Moving along.

There comes a point when you just have to put yourself out there and take a chance on yourself and see how  you respond. Well that is what I have been doing and yesterday's run proved that I still have a little "get up and go" left in the old engine. 

So I am still at the walk/run phase but I almost doubled my distance by doing a lap around the river. Clair and I even ran the dirt track and I wasn't even that puffed. Mind you the first 1km we both ran we both took off like a bull at a gate and then I had to slow it down to a more respectable 6min/km pace. Much much better. But my body this morning is feeling great. Apart from the usual heaviness - there is no pain anywhere and I feel as happy as a kid in a candy shop.

And because I am still at the beginning phase I decided now would be a good time to wean myself into a brand new spanking pair of Newtons - Lady Isaac's. Check out how pretty they are.

I'm sure they won't stay this clean for too long.

So, as I look back at my first week of Yeppoon training - I think I am doing pretty good. My stomach is holding up really well and there is absolutely no pain to speak of, other than muscular aches. I am stoked. Looks like another perfect day out there - so it's off to ride my bike again with the Wednesday morning group. I have missed them so much. 

Check

Things are looking good for me at the moment and I really couldn't be happier. My body, although sore and letting me know it is back into training is thriving on doing some form of activity everyday. 

My bike ride on Sunday was awesome. I loved every minute of it and think I was smiling from ear to ear. The freedom you feel on the bike is unlike anything else. I can really only compare it to the freedom I feel in the water - the tranquility just gives me a really good feeling. That is until I get to a hill and then my legs quickly remind me how inept I am at them, and my puffing and panting can be heard Im sure from kilometres away. 

"Bubba" the Cannondale was an absolute gem. Now Im not sure if it was because I had fresh legs or the fact that he is just brand spanking new gears, new chain, being a TT bike or what - but I felt faster. Im sure it was in my head and I was just feeling all giddy but it is such a smooth ride. Changing gears takes a bit of getting used to. I was constantly tapping in my brakes to change my gears and then would have a little chuckle to myself - GET IT RIGHT BARB.

When I got home after a short 35km ride I was on Cloud 9. The weather was just perfect. Not a cloud in the sky and great company. What more could I have asked for. I really feel like I am making my way back. I have missed it so so much. Here is another shameless self portrait - just in case you have forgotten what I look like.

Then yesterday I went for my first swim post surgery. I was really excited albeit tentative to get in the water. I thought I may have a bit of an issue and I did. Nothing big but I had trouble getting the full length of my stroke in. It seems my stomach muscles are a bit tight and I could feel it everytime I would take a stroke with my right arm. It wasn't painful, just tight and my abdomen would fatigue and then my core would sag and I didnt feel like I was sitting up high in the water.

I asked Yas if I could pop my flippers on and do the set with them on. It did made it much easier to do the session and i was happy to do 2.7km for my first swim back. Now a day later I have no pain in my abdomen but my pecs, lats, tri's and delt's are saying - "Welcome back to the pool Barb". 

I have been religiously doing my strength and conditioning sessions from Sparta and have altered the training program from last years Yeppoon program from TopNotch to suit where I am at. So with everything at my fingertips, I should make it to Yeppoon and finish feeling really proud of all my effort. My aim is not to be back to how I was this time last year, but rather accomplish something I had my sight's set on close to 12 months ago and say to myself at the end - YOU DID IT BARB. 

Now let's bring on another run.

Green light

So I have been given the green "Go ahead" light from the surgeon, much to my relief. I had been hanging real bad to be able to train again. Well really, not even to train but to just get out and be a part of it. Something I have missed terribly. However, that being said YES I do have to start training as the Yeppoon 70.3 is just around the corner and I MUST finish this. It is something I have my sights set on and I WILL finish it - regardless of the time.

I did my first run back this last Thursday and although small - 3.5km (a mix of walk and run) it was still positive. My abdomen did not hurt one bit and I had to slow myself down. A 5:40 pace is not something I was expecting after almost 1yr of no running. So I pulled the reigns tight and ran at a pace close to a walk and finished it with a smile on my dial that was priceless. 

That night I rejoined Sparta's Strength and Conditioning Class. I have asked Jen to help me get my Core and body as strong as possible in the time we have for Yeppoon. So not only will I be attending my regular Thursday night class I am now doing a weekly programme as well. Combine this with my programme that I am using from TopNotch I think I am giving myself every opportunity to succeed in finishing the 70.3 at Yeppoon in 8 weeks time. Yeah, I know I am cutting it fine but I HAVE to do this race. I cannot and WILL not let it win again. 

So the following morning I woke up slightly sore (not in my belly) but my legs. I think they were in complete shock with what I had put them through the day before and it wasn't even anything really big. But I guess starting from zero has it's draw backs. The advantage is that this has not deterred me or frightened me in the least bit and I am hanging to start training again. Bring on Monday I say. 

Well actually BRING ON tomorrow. I get on my bike and I could not be happier. Not only because it has been ages but also because for the last 4 weeks I have been staring at my baby BUBBA the Cannondale longing for the day that I can ride it - and here it is. Tomorrow, I shall take him out and the 2 of us shall start getting acquainted with one another. I can't wait. how exciting. Are you excited? I am!!!!!

Stay tuned as I let you know how I go on my first ride back POST OP. Should be interesting. Fingers crossed the belly agrees. It should.

Leaps and bounds

I am feeling FANTASTIC. Really, truly I am. I could very much head out the door on a slow jog for a few (well maybe 2) kilometres and know that it wouldn't hurt. It is such a good feeling to know that the healing process is well and truly under way and that I can now feel really positive about moving forward. And I know that I still have to take it easy, but I must admit I have to remind myself quite regularly that I have had surgery some 15 days ago. 

It takes every bit of self restraint to not pick up the laundry basket full of clothes to take out to the clothes line, or vacuum the carpet. And whilst I would normally beg and plead to have help when I am able to do it, now that I cannot - I want to do it all myself. And so whilst I feel frustrated about "said situation" - I shall walk. Walk, and walk and walk like Forrest Gump. So much so I have this week walked 17km. And it has made me very happy indeed.

When I am exercising I am ALIVE. It's true what they say about exercise and endorphins " Endorphins are the body’s natural feel good chemicals, and when they are released through exercise, your mood is boosted naturally" - Natural Therapies Pages. After every walk - actually pretty soon after starting I feel fantastic. I soon forget about the fact that at this moment I am limited in what I can do and start focusing on the things that I can do. And I can WALK, and pretty fast too I might add. I put my headphones on and I am off, nothing is holding me back.

So still having this weekend ahead of me, I am looking forward to a couple more walks should the weather hold up. Looks like we have a few rain clouds starting to brew. And if the heavy rain decides to start then I guess I am starting a new form of the "Clothesline Diet" - the "Verandah Diet". Please Mother Nature - save me from getting dizzy.

Fingers crossed I get the all clear next Friday at the Doc's. 

Fingers crossed everyone.