A year ago I thought by now I'd be about to count down to ironman number 2, which is what prompted the start of this blog after all! As I sit here tonight I am counting down, but not for ironman number 2. I am instead counting down 28 days until I move into my very own apartment!
I never do things in halves and this time is no different! 2 weeks ago I looked at 4 properties, I fell in love with one of them, I made an offer, it was accepted and I settle in 4 weeks! So I will be in my very own place in time for Christmas. Best Christmas present ever! My own apartment and a tonne of debt!!!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Running with the Runs!!
I've heard of all the disaster stories of people racing triathlons and getting the runs during the race. Gross! I've never had any problems in races or during training. That is until yesterday.
With Melbourne weather at its most unpredictable best I decided to stay off the bike and run instead.
I set off feeling great but after about 15km's did not feel flash at all and was in desperate need of a loo. Luckily I was along beach rd in Port Melbourne and there was plenty of public loo's around. Had there not been public toilets I could have been stuck in a very messy situation. I don't know what I had eaten but something did not agree with me and had to decide to upset my belly in the middle of a long run.
Despite running with the runs I managed a 24km run in 2 hours. Not bad for someone who has given up tri's!!
With Melbourne weather at its most unpredictable best I decided to stay off the bike and run instead.
I set off feeling great but after about 15km's did not feel flash at all and was in desperate need of a loo. Luckily I was along beach rd in Port Melbourne and there was plenty of public loo's around. Had there not been public toilets I could have been stuck in a very messy situation. I don't know what I had eaten but something did not agree with me and had to decide to upset my belly in the middle of a long run.
Despite running with the runs I managed a 24km run in 2 hours. Not bad for someone who has given up tri's!!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Evil modern technology
Once upon a time you could go out and get drunk and make a fool of yourself in front of those you were with and no one else. Gone are those simple days! With the creation of mobile phones everyone is accessible 24-7 meaning that it is all to easy to make stupid drunken phone calls or send drunken text messages that you know you'll regret sending in the morning. Even as I write the message and hit the send button I know I shouldn't, so why do I? Is being drunk really a good enough excuse for making a fool of myself, probably not! But right now I guess I've got nothing to lose anymore besides my dignity.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Spotted in the Supermarket
So it's been a long time since I have seen hot triathlete from Busselton Ironman (also known as Mr Lend Lease or Mr Level 4). Last night as I was grabbing a few things in the supermarket, whilst dressed in daggy gym gear and with no make up on, who should spot me! So of course it would be rude not to say hello, so we had a bit of a chat, he had a glance down at my supermarket basket, no doubt to judge what I was buying! During our chat I discovered that he too is off to Hawaii to watch the ironman. Coincidence or fate?!
As I drove home pondering my supermarket encounter I received a text message from him saying that it was great to see me and that I looked really relaxed and that we should catch up for coffee next week. Hmmmm!!
As I drove home pondering my supermarket encounter I received a text message from him saying that it was great to see me and that I looked really relaxed and that we should catch up for coffee next week. Hmmmm!!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Not the right Note!
The note to neighbour didn't quite have the right impact but I did get a response!
Last night I received a text message from him saying "Hey Sarah. Loved the note but the last line was a deal breaker. Best wishes".
So he doesn't like cheesy lines from songs but did like receiving my note. Lesson learnt for future note writing!
So now what?! Do I pursue further or just leave it at that?
One thing is for sure, leaving notes for cute guys may just be the new thing! It's creative, bold and anonymous so really nothing to lose! Now just to perfect the art of note writing and find some more cute boys and the car they drive!
Last night I received a text message from him saying "Hey Sarah. Loved the note but the last line was a deal breaker. Best wishes".
So he doesn't like cheesy lines from songs but did like receiving my note. Lesson learnt for future note writing!
So now what?! Do I pursue further or just leave it at that?
One thing is for sure, leaving notes for cute guys may just be the new thing! It's creative, bold and anonymous so really nothing to lose! Now just to perfect the art of note writing and find some more cute boys and the car they drive!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Notes for Neighbour
So in this modern world sometimes it pays to be bold! I’ve tried online dating and picking up on beach road whilst cycling but without much luck. So when I noticed the other day that there is a very cute guy living across the street from me I decided that I needed to resort to new ways of meeting guys!
I thought about baking some muffins and leaving them on the doorstep for him, but who’s going to eat food from a stranger, for all he knows they could be poisoned! Also for all I know he could have a girlfriend or wife living with him and not sure that would go down well if she discovers the baked goods! So I decided that I first needed to determine if there was a female living with him! After some brief surveillance I have determined that there is another guy living at the house, hmmm does this mean he is gay? On seeing this male house mate he looks far to scruffy to be gay so am now assuming that he is just a flatmate and the house across the road is a bachelor pad!
I briefly saw the hot guy again on Sunday as he got into his car (and no it is not a girly car, and yes it is European. Tick!) and confirmed that yes he definitely is hot and also dresses well (so maybe is gay?!)
So I decided that I would leave a note for the hot guy in the hope that he may be intrigued and want to meet me! The note went a little something like this:
“I saw you across the street one sunny afternoon, you caught my attention when your dog ran across to me. I waved and said hi, but wish I had have said more. All week I have waited for another chance encounter but alas our paths have not crossed. So call me crazy, but here’s my number…. so call me maybe.”
With the rainy weather this week I had been unable to leave the note on his car windscreen (and I don’t want to leave it in the letter box in case the scruffy housemate thinks it is for him). Not wanting to wait for the weather to improve I put the note into a glad bag and then placed the note on his windscreen in the very early hours of the morning.
Yes it is a little bold and not to mention slightly crazy, but hey what have I got to lose! He doesn’t know who I am or where I live! Hopefully he is a romantic who thinks it’s kind of cute and at the very least decides to send me a text!
I thought about baking some muffins and leaving them on the doorstep for him, but who’s going to eat food from a stranger, for all he knows they could be poisoned! Also for all I know he could have a girlfriend or wife living with him and not sure that would go down well if she discovers the baked goods! So I decided that I first needed to determine if there was a female living with him! After some brief surveillance I have determined that there is another guy living at the house, hmmm does this mean he is gay? On seeing this male house mate he looks far to scruffy to be gay so am now assuming that he is just a flatmate and the house across the road is a bachelor pad!
I briefly saw the hot guy again on Sunday as he got into his car (and no it is not a girly car, and yes it is European. Tick!) and confirmed that yes he definitely is hot and also dresses well (so maybe is gay?!)
So I decided that I would leave a note for the hot guy in the hope that he may be intrigued and want to meet me! The note went a little something like this:
“I saw you across the street one sunny afternoon, you caught my attention when your dog ran across to me. I waved and said hi, but wish I had have said more. All week I have waited for another chance encounter but alas our paths have not crossed. So call me crazy, but here’s my number…. so call me maybe.”
With the rainy weather this week I had been unable to leave the note on his car windscreen (and I don’t want to leave it in the letter box in case the scruffy housemate thinks it is for him). Not wanting to wait for the weather to improve I put the note into a glad bag and then placed the note on his windscreen in the very early hours of the morning.
Yes it is a little bold and not to mention slightly crazy, but hey what have I got to lose! He doesn’t know who I am or where I live! Hopefully he is a romantic who thinks it’s kind of cute and at the very least decides to send me a text!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Cycling v Triathlon
After having raced my first cycling event today I'm now finding myself torn between pursuing another quest for Ironman or to take up cycling instead!
I had an amazing time racing today, great ride, great location and a well organised event. It was also much more relaxed which meant I didn't get the nerves I usually do when racing tri's.
Because I entered the event only a few days ago it meant I had to start in one of the last groups. This had its advantages and disadvantages. The downside was that all the good riders were in the front groups meaning that I missed out on latching on to a fast pack. The positive was that I spent most of the day passing people which was definitely a very good feeling!!
I felt great on the bike, really comfortable and relaxed as we headed out of Lorne along the Great Ocean Rd. Turning up to start the king of the mountain climb I was feeling pumped and wanting to give it a good crack, felt like I worked up the hill fairly effortlessly and passed a lot of riders along the way.
Managed the 120km fairly easily given I haven't done a lot of training lately, the last climb at the very end of the course took a bit out of me but was rapt when I finished.
I managed to finish 10th in my age category, on King of the Mountain I came 7th and was 36th female overall!! Not bad I say!!
So now I am pondering cycling over tri's!! Less stress on my knees and would be good to see how good I could get with a bit of training! So I have emailed a cycling club to enquire on joining!
I had an amazing time racing today, great ride, great location and a well organised event. It was also much more relaxed which meant I didn't get the nerves I usually do when racing tri's.
Because I entered the event only a few days ago it meant I had to start in one of the last groups. This had its advantages and disadvantages. The downside was that all the good riders were in the front groups meaning that I missed out on latching on to a fast pack. The positive was that I spent most of the day passing people which was definitely a very good feeling!!
I felt great on the bike, really comfortable and relaxed as we headed out of Lorne along the Great Ocean Rd. Turning up to start the king of the mountain climb I was feeling pumped and wanting to give it a good crack, felt like I worked up the hill fairly effortlessly and passed a lot of riders along the way.
Managed the 120km fairly easily given I haven't done a lot of training lately, the last climb at the very end of the course took a bit out of me but was rapt when I finished.
I managed to finish 10th in my age category, on King of the Mountain I came 7th and was 36th female overall!! Not bad I say!!
So now I am pondering cycling over tri's!! Less stress on my knees and would be good to see how good I could get with a bit of training! So I have emailed a cycling club to enquire on joining!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Red wine, performance enhacing?
After an early morning start, a day jam packed with chores, baking, coffee with a great friend and a drive to Lorne to register for tomorrows race, I am finally back at the hotel in Torquay (when you decide at very last minute to enter a race, you end up having to stay miles away from race town!) so I'm kicking back on my king sized bed, indulging in some pre race carbs and a glass of red! Most would say to avoid alcohol the night before any event but not me! One glass of red is better than any sleeping tablet (not to mention the supposed health benefits!) I'll be asleep in no time after a glass of smooth red wine, sleeping through the night like a baby.
I probably wouldn't recommend more than one glass though, a whole bottle may impair performance rather than enhance it.
I probably wouldn't recommend more than one glass though, a whole bottle may impair performance rather than enhance it.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Baking not biking!
Given that I am racing tomorrow it was a morning off training this morning. Most people would take that as an opportunity to have a good sleep in. However my body clock seems to be permanently set to early morning wake up time and per usual I was awake bright and early. Deciding to make the most of the morning I went out and did the grocery shopping. The supermarket was empty and shopping was so much more relaxing than when I usually go later in the day. Only problem with shopping in an empty supermarket is I wasn't in so much of a rush so I ended up browsing the aisles and buying about double what I had on my list (so much for my pantry de stocking project!)
