The Coach says 'just go and enjoy your runs".....................the yoga teacher says 'yoga is just playing with shapes made by your body" and then I take the pooch out for her walks and I watch her absolute pure joy at being outside and running, chasing the ball, doing nutsy runs after having a dip in muddy puddles and tagging other dogs.....................I think the universe is trying to tell me something......................so what can I learn from the pooch?
1. Positive attitude - what's the best day of the year? Christmas? Your birthday? For our pooch, every day is the BEST day...............imagine how wonderful it must feel to be a dog and wake up each morning thinking 'YAY!'
2. Walking the walk - in other words, doing what you say you will do. Dogs aren't interested in the talk, only in the action. Judge yourself by your actions - others do! Our pooch is not interested in being told that she will be taken on a walk.......... she justs wants to be on the walk!
3. Accepting what is - have you ever seen a blind dog? Or a 3 legged dog? They still love life and nothing gets in the way of having fun! Our pooch is a little heavy at the moment (she blames winter) but even so, she just gets on with being a dog.
4. Trust yourself - Pooches somehow know when there is a 'vibe' in the air and their instincts are usually pretty spot on. Listen to what your gut is telling you, sometimes that all you have when you have a big decision to make.
5. Support your friends - regardless of what mood you come home in, your pooch is always happy to see you and hang out with you. Our pooch will just listen, be a shadow and not offer advice!
So............where does this leave me? Well I am still running, trying not to beat myself up when I don't run as well as I would like to.................but mostly I am trying to just enjoy the run because at some point this year, the joy of running went doing the gurgler...............................
Sunday, 29 July 2012
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Where's Wally?
Mmmmm not sure where the heck Wally is...........................the question on my lips is....................where the heck have I been?
I have been here, just doing my running, yoga and weights sessions....................just quietly doing what I can.
Bonus result of a day trip to regional Victoria last week was a pair of wedge ankle boots that were on sale.
I have been here, just doing my running, yoga and weights sessions....................just quietly doing what I can.
Bonus result of a day trip to regional Victoria last week was a pair of wedge ankle boots that were on sale.
Thursday, 5 July 2012
Would you like some whine with your gratitude?
This morning I was once again made acutely aware of EGO!
The long run from South Melbourne into and around the river and The Tan and back to South Melbourne was shadowed by this shoulder hurting and that elbow hurting, this wrist hurting and did I mention that my quad was hurting? Oh and there were aches and tired legs and my running partner who wanted to go back to sleep. Did I mention that the most I probably contributed to the run this morning was whine after whine after whine (apparently I have whined more on other mornings...............who me? Surely you are mistaken)............................we arrived back at the car which was parked directly outside yoga, did away with the runners, grabbed a sweat towel and headed indoors to the heated studio.....................the divine yoga teacher Masha guided us through the practice and spoke about non-violence in reference to self........................mmmm this had my attention....................she explained that as our own harshest critics we often are hard on ourselves for things that we think we cannot do..........................mmmmmmmmmmmmm.........................sounds like the stories I have running 24/7 in my head about myself. She went on to say that instead of thinking about whatever aches and pains you may have, be grateful instead......there are plenty of people who don't have shoulders like me so be grateful that I have shoulders! Be grateful that I have legs that can run, be grateful that I can move and see and smell and and and and!
So I wobbled, stretched and moved my body through the class today, listened to my limbs, pushed where I could, pulled back when I needed to, grateful that I have a body that can feel.
PS Tues and Wed run sessions completed too!
The long run from South Melbourne into and around the river and The Tan and back to South Melbourne was shadowed by this shoulder hurting and that elbow hurting, this wrist hurting and did I mention that my quad was hurting? Oh and there were aches and tired legs and my running partner who wanted to go back to sleep. Did I mention that the most I probably contributed to the run this morning was whine after whine after whine (apparently I have whined more on other mornings...............who me? Surely you are mistaken)............................we arrived back at the car which was parked directly outside yoga, did away with the runners, grabbed a sweat towel and headed indoors to the heated studio.....................the divine yoga teacher Masha guided us through the practice and spoke about non-violence in reference to self........................mmmm this had my attention....................she explained that as our own harshest critics we often are hard on ourselves for things that we think we cannot do..........................mmmmmmmmmmmmm.........................sounds like the stories I have running 24/7 in my head about myself. She went on to say that instead of thinking about whatever aches and pains you may have, be grateful instead......there are plenty of people who don't have shoulders like me so be grateful that I have shoulders! Be grateful that I have legs that can run, be grateful that I can move and see and smell and and and and!
