Duncan's run review

It was a mild morning as the ultra runners assembled to run an inspired event named Duncan's run, sentimentally named in memory of a guy called Duncan who sadly passed away this last year & had been an avid ultra marathoner & sportsman & family man, his wife Anna had organised the run following his favourite trails in & around the Strzelecki track in Gippsland, Victoria. Thank you & bless you Anna. 
& what a beautiful national park it was indeed. I had only decided to do this on Tuesday! What an inspired Tuesday! I opted for the 50k (100k next year!) 
We set off at 6am through a lush leafy rainforest on an inviting undulating path & as the day warmed up so did my legs, awakening to the sounds of nature so much better in reality than on my I-phone!!
The terrain changed up to the rockiest of roads, a technical track that took intense concentration to navigate & not break my ankle! When we got to around 11k we went completely off track following orange ribbons tied to trees up a tough little ascent. I was drenched with sweat as it was hard work & humid so I made sure I was taking on lots of water with endura for hydration with electrolytes. & my bag packed with amazeballs & running fuels in different formats. 
From when we reached the top of the challenging chase it was a gradual descent on sultry soft trails that took us to an open area. Stunning views surrounded the runners but we only had seconds to take it in as our eyes were back on the task of trail running.
I jumped through a small river so took on the next hill with soggy squelchy feet, a 5k gradual incline, I power walked with interval jogging I felt pretty strong, taking out 6 men on the uphill stretch (go pink lass runner) & the next 10k (from 30k to 40k) was a downhill grassy track, it was heaven like floating on velvet, running free through this amazing landscape & that 10k took less than an hour, my fastest k - 5.29! Feeling fine.
With ambitions of a fast finish, I started up the next climb. The next climb got steeper & went on forever! & ever! After 5k's of steepness & dizziness & deliriousness I was shaken but stirred myself for a gentle finish on weak knees. & when I reached the finish as the rain sheets dampened the air I was delighted to discover I had got 3rd female!! My first ever podium finish (my last podium experience falling off whilst rave dancing in Ibiza 1994) so proud. & pulling up well today, maybes eating too much, but hey it's Christmas! & I'm going to give my legs an Xmas break too (for a day or 2 anyway) hot yoga beckons though & that'll feel gooooood! 
It was such a wonderful run, thanks to all the volunteers & supporters & organisers of a wonderful experience. & well done to all the runners ;) xox

My first ever podium finish...

Kale & quinoa groove

A super foods spectacular served... & it's my own quick salad recipe I spontaneously made up tonight & surprisingly really really really liked so thought you might quite like too. I've been letting go & having lots of bread & gnocchi & carb loaded food of late, so wanted to get a healthy yet hearty (good for the heart, body & soul) meal in before the silly season surfs in on it's wine fuelled wave!!! 
Perfect after my Hatha groove yoga class, practice with a dj playing tunes, finding your creative rhythm within a sun salutation & meditating to music in shiv asana generating a blissful state & a smiley face. & a healthy appetite... 

PINKY'S XMAS SURPRISE ~

shredded kale 
1 cup quinoa
1 lemon juiced
1/2" ginger juiced
I can lentils washed & drained
pomegranate seeds
cucumber diced
10 cherry tomatoes 
sea salt 
olive oil
cayenne pepper

Mix all the super ingredients together & serve chilled & enjoy the health fest, beyond deliciousness. & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

perfect way to start the day...

** a floaty run
** a strengthening pilates reformer class
** a yummy bowl of macadamia muesli with almond milk
** a dreamy cup of yogi detox tea
** a refreshing chunk of watermelon
** a relaxing morning at work reading new russh magazine...

pilates performance

I read an interesting article about pilates & how it affects athletic performance today, as I have been practicing on the pilates reformer bed for a while now I do feel that as well as my core strengthening there are many other benefits, my muscles feel more supple, my knees are benefitting from the alignments & here's what else is going on in Pinky's physiology!!

Centering -- Bringing the focus to the center of your body, which can teach you how to use your core muscles to generate athletic or forceful movements. 

Concentration -- Bringing full attention to each exercise and learning how to engage in high-quality focus.

Control -- Performing a movement with control and fluidity, which can teach you how to move more gracefully.

Precision -- Having self-awareness of your body's tiny movements and knowing the alignment of one body part relative to other body parts and how your body is moving through space -- which can help with athleticism.

Breath -- Using a very full breath in your exercises and thinking of your lungs as a bellows which strongly pump air fully in and out of your body, which you can use in other activities such as stress relief or sports.

Flow -- Performing your movements in a flowing, graceful manner, which can help you become a better dancer or athlete, or even simply improve your everyday posture.

Sounds good doesn't it, I'll have some of that please & I'm booked in for another session in the morning =) a graceful day to you xox

Fairy tales of trails

This hazily sunny weekend I went heavenly trail running down in the Mornington peninsula, in fact I followed the track for the 'two bays trail run' event that I'm participating in the 56k next month, now I can't wait to do the run. Yesterday having ran a respectable 36k, that's pretty perfect training for the race & gives me confidence in knowing the course. With a couple of killer hills, the rest of the course is undulating single track through magical forests & countryside roads, the elevation gives you some stunning views of the peninsula & running down to the glistening turquoise ocean & breathing that sea air deep into your lungs will be exhilarating on the day as it was yesterday.

& for a wonderful wind down this morning we coasted along the breezeless beach for another 12k just to blow the bottle of bollinger cobwebs away... Feeling sanguine.

& I got home this afternoon, a little sun kissed & very thirsty after all the exertion I made up some freshly cold pressed apples & lemon mixed with some chilled sparkling water & threw in some raspberries & ice. Nice.
Then made up some muesli with oats, almonds, macadamia nuts, sultanas, dates, cinnamon & maple syrup. Mixed it up & toasted. Now I'm luvingly lapping up with lashings of almond milk xox 

power stair morning

This morning was a beautiful sunny morning in my home city & I had a summery spring in my step. I was on my usual route running to work, passing Melbourne's famous MCG stadium, when I remembered a 'stair master sets routine' I had saved in my phone so with my energy effervescing I decided to smash the steps... It only took 10 minutes out of my life & although I found the difficulty level pretty high (like the stadium steps) & only completed 2 repeats, this is SO going to happen again & again for stronger stair super powers!!! 
Try it for yourself...

*THE STAIR MASTER*

SET 1 ~ RUN EVERY STEP
SET 2 ~ RUN EVERY OTHER STEP
SET 3 ~ SQUAT JUMP EVERY STEP
SET 4 ~ SQUAT JUMP EVERY OTHER STEP
SET 5 ~ HOP EVERY STEP (RIGHT FOOT)
SET 6 ~ HOP EVERY STEP (LEFT FOOT)

& REPEAT X3 - ouch!!!