Decided to bake myself some wholesome muesli bars as energy for my race tomorrow. Inspired by a clean eating website I found a great recipe for muesli bars using quinoa (yep still my favourite!)
The end result some very tasty, all natural energy bars for training. Hoping they help me ride fast tomorrow!
Decided to bake myself some wholesome muesli bars as energy for my race tomorrow. Inspired by a clean eating website I found a great recipe for muesli bars using quinoa (yep still my favourite!)
The end result some very tasty, all natural energy bars for training. Hoping they help me ride fast tomorrow!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Cute neighbour!
On the weekend I discovered that a rather cute guy lives across the street from me. He just happened to be out in his driveway on Sunday afternoon as I was returning from my run. His cute Labrador decided to come across the road to say hello to me, of course I pretended to like animals and gave the dog a pat whilst smiling a hello to my neighbour.
So now the investigative work needs to begin! Is he single? So far I haven't seen anyone else at the house!
Would it be too crazy to leave a basket of baked goods on his doorstep? Could be a bit awkward if he isn't single and his wife or girlfriend discover the baked goods!!
So now the investigative work needs to begin! Is he single? So far I haven't seen anyone else at the house!
Would it be too crazy to leave a basket of baked goods on his doorstep? Could be a bit awkward if he isn't single and his wife or girlfriend discover the baked goods!!
My first cycling race
I made another impulsive decision this week. I decided to enter my first cycling race, not such a big deal, except for the fact that this race just happens to be this weekend!
120km of cycling along the great ocean road. I had nothing else to do this weekend so why not enter a race.
I've been cycling a lot lately so will be good to put my fitness to the test and see where I'm really at. Plus what better place to ride than down along the coast. Now here's hoping that the weather gods are kind and put on a nice sunny day with no wind!
120km of cycling along the great ocean road. I had nothing else to do this weekend so why not enter a race.
I've been cycling a lot lately so will be good to put my fitness to the test and see where I'm really at. Plus what better place to ride than down along the coast. Now here's hoping that the weather gods are kind and put on a nice sunny day with no wind!
Impulsive Decisions!
Impulsive Sarah is back!! After a crazy couple of months at work I started to feel run down and in desperate need of a break. Preferably somewhere in the sun, given the crappy never ending Melbourne winter! So whilst out cycling the other Saturday morning I was contemplating where I could go for some fun in the sun, when it dawned on me that Hawaiian ironman was coming up! I've always dreamed of watching the ironman in Kona, afterall this was the race that first inspired me to do triathlon, having watched it on nine's wide world of sports as a teenager. This year though I know a number of people racing this amazing event so would be even more amazing to go and watch.
So after lining up some accommodation in Kona and telling my boss that I was going to take some leave I booked my flights and also some seriously luxurious accommodation in Waikiki for a week of relaxation!
So it is off to Kona to watch the ironman and be inspired, and then a week of sun, sand, surf and shopping in Waikiki!! Only 4 weeks to go!
So after lining up some accommodation in Kona and telling my boss that I was going to take some leave I booked my flights and also some seriously luxurious accommodation in Waikiki for a week of relaxation!
So it is off to Kona to watch the ironman and be inspired, and then a week of sun, sand, surf and shopping in Waikiki!! Only 4 weeks to go!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
A message to middle aged male cyclists...
Out cycling today solo and flying along feeling great. Passed a group of 4 middle aged men who clearly weren't happy to have been passed by a girl so they decided to pass me and once past started cycling 3km slower than what I had been going. Not only was it bad enough that I had 4 middle aged guys cycling in front of me slowly, the guy in front of me had such thin Lycra on his bike shirts that I could see his hairy fat ass through his shorts.
Needless to say that was not a pleasant site so I promptly passed them again, peddling as fast as I could so as to ensure they couldn't pass me again.
When passing people out on the roads, don't think that just because you are a group of guys it automatically makes you faster than a girl and if you pass then don't decide to sit in front of me going slower than I was. Also if you can afford to spend $10k on a fancy bike then perhaps you should fork out a few extra dollars and buy some new shorts. No-one wants to have to look at a fat, hairy ass early on a Sunday morning.
Needless to say that was not a pleasant site so I promptly passed them again, peddling as fast as I could so as to ensure they couldn't pass me again.
When passing people out on the roads, don't think that just because you are a group of guys it automatically makes you faster than a girl and if you pass then don't decide to sit in front of me going slower than I was. Also if you can afford to spend $10k on a fancy bike then perhaps you should fork out a few extra dollars and buy some new shorts. No-one wants to have to look at a fat, hairy ass early on a Sunday morning.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Comfort Eating v Compulsive Exercise!!
So whilst some girls after a break up resort to chocolate, tubs of ice cream and tear jerker movies, I on the other hand turn to exercise!
Years ago after a long term relationship broke up I started going to the gym morning and night. It was to the point that dad started telling people I had a new boyfriend, "Gym"!
So now I find myself single again and yet again I am turning to exercise. So whilst there might not be another ironman on the cards in the near future I certainly am back in training and feeling fitter than ever! Have set my sites on completing the Marysville to Melbourne adventure race solo! 150km of trail running, cycling and kayaking.
So whilst single life may lead to me becoming fit again, it may also lead to a drop in the savings! Why I continue to choose expensive hobbies who knows! But hey you only live once in life and need to have some fun!
Years ago after a long term relationship broke up I started going to the gym morning and night. It was to the point that dad started telling people I had a new boyfriend, "Gym"!
So now I find myself single again and yet again I am turning to exercise. So whilst there might not be another ironman on the cards in the near future I certainly am back in training and feeling fitter than ever! Have set my sites on completing the Marysville to Melbourne adventure race solo! 150km of trail running, cycling and kayaking.
So whilst single life may lead to me becoming fit again, it may also lead to a drop in the savings! Why I continue to choose expensive hobbies who knows! But hey you only live once in life and need to have some fun!
It doesn't always pay to get up early!
5.30am on a Sat morning and the alarm goes off. Do I ride or not?! I listen for any sign of wind or rain but it sounds pretty quiet out there. After lying in bed for 10mins contemplating what to do I decided to ride.
Got outside to discover the roads were very wet but given the effort to get ready I wasn't pulling out now. I set off on the bike and within minutes was wet from the water on the road. After about 20mins of riding it started raining so now I was getting wet from the water on the road and the rain. After 90km of riding I get home and the sun is shining in a blue sky with not a cloud to be seen! So had I slept in and ridden at 9am instead of the ridiculous hour of 6, I would have had perfect weather!!
So lessen learnt! It doesn't always pay to get up at the crack of dawn! So tomorrow I am going to sleep in and ride at a decent hour for a Sunday morning!
Got outside to discover the roads were very wet but given the effort to get ready I wasn't pulling out now. I set off on the bike and within minutes was wet from the water on the road. After about 20mins of riding it started raining so now I was getting wet from the water on the road and the rain. After 90km of riding I get home and the sun is shining in a blue sky with not a cloud to be seen! So had I slept in and ridden at 9am instead of the ridiculous hour of 6, I would have had perfect weather!!
So lessen learnt! It doesn't always pay to get up at the crack of dawn! So tomorrow I am going to sleep in and ride at a decent hour for a Sunday morning!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
I survived without falling in!!
So it wasn't so bad paddling in the dark on a cold wet winter morning afterall!! In fact I think the water was warmer than it was outside!
Thanks to Jacqui (who was very patient with me!) for showing me the ropes. Though may have been handy to know from the start that I needed to use the pedals to turn, was wondering why I was not managing to turn using the paddle!!
I survived, I didn't fall in though did manage to get pretty wet! Was a little unnerving when Jacqui was explaining what to do if I fell in, was hoping I wouldn't need to know, I did not want to fall into the cold dark ocean!!
Have a found a new hobby? Maybe! Though not sure why I always insist on choosing hobbies that are likely to send me broke!!
Thanks to Jacqui (who was very patient with me!) for showing me the ropes. Though may have been handy to know from the start that I needed to use the pedals to turn, was wondering why I was not managing to turn using the paddle!!
I survived, I didn't fall in though did manage to get pretty wet! Was a little unnerving when Jacqui was explaining what to do if I fell in, was hoping I wouldn't need to know, I did not want to fall into the cold dark ocean!!
Have a found a new hobby? Maybe! Though not sure why I always insist on choosing hobbies that are likely to send me broke!!
Lost the plot!
As I sit here in the warmth of my car at 5.45am on a cold wet winter morning looking out at the ocean I am wondering what on earth has possessed me to go kayaking! Am starting to think that this is probably a sport I should wait until warmer weather before attempting!
The other day it was too wet and windy to run outside so ran for an hour on the treadmill in the warmth of the gym. Yet here I am 2 days later about to go kayaking in what feels like the middle of the night, out in the ocean, and believe me it's not looking very calm. I think the chances of me getting tipped over are looking very likely!
The other day it was too wet and windy to run outside so ran for an hour on the treadmill in the warmth of the gym. Yet here I am 2 days later about to go kayaking in what feels like the middle of the night, out in the ocean, and believe me it's not looking very calm. I think the chances of me getting tipped over are looking very likely!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
What an awesome weekend!
So what does one do when they have the luxury of having a 4 day weekend?
I am coming towards the end of an amazing 4 day weekend where I have...
Trained
Cycled 200km (actually managed to get out on the bike 3 days in a row!)
Ran 30km
Socialized
Lunch with Helen
Coffee with Martine
Drinks with tri bal crew
Drinks with Megan, Nicole & Freddie
Coffee with Mandy, Shoney & Pia
Baked
Banana Bread
Fruit Loaf
Apple & Almond Muffins
Pumpkin & Walnut muffins
Muesli bars
Vegetable lasagne
Beef & Lentil lasagne
Chicken risotto
Tuna Mornay
(freezer is now well stocked)
Had some me time!
A manicure
A treatment for my back
A nana nap
Some retail therapy!
Brunch in the sun whilst reading the paper, relaxing on a Monday whilst everyone else was working!
And somewhere in amongst all of that I managed to clean the house, sell a whole heap of things on eBay and do some scrapbooking.
Not only a super productive weekend but also a very relaxing one too!
I am coming towards the end of an amazing 4 day weekend where I have...
Trained
Cycled 200km (actually managed to get out on the bike 3 days in a row!)
Ran 30km
Socialized
Lunch with Helen
Coffee with Martine
Drinks with tri bal crew
Drinks with Megan, Nicole & Freddie
Coffee with Mandy, Shoney & Pia
Baked
Banana Bread
Fruit Loaf
Apple & Almond Muffins
Pumpkin & Walnut muffins
Muesli bars
Vegetable lasagne
Beef & Lentil lasagne
Chicken risotto
Tuna Mornay
(freezer is now well stocked)
Had some me time!
