12 weeks til 160510

Sunday 28 February 2010
Run 8k
Shorter long run this weekend due to knee problems, am getting regular massages by Josh at the moment and they are coming good but don't want to agrevate them at all. It's caused by tight calf and soleus muscle we think so I'm doing lots of stretching. Hoping for a week of normal training this week coming and back into the swing of things.

Friday 26 February 2010
Spin & weights
Had the same group of members in the class as Tuesdays class, worked hard with mostly pace work today instead of big climbs. HRs up most of the class.

Wednesday 24 February 2010
10k Speed session at TAN
Tonight's session - 5 x 1k repeats with 60sec recovery in between. Went straight from work instead of waiting for the group as I had heaps of stuff I wanted to get done before heading away tomorrow. I didn't hit the garmin at the end of each rep but I did keep to under 5min k's for the 5reps, with a 2k warmup and a slow 2k cool down to the train to go home.
Didn't push too hard, felt heavy again...just dont seem to have the spring in my step at the moment.

MORE EXCITING...NEWS OF THE WEEK....

JESSE LESLIE HOLMES was born on Wednesday morning, a gorgeous brother for Cody and Ryan and another beautiful nephew for me!! Both Kerri and Jesse are going well and I can't wait to be able to visit next weekend to give them all big hugs! So happy :)

Tuesday 23 February 2010
Spin x 2

Two spin classes today, felt a bit sore after needles yesterday but after a good half hour on the roller tonight I am ready to get out and run long again.
Big day today, lots happening!

Monday - dry needing

Went to Physio today and got some dry needling in my hips and ITB, they were really tight and when the needles went in there was lots of twitches which were releasing the muscles. That's a good thing...a bit sore afterwards but it should make things a bit looser. I have to keep strength work up especially single leg squats and plenty of work on the glutes so I keep the injuries away.

13 weeks to go

Sunday 21 February
8k run
Went out early this morning after a big day yesterday at my cousins wedding, late night and a bit of dehydration I didn't think it was wise to go out for a long 21k run so will move that til next weekend and use this as a recovery run. Feeling a bit tired actually, have a long drive back to Melbourne then back into another week!

Saturday 20 February
Rest

Friday 19 February
Weights & Spin
Had a great sleep after bikram last night, could have slept for a couple more hours but felt fine when I got into the gym. Managed to get in most of my weights before spin. The room was really quite hot and I was sweating heaps, did a good stretch afterwards and will do more tonight to be ready for Sunday's long run. Going home again this weekend (tomorrow) for my cousins wedding, can't wait to see the family again.

Thursday 18 February
Medium run 8.5k
Bikram
Medium long run this morning - 8.5k instead of 14k - very heavy legs! Will try get in another few k's tomorrow night if I feel ok - didn't end up doing that, need the rest.
Bikram after work was really good, I had plenty of time to relax and get into the right mindset beforehand. I was exhausted afterwards though and enjoyed a nice steak for dinner afterwards with Dad and Josh.

Wednesday 17 February
Ergo 20min & 10min
Speed session at TAN 10k
20min ergo this morning I manage about 100m more than last week = 3879m, I hopped off and went for a quick walk and stretch then came back for another 10m = 2078m. Finished with some abs and stretch, a nice relaxing morning.

Speed session tonight with the group.
Warmup 1.8k
Strides 5 x 100m
2 x 5min (90sec recovery)
2 x 4min (90sec recovery)
2 x 3min (60sec recovery)
2 x 2min (60sec recovery)
Cooldown 1.5k
TOTAL = 10k


Tuesday 16 February
Weights & Spin x 2
Weights then spin this morning, legs are fine after that and the weekend long run and I feel back to normal with no soreness at all - fantastic!


