Friday 31st March
Exercise: 9.6km Run - Mullum Mullum Creek Trail
Yet another run along the MMCT!! If I didn't have Michelle to yak to I might consider that it's getting a bit boring running the same trail 4 days in a row, but as we just chat, chat, chat, I don't really think about it!
I'm having a rest day tomorrow....yay! And I'm really looking forward to sleeping in. Can't remember the last time that I didn't have to get out of bed before 7am!
Forgot to put up this picture. This is when M & I met up in Sydney. Luckily you can't see my green hair (long story)....okay, okay I'll tell you about it.
One afternoon I sat in the spa at the apartments that we were staying at and it wasn't until the next day, when I was straightening my hair that I noticed the ends had turned green. Of course this happened to be the day that I was meeting M, so just had to grin and bear it. Even M noticed it, so it must have been pretty bad!! An emergency call to my hairdresser in Melbourne (who luckily is also one of my oldest friends) gave me the necessary information I needed to go out and purchase some shampoo to take out the majority of the green....phew!!
Thursday 30th March
Exercise: 7.5km Run - Mullum Mullum Creek Trail
Well Gav decided to give us a new distance this morning, even though we run it at least 3 times a week with roughly the same distances each time, this morning he added on an extra 1/2 km???? Just can't seem to get any kind of accuracy from this Garmin - not that I'm complaining about the distance, as it makes more sense judging by the times that we run. It's just a bit frustrating trying to get accurate distances.....
And it wasn't a very fast pace this morning as my legs still hadn't recovered from last night's run, which is also why we only ran the 7km....sorry the 7.5km!
There's now 3, yes 3, boxes of charity chocolate in the staff kitchen....AAAAGGGHHHH!!
And, yes I have given into temptation!
I'm starting my new gym routine on Monday!
Wednesday 29th March
Exercise: 10.7km Run - Mullum Mullum Creek Trail
Have just come back from a really good run. Took a little while for the legs to kick in, but once they had warmed up (probably at about the 4.5km mark) it was all systems go!!
I've decided to take my gym gear to work with me and go to the gym at lunch times. That way I can do one muscle group each day and it'll only take about 20 minutes. Also means that I won't get too sweaty so can just "freshen up" instead of having to take the time out to shower.
I'll feel much better knowing that I'm still getting my weight training in, am using my gym membership and not just letting it go to waste, and will actually be doing something productive in my lunch time!!
And the gym is only 5 minutes away from work, so there's really no excuses at all!
Tuesday 28th March
Exercis: 9.6km Run - Mullum Mullum Creek Trail
Oh my aching bum!! I fell over twice last night while playing Netball, straight onto my bum and it is so sore this morning. I'm just hoping that there's not going to be any bruising (how embarassing!!).
After Sunday's run my legs have sprung back really quickly. I was expecting them to hurt far more than they actually do, which is great. Just a small amount of soreness in the lower quads, just above my knees!
The Netball seems to really affect my weight as I got on the scales this morning when I got back from my run and I'm back down under 10 stone now.
And I'll let you in on a little secret - I was craving Chocolate so badly when I got to work yesterday and I was really focused on walking over to the next building to grab some out of the snack machine. But something happened (can't really explain what!) but my mindset changed and I talked myself out of doing it!! Now that's a new one for me!
Monday 27th March
Exercise: Netball Game
When I was first asked if I wanted to join a team to play Netball I said Yes straight away as Netball had always been one of my all time favourite sports to play when I was younger.
However now that I'm actually playing in the team I've, realised that my perceptions of the game have changed. I'm not actually enjoying it as much as I thought I would. I can't quite put my finger on the reason why. It could be because I don't know anyone else in the team apart from Michelle (although the girls that I'm playing with are all lovely). It may be because I'm not playing in my favourite position (WA), instead I'm playing WD. It might also be because it's in an evening and I am reknowned for not having any motivation to get out and do any kind of activity once I get home from work.
It's made me question why I loved playing it when I was younger compared to not getting the same enjoyment now....anyway on a brighter note our team won last night!!
Sri Chimnoy Yarra Boulevard 15km Run
Exercise: 15km Run
Got to Michelle's place at 7am and drove over to Yarra Boulevard, via Studley Park (yes we got the venue wrong!!), so we didn't get to the race area with alot of time to spare.
