Sleeves Cut Off

1

sleevescutoff — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 05:43:32 +0000

Food – corn fritters, coffee, juice, salad, pasta, water, water, water.

Exercise - just a gentle walk down to the beach and back.

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This time tomorrow I will be a marathoner.

In a very, very late move my nominated charity finally got their act together and provided the info to set up sponsorship. Remember those credit card digits and crisp notes we talked about all those months ago? Here’s where they go…

http://www.gofundraise.com.au/Conville

I’ve been to the loo about 10 times today and the day’s only half over. Wish me luck.

4

sleevescutoff — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:28:00 +0000

Food – wheat biscuits, juice, apples, muesli bars, banana (man), stir-fry, beans on toast, extra toast

Exercise – 40 minute run

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Enjoying this carbo loading thing, I have to say. I don’t think it’s even been scientifically proven as a must for long distance running, but the eating factor is one of the most attractive parts of this running malarkey.

A mere 4 days to go and I’ve been going between confident and nervous all day. Hard to focus on anything else, but I’m trying to spend time visualising running across the line, running past particular landmarks and being comfortable and steady. All part of the game, so I’m told.

Picked up my bib too – look out for 17131 on the day.

6

sleevescutoff — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:56:30 +0000

Food – lots of good, lots of notsogood.

Exercise – about 12 k in 70 minutes.

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Very hot in Sydney yesterday (31 C in spring!), so didn’t enjoy the run to Circular Quay that much. Felt awkward, sore and out of breath. I’m really hoping that’s just the taper, but I just couldn’t get comfortable. I was running with a backpack, but I’ve done that before so it shouldn’t have been a problem. I’ll be doing some light exercise every night this week so we’ll see how it goes.

Less than a week to go. Just finished reading ultra-marathoner Lisa Tamati’s autobiography. The woman is a machine and the book taught me a thing or two about focus and pushing through barriers (both mental and physical). This time next week I’ll know if I’ve got what it takes.

9

sleevescutoff — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:05:24 +0000

Food – wheat bikkies, juice, fruit, muesli bars, curry, beansontoast, pancakes.

Exercise – about 10k in about an hour.

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Not much more than a week to go! Was feeling a bit off when running last night. Sore throat, heavy chest, pains in my shins and calves. I was a bit worried because the last thing I want is to get sick just before the race. Hit the vitamin C when I got home and had a good sleep – feeling much better today so will see how I go at the gym tonight. The demons in me are trying to sabotage my efforts by suggesting a night on the tiles, but I’ll resist just a bit longer.

My boss has bet me $50 that I won’t do it in 4:30.

We’ll see about that.

12

sleevescutoff — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:35:56 +0000

Food – usual mix of the good and the bad (mainly good).

Exercise – bit of walking, bit of flexing, bit of running.

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Nearly in single figures and the butterflies are picking up pace. I feel quite strong and quick when running now, but I sometimes find it hard to pace and balance myself. The next 10/11 days I”ll just keep up the good food and gentle exercise, there’s not much else I can do now!

It’s been odd going entire weekends without booze (and, more importantly, cigarettes), but the results are definitely showing, not least of all in general energy levels. Not that I’m leaping buildings in a single bound, but I’m not dozing off at my desk either.

17

sleevescutoff — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:47:43 +0000

Food – wheat bikkies, fruit, juice, tuna sandwiches, beansontoast.

Exercise – just under 30k in just under 3 hours.

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Really pushed it tonight and it really felt good. This is close enough to where I wanted to be, and I finally feel like I can really do this. One thing that helped was reminding myself that while it might hurt, it will be over in a matter of hours : D

One reader’s question has literally flooded in about the charity I’m running for and the lack of sponsorship page – unfortunately this fell through. The charity I nominated didn’t hold up their end of the deal, so the chance for a few sheckles is going to go to waste, which is a shame. Just double whatever you were going to donate next time.

Calves and thighs are sore today, so I’m going to buy some epsom salts and have a soak tonight. I’m told the magnesium will do wonders for me.

2 .5 weeks to go, and I believe I’m on track. Nice, easy taper and lots of good food and rest should see me through.

20

sleevescutoff — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:39:30 +0000

Food – wheat biscuits, juice, sandwiches, salad, chickenandchips, beers.

Exercise – about 20k in about 2 hours.

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Beautiful weather again yesterday, so herself suggested the Bondi/Coogee coastal trail. She kept me company from Maroubra to Coogee, then I jogged to Bondi and back again. Lots of human traffic so it was a bit stop and start, but the views are incredible and all those steps and hills give you a good going over. Can’t recommend it highly enough to anyone visiting.

Just about time to start tapering. Maybe one more long run on Wednesday and then wind down after that. I’m enjoying the new level of fitness, but it’s hard to see the difference in your day to day life. If I ever run out of petrol 15 kilometres from the nearest station, I’ll know exactly how long the kids will have to play eye spy for until we can get going again. I don’t have kids, but you know what I mean.

Sport massage tonight – woo!

22

sleevescutoff — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:10:31 +0000

Food – juice, bigcafestylebreakfast, sandwich, pizza (a healthy one).

Exercise – 30 minutes on the bike, an hour practicing snow angel technique.

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Feeling pretty good after Wednesday’s effort, so going to throw in another long run tomorrow. Maybe not 3 hours, but certainly two. Bit of knee clickery to contend with, but I’m a lot more diligent with the stretching these days so should be fine for the marathon in THREE WEEKS’ TIME.

My fantastic parents very kindly posted over a card and a cool singlet from Ireland (modelled below). I’m going home to see them and my sister in a month’s time, and I can hardly wait.

24

sleevescutoff — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:11:04 +0000

Food – muesli, juice, bananas, muesli bars, pasta, beans on toast.

Exercise – 27k in 3 hrs (same course as last week).

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Felt much better this week than last. Made sure I had enough water, stretched out whenever I felt any tension and took it very easy for the most part. I still feel I should be running these distances quicker, but there’s no time for worrying now.

Knees are a bit sore today but if I recover quickly I’ll put in another 3 hours on Sunday.

It’s been a strange journey so far. I’ve enjoyed some parts immensely but I’ve been surprised at how hard it is. Haven’t decided if I’ll continue after September or not.

28

sleevescutoff — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:23:07 +0000

Food – muesli, scones, tuna, sandwiches, chicken pad thai, assorted snacks, fruit, juice.

Exercise – 30 minutes soft sand running, 30 minutes making daisy chains.

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Beautiful 23 degree WINTER’S day in Sydney, so I took to the beach. It’s always more energy-sapping than I remember, but it’s a great workout. My right calf held up well so I should be fine for a long run on Wednesday. Only 4 weeks to go so I should be tapering from next week. I’m not sure I’ve done enough training, but there’s only one way to find out!