Don't pass out in shock that I actually wrote on this thing now will you???....
I have been missing in action in a great big way, but by no means am I dead.
I have been going to Uni on weekends, working during the week, coaching, and trying to squish in some training (a little unsuccessfully I might add). Uni is now over for this year (which I passed by the way so am now a qualified Fitness Instructor as well as a Tri NZ coach - who'd have ever thought THAT would happen???). Plus I am on the mad dash to cram in as much long overdue training for the Half Ironman wizzing up on me as I can.
Might I add right here that RUNNING SUCKS!
The little coaching enterprise I have been running on the side is now officially a business. I work one day a week from home in the FIT GOALS "office", and 4 days a week at the job that actually earns me money, being my office/accounts job at Bureta Park. I am now coaching 4 swim sessions a week, and have about a dozen clients that I provide weekly programmes for. Plus I am helping with the Triathlon Tauranga club nights and having a ball meeting heaps of new people who have all caught the triathlon bug.
So, life is busy as usual!
My husband and I have a 10th wedding anniversary to celebrate tomorrow, but as we are too busy training it is just going to slide on by once again. Might make a nice dinner and save the wine celebration until????????........... one day!!!!!!!!!!!
He is madly training for his 320km 2 lap jaunt around Lake Taupo. Don't know how he can even be contemplating that, but who am I to argue with a dream/challenge/goal.
The kids are sprouting, both upwards and out the mouth. Two 9 year old boys in the house = loads of mess, noise, and back chat! Something I could do without but I had them so I better deal with it.
Just a real quick update really - Have not read any blogs for yonks so have noooooo idea what anybody else is up to. Sorry bout that!
Thanks for checking in on me! I miss you all, really I do! One day I hope to be a full time coach, earning loads and training heaps! YEAH RIGHT. I also hoped to look like a supermodel but that dream is a bloody long time coming too............. haha
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Busy as always
As usual life seems to be too busy to cope. I have been extremely stressed lately which has resulted in pretty much a mental and physical breakdown. My job is still rocky at best which makes it very hard to get up and go there every day. My other "job", coaching, has been going great, which is a positive thing. I am really enjoying taking the swim squads, as I hope the swimmers are enjoying doing them - or at least suffering through them!
Uni is great too - I love it. So full of positive people who want to help others. Of course there are some boof heads, but you are going to get that in this industry I suppose. I am currently doing Exercise Prescription and learning all about the differences in weight training. Have also been doing exercises I NEVER do so have awakend some long dorment muscles I think. It's all good though as I have found some new favourites. Study for this paper is mainly doing gym work, so it hasn't been too hard so far. I have my assessment in 2 weeks time, so the next 2 weeks will be full of study for the theory part, and then using some guinea pig clients in the gym so I can practise the practical part of the exam.
I guess loving Uni and the coaching just makes going to the day job (in other words the one that feeds me) alot harder. The patience is wearing thin with it all, and I want to get working in the industry.
But, that's for another time - right now I am learning heaps and enjoying the study. I am making big steps towards running my own business, and although it is an extremely scary prospect, it is exciting too. So, there is light at the end of the tunnel you might say.
Have a great weekend
Uni is great too - I love it. So full of positive people who want to help others. Of course there are some boof heads, but you are going to get that in this industry I suppose. I am currently doing Exercise Prescription and learning all about the differences in weight training. Have also been doing exercises I NEVER do so have awakend some long dorment muscles I think. It's all good though as I have found some new favourites. Study for this paper is mainly doing gym work, so it hasn't been too hard so far. I have my assessment in 2 weeks time, so the next 2 weeks will be full of study for the theory part, and then using some guinea pig clients in the gym so I can practise the practical part of the exam.
I guess loving Uni and the coaching just makes going to the day job (in other words the one that feeds me) alot harder. The patience is wearing thin with it all, and I want to get working in the industry.
But, that's for another time - right now I am learning heaps and enjoying the study. I am making big steps towards running my own business, and although it is an extremely scary prospect, it is exciting too. So, there is light at the end of the tunnel you might say.
