Butt still sinking when weary

Hiya,
I feel so guilty.. I have a confession.. I, Rachelle, DID NOT go to runners club last night. I could barely keep my eyes open during the afternoon, I got snappy with Aaron ( a sure sign of being tired) so decided I would be better off staying home and enjoying an evening together with my little family. Roasted some chicken for dinner and the girls made a salad.. Nooiiccee.

This morning when the alarm went off at 5.15am I honestly wanted to throw the thing out the window, pausing ever so slightly to stomp on it briefly first. But I did just get up, its almost trance like now. Alarm goes off, Rachelle gets up and goes into the bathroom to put on whatever gear corresponds to the activity about to be undertaken.

Swim squad this morning seemed to prepare me for an open water swim. I managed to get swum over, sratched & hit in the head. Ladies its a non competitive event you are training for, take a chill pill. I did feel really good in the water, just getting a little tired on the warm down laps. Here is what we did today;
200mtrs Warm up
4 x 50 Kicks
4 x 50 paddles
4 x 25 Drill dog paddle
4 x 25 Swim
4 x 50 Hard Swim
4 x 50 Easy
100 Cool Down

I could sleep with eyes open or closed...

Hiya all,

Swim squad yesterday morning and I felt rather weary... Still managed the half hour session but felt pretty tired by the end. Evening found the girls and I at the road skills bike session, not a hard session but still sitting on about 22km per hour for approx 15kms... not a bad effort for the girls.

This morning I was out for my early ride before work.. let me tell you I am certain there is concrete in them there legs today.. It definately was a hard session, a head wind with every corner that we turned and the hills felt like everest.

I have runners club tonight but it will definately be an easy session... I may just have to snooze at my desk today.. eyes may or may not be open. hehehehe

And thinking of adding another Tri to the already packed schedule.. I think there is definately a chance I have lost my noodle.

What a finish to the week!

Hiya All,



Saturday morning, I awake to the most beautiful day.. The sun is out early and the birds are singing... As I get on my gear I notice just how nice it is to be heading out the door knowing that everyone else is still sleeping soundly, kids looking ever so cute..



I head off to my usual Saturday morning ride with the Natural Tempations crew. I normally ride in, go for the ride and then Aaron comes to get me after coffee and cake. But this week I have the Aunt and the Uncle coming for lunch so I can't stay for coffee today instead having to ride straight home. Also during this ride you can usually find me hiding at the back of the bunch pedalling like the clappers, so when the group leader suggests that I take the lead for a while today, sheer panic sets in.. Its alot of pressure making sure you are not going too slow for the group. We hit the road and my time in the sun comes... off I go into the lead and put my head down and pedal.. thoroughly enjoying myself, in a near meditative state, pedalling, breathing, totally clear mind.. then out of the blue I hear... "Hey Rachelle... Can I get you anything.. like a speedo? (insert chuckle here) you need to back off the pace a little there love we are struggling back here.." I look down at my speedo and notice that I was sitting quite comfortably on 30kms per hour hehehehehe.. our group average speed stays on 25km per hour.. wwwwooopppps!



On the way back to town we are faced with a strong head wind that just doesn't want to let up so one of the bigger guys sits in front and we all hide behind him. I stop long enough at the coffee shop to shovel down a museli bar, the legs do not have much left in them and then head home.. I pull into the driveway and my speedo ticks over to 70kms.. One very pooped girl. Thank heavens I already have lunch preped and ready all we have to do is cook the bbq and Aaron is in charge of that.



