Tuesday night I hopped it off to training.

I have to say that I had a really good night. Things are generally going well and I feel like I've come the full circle to end up in the same place I first started.  It just feels like home.  Half the night was kata which was interrupted by Sensei A having a Red Bull moment and deciding we'd all practice knuckle pushups and core strength while he walked on our stomachs. It sounds cruel but we actually had a whole lot of fun.  The rest of the night was kumite.  I got spar with Sensei. A. first up and even though I would have preferred to go the second round, I was happy that I got the opportunity.  For the rest, I noticed my endurance had definately increased, my legs speed was faster (landed quite a few head height round house kicks), my focus was sharper and my techniques were stronger.  I also got to size up my potential opponents for the tournament.

Yesterday, I had a morning secret session.  Only the medicine ball core exercise was repeated and that was definitely easier. Think I did the rest pretty well although hating that for this type of training I am back to baby weights all over again!

In terms of C25K, I had planned on yesterday being a rest day.  But after I got back from secret training I felt that I'd be able to hit it again and planned an afternoon session.  This planned was quickly discarded at the opportunity for another Geocache run. (Yes, the passionfruit forest is evil and you definitely deserve the dental floss for that!).   We did three... one difficult one, one dead easy and one somewhere in between.

It was late afternoon when we did return and heading into darkness but a heated disagreement left me feeling very hot headed and suddenly I found myself lacing up my running shoes...

Week 2 is 90 seconds run followed by 2 minutes (eternity) of walking.  For the first half I wasn't really paying great attention to what was going on while I sorted my emotional baggage.  However, my anger soon calmed and started to focus on the run.  I knew I was a little bit behind this time.  Two minutes seemed far too long for resting.  This time I noticed something new again.  After the breathing pattern kicked in it was as if the cardio settled into a rhythm.  There'd be a few seconds of pain but then it would settle and I honestly felt as I could just keep on running.  It was much like what I used to experience when I was kid doing long distance swims as part of training.  Phase one was easy, phase two a pattern, phase three a little pain, phase four synchronisation.  It was obviously a good pace.

Towards the end, I knew I'd hit home before the 20 minute mark again so opted to complete the third circuit. I waited until 21 minutes and then decided that I was going to run the rest of the way home, regardless of how long it did take.  It was a little longer this time, but I was behind the eight ball.  So, my last run interval ended up being 101 minutes instead.  Again, breathing was good , form was good and able to push that bit harder towards the end.

Stats for W2D1:

3.45 km in 22 minutes and 41 seconds, averaging 9.12km/hr.

Yep, the average speed was slower.  Just above that of W1D1 but my performance was better... not to mention an end of day run and being distracted!  I'm not worried... I'm proud!

This morning I've awoken without any soreness. No calf, achilles or shin pain... in fact.. not even pain from yesterday's secret training.   Darn this running thing is good for me!  Feeling physically and mentally good...and watching the fat rapidly melt again!   These are going to be the best holidays!

I'm in a really good place right now! 

Holidays are underway so I am not stressed with work.  I can sleep in every morning and exercise every day!  I'm feeling happy and motivated and consequently I am not feeling overrun with desire to binge. Perhaps I am just designed to be a house wife??

I woke up this morning and flexed a few leg muscles in bed... I wasn't super sore like I had expected.  I got out of bed and my calves cramped but eased almost immediately to nothing. My shin muscles were still a little sore but significantly improved compared to the previous two days. I felt energetic and decided... bugger it... I am going for a run!

Downed to glasses of water and put on my shiney new shoes! Love them!  They are comfy and springy. It is almost like they mould to my feet and I barely notice they are there at the same time. Kind of a cool feeling knowing there is $220 worth of equipment on my feet... but the difference is worth every cent. After a bit of a stretch I whacked on my new SPIBELT, hooked up to my IPOD shuffle and away I went.

The shoes were wonderful...couched and no landing in funny positions.