Have a great weekend
Friday, July 24, 2009
3 Weeks in July
For 3 weeks in July our house turns into topsy turvy land (more so than usual). The morning is spent trying to watch the last 2 hours of the stage that happend overnight in the Tour de France. Sometimes it's on Sky TV at 6am-8am, but other days it's at 5am-7am. The earlier the better for us, and I have found that the last 2 mornings have been the hardest to not watch while trying to get organised. So, instead of just watching abit here and there, the whole family has sat themselves down and watched 2 hours of cycling when we should be making lunches, having showers, eating breakfast and getting on with our "real" day, instead of watching cycling (a very "unreal" profession to me).
But, the best part is I have actually done it while sitting on my wind trainer for the last 2 days - go me!!! On my bike, 2 days in a row - wonders will never cease.
This weekend I am back at Uni and the final stage before Paris is up some jolly huge mountain called Vontuse (sp?) early on Sunday morning. The final chance to win this sucker, or at least stand on the podium in Paris! Thankfully that last 2 hours starts at 5am, so it will be a long day getting up to watch that, attending Uni and then driving home afterwards from Auckland. Oh well, thankfully the 3 weeks in July is just about over.
GO LANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But, the best part is I have actually done it while sitting on my wind trainer for the last 2 days - go me!!! On my bike, 2 days in a row - wonders will never cease.
This weekend I am back at Uni and the final stage before Paris is up some jolly huge mountain called Vontuse (sp?) early on Sunday morning. The final chance to win this sucker, or at least stand on the podium in Paris! Thankfully that last 2 hours starts at 5am, so it will be a long day getting up to watch that, attending Uni and then driving home afterwards from Auckland. Oh well, thankfully the 3 weeks in July is just about over.
GO LANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Another weekend bites the dust!
Well, it seems that even though I struggled through one particular topic of my last paper at Uni, and pretty much guessed a question that had a large hunk of the marks for the final exam, I came out with 90% and an A+!!! I'm pretty pleased with that, because me being the anal perfectionist I am, hates getting a grade that doesn't have an "A" in it somewhere. A+ A A- any will do, but obviously A+ is the ultimate goal!
But of course that means that I now have to start the next paper. So another 3 weekends of classes in Auckland means work 5 days, travel 2.5hrs on Friday night, classes from 8am - 5pm Saturday and Sunday, then travel another 2.5hrs home on Sunday night, just to start it all over again..... the last paper made me knackered! This time we are doing alot of practical sessions in the gym, so at least this time I get to move around instead of being stuck in a lecture room for 8 hours a day.
I'm a little nervous about being with all the gym bunnies, muscle junkies and generally slim fit people in the gym learning this stuff. I think we have to do things like fat pinch tests, fitness testing blah blah - my fat pinch is TERRIBLE, and I do hope I don't end up having some muscle bound jerk having to practise on me and telling me I'm 50% fat so what the hell do I think I am doing on a Personal Training course!!!!! God, the things that run through my head at times really makes me think I should be committed for insanity. I wonder if I will ever stop worrying about what others think of me, and just get on with living my goddamn life the way I goddamn want to?????? I've decided I'm a nut case!
Anyhooooo, once again the weekend dished us up some crapola weather and the wind was howling and the heavens were open with rain on Saturday so riding outside was canned. However, I COULD have gone to the gym - I COULD have gone swimming - and I COULD have got the windtrainer out. Of course I did none of these things, and instead did nothing but potter around doing very important "stuff" at home.
Sunday was a duathlon race in Waihi around the top of the Gold Mine pit - Tri Saint had decided to give it a whirl so we went along with the kids to support. It was pretty cool really as we've never actually been to look at it. It was so deep you struggled to see the bottom. The first run was 8kms and he had quite a few people in front of him to catch. However he showed his love of riding and blitzed by most of the field in the 20km 4 lap circuit, to come out right near the front of the long course race by the end of the last 4km run. It was howling with wind, and from what I could see there wasn't much point in having aero bars on the bike as it was downright dangerous to be on them. It was a pretty casual affair really, but there were heaps of marshalls and it was a great challenging course. The prizegiving was at the Waihi Rugby Club and it was funny to see all these blokes who had cycled to the race start, done the race, and then started downing big quart bottles of beer! The ride home in the wind with a few bottles of beer under the belt would have been interesting for some of them I'm sure! Still, it was good to see everybody enjoying what was otherwise a pretty good low key race. I got some pics which we will put up on Paul's blog page.
