Panthers Triathlon Club - Part A - Triathlete of the Months.

I guess everyone knows how much I love my club - that's no secret. And if it is to some of you then please let me shout it out from the roof tops. I LOVE PTC. As part of my role within the club as Media and Public Relations Director I pick people to take part in our Triathlete of the Month segment as well as our Race Report segment. I want to share some with you. This will be a regular feature of my blog as I gain permission from the recipients. So drum roll please :

Number 1: Bob

Number 2: Kristy

Number 3: Rommel

Number 4: DaveNumber 5: Jen

Please make my friends feel welcome into the land of BlogVille. I am so proud to call them my friends. Make sure you leave a little comment on my blog making them feel welcomed. And stay tuned tomorrow. There will be a stack of race reports to follow.

Click on each segment and you should be able to enlarge each picture enough to read. Enjoy what PTC has to offer.

Thanks for the photo Kate.

To dream.

"A series of images, ideas, emotions, and sensations occurring involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep"

Or is it your minds way of playing tricks on you, a way for it to make you question that which is real to that which is nonsensical. I don't know how many times I have awoken to a dream of having won millions of dollars only to realise that this is not to be.

Last night's dream was different.And not sure why I dreamed it. Maybe I have some left over angst from Yeppoon, whatever it was - the dream was ODD. It's not like I'm training for anything at the moment. Or maybe I'm just tired and being up most nights for the last week with sick kids has made me loopy.

Whatever it was, my dream landed me "smack dab in the middle of transition" at Port. I was laying out my stuff and realised I had no drink bottles, my runners had laces, I had no High 5 gels and my rear tyre was flat. Needless to say I was a complete wreck in my dream. All I could scrounge up were 4 GU Gels (not my cup of tea) and one drink bottle that didn't even sit in my drink cage properly. As for the rear tyre I changed it with tears pouring down my face constantly repeating to myself "what were you thinking, you practised time and time again, how could you get this so wrong". Needless to say, I awoke in the midst of and anguished cry and couldn't stop at about 2am. Really, what were the chances of something like this happening - ZERO, but somehow my brain thought it a catastrophic enough event to have me go through it in the safety of a dream.

I guess if I was to take this dream to an expert they could pick it to bits and it would cost me a fortune for the appointment. I know what this is saying about me, I need to learn to go with the flow. That life is going to throw massive curve balls at you and you just need to adapt. It ain't that big a deal. Use each moment that does not go according to plan as a moment to learn, to grow, to analyse and move on. To not stay stagnant in one's thought's - patterns but to find ways to challenge yourself.

But most of all to know that This too shall pass. That nothing bad lasts forever. What have you overcome?

Here's an idea.

I want to ride from Penrith to Melbourne - thats over 900km. Why? Well, it was an idea floating around mine and Elissa's cranium for a bit- like me she was super excited and couldn't wait to get cracking on it. Well that was some month's ago - and with training for Port and Yeppoon the idea was put on the back burner.

Well, now that I have no massive races apart from Nepean to focus, it is the perfect time to start organising this momentous ride with Elissa.

First things first - we wanted to fundraise for a worthy cause. Well, that was easy. But I can't disclose it yet till we get the approval on our submission. Just know that it has to do with Neurology. This is something near and dear to my heart and couldn't think of a better place I would like the fundraising money to go to.

Secondly - the name. This was slightly tougher to come up with. But it still only took a matter of 10 or so minutes to decide with Elissa. So basically there is a part of our brain that deals with fine movement, equilibrium, posture and motor learning. Without this part of our brain - our one passion and ability to do this ride - cycling - would be impaired. This part of our brain is known as the Cerebellum. So we thought it appropriate to be known as the "Cycling Cerebellums".

Now it's time to try and piece it all together. So much to think of. Route, accomodation, pit crew, nutrition, medical supplies and appropriate person for the job, sponsors, ABN, equipment, making appropriate authorities aware of the task at hand. I'm sure there are a squizillion things to think of and we will continue to write them down as they crop up.

But in the meantime, Elissa has been getting arty and drawing up some awesome designs for our cycling shirts. I think you are all really going to like these.

