Sunday, 26 July 2009
Saturday, 25 July 2009
Crossfit
Since I've been tapering this week, I've been skipping my runs and going to Crossfit Victoria instead. It's heaps of fun! For example, I had never tested my 1RM deadlift before. Now I know what it is (and phew thankfully I can lift more than my body weight - I would be embarrassed if I couldn't!) and now I have a goal for next time :)
They present themselves as being a little crazy, hardcore and out there with their high intensity workouts and Black Flag and The Cult blaring from the speakers. But to be honest the training is not much different from what I do myself anyway. The bonus is unlike at the YMCA where I have free gym membership, I do not have to push past a bunch of posers to get to the barbells and I don't have to squash up amongst people for my workout or drag the barbells and dumbbells out to the stretching area and get in everyone's way there. Oh, and of course they have kettlebells.
I was concerned that in general Crossfit vids and pics show people with terrible form, but I am a sucker for good form and fortunately so are these guys so I don't think I'll see anyone break their backs or tear muscles.
It's great for me to get new workout ideas to incorporate in clients' workouts ;) More tools for the toolbox is always good.
The best thing is, I go there in my Vibram Five Fingers without feeling like a total freakazoid. Hopefully I can convert a few more people to the Enlightened Freaky Footwear Tribe :)
They present themselves as being a little crazy, hardcore and out there with their high intensity workouts and Black Flag and The Cult blaring from the speakers. But to be honest the training is not much different from what I do myself anyway. The bonus is unlike at the YMCA where I have free gym membership, I do not have to push past a bunch of posers to get to the barbells and I don't have to squash up amongst people for my workout or drag the barbells and dumbbells out to the stretching area and get in everyone's way there. Oh, and of course they have kettlebells.
I was concerned that in general Crossfit vids and pics show people with terrible form, but I am a sucker for good form and fortunately so are these guys so I don't think I'll see anyone break their backs or tear muscles.
It's great for me to get new workout ideas to incorporate in clients' workouts ;) More tools for the toolbox is always good.
The best thing is, I go there in my Vibram Five Fingers without feeling like a total freakazoid. Hopefully I can convert a few more people to the Enlightened Freaky Footwear Tribe :)
Barefoot curious?
Anyone interested in walking or running barefoot should check out the Living Barefoot website.
Not just about pure barefooting, they take a look at the many shoes out there that aim to imitate the barefoot experience.
They've also started a podcast with various guests, including myself later on, which so far provides a good insight into why people choose barefoot or minimalist footware. Check it out!
Not just about pure barefooting, they take a look at the many shoes out there that aim to imitate the barefoot experience.
They've also started a podcast with various guests, including myself later on, which so far provides a good insight into why people choose barefoot or minimalist footware. Check it out!
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Official Taper Time
I was undecided what to do today - long run? Free crossfit session? Run with new running club?
Even though my legs are feeling fine and totally up for a long run, the rest of me is exhausted. I need sleep and rest. So I went along to the inaugural run of the Rivergum Road Runners, started by one of the Spartan Legends who has done every single Melbourne Marathon. It was just a short 9.5k run in a flat area. Good to get the legs ticking over and non tiring. Anyone in the north eastern suburbs should come along some time - it involves coffee at the end :)
So now it is official taper time for the YY5050 next weekend. I don't know what I was thinking entering the 50miles. 50k suddenly seems so much more pleasant...
Even though my legs are feeling fine and totally up for a long run, the rest of me is exhausted. I need sleep and rest. So I went along to the inaugural run of the Rivergum Road Runners, started by one of the Spartan Legends who has done every single Melbourne Marathon. It was just a short 9.5k run in a flat area. Good to get the legs ticking over and non tiring. Anyone in the north eastern suburbs should come along some time - it involves coffee at the end :)
So now it is official taper time for the YY5050 next weekend. I don't know what I was thinking entering the 50miles. 50k suddenly seems so much more pleasant...