By the time the prizegiving had finished and we got home and sorted, it was time to go and take my swim group. So, another day passed with me having done NOTHING on the training front. Oh well, them's the breaks and I still enjoyed my weekend. I got up early and did some weights before my spin class at the gym this morning, so have made up for it a little bit. Obviously going back to Uni this weekend is going to put another handbrake on things, so I will just have to get up early and run before classes. The poor bike is back on the rack in the shed for a few weeks too.
The kids are back at school after 2 weeks off on holidays, so life is back to homework for them and study for me. Joy oh joy!
But of course that means that I now have to start the next paper. So another 3 weekends of classes in Auckland means work 5 days, travel 2.5hrs on Friday night, classes from 8am - 5pm Saturday and Sunday, then travel another 2.5hrs home on Sunday night, just to start it all over again..... the last paper made me knackered! This time we are doing alot of practical sessions in the gym, so at least this time I get to move around instead of being stuck in a lecture room for 8 hours a day.
I'm a little nervous about being with all the gym bunnies, muscle junkies and generally slim fit people in the gym learning this stuff. I think we have to do things like fat pinch tests, fitness testing blah blah - my fat pinch is TERRIBLE, and I do hope I don't end up having some muscle bound jerk having to practise on me and telling me I'm 50% fat so what the hell do I think I am doing on a Personal Training course!!!!! God, the things that run through my head at times really makes me think I should be committed for insanity. I wonder if I will ever stop worrying about what others think of me, and just get on with living my goddamn life the way I goddamn want to?????? I've decided I'm a nut case!
Anyhooooo, once again the weekend dished us up some crapola weather and the wind was howling and the heavens were open with rain on Saturday so riding outside was canned. However, I COULD have gone to the gym - I COULD have gone swimming - and I COULD have got the windtrainer out. Of course I did none of these things, and instead did nothing but potter around doing very important "stuff" at home.
Sunday was a duathlon race in Waihi around the top of the Gold Mine pit - Tri Saint had decided to give it a whirl so we went along with the kids to support. It was pretty cool really as we've never actually been to look at it. It was so deep you struggled to see the bottom. The first run was 8kms and he had quite a few people in front of him to catch. However he showed his love of riding and blitzed by most of the field in the 20km 4 lap circuit, to come out right near the front of the long course race by the end of the last 4km run. It was howling with wind, and from what I could see there wasn't much point in having aero bars on the bike as it was downright dangerous to be on them. It was a pretty casual affair really, but there were heaps of marshalls and it was a great challenging course. The prizegiving was at the Waihi Rugby Club and it was funny to see all these blokes who had cycled to the race start, done the race, and then started downing big quart bottles of beer! The ride home in the wind with a few bottles of beer under the belt would have been interesting for some of them I'm sure! Still, it was good to see everybody enjoying what was otherwise a pretty good low key race. I got some pics which we will put up on Paul's blog page.
By the time the prizegiving had finished and we got home and sorted, it was time to go and take my swim group. So, another day passed with me having done NOTHING on the training front. Oh well, them's the breaks and I still enjoyed my weekend. I got up early and did some weights before my spin class at the gym this morning, so have made up for it a little bit. Obviously going back to Uni this weekend is going to put another handbrake on things, so I will just have to get up early and run before classes. The poor bike is back on the rack in the shed for a few weeks too.
The kids are back at school after 2 weeks off on holidays, so life is back to homework for them and study for me. Joy oh joy!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Where to start?
It is safe to say that over the last few months, the plot has been lost by me completely! It's a mix of things really - lack of training time; winter weight gain and emotional food woes; crap work issues; University studies; kids that know how to push your buttons; money stuff; big dental bills; a car that is too embarrassing to drive as it makes horrendous noises; winter in general!!! I just went through a patch where it all got too hard really. I guess that's just life aye? I was trying to tell myself that it really wasn't that bad, that things could most definitely be worse, but after losing it completely a few weeks ago and letting alot of frustrations out, I am beginning to feel better.
The first thing I needed to do was stop the self beating I am capable of when things are not happening the way they should be. I was too tired to train most of the time, so I needed to have a break. Do stuff because I wanted to, not because I felt I had to. I even read a book this week that had NOTHING to do with sport or triathlon. It was a great mystery/cop thing that has had my nose glued into it for the last few days. I needed the escapism.
