Running haiku

Ran with my running buddy K today. It always seems to go faster when you're chatting away to someone (even if you are gasping for air). Part of our usual path is closed at the moment so we had an added hill on the run. Yuck!!

I was inspired to write a haiku about this morning's run (don't worry, I won't give up my day job).

Two degrees this morn

Perfect running autumn day

Oh, I love it so!!

Random running ruminations

My past three weeks of relative inactivity showed themselves this morning. I was in struggletown for most of my run. But I finished the distance, albeit slowly.
It was cool this morning, but not really too bad. The Bureau of Meteorology are forecasting some zero degree days though for the rest of the week, so might have to find the old running gloves to complement my new headband – no cold ears for me today!
As you can see, I have decided to track my running – it’s really satisfying to see the time and distance add up (not that April is going to be that flash). I’m an instant gratification type girl. I don’t like waiting for my results. So by tracking my runs I’ve got something to hang onto until I get to my races. Not to mention it stops me from obsessing quite so much about my weight. Which has really been bugging me – I’ve been thinking about it so much but not getting anywhere (my own fault), which has led me into the negative thought cycle, which leads to destructive behaviour, and so on. But running makes me feel good, motivates me to eat better (so I run better) and I like doing it (even when I’m hating it). For some reason I forget that every now and then.
And before I sign off for today, one thing I saw this morning was three little bunnies nibbling away on the grass as I shuffled past them. I’m pretty sure rabbits are a feral pest that we don’t like (or is that just in farming areas?) but they were pretty cute.

Aw, shucks

I'm not sure if this fits in the definition of compliments, but I'm putting it there anyway.
A friend of mine told me this morning that the thing that gets her out of bed in the morning to jump on her treadmill is the knowledge that, at that particular moment, I will be out exercising too, and that my exercise may include running around a body of water in the dark (and soon to be cold).
While it's a little weird to think that I'm the first person she thinks of in the morning, it's a nice feeling to know that my early morning 'craziness' is an inspiration to others.
It made me all smiley all day.

Saturday morning running high

Did the Saturday morning run around Lake Ginninderra today and knocked over two minutes off the last run time! I am so happy! It's great to make such a big improvement and also to know that the pain I was feeling was justified.
It was an interesting run today also because we had a bit of fog today so for most of the run where we were alongside the lake it was if there was just nothing else but the bit of path we were on. You could see nothing but the 10 meters ahead of you and where the lake should have been was just white.

Chris gets her running groove back

I had a fantastic run this morning. For the first time in a long time I felt good during the whole run. OK, maybe when I first started it wasn't so good because my legs are still killing, but once everything warmed up it was fantastic.
My breathing was regular, I was relaxed and I felt like I could have just kept on running. Did the 7km run in 49 minutes this morning. Sure, it was a slow pace, but it was totally worth it. Because I know I'm getting my groove back.
Look out Melbourne Marathon.
I am so totally stoked.

Panic stations!

I had a running date this morning, and I had to pick up my running friend at 6.00am.

I woke up at 5.50am.

All I can say is thank goodness I got myself completely organised last night: My running clothes were all laid out on the lounge ready to be put on; my food for the day was packed; my work clothes and shower stuff was all packed in the work bag; and my gym clothes for this afternoon were all pack in their bag.

You have never seen anyone move as fast as I did this morning!

The good news is I got to my friend's house at 6.02am. Not bad.

It's all in my head

I had a mini psychological breakthrough this morning.

I have been running for quite some time now, and completed the Melbourne Half Marathon last year. So deep down inside I know that I have the ability to run (shuffle) at least 21.1kms. But after said half marathon I hurt myself and then didn't run for a few months. When I resumed running I started small - partly because I was still recovering from my injury and partly because I thought that was all I could do.
Here in Canberra we have a lake called Lake Burleigh Griffin that's in the middle of Canberra near Parliament House and all of that. It's a popular running spot and there's a loop you can do that includes the two bridges that span the lake. Once upon a time I used to run that loop regularly, but post-injury I've just thought that I couldn't. Well, guess what? I can! I did it this morning and it wasn't hard at all. I've just had it in my head that I couldn't do it.
My next task now is Lake Ginninderra - another lovely lake in Canberra which is a bit bigger than 'the loop'. It's down for Valentine's Day - my gift to myself!