Yesterday I competed in my second ever official Noosa Half Marathon.
I went with my good friend Cheryl who was competing in her first ever 10km run that I had trained her for.

Cheryl went Sensational! She smashed over 13mins off her training time which she had only ever run 7.5km of and ran the whole course nonstop with a PB of 1:10:24 mins!! Well done Cheryl, I’m very proud of you, especially from someone who once said, “I’m NOT running a step!” It’s Fantastic to see someone take not only their fitness but their MIND to another extraordinary level!

I also smashed out a 21km PB of 1:59:24 mins!!! I took 4:11mins of my old PB and did what I set out to do which was crack the 2hrs. Results here.
Cheryl being a massage therapist was awesome and gave me a quick rub down before the race to warm up my muscles and being on a 10 day Detox I was hoping to be in prime form!
I started out strong and felt it! But I was disappointed when my right knee went ( patellofemoral pain syndrome ) at the 13km mark and the Nurophen I had down my bra in case this happened was not there!! OMG! I had to run the last 8km in extreme pain which slowed me right down by 30+ seconds per km.

But at least I still achieved my goal of cracking 2hrs, which is Excellent, even if I could have taken a couple more minutes off (there’s always next year) and being on Day 6 of my Detox, I can’t celebrate for 4 more days LOL.

We stayed at the Sheraton Noosa and enjoyed luxury and excellent service from the staff, porters and chauffeurs and enjoyed a sauna and spa, great for our bodies! We also just stepped straight out of room to the start of the race, talk about convenience!

Another OUTSTANDING weekend of goal achieving, thanks Cheryl, Awesome Work! x

I started walking 10km, twice weekly with Jeanette Maynes. I was getting quite breathless at times, just doing this at a brisk pace. It took me about 1:55 mins to complete.

I loved walking, as I could take in glimpses of our Hervey Bay beach, and started to feel more motivated. I had no intentions at this stage, of running however, as I thought I didn’t have it in me to run anymore. I was into Zumba, Tai Bo, Dancing, but no running.

I had not done any running, in at least 20 years!

Over a period of about 1month , I gradually decreased my walking time.. I noticed that the labored breathing I had begun with, was disappearing, and that my lung capacity was improving. After about a month and a half, Jeanette had gone on a weeks trip, and I wondered what it would feel like to run. I was curious to see if I still could run. So, I very hesitantly tried to run 200m. Yes. I could do it, even though the lungs didn’t like it much. I tried a couple of 200’s together. Now, I really felt my lungs working!

When Jeanette and I resumed walking together, I let slip that I had tried “the running thing”. Well, that was it. Jeanette, started to increase our walks to running time. She quickly increased the 200m to 500m, even though I though “this was really pushing it”. Then up again to 2 x 500m. The next week it was 1 x 500m and 1 x 1km. The next 1  x 2km. Over a period of about 2 months, we increased this to a 7.5kms running which left 2.5km to walk. I was so amazed, as I felt the “block” in my lungs lift, and felt myself getting stronger.

Jeanette, was always encouraging, and gave me some positive “self talk”, which I keep using every time I run. This keeps me focused when my body tries to tell me “I can’t do it”. When I really was ready to stop on a few occasions, Jeanette made me push through it. I’m so glad she did this, as otherwise I don’t think I would have made it to the next level especially when I ran 10km nonstop in 1:10:24 hr at Noosa on the weekend.

In the beginning, I didn’t think I was fit enough or strong enough to run. I also believed you had to have a certain physique to be a runner, Thanks to Jeanettes’ coaching, I now know I’m made of tough stuff and have thrown away those preconceived negative thoughts about running. Besides feeling fitter, trimming down and breathing better, running has also enabled me to think of other areas of my life, and ask “what more am I capable of?” A big THANKYOU to Jeanette!

Cheryl Virgo – 8^th May 2012

He’s the world’s oldest marathon runner & at the grand old age of 100, Fauja Singh is certainly showing no signs of slowing down.

