Like most things in life, motivation comes and goes. After a 5 day long weekend, thanks to the alignment of the public holiday planets, my motivation is conflicted at the moment. I was not motivated to return to work; I can’t imagine anyone would have been. I am motivated to run; and my body seems to be arguing with me, again. I thought I’d been fortunate enough to get through my Relay challenge unscathed and, for the most part, I really have. I had that short run a few days after the Relay and all things seemed to be working perfectly. With last week being so busy, and a short one, that 3km was all that I squeezed in before the weekend arrived.
After seeing MGirl off at the airport on Thursday morning, going to Canberra for the baseball nationals, and food shopping that night after work, the weekend was upon me and I’d only run 3km!! I guess we’ll call last week and unscheduled “rest” week, which is probably fair as the Relay was an “unscheduled” challenge. Good Friday morning I left the house in the wee hours (4am) and courtesy of MGal was off to the airport for my flight to Canberra. I’d left CBoy sleeping soundly and it was only after I’d locked the door (and was not taking keys) that I’d realised I was going to half wake him to say goodbye. Perhaps he wouldn’t notice (he did!)? Thanks again MGal for the lift; it coincided with an early morning shift she had at the airport!!
Arriving in Canberra after lunch, another MGal collected me from the airport. It had been over 20 years since I’d seen this MGal and the face from high school was still recognisable in the smile that greeted me at the gate. I had been so looking forward to this time in Canberra; not only would I see MGirl playing in the nationals, but it was catch up time with my past and seeing old friends from many years ago. MGal took me to my friend’s house where I’d be staying, where I briefly saw said friend (who is another MGal...getting confusing I know, I seem to have many “M” women in my life which I didn’t realise until I only started using their first initial! I think some of my “M” women will find it tough to keep track of which is which!). As MGal was leaving for her Easter weekend the house would be empty, so my cousin JGal and I were staying there. MGal (airport MGal), JGal and I headed out for a coffee which turned into a glass of red wine. This is unusual for me, especially in the early afternoon, and it probably explained why I tripped down the step back at the house. Luckily for me it was only about 10cm high and I had a soft landing. I am a cheap date, one glass of wine and I’ll fall for anyone.
Saturday morning was an early run with DMan; a friend who has a wealth of experience at distance running. As I’d had a light running week I was looking forward to running some of Canberra’s challenging little hills but I was a little disappointed in my effort! DMan is uber-fit and politely slowed down so I didn’t have to kill myself, but even then he was barely puffing!! I know challenging myself is good for my running, but emotionally it is levelling when you run with people that are out of your league! DMan took me to Mt Majura and he quietly jogged up some steep inclines, while I huffed and puffed and walked on the steepest parts. I just have to keep thinking “diesel engine” and not worry about my speed, just that I need to keep on going. To top it all off, my right knee started complaining…collateral from the Relay no doubt…and for the last 8kms of the 16km we did it ached quite badly. With a few 100metres of walk scattered in, I did manage to run the good majority of it and it was really fun out in the forest with good company.
Saturday afternoon was spent watching the Perth HEAT women’s team play QLD, in a tough fought and only just-won game, winning 11-10. DGal turned up near the end of the game, driving down from Sydney on her way to Albury, and dropped in to see us and catch some of MGirl’s game. Saturday night was dinner at Hog’s Breath with MGirl, MGal, DGal and JGal. A lovely meal and a cocktail thrown in…this break was a good idea! Sunday, Easter morning, was a sleep in until 9am. I couldn’t believe my luck! The HEAT team had a bye so it was a lazy day with JGal and DGal. DGal left for the rest of her trip around 1pm and DMan picked me up later in the afternoon and I got to cook dinner for him which was nice. He repaid me by killing my ITB’s with a much needed leg massage!
Monday the HEAT team played a double header against the ACT and Victoria Blue. MGirl got to pitch for the ACT game and did very well. They mercied the ACT 15-5 and went into the 2nd game of the day with a win. Vic Blue was always going to be a tough team, and they were out for revenge after WA took the gold medal last year, and they ended up with bronze. The girls lost this game 6-3, but played very well.
I was determined to get up early on Tuesday after backing out of the run on Monday, opting for a sleep-in instead. I headed out alone on Tuesday morning and ran up Mount Mugga Mugga (I think). It was a tough climb, and after getting lost initially (as is my habit!) I had a beautiful view over the Woden Valley, and I didn’t walk as much as I did on Saturday’s run. My knee started to ache again but I pushed on and ended up with 15kms under my feet. It wasn’t as much running as I wanted to do in Canberra, but 30kms wasn’t too shabby, considering I was lame!
Tuesday’s game for the HEAT against Vic White was another good win, mercied them also with a score of 11-1. DMan picked me up from the field and took me to the airport for a 5:30pm flight home. The HEAT girls still had 2 games and finals to go, and I didn’t want to leave, but I had to be at work the next day…so home it was! I did miss CBoy also, and I knew he’d been bored and lonely at home, so it would be good to get home and spend some time with him. JGal is there until after the finals, so she would have to do all the family cheering for MGirl for me.
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