My Ride

My bike ride this morning was awesome.  According to my training plan I was aiming for 30kms.  I met Megan in the city I got there early so I could have a bit of a rest before she got there. I took my time and just enjoyed the ride.  I rode 11 kms to get there, but it didn’t take as long as I expected. So I laid my bike down and sat myself on the grass to wait.

When Megan got there we had a chat so she could have a rest then got on the bikes and headed off for a nice comfortable ride. We did a loop through the parklands around the city. It was a gorgeous morning and just took our time, gasbagging the whole way around. Imagine our surprise when we got back to the start point to stop for a coffee and we had done over 15kms! We were aiming for 10. :)

We stopped for a drink and food (at least I got food) and gasbagged some more – we are good at that – before heading off in different directions home. I went home via the library so by the time I got home I had done…. 40.61kms!!!!!!

YAY ME!

50kms is not that far off. I will revise my training plan and knock at least a week off of it now I think, but it is at work so I will do it Monday.

100 Days of Gratitude – Day 54

Today I am grateful for the kindness of strangers. While I was waiting for Megan this morning a cyclist that rode past me while I was sitting on the grass actually turned around and doubled back to ask me if I was okay and needed any help with my bike. Very sweet I thought. :)

xox

Cycling

I am trying again - time to hit that 50km mark! I have done it before and i can do it again. Let me know what you think. :)

xox

Cycling

You know what I realised - I have not been on Bluebell in about a month.  I do believe this is the longest I have gone without riding since I seriously got into it over 2 years ago...  It feels strange.

But tomorrow I am allowed back on the bike. YIPPEEEE!!!!

I have been giving a lot of thought to my fitness while I am not allowed to hike or run, and of course, I am lead back to the bike.  Old faithful.  The thing I started on and the thing I keep coming back to.

My fitness is not great.  I can no longer just pop out and do a 50km ride.  And I miss that.  So what to do.  Well, get that back is what to do! There is just under 8 weeks till the end of the year.  Can I do this?

OF COURSE I CAN!

If I stick with this by January 2 I will have my 50kms back.  I am building up slow, just adding 10-20% to my long ride each week.  My commute to work is nothing, I can still do that half asleep (and often do).  I am sure I will be able to crank out 20kms this weekend (I hope so anyway).  And from there is is just hop, skip and a jump to 50. :o)  That's my theory anyway.  Would love to know what you think of the plan.  And I will keep you updated - remind me if I forget.

xox

A Couple of Days Rest

So I saw my chiropractor last night.  He is not 100% convinced the pain in my ankle is related to my back being out of whack.  I have had ankle and knee issues related directly to my back in the past - as a matter of fact, that is how my scoliosis was originally diagnosed - I kept twisting and spraining my right ankle, even without tripping or falling.

When they couldn't find a cause for the ankle problems Mum talked to her Chiropractor (a very 'out there' concept over 25 years ago) who suggested I come in for testing.  Turned out the reason my ankle was always swollen and sore was that my right hip was significantly lower than my left hip putting too much pressure on my ankle.  Turns out when I was hit by the car when I was 5, although no bones were broken, my hips were thrown so badly out of whack that scoliosis ended up forming.

Anyway, Mark adjusted and manipulated and as I always I felt 100 times better right away.  But he said there is some localised swelling around the Achilles that may not be a result of pressure from the back being out.  He has recommended a couple of days of anti-inflamatories and rest.  If it is still swollen and sore I may need to visit a Physio.

So days 2 & 3 of Heyson training have been abandoned.  And with no bike I can't even ride (although Ross is taking her back to the bike shop today to get looked at again).  Hopefully the ankle pain settles down enough in the next day or so that I can fully jump into Training.

