Heart Rate Monitors

I bought an expensive heart rate monitor about 4 years ago, when I started trying to lose weight. It was good when I was walking, as it told me I needed to work harder as I got fitter.

I haven't been using it at all in my training this past year. I put it on yesterday to go for a bike/run brick session. Unfortunately it wasn't working properly on my bike, but I managed to get a maximum heart rate. On the run it worked well. My heart rate bounds up quite fast when running, my resting heart rate is 48. It started off around 145 to 150, then I had to go a little faster for 10 minutes (in hot weather). It got as high as 163 and then settled around 160. Interestingly, it stayed at 160 even when I slowed the pace down.

This is 92% of my maximum heart rate. I went a lot faster than I normally go, but don't think I could sustain that heart rate for a whole 21.1 km run. I might save up for a new heart rate monitor, one that does laps and splits and things that mine doesn't. Now that I'm a bit more experienced and fitter, I can see that it will be a good tool to use to 'push' myself harder. I think I might be a little bit chicken and not pushing myself too hard.

Rotorua Half Ironman Photos

Photos taken by Arthur H - for free! Thanks Arthur H!!

Finally finishing the Rotorua Half Ironman.

Leaving Hooksie speechless. The downside of this - standing in front of skinny triathletes!

This is the email I got back from Hooksie, I emailed him to say it was me, as I wasn't too sure what his reaction to my skit was.

Juls.

You were the star of the show, no doubt. It was without a doubt one of
the funniest moments of improptu humour at a prize giving ever. It was
like Flight of the Conchords funny. Fantastic.

i had to tell people, I didn't script it.

Loved it and good for you.

Cheers

Hooksie.

Feeling the pain, head games and shag shooting

Back home again, and feeling good, a little sore, but good. I even did a pump class today - with warm up weights the whole session, but I did it!

After dropping off the kids on Friday, I drove to Rotorua, grateful to be able to crank up the car stereo and cruise down to Rotorua. I dropped my stuff off at the camping ground - a really neat one - and went to the Blue Lake. There were a few people having a practice swim. I was a bit early, so got in and went for a swim before the other bloggers arrived. It was great - not too cold at all!

Met up with the other bloggers, and grabbed our timing chips and bits and pieces. I was starving, so looked for something to eat - settled on pizza and a salad from Hells Pizza's (country bumpkins have to go out for tea when they go away!)

I got all my gear together and got to bed. I slept well, I'd set two alarms, so knew I'd be right. Still managed to wake up at 2.30 am though!

I headed out to the lake at around 5.15 and racked my bike with the other bloggers. Mucked around, got into my wetsuit and headed to the start.

The men went first, and the women 5 minutes later. I felt fine. Then the whistle went and the heart rate soared! I felt quite uncomfortable for at least 10 minutes. I was near the end, and a lady in a green cap beside me started swimming backstroke. I was determined not to be beaten by someone doing Backstroke, so kept on going. I rounded the 900 m buoy in 22 minutes, which is good for me. The swim back to the shore was good, the team swimmers didn't catch me until near the end, which surprised me. I got out of the water in 50 minutes - right on target!

Fortunately I decided to put my top on after the swim, so I wouldn't stay cold. The water temperature was 21 degrees C, which was warmer than the air!

My transition was good - 5mins. Off on the bike - ouch! The first thing you are doing is biking uphill, my quads hurt, I was thirsty, and tired already! The head games started - how am I going to make it up the other hills, if I'm struggling already!!!!

Seemed all I needed was to warm up, have something to eat and drink, and all was good. Made 75 km/hr down Tarawera hill - yahoo! The ride went well, watched the front riders fly past in the opposite direction FAST!!!

I made it back to the lake without walking up any hills! Was stoked about that, as plenty of people were walking!

A quick change into my running shoes, and off again. I was feeling tired at this stage, and it was getting hot!

The feeling of wanting to walk came about 500m into the run. So I listened to my body, and walked up the hills and ran on the flats and downhill. I was cramping up, and fairly uncomfortable most of the time. I felt a lot better when I got onto the road and saw most people walking up the hills!!!

At the first distance marker (4 km) I had already taken 35 minutes - I was shocked - it was going to be a 3 hour half marathon!

I got caught up later in the race by 72 year old Garth Barfoot, we walked together and had a chat, a nice bloke - then he said 'well if I don't get past you now, I never will' and went running up the hill - good on him!
'Age before beauty' I told him as he carried on!

I felt better on the second lap of the lake, and managed to pass a couple of other stragglers.

