My determination to prove that I'm wrong!

I haven't been updating my blog for months now and I have been sooo lacking. Well at least the lack is not on my training but on my blog. For the past good 6 months now I have been running gradually from 3k runs 3 times a week till recently I am clocking to 30k -40k a week! I have seen such improvement to my strength, I may not be quick (still a turtle) but my breathing is improving (born asthmatic), my stitches pain no longer exist, I still get sore leg after my long run but quickly recovered after few hours and the main thing is I enjoyed running (I never would have thought I say this!) My next coming event is Auckland Half Marathon that I wish to try to improved my running ability in hope once Tri season start again this summer, my running is up to scratch (well that's the plan)

Running has challenged me in so many ways. From the moment I decide this is the day that I want to run till the time that I am about to finished my running no matter how many k's I run on the day. My mental state never been challenged to this degree and I am amazed how I cope with it and how I fight with it on a case by case basis. It can be the weather that make me don't want to go out running, the new route is too scary to try, the iPhone that I used for mapping and listening to the music isn't fully charge till up to I haven't got anything decent to wear for running! That's how pathetic I am fighting with my running demon. But I have 'talked' to myself at every situation that it can be done. My OCD has helped in organised my running day going smoothly or else I won't be out of the door doing it at all.

The furthers I have been running so far is 19.5km in 3 hours which I think in marathon standard is soooo slow but I am determine that my half marathon will be within that range. I hope to run 21k in 3 weeks time giving me enough time to do maintenance run before having a taper week. So far I think my plan will work as long as I keep it to my schedule. I am so proud of my training achievement as I know a year ago I can't even run for 10 minutes without being breathless, fatigue and just couldn't do it but now, running for 10k 3 times a week is no longer a chores to me. And for that, I deserve a pat on the back and I am sure this half marathon in November is just another fear that I will surely conquer soon!

Pain is temporary, the feeling of achievement last forever......

First bike out since winter!

I thought days has been improving with more warm sunny days and I thought of braving myself out in the cold this morning with my thermal and all sort (Vince said I wore more than skier do!) for a bike ride this morning. It turn out to be quite chilly first 10 mins but after that, I am starting to get warmer in no time. I thought I will be ok biking especially been on the wind trainer at least 3 times a week clocking 40-50k in total but MY GOD! My legs are in bits climbing just a small hills! I am soooo unfit!

I have been watching Tour de France on Sky tele for weeks now and gosh, looking at what they do and what I can't do, make me realised what a machine those athletes are! I am not saying I want to be like them but I'm just ashamed that I can't even manage to get my leg going for 5 mins constant pedal to a reasonable height of hills. Saying that, I never yet been in a position where I have to walk with my bike either.

My sweet hubby (Vince) wanted to buy a road bike as he never own one. He is into Mountain Biking and has been to Woodhill on a weekly basis for a good 6-8 months now and he loves it. I hope he does get a road bike as I would love to be out and about with him one day. Maybe a trip to Helensville with him hey (70-80k from our house and back!) Yeah right, that's a dream!

I am glad I started the bike ride again now the weather are slowly getting warmer. I think what I need is a good pair of SKINS type thermal that can hold my body temperature better as I am freezing at some part of the road when I'm under the shades. I should start using my True Rewards and get it at Rebel Sports for nothing!

YASMIN - OUR HEART AND SOUL....

I also bought a set of boxing gloves (and a pair for Vince) with the boxing pad as we want to start doing boxing together in the garage once a week. It will be a good workout together as I am getting totally hooked with it after having 6 sessions last month with few of the girls at Lollipop Daycare. As the instructor finished for now (she's expecting a baby) I thought its a shame to just leave it when I can clearly do it with Vince indoor (he's done boxing before) As long as we don't train after we just had a domestic, the punches might be vital! Ha..ha..

VINCE BEFORE HE LOST ALL THOSE WEIGHT!

I hope to continue cross training more now as Vince also just bought himself a second hand Pinarello Galileo road bike on TradeMe with Ultegra components all over the bike (just under 2 years old) and he never done any road bike before! He literally bought it just as I was typing this blog! As our daughter is growing fast and we are able to spend more time sporting together, it will be a good investment for both of us to keep supporting one another getting fitter, healthier and lost more weight. I admire my hubby determination as he lost nearly 40kg in just over a year and for someone that don't even walk to anywhere now can walk/jog for 10k twice a week, ran in the morning for few k's before going to work, mountain biking for 15-20k every Saturday without a miss and work out in our multi gym garage 4 hours a week. That's is impressive.

VINCE AFTER (NEARLY 6 STONES LIGHTER!)

OUR MULTI GYM - WHERE WE SWEAT OUR GUTS OUT!

I would like to see both of us one day at the finishing line together finishing an event. Now that's priceless!

Rain, rain go away.....