A manicure
A treatment for my back
A nana nap
Some retail therapy!
Brunch in the sun whilst reading the paper, relaxing on a Monday whilst everyone else was working!
And somewhere in amongst all of that I managed to clean the house, sell a whole heap of things on eBay and do some scrapbooking.
Not only a super productive weekend but also a very relaxing one too!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Putting the Shellac manicure to the test!!
So yesterday I had the luxury of having a me day!! I took a day of annual leave and spent it getting pampered and having a nice long lunch with a good friend! My pampering included getting a shellac manicure which I've never had before, but I'm told the nail polish lasts 2 weeks. Usually I don't even make it 2 hours without getting a chip.
This morning whilst out cycling with the lovely Sez and Lou, Sez managed to get a flat tyre. After asking for assistance in a nearby bike store (only to be rudely told that they wouldn't help her because she was wearing Asos clothing - really?) I came to the rescue with a spare tube and the offer to change the tyre. So I put the shellac to the test, surely changing a tyre would result in some chipping. But no! Actually managed to change the tyre (success number one) without chipping my new nails (success number 2).
So a number of lessons were learnt today!
1. Don't ask a guy for help (unless really hot!) just change the tyre yourself to avoid getting attitude and to prove that women aren't useless.
2. Shellac nail polish really doesn't chip! Not even when changing a bike tyre!
3. You can still be sporty but be feminine and get manicures!
4. Sez this one's for you!! Never leave home without a spare tube!!!
This morning whilst out cycling with the lovely Sez and Lou, Sez managed to get a flat tyre. After asking for assistance in a nearby bike store (only to be rudely told that they wouldn't help her because she was wearing Asos clothing - really?) I came to the rescue with a spare tube and the offer to change the tyre. So I put the shellac to the test, surely changing a tyre would result in some chipping. But no! Actually managed to change the tyre (success number one) without chipping my new nails (success number 2).
So a number of lessons were learnt today!
1. Don't ask a guy for help (unless really hot!) just change the tyre yourself to avoid getting attitude and to prove that women aren't useless.
2. Shellac nail polish really doesn't chip! Not even when changing a bike tyre!
3. You can still be sporty but be feminine and get manicures!
4. Sez this one's for you!! Never leave home without a spare tube!!!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Saturday night and on the couch! Ouch!
I must be sick! After riding 90km today I have committed myself to another 80km ride tomorrow!! Before today I had ridden on the road once in past 2 months and now I am being foolish enough to ride twice in the space of 2 days!! But yes I said I was making a comeback and that I am (slowly but I am), still not quite sure what to train for as yet but will need to set a goal soon.
So in preparation for another ride in the early hours of tomorrow morning I am being a real nana and spending my Saturday night in on the couch pampering myself with a face mask! No doubt I will be having a very early night if I have any hopes of trying to keep up with Lou in the morning!
So in preparation for another ride in the early hours of tomorrow morning I am being a real nana and spending my Saturday night in on the couch pampering myself with a face mask! No doubt I will be having a very early night if I have any hopes of trying to keep up with Lou in the morning!
Inspired...
This week I was inspired by career achievements rather than sporting achievements. I had the privilege of attending a Australian Financial Review networking event in Sydney with the Finance Director along with 2 other work colleagues. At the event the Finance Director was awarded with a Young Executive of the year award, for at the age of 34 he is not only our company's Finance Director but legal Director also. As I sat there at the event all I could think about was the fact that he is only 4 years older than me, yet achieved so much career wise. So now I sit her pondering what exactly do I want in my career and what steps do I need to take to ensure that I progress with my career. The first thing I have decided that I need to do is to find myself a good mentor that can help me with my career and guide me to become the manager that I strive to be.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Ride report
I can't say that I was overly enthused to get out of my nice cosy warm bed whilst it was still dark this morning. However I did get up and out on the bike and was very pleased to see that there was no sight of rain. Shortly into the ride it was quite obvious that the wind was fairly strong as we were making good speed out to Frankston at little effort so we always knew the ride home would be tough. I started the ride actually feeling pretty strong and my motivation to train and race again was slowly coming back to me. At the turn around though I realised just how bad the headwind was, I made it most of the way to Mordiallic battling in the wind before having to drop back and cheat, letting Lou do all the work (awesome job Lou, without you I might still be at Mordiallic). A coffee at end of the ride was certainly well deserved and I think a nana nap is also going to be needed sooner rather than later.
Thanks girls for the ride, think it was just the kick up the bum I needed to start training again!!
Thanks girls for the ride, think it was just the kick up the bum I needed to start training again!!
Life's new challenge options...
So I've short listed my options for my next new challenge:
1. Renovate a house (first need cash to buy a house)
2. Enter next years season of the block with dad (not really sure dad would agree to that, despite the fact that we would make awesome contestants and kick butt on that show)
3. Study (hmmm sounds good in theory but do I really want to spend my evenings and weekends studying? And what on earth would I study?)
4. Train for another ironman (I did just sell my race wheels but maybe Melbourne 2014 could be on the cards after all!)
5. Take up knitting (I am known to be a granny anyway and last time I attempted knitting it was a disaster so might be time for another try!)
6. Take dance classes (given how uncoordinated I am this could end in a broken leg but with some red balloon vouchers I got for my birthday this is a very serious contender!)
Suggestions anyone??
1. Renovate a house (first need cash to buy a house)
2. Enter next years season of the block with dad (not really sure dad would agree to that, despite the fact that we would make awesome contestants and kick butt on that show)
3. Study (hmmm sounds good in theory but do I really want to spend my evenings and weekends studying? And what on earth would I study?)
4. Train for another ironman (I did just sell my race wheels but maybe Melbourne 2014 could be on the cards after all!)
5. Take up knitting (I am known to be a granny anyway and last time I attempted knitting it was a disaster so might be time for another try!)
6. Take dance classes (given how uncoordinated I am this could end in a broken leg but with some red balloon vouchers I got for my birthday this is a very serious contender!)
Suggestions anyone??
30 and now what?
I embraced turning 30 and loved every minute of my birthday month but I sit here now, all birthdayed out and wonder what's next?
I feel like my life is in some kind of weird stage of limbo. I'm not so young anymore, but not so old either! I'm not training for an ironman anymore, I recently got a promotion at work, I've lived in the same house for 18 months (which must be a record for me surely? Dad must be due to help me with another move). I need a new challenge or a new hobby maybe, I get bored and restless so easily and I can feel an itch coming on, need some kind of major change in life, now just to work it out...
I feel like my life is in some kind of weird stage of limbo. I'm not so young anymore, but not so old either! I'm not training for an ironman anymore, I recently got a promotion at work, I've lived in the same house for 18 months (which must be a record for me surely? Dad must be due to help me with another move). I need a new challenge or a new hobby maybe, I get bored and restless so easily and I can feel an itch coming on, need some kind of major change in life, now just to work it out...
Back on the bike (take 50!!)
So after an extremely prolonged break from the bike (so long in fact I'm not even sure I can remember how to ride!) and many failed comeback attempts! I have decided to go cycling with the girls in the morning. Of course only I would choose to make my cycling comeback in the middle of winter on a day forecasting rain and hail.
I'm slightly excited to be getting back on the bike, though I am guessing the excitement will wear off pretty quickly when the alarm goes off and I have to get out of my nice warm bed in the morning! In preparation for the big event I thought I would organise everything tonight. I found all of my warm cycling gear, got a new rear light, pumped up the tyres and then spent 15 minutes turning my room upside down in search of my 2nd cycling glove, only to find it with the 1st one where it had been along. I have officially gone crazy in my old age!!
So it's off to bed to get an early night and fingers crossed it doesn't rain in the morning. I'm also praying that the girls don't make me work to hard in the morning!! Go easy on me, I'm in very poor form!!
Stay tuned for ride report...
I'm slightly excited to be getting back on the bike, though I am guessing the excitement will wear off pretty quickly when the alarm goes off and I have to get out of my nice warm bed in the morning! In preparation for the big event I thought I would organise everything tonight. I found all of my warm cycling gear, got a new rear light, pumped up the tyres and then spent 15 minutes turning my room upside down in search of my 2nd cycling glove, only to find it with the 1st one where it had been along. I have officially gone crazy in my old age!!
So it's off to bed to get an early night and fingers crossed it doesn't rain in the morning. I'm also praying that the girls don't make me work to hard in the morning!! Go easy on me, I'm in very poor form!!
Stay tuned for ride report...
Saturday, June 23, 2012
30th Birthday Celebrations
So the birthday month has finally ended and I've now well and truly turned 30. Last night I had an amazing party with friends and family where expresso martini's and countless glasses of wine were consumed. Yet with no consequences of a hangover today! Yay!!
I was truly spoilt receiving so many beautiful gifts (including a number of massage and spa vouchers, is that a sign that my friends think I need to chill out more?!)
A debate was sparked over which is worse, sore toes or sore balls? Choosing to wear uncomfortable heels for the evening I ensured the balls of my feet were cushioned with gel party feet. Only to discover that whilst my balls might be comfortable the gel cushions made my toes squashed! So out the gel cushions came to save my toes, only to be replaced again later when my balls were burning. Seriously why can someone not invent a sexy pair of heels that are as comfortable as wearing slippers! If someone could they would be one very rich person!!
Then again I could just be sensible and wear flats but then where is the fun in that!!
I witnessed a fair few drunken dance floor pashes amongst my single friends. Everyone met my 'fun' aunty and the legend of the man from Bonnie Doon!
There was dancing and laughing and fun had by all so thanks to everyone who came and made my party a truly great night. Now to bring on the next decade and chapter in my life.
I was truly spoilt receiving so many beautiful gifts (including a number of massage and spa vouchers, is that a sign that my friends think I need to chill out more?!)
A debate was sparked over which is worse, sore toes or sore balls? Choosing to wear uncomfortable heels for the evening I ensured the balls of my feet were cushioned with gel party feet. Only to discover that whilst my balls might be comfortable the gel cushions made my toes squashed! So out the gel cushions came to save my toes, only to be replaced again later when my balls were burning. Seriously why can someone not invent a sexy pair of heels that are as comfortable as wearing slippers! If someone could they would be one very rich person!!
Then again I could just be sensible and wear flats but then where is the fun in that!!
I witnessed a fair few drunken dance floor pashes amongst my single friends. Everyone met my 'fun' aunty and the legend of the man from Bonnie Doon!
There was dancing and laughing and fun had by all so thanks to everyone who came and made my party a truly great night. Now to bring on the next decade and chapter in my life.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Expresso Martini's - the drink of choice
So my favourite drink of the moment is the expresso martini! An all round perfect drink given the combination of alcohol combined with caffeine! Really what could be better! So as I count down the hours to my party I am in search of how to make the perfect expresso martini. I have purchased the martini glasses and the required ingredients now to get some practice in before tomorrow night.
