Monday 30th October
Exercise: AM - Spin Class, PM - Netball Game
I'd forgotten how much I enjoy Spin classes. The woman who takes the class is one of those thin sinewy women who doesn't have an ounce of fat on them. I wonder what she does to achieve that look?
After reading Kathryn's post about the woman who sat next to her with a cold in her spin class, I couldn't believe my luck (or lack of!) when this very big german woman decided to use the bike next to me. Even before she'd gotten on the bike, the rancid smell of garlic wafted under my nose, followed closely by the even pukier smell of BO!! How fortunate was I when the bike handlebars wouldn't adjust....phew!! The stench was so strong that even with her sitting 5 bikes away I could still smell it. I feel sorry for the two women who she sat in between though!
A pretty average Netball game tonight. We did win the game, but we stuffed up a few easy passes and probably could have won by more than we did. Looks like we will probably make the finals again.
Wasn't it fantastic to have more daylight tonight. It was wonderful to get home and still be able to do things outside before it got dark. Have I told everyone how much I LOVE Daylight Savings!!
Saturday 28th October
Exercise: 12km Power Walk/Run
Well no posting from me means no exercise! Even though I've wanted to get out and do something, I just haven't.
So this morning I was up bright and early so that I could get a decent walk in. I wasn't going to run, honestly, but I needed to find out if the knee is still playing up.....it's still playing up! Not happy!
I'm going to book an appointment to see CV this week so that she can check it out and see if it's just muscular or if there's something more.
On the weight front I've lost a little bit but definitely not enough. And to make matters worse I'm meeting up with a girlfriend on Tuesday who's out from the UK at the moment so there should have been the added incentive to looking my best, but my utter despair at not being able to run has taken over any kind of motivation to get out and do someting else.
On to better things, Daylight Savings kicks in tonight - and about bloody time too!! I've been hanging out for the lighter evenings for so long. Maybe I've got a bit of SAD (and I'm being a sad case at the moment too!!). I just feel so much better when the sun is out and it's light.
I'm addicted!! Found these little Coffe Mate French Vanilla milk things that you add to coffee and they taste absolutely divine!!
Alana's Quote: "I want to find a husband that will do everything for me!"
Tuesday 24th October
Exercise: 1 Hr Power Walk
Wasn't it a fabulous morning for a power walk. I managed to get out of bed, made easier by the fact that the sun was streaming through the curtains!!
I so wanted to break into a run. I didn't. But I really, really wanted to. I will wait until the end of the week and then start doing a run/walk routine. I may also go and see CV and let her have a go at massaging it to see if she can make a difference.
I got on the scales this morning after I'd been for my walk. I've lost 1.6kg since yesterday morning. How can that be? Where did the weight go? I certainly didn't feel like I was holding water and I don't feel like I've lost 1.6kg of fat from around my middle (which is where all my excess weight goes to). It just doesn't make sense to me. And I hate things that don't make sense. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, just baffled!
Another thing that baffles me is how somebody can give you a quote on something and then turn around when you're about to buy and say that they'd misquoted and it should be $3,000 more!! We've given the go ahead to the kitchen maker guy and he has to get our laminate put on the doors in a special way as it's not normal laminate. The guy who's going to do it is the one who's misquoted. So if we can't do a deal with the price I'm going to have to start looking for a new laminate to put on my cupboard doors as I'm sure as hell not paying an extra $3,000 when I'm already forking out $15,500 for the kitchen. Why can't people just get it right the first time!!
Okay, rant over!
Monday 23rd October
Exercise: Netball Game
I wasn't sure how my knee was going to hold out playing Netball so I was a bit tentative about playing. Luckily I felt no twinges or pain at all during the game. I did, however try to break my ankle. Not sure what happened as there was nobody else around me but I somehow managed to trip over my own feet and landed awkwardly on my foot. It hurt like hell for about 5 minutes but I managed to run out the pain. As soon as I got home I iced the foot and knee.
I want to get up in the morning and go for a nice long power walk before work so I'd better get off this computer and get to bed.
Night all.
Alana's Quote: "Mum what's the future like?"