We still had to register as well, and it was a fair walk from where we parked. Once we'd filled out the registration forms I stood in the queue while Michelle made a mad dash for the loos!! I was at the front of the queue when she got back but as there was such a huge line for the ladies, she had to race back before she got to the front of the line, as we only had 5 minutes before the start!!
We both decided to wear our MP3's today, which was a godsend as it really helped me through the last couple of km's. I just concentrated on the beat of the music and tried to regulate my breathing (bit hard when you're gasping for breath!!).
The first 10km's were great. Felt good all the way. We did that in 55 mins (by Gav's estimations anyway). Noticed that the km markings were about 15 metres out at each one, so Gav was saying that we had done more km's than the markers were telling us!!
As we got to the last turnaround, Michelle pointed to a bloke who was about 150 metres in front of us and we made him our target to pass. We upped the pace and gained on him slowly. The poor bloke didn't know what hit him until we raced by him, giving each other a high 5 as we went past.
At the end of the race, said bloke came up to us and mentioned to us that "we could've been a bit more obvious about passing him!". Bit of a giggle about that one!!
Our time.....85 minutes, which is a PB for us as we've never run over this distance before!!
We skipped the pancakes (I know that's hard to believe!!) as neither of us really felt like eating. Would have liked a massage but the queue was just a bit too long to wait!
There were lots of Ausrunners and Cool Runners out there today and it was good to see them all. And it was great weather for running too. Perfect conditions!!
Thursday 23rd March
Exercise: 7km Run - Mullum Mullum Creek Trail
I arrived at our normal meeting spot this morning and discovered that Beki & Tony were running with us. It's lovely to have lots of company, especially early in the morning!!
Unfortunately I only got to run for 7km as I had to stop....once again, due to nature's call I couldn't carry on (if you get what I mean!). Wasn't very happy about that either as my legs felt really strong too. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.
That's all for today!
New Recipe
My sister in law made a great salad when I was over at her place last week so I thought I'd share it with you as it is truly scrummy!!
Oriental Fried Noodle Salad
1/2 - 1 Chinese Cabbage or Savoy Cabbage, shredded finely
6 Green Onions, chopped into 5mm lengths
100g lightly roasted slivered almonds or pinenuts (I used Ducks Toasted Slivered Almonds, available in the nut & dried fruit section of supermarket)
1 Pkt Changs Fried Noodles 100g (available in noodle aisle of supermarket)
Dressing
1/4 cup White Vinegar
1/4 cup Castor Sugar
1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
2 teaspoons Seasame Oil (optional)
1/2 cup Olive Oil
Combine all the dressing ingredients in a saucepan. Stir well over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Cool. Toss the cabbage, chopped onions and almonds in a salad bowl. Add dressing and mix well. Just before serving add the noodles and toss thoroughly.
I added shredded chicken to mine and it filled the salad out alot more and made it into a complete meal in itself.
Tuesday 21st March
Exercise: 7km Run - Mullum Mullum Creek Trail
Met up with Beki this morning for a run. Michelle was off to the Commonwealth Games with her 3 girls. My parents are both volunteers and had been given 2 tickets each, but as they are both working there almost 24/7, they wouldn't get the chance to go so asked me if I wanted them or knew of anyone who wanted them. Naturally I thought of Michelle first!!
Anyway back to the run. It was really nippy this morning even at 8am! I didn't realise at the time that I was running my normal pace and probably dragged Beki along a bit, but she was still managing to talk, and in my book that equates to being comfortable with the speed. If she'd stopped talking I'd have slowed down straight away.
We ran a really good time this morning too. Probably as fast as Michelle and I would run. We'll have Beki out running 1/2 marathons with us in no time!!
Monday 20th March
Exercise: Netball Game
First day back at work was manic. It took me so long just to read my emails and catch up with my boss and what he's been up to.
Also Hubby had to take Alana to the doctors this morning as she developed spots on her lower chest and stomach yesterday. It looks kind of like chicken pox (which she's had already) but they don't itch and she doesn't have a fever. Doctor doesn't think she's got Chicken Pox but wants her confined for another day, which means that I've got to take the day off tomorrow....not good on my first day back to work asking for more time off!!
Netball was fun, even though we lost. I still haven't got my eye back in yet and my ball throwing leaves alot to be desired. Just need to practice more!!
