Orange Blossom Festival: Westpac Hills Fun Run

I am half looking foward and excited to see another soft sand race in the running calendar, however after consultation I was suggested to run on even surface rather than soft sand and might make my take my ITB recovery longer.

So I emailed John if he is running the St. Mary’s which they did last year, but he said he will run the Hills Run instead.  Tthe Hills run is one of the events included in the Orange Blossom Festival.  You must be wondering if this is in celebration of the orange and red skies that happened in most region of NSW last Wednesday, but i don’t think its related.

We were just right on time waiting for John at the driveway for a change instaed of him waiting, we arrived and we headed to the hills.  I checked the weather forecast and it is cold 9-16 degrees so i decided to wear my Skins.  When we arrived the race area it was really really windy and cold.  I couldn’t decided should I take my jumper off, we are starting past nine so it would be a lil bit warmer.  The 4 KM and 2 KM run went ahead and next is the 8KM.  I braved the cold wind and decided to run in singlet.

2KM run of the kids, look at the cute lil boy in red at the left

I stayed at the back ofthe pack as I know I am not racing this run.  I paced myself slowly that my knees do not start hurting.  It was a two lap of a fire trail.  Its a mix of grass, firetrail foot paths, a stairs, and its not totally flat when you reach the 3.5Km distance which i decided walk.

Just few meters to the start I saw Terry stopping waving and limping.  He ran too quick and told him to keep a constant pace with me not know he pulled put and started walking and too photos instead.

I knew I will not be in the top 10 females (I know with the new age group I will not win in the next 10 years!) so i was easing the speed and enjoying the run through the woods.  I enjoyed the run and still finished on a modest time.

Event: Westpac Hills Fun Run
Distance: 8KM
Time: 41:52 5thF/Open

results
2 KM
4 KM
8 KM

It was Pain in the Bum, Before my ITBS

If the center of your buttocks is not unduly tender then try firm pressure on the area of your buttocks where you actually sit. Near the bottom of your buttocks just above the crease where it separates into your thigh you’ll find a bony prominence called the Ischial tuberosity. Firmly probe with your fingers all around that bony point. If it is painful, you may have bursitis.

Months ago on my training for my Marathon debut, around late February and early March felt a sharp pain in my bum just above my hamstring.  I ignored its just sore muscles.   I ran with it during the marathon scared it might act up but surprisingly it didn’t.  Then again after the Marathon it never went away.  So I researched about it, is there an injury on the butt area? who knows! its called Piriformis Syndrome!

It’s 8 months already and I still feel it on the same left leg.  Although not in the bum area anymore after some remmedial massage, its up the thigh area but still its a feeling of sharp pain.

What’s the Piriformis?
The Piriformis is a deep lateral rotator of the leg muscle, located deep under your gluteus maximus muscle, bum cheek. It runs sideways under your glute and very near your sciatic nerve, large nerve that runs down the leg.  The piriformis muscle assists in abducting the and laterally rotating the thigh.  It lies deep in the gluteal muscles and originates from he sacral spine and attaches to the greater trochanter of the femur.  The sciatic nerve usually passes underneath the piriformis muscle, but in approximately 10%  of the population, travels through the muscle.  It is thought that acute or chronic injury causes swelling of the muscle and irritates the sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatica.   The area may also be quite tender and sensitive to touch.

Warning before you reading further and do a self-diagnose, it is recommended you visit your physician, Physio or Chiro.

When is it an injury is called Piriformis Syndrome?
If that muscle gets really tight, it will cause that pain in the butt to creep down to a pain in the leg as well.    And then a “yes” to the following questions
- Tender in the center of your buttocks muscles?
- When you put firm pressure into the center of your buttocks does it radiate pain downward or out to the hip area?
- When you sit down and lift one thigh up. Reach down and grab your ankle and rotate your foot inwards towards the other leg (externally rotate hip), does this cause buttocks pain?
- Pain in and around the outer hip bone. The tightness of the muscle produces increased tension between the tendon and the bone which produces either direct discomfort and pain or an increased tension in the joint, producing a bursitis. A bursitis is an inflammation of the fluid filled sac in a joint caused by an elevation of stress and tension within that joint.
- Pain directly in the center of the buttocks. This pain can be elicited with direct compression over the belly of the buttocks area. A tight muscle is a sore muscle upon compression due to a reduced blood flow to that muscle.
- Sciatic neuralgia, or pain from the buttocks down the back of the leg and sometimes into different portions of the lower leg. The sciatic nerve runs right through the belly of the piriformis muscle and if the piriformis muscle contracts from being overused, the sciatic nerve now becomes strangled, producing pain, tingling, and numbness.If you sleep with your knee of that leg kicked out to the side (we call it the figure four position) then you need to tuck those legs in to keep them closer together to allow that muscle some space. The worst is the belly sleeping position with one leg out, so that the inside of the leg is contacting the bed.

