Sunday, December 25, 2011

My year in reflection

As the year closes to an end and I look forward to the start of a new one I thought I would take the time to reflect on the year that has been. So this post is not humorous as some of my past posts have been and takes a more serious tone. This post is more for me than the readers! This year has been huge for me, so many changes, challenges and new friends. The year started off tough but as I sit here today I realise that I have had one of my best years ever. This time last year I broke up with my long term boyfriend, the person that I always thought I would spend the rest of my life with, so the first few months of the year were quite a challenge finding somewhere new to live and coming to terms with the realisation that I was now single again and not that far off being 30. At first this was a scary and daunting thought but throughout this year I have become a stronger person and I am really happy with my life (very clichéd I know, but also very true). I moved back across to the right side of the river and found a new support network through some amazing girls that I train with, the tri-bal girls are some of the most amazing girls that I have ever met and I am so glad to have been able to form stronger friendships with them this year. I started racing triathlon’s again, after having not raced for a number of years due to living overseas and injury I decided that this year it was now or never and that I would race my first ironman event. However as everyone knows I do not do things in halves so not only did I race Busselton Ironman I also raced a Long Course race at Falls Creek, Half Ironman in Torquay and 70.3 in both Hawaii and Vegas. So yes it has been a big year for me triathlon wise and I have loved almost every minute of it (did get to a low point about 6 weeks out from Busselton with training becoming a little too much, but a night out with Shoney and a number of espresso martini’s fixed everything pretty quickly!). I got a promotion at work (which was probably a good thing given that I decided to invest in a new bike and race wheels – so thanks Schweppes!) I am loving my new role and the challenges that it is providing me with. Professionally I couldn’t be happier with where I am at with my career right now. Other highlights of the year have been:
  • Seeing my brother Ben get married and welcoming a new sister in law Kerry
  • Becoming an aunty again to the adorable baby Zayne
  • Spending time with my family and really appreciating the great relationships that I have with them and how supportive they have been to me throughout the year
  • Having my dad come to Busselton with me to share in my Ironman achievement, the race was all that more special knowing that Dad was there supporting me throughout the whole day
  • Competing in the world 70.3 championships in Las Vegas

So as the year comes to an end I would like to thank all of my amazing family and friends for their friendship, support and encouragement that they have provided me with throughout the year. I am really loving this festive season as I get to enjoy it with you all. I am looking forward to the new year and journey to Ironman number 2, I am looking forward to turning 30 (after all 30 is the new 20), and I am looking forward to continuing to blog about Bikes, Boys and Baking. So Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to anyone who is reading this.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Some people I know think that I'm crazy

Actually all people (including me) think that I'm crazy. Afterall who decides on the Thursday night before Christmas to cook a Christmas Pudding that will take 6 hours. Having soaked the fruit already in the brandy overnight I arrived home from work and made my pudding only to discover that I did not own a pot large enough to steam the pudding in so had to go out in search of a huge saucepan! So now not only has the ingredients alone in this pudding cost more than it would have to buy a pudding from the store I have also had to buy a new saucepan worth $50! (that's in addition to the $15 pudding basin already purchased). All I can say is that this better be one awesome pudding and my family better appreciate the effort that has gone into making it. Given that I had a lot of time to kill whilst waiting for my pudding to cook I could have put my feet up and relaxed in front of the TV with a glass of wine but no I decided to make a cheesecake, a batch of Gingerbread Men, some shortbread (although they were a little bit of a failure!) and rum balls. After standing on my feet so long baking in the heat I now have swollen feet and ankles (swollen enough that I can call them cankles) so I think it is now well and truly time to put my feet up with that glass of wine as I wait for another 3 hours for my pudding to cook.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Beers + Baking - Biking = Bulge!!!

So whilst I am enjoying a well deserved break from training perhaps Christmas is not the best time to be taking a break afterall, especially in Australia where Christmas is in the heat of summer and skimpy clothes are standard in the heat! In the past 3 weeks I have consumed more alcohol and "sometimes foods" than I have for the whole year. Yesterday alone I consumed about half a kilo of chocolate freckles and for the past week I don't think there is a day that has gone by where alcohol has not been consumed. One would say who cares it's time to have some fun after the year that I have just had, however it is all fun and games until I go to wear my jeans and realise that perhaps they are just a little more snug than usual. So perhaps I should ease off the food and not go too crazy over Christmas given that for New Years I am going to a beach party where there will be bikini's galore. Perhaps a few rides are called for in the next week or so to burn off some of these "sometimes foods" that seem to have turned into "always foods", at least then I may be able to test out my theory of beach rd being the new pick up place and I might be able to get my body back to being bikini ready in time for New Years. If all else fails then maybe a spray tan is in order. Everyone looks at least 10% thinner when tanned!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

