Who? ME!!!!

1. Thankyou TRI714 for choosing me to receive this Stylish Blogger Award. I feel so very special and hope that what I am about to divulge will not make you regret having chosen me..... I shall try to keep it clean and somewhat interesting.

2. Now I have to share 7 things about myself: Hard considering I already tell you guys everything, so now I have to dig deeper into the deepest, darkest recesses of my mind.

• I am slighlty - Ok ALOT Obsessive Compulsive. Mind you I have relaxed from being COMPLETELY driven by cleaning. I mean really I don't have the time now, but it got as bad as wiping down my kitchen bench quite a few times in the hour some years ago. Didn't have much control of who I was back then and that was my control.
• If I was to meet anyone in this whole wide world it would be a tie between Chrissie Wellington and Mirinda Carfrae as I think both women are absolute legends. My dream, goal, aspiration and who I dream about being like in this Triathlon world are these two women. I would even go so far as to say I would be even happy being 1/3 like them.
• Things I hate about myself - my long GO-GO gadget neck and being flat chested. It's no secret - take a look at the photos - I have more pectoral muscle than most dudes. Would I change this - NO. I used to think about changing it, but this is what makes me ME.
• My most favourite flavour in the whole wide world is Salt n Vinegar. Whether that be in chips, rice crackers, salad - I will lick it all off before actually eating the chip. The more condiment the better. When I was a kid my oldest brother and I used to eat a bowl of finely diced capsicum which had been drenched in it. Our lips would go white as the amount of Salt n Vinegar would burn our lips.
• My diary is my life. I write everything in it to keep me organised. Without it I feel lost.
• I totally look forward to doing some form of training everyday and even though I may complain, whinge and whine - after it is all said I done - I am totally stoked.
• My biggest accomplishments in my life has to be without a doubt finding my husband and becoming a Mum. Even though at times I am pulling my hair out (as I type) - everytime I look at my 3 children I see 3 fantastic humans who really are good hearted individuals.

3. Pay it forward to 15 blogger friends: I hereby Christen thee a "Stylish Blogger".

• Dawn : http://dawn-dancingintherain.blogspot.com/
• Ross : http://rosshawk.blogspot.com/
• Sierra: http://oceandreams4sierra.blogspot.com/
• Jen: http://jenakanewone.blogspot.com/
• Jaydub: http://corsolameta.blogspot.com/
• Eoin: http://eobeara.blogspot.com/
• Kirsten: http://paperbyforgetmenot.blogspot.com/
• Heather: http://bellarosabikes.blogspot.com/
• Gi: http://gi-singh.blogspot.com/
• John: http://wisconsin2010.blogspot.com/
• Tracy: http://abbeyjack.blogspot.com/
• Amanda: http://misszippy1.blogspot.com/
• Tri like mary: http://trilikemary.blogspot.com/
• Xavi: http://trixavi.blogspot.com/
• Vern: http://vern-running-green.blogspot.com/

4. Contact those bloggers: Will try my damndest, but should you read my blog please leave me a message so I know.

My job is done. Thankyou for reading - hope you found it slightly insightful. I definately enjoyed trying to find things to disclose.

Ask me how I am!!!

Go on - ask me!!!! Cause right now I will tell you I feel AMAZING, tired but amazing. I am pleased to say I conquered my first long run of 1 hour and I managed to run 10.28kms. How cool is that!!!!!!!

When I set out this morning at 0650hrs or there about's - I had no idea of what lay ahead, other than just getting it done.

Pre run

And to be quite honest I was slightly anxious for a couple of reasons. Firstly the last time I ran 10km was in May last year and no sooner did I finish that run I was injured. Secondly, I had set a bit of a bench mark for myself and ran that 10km in 59mins and couldn't imagine running it this time any slower with the training I have been putting in - I would be supremely annoyed if that happened.