Running with my IPOD was also a bit different.  After nearly kamikaze-ing into two cars that came up behind me, I decided that even in my quiet neighbourhood it would probably be a good idea to run against traffic.  Problem solved.

Everything felt good.  It was a longer time before a breathing pattern needed to kick in.  I wasn't aiming higher today... just the same.  But I found myself gradually winding up and soon knew that I was ahead of the game again.  For the last running interval, I did 90 seconds again and decided to go as fast and as hard as I could.  I wanted to make it back to the start point.  I pushed it and pushed it hard. My legs very sooo incredibly heavy. As much as I tried, in that last 15 seconds, I could not will them to move any faster... I was a few steps away when the clocked ticked over 90 seconds.  But, I am not unhappy!  While the body was giving up, my form was good the whole time and despite the exhaustion, no...crazy...breathing!  So with an extra seven seconds of walk I actually felt elated! 

Stats for today:

3.45km in 21 minutes and 37 seconds, making an average run speed of 9.57km/hr!  Yeah!

At this point I should also mention that the SPIBELT is brilliant!   It is discreet, didn't slip or slide at all and was so comfortable that it was after quite some time at home that I realised I was still wearing it!

So... I've done week 1 in three days.  That wasn't exactly my intention but I feel like the addiction centre of my brain has found something new to play with! Tomorrow, I should probably rest and then on Thursday I will pick up on W2D1.

OMG, what a mammoth day!

I got up this morning and couldn't help myself... had to go and hit the road again.  This time I made a concerted effort to stretch out and although it didn't fix my shin muscles, the calves were cured, qauds and hamstrings good.

I knew by the end of the first lap that I was ahead of the game this time. After a fair bit of research, I concentrated moving horizontally, minimising bouncing or any unnecessary movement.  It all felt better today and I was a lot more in touch with my body.  I also noticed that after a few running intervals I had started to get into a breathing rythm rather than crazy, rasping death rattles which would immediately precede lead legs.  Knowing that I was going to hit home under the 20 minute mark I decided to slog it out and complete the third full lap and running 90seconds for the last interval.

3.45km in 22 minutes and 26 seconds with an average speed of 9.22km/hr - yay for going faster!

Bam! There is was, euphoric high!  Yeah, have to say that running leaves me in the most awesome head space compared with any other activity!

So, after a warm down stretch I chugged a pre-work out drink and headed off to the gym.  Seriously, that funky happy feeling is the only way to train.  It was the final arms session and my total lack of progress just proves just how pathetic they are!   Oh and should I mention that my IPOD shuffle decided, without warning, that the battery was dead and refused to work.... But it wasn't all bad!  I wasn't able to bump up the weights but my performance was more consistent and my tricep based activties were definately stronger.  I suspect that has a lot to do with my "other" training.

So, two session down for the day, grocery shopping in the mix and then headed off to Intraining Running Centre to get some new running shoes!

For the second time in my adult life, I looked at the barely-out-of-school chick behind the counter and wondered where the experienced guy was hiding...  With a few moments to kill while another customer was served, I decided that I was being judgemental and that her age was really no indication of her running experience and would probably wipe my ass on the road.

As it turned out, she did know what she was talking about and I suspect if we knew each other outside of professional circumstances, we would have gotten on like a house on fire.  Had to admit though, I felt a little silly running around the outside of the shop, trying to get a feel for the shoes.  I didn't have a whole of choice as my size seems to be the most popular but as it was I had two pairs I couldn't decide between. But at some point I forgot I was still wearing an Adidas Adistar Ride W and figured this was the way to go.

While I was paying, something else caught my eye.  Something called a SPIBELT i.e. Small Personal Items Belt.  It is essentially the ultramodern version of a bumbag made for runners. I was assured by the sales chick that it didn't slip or bounce around and figured that it had to better than tucking my house key into the shoe laces! So, I now also own a slim black one with a red zip.