10 Key Criteria

Some may say that I am fussy when it comes to guys and that is the reason that I am still single or as a very good friend puts it "Soz you set yourself high standards in everything you do, you're only 29 so do not lower your standards now, continue to aim high, perhaps if you're 39 and still single then you may need to lower them". Well said I say! So the 10 key criteria still stands though an adjustment has been made today after realising that there was something missing from the top 10 so I had to remove one of my original's for the new addition! When looking for my potential husband there is a critical assessment based on the following 10 criteria with some criteria having a more heavy weighting than others:
1. Must be taller than me - non negotiable and really not that hard considering I am only 163cm
2. Must not be a smoker - there is nothing worse than kissing someone that tastes like an ash tray (also a non negotiable)
3. Great arms get a very high score - but not really into gym junkies.
4. Fit and Active - doesn't need to be a triathlete just like keeping fit
5. No tacky man jewellery! - this is the new addition to the list, never really considered this one until recently going on a date with someone that had an earing and was wearing a thick gold chain.
6. Preferably good in the kitchen - doesn't need to be a Jamie Oliver but would be great if there is more than toast on the menu
7. Must be employed
8. No hairy backs
9. Should not drive a girly car (includes but not limited to: Ford Festiva, Toyota Yaris, Mazda 2. European cars are preferable)
10. Must want to have kids one day
Is that really asking too much? Perhaps it is! Maybe for each year over 30 if I am still single I will remove one thing from my list!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Beach road, the new pick up place!

Very enlightening conversation at my triathlon club Christmas party last night. It would appear that I am completely out of the loop when it comes to the dating game. I always thought that I needed to be going out to bars if I wanted to meet a guy but it would seem that this is no longer the case anymore, that is so 5 years ago. Apparently the new meeting place is not out at a bar or over the internet but in fact beach road on a Saturday morning. So it is no wonder I am still single, I am clearly not out on beach road often enough, well not the correct part of beach road. Between St Kilda and Mordiallic is apparently the most popular pick up strip (according to the guys anyway). So how exactly does one manage to meet an eligible bachelor whilst out cycling on a Saturday morning when one is red faced, covered in sweat and wearing lycra? Do you just cycle up next to someone and say "hey, how you doing, nice wheels" or do you speed past a guy and then make them chase after you, because no guy wants to be beaten by a girl. I am somewhat dubious about this theory of meeting a guy whilst out cycling but I am assured by the guys that I train with that this is most definitely the new meeting place. So looks like all of that money I spend on fancy bikes and lycra may not be wasted afterall. Time to get back on the bike, into my best lycra that I own and start cruising beach road.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Back on the Bike

With Melbourne displaying some of it's finest weather today I decided it would be a good idea to get back on the bike and go for a spin (having not ridden since Busselton, in fact having really not done much of anything since Busselton!) Legs felt great, fitness not so awesome! Felt very unfit for someone who has just done an ironman so clearly the body needs more rest (or perhaps just some more food and alcohol, it is the festive season after all) but it was great to get back out there and turn the legs over and now I won't feel so guilty for all of the drinking and eating I am about to do for the rest of the weekend! True to the blogs title I came home after biking and did some baking! Baked some cute little gingerbread for my niece and nephew that are visiting today and if there are some left over my colleagues might be lucky on Monday.

The figures are in and the budget is blown!


My detailed budget is often the joke of the office place with it showing me to be a true accountant (or perhaps just an absolute nerd). Recently a colleague asked just how much money had I spent this year on my super expensive triathlon hobby so today I tallied up the final figures and it is not pretty! Afterall I did do 2 races in the US, an interstate race, bought a new bike and race wheels and that's on top of all of the training fees, nutrition, massages, physio appointments and all the other things that come with an expensive hobby. Still to spend 42% of one's annual income on a hobby does seem slightly excessive! But hey I have had a fun year!
So it is no wonder I am still single, not only do I spend all of my time training. I also spend all of my money on triathlon leaving no money for nice clothes, personal grooming or anything else that may make me more appealing to the opposite sex.
So perhaps next year a little less money on triathlon, a little more money on clothes and shoes and an increase in the entertainment budget to go out and drink a few more expresso martini's and perhaps meet some cute boys.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Challenge has been set...

