tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88318878482715284962024-02-21T15:41:16.764+13:00THE MIGHTY JO CARRELBig Things Come In Small Packages.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-86594217551687176702016-08-17T15:57:00.002+12:002016-08-17T15:57:55.879+12:00Don't worry folks, I'm still aliveDon't be too alarmed people, but I am back on the line. I think I have been inspired by the Olympics to update my blog, due to my lengthy absence may be best to do a month by month summary (hopefully I can remember that far back...)<br />
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<b>FEBRUARY</b><br />
The main thing I remember doing in February was the Kinloch Tri. It was the second time I had done it and while I wasn't near as fit as 2015 when it was part of my IMNZ build up, it still went pretty well, swim and bike times were pretty similar just a bit slower on the run. I had a niggly hamstring issue which I was very bad at looking after and it was particularly bad after this race and I vowed I would get on top of it.<br />
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<b>MARCH</b><br />
Ironman spectating was probably the triathlon highlight of March, I had a touch of FOMO but am quite over the IMNZ course but it got me all enthused to look at other races. For about half an hour I had convinced myself that I should do Ironman Cairns in June until I realised the logistics of it all wouldn't work. The reason for that was the other highlight of March - I got a new job! So taking a new job and asking for time off less than 3 months into it to do an Ironman - probably not the best idea.<br />
With my new job I spent the first week in Brisbane which was very new and exciting for running. I was staying in the CBD so ran along the river most mornings and also used an awesome outdoor 50m pool which was about 1km from my hotel. Australian's are awesome how into fitness and exercise they are - there were so many people out and about at 6am every morning, it was great. Also helps that it is light and warm at that hour too.<br />
What I discovered on that trip was that my hamstring got better the more that I ran. I was still pretty uncommitted to doing my exercises but was running more since I didn't have my bike and it started to hurt less with each run - [insert thumbs up emoji].<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlelXxYvf3b8X1Vv0pJIy8o6qEXFVSaL1v1iVrhokCuwHeWOApw175D2R4LWVA6feZ7Q5oDV85njSz2FmjD_GF9nwLwxWhIEwKLnaOcf95rJZAUj226vBEV0h9Dn1xoY91dSmuP2HbNw/s1600/20160315_055857_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlelXxYvf3b8X1Vv0pJIy8o6qEXFVSaL1v1iVrhokCuwHeWOApw175D2R4LWVA6feZ7Q5oDV85njSz2FmjD_GF9nwLwxWhIEwKLnaOcf95rJZAUj226vBEV0h9Dn1xoY91dSmuP2HbNw/s320/20160315_055857_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running in Brisbane</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming in Brisbane</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just hanging out</td></tr>
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<b>APRIL</b><br />
In April was the last triathlon of the season with the People's Tri in Mission Bay. I had a new suit (after being hassled about my apparently retro K-Swiss outfit that I wore at Kinloch) so of course I needed to find a race to do. It was actually quite a terrifying experience out on the bike, with a few hundred other triathletes of varying ability, and I was just relieved to make it off in one piece. With about a hundred different races going on at one time, it is almost impossible to know who is doing what but I got a better idea once on to the run. Approaching the turn around and I realised that I hadn't seen any girls yet and OMG am I leading this race?! Closer to the turn around and I saw there was one girl in front of me and another close behind who passed me at about 3.5km. After the race I realised that the NZ Secondary Schools Champs had been on during the week which explained where all the fast kiddies were that would usually beat me.<br />
In April there was also a work trip to Sydney where I got to run over the Harbour Bridge and another trip to Brisbane so more running there and not much cycling in general.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running over Sydney Harbour Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marvin helping me learn about orthopedic implants</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-h-tGz-EkbaW3eoCF2nQH-wgOkw0lx1wGPFrteW9KLFfK3KS_haEvDqiSHCjmZyLHelt2yIldqOwBfUOcRrfRLsMJ8acoT7n0xh_oX0GVBI2CR03H4Z87GVO7SV5BJDom2HPi6fEkV4/s1600/20160421_062822_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-h-tGz-EkbaW3eoCF2nQH-wgOkw0lx1wGPFrteW9KLFfK3KS_haEvDqiSHCjmZyLHelt2yIldqOwBfUOcRrfRLsMJ8acoT7n0xh_oX0GVBI2CR03H4Z87GVO7SV5BJDom2HPi6fEkV4/s320/20160421_062822_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running in Brisbane again</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiushd4cEdx5DSEZ7rvj5Smwf_KcyESnLY8Dsp3CS31WVcbWV8dI_boNYsYrdxJ-nnf7rjmHyx-F1oDQXcb6GejraNMsCwLovduXu2ETx0_EaoOd2vFSDXBoF2gHxs8D2hGG1j9s5aJYoU/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiushd4cEdx5DSEZ7rvj5Smwf_KcyESnLY8Dsp3CS31WVcbWV8dI_boNYsYrdxJ-nnf7rjmHyx-F1oDQXcb6GejraNMsCwLovduXu2ETx0_EaoOd2vFSDXBoF2gHxs8D2hGG1j9s5aJYoU/s320/IMG_0116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romantic walk in Surfer's Paradise</td></tr>
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<b>MAY</b><br />
I can't think of anything that happened in May so let's skip it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm9ZHBTNhUsqhDYDwPNVHf6RA2rwwjd4ncZLgRc7YhuvrVLIfqo0nFGoh_69aCKUKMbXqeyx8pcwbhFnGyyNSNQNq2pq96obxixXMb4krRjaWngX-FBe5CkBudbloHociPV35wGB1bzA/s1600/A27FEFF1-D16C-43D5-BC0E-0964B5E7330C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwm9ZHBTNhUsqhDYDwPNVHf6RA2rwwjd4ncZLgRc7YhuvrVLIfqo0nFGoh_69aCKUKMbXqeyx8pcwbhFnGyyNSNQNq2pq96obxixXMb4krRjaWngX-FBe5CkBudbloHociPV35wGB1bzA/s320/A27FEFF1-D16C-43D5-BC0E-0964B5E7330C.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's right, I fell over</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRxJy7jiJ802-MlSS1nv9AWeb0uQ6kJQ7wLQL_AZ3IGfNFM_9bWx2kyL5eMIFctkO4AKxw00aGt7i6RHWxEaSW8YQebHCyMPaTWrzJmT1xss4gekRoAbs9blKjnng8VZZWbN0lWsCeXE/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRxJy7jiJ802-MlSS1nv9AWeb0uQ6kJQ7wLQL_AZ3IGfNFM_9bWx2kyL5eMIFctkO4AKxw00aGt7i6RHWxEaSW8YQebHCyMPaTWrzJmT1xss4gekRoAbs9blKjnng8VZZWbN0lWsCeXE/s320/IMG_0166.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoover-Puss</td></tr>
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<b>JUNE</b><br />
In June we had an awesome long weekend away in Kinloch with some great trail running in very chilly temperatures and I even rode my bike in the ridiculously cold conditions. <br />
The following weekend I had a nasty bike crash on our Saturday ride when I hit an invisible rock and lost control of my front wheel. I almost took Jared out as well but his superior bike skills shone through and his hanger snapped and rear wheel locked up but he didn't come off. I was left with a deep graze on my knee and a few other ouchies and surprisingly just a few scuff marks on my bike. That put a halt on training for at least a week and it took at least 4 weeks for my knee to heal. It was a very uncomfortable couple of weeks. I also got sick around this time, so all in all was pretty miserable.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczB9yDbODArR24wTPXAuGHBimGhhQiCH4vFggFRUrI7qRRog8xr1i2HxtafnJJGR45EkQTXzH6ch4sLh7cKm1xaBDmQFcBKt_eqB2R9FmC_ih-iEhDIUQ3wU0t3Z95BhO0HngD-T9DSk/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczB9yDbODArR24wTPXAuGHBimGhhQiCH4vFggFRUrI7qRRog8xr1i2HxtafnJJGR45EkQTXzH6ch4sLh7cKm1xaBDmQFcBKt_eqB2R9FmC_ih-iEhDIUQ3wU0t3Z95BhO0HngD-T9DSk/s320/IMG_0262.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect day in Kinloch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmuqGqH1Cd69hBI6lzk3YFy2-9KFMKQGAc-J8Uo5pAQMVeonHXjodIcMFGH80IEAunKtclNL5AFke_YK028rYP2T-eM2fSA9G-cirbwlF6SNnf5cRoU6nsHnasO1ggO_-e1jp22bt4Rg/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmuqGqH1Cd69hBI6lzk3YFy2-9KFMKQGAc-J8Uo5pAQMVeonHXjodIcMFGH80IEAunKtclNL5AFke_YK028rYP2T-eM2fSA9G-cirbwlF6SNnf5cRoU6nsHnasO1ggO_-e1jp22bt4Rg/s320/IMG_0277.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAayMmW3EkSSozD6-pxCs1vnDsHFEl8hnZlfBflXXpun2m8K0btM4kjGufUKBzI1MojmKUAUWcduFIZCyx6uwUSL-w6MCYYaDBDTlIE82_ztNNjuAj2qWam1Pma4xen4vA_zkFcisYOKQ/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAayMmW3EkSSozD6-pxCs1vnDsHFEl8hnZlfBflXXpun2m8K0btM4kjGufUKBzI1MojmKUAUWcduFIZCyx6uwUSL-w6MCYYaDBDTlIE82_ztNNjuAj2qWam1Pma4xen4vA_zkFcisYOKQ/s320/IMG_0319.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OUCH</td></tr>
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<b>JULY</b><br />
The most exciting news for July was that we got a spa - yay! After many months of indecision we finally pulled the trigger and it is amazing. Spas after training and before bed are amazing.<br />
I also got some sexy new running shoes and made the decision that from now on ASICS DS Trainers are the only shoe for me.<br />
I went on a work trip to Queenstown so more running in fun new(ish) places.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-7IikYG7QLaDRzMw5VjMfLi4EOBI8tO6tJupATjFumUJOrO9r6YSI77zoj2uN2H4dR5BYtW2L2KnL-i4RGUtkbz28w3Rajt5JPx1TilzYbnQEsbPdns2TCV5giv0UAW9shehhM7Kbg0/s1600/IMG_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-7IikYG7QLaDRzMw5VjMfLi4EOBI8tO6tJupATjFumUJOrO9r6YSI77zoj2uN2H4dR5BYtW2L2KnL-i4RGUtkbz28w3Rajt5JPx1TilzYbnQEsbPdns2TCV5giv0UAW9shehhM7Kbg0/s320/IMG_0396.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My life is complete</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPclCBFcce_vr7LkxMC4bC96QDy2_ocWuLxSiGvlj7U6NAKZkhTDk45YFGYQ6EZcK-vQC_apvqqi7sbzclELdmggB7Sgl4aQf-6GlwdMpxEYjI5BxQdKHJ_F4ykRkkV31ku3KeygcG9o/s1600/IMG_0401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPclCBFcce_vr7LkxMC4bC96QDy2_ocWuLxSiGvlj7U6NAKZkhTDk45YFGYQ6EZcK-vQC_apvqqi7sbzclELdmggB7Sgl4aQf-6GlwdMpxEYjI5BxQdKHJ_F4ykRkkV31ku3KeygcG9o/s320/IMG_0401.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting the post windtraining leg lick/bite treatment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc9H1nav-Nf70NFPb9PLrLNrjQv2EZ2QjUmv6wwU33lGHPBazLoiVx7ByRrrKOaTPxyShFDl680w3hvyfXrfi7mvrzn3t0hdZvihWi8cUSH27o2Uqp_ZjWDXQgrN9VnnlBcVcN_Psjxw/s1600/IMG_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc9H1nav-Nf70NFPb9PLrLNrjQv2EZ2QjUmv6wwU33lGHPBazLoiVx7ByRrrKOaTPxyShFDl680w3hvyfXrfi7mvrzn3t0hdZvihWi8cUSH27o2Uqp_ZjWDXQgrN9VnnlBcVcN_Psjxw/s320/IMG_0470.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Queenstown pool and spa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFlEjnAPhxpR_0-Sptg7q-hk2VPucN_F5q-GV88rSPtyH_d6jmuj2UtuUyrXRJZOeI6BR6JF93HdXKJaS_pYLFotKAzNpDYgFSGrlfwee1SwD7CftxunNeLMdp743GKdzVjw7jaQI05M/s1600/IMG_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFlEjnAPhxpR_0-Sptg7q-hk2VPucN_F5q-GV88rSPtyH_d6jmuj2UtuUyrXRJZOeI6BR6JF93HdXKJaS_pYLFotKAzNpDYgFSGrlfwee1SwD7CftxunNeLMdp743GKdzVjw7jaQI05M/s320/IMG_0463.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running over the Shotover Bridge - note to runners: not very pedestrian friendly</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57b9Fpv1vLZsjz-9BQVtaTBjFa-AcYz8AE9YkFNFTHzDX4hyP90p6qxwWmmKHvcX3Zyre7Z7HZAfbwJHNFYrK7JneTDrcPN41uUbqElvt-ZD1HuBWH8R_8YBD2Qh6OXUmrYvGvxgkDRg/s1600/IMG_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57b9Fpv1vLZsjz-9BQVtaTBjFa-AcYz8AE9YkFNFTHzDX4hyP90p6qxwWmmKHvcX3Zyre7Z7HZAfbwJHNFYrK7JneTDrcPN41uUbqElvt-ZD1HuBWH8R_8YBD2Qh6OXUmrYvGvxgkDRg/s320/IMG_0474.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Remarkables looking quite remarkable</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7gUgU_nrqpvq53bEHrx5fUZ-PlnuC-cJ9wD27x-5d7hw4x5bUqvXTdS9CbANEa1RxadWZ1taQTg940S88yCuXJ-BKUd9fXVKgXC9Hq3YlKQhDSC_NKuE6YNKqdV5ECmTKLmpYsP-i4k/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7gUgU_nrqpvq53bEHrx5fUZ-PlnuC-cJ9wD27x-5d7hw4x5bUqvXTdS9CbANEa1RxadWZ1taQTg940S88yCuXJ-BKUd9fXVKgXC9Hq3YlKQhDSC_NKuE6YNKqdV5ECmTKLmpYsP-i4k/s320/IMG_0490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running next to the Lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyoAmPrwOtUl5lYMJGoMnOqMnvR8DV8fXR4tz0aKLeEwTsqLxSqU0hwgnYBuOvqRw0llLscBtmPzzzWYvOHgP3tTmE6DNPsrDU2RD3ziXDwVt3qrB7dbMZo20bsAQIpIqGiMP9KFZlHU/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyoAmPrwOtUl5lYMJGoMnOqMnvR8DV8fXR4tz0aKLeEwTsqLxSqU0hwgnYBuOvqRw0llLscBtmPzzzWYvOHgP3tTmE6DNPsrDU2RD3ziXDwVt3qrB7dbMZo20bsAQIpIqGiMP9KFZlHU/s320/IMG_0559.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DS Trainers are the only shoe for me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<b>AUGUST</b><br />
So now here we are in August, all caught up. We did Taupo Half Marathon last weekend in the most ridiculous weather conditions - about 1 degree and raining/sleeting the entire way. Warm up consisted of Jared and I sitting in the car with the heater on and heated seats on. I still achieved all my goals though and felt I ran as best I could given the conditions. I came in as 3rd girl (despite some rouge results which initially put me in 5th which have since been fixed up luckily) which I was pretty happy with and thankful for a weak field. Now I am sick again (twice in one winter - WTF?!) but on the mend and looking forward to starting running again.<br />
End of next week we are heading off on a South East Asia adventure to Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand and maybe will start to think about riding my bike a bit more when we return from that.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPWcsadY5v0x3SYOkYtXAyoewNtWTxMxqUd2H9_JsOu1QmhoMYCHNoid2-0tZdxNTFJ_x3iCBdx-7Dj-xYymv4iB5Mtk1eWt_Q0x54TZYOqNG7uGxsfx2-s2YyccxtTSV5RAhstbPS0k/s1600/IMG_0611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPWcsadY5v0x3SYOkYtXAyoewNtWTxMxqUd2H9_JsOu1QmhoMYCHNoid2-0tZdxNTFJ_x3iCBdx-7Dj-xYymv4iB5Mtk1eWt_Q0x54TZYOqNG7uGxsfx2-s2YyccxtTSV5RAhstbPS0k/s320/IMG_0611.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not what you really want to see on the way to a running race</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lq8ryV1e5TF4SBUB9J9Pcz4yg17LfELgsVw-pZCvTYrYPQONkpmJ5YY1SEtCzyk6iPuxXB09GAsalQCvEpO394xFyvl9GdYLK6cTd0bsOvTasFg1ERxwgsf1m-wiM6uzeksARHB8TxY/s1600/IMG_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lq8ryV1e5TF4SBUB9J9Pcz4yg17LfELgsVw-pZCvTYrYPQONkpmJ5YY1SEtCzyk6iPuxXB09GAsalQCvEpO394xFyvl9GdYLK6cTd0bsOvTasFg1ERxwgsf1m-wiM6uzeksARHB8TxY/s320/IMG_0641.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping dry in the spa</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-16617446405676363622016-01-27T20:36:00.000+13:002016-01-27T20:36:30.315+13:00Tauranga Half IronmanLet's be honest, Tauranga Half was a bit of a flop. I wasn't expecting to set the world on fire and I certainly didn't.<br />
The day before the race we were faced with solid rain and gale force winds - I have never done a race where they have cable tied the bikes onto the racks until now. My race pack got so wet walking from registration to the car that my number sticker wouldn't stick because half of the backing paper come off with it.<br />
Lucky for us the rain stopped overnight and we were faced with an overcast but rather breezy morning.<br />
The swim went well, a bit aggro at the start but good once I found my place and I came out of the water in a bit over 32 and half minutes which is a good time for me. <br />
The bike was a 40kmph+ average on the way out and 30kmph (if I was lucky) on the way back. I wasn't using power so am not sure if I over or underextened myself but the level of effort seemed about right. With the size of a field a shadow of it's former self there were no giant packs like we used to get. I remember last time I did it getting stuck in a bunch that was so huge people were riding 3 abreast. There were small bunches and a few times I had people around me but maybe the lack of people on the course explains the slower bike times. I got locked in a battle in the last 20km with another girl who seemed to take exception to me being in front of her so in the end I gave up and let her take the front thinking I would catch her on the run (spoiler alert: I didn't).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbl58WAN2FR7nIYyHPpq61ko9KvAg3DRUCRjqk4O_yG5Yi9GfmcvMQXVxx_sEqduIdCl63ZvgOmouIcRv8HFqfN2r4VTrjeUmclaPqjfqDD4P_bl34Szb9Qi6CO2Lhtgb-tXs-ItzgdQ/s1600/12465972_1031544553574278_1800207195323179494_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbl58WAN2FR7nIYyHPpq61ko9KvAg3DRUCRjqk4O_yG5Yi9GfmcvMQXVxx_sEqduIdCl63ZvgOmouIcRv8HFqfN2r4VTrjeUmclaPqjfqDD4P_bl34Szb9Qi6CO2Lhtgb-tXs-ItzgdQ/s320/12465972_1031544553574278_1800207195323179494_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tadpolemator running smoothly thanks to new rear derailleur, cassette, chain and chainrings...</td></tr>
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I thought my bike time would be about 2.35 including T2 - try 2.39 excluding T2.... Hmmmm.<br />
Onto the run and my trusty Garmin was not playing the game and couldn't connect to the satellites. I crossed paths with Jared at about 1.5km and as I had seen him walking when I was coming in off the bike, I knew it was not his day. So I did what any good wife would do - asked if I could use his Garmin. He was most obliging so we did a swap and I could finally see how fast I was running. My Garmin of course starting working fine once I gave it to him. I ran pretty steady for the first 7km but then started to lose it around the Mount base track and once I got back onto the road couldn't pick it back up enough. Cut a long story short I didn't really enjoy the run, got slower as I went and was glad to see the finish. Run time was 1hr42 - not the worst time in the world but had thought under 1hr40 was achievable. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVoFkRfyTABCOuDTodg_mP8I2xysQSPd9fGACz8ekVkF59MGns9rmKzfqNGKbbLnnWlYy3uvABcpMsKIzHRQgx2C7Sy9pFI5jqsGhDg7p3aBndfLVLoN7ryv2DYcUYbfkutLgnElwmHs/s1600/12493592_10153193321527821_8929532156720147644_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVoFkRfyTABCOuDTodg_mP8I2xysQSPd9fGACz8ekVkF59MGns9rmKzfqNGKbbLnnWlYy3uvABcpMsKIzHRQgx2C7Sy9pFI5jqsGhDg7p3aBndfLVLoN7ryv2DYcUYbfkutLgnElwmHs/s320/12493592_10153193321527821_8929532156720147644_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out the giant Garmin</td></tr>
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The less we say about Jared's result the better.<br />
I came 3rd in my age group (the 35-39 AG by the way, I am 9 months away from turning 35 and almost pulled my entry when I realized I would be in that AG) - I looked at the small start list the day before and thought a win in my AG shouldn't be too hard so maybe I was being punished for being cocky.<br />
On the bright side we had a fabulous long weekend away with some great company and weren't even put off children after spending 4 days with a 2 year old (in the throes of potty training) and a 5 week old.<br />
Now Jared is preparing to ride from Wellington to Auckland in mid February so I have been keeping him company on the bike, my hamstring has been a bit niggly since Tauranga so have just done some short runs and I bought a new pair of togs to make me want to keep swimming.<br />
Until next time tri-fans!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-13222114216144795622016-01-05T20:36:00.000+13:002016-01-05T20:36:32.428+13:002015 ReviewWhile 2015 may not have been my most successful year for blogging (I can count my blog entries on one hand and one finger) it was successful in many other ways. So after being inspired by my superfast USA friend <a href="http://swimbikeruntheworld.blogspot.co.nz/2015/12/2015-in-review.html" target="_blank">Amanda</a>, I bring to you 2015 in review.<br />
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2015 was probably the least triathlon focused year I have had since 2008. Not sure why, I kept ticking through with moderate amounts of training but hardly did any races. In fact when I count back I only did 3 triathlons - a sprint, an Olympic and an Ironman (at least I covered all my bases...), one half marathon, and a handful of O'Hagan's 5km races.<br />
On the non-triathlon side I had two awesome overseas holidays (without bikes), got engaged and got married, which might explain the lack of triathlon focus...<br />
So overall it was a pretty good year. Here are a few key points:<br />
<br />
<b>Best triathlon moment:</b><br />
Running sub 3.30 at IMNZ, this was quite an achievement for me and even topped setting a new Ironman PB on the same day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea8kp3eoLCmU00oE2Ia_YDIs34eZ9WiN8GD41qBPy-lEiTcwkK2suNE13CrT8NipY_Lc2h-7atkrZODgMn1BYunDpUONmAsapNzf4yPDzH9jAKv-fDhMaNp4A-cfWPaw5OlTpsYN1V1A/s1600/11036303_10152617776017821_3503580071654094190_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjea8kp3eoLCmU00oE2Ia_YDIs34eZ9WiN8GD41qBPy-lEiTcwkK2suNE13CrT8NipY_Lc2h-7atkrZODgMn1BYunDpUONmAsapNzf4yPDzH9jAKv-fDhMaNp4A-cfWPaw5OlTpsYN1V1A/s320/11036303_10152617776017821_3503580071654094190_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woman on a mission</td></tr>
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<br />
<b>Best triathlon related purchase:</b><br />
My favourite ASICS jacket which was $70 well spent to get me through winter running, and my Under Armour t-shirts (from the kids department of course) - perfect fit and super comfy.<br />
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<b>Best nutrition find:</b><br />
These delicious Moon Bars, gluten free for people that way inclined and taste delicious. My fav is Date and Pistachio.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2BwYk9Jg7WY1xBTKdFd-SgmEFMjS_mgQVGZx_O8Gcoae3UhnAIkhoDkMenBEvDqxVqlad32MfgcqsANufca9qUOAOKLP8QUE3JPYsNgpymWHw2MnrrPKjjDI8tGUdf5JBQ_brQg4zMI/s1600/10945846_10153056093046372_8312625982501611924_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2BwYk9Jg7WY1xBTKdFd-SgmEFMjS_mgQVGZx_O8Gcoae3UhnAIkhoDkMenBEvDqxVqlad32MfgcqsANufca9qUOAOKLP8QUE3JPYsNgpymWHw2MnrrPKjjDI8tGUdf5JBQ_brQg4zMI/s320/10945846_10153056093046372_8312625982501611924_o.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nom nom nom</td></tr>
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<b>Best training adventure:</b><br />
This is a toss up between and epic run we did from Paihia to Russell featuring two ferry rides, the Boxing Day swim to Rangitoto and off road run, or my pre-wedding Hen run. The Rangitoto swim was awesome but the run not so much after we got lost and did an extra 3.2km over a pretty un-runnable scoria and rock trail. At least we'll know the way for next year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAmw7iNif_T_bLVl70EhwvljXMHmxopQaHFXPlVKp6-xdloTP8W0-gvM7uw0Lgul_HxKSZSU4ukhxVG-hAumqkldC7dEdGXzzwqC_z0INZ_zU4UG0JHPsMEMv3JnGVCkI-D-N0nFpa7s/s1600/20151226_093207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAmw7iNif_T_bLVl70EhwvljXMHmxopQaHFXPlVKp6-xdloTP8W0-gvM7uw0Lgul_HxKSZSU4ukhxVG-hAumqkldC7dEdGXzzwqC_z0INZ_zU4UG0JHPsMEMv3JnGVCkI-D-N0nFpa7s/s320/20151226_093207.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles at the top of the volcano</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFym7kRagTWm6yWAN7F7OXQ0Tr7uw0TVipcVzbI7S7WMe47Gk9RA0_DKhTha2P3y5lx4rK0oMQMYDxSlA4LEUkDJN2BcNWw9vLbXX1MbPHqV32Phn6TU73-IjJ_q-KN-7Gq9VePSSgT0/s1600/20151226_082845_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFym7kRagTWm6yWAN7F7OXQ0Tr7uw0TVipcVzbI7S7WMe47Gk9RA0_DKhTha2P3y5lx4rK0oMQMYDxSlA4LEUkDJN2BcNWw9vLbXX1MbPHqV32Phn6TU73-IjJ_q-KN-7Gq9VePSSgT0/s320/20151226_082845_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post swimming</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiJjVPIF_sZDcSM7O5iPpMclBailF_31pjdyZj8XWH9dRyEwPS3pD1GL1CVUVfnhgopLIXK50NDq1wmYuMGxSQFN0sGdZ4mRXWSYeBjfNNZYYD_ietGtyulj8_fOqFj1wgbZ0eU_cb4g/s1600/20151226_060718_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiJjVPIF_sZDcSM7O5iPpMclBailF_31pjdyZj8XWH9dRyEwPS3pD1GL1CVUVfnhgopLIXK50NDq1wmYuMGxSQFN0sGdZ4mRXWSYeBjfNNZYYD_ietGtyulj8_fOqFj1wgbZ0eU_cb4g/s320/20151226_060718_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre swimming sunrise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN4LIOJEJ7_LiW6Ox62RnKkpvxe2Wepz_GJ61zVKyLuGhKLw7zryCDchDv0CMz1DCuJgAzlWH-MLDoV-J2mFCbY-VUEPmO2QEGtUNBMpOunzAfn7Uj_lsKwzrtILsgA4Pzan9f1XroHw/s1600/20151107_082816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitN4LIOJEJ7_LiW6Ox62RnKkpvxe2Wepz_GJ61zVKyLuGhKLw7zryCDchDv0CMz1DCuJgAzlWH-MLDoV-J2mFCbY-VUEPmO2QEGtUNBMpOunzAfn7Uj_lsKwzrtILsgA4Pzan9f1XroHw/s320/20151107_082816.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The running of the Hens</td></tr>
