Off to war....

Here's a pic from Paintball on Saturday. That's me and one of the other trainers from work behind me. I was told I looked 'cute' in my gear... not quite the look I was after when going to 'war'!! ;)

Short and Sweet...

Time flies... it's been over a week! Not alot to say anyway! Things have been crazy busy at work... spring coming, so the phones are ringing. :) It's a struggle to squeeze time in to look after me, but I'm managing OK :)
We had a social event for work on the weekend - paintball. One word... OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!
I've got some awesome war wounds to show for my efforts, we're all struggling a little today with bruises in uncomfortable places!
The weather is just great at the moment! Won't be long till it's toooo hot during the day, so I plan on making the most of it while it's gorgeous like today.
Have a nice week :)

The simple things in life...

I spent last nite at OHs parents farm. He lives up to 50mins away, depending how fast you drive. For us, that's a fair distance away, so I only get to go out there on weekends. Yesterday I helped him and his brother and father plant cane. It was fun! I was all dressed up appropriately... thongs and shorts, while the men had their steelcaps, jeans and long-sleeve shirts. LoL. I only have minimal cane cuts :) After that I was like a little kiddy in a candy shop; I got the 'honour' of digging through the vege garden for cherry tomatoes. I ended up with a 4litre ice-cream container full, as well as lettuce and spring onions. YUM :) The best salad ingredients are fresh from the garden, 100% organic with absolutely nothing sprayed on them but water. It's so peaceful out there, it's great to get 'away'.

Just like Christmas :)

...it was on Wednesday. After collecting a parcel from the freight carrier depot, I came home to find another one at the door, and also my Ultra Fit mag which I subscribe to, in my mail box. And for once there were no bills!! So I got books, a new schmiko set of scales, and a new mag to play with, all in the same day :) I love ordering online :)

I had a rough start to the week, which ended up in my having Monday off work (shock, horror). Lucky the staff are wonderful and can keep everything in line without the big bad boss hanging around. I had an awesome week of weight training, my back is still hurting from Monday!! I had some of my OHs magic potions he takes before training, and whether is was psychological or not, crap I've never been that sore I don't think. It takes a lot for my back to get serious DOMS! Legs are still sore from Wednesday, and I can feel a sore chest coming on.

My shoulder is finally improving, although it's a bit painful after today's workout. My chiro must know what he's talking about when he advised to change the ways I do this and that at work. I'm very hopeful, it has after all been hanging around since December last year :(

My running goals have had a spanner thrown in. Although I'm keen for the 28km run end of September, I'm going to have to pull out. I just won't be ready in time. I'm doing 2 hour runs with hills included, but by the end I'm rat-poop, and I really should be running about 3 hours worth at this stage. I'm about 6-8 weeks too late with training, and the trouble I'm having with my feet isn't helping (although, besides some mammoth blisters, the arches are behaving *touch wood*). I don't want to kill myself doing it, there's always next year. Plus, my bestest friend in the whole wide world is going to be back from overseas at that time visiting before she moves home to Brisbane! I haven't seen her in a whole year, so we've got LOTS to catch up on :)

Have a great weekend all. I had a late nite with a painful toe keeping me awake (yes another foot 'issue'), then a 3am call from staff member calling in sick... I didn't get back to sleep after that, so I've gotta hit the hey!

Tootaloooooooooooooo

PS: Pic of me and my friend before at her going away drinks before she left last year for Canada. Many a drink was consumed :)

Giddy-Up

Here's a pic from a few weekends ago at a 21st - western theme. Couldn't resist the opportunity to be a pretty in pink rhinestone cowgirl. Was a good nite, I thought I'd be a bit of a granny, but I fit in OK. ;)

So I've been MIA again... my mojo went missing again... I had my long training run on Saturday morning, and my after about 7kms I had to turn back and ended up hobbling all the way home. My poor feet played up again. It happens every time I get into a proper routine. Ice and rest was in order the rest of the weekend. I'm thinking I may need to pay a podiatrist a visit, as it's quite a regular thing lately. Anyway that shattered my confidence in thinking I'd be prepared for a 28km run in 8 weeks, but with enforced rest this week, they're feeling OK :)

I had a nothing weekend for the rest of it, and it was the magic pill. I got decent rest, didn't place any pressure on myself to complete this task or that task, did nothing work related, and actually slept in on Sunday - I got a decent amount of sleep. I bopped out of bed Monday morning for work, full of beans and sooo refreshed. It's carried through all this week, my mojo is back, food choices have been heaps better, I feel GOOD... All because of a decent sleep. Who would've thought. Goes to show how much the little amout I do get messes with my head, then affects all daily tasks... I sound like a sooky la-la, but whatever....

