Today is my usual 8km Sunday. But last night at a friend's birthday party I was talking to another friend and her husband about not being able to figure out the exact location of the parking lot for the M7 bike track. She said her husband was doing the ride the following morning and if I wanted to join him. I agreed and was looking forward to a good bike ride at 0700hrs. So I headed to bed at midnight with the clear notion of re-opening my eyes in 5 hrs time.
So this morning I woke up at 0500hrs to the sound of rain, damn. I was not happy. If I had long riding pants and protective upper garments I more than likely would have gone, but the closest I have to long pants are my tracksuit pants and the closest I have to a waterproof jacket is my husbands tennis jacket. Cant do. So a reluctant text message was sent at 0530 hrs. "Sorry Nichole for the early text".
So now what? Well, I laid on the couch and tried to sleep again - didn't happen. By the time everyone got up at 0830 I felt like I had already been awake for half a day and I was beat. My eyes were stinging bad and I had a bit of a headache, courtesy of the two beers I had consumed the night before at the party. I made breakfast for all and decided to have a shower to freshen up for my run. I know, silly to have a shower before, but I needed badly to wake up and get focused. The rain had stopped and now the sun was on full show. Eeck, hot and humid was on order for my run.
So off I set for my usual 8km run and I felt it today. My lungs hurt, my legs felt tired and heavy and my mind was just not in it. Today was just not happening. I just couldn't seem to get motivated and it was bugging me like crazy. As I started on the home stretch my body decided enough was enough - I couldn't make the last 600m, I had to finish the run at my driveway. 7.4km in 43minutes. Not bad actually. I think I may have even beaten last weeks run time if I did the whole 8km. Oh well, I won't know till next weeks 8km run.
I was disappointed about not totally finishing, but these things happen and I can't beat myself up. I need to learn from this experience and realise that if I go out the night before and indulge in some liquor that I can't expect a stellar performance. That being said I have to give myself credit for getting out there when I felt under the weather.
Jean shopping is what I did today. Not a historic event for most people, but for me a momentous occasion. The last time I had bought myself a pair of jeans was about six months ago and they were when I was still not at my goal weight. And then when I no longer fitted those because they got big I started wearing my old pair which are about 5 years old. Needless to say when I fitted into those in December last year I was very happy because they were the pair I really liked and I thought I looked good in. Now, even those are too big. I have "saggy butt syndrome" in them and decided today was the day to revamp my denim wardrobe.
I knew exactly what I wanted "Levi 501's". Did I get those "NO". I came out with a pair similar but better. They sat where they are supposed to sit. Just below my navel, cant stand the "Harry high pants", are straight leg, sit nicely around my toosh and are a nice normal denim colour - not faded or too dark. All round I think my choice was awesome. What made it even better was that when I walked into Just Jeans I was expecting to walk out in a size 12, but this was not the case. I am in a Size 10. I can't believe it. I haven't been a size 10 since my early 20's. I wanted to do a jig I was that happy, but thought I had better refrain from making a fool of myself, so I "moonwalked" in my head.
I am now 65kg's in a 179cm frame. Time to stop losing weight and start maintaining it. I think I may have to start upping my caloric intake as my exercise regime increases. I don't want to lose anymore weight and run the risk of getting ill and fatigued. If I can't figure out a way to maintain my dietary intake I may just seek the guidance of a dietician whose main focus is on sports people.
Today was an absolute doozie. I had no idea that the area I was going to was basically all hills. But now that I have done it I am so glad. What a total rush.
I went with a dear friend Sharon, both of us not knowing anything about what we were about to do. The only basic information we had was that there were 2 loops. One was 4km in length and the other was 4.8km in length and there were some hills. But when I heard the word "hills", I had just imagined that they were going to be little baby mole hills. One's that a two year old could ride around on on their tricylce. Boy, was I wrong.
