This week in running - Run Newcastle race report

Mileage last week: 35km + hills

Last week I did the Run Newcastle event. It offers a 6km walk, 6km run and 12 km run. I did the 12 km run. It was also my bright idea that I would push the kids rather than Mr MRWS pushing.  Which would be fine if there wasn't a massive hill in the first few kilometres of the race!

The Race outfit. Changed shoes at last minute.

I had a goal in mind before the race that I wanted to break 65 mins. With the climb and the pram I wasn't sure what my pace would be like. The climb was not horribly steep but was reasonably long so I had decided beforehand that I would walk where necessary.( Ok, more like I had told myself that I was going to have to walk and that it was ok, there was no shame in walking. ). I ended up walking 4 times, once fro each section of the hill. Talk about happy to reach the top!


The course was such that you ran up to the top of a hill and then came straight back down to sea level, via a big park by the ocean. Coming back down the hill I was flying and managed to overtake a lot of the people who went past me going up the hill. Once back down at the beach the course wound it's way around the harbour and back to the start/finish area. I was happy with how I ran as I managed to maintain a steady pace once I was up that hill!

This view was my reward after the hill!

 The day was hot so I was glad for the water and sports drink I had with me.  I didn't quite think the sports drink through. Trying to drink out of a full, normal bottle  while running and pushing a pram is generally not a good idea. I think that more drink went on the pram and on me than actually in me!


I enjoyed the race but Mr MRWS was not a fan. There were only 2 drink stations (water only) fro the 12 km course. As I said it was a hot day. You know there aren't enough drink stations when people are queuing at bubblers along the course! The course was also problematic for the second half - on and off footpath, through busy restaurant areas. It was a bit of a nightmare with the pram, actually.


I finished in a tick under 62 minutes. I was very happy with that! It's hard to really push hard when racing with the pram over any distance.  You can't risk completely blowing up and having to sit  in the gutter and wait for your other half to come and retrieve you and your offspring from aforementioned spot in the gutter 5 km from the finish. Or something like that.


When I finished Mr MRWS was waiting with a big, sweaty hug. He wasn't thrilled with his race but I think he ran really well. I'm keen to RunNewcastle next year, I will need to talk Mr MRWS into it.

My leg muscles were sore for the next few day but not crazy sore and I was able to run easily the following Tuesday. So I am back into it and trying to navigate running in the summer heat!


Lily.

This week in Running - aches, pains and hot pink running shoes

Weekly Kms : 35 ish + Hills

This has not been a great week running wise. I have felt slow and sluggish.  My hip is sore, which is making my IT band sore. Blah. And my other knee was sore. Double blah. Two things I have pin pointed:

• I haven't changed shoes since before the Gold Coast. In July. Ummm. Stuff up on my part! No wonder I feel sore, I may as well be running in a pair of Volleys!
• I have been trying a Tabata weight workout a few times a week. It's not for me. I think the likelihood of injury is enormous. Even with good technique I am getting aches and pains of the precursor-to-injury variety. So I am going back to the usual 2-3 sets of 10-12 reps with heavier weight.

So I have a "vibrant" new pair of shoes to wear in. As soon as I put them on I thought "Well these are really cushiony". Umm , no, idiot your other shoes are completely stuffed because you forgot to change pairs and offer approximately zero cushioning and support. Derr. I am not fussed on the pink but I don't really care what my shoes look like.

I did the usual type runs this week. Long run was 15.4 km and it actually felt ok, though I was completely cactus afterwards! I have been fairly disappointed with my efforts at parkrun for a while now. I don't seem to have any spark. I don't know how much of that is because of the heat of Summer and how much is because I am running crap at the moment. It was my turn to push the kids this week and the last km was just dire.  Little old ladies with walking frames could have taken me.

Hopefully things start to look up soon. I am still enjoying my runs, just not going very fast!

Lily

This week in running - Happy Birthday Me!

Weekly Mileage: 37 km + hills

This week just gone was my birthday week. Why celebrate a day when you can scam a whole week ?? Actually the celebrations were somewhat low key - that's what happens when you have young kids! Low key but lovely was the order of the day.

I started the day with a run - as you do. Kinda hot but it felt ok. I haven't been running well lately. I have been slow and it has felt like a chore. But this run felt ok. Not great, but ok. I will take ok. Ok is the first step to great!