Stay tuned tomorrow for some pics of the perfected martini's and of course the party ...
Stay tuned tomorrow for some pics of the perfected martini's and of course the party ...
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Saturday Morning Running
The beauty of not actually training means that I don't have to get out of bed on a Saturday morning and go running or riding unless I actually want to. That is of course unless I actually have to run to collect my car from where it was parked at the pub from Friday night drinks. So I finally made it out of bed to go for a run and collect my car to discover it is a gorgeous Melbourne winter morning outside, perfect for a run by the beach. So my mood picks up and I look forward to a run, especially since given my distinct lack of exercise during the week has left me feeling rather 'blah'!
So I'm running along, music pumping through my head phones and I'm actually feeling pretty good. That is until I feel something soft underfoot and when I look down I realise that I have just stepped in dog crap. Instantly my run and mood is completely ruined and so is my shoe!!
So I'm running along, music pumping through my head phones and I'm actually feeling pretty good. That is until I feel something soft underfoot and when I look down I realise that I have just stepped in dog crap. Instantly my run and mood is completely ruined and so is my shoe!!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Baking on my Birthday...
In true form I woke up on my 30th birthday and decided to bake!! Why I didn't just buy a b'day cake I do not know. I baked lemon meringue cupcakes that tasted a lot better than they looked. Had a wonderful day celebrating with family and was overwhelmed by my wonderful presents and the love shown to me. Now in true nana form I am snuggled on the couch with the boy in my new PJ's but I don't feel a day older than 29!!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Lessons learnt this week...
Whilst away with the girls this week have learnt a number of new things...
1. Banana's are a very versatile fruit
2. If in desperate need of a hair tie, your undies are a good substitute
3. There is a new breed of dog called a douchehounder
4. Pretty much any word in the English language can be replaced with 'mu' and when it used it makes for very funny conversations
5. Apparently it's socially acceptable to pluck your bikini line whilst everyone is sitting around eating lunch
6. The discovery of a new thing called soy milk (even though Miss F eats soy crisps and soy beans she was amazed to learnt there was something called so milk)
7. When a man is standing in middle of the road holding a stop sign you are meant to actually stop
1. Banana's are a very versatile fruit
2. If in desperate need of a hair tie, your undies are a good substitute
3. There is a new breed of dog called a douchehounder
4. Pretty much any word in the English language can be replaced with 'mu' and when it used it makes for very funny conversations
5. Apparently it's socially acceptable to pluck your bikini line whilst everyone is sitting around eating lunch
6. The discovery of a new thing called soy milk (even though Miss F eats soy crisps and soy beans she was amazed to learnt there was something called so milk)
7. When a man is standing in middle of the road holding a stop sign you are meant to actually stop
Just what does happen on a girls week away...
I have just spent the last 4 days in beautiful sunny Port Douglas with a very fun group of girls. I'm sure everyone thinks we've spent the whole time sun baking, drinking and partying all night! Well I guess in part true!
There has been a lot of wine consumed (24 bottles to be exact), along with a slab of beer and of course a night out in town where numerous expresso martini's and cos'mu'politans were ordered. However if you think we were up all night partying you are wrong!! I think the latest night was 11pm with some nights some girls in bed by 8.30. We also didn't sleep in, with most mornings up in time to see the sunrise. With the drinking starting early each day there were no hangovers the next morning either (so we never needed the huge supply of Gatorade, Panadol and Lemonade Icypoles!)
There was some sun baking, though Miss M and Miss N were sun smart looking after their pale skin by lying on deck chairs on the beach wrapped in white hospital blankets (passers by may have mistaken them for cancer patients and it looked much like a scene from the movie Beaches).
Whilst there was no wild partying, there was certainly a lot of laughing, mostly at the expense of Miss F who certainly had some interesting stories to tell.
We also kept the cheese industry in business this week, with cheese, dip and biscuits being consumed almost all day every day!
We sat around reading, with everyone deeply engrossed in "50 shades of Grey", certainly a different kind of romance novel.
Miss N drove us all around in our mini van after I was banned from driving after nearly running Miss S over in the driveway one day and failing to stop at a roadworks stop sign (no I hadn't been drinking!) We drove up to Cape Tribulation and saw some crocs on the Daintree River.
There was a surprise Bday celebration last night, complete with party hats and party poppers and my first b'day cake with the 30 candles on (yikes it's real now)
It has been a great week away, there have been no cat fights, no tears (only those of laughter), no drunken injuries and no severe sunburn!
Thanks all for helping me celebrate my 30th birthday.
There has been a lot of wine consumed (24 bottles to be exact), along with a slab of beer and of course a night out in town where numerous expresso martini's and cos'mu'politans were ordered. However if you think we were up all night partying you are wrong!! I think the latest night was 11pm with some nights some girls in bed by 8.30. We also didn't sleep in, with most mornings up in time to see the sunrise. With the drinking starting early each day there were no hangovers the next morning either (so we never needed the huge supply of Gatorade, Panadol and Lemonade Icypoles!)
There was some sun baking, though Miss M and Miss N were sun smart looking after their pale skin by lying on deck chairs on the beach wrapped in white hospital blankets (passers by may have mistaken them for cancer patients and it looked much like a scene from the movie Beaches).
Whilst there was no wild partying, there was certainly a lot of laughing, mostly at the expense of Miss F who certainly had some interesting stories to tell.
We also kept the cheese industry in business this week, with cheese, dip and biscuits being consumed almost all day every day!
We sat around reading, with everyone deeply engrossed in "50 shades of Grey", certainly a different kind of romance novel.
Miss N drove us all around in our mini van after I was banned from driving after nearly running Miss S over in the driveway one day and failing to stop at a roadworks stop sign (no I hadn't been drinking!) We drove up to Cape Tribulation and saw some crocs on the Daintree River.
There was a surprise Bday celebration last night, complete with party hats and party poppers and my first b'day cake with the 30 candles on (yikes it's real now)
It has been a great week away, there have been no cat fights, no tears (only those of laughter), no drunken injuries and no severe sunburn!
Thanks all for helping me celebrate my 30th birthday.
Goals at 30...
I had a list of things I wanted to achieve in my 20's, most of which I never achieved, but I achieved so much more. I guess the things I thought I wanted in my 20's weren't necessarily right for me then. So as I start to think about what I want to achieve in my 30's the list starts off with those that never happened in my 20's.
1. Buy a house (or an apartment or anything with 4 walls that I can call my own)
2. Get married (I don't want a big white wedding but it would be nice to get married)
3. Have children (yes I love my freedom and my independence but I would love nothing more than to have children one day)
4. Learn more (I don't think I want to go back and do any formal study, however I would just like to take more of an interest in world events and current affairs, whilst I am a nerdy accountant, my general knowledge is appalling)
5. Stop worrying about the future and just enjoy the present (a few years ago I found the perfect quote for me "you can't change your past but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future" I really need to pay more attention to that quote)
6. Run a marathon (so technically I have ran a marathon at the end of the ironman, but I'd love to be able to do a marathon on its own and run the whole distance)
7. Travel somewhere new each year (doesn't need to be overseas, can be in Australia as long as I've never travelled there before)
8. Find a new hobby (one that doesn't consume 40% of my income and involve a million hours of training each week!)
So my to do list isn't a list of 10, but there are no rules anywhere that said it needs to be. Let's see in 10 years time just how many of these I have managed to achieve!
1. Buy a house (or an apartment or anything with 4 walls that I can call my own)
2. Get married (I don't want a big white wedding but it would be nice to get married)
3. Have children (yes I love my freedom and my independence but I would love nothing more than to have children one day)
4. Learn more (I don't think I want to go back and do any formal study, however I would just like to take more of an interest in world events and current affairs, whilst I am a nerdy accountant, my general knowledge is appalling)
5. Stop worrying about the future and just enjoy the present (a few years ago I found the perfect quote for me "you can't change your past but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future" I really need to pay more attention to that quote)
6. Run a marathon (so technically I have ran a marathon at the end of the ironman, but I'd love to be able to do a marathon on its own and run the whole distance)
7. Travel somewhere new each year (doesn't need to be overseas, can be in Australia as long as I've never travelled there before)
8. Find a new hobby (one that doesn't consume 40% of my income and involve a million hours of training each week!)
So my to do list isn't a list of 10, but there are no rules anywhere that said it needs to be. Let's see in 10 years time just how many of these I have managed to achieve!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
30 vs 20!
Ok so I know that I'm not 30 yet and for all I know my 30's could be terrible compared to my 20's, but from everything I've been told and everything I know, there are a number of reasons why the 30's are the new 20's and why they're going to be better than my 20's!
When I look at my life now as I am about to turn 30 and compare it to the life I had when I was 20, I'm already in a better place!
Sarah at 30 v Sarah at 20!!
1. At 30 I have an awesome job with a great income. At 20 I was still in Uni and juggling 3 part time jobs
2. At 30 I know what I want in life (or at least I know what I don't want!) at 20 I had no idea what I wanted.
3. At 30 I'm living in a great town house near the city (albeit with a slightly annoying housemate) at 20 I lived at home with my dad and slightly annoying brothers (who I love very much now that I don't live with them) in Cranbourne.
4. At 30 I have much greater self esteem and confidence. I don't spend my time worrying or caring about what people think of me. At 20 I always worried about what others thought.
5. At 30 I have achieved so much. At 20 I talked about achieving so much
6. At 30 I drive a cute little Audi that is very reliable. At 20 I drove a Holden commodore that was older than me, often broke down and blew out excessive smoke!
7. At 30 I make my own happiness, I am happy with the person that I am and I can appreciate my own company. At 20 I felt that I needed to rely on others in order to be happy.
However there are some things that never change!!
8. At 20 I was talking about buying my own place, I'm still talking about buying my own place. Only difference is I now actually can afford to do so.
9. At 20 I had a dream of completing the Hawaiian Ironman. At 30 that dream is still there deep down, and who knows, maybe one day I'll get there!
10. At 20 I had some amazing friends. At 30 I still have the same amazing friends and a few more!
When I look at my life now as I am about to turn 30 and compare it to the life I had when I was 20, I'm already in a better place!
Sarah at 30 v Sarah at 20!!
1. At 30 I have an awesome job with a great income. At 20 I was still in Uni and juggling 3 part time jobs
2. At 30 I know what I want in life (or at least I know what I don't want!) at 20 I had no idea what I wanted.
3. At 30 I'm living in a great town house near the city (albeit with a slightly annoying housemate) at 20 I lived at home with my dad and slightly annoying brothers (who I love very much now that I don't live with them) in Cranbourne.
4. At 30 I have much greater self esteem and confidence. I don't spend my time worrying or caring about what people think of me. At 20 I always worried about what others thought.
