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all for a good cause....

I love to run. It keeps me fit, makes me feel strong and gives me time and headspace all to my self.

Recently I have taken part in a series of 10km races, a few half marathons  and run a race or two with Rose. Up ahead looms a totally new challenge.

Puma Hellrunner Down South takes place on the 28th November so it's sure to be cold. The PUMA HellRunner™ is over multi-terrain and varying underfoot conditions. There will be everything from running tracks and trails to water-filled areas and plenty of steep hills. 10 -12 miles of challenging off-road running... tough, twisting trails... including the famed Hills of Hell and the Bog of Doom!

For a bit of extra motivation and to make sure I turn up on the day, whatever the weather conditions, I am running to raise money for CLIC Sargent, a children's cancer charity.

My aim is to raise 300 pounds and finish with a big smile on my face, mud, hill and all!

Here is the link to my charity page if you would like to help me hit my target.

www.bmycharity.com/hellrunnermarianne

 

cute mitts...

I finished Rose's mittens, much to her delight. She was very happy to pose for the camera and show them off...complete with new 'indie' musician girl haircut  and missing front tooth. Rose chose the haircut from a 'looks book" with her hairdresser. I love it and she loves it- but I must admit that several people have asked whether she cut her fringe herself! Or 'butchered her fringe" as one person so sweetly put it!



















These were the mittens I had to make to match the school cardigan I knitted last year. It would seem that Rose only grew lengthwise as it fits beautifully in the body widthwise but is rather short in the length and the sleeves. Not much I can do about the length except insist that the cardigan is meant to be cropped - however the mittens do a good job of making up the shortfall in the sleeves.

Note: stop here if sport of any kind bores you senseless....

And on a less crafty note ( but still rather exciting to me) I put in my first appearance at the gym this evening. Grace will be six weeks old tomorrow so I (almost) have the official all clear to go ahead and return to exercise. I wasn't allowed to do anything remotely strenuous in the last 12 weeks of pregnancy so it's been a long 18 weeks since I've done anything really physically challenging (apart from carry and have a baby that is!). To be honest, the physical limitations were probably one of the hardest parts of this pregnancy - I go a little stir crazy if I can't get out for a run so those last 12 weeks seemed a lot,lot longer. I'm sure it wasn't  much fun for anyone around me either!
A five km walk /run ( well, plod is probably closer) in 40 minutes has made me one very happy camper. I won't be running a marathon any time soon but at least I'm on my way.

whoo hoo! I did it!

Yesterday I ticked off another goal on my list off things to do this year...I ran and completed the Sydney Morning Herald Half marathon.
All 21.1km of it.
Yes, I'm a little bit tired and weary today but the girls were very proud of mama and her finishers medallion.
And to be honest, so was mama!
I had hoped to complete the course in 2hrs flat but alas, I hadn't really done enough running in the few months before. Much too distracted making 30 smallpeople collages....

.

( photo from SMH web site...no credits sadly)

( I do not start anywhere near the front..only fast runners and crazy people do that ...I quite sensibly take my position in the middle to the back of the 5000 strong pack. I am not very big and I squash quite easily.)

When I lined up at the start, my main goal was just to finish ,hopefully in under 2hrs 15min.

My legs decided that their race  finished at the 16km point but I managed to convince them to keep moving until I crossed the finish line, 2hrs and 12minutes later.
Amazing what a few sour gummy bears can do!

( photo from SMH web site...no credits sadly)

I had a little taste of glory when I ran along side the race winner as he crossed the finish line in a little over 1 hr. The sound of applause and cheering was wonderful - and then he finished and I headed off on my second lap!
Oh well, I 'm sure he hopeless when it comes to the old cut and paste!

Note added 23/5/07
I have had a few questions regarding this post...No , the beautiful photos of runners are not mine...they are from the SMH website but unfortunately had no credits. And I was way to busy just plodding along to even think about taking a photo!
This was my fourth half marathon( 3 SMH and one in  Canberra) but the first since Charlotte arrived on the scene.It was also my slowest by 1 min...
Yes, I am considering trying a full marathon again ...I have completed two, the Olympic trial marathon back in 2000( 4hrs 20min) and the Melboune marathon that runs from Frankston to Albert Park( a gruelling 4hrs and 30 minsand four different seasons to boot).

At this point I'm just not sure if I want to spend quite the amount of time needed to train to run 42.2Km. I had enough trouble fitting in the training for the Half.

I guess I could just give up sleeping....

 

day one, 2007....(be warned this is a rather boring post)

(This post is really just for my benefit- this way I have all of my resolutions down on paper so to speak....)

When it comes to New Years Eve, I have to admit I'm a bit of a bore: I love a party as much as the next girl but New Years Eve has never seemed to live up to all of my expectations. The past few years I have been content to have a fairly quiet and uneventful one - some good food , possibly a catch up with a few friends and a glass or two of festive cheer fits the bill nicely.Maybe I'm just getting old......

However,I always love the first day of the New Year - fresh,full of possibility and unknown challenges.
No matter what else is planned for the day, I always ,always find the time to go for a run. I'm not superstitious but I feel as though if I miss a run on this day in particular, it doesn't look good for my running prospects for the rest of the year. So, despite the fact that it was really quite hot and humid, I hit the road for a good hour long run. Thankfully it started to rain about 15 minutes into the run which was just perfect.

(Fairy Bower pool ,along the Manly foreshore walk)

Great music, fresh air and a birds eye view out over the ocean. Perfect.

During this time I had a bit of a think about my resolutions for 2007....

• Spend more time dancing with my girls

• Spend more time dancing with my husband

• Spend more time dancing by myself (but with the blinds down so the neighbours don't talk about that weird woman next door)

• Go to bed early at least two nights a week......Repeat. Go To Bed Early At Least Two Nights A Week

• Run a marathon or half marathon at least which leads to.....

• Get up earlier two mornings a week( groan, I already know that this will be my biggest challenge!)

• Empty and sort through every closet, drawer, etc in my house and give away/get rid of anything that we don't need or use (this could take all year and will involve great willpower on my part when I drop things off to the op shop, as I generally tend to come home with more than I left the house with)

• Use less water and energy

• Plant a herb garden

• Be a little more focused when it comes to my artistic/creative pursuits - spend a little more time improving and building upon my skills in things I already know how to do, instead of madly trying out every new thing that I happen upon.

• Draw something everyday - even just a doodle

• Finish or get rid of UFO's

• Be more selective in the projects that I take on/sign up for

• Eat more chocolate ( but only the best quality stuff .....)

I think that about does it for this year....I have danced twice today ( with and without my girls) , clocked up about 10kms and just printed out the entry form for the Canberra marathon.....so I'm off to a good start.Missed the early bedtime due to writing this post but I'll work on that one tomorrow.

Wish you all a year filled with new challenges, loved ones and laughter.

Oh, and chocolate ( but only the best quality stuff of course!)