its been a long time...(ntr)

Well, its been a long time ( about 2 months ) since we wrote anything....why?? um...injury and lack of mojo perhaps?? are they related - yes.

Since the CR XMAS run, i was training hard for 6ft actually - the shortest and hardest session being hill reps up rooty hill in 99% humidity, and one magic run at quarry road was started at 5pm, and i finished it at dusk with a headlamp!

i was hitting quarry road for 2 laps for a few weeks in a row, when it then hit me back! I started the run with a slight sore right knee, and finished with a very sore left knee, around to my calf. This pain persisted with any running at all until about 3 weeks ago. Given i was playing catch up ( and breaking the "10% increase in exercise" rule ) when i got injured, I have given up on 6ft this year, but will target it next year instead. Bummer. Atleast this time i wont have virtually 4 months off running before the training commences!

That said, my first run since the knee injury was actually my first Tri - an enticer with Hills. It was so much fun. Rach and I did all together, and the kids had such a great time also. I loved that afternoon! I have signed up to do the tri in the police games on 17 March - 500 / 20 /5. (also doing cycling on same day 40km, and 8km run the week before) I am not worried about the ride or run ( and have no probs coming last! ) but still the swim is daunting! Rach and I have been training a little for the Club Champs, and i have been to the pool twice this week, where i can now swim ( slowly and poorly, and a mixture of breaststroke and freestyle ) 600 metres without stopping or pushing off the edges. It is so hard!

How is it one can run for hours, and feel OK, but swim for 5 mins and feel absolutely spent!!! I am sure it is doing my asthma a world of good ( theory says it should ) but i am yet to notice a reduction in ventolin usage....hmmm..

I know how serious (or not ) i intend to take tri's - they are the cross training to marathon goals. As such, i am reluctant to spend $$ on bike improvements, however i am very tempted to get cleats and shoes for my bike. Problem is the retail value of my bike ( which i think is great! ) will more then double with the addition of new pedals and shoes!!! C'mon ebay! drop me a bargain!!!

Great news ....Rach and I have a wedding date planned...Feb 14 2009! What can i say - a great day for such a great day. ( And we just confirmed that our very good friend will be conducting the ceremony for us too! yay!)

Finally, back to running, we did SMC last week. It was great to be back at our club ( thats what it feels like ) chatting and waving to old running friends and familiar faces ( Ray ( or BB!), Luis, Andre and Terry from PPR, Mike "the marathon marvel" to recall a few) . I really enjoyed it, and it was longest run ( 10km ) in about 6 weeks, so it was such a release of endorphins and relief to do it there, and feel good at the end. It was a great run! Thanks rach ( your gorgeous when you run! ), Thomo, Heather and Keg for a good morning out! This week, I went running with a workmate on Wednesday - he is a great cyclist, but struggles running, and i was glad i could help him achieve longer running spans between walks - i hope i can keep do some more with my group friends at work - they help me so much in the office!

Cheers to returning to fitness!!!