Saturday, 11 July 2009
No Entry and Secret Trails
Today was my last long run before the YY5050 so I really wanted to trash myself. After a couple of seemingly innocent CrossFit sessions during the week, I knew my muscles would be already tired. I ate low carb yesterday so I would have already partially depleted glycogen levels and I wanted to tackle some hills so that the 30k would seem like 30miles. I woke up at 3am due to gale force winds and pounding rain. The wind was so noisy I didn't get a full night sleep. This would be a tough one.
I took in part of the Maroondah Aquaduct trail in Research. I noticed that the council had extended the trail a bit but it was not finished so it said no entry. But the gate was not shut and a sign couldn't stop me, so I went through. Of course the gate was shut at the other end but that was no problem. It was great running along that exposed ridge in gale force winds. My legs were blown sideways and if anyone saw me they would've thought I was a lunatic.
Once I got to the train tracks I realised I could not go home yet because I hadn't gone far enough. I wont say exactly where I went because I don't think that follows correct etiquette.
Anyway at some point I came to a river crossing. All the graffiti and messy bike tyre marks in the trails suggested this was some secret area. Whenever I see tyre marks in trails I assume it is a good area to go, because let's face it, mtb riders know some cool places.
I followed it and found a billion trails leading in all directions, all full of bike tyre marks. From there I discovered a secret dirt jump location in the bush! Hundreds of jumps! Everywhere! Jump Jump Jump Jump Jump! What crazy work! It would have taken so many hours, days, months to build this. Love it! I just looked up this is called the Dimo Jumps.
After checking it out I decided to head home by running the length of Ryans Road, Eltham/Diamond Creek. This is a long road that consists purely of long steep ups and downs. It really trashed my quads. Somehow I ended up closer to home than I wanted because I still hadn't gone far enough so took a detour along Bonds Rd - a giant up and down. And followed that with the usual torturous Lower Plenty Hills.
I started to feel faint on some of the final uphills. This was great, I now know for the YY5050 I will have to carry some food rather than rely on the support there. I will stock up on dried tropical fruit, strawberries and vegan donuts from La Panella Bakery in Preston. I don't think I'm into eating donuts while running, but I have become addicted to these as post long run food.
I took in part of the Maroondah Aquaduct trail in Research. I noticed that the council had extended the trail a bit but it was not finished so it said no entry. But the gate was not shut and a sign couldn't stop me, so I went through. Of course the gate was shut at the other end but that was no problem. It was great running along that exposed ridge in gale force winds. My legs were blown sideways and if anyone saw me they would've thought I was a lunatic.
Once I got to the train tracks I realised I could not go home yet because I hadn't gone far enough. I wont say exactly where I went because I don't think that follows correct etiquette.
Anyway at some point I came to a river crossing. All the graffiti and messy bike tyre marks in the trails suggested this was some secret area. Whenever I see tyre marks in trails I assume it is a good area to go, because let's face it, mtb riders know some cool places.
I followed it and found a billion trails leading in all directions, all full of bike tyre marks. From there I discovered a secret dirt jump location in the bush! Hundreds of jumps! Everywhere! Jump Jump Jump Jump Jump! What crazy work! It would have taken so many hours, days, months to build this. Love it! I just looked up this is called the Dimo Jumps.
After checking it out I decided to head home by running the length of Ryans Road, Eltham/Diamond Creek. This is a long road that consists purely of long steep ups and downs. It really trashed my quads. Somehow I ended up closer to home than I wanted because I still hadn't gone far enough so took a detour along Bonds Rd - a giant up and down. And followed that with the usual torturous Lower Plenty Hills.
I started to feel faint on some of the final uphills. This was great, I now know for the YY5050 I will have to carry some food rather than rely on the support there. I will stock up on dried tropical fruit, strawberries and vegan donuts from La Panella Bakery in Preston. I don't think I'm into eating donuts while running, but I have become addicted to these as post long run food.
CrossFit and FFs
This past week I had a couple of personal training sessions at CrossFit Victoria. I like the idea behind CrossFit. Although since they are usually competing against the clock, looking at youtube vids a lot of them have poor form. And I am not convinced of the Zone diet they have adopted. They have, however, adopted Pose as their approved 'method' of running, which is how most barefoot and freaky footwear people run.
