Lack of posts

I got my computer fixed a few weeks ago and since then I haven't been able to use this site. Which is such a pain because in just a few weeks I've got 4 new PBs.

I've done the Sandown relays (6.2km) in which I had an average race but managed to run 26.42 to be the 7th fastest Richmond female (out of 14) and help my team to 3rd in Div 4.

Queen of the Lake in which I ran a massive PB of 21.10 to come TENTH overall! I REALLY wanted to get into the top 10. The race was so hard because I ran so fast. My splits were
1km - 3.53
2km - 8.00 (4.07)
3km - 12.19 (4.19)
4km - 16.35 (4.16)
5km - 21.10 (4.35)
So my splits weren't very even but I whipped my 3km and 4km PBs at those splits.

At the GSV athletics preliminary carnival I ran 800m C division in 2.46 and 1500m A division in 5.43. I came third in both. I was 4th overall (out of 24 year 11 and 12s) in the 1500m which I was very happy with.

At Yarra Bend Cross Country last Saturday I ran 26.43 for 6km. I wasn't very happy with that time because I was aiming for 26.00-26.30 but by some miracle I managed to get into the Richmond Division 1 team for the first time!!!! I didn't think that would happen for a few more years! The race was very hard because it was on grass the whole way and the grass must have been quite long.

Last Tuesday was the GSV Championship athletics carnival and I ran 800m division C in 2.44 and 1500m division A in 5.35. I came 3rd in 800m and 6th in 1500m. I was disappointed to come 6th but we were competing in Division 1 which is the top 8 schools (out of 24) so it was a very hard race. I was 10th overall in the 1500m so that sort of means I am the 10th best 1500m runner out of all the girls private schools in Victoria. As a school we came 6th which is very exciting and our Senior team came 3rd!!

On Friday I ran the 1500m at a schools knockout athletics competition. We were up against 4 other schools and I came 6th (out of 10) in a time of 5.35. I was disappointed the otehr girls were so good because I hoped to get a placing.

And today I ran the Victorian Mountain Running Championships. It was very hard, we basically ran up, then down, then up again. The first hill was 1.2km long and rose 200m. It definitely felt like we were running vertically upwards and I had to walk some of the way. The downhill was fun though, 2.5km dropping almost 300m. I felt like I was flying downhill although it was a bit scary coz I thought I'd slip. It was 4.2km in total and I ran it in 23.50. I came 2nd (out of 3) out of the juniors. I was very disappointed there wasn't more of a turnout, I'd rather have come say 8th out of 10 than 2nd out of 3.

My next race coming up is the Burnley half marathon, my first crack at sub-100 minutes.

Saturday, Sunday, Monday

This week I am racing 3 days in a row. On Saturday I'm doing the 6.2km Sandown relays for Richmond. Hoping to get a time close to 27 minutes. On Sunday I'm doing Queen of the Lake because I really enjoyed it last year and I like doing the occasional commercial run. I'm not sure if I'll do the 5km or 10km. I usually like to do the longer distances in StF runs but I might only feel like a 5km. It's about time I got a new 5km PB too. I'd be hoping for around 45-46 minutes in the 10km or close to 22 minutes in the 5km. I hope to come first or second in my age group in the event I do.

On Monday I will be attending the GSV preliminary athletics carnival. I am doing the 800m and 1500m as well as the 4x100m (hope not though!). My goals are 2.45 for 800m and 5.40 for 1500m. On the events sheet in the PE centre, it has me down for 800m C (thank goodness!) but 1500m A!! So I will be up against the superstars! Hopefully I can convince one of the other girls to swap with me (there's 3 of us in year 11-12 that do the distance events).

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.

Post Run to the G training

I'm going to try and stick to a new training program to build a really solid base to go under 100 minutes hopefully in the Burnley half or Melbourne half. This is what it will look like

Monday - rest/cycling
Tuesday - Speedwork AM (about 10km total), Running club 3km PM
Wednesday - Rest/cycling/short run
Thursday - 4-8km
Friday - Running club 3km
Saturday - netball/cycling
Sunday - long run - starting at 10km and building up very gradually to a regular 16-20km
Total starting at 30km minimum and hopefully building up to about 45km, depending on how well my body recovers.

It's very hard to find time to go for bike rides, especially now when it gets dark so early. I might have school athletics training on Monday and Wednesday mornings next term which is on my rest days so it should be ok. I can always cut out running club on Tuesdays and Fridays (especially because it's often cancelled). I'm just going to try and stick to this plan for as long as possible. We actually have to design training programs in PE at the moment and I'm mainly just doing running and speedwork.