Speaking of Training, Trace pointed out that I have not allowed for any rest days in this Training Plan.  So I will be revising it a bit and will post the new plan shortly.

xox

Heyson Training Starts Tomorrow

Hexagons Hexagons, everywhere Hexagons

I spent most of yesterday cutting out fabric hexagons.  I am not exactly sure how many I have cut out, it would be somewhere in the vicinity of a 200 though.  At least.  :o)  I am going to make a Grandmas Flower Garden Quilt, which is basically lots and lots of hexagons sewn together and arranged to look like a flower garden.  This is a small example of what it will be like (not my work or photo).

Mine is going to have a pale green background though, and will be much much much bigger.  :o)  I am doing it by hand so I expect it to take several years to complete.

The lovely Em came over yesterday afternoon and between chatting and making home made pizza (the leftover of which I will be consuming tonight) we watched Food Inc.  It seriously had as much impact the second time around.  After Em left I picked up 'Fast Food Nation' and started reading.

It also occurred to me this weekend that we leave for Heyson in 5 weeks and I am no where near ready for it.  So I am looking around for a nearby gym that I can get a 1 month membership at so I can cram my training in - much like I used to do when studying for exams!  Luckily we have pretty much everything we need to go with.  I just need to get that fitness level right back up.  I'll keep you posted on the training.

xox

Races Picked

Since the MDC is only a week and a half away, I decided to look forward and see what other runs I can work towards this year.  I came up with 4 runs in total, 2 of which I had already planned on doing.  They are:

Sunday May 9
Mothers Day Classic - 4.5kms

Sunday July 18
Hills to Henley - 6kms


Sunday September 19
City-Bay - 12 kms

Sunday November 14
Glenelg Classic - 10 kms

In the middle of this, in October, we are doing a 5 day hike along the Heyson Trail. 

The reason for planning these is that I know I need something to work towards or else I just kinda lose focus.  Also, this means that by the end of this year I will have done 2 x 10km+ distances which is 1/4 of a marathon length.  Next year I will do a half marathon, although I haven't picked which one yet.

My basic plan is that once the MDC is over I keep working on my distances until I can run a whole 5kms.  After that I will work on speed for a while and I am going to start incorporating some sprint work into my runs for this.  Add in some longer bike rides and some hill hiking and I think my legs should get stronger fast enough that I can handle these distances.  For the City-Bay (12km) I don't mind if I run/walk, but for the Glenelg Classic (10km) I would like to run the whole way.

I can't believe how much I am getting in to the whole running thing.  I picked up some running magazines and I have devoured them.  Which is kinda weird coz as much as I love cycling, I hate cycling magazines.  I find them boring and tedious.
 
Tonight I am changing my weeknight run.  I normally run from work then ride home.  Today I am riding home then running.  Ross is coming with me and we are going to do a 5km circuit we have mapped out from home.  Since I will already by warm from the ride I will start running from home rather than walking first.  I am not aiming for a PB today, I will be happy with 2 x 15 minute runs and I will go harder on the weekend run.
 
Till later!
 
xox

Animals, Cooking, Good Friends, Running and Cupcakes

We have had a great weekend.  It started Friday night when we went into the city and had some dinner and a wander.  Yesterday morning we caught the tram to Gaganis to stock up on a few things, then got back on the tram to go to Coles.  We stopped for lunch at Glenelg Pizza Bar and split a yummy vego pizza.

When we got home we played with the animals for a while.

Last night the lovely Em came for dinner.  I haven't cooked anything new for ages and have been hanging to try something new.  I searched online and found some great recipes.  We started with Lemon & Broccoli Risotto.

Followed by a delicious Caramel muffin served with Chocolate Risotto.

They were so yummy and everyone seemed to enjoy them. 

This morning I went for a run with Ross.
Previous PB - 8 + 9 = 19
New PB - 12 + 15 = 27

Yep - you read that right - 27 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We did 4.5kms in 48 minutes, and in total I ran approx 2.7 kms.  I am still really slow, but I am really enjoying it.  Once I get started I get into a rythym (albeit a slow one) and then I really have fun. 

