Ups and downs. It’s been such a hot week, but I started the week with a big UP! On Sunday I did my longest run in many months, a 17.2km run-walk to Centennial Park and back. I did 1:1 run/walk the whole way and it worked great! The walk breaks really helped with my recovery the next day. On Monday I did an easy run/walk home from work in the evening and then a short core workout. On Tuesday I went to Spudds after work and then did an easy run/walk home. Wednesday was Spudds again, and that’s when I crashed. He had me trying to do chin-ups, and it was just total frustration. I spent the next two days in a total funk. Today I woke up determined to finish the week with a decent run. It started well but towards the end my right foot was aching. I definitely think I’ve strained it a little. So I walked the last ten minutes back to the house, and that’s when I noticed my chest was burning. I mean, on the outside. My skin. It was on fire, all around the collar of my shirt. I got home and pulled it off to see a huge red splotchy rash from my collarbone to my sports bra. No idea what caused it, and it’s still itching several hours later. GAHHHH.

Jan. 30: 17.22km
Jan. 31: 2.98km
Feb. 1: 2.94km
Feb. 4: 6.00km
Total this week: 29.14km (18.2mi)
Total this year: 111.95km (70mi)

To meet my goal of running 1100km in 2011, I should be at 105.7km. As expected, that long run made up quite a bit of distance. I’m now about 6km ahead of pace. Hmm. Maybe that’s why my poor foot is feeling tired? These cutback weeks are a Good Thing.

I suppose it was inevitable that I’d have a “down” week after so much exercise last week. That’s okay. We’re also having a run of hot weather, so just getting out there is a big win. I started with a run of 7km on Sunday. (It’s a cutback week on my marathon training plan.) On Monday I did a Spudds class after work, where I had some good form on the rower. Tuesday I ran to work wearing my new backpack, but it was a really sucky run. I just felt flat and tired. Wednesday I did a quick core workout before the Australia Day festivities, and this morning I did an easy run before work. Huh. I guess I did more than I realised.

Jan. 23: 7.01km
Jan. 25: 5.21km
Jan. 28: 6.06km
Total this week: 18.28km (11.4mi)
Total in 2011: 82.81km (51.75mi)

To meet my goal of running 1100km in 2011, I should be at 84.6km. So I’m about 2km behind pace. That’s fine; I’ve got another long run scheduled this weekend that should put me well ahead!

This week was packed with exercise! It started on Saturday with a core workout (36 push ups, 71 sit ups, and 55 squats). Sunday was my long run. It was technically Week 9 of my Galloway marathon plan, so the scheduled LSR was 9 miles. I did it with 2:1 run/walk intervals the whole way, and I ran the middle 6K with Fiona. After resting Monday, I did an easy recovery run Tuesday morning and a Spudds circuit that night. I did another Spudds class Wednesday at lunchtime. Thursday I did another core workout (39 push ups, 79 sit ups, and 60 squats). And today I ran to work in the morning wearing a heavy backpack. PHEW!

Jan 16. 14.91km
Jan 18: 6.06km
Jan 21: 5.37km
Total this week: 26.34km (16.5mi)
Total in 2011: 64.53km (40.3mi)

To meet my goal of running 1100km in 2011, I should be at 63.46km. So I’m now 1km ahead of pace! This next week will be another cutback week, so I’m going to try to rest up before the next long one.

This is a cutback week on my marathon training schedule – GOD THAT SOUNDS WEIRD – so my distance was light. I also had a Spudds session on Wednesday and did two core workouts (pushups, situps, and squats) during the week.

Jan. 9: 5.47km
Jan. 11: 5.04km
Jan 14: 5.86km
Total this week: 16.37km (10.2mi)
Total in 2011: 38.19km (23.8mi)

To meet my goal of running 1000km in 2011, I should be at 42.3km. So I’m a couple km’s behind, but I’ve got a 14.5km run planned for Sunday so I’ll more than make it up. 🙂

I can’t believe I’m starting over again at the beginning!

