Sunday 27th November
Exercise: Spring Into Shape 8km Run
I woke this morning to grey overcast conditions with rain....all my running buddies always blame me when it rains on race day, as it's always when I run that it rains.
Luckily the sun came out a little later on, but it was a close call!
I need to train longer distances again. Since my last 1/2 marathon in October I have not run more than 12km (which was last week) and it's really showing in my running at the moment. I was exhausted by 5km and found it really hard to get into a rythmn. Luckily Michelle was having the same problem, so once the new year starts we're going to start building up our distance again. We aim to be running 25km long runs by the time our first 1/2 marathon for 2006 rolls around (May).
Unofficial time this morning was 45.32, which was an improvement on my last 8km race!
Hip was fine!
Here's the Dynamic Duo as we're known by some!
Wednesday 23rd November
Exercise: 2 Laps Lilydale Lake (6km)
Okay this is getting spooky now. I've really gotten over my chocolate fixation. Admittedly I am now taking enough food to work with me to feed an army, but at least it's all good food. And I don't always eat the lot either.
Here's what I took yesterday:
Cubed Cheese, Sultanas & Californian Walnuts
Carmans Fruit & Nut Muesli Bar
Muesli & Yoghurt
Apple
Salt & Vinegar Rice Crackers
It was all small quantities as well. And I was too full to eat the apple. Then when I got home I made a Chicken Ceaser Salad. All good so far!!
I've picked up a bargain too. This week they have Yellowglen Bella Champagne and Killawarra Dusk Champagne reduced and if you buy 6 bottles you get 10% off. I've now got a stash which should last me through to Xmas.....and if I don't put it in the fridge I know that it'll last a bit longer than if I did!!
Tuesday 22nd November
Exercise: 30 Mins Cross Trainer (4.41km), 20 Min Run Treadmill (3.39km)
Yep, I think I'm definitely back in the zone now. I went into the Supermarket today, at Lunchtime I might add, and walked out with Milo Cereal and a container of Californian Walnuts, which is exactly what I went in there to buy....and I even walked down the lolly aisle!!
I've found a recipe for anyone who likes Cauliflower but wants to use it a bit differently to the normal steamed, boiled or stifried!!
Spicy Cauliflower Fritters
1 large (500g) cauliflower half, trimmed
1/2 cup (75g) plain flour
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground tumeric
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup (20g) flaked or shredded coconut
2 tbs vegetable oil
Coriander sprigs and natural yoghurt, to serve
Steamed basmati rice, to serve
Coarsely grate the cauliflower. Place in a large bowl. Add the flour, cumin, tumeric, ginger and egg. Mix until well combined. Divide into eight equal portions. Roll into balls and flatten to make 8cm round fritters.
Place the coconut in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Cook, tossing often, for 3-4 minutes or until light golden. Remove and set aside.
Heat the oil in the frying pan. Cook 1/2 the fritters for 3 minutes each side or until golden. Repeat with the remaining fritters. Top the fritters with the toasted coconut and coriander sprigs. Serve with a dollop of yoghurt and rice.
I'm sure you could substitute the fresh ginger for stuff out of the jar, and I'm not sure you need to put the sprig of Coriander on top of the fritters!!
Monday 21st November
Exercise: Day 3 Weights Program
I've had a great day foodwise. I think I'm back in the Zone with it all. Didn't even think about chocolate or biscuits or lollies, or cake or......yeah yeah, you get my drift!!
I know that it's because my boss is back from 2 weeks travelling around the world and I was way too busy to even think about eating. I didn't even get to eat lunch until 3.15 this afternoon!!
One of the worst times of the year for me is always Christmas time. Already I'm looking at a party on the 8th December, friends coming over on the 10th, the family Christmas party on the 18th, the work Christmas party on the 23rd, followed by Christmas Day and Boxing Day. I always put on tons of weight. I'm hoping that this year is going to be different, not just through eating better, but also because I'm going to try and exercise right through Christmas.
Last year I only bought enough goodies (chocolate, biscuits etc) for Christmas Day, which was fantastic for me. I did, however, have enough Champagne to last me for a month!!
Sunday 20th November
Exercise: 3.2km MegaMile (16min 35sec), 12km Run - 70 Mins (Dandy Creek Trail)
The MegaMile was so much fun. I've not run a short distance race in a very long time, so I wasn't sure how well I'd do. I'd taken some AMP tablets with a Red Bull early this morning so by the time I was at the start line, I was buzzing with energy (such a great feeling). It was great to actually run flat out for the whole distance, although Michelle realised early on in the race that her legs don't do "fast"!! I could see she was trying to go faster, but her legs just wern't having any of it!! We got medals again so I've got a growing collection now!!
