Iron Virgins

Went along to the Taupo Iron Virgins meeting tonight.  It was great to talk to other people who are gearing up to take on Ironman, and also hear about the experiences of others who have just done it, even if some of the experiences totally had the ick factor going on (it was a long, wet day, see my last post and times it  x 16 if you want an idea of what they were going through by the end....).

I am still excited and feeling positive .  Fingers crossed for a warm dry winter!

as always,
love Ironmaiden

Ouch!

I have chaffing!  I'm not gonna tell you where, or why, or what I am going to do about it, because that would be gross, but ouch!

as ever,
love
Ironmaiden

Settling In

So I've been interviewing coaches, asking lots of questions.  Each time I meet a potential coach I walk away thinking "Terrific!  That's the coach for me!", which isn't helping narrow down my choice a whole lot.  They all have  a different approach and I liked all of them as people, but I guess I have plenty of time to figure out what is going to be the best approach for me.

The best news for this week is that I have totally come to grips with the idea of doing Ironman.  I'm looking forward to the year ahead and really looking forward to the race...opps...I mean event, let's face it, there won't be a whole lot of racing going on in my department!  I've leave that to Slippery Eel Mean Lady.

I'm still swimming, and now have been for a few runs, and I have to say, I've fitter than I thought.  This house painting business must be quite good endurance training.   Perhaps next year I'll start a business coaching Ironman athletes and the training will consist of a nice sideline business painting houses....people would pay for that right?  Well, the concept probably needs a little development.

Anyway, I'm keen to hear your ideas for magpie defence in the spring when the little buggers start getting really nasty...let me know.

love
Ironmaiden

No turning back now!

So here is the email I just received:


2012 Ironman New Zealand

Congratulations on entering the 2012 Ironman New Zealand – the world’s original international Ironman.  We are delighted to confirm your entry.


So it's all on now!  Katie has entered too which is great, she is such a cruisy lass she helps defuse my angst tremendously!   Of course she is also Australian, so we'll be watching out for any underarm bowling scandals as this campaign progresses.

No exciting radish-related news today, although I have heard a rumour that nutrigran is in fact NOT ironman food.  I did make a poi on Saturday though.

See you next time.
love,
Ironmaiden

Endorphins

I went for a run today - got those old endorphins rushing into the endocrine system - awesome!   Glad that part still works.

Ok, enough bout training.  I also went to WOMAD over in Taranaki  - what a great festival!  The weather was perfect which helps a lot, but the best bit was I had a whole weekend of not thinking about the Ironmaidenship and as a result had two AWESOME night's sleep.  I feel like a human being again and this little task I have ahead of me seems much more manageable.

My friend who is a genuine organic bogan (and actually very intelligent which really does throw my whole concept of boganism out of whack) made me a CD with some songs from the real Ironmaiden on it, so I've been rocking out to that in the car.  It is actually growing on me, perhaps part of this campaign  will be channelling my inner bogan and finding strength in places I didn't know I had places?

I have more enormous radishes but my kamokamo looks like it might be on its way out.

Stay cool till after school,

love always,
Ironmaiden

16th March - How naive am I?

So it turns out the big challenge (as if running a marathon after a 180km bike ride isn't enough) is going to be funding this foolhardy campaign.  The more research I do, the more it is sinking in how much it is going to cost me.  The package I've won will help, but crickey...I think I may need to speak to my mortgage broker before I go much further!  I wish there was a whole industry of sponsors who chase mediocre athletes...
On a brighter note, I grew a HUGE radish.  Radishes are so satisfying. I'd put a photo up, but meh, use your imaginations.  I'll describe it - it was a radish, and it was huge.  I use past tense because it is currently hurtling its way towards my digestive tract.

Till next time,
love
Ironmaiden

7th March - Well I didn't think I would win...

So this all started when I agreed to be a part of the Ironman Volunteers behemoth here in Taupo for the 2011 Ironman.

Part of the volunteer's deal is that you get to stand on your feet for 13 hours, up to your ankles in mud and water, get yelled at by charming competitors, culminating in a dinner with 2000 other volunteers with a chance to win a free entry for the next year's Ironman.

I loved the 13 hours of wet feet, I loved the verbal abuse and death stares from she who will not be named (but seriously, she squirmed like an eel, she was her own worst enemy), and on a whole thoroughly enjoyed the day.  I entered the draw for the volunteers prize thinking there would be 2000 competing entries.  It turns out that NOT EVERYBODY ENTERS....I didn't know this.  And I certainly didn't think I would win.  I almost didn't, but our wonderful mayor had a rush of blood to the head and decided extra free entries should be given away this year.   And one of those had my name on it.

Here I am looking suitably intimidated with the other gullible volunteers who put their names in the draw.

Anyway, I am getting lots of good advice from good people, and lots of dubious advice from dubious people.  I will certainly be eating this particular elephant in small bites.  I hope you will join me as I head off on this head banging thrash metal journey....how hard can it be right?

love
Ironmaiden
(ps I hope I don't get done by the trademark police)