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<b>Best non-triathlon moment:</b></div>
Well I guess this would have to be getting married, or it could be getting engaged since I never thought any of it would ever happen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8EXSELnFIhu9io3q4bDLZVQQKFGf_vhoRLzC8Ni2mpMDUNLRA6ENJLUL56WBoHFt8g5_F0QiQUEWMwBrnzgVY0Flc-zGtJBWVDDQmOpGHDCSIQnr70uei4V_NgauXmxPz4k6POezFQQ/s1600/IMG_3177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8EXSELnFIhu9io3q4bDLZVQQKFGf_vhoRLzC8Ni2mpMDUNLRA6ENJLUL56WBoHFt8g5_F0QiQUEWMwBrnzgVY0Flc-zGtJBWVDDQmOpGHDCSIQnr70uei4V_NgauXmxPz4k6POezFQQ/s320/IMG_3177.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say cheese</td></tr>
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<br />
<b>Best new friend:</b><br />
Mr Daddy Long Arms<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFh-Oa3dhs4-yjE8coiADTVkA7FdNALAxhY0pXFrAgeJDmjbDUfIwQfF0H7cYA9d_we6HvQfxkeJMbD787EOWANYcCW48p-48zLACRlCXg4VQ6H8uYKpN6nJZ6Aj-5V39AbmrZUP1Ooo/s1600/20150926_204619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFh-Oa3dhs4-yjE8coiADTVkA7FdNALAxhY0pXFrAgeJDmjbDUfIwQfF0H7cYA9d_we6HvQfxkeJMbD787EOWANYcCW48p-48zLACRlCXg4VQ6H8uYKpN6nJZ6Aj-5V39AbmrZUP1Ooo/s320/20150926_204619.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marvin has the longest arms in the world</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkcJSoNYd2Q3fDYmRrOV8sNO2gN5YKCnxA4sNm5RAFqGYUi_bd-1Oo2E8ZlFLGuKLtzn2r7-OXr3Tpbtxv2oMOG_uwXRjLVLcfdxTqtbfObQFgIduShTs4-wEghWuLDwhfTNaEneUJ50/s1600/20160103_174404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkcJSoNYd2Q3fDYmRrOV8sNO2gN5YKCnxA4sNm5RAFqGYUi_bd-1Oo2E8ZlFLGuKLtzn2r7-OXr3Tpbtxv2oMOG_uwXRjLVLcfdxTqtbfObQFgIduShTs4-wEghWuLDwhfTNaEneUJ50/s320/20160103_174404.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming in for a headbutt</td></tr>
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<b><u>2016</u></b><br />
Blogging more in 2016 isn't one of my goals but I am doing Tauranga Half Ironman this weekend so I am sure I will do a race report soon. Other than that no set plans for 2016 so the world is my oyster :)<br />
<b><br /></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-15987207852969928012015-10-26T16:22:00.003+13:002015-10-26T16:22:48.305+13:00Welcome to SpringIt has been 2 months since my last post so I thought it was time for an update. As the title suggests, sping is now upon us so the weather has improved slightly. It has been warmer and sunny at times but horribly windy for the last couple of weeks. Not much rain though so we have made it out for a few long rides.<br />
In my last blog I was considering entering the Auckland Half Marathon which I did thinking I could run a decent time since it is quite a fast course. I was very motivated and even wrote up a little program. Even before I entered I was intermittantly suffering from dead leg issues whenever I tried to run, bike or swim (with kicking) hard which was a bit annoying - my legs felt they weren't getting enough blood or oxygen to them. I tried getting a few massages but that didn't help, I wasn't really training much or very hard so couldn't put it down to overtraining. After a very depressing long run where I tried to do uptempo but could run any faster than 4min30 pace on the flat, I made an appointment to see a sports physician. Turned out I was horribly iron-deficient and anaemic despite becoming a full on red meat eater over a year ago. I had iron injections a year ago when my iron got very low but (as I discovered when I saw my blood test history recently) that iron had been reduced by half just before Ironman NZ this year and by the beginning of October there was not much left in the tank.<br />
So when I said I felt like I wasn't getting enough oxygen to my legs that is basically what was happening since there wasn't enough haemoglobin to go around. Not ideal Half Marathon training. So I started on the iron pronto and had a whole barrage of blood and poos and wees tests to see why I lose so much iron. The good news is that I am absorbing the iron tablets and my haemoglobin has gone up so I am feeling much more normal but it is all a bit late for me to run a good time next weekend. So once I stop the iron we will just need to monitor it more closely and do more investigations if it drops.<br />
It is very puzzling because I have always had issues with iron but I didn't eat red meat, and now that I do eat red meat it hasn't seemed to make any difference so there is obviously something going on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGOc1dDVUmFYKqJkEnVyQVHfTeVjCPDHxEG6q3WbubKxFYw49oNYBotYnoPgIaSBae0PN4nKKn-73r0076wzxu1L4wziK6tfgrrAOG3UssVHP7janNUuyx4YMCt0Tlj5Kl6JUBxKZMqY/s1600/20151011_112658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGOc1dDVUmFYKqJkEnVyQVHfTeVjCPDHxEG6q3WbubKxFYw49oNYBotYnoPgIaSBae0PN4nKKn-73r0076wzxu1L4wziK6tfgrrAOG3UssVHP7janNUuyx4YMCt0Tlj5Kl6JUBxKZMqY/s320/20151011_112658.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kona watching on the NEW carpet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVA8MH8GioxcGd6eRVvniJVoqsOadeiIS-qOX3mFEtzJecpd6UDveR87B9PfzRvFc5dylgO5kn-9384vDwl5EYAKn5xXRngZ6vR2hPyVxcFmjPDy2v0KAnJVMd-chq2FK2FVv-L2V2UY/s1600/20151008_074156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHVA8MH8GioxcGd6eRVvniJVoqsOadeiIS-qOX3mFEtzJecpd6UDveR87B9PfzRvFc5dylgO5kn-9384vDwl5EYAKn5xXRngZ6vR2hPyVxcFmjPDy2v0KAnJVMd-chq2FK2FVv-L2V2UY/s320/20151008_074156.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying screw you old carpet, I'm windtraining inside (mainly because the garage was full...)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-ztMuTm8SG8sLYrFf5_sOJBk3SgybOxo9xDG-ij8EM14wiEUU8hFOQRhqcfVdPFXDRxRyPXAm8wRF2qdg1zQAVWbLS11ZJAtSXfrJ4qRyc4C9eBlbw3w0Yri3JDZzWgpoPpGesYaSak/s1600/20150927_155700_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-ztMuTm8SG8sLYrFf5_sOJBk3SgybOxo9xDG-ij8EM14wiEUU8hFOQRhqcfVdPFXDRxRyPXAm8wRF2qdg1zQAVWbLS11ZJAtSXfrJ4qRyc4C9eBlbw3w0Yri3JDZzWgpoPpGesYaSak/s320/20150927_155700_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally we have a vege garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpd9_XzcWOiyiwX4k2AuiRiW24rxBhV7wF6yLn_lBJAJBImCAT6IsT4RvHocQShXtCz2DjDnA1777fAlr2_WsSGJxJhz8oWpRjVo6fFHDDBrxKqwqwInaakna5P9bP80sByC2Cu840l4/s1600/20151023_213212_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpd9_XzcWOiyiwX4k2AuiRiW24rxBhV7wF6yLn_lBJAJBImCAT6IsT4RvHocQShXtCz2DjDnA1777fAlr2_WsSGJxJhz8oWpRjVo6fFHDDBrxKqwqwInaakna5P9bP80sByC2Cu840l4/s320/20151023_213212_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently this is comfortable</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeopjPCsAOP8ydFxykGRzGxpUVLU3UFqDgFayTuuK_Ji6-EV0G96bqoRFh3mcaa02T5Re9AnhUMRfNcyFlEY1mYG8ZNfu8Y1jy1o5larmpqzfdNWBvedyFMJtTUTsJ4EQWVZpto29U-I/s1600/20151018_181721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeopjPCsAOP8ydFxykGRzGxpUVLU3UFqDgFayTuuK_Ji6-EV0G96bqoRFh3mcaa02T5Re9AnhUMRfNcyFlEY1mYG8ZNfu8Y1jy1o5larmpqzfdNWBvedyFMJtTUTsJ4EQWVZpto29U-I/s320/20151018_181721.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof that I eat meat<br /></td></tr>
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We are now T minus 13 days until the wedding of the year which is very exciting. I am very excited about my pre wedding Hen run which is as good as it gets for a Hen's party for me. I have had so many people seem horrified that I am going running the day of my wedding which I don't get. If I need to be worried about falling over or hurting myself before my wedding at what point am I supposed to stop doing things?! Shouldn't I stop riding my bike or crossing the road at least 6 weeks before to allow for any injuries from those activities?! People are funny.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCqbhTT4qib-J0Z3Put3c90D8-RW56GUuCGyW_GvphkbUXi7oBEsscrws1Qrg87ikZEI-mOJXceVzkJ7Rdqd71E0xgW0j8pJHXnubAqNaFG1K3dRYZTFMq3zsVeNKzQkOKrY69xNH_FM/s1600/20151020_095724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCqbhTT4qib-J0Z3Put3c90D8-RW56GUuCGyW_GvphkbUXi7oBEsscrws1Qrg87ikZEI-mOJXceVzkJ7Rdqd71E0xgW0j8pJHXnubAqNaFG1K3dRYZTFMq3zsVeNKzQkOKrY69xNH_FM/s320/20151020_095724.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It will be run with military precision</td></tr>
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Anyway. I gues next update I will be a married woman!! And then my blog title will be wrong, hmmmm.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-9724814802923103922015-08-24T20:25:00.001+12:002015-08-24T20:34:04.466+12:00Hibernating for WinterSo it looks like I have pretty much just skipped through winter but I have actually been quite busy training for a new event - a wedding! That's right, I will no longer be a Bridget Jones - phew.<br />
I have discovered that I am an <a href="http://www.brides.com/blogs/aisle-say/2015/01/signs-you-are-anti-bride.html" target="_blank">anti-bride</a> (although I always had a feeling that would be the case) but even planning a teeny-tiny wedding takes a bit of time.<br />
Here is a quick month by month recap:<br />
<br />
<b>JUNE:</b><br />
Our much anticipated USA trip - Yosemite, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Route 66, Las Vegas and Hawaii, good times all round topped off with an engagement on Waikiki Beach - doesn't get much better than that! Yosemite was a highlight, we did a bit of hiking and running in some amazing scenery and slept in a bear proof tent cabin. Running on the Las Vegas Strip was a bit of an experience as well.<br />
Came home full of enthusiasm for treadmill running after using hotel treadmills so bought one for ourselves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtz6id6pPQh6Gh15sXzcHOiGhSSqIXhdKMglGZ97N6qTLm_ZWFsBpgFTPTu85r0pfpacP0WtAii4YQfldpJGje1xf0AVa0mqwx7gUbW3qIF2MfQZbw0_s-E2gc5bgRwUnw54J8DTbI3o/s1600/PhotoGrid_1433706996335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtz6id6pPQh6Gh15sXzcHOiGhSSqIXhdKMglGZ97N6qTLm_ZWFsBpgFTPTu85r0pfpacP0WtAii4YQfldpJGje1xf0AVa0mqwx7gUbW3qIF2MfQZbw0_s-E2gc5bgRwUnw54J8DTbI3o/s320/PhotoGrid_1433706996335.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yosemite we love you</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbV4nHC17o-pyRI8D9FStwEBRV4YyyuPOoD_i3lB3vHpaeRkY0gCebJu2LKnb4rG9tu3KiQIRjco81m_dXK0tQYpa9miLyZKXEPo3_wNzP-2ykmUWaS6dBj_AnxuD5x_YeQjZU08uMU4I/s1600/PhotoGrid_1433706851518-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbV4nHC17o-pyRI8D9FStwEBRV4YyyuPOoD_i3lB3vHpaeRkY0gCebJu2LKnb4rG9tu3KiQIRjco81m_dXK0tQYpa9miLyZKXEPo3_wNzP-2ykmUWaS6dBj_AnxuD5x_YeQjZU08uMU4I/s320/PhotoGrid_1433706851518-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glamping</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVlRjX0nMFiXgkmLVHsFTr8zCFU5Qk9D4DGO05HYWztgdTSEb1FTb0vZjf62Bf7qGFSe7KteQ5UxiqZKAjR8ciHjgm_lGayxkU-HrzvbtHeisG9yZviMNMHCzE-CzkMtW81J9-dFOzXo/s1600/PhotoGrid_1433707098997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVlRjX0nMFiXgkmLVHsFTr8zCFU5Qk9D4DGO05HYWztgdTSEb1FTb0vZjf62Bf7qGFSe7KteQ5UxiqZKAjR8ciHjgm_lGayxkU-HrzvbtHeisG9yZviMNMHCzE-CzkMtW81J9-dFOzXo/s320/PhotoGrid_1433707098997.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Yosemite </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMnizj2i2J_zoH2okh8FZVzUcSj7zlhvHCCETBGvOkED1fd1NwEKVhTJ2kn23VuG5gbBt_1EVenzGUIhOl8MX4Jg7afPMGyoSLCMkZNXQFjBoD4FlcrNw-PLR3u2cL5IzAmR6etirm2g/s1600/PhotoGrid_1433707332481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMnizj2i2J_zoH2okh8FZVzUcSj7zlhvHCCETBGvOkED1fd1NwEKVhTJ2kn23VuG5gbBt_1EVenzGUIhOl8MX4Jg7afPMGyoSLCMkZNXQFjBoD4FlcrNw-PLR3u2cL5IzAmR6etirm2g/s320/PhotoGrid_1433707332481.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Death Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxb0jFs1n2TNdTeFd-IzzttwbXpxA1JrB2xj5ExLOUYI5B2SMpIDfAsbwgV4I87WtM07uF5hGSBmG7vPImQcFdbarzUV5UI3YuTWh7cft1fBGt2sXWdUrlpEw0yCKF59MtmnAa9dUC6Q/s1600/PhotoGrid_1433707462493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxb0jFs1n2TNdTeFd-IzzttwbXpxA1JrB2xj5ExLOUYI5B2SMpIDfAsbwgV4I87WtM07uF5hGSBmG7vPImQcFdbarzUV5UI3YuTWh7cft1fBGt2sXWdUrlpEw0yCKF59MtmnAa9dUC6Q/s320/PhotoGrid_1433707462493.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big respect for all the Badwater 135 runners, I could barely walk form the car to here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtp-eDxOllyTu1rry2xvnf93vAZ6P_4wPKV1ghCKHaC9vmLh_S7Njl0KTiGQ2XFz1KumEZuYxizyxOCyaainUR72Y7H8cWSDMRm3hLty-cbrMKd5r2bXy870Qo7OTJp5kewa42xJ1f7Q0/s1600/PhotoGrid_1433707995955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtp-eDxOllyTu1rry2xvnf93vAZ6P_4wPKV1ghCKHaC9vmLh_S7Njl0KTiGQ2XFz1KumEZuYxizyxOCyaainUR72Y7H8cWSDMRm3hLty-cbrMKd5r2bXy870Qo7OTJp5kewa42xJ1f7Q0/s320/PhotoGrid_1433707995955.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegas baby</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsezcj-OnjqnY9kKH3Ifw_jG2Bh028gaKNmRXg6IwOJunHiNFylFbs61IaIrnaIOpJlYeV4iJpfVjTClqDbryu9pakYoaWwMEL4-1OgUAVG7pkjwp5jTIurFc7yqSe_YNSnyF0tPeutQ/s1600/PhotoGrid_1433707551001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsezcj-OnjqnY9kKH3Ifw_jG2Bh028gaKNmRXg6IwOJunHiNFylFbs61IaIrnaIOpJlYeV4iJpfVjTClqDbryu9pakYoaWwMEL4-1OgUAVG7pkjwp5jTIurFc7yqSe_YNSnyF0tPeutQ/s320/PhotoGrid_1433707551001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grand Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonvzh5PTf_3VJ2TMoi_M8uxlwvn3woVy5XeONHPXnINuIuQDUDLKnIPUj75zdzNUaAnqFTV_VxagIma_5yqyKPnuWVNTzYy_R6JKWldf8T8wrfdJEpH2eogj-PPcRODZQ-TTr4X1azBE/s1600/PhotoGrid_1433707692461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonvzh5PTf_3VJ2TMoi_M8uxlwvn3woVy5XeONHPXnINuIuQDUDLKnIPUj75zdzNUaAnqFTV_VxagIma_5yqyKPnuWVNTzYy_R6JKWldf8T8wrfdJEpH2eogj-PPcRODZQ-TTr4X1azBE/s320/PhotoGrid_1433707692461.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Canyon and wildlife (and Jared)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhFH4hjBPHoMi4JnnbTpcLiPntGxc20sVjCVDtVjWejTEVen0AmBZ9EwYubiYOP2CQesDS3srrAMfsrJuhafFitvHad4hhp_DdNduP3Bh6R0oKzDZadOQa0A2fe4j-0RZeQsidoFgcQ4/s1600/PhotoGrid_1433707865871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhFH4hjBPHoMi4JnnbTpcLiPntGxc20sVjCVDtVjWejTEVen0AmBZ9EwYubiYOP2CQesDS3srrAMfsrJuhafFitvHad4hhp_DdNduP3Bh6R0oKzDZadOQa0A2fe4j-0RZeQsidoFgcQ4/s320/PhotoGrid_1433707865871.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bright lights of Vegas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhPBeBLkN1kKznhHiHvNCUNe8gi_dmdYVe8Az9CdK4EoJOwdNsI3aH7r-GxgngXDx2giGmyg9Zcb_LSlO-YQbeWBECRpwaEc6dtX7UNi3ak6oDqP5JmyoDL3luUXPB0sxoi68zDNNA1U/s1600/PhotoGrid_1433708308328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhPBeBLkN1kKznhHiHvNCUNe8gi_dmdYVe8Az9CdK4EoJOwdNsI3aH7r-GxgngXDx2giGmyg9Zcb_LSlO-YQbeWBECRpwaEc6dtX7UNi3ak6oDqP5JmyoDL3luUXPB0sxoi68zDNNA1U/s320/PhotoGrid_1433708308328.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long live the buffet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5QUCBwd5ctzKR7AofZ1jg8pdSmRrLolUk7W7O_M7dPKhNJN9_urue6_h7XkOuVfN7jRIT_0mRCyHg_2IkZQyfS2Yg9GG0Yg7tw-SJpXmP5A4NR3bdgJPZi_mZ0sdpUvtAjKF1XFBcSI/s1600/PhotoGrid_1434003270078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5QUCBwd5ctzKR7AofZ1jg8pdSmRrLolUk7W7O_M7dPKhNJN9_urue6_h7XkOuVfN7jRIT_0mRCyHg_2IkZQyfS2Yg9GG0Yg7tw-SJpXmP5A4NR3bdgJPZi_mZ0sdpUvtAjKF1XFBcSI/s320/PhotoGrid_1434003270078.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The blue skies and white sands of Hawaii</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>JULY:</b><br />
The month of the deathly illness. Someone came to work with a horrible cold and it spread through the office like a wildfire. It was just a cold not flu but it was a bad one and took me out for a couple of weeks. Jared contracted it too but to a lesser extent. Once that was over training resumed as normal depending on weather. We had a burst of enthusiasm at one point and planned to ride around K2 at the end of August but fortunately that plan got vetoed after Nick contracted a much more severe deathly illness and wasn't going to up to it. I was quite relieved because we had only managed one long ride of just under 4 hours which would have made a 200km quite painful. The weather was really quite crap most of the time so we spent a bit of time on the windtrainers. <br />
Once I was well again I resumed my weekly long runs home from work and even managed to score myself a running partner - we discuss our impending weddings and solve the problems of Auckland transport.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVT8TRD2hyAIPcxRAdk1eznR2zKT7qxq36R7SFWVKLdghVtrSdhkUC4o5sxw-7VEvXpEQvY72DMv15-CnI9dSfgINWnBp-Xr9XyYqNjPPJ82cLqVpUUCM6O6DIjLJzthpiu6meLepnL2Q/s1600/20150712_092129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVT8TRD2hyAIPcxRAdk1eznR2zKT7qxq36R7SFWVKLdghVtrSdhkUC4o5sxw-7VEvXpEQvY72DMv15-CnI9dSfgINWnBp-Xr9XyYqNjPPJ82cLqVpUUCM6O6DIjLJzthpiu6meLepnL2Q/s320/20150712_092129.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rather chilly ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KVyGrY3I4wtOfc6l_FjRZIfMq5WjgRPpebJM-Uc8YDntmRftk8b8M66HACUt_awf_3IvsArV5ZeL0nJwheW2H7viyJfzvjBSAQDepXpsHRBEtZCZh3WxZ1Zv-WsB5kjQ6xroXBAobzs/s1600/20150704_144210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KVyGrY3I4wtOfc6l_FjRZIfMq5WjgRPpebJM-Uc8YDntmRftk8b8M66HACUt_awf_3IvsArV5ZeL0nJwheW2H7viyJfzvjBSAQDepXpsHRBEtZCZh3WxZ1Zv-WsB5kjQ6xroXBAobzs/s320/20150704_144210.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to get desperate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0VgAMBiO-8gitMkIFZdlsqPVyaQlNLDDUqaL_Ez5D6YAiqccWbRmdJd9I69HXxLwu2oe4wraBatij-dgEZP3AG6omCkwXDHklODiEVcAxpLpim2ISwf4_8jec0RTxjhNbC1Nun6f7wI/s1600/20150628_114603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0VgAMBiO-8gitMkIFZdlsqPVyaQlNLDDUqaL_Ez5D6YAiqccWbRmdJd9I69HXxLwu2oe4wraBatij-dgEZP3AG6omCkwXDHklODiEVcAxpLpim2ISwf4_8jec0RTxjhNbC1Nun6f7wI/s320/20150628_114603.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoga time at the zoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>AUGUST:</b><br />
The weather hasn't much improved so riding has been a bit hit and miss but running has been pretty consistent. I should mention I got heaps of cool running gear in the USA which makes winter running much more fun. Under Armour is huge in the States and the Las Vegas outlet store had a whole side of kids gear where I went a bit nuts. I had a moment of enthusaism the other day while driving over the Harbour Bridge and thought I might do the Auckland Half Marathon although at $112 for the entry I became a bit less enthusiastic.<br />
Oh and the biggest news of August is getting a new car! The Silver Bullet has been retired and replaced by the LGM (Little Grey Mazda). The LGM does seem to be quite a bit smaller though so not as convenient for normal size bikes to fit in the back but they don't normally get transported in my car so not too much of a big deal.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpja6LaF-PWOl2NOXPpBsX2WIf-ZBlJZvr7r677_VxD-kRoTiiPdshAk1-O7Oqlu8oMzlj3dZsFFdEA2HXU3Ur7TNYs8DVyenRCGYOtd3y3qy9DPUf07a7MP-L-HXz8HFhJyrdB3gcxKo/s1600/20150604_145804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpja6LaF-PWOl2NOXPpBsX2WIf-ZBlJZvr7r677_VxD-kRoTiiPdshAk1-O7Oqlu8oMzlj3dZsFFdEA2HXU3Ur7TNYs8DVyenRCGYOtd3y3qy9DPUf07a7MP-L-HXz8HFhJyrdB3gcxKo/s320/20150604_145804.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting trendy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oy3XAh4dpmCu75gLZFK3VTkDNoeYjB_mxYn5WD4LpN6nup_84frUWf6RyhrYlCswKeJXHoIQi4_Ot4Wg4esCXF8ezTq7-VW2CFPoFc5klHIYeYFLcFVcx0ctFWTChFfNQBcFFNfczBc/s1600/20150811_195610_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oy3XAh4dpmCu75gLZFK3VTkDNoeYjB_mxYn5WD4LpN6nup_84frUWf6RyhrYlCswKeJXHoIQi4_Ot4Wg4esCXF8ezTq7-VW2CFPoFc5klHIYeYFLcFVcx0ctFWTChFfNQBcFFNfczBc/s320/20150811_195610_Richtone%2528HDR%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat in a box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnuxOKEzyi17YnSG26TMonZMOyj6Qx5_OFGfi4dV3xSTaIwPMnfqb5ummndyrCi2VIlO0ydg5mzcBAm3TYXCmVDL981J7EJ15hXjoIlL45u3wfW1CSD_lcMlWYv-TAZ6H4T-s60WY0QE/s1600/20150815_173158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnuxOKEzyi17YnSG26TMonZMOyj6Qx5_OFGfi4dV3xSTaIwPMnfqb5ummndyrCi2VIlO0ydg5mzcBAm3TYXCmVDL981J7EJ15hXjoIlL45u3wfW1CSD_lcMlWYv-TAZ6H4T-s60WY0QE/s320/20150815_173158.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LGM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvfjRsMB1JFw094rrR3l9A4dpBgRtlUrfPuJdXkZfaxRNebTI253uvg3CfFi85oS3EnkJxER0vFKfQf4TeI-yH_I9WNiqTUn_duAEiuVEirv3n4dJMN8QuHx07gTJnKYIXgs3yLqPxc8/s1600/20150816_090602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvfjRsMB1JFw094rrR3l9A4dpBgRtlUrfPuJdXkZfaxRNebTI253uvg3CfFi85oS3EnkJxER0vFKfQf4TeI-yH_I9WNiqTUn_duAEiuVEirv3n4dJMN8QuHx07gTJnKYIXgs3yLqPxc8/s320/20150816_090602.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared making friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-40977992512646545262015-05-06T21:43:00.003+12:002015-05-06T21:44:41.606+12:00Post Ironman Slothing<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbgcOKsreuDDCKXvaoWz04TAU3O90cBfGS3mWwFN1QHMI2dZeLtE1EAheoxPg364eAFLXahgQP4ET3NtdRT__gu6D60UXFbD-dhfKdLfQxgsyZ-rUPEdcO9nAkeBiADm0Tx06eMG2GVc/s1600/sloth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbgcOKsreuDDCKXvaoWz04TAU3O90cBfGS3mWwFN1QHMI2dZeLtE1EAheoxPg364eAFLXahgQP4ET3NtdRT__gu6D60UXFbD-dhfKdLfQxgsyZ-rUPEdcO9nAkeBiADm0Tx06eMG2GVc/s1600/sloth.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High two's all round</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I have been in hiding since Ironman. Actually not really but I have been a bit lazy.<br />
I had 2 weeks off running and have since then been fighting an upper hamstring problem (an actual pain in the bum) which was there before Ironman but conveniently disappeared a few weeks before. Not a major problem but just means I haven't been able to progress from about 25km per week so my short lived plans to do Huntly Half Marathon were quickly put on the kibosh.<br />
We have been swimming since the week after Ironman but it has lost some of it's enjoyment (not that there is ever much enjoyment) since our coaches have implemented a new fascist regime.<br />
And we have started to do a few longer rides in the weekend but have done a lot of pootling and sleeping in when we should be riding. The wind trainers have been dusted off though and I am looking forward to participating in the TrainerRoad Tour of California event starting at the end of the week.<br />
In an attempt to overcome my Post Ironman Depression I have been planning a trip to the USA for us at the end of May (an actual holiday with no bikes - OMG), 22 days to go!<br />