My legs don't feel too bad today. I did have to stretch quite a bit before the netball game otherwise I don't think I would have been able to move very well at all.
Sunday 19th March
Exercise: 27km Run - Warby Trail
I'd had a text message from Michelle on Friday asking if I was up for a long run today. Of course I said YES, not realising that after being in a car for 10 hours, and driving half of that time that I'd be absolutely exhausted.
And the fact that we were all meeting at 7am still has me shaking my head at how I actually even got up and got ready in time!!
This is the longest distance I've run now. It was great to run in a group again. Me, Michelle, TigerBoy, Eat Em, EJM and Rogo all met at Wandin, ran up to Mt Evelyn where we stopped for a toilet break, then continued on down to Lilydale, where we said goodbye to Rogo (he'd actually run up to meet us from Lilydale so had already run 10km when he met up with us!!).
We then turned around and ran back up to Mt Evelyn, stopping for another toilet break (phew!) and back on down to Wandin. EJM then said her goodbyes, whereas the rest of us continued on down to Seville, turned around and ran back to Wandin. The turn back from Seville was definitely the hardest for me as it was a 3.5km incline all the way back. My legs were so tingly sore when we got back that it hurt to stand on them and I had to sit down while we were chatting or I may have just fallen down!
And then when I got home I sat and watched both Marathons on the TV. I had tears streaming down my face when Kerryn McCann came running into the G. It was such an emotional race. I hope I wasn't the only one sooking!
The Holiday!
So a bit about the holiday to Sydney.
It was great weather for most of the time. The sun was shining and it was really warm. Even at night it didn't get below about 19 degrees.
The traffic in Sydney is terrible, and most of the drivers are crazy, especially bus drivers!! We had to hang on for dear life!!
We did the harbour cruise and wandered around the outside of the Opera House. Went to Darling Harbour a couple of times and found a place there that makes the best chicken and salad rolls. I could only eat half of it, that's how big it was!!
I met up the with lovely M as well. Hubby took Alana into the Aquarium whilst me and M enjoyed a glass of champers or two sitting out on the boardwalk at Darling Harbour, watching everyone walk by and putting the world to rights!! I thoroughly enjoyed it and wished we could have stayed longer.
We also went up to see my brother and his family. They live just past the end of the M2 motorway, so we had to navigate our way through the city to get to the motorway. All was going well until we came out of the Harbour tunnel. We realised at the last minute that the cash paying toll booth was on the far left and we had come out of the tunnel in the far right hand lane,so we had to try and get over 4 lanes of traffic....that was a bit hair-raising I have to tell you!
The last couple of days we spent relaxing by the pool and just soaking up some rays. We did wander down to Coogee and I'm not sure why everyone makes a big deal about this place. It was really busy, hardly any parking and the prices of food and drink were so expensive.....but that's Sydney really isn't it?
The drive to and from Sydney were very easy, due to the fact that it's a 2 lane highway all the way there and back.
I'm glad to be home!
Saturday 18th March
Exercise: 8.13km Run - Centennial Park, Sydney
I packed up my suitcase on Friday night so that I didn't have to rush to get it done on Saturday morning. Hubby then asked if I was going to get a run in before we left on Saturday. Hmmm - I hadn't planned on doing one, but if I got up a bit earlier, I could certainly fit one in.
So I did!! And what a great run it was too. One of those ones where you can just keep running. I had bags of energy and my legs felt really strong too!! Pity I couldn't have run further but there just wasn't the time!!
A big thanks to Hubby. Without his input, I wouldn't have bothered doing this run.
Thursday 16th March
Exercise: 10.55km Run - Centennial Park, Sydney
Had a couple of days off from the running just to give my legs a bit of a break. We've done so much walking around that I was still getting plenty of exercise, even if I haven't run.
This morning I decided just to run around the inside of Centennial Park. There's a big wide footpath that is about 3.5km long and it goes right around the park. Very picturesque!!
BUT....it was one of those really hard runs. I had no energy and it was a real effort to keep going after 2 laps, but I'd already made the decision to run at least 10km so I had to just keep plodding!
Monday 13th March
Exercise: 11.87km Run - Centennial Park, Sydney
Got up again this morning for another run. Due to the fact that the sun was streaming in through the very thin (and light) vertical blinds, it made sleeping in very difficult.
We'd driven around the local area yesterday so I had a better idea of where I was running this morning. Still lots of people out doing their exercise, which is just so great to see!!