5. At 30 I have achieved so much. At 20 I talked about achieving so much
6. At 30 I drive a cute little Audi that is very reliable. At 20 I drove a Holden commodore that was older than me, often broke down and blew out excessive smoke!
7. At 30 I make my own happiness, I am happy with the person that I am and I can appreciate my own company. At 20 I felt that I needed to rely on others in order to be happy.
However there are some things that never change!!
8. At 20 I was talking about buying my own place, I'm still talking about buying my own place. Only difference is I now actually can afford to do so.
9. At 20 I had a dream of completing the Hawaiian Ironman. At 30 that dream is still there deep down, and who knows, maybe one day I'll get there!
10. At 20 I had some amazing friends. At 30 I still have the same amazing friends and a few more!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Is there such a thing as too many birthday celebrations?
I've always loved birthdays. Maybe it's because my birthday is in winter and it's nice to have something to look forward to in the horrible weather, or maybe it's just that I like to get presents (hey who doesn't!) whether they be presents from others or presents to myself (it's easier to justify buying nice things for yourself when it's your birthday).
So because I like birthdays I've always somehow managed to enjoy a birthday week rather than just a single day! However this year I have taken things to a whole new level!!
Starting today I am spending 5 days in the sun with some amazing girls, on my birthday I will get to have lunch with my family, the following day I will have brunch with some tri-bal girls, no doubt I will take a cake to work next week to celebrate with work colleagues and then of course there is my birthday bash 2 weeks later!!
So have I taken the celebrations too far?? I think not!
So because I like birthdays I've always somehow managed to enjoy a birthday week rather than just a single day! However this year I have taken things to a whole new level!!
Starting today I am spending 5 days in the sun with some amazing girls, on my birthday I will get to have lunch with my family, the following day I will have brunch with some tri-bal girls, no doubt I will take a cake to work next week to celebrate with work colleagues and then of course there is my birthday bash 2 weeks later!!
So have I taken the celebrations too far?? I think not!
6 days from turning 30 and couldn't be happier!
So it's been awhile since I last blogged but as I sit here at Cairns airport with a couple of hours to spare as I await the arrival of the girls to begin our week long vacation in sunny Port Douglas I ponder the fact that I am only 6 days away from being 30!
If someone asked me 10 years ago where I would be at 30 I prob would have said I'd be married with kids in my own home and working as an accountant! Well one of those 4 are true!! Life has turned out somewhat different to what I had mapped out for myself but I could not be happier!
Some people I know are scared at the thought of turning 30, yet I am looking forward to my 30's!! In the past 10 years I have done so much more than I ever would have dreamed. I've travelled the world (parts at least), I've worked overseas, competed in an Olympic Distance and 70.3 World Triathlon Championships. I've completed an ironman (yay! Now that was on the things to do before I turn 30 list). I have a great job, an amazing family, with amazing sister in laws and adorable nieces and nephews. I live in the best country in the world, I am in a position that allows me to live a comfortable life (especially now that I'm not spending all my income on triathlon!!)
So I'm actually looking forward to my 30's who knows what's in store for me. Life's good, surely it can only get better (so much easier to say when sitting in the sun in Cairns rather than grey rainy Melbourne)
If someone asked me 10 years ago where I would be at 30 I prob would have said I'd be married with kids in my own home and working as an accountant! Well one of those 4 are true!! Life has turned out somewhat different to what I had mapped out for myself but I could not be happier!
Some people I know are scared at the thought of turning 30, yet I am looking forward to my 30's!! In the past 10 years I have done so much more than I ever would have dreamed. I've travelled the world (parts at least), I've worked overseas, competed in an Olympic Distance and 70.3 World Triathlon Championships. I've completed an ironman (yay! Now that was on the things to do before I turn 30 list). I have a great job, an amazing family, with amazing sister in laws and adorable nieces and nephews. I live in the best country in the world, I am in a position that allows me to live a comfortable life (especially now that I'm not spending all my income on triathlon!!)
So I'm actually looking forward to my 30's who knows what's in store for me. Life's good, surely it can only get better (so much easier to say when sitting in the sun in Cairns rather than grey rainy Melbourne)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Shopping like a true accountant!!
In the past few weeks I have found a new hobby, shopping on eBay. In the past I have sold items on there but haven't really bought much. Now I am addicted!! I've managed a huge wardrobe update for minimal cost and so far all of the items that I've bought have been great. My theory is if I don't like it when it arrives I'll just resell on eBay and not lose anything. However with the amount of purchases I have made lately I am starting to wonder if I actually am saving more money or just buying triple the amount of clothes that I would usually buy! Either way I am hooked on eBay
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Running with the boy
So the boy is great at cycling and sure does give me a run for my money when out on the bike. The other day I decided to drag him out running with me hoping to show him up, only to be the one running to keep after him! Running with him did make for some good entertainment though! Starting with him running in a pair of my running shorts (at least they were blue and not hot pink!) but nonetheless they were my shorts and he went out in public in them. At first I was alarmed that he could fit into my shorts, afterall what girl wants her boyfriend to be her size. But I have now discovered that it works in my favour. Because it means I can also wear his clothes! Hello comfy trackies!!! I hope he doesn't want them back, they are super comfy and I don't have any trackies!!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Is there anything more foolish than completing an Ironman?
I think the only thing more foolish than completing an ironman is to get up at 4.30am on a Sunday morning to go and watch an Ironman! If I'm getting up at that hour of the morning I may as well be competing in the race! So tomorrow morning some friends and I will be getting on our bikes at 4.45am to head down to Frankston to watch the swim start of the Melbourne Ironman. A lot of people from Tri-Bal will be racing so will be great to get down there and cheer them on. However the weather is not forecasted to be so warm and 4.30am is still night time in my books so I am starting to wonder why the hell am I sacrificing a Sunday morning sleep in! But when you are at that start line waiting to race, there is nothing better than knowing that your friends and family are out there supporting you, so it is my turn to be the support this time.
To all my friends racing tomorrow GOOD LUCK! I hope the weather gods are nice to you all and I hope that after watching your inspiring performances tomorrow that I may be inspired again to do Ironman number 2!
To all my friends racing tomorrow GOOD LUCK! I hope the weather gods are nice to you all and I hope that after watching your inspiring performances tomorrow that I may be inspired again to do Ironman number 2!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Questioning Ironman Number 2...
So I started this blog to document my journey towards Ironman number 2, slight glitch, there may be no Ironman number 2!
The goal was always to compete in an Ironman Race before I turned 30 and last year I achieved that goal by completing Busselton Ironman in a time that was not too far off my target time. I had great fun racing and afterwards was on a massive high (once I got past the pain of recovering!) and I was determined to race another Ironman and to do better. I went out and bought every book on the subject. How to run better, how to train better, how to get to optimum race weight. I was focused and more determined than ever and was excited about entering Busselton again for this year. However things have changed, I'm getting older and wiser! I am enjoying life at the moment and the thought of training for another ironman is perhaps not so appealing anymore, afterall nearly 6 months of my life last year were consumed with training, I had hardly any social life, I never got to sleep in and I was tired all of the time. Now I train when I feel like it (which is probably not as often as I should), I can go out and drink, I can sleep in, I can see my friends and of course spend time with Matt :-)
Training for an Ironman is a selfish affair and last year was all about me so I could afford to be selfish. This year things have changed, I've met Matt and maybe my priorities are changing!
Also last year I spend a ridiculous amount of money on triathlon! So would be nice to actually save some money this year.
So what does all of this mean for the blog! Afterall it is meant to be about bikes, boys and baking on my journey to ironman number 2. Now there is potentially not going to be an Ironman Number 2 and boys has become boy! But hey I am still having fun writing this even if no-one is reading it!
The goal was always to compete in an Ironman Race before I turned 30 and last year I achieved that goal by completing Busselton Ironman in a time that was not too far off my target time. I had great fun racing and afterwards was on a massive high (once I got past the pain of recovering!) and I was determined to race another Ironman and to do better. I went out and bought every book on the subject. How to run better, how to train better, how to get to optimum race weight. I was focused and more determined than ever and was excited about entering Busselton again for this year. However things have changed, I'm getting older and wiser! I am enjoying life at the moment and the thought of training for another ironman is perhaps not so appealing anymore, afterall nearly 6 months of my life last year were consumed with training, I had hardly any social life, I never got to sleep in and I was tired all of the time. Now I train when I feel like it (which is probably not as often as I should), I can go out and drink, I can sleep in, I can see my friends and of course spend time with Matt :-)
Training for an Ironman is a selfish affair and last year was all about me so I could afford to be selfish. This year things have changed, I've met Matt and maybe my priorities are changing!
Also last year I spend a ridiculous amount of money on triathlon! So would be nice to actually save some money this year.
So what does all of this mean for the blog! Afterall it is meant to be about bikes, boys and baking on my journey to ironman number 2. Now there is potentially not going to be an Ironman Number 2 and boys has become boy! But hey I am still having fun writing this even if no-one is reading it!
Workaholic?
Why is it that I am still working at 9.30pm on a Friday night? I clearly need to get a life! So it would appear that I have gone from one extreme to the other, spending all my time training for an ironman to now spending all my time working. The difference being one ends up costing me a lot of money whilst one ends up earning me a lot of money, but then again does it? Afterall I get paid the same regardless of how many hours I work so it would seem I am the fool for working ridiculous hours. Though I guess the upside is that whilst I am working I am not out spending money so I guess it saves me money! Have to put a positive spin on it somehow. So I had just started to get a social life back after alienating all of my friends whilst training for ironman to now becoming a bore again because I seem to be working all of the time.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
It pays to complain sometimes!
So each year everything seems to go up in price; car insurance, health insurance, contents insurance, actually pretty much any type of insurance that all seems to be a necissity in life seems to go up and each year I just look at the increase and do nothing. Well not this year! I am sick of paying too much for things and letting companies continually put up their prices for no extra benefit or service. So when last week I received my car insurance policy which was to go up by $20 a month (even though with it was a letter telling me how I am such a good driver that I am getting a 5% saf driver discount now) I got straight on the phone and within 5 minutes I had the increase reduced from $20 to $2 per month. Now I know anyone reading this is probably thinking that I a just being a massive tight arse, and maybe I am. But this got me starting to think about how much money I could actually save in a year if I cut back on a few things and stopped accepting prise increases to be a given. So I have now started on a bit of a cost saving rampage, afterall I need to try to recoup some of the savings I lost last year from spending far too much money on triathlon! So far I have ensured my car insurance won't go up, reduced my health insurance by $50 a month, cancelled my gym membership at $72 a month, and giving up my daily cafe bought coffee. Yes I know I am being a complete tight arse, perhaps it would just be easier to get a payrise! But last year was all about having fun and spending way too much money, as I am now fast approaching 30 I have decided it is time to get serious and start saving to buy a house. Lets see how long I can keep up these cost saving initiatives before deciding that life is too short and wanting to have fun again!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
That awkward moment
So there comes a time in every relationship when one person farts in front of the other and it is a very awkward moment when this does happen!! It doesn't help when the earlier evening conversation was around girls claiming that they don't fart. At least I was smart enough to say that of course I fart at times, just not in front of others. About 1/2 an hour after this conversation and after one very extremely large meal of extremely good Thai food I found myself feeling rather bloated. As I was pushing out my stomach to highlight just how bloated i was the boy decided to poke me in the belly and out squeaked one very large fart. Needless to say I was extremely embarrassed and have now earnt myself the nickname of 'little fart monkey' just what every girl dreams of being called by her boyfriend.