We have also started our own FB page - aptly named "The Cycling Cerebellums". If you are on FB please check out the page - HERE. I would love to have as many of you following this adventure as possible. And hoping that when we announce our fundraising cause - you might find it in you to sponsor us on this EPIC ride. Not matter how big or small it will be greatly appreciated.

In between all of this I am really enjoying getting crafty in the kitchen. Kind of nice to have time to spend thinking up yummy dinners.

WANT SOME?

Membership Day Enticer Duathlon

I am so glad I did this even though it hurt more than words could explain. It hurt far more than my 70.3 in May and any of the hills going through Cobbitty - but in all honesty, I couldn't have cared less because I got to race and have fun in the process. And it also opened my eyes as to where my preferences lied in respect to distances. And I am 100% confident that my body likes the longer, slower kind. It has time to adapt and adjust and settle into a steadier rhythm, whereas with these short ones - it's on for young and old - literally.

I'm not sure I could contain my happiness about racing. It was really needed to help me overcome my sadness about Yeppoon. My legs were itching so bad to get racing - and I think most of my friends, if not absolutely everyone there could notice it too. I could never make a good poker player - my facial expressions totally give me away.

Felt odd setting my bike area up for a Duathlon, I felt like I was missing a whole heap of stuff. It was just my bike shoes, bike, PTC visor and helmet. I kept looking back at it thinking I was missing something - but I hadn't, just used to setting up for a Tri. I want to thank Andy from Panther Cycles for loaning me his cycling shoes as silly me lost mine at Yeppoon. Not sure where but I wasn't all with it after the race so where they have ended up is anyone's guess. So thankyou very much Andy, I am positive those babies made me cycle faster - your the best.

Pretty soon it was time to line up for the start, we got a group photo and then it was time to go. Having never done one - I was not sure of what to expect other than I knew it would hurt. But the speed at which everyone took off in left me in full sprint mod and when my Garmin clicked over for the first 1km - I nailed it in 4:42. WOW, I was running fast and having a blast at the same time. Boy, have we got a fast club.

Then on the second 1km it was time to slow it down a bit and I did that in 5:05 with a total time for the 2km - 9:47. I had no other option to slow down as my stitch that keeps haunting me at every run returned. It hits me right under my right rib and leaves me feeling bruised for days. More on that later.

Then it was time for a quick change into my cycling shoes, helmet on, grab my bike and GO. I was so glad to get on that bike. Can you tell?

I love my bike. And am liking more the fact that I am feeling somewhat stronger on it. It's a cool feeling when you see your speedometer not drop below the 30km/hr and still feel like you could push harder. Which I did, but then upon remembering I had to run again off the bike I laid of the accelerator a bit. As I was coming through the back stretch I hear this familiar voice "Hey Barb, how ya feelin". It was Paul. Boy does he make cycling look easy. His legs are like pistons and they make him move so fast. So as he sped off I tried to hang on but alas had to drop off - it's like trying to catch a Ferrari. So with 10km done my time was 19:46 and that was with both transitions involved.

Then it was back on with the runners and out for another 2km run. What was I thinking..... I think my heart rate didn't fall below 180 the whole way on this Duathlon.

The last 2km felt great apart from a pastie mouth. I had forgotten to have even one sip of my drink during the race and mouth felt like I had swallowed a bottle of Talcum powder. I was glad to see the finish and quite happy with my second 2km's at 9:43. Total time for Enticer Duathlon - 38.36. WooHoo. Not too shabby for my first one and potentially my only one.

After the race the club put on a massive feed and all the kiddies enjoyed face painting. There were also membership bags and cards given out to everyone who turned up. Absolutely awesome event. Glad I didn't miss it. I love catching up with everyone.

Thanks to everyone who took photos of me racing. It was much appreciated and I hope one day to be able to repay you all for such beautiful pics.

Then Monday I had to get a few things looked into. We get so caught up with trying to get fit and train for events that sometimes we either overlook a pain or chose to ignore it because you don't seem to have time to fit a visit to the Doc's in. Well, with no training at the moment there was to be no more excuses. So first thing was a little hernia that I noticed last Thursday at Core Class. Just above my belly button and a bit firm to touch. Doc wants that and my upper right abdomen pain that I keep getting everytime I run Ultrasound. Not sure if there is a relationship between the two but best to get them checked I say.