Monday 15 February
8k recovery run
Bikram

Didn't know how I'd pull up after yesterday's long run, so I rubbed the deep heat into the calves (the sorest part of the legs) and took off for a very steady run. I ran to a different park this morning, I came across it last week on one of my walks, it's a 400m athletics track with a 600m gravel track around the outside. I needed the soft surface today so ran there, did 8 laps and ran home which was 8k. Today I have the compression socks on to hopefully get rid of some of this fatigue in the legs, I'll do as much walking and stressing as I can around the office today then bikram tonight!
Ok Bikram was hard but (as usual) felt sooooo much better for it, really good after a long run - keep that in mind for future. I wore the HR Monitor again and this time only burnt 333 cals, which is lower than last week. I won't measure it anymore but I'll estimate no more than 400 cals for the class, at least I know now. It's more for the calming, stretching, focus that I do the class for, not for burning cals but it's interesting because some websites etc claim that the class burns more than 600! Well not for me anyway...it's not like I don't push myself either, I really do find it quite hard. It's really interesting to see how the body works.

14 weeks to go...less than 100days!

Sunday 14 February
26k long run
26km - 2:41:16 - avg 6.13min/km - hr 164bpm - 1833cals
Home for the weekend so I decided to run from Dunkeld to Penshurst - ended up with 26k as Dad dropped me off a couple of k's along the way so I didn't end up doing more than planned. It was so cool, two kangaroos and some sheep out along the way which was just great in the country! Misty rain, no blisters, no serious niggles at all, and Dad dropping some water off for me along the way. He even left a banana for me near the end of the trip but a fox or possum or something came along and ate it hehe. Then even better, I'd organised for Kerri to come and pick me up in Penshurst on her way to Dunkeld. So Kerri, Cody and Ryan were all waiting for me with a Gatorade, banana and lollies which was very cool!

Here is the photo Dad took along the way - I think I was waving to him...about the 15k mark I think.


Saturday 13 February
REST

Friday 12 February
Weights & Spin (AM)
Quite sore this morning after the last few days, but still a good session in the gym. Spin class was a lot of faster stuff and one big hill climb - worked hard.

Thursday 11 February
Run 10k easy (AM)
Bikrim (PM)
Took 65min to do 10.5k this morning so avg 6.15min/km. I knew it would be slow after last night's speed session but that's a real recovery run, considering I had done 21k between leaving work last night and arriving this morning! Little knee pain when I finished but iced and stretched, as well as bikrim yoga tonight will do it the world of good (I hope).
Yes Bikrim was really warm and humid but I was surprised that it didn't effect me too much. It was 70% humidity apparently. Anyway I wore my HRM for the first time and burnt nearly 400cals. Interesting, thought it may have been more than that for 90 minutes but I'm not doing it for the cals at all, just wanted to see if their advertising was right. Great stretch, balance not as good tonight but focus was there.

Wednesday 10 February
20min ergo (AM)
Speed training at Tan 10.5k (PM)
Had a great sleep in this morning (til 6.20am!) and hopped on the ergo for 20min before stretching, watering the vegie garden and having breaky. A great morning actually! I was suprised when I hopped off the ergo to go and write my distance down and it was EXACTLY the same distance as last week - 3769m. EXACTLY!! See if I can do that next week without trying hehe...

Tonight's speed session was 6-8 x 500m with 35-40sec jog recovery. Those that run under 50min for 10k were to do 8 (bugger...) and those over 50min for 10k did 6k. So...data:
Warm up 2.3k easy
5 x 80m strides with jog recovery

8 x 500m efforts at approx 80-90% effort (w 40sec jog recovery)
1. 2.16.53
2. 2.19.65
3. 2.26.75
4. 2.28.15
5. 2.28.49
6. 2.34.90
7. 2.24.52
8. 2.24.58

Cool down 2k easy

Really helped running along with Stella, we kept pushing each other to keep in control, good form and strong! After the hot day it had cooled down a fair bit, even tried to rain a little which made it quite humid but not bad at all, probably better than if I went out this morning actually - happy with the session considering I haven't done a GOOD speed session like this in a few weeks.

Tuesday 9 February
Weights & Spin class (AM)
Spin class & stretch (PM)
Both classes full today, and felt good with the weights. I'm a bit heavy at the moment and am feeling it so consistency is the key. I have such a great group of people doing these classes, one even asked me for help with a running program this morning...I love being able to help others out and especially if it about health and fitness :)
Slept really well after Bikrim last night!


