Running for Sanity

Lessons Learnt In Training

2010-08-23T18:56:00.003+09:30

I have always held the belief that you should train as you intend to play or run. I knew that each training session was one step closer to getting to the start. So listed below are the lessons that I learnt. These lesson only relate to the physical side of the running. I learnt lots about myself but I think that might be for a whole other blog.

Never miss a long run. I ran a on a girlie weekend in Perth, I ran after dancing all night and crying at 2am that my toes were broken. I ran in the pouring ran. I ran in the cold. I never missed a Sunday long run. No excuses.
Family Support is important. Without the support of my husband and children I would not have been able to even think about running a marathon. Thank you I love you all so much.
Plan your runs. I used Map My Run so I could plan and know where I had to go. I have no sense of direction so it was important for me to know where I was going. It was also fun for the kids and hubbie to look and see where I was off to on Sunday Morning.
Run in all weather. I ran no matter what the conditions. When the wind and rain came in on the Saturday before the race i didn't worry about. I couldn't change the weather and I had run in all types so it didn't matter what race day threw at me I was prepared.
I can only stomach 2 Gels. Trying all the different flavours and when to have them helped with the final decision on race day. 1 x Chocolate Gel & 1 x Vanilla
Long Socks Rock. So they look silly but they made a big difference to my calves.
Chocolate Milk for Recovery. A small chocolate milk was the ideal recovery drink after my long runs.
Compression tights make good PJ's. But they are not sexy :)
Wet top and Water Carrier = RED RAW TUM. Always wear a fitted top underneath your running top. Chaffed stretch marks are not sexy.
Favourite Songs do not make good running tracks. I definitely run angry, Hilltop Hoods, Bliss n Esso and Eminem were my favourite running partners. Some of my favourite songs annoyed the hell out of me when I ran.
Always learn something from each run.

Next post will be the race.

Adelaide Marathon 2010 The Start

2010-08-22T22:20:00.005+09:30

3:51:10
One week on and I am still trying to write a race report on my first ever marathon. Like all good stories I will start at the beginning. After running the Gold Coast Half in July 2009 and having a panic attack at the start of the race because I was terrified I wasn't going to run that far with my knee. With wise words from my very supportive husband. It is just like every other Sunday long run with 25000 more people joining you. Nothing to worry about you can do it. I did it in 1:53.54. After that a little idea formed. I was facing a milestone birthday in 2010 so why not train for a marathon. I wanted my first marathon to be a hometown one so Adelaide marathon was circled on the calender and a training program was selected. I used a training program for beginners. Had to have run 1/2 marathon and do at least one long run per week. It was from Dean Kranazes and in Runners World. A 16 week program but in my case 17 weeks because I can't count on a calendar properly. :)

Stay tuned for the next post. Lessons learnt in training

2008-12-19T10:16:00.002+10:30

It is Friday and I have about 2 hours of work to go and it is holidays for a month. This year has been a really long one.

Over the last few days I have come to realise a few things. I cannot change what has happened in the past I can only change the way I act, react and feel today. One day at a time, I sound like I am in some sort of 12 step program.

Yesterday I had an emotional epiphany ( the sudden realization thing, not the Jan 6 holiday). I have been scared to truly love for fear of getting hurt, but getting hurt has made me love more. I know that I may not be his true love but he loves me and loves what we have.

So the way I see it is, I can dwell in past of I can live in the now and make a future. My mission should I chose to accept it is to learn to let go and give myself truly and honestly to my beloved and together we can fill each others life with love, lust and laughter.

Now on to my running:

After a 10k Christmas Frolic on the 7th December which I ran in 55.12, not setting the world on fire but a place to start. My knee was good during the run. My hip flexor started to tighten up a little near the end but that I think was due to being tired and not as fit as I would like to be. My massage man saw me on the Monday and said that the hammies and glutes were a bit tight but that was from running low. I tend to sit on hips when I tire. So some core work and aerobic fitness the Gold Coast Half in July will be a breeze. Hope so because the flights are booked and the accommodation is being sourced.

Run Happy, Run Well Just bloody Run

Gingerbread Men speak the truth

2008-12-15T10:06:00.005+10:30

I feel like I have walking in a fog for the past few years. Just going through the motions and not really feeling and living.

What I thought may have been true. No, that is not entirely the truth, I have always known that your true love lay elsewhere. It always has and I have known that is why things were the way there were back then. You have always had her in your heart. Yet in your own way you have tried to truly love me for who we are now. I got lazy, thought I was loved and worshipped. I took you love for granted and stopped seeing and feeling the real you. I don't know if you will ever read my email. I want you to read it so that you can know of my sorrow but I am scared that if you do read it everything will change. Can I keep going knowing what I do? Can I accept that the way I feel about you is how you feel about her. I know you love all that I have given you, a safe place to land, a family, our home but I want more. I want to be the one that keeps you soul, I want to be your obsession and I want always to be your passion. You have always been my love, my lust and my laughter.

Trying to learn how to get through this challenge is going to take some work. It is going to take some courage and an ability to let go. I hope that with love, faith and courage I will.

Bubbles

2008-12-13T19:14:00.002+10:30

Went to the Barossa and bought Cockatoo Ridge Black, my favourite bubbles and a great cheese board made from the top of a wine barrel.

Today was a good day.

Getting through them one at a time.

Long run tomorrow so lots of thoughts to process on that one.

The End Of School

2008-12-12T17:40:00.002+10:30

Term 4 comes to end and we have survived the year.

A busy day spent racing around to appointments and Christmas Concerts. MOE was just beautiful today as a Jingle Bell Chicky Babe.

Trying to come to terms with what is happening when I do I am sure I will clumsily spill the details here.

Regular writing seems to help .

Padme & Anakin

2008-12-11T11:11:00.002+10:30

You are my passion, my obession, my soul keeper

9 words the changed my life, I am not Padme to My Anakin

From the moment I met you, all those years ago, a day hasn't gone by when I haven't thought of you. And now that I'm close to you again, I'm in agony. The closer I get to you, the worse it gets. The thought of not being with you mskes my stomach turn over - my mouth goes dry. I feel dizzy. I can't breathe. I'm haunted by the kiss you should never have given me. My heart is beating, hoping that kiss will not become a scar. You are in my very soul, tormenting me. What can I do? I will do anything you ask...

ANAKIN (continuing) If you are suffering as much as I am, tell me.
PADME...I can't. We can't. It's just not possible.
ANAKIN Anything's possible. Padme, please listen...
PADME You listen. We live in a real world. Come back to it. You're studying to become a Jedi Knight. I'm a Senator. If you follow your thoughts through to conclusion, they will take us to a place we cannot go... regardless of the way we feel about each other.
ANAKIN Then you do feel something! There's an extraordinary connection between us. You can't deny that.

Still Running

2008-07-17T13:39:00.004+09:30

I wish that I could find the additional couple of hours I need to keep this blog up to date. What can say I turned into a facebook whore. It was new and exciting, I couldn't resist.

Well with that confession out of the way onto my running. I am back running and trying to follow a programme but it can be a bit of hit and miss with the knee. However saying that I need to also take into account a few other activities I have been doing.

Wii Fit
Cycling
Wearing these

On the days I wear the fit Flops the knee lets me know that it is working harder. They are good because they are making me use muscles that have been wasting away.

Life has been crazy crazy busy, full of family and friends. Living the dream.

I plan to run the C2B no time goals as yet just aiming not getting a DNS. Closer to the event I may reveal my running goals.

Unitl the next update

Run Happy Run Free Just run

Mothers Day Classic

2008-05-12T09:18:00.001+09:30

It has been this long since my Knee Re-con.

This is the time I did 4km's in 20:40.

That was my Gold Medal Goal to run it in a sub 21min. Silver was to finish in sub 23 min and Bronze was to run without stopping. I wanted to be able to blog about my run. It was the Mothers Day Classic and my training consisted mainly of RPM classes and 2 x 4.5km runs on Monday and Wednesday prior to the run. On Friday I thought that I may be a DNS for the race as my knee was sore and I was limping. However a day of rest on Friday and lots of shopping I mean walking on Saturday and the knee was good to go on Sunday. I found my pace easily and left my girlfriend behind after about 200m. Reached the 1st km marker in 5.25 lost track of the other markers but ran the last kilometre in just over 5 minutes. I really felt like a runner again and the buzz I got was amazing. However my back cramped while running over the bridge and is still tight today so I have to take it easy. My plan is to very gradually work up to increasing my distance and then working on pace. If I can run 6km by September I will be able to run in the C2B.

My knee is still not able to straighten and I can just manage to grab my foot to do traditional hamstring stretch. there is always stiffness and some degree of pain but when MOE had her accident it seems I gave the scar tissue a bit of a going over and I can now cycle and it seems run a little.

I can cope with the pain if I can get the joy and elation from running. It seems this girl is back from the brink of insanity and ready to argue her limitations and run herself ugly.

Trolley Went Ka Boom Ba

2008-03-16T18:42:00.005+10:30

Moe in Traction day 2

The Purple Plaster Princess Story

Let me continue the story of the broken femur. The morning of the 31st started out beautifully, lazying around in the air-con, sipping freshly brewed coffee and just happy to be home. I planned my shopping list for the impending party and threw on hat ready to duck to the shops and then back home. MOE asked to come with me and as it was her Castle Day I couldn't say no. When shopping we often sky lark with the trolley. MOE was sitting in the seat and I lean on the handle and glide along. Well we did this a few times while in the supermarket. In the car park MOE asked for one more ride and it was castle day so the answer was yes of course. This time the ride went horribly wrong. I still replay it again and again. I think we hit a dip in the bitumen and the trolley tipped. Allie was strapped in the seat and had nowhere to go. I knew in an instant that she had broken something because she bent in a way that was not normal. That moment when she bent plays over and over. I fell hard on both of knees, lots of blood and tears.

Someone helped pick up the shopping and my hat and glasses, I was holding on to MOE checking that no bones were sticking out. I put her in the car and drove straight home, MOE kept telling me that she didn't want to go to the doctors. I knew that it was serious. My husband came out to help with shopping, or so he thought. I was in tears and MOE was just whimpering. We put her on the lounge and she wanted to eat and icy-pole. We looked at her and could not see where the break could be, but she started to fall asleep, she was in shock. We rang our local GP and they saw MOE straight away. She was diagnosed with a broken femur, TM took her straight to emergency and because the Dr had written a referral she was seen straight away.

They gave her morphine for the pain and then a femoral nerve block so that they could put her leg in traction. I stayed with her while they gave her the block. She yelled at the Dr DON'T YOU TOUCH MY LEG DOCTOR. Go girl. The block wore off at about 2am and we were in for a very bumpy ride for the following 36 hours. MOE refused her medication (her term) by mouth at the start so they gave her in her arm. She would put her hands over mouth and tell them I don't need any medication. We spent 8 days with leg in traction and then 6 long weeks in a hip spica.

The Purple Plaster Princess in her Hip Spica

She is currently getting around with only a slight limp and will visiting the orthopaedic specialist in 2 weeks.

Tomorrow I will tell you about my knee, lets just say that the accident had a small silver lining in that area.