I was really pleased to finish, and grateful to Paul and Kathy who stayed to cheer me on - Thanks guys!

I got my medal (Hooksie borrowed one off someone else) and soaked my legs in the lake (in hindsight I think this was good)

Final time - 7 hours 52 minutes 59 seconds! So REALLY slow, but hey - I finished.

I went back to the cabin, had a shower, and a nana nap! Kathy, Paul and I then had some great pizza and wedges for dinner.

The prize giving wasn't as good as last year, the accoustics in the hall weren't great, and it was HOT.

My surprise was to dress up when Hooksie asked for the 4th leggers to come up - (On the website it says the 4th leg is shag-swim-bike-run. I dressed up as a duck shooter, and protested that the others had no evidence. I pulled out a toy 'shag' and a pukeko, and said that I had been busy shooting them before the race. Hooksie was actually speechless, it took him a while to realise I was taking the piss I think!

I had been planning this for a week or so, but you never know how it will come across. It was definitely something I've never done before, but I've decided you need to do something completely out of character sometimes!! It's good for the soul.

We went home early, which was good, as I had a great sleep. I got up early, grabbed a coffee at McCafe, then met my coach (who finished first in my age group!) She gave me a programme to work with, and showed me some drills for running and swimming. (I'm worried about this coach thing - I'm going to have to work harder!!!) She looked at my swimming, and I'm pleased to say there's nothing wrong with my basic swimming, so she showed me drills to do to improve my speed.

I'm sitting here typing this, a little disappointed I didn't go under 7 and a half hours, but satisfied that I'm still in one piece, not injured, and that I did my stunt at the prize giving.

I'm now in a more positive mood about Tauranga!

Cheers.

I'm off to Vegas

Well Rotovegas anyway!

Looking forward to meeting up with the fellow bloggers. I've got no other support there, so hopefully they'll be able to wait around until I finish the race tomorrow.

I feel ready, taking into account that this really a 'B' race. The Port of Tauranga Half is the 'A' race, and a lot more pressure due to the crowds, and lots of people I know will be there!

The Rotorua Half is great, as it's a real tribute to the 'sloggers'. On Sportzhub, there have been a number of people commenting on how they have overcome various obsticles to be able to complete this length of race.

I'm leaving the house in a mess, Brian is going to have to sort out his own meals (he'll be fine), and I am once again grateful to my parents for looking after our girls.

I've got my mother-in-laws 65th birthday party to face on Sunday (I'm not really complaining, but I think I'll be tired and sore - and only feel like sleeping).

I'll get a race report up when I finally get home. I've got a surprise up my sleeve, let's see if I have the courage to go ahead with my plan!

3 More Sleeps

Last night, I went to put away my cycling shoes, to discover there was only one there! Ahhh Mac! Mac is our new farm dog, a bearded collie. He is a great big loveable fellow, but he has still got the puppy habit of collecting things. My shoe ended up under the clothes line, with all the clothes he had 'hunted' off the line.

My cycle shoes now stink, I think he has wee'd on them! More washing and drying to do.

I've just got a swim and short run to do today, so should be able to get some of my other chores done. The weather has been hot and quite energy sapping, it's been nice to get some rain and cooler temperatures.

Five more sleeps

Five more sleeps to the Rotorua Half Ironman - and what do I do - Enter something else of course! This one involves shooting and rope work as well - so likely to take me right out of my comfort zone.

I'm feeling really tired, I was meant to swim 2500 m in an hour today, I thought I'd done it, but when I got home and checked my watch, it was only 2100m GRR.

6 Sleeps to go

***************************Six*********************
Only 6 more sleeps until the Rotorua Half Ironman. It's quite exciting this year, there's a group of bloggers who have entered, and comparing notes on training, and offering advice (most of it tongue in cheek). The only real worry is that Taniwha in the Blue Lake.



I have done a solid 6 weeks training block. Before that I was busy on the farm, and couldn't put the hours on the bike in. I know I can finish the event, but I'm a little worried about making the final cutoff time.

I'm pleased to have the support of my fellow bloggers, as I'll be there by myself. Brian's family have organised his mum's birthday party on the Sunday - was originally planned for the Saturday. I'm a little bit hacked off about it, as I've had the Half Ironman pencilled in for many months!

I'm pleased to say I've lost some weight. I've been trying really hard, and it's paying off. I have enlisted a coach for this, and for setting up a training programme for the Half Ironman and Adventure races I have.

I have a crazy idea of doing a multisport race called the Lake to Lighthouse. It's really crazy, because it will be HARD.