It was also time to get my sinuses checked into. I have had sinus issues for years due to allergies but this year they have been exceptionally bad. Always have cheek pain and forehead pain and headaches, so enough already. Lets get this body running in tip top condition. So antibiotics it is and an Xray. With these things in the process of getting checked out, that is another thing ticked off in my down time.

Then yesterday I went to visit a friends from the Tri Club's brother-in-law and brother at a place called Technogym. I have been looking into getting myself a treadmill for use here at home. And boy have I spotted the one I want in the future. It is so sleek looking and the quality of it really is beyond anything I have seen. It wasn't even the treddie that was beautiful, it was all of their equipment. Loved it.

Then after that I went to visit Jennie and Paul. And to my utter surprise I got spoilt to my hair being done and to a card that had the most beautiful of words written inside of it.

There are no words I can find to convey my true feelings about your gesture of love and kindness to me. You have made me feel so very special and I will never ever forget it. Just know that it is felt right down to the bottom of my heart. THANKYOU. And I love love love my hair. Thanks for a great day yesterday.

I have the best friends and family ever. Have I told you all that lately?

NEXT!!!!

Wow, what an amazing few days I have had since my DNF last Sunday. The most important thing I learned out of this :

I can never go wrong

because

my family and friends

RULE.

You guys held me afloat better than any floatie device on the market. And I am more than 100% sure that I would not have come through this as well as I did ( well I think I did) if you had not all been in my life.

I don't think there is a measuring device BIG enough to demonstrate how appreciative I am of each and every single one of you.

I am already putting strategies in place to make sure that I have given it my best shot in making sure this doesn't happen again. I have already bought myself some Motion Sickness tablets - heck I bought those puppies before I left Yeppoon. So that was TICK No 1.

TICK No 2 - I am waiting to hear back from Surf Life Saving Australia to see what I can organise in terms of helping me learn to manage Ocean Swimming. If I can learn to manage rough swell and not choke on so much water then I may not get as sea sick. HOPEFULLY.

And, TICK No3 - getting back on that horse and doing a club race. Yep, this Sunday. I'm itching to use my legs. This will be my first ever Duathlon. Looking forward to some fun. I'm so glad to be back home.

So what am I looking forward to most now - catching up with friends, enjoying some down time, having fun with a few new adventures and then getting cracking on some more training for the Nepean Triathlon.

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats,

so you can know who you are, what you can rise from,

and how you can still come out of it.

~ Maya Angelou ~

Sometimes.

Even the best laid plans can come falling into a heap at your feet and there is nothing you can do to stop it. It's almost like watching a dramatic car crash on TV in slow motion and witnessing the whole damn thing frame by frame only you don't have the remote to stop it. You just have to sit and experience the whole thing as agonising as it is and then try to work through the aftermath as best as you know how.

Well, yesterday was like my car crash in a way. But before I explain let me say that I had the best car trip coming up here to Yeppoon with my husband. It was a 1400km+ car trip but one I enjoyed so much. I got to see places here in Australia that I never knew existed. Really beautiful places and some towns that were literally no more than say 2 houses. The mind boggles as to how long it would take them to get into any major town for a grocery shop - and what would happen if you run out of sugar (like we all have). You can't just say "Honey, I just popping out for a few minutes". The reality is that your drive for some sugar could be a 2-3hr turnaround. So I guess you would have to make sure you never run out of the essentials EVER.

The view in every direction was absolutely breath taking. Miles and miles of open land interspersed with hills and mountains as you crossed through the Great Dividing Range.

And then at times you were faced with earth that red in colour it almost made me feel as though I was in Central Australia near Ayers Rock.

We came across towns that if you blinked you would have missed them but we stayed overnight at a town called Miles and the hospitality given to us there at the Miles Motel will never be forgotten. They are such nice people and for all of you who live here in Aus and want a place to stay that is quaint and where you will be looked after - then the Miles Motel is for you.