Over the last few weeks I have finally got back on my bike too, and I have enjoyed it. The weather has been miserable, but after a trip to Kathmandu for some extra warm bits and pieces, I felt ok out in the wet and cold weather. I still love my new bike, and am glad I took the break away from it now. I have definitely lost some fitness, but that's ok too. I will be up and running again in no time I'm sure. I keep telling my clients that consistency is key - that is what I need too. Some consistency over the next few weeks to build back up to a fitness level I feel better about.
So, even though this may seem like a "bummer" post, it's not really. I am starting to feel human again, have some really positive things happening in my life, have a great husband who has supported me through all my crap, and am looking forward to the winter rolling into spring soon. We are embarking on another Ironman adventure next year, and this time we are doing it together. I think I'm going to like that!!
The first thing I needed to do was stop the self beating I am capable of when things are not happening the way they should be. I was too tired to train most of the time, so I needed to have a break. Do stuff because I wanted to, not because I felt I had to. I even read a book this week that had NOTHING to do with sport or triathlon. It was a great mystery/cop thing that has had my nose glued into it for the last few days. I needed the escapism.
Over the last few weeks I have finally got back on my bike too, and I have enjoyed it. The weather has been miserable, but after a trip to Kathmandu for some extra warm bits and pieces, I felt ok out in the wet and cold weather. I still love my new bike, and am glad I took the break away from it now. I have definitely lost some fitness, but that's ok too. I will be up and running again in no time I'm sure. I keep telling my clients that consistency is key - that is what I need too. Some consistency over the next few weeks to build back up to a fitness level I feel better about.
So, even though this may seem like a "bummer" post, it's not really. I am starting to feel human again, have some really positive things happening in my life, have a great husband who has supported me through all my crap, and am looking forward to the winter rolling into spring soon. We are embarking on another Ironman adventure next year, and this time we are doing it together. I think I'm going to like that!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Quick Update
Things are still ticking along in my little world. So what have I been up to?
Study is taking up ALOT of time and head space. There is soooo much to learn in such a short period of time it is mind boggling. They said it was a "pressure cooker" course, and it sure is. Still, it is great that I can retrain and become qualified relatively quickly, and at the same time as keeping my "day job". The other option was to do it part time over what felt like about 10 years of study, and maybe still be keen to change career at the end of it all. I'm already using the things I am learning in my coaching role, and even if I never get into the gym environment that I am hoping for, I can add value to my clients in other ways. All positive stuff at the end of the day.
My swim squads are picking up really quickly. Event entries are starting to open for the summer season, and people are suddenly popping out of their winter slump and starting to train. It keeps me busy and focused. A daily reminder of why I am putting myself through all this stress of study - I love doing this job more than my "day job". The rewards are huge for both my clients and myself.
My own training is very up and down due to limited time, weather conditions and energy levels (and any other excuses you want to add here). I have to say that I have become like a hibernating bear and hate going out into the endless frosts we seem to be having (gorgeously sunny but bloody freezing!!!!!!!). BUT, I have to train all winter next year for Busselton Ironman, so I may as well get in some practice now. I went out for a run this morning and actually managed to pick the least frosty day of the last 2 weeks, so that was a bonus. I used my HR monitor and it was telling me how unfit I am, but I was pleased with the speed. So, a few more weeks of short runs and I think I will be feeling better and ready to up the distances.
The same goes for cycling. I get on the windtrainer once a week, and attend one spin class at the gym each week (all indoors you see - hibernating bear!). I haven't been outside for about 6 weeks. This weekend that will change! I have warm gear, I have a great bike, I will RIDE IT!
I have my exam this weekend and then I am off for 3 weeks until the next study block starts. In that 3 weeks I fully intend to get stuck into training and lose some of the weight that has appeared due to the aforementioned hibernation (and studying requires food, so that hasn't helped). The next block of study is actual gym work, so I really don't want to show up to that not able to do a swiss ball sit up as my gut is in the way! Not a good look for a future Personal Trainer!!!! lol
Hope everybody is surviving winter at this end of the world, and enjoying a summer of racing at the other end of it. We have just passed the shortest day so onwards and upwards to summer!