So as I set out with IPod in tow - with 100 pumping songs - I was ready to make this run. I kept saying to myself - "it's not about the distance Barb, just make the time", but to my surprise when I got to the 30min mark I felt surprisingly good. My average pace was about a 5:50 mark, so nothing lightening fast (not that I ever am) - but I felt like I could keep going. I think the rain was helping in keeping me feeling refreshed. It was initially a fine drizzle but halfway in and I was absolutely soaked. The stares I kept getting from motorists was priceless.

As I made my way home all I kept thinking was - "that wasn't as hard as I remembered it". The only thing that really bothered me for pretty much the whole run were the blisters on my feet from the club race. I had heavy duty Bandaids and tape over that and the blisters still rubbed - PAIN. But by the time I finished I think the excitement made me forget it all. I had done my first long run - beat my previous runs distance - and felt really good to boot at the end of it. What could be better.

Post run

Then this morning when I was on FaceBook my thoughts turned from my inner self to all of those poor people suffering in Queensland with the most devasting floods ever. The last time people had seen anything of the sort was over 30yrs ago. These flood waters are engulfing towns like nothing I have ever seen - lives have been lost and lives turned upside down. Please keep them all in your prayers and pray that this ends without further tragedy.

Too cool.

The last 3 days have been without a doubt totally eventful in the training and racing front. I am really happy with the progress I have made and am looking forward to further improvements. It's amazing how a little bit of improvement makes you want to keep going at getting better. The taste of personal success makes you want to keep going striving for future successes.

Last week being my recovery week had me doing a 30 min aerobic run on Friday. I started out the run with good intentions however 3/4's into the run it was cut short due to the coming across the neighbours son all bloodied up after coming off his motorcycle. His Uncle was there however being the nurse at heart I had to ask him to be laid down as he had sustained a blow to the head and lost his lower canine tooth. He was making sense but still I insisted on him going to hospital. The remainder of the run was good and overall I maintained a 5:10min/km pace and felt good albeit sweaty upon arriving home.

Yesterday had me back at the pool for more TopNotch sessions. To be truthfully honest I have been slightly neglectful of my swimming since the kids have been on school holidays so I was slightly nervous of getting back into the pool under a coaches supervision, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. And to my surprise with all the sessions I have missed I still had strength in the pool.

• 400m Fr/s Warm up
• 600m Drills
• Ladder 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 400, 300, 200, 100 - each 100 on 1:45
• 100m backstroke

Then this morning after the worst nights sleep ever I backed it up with a club race. Opening my eyes at 5am this morning was just the pits - if it wasn't my dog barking overnight, it was the cats fighting keeping me awake - I was close to muzzling them all. After a coffee and a porridge though I was good to go. That was until I opened the door and had a look at the weather - overcast skies and drizzly.

As I got closer to the lakes it got more wet but thank goodness the ambient temperature was perfect.

The usual pre-race jitters are always present causing me to talk and laugh more than I usually do - atleast it makes the walk to race start seem somewhat less daunting. In the water I initially positioned myself near the front but after my last experience and being over run by the fast guys I held back into what I thought seemed like the second row. Will have to hold this position more often as I felt I had more arm and leg room to start the race off in - and as the starters call went off I was able to find my tempo much quicker and work my way through to the front pack. I exited the water 14th with a time of 11:26. Two minutes faster than my last Sprint Tri on the 27th November - and truth be told I didn't feel as though I was really pushing myself either. It's a really nice feeling to not be breathless as you come out of the water and start running to transition.

Coming out of T1 was probably the most awkward I have been in ages. I just couldn't get my shoe in quick enough and the more I tried, the more I stumbled - oh well - them's the breaks. I remember hearing Mel scream out "Go Barb" as I took off up the first little bridge - and then the rains started. Initially it was a mild little splitter splatter and then it got quite heavy - mix that in with the back wash coming off the guys back tyres as they zoomed past me - and I was blinking like a maniac. Not sure if I had visible grit splattered all over my face but I sure could feel it. The remainder of the bike leg felt much the same as always - me peddling like crazy and only maintaining about 28/30kpm. I am happy with it but being the ever impatient me I want to go faster - I want to go fast like everyone else who zooms past me. Maybe if I throw a lifeline to the back of one of their bikes it will make me faster - a girl can dream can't she. I did go a little faster - 2 mins actually - I did the 20kms in 41:09.

