Here kitty, kitty, kitty! Where did that cat go?

Wednesday 24/01/07:
OK, seems Blogger was yet again being a total shite last night and today and the photos on my last post (of the kitty at least) seemed to disappear and reappear and then disappear again at various times... However they now seem to be firmly back in place. ALSO, what the girls want the girls will get - so by popular demand, I'm posting some more pics of Baxter on this post!
He really is a sweety...

BUT, never fear boys, this is still a running blog. (Blogger proved that by not losing the photo of my new shoes at all!)

This morning I headed out at 6.15am, despite being terribly tired (again) and rather bleary eyed. It was evidently 20 degrees at 6am and all humidity. Still, I just had a text from my friend in England, telling me they just woke up to deep snow! She is deciding if she can get out for a run or not!

Wore the new Pegasus for the first time and have to say they felt rather different, but not in a bad way. They did seem to be very "noisy" tho... Did a short loop that I normally reserve for the weekends - and I remembered why - lots of traffic during the week and a very narrow road in one part with nowhere much to get off the road. Still, I do like that loop, it has a couple of inclines and it made for a good change. Kept the pace steady for most of it, then as I was

feeling really good near the end, I stepped up the pace for some "up-tempo" over the last km. Concentrated on keeping good form and it felt great to be running faster and feeling strong at the same time - even if it was for a short period of time! Completed the running section in 3mins less than I did it in a couple of weeks ago.

Brisk walk warmup: 5mins
Steady/Up tempo run: 24mins (5km)
Brisk walk cooldown: 5mins

I was very hot and sweaty when I finished, but pleased as it felt like a good work out, even if it was short.

Had my third sports massage after work today. My calves had loosened off considerably after Sunday's steps and hills, but when she went to work on them - whoa, did I know I'd been using them! And the quads for that matter.... Gee-sus it hurt!! And the glutes!! Holy cow!! I recall I was rather surprised at the lack of pain the first time I went - now I know that was only because I wasn't really using my muscles much (or not compared to when running) at the time, due to the injury! I have booked in for another session in 3 weeks time - slowly stretching it out, eventually plan to go once a month, depending on how much training I am doing, etc.

Now, other matters.... OK, so bad-mouthing the Black Caps worked and they actually had a win. Ewen, love that comment (or should I say quote) mate! And Andrew - no insult was intended, but if we couldn't beat the English, in at least one match - forget it! I generally like to support all of our sports teams - I'm not one for 'Tall Poppy Syndrome' - something that is very rife here in NZ - unfortunately alot of NZers tend to constantly bag our own and the better they do, the more flack they get. I'm not like that normally - I'm a fairly proud Kiwi, but those cricketers just make me cringe!!

Also, just come from 2hrs in front of the TV. Now thats more than I usually spend in a week, let alone a night...! What bought this on you may well ask...? The first episode in the new series of my favorite show - "E.R." The last season finished (as they always do) leaving us hanging on in total suspense - who would live, who would die, after 2 escaped prisoners (one of them Sam's ex) when on a shooting spree in the ER, then kidnapped Sam and her son, knocking out a pregnant Abby as they went ???? I expected to have to wait another 6 months to find out, when the new series began... as per usual. However TV2 have put it on early and I am very happy! In case anyone else follows it and hasn't seen it yet, I won't totally spill the beans... But suffice it to say that the situation with Abbey having an emergency c-section to deliver her very premature baby and then almost bleeding to death is one very close to my heart and I found myself having a bit of a melt down and shedding tears over it. It may be over 7 years now since I went thru a uncannily similar experience - but it still affected me tonight. Yes, yes, I know - as I'm always telling my Mum about her beloved "Coronation Street" (which I can't stand!) "It's only a programme"!!!!!! But hey, its one of only a very few shows that I do watch and totally 'get in to'. The new season of "Lost" also starts next week - I will be a busy girl with square eyes on a Wed night, won't I !?!

No run tomorrow due to the massage and the legs feeling rather sore from it right now. Makes me wish I didn't make Monday a rest day - but yeah, I know - patience... Going straight back into 6 days running per week would not do me any good... besides its a long weekend coming up and I intend to run every day of it. I know you Aussies get Friday off for Australia Day. In Auckland we get Monday off for Anniversary Day. (We celebrate with a big yacht regatta on the harbour.) We also get the following Tuesday off for Waitangi Day (or NZ Day, as some are trying to call it these days.) Just give me the day off, I say! Bring it on...