Friday, March 9, 2012
What a day
Training is almost back on track, hit a slight road bump this week with something called 'work'! Working a 60 hour week doesn't make it easy to fit in training! But did for everything in asides swimming (oops!) don't think I have ever looked forward to the weekend as much as I did yesterday and now it is turning into one of the best weekends!
Managed a nice cruisy 20km run this morning followed by some me time! Actually took the time to slow down for 10 mins! Gave myself a facial and a manicure and pedicure. A spring clean out of the wardrobe, a coffee with some friends, a trip to bunnings, grocery shopping and now off to Williamstown for a coffee with the boy followed by a girls night out for a friends b'day. And after all of this there are still 2 whole days left to the weekend!
Busso is still a priority but must admit that it is nice to spend a Saturday enjoying life and not cycling 180km!
Managed a nice cruisy 20km run this morning followed by some me time! Actually took the time to slow down for 10 mins! Gave myself a facial and a manicure and pedicure. A spring clean out of the wardrobe, a coffee with some friends, a trip to bunnings, grocery shopping and now off to Williamstown for a coffee with the boy followed by a girls night out for a friends b'day. And after all of this there are still 2 whole days left to the weekend!
Busso is still a priority but must admit that it is nice to spend a Saturday enjoying life and not cycling 180km!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Bikes, Baking and Boyfriend?
After posting a rather cute picture of Matt and I on facebook the other day endulging in fish and chips in Port Melbourne after yet another fantastic weekend I was asked whether my blog should now perhaps be titled "Bikes, Baking and Boyfriend". Hmmmm maybe, but that sounds a little boring so think I will keep it as is, but yes it is perhaps true that I now have a boyfriend :-)
So this blog was started in a bit of humour and for people to have a laugh at my expense as I biked, baked and met boys, now that I have a boyfriend perhaps it won't have the same level of humour or be quite as interesting as it has been in the past, however I will try!
There have been a number of false starts this year to my training come back, however this week it is official, I have started back at training! So far 1 run, 1 ride and 1 swim down! Only another 2 of each to go! Yay! And I am even racing this weekend! Well I'm not sure that the corporate triathlon can actually be called a race but it will be interesting to say in the least. My work colleagues all have high expectations of me as afterall I spent the better half of last year talking about triathlons! However over the last 3 months I have lost a lot of fitness and this race is going to involve sprinting! That word does not exist in my vocabulary, I only know how to race endurance races at a steady pace so whilst this race is super short and hardly even worth getting out of bed for, I think it may actually hurt! Plus am hoping it will be a bit of fun ad good for a laugh as I watch some of my other colleagues who have an even lower fitness than me struggle through the swim, ride and run!
Now just to convince the boy to give up his own racing for the morning so that he can also come down and have a laugh at me and support me on Sunday morning.
So this blog was started in a bit of humour and for people to have a laugh at my expense as I biked, baked and met boys, now that I have a boyfriend perhaps it won't have the same level of humour or be quite as interesting as it has been in the past, however I will try!
There have been a number of false starts this year to my training come back, however this week it is official, I have started back at training! So far 1 run, 1 ride and 1 swim down! Only another 2 of each to go! Yay! And I am even racing this weekend! Well I'm not sure that the corporate triathlon can actually be called a race but it will be interesting to say in the least. My work colleagues all have high expectations of me as afterall I spent the better half of last year talking about triathlons! However over the last 3 months I have lost a lot of fitness and this race is going to involve sprinting! That word does not exist in my vocabulary, I only know how to race endurance races at a steady pace so whilst this race is super short and hardly even worth getting out of bed for, I think it may actually hurt! Plus am hoping it will be a bit of fun ad good for a laugh as I watch some of my other colleagues who have an even lower fitness than me struggle through the swim, ride and run!
Now just to convince the boy to give up his own racing for the morning so that he can also come down and have a laugh at me and support me on Sunday morning.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Life really is precious
The past week has been a sad one with a family losing their little boy far too soon. The death of any young person makes you realise just how precious life is and for it not to be wasted. Yet when someone dies that has yet to even live you find yourself asking why? You start to question how is life fair when a baby is taken from the world. You question your own happiness when you know that other people's lives are now changed forever and filled with immense sadness. Suddenly everything seems insignificant, all of the minor things you used to complain about seem like nothing for really I am very fortunate to be healthy and happy.
My thoughts and prayers are with Eli's family as they prepare to say goodbye to their little man tomorrow. I cannot even imagine the pain and sadness that they are feeling right now. But they have a lot of family and friends who all care and support them.
To everyone else who complains about such minor things in life, take a step back and consider just how fortunate you are and just how cruel life can be to others. Don't take anything or anyone in life for granted. Be cheerful and enjoy life, make the most of every day.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."
My thoughts and prayers are with Eli's family as they prepare to say goodbye to their little man tomorrow. I cannot even imagine the pain and sadness that they are feeling right now. But they have a lot of family and friends who all care and support them.
To everyone else who complains about such minor things in life, take a step back and consider just how fortunate you are and just how cruel life can be to others. Don't take anything or anyone in life for granted. Be cheerful and enjoy life, make the most of every day.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."
The evil raga!
Last Saturday I decided to attempt my first long ride back with tri-bal! Whilst I have been riding on my own and doing some wt sessions this was going to be a test of my fitness!
Before I set off to meet the group a drank a drink of this powder supplement that Matt had given me! When he gave it to me it was with the warning 'only take one scoop' I think for me that should have been half a scoop! So I slammed down a glass of this feral tasting drink with my standard training breakfast of honey on toast and then started riding.
Rode to Mordi to meet the group and was feeling great. Fresh as a daisy! Joined the girls and led out the front to Frankston and was riding better than I had in a long time. I got to the top of 2 Bays and my legs felt like they hadn't even been working! I then realised that actually maybe I didn't feel so good afterall, I felt a little dizzy and had a bit of a cold sweat going on. Kept cycling and made it home with a 110km clocked on the Garmin at an average speed of 30.6km/hr which I was extremely happy with. I got off the bike and realised just how crook I felt and felt like throwing up and passing out.
Whatever was in that powder could not have been good for me! Later on Matt advises that one scoop is the equivalent of having about 4 red bull's! So it is no wonder my heart rate was through the roof, I felt dizzy and had the shakes. For someone who can barely handle 2 cups of coffee in one day this stuff was potent!! The boys call it 'the raga' and I'm not sure I'll be taking it again in a hurry, or at least not a full scoop anyway!
Did have an awesome training ride though and well and truly time to start training again with only 3 months until Cairns.
Before I set off to meet the group a drank a drink of this powder supplement that Matt had given me! When he gave it to me it was with the warning 'only take one scoop' I think for me that should have been half a scoop! So I slammed down a glass of this feral tasting drink with my standard training breakfast of honey on toast and then started riding.
Rode to Mordi to meet the group and was feeling great. Fresh as a daisy! Joined the girls and led out the front to Frankston and was riding better than I had in a long time. I got to the top of 2 Bays and my legs felt like they hadn't even been working! I then realised that actually maybe I didn't feel so good afterall, I felt a little dizzy and had a bit of a cold sweat going on. Kept cycling and made it home with a 110km clocked on the Garmin at an average speed of 30.6km/hr which I was extremely happy with. I got off the bike and realised just how crook I felt and felt like throwing up and passing out.
Whatever was in that powder could not have been good for me! Later on Matt advises that one scoop is the equivalent of having about 4 red bull's! So it is no wonder my heart rate was through the roof, I felt dizzy and had the shakes. For someone who can barely handle 2 cups of coffee in one day this stuff was potent!! The boys call it 'the raga' and I'm not sure I'll be taking it again in a hurry, or at least not a full scoop anyway!
Did have an awesome training ride though and well and truly time to start training again with only 3 months until Cairns.
Date with dad on Valentines Day
What does one do on Valentines day when their man works afternoon shift? They take their dad out for dinner of course!
It didn't occur to me when organising a dinner catch up with my dear old dad that the night we had planned to meet up was Valentine's day. I did think about canceling on poor dad but decided that having dinner with dad on Valentine's day was better than sitting home alone! And as usual had a great dinner and chat with dad who seems to have now become infamous amongst some members of the triathlon club who met him in Busso last year and were inspired by his stories of his bush hut in Bonnie Doon! Gwargy has been telling many people the stories of 'Sozza's Dad'!!
It didn't occur to me when organising a dinner catch up with my dear old dad that the night we had planned to meet up was Valentine's day. I did think about canceling on poor dad but decided that having dinner with dad on Valentine's day was better than sitting home alone! And as usual had a great dinner and chat with dad who seems to have now become infamous amongst some members of the triathlon club who met him in Busso last year and were inspired by his stories of his bush hut in Bonnie Doon! Gwargy has been telling many people the stories of 'Sozza's Dad'!!
Perhaps chivalry is not dead on beach road afterall
So I've been a little slack on this blog, perhaps there is a new distraction in my life! Thought it was time that I should catch up on the events of the past couple of weeks!
So recently I blogged that chivalry was perhaps dead on beach road only to perhaps be proved wrong the following week!
I was out cycling along beach road with one very fast boy and making every attempt to sit on his wheel as we powered along beach road into a head wind. I was working far too hard for a Sunday morning ride and was starting to struggle, after trying to get him to ride off ahead a few times he was insistent I stay with him so I kept pushing my little legs and my face continued to turn from shade of tomato to shade of beetroot. We hit a slight incline and I slowly started to drop off his wheel despite my best efforts to pedal as hard as I could. Just as I was starting to give up I felt a hand on my butt giving me a push up the hill. The lovely cyclist behind me decided to be a gentleman and give me a bit of a push to stay on Matt's wheel. Or perhaps he was just trying to grab my arse!! I'd prefer to think of it as the former and thankyou very much for the assistance! Nice to know that chivalry is not dead afterall. However lesson learnt not to ride with Matt again, or maybe I should and improve my cycling leg for Busso!
So recently I blogged that chivalry was perhaps dead on beach road only to perhaps be proved wrong the following week!
