WooHooo's All Round....xxxx

Times are in... We all did fantastically well in the Women's Triathlon on Sunday. The times are as follows;

Anna    - 48.12 mins
Gem     - 52.76mins
Courts  - 49.25mins
Nanny  - 55.68mins
and me - 39.96mins

Way to go girls, I am so very proud of all of you. I had an amazing day, although it went way too fast. I am ever so pleased that you all are keen to do it again in March...

WWWOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!......XXXXXXXXX

Women's Triathlon - Race Report

Friday:  Mum and I had a strict schedule to keep.. Shopping, coffee, more shopping, followed by a spot of lunch, followed by more shopping. That said and done... Mum out of $$$'s, shopped out! We headed home for a small swim at the pool to get Mum's sea legs in so to speak. Nice work Nanny!

Saturday:  Saw us doing more shopping, this time with the children... getting them graduation clothes.. Whheeeww.. definately shopped out. Anna arrived in the afternoon and many hours of giggling commenced. I did manage to get all the gear together and packed into buckets ready to go for the next morning. All bikes except Stella onto the car. A good dinner and early to bed for us lot.. Crashed and burned!

Sunday: Alarm goes off at 5.30am and the next two hours seemed to go by lighting fast. Helping everyone sort out transition, collect our goodie bags, get numbers written on, checking out the pool. The girls and Anna are in Wave 2... and it was great being able to watch them start the swim and cheer them on.. much whoooping! Then Mum and I are in Wave 3.. I am first into the pool for my group and get to see both girls get out of the water just as I get in.. Yay, go girls.. Into the pool and then I am off.. I stayed at my own pace, concentrating super hard on my left arm and its trying to help..Next thing I know, I am getting out of the pool and someone is saying 'Great swim, Rachelle!' and off I go to get Stella.. As I am leaving transition Mum is coming out and we are both shouting encouragement to each other.. Stella and I hit the road and I am determined this is where I will make my mark.. sitting on an average of 30kms per hour I catch Mum on her second lap (me on my third) both girls on their third lap(me on my third) and all too quickly the bike leg is over.. Now I have the run.. I am out onto the course and hear my little cheer squad (thanks heaps Julie, Mick and Tarnee)... any second now I am certain that Courts will go flying past me.. then I am at the turn around and its only 1km to go... I blink and I am running through the chute with loads of people cheering me on.. That can't be it.. its over already... I could not have given any more.. I have done the best I can..

Gem is at the line when I finish.. It seems she got confused on the bike leg and only did 3 laps.. whooppss.. Anna comes in a few minutes after me, High fives all round... followed very closely by Courts... and I head out to the run to see where Nanny is.. I meet Nanny at the 200mtrs to go mark and run holding hands across the line.. and we are all Triathletes... WWWOOOOOOOOHHHHOOOOOO!And here are the photos to prove it!

Vitimins and a big big sleep needed..

Right then... its official.. I am pooped... I love Aaron being home but I just don't seem to be getting enough sleep...This week is the lead up to Womens Tri 200/10/2 with Mum, Anna and the girls..Woohoo.

Monday: Swim squad.. I got swum over 3 times by a chick who claims not to be able to speak english.. let me tell you she had better stay away on race day.. I may be forced to drown her. But overall still worked hard and had a good session. Even though the coach made me do an extra 200mts..phooey!

Tuesday: My morning ride with Gail... I just love this ride.. No pressure, We just put our heads down and pedal like the clappers. Love, Love, Love...

Wednesday: Back too swim squad, and despite feeling a little weary I still pushed myself rather hard and even did the extra 200mtrs before the coach asked me too. hehehe

I have put myself back onto the vitimins as I am feeling a little weary and found they did help. So just a run and a light bike left this week and then race day on Sunday.. Then the fun really starts with training kicking up a notch again as of next week. Is it wrong to be tired already?

Team Confessions is born...

Oh my heavens... now its getting serious! Just today we have registered to race in the Busselton 1/2 Ironman May7th 2011... Thats just 23weeks away... Cousin Keith will be doing the swim leg 1.9km.. gotta love a superfish for a cousin. Coach Crealy will be the Lance Armstrong of our team, completeing the bike leg 90kms and me, well I will be channelling Cliffy Young and any other runner I can find to get me over the finish line.. 21.1kms. Mum will be the reserve just in case person (AKA Head of Support Crew).. and Aaron is our in case of emergency person (AKA Head of timing and all things logistical)

23 weeks to get myself ready to do a great job.. I have the Womens Tri with Mum, Anna and the girls this weekend and then the training will really be hitting high gear for Busselton.. I have quite a few Tri's in the season to help with the training... the first big one coming up 19th Dec 2010.. and I am doing the long course which is 750/20/5...a little earlier than I had anticipated but Sarah has said my training is going well enough to have a go..

