The Twilight Half Marathon

Last weekend, Jeannie (who's doing the Melbourne half with me) rang, saying "There's a twilight half marathon on this Saturday by the bay do you want to run it with me?".  Of course I said yes.  However, receiving a confirmation email at lunchtime on Friday pulled it into focus for me.  I promptly started eating toast.

This was only my 2nd half marathon (officially), so for most of the time my brain was comparing the 2 experiences.  The rest of the time, it was thinking the line from Anchorman - you just...run... for an extended period of time... (approximately).  My thoughts, in no particular order:

1.  I was really glad my new running shoes had arrived on Thursday evening.

2.  Starting at 5pm was quite warm.  My face felt like a bursting tomato for the first lap.  However, after that it was just like my normal runs and I was back in my comfort zone.  On the other hand, having us run on poorly lit roads with not great surfaces was not ideal.  I spent some time dodging little potholes.  Oh, and this was flat.  Gold Coast was fairly flat - but had rises for the canal crossings.  This was treadmill flat.  No rises whatsoever.

3.  I was impressed with my brain.  For the Gold Coast run, I knew the route, I'd checked it on the map, I'd run it nearly a week before, I knew where the drink stations were and which ones I planned to use.  For this one, I asked Jeannie on the way there if it was an out-and-back loop, or a circuit we would do twice?  She wasn't sure.  When we came to the first drink station I realised I had no idea where they were going to be, either.  As it turned out, it was a circuit of just over 5km, slightly longer on laps 3 and 4, and the 10 km runners started with us too.  And I just kept running. 

4.  The kilometre markings were just weird.  I have no idea what the logic was - for example, we had 16 and 17 about 10m apart, not too far from the Start/turnaround line.  At least it gave my brain something to think about.  Then I just gave up.

5.  With a shorter circuit, run 4 times by the half-marathoners, I would have hoped for more spectator support along the route.  There wasn't much though, except for around the start area.  It was the first time it had been held there though, so maybe in the future.  That said, some of the support was not great... but the kids offering high fives were enthusiastic (I even returned one! but the sweatiness of my hand prevented me getting too enthusiastic about it).

6.  Powerade is really easy to distinguish from water, even at twilight.  This is good.  Especially if you're having those gel things (not that I do) and need to know what you're having.  I ended up having 2 waters and 2 Powerades. 

7.  I had no knee pain (haven't since July).  I did have some foot pain (want to see a specialist about that soon) in lap 2.  If any runners reading this have any tips for dealing with snot (sorry) - please let me know!  The worst though was my heart.  If I'm not careful with my protein or caffeine or water intake I notice it, and I guess I hadn't had enough water, because it showed.  The whole last lap was painful.  The almost-crying level of painful.  However, this did help me get to the end - 'the faster you run now, the sooner you get to the end and can stop moving and have lots of water'.

8.  I was 5 minutes faster than I was in July!!!  I attribute this to a few things:
(i) I stayed relaxed for the first 2 laps, consciously tried to put the pressure on a bit in lap 3, and lap 4 I just had to get to the end.
(ii) I've been doing treadmill runs because they force me to stick to a pace.  I'll do usually 5km, 900m of each at my normal comfortable running pace, then 100m at a faster sprint pace.  I wasn't sure if this was helping, but I could feel my treadmill brain kick in so I think it's paying off.
(iii) I decided to get to the drink stations faster.  Once I'd decided if I was hydrating at the next stop, as soon as I could see the tables I put on a slight sprint.
(iv) Again, the last quarter I was feeling good - which is even better when you can see other people flagging.  Especially when they're really fit-looking.  The last 200m, with heart straining, all I could focus on was getting to water as quickly as possible.  And the commentator called "really strong finish here from Anna"  - yay!  And then I saw the clock.  Crossed the line grinning, nearly knocked over the photographer, then very nearly cried.
(v) Running with a friend.  We didn't actually run together, Jeannie was ahead of me for the first 3 1/2 laps, but our waves at the turnaround points were such a mood boost.

