Time to Party!!

Tomorrow morning, I am flying down to Christchurch with two of my co workers to attend the end of year awards dinner and party. We're all sharing a hotel room, and it's going to be a big night. These are real glamour events, everyone done up to the nines, so we've all had a bit of a stress trying to find something (anything!) to wear. I think we are all sorted now, and ready to get on the plane and go join in the fun. The hard part will be flying home, and coming back to work, the next morning! We may not go to sleep at all, as these things can easily go on till 3 or 4 in the morning :-)

So. Jodi Picoult author talk. She was funny...and very chatty, and I laughed and even got teary a couple of times. What a talent. I can't wait for her next book, and am very glad I went along.

On Sunday the 10km race happened. And I felt good - I did it in 1 hour 16 mins and 44 seconds - so even faster than the flat course 10km event a few weeks ago. And a LOT faster than the 1 hour 34 minutes I walked it in last weekend. I was pretty happy when I crossed the finish line (until I stretched my hip and it all locked up and caused me 15 minutes of agony and embarrassment while the ambulance guy put an ice pack down my shorts!). I have a few twinges in my calf and butt, but nothing like last weekend's pain. Rupes did a great time of 49 minutes, my co worker did it in just under an hour, and Muzz was around 51 minutes. Nicole did the 5km - not sure of the time, but she did great. I have a lot of work to do if I am ever going to catch up to any of them! Oh and I won a spot prize - a very groovy running singlet. I am going to look the part even as I stagger around the course!

Next event isn't till around the 22nd of June - another 10km. And then it's the biggie, the half marathon in July. Scares me thinking about it, although I am pretty sure I can do the distance at a steady pace. And then if that goes ok, another half marathon in Taupo in August. And that's my goals for the year achieved (as far as walking/running goes anyway). So, time to kick up the training a notch from this week on, and start getting some road kms under my belt.

On the infertility front. Nada. A friend of ours had her baby on Friday night, and we went to the mall to get some wee clothes. All was good as we oohed and aahed over the stuff and then I got really emotional. Almost a panic attack - and I couldn't find Rupes (who had wandered off to another section in the store). When he finally came back (it felt like ages, but was probably only 5 minutes) he got a bit of a growling. Poor guy. We popped in to see the new arrival on Sunday and she is just gorgeous, full head of dark hair, wee tiny fingers and very long feet. Just lovely. And surprisingly, that was easier emotionally than standing in the baby section! Go figure.

Ouch! My A**

After the first 10km race (the nice flat one) I was a little sore, a little tired. But not too bad. So, hubby and I decided it would be a good idea last Saturday for me to walk the route of the next 10km race which is next Sunday. It was a beautiful morning - foggy at our house but clear and fine over in Milford, so off we set. I have to say in advance that I hate hills, and this is a VERY hilly course, but on the advice (ha, I now hate him) of a personal trainer who happens to work where I do, I attacked the hills. As this was pre training only, I walked. No running, no jogging. Just a steady pace, a bit slower on the hills, a bit faster on the flats. Finished in 1 hour 34 minutes, and felt actually pretty good afterwards. He ran a bit further and did around 15km. It's hell being married to Mr Fit!

That night I went out with the "doggy park girls" for dinner, and a few too many wines and shots! Good fun, home at midnight, and though I was a bit stiff it wasn't too bad. Until Sunday morning when I rolled out of bed ready to start my day and cried out in agony. My butt was so sore - down the side and into the hips. I waddled around all day, and Monday was even worse. Today it feels slightly better, after a hot bath, a walk in the park with the dogs, and an hour long spa at our lovely neighbours place.

So, now the question is...as the soreness is easing, do I still go for the 10km race this Sunday? Or cut my distance back to 5km? Or miss this one entirely? I guess it will all depend on how I feel on the day...I really really want to do the 10km just to see what time I can do it in, and maybe with a LOT of stretching afterwards I can avoid the worst of the butt ache!

Other than that, I am very excited to be going to an author talk on Thursday night - one of my absolute favourite writers, Jodi Picoult. If you haven't read anything of hers, go get one (My Sister's Keeper is probably my fave) and curl up in a quiet corner and enjoy. I am really looking forward to hearing what she has to say. Oh, and if you are in New Zealand, make sure you go see "Second Hand Wedding" - a totally Kiwi movie and just lovely. I laughed and I cried.

The big one...

Yup, today was the 10km fun run/walk. Friends came for dinner (and a bit too much wine) and then stayed the night and we all headed over together. The good thing about the walk was that the course was completely flat. Four laps made up the 10km so it was easy to see your time and how you were doing - and it only rained on the first lap. At the 5km mark I was ready to give it up, but fought the battle in my head and carried on - and at the end of the 7.5km lap Rupes, Liza and Muzz were all cheering me on. So, I finished, and actually ran across the finish line with another girl, and did it in 1 hour 18 minutes or so. I was expecting/planning for 1 hour 30 minutes so not too shabby. Funnily enough, my knee hurt for the first lap or so, and then my hip took over and is still sore now. Thank goodness for lovely neighbours with a spa pool which we made good use of!

I get the feeling I am going to be very tired tomorrow. But, still, it was my longest walk/run ever, and I have two weeks to prepare for the next 10km walk which will be tougher, as it has some nasty hills.

Maybe this is turning into a fitness blog! But...I went shopping and bought some new clothes for work and I have gone down 2 dress sizes! I bought the cutest grey wool dress, and some knee high black boots with a tiny heel, as well as a pair of trousers, a skirt, and some tops. Amazing what a difference it makes having clothes that fit!

Update...kinda

Ok. Dad mentioned (again!!) that I hadn't been updating. Excuses. Well, it's been pretty stressy at work, I haven't been feeling so great, and while life has been busy, it's not been busy in a very exciting way!

Three 5km fun run/walks under my belt now - not getting any easier, and I have some nasty ligament pain in my knee. Still, I am quietly pleased I have kept up my training (mostly) and managed to finish the first three. But with this knee pain my athletic career could be over before it really begins! This weekend is my first 10km walk, and luckily it is completely flat, so I should be able to handle it. If the knee pain persists I'll have to get some treatment - I think it might be related to my hip being out of alignment, so we shall see how it all goes.

The dogs are doing good, though Katie did a bolt through the open gate on the weekend and it took me half an hour of tramping around the neighbourhood in the pouring rain to recapture her. She really really loves to run away...it's very frustrating. Toby is getting bigger, and mostly has been behaving, if you discount the odd chewed sock/coaster/blanket! They've been having a lot of fun at the park with the other dogs - and Toby is fascinated by a wee puppy that has just joined the group. He's mostly gentle, but sometimes he forgets how big and clumsy he is!

The weather has finally turned after a very long dry summer, and we've had a lot of rain (and discovered a small leak in our roof!) It's gotten cold too, which I hate with a vengeance, but I do enjoy the soup and casseroles this time of year brings. BUT I am trying to be good food wise, as I have managed to lose 10kgs so far this year, so am off on Friday to buy a couple of new skirts for work as mine are all getting a little too baggy.

On the infertility front - nothing. Not pregnant this month, and am still waiting for CYFS to run their next course for fostering so we can at least explore that option. I think I am gradually coming to terms with the realisation that I'm not going to be a mother the natural way, and that our next decision really is going to be either pursuing adoption/fostering or choosing to grow old and grey together in a houseful of animals. There is some sadness in that thought - but maybe I need to start looking at this as an opportunity rather than a burden?

That's me for now. Take care all you folks out in blogland :-)