Stay focused.

Last night after acting like a sooky la-la for the last 2 days I finally slapped myself upside the head and decided enough is enough. I am constantly telling people to "keep moving forward, it's how you overcome the obstacles that matter, stay strong, you will overcome this" and I have not been listening to those words that come so freely out of my mouth. I need to start listening and obeying what I preach. Yesterday was a day where I could feel myself slipping back into that negative frame of mind, the one I had when I was truly in the thick of things with my illness (bilateral sacroiliitis). And if I got to thinking about things really honestly, this was only going to serve to catapult me back down that same road. And there's not a chance in hell that I will let that happen again.

So I woke up this morning, put my cossie on, rubbed down my legs with liniment, got in my car and drove my "slightly sore arse and legs" to the pool. I am not going to be that whingy, whiney person you all want to run away from. This blog was started to help document my journey to reaching my first Triathlon and beyond, not to be used as a place where I just blurbbed out negativity. So, I hereby promise to stay upbeat and stay focused.

When I got to the pool I felt so at home. I dive in and it's like I was meant to spend the rest of my life in water. It is just so easy, I love it. I don't have to think, analyse or force anything. I will aim to make sure everything else feels easy like this, including my mind set. My session in the pool today was all about taking it easy. No speed work today just doing distance type stuff.

• 400m Freestyle Warm up
• 600m Fr/s kick with board & flippers
• 500m easy Br/s
• 500m Fr/s with pull bouy
• 300m Fr/s catch up.

I was reading an article today about tips for a fast open water swim. I hope this helps for all of you who read my blog and who are in the prime of your "on season". Goodluck with all your races this weekend.

I'm trying.

Staying positive sure is hard. I am always trying to look at the positive side but it's getting harder everytime I get something else that flares up. I just don't think it's fair is all. So today in another attempt to get my body up and running I shouted myself to a massage. The shop I go to "Mary's Acupuncture & Massage Clinic" is awesome. The last time I attended the clinic I had a young lad massage my shoulders, neck and back. That guy has hands of gold. I come to find out today that he is the owners son. Today though he was not there and I had another lady. Although she was not as firm, she did happen to go to all the spots that hurt the most. I didn't even have to tell her, it was as though she sensed exactly where I needed it most. When someone has that innate ability to sense ailments you know that they are gifted and I entrusted my body to her.

Whilst I was getting massaged the oil she was using was having such a calming effect on my senses. I could feel all my tension dissipate in this enveloping warmth. Not to long after my back started to feel this odd mixture of heat and coolness. This oil was absolutely awesome and I wanted to buy some. So I did.
This stuff sure has some kick in it - 3 drops is all it takes for whatever it comes into contact with to heat right up. I think the bottles cute, looks like a little brandy bottle - one you get in the bar fridge of a nice hotel. Note to self - dont drink this.

Anyway, I dont feel much different after the massage, relaxed but that deep seated ache is still there. My back keeps catching at times and my quads and hammies still feel odd. Can't wait for the appointment.

I have also started reading this book "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" by Dan Millman. I hope to have it finished in the next day or so, so I will let you know whats it like.
Off to swim tomorrow. I cant tell you how much I am looking forward to it. I hope you guys have an awesome weekend.

Rest - who needs it - ME

"Frustrated" is really not the word I would like to use to describe how I am feeling right now, but I have to keep this clean. Once again things are a bit tender this morning. My right groin and ligament behind my knee feel bruised and tight. Even more so after my easy spin on the trainer. I did 20km in 50minutes and I came off feeling a bit worse for wear. Things just feel tight and a bit inflammed and I am now more than ever needing answers.

Something in me says its my condition, flaring up all over again.

So anyway, tomorrow I am going to treat myself to a much needed massage and see if I can think of something other than whatever it is that is going on physically with me. Come Tuesday I hope to have some answers as I see the sports med doc and I am hoping he will send me for an MRI of my lower back and lower limbs.

Sunday is swim day. Here's to things feeling a bit better.

You gotta follow this.

I have met a really good friend Patrick via this blogger world and would love for all of my readers to follow not only his blog "The Road [A Multi-Sport Blog]" but also his new athletic apparel company "Endurance Athlete Project" aimed at the endurance athlete - hence the name.

Both Patrick and his business partner Big Daddy Riley aim to produce garments such as Triathlon suits both one and two piece, running gear, cycling gear, swimsuits, performance wear and casual wear. The company is still in the early design process but I look forward to seeing the release of their garments and being one of the first to purchase some items from them.

