My days off work have been great. I think I needed a break away from work, and just some relaxation. Not that I had any sleep in's, I was up again this morning before 6.30am and went out for a short jog.
I'm feeling a lot better about things - I think I'll still have to fight my way through the next few weeks of winter though. My hip is a bit sore this evening, and I've noticed niggling pain during my runs. I am pretty sure it is related to my unexpected slide across the back deck a couple of weeks ago (ended up with me doing the splits and hitting the deck hard). I forget that if there is a heavy frost the deck freezes over.
So I'll just get out there and run as long as I feel I can - maybe I'll work out some interval running or something. I'm looking forward to getting outside and running tomorrow morning...if it's not pouring with rain.
I need to just decide that if the weather doesn't let me get outside I have to get on the exercise bike instead - not just stay in bed. I'm looking into hiring a decent treadmill for a few weeks too.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Running off the birthday cake
So I survived another birthday yesterday. And even managed to get myself up and out for a nice easy 4km jog. I was lucky I got myself out of bed before 7am, as it started raining about 7.30am and continued steadily all day. I have another day off tomorrow, but not sure if I'll run - I've got a few aches and pains so I'll take Daves advice - I should dust off the stationary bike that is sitting taunting me from the corner of the living room.
I think I just need to find a new winter exercise routine. Maybe mix it up a bit, a few days on the exercise bike, at least one or two runs and some yoga should do it. And I need to restart the 100 push ups program too. I'm a little disappointed with myself for not getting back into it after my holiday to Aussie.
Now on to more fun things - my uber-geeky birthday cake. I mentioned that I'd never had a Star Wars themed cake as a child (my mum did do some neat cakes, but never a Star Wars cake) and it was decided that you're never too old to have a Han Solo frozen in Carbonite birthday cake. I didn't have to do the boring bits (bake the cake or make the buttercream and frosting) but was responsible for creative direction and sculpting. It was the first time either of us had attempted fondant icing, or anything this "creative" for a cake. And after all the work I was rather impressed with our efforts.
The cake itself was one of my mum's recipes for Chocolate cake - I wanted a chocolate/orange flavour, so we substituted orange essence for the vanilla the recipe asked for. It's a really nice moist dark chocolatey cake - I don't know if it's because it's made using buttermilk, but it tastes REALLY good. The buttercream filling (and layer of "crumb coat" under the fondant) was orange flavoured, and a very bright orange colour. The fondant was a recipe I found on the internet for Marshmallow Fondant, it doesn't taste too bad, but it's a bit sugary, but that might be because I used a budget bag of marshmallows. Next time I'd splash out and buy Pascals instead of Home Brand.
I think I just need to find a new winter exercise routine. Maybe mix it up a bit, a few days on the exercise bike, at least one or two runs and some yoga should do it. And I need to restart the 100 push ups program too. I'm a little disappointed with myself for not getting back into it after my holiday to Aussie.
Now on to more fun things - my uber-geeky birthday cake. I mentioned that I'd never had a Star Wars themed cake as a child (my mum did do some neat cakes, but never a Star Wars cake) and it was decided that you're never too old to have a Han Solo frozen in Carbonite birthday cake. I didn't have to do the boring bits (bake the cake or make the buttercream and frosting) but was responsible for creative direction and sculpting. It was the first time either of us had attempted fondant icing, or anything this "creative" for a cake. And after all the work I was rather impressed with our efforts.
The cake itself was one of my mum's recipes for Chocolate cake - I wanted a chocolate/orange flavour, so we substituted orange essence for the vanilla the recipe asked for. It's a really nice moist dark chocolatey cake - I don't know if it's because it's made using buttermilk, but it tastes REALLY good. The buttercream filling (and layer of "crumb coat" under the fondant) was orange flavoured, and a very bright orange colour. The fondant was a recipe I found on the internet for Marshmallow Fondant, it doesn't taste too bad, but it's a bit sugary, but that might be because I used a budget bag of marshmallows. Next time I'd splash out and buy Pascals instead of Home Brand.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Winter
So winter has well and truly started. It's dark, cold and pretty wet. It makes it very difficult to get out of bed at 5am to run on the weekdays. I've been running sporadically over the past couple of weeks. I'm still keen to get out there but I was suffering a bit of SAAD this week and just wanted to get a few more hours sleep.
It didn't help having a couple of nights of broken sleep, getting up to watch NZ play in the football world cup.
I made up for a couple of low mileage weeks with an epic 1 hour 40 minute run this morning...just over 12km. New time/distance record. I was pretty slow, but mentally I felt good. It was nice to wake up early - it was 5C, so not too cold, and I could see that it was a clear morning. The sun came up as I ran the streets and it was a lovely clear sunny morning. Not even a frost.
I really should have stopped at 9km, but I was so close to 10km. Then I hit 10km and I was just under 2km from home. So instead of walking, I ran. Or rather stumbled, rather slowly. Had to run past the house to hit 12km - then had a short 500m walk back to the house. Oh, my legs - I was doing a very good impression of a ultra-distance runner and that wobbly walk once they cross the line. For me 12km is ultra-distance running! For now, anyway.
