Over the last few weeks I have been walking with Jo-Anne 2 - 3 times per week. We meet at her place at 7:00am and walk around the block. This week I have decided to get up that much earlier to give me time to run from my house to Jo-Anne's. This way I am forced into getting my run done early. My run to Jo-Anne's is up hill and so a gentle warm up, then the 2 of us walk for about 40mins on average and then I run home but add a circuit on to ensure I get at least 45 - 50 mins running time. This will increase over time.
I was done and dusted by 8:30 and my day was MEGA productive. I plan on doing this regularly whilst I'm walking with Jo-Anne.
In addition, I have Owen, a runner from way back and he is helping me with my motivation. He is going to run with me at least once a week, Wednesday evenings for now and we run for about an hour which will increase over time.
Apart from that, I am still going to Mike, the personal trainer, once a week although we missed Thursday. So far, that is going well. I enjoy it as he challenges me every week. It is NEVER easy.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Is Trying Through a Trying Time
Hi all,
Since my last post I have had some bad news. If you haven't heard already, my team mate, Philomen, was tragically killed in an explosion on 4 June. I have gone through a process of grieving and while I hope that the worst is over I still have the odd very difficult day.
Philomen would want me to carry on with my fitness and I have ensured that I have maintained that part of my life as much as possible. I have been out for runs, just local and once a week my boys join me to run the Pipe Line (6kms), as is their way of supporting me through this time. I have been going to see Mike, a personal trainer, and he has worked me pretty hard, especially my core muscles and upper body which I have never really done before. I also attempted to walk the mountains with Moana to see if I could find my own way without my guides, Philomen or Sharon. It is my intention to run them regularly for my marathon training.
I chose today to update my blog as it was the first day of my training program for the Auckland Marathon. My training began a few weeks back to build up my fitness for the program and I feel ready for it although may struggle with motivation...please help me out with that with your words of encouragement.
Day 1 of Week 1
Goal: 40 mins
Actual: 6.5Kms in 40mins
Since my last post I have had some bad news. If you haven't heard already, my team mate, Philomen, was tragically killed in an explosion on 4 June. I have gone through a process of grieving and while I hope that the worst is over I still have the odd very difficult day.
Philomen would want me to carry on with my fitness and I have ensured that I have maintained that part of my life as much as possible. I have been out for runs, just local and once a week my boys join me to run the Pipe Line (6kms), as is their way of supporting me through this time. I have been going to see Mike, a personal trainer, and he has worked me pretty hard, especially my core muscles and upper body which I have never really done before. I also attempted to walk the mountains with Moana to see if I could find my own way without my guides, Philomen or Sharon. It is my intention to run them regularly for my marathon training.
I chose today to update my blog as it was the first day of my training program for the Auckland Marathon. My training began a few weeks back to build up my fitness for the program and I feel ready for it although may struggle with motivation...please help me out with that with your words of encouragement.
Day 1 of Week 1
Goal: 40 mins
Actual: 6.5Kms in 40mins
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Marathon Training 2011 Has Begun
I'm back! Sorry for lack of entries lately. Believe it or not, I have been out there doing stuff but have had no particular goal in mind and so didn't feel the need to add an update but just to keep you in the know, I have kept up with the mountain climbs with Sharon and Philomen, been on the odd short run including the stairs at Crum Park with my boys and I have just started going to a personal trainer, Mike, with 2 other ladies which is an expense but I believe it is value for money. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm also walking with Jo-Anne 3 times a week.
Today is the first day of my marathon training. I'm planning a 6 - 7km run after I have picked my boys up from school and then I'll meet Jo-Anne and Karen for a walk to warm down. Let's see if I can keep it up this time!
I need a 3 month training programme to follow so if you have any ideas, please let me know. I also need people to run with so please join me, especially on the longer runs. Stay tuned!
Today is the first day of my marathon training. I'm planning a 6 - 7km run after I have picked my boys up from school and then I'll meet Jo-Anne and Karen for a walk to warm down. Let's see if I can keep it up this time!
I need a 3 month training programme to follow so if you have any ideas, please let me know. I also need people to run with so please join me, especially on the longer runs. Stay tuned!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
No Aneconda Event
It was lucky for me that I decided to do the Cathay Pacific half marathon as it appears that we are no longer doing the Aneconda event. One of my team mates is right in the middle of study and another has dislocated her shoulder.
What next? I was contemplating the Orewa half marathon but took time off to spend with my folks and it is amazing how much fitness one loses in just 3 weeks. I know that my next run will be hard and I want to take it easy for a bit.
Does anyone know of a good event to enter in Aug/Sept? Keen to train for something but want to take it slow this time with fewer training days per week.
What next? I was contemplating the Orewa half marathon but took time off to spend with my folks and it is amazing how much fitness one loses in just 3 weeks. I know that my next run will be hard and I want to take it easy for a bit.