Then me, Michelle, Marty & Tony drove over to the Dandy Creek Trail and did a great 12km run. It was one of those runs where you feel like you can run forever!!
My hip doesn't hurt much at all. Hopefully that's a good sign!
Friday 18th November
Exercise: Day 2 Weights Program
So I chose Option 2. Taking the anti inflammatory pills, got the little raiser thing in my trainer and I've booked an appointment with the Physio. Unfortunately complete rest was not an option, and even though I'm not too bad with injections, I've heard about those cortisone ones, and Sue confirmed it in her comment yesterday.....they hurt like hell!!
I'll see how I go with the pills etc. If that doesn't work then we'll look at one of the other options.
I laid in bed this morning for 5 minutes having a huge argument in my head about getting up and going to the gym. That little devil in me was so convincing, encouraging me to stay in bed and get another hours worth of sleep, whilst that little do gooder on the other shoulder was trying so nicely to make me see that if I went to the gym it might make up for the popcorn that I ate yesterday and the lollies that I ate the day before.....and the do gooder won!!
Thursday 17th November
I woke up this morning with a massive headache. I'd gotten up at about 2ish to go to the loo and I had a slight headache then, but when the alarm went off it was absolutely pounding. You know when it gets to the point when you feel like being sick. I tried adjusting my pillows and lying flat, but the only thing that seemed to help it was the Advil tablets I took when I finally got out of bed. Feeling much better now thanks.
I didn't tell you about the MRI scan did I? Has anyone ever had one? Well I hadn't so all I could visualize it being like is what you see on the TV. Only it's nothing like that!! It was much bigger and I had to wear ear muffs as it's that noisy. Like machine gun fire!! It took about � hour to do all the images and they sent them directly to my doctor.
So I go and see the doctor today. Good news and bad news he tells me. Good news is that I don't have a stress fracture. Bad news is that I have Tendonitis Bursitis blahdy blahdy blah. He showed me on the scan the white bit on the side of my hip where the problem is. Some sac filled with muck I think it was!!
Anyway I've got a couple of options. Complete rest from running (like that's going to happen), or I can take some oral anti inflammation tables and put a little raiser thing in my left trainer to help. And make an appointment to see the physio for some strengthening and stretching exercises. There was a third option. Cortisone injection directly into my hip.
Can you guess which one I chose?
Wednesday 16th November
Exercise: 50 Minute Run (8.4km)
I went to bed last night at 9.00pm as I was so tired. We'd had a massive thunderstorm on Monday night at about 2.00 in the morning and our daughter spent the whole time scared out of her wits underneath our doona!! And of course she didn't want to go back to her own bed, so she slept with us. Unfortunately she chose my side of the bed to sleep on and everytime she moved I woke up. I finally encouraged her to go back to her own bed at about 5am!
With the lack of sleep that I'd had, when the alarm went off on Tuesday morning I already knew without a shadow of a doubt that I was going to grab that extra hour of sleep rather than going to the gym!
And as I started off saying, I went to bed at 9.00 last night as I was just so tired. I'd got all my stuff ready for the gym as I knew that I'd be getting plenty of sleep, but when the alarm went off, I was still absolutely exhausted, so once again declined the invitation to get out of bed. Is there such a thing as getting too much sleep?? I had over 8 hours last night!!
So there was no excuse tonight. I got all my running stuff on and was just contemplating where to run when hubby suggested running to the video shop to pick up a DVD that he wanted to watch. Good idea I thought. I get to the video shop, and of course all the DVD's of this movie were out, there was only the video of it. Okay I think, not too hard to hang on to whilst running. So I get to the counter to pay and the girl behind it tells me that I can get a free one to watch as well. So now I've got a Video and a DVD to run back with. Not so easy!! I had to keep moving them from hand to hand as they'd get slippery and hard to hold.
Enjoyed the run totally. My hip wasn't even too sore. The only downside of the run was that my MP3 player ran out of battery just as I switched it on! So I had to run without any music. Nearly killed me, trying to get into a decent running stride without the beat doing it all for me. It took me right up until I got to the Video Shop to actually start breathing normally!
Monday 14th November
Exercise: Day 1 Weights Program
I woke up every hour on the hour last night and the last thing I wanted to do was go to the gym. But I got up and went. Really had no excuse other than I was a little bit tired. And it's so easy once you make the decision to do it....it's actually making the decision that's the hard bit!!
Legs are a bit sore today, but I haven't run hard since the 1/2 Marathon in October, and I was expecting to feel a bit of soreness anyway. Hip isn't too bad considering. It was much worse last month after doing the Spring Into Shape 8km run.
I'm making up my fruit salad again tonight. Went to the fruit and veg shop and I couldn't believe how much grapes cost at the moment. I bought what I thought was a small amount and they came to over $10 on their own!! This is going to be one expensive fruit salad!!
