My style.

Second time around.

After Sunday's hill climb I decided yesterday to go out and do it again, only this time I wanted to do 2 loops. And guess what, the second loop did not happen. My legs were cactus from Sunday and I barely made it up the hill the first time. I struggled big time and was sucking up alot of O2 in an attempt to make it up the top without getting off my bike. It worked but boy it was hard work. I finished the loop and as I was passing my home something in me said just to try for the second loop, but I knew that if I did I would be disappointed with the outcome - so I veered left and went in my driveway and retreated gracefully.

I retreated to a nice hot shower and loads of stretching as well as my usual daily routine of physio stuff. You know, I'm a little confused - even though I feel like I am getting stronger and more in control of my exercises given all the work I do, it's not the same with my stretches. Doesn't matter how much I stretch or for how long I am always supremely inflexible. It's driving me totally nuts and even Lisa shakes her head in disbelief as she can see how much effort I am putting into my exercises, so she knows I would be the same in the stretching department. Not quite sure what else to do.

So physio today proceeded like it usually does - me squeeling like a big baby and Lisa having a giggle because of all the noises I make. I should get award though because today I found out that "I, Barbara Hughes, have the tightest glutes she has ever felt in her physio life". I have knots on top of knots and with all those knots I have formed my butt. Everytime she goes to touch one of those knots I see stars, Mother Mary and all the saints. We were laughing today saying maybe they need to supply physio clients with a shot of valium or some scotch to ease the pain. It's just horrendous, I think I would go so far as to say I would prefer to give birth again. My poor little toosh is battered and bruised again.

And over the last 10 tens my back has started to play up again and I can feel the twinge of sciatic nerve pain rear it's ugly little painful head. With everything I have at stake here I will not let this take hold again so I have re-booked myself back in with the Sports Medicine Doctor for my second lot of shots. And this time I am not scared, I am ready - bring it on.

I have also been in search of a really good training cossie, but the knee length style. I absolutely love how they look and it also comes with the added benefit of not having to shave as often. I know "women's business" but it's truly annoying. The girl from the Speedo Shop in Bondi has been truly helpful an sent me an email with an image of the cossie. What do you think? It's row three and I will have the black one thanks.
Fingers crossed I get it by Friday as I have a swim session booked for Saturday with the new Tri Club coach. Gotta look the part.

Yesterdays ride in a pretty picture

How cool is this site. I always wondered how other people got these fantastic images of the ride they have done, and now I have my very own. When I had a look at the data it said it was a 6% incline which means nothing to me. All I know is when I stand at the beginning of this hill and look up it's pretty high. Enough that if I was driving I need to drop the car to a lower gear - enough said.

A great day.

Today's Duathlon was not a big affair by any stretch of the imagination but gee's it was run well. I went not only to watch but with the hopes that I would help out but when I got there they all seemed so well organised I didn't even put my hand up, and with that I was left to take in everything and learn.

Today's Duathlon was a 2.5km run, 20km bike ride finished up with another 5km run. And the top guy and gal did it so easy I was left standing there with my mouth wide open. The speed's at which they did that 20km in I can only hope to one day reach. Awesome is all I can.

Whilst waiting inbetween run legs and cycling legs I got to chatting with a lady who is hoping to become the club coach. They are hoping to add a new dimension to coaching within the club by doing track work, actual transition training, mounting and dismounting from the bike and swim sessions. Sounds awesome. As of next Saturday they are holding 3 free swim sessions which will include stroke correction and actual squad work. I look forward to it as I believe you can always learn something new.

When I got home I decided it was time to bite the bullet and get my backside on the bike and hit the road. It was time to overcome my fear and ride the 8km block around my home. The 8km loop includes 2 main roads and one awesome hill and alot of traffic, but I think I chose the right day to do it. Being the weekend meant less traffic and the best time to overcome my fear.

I had a ball, the traffic didn't bother me even though I had two absolutely massive trucks go past me and rattle me with the wind. I felt in control and just enjoyed the weather and the fact that I have just done something I thought I couldn't. I was so proud of the fact that I tackled that hill and didn't have to get off my bike. GO ME. I think I must have done the loop fairly quickly because my husband was totally gobsmacked and said I was hooning it down our road.

