Wednesday, July 8, 2015

The Marathon

I've been sitting on this post for a while - unsure how to start, what to tell and how to express it.  I've read many recaps by Facebook friends that have really captured a lot of what I have felt and experienced during my marathon so it has helped but the thoughts and words aren't forming in any kind of pattern so this could become a ramble.

The marathon day started for me at 3am due to wanting to accompany friends who were doing the half marathon to the race precinct and a little bit (well mostly) about not knowing or wanting to find my way there alone.

I followed my usual breakfast routine that I had used for long runs (the few that I did during training) and had honey on toast and a hot milo.  I thought I would bring a banana along to have before the race but ended up forgetting it.

Off to the tram at 4.20am and jumped on the 4.40am tram.  As we were the first stop, it was empty but got very full by the time we reached the race precinct.  I was feeling a bit ill by then because of being squashed in but while on the tram I managed to catch up with a fellow Coffs Harbour runner and wish her luck for the half marathon.  It's amazing how fate plays games with you on days like this.  Of all the carriages for her to hop on, it was the one I was on!!  By the way, she did a super time in her race!

It was still dark when we arrived at the precinct and first thing was to locate the toilets.  We found an out of the way block so the line up was minimal.  It seemed like it didn't take much time after that for my friends to have to head to the start line for the half marathon.  I was left standing in the dark and cold trying to watch the start from a slight hill.  I forgot I could've gone into the middle of the precinct and watched it on the big screen.

I was surprised to see people still jostling into the starting line long after the start gun had gone off - but apparently that is normal.

As it was still cool, I headed back to the toilets and sat in a cubicle for a while just to keep warm.  Not sure what to do then, I wandered around, dropped my bag off and really just stood there watching the other runners start to arrive for the marathon.

A lady from the Facebook group of which I belong, Running Mums Australia, popped up beside me and asked if I would like to come with her to find the RMA tent as there was going to be a photo taken of the marathoners at 6.45am.  It was 6.30am by then and the race was due to start at 7.20am.  Off we went to find the tent and we did and had our photo taken.  I had explained to the lady that I had forgotten my banana and she was kind enough to share hers.  We did a final trip to the toilet and headed to the start line.

I was actually wanting to run with this lady - she was aiming for a 4.30 finish time so had chosen starting group D and I was in C as I had been advised to estimate a faster pace so not to get stuck behind slower runners.  I kept trying to sneak into D but the volunteers were on my case each time so I ended up lining up at the start in C on my own.

After a motivational speech by Robert De Castella and recognition of the passing of the great Ron Clarke, the gun went off and we started moving slowly towards the start line.

I was having trouble with my Garmin watch picking up a GPS signal so was saying silent prayers it would work.  But also taking in the atmosphere and as I went up a small crest and looked down over the start line and all the fellow runners doing this run, I got a bit teary.  I told myself I could not cry because I wouldn't be able to breathe.  So put a stop to that.  I could not believe I was crossing the start line after all those months of training and I was alone but surrounded by thousands of other runners.  It was such a big event to be part of.

I have to note that not even a kilometer into the run and there were some poor runners already pulled off to the side with possible pulled muscles so their run was over - I felt for them.

I found a nice pace to run, but had a bit of pain in my ankle which just felt like I needed to do some ankle rotations but it did come good not long after.

I won't do a k by k breakdown of the race but I will say that the run out to the turnaround at Burleigh Heads was fun.  The crowd is great!  I high fived as many kids as I could along the course.  I wasn't quite sure where the turn around was so it threw me a bit because I thought it was earlier than it was.  But I had already started running into people I knew from Facebook running pages I follow and from Ipswich parkrun.

The best surprise (well there were many best surprises on the day) was hearing my name called at Surfers Paradise and seeing a lady from work there with her family.  I ran across to high five her - and would you believe, she was still there on the way back which deserved a hug so she got a big sweaty hug.  She has since sent me an email saying how proud she is of me and how inspirational I am!  It was a lovely surprise and spurred me on.

I ran into one of the running coaches from a group I run with in Ipswich when I'm up there on holidays a few times.  I would run past then walk through the drink stations and he would catch up again and then I'd run past and it would go on like that for a while.

Catching up with Green from Super Running Girls and Graham from Taking the Long Option could not have come at a better time.  From about 10km my toes felt like they had blisters on the bottom of them but it was an annoyance more than pain so I could keep going.  Green and Graham kept my mind occupied for a while.  Green had to head to a toilet so Graham and I kept running together.  Graham had a camera on a stick so was taking photos along the way.  Graham was doing a great thing for the team Run for Hummingbird House.  He was running back and forth throughout the marathon to get all the team across the line.  He ended up running around 62km instead of 42km.

After Graham left, I caught up with Adele from She Runs a Lot and Sam from Darren and Sam's Running Adventures - this was the first time I had met them although I did seem them both at the before the start and probably shocked them a bit my saying hello and "I follow you on Facebook!"

Then I ran into Shylet from the Running Doctor and also embarrassed myself saying I follow you on facebook.  I swear I felt like some kind of stalker at this stage.  I must not forget that I had also run into Running Optimistic  who was running with a friend - Jess and Tess!!