A big ride

Photo of Mr Adams gate - mentioned in the Rotorua Half website.

It was such a great day today, and Brian was able to look after Ella, so off I went to Kaiaua with my bike. From Kaiaua I took the Auckland Half Ironman (and past NZ Ironman) course up to just past Kawakawa Bay.






Snake Hill - a fast ride down, very slow (6 km/hr at steepest) up!

Calf Club

On Wednesday we had the Ngatea Primary School Calf Club. Now Sub6 is quite keen to learn about calf's as he is having trouble with his! He's even got some compression socks. I should not jest though, as I might get some too!

So what's calf club?

This is a 1937 picture of a calf club in Morrinsille

It has been a tradition for many years in mostly rural schools, that children rear and tend to a young farm animal from (the animals) birth. This can be a kid (goat), lamb or calf.

This is a photo of Celine with Skipper in 2004. Skipper won lots of ribbons!

This animal is fed by the child (primary school age), lead with a halter, brushed and much loved.

The calf club events are held at schools in mid October, at this stage most of the animals are about 3 months old, so still manageable for most children.

Celine's 2007 lamb, Chippy.

At the local calf club children have four events to compete in. The first is the obstacle course. In this event the animal is lead in a ring about 20m by 20m. They walk with their animal through a wiggly track, over a small log, around a peg, over some corrugated iron, and then open and close a gate.

The second event is leading, which is much the same as the obstacle course, but without the obstacle. The children who have been the most dedicated at practicing will show up, as they have a great repore with their animal, and the animal leads without any prompting.

For the lambs and kids the most hilarious (but it's not meant to be) event is the calling. In this case the child undoes the lead and the steward (me in this case) holds on to the animal. The child then walks about 10 m and 'calls' their pet, I then let go. The best animals then bolt to their owner, who then walks a further 10 m with the lamb/kid in hot pursuit, they round another peg then run, again the lamb/kid should be in hot pursuit. at the end of the run, the child must then catch their lamb. If it hasn't happened earlier, this is when the stewards job becomes critical.

Fortunately the ring has material around it, unfortunately if the child has not practiced enough, or has some bad luck, the steward has to chase any escapees. With a multitude of parents and friends watching, this becomes a spectacle with the audience offering plenty of advice to the poor steward who is now chasing at high speed the uncatchable animal. I tend to find the most defiant lambs have even better artful dodger skills than Jonah Lomu!

Anyway, I guess you can imagine!

The next for the lamb/kids is rearing, where the judge determines (basically) which lamb would taste the best! Well seriously, how well grown the animal is, and how well the child has groomed it.

The calves don't do the 'calling' - now that would be interesting! Instead they have rearing - much the same as above, and Dairy or Beef type. This 'Type' class becomes very political to the watching parents/stock breeders on the sideline. Reputations are made and lost on which calf becomes the Type Champion! Actually one of the judges on Wednesday told me he was just about punched by an irate lady, for not choosing her child's calf!! (Yes it gets very serious)

I've finally found this photo, this little 5 year old's calf was bigger than she was. She had absolute control over it - just amazing......and very cute! This was from our local show two years ago.

Irate parents aside, calf club is a great event for the children. It teaches them responsibility (for looking after and animal), time management, and an important skill - if you want to succeed in something - you have to do the work!

Almost 1000

It's quite cool seeing how many people have checked my blog, and where in the world they live. It's up to 991 hits, so not long to 1000.

Because it's my birthday today, and it's fairly grotty outside, I'm not going to do any swimming, biking or running. I'm going out to dinner tonight with some friends, I've even managed to organise a mini-bus, isn't that thoughtful!

Should be a good night - let's hope I can stay awake past 8.30!

It's the Ngatea Garage Sale tomorrow - an annual event where everyone in Ngatea puts out their junk, and people come from miles around to buy it. I've sorted out a few bits and pieces to take into town, but the weather may put me off.

Cement Pills7

It seems we all need more cement pills.

I've come up with the answer - a cement mixer!

I need bucket loads at the moment. For some reason I'm working IN our business instead of ON it - the buzz words of business management!

This means 4 am starts to milk 95 cows (a really small number for us), then get back to get the girls ready for their day.

Then I need to get other business stuff done, feed 150 yearling heifers and 210 calves, and fit getting accounts and wages done.

Then I have some events to train for! Luckily I can get most of my training in during the day, but I HAVE to be in bed by 8.30pm! This means I also am not watching any TV, and missed the final of Outrageous Fortune (I had only just got hooked on it too!)

