I have signed up for the pinkie triathlon on Nov 27. It is a short distance and I am told it is not very competitive, so a good event for a first attempt I figure. Mostly, I liked the comment from Tamyka that "not many people will wear race suits". Although the idea of turning up in a superhero suit does mildly amuse me, I don't want to go out and spend money on something I may never wear again (if the whole triathlon thing turns out to be another one of my silly ideas).
The first leg is a 300m swim. To most people this probably sounds very easy, but this is the part that fills me with dread. I know I won't drown, but it is highly questionable if I will be able to accomplish much more than that. It may be that the rest of the field is finishing the bike leg before I even get out of the water. I have been training a fair bit for this part of the race. Basically, I go to the pool a couple of times a week and try to swim 300m freestyle without hanging out at the end of the pool to gulp down some air between laps. Once the 300m is complete I grab the pull-buoy and take it easy for the next 700m. I have been mildly successful and am fairly confident now that I should be able to get through the swim leg without having to stop and catch my breath, or switch to breaststroke midway.
Next is a 9km bike ride. I am ok with this. The issue that I have with cycling is that I get scared of the traffic, but I assume there will only be other bikes on the road during the race, so this shouldn't be an issue. On the weekend I rode from Kenmore to the city and back and found this to be quite enjoyable, other than when some idiot tried to run me off the road despite the fact that I was in the bike lane.
Then finally, a 3km run. This should be easy for me, but the truth is I am a slow runner, and I may still be catching my breath from the swim.
So... Pinkie Tri. Or is it Pinky Tri.
Oh yeah, I am pacing Tam at Great North Walk! I am hoping that with 100km in her legs when she gets to me, I will be able to keep up with her.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Washpool/Gibraltar Range NP 50km Race Report
I was very excited about Washpool and the scenery certainly lived up to my expectations. My running on the other hand, did not live up to my expectations.
We headed to Glen Innes on Saturday morning. I had packed in a rush on Friday night and just before we got into Stanthorpe, I realised I had not brought my orthotics. I can normally get away with running trails without my orthotics, but given my stress fracture earlier in the year, I have been extra cautious recently. I didn't even have insoles in my shoes though, so I was in a bit of trouble. It turns out that stores in Stanthorpe, Tenterfield and Glen Innes are only open for a few hours on Saturday so it was too late for me to buy new shoes. A pair of 'sports insoles' from Bi-Lo was all I could manage to find. Not a good start.
We woke up early Sunday morning and drove about 1 hour to Gibraltar Range NP. It was a pretty cold morning so I was keen to start and warm up. Right from the start of the race I felt flat and was struggling to breathe. I hate using my Ventolin because it makes my heart race so I put it off, hoping things would improve. I left my long sleeve top on over my other shirt and breathed in as hard as I could. Finally around the 10km mark the air didn't feel so thick and my chest didn't feel constricted. Sweet. Unfortunately, no engines were firing yet and I felt flat and miserable. I forced myself to run the flats and downhills but walked the hills. Luckily the first 15km or so was largely downhill so I actually made descent time despite the fact that it was taking all my effort to just put one foot in front of the other. During this time I swapped places with a couple about six times. The would get in front of me on the uphills, only for me to overtake them on the downhills.
The next 20km or so involved a lot of climbing. There weren't too many steep hills, but there were a lot of hills. It seemed like all I did was climb for a few kilometres, run downhill for a couple hundred metres and then start climbing again. On one of those small downhills my ITB went. I swallowed a couple panadols, tightened my ITB strap and ignored the plethora bad thoughts in my head. I was in all sorts of pain and all sorts of trouble. All I could think of was getting to the next check point and then deciding if my ITB could make it. It was also very exposed and hot for a lot of this section so I went though more water than expected and ran out 5km before the checkpoint. At the time I was really annoyed with myself for being negative, but looking back, I am proud that I pushed through. Even when I came to yet another hill and wanted to scream, I just smiled and walked on up. I even made a clear break from that couple I had been swapping positions with for 30km. At long last the aid station showed up. I guzzled down some water, filled my hydration bladder and grabbed a coke. I figured I should keep on going as the pain killers had kicked in, making the pain in my knee bearable.
