BAY 2 CITY RACE REPORT - MARCH 19 2016

Bay 2 City is the sister reverse race of the City 2 Bay here in Adelaide.
The City 2 Bay is one of my favourite races, run over a 12km course from town down to Glenelg.
Bay 2 City in 2015 was in April the weather was perfect.
This year, the race for no particular reason that I can find out was a month earlier. March is always hot here in Adelaide. It as forecast to be about 28C which for me is a hot run.

The race started at 8 am, I'd honestly be happy for it to start earlier. The appeal of this race is it is so much smaller than the City 2 Bay. This race attracts no more than 4000, the Cit 2 Bay- 40,000.

I met with my friend Julia (Rubenesque Runner) who was in the final stages of training for London Marathon. She was race fit and went off like a rocket (we are usually similar pace). I had bought my bib from her as fund raising for the Heart Foundation for her marathon campaign.

It's a great course, presumed uphill (as in City 2 Bay you feel you are going downhill) but is flat bar a couple of short inclines, one up a bridge at the end. The race starts at Colley Reserve at Glenelg, travels up Jetty Road, left on to Brighton Road and then it's straight up Anzac Highway to the city.
This year rather than going down Currie St from West Terrace and on to Morphett Street bridge, it turned from West Terrace on to Franklin St and then through Light Square on to the bridge and then right towards the finish.

I wasn't race fit for this race, after just training to 5 km for the Friendship run in Tokyo. However, after coming back from Tokyo I did a 7, 10 and then a 12 on the treddy so I knew that I would be able to cover the distance. I didn't rule out a PB (1:28) but knew it was only a very slim possibility.

It got quite warm by about 8km. At 10.5km, due to the heat, I began to get my calf cramps (magnesium- need to start back on that!!!), but knew with not far to to go it wouldn't be like Melbourne where for 5 kms, I ran in pain but still got a PB.

Finished officially in 1:32:06 which I was totally happy with as not really race fit. So I did well.
I did experience post race cramp like I never had when I flexed my calf. IT went on for about 5 minutes. I had Julia and her friend massaging my legs. It finally went away but was a note to self to reintroduce the magnesium and increase dosage towards race day.

I hope they put this race back to April for 2017- the chance of cooler temps makes it so much more attractive.

Ubiquitous Garmin Shot

Me, Julia and her friend

#garmin
#Garminaustralia
#asics
#dasherlife
#dashernation

BRIONY'S STILL RUNNING!

Well- its been months, but I've been racing and training.

City to Bay in mid September went well- got a bit warm so a little over PB time.
The Melbourne Half went really well in the end. I got sub 2:40 which was 3 minutes faster than NYC- so pleased.

Then I got sick.

A trip to South Africa in November was fabulous, but I got worse until I was sent to hospital in the 3rd week of November with suspected pneumonia. Thankfully it was not but my asthma was so bad it was replicating pneumonia. Was better by December, and then I had my Gran's 100th in early January.

January 11th I began again, birthday's over, sickness gone. 78 days later, I am still going. Inspired by a friend in the US who is currently on Streak Day #120 something. So the Streak began.... and hasn't stopped. Minimum of 7 sessions of exercise (or min 1km) across 7 days. If a day is missed because of work it is made up as soon as possible in that week. So far a success and nearly 300 kms achieved.

There has been a trip to the Tokyo Marathon with my dear friend Anthea to cheer some friends around the course, including our favourite Belgian who completed her 6th marathon major.

Last week was round 2 of Bay to City- no position to run as up until end of February my longest run had been 5km- in preparation for the Friendship Run in Tokyo. No PB but a time of 1:32 I was pleased with the result.

Next race is a 10k up in Salisbury and also on the local calendar, a 10k at Semaphore.

The big race for the year will be the Philadelphia Half in November with a warm up at the Rocky Run in Philly the week before.

Watch this space for some posts from Tokyo and Bay to City.

