Monday, January 31, 2011

A Little Tired and A Little Stiff

At the end of week for of the Cathay Pacific training I'm still on track and going OK. Up until now I have managed to get through my training feeling OK and no major aches and pains but today, Monday (and thankfully a long w/end) I'm feeling stiff and tired. I guess it is part of the process but I'm LONGING for the feeling of fitness.


Week 4's training started off with my usual rest day on Monday followed by a 6kms run with my son on Tuesday. On Wednesday I went up the mountains, Mt Smart, Mt Hobson and Mt Eden with Philomen. We walked and did it in 1hr 20mins. Thursday was a BIG test for me. I went with Barry to Crum Park.
"How many times do you think we should run up the stairs?" He asked.
"Probably 4." I replied.
This was based on the times I'd run up them in previous weeks and I know how I feel after the few I have done. Not today though, Barry had other plans.
"Kirk's done 10." I was advised.
Well, ever so slightly competitive I feel obliged to say, "11 times then."
But Barry had other plans...
Up and down with a bit of walking and stretching the legs in between, 20 times later I was more than ready to call it a day. I could feel the muscles in my legs, that was for sure! We walked a bit and than split to run the rest of the way home.

That's the difference with training with people, I am suitable challenged with them where as I don't push myself on my own. I would NEVER have run up the stairs 20 times on my own.

Friday, it was too busy for running and so took my rest day but on Saturday I was up at 6 to meet Sharon and Philomen to do the mountains again. Mt Smart, Mt Hobson and Mt Eden and then off for a coffee and a muffin at Mt Eden Village. A girl has got to have some treats and I enjoy the company.
Sunday was the long run. I woke up early and thought, ironing or run. I chose to iron so that my son would join me ad he was yet to wake.

A wee bit of procrastinating until we finally left home just after 5:00pm and ran up to the Pipe Line. I advised Luke to cut his run short as he is only 14 and this run was perhaps too long for him. He was happy to turn back but got lost and ended up in Green Bay. He probably added extra k's to his run. Josh drove to the Pipe Line and walked it. Just a wee bit of exercise for him while his knee recovers from minor surgery.
16ks was a bit hard for me although I managed it and in an OK time but my body ached and I was shattered when I reached home. After all this running I'm still not feeling fit. Perseverance, I guess.

Oh well, week 5 and I am focused, determined to stay on track. Thank you for your emails and words of encouragement, AND hoots as you pass me by in the car. It all helps. Thanks too has to go to those that can run and train with me. I really appreciate your efforts, support, patience, time and sacrifices.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Cathay Pacific Training - Week 3 Done

Week three and it seems to me that I have done SO MUCH more but I have ticked the boxes of only 3 weeks, according to the program I am following.

The week started well with a short 6k run with Luke on Tuesday but Wednesday was such a busy day that I didn't manage to fit a run in which meant I had to go for 4 consecutive days in a row to ensure I stayed on track. Monday is always a rest day.

On Thursday I would normally run with Barry but he had other commitments and so I did my Wednesday's run with Luke and we went to Crum Park to do the hill training. 4 times up and down the steps on the top field and 3 fast runs around the field followed by a steady run home. Again, I think I prefer the longer runs!

Thursday was also Josh's knee operation which, thankfully, he came through in excellent shape albeit a bit of pain and a limp. He will rest until Sunday and then his mild exercise will begin.

Friday, Luke and I did our usual, Golf Rd (6kms) and we were spotted by MANY. Only a few hoots though so please call out or hoot if you see us. Thanks Catherine for your encouragement! Luke isn't a fan of Golf Rd as he finds it too hilly but I can see that he is getting used to it now and his stamina is improving. I had a job trying to keep up with him this time.

On Saturday we were forced to run in the rain again and went for a Pipe Line run which, I must say, was pleasant. One should never be put off from running in the rain. Having said that, it was my plan to run at 6am the next morning with Barry, the long run for the week but the rain was coming down HARD and at 5:30am I made the call to put the run off until later in the hope that the crazy weather settled. 10:30am was still a no go and so we agreed to go at 1:00pm no matter what. I met Barry at Golf Rd and we ran up to Titirangi, did the Pipe Line and then headed home along Titirangi Rd.

Just before we reached Golf Rd, Barry suggested turning down a lane that leads to Crum Park to run up the hills 3 times. NO WAY!!!! I thought. I was shattered and ready for home. Then he gave me the next tip, put the hard yards in now and on race day it'll seem really easy. I must admit, I was tempted and I realise that what he says is true but it was too hard for me to contemplate on the day. Maybe next time...

Week 3 done and dusted. Next week I am back to walking with my buddies and we'll do Wednesdays and Saturdays, Mt Hobson, Big King and Mt Eden and so I look forward to that. All other days I will follow the program.

I spoke to my brother, Steven, and he is also in training for a half marathon, of course with a view to nudging his time up a bit making it harder for me to beat but I have the same view and to reclaim the half marathon title for the Maddock family. I hope that all this training pays off. 