I had a good workout today (a bit different but fit in with the on and off raining this weekend) I didn't manage to run yesterday as I planned to (8-10k) as it was pissing down with rain but this morning Vince suggested that I should I ran to badminton, play badminton for couple of hours and then run back home. So that is just what I did. And this is my ran to and back in the eyes or Mapmyrun.com.

I'm very pleased with my effort today. The fact that I have been able to run anyway this weekend since weather has been quite bad the day before. I must admit, my run is quite slow as both times (to and back) I am running against the winds! Any excuse......

First day of training after a week rest from Tough Guy n Gal Challenge. Not that I didn't want to start the training after few days post event but I have this cough that I can't seems to shake off. It really make me asthmatic which is a turn off during training (like there is a turn on for training?)

Did a 20km training on wind trainer (effing hard!!!!) but I managed to hack with with the help of my favourite 'training tunes' on my iPod - my best friend that is, without it training is just a distance dream. Try to sing while you on wind trainer (nah! I ain't that fit yet!) I felt good providing my derriere (spelling! Back side that is) is sore from sitting on the bike seat (I haven't been on it for good couple of week or possibly my bike pants are getting thin? One of those two's)

After the bike ride (which I felt like doing 40km) I brave myself to do a small run. So I did. Managed to run just for 5.1km and I felt ok but failed to do the 4th loop on the route to make it near 7km. Never mind. Still I am impressed with my determination.

I am off to boxing tonight so looking forward to that. I want to fit a swim today but I think I might have that a miss and do that tomorrow instead as it will give my poor leg a day rest but swim is not gonna go hard on my leg, so good balance there.

I want to keep my training consistence on a weekly basis now with not much expectation of mileage but just be out there and do it. I know I will get back to this madness in no time, slowly but surely....

Songs that accompanied me this morning for my wind trainer session and run are:

1. Outta Here (Esmee Denters)

2. Knock You Down (Keri Hilson ft. Kanye West & Ne-Yo)

3. Bring Me To Life (Evanescence)

4. Shackles (Praise You) (Mary Mary)

5. Love, Sex & Magic (Ciara ft Justin Timberlake)

6. America Boy (Estelle ft Kanye West)

7. Don't Stop The Music (Rihanna)

8. Get Right (JLo)

9. Feel (Robbie Williams)

10. Stronger (Kanye West)

11. Boom Boom Pow (Black Eyed Peas)

Been there, done that and got really dirrrrtyyyyyy!!!!!!

Gosh - where do I start? I thought at first I was mad to take part on this event but until I got to the finish line, I think it's no longer the madness is in question here, it is more to do if you are determine enough to put your mind to something that you think you can't do. I certainly owe my most gratitude to my mate Stuart and his friend Gareth that decided to run, walk, crawl or even drag ourselves together until the finishing line, rather than leaving me to do it all by myself. I was slow, but I wasn't a quitter!

Some of the girls that I knew from Yasmin's daycare (the teachers) took part on 6km challenge but I decided to push the distance to 12km instead to see if I got what it takes to finish and do it. What do you know, I may be one of the last but I didn't ended up DNF! I didn't even injure myself or limping much once I reached the finishing line.

The most difficult part for me on this challenge (if I am running by myself) is to pull myself out of the deep water. I think the last couple of water we were in, if Stu and Gareth wasn't there, I will be frozen to death in it! The other tough bit which I really struggled through the whole course of this man made and natural obstacles are climbing on those hills second time around (12km participant has to do the course twice) Not only the poor legs are knackered but it just doesn't want to climb anymore. After reaching the top hill (I am not kidding you, its like the scene in The Sound Of Music those hills look like!) running downhill can be quite dangerous too especially where the slippery places are. It will only take one wrong step and if you slip, you will be doing those Bollywood scene on Indian/Hindi movie where they rolling from top hill all the way down the bottom singing their heart out. The only difference is, they got better costume on, where I am covered from top to bottom with mud. I don't even recognise myself at the end of the event as I was soooo dirty!

It's also very tricky to run all the way this course not only if you have the pace and stamina for it as the muddy areas are, again, if not careful can be lethal! Accident waiting to happen. If I am not overly careful enough about my steps, I think I would have been much quicker. Its only my first time and doing 12k, I think I have done well. I finished in 02:27:53.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. I cried (well, what's new there?) when all three of us reached the finishing line together holding hands as I have yet again proven that I can do it. I have it in me to do it. I felt slightly embarrassed as the 'event photographer' took our photos with beer in hand (the sponsor of course) where my eyes were filled with tears! Such a wimp! Or my neighbour Brett would think so (miauuuwwww!) But when the lady photographer asked us to do another pose only this time with grrrrrr..... and mean face, I soon got my tough spirit back up again. This event is something that I will not forget and it mean more to me as I got 2 friends that willing to sacrifice their PB on the day so they can pace it with me. Now that is priceless.