Thanks for following :)

MELBOURNE HALF MARATHON TRAINING: WEEK 9 DAY 7 - LOFTY

So this week was really a total right off. I gave myself a couple of impromptu rest days after last Sunday's mini marathon. That turned into a rest week. Far too tired from work and just wanted to beat one with my couch. So this morning was lofty with Katie. Ignore the time, it said we got up there in 34 mins and it was only 2.8 kms (yet we had parked about 500 m away from the start), so who knows.
In any case with was a ripper morning (all be it hideously fresh at the bottom). Great view from the top and obligatory summit photo with my buddy :)
Back down and home by 10 am which was great.
Let's see how this weekend pans out. Tuesday will be the best day for a long run and the target is 14km (so waking up early on my first double days off in weeks).  7 weeks to go.

MELBOURNE HALF MARATHON TRAINING: WEEK 8 DAY 7 - ADELAIDE MARATHON DAY

Today, for some it was marathon day. For me it started as a 12km long run up to the city to meet Sam and cheer on the marathoners and the halfers. The day finished very differently.
Was up at 5:45 and out the door by about 6:20am. It was fresh but perfect running weather.
Sub 1:40 not a bad time for the 12km. Met up with Sam and we based ourselves at the weir for cheering. My friend Julia was running her first marathon and I had promised I would have a bit of a run with her each time she passed. This plan also finished differently. Like me she is a back of the packer. She had had a sprained ankle 7 weeks out on a 30km run. She came past me at 13 km and off we went for a bit of a trot, just 1/2km to get her under the bridge and on her way.

Good morning!

Not a bad time for a training run

Sam and I at the weir, preparing for cheering duties

After that, we waited for some people to come past on their way back around to the botanic loop. Steve Moneghetti was running and Sam and I managed to get this selfie as he came past.

Not sure why but I am all cross eyed. Sam, Steph, Ev and I!

So the girls had left and I knew that Julia would be coming around the weir again at about 27 km to head back up the hill to North Adelaide. She was in a bad way. There were tears and talks of pulling out. I wasn't having a bar of it. You can't come 27 km of a 42 km race and pull out. So we joined forces and we walked the next 15 km to the finish. Her ankle was sore, everything was sore. I get that, I've been there. Twice. If it never hurt, everyone would do it. The ankle was a bit of a worry but she wasn't limping and was still moving forward, so I was confident she would be ok. So for 15 pretty brutal km, we talked, we walked and we got to the finish. At about 38km we had got a message from Julia's husband who was at the finish that they had saved a medal (she was only a little over the 6 hour cut off). That was enough to spur her on to keep going as honestly, it's the bling that makes this idiocy that we put ourself through worthwhile. We got there, and so my day went from a 12 km training run to actually around 30 km ( if you count the back and forths from the weir to the oval and then my walk to Currie St). The bus was going to be 26 mins so I got a cab.

Today was one of the first times, since volunteering a year ago in NYC, that I have been able to give back to some one in the running community. To see someone become a marathoner for the first time is really truly amazing. It was a great day and topped off by Julia's daughter putting her medal around her neck as she came over the line. I only had one day off this week and I spent most of it at this running festival. Great, great day. 

So what you need to know is this entire day was fuelled by a honey stinger wafer and a medium cappuccino. I do not condone this type of fuelling for this distance, but it can be done. At no time was I hungry, AT ALL. Nor did I feel that I was lacking energy.

Needless to say though, I nearly cleared out the local supermarket of food and have since inhaled that and a piece of Red Square Cheese (cheese = protein).

I've had a shower and a snooze and am currently wearing all sorts of compression. 

My unplanned afternoon of compression

And hideous minutes on this tool of torture

This is me.

MELBOURNE HALF MARATHON TRAINING: WEEK 1 DAY 3

2 days in a row.
Felt like death this morning so didn't get up as planned to walk long. Took the opportunity to sleep in a bit to try and keep my self from succumbing to the "team sickness".
So just went for a walk up the river. Ran up the hilly bits which was trying but ok.
So using this week to get back some motivation with the hope to be able to have a run in Vegas and Central Park in a couple of weeks.....even in the ridiculous heat.