Since it was Saturday, I did have to get out of the house by mid-morning and run some errands. So more walking...sore feet and all. But it was better than sitting for too long - think I would have seized up.
Over all, I'm a litte sore, but very pleased with myself. Hoping to get out for a short walk tomorrow and then the usual weekday runs. But the weather doesn't look like it will cooperate :(
It didn't help having a couple of nights of broken sleep, getting up to watch NZ play in the football world cup.
I made up for a couple of low mileage weeks with an epic 1 hour 40 minute run this morning...just over 12km. New time/distance record. I was pretty slow, but mentally I felt good. It was nice to wake up early - it was 5C, so not too cold, and I could see that it was a clear morning. The sun came up as I ran the streets and it was a lovely clear sunny morning. Not even a frost.
I really should have stopped at 9km, but I was so close to 10km. Then I hit 10km and I was just under 2km from home. So instead of walking, I ran. Or rather stumbled, rather slowly. Had to run past the house to hit 12km - then had a short 500m walk back to the house. Oh, my legs - I was doing a very good impression of a ultra-distance runner and that wobbly walk once they cross the line. For me 12km is ultra-distance running! For now, anyway.
Since it was Saturday, I did have to get out of the house by mid-morning and run some errands. So more walking...sore feet and all. But it was better than sitting for too long - think I would have seized up.
Over all, I'm a litte sore, but very pleased with myself. Hoping to get out for a short walk tomorrow and then the usual weekday runs. But the weather doesn't look like it will cooperate :(
Friday, June 11, 2010
Another week down
Just under 9km this week, that is about normal. Just over 3km on Tuesday and then I ran a 5k on Thursday - new PB, finally cracked the 35 minute mark. Average pace 6'53"/km.
Not sure what the weekend has in store for me yet. Possibly have to work for a few minutes early tomorrow, checking servers, but it's one of those pain in the behind tasks that I'm not sure when it will be and how long it will take. Argh. At least I shouldn't have to go in to the office anyway.
The weather looks like it will be pretty rubbish - and I doubt I'll be braving squally thundery showers.
The first Manawatu Striders winter series run is on Sunday morning. I was thinking of running it, but now some friends are keen on walking it the 5k so I'll probably go along with them and walk it instead. Still not sold on the 'race' thing. But we're not keen on walking in the rain, so I doubt any of us will get out of bed early Sunday morning if it is raining.
The first couple of weeks of winter have been a rude awakening - we'd had such a mild autumn that the cold wind, rain and low temperatures are making us all head inside and eat high calorie food.
The nike sportband has been working pretty well - it's not as good at tracking as a garmin with GPS would be, but I use my phone GPS at the same time and it is accurate enough. I like the website, the goals and challenges. The c25k June challenge is going pretty well for my team...team Ninja in front at the moment :) And my run graph is looking pretty good - it's nice to see the slow upping of the mileage as time goes along. You can see the 10km run last Saturday standing out from the rest...
Not sure what the weekend has in store for me yet. Possibly have to work for a few minutes early tomorrow, checking servers, but it's one of those pain in the behind tasks that I'm not sure when it will be and how long it will take. Argh. At least I shouldn't have to go in to the office anyway.
The weather looks like it will be pretty rubbish - and I doubt I'll be braving squally thundery showers.
The first Manawatu Striders winter series run is on Sunday morning. I was thinking of running it, but now some friends are keen on walking it the 5k so I'll probably go along with them and walk it instead. Still not sold on the 'race' thing. But we're not keen on walking in the rain, so I doubt any of us will get out of bed early Sunday morning if it is raining.
The first couple of weeks of winter have been a rude awakening - we'd had such a mild autumn that the cold wind, rain and low temperatures are making us all head inside and eat high calorie food.
The nike sportband has been working pretty well - it's not as good at tracking as a garmin with GPS would be, but I use my phone GPS at the same time and it is accurate enough. I like the website, the goals and challenges. The c25k June challenge is going pretty well for my team...team Ninja in front at the moment :) And my run graph is looking pretty good - it's nice to see the slow upping of the mileage as time goes along. You can see the 10km run last Saturday standing out from the rest...
Monday, June 7, 2010
Queens Birthday Weekend
The 10k took a little more out of my legs than I thought - I hadn't felt any ill effects through the day on Saturday. Yesterday was a different story - I spent about 4 hours in the car and by the time I got home I was certainly feeling every km I'd run.
I didn't get out for the recovery run I'd hoped for, as the weather was pretty awful when I woke up. Heavy rain and wind, so I wasn't going to brave that. Then I woke up a bit sore again today, just went out for a short 2km walk to stretch the legs and get some fresh air, but it wasn't very nice out - not cold, but really windy.