Cause?
The Piriformis is a prime candidate for repetitive motion injury (RMI). RMI occurs when a muscle is asked to perform beyond its level of capability, not given enough time to recover, and asked to perform again. The typical response from a muscle in this situation is to tighten, which is a defensive response. This tightness, however, manifests itself in several ways to a runner.

It’s because the muscle gets shortened due to leg position (same on ITBS) you stay in a position for a long period of time, day-in and day-out, your body starts to hold the pattern. So, if you stand with your foot rotated out to the side.
- If the leg is externally rotated for an extended period of time (such as when driving) the piriformis muscle can shorten.
- Faulty foot mechanics.
- Faulty spinal mechanics.
- Gait disturbances.
- Poor posture or sitting habits.
- Disc bulge or herniation
- Disc degeneration
- Subluxation or misalignment of spinal bones
- Spasm of the Piriformis muscle in the buttocks
- Tumor of the lower spine

Relative of Piriformis Syndrome and its Differences
1. Ischial Tuberosity Pain. It is a condition in which the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve, causing pain in the buttocks and referring pain along the the path of the sciatic nerve.  The nerve pain, called “sciatica”, often goes down the back of the thigh and/or into the lower back.  The pains is deep in the buttocks.
If the center of your buttocks is not unduly tender then try firm pressure on the area of your buttocks where you actually sit. Near the bottom of your buttocks just above the crease where it separates into your thigh you’ll find a bony prominence called the Ischial tuberosity. Firmly probe with your fingers all around that bony point. If it is painful, you may have bursitis.

2. Gluteus muscle strain
- Pain when you clinch your bum cheeks
- Stretching on the bum muscles when you lift your knee towards your chest
- When you stand using a table for support or lie on your back, bend your knee at 90 degrees and slowly kick your leg backwards (donkey kick), does that hurt your buttocks?

If these are “yes” then a strain from Nordic trainer is possible.

Piriformis Syndrome’s Remedies:
Assuming a physical exam that points towards Piriformis syndrome or other “muscular” problem:

• Avoid speedwork; you should not run hills or on uneven terrain.
• Cut back your training volume, and then return to running pre-injury training volume and intensity gradually.
• Cut back your speed work and hill running
• Applying heat pack and interferential electrical stimulation (IFC) surrounding the painful area for 12-15 minutes
• Cut back your training volume, and then return to running pre-injury training volume and intensity gradually.
• Cut back your speed work and hill running
• Very gentle post-isometric stretching of the Glute and Piriformis muscles
• 630 nM cold laser at 4,9,33 and 60 settings at the buttocks and thigh during the above stretching
• Chiropractic manipulation as needed of the pelvis and sacrum
• Ice for 10 minutes

1. Piriformis Stretch 1.
If you are avoiding the doctor, you will need to work on stretching your piriformis muscle. One method of doing so is to lie on your back, bend the affected knee and hip (illustrated above). Grasp your knee with the right hand and push toward your left shoulder. Grasp your right ankle with your left hand and rotate the leg inward.

2. To stretch the hip adductor muscles, sit on the floor and put the soles of your feet together, holding your feet with your hands. Very gently pull yourself forward until you feel a stretch, not pain, in the groin muscles. Make sure to lean from the hips and lower back, not the upper back and neck. Hold this stretch for 20 to 30 seconds. Work on stretching all of the muscles of the hip, as they will have been affected by the alteration in gait.

3. Strengthening the hip abductors is very important. Lie on your side and lift the upper leg 25 to 30 inches, making sure that your pelvis remains perpendicular to the floor. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Perform 10 repetitions at the start and gradually increase the number over time. As you become stronger, you may wear an ankle weight while performing this exercise. You can work other major hip muscles in a similar manner, lying on your back for the flexors, on your abdomen for the extensors (upper hamstrings) and on your side with the upper (non-exercise) leg moved back for the adductors.