It was fairly uneventful until I came up to the bridge at 30km.  I remember people saying that this was the incline - the hill that was still flat but still a hill.  I thought, well this is the furtherest I had run in my training so anything beyond here is the unknown.  It was also at this point I saw my friends on the sidelines and ran backwards to give them a big hug.  Another spur to get me up the incline and as I crested and looked out beyond the finish line (yes I had to run past that - what torture) and saw the thousands of runners ahead and no turn around in site - my head started winning.  I will admit at this stage the legs were pretty sore - in fact in my race video you can see when I run down the hill on the other side of the bridge I'm looking pretty stiff.

The walking begins here.  I had just had the biggest boost from the supporters and my friends and now I was in no man's land.  There are still supporters, but not as many.  There are people collapsed in the middle of the road and there are lots of runners starting to walk.  I could see a turn ahead and thought that once past there I might see the turnaround and be spurred on again - instead I saw more runners ahead.  This just kept happening.  Around every turn, more runners and no turnaround.

I had been up with the 4.00 pace balloon but that had gone, the 4.15 pace balloon also went and then the 4.30 pace balloon drifted off.  My thoughts of a possible sub 4.30 marathon deflated and I just said, it's ok, I just need to finish.  Even if I have to walk it.  So lots of walking and shuffling I did.

I had seen another runner from Coffs earlier in the race who was behind me, she passed me as I hit my first walking session of the post 30km mark.  I wished her well as I continued walking.  Alas, suddenly there she was walking in front of me.  I said No what happened and she said it hurts and I said I know and we walked together.  This went on for a little while and then she said, there is only 4km to go, let's run.  So off we shuffled.  I really didn't want to run 4km - I really didn't think I could and after 2km and my stupid water/fuel belt kept slipping, I said for her to continue as I wanted to walk and fix up my stupid belt.  So off she went.

So I walked and shuffled and lo and behold just ahead the 4.30 pace balloon - woo hoo!!  Maybe my sub 4.30 was in sight again.  I kept up with the balloon and then we rounded a corner and I heard the pacer say, there's only just over 1km to go you can do this.  So I did.  I overtook the 4.30 pacer and shuffled along quicker.

I knew the RMA tent was near the finish shoot so I thought, I just have to get to there and I know I'm pretty much home!  The team tents were cheering and I was smiling again.  I was on the way out of hell!  High fives for all the RMA's hanging over the fence.  And then my friends - the girls!!  High fives for them and there was the start of the finishing shute!!!  Let's put the effort in!!!

So effort I did - although looking at the video it really wasn't that fast!  And I rounded a corner and thought where is this f**&^ finishing shute!!  And there it was and my name was called out and I threw my hands in the air and fist pumped and got excited!!  I had done it!!  I had finished and I had done it, according to my Garmin in 4.26.  Officially 4.27 and gun time of 4.31.

I stopped running and instantly my legs stiffened - it was hard to walk.  I ran into my Coffs running friend in the food and water area and we both started crying and promising to call each other should we decide to do another marathon again - so we could talk the other out of it!  I called my husband and daughter and they were so excited!!  I made my way out of the recovery area and got my medal and shirt and went and picked up my bag.  I then had to locate my friends - the girls!!

There are lots of people to thank for this journey and achievement - a lot mentioned in this post and a lot not mentioned but they know who they are!  Will I do another one?  I might, but not the Gold Coast again - not with that awful last 10k - that will never leave me!  Although they say it's like childbirth and you soon forget.  So who knows!




Saturday, June 20, 2015

Blog June Post 19, 20 and 21 - Triple Post or I'm Just Slack

Well only 9 days to go and I've already missed 2 days in a row.

Friday saw me come home from work tired after a busy week.  Yesterday I headed out to a friend's place for afternoon/evening drinks after a full on day of clothes and grocery shopping.  Today it is cold and I've done a half baked job of cleaning the house.

A bit of a rip off post from me today as I really haven't got anything much to write.  So instead I post this photo (note there are a few ladies missing from this photo) and say I love all of these women as they are such a diverse bunch who have brought so much to my life in different ways!!  Fitness, confidence, advice, fun and support!!  I love you girls!


Thursday, June 18, 2015

Blog June Post 18 - Shadow Work

GraemeO28 wrote this blog post a few days ago about Shadow Work.

GraemeO28 says, quoting from a radio interview he was listening to about Craig Lambert's book about Shadow Work Shadow work, according to the author, is the growing multitude of insidious and tedious tasks that were previously not our responsibility or didn’t exist. And as a consequence our time is getting leached away. 

Shadow work mainly refers to self service and how these tasks used to be done by people but are now done by us and thus use up our own time.  It also results in less interaction.

I know sometimes I like using self service because it is quick (so I'm not sure why they say it is taking our time) and people can't judge me on what I'm buying/borrowing etc.  However, it does mean that there is less interaction with other people - although sometimes that is a good thing!

Anyway, it is an interesting thing to ponder.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Blog June Post 16 and 17 - Jack Andraka and Open Access

I'm obviously not very good at #blogjune this time round as there appears to be lots of double posts.  Honestly, some evenings I get home and am so tired that I can't think straight enough to do a post - hence the double posts.

Moving on!

Today I read an article in the latest Good Reading magazine about Jack Andraka who invented an inexpensive early detection test for pancreatic cancer when he was only 15.

Now that is pretty amazing and from the article I gathered that he's pretty smart.  But what stood out for me in the Good Reading article was that due to the difficulties he had accessing scientific journal articles during his research for his invention, he has now become an advocate for making information free, or in particular access to scientific journals.

While I was reading the article I was thinking to myself, did he approach his school librarian.  And if he did, would they have been able to help him get access.