Before you go I just wanted to bring to the attention of all my readers yes the 4 of you about the wonderful work of the clown doctors. While in hospital they visited MOE on a few occasions and it is the one of the best memories she has of the visit. The clown sprinkled squeaking dust on her nose and made it squeak. They also made MOE's god-mother and I laugh while she was sleeping. They were also the only people who got her to calm down after she came out of theatre with her hip spica cast on. Boy is she and angry drunk. The link below is site where you can donate to a wonderful cause. I truly believe that laughter is the best medicine and it is the one thing that has kept our family sane during this time.

Donate to the Clown Doctors here

So until next blog and the knee saga. Stay happy stay well and stay away from trolleys.

September to Now

2008-03-15T20:28:00.007+10:30

I am doing it I am actually blogging again. After watching a show on TV I am too ashamed to admit what is was. Let me just say that it was late it was on Fox and I was researching surgery options. That is my story I will stick to it. A Dr on the show said that he had read that people of greatness all keep journals, so this is my attempt to keep a journal. Am I destined for greatness, I can live the dream. With all that has happened to our family in the last 6 months (has it been that long since I blogged) I felt that it was important for my sanity to start writing down what was going on. So I warn you all now that this will not be pretty and I intent to expose myself warts and all. This is for my sanity and peace of mind, my place to achieve greatness.

Update

For ease of reading I will give the updates month by month. So grab hold of your seats and join the ride.

October

On the 21st of October my beautiful grandfather passed away. Andrew (Drew) Lloyd Williams 8th August 1928 to 21st October 2007. My Pop was a wonderful man who loved his family with all he had. A talented musician and a sense of direction that often found getting lost in his own house. I was fortunate enough to inherit his sense of direction, not a note of musical talent here. Pop's funeral was the hardest thing I have had to do, because my brother lives in England and could not return for the funeral I was on of the pallbearers. I miss everyday and as I sit and write this tears are falling. The best thing is last year we had a family Christmas at Nan & Pop's and everybody was there, so happy memories to hold on to. One of the strange things since his passing is that MOE now talks and yells in sleep just like Pop used to. Somehow I think this is his way of letting me know that he is watching over us.

My Wonderful Pop and POD

I also quit my job at Zest the bullshit was just too much to take. Made sure I paid for MOE's swimming classes before I left, half price for staff. I'm not silly.

November

This month saw us getting ready for our trip to Sydney for Christmas with The Man's family and the usual craziness that comes with the approaching end of term. I also managed to gain 2 more bookkeeping clients and life was very busy. A weekend away to the Island as it was named was also in November. This trip was 8 girls from school, 2 of who were leaving Adelaide to head to Melbourne and Sydney. We had 2 great nights in Port Elliott. I must make mention that Madam Lash took home the idol. Sorry readers an in joke that some of Islanders will get. Just a silly game that was played while we were away. It was great to spend time beautiful friends at a wonderful location while our husbands looked after our children.

Moe being looked after by Dad

(yes that is Bourbon)

Madam Lash and the Idol

December

1st to 30th filled with fun and family, lots of great Christmas fun and and wonderful time in Sydney. We did some family trips like to the Aquarium were the children encountered their first nutter on public transport. MOE was so funny on the train ride home she got on the train looked around and promptly told us that there were no nutters and it was ok to sit in that carriage. Nanny and Pa took us all to the Zoo which was a great day and full of fun and laughter. Our holiday in Sydney seemed to end too quickly and we returned to Adelaide on the 30th of December arriving to 35 degrees after a very mild Sydney summer. The mild weather did not stop the kids from swimming in the pool at least twice a day. MOE got very good at Grand Finals, for those not in the know a Grand Final was a dive in the pool. Don't know where she got that from but that was what a jump in the pool was called and you had to have your hands out in front of you. Just like a swimmer on the starting block. POD's swimming improved by leaps and bounds. He seems to take forever to get to the next level but when he does he just goes. Came home with heaps of toys and clothes for the kids and some early birthday presents for MOE. Her birthday is December 31st so we had and earlier birthday for her in Sydney.

We came back earlier so that we could attend a NYE party that was organised as a farewell for the 2 families leaving Adelaide. We had hired a hall, slushy machines, 1 for the kids and 1 for the adults, frozen margaritas and the band was booked. It was going to be a great night with all the families and the kids had a chance to run around and say their goodbyes. All we needed to get was wine & beer and a cake for MOE. We did not get back until 6pm for shopping first thing in the morning.

This is were the story gets really interesting. MOE and I were involved in a trolley accident and she broke her femur.

I will fill you in on the whole saga in my next post. A good writer leaves you wanting more. However I will spoil the ending and let you that she has made a full recover and is due for a checkup in 2 weeks.

So sorry for the long winded post but lots to catch up on. I haven't even started with Feb & March.

And I will let you know the update on the knee. All linked to the trolley accident.

Love, live, laugh.

I'll be back

2008-03-11T16:20:00.003+10:30

Stayed tuned fo updates coming soon to a computer near you. Lots to tell and so little time. I promise a full expose by the weekend.

And so the story goes.......

2007-09-26T12:25:00.000+09:30

Well my visit with the surgeon was just what I thought it would be. Sad, depressing and lots of new options to think about.

Dr K : Well I do about 200 knee re-con a year and see someone like you every 3-4 years.

Me: Wow I must be Special

Dr K: Ummmm what to do, what to do.

Me: Just Fix IT

My options that were given to me by my surgeon are as follows

Steroid Injection to help with inflammation
Arthroscope
2nd Opinion
Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA)
Do Nothing

I decided to go with the steroid injection, hey it was free of charge and came with a promise of pain free living. The injection did make some difference, and I have gained some flexion in my knee. I know this because I went back to the house of pain to visit my physio after a 2 week holiday. I am still getting pain in the knee but it more focussed in one spot which I think is a good thing. The physio workout can also cause swelling inth knee which is why I get pain in the whole knee. The good news about the 2 week holiday is that I have not lost any flexion or extension.

After speaking to my physio he said to take the MUA and start physio the moment I wake up. I need to start this straight away as to not let and more scar tissue grow. The only problem I have with this procedure is teh amount of time I will need to take off work. Because the gym job is casual no work means no money and that will be a problem. I am going to continue with my C25K program and physio visits until I see the surgeon again in 2 weeks time. Who knows the knee miracle fairy may visit and fix it all for me.

Run Happy Run Well

A Rare One (or We have no Bloody Idea)

2007-09-13T12:16:00.000+09:30

It is nice to be different, something out of the norm. A little left of centre, a loner in the pack, someone who doesn't follow the rules. One of those few who swims against the tide of normality, just a little different. That was how I liked to see myself until the physio said that I was a rare one, someone who's knee did not follow the rules. Now I just want to be normal I want to be like everyone else. I don't want to be different or unusual. The appointment did not go well. I have gain a whole 4 degrees of flexion, still not enough to cycle a bike. My extension or straightening has not improved at all. The physio explained that I had a rare knee that has not followed the recovery process that was expected. Prior to Cyclops be gone operation the nodule, tight notch and scar tissue explains the lack of extension and flexion. Now that has been removed they are at a loss as to why it has not improved.

I now have the following options available to me.

Have another arthroscope
Endure 6-8 weeks of aggressive physio again
Do nothing and stay the same
Do nothing and return in 6-12 months to go again
Do nothing and hope, pray and cajole knee into miraculous recovery
Get a second opinion

I am seeing the surgeon who did my knee on Wednesday to discuss what we can do. I think that they have no idea why it has not recovered and want to take a look. Maybe I will get written up in a medical journal. Got to look at the bright side of this. I am also getting a second opinion on the matter just to explore all of my options. The problem is that Adelaide is so small that the 2nd opinion will not say that my Dr stuffed up and just go along with the current diagnosis. However it is not all doom and gloom.

Physio said I could do whatever exercise I liked for my mental health
I have stopped physio for the next 2 weeks (more blog time)
I have started a Couch to 5k program
My Gym Manager is writing me a specialised knee program to try
Did I mentioned that I was ~~jogging~~ running again

Well enough of this sitting I need to out in the sunshine doing my walk, run thing. The running is somewhat strange but I am moving, the knee is stable but not fully functioning (physio statement) so I can not damage the knee, and who knows it might just come good on its own.

Just Run, Run, Run and Run some more

All I want to do is ........

2007-09-10T15:30:00.000+09:30

Well only hours away from seeing the physio and I feel ill. I am so scared about what is going to happen. I do not know is I am strong enough to continue on this very slow road to recovery. At the moment I feel like I am stuck with no way to go forward. Trying to stay upbeat and positive has been extremely difficult. Not only am I dealing with the knee iss-ewes (all hail Kath & Kim) but there are also iss-ewes with TM and $$$ problems. The job at the gym is great if it weren't for all the selling pressure and bullshit. But I am learning everyday and just soaking it up until we can afford to move on. Big plans in regards to the Personal Training business but it all depends on this fucking knee. Sorry for the bad language but sometimes it feels good. I promise to blog more often so I can send my vitriol and self indulgent wallowing out there for us all to share.

Still Kicking

2007-09-05T14:48:00.000+09:30

Long Time with no update. This means only one thing I am treading water and I am so frustrated with it.

A few times I have again raised my middle finger to the world and gone for a jog on the oval. I cannot say it was a run more like a very slow Cliff Young Shuffle. But it was outside it was movement and it felt somewhat ok.

The Physio says the my appointment with the Sports Med Physio will go some thing like this.

Me: So how do you think it is progressing

SMP: (with Ruler in hand) Only 110-115 degrees not what we would like.

Me: does that me I can't start running ?

SMP: Run you will be lucky to walk without a limp, you gimp, go away there is nothing more we can do.

Ok he might not say it like that but that is how I am feeling at the moment. My progress is so slow and nothing seems to be improving. I am having lots of pain with tib fib joint when my physio works his mojo magic on it we can get the knee to bend more. He has never come across it before and is interested in what the surgeon will say on the 19th.

Well enough of the sads and woe is me chatter. On to other exciting happenings in my world. My husband and best friend from Perth conspired to trick me with a surprise visit. I walked into on of my favourite drinking holes and she was there. I was so excited I almost wet my pants a little. Sorry TMI for some. :)

Working an office job and 2 days in the gym as well as freelance bookkeeping life has become extremely busy. I try and catch up on all my favourites bloggers at least once a week.

My goals for September are to exercise 5-6 days per week, rehab daily, sleep more than 6 hours per night and stay positive about the long road back to running.

Stay Well, Run Well, Be Well

I've Been Tagged

2007-08-13T10:52:00.000+09:30

Jobs I’ve Held Bar Wench, Waitress, Pool Bar Manager, Cashier, Payroll Officer, Office Manager, MYOB Consultant and Bookkeeper, Personal Trainer

Movies I Can Watch Over & Over Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dead Poets Society, Any John Cusack Movie, The Life of Brian , The Search for the Holy Grail

My Guilty Pleasures EBay, Good Food and Wine, Reality TV, Exercising instead of housework, Fitness Magazines

Places I have lived (in order) Port Augusta South Australia, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Darwin Northern Territory,Papunya NT, Darwin again, Alice Springs, Again, Sydney, Alice Springs Again, Perth Western Australia, Adelaide South Australia

Shows I enjoy Trinny and Susannah Undress & What Not to Wear, How to look good Naked, Scrubs Dr Who; Torchwood

Places I Have Been on Holiday Thursday Island, Emu Point, Brisbane,Kununurra, Broome, Derby, Margaret River, Bunbury, Albany,Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Glen Helen, Bali

Favorite Foods Prawns, blue cheese, kangaroo (hey I am a Territory Girl) and Nana's Cooking

Websites I Visit Daily abc.net.au and all my blog addictions

Body Parts I Have Injured Ankles, fingers, wrist, calf, knee

Awards I’ve Won Best and Fairest and Coaches Award both for Netball, numerous medals in Little Athletics

Nicknames You’ve Been Called Sarah Jane, Tish, Pookie, BP (Bush Princess) and Lush

Pick 5 Other Bloggers

Sarah, Celsete, Andrew, Simlin, MAR

Gym Update

2007-08-07T11:38:00.000+09:30

All sorted with the new manager. i showed him who was boss. No Saturday shifts regular Tuesday and Sunday shift. He was concerned that this was not my passion. Hello left a Double degree in Accounting & IT for this indusrty. Work it out big fellow.