We also stopped at a cute little town called Taroom for a cuppa and found this cute old abandoned house and I wondered about it's history and what stories lay inside it's walls.

Much of the drive went by quickly and it's good that on the way back I will get to see it all again and a few extra towns too. Can't wait to discover new little towns heading back home.

Heading into Yeppoon I could feel my excitement start to increase and I was getting super excited about my impending race. There was not an ounce of nervousness which I thought quite strange for me. I not once felt scared about what was heading in my direction and had total faith in all my training and abilities.

I took in a great ride with Sarah on the Friday and as always we constantly made light of every situation we find ourselves in. We even tried to make it appear as though we were riding tandom by forming a shadow with our 2 bikes. Totally hilarious.

And then on the Saturday we went for a run with Dave to take in one lap of the course - thanks Dave for showing us the way and giving us great tips and advice and then both Sarah and I went for a quick dip in the afternoon.

The ocean was great and I thought if it is like this I am going to nail my swim and hopefully come out with a PB or atleast something I should be proud of. Water temp was great and there was minimal swell - PERFECT. I was one happy little mermaid.

Then Sunday morning in the wee hours I was awoken to the sound of wind and rain. What the hell? Where did that come from? I immediately knew that if it didn't settle that this was going to make the swim a bit choppy. What I didn't bank on was how choppy.

Sunday morning I arose early - as I usually do pre race and set about getting myself ready. I had already had everything set out the night before so it was just about getting dressed really. I wasn't able to eat my breakfast as early as I may have liked because A) I dont have a kitchenette in my room and B) I needed to wait for breakfast to open at the restaurant in the resort. As 5:30am hit, I made my way down to transition to meet Sarah to check our bikes in and also to get our body marking.

Straight after that it was time for brekkie. And as usual I couldn't stomach it but forced myself to eat anyway. I thought i had done well this time containing my nervousness until race day only. For Port 70.3 I was freaking out for about a week before race day and on race day all I wanted to do was HURL. But this time I saved all my energy until race day.

Before I knew it, it was time to get my wetsuit on and make our way down to transition for the race briefing and then to start the 1.7km walk to race start.

I wasn't too concerned at this point of the water, but I could feel my anxiety levels rising - which for those of you who know me is nothing new. It wasn't until Sarah and I jumped in to do our warm up that I realised that what lay ahead was not going to be good. I remember diving into those waves and feeling mildly sea sick from the get go. I looked at Sarah and said "I'm not liking this, I feel sick". Her wise words helped soothe my nerves a little but feeling that queaziness in my warm up scared me. I won't lie.

Watching the Pro's take off it was clear to see why they are Pro's. They made it look so easy. They dolphin dove through those waves as though they were a hot blade going through butter. And then before I knew it I was standing at that starting line waiting for my countdown. Nick Munting - the race organiser was talking us through the remaining seconds prior to countdown and then we were left in the hands of the starter. And then the horn blew.

I took off running to those waves with as much BRAVADO as I could muster and thought to myself "C'mon Barb, this is your gig. Get going and don't think of the waves and how they made you feel, you can do this, this is what you have trained through Winter for".

Wave after wave I worked through and had to keep readjusting my goggles as I would come face to face with yet another wave. For the first 100m it was quite a battle just to make it to that first can, but once around the first can the tide did turn in our favour - which essentially should have made it easier. However, although in our favour my body still did not like it.

My nausea returned and for the first 200m-300m I was feeling like I was going to vomit absolutely everywhere. But I thought to myself with every stroke I took it would take me closer to the finish line. I could not get my rhythm in the water - every time I took a stroke I would come through the other side of the wave and face plant into the trough and swallow water and start coughing. Time and time again this happened which would stop me dead in my tracks. I was really fighting for every breath and every stroke and was starting to hate the swim. I have never hated swimming but on this very day I detested the water. I could feel it beating me.