I honestly can't wait for Busselton... I am beyond excited... By far the biggest thing I have ever wanted to do.. Anyone wanting to come along as cheer squad please let me know.. we definately could use your voice come race day!

Anyone got a direct line to Cliffy?

Who knew that 4 O'Clock happened twice in one day!

What a frantic couple of days.

Friday: Out on Stella with Gail, Amanda & Dee... Hot breeze already blowing at 5.45am, we could tell it was going to be a stinker. We head to the hills.. Definately a hard session but I managed better than I thought I would.. Oh how I hate the hills.. makes the legs burn and the hot weather sucked the energy right out of me. But better I get used to it now..

Saturday: Out for my big ride of the week. Because Aaron was home my plan was to do 70kms instead of the usual 50km, just because he was home with the kids.. 33kms into the ride and I get a puncture in the back tyre. First one that Stella has had so not bad going really, as I have been riding her since late July. Anyway I call Aaron and he comes to the rescue. The tyre can't be fixed quickly so I grab my mountain bike and head into town to meet the crew for coffee.. That way I will at least get my 50kms in as it is a 20km round trip into town. Man I had forgotten what a beast the mountain bike is.. Its heavy.. my feet kept trying to pull the pedals up.. and that doesn't work... and I sit so different... I WANT MY STELLA BACK...sniff, sniff...

Sunday: Up at 4AM.. yes 4AM to volunteer the state race being held in Bunbury today... I am there helping at 5am.. Bleary eyed but there none the less. I helped with setting up the transition area and registrations... then came home at had a coffee, a little snooze on the couch and a lovely breaky of eggs with my little family...

Oh how sad I feel another little nap coming on...xxxxxx

24 weeks, 2 days,15 hours, 15 mins & lots of seconds...

That is the time left until the 1/2 ironman, where I will be running 21.1kms. Everytime I train I am visualising the finishing chute on the day... I am focused, determined and almost ready.

Tuesday: Out on the town with Stella.. I think I have mentioned it once or twice before... but I loovvveee riding my bike. Out with Gail and Amanda this week. It was warm, sunny and an amazing time of the day to be awake. We did our loop around town.. I don't even seem to be struggling with the lighthouse hill any more.. Sitting on approx 30kms per hour for the hour ride..possibly even a little faster as we got back home about 5mins earlier than normal.

Wednesday: Back to swim squad.. and I have finally sorted out the issue of my left arm trying to help my right one.. It took a really good chat with the coach.. and now I understand what I was doing wrong.. She had me doing some side stroke drills and if I concentrate I can now stop my left arm from helping and you know what.. that arm wasn't so tired this time.

Thursday: Up and out the door at 5.22am. Running is not my favourite leg.. It hurts, its hard and I am definately not a natural at it.. But if I am going to complete the run leg of the half I have to get my finger out and practice. So my plan this morning was to get out early and see just how far I could go in 1.5hours. I did the 6km loop and then headed up the big hill towards the beach and back to my place. So without measuring (will do that this afternoon in the car) I am thinking I did around 10kms. Well at least that is what my legs are telling me I have done at any rate. Once I got to the halfway mark I stopped feeling the pain so much and decided to concentrate on all the beautiful things around me.. The parks, trees, lake, and so much birdlife.. The sun out but not yet hot. A slight breeze. Just lovely. and then I was home...

Big thanks must go out to my favourite sponsor.... Mama Steele for providing the gear to have me looking like I know what I am doing... Ma your support and never ending love are beyond words... Love you much...xxxxx

and the training just keeps on coming....

So after four days of being totally lazy and doing nothing with the big ole fat rain... I have had a good strong talk to myself and gotten back onto the wagon so it were.

Saturday: My big ride for the week with a fabulous group.. We headed out to the beach and I have to say it is one of the best rides I have had with them. I led the group most of the way with someone saying hello from another group... stopped for our little rest stop and then headed back and again led a good portion of the way back. I also now have a jersey to match the other guys and I know it is only a small thing but I can't wait till next saturday when I can wear it.. How excitement I have a team jersey. Woooohhhooooo!

Sunday: Got up early and went for a 7km run... it hurt and thats all I have to say about that.

This morning found me back to the pool for swim squad.. and I totally loved it.. Am completely shattered and wanting a Nana nap so bad but loving the swimming just the same..

