This week my three children were away for a few days with their grandparents so Tom and I took the opportunity to go for a really long walk along the river from our house to Point Walter (about a 9.5km round trip). It wasn't an 'official' training run, it was just a walk, so I used the Nike + app to track speed and distance. The distance was the longest I have ever walked so far at a fast pace and - a cool feature of the app - Lance Armstrong's voice popped up and said 'congratulations' afterwards for setting a PB (that's what we marathoners like to call a peronal best). What a sweet guy! I thought he sounded genuinely pleased for me.
(As an aside, Lance has completed the New York marathon twice. He recorded times of under three hours in both and reportedly said that the marathon was the hardest physical thing he had ever done. This from the guy who rides up mountains in France for fun. I am in So.Much.Trouble.)
I completed Week 3 of the Couch Potato to 5K app. Hoorah! But guess what? I am changing pre-training plans again. I am indecisive by nature, yes, but I don't blame myself as much as I blame my astrological sign (Librans are notorious for being unable to make their minds up and I really am the uber-Libran on this particular matter). It's not a massive change though - I am only switching from the 'Couch Potato to 5K' app to the 'Couch Potato to 10K' app, although the 10K app does involve 60 minutes rather than 30 minutes of training each session.
The reason I changed was that I have been online to the WA Marathon Club's website to look at running events in Perth. The one event I really want to do this year is the Round the Bridges (Causeway and Narrows) run which will be held on April 10th.
Not quite sure why but this event is the one which, if I can do, I will regard myself as a runner. And, yes, I know I have signed up for a freaking marathon run of 42km but I think that distance is so far outside of what I can comprehend that is it a bit meaningless at the moment. That route around the Bridges is so familiar to me and within my current sights that to do it would really be something. I calculated that if I start at Week 4 of the 10K app next week, I will finish the whole thing just in time for the Round the Bridges Run - which is slightly over 10km (10.5km to be precise). So, I now have a short-term goal. Hoorah for short-term goals! Does anyone else want to do the Round the Bridges with me?
Friday, January 28, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The One Where I Get a Sore Knee and Reveal My New Running Technique
Guess what, dear Readers? I had a bit of tendonitis in my knee at the beginning of this week. I'm just a bit excited because that sort of makes me a runner. And complaining about my tendonitis sounds like something a real marathoner would do. (Except a real marathoner can probably run for more than a couple of minutes which is how I got mine. Which is just a bit sad.)
Fortunately, the lovely Dee is a physiotherapist and has some ultrasound equipment at home so she gave my knee a bit of a going over in her kitchen. I am laughing in the picture, not because ultrasound is inherently funny, but because the last time I got this close to an ultrasound was shortly after delivering a 4.3kg baby and Dee said something silly (and, frankly, inappropriate) just before this photo was taken.
In terms of training, I have switched to the Couch Potato to 5kms app, as I said last post. Given the sore knee, I did my first train of the week at Week 2 (which had a maximum of 90 seconds of jogging) just to see how it went. My knee didn't freak out a bit - it kept calm and carried on so I shifted up into Week 3 for the rest of the training week. I thought the three minutes would be hard because I'd only managed it once before but then I got this very helpful advice in an email from the lovely James (yes, I'm calling you lovely, James! Did you ever think that would happen?) about his patented running technique.
Fortunately, the lovely Dee is a physiotherapist and has some ultrasound equipment at home so she gave my knee a bit of a going over in her kitchen. I am laughing in the picture, not because ultrasound is inherently funny, but because the last time I got this close to an ultrasound was shortly after delivering a 4.3kg baby and Dee said something silly (and, frankly, inappropriate) just before this photo was taken.
 |
| The lovely Dee does some ultrasound on my knee. |
"I used to think I could not run continuously but it is because I was doing it wrong. Technically running occurs when both your feet are off the grounds at regular intervals. You just need to slow down and do what I like to call the “Nana Shuffle” named primarily after my friend who I run with who is really old (even slightly older than you!) and is therefore referred to as ‘Nana’"
Aaaah, the Nana Shuffle! The secret to jogging success! Somehow calling it the Nana Shuffle took the pressure off - I just imagined myself in sensible shoes and a flowery dress and I managed the three minutes just fine for each training run. I went slowly but I also kept my feet quite low on the ground which made all the difference. Next week, Week 4 of the app, involves a 5 minute jogging period - we'll see how the Nana Shuffle takes me through the hitherto unbroken 5 minute jogging barrier. Thank you James! As a reward I will allow you to donate to WorldVision's SEE project. And hoorah for the Nana Shuffle!