Monday 23rd October
Exercise: 30 Mins Cross Trainer
Well the weekend was a total writeoff with regards to exercise.
I took my daughter rollerskating on Saturday morning and really wanted to get out there on the floor but I'm a bit worried that it may aggrevate my knee, so I sat and watched instead. The afternoon was taken up with shopping and household chores.
Yesterday I was going to do a long bike ride with Michelle, but unfortunately she got a bout of gastro and had to pull out. Of course there was nothing to stop me pulling on my trainers and going for a power walk, or jumping in the car and spending some time at the gym, but I chose not to. Instead I got out in the garden and did weeding, weeding and more weeding (it was pretty bad!!). It didn't make up for the bike ride or the power walking, but it was better than sitting on my big fat behind and doing sweet f.a.!!
Had a bit of a shock this morning. I knew that my pants were starting to feel a little tighter than normal. Got on the scales and I've put on 3kg!! How did that happen??? Anyway it's given me a little kick in the pants and I've realised that by not running as much and eating the same amount of food equates to weight gain!!
So I took myself off to the gym at lunchtime. Am planning on doing lunchtimes at the gym for the rest of the week too. It's just so close to work that I'm being stupid if I don't take advantage of it.
Alana's Quote: Mum when you talk to Father Christmas about how good I've been, can I talk to him too as I need to ask him some questions!"
Friday 20th October
Exercise: 30 Mins Bike, 15 Mins Walk, 5 Mins Rower
Back down to the gym this morning. I iced the knee last night and also this morning while I was eating breakfast. Did some good stretching too. I have a feeling that the pain in my knee is due to something being very tight in my hip. So I think that a bit of rolling around on a tennis ball as suggested by Beakus may be a good thing. Hmmm, now where did I see that tennis ball??
I'm missing the running very badly. With running you don't really have to think too much about doing it. The most thinking I would have to do is decide what to wear and which trainers to wear, but with the gym there's so much more to think about - do I do a whole hour on the bike or the cross trainer or do I split it up so that it doesn't get too boring and try to incorporate 2 or 3 pieces of equipment into the workout. Should I also try and do a few weights too, or maybe some floor work....way too many things to consider!! Did I tell you that I'm missing the running???
Am also missing my running buddy. I talk to absolutely nobody when I'm at the gym so it's a very lonely hour apart from my MP3 player. At least when I'm running with Michelle we can natter the whole time we're running. Totally takes the mind off how far you're running and how steep the hills are!!
And wasn't it fantastic to actually see a bit of rain today....never thought I'd say that, me being the sun worshipper that I am!!
Cool number plate: KCUBYE (took me a while to figure this one out!)
Alana's Quote: "Mum will I get wrinkles like you!!"
Thursday 19th October
Exercise: 30 Mins Cross Trainer, 20 Mins Walking - Treadmill
So I'm now back at the gym. Nothing has changed! My knee felt fine on the cross trainer (thank goodness) and it even felt okay on the treadmill while I was power walking. Took my shins a little while to co-operate though. They're not used to the motion of power walking up hills. I had it set to 7kph to start with but had to knock it back a little bit while they got used to it. Once I felt a bit less strain on the shins I cranked it back up to 7kph.
Beakus, I have been avidly reading your blog and have taken notes!! I'm hoping that I don't have to wait 7 months before I can run again though. I would be pulling my hair out by then....and most probably would have put on at least 10kg too!! I need to find some form of exercise that uses the same amount of calories as an hours run. Might need to do a bit of research on that one!
I know this is really really slack but I haven't got around to icing the knee yet. I have put some Nurofen Gel on it and I put a compression bandage on when I go to bed but I just can't seem to find the right time to do the ice thing. Must try and remember tonight.
You know how I mentioned that I had a win on Keno, well it turns out that I didn't win $50, I won $500!! OMG I've never won that amount on anything before! So I wonder how many pairs of trainers I can get with that? Or maybe another couple of running skirts and some Enell Bras? Oh the possibilities are endless!!
Alana's Quote: "Mum you just don't get it do you?"