Trained upper body yesterday for first time in 3 weeks, and am happy to say that my shoulder is feeling OK :))) My legs are still caning from Tuesday, but that's normal ;) I had a great session, when I felt a bit whingey, I said to me "C'mon, you need strong legs for your trail run", then nothing seemed impossible ;) Mind over matter...

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing" - Abraham Lincoln

What have I done???

After a shocking last few weeks in terms of mood and motivation - I was speaking to Kerryn and diagnosed myself as having the SADS that she mentioned on her blog - just feeling down in the dumps, wanting to crawl into a hole and sleep till winter is over. My shoulder was playing up big time as well, still, so that was pissing me off too, and was still recovering from the flu. In my little world - everything.just.sucked.

Although it isn't feeling the best, I have been given the all-clear to start building up to my 'normal' weights again with upper body stuff. (Whatever normal is now...). My muscles are testing fine, so we'll see what happens after training again. *Fingers crossed*

Yesterday I got a bit of spark back, I jumped in without thinking toooo much about it, and once I had done it, I got the butterflies and the excited feeling in my stomache... yep looks like it's just what the doctor ordered... a NEW GOAL!!! Luckily I've already been doing the base training for it, it's just now I'm doing the training for a reason :) 28kms of hilly trail running... what have I put myself in for???

Yay, shades of the excited ME is returning!!!!!!!!! Watch out! ;P

Inspiring :)

SHAR ROCKS :)

Nice butt Shar!!!

I love this pic... Shar and other girl congratulating each other, but check out the look on the first-place getters face. She was shellshocked and had that look on her face for a good 5 mins at winning!! Too funny :)

Back to Real Life :)

I had a great time in Melbourne! Went into the city on Friday - unfortunately the weather wasn't the nicest. Saturday was comp day. I went to the IBO coffee catch-up before heading to it. Got to finally meet Sue, Jodie, Hilde, Kelly, Kerry, Ali and Natalee. The comp was great - being my first one I was a bit awe-struck! I briefly caught up with Alicia again, had a chat to Lia, and finally met Shar!! She was awesome on stage. She's a little pocket-rocket! And congrats Shar on your Best Routine award!! All the girls on stage looked great - and that's an understatement.

Sunday I flew home, but not before going on a bit of a field trip into Kinglake National Park with Kerryn. Was cold, was veeeerrryy cold - the kind of weather I was expecting all weekend! Pic is here.

Very tired when got home, and although I fought off my cold/flu the whole time I was there, it's hit a bit harder now, but at least I was healthy enough down there.

Boofhead me left my camera down there, so can't post pics I took, however Kerryn sent me home with a heap on disc.

I had heaps of fun, Kek fed me well ;), saw lots of wonderful ppl, couldn't ask for more!!!

I'M HERE!!!

Finally... got in yesterday at 1.30pm after flying/sitting around all morning. (Decided against the DFO trip in Brisbane)!!!

Just about to go into the city for shopping shopping and more shopping!!!!

Trained this morning so feeling on top of that, and been eating delish meals :)

Gotta run, will post when home, with pics!!

Can't wait to meet so many girls tomorrow and last bt not least...
GO SHAR GO SHAR GO SHAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

It's here, it's here, it's here!!! This time tomorrow I'm in MELBOURNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm soooooooo soooooooo excited. It's better than Christmas right now!!
After my drama-filled post yesterday, I did have an early nite and I did drug up, but I'm still feeling crap, but am fighting the battle of the bugs, and WINNING!!!! No cold gonna hold me down ;) My poor sick trainer is at work today, we look a perfect picture of health and fitness at the moment.... Of course our clients love throwing it back at us "You's are not supposed to get sick, you're fit and healthy"... extra ammo to cop a flogging ;)
ANYWAY, I got to smash my legs this morning - didn't take much when I'm feeling a bit crappy anyway. I intend to do some cardio this arvo, might sweat some germs out. Then I gotta pack. At the moment, everything is thrown on the bed in no particular order. Whatever's there I'll have to halve. And halve again. Too much crap.
I've got a 3hour wait in Brisbane tomorrow morning, so I'm thinking of jumping in a cab (I believe it's too far to walk in time...?) to DFO. Retail therapy...

SEE YOU WHEN I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

What doesn't kill you will only make you....