Sunday 13th November
Exercise: Olympic Dream 10km Run
I sat listening to the pouring rain last night thinking that I was going to get wet doing this run today, but I was pleasantly surprised when I woke up this morning to see the sun shining.
Drove over to Michelle's place, then carried on up to town. Luckily there was plenty of parking, which was a huge relief as there was an estimated 6,000 people doing this race (runners and walkers). I think the pull of this race is the medal at the end!!
We find a place to stand in the crowd, and then have to wait for about 15 minutes before the gun goes off (you know me, always early!!). It took a while for us to pass the start line, but once we were off and running there was plenty of room. We had heard that it was a bit tight in places but we didn't really find this at all.
I have to admit that I was really worried about my hip before the run, but due to the fact that I'd taken 3 AMP tablets along with a can of Red Bull (sugar free of course) by the time the gun went off I didn't really care about my hip, I was buzzing along in the clouds somewhere!
It was a great run and I seemed to have tons of energy (see above for obvious reason!). Both Michelle and I made our goal today to run under 60 minutes. And we did, althouth I pushed Michelle to run faster over the last 100 metres just to make sure that we achieved it (sorry Luv!). By my watch it was 59.15 but I'll wait for the official results. And we got a medal with Michelle Fords face on it!
We met up with some of the other Aus Runners and had a bit of a natter and a drink afterwards. Big thanks to Eat Em for the bottle of water that he had waiting for us as we crossed the finish line, just what the doctor ordered!!
Oh yeah, the hip - well I could feel a small pain when I landed on my foot, but it was more of a pulling sensation than actual pain, and it was fine once I stopped running. Sometimes there's a dull ache afterwards, but today there was nothing. I wonder if it was because I'd rubbed Tiger Balm into it this morning and the muscle was already warm when I started running? Who knows?! I just hope that the MRI shows up something that doesn't stop me running!
Friday 11th November
Exercise: 30 Mins Cross Trainer (5.6km), 15 Mins Run (2.4km)
Goddam hip. Hurting now after 15 minutes running on the treadmill. Not happy!
Well my visit to the Sports Doctor yesterday was very eye opening and a whole new learning experience. I have learnt that my hip does not have a stress fracture (phew!). I have also learnt that when I run my feet over pronate. This is good to know when it comes to buying trainers! And it seems that my right leg is about 1cm longer than my left leg...didn't realise that I'd been leaning to the left all my life!!
I had xrays done yesterday, which were fine. He now wants me to go for an MRI scan. This is going to cost me (yes out of pocket expenses after medicare rebate) $250! A part of me just says "live with the pain and stop wasting money" (it cost me $200 yesterday for his appointment and the x-rays) and the other part of me says " lets just find out exactly what is wrong and take it from there".
So I've booked to have the MRI done on Tuesday. I love the Australian medical system. In the UK I would have probably had to wait up to 6 weeks to have an MRI, and there's no way I would have been able to just walk in to an X-Ray place and say that the doctor sent me to have them done and he wants them back straight away! Yep, we're pretty lucky over here!
I did forget to mention to the doc that I was doing a 10km race on Sunday. Now I'd already signed up for this before the pain started so in my defence it wasn't my fault. No refund allowed. And me being the stinge that I am, I'm not throwing $27 down the drain. Just think how many bottles of champagne I could have bought with that money!
Thursday 10th November
A bit of harmless fun....
Twelve movies I like
* Titanic (but only up to where they hit the iceberg)
*Dirty Dancing
*Meet Joe Black
*Bridget Jones Diary
*Top Gun
*Two Moon Junction
*Shawshank Redemption
*Die Hard
*Harry Potter (all of them so far)
*The Matrix
*Ghost
*Pretty Woman
Eleven bands/ artists I like
*Sugarbabes
*Prince
*The Beatles
*The Beachboys
*Robbie Williams
*Girls Aloud
*Madonna
*Manic Street Preachers
*Any house music with a great bass
*Elvis Presley
*Blondie
Ten things about me
*I love drinking Champagne.
*I want to give up work now and become a housewife.
*I have been married and divorced twice before.
*Me and my siblings are not close at all.
*I dislike my sister.
*I am very fussy about food...there's lots that I don't like
*I have bleached my hair blonde for 20 years.
*I have tried most types of recreational drugs
*I want a kitten
*I have had 19 Jobs
Nine good friends
*Helsy - Always good for a booze up. Miss her loads as she's in the UK
*Jules - My bestest friend and running partner. Miss her loads too as she's in the UK
*Kate - One of the UK girls- she's so sensible and she has a real calming presence
*Lisa - She's so much fun, but always so busy. Another UK resident who I miss tons.
*Margaret - My first "boss". Met her when I was 16 and we are still really good friends. She's my closest friend in Melbourne.