Sunday morning is the day of the Margaret River Fun Run, 4km with the girls, just enough to get the legs ticking over. Gem unfortunately wakes up with a cold and pulls out but Courts is ready to go and we decide to have a nice run together but still run our own race. Courts is much faster than I so I plan to just keep to pace and do the best I can.. Beautiful morning, Sun is out and we are feeling the buzz in the air. Courts and I get our numbers while Aaron, Gem & Harrison sort out the car. Timing bands in place, hats ready, time for the pre-race photo

Off we go.. starting off together.. beautiful course. So nice to be running and chatting with Courts. About half way Courts stops to stretch her legs and says she will catch up.. No probs! I keep with my pace thinking she will catch me at any second, then I pass the 3km sign only 1km to go and I am heading down the biggest hill you have seen with no Courts near me so I decide that perhaps its my only chance to beat her in a race. So off I go down the hill at a sprint... get to the bottom and slow back to my pace and before I know it I am crossing in finish line in 23mins Courts just a minute behind me... Woohoo I am faster than my teenage kid.. I am going to revel in that moment for such a long time because I know that come the next race she will beat the pants off me.

It was so nice to have our cheer squad at an event.. I love hearing Aaron cheering my name as I cross the finsh line. Picnic lunch in Margaret River with my little family after an awesome run... life just doesn't get any better than this.

I have the CURE for Snoring!!!!

Hiya,
After a day's rest. Last night was runner club training, with very strict instructions from Coach Crealy I went along. Really not feeling like going.. just wanted to curl up with a nannie blanket and my book.. I needed to complete a speed up session. Coach Crealy wanted run harder than normal pace for 5mins then walk for 2 mins... So off we go running, I met a new lady Ruthie and she decided she would like to run with me and do my pace.. we start chatting and before I know it I am back at the club house and I have run 5kms in no time at all doing Coach Crealy's 5mins hard 2 mins soft caper.. I feel on top of the world and not at all like I have just run 5kms... WOOOOHOOOO!

This morning I was up at 5am and out on the road with a group ride by 5.30am. I can't even begin to tell you just how much I love riding Stella. I love riding when the sun is just up and no one else is around and the birds are flying with you and the day is so fresh. I kept up with the group today no worries at all on the hills and all, having the time of my life. Back home by 7am to get the kids up for school. WWWOOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOO!

Now onto the Aaron's snoring.. I am so tired at night that after I am asleep I have no clue whether or not he actually is... Easy snoring CURED!.

50km ride with the Natural Tempations Group at 7am in the morning and the Margaret River 4km Fun Run on Sunday just to finish off the week.

I was running...!

This photo was taken as part of an article advertising the Womens Triathlon and will be in the local paper next week. Just thought you would like to see just how happy I look when I am running.

Oh How I love thee....

I have to be the luckiest girl in the world. I have the love and support of the most amazing man. This week I have trained my butt off, I have been up at 5am then falling asleep by 8.30pm. I haven't once had to cook a meal or wash a dish. I haven't had to nag the children to do homework or have a shower. He makes my lunch, cooks dinner all following the meal plan I am following, even hiding the bread from me when I want it but shouldn't be eating it!

Then when I need to go to Melbourne for a quick visit to see my Grandfather, he says 'yep just go, I'll look after the kids'.

Aaron you are truely the love of my life. I am a stronger, confident, happy secure person with you to share my life. You are an amazing man! I love you. xxxx

'I can do this all day long'

'I am fit, I am strong, I can do this all day long!' - This is the borrowed mantra that saw me get through a hour & 1/2 run session. Last night I was due for my long run of the week. The squad training at the runners club was only going to be a 1/2 hour so I went down early and did slow laps of the oval for an hour and then joined the squad for run, walk & sprints for the last 1/2 hour. Then heading home to my family whom I have almost forgotten what they look like this week.. Aaron had the children washed, feed and homework done and the yummiest dinner waiting on the table for me.. How lucky am I? xxxxxx

This morning it was back to the pool for a 6am start.. Worked more on the tucking of the chin and sinking bottom and added to that a left arm that wants to help out the right one. But I am still in the fast lane and am keeping up and feeling really good at the end of the sessions.

I am meeting some amazing people, being invited on rides & runs left and right and really having the time of my life. I am resting now until tomorrow night when I have another Runners Club session. I am heading to bed at 8.30pm every night and am missing my little family so am going to spend the evening giving them some attention.

Busy few days coming up with training - Will update as we go! xxxxxx

Sleeping, sleeping and more sleeping....

