Easter Running

I was so looking forward to Easter Saturday parkrun as I haven't been able to do the run in about 6 weeks.  Of course, I've done plenty of other running during the week, but Dean has been working most weekends, so Event Director duties have fallen to me (which I love, of course!  But I miss it when I don't get to run!)

The last few weeks have probably been my best training weeks ever.  I've been consistent, while varying my runs, and feeling great overall.  I also got a new pair of running shoes a couple of weeks ago, which I LOVE, so things have been going well!

I wasn't sure how much I'd be able to push myself at parkrun, as my ears have been a bit blocked, and I was a bit cautious about that affecting my balance and overall feeling.  But as I jogged the 1.5km down there beforehand, it wasn't a problem, so I was confident I could push for a good time.

Someone before the run asked me what I was aiming for and I decided I'd be happy with 24:30.

Off we went and I found my stride about 500 metres in, settling in behind a runner who would become my pacer for the rest of the run.  I just stuck close to him and overtook when he overtook.  He was really steady and solid, so I was grateful!

We had a funny moment around the 1.25km when a 3-year-old voice from the pram calls out "are you winning, mummy?"  I said "almost!", to which another runner nearby laughed and said "you're always a winner!"  A nice little confidence boost along the way!

My phone has been playing up a bit since getting wet during the Twilight run last weekend, and I had it on, but wasn't hearing updates.  So I was really running with no idea how I was pacing.  It wasn't until I got home and Dean uploaded the results that I found out I'd finished in 23:52.

I had to double-check!  Had I really just broken the 24 minute-mark, without even aiming for it and bit by bit, aiming for elusive benchmark?  I double-checked my app and sure enough, it was correct.  I couldn't believe it!

Then when I received my results email, I realised I had not only broken my parkrun pram PB by 53 seconds, I had broken my overall, NON-PRAM PB by 27 seconds!  Dean wondered why I was so surprised, reminding me I had been training well and putting in the hard yards.  It just came as such a shock!  I will hopefully be doing parkrun in a fortnight without the pram, so that will be another interesting test to gauge where I'm at.  I haven't done a no-pram parkrun since a cyclonic run on Australia Day, so I can't wait to see!

I followed up yesterday's pace run with a steady 10km along the Sandgate foreshore this morning (Easter morning).  When I got down there, just before 6am, the sky was as stunning as I've ever seen it (as you can see by the photo!)  I really enjoyed the run and the atmosphere of the dozens of other walkers and runners I passed, who were all so friendly and wishing each other a Happy Easter.

I had just Jed in the pram, so it felt pretty light and the 10km went by easily enough, finishing in a time of 54:30.  It was a really nice way to have some headspace to reflect on Easter in the cool, still morning, and also to burn some calories before the inevitable chocolate overload!

So, a satisfying weekend of running.  Looking forward to another week of pumping the pavement!

An Eventful Twilight (not quite) Half Marathon

Drenched but relieved!

I decided a few weeks back to try the Twilight Half Marathon, which is a pretty popular race in Brisbane.  I haven't done a half marathon since last July, so I thought it would be a good gauge of where I am, and I felt I could have a good crack at my PB.  My aim was to go below 1:50:00.

I had a couple of minor niggles heading into the race: first, was my indecision over whether to wear my new shoes or not (only had them for a week and had worn them 4 times).  I also didn't anticipate traffic to be as bad as it was, so I didn't get to go to the toilet one last time before the run.  I also didn't get to stretch as much as I would've liked, because I basically had to go straight to the start line when I arrived.  All of this turned out to be no problem though, as there were much bigger problems in the end.

This was also my first half marathon without Dean, who was working interstate.  He sent me a good luck text before the run and his advice became my mantra throughout the run: "good posture, good breathing, you're in the good form".

So we set off at 5pm along the beautiful course at the University of Queensland, St Lucia.  I love the course, as I spent 3 years studying Journalism at the campus, so it was a bit of a trip down memory lane to be back around the sandstone walls.  I set off at a pretty good pace - I've heard plenty of times to not go out too fast and run out of steam, so I kept that in my mind.  I love being around other runners.  It really is amazing motivation to be in a huge group of people, all being active and healthy.

