I just looked over Friday’s blog….it’s long. I really should try to update every other day, then you wouldn’t have so much to read…for the few of you who do! I also tried to upload it on Friday and the blog site was down, as well as my computer at home.
Friday night was a night out to see a production of the Irish Theatre Players, Juno and the Paycock. It was also the 2nd catch up with Blind Date #2, but I don’t think that will go anywhere as he couldn’t even be bothered to stand up from his bar stool at the end of the evening to say goodbye; or thank you. A nice enough bloke, but not the one for me.
Saturday morning was another early start as I was to go to CBoy’s school where I had a table booked at the annual school fair. I thought it would be a fantastic way to publicise what I’ve been doing and sell some Lung Foundation merchandise and fundraising chocolates. I was quite chuffed with the way I’d set up the table and happily sat to await the throngs of people! As I was situated opposite the jumpy castles I thought loads of kids would want chocolates! I sold a grand total of about 20 and felt like I had an infectious disease as most people by-passed me altogether. As I’m not really a hard-sell kind of gal, the day was a failure. I packed up feeling despondent and disappointed that at the end of all of this I will be lucky to have $5000 to give to the Lung Foundation. I’d had such high hopes. Fundraising is so difficult, especially when you aren’t good at asking for things.
Saturday evening was really relaxing…a nice dinner, a quiet drink and I watched two movies that were waiting to be returned to Quickflix! Nice and relaxing, and lonely. I really miss the kids when the kids aren’t around. I really would like to meet someone nice, and keep telling myself one day I will. One day never seems to come. I did climb into bed feeling relaxed though, if only in a half good mood. I wanted a good night’s sleep for Sunday morning.
Sunday morning I was up at 5.30am…this happens automatically now, no alarm! LOL. My friend BGal, an awesomely talented ultrarunner, were meeting at Lesmurdie Falls. B was to act as my guide dog, as I am shocking with navigation, and show the some routes through this little park. It is very bushy, and very hilly, hence the “falls” (which were dry) and it seems you can go around and around in here for hours on end and never really back-track much. She showed me a route of about 13kms and also pointed out other tracks to explore and run down; the main objective of this area is to run “up”!
And up we went, and up some more. The whole run, which lasted short of 2 hours had an elevation gain of about 500meters…so if I do a few repeats of that then I should have a nice little route of torture; just what I need for the next two months. I ran in my new Vasque Velocity trail shoes; they worked out well. I did develop a hot spot (pre-blister) under my right big toe, but I put this down to not having run much over the last few weeks, and no hills. We also both ran with poles; my first attempt. It was easy enough use them and I alternated between putting them out in front together and alternating them with the run stride. Alternating seems more natural, but others have said the more effective way in a physics kind of way to use them together. I think I’ll just keep practicing, but it certainly seemed to help on the uphills. Especially when B charges off up and I was left walking my sorry self up; but I did make it half way. The nastiest of hills even have names; like “Childbirth Hill” (named by a man) and “The Little Lady, with her Two Daughters and Abusive Husband”…that family just goes on forever! I claimed I would like my goal to be to be able to run up all of those by the time the race comes around. B reckoned it would only take a few weeks; I can only hope her faith is correct. And I named a hill…”Mother-in-Law Hill”….just when you think you’ve finished, BAM, there she is nagging you again!
I really enjoyed this run, carrying the poles made me feel like a Death Racer…even if it was only a short 13km (my watch said 14km!!). It was a bit slower than we’d normally do as at most trail junctions B stopped and tied orange strapping to the bushes so I would know which way to run. She also said it is a great place for night running because it’s all contained in a few square kms and you can’t really truly get lost as you will keep bumping into houses that border the area. I think she was suggesting I’m a bit like Helen Keller when it comes to running trails…completely blind! I also learned that it is more difficult to tail someone when they are using poles! Unless you want one between the legs, so I quickly learnt to hang back a few more paces. I am a bit like a donkey going down into the Grand Canyon, eyes down so I don’t trip over the edge, and just follow on blindly. I really must learn to look up and check out the scenery…especially considering where I’ll be running!
The funniest thing was running over a man-made bridge in the area which was made of concrete “steps” with a gap between each. B went on ahead and her pole got stuck and left behind. Just as she was saying don’t use your poles, I planted mine and did the same thing! This sort of running is definitely much more fun than concrete footpaths around the suburbs! I fell once, landing “gracefully” like side-saddle apparently. It is easy to use the poles and they are very supportive, the trick is picking them up in time again before you plant your foot and end up with a pole between your legs; especially when going slightly downhill!! Very funny!!
My knee only started to ache after about 11km which was much better than I thought it would be. Given the elevation changes, I was very happy with it. I had a heavier knee brace on, as well as the taping, and spoke kind and soothing words to it all the way around. I really want to baby it for the next weeks, so it decides to stay sound. If it doesn’t want to play, then I’ll have to walk the hills in training to get some up and down efforts in. I’ll see how the knee pans out over the week ahead!
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