One thing I have noticed though, is that I run better if I only run twice a week.  Three times a week and I seem to get a bit niggly with my feet and knees, but twice a week and I improve every time I run.  So from now on I'll aim for Wednesdays and once on the weekends.

This afternoon I made cupcakes.  I have always loved those fancy decorated cupcakes.  There are heaps of books and kits on them these days, but I didn't go out and buy any.  I just decided to get a recipe, some decorations, and have a bash at them.  Some turned out pretty crappy, but a few looked okay.  No matter what they looked like, they taste devine!

Tonight we are having leftover risotto, then I'm going to kick back and watch the Biggest Loser finale.  Like I said - a great weekend.

xox

A New Week

Today is the start of a new week.  Weigh in this morning went well.  A lot better than expected actually considering the food I ate on the weekend.  It may catch up with me this week, but I can deal with that.  No run on the weekend.  I had my class on Saturday and Sunday was raining all day.

Speaking of the rain, it was so beautiful.  I should have gone out in it.  It has been so long since we have had a whole day of continuous rain.  We had all the windows open so we could smell it. 

I did 2 Reiki healings yesterday.  Just a quick head and shoulders on Mum then a full body on Ross.  I need a proper table though as I did Ross laying on the bed and it was uncomfortable for me to do it.  I only did half an hour rather than 45-50 minutes as my back, arms and legs were hurting.  I felt completely energised after though and am really looking forward to expanding my knowledge and understanding.

This week is devoted to packing.  We are moving over Easter.  I am a bit nervous about moving in with other people, but this is the right thing for us to do right now.

Daily Goals

1)  Drink Water

2)  Ride home

3)  Pack clothes

4)  Do some reading

5)  Laugh

xox

A bit of this and a bit of that

'Tis nearly the end of another week.  Another busy week.  I sat down and worked out when I will get my next break without having to pack or move or train or have family commitments, and we are looking at the end of April.  As much as I hate to wish my life away - bring on the end of April!  LOL

Last nights run was good.  The Training Plan had me doing a 6 minute run followed by a 5.  I did 6 and 6 and was really pleased.  I went with Ross last night.  It is the first time we have run together for a couple of months.  Although I had told him how long I was running for, when he ran it with me (without huffing and puffing much to my dismay) he was actually shocked at how long I can huff and puff for.  :o)  Now that the Clipsal Track is mostly dis-assembled we were able to go back to our favourite running place.  I will be very sad to not be living right next to this park anymore after Easter.  But it is only a 10km ride or a tram trip away if we want to use it.

Tomorrow is my first Reiki class and I am very excited, although a little nervous.  I am always nervous before starting something new though so that is normal.  I will ride there as I think the ride will calm me down.

Tonight I am going out to dinner with my MIL for her belated birthday dinner (her actual birthday was last weekend when I was at Training).  She has chosen the restaurant and we are going to Montezuma's.  I have looked on their website and there are lots of vegetarian options.  My goal for tonight is to not order dessert.  I want to be able to go out and eat normally without blowing a whole week in one night, and I believe the key is dessert.  I am usually full by then anyway, so I am not even going to look at the dessert menu.  A bite of Ross's will be enough.  I'll let you know how I go with that.

I thought I would give you all a caffeine update as well.  I am now at the point where most days I have caffeine only before lunchtime.  After lunch, water or other bubbles.  I was a bit headachey at first, and I expected that, but otherwise I feel good.  I find I am not as hungry as I was (although that could also be related to my body getting used to reduced food now I am calorie counting again) and I am actually sleeping really well.  Most days it is still Diet Coke or Pepsi Max, but I figure one bottle is better than the 4 or 5 I was having.  Some days it is tea though which is a good change.  Can I just say, the soda stream have been a godsend with this.  Mineral water is my friend.  :o)

Before I go, anyone who hasn't read Mel's account of her first half Ironman event in Singapore, you MUST go here to read it.  This woman is absolutely amazing and my absolute hero and inspiration.

