave me little boost as I hit the 20km mark and I felt like I kicked into a higher gear - although, overall my pace remained consistent the whole way. Apart from a couple of hills, at one hill I slowed right down and ran 1km in 6:34! But my overall pace for the whole run was 5:55/km, so a little faster than some of my other long runs.
I finished the run strong and after a stretch and something to eat & drink, I took a dip at Eastern Beach, which I really find helps aid recovery. I also met 2 other runners in the pool which was really nice. We had a great chat about our training, they are both training for the Great ocean Road half marathon.
I've got one more long run to go in my training program. I am excited about this as it means the marathon is edging closer. This time in 5 weeks hopefully i will have crossed the finish line.
For now, though, I am focusing on journey along the way - it's good to focus on the finish line, keep my eye on the prize, but I don't want to be so focussed that I forget to enjoy the journey.
Until next time folks, travel safe, enjoy the journey and focus on the good things in your life xx
Sunday 5 April 2015
Recovery week, and my own personal cheer squad!
It was a recovery week this week after last weeks 31km. I juggled things around a bit due to a few appointments and to ensure my Easter weekend was running free.
Monday I ran 7km, as I had a dentist appointment at 8:30, so no time to squeeze in anything longer. Pleased to report no dental issues and also pleased with my run after Saturdays long run. I ran a 5:32/km pace and felt really good, it was a beautiful morning, perfect conditions for running!
Tuesday morning I ran on my own again, this time my distance was 12km. I ran a 5:39/km pace and again, felt really good, if not somewhat lonely though. It's weird, I'm finding my longer runs I can motivate myself well and don't really need company, but now my weekday runs, I feel like I need a friend!
Wednesday was a rest day, I had an Osteo appointment and felt like I did not really need to go, however afterwards, it was amazing how good I felt!
Thursday morning was another lovely morning, this autumn weather is definitely putting on a nice show. Again, I felt lonely. I ran past a place where they keep a Turkey and some other farm animals, the turkey normally gives me a good old gobble, today he said nothing! I ran 10km and kept it a bit slower, 5:47/km, as on Friday I had my long run so wanted to feel fresh.
Friday morning was Good Friday, so clearly it was a day off work, but not a day off running, I wanted Easter to be running free to allow me some time to have a few drinks and eat some yummy food without having to think I had to run the next day. I headed out at 6:45 and ran the same path from home along the creek and past the grammar school. I really like this path as I feel like I am in the middle of nowhere. As the sun comes up it is just beautiful.
Funnily enough, today I did not feel lonely, had my music playing and just enjoyed the run. I ran out for 11.5km, turned and ran back, but the highlight of my run was when I cam across my own personal cheer squad! A Mum and her two young kids were walking on the path, they saw me coming, so pulled off to the side to let me pass, they had 3 dogs with them. As I ran closer to them, the Mum called out to me "Keep going, you can do it" and the kids yelled out, "Great work, keep going, you're going really well!"
It seriously made my day, I was so chuffed and it made me think about the marathon and how it will be to have people cheering you along. It made my lonely week a distant memory, and made me focus on the final goal, crossing the marathon finish line. That's why I'm doing this, that's what I want to do, cross the line. I don't care how long it takes, I want to feel the glory and achievement of finishing something I never would have thought I could do.
I will take those cheers with me this week and use them as motivation to do my runs, long and short.
Thanks to those random people who cheered me on. You'll never know what it meant to me and how much it made my day, let alone motivated my to keep going, not just on that run, but to keep training! Not that I'm about to stop, I'm too close now, I've got 6 weeks to go. But there are days when thinking about going out for another run can be a little bit of a challenge.
So as week 14 draws to a close, I will remember those cheers and look forward to week 15!
Monday I ran 7km, as I had a dentist appointment at 8:30, so no time to squeeze in anything longer. Pleased to report no dental issues and also pleased with my run after Saturdays long run. I ran a 5:32/km pace and felt really good, it was a beautiful morning, perfect conditions for running!
Tuesday morning I ran on my own again, this time my distance was 12km. I ran a 5:39/km pace and again, felt really good, if not somewhat lonely though. It's weird, I'm finding my longer runs I can motivate myself well and don't really need company, but now my weekday runs, I feel like I need a friend!
Wednesday was a rest day, I had an Osteo appointment and felt like I did not really need to go, however afterwards, it was amazing how good I felt!
Thursday morning was another lovely morning, this autumn weather is definitely putting on a nice show. Again, I felt lonely. I ran past a place where they keep a Turkey and some other farm animals, the turkey normally gives me a good old gobble, today he said nothing! I ran 10km and kept it a bit slower, 5:47/km, as on Friday I had my long run so wanted to feel fresh.
Friday morning was Good Friday, so clearly it was a day off work, but not a day off running, I wanted Easter to be running free to allow me some time to have a few drinks and eat some yummy food without having to think I had to run the next day. I headed out at 6:45 and ran the same path from home along the creek and past the grammar school. I really like this path as I feel like I am in the middle of nowhere. As the sun comes up it is just beautiful.
Funnily enough, today I did not feel lonely, had my music playing and just enjoyed the run. I ran out for 11.5km, turned and ran back, but the highlight of my run was when I cam across my own personal cheer squad! A Mum and her two young kids were walking on the path, they saw me coming, so pulled off to the side to let me pass, they had 3 dogs with them. As I ran closer to them, the Mum called out to me "Keep going, you can do it" and the kids yelled out, "Great work, keep going, you're going really well!"
It seriously made my day, I was so chuffed and it made me think about the marathon and how it will be to have people cheering you along. It made my lonely week a distant memory, and made me focus on the final goal, crossing the marathon finish line. That's why I'm doing this, that's what I want to do, cross the line. I don't care how long it takes, I want to feel the glory and achievement of finishing something I never would have thought I could do.
I will take those cheers with me this week and use them as motivation to do my runs, long and short.
Thanks to those random people who cheered me on. You'll never know what it meant to me and how much it made my day, let alone motivated my to keep going, not just on that run, but to keep training! Not that I'm about to stop, I'm too close now, I've got 6 weeks to go. But there are days when thinking about going out for another run can be a little bit of a challenge.
So as week 14 draws to a close, I will remember those cheers and look forward to week 15!
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