Number 82 - Smashed it! Half Marathon - Fully Finished.

We did it!!!

When Charlotte sent an email in February proposing we take on the half-marathon I was dubious to say the least. She suggested we train with Can Too to give ourselves the best possible chance and make it an experience for the greater good.

Our first training run started pretty easily in Centennial Park, a few laps around an oval and generally getting to know everyone. A few weeks later we did our first 5km time trial and things suddenly felt a whole lot tougher.

A few weeks after that I got knocked over by a chest infection that had me out of action for almost 6 weeks. With doctors throwing around words like whooping cough and pneumonia I was starting to worry about whether I was running out of time to train for the big day. As it turns out the doctors still don't 100% what I'd had and I was told to rest, use an inhaler and "be careful". So with that sage advice in mind, I decided to head back to training!

My first session back looked like this.

 

Despite my impatience to get back into training, running in torrential rain was probably not a genius plan. After a few kms in the wet, our coach Gordo gave me the "raised eyebrow" and I obediently gave up.

It turns out Charlotte and I had hit the rocky part of the training journey.

Charlotte had injured herself taking on the Tough Mudder, I was still on a Ventolin inhaler (having learned the hard way that I shouldn't go on even small runs without it!) and we were only a few weeks out from the race. To say we were a little nervous about our ability to race 21km was putting it mildly.

Despite this we tackled whatever training we could manage and kicked ass with fundraising for Can Too and Cure Cancer. Both of us reached our targets, were suitably embarrassed with bright orange feather boas and glitter hats during our "Star Ceremonies". Knowing we've done our bit to continue critical funding for cancer research has been one of the most rewarding parts of the last couple of months.

After 12 weeks of preparation we were ready (ish!) to face race day.

The night before to calm my nerves I got all my race gear laid out (no-one was going to miss me in that fluoro orange!) then like any normal person does before a big race, I got dressed in my Playboy Bunny costume and headed off to a Vegas party. Drinking tap water and sticking to my planned pre-race meal of fish and rice, I watched as others sculled champagne and scoffed hot dogs. At 9pm as Elvis was marrying Celine Dion to Lenny Kravitz, I decided it was time to head home to get as much sleep as possible before my 5am alarm.

 
Five am, 19th May and I was seriously nervous. A quick breakfast of champions, some water and I was very glad to see my brother who had so generously offered to support me around the race. 

Number 64 - My First for Life. Davos Bloody Donors

Donating blood has been on my Big List for a long time and I've given it many attempts but for various reasons (my rebellious belly piercing, my more rebellious tattoo, travelling to 'risky' countries and not just having enough of the stuff),  I've been a Blood Donor Reject. Unwanted. I was a bloody loser.


My brother's best friend is just like another brother to me and has been since I was five. His wife Edwina is like a sister. Following the diagnosis of Dwee's very dear dad  'Davo' 12 months ago, Davo’s Bloody Donors was founded and I knew that I had to step up and stop being a Bloody Loser. I was going to be a Bloody Winner.

Number 82 - Half-Marathon Fundraising Star! (THANKS TO YOU!!)

With 10 days to go, I've reached my fundraising goal (exceeded it actually!) for Cure Cancer Australia and I'm all set to run the daunting 21km. Thanks to my incredibly generous friends and family I am officially a Can Too Fundraising Star. Complete with orange glitter hat and certificate, I now get to wear my full day-glo running shirt and running hat!

http://cantoosmh2013.gofundraise.com.au/page/CJsHalfMarathon2013

Number 36 - Beer Baby

As a toddler living in Perth in the very early 1980s, my Dad would fall asleep by the side of the pool leaving the warm dregs of his VB stubbies. In my pink and white terry towelling dressing gown I would cheekily wander around and drink these nasty dregs while my Dad dozed in the sun. It might be for this reason (or because I later developed a later love of champagne!) that in my adult years the smell and taste of beer makes my stomach turn. I had tried in Mexico to drink a Corona, my brother had tried to do his brotherly duty and force a beer down his sisters throat but to no avail. I'd only ever managed a few sips before it had gotten warm and nasty, and I could drink no more.

Number 101 – Heavenly Hawaiian Massage

As I celebrated my 32nd birthday (once I figured out I wasn't actually turning 31!), I decided to treat myself with one of my easier list items. With Mum flying into the country for the weekend it was a perfect opportunity for some girly time and to see if both of us could relax!

Knowing how much I love getting massages and after me raving about a massage I'd had in Bali, my friend Charlotte recommended I try the Lomi Lomi telling me it was an experience not to be missed. I've had massages all around the world and some pretty amazing ones so I was more than happy to take Char up on the challenge.


Ka Huna Lomi Lomi massage is an ancient style of massage, traditionally performed to honour the body as a temple. It’s designed to relax, rebalance and invigorate the mind, body and spirit. During a treatment, the practitioner moves around the massage table with flowing hula movements, using their hands and forearms to massage the client. Below is a Ka Huna demonstration.

After a bit of research I found Sydney Ka Huna located in Paddington, literally up the road. Mum and I arrived to a a small studio and were greated by our therapists Natalia and Jae with huge smiles. http://www.sydneykahuna.com.au/

After being taken into a balmy room, Natalia talked through the process and what to expect. It was time to get ready and I quickly realised this is not a massage for the overly modest. Getting down to my birthday suit (appropriate for a birthday treat!), I was given a little sarong to preserve what modesty I had left. 

Lomi Lomi massages you from head to toe in long strokes, going over and under the body in constant rhythm, slathering you with oil. The therapist breathes in time with the strokes and after 10 mins I was already starting to nod off.

An hour and a half later on was floating on a cloud. With rhythmic drums, tinkling bells and heated towels I was in heaven wishing there was a way to make it last just a little longer. When they tell you to take your time, how long do they mean??

Number 101 complete, though I think I may need to go back a couple of times just to make sure!