When the frontrunners did their first turnaround, I started spotting a few people I knew, which kept my mind busy for a good couple of kilometres.  I really drew inspiration from the people running with prams and wheelchairs, so the first 5km went by really quickly and I was feeling great.  I could spot the balloons of the 1:40:00 pace runner up ahead, so I knew I was on target for my goal.

It was also really encouraging to see so many locals out on the street cheering people on.  I also have to mention the wonderful volunteers manning the drink stations - they are always so happy and vocal in pushing people along, I love hearing their constant encouragement!

At about the 8km mark, we neared the Green Bridge, which would lead to the finish line for the 10km competitors and would mark the first lap for the half marathon runners.  At about this point, the 1:50:00 pace runner overtook me, but I was determined to stick with him.  Crossing the bridge, I looked to my left and noticed a huge line of thick, dark clouds coming across.  I didn't think too much more of them, but within minutes, the rain came pelting down.  The wind was instantly gusting and lightning began to fill the sky.  We kept on running, and at the 10km point, despite the conditions, I was feeling on track and that I could really give this PB a good shot.

Heading down the long stretch of Sir William McGregor Drive, the storm intensified.  The wind was really blowing and the lightning kept coming.  I was drenched from head to toe and had to avoid puddles that were already forming on the road.  The street is lined with trees and branches began falling down.  I saw one medium-sized tree get blown over about 20 metres in front, narrowly missing a parked car.  It started to get a bit frightening, but I stayed close behind the pace runner, and a group of other runners.  We started hearing sirens in the distance and saw paramedics treating a couple of runners who had been injured on the course.

At around 14km, as I approached the Green Bridge for the second lap, marshals had cordoned it off and told us the race was over.  I stopped briefly, then continued to the finish line, where some of the 10km runners were also still finishing.  It was certainly a strange feeling to finish in drenching rain, with an overriding sense of disappointment.

The organisers certainly made the right decision in calling it off.  It really was getting dangerous and scary.  But selfishly, I was annoyed about not getting my PB, when I was tracking so well.  I really felt for those who were doing their first half marathon and weren't able to finish it, after so much build up and preparation.  But most of all, I haven't stopped thinking of and praying for those who were injured during the run, especially one man who was left with critical head injuries.

At the end of the day, safety always has to come first.  There will be other runs and other opportunities to reach goals.  It's been a true mix of emotions and feelings, but I'm so grateful to have finished safely. And I'm looking forward to smashing that PB another day!

It's The Little Things

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I've been off work for a couple of weeks and making the most of running in the mornings. It didn't take long to recognize the regulars, who I've passed and said hello to nearly every day. One is a fellow Brighton mum, who I've never met, but a friend has told me about. You can tell just by looking at her, that she's an amazing runner!

She has an incredible physique and runs a long way every day, but her technique is such that her running looks completely effortless! She has been super friendly every time we've passed on the path, either with a big smile or encouraging words. I also know she ran the Melbourne marathon last year in a ridiculously fast time, so I'm always in awe of her when I see her!

This morning, I took the kids in the pram and decided to do some hills. I was feeling pretty good, but it was fairly hot and by hill #5, I was pretty stuffed! I was just a few steps up the hill when a voice behind me said "good work, mum!" It was the lady i refer to as "marathon mum", and she came beside me, took one side of the pram handle, and we ran up the hill together. It felt as light as a feather! The kids thought they were on some sort of ride, never having been pushed up the hill that quickly before! We reached the top in no time, and marathon mum told me to keep up the good work, before running off into the distance. There was another lady at the top of the hill who also encouraged both of us when we got there.

Well, this just made my day! I ran up my final hill and all the way home with a real spring in my step! It's amazing what a small gesture can do. Whether its just a smile, a wave, a "you're doing great" or a hand up a hill - it can be just the motivation to keep on going or to push a little harder.

It's the little things that can make all the difference.

Morning Running, How I Love Thee

Every runner has their favourite time of the day to pump the pavement.  For me, I have come to enjoy the afternoons, but my heart lies with the morning run.

For with the morning run, the air is crisp and fresh.  You can witness that moment when the sun bursts through the clouds and announces the new day.  People are friendlier and happier (although, people are always friendly and happy at Sandgate!)  You can tick exercise off your list before you even properly start your day.  And you simply feel great for the rest of the day.

