9km done and dusted!

Yesterday I was worried about achieving my goal of 9km (or rather following the 12wbt half marathon running program). But today, with a few minor setbacks, I did it!

I woke up this morning and it was pissing pouring down. Typical! The same thing happened a few weeks ago when I signed up for the 7km Sun Run- that day I stayed in bed. Today, with time on my side, I waited a couple of hours until about 1030am. Then off I went. Sometimes I am really worried about whether I will make the distance, but this morning, for whatever reason, it did not enter my mind.

I have done the track before and measured it on my GPS so I knew where the 9 km mark was. All was going well. I used a few little tricks to get my mind of the running, i.e. timing myself from one landmark to the next. I estimated that I was more than half way there, and the track suddenly ended with a sign "path under construction, due to reopen in 2014". I loved that path! Tranquil, in the bush, no cars in sight! The only thing I could do was  turn around and run back the way I had come.

At that point I had to change tack and measure my run in time rather than distance. The actual program says "60imns or 9km run", so it became a clock-watching episode. And for me there is nothing worse. Time goes so slowly when you are in pain (a little exaggeration, but I was a little slower and sorer than at the start). My podcasts were helping, I find these much better to listen to than music because it gives me a story to concentrate on, rather than to tune out which is what happens with music.

60 minutes finally came, and even though I have no idea what actual distance I ran, I achieved what I set out to achieve- to be able to complete the long run of the Week 1 half marathon program. Only 11 weeks to go!

Rx

5 days done

Its Friday of Week 1 of the 12wbt, I've followed the exercise and food plan to a near tee (one night out yesterday for Valentine’s Day). It’s been good, though I am feeling very tired.

Tomorrow I am due to do a 9km run as part of the half marathon program. I have not run that for 3 months. Two weeks ago I did a 7km run, and that is the closest I have come to my old personal best distance of 10km. I'm feeling very nervous about tomorrows run as it will indicate to me whether or not I am aiming too high to be able to do a half marathon in 12 weeks time. Not that it is the end of the world if I take an extra few weeks or so to it, but my ego says "you've done it before, you can do it again!".

Only time will tell. A good sleep, a good breakfast, a little caffeine and I'll be on my way.



Nothing like a challenge!!

12 (wbt) reasons.....

12 (wbt) reasons why I could cry right now…..



1.       I had my before photos for the Michelle Bridges 12wbt taken this morning.

2.       I felt embarrassed about the photos

3.       I am now heavier than when I was pregnant

4.       I felt ashamed about my behavior that has resulted in the image of me in the photos

5.       I kept thinking about the photos all day, and therefore,

6.       I kept being reminded of what I have not done recently (ie Enough Exercise)

7.       I know the next 12 weeks are going to hurt

8.       Knowing I deserve the next 12 weeks to hurt

9.       Knowing that I am going to have to pull out some extreme resilience to get through the next 12 weeks

But also….



10.   Knowing that in 12 weeks time I can feel very differently

11.   Knowing that it is going to take a lot more tears to feel and look differently

12.   Knowing it is up to me to change, it is my responsibility for where I am now, and it is my responsibility for where I end up.

Despite feeling like crying, I am also excited about the possibilities of what the next 3 months could bring. There is a ray of hope.

Rx

Last day of slothsville

Ok, I admit that lately I have been less physically active than I should. My main excuse has to do with a very comfortable bed that calls me for naps at all hours of the morning or afternoon, perpetuating my insomnia- its a vicious circle. That all ends tomorrow for the start of Michelle Bridges'12wbt runing program that I am doing.

My main aim was to start the half marathon training plan, which requires that ability to run 10km. I have not run 10km's for 2 months. But the first weeks long run is only 9km and at a pinch I think I will be fine. The rest of the weeks plan looks manageable. So, if I fail to do 9km, I will step back and start in the middle of the 10km run program. If that happens I'll have to reconsider my half marathon goal on 28th April- Run Noosa. My back-up plan is the SMH Half marathon on 19th May.

Tomorrow my plan is to get up early and do my run, weather permitting. Its raining at the moment. I know I will have to get used to running in all weather conditions, but its certainly not my first choice.

I'm off to bed early for a good start to tomorrow. For all those others doing the 12wbt, best wishes lets reach for the stars,

One goal at a time,

Rx