I know that most scientific journals are only accessible to those studying/teaching in academic libraries or medical/scientific institutes.  However, searching the internet exposes the general public to these articles, alerting them so they know they exist.  And then the barrier of having to pay to read them presents itself when they try to go further.

Jack argued that in order for people like him to be able to do genuine research these journals should be freely accessible.

I know that there is still a lot of talk about open access and a lot of the journals have moved down that path.  But Jack does have a point.  Why should these journals be restricted to just those that have paid/or are being paid to be in these institutions?  Who should have the say at whether something should be free or not?  Should the institution make a decision to make these journals accessible to those outside the institution or is it back at the publisher/author/creator?

I must admit that I haven't read a lot regarding open access and the likes, so I am opening up the discussion to those in the library/information industry (or not).  What are your thoughts?  Do you think that there would be more research and discoveries if scientific journals became accessible to all?

Today's mantra: Turn your wounds into wisdom
Yesterday's mantra: Girl, you look fit!

Monday, June 15, 2015

Blog June Post 15 - Sharing is Caring

Thanks to @FiFYI also known as the Bun-Toting Librarian for her Monday Meme which she is kindly sharing without knowing it!!
LAYER ONE: THE OUTSIDE
  1. What’s your preferred name? Sharon or Shaz, Shaza, Leibs (by my hubby), or Mum.
  2. Do you wear glasses? Yes. I got my glasses when I was 18 - just after I got my driver's license.  I am short sighted so it was interesting judging distances when driving.  I also wanted to go back and see the musicals I had seen prior as I'm sure I missed bits because I couldn't see.
  3. How would you describe your fashion style? I'd say I'm a dag!  I don't fuss too much about what I wear and currently have more fun coordinating my running gear than my everyday clothes.
LAYER TWO: THE INSIDE
  1. What do you fear? Spiders, drowning, anything happening to anyone in my family but really scared of something happening to Miss A.
  2. What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate although I'm not guilty about it!!  I also love Summer Rolls.
LAYER THREE: YOUR THOUGHTS
  1. What was your first thought when you woke up today? Why am I doing this - as in getting up at 4.15am to go for a run in the dark at 5.15am and then followed by bootcamp.  It was also raining so dark and rain - yep I'm hardcore.  I can't wait for the marathon to be over so I can have a week of some sleeping in!!!
  2. What you think about most? Food LOL  No I also think about .... well food LOL  Miss A would say running and exercise so that is a nice balance!
LAYER FOUR: WHAT’S BETTER?
  1. To be loved or respected? Both
  2. Dogs or cats? Cats but I do like dogs - although I don't like one's outside of their fences growling at me or going at me.  I also don't like the one's that bark constantly.  But well behaved dogs are beautiful!  And I have 2 cats so am a bit biased.
LAYER FIVE: BELIEF
  1. Believe in yourself? I'm learning to.
  2. Believe in love? Yes and still am!
LAYER SIX: YOUR TALENTS
  1. Do you play a musical instrument? No but I love to sing!!
  2. Do you enjoy cooking? No
  3. Are you any good at gardening? I can be if I want to.  But I choose not too.  Mowing the lawn is about the extent of my gardening.
LAYER SEVEN: YOUR FAVOURITES
  1. Favourite animal? Anything that is cute - I do like mini pigs
  2. Favourite movie? Anne of Green Gables and The Outsiders
  3. Favourite book? The Outsiders.
LAYER EIGHT: AGE
  1. How old are you? 38
  2. Does age matter? No, you are only as old as you feel  I plan to be active for the rest of my life and that guarantees that I will always feel young - so I hope!
Today's mantra: Be your own superhero

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Blog June Post 14 - Lim Lee

Today's mantra: I will.  Just watch me.

Today's post is dedicated to my friend, Lim Lee (I have changed her name out of respect for her privacy but she will know who she is).

Today Lim Lee is becoming an Ironman (Ironwoman but they call it Ironman).  She is Cairns completing the Ironman triathlon.  So far she has completed a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and is over halfway or 10km off completing her 42.2km run.  She is a legend!!  She is my inspiration!!  She is a machine that constantly plays down her ability but that makes her more likable.  She is someone I look to for advice on my training and when she finishes this Ironman, I will know that I can do the 42.2km because if Lim Lee can do this, I can lap up some of her belief and believe that I can achieve my goal!

Now she is probably going to think I'm going a bit over the top with this post, but since I got up this morning, I have been checking in on her progress.  I'm not stalking (although she may think overwise).  I just think that she has been training for this for so long, that I want to have her in my thoughts and push energy and positive vibes to her during her journey.  And send her a congratulations text when she finishes later tonight.

Go Lim Lee - I can't wait for a race recap!!

And as for me at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon on Sunday 5 July - I will.  Just watch me!!!

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Blog June Double Post 12 and 13

Yep, I'm playing catch up again.  I was mentally exhausted after finishing work yesterday so no post last night.  I can't understand why I was so tired when we had a shorter working week - anyone else feel the same?

Yesterday we had a backpacker in the library.  As there is only one staff member on (usually) Thursday and Friday, we close for an hour for a lunch break.  I was just about to close up the library when he asked if the local pubs would be showing the FIFA women's soccer match.  Canada and New Zealand were playing and he was Canadian.