4. Pretzel Stretch.  Start off by lying on your back, bend your knees and cross your right leg over your left so that your right ankle rest on your left knee in a figure four position. Then bring your left leg towards your chest by bending at the hip. Reach through and grab your left thigh to help pull things toward your chest.)

5. Standing active stretch (lift injured leg, rotate leg inward, pointing toward other leg, and hold for 10 seconds, repeat).
6. Lying down active stretch (lying down face down, bend your knee at a right angle so that your lower leg is pointing straight up, now rotate your leg so that your foot moves outward, away from you, when you reach maximum stretch hold for 10 seconds, repeat).
7. Lie on back, flex injured hip and knee, grasp injured knee with uninjured-side hand, pull knee towards uninjured-side shoulder, grasp just above right ankle with injured-side hand, and rotate ankle outwards.
8. Stand on your uninjured foot, place injured foot on chair such that injured knee and hip are flexed at about 90 degrees. Now, using injured side hand, press the injured knee across towards the other side of the body while keeping the ball of the injured foot on the same spot of the chair.
9. Golf/Tennis ball massage. Sit on it.  If massage isn’t in your budget, try self-massage with a tennis or gold ball.  While sitting on the floor, place the tennis ball under your buttocks and gradually ease your body weight on the ball. While rolling the area slowly, take note of sensitive or painful spots (trigger points).  Sit on the sore area for 15 seconds and continue rolling.  This mimics a massage (not exactly) and can help break up the trigger points, relaxing the muscle and increasing blood flow to the area. A physical therapist can also help you perfect your self-massage technique.
Also, by using a foam roller you can begin to correct normal muscle function, releasing tension in the knee and hip joints.  Less tension means less risk for injury.

So now the pain has moved away from my bum muscles but still in my upper hamstrings same leg where I am nursing the ITBS .

Blackmore’s Sydney Running Festival ‘09: Cheeky Renegade Runners

Even when the registration opened, I am not sure why I wasn’t too motivated or there was no magic feeling or urge to register in the Sydney Marathon which is yearly held every September.

I wasn’t even injured at that time which would be a good excuse not to do any race, and even received a marketing scheme of the organizers sending the participants last 2008 their certificates and advertising the event.  Maybe I thought it was too expensive and well I had planned for a longish race somewhere else… that woud be revealed soon as it comes.

Anyway the Sydney Running Festival is memorable to me as year 2007 when I first visited Australia, I was so glad that It was of the right timing that my business trip was of the same time with the running event.  I was still new in running in that time and I did the 9Km where I finshed a decent time.  The year after, 2008, I decided to do my half-marathon debut on this event, which was memorable too.

Usually there are no races that goes at the same time with big races like this so I am not racing this Sunday.  Since I am trying to still be fit and have a slow training despite injury, this would be good of not racing and no pressure and thought maybe pace someone from the running club, Woodstock Runners.

So got on the emails and Rick Collins was happy to get paced with.  Terry and I were actually discussing we would be waiting for Dot or Kerry along the course then Rick emailed.  I wasn’t too sure at first about it as the Thursday before this Sunday we had a recovery slowish run where my ITBS on the left leg was really acting up.  Which went on till Saturday that I did not whinge about.  Rick also run just a lil quick than I am on Woodstock handicap so I am not sure about pacing him, yet again when I asked him what time was he hoping to finish, he said around 1:50-1:52 and will be happy if he gets a 1:49:59.  That’s still more than 5 min/KMs so that’s okey I thought.  Was praying hard that the knees won’t act up really bad.  I iced the night before, had my hips on heat pack and applied Dencorub and Voltaren on my knees.

We agreed to meet Rick at Droboyd Rowing Club just after the turn around point.  But we were running late so I decided that the best point is at Norton street at the 12Km point.  We ran up Victoria road to Balmain road towards Norton covering more than 2Kms just 3-5 minutes until we are expecting Rick to be passing soon.  It was different again being on the sidelines on such event like this.  Watching a sea of Runners.  Funny few mates still recognized us standing in the sidelines it was the other way around them calling our names out and we should be us cheering and shouting their names.

Waiting at the sidelines

Half-marathon Runners

By th 10th minute, Terry saw Rick and so we called Rick and started running ahead of him till he caught up and asked how he was and he said he’s doing good.

It might be a lil bit dodgy running with much energy amongst the hald marathoner’s some already puffed and tired and we were still fresh and full of energy.  We tried to stay ahead of Rick for a few meters or just run beside him.   He tries to catch us so that’s good.  He is still looking strong when we reached the 16th Km marker or so.