Daily Goals
1)  Drink my water
2)  Eat healthy
3)  Ride to Di's tonight (don't be slack and get a lift)
4)  No dessert
5)  Tidy one drawer at work

xox

Training Plan for Mothers Day Classic

What do you think?  Achievable?

xox

Updates and Decisions

Firstly I would like to say thank you for the care and support the blogging world has offered me.  I am honoured that people who do not even know me have offered their love and support while we deal with our current situation.

I spent today at the Women's & Childrens Hospital, am home tonight, and am back tomorrow to have the D&C procedure done.  I am extremely nervous, however my MIL used to work in the day surgery area, and has let her old collegues know that a VIP (Very Important Patient) is coming in tomorrow and needs extra special treatment.  At least I know I will be taken care of. 

On to other decisions, I have decided to forgo the Weight Watchers and invest that money into a gym membership.  While I like the info I am getting from Weight Watchers, the points are a pain in the butt.  I have to convert all of my recipes to points, and I am back to looking everything up.  I know my calories and am comfortable with them.  I just haven't been doing it.  So I can spend $17.50 per week on a weigh in and 20 minute chat, or spend $13 per week on a gym membership that I can use every day if I want.  I aim to use it just twice a week, and continue with my outdoor training.  It means the weather can no longer be a hindrance to my training.

So that is it for me.  I will be back in a few days when I have recovered.

xox

Quick Update (Actually, not so quick, but an update all the same)

Well, yesterdays retail therapy continued into the evening.  :o)  Ross & I went into the city and bought a new tent.  Now, considering we actually already have 3, this would probably seem a little over the top...  However this is one for hiking.  The 2 man tent weighs only 2kg.  It cost us $109 from Aussie Disposals.  There was on for $49, however the cheaper one weighed 3kg.  On the surface this probably doesn't seem like a lot, but when you have 15-20 kgs on your back the extra kilo makes a huge difference!

I am starting to get really excited about our hike, and can't wait until I can start training for it.  We now have nearly everything we need, so it is just a matter of getting the body ready.  We have decided to use Ross's old army packs and webbing belts to carry everything, which has saved us a lot of money.  The only thing is, they are all army green.  Blech...  So I have decided to "girl-ify" the one I am using.  I am going to get some cool patches and bright buttons, and make it as girlie as possible!  I can't wait.

The other thing I found was a few more funky plates from the Harris Scarfe sale.

On to a bit more serious news, I am off to hospital on Monday.  Just a quick overview of what has been happening.  On Monday I discovered I was pregnant.  We were stunned to say the least.  I actually thought I had started early menopause based on all the symptoms.  So when we found out about the pregnancy I knew instantly that there was something not right.  It is hard to say how I knew, I just knew.

So after 4 days of being a pin cushion, and having scans and seeing doctors, we now know for sure that I was right.  The pregnancy became 'non-viable' about 5 or 6 weeks ago when the embryo died.  Because I haven't miscarried on my own (which I should have done weeks ago as soon as things went wrong) I need to go into hospital to have a curette.  It is strange that I feel oddly okay about things.  I have been through so many emotions this week, but because I knew straight away that there was something wrong, I have just been focussed on finding out what and moving forward.

We were not supposed to be able to conceive.  That is really the thing that has been hardest to come to terms with.  This really should not have happened.  But it has also made us realise that we truly are happy with the decision we made a couple of years ago when we decided to stop trying.  We are happy with the plans we have made with for our lives.  And with the decisions we have made.  So for the first time in many years we need to start being careful. 

And it has also made us realise that we need to take more control of our lives and start fully living it and seeing the plans we have made come to fruition.  That is why we have really started focussing on our hike, and why I am really keen to get back into my training.  We can't take anything for granted in life, and our plans will only come in to being if we put ourselves into them.  No more sitting back and watching life pass us by.  It is time to take this life we have been given by the horns and shake the shit out of it!

xox