Hills -0, Barbie - 1

Superset Saturday was not to be yesterday. After last weeks attempt at trying to hammer 2 hard sessions back to back and failing miserably on the Sunday, I asked if I could leave it and do it once a month. I hate giving up on my training but I know my body too well now and know that if I push it too hard that I will eventually crack from the strain.

So yesterday morning I decided to treat myself to a pedicure - oh the joy. Why had I not found this magnificent experience before. I was in absolute heaven - not sure if the girl was as she scraped away at my heels, but I was lapping up the attention. Whilst my feet were being pampered the seat I was sitting on was giving me the best and most intense massage I have ever had. The whole time I think I only opened my eyes once and I do believe I had a cat nap. When it was all said and done I walked out like I was on a carpet of clouds - and my feet looked stunning.

Fresh as a daisy.

Then yesterday afternoon it was time to give it all I had in the pool. I had given myself a treat and some respite and now it was time to flog it out - no excuses allowed.

• 300m warm up
• 900m worth of drills
• 100m Fr/s
• 5 x 400m Fr/s - not sure of my times but I think I was pretty steady in pace
• 6 x 50m Fr/s stroke count
• 50m cool down - had nothing left.

My eldest son Kurtis decided to come join me at squad yesterday and for his first ever swim session he totally kicked major A!!! He swam 2.3km - the young lad is amazing and I am so proud of him. I must admit, he slept really well last night and he did say he had a headache yesterday afternoon - but that's to be expected with all that funny breathing us swimmers do.

Then this morning it was on for young and old. I left home at 0530 to meet up with the girls for our bunch ride. It was still very dark and I was really at the mercy of my night vision to see where I was going. I hit a couple of things - not sure what - maybe those cateyes. Upon arriving to my destination it was still dark. Reminder to self - get a headlight.

There is a kangaroo in this picture staring at me.

As the other girls pulled up for our ride the initial plan of riding to Picton was re-thought, and it was decided to that we would do Cobbitty loop and then Greendale loop, some decided to do s shorter ride. Not any easier but the distance is slightly less. As I set off I made a pact with myself that if I needed to stop today on the Cobbitty loop, I was only allowed to do it once. So with that thought firmly implanted I was good to go.

There were 7 of us girls out on the road - totally awesome. Each of them extremely strong and driven. As we set out one the girls got a flat tyre - it got changed and we headed off only for it to flat again the poor thing. But within minutes it was changed again - great team work I say and there were no flat tyres for the rest of the ride.

As we made our way to Cobbitty Road I remember saying to Sarah, we should have a gel right about now, we will need it. Elissa - who had been on holidays made her way back and said she would meet us at Greendale for the next set of hills.

As we started the inevitable ride I started to get nervous, however I envisaged getting up those hills as a strong competent cyclist. After the first 2 hills which are steep but shortish Sarah comes up behind me and said call me "The Mountain Goat". I have never laughed so hard in my life - for her first time up Cobbitty she nailed it.

I managed to not stop once going through those hills thanks to a little mantra I kept repeating in my head "you will not stop, you will not stop". For every pedal revolution this is what I repeated and before I knew it I was at the top - panting heavily but at the top nonetheless. Sarah was hot on my heels and smiled the whole way.

The stop at Silverdale was just what we needed - refuelling on a KitKat for me and refilling our drink bottles. Susan had to head home at this point and we continued down the hill to catch up with Elissa for the remainder of the hills.

The remainder of the ride was tough but no-where near as tough as Cobbitty. We had a really good opportunity to chat and laugh as women do - but when my time came to turn off home I can say with out a shadow of a doubt that I was ready to go home to a wonderful shower and a nana nap. Before I ate I weighed myself and was pleased to see that I only lost 1kg in weight on this 4hr ride. I must have refuelled appropriately on this ride.

I rode 100km today in 4hrs - not bad for a Sunday morning.

Its time to squash some demons.