Sharon and I both decided to take Loop one to the right. Not for any reason - just because. So as we took off we were faced with our first hill almost instantly. Down went the gears and off came our backsides from the saddle. All I kept thinking was "I don't want to stop". The next thing that came to mind was "OUCH OUCH OUCH". But I kept on pedalling straight up that hill regardless and within minutes made it to the top. Thank God was all I could say and I hoped that was the worst of it. Ha! NOT
The remainder of loop one saw another big hill. Big because it never seemed to end. Just as I thought it was coming to an end I was faced with another incline and another. I couldn't drop my gears any lower and I was already up out of my saddle, so I started to zig zag my way up. This definately made it easier but I was not liking the burn on my calves and quads. Nevermind, had to make it to the top. I hate quitting so that was not an option.
Loop two, made loop one look like a piece of cake. Loop two had me facing a sign which clearly indicated a steep ascent ahead. Boy was I scared. I just had to grin and bear this hill. Out came the zig zagging method again, but this time it just took so long and it felt like I wasn't going anywhere. I decided not to look too far ahead and just try to focus on a couple of metres ahead of me. Looking to where I had to cycle to was too disheartening. Before I knew it I made it to the top. Yay for me and Sharon. We did it. But was this it? Not on your life. Time to do it all again.
Second time around was absolute murder. My legs felt like jelly from the first time around and I was expecting myself to get up those hills again. What was I thinking? Obviously I don't know my own strength and determination. The same rules applied second time around. Get up those mountains and don't get off the bike. DONE. The ramifications of an hours worth of hills could be seen when I got back to the car. My legs were bright red due to the increased circulation and I felt as though I was standing in a tub of jelly. My legs quivered everytime I took a step. What a great day.
A beautifully sunny day. I got to spend it with a good friend. and I did my first ever hill session. JOB DONE. I am one happy little vegemite.
It had been ages since I last got in the water and to tell you the truth - it felt so good. The weather was absolutely delicious yesterday. Sunny, warm, no breeze and not a cloud in the sky, what a glorious Autumn day. How could I not take full advantage of what life had to offer. Being in the water yesterday reinforced the idea of wanting to complete the Half Ironman in May next year.
I feel so at ease in the water. Nothing hurts apart from the usual strains that you feel when working your arms hard. My joints feel supported and as such I am able to give a little more. But yesterday was more like an introductory swim to get back into it again. My swim session went as follows:
500m Freestyle warm up
10 x 50m kick 5 x freestyle, 5 x backstroke
5 x 100m Freestyle with paddles at 75%
500m cool down breastroke
Using the paddles always hurts as it makes you focus on your stroke whilst making you pull more through the stroke. But despite the pain, I like the feeling as you glide through the water faster. And with that said - 2000m was completed. Only half of what I was doing a short time ago but still good enough. Now it's just a matter of increasing the distance and my stamina. I know this will happen, I have more than enough faith in my swimming ability.
I searched through Youtube and have found a 2 minute session on stroke technique, the S-stroke under the body I think has been sidelined now, but I still use it, it was how I was trained to swim as a youngster and when something works - why change it I say.
I must admit, I am a self confessed lover of the male swimmers physique. Especially that of Alexander Popov. Whats not to love - the ab's, perfectly defined and everyone accounted for. The wide shoulder's, the tiny waist, the way he stands with an almost concaved stance. Everything just leaves me in total awe. His prowess in the water is something to be totally inspired by. His technique through every individual stroke in Freestyle is in my opinion flawless.
I remember going to the Australian Institute of Sport some 16 years ago before I had my children and I went with my husband Stephen. We went for a tour through the swim centre and guess who just happened to be training "Alexander the great". Well all I can say is that I needed my husband to help me close my mouth. I think my jaw had hit the floor and stayed there for about 10 minutes. Poor Stephen was saying "Can we go yet?" and I was like "Oh no just another minute please". So after some 30 minutes I think I had had my fix of staring and decided to refocus my attention on my sweet hubby. Luckily I have a patient hubby and he was happy to let me indulge for just a little bit.
In my eyes the guy is a legend, and I think his swim style has got to be the best.
"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
I am a 40yr old Aussie mum. This is my journey, my obstacles and my triumphs. I want to show others that no matter what - you can achieve anything. Please feel free to leave comments. I love seeing who has viewed my blog.