Will I do it again next year? I don't know. I know Stuart wanted to do again next year and he can suck me into anything this fella. So we shall see if the circumstances is allowing me to do it again. Don't get me wrong, its certainly fun, entertaining, doing all the mud sliding, etc and felt like you are a kid again as some time. The pain and hurdles that you go through during the event made you realised how hard it is. Like Stuart said to me when I was complaining that it was hard, he said life is hard, who said its going to be easy. So true. I learnt a lot from this event. And I still keep telling myself when I doubt myself that I can't do it. I also keep telling myself once I completed an event that I CAN DO IT! Its a forever battle but I know I am not a quitter.

I also learnt when you have great friends, do not let them go. And I will be running with them at Auckland Marathon 2009 this November (well not together like this time). Bring it on!!!!

First flu, then what???

It has been one of these crazy weeks where I felt at my worst with flu/cold, getting frustrated I couldn't do any training, being at home 24/7 with a sick child that also missing her daycare as a result of being sick (since Swine Flu symptom school are very touchy when it comes to sick children being at school, etc and we parents has to sign daycare extra 'term and condition' for sickness clause which is understandable), my personal challenge got neglected and this week I even have a scare of miscarriage which just a bit too much for me.
I thought it was a normal cycle (you know, woman thing) and it seems very heavy than normal and its only a day. I seems to have the miscarriage symptom and made me very paranoid as we have been trying for another baby 'casually' for nearly a year now and I just thought maybe its time to see the quack just to make sure that I am not abusing my body (not in term of the trainings that I did or how I eat but more to do about the lack of awareness about what I know and what I don't know about abnormal bleeding during my cycle) I didn't stop my training, as a matter of fact the day I had these heavy bleeding my boxing was at the top of the world! I was enjoying it so much, my 'partner in crime' Jo think I was overly aggressive punching her hand and kept reminding me that she isn't my husband (if that is who she think my target is!) I got to see the quack by the end of the week and everything seems to be ok (internal check - cervix wasn't opening) Still, my GP don't want to rule out it isn't a miscarriage so asked me to do a wee on the pee stick (which fortunately I have done and its NEGATIVE!) She also said pee stick isn't as good as blood test as it won't detect the most minute pregnancy hormone so I was given an instruction to get a blood test which I done the day after.
I finally got the result and a call from the lovely lady doctor and I was told that the test was NEGATIVE! I am relief as I do not want to go through the scan, cleaning it all up, etc (yuk!) although given the choice I will do it, so we can have a clean start next time. I am very pleased with the result but I must admit the waiting and wondering game did put my concentration and focus elsewhere than training and my passion for the sports for a week. I think if the result is positive, I won't be upset or worried and I will take the next step to get myself scan and clean up properly. I understand that our body has a natural way of getting rid of what not meant to be or not good. But its just an extra blessing that it isn't positive at the first place.
So, it has been a few weeks of disruptions, physically and mentally and my Tough Guy and Gal Challenge is this Sunday. I am prepared, I am ready to be out there to have fun, get myself into a right mess, mud, wet and I want to enjoy this event with my best mate Stuart that decided to do it alongside me. He is like a brother to me. Maybe he is the only man beside my husband Vince that willing to hear all the gruesome details about my problem last week. For that I give him a huge credit!After this event, I want to plan what I want to do in order to prepare for Auckland Marathon 2009 in November that I am taking part, I want to incorporate a structural training plan that can link to my personal challenge (more practical and related to future events) and I want to revisit my 2009 goals for the ones that I've done and the one that still to be done as we are now already half of the year (where did the last 6 months gone?) and I need to be realistic about my personal goal for this year.Although my blood test came negative, at the back of my mind I can't help of thinking that I need to be a bit more strategic about what I want, if it is practical to try another baby now or would I like to venture these crazy sports wee bit longer and postpone the idea of having another baby until next year? Am I selfish or am I just being realistic to do all these planning and replanning? Am I being practical? Or just pure naive? I wish I didn't think about it too much as I will ended up beating myself up for wanting to do something that I love without being judge (that's a baby and love of my sports). Still, whatever it is I hope I am happy with the decision.....

4th week, 7 days personal challenge report

I had the whole week feeling very lethargic, stuffy, sore and ache with flu/cold symptom. Didn't sleep very well as coughing all night. Managed to fit one run on Sunday 21/06/09 for just 5k. I thought I didn't do that bad.

I am continuing my personal challenge next week for another 30 days so I can achieve my target goal. I did a boxing session yesterday and has will have another one tomorrow. I look forward to that. My shoulder, arm and upper body are sore and feeling really hard as muscle are pumping from boxing session. I really enjoyed and felt like I can do boxing for long term training as part of full body / all round exercise (hardcore!) I want to write a bit more about my boxing session tomorrow as I forgotten to bring my camera yesterday (I promised some photo shots right?). Our instructor is 6 months pregnant but she didn't give us any sympathy during the session! Ha..ha..

As I am not back into the training game and felt much better, this week report for my another 30 days personal challenge will be on starting next Monday 29/06/09. I also got 2 weeks before my Tough Guys and Gals Challenge in Auckland and hope I have prepared myself mentally and physically for the event.