Monday 8 February
Relaxed 5k run (AM)
Bikrim (PM)
Easy run this morning, getting over the weekend of not feeling well. Am surprised at how easy it felt actually! Happy with that easy run and knees/legs felt pretty good. No garmin, no ipod, just a pleasant quiet run.

I realised on the weekend that it is less than 100 days to go!! OMG that is really not that long at all. My goal is to finish and I know I will, it's just about how quickly (or slowly)...that is the question hehe. Time to get serious about my diet, it's been all over the place lately. I know I'm low in iron so I need to remember to get the red meat in and to keep up the vegie intake. If I want this to be easier then I need to look after my body and fuel my body with good nutrition. No excuses now, I know I'll feel better when I eat well. I love cooking and experimenting with new fresh recipes it's about being organised and on top of things with a variety of food. Keep thinking of my beautiful nephew Ryan being there at the end of the run waiting for me!

15 weeks to go...

Sunday 7 February
Albert Park Lake 10k - DNS
Not happy with my first DNS (Did not start) but wasn't feeling up to it, I had a massive headache and upset stomach so stayed in bed and slept it off. By the time I got out of bed and had something to eat it was nearly 11am, after which I ended up feeling good for most of the day. Not sure what it was, am frustrated that I didn't do the race but I spose it's better than getting there and not being able to finish. Hmmm what's better a DNS or DNF(Did not finish)???
MAY have something to do with being dehydrated earlier in the week, haven't felt too good at all.

Saturday 6 February
Weights & 30min ergo
Mum and dad left for the airport so I decided to get straight into the weights and also 30min on the ergo. I really want to go for a run today, it's a lovely morning!!! BUT...I have a 10k race tomorrow and I know I should save myself til then. Today is going to be a good day at home doing the housework and reading! YAY I finally bought a few new books so I can get back into them. AND to relax....I want to beat my PB tomorrow at Albert Park.

Friday 5 February
I was out all day at a course today and was BUSY BUSY so didn't get the usual workout in, then I had mum and dad visit in the evening so will move weights to tomorrow instead.

Thursday 4 February
Walk 45min
Bikrim yoga
I decided to go for a walk this morning instead of 10k run, I know it's a bit slack but last night really took it out of me. I don't want my weekend long run to be ruined this week so I use today as a recovery day and get ready for the long run on weekend. I am not going so well in this heat...not sure why.
Going to bikrim again tonight, need to drink LOTS of water today so I get through it ok. It will make me feel better I'm sure.


Wednesday 3 February
ergo 20min
Speed session at TAN 8k
I got up and hopped on our new ergo (rowing machine) this morning! Josh gave me a little training session last night re:technique so this morning I thought I'd have a go. My glutes were quite sore after 20min but it is just great having that on our back deck to hop on whenever. Just a really easy way to get some cardio in - no excuses now!
Tonight's speed session at TAN again where it will be the first I've really tested the knee out with speed work since getting niggles the last week or two. Fingers crossed all will be ok. I'm hoping to get a massage tonight before Josh heads off to Sydney for work cos I know I won't get one for a few days then.
Ok...so I did 5 x 1k reps with 90seconds recovery inbetween, but gee I struggled in the heat. It was still 34 degrees at that time and it was tough.
Ended up doing 8km for the night, happy with that but need to drink more water so I can keep up with the heat.


Tuesday 2 February
Weights
Spin class x 2
Ran to the train station, then did weights before spin class in the morning. Getting stronger with the balance work, I think yoga is really helping!
Class after work tonight as well as lots of stretching.

Monday 1 February
8k relaxed run
Bikrim yoga
8km - 47.24 - 5.55min/km - Avg HR 157 - 561 cals

I was really dehydrated today possibly from the champagne Sat night :) It was my one day between 1/1/10 and 16/5/10 that I was allowing myself to have alcohol so I really enjoyed it! It was our engagement party afterall!! Had such a great night with so many of our friends and family there.

Anyway - the run was slow and relaxed but a bit warm so HR was up. Only very slight niggle in the hip so we are on the right track with the massage etc. Will get massage again tonight after yoga.

Bikrim was great!