Here are some photos in reverse order.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBaYcaUvlZudurfgg2KwVjp2JOC-5jF-RTJlo63z64zAbL0VPzV_6N-pCw2RMBar_C1Y3zAzp5B4e2tvTwVuc2bdGRGVZi9iJuOGwuyS0hPvGA6yUYEMY1pIs6jopiWn-a9tRinaZW84/s1600/20150506_080858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBaYcaUvlZudurfgg2KwVjp2JOC-5jF-RTJlo63z64zAbL0VPzV_6N-pCw2RMBar_C1Y3zAzp5B4e2tvTwVuc2bdGRGVZi9iJuOGwuyS0hPvGA6yUYEMY1pIs6jopiWn-a9tRinaZW84/s1600/20150506_080858.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I fell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhAKUCoXzQjpu7owAo8OzVKz6Mz7n5LXueSDyEhD-TrrOf54_C1TTyyB3VgfVsE_70SshYsdDrILMvRoOSuo6SCf2wUDpryjK4nFcjCgbHBr__tNjoWzBKVn0kHs1mmb855ndBYgqNxg/s1600/IMG_20150428_121423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhAKUCoXzQjpu7owAo8OzVKz6Mz7n5LXueSDyEhD-TrrOf54_C1TTyyB3VgfVsE_70SshYsdDrILMvRoOSuo6SCf2wUDpryjK4nFcjCgbHBr__tNjoWzBKVn0kHs1mmb855ndBYgqNxg/s1600/IMG_20150428_121423.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy garage wall art</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN6g0_vk1C8tLW-g6IW-nMNiE5FiPCd4c8Ird93fv8MbiTVaR95BGU0mZui9NbIKiuTc-DPASKtzVCEkOh1jhP5sXVc77bawd_aN0Ey5bGaaqc_4w75yuaChwyvFTlqtKSm87jQx2-UI/s1600/20150423_083007_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN6g0_vk1C8tLW-g6IW-nMNiE5FiPCd4c8Ird93fv8MbiTVaR95BGU0mZui9NbIKiuTc-DPASKtzVCEkOh1jhP5sXVc77bawd_aN0Ey5bGaaqc_4w75yuaChwyvFTlqtKSm87jQx2-UI/s1600/20150423_083007_HDR.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Black has conquered the fence</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbvLItmWm4t3l8E6mW3p5XpZnQnsYGa2zWJK5P42C23CykKJIGmO3buOI4mILkzz5XmVbKctQaomWPboPaQBTHVPUQ8qb4PXcSTFCbhIgLjTRK7YhHZq3TRU_38kYnmZX48QZR3tVKZ0/s1600/20150422_173422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqbvLItmWm4t3l8E6mW3p5XpZnQnsYGa2zWJK5P42C23CykKJIGmO3buOI4mILkzz5XmVbKctQaomWPboPaQBTHVPUQ8qb4PXcSTFCbhIgLjTRK7YhHZq3TRU_38kYnmZX48QZR3tVKZ0/s1600/20150422_173422.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the run home got dark</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDysqW4ph_pey-52St1B0_Kvhw7SeKnsvHeKHzAfsCgHnSuRuVMQLaT9m9CnwxoyA1As5-OCloK64lj1cihRjG7HTzTsdhk6waR0ueyNfuPV4DJc_raiBSpIbAi-oPc0pdeeOqlDqmCv8/s1600/image-bf79e4523acf0cf4cc9423f68765f97a62d8c8058ed90014de5464344a1ea5e3-V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDysqW4ph_pey-52St1B0_Kvhw7SeKnsvHeKHzAfsCgHnSuRuVMQLaT9m9CnwxoyA1As5-OCloK64lj1cihRjG7HTzTsdhk6waR0ueyNfuPV4DJc_raiBSpIbAi-oPc0pdeeOqlDqmCv8/s1600/image-bf79e4523acf0cf4cc9423f68765f97a62d8c8058ed90014de5464344a1ea5e3-V.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember the time we were all in France?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFRcZuLmPFaroO4TS2vnsW7r8Oxp4XWBEOdkM0IUst7yRvOWB8AS70kaybrt54xZB6BL90DVLRIvvamWNoX0w_8zjX1JvZIR62IiCZPAv3kntdk-6bLlsx-pUeR8q5wj1tW9w08IMAes/s1600/20150406_145602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFRcZuLmPFaroO4TS2vnsW7r8Oxp4XWBEOdkM0IUst7yRvOWB8AS70kaybrt54xZB6BL90DVLRIvvamWNoX0w_8zjX1JvZIR62IiCZPAv3kntdk-6bLlsx-pUeR8q5wj1tW9w08IMAes/s1600/20150406_145602.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaVeJATUUHYrWKd6h5xWZkeqRoSrJOzZZgeVQf1DoIL2tbMvvPiuP-yoxqXIUqgqkwiUp4dyKZr9m1ehRPfshNG7hcRh6p1SKJ6Ji3cDe8cpSoQaBAxcJOtpk1aH9Z6754vPB8gL-JIY/s1600/20150405_122923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaVeJATUUHYrWKd6h5xWZkeqRoSrJOzZZgeVQf1DoIL2tbMvvPiuP-yoxqXIUqgqkwiUp4dyKZr9m1ehRPfshNG7hcRh6p1SKJ6Ji3cDe8cpSoQaBAxcJOtpk1aH9Z6754vPB8gL-JIY/s1600/20150405_122923.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCWTKGy7SKdsuQTgI3BzSgAwCyohgCqy2O2VK5-55B0Pu3ZtPRkBgq9KK36hxnrdt-4vveTcVEw_LfMrRw4mrPC2Ed3tk8b2JrtDeoXVcDTTQXW2dAz5ApaMXVhMtie-he-IHS4N-1dc/s1600/20150320_234908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCWTKGy7SKdsuQTgI3BzSgAwCyohgCqy2O2VK5-55B0Pu3ZtPRkBgq9KK36hxnrdt-4vveTcVEw_LfMrRw4mrPC2Ed3tk8b2JrtDeoXVcDTTQXW2dAz5ApaMXVhMtie-he-IHS4N-1dc/s1600/20150320_234908.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to a wedding (two actually) and got pissed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezYDJH3Lp9LqJ4xa9UTqumI4TNwBQAxQ55tgb9RNsRcUf-tu7bQAfGmrdQCjk8YKkhJy9Lf43s6fL2U8TMnvjQ_UuXofn4njGS6EBd9QKf5n8Le1BY4iOBv2Es0zXBvhnqKrmHrrtTsQ/s1600/20150314_205040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezYDJH3Lp9LqJ4xa9UTqumI4TNwBQAxQ55tgb9RNsRcUf-tu7bQAfGmrdQCjk8YKkhJy9Lf43s6fL2U8TMnvjQ_UuXofn4njGS6EBd9QKf5n8Le1BY4iOBv2Es0zXBvhnqKrmHrrtTsQ/s1600/20150314_205040.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post IM treats</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcl37XcLidOPklon6m7wuoiQnbSjbHHXUGELRS8yyBlM1GtA2fzSzWdJIOw-Qf0yZUjkujiZGhmGRoPzXmREnLMxHtj0T7llyRv4upCjSYqGYcxtg3oc9RfpcrFtYny4sDaNcIwZAo8QQ/s1600/20150314_183959_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcl37XcLidOPklon6m7wuoiQnbSjbHHXUGELRS8yyBlM1GtA2fzSzWdJIOw-Qf0yZUjkujiZGhmGRoPzXmREnLMxHtj0T7llyRv4upCjSYqGYcxtg3oc9RfpcrFtYny4sDaNcIwZAo8QQ/s1600/20150314_183959_HDR.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC's surveying their domain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPKbNUYtMXlXIDIWg73FMlfYIxbX84kwMxODpVuceZQArYjRNpcVKp2ztqWpLQ4OMp24fmnI7f27IwIpXp35KsYZK_Im8DWf2WddwL49Pmoly_IVacjQ0NaKEfTVaAgF6szzj2YeTa8w/s1600/20150314_092242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPKbNUYtMXlXIDIWg73FMlfYIxbX84kwMxODpVuceZQArYjRNpcVKp2ztqWpLQ4OMp24fmnI7f27IwIpXp35KsYZK_Im8DWf2WddwL49Pmoly_IVacjQ0NaKEfTVaAgF6szzj2YeTa8w/s1600/20150314_092242.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a cookie in the mail</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-86643855998592369912015-03-11T22:08:00.003+13:002015-03-12T08:16:52.774+13:00You are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think I have run out of appropriate Winston Churchill quotes so have used the words from one of my favourite authors, A.A.Milne, as the title for my Ironman New Zealand race report. I think it is applicable because among other things, a successful Ironman takes courage, strength and intelligence. And the ability to make yourself hurt like you have never hurt before...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9BjBv-kg6T8KGqSyVZceptmrdJEe0JK0vqHRBYEDM4tNZUKXZm5iMNmnWFsN0AHFHh0PfE2r2KO3YRwdi02r5y6B0YJUuWLjK8HSUbHWUauOg5gekHZrxyV2aBRPzaJ_elKthMJPUCM/s1600/promise-me-youll-always-remember-youre-braver-than-you-believe-and-stronger-than-you-seem-and-smarter-than-you-think-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9BjBv-kg6T8KGqSyVZceptmrdJEe0JK0vqHRBYEDM4tNZUKXZm5iMNmnWFsN0AHFHh0PfE2r2KO3YRwdi02r5y6B0YJUuWLjK8HSUbHWUauOg5gekHZrxyV2aBRPzaJ_elKthMJPUCM/s1600/promise-me-youll-always-remember-youre-braver-than-you-believe-and-stronger-than-you-seem-and-smarter-than-you-think-28.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
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Taupo threw everything it had to us on Saturday - sun, wind, heat, rain, tailwind, headwind, gale force winds... I tend to get quite psyched out by bad weather so was a bit stressed in the days leading up to the race but as race day approached it seemed that the weather would be fine until later in the afternoon which is pretty much exactly how it turned out.<br />
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I started the swim about 3 rows back near the middle and almost drowned in the first 200m. It was the most aggresive swim start I have been in for a while, even 1000m down the road I would have the occasional person pushing me under. The lake was flat and a perfect temperature so good conditions for fast swimming. Sometimes when I am swimming I look around me and am surrounded by people with terrible technique who look like they can't even swim properly - this is quite disheartening. This time however it seemed my fellow swimmers looked like they knew how to swim which gave me hope for a good time. My standard Taupo time is 1.04 so I was expecting something in the 1.04-1.06 range. When I finally got back to shore I looked at the clock it said 1:00.00 - OH MY GOD! And then I saw the man on the ladder fiddling with it, and then it jumped to 1:05.00 - hmmmm, I checked my watch which just showed the time of day and assuming we had started at 7am I had swum 1.03 - a new PB!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZxBM14QF27w46pbQSfKEBSby8jOPD-kXxO2epUXC628_9UxIrTxbZcOhVA4iaWkJyzdtEJ69ZNUNnydE82vEupBf2qjSa_08ZbwgEIulWCEkh7R3hIEkj9DX5TX8xMezI2R55f0Ck1Q/s1600/Capture1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZxBM14QF27w46pbQSfKEBSby8jOPD-kXxO2epUXC628_9UxIrTxbZcOhVA4iaWkJyzdtEJ69ZNUNnydE82vEupBf2qjSa_08ZbwgEIulWCEkh7R3hIEkj9DX5TX8xMezI2R55f0Ck1Q/s1600/Capture1.PNG" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepare to be dunked</td></tr>
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Running up to T1 I felt like a rock star with so many people cheering me on. I even got a compliment on my hair which made my day. Ironman is not a glamorous sport - at least if one aspect of me can look nice then I am doing well.<br />
<br />
It started to drizzle after about 5km on the bike and by 15km I was deeply regretting not using my In Case of Emergency warm clothes options in my T1 bag. Lucky for me after about 25km the sun was trying to bust through the clouds and soon the cold wasn't a problem anymore. I had used a lot of energy keeping warm in the first hour and hadn't been looking at my power and as a result it was way too high so I tried to back off and used the tailwind on the first return leg to bring it down.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfoFItv6cLaM8s77NMP78cVq1I10NVKf5-OyJYijXWAWBYyenGCuuicRYTA0r2jhn5i7ORIVvOE9ouyYCEckRqCWDedsdK_gDQgnRcxb6h24TyBDlJElxHp4i7HayOsZJoJmEXpKV9Xg/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfoFItv6cLaM8s77NMP78cVq1I10NVKf5-OyJYijXWAWBYyenGCuuicRYTA0r2jhn5i7ORIVvOE9ouyYCEckRqCWDedsdK_gDQgnRcxb6h24TyBDlJElxHp4i7HayOsZJoJmEXpKV9Xg/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks T the P for the photo</td></tr>
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<br />
There was a lot of people around me on the road with a lot of people passing me and me passing a lot of people. There were also a lot of drafting marshalls and I saw a few penalties being given out but also a lot of people getting away with things they shouldn't. Ironically it was when there weren't many people on the course at about 110km mark that I was given a drafting penalty. There was only one guy ahead of me and I was keeping what I thought was a legal distance but I guess the drafting marshall disagreed. What happened next then made me question whether the drafting marshall knew what he was doing though... While he was telling me I had a penalty I had approached the start of an aid station and the bottle drop zone. I chucked my empty bottle while the motorbike was still next to me and he said "Go back and pick that up", I was like "Huh?!" - this time he said it as if I was a three year old - "GO BACK AND PICK IT UP!". I was very confused now. I stopped and unclipped and looked back at my bottle in front of the drop zone banner with all the other discarded bottles on the ground and a volunteer picking them up. I think I stood there for a few seconds not sure what to do. Are you not allowed to discard bottles when you have a drafting penalty? Is this some rule I don't know about? The marshall then realized he was wrong and said I could carry on - is that time going to come off my penalty?!<br />
The next penalty box was about 15km away so I rode hard until then knowing I would get a 5 minute rest. There was one guy there when I got there and three more pulled up after me so at least I wasn't alone. I didn't let the penalty get to me - just saw it as a five minute rest before I tackled the last 10km or so into the wind. As I saw written on the back of a tourist camper van the other day - <i>'put it in the fuck it bucket and move on'. </i>Maybe the worst part was seeing Jared going the other way while I was at the penalty tent - oh the shame.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBPsIKP7wX7y42lnUN6djCGBdOFSicgXgSnq651UxjPOvuRpq5z41SbvclApGX7UlorV5shaR_VhG-Cv6wYGRaQd3XaTlwtgQVe_npZqpUd84eZ9SHJ-QQAs0xHSoNAIrxZMe3QZ9sYs/s1600/10363650_873050536090348_8334142127527750235_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBPsIKP7wX7y42lnUN6djCGBdOFSicgXgSnq651UxjPOvuRpq5z41SbvclApGX7UlorV5shaR_VhG-Cv6wYGRaQd3XaTlwtgQVe_npZqpUd84eZ9SHJ-QQAs0xHSoNAIrxZMe3QZ9sYs/s1600/10363650_873050536090348_8334142127527750235_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting my aero on</td></tr>
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I made it back into town without further incident about 10 minutes slower than my goal time. My plan for the run was to run 4.45-4.50min/km for the first 30km, then hang on for the last 12km. This would give me 3.22-3.25 and I desperately wanted to run under 3hrs30. This plan was questioned early in the week but I decided that I knew my legs better than anyone else so I stuck with my plan. It was a big tailwind for the first 7km so I made the decision to roll with it knowing I would be slower on the way back. I was averaging 4.35's- 4.40's but feeling fine so decided I had made the right call. I had been passed by so many girls in my AG on the bike that didn't even think I would be in the top 10 so just focused on running well. I started to suffer a bit at 25km which was when I first hit 5min/km but perked up a bit once I got the tailwind again. By 32km my quads were shot but I only had 10km to go so soldiered on. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9CIFilq29AaHzYQhug-Er54M08ju_eMCyVKqjxSS8aSQPuz5T44BUskWZq2nNLPV2nrLT3Yz3x9KQhEn16lmoFoAn1Vb32oOLOBO-7rJziZBY8edjbpMy8ihQyWWIk94rzEgchpYdWU/s1600/11001647_10153163314692079_3136142462445486379_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9CIFilq29AaHzYQhug-Er54M08ju_eMCyVKqjxSS8aSQPuz5T44BUskWZq2nNLPV2nrLT3Yz3x9KQhEn16lmoFoAn1Vb32oOLOBO-7rJziZBY8edjbpMy8ihQyWWIk94rzEgchpYdWU/s1600/11001647_10153163314692079_3136142462445486379_o.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Come on leggies we can do this</td></tr>
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The Lawson's were out supporting us on their bikes and were providing excellent encouragement. I knew a lot of people out on the course but mainly put my blinders on and focused on the task but was grateful for all the support that I received. The last 5km into the headwind were miserable as the wind had picked up significantly and it had started to rain. I was struggling to hold under 5mins20 along the path next to the lake and kept getting blown sideways. I received word that Jared was finished and had run 3hrs27 so I knew what I had to do. The last couple of km's through town were amazing as always and hearing Mike Reilly's voice getting closer made it all so real. I got to the finish with a 2 minute overall PB and a 3hr25 run and 4th in my age group which amazed me - I honestly thought I would have been in about 7th or 8th. My legs were pretty munted by the end and I couldn't have run a step further if you paid me. I gave it my all though and am proud to say that I didn't walk a single step of the marathon, I jogged through every aid station but never walked. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJk-3LLPpjY52bdz8b4DAQ_6luo4DzhKy9xX3LiPs61Cp-16LlH0vh2gRlXMHKiTOAKGipm54TXpx1LxAdPjqV8Gx5LxPCLqWDtvTy77DKn7SPgfYn90YcDxYSg001dtvGN-oLgQpFSA/s1600/10447153_10155384990950122_8539541873728326968_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJk-3LLPpjY52bdz8b4DAQ_6luo4DzhKy9xX3LiPs61Cp-16LlH0vh2gRlXMHKiTOAKGipm54TXpx1LxAdPjqV8Gx5LxPCLqWDtvTy77DKn7SPgfYn90YcDxYSg001dtvGN-oLgQpFSA/s1600/10447153_10155384990950122_8539541873728326968_n.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being broadcasted on the line</td></tr>
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I wonder what the outcome would have been if I hadn't of got the penalty - 5 minutes off my time puts me almost even with 2nd place in my age group, but did I run better because of that 5 minute rest? We'll never know and it's pretty disrespectful to the other girls to say <i>'I would have come XXX'.</i><br />
I ended up missing out on a Kona spot by one place but wasn't at the ceremony because I didn't want to take it but still felt put out that I hadn't qualified. I would have loved to have been on the podium for my age group but with my fastest time ever I can't be upset that the other girls were faster. The 30-34 age group is ridiculously fast and next time I do Ironman I will have moved up an age group so will have to race before these other girls move up too...<br />
Jared had a good race despite some mechanical issues on the bike and was my 4th place male counterpart in the M30-34 age group - such symmetry!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NlbkLRGP63ZNuAT-8mduzrl0eeTbHkO6aRU5reKpRnrytyttrXlSpkf-w9z7BW0wLP5sf0hQzyHcrtFX8IGTqVbZvXFjq8FLjutYaOFNrzXaXqseYMq1cgwlRtpr5Q1Vk2p6tl40azE/s1600/20150306_131610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NlbkLRGP63ZNuAT-8mduzrl0eeTbHkO6aRU5reKpRnrytyttrXlSpkf-w9z7BW0wLP5sf0hQzyHcrtFX8IGTqVbZvXFjq8FLjutYaOFNrzXaXqseYMq1cgwlRtpr5Q1Vk2p6tl40azE/s1600/20150306_131610.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even had matching race numbers</td></tr>
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Thanks to everyone who supported me in the weekend and urged my little legs to keep pushing and to anyone who is still reading :) Oh and thanks to all the people I stole photos off.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-91742917402722023972015-03-01T15:16:00.002+13:002015-03-01T15:16:28.281+13:00T minus One Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So we are now at the pointy end of IMNZ training. The long rides and runs are in the leggie bank so all we can do now is stay active and stay healthy.<br />
It has been a pretty good build up with no major issues. I have had a couple of minor niggles but nothing which has stopped me from training or got into my head too much. I have done the most long runs (I call long 1hr45+) I have ever done for any Ironman so I am hoping to be able to run well for at least the first 30km and then hold on for the last 12km. I think my legs gave in after 20km in 2013 which made for a very long and painful second half.<br />
I got a beautiful new pair of ASICS DS Trainers which I planned to wear on race day, we do not appear to be very comptaible though and they tore my heels up on a 6km run. I gave them another go but it was too risky and have decided to go with my 2000's which I have done the most of my training in. They were good enough for Daniella Ryf at Kona so hopefully will be good for me. I like the DS Trainers because they make me feel light on my feet but it is too risky, pretty disappointing when I have used the 3 previous models with no issues.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbzU8QOc4VPE5YZMv0Yox9zkr4bydLyQORJx0Atmb26gC5x1ggjyHOlgpzhZkVQrD9_JvklFBPyd-dBg7tD8nl1g31F3J3B7gPt-8WQfXCE1eXJ-V96Dtj68MeHGiBJ3oh6A3tSgLs5w/s1600/20150215_130839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbzU8QOc4VPE5YZMv0Yox9zkr4bydLyQORJx0Atmb26gC5x1ggjyHOlgpzhZkVQrD9_JvklFBPyd-dBg7tD8nl1g31F3J3B7gPt-8WQfXCE1eXJ-V96Dtj68MeHGiBJ3oh6A3tSgLs5w/s1600/20150215_130839.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had a busy weekend last weekend doing a rather intense windtrainer session on Saturday morning then heading straight to Mission Bay for the Bean Rock swim (3.2km) and then a very unplesant run after that. The next day we were in Cambridge for a 4hr bike in the rain (rain? What is this water falling from the sky?) and then a much improved 8km run off the bike where I stole a Strava Course Record off the former World Triathlon Champion Lisa Nordon. She was probably running with her feet tied together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnawJkheKg2NOOEJX1NOXQF0MTWguoz8qsixxTLrFDuTsp9_mePNfWDRFd5b7bzTENl8AEAti7fkrafeWiJVDbac5bY1iXDfh9syTslz392Dma59XR8lL_yDin6kfcV0I-LYe83KiIO4/s1600/Captur1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnawJkheKg2NOOEJX1NOXQF0MTWguoz8qsixxTLrFDuTsp9_mePNfWDRFd5b7bzTENl8AEAti7fkrafeWiJVDbac5bY1iXDfh9syTslz392Dma59XR8lL_yDin6kfcV0I-LYe83KiIO4/s1600/Captur1.PNG" height="79" width="320" /></a></div>
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My little P3C just got a new front derailleur which will hopefully solve my big ring issues so I am hoping not to be riding in fear every time I get out of my saddle.<br />
I have been obsessing over splits and seconds per 100m, kph and minutes per km, and am leaving little pieces of paper everywhere with my calculations all over them. I have done enough IMNZ's to know what I am capable of but you never know what will happen on the day - namely the last 10km of the run. I have pulled out <i>The Triathlete's Guide to Mental Training </i>but haven't had to resort to it yet, I will need my brain to be as tough as my legs on race day and would be disappointed if this was my downfall.<br />
We head to Taupo - the land of visors and compression socks - on Wednesday so see you all there!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJsQCPqbgDJyAsRpydWEy4HxGyTFq3Mhppch0v73xZ5lg4fd9jLB-JTatGkIKgO4sCot9NJZ6Ouse9l5XHdJ8cROEYL6JdJ9x_MkVUM8JhqmwM1JATnzWv4DxcjoFC5hjmYq-pPOwWUY/s1600/20150227_174425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJsQCPqbgDJyAsRpydWEy4HxGyTFq3Mhppch0v73xZ5lg4fd9jLB-JTatGkIKgO4sCot9NJZ6Ouse9l5XHdJ8cROEYL6JdJ9x_MkVUM8JhqmwM1JATnzWv4DxcjoFC5hjmYq-pPOwWUY/s1600/20150227_174425.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzW2-26AXKwzp2WHwytKwlqzen0JRIh4SmD04HOlQAblWwXfZBk1zqpWRxZqr9foJO3_RNOwy4pYYup8OlpM2b_re6fFgaXBdQaiMlgf6xKl0g5QeBhCUb2IuCpLHgvWV_TIi2V_4gic/s1600/20150218_193414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzW2-26AXKwzp2WHwytKwlqzen0JRIh4SmD04HOlQAblWwXfZBk1zqpWRxZqr9foJO3_RNOwy4pYYup8OlpM2b_re6fFgaXBdQaiMlgf6xKl0g5QeBhCUb2IuCpLHgvWV_TIi2V_4gic/s1600/20150218_193414.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last long run DONE!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxzXqm7J2s3jzCh_8FHLZcyuSp2E4MSAJ_37gkOuAIwWVVusLwPqIZ8gNmEy2I3XqxiZNpjKnHIPy_dNYZXAnkeYdE4jhcQKNQyQunlq4u6v_wvJMVybQn4-bvvMfZfuZUi5KynYh_ls/s1600/20150218_080450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxzXqm7J2s3jzCh_8FHLZcyuSp2E4MSAJ_37gkOuAIwWVVusLwPqIZ8gNmEy2I3XqxiZNpjKnHIPy_dNYZXAnkeYdE4jhcQKNQyQunlq4u6v_wvJMVybQn4-bvvMfZfuZUi5KynYh_ls/s1600/20150218_080450.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Fish Wednesday run commute</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIflT98mOo7qI3_FnyqcNNiuKi0jdG7H6mRBzJZzGrCaddtgTlEt7sJ1ZTbs_ehsv3eg31S61WqO98TIEMHMFhXj6Qq_cSp2Hi_E0pMQHVwuo1pIxjH47W1F0ltKOTxusJpUA6n4f-9FA/s1600/image-94b95cc578b062b38b52c1258fa0911d5165f7db7d6339b27981038ec91c5623-V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIflT98mOo7qI3_FnyqcNNiuKi0jdG7H6mRBzJZzGrCaddtgTlEt7sJ1ZTbs_ehsv3eg31S61WqO98TIEMHMFhXj6Qq_cSp2Hi_E0pMQHVwuo1pIxjH47W1F0ltKOTxusJpUA6n4f-9FA/s1600/image-94b95cc578b062b38b52c1258fa0911d5165f7db7d6339b27981038ec91c5623-V.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy deliciousness - choc dipped nut butter bananas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0PG56lYQnsAAgqNckka0aP4BWv1SZXQ-wDFRnb7Z-kPZhTM7wHxQbrNeAuA7MjLtT079ljOc153cUdHODh3ZGCNGgMSu275cxXqm6EuL-7xJOdtGctIo2N6cLCFB6tai_heSW55QG7U/s1600/20150212_072740_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0PG56lYQnsAAgqNckka0aP4BWv1SZXQ-wDFRnb7Z-kPZhTM7wHxQbrNeAuA7MjLtT079ljOc153cUdHODh3ZGCNGgMSu275cxXqm6EuL-7xJOdtGctIo2N6cLCFB6tai_heSW55QG7U/s1600/20150212_072740_HDR.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A light attached to the back of a helmet! What will they think of next<br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTErQvJjWaRLDBJryfAl3AWpw-JiYhQWqIn7t2HzRHyQnqHL1jAHhNAm6I-bP5OQUCozuVFWwcRBak-uGQhV_SgKuNMddkqwJ1nbg3a0evF7YedNzvdOigkD6XSOe4F4nguwVWXFTZTfU/s1600/20150206_170625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTErQvJjWaRLDBJryfAl3AWpw-JiYhQWqIn7t2HzRHyQnqHL1jAHhNAm6I-bP5OQUCozuVFWwcRBak-uGQhV_SgKuNMddkqwJ1nbg3a0evF7YedNzvdOigkD6XSOe4F4nguwVWXFTZTfU/s1600/20150206_170625.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plenty of room here</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdyhlA9xvPGuuf-6thhmGr7Trrw5WNmST2-_ReShc9GCoo0vWgPSOxnrWlSJwX8c0GzLkLOr17ud-litNqgipfeKLWADa1IFz5g50peXMF7D8oGRqvG0ssTq8togWxW1yZjiwjHl1eE8/s1600/FB_IMG_1424475031981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdyhlA9xvPGuuf-6thhmGr7Trrw5WNmST2-_ReShc9GCoo0vWgPSOxnrWlSJwX8c0GzLkLOr17ud-litNqgipfeKLWADa1IFz5g50peXMF7D8oGRqvG0ssTq8togWxW1yZjiwjHl1eE8/s1600/FB_IMG_1424475031981.jpg" height="268" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty much sums it up</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-57931950328891104862015-02-02T19:51:00.001+13:002015-02-02T19:51:30.051+13:00January UpdateHello world.<br />
Thought I would do an update since we are in the throes of Ironman training.<br />
Since Taupo Half I took it easy for a couple of weeks and then got my head around Ironman training at the start of January.<br />
Training so far has been in a heat wave and going well. Wednesday long runs after work have been a bit tough in the heat but I am making use of all the free water around Auckland so am keeping hydrated.<br />
We have done a couple of super long rides including one on the IMNZ course in the weekend which reminded us how brutal that road can be. Note to self: don't ride on Broadlands Road during the week, the passing trucks are slightly terrifying and I almost got blown off several times.<br />