I bought a pair of aqua capri Skins for $70 and I got them today, they're very nice! I also bought a pair of Nike Free 5.0 for $85 and I can't wait for them to arrive!

Run to the G

I woke up at 5.40am yesterday morning to get ready for Run to the G. I was ready by 6am and had to wait till Karen picked me up at quarter past. We drove into the city and picked up Ally at the St Kilda Rd Police Station. Ally took ages to come out and I was getting really nervous. Fortunately they went away when Ally came out. We parked near the Shrine and walked to Fed Square. I had to pick up my number as they didn't send it out. But my name wasn't on the list. Luckily I printed out and brought with me my confirmed entry form. I picked up my bib, went for a quick whizz and found a pole to tie my jumper to. I lined up at the start between the 1.45 pace balloon and the under 1.50 sign. That was my realistic goal time - between 1.45 and 1.50. It took ages to start and I was reading the 7 news headlines (including Adelaide defeated Kangaroos!) above the Young and Jackson hotel. We finally started and it was a slow start for about 200m. I ran along the footpath which was pretty clear. I got into my rhythm easily and early. I didn't see a 1km split sign which really annoyed me as I like to know what time I do my first km in to know what pace I'm going at! I was very daunted by the long distance but I felt fine for most of the way. I thought doing two laps would kill me but when you know you have to do two laps it's not so bad. The 1.45 pacer was about 200-300m behind me for the first lap. There wasn't a drinks station until the 6km mark which surprised me. At the 8km mark my hips started to get sore which was slightly worrying. Although they were sore, they didn't get any worse. My km splits (the ones I saw) were about 1-1.30 minutes off 5km pace (eg the 8km would have been about 38.30) and I was hoping I could maintain that. If I couldn't maintain it then at least I had room to move with my times. When we passed by Fed Square for the 2nd lap I saw my mum and chucked my gloves at her which I had taken off at the 3km mark. I was still cruising comfortably for most of the second lap. I noticed that for the whole second lap I rarely saw any women, I was surrounded by men. By the 16km mark I was tiring and I could hear the 1.45 pacer behind me. I really didn't want him to overtake me because by that stage I was really hoping for sub 1.45. He overtook me at the 19km mark and that killed me. But I didn't try and keep up, I just stayed at my own pace (mostly coz I was getting very tired). The 1.45 pacer stopped at about the 20km mark because he must have been too far ahead. The last km killed me, especially when they had signs saying 500, then 400, then 300, 200, 100 metres to go. I managed a little sprint at the end but I was really buggered. Of course, I was overjoyed to see my time - 1.43.31. I had broken my PB by over 9 minutes!!! I managed to find Mum who had also found Ally and Mum took a photo of us together. Ally had done around 1.44 - I had beaten her!!!!!!!! Although she had run straight off a night shift. I was hoping to see Karen but I didn't - she came in at 1.54. I got my showbag and tried to find my Dad (Mum was doing the 10km walk). I was hoping to see a few people I knew doing the 10km but I didn't. I did see Christie Malthouse though (one of my heroes). I had to work at 12pm and that killed me.

I looked at the results today and I CAME FIRST IN MY AGE GROUP! And I was the 72nd woman! I thought I'd be about 200-300th in the women. Woohoo!

I don't want to be 17!

I have one year until I can no longer race as an under 18. Scary thinking about it!

Saturday off!

I had my first Saturday off netball since April and I had grand plans. I was looking forward to going to train with the girls from Richmond Harriers at the Tan. Unfortunately an unplanned late night meant I was way too exhausted. I read in the paper this morning that Ben Cousins was seen running the Tan yesterday morning!!!! I was going to go to my favourite class at the gym if I didn't go to Richmond training but I was too exhausted to get up in time for that too.

Later in the afternoon I left to go for a bike ride/run. I couldn't decide whether to go into the city to do the Tan or to ride along the Yarra and run to Fairfield boathouse. I eventually decided to go into the city and I'd come back along the Yarra if I had time. So I rode into the Tan and did a lap and a bit (about 4.5km). Then I rode into Port Melbourne and did another 4km there. After that I went for a walk along the beach and then rode home. I went straight home the quickest way because it was getting dark and I was so exhausted and hungry coz I'd been out for more than 3 hours. In total I did about 8km running and 40km riding.