Tuesday 17th October
Exercise: 2km Run, 3.5km Power Walk
Okay, I've admitted it....I have ITB. I met Michelle this morning for our normal 10km run. I knew at about the 2km mark that I should not be running so we ended up power walking instead. I really thought that I'd be able to run through the niggle, but common sense has prevailed and I'm going to rest the knee (now don't you all fall over from amazement!). I will make sure that I do some stretching exercises for it though and I'll also ice it when I remember. I've found some really good stretches on the internet and I went out and bought one of those ice/heat packs a little while ago too - no excuses now, is there? If I want to run again I've got to be serious about looking after the knee.
So now I have to start looking at other exercise options. I will probably get alot more use out of my gym membership now. I may even try deep water running, which is done at the local pool. It's something that I've wanted to try for ages but just haven't had the nerve to do. I will also be doing alot of walking. Strange that it doesn't aggrevate the knee at all whereas the running does.
There is some good news however. We are now ready to go ahead and get the kitchen done...yay!! It's taken us 12 months to actually get organised, but we're there now. It's going to take about 6 weeks until it's ready, but I've waited this long, what's another 6 weeks!
More good news....I won $50 on my weekly Keno ticket....another Yay! My normal win is when I don't get ANY numbers - it's $5 when that happens!
And if that's not enough good news, Gav has been sold - more Yay!! I just hope that he's gone to a good home.
Hubby has been having problems with his neck so I've been out and bought some Latex pillows. They had 25% off pillows at Harris Scarfe so I wandered down there on Saturday. Not sure if they're comfortable or not. They're not actually uncomfortable but they might just take a little while to get used to, that's all! But a word of warning - they are really, really expensive, and they smell funny!
Saw a great number plate yesterday: NO1UNO.
Alana's Quote: "Mum did you know that wine makes you drunk?"
Sunday 15th October
Exercise: 15km Run - Run to Parents & return
My parents live about 7.5km away from my place, so it was a great place to head for on my long run today. Luckily they were home, so I got to have a drink and a wee, plus a 10 minute chat with the parents.
My knee is still sore. Will definitely have to ice it and put a compression bandage on it. Oh yeah, thanks everyone for the advice about the glucosomine. I actually have bottles and bottles of the stuff but have been a bit slack over the last couple of months and have not been taking it. I've even taken a bottle to work so that if I forget to take one at home, I still have the option of taking one when I get to work. And I don't just have one variety, oh no!! I have glucosomine 1000, glucosomine 1500 and glucosomine and chondroiton tablets, so no excuses really. Just me being lazy as usual!
I hate P plate drivers.....whenever I see someone darting in and out of the traffic behind me, I know it's going to be a P plate driver. And when I see someone screaming up behind me, don't even need to think it's going to be anything other than a P plate driver. Do they not realise how dangerous it is to drive like an idiot? Not even a danger just to themselves, but to everyone else on the road too. I want to get out of my car and go up and tap on their window and tell them that they are incredibly stupid!! I'm sure I was never a lead foot when I first got my licence. In fact I know that I wasn't as I drove a VW station wagon and there's no way that the old girl would have gone very fast - now my second car may have been a different matter (it was a V8 Statesman) but I still don't remember being an idiot driver! What's that saying - "In my day...."
Alana's Quote: "Mum, look at my tooth" (showing me that her tooth is hanging by a corner...YUUCCKKKK).
Friday 13th October
Exercise: 10km Run - MMCT
I think that this morning had to be just about the perfect temperature to run. I even put some shorts on! There was hardly any wind and the sun was just rising. Wish these mornings happened every day that I run.
I was going to do some faster pace work this morning but Michelle hasn't recovered enough yet to put in too much pace, so it was a nice easy run. I did up the pace just a smidgen in the middle of the run, but then backed off again for the return journey back to the car (we run up and back along a trail).
I've still got a little niggle at the side of my knee but it doesn't actually feel muscular, it feels a bit harder than that, if that makes sense!! I know that I should probably rest it for a little bit and do the RICE stuff, but I think I've left it too late. Will probably put some heat on it tonight and then rub in some tiger balm. May even put my knee brace on. It's got magnetic things in it, which are supposed to do something good, so hopefully all of that might do the job.
