Yes, I do stitch occassionally.

I don't post very often about my stitching exploits. And while I do spend most of my free time running the trails, every evening is my special time to sit and stitch. I must confess that very little time has been spent with Madame Bernina but I have been doing lots of Cross Stitching, although I am painfully slow at it. It's nice to have my evenings with the more ladylike pursuits of stitching as opposed to my days on the trails in mud and dirt.
This Lizzie Kate Design is my most recent finish. The Green Flip It Seris. I love the simplicity and the use of primary colours of Lizzie Kate design's. They are always such a pleasure to stitch.

 

I fell in love with the Monthly Word Play Designs by Brenda Gervais as soon as I saw the first one. Just knew I had to stitch them. I have started the October Design using some Valdani threads that I had on 28 count linen. These designs call for Week's Dye Work threads which are impossible to get here in South Australia so I have had to send to America for all the other threads required. I'm not sure why we can't get the variagated threads  in South Australia because we do have a big stitching fraternity here. Most of our needlework shops have long since closed so really we have no alternative but to shop online.

 

I'm still plodding on with The Shores of Hawk Run Hollow but Oh My God, it's a huge project.I pick it up and am quite diligent with it for a week or so, but then the enormity of the project hits me and I put it down for a quick project to do. However I have completed 5 blocks and am now tackling the big middle double block.
 

 

Finally I want to show you this little number that I dug up from the bottom of my ever growing UFO pile. This is a design from a Country Bumpkin Inspiration Magazine but unfortunately I no longer have the magazine or the design name to share with you. It is a 4" x 4" pin cushion stitched mostly in single strand french knots. It was an absolute pleasure to stitch but there is no way a single pin is ever going near it. It's just too beautiful to use.
I have noticed that quite a few ladies are writing on their blogs that they have set themselves a challenge of 15 minutes per day of sewing in an effort to reduce there UFO pile. I like this idea and whist hand stitching is not a problem for me, spending time with Madame Bernina is. I have a number of bags that I want to make for some dear friends plus a new nephew is due in April, so a quilt is a must for him.
Well happy stitching ladies
Thanks for visiting my blog
Cheers Karen. 

Next catch up and then I'm all up to date.

The last couple of months have mostly been about bike riding for me. I don't run quite so much in the Summer as a medical condition means I don't cope with the heat particularly well. I find the cycling is great cross training and keeps the legs turning over. I'm even managing to stay upright on the bike more this year with not so many stacks.

The two main cycling events I have done since Christmas are the Big Red Ride and the BUPA Challenge Tour which is part of the Tour Down Under. The BUPA Challenge is the community ride associated with The Tour Down Under which takes place annually each year here in Adelaide. There were 4 distances to choose from ; 130 km, 100 km, 80 km and the 30 km. I did the 100 km with Susi no Bum and the Chubby Hubby did the 30 km with our friend Lil.

Waiting to start the BUPA Challenge from left to right; Pete Worley, Me, Susi no Bum and Sue Worley.

We had a perfect day for the ride and the whole event was really well organised. We started cycling at 0700 and had until 1400 to complete it before the professional riders came through as part of the tour.
Susi and I got off to a really fast start and reached the first check point at Williamstown, 25 km in well under our target of one hour. There were a few sizeable hills in this section and as I was having trouble with the gears on my bike I had to push really hard through the legs.
Once I sorted the gears out thanks to Susi we both powered on. There were check points every 20 or so kms. but we only stopped at the one just before we tackled the King of the Mountain. Before we started this climb we loaded up on fruit cake and energy drink.

The King of the Mountain was pure EVIL. It started with a long, slow climb for 5km and then straight up Mengler's Hill. It was absolutely brutal but the atmosphere on the hill was brilliant. People lined both sides of the road cheering you on, the music was blaring and lots of folk in weird costumes provided lots of laughs. I managed to get about 3/4 of the way up cycling and then I ran out of both gears and legs. After a short recovery walk I was able to get back on my bike and cycle up the rest of the hill and through the victory arch at the top. I got such a shock that I made it to the top that I fell off here :) The final 25km was a breeze. All down hill and lots of folk lining the roads, partying and waiting for the main event. They were all very encouraging. The last 5km was hard. I was exhausted, my legs were screaming and I was developing a mega case of Bot Rot. However the sheer joy of passing through a Tour finishing lane and arch was all worth it. Susi and I finished the ride in 4 hours 20 minutes. Lil and The Chubby Hubby also enjoyed their 30 km ride although they did have a few problems with going the wrong way on the route.

Susi no Bum and Me after going through the finishing line. My face says it all.

Four of The Twisted Sisters relaxing after the Tour. L to R; Susi no Bum, Me, Tracy and Jacky.

January 26th is Australia Day here and the South Australian Road Runners always celebrate by running the Marion Coastal Trail. We start at Brighton and run the trail through to Hallet Cove and back. 16 kms in total with 1,796 stairs, it's not for the faint hearted or those with bung knees.

