My Life in Mono...

Chafing the Dream

Perth Marathon happened over the weekend and though I played a very small running part, as I was in a relay team and could only do the 5km leg, I had so much fun being in the cheer squad. 

I had so much fun cheering for other people that 3 hours pass by just from me screaming and ringing the cow bells.  I have to give credit to my friends Michelle, Ben and Didi for making the signs.  They did an awesome job don't you think? Every time someone read the "Chafing the Dream" sign, they smile and laughed.  I think some of them said that they were indeed chafing the dream.  Eeek! 

After cheering near the Narrows bridge, we made our way down to the finish line to cheer for the few that went over the 5 hours mark.  I had marathon envy by the end of the race.  I stayed back to have a chat with a couple of the newly crowned marathoners and I am so inspired by them all.  It is in my bucket list to finish one and I am hoping that I will find the time to start training for one. One day, one day I will tick that off my bucket list. 

 

Bunbury 3 Waters: Half Marathon #2

I did my second half marathon last Sunday.  I am still sore from the run but that is expected as I did not train enough for this event.  You would think I would be more prepared with this one seeing that it's my second Half. Nope. I registered myself in December knowing that I will have enough time to train for the race but nope.  The longest run I did before this race was a 15km run in January. 

Last year, I dragged my family down to Bunbury so I can run my first 10km run. It was so much fun that this year, I decided to go back and run it again.  This time, the Half Marathon.  The course is so beautiful and the atmosphere is magical.  I say this because I know almost everyone running the event.  Most of them my parkrun family.  Weather wise this year was more favourable.  Cooler with spots of rain.  My ideal conditions to run. 

This race was a hard one for me mentally.  Physically, I know I can do the distance but mentally I was defeated.  I was not in a good mind space.   My plan was to finish it in 3.30 hours.  I calculated that since I have not trained for this race and I did my first Half in 3 hours and a bit, I could do it in 3.30 hours. Easy.  

The first 10kms went by quickly.  I had to stop twice to use the toilet.  TWICE! I need to find a way to empty my bowels pre race next time.  I was meant to run with my running buddy Nat but due to the lack of training and the need to go to the toilet, she was far ahead of me.  That was fine as I was prepared for her to run ahead.  I put on my headphones and my favourite podcasts on and I was all good.  

As I looped back to the starting line, I can hear cowbells and girls screaming my name cheering me on. Bless Didi's and Nat's heart.  Their cheers lifted my spirit and it felt like I could definitely do this. As I headed on to the second leg of the course, it started to rain just a little bit. I have never ran this part of the course before and it seemed like it went on FOREVER! By the 15km mark, I was ready to throw in the towel and call it quits.  I was in tears as I was telling myself that I couldn't possibly go on anymore.  As I was walking, a friendly guy came up behind me and ask if I was ok and kindly offered to pace me.  I told him that I am on my turtle pace and I was ready to give up and he told me not to stop as it is harder to stop and start again. Instead he kept telling me to walk to the next spot then the next spot and so on.  Funnily enough, that is what I usually tell myself when I train. 

After a kilometre or two, he wished me luck and went on but said that he will check up on me on the loop back. He did.  He also told me "less than a parkrun left, you can do it!" and I did. I changed my playlist As I came around the corner from the lighthouse, I picked up my pace and started running as fast as my legs could carry me.  My feet were so sore from the blisters that I was trying not to think about it as I was running.  

I have never been so happy to hear my name  being called as I was running down the finishing chute. I was even happier to see all my parkrun buddies, my Rogue Runners,  my husband and my daughter all greeting and cheering for me at the end! I am so sorry if I gave any of my friends sweaty hugs, I can't even remember how my finishing medal got around my neck.  I did however remember to stop my Garmin watch. 

My official time was 3 hours 54 minutes and the last runner to cross the line.  I think they should give some sort of prize money to the one that always finishes the race last.  This is the second time I finished last in a race. HAHA... Well someone has to finish last right?  I was surprised that I didn't cry  at the end though. I thought I would as this was by far the hardest run, mentally, that I have ever done.  Next time, I will be prepared for a race.

I did have my sights on running my first marathon race, but I know, I am not entirely prepared for it yet so I am planning to run another half marathon in June.  This time, I will be sure to mentally prepare myself as well.  

 

Running: Gone Rogue

About a month ago, I declared myself Rogue. I have embraced running and decided to put my running shoes towards something good, so I joined a running group that is raising funds for charity. 

Every financial year, the Rogue Runners Club Australia nominates a charity and aim to raise $10,000 and awareness through running. This year we are running for Battens Disease.

What is Battens Disease?

Batten disease (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses) is an inherited disorder of the nervous system that usually manifests itself in childhood.

Early symptoms of Batten disease (or NCL) usually appear in childhood when parents or doctors may notice a child begin to develop vision problems or seizures.  In some cases the early signs are subtle, taking the form of personality and behaviour changes, slow learning, clumsiness or stumbling.

Over time, affected children suffer mental impairment, worsening seizures, and progressive loss of sight and motor skills.  Children become totally disabled and eventually die.

Batten disease is not contagious nor, at this time, preventable. To date it has always been fatal.

source:  Battens Disease Support and Research Association

I will be posting more about my training and running adventure now and at the end of each post, I will have a link at the bottom so you can donate what you can to our cause.  It is such a good cause to run for and please give generously.  Thank you.