Things are going well though, I've got a really messy house, car, garage etc, but I'm feeling good. Oh and it's my birthday tomorrow!

Holidays!

It's the school holidays at the moment. It's making training a little difficult, so I'm just trying to stay as active as I can to retain my fitness.

I went shopping with my girls yesterday, the summer fashions are just fabulous for them. I didn't bother with anythingfor myself, other than some sandals.

Ella kept wanting to go to the toilet, as there was a mother and child toilet - a big and little one. Quite funny really, and at least there were no embarrassing accidents! Well, she did a real paddy at the end of the day when she didn't get what she wanted! Oooops! She fell asleep in the car on the way home, so she must have been very tired!

Emily Miazga

A photo just for Sub 6!

I'm going to order some powerbars for the half ironman's and for training. They're great!

Ems Power Cookies

Name Dropping!

Oh I forgot to mention. About half way up the mountain, I met Richard Ussher - he gave me some great words of encouragement. What a neat guy! His wife was racing in the 12 hour event. I also met Em from Em's powercookies - she was the female winner of this year's coast to coast (Richard won the men for those not in the know). Would I ever do coast to coast - I doubt it, I would rather drive a boat with a motor on it!

Spring Challenge 2008

The Spring Challenge this year was held in Kaikoura, on the East Coast of the South Island. Kaikoura is famous for whale watching, and Koura or Crayfish Kaikoura means to eat crayfish.
We left at 5 am on Friday morning, we were flying out of Auckland, direct to Christchurch. We only just made it on the plane, as we were detoured following a major car vs truck crash.
We had three bikes, all our gear, and lots of nervousness!

We arrived in Christchurch at 8.30, collected our bikes and found Tony, with our rental vehicle. We needed a four-wheel drive, with bike racks.
Our support person, Andria, has a sister in Christchurch, her brother-in-law collected our bikes and helped to put them back together. We grabbed some breakfast and headed north.

What an awesome day - the sun was out, and the scenery was amazing!

We arrived at registration. As we were warned, the course had been changed. Lots of hot weather (26 degrees C) had meant the snow was melting, and some of the rivers we were meant to cross were too dangerous.


We booked into our accomodation.

We had a quick look around Kaikoura, grabbed a bite to eat, then sorted out our gear. We had compulsory gear we needed to take, after such a hot day it seemed weird packing thermals, survival blankets and sleeping bags (little did we know!)

The teams starting at 6 am, left the place we were staying at 4.30 am. I slept well, and didn't hear them.

We were up around 5.30, got sorted and left for the start at 7.30. It was quite a drive to the Clarence river, where we started. As we got closer, we saw the leading 6 hour team - they were going for it along SH1 - they ended up winning with a margin of an hour!

We got into our wetsuits, and lined up at the start. Everyone else had purple number bibs, ours were pink. I had to explain ALL day why we were pink, no we didn't sleep in - this was our third event, and I'd asked the organiser whether we could keep our original number 11. I think it was his revenge to give it to us!

The event started with a 2.5 km run to the raft. I had a camelpack with water, good shoes and bike helmet on.

Once we got to the raft it was bibs off, lifejackets on, bibs back on, grab another team of three, and go! Only this time, we only had 5 paddles - the earlier teams must have lost some!

The river was reasonably high, and dirty from the snow melt. Our guide, Simon was great, we told him we weren't super competitive, but we wanted to finish somewhere in the middle. The other team had no rafting experience, so didn't have gloves or anything GRR!

Tammy is our strongest paddler, so we put her up front. I ended up having to tell her to slow down, as the others couldn't keep up with her!

The rapids were great - not as tame as Hanmer or Taupo. The raft went through one set of rapids, I must have closed my eyes, cause it ended up full of water, and Simon told us we almost flipped! We managed to stay clear of rocks, other rafts ended up stuck on them.

After about an hour - 11 km, we clambered out, over stones, up a steep bank to TA1. We were soaked. Tammy's only thermal top was saturated. I changed completely (no room for modesty).

It was quite a long TA, as Tammy was really cold, so we got warmed up and set off for what was meant to be a 48 km bike ride - my odo said 55 by the time we finished!

28 km was on SH1, along the georgous Kaikoura coast. Lots of seals and supporters, but no time for photos. One of my team members (informed me later) had never ridden on the road, I stayed at the back to make sure everyone was OK.

We had to wait for ages to cross the road to go through farmland. This ended up being an exercise of carrying bikes across streams, and pushing them up hills.

