So, without further ado, here's the belated post:
Yesterday I tried out some strength moves for runners, courtesy of http://www.runnersblueprint.com/best-strength-training-exercises-for-runners/ (Thanks Annie for sending this through!). Let me say, this was quite tough! It felt a very efficient workout, especially the 3x one minute and a half planks (I really felt these, as a regular non-planker). Half an hour later, and my quads and calves were burning somewhat and I was puffing and ready for a break. Good stuff.
Today is the day for my longer run of the week – one that I was aiming to have gotten in early this morning, however, the weather looked particularly foul outside (sandy, windy, filthy air, not too nice) so I chose to remain put in bed. I have rescheduled it to later today, and I know that I can do it – I ran last Sunday evening, so why not today? Plus, I can’t skimp on the running training anymore, as soon I will have that big, ‘mystery’ event coming up! Ok, ok, about this event, all can now be revealed (I’ve been informed that I’m 99.9% in, so that’s made my mind up for me and I am now 99.9% decided on doing it): The event is called the 100km Guizhou ThunderMountain Challenge – It is a 100km race (yes, you did read that correctly) but over a 3 day event, held in beautiful Guizhou province. You guessed it, the name completely lured me in; how could it not?! But, why else do I want to take part, other than the fabulously enticing name? Well, when running that 50km in beautiful Wuyuezhai back in June, I realised why people love trail running and wanted to do more at some point in my future. I think this will be a great opportunity for some awesome trail/mountain running, in a stunning part of China (one we wanted to go to, and were thinking of living and working there this year too), with some like-minded run-loving people, and will give me a chance to get in loads of running before I potentially can’t do much running back up here in Inner Mongolia due to the coming cold weather (again, this is all presumed, I have no idea whether I’ll be able to run in -30 degrees C or not, or if the roads will be too icy and slippery etc): i.e. a sort of running bootcamp long weekend. There is also that alluring challenge aspect: can my body do everything I will ask and push it to do? Can mental strength overcome tired-as-f*&k legs when running long distances for 3 days straight? These will be the questions I will be answering if I manage to get everything organised and make it there for the race (it’s a couple of plane rides away from where I live).
Of course, there are a fair few doubts and hesitations that I have re: this upcoming event, the main doubt being: am I prepared enough for the long distances? Since the 50km event I haven’t been putting in long training runs, as I’ve only been training for two half marathons. The longest run I have done in the past few months has been the half marathon in July, so to avoid injury when running 42kms or 30kms for this amazing mountain challenge, I’ll be putting in some long runs of about 30kms or just under between my half marathon next Sunday and the event on 7th November. I am worried about getting injured, but there’s this overwhelming curiosity and feeling of excitement about the event that is urging me to do the race anyway. I do think it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for this particular event, as who knows when I’ll be in China and able to do this in the future? After all, this will probably be my last year here, so what better way to see a new place and in a new province than by running a race there??
One year ago today, I began writing the ramblings that you see before you, and joined the blogging masses by starting this blog. So, Happy Anniversary to you Blog! Or: Happy Blog-Day! Wow, a year goes by quickly, doesn’t it. Here are some of the highlights since last October, or my year in a nutshell (in no set order):
I ran two half marathons (one in Shanghai and one in the Gold Coast – both took me 1:34 and then some seconds, with the Gold Coast one being a whopping 8 seconds faster, lol… A pb is a pb, right?); one full marathon (in Xiamen); and one ultra 50km marathon (in Wuyuezhai, Hebei Province)
I made some wonderful friends and connections via this blog and their respective blogs. Kristina, you said it perfectly in a post from the other day: having blog-friends is like having amazing pen-pals across the globe, and I’m so happy to have met you all. One day I hope to do a blogger-running-tour across America and we can all meet in person! Who’s in??
I rejoined the real estate game and bought a property again (after having gotten out of a few houses some years back, and all the council bills, maintenance, tenant stresses and hassles etc, I had vowed: never again! Oops, it seems like enough years have gone by perhaps?). As I’m still here in China, I’m yet to actually live in said property, but luckily it’s being looked after while I’m gone.
I travelled back to the Lucky Country that is Australia, not once, but twice! One was kind of a business trip re: real estate, and the second was in aid of the Gold Coast Half Marathon. Luckily for me, I got to see the amazing Annie TWICE this year because of these trips. She is the best hey. On the first trip, I also got to see the Just-Fricken-Fantastic-Joshua too! He is also the best, in a non-competitive kind of way, of course, and without him and his expertise I'm pretty sure there would be no new property or real estate to speak of: he was such a vital and essential part of the process (Thanks again Josh!!!). They are both the best: my Girl-Besty and Boy-Besty - where would I be without you two?! You know how much I love and appreciate you both, right? (ps, this is a very old photo of Josh and I! Haha, can I do Throwback-Wednesday perhaps??)
Now that you know the details, what are your thoughts on this upcoming event next month? Too much, or amazing experience??