First I looked up if it was being broadcast and what station it was on - SBS One.  Then I contacted the pub with the more televisions - under the advice of other library users that they would more likely be able to show various channels if they have more than one television - and asked if they would be able to put one of the televisions on SBS One so the backpacker could watch his soccer match.  The backpacker had also asked if they had wifi, so I asked that too.  And the pub said they could do both so off went the backpacker, and I got to feel satisfied at completing a left of centre reference query!

Today was Social Run Saturday.  However, I had to run 13km according to my marathon training plan, so I ran 5km with company and 8km on my own.  It was bit of a tough run as where we ran today has lots of hills.  But breakfast is always a good motivator!!

After breakfast, I headed home and then straight back out the door to Aldi as they were having their fitness gear sale.  Unfortunately, they did not have any medium size long compression tights left so I missed out there but did managed to get a 3/4 pair and 2 fitness jackets.

Aldi is a dangerous shop for me to enter as I usually go a bit crazy and buy lots and lots of things.  Today was no different.   I always think I'm saving money and stocking up but I really should just come in and get what I need and not grab things off the shelf that I think members of my family might like to try!

Miss A is having a friend sleep over tonight and there is nothing on television so after completing this post, I will most likely lurk on FB and catch up on what others have been doing.  Such an exciting life to lead.

The mantra's: Proceed as if success is inevitable (good one for me with the marathon coming up) and You're never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Blog June Post 11 - Mud Poo and Cows

Today's mantra: Live the life you have imagined.

Thanks to @geocachinglibn for writing a responding blog post to my post concerning libraries and communities.

He writes: There are certainly a range of different communities on a university campus, such as the research community, teaching and learning community, and the internationalisation community, and the library is usually represented in them all.

This got me thinking - do public libraries have a research community, teaching and learning community and internationalisation community?  I think they do, and I think they have more - the reading for relaxation community, the education community, the hobby community, the book club community, the student requiring a space community - and I use the word community instead of individual as there are many and often the come together in the library or network through the library.  But I suppose we could just call them the public library community!

I will be interested to read/learn more about how @geocachinglibn feels the health library he is now working in builds community.  But there are other's that follow my blog that already work in health libraries and they may be able to discuss this as well.  The floor is open to you.....

Today was a good day in the library.  I had a query for an item that turned out to be not what it was first thought to be.  I love it when I have to do a bit of sleuthing to work out just what the customer is wanting - especially when only provided with a snippet of information.  I miss using these skills as the role I am currently in calls for more people massaging (management) then the fun "using library skills" stuff!

This morning was also fun.  I ran 21km with my running friends.  We left at around 5am in the dark and went out along one of the road that passes a few dairy farms.  Unfortunately, for us we had some rain last night which caused parts of the road to be slippery with mud and cow poo.  It was a case of yelling out "puddle" "pot hole" "mud" "cow" - yes cow!!  A cow was outside the paddock and due to the lack of light it was a bit of a shock to look up from concentrating on the ground so as not to fall over and see a huge beast in front of you.  I think the cow was more scared of us - as you would be with numerous bobbing head lamps coming towards you looking somewhat like UFO's - and ran off to find the gap in the fence and return to the safety of the paddock.

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Blog June Post 10 - A lesson in customer service

Tonight I am a bit worked up and while I would not normally share my disgruntled customer post I made to Trip Advisor and also posted on my FB page about a local business, tonight I will.  All in the lesson of good customer service and loyalty to locals.  What follows is a rant:

I have eaten and picked up takeaway from the Urunga Bowls Club numerous times since it first opened. Unfortunately, tonight I was made to feel embarrassed because I am local but not a member and apparently to pick up your takeaway order or to eat in the restaurant, you have to be a member if you are local. If you are not local, you are fine to just scan your license and in you go. I do not understand why as a local I should be made to pay a yearly membership to pick up a take...away meal. I also don't understand why the staff do not inform you of this when you phone them for your order. And I also don't understand why there isn't consistency in this rule, as other times I have been able to enter without being made to feel like a criminal. I was made to feel like I was committing the worse crime. The "Bouncer" called out to me and then berated me in front of the other people who were coming in the door. If you want locals to visit your club, then treat the locals nicely. Urunga Bowling Club, you have lost any future business that you would've had from me!! And I will be spreading the word to other locals about the way I was treated!!

Sorry for those that have already read this on my FB page but I am so upset and embarrassed about this that I just felt the need to share it.

I do realise that this may actually be an accepted protocol in all clubs in a Australia, and if it is, then I think it needs to be reviewed.  Or perhaps someone could let me in on the logic behind it.  But to me this is like saying to someone, I'm sorry but you can't use the library unless you have a library membership card - as in you can't even walk through the door unless you have a library membership card - where is the sense in this!!

Ok rant over and I'm so worked up I can't even share a mantra today!


Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Blog June Post 9 - Libraries Community Builders

This morning I shared this article on my other jobs FB page.  My other job is marking library student assessments for TAFE.  So I shared the article with students.

Along with the article, I asked the students this: Discussion about public libraries often leads to phrases like community hub etc. Do you think the same applies in academic, special, and school libraries?

The students must be busy people because as yet there have been no replies.  However, I am open for those reading my blog to discuss and perhaps share a comment on FB, twitter or here on the blog comments.

When I used to work in academic libraries, pre-child, the campus was my community.  My coworkers were my community.  Those that used the library were my community.  I put this down to the campus being the main place I was spending my time.

