I'm doing a race!

I have taken the plunge and signed up for a race - a half marathon! I love races and I especially love the half marathon distance. Love competing and love the feeling afterwards of having achieved something (whether I ran well or not). I usually hate right before the race and the night before is not much fun either. I get nervous and wonder why the hell I thought this was a good idea.

Doing a race has also taken on a new significance since having kids. I have had to work hard to be back to the point of completing a race. At times it has been really hard and really discouraging and I didn't think I could do it. But I did and I am. And I am so proud of myself for achieving it.

The race I am doing in the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon.  It is in mid May. The course is in the CBD and takes in The Rocks, Mrs Macquarie's chair and Hyde Park, where it starts and finishes. It won't be a fast course but hopefully it will be one that I enjoy!

Training wise, it is very much a case of continuing with what I have been doing during the week and focus on keeping the long run mileage up. I have already completed a few 20 km runs so I am feeling well prepared.

Here is my program:

I can't say I was off to a good start though - I blew off Day 1! Oops. In my defense the weekend had involved sick children and sick husband and I was absolutely knackered. I needed the sleep more than I needed the 8 -9 km. Apart from that one tiny hiccup it is going ok.

Have you committed to any races in the near future? Any training advice for me?

Lily

What I wore to play - tropical print shirtdress

Today's outfit is a departure for me. Both the print and the style are ones that I don't usually go for. The colours however, are just my thing. Pink, navy and green make me happy.

Dress : Country Road in the summer sales.

I'll admit I am still not sure about the length. It is slightly longer in the back and has a shirt tail type hem. I would probably be more comfortable with a straight hem and more length in the front but I have decided to live life on the edge and just go for it. Risk taker here! (or not!)

It was warm today in a sweaty kind of way ( sounds attractive, no?) so I did zero accessorizing and just threw on my usual sandals. I was actually quite comfortable all day and got over my reservations. So I will score that as a win for me!

So here's to trying new things and breaking out of your comfort zone!

Jumping on the Green Smoothie bandwagon

So I am really late to the green smoothie party. Years late. I have no doubt that they are now passe and something else is now the hot new thing. Whatever. I like them and they fill a nice niche. For me, they work when I am in a time crunch to get out of the house and the 5 minutes saved by not having breakfast at home is invaluable. Usually it is when I have been for a run in the morning and then have somewhere to be and do not feel like stuffing down my porridge in a hurry. Sounds attractive, doesn't it?

Here's my take on Green smoothies:

Green stuff. Fresh figs, banana, nectarine, peach, milk and protein powder.

• Lots of baby spinach and/or  kale (der - it's a green smoothie!)
• Banana or mango
• Lots of stone fruit - peaches or nectarines especially
• Protein powder - Vanilla
• Milk
• Greek yogurt sometimes

As it's summer here I have been loading up on all the gorgeous summer fruit. White peaches and nectarines are just divine in a smoothie.  Today's also included fresh figs, which is something new for me. In winter I will probably do more banana combos - banana and chocolate ( using cocoa powder), banana and coffee. I will need to experiment a lot.

Looks attractive, no ??!

This is the finished product, well about half of it. I make 'em  huge! I am sure that defeats the purpose but I am not really fussed. Looks really vile but tastes really good. The fruit makes it sweet and the protein powder and banana makes it creamy.

My next step is to work out if I can make them the night before and if they still taste good.

I also really need ideas about other combinations.. Any awesome recipes would be wonderful!
How do you Green smoothie?

Lily.

This week in running - Second week of February

Weekly mileage: 41km + hills

I have been lax in chronicling my running. Which is silly because I find the process quite useful and one that continually throws up some interesting insights.


The last few weeks have been about consistency. While I had time off work my aim was to get a run in 6 days a week and a few weights sessions as well. Mostly I was successful. Day to day runs were 9km ish, a hills speed session, parkrun on Saturday and a long run. I squibbed on my long run on Sunday and only did 10 km due to mental rather than physical reasons.


