Okayyyy...

Today I ran the 10km at Coburg and took 2 and a half minutes off my PB. I am now officially a sub 45 minute 10k runner. To go under 45 minutes for 10km was my goal for next year. Not this year. I can't believe I did it! I was amazed when I kept 4.30 pace for 6km in May and now I can run 4.28 pace for 10km! I was the second female and got another nice big trophy.

School Aths PB Meet

I reluctantly went along to the GSV athletics PB meet yesterday after school (did not want to go after school on a Friday). I was very late because there were so many people going that they had to make a second bus trip. By the time we got there they were running the 1500m so I had missed the event I really wanted to do. However, there were two of us who really wanted to do the 1500m so we ran another race with another girl from another school so there were 3 of us. I was sort of reluctant because I presumed I'd come last but I guess I had to get over that. In the first lap because it wasn't an official race, the hurdles were being cleared off the track while we were running past. Two girls with hurdles got in my way and I had to dodge them. It killed me! I suddenly started to feel very weak and shaky but I kept running anyway. I didn't have a watch on so I had no idea what time I was running but I presumed it was very slow. I finished last (only just though) in a time of 5.47 which I'm very happy with because I know I can only improve.

The rule for PB meets is everyone has to run 100m. I complained and didn't want to do it when I first heard but I decided I should just do it. After a rain interuption I ran my 100m and did it in 16.13 despite slowing down in the last 20m. Once again I came last! I got rain all up by back coz the track was really wet.

800m was the last event and I was looking forward to it (2 laps sounded fun). Finally I ran a race with more than 5 people in it. Grace Thek (a super runner) ran the same race as me and I knew she'd kick all our butts. I was surprised for the first lap and a half that I was 2nd and not too far behind her. However, I got overtaken in the last 100m and came fourth in a time of 2.52. I honestly struggle to run 3.30 sometimes for 800m in training (albeit early in the morning on an oval without breakfast) so I like that time. The track was so wet my shorts got absolutely soaked and it was hard to run in wet shorts.

My goals for this athletics season are 2.40 for 800m and 5.30 for 1500m. They're tough goals and I have no idea how much I can improve. I'd also like to run close to 15.00 for 100m (that's if I run it again).

Today I went to Active Feet and bought new shoes. They had my details on file so they grabbed the latest Brooks Adrenaline (what I already have) in my size and I had a quick jog on the treadmill and then bought them. They're a really nice colour - sort of metallic teal/turquoise, a change from light blue.

I'm doing the Coburg 10km tomorrow and aiming for a time around 46.30 (best case scenario) to 48.00 (worst case scenario).

Running at the Tan

Yesterday as I had a double spare last two periods I left at lunchtime (excuse: athletics club training) so I would have a rare chance to train at the Tan. I rode in and when I got there Richmond were training at Gosch's Paddock so I watched some of that. Then I was locking up my bike and I saw a woman running towards me along the Yarra and for some reason I kept watching her. When she passed I realised it was Benita Johnson!!!!!! She is very blonde and very pretty up close. She seemed to be going at a slowish pace (must have been warming up or cooling down) and so I sort of chased her and managed to keep up for a bit. Then I did my training but didn't feel fantastic. I have sore hip flexors and I think I need new shoes. I'm going to pay Active Feet a visit on Saturday. After I had finished my run (about 9km but not really the planned speedwork) I was about to unlock my bike when I spotted who I think was another of my running heroes, Anna Thompson. She flashed past along the Tan so I ran across the road and chased her up Anderson St hill. I kept behind her up the hill but she pulled away from me on the downhill. I'm not 100% sure it was her but she was fast and very tall and skinny. So I saw two of my heroes in one session! Plus I ran past a big bunch of Richmond players heading back to Punt Rd oval.

Tomorrow I have a school athletics PB meet. I'm down to do the 1500m and 800m. I've never really run either distance before so I'll see how I go. I'm aiming for around 3.10-3.20 for 800m and 6.00-6.15 for 1500m.