PRODUCT REVIEW: GYM BOSS miniMAX INTERVAL BEEPER

This girl is big on interval running. I never used to be. I used to think you had to run all the way to get faster times. I have had 4 PB's this year using Jeff Galloway's method of run/walk intervals. I got the gym boss to help me in the NYC Marathon in 2013 and have used it ever since. I love it.
If you have a basic Garmin or watch for running this will be the perfect accompaniment to your either of those. Available in an array of colours, the Gymboss Mini Max runs off 1 x AAA battery. You can adjust your intervals to anything you like. Maximum of 99 rounds of the 2 intervals. Beeps go off for 1, 2 or 5 seconds and the beep can be quite loud (for a race like NYC Marathon, this is essential. I had to wear it on the neck hole of my top the crowd was that loud. It's so easy to use this product, I am a big fan and recommend it to anyone who needs something to time their intervals. It means you aren't always looking at your watch.
So if you want to get the perfect interval timer click below!




Affiliate Link

TRAINING: WALKING (JUNE 21 2015)

Mum and I headed out very early at 6:30 am in 6C temperature. No wind and virtually no cloud. Great morning for a long walk.

I did forget to turn off the Garmin until about 45 minutes after we got in!
So time was about 2:14 and distance would have been really about 10.8km
A smashing day here in the Rads.
So if you are pondering over whether to go out, put your shoes on, grab your iPod and just walk.
At least you will be out getting some sunshine, topping up your Vitamin D and burning some calories.
Enjoy your Sunday!
#garmin
#dasherlife
#lifeofanoneliteathlete

14/06/15 STADIUM STOMP

A little quiet on the blogging front this week. I have felt under the weather and the winter having set in here has initiated some hibernation activity in me. However, today, I took on the challenge of 6000 steps of the Adelaide Oval. First week in a long time I won't be anywhere near 30 km and you know what, that is ok.

My friend Louise joined me for this event (we went to NYC in 2013). It was tough but it was fun. About half way through, the glutes were caning and coming downstairs was just jelly leg central/
Total course was about 4 km, took us about 1:15. For those who know me, stairs are not my forte, especially coming down, but I did really well, even on the steep upper levels. Not even a little wobble. So Lofty and Stairmaster, is good training. Not sure how you get down stairs training except by going down the stairs!

When I got home, I was totally spent. Walking around the supermarket was a zombie effort (when you need groceries you gotta go, especially when your later afternoon is being taken up with Entourage movie in Gold Class!!).
Had a short nap and as I write this I am not sure I can make it to the end of Masterchef. Laundry is done, dishwasher has been put on and bins put out.

#dasherlife
#asics
#garmin
#stadiumstomp
#adelaide

Tesltra Plaza, Adelaide Oval

Me outside Adelaide Oval

Ready to Stomp- Finally got a bib number I am happy with.

Louise and I found this sign just towards the end of the course... And yes we are.

Louise and I- just started. We had also just seen my tweet of my bib on the big screen. Dasherlife got to be on the big screen at the Oval.

Yep- these steps hurt.

One of many UPS.

Don't look down.

Yep- they are steep.

Finish Line- ACDC was on as I came across

Great Venue

Finisher! With my bling.

Louise and I with our bling.

More bling pics

Couple of red lines where there shouldn't be, but hilarious map.

Hot Fireys Going to Stomp in full get up.

06/06/15 Long walk with Mum

Great morning for a walk. It was 6 degrees C, so three layers required. Lovely photo op on the bridge.
Walked to Henley and met Mum. We walked on to Grange and then back to Henley where I walked towards home, but not before taking a detour up the river. No great pace but good distance. Good way to start the long weekend after a lovely dinner at Sosta in town last night for my brother's 40th. Tonight is pizza for dinner at a friend's house.