Then he was picking his pace up by 1.5 KM to finish, amazing after running that distance he still had that energy and we kept psyching him on the way its just a few more kilometers to finish.  I was looking at my watch and thinking approximately 2 minutes past 1:50 he will cross the finish line.  Just before we reach the Opera house and It seem like Rick caught up with Lee Baker another running mate and he was doing well, I thought we’d just pull out at Circular Quay before Marshalls say something.

We tried our best yet we still got naughty looks amongst the marshalls, we did not see who were sitting at one corner.  They made some comment we did not bother as it a half joke for me, so we ignored it and slowly jogged towards the finish cute to watch and maybe see other Woodstock and people we know doing the run finish.  I saw my PT running, I remember her telling me she is doing her first half marathon.

As we thought most of the people we knew who was running the half were all finished and the sun was getting too strong and getting hungry for breaky, we decided to leave and go home.  Too bad we did not see the Marathon winner cross the finish line but who knew just before our ferry home left the harbor, we saw the 1st Marathoner came in, and later learned it was JULIUS SEUREI of Kenya who finished a quick 2:17:07, followed by KOJI TANIGUCHI, and JEREMEY HORNE of Japan and Australia respectively.

I think it was more humid and warmer last year, and the organizers at least improved (at least as it seem like it) on the water stations.  Still we saw a number of runners were picked by the Medical Unit of either heat or cramps or something.  (Hopefully they end up going ok ).

And who knows, by lunch time we got an acknowledgment letter from Rick:

It was a good run for us, even I did feel in some point that the knees was starting to be painful and I ignored it which went away.  I forgot to tell you, It is one of undescribebable fullfilling (feeling) of bringing home someone to finish a PB.  It was like winning someonething.

Its my first renegading in Oz, being naughty for not paying up (although I know number of runners do this too, the only thing you don’t get is the finisher medal and your time being clocked).  I am still hoping by my next long run this ITBS on both legs just goes away soon, and I mean soon!!!

Number of the Woodstock got in Top 10 in the Category placing on different events from Full to 9Km.  This years event had more or less 35000 registrants in all the event.

Results

Gladesville Rotary: Bridge to Bridge Fun Run 2009

One of our Woodstock seniors, Barry Cole, no miss advertises his fun run every year, The Gladesville Rotary Bridge to Bridge Fun Run.

Barry Cole is the Race director for this race.  It is one of the events that takes place in the Ryde Aquatic Festival.

Barry and Brendan

He kept on telling and saying that hopefully it is going to be a beatiful day for his run.  I think the running gods heard him too well and made it far perfect of very hot and dry 30 degrees.  John picked us up at 710 am as we proceed to Kissing point in Gladesville.  John is volunteering however, since Terry is injured they swapped places and.was the opposite.
Terry did the volunteer job of registering entrants and John who did his superman stint from tracksuit to running shorts under his clothes to participate in the event.

We were early so we got a lot of to chat with the Woodstock who are volunteers in the run and warm-up.  It is already 20 past eight and its very hot and i kept going back the first Aid tent to hydrate myself.  Last year this event was wet from rain pour and was nearly cancelled.  Now, it was the oppossite.

I haven’t been in racing pace lately as my ITBS has not recovered itself yet.  Even I went to the sports massage for the 2nd tr eatment, I was told that my hip muscles are still too tight.  I can feel the Bum pain as well.  I knew that I wouldn’t be of the best speed still.  I am running this for fun and contribution to Barry.  I also have ran this course once, and its one of the most difficult courses I’ve had in NSW.  Hilly, very hilly, mix of grass, track stairs climbing up and down, and through the bushland and with the temperature I know its going to be a slow one.

The late start did not help either, as whistle is started just past 9am.  I positioned myself at the end of the pack where the 5Km walkers are to run my own pace no pressure of racing.  I need to run smart with this injury.

I was running beside Tami but I know she is quicker than me and I did not try to keep up with her.  Paul Witthway whom I run at the same time on TNTs are quicker than me this times just went ahead too.  And we reached Tristan who ran with Brendan at the start was slowly slowing down his pace.

I was caught by Rachinaus of Coolrunning at the parkland where the stairs are.  We were running side by side as she kept on hearing my whicnging its too hot.  And I pulled away going ahead as we reached the top where Rick Collins was doing his marshalling sitting pretty beside his Mazda.

