Perfect timing…

Yelsha PiaLeave a comment

The past 48+ hrs have been awful. I can’t remember being this ill in years! Being bedridden with muscle pain and headaches is not fun. I hardly ever needed to cough or blow my nose though. And when I did, I was somewhat relieved seeing the phlegm and nasal discharge weren’t showing any signs of an infection. I guess this came at a good time, too……

A week after GC, I took it easy with a couple of short runs. The week after I started my 2nd training block of the year. The latter part of that week though, I started feeling what potentially could’ve been PF! I thought it could’ve been caused by not turning over my old runners in time. I was already overdue approx. a month out fr GC (I’ve since ordered/received the same model runners). And most notably, slacking off fr rehab! In denial, but knew it was more the latter.

So last week, I backed off from running and kept up the endurance with back to back classes at the gym (HIIT and kick-boxing), spent a couple of days focusing on strength and did a yin yang yoga class to focus on flexibility, breathing and distressing from it all.

Late last Thursday evening I noticed that my throat started developing phlegm and I was constantly trying to clear my throat. Instantly I knew my body was either going to fight or surrender to something nasty.

I mustered the energy to go to work on the Friday because I had an appointment with Alex from the Running Room regarding potential PF. Heel pain’s not PF. Moreso minor tendinitis. A case of, “I caught this niggle in it’s early stages!” Heel got taped and we got to discussing parkrun and SH10K on the weekend. Only if I was feeling well was I to run SH10K. I also needed to ensure parkrun was a slow jog. Then come Monday, we’d evaluate the heel concern and how it responded to the runs. Surely enough, my body shut down as soon as I got home from seeing Alex.

No parkrun. No SH10K. I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. I remember waking up at like 1PM on the Saturday with no energy at all. But I was desperately needing a fresh fruit smoothie. Despite the pain, I prepared myself breakfast (piece of toast with peanut butter and honey + that fresh fruit smoothie) and boy was it tasteless. My body thanked me for it though. I could feel the juices energizing me up again. I still felt so feral though. The rest of Saturday was spent asleep, resting.

I had my BFF run the SH10K for me. He did such an amazing job and I couldn’t be any more proud. I felt what I thought to be 90% recovered already on the Sunday morning when I woke up with the potential to relapse (Aries are known to be so hasty). So I joined my family at brunch after the SH10K to celebrate their achievements at the event. It was a good Sunday but there was nothing to report back to Alex with as I’ve done zero running.

I listened to the body today and let it rest a little more. My nose is even more congested. But then going to sleep is a chore as my nose would spontaneously decide to run profusely. And now this is all a mess of complaints *queue cricket sound*

KISS – It’s been over a week since I’ve ran because of heel pain and illness.
Next race is City2Surf. And the next tentative races are as follows:
– Sydney Running Festival Blackmores half marathon
Hoping to feel better by the end of this week so I can finally start the last training block of the year….

the sub 2 half at #gcm19

Yelsha PiaLeave a comment

Never did I ever think…… No wait, I did think it though. The week leading up to race day, all I could remember thinking to myself is sub 2 and 1:58/59. The thought of 2:01/02 may have crossed my mind. But only fleeting. Then again, sub 2 and 1:58/59. That’s exactly how I said it. “Sub 2. 1:58/59.” And that’s exactly how the race ended. But better………

I started in group B where runners in this group are expected to finish the race between 1:50 – 2:00. When I arrived in the zone, I immediately saw the 2hr pacers with their balloons bobbing up and down in the air. I knew this wasn’t good. I was advised to stay clear of pacers as they’re a distraction and mess up my mental game. But by then it was inevitable. I accepted what I was up against and next thing you know, we were off! Considering the 2hr pacers, I immediately told myself to ironically (in no particular order) run my own race regardless and to stick as close to them as possible. I thought that running behind them with at least a distance of a few meters will be enough for me to sprint past them near the finish line and just scrape through with a sub 2. During the race, I learnt that there was another pair of 2hr pacers somewhere up the back. So basically I was running at the front of the 2hr bus. Knowing this, I told myself not to let the last pair of 2hr pacers pass me and continue sticking to the front.

I think at about the 5KM mark, I started refreshing the distance. I told myself, “OK, now get to 7. No wait. Just get to 6. It’s OK, Yelsha. Just get to 6.” Then when I got to 7KMs, I took an Endura gel. Slowly but surely, I consumed this gel. It fuelled me to another few KMs and I felt good. The 1st pair of 2hr pacers were still in sight. Just after the 11KM mark and before the turn around point, I noticed I had ran past them! Then it started showering and I thought, “Oh no. Please don’t escalate to rain!” Luckily, the showers were brief. A lady that was running alongside me yelled out to her friend, “If you want a sub 2, then stick with me. I’ll get you there!” Oh boy. Another “pacer”. I shook that thought away and took back the control. Also, I can’t recall at what point the elite runners ran past. But as they did, I clapped and cheered them on. I tried not to get too carried away. I caught myself just in time and reset my focus.

The next few KMs were me talking to myself to just get to the next KM. “OK Yelsha. Get to 10KMs. Get to 11. Get to 12.” And to keep my mind busy, I counted how many more KMs left to go using my fingers. So as my Garmin buzzed to 12KMs, I counted, “OK Yelsha. That’s 12KMs down. So 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21KMs. That’s another 9KMs. You’ve got this. Get to 13KMs.” At 14KMs, I took another Endura gel. But only after what felt like a struggle to tear it open. Then I thought to myself, “Only 7KMs more to go, Yelsha. Another 2KMs and you’ve a parkrun. You’ve got this!”

