Training Schedule

Monday 26 October - Rest

Tuesday 27 October - Easy Run: 5 miles @ 9.45

Wednesday 28 October - Cross Training

Thursday 29 October - Easy Run: 5 miles @ 9.45

Friday 30 October - Easy Run: 5 miles @ 9.45

Saturday 31 October - Rest

Sunday 1 November – Long Run 12 miles

Monday 2 November - Rest

Tuesday 3 November - Easy Run: 3 miles @ 9.45

Wednesday 4 November - Cross Training

Thursday 5 November - Speedwork: 7 miles with 3 x 1600m @ 7.38; 800 jogs rest between

Friday 6 November - Easy Run: 3 miles @ 9.45

Saturday 7 November - Rest

Sunday 8 November – Long Run 7 miles

10 things I like about …

…. the colder weather, (so far) -

1. No more runs in sauna like conditions
   
2. Endurance seems to have lengthened
   
3. Running clothes aren't drenched in sweat
   
4. Speed is something that can now be considered
   
5. No more pools of sweat on the tiles in the office or kitchen
   
6. Mosquito's are less of an issue
   
7. No need to head out the door first thing in the morning, runs can happen at any time of the day
   
8. Water doesn't need to be carried on runs 4 miles or less
   
9. Weekend long runs are pleasant with plenty of company on the tracks
   
10. Sunglasses don't fog up as much

Training Schedule

Monday 19 October - Rest

Tuesday 20 October - Easy Run: 4 miles @ 9.45

Wednesday 21 October - Cross Training

Thursday 22 October - Speedwork: 5 mile Tempo Run with 3 mi @8.15

Friday 23 October - Easy Run: 3 miles @ 9.45

Saturday 24 October - Rest

Sunday 25 October – Long Run 10 miles

Training Schedule

Monday 12 October - Rest

Tuesday 13 October - Easy Run: 4 miles @ 9.45

Wednesday 14 October - Cross Training

Thursday 15 October - Speedwork: 5 mile total with 2 x 1600 in 7.45 with 800 jogs in between

Friday 16 October - Easy Run: 3 miles @ 9.45

Saturday 17 October - Rest

Sunday 18 October - 9 miles

10 for Texas

Lucky 888!! Three fat ladies! Three naked snowmen! Kill Bill's Crazy 88's plus an 8! The funny thing is that the registration number on my car is 888 as well. My car is overdue for a service and this morning heading out into the 50F freezing cold, I felt that I too needed a quick oil change and spark plug replacement.

Race Overview: It was cold! I had hoped for cooler weather however this was a little too cold for my liking. To put this statement into perspective, I don't often celebrate winter or autumn - I am an Australian surf chick who has spent the last three years in Dubai existing comfortably while sunning my reptilian blood on the beach. The cold and the lack of sleep (youngest waking at 12.30am and 3.15am) had me wanting for coffee pre-race, but the long lines at the two female toilets convinced me otherwise.

The start point for the race was quite narrow at one car lane. My club members and I headed to the middle of the pack to keep warm and ensure that we didn't get in the way of the 6 minute milers. We crossed the line around one minute after the official start. After the initial position juggling the course cleared around the 1.5 mile mark. The first 2 miles couldn't come quick enough as I was parched and needed water desperately. Also needed to Gu as I was feeling flat and lacked energy, which is funny as the first two miles were completed in 18 mins! My legs felt numb as the muscles I swear were still frozen from being out in the cold. The pace between the 2 and 4 mile mark dropped to around 9.45 as I waited for the Gu to kick in. Hit the half way mark (5 miles) crossing the course clock at 47 mins. Started to flat line again at the 7 mile mark, however there was no water and had to wait until 8 miles for my Gu as I was not keen to Gu without it. I found that I was so thirsty throughout the race and I stopped at every aid station to drink some water.

I was meant to 'kick it' and pick up the pace at 9 miles. At 9.2 miles I had to stop and walk for a bit as I thought I was going to throw up – my legs felt fine but my head was hurting slightly and although I had just had some water at the 9 mile point I was completely parched. I came into the parking lot with less 400 metres to the finish and the crowd was out cheering everyone on and yelling for us to 'dig deep' and finish the race off strongly. I felt like hitting them. With 200 metres to go however I picked up my pace, went all out and sprinted to the end. Seriously, I have not moved that fast in 20 yrs!

Official time was 1:34:46 resulting in an average pace of 9.28. A personal best for the distance!

Thoughts: The time surpassed what I thought I was capable of which is awesome considering how tired and unwell I felt before and during the race. Going into my first real winter in years and with races and goals on the horizon, I really need to think how I can adapt and make this work. When I served in the military one of my favorite quotes was that of the infantry, whose role is "to close with the enemy, to kill or capture him … regardless of season, weather or terrain". I think I need to acclimatize to make this body an all wheel all terrain vehicle! Also, atypical race conditions, feeling unwell or not up to par isn't a reason to not compete as sometimes through adversity the most amazing things occur.

As we left the event in my triple 8 car a light came on indicating that the tyre pressure was not right and although we stopped to rectify it the light failed to dull. Post-race I think that this is a sign – my car is sending me a message that with a bit of tweaking and a minor service I'll be able to drive (run) off into the sunset stronger and faster than I have before. Here's hoping anyway!

The day before the 10 miler

Tomorrow is the 10 for Texas! A ten mile run through The Woodlands (north of Houston), Texas. I have picked up my race packet and was happy to find that my race number is 888. This number doesn't really hold any significance for me, but I just thought that it was a fun looking and sounding number.

Last week I was very excited about this race. It marks the first event that I will have participated in since I started running again five months ago. Over the past week however, I have flown to Australia for my school reunion and back. While I was abroad (and drinking a few ales with friends each night) my kids got sick with Type A flu – the eldest being treated for the H1N1. The day before the race and I am still tired from the flights and from late nights with sick children. I had hoped to get a slow five or six miler under my belt this week prior to the race but was unable to fit one in as the kids were home from school. I feel generally run down.

The race! It looks like it will be raining tomorrow morning. This is good and bad. If it is raining or about to rain it means that it will be pretty cool. If the sun is out tomorrow it means that it will be rather hot and humid. Although I don't want to run in the rain, I would much prefer running in the cooler weather! Based on how I am feeling at the moment, I am hoping to finish the race around the 1 hour 40 minute mark.