We had been told at the start of the race that the last 15km was downhill. I could call it flat. The profile from my Garmin Forerunner confirms that there was an elevation loss but it certainly didn't feel that way. I really had nothing left in the tank (having started with very little). I would run about half a kilometre and then walk a few hundred metres. It took all my will power to just keep moving. I came across An at a creek crossing. Her calves had seized up and she DNF'd. Greg had given her a lift between checkpoints and she was walking the last section (to view the prettiness). Good on her for going back out after the DNF. After a short chat I took off. There was only about 2km to go and I was determined to have the pain over as soon as possible. It wasn't long before I passed another guy. He said something about me still having lots of energy left. The truth was I just wanted the pain to end as soon as possible. I don't know how I was still standing at this point, let along running. I continued to stumble forward for what seemed like far more than 2km. Finally, after 7hrs 46mins, I caught a glimpse of the big red finish sign. As I ran between the flags to the finish line, the other runners, spectators and race organisers and volunteers cheered for me and it all felt worthwhile.
After a stretch, chat and ice cold shower, we were back on the road, headed back home. The six hour drive home was pretty uncomfortable. My muscles stiffened up and all I wanted to do was sleep. I felt a bit disappointed with my run. I certainly am not as fit as I had hoped and I was pretty annoyed with myself for letting the negative thoughts in. On the other hand, it was a tough course and I have finally completed another ultra - my first since September last year.
We headed to Glen Innes on Saturday morning. I had packed in a rush on Friday night and just before we got into Stanthorpe, I realised I had not brought my orthotics. I can normally get away with running trails without my orthotics, but given my stress fracture earlier in the year, I have been extra cautious recently. I didn't even have insoles in my shoes though, so I was in a bit of trouble. It turns out that stores in Stanthorpe, Tenterfield and Glen Innes are only open for a few hours on Saturday so it was too late for me to buy new shoes. A pair of 'sports insoles' from Bi-Lo was all I could manage to find. Not a good start.
We woke up early Sunday morning and drove about 1 hour to Gibraltar Range NP. It was a pretty cold morning so I was keen to start and warm up. Right from the start of the race I felt flat and was struggling to breathe. I hate using my Ventolin because it makes my heart race so I put it off, hoping things would improve. I left my long sleeve top on over my other shirt and breathed in as hard as I could. Finally around the 10km mark the air didn't feel so thick and my chest didn't feel constricted. Sweet. Unfortunately, no engines were firing yet and I felt flat and miserable. I forced myself to run the flats and downhills but walked the hills. Luckily the first 15km or so was largely downhill so I actually made descent time despite the fact that it was taking all my effort to just put one foot in front of the other. During this time I swapped places with a couple about six times. The would get in front of me on the uphills, only for me to overtake them on the downhills.
The next 20km or so involved a lot of climbing. There weren't too many steep hills, but there were a lot of hills. It seemed like all I did was climb for a few kilometres, run downhill for a couple hundred metres and then start climbing again. On one of those small downhills my ITB went. I swallowed a couple panadols, tightened my ITB strap and ignored the plethora bad thoughts in my head. I was in all sorts of pain and all sorts of trouble. All I could think of was getting to the next check point and then deciding if my ITB could make it. It was also very exposed and hot for a lot of this section so I went though more water than expected and ran out 5km before the checkpoint. At the time I was really annoyed with myself for being negative, but looking back, I am proud that I pushed through. Even when I came to yet another hill and wanted to scream, I just smiled and walked on up. I even made a clear break from that couple I had been swapping positions with for 30km. At long last the aid station showed up. I guzzled down some water, filled my hydration bladder and grabbed a coke. I figured I should keep on going as the pain killers had kicked in, making the pain in my knee bearable.
We had been told at the start of the race that the last 15km was downhill. I could call it flat. The profile from my Garmin Forerunner confirms that there was an elevation loss but it certainly didn't feel that way. I really had nothing left in the tank (having started with very little). I would run about half a kilometre and then walk a few hundred metres. It took all my will power to just keep moving. I came across An at a creek crossing. Her calves had seized up and she DNF'd. Greg had given her a lift between checkpoints and she was walking the last section (to view the prettiness). Good on her for going back out after the DNF. After a short chat I took off. There was only about 2km to go and I was determined to have the pain over as soon as possible. It wasn't long before I passed another guy. He said something about me still having lots of energy left. The truth was I just wanted the pain to end as soon as possible. I don't know how I was still standing at this point, let along running. I continued to stumble forward for what seemed like far more than 2km. Finally, after 7hrs 46mins, I caught a glimpse of the big red finish sign. As I ran between the flags to the finish line, the other runners, spectators and race organisers and volunteers cheered for me and it all felt worthwhile.