My final task for the day was to get through karate. I didn't do a whole lot in the first class but got into some impromptu teaching... wow how rusty am I at teaching "advanced" blocks and strikes.  Oh well.  Second class was pretty good.  Thought that I would be tired from having run and been to gym without a whole lot of rest but actually found myself flying through!  I think that can be partly attributed to holidays.  We focused on some more tournament based activities towards the end. Still not sure why I entered.  The same biases are still going to exist and I don't trust myself to perform well when nervous.  But hey... might as well give it a go. Besides, if I can't do it there, how on Earth am I going to go at grading?  There is a possibility that I'll be the only one heading for nidan and then I'll be expected to perform alone, in front the RMs, Sensei Gavin, the rest of the cohort and bystanders.   I shall consider it practise!

Anyhow, that component also went well and felt that I managed to stick together in a reasonable manner under a little bit of stress.  Sometimes it is hard to break the old habits under those circumstances.  Just keep plugging away I guess...

While pottering around the world of Map My Run, I found a link to a newbie running plan called Couch-to-5K. Theoretically, folks who follow the plan step by step should be able to run a continuous 5K in just over two months!  It follows a similar format to what I used to (blindly) employ as a method of increasing speed and decreasing rest phases when doing the HIIT on the treadmill. So... I got something right. 

So, after reading through a few different forums and finding a high success rate, I have decided to embark on this journey and hopefully, be a lot better off for it!

This morning I set out for the very first time and decided to follow the advice given, starting at the beginning and pacing myself.  Week one looked pretty easy and I can say that I felt pretty comfortable the whole way through. I didn't really need 90 seconds for recovery each time but made sure I did anyway.  All in all, 3.05km in 20 minutes and 18 seconds, averaging ~9 km/hr (not bad considering all the walking I had to do in there).  So, my goal next time is to work a little harder on each run segment so that I get a little further by the end.
It is a really, really basic start but I feel wonderful and I like having a sense of direction with progression.  The fact that many people have had success is encouraging and helps me to believe that I will actually be able to get to the end.

Tomorrow will probably have to be a rest day as I've got my finally arms session on the strength program in the morning followed by training in the afternoon.  I'll see how my legs are feeling.  Don't want to burn out at this early stage either!

I had search a little while to find that smiley... because that truely represents how I presently feel!  Yes, at long last, I am on holidays!!!!

Today marks the start of two weeks two myself and the start of a new training program and a new eating plan!

How much am I going to enjoy sleeping in and leaving the political work world behind... for now.

Before I launch off into my successes from my four week strength program, I would like to throw out my latest discovery.  Map My Run  I can't take full credit for this.  It was tucked away in one of the more recent issues of Australian Women's Health.  I usually prefer the guys version but it did list this link.  Anyway, basically it utilises Google Maps to allow you to plot out the path of your run on a map and calculates the total distance as well as relevant inclines and declines.  Plug in a few stats and it will also calculate your calorie expenditure and average speed too. Not to mention allowing you to keep a log of your runs and times etc.  There is actually quite an expanse to the site but I've stuck to what I've wanted.

Anyhow, seeing that we've moved on the next phase which is all about speed, endurance and core strength, I thought it was time to actually learn how to run outdoors.  While I can jump on a treadmill, increase the incline and do 30second on and off at 16km/hr for 20 minutes.... epic fail comes to mind when attempting to actually run on the road for any length of time.
So, at least until work starts up, I am going to make an effort to include a daily run in my routine. I thought I'd start easy and work my way up.  My fun little tool told me that if I did the biggest loop around the neighbourhood, I would cover 1.15km and it would be pretty flat all the way.  Smartly, after coming home from a good legs session, I decided to give it a go.

It was a nice try...  To get around once... which was all that I managed before dying on the ground...it did take me six minutes and 24 seconds.  I converted to a walk twice during that time but only for 30 seconds on each occasion. Apparently, that meant I ran at an average of 10.78km/hr and burned a poxy 72cal. I have a LOT of work to do...

So, I've set myself a few targets about distances and stop points and will see where things go.  Apparently, there are a lot of people out there who manage to make themselves into long distance runners so surely now that I am lighter and fitter than my first attempt (2004) I will make progress???