So in saying all that...I rarely get to run in the morning.  I get up for work at 4:15am every weekday, which rules out any morning exercise :-(  I get to run at parkrun every fortnight, but the 7am start there is a bit later than what I really love to do (at this time of year anyway!)

But this week, I have returned to my first running love.  With Dean away for work, I am having to take some time off work.  I am really cherishing my mornings at home with the kids, and am love love loving being able to run in the morning!

The kids are up at 5:30am, so I grab them each an apple, a couple of books & toys and head out straight away.  They've been so well behaved in the pram and I've just loved getting out there.  I just have to share the absolutely stunning views that I've been able to run with this week - absolutely breathtaking!

If you don't do morning runs, give it a go sometime!  Especially if you can get near some water - it is such a treat and I find nothing more motivating than a stunning sunrise.  No excuses - set the alarm and get out there!

This one didn't last for long!

...and of course, the best view of all, my two gorgeous little running buddies!

No excuses: A long, rainy run

I really try to be a "no excuses" kind of runner.

Don't feel like going? Just do it!
Too tired? Get over it!
A bit sore? Run through it!
It might rain? So what?!

But my running really has been interrupted these last couple of weeks by all the rain.  If it was just myself, I wouldn't let that be an excuse, but because I'm taking the kids out in the pram, I don't really like them getting wet (especially since they're just getting over coughs & runny noses).

So, Dean & I really wanted to get out for a long run this week to make up for a few missed sessions.  We bundled the kids up in the pram on Wednesday and with the promise of a play at the park at the end, managed to pump out 13km.  I struggled from the 10km point onwards, and Dean had a bit of an injury to contend with (see photo below!)

Ouch!  Get this guy a man-bra!

We decided to do one without the kids on the weekend, so we could really go hard.  We also had picked up some gels, which neither of us had tried before and wanted to give them a go.  Saturday turned out to be rainy and miserable, but this was definitely a "no excuses" run!

We dropped the kids off to their Nana at Scarborough and decided to run along the bay, past the Redcliffe Jetty, then the Woody Point Jetty, down to Pelican Park, which is just north of the Hornibrook Bridge - and back again.  Our goal was to do about 18km.

We set off in the rain and it didn't let up for the entire run.  Not heavy - it was mostly just a sprinkle, but it did get heavier at some points.  There was also wind - again, not enough to be horrible, but we certainly knew it was blowing.  Then there was the water over the footpaths.  I managed to avoid any major puddles until about the 9km mark, when there was no choice but to power through a massive puddle and I could just feel it penetrating every last bit of sock and shoe that wasn't already drenched.

I really haven't run in the rain much, but I have to say, it was better than I thought.  I wore a cap and that kept it off my face and out of my eyes.  And the coolness was really quite a pleasant change.  The wet shoes and socks was definitely the most annoying aspect, but the promise of a warm shower and dry clothes at the end got me through!

At around the 13km mark, after running for about 1 hour 10 minutes, we decided to try the gels.  As I said, these are new to us, but we wanted to give them a go to see if they will be good to use in the marathon.  So, we opened them up as we jogged along, hoping they would be a great energy boost for our final stretch.  All I can say is YUCK!!!

I had about a teaspoon worth and couldn't have any more.  I hated the texture, that it was so sickly sweet and I felt like if I had a whole one, it would give me the runs, which wouldn't be good mid-run!  Dean was the same and we threw them in the next bin we passed, happy that we'd given them a go and realised they are not for us!

Overall, we felt pretty good and ended up doing 19km in 1:43:00 - an average pace of 5:25 minutes per km.  Our fastest kilometre was the first, at 5:06, and our slowest was 5:47, at the 13km mark.  I thought it was the best I've ever felt over that distance and was a really good gauge to see where I was, considering I haven't run that far since the Brisbane Half Marathon last July.

It's perfect timing considering I've signed up for the Twilight Half Marathon in 3 weeks time, so I'm really keen to get it some good training and have a crack at my PB (hopefully get under 1:50:00 for the half!)

So there it is, a "no excuses" long run in the rain - happy to tick that one off the list!

Drenched!

Happy it's over!