Plenty of time for running in my week off

I've had almost the whole week off because it's exams week but I only had one exam. So on Monday I went for a run into the city with a running partner. We started in Kooyong and went along the bike path to the Tan, then did two laps of the Tan and back to Kooyong. It was about 18 or 19km. It was a beautiful day and a nice course. It was my last long run before the Run to the G half marathon and I felt really comfortable for most of the way.

I actually recovered from Monday really well so yesterday I rode into the Tan and did another run there. I did about 3 or 4km warm up, then I alternated between 500m in 2 minutes and 500m in 3 minutes so I ran fast, then jogged, then ran fast etc. The markings on the Tan are so handy! Surprisingly, I wasn't feeling any stiffness from Monday's run. I then ran over to Vodafone Arena and the MCG. I did a lap outside the G (get into the mood for Run to the G and Melbourne Marathon). Then I did some 'stairwork' on the steps outside Vodafone. I'd heard from a friend that they are a killer. However, I kinda had to make up how to make them a 'killer'. So I ran up and down them, ran to a nearby lightpole and then ran up them again which took about 45 seconds. I then walked down, back to the lightpole and back to the bottom of the stairs to do it again (75 seconds). I did this 5 times. It was fun but not really very hard. I guess you have to do them again and again. Afterwards, I ran back to my bike parked at the Tan and rode home. Altogether, I'd done about 11km and 25km on my bike. I wish I had the time to do that every week, it was really enjoyable. Unfortunately, especially this time of the year it's only possibly to run at the Tan during holidays.

I've been eagerly planning all my runs this week. I want to run to Fed Square (15km from my house along the bike path) tomorrow because I did the same time last year and it was the first time I'd run anything anywhere near that far. But I think I'll just go do the circuit class at the gym because I don't want to run too far in the lead up to Run to the G.

Exams

Exams are almost over. I quite enjoyed them and I wish we had them every term. Last Wednesday we got a whole day off for 'study day', however we had a PE SAC so I had to go to school for that. Then on Thursday I had English (boring) and Chemistry (easy). On Friday I had Maths Methods (easy) and GM* Maths (surprisingly easier than methods). So now I had today off, tomorrow off (although I have to go to my PE class period 1), Biology on Wednesday, and then Thursday and Friday off. So I just had to do 5 little exams and I get 7 days off school (plus birthday holiday next Monday).

Sandown Photos

I found heaps of photos of me from Sandown on Sporting Images. Here are my favourites. I'm going to order one of them.

Sandown

After netball coaching and doing homework, instead of heading off to netball I headed out to Sandown for the big 10km. I arrived just in time to see the juniors finishing which was good. Definitely wish I was that fast! Our race was due to start about half an hour later so I went for a warm up with some of the other Richmond girls and we were pretty much ready to start. I found both in this race and the Latrobe race I wasn't ready to start, there was a whistle out of nowehere. But that doesn't matter in a long race. The women started up a ramp (yay, downhill) while the men started on the main track. I planned just to go quite slowly and leave as much as possible in the tank for the first 6-8km. I got into a rhythm early and found by 2km that I was going at a pretty quick pace. I couldn't really slow down though, I tried to but it didn't work. In the 2nd/5th/8th kilometre there is a 'hill' which looks almost flat until you have to run up it. We had a major headwind and of course it is strongest up the hill. Luckily I wasn't getting dust in my face like yesterday. Just before the 4km mark I got lapped by the wheelies and then at the 6km mark I got lapped by the first runner. Boy was he travelling fast! It killed me that he had almost finished and I still had a lap to go. I've never run a 3 lap race before but it wasn't as bad as I thought. The straight was so long and it was hot with the wind behind. I started to hurt (probably from yesterdays x-country) at the 7km mark and I started to worry I wouldn't get in under 48 minutes. At the 8km mark I started to really want to get in under 47 minutes. That meant running 9 minutes for the last 2 kilometres - something I thought I could achieve. I pushed it and felt comfortable up until the 9km mark and the back straight. I started to get a stitch and felt really uncomfortable. I had to push though and with about 100m to go I could see the clock ticking over to 47 minutes. I kept pushing and managed to get in at 47.12. That's a PB by over 2 minutes. I wasn't really that happy with it but according to McMillan's it pretty much fits in with my other PBs so it was a good run. I guess I enjoyed the race and I hope Richmond did well.

