Milestones

As I've no relevant pictures, today's post will be illustrated with what google comes up with if you do an image search for "Chinaman's Hill Auckland"

Today I did something I had a sneaky feeling I could do but hadn't had the courage to actually attempt before. I successfully ran ten kilometres, stopping only for traffic lights (and then I was running on the spot). I'm sure for quite a few of you, running 10k ain't no thang, but for me it felt pretty special!

knitting!

I didn't actually wake up this morning with any big running-related ideas (though I was going to run at some point) but when someone invited me to go skating outdoors (which I can't do now as I'm outdoorwheelless!), I replied with "I'm going for a run instead, might try and do 10k today!". Challenge made, I figured I actually had to go run the bloody thing now, or at least try. I went to MapMyFitness and plotted out a route that was a mashup of two of my more regular runs (including "Chinaman's Hill" which is a bit fierce). It looked huge on the map, but not intimidating. I've written here before that I run better when I stop planning and just go, but with the triathlon in a few weeks and a half marathon in the distance, it feels time to up the game a little.

The longest run I've done prior to this was 7k, and always felt destroyed after those, so how would that extra 3k feel?

Slug!

This evening was a triumph of positive thinking. I had told people I was going to, I knew I could do it, and I kept telling myself I could all the way around. I'm quite pleased that I can now run a good 6+km without feeling especially tired or winded. At about the 7km mark (fastest time for that little marker too), I started to feel it. Not gasping for air, just...fatigued. Legs getting heavy, my feet starting to chafe in my shoes, stomach feeling a bit sick. By the time I hit The Hill, I was running at snails pace. This is when the positive thinking went up a gear. I kept thinking about how awesome it would be to say I could run 10k, what nonsense I'd write in my blog after I'd got home, how if I could do a sprint tri I could definitely GET THE HELL UP THAT HILL! I grimaced a grin at all the lithe, toned runners sailing down it. I gritted teeth, focused on breathing in time with my steps. On not finding an excuse to walk. And I did it.

Of course, after The Hill, comes.....another hill! By then, though, I was all good. Blisters? Tiredness? Who cares! I was on the home stretch and though I wouldn't say I was flying up it I certainly put in the effort. I even took a slightly less direct route to my flat so I knew I'd definitely done 10k.

Rally cars!

I feel like I can say I'm a runner now. The first time I did 5k was memorable, but ten? That's a quarter of a marathon (15 April, folks, Orewa). That's Actual Fitness territory. It's left me feeling good that I've spent the last few months wisely and my training is moving in the right direction. My Marathon at 30 idea actually seems fairly reasonable tonight.

Whatever this is!

I also noticed today (thanks, summer evening shadows) that my backside wobbles a lot when I run. Like, wow. Now I know why all those cars full of drunk guys yell shit at me from time to time! I knew about the boobs (my sports bras be awesome but there are limits to all engineered structures) but the behind as well? Lordy. It struck me as I ran along one of Auckland's busiest roads, backside wibbling all the way, that there would have been a time that such a revelation would have made me slink back to my flat for a cry and (probably) a snack to feel better about having a large bum and it being seen to be working out in public. Today? Fuck it, went my line of reasoning. I'm out here running (10k!), fat ass or no. That automatically makes me above ridicule to anyone not exercising. And one thing I have noticed? People who work out don't hate on other people working out. And people who don't work out aren't really in a position to call you on your working out. So there.

Now, after all the life-affirming non-derby stuff, I received my bearings and new lid from One Woman 8 Wheels today (actually, they'd arrived on Saturday but my next door neighbour forgot to give them to me). The helmet's awesome, I look weirdly...professional? Serious? In a black helmet. The Qube 8-ball bearings are also black, and spin with ninja-like stealth. Reviews of both once the season gets underway (so close now!)

SHAMELESS PLUG: If you have a roller derby, triathlon/running or vegan-related (or all 3!) related product or service you'd like me to road/rink test for you, please get in touch by leaving me some details in the comments and I'll get right back to you!