I was out cycling along beach road with one very fast boy and making every attempt to sit on his wheel as we powered along beach road into a head wind. I was working far too hard for a Sunday morning ride and was starting to struggle, after trying to get him to ride off ahead a few times he was insistent I stay with him so I kept pushing my little legs and my face continued to turn from shade of tomato to shade of beetroot. We hit a slight incline and I slowly started to drop off his wheel despite my best efforts to pedal as hard as I could. Just as I was starting to give up I felt a hand on my butt giving me a push up the hill. The lovely cyclist behind me decided to be a gentleman and give me a bit of a push to stay on Matt's wheel. Or perhaps he was just trying to grab my arse!! I'd prefer to think of it as the former and thankyou very much for the assistance! Nice to know that chivalry is not dead afterall. However lesson learnt not to ride with Matt again, or maybe I should and improve my cycling leg for Busso!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Life is on track and it feels great...
"Happiness is like a butterfly.
The more you chase it, the more it eludes you.
But if you turn your attention to other things,
It comes and sits softly on your shoulder."
Henry David Thoreau
What a great week. I'm back into training, well almost! Unfortunately no running because I have a sore foot and am taking the advice of one very wise woman and very good friend so no running. But I am cycling and even made it back into the pool where much to my surprise I was still leading the lane even after having not swam with the squad for 8 weeks. It felt great, maybe it's even time to step it up into the fast lane. I'm really enjoying being back at training, I'm loving that I'm doing it because I want to and not because I have to.
Work is going great! Well it's still a little crazy and there are a lot of things that are still a pain in the arse but all in all I feel like I'm in a really great place with my career.
Or maybe the real reason for my happiness has nothing at all to do with work or training but rather to do with the fact that I have met the most amazing boy who makes me feel happier than I have in such a long time.
I entered the year wondering what it would bring, afterall last year was such a huge year in terms of achievements that I felt like this year was going to be a bit of a let down, but it's turning into an even better year with so many things to look forward to.
Ironman number 2 is still a key priority and I can't wait to give it a good go, I have an amazing holiday to look forward to in June with a great bunch of girls to celebrate the fact that yes I am getting old and fast approaching 30!
So maybe I've had a couple of glasses of wine tonight and maybe this is a slightly soppy post and not the light hearted humor that usually ends up on here but what can I say. I'm happy :)
The more you chase it, the more it eludes you.
But if you turn your attention to other things,
It comes and sits softly on your shoulder."
Henry David Thoreau
What a great week. I'm back into training, well almost! Unfortunately no running because I have a sore foot and am taking the advice of one very wise woman and very good friend so no running. But I am cycling and even made it back into the pool where much to my surprise I was still leading the lane even after having not swam with the squad for 8 weeks. It felt great, maybe it's even time to step it up into the fast lane. I'm really enjoying being back at training, I'm loving that I'm doing it because I want to and not because I have to.
Work is going great! Well it's still a little crazy and there are a lot of things that are still a pain in the arse but all in all I feel like I'm in a really great place with my career.
Or maybe the real reason for my happiness has nothing at all to do with work or training but rather to do with the fact that I have met the most amazing boy who makes me feel happier than I have in such a long time.
I entered the year wondering what it would bring, afterall last year was such a huge year in terms of achievements that I felt like this year was going to be a bit of a let down, but it's turning into an even better year with so many things to look forward to.
Ironman number 2 is still a key priority and I can't wait to give it a good go, I have an amazing holiday to look forward to in June with a great bunch of girls to celebrate the fact that yes I am getting old and fast approaching 30!
So maybe I've had a couple of glasses of wine tonight and maybe this is a slightly soppy post and not the light hearted humor that usually ends up on here but what can I say. I'm happy :)
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Challenge has been achieved!
When I first started this blog I was set the challenge to make a post that incorporated all three of bike's, boys and baking! I am pleased to say that I have now achieved this challenge. I started my Sunday with a boy, I went biking for awhile then went to watch a boy whilst he raced on his bike. Now I am ending my Sunday with the same boy and we've been baking together.!! Yummy homemade pizza is about to be served..
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Chivalry is dead on beach road
Instead of sleeping in on a Sunday morning I foolishly decided to go cycling. I rode out to Frankston and was absolutely flying, which is not a good thing as it meant a horrendous head wind on the way home! Sure enough as I turned around at Frankston I realised just how bad the headwind was and my speed dropped dramatically. The wind was horrible and I was hurting but to make matters work a middle aged male solo cyclist decided that he was in more pain than me and decided to draft off me. I have no problem with this at all when the favour is then returned allowing me some rest. But no, this male decided to sit on my wheel for a good 20km, even after I had tried to drop him a couple of times. Now look I know that I may have a cute ass and he was probably enjoying the view that he was getting as he let me do all the work but seriously show some respect out on the road and for a little lady. If you want to draft off me then do so but share the love around! To whomever suggested that beach road is the new pick up place perhaps this is true but I'm no longer sure that I want to find out as not sure I want to pick up the kind of guy that cycles along beach road.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Dad's Dating Advice
Not many girls I know would turn to their dad for dating advice but my dad is more like a surrogate mum and I seem to turn to him for advice on lots of things whether it be career related, triathlon related or even dating related! Sometimes I really don't know how he puts up with me but I guess he has to, afterall he is stuck with me as his daughter!
So last week I went on a date with a really nice guy :-) A really nice guy that also happens to have a tattoo that takes up the better part of one whole arm (though must say, very, very good arms so big tick there!). So as I am chatting to dad last night about life in general I tell him about my date and the tattoo and his response "So? Is there anything in the 10 Key Criteria about Tattoo's?" to which I say "No!" so Dad says to me "Then what's the problem!"
So whilst most dad's would probably hate the thought of their daughter dating a guy with tattoo's my dad's response is who cares, if it's not in the 10 key criteria it's obviously not that important! So no there will be no further amendments to the criteria, they remain as is, and there is nothing in there about tattoo's!
So last week I went on a date with a really nice guy :-) A really nice guy that also happens to have a tattoo that takes up the better part of one whole arm (though must say, very, very good arms so big tick there!). So as I am chatting to dad last night about life in general I tell him about my date and the tattoo and his response "So? Is there anything in the 10 Key Criteria about Tattoo's?" to which I say "No!" so Dad says to me "Then what's the problem!"
So whilst most dad's would probably hate the thought of their daughter dating a guy with tattoo's my dad's response is who cares, if it's not in the 10 key criteria it's obviously not that important! So no there will be no further amendments to the criteria, they remain as is, and there is nothing in there about tattoo's!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Inspired by Scrawny the Whinging Pom!
I'm a fast cyclist and I know it...
When I ride on by, I'm checking out all the other guys,
I cycle so fast riding down beach road in my shiny black lycra this is how I roll.
Cadence so high as I speed on by I'm the scrawny ass guy with the smoothe as legs.
Ahh girls look at my body
Ahh girls look at my body
Ahh girls look at my body
I'm so scrawny
When I cycle up the hills, this is what I see
I'm passing all the guys and they are staring at me
I've got lots and lot's of gears and I ain't afraid to use them, use them, use them
I'm scrawny and I know it
When I'm at the top, I'm looking at the other riders thinking damn I'm hot
When I'm at the gym I'm checking out my body in all the mirrors
Yeah this is how I roll, come on cyclists its time to go
I'm headed to bike shop but don't be nervous
Scrawny little legs and I still get service
Ahh girl look at my body
Ahh girl look at my body
Ahh girl look at my body
I'm so scrawny
When I'm at the bar, this is what I see, a price for beer more expensive than Sydney
I complain a lot, but that's okay cos I'm hot
I'm scrawny and I like to whinge
Check it out!
Whinging, whinging, whinging, yeah
Whinging, whinging, whinging, yeah
Whinging, whinging, whinging, yeah
Whinging, whinging, whinging, yeah
Do the whinge yeah
I do the whinge yeah
I'm scrawny and I know it!
When I ride on by, I'm checking out all the other guys,
I cycle so fast riding down beach road in my shiny black lycra this is how I roll.
Cadence so high as I speed on by I'm the scrawny ass guy with the smoothe as legs.
Ahh girls look at my body
Ahh girls look at my body
Ahh girls look at my body
I'm so scrawny
When I cycle up the hills, this is what I see
I'm passing all the guys and they are staring at me
I've got lots and lot's of gears and I ain't afraid to use them, use them, use them
I'm scrawny and I know it
When I'm at the top, I'm looking at the other riders thinking damn I'm hot
When I'm at the gym I'm checking out my body in all the mirrors
Yeah this is how I roll, come on cyclists its time to go
I'm headed to bike shop but don't be nervous
Scrawny little legs and I still get service
Ahh girl look at my body
Ahh girl look at my body
Ahh girl look at my body
I'm so scrawny
When I'm at the bar, this is what I see, a price for beer more expensive than Sydney
I complain a lot, but that's okay cos I'm hot
I'm scrawny and I like to whinge
Check it out!
Whinging, whinging, whinging, yeah
Whinging, whinging, whinging, yeah
Whinging, whinging, whinging, yeah
Whinging, whinging, whinging, yeah
Do the whinge yeah
I do the whinge yeah
I'm scrawny and I know it!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
A weekend of biking (minus boys and baking)
So given that I'm now kick starting my health kick there will not be much blogging about baking! Have decided to put boys on hold for awhile as well so looks like this blog will have to be about biking!
And what a great weekend for biking it was. An awesome ride on my own yesterday morning and a cruisy ride along the beach this morning with a girlfriend (thanks shoney!). In fact an awesome weekend all round, single life is great, really can do whatever I want whenever I want. Dinner at the pub last night where I stuck to my no drinking policy! An afternoon at the beach today and them dinner with a good friend, where okay I did cheat just a little and have 1 glass of wine! But hey it was great weather and who can resist a cheeky wine on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
And what a great weekend for biking it was. An awesome ride on my own yesterday morning and a cruisy ride along the beach this morning with a girlfriend (thanks shoney!). In fact an awesome weekend all round, single life is great, really can do whatever I want whenever I want. Dinner at the pub last night where I stuck to my no drinking policy! An afternoon at the beach today and them dinner with a good friend, where okay I did cheat just a little and have 1 glass of wine! But hey it was great weather and who can resist a cheeky wine on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Dork Sarah strikes again!
So just in case my elaborate detailed personal expenditure file in excel that reconciles to my bank accounts was not quite dorky enough I have now embarked on a new excel project.
Over the last few weeks I have been reading a lot of books on nutrition and how it relates to endurance athletes in order to maximise performance and get to an optimum race weight. Last year for Busso I trained the house down but I probably wasn't the greatest at getting my nutrition right, I pretty much lived by the philosphy that because I was training so much I could get away with eating pretty much whatever I wanted, and whilst I did eat heatlthy most of the time I wasn't necessarily eating the right foods and at the right time.