I did win a shirt via Patrick's blog and I must say I wear it all the time. I love what it stands for. Check it out:
So if and when you are surfing the internet world and come across the logo - remember my friend Patrick owns it. This company will be huge. I know it.

Nailed it.

I have just come back from yet another fantastic workout. I spoke in the last entry about having entered in a virtual triathlon challenge through Daily Mile. Basically you can only proceed through to the next leg if your one of the top 6 - I think. Anyway my aim was to just swim the 1500m as a bit of a TT to see where I am at in regards to times for the longer distances. I haven't timed myself for a 1500m so I was happy to just complete it in about 30 minutes and maintain my form throughout the whole process.

So I got in the water feeling pretty good, water temp was nice - possibly a bit warm but who's complaining, it's winter in Australia. I set my stop watch and I was off. The first 500m felt a bit slow, arms felt a bit heavy and my breathing was a bit laboured. I also had to contend with some lady who decided that my lane was the one she wanted to do side stroke in and flap around in. My only other choice had 3 other women doing pretty much the same. Argh, this was supremely annoying.

Soon after she left and my swim became alot smoother. I settled into a really good pattern of breathing every 3 strokes and each of my strokes became really long and effortless. I was gliding, gees it felt good. I finished up not breathless at all and I had to do a triple take of my time. I did my 1500m in 22min 48 secs. I could not believe it - at this rate I could see myself doing my 1.9km for my Half in under 30mins, give or take a couple of minutes due to weather, nerves, people, water currents. But still, having not swum this distance in one hit like this since I was a child, I was really happy with my time.

This could potentially get me at the front of the pack for exiting the water and entering T1. Which I think is a total bonus - I can find my bike easier, have less people bowling me over, exit on my bike without a million other wheels all doing the same thing. I am liking how this all sounds.

Am I sounding slightly competitive?

Take 2 on the run.

Today was another brilliant day. Brilliant because it was another glorious pain free running day. I find it amazing how I have healed up. I thought this was going to be a more drawn out process and that my body would struggle with the return back to running but this old gal is holding strong. I still stuck to the 6 x 1 minute runs with a 4 minute walk period inbetween and I did a total of 5km in about 37 minutes.

My route is a mix of flats and some inclines which off course is followed by declines but there is always something beautiful to look at near home. Country living is awesome. The air is always so crisp and clean and the sounds of cows, goats, dogs barking in the distance (oh wait - are they my dogs?) is always a welcome distraction. As for traffic, not too bad really. Maybe one car every couple of minutes drives past, that is until I hit the busier more used road at the top and then it's like "watch yourself".

But once again I finished up feeling nice and strong, a little tight but nothing my usual stretching wouldn't help. Then last night I did my usual strength workout.

• 20 back swings both legs
• 20 side swings both legs
• 20 backward lunges both legs
• 20 butt raises

3 x 15 of each with 3kg dumbells:

• Lateral raises
• Bicep curls
• Shoulder press
• Tricep extensions

3 x 20 of each:

• ab crunches
• bicycle crunches
• sit ups with 3kg dumbell

Then 3 x 1min plank.

It s a great workout and I finish feel totally had, but I love it. Tomorrow is pool time. Will go with the kids again and whilst they play I want to get in a 1500m straight swim. I have entered a virtual Triathlon and step one is to do a 1500m swim in the fastest time possible. Here goes.

When life gave me lemons, I made lemonade.

I woke up this morning feeling awesome after my first run/walk yesterday. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING hurt. I didn't even have any tightness which I was half expecting. I had been given a fairly big hurdle and I overcame it. My persistence in taking it so very slow has paid off and I cannot wait to get back into it. The feeling I got after yesterdays run was "too much" for words. I remember saying to Susan yesterday that most people would have given up by now with everything that I have gone through in the last year, but I have come way too far to give up.

I am consistent with my stretches, even thought they still hurt like crazy. I religiously take my Neway's supplements because I know they are helping me with my energy and muscle repair. I try with all my might to maintain a positive frame of mind and look at every obstacle that I overcome as nothing more than that "an obstacle". It does not define who I am or what will be instore for me in the future.

Exercising everyday is my life and now that I can mix it up again and get back into my proper training I will do so with so much excitement but also with a little bit more restraint. And no two consecutive days of running or cycling. Atleast for now.

So today I cycled on the trainer and felt great. I didn't go hard and I increased the time by another 10 minutes. So I rode for 40minutes and did 15.3km. Nice and easy and it felt good. The last 2 days have been awesome.