sore knee

Went to run group last night and it was fantastic!  We did hill repeats, strides, strength stuff as in push-ups, dips and lunges etc.  I went home feeling as though I had put in a good session but a little embarrassed about my upper strength, I so suck at push-ups

Today is a different story as when I woke up, I was unable to weight bear on my right leg because of something going on in my knee.  I don’t know what I have done as it was perfectly fine last night??  As the day has progressed, I can now weight bear but my gait is definetly not normal.  I have managed to get ice on it once today and tonight I will apply some more and elevate leg.  Not very happy about this as I really wanted to do the speed session tomorrow and I am not sure what to do.  There are only three weeks left of my Sporting Spirit sessions and I have loved it!  Haven’t always been able to get there which has been a total pain in the butt!  I would love to sign up for more sessions and continue on with it but I don’t think I will as I hate it when I can’t get there.  The best time for me to exercise is when pesky 4 year old is at kinder.  If only they had 9.30am groups then I would be laughing.

Although I am still starving from my WW point counting, I feel as though I am getting into the swing.  I have still gone over a few points here and there but I know I will eventually get there and make better choices.  Thanks for the link Em, that site looks good.  I have made a pumpkin risotto today and it looks really yummy, just have to watch my portion sizes as dinner time is my worst time    Andrew and JoJo, you are way too kind but thank-you for your nice comments

counting points…… again!

I am feeling pretty refreshed after having a week of no exercise.  I didn’t intend not to exercise, it just ended up that way with one thing or another.  I am really looking forward to run group tonight to get the old bones moving again.

 As the title indicates, I have started counting  Weight Watcher points again after deciding it is time I faced reality that I am a boombaladi and I need to get at least 6kgs off.  That certainly crept up on me and I need to take action now with winter just around the corner.  Soon someone will have to arrange a crane to get me out of the house if I don’t do something about it.  Its pretty damn depressing actually when you realise you can no longer eat and drink what you want, when you want.  I can honestly say this has happened to me over the last 6 years.  I like to blame aging and hormones but at the end of day it doesn’t matter what the reason is, you just have to face reality!  I wish I had more than 20 points a day though, as yesterday I felt as though I was going to starve to death

 Oh yeah, I have changed my blog look yet again, it just seemed a bit dark and gloomy   

ran 4 the kids 2 days ago

I seem to be forever dragging my heals in the blogging department lately.  I started my Run 4 Kids post on the day and now it is Tuesday  

Sunday was the most brilliant day, weatherwise, runningwise and socialisingwise!  Met up with RJ outside the Arts Centre and headed down to event area.  Checked our bags in, did the toilet stop and before we knew it, it was time to line up at the start.  Have to say it didn’t appear as organised as last year as we noticed lots of different coloured bibs in our yellow section which we paid for after the run had started. It took ages to weave through walkers and prams before we found ourselves on a clear path. Honestly, whats the point of different coloured bibs if you are not going to get into correct allocated area! Running through the Domain tunnel was awesome and I made sure to really take in all surroundings from start to finish as last year I didn’t. We were in a really good rhythm and before we knew it we were at the 5km mark. It was totally awesome looking at the streams of runners way ahead and then look behind at the mass as well. Loved the Bolte Bridge and I was wishing I had my mobile to take a snappy of RJ and I under the BB sign. We kept cruising along and were soon at the La Trobe Street where Sara was stationed and it was really great to see her nice smiling encouraging face at that point  Not long after that we found ourselves at Collins Street.  I knew they had changed the course and I thought it was going to be flatter at that point. It was a very rude shock to find myself grunting up a different killer incline as this is where I started to feel the pinch last year and just wasn’t expecting it at all!  I could hear RJ saying “I thought they got rid of this hill?” Eventually got through that and then continued along and fell back into a rhythm again although probably a little bit slower.   Ran down St Kilda road towards finish and felt so much happier as I definetly was not carking it like last year.  Crossed the finish line and spotted Jaykay, Michelle, Tigerboy and Wombatoutofhell and stopped and chatted for about 10 minutes.  We then continued along and it was then that RJ and I realised that we hadn’t passed through the “paddle swiping bit yet  We collected our bags and then headed to the Transport Bar for coffee, champers and something to eat.  We caught up with the ausrunners and met some coolrunners from the forums which was really awesome!  It just made the day so much better and was a great way to spend post race.  Its just a shame that when I got home I had to return to “Mum” mode the minute I walked in the door  All I felt like doing was continuing on with the champagne and lapping up my “runners high”, pesky kids

