Can I do it? Yes I can!

Well it was time to visit the course I will be challenged on next Sunday.  And a challenge it appears to be.

The 1st stage is the 1.5km run.  It is 750m up and then back.  The road is full of ups and downs and a pedestrian bridge crossing is in the middle and a pile of shops that don’t look cheery.  The streets are narrow and I could see this to be interesting trying to fit so many woman trying to achieve a goal.

The 2nd stage is the 10km bike.  I looked at the course map online last night but it doesn’t appear to be complete and according to ‘Map my run’ is not 10km it is only just over 5km, this made me think we will do this circuit twice.  Not that anything has said that. 

The course it takes is once again the same stretch of road as the 1st stage run so has a narrow bridge to go over.  The road out is also the direction to the Open Road heading to the farms and lifestyle blocks which means bigger vehicles may be passing us it is also en route to the National Park, so may have weekend visitors.  The course appears to veer right to major suburbia so that too could be busy with comings and goings from the driveways.

Stage 3 is the 3km run/walk.  This is very clear andthe streets are wider so more open.  The hardest part is the round about as was busy while driving this route.  The crazy thing is it appeared to be a big course this leg especially in comparison to the 3km run I do near home.  In saying that mapping it last night and then driving it today it is actually 3.7km.  I personally think 700m is a big difference to 3km.  I will have to use mind over mater for that.

So I am a little clearer in my head as to what I need to do next week.

On Thursday I have a 30min run scheduled so I will head over the hill to Wainuiomata and run the 3.7km route to get a little familiar.

The exciting thing is that because I now know I can do this from my trial run today, I am keen to do another.  I have looked up online and noticed SPARC have one on 05April.  It is 3.5km run / 10km bike / 1.5km run.  So I know I can do this.  I would love to register but have to wait to look under the couch for the pennies.

I have even started thinking ahead as this is the same day my daughter will be having her 4th birthday party a Rainbow Pool Party.  So I am thinking of ways to preorganise everything and what I can make before hand.  I will be home around 11am and that will give me 3hours give or take to decorate her cake.  My son had a pool party last year and I just made little food bags for each child with pre packaged food and drink so that makes it real easy and I did carrot and celery sticks and chips with dip for the parents and a homemade slice.  I think it is all manageable to fit this in with a morning Duathlon.

Can’t believe I am looking ahead already.  I am just so excited and pleased I can do this.  A challenge I decided to take up only 5months ago.  Next year may even be a triathlon who knows.

Just had to share this.

My training wanted me to do a trial Duathlon ready for next Sunday.  Argh 1 week to go.  It was supposed to be yesterday but with having just got back from camping and all the unpacking and washing and grocery list making etc I never went.  Also it was one windy day.

Well I had to do it so off I went today in the rain and the wind.

1st stage is 1.5km run.  My goal 10mins 30secs I did it in 11mins 15secs so 45secs slower.

2nd stage is 10km bike.  My goal 35mins I did it in 33mins 39sec so 1min 21secs faster. yay

3rd stage is 3km run.  My goal 31mins I did it is 22mins 10sec so 8mins 50secs faster. double yay.

Now I picked these goals from the results of 2008 Duathlon racers who are about my age.  It was at the same venue as this year so thought it was as close to a goal as I could make.  Now I do realise that my Duathlon was run in my own territory so I am familiar with it and also I didn’t have to compete with anyone for space. 

Well actually that isn’t quite true.  I had about 3people on the track I had to move for and cars to avoid on the street with other cars wanting to pass at the same time.

I got home and was exhausted and excited as I actually did it.  I know I have been training for this but still I guess I didn’t know if I would actually be able to really do it till I tried.  Especially with puting all the stages together.

Boy my legs were like jelly coming off the bike and going into the final run.  I had to walk but then realised I just wanted to run and it was easier.

Hope the same energy and stamina is with me next week.  Although I am hoping there will be some adrenaline and atmospheric excitement that will carry me to the finish line.  I did also manage a very small sprint at the very finish too, I don’t know where that energy came from but I did manage to muster it somehow but took a lot of concentration.

