Wednesday, June 1, 2011

On the road again.

Oh how I have missed my blog. It has been a full week since I last posted and that has never happened since I started in this Blogger world. It's not that I haven't had anything to write about - God only knows that to not be the truth - it's just that life has gotten so busy. And not really sure with what. I guess life just has a way of picking up the tempo for a bit to see if you have what it takes.

I am still doing training - and by training I mean not following a plan yet, but I am still getting out most days and enjoying just being out there. For instance - last Sunday I went out for our regular chick ride. It was good to be out with Cloe and Elissa and just enjoy the ride and eachother's company. I managed to get a little snap of us out on our ride:
We ended up riding just a little over 52km that morning and even though I didn't feel too crash hot as I have been giving my legs quite a workout I still was able to hold a reasonable pace. If I can still talk and laugh then I know I am doing good.

Then on Monday was our regular Windtrainer session with TopNotch. There was to be no run off the bike that night - talk about torrential downpour all day. It was a complete shocker. But the session was really intense. We ended up doing 4 x 10 mins set broken up into - 5mins small ring easy gear high cadence over 95, then 5mins big ring, gear which will maintain cadence over 95. I haven't worked that hard in ages. I mean I am normally quite quiet when I train(I know hard to believe) - but I don't grunt or make any kinds of sounds but Monday night had me sighing in pain on the very last set. Talk about burning legs. PHWOAR.

Then Tuesday I spent the morning enjoying a really nice swim with Susan and Melanie. Both are training for the new Tri Season. Melanie is going to tackle her first Triathlon - this is very exciting indeed. During this swim session I ended up swimming 2.5km broken into sets of 250's. Some of them were straight Fr/s whilst others were with pullbouy, paddles, flippers, Bk/s. I also got to use my new goggles - the Vorgee Tomahawk. I love the name - they sound fast. Better still they match my Tri suit.
Wednesday I headed out with the girls again for the usual bunch ride. What a great bunch of woman they are. We were also joined by one of their husband's who I found out knew my husband. What a small small world this is. I ended up riding 62.5km and loved every minute of it. And the best bit was that the rain held out right up until almost the very last minute when I got sprinkled on for a mere 5 mins.

Then yesterday I joined Genelle, Kristen and Bec for another trail run. This one hurt bad. I ended up running just shy of 12kms in 1hr 17mins but let me tell you - there was one hill in amongst it all that had me walking quite a bit. But with all my walking and lagging behind the girls would track back and collect me and make sure I was okay. Check out the elevation. This was by far the hardest challenge for me not just physically but mentally as well as that hill and road never seemed to finish. But I did it. And a year ago I never thought I could run - now look at me - I am a trail runner. How cool is that. I can see some new goals starting to appear.
How could I also forget to mention my first strength and core class with Sparta. I had an absolute ball. Haven't laughed that hard in ages. Aside from working very hard there were moments of complete hysterical laughter. Check this photo out:

This is me doing my very best impersonation of a Space Invader crossed with a crab and Sarah trying to shoot me down with the VIPR. Can't wait to go again next week.


Today is my rest day and I am heading out to find myself a dress for the PTC end of year ball.

Your hard work will be rewarded.

"The path to a dream is paved with sacrifices and lined with determination. And though it has many stumbling blocks along the way, and may go in more than one direction, it is travelled by belief and courage and conquered with a willingness to face challenges and take chances" Barbara Cage