Just missed out, but still happy :)

It's been nearly 2 weeks since I ran the 2011 SMH Half Marathon with my training partner, Nella. Although we just missed out on the time that we were aiming for (1hr45), we were really happy with the result: We completed the 21.1km hilly course in 1 hour 46 minutes and 10 seconds. Click here for our stats. Three months of training led up to the run and we trained hard. But it was a big ask to run under 5 minute k's for the entire distance....

We stayed the night in the city and when we got to the start line at 6:15am, it was still dark. And cold. 13,500 people had turned up ready to run! When the gun went, we took off at a good pace and went through the first km in 4:50min... then over the bridge at circular quay, the sound of all the footsteps pounding on the road was just amazing. It kept us going and we flew through the first 5km in 24:20min (4:51min/km pace) well within our target.

Nella and I before the run.

A few drink stations later, we passed the 10km mark in just over 49mins (a PB for me over that distance!). Still going strong and on target to make our dream time. We started to struggle a little when it seemed that every time we turned a corner, there was another hill! At the 14km mark, we decided to have an energy gel - we had made it to this point in 70 mins and were now right on target - but had slowed down substantially. Up until now, it had felt like the kilometres had just flown by. It was now that we would have to dig deep to maintain the pace... and it was hard!! I don't think there was a point where I felt I had hit the wall, but between the 16 to 19km mark was a big struggle. The legs felt heavy, our breathing was laboured. We were tired!

Me and Nella at the 19km mark and rounding the corner at Mrs Macquarie's Chair

After 19km we were on the home stretch and we picked up the pace again. Passing the 20km mark, Nella told me to run on ahead if I felt I could but I was not going to let her give up.... We had come this far together, we should finish this together - and I was just as stuffed as her! So we kept running.... and at the final turnaround point Nella asked "are we going to make our time?" I replied, "I don't know, but lets try!".... and try we did!

We crossed the line together in 1:46:10. Very happy. Very excited. And with even more determination to achieve more running goals!

Finished at last!

That was almost 2 weeks ago and I think I am still recovering from that run! Two days of unbelievably sore legs followed by tiredness. But it was so worth it!

Now onto the next goal.....

No wonder I have no time to scrap LOL!

Oops! Late again...

to show off the May 15th Stuck Sketch:

.... and here is my take "Just us" of me and my gorgeous boys going for a swim on our holiday to Queensland last year. I just love this photo:

Really happy with this LO... sadly, I have no more to share as I haven't had the time to put into scrapping lately. Hopefully that will change soon :)

Mothers Day...

and can you believe I didn't take one photo?! Not one! And I call myself a scrapper.... hopeless! Well now I have that off my chest, I had a pretty good Mothers day, started off with a big smile and "Happy Mothers Day!!" from my big boy Jared... he was so excited and raced into the kitchen to get the book he made me at pre-school. It had a painted picture of our family and he had written "To Mum, I love you from Jared". I also got a book by Ultramarathon runner, Dean Karnazes entitled "RUN!". This was Anthony's idea and probably the perfect present for me lol!


Then, we rushed into Wollongong for the Mothers Day Classic 5km fun run. Such nice weather for it too! Here is a photo of me and my running partner, Nella approaching the finish line thanks to another running friend, Pasco:




Nella and I have been training together for the half marathon that is now only a week away! It has been great having someone to share the training and diet talks and even better that we have pretty much been running the same pace!


Then Anthony had to go to work (not liking this shift anymore....) so the boys and I went to visit my mum with flowers and gifts in hand for coffee and a light lunch. The day ended with a visit to my mother in law for a freshly made pasta dinner - YUM! So now this happy Mummy is going to eat some easter chocolates (yes, STILL some left...) before retiring to bed to start my new book!!!


Oh and before I sign off, I actually broke the 3 week drought and scrapped last night! It was a must on National Scrapbooking Day lol! One LO done... yeh, I know I could do better.... I will post a picture soon :)

Thanks for looking!

Another gorgeous sketch...

is now over at Stuck?! Sketches, designed by the very talented Julie Winks:



I loved working with this sketch and here is my take of Mason making "Silly faces" at the dinner table!



Well... lucky I have these sketches to keep me busy otherwise I may have no LO's to show! Been rather slow on the scrapbooking front lately... BUT the good news is we have our built in wardrobes installed in the kids room and the Study/Scrap room!!! Hooray!!! Which means... once we get all those boxes unpacked, I will have my own space to scrap. Finally!

Better get unpacking :)

Have I done enough...

preparation? That's the question that keeps going through my mind when I think about the SMH half marathon that is coming up in less than 3 weeks time! In this next 3 weeks leading up to the race I will be "tapering off" from the long and hard training sessions and resting so I have enough energy to maintain a good pace for the whole 21.1km. But, have I done enough to be able to achieve my goal?

My goal: Run the SMH half marathon in 1 hour and 45 mins.

My training: I am lucky that I have a supportive husband who understands my obsession with running! I started training for the half in February, giving me about 3 months to prepare. Training each week consisted of 4-5 runs as well as one cross training and I've been lucky to have two running partners as well as the KJ's group training sessions to attend. Here is my typical week:

Mon: Long run with Nella - we started off running for 45 mins and gradually built up to 1 hour 45 mins (between 9 and 19km)

Tue: KJ's training - interval training. A typical session would be 4x1000m at 5km pace with 90 sec recovery and start and end with a 2km jog for a total of 8km. I know it is not a good idea to do an interval session the day after a long run but it is the only way I could fit the training into my week....

Wed: Rest.

Thu: Cross training - usually 45mins pilates or kickboxing

Fri: 5-10km run with Janet

Sat: KJ's race if one was scheduled / or rest

Sun: If no KJ's race the day before I'd do a 5-8km recovery run / or rest.

I had to take one week off training due to a horrid sickness that went through our whole family but I got back on track quickly after that.

So now slowing down the training in the weeks leading up to the race and will be resting the 3-4 days before as knowing my body, I need to feel that "itch" to run and go into the race feeling fresh.

I guess time will tell if my preparation has been enough... wish me luck :)

Another awesome sketch....

for April 15th from Sara over at Stuck?! Sketches....

Here is my take, "A beautiful day with Nonna":

Until next time........ ;)

Mojo - where are you?

Oh... there you are!! All I had to do to get my mojo back was go to a Savvy Crop.... so now I am excited to share my LO's of my BESTEST OF BEST friends..... Sar's 30th: I love this photo of me and Leesh (my other BESTEST OF BEST friend, and in no way any less of a bestest best friend than Sar....) giving the birthday girl a kiss :) ...and here is the double of Sar's celebration.... Plus a few close ups: Yay! Hoping that this mojo stays around for a while. Fingers crossed! Bye for now :)