31/05/15 DASHER ICECREAM DATE

So today after the bike tour and lunch with Mum, had a date with 2 of my #dasher girls at #henley for #icecream. We love icecream. Sami had run 12 km, Katie had walked 9 and me well, I knew what was coming. Somehow Katie got inspired to enter the Melbourne Half and is now coming with us. This will be the second half she has done, the first being NYC. So happy she has decided to come :)

So icecream = calories, so had to head to the gym after the icecream had gone down.

5 km on the uphill treddy today got me back my icecream calories and a little more. Lunch was a different story but I am still under for the day. The picture below our icecream selfie is what I sent to Anthea (whose baby is due TODAY - I have an inkling for June 2 and only time will tell) to show her where I was. 

Great day today. Not heaps of training but some and that is all that matters.

#dasherlife

#asics

#icecream

#running

30/05/15 Running/Walking 9km

So the weather wasn't meant to be great today but I managed to still get out there. I look at the weather radars like I am some kind of professional meteorologist, checking to see if rain is coming. Am totally retentive with the forecast and even if it says rain, I always check the radars as the rain could be miles from me, still enabling a session.
Going outside helps too to see if there are clouds coming from the west.
So I ran by feel down to Henley Jetty to reach Mum (slow but my right leg is still gammy).
Mum and I then walked to Grange Jetty and back and then I ran back from the Henley Hotel to home. Has been really the first time I have ran not in a race. Good times on way back, nothing outstanding but going ok.

#dasherlife
#training
#garmin
#asics

31/05/15 MAY WRAP UP

Well another month comes to an end. I swear, as each year passes the weeks and months just whizz by.  Today was spent with Mum in the morning on a bike tour of the lanes and hidden gems of Adelaide as part of history week. It was just great. Our city puts on some good stuff that is often free or minimal cost. I am a strong believer in supporting all of these events and activities if you know about them. My fun fact for today was learning about the different ways of laying bricks. The best thing we saw- the skinniest house in Adelaide just 2.4m wide. It has since been extended at the back but was originally a one room building and is the last remaining example of a slum in Adelaide (it is far from that now but that is the type of housing it was).

So May- the month of 2 PB's for me across 10km with my new style of training. Stairmaster, long long walks, Lofty and also Uphill treddy. Still running on the Galloway system, the best intervals being at Barossa with 2:00/50 and 2 of my km in the 6's it was the best result so far and proves you don't need to run in training to get results (you just need to do a lot of km uphill and keep going).

May saw my biggest weekly mileage since NYC Marathon training in 2013- not even for the Half Marathon in NYC did I do over 45 km. So to do 50 km was just epic. I worked hard, I was tired and the following week netted just over 30 km, but the 2 together still way over my desired average of 30km a week. Total mileage this month was 160.42. Big stuff here seeing I am just trying to stay fit enough to compete. My goal was 150km for May which I did achieve with the help of the stairmaster. Goal for June still 150 km.

I've lost a couple of kgs with my experiment, so am getting closer to that 69 kg first goal. It's hard work because the more training I do, the hungrier I get.

With June, there is a lot at stake. My team at work has the opportunity to go to the World Conference in Vegas in July. I have been 6 times, 5 times on the trot as an individual. This year, I won't be going as an individual but if we can pull it off, I will go as part of my team, just for the weekend. We have 30 days and the task is huge. I am plan to use exercise as my sanity saver and to hopefully lose a couple more kgs so I can buy a new dress.

Stadium Stomp on the 14th is the only event I am in, but it has a medal. The next couple of weeks will be stairmaster. We have a long weekend coming up this weekend, so although I have lots of stuff on, there is plenty of time for training (and sanity saving) to get ready.

