I am a runner!!!

It's been a while since I've updated my blog, think I need to make it a regular Sunday night event.

Round 3, 2013 has been a successful round.  My head seems to be in the best frame of mind since Round 4 last year.  I'm even considering going it alone next round.  It will be  big step if I do, as I feel like 12wbt is a nice security net.  But then maybe I won't, because I do like the structure of the food and the workouts. 

This has been a mammoth weekend, very exciting and very emotional in many ways.

Yesterday I had a wonderful afternoon, evening, celebrating my friends 30th.  She'd planned a Mad Hatters Tea Party and everyone looked amazing with the details from our happy host awesome.  I wore a gorgeous dress that I purchased from the Rocks Markets - a size 12 ............. wooooo!!!!  I felt very self conscious because it is still a bit firm fitting.  But I took a deep breath and enjoyed my day.

A few weeks ago I signed up for the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival 9km Bridge Run.  It would be pushing me to my limits to complete this 9km, both physically and mentally.  I've also discovered that for me running is very much a battle of the minds.  I really need to believe in myself and just do it.

It was a beautiful spring day in Sydney and I was lucky enough to run across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.  My two girl also participated in the run, but they were happy to do their own running together.  I also had a good friend running, with her friend who has done a few marathons.  I really wanted to run this on my own and battle those demons in my head. 

I felt good running for the first 5kms, swept up in the atmosphere and running at quite a fast pace for me.  Amazing what a bit of adrenalin and having a few thousand runners around you. 

Around the 6.5km mark to 8kms I felt like I hit a brick wall.  It was incredibly tough and I struggled with the heat.  I battled through, discovering I can't run and drink water, so stopped and walked for about 100m so I could have a bit of water.

I had set myself a goal of 60mins and finished in 60.35 mins.  Was a little disappointed, which the logical me says is totally unreasonable.  Really, how many people can run 9km???  Half of the population of Australia??  And how many people do run 9km.

So needless to say I felt very blah this afternoon, as I tackled the emotions of not reaching a set goal and becoming mum again - doing the grocery shopping, preparing dinner and folding baskets of laundry :(

I spoke to an amazing friend of mine whom I respect immensely and she helped me to reflect on just how far I've come.  I looked at my c25k app and on the 18th February this year I began on week 4 of the program - running and walking.  I really have come a long way and need to tell myself that I'm doing a great job.

Now the next dilemma.  There's a 5km and 10km run in 2 weeks time out at the Regatta Centre.  It'll be a flat run (today had lots of hills), but the 10km doesn't start until 10.30.  I'm worried the heat will knock me around.  So, do I run the 5km or 10km???