A section of The Marion Coastal Trail. Stair Hell or Stair Nirvana.

 

I ran this trail with Dear Friend Sonya.

 

Sonya and I dressed up for the run in Australia Day T- shirts.

After the run we all had a swim at the beach to cool off. And then we hit the coffee shops in all our wet and sandy finery.

Sonya and I have entered The Tough Mudder event on March 31.We need to do lots of upper body strength work for this event and I have been practicing climbing trees. Well I'm always looking for any excuse to have a bit of a climb. I'll be posting quite a lot more about this event over the next couple of weeks. As part of this training I have also been doing rope work in the gym with Sonya and our trainer Duncan,

The two photos here are taken of The Chubby Hubby, Lil and myself after we had taken part in the 50 km Big Red Ride Bike event. Some of the professional riders from The Tour Down Under joined us on this event which was a huge thrill.
 

Take care,

Thank you for visiting my Blog.

Cheers Karen.

A Big, Big catchup.

 Yet again a couple of months since I last posted. But as usual life gets in the way.
I can't begin this post without acknowledging the sad loss of my 16 year old pooch Lachlan just before Christmas. It was a devastating blow and to be honest I just haven't had ability to post until now.
But on a happier note we were very happy to welcome a new Doggie to our family. Meet Feebee, pictured above. She is a 4 year old Shit-zu who we have rescued from SA Dog Rescue. This organization retrieves dogs from the various pounds around our state who have not been adopted and are on the put to sleep list. She is the most beautiful and gentle little lady who is already giving us so much love. Can't understand why her previous owners dumped her.

 Me running the Portland half marathon in November, with weight loss well on the way.

Over the last 6 months I completely reviewed my eating habits and decided to stop acting like a dog and rewarding myself with food. Given the amount of running and training I was doing I should of been quite trim. But this was sadly not the case. I think I was making the same mistake  many long distance runners do ; that being putting in the long miles but filling up on carbs and junk food after because I was always so hungry. So with the help of a personal trainer I completely changed the way I was eating. 
I significantly increased my protein intake at the same time as gradually reducing my carb loading.The first 2 weeks were tough, with continual sugar cravings and feeling generally crapulent. But gradually the Brain fog began to lift, my energy levels soared and I began to lose about 500grams a week. I'm happy to tell that I have lost 8kgs, God knows how many inches and am really enjoying the type of healthy eating plan I now follow.
Also since my weight loss I have run 3 personal bests and am shaving massive amounts of time off my runs.

 Learning to climb ropes in the gym with my personal trainer.

As well as the long distance running I am still enjoying taking part in many of the bike rides we have here in Adelaide. The photo above is me with dear friends Jaqui, Lil, and Tracy just before we did the Gear up for Girls Bike Ride in early December.

This picture is of dear friend Sonya and I running together in the Glenelg Classic  just recently. I was almost at my goal weight here and for the first time in a couple of years ran 10 km. in under an hour at 59:12.

My next exciting achievement was only a week later in the Road Runners Christmas Fun Run and club championships. A 10 km. run which I ran in 56:39, a personal best for me and I won a medal for coming first in my age group. Plus I achieved this while dressed up as Mrs. Christmas in a very prickly dress.

Tracy and I in the Christmas Fun Run.

Me hamming it up for the photographer nearing the end of the run.

 

Best Friends, Tracy and I.

 

Me with Tracy's children. All three of us won our age groups on the day.

I then started the year off with a brilliant trail run; The Summit to Sea. This is a 33km. trail from the top of Mt. Lofty down to Brighton.This is the first time I have done this run without the Chubby Hubby in tow. Because of my new improved times I really wanted to see what I could achieve by myself. And as the Chubby likes to take very frequent walk breaks I have decided not to run with him anymore. Luckily Susi no Bum acted as course sweep for this event so the Chubby tagged along with her. She is recovering from recent surgery so was quite keen to take it slowly.

I had a massive result with this event and finished the 33km. in 4 hours 20. That's 1:50 hours quicker than last year. Needless to say I was mega excited. Below is a photo of running friend Nina and I together at the finish line. We finished together last year, both lost weight last year and this year ran the last 10 km. together and finished together.

Til next time folks, which I promise will only be a day or so as still have lots to share. My new year's resolution is to be a better blogger.

Cheers Karen.

Barossa Duathlon.

One of the goals I set for myself this year was to take part in a triathlon. Now this hasn't happened yet, but there is still time. However on October 16th. I competed in the Barossa Duathlon which was part of the Master's Games here in South Australia.

One of the main differences between the Chubby Hubby and I is that he is very cautious whilst I will have a go at anything and think of the consequences later.

The Chubby Hubby usually gets support from our Dear Friends John and Lil. Lil is very much like Daryl and tends to be more hesitant while John reluctantly joins me in my latest pursuit and hopes the Hell everything will work out. And so it was that I coerced John into doing the duathlon with me.

