Goals

It occurred to me this morning that I have enough time to start training for the Melbourne (half) Marathon. I had planned to sign up for it, but it was only when I was going through a training plan for a different run on the tram this morning that I realised that I'm actually five weeks into the program. I thought there would be a lot of time to start, but apparently not!

So I vaguely made my training plan, and tonight I went for a run incorporating some tempo work (well, running faster for bits then slower for bits. Very scientific). It was good. Today was crappy, and this helped.

I am now sitting at home reading Runner's World, drinking Baileys and finding useful tidbits of information. Did you know that dogs have also been found to have the same 'runner's high' chemical that humans do? How awesome is that?!

On that note, here is a gratuitous picture of my training buddy extraordinaire, Cookie.

F*ck yeah Friday!

Because we all need a dose of internet love.

What's been making me smile lately?

• Reading trashy books - the Shifter series by Rachel Vincent is rocking my world atm
• Beautiful Melbourne winter days at the beach. Don't believe me? 

Sunny and 16 degrees. Don't mind if I do!

• Going out for Spanish tapas with my mum and brother for her birthday, and seeing her delight at having churros for the first time!
• Preparing for a presentation in front of 200 people (which is making me smile and want to wet myself in terror)
• Drunken phone calls from old friends
• Finger 11. Some of their songs make me cry, but such is life
• Because I've also been reading 50 Shades of Grey (don't judge me), this tickled my fancy immensely:

via  http://iwastesomuchtime.com

What has been making you thankful lately? 

Run Melbourne - the recap

I know, I know, I'm a crappy blogger. It's been almost two weeks since the run and here I am writing now. In my defense, it's mainly me reading this blog, and I know what happened (I was there, after all!).

So, the day dawned crisp and clear. I woke up easily and took Cookie for a walk, which was gorgeous as the sun was rising but the stars will still in the sky. It was ironic to think that I was out at the same time that I would have been starting the half marathon *sob*

After a breakfast of toast and vegemite, and coffee, I caught the tram to the city. Along with half of Melbourne. It was great to see so many people up that early on a tram to go for a run. Good stuff Melbourne!

Gratuitous Melbourne photo from the expo

I made it to warm up aerobics but couldn't see my colleague J anywhere, so joined in and felt like a fool. When it was over him and his girlfriend L found me and we slowly started getting ready. L kindly watched over our bags as she was injured and couldn't run.

As J and I were waiting in line I dispensed my first bit of advice (he was a virgin fun-runner): make sure your shoe laces are tied properly. He said he doubled knotted - I said double knots offended me. Little was I to know that I should have taken either my advice or his - I had to stop TWICE to do my laces during the run! Argh!

When we finally started running, I was kinda pleased to hear 'Everybody Runs' by the Butterfly Effect playing. Not only was it literally true, but I was getting a tattoo of their logo later that day so it seemed apt.

We started running, and I overtook J, then he overtook me, then I overtook him, and then he overtook me and that was the last I saw of him. He did it in about 50ish minutes (and raised more money than I did too!).

The run itself was...hard. My music wasn't giving me love, and I was pushing more than I would have liked because I really wanted to do well. In the half I was able to relax and just get in a zone, with the music choices being able to carry me along. This time it was all slow, mellow stuff (and no Disturbed at all - very upset), and overall it wasn't my best run. I finished it in 55.47, so under an hour, but I didn't love it.

The packed finish line (officially the line is too the left)

Afterwards I caught up with J and L, collected my bag, got a free coffee (SCORE!) and waited for my friend A to finish. It was her first 5kms, and I was SO proud of her for doing it! She rocked it in 43 minutes or so, which was great. I'm not sure if I can put photos of her up here, so instead I'll put a photo of me that she took afterwards.

Highlight of the day though? Guide dogs!!!

Guide dogs! Which we could pat!

Afterwards we went home then went out to get tattoos. That's a story for another day. Although interestingly, my thighs (ITBs) hurt for three days after the run. The tattoo I couldn't even feel. Strange turn of events indeed.

Tomorrow's Run

Tomorrow is my 10km run. I'm a bit worried because it's my first race in a long time and I haven't run 10kms in a long time.

Afterwards my friend and I are going to get tattoos afterwards. It's my first and I'm a little worried about it, but it should be fine (!).

Until tomorrow...!

Fitness-type things

I ended up doing a circuit class at the gym the other night. There was only one other person doing it and I took pity on her, so I signed up too.  

Things I learnt though? If you can't really do lunges or squats, you'll get given lots of push ups to do. 4 lots of 3x30 second sets make for sore, sore arms the next day. And the day after. 

I love the pain and the accomplishment of still being sore. Even though I whine like a little bitch, I wouldn't change it for a thing.

Not being able to move my arms too much after that meant I could then sit on the exercise bike for 25 mins reading 50 Shades of Grey, along with the other 75% of the female population. Awesome :-D