Just the usual runs this week. I need to take the kids in the car and run by the beach or harbour again. I'm sure the scenery will make me run faster. Or not.

I am still experimenting with Tabata weights workouts. And they are still kicking my butt. The pushup sequence is just saaaaad.

Most importantly this week, I took delivery of this red hot baby.

Yep, parkrun 50 shirt! It's  a really great shirt and quite comfortable. I ran on Saturday in it. Bit of a mistake as it was as hot as Hades ( I was sweating before the start) and I think it is singlet weather from here on in. But I earnt that shirt I am darn well going to wear it! No PB but I was happy with my time in the heat.

Lily.

This week in running - back in the groove

Let's celebrate running in shorts again! Love summer

Weekly kms: 37 km + hills

This week has been all about getting back into the swing of things after our time away. My long run was 15 km. It was hot, it wasn't especially fast but I got it done. Hills were after work on Monday. The aim is to consolidate my repeats and build up my strength so that I am doing 7 or 8 quality repeats. I'm not there yet but that is the goal.

The other change this week is that I have started doing Tabata style strength workouts. 20 seconds strength, 10 seconds rest for 8 cycles. So hard! I made the mistake of having way too heavy a weight for my reps... and paid the price! The second time I did it I scaled back the weight and it was much more successful. The pushup sets are still a work in progress!

Lily

This week in running - It's daylight savings time!

Weekly mileage : 35 ish.

Running this week has been quite different.! We are on holiday and I have been blessed to have run in some amazing places.  The scenery has quite taken my breath away.

In terms of running I am kinda plodding but the joy and happiness I have gained from running this week has been immense. It I shard to feel anything but exhilarated when this is the view.

We also had the wonderful experience of doing some parkrun tourism. We tackled the Dunedin parkrun - and came off second best! It has a massive hill, that you go up twice. I totally misjudged it and totally cracked it the first time up. Second time was not quite so sad and tragic. The view from the top was worth it though. The course winds through the botanic gardens and is a great run. Everyone was absolutely lovely and helped make it a great morning. Thankyou Dunedin parkrun!


Lily

This week in running 15 September

Total Kms: 37km + hills

The week just gone was all about getting back into the swing of things.

The mileage increased and the frequency increased.

The actual runs were: 9km, 9.7km, 5km 13.5km, hills x 4.

The weekday runs I was happy with. I ran with sweetie pie and kid1 and kid2 both days.
The first one was a beautiful run along the harbour and then finished at the park playground for a play and snacks. It was one of those perfect early spring days when it is warm but not hot, sunny but crisp at the same time.

 

It's really easy while the kids are so young to get caught up in the constant struggle - organising, dressing, feeding, cleaning, washing, tidying. Repeat. This morning was one of those where you are reminded how wonderful life and your life really is. Yep, some parts suck. But some parts are lovely. Running with the man you love along a beautiful harbour. Feeling the accomplishment of being able to knock out an easy 9 km. Watching your children run and climb and explore and sharing in their wonder. All in the sunshine under a wide blue sky. A lovely, lovely day.

The other weekday run ended up being long due to a miscalculation. Ahem. At least it was only a tick over and I didn't accidently do a midweek long run!

The 5km was Parkrun. I was pushing the pram. It felt awful. Truly awful. I was about 30 seconds off my pram pb and was really disappointed with my run and how it felt (i.e. awful). I have been really discouraged with how I have been going at Parkrun lately. I haven't felt good and I haven't been near my pbs. I hope it turns around soon. To rub salt into the wound, sweetie pie shaved 20 seconds off his pb.

Long run felt fairly good and was at a decent ( for me) pace. Was only 13.5km but as I am not really training for anything at the moment that's ok.

Not sure how I am feeling about my running this week. Parkrun has thrown me but otherwise things are going well.

This week in running

Short response: Not much!

26 kms to be precise.

26 fairly tough km actually.

Just 5 more kms than the 21.1 in last Sunday's race.

I ran 3 times this week : Tuesday (6 km), Saturday (8 km) and Sunday (12 km).
The legs are gradually freshening up and losing some of the post race heaviness. Yesterday's run was an absolute debacle but not because of the legs!

No scenic runs. So a quiet, boring week running wise.

 This week coming I will increase mileage again and include in some light speed work.  Hills Monday afternoon but just easing back into it.

Happy Running

MRWS