9.  Compared to the Gold Coast run, I felt far less mentally or physically prepared.  Although I wanted to run the whole thing (except for the walk for hydration coordination purposes) I knew this was not necessarily going to happen.  I've done only a couple of long-ish runs lately, and all have been quite slow even when they've felt good.  My expected run time was 2:20 - 2:30.  When I first saw the clock I thought it read 2:17, so a moment later (yes, I blinked) when I saw it actually read 2:13, I was stoked.

10.  Lots of water, an apple, and freebies later, we had a super warm-down walk.  For about 45 minutes.  Neither of us could remember which street we were parked on, and they all looked pretty much the same.  We did discuss the next runs we want to do though. 

11.  One of the top 10 showers of my life.  Possibly top 3.  I say that because I can only think of 1 other that was in the same category (Singapore airport), but I don't want to close my mind too much.  Trust me, this one was so wonderfully welcome.

12.  Post-run food.  We went to the nearest Mad Mex (it was about 9:30 by now).  I don't think I've ever eaten a whole meal from there and not been stuffed.  Once I got home I had a whole bottle of 'Outback Spirit Rejuvenating Water' and a bit of chocolate, too.  I feel I should have had eggs today.

Outfit #75 - So Close

Outfit details:

Skirt: Sinerji (swap).  Top: Ambra.  Earrings: made by me.  Shoes: Target.

So close to holidays!!!  I just have one student at home tomorrow...and a Saturday morning full of them... and then I'm done!  I can't wait.

I also realise that this is an outfit very similar to at least one previous outfit.  After last night's run though (an old running top, sore arm skin), I wanted comfort.  This outfit has it in spades.  Plus, my little grade 2 said "ooh, I do love your shoes".  It was a pretty wonderful day - which included coming home to find my new running shoes waiting at the front door.  I can't wait to run in them!

Today's photo:

Not exciting or artistic.  But I'd run out of yoghurt, so this morning's breakfast was a smoothie and a coffee.  And later, a piece of toast.  I seem to be developing an addiction to toast.  Which makes me feel like Thursday Next.

Ordering Running Shoes Online

A few months ago, I was in need of new running shoes.  Having bought the same pair 4 times in a row, I thought buying online might save me a few dollars.  I had some recommendations from people in the know, and had a look.  This was going great until I realised I had no idea of size conversions.  Strangely, the internet did not provide me with all the answers.  So I didn't buy any, and shortly after the need was dire.  I bought in-store.  A different sort, incidentally.

I'm approaching the new running shoes time again.  Probably next week it will be dire, so today I ordered my first pair of running shoes online.  This time, I was prepared.  The box in which the last pair came also listed what size they were in other systems.  Phew.  The only name I could remember for ordering was wiggle so that's where I went.  And discovered they have free delivery for orders placed this month.  Score!  They should be here by the middle of next week - I can't wait.  Oh, and price - it's so much cheaper.  Like, $90 cheaper.  The rate at which I go through running shoes, this will add up considerably.

Today's photo:

The new Kangaroo Paws are beautiful.  The fuzziness catches the sunlight beautifully.  This is the first of, most likely, many more photos to come.

In Retrospect - Second Quarter

It's that time of year.  3 months since my last retrospective, so here's how I feel I've changed since then.

Food:  Something you wouldn't know - unless you've been spying on me in a serious way - is that my school lunches have changed.  For quite some time (more than a year, that is), my school lunches were really predictable.  This term, I've started taking non-salads occasionally.  Especially welcome in colder weather to have a hot lunch!  A great food behaviour change has been the introduction of No Cook Weeks.  These are the greatest.  I have fresh organic fruit and veges delivered every fortnight, and the week following will be a Cook Week, the week after a No Cook Week.  I still have quite a stash of frozen meals in the freezer, plus it's holidays right now and I'm cooking quite a lot, so this wonderful destress habit can continue for a while.  Knowing that I don't have to do anything except thaw and heat is such a calming feeling.  Obviously, I love cooking, but I love not needing to cook as well.  An added benefit is I am more likely to cook the fresh produce before it's past its best instead of needing to ditch it.  The other food behaviour change is another not many would have noticed - I no longer buy peanut butter.  I gave it up for Lent, then went a bit crazy with it after Easter.  Peanut butter is no longer my friend.  I had decided I couldn't trust myself with it, when a quote came up on Facebook - if you can't eat it responsibly, don't keep it in your house.  Good advice.