Thanks for the PT offer Celeste, and I agree about the Red Wine LBPETA. I will whine or wine if I want too.

Run Well

Massage Man is King

2007-08-06T10:11:00.000+09:30

Long time no blog.

This was due to computer glitch. Apparently my computer allows only one boo hoo sad me post per moth.

I had my post op appointment with the surgeon on Friday. His response was it is early days yet, keeping straightening your leg when ever possible and I will see you in 6-8 weeks. Also keep up the ~~torture~~ physio and work at home. Oh and by the way we might not get your leg fully straight again but you will be happy if we get it to 5 degrees. Oh no I will not Dr Knee. So in a way it was good news due to the fact that I was being a sad panda about what I deemed to be a lack of progress.

The other good news is I saw TTMM and he spent a solid hour just on my leg and we did some painful fascia release and trigger points. This has made a huge difference in the feel of my leg. The only way I can describe it is that it feels like it has stopped being frozen and now I am nowhere near as stiff in the mornings.

So I am busy sitting with my leg out straight with ankle weights and a phone book draped over it forcing it straight. As TTMM said we will get is straight and I will run again. I am off to the Sports Med Physio tonight and I might be getting a running program to progress with the rehab. I will let you know how that goes.

Other News

The job at the gym was going well until the manger who hired me resigned and a new manager has started. I received a text on Saturday informing that I had a weeks notice that I was to cover a shift this Saturday. Well lets see how this works, 2 children, school sport commitments, a husband who works until 1pm, no family support in regards to care for children on the weekend. Hello Sunshine it doesn't matter is you give me a month's notice I still cannot work on a Saturday. I was told that I need to be more flexible. I don't think that it is going to work as I am not getting into the corporate ~~cult~~ culture. I will tell my new Line Manager (just love the Corporate BS) that I am unable to meet his request for the Saturday shift. I think that my lack of flexibility will be an issue. Oh well it was fun while it lasted and I know for sure that I do not want to be a PT in a gym but doing on my own.

Run Well , Run Happy, Just Run

8 Days on the Road and I'm gunna make it bend tonight

2007-07-27T10:04:00.000+09:30

Well after much wallowing and tears, I have picked up the ball from LBTEPA and am running with it. My second physio appointment went much better and we got more movement. It looks like it is just going to be lots of work and gritting of teeth. TM has lots of work to do in helping me with the knee and I am also calling in the services of TTMM to help get this sucker moving.

So with a a small limp in my step off I go on my road to recovery.

Short post as I have lots to do and little time to do it in.

Run Happy, Run Well, Just Run

Thanks so much for your support and recovery dust, it sure is helping.

Post Op Update Part 2

2007-07-25T13:22:00.000+09:30

Be Warned there is much self pity to follow in this post.

Well after feeling that there was great improvement after the operation, it seems that is was just the pain relief messing with my mind. By Monday night I felt like I was back to my pre op mobility or lack thereof. TM told me not to panic and to wait and see what the physio thought. Fast forward to Tuesday afternoon. Let me set the scene; I started my gym shift an 5.45am and worked until 12pm then went to see a client for bookwork from 12.15 to 1.30pm, then straight to my physio appointment. Did I mention that in hospital they told me that they wanted me to start aggressive physio (what a great term).

Physio man read my report then assessed my knee.It is no better than before the op and we are going to kneed to do a lot of work twice weekly sessions. Oh joy and rapture. He then proceeded to do lots of aggressive work on my quad muscles that prior to see him felt like they had been pulled to now feeling like they have been ripped from the bone. He also managed to get an extra 10 degrees in the bend but it would have to rate as more painful than childbirth. There was lots of heavy breathing and just a little tear in the corner of my eye.

I am so disappointed with my recovery process at the moment. I just can't see the light at the moment. It looks like I need to be doing this physio stuff for a long time and I will also need the help of Tony the Massage Man (TTMM) as well. Lucky I started a second job so I can support my rehabilitation habit. Due to the fact that I have not bee able to bend or straighten my leg properly it appears that my ITB has shorten and when we are doing the bending of the knee the pain at the insertion point is excruciating. So it is lots of very hard work ahead so hang on I think it is going to be a wild ride.

Happy News

Went to see the netball (australia V New Zealand 3rd Test) after my awful day at the physio. Great to see Australia beat the Kiwi's. I must say that it was brilliant umpiring and coaching by me on the sidelines. (Tee Hee) Last night was teh first time that I got a little pang of regret about not playing netball. However there will be no comeback to playing, but coaching who knows???

Run Happy Run Well, Just Run

Post Op Update

2007-07-20T07:53:00.000+09:30

The following procedures were preformed on my knee

Adhesion resection of the suprapatella pouch

Notchplasty

Resection of cyclops

So my fears of nothing being wrong with my knee and I would be stuck with a knee that didn't work were unfounded.

The operation went very well, I needed to stay the whole day due to a drain in my knee. I drained about 600ml of blood so I had some problems with low blood pressure but all good. I am set to start aggressive physio on Tuesday. The knee is a little tender but my flexion is already improving.

Must go and do my exercises and icing. Will keep you updated on the progress

Knee Day Part 2

2007-07-19T06:10:00.001+09:30

Just a short note as I am about to go to and have the nodule removed. To say that I am nervouse and anxious about the outcome is huge understatement. Only had about 3 hrs sleep so I might ask for more sleep juice when I go under.

I will update as soon as posible, and also fill you on the wonderful weekend in the Barossa.

Go Aussie's in the netball a great win last night and MFH ( my future husband) Craig Mottram in his win again in the 10000m.

Must go the children are stirring and I have places to be.

Run Happy, Run Well

You can refer to me as Club Trainer

2007-07-11T14:44:00.000+09:30

As the title suggests. I got the job. (little happy dance) I am now closer to realising my dream of becoming a Personal Trainer. I start next Tuesday at Zest. I am very excited about this new direction that my career is taking. I am also starting to get a few more clients in my bookkeeping business. It does mean that I will now need to be more together to make sure that POD* & MOE* are organised. I am also doing the Sunday shift which is 9am to 1pm, this cuts into our family time but it isn't forever and we are not taking visitors or any commitments on Sunday afternoon. That is going to be family time. Surely I can cope with them for a few hours on a Sunday :)

Thank you all for your kind words about the dog. It is hard to understand just how cruel some people can be. The house seems very quiet without Caesar, but we are all adjusting slowly.

Riddle me this!

How do you get Runner's knee when you aren't running??? Well I can, what a clever girl am I. It seems that my last few days of exercise, RPM on Friday and 2 x 1hr + walks which included some very small hills have given me tendinitis of the patella tendon. I can't begin to express the sheer frustration I am feeling with this bloody knee. With the 2nd op fast approaching I am filled with a huge case of the What Ifs.

What if the 2nd op finds nothing?

What if the knee is never going to get any better than it is now?

What if I had done more physio, better physio, less physio?

What if there is something more than the nodule?

What if I never get full movement back?

What if I am worrying for nothing?

* For those new to the blog MOE (Mistress of Evil) POD (Prince of Darkness) I love my children I really do

All Hail the Mighty Caesar

2007-07-09T09:44:00.000+09:30

It has been a very sad week at Casa RunMumRun. On Monday night my husband's beloved Boxer Caesar ran away from home. I collected him from the council on Tuesday, but all was not well. He had broken teeth and was walking almost in circles. I walked him home very slowly and rang TM to tell him that the dog was not well. After keeping a close eye on him overnight we took him to the vets. On Wednesday evening at 7pm we had to make the heartbreaking decision to put Caesar to sleep. It seems that some bastard repeatedly kicked him in the head and caused brain damage. Rest in Peace Caesar 26th October 1999 to 4th July 2007.

Due to the events of the week I did not go to Fat Farm and will going this Wednesday weighing even more than last week. My knee is still not doing all that it should and the operation is still on the cards. The improvement that I am getting is only slight. The physio was able to put only 1 finger under my knee before working on it and got it straight after lots of painful work. However my bending still sucks.

Tomorrow I go for a second interview at a local gym for the position of gym instructor. It is for 2 shifts a week one of which is at the wonderful start time of 6am. The $$ are not great but it is like any new career you have to start somewhere. The best part about the job is my Personal Trainer and good friend is the manager of the gym and I will be able to see her more often. I haven't trained with her since the knee operation but we still keep in touch. I have also got more clients for my bookkeeping business and this is a busy time of the year so that is why I have been a bit slack in the posting. Hpoefully this week will be a little less dramatic and things will return to some sort of normal.

Kneed to know

2007-07-02T14:01:00.000+09:30

What is going on with my knee??

More on that later. Let me bore you with the details of Castle Day. First thing in the morning MOE got into bed and wished me Happy Birthday and asked if she could come to my party and blow my cake. She was told yes she could and all day told anybody that would listen that she was going to my party and that it was my birthday and I was 2. Love you lots MOE for that one. POD on the other hand told everybody what my real age was. No extra cake for him at the party. TM arrived home just after 12.30pm, we lunched as a loving family, then the Queen high tailed it out of the Castle and of to shop till she dropped. I was in the city by 1.30pm, not bad at all.

The Queen's purchases were as follows

Knee high black boots reduced by more than 1/2 (woo hoo)
Lucky Brand jeans 1 size smaller than my Levi's let me live the dream that they are all sized the same way.
Model co make-up with the 2nd item 50% off
3 Pandora charms, The Queen B, The Teapot and an Angel

Not too much damage to the credit card as most was purchased with birthday $$. I returned home in time to shower and dress for dinner, in new boots and jeans of course. While sipping on bubbles. Dinner was great, my darling dad and step mum gave me a Portmans gift card so still more shopping to do.

Sunday was a lazy day spent in PJ's until midday. When I finally got changed and went shopping for fruit and veg I noticed that my knee was not giving me the usually pain it does and I was walking with a less than noticeable limp. Not sure what is going on with this naughty knee. Last night in bed I was able to straighten my leg and have the back of my knee touch the mattress. This is what my knee should have been doing 4 weeks ago!!!! I am not getting excited or cancelling the op just yet. I will wait and see what I can do at the physio and have him do all that technical measuring, like how many fingers he can fit under my knee.

So I am of to the gym for cardio and strength exercises, another star for me. I have a new goal for Christmas too. It is to lose 10% of my body weight as at my birthday. So for all of you who can do the maths I have 7.5kg to lose by the 14th December. My gaol is do 10% more activity each week and eat 10% less. I am returning to Fat fighters (WW) meetings to help keep me honest. Nothing like public shaming to stop you reaching for that next piece of chocolate or bottle of bubbles. So I will update you on the 10% factor next Wednesday.