Sicker????? It's been a poo of a week. When everything you really DON'T need to happen, happens! I had a late nite on Sunday as I didn't have to start work till 8am on Monday instead of the usual 5.30-6am. So I got stuck into a book and really had trouble putting it down... I eventually closed it, LATE, right in the juicy part, but at least I had a lil 'sleep-in' on Monday. Not to be. Was called at 5am by my full-time trainer - sick as a dog with this horrible flu - obviously not able to make it in. I rushed and crammed to fly into work by 6am, looking a very sorry site!! Not to worry; I survived managing to do my shift, and hers and got home by 8pm Monday nite. Today was the same, did a double shift and oh look, it's 5.30pm - I've already been here 12 hours today. Dammit, another day without the sun :( Anyway, I hate to say it, I haven't done my own training for yet another day... tomorrow *fingers crossed* she'll be feeling better. The poor girl, it's not her fault and it's better she rests so she can get better, but unfortunately it's just bad timing, with me leaving on Thursday! If not, I've got a 6am - 8pm shift again tomorrow, plus making sure everything that has to be done before I leave, is done. Oh, and I guess I have to pack somewhere in there.........
You know when you just have to cry coz you're so stressed/worried, well that's how I felt.....................
Unfortunately all the bugs are attacking me when I'm down... I've been double-dosing the glutamine and vitamin C, but my head is now pounding, and my throat is hurting. All day I've been saying how I CANNOT get ill before I go away, but.... think positive girl, you are FEELING GOOD AND HEALTHY!!! Hopefully an early nite will do it tonite.... and lots of drugs... mmmm bring em onnnnnnnnnnnnn.

Playing Godmother

And then there were four............

More sleeps to go till Melbourne :) I've been just soooo busy at work - choosing the wrong time to go away with all the normal month end stuff to do nevermind financial year end, plus I'm super busy with training - in fact last week I was pretty booked up bar a few slots. I'm very happy with that :) Unfortunately I missed a lot of my planned cardio sessions though, sometimes work just has to be a priority. (Why so much to do...?? I'm the receptionist, administrator, accountant/payroll and data processor, marketing guru, head trainer, cleaner, and 'boss') ;)

I was notified on Wednesday that I had to answer a questionnaire - it was judging criteria for the "Best in Business Awards". Apparently my business has been 'heavily nominated' for the health and fitness award, and so the next step is to do the 'essay'. They said to allow a few hours... and it was to be in on Friday. So as shocked but proud that I was to be nominated, it was just another task on the to-do list! Trying to find those 'just a few hours' was impossible, hence missing cardio, and some hours sleep!!! Will keep you posted as I find out what's going on with this.

The weekend has consisted of: hair appointment, shopping with sis all day yesterday for bitz and pieces including fiddly bitz to take away, doing a little bit of work, sorting out suitcase, had somewhere to go last nite, then had to cram in special time with OH. Today was up early to play Godmother. I had to take Jade-Lyn to Little Athletics. Can you just imagine how cute it is to see a 3 year old do a 60m 'sprint', worm jump (long jump) and vortex throws (Javelin) and bean bag throws (discus). I was having a ball. She'd do a big throw and turn to me with a big proud smile to make sure I'd seen it. It was just the cutest thing I've ever seen!! We had so much fun :) I'm hoping she got some PBs today - will have to compare her score card with previous weeks... Not that I have competitive parent problems or anything... well I tried not to ;) Anyhow after dropping her back to mum, I had to go to lunch, right now I'm supposed to be at a Body Shop party, but hours ran out, instead checking email and this. I'm off to running soon (8km run) then netball training, then home to pack for tomorrow's early wake-up. Looks like I won't be breathing till I'm on the plane :)

I'll be baaaaaaaack! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!!

PS: Here's a pic from today. This is the vortex throw. You may be able to make out the vortex just leaving her hand.

SEVEN MORE SLEEPS!!!

Sore butt, sore butt, sore butt! Legs are very ouchy today. Did heavy leg press yesterday - surely am paying for it.

Had massage from hell, I jumped high a few times. She always manages to find the spot amongst the messed up back muscles! Coz naughty shoulder isn't getting better too quick, she has recommended a scan as I may have something a little more sinister.........

Enjoy Thursday!!

I Can't Count!!!

It's even closer than I thought!!! EIGHT more sleeps till I fly out... one week tomorrow morning :))
Feel like I've got a tad more breathing room - completed the group certificates for all the staff, just gotta do the BAS and ensure all's organised for the two days off work :) And of course, do my best to squeeze in all workouts on time... :)

***************************************************
Later on...

Just got back from trashing my legs - they're gonna be so sore!! - and I kindly asked the owner there to do me up a new program. It'll be good to get some more variety, he's done lots in his career - competed and stuff - and was only happy and said "I'll throw in some different principles and stuff". Eeek how scaryily exciting!!!

