In case it hasn’t been noted, I’m bored. I went out for my run this morning with Sinner, in my new Nike shoes that I won from Run For Your Life mag, they’re very comfortable and I felt fine, but I’m a bit washed out. I have no goal fun run in mind, I have no running buddy since my friend in New York tore her calf muscle, I have no program to follow, and I’m sick of the music on my mp3 player. I’m not really into running so much that I can manage without an extrinsic motivator. It’s enough that the dog likes it, that gets me up and out there, but I’d probably enjoy it so much more if I had some sort of direction.
 So, what to do? I’m going to find a fun run to aim for. I’m still keen to do the Warwick Ascent but it’s over 6 months away, too far to have any impact on me right now. There’s an 8km run in January and another in March, they’ll do, but if I have a program that I can follow and tick off the days, that’ll help. I’ve asked my hubby to work something out for me. I want to continue to extend myself with Sinner, up to doing 10km by Christmas time, and I also want to continue doing C25k with Guinness as he gets older, and I also don’t want to hurt myself. Is that too much to ask? Maybe, maybe not, but my hubby knows an awful lot about running and taking care of yourself, he’d have some good ideas. There are plenty of programs on the web for free, but none work around running with two dogs who are different ages and at different levels.
 As far as music goes, I have an itunes card I received for my birthday, I think it was. But, this laptop won’t let me run itunes to get some more music with it. It also has a very temperamental space bar, and the “l” and “p” keys may or may not work. I do need to replace the laptop, but will need to do some serious budgeting to do that.
 I’m picking up my orthotics tomorrow at 12.30, and I’ll wear my new Nike’s into the shop. Poor podiatrist has to deal with my revolting dirty grey Asics, so this may make a pleasant change for him. Looking forward to seeing what sort of difference they make to my running.
Headed off to the Bribie Beach Bash early this morning for a 3km run up the beach. Hubby was doing the 46km ultra run but left an hour before everyone else so he could get back in time to do the 3km run with Master 5. Miss 7 really wanted to have a run but has in the past been limited by her younger brother, so by doing it this way, we hoped she’d get to stride out a bit while hubby strolled along with the young man. As it turned out, the tide was very high so they started the 3km run early and hubby wasn’t back yet. That was okay because Master 5 excelled himself, and hooted off at a fair pace with Miss 7 following behind. Hubby finished his run, then ran another 1.5km up the beach to catch us at the half way mark. Miss 7 and I ran back, with a regular walk break, but at least she got to have a go. There was an amazing number of ladybeetles along the high tide mark, as if there had been a heap of them blow out to sea, only to be washed back to shore. Some were alive, and during our walk break we’d find live ones and rescue them, taking them up to a blade of grass up on the dunes.
As it turns out, hubby came second in the ultra run, which is a fantastic effort!! We’re pretty proud of him. We also did well in the raffles, winning a pizza voucher, a calculator, a tee shirt, some biscuits and a $100 voucher from x2u clothing. They’re expensive, so I’ll end up with a nice singlet and some shorts.
 It was actually a really nice, friendly low key event which raised funds for the Endeavour Foundation, who look after disabled people. Lots of families participated, and there was a sausage sizzle afterwards. Will we do it next year? I think so, it’s not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning.
Apologies for quoting the title of a poxy Garth Brooks song, but it really did roar when I went out this morning with Sinner. Didn’t know how I’d go, as I’d been running with Guinness the last couple of days. He’s well and truly able to move on from week 1, so tomorrow will be his last week 1 run, and then next week he’ll be doing 90 second runs with 2 minute walk breaks. Oh, did I mention his other ear was erect? Well, I lied, or he did. It’s back to flopping. I was reading about taping it and there are many radical options, using insoles and surgical glue! I put some cloth first aid tape on it last night as suggested on the site, it took a lot to hold the ear up and he really didn’t like it, flicked it off in less than a minute. I think I’ll just leave it be, I was reading a working kelpie website last night and it mentioned that some dogs don’t get their ears up until 14 months. At the end of the day, he’s a great dog with a fantastic temperament so I’m not too concerned. Looking at starting him in herding training in the next few weeks.