I'm really off the wagon with the healthy eating - stopped at the dairy for a bar of chocolate on the walk...eek, I really need to stop giving Whittakers all my money. It's just harder when it's so cold and miserable outside.
Tomorrow is another day, it's my usual scheduled running day. I think I'll just take it slow and run/walk 3km or so. Hope the rain doesn't ruin my plans. As long as it's not heavy rain I'll get out there I think.
I didn't get out for the recovery run I'd hoped for, as the weather was pretty awful when I woke up. Heavy rain and wind, so I wasn't going to brave that. Then I woke up a bit sore again today, just went out for a short 2km walk to stretch the legs and get some fresh air, but it wasn't very nice out - not cold, but really windy.
I'm really off the wagon with the healthy eating - stopped at the dairy for a bar of chocolate on the walk...eek, I really need to stop giving Whittakers all my money. It's just harder when it's so cold and miserable outside.
Tomorrow is another day, it's my usual scheduled running day. I think I'll just take it slow and run/walk 3km or so. Hope the rain doesn't ruin my plans. As long as it's not heavy rain I'll get out there I think.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
10km conquered
It's Queens Birthday weekend which means winter is here and it's the last public holiday/long weekend until October. I'm off to visit my mum tomorrow, so that means the usual long Sunday run was out - I'm probably just going to accompany my friend on a short walk before I head off early. She's actually just starting the c25k, so I might get a little recovery run in as well.
I'll call it a recovery run as I woke up really early this morning and decided to just get up and go for a jog. I'd notice I was getting a bit antsy, as I'd been unwell again and missed my Thursday run. I took it slow and jogged along in the dark, enjoying the quiet Saturday morning streets. I was out long enough to see the dawn break and it turn in to a lovely sunny day. It was frosty cold though - coldest morning this winter I think and I was a little underdressed - I only had a tshirt on, with my long leggings. The metservice website was saying -1C (feels like -3C) so it wasn't my imagination. I think I needed another layer on this morning - but I thought I might be out for a while and didn't want to be carrying an extra jacket if I got too warm. Next time I'll check the temperature before heading out to make sure I layer up properly - I've got all the right gear now :)
But I seem run best in cooler conditions, and I conquered 10km without too much of a problem. I've found that the struggle to keep running ends after about 40 minutes, and once I hit that, my body gives up fighting and just settles in to the run - I stop thinking about stopping and walking and just jog.
I was suprised to hit the 10km mark - and go a little over. My pace wasn't bad, I covered 10.24km in 1hr 19minutes - an average pace of 7'45"/km. I was glad to get home to a warm shower and it was a perfect morning for hot porridge and a cuppa.
I'll call it a recovery run as I woke up really early this morning and decided to just get up and go for a jog. I'd notice I was getting a bit antsy, as I'd been unwell again and missed my Thursday run. I took it slow and jogged along in the dark, enjoying the quiet Saturday morning streets. I was out long enough to see the dawn break and it turn in to a lovely sunny day. It was frosty cold though - coldest morning this winter I think and I was a little underdressed - I only had a tshirt on, with my long leggings. The metservice website was saying -1C (feels like -3C) so it wasn't my imagination. I think I needed another layer on this morning - but I thought I might be out for a while and didn't want to be carrying an extra jacket if I got too warm. Next time I'll check the temperature before heading out to make sure I layer up properly - I've got all the right gear now :)
But I seem run best in cooler conditions, and I conquered 10km without too much of a problem. I've found that the struggle to keep running ends after about 40 minutes, and once I hit that, my body gives up fighting and just settles in to the run - I stop thinking about stopping and walking and just jog.
I was suprised to hit the 10km mark - and go a little over. My pace wasn't bad, I covered 10.24km in 1hr 19minutes - an average pace of 7'45"/km. I was glad to get home to a warm shower and it was a perfect morning for hot porridge and a cuppa.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Still running
I may not be blogging very often, but I'm still running. Not very much over the past week, as I've been a bit under the weather. And it's been cold and wet here too. I had kinda been looking forward to some cold weather to break out the gear I bought in Melbourne - a pair of Asics full length running tights and a long sleeve Helly Hansen 'dry' top (got that one in a clearance sale, yay!). But the cold dark weather does make it hard to get out of bed in the morning.
I have managed one run this week before my headcold decided to make a reappearance. I was suprised at how well I ran. New PB for 5km - 35min 48s.
I've fallen off with the 100 pushups etc - stopped when I went away and haven't got started again. Hoping to next week, but this time I'm just going to pick either the pushups or situps and complete one before I start the next. Simply because it was starting to take an hour or so to do all three, and the time commitment kept putting me off.
I have managed one run this week before my headcold decided to make a reappearance. I was suprised at how well I ran. New PB for 5km - 35min 48s.
I've fallen off with the 100 pushups etc - stopped when I went away and haven't got started again. Hoping to next week, but this time I'm just going to pick either the pushups or situps and complete one before I start the next. Simply because it was starting to take an hour or so to do all three, and the time commitment kept putting me off.
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