Looks can be deceiving

I have a very funny story to tell (well at least I think it is funny), because I do not exactly look like a runner. Last weekend Rebel Sport had 25% off everything and my husband suggested I go and buy a pair of running shoes since I will be using many more pairs in the next year. Now I could have gone and picked up my usual Asics but I love a bargain! So when I happend to walk past an Adidas stability shoe that was half price I just had to try it. I grabed a young good looking shop assistant and asked his opinion about the durability and performance of the Adidas versus the Asics. He seemed relatively competent and we discussed pros and cons then I mentioned that my usual Asics seemed to only last me about half a year and that I was going to increase mileage next year and was a bit worried about durability. The very nice young assistant asked me what mileage I was doing and when I told him "oh roughly about 50km a week" his jaw literally dropped :-)
He then immediately ushered me over to the more expensive high mileage Asics and said "in this case you need those". He must have taken one look at me and put me in the jogging around the block category, I had to laugh!
That is going a long way towards lifting my mood about my running and all its setbacks :-)
In that sense don't let yourselves be deceived by looks

Ciao

Setbacks

Last week has been very upsetting for me. On top of a bout of PMS and a craving for chocolate that was very hard (impossible) to resist, I damaged a toenail on a 16km run and running has been painful since then. A silly little thing like a toenail can alter everything as I have found out. On what was supposed to be my longest run yet on wednesday (18km up and down hill) I had to give up after 15km as the sore toe altered my gait and my knees and back just gave up on me :-(  My pride hurt more than my toe!
I have spent the weekend feeling sorry for myself and having a little temper tantrum (I was never meant to run in the first place, why is it easy for everybody else but not for me; and so forth :-))
I am sure you know the feeling.
Now my toe is slowly calming down, albeit blue in color, and I hope the next few days I can run normally again.
Onwards and Upwards or as Anita Weyermann (Swiss Runner) said: "Gring ache u seckle"
which means as much as "head down and run on"
In that sense

Ciao

Building up - hopefully enthusiasm too

Hi Folks
I did 15km on the weekend! Although I can feel my quads a little bit, it went all right. I have to say that I did wonder a few times, why the h*** I was doing this but New York is waiting and I think CatWalk is a worthy cause. Hey why don't you have a look at my fundraise online page (hint hint) :-)
5 and a bit weeks to Kerikeri Half Marathon - the countdown is running.
I wish you a wonderful week out there.
Ciao

We don't know how lucky we are

Hi folks

Back from a fantastic holiday in Samoa. And yes I did do a run in the humid heat :-)
Have a look at the picture from Lalomanu beach where the Tsunami hit a year ago. We drove by the coast and the pictures are still heartbreaking! It is very different seeing it with your own eyes and it made us appreciate everything we have. We really don't know how lucky we are.
If you plan to go to the islands, why not choose Samoa and go to Lalomanu beach - a few resorts/fales are open again and they can use every tourist dollar!
Now I am back full throttle after a lazy few weeks of holidays and visitors. Sunday I did a 14.5 km run - I am still a bit sore from it :-)

Have fun and appreciate your life out there

Ciao

pia