We arrived at a supportless TA, Em fromEm's powerbars gave us free samples - boy I needed that power cookie! We then got some questions we had to answer along the way. (We were still on our bikes)

We arrived at TA3 at about 1.30, absolutely starving. We stocked up on food and water, and took our bikes a further 2 km to the start of the Mt Fyffe walk.

I'm so pleased I'd invested in a good pair of hiking shoes. Mt Fyffe was STEEEEEEP. On map my run, it goes for 3 km, and gains 1000 m in altitude. I'm sure it was even steeper than that. The only way I made it was tell myself to walk to that tree/boulder/tussock, have a quick rest, then make another target.

To make matter worse, it started sleeting, I told my other team mates to go ahead to the hut, they were faster than me, and getting cold. I met up with Rachey and Fetish of sportzhub, and climbed with them for a while.

It was freezing at the hut. Tammy was in a bad way, but not as bad as another lady who was hyperthermic! I quickly got changed into warmer clothes, and charged down the mountain. I forgot to mention - I have never had problems with my knees, but had to take neurofen half way up as they were aching! We all needed it. Tammy and Janie's knees feared worse downhill. I think adrenaline kicked in for me, I loved going downhill! I lost my good biking glasses in the hut, I'd imagine they got smashed, it was so crowded up there.

It started snowing, which was actually warmer than the sleet! It was still snowing at 500m. The locals told us later it was the coldest afternoon they'd had all year! It had gone from sun to snow in a very short time!

We got down and back on our bikes. After 2 kms, Tammy stopped, and told us she couldn't go any further, the jarring of the gravel road was hurting her knees. We tried walking for another 2kms, then all got really cold. It was time to pull the plug. Janie and I would have loved to carry on, but it was 'all of us or none of us'.

We were only about 9 km from the finish, and it was all downhill!!!

We rang Nathan to say we were finished, and Andria to pick us up. We wrapped Tammy in a sleeping bag (part of the compulsory gear) and headed back for a hot shower.

Tammy took ages to warm up. I felt quite good, but tired.

We went out for dinner, had a few laughs, and too much wine, and went to bed.

The next morning we went for the lunch, but left before prizegiving. We wanted to get back to Christchurch and have a rest. I hope our number didn't get pulled out for any spot prizes, because there were heaps of them!

We flew back to Auckland on Monday afternoon. I was reluctant to sit down, as standing back up was not easy.

My muscles are feeling back to normal now, so back into training!!!

The next Spring Challenge is in Queenstown - I've already entered the Autumn Challenge - There's unfinished business!

We'd been going for 9 and a half hours by the time we pulled out. The winning time for our division was close to 8 hours.

EXCITED

Wow, I am so excited. Tomorrow at 5 am we leave for Auckland airport. We arrive at Christchurch, pick up our rental vehicle, assemble our bikes and head for Kaikoura.

The adventure race course may need to change. Due to hot sunny weather, the snow's melting. So the rivers are high, and too dangerous to cross. The poor organisers are having resort to a plan B, which they had a contingency for - they are well organised!!

They are disappointed as obviously Plan A was going to be a really great course (river crossings!!!!!)

Still, with high river levels the white water rafting will be fun!!!

I'm back Monday night, we'll hopefully have time to take some photos, so I'll post lots.

My bike is safely packed away in it's new travel bag, I got a real bargin on torpedo7.com.

The girls are safe at Nana's and Popa's and a friend's place, so it's all tickety boo!!

OH NO! Bloody Virus's

I've just come back from the doctor, I developed a sore throat on Saturday, and tried to brush it off with a good bike and run session. Sunday it was back with vengeance, so tried to sleep it off. Today it's just as bad, so went to the doctor. As I suspected a 'virus', and 'sorry' nothing we can do. Although she gave me a script for antibiotics just in case it turns bacterial - which I hope it doesn't, but saves me finding a doctor if I'm in Kaikoura at the time.

So a forced taper for the Kaikoura Adventure race. I'll go for some short walks but had planned to swim, so that won't happen!

Still, if I'm healthy by Friday, I'll be pleased, I'm feeling fit enough to do the adventure race.

In the meantime - where's that Echinacea?

Time for an update

Well, to say I've been busy would be an understatement! August is a busy time on a dairy farm, and this year has been no exception.

To add to the normal issues of calving cows, it has been extremely wet. Brian also did damage to his pelvis whilst trying to do the splits after falling off the motorbike. This put him in severe pain, and I had to step up to help out. To add insult to injury, he didn't make the olympic gymnastics team!