Well I woke just before 7am and decided I better get a load of towels washing and the lights needed folding.  It is a lovely day so those freshly washed towels will be dried oh so quickly.

After this I thought I better get on to doing my 40min bike ride that is on my training schedule.  This way it is done and dusted for the day.  I plan to go to the gym later with the PT.

I had already decided to extend my route to make it a 40min ride.  This would be taking me places I hadn’t ridden before.  I was aware that I would need to cross a few roads that would have a build up of traffic for those who are still off to work.

I stepped outside and started riding and was aware that it was cold outside.  My arms were not liking it and I knew it was my fault as didn’t dress warm enough.  Anyway I rode and rode pedalling the whole way.  It was a lovely, beautiful day and a fantastic ride and nice to be out riding again.

I calculated the ride to where I would need to go to then turn back to make it home at the 40min mark but the return ride was a little quicker so had to make a detour to extend the ride.  The work at the gym has obviously paid off as I recovered straight away and had pedalled the whole thing and didn’t find it to strenuous.

I have now looked it up and I rode 10.9km so am happy with that.  I am still on target for the Duathlon.

Well I still was undecided about going to the gym and before I knew it, it was time for dinner.  After dinner was dishes time and I just thought even less of going to the gym.

I went for a run to the post box as had a letter to post and then continued with a power walk and around back to home.  I feel good for doing it.  I was pleased to be home though as when I was running my throat was dry and it tasted like blood.  I am wheezy so once home could take my inhaler.

Right better get changed so I can put the washing on and sit down and relax the night away.

We have no plans tomorrow kind of.  We do need to get a photo printed for a present so want to get to the mall early to beat the madness.

I will go for a 40min bike ride in the morning and head to the gym once I hear from my Exodus gym personal trainer.  He is coming to the Hutt to give me a routine at the new gym, but needs to see the equipment to show my which exercises would be best.

I am still around but life has become busy and confusing.

Now I no longer have the competition to deal with my fitness and diet took a back seat as I was in limbo.  After 6 weeks of going to the gym 6 days a week I had nothing.  Well that is how it felt.  I struggled getting back into my training and felt I was spiralling down an awkward slope.

I joined a small local gym which is part of the local council pool.  I have been 3 times now and feeling alive again.  I have also got back on track with my training for the Duathlon so life is looking great again.

Today I have already done Turbo Jam and spent 2 + hours in the garden and mowing the lawns so have just to decide whether to go to the gym right now or not.

Even Christmas is not worrying me so that is a relief.

I will be in touch again on a regular basis as things have settled.

I had a Personal Training session yesterday and he worked us hard.  I had such sore knees afterwards.  My knees flake and then the flakes sit on the nerves.  I was told back in 1994 when i had an operation that this is reoccurring and I may eventually need replacement kneecaps.

Due to the knee pain I didn’t go for a Power Walk last night.  I was keen to go to Spin Class today.  I did go and I enjoyed it certainly felt heaps better than two weeks ago and I also sustained the whole routine.  I stood up for the entire section of hill ride for each hill.  Next time I will need to increase the tension.

As we were leaving the Owner of the gym stopped us to talk to Stephanie the Breeze Breakfast Host.  They have said they would like to reweigh us in February and they will have a bigger prize just for the girls for the biggest looser or maintained the best loss.  Yahoo that is exciting.  He also said we can still come in every so often for workouts just to give him a call.  They are planning a gym out in Lower Hutt so keen for the two from the Hutt to join when established.  Do you know bigger than Fiji isn’t that fantastic.  Now I am so back in the running and as I have travelled this journey for so long i won’t be stopping where some of the others may stop as thought it was only a 6 week commitment.  yay I am excited.

After leaving the gym I went to Dayna’s Christmas party at Kindy and it was good but heaps of food.  So much left over.  Also I asked about when Dayna maybe able to move to mornings and they said she is likely to take Isaiah’s spot so 23February.  That will mean I have 5 mornings to ME.