Splits (very approximate).
1km Didn't see marker
2km 8.14
3km Didn't see marker
4km 18.00
5km 23.16
6km 28.00
7km 32.35
8km 38.00
9km 42.54
10km 47.12

Championship Cross Country

After waiting excitedly all day we finally headed off to cross country at Bundoora Park. The juniors and intermediates had already run by time we got there so I was really annoyed as the best part of cross country is cheering the others! We arrived about 25 minutes before we had to run so I quickly changed into my shorts and we warmed up and then had to line up on the start line. It was so squishy, 240 girls from 24 schools lining up to race. The schools next to us hadn't left us any room which was really unfair. The start was the most horrible start I've ever done. I was trying to overtake many people (so many slow people sprint off at the start) and I was running on the outside of the course. There was a massive headwind and dust got in our eyes and mouths. We were to do two laps of basically a massive oval and the first third of each lap is gradually uphill. I was just cruising because I didn't want to be too tired for Sandown. I was feeling really comfortable and the first lap went really quickly. The field finally started spreading out and I could run properly. I don't have much to say about the race just that I felt really comfortable and it seemed to go very quickly. On the second lap with the headwind I didn't draft behind anyone coz it just doesn't suit me so I wasted a lot of energy. I was rounding the corner to finish feeling really good and all of a sudden a girl comes sprinting past me. I realised it was a girl who's in my netball team and who I really didn't want to beat me! She was a few metres ahead of me but I managed to come in just behind her at the line. My time was 17.05! But I wasn't really excited because I was annoyed Elise had beaten me (even though I was holding back for Sandown) and I had no idea what place I had come or what anyone else had come. I was second out of our girls. I reckon the course might have been shorter than 4km. I'm sure it wouldn't be though.

Unfortunately our school came 3rd in Div 2. That's not too bad I guess, but I really hoped to win.

I'm not really sure what time to aim for at Sandown tomorrow. Maybe somewhere between 46 and 48 minutes.

Cross Country

Championship cross country is tomorrow! I'm really looking forward to it. My borrowed PLC athletics uniforms today from the PE department (coz we're supposed to wear it) and they only had an XS and S left. So I got the XS and I thought it probably won't fit and I won't have to wear it. It did fit though but it stunk of BO! I shoved it in my locker and thought I'll just wash it but I opened my locker later and it had made my whole locker stink! Anyway when I borrowed my top my PE teacher told me I should just buy an athletics uniform. But I only wear it for 2 cross country events per year and I finish school next year. Then she says "oh but you can wear it for all your half marathons!". As if I would want to wear my school athletics uniform when I'm running a half marathon (it's so gross). So I told her "but I've got my own athletics uniform!". :) Anyway I'm REALLY hoping to run sub 17.30 coz I never run 4km (so this is my only chance for a while) and I was only 8 seconds away!

Coburg Fun Run

I've had this race on my calendar for a long time but it almost didn't happen as I have a VERY sore calf. I woke up this morning and could barely walk, but I didn't have the heart to tell my dad because then he would have woken up early for nothing. So we went anyway. I was tossing up between the 6km and the 12km but I guess my decision was made for me (the 6km). We arrived with 10 minutes till the start as we got every red traffic light on the way. That didn't matter though - it meant I didn't freeze (well I still kinda did). The turnout was BIG - I was number 87 and there were probably a few people after me. There were lots of people wearing dark blue t shirts, I'm guessing from some sort of personal training or beginners running group.. I started off quite well and left most of the field behind. My calf didn't hurt much at all - I'm really lucky it seems to be a muscle that isn't really used for running. After the first kilometre or two I settled behind a man and woman and another man who kept overtaking them and then dropping back. So I was kind of in a 'pack' and they were pushing me. At the turnaround I noticed I was the fourth female and I really wanted to come in the top three. I made sure I stayed behind the woman in front of me. My time at the turnaround was 12.48, it's supposed to be 3km but I'm not sure how accurate that is. At about 5km we went up a hill and I started to drop off the 'pack'. I was really disappointed as I really wanted to come third. When we came in on to the track for the last 400m, I noticed I was slowly closing the gap between me and the couple in front of me. With about 100m to go I overtook them and sprinted away. I was so happy. However, they kept running (they were doing the 12km) so that's why they didn't sprint at the end. So I was the third female in a time of.......... 26 minutes and 54 seconds!!!!!! That's 4.29 pace for 6km! I never thought I could run at 4 .30 pace for that distance! At the end I was so, so tired I was out of breath for about 2 or 3 minutes! That's a PB of 2 minutes and 20 seconds!