And the run, well I thought I actually went faster - but I was actually on my average pace - so no great improvement to speak of only that the last 2.5km felt good. I actually felt like I fell into a better rhythm finally - 28:04.

I know your all probably sick of hearing it by now but I swear I am part of the best Tri Club in the world. All I can hear during each of my races are the club members cheering me on. They are each trying to race to the best of their ability and each have a smile for me or a word of encouragement to get me through. LOVE YOU GUYS.

So with 16 weeks till my first ever 70.3 - I think I have enough base mileage to see me through the next 4mths of intense training. I am scared but excited and looking forward to accomplishing the biggest goal I have ever set myself to do. I feel confident. I can and will do this.

Urban Hotels triathlon 2010

How funny do I look trying to find the wetsuit strap.

You just gotta believe.

This is something I have to keep telling myself. I often fail to be my own biggest supporter, when things get tough on the track I try to find excuses as to why I should slow down or even QUIT. It's not until I have the support of someone who pushes me to go that bit harder that I then realise I have it within me to do it.

That's exactly what happened yesterday. It was the first track session back for the New Year and we were asked to do 4 x 1km sets with 15 secs break between sets. The aim was to stay consistent in our approach and I was asked to try and hold a 5min/km pace.

Well, the first 1km I did on 4:42 and boy did I feel that. I was pooped - totally knackered and was wondering where those 15 secs of rest had gone as I took off again. Then it hit me like a sack of potatoes across the head - DEFEAT. As my body started to hurt I became mentally weak and that 2nd 1km effort was shameful. I told Chris I was feeling spewy - I wasn't lying, I really did feel spewy thanks to the noodles I ate 90 mins before, but if I was mentally tough I would have totally overlooked it and pushed through that feeling. So consequently that 1km effort I did it in 5:23.

Thank God I have a coach who I think is starting to realise my personality and knows that when I start to feel uncomfortable he needs to push me yet support me through that as well. So Chris joined me on my next 2 efforts. Within those 1km efforts he just kept giving me positive reinforcements " You can do this, I know you can, physically you are capable, can you do this mentally". Those were the words I really needed to hear. To know that my coach saw something in me that I often fail to see in myself. I am glad he asked me the question too if I was mentally prepared - it made me try, it made me get "shirty" with myself and made me question why it is I give up on myself during my run sessions. The next 2 efforts were much MUCH better - 5:07 & 5:10. And even though I felt very tired at the end of it I did feel proud of my efforts. Thanks Chris - you helped me get through the mental slump.

On the way home I heard this song and just had to share it. You have probably all heard it before but I just thought it was really appropriate and needed to realise that I have it within me.

Then this morning whilst on DailyMile I across this article that one of my friends had posted on the Queen - Chrissie Wellington. I cannot get over how truly inspirational and remarkable she is. I love how she states that "anything is possible and that your limits may not be where you think they are". Reading her article made me think that I definately have more to give. I know I am never going to be a Chrissie Wellington but I can and will be the best damn Barbie I can be. I just gotta believe.

Life feels good - at times

Yesterday morning, I headed off for my usual run only this time it wasn't as I remembered. The runs I did a couple of days before felt effortless, better and I felt light on my feet, yesterday however was a totally different ball game. Mind you I should have known better than to leave for a run at 9am. Bad idea.

The humidity in the air was so thick - and within minutes of setting out for my run I was already glistening. I was constantly on the search for shaded areas but that just seemed to intensify the humidity. Luckily along the way there were fresh water fountains to refill your bottles - I just kept filling my hands up with beautifully fresh water and dumping it over my head.