So whilst I am still easing myself back into training I have decided that now is the time to focus on my diet and look at what I am eating, working out how many grams of fat, carbs and protein I should be consuming each day and what my calorie intake should be. I have decided to take this to the next level by creating an excel workbook that lists all of my favourite foods and recipes, the nutirional breakdown of each food and then will use this to build a weekly meal plan that tracks against my exercise plan and ensures the correct calories are consumed. The file will then also build me a shopping list based on my chosen meal plan for the week.
Yes super dorky I know, in fact I think that I have taken dorkiness to a whole new level as not only am I actually undertaking this project but I am actually excited by it which my work colleagues find slightly disturbing especially when I mentioned I may go into the office on the weekend to work on it. Since ironman I have been a little lost, this is my new focus, my new challenge, and not to mention a great distraction from boys.
Am starting to think that maybe I am in the wrong career, perhaps should have become a nutritionist instead of an accountant!
Over the last few weeks I have been reading a lot of books on nutrition and how it relates to endurance athletes in order to maximise performance and get to an optimum race weight. Last year for Busso I trained the house down but I probably wasn't the greatest at getting my nutrition right, I pretty much lived by the philosphy that because I was training so much I could get away with eating pretty much whatever I wanted, and whilst I did eat heatlthy most of the time I wasn't necessarily eating the right foods and at the right time.
So whilst I am still easing myself back into training I have decided that now is the time to focus on my diet and look at what I am eating, working out how many grams of fat, carbs and protein I should be consuming each day and what my calorie intake should be. I have decided to take this to the next level by creating an excel workbook that lists all of my favourite foods and recipes, the nutirional breakdown of each food and then will use this to build a weekly meal plan that tracks against my exercise plan and ensures the correct calories are consumed. The file will then also build me a shopping list based on my chosen meal plan for the week.
Yes super dorky I know, in fact I think that I have taken dorkiness to a whole new level as not only am I actually undertaking this project but I am actually excited by it which my work colleagues find slightly disturbing especially when I mentioned I may go into the office on the weekend to work on it. Since ironman I have been a little lost, this is my new focus, my new challenge, and not to mention a great distraction from boys.
Am starting to think that maybe I am in the wrong career, perhaps should have become a nutritionist instead of an accountant!
Further Amendments to 10 Key Criteria...
1. Must be taller than me...
and must also not be skinnier than me. Something not very attractive about stick figures. Plus stick figures can't really have very good arms so kind of doesn't meet criteria 3 either (must have good arms!)
4. Must be fit and active...
but not obsessive, yes I know this sounds contradictory given my own obsession, however there is obsession and then super over obsessive which makes for no fun.
9. Must not drive a girly car...
However a girly car beats having no car at all.
Also decision was made today that when I turn 30 the first item to come off the list is the girly car. After all it is pretty superficial to judge a guy by the car they drive. Will instead judge by the bike they ride!
and must also not be skinnier than me. Something not very attractive about stick figures. Plus stick figures can't really have very good arms so kind of doesn't meet criteria 3 either (must have good arms!)
4. Must be fit and active...
but not obsessive, yes I know this sounds contradictory given my own obsession, however there is obsession and then super over obsessive which makes for no fun.
9. Must not drive a girly car...
However a girly car beats having no car at all.
Also decision was made today that when I turn 30 the first item to come off the list is the girly car. After all it is pretty superficial to judge a guy by the car they drive. Will instead judge by the bike they ride!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Anger and frustration is the best training partner!
The last week has been a little bit of an emotional roller coaster, I consumed far too much alcohol on the weekend and turned into a crazy person making a complete and utter fool of myself and hence the reason for starting a 6 week ban from alcohol! The goal was to get back into serious training this week but for various reasons it hasn't quite gone to plan. My day at the office was looking like it was going to be a long one today until I had coffee with a friend at lunch and he said "there is only so much you can do and no point in pushing yourself working late every night, life's too short" damn right it is. So I think much to the surprise of my work colleagues I walked out the door tonight at 5pm on the dot!
Got home pulled on the runners, cranked up the iPod and went running in the sun. What an awesome run, another 10km under the belt and this time 30sec faster per km than Saturday (still slow but a significant improvement). As I pounded the pavement I could feel my anger and frustration slowly releasing with each step, the further I went the faster I ran. I got home feeling great! Relaxed and with a clear head. My swim coach Colin does always say I swim faster when I'm angry so perhaps this will be my new secret training weapon!
Still haven't been back in the pool yet, Friday! I promise...
Got home pulled on the runners, cranked up the iPod and went running in the sun. What an awesome run, another 10km under the belt and this time 30sec faster per km than Saturday (still slow but a significant improvement). As I pounded the pavement I could feel my anger and frustration slowly releasing with each step, the further I went the faster I ran. I got home feeling great! Relaxed and with a clear head. My swim coach Colin does always say I swim faster when I'm angry so perhaps this will be my new secret training weapon!
Still haven't been back in the pool yet, Friday! I promise...
Monday, January 16, 2012
Feb Fast is starting early
So I had a few good training sessions last week, only to then ruin my hard work by getting extremely drunk on the weekend. I really do not know the person that I have become post ironman. Certainly not the same person who tracks every cent of expenditure in a spreadsheet, avoids sometimes foods, gets up for training at 5am and barely drinks. So in a bid to get completely back on track I have decided to start feb fast early and am not going to drink a drop of alcohol for the next 6 weeks. In fact not only am I going to refrain from alcohol I am also going to steer clear of all bad food as well. I want my ironman body back! So for all my poor friends and colleagues I may be a bit grumpy for the next few weeks as I suffer from alcohol and junk food withdrawal but I will be a much happier person when I'm feeling fit and fab again. So for the next few weeks I think there will be a lot more blogging about biking and a lot less about boys and baking :(
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Training Tip #2 Do not run after eating Chocolate Cake
Actually do not each Chocolate Cake full stop. Especially when no training has been done for the past 5 weeks. I blame the fact that Melbourne has decided to revert back to winter for my sudden need to be eating comfort food rather than nice healthy fresh fruit and salad, so when the girls at work mentioned cake at lunchtime today it took little convincing for me to join them. Halfway through indulging in my decadent tim tam chocolate cake I started to feel extremely ill and this was just the wake up call that I needed. It is officially time to get off my ass and go back to training. So tonight I left work on time, raced home and pulled on my running gear and decided to run 10km, apart from nearly puking up the chocolate cake at the 5km mark I felt great, the sun was finally back out and shining, I ran along the beach realised how much I love running and love Melbourne. Or maybe the wake up call was not the sickness I felt after eating the chocolate cake, nor the fact that I now look like I am about 3 months pregnant after eating, drinking and eating some more ever since Busselton, perhaps the wakeup call is the fact that I have a cycling date on Sunday! Yes a cycling date! So not technically picking up on beach road but will be going on a date whilst cycling along beach road. The thought of a guy seeing me in my lycra in the state that I am currently in was well and truly enough of a wakeup call to dust off the runners and get back out there.
My mojo is back! Watch out Busso here I come....
My mojo is back! Watch out Busso here I come....
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The advantages of single life
A very dear friend of mine in a bid to cheer me up the other day sent me the following message. So for any single girls who are thinking that they would rather not be single, have a read of this and maybe you will change your mind...
Once upon a time...
A guy asked a girl "will you marry me?"
The girl said "NO"
And the girl lived happily ever after and went shopping, dancing, camping, drank martini's, always had a clean house, never had to cook, had sex with whomever she pleased... did whatever the hell she wanted, never argued, travelled more, had many boyfriends, saved more money, had all the hot water to herself, watched chick flicks, never wore fricken lacy lingerie that went up her ass, had high self esteem, never cried or yelled, felt and looked fabulous in sweat pants, and burped, swore, and farted all the time.
THE END
So whilst we may all long to meet the man of our dreams and live happlily ever after, the grass is not always greener on the otherside and actually single life is pretty damn good. If I want to eat a bowl of cereal for dinner I can! I can wear daggy clothes around the house, don't have to shave my legs, I always get to watch what I want to watch on TV and I can go out and buy expensive bikes with no one telling me I am spending too much money. I can go out drinking with my girlfriends every night (though this is kind of detrimental to my training and also doesn't support my 2012 plan to save more money!) but best of all I get the whole bed to myself every single night and it is great!
Once upon a time...
A guy asked a girl "will you marry me?"
The girl said "NO"
And the girl lived happily ever after and went shopping, dancing, camping, drank martini's, always had a clean house, never had to cook, had sex with whomever she pleased... did whatever the hell she wanted, never argued, travelled more, had many boyfriends, saved more money, had all the hot water to herself, watched chick flicks, never wore fricken lacy lingerie that went up her ass, had high self esteem, never cried or yelled, felt and looked fabulous in sweat pants, and burped, swore, and farted all the time.
THE END
So whilst we may all long to meet the man of our dreams and live happlily ever after, the grass is not always greener on the otherside and actually single life is pretty damn good. If I want to eat a bowl of cereal for dinner I can! I can wear daggy clothes around the house, don't have to shave my legs, I always get to watch what I want to watch on TV and I can go out and buy expensive bikes with no one telling me I am spending too much money. I can go out drinking with my girlfriends every night (though this is kind of detrimental to my training and also doesn't support my 2012 plan to save more money!) but best of all I get the whole bed to myself every single night and it is great!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Post Ironman Blues
So after finishing my first Ironman alittle over a month ago I was on a massive high, excited to have achieved a goal that I have had for so long but also determined to come back and perform even better next time. My determination and motivation was at an all time high, I ordered a tonne of books on Amazon that were all going to help me have my best race at Ironman this year. But slowly I have been coming down from that high and now feel that I have hit the bottom, I have done little to no training for 5 weeks and there is a part of me tha is starting to wonder do I really want to go back to serious training, I am enjoying sleeping in, not falling asleep in meetings at work, spending time with my friends, consuming too much alcohol and paying the price the next day. Pretty much I am enjoying everything that a single 29 year old girl should be enjoying. Yet there is another part of me that is starting to feel a little sluggish and the jeans do feel a little snug (hence have been living in skirts and dresses for the past 2 weeks) and I do want to get back out there and train, but train on my own schedule, yesterday I went for a ride by myself and it was great, I didn't set an alarm I just woke up got on the bike and turned the legs over, I wasn't caring about my speed or my heart rate I was just enjoying the scenery and clearing my head.
This week I am going to attempt to make a come back at training, but I'm going to take my time and ease back into it whilst still allowing myself to have fun and enjoy life :-)
This week I am going to attempt to make a come back at training, but I'm going to take my time and ease back into it whilst still allowing myself to have fun and enjoy life :-)
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