It was hot, no wind, no water station in sight yet.  I still can see Tami ahead of me by 50 meters.  Then at around 6 Kms she went to a detour and found a bubbler.  I thought she went for a pee break.  Alas at 7 Kms marker I saw Kevin and Jeff who is manning the event’s water statiion.  I slowed down to get my cup of water but I missed i tipped my cup over and fell to the ground.  I was so thristy and was thinking should I go back for a drink or not and I just decided I will still make it in 15 minutes approximately 3 more kilometers I will be fine.

Slowly runners were dropping off from heat exhaustion and hills that come one after another seem endless.  Caught up and passed maybe 2 runners ahead of me.  I did walk twice on big hills, I could not be bothered racing and hurting myself with the heat and no water I told myself.  And just compensated and continued running when I can again.  Not until the last little hill towards the finish, I was defeated mentally and i di walk a little bit and heard footsteps behind me.  It was the senior runner who always beats me on fun runs again! he caught up with me.  I was trying to catch Fumi who was ahead of me at least.  But anyway I did not sprint, I am tired I wasn’t racing.  I finish slower than last year, no doubt at 52:58 minutes.

Not only that the Woodstock was well represented on volunteering in marshalling this fun run as a tradition, most of the Woodstocks were bemedalled, Michael Cantley who came 5th overall and 1st in his age category, Kazu Takahashi 1st age Category, John Dawlings 3rd Age category, Fumi Takahasi 1st Age category, Tami Dower 2nd Age Category, Peta Bray 2nd Age Category.

We waited till the pressies finished for the fun run and head off.

Event:  Bridge To Bridge Fun Run
Location: Gladesville, NSW, Australia
Distance: 10KM
Time: 52:58, 7th FOall, 1st Age Category

News and Results

Woodstock Off to Commonwealth World Championships

Tomorrow, 15th of September 2009, one of our best mates in Woodstock, Brendan Davies is off to Keswick, Cumbria, England to represent Australia on the Commonwealth World Championships.

He will be running the 100KM event of this sporting event.

Brendan has been chosen to run this event by the Australia Ultra Running Association (AURA) when he won his 1st 100KM overnighter at Narabeen last January 10, 2009 with a time of 8:07:16.

The Woodstock Running Club is very proud to have such a dedicated runner like him who is there just not to win for himself but by emcouraging and motivating other runners in improving their times and getting out to get fit.

Two weeks ago, the Woodstock Runners – organized by Thalia Anthony, held a Pizza Fund Raiser night for Brendan’s trip to England.  Which was very much participated by his Family and friends.  Also his trip was sponsored by the Woodstock and funds raised by the chocolates by Tristan Iseli, another Woodstock mate.

In Brendan’s thank you email on the fundraiser night, he said: “When I received the phone call from AURA that I had been selected, the honour of representing my country was the last thing really on my mind. That’s not why I run, not for recognition or anything like that, it’s because it’s something I enjoy doing and something that I enjoy pushing myself to achieve in, a bit like a personal challenge. Yet since I’ve told people about it, you have made me realise that in fact it is an real honour and privilege to be selected and it is the opportunity of a lifetime. So thank you for that. I hope along the way, and I know I have tried, to be as encouraging and supportive in your pursuits, whether they be running or anything else in your  life as well….
:
:
I wlll be doing my absolute best in England, I have trained well, put time into preparation, and am tweaking my strategy so I stick to it! I can honestly say I am the fittest I have ever been so all going well,  I will hopefully put in a good performance. But one thing I can honestly say is that when it hurts, when the kilometres are taking more and more time to complete, when my body is aching and crying out to stop and the chair is the temptation, I will have plenty of memories to spur me on; your kind words and thoughts replaying in my mind to motivate me and keep me positive and strong. This is the real support. I know it is real because I felt it and will be calling on it when I reach the 75km mark no doubt!“

For the record, Woodstock is proud to send two runners for the event.  Brendan will be joined by our newly joined Woodstock member Tim Cochrane on the same distance event.

We can follow the race which will be held on the 19^th starting at 8am English time, (5pm on Saturday GMT+10).

The official website is http://www.cumbriacommonwealthchampionships.org/index.htm

The Coolrunning thread where there may be some discussion and updates is here: http://www.coolrunning.com.au/forums/index.php?showtopic=24510&hl=commonwealth

Tristan and Tami giving Brendan Goodluck hugs after the Bridge to bridge, Brendan won 3rd outright

Go Woodstockers! Bring home the Gold!

