Back again. After visiting Perth and having a bit of a jolly old time I needed a week of recovery. As much as I thought the running bug had grabbed me by the belt loops and given me a good ol wedgey I discovered it abandoned me in a heap with my trousers around my ankles just as quickly (to go with the wedgey metaphor).
After taking a week off the desire had gone completely. A visit from my brother and another night out put running long, or even short, distances far from my mind. Until – I was undressing in the bathroom and discovered an enormous burn, sore or blister on my stomach. After a few brief moments of inner panic, on closer examination I realised it was melted chocolate. Now, from this I realised four things:
- I can’t believe I let a piece of chocolate that big slip past unnoticed
- That’s going to be really tricky to lick that off
- My stomach is large enough to act as a shelf for fallen chocolate
- I need to stop eating chocolate laying down and get running again
So, I finally put the new shoes (thanks Mum and Dad) back on and did an easy 30 minute run. The next run was 40 mins and, although a challenge, I was back enjoying it again.
My next big challenge was to run 16kms. I was thinking that as I had taken two weeks off I would have to start back at ten kilometres but finally decided just to give the 16km a crack.
With Radiohead (went retro with The Bends) on the iPod I began my amble around the glorious Barwon River. I have to say it felt bloody fantastic. The first 8kms felt absolutely sensational, empowering and I just had to keep smiling to myself. Once I realised I was halfway I let out a little YAHOO!! and then continued plodding along. By the end (it took 1 hour 50 mins) it was getting dark out and I was facing a cold head wind but I battled on. On finishing I felt deliciously elated and so glad I decided to give the 16km a crack - it really is the mental barriers that seem to stop me more than the physical. The half marathon is only 7 more kms..
So this week it’s a few 40 min runs and one 10km run which I’ll save for the weekend, and then next week – 18kms!! I was advised to start snacking on cashews, dried apricots and to get a protein shake so I’ll get onto that this week. I should probably also cut down on the lollies - after chastising the cat for eating so many biscuits that he threw up on my daughter’s bedroom I almost did the same with a bag of giant jaffas and peanut clusters.
Thanks so much to all of you following along… SHE’S BACK