Born: 1 April 1911 in Beas Pind, Jalandar , Punjab , India
Former occupation: Farmer
Running career: Rediscovered at age of 81
Diet: Ginger curry, Vegetarian
Marathons: London (5), Toronto (1), New York (1)
Marathon debut: London, 2000 aged 89
London marathon pb: 6h 2m

‎’I am not a learned person in any shape or form. To me, the secret is being happy, doing charity work, staying healthy & being positive,’ … ‘The secret to a long & healthy life is to be stress-free. ‘If there’s something you can’t change then why worry about it? Be grateful for everything you have, stay away from people who are negative, stay smiling & keep running.’ – Fauja Singh

[More info here Fauja Singh]

In January 2009 I was 6months older than my real age!! OMG story here.

In August 2009 I was 2.4 years younger than my real age due to diet and exercise! Story here.

Today in December 2011, I am 5.3years younger than my real age!!

What’s your Real Age?
Take the test today and start turning back the years!!! Test here!!
Make sure you read your full report, it’s very interesting!

Last weekend I had an awesome time away with my friend Cheryl and her twin daughters. We went on a half day horse trail ride that included morning tea and lunch (kangaroo) followed by a swim in the pool. I rode Matilda. We stayed overnight on the farm in the lodge and the girls slept outside in swags. We cooked a BBQ dinner and breakfast plus also enjoyed marshmallows at our bon fire with a couple of beers. More info on Giddee Up Horse rides here.

On the way home we dropped in the Fraser Coast Sporting Clays Shooting Club to fire off a few rounds at their open day. It was great fun and I hit 4 targets out of about 9 shots so that wasn’t too bad for my first ever go. Club website here.

OMG I would be SO lost without my Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor!

It cost me $125 and is the best money I ever spent! (Thanks for the tip T)

I use it every day to accurately gauge my calories burnt exercising and feel naked without it!!!

I even wear it when cleaning and gardening! (Obsessed!)

This Heart Rate Monitor is now down to $114 on ebay and delivered the following day!

Body measurement features

• Average and maximum heart rate of training
• Heart rate – bpm / %
• HR-based target zones with visual and audible alarm
• Manual target zone – bpm (upper limit)
• Polar EnergyPointer
• Polar OwnCal® – calorie expenditure
• Polar OwnCode® (5kHz) – coded transmission

Data transfer

• Compatible with polarpersonaltrainer.com – opt. with Polar FlowLink
• Recording features
• Totals
• Training files (with summaries) – 99
• Weekly history

Training features

• Graphical target zone indicator
• HeartTouch – button-free operation of wrist unit

Watch features

• Backlight
• Date and weekday indicator
• Display text in English, German, Finnish, Swedish, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian
• Dual time zone
• KeyLock
• Low battery indicator
• StopWatch
• Time of day (12/24h) with alarm and snooze
• User replaceable battery
• Water resistant – 50m

A huge thank you to Steve Bates, the manager from Breathe Health Clubs Hervey Bay for sponsoring $50 for me to ride 45km in The Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre and Rotary Sunrise ‘Tour de Bay’ Charity Bike Ride to be held this Sunday October 16th in support of the Hervey Bay Youth Mentoring Program!!

In return I have sponsored $50 for Steve from Design House to also participate in this FUN charity event!

We had some amazing weather today for the event, especially after last nights storms, with almost 200 people participating raising a phenomenal $20,000. Steve had alittle stack at the half way mark but was not injured too seriously. I think I’ll do the 64km loop next year!

A huge thank you to the event organisers and volunteers!
The registration was smooth, the course was extremely well signed and the brekkie was delicious!

Fraser Coast Chronicle News on the event here and gallery here!

I had a fantastic run on Sunday at the Bridge to Brisbane, smashing my time from two years ago even with a sore strapped right knee (PFPS).

This really is a fun event and so well run and organised, I’ll definitely be back next year!!

My charity was Fraser Coast Meals on Wheels and $60 was raised, a big thank you to those who donated (Myself, Rosie & Karen) You can still donate here till the 11th of October 2011.

