The spirit is willing but the flesh is treacherous....

Well I've been enjoying training lately, my swimming is coming together, i am not really any faster but I seem to more efficient, I swam two kilometres on Monday and felt good at the end, so that is helping my confidence a lot.

Unfortunately tonight I was enjoying a very pleasant wheezy shuffle in the twilight, taking in the gorgeous autumn colours, stunning sunset and vista of lake and mountains when I felt a sharp pain in my calf muscle. I had been chased by a dog earlier, so I suppose I should be glad it was just an old calf injury flaring up rather than a savage attack by some part-pitbull part-tasmanian devil mongrel getting ahold of my delicate person.

This calf muscle is a bit of a problem but I have managed it successfully before, so I will be able to cope this time.  I've got my first event coming up in a little over two weeks - a 10k run in Strasbourg, France!  I only hope the course is clearly marked and Idon't have to stop and ask directions of the marshalls.  The only thing I can ask is "Where is the toilet?" and "Can I have some chocolate ice cream with my green beans please?"; neither of which will be particularly useful for navigating my way around a running course!

Till next time,
Au revoir!
Ironmaiden

Flat like a flounder!

Hello!

Today I have to admit I felt about bleurgh!   I went for my prescribed bike ride, but I have to admit the quantity of easter chocolate I have consumed perhaps wasn't the best preparatory food.

I wheezed my way up the Aratiatia hill though, so its all good.  I can at least report that training continues.

I have just spent a few days in Wellington, my training programme required me to go running, but with no big hills.  Seriously?  Has my coach ever been to Wellington?  All the hills  there are big and you can't avoid them!   

Until next time,

love
Ironmaiden

Water in my ears (and everywhere else)

So I am truckin through my first week of coaching.  It is awesome having a personalised programme, and a coach who is very patient with my many (and often inane) questions.

It has been tipping it down with rain all day, so I was glad I was scheduled for a swim today, because a run or a ride would have felt like a swim anyway!  I feel like I am getting the hang of this swimming business, which is terrific.  I feel much more confident about the prospect of 3.8km.  And after all, I've still got a few months to train!  But for now, I've got the fire lit and I am hunkering down.

Catch up soon,
love
Ironmaiden

Turbo spinach!

I wonder if my expectations and baselines are changing, but right now the smallest things make me happy, like the spinach in my garden that is growing great guns!  I am munching lots down hoping it will pop my muscles like Popeye.  I wonder if Popeye had good core strength ?  I certainly need to improve mine.
How lucky am I to have a campaign manager?  Good things are happening on that front...hopefully I'll have updates there soon.

I went for run wheezy shuffle tonight, it was a beautiful evening, I have the best training ground imaginable!

Are you all taking care and making plans to be in Taupo for the first weekend of March 2012?

lots of love
Ironmaiden

One of those days...

I guess they happen from time to time, days like these.

So it turns out my bike is too big for me.  Which means either I am shorter than I was in 2004 when I bought it (unlikely), or they sold me a bike that is to large.  Whodda thought!  Nothing is EVER too big for me!  How do you make a bike smaller?  Well, sadly, the answer does not involve a hacksaw, superglue and some duct tape.

And then I went to swimming.  Thought I'd start early and practice some tumble turns.  The rest of the people then couldn't train because ALL the water is now inside my sinuses.  Except for the 10 litres or so that is in my ears. 

And then I cooked my dinner ad burned my finger.  Kat lives too far away and it is fricken cold!

But on a bright note, dinner was delicious, and next month I'll be able to drive through Paris, in a sportscar, with the warm wind in my hair....

Might skip the sportscar though, have you seen how those Parisians drive?

Till next time!
love
Ironmaiden