Other than that it was a good weekend of training and I raced the Erin Baker triathlon at Kinloch which I have always thought about doing but never done it. Sadly my wingman The Hammer was out with a tummybug but at least that was one less person to beat me. Because it's a multi-lap course it's hard to tell what place you are - I asked someone who I thought would be reliable what place was I in and he said he thought 3rd which was a plesant surprise. He then changed it to 5th next time around (no-one had passed me) and it turned out I was 4th. I was hoping for a top 5 so that suited me fine. My friend LCW came 4th last year in 2 minutes slower than my time and went on to do 10.07 at IMNZ so hopefully it's a good sign for me as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4be1nmFgKVAKexDIgh2SC8c287uUtsb3PykPnEYbYXNwnLVMG71Odnf1KmLcIp0OBR8ZonPPx_mHJYOldUSJzs7SCWPFaFOPGZ7tMyT9RbJFM40Fmhvb9BAIEY0Sz818nkEnnu4nAQjk/s1600/20150118_190105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4be1nmFgKVAKexDIgh2SC8c287uUtsb3PykPnEYbYXNwnLVMG71Odnf1KmLcIp0OBR8ZonPPx_mHJYOldUSJzs7SCWPFaFOPGZ7tMyT9RbJFM40Fmhvb9BAIEY0Sz818nkEnnu4nAQjk/s1600/20150118_190105.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My name is Marvin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviC3X0fMU7zEOEK5BnKCL5l1AKZB4oRJ2h3oxCEfWrsQ5mQLy3h7O8G8vzaY_0sdfhu5hpHedxoIpPKW4qfbkfvrN_WbLWDBMdIe8DLz5akFXi2B19-0AU91L0cgwMBsyJ6eHzJy5x-8/s1600/20150120_210926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjviC3X0fMU7zEOEK5BnKCL5l1AKZB4oRJ2h3oxCEfWrsQ5mQLy3h7O8G8vzaY_0sdfhu5hpHedxoIpPKW4qfbkfvrN_WbLWDBMdIe8DLz5akFXi2B19-0AU91L0cgwMBsyJ6eHzJy5x-8/s1600/20150120_210926.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoover meets Marvin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOUY1Z_BRJwCBzVbBwn4ZVYuON9RLhoIvNxMCBIqDHJzW9jCJoF4bH8FggU0re_qDrmIQ0zbZBSHIdbQENsDO05ysQJR95O0VTwxW7j7PtKGLY7jMMsT5W2Y4BrKvLfpWt-TPhMuWL-8/s1600/20150130_125238_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOUY1Z_BRJwCBzVbBwn4ZVYuON9RLhoIvNxMCBIqDHJzW9jCJoF4bH8FggU0re_qDrmIQ0zbZBSHIdbQENsDO05ysQJR95O0VTwxW7j7PtKGLY7jMMsT5W2Y4BrKvLfpWt-TPhMuWL-8/s1600/20150130_125238_HDR.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof that the Broadlands Road plane really does exist. How did it get there? Did it fly there? What does it do now? So mysterious</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMxfqZnNjqOxjoX6TyqiMmV5Tq4HGz32whZpV-1VHEBzMmVPVSmx4X4Dqkn3dwWbRdaax1kkwfr2bn1sh7A2hxhEAakv2BAuCdUbQBkoZis-Qwx87IjU-q972tHpC_uKTEOmdGhJY54I/s1600/20150131_120601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMxfqZnNjqOxjoX6TyqiMmV5Tq4HGz32whZpV-1VHEBzMmVPVSmx4X4Dqkn3dwWbRdaax1kkwfr2bn1sh7A2hxhEAakv2BAuCdUbQBkoZis-Qwx87IjU-q972tHpC_uKTEOmdGhJY54I/s1600/20150131_120601.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrity spotting in Taupo. <br />Nice chairs</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-19480224958931500162014-12-26T14:14:00.002+13:002014-12-26T14:21:16.971+13:00Taupo Half IronmanA week and a half ago we went to Taupo and did the Taupo Half Ironman which will next year be the Taupo 70.3.<br />
The week before we went to Tauranga for the 1st birthday celebration for Frank Lawson and did the Tinman Tauranga as a team with J-Rad swim biking and me running. It wasn't a very good effort from either of us but we still won the mixed team division and was the third team overall - not really helped by the cheating of the first place team who started with the individual men who left 4 mins before the teams. Hmmmmm.<br />
The weather has been a bit average but Taupo turned out a pretty good day for us which was lucky because the next day was solid rain from about 5.30am which would have been very schizer to race in.<br />
It was pretty cold on the bike and my gamble of not wearing any extra clothes didn't really pay off because by 30km I was shivering uncontrollably and had the death grip on on my aerobars. I saw Rob and Kellee on the way out and was having dreams of them being at the turnaround so I could get into their warm car. Lucky they weren't there and I was forced to continue and by about 60km the sun must have come out and I warmed up so that I wasn't shivering anymore. My feet did stay frozen until about 3km into the run though.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyndA8aD5QY2IWD-nHoUrxaSg-RecsXcvT3MC1VzYR_luPpAL69cY2_UzXoSuod1dgqqHHiF05X2H1B3mZigiOw-ANz-oWZfnl7KNY7W6Us_i2fE8r2O5NIZ31JjryMo3LcsTiOzJZ1Q/s1600/Capture6.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyndA8aD5QY2IWD-nHoUrxaSg-RecsXcvT3MC1VzYR_luPpAL69cY2_UzXoSuod1dgqqHHiF05X2H1B3mZigiOw-ANz-oWZfnl7KNY7W6Us_i2fE8r2O5NIZ31JjryMo3LcsTiOzJZ1Q/s1600/Capture6.PNG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to turn blue</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMtyqBPBYE51Doksn4ADcMlXfk4ruoZuKfghvlRzLuiTrdW7eI9_4VutURcQHBg5cy23W4VZvgTZyCtkJlw0NDS9NNVpNqt4IBhCPmmzPIdCLT6EvcNKhkSqmtpbwyFM63gM5zFEZ-go/s1600/Capture11.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMtyqBPBYE51Doksn4ADcMlXfk4ruoZuKfghvlRzLuiTrdW7eI9_4VutURcQHBg5cy23W4VZvgTZyCtkJlw0NDS9NNVpNqt4IBhCPmmzPIdCLT6EvcNKhkSqmtpbwyFM63gM5zFEZ-go/s1600/Capture11.PNG" height="320" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hands stuck on aerobars, can't move...</td></tr>
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Most of my bike my thoughts were preoccupied about how cold I was and the song from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTiGlNDnOtE" target="_blank">Breaking Benjamin</a> was going through my head on repeat but other than that I had a pretty good bike and passed #supermum Jess at about 70km which I wasn't expecting to happen. But as she was having a baby cut out of her tummy a year to the day we will excuse her for not being as fit as she used to be.<br />
I started out the run in 7th place and passed a couple of girls in the first 5km. I then had a fully grown man from the Hawke's Bay Tri Club decide I was a good person to run with and he sat on my feet for the next 7km - imagine that, a fully grown man pacing off a small girl like me. I got the call that I was 2.5 minutes down on 3rd and 4th just after the turnaround so kept running with a purpose and dropped the annoying sitter on my feet and caught them both with about 5km to go.<br />
I managed to hold my pace and surprised myself and everyone by coming in as the 3rd girl. I got interviewed at the finish and had my photo taken with the 1st and 2nd girls where I did my best impression of a stunned mullet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA0-3-0oT1o4zcLIDEsYeQll0TS3drkRaKKl0vELwRwwuWTkZdRVtZIO-fjiAlXg_hbSLaW5A1kM5FV8CMZ1fkM2GiqDjmHix6FuUeaRzDjBZD9CCnzzqx4HanMeUsffSuzqVUBBYIWA/s1600/Capture1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA0-3-0oT1o4zcLIDEsYeQll0TS3drkRaKKl0vELwRwwuWTkZdRVtZIO-fjiAlXg_hbSLaW5A1kM5FV8CMZ1fkM2GiqDjmHix6FuUeaRzDjBZD9CCnzzqx4HanMeUsffSuzqVUBBYIWA/s1600/Capture1.PNG" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women on a mission</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VggkAgKF7n6khQoycI7ByG0N-0v8_-g7vxvI9cA1d00MGced31WVHJAwvHgLqiQFYA6zz1vPVuDPlllK79DLfx0LQ-xshEHSTokQCcg0tvD22uYbFAfWtvaUh4wCg7IopiaiEEau5JE/s1600/Capture8.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VggkAgKF7n6khQoycI7ByG0N-0v8_-g7vxvI9cA1d00MGced31WVHJAwvHgLqiQFYA6zz1vPVuDPlllK79DLfx0LQ-xshEHSTokQCcg0tvD22uYbFAfWtvaUh4wCg7IopiaiEEau5JE/s1600/Capture8.PNG" height="207" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shame on you for drafting off me. No wonder I ran faster, his feet aren't even off the ground</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89iK2koDIk6po14qazPcmIQrJh7P6O_Ya0ao9z19Q5vVaxzWlYmPaiUmr4-Cn8pYG3YRr5whaY6PA1B8dMo3yJxybLVrPENB1ZaeG4jBVaqSgKyYR5BlQSxT3P9W5-j40eOlrJalJeLM/s1600/Capture12.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89iK2koDIk6po14qazPcmIQrJh7P6O_Ya0ao9z19Q5vVaxzWlYmPaiUmr4-Cn8pYG3YRr5whaY6PA1B8dMo3yJxybLVrPENB1ZaeG4jBVaqSgKyYR5BlQSxT3P9W5-j40eOlrJalJeLM/s1600/Capture12.PNG" height="320" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I just come 3rd?!</td></tr>
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<br />
It was a pretty exciting race for me because A) I held an even pace through the whole run and didn't die in the last 7km like a usually do and B) for once I actually felt like I was in the race and was able to make up for my swimming inadequacies with a good run. I am not fooling myself though and do realize it was a very weak field this year with no real Pro's in the women's race. But still full credit to Ashleigh Williams who took out the race in her first Half Ironman at only 21 years old.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXrvg012fcH8btAbfVGIJbseiXMu5bZYXdAzesOkjX9kPJvqvYqh1nFFYAnwhlvX5U_Bo0y3SgiqWk6VzxoeOgYVVbgLSv5yJqDrT4-ajIw9ctZYoLOeHG3-VQM13pUvVbEQwBAekIvA/s1600/10842230_10152897851924820_6725718669356799737_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXrvg012fcH8btAbfVGIJbseiXMu5bZYXdAzesOkjX9kPJvqvYqh1nFFYAnwhlvX5U_Bo0y3SgiqWk6VzxoeOgYVVbgLSv5yJqDrT4-ajIw9ctZYoLOeHG3-VQM13pUvVbEQwBAekIvA/s1600/10842230_10152897851924820_6725718669356799737_o.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling a bit stunned</td></tr>
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J Hyphen Razzle had his first decent race in a while coming 10th, #supermun had a pretty impressive comeback race to come 6th women and Nick had a solid race overall.<br />
Now for a couple of easy weeks and some Christmas festivities before some serious IMNZ training will start.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-25921917736962768562014-12-03T21:40:00.002+13:002014-12-04T11:35:17.014+13:00The rest of October, all of November and three days of DecemberSo much for those more frequent updates.<br />
I'll keep things brief by using bullet points and photos.<br />
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<ul>
<li>We had a fun weekend away with the Lawson's and rode up some nasty hills in Coromandel</li>
<li>We didn't eat any naughty food the whole weekend (except for an ice cream)</li>
<li>I got pretty new running shoes</li>
<li>I got a brand new PowerTap and didn't have to pay for any of it</li>
<li>PowerTap have the best customer service out of anyone I have dealt with</li>
<li>I crashed my TT bike when it slipped out of the big ring and I went catapulting forward</li>
<li>Don't worry Taddy and I were mostly ok - I had a very sore bum for a few days</li>
<li>I had an xray of my leg and I have extra bone on the back of my right tibia from my stress fracture in 2009</li>
<li>We have done 4 weekends of good biking - not so good during the week</li>
<li>I have had 6 weeks of continuous running </li>
<li>I swam my fastest ever 100m</li>
<li>I am doing my first sea swim of the season tomorrow in my new wetsuit which I haven't worn yet</li>
<li>We are doing Taupo Half Ironman next weekend</li>
<li>I won a free entry to Ironman New Zealand by making up some clever anagrams using the letters from HORLEYS REPLACE</li>
<li>I haven't eaten a single piece of bread in almost 4 months</li>
<li>^^ I think I have mostly solved my running tumtum/toilet problems</li>
<li>I had 4 iron injections and now I have lots of iron</li>
<li>HooverPuss pretended to be a shark last night</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pQQF54uyVlQzgnMq2DsPpsOTuVSuQjhfaPtnVKXaQXxy0aDVmbmKRxAOi5dq2ChBKFLKs82wNu_ibIzTALwMKJBrrj66dl96Xh2DV9wZerF3FVH6kBoswXkUDcMH79FC1DDg0gvNQF8/s1600/IMG_20141027_124215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1pQQF54uyVlQzgnMq2DsPpsOTuVSuQjhfaPtnVKXaQXxy0aDVmbmKRxAOi5dq2ChBKFLKs82wNu_ibIzTALwMKJBrrj66dl96Xh2DV9wZerF3FVH6kBoswXkUDcMH79FC1DDg0gvNQF8/s1600/IMG_20141027_124215.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of the Coromandel to you</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZ2Spj-55R1SFe7hqmVECb7kzgn7PbxNablw_s-GdyoPCRaRUv-lh9KcSqFWyrNHedX_3qNNt3rjE_yxNH9SkRjTm9imL7dpzIiSES9ljSAAYMAswDdQLr5ukyfgdfuPoudSC2Skxk14/s1600/image-c41c8d6875b8e4e8951b3f34b8f4fa561b77e42ebfdd5606a0acc3a5ffcf9c5e-V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZ2Spj-55R1SFe7hqmVECb7kzgn7PbxNablw_s-GdyoPCRaRUv-lh9KcSqFWyrNHedX_3qNNt3rjE_yxNH9SkRjTm9imL7dpzIiSES9ljSAAYMAswDdQLr5ukyfgdfuPoudSC2Skxk14/s1600/image-c41c8d6875b8e4e8951b3f34b8f4fa561b77e42ebfdd5606a0acc3a5ffcf9c5e-V.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captive audience</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe31ozXhbRKEA9GoQ59RbJmQ0YtYsNTN1dJHMUi0rNnhxR-XvO9sDqbkO8KFffT9ZNNebvDAr5OK75aiZ6C833zz8uH6AnfosxxjpkLvkkSH6YkNFR1lsaKR8nsCpsJIkMTfre-c1gAE/s1600/20141104_183041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe31ozXhbRKEA9GoQ59RbJmQ0YtYsNTN1dJHMUi0rNnhxR-XvO9sDqbkO8KFffT9ZNNebvDAr5OK75aiZ6C833zz8uH6AnfosxxjpkLvkkSH6YkNFR1lsaKR8nsCpsJIkMTfre-c1gAE/s1600/20141104_183041.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello new TapTap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKud28hPrYsVXP5wJ-BdyQwaHNByuq6gIHXZHzHePLK9amCuxEQpNlua6k8jqQLlZjB4FcuHAk0Piwvh2L6lYxVlDgGeJKevrKAmMlRXJBZSzrcK4d_1w0xxcIlpI2Fe5o1i58e9vL3uA/s1600/20141125_081253_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKud28hPrYsVXP5wJ-BdyQwaHNByuq6gIHXZHzHePLK9amCuxEQpNlua6k8jqQLlZjB4FcuHAk0Piwvh2L6lYxVlDgGeJKevrKAmMlRXJBZSzrcK4d_1w0xxcIlpI2Fe5o1i58e9vL3uA/s1600/20141125_081253_HDR.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit scabby but overall pretty lucky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0oqJBo0l-za1wI1KnuFz48wZH5LM26PAGK9pYiMTMifnTpvTloRCoxG66M_f5F2rKR2YhOD2Ys8Nfb9TDVOeamkQKgOp2ZPdaI9FdddezQlzJQOD384I_uB_33VuAJF0UoQjZlkAWQs/s1600/PhotoGrid_1416813161900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0oqJBo0l-za1wI1KnuFz48wZH5LM26PAGK9pYiMTMifnTpvTloRCoxG66M_f5F2rKR2YhOD2Ys8Nfb9TDVOeamkQKgOp2ZPdaI9FdddezQlzJQOD384I_uB_33VuAJF0UoQjZlkAWQs/s1600/PhotoGrid_1416813161900.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my IMNZ entry winning anagrams</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNg2A4xnBuD9rDQw9Pgs3iM-OK0MfDlu095IoWcIMX7RKlhRzSyyRZBjtj5yZonrdlqDWwqF855qYY07b_e9JQJX7jd6n8tdcwLmmCz3IR4WjNpqiSqEiTyxY6968Ho9t7ptvVzCudSA/s1600/20141013_191548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNg2A4xnBuD9rDQw9Pgs3iM-OK0MfDlu095IoWcIMX7RKlhRzSyyRZBjtj5yZonrdlqDWwqF855qYY07b_e9JQJX7jd6n8tdcwLmmCz3IR4WjNpqiSqEiTyxY6968Ho9t7ptvVzCudSA/s1600/20141013_191548.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjO2-LDHNNN-eiOwY0uIS7UJ59rfhDYHcdaAaPHS2sr8K85aCmvP3fvN-iPAR5FtVlDXUMCbUr_1R-x90qWQVKbf2IQ_sK9K4_Z1GZ-TuHyaeZl2EzkJchyphenhyphenmAlBHtYaiHdWna4hgNKFE/s1600/20141202_205844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjO2-LDHNNN-eiOwY0uIS7UJ59rfhDYHcdaAaPHS2sr8K85aCmvP3fvN-iPAR5FtVlDXUMCbUr_1R-x90qWQVKbf2IQ_sK9K4_Z1GZ-TuHyaeZl2EzkJchyphenhyphenmAlBHtYaiHdWna4hgNKFE/s1600/20141202_205844.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HooverShark</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-19527607583065613202014-10-12T21:01:00.001+13:002014-10-12T21:01:10.744+13:00September and OctoberI have had a sudden burst of enthusiasm after watching the Hawaii Ironman and thought it was time I updated my blog. It has actually been on my radar for a while so I added it to my list of goals for the weekend:<br />
- second coat of paint on the fence - check<br />
- epilate legs - check<br />
- weed garden - check<br />
- wash and iron table runner - check<br />
- update blog - check<br />
As you can tell I've had a pretty productive (and exciting) weekend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-09Aba-EpdlXanO_SFyALMB88T4GYiJZPOnf35vlKwICJbZX7ENKqSaKoFFWkJnqn166-KKucRsijjrqqyOZuQFAZey-wmS2i05afUVWzCX1VWExUur_m9iTreSArZinA6cCMLuJlwpc/s1600/20141012_114839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-09Aba-EpdlXanO_SFyALMB88T4GYiJZPOnf35vlKwICJbZX7ENKqSaKoFFWkJnqn166-KKucRsijjrqqyOZuQFAZey-wmS2i05afUVWzCX1VWExUur_m9iTreSArZinA6cCMLuJlwpc/s1600/20141012_114839.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kona spectating to the max</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilixdGOETTgNNV5igf9zMRdj75RJArdE4B0kW7MZwGnOSxf861e6tSCSx1Z91AYKEEnZqxKsVHeJ8GjNAUeJTRv44VkOkK-HNpM9QWbuEjmhUev6ZRspmqHmcp0fn0lbPURZmpXngpf9E/s1600/20141009_175305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilixdGOETTgNNV5igf9zMRdj75RJArdE4B0kW7MZwGnOSxf861e6tSCSx1Z91AYKEEnZqxKsVHeJ8GjNAUeJTRv44VkOkK-HNpM9QWbuEjmhUev6ZRspmqHmcp0fn0lbPURZmpXngpf9E/s1600/20141009_175305.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to fix my Kona FOMO by wearing last year's Team Kiwi t-shirt. I still had FOMO</td></tr>
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The last couple of months have been a bit low key in the triathlon department, we are booked in for Taupo Half Ironman in mid December so no point in thrashing ourselves now especially when the weather is still a bit poo.<br />
We had our first decent Sunday ride today in about 4 weeks because every Sunday recently has been pretty schizer and we have ended up doing pretty lame 1.5-2hr rides instead of our usual 3-4 hours. Taptap had a fatal issue a couple of weeks ago and is now taking a trip back to the US to be assessed (and hopefully replaced) so I have been riding without power which makes motivation levels a bit low. The only spare wheel I have is my Zipp 404 so I am rolling round with that on the back which is not really ideal. The perils of riding with 650c wheels and having no-one to borrow a wheel off.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ekT0S8HPxO8BJIJe93rKE7qN_T-MwE_dNKKt_mMCO0Yu3-GCGw_l11QZh54L4iGwrSrGg8L-ET3Xd330CWHMtWaNKAixcIt0N8q-rWf4vys0rD8o9k6x9I2Rjp5Ap9KhLJCZppTnDwk/s1600/20141007_074053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ekT0S8HPxO8BJIJe93rKE7qN_T-MwE_dNKKt_mMCO0Yu3-GCGw_l11QZh54L4iGwrSrGg8L-ET3Xd330CWHMtWaNKAixcIt0N8q-rWf4vys0rD8o9k6x9I2Rjp5Ap9KhLJCZppTnDwk/s1600/20141007_074053.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling to work in the Yellow Rubber Ducky</td></tr>
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Swimming has been going pretty good with some decent threshold sets and I even lead my lane for the last 10 out of a set of 30 last week - OMG.<br />
<br />
Running has been a bit stop-starty after I did the <a href="http://thelegend.co.nz/" target="_blank">Legend Half Marathon</a> a few weeks ago and ended up with a few issues which are hopefully now resolved. I am laying a lot of blame on my shoes (ASICS DS Trainers) which I have learned to love (the previous model were great, latest model not so much) but have worn out very quickly which disappoints me. So I have reverted back to the 2000's for the majority of my training and I am awaiting a delicious new yellow pair any day now so I can begin my running again with hopefully no interruptions.<br />
Other issues which I have faced over the last weeks are alarmingly low iron levels despite taking twice daily iron tablets AND eating red meat 2-3 times per week. So am now having course of iron injections to bump up my levels to make me human again. Considering I have been feeling fine with almost no stored iron I can't imagine how great I will feel when I have a full load on board. My doctor didn't appear to be interested in investigating why I haven't absorbed any iron in the last 3 months which doesn't do much to improve my faith in GP's.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNO7FvzqCbvBlUEcHcHMkAmYFg3cAWIcWQDdfQ538D_fnLBPw5FQcd_2h3gq53nw9OdrSWD6YowYAVHa5P8UKzjZNLtmix5C2Ic0fuN1rZNStCGo2MOwMgNYQYQZgZj24-HVz7Nxnm4I/s1600/20141008_180953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNO7FvzqCbvBlUEcHcHMkAmYFg3cAWIcWQDdfQ538D_fnLBPw5FQcd_2h3gq53nw9OdrSWD6YowYAVHa5P8UKzjZNLtmix5C2Ic0fuN1rZNStCGo2MOwMgNYQYQZgZj24-HVz7Nxnm4I/s1600/20141008_180953.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get in my backside</td></tr>
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Stand by for more frequent updates coming into summer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4BXvQdkhsfakFpSe2QKm5V1PkeCg2H6hxuHT7vFNQqPst9bGx4rD3gu8TIQxVh8XBr-PWdUsxxfP_drNfXikIJrhVNguUb53JbuOeu2mDWxulteryWGMxBLfdK8LckRWGkNxlw4M_x0/s1600/20141009_205654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4BXvQdkhsfakFpSe2QKm5V1PkeCg2H6hxuHT7vFNQqPst9bGx4rD3gu8TIQxVh8XBr-PWdUsxxfP_drNfXikIJrhVNguUb53JbuOeu2mDWxulteryWGMxBLfdK8LckRWGkNxlw4M_x0/s1600/20141009_205654.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little white friend came to stay, Hoover wasn't concerned </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBBq3V9l35x_Y2f-lTtLTAyi99-RWr4H33G8hGX2Pb6FKU_JFlACQ71nM5eaThaFZJW6Nh1dNfvK5KwaHE5KsobDx6p_DdJaLC-moqgqCziJeq17psB6jVNkL00aJkqQXKpKOwWf3pnQ/s1600/20141009_075429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBBq3V9l35x_Y2f-lTtLTAyi99-RWr4H33G8hGX2Pb6FKU_JFlACQ71nM5eaThaFZJW6Nh1dNfvK5KwaHE5KsobDx6p_DdJaLC-moqgqCziJeq17psB6jVNkL00aJkqQXKpKOwWf3pnQ/s1600/20141009_075429.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ATTACK!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr3BrgCoqK-HZo_CWoB2I8ijJHSx5L3BrufZPRr6kEAjMlH9p5jCFf9BVLXqqTZi5C9D4WkCWgelGih_KS7k3sASVY9D2J14pm_7roxbapKoaSKwWuSt448B0xaC3KnlBDxRUL15ib2w/s1600/20141012_184201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvr3BrgCoqK-HZo_CWoB2I8ijJHSx5L3BrufZPRr6kEAjMlH9p5jCFf9BVLXqqTZi5C9D4WkCWgelGih_KS7k3sASVY9D2J14pm_7roxbapKoaSKwWuSt448B0xaC3KnlBDxRUL15ib2w/s1600/20141012_184201.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got a fancy new microwave that can roast a chicken</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFEFt8ZWdpgoOkVaYZuwfzOqZJxtZxIhuJJori5IvF6FBaWRzEbKBvO0AgRJyBdSi31YNPsv3IrFoWJkw5qc0DxU8sKY1_SoaaP7k6TJ4ZqhImM6UWUxQbk1mUAEjSvLn3-lYc8VOw3E/s1600/20141001_170131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFEFt8ZWdpgoOkVaYZuwfzOqZJxtZxIhuJJori5IvF6FBaWRzEbKBvO0AgRJyBdSi31YNPsv3IrFoWJkw5qc0DxU8sKY1_SoaaP7k6TJ4ZqhImM6UWUxQbk1mUAEjSvLn3-lYc8VOw3E/s1600/20141001_170131.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arms out for the first time in a long time</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWLpT0o1AjkjTEhPz1GcFcg7_LzWcspfdcyJ2-j8kXFS95SUyABzGnyF7AM2_XgqdAiGKDYI19a72VPQXbBSyQp2mnJvnCMS1NmcEyhs-1fxAtfQeDb9rONhcjcDlCP9Wjecl3xGgA34/s1600/20140830_220413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWLpT0o1AjkjTEhPz1GcFcg7_LzWcspfdcyJ2-j8kXFS95SUyABzGnyF7AM2_XgqdAiGKDYI19a72VPQXbBSyQp2mnJvnCMS1NmcEyhs-1fxAtfQeDb9rONhcjcDlCP9Wjecl3xGgA34/s1600/20140830_220413.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost my spot in the bed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4LoJs8qeilfjT7lsG4YFBE3MgPO5d5UNoruVO01Ice76t_OIeVksLWBExj6WTyC9Ott2Ans2BASKbG3_YfOgdqVYKXdmpeHxGrdcRcYuHp5uMfwE4UWMO_CQJzdbxB2OhhS8quHFan8/s1600/20140827_173339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4LoJs8qeilfjT7lsG4YFBE3MgPO5d5UNoruVO01Ice76t_OIeVksLWBExj6WTyC9Ott2Ans2BASKbG3_YfOgdqVYKXdmpeHxGrdcRcYuHp5uMfwE4UWMO_CQJzdbxB2OhhS8quHFan8/s1600/20140827_173339.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saw a seal running home from work. It's not just a log of wood I promise</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-66192208944621144062014-08-22T16:15:00.001+12:002014-08-22T16:20:19.192+12:00Samoa Warrior Race Sometimes life sucks. Like when you are all excited about heading off overseas in two days time to race a half Ironman in the tropics and then you receive a call on your way to work to say that your little kittycat has been hit by a car and you need to go and retrieve the body. This is what happened to me the Monday before we were due to leave for Samoa last week.<br />
Who knows what our lovely, snuggly Sigi was even doing near the road (not even our road where about one car goes past every two hours) but luckily the people behind us were kind enough to ring me and look after her body until we could get there. We were pretty heartbroken and buried her next to her brother who was also taken from us in a tragic accident a few months earlier.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DW31ffZUojlwOYTVGpi9qS3KN7QwOLqvxbfHel9l5xogtzOKLkb__viXylyz82e5cINNuNGaQEpZkoYa73YiL7ezFVSnpK1ZrLtIXUxF87bTQ7Z2RjWjR0TGX0KF7qeNuvlDMFlVZQg/s1600/PhotoGrid_1407899265741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DW31ffZUojlwOYTVGpi9qS3KN7QwOLqvxbfHel9l5xogtzOKLkb__viXylyz82e5cINNuNGaQEpZkoYa73YiL7ezFVSnpK1ZrLtIXUxF87bTQ7Z2RjWjR0TGX0KF7qeNuvlDMFlVZQg/s1600/PhotoGrid_1407899265741.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We will miss you Sigi-Martina-Navratilova</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xlb9qjEv6GM_gaEPu1n1CrzCkg72oXCDbOilvsp8BCNK2k5fkbcBc6ryNiEn1Hd1o40kPLlqh7Akkbr4Ck3Aqu6fIYe1VokvP1nChDQPneWPVDIzwcUxOF7118uzoEjPlqZWnRrl8TU/s1600/PhotoGrid_1407899444495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xlb9qjEv6GM_gaEPu1n1CrzCkg72oXCDbOilvsp8BCNK2k5fkbcBc6ryNiEn1Hd1o40kPLlqh7Akkbr4Ck3Aqu6fIYe1VokvP1nChDQPneWPVDIzwcUxOF7118uzoEjPlqZWnRrl8TU/s1600/PhotoGrid_1407899444495.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duff-man and Sigi Monster together again</td></tr>
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So we set off to Samoa a few days later with very heavy hearts feeling like terrible cat parents and worrying about the remaining pussycat and her wayward habits (think crazy autistic cousin).<br />
Not a good way to start a holiday. I mean a race. A race holiday...<br />
