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!!
Friday, June 29, 2012
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)
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