*edit*  Results are in the paper today and my official time was 1:32:28.  

long run short

running

I have been out there running in this damn heat and I truly think I must be mad Have to say though, I am feeling really happy with my effort!  Last week did my SS sessions, one tready run, also managed to fit in Pilates and finished the week with a 10km run on Sunday   

10km Run:  It was a bit of a slog in the last km because it was just so damn hot!  I ran with RJ and we took a different path than we normally do which was really refreshing.  We crossed over at Morrell Bridge and then headed right.  We ended up running along the Yarra for over 3km then turned around back to the Morrell Bridge continued up Anderson Street and finished the lap of the Tan.  I think my new shoes, which I bought from Running Warehouse have helped with some of my niggles.  When I actually look at my old pair, they are in a shocking state  I am seriously thinking of ordering another pair or two!  While running we made sure to stop for drinks at the bubblers and I even wet my entire face and hat as well.  Wetting the hat was great idea……. it got me thinking about the suggestion on the ausrun forum about putting a lettuce in your hat  

That run has done a lot for my confidence and I am now trying to work out how far to go this Sunday, the last long run before Run 4 Kids.  Still wishing I had a couple of 12kms under my wing, hence the title of post but never mind, I am where I am.  So, should I repeat the 10km, move up to 11kms or try and do 12kms??  JoJo??  What do you think?  I think if the heat wasn’t a factor I could have gone further and I am kind of banking on Run 4 Kids to be a really cool day so that it won’t be quite a slog at the end.  Not really sure if increasing will do much at this stage so any suggestions appreciated.  

ramblings

After “coming out” on the ausrun forums about Carlton being my 2nd team, what happens, Fev goes and pee’s on the Candy Bar’s window, not to mention further shenanigan’s   Honestly these AFL foot-ballers

phew, all is well

running/ramblings

Happy to report that my achilles is fine.  Although slightly tender it was fine running yesterday and today there is no problem in sight   I have a sneaky feeling I haven’t been lacing up my laces tight enough and made sure I did yesterday. 

Met up with RJ at the Tan just after 9am and the morning was cool and fresh.  We abolished our plans to have a family morning at Moomba and ended up with all of us getting together in the afternoon at our place instead.  Sometimes organising all the troops is just way too much trouble!  After comparing ailments, niggles and tiredness   ,not the families, ours  we decided we would play our run by ear.  We ended up doing 8km’s with a couple of walk breaks and stretches.  RJ’s hips were giving her grief and my legs were feeling a bit heavy, probably from Fridays run.  We were like a couple of geriatric’s!!   Although I didn’t do the 10km as hoped I am still happy with that effort as I know I can run 10kms.  I have come to accept that when I do Run 4 Kids it will probably be a walk, run, roll, crawl effort but as long as I finish I guess.  I am disappointed that I am not where I wanted to be at this point with my training and when R4K is out of the way, I am going to concentrate on getting to the bottom of my pesky hip problem.  It has not been fully resolved and along with physio, I think I may have to go back to Podiatrist to get my orthotics reviewed.  I plan to then build a solid running base with the goal of working towards doing the 1/2 at the Melbourne Marathon.     

When I got home, I sat in a cold bath, no ice as I didn’t have any and then I put the skins on for a couple of hours.  Wasn’t long afterward when RJ and family rocked up and we had ourselves a very pleasant relaxing afternoon/evening eating and drinking ourselves into oblivion   All our good work undone……. aahhh well, you only live once!

Today I feel good but wishing run group was tomorrow night instead of tonight so I could rest the legs one more day.  I will be ok though as it is only a technique and strength session so I will survive.  I am toying with the idea of trying to run 12km’s on the week-end but not sure if that is a bit ridiculous.  My good sense is saying do a 10km but psycologically want to the 12km.  Stoopid mind games! 

Now I am off to clean up as the house looks as though a bomb has hit it 

damn this running

running

Aaaaaghhh, missed running group on Wednesday because I had no one to look after kids…….. how annoying is that!!!  I was not impressed at all but these things happen   I must admit that my hip was a little tender so maybe a speed session wouldn’t have been a great idea but still I was annoyed.