Yes I would do my shopping etc outside of the campus, back in the suburb I lived in.  But I never felt the suburb was my community until I had my daughter, went on maternity leave and started spending more time in my suburb.  I stared interacting with more than the check out person at the grocery store.  I attended the community nurse sessions, baby rhyme time, mother's group and the list goes on.  Suddenly, I was interacting, meeting and becoming friends with people who lived in my own suburb!!  In my community!!

This brings me back to the original question - do academic, special and school libraries build communities?  Or have their own communities?

They all provide spaces for people to gather.  They provide different programs for people to attend as groups or individuals.  But do they build communities and if so what sort of communities?

I will leave this open for some discussion (I hope)!

Today's mantra: Your body deserves the best

In my case lately, my body has been having the best chocolate!! 8-)

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Blog June Post 8 - A Meme

To assist with my inspiration for today's post, I am using a meme from Bun-Toting Librarian's blog.

I’m reading – lots of fitness magazines - Runner's World, Women's Running Australia, Women's Fitness Australia, Women's Health Australia, Women's Health and Fitness, Good Health, R4YL (Run for your life), etc.  I haven't read a novel for some time.  The last one I read was Bronwyn Parry's latest - Storm Clouds.  I'm currently reading the Harry Potter series to Miss A.  We are up to the Goblet of Fire.

I’m watching – I'm not actually hooked on any TV shows at the moment.  We have Foxtel so I was hooked on Housewives of Melbourne - but mainly because my cousin, Janet is on the show.  I do like watching Selling Houses Australia and Location, Location, Location Australia.

I’m cooking – I don't cook.

I’m drinking – water!!  Lots of water and recovery type drinks after long runs.  I love love hot milo's especially in winter.  I have never been a coffee drinker but have recently started drinking Jarah Swiss Moments and don't mind the odd Mocha (less coffee more chocolate!)

I’m thinking – about my upcoming full marathon and whether I will cross the finish line after running 42.2km.  Well actually I'm doing a lot of visualisation of crossing the finish line!!  And eating lots of food after!!

I’m taking – hmm not sure what should be put here.  I'm taking multivitamins, gels when I do long runs, my time LOL

I’m missing – sleeping in due to getting up early to run!

I’m enjoying – eating chocolate!!  Well not at the moment but I am looking forward to the spring rolls being made for my dinner and then will follow with M&Ms.

I’m planning – on crossing the line at Gold Coast Marathon (yes repeating myself!)

I’m listening – to Miss A talking about Minecraft servers - no idea what she's talking about.

Today's mantra: She who dares, wins!!

Blog June Post 6 &7

I was almost at the point of giving up #blogjune this afternoon due to lack of inspiration and motivation and wondering if what I'm writing is actually interesting to anyone.  Then I found some of my fellow bloggers had discussed one of my earlier posts about whether library users need to know what we do to find information.

@geocachinglibrarian shared these thoughts.  Then @seanfish suggested that librarians offer a "box with windows."  So be a place that shows those wanting to know how to find information and be a "black box" that provides information without revealing how it is done.  I like the box with windows idea!

Yesterday was a busy day with the odd start of no run.  Off I went to Coffs Harbour Library to pick up a magazine I had on reserve that my own library doesn't subscribe to.  I was pleasantly surprised last week when Coffs Library weeded their Runners World magazines and offered me the weeded issues free of charge!  I then discovered they had also done this for a friend with their Triathlon mags.  Aren't library staff thoughtful!
Then to do the rounds of Woolworths.

Home again and it was a rainy dreary day so I sat around not doing much and then went for a walk when a break in the rain appeared.  Miss A joined me so of course it poured when we were half way around.  Home again and a quiet evening followed.
This morning, up at stupid o'clock (4am) to get picked up at 5am to head to South West Rocks for the Macleay River Marathon.  I was joining 5 friends to run the half marathon as a training run for the Gold Coast Marathon.  The goal was to go slower than usual and stick with the girls.  Lyndee did a great job keeping me to task except where I got carried away atthe end where I made us do a 1km effort to the finish line.  We pulled Iin at under 2 hours which was good.  I was supposed to go and run another 8km but as soon as they made me sit down to take the timing chip off, my hip flexor said no.

I did enjoy a massage and a late breakfast. Then home and an afternoon walk ofm8k and I'm suitably stuffed.

To finish I have 2 mantras: When life hands you a wave, grab your board and enjoy the ride And There are seven days in a week and someday isn't one of them.

Friday, June 5, 2015

Blog Post 5

Today's mantra: The best way to predict the future is to create it.

I know I should be trying to relate back to the mantra in this post but today it's all about being busy and crazy busy.

This was me this morning.  I was working alone today.  The Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival is on and we had a workshop in on of the library meeting rooms.  I opened early because it was cold and I had the workshop attendees coming early.

Instantly the computers were full and then one of those on the computer, an older man. asked if I knew how to  book flights online.  Between serving at least 50 people in 2 hours I assisted (well actually I did it as he did not want to touch the computer) the man in booking flights too and from Broome, as well as his accommodation.  But it wasn't all that straight forward as he wanted particular flights and wanted to see the costs of all different days to compare.  And let's not go into the fuss around the accommodation.

Once done with the gentleman, I then had to assist someone attach files to an email and print out a pdf document.

Lunch - yep let's go for a walk even though it was only 8'C outside.  I also had to contact the school my daughter was visiting as she was attending another workshop hosted by the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival.  My husband had called as he had somehow injured his back so he wasn't able to walk to pick her up in the afternoon.  So I got the school to drop her off at the library.