We bought a new farm in June, this is the one that flooded. Somehow, I have found myself managing it! Next week I will be milking a few cows there too! I must admit, I have really enjoyed the challenge. I decided not to renew a contract from DairyNZ to be a Consulting Officer, which was fortunate, as I would not have been able to do it!

This photo is at our runoff. These calves are hereford cross, and are being looked after by a 'nurse' cow.

Training took a back seat while all this was happening. Although, I think my endurance and strength as been improved as a result.

My training is back on track, suprisingly I have been able to put in some solid efforts, although a hill climb last week almost killed me!

Next weekend, I'm off to Christchurch then up to Kaikoura for the Spring Challenge. Can't wait!

This photo is of a 12 m pole being driven down into our cowshed site. We have had to preload

the site, and will need to drive around 700 poles in order to stabilse the site to build a 70 bale rotary.

Open Water Swim

The water rose within an hour, and Brian had to rescue our yearlings. This sort of flooding occurs on average once every 10 years, but it's the worst I've seen it in 15 years of living on the Hauraki Plains. We took over this property on June 3rd. We knew it was going to be wet, but now it's really wet! Our home farm is wet too, with some surface flooding.

And so it begins....................

I'm officially back in training mode for triathlons. This of course means that I have to start swimming again. I don't particularly enjoy swimming, mainly because I'm slow. The only way to get faster is to practice, and get a bit of coaching. I'm off to Thames shortly to do a few lengths and see how I go.

I've put on a fair bit of weight. I've just been really hungry! We've got a busy time on the farm coming up with calving, so if I can keep outside, and busy, I should be able to drop some weight.

I've been busy with family things, Dad was in hospital, my friend has been diagnosed with Lymphoma, and we've had numerous other 'issues'

I've got 101 things to catch up on, including finding Celine's dental plate. Which Ella has 'hidden'. GRRRR.

I've also got lots of emails to reply to, bills to pay and training to do. Ahh life goes on (thank goodness!)

Cheers,
Juls

Quick Update

I'm back from Melbourne, I had limited internet use, so only quickly updated buckeyeoutdoors, and the Rotorua HIM crew.

Melbourne was great - we got to see filming of Nicolas Cage's latest film, the museum - Phar Lap the great New Zealand bred horse was on display. Caught up with my sister and her husband.

I managed to complete the half marathon, this was despite doing no training for a week, and feeling lethargic and very overweight! I read on that there was a medal for all participants, so that geared me up!! The medal is REALLY cool, the nicest one in my collection I think!

The run was very well organised. The half marathoners started at 7.15, the 10 km runners started at around 9, and the 5 km at about 9.30, so the fastest of the shorter distance runners were running down the finishing chute with me - they were SOOO fast! Brian was standing on an overbridge taking photos as I finished - so many of the runners behind me in the last 200 m were finished in front of me - and I thought I was running pretty quickly (had just passed a girl, who had earlier passed me, and she wasn't going to bet me!)

Actually, my pacing was good - I passed heaps of people in the final lap, something I have never done before - I usually get passed.

Will add photos and more to the post tomorrow.

My friend is coping well, first lot of chemo last week, still a long way to go though!

Just found out my Dad's in hospital too! Will catch up with him and Mum tomorrow.

Motivation!

I'm back into motivation mode. I've got a half marathon to do in 7 sleeps time, and two half ironmans to do in 6 months time. Not to mention the adventure race in three months time! Throw in a bit of normal life and running a dairy farming business into it, and wahoo busy busy!
Just the way I like it!

I've taken a giant step today, and phoned a friend who is a nutritionist. I'm sure she's going to get me back on track, and give me someone to answer to regarding my diet and weight. The first appointment is locked and loaded, so looking forward to a slender and faster me. (Talked to a man today who lost 20 kg, and 40minutes of his half marathon time!!!) - so there's a challenge!

...and then - Reality Check!

Just when I'm feeling lowish - fatter, slower, older, sorer, etc, reality hits, and you realise that things aren't too bad afterall.

My dear friend has just been diagnosed with lymphoma, from what I can read, a nasty blood cancer. She lives in Warnambool, about 4 hours south-east of Melbourne in Australia. We had planned a trip to see her and her husband next week, so I'm pleased to be getting over to see her, and give her and her family some support. She's a very competitive person, so I'm sure she'll give getting on top of this top priority!

So no more complaining from me for now - I'll just keep my goals and abilities in perspective and get on with doing the best that I can!

We're going on a Turkey shoot!

Warning - Content may offend some people!!!