I continued to push through and finally at the half way mark finally caught a steady rhythm - FINALLY. But it was short lived. The swell started to wreak havoc within me and my motion sickness returned with such force that I could barely see straight anymore. I remember looking up and out and not being able to see anything but waves and as I got to the crest of the wave I could see the Cans and a Surf Life Saver a bit in the distance and a Surf Life Saving Dingy. I was in two minds about whether to call for help but knew that if I didn't then the dingy would go past and I wasn't sure if the guy on the board would get to me on time - as by this stage I started to feel very dizzy and heavy in the water. I was scared. And I felt so alone and vulnerable.

So I reluctantly waved down the dingy with all intentions of just holding onto the side and trying to finish the swim after having a rest. But once I stopped, it intensified the height of the waves and my motion sickness grew in intensity. I couldn't believe I was in this position. Never before have I felt so torn. All I wanted to do was finish this race but my body was not letting me. It had decided for me. The next few words to come out of my mouth hurt more than anything I have ever experienced. I told the guy that I couldn't do this and that I needed to stop. I could feel my heart being ripped out of my chest and as I got pulled into the dingy I started to cry uncontrollably. Not just because I felt so sick and was relieved that I wasn't alone but because I felt like a failure and my dream was now gone.

I wanted nothing more than to jump back into that water but knew that I couldn't and with every wave I felt the dingy go over as my eyes were shut I knew that I could never go back. It was gone. I had given up and I had never given up before. I couldn't believe the choice I had made. I knew it was the right one but why did it feel so so wrong.

The guy did his best to console me by rubbing my back but I could not stop crying. I wanted to disappear and hide - I felt embarrassed, i didn't want all those people on the beach knowing that I had piked out and given up when clearly the rest had not. But what are you to do when you just feel so sick. I lay there in that dingy for what felt like eternity - unable to lift my head from the side as everytime I did the world would spin uncontrollably. I was also having trouble breathing and before I knew it I had an oxygen mask on my face which made me feel better after about 10 mins.

After feeling well enough to start walking so I could hand in my timing chip, I made my way across the sand dunes with another young chap who had struggled as well. I remember saying to him that I didn't feel well and him saying you dont look well and then he asked me to sit on the floor whilst he got an official. The world started spinning again and I had this irritating cough and my head was pounding. Before I knew it - Nick Munting and another official were there and then the ambo's arrived to check me out. I was taken to the medic building and asked to lay down to rest. And there I stayed for about 20mins with Stephen who kept holding my hand and telling me that this did not define who I was, that this was just an unfortunate thing and that there would be many more races in the future. He told me that he had spoken to Mum and the kids and that they were all sending me BIG hugs and kisses.

The care I received from each and every single of those people will never be forgotten. They really did care for me.

On making my way back to the room all I can remember wanting to do was get back under the covers and disappear from the rest of the world. I felt like somehow people knew I had quit - like I had been branded with a Scarlet letter. When the reality is no one knew - I was just feeling so sensitive about my decision and devastated that I did not get to finish. I had a knot in my throat that was trying to hold back the tears and it hurt so bad. I got to speak to Paul because I knew they would be tracking me from home and I could feel his sadness too but his words helped soothe my aching heart.

But even though I was feeling like such an insignificant speck at this point I so badly wanted to get out there and cheer my fellow PTC'ers on to the finish line. I knew that they would do the same for me. But it was such a bittersweet moment. I was so happy for them and excited in the fact that they got to get through that horrendous swim safe and sound and were now out on that bike, but at the same time I was very sad that I was not out there with them screaming out for water bottles, and being checked on by the draft busters. I wanted to experience it too, but it was not to be. So I pulled my BIG GIRL britches up and yelled and cheered for my friends. Even though they were in the middle of a race they still asked me if I was okay as they rode past - that meant so much and I will hold that in my heart for forever and a day. And I know they felt bad for me, I could see it in their eyes.

I tried my hardest to get some good shots of my FRIENDS on their bikes and as I made my way back to where the run was being held I looked to my left and saw Blanche and the girls and Karen and her son and daughter. They all looked at me and sent me hugs and kisses from the other side of the road - it meant so much and I remember just bursting into tears again. We later caught up near the run course and their hugs and kind words meant so much to me. THANKYOU. And there were more tears.