This wonderful little package arrived in the mail today and no sooner did I open it my stomach did a total backflip. The Cole Classic 2km Ocean Swim was my way of getting over my fear of the unknown, and by unknown I mean what I cannot see beneath me. I am okay with swimming in the Regatta Centre as there are no sharks or stingers but the Ocean leaves so much open to the imagination - and mine seems to go off on a tangent quite often.

My daughter who was in the car with me at the time said "Mum aren't you scared", to which I replied "Of course, but there will be hundreds of other swimmers with me". She ruminated over that sentence for a bit and then said "But Mum, your a fast swimmer so that means you will be out the front on your own". I was left speechless and with this horrible image in my head:

Daaaa -da, daaa-da daaa-da

All I could here was that horrible tune from the movie as Jaws moves up for the kill and the swimmer is none the wiser. Mind you my form would be much much better than the girls in the picture. Wrists are totally bent way out of whack and head is too high in the water.

As my imagination once again spiralled way out of control I tried to focus on something other than the fear of what lay beneath. I mean really what are the chances! With that much commotion, sharks will be the furthest away possible - surely. And if I should get into trouble all I need to do is raise my hand and someone will be there as there will be a tonne of Surf Life Saving Members on inflatable rescue boats, rescue boards and rescue ski's - so I think I should be good.

Either that or I should replace the Jaws theme song with the Rocky theme song and beat the living crap out of whatever bad thought comes into my head.

Please consider sponsoring my cause:

NETS - Newborn and paediatric Emergency Transport Service

It's on the top right hand side of the blog.

Tyre changing 101

Well, I did it again. After vowing to never say the words "flat tyre" after my last flat tyre, I got another flat today. Lucky though - I didn't realise I had a flat till I got home and took the bike out of the car and as the back tyre made contact with the ground - the usual bouncy nature was replaced with a thump.

Before I go on to explain my attempt at changing the tyre I will have you know I rode really well this morning. A few of us set out for a 2hr ride at 6am and from the get go the pace was on. I managed to attack the hills again as best I could after last night's track session (which I will go on to explain a little later) really took it out of my legs. The other thing that was bothering me again was my back - always on the left hand side - can't it just ever give me a break.

On the way back the tempo really started to pick up again and right at the end Sue and I decided to hammer it home. The last bit has a decent and then it is flat to the truck stop - it was here Sue and I managed to gain a maximum speed of 52km/hr and hold it to the end (not far), but enough for it to burn the legs and for me to be giddy with excitement. During this time I tried to really focus on the full pedal revolution as I was told that I pedal using my hamstrings and therefore drive the bike on the upstroke.

Somewhere in that last stretch I heard a bit of a POP and thought that sound belonged to a passing car - but I was wrong. Lucky it was a slow leak. Needless to say today I had my first tyre changing experience - and believe me I spoke to myself every step of the way to make sure I did it in the right order. Anyone would have thought I was performing brain surgery. Here are some photos - PROOF of my adventure.

Flat tyre

Inner tube out

Nasty critter No 1.

Nasty critter No 2

Partially inflated new tube

Tube in, wheel on - Hey Presto

It actually wasn't as hard as I had imagined it to be. I guess my next ride will be the test to see if I have done it properly. During this experience I actually had to do most of it sitting down as my legs were/are extremely sore from last night's track.

• 1.2km warm up
• 3 x 800, 800, 400 - all 800's done in under 4mins
• 2 x 1km efforts - 1st - 4:58, 2nd - 4:55
• 400m cool down

Good thing about last night's track is that for once I did not get defeated - I actually won this argument with myself.

Safe and sound.

Milo is finally home. After his near death experience he is back home where he belongs - as though nothing ever happened. And much to our delight there are no complications from his encounter with the common brown snake. No sooner did he get in the backyard to say HI to Bella and Moose he was out marking his territory and the cheeky little bugger even christened the area where he killed the brown. It was like his way of saying "See, you didn't get me - but I got you". I am sure he was a cat in his past life with 9 lives as he has had some close calls - Milo is a risk taker. The only thing the vet said was that he may be a little flat for a couple of days but other than that he will be back to his old self - hopefully no more snake killing for this 12yr old Foxy.