I've been without my mobile phone for nearly 2 weeks now as it had to be repaired (something went wrong with the Java) so I've been using my old Nokia 8210. OMG, how quickly I've got used to all the latest technology that comes with mobile phones!
Can you believe how expensive grapes are at the moment. I went to the supermarket last night to get some meat for dinner. Bought two big pieces of rump steak and some grapes. The grapes cost me more than the steak....I'm still in shock! $13.32 for the steak, $13,82 for the grapes. I'm definitely not going to buy my fruit and veg from the supermarket any more. I'm going to try and find a farmers market locally so that I don't get ripped off any more!
Alana's Quote: "Mum I think I'm having a heart attack!"
Goodbye, Farewell, Au Revoir
Wednesday 11th October
Exercise: 7km Run - MMCT
Firstly I want to tell you all that Bazza has arrived. The postie knocked at the door first thing yesterday morning to deliver him by hand....how cool is that!! I've now programmed him up to my specifications and he had his inaugural run this morning.
It was still fairly cool over this way at 6am, but the sun was trying to come out from the clouds. Looking at Weatherzone it was 1.9 degrees when we started our run, but had risen to 7.8 degrees by the time we said goodbye to each other.
The run was very slow. Michelle is still in a bit of pain and I was happy to just plod along beside her. My legs are slowly improving, but there is still a small niggle on the side of my left knee.
Comparing Gazza and Bazza after the run, they were out by about 20 metres. This may be because Michelle turned Gazza on when she left home, as did I, so it may be that we just picked up different signals....who knows!!
The good thing about the 205 is that you can have four windows on the screen rather than only three that were on the 301. Speaking of Gav, I'm going to photograph him and put him up for sale on Ebay today. For anyone interested he'll be going in at a Buy It Now price of $200.
Monday 9th October
Exercise: Netball Game
I was a little bit unsure as to how I'd play tonight as my left knee is still very sore. My quads are also telling me that running on concrete for 21km was not a good idea!
As we only had 7 players I had to play. Michelle had also come down but there was no way that she could have run around the court, she was having enough trouble just walking! Luckily the other team only had 6 players so we didn't have to run too hard. Strange as it seems, my knee feels much better now that I've had a run around!
I think that most people at work know that I run now as everyone who wants to talk about running comes over to my office for a chat. It's very strange to have people asking me advice about running!! Like I'm an expert!! I even got asked to write up a gym program and an eating program for one of the girls....me, giving advice to someone else about eating!! I can't even do the proper eating thing myself, let alone help somebody else eat well!
Saw another cool car registration plate: BIGGSY!
Sunday 8th October
Exercise: Melbourne 1/2 Marathon
Woke up this morning to strong winds and rain....great!! Had to make a decision about what to wear, so took the safe option and wore my 3/4 pants, compression top and short sleeve tech top. Also took my jacket just in case it was raining. Luckily by the time I got to the start line the sun had come out and the rain had stopped. Unfortunately it was still blowing a gale, but at least it was a tailwind so I can't complain about that!
I was a tad early so went looking for toilets. Then made my way to the 1/2 start. Spoke to the official there and explained my situation "am allowed to start when my friend who's running the full marathon comes by". Was quite surprised to hear that he knew who it was I was running with. He did look familiar but just couldn't place him! It was only when Michelle came past and she told me she had been looking out for Joffa at the 20km mark that it dawned on me who it was!! Sorry Joffa!
Got to see all the Ausrunners go past. They were all looking good at that stage of the race.
Anyway off we go once Michelle gets into view! Michelle is running at a good pace and already I'm feeling as if I'm running too slow for Michelle. This keeps up for about 10km. All of a sudden I can feel a pain in my stomach. Can't really describe the pain, but it's as if something has not agreed with me and it's fighting to get out! At about the 11.5km mark I couldn't keep running so I force Michelle to carry on, while I have a walk. After a couple of minutes I feel okay again and try to catch up to Michelle, but she's upped her pace again and has taken off like a rabbit!
So I just keep plodding along, trying not to think how much of a let down I must be to Michelle as I was the one who was supposed to be dragging her across the line, not her dragging me! Luckily I have my MP3 to keep me company, so at least the music is keeping me going.