At the first session I wore my Volleys. I wear them at the regular gym and for most activities except running. They were approved by the trainer, also in Volleys.
At the next session I decided to get there early, dump my stuff there, and head out for a run as I really hadn't got many miles in the legs during the week and wanted to catch up. I wore the Five Fingers for the run and couldn't be bothered putting my volleys on after. The first comment from my trainer was "I've got to get some of those. How are they working for you?" It was great for a change to have someone not only be familiar with them but not sceptical and fully supportive.
At the first session I wore my Volleys. I wear them at the regular gym and for most activities except running. They were approved by the trainer, also in Volleys.
At the next session I decided to get there early, dump my stuff there, and head out for a run as I really hadn't got many miles in the legs during the week and wanted to catch up. I wore the Five Fingers for the run and couldn't be bothered putting my volleys on after. The first comment from my trainer was "I've got to get some of those. How are they working for you?" It was great for a change to have someone not only be familiar with them but not sceptical and fully supportive.
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Friday, 3 July 2009
Run Melbourne half
Last weekend I ran the Run Melbourne half marathon. I was aiming for a PB of sub 1:55 and when I am determined and confident I know I will get what I want.
I started off at a good speed and spent most of my time focusing on pace, not dropping back and reminding myself to KEEP GOING! This year they cut out one of the 'hills' and added a few loops of the MCG. This was terribly demoralising running around the dreary concrete when you know you could be heading for the 2nd lap and then later towards the finish.
At the 15km mark I started to struggle holding the pace. I was constantly checking my Garmin, working hard with the positive talk, reminding myself only 6k to go... 5k.... 4k Keep Up The Pace! DO NOT SLOW DOWN!! but I did slow a lot from there.
I wore my red skirt with racing stripes and I think that pulled me through to a finish time of 1:54:14. My gun time was slower than last year but with the wave starts there was no way I could catch up.
5km: 26:01
10km: 52:53
Half way: 55:42
15km: 1:22:41
20km: 1:48:21
Finish: 1:54:14
It was a good time considering I haven't done much speed work, no medium distance runs, and am focusing more on the You Yangs Ultra next month. Although it is a really well organised run with a great atmosphere (great stalls, bands playing at various points in the course, no congestion), I don't think I'll do this event again next year - running around the MCG 4 times was not nice and I am not very good at this distance anyway. 5ks and ultras from now.
As I was about to put on my Vibram Five Fingers, I had a sudden change of heart and wore the Nike Frees instead. It is not a flat course and I just had a feeling my achillies would not be happy and the Frees might mask the pain.
It was really cold and dark when I got into town but so glad it wasn't raining like last year.
Heading to the start line at sunrise:
I started off at a good speed and spent most of my time focusing on pace, not dropping back and reminding myself to KEEP GOING! This year they cut out one of the 'hills' and added a few loops of the MCG. This was terribly demoralising running around the dreary concrete when you know you could be heading for the 2nd lap and then later towards the finish.
At the 15km mark I started to struggle holding the pace. I was constantly checking my Garmin, working hard with the positive talk, reminding myself only 6k to go... 5k.... 4k Keep Up The Pace! DO NOT SLOW DOWN!! but I did slow a lot from there.
I wore my red skirt with racing stripes and I think that pulled me through to a finish time of 1:54:14. My gun time was slower than last year but with the wave starts there was no way I could catch up.
5km: 26:01
10km: 52:53
Half way: 55:42
15km: 1:22:41
20km: 1:48:21
Finish: 1:54:14
It was a good time considering I haven't done much speed work, no medium distance runs, and am focusing more on the You Yangs Ultra next month. Although it is a really well organised run with a great atmosphere (great stalls, bands playing at various points in the course, no congestion), I don't think I'll do this event again next year - running around the MCG 4 times was not nice and I am not very good at this distance anyway. 5ks and ultras from now.
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