After a stretch, chat and ice cold shower, we were back on the road, headed back home. The six hour drive home was pretty uncomfortable. My muscles stiffened up and all I wanted to do was sleep. I felt a bit disappointed with my run. I certainly am not as fit as I had hoped and I was pretty annoyed with myself for letting the negative thoughts in. On the other hand, it was a tough course and I have finally completed another ultra - my first since September last year.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Plan B
I had two weeks of good training and then it all went downhill rather quickly. Last Sunday I went out for a 30km run at Lake Manchester and everything was going quite well until the last 4km or so. Coming down a steep hill I felt that very horrible sharp pain on the outside of my left knee that can only mean one thing - ITB syndrome. I had quite a few downhills to get through before I got back to my car, so I limped and grunted my way back over the next 4km. Once home I jumped on the foam roller and applied a heat pack. I was a bit grumpy, but not too worried as I ran 100km on a dodgy ITB last year. It was nothing that pain killers, massage and dogged determination couldn't overcome.
I took the first few days of this week off to help my ITB loosen up. I was therefore very surprised to wake up Thursday morning with pain in my foot. Worse still, the pain was in the exact same place as it was when I had my stress fracture earlier this year. Uh oh. As yet I have done little about it. I am just hoping the pain will go away. I don't think this has followed what I would consider the clinical development of a stress fracture, so I am hopeful that it is just some tight muscles from walking in heals.
In any case, I have decided to go through with a plan that has been forming in the back of my mind for a while - train for a triathlon instead! I figure that I can reduce my running mileage and up my swimming and cycling and hopefully start to avoid some of these injuries. My plan is to do a baby distance tri next month and then build myself up to a real distance. So watch this space people. Follow my training and progress (or lack there of) over the coming months! Fun times await.
I took the first few days of this week off to help my ITB loosen up. I was therefore very surprised to wake up Thursday morning with pain in my foot. Worse still, the pain was in the exact same place as it was when I had my stress fracture earlier this year. Uh oh. As yet I have done little about it. I am just hoping the pain will go away. I don't think this has followed what I would consider the clinical development of a stress fracture, so I am hopeful that it is just some tight muscles from walking in heals.
In any case, I have decided to go through with a plan that has been forming in the back of my mind for a while - train for a triathlon instead! I figure that I can reduce my running mileage and up my swimming and cycling and hopefully start to avoid some of these injuries. My plan is to do a baby distance tri next month and then build myself up to a real distance. So watch this space people. Follow my training and progress (or lack there of) over the coming months! Fun times await.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
From Little Things...
Last week I managed to string together some descent training. There was only one day marked as 'rest' in my training diary and best of all, I didn't write "tight calves", "sore calves" or "sore feet" once - a first for 2011. Although I only managed 34km for the week, I also managed to swim and bike and even did three weights sessions. So far this week has been going well too. Things are definitely on the up.
Washpool is just over two weeks away. I am going to do a 30km run at Lake Manchester this weekend and then taper a little bit. I don't really need much of a taper, however, carbo loading is a must!
I am looking forward to Washpool with the same eager anticipation that I had before my first ultra - the 50km at the Glasshouse Cook's Tour in May 2010. I feel a little silly. This distance is barely more that a marathon (something I am yet to run) and my preparation has been sporadic. Regardless, I feel like this will mark the start of a new running season for me and that is far more exciting than the possibility of a PB or finishing a really long distance right now. For now, being able to run 50km is what I want.
Washpool is just over two weeks away. I am going to do a 30km run at Lake Manchester this weekend and then taper a little bit. I don't really need much of a taper, however, carbo loading is a must!
I am looking forward to Washpool with the same eager anticipation that I had before my first ultra - the 50km at the Glasshouse Cook's Tour in May 2010. I feel a little silly. This distance is barely more that a marathon (something I am yet to run) and my preparation has been sporadic. Regardless, I feel like this will mark the start of a new running season for me and that is far more exciting than the possibility of a PB or finishing a really long distance right now. For now, being able to run 50km is what I want.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
The other side of the world
Last weekend was Glass House 100. That marks a year since I last completed an ultra. It makes me sad to think that. Last year I managed to complete my first ultra (a 50km) and then go on to do 96k at Kokoda Challenge and 100k at glass house. This year I don't even think I have completed a race. Such a horrible realisation has made me decide to enter the 50km at Washpool in October. After that, I am going to do some baby length triathlons and build up to a reasonable distance tri by February. I would love to do a half iron man one day, but that is quite far in the future. I also have this crazy idea that I might do the 100km at Alpine Challenge next March, but I think I will reassess that idea a little closer to the date.