 The last week has been hard though, mainly due to extended family related stresses. I'm a worrier by nature. Worrying is something I am really good at. But worrying (about EVERYTHING) is crap. I would love to be able to just flick the switch and stop. But I can't, so I run.


Even though my running this week was sad, I am thankful for it. For being able to, for the mental/emotional balance it brings me, for the example I am setting for my kids, for the time I am spending with my kids and for the time I am spending with Mr MRWS.


 I am also shallow enough to admit that I love how my body looks. Perfect? Nope. I have had 2 kids and I carried low and massive. You can only stretch things so far and expect them to snap back into place! My body is strong and fit and firm and toned and I am proud of it.


Going forward, my goal this year is the Sydney Half marathon in May. I need to write a program soon. Last week soon. My long runs peaked at 20 km last week so I am well positioned to crank it up. Mr MRWS is thinking of stepping up to a marathon this year so fitting everything in will be interesting.


In the interim this week I need to write a program, keep plodding along and get back into the long run game.


Any tips or resources for half marathon programming?


Lily

What I wore to play - keeping it simple with a black dress

Summertime is simple. Dress. Shoes. Done. As much as I love layers, you have to think about them. Plan. Coordinate. Sometimes that just seems like work and I just want to get dressed!

I also love a black dress. Who doesn't? This is an old one from Metalicus. I drag it out every year and throw it on. The hemline is kinda short but it is balanced out by being loose and breezy. The shoes are Saltwater Sandals. I love the vibrant red and they are super comfortable. I have been eyeing off other colours. Would love a bright Kelly green pair!

Do you have a go to Summer look or summer favourite?


Lily

What I wore to play - a paisley shift.

Ever have one of those days? The type when your son flashes your undies to all and sundry at the local shopping centre by using your dress to steady himself on an escalator. The type when both children manage to either wee or poop all over the bathroom floor? ( and not at the same time so you have to clean up twice! Sad when you are just grateful that it was on the tiled floor). Anyway, that has been today. So I am celebrating the fact that a) I am dressed today and b) I quite like what I am wearing! But it also explains why I look like I have been dragged through a hedge.

I bought this dress a few months ago but have only just gotten around to wearing it. I think it is going to be a firm favourite. I bough it at Temt. They have zero online presence and the website is awful. The shops are a bit of a nightmare as well, to be honest, but I have to say that I enjoy the thrill of the hunt and finding the gem amongst the dross and the ugly. As an added bonus - It's cheap! I think this dress was $14.95.

 I was initially attracted to the print. I love a good print. The colour combo is not one that I would usually wear but I do love all the individual colours and wear them quite often so combining them seemed a good idea.

The hem length was an initial concern and still remains so.  I need to be extra careful when bending over! Having said that, I have enjoyed the short hem today. I am feeling really confident at the moment body wise and kinda enjoy showing it. I think the loose shape and covered up top balances the short length.


The shoes are also new. I needed new sandals that I could also wear to work. These were from spend less shoes, of all places. As a bonus, they have buy 1 get 1 half price at the moment so I bought them in Tan at the moment. They are actually really comfortable and are as substantial and well put together as much more expensive versions I looked at.

Shoes: Spend less shoes, Haze $29.95

So this is how I play. Very cheaply today! Do you have a summer "uniform"? I need one, stat!


Lily

What I wear to work - a Dressy Bessy dress with spots

This dress is one that I have bought fairly recently. Which actually just means post kids. Given that kid 2 is almost 2 it is not actually that recent! Anyway, this dress is lovely to wear. It's cool and comfortable and (I hope!) looks nice. I worry a little about the fabric, I think there is potential for shrinkage, but as we line dry everything I am hoping it will be ok for a while.

The brand is Dressy Bessy. I bought it at a local boutique. I really love small boutiques for finding something a bit different. The website here has some really amazing things. I think I will need to spend a bit of time perusing!

The pattern and colours are quite gorgeous. I love colour and pattern, I think it is my inner magpie coming out.


How do you dress for summer? Do you have a go to outfit or look? The cotton is quite cool and breezy to wear so it is especially good for steamy summer days...like the ones we are having now!


Lily