Woodstock Handicap 3 ‘09: I Over Estimated!

This is already 2 weeks stale post but I still want to post it.  On week 35’s Thursday, I did a bay run and tried to feel if my knees is upto running back again as I have just been doing cylces, swimming and elliptical at the gym.

So I did, I was feeling okey no pains but not quick enough.  Coming Saturday is Woodstock’s Handicap series race 3 for the year.  I haven’t nominated my time yet.  I was hesitant to put something.  However the night before i nominiated 33 minutes.  I just made good estimate first one, underestimated myself in second one so I thought this probably be close enough to what I will do.

Woke up 5 minutes before 7.  Dressed up, freshened up, stretched and off i went for a slow run toward Brett park  over the Iron cove bridge, carrying Rundown stuff I received from Llyod last month I need to return and the Goodluck card for Brendan.  It was funny running with something in your hands aside from water bottle, an ipod or a towel!

So I reached the start area, and was very different to the last time we were there, the grass was changed to parking space, and Colin have to move start point backwards to accomodate finish point to an earlier point than before for safety purposes.  It started to sprinkle, and the skies were grey.  It was not a good weather but good as its cold not humid.

Woodies started taking off by 730.  I started with Tony Purss, whom I think went very quick and burned me.  Im still not too wise to go witth my own pace! I was puffed by halfway and I was tired and not wanting to go further, but of course I do not quit!  By the time we reached Haberfield side, headwinds were blowing us from the lake which makes it difficult and my steps in running seem do not make any difference and I feel I was not moving.  I gave up and walked for a bit and started gaining my breath again, jogging and picking my pace when I reached La Montague at Lilyfield.  This is where I ussually catch up with the earlier runners.  This time no runners in sight.

I reached the offroad bit in the old Mental hospital, I caught up to Jeff and then Dot, I was passed by Tony too which I was too tired too respond.  I can see the bridge now and its about kilometer or less now and I should be finishing.  I can feel the tightness in my leg muscles, my left bum is painful too.

I reached the finish with a time of 34:29, 1 minute 29 seconds off my estimate! I am ranked 2nd now in tie with Roy Rankin and very close to either Anthony who is ahead of me and Brendan who is next to us.  Let’s see if I keep my place on October and I get my estimates right!

As usual we had a great bar-b and chat with the Woodstockers, the winners got their wine and movie tickets and the internal winners in C2S has been recognized and awarded as well.

Event: Woodstock Handicap 3 2009
Venue: Bay run, NSW, Australia
Distance: 7 KM
Time: 34:29

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Profile 9 Being fit and weight loss: Emmanuel Chandran

Last May a new runner joined the Woodstock for a 7Km handicap run around the Bay.  Being me passive and shy to strangers :p I did not get the chance to say hi.  The following day he ran with us at the Heart of the Lake at Bankstown and he finally joined Woodstock runners.

Then he diligently started running with the group every Thursday on Speed training.  I try to run with him on the group together with Paul Witthaway.  He is a sprinter and regularly plays soccer.  He patiently waits for me plodding along and encourages me every lap.

One day while browsing at the coolrunning website, I saw him! i meant I saw his post that he was once overweight! I was curiuos as a cat and the next Thurday training night I meekly asked him if it was true, and he said it was!  But anywa it gave me the opportunity to interview him!  So I emailed him and asked him THE questions …

What is your heaviest weight? I was just under 140 kilos or possibly over but it seems so far away that I may have blocked some of it out of my memory!!
What is your current weight? I fluctuate between 70-72 kilos.
What was you lightest weight? During a slightly dodgy period in my life I dropped to around 63 kilos.
What made you realize you need to get back on track and being fit and healthy? I was around 21 years old, I ran to the bus and I got on and I realised I was breathless and my vision temporarily blacked out for a second or two….i was sweating and felt very unwell. That was it, I made my mind up then but it has taken me around ten and a bit years to get to my present stage.