Run Happy, Run Well

Hippy Birdie 2 Me

2007-06-30T11:10:00.000+09:30

For today you can refer to me as Princess Tallulah, for I am Queen of the Castle. At our house when it is your birthday you are King or Queen of the castle and you can do whatever you like. it is referred to as Castle Day. So I am off to the city to wander and enjoy some quiet time.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Sara sorry about the drunk and mess that you have and not the drunk and clean I have :)

No workout today the Queen has declared it pain free day.

Run Well, Run Happy

TGIF

2007-06-29T17:26:00.000+09:30

Yeah Friday. I love Friday as it means 2 days off from taxi driving to school and it is home-made pizzas for dinner, netball on ABC2 and Friday Night Football. It is also housework night. Why would I be excited by housework you ask. I'm not but it goes like this, TM likes to clean the house while drinking. Yes people you read right my husband likes nay enjoys cleaning while drinking. So being the smart and sly girl I am I make sure there is plenty of Bourbon or beer in the house. I fall asleep in front of the footy while TM cleans the house from top to bottom. I wake up in the morning and it is like the house cleaning fairy's have been. What a pity the fuck-up fairy usually visits by Sunday. I was going to use a * in the f-word but I think this post sums up why I didn't bother.

So you can see why I love Friday.

Another for me cardio and strength completed.

Run Well Run Happy

Starry Starry Days

2007-06-28T13:17:00.000+09:30

3 Stars in a row. 30 Minutes of walking on the treadmill. All my strength exercises for the leg and 15 minutes of walking and running at the now smokin' pace of 9km. I need to be able to keep up with Celeste. I did 2 minutes of walking and 1 minute of running. i tried to focus on making sure the knee was moving and I wasn't favouring it at all.

Well I am off to partake in retail therapy, shopping for birthday presents for me. Woo Hoo. I am getting 2 charms for my Pandora bracelet with the $$$ from the outlaws. I picked these 2 because BBB(Father-in-law) calls me a Bitch and I always tell that's Queen Bitch 2 you and I chose the Teapot because TM family are mad tea drinkers.

Off to get a new outfit for birthday dinner, more about that later.

Run Hapy, Run Well

3 more Sleeps

2007-06-27T10:15:00.000+09:30

Happy Birthday to Me
in 3 more sleeps.

In case you are wondering about the Happy 3rd Birthday on the cake I am not revealing my age to blog-land just yet. So join me in some virtual cake and bubbles on the 30th, all of you are invited. Yes even the lurkers.

PS Another star today.

Reporting for Knee Duty

2007-06-26T14:37:00.000+09:30

50 minute walk in the dark, cold and wet this morning. If I can't run at least I can get up early and pretend.

20 mins of strength work at the gym on my knee, then 20 minutes on the treadmill. I did 4 min walking and 1 min of running at the blindly fast pace of 8kph. Slow down there slugger or you will giving Buster a run for his money. Tee Hee.

Star awarded for today. yeah me

Run Well

Still Here

2007-06-25T09:27:00.000+09:30

No post for some time as nothing in my world has really changed. Still plodding along, working on the knee and waiting for the op. If I was to be total honest, I would have to say that I haven't been as enthusiastic about my knee rehab as I should. It seems that work, family and life keep getting in the way of me doing all the things I should or could be doing to help my knee.

There is a small part of brain that keeps saying all those negative things like if you had done more and were consistent in your rehab this nodule nonsense would not have happened. And because of the fact that I am unable to run I am unable too chase away these thoughts as easily as I would.
But on the bright side of things, life has been good in all other non-knee areas. POD's father now has a job after some 7 years of not working and will now be able to contribute to the upkeep of his son. MOE is getting to be quite the little character and as smart as can be. Sometimes I think she is too clever for TM and me.

We have organised to go away in July with 5 other couples to the Barossa for a weekend sans children. A big WOO HOO.

We had a big celebration last Saturday for the school that POD and MOE (when she is old enough) attend. A great night with amazing friends. I have learnt that I have had enough to drink when I start signing on Songstar, not a good sound for the neighbours at 3am.

Will try and post more regularly and let you all know how exciting my rehab is. Maybe if I log what I have done it will encourage me to be more consistent.

Run Well, Run Happy, Just Run

A new Do

2007-06-12T19:58:00.000+09:30

Well a new do and all is good, 2 new tops and a pair of pants and plenty of items on my ebay watch list. Nothing like a good dose of retail therapy to make a gal feel good.

To answer a few questions the second opinion was a lets wait 12 weeks and see if there is any improvement then do the arthroscope. both physio think that it is best to get in there an debride the knee and start rehab. The debridement of the nodule and any lesions will result in more movement and a quicker return to running. Well dinner is finished and ice cream awaits.

Stiff Upper Lip Old Chap or $#@&

2007-06-11T19:37:00.000+09:30

Can she Run?

Well after a visit to the physio at SportsMed, I was given the news that I have a cyclops nodule. The surgeon has booked me in for an arthroscope on the 19th July. So to answer the question that was asked . Can I run ?? Yes you can but it will hampered by the fact that your knee is not working properly. Insert very loud scream from me.

So to borrow from Lptepa, The Plan is this. I will be getting up very early at stupid o'clock (5am) and walking for 45-60 min then off to the gym to do re-hab on my leg them home to get everyone to school and work. I can then o back to gym to do cardio and upper body workout.

To say that I am disappointed about this setback would be a huge understatement. but it is just another challenge to overcome. I know that when I can run freely again there will be no stopping me. There is some degree of worry on my part. What if it is not this cyclops nodule (Sounds like some sort of Super Hero) and my knee wont improve any more. Happy thoughts only, I am just focusing on doing lots of hard work until the op, to ensure that I have done all I could to help my recovery.

I promise to blog more regularly, just had to have a few days off to get my head around the news so not to be a big girls blouse and sook online. I am indulging in some retail therapy today and waiting for new furniture to be delivered today. Nothing beats flogging the credit card when all sad about your interrupted road to recovery. Oh and a new hairdo while I am at it.

Run Happy Run Well

Mummy Did a Bad Bad Thing

2007-05-31T21:32:00.000+09:30

Run Mum Run

Well you would think that at almost 37 I might have learnt to listen to those who may know best. But oh no not me, I know better than the Dr and the Physio. I laugh at your years of study and listen only to the voice of frustration and pain.

After almost 112 weeks of not being able to run and struggling to see any improvement in the last 4 weeks I threw caution to then wind and went for a RUN. It might not have been far and it was only (only she says) 15 minutes but it has made a big difference in my life. Okay so how was it. Lets just say it was like running on a dead mans leg. It was not comfortable and I felt very awkward and slow but it was outdoors and I did it.

The good news is that there has not been any problems with my F&$K you to the world, I will run if I want too episode. My knee is holding up OK, and the 20 min walk after the run felt great. Only a slight niggle in the medial repair area later that night when I went to bed, but nothing today after my mincing machine workout.

So there it is I ran, the world kept turning and my knee did not crumble.

I did it because I am tired of being in pain and not being to do then one thing I love. I am scared that my knee will never get better, so the way I see it is that I just bloody well learn to run with it the way it is. I am so, so over this knee op. I just want the constant awarkdness and pain to stop and let me get onn withn it. Can you tell that I am not a very patient person??

My thoughts to all those with injuries :( and for those that don't Just Run and Run Happy.

Am I Bovered (long live Miss Tate)

2007-05-23T14:11:00.000+09:30

Back from a wonderful indulgent weekend in Lancelin WA. I went over to spend time with some girlfriends in beautiful beach house. Far too much wine and delicious food was consumed, but at least I know tat the extra weight I put on over the weekend was well paid for. Gourmet meal for lunch and dinner with delightful cheese platters filled with decadent cheeses from around the world. Sheer bliss, no children no husbands, no demands. A great way to recharge the soul.

However 4 days of over indulging have lead to an expansion of the waist line so as of today I begin my serious exercise regime. Well as much as I can manage with my dodgy knee (more of that later) and careful logging of my food intake. My liver is also demanding a week of AFD's. It was great to see all my wonderful girlfriends and see how the other live. Let's just say that I am the poor country cousin when amongst most of them. I just love how people from all different walks of life can come together and appreciate each other for who they are, not what they have.

I just have to share with you all in blogland the beautiful early birthday present I got from by girlfriend. This bracelet with 3beautiful charms and a stopper. I love the fact that I can keep adding to it and now have something other than running gear to add to my wish list. I can be such a girlie girl when it comes to bling.

The Knee Saga

Well after my return from Perth I visited the physio for my weekly dose of pain. The good news is that the extension is getting better but my knee flexion is not doing as well as it should. The physio thinks that the Dr Pain will not be happy about my lack of progress in that department. So if I want to start running in 16 days I need to be doing lots and lots of self inflicted pain to get the knee working. It feels like there are quite a few lesion in the knee which is restricting the flexion of the joint. I tell you what this re-con is just about the best roller coaster ride I have ever had in my life. So hi ho hi ho its off to pain I go.

Wish me luck as I work thru new pain thresholds and get my knee ready for treadmill running June 8th.

Run Well, Run Happy, Just Run

Hello

2007-05-15T20:06:00.000+09:30

Wow the computer gods have just saved me major heartbreak. Wrote a D & M post about my private life and blogger would not post it. So no re-write maybe at a later date. Lost 0.8 last week. Busy week as I am off to Perth on Thursday. Will post from Perth.

Have a great week.

PS Ran for 20 metres felt weird but also good in a strange way.

500 at Last

2007-05-07T10:51:00.000+09:30

Well with my new found ability to use the mincing machine, I have finally been able to do a workout that burnt over 500 Calories. Yeah for me. I did 25 mins on the mincer and used a killer workout where you sprint for 8 seconds and recover for 12 seconds did that for 20 mins and I was dripping with sweat, the heart was racing and I felt great.

Running & Recovery

Not me! It was great to read all the race reports on the GTR. I felt that my little bit of encouragement helped a few of you, and if I didn't comment on your blog and you ran, then Well Done you.

I am keeping up with the exercises but I must admit that the constant pain while doing them is no fun. I now have greater respect for those people who live with constant pain. I know that this level of pain is temporary and that with time, I will recovery and be able to return to the things I love. However there are people who live in constant pain each and every day without the knowledge that it will get better. I do not think I would cope with that. So with the knowledge that it will get better I continue to bend and straighten my knee and count down the days until I can run again.

Life in General

The Man and I had a great day yesterday as we spent 6 glorious hours on our own. POD was away for the weekend with his father and MOE spent the day with Poppy, Nana, Grand-nanny (my grandma) and Grand-poppy and her Auntie. We spent the day wandering around Rundle Mall going into shops with breakable objects just because we could. It was really nice just relaxing together, we don't often get the chance to just hang out with each other. I finally bit the bullet and spent some $$$ on equipment for my business. I am hoping the old saying of you need to spend money to make money is true. If not I am in big trouble. Well at least I will have my own home gym if all else fails.

Have You Seen My New Ticker

2007-05-02T11:12:00.000+09:30

Enough of dwelling in the past. The knee re-con is done and finished with, it is all about the recovery. Can you tell I am ready to move on and get back on the program, so to speak.