I remember putting up on FB and DM the fact that I had DNF'd and feeling so ashamed of it. But that was soon short lived when all the messages of care and concern started flooding in. I'm not quite sure why I was ashamed (maybe because it happened in my strong leg) but when everyone kept telling me that I had made the right decision and that my health was more important and that this didn't matter it was the journey that got me here that mattered I soon felt better. So I sucked up all my tears and yelled as hard as I could for PTC to bring it home strong. And they did.

I couldn't have been happier for them. I hugged each of them and cried with happiness for them. Yes, Im a crier if you haven't figured that out already.

When I finally caught up with Sarah not too long after she crossed her first 70.3 finishers line I cried with such happiness for her. I remembered that feeling and how overwhelming it was and hugged her and told her how proud I was of her. Her eyes were filled with tears and I knew she was feeling bad for me but I didn't want her moment to be dulled by my inability to finish. This moment was her's.

That evening we all got together and enjoyed a really nice dinner together and after a few (many) drinks I felt really good. We laughed and sang and made the most of our last evening together before everyone had to go home the next day. I know I keep saying it but I really do belong to the best Tri club out there. I have made the best friends that no amount of money in the world can buy.

Then the following morning I arose nice and early and went down to the beach to make peace with my Nemesis. I needed to see the ocean again, to find some solice and to come to terms with what had happened. I didn't want this event to be what BROKE me. So as I walked and cried I decided to send the ocean a message:

I wanted her to swallow that message and know that the next time I came up here I was going to kick her butt. I was going to be well practised in the art of ocean swimming and I was going to be so dosed up on anti sickness tablets that not even a hurricane was going to stop me from finishing the Capricorn Resort Ironman 70.3 Yeppoon.

Not being one to focus on the negatives for too long I thought I should finish this post off with some positives:

• I made the right decision - first and foremost.
• The organisers of this event and the Capricorn Resort did a fantastic job. A definite must for those of you looking for a 70.3 with a great feel to it.
• I am blessed to have an amazing support network who love and care for me.
• I am not a failure, it just wasn't meant to be this time.
• One DNF does not define who you are.
• Sometimes these things happen to help you learn something that was needed at that point in your life.
• I will put strategies in place to help me overcome this so next time it does not happen again.
• I am safe and well and able to move forward.

Yeppoon I will be back next year. YOU can count on it. We have unfinished business and the next time we meet it is I who will make you sick.

Lucky stars.

I never knew in my wildest dreams when I got into this wonderful world of Triathlons, FB, Dailymile and my BLOG that I would be so blessed to meet (both in person & virtually) such amazing, talented, kind hearted, generous and supportive people. It's true, I have always been surrounded by such people with my family and friends BUT it has grown exponentially. For the love they hold in their heart could cure any ills, bring peace to any war, a feast to any famine and shelter to the masses. And I don't for one single moment take any of this for granted - for it is I who am the luckiest person for having you all in my life.

I am blessed to have the opportunity to be able to train with the most wonderful of friends and not only share in quality time with them but to learn from their individual talents. And in doing so I am able to relish in all there is to know about them and count my lucky stars that they call me FRIEND. After Sunday's bike ride I was treated to a beautiful afternoon tea with Clair and Sarah. Thankyou ladies - it was a special afternoon filled with a tonne of laughter. The previous Friday I got to have lunch with Tracy, Susan, Kylie and Karen. My social circle has never been so exciting. I'm spoilt rotten - I know. You girls are just the best.

Take yesterday for example. How could my day have gotten any better. I don't think it could of. I got to spend my morning with my family before they headed off for school. Then Sarah came over with her little ones and we had morning tea and lunch together. I was then treated to a special parcel in the mail by my friend Erin. Now Erin and I have not met in person - but we have met via FB through a mutual friend Logan whom I met through DailyMile. From the moment we accepted eachother's friend add - we connected instantly. It's kind of hard to explain but I am sure you have all experienced meeting someone and having an instant connection - well that is what my friendship is like with Erin.

