Back to it...

The rest is over.

Back to work. Back to training. 14 weeks until the next full marathon.

Training is gradually building and I'm still not back to previous fitness levels and try not to get too discouraged by slow progress.

running the whole 5k, Karen behind stuck with me and got her PB

Parkrun has been a good start. My first week back I just wanted to see how I went and had walk breaks. The following week my goal was to run the 5k without stopping and I'm happy to say each week has been a little faster. I've had loads of encouragement and have felt really well.

Maribyrnong Parkrun and had to leave Hayley behind to run all the way

My shadow in the white managed to run the whole way too

 I am particularly happy with this last run. I could hear the young girl close behind the whole way and as we turned for the last 300m she came level with me and I said to her I wondered when she was going to pass me and to go strong to the finish. After we crossed the line I had a laugh with her about her shadowing antics with a swoop at the end. She said she was using me as her pacer and thanked me for getting her across the line, she felt she would have given up otherwise and walked a bit. A PB in the bank for her and I was pleased to help her out. Way to go Kayla!


Track nights have been a bit tougher, not quite managing the whole work out but doing the best I can and reaching a little further each time.

I was asked to fill in for Ladies Mon night tennis and won the 2 sets but felt I wasn't playing to full capacity. Weekly sessions at Cardio Tennis will see an improvement there too. Last Friday we had a circuit that involved skipping and I'm happy to say no leakage occurred! A big step forward.

The first of our racing events was run this morning. It turned out to be a 34 degree day as we hit the trails for a 10k through Brimbank Park. I couldn't run the whole way and spent time walking up the steep hills that ring the valley and river.

MCR girls rule!

at the top of a very big hill

the hills were brutal

thanks for helping me out

happy to finish

another medal is always a nice reward

Today's run shows I still have a long way to go but will keep chipping away, supported by my running team mates and my very special Running Buddy.

Time to start up again...

My 4 week enforced break from activities is up and I have tentatively started back on the training track. I've left my books and crafts and projects to put my runners back on. My running gear is a little more snug than it was a month ago. It doesn't take long to soften up and put on weight when you aren't doing too much and have been cooking up a storm.

How much fitness I have lost was brought home last night at my first real track night. I was huffing and puffing and bringing up the rear. The Wings for Life World Run Ambassadors attended to run a promotional fun night culminating in a mini chase. I couldn't keep up. I tried not to give up but couldn't maintain the pace. I've also noticed how well the girls have been doing as they maintain the training runs and gym sessions, getting PBs  and looking fab.

spectating at the Bellarine Flying Brick Sunset Run

 This little girl is such a sweetheart. She endears herself to everyone and is a handy little runner. She tries to keep up with her Dad and big sister. We often run with her and she helps us as much as we help her.

Dunny art

While the girls were running their respective 10k and half marathon races Martin and I walked up the hill to the pub for refreshments before making our way to the finish line to cheer the finishers. Couldn't resist a cheeky pic of this lovely mosaic work that depicts Portarlington but has been unceremoniously mounted on a toilet block.

I haven't been cooped up at home the whole time, I volunteered at parkrun and at track night and cheered others on. I attempted my very first run at parkrun and did Ok without pushing myself too much. I walked 10k at the Relay for Life night.

MCR was the winning team with the most laps completed

Running Buddy tells me that next week is the beginning of my 16 week training program leading up to the marathon. Thankfully such programs start off fairly slow and build up so it should all be OK. Tennis is allowed again and then back to work to try to fit everything in.

Whilst I am itching to get back into it it has been nice to have had this break to regroup and centre myself.