Again two weeks since I’ve updated my blog, and in that time
there has been a bit of charity eventing happening (as well as the usual
training).
Training – I’ve been a bit lazy, work’s been a bit full on
and the training dairy had a “recovery week no fast running”, if only they
knew, with me there is no such thing as “fast running”. I did take the recovery
week a little literal and did a 6km run on the Wednesday in preparation for the
UltraSpirit charity event I was running on the Saturday. Should probably have
done another 5/6km effort in there somewhere, couldn’t get my mojo (nor the
time) to do it.
Saturday – eleven of us turned up to run for Kate Sanderson
and Turia Pitt who were badly burnt by a bushfire when competing in an ultra
marathon event in the Kimberleys in the far north of Western Australia. Our
fund raising was matched by our employer (up to $1,000) and as we managed to get
generous support from numerous kind people we raised $1,110 – with the $
matching we managed to raise $2,110 to assist Kate and Turia with living
expenses and ongoing medical costs.
The event was two laps of the famous Melbourne Tan making it
a 7.6km event and two runs up Anderson Street (a large hill). I wasn’t feeling
that well on the day, but seeing I was running for other people and to raise
funds for them, I took part and ran most of the journey (except a couple of
walks up Anderson Street) and a much needed toilet break about 2.5kms in.
Strange how these events require you to hydrate all the day before and on the
morning of the event and you only really need a toilet about 10 minutes before
the start!!! Official finishing time for me was 49.21 (lap 1 in 24.37 and lap 2
in 24.44 – although the timer says lap 2 in 24.22 the total time doesn’t add
up!!!) My previous best time for a lap of the Tan was 27:23.1 so a huge
improvement since February. Thanks to all the supporters who donated money to
us and a huge thanks to the other 10 work colleagues who took part, great
effort by all.
The next day was “long run” day – so I pumped out a steady
15 kms. Nothing too dramatic to report, except the blister on the BOTTOM of my
little toe the size of a golf ball. How on earth can you get a blister that is
bigger than your toe??? Experts told me I had to either change sock brands, get
some new ones, or change my runners. Now given I’d only recently spent $200 on
a new pair of runners, expertly fitted by a podiatrist there was no way I was
blaming the footwear. It was the socks. A visit to the local running store and
$30 later (yep $30 for 1 pair of socks), I was now Steve Austen “Six Million
Dollar Man”. I’d need to be to keep paying for all this stuff.
Tuesday – hill run – spoken about them before, 10 times running
up a hill, 10 times walking down a hill. Nothing more to add, except it has
been a week for gale force winds in Melbourne, they hurt.
Saturday – another ParkRun and I was feeling okay, I was
certain today was the day I would break that 30 minute barrier for the 5 kilometres.
Two clicks in and the iPhone was telling me I had 16 seconds up my sleeve, 3
clicks and I had 10 seconds, one kilometre to go and it was touch and go (that
bloody wind!!!!), finish line I was 16 seconds slower than my previous personal
best and 26 seconds off breaking the 30 minute mark – grrrrr, poor Julie with
the stop watch – I was grumpy.
Sunday – new socks got a long run into them, plan was for 18
kilometres and if I was feeling good I’d push out 20. About 4 or so in and I
was feeling okay, about 15 in I was done, I kept going to 16.8 and decided the
left ankle hurt, the right thigh hurt, my ribs hurt, my shoulders hurt and my
mental strength was still going strong but my body was telling me no more.
Looks like it is next week for the 20 kilometre run.
I won’t be updating this for another couple of weeks as I’m
off for a break so if you’re inspired, keep running, if you’re not, start
running. If you’re looking for a charity to support, search the web and find
one. On 10 October I will most likely participate in "Zip It" where you are silent for 24 hours on World Mental Health Day to help turn up the volume on mental health issues and raise funds for Black Dog Institute, headspace, Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Australia. How about you join me?