Today is also my great nanas 6 year anniversay of her passing away. She died 2 short months off her 109th birthday - yes that is correct, 109. I'm going to be around for a veeeerrry long time :)

TWELVE MORE SLEEPS!!!!!!!!!

Till Melbourne!!! I sooo can't wait to get there, but I'm scared of all the stuff I have to finish before I'm allowed on that plane. I'm getting really really scared of how cold it's gonna be though... more the point that I have no 'nice' or trendy warm clothes!!

Anyway, I can wait to meet so many people I've known for ages, and that I've always wanted to.
Starting with the Sensational Sue, my previous butt-kicker Shar, Jodie, Hilde, Kelly (I think!), and a few others from IBO. (Sorry if I've missed anyone!!). I also hopefully get to see Alicia again, and of course, spend some time with Kek - it's only the third time this year we've seen each other!!

I'm very excited, but stressed, but excited, but thinkingabouttoomuchatonetimethatican'tthinkclearly!!!!!!!!!!!!

RIGHTO, work to do, not to think about :P

It's a Lovely Day Today.........

After about 10 days straight of overcast, rainy days, the sun has finally reappeared!!! Apparently June has had record rain-fall for the month - add to that the coldest temps ever recorded - as you can imagine us sun lovers here in QLD are having a hard time adapting!!! I was starting to feel down in the dumps a bit, and it's all to do with not seeing the sun. Hilds mentioned something similar on her blog too. BUT it's all good today :)) There's not one cloud in the sky!! You can see for miles... planes, birds etc. It's very cool :)) I'm hoping to go for a run at lunchtime, coz it's been so long!!!!!!!!

Not alot to report, busy at work... getting everything in order for financial year end, next week will be the big rush to get the BAS done, and group certificates and all else that goes along with it, all before I fly down to Melbourne :) Now, that I CAN'T wait for!!! :))))

Been going hard on the cardio machines at the gym, they don't know what's hit them!! And I don't know what's hit me either.... lol. But as mentioned before, I can finally get outdoors again :) Weights are going well, I just went up in weights today in one of my exercises... it felt a little light, so I referred to the book, nope, that's the correct weight, welll let's put more on... so I did, and voila, 3 sets squeezed out! I'm going to update my programs on the weekend, the old bod knows what's going on (didn't take long!!), so time to shock it again!! Not including chest exercises of course as my shoulder still isn't co-operating, if anything has gotten a little worse :( Back for punishment massage next week, and I really don't know what else to do.... Unfortunately with work, I just can't totally rest it, I'm always lifting or carrying plate weights or dumbbells or boxing or something. Nevermind, patience my dear watson.

Gotta run, work to be done! Have a super duper sunny (hopefully!!) Thursday!!

Super Saturday!!

I particularly love weekends, but then again who doesn't! It's still cold and rainy... but I'm over that... think I've used up all my "free whinge" tickets this week. LoL
I did things all backwards this morning. First of all, I actually slept in, - jumped outta bed at 7.30am then, without eating breakfast first (second 'backwards' thing, I need food for energy before I train) rushed off to the gym for opening at 8am. If you don't get there before 8am, and bolt inside like it's boxing day sales when the doors open, you're damned if you're going to get a cardio machine!! I ended up with the cross trainer... not my first preference... but at least I got something :P 35mins of hills on that, then still no treadys free so decided I'd try to conquer the ancient cardio climber, ya know the stepper looking thing with the arms that move as well... cripes, that's a hard little piece of machinery isn't it!!! 10 mins was enough, then ended with 15 mins on the bike - interval style :) (third 'backwards' thing - I'm NOT an indoor cardio person, can't stand it, but didn't do my normal run this morning due to rain). Sweat was pouring, legs were burning, it was a great start! And you know what, it felt FANTASTIC to do something different. I didn't feel flat and lethargic going in on an empty stomache, whether mental or not, I had a job to do in there today, and that was to burn some big fat calories, and I did! :))

Right, off to go ten-pin bowling now. It's our first work social-club kinda event. Should be fun, who doesn't like throwing heavy objects around!!

Record Breaker...

See, told you it was cold here yesterday!!! ;)

Coldest June day in half a century - Daily Mercury 22.06.2007

IF you thought yesterday was one of our coldest days, you might just be on the money.
We will find out at 9am whether the "shocker" broke the record for the lowest June maximum recorded and unless the sun comes out in force this morning, we could shatter the 15-degree record which has stood since June 1961 by more than two degrees.
"You can tell your grandkids you lived in Mackay the day temperatures were less than Melbourne," Bureau of Meteorology technical officer Craig Hall joked.
"It was nasty."
In Mackay, the highest temperature was 11.6 degrees at 3pm. Mackay's average maximum for June is 22 degrees.