3rd week, 7 days personal challenge report

Day 16: 09/06/09

Swim for 1.25k in 30 mins

Bike ride on wind trainer for 17k in 45mins. Average 19k p/h

Boxing for 1 hour (damn this is killing me!)

20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 17: 10/06/09

Beaten up by yesterday exercises especially boxing so Rest Day for me!

20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 18: 11/06/09

Bike ride on wind trainer for 10k in 30 mins. Average 20k p/h

20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 19: 12/06/09

Rest Day

20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 20: 13/06/09

Run for 5.6k in 35mins

Bike ride on wind trainer for 10k in 30 mins. Average 20k p/h

20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 21: 14/06/09

Struggling to do anything as I came down with flu (damn you hubby!) Rest Day.

Day 22: 15/06/09:

Look like the rest of next week will be rest day as this flu really has taken it toll! Arghhhhh!!!!!

Goal for next week:

1. Recover from this flu (hope its not Swine Flu!!!!)

2. Get back to this challenge, exercises, training, goal gently after recovered?! Listen to your body....

3. I bloody hope I lost some weight!!!

NOTE: I was beaten badly from the flu/cold (hopefully its not Swine Flu - god forbid!) that I couldn't even do much little alone taking my photos. I hope to have a fresher report the week after as I surely couldn't see myself training at all next week. Hope there will be some shots of me with the equipments (bike, wind trainer, ab crunch, maybe even boxing!) to show that I am doing all this for real! I am blowing my nose really hard as I type this blog.....best get back to bed and get warm....

2nd week, 7 days personal challenge report

I struggled a bit on this 2nd week due to weathers aren't that brilliant for running and biking. Thanks to my wind trainer I managed to fit few session but did miss the outdoor bike ride.

I also haven't been that good taking the photos this week as my hubby was away on business trip in Christchurch hence the pictures are a bit pants! I must admit the D60 camera are just the business and differences in photos from last week and this week are huge in term of the sharpness of the image. Still, as long it does the purpose (does it make my belly look even more huge?) that's what matter. Trying to take the photo of me standing on the scale also tricky as it didn't justify my weight that well. What the heck, I did lose 0.2 kg.

Ok, results of 2nd weeks are as followed.

Day 9: 02/06/09
Bike ride on wind trainer: 10k, 30 mins. Average 20k/ph
20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 10: 03/06/09
Swim for 30 mins - 50 laps of 25m
Bike ride on wind trainer: 20k, 60 mins. Average 20k/ph
20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 11: 04/06/09
Rest
20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 12: 05/06/09
Bike ride on wind trainer: 10k, 30 mins. Average 20k/ph
Ran for 9k for 1 hour
20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 13: 06/06/09
Rest
20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 14: 07/06/09
Swim for 30 mins - 50 laps of 25m
Ran for 9k for 1 hour
20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 15: 08/06/09
Bike ride on wind trainer: 17k, 45 mins. Average 19k/ph
Ran for 7k for 50 mins
20 sets of 10 ab crunch

Note: Didn't cycle out at all this week as its too cold! Still wind trainer has done good to me to so no biggie there.

Goal for next week:
1. To do some MORE swimming in the challenge.
2. To run at least 10 k twice next week (didn't managed last week due to too much going on!)
3. To be able to cycle outdoor if weather permitted.
4. Boxing session begin! I'm excited. Anything to do with letting go my aggression!

Total inches waist lost this week: 2 inches! Wooohooooo!!! - 34"
Total weight lost this week: 0.2kg (at least something?!) from last week. 0.1kg from target weight lost.

My PB run ever so far!!!

I accidentally name this route Hilly 10k where it isn't 10k in total at all (so sorry if this is misleading!) I quite like mapmyrun.com where I can find route that I familiar with in my area and I can pin point how far I want to run without having these gadget on my arms or watch that I can hardly afford to buy at the moment (GPRS) that can tell how far I have run. I will buy one of those gadget soon, only if I am really committed to do these running on a regular basis (which I have been doing anyway) I am so stoked that I managed to run this route as Rosario Crescent has this killer hill (steep, not so steep) that quite sudden and really make my leg feel pain immediately once the hill started. Its not too long the hills but the gradual quite sudden (in my humble novice opinion as a non runner) but at the end of the hill it a gradual downhill which rest and relax my leg muscle a bit from the sudden crucial climbing pain that I have to go through on that steep bit of hill. I must admit at the 3rd climb (3rd loop) I swear few times I keep saying to myself that I need to walk but I forced myself not to. Even it mean I totter rather than jog, I am not walking it!

All and all I am really happy with this route as I never done hill before (any sort of hill) and I am known to do flat 10.5k for 1:29:45 where on this route, I did it in 59:55 which to me is my personal best yet although its just 8.5k. In my roughly calculation (hope I calculate it right to start with!) I ran 1.166m per minute on my last 10.5k event totalling 1:29:45 (roughly 90 mins) So if it took me roughly 60 mins to run 8.5k I actually has better my mileage by 1.48k further! I have then calculated that now I can run 1.416m per minute which mean I have cut 0.25m per minute faster since I started to do my running more recently. I think that's is an achievement for me. I know I am still a turtle but I hope one day I will be the rabbit that runs amongst other rabbits on November 1st!