By the way, if you think this sounds like fun and would like to join the New York Marathon team there are still 5 spots left. Registrations for the remaining spots close on Tuesday 8th February. To register interest visit: www.everydayhero.com.au/event/worldvisionnym2011
By the way, if you think this sounds like fun and would like to join the New York Marathon team there are still 5 spots left. Registrations for the remaining spots close on Tuesday 8th February. To register interest visit: www.everydayhero.com.au/event/
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The One Where I Get a Medical and Switch Training Plans
According to The Non-Runner's Guide, if you are a female (check), under 50 (check) and have none of the risk factors of coronary heart disease (apart from being a bit sedentary,check), you don't need medical clearance to start training. Even though I am not in a high risk category, I thought that a trip to my beloved GP, Dr Ric, would be a good idea - and, in any event, I was sent a medical form to fill out as part of my registration. Which I totally get. If you're letting a complete novice take on a marathon as part of a charity team, from a risk management perspective, it makes sense to get a doctor to sign off. (Preferably a psychiatrist.)
I am relatively healthy, apart from the much-documented lack of exercise. I don't drink or smoke and am a good weight. I am carrying about three or four kilos too many but I blame that on last year's trip to France, more specifically, raclette, butter and the co-dependent relationship I developed with the local boulangerie.
Wobbly bits aside (my words, not his), Dr Ric says I am fit to train. My blood pressure is 137/76 and I can answer 'no' to all the underlying conditions they want to know about - no diabetes, no epilepsy, no asthma or heart disease - hoorah! Good to go!
As for the running/walking combination of Week 5 of Pre-Training ... as my favourite 13 year old girl would say ... Epic. Fail. Five minutes of jogging just didn't happen - I managed only about 2 or 3 minutes maximum. I was a bit disappointed but I think a slower start might be sensible. As of next week, I'm going to use the 'Couch Potato to 5kms' iPhone app that I talked about last post. One of things that concerned me about the app was that it would take longer to finish pre-training but if I start at Week 3 of the 8 week programme I'll finish only a week later than if I'd stuck to the Non-Runner's Guide. Week 3 requires 90 seconds of jogging, 90 seconds of walking, 3 minutes of jogging and 3 minutes of walking for 30 minutes, which I know I can manage. Plus a nice voice tells me when to switch between the two. So I'll never walk alone.
An interesting article was sent to me by the lovely Elaine from WorldVision about charitable giving. According to the Gallup World Giving Index, Australians and New Zealanders are the world's most generous people. Hoorah for us. This seems like the perfect time to thank you all once again for the donations that continue to arrive for the SEE project. By the way, planning for our very first fund-raiser, an open-air movie night in late-Feb/early March, is currently underway - with more details coming soon. In the meantime, you might like to check out my teammates for this event and have a look at Mike Edyejones' wonderfully titled blog, 'Muffin Top to Marathoner'. I know what he means!
I am relatively healthy, apart from the much-documented lack of exercise. I don't drink or smoke and am a good weight. I am carrying about three or four kilos too many but I blame that on last year's trip to France, more specifically, raclette, butter and the co-dependent relationship I developed with the local boulangerie.
Wobbly bits aside (my words, not his), Dr Ric says I am fit to train. My blood pressure is 137/76 and I can answer 'no' to all the underlying conditions they want to know about - no diabetes, no epilepsy, no asthma or heart disease - hoorah! Good to go!
As for the running/walking combination of Week 5 of Pre-Training ... as my favourite 13 year old girl would say ... Epic. Fail. Five minutes of jogging just didn't happen - I managed only about 2 or 3 minutes maximum. I was a bit disappointed but I think a slower start might be sensible. As of next week, I'm going to use the 'Couch Potato to 5kms' iPhone app that I talked about last post. One of things that concerned me about the app was that it would take longer to finish pre-training but if I start at Week 3 of the 8 week programme I'll finish only a week later than if I'd stuck to the Non-Runner's Guide. Week 3 requires 90 seconds of jogging, 90 seconds of walking, 3 minutes of jogging and 3 minutes of walking for 30 minutes, which I know I can manage. Plus a nice voice tells me when to switch between the two. So I'll never walk alone.