Do you have a special diet? What is it? My diet is based around a little of everything and not too much of one thing. My daily pattern works like this
– a black coffee when I wake up (5am ), then I am off to the gym (6am), finish gym have a banana (7am ), get to work and have my breakfast which will be something like sultana bran or a cereal which has several different grain ( but careful about anything with too much sugar ) (8.00am ), I  drink green tea throughout the day, take my multivitamins straight after breakfast, then at around 10am I have an apple, at 11am I have my lunch which something like a wrap with a handful of salad and some beef mince curry, at around 12.30 I have handful of nuts and dried fruit, at 2pm I have two small mandarins, at 3pm I have a pita wrap with a handful of salad with tuna and corn, at 4pm I have a couple of vita whole grain crackers, get home and either have dinner or go for a second gym session lasting no more than 30 mins which includes stretching and light cardio ( this session is reliant on how I am feeling so I won’t push my self too much, this session is meant to ease my muscles and bones ), when I get home at around 7pm I have again meal of say something like a small portion of brown rice with curry ( I LOVE CURRY!!!! ) salad and sometimes some vegetables with a glass of orange juice. And finally at around 8pm I have a mug of soya milk with a spoonful of protein powder to prevent muscle breakdown when I sleep. So there u go I am a little piggy.

Current sports you do, or other things/hobbies that you like doing? – currently my main focus is running and my cross training are focused on this. Would like to play football ( soccer ) but very aware of picking up needless injuries. I am starting to do more weight sessions in the gym. Already do bosu work, some ab work, cycle work, cross trainer, will start swimming soon in my new gym and I regularly go bush walking with a bush walking group ( at least once a month minimum ). The general idea is to keep myself active. I play cricket when I get opportunity. I play tennis sometimes during summer.

Can I ask for a photo of you before and after your weight loss gain?
As for picture of when I was chubby, sorry, its far too graphic to show anyone. Sorry. My mother keeps them locked up ( under my strict instructions ). I am sure it will be an inspirational tool for u, but it brings back some very bad memories for me…sorry mate. As for my present picture, I can one of those to you but did u want a head shot or some kind of Atlas type pose?? haha! Let me know.

Hope this is helpful mate.

In another incident I really tried to get his past picture (trying my luck and not being bad! as mentioned I just want to inspire people who think THEY CAN NOT) and I got this answer: “Mate I really look scarey! I am like a Tiger, with stripes all over me because of the stretchmarks so Imagine how I was before.”

Fair enough! Anyway I got snaps of him running the Bay Run, Breaking his first handicap with the Woodstock with a new record of 32 minutes!  And he just recently ran the tough Willy to Billy Bush run.

1st from left

Thanks Mani for giving me the chance to write your story online.  May we bring inspiration to those who think they can’t .

Bankstown Hidden Half and 5KM Mayoral Run/walk 2009

I am not ready to race again after that City to Surf.  Scared I would be in pain that I havent looked ahead of what race to run that coming Sunday.  There are a few races that Sunday but I havent decided what i wanted to do that Sunday.  Do a longer run and not race or race.

I went that Saturday afternoon to help John tweak his Balmain Fun Run on November 2 and he said he is running the Bankstown.  I told him I will ring him should I change my mind.  By 1030ish we were okey to run 5Km slow and fun.  So I sent SMS to John afraid that I might wake him up when I ring that we are coming along with him.

Woke up late! and was 3 minutes late at 630 meeting agreement with John! As we appologized and head off to Bankstown.  Arrived there at 710 and 5Km race starts at 745 while the half starts at 730.  A number of Woodstock are participating both events.

Come to think of it, it has been a long time that I havent race this distance.  Interesting to know how I would go however as I reminder I will be doing slow careful run at this event.  Stretched, and warmed up and we stayed at the back of the pack.  Gun was fired and we lazed our self to the route.  I knew even if i am fit I am not sure if I would like to run the half marathon distance here.  Rn the 12Km heart of the lake which is a tough course and so the half which is incorporated with the half marathon distance of the race.

Emmanuel Chandran

Slowly we built up, slowly overtaking runners.. We saw Emmanuel who is doing half on the way and passed him.  The course is almost flat with very very minimal inclines.  By 3rd kilometer my left ankle was burning and I knew that if I speed up more I would just bust the foot so I tried to remain on the pace I was going just below 5min/km.  Terry continued on and went ahead of me as I told him to go ahead.  I was eyeing to ladies of the same age category as I am looking fit runner.  I was aimin to beat them in time at least, which I am glad to have overtaken them just before the 2nd Kilometer.

As we reached the parking lot, I knew i am almost home and we were directed at the grass as I finished 23.37 chip time.  I felt happy as my knees did not act up and it was sub 25 minutes.

Surprised to get into the age category 2nd place and 7th female overall and I am pleased.  We left before the raffle prizes as they linger and we learned we got called for backpacks!  I felt it was too short run and my lungs wasn’t too puffed as last week which I am glad.