Last night it was the Carlton training session against the Bulldogs and we set of to Princes Park.  My troops were going to go to match and I was going to go for a run.  Initially the plan was that I would go in for a while and watch and then set off.  It was so busy when we got there and parking was bedlam so the troops jumped out while I continued on th find apark.  I did find one along Princes Park Drive (cemetary side) and I then started my 5km run.  It was hot but the shady bits were good with a very slight breeze.  At about the 4.5km mark I had a drink and changed my mind and decided to up it to a 6km run but I got this really sharp pain in the achilles area of left foot and through the heal, omg it hurt!!!  So I walked a bit and it seemed to settle so I set off and thought it might be best not to do the 6km.  I finished at 5.4km.  Did some stretching and then when I went to walk off to footy ground, the pain stopped me in my tracks again!  Bugger whats going on??  Decided to walk to car instead which was about another km away and it was a slow walk.  Eventually caught up with troops and headed home.  I iced area when I got home and the pesky hip and also popped a couple of Nurofens    This morning it is still a little sore but I can weight bear and walk.  My plan today is to ice as much as possible and continue with Nurofens.  I have a planned 10km run tomorrow which I do intend on still doing, call me foolhardy but if I don’t do it tomorrow, I will not get another chance until next week-end and I wanted to do 12 km run then.  I am going to meet RJ tomorrow and we are dragging the families along for Moomba.  We figure they can entertain themselves while we run and then maybe have a bacon and eggs barbie if we are organised enough or head off to a cafe and have someone else cook for us.  I think the later option will be the one we end up doing

optimistic

running

I ran on Sunday as planned at the We Can Walk it Out fun run and everything felt good.  I did the 8kms and managed to run whole way which included that pesky Anderson Street hill twice.  The second time up was a bit of a grind but I wasn’t going to let that bugger beat me   Considering that was my first ”long” run in about three weeks, I was happy that I was able to do it but it still leaves me a long way off Run 4 Kids distance  

Rocked up to Sporting Spirit last night and I have to say I was feeling sore from previous day and nearly didn’t go  My quads and hamstrings were protesting but I decided to stop being a wuss and get my butt there.  It was a strength and technique session and I thought surely it wouldn’t be too grinding.  It was a good session which covered upper body strength, lower body strength   , drills and a bit of running.  I was really glad I did it and once again I am so glad I have joined this group.  It is really giving me direction and confidence that finally my running will come together.  I still haven’t been able to start my Pilate sessions at Physio’s but I have my fingers crossed I will be able to start soon.

ramblings

I have still been having issues with my 4 year old who has done a complete 360 degree turn around and now doesn’t want to go to kinder anymore.  Oh well, that will teach me for looking a gift horse in the mouth as he loved it at the start and I was a little disappointed that he cut the apron strings so easily

I received my Run 4 Kids race pack yesterday and I am really disappointed with the event T-shirt this year.  I know its not all about the shirt but I loved lasts years design and fabric which has become one of my favourite training shirts.  I thought it was going to be the same type of shirt but different colour.  Anyway, all is not lost, I have a very happy 10 year old who has scored it

its all go

running/ramblings

I can’t believe it has been 10 days since I last blogged.  It is quite amazing as I thought I would have more time up my sleeve once my 4 year old starter Kinder but I seemed to have ended up with less!

I will just start with this week……  I started my Sporting Spirit sessions this week and have to say, totally loved it   It was a really nice bunch of people ranging from one runner who had never ran 5km before up to another runner who runs 15kms and up.  I was nestled right there in the middle which alleviated my nerves.  I was scared I was going to embarrass myself but I didn’t, yay for me!  The other thing I was a bit scared about was how old everyone was going to be as I thought I would be surrounded by spritey young 20 year olds but that was not the case at all.  I would say the youngest was in about her thirties and the oldest about 60ish.  Monday’s session we covered drills for technique and strength.  We did all those sorts of things we should be doing as runners but I definitely never do   For example, marching with skipping, patter rans, butt kicks etc.  I am really happy to be doing these types of drills in a supervised group because I find this stuff to boring to do by myself.  Wednesday’s session was intervals, I think thats what they are called??  We started with a 2km warm-up run and then did 2 minute fast but comfortable runs with a 2 min jog back recovery.  Not sure how many of those we did but it was a few.  We then finished with a 1km cool-down run.  All up I think we covered about 5-6km’s.  On the way back to my car when the session was over, I kept my eyes peeled on the runners who were running in the 2nd of the Sunset Series.  I knew that Andrew, Kathryn and Tigerboy from the ausrun forum were running in the event and I wanted to cheer them on if I saw them.  I only saw Tigerboy and he had a determined look on his face.  I called out “Go Tigerboy” which I found out later, he did hear.  Have to say I got a few funny looks when I called that out