I had my appointment with the physio and things went well but not great. I can now get my knee to 105 degrees but my knee extension is not where the physio wants it to be. the pain is in the front of the knee so that means that something might be getting caught and surprise surprise that is not a good thing. So I now have more home work to do ( that means more stars for me). I need to put the bike seat lower and force my knee (that hurts) forward and back. Just when I could make the wheels go 'round and 'round. I also need to sit and bend my knee manually (does that make sense at all). What I have to do is grab my shin and pull my heel to my ever increasing bum and hold for 10 or more seconds. Does the fun ever end.

However it is not all doom and gloom. The physio was really impressed with my form in the gym. Apparently I control the muscles on the way up and down and have good strength in my quads. He is also very happy with the way I am walking ( not quite up there with Australia's Next Top Model). I am to continue with my weight programme and I am now officially allowed to use the mincing machine and go on power walks. He told me that he would normally start a running programme now but that would be just another chore for me at the moment. This man has no idea who I am, a chore, you fool it is sheer delight. I digress, the report is that I see the surgeon and the physio on the 8th June and I know that I will given the all clear to run again. Yeah Yeah Yeah. How is that for positive thoughts Pollyanna eat your heart out baby.

The Plan

Now that I have been given the go ahead to get sweaty I plan on doing 'running' on the mining machine. So I am going to do tempo runs, LSD and intervals on the machine and hope to regain some of my fitness. Also I hope that it helps to remove some of the lard that has found it way to my bum and tum due to over indulging in too much food and wine. It was a fun way to medicate my sads but not so good for the figure. The damage done, was not too bad just 2kgs but enough to be annoying. So I still have 6kgs to lose to be at my optium running weight. I will weigh in each week and give you all the gory details. Help to keep me honest and log my weekly star progress. So until next time.

Run Happy, Run Well, Just Run

The Wheels on the bike go round and round

2007-04-30T13:20:00.000+09:30

Do the happy dance, I can pedal a bike again.

As of yesterday I was able to make a full revolution of the pedals. How happy am I?

Due to equipment failure and the added bonus of POD being on school holidays and MOE being unwell. Lots and lots of Baby Boogers, that is what MOE says when she needs her nose wiped. Just thought I should share with you all what I have been doing for the past 2 weeks. So with children at home who needed all my love and attention and a computer that decided to become temperamental and not connect to the net, I have been slack in not posting. Fear not fellow bloggers I am back, POD is at school, MOE is well again and the computer has been warned about its behaviour.

Recovery Update

I have been doing my gym program that the physio gave me and while it felt like I was going nowhere the progress has been slow but progressing. As I mentioned in earlier posts I am working on a killer upper body in the interim. On Tuesday of last week on a whim I decide to get on the mincing machine and see if I could use it without any pain. Well good news I could, so on ANZAC day after taking POD & MOE to Dawn Service I went to the gym and spent 30 wonderful minutes with my heart rate elevated and sweat forming on my body. What a wonderful feeling after almost 2 months of nothing. Yesterday I jumped on the exercise bike and as the title suggests I could turn the pedal all the way around with only slight discomfort. I hope this means good news tomorrow when I see the physio.

I am still having trouble with full extension of the leg but if I just try a little harder and do some leg extension exercises every day as suggested by the physio I might see more improvement. I must admit that I have been a little lax in that area, it is so hard some days to find time to fit it all into life, but with some lovely star stickers an idea I blatantly stole from Lbtepa. Thanks so much for that idea I just love it.

I will fill you in on the physio appointment tomorrow all things going well. So until then, Run Happy Run Well, Just Run.

Another Week

2007-04-11T10:51:00.000+09:30

I have been sitting here trying to write about my recovery but I just can't. Not that I don't want to but I feel like I am stuck at the moment and I am not going anywhere.

I have been given my strength programme and will start that tomorrow. I know that this is a step in the right direction. That the programme represents progress in my rehab, but it feels like I have taken a huge step backwards. The exercises are very simple and with no weight at the moment and I am struggling to be able to do them. Due to the fact that I have had cartilage repair the recover has to be slow and gentle so not to damage the repair. My problem is that prior to my knee going bang, I was doing leg press and squats with some fairly heavy weights. Would put a few of the boys to shame. Now that I am doing these exercises I find it really frustrating as to how far back I have gone. I am struggling to leg extensions with 1kg weight on my ankle.

I am also worried about how much fitness I have lost and how hard it will be to regain it once I get given the all clear to run again. the physio seems to think that it will be about the 12 week stage before I can hit the treadmill. All I want to do is to be able to turn a bike pedal 360 degrees. The pain in my knee is a constant and I am finding that it is starting to bring me down. Last night I had the most beautiful dream, I was running barefoot on the grass and nothing hurt. How I long for that, just to be able to walk without thinking about it would be great. As I am unable to do any cardio at the moment it has been a struggle to maintain my weight. I have put on 1kg since the surgery but it feels and looks like a lot more. I do not like the way my once strong body seems to getting soft and gushy. My lesson this week is never ever take your health for granted. I think your health is more important than anything because with out it all else suffers.

Well enough of my sad sob sook. Time to get up and do those leg extensions and write programs for my PT clients. I hope everyone had a great Easter and got their fill of chocolate. POD & MOE scored well from all the relatives we visited. A lovely 4 days spent together and no-one killed on the car trip home. Well Done Us.

Slowly Slowly

2007-04-03T12:23:00.000+09:30

Things are moving slowly with the knee. At the moment I am still not able to fully straighten my leg and my flexion is at about 90 but needs to get to about 95-100 so that I can ride an exercise bike. I have been reading some blogs and forums about knee reconstruction and it looks like I got the worlds meanest Doctor. Just about everyone else got crutches or a brace after surgery and by the sounds of it some good pain killers. Not my doc no crutches and just a pressure sock. I think that it has helped as far as my mobility and that I have a 2 year old who does not understand that mum just needed to lie down on the couch so I was probably moving sooner than most.

I have been back at the gym doing upper body and ab workouts as well as my hydrotherapy workouts. Last week I did a killer chest and back workout total DOMS in my chest and back including my lats which was great and very painfully at the same time.

Running

What a busy weekend I had. First well done to Celeste who completed a 10km fun run without stopping. She didn't quite make the time she was hoping for but she was carrying me around the course and she only just missed her time, so a big round of applause for her . Yeah! :)

AJH did a PB in the Run for Kids smashing a huge 11 mins of last year. I am looking forward to seeing what time he does for his next 1/2 marathon so that it will give me something to work towards next year. I love reading about all your races and how you went in a way I feel like I was running it with you in some way. So to all of you keep the running up and live love and laugh.

Twenty One 21 again

2007-03-27T16:49:00.000+09:30

As the title suggests it has been 3 weeks or 21 days since the surgery.

Well the stitches are out and I am in the water. I rang TM after the appointment and complained that the scarring was not dramatic enough for the amount of pain I had gone thru and I wanted to draw on my leg with lip liner to make it look more dramatic. All went well with the post op appointment, the surgeon was happy with the amount of flexion in my leg and the small amount of swelling. I didn't quiet get to 90 degrees but due to the meniscal repair he was happy with the 80 degrees that I could do. The physio graduated me from Kindy exercises to primary school ones and a hydrotherapy workout.

The getting around is going much better but there is still pain and discomfort by the end of the day or if I am in the same position for too long. The new exercises are quiet painful, my favourite (not) is sitting with my leg on a chair and letting it passively straighten. passive my arse it hurts like a bitch. Went to my own physio today and he did some gentle stretching and massage the scars and it made a big difference to how much I could straighten my leg. So looks like TM will have to add masseuse to his list of chores.

I went on Monday to the pool and did my huge 20 minute session and felt good , the knee was a bit sore in the morning but I went back this morning and did another session in the water a big 10 min session and an upper body weights workout. Something you might want to work on AJH. It felt great to be back in the land of the living so to speak. I can now see where I am going in terms of my recovery. A good friend told me she knows I will have no problems with the physically work I have to do but is worried about the mental side of the recovery. Worried about it all seeming so far away and missing my running too much. In a way she is right I miss my running more than I thought was possible. But as I have said previously I am breaking the recovery down into small chunks and working on what is in front of me and trying not to get overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done. So for now I am working hard on trying to straighten my leg when walking and doing my new exercises and enjoying the water.

So as always Run Happy, Run Well, Just Run

Like Riding a Bike

2007-03-22T11:53:00.000+10:30

Well yesterday I resumed my Personal Training with, lets call him Barney. We walked around 2 soccer pitches which was good and I only felt a bit uncomfortable. A new symptom/sensation is cramping in the quad muscle where the drain tube was. Barney thought he was so funny asking if the pace was too quick and that he was happy to slow down. This is what I usually ask him. He is so sweet he brought me a lovely bunch of flowers to welcome me back and hope that I wasn't going to be too much of a grumpy bitch while doing his workout. During some ab work he did remind me that he had brought flowers and that I should be nice to him. Lucky you brought them or this would be hurting a whole lot more (tee hee). It felt good to outdoors and moving, strangely I am looking forward to the rehab knowing that it is going to hard and hurt but nothing good comes easy.

Oh how the mock me. Today I received a registration package for the Australasian Masters Games. I had already been approached to play netball and I was also thinking about doing the 8km Cross Country. "The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men Gang aft a-gley."So instead I might volunteer for the cross country or marathon instead, see the racing fro the other side. I think October might be too soon to be thinking of racing. Just to walk normally seems tough enough at the moment, so no pressure on myself just recovery and heal well and there is always next year. Although I do have a plan to run in the Christmas Frolic in December 10km fun run. That is 9 months away so I might be able to train for that. But nothing is set in stone, learnt that the hard way and to quote just about every footy player I am taking is one game (day) at a time.

As always Run, Happy, Run Well, Just Run

Return to the real World

2007-03-19T18:01:00.000+10:30

Well after what has seemed like more than 13 days at home. 1 less if you count the drug induced night at SportsMed. I returned to work for 1/2 a day. I was picked up by my boss's mum in a Merc so not too shabby. I only stayed at work until 1pm but must admit I hit struggletown at about 12.

It was good to get out of the house for a bit as the walls were getting a little too close for comfort. On the weekend we had a family tragedy as POD's fish went belly up. We secured a look alike for a replacement but guilt got the better of me and I told him of Leo's passing. He took it well and now we have SOL (Son of Leo) or as TM and I were calling it Faux Leo.

On Saturday night, well Sunday morning I got to relive the joys of alcohol and soft tissue injury. TM and I held a a small dinner party for some good friends. Not a good mix(leg & wine, not the friends) but the Cockatoo Ridge Sparkling Black went down a treat and a great evening was had by all. On the menu was Chicken Breast wrapped with Prosciutto and stuffed with basil and Parmesan, served with fresh crusty bread and a mixed salad. One of the guest brought gourmet yoghurt and home-made pavlovas, and the other guests brought a beautiful cheese platter. I just love good food, good wine and great company.

I go to get the stitches out and visit the physio, I will start hydrotherapy after Friday so yet again another step closer to that run. Thanks goes to Pilbara for my many and varied runs, and thanks to Vicki for that wonderful cross country half marathon. With all this running I am sure my fitness levels will remain high. A girl can dream can't she. I am looking forward to the Friday appointment as I will able to drive again and that means I will be able to go back to the gym and start working out in the pool and some upper body workouts. Yeah Me.

