Running with Purpose

Last night, I had the most amazing run.  I knew I needed a really long run for many reasons, and set out wanting to go further than Ann St (my previous best along the bike path).  I don't know if it was the new running gear, or that I'd had a rest day (instead of running on Saturday I had a Bollywood string quartet night...very fun!), or just that I knew I really needed it, but it felt so good on the way out.  And most of the way back, too, except for a couple of stitches and what felt like my stomach jumping up and down.  So, with Finding Nemo's Dory singing 'just keep running, just keep running' combined with my normal running music (Tico Tico) and themes from Indian quartet music (yes, it was bizarre in my head), I kept running to the Goodwill Bridge and was greeted by an overwhelming endorphin rush. 

After a much-needed shower, I checked Google maps and discovered this was a 13 km return run.  I also had a text from Trainer Dan wanting to change training times for this morning, and I told him what I'd just achieved.  His reply was along the lines of, Are you doing the Gold Coast half marathon?  I'd been thinking about it, and so he sent me a training schedule.  Turns out it's an official training schedule for this specific run.  It starts 20 weeks out, but we're already up to 14 weeks.  As I'm relatively fit, it should be ok to just jump in.  At least, I hope that's the case!

Last time I did an official run (a 10 km in Toowoomba last October), my training consisted of a few runs in the leadup... Not very effective.  So the idea of actually training for a run is a bit new to me.  Not to mention getting my brain around the idea of running that far.  But here goes!

The Gym

One of the main reasons I wanted to be less predictable this year was because of the gym.  I used to spend a lot of time on the bike. 

My brief exercise history:  In primary school, I was a champion high-jumper.  And because I was tall, I wasn't too bad at the compulsory cross-country races.  Then we moved to Queensland and I was not longer tall, so only school sport lessons happened, mostly, until I was about 20.  I started walking in the mornings, for various reasons; this graduated to running, and I didn't notice any weather until the drought ended.  Then it seemed I couldn't exercise much due to rain.  I'm not a fan of walking or running around the neighbourhood in the rain.  Eventually, a friend gave my name to the gym and I signed up. 

Gym membership came with a special personal trainer deal - as this was my first time in a gym (seriously) I thought this would be wise.  Hello, Trainer Dan.  After the first 3 sessions I decided to keep going - the 'death session', although really hard, got the endorphins running around at a great rate, and I had already noticed a fitter me.  I have a regular-ish time slot which satisfies my need for routine, but I never know what I'll be doing.  So for the first 15 months or so, Monday morning PT session and usually 3 or so gym sessions (bike, sometimes rowing also), plus at least one run in the real world, was my exercise routine. 

About a month ago Trainer Dan asked how long a 5 km run would take me.  On a treadmill.  I'd been on a treadmill only once by choice - a 2 km run that nearly made me throw up.  So I worked up to 5 km, which feels so good.  I normally run 6.5 - 9 km in the real world, but treadmill running is all about the brain for me.  My next run was so good, I decided to incorporate a treadmill run in each week. 

My first 'weekly treadmill run' was last Thursday.  I was about 40m in when Trainer Dan came over to say hello... and to tell me to change things up a bit.  "Uh yeah, I'm on a treadmill..." I replied.  "Hm.  You need to change things up more". More interval training, like 400m runs interspersed with pushups, situps, squats, kettle bell swings, that sort of thing.  So that day I did 3 rounds of 400m runs, 10 situps, 10 pushups, then a 3 km run.  Next day, I was a little later than normal and was tempted to just do a 'zone out' session - after all, I don't always see Trainer Dan that late... but thought I should be disciplined.  5 rounds of 400m runs and 20 squats, then a 2 km run, and very glad I did - in the 2nd round I hear "Heels on the ground Anna" - sprung!

The next real run was not great... my brain kept thinking, this is more than 400m.  However, this morning I had limited time so just did 5 rounds of 400m runs, 10 half pullups, 20 squats.  This evening I went for a long run which felt so good - totally in the zone, and 5 minutes faster than the last time I ran that far (about 8.5/9 km, haven't put it into a reliable map yet).  The downside of doing workouts like this though, is that I wake up and then have to think for about 15 minutes about what I'll do.  My plan now is to write down some workout ideas, then all I have to do is pick one as I get to the gym, instead of having to think it up every time.