Donate to the Rogues HERE.

Learning: Women's Running Seminar

It's a known fact by now that my goal is to run a half marathon this year.  Yep, all 21km of it. Instead of shitting my pants and be all nervous about it, I thought I'd better educate myself a little with technique, nutrition and strengthening, so off I went to the Women's Running Seminar held by the WA Marathon Club. I think it may be the best $5 I have spent ever.

I was interested to hear what Lauren Shelley and Alison Lowe had to say.  Lauren Shelley, is the Commonwealth Games representative and 2012 Australian Marathon Champion and Alison Lowe is a well known sports physiotherapist.  Lauren shared her thoughts and tips about training program.  She said if you are a beginner, should aim to try and run 3 times a week and make one of those run a long run.  Long run doesn't have to mean mileage, it can also mean just going out on a slow run for a period of time.  " Seems doable", I thought. Brilliant.  She was inspiring and humble.  It felt good to be in the same room with her.

Alison Lowe's talk was the best.  She brought a friend who is an expert in incontinence and the importance of having good pelvic floor muscles. We all had a great big laugh when she showed us some examples of the exercise we have to do.  Alison's spoke about why runners often get injuries, why is it important to do active stretches and static stretches.  The main point of her talk, Strength.  Building strength in your body so it would be able to cope with running long distances and that will ultimately prevent injuries from occurring.  

Pretty interesting right? If there is a running seminar held some place near you, attend it. Learn from people who have been there and have done it for a long time.  

Why: I love running

Last Sunday,  I woke up earlier than usual, got dressed, had a little bit of breakfast and off I went to the Burswood foreshore.  There, I was greeted with "good mornings" and "are you ready for your run?".  Everyone there was there for a reason, either to run or to provide support and cheers for the runners.  It was the morning of the Perth Marathon. You can smell the exitement in the air.  I was there to run my leg of my relay team (6km) and also to cheer on my friends who were running the full marathon.

I was there in time just as they were about to start the race, I saw a few familiar faces and yelled out encouragements.  The count down and the bang of the start gun and they were off! I was so excited that I nearly pee my pants and I am not the one running the race even. 

As the time progressed, I stood at my spot, while waiting for one of the runner in my team (he ran the half marathon leg) and cheered people along.  I didn't know who they were but I offered encouragement and told them they were doing an amzing job.  Everyone running the marathon had their game face on or were in the "Zone".  I get it.  Running a marathon is 80% mind games.

This is why I love the running community and the core of why I love running.  Everyone is just so encouraging, so supportive and very helpful.  I made a lot of new friends and came out of my comfort zone this past year because of these wonderful people.  I am even planning to run my first Marathon in 2015 because of the support that I have from these amazing people around me.  I don't think that I have had so much positiveness in my life. It is bloody amazing.

So, here I am now, thinking of my next move. My training plan to run a half marathon in October and a marathon next year.  I am so scared that I could vomit, but I know what my running buddies would say,  "Suck it up and just go out and enjoy your run, you can do this"!  And you know what?  I will!

 

 

Run faster

That right there is my official parkrun Personal Best time.  I run 5km in 37 minutes and 49 seconds.

Some people might think that is fast, some people might think that is slow (because they can run it in less than 20 minutes) and to me, it is a time that I need to improve.  I know I can go much faster than that and I need to get it down to at least 35 minutes.

That is what I tried to do last Saturday. To run 5km under 35 minutes.  Did I do it?  Unfortunately, NO.  I felt deflated when I got my email results. All that effort and I was off by 2 minutes. Thankfully, the running community that I am in is so supportive.  I instantly got messages from my running buddies to never give up and try again the next week, and just like that I was determined again to try again. I will keep trying until one day, I will beat my own personal best. :)

I am not competitive at all, and I think that is why all my life, I have been pretty happy with what I have. I think that has to change.  I need to compete with myself from time to time because I know I can do better. 

So, I am putting it out there that by the end of this year, my goal is to reduce my personal best by 2 minutes. Wish me luck.

 

Triathlon Training

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Yes. You read that right. Triathlon Training. Only a mini one but a first for me. To be honest, I am scared. Very scared. I know it's just short distance but I am still a little bit nervous about it. I have gone from someone who has never ran before to someone doing a Swim, Bike and Run? That is crazy. 

I have started training for the Tri. I started the day after I signed up. I love the swimming and bike riding part but the one that scares me the most is the running bit. It's just 3k, but I am not sure what I would feel after the swim and bike section of it. Not to mention that there is another hidden element to it. The TRANSITION period but for now, I am just thinking about improving my stamina in each stage. 

I train 5 times a week and rest 2 days in between. Most days I run, because I am trying to improve it a lot, I also swim twice a week and on Sunday's I ride my bike. An example of my training calendar. I have this on my iPhone with reminders so I know I will never forget. 

Still early days, I might up my training closer to the date. So far I have to say, I am pretty dedicated to my training (it has been 2 weeks). I feel like my swimming improved a lot thanks to my sister, who is a swimmer. I feel like I can do laps and laps at the pool (she made me do sprints in the pool the other day, who knew you could do that!). 

So, hopefully in 2 weeks, I will have more to report on. I plan to improve my running and try to aim 5km under 35 minutes. I know I have done this once and since then, I have never been able to hit that target. Finger's cross, I will by next month. 

Any tips for a beginner?