I had another dry needling treatment done on Monday and my hip feels so much better, in fact I will go as far to say its not giving me any grief at all!  I wasn’t sure if I needed a 2nd treatment done but I had been told it usually takes 2-3 treatments so I just did it.  I have been doing all my stretches that Physio instructed me to do but I am yet to start my Pilates program.  I was going to start this week but I have had to keep close to Kinder as my 4 year old is having a few toileting issues, number 2’s    I only live across the road so I have told them to ring me if there are any mishaps and I will pop over.  Not sure what is going on with him and I guess we will work it all out eventually but until then, Pilates is on hold    

So I am now going to resume my Run 4 Kids training and this Sunday I will be doing a 8km run at the We Can Walk It Out Fun Run.  This will be the third year that I have ran in this event and although a little low key, I love the atmosphere that surrounds this worthy cause.  I am going to treat it purely as a training run and plan to run slow to see where I am in regards to distance.  If all goes to plan, I might, not sure yet, do the Beat the Boat 10km fun run the following week-end and then the remaining two week-ends leading up to Run 4 Kids, attempt two 12km’s.  I did Beat the Boat last year and have to say I found it to be quite a challenging course so I will see how the 8km goes on Sunday.  I will take it week by week but I am hoping this is the way it will pan out.  That said I will be running at Run 4 Kids  

needles and running group

running

Ran down at Princes Park yesterday after I dropped my 4 year old of at Kinder.  It was really quite warm even though it was just after 9am when I set off.  The last km was a bit of a killer.  I ran for 5kms with one drink stop at the 3km mark.  Have to say I was happy when it was over and feeling once again a little negative about my running, or my trying to run I should say.

ramblings

I decided in the car coming home that I would book in for needling at Sports Clinic and I would go ahead and book into the 10km Booster group at Sporting Spirit  If I want to keep running and improve I have to do these two thing otherwise I can see myself falling off the rails.

I was able to get an appointment for last night at 6.30pm or Wednesday morning and I just bit the bullet and had it done last night.  It is just like having accupuncture done, not that I have had that done, but it was just really fine needles being inserted into two area’s of my hip, and then left in for about 10-15 minutes.  I had about 3o needles inserted and it really was a painless procedure.  There was no discomfort at all.  The hip area was feeling a little “heavy” as the time went on which was good apparently but that was it.  I may need another treatment next week but I have to access how I go.  My plan is to continue with Physio’s orders, if I can remember and see her on Friday for review. 

I also rang Brian at Sporting Spirit and joined the 10km Bosster group and that starts at Princes Park on Monday.  The session will be on strength and technique and starts at 6pm for an hour.  Hubby has assured me I can go with no hishaps and for his sake, he better be right!  I am a little bit nervous about going but at the same time beside myself with excitement, it just sounds so good

the whinger and miss responsible

running/ramblings

Well, my week since the Zoo run has been a total write-off.  I just couldn’t fit a run in on the Friday and then this morning my planned run also went out the window   Even though I had planned to run this morning, I was feeling really stuffed from a Greek christening that we went to yesterday, so in hindsight it probably would have been crappy anyway. 

I am feeling a little down in the dumps regarding Run 4 Kids.  I just cannot believe I am only at 8kms and on a standstill with running.  It just sucks!!!  I am thinking maybe I should just continue with my plans and then take up with Physio after Run 4 Kids.  I mean really, I ran it last year with sciatica and the pesky hip and lived to tell the tale, gggrrrrr!

Ok, responsible hat is now on   I am going to ring Physio tomorrow and book in for the dry needling as soon as possible and then maybe hopefully, I can get back on track.  If it is raging success, I should be able to build up to at least 11km if not 12kms surely.

Ok, whinging hat back on…..  its just not fair!!!!