State Penthalon

Extremely happy with my penthalon and the Gold Medal. I now hold the record for our club but it is the State record that is now my challenge. I have 4 more years in this age group to try and break it. I only PB'd in one event which surprisingly was the 200m and that was with no start training at all. I have not done any block training since doing my back in and now just do a standing start. I will post pictures soon.
My next major comp is the Qld Championships 8 March in Brisbane and then the Nationals in Sydney 21-24 March. That is the end of the athletics season. There is however the Oceania Championships in Townsville in July but I haven't decided if I will do that one yet. Oh almost forgot about the Pan Pacs in November. At least they are on the Gold Coast and at my home track so not too much of a problem and I always look at them as a bit of fun.
So this year is pretty much full on.

I was sooo tired when I got home yesterday. With the trip to Brisbane, and competing in the heat, it just really drains me of all energy. I was in bed by 7.30 last night. I trained today but just a few of 250 run throughs and then I did throwing. I was home by 10am but felt totally exausted again. Had a nap which helped.
It was a "wet weekend" here. Not rain wise, but they lifted the water restrictions for the weekend so gave my extremely dirty car a good wash.
That was my weekend and still have another free day tomorrow which I am looking forward to.

Long weekend coming up- quick update

Looking forward to the long weekend after having a very good week all round. Trained well all week and just had today off as I am competing tomorrow. I also had a massage yesterday, the first in well over a year. It definitely helped loosen things up and felt good afterwards, but there was also a slightly different feeling in some areas of my legs which I think may have occured due to the pressure and manipulation of my spine which affects the nerves. I am no doctor but I just know something is not 100% with all that.

I am home alone for a week as Rick & Corrin have gone to Merimbula to visit his mother. So it is just Toby & me.

Got all my food and drink organised for tomorrow. I was awake at 4am this morning so will be having an early night tonight.

I made it - the 800 that is!

So glad I chose to run the 800 today. At 3.29 it is not a fast time but I made it and that was all I was worried about. As usual I always hold back in the first lap because I worry that I may not finish the 2nd. Just got to get my head around it that I can do it. Anyway that is the first one for the season so its a good starting point. The pentathlon is on next Saturday so I have no choice I have to run it again. Actually looking forward to it. I was happy with 4 out of my 5 events today. I am just having so much trouble with my Jav at the moment. I think I really have to have a few training sessions otherwise I'm never going to know what my problem is.

It was actually raining at the start of comp today (nothing new ) so didn't even think about sun screen. The rain eased and it turned really steamy. I ended up quite burnt which is not too pleasant at the moment. Even though it is only a half day event I always come home exhausted, which I did today, so will train tomorrow morning but just a light session. May just concentrate more on my throws tomorrow.

I am definitely going to continue with my outdoor running. Last week I did Mon, Tues, Wed & Friday, with Thursday off. Towards the end of the week it is usually a bit of a struggle but I was glad I mad the effort to go again on Friday.

Refocused

I know it is only Tuesday but so far this week training and food have been spot on. I have decided to increase the amount of outdoor running to see if that improves my track times. Monday morning I jogged the beach on the hard sand- 30 minutes. PT session in the afternoon. This morning, 15 min warmup on treadmill incline, 30 min jog around streets. This afternoon another 30 min outdoor jog with a few small hills. I am feeling really good but I'm not going to push my luck to far and go overboard as I am competing this weekend. They limit you to 5 events so I have to choose either the 800 or the 200. I know I can run an OK 200 but it is the 800 that is the unknown quantity at this stage so I think I should go with that. Will wait and see how I feel on the day.

Work has also been busy with 2 new referrals yesterday and hopefully another in the pipeline.
Even went shopping at officeworks today (always a highlight!) for supplies to try and get my office a bit more organised. I want to get started on that now and then I am having an early night for a bit of light reading(magazine)

Getting better

Can't believe it is still raining and the forcast is not looking good for next week. My plans for many beach walks this week have not eventuated as it just doesn't seem the same when the sun isn't shining. Quite often I go to bed planning to go to the beach for a run the next morning but usually end up on the treadmill. Have been good (almost) with my food for this week but the weekends are always a bit of a letdown.
I have come to the conclusion that my body functions better without having too many rest days. I will have the odd day now when I don't do any training but to keep the flexibility in my legs, particularly my hammies, I really have to keep moving.

Corrin has been offered a place at Griffith Uni to do primary teaching so we are happy about that. Its the only thing she wanted to do (but I'm sure her big sister had some influence over her decision also being a teacher) Its a 4 year course and she wants to start this year.

Had a good week workwise. I am a mortgage broker and I really love what I do however dealing with the lenders can be extremely frustrating. I guess what it boils down to is that most of the process is out of my control and to make things happen for my customers you have to keep chasing. I can fully understand why customers have so many complaints. I sometimes can't get a right answer and I'm in the industry!! One thing I have learnt is patience.

I have just finished reading a book (2nd time) called A Pocketful of Gold by Kristabel Mary. I have heard Kristabel speak and she is an inspiration.It is her life story and how she dealt with ovarian cancer after being told she had no hope to live bar a miracle. It really makes you think about the power of the mind and what can be achieved when you actually believe that it will be.
She has definitely a few lessons to be learned from the power of helping others.

Have a great weekend.

Almost through the 2nd week for 2008 and I have finally got a chance to catch up. I was supposed to be competing tonight (athletics) but I was the one who dipped out on the car, so here I am sitting at the computer. Not to worry gives me 5 minutes to myself for a change and I was feeling really tired this afternoon. I'll just jump on the treadmill shortly and that always makes me feel better..strange!!

I am really glad to be over Christmas/New Year and all the trimmings that go with it. I was away for a week and didn't actually do any training at all and not to mention the food/drink bit. After arriving back from Sydney Friday night- after a bit of drama with the flight and a diversion to Brisbane because of the weather- I trained on Sunday morning and just felt so lethargic. Thankfully I had someone to train with or I'm sure I would have pulled out of the session. I got through it but it was soo hard. At least it gave me a wake up call that unless I get myself into gear I am not going to do too well at the end of March.

My next comp is Jan 19, so will test out my 800m at that one. I really need to get to that 3 minute mark or I am not going to be competitive. Thats my goal for the 800 this year.

Work has been busy. After the few problems at the end of last year I am still feeling good about where I am heading. I have decided to stay in my current situation, not ideal, but I feel that I can make it work. Having been trying to please too many people last year I now know that I wasted my energy which could have and should have been directed into my own business. Can't believe it is almost 12 months since I left a paying job, but even though it has been a struggle I do not regret my decision and will not give up on my dream.

I think I had better think about that run on the treadmill now or it is not going to happen!