Hiya all,

City 2 Surf... such a fun event. The sun was shining and it was such a beautiful day to be out and enjoying. Courts did really well and was happy to go off and run her own race. Gem as sticking with her Mum. She ran the whole 5km... very proud.. She is not keen on just running so I have decided not keep pushing her. She loves the swimming and is still enjoying the bike riding. She will still have to do some running for her Trystar training.

I used the 5km City 2 surf as training really because I had to run at Gemma's slow pace.. but I still enjoyed the day. It did help stretch out the legs from Saturdays 56km ride and get the butt moving which quite frankly is still not quite recovered.

I did however drop into the bike shop and pick up a new seat for Stella, one recommended by the ladies at the bikeshop as a seat with alot more give. That and the knicks (padded pants) seems to have done the trick.. now just to get out and toughen up my butt.

Swim training at the pool 6am yesterday morning and boy what a fantastic session. I put myself into the medium lane, after two laps the coach asks me to move to the fast lane. (First time in my life I have ever been asked to move to a faster lane) So off I go doing the drills. Coach tells me that I am lifting my head, try tucking my chin down and that will stop the sinking butt. At this point I have nothing to lose. I give it a go and guess what NO MORE SINKING BUTT... WWWWOOOOOOHHHHOOOOOOOO!

In the afternoon, the girls had swim squad and then off to a bike riding and road sense lesson for the girls and I.. Girls did really well and I just kicked along on Stella, enjoying the ride.

This morning Stella and I hit the road with a new group of really nice ladies. One of whom has done 6 Ironman events (crazy chick) and we managed to cover almost 30kms this morning without even thinking about... I was too busy chatting to worry about anything else... and I kept up easily. Maybe I am getting better at this caper than I thought.

Poor Aaron doesn't get to see me any more... When I am not waving goodbye off to either training or some event... I am harrassing him 'Is dinner ready yet? I'm starved!' or I am falling asleep on the lounge and he is having to put me to bed. Usually around the same time as the kids. Heehehehe... I have no idea how I will cope when he goes back to work!

Runners club tonight for my long run and swimming again in the morning. Will let you know how I go.

Happy exercising xxxxxxx

56.69kms and one very sore bottom

Stella got a new seat this week... not the mountain bike lounge chair seat anymore but a super slick racing seat that helps her go very fast... one teeny tiny problem.. I am having trouble seating down some 6hours after my ride... I am sitting just on one cheek while typing this blog... oooohhhhhhhhh.. and I had to buy the padded pants in preparation.. not pretty I am going to say out loud.

But the good news is I kepted up with the group on the long ride today and learnt how to draft in strong winds... I wasn't even such a nanna on the hills today.. and at the end of the ride noticed that we had almost done 57km... wwwooooohhhhooo.

We have the city 2 surf tommorrow and the girls and I are doing the 5km run.. Next week life as we know it will cease, because all we have time for is work/school and training. Will do a quick blog tomorrow to let you know just how well we did..

Training Program - 93 pages long

Hi,
Having spoken to Coach Crealy last week about the need to put together a training program to get my self ready for the coming months. She requests that I send her a list of all my planned events along with a timetable of when I am able to train.. Then I get to wait nervously while she works on the perfect program for her little perfectionist. Then it arrives... all 93 pages of it... and added to the pain is that the actual program section is in miles and yards so I had to do the conversions.. 93 pages...

While having a look at my 93 page program, the have-a-go program for the womens tri arrives.. and as I have paid the fee for the girls and I to do this program I am now thinking of how to incorporate it into the one Sarah has sent through.. Now if that is not enough, Gem has swim squad twice a week and both girls have Trystars (Triathlon for kids) training Friday afternoons.
Boy life is getting a)very busy and if I am not careful b) very confusing. So I have the calender off the wall. Pieces of paper all over the desk trying to combine programs and list events and where everyone has to be on each day... I need a much bigger calender.