Oh BTW, this will be my last age category awards in the age limit 20-29 … as on the 21st I am turning into a new age category which is tougher, and more challenging group.  Lucky would I still be winning next time not until I wait when I get stronger when im at 35 I reckon.

The Woodies

What: Bankstwown Hidden Half
Where: Bankstown, NSW
Distance: 5KM
Time: 23:37, 2nd F19-29, 7th FOall

Results
Half Marathon
5 km

City 2 Surf 2009: World breaker for most numbered participants @ 75k!

The City 2 Surf is one of the events Sydney celebrates or awaits.  For non runners – some are pissed because the roads are closed and traffic is expected, and for runners and walkers because this is one of the most fun (-not as it is also too crowded) but festive and particpated.  For the record, this foot race has been running for 38 years already!

This year tallied to be the be the biggest run in the world.  This is followed by JP Morgan Corporate Challenge in Frankfurt with 69,042 official entries, the Cursa El Corte Ingles in Barcelona with 57,175 and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree 10k with 55,000, and the inspiration, the San Francisco Bay to Breakersheld in May this year with only 31,626 registered runners, plus an estimated 31,000 unregistered.

With the statistics, the event was able to race money for different charities at more than 2.1 Million AUD.

Last year, I was in the green bib.  Lucky that I am able to enter in the green as I am a first timer and should start at te back of the back or at least in the Blue Bib.  Making use of my Philippine 10KM times they allowed me to join the green bib for runners doing a 75 Min-85Min.  Lucky last year I was able to go under 75 Mins at 71:xx that allowed me to start with the red bib SH1, which is two group behind the elite/initational runner and the preferred/seeded runners.

I got the race packs Friday.  This will be my first run in two weeks of rest after putting myself into injury in the Hunter Valley Half Marathon.  I have not had any long runs since then.  And the last visit I had with my physio told me I can run the event as long as I take it slow.  I was skeptical how I would perform, the best thing i was planning to do anyway is stay safe and avoid getting myself more injured.  Finish the race and if I feel better, speed up and target the time estimate I sent our internal teams in Woodstock as 70 minutes, even hoping for a sub 70!!

Anyway, got up before 7, prepared quickly and dashed to the bus stop.  As usual the participants like us are waiting at the bus stop and there are are no buses since its sunday.  Lucky after 10 minutes of wait two arrived at the same time that brought us to QVB where we walked and had to queue for a loo at McDonalds which took as centuries!

By the time we got to hyde park, we did have to search where the bag drop off is which is 1 block away where we were and so we went dropped the bags and by the time we reached the SH1 group we were at the sidelines at the end part.  This did not worry me, it’s good at least no pressure of needing to go faster with the people in front.  By 9 the gun was Fired by Olympic Swimmer Peter Sullivan.

After 30 or so seconds we started to walk … and jog passing the mats.  it was an okey pace not until we reached the hills where i was puffed.  I blame this for not running much.  It was hard, however we tried to keep with our pace.  I knew I was going over 5min/km pace.

Then when we reached heart break hill, i was puffed and wheezing and I did have to walk around 20 seconds and tried to run again.   Then another stop and walk on top of hear break hill after the water station I knew I was loosing time but I it was hard pushing myself too much i need to walk!  After that I told myself to run and no more walking.  I tried to keep up and most were already downhill with some not so big inclines and hills.  at 10Kms I do now feel my knees hurting.  I knew why.  It was the downhill tha caused it that I did try not to run as quick and pray i get there before 75 minutes.

I already knew I was way off my estimates and wish time.  At least the pain were not as painful as the one in hunter valley.  So 2 more kilometers when you hear the finish line announcements and you can see the beach.  Conserving my energy I was hanging on to finish the race.  I was tired and exhausted.  Hating my injury that caused me to stop training.

We reached the finish line at 73.44 minutes gun time.  And at the end learned to finish at 72:05 which I am glad as there are rumors they might cut the red bib start at 73minutes  I am not so pleased with my run as I am slower than my 1st C2s but still pleased I finished.

The Woodstock Open women team which I am in got into 5th place out of 94 teams.  Our Woodstock teams got 1st in the Women Veterans, 2nd in Men Veterans and 3rd in Mixed team.

It was a fun run.  I am hoping to do better next year.  I am not just sure If i do want to go through all the hassle of queue in bathroom and drinks and food and bus after the race, after 75000++ runners and their supporters …

Some photos are borrowed from Marathonphptos.com.

Results
Photos