today was a good day for running...(ntr)

it was overcast, cool, and both of Mouse and I felt motivated. Doing SMC is one event we both try real hard not to miss - and this weekend, i asked my dad to come over and watch the kids so we can both go. But instead of turning up at 6:15am, wires go crossed and he was here at 5:45am, and rang my mobile to let him in - obviously i was still asleep, clinging to the last 30mins of zzzzz's i could grab. No worries, dad came in, got comfy with his book, and i went back to sleep for 30 mins!

After discovering i forgot to a) take money for the run ( had to detour via a service station atm ) and b) forgetting to leave my keys at the canteen ( had to hold them during most of the run ), i got started with a chat with Mike about cramping. He suggests an apple vinegar cider and honey drink to help...so many suggestions...

I had the garmin set to do the half in 1:50. I didn't care if i matched the virtual training partner or not, but i thought i would give it a crack. Post marathon, there was a goal, but no serious expectations, other then go out and run my best, and the fastest i could muster today. And i think i did that today. I finished in 1:49:36 - a course PB by 2:13. I am really pleased with that positive result, after not going under 4hr in the marathon last week.

For the first time in a long time i ran the whole course alone with my ipod and thoughts - rags was doing the 10km, bennyr busy with the bub i assume, and the other SMC friends not at the same pace ( they are mostly faster). As much i enjoy running with friends, i really enjoyed the solitude today. I just focused on breathing, attacking the hills, targeting the drink stations as the place to take a little walk and drink.

Even better then my run, was seeing mouse enjoy herself ( well kinda...for a runner, she really doesn't like running that often! ) and finish feeling good in herself. Yesterday she did a triathlon training session called Brick, cause thats how your legs feel at the end!! To do that, and back up today - inspiring and motivating!

Thanks Paul for the marathon training program - i am going over it tonight, and i think i could really use it to focus on Cities which is on in 14 weeks ( who's counting? )

Also, yesterday the kids did the Met West 2km cross country - they loved the sense of satisfaction from finishing something hard - and the Sundae treat we gave them afterwards ( oops!! ). They did really well! I escorted 6yr Jnr on the run, and was neck and neck with Mrs Tiller and Jnr Tiller for the wooden spoon! It was a fun ( but hot~! ) afternoon.