I have found my way.

Back to the keyboard of Blog World. Oh how I have missed thee. I promised myself way back over a year ago that I would never go more than a few days without posting and have the last two posts failed miserably at that. Not sure why I have neglected to get on here other than the thought has crossed my mind but I have just not had the right words to come up with to make a post that was worthy of publishing. But I guess to those who read my blog - you probably enjoy reading my antics and get quite a giggle out of some of the stories I tell - or better still I hope I connect with you on some level that makes you realise that if a housewife from the west can give it a go, then so can you.

This last week has been all about "mothering my hammy" and taking itsy steps to ensure that it behaves - and it has. There is no pain, some slight tightness but overrall, the old girl is behaving. I am stretching diligently and icing post activity and if yesterday's bike ride is anything to go by - I think I am GOOD TO GO.

Wednesday I went for my first test ride to see how the hammy would pull up. Paul and I did laps around near the Coffee Club at a nice easy pace and although my hammy didn't hurt, my back did. Damn back - it always tells me when I haven't done any exercise. but Paul stuck by me making sure I was okay and he sheltered me from the horrific winds which came howling down the roads in every direction imaginable. Paul is such a great friend, and not sure if I mentioned it before but Paul and I used to swim squads together at Guildford Aquatic Centre. It is such a small world. But so glad I have re-united with him and his beautiful family.

Then on Thursday evening I did more Core and Strengthening Class with SPARTA PT. I love coming to this class - not only is it heaps of fun but I get to spend it with some great people. Thanks for making the classes so much fun Jen.

I have had 2 really good swim sessions - both of which I have felt so strong in. The first was with Sarah on Thursday - we did some longer sets and we both came out quite happy from the session. I was happy to see that I was able to maintain a nice form throughout and hold my pacing really well. It's amazing how your body know's just what to do - especially when it finds a sport that it feels so comfortable in. Sure things hurt but it's a different sort of hurt - it's not one that makes you want to stop but rather that pain empowers you to keep pushing because you know you are getting better, fitter. The same cannot be said for my running. I am sure I was meant to grow gills - being in the water feels like being home.

The second one was with James at Nepean Aquatic Centre (NAC). If you haven't had a chance to get to this pool - then I suggest you make it a "To Do". It is a really beautiful swimming pool and the water is so clear you can see from one end of the pool to the other. I love it. This was our set:

• 3 x 200m - 50 Fr/s, 50 Bk/s, 50 kick, 50 Fr/s
• 4 x 100m Fr/s descending time on 2:00
• 8 x 50m Fr/s with pullbouy at ankle on 60secs
• Then 3 sets of the following:
• 200m Fr/s firm on 4:00 - I managed to do - 2:55, 2:50, 2:45
• 4 x 50m Fr/s with paddles on 60 secs
• 4 x 100m Fr/s - 25m sprint/ 75m easy
• Then:
• 8 x 25m kick with 10secs rest
• 100m easy cooldown

I felt amazing on Saturday in the water. My strokes were really long and controlled, I love feeling like that - brings back memories of my childhood when I was a really good swimmer. Makes me still feel like I can tackle almost anything.

Then after finishing the swim - the gang was at it again for a ride. I was unable to do the efforts so I sat back with Macca (who I hadn't seen for ages) as Sarah did her efforts from the program with Louise, Nikki and Andrew. Sarah is on fire with her program. Yeppoon is going to be an amazing day for her. But towards the end of the ride I decided to have a little go and hang onto them to test out the hammy and it behaved. Thank goodness. It is not allowed to misbehave - not after all the "molly coddling" I have been lavishing on it.

Then yesterday I did another amazing ride - only this time I felt on fire. Wow, I felt so very strong and ended up riding for just under 2.5hrs hours. And now that I have passed the hammy test - I am back in full swing with the training. I can now join Sarah on the remaining long rides so we can both make it to Yeppoon feeling strong and confident. Thanks guys for sheltering me from that horrendous headwind on the M4. If I hadn't of been able to slip stream behind you my feeling of STRENGTH could very well have been replaced with feelings of BLAH.

So bring on the remaining 35 days till Yeppoon. I'm excited. I am off for another PT session with Jodie today. No running but more strength and core work. The more core strength I get the better. I am surrounded by great people who all want to see me stay healthy and fit. Thanks everyone so much.