Slave labour - that's what I had this afternoon as my daughter became my little helper.  And she did a great job issuing books, returning books, shelving junior easies/picture books, working out how much photocopy/printing costs, and giving me lots of hugs. I think I have a potential librarian on my hands.  She even chose some books for herself!!

So home and finally some time to relax and feel cosy.  Busy, yep but still a good day!

Tomorrow morning sees no run as I'm doing a fun run on Sunday as a training run so I will most likely feel weird all day - usually happens when my schedule changes.  But I hope to sleep in as I will be up at stupid o'clock to get picked up at 5am on Sunday morning.

Hopefully a more interesting and reflective post tomorrow.

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Blog June Post 4

Today's mantra: You get what you give

I have always believed that with anything you only get out what you put in.  And I'm sure I've discussed this numerous times throughout different blog posts.

With work, you only get out what you put in.  Not sure if this always applies.  As I find at times that you can put so much in without any result.  But as I think about this a bit more, there will always be someone who uses the library that appreciates the work you do - sometimes it's not even the tasks or projects you do that take a long time that they appreciate - many times it's the little things you do all the time that are appreciated the most.

With exercise, it's not really about how hard you work but it's the consistency.  If you are willing to be consistent then you will see results.  Obviously at times you will benefit by upping the ante or pushing yourself out of the comfort zone, but ultimately it's about consistency.  And in winter that becomes harder.  I'm not a big fan of the cold.

As I mentioned in my first #blogjune post, I am currently training for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.  I started training back in the last 2 weeks of February.  So it has been a long journey.  It takes a commitment more than I thought.  I was going well until mid May when I started having a niggle in my right hip flexor.  It caused me to cut back distance a bit and call on mental strength to push through to get to 30km last weekend.

It is frustrating as I have been having physio but the niggle is still there.  I have been stretching, taking note of my running form and using electro magnetic pulsing - but the niggle is still there.

I know others that have run the marathon with injury but it would be nice to be going into the race feeling good and not worrying if the niggle is going to flare up during the race to the point that you can only hobble.

I have no doubt - ok as I write this I do have doubt but I am hoping mental strength and my body will hold up to get me over the finish line.  Once done, I am then going to focus on running shorter distances as I believe that my body is not designed to run further than half marathon distance (21.1k as opposed to full  marathon distance of 42.2k).  I hope that once I've done the marathon, that my niggle will disappear and I will once again run without worry.

I will keep you posted...

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Blog June Post 3

Sorry this post is a bit late but last night I was lucky enough to attend Sirens of the Seaboard - a special women's only dinner where local health professionals (women) spoke to us about women's health issues - specifically for those over 30.

The mantra for this post is: Life will (at times) knock you down.  It's okay to take a breather.

Last night that was one of the messages shared.  It is okay to be stressed out, emotional, and at times feel like you need to step off the world and take time to breathe.  It is normal.  Life is full of ups and downs.

While it may seem like every second person is being diagnosed with depression or anxiety - have these increased any since when our parents were younger.  They just didn't talk about it back then or diagnose it as depression etc.  Everything was fine.

So while today it seems like time is moving faster and things are changing quickly - is this causing us to be more stressed, depressed and anxious?

Those that fought for women to have equal employment and be able to go out and work full time - is working full time helping us to feel less stressed, depressed and/or anxious??  If you are feeling stressed, depressed and/or anxious - it might be a good time to look at your work situation and see if you can work part time to allow time for you to do more enjoyable pursuits (happiness helps you feel less stressed, depressed and anxious).  You might have to make some minor sacrifices but perhaps it's something to consider.  I know if my financial situation was different, I'd certainly love to be working part time - just to be more present for my family instead of rushing from one thing to the next.

The evening also talked about menopause, mental health and sexual health but I won't go into these other than to say all the information was very informative, and it was particularly good of the professional who spoke about sexual health to mention erotic fiction and that the local library has a good collection - I did then have to yell out "look for the lips" as in the lip sticker!!

It makes me think of how good it is in small communities for women to come together in forums like this and share serious information in a fun and enjoyable way!

Hopefully it will be a double post day and Ill have another post for you this evening!

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Blog June Post 2 - Be the Bomb!!

Ok today's mantra is Be the Bomb!!

Now if my hip flexor was feeling great I would be feeling the bomb because I would have participated in the 3 x 1km efforts this morning with my running friends.  Instead I toddled off on my own to do 8km.  I did get to see a gorgeous pre sun rise at the headland but I love the feeling of pushing myself through efforts - not while I'm doing them - just at the end so I feel I missed out a bit.

Anyway, back to Be the Bomb!!  I have been doing some recruitment for some casual positions recently and for me the big thing that resonated is that for a small town we have a lot of library qualified and experienced people out there.  The other thing is that most people don't know what we do as library staff.

So since I don't want to go into too much detail about applications received and quality of applications - because that is not something to share in the public sphere - I will just say that perhaps as a profession we don't do a very good job at letting people know or illustrating just what we do in our jobs in libraries - or perhaps we do such a good job, we make it look easy!!

Predominately, in our library it is all about customer service - knowing your customers, knowing your community, knowing what they want and knowing about the books they like to read and how to find the information they want - or even going as far to pre-empt their information needs so you have the access to the information they want.  So lots of professions have customer service as their main skill set (if that's what you can call it, but you get what I mean).  So lots of people have experience in customer service and this can be transferred to a library service.