This time we arrived in Samoa the most of a day earlier and had friends who had hired a car so actually go to see some the island which we missed out on last year. 9 people and only 5 seats in the car? No worries, just jump in the tray of the ute - island styles. I have to say I did feel decidedly car sick after a ~1.5hr trip from one side of the island to the other watching the road from behind us. But we went to a nice beach at Lanumanu and saw lots of the island (wildlife included).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoDmHfq57S0Q1hFxHfE-xD5OaODojfBZOx5J4jBsiHmbDVoEVXIDWOS77le36niWmn39hQ29b9pbKa3tcita1v0xO01JcazooAJZJpzg_5W4TkGHpVknl7M_3iU4FgBTzEZ8KaLPk7sI/s1600/IMG_20140814_095421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoDmHfq57S0Q1hFxHfE-xD5OaODojfBZOx5J4jBsiHmbDVoEVXIDWOS77le36niWmn39hQ29b9pbKa3tcita1v0xO01JcazooAJZJpzg_5W4TkGHpVknl7M_3iU4FgBTzEZ8KaLPk7sI/s1600/IMG_20140814_095421.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Samoa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iLMxxug9Th5jZV_ywlpPFo90v2ZNaVJ1ipuSuwa-DOGO3YTNQ51jm4Rdl7Ks_pOkyTLVIjFJtNlsvUfU-wEraoG6e6o-WfNcTg-ZaUgMkUgZxjobNEArkjVnearNgWpQ-A5cYDpTsiM/s1600/20140814_103443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iLMxxug9Th5jZV_ywlpPFo90v2ZNaVJ1ipuSuwa-DOGO3YTNQ51jm4Rdl7Ks_pOkyTLVIjFJtNlsvUfU-wEraoG6e6o-WfNcTg-ZaUgMkUgZxjobNEArkjVnearNgWpQ-A5cYDpTsiM/s1600/20140814_103443.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boys in the back</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_emtq6HES8UOPcx_bWiCPp0w8so5Tgi2Hhyphenhyphenrk6-3U_6WgvCMt5lVyXkxk_jjHIFskzTeHIrpHVAL1gYuZRLv7LxicQnbTY5lqX3Iy3YxXdGqSOaux0ZbY4ScNwWLQZ5cqkQqvEgh5Zc/s1600/20140814_124438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_emtq6HES8UOPcx_bWiCPp0w8so5Tgi2Hhyphenhyphenrk6-3U_6WgvCMt5lVyXkxk_jjHIFskzTeHIrpHVAL1gYuZRLv7LxicQnbTY5lqX3Iy3YxXdGqSOaux0ZbY4ScNwWLQZ5cqkQqvEgh5Zc/s1600/20140814_124438.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like a postcard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locals</td></tr>
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The fanfare surrounding the race had been scaled down this year in an attempt to save money and I thought it was a good move - it's not a WTC race and doesn't need to try and recreate the hype surrounding one of them. It is a grassroots race like Auckland Half Ironman or the Rarotonga Tri - no bells and whistles needed.<br />
The race went as I predicted for me racing against two actual Professional triathletes.... The men's race was a bit more interesting with 6 of them on the start line (J-Rad and Kezzle included) and only 4 of them finishing (Kezzle being a DNF doing his usual flake out in the heat thing - was it a migraine? Was it a tummy issue? Was it a tummy issue relating to the giant piece of chocolate cake he ate for dessert the night before the race having not eaten sugar for the last month or more? We'll never know).<br />
Two of my greatest fears for the race were 1) rain and 2) bike mechanical issues, and luckily neither of those eventuated. I think the roads may have improved since last year and there certainly weren't as many mechanical problems and punctures as last year, or maybe we were just more prepared. We didn't have the support of the villages that we had last year (they had a competition to see who was the most supportive with the prize being a whole heap of money) so a lot of people were just going about their daily business as we rolled through. I was quite impressed with some of the Samoa locals improvement in bike riding - a couple of them blasted past me in the first half of the bike, although it doesn't seem like their running has improved as it didn't take long to catch them once the run began. <br />
What was also impressive was some of the locals who were right up there in the swim - like on Graham O'Grady's feet for the whole 2km, not many people can stake claim to take.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rodent on a bike</td></tr>
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The run was pretty hot but the aid stations were well stocked with sponges and ice cups to keep us cool. I started my run as Julia Grant (who was leading) came around to start her second lap. We had a quick chat and she asked if I had punctured, I told her no that I was just slow which I found kind of funny but I think made her feel a bit awkward - sorry Julia!<br />
Jared was having a tough time in the heat and I caught him after about 1500m (he was on his second lap). We had a bit of a chat and I assessed his mental state which seemed fine. GOG was out already and Kezzle was walking with a medic and not looking to last so all Jared had to do was finish to be in the money. I was feeling alright so trotted off and we crossed paths twice per lap which was made me feel better that I could see each time that he was ok, albeit very slow. In the end he was only 4 minutes ahead of me at the finish.<br />
Sarah Crowley put in an amazing last lap of the run to pass Julia for the win, she must have lifted her pace quite significantly because I was putting time into her at one point but she came storming past me when she had about 2km to go.<br />
Times were pretty slow for the course, I think expediently as well - like the faster people were ~10mins slower than a normal half Ironman and slower people 20-30mins slower. In some ways it would be better if it was a more random distance (ie.70km bike to eliminate having to ride laps through town) then it couldn't be compared to other half Ironman times.<br />
Post race I was much better off than last year (when I had an undiagnosed femoral stress fracture and could barely walk but was trying to pretend I was ok), other than some sunburn and chaffing but sadly Jared wasn't keen on McDondalds so I had to settle for some fries and an iced chocolate at the hotel restaurant.<br />
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Prize giving was dinner and a speech by the Prime Minister (he said he had come to say hello and goodbye which is what he basically did) and some traditional Samoan dancing and throwing fire around. The Samoan's don't seem to be big on dessert so we had to go to the restaurant down the road to get our fix of banana fritters and chocolate cake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMN3Lz0AFuVP517VlFJtGG-KOKs_Axrb4mdgoK4jAYMPfAeHmSp4UyVN6YmPaOOX6uMX6sVdJ1SEdD1rqPaTLsHSYcP_lBbF-Bl3-JJa8f3yySAPsP5faDPnMHCaTd0MOwZd5z-9vdDV8/s1600/20140816_200202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMN3Lz0AFuVP517VlFJtGG-KOKs_Axrb4mdgoK4jAYMPfAeHmSp4UyVN6YmPaOOX6uMX6sVdJ1SEdD1rqPaTLsHSYcP_lBbF-Bl3-JJa8f3yySAPsP5faDPnMHCaTd0MOwZd5z-9vdDV8/s1600/20140816_200202.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Miss Samoa. Seriously.</td></tr>
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The next morning our friends Claire and Malcolm just happened to be staying at our hotel so we met them for breakfast and in doing so assembled our Kona crew in it's entirety but in Samoa - how cool is that?!<br />
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So now we are back in the cold of NZ with the 30 degree heat of Samoa a distant memory. A bit of a rest week first up and then I guess we need to start thinking about the NZ triathlon season which will be here before we know it.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-75589333549965110062014-08-07T19:10:00.001+12:002014-08-12T13:24:37.334+12:00T minus one week....So this time next week we will be sunning ourselves in (hopefully) sunny Samoa. I have heard reports that there has been a bit of rain there recently which hopefully will be gone by the time we get there because I did not sign up for a race in Samoa to ride in the rain. I have been warned not to ride through puddles because you don't know how deep the pothole underneath is...<br />
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<b>SWIMMING</b><br />
Swimming has actually been going pretty well, I think it is because coach Haydn has mainly been replaced by coach Mitch which means that I am not being picked on and abused (being drawn on, having the back of my togs snapped and having my arse slapped - that actually sounds quite bad when I list it like that but it does happen...) and am mostly just able to blend into the lane and exist. Or maybe it is because the dynamics of our lane has changed so it is a bit slower so I think I am swimming faster. Who knows. Tomorrow we will crank out the swim skins which haven't been touched since Kona (if I can find mine) in practice for next weekend.<br />
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<b>BIKING</b><br />
Biking in winter sucks. I have done some good workouts on the windtrainer but feel a bit lacking in long rides. Last Sunday was a write off for riding so I spent 2 hours on the windtrainer which is good but I would rather have spent 3+ hours on the road. The forecast for this weekend isn't looking too bad so hopefully we will get a decent ride in which will lift my confidence a bit because at this stage I am thinking that 90km next weekend is going to feel very very long...<br />
I have started riding my TT bike after about 4 months on the road bike and have started to feel slightly paranoid about cars not seeing me when I have my front light on my bars because they are so low. So I got a little Lezyne light which attaches to my helmet which I think looks super dorky but I am fairly confident that people can now see me. And maybe they will be extra well-behaved in daytime because it could be mistaken for a camera recording bad driving.<br />
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<b>RUNNING</b><br />
Running has been pretty steady, I made a gradual increase to 6 days a week total of about 55km per week which to a lot of people isn't much but it is quite a bit for me and all my bones still appear to be intact - yay. The tip of my big toe isn't particularly intact after getting a weird blister on it during my long run on Tuesday night but that's another story.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone call the Guiness Book of Records</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have become a runner covered in paraphernalia. Shame.</td></tr>
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We did a night trail run last week (two things I am terrible at - running off road and running in the dark) - it was part of a series and one just happened to be in our local running hood so we thought why not. I borrowed a head lamp off my friend Lesbo and while it seemed to be quite bright when I did a couple of test laps around the inside of the house, it probably could have been a bit brighter. But I didn't trip over any tree roots or get lost in the bush so it did the trick. I ran at a sloth-like pace because I was so paranoid and nervous but did actually enjoy myself although I was quite pleased to get to the finish. And to top it off I had my first non chicken sausage in about 15 years at the finish line, well half of it anyway before I passed it on to Jared to finish. Tasted pretty similar to a chicken sausage if you ask me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoover giving us her opinion on carpets</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fancy sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caught in bed with another girl </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our cat likes in hide in funny places</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC's approving of the new table</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auckland in the fog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3lbkxvCe1F6Xhw8IfeDsKGTmDW9YgZsf39BiF4X8s1ICwuSUD2CvZdKclq-RyNc2vHZskjXC0deN6hYTLgSuwLUpI8SWvm2LQuIhRsGRD-2ruSPquDlpaD67sZW_eTKMzK7tQu_MDis/s1600/20140712_223328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3lbkxvCe1F6Xhw8IfeDsKGTmDW9YgZsf39BiF4X8s1ICwuSUD2CvZdKclq-RyNc2vHZskjXC0deN6hYTLgSuwLUpI8SWvm2LQuIhRsGRD-2ruSPquDlpaD67sZW_eTKMzK7tQu_MDis/s1600/20140712_223328.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Channeling our inner Frenchness</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-16505102705007947362014-07-10T13:42:00.002+12:002014-07-10T13:42:15.131+12:00Samoa Training UpdateSo after our little blip of a holiday followed by getting sick we are now on track with our Samoa training albeit a little bit late and in a bit of a rush...<br />
<br />
<b>SWIMMING</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I was pretty useless at swimming a couple of week ago (even more useless than usual if that is at all possible) but I seem to have found my groove again. Our squad and lane is getting ridiculously busy which can be a bit frustrating and I got kicked in the head while doing kick yesterday while simultaneously kicking someone else in the head. Good times.<br />
I finally cashed in my wetsuit voucher which I won at Auckland Half Ironman and splashed out with an upgrade to an Orca 3.8 suit from whatever the entry level one was that I won. For the past 6 years I have been getting custom made suits from Blue Seventy but since our contacts don't work there anymore and the new staff obviously don't love us as much, they don't work out as reasonable in price as before so it was looking like time to move on from B70 anyway. I wasn't sure if I would fit into the Orca one since I was a bit off the size chart (in a smaller way not a fatter way) but it fits pretty good apart from a bit of bagginess around the armpits which I can get taken in.<br />
It's a non wetsuit swim at Samoa so I won't get the chance to test out the new suit for a while since the sea is at Arctic temperatures right now but hopefully it makes me swim twice as fast...<br />
<br />
<b>CYCLING</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
With the unexpected and a little bit sneaky entry of our friend Kezzle into the Samoa Half we now have the A Team back for weekend riding - wooo! So we have done two weekends in a row of riding the Waitaks for the first time in a long time. We are pretty slow but hopefully a few more weeks of it will do the trick. The weather has been a bit sub optimal the rest of the time for outdoor riding but we have been very diligent and have ridden our indoor trainers in lieu of the road each time. I somehow managed to get a puncture partway through a session last week which was a new experience especially considering I haven't had a puncture in probably almost a year (barring puncturing with my race tyre in Kona) thanks to the trusty Gatorskins.<br />
<br />
<b>RUNNING</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Running is building back up to where I was before we went on holiday with 45km last week and hopefully a bit over 50km this week. I try to maximize my time and use running as a form of transport when I can especially at this time of year when it's hard to find motivation to go for a run when I get home at 5.45pm and it is cold and dark. Yesterday my running home plans were foiled when my ferry to work was cancelled due to gale force winds (pfft.....) and Jared kindly lent me his car to get to work which obviously meant I had to return it at the end of the day. Like any ultra organised person with mild obsessive compulsive tendencies I was rather pissed as it ruined all my plans and I <b>don't</b> like having my plans ruined especially when it comes to training.<br />
Anyway today I will be running home from work so nothing had better get in my way...<br />
<br />
No triathlon related photos this week so how about some random photo grids which I did on my new app when I was home sick.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6yeJsU3go0LS8v_-3xinrtCl9eqXITKtSnzcvCYm3Y_9UnNznXE3rJcW4jJLkB-eZ_-qNDY2QMRUtS4f7s5VK2dxgM-YY46Xsg8rdX8PDo5zzExTlPL-0NzO1unZPKkUgeUb2jJMT1M/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403492429263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6yeJsU3go0LS8v_-3xinrtCl9eqXITKtSnzcvCYm3Y_9UnNznXE3rJcW4jJLkB-eZ_-qNDY2QMRUtS4f7s5VK2dxgM-YY46Xsg8rdX8PDo5zzExTlPL-0NzO1unZPKkUgeUb2jJMT1M/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403492429263.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kona 2014</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cn8GI8XCTOXKmfvAJzBiym6-U-d9Mj_tVYNUNCJQ15Z6Nbuv4jPuuKyc7KsbNePvescb2UpgUrq7-uNt-t9SSmLCBmudJPUC_RagRd87rRoRvZsYEsIHQax4gFnUyNy1SA109oyRZJQ/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403492987896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2cn8GI8XCTOXKmfvAJzBiym6-U-d9Mj_tVYNUNCJQ15Z6Nbuv4jPuuKyc7KsbNePvescb2UpgUrq7-uNt-t9SSmLCBmudJPUC_RagRd87rRoRvZsYEsIHQax4gFnUyNy1SA109oyRZJQ/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403492987896.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waikiki 2014. Take me back here please</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkcccRssaTAkuSobsOFAXN5y47tvbfUhr6U33m-feocgKcvLg4yr00q0DPrC2llwFmapTH6p-6k3XMHGIqjGkW0SmEWck0QaFw40XvVYCsjEpUmqVGvC0GETW4tlwlKp-UIxHebSRJz4/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403491034635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkcccRssaTAkuSobsOFAXN5y47tvbfUhr6U33m-feocgKcvLg4yr00q0DPrC2llwFmapTH6p-6k3XMHGIqjGkW0SmEWck0QaFw40XvVYCsjEpUmqVGvC0GETW4tlwlKp-UIxHebSRJz4/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403491034635.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castles of France 2012</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpvoXwSa8_XOc4uR_kScmmaS00d2NFq5IgY6HiUjQeBwz442qVwd23kxWXC5m8J-3Zt9Jy8tFvjdD-9PnWB-GS0yUNOBnrsjtTWVFcHFNfOQ5jODiaVmrZxaEtKV7en7OboDXCMc1IKs/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403491140894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpvoXwSa8_XOc4uR_kScmmaS00d2NFq5IgY6HiUjQeBwz442qVwd23kxWXC5m8J-3Zt9Jy8tFvjdD-9PnWB-GS0yUNOBnrsjtTWVFcHFNfOQ5jODiaVmrZxaEtKV7en7OboDXCMc1IKs/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403491140894.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gardens of France 2012</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnsSgh8lxKIJc4p-SNRTZ5wYM_0nTqTa0bjvAIWVXm-yYNItevZBv8AKjLwd0Kvni1cry7-u3OoFSNk1Te8wR1ovMpyQbD1dLk5Y_tAqeZnsFXb5rwFLbAy8udaCJ_G-BgO8R_Q-KlYI/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403491597442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnsSgh8lxKIJc4p-SNRTZ5wYM_0nTqTa0bjvAIWVXm-yYNItevZBv8AKjLwd0Kvni1cry7-u3OoFSNk1Te8wR1ovMpyQbD1dLk5Y_tAqeZnsFXb5rwFLbAy8udaCJ_G-BgO8R_Q-KlYI/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403491597442.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Les Alpes 2012</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rW-kho-MGDAy-b31_AWQ0DfoAPCbbm4LyBx_r7KkqyzoLkLY2Uxr19R6-B7JL1y0S6dEv-rO4D36l_Y7jpgsw_UwAxft0_DdbctUAh_6k_MViMCMbwhL6c2Y4lunwKafNFIINnoV7tk/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403491294733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rW-kho-MGDAy-b31_AWQ0DfoAPCbbm4LyBx_r7KkqyzoLkLY2Uxr19R6-B7JL1y0S6dEv-rO4D36l_Y7jpgsw_UwAxft0_DdbctUAh_6k_MViMCMbwhL6c2Y4lunwKafNFIINnoV7tk/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403491294733.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L'Alpe d'Heuz 2012 - or take me back here please</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvjEW4AAbBGQabU9RHqWPqO5mixoYJiS8paBeJuBBNplWsmmZhMMa7BIFC4T6chJagcU6lZv4WKravrKQoyBouQr7nJ5j_3ljDDgNtmHi3V-oY16yQT6T0fP3165HToCPuAiCP8s4enQ/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403491846188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvjEW4AAbBGQabU9RHqWPqO5mixoYJiS8paBeJuBBNplWsmmZhMMa7BIFC4T6chJagcU6lZv4WKravrKQoyBouQr7nJ5j_3ljDDgNtmHi3V-oY16yQT6T0fP3165HToCPuAiCP8s4enQ/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403491846188.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gay Paris (pronounce it Paree and it sounds better) 2012</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5JkVgphZR62UgI7dokDqbxbGldRkUxDl_B1PPlalrp8G_JXfvlRZYp8qZKmLyH90uxMRVz6zIf6QuP-czPfCDQHqm7-6fGYN5w5lXn2ru2_3SZTHBbccJh32GpNXS8yMlHwFRHcZO_k/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403486403523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX5JkVgphZR62UgI7dokDqbxbGldRkUxDl_B1PPlalrp8G_JXfvlRZYp8qZKmLyH90uxMRVz6zIf6QuP-czPfCDQHqm7-6fGYN5w5lXn2ru2_3SZTHBbccJh32GpNXS8yMlHwFRHcZO_k/s1600/PhotoGrid_1403486403523.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course a PC grid</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-52574322573956432502014-06-22T12:12:00.001+12:002014-06-22T12:12:23.679+12:00June updateSo since my last update we have discovered Trainer Road which has increased biking motivation somewhat, ran a Half Marathon, did a 25km two person time trial, been on holiday and now gotten sick.<br />
<br />
<b>TRAINER ROAD</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Maybe we are a bit late to the party since I discovered it has actually been around for a few years but Jared decided to try it out a few weeks ago in order to try and find some motivation for riding over winter. I/we have never been big on wind training, I gave it a good 6 week effort leading up to Kona when I was broken and I was quite good at hitting the power targets but I would dread it all day knowing what was coming after work. It didn't help that we had a terrible setup for it in out tiny little house and would be a PITA to set up and take down and we would practically be touching when we were on the bikes. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4CrFYA0KaD70aZ5FcqgdGXBtmvyexHD37_3rR3qB2_dUoE-dEhxWNKtKw5QpwsXTqYHmt2flhxb7kPjERNP_hEK_ugsb3CjTZlgNN1AMj5An-7PBMFtfPpbJik3Rp81t4-xvo6kt2oI/s1600/20140526_204552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4CrFYA0KaD70aZ5FcqgdGXBtmvyexHD37_3rR3qB2_dUoE-dEhxWNKtKw5QpwsXTqYHmt2flhxb7kPjERNP_hEK_ugsb3CjTZlgNN1AMj5An-7PBMFtfPpbJik3Rp81t4-xvo6kt2oI/s1600/20140526_204552.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So spacious</td></tr>
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<br />
I find Trainer Road way more motivating for some reason being able to see your power on the the bigger screen and trying to get a high accuracy percentage at the end of each segment. Only problem so far is that we only have one subscription and one ANT+ stick so Jared usually gets to use it since he was the one who initiated it all (and he is even worse at windtraining than me so probably wouldn't bother if it's not on the screen in front of him) so we are currently working through that. <br />
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<b>MOUNT JOGGERS HALF MARATHON</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
We had a little weekend away to stay with our Lawson friends to run the same Half Marathon that we did last year at Queen's Birthday. Last year I was coming off IMNZ so hadn't done much in March and April and only a handful of runs over 60mins. I wanted to run under 95mins but thought that might be a bit difficult. I ran 93mins in one of the best paced and effortless half marathons I had ever done. So naturally this year with far more running under my belt I of course wanted to go faster and hopefully break 90 minutes for the first time since about 2010.<br />
I tend to find when I have any type of goal or expectation on myself that's when things go to poo and this was no exception. Actually I wouldn't say it went to poo but I ended up running only about one minute faster than last year but it required a lot of effort and my legs hurt for about 3 days afterwards. And my pacing was pretty shit. <br />
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Funny that I ran my best ever half marathon (in 2009 but I still try to cling to the past) with no Garmin or GPS and no time goal or pace goal, just ran to what my leggies wanted to do and wasn't even sore at the end *sigh*. Maybe I should do a half one day without a Garmin and see what happens.<br />
Anyhoo we had a great weekend with lot of spa time, dog time and baby time and gossip and food.<br />
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<b>2-UP TIME TRIAL</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
The last time I did this race was a couple of years ago when my partner pulled out on me at the eleventh hour so I called upon Uncle Roy step in. The general idea is that you are evenly matched so that you can each share the front, obviously this wasn't going to happen with Roy so I just hang on behind him yelling out "EASE!" every now and then.<br />
I find it hard to find a partner because ideally it needs to be someone about the same size as me otherwise there is not much point in me going to the front because they won't get any draft.<br />