....Moving on, I might hold off posting the outcomes of my strength rotation until after I've kicked out the final arm session on Monday.

Tried the vanilla flavour of Reflex Instant Whey this morning and can say that I am impressed.  I'd avoided the vanilla as I was suspicious it would be boring or weak.  It is neither.  Mixes with yoghurt like a dream and seems to go alright in porridge.  Will have to try the latter again seeing I overcooked it a bit today but reckon it will even be better as a half serve.  Sick to death of banana and can't wait for it to be finished off!

Going to leave it there and actually change out of these smelly, sweaty clothes!

Bring on Spring Holidays!!!

A good friend of mine recently came into possession of an iPhone... something that has increased my total curiosity for this highly popular little device. Anyhow, one application became of particular interest late yesterday afternoon: Groundspeak's Geocaching Iphone Application  Such was our introduction to what we decided was almost an underground sport... geocaching.

What is it?  Essentially, people all over the world have made it their mission to hide suspect packages in unusual places for other people to find by using GPS co-ordinates.  Sometimes the packages have special items from which you can take but you also have to contribute.  The are also log books that you can sign to say that you have found the mystery package.

Late yesterday afternoon we decided to have a go at this activity and picked a series that would require us to be creative and work out how to open a box within the outer box in order to sign the log book.  Our location of choice was Toohey Forest.

Firstly, can I just say that Toohey Forest is a lot bigger than I realised with a few different complicated paths...some of which were rather steep and tricky to get up.  Although, we must suck at the bushwalking thing given that we were overtaken by a cyclist who was nowhere to be seen when we first started out.
The first part did take a long time. Primarily because we did choose the wrong path at the beginning and essentially meandered around in random circles before finally stumbling across roughly where we needed to be...  We then had the task of making sense of the location hints and found ourselves forcing our way through scrub, trying not fall and break bones.  But there finally was glory! Short lived when we realised that in order to open the inner box, we were going to have to go all the way back to my car to retrieve a certain item.  *Insert images of me crashing through leaves, rocks, spiders webs and branches like a mountain goat, off to the car*.

Yup!  We did it!  In fact... twice!  (The second time was much easier knowing how it all worked).  It is quite an exciting and accomplished feeling, finding these things which have been hidden so the general public doesn't stumble across them.  Very underground and kicks arse over any scavenger hunt I've ever been on!


Today, I am feeling tired... again.  Not really all too sure why.  Not really feeling like being back at work again tomorrow but at least I only have two more days and then life will be good again.  I need to get a few things done e.g. replying to emails, preparing lunch for the next two days, more laundry etc.  Think I'd rather go back to bed!

So I've got two days which I am using for myself... almost.  I've got plenty of left of frittata so won't need to worry about cooking and there is enough food in the fridge to not worry about shopping.

I will have to go for a drive to drop of my unders and overs form and may get a few other bits and pieces at Garden City while I'm on the run but that aside, I intend to use today for relaxation purposes.

Then, I have two more days until holidays!!

I'm looking forward to this time as my trianing program is going to change, I'll get to catch up with quite a few folks and sleep in!!  Priorities huh? 

Training last night was alright.  Bit of an easier session but coming across more that needs to be done.  I keep getting the feeling like I am just not ready to be pushing nidan yet and perhaps I could do with another year to iron out the details. Realistically, it would be a fair call given the time that I was out losing weight and getting fit.

I don't want to be average, I want to be awesome...

So, other than that, my news is somewhat lacking.  Guess it is hard for things to change radically when life is largely absorbed by work.

Oh, I have discovered the "Next Blog" option on the Blogger bar up the top.  Interesting flick through!

Finally on a day off. Thought it was time to actually make a post seeing that I'm feeling reasonably relaxed and have managed to organise my week to allow for a bit of down time this morning.

So after rolling around in bed for the last 1.5 hours and feeling my tummy rumble, I decided it was time to stop wasting time and get back up.