I get to the 35km Marathon mark and there's all the Cool Runners handing out Icy Poles. What a godsend. It was like I had a second lease of life after finishing it off. Unfortunately that second lease of life didn't last long.
I met Spark Driver a bit further along. He wasn't feeling too great, which is a real shame as he's put in alot of work. He kept me company for a while but had to stop for another walk so I carried on without him. Then came Fitzroy Street. I did my best to keep running up that massive hill (well it felt like a massive hill anyway!) but I had to walk a couple of times.
The last 4km when I rounded the corner into St Kilda Road felt like they were going to go on forever. It was great to see Marty at about the 41km mark and he ran with me till I got to the chute. From there it was a sprint to the finish.
My time on Gav was 2hr 10mins. I was given a Marathon finishers medal which I would like to exchange for a 1/2 marathon medal as I definitely don't feel as if I deserve the Marathon medal, and also because I didn't do the Marathon.
Will admit that I was disappointed with my run. I really wanted to help Michelle, but I was very lucky in that she didn't really need my help as she had a fantastic race. I'm so proud of her. She did the marathon in under 4 hours.
I have a pain on the outer side of my left knee. I'm hoping it will go away after I've rubbed some Tiger Balm into it and done some good stretching. I'm also going to wear my Skins to bed to see if this helps.
So I'm looking to get a bit more serious about my running and actually try and get a proper running schedule organised.
Alana's Quote: "Mum can you please massage my feet!"
Saturday 7th October
Well at least they've updated the weather forecast to just a shower or two for tomorrow. But it's got colder. Only a top temperature of 16 degrees, and if that wind's blowing off the water then it's going to be very nipply running along Beach Road.
I may still take my running skirt with me, but I'll probably wear my 3/4 compression tights under a pair of 3/4 pants. Will also be wearing new compression top from Kmart underneath a short sleeve tech top. Have decided not to wear my fuel belt as there are water stations every 2km or so. I'm sure that I can pick up some lollies along the way as I think there will be people handing them out on the side of the road.
Took my daughter to roller skating practice this morning and I thought that I'd drag my blades out from the pile of dust that were accumulating over the top of them and have a skate around with her after her practice session. I knew as soon as I put the boots on that they felt all wrong. I'm not sure how, but my feet seem to have grown since Alana was born (yes, that's how long I've had the blades!!). Anyway I did one lap of the rink and thought it best to come off. It felt really uncomfortable and it would've been just my luck that I'd do some kind of damage to my feet and then not be able to run tomorrow.
I used to love roller skating when I was younger and had my own skates. I saw a lovely purple pair of quads in the sales shop at the skating rink and they wern't too expensive either. It's a really tempting thought to take it up again so that I can spend some quality time with Alana on a Saturday....and how much damage can roller skating do anyway!!
Okay, I'm off outside to make the most of the sunshine while it lasts.
Friday 6th October
Exercise: 6km Run - Treadmill, Situps
I woke up before the alarm went off this morning. This is not unusual for me. What was unusual is that I forced myself to get out of bed, rather than turning over and going back to sleep. Don't get me wrong, there was alot of negative thoughts going through my brain, giving me loads of reasons why I should go back to sleep. But the real reason I got out of bed is because I'm not sure if I'm going to get another run in before Sunday and I'm getting a bit worried that I'm not actually going to make the distance, so any form of running at the moment is a good thing in my books!
The weather forecast is saying that it's going to rain....now most people from the ESRG are going to blame me for that! Sorry guys! I was going to wear my running skirt too, but have changed my mind. There is no way that my legs are going to get cold, wet and clammy running 21km with the wind howling through them! No siree!
As I'm going to be standing around the start line for a little while, I've been advised to take a garbage bag to put over myself to keep dry. I can then discard it once Michelle comes running by and I join her. I'd like to get to the start line a little bit early so that I can cheer all the Ausrunners going by. Just hope that I find somewhere to park my car as I remember last year the streets were pretty full.
Went and saw CV last night for my massage. Happy to report that in my opinion they didn't feel too knotty and my calves were the only part of the leg that had me curling my toes when CV pressed her magic fingers into them! Of course CV may have thought differently but was just being lenient with the pressure!