So I was just going to be spectating until our ninja friend Dr Dildo the Dentist said I should go with his 15 year old son Lachie and being the Tiger Dad that he is he told Lachie it was happening. It was a bit long for him as school TT's are only 16km in a 4 or 5 person team so I don't think he enjoyed it much after about 12.5km but I just took the lead for most of it and had a short rest every 5 minutes or so.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOyO4k6bBZp4-cV1ui1UPaeUp2PP7ZYUyRL53nTaVoekg6192dLz6Dz47ONJKAG2-hGjG_9pX0pKY3yO0BbPV1wQcjg_Bht_0tluxujtX_RWR9YYczE19y-AbXrhPBwttwSGdKXf9a6s/s1600/10463066_655390177884000_9085790775489839035_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOyO4k6bBZp4-cV1ui1UPaeUp2PP7ZYUyRL53nTaVoekg6192dLz6Dz47ONJKAG2-hGjG_9pX0pKY3yO0BbPV1wQcjg_Bht_0tluxujtX_RWR9YYczE19y-AbXrhPBwttwSGdKXf9a6s/s1600/10463066_655390177884000_9085790775489839035_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I look like a real cyclist. I think so anyway.</td></tr>
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I got to wear my BMW skinsuit which I don't have much call for and wore my Zipp's on my road bike which was pretty exciting.<br />
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<b>HOLIDAY</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
We went on an actual holiday - no bikes, no race, no training camp - WOW. Travelling without a bike was awesome. We just went to the Gold Coast so went to a whole heap of fun places like Dreamworld, Movieworld and Seaworld, we went for a couple of little trots on the beach and ate lots of shit. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqsqbDtzp0M2M6Ufke0wzw5d6JHeFHDVwpy6l4_vx7oZ1980DuDy5EOvgOnGo99WxrfoMB2IOfose8CyjCc5TK3jVdrnFKqs15RwOKn3zZuoQ1jPsd2DX-9odQM2rqJ3bX4D8diA4K-g/s1600/20140620_121314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqsqbDtzp0M2M6Ufke0wzw5d6JHeFHDVwpy6l4_vx7oZ1980DuDy5EOvgOnGo99WxrfoMB2IOfose8CyjCc5TK3jVdrnFKqs15RwOKn3zZuoQ1jPsd2DX-9odQM2rqJ3bX4D8diA4K-g/s1600/20140620_121314.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice view for lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNkwpvoW8Gw0xT_r_47na5M2y1O558aku_ODFznMlAk-ZDFtmsm2Qazt8Na_SJ0J2WpoU7cHtzhSrEsak4aReROI42RorE_uOwabnkd8iCXp4ENJk6204Xj0thX-EEENmavdt-h1D8IM/s1600/20140620_111255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNkwpvoW8Gw0xT_r_47na5M2y1O558aku_ODFznMlAk-ZDFtmsm2Qazt8Na_SJ0J2WpoU7cHtzhSrEsak4aReROI42RorE_uOwabnkd8iCXp4ENJk6204Xj0thX-EEENmavdt-h1D8IM/s1600/20140620_111255.jpg" height="94" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found a panorama setting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNdP9gaoeAkkBeBGKQL6HmS_gRR9PWUkct49ijSQyKV20Xwh-fsGe48btzzM1dFc5TCZnWZiNMGWlPmG2SmsY9RvXPV88CTUoTDe2AcAAz1IWBtytYvvhV-NY7r69kf_a8r_N64BAGuw/s1600/20140617_110102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNdP9gaoeAkkBeBGKQL6HmS_gRR9PWUkct49ijSQyKV20Xwh-fsGe48btzzM1dFc5TCZnWZiNMGWlPmG2SmsY9RvXPV88CTUoTDe2AcAAz1IWBtytYvvhV-NY7r69kf_a8r_N64BAGuw/s1600/20140617_110102.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes we are in Australia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOYT3M0AnkVmf__MREBarEhdgJyTAjd6NLXGA0FVR5x6-JYaSN19DyVriLhp2yOzUYYBPgn8dU6Kly9SRZ4Zpz4Z-e62LtkIJISTwBhhWIXLpAHnYO_XBAVsuARjsrZUhzeJfkKax9rc/s1600/20140617_104209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOYT3M0AnkVmf__MREBarEhdgJyTAjd6NLXGA0FVR5x6-JYaSN19DyVriLhp2yOzUYYBPgn8dU6Kly9SRZ4Zpz4Z-e62LtkIJISTwBhhWIXLpAHnYO_XBAVsuARjsrZUhzeJfkKax9rc/s1600/20140617_104209.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fudge anyone?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CrILhSdg8Z3MMJBWgF1h6psS7AOmGtGbRmQezCnQFlxizuOZZFYvNdSy-kZQaBKYEzsvOM8VroZDXtH45X5upfPWC4WYoSE8NiYvJMag8Cg0AlDmVxBU6cpyScAsB_UwzFNHvYJtHi8/s1600/20140616_112041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CrILhSdg8Z3MMJBWgF1h6psS7AOmGtGbRmQezCnQFlxizuOZZFYvNdSy-kZQaBKYEzsvOM8VroZDXtH45X5upfPWC4WYoSE8NiYvJMag8Cg0AlDmVxBU6cpyScAsB_UwzFNHvYJtHi8/s1600/20140616_112041.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Jared got sick the day before we left so was a bit sad for a first couple of days and then lovingly passed it on to me on the second to last day and we are now back and I have lots of green stuff coming out of my nose and chest. I actually don't feel too bad despite that but have not done much for the last couple of days.<br />
We have signed up and booked flights for the Samoa Half Ironman race in August so the idea was to go on holiday and then it is a 8 week block until Samoa where we get fit and have no excuses so hopefully I am right in the next couple of days because I am sure that will creep around pretty fast<br />
<br />
Oh and another piece of rather momentous news (in my world anyway) - after ~18 years of being a non red meat eater I have decided I am sick of relying of iron pills to give me iron (I invariably get sick of taking them and periodically end up horribly iron deficient which is what has happened recently) and I have started to attempt to eat red meat. So far this has consisted of little tidbits usually off Jared's meals which normally take a couple of minutes of me psyching myself up to get it into my mouth.<br />
Mainly the reason why gave up red meat was because I didn't actually like most of it so I certainly can't see myself knocking back a giant steak or rack of ribs but if I can have the occasional lamb or mince dish hopefully it will make me a healthier person.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFgFaPCE6ToFb4YFgu7NseUsX2eREtJ_qtHC74ypGvWMV_PPzhkGXYgFlp7QpBOtb9bcIYK42rn0ZC9q16jTIaQ6IfdcT5lwZ6kPLGnzXUaGTi2PMQHLBCXRt-1iGaKUqOtfq5pNPt-g/s1600/20140621_150012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFgFaPCE6ToFb4YFgu7NseUsX2eREtJ_qtHC74ypGvWMV_PPzhkGXYgFlp7QpBOtb9bcIYK42rn0ZC9q16jTIaQ6IfdcT5lwZ6kPLGnzXUaGTi2PMQHLBCXRt-1iGaKUqOtfq5pNPt-g/s1600/20140621_150012.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory PC shot</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-39590868527642529762014-05-19T19:52:00.001+12:002014-05-19T19:55:23.030+12:00Big Jo UpdateWell there has been not a whole heap of training but some ups and some terrible lows since my last blog.<br />
Swimming is the same, riding is getting colder and requiring way too many clothes so not much of it has been happening and running has been going well.<br />
The rest of the last 6 weeks can be shown in pictures...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWtjGzMb-aon0SWXrtLBJPaPsGDck3i3FY5pM2mqa1nOo1Q77K9m0r0qv-bcBfXFFKIFd7s0w3CeC2Qum2uJ2INEdTAWMOiCEOpBEw45XzsaoWd7aGvpgD6TJB5EPNzy5vPUq2RJhNVM/s1600/20140407_214410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWtjGzMb-aon0SWXrtLBJPaPsGDck3i3FY5pM2mqa1nOo1Q77K9m0r0qv-bcBfXFFKIFd7s0w3CeC2Qum2uJ2INEdTAWMOiCEOpBEw45XzsaoWd7aGvpgD6TJB5EPNzy5vPUq2RJhNVM/s1600/20140407_214410.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PC's discovered water from the tap</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlUk39l66LbxqJGxjfhfQ1XF2JhDxIHHCTLvh0KEOa8hGnv9sKnTeQ6ArvBPdLXFCy179i2BGO9kj9Adn88vlXEBxEPb2B3c3cPcshHaApQ3caRYORikxc8xGhsDhk4RN6ZXsWVXKm-0/s1600/20140412_123145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlUk39l66LbxqJGxjfhfQ1XF2JhDxIHHCTLvh0KEOa8hGnv9sKnTeQ6ArvBPdLXFCy179i2BGO9kj9Adn88vlXEBxEPb2B3c3cPcshHaApQ3caRYORikxc8xGhsDhk4RN6ZXsWVXKm-0/s1600/20140412_123145.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I discovered the perfect post training food - coke and ice cream</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLTioHpyeOWucN7vWuGrynIAaCHVxy1TkLT4rAMrHsOXbKRz7r7j7nAkky3YS4K4ddpBeM0V1paIezb3SnBSQ4Fr05DjxRrTrexc9jQrudy3Bih9uomnuvVlGNTMsofEg5wqtGXSaTus/s1600/20140414_081521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLTioHpyeOWucN7vWuGrynIAaCHVxy1TkLT4rAMrHsOXbKRz7r7j7nAkky3YS4K4ddpBeM0V1paIezb3SnBSQ4Fr05DjxRrTrexc9jQrudy3Bih9uomnuvVlGNTMsofEg5wqtGXSaTus/s1600/20140414_081521.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ferry broke down with me on it and I had to get a ride in a rubber ducky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNHBFuHFcVn6JU4cc5fjL8esJf2hgiaRZMOCELAyQ5xrpmVqhrJQRsm7KhG9wXg1PgTpsBtTvl2rcCR_kQ71C81C_-efWNpCEnzFvDZnpduyU0nS9xsyzf1aRARmCcyFawSC_iDM479U/s1600/20140419_095935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNHBFuHFcVn6JU4cc5fjL8esJf2hgiaRZMOCELAyQ5xrpmVqhrJQRsm7KhG9wXg1PgTpsBtTvl2rcCR_kQ71C81C_-efWNpCEnzFvDZnpduyU0nS9xsyzf1aRARmCcyFawSC_iDM479U/s1600/20140419_095935.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a wild party and someone left a spoon on the lawn</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAmbuwit3vgXtZscXcP9UOIfwsOCVs4iCX7Wm1Yn2FTQlr9oaJhhLZXshj5KJoRqKP6B3P8xrkHSziFj8aoflYopeCnGZGwXvHflDMn7-cRj1ny485vs976XaGz-uf1s-CCEB__4FD0M/s1600/20140422_194935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAmbuwit3vgXtZscXcP9UOIfwsOCVs4iCX7Wm1Yn2FTQlr9oaJhhLZXshj5KJoRqKP6B3P8xrkHSziFj8aoflYopeCnGZGwXvHflDMn7-cRj1ny485vs976XaGz-uf1s-CCEB__4FD0M/s1600/20140422_194935.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I became an All World Athlete. Whatever that means.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf6jIWR2ny4tuWebi5xOrDU2xMMdoIQFeQf48YLZ3xmTBviqH1pwh2Jv5LIPGjt1gqiRAhxVJc5cAv5MnBjxTKXzFIarjjWHUWhC0wkKB1ZNhiSOqcaiDAUHFO4Zio6oC3G-_Pin-0P8/s1600/20140423_173350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCf6jIWR2ny4tuWebi5xOrDU2xMMdoIQFeQf48YLZ3xmTBviqH1pwh2Jv5LIPGjt1gqiRAhxVJc5cAv5MnBjxTKXzFIarjjWHUWhC0wkKB1ZNhiSOqcaiDAUHFO4Zio6oC3G-_Pin-0P8/s1600/20140423_173350.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have been running home every Wednesday. Now it is dark when I get to this point</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiac50iACsS2TKCGz0oBYiLq9sAfBye2aBu866GjihZTEGzeLnXykfjTFtjEn6lskb4tgbqRqyMIT-MpbDRawz9tWDqzPZ-Pmy5ZAnV5ts8kaAIg2Zu7DJKvED_HON65IGLg67OqgpQQLM/s1600/20140424_213936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiac50iACsS2TKCGz0oBYiLq9sAfBye2aBu866GjihZTEGzeLnXykfjTFtjEn6lskb4tgbqRqyMIT-MpbDRawz9tWDqzPZ-Pmy5ZAnV5ts8kaAIg2Zu7DJKvED_HON65IGLg67OqgpQQLM/s1600/20140424_213936.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made ANZAC biscuits and they were delicious</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80MnQu0BV96WPcbO9u2fRt_UaQf1BnOtc4_3ish7reCwX4RAX_izVBp0-HK_tiQREAhsab_77jpdu6ajB5_ldiBQXut3d7tNkv_wLebJjEX-_yR_R9XTvm0283VjvVXOWy8i6IRzNUv4/s1600/20140429_192256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80MnQu0BV96WPcbO9u2fRt_UaQf1BnOtc4_3ish7reCwX4RAX_izVBp0-HK_tiQREAhsab_77jpdu6ajB5_ldiBQXut3d7tNkv_wLebJjEX-_yR_R9XTvm0283VjvVXOWy8i6IRzNUv4/s1600/20140429_192256.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ate a giant sausage. And brocolli/cauliflower/carrot mash in case anyone is wondering (not cat sick)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnVE7BKpsGvvte5WBXljfSWATDpmu0xIUD75luL9ha7We3bv_wEHwkzcuLyaUNTnTVo9SWkpEC_2HeSmkGHwb-Gb4lhclDrHD2yY5gBqyx3SeVmXD96HJe0832FE5ol5pscGHsaLWPAo/s1600/IMG_20140430_215502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnVE7BKpsGvvte5WBXljfSWATDpmu0xIUD75luL9ha7We3bv_wEHwkzcuLyaUNTnTVo9SWkpEC_2HeSmkGHwb-Gb4lhclDrHD2yY5gBqyx3SeVmXD96HJe0832FE5ol5pscGHsaLWPAo/s1600/IMG_20140430_215502.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I run with a pink fannypack</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNKPIzJ2YkEpjzqFDMjzby_VTb5bZEy_AtPLL-y8nTqEoti8yHwgxecK0thxKJ61YVKG_OQXx5VCENDPdqZQ2VI-w426rcYK0dNC91IZYX4W7kNod_QHnWBlXB2Dsb4p4PZyhh6xlQEs/s1600/image-73169f01e6d8da8de977a94318b223fac51c2bd2182c75a1a66f703fd845254b-V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNKPIzJ2YkEpjzqFDMjzby_VTb5bZEy_AtPLL-y8nTqEoti8yHwgxecK0thxKJ61YVKG_OQXx5VCENDPdqZQ2VI-w426rcYK0dNC91IZYX4W7kNod_QHnWBlXB2Dsb4p4PZyhh6xlQEs/s1600/image-73169f01e6d8da8de977a94318b223fac51c2bd2182c75a1a66f703fd845254b-V.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got some stylish new MINI kit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBeWGKfseutIn4aPXszDW3W1cqgkRnK2HEBNdRIVkFcchjimYrSbs26UMcwls2se_yKkdW-dXR3aJd8-YUNs-tvZPMq2020FPU3Z89jDaNDCC9bv61q4TxoWB_T6fwKWZLKzCf3pd0Z4/s1600/20140509_073642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBeWGKfseutIn4aPXszDW3W1cqgkRnK2HEBNdRIVkFcchjimYrSbs26UMcwls2se_yKkdW-dXR3aJd8-YUNs-tvZPMq2020FPU3Z89jDaNDCC9bv61q4TxoWB_T6fwKWZLKzCf3pd0Z4/s1600/20140509_073642.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We lost a very dear friend :(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBsa7PPgRVTDJCbrpFWHWMUmOR01cXdGVzIPZijYlYsGv0QSWI7ri_QGEifppd4b8c3as6TkDUrprU86HRol48Hc-CcFw2Ls1dUYde9g2VgACcKdyRMfjj_0_dGQhLio0F9UMafli420/s1600/20140512_182422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBsa7PPgRVTDJCbrpFWHWMUmOR01cXdGVzIPZijYlYsGv0QSWI7ri_QGEifppd4b8c3as6TkDUrprU86HRol48Hc-CcFw2Ls1dUYde9g2VgACcKdyRMfjj_0_dGQhLio0F9UMafli420/s1600/20140512_182422.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made a new friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who has very sharp claws</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got new shoes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New PC discovers water from the tap</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC's work in tandem to steal bread</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat bench on a Sunday afternoon</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-23343145930104452282014-04-07T20:45:00.004+12:002014-04-07T21:16:38.797+12:00Auckland Half Ironman Race ReportAuckland Half Ironman was a relatively successful outing in the World of Jo, my main goal was to be happy and achieve Triathlon Zen and I am pretty sure I did that.<br />
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I find it very weird doing a big race (I call a big race a Half or full Ironman) at home. The night before the race I was vacuuming and cleaning up kitty litter - I can't imagine doing Ironman and going to work the day before, emptying the dishwasher in the morning, etc. So the night before I tried to remember I was racing the next day and managed to get all my stuff together without forgetting anything.<br />
<br />
Saturday was a lovely day - nice blue skies and no wind. Race start was a leisurely 8.30am which got dragged out to about 8.40am due to the usual Matt Tuck tardiness. The sea was nice and flat and I had a few people to swim with at times, I came out of the water after the first lap and didn't really feel like I had swum 1km already. Running out of T1 after a lengthy transition putting on my uber aero bike top, my helmet, my shoes etc and then trotting the 50m or so out to the timing mat and my official swim/T1 time was 30mins16.... Hmmmmm maybe a few hundred metres short?! The first team swimmer did the swim + T1 in under 20mins, so around 19 minutes for 2km - world record pace?! The organisers assured us afterwards that it was GPS measured - maybe need to get their GPS machine calibrated! Sadly they didn't use they same GPS for the bike and run as these were both spot on.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All aeroed up</td></tr>
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The bike was pretty good albeit rather sloth-like on the descents, more like a terrified sloth as I seem to have lost my nerve for anything not in a straight line. I pity the fool who gets stuck behind me on a downhill.<br />
I had hoped to bike a bit faster but I was happy in my biking so I can't ask for much more considering I hadn't really been taking bike training too seriously recently. I had a few boyfriends on the bike course who obviously liked the look of my arse and I only knew they were there when I looked behind me but none of them seemed to last long.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uber aero</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice day for a bike ride</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEIGogmn9y6hjZo7Odl35A3mNZW-7rQdtVyTPRTcJ5KYB_9Pv_GDz4oiPbNtVY9DdK0jUj8Mrv-QYuPOfjbYpOzxmRJ9q-iuV0x9Ko59qT69Z3VkRSxBmARKlm0GqmX6zla8-gcEpcCs/s1600/20140329_113457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEIGogmn9y6hjZo7Odl35A3mNZW-7rQdtVyTPRTcJ5KYB_9Pv_GDz4oiPbNtVY9DdK0jUj8Mrv-QYuPOfjbYpOzxmRJ9q-iuV0x9Ko59qT69Z3VkRSxBmARKlm0GqmX6zla8-gcEpcCs/s1600/20140329_113457.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Davo riding like a crab</td></tr>
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The run was pretty good, I trotted along passing a few people and getting lapped by Amelia Watkinson who won the women's and came 4th overall in a smoking record time. I managed to catch a girl in front of me who I had given an odd nickname (as the voices in my head tend to do) which perked me up and put me up into 6th place. The run was 3 laps and the first two were one second different and the last was about a minute slower so I thought my pacing was pretty good.<br />
Leggies weren't too sore but feet were a bit ouchie with a hotspot/blister on the ball of my foot.<br />
Team SpeedTheory did well coming 2nd in the teams but the outcome might have been a bit more interesting if Captain Pudding hadn't have got a puncture which cost them a few minutes.<br />
Nonetheless we all went home winners with me wining an Orca wetsuit and Jared Razzle taking home some styley sunglasses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzxA59hAyPuSjBSiO9lvT5oRZI2bTfAljOtXEczk1KWpZlYnmbjgv_Ngkjha0UFVpRYfOUoxOcgnrEJslVP4l9i5SRCHhNEGQTGZYXA3m0Z7PIDtbK4OtuMygMGRMiYzPeGjZiRHgxJ0/s1600/971193_10152113790016925_382801268_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdzxA59hAyPuSjBSiO9lvT5oRZI2bTfAljOtXEczk1KWpZlYnmbjgv_Ngkjha0UFVpRYfOUoxOcgnrEJslVP4l9i5SRCHhNEGQTGZYXA3m0Z7PIDtbK4OtuMygMGRMiYzPeGjZiRHgxJ0/s1600/971193_10152113790016925_382801268_n.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actually looking biomechanically correct for once</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSO4bTeRc0CslIpUnT2tNPwGQVHAGOdxu1fpYbBZ_uWX1Ibr9nBzRi638wlgP2dCAui6n04AYcrwQvvvwMjpqFfuRP3zIwzhXaIrbw5PF-m0OKkdIRYUyhQr2YXjif1KyVIJ9JA0EP3k/s1600/1619154_10152113781991925_956358373_n.jpg" height="213" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About to catch my new nemesis</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSO4bTeRc0CslIpUnT2tNPwGQVHAGOdxu1fpYbBZ_uWX1Ibr9nBzRi638wlgP2dCAui6n04AYcrwQvvvwMjpqFfuRP3zIwzhXaIrbw5PF-m0OKkdIRYUyhQr2YXjif1KyVIJ9JA0EP3k/s1600/1619154_10152113781991925_956358373_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aQTr-oS0qO2xXfL_lyj8e9Gh8m5VhBzfJe650tWSPJCXfG27eLtxN7iqKUvNiT8QNyauBgOnXlZLexw2aGTc-zrwD3xBVWZndZlwmf3uiH2RXSQgNbCc6Vi89cfpLHQJ_5CnySci5yw/s1600/1941541_10152113988806925_1641640173_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aQTr-oS0qO2xXfL_lyj8e9Gh8m5VhBzfJe650tWSPJCXfG27eLtxN7iqKUvNiT8QNyauBgOnXlZLexw2aGTc-zrwD3xBVWZndZlwmf3uiH2RXSQgNbCc6Vi89cfpLHQJ_5CnySci5yw/s1600/1941541_10152113988806925_1641640173_o.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What Triathlon Zen looks like</td></tr>
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Thanks to Scottie T for the awesome photos, I will stop being a tight arse and will buy some soon.<br />
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I have had quite an enthusiasm for running since the race and am planning my running timetable to try and up things without hurting myself. My awesome new yellow running singlet helps with my enthusiasm and my pretty new shoes I will be buying soon.<br />
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<b>PC news</b><br />
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No actual news just some cute pictures<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe not a PC but a nice sunrise</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family photo minus one</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that little face</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1DiHoOIEukwmJJm6sLZqFuVeqsvkYyve6_gIO929Dx1HNkBPRQ0KREj8hOYZp2oR6IikAVNjxrZYZcG1q5RyqoYEcyOQjoTB_QVCMVJVal7hgLlu3ICA_PmDrbRHN4d6NDNbQtPSXlU/s1600/20140322_122807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1DiHoOIEukwmJJm6sLZqFuVeqsvkYyve6_gIO929Dx1HNkBPRQ0KREj8hOYZp2oR6IikAVNjxrZYZcG1q5RyqoYEcyOQjoTB_QVCMVJVal7hgLlu3ICA_PmDrbRHN4d6NDNbQtPSXlU/s1600/20140322_122807.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitty in the wild</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-86820905900201971162014-03-24T20:51:00.000+13:002014-03-24T20:51:04.365+13:00Back in BusinessI bet you didn't expect to hear from me so soon did you.<br />
Well I have managed to string together some decent weeks of training so thought I would report back.<br />
<br />
<b>SWIMMING</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I have surrendered to the beeping in my swimcap (my tempo timer) and have dropped down a lane to see if keeping my strokes low actually makes me go faster, so far I am not convinced. I feel too comfortable in that lane and feel like I will be faster if I have people to chase - kind of like sitting in a bunch of cyclists your own ability versus riding with better riders and trying to hang on. But coach Haydn keeps going on and on at me about stroke counts so thought I would make a concerted effort. We will see...<br />
<br />
<b>BIKING</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I did my own little Auckland Half Ironman course reccie last weekend and it is as nasty as I remember. My number one goal for the race is to finish the bike not feeling like I want to hang myself, if I can get through feeling happy that's the main thing. I might need to revisit "The Triathlete's Guide to Mental Training" before the weekend. It took me 3hrs15 to bike 90km mostly at what I considered to be half Ironman power so maybe I am not quite as fit as I want to be...<br />
I had a funny little moment during my reccie ride where I was obviously a bit tired and perhaps under nourished (note to self: carry more than one bottle and one bar on race day) and I somehow managed to ride off the road and into some gravel. I realized I was in trouble once I discovered I was off the road so I tried to slow down before the big pit of gravel in front of me, I had almost made it and had one foot unclipped (or decleated as Kezzle would say) when the gravel gave me the death wobbles and I ended up in the ditch still attached to my bike. I didn't have far to fall and didn't hurt myself or my bike luckily but I think it highlighted the importance of paying attention even on a seemingly straight piece of road. It was a shame I didn't have anyone to share it with because I did feel a bit silly extracting myself from my bike all alone on the ground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRuYDFEXSpjXOqV6TSBR8jojr3c0aHpIRU1fEegV69-DwQlkYCn6lAPLNUMfy9yzdyLo4xoGIpcuUTzkEQj3DIs2G5dzXdRJWGd4YSCF8xsUzvEbzgLCwbh5Gr3dYC_iz_8p7QsdHves/s1600/20140320_071448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRuYDFEXSpjXOqV6TSBR8jojr3c0aHpIRU1fEegV69-DwQlkYCn6lAPLNUMfy9yzdyLo4xoGIpcuUTzkEQj3DIs2G5dzXdRJWGd4YSCF8xsUzvEbzgLCwbh5Gr3dYC_iz_8p7QsdHves/s1600/20140320_071448.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I do heart bikes even when my bike throws me into the ditch</td></tr>
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<b>RUNNIES</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
I did something very exciting last week - I ran home from work. 6km from work to the ferry, a 15 minute ferry ride then 10km home - 16km run on a Monday, unheard of! I wasn't sure how the leggies would be after sitting around on the ferry but they seemed to be all good. So now I am finding a way to make this part of regular training. It is doable just take s a bit of uber organising which I am uber good at anyway.<br />
Running finally seems to be feeling a bit better like I have got a bit of fitness so hopefully I won't be suffering too much next weekend.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8vBvypoQUASd0k5pi2pwZou8R-j_Ik2x0Dqip4AlT7CmrXWxs2b7lnK-25rB7PM4e09m58W9GnLVi6WX5qIjWgkRuT-63QGTFxGLdI9PzqqbB9xvLavOdrTNMCfmeLLD44UcunzQALo/s1600/run.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8vBvypoQUASd0k5pi2pwZou8R-j_Ik2x0Dqip4AlT7CmrXWxs2b7lnK-25rB7PM4e09m58W9GnLVi6WX5qIjWgkRuT-63QGTFxGLdI9PzqqbB9xvLavOdrTNMCfmeLLD44UcunzQALo/s1600/run.PNG" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I run through the sea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtPjMCTnoH5XOtvstq9j7wVfxidojL-_ZjHb48FltD-B1BGakT3O33vBxORbTshdSUa0M_5gXy_5k0XULqysQSswq6873bywlHWAj4B0YYUMm7qCAN5e7bG_hWGfH25ddLfbglU6wlBs/s1600/20140320_155914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtPjMCTnoH5XOtvstq9j7wVfxidojL-_ZjHb48FltD-B1BGakT3O33vBxORbTshdSUa0M_5gXy_5k0XULqysQSswq6873bywlHWAj4B0YYUMm7qCAN5e7bG_hWGfH25ddLfbglU6wlBs/s1600/20140320_155914.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC's making it hard to get up from my nap to run</td></tr>