At 5am, the temperature was just 8.9 degrees and the Apparent Temperature (with the rain and wind chill factored in) was a frosty 5.6 degrees.
For people in the Pioneer Valley it was even cooler. The temperature hovered below nine degrees all day and there were reports of a minimum of one degree at Crediton, Eungella, early yesterday.
Finch Hatton Gorge resident Warren "Wazza" Swadling, who runs the Platypus Bush Camp, couldn't help but laugh at the expense of a few brave backpackers (English and Canadian) who took a swim in the icy waters yesterday morning.
"I saw the expressions on their faces - even they though it was cold," he said, huddled in front of his heater and wishing he had a "platypus' coat" to protect him.
Thick cloud is to blame for the cold day with the sun unable to let through a chink of light or warmth. A massive upper trough in central Australia has caused the rain but skies might clear later this afternoon.

I'M SOOOOO CCCCCOOOOOOLLLDDDDD

BRRRRRRRRRRRRR... Winter is certainly here. It's show day holiday here today, and it's a terrible day. It hasn't stopped raining, allllll day. Poor little kiddies won't be going to the show today! Me the big kid, went last nite - the only day of the three that it hasn't rained. It was very cold though... I can't remember the last time we got so cold up here. Don't ask me the temp though, it's just cold :P And we aren't graced with central heaters... dress up like an eskimo and hope for the best!!! LoL

So I ask the question - how the hell am I gonna survive 4 days in Melbourne next month!?!?!?!? I'm so looking forward to it... well I WAS until I saw Kek's blog and her new jacket she can go walking in... what? you mean you have to wear warm stuff walking down there?!?! ;) Oh gosh, I'll be in a state won't I!! I simply wear a T-shirt as opposed to a singlet... go hard for 5 minutes till nice and warm, then have to roll the sleeves up.... It's gonna be a culture shock for me!!! I am SO taking my snow jacket I wore every single day in Canada, I knew I'd have use for it again!! I wonder if I'll get weird stares......

Due to the weather, I haven't run this week :( I planned to do 15kms this afternoon but not with this rain. I'll catch my death! Went to the gym this morning for training, but as it's only open for 2 hours on pub hols, and coz I accidentally slept in, I didn't have time for anymore than 15mins cardio to finish off my sess. Looks like I'll be dragging out the exercise tapes for a TV workout later on!!!

I had a mini spend-up at Lorna Jane on Tuesday :) A long-sleeved shirt and and two sports crops tops. I cannot do without those padded crops now!!! I feel so much better (and bigger lol)in them :)) Got great discounts too, as being in the Fitness Industry, I get 20% discount... that's a mammoth saving!! If any of you PT/Gym Instructors didn't know that, make sure you say something!! The % discount may vary, but you still save!!!

HOLY CRAPOLA!! Just saw the time... time flies when fluffing bout on the puter. I have hardly started my day and it's nearly 2pm. The plan - update playlists on my i-river, create some new CDs for work and exericse tape!!!!!

tootalooooo

"I'm the King of the Castle, and You're a Dirty Rascal"

KING OF THE MOUNTAIN!!

First pic is of the hill I had to conquer Saturday... photo was taken at the start line, the finish was the chalet at the top which you can sort of see... if you squint really hard... where the trees aren't as thick. The person in the pic is no one of interest, he was just lucky ;)

Yes, the annual King of The Mountain run was on this weekend- 6.4kms from start to finish up a hill that never goes down!!! They really should run it down the mountain one year...

48mins and 22secs later I was at the top. As my heart rate was breaking records, my breathing was like a dying dog, when I had to talk out loud to myself C'MON GIRL, I swore yet again that this was the last year, I was never, ever doing it again. I made that same promise to me last year, and the year before and you know what, in another year I will be doing the same thing again! Sucker BIG TIME!

The second pic is the view from the top, looking back down the mountain. It's the best feeling to get to the top and know you've made it all the way up... alive.

So all in all, I'm STOKED that I survived it for another year. A little disappointed that I ran 2mins slower than last year (2mins up those hills is a LOT of actual distance), but still a happy chappy as I did do less hill training, concentrating more on the 1/2 which was only 2 weeks ago.

However, I'm even more stoked that I came SECOND OVERALL FEMALE!!!!!!!! (Won't mention that the last year's reigning queen is out of town, and that the local triathlete girls rode it instead of running) but as they say, you can only race who shows up on the day!!!!!!!!!!! Took home $75 cash for my efforts, so made a little profit!!! Plus I won a random door prize so was a lucky day for me!!

Best news of all - my butt and legs aren't even sore!!!!! What the?!?!!!