Time: Saturday, September 24 2011: 10:00am 

Location: Meet at the Torquay Sailing Club & walk to the Sea Front Oval Hervey Bay (3km)

More Info:
No Dogs.
Children Welcome.
Everyone is invited to support a great cause.
Registered with the foundation and asking for a gold coin donation to help a great cause.
Parents responsible for their own child on the day.

What to bring:
Water Bottle
Joggers
Sunscreen
Hat

MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A RED SHIRT PLEASE

Facebook Event here.

RSVP HERE!!!

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation, purchase shirts here.

A huge THANK YOU to Lisa Holmes editor of ‘Runner’s World’ (my favourite mag) for a mention, 2 images and editorial piece in this September’s edition!

On Sunday I ran in the second ever Cane to Coral fun run with my friends Scott and Tania who did the run with me last year.
I’m very proud to say we all did a PB this year! Race results can be found here.

I came is at ‎1:21:32 mins!! 5:33mins faster than last year. My run was really good and felt great. A couple of friends told me they struggled a little.

As per last year the heat was hideous but not quite as bad!
I really have no idea why the race is run at 8.30am so late in the day, a statement made by many.
Every other race I’ve done has started no later than 7.30am.

Also over an hour’s wait in the midday sun for a bus back to Bundaberg is not on. We were all quite sun burnt by the time they arrived, especially having fair skin. There was three buses for a race with nearly 3,000 people, common sense would suggest having a few more??

Sadly a competitor passed away during the run at about the 8km mark, a very sad ending to a happy race day. My condolences go out to Rod Young’s Family, Colleagues and Friends. [NewsMail]

The race was very popular with over 2,900 entrants and was extremely well run and organised. Thank you to all the sponsors, organisers and volunteers!
Can’t wait for next year’s!

2010 Cane to Coral story here

I’ve registered to run in the Bridge to Brisbane 10km run this year on Sunday 11th of September and have decided to raise money for a local charity also, being Meals On Wheels Fraser Coast Inc.    

Meals On Wheels Fraser Coast Inc strives to provide delivered fresh nutritiously balanced meals and fellowship to frail, aged and younger infirm on the basis of need.

Please click here if you would like to help me raise money for this worthy cause! Thank you!

Or better still, enter the event also!!!

Last Saturday I entered the Gold Coast Marathon to do a 10km run.
2 years ago I did my first ever 10km run here without stopping in 01:07:33mins, story here.

Over the past two years I have improved a fair bit but never cracked 55mins for my 10km run.

On Saturday I was very happy to smash my time running a new PB of 53:32mins!!!

My finishing overall percentage has risen from 22% to 82% of the finishers in my age group! I never thought I would see an achievement like this!

My friend Naomi, decided last minute to come with me and also completed her first ever 10km with no training what so ever and came in, in 01:09:59mins, run / walking the event!
What an awesome and inspiring effort!
Naomi mentioned if I hadn’t of asked her to do a casual 6km walk/  run with me a month earlier she would not have considered this, but making that distance in 53mins with me gave her the strength to enter.
See, anyone can do these challenges, just take the first step and register!

I also had the pleasure of meeting Lisa Holmes editor of ‘Runner’s World Magazine’ my favourite running mag at the Race Expo …. (whose work and knowledge I greatly admire) !

Plus a huge THANK YOU to the 1,000+ volunteers who worked in the areas of event operations, registrations, sports services, marketing, road marshalling, aid stations and recovery assistance!

Yesterday I completed another challenge, this one was the Kokoda 30km trail run through the Brisbane Forest. My body was still a little weary from last week’s Great Wall marathon and lack of sleep but I managed to pull of the task.

After some speeches, the last post and a minutes silence, we (myself, Scott and Tania) headed off at 7am into the bush and hills. OMG nonstop steep hills!!!
Next year if I participate I must remember to take my trekking poles, especially for when climbing back up out of the Hell Hole! Every single muscle was being used at some stage or the other and this could be felt the following day, our bodies felt like they have had an awesome all over work out, quite stiff and sore in all muscles and joints!!!