2 more sleeps!
Alana's Quote: "Mum I love you more than a rabbit does!"
Wednesday 3rd October
Exercise: 7km Run - MMCT
Exercise: Weights (Back) - Lunchtime @ Gym
You lot living close to the city are probably enjoying the pleasant mornings, whereas us lot who live in the outer suburbs have to put up with the really chilly mornings still. Not fair! It always seems to be at least 5 degrees cooler out our way than in the city, and I read that people are wearing singlets and shorts to do their early morning runs,whereas I'm still wearing my 3/4 pants with long sleeve tech top and sleeveless jacket. Not fair! You all must know how much I hate the cold, I've whinged about it enough.
Met Michelle for our last run before the MM on Sunday. Because I haven't played Netball for 3 weeks, the legs were a bit sore from running up and down the court and pushing off hard. It's amazing how we use different muscles for different sports, and I can't believe how quickly the muscles become unused (does that make sense?).
I've got a massage with CV tomorrow night. I would have preferred Friday night but we're going to see the school play, so had to bring it back a day. I suppose this is good in that it means that if my legs are sore after the massage I get an extra day for them to heal.
It was great to get back to the gym at lunch time today. I want to try and do that 3 times per week if I can. I also take my lunch into work with me if I think I'm going to the gym and this means that I don't go to the Lunch Truck or wander around the supermarket looking for junky stuff!
Am also trying to drink 2 litres of water for the rest of the week so that my body is hydrated for Sunday. I'm also not going to drink on Friday or Saturday night - Yes you read that correctly! Because I haven't been regimental with my training I want to at least try and give myself the best opportunity of finishing without killing myself trying, so looking after my diet this week and keeping away from the crap is probably the only way that I'm going to make it. Of course if somebody could drive in front of me with a glass of champagne, that may get me to the finish line also!
Alana's Quote: "Mum you're just not getting it are you?!"
Monday 2nd October
Exercise: Netball Game
Another win to the team - YAY! Although the other team were a player short. As Michelle wasn't playing tonight I got to have a run around in Centre for a quarter. I asked if I could come out after that as I was having a little trouble breathing properly and I didn't feel that good.
I have no idea what I should be doing before the 1/2 marathon on Sunday so I'll just do my normal training program of just going with the flow and seeing what happens. Doing this is probably one of the reasons why I'm not that confident of running a good race on Sunday.
I think after the race I'm actually going to sit down and work out a proper training schedule. I'm hoping this will motivate me to get off my a*se more! Also hoping that with Daylight Savings fast approaching it will make it easier to get more running in after work.
I've advertised Gav on the Cool Running Message Boards. I just hope that somebody offers me a reasonable price even thought I'm not sure what a reasonable price for Gav would be! I was offered $100 but I really thought this was too little, especially as I've got to try and recuperate some of the cost of the new 205.
Monday 2nd October
Exercise: 7km Run - MMCT
I decided against running yesterday even though my legs were not suffering at all. I'd rubbed some Tiger Balm into the quads and slept in my skins on Saturday night and I think this really made a difference.
As Michelle is now tapering we only did 7km this morning. It was nice to do a shorter distance for a change.
Wasn't it a fantastic day yesterday. I got all of my washing out and dried. Of course I now have a huge load of ironing to do!
Following on from Deege's post about the 20 things that piss you off, here's my list to add to hers!!
1. People who drive below the speed limit....WHY????
2. People who don't indicate when turning a corner....aaaghhhh!
3. Dog owners who let their dog off the leash and then let them run in front of us runners and do nothing to restrain them!!
4. Supermarkets that do not restock their shelves when the item is on special.
5. Work colleagues who leave their mobile phone on their desk and walk away without it....of course it then rings and rings and rings and.....
6. When someone puts an empty margerine container back in the fridge!
7. People that put their bags on the seat next to them when on a crowded train/bus/tram etc.
8. Cyclists who do not use their bell to let you know that they are about to go flying past you whilst you are happily plodding along the trail!
9. Ebayers that don't leave feedback.
10. People who continually channel hop with the remote control!
Okay, I can only think of 10.
Saw a great number plate this morning: CUMMON