Run Well, Run Happy, Just Run

One Week On

2007-03-15T11:58:00.000+10:30

Just thought I would post some more pictures of the pretty colours that have come out on my leg. Off the pain killers and starting to gt around a bit more freely. Still have swelling and pain but managable with panadol and rest at the moment. One week closer to running and only a few days of getting behind the wheel again. The walls are starting to close in a little.

Run Well, Run Happy, Just Run.

Baby Steps

2007-03-12T09:11:00.000+10:30

Another day closer to running, but first I have to learn to walk again. I am so frustrated at the moment because the pain and discomfort don't seem to be getting any less. TM has pointed out that I am walking a lot better than when I left hospital. So I am re-focusing on my goals and the first step is to be able to drive the car again.

It was interesting to read Andrew's post about dedicating a run to me. Thank you so much it was just the medicine I needed to take this morning. The post got me thinking about people in my life that were facing challenges themselves. My mum suffers from MS and is in an aged home. She is only 56 and bed bound and totally reliant on the help of others. As I was having a sulk about the pain and inconvenience of my knee operation, I realises that Mum had to face her challenge everyday knowing that there was no recovery no time limit to when she would feel better. It made me realise that my situation was only temporary and that wallowing in my own self pity was not going to help. Last year when I ran my first HM I thought about my Mum and her carer who had, had a stroke some months earlier and when it got hard I ran for them. Somehow you do feel like you will be letting them down if you stop and dont push on.

I want to thank all of you for your runs that you have dedicated to me, I hope in some way I helped you go a little further or a little faster or that you thought about the fact that you were out there running.

I will post some more pictures later, the bruising is making for some interesting colours on my leg.

The Road to Recovery

2007-03-09T08:43:00.000+10:30

First of all I want to say how blown away I am by the gesture of dedicating runs to me. When I read this I got very emotional. Don't know if it was the pain, GA or just the good vibes that it brings. What a great community we have, your generous thoughts and gestures are making the healing process more bearable.

Well the operation went very well, I had totally ruptured my ACL and there was also cartilage damage so I got 2 operations for the $ of 1. However due to the cartilage repair it will be more like 12 weeks before I am running again. The pain is intense and the physio I have to do at the moment is very difficult. Simple exercises but just painful and hard to do. Who would have thought that tensing your quad muscle could be so difficult.

These are the first shots of the new knee. The photos with both legs was my first attempt at standing after the operation. Single leg is day 2 and the lovely thigh shot is day 3. It is already a big roller coaster ride with trying to get back movement and fighting the pain at the same time. I just need to remember little baby steps and that it is just 3 days post op. Thank you all again for running for me. Maybe that is why I am feeling so sore. So please people remember to cool down and stretch after my runs.

Run Happy, Run Well

Knee Day

2007-03-06T10:49:00.000+10:30

Sitting waiting for TM to come home from work and take me to hospital. I desperately want to write something witty and entertaining, but I am a runner not a writer. I am feeling very anxious and so very tired. MOE decided last night at about midnight that she would wake up and refuse to go back to sleep unless she got to watch Star Dreaming (Hi 5). Well after 15 mins of that she changed her mind and wanted a story, then milk , then huggles ( combined hug and cuddle). Well after lots of tears and sobs with MOE consoling herself by saying poor chicken. She finally went to sleep between TM and me in bed. This was about 2.30am so in a weird way I am looking forward to the general so I can get some sleep.

Thanks everyone for your well wishes. AJH I like your plan re fetch me this fetch me that. I will post some post op pictures in a day or 2.

Run Well, Run Happy, Just Run

24 hours from ???

2007-03-05T13:42:00.000+10:30

Well in less than 24 hours I will booking in to the SportsMed Hilton for the operation. At the moment I am still going thru my list of things I have to do.

Take toe polish off
What night attire to wear
Is there enough food for TM(The Man),POD (Prince of Darkness) and MOE (Mistress of Evil)
What magazine to take, trashy gossip or fitness related?
Clothes for MOE to wear as TM is colour blind and the results could be devastating for her.
Book work for clients to be completed
PT session for new client tonight to be written and conducted
2 weeks worth of work in 3 hours (why am I blogging?)
Last training session for me at the gym pre-op
What to have for breakfast as I have to fast from 7.30am onwards

The butterflies are starting to build but as you can see from my list I have plenty to distract myself with prior to the op. I promise to take lots of pictures and update everyone on the recovery process. I am going to use this blog to document what I do in recovery and how it all goes for me. So buckle up and get ready for the ride fellow bloggers.

Run Well, Run Happy

Not So Ugly

2007-02-27T13:47:00.000+10:30

Well after having a saddy (sp) about how much my knee op was going to cost I received the Informed Financial Consent (official name for Oh MY God you want how much??) The total cost of the operation will only be $3800.00. I will get back about $400 from medicare and health cover. So the ugly was not quite as bad as I had first thought. What I find so annoying is that if I had delayed and waited the 12 months due to it being a pre-existing condition (Simlin because I have cover already I only need to wait 12 months before they will cover the operation) the amount of money I would have paid for the increased cover and what I would have got back from the insurance company works out to be about the same , give or take $500. The good thing is that I am covered for physio and I will be needing that for my recovery.

Now that I learnt how to post pictures I will gross you all out with pictures of my knee after the operation. With less than a week before I go in for the operation, in a strange way I am looking forward to it because I know that it will be the start of the healing process. By this time next Tuesday I will have booked in for my overnight stay at the SportsMed Hilton and I will $3500 dollars lighter and a lot less blase about the operation. I have already given TM a voucher from a florist that I won, so he can bring me flowers after the operation. I have also bought the POD & MOE Fruit Loops for their breakfast. This is a family tradition that the kids (TM included) get to have sugar a go-go for breakfast when I am not here. I have made POD promise that he will have toast and peanut butter before he has sugar a go-go for breakfast because I like his teacher and don't want him losing the plot after such a crappy breakfast. MOE is off to daycare and I pay them enough for them to just have to deal with her attitude for one day. Ponder out loud, Does that make me a bad mum?? (Tee Hee)

Happy Running

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

2007-02-22T19:53:00.000+10:30

The Good

Went to Fat Farm last night and have lost another 800 grams or 1.75 pounds. Anyway that makes it less then 5 kilos to go to goal weight or as I like to call it Marathon Weight. Well I will only need to maintain that weight for 18 months (tee hee). I am feeling good about how my body is changing shape. With not being able to run so much I am concentrating on strength work at the gym and seeing the difference already. i am going to look so hot in my Pink Running Skirt in 2008 Marathon. I will have to borrow Sharon's motto I don't chase boys I pass them. Speaking of Sharon does anyone know where she has gone. I miss her heaps.

The Bad

Well with such a god loss this week I am already on my way to gaining it all back. Tonight I have eaten about 10 Red Frogs ( oh I love those frogs) and working my way thru a bottle of red bubbles, a litre bottle not one of those nancy 750ml for me. Why oh Why do I hear you ask because of the

The Ugly

I feel so stupid, I am not one to forget or get things that relate to the family and finance wrong. However I did not check are supposed hospital cover only to find that it is for private accommodation in a public hospital. So what does this all mean. $10k for my knee reconstruction by the time I claim Medicare and a rebate on my tax return I will still be about $6500 out of pocket. Not what we kneed (pun) right now. So right now I feel like a stupid twat who should have known better about a) playing netball, b) what insurance we had c) it is some all my fault. So I have a few options just pay the $ and find a way out of out ever increasing mound of debt, go on the waiting list for public, currently 2-3 years or pay and extra $100 per month and wait 12 months and go private. TM (The Man) says no way and we will just have to borrow the money and get it fixed now. I just hate feeling that my health is so out of control at the moment. So let me drink my bubbles, my bubbles and eat my frogs. Point of interest fellow readers I love red lolly frogs and strawberry freddos but have a phobia about frogs especially green tree frogs, go figure.

Until next time run happy and keep smiling. Note to self they do not print your bank balance on your gravestone.

What I did at work today

2007-02-21T15:16:00.000+10:30

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	8.6
Mind:	7.9
Body:	9.5
Spirit:	6
Friends/Family:	7.7
Love:	9.1
Finance:	6.7
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

T Minus 2 and Counting

2007-02-20T17:14:00.000+10:30

Run Run Run as Fast as You Can

Well since my little jog around the block I have been for 2 more runs. However they have been on the dreadmill and at a fairly easy pace. I did check with the physio about running and he said if it wasn't hurting then to take it easy and do what I could. I tell you after 4 weeks of not running I feel positively like I am flying when I am running. I have used the treadmill runs to concentrate on my form. The strange thing is that it hurts to walk fast but running at a slower pace feels fine.

Don't worry I am not going to go overboard between now and the op. I think 2 runs per week will be enough for me and keep the sanity level stable for now. I have found that my stress levels are continually rising without having my regular runs to help me de-stress. I realise now just how much I sort out in my head while I am running. Maybe that is why I don't use music, just too many voices in my head anyway. I am finding that the little things are annoying me more and more. Don't know if that is the not running or the aniexty about the operation. Must remeber to breathe deeply and count to ten before a bite heads off. Back away and nobody gets hurt. (Tee Hee)

Not Running

In other news, my personal training business has begun to gather some momentum. I trained a new client last night who has signed on for 10 sessions and another lady has approached me about training her teenage son. I also have a business proposition in the works for training mums and babies outdoors. I will keep blog land posted about that one.

Naught But Nice

2007-02-15T16:51:00.000+10:30

I was a naughty naughty girl today. With only 19 days until the op I went for a 30 minute run. That's right people a run. And ooh my Gawd it felt great. I had clients to see in the morning and then a lunch in the city so that meant that I would not be able to get to the gym to watch all those people read while "working out". So I made a decision to go for a walk. Well what started out as a walk. I will be honest I was never going to walk I only said I was going for a walk so TM would not get mad at me. Give one of those lectures about hurting myself before the op, being in pain between now and then and further damage. Sorry Babe what was that you said. Give it a go see how it feels after 5 minutes and go from there. OK no worries I will do that.

What a bad bad girl am I.

Total time on the run was 30 mins and the knee was fine. Straight lines are not a problem at the moment it is just turning and deep squats that kill. I ran with MOE in the stroller and it felt fantastic. Who needs drugs when you can get such a high from a run. The only down about the run was realising just how much I miss turning over the legs. I keep thinking that this challenge will only help me to appreciate running even more when I get back. Oh no I see some fanaticism coming on.

With only 19 days to go I might try and get maybe one or two more runs in before I go under. As the operation approaches I am getting a bit more antsy about not being able to do much for 2 weeks. This challenge was sent to make me not break me (Repeat until I believe).

What the ????

2007-02-12T09:31:00.000+10:30

Another week closer to the recon. As the operation approaches I am getting a little more nervous. Went and saw my wonder Massage Man (MM), he was great to talk to about the knee as he has had not 1 not 2 but 3 re-con on the same knee. Gave me some excellent advice in regards to rehab and pre op exercise. He said that I will come back stronger and more determined in my running. Don't you just love it when some-one else talks you up. One of the things that he told was to accept that I will lose some fitness and not to dwell on it. I think for me this has been the hardest lesson, just accepting that it has happened and move on. My new mantra is challenges are sent to make us not break us. MM said that when I run the marathon next year I will finish and be able to say ha did that on a reconstructed knee to all the fresh meat (what he calls no reconstructed runners). However I don't think I will ever be able to say that I ran the last few miles with a broken leg like this tough girl .