The morning was alittle cool but about half an hour in we soon warmed off and stripped our long sleeve compression tops off. It turned into a gorgeous day to be trekking and running through the bush and forest.

We had on our green “Smells Like Team Spirit” shirts with the print proudly sponsored by Design House! Every time we passed people they said, “There goes the green team again!”

My cousins Amanda, Mark and their friend Tom also had a three persons team called the “Challengers!”

I ended up having to dig deep after the Hell Hole and came in half an hour in front of my team. I was feeling so drained from the week before I had to keep moving while I had the energy, I couldn’t keep stop starting to catch my breath on every hill, I just had to keep moving! Pain was starting in my knee from my PFPS so I had to get finished asap!

My run keeper said I came in at 4:57:07 mins.
Doing 32.4km with an elevation climb of 1,257m!!!
Why the extra 2.4km?
Coming to a crucial turn that was unmarked all us at the front of the pack turned right and followed the leaders perhaps up to 100 people. Until someone came along and said we were going the wrong way, so all had to turn around and head the other way! On the way back some signage magically appeared!!
All the leaders were now up to 2 to 4km off track!
Why there was no marshal on the track to direct people and correct signage was commented on by several competitors.

When I finally ran in under the finish line the woman who was supposed to scan my bib to take my time said she didn’t think she would till the rest of my team came in?
I queried how am I supposed to know my official time?
A man I had chatted to at one stage during the race came and spoke to me while I waited for the others, he said he left his mate half way as he was lagging and they agree to do this before the race due to different fitness levels and said he got scanned in. I also passed several other people on their own on the track.
I decided to go back to the time station and informed them I wished to have my bib scanned.
After I said you have done this for others, the lady said, “yeah well we probably weren’t supposed to??”
(one would assume a time marshal would have been briefed on what to do and know their role thoroughly for a competition race?)
Anyway I FINALLY had my bib scanned at 12:09:32pm, 15 minutes after I had completed the race!
My team came in another 17 minutes after this at 05:26:55mins which was a fantastic result!
The woman said the time on our certificates would be the time of the slowest runner to come in. I said that’s fine, makes sense?
Our team time would have been over 20+mins shorter for our team if we hadn’t of run an extra 2.4km due to the direction error plus a time marshal delaying my individual result by 15mins on top of this. The website also gives you your INDIVIDUAL RESULTS official time … it would be nice to have that correct to try to better in the future.

There was quite a long delay for people registering, some competitors were still lined up when we started the race. As this was the Inaugural race I’m sure some systems could and will be improved upon for next year.

Our team ended up coming 9th out of 51 - three person teams so that was an Awesome result considering doing an extra 2.4km on top of the original 30km plus we are amateur fun runners!!
All in all we had a fantastic day and desipte those couple of things the event was really well run and fun, so thank you to the volunteers and organisers … the weather was magical ….there was a free sausage sizzle afterwards … we met heaps of nice and motivated people on the course …. and have many great memories of a tough but doable challenge…. I dare say we will be back next year and highly recommend this event to anyone seeking a fun adventure with your mates!!
What an Awesome experience to have the opportunity to take part in the Inaugural Event, this should grow to be huge! 

After a few months of long distance running along the Esplanade walk / bike path in Hervey Bay, 15+ km hill runs on the Christensen St Hills and several 70 lap stints of the Damon Park stairs (5180 steps per session) my friend Emma and I finally achieved our goal – to run and complete the Great Wall Marathon of China 2011 …. All 42km + 5,164 steps!!!!!

Somehow I stumbled across the great Wall Marathon event online and right away I had a deep feeling I just had to achieve this, therefore I immediately proceeded to make this exciting, adventurous & challenging goal a reality!

This marathon is described my many running magazines, promotional advertisements, sports websites and runners / competitors as one of the “TOUGHEST” ever …. I thought, What perfect conditions for our first ever competitive marathon!!!