An interesting article was sent to me by the lovely Elaine from WorldVision about charitable giving. According to the Gallup World Giving Index, Australians and New Zealanders are the world's most generous people. Hoorah for us. This seems like the perfect time to thank you all once again for the donations that continue to arrive for the SEE project. By the way, planning for our very first fund-raiser, an open-air movie night in late-Feb/early March, is currently underway - with more details coming soon. In the meantime, you might like to check out my teammates for this event and have a look at Mike Edyejones' wonderfully titled blog, 'Muffin Top to Marathoner'. I know what he means!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The One Where I Introduce My Lizard Brain
Well, Week 4 Mark II of Pre-Training Complete! And although I did end up with all four walks in the fast walking pace range, I'm not sure my 'Warrior Beast' statement wasn't just a little premature. Week 4 Mark II did a little bit of fighting back in the form of an unpleasant reaction to an overindulgent wedding anniversary dinner on Friday night. So, that was Saturday's scheduled walk out and Week 4 ended up sneaking into Week 5 a tiny bit. Clearly, Week 4 Mark II took exception to my declaration of dominance. I shan't be making such bold statements again.
I now begin the official jogging/walking part of my pre-training plan. Just to refresh your memory, dear Readers, I post the Pre-Training Schedule from The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer that I have been following TO. THE. LETTER. (sort of). I am now entering Week 5.
I did briefly consider switching from this programme to a 'Couch Potato to 5kms' app on my iPhone. The app had the same outcome as the Pre-Training Programme; i.e., being able to jog continuously for 30 minutes. The downside of the app was an extra two weeks of pre-training, the upside a much gentler introduction to the jogging/walking stage. I've been wondering what to do about Week 5 for a while but after a happy bumping in to the lovely Megan, who has run a marathon, and her encouraging words that I could actually do it, I decided to stick with the book and at least try it. If it IS too much, I can always give the app a try.
I've noticed that when things are about to move to a new level I agonise over something (usually) unimportant and procrastinate terribly, and it's always because I am worried I am not actually going to be able to do it. My'lizard brain' (as Seth Godin refers to it) constantly chirps negative stuff, for example, this week ' I won't be able to jog for 5 minutes and then I won't be able to do the marathon and then I'll be shunned by my peers and lose my job and die an alcoholic death in an alley somewhere. I exaggerate (only slightly) for dramatic effect.
Sigh... oh, Lizard Brain, I wish I could switch you off. But since I can't, I guess I can commit to a ridiculously long running event for a much loved and respected charity which means I have to get on with training at increasingly harder levels despite you. Week 5 commences Tuesday. Oh yes it does.
On a slightly different note, one of my all-time favourite blogs (and books) to read is 'The Happiness Project' by Gretchen Rubin (See the links under My Blog Lists and Books). I plan to borrow some of my favourite elements from Gretchen's blog over the course of the year, notably Tip Day and also her Happiness interviews, except mine will be, of course, marathon interviews with real live marathon-y type people who have interesting stories to share. I'm getting my probing questions together at the moment but if anyone has any suggestions they would like to add, please feel free to leave a comment.
I now begin the official jogging/walking part of my pre-training plan. Just to refresh your memory, dear Readers, I post the Pre-Training Schedule from The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer that I have been following TO. THE. LETTER. (sort of). I am now entering Week 5.
I did briefly consider switching from this programme to a 'Couch Potato to 5kms' app on my iPhone. The app had the same outcome as the Pre-Training Programme; i.e., being able to jog continuously for 30 minutes. The downside of the app was an extra two weeks of pre-training, the upside a much gentler introduction to the jogging/walking stage. I've been wondering what to do about Week 5 for a while but after a happy bumping in to the lovely Megan, who has run a marathon, and her encouraging words that I could actually do it, I decided to stick with the book and at least try it. If it IS too much, I can always give the app a try.
I've noticed that when things are about to move to a new level I agonise over something (usually) unimportant and procrastinate terribly, and it's always because I am worried I am not actually going to be able to do it. My'lizard brain' (as Seth Godin refers to it) constantly chirps negative stuff, for example, this week ' I won't be able to jog for 5 minutes and then I won't be able to do the marathon and then I'll be shunned by my peers and lose my job and die an alcoholic death in an alley somewhere. I exaggerate (only slightly) for dramatic effect.
Sigh... oh, Lizard Brain, I wish I could switch you off. But since I can't, I guess I can commit to a ridiculously long running event for a much loved and respected charity which means I have to get on with training at increasingly harder levels despite you. Week 5 commences Tuesday. Oh yes it does.