Erin spoilt me to a really AWESOME present - and I find it really hard to express in words my gratitude. Just know Erin that my gratitude extends from the bottom of my heart and I look forward to the day that we will meet. Check out my awesome present:

I am going to wear this as I do a ride on my way up to Yeppoon. I love it. Fits like a glove too.

Then yesterday afternoon as I was waiting in my car to pick up the kids from school Kate pops up at my window and hands me a beautiful card with a gas cannister wrapped in a pretty pink bow. Thankyou so much Kate. I really appreciate the return of the cannister. And your kind words in that card meant alot to me.

Then to top the day off I popped over to drop some things off at Jennie and Pauls and I got treated to the yummiest cupcakes, best coffee and the most gorgeous of cards from Tahnee and Sienna. How spoilt and lucky am I. Thankyou girls, you have such BIG hearts and are a real blessing. Your smiles and beautiful cards made me feel very very special indeed. Thankyou Paul and Jennie.

I wish you could have seen the smile on my face last night when I went to bed. It was bigger than the Cheshire cats. I still don't know how it is I came to be so surrounded by amazing individuals. The way you all care about me will never ever be forgotten or taken for granted. THANKYOU.

So tomorrow is the day Stephen and I make our way up to Yeppoon. I am about to drop my bike off to the wonderful Panther Cycles for it's check up. Yes, my gorgeous baby needs a pre-race checkup. I am super excited about driving 14 hrs up to Yeppoon and getting to spend quality time with my hubby and I am also excited about wearing my helmet with my own personal name on it. Check it out.

You reckon I will stand out?

Wrapping up

And heading into glorious taper. Oh how I am enjoying the easier sessions and relishing in making myself feel nice and fresh and relaxed. If I remember back to Port I was freaking out about going into taper as I thought I was going to lose all of my new found fitness, when the reality of it is, this couldn't be further from the truth. Our bodies need this down time to help repair our muscles. Have a read of this ARTICLE that I found which sums it up nicely.

I felt so fresh in the water this morning going for my swim with the squad. But I also felt strong and in total control of my breathing and stroke for a change when I was being challenged to maintain an even time over the course of 10 x 100's. My normal pacing over that sort of set seems to be about a 1:25 per/100 or slightly slower, however today I don't know what got into me but I was STOKED. I came in on each 100m in about 1:20/1:22 and then got plenty rest as we had to leave on 1:45. I couldn't believe it. I normally feel really fatigued and delirious when I push hard but this morning was a totally different kettle of fish. It's really exhilarating when something like that happens.

Then heading out for we were short one person - Sarah - we missed you. You did however retain the green sprinters jersey as the only thing we got chased by this morning resembled a hairy little rodent and did nothing more than than yelp and try to assert itself. Kind of funny watching a little dog try to act like a Great Dane.

And as always there were laughs to be had. I couldn't help myself - I had to have a ride of Jen's bike. I was suddenly transported into a feeling of being in a circus. My knees were touching my elbows in aero and I had to sit and pedal with my knees pointing outwards. It was so funny. Like watching a clown at the circus.

After all this fun on the bike it was then time to run. It's amazing how your perspective on a distance changes over time. When I first started running, the thought of running 8km's on it's own would seem so painful and so out of reach, let alone having to do it off the bike. But somehow over time and a few km's under my belt it doesn't seem like such a daunting thought anymore. I remember hearing people say "oh I only have to run 10km" and thinking to myself "My God, will there ever be a day when I can say JUST 10km's". And now I find myself saying the same. I never thought that day would come and it has. WOW. I feel so blessed that my body has allowed me to keep moving forward. I don't ever want this feeling to end.

This week has also been great because I won the TriShave 3in1 competition and scored myself $300 towards my next adventure. Well, having no idea of what my next adventure should be, all I could think was that I know I didn't want my current adventure to end. Life has been too much fun over the last year so the best way to capture life itself and all the riding I do was to put that $300 towards a :

GoPro HD Hero Helmet Camera.

I can't wait to get it. It's already been shipped. UPS tracking system says so. Imagine the awesome photos I will get out cycling without having to fumble with my iPhone. I'm excited. I could even get some cool shots on our club races. Mmmmm, the mind is working overtime.

Thanks TriShave.