I had many stops along the way and although this was meant to be a 40 min constant aerobic run - I just didn't have it in me to hold a steady pace for too long. So for the first time in a while I really, really listened to my body and adopted a walk/run strategy for most of it. Along one of the trails I came across this sign and thought to myself "How appropriate". That was pretty much what I was needing at that stage - A Doctor....lol

Upon returning home I quickly stood in front of the A/C and tried to drop my core temp. All I could hear was the swooshing sound of my heartbeat resonating in my ears and I felt slightly lightheaded, but within 10 mins I was good to go and we all went to the tennis courts and played a few sets.

Later that evening we all headed to Stephen's cousins house for dinner. I had the best time - we got to ride on the back of the ute and take in all of their beautiful surroundings. We only just missed the birth of a calf by probably no more than an hour - it was so cute and frail and had only just found it's gorgeous little legs to stand on.

I was in awe of the property and truth be told if the kids weren't on the back of the ute with me I would have asked to have gone flat stick, it was so exhilarating. I just loved the feeling of the fresh air rushing past my face and not having a care in the world.

There is nothing better for the mind than being close to nature and enjoying everything she has to offer. My senses were so alive and free - makes me wish I could always live that like.

After enjoying a wonderful ride we all enjoyed a great dinner and then headed back to the apartment for our final night in Port Macquarie. I am so sad to say GOODBYE, but I know it won't be forever. Heck, I will be back in less than 5 months time - and I WILL have completed my first ever Half Ironman. That is something so terribly exciting - me, Barbara - a long distance triathlete. HOW FREAKIN' COOL.

I also wanted to share with you all my progression since starting any training of any sort since becoming ill. I am so happy - actually extremely proud of ME.

I hope everyone has started their New Year with a BANG.

Living life and loving it.

Everyday just keeps getting better. If this is a taste of what 2011 will bring - then I say

LETS DO IT.

Of course the first day of 2011 was going to be a total rest day. We all didn't wake up till atleast 9:30 after having headed to bed at almost 1am New Years Eve. We all saw the New Years in as a family after having dinner with Stephen's Cousin Julie and her husband Darren. We had a great feast, a few drinks and lots of laughs.

I half expected that the resort we are staying at would go off as soon as midnight hit - but it was really quiet. A few crackers went off , a few random cheers - mine included and that was it. It was kind of a welcome change - the kids were tired and we were constantly tapping at them to stay awake for the last 20 mins or so. As soon as New Year hit we all cuddled and kissed and they pretty much headed off to bed.

Then yesterday we headed off out towards Laurieton and had lunch by the water. This place was just the most beautiful place to be. I don't think I have ever seen water so blue or clear. Just such a pristine area.

We feasted on yummy fatty fish n' chips - what else would you eat at the waterside. Kyle had found himself this sea sponge - actually more like a colony of sea sponges and everytime he pressed one part it would squirt water at him - hilarious. So as any inquisitive child - he kept pressing.

Upon heading back to the resort it was once again back to the pool - my kids just love the pool. It's quite a task trying to get them out.

Then this morning it was off for another bike ride with Nicole and some of her friends. I didn't feel too bad today - even though initially the first few hills once again made me beg for mercy. This time we headed out for a much flatter route and in a much different direction. There were so many cyclists out on the road and I even saw another PTC jersey on my travels. Not sure who it was - it was a girl but couldn't quite make out who.

There were a couple of times I dropped off along the flats as they picked up speed and just zoomed off. But they all waited for me for which I was eternally greatful.

And the best bit was that I got to have a coffee stop at the end of it all. Life is hard. I returned home to an empty house and with 60km under my belt. Stephen had taken the kids out fishing with Darren and I think we are having fish for lunch. Taillah has caught herself 6 so far - that's my girl.

The boys have caught themselves one each so far. Looking forward to it. Grilled fish YUM