*Michelle - My new found friend and running partner. It's amazing that we are so similar in so many ways. This will be a lasting friendship.
*Kerry - Has been my friend since 1982. We lived opposite each other. Even though I moved away for 10 years, the moment I walked back in her door it was like we'd only seen each other last week.
*Linda/Tracey - My Qld girlfriends who I haven't seen since I've got back to Oz. Must go and visit soon.
Eight favourite foods
*Chicken Ceaser Salad
*Apple Pie & Devon Custard
*Chicken Parmigiana
*Potato Wedges with Sour Cream & Sweet Chili Sauce
*Raspberry Licorice Choc Bullets
*Herb Bread
*Picnic Chocettes
*Champagne Truffles (from Davina Chocolates in the UK)
Seven Things I wear daily
*Pefume: Feminine or Lou Lou
*Swatch Watch
*Earrings (always the same ones)
*Makeup
*Gold Necklace
*Clothes
*Shoes
Six things I hate
*Mushrooms
*Rude people
*People who drive too close to my boot
*Cold weather
*Being injured so that I can't run
Five things I do daily
*Straighten my hair
*Cleanse and moisturise my face
*Put Makeup on
*Brush my teeth
*Eat
Four Shows I watch
*House
*Grays Anatomy
*Australian Idol
*The Biggest Loser
Three places I have lived
*England
*Queensland
*Canberra
* To be able to run until I'm very old
*Love, happiness & health
One Person I want to see right now
* I've got 4: Jules, Helsy, Kate & Lisa. I'd love to be able to fly back to the UK and surprise them all. Really miss our girly night's out!
Wednesday 9th November
Exercise: Day 3 Weights Program
I can't believe that I've got sore quads again from doing lunges and squats. Surely my legs would be used to it by now!! Unfortunately it meant that I couldn't go out for a run....and yes my brain was telling me that I shouldn't be running anyway....but I really need to do some cardio work otherwise I'm going to end up like a blimp!!
So do I risk doing a run tomorrow knowing that I'm seeing the Sports Doctor tomorrow afternoon?? I can already hear him suggesting that I take up swimming!!
Monday 7th November
Exercise: Day 2 Weights Program
Managed to drag my sorry arse out of bed this morning even though I just wanted to roll over and go back to sleep. It was a bit warm and humid last night and I kept waking up when I rolled over onto my sore hip. But at least I went, which is the main thing!
We took some photos when we were on the beach yesterday and when I downloaded them last night I got a bit of a shock. Hubby has taken a couple of photos of my flabby stomach...aaghh! I agreed to pose for a couple whilst sitting on my towel, remembering to suck stomach in and stick boobs out, but he must've taken them while I was keeping an eye on Alana when she was in the water. Not really sure how I feel seeing those rolls. Has it given me any motivation to get rid of them? Probably not judging by how many biscuits I've shoved into my gob today!! Ho Hum!
Sunday 6th November
Exercise: 9.4km Run
What a beautiful morning for a run. I met up with some of my running friends and we ran some of the Warburton Trail. It was an uphill incline all the way, but coming back it was downhill....yippee!!
My hip is now hurting again but I don't care. I really enjoyed the run and know that it would just kill me to have to stop for any reason. I've got an appointment with a sports doctor on Thursday. Have given up on the Myotherapist as she has now recommended a physio.
We have been to Brighton today. Ate a late lunch at a little cafe just near the beach and then headed onto the beach for the rest of the afternoon. Have finally got a bit of colour. Having a tan really lifts my spirits and I feel so much better about myself.
Looking back I've only done one day's exercise this last week, so I need to get back into it again.
Wednesday 2nd November
Exercise: Day 1 Weights Program
This is the first time I've trained since Saturday. Yet I don't feel guilty at all. Probably because I haven't eaten any crap over the long weekend...honestly guv!!
I did have some champagne yesterday and a handful of chips but other than that it was all good healthy stuff. I even made my own fruit salad up last night to take to work for lunch today...it included:
Strawberries
Watermelon
Pears
Apples
Grapes
Pineapple
Kiwifruit
I dumped some low fat vanilla yoghurt on the top and it was really filling. I've still got a bowlful in the fridge so as long as it hasn't gone too brown I'll take some more for lunch tomorrow.
I've made the decision that if my hip isn't feeling any better after tomorrow's appointment with the Myotherapist I'm going to try a Sports Physio that I've been given the name of instead. See what they can do to help me.
And I didn't win the cup sweep at work....I didn't even get 2nd or 3rd! And the TAB was so busy when I drove by that I didn't stop to put my $10 on Makybe Diva. Gutted!
Summer has arrived with a vengence in Melbourne too...but isn't that just like Melbourne!