When I neared a parkrun, I thought, “That’s like <30mins til the finish, Yelsha!” But boy did these last 5KMs feel like the toughest. I counted down to 3 more KMs. I almost felt like my mind was slipping away because my body felt like it was fatiguing. But I remembered that this is normal. Just push through it as you’re not even past 40% done (considering the 40% rule). Plus, there are other runners out there running 42KMs and you’re only running half the distance with only 3KMs left til the finish. Get it together!

The last 3KMs were a bit of a blur. But I remember stopping my Garmin vividly as I crossed the finish line and to see 1:56:29 staring back at me…. Gobsmacked! Ironically, the half marathon took me that long to complete. But my goodness, did it finish in a flash! It was the fastest half I’ve ever ran and I did not stop at all. Historically, I’d stop at the drink stations and consume my drink ever so carefully and then try to make up for lost time afterwards. This time, I grabbed a cup of water and gulped down some water as best I could WHILST I ran.

The water dripped down my chin which I wiped away with my hands. And my nose was on tap! I blew it a few times using my black singlet. My fingers and mouth were sticky from the Endura gels I had consumed. Yes, I was one ugly and awkward runner! But I had a mission. I was in control. It was my sub 2 to run. And I did it!

At the finish line, I had flashbacks of how I felt during my training runs. I was struggling so bad mentally and it was discouraging. And then to be on the other side of that finish line and feel that sense of achievement knowing what I’ve overcome. It’s indescribable and I don’t think I’ll ever have the words to truly convey it. If you were to talk to me about it now, you’d think I’d just finished cutting onions! Even as I edit this post nearly over a week since the race, I still get emotional just thinking about it!

It truly is incredible to think how strong the mind is. I was struggling mentally during my training runs and luckily, I managed to pull through during a tempo run that was less than a week out from race day. It was proof that I had what it takes to win. When the legs want to run but the mind gives up. During this race however, I reminded my mind who was in control. Physically, I felt strong and capable. It was my mind that got me through it.

For this, I have my running coach, Kel to thank. And David Goggins.

1 year on….

Yelsha PiaLeave a comment

………and I’m still in the same place in life. I haven’t progressed onwards and upwards as I’d encourage people on a few of my Instagram posts. I’m literally in the same place as where I was a year on. Sad, but true.

I guess that’s where running comes into play. There are so many things in my life I can’t control. Whereas I find that with running, I can. Whatever I choose to put into my running, is what I get out of it. More on this later I guess.

Unfortunately, captions are one of my greatest weaknesses so it’s a little ironic I’m attempting to keep a blog. If I’m being honest, I’m not at that point in my life yet where I can truly express certain views. For example, when women post about empowerment. As much as I wish I could, I’m still trying to dig deep and search for that myself.

What I’m currently doing is trying to find freedom. I’m trying to find my place in this World. I’m trying to find the answers as to why God has given me this life. I’ve feel that I’ve so much to give yet I feel restricted from giving my all. And giving my all means to me. To myself. I give so much to everything around me and ask for nothing in return. Yet I get nothing in return.

I was driving home one day and stopped a few metres from a set of traffic lights. I noticed up ahead a short lane to turn right. You can only merge into this short lane from the middle lane. So if you’re in the middle lane and need to get into the short lane to turn right, you need to wait for the cars infront of you to continue driving forward. Then I thought. Yep, this scenario sums up my life perfectly.

I’m in the middle lane and the cars infront of me are in my way. I need to get into the short lane to turn right because I need to get somewhere. But I can’t move until the cars move first. Otherwise, how else can I get to where I need to go?

Needless to say, I’m stuck. And obviously I have major concerns in life I’m trying to address. Until then, I’ll be unable to inspire and convey a level of positivity. I’m actually really afraid that I might die young without having even tried.

I always tell people that if you ask me what’s new in 6 months to a year’s time, I can almost guarantee you to “check back with me then and I bet you I’ll be in the same place as where I am right now.” I’m trying to change that mindset though. But the progress is slow.

I’m unsure how to close this post so I’ll leave this as is.

The Journey Begins

Yelsha PiaLeave a comment

Actually, the journey began ages ago. In my early – mid 20’s. I was a recreational runner. Only entered runs for the fun of it and never for time. With every race, I’d wing it.

The real race started in late 2017. Being in my early 30’s, my life seemed like it was going nowhere. Actually, it was going nowhere. Even now, if you were to ask me where I’d be 6 months from now, realistically, I’d still be where I am typing this blog post. So I needed a distraction from life and it’s possibilities and what better way to stay distracted than to set a goal and work hard and consistently towards achieving it?!

That goal was to train and run a half marathon.

I prepared myself both mentally and physically for the start of my serious running journey. I had seen the physio to help resolve my L5 S1 disc irritation on my lower back, saw a sports podiatrist who put me in customs orthotics and a couple of pairs of runners and performed a Running Biomechanics Analysis/Assessment. I got a running coach to help me with all facets of my training. I also started an Instagram account to help me literally get out of my shell and to immerse myself with people who have a passion for running. I needed to get out of my comfort zone and experience first hand the joys of what it could possibly feel like to achieve something for once.

So with 2 half marathons already under my belt, this is a continuation of my running journey that’ll see me run a sub 2 half marathon this year and hopefully run a marathon within the next couple of years.

This is also my personal journey of what happens outside of my running. The highs and lows, the challenges and miscellaneous ramblings. Not quite a platform. More so a space for me to share (with brutal honesty) my life from here on in.