 

The duathlon involved a 5km. run, followed by a 20km.bike ride and finished with another 2.5km. run.
Both John and I are runners, although he prefers the shorter distance sprints. And we often go out for long bike rides on the weekends as a group. So on paper it all looked easy peasy and I couldn't see that it would be difficult.

 

The first 5km. run was a breeze and although I am more used to the much  slower pace of an ultra marathon I managed to keep up with the pack and came second in my age group in this leg at 27:40

I was a bit nervous about the transition which is where you have to go from running straight into the 20km. cycle leg.

 

Coming into transition.

The first 500 metres of the cycle leg was tough until my legs adjusted to the different muscle groups being used. But once the quads were warmed up it was manageable and I really enjoyed the challenge.There were a few gentle hills but with strong head winds they were hard work at times especially on my little hybrid bike.

I completed the cycle leg in 1:02:39, first in my age group.

 

Absolutely nothing could have prepared me for how my legs felt in the last leg however. Getting off the bike after a 20 km. cycle and going back into a run was hard. My legs felt like jelly and it was a weird feeling trying to get the legs to do what you wanted them to. I had very little awareness re how my legs were moving, however I again came first in my age group in14:32

My final overall time was 1:44:50, 2nd in my age group. And guess what, it was dear friend John who beat me.

Crossing the finish line on legs that felt like jelly.

John and I happily sitting in the gutter after finishing, and both of us very happy and pleased with ourselves.

Cheers and thank you for visiting,
Karen.

Yurrebilla Ultra Marathon.

 

I had unfinished business with this race this year. The Yurrebilla Ultra is a grueling 56 km. through the Mount Lofty Ranges in Adelaide following the Yurrebilla Trail. This was the 3rd year that I have taken part in this race. Two years ago I successfully completed the run but last year withdrew at 21 km as I  was really unwell on the day.

I was very nervous about this year's race as last year was such a disaster for me and was very disappointing. Apart from being unwell last year I also made some very poor choices on the day. I went out far too fast, over heated, dehydrated and had a bad reaction to my pre race nutrition which for some stupid reason I changed on the day. One thing I've learned about doing ultra marathon events is that pre race preparation is more than just simply putting in the miles on the trails.

Dear friend Susi no Bum really got stuck into me this year about my poor hydration and nutrition during a long event . I've always had issues with drinking and eating during a long run as I completely loose my appetite and consequently have had issues with dehydration and loss of energy. I must stress this is about the only time I loose my appetite but during a race is not the time to diet !!

 

So this year I completely revamped my approach to preparation and race time nutrition. The day before I increased my carb. load moderately and also hydrated on electrolyte replacement fluids. I was quite anxious about the pre race carb load as I have always been a carb addict. Over the last 2 months I have been on a lower carb eating plan, have lost 5 kg. and so was concerned a high carb meal would undo all the hard work I have done.
On the morning of the run I had my usual high protein oats and 600mls. of Endure drink before the start. 5 km. into the run I ate a high protein muesli bar. I had to really force this down but Susi's idea was that if I ate before I lost my appetite I may just be able to take in enough calories to prevent energy loss.

 

At the 35 km. mark and feeling great.

 

The Yurrebilla is well known for being the only ultra where you can actually gain weight. This is because there is a check point every 5 km. and all provide buckets of food. Now whilst I just couldn't do the pastries, sandwiches, pizzas etc which were available I did make myself have a slice of watermelon at each stop and a pear at 21 km. The sustained me really well for the whole run and I had plenty of energy throughout. There was also coca cola at each stop and the caffeine hit that gave was brilliant. It was also a nice change from the Endure drink.

 

The Chubby Hubby at 35 km.

 I also approached the start of the run differently this year. Instead of going out too fast as I did last year, I went out slowly and paced myself with the Chubby Hubby. I allowed myself to warm up gradually over the first 6 km.and once the legs and I had settled in,  I took off and felt great for the rest of the run. I had a support team following me but they just let me go as they could see I was on fire.

What interested me was that I reached the 21 km. point this year faster than I did last year when I went out too fast.

That's me coming up in the background. This is nearing the top of Black Hill, 52 km. into the event and everyone has nightmares about this climb.

 

These signs were all along the course and always bought a smile to my face.

 

Whoo hoo, made it to the top of Black Hill and now only 3 km. to go.

 

 This is one speeding fine I would love to get.

The Chubby Hubby gets to the top of Black Hill.

Four of our running team entered this race this year; Moi, Susi no Bum, my Chubby Daryl and Susi's Chubby Mike. This year it was Susi's turn not to finish. Unfortunately she had a severe gastric upset on the day and withdrew at Morialta. So I was the first of our team to finish in 8:55, a massive 2:30 hours faster than my first year. I was absolutely stunned with my result. Mike came in next about 90 minutes after me and Daryl finished about 2 hours after me. They both finished well in the qualifying time.

Somewhere along the trail Mike lost the concept that it was a race and he crossed the finish line with 4 young ladies he had collected on Black Hill. Unfortunately that photo didn't work out but here he is with one of his girl's !!

 

 Happy running to all,
May the trails be with you.
Cheers Karen.