Does anyone know of a good event to enter in Aug/Sept? Keen to train for something but want to take it slow this time with fewer training days per week.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Count Down to Cathay Pacific
Well folks, another event done and dusted. I had a good run with Barry but as per usual I died with just 2kms to go and lost time but hey ho, not too bad. I missed out on beating my brother's time by 1 minute and matched my best time for a half marathon with 1hr 54 mins. I'm happy with that, not ecstatic but happy.
I went for a short training run on Tuesday and did the Pipe Line and did some stair climbs with Barry at Crum Park on Thursday. That was all I felt I needed to do so close to event day.
I started a little nervous but, for a nice change, I had company with Barry and that helped to keep me relaxed. We ran the first km in 5mins and so started a little faster than I expected but the pace was set and we had to try and keep it going. The hills in the middle gave me a bit of grief but manageable until the last hill which was at about 16kms. I was sure it was the last hill and so I dug deep and took off. I managed to keep a relatively good pace until the 19km mark and slowed right down. It was hard to keep it up and when a young speedy lass passed me at a faster pace than me I tried to keep up with her for as long as I could.
But the BEST bit of the whole run was that my friends and family were there at the end to see me cross the line. Mum, Dad, Shayne, Karen, Michelle, Sharon and Philomen and just over the way was Barry's family to see him cross the line. AWESOME! What a difference it makes when there are people there to support you.
And so, even though I didn't beat Steven's time, I'm OK and feel good about the run. The training paid off and ow I just have to keep going for the next one. I'm going to take a small break while my folks are here with me although I will keep up with the mountain climbs with my buddies and do the odd run and then back in to it there after.
Thanks for your support, especially to Barry for his time and help with my training. It was invaluable.
I went for a short training run on Tuesday and did the Pipe Line and did some stair climbs with Barry at Crum Park on Thursday. That was all I felt I needed to do so close to event day.
I started a little nervous but, for a nice change, I had company with Barry and that helped to keep me relaxed. We ran the first km in 5mins and so started a little faster than I expected but the pace was set and we had to try and keep it going. The hills in the middle gave me a bit of grief but manageable until the last hill which was at about 16kms. I was sure it was the last hill and so I dug deep and took off. I managed to keep a relatively good pace until the 19km mark and slowed right down. It was hard to keep it up and when a young speedy lass passed me at a faster pace than me I tried to keep up with her for as long as I could.
But the BEST bit of the whole run was that my friends and family were there at the end to see me cross the line. Mum, Dad, Shayne, Karen, Michelle, Sharon and Philomen and just over the way was Barry's family to see him cross the line. AWESOME! What a difference it makes when there are people there to support you.
And so, even though I didn't beat Steven's time, I'm OK and feel good about the run. The training paid off and ow I just have to keep going for the next one. I'm going to take a small break while my folks are here with me although I will keep up with the mountain climbs with my buddies and do the odd run and then back in to it there after.
Thanks for your support, especially to Barry for his time and help with my training. It was invaluable.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
One Week To Go
That's right, one more week to go until event day - WOOHOO! I'm feeling confident and ready to go. This week has been busy but I managed to do all but one of my runs. I don't think I needed it though as today's run was great. More about that later but for now, here's how the week went:
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - I ran the Pipe Line on my own in the heat of the day after work. (6kms in 37 mins).
Wednesday - Golf Rd (6kms in 35 mins).
Thursday - Stair climbs at Crum Park with Barry.
Friday - No run
Saturday - No run
Sunday - 17.5kms with Barry. We ran the Carter Rd route and stopped at Crum Park to throw in 6 stair climbs. Just as we were about to part company and head home I met Denise and Sheryl out for a Sunday walk and so I joined them and we walked to Green Bay and back.
I believe that I am on track and looking ahead to next week I can't help but feel confident. 2 more 6k training runs to go and that's it. This time next week I hope to update my blog with my results and, all going according to plan, I will have beaten my brothers time. HERE'S HOPING!
Monday - Rest
Tuesday - I ran the Pipe Line on my own in the heat of the day after work. (6kms in 37 mins).
Wednesday - Golf Rd (6kms in 35 mins).
Thursday - Stair climbs at Crum Park with Barry.
Friday - No run
Saturday - No run
Sunday - 17.5kms with Barry. We ran the Carter Rd route and stopped at Crum Park to throw in 6 stair climbs. Just as we were about to part company and head home I met Denise and Sheryl out for a Sunday walk and so I joined them and we walked to Green Bay and back.
I believe that I am on track and looking ahead to next week I can't help but feel confident. 2 more 6k training runs to go and that's it. This time next week I hope to update my blog with my results and, all going according to plan, I will have beaten my brothers time. HERE'S HOPING!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
At Last - Fitness is Kicking In
This week marked a turning point in my training and as a result I am feeling on top of the world!
I know that Monday is my rest day but Barry felt he needed to do a good fast run to try and sweat the cold out of him and so we were joined by my son, Josh, on a 6 k run of the Pipe Line. I enjoyed the run because it was spontaneous and fast. Josh set a good pace and Barry was close on his tail which meant I had to try and keep up. These are the runs that I enjoy most of all, challenging yet rewarding and I feel brilliant once they are done. Although the time set us on track for a 2hr 6min half marathon, our run up was much slower than the run back and so I think we are still on track for a great time.