After my whinge last week about gym bunnies I feel the need to share this story with you. There is a health and fitness centre (as they like to be called) in Adelaide that is known for its celebrity members (Ley-Ley) and the make-up ladies who work on the theory that you can never be too skinny or too rich. You know the ones head to toe Nike and full face of make-up. Well a friend who does Ironman Tri's has a shin problem so decided to take a week of running to give it a rest, went to the gym to work on the mincing machine (elliptical trainer). She thought that she would just do a few hours at a steady pace. The day was a hot one here in Adelaide and she was sweating buckets, but hey its a gym that's what you do. NO NO NO not at this gym. A gym instructor approached her and told her that she would have to get off the machine as she was sweating too much. Apparently some of her sweat had flicked one of the gym bunnies and she complained. What the ????. Silly me thought that working out and sweating at the gyn was what it ws all about, but no it about looking good.

LITTLE BRITAIN LIVE

Went last night, brillant, brillant, brillant. Have the shirt to prove it.

Run Well, Run Happy Enjoy

Road Rage on a Bike??????

2007-02-06T20:43:00.000+10:30

For those of you following along at home as I am unable to run for the moment and we a desire to keep moving. I decided that Sunday world now be a long bike ride instead of my usually run. Well on Sunday got up early to do what I hoped would be an hour ride. I was about 15-20min into my ride, riding in a bike lane minding my own business getting into the zone ( not quite like running) when what I can only described as 2 Fuckwits decide that at 6.30am on Sunday that it would be fun to yell at me then throw a soft drink bottle at me. The bottle missed, I yelled abuse and gestured in the appropriate manner. The rest of the bike ride I rode angry. WTF!!! Did this happen because I was on my bike? I don't run this route so don't know if it would have happened if I was running. I have had a few other minor incidents with dickheads on the road, and it just makes me miss running even more.

IRONMAN BUSSELTON

I watched a show on this on the weekend. While watching I got a bit teary when I saw all the so called everyday people crossing the line. I think that anyone who attempts an Ironman is amazing. I might not be so ok about the knee thing as I thought. I wonder if I would ever be able to do something like that. I can get my had around the run and the cycle but 3.8km swim is just insane. Maybe I can make that my 40th birthday mission. I love the idea of doing a race that the main competitor is your head and your body.

Fat Fighters tomorrow. It has been a good week of doing different cardio routines at the gym and eating well with good potion control.

Run Well and enjoy

Not Weighed Down

2007-02-01T11:53:00.000+10:30

Another 1 bites the dust.

Another successful week at Fat Fighters (Dust anyone Dust). I have lost another kilo YEAH!!! I will trying really hard to lose a few more kg's b4 the re-con as I will be on sitting on my ass for 2 weeks. I have decided during those 2 weeks my challenge will to be track everything I eat and stay within my point allocation. I am not planning on losing any weight during that time but to maintain my weight loss prior to the op.

Now I am going to have a bit of a whinge. As I am unable to run at the moment and the stepper, bike and the cross trainer are the only cardio work I can do for the moment without any pain. I plan a workout with intervals of increased intensity and recover periods. Just like my regular runs, no problems I am getting a good HR and sweat and burning calories. Also keeping my sanity in check. The 1 thing that gives me the absolute shits is the amount of people at the gym who are on the same machines READING!!! WTF. Just barely getting the HR moving and then complain to their girlfriend that they are doing all this work and not seeing any changes. That's because you are not working out STUPID. I feel like screaming at them to stop and listen to their bodies put the mag down and start pushing yourself just a little and you just might see some changes.

I so want to get this t-shirt and wear it next time.

Kneedless to Say

2007-01-30T12:34:00.000+10:30

As you can see from the new ticker I have got it was not good news from the specialist. I have completely torn my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). The Dr who is doing the op is one of the best so I am in good hands. I have had a good cry about the whole thing and drank a bottle of good wine (Protero Chardonnay) to help me see the positives of this experience. It took quite a bit of wine to help( how did that bottle get empty so quickly).

After the op it will be 6-12 weeks before I can run so GCM and Adelaide Marathon are a no go for this year. But I have set my goals on the City 2 Bay. I am looking at this as a learning experience in helping me to use my rehab like another training plan. Also I can use my rehab to help PT clients who have injuries themselves give me some empathy for them. Something I struggle with normally. As FOMC ( Father of my Child) said if you need to have empathy explained to you then you probably don't have much of it for others. He can be so right some times.

While waiting for the op I am going to the gym and using the cross trainer or as my brother calls it the mincing machine ( take a closer look at someone on it next time) this does not trouble my knee and I am doing some interval work o it and the HR gets up so I am keeping the fitness up. With the rehab I can work on the swimming side of my triathlon adventure and as bike riding doesn't hurt at the moment I am doing some bike riding.

So this blog will be about my journey thru rehab and the road to recovery. Come along for the ride and help get thru to the other side when I can run free again. So to everyone out there happy running enjoy every run because you really never know if it might be your last for some time.

I Knee'd some Love (or F@#$ What Have I done to my Knee)

2007-01-23T07:57:00.000+10:30

As you can see from the title I have hurt my knee.(sob quietly)

Edit: have just returned from the physio and have been referred to Sports Med. He thinks I have torn my AC. So it looks like it might be a knee reconstruction. Lots to think about and another appointment to make before my worst fears are confirmed. Until then happy running to you all.

Running

Running up until yesterday has been good. Went on a nice short run on Thursday 45mins in total and nice easy pace. I was a bit of a slacker on Friday and missed my Lactic Threshold Session but was feeling a bit flat so decided to listen to the body and rest. When I say rest I still did a pump class which I haven't done in years. Felt good in the legs on Saturday with just a bit of soreness in the arms.

Sunday

Woke up Sunday to MOE trying to sit on my head. Got her some grapes and the Wiggles Live on TC and she was set TM was still sleeping. Opened the door to see rain and like any normal runner, headed back to the bedroom to get my wet weather jacket and head out. The run in the rain was amazing forgotten how much I love that. After running for about an hour and only 2km from home a lovely lady stopped her car and told me it was raining and would I like a lift. Some people will never understand. It is only water after all but I appreciated the thought.

Life takes a nasty turn

Monday is my rest day and I play social netball on Monday nights. In a previous life I played A grade netball and was an Under Age State Rep. Its my blog so I'm allowed to boast a little. Did I mention the Gold Medal I won in the 2005 Masters Mixed Netball Team (only just qualified as a Master). Anyhow playing against a team we call the serious Sallys as they take the game way to seriously, we are just playing for a wine glass not gold or sheep stations.

With 6 minutes left and a handy 7 goal lead I went to deflect a pass and my knee went. don't know what happened or how but it bloody hurt. I didn't swear, and I am very proud of that. So I am off to the physio who's number I have on speed dial on the phone to see what the damage is. Did the right things last night, ice, elevation and rest. This morning it is not as tender but I am having trouble straightening all the way.

Needless to say there is a lot of crap running thru my head at the moment. I am trying to keep a lid on it until I find the extent of the damage. the only thing I could think of when sitting on the court holding my knee was how long b4 I can run again. I am seriously thinking about retiring from netball as running is now my true love. Will update re the knee when I know more. So to all my fellow runners enjoy your run because you never know when you will run again

Why not take less of me

2007-01-18T08:11:00.000+10:30

Big Big Grin on my dial due to some stupid numbers on a machine being less than they were last week. Does that make me a vain self obsessed girl? Damn right and I don't care. One point one that's right 1 kilo and 1 hundred grams less of me in this world now.

Amazing what a week of planning and portion control can do for a girl. So to borrow the words of Diet Girl onwards and downwards I go.

Went for a great run yesterday around what I will call The Track, it is a park near home that has a 1450m paved path around a lake. Did some stamina work so nice to open up a little a let go. It was a bit warm but coped well. Missed my run this morning so after some work commitments I am off to the gym with MOE for a run on the DREADMILL. Only way to get the run in as TM (The Man) as hubby would now like to be referred to in all future posts is off to a meeting tonight and MOE is with me today and too much sun for that fair little strawberry blond or Ginga as my brother would call her.

Gold Coast or Bust????

2007-01-16T15:16:00.000+10:30

Running

Went for a long run on Sunday, long and slow. Really enjoyed being able to get back into the habit of the Sunday Long Run. Total of 11km in 60mins so nice pace for me. No running Monday as that is my day off. Did go the gym and do a weights programme and the legs and bum are letting me know how long it has been since the last workout (early Dec). Today was a 45min run in my endurance zone. Found it really hard to find a rhythm that allowed me to stay there. When I got my groove on the HR was too high, so had to take a few walking breaks to bring it back down. Stamina session tomorrow which I enjoy.

The dilemma I am facing at the moment is this, my sister in law and Mac Man and their kidlings want to go on a family holiday with my mob. As they are in Sydney and us in Adelaide we thought the Gold Coast would make a great holiday spot. So do I train and run in the Gold Coast Marathon with only a small support crew or keep to my original goal and run the Adelaide Marathon with a lot more crew. Think I need to look at the pros and cons of both. My husband thinks I am completely nuts for even thinking about it but waste a flight to the GC and not run. Couldn't just watch as I would just be itching to get out there.

Just had a thought, if I decide not to run the full I could do the 1/2 and incorporate into my training.

Ooh so many options,, what is a girl to do.

Life

My first weigh in tomorrow I have been really good with my portion sizes this week. I think that is my biggest problem with food. Just a few areas I need to work on but they are all in the head. I will post the loss or heaven forbid gain after the weigh in.

On Sunday we waved goodbye to my brother and his beautiful family as they flew back to England. They were over for christmas and it great to see them all and the latest addition to the family. He cant wait to go back and begin his Ashes in your face campaign to all his work mates. Five Nil Five Nil Five Nil.

WW Woe is Me

2007-01-11T07:48:00.000+10:30

Goal Weight

Well I got on my bike (literally) and hauled my somewhat lardy arse to a WW meeting. I haven't been since July 06 and between July and Jan 07 I have managed to increase the space I take up by 3.2kg. So I have now established that yes my bum does look big in that and I am doing something about it. With the Adelaide Marathon 7 months away I need to reduce the amount of body I need to carry over those 42.2 km's. The plan is to attend WW unitl I have reached my own goal of 7kgs lost. This will see me at my lighest weight in my adult life. I am going to make sure that all my eating is mindful. So no more eating at the computer or in front of the TV or reading while I eat. Enough of this weight shit more about the running.

Running

No running yesterday, the lions won and it was too hot to run in theafternoon. So this morning I did the lactate threshold intervals. Have I mentioned how much I hate these. They just hurt so much. I only had to do 3 intervals of 2.30 mins at 156-172 bpm but it just wrecks me. I am not sure how many km I did as I run the intervals on an oval with a 10 min warm up and cool down. The best thing about the interval run is that it is over with for another week. I am looking around for a marathon training program that I can get my head around. The latest Runners World mag has one so I will have a look at that this week and decide if that is the one for me. Not sure because it is only 12 weeks. Do I need to do more than that as well as building my base between now and when that starts. So many questions and so few answers.

Today I am devoted to experiencing joy, knowing and love!