Study is taking up ALOT of time and head space. There is soooo much to learn in such a short period of time it is mind boggling. They said it was a "pressure cooker" course, and it sure is. Still, it is great that I can retrain and become qualified relatively quickly, and at the same time as keeping my "day job". The other option was to do it part time over what felt like about 10 years of study, and maybe still be keen to change career at the end of it all. I'm already using the things I am learning in my coaching role, and even if I never get into the gym environment that I am hoping for, I can add value to my clients in other ways. All positive stuff at the end of the day.
My swim squads are picking up really quickly. Event entries are starting to open for the summer season, and people are suddenly popping out of their winter slump and starting to train. It keeps me busy and focused. A daily reminder of why I am putting myself through all this stress of study - I love doing this job more than my "day job". The rewards are huge for both my clients and myself.
My own training is very up and down due to limited time, weather conditions and energy levels (and any other excuses you want to add here). I have to say that I have become like a hibernating bear and hate going out into the endless frosts we seem to be having (gorgeously sunny but bloody freezing!!!!!!!). BUT, I have to train all winter next year for Busselton Ironman, so I may as well get in some practice now. I went out for a run this morning and actually managed to pick the least frosty day of the last 2 weeks, so that was a bonus. I used my HR monitor and it was telling me how unfit I am, but I was pleased with the speed. So, a few more weeks of short runs and I think I will be feeling better and ready to up the distances.
The same goes for cycling. I get on the windtrainer once a week, and attend one spin class at the gym each week (all indoors you see - hibernating bear!). I haven't been outside for about 6 weeks. This weekend that will change! I have warm gear, I have a great bike, I will RIDE IT!
I have my exam this weekend and then I am off for 3 weeks until the next study block starts. In that 3 weeks I fully intend to get stuck into training and lose some of the weight that has appeared due to the aforementioned hibernation (and studying requires food, so that hasn't helped). The next block of study is actual gym work, so I really don't want to show up to that not able to do a swiss ball sit up as my gut is in the way! Not a good look for a future Personal Trainer!!!! lol
Hope everybody is surviving winter at this end of the world, and enjoying a summer of racing at the other end of it. We have just passed the shortest day so onwards and upwards to summer!
Friday, June 12, 2009
The book is finished
I was lucky enough to be sponsored when I did my Ironman last year. In return for my free cycle clothing and entry fee to Ironman being paid, 5 athletes (including myself) were chosen to write journals about our experiences training for Ironman.
Well, the book has finally been published. The athletes who are featured are all very different in background and abilities. There was me, the overweight busy Mum. Keiran, the busy Dad trying to fit training around his young family. Graeme, the amazing 50 year old who was aiming to qualify for the Kona World Champs. Emma, the zippy energetic English woman who had me wishing I could handle her training load. And finally Raewyn, who had a deep fear of open water swimming but was on a very emotional journey in the memory of her late husband.
It is a great insight into how individuals deal with stresses placed on the body and the mind. All the people featured are just average people with normal lives, jobs and families. But they all managed to achieve Ironman - if you were ever thinking you couldn't do it, then this is the book for you - because it shows you that you CAN!
If you want to purchase a copy of the book, go to this website and email them. I'm not sure if the price on the website is the actual price or not (plus the cover doesn't look like that). Tell them you know me! Might not make a blind bit of difference, but you can only try!
Well, the book has finally been published. The athletes who are featured are all very different in background and abilities. There was me, the overweight busy Mum. Keiran, the busy Dad trying to fit training around his young family. Graeme, the amazing 50 year old who was aiming to qualify for the Kona World Champs. Emma, the zippy energetic English woman who had me wishing I could handle her training load. And finally Raewyn, who had a deep fear of open water swimming but was on a very emotional journey in the memory of her late husband.
It is a great insight into how individuals deal with stresses placed on the body and the mind. All the people featured are just average people with normal lives, jobs and families. But they all managed to achieve Ironman - if you were ever thinking you couldn't do it, then this is the book for you - because it shows you that you CAN!
If you want to purchase a copy of the book, go to this website and email them. I'm not sure if the price on the website is the actual price or not (plus the cover doesn't look like that). Tell them you know me! Might not make a blind bit of difference, but you can only try!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
