Run #5. 2kms Monday 20/10/14

Back at it with average pace of 8:33/km on tired legs from Sunday's long of 3km.

Black Shoes

VISIT TO DUNGOG for the DUNGOG DASH AND DAWDLE- where we got our team name

So the first weekend in August was quite special. 7 of us made our way to country NSW for the Dungog Dash and Dawdle. Home of our team name. Home of our Team King and Queen.
What a fabulous place.
I got to spend one of the most wonderful weekends with some of the people who have truly enriched my life.
The course was tough and uphill and I ended up walking most if it with Maria who came back to find me.
We all got a medal.
It was a great morning.
Followed by the SackRace which I won.
We were treated to the most amazing hospitality from Jane and Stephen, with a celebratory dinner on Saturday night at the farm with Golden Syrup Dumplings cooked by Danny Norris (CEO of Dungog Sack Racing committee).

Photo #1 Main Creek: Me, Anthea, Jane and Maria
Photo #2 The Dashers
Photo #3 Me post run, middle of the main street of Dungog

Photo #4 Anthea and I with the winning sack
Photo #5 Outside Stephen's gallery, with our NY medals.
Photo #6 The sack racing track

Marathon Minds by Sarah Donovan featuring "ME"

http://dasherlife.com/marathon-minds-briony/

Run #4 Sunday Long Run- 3km - 19 October

You know you are right back at the beginning when your long run is only 3 kms is at 8:24 pace and almost knocks you off your perch. Add 2kms that and I've got Dash to the Finish distance.
Sunday Long run done
Black Shoes

Run #3 1.5 kms - 14 October

A whole minute faster over the same distance done 2 days ago.
Lungs totally burning.
But happy with that.
Purple Shoes

Run #2 1.5km 12 October

And here we are with Run #2 up to a massive 1.5km
Still a Respectable time and pace.
Purple shoes

Comeback #3 Run #1- 1 km 8 October

And here we go again, starting at the bottom with a 1 km time trial.
Respectable time, just add 4 km to that and we have a Dash to the Finish distance :)
Black Shoes

2014- The year that wasn't

So nearly a year on, I am preparing to head back to NYC for marathon weekend. Not to run, but to volunteer.
I have had injury and illness that has allowed me 3 comebacks. Currently in the throws of the 3rd and getting some kms under the belt just to be able to do Dash to the Finish on Marathon Eve without passing out.
Since the Barossa, I have run some respectable training runs as well as the Adelaide Running Festival 10k which if it wasn't for an extra km, added on I would have finished in a respectable time despite crippling cramps a few hundred metres from the end due to lack of mid race fuel.
I did miss my beloved City to Bay this year due to illness. Nearly 8 weeks of chest infection knocked me ou. I still got away with 2 weeks of running in the middle and getting up to 11 kms which was the longest I had done since NYC last Nov.
So now, we begin again. With a goal in sight, the NYC Half in March 2015, the training begins again.
But before it begins in earnest, it is back to The Big Apple for what is billed to be the biggest reunion of the Dungog Dashers.
Looking forward to seeing all the usual suspects, of which there are too many to mention.
There is a second picnic, a trip to Philly, to run the Rocky Steps with Walt and Zrinka, Motley Crue, Dr Oz and Dinner with Linda's Running Club, the NY Flyers with none other than K Switzer as the Guest speaker.
The big day, Marathon Sunday, will be spent at Mile 18, volunteering in the morning and cheering in the afternoon with my beloved Dashers.
As I write this, it is 7 sleeps to go.
I've got 4 days of work and a Rolling Stones show to go before I get on the big jet plane.
I'm horrendously unfit. I've lost my marathon fitness now twice and I know that pain it is going to take to even get half marathon fit.
Goals are set now, bib is paid for. Here we go.