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<br />
<b>PC'S</b><br />
<br />
In PC news they are growing bigger by the day and we have introduced them to the catdoor with mixed success. No-one has peed on the bed (our bed) in about a month now so we are doing well.<span id="goog_1932808502"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgVMIn0A1VPxZ6l6RslP0nDwEd-8ffsA-o3d113YPAQ__HVu2Sf41ir9g1MH3j6IPLcTKaTD0GM4l1s6vxz52c5onrQHhY7zIVlM-v0ofLtbYj6gSsku6fja4DKU3siPkxpC33qk43LI/s1600/image-160c3d52953c0497d77f6e28f00064a054cc15d3f1948b2da7483968906bc1c8-V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgVMIn0A1VPxZ6l6RslP0nDwEd-8ffsA-o3d113YPAQ__HVu2Sf41ir9g1MH3j6IPLcTKaTD0GM4l1s6vxz52c5onrQHhY7zIVlM-v0ofLtbYj6gSsku6fja4DKU3siPkxpC33qk43LI/s1600/image-160c3d52953c0497d77f6e28f00064a054cc15d3f1948b2da7483968906bc1c8-V.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spooning kitties</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCs1xyg-Lq2lFaLvtWYez5hlNGq82uOU7gd29Ko8R27PRrbLqjuGBnxXr4_1VPIamx2HfwJ9kEYd0xsTwJSNP1gVUopnhmAUzE5N76ybkTONwXucIwm6A1oS8iVcsOm0HKS1TFl0o4U0/s1600/20140323_212621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCs1xyg-Lq2lFaLvtWYez5hlNGq82uOU7gd29Ko8R27PRrbLqjuGBnxXr4_1VPIamx2HfwJ9kEYd0xsTwJSNP1gVUopnhmAUzE5N76ybkTONwXucIwm6A1oS8iVcsOm0HKS1TFl0o4U0/s1600/20140323_212621.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meatloafing kitties</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1932808501"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-31670068894707802372014-03-05T21:03:00.003+13:002014-03-05T21:03:37.421+13:00Whoopsies half of January and all of February...Life at Fort Torrington got a bit more exciting at the end of January with the arrival of two baby pussy cats in attempt to fill the void which my dear friend Murfy left behind. I'll blame these two for my serious lacking of blogging over this time... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv9PktP7ANKFE4cDsHfEOj8lPFCAva8VkiHhuxVE7l0kK3uwhyphenhyphenCyzPVk9amk6vr9WEMkP9knSlGgbqiAH3p1ea11xnsI84KJCpkjHvxBdsQ4aSfGf55UY1MyNx-Hm2Hv_Lwz8cGVU6RM/s1600/20140201_181730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv9PktP7ANKFE4cDsHfEOj8lPFCAva8VkiHhuxVE7l0kK3uwhyphenhyphenCyzPVk9amk6vr9WEMkP9knSlGgbqiAH3p1ea11xnsI84KJCpkjHvxBdsQ4aSfGf55UY1MyNx-Hm2Hv_Lwz8cGVU6RM/s1600/20140201_181730.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby kitties</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvnal1UF7K5zcXyRj2TpnmF2SsCT7RYq7c3b0VDVRKmxzHoEN3oEtxZJ3aawYMIh55A2ioQvvGp8bPvg47gh-qCdPBtNofABwH7PL21yPBXh3migIp8uXou_jweete2j8_eZY2n5_Crs/s1600/20140304_220303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvnal1UF7K5zcXyRj2TpnmF2SsCT7RYq7c3b0VDVRKmxzHoEN3oEtxZJ3aawYMIh55A2ioQvvGp8bPvg47gh-qCdPBtNofABwH7PL21yPBXh3migIp8uXou_jweete2j8_eZY2n5_Crs/s1600/20140304_220303.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perving kitties</td></tr>
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<br />
The two little kitty cats (Duff - nothing to do with my obsession with The Simpsons game... and Sigi - after the town we spent six weeks in Germany in) are very cute but make leaving for training in the morning a bit difficult as they are always keen to get outside which makes getting bikes outside and leaving on time a bit hard without people escaping. But it does make coming come at the end of the day a bit more exciting when two little faces are waiting at the door for you. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsYULtdDnTLkNiPfSf04l1d0lfCL5Ct8FvZxjENhTRbRhB0hr5B36EVO_KxCBarVG_gcdojEW4dBQZLpx4i10Tx_ZZpTnSgNwQ8oqtqVJOfp3XCCrH1kXNYgz0d8UYDXDwrIHGa3v5P4/s1600/20140304_192534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsYULtdDnTLkNiPfSf04l1d0lfCL5Ct8FvZxjENhTRbRhB0hr5B36EVO_KxCBarVG_gcdojEW4dBQZLpx4i10Tx_ZZpTnSgNwQ8oqtqVJOfp3XCCrH1kXNYgz0d8UYDXDwrIHGa3v5P4/s1600/20140304_192534.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let us out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We certainly haven't bonded yet like the bond I had with Murfy but I am sure that will come.<br />
<br />
In triathlon related news I have officially entered Auckland Half Ironman so am trying to train seriously for it. I have even shown my face at the O'Hagan's twice with a couple of rather embarrassing results but on the up side I can only improve and I took 20seconds off my time on my second run so if I keep that up I'll be in the low 18's in no time...;) Running at Stroke and Stride is starting to feel a bit better and I even cracked the top 15 for the second time this season last week, nothing to do with the fact that all the young fast girls were at the ITU race in Australia of course. But despite being slow I am uninjured which is all I ever want so I will take it. We had a delicious run along the Huka Falls track in Taupo in the weekend while we were spectating IMNZ and the Bowden's took it easy on me on the downhills so I was able to keep up the whole way. I rolled my ankle a couple of weeks ago running downstairs offroad so I am extra super paranoid (rather than just my usual super paranoid) when running downhill at the moment.<br />
<br />
We attempted to do the Rangitoto Swim a couple of weeks back which is a 4.6km swim from Rangitoto to St Heliers across the channel. I wouldn't normally do a 4.6km swim but this one is a bit more interesting and a whole heap of people we knew had signed up which would make it a bit more fun. Sadly they decided to use the alternative course because the wind forecast was a bit too strong and they were worried about people's safety, pffft...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6vTs-ewuz7o5zh5XCAHp3dHhryUiNq41W6TXn0-fRSN5lt04ekXZRPWMX-ayLfNsRNThuj_KgxEbrZXMa0dOianeUN6M9aDvkRHW5YldjjADcmL8r_pfF1nnyflmeOg3FJhKXsq_uS0/s1600/20140216_082549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6vTs-ewuz7o5zh5XCAHp3dHhryUiNq41W6TXn0-fRSN5lt04ekXZRPWMX-ayLfNsRNThuj_KgxEbrZXMa0dOianeUN6M9aDvkRHW5YldjjADcmL8r_pfF1nnyflmeOg3FJhKXsq_uS0/s1600/20140216_082549.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obviously not the day of the Rangitoto swim</td></tr>
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So we did a 3.2km (hopefully it was longer than this otherwise we are all very slow) loop course around the inner harbour - boring. But at least we got something for our money because in other years they have cancelled due to bad weather and not offered an alternative. I somehow managed to win my age group so I think the rest of the AG must have been filled up with cripples. I have become a bit of a cripple since the race after a nasty timing chip strap tore up my ankle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyJStoDGT4UdyUSzfBklxB39R_vn3h0kJmGgWKbDg_GVtOw6TTyTUAAuKciSiixIW15Ekd3Y3tYTYUnRwrp1zZ5XgcJrnOR3gBOIFIuDlw3naTdd15WNAAAGUH476KZjApzLRZJzzCLs/s1600/20140225_095622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyJStoDGT4UdyUSzfBklxB39R_vn3h0kJmGgWKbDg_GVtOw6TTyTUAAuKciSiixIW15Ekd3Y3tYTYUnRwrp1zZ5XgcJrnOR3gBOIFIuDlw3naTdd15WNAAAGUH476KZjApzLRZJzzCLs/s1600/20140225_095622.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ouch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our trip down to Taupo for Ironman New Zealand was very exciting - IMNZ weekend is my favourite weekend of the year. We were mostly down there to watch our friend Nick but also knew heaps of other people doing it as well. Nick had a good race despite becoming a first time Dad in December and there were some other notable performances which have riled me up to get fit and get fast. IMNZ 2015 look out!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44Jbgj6h7AMytKcxvTQT50zSM7gRQBDjPjzwCXyYxjGfHQlwDDea7bXDZmVqHl2Rh_-gaZYlnxOsRAYCoNr5wUnnHcZiLxTvK4C94-7EQ4OCNzNXMPvry4VldcP0WxFSvWiUNLf-Fk34/s1600/20140301_165849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44Jbgj6h7AMytKcxvTQT50zSM7gRQBDjPjzwCXyYxjGfHQlwDDea7bXDZmVqHl2Rh_-gaZYlnxOsRAYCoNr5wUnnHcZiLxTvK4C94-7EQ4OCNzNXMPvry4VldcP0WxFSvWiUNLf-Fk34/s1600/20140301_165849.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Go Nick</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwjr9pIjmEi_ZeLTQfOI7zfb87-35shx8lf0bTGvr3YIWRHQBkmNOKTHrTCzABVMVLk6ekKPYKX-yCXXfMHfbBCHquM4puVnhLlsAJg0igQK5f6BEKG9Ev9as2OoDp6JWhy8xGL0m16Q/s1600/20140201_181416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOwjr9pIjmEi_ZeLTQfOI7zfb87-35shx8lf0bTGvr3YIWRHQBkmNOKTHrTCzABVMVLk6ekKPYKX-yCXXfMHfbBCHquM4puVnhLlsAJg0igQK5f6BEKG9Ev9as2OoDp6JWhy8xGL0m16Q/s1600/20140201_181416.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitties meet your toilet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5Gy1SB5i3ilYvgxPN9IS1OLEXU4lGEqRGq-FAibnHzNxg3dVfBzVhP3H2jDyw6vYWWIS95I-H-ewHRYxFSKm1en23FGKXwg3nq4LewOQjQ3GiAmxbj5eFyBvr27ZEBW2YbrZR6XSblM/s1600/20140220_123043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5Gy1SB5i3ilYvgxPN9IS1OLEXU4lGEqRGq-FAibnHzNxg3dVfBzVhP3H2jDyw6vYWWIS95I-H-ewHRYxFSKm1en23FGKXwg3nq4LewOQjQ3GiAmxbj5eFyBvr27ZEBW2YbrZR6XSblM/s1600/20140220_123043.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sigi pretending to be Miley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmzn1GW5NxYLRWwj941hBrellfZASiInMUry8XQRLtyAOc03E7nUxsGBN1KA3xcht0KtUAgIFM7o2I_kRnStHwcUdFyoyNDCfCok6H0bL7n-OI1NmP_pOTa39lQendV_T30fBOMIX4cI/s1600/20140221_192110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmzn1GW5NxYLRWwj941hBrellfZASiInMUry8XQRLtyAOc03E7nUxsGBN1KA3xcht0KtUAgIFM7o2I_kRnStHwcUdFyoyNDCfCok6H0bL7n-OI1NmP_pOTa39lQendV_T30fBOMIX4cI/s1600/20140221_192110.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprise!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XoBJrx7uPKdpYrnJBzTX7kqY6DwwDOnsBX3mPu-pKb61dN7cblQs59nE-JLg12qELhGHczc8HzT9Q7cu-RRCnGyR2Y2flKTS3ePd-gpP9Vvffdzy30_DyX962WDtB-hpKZ_ZEnPSou8/s1600/20140228_194949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XoBJrx7uPKdpYrnJBzTX7kqY6DwwDOnsBX3mPu-pKb61dN7cblQs59nE-JLg12qELhGHczc8HzT9Q7cu-RRCnGyR2Y2flKTS3ePd-gpP9Vvffdzy30_DyX962WDtB-hpKZ_ZEnPSou8/s1600/20140228_194949.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pussy in the wild</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWO6zzTK5qTlJRkxbgsgpKYNuCpjxsUu9KwCAIrgz-OBo2MPvLGXWffke1w24q0xC8J_wH26s1u0jw8oBYfEvMVsGMVROpho6MQxQvyr5s8aN_-6S_5E69_0ac4i-UHfszdSLzMiM4GM/s1600/20140302_194259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWO6zzTK5qTlJRkxbgsgpKYNuCpjxsUu9KwCAIrgz-OBo2MPvLGXWffke1w24q0xC8J_wH26s1u0jw8oBYfEvMVsGMVROpho6MQxQvyr5s8aN_-6S_5E69_0ac4i-UHfszdSLzMiM4GM/s1600/20140302_194259.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh and we saw Bruce! Lucky I had a midget in front of me</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-33982098715409468242014-01-19T20:50:00.000+13:002014-01-19T20:50:06.826+13:00Half of December and half of JanuaryWell despite my hopes that my amazing smartphone/laptop/tablet trifecta would update my blog for me I have now realized that is not going to happen so I am back.<br />
When we last spoke I had just done Taupo Half Ironman. After that I did a little bit of pootling around on my bike and some jogging. Swim squad ended the week after Taupo and I left the Teps for the year in shame after attempting to participate in a squad "fun" relay in my bikini (last squad for the season is always bikinis and boardies) and completely exposed myself when I dived (?dove) in and my top ended up almost around my waist and someone had to tell me as I was standing at the end of the pool after my length.<br />
Swimming over Christmas was a bit of a non-event with all of our swimming buddies away and no motivation for us to swim by ourselves (more like Jared doesn't want to swim just with me because I'm too slow, fair enough really) so coming back to swimming after the two week break was a bit rough. Not sure what is going on but I suspect I am just slow and unfit and have been dropping down a lane a bit in the last week because I'm sick of being slow in the lane. I'm not even the slowest in the lane but it gets very frustrating when you are getting dropped (and sometimes lapped) in the easy stuff.<br />
The worst thing about riding over Christmas was that our stalwart riding partner Uncle Roy was out with his fractured clavicle and ribs, and Kezzle-Anne was in Hawaii so we were stuck with the softie group if we wanted company. We dared to suggest a course change one morning since they did the same route every morning and oh my goodness the commotion that caused!<br />
I pulled out a 4 hour ride yesterday keeping Nick company with his Ironman training. He was a bit concerned there was going to be a tadpole sized explosion at some point since my longest ride for the last month had only been about 2.5 hours but I actually fared pretty well. Didn't even have to crack into my in case of emergency Snickers bar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7ckCovysw-rv4dqkVu22i7FJaTsdvnKF55abIPebCW6H1IR1GXJYJLrA37cSfU_GZ8_VZOddllICWnhNdRRtpgHQAJ6YqVjdnob3eXjgiMjz2V5fOclnDYuAGS-7yPzFHn-esEhfQ4s/s1600/20140118_084000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7ckCovysw-rv4dqkVu22i7FJaTsdvnKF55abIPebCW6H1IR1GXJYJLrA37cSfU_GZ8_VZOddllICWnhNdRRtpgHQAJ6YqVjdnob3eXjgiMjz2V5fOclnDYuAGS-7yPzFHn-esEhfQ4s/s1600/20140118_084000.jpg" height="89" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found a panorama setting on my cameraphone</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xy__AJlazAr7nknqFOgUmvuY0KMbRRT2u2EXgwF34es_JFgnIcK9wYfiwYkuXJwJpoZCb5jHDT9Xit17h8Tpa8ZHdC0oKqNQXKO2H443rvmrSWi6kA7dzDRiTEMqq2Sg3XfZizimztc/s1600/20140104_082754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xy__AJlazAr7nknqFOgUmvuY0KMbRRT2u2EXgwF34es_JFgnIcK9wYfiwYkuXJwJpoZCb5jHDT9Xit17h8Tpa8ZHdC0oKqNQXKO2H443rvmrSWi6kA7dzDRiTEMqq2Sg3XfZizimztc/s1600/20140104_082754.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drive through cafe</td></tr>
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I've been a bit Strava happy recently and have decided to put all my rides on there for at least the month of January but maybe it will be a bit more interesting when I am actually training properly.<br />
Running has been a bit unremarkable but unremarkable means no injuries which is good news. I see there is a new ASICS DS Trainer out which looks rather delicious so maybe I need to step up the mileage so that my current ones wear out a bit quicker.<br />
I feel too weird to put my runs on Strava - seems a bit personal for my liking. Maybe when I am running a bit quicker...<br />
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We had a fun morning spectating the Auckland 70.3 this morning and got to see all the big stars. I had a little bit of FOMO but was feeling a bit icky with the start of a cold so wasn't too sad not to be doing it. I had a bit of an awkward moment when I tried to get a high five from Frodo on his way in to take the win with about 2.5 km to go but he denied me - SHAME! He did acknowledge me so maybe he is just a germaphobe. It is the only time I have ever tried to high five an athlete and I think I may have been scarred for life.<br />
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Sad news in the Jo-Rad household this week with our dear friend and pussy cat Murfy passing away after a short (or maybe a long but silent) illness. She was 15.5 so had a good life and was her usual spritely self until about 3 days before she died so didn't suffer for long. We were very sad to see her go and are missing her very much.<br />
RIP Murfy Razzle Cat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGZEem-XuBA9UFivRujgGpwcszwQFnkYfpWjqDwGcnlQc9fdWWPWDnJxGFd7uz00InGqsDGQgfFQfdqJVZRqUTQie-iN1g5YGnaUGU2gmwCVGD3_LoMGQYIkCMLaktDrJMkcljaQ60uw/s1600/CAM00442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGZEem-XuBA9UFivRujgGpwcszwQFnkYfpWjqDwGcnlQc9fdWWPWDnJxGFd7uz00InGqsDGQgfFQfdqJVZRqUTQie-iN1g5YGnaUGU2gmwCVGD3_LoMGQYIkCMLaktDrJMkcljaQ60uw/s1600/CAM00442.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BPC surveying her kingdom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoy pussy cat heaven Murfy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXG6l7e5Fle6RDCzuwNkEhlrzIH26GSVZmRaWGctnkoi_55ogGNW-ISvCtgEZAQiuITMw0aL-6clHiD0fUd8LZZCgb9p46oPNuTVyZJkxxUJdgEoDyTR6bgiPdqRFqNOBx5Gb8E75ky5s/s1600/20131229_130929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXG6l7e5Fle6RDCzuwNkEhlrzIH26GSVZmRaWGctnkoi_55ogGNW-ISvCtgEZAQiuITMw0aL-6clHiD0fUd8LZZCgb9p46oPNuTVyZJkxxUJdgEoDyTR6bgiPdqRFqNOBx5Gb8E75ky5s/s1600/20131229_130929.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the fjord in the mighty Honda. Summer in NZ...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ8x0iMgVZi_lEOtyFK0LqxQw_J1JPw9VI-RJqyZfHIFOzJ4O4nkk8_kWgaIWV3p1TmtEWaCWrlViDlFRBr75kr2b6lZlsbZ1nrU1mSPwKFyt2lvhbwawuEMWrheDc7v5i43qgxtUjkI/s1600/20140102_212216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQ8x0iMgVZi_lEOtyFK0LqxQw_J1JPw9VI-RJqyZfHIFOzJ4O4nkk8_kWgaIWV3p1TmtEWaCWrlViDlFRBr75kr2b6lZlsbZ1nrU1mSPwKFyt2lvhbwawuEMWrheDc7v5i43qgxtUjkI/s1600/20140102_212216.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It bakes focaccia bread</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-54638444781947070682013-12-23T22:25:00.002+13:002013-12-23T22:25:31.352+13:00Oh my goodness I forgot Taupo Half photos....<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfTnuB3-iDrFnmRbX_m_aHKkP8P3F1M-_-wtLAUFwnow1HDzGsN8qN3yzG5XSS55O5oWhh76Q4t7jkHSEY8yLsHTVRwLemcDmT0EM6zhS-D6by9tiiEu6aClEnf8iUzvVE3JCmOlq01s/s1600/Taupo9.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfTnuB3-iDrFnmRbX_m_aHKkP8P3F1M-_-wtLAUFwnow1HDzGsN8qN3yzG5XSS55O5oWhh76Q4t7jkHSEY8yLsHTVRwLemcDmT0EM6zhS-D6by9tiiEu6aClEnf8iUzvVE3JCmOlq01s/s1600/Taupo9.PNG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Taddy on the road</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_bOhO-LglC6c3FFdrG-OETH0xa52vg9OpBrpfSnGVDV7oyxRjPBDAN6N9ldKhp0Z9aeDxiTLG-JyWBB2xvcChrALD0t-z4jA45yRBW5OJUCkC1m84blGSUC8S4llHModGyBKgshU4cg/s1600/Taupo3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_bOhO-LglC6c3FFdrG-OETH0xa52vg9OpBrpfSnGVDV7oyxRjPBDAN6N9ldKhp0Z9aeDxiTLG-JyWBB2xvcChrALD0t-z4jA45yRBW5OJUCkC1m84blGSUC8S4llHModGyBKgshU4cg/s1600/Taupo3.PNG" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30A1xMhk3o-vK9C8Xyk-K_N8l3sAw8mB_WSMGVcY0Ma5ZBcLknNbnLFCTAtBNB96lVDU0-XDM2uSApB3HOkPRxYK9SbO5m_orUQ1i7dgQX9T5bTNqB1kyhBBnuDwwhydF8iwarGC4W7U/s1600/Taupo4.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30A1xMhk3o-vK9C8Xyk-K_N8l3sAw8mB_WSMGVcY0Ma5ZBcLknNbnLFCTAtBNB96lVDU0-XDM2uSApB3HOkPRxYK9SbO5m_orUQ1i7dgQX9T5bTNqB1kyhBBnuDwwhydF8iwarGC4W7U/s1600/Taupo4.PNG" height="320" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty casual end to a bike ride</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnsrQiOY37LsvP67D9Fzpp0O4iibSGfVig6V_Lcqsx3S2IRMzu9w7I5nsVoVcyPtNkY6CV11eNKrXFDx6YfUX8EeLp8dqNpqr2gT92bRAqDidTvRGG0ih_8k4i5-nZ5v-squSoouH91g/s1600/Taupo5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnsrQiOY37LsvP67D9Fzpp0O4iibSGfVig6V_Lcqsx3S2IRMzu9w7I5nsVoVcyPtNkY6CV11eNKrXFDx6YfUX8EeLp8dqNpqr2gT92bRAqDidTvRGG0ih_8k4i5-nZ5v-squSoouH91g/s1600/Taupo5.PNG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The patter of teeny tiny feet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhtaDv0jJSaXBeGFp_P3ngLcDbiPxwmjFQBe6pbtwwS-auxrOo3WAIeG4PULmy6XGGRD24ZOtwVsBeYV1rEWjt47TlfJdP044DgpBTLv9AV1iaiZg0kBxHRx8j1xSLXfWK8gFPDY_P5E/s1600/Taupo6.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhtaDv0jJSaXBeGFp_P3ngLcDbiPxwmjFQBe6pbtwwS-auxrOo3WAIeG4PULmy6XGGRD24ZOtwVsBeYV1rEWjt47TlfJdP044DgpBTLv9AV1iaiZg0kBxHRx8j1xSLXfWK8gFPDY_P5E/s1600/Taupo6.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But not for long for this guy</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pSjbUBqysiLrMGcfo7asGU2J-gk_5eW607LZDtC_vL5jVgNCEOuXOUuXmVDRx64MjYUbAa2iYwzy0E0pNXWymjaZ-K3Q4DB9y_GpdBouu8aZpQo0GvYPjzd37Nth48-yqfMXMUiIA40/s1600/Taupo12.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7pSjbUBqysiLrMGcfo7asGU2J-gk_5eW607LZDtC_vL5jVgNCEOuXOUuXmVDRx64MjYUbAa2iYwzy0E0pNXWymjaZ-K3Q4DB9y_GpdBouu8aZpQo0GvYPjzd37Nth48-yqfMXMUiIA40/s1600/Taupo12.PNG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBubnPvSujPYt-8NgLFOD7hxaK-Wy96N-Wqc-0QeNrZuh9EYyPwgqhpRL1rIzSxazRbt0NVvGK2ApXmwE_7WKiwmzgi_iIh_4FpiGj1lHT87kRNN4vJFWXLV487G4T69DL0JoorUVUFf8/s1600/Taupo2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBubnPvSujPYt-8NgLFOD7hxaK-Wy96N-Wqc-0QeNrZuh9EYyPwgqhpRL1rIzSxazRbt0NVvGK2ApXmwE_7WKiwmzgi_iIh_4FpiGj1lHT87kRNN4vJFWXLV487G4T69DL0JoorUVUFf8/s1600/Taupo2.PNG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guy was telling me to put my number to the front but it was stuck down my pants...</td></tr>
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Oh yeah actually my last goal was to break 5 hours and as demonstrated above, this was not achieved...<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-25509186287809301172013-12-23T21:54:00.000+13:002013-12-23T21:54:11.304+13:00Taupo Half Ironman and Other StuffI am writing this blog from my delicious shiny new Samsung laptop - oh my. And I am all techno-ed up so maybe my Samsung laptop and my Samsung tablet and my Samsung smartphone will all talk to each and seemlessly transfer photos and information and mean that I become committed to blogging more often. Actually I am now so far into cutting edge technology that all these devices should probably write my blog for me. In any case I have some new toys which are fun to play with.<br />
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So back to triathlon news.<br />
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Last week I competed in the <a href="http://www.taupohalfironman.co.nz/" target="_blank">Taupo Half Ironman</a> with a rather relaxed attitude due to the relaxed-ness of my training leading up to it but also with a bit of apprehension since I was on the Elite start-list and was feeling not so worthy of being there.<br />
The race went ok - the swim was a bit embarrassingly slow, the bike was ok and the run was actually pretty good. <br />
I was riding without power so was riding with gay abandon and hoping to break 2.40 - rolled into transition in 2.39. There were a lot of bunches on the bike but also a lot of marshals handing out penalties, actually where I was there weren't really bunches which were sticking together it was more like just lots of people getting in everyone else's way.<br />
The run went surprisingly well despite all the crap long runs I had done in preparation (approximately all 3 of them) and I even managed to hold my pace to the end thanks to a girl who ran up to me at halfway and it took me about 5km to shake her off. My goal was to break 1.40 and I did 1.39 (or 1.38 if you don't count my toilet stop...). My final goal was to be in the top 10 and I came 10th so can't really complain. I went through the usual mental anguish after the swim of being the slowest elite,<i> I don't belong here, people will be looking at my low race number and snickering about how slow I am</i>, etc, all those normal thoughts I get when I race elite/pro. I even wonder if I would have had a slighter better race if I had of been racing age group because then I would have been at the front and not at the back. But I guess someone thought I was worthy since they offered me the entry although not too sure if I will be asked back based on my result though!!<br />
Anyway the highlight of the race was FINALLY seeing the plane in the paddock on Broadlands Road! I have ridden along that road probably 30+ times and I thought it was a myth. Not sure how I have missed it all those times but I was very excited to finally see it. I was even so excited to see it that I scrolled through Google Maps so I could see it again.<br />
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Not much has occurred since the race especially with the usual pre-Christmas kerfuffling and over eating going on. With no races locked in it may be a bit difficult to find some motivation to train and I am getting sick of the shocked look people give me when they ask what race I am doing next and I say nothing, so I may have to find something to enter.<br />
I shall leave you with a lovely picture gallery of some photos I found on my phone that I took on one of my lunchtime runs when I had my femoral stress fracture and was a bit unsuccessful with running so I took my camera phone and took some photos instead. This track is about 30 sec run from my work and is one of three trails I can run on - LUCKY!<br />
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And some photos of me in lycra at Stroke and Stride locked in The Battle of the Midgets.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All fun and games in T1</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so fun anymore</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the difference - not much</td></tr>