On June 3rd, we took over a new farm, it's fantastic, has lots of native bush and birds. The next door farm was also sold, it has hills with great views over the Hauraki Plains and Firth of Thames.

Both farms have LOTS or should I say had lots of turkeys. These were living on the farm nesting in trees and making quite a mess. Brian asked the neighbours if they'd like some 'culled', so yesterday the crew went out and had some fun!

In the photo are good friends John and Steven, and children - Steven, Ryan, Blake (friend of Ryan) and Celine.

Birthday parties

Ella turned 3 on June 2nd, which was also a public holiday in New Zealand - Queen's birthday, which isn't really her birthday, but a celebration of her coronation. I'm not too sure what we'll do when she finally dies! I wouldn't mind a holiday in August sometime, as there is a long break between Queen's birthday and our next public holiday, Labour day in late October.

Anyway, must put in a picture of the cake. I love decorating cakes - it's good fun, and heaps cheaper than buying one - I looked on-line at the price of decorated ones - whew! Although I can safely say the high cost of them is justified in the time they take to make!

South Island Holiday

Celine with the cast of 'What now' after the show - unfortunately the great photo of her with the presenters was deleted by Ella!

Parents didn't get to go on the show, we watched it in the waiting room.

This is the start of the St James walk on the top of the Lewis Pass. No snow there in late May, but georgous!

We didn't make it to the West Coast, or to Kaikoura. We spent most of our time at Hanmer Springs.

Our friends Ciaran and Sarah came runners up in the Sharemilker contest. This was a great result. We'd loved for them to win, but runners-up I think will suit them better - they will have a busy year anyway, without being in the limelight as well!

We also went to visit Andrew and Anne-Mary at Culverdon. They have been extemely busy! Andrew has just bought 1000 hectares, and is building two 80 bale rotaries - as well as developing the farm for irrigation.

After getting back from Christchurch, I left the family for a two day meeting at the other end of New Zealand - Kerikeri. I love the Northland region, but was really only there for work. I even missed out on going to the chocolate factory there! Well I guess that's a good thing!

I'm trying out new things, here is the map of the Melbourne Half Marathon. It's a two lap course - I will have to run fast so I don't get lapped by the winners!

Holiday

We've got a really neat trip planned for Friday. We're off to Christchurch! (South Island)

Our friends, and ex employees Ciaran and Sarah Tully are finalists in the Dairy Industry awards.

Ciaran and Sarah have lived in NZ for 14 years, they immigrated from England. They have progressed through the farm manager, contract milker and sharemilker cycle of dairy farming, and have just recently bought their own farm! A really cool couple, and we're so proud of them. They would have had no show of owning their own farm in England, so it's neat that they've made it here in New Zealand.

The prize giving is on Saturday night. Before that we have to organise a dinner suit and black tie for Brian! (No overalls and gumboots at this $85 per ticket night!). There will be 700 people there, and I've been warned not to expect to be back at our hotel until about 6 am the next morning!........................

Which would otherwise be fine BUT we're taking Celine and Ella. Celine is going to be on a live childrens programme 'What now' we have to be at the studio at 7.15 AM.

Arghh the things you promise your children, then can't back out of!

I'm actually (secretly) looking forward to the show, who knows, I might get 'gunged' 'creamed' or have some other embarrassing thing done! For those in New Zealand, check out TV2 on Sunday 8 am til 10!

In reality Celine is likely to hide out of view, she's quite shy.

We are then planning to go through to Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs and maybe venture to the West Coast. We have friends farming at Culverton, so will look at their farm. They have huge irrigation pivots on their farm, which is something we just don't see up here in the North.

I've never been to Kaikoura or to the West Coast, so will be able to check out some more of Noo Zilend.

Somehow I will manage to get some running in. I always get a little nervous running outside in a new place.

We're spending a few days away, so I need to organise the house, try to get clothes dry, find warm clothes for everyone and get the dog and cat to the kennels.

So best I get cracking...............

Got in first!

I must have got home first! Now I'd better go and get some groceries!