As any of my friends would know, I love a good challenge and will not turn down a new challenge that may present itself to me (hence why I have entered another ironman) anyway today I was challenged to come up with a post that incorporates Bikes, Boys and Baking all into the one post. So with a lot of time on my hands whilst not training I will take up this challenge with the goal to have this completed before the new year! Not quite sure how this will turn out but determined to give it a shot, so keep reading and there may be a rather interesting post coming up in the next few weeks...

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Training Tip #1 - Do not use public transport!

A friend of mine recently met a guy on the sky bus on the way to the airport and they are now dating! So I thought maybe this is my problem, maybe I am looking for guys in all the wrong places, maybe public transport is the new meeting place for eligible bachelors! So this morning, as I had an offsite meeting for work I decided this was my perfect opportunity to utilise Melbourne's public transport system and take the tram. Not a good choice. I highly recommend as a part of any good training plan to NOT take public transport for all of the following reasons:
1. Trams are over crowded and as they stop suddenly all of the time it is very easy for clumsy people (who are too busy glued to their iphones playing words with friends) to lose their balance and end up standing on your foot.
2. Trams are full of germ infested people who spend all of their time sniffling because they have no manners to actually use a tissue to blow their nose.
3. There were no good looking eligible bachelors riding the number 67 tram this morning. In fact not only were there no good looking guys riding the tram, I am covinced that every wierdo living in Melbourne all decided to take the tram this morning. From the guy who spent the whole time playing with his bleeding chin that he had obviously cut whilst shaving this morning, to the stinky guy next to me who clearly had no concept of personal hygiene.
So in conclusion in order to achieve maximum ironman potential avoid public transport at all costs in order to avoid injury and illness. But most importantly because there are NO good looking boys using it either.
I think I will stick to the bike from now on.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Chia Seeds - My new super food

So there is meant to be one post per week and I know that I have already posted 2 today, what can I say this lack of training is leading to severe boredom hence why a colleague suggested I blog. I am well known for being a little crazy with food and I did go through a bit of quinoa crzae earlier this year until I think I overdosed on the super food after receiving a cookbook from my dad "Quinoa 365 Days", I do not recommend eating it everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Over the last week I have been doing a little research into food and nutrition and discovered a new super food chia seeds with which I have managed to create a super breakfast recipe combined with my first superfood love of quinoa!
Sarah's Super Brekky
1/2 Cup Rolled Oats
1/4 Cup Quinoa Flakes
1 tbs flaxseeds
1 tbs chia seeds
2 tbs pumpkin seeds
250g low fat vanilla yoghurt
any combination of fresh and/or dried fruit (I used about 1/4 cup fresh blueberries and 2 tbs dried cranberries).
Combine everything together and refrigerate overnight, perfect the next morning and will last 2 days in the fridge. This recipe makes enough for 2 filling serves.
If you want it a little sweeter add some honey to it when eating it and could also add a banana as well if you've just had a big training session!

52: The journey begins yet again

Less than one week after completing my first ironman (the one that was to be my first and only!) and I have entered another one. Busselton may have won last weekend but next year will be a different story! Having had so much fun completing my first ironman I think I am officially hooked and more determined than ever. The first part of the race (and possibly the most stressful) has already been completed with successfully managing to get an entry into the event for next year. Though entry did involve sneaking out of a meeting at work and then having to get colleagues to attempt to enter as well when 10 sessions of the internet all told me that the entry system was too busy! So the hard work has been done, I have my spot for Busso I can now eat, drink and have fun for the next few weeks until the training all begins yet again. Who knows, maybe even find love over the holidays (one can dream can’t they!)…

The story

My work colleagues are always making fun at my expense, I think they all think that I am a little crazy and always seem to have some kind of funny story to tell about my triathlons, dating (or lack there of!) and my baking (which they don't usually make fun of as I am often bringing in treats to share with them!). Throughout the year there have been various 'diary' entries circulated around the office (mostly about my love life) so someone suggested I should start a blog and share my stories as I embark on the next 52 week journey to my second ironman. The title of the blog "Bikes, Boys and Baking" was not created by me (if only I could take the credit), but rather by one of my work colleagues (the culprit for many of my diary entries this year). As I am currently on a break from training I thought this would be a perfect time to start the blog and I will endeavour to create a new post each week as I count down to Busselton Ironman 2012. Sharing my training journey, my dating stories and my baking creations along the way.