Some more good news for the day - I hit a new distance PB. 12.06km in 1hr 10mins and I am pleased as punch. This sort of feeling just cant seem to get any better - I really don't ever want it to end. These feelings (even those that you experience out on a run that are painful) make you want to keep going further, faster, harder.

How do my legs feel this evening? Mmmmmmm, sore but that's ok - the poor things I don't think know what has hit them over the last 4 days - I have totally flogged them silly. Yesterdays Windtrainer session added extra sting as well.

Looking forward to tomorrows track session.

Flat out - I'm done!!!

So yesterdays superset took every ounce of everything out of me today, and it hit me with quite brutal force. I really should learn to not bite off more than I can chew - but when I feel good I just want to go with it because I never know when things are going to go pear shape again. And pear shaped they went today.

Members from the Tri club all met at the local Coffee Club for a group shot (I am hoping to get an article in a Tri Mag about our club) and then we all set out for a morning ride just as the sun was starting to get a bit of sting to it - 6am. There is nothing I like better then doing a group ride - the camaraderie between us all is fantastic. I even got to spend some time out the front of the pack - slightly daunting but exhilarating. As we continued the ride some of the boys took a different-harder route and some turned around as they had a shorter ride planned for the day. Was nice to catch up with them.

I felt strong and ready to rock this Cobbitty ride - but at the same time had some hesitancy as I knew what lay ahead and my back was starting to give me some grief. So we did a bit of a stop and I was able to take 2 Ibuprofen before we headed off for what I can only describe as an extremely challenging ride both mentally and physically.

Heading up through Cobbitty we realised we had lost 2 - one of the girls got a flat and Shane being the gentleman that he is held back to give her a hand. As we were waiting for them a few familiar faces passed us bye as they too were going to tackle the infamous Cobbitty loop. As Shane and Kate made their way back to us we took off again and it was here that the fun (not) began.

Initially I tackled those first 2 hills without too much problem - back was sore but tolerable. I was even thinking to myself how well I had done. But then with every rise there after things just got worse - I got slower, back got more painful and then I fizzled. I told one of the girls that I would meet them all at the top as she passed me and just thought I would plod along at my own pace - 9km/hr. I stopped twice this ride through Cobbitty which was more annoying then you could imagine, but there was nothing I could do. I stopped, lent over my Tri bars and just rested and sulked. Yes, I was feeling sorry for myself as I walked my bike up.

But no sooner did I start my walk the guys which had taken off for their harder ride rode up behind me and asked me how I was - I really just wanted to cry - but held it in. They stuck by me and I got on my bike and made it up the hill to meet everyone at the rendezvous point - Shane made his way back down to find me but didn't see me in the boys pack - but thankfully was told before he too had to do the hill again.

The next hill I died again only this time I was assisted up by Drew - he literally pushed me up - Thankyou. From that point on I was good - in pain but good. I even got to draught off another member - what an awesome feeling it is to get a free ride. I am really appreciative of everyone's help - without you all I think I may have turned around and headed back down the hill. Need to get my headspace into the game.

As we made our way back down the mountain I was all for just heading home, and told all that is what I was doing - but made the decision to ride back to the car with Kylie as the others were continuing with a longer ride. From that point on the 2 things that hurt was my back and undercarriage, but the company was lovely.

Reaching the car was like heaven - and seeing 2 smiley faces at the end made me feel better. When I finally made it home all I wanted to was have a shower and collapse on the couch and that is just what I did after eating lunch of course. My back is still sore so will have another dose of Ibuprofen before I head to bed. I have refuelled with a really good dinner - ribs, salad and pasta with pesto and loads of water. How was everyone's weekend?

Talk about busy.

I wish I could somehow put into words how busy I have been over the last 3 days. Some of it has been GOOD busy and some NOT SO GOOD busy. So we shall start off with describing Wednesday's track session. I had a bit of a bone to pick with myself for piking out in the previous weeks 1km efforts, so when I was faced with another set of 1km efforts - I dug my heels in good and proper and made sure that I completed it without too much fuss.