Two days before the marathon we went for an orientation day, had a look around and climbed the 3.5km section of wall steps that we would be completing twice during the actual marathon. The following day I was alittle embarrased and asked several other participants, “Are your legs sore?” and everyone said YES!
OMG we had to go into this marathon with aching leg muscles and severe sleep depravation, not the best way to take on a task such as this!!!

We had a 2.30am wake up call to climb on a bus for a 2hour trip to Yin Yang Square for the start of the race. The temperature was so cold!!! They had performers and loud music so we all joined in an amusing aerobics / dance routine and soon warmed up ready for the start of the race. Dencorub, sun cream, hat, hydration pack, knee strapped, camera, snacks TICK … and after a countdown we were off at 7.30am on the dot!

It turned into such a beautiful clear blue day being very hot at lunch especially for the second phase of the stairs! It was sensational to be out of the thick Beijing smog and able to breathe clear mountain air!

What a hard slog it was!
We both had knees troubles and been to see physio’s during our training. I have PFPS (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome) which with some strapping my knee didn’t hurt and tracked correct for the whole race. Emma’s sore knee played up but she pushed through the pain.

At the 36km mark we had 8km to go the first 3km being roughly 2,600 stairs again in the opposite direction then a 5km run home down a hill which we had climbed to begin the race. When I arrived back to the wall stairs, Emma decided to push ahead and after she went I literally hit a wall! OMG they were so exhausting with more up then down this time.
The extreme heat, not knowing if I had consumed enough calories or water also played on my mind as I was feeling a little nauseous and delirious.
But there was no way I was stopping!!!!
Just keeping going … one step after another, I told myself in my head (the same thing I said many times when climbing to Base Camp Mt Everest in Oct last year).
As I continued on the wall it appeared most others were it this same condition!!
After conquering the last few steps I found a second wind and ran the last five km home!

What a fantastic feeling to finally achieve that current goal after months of preparation plus not getting sick in China or an injury during training or on the day!

My personal time was 6:39:09 mins and Emma came in at 6:15:23 mins.

My Rank Information: Women 35-39 years

Rank category              20 of 34
Rank sex                      109 of 202
Rank overall                 391 of 582 

The Australian company we booked through Travelling Fit (the Marathon Package Experts) were extremely professional  and helpful with representative Paul Clements coming on the tour and handling all queries with ease then completing the marathon with us being his first also! They also supplied our Amazing shirts for the day … you could easily recognise the 200  Aussies in the race to cheer them on!!!

At the after party I also had the pleasure to meet and had a chat with Henrik Brandt from Denmark. He has completed all 12 Great Wall Marathons from when they first started and has the medals to prove it!!! He told me he would like to do at least 25!

Now, one must remember I’m not an elite athlete; I’m just a girl with a passion for adventure and life, so anyone can do these challenges if you put your mind to it!!!
It not about fast times, it’s about setting a goal, getting out of your comfort zone, working hard and completing the task no matter what!!!!
You will meet like minded people, build self confidence, feel fit and healthy, proud of yourself and learn to love yourself …because if you don’t no one else will!!!
Good Luck, Go Hard and Reap the Rewards!!!

A big thank you to the organisers and volunteers for doing such a SENSATIONAL job!!!!

Plus a big and huge thank you to my friend Emma for commiting to this also and being an awesome training patner, without her support this may not have been possible!!!

This Sunday on the 29^th of May I have to back up with a 30km trail run in Brisbane!

Hmmmm what next!

Great Wall Marathon videos here!

“We are the Champions my friends!!!!!”
42.2km including 5,164 steps!!!
China Great Wall Marathon 2011; Emma 6:16mins, Jeanette 6:40mins! (21/05/2011)

Below: Orientation Day “Bring It On!!!!”

Tiananmen Square Beijing

The Forbidden City Beijing

This looks interesting:

Imagine if you could get paid to pound the pavement?
A wage for working out?
All you need to do is put a band on your wrist, get out & about.
It detects when you’re active & after 60 minutes it displays a code. All you need to do is upload the code online & you get free reward points. There are some big players behind the project: Target, JB Hi-Fi, EB Games, Apple Itunes, Rebel Sport, Myer & David Jones are offering a range of rewards!