AV XC Bundoora

Saturday was my first ever proper cross country race (8km). It was very muddy and that made it hard to run. I ran a good race and did 36.12 which I'm happy with but I'm not sure if the distance was short or not.

Finally broke the voodoo - at my home ground

I never thought I would have a chance to race within walking distance of my house (except school cross country). I'd been looking forward to the Richmond club race at Wattle Park for a chance to race on my home turf. However, I've been sick the last few days and woke up this morning thinking no way could I run today. I told my mum I'd make up my mind at the last minute and that's what I did. By the afternoon I was feeling ok and decided I would race. Mum insisted we drive (I thought it'd be kinda cool to walk to a race) and it was nice to only have to travel a couple of minutes. I really wanted to break the 40 minute mark but I thought it might not be my day.

It was a handicap race and we started off our handicap which was something I haven't experienced before. I was 6th to leave and the people ahead of me were two minutes in front so was very afraid I'd get lost. And I did! Well I just got off track and lost about 10 seconds when I didn't know where the path turned in the first 500m. Oops! I enjoyed cruising down the hill and along the trail on which I regularly run. Then it was up the hill and then up another, steeper hill. I thought I'd suck up the hills but I cruised up! I took them in easily and then it was back around for another loop. I was so worried about the corner I went off track on in the first lap that I turned too early and took off about 50m from the course! I was thinking about how I should remedy my error but I came to the conclusion that my lost moment on the first lap plus having to wait to cross the road because of a car would have made up for my short turn. I pushed on and mostly felt pretty good. I had no idea what pace I was running. I looked back occasionally, expecting to see someone coming up to overtake me. However I didn't see anyone apart from when I passed two others. I cruised to the finish in a time of 38.50, a new PB despite the hilly course and being sick. I came 3rd or 4th, easily the first female.

So that's the 6th time I've raced 8km and the first time I've been able to break the 40 minute mark. I have a chance to break my 8km PB again next Saturday at Bundoora. I hope to get 37.xx.

Halfway through the year

In the first half of the year I accomplished several of the goals I set for the entire year.

3km - goal 13.30 - ACHIEVED 13.03 (although I've run faster but not in a race)
4km - goal 18.00 - ACHIEVED 17.05
5km - goal 22.30 - getting close 23.05
6km - didn't have a goal - best 26.54 (very happy with that)
8km - goal 38.00 - closest 40.00 not a distance I race much
10km - goal 47.00 - getting close 47.12
15km - didn't have a goal best 1.16
21.1km - goal 1.44.00 - ACHIEVED 1.43.30

Now for my goals for the second half of the year since I achieved 3 of them

3km - goal 12.30
4km - goal 17.00
5km - goal 22.00
6km - goal 26.00
8km - goal 37.00
10km - goal 46.00
15km - goal 1.10.00
21.1km - goal 1.40.00

I've set what I think are really tough goals. I am thinking right now there's no way I could achieve some of them. I guess I'll see how I do at the end of the year. Some of the distances I don't race very often, however I put goals down anyway.

Last home Phoenix game ever

Last night was the last game at the State Netball and Hockey Centre for the Melbourne Phoenix because of the new Trans Tasman Competition coming in next season (*roll eyes*). It was also the last Melbourne derby against the Melbourne Kestrels. We desperately wanted to win as there was no way the Phoenix could lose their last ever game together at the SNHC. And no way could we lose the last local derby, especially because the Phoenix have won 18 of the 22 played. The first quarter was really nerve-wracking but we soon started our domination. In the second quarter we really broke the game open and the Kestrels had no chance. But in the end we only won by 10. It was a good game though and a great way to end it. I thoroughly enjoyed singing the song for the last time. There was also the last ever after match function and it was a really good one. I'm VERY sad that I'll never see the girls play at the SNHC again, but it was definitely a good one to end on.

We have one more game in Melbourne in a month but it's at Vodafone. Expect the tears to flow.