On a slightly different note, one of my all-time favourite blogs (and books) to read is 'The Happiness Project' by Gretchen Rubin (See the links under My Blog Lists and Books). I plan to borrow some of my favourite elements from Gretchen's blog over the course of the year, notably Tip Day and also her Happiness interviews, except mine will be, of course, marathon interviews with real live marathon-y type people who have interesting stories to share. I'm getting my probing questions together at the moment but if anyone has any suggestions they would like to add, please feel free to leave a comment.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The One Where I Conquer Week 4 Of Pre-Training Like a Warrior Beast
Well, I am happy to report that Week 4 the second time around is going much better than last week’s slodgy effort. On Sunday I walked with Helen and managed 9minutes 38 seconds a kilometre and this morning I managed my best time ever of 9 minutes and 1 second a kilometre. Both walks were at beautiful South Beach, South Fremantle. Caroline (she of the clever title photo for the New Walker and SpicyJam blog fame) took some great photos today because she just can't help herself.
Here is me powering away (loosely defined) at South Beach.
On Thursday, I plan to walk with Tom and Friday will, of course, be my regular Cottesloe Beach walk. I've worked out that if I am walking/running with someone who is not quite as fit (and oh, that is SUCH a relative term!) I can still keep up my pace by running ahead a bit and then running back. And it keeps the conversational suspense alive, I find, if I jog off mid-sentence and complete it when I return.
And I am back doing pilates again as of this evening. I had been doing it last year but then the fabulous Brazilian physio I had left and it was hard to get into the later time ... and then I got busy ... and I got out of the habit, etc, etc (Hmmm, refer to earlier post about not sticking to things). Since I am hypermobile (I was held together with large industrial grade elastic bands when pregnant with my three children), pilates is a huge help in stabilising the muscles around my lazy, world-weary ligaments. And with this sort of physical challenge ahead, I think pilates is going to be crucial in keeping me as injury-free as possible. Oh, it was so nice to be back. I had forgotten how much I loved it.
In terms of fundraising, there are several short-term goals before New York. By mid-January I needed to have raised $1000.00. So far, donations have reached almost $3000.00 - which is wonderful and better than I could have hoped for! Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has donated so far. The next goal is $5000.00 by May. I know many people are familiar with the work of WorldVision but the SEE project really is something special, focused as it is, as their slogan goes, on giving people a hand-up, rather than a hand-out.
In terms of training, the next step is to get myself a coach. The goal of the pre-training is to be able to run continuously for 30 minutes - but that isn't going to get me very far in New York. Once I've finished the pre-training in about mid-February, I'll still have about 38 weeks until the big day. Most of the books have 16 or 18 week programmes and I don't have a clue how to adapt those. I think a professional is needed here. I have a couple of names but if anyone reading this has a suggestion for someone I could contact in the Perth area, I would love to hear about it. Please feel free to leave a comment here or post on The New Walker page on Facebook. Thanks!
Here is me powering away (loosely defined) at South Beach.
On Thursday, I plan to walk with Tom and Friday will, of course, be my regular Cottesloe Beach walk. I've worked out that if I am walking/running with someone who is not quite as fit (and oh, that is SUCH a relative term!) I can still keep up my pace by running ahead a bit and then running back. And it keeps the conversational suspense alive, I find, if I jog off mid-sentence and complete it when I return.
And I am back doing pilates again as of this evening. I had been doing it last year but then the fabulous Brazilian physio I had left and it was hard to get into the later time ... and then I got busy ... and I got out of the habit, etc, etc (Hmmm, refer to earlier post about not sticking to things). Since I am hypermobile (I was held together with large industrial grade elastic bands when pregnant with my three children), pilates is a huge help in stabilising the muscles around my lazy, world-weary ligaments. And with this sort of physical challenge ahead, I think pilates is going to be crucial in keeping me as injury-free as possible. Oh, it was so nice to be back. I had forgotten how much I loved it.
In terms of fundraising, there are several short-term goals before New York. By mid-January I needed to have raised $1000.00. So far, donations have reached almost $3000.00 - which is wonderful and better than I could have hoped for! Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has donated so far. The next goal is $5000.00 by May. I know many people are familiar with the work of WorldVision but the SEE project really is something special, focused as it is, as their slogan goes, on giving people a hand-up, rather than a hand-out.
In terms of training, the next step is to get myself a coach. The goal of the pre-training is to be able to run continuously for 30 minutes - but that isn't going to get me very far in New York. Once I've finished the pre-training in about mid-February, I'll still have about 38 weeks until the big day. Most of the books have 16 or 18 week programmes and I don't have a clue how to adapt those. I think a professional is needed here. I have a couple of names but if anyone reading this has a suggestion for someone I could contact in the Perth area, I would love to hear about it. Please feel free to leave a comment here or post on The New Walker page on Facebook. Thanks!
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