7 days personal challenge report

Day 1: 25/05/09
Bike ride on wind trainer: 10k, 30 mins. Average 20k/ph
10 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 2: 26/05/09
Bike ride to Wainui 20k, 1 hour. Average 20k/ph
Ran for 5.1k for 40 mins
10 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 3: 27/05/09
Bike ride on wind trainer: 10k, 30 mins. Average 20k/ph
10 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 4: 28/05/09
Bike rider to Wainui 20k, 1 hour. Average 20k/ph
Ran for 8.5k for 1 hour
10 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 5: 29/05/09
Rest
10 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 6: 30/05/09
Ran for 9k for 1 hour (getting faster!)
10 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 7: 31/05/09
Ran for 7k for 50 mins
10 sets of 10 ab crunch

Day 8: 01/06/09
Rest
10 sets of 10 ab crunch

Note: Didn't do any swimming this week which is a poo! Must do some next week. Pleased with my ab crunch and running has been improved big time!

Goal for next week:
1. To do some swimming in the challenge.
2. To run at least 10 k twice next week.
3. To do 200 ab crunch in a day.

Total inches waist lost this week: None (bollocks!) - 36"
Total weight lost this week: Gain 1 gram (crap!) - 63.1kg

Wish me luck for next week as more works to do or else I will eat my own blog next month! Waaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

30 days personal challenge!

Period: 30 days
Starting date: 25/5/09
Completing date: 24/06/09
Challenge: To do as much as swim, bike, run and ab crunch
Goal to achieve: To make sports fun again, waist size to be slightly shrink, to fit old jeans, to shrink the core part of my body (belly that is!), to make me feel good about my body again, to have a better backside (is that count?) and the list goes on......
Target waist lost: 2 inches
Current waist size: 36 "
Target weight lost: 2 kilos
Current weight: 63kg

Rules: If the targets above did not met within 30 days, the next 30 days challenge will start with the challenge target increased by 25%! By this time, I am sweating myself just to think of how, when, where and why I am doing this!!!!!!!

RESULT will be published every 7 days to calculate total weekly workouts.

Run Baldwin, Run!

Woooohooooo.......I am buzzing! And I can't tell you yet at the moment why as I am preparing my personal challenge on another blog at the moment but I can't help wanting to write here that I did my run today - despite keep looking at the window seeing passers by that brave themselves running in this chilly condition this morning. Managed to do 5.1km without feeling tired but it seems like my lung (I'm born asthmatic) couldn't cope with it (should have brought the puffer with me!) Still, I am pleased. I didn't run at the beach today as I want to try how far I can run on the pavement today after been running on a soft base at the beach for 2 weeks. I am amazed my strides are better and I actually find my tip toe running are now looking rather more athletic! Ha..ha.. I am sooooo pleased.

Here are some of the songs that I listen to when I ran just now.

1. Stronger (Kanye West)
2. Breathe (Sean Paul ft. Blue Cantrell)
3. Round, Round (Sungarbabes)
4. Simple The Best (Tina Turner) - such motivation song!!!!
5. Look At Me (Geri Halliwell) - don't ask! Vain maybe?
6. Outside (George Michael)

Then the TRI begin......

For the continuation of my past achievements blog, I want to share my 2nd event that I did which happen to be a 393 Contact TRI Series in Takapuna. After completing my first bike event I only got 21 days to train for my first triathlon ever! It was a nerve wracking one as I have no idea what I put myself into (I am not fit and has very little training or idea what Triathlon is all about) With the help of my kind neighbour Karen that has done Half Ironman nearly a decade ago I think, it has given me lots of moral support and boost (she's a mum with 2 girls under 3 years old - mad!!!!) She is very humble with giving advice and training with me despite her involvement with lots of triathlon events in the past and bike events but the genuine wanting to see me made it to the event is just a very humbling experience with her. To swim at the sea with her (about 1.4km), bike about 20km and run about 3km for our first trial together at one weekend was just amazing to know that we got what it takes to do it even the transition is very slow and we took out time to finished it all (very leisurely) around 2 hours! She hasn't done any form of exercise since good 3 years ago with the babies and all but this woman got it takes and naturally fit (which is what I hate! Jealous in a nice way that is...)

So here is my previous entry of my blog on Facebook about my first ever Triathlon event that I did and hope to do more this summer onwards......