W minus 1 and counting

2007-01-09T13:20:00.000+10:30

Running

Today is the beginning of a new 12 week running program. The goal is to run a sub 50min 10km. This morning when the alarm went of at 5.15am after going to bed after 11.30pm was not nice. The lions almost won but i dragged my ever increasing ass out of bed and into its running gear. I was at the 2km mark b4 I really woke up. It was a 7.8 km run. The plan was to not go over 146bpm so a nice easy run. Tomorrow is the lovely lactate threshold intervals YEAH!!!

Life and Other Crap

Tomorrow I return to WW a failure (well only 2kg over goal) but those 2kgs may as well be 10kg. I have found the extra kgs really play havoc with my knees. I am hoping to drop about 5kg with a total loss for the year 8kgs this would make me a sixties girl. Can't remember when that was. Most important thing for me to get right is that it is about me and not anybody else. It shits me that I need to have approval from certain people and when I get it I then sabotage all my hard work. Boy what a fucked up individual I turned out to be. But have no fear I have a new plan for 2007 and taking 1 day at a time.

Will post my weekly weigh ins and ramblings.

Live Love and Laugh

2007 The Year Ahead

2007-01-02T09:26:00.000+10:30

A New Year and a new plan for 2007. Have been lurking in some blogs to get a few ideas. So for this year I am going to track my Km's and try and lose some weight to help me with my running.

I also want to post in my blog a minimum of once per week. Make it an update for the week and more if anything grabs my attention of gives the screaming irites. So this blog will hopefully become more than just running.

Running Goals for 2007

Run consistently and with a plan
Run a marathon
Cross training
Be Flexible
Enjoy the moment

I am sitting down tonight with DH to write our goals and improvements for 2007, so I will post those later.

The Hill From Hell

2006-11-27T13:30:00.000+10:30

Black Hill Challenge

I am glad that my running is more consistent than my blogging. Maybe if I set some blogging goals like I do with my running I might get it together. (Ha Ha)

Well the Hill from Hell. I entered the Black Hill Challenge it is called the Challenge and not a fun run for obvious reasons. While running up the hill it occurred to me why it not called a fun run. There is NOTHING FUN about it. 12.5k of torture. I managed to finish the course in 1hr 17 mins. After listening in on some pre-race conversations I readjusted my goal of 65 mins and thought 80min was more realistic.

2 days after the race my left hip kept me awake all night it was that painful, but a trip to the chiro and a massage last week and things are good. While being tortured by TTMM (Tony the Magic Masseuse) did he give me a handy hint for running hills. HELLO!! a little late I have already climbed the mountain (that was no hill) Apparently you shouldn't look down - guess what I did, look down. No you are meant to look at the top of the hill and imagine that it is magnet that is pulling you up or that you have a rope and are pulling yourself up. Well I will know better for next year and maybe have a crack at the 65 mins. At least I will know what I am up for.

New Route

Found a measured paved loop only 2Ks from home the track is 1450m and marked every 200m so great to be able to run some intervals. Only problem is that it is in a park and the gates don't open until after i am due back home in the morning so I will have to make it and evening run or one for the weekends. It is really pretty as it runs around a lake. Lucky me.

Last Race of the Year

3rd December will be my last race for the year it is Xmas Frolic and is 10 K's I am hoping to break 50 mins in this one. It was my first race last year as SARRC member in which I very ungraciously went a cropper and took skin off my legs and arm. I so like to make a good first impression (joined the dirt kissers club on my very first go) so I have been a card carrying runner for 1 year. Will try and post and update on the race. decision do I wear the Barbie Pink Skirt or do I go for the black skirt and Xmas themed top. Think I will go all black and a flashing Xmas badge.

Race For Life

2006-10-25T14:59:00.000+09:30

Happy 50th Fussy

A big shout out to my fave Uncle and No1 Godfather.

Went to said Uncle's 50th Birthday Bash and had a fantastic time with all the family. The amazing thing was that I was the designated driver so I has a total of 2 small glasses (count them just 2) of red wine. Yet I was still funny, witty and charming. Well at least I thought so and Nana but she loves me no matter what. So Y no drinking, well the Race for Life was on the next day and I did not want to run with a hangover. I struggle to make it thru the next day after drinking. So i didn't think that running with a hangover was a good idea.

Well I didn't run with a hangover but did run with only 3 1/2hrs sleep. So it was not my best day out. I ran the 9 K's in sun 45 mins so cant complain too much. I must confess that I am writing this post way too long after the event so I may be a little inaccurate about times will update when I have the info on hand. Saw Simlin at the race but didn't get a chance to say hi what with being so tired I would have just spoken jibberish. As it was a fund raiser for Breast Cancer I pulled on the Barbie Pink Skirt.

Lesson Learnt

No matter how tired you, GOD & MOE are when you return from a race you must always I REPEAT ALWAYS drink water to rehydrate yourself. 1 x cup of coffee doesn't count. After the race we grumpily went home and had a lovely breakfast.. MOE crashed and GOD and I laid down on the couch and promptly fell asleep. I had only had one glass of water after the race and did not drink when we got home. So when I woke a few hours later i was one very unwell girl. I felt like I was the one how had been drinking all night. Took me a full day to recover from that lesson but all good for next time.

Sorry for those who read along (???) but this is all out of sync

I'm Back

2006-10-20T12:36:00.000+09:30

Well 1 month has pasted and I have been too busy lurking and reading everyone elses blog to s take care of my own.

I have been a little lost with my running plan since finishing the C2b I was going to start another 12 week HR plan but it just felt like too much hard work and a little too rigid. So for the past week or so I have just run no plan or set course, just running.

I have enjoyed the freedom but i like a bit of structure in my training, God knows I don't have it any where else.

In the last month I have purchased new runners Brooks Glycerin 4 and I like the look and feel (red) my new ruby slippers.

When i was purchasing them I spotted the Brooks Pink Shoes(fund raiser for Breast Cancer) and thought that they would go beautifully with my running skirt. How sad am I I don't usually care how I look when running nor am I someone who you would say was a girly girly but something about that sparkly pink running skirt brings out the Barbie in me. By the way I want to be Barbie because that Bitch has everything.

Gorgeous Organised Dad {GOD} very upset that I named in DUH in previous post, wonder why:) (Husband #2) (more on that later) and MOE (Mistress of Evil) and I are doing the Race for Life on Sunday GOD & MOE are doing the 4.5km walk, well GOD is and MOE is being pushed in the jogging stroller and I will be doing the 9k run. My goal is to do sub 41Min's. POD (Prince of Darkness) is with his dad (Husband#1 in number only #2 is definitely the new improved model) so he wont be doing the run which is a shame because it is something that we all enjoy. That is if you ignore the grumblings coming from GOD who thinks fun and run cannot possible go together.

Well I would love to ramble but I have places to go people to see and yoghurt to buy.

Keep Running
Keep Smiling
Keep Laughing
Keep Loving

Race Report

2006-09-19T16:07:00.000+09:30

NEW PB

Well on Sunday I ran the C2B and set a new PB of 59.19 smashing last years time of 71.10. And looking gorgeous in my bright pink running skirt (personal opinion and not to taken for definite)

My Dad finished in a time of 52.25 so a long way to go b4 I can beat him. The race went well the first 2K's were spent ducking and weaving and watching the young bulls go out way to fast. I had set myself some time goals for the race and was doing well with them. I wanted to have completed the 6K's by 30mins. Went thru in 28.35 so I was on target for breaking 58mins but I missed the 8km marker and got a bit stressed that I was not running to schedule. Then at the 11km marker some tool cut me off and I rolled my ankled on the curb edge.

So I ran the last km cursing with a sore ankle but refusing to stop. The last part of the run down Jetty rd saw me over take my bunny that I had chased. I remember that for me it is all about stride length and I opened up at let go for the last 400m.

Although I ran a new PB I know that there were a few things that I could have done better both days prior to the race and during the race. Oh well that's the nature of a race. I have learnt from it and will look forward to a new PB next year the running gods allowing.

Set myself for the Race For Life 9km looking do that sub 43min and The Xmas Frolic in December is 10km so would love to do a sub 50min for that.

If all stays injury free and on track I might just get there.

So happy running and remember Argue Your Limitations

2006-09-08T13:29:00.000+09:30

Well I am sure that blogging is much harder then running and I just can't seem to combine the two. After physio on the rolled ankle I went back to running (don't tell my physio) he is so not a runner and said I wouldn't be back until this week.

Instead of attending to my own blog I have been devouring the blogs of others and not leaving comments. Does that make me a lurker??

I am only 8 days from the City to Bay (C2B) and fighting off a cold that my darling 20 month daughter so kindly shared with me. She will be known as MOE (Mistress of Evil) who is currently sleeping while wearing her winter pj's with her new Dothroy the dinosaur summer pj's over the top. What a great life not having to care about what others think of your outfit.

Wish I felt the same but I get very self conscious of how I look when running. Comes from being in a bad place for a while. Must admit that I am getting better and when I get into the zone I don't care about what others might think. I purchased 2 new running skirts from the USA one black and one very look at me pink. I am hoping that I will have the courage to wear the pink one on race day.

My goals for the C2B is to complete it in under 60mins my dream goal would be to beat my Dad who is also running. My Dad is an amazing runner (well in my eyes) he sets a goal of matching his age each year so this year I would need to beat 56min. Last year I ran with MOE and did it in 71min so lets hope for a new PB.

So until next time happy running

2006-08-14T11:07:00.000+09:30

Another week of hard training completed and it all feels like it is coming together.

4 weeks ago my world come to a very sudden stop. I was playing netball outdoors (should have stayed retired) filling in for a team and went to take off and then it happened a loud ping and a tear in the calf muscle. First thought was I wont be able to do my long run tomorrow. Used the RICE principle while still at the match.

Rang my Darling Understanding Husband (DUH) to warn him that I was injured and that life was going to be hard until I was able to run again. For some reason when Mum cant run everyone suffers. DUH often suggests that I go for a run or to the gym so that the family can enjoy a more mellow mum.

Back to the calf, I was able to do a light jog 1 week after the tear and resumed full training within 2 weeks YEAH!!!

Not being able to run even for that short time taught me a few things.

Learn to enjoy each run or training session as you never know when the next is.
appreciate the fact that you can run no matter how fast or slow you think you are
Value a good physio
Value a good sports massage
Never take yourself too seriously
Love you family for all the support they give
A training session missed is just that missed not the end of the world
How you deal with injury can show some traits of your personality that may need work
How you deal with injury can show some traits of your personality that should be embraced
I love running

And the other thing I learnt was that this injury is quite coming in the older athlete (oh no not me)

2006-08-09T13:52:00.000+09:30

Wow I am actually doing it, after weeks of reading just about every running blog I could find I decided to start my own.

Today I learnt a valuable lesson about good nutrition and training hard. I am in Week 11 of a 16 week program's and this is the peak week were I am running a total of 7 hrs. That's 7 hrs of running done mostly at 5 am. The program's is related to running in your HR Zones and this week there is over an hour of Lactic Threshold work, now normally I would love to do this type of workout (Sucker for punishment) but today it was so so hard. The family have all been knocked down with a tummy virus and with looking after them, TAFE until 9 pm and very little eaten by me (scared of consequences seen 1st hand) the fuel tank must have been on E. The workout was murder and boy am I suffering for it now.

A big plate of veggies and some good quality protein for me tonight and fingers crossed I don't have the tummy bug.

Writing my blog wasn't as hard as I first imagined but not sure if it is anywhere near as inspring as some of the others that I have read. I hope that with practice I will become better at this blogging thing.