Despite being disappointed about my disappointing year of running, I very much enjoyed Glass House. This year I got to crew for Chris who was doing his first 100km. Crewing is quite interesting and fun - you get to check out all the outfits, meet some lovely new people who also seem to like following runners around in their cars, eat your runners yummy food because he thinks not eating will save him time and, most importantly, watch the progress of runners throughout the race. Chris finished in 13:22. Quite fast for a 100km, quite awesome for his first 100km. I am very proud of him.
Today I did a 10km road run without any shin pain. Things are looking up. Small steps, deep breaths. Can't wait for Washpool!
Despite being disappointed about my disappointing year of running, I very much enjoyed Glass House. This year I got to crew for Chris who was doing his first 100km. Crewing is quite interesting and fun - you get to check out all the outfits, meet some lovely new people who also seem to like following runners around in their cars, eat your runners yummy food because he thinks not eating will save him time and, most importantly, watch the progress of runners throughout the race. Chris finished in 13:22. Quite fast for a 100km, quite awesome for his first 100km. I am very proud of him.
Today I did a 10km road run without any shin pain. Things are looking up. Small steps, deep breaths. Can't wait for Washpool!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Small Steps
I have started running again. My progress has been stilted and bumpy with various niggles setting me back. On most runs, my feet ache by the end, or my shins hurt at the start and my body just doesn't respond the way I would like. It appears that four months on the sidelines with my bung foot has set me back a long way and I just need to slowly ease my way back in.
For these reasons I have decided not to race, not to set weekly mileage targets and not to speed train. My focus is form. It is back to basics with drills training, short runs, multiple rest days and very small increases to mileage each week. Until I am running 60km a week without pain, I will not enter a race.
On Friday I ran 7km withjout any pain. I am feeling positive. I will breathe deeply and remember that there are far worse things than not running as much as you want or missing Glass House.
In other news, I have rediscovered my love of running skirts. Girls, get yourselves a speed skirt from Lululemon.
I am most excited for Chris who is training for Glasshouse 100km and all the lovely MLR ladies who are running too. Good luck to those doing their first 100miles. I am in awe of you all!
For these reasons I have decided not to race, not to set weekly mileage targets and not to speed train. My focus is form. It is back to basics with drills training, short runs, multiple rest days and very small increases to mileage each week. Until I am running 60km a week without pain, I will not enter a race.
On Friday I ran 7km withjout any pain. I am feeling positive. I will breathe deeply and remember that there are far worse things than not running as much as you want or missing Glass House.
In other news, I have rediscovered my love of running skirts. Girls, get yourselves a speed skirt from Lululemon.
I am most excited for Chris who is training for Glasshouse 100km and all the lovely MLR ladies who are running too. Good luck to those doing their first 100miles. I am in awe of you all!
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Most Beautiful Place on Earth
I think Canada is the most beautiful country on Earth. Chris and I are currently on a hiking holiday, traveling around the Rocky Mountains, and although it isn't running, I am going to share some of our experiences, as it is still training.
Jasper NP
Our first hike in Jasper was a fairly easy backcountry hike called the Saturday Night Lake Loop. This really could have been done as a day hike fairly easily, but I wanted to camp in the back country so we split it over two days. On the first day we saw two black bears which freaked me our a fair bit and absolutely thrilled Chris. They weren't interested in us though and wondered off so we continued. As it turned out, I should have been more concerned about mosquitoes than bears, as we were swarmed by them. I even had mosquito bites in my ears, on my scalp and on my face. I reapplied bug spray constantly but it didn't seem to help. After completing our first back country hike we went to Maligne Canyon which is an incredibly deep and narrow canyon.
On our third day in Jasper we headed up The Whistlers Mountain in the morning, summiting in just over two and half hours. It was a climb of 1250m over 8km. The first 6km were a fairly moderate incline, but it got a lot steeper for the last 2km and my legs felt like led. I did feel superior to the gondola riders though. I thought they were kinda cheating when they took their photos at the summit cairn. In the afternoon we did some easy walks in the Maligne Lake area and then a short trail run along the Jaques Lake trail off Maligne Lake Road.