Monday, January 17, 2011

A Good Weeks Training

Monday was my rest day and I felt as though I should be out running but hey ho, Tuesday came around quick enough and I went out for an evening run with my son, Luke. He ran faster than me again and I tried hard to keep up with his long legs.

On Wednesday we went to Crum Park and did a lap of the top field at pace followed by a sprint up the hill 3 times each and to be honest, I'd rather go for a long run! It was a killer! Then we ran home but that's mostly down hill, thankfully.

Thursday saw me out with my new running buddy again. We drove to the Pipe Line and managed to run it without stopping. I must admit that Barry appeared much fitter this time and I struggled to keep up with him. I can tell he will challenge me, just what I need.

Friday was an easy day which included a walk home from kindie and then to and from New Lynn shopping mall with my son, Luke. By Saturday I was grateful for a sleep in and then we had to get stuck in to getting the house sorted. Sunday was an early start with Barry. We were out at 6:00am and only had an 8km run. We headed to the Pipe Line, parked up and ran around the block, passed the Huia water treatment plant, Woodlands Park Rd, which is up hill and then up the hill onto Exhibition Dr.  It was here that I had to walk, just a wee bit to catch my breath and then we continued.

Once finished we had ice cold water to help - PERFECT!

Next training run is Tuesday and will probably go out with Luke again although may try something else. I shall let you know what I decide.

Thanks for tuning in.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Running Buddy

I have just got home from my run with my new running buddy. Running buddies are a good idea to help with motivation and keep your mind off the pain that comes with long distance running. I recommend one if you can!

Feeling a little nervous that I would never be able to keep up with Barry I arrived at the meeting spot and didn't know what to expect. Barry was ready to go. We walked to the end of the road and began running with a view to making 13kms but we were running in the heat of the day. The pace was set and Barry offered a tip that you should be able to run at a pace that allows you to chat. A good, favourable tip, I thought.

The hill at Godley Rd, always a killer to get to Titirangi Road, was a MASSIVE effort to get up today. We walked, ran and breathed heavily! At the top we crossed the road and continued all the way down to New Lynn and back to Portage. It was a bit of a struggle here too but I knew that we were close to the homeward stretch. Back at Golf Rd we parted company and I ran home. We certainly covered the 13kms that I had hoped for and although I didn't record the time I believe that it was at a good pace and one that I'm happy with.

I hope to go out with my running buddy again on Thursday for a shorter run. I am optimistic about my training this time round and I'm feeling the benefits. Back to work tomorrow and so the challenge will be if I can keep my efforts up during my busy schedule. We shall see...

Rest day tomorrow and then I warm into the week with a short, easy 6k run on Tuesday. I'm also hoping that the walking will start again with my buddies, Philomen, Sharon and co up the mountains.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Half Marathon Training - Great Start

All going well tomorrow I can tick all the boxes for my first week of training for the Cathay Pacific half marathon. 8km run today at race pace was perhaps not at race pace but I completed the distance. Up hill to Titirangi Village and down hill all the way home.

Most of the way up I zoned out and used this time to think about going back to kindie. I'm looking forward to it and I have to say that I'm also looking forward to my training. After a week of exercise I'm feeling great!
Tomorrow, however, is going to be a test as I'm running with a buddy for the first time. He believes he can help me pick my speed up and crack the time I'm aiming for...We are aiming to do a 13km run. I'll let you know how we go. Wish me luck! I hope that I can keep up.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Cathay Pacific Half Marathon - Another Tick

Today I have entered the Cathay Pacific Half Marathon
Hit the link for an on-line entry form if you'd like to join me. There is an 11k run/walk too.

The build up to my half marathon training has been enjoyable and I have kept my training to a minimum in terms of distance although took today off in preparation for the weekend. My official training started on Tuesday and my son, Luke, was happy to support me by joining me again on a 6k Pipe Line run, nice and easy. We took our time running the first 3ks but kicked it in on the last 3k. I enjoyed this because Luke runs much faster than me now and I try hard to keep up with him, a challenge that suits me perfectly.

On Monday and Wednesday we worked on some speed training which is beneficial for him with his rugby training. Wednesday was the toughest with 3 runs around the field at pace and 3 sprints up the hill at Crum Park. It was TOUGH! We jogged home until we reached the top of South Lynn and ran home as fast as we could. Once home I think I may have died...

On Thursday, as per my training schedule, I needed to do a short, comfortable run and so I called on my buddy, Anne-Marie, and we ran her block, La Rosa, left onto Golf Rd, right onto Portage and right on to Godley until we reached La Rosa again. We walked back to Anne-Marie's house.

Tomorrow I have to do an 8km run at race pace. I'm not looking forward but will give it a go. I'll also have to do it on my own. PLEASE give me the motivation to do it?!

On Sunday I hope to run with Barry, a runner much quicker than me. He is going to help me with my speed and try and get me to achieve the half marathon time that I'm hoping for. I'm planning 13kms.

Keep watching and support me through this. I WANT TO DO IT THIS TIME.