I actually ran a bit longer than I'd intended as I had to retrace my steps a couple of times due to the bus lane and me being on the wrong side of the fence. I kept running out of footpath and then realised that I should have crossed over the bus lane and back onto the proper footpath!!
Sunday 12th March
Exercise: 10.75km Run - Centennial Park, Sydney
Got up bright and early for a run. Due to the location of the hotel, I was awake very early as the traffic was very noisy.
It was a very warm sunny morning, even at 8am!! I could not believe how many people were out doing their exercise, either running, walking, horse riding or taking the dog for a walk. There's even a cycle lane on the road around the park!!
As I didn't know where I was going I just ran around the perimeter of the park and eventually found my way back to the hotel!!
Friday 10th March
Exercise: 7km Run (Mullum Mullum Creek Trail)
It was lovely to meet Beki this morning. She looked a little shell shocked at the beginning of the run as she told us that she hasn't got out of bed early for the last few months, but it didn't take her long to wake up as she had to be alert for any fallen trees or low branches.
We ran at Beki's pace as it was only fair. Didn't want her to never come running with us again fearing that she might not be able to keep up with us (as if!!). To be honest, it wasn't that much slower than our normal training pace and if she carries on running with us, she'll be running the same pace as us in no time!
I hope we didn't scare you off Beki!!
This is the last entry before I'm away for the week. I'm going to enjoy just kicking back and taking it easy. I'm still going to try and do a 10km run each day and maybe get in a long run on Sunday morning. I don't want to destroy all the hard work that I've put in so far.
See ya later!
Thursday 9th March
Exercise: 9.6km Run (Mullum Mullum Creek Trail)
I decided not to go to the gym yesterday morning and turned my alarm off. It was the best night's sleep I've had in ages! I think that the knowledge of not having to make the decision to get out of bed or not when the alarm went off did wonders for my brain. I slept like a baby!!
I went to bed a bit later than I'd liked to last night so getting up this morning to meet Michelle for our run was a bit of a chore. Took me a little while to get going!
We're going to have a new running partner tomorrow. I've managed to convince Sekhmet to come and join us for a bit of a run and a natter. She made me laugh when she said that she's going to have to learn to talk and breathe while she's running. Won't take her long if she runs with us. We never shut up! We got told on a fun run once that we wern't running fast enough as we could still talk!!
Only tomorrow to go and then we'll be off to Sydney. I'm going to have to write down all my runs and my distances as I don't think I've got access to the internet while I'm away.
I'm also meeting up with Margaret, which will be so lovely. Wow, that's two blogging friends in a week that I'm finally going to meet!!
Tuesday 7th March
Exercise: 9.6km Run (Mullum Mullum Creek Trail)
I didn't get to Netball last night as I had to stay at work until 7pm to get some work finished. Michelle texted me later to say that they drew....and they only had 6 players. Of course that meant that if I'd played, we probably would have won. Felt really bad about that!
I got home in time to see 3/4 of Biggest Loser. Whereas I really liked Tracey when I first started watching the show, I have now changed my opinion of her. She just doesn't seem to be a nice person at all (in my opinion of course!!). Maybe I've got it wrong, but I just sense that she's a very selfish person.
I hope Cat loses more weight before the end of the show. It'll show everyone that she can do it on her own!
Not much else to say.....apart from there's only 3 days to go until I'm on holiday....WOOHOO!!
Sunday 5th March
Exercise: 8km Fun Run (Take the Lake)
I really wasn't very motivated to do the run this morning, but once we'd got out there and got started, it was an enjoyable run. We didn't go flat out as I think both Michelle and I were still quite tired from our ride yesterday.
We finished in 46.36, so we were both happy with this time. The run didn't really have much enthusiasm to it though. There were about 200 people or so competing but at times it just felt like there was me and Michelle running around the lake.
I'm now into holiday mode and am frantically making lists of things I need to do before I leave for Sydney, and things I need to take with me to Sydney......5 days to go - but who's counting!!
Saturday 4th March
Exercise: 30km Bike Ride (Dandy Creek Trail)
Oh my aching bum....my new bike is supposed to have this all singing, all dancing newly designed seat which makes the ride extra comfortable....try telling that to my bum, it's sore as!!