Big 'ole Fat Rain & being lazy

I am so lazy... we have had big 'ole fat rain continuously since Monday and I haven't done any training since Monday morning swim squad... am going to have to get the finger out... On the up side... I have done alot of sleeping and watching chick flicks with my girlies...xxx

Triathlon Pink

Sunday saw me heading to Perth to compete in Triathlon Pink with my good friend Anna (first time triathlete). As Anna was very nervous she decided to have a go at the short distance. My objective for the day was to stay with Anna and encourage her. I also used the day to get myself in and out of transition faster.

Let me just say that I had a fantastic day. It was so much fun.. We laughed, giggled and talked our way through the whole thing. I did not worry about speed or times... just enjoyed the fact I could be there enjoying the experience with my firend.

So imagine my surprise when we looked at our times and discovered that we came 8th and 9th in our age group.

Imagine what I could have achieved if I had actually tried for a fast time. Anna, I am so incredibly proud of you... Amazing job.. Can't wait for the 28th and the next Womens Triathlon.

Sad day... very big Ride...xx

We recieved some very sad news yesterday.. My very good friend lost her Brother on Thursday.. He was cycling home from work on the highway and hit by a car doing 110km per hour.. Fortunately he didn't suffer but as you can imagine the cycling comuunity here is feeling the loss really hard.

This morning was a ride to his parents house and then onto his house to offer condolences.. There was about 100 riders... and I felt honoured to be a part of the experience.. I have never riden with so many riders and it was a great experience.. I am pleased I could be there for my friend and her family and to be a part of a group of 100 riders is something that will stay with me for a very long time...

Please be careful on the roads...xxxx

MMMMM......Cake...xxx

This is why I train so hard... mmmmm Caaaakkkkkeeeee...

Have you ever tried swimming and sneezing at the same time?

Yesterday saw me hitting training very hard. Bike ride in the morning with a fantastic group of ladies.. Cycling around town, sitting on approx 30km per hour, chatting the whole way makes the hour goes so very fast and I am home before I know it.

Runners club training was quite hard.. I just really struggle to get motivated for these sessions.. but then I think they are the ones I really need to do and that is why I struggle with them. But we did warm ups, then run / walk / sprint / snake / run / jog / walk.. I felt great after the session and definately pushed myself harder than I would have by myself.. Maybe that is the good thing about training like this at the moment.

Swim squad this morning and I seriously don't think I woke up until I got into the freezing water and suddenly I was instantly awake.. I have had quite bad hayfever the past few days with spring definately here in a big way.. So swimming down the lane, and I get a fit of sneezes... Picture this... trying to concentrate on strokes, breathing, lengthing my strokes.. sneeze sneeze sneeze, stroke breathe, sneeze, breathe, choke, sneeze, breathe, stroke, lengthen, breathe sneeze..

That a side I was still really happy with the session and feel like I am getting somewhere with it all. It has definately been worth the effort.

Resting now until tomorrow night when we have runners club again however as Aaron leaves for work tomorrow morning it may turn into just a run around our neighbourhood as runners club might be too hard with 3 children, homework, dinner, showers etc especially since I haven't had too deal with any of that for the past 2 months... I miss you already Aaron xxxx

Club 1 Triathlon - And we're off and racing...

Sunday saw the first Triathlon of the season finally arrive.. I have been training for this Tri particularly hard for the last four weeks. While I don't have my times just yet, they haven't been posted on the website yet (will get them to you as soon as I can) I felt really strong.

The swim, I was the second person in the water. 250 mtrs or 5 laps over before I knew it. I used the swim as my warm up. Onto the bike, Stella and I were off.. We sat on around 28-30km/per hour for the 12kms.. woohoo..

Then the run, with legs feeling like concrete stumps, it was clear that I am going to have to do some work on the run but none the less I ran the whole way. Look honestly running might be a stretch but I was doing a fantastic impersonation of the Cliff Young shuffle.. Crossed the finish line with a smile and Aaron cheering me on... It just doesn't get better than that. Times have been posted and are 250m Swim - 7.17mins, 12km Bike - 31.30mins & 2km Run - 14.46min Total Time 53.33mins... wwwwoooooohhhhooooo!

Having arrived back from my whirlwind trip to Melbourne on Saturday night at 8pm... After getting home from the tri I had a cup of coffee with Aaron and then had to have a little sleep... two hours later I woke to get up and potter for about 2hours then back to bed for another 2 hours sleep hehehehehe... Then to top off the day I was back to bed by 8.30pm and slept in and missed swim squad...

However now that the sleep tank is back to its normal, training is back on course.. woohoo..xxxx