Taking up the rear

Well, today was the Huntly half marathon, and I struggled along to a slower than wanted 2 hours 25 minutes 7 seconds.
I wanted to go faster, but my body wouldn't oblidge. I think this is due to no speed work, no hills and still carrying too much weight. BUT I finished, and I didn't stop to walk! I only stopped to fill up my water bottle. I drank around 2 litres of water, which is heaps for me. It was quite a hot day though!
I got to meet Mike and his family (sub6) and Kathy and Paul. I wasn't great conversation, as after the race I felt quite ill. But great to catch up! None of us won any spot prizes, which were essentially either clothes driers or shoes.
The run was actually quite fun. It was UNDULATING, not FLAT, but the hills weren't the horrible 'have to walk' ones.
A run through town, then down a road for a couple of hundred metres, back again, down another road for a couple of kms, then round to the coal mine, past the Huntly Speedway. Back into town, round a lake (a very nice way to finish) and to the finish chute.
The first 10 kms felt like a bit of a struggle for me. With the out and back road bits I could wave to Mike, Kathy and my friend Maree from Ngatea. After 11 km I just thought - well I've made it this far, lets just keep going.
The last km was quite hard, I was catching a lot of the walkers at this stage, they have a tendancy to either walk 5 abreast, and you can't get past, or they wave their arms around and you get pinged with a fingernail, which is what happened to me! I was in no mood for either so I just said "coming through", and they soon moved!
I think Mike and Kathy were quite pleased with their efforts. I'll let them tell their own story.
So Melbourne in five weeks time, this time I will travel quite a few hundred kilometres to do a half marathon!!!

Ironic

The price of petrol is now just under two dollars per litre! I'm driving 57.2 km to Huntly to run 21.1 km, then driving 57.2 km back again!

I was going to go with my family, but some of our farm staff are having a few days well needed rest, so Brian is going to have to stay at home. I was also going to take a Ngatea friend, but she is planning to do visit friends after the event.

If the price of petrol wasn't $2.00 per litre, I wouldn't otherwise have thought about it!

But I will finally get to meet Sub6 and his family, along with Kathy and the Saint, which will be rather cool!

My last run was Thursday night, which was a game of hockey, I might just go for a long slow walk this afternoon. I'll go and check out the new farm layout.

It's a gorgeous autumn day today, it should be great tomorrow too.

I've found a website that gives you km splits - http://www.runnersworldonline.com.au/Default.aspx?s=paceband-calculator . The idea is to put coverseal over it and wear it as a wrist band. I've printed two - one for 2 hours and one for 2 hours 10 minutes! Might wear both! I tend to go a bit too fast at the start, so if I do, I might try and push myself for a 2 hour finish. That would be really neat!

Big Tonka Toys for Big Boys

Brian and local contractors have been having fun (at our expense), moving races (cow roads). There have been two big diggers, a bulldozer, and four tractors and trailors working on our farm for the last 3 days. This will create a great off road running track for me, I'll be able to get around the farm without getting my feet wet, or too dirty!

Of course, it's really meant for the cows, but why should they get all the benefit from it!

Predictions!

Just found this site - Sub6 (2) would be very keen on this, if he hasn't already found it! http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/GREER/RUNCALC.HTML What you do is put in at least two runs that you've timed and measured, and whammo, up comes a predicted time for the run you want to predict! There is lots of maths in behind the prediction, so of course no allowance for what the day's like or how you might feel on the actual race. But here goes for the Huntly Half Marathon - my predicted time is 2:08:18.0
As much as I'd love to go faster, I think this is reasonably optimistic. But you never know!

Famous Again

Can't forget to put this in! Alison is moving to the BOP Times on June 3, so Mike and Kathy might make the news!

Melbourne!

Last night I booked tickets for a family holiday to Melbourne. I have a sister who works there. She's coming back to live in Auckland at the end of the year. My chance to do something I've always wanted too - RunMelbourne - it used to be called the Age to the G. The run is from Federation square, around the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and around the river.

A 'family holiday' I said didn't I - oh well, very co-incidental! We'll also catch up with some friends - ex Kiwis from Warnambool, and see a show 'Guys and Dolls'.

So no mucking around on the training - I'll have to stick to it. I must admit to feeling a little worried about fitting training in. Early mornings are basically impossible after July because of the cows. It's the swimming that is the difficulty. The pools in Thames are the only ones open in the winter - it's still a 30 minute drive, and the opening times are 6-8 am then 11 am to 6pm.

Perhaps a babysitter from 4-6 pm two days a week, and one swim in the weekend? I'll work it out I'm sure.

For the weekends I'll get babysitters from the local school - easy money for them!

Anyway, still got the Huntly half to come - it's funny looking forward to going to Huntly! It's not the most meritorious place in New Zealand by any stretch of the imagination, yet attracts a large crowd for it's annual half marathon!

Note the smiles!!

Me on the bike - "Don't get off - til we get past the photographer!"

Alison

Tammy

The start (we're in the pink tops)