Awesome for children, they can make their own money from being healthy and shop to reward themselves!

Click here to learn more!!!

[Info via Today Tonight]

Our official team shirts have arrived with the print being Sponsored by Design House!

We will be participating in the INAUGURAL KOKODA CHALLENGE BRISBANE and raising money for the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program.  Our contribution is helping young people to gain confidence, direction, life skills, new friends and the knowledge that anything is possible!!!

Helping Aussie teenagers to reach their full potential – Our efforts are having a direct impact on a young person’s life!

We will be taking part in a 30km trail run in D’Aguilar State Forest at Brisbane on the 29^th of May.

If you would like to make a donation to support us and this Awesome cause please click HERE!

More info here!

Pictured below team members; Jeanette, Scott & Tania!

While others enjoyed a relaxing Saturday morning I and my friend Emma endured 5.5 hrs of Pain and loved every minute of it!

I currently have PFPS – Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome.
My left knee is not tracking right. So it was Awesome to tape my knee and run through the pain and make that distance!

The task was hard work and we ran over 33km of the distance then Emma’s knee hurt pretty bad for some reason (her turn for the physio) so we did some walking as not to risk injury.

We felt we could have run another 3 – 5km’s of that if Em’s knee didn’t play up and taken 1/2 an hour off the time but I’m really just happy we made it!

I decided to throw up at the 32km mark as I had too much red Powerade sloshing around in my stomach LOL!!!  

I burnt over 2,500 calories and I’ve just had a lovely 2.5hr nap plus the legs feel okay (so far, see how they are tomorrow)!

The picture below is from Runkeeper , our iPhone GPS plotted out our course.

The picture (top right) is our next Marathon in a month.
42.2km on the ‘Great Wall of China’ + 5,000 steps ….. YEOW I can’t wait!!!!!
That one should test us!

Ok, I’ve registered for another little challenge with my adventurous friends Scott and Tania. We will be taking part in a 30km trail run in D’Aguilar State Forest at Brisbane on the 29^th of May.

We will be participating in the INAUGURAL KOKODA CHALLENGE BRISBANE and raising money for the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program.  Our contribution is helping young people to gain confidence, direction, life skills, new friends and the knowledge that anything is possible!!!
Helping Aussie teenagers to reach their full potential – Our efforts are having a direct impact on a young person’s life!

If you would like to make a donation to support us and this Awesome cause (like the fabulous Toni & Rosie have!) please click HERE!

Our team name: ‘Smells Like Team Spirit’ is based on the famous song by Kurt Cobain of Nirvana ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ which was very cool when I was a teenager.
On April 8, 1994, at age 27, Cobain was found dead at his home in Seattle, the victim of what was officially ruled a suicide by a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth aged from 15  to 24 years especially with bullying on the rise whether from peers or social media or just life’s pressures; affecting their self confidence, self worth and provoking feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, depression and loss of direction in life.
The word teen was substituted with team, cause that’s what we are and the funds raised are going to support teens and their self esteem, it’s all really very universal and interconnected!!

…. Bring it on, I / we can’t wait!

MAY 29, 2011 MARKS THE INAUGURAL KOKODA CHALLENGE BRISBANE.

In honour of the Kokoda Spirit, this new 30km event winds through some of Brisbane’s toughest terrain.

The track undulates through the green scenery in the west of Brisbane Forest Park.  Starting at Brookfield showgrounds you and your team will make your way up to the half way checkpoint at McAfee’s Lookout before returning to showgrounds via the tropical terrain of D’Aguilar National Park that is reminiscent of the Owen Stanley Ranges in Papua New Guinea.

The 30k distance coupled with wide open fire trails makes this the perfect event for beginners or runners having a hit out. Teams of two, three and four will find the course is not without toils, as you descend down to a creek bed you encounter a sharp turn onto a narrow trail aptly named ‘hell hole’ – ensuring that you don’t forget the meaning of endurance before arriving at the finish line. Click here to find out more.