Clothes:  The 'search keywords' that lead people to this blog are usually fairly ordinary (recipes, movies, that sort of thing).  By far the most searched item though is stockings.  This has been a bit of a surprise... and a little unnerving...  Nevertheless, I am far more adventurous with my stockings now, and they definitely initiate comments and conversations.

Organisation:  I have a slightly more organised house.  Not by much, but every little bit helps, right?

Photography:  I'm loving the Daily Photo.  Partly, it's feeling like I have an excuse to take those photos I'd normally walk past because I'm a local.  But I'm also enjoying getting up close and personal with my environment again, and seeing my world through the lens again.  And seeing the colours in the northwest of the state - so different from Brisbane! - made for an even more interesting trip to Mt Isa and Townsville.

Running:  This feels like the big one.  Running is a brain thing for me, and to train for the half marathon involved not just running but brain training as well.  Taking different routes and doing different gym workouts, as well as different running shoes and tweaking little things about my running practice - these all helped the Gold Coast Half Marathon to be a successful and positive experience for me.  Having run many, many kilometres in these shoes now, one big bonus about them is the grip.  To get anywhere, I need to run down a fairly steep hill, which is often (usually) covered in leaves.  When it's been raining, this makes for a slippery descent.  Similarly, the downhill slopes on the bike path can be a bit on the slippery side after (or during) rain.  I can feel these shoes really gripping though, and I no longer worry I'm going to slip.

Coffee and Movies:  Looking at the list of blog posts for the last 3 months, I see a lot of coffee places listed...  Now when I have a catch up with someone, we purposely find somewhere I haven't been before, so it can get to the blog.  I also see on the list many movies I wouldn't normally have watched.  I like that people will ask if I've seen something, then if I haven't they loan it to me.  This is not just broadening my movie experience, but I am flattered that people want to know what I think!

The Term 2 Goals:  Well.  The facial expressions were a bit of a disaster after the first week or so - it was so hard!  I am very pleased to report, though, that I was successful in putting away teaching materials after each day.  I think I can say now that the practice has now become a habit.  Woohoo!

Tuesday's Daily Photo:

Gin cocktails - experimental, of course!  Needs something like lemonade or tonic water.  But, the shelves looked far more interesting through the glass.

The Running Shoes

It became apparent recently that I needed new running shoes.  I'm not sure this has ever become apparent to me before - I'm one of those conscientious people who know that every 500km or so you should replace your running shoes, so I replace my running shoes every 500km or so.  This is the first time my shoes have really told me it's time to move on.  The most recent pair have been Brooks, but the 3 before that were all Asics, the same model and size.  I thought I might branch out and order a pair online.  After a rather painful end to Sunday's run, on Monday I went online.  I thought I was all set, when I realised the online store dealt in UK sizes whereas my shoe displayed the US size.  Hm.  I knew the shoebox would most likely include the relevant sizes, but did I still have it?  Probably not...

Monday night was a short (10km) painful run.  Tuesday I tried my last pair of shoes, hoping I hadn't worn through them, and it was the most painful 13km of my life (so far).  I couldn't even run the last 2 km, tried to run for a 100m here and there but it just wasn't happening.  Today, I went to a real store.

A few people had recommended I try the Nike Airs.  That sounds simple, but there are many different varieties.  I tried on 3 pairs - one actually hurt the inside of my ankle, but the other 2 were both contenders.  As I do mostly road running for long distances, the salesman really strongly recommended the option with more cushioning.  It was closer in feel to the Asics too.  And they have the option of the running chip, so I can track my distance/speed/calories - as seen on my favourite crime shows (you never know when it will come in handy).  More to the point, check out the colour scheme!  The fluoro pink will surely make me run faster, and the trademark tick is in my favourite colour.  I can't wait to run tomorrow!