Kicking Some Goals

parkrun PB! (Silken Photography)

There's nothing quite as satisfying as seeing your hard work paying off.  I've been super consistent with my running since the start of January, and I'm seeing the results.

There's just 1.5 weeks until the end of the 12wbt and I have achieved almost every goal I set at the start, and here are some of the highlights of the past 2 weeks:
- setting a new parkrun PB and getting under 22:30, with a time of 22:26 (running with a pace runner)
- setting a new parkrun PB a week later, with a time of 22:25 (running by myself)
- setting a new 10km PB at the Resolution Run of 48:30
- getting my distance to 50km in a week (largely due to my competitive nature and the motivation of being part of the Run Down Under
- running my longest distance since the marathon of 22km, with the company of some Sandgate parkrunners

post-Resolution Run

What has been frustrating is some of my eating habits, and giving myself concessions because I've been so good with my running.  My problem is that instead of having a treat, enjoying it, then getting back to good eating, I'll have 5 treats because the day is a write-off anyway.  It's a terrible habit that I really need to stop!  So I've committed to complete clean eating for the last 2 weeks of the program, and that's going well so far (2 days in!)  I've plateaued the last few weeks, but I know I can shift a couple more kilos if I really focus.

The kids getting into the parkrun warmup (Silken Photography)

The weekly challenge Michelle Bridges has set us this week is 800 burpees.  Yep, 800!!!  I was doing my strength & toning day today, so I thought I might as well try and pump out as many as I could.  In between each set of exercises (things like lunges, squats and planks), I did 100 burpees (having a breather after each lot of 25).  Wow, it was HARD!  I just did it at home in the backyard while the kids were playing in the sandpit and trampoline and it nearly killed me!  I managed 600, and I'm feeling it.  But I love having a non-running challenge to achieve.

Amazing sunrise on Sunday morning

The rest of this week will be hard with the heat.  I so wish I could do morning runs but it's just not possible.  Even though I'd love to give my half marathon PB a crack next week, when the 12wbt program comes to an end, I think I'll wait 8 weeks until the Twilight Half at St Lucia and do it properly at an event.  I'm sure I'll have a much better chance of getting my best possible time in that context.

Until next time...keep running!

This is why I love early morning running!