Back to this morning. Up I got, bright and early (it was a struggle as usual), was dressed and ready to go and the rain started pouring down. I didn’t really fancy heading out and getting drenched within half a dozen steps, so I went and had a cuppa. The rain eased in less than 5 minutes, so off I went with Sinner. Although it was dry, there was cracking thunder not too far away. My beloved hubby mentioned that most runners who are struck by lightning are running in large open spaces like a school oval, so I should be okay. Thanks, dear! I got a bit wet when it started raining again, it was actually quite pleasant. Forgot my hat so the rain ran into my eyes a bit; I don’t know what was worse, my dreadful bed head hairstyle, or my tragic attempt at a wet tee shirt competition! In spite of it all, did my 7km in 44 minutes flat. I was going to stretch it a little as I was feeling fine, but hubby needed to leave for work.
I really need to get myself a goal, and a plan. At the moment the only thing on my calendar is an 8km fun run in January next year. Hubby tells me the 10km Warwick Ascent is a tough run to aim for, so I’m definitely going to do it .
Got up this morning, not really in the mood after the kiddiwinks had woken me at 4am and I didn’t get back to sleep. I forced myself up and just pulled on the nearest pair of shorts. Bad move. They’re just cotton shorts, nothing special, but they rubbed the inside of my thigh and now I’m quite chafed. I’d read about chafing but didn’t realise how much it stings. I’ve got some anti inflammatory cream to use if it doesn’t resolve quickly.
My legs were weary; although I’d not done a long run since Monday, I’d had two days out with Guinness, and maybe that took its toll. Just did a 5km loop in a bit over 31 minutes, which I was happy enough with. I’ve not yet seen a training program that has you do your longest distance every time.
After my good 7km run, I went out on Tuesday morning and did week 1 of the C25k with my young kelpie, Guinness, who now has two erect ears. I’d given up on him getting both his ears up. He looks so intelligent but we all know better, don’t we? Miss 7 came with me, she had Sinner and I had Guinness with a bum bag full of treats to encourage him to run beside me. He did really well, and enjoyed himself immensely.
Yesterday I was going to go out with Sinner in the morning, but I’d had a string of mornings where I’d woken at 4am unable to get back to sleep, and that, coupled with my 11pm bedtime, had left me absolutely stuffed. So, I slept in, and I felt so much better for it. It worked out well because hubby could take Sinner out on Wednesday night for a 13km run.
I was up again this morning with Guinness, but miss 7 and I left Sinner behind after his big run last night. Again, Guinness is doing great, I’m sure that dog could run forever. I’m also seriously impressed with Miss 7 - when I did week 1, I was knackered after 5 reps, but she just keeps going with no problems at all. She’s very keen to keep running, which is nice. Master 5 will get there, more than likely, he’s a very active lad, but in his own time.
I’ll be out with Sinner in the morning and again on Saturday afternoon, all going well. Will aim for another 7km but it’s getting quite hot already. I’m going to have to start getting up even earlier to keep my dogs cool. Also have to pick up my orthotics yet, they should be good, even though my shin has been feeling good. It was really uncomfortable last Tuesday night when I was running agility with Sinner, perhaps the twisting and changing direction was hard on it.
Again, hard to get up this morning. Hubby was going to work early so I got up just after 5.30. It was hard because I’d been awake on and off since 4am. My 5 year old son fell out of bed and woke me with his crying, then my head started ticking over and I couldn’t get back to sleep. So, when the alarm went off, and my hubby said, do you want to sleep in, my heart was yelling “yessss” but my mind said no, and I got up. I’m still at a point where it’d be very easy for me to quit, so I can’t allow myself to stop or I may never start again. Running isn’t in itself reinforcing enough, I think I’m enjoying stretching myself to see how much I can do, but the running itself isn’t yet fun. Mind you, my legs are getting buff.
It was lovely and cool when I set out, Sinner was bouncy and I was better dressed for the activity. I kept an eye on Sinner - I pulled a small paralysis tick off him on the weekend, he’s not affected as I don’t think it had been there long, but still made sure he was okay. We did well - 7km in 44 min 25 seconds, quite comfortably. Probably could have done a little more but why rush things.
I believe the 6km Maleny trail run in November has been cancelled because of Government Departments not allowing the necessary permits. That’s very disappointing.
I’m going to take Guinness out early tomorrow morning to do week 2 of the couch to 5k. That dog is so black he really feels the heat badly so it’ll be another early morning.
I’ve also decided that when I get to 10km I’m going to get myself a running skirt, I found them at www.runningskirts.com and they just look neat!
And, the great news is that my hubby’s running club is going to have a fun run for dogs at the beach as one of their 4km club runs, so they can work out the logistics of having a bigger one for the general community next time. One step at a time.
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