Jan 3: 11.75km
Jan 5: 5.83km
Jan 7: 4.24km

Total this week: 21.82km (13.6mi)
Total in 2011: 21.82km (13.6mi)

I need to average 21km per week to meet my goal of running 1100km in 2011, so I hit that target pretty much exactly. I have a feeling that my weekly totals are going to ebb and flow a little more this year thanks to the marathon training. Galloway’s plan has me always following a long run with 1-2 weeks of cutback. I’m sure it will all average out in the end…

I have gone insane. I blame JayDub and AirForceTed. I am seriously considering training for and running the 2011 Macleay River Marathon on June 12th. It’s not far from where Ma and Pa Snook live. Ma Snook has actually been trying to get us up there for years now. (They do other distances besides the full marathon.) It’s a small marathon, and it’s meant to be relatively flat. The other big advantage is – as far as I can tell – there’s no time cut-off. That’s what’s keeping me from doing one in Sydney. Every marathon I can find here cuts you off at 5:30, and I’m guessing I’ll probably be closer to 6:00. If the Macleay lets you finish no matter what… we may have found my big race for the year!

I’ve already had a look at Galloway’s novice plan. (HELL YEAH I’ll be run/walking this thing.) It’s 30 weeks long, but conveniently I’m pretty much already up to the week 8 workouts. I think I’ve got a pretty good base built up if I can stay injury-free.

AM I REALLY DOING THIS? Can I do it? Maybe this is just residual New Year’s Resolution craziness.

I am extremely happy to report that this morning I crossed the 1000km threshold for the year. Hooray! Thanks to everyone who supported me along the way.

Dec. 25: 6.44km
Dec. 27: 8.65km
Dec. 29: 6.88km
Dec. 31: 5.04km
Total this week: 27.01km (16.88mi)
Total in 2010: 1002.41km (626.5mi)

I knew today that I needed 2.63km to hit the 1000, so the Snook came along to the park and stationed himself near that point. He shot some video as I crossed the imaginary line.

Well, this is it, folks. One week left to go and we are coming right down to the wire. I ran three times this week, including a stint on the treadmill at Spudds on Wednesday. The legs are holding up okay. I’ve been doing 3:1 run/walk every single time and slathering on Nurofen gel. That seems to help.

Dec. 19: 10.12km
Dec. 21: 8.29km
Dec. 22: 5.00km
Total this week: 23.41km (14.6mi)
Total in 2010: 975.4km (609.6mi)

Today the Snook and I went for a Christmas run together and knocked off another 6.44km. That means to meet my goal of running 1000km in 2010, I still need to do 18.16km in the next 6 days. Totally achievable! I AM GOING TO DO THIS.

My legs still feel like they’re on the verge of giving out, so I took things very easy this week. Spudds was on holiday so I skipped my usual two sessions there. I only did two runs and I kept things real slow (even doing run/walk on one of them).

Nov. 14: 6.04km
Nov. 16: 6.84km
Total this week: 12.88km (8.05mi)
Total in 2010: 951.99km (595mi)

So that’s just under 50km (31mi) to go… in two weeks. Uh-oh.

Only three weeks to go, and suddenly everything is harder. My right foot is hurting again (after being great for weeks). My left shin is niggling me a bit. My right quad (just above the knee) feels sore and possibly even a little swollen. I’ve just got to hold it together for a few more weeks.

I cut back my distance a little bit in a failed attempt to rest. My long run on Sunday was a 3:1 run/walk around Blackwattle Bay with the Snook. Monday I had a session at Spudds. On Wednesday I doubled up with a short run in the morning before work (the foot was hurting) and then Spudds again at lunchtime. I ended with a walk/run home from work and around Newtown on Friday.

Nov. 5: 10.37km
Nov. 8: 5.46km
Nov. 10: 7.15km
Total this week: 22.98km (14.3mi)
Total in 2010: 939.11km (586.9mi)

Three weeks left, and just over 60km to go…