On Tuesday I rested and enjoyed the company of my parents who have arrived from the UK. We went out for dinner with the whole family and Sue, Stu and their cherubs.
On Wednesday I walked the mountains with Philomen and Sharon and complained that I have done all this training yet I still can't run up all the mountains. I was to make a determined effort on Saturday...
The good news is that we continue to get faster and faster and so things are going well for the ladies and the mountains.
Thursday was a tough days training! Out with Barry, we went to Crum Park. "Give me a number." he said, about how many times I thought we could run up the stairs. I knew it had to be done but didn't want it to be too hard. (Lazy Mand). We had done 20 previously and I was amazed that I could do that many!
"25?" was my well thought out, weak estimate, although Barry had mentioned 30 previously. It goes to show, with a bit of support and encouragement it is possible to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. We did 30! My legs were like tonne weights but I was energised and couldn't wait to get home and share the news with Shayne and the boys.
I took a day off on Friday but was up early on Saturday for the mountain climb with Philomen and Sharon. I complained again that, by now, I should be able to run up the hills. Well, I started off well and managed to run up and down Mt Smart. Next was Mt Hobson and up and down I ran. Feeling good about the way I had done so far I gave it a good go up Mt Eden and although I struggled I managed most of it. At last! The fitness is kicking in.
I have been running regularly since December and only now do I notice a difference. I HAVE to hold on to it now and keep my fitness up.
In preparation for Sunday's long run I cut my night out on Saturday short and restricted my alcohol intake. I have come this far and didn't want to blow it for the sake of a crazy night out. I had to do 19kms and for ease I thought I'd run up to the pipe line, add and bit and then run home. I had to run on my own but felt ready for it. I left at 4:00pm and the heat of the day beat down on me. I knew that I would have hydration problems but thought the tap at the pipe line would be enough. It wasn't but I carried on.
It was a hot day and plenty of bikers, runners, walkers, families and others along the way to keep me company. It is a beautiful spot to take the family for a stroll or ride the bikes. Some children fell off their bikes and one had a cut and so, just in case, take some plasters!
I felt quite slow but when I got home I was happy with my time 1hr 50mins. I was shattered! I remain quietly confident about event day and don't doubt the distance, it is the time that concerns me. Time will tell...
I know that Monday is my rest day but Barry felt he needed to do a good fast run to try and sweat the cold out of him and so we were joined by my son, Josh, on a 6 k run of the Pipe Line. I enjoyed the run because it was spontaneous and fast. Josh set a good pace and Barry was close on his tail which meant I had to try and keep up. These are the runs that I enjoy most of all, challenging yet rewarding and I feel brilliant once they are done. Although the time set us on track for a 2hr 6min half marathon, our run up was much slower than the run back and so I think we are still on track for a great time.
On Tuesday I rested and enjoyed the company of my parents who have arrived from the UK. We went out for dinner with the whole family and Sue, Stu and their cherubs.
On Wednesday I walked the mountains with Philomen and Sharon and complained that I have done all this training yet I still can't run up all the mountains. I was to make a determined effort on Saturday...
The good news is that we continue to get faster and faster and so things are going well for the ladies and the mountains.
Thursday was a tough days training! Out with Barry, we went to Crum Park. "Give me a number." he said, about how many times I thought we could run up the stairs. I knew it had to be done but didn't want it to be too hard. (Lazy Mand). We had done 20 previously and I was amazed that I could do that many!
"25?" was my well thought out, weak estimate, although Barry had mentioned 30 previously. It goes to show, with a bit of support and encouragement it is possible to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. We did 30! My legs were like tonne weights but I was energised and couldn't wait to get home and share the news with Shayne and the boys.
I took a day off on Friday but was up early on Saturday for the mountain climb with Philomen and Sharon. I complained again that, by now, I should be able to run up the hills. Well, I started off well and managed to run up and down Mt Smart. Next was Mt Hobson and up and down I ran. Feeling good about the way I had done so far I gave it a good go up Mt Eden and although I struggled I managed most of it. At last! The fitness is kicking in.
I have been running regularly since December and only now do I notice a difference. I HAVE to hold on to it now and keep my fitness up.
In preparation for Sunday's long run I cut my night out on Saturday short and restricted my alcohol intake. I have come this far and didn't want to blow it for the sake of a crazy night out. I had to do 19kms and for ease I thought I'd run up to the pipe line, add and bit and then run home. I had to run on my own but felt ready for it. I left at 4:00pm and the heat of the day beat down on me. I knew that I would have hydration problems but thought the tap at the pipe line would be enough. It wasn't but I carried on.
It was a hot day and plenty of bikers, runners, walkers, families and others along the way to keep me company. It is a beautiful spot to take the family for a stroll or ride the bikes. Some children fell off their bikes and one had a cut and so, just in case, take some plasters!
I felt quite slow but when I got home I was happy with my time 1hr 50mins. I was shattered! I remain quietly confident about event day and don't doubt the distance, it is the time that concerns me. Time will tell...
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