I actually felt alot stronger and definately much more consistent in my times even though I still went out a bit harder on my first 1km.

I am lucky that I have a friend who matches me if not pushes me to try and push for better results - thanks Sarah, we really make a good team.

Then Thursday morning I backed it up with a 90min group ride with some friends from PTC. Was quite a nice ride actually - fairly good pace held for the majority of it and even though I was meant to be doing intervals through this, it didn't feel right to just take off on each set so I instead attacked the hills. We managed to ride 44km in the 90mins holding a pace of 27.5km/hr.

Thankfully Friday was my day off - my legs had totally had it from 3 consecutive days of workouts based on my lower limbs and I have needed them rubbed by dear old hubby - thanks Stephen.

Then this morning was SuperSet Saturday. Not sure if this will be a regular deal, but let me tell you I am stuffed. Not sure if it's the fact that I had to wake up at 3am to get to the pool which was quite a distance away - or if it was the fact that I swam 1.9km, then cycled 62.3km and then backed it up with 4 x 1km run efforts - but the outcome is still the same -

I AM KNACKERED.

The swim was broken up into

• 100m easy Fr/s
• 300m worth of drills
• 15 x 100's Fr/s leaving on 1:40.

I managed to do each 100m on and around the 1:20 mark - not bad considering the pool was hot like a bath. So hot that after each 5 x 100's we were actually allowed to stop and cool down under a cold shower. Thank goodness for that - my head felt like it was going to implode.

No sooner was that finished I had a quick rinse down got dressed in my bike gear and we headed off for a 2hr bike ride with some 10min intervals mixed in. Only this time I totally sucked at the hills - I had nothing to give and dropped off again - but when the flats came I totally hammered them and was able to keep up (drafting of course) behind some of the fast ones. During my ride I was happy to see some familiar faces from the club out on the road - they were doing a 120km bike ride and where making it look easy.

Riding back to the car I started to get nervous as I knew I had 4 x 1km run sets. I am pleased to say that I totally nailed them - FOR ME. Each 1km was done in

• 5:01
• 5:03
• 5:10
• 5:14

I was done for the morning and had done a SUPERSET.

When I got home I had a shower and after lunch was about to settle down for a nap on the couch when my husband walked outside to the sound of our Foxie barking. He was so proud of himself - he had killed himself a common Brown snake. One of the most venomous snakes here in Australia.

As my husband was proceeding to dispose of it I noticed Milo's back leg - there was a bit of blood of it. As we brought him up onto the decking I had a better look and noticed a light brown droplet near the area - I knew he had been bitten. So I quickly bandaged his leg and told Stephen that we needed to get him to the vet, by this stage he was already panting quite heavily.

Within a further 2 minutes as we were preparing to get him to the vet he had lost control of his body and could not walk - it was at this point he started to seizure - OMG, I couldn't believe we were losing our dog. As soon the seizure finished I picked him up and started to rush him to the car and he stopped breathing - there was no pulse either. He was limp and all I wanted to do was hug him and hold him tight - but I instead laid him on his back and started CPR.

My daughter was rubbing his face and yelling at him to wake up and my other son was crying - but within a few brief moments he made a funny moaning sound and he turned his head and focused his eyes on me - I couldn't believe it - he responded but no sooner did we get him into the car he had another seizure.

My husband rushed him to the vet were they were all on stand by with the anti-venom and believe it or not within 10mins he was sitting up on the table. We know he is not out of the woods and he has to stay at the vets under close observation till Monday - but even the Veterinarian has said he is one lucky dog. It's a rarity for one to survive a Brown Snake bite. For a 12yr old Fox Terrier - he is a trooper.

My daughter however keeps going outside to check on the other 2 dogs - I fear she has been quite shocked by the whole experience. I think she will feel much better when he is back home where he belongs.

WHAT A DAY!

I think its time for beddy byes as tomorrow is another big day. Please keep Milo in your prayers.

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.