So I wobbled, stretched and moved my body through the class today, listened to my limbs, pushed where I could, pulled back when I needed to, grateful that I have a body that can feel.
PS Tues and Wed run sessions completed too!
Monday, 2 July 2012
Diet running
My running at the moment is a little like being on a diet - as in, not indulging in it very often...don't get me wrong, I am still pulling on the running gear and heading out but my motivation and inspiration is pretty low.............even on the days when it's not wet and freezing cold :( mmmmmm not great I know................perhaps my best chance to turn this around is...................................a new pair of shoes............see below :)
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Looking back
Coach Tippett thinks that my current program is some of his best work yet....................let me be the judge of that...................
Yesterday's run session in crisp pre-dawn conditions (4.30am) consisted of a warm up, 8 x 1km efforts and a cool down. I followed the run session with a challenging yoga class.................the stretch after the run is like the cherry on top of the ice-cream :)
It is almost 1 year since I started this blog.......................the sole purpose was to document my progress, thoughts and achievements after the ill fated trip to the Gold Coast to run a marathon.
What I have realised is that shoes (old, new or otherwise) have not featured anywhere enough! It is also insightful to read back over my entries and get glimpses of how I was seeing the world. But more than that, running has shown me that when things get tough, somehow, from somewhere deep inside me, I find a source of strength and determination to push through the pain and keep moving........................my training this past year is evidence of my tenacity, my resilience and my passion................................having this blog is a nice reminder :)
Yesterday's run session in crisp pre-dawn conditions (4.30am) consisted of a warm up, 8 x 1km efforts and a cool down. I followed the run session with a challenging yoga class.................the stretch after the run is like the cherry on top of the ice-cream :)
It is almost 1 year since I started this blog.......................the sole purpose was to document my progress, thoughts and achievements after the ill fated trip to the Gold Coast to run a marathon.
What I have realised is that shoes (old, new or otherwise) have not featured anywhere enough! It is also insightful to read back over my entries and get glimpses of how I was seeing the world. But more than that, running has shown me that when things get tough, somehow, from somewhere deep inside me, I find a source of strength and determination to push through the pain and keep moving........................my training this past year is evidence of my tenacity, my resilience and my passion................................having this blog is a nice reminder :)
Monday, 25 June 2012
Pedalling the Pavé
What an outrageous and crazy spectacle to signal our arrival @ Hawthorne Velodrome (after the trail run yesterday morning) for the start of Melburn Roobaix (http://fyxomatosis.com/index.php/melburn-roobaix-mainmenu)
For those unfamiliar (me included) with what has been a cycling cult classic over the past 5 years, Melburn Roobaix is a cycle rally based on the French spring classic 'Paris-Roubaix' which is one of the oldest cycle races in the world.
Like the French version the route incorporates some of Melburn's longest and bumpiest cobbled pavé sectors, dirt tracks, cycle paths and finishes at the Brunswick outdoor velodrome.
Unlike the French version there are no prizes for first, second or third. It is not a race.
There was lots of lycra. There were long socks with dubious costumes-see below. There were many pairs of skinny jeans. No matter what sect of the cycling religion you follow, there were fellow bretheren. Join in the fun whether old and new, young and old, ladies and gents, on bling bikes or beaters; fixed or free, geared or singlespeed, one wheel or two.
I was decked out in a black long sleeve thermal and wore a classic green cycling top from Paris no less, paired with two pairs of gloves-black ones bought last weekend in Hobart under fingerless gloves patterned with cowhide, black jeans, scarf and my Nutcase "I love my brain" #8 ball helmet...........and my pink Diesel sneakers................check me out..................