Lots of people know how to know their customers and their community because we are not the only industry that does this.

But what about books and information.  What industry combines all of this and knows what information their community needs and when they need it??

Back to the part about people not knowing what we do.  Do they need to know what we do?  Or do they only need to get the end product - really how many of us care how that packet of chips got on the shelf and into the trolley - we just want to eat the chips??

Should we be like the farmers and start educating people about the process of getting the information to them?  What does it involve?  How do we go about it?  What skills are needed?  What hurdles do we jump to get the information?  Or do they really need/want to know?

So perhaps it is about being the bomb - get the right information to the right person at the right time - but let's not get hung up on whether the person cares about how you got the information.

What do you think?

Monday, June 1, 2015

Blog June - Post 1

Yay!!  It's that time of the year again - Blog June!!  Where I get motivated to blog everyday of June!!  Well, ok, I'll try to blog everyday of June!!

We left off in Blog 12 Days of Christmas with me striving to be awesome!!  Well let's see how that is going almost 6 months on!

I'm sticking with my Month of Mantras from the Women's Fitness magazine.  So today's mantra is.... inspire someone today!

Personally I don't think I'm an inspirational person.  I don't live a very exciting life.  I run, exercise, work, eat, read, sleep, and start all over again. 

However, running and exercise have somehow lead to me being considered inspiring by those around me.  People in the community that I didn't know where taking an interest in my daily doings (yes a bit creepy I know), friends who find my dedication to exercise and running inspirational, those that have seen me lose weight and make some minor changes in my lifestyle - inspirational!!

Personally it makes me all a bit embarrassed.  Anyone can do what I've done - anyone can be inspirational!!

There are people I meet everyday that will share something they consider small about their life and I will find it inspirational - much more inspirational than mine!!

There are ladies I run and exercise with that have done much more challenging and inspiring things - inspirational!!

But me, no I don't think I'm inspirational, nor do I think I inspire!  But perhaps just by the little things we do each day, we are inspiring someone - and we should all be proud of that!!

As a side, I'm 5 weeks away from running the Gold Coast Airport Marathon - yes 42.2km.  I'm battling a small injury at the moment that is leaving me less than inspired by the whole run but I'm doing little things that I hope will resolve this and bring back my inspiration to complete this journey.  Blog June is bound to contain a lot of musings as my marathon training journey comes to an end - stay tuned!!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Epiphany - Blog 12 Days of Christmas

So this is the post where I am supposed to look back over the past 12 days and discuss what I may have learned or: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

I can't say I have found the meaning of life, or had any insight into reality.  I can say that I have once again enjoyed sitting down at the end of the day and reflecting on what was and then trying to put it into something remotely interesting to others.

What I can say is that in the space of 12 days I have regained my running mojo and even pushed out a 16.5km run today without feeling like it was a chore.  It was hard but it was enjoyable.  On the home stretch I even enjoyed the bush on either side of the road for the birds that were singing, the lagoon that I ran past, and the view from the top of the hill overlooking the beach.  I made peace with being in the right place - this beautiful place I live and love.

I felt that again after a splash in the surf with my family as I was sitting in the hot midday sun looking out over the ocean watching two dolphins swim past and a sailing boat in the distance.  And up front, an 8 year old girl and her dad sharing so many laughs and moments in the surf - their bond warms my heart!!

In the afternoon, walking along the river, out on the boardwalk - secretly trying not to be too annoyed by the tourists - but instead lap up seeing my locals and saying hello.  Having a short conversation with my daughters friends mother.  Over hearing some visitors from Sydney saying how it was nice that everyone here says "hello" unlike in Sydney.  My home, my community, my friends, my people!

There will always be hard times, tough times - but happiness can't be all the time as then we wouldn't appreciate it as much!

Being awesome is something to strive for in all aspects of your life and something I will be striving for in 2015.

Expecting miracles, celebrating achievements, being creative, enjoying moments of laziness, being alert and waking up, being healthy and celebrating being here and now, and making the most of open doors - this is what 2015 will be for me!!

Until #blogjune......

Monday, January 5, 2015

Day 12 - Blog 12 Days of Christmas

We are nearing the end of blog 12 days of Christmas and as usual it has been a good thing for me to sit and reflect at the end of the day.

I usually say that I will continue to do this more regularly throughout the year but then only blog during #blogJune.  So unless there are more blogging challenges out there, you probably won't hear from me (except for my final post tomorrow) until June!

I couldn't really find an appropriate mantra for today so there isn't one.

I'm still on holiday and for me, it really doesn't feel like the new year has started until I return to work - which will be next week.

This week I will be working on putting myself in a positive mind frame for my return to work.  I will be drumming up some enthusiasm and excitement for my return.  Thinking about possible projects or how I will work towards finishing the projects I know I have to complete.  I will be thinking about what things I can do with my staff to keep their enthusiasm for the job up and/or what new things can be learnt/taught.  Most of all I will be thinking about my community - I miss them when I'm on holidays and they are what really makes the job for me.  So I will be thinking about them and what they might like to see happening in the library.

I already have one exciting thing booked for this month - one of my favourite authors will be doing a book launch in our library!!  I'm so excited as I've been waiting 12 months for this book to come out and I really do like this author.

Our library is also hosting a workshop for the annual Camp Creative next week.  I hope to stick my head in on this workshop and see if I can pick up a few pointers.

See I'm already generating some enthusiasm for my return!!