I should have written this right after my first try Triathlon finished but I was rushing to get everything bought and packed for a long weekend camping on Friday taken my time to get this blog prepared. Nevertheless, I am at the right mind now to describe what a feeling it was to do my first ever triathlon. Like the slogan of Tri 393 (as for 300m swim, 9km bike ride and 3km runs) You'll Never Know Until You Try, I really didn't know what I put myself into and what did it feel when I finished the event. I have been seriously training toward my last bike ride at the end of January since November and it paid off when I finished it in a comfortably good time for first timer (on top of my bike chain came off, blah dee blah) After the bike event I started to put more effort in running as I never like running, never be any good at it since school but to do this Tri I have to put some effort to it. So since the whole month of Feb, I did 4 runs a week of 3.5km just a little bit over than what my Tri 3rd discipline required. I know I should have done more but I didn't want to push myself too much in case I injure myself on top of my bike training and swimming. What I think I should have done more is swimming at open sea as I can do up to 100 laps of 25m swimming pool length without loosing any breath, but I have no confident at all swimming in the open water. Such a contrast. On the race day, I felt I am ready eventhough 2 days beforehand during taper week, I was really nervous. Poor my next door neighbour who also took part in the event (she done Half Ironman before and she's 40!) has probably gone deaf listening to me singing my heart out just to get rid of my nerve leading up to the event day. Karen has been so supportive and did train alongside of me few occasions and also did a Tri trial at our local beach just to get some idea what the Tri going to be on the day. Getting used and practising the transition was new to me as I haven't got a clue what Triathlon sport is all about since few months ago. We travelled to Takapuna with our partners and babies. Got our goodie bag at the local Boating Club. Placed our bike at the transition area. I laid everything that I have practised nicely in 2 parts under my bike in a bright blue towel. Front portion consist of my bike shoe, sock, helmet, sunglasses, my event number with belt and a bottle of water to wash my feet after the swimming. Second portion of the towel consist my running shoe, new pair of socks (as I know the water from the beach will soaked the socks from bike ride) a bottle of water and a cap. I bought a very nice 2 pieces of Tri suit as I don't want to get change at all since this Tri is such a short distance to be faffing around. I did a bit of stretching but funny enough, I didn't feel so nervous on the day. Maybe Karen and Renate (Karen's friend that also took part) are there chatting to me about others things and it seems to keep my nerve off my mind. After race briefing, I said goodbye to Vince and Yasmin and had great wishes from Helen, Stuart and their boys (Ryan and Josh) who came all the way from Howick to cheer on me. Some friends they are. We were asked to walk toward the right end of Buoy to swim straight across for 300m and run out of the water for 150m towards T1. When the siren goes off, I started swimming like everyone else but admit didn't know where I was heading as I was being kicked and flapped about from left to right. At one point I got someone in front of me kicked my face and I wasn't sure if they were doing a breast stroke! At the end when things are a bit calmer, I am still ploughing along and realised I was one of the few last at the back. At this point I decided to keep swimming and lifted my head up after 6 strokes and keep doing it until I reached the other Buoy. I swear I thought I was the last 2 that came out of the water and I didn't feel bad about it. I was proud. Even I was the last to come out of the water, I did finish my swim. One at a time Nora, one at a time.... Sods law, to run out of the water towards T1, it was quite a steep hill. My legs were like jellies at that point and I thought I have to keep going and push myself a bit here. I saw my bright blue towel, sat down, washed my feet and quickly put the sock and shoes on. I suddenly realised that I must secure my helmet before I get on the bike so I clipped it on quickly and put my sunny on. I lifted the bike and pushed to the starting line. From then on, I didn't see or look back if anyone left at T1 but according to my result, I was 59th of 72nd at T1 and I think my transition practise paid off. I really thought I was the 72nd for my swim but what counts was who left at T1 first and that's when they start to time you. I was flying all the time I'm on the bike. I felt the buzz and I was like being drugged. I kept shouting every time I saw Karen to cheer on her and Renate. I also keep shouting at Stuart and Vince whenever I passed them like some sort of non serious event. I was serious and at the same time I was pumped up. I swear that I took over sooo many girls and kept saying 'Passing' to them and I thought I would be able to finish with a very decent time or possible faster than my target time (under 1 hour) On my T2 result I came 33rd out of 72nd which means I did overtake lots of people from my 59th place at T1! I was really pleased with my bike ride. When I did my 6th loop of the course to complete 9km, I am using the masking tape method that I put on my bike with 1 to 6 numbered on it. Every time I went pass a loop I took a number off the tape. I do have a very decent wireless Cat Eye on my bike but I thought as a safety precaution in case my Cat Eye falls off, stolen at transition area (you never know!) or broken that I got a back up plan. One of the Olympian athletes that took part late evening that day - Contact Cup Elite Triathlon (which was televised on Channel One) did an extra lap on the bike and took herself off the race - see what I mean about precaution? Even a pro did it wrong! After I ditched the bike once finished the 9km ride, I felt my bike shoe and socks are soaked with sea water. It’s a good thing I did bring with me a spare socks! With the help of my transition practise (again) I managed to get the socks changed, slipped on the running shoes and I used the bungee cord shoe lace to quick tie my laces (a real life saver this one!) and slip a cap on very quickly. I started to run downhill the beach and alongside of the running course quite slowly. Again my legs are not coping very well but I knew if I keep the same consistent pace, I won't stop. I don't want to stop as it might get harder to start again. I only need to do 1 1/2 loop for the run as its only 3km but the first turning is a really steep hill. Bastard I thought! Why they have to choose this route right after you sprint like mad on your bike? I guess that's what you call a challenge hey? I did run all the way of the course and by then noticed Stuart, Vince, Helen and the kids are at the Belgium Bar where the finishing line is, waiting for me to get pass my first loop. Helen was strolling on the other side of the route telling me to keep going and I really feel pumped up at the time. I was proud and I was very pleased that she came to cheer on me. I think she knew how much this event meant to me. I don't think I can cope with the heat if the run is more than 3km as it was scorching hot that day and when I passed the first loop, I thought no way I am going to do another loop again. I was very thirsty and I kept saying to myself, whatever you do, don't stop. Walk if you need to. But I didn't. I keep running even it’s not fast. Near the 100m mark before the end line (I have practise this with Karen when we walked the route 2 days before the event) I sprinted as fast as my leg can take it and I didn't know until later Karen was waiting around less than 100m mark before finishing line holding on to baby Zoë shouting at me to sprint for the finishing line. I did sprint to the finishing line and ended my race at 1:01:33 which I thought for my first attempt is not bad at all. Funny enough, I noticed few people over took me during my run but I didn't realised I was overtook quite a bit! Damn! I came 59th for my run after came 33rd from my bike ride. It was quite disappointing with all the effort I put on the bike but now I know my weakness (I told you I'm not a good runner) and I will work on putting more training on it. Below is my result in details.

