Training, Training, a little Event and more Training

Now I know it has been a long while since my last confession.. however I have been extremely busy training. One day I will get myself organised enough to train and blog on the same day. Here is what has been happening since my last confession.

Our Christmas trip to Northam was soooo much fun... not only did we get to see Aarons family, kids swam in the pool but I went out for a really BIG ride on Stella. I got up on the Saturday morning @ 5.30am.. the house was very quiet, no one was stirring not even a mouse. Stella and I hit the road and I have to say it was the best feeling. The early morning sun was shining, sheep in the paddocks, birds everywhere and not a car in sight. I was flying along, at one point I was doing 37kms per hour. I felt like 'BABE' letting out a La La La as I was riding along.. My aim was to ride Northam to Toodyay and back, along the back roads that we have driven so many times. I had a little drink stop at Toodyay before setting off on my way home. This is the point I realize that the reason my trip to this point was easy was because I had a tailwind and most of the trip was down hill.. yep now I have a really strong headwind and the entire way is UP HILL.. Not La La La ing anymore.. This is now possibly the hardest ride I have ever done. I make it home in just over 2.5hours ... 58kms later.. and still loving Stella.

Sunday: I head out early for a 5km run along the same road as yesterady and I seriously feel like I am in heaven.. sheep, birds, long stretch of trees shading the road... I just run, not thinking about anything, just run.
We head home from Northam on the Sunday evening, bellies full and feeling all Christmassy..

Monday: My long run day... Today I am combining my 3.7km loop with my 6km loop to give me a long run. I love getting out in the early morning. Gives me a chance to clear my head.

Tuesday: Is my 30km ride into town with Gail & Sharna.. I love this ride.. It is a totaly buzz to be riding with these ladies and being able to keep up with them.

Wednesday: 6km Run today. I no longer feel like I am having to push myself out of bed for a run... It definately feels like I am getting my running mojo back. It has been a long while since feeling this way about running.

Thursday: REST DAY! Woohoo! Now for anyone that doesn't know me, I love rest days.. however I think I am going to have to rethink my rest day.. I spent this rest cleaning out the pantry..

Friday: 30km Hills ride with Gail, Amanda & Sharna... Today the girls have decided to switch to a ride through town, as we are all feeling a little weary with Christmas coming and all.. 1hr @ 30kms per hour still ain't bad.

Saturday: Another REST day.... biiiiigggggg Triathlon tomorrow.. I did however go into town and have a coffee with the usual Saturday ride crew.

Sunday: Triathlon Day... I am totally terrified. Doing 750/18/5, the longest distance I have completed yet. The swim is to be in the ocean... Oh my, can I change my mind now is all that is going through my mind. The swim is actually quite beautiful. The ocean is very flat after a week of easterly winds, we swim over a reef full of really gorgeous fish. I am totally last out of the water, even the trystar kids finish before me but I still have done the 750mts myself, without the need for rescuing. Onto Stella, and the headwind... My mind instantly goes back to last week when I was riding back from Northam, I knew that ride would come in handy..We have 3 laps on the bike, heading out of town into a fiercly strong headwind and back into town with a worlds best tailwind. I am the last out onto the run but still going, this is the hardest run I have ever done with two really nasty hills, the sun is out now and I am feeling the heat. Two laps on the run and as I am running down the hill to the finish line with the girls holding my hands, someone asks over the PA' if competitor number 1 could return your timing chip'!'I am competitor number one and I haven't finshed yet... As I cross the finish line I realise I have done it. I have actually finshed this distance.. Courtney has timed me unofficially of course and I have been out on the road for 1hr 40mins... not bad for a newbie. Badly dehydrated, and under fuelled.. Thank you my darling girls for supporting, cheering and feeding your old Mum.

After a race debrief with Coach Crealy I now have some very good information about nutrition and hydrating. which I have been testing out this week during training.

This grasshopper has much to learn... xxxxx