I head to bed for a much needed early night and Stella and me hit the road for a 20km ride this morning, again freezing the wazoo out of myself until about 15 mins in.. then I notice the sun is out, birds are chirping.. and I am flying along.. I did my 20km in around 45 mins so very happy with that..

Going for a short 3.7km run with the girls this afternoon to get into the swing of things for the City 2 Surf on Sunday. I love my life.

A happy little note - Aaron is recovering nicely from his hernia operation. He is going crazy from having to rest and relax and do nothing but he is doing really well. He plans to be the official team photographer for us on Sunday.

Busy Girl

Hiya All,

For those of you interested here is my racing schedule until May 2011. I feel tired already.

17.10.10 - City 2 Surf Fun Run 5km (with girls)
24.10.10 - Margaret River Fun Run 4km (with girls)
31.10.10 - Club 1 Triathlon 250/12/2
28.11.10 - Women's Triathlon 200/10/2
19.12.10 - Club 2 Triathlon 250/12/2.5
16.01.11 - Club 3 Triathlon 250/12/2.5
06.02.11 - Club 4 Triathlon 250/12/2.5
27.02.11 - Club 5 Triathlon (maybe do 750/20/5)
20.03.11 - Club 6 Triathlon 750/20/5
17.04.11 - Club Champs 750/20/5
07.05.11 - 1/2 Ironman Busso - Team Confessions - Run leg 21.1kms

Rest Day Antics & an Early Morning Ride on Stella

So my definition of a rest day is curling up on the couch with a nanny blanket and a chic flick and not moving for the entire day. Why is it that everyone else can't get on board with this idea. Yesterday was my rest day after a very tiring weekend exercise wise. And I had to go to work and actually work. What is with that! Then when I get home Aaron annouces that we really should move the house around like I had suggested 6 months ago, and as his parents are coming tomorrow we should do it now... so the evening was spent moving heavy furniture, vacuuming, dusting, making beds.... aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh... I have renamed moving heavy furniture strength training..

So this morning I had set the alarm for 5.05AM (only crazy people get up this early) and spent the next half an hour fighting with the nagging woman inside my head.. I really wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, but she wasn't having a bar of it... I finally gave it and got up and dressed and out onto Stella. I can say categorically that I did NOT enjoy the first 15 mins. It was icey cold.. my fingers and ears hurt they were so cold.. Then something kicked in about the time the sun fully rose and I was riding along the beach matching pace with a seagull feeling amazing. So I put my head down and headed for the lighthouse and home again. In total 25kms in 1hour.. Then back home to get ready for work and out the door before 8am... I totally love school holidays and not having to get the kids off to school.

After work today I am heading out for a 1/2 hour on Stella and a short run around the lake to get my legs running again.

WOOOOOHOOOOOO - Getting the exercise buzz back... xxxx

Another stack on Stella..50km ride & Cross Country Struggle

So now that Netball is finished I went on a group ride on Saturday morning... It was nice to get on Stella and after my initial nerves settled it felt amazing to be out spinning those wheels. I was doing ok in the first 25kms... the wind was behind us.. on the way back we had head wind the whole way and I really had to work hard to keep up. So we reach town and had maybe 8km left to ride... approach the busiest set of traffic lights in Bunbury on a Saturday morning and I unclick from the pedal put my feet down and just toppled over (in front of the group)... My legs just decided to stop working.. Mortifying.. I picked myself up and finished the ride and am trying very hard to just forget the stack.. Apparently their are two types of cyclists, those that have fallen off and those that are going too.. It seems I am in both categories... Sarah has set a challenge for the next 10 days... To stay on Stella... Yeah right... not likely in my case..

Cross Country was yesterday... I went with the plan of doing a 5km run, and as the course was just around the corner from home I decided to jog there do my run and walk home.. nice in theory... I start the jog and really struggled... I walked/ran the approx 2.5km there and then really struggled to finish 2.5kms of the 5km.. I walked/jog home but have really lost some ground with my training.. With my first Tri in only 4 weeks I have alot of work to do... Man I hadn't realised it was that close... blind panic is setting in....

Rest day today and then will be stepping up the training...