Swim: 59th: 10:38
Bike: 33rd: 26:16
Run: 59th: 24:38
Overall: 46th: 1:01:33

I did wait for the result to be finalised as few people didn't run the whole 1 1/2 loops that was supposed to be done and ended up being DQ. The provisional result showing at least 7 people managed to run under 11 minutes are under the assumption that they didn't do the 2nd loop especially when the came off the swim and bike from 60th place and over onwards! Cheating! I am very pleased with my first try to Triathlon. I have since signed up to Orewa Half HALF Marathon (quarter Marathon) on 5th April to motivate my run training and hope to get better at it and also signed up to another triathlon at Mission Bay on 26th April for Sprint Triathlon distance (500m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run) I have started my couple of weeks training since my last event and hope with my extensive 8 weeks training plan I will be able to complete my first ever running event and 2nd triathlon this year. I think its fair to say it is still in moderation as after these events, I am sparing my winter doing moderate and consistent training ready for next year events that I am thinking of taking parts. Next year I am aiming to do Sarah Ulmer Sub & Stride in North Shore for 70km bike ride and if I am consistent with my training maybe - just maybe I want to do a short distance Half Ironman Auckland event which is 1km swim, 30km bike ride and 7km run. I have the whole 8 months to prepare at least and I think it’s achievable. I noticed one thing while doing all the training and giving my all for these events that it is right, until you try you never know what you can do and what limits can you push yourself. I once very unfit, still overweight and have quite a bad asthma. I always used these excuses not to be able to do anything outside of my comfort zone. Who would have thought that maybe one day I can call myself a tri athlete? Make you wonders hey? P/S: Thanks Vince for supporting me all this time and bought me a road bike! I promise to do better next time and will make you proud.

My past achievements

I am really new to this blog site and since I just started this month, I haven't have much input to this page yet. Saying that, I have blogged a lot on Facebook. I decided to have this blog page purely just for my Triathlon and multi sport passion which then maybe linking to other topics that related to these sports. This page isn't about wanting to inspire others but just purely for me to inspire myself and having myself to tell that I can do it, I can fail, I can pick myself up from any hurdles, I can motivate myself, I can be scared to do something outside my comfort zone (that will be friggin' clip on shoes! Dam stuff, scare the shit out of me every time I put them on!), I can reach my goals and all the things that I think I can't. The main thing is I want to see myself grow from this journey of mine getting to know this crazy sport.

I only started to know about Triathlon last year when I started to swim weekly from early 2008 as part of my pregnancy weight lost journey. I will go swimming every Thursday night and do at least 50 length of the pool or more. I also walks with my daughter (she's under 2 at the time) 3 times a week totalling about 20km walks per week at least. I noticed I lost heaps of weight and my body changes is just amazing. I even took lots of photos between myself and my hubby (he lost nearly 40kg in 1 year!) to see the progress ourselves and since last year, we have been motivating each other very well. I was from size 14 down to size 10 within 6 months of eating well and doing these small exercises. I also started to bike about 20km per week since September last year when my daughter is at daycare twice a week and had enjoyed it really well. I think the key here is consistency and it doesn't has to be any 'hardcore' exercise to lose weight that much within that set of time.