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Oh and a final thought to His Royness who had a spectacular and mysterious crash yesterday (hit a rock? went to blow a snot rocket and lost his balance?) and fractured his clavicle and four ribs - we salute you Uncle Roy, get well soon.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-73021147552665096382013-12-08T21:17:00.000+13:002013-12-08T21:17:01.420+13:00Post Ironman SlothinessYes I am still alive.<br />
I have had a nightmare of an insurance claim for a replacement laptop screen which resulted in me sending my laptop away to be fixed about 3 weeks ago and I am still waiting to get it back. We do have another computer in the house but writing a blog on any computer other than my laptop seems rather foreign to me so I had been putting it off but we'll see how we go.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riveting</td></tr>
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So in my last post I had fulfilled by triathlon goal of finishing the Hawaii Ironman and had arrived back in NZ and back to reality. Boooooo.<br />
Things have progressed slowly since then with a bit of S/B/R'ing which has built up to my usual amount mostly due to the fact that I am set to compete in the Taupo Half Ironman next weekend. That kind of crept up on us and interfered with post Ironman slovenlyness.<br />
I think I am in ok shape for Taupo but the problem is I am racing Elite (they offered me a free entry so I wasn't going to say no was I...) and don't want to embarrass myself. <br />
The swimming and the biking is going ok but I forget that I had 6 weeks of no running before Ironman then two weeks of run/walk training leading up to the race followed by two weeks of no running and then I wondered why it felt so hideous when I got back into it. Ummmm I think I was a bit unfit. From about the 2nd km of my first long run (of 11km...) I felt like absolute poo and wanted to walk. But I persereved and have made it up to 15km which will just have to do for Taupo. And it has gotten a little more pleasant but is still very slow. I found a new run buddy with my friend Annemarie from school days who has just moved up the road from us so hopefully we can do some running together which will be nice to have some female company in one aspect of my training.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xterra cake for speedy Xterra people</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new workmates for a morning</td></tr>
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Stroke and Stride has started for the season, the first race being a real shock to the system and was probably the first time I have run anything quicker than about a 4.50 for a km since August. The 5km run was about 2km too long for me but I still managed to pass a few people to come about 17th - long gone are the days when I used to come in the top 10 for these races. Although I think it is a bit more competive these days with heaps of young kiddies who can swim and run fast. The men's race was won by a 14 year old and I think Jared was rather pertubed by the number of young boys in front of him.<br />
The second race was a bit more successful and I even managed to make it into the top 15 - wooo! The swim was really rough but I managed to come out closer to the people who usually waste me and even beat out a couple of people who I never swim faster than. I was then locked in a battle with my little midget friend Pip for about 2.5km but she must have just been toying with me because all of a sudden she took off and left me in her wake. She has been running 18.30's for 5km recently so I was pretty happy that I could keep up with her for a bit, I need to go back to O'Hagen's after Christmas and test out my 5km time.<br />
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Biking has progressed from a couple of half-assed midweek rides and something a bit longer in the weekend (but still pretty half-assed) to a few 4 hour Sunday rides and even some intervals. I suddenly had a panic attack about 3 weeks ago about Taupo so decided I had better take things a bit more seriously since weekdays rides were frequently consisting of me not bothering to get up early and then just riding to the ferry for all of about 27 minutes of riding.<br />
I don't have anything planned race-wise post-Taupo but hopefully I can keep continue this level of biking (maybe no need to ride for quite as long as 4 hours) afterwards to keep my fitness up. I have been considering Auckland Half Ironman which always seems like a good idea at the time but not so fun when I am at the turnaround at Kaiua all alone and facing a nasty headwind, so I'm not rushing into that just yet.<br />
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So that's about it really. We have slowly been kitting out our new house in some styley furniture from <a href="http://www.cintesi.co.nz/" target="_blank">Cintesi</a> and I have also become a master fence painter. I envision there will be a lot of fence painting happening this summer...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out those barstools</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErPCNiNIx6scQfBlCD5of-4SZoKeZYRR_TuP8k30K5UANi5I7M2-F-ZVUq9-fCUDgtXNnNfPGsH6wdH0KJ2Dw3EuedFD9-NZt_ry-7rC-MFQUwHt2GM_WXa6ODsPMKBW2kIFcFKP0cM4/s1600/CAM00473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErPCNiNIx6scQfBlCD5of-4SZoKeZYRR_TuP8k30K5UANi5I7M2-F-ZVUq9-fCUDgtXNnNfPGsH6wdH0KJ2Dw3EuedFD9-NZt_ry-7rC-MFQUwHt2GM_WXa6ODsPMKBW2kIFcFKP0cM4/s320/CAM00473.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After. Oh la la</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8831887848271528496.post-13507221625892901692013-10-23T22:45:00.004+13:002013-10-23T22:49:48.489+13:00Ironman Hawaii Race Report - kind of...I was sitting contemplating life after finishing the Hawaii Ironman (as you do) and was preparing my race report in my head. The more I thought about it and the more I read other people's race reports I lost enthusiasm for it. Not because I had a bad day or I wanted to forget it but I think because I wasn't actually racing, I was completing and it seems a bit silly to write a 'completion' report and to be honest my day was pretty boring.<br />
So rather than going through a blow by blow description of the whole 11 hours and 25 minutes of what I ate and how many times I went to the toilet (twice in case anyone is interested) I thought maybe I would just write down some of my musings and highs and lows of the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JC and PNF</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVvkSVp7OKiSd6I9_5GZRBFJzLzYelGu3V1rLtjhKYpSx_lewnlr8DCCWofk_7S5B494nGKSSk9ZuTQt8xA_H4zTlidPUJkk5ywrIRFtCb1nO94FhmXZUDlXTs0y5Jv51t8ry3ibwexk/s1600/CAM00337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVvkSVp7OKiSd6I9_5GZRBFJzLzYelGu3V1rLtjhKYpSx_lewnlr8DCCWofk_7S5B494nGKSSk9ZuTQt8xA_H4zTlidPUJkk5ywrIRFtCb1nO94FhmXZUDlXTs0y5Jv51t8ry3ibwexk/s320/CAM00337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoping I would get to see this the next day</td></tr>
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I was pretty excited to get the chance to go back to Kona, since my failed attempted in 2009 it seems that the bar has been raised and girls are getting faster and faster and I really wondered if I would actually qualify again. I am not a particularly touchy feely emotional type person but I think that DNF'ing in 2009 was quite a significant event and so returning to Kona brought back a whole range of emotions and made me realize how much it would mean to me just to run across the finish line on Ali'i Drive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh051nVeTnrsS7mkuImpraMHhrQQTuV-ed3oSph8azWyCyFKI8i0dqXM62-7Vxisu1Gcuo7PIgdft2SpoCgn46K9co3kcevxeVcSQviWR8BPn5p6S6v5n7-7wXajUyDqX_ReiSV4e-2kuE/s1600/CAM00323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh051nVeTnrsS7mkuImpraMHhrQQTuV-ed3oSph8azWyCyFKI8i0dqXM62-7Vxisu1Gcuo7PIgdft2SpoCgn46K9co3kcevxeVcSQviWR8BPn5p6S6v5n7-7wXajUyDqX_ReiSV4e-2kuE/s320/CAM00323.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actually I just wanted to return to Kona to do the Undie Run. </td></tr>
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The whole build up to the race was way better than last time with Jared and Kezzle and I being the main team and Claire, Malcolm, Chris, Lesley and DTE coming over a few days before so this time I was surrounded by my people.<br />
I think I was way more relaxed the closer the race got - my hip was feeling good and I had no expectation on myself to go fast, I just wanted to finish and was prepared to walk the marathon if need be. I had a swim and bike time in my head but the last time I did Kona I was the most miserable I have ever been on a bike for the last 50km (I actually lost the will to live) so if it took me 6.5hrs this time but I was happy then I would take it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Bv5zImjPUZYCdBXXxJI64ByRnfFawPbEyLTo5jdC_QIoNTJ9obtx1OcntiHuyom6j0PXu3WSGoLTRn91Xm0rzCpq7SzVYs-8NK7LvmNNKsTps9p-RZOtQqGrCG-GSvgQpQWU1jF9z9M/s1600/CAM00342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Bv5zImjPUZYCdBXXxJI64ByRnfFawPbEyLTo5jdC_QIoNTJ9obtx1OcntiHuyom6j0PXu3WSGoLTRn91Xm0rzCpq7SzVYs-8NK7LvmNNKsTps9p-RZOtQqGrCG-GSvgQpQWU1jF9z9M/s320/CAM00342.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike check in time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Race morning and not having a great hair day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lzil5FUkj1YyIaMkRPyVycEyvRt3gLR3NaluYZf_okQjARWXpcpyPX4EwN41m4qOMVJUNBBcxVCPjCAZkvNHYCBtGlx5jGbc1gkjDkatBHuhuWESA2Odb5HLscdFYMLlaxa_4v12sdA/s1600/CAM00353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Lzil5FUkj1YyIaMkRPyVycEyvRt3gLR3NaluYZf_okQjARWXpcpyPX4EwN41m4qOMVJUNBBcxVCPjCAZkvNHYCBtGlx5jGbc1gkjDkatBHuhuWESA2Odb5HLscdFYMLlaxa_4v12sdA/s320/CAM00353.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrity spotting on race morning, Gordon Ramsey without a shirt</td></tr>
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One of the highlights of the day was getting to the swim turnaround in 31 minutes - <i>"I shouldn't count my chickens but OH MY GOD this is going to be the fastest swim of my life!! When did I become such an amazing swimmer!? And isn't the current pushing us to shore? So I will probably go even faster on the way back!!" </i>Getting closer to the pier - <i>"I'm not going to look at my watch until I stand up so it will be a surprise how amazingly fast I just swam, hmmm it seems to be taking quite a while to get to the pier... don't look at your watch yet, don't look at your watch yet..." </i>Stand up on the beach and look at my watch - 1hr11, oh well at least I had 71 minutes of believing I had suddenly learnt how to swim properly...<br />
Another highlight was getting to the 90km mark on the bike in 2hrs35 - at least this time I was a bit more realistic and knew that the last 70km into the headwind might slow me down a bit.<br />
Fortunately the demons which plagued me in the last 50km in 2009 didn't return this time, I had a bit of a low patch around the 120km mark but perked up and started passing people who I recognised from passing me earlier. In fact according to ironman.com I passed about 25 people in the last 20 miles of the bike.<br />
And while we are talking about passing people on the bike I still can't get over how fast some of these girls can ride - using Jared as a measuring stick since he is above averagely quick for an age group male and he got out splitted by probably a couple of hundred girls - what the hell?! I can understand girl pros should be faster than him but age group girls?! Crazy. Anyway I was pretty happy with my 5hr47 - I was prepared for a 6 hour ride so anything under 6 was a bonus.<br />
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The run highlight was getting to the run and actually being able to run! As expected though, running a marathon without really training for it (on land anyway) is not that easy and a few unscheduled walking breaks occurred... The worst thing was my feet which were really sore from just being on them for so long and not being used to running for so long. I did stay blister free in my prostate shoes and new socks which the man at The Big Island Running Store assured me would not cause blisters and he was right. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqsFpvtfM34wYEjimTRUhyphenhyphen3QDIJhgasYFVMsnMn2dyGWx1JijR3AdOg51yFXJBOoxH0t7uMGWOn7em3sGK83LUTGwvdYLp2bAMQ3d7fupzDnMzEsC2q98YKEP75FehOY4lChIljKuwSQ/s1600/1393753_10153365730835523_1389563060_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqsFpvtfM34wYEjimTRUhyphenhyphen3QDIJhgasYFVMsnMn2dyGWx1JijR3AdOg51yFXJBOoxH0t7uMGWOn7em3sGK83LUTGwvdYLp2bAMQ3d7fupzDnMzEsC2q98YKEP75FehOY4lChIljKuwSQ/s320/1393753_10153365730835523_1389563060_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't not include a tongue photo, actually pretty much my only photo from the race</td></tr>
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I made a few friends along the way and even got asked if I was single - maybe this should be the fourth highlight of the day.<br />
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The last 14kms certainly dragged on but seeing Kezzle and Jared in the Energy Lab helped. Jared was not in a great way but seemed like he was going to make it. Claire and Malcolm were great supporters and popped up on their bikes at a few different places and seeing the other Kiwis out there made things a bit more interesting.<br />
I got to the last aid station on the Queen K and then I ran the whole way to the finish - I even ran through the last aid station on Palani. I'd like to say that the pain and despair of the last four years hanging over me from not finishing last time came rushing back and I ran down Ali'i Drive with tears running down my my face and collapsed sobbing on the finish line - but in reality, aside from being pretty happy to be finished, I didn't feel much else. I do remember a guy on the side of the road cheering me on saying "You're on Ali'i Drive!" which is strangely probably something I will always remember. I don't really understand how people can be so emotional at the end of an Ironman - I'm so drained that you could probably kill a puppy in front of me and I wouldn't blink, I have sweated out any excess fluid so there would be nothing to make tears with.<br />
It was 6.25pm when I finished and almost completely dark (actually I remember walking along the Queen K thinking if I don't start running then they might make me carry a glow stick which prompted me to start running) and the lights of the finish area were so bright. It is the first Ironman I have ever finished in darkness - damn you Kona and your super early sunset... I managed to spot Claire and Malcolm and their NZ flag as I ran down the finishing chute and gave them a high five which was pretty cool. I also vaguely recall Mike Reilly calling me in saying I was here to get the job done which is what I think I wrote on my entry application - I did get the job done.<br />
One thing I was not impressed with was the finishing area set up. It was about 10 minutes of walking (post Ironman pace) before there was anywhere to sit down and while I had two volunteers with me they were hardly even touching me unlike at IMNZ when they propped me up so much that I was almost being carried which is exactly what you want when you have just finished an Ironman.<br />
I eventually found Jared in the massage tent and followed him into the medical tent when the massage people thought he was going to keel over. He wasn't in a very good way which made for a very interesting next hour trying to find our supporters and work out the logistics of getting us and our stuff back which was mentally exhausting. All I really wanted to do was lie in the fetal position and close my eyes but we ended up having to ride our bikes the 5kms back to the condo carrying all our gear bags - just what you need when have just finished an Ironman. I was particularly worried about Jared but he had perked up quite a bit by this stage so I made sure he kept singing to me in the darkness of Ali'i Drive so I knew he was ok.<br />
And just like that Ironman day was over. I still can't get over how fast these people at Kona are - if my running had of been up to scratch I would take say 40 minutes off my time to give me 10hrs45 which is a reasonably decent Ironman time for a girl (I think..), that would put me at 36th in my age group out of 70 - how crazy is that! To be honest I think I would have been a bit disheartened to have a perfect race and still only finish in the middle of the age group. Admittedly it is a very competitive age group and although I hate using the silly cliches which people use when talking about Kona but it is very humbling. To go from being a near the front age grouper to being a middle to even back of the pack is a bit of an eye opener.<br />
One last musing from my day was that of our little group of me, Jared and Kezzle I had the fastest run split!! I am of course using the term 'run' loosely... Jared had some cramping issues so walked quite a bit and as far as I know Kezzle just ran really really slowly. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Walking Bus</td></tr>
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The next few days were rather slow and uncomfortable with the worst sunburn I have ever had plus some chaffing is some rather undesirable places.<br />
But nonetheless we still managed a boat trip the next day to swim with dolphins and go snorkling, had a nice dinner at Bubba Gumps and made it into the after party and stalked Macca. Then on to Waikiki for a few days trying to stay out of the sun (my extreme sunburn made me rather solarphobic). We did some shopping, taught ourselves how to paddleboard, ate macadamia nuts, 'ran' up Diamond Head (not because we wanted to go for a run but it was the only method of transportation to get there), went to the aquarium and overate at The Cheesecake Factory.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18g4PrymJiWXq7sdn90e7_3oS7JTbrcZAS5TsYGd5BkHQeZDToWgXnmthKHdfC_eDgJ7ngwPnNfI5q7cA2eqNmGU6aBEwMVuaMRb7p4IwVc_Uucz2mQtFtWMNvn5pkBcN63iWRGvlXlE/s1600/CAM00356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18g4PrymJiWXq7sdn90e7_3oS7JTbrcZAS5TsYGd5BkHQeZDToWgXnmthKHdfC_eDgJ7ngwPnNfI5q7cA2eqNmGU6aBEwMVuaMRb7p4IwVc_Uucz2mQtFtWMNvn5pkBcN63iWRGvlXlE/s320/CAM00356.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top supporters</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiutkjAgXYf5sWaunhJGld7FGra6SJofaxnIennWMrW5OG_KC0OqEHrHjJRp2uVhJ9e5lNpn1FtlShPzvKWNymgHDzqJeHcgJBdxp59o3JgcbMuj2Me5HyKmsgtBG7jvCMmjvKuGC-cY/s1600/CAM00365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsiutkjAgXYf5sWaunhJGld7FGra6SJofaxnIennWMrW5OG_KC0OqEHrHjJRp2uVhJ9e5lNpn1FtlShPzvKWNymgHDzqJeHcgJBdxp59o3JgcbMuj2Me5HyKmsgtBG7jvCMmjvKuGC-cY/s320/CAM00365.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new friend</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRH_o0r-gGbIeqXDdjB6EtPyTHVnWywkDbM_hOdQgcSeVQ74UDxFeOf4FYFVNKkR4XYzPdEIiNISO38PgxfMno6e6uYMB7JgvCjrHpwgmgnWiMz2RaE66nHw8hTsLiPOFohpLYZDyZRk/s1600/CAM00379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRH_o0r-gGbIeqXDdjB6EtPyTHVnWywkDbM_hOdQgcSeVQ74UDxFeOf4FYFVNKkR4XYzPdEIiNISO38PgxfMno6e6uYMB7JgvCjrHpwgmgnWiMz2RaE66nHw8hTsLiPOFohpLYZDyZRk/s320/CAM00379.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waikiki-ing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmJBn5oXaG3xMVJznrWu0BOtlIjkErvLiCF1ijzA1IHZAxcYBSnTm8axiZj2zjQ0BTy36fZtzg4yFIUoBdRCsACzGo0_lwmxvibP1M4EnGnwjk6dqscJBfmnm_vu98_UtS7-fi42Gwhg/s1600/CAM00395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmJBn5oXaG3xMVJznrWu0BOtlIjkErvLiCF1ijzA1IHZAxcYBSnTm8axiZj2zjQ0BTy36fZtzg4yFIUoBdRCsACzGo0_lwmxvibP1M4EnGnwjk6dqscJBfmnm_vu98_UtS7-fi42Gwhg/s320/CAM00395.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waikiki at sunset</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY4Skt_JcI1CwCL1mhvp3Az0rjpWjmNozSXVb_XPbvuHSoCGzHYj93v7Ftl9S_sjdfWB-GdCDNuFHQ_vp-rLBxT0Fp3JJyUTE5205bhFa3QJN0qI4kUkb2owvWDH6ESw4c16tQOyMfd4/s1600/CAM00396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPY4Skt_JcI1CwCL1mhvp3Az0rjpWjmNozSXVb_XPbvuHSoCGzHYj93v7Ftl9S_sjdfWB-GdCDNuFHQ_vp-rLBxT0Fp3JJyUTE5205bhFa3QJN0qI4kUkb2owvWDH6ESw4c16tQOyMfd4/s320/CAM00396.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pack run up Diamond Head</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtX97xnDQkkD2n9677XA6nNK9eNfWACv28t1DBObaBkImUr5uT3eFdJ1LmxM5cj2oaGUQTPdxyxllbQSuAfZRS9I7lshX9GO7WfU6TpB-gWoMMLJod2VLW17WdDcgMdktR-EqrO_534V4/s1600/CAM00399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtX97xnDQkkD2n9677XA6nNK9eNfWACv28t1DBObaBkImUr5uT3eFdJ1LmxM5cj2oaGUQTPdxyxllbQSuAfZRS9I7lshX9GO7WfU6TpB-gWoMMLJod2VLW17WdDcgMdktR-EqrO_534V4/s320/CAM00399.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part way up Diamond Head, probably walking by now</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGI3ffh1OSwAJnK2i8iMRYfHk5lQ0y4S2ej7FZ1a7UuCRX1uWIBxOzRr1zt3mm462OGTOlExNcrSj_5C5vO53svcG72J2TmxoLUPQ2WnPukI3c29sXdoGi9nnpRJZ3on0tpO1TQ0eFjE/s1600/CAM00402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGI3ffh1OSwAJnK2i8iMRYfHk5lQ0y4S2ej7FZ1a7UuCRX1uWIBxOzRr1zt3mm462OGTOlExNcrSj_5C5vO53svcG72J2TmxoLUPQ2WnPukI3c29sXdoGi9nnpRJZ3on0tpO1TQ0eFjE/s320/CAM00402.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the top, everyone suck in</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUl7-PJl8o5rbrF2KNzEttkIuS2Ay1K-BhDhcTaD2D9awiCV6ptunoTmyWLrULb_AL6xiNSKFNwBQ-o_tQZBIz1JcZcJU4rjJh9XdEVowq3_iFUkeZNFo98ffT0A68XBTaw6IiwqAQLI/s1600/CAM00429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggUl7-PJl8o5rbrF2KNzEttkIuS2Ay1K-BhDhcTaD2D9awiCV6ptunoTmyWLrULb_AL6xiNSKFNwBQ-o_tQZBIz1JcZcJU4rjJh9XdEVowq3_iFUkeZNFo98ffT0A68XBTaw6IiwqAQLI/s320/CAM00429.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still at Waikiki</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7SvP5ktuYk4NsTsbZGY3iIWQN-UTvCP8nDnTVruwEHs1z-q9culNYMG6ForoUjge4rbFG1fSJwAInaBf4_5sFe5by2IdcRrbl6qvwdpDsiSG4-ykVj24oCMrCsn3Rui4hSurQfhlG-c/s1600/CAM00430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib7SvP5ktuYk4NsTsbZGY3iIWQN-UTvCP8nDnTVruwEHs1z-q9culNYMG6ForoUjge4rbFG1fSJwAInaBf4_5sFe5by2IdcRrbl6qvwdpDsiSG4-ykVj24oCMrCsn3Rui4hSurQfhlG-c/s320/CAM00430.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to ignoring the sleazy man next to me</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuP7hO5BhH2v19OAvPlrBCImFTQB1y2uhNnAnDx4TiYqMAYpu7H9U5jvtBcZJsUwwzMSNqUZ6NZmczuKpYCzvr80llAUlAiJzZ_scHD9rV8IvYjg_QWlHbcqax-u-eRXrRg5S4-kp1lSk/s1600/CAM00435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuP7hO5BhH2v19OAvPlrBCImFTQB1y2uhNnAnDx4TiYqMAYpu7H9U5jvtBcZJsUwwzMSNqUZ6NZmczuKpYCzvr80llAUlAiJzZ_scHD9rV8IvYjg_QWlHbcqax-u-eRXrRg5S4-kp1lSk/s320/CAM00435.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre flight massages</td></tr>
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Now we are back in NZ remembering what to do at work and learning how to hang curtains and stain decks. The weather has been pretty good so far so might do a bit of easy biking in the weekend but will keep the running shoes packed up until next week. Taupo Half Ironman is about 7 weeks away so will start thinking about that soon but I might just enjoy riding my road bike for a few weeks first.<br />
So my last word must go out to my loyal supporters - Jared Razzle and Kezzle for being my training buddies for all those long rides, Davo for the bike program and helping to get my wheel fixed two days before we were due to fly out, Neilio for our stylish BMW kit, Darreene for kindly lending me his bike bag, Claire, Malcolm, Lesley, Chris and DTE for being great race day supporters, my two (and soon to be three) loyal blog readers in Tauranga, Mum for taking in all the free t-shirts I scored while I was away which are too big for me, and to everyone for their messages of support before and after race day. There really is a special little community in the NZ triathlon scene and I am always humbled (sorry to use it again, last time I promise) by the amount of support which I receive from all you tri-geeks out there, thanks for all being a part of helping my tri-geek dream come true. Don't worry, next blog I will be back to my usual cynical self.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12230262345019546264noreply@blogger.com1