Easter On The Bay

Had a lovely couple of runs on the bay over Easter.   I slept in on Sat, so decided to make my long run on Sunday…….   Set out for my 10km loop as I have been doing the last few weeks (I’m very lucky to have a tailored program to follow, so all I need to do is run…the thinking is done for me!).    Good weather, and it was lovely to see Sook and one of her running buddies out on the dog loop, and again around the Drummoyne section.   Also saw Eagle flying around, looking good.  The best surprise though, was bumping into Dougie from work just at the top of the new path up to the new bridge – I don’t like it at all…..it draws the climb out too much. I much preferred the short, sharp hill up the street.   But, anyway!   Great to see Dougie and to meet his fantastically scruffy dog……and well done to him for spotting me out of work gear too.

I was running on little sleep, had to be back at home to get ready to head out again straight away, and also running off frustration from recent events at home ( we have found out this week, that we need to move house…..soon!), but I managed to take 2 min off my time from the previous week (which was in turn 2 min faster than the week before that!).   This training must be doing something!    

I set out again this morning for a ‘gentle’ 7km loop of the bay, and was pleasantly surprised to be joined by adrain for a couple of km’s.   Great to catch up, but unfortunately, my HR didn’t seem to like the faster pace (still slow for adrain) and the chatting at the same time, so had to drop it back to a walk for a bit and sent adrain on ahead.   He caught me up again though just after the bridge as he’d taken another loop.   Saw Eagle out there again looking strong.    And again, even with the walk that I had to put in, managed a pretty good time for me.......must have been the faster section with adrain!

My feet have been relatively OK…..some niggles, and I have been wearing my compression calf sleeves more often than not, but they do help.    Breathing has been pretty good, it has got tough a few times, but nothing like it was doing, so that’s a good thing.   I thought that I would do the sensible thing and look into doing some core work again.  Can’t run for a long time with a weak core and lower back…..and I know that I have neglected it the last couple of years.   So, visited one of the physio’s at Syd Uni (recommended to me) and found out that my lower back is the least of my worries…..it’s actually OK, but is suffering from tight hip flexors, out of alignment hips, very tight hamstrings and calves (I knew that), almost non existent use of glutes and a very tight upper back (maybe contributing to my breathing issues).   So, I now have a set of stretches….and some strength ...to do to help things along.   I do feel that there is a difference, and I am certainly more conscious of how I am standing etc to try and keep things in a better position.

This week is the last week of my first 6 week block on my program…finishing with a 5km TT just in time for CR5km on the bay on Sat.   Not sure what the next 6 weeks will hold, but I am sure it will involve hills, intervals and more distance……leading up to the M7 Marathon relay in July.  

Non running – has been busy.  Quartet playing for weddings has kept me occupied, a few weekend data research sessions at an old job keeps me entertained also!  Add to that the usual home things, school holidays, work……and now having to move!    It’s tough to fit it all in (hence the little sleep…..that is happening too frequently), but we manage.

Gadfairy has had a good holiday this break, and has definitely needed the breather after a busy term.  I’m sure that term 2 will be equally so. Mr Gadfly also busy as always…..and keeping things going here when I disappeared to Melb for a couple of days for work, and  when I’m out and about running.  I couldn't do it without him  

Time to go and eat some more chocolate……yum!