My knees were ok until I went to do something in the lounge and I must have twisted wrong and boy did I yelp.

Well I am tired so off to bed.

I am very tired as have not slept well for 3 nights now due to a variety of reasons. Too much to think about, Christmas, holidays, Dr visits, end of year parties, gym, etc. Dayna and Isaiah not sleeping well. Hot, or sore or uncomfortable.  Also I have had two early starts to add to the tired factor.

I noticed I posted 6days ago so a lot has happened and I can’t remember it all.

Dayna had her end of year day-care party on Friday night and dressed as a Dalmatian.  It was in support of SPCA so they were to dress as an animal.  She looked so cute.  That night we put the Christmas Tree up and looks good the kids were excited and were looking for their names on the presents.  We have a rule (some will be familiar with it) if you touch you don’t get.  So they have been very good.

Saturday I was at the gym for weigh in and lost 1% fat and 1.4kg weight.  No one stayed for a session so I was all by myself and felt quite disheartened as needed the company.

Sunday I went to the gym with Jo so had a good session but by now we all knew Stu had won the prizes as he has lost so much that we would need to loose over 5% to catch up which is impossible for women in 1 week or he needs to put it all back on, which is unlikely.  I have noticed one of the girls has eased up majorly which is funny as she was the biggest stress-er of the lot of us.  I am still going strong as don’t want to be at the bottom.  In the afternoon we all made 3 sorts of truffles, these are our treats to our friends this year.  We made this batch for Martin’s students as the year is nearly over.  I then went for my walk that night which was a nightmare.

Sunday night was the Lower Hutt Christmas in the park.  The Park is the one that has the walking track and is close enough to home to be my regular walking venue.  Well I played 40mins of dodgems trying to avoid people, picnic baskets, police, cars, idiots to do my walk.  Even the security people wouldn’t get off the walking track to allow me to walk on it.  They just didn’t care.  Now this track is obvious as is paved so not a case that I was being stubborn.  Either side is a grass embankment that they could have stood on while I passed on the track.  I couldn’t wait to get home.  We were going to go but we were all tired and it was 7pm till 9pm so thought it was to late for our tired kids.  As it happened the fireworks didn’t end up going off till 9.45pm and I heard that a lot of the music was reggae and other non Christmas music.  People complained last year for the same reason.

Monday I was up at 5am for the gym and needed a Nana nap that afternoon.  I had taken Dayna out to buy her 2008 Christmas ornament and some other bits like candy canes and treats for the various parties.

Tuesday was a 5am start again and I was pleased to visit our friends for the afternoon to keep me awake.  I went for my walk that night but found it hard as Dayna was in tears and clinging to me not to go and I was tired but still did it.  We watched some programmes on TV and went to bed.

Today I have been to the gym and had a one on one session which was tough.  I can however do 20 sit ups with no assistance.  I am going back next week to have my at home programme made which is fantastic.  I picked up some plastic gift bags for the treats we are making and came home to catch up.  I am about to get Isaiah and we will make some biscuits for the 2 Kindy parties.  We will put green or red icing on them and then a marshmallow shaped like a Christmas decoration on top.

Tonight is our Christmas Club night so hopefully that is a good night and we may win something.  So out fridge and cupboard will be full so that will be a relief and tempting.

Saturday is the final weigh in which is good as I am too busy and tired so the trip in everyday will be gone, nice.

Monday morning I did my usual weigh in but didn’t loose anything.  I am hoping to be under 80kg by New years which is possible.

Next week I am back into full on training for my Duathlon so it will be nice to have that focus back.

Don’t know if I mentioned a few things.

Because Dayna is deaf in one ear the Audiology dept want to check Isaiah too.  He has his appointment and 1 hour of tests on 17th December

Dayna is scheduled for surgery on 23 January.  may move forward if someone can’t make it as on holiday.