I can't wait to do it all again tomorrow. Hope the weather holds out.

"Rolling buffet"

After yesterdays mammoth headache and my inability to go for a bike ride I decided to make today my spin day. I also wanted to test eating something other than chews whilst on the bike and see how my guts held up. So my son made me a Peanut Butter sandwich and cut it into slices for me. I had my whole little table beside me set up with a 500ml bottle of Gatorade, a 300ml glass of water and my PB sandwich. I also had my DVD player setup with "Bloodsport" in it to watch. I absolutely love Jean-Claude Van Damme and admire his prowess in martial arts but the one thing he can't do is act very well. Nevermind he is a great fighter.

I lasted an hour and consumed everything and one startling observation is that with all that I consumed in the beverage department I hardly let out one drop of sweat. This is a wake up call for me in the hydration department - I must have been so dehydrated already that my body needed every last bit of fluid I put in. Maybe that was the reason for my headache yesterday, actually I think it was for sure. I have been trying hard to drink more but I guess not enough. I need to drink more fluids everyday. I need to make sure my pee is dilute all the time.

Another piece of observation is that eating on the bike did not make me feel sick. I thought that maybe I would feel a bit pucky - but nah, feeling good. It actually felt good to eat something - the PB is a bit dry in the mouth though, maybe I can mix and match each little cube - one with PB and the other with vegemite for the salt component. Food for thought.

I managed 26km in the hour and am happy with the outcome. Looking forward to the Duathlon tomorrow. Will see if they need assistance when I get there. Thanks BDD for the idea.

What a cracker.

I hate waking up with the beginnings of a headache. When this happens doesn't matter what I do or how quickly I get the pain relief in, I can pretty much be guaranteed a whopper of a headache that I will just have to try and manage till it relents. So after 2 lots of paracetamol and a dose of ibuprofen I can now open my eyes and feel some relief. However it leaves my head feeling like a big bag of marshmallows - all soft and gooshy.

I am a bit disappointed because today I had all intentions on actually getting out and riding my bike, we had another glorious day of sun and I was hoping to take the bike out on the road. But it was not to be, so today I will call my REST DAY.

I tried to think what it was that had caused my headache and the only thing that I can think is that I have had 2 fairly intense sessions in the pool this week and my shoulders and neck are feeling quite tense. Maybe I am due a massage.

This coming Sunday I am hoping to go see a Duathlon held at the lakes. Wish I could do it but for obvious reasons I can't, will have to be content to watch and cheer everyone else on. Hopefully tomorrow I can go for a ride.

Solid session

This is what was staring back at me this morning when I got in the car to take the kids to school. I wouldn't think much of it if I was going to come straight home, but that was not the case. Today's session involved a rectangular object which held gallons upon gallons of water. Good thing though that it was sunny, so that made up for it in a way.

We had a couple of regulars missing due to illness (gotta love winter), and their presence was missed. However, those that remained kicked out some awesome sessions. Mel, did a whopping 2km session. 2000m from someone who not that long ago thought that she would struggle with 300m and now she had energy to burn after 2k. I am proud of you Mel - well done. That deserves a gold medal award:
My session today was a little varied once again. What is that saying "variety is the spice of life". I think swimming is one of those sports where you have to keep on trying to mix it up a bit because a) you can run the risk of it becoming stale/boring, and b) by not challenging yourself with other strokes or varying distances you wont really see a big improvement. I don't want either to happen, I have too much riding on this. Big dreams lay ahead and I want to give it my all. This is what I did today:

• 500m Fr/s warm up
• 12 x 50m Fr/s with 45 sec rest. I did them all on about 35 secs
• 300m kick with flippers. (50m Fr/s, 50m Fly)
• 4 x 100m IM with 40 secs rest
• 200m Bk/s
• 200m Fr/s finger trailing
• 300m cooldown

I feel strong, now I have to transfer that strength to my legs. I shouldn't complain, they are feeling stronger too. I can now do the single leg bridges which about 10 days ago I couldn't - so that means I am gaining strength there too. But I would be happier if things would mend a bit quicker.