Ever since the 10k I've had a a huge surge of motivation. I've been putting all my effort into getting up in the mornings for a pre-work run. This week it's been so cold out in the morning, but I'm happy to say I still managed to get myself out of bed before 6am on Monday and Tuesday. My runs are getting easier, although I haven't picked up any speed. But in the end, speed isn't that important, as long as I have the endurance to get around.

My long run for last week was suposed to be on Sunday, but a friends cancelled flight made me put it off until Monday morning. A long run before work wasn't ideal, but it went well and I was happy. Hopefully this week I'll manage to everything in according to my plan!

Here is the summery of my long run:

My motivation isn't just for my running, but also my strength training as well. I've been hitting the weights at the gym much more regularly, and it's been paying off. I'm definitely feeling the work in my legs and shoulders. Hopefully I can keep this, especaily with just over a week until my next race!

5k PB 35:16
10k PB  1:08:42 
10 days till the next 10k
59 Days till the half marathon

10k - Complete!

The big run was yesterday, and although I was rather nervous, having not had solid training leading up to it, it went really well!  The rain held off and it was sunny and beautiful - one might even say it was a bit hot, but I was running so not the best judge of that!

The course was pretty good, gentle hills that weren't too much of a challenge, and then one massive hill. When I rounded the corner to see the big hill, the girl beside me and I pulled out our earphone and said "what the hell is that!". Even with checking out the elevation profile of the course, I wasn't prepared for a hill that steep. Thankfully it wasn't too long, and there was a drink station conveniently placed at the top. The first lap I manager to run about half way up the hill, but the second time around I wasn't far up before I gave in to walking.

I crossed the line for the first lap with a time of 35:12 showing on the clock, which meant that my lap was faster than my last 5k - even with the hill. I was hoping for a time of 1:10, but being realistic, expecting closer to 1:15, figuring I'd slow my pace slightly on the 2nd lap, and my 1st lap time was right on par with my predictions. The second lap is better, as you know what is coming. While rounding the gentle incline before the massive hill, I was mentally preparing myself for the climb. As I passed the 4km sign, I knew the course was downhill and then rounds into the finish, so I opened up my stride and called on the energy reserve I had. And although I walked a bit more, and felt like I was going slower, I managed to pull up my pace and come across the line at a time of 1:09 on the clock. I was ecstatic! A great result, and I was feeling good!

The official results are:

Official time - 1:09:46

Net time - 1:08:42

1st lap time - 34:13

2nd lap time - 34:28

Mid race, looking serious!

5k PB 35:16
10k PB  1:08:42
21 days till the next 10k
69 Days till the half marathon

Today is the day of my next race - a small little 10k to get the body moving. Thanks to my nigglely knee I haven't done a full 10k run yet, but I'm sure the few extra kms won't kill me! I must say that I am a wee bit more nervous about this one than the 5k, I didn't even sleep that well last night (and I never have trouble sleeping!). Hopefully all that nervous energy will convert into some good adrenaline that will carry me for the 2 laps of the race. The course is much flatter than the 5k, so I shouldn't have any problems. Being a modern day race, they have a facebook page that I'm following, and yesterday the sad news came across that the people who give the free 10min massages won't be able to make it. I was really looking forward to that massage! I guess I'll just have to give myself some tlc at home!

Fingers crossed that I'm reporting back later about a super race where I ran beautifully and had no problems, but seeing as they are calling for rain today, it could be a real wet one and who knows how that will effect my running!

Till after the race!

5k PB 35:16
Today is the 10k!!!
70 Days till the half marathon

It's now been 2 weeks that I have been taking it easy, allowing my knee to recover, and it's been hell! I miss getting out there, and all I can think about is the progress that I'm not making. Ugh! But it's needed, and I think I may be recovered enough to get back at it.

I went for a decent 5k run yesterday, and did it in good time. my knee didn't really start to bother me till the end - much better than last week when I was only a few minutes into the run and it was already an issue. Hopefully this will be the only set back I have - there is just a little over 2 months till the half marathon, and I'm not as far along as I would like to be. If I get another good run in today I'll be all set to start increasing my mileage. There is still a small hope for competing in the 10k next weekend - but if I have to do the 5k I'll still be happy.

5k PB 35:16
7days till the 10k - Hopefully! 
77 Days till the half marathon

It was bound to happen eventually. I'm currently being held back by a little injury. Caused by my new runners, my knee is suffering some a little pain. I know it's because of the new shoes, because it only started after purchasing them - up until then I was perfectly fine. So not only does that leave me taking time off the road to recover, it also means I need to get some new runner! Boo!

After giving myself almost a week off after last weeks race, I set out on Friday for a little run. I was itching to hit the streets again, and although it was blowing a gale I ventured out after work looking for some running clarity. The pain had eased off my then, so I was testing the waters. Unfortunately I wasn't far into my run when my knee started sounding out it's objection. What was supposed to be an easy 6k m run turned out to be a 3k run with a lot of walking. Obviously the knee hasn't had enough rest time yet. Not good! My dreams of the 10k on June 19th are slipping away, and at this point I'll be lucky to get another 5k under my belt.

Fingers crossed that my knee starts responding to my TLC!

5k PB 35:16
14 days till the 10k - Hopefully!
84 Days till the half marathon