Due to our friends moving they are giving us their trampoline.  Cool.  Martin isn’t so sure.  We do intend to buy one with the safety net but this is great in the mean time.  The kids will love it.

Well I didn’t get to do my walk last night so decided to do a Turbo Jam session and the highest intensity there is.  It was so intense Martin called out from the other room to see if I was ok.  Wow I never worked so hard or so it seemed.

I left the house today with the 3 kids and dropped Isaiah off at kindy and then was to drop Taylor off at school.  Rebecca was still at kindy so wanted to take Taylor as meant she would be encouraged to go on her usual walk with the dog.

Dayna and I headed to the mall to buy some bits but it was a waste of time.  We then went to day-care as they had the SPCA there with some animals.  That was a waste as well as you couldn’t get close enough really to pet the animals.  From there I dropped Dayna at Ashlyn’s house to play so I could go to the gym.

I got there right on time so ran to the change room as had to get out of my jeans and casual shoes.  I met up with Karl and basically he killed me over and over for the next 50 minutes.

He put me on a weights machine I had used before but it felt harder having him watch.  I then did leg lunges, some other weight machine that he had to keep correcting the posture.  The high intensity on the cross trainer.  From there I had to do leg lifts but my legs hurt each repetition from the cross trainer but he pushed me hard.  I was close to tears.  I think because part of the brain wanted to quit and the other was stubborn and wouldn’t let it happen.

I then had a 10kg weight exercise and some leg extensions machine which was heavy to push.  Karl then got me on the rower.  On this I had 30 seconds to row 110 metres (I think it was metres) rest while rowing for 30 seconds and do it again.  I was already sweating, exhausted, emotional and had jelly legs but he pushed and I was determined I just wouldn’t fail this task.  I had to do the rowing for 5 times and on the last one he had to ask me to slow it down due to my breathing, I said it was the determination.  He then got me to do some 5kg dumbbell exercises.  He suggested I finish on cardio but we ended up doing a premature weigh in.  All this extra work is paying off so that is good.

The rest of the day was full of running around.  It was horrible.

I had calls to make to organise something and while I was Dayna fell asleep on my bed, she was so tired from the sleepover.  I was hoping to go for a walk at 5pm when Martin would be home.  When Dayna woke up she was a mess and wouldn’t stop crying or leave me alone.  So no walk.

I got to 7.45pm and still hadn’t had a chance to get away but needed to go so 7.53pm I was gone.  I got back and had only missed 5mins of McLeod’s Daughters so not too bad.

Tomorrow is my morning so will be at the gym and have to buy a boy’s birthday present as the party is Saturday.

Well I got my hair cut and it certainly is alot better than the last original cut.  Phew.  (just a side note nobody has even noticed, but that I hear is a sign of a good cut).

I then headed to the gym via the Warehouse, bought a Sports watch for me from Santa for my stocking.  I have been noticing the strap of my gold watch is starting to pit, since being at the gym.  I think the sweat must be deteriorating it.

I got to the gym and started on the Cross Trainer and I am finding that a lot easier now which I think the walking is helping as working on the same joints.  Next i went to the Up Right Cycle and was pedalling away finding it easy and 10mins in I realised I was supposed to change the gear to get tougher each minute.  oh well at least I really truly felt it for the last 10mins.  I saw my old PT and caught up with him for a bit and then shhh I went on the treadmill.  I ran 1.5km.  It was great I loved it.  I even had a higher setting.  Hope Karl doesn’t mind.  The reason I jumped on it is because the other day I went for a run and felt like I had lost my running mojo.  It was disheartening so thought I would give this a go to get it back.

I then picked up Isaiah from Kindy and had lunch at Rebecca’s house and then picked up Dayna for day-care and Taylor from school and Martin from the bus.

I have just prepared dinner.  Marinaded Steak, Potato Bake, Steamed carrots, broccoli and cauli.  I am having the Steamed veges and fish.

Will head out after dinner for my walk 1 hour tonight.