Yoho NP
On our first day in Yoho we hiked out to Twin Falls which was about 17km return. We followed the Yoho river most the way until we reached the beautiful Twin Falls. We then drove to Emerald Lake which is a gorgeous Emerald Green colour (never pick that from the name). It is one of the most beautiful lakes we have seen yet. We just walked around the lakeshore circuit. Our final walk for the day was to Wupta Falls. Unlike the other falls we have seen here, these were short and wide rather than tall and thin.
Day two in Yoho involved going to the most beautiful place on Earth - Lake O'Hara! This gorgeous teal coloured lake is nestled in amongst snow capped mountains with amazing hiking trails abound! We walked around the lake a bit and then headed to Lake Oesa. There was a fairly steep switchbacking climb where we saw a very large golden eagle flying over us (and I didn't freak out despite bird phobia). The grade then flattened a bit and we climbed over rockfall, passing several lakes before we reached Lake Oesa which was still frozen over. From there I made a very dumb decision to follow the Yukness Ledges Alpine Route. The story is far too long for here but let me give some advice. If you head out on a trail that is largely snow bound, exposed and that involves a lot of trail finding and navigation, make sure you have your gps before you go, or at least a compass! Things could have ended badly as we lost the track and ended up significantly above where we needed to be. Scrambling down rocks and dumb luck eventually got us back on track. We still had to walk over several snow bound ledges which freaked Chris out, but eventually we made it to the end of the trail at Hungabee Lake where we got to see hairy marmots. Finally we headed back to Lake O'Hara along the East Opabin Trail. It was quite a stressful but amazing day!
Now we are in Banff, hoping that the weather turns good. We have lots planned! My mosquito bits are almost gone too and I haven't had a bear encounter in days. :)
Jasper NP
Our first hike in Jasper was a fairly easy backcountry hike called the Saturday Night Lake Loop. This really could have been done as a day hike fairly easily, but I wanted to camp in the back country so we split it over two days. On the first day we saw two black bears which freaked me our a fair bit and absolutely thrilled Chris. They weren't interested in us though and wondered off so we continued. As it turned out, I should have been more concerned about mosquitoes than bears, as we were swarmed by them. I even had mosquito bites in my ears, on my scalp and on my face. I reapplied bug spray constantly but it didn't seem to help. After completing our first back country hike we went to Maligne Canyon which is an incredibly deep and narrow canyon.
On our third day in Jasper we headed up The Whistlers Mountain in the morning, summiting in just over two and half hours. It was a climb of 1250m over 8km. The first 6km were a fairly moderate incline, but it got a lot steeper for the last 2km and my legs felt like led. I did feel superior to the gondola riders though. I thought they were kinda cheating when they took their photos at the summit cairn. In the afternoon we did some easy walks in the Maligne Lake area and then a short trail run along the Jaques Lake trail off Maligne Lake Road.
Yoho NP
On our first day in Yoho we hiked out to Twin Falls which was about 17km return. We followed the Yoho river most the way until we reached the beautiful Twin Falls. We then drove to Emerald Lake which is a gorgeous Emerald Green colour (never pick that from the name). It is one of the most beautiful lakes we have seen yet. We just walked around the lakeshore circuit. Our final walk for the day was to Wupta Falls. Unlike the other falls we have seen here, these were short and wide rather than tall and thin.
Day two in Yoho involved going to the most beautiful place on Earth - Lake O'Hara! This gorgeous teal coloured lake is nestled in amongst snow capped mountains with amazing hiking trails abound! We walked around the lake a bit and then headed to Lake Oesa. There was a fairly steep switchbacking climb where we saw a very large golden eagle flying over us (and I didn't freak out despite bird phobia). The grade then flattened a bit and we climbed over rockfall, passing several lakes before we reached Lake Oesa which was still frozen over. From there I made a very dumb decision to follow the Yukness Ledges Alpine Route. The story is far too long for here but let me give some advice. If you head out on a trail that is largely snow bound, exposed and that involves a lot of trail finding and navigation, make sure you have your gps before you go, or at least a compass! Things could have ended badly as we lost the track and ended up significantly above where we needed to be. Scrambling down rocks and dumb luck eventually got us back on track. We still had to walk over several snow bound ledges which freaked Chris out, but eventually we made it to the end of the trail at Hungabee Lake where we got to see hairy marmots. Finally we headed back to Lake O'Hara along the East Opabin Trail. It was quite a stressful but amazing day!
Now we are in Banff, hoping that the weather turns good. We have lots planned! My mosquito bits are almost gone too and I haven't had a bear encounter in days. :)
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