So here's to June where dreams are made.
#dasherlife
#stadiumstomp
#globalball
#lasvegas

26/05 Mt Lofty 1.5 times- confused? Read on :)

So with Sam in a meeting today, I managed to find a work colleague doing Lofty. All planned, meet at start of path in car park near cafe 10:30.
Get a message "We are here". I replied, so am I, where are you? We are starting at the bottom aren't we?"
And no, Lauren and Melina were at the top, I was at the bottom. So I began my trudge up with no iPod. Met them half way, had a wee chat when the suggestion is made for me to come down with them and then back up. I had actually been thinking of that, so off we went. It was Melina's first time, Lauren has done it several times.
Was just great meeting up with them and doing the challenge with new people.
This was also now a different challenge for me as I had done 2 km up, 2 km down and I was now on my way back up. I had also thought I should walk back down to the car as well (down is always easier).
So I was heading for 11.76 km, rather than 7.76. 1.5 loftys.
It was great. On the way down from the top, I decided to try running down the not so steep bits and on the flat, which worked quite well. The knees held up (still strapped from Sunday's race) and I got down in 37 mins which has to be a record.
Sam and I are going to do a bit of running up hopefully next time.

#dasherlife
#Radelaide
#garmin
#asics

27/05/15 Stadium Stomp Entered

So I've taken the plunge and entered the Stadium Stomp here in The Rads. Looking forward to the medal at the end. Loving my bib number.


#dasherlife
#garmin
#asics
#stadiumstomp

24/05/15 BAROSSA MARATHON FESTIVAL PHOTOS

Tonnes of photos here from the weekend. Can safely say this weekend was one of the best I have had in a long time. Got to speak to my Dashers on the Facebook phone THREE times. Wow, how amazing is technology? Speaking to Canada through a social media phone. Hanging out with my Dasher girls Louise and Sam. Running  a 10km PB, off walking only for training. Cheering on Ev, Beth and Kat for their first marathon. Lunching and post race cheese and bikkies with new friends and old friends. Makes me smile. Just a fabulous 36 hours. 

#dasherlife

#training

#running

Sam, Louise and I loading with cheese and bikkies

Sami with her pom poms!

Sam, Norm, Ev, Stephanie, Karen and I pre race

Sam, Louise and I pre race

Jane, Al, Myself and Marina just before the start

Jane, Al and I at the start

Sami meeting me at the 5km point (10k turnaround)

The photo below is a picture of all the Dashers at Jane Spiteri's in Ottawa, talking to ME on the phone ( I was out on the marathon course)

Me, Sami, Ev and Louise, post race

Sami, Ev and I with our marathon medals.

Sam, Evelin and I with our marathon medals

24/05/15 Race Report Barossa 10 km

The day began with a bight red sunrise as Sami, Eveline and I made our way to the Barossa running festival.
Quite a cool morning, with temps around 7C, but perfect running weather.
I set off about 8:00 am.
Big Big PB here again with official time actually 1:12:14
That is nearly 2 mins off my greenbelt time from 3 weeks ago.
Used Galloway 2:00/50 and it was PERFECT.
Have basically not run (bar 1 x3km and 1 x 2 km uphill session on the treddy at 6.4/5.8 intervals). Training has been Mt Lofty sessions, Uphill treddy, Stairmaster and Long Distance walks.
Still trying to keep this hamstring issue at bay which popped up about 5 km today.
Sub 30 4 km, Sub 60 8 km (fastest EVER 8 km).
Great day, great race. To think one year ago, I struggled with the 5km after rupturing my plantar fascia.
#dasherlife
#garmin
#asics

17/05/15 50 KM for the WEEK with 9 km today

My biggest mileage week since sometime in 2013. The most I did for NYC half was 45.
I've done this all on the stair master, walking and then on the treddy uphill. 6 sessions this week in 5 days.

There is a lofty in there and 2 long walks.

Hopefully it will hold me in good stead for running on the flat next Sunday in the Barossa. 

I've stayed under my 1500 calories 6 days out of 7 after exercise. I don't think my weight loss will be massive this week as I think it will be more muscle building but we shall see in a few days.

#dasherlife

#stadiumstomp

#asics