PS Bootcamp resumed today so I didn't have to come up with my own.  It was one of our biggest classes with 33 ladies (I think).  It was so good to be back in the company of such a large and supportive group of females!!  And, of course, to be put through the paces by our bootcamp leader, Shelley!

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Day 10 & 11 - Blog 12 Days of Christmas

I think I've done pretty good so far to only miss one day.  And that was because a bottle of bubbly made writing a coherent blog post near impossible and I was a bit concerned about what might be written in that state.  Anyway, I'm back on board today with a double post - 2 for the price of 1!

Two mantras for today's post: Life is an adventure story.  And Be awesome!

Today I was reading an article in the January issue of Runner's World Australia/New Zealand edition - The writer runner by Michael Heald.  The article is sort of an interview/story of the writer meeting author/runner Jamie Quatro who wrote I want to show you more.

Jamie makes an observation about a similarity between writers/authors and runners.  She says, "When people say the short story is practice for the novel, or that you're not a 'great' writer unless you've written a novel, I always think: That's like saying the half-marathon is practice for the marathon, or that the half is easier to run than the full, or that you're not a 'great' runner unless you've done a marathon.  Each distance - each literary form - is its own thing, with its own challenges and heartbreaks." 

That is something that I must keep in my head.  I struggle to believe that I'm a real 'runner' unless I've done a marathon - hence I'm doing a marathon this year.  But really, it is exactly as Jamie says, each distance is its own thing!  Just as each runner is their own competitor - not the other runners.  As a runner you compete with yourself and you should not compare with other runners, just yourself.

The same can be said in your career or really anything in life.  Stop comparing yourself to others and only compete with yourself.  Concentrate on making yourself a better person, but bettering yourself - not comparing yourself to others - be awesome!!

The other thing Jamie says is: "The space between the run and going back inside.  The space between the heart pounding, sweaty thoughts flowing middle of the run and the chaos waiting inside the house, the kids.  But the middle space between these - the pause after the run, before the run inside - I drink this like water."

I can relate.  Perhaps not in the same way but it is the moment when you have pushed yourself and finished your run - the journey may not have been pleasant but the end is totally worth it.  You feel stuffed but exhilarated - possibly not all the time because not every run is a good run. But you always feel better for doing it.

I really haven't discussed the mantra's much in this post but they are there for you, the reader, to think about.

Also, think about what Jamie say's and how it relates to you - even if you aren't a runner.  I'm sure there are other hobbies/sports/things you participate in that you may get that middle feeling - between when you finish and when you move on to the next part.  Think about how much you value that!

Friday, January 2, 2015

Day 9 - Blog 12 Days of Christmas - Happiness!

Today's mantra: Choose happiness!

I have been thinking a lot about happiness today.  More along the lines of "I am not responsible for someone's happiness."  You can not control whether another person is happy or not, but you can control your happiness and sometimes happiness is contagious!!

Much like thinking everything is greener on the overside of the fence, I have been shifting negative thoughts to positives.  Looking for the things that make me happy and doing them more often.  Surrounding myself with those that make me happy - because happiness is contagious!!

While writing this I'm thinking of the Gumball cartoon characters singing "When life gives you lemons" clip - I love Gumball!!

So remember to choose happiness!

And really heat does not help blog writing creativeness!!  So hot!!  But on the bright side ---- hmm there really isn't a bright side except I hate being cold worse!!  Choose happiness!!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Day 8 - Blog 12 Days of Christmas - Opening Doors!

Today's mantra: Old ways won't open new doors.

Ok let's step back a bit and tell you what I did today.  I started the day with the Sawtell New Year's Day Fun Run 5.25km.  I ran this for the first time in 2014 and found it a very hot and challenging run.  It was the same this year. 

However, I managed to run a faster time by 51 seconds than last year.  And, I also managed to beat a fellow local runner that I come across a lot in the local fun runs I do.  Unfortunately or fortunately I seem to be a bit of a competitive person when it comes to running.  I spotted the runner early on - thinking that they weren't going to run this year because I had not seen their name on the registration list - and kept them in my sight.  At first I thought I would not be able to beat them because of a not so good run at the Dorrigo Show Fun Run in which the heat and hills got the better of me and I walked most of it.  But this time, I won the mental battle!!  And this has been huge for me as I have been battling a bit with my running since the Ipswich Park2Park and my issue with hills.  It seems this run has put my head in a good place for 2015 - with regards to running anyway!

After the run I met up with a fellow Running Mums Australia (Facebook running group that I am a member of) who I had come across during the run.  Seems the world gets smaller every time I meet someone through running.  In Ipswich back in April 2014, I met a lovely lady at my first parkrun - it was her first too.  We became friends on Facebook, as you do, and found we had a mutual friend.

Today after meeting the fellow RMA we found we also have a mutual friend and that she works in the local high school.  I talked about fate in a previous post and strongly believe that once again I have met these people for a reason.

A visit to the beach was in order to cool down and then an afternoon of not doing much at all.  It was really hot - seems to be a theme in the blog posts today!!

So back to the mantra - this is another thing to add to my list to work on this year.  I am going to change my approach to work - not sure how yet but I do believe it needs changing.  My attitude and thoughts towards work are something I will be working on but also how I approach things at work.  This will, I hope, lead to new opportunities!!

Here's a link to a video of the start of the Sawtell New Year's Day Fun Run that my hubby took.  Look out for me waving at the camera at 15 second mark.