I really enjoys my weekly ride on my Mountain Bike and one day when I saw SUB North Shore event for women only, I thought why not take part. I can do this. Instead of signing up for a longer bike ride, I decided to try just 20km bike ride (short one) for this year. I don't want to start hard and didn't enjoy my first sport event.

Below is the previous blog that I wrote about my first ever sport event experience and how I first get to know who is Sarah Ulmer......
I just can't help myself but wanting to share this special moment in few words (more like a War and Peace hey?) and pictographic evident of my first ever bike ride event that I took part yesterday and what an awesome feeling it was when I was at the finishing line telling myself that I have did it and I made myself very proud. I was very nervous the night before and went to bed very early in hope that I will have all the energy the night before (damn, there was no sex that night!) I got up at 6.30am and by 8am we already at the Stadium. I saw lots of girls with their super duper bling bling bike and gears and can't help of feeling a little challenged already even before the event started. I still feel very nervous and with Yasmin's happy running around this massive stadium made me forgotten about my nerve a little bit. She has been nothing but very good to daddy waiting for her mummy to finish. What a lucky parents we are. The briefing for each event are quite close to each other where the long bike 70km gone out first at 8.45am, mid cycle, 35km at 8am and short cycle, 20km (my event) at 8.15am. So by now I have memorised the briefing already by heart. That's how nervous I was! When the race about to begin, I was at the front row and really pumped up to cycle and can't wait to start. When the hoot blown, I went for it and was the leader until the first couple of hills. I am so amazed the amount of people that haven't got a clue where to route is and just depend solely on the Marshall in the van! I was also amazed with the amount of people that went pass me after the first few hills and started flying passed! It was a bit frustrating as I think I put as much effort as they are!!!! My mountain bike didn't take long proving its downside on the first few hills when the chain came off as Sarah Ulmer was cheering some girls that went pass her for some moral support on this steep hill and when it was my turn passing her, the chain gone kaput! Arghhhh, sods law! I kept changing the gear in hope it will pick it back up again but failed. She ditch her bike on the side of the road, came to me and asked me to get off my bike. She then changed the gear, lifted up my back tyre to get the pedal going and chain back to the ring and it got sorted. Sarah asked me to get on my bike as quick as I can and give me a push to get my momentum going and I just couldn't believe what just had happened to me. A gold medalist in New Zealand just touched my backside and helped me! What an awesome feeling that was. Sarah kept on shouting at me as I started cycling that I am doing fine and to keep going, it really boost me up as I was feeling the strain of it already when the chain came off. At couple of the very steep hills (as it was classified on the local bike route map - very steep and not just steep!) I was overtaken by few girls and I can't help of thinking this is the time that I should use all the knowledge of the route as I have done the trial on it 2 weeks earlier and to use the technique on my gears well as Karen told me what I need to practise on the week before was using the right gears at the right time and hills which may help me being a bit fast then my trial time. So I gather all my energy and thoughts and started to cycle the hills effectively. At the end of the hills I managed to overtook all the girls that overtook me earlier and I know the route well so I started to attack and pedal harder as its going to be all downhill and very fast not far from now. I think knowing the route and doing it before the event has helped me a bit with my time as people might not know what's coming and they might storing their energy by cycling at their comfortable pace thinking that there are more hills to come. At the last road (SH17) where its all downhill I was doing up to 56km per hour and the feeling was awesome. It was scary but I know if I duck down a bit I might be a bit faster and just be very cautious with the traffic next to me. All the girls that was overtaking me earlier is no where to be found behind me and I am not sure if they didn't realised this is all downhill from now on or just not sure with the fast speed but anyhow, I am taking all the advantage that I can from this on. I cycled really hard on the last few turn back to the stadium and I am pleased when I reached the end line, I shouted so hard in disbelief that I have done it and I broke down and cry. This event meant so much to me personally as I am trying to prove to myself that I am a strong person and if I set my mind to do something I can do it no matter what the obstacles are. Although I feel slightly disappointed with my result as I completed the ride in 1:03:55 where my target is to complete it just under 1 hour, I am very pleased that I have done it, I completed the race and I am without a doubt very proud of myself. I think its in my blood to be competitive but I am not hugely disappointed, I just don't want to be comfortable with the result and later I won't push myself a bit more for future training and event. I do think without the help of my friends that never stop encouraging me with their kind words and some who take it upon themselves in personal interest by doing the ride with me (that's my neighbour Karen!) I have nothing but huge appreciation and very grateful to have friends like you. To some this 20km bike ride event might be minute compare to what other's has done but to me this is huge. I managed to completed one of my 10 new year resolution already and we just came to the 2nd month of 2009. Not bad I think. To make matter worst, I got another 21 days to do another event with my neighbour Karen in Takapuna which is a triathlon series consist of 300m swim, 9km bike ride and 3km run. I hope this will push me a bit more to do better next time. 21 days is not long and not enough also to train if I have too much rest. So I am getting back to training starting from tomorrow when Yasmin is at daycare. I want to focus more on running as I can't run for my life!