Michelle and I waned to do this ride to see what the Dandy Creek Trail was like on the other side of Jells Park. We normally only run one side of it and turn around when we get to Jells Park. It actually goes through the park and ends up all the way down at Carrum.
So after we eventually find each other at Jells Park (it's a big place!!) we try and find the trail and where it goes out of the park. Fifteen minutes later we have to cycle back to Michelles car to check the Melways as we couldn't find it.
Once we got our bearings, we set off and found it straight away.
A great ride with hardly anyone on the trail. There were plenty of places to stop, there were toilets available at some of the parks that we rode through and it was pretty shaded on most of the track.
We only got to Dandenong as it was starting to get a bit late, but we both want to do a full ride from Jells Park to Carrum and back, which would take us about 4 hours, and we also want to do a run from Jells Park to Carrum and get one of the hubby's to meet us at the end to drive us back.
Can't wait for the next ride!!
Friday 3rd March
Exercise: 9.6km Run (Mullum Mullum Creek Trail)
My alarm is set for 5.33am but something has woken me up at 5.32 for the last few mornings. I'm not sure what it is but it's loud enough to wake me. Must just be a single noise as it's quiet when I open my eyes......strange that!!
Michelle & I had a good run this morning. It was surprisingly warm as well. Just a minor stop while I ran off into the bushes......just as well I brought some tissues along....ahem - say no more!! (does anyone remember that advert???).
I'm doing a bike ride tomorrow...now for any spectators watching when I first start off, this should be a laugh as I haven't ridden a bike since about 1996, but as they say "once you learn, you never forget". Just hope that stands true!!
Thursday 2nd March
Exercise: 7km Run (Mullum Mullum Creek Trail)
I had to rub Tiger Balm into my quads and calves before I got into bed last night in the hope that they would loosen up overnight for me to be able to run this morning.
On gingerly stepping out of bed this morning, I was more than happy when I realised that it had done a great job. I still had some pain in the legs, but nowhere near as bad as yesterday.
We still cut the run short though, due to sore legs and also the urgent need to go to the loo. I felt good that I'd actually got out there and did some exercise rather than laying in bed feeling sorry for myself.
We've decided to do another run tomorrow morning to make up for the speed session that we missed yesterday.
I had to laugh at my mum the other day. She is now an avid gym goer. She loves doing body pump classes and she's even started to jog on the treadmill she tells me. I think the fact that she's losing weight is an added bonus. As she said to me "the fat bits that hang over my bra aren't so noticeable any more"!!
Anyway we were chatting on the phone and she was telling me that her and my dad had been asked to go and watch one of her nephews play basketball. She wasn't very happy about this as it clashed with her body pump class on a saturday morning!! I couldn't believe what I was hearing! If you knew my mum, the excuse of not having to exercise would have been the highlight of her day. Now she's peed off because she can't do her exercise. Whatever next!!
Wednesday 1st March
Exercise: Weights, Situps
I nearly didn't get out of bed this morning as my legs were just so sore. But then I thought rationally. I wasn't going to the gym to work legs, just my upper body, and that wasn't sore, so there was really no excuse!!
Was supposed to be doing some speed work tonight but I honestly thought that I could give myself an injury if I try and run with my legs being this stiff and sore. So I pulled out of the session. I would have like to do this session though as it really helps with my running, even if I grumble and whinge about it at the time!!
On a better note, I've got me a new car!! Well not NEW, but secondhand new! My trusty old Magna is on it's last legs and so we've been looking around for another car. So I've now got a later model Magna (such a good car) and it goes like sh*t off a shovel! I just need to get the windows tinted and it'll be perfect. In my head I'd also like to get it lowered, put mag wheels on it, and put a big stereo with a subwoofer in too, but I keep forgetting that I'm not a young girle anymore, I'm a mature woman!!
Forgot to put up this picture. This is when M & I met up in Sydney. Luckily you can't see my green hair (long story)....okay, okay I'll tell you about it.
One afternoon I sat in the spa at the apartments that we were staying at and it wasn't until the next day, when I was straightening my hair that I noticed the ends had turned green. Of course this happened to be the day that I was meeting M, so just had to grin and bear it. Even M noticed it, so it must have been pretty bad!! An emergency call to my hairdresser in Melbourne (who luckily is also one of my oldest friends) gave me the necessary information I needed to go out and purchase some shampoo to take out the majority of the green....phew!!
