Happy New Year

Happy new year everyone - hope 2009 is a fantastic year!

Spin following my run today......

This morning following my run I had a leisurely breakfast at home with my two boys before heading to the gym for a spin class.

I really pushed myself hard today - average heart rate of 75 - 85%. I rode next to a good friend so we pushed each other throughout the class.

Knee was really good - started to hurt a little in the last working track but nothing too bad - no swelling now so that is a good sign.

I am really enjoying training again at a good intensity - the endorphin rush I get from exercising is awesome.

The freedom of running

Prior to competition prep and before my knee started giving me trouble I really loved the freedom of hitting the pavement for a road run.

Well I had been thinking maybe i would get back out there and give it a go - I was feeling a little reluctant because i really wondered what the knee might do!!!

Last night I organised my gear so when i woke this morning all i would need to do was get dressed and go.........

I have just returned from a very successful 3 km run without any stops....... I am rather impressed with my self. My knee felt great on the run and still feels good now. 

I will now aim to run the same distance in less time and then add distance as my fitness increases.

I am returning.....

Hi All, 

It feels like ages since I got on here to blog...... and when I look at the date of my last post it has been ages. 

I will be back with pictures and a longer blog to tell you what I have been up to in the next day or so. I have just got on now and attempted to load pics but without success..... very frustrating but never mind - will have another go tomorrow when I have a little more time.

I hope everyone is really great and enjoying the festive season. xxx

Still #1......

.... what an odd post name I can hear you saying, but if you read my last post you will understand and this is just more self praise for still been in this great position.

I am:

• loving training - planned and spontaneous like walking while Tucker rides his bike, and regular swims at the pool.
• lifting some great weights at the moment - strength as increased HEAPS
• feeling much healthier on the outside and especially on the inside (head and body)
• noticing the difference since I have started taking my new vitamins and minerals
• proud of the fact that I have not missed a single dose of my supplements - remembering to take things was never really a strong point of mine
• remembering things even without constantly writing notes to myself
• loving the extra time Mike and I are having together, and the time we are having together as a family
• feeling so much more relaxed....... no more running around like a lunatic
• sleeping so much better and am actually waking up feeling like i have had a sleep rather than waking up feeling like I had run a marathon every night
• enjoying been swelling and pain free in my knee
• sticking to my eating plan,
• loving work and the colleagues I work with are great!!!
• excited to be going to visit my mum and dad in January 
• LOVING LIFE IN GENERAL

So as you can see all is great in my world at the moment. I will keep you posted as things continue to progress on the right road....... It might have taken me a while but I think I have finally got to the Y in the road and taken the right lane....... the lane of choice where I feel really good. 

Until next time........ xxx

PS will aim to post some pics from my Dallas Olsen photo shoot real soon. 

The best day......

I am winning............ YEAH!!!!! You may ask what am I winning. Well I am winning the post comp head battles because today I took control instead of the never never in my head taking the lead. I had to run really fast to catch the never never but i saw a break or a lapse in concentration on her part and I got past - I even knocked her out on the way past. I really sent her flying so lets hope she lost her wings which means she will not be flying any time soon - or should I say ever!!!!!!

It all started this morning when I was working on the treadmill at home - my knee was killing me and I was really struggling. I had already done 45 minutes - however was supposed to go for an hour. I LISTENED TO MY BODY and more importantly LISTENED TO MY KNEE and hit the STOP button. I hooked up the dogs on their lead, Tucker got on his bike and we walked / rode to the park. It was so relaxing.

Tucker normally starts at Family Day Care on a Friday at 9 - well we had a go slow morning and I dropped him off at 10!!!! Really nice to not run around when you don't have to. 

Earlier in the week I made arrangements to have lunch with a friend today. We met at 12 - talked for ages, had a champagne together, and caught up on so much lost time. She talked to me about how much of an inspiration I am - I had never thought of that for too long but wow after today i really realise what she meant.

After lunch I went to the gym - no not for a workout but to see Naomi Gillespie. She is visiting from the Gold Coast and she is one amazing lady - she is a Naturopath, Accupuncturist, a specialist massage therapist, ligament therapist, and  remedial massage therapist. I had the lot and I feel fantastic. I feel calm, relaxed, my knee is not so sore, and I do not feel like i have a huge weight resting on my shoulders anymore. 

For the first time since my competition I feel like I have goals to work towards, direction to follow and treatment for a few ongoing issues my body is giving me at the moment. She answered so many underlying questions I had. Hind sight is an amazing thing - imagine what might have happened had she been here 12 months ago. I am not looking back but simply forward because that's what i can alter. 

Stay tuned for my journey to a healthy Maryanne on the inside and the outside. I'm excited. 

Physiotherapy visit today......

Yes I have been back at physio today - and no i do not have a new injury,  it is my knee that I had surgery on 14 weeks out from comp. 

I went in to the gym to train legs on Monday night and 15 minutes into my workout I came to a very quick standstill with pain in the said knee. Normally I would have kept going, but I listened to my body and stopped straight away. Came home iced it elevated it etc. the pain went with pin killers and the swelling did not get out of control.

This morning knee was swollen again and when Angie started to treat me she hit all the right (wrong / painful) spots. My medial ligaments are very tender, i have joint pain, and my knee cap is tracking VERY poorly. My medial strength is almost zilch!!!

So the verdict is - rehab exercises only for legs, no lunges, no squats, no weight work, and for the next 6 weeks every morning i will be applying tap to my knee and then taking it off at night. 

It could be a lot worse but for someone who LOVES to train legs this is not really what I wanted. I will need to make sure i get the good endorphins from my other workouts instead of my leg workouts. I see her again in a week so will keep you posted. 

Until next time xxx