For a chick who doesn't ride very often at all (last time I was on a pushie was to St Kilda from home and back again about a year and a half ago), my efforts surpassed my expectations..................over 5 hours we covered about 60kms and climbed some steep hills and sections of pavé(cobblestones) .................. 2 fabulous (experienced cyclists) that joined me on this adventure are to be thanked HUGELY for helping me with the cycling etiquette that kept me safe (out of potholes, eventually away from shattered glass and on my side of the road/path)...........................I misinterpreted hand signals early on, thinking that the pointing and spirit finger movements were pointing out scenic aspects.....................BONG BONG.................after riding through broken glass that I had been signalled to avoid - I had been looking at the ground to find what was of great interest but did not realise it was in fact the glass- I clarified the meaning of the non verbal gestures. I have added a call-out to the repertoire of cyclists......................cycling etiquette 101: when approaching a crossroad, the one in the front checks for traffic and calls out one of 2 things:- clear means all good to cross, stopping means.......it's not ok to cross! I have simply added an extra dimension to the call-out.................clear if you hurry..................the girls riding with me yesterday clearly understood my call-out! The pitch at which it is stated/shrieked/squealed indicates how quickly to hurry!
For those unfamiliar (me included) with what has been a cycling cult classic over the past 5 years, Melburn Roobaix is a cycle rally based on the French spring classic 'Paris-Roubaix' which is one of the oldest cycle races in the world.
Like the French version the route incorporates some of Melburn's longest and bumpiest cobbled pavé sectors, dirt tracks, cycle paths and finishes at the Brunswick outdoor velodrome.
Unlike the French version there are no prizes for first, second or third. It is not a race.
There was lots of lycra. There were long socks with dubious costumes-see below. There were many pairs of skinny jeans. No matter what sect of the cycling religion you follow, there were fellow bretheren. Join in the fun whether old and new, young and old, ladies and gents, on bling bikes or beaters; fixed or free, geared or singlespeed, one wheel or two.
I was decked out in a black long sleeve thermal and wore a classic green cycling top from Paris no less, paired with two pairs of gloves-black ones bought last weekend in Hobart under fingerless gloves patterned with cowhide, black jeans, scarf and my Nutcase "I love my brain" #8 ball helmet...........and my pink Diesel sneakers................check me out..................
For a chick who doesn't ride very often at all (last time I was on a pushie was to St Kilda from home and back again about a year and a half ago), my efforts surpassed my expectations..................over 5 hours we covered about 60kms and climbed some steep hills and sections of pavé(cobblestones) .................. 2 fabulous (experienced cyclists) that joined me on this adventure are to be thanked HUGELY for helping me with the cycling etiquette that kept me safe (out of potholes, eventually away from shattered glass and on my side of the road/path)...........................I misinterpreted hand signals early on, thinking that the pointing and spirit finger movements were pointing out scenic aspects.....................BONG BONG.................after riding through broken glass that I had been signalled to avoid - I had been looking at the ground to find what was of great interest but did not realise it was in fact the glass- I clarified the meaning of the non verbal gestures. I have added a call-out to the repertoire of cyclists......................cycling etiquette 101: when approaching a crossroad, the one in the front checks for traffic and calls out one of 2 things:- clear means all good to cross, stopping means.......it's not ok to cross! I have simply added an extra dimension to the call-out.................clear if you hurry..................the girls riding with me yesterday clearly understood my call-out! The pitch at which it is stated/shrieked/squealed indicates how quickly to hurry!
Bitumen is boring!
Tried out my first ever trail run yeserday morning in the Salomon Trail Running Series (http://www.salomontrailseries.com.au/) .....................it was fun.....................one of the best things was how short the distance was - 5km....................to have the run started and finished in under 30 minutes is a dream! Yesterday's race was held at Kew (Studley Park)...........it was scenic, muddy, fresh and crisp, the air was filled with chattering birds (probably laughing at us all), running through fern-fringed surrounds, jumping over slippery muddy puddles, weaving through towering stands of gums and sweeping along flowing trails beside rivers and creeks. And for someone who was just out to give it a go and was enjoying the scenery along the way I managed to come 6th in my category.
Looking forward to getting dirty again :)
Looking forward to getting dirty again :)
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