500 km and counting

I got a really nice surprise the other day when I totted up the kilometres in my running diary: I've done just over 500km of training toward the Tarawera Ultra. Although I train by time rather than distance, this feels like a major milestone.

It's sometimes been quite hard to get up and leave the house, or find the energy to run after work. Fitting in the training runs around family, work and other commitments has been a struggle but honestly, I'm happy to say it's been worth it. I can't think of a single run where I've come back thinking anything other than "Oh, that feels so much better!" And it's motivated me to run in places and at times I wouldn't normally which stops it getting even close to boring.

Albert Park in Melbourne 

I know that my weekly totals are likely similar (if not slightly less than) their long-ish runs, but that's the joy of this venture - it's all about the personal challenge.

Getting to the 500km mark is great motivation. And know I'm very keen to find out just how many kilometres I'll cover on my way to the start line. Bets, anyone??

Have a fabulous Christmas!

Beginning of the big weekends

Way back when, a big weekend meant heading out of a Friday evening, getting up on Saturday afternoon in time to head out again... these days it means something very, very different. To be fair, it'll still involve a lot of time out and about, a bit of staggering, and consumption of electrolytes and a wee nap when I get home.

Tomorrow I head out for 3.5 hours, then 2 more on Sunday for a chaser. There'll be the challenge of fitting in the running, enough recovery, eating and sleeping time, family time, baking (an essential!), and just a wee bit of work.By Sunday night I won't be wondering where the time's gone!

All going well, I'm hoping to do 45 km over the two days, but I'll give myself some leeway if I end up heading over lots of hills. The main aim at this stage is to slowly build up the amount of time I spend on my feet, so distance is a secondary consideration. That said, I am keen to gain confidence from being able to cover a good few kilometres on my longer runs. The main event isn't going to get any shorter!

Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend.

Little victories

This week was quite a big one running wise- nearly 80km done over the seven days which is, I'm pretty sure, the biggest week I've had. And it was the first time I've ventured into backing up my long saturday run with a longish Sunday run. Just 3 hours followed by 1 hour the next day - starting small but I'm really pleased both went well or the next three months would be daunting. Very, very daunting!

Very happy to be sitting here on Sunday night with no soreness and no Achilles pain, and a well-earned slab of choccie cake and yoghurt done and dealt with.

Well done to everyone who ran Kepler and the Luxmore Grunt yesterday. See you there next year, maybe?!

A new challenge, a new phase

This post marks the start of a new chapter in my running life. Way back in June I entered the Tarawera Ultra the 85km course. Not the 100km course - that would be silly. Kepler 2011 left me on a huge high that I want to repeat, but it was time to go somewhere new, and to try and go for a bit further. I started my targeted training six weeks ago and am feeling pretty happy with progress so far.In fact I've had some almost euphoric moments feeling like my strength and fitness is coming back after a frustrating, injury interrupted cross country season.

The other new side of this event is that I'm using it to fundraise for Kidscan. Long distance running is an intrinsically selfish endeavour, it takes me away from my family for hours at a time in the weekends, makes me hungry, tired and occasionally a tensey bit grumpy apparently. But I understand that I'm privileged to be in a position to chose to do this, and to take part in challenges like Tarawera. So while it's a common thing now to raise money for charity this way, it seemed a good fit, especially giving a hand to Kiwi kids who struggle some days just to get the basics.

I have an awesome team with me for this challenge. My kids make sure I do my training, my husband gives encouragement and support, and holds the fort while I'm out running. We fit our training around each other's schedules. My employer gives me flexible work hours so I can fit long lunchtime runs by working later, and my colleagues laugh at me, and wish me luck. I also have the great good fortune to be supported by Daisy and the team at The Collective Dairy - a fab bunch, no bull!

Thanks everyone for coming with me! I'll update regularly - words of encouragement and donations to Kidscan through my givealittle page are always welcome!

Cheers all. Let the long plod begin!