Family and Friends

Hi everyone and welcome to Week 7 ... ta daaa!!!!

Every week we receive an email from our coach . Words of encouragement, inspiration, details of the program etc are written down for our tired Ironman brains to try and absorb. I like to read and re read these letters over a few times as I like to try and take every piece of information and advice in and I don't want to miss anything ( ok .... so it takes me a few reads to take it all in !!! ).

This weeks letter talked about reaffirming our position with our best and closest allies in this journey.... our partners . He urged us not to put this off , that we can only continue into the next part of this journey with the positive support of our partners, husbands, wives, friends and family members. So,so true.

I have to say I am extremely lucky to have by my side an amazing man who not only supports me emotionally but is crazy enough to do just about ALL the training with me and he's not even doing an Ironman!!!! Even though its such an individual race , I would hate to have to go thru all this on my own. My husband, my training partners... it just wouldn't be the same . So here's to family and friends. The little text messages, phone calls to see how I'm going take only a minute but stay with me for along time. Thanks for thinking of me!!!!

So onto this week..

Well no swim this Monday morning as today was another double day run. 11kms in the morning and 14kms in the afternoon. Pulled up well!

Tues morn and it was hill repeats again. This morning we decided to try Ewen st in Scarborough instead of Reebold as Wills light died on him right at the beginning of the ride and we felt a little more comfortable where the streets would be lit. So it was in our biggest gear possible without falling off that we hit Ewen St then it was back to Hocking parade for another 4 short hill repeats out of the saddle full on sprints . All up Fiona, Lisa, Will and I did 59kms!!. Well done a good session!

In the evening it was back to the track for intervals. When we get there we have no access to toilets or change rooms as Perth Glory and United Emirates (Olympic Team!!) were having a friendly game. So training went on as per usual apart from having to dodge the occasional soccer ball and spectator walking across the track. All up 10.5 kms with the main set being 6 x 800m at "I" pace.

Wednesday was swim in the morning an ergo session in the evening. One our squad members ... "June" turned 50 yesterday. Happy Birthday June so I thought it was apt to put up some decorations in our garage to celebrate such a wonderful milestone for a special lady.

Thurs mornings mystery session was a run this week . I am so used to the mystery session being a ride that I was actually a little disappointed not to be on the bike but it was a beautiful morning although a little rushed for me. I didn't manage to get the full set in unfortunately . 3km warm up with the next 8kms as 1k on threshold pace 1k off. I managed 9k before I had to rush back home for work.

Friday morning and the weather had turned very nasty. We have been spoilt for the past few weeks so I suppose we should be grateful. With a swim in the morning the weather wasn't too much of an issue and the afternoons session was a recovery ride on the windtrainer in the small chainring for an hour. So all indoor stuff !!

Today is Saturday and it couldn't be more different weather wise than yesterday. Just so so lucky. Light north westerly winds with a chance of rain later in the day. We didn't see a drop!! So it was off to Death Valley for 128kms with a 5km run off the bike. I had done Death Valley a few years ago and vowed never, ever to do it again. So here I was a couple of years later back in the valley!!! I have come along way in the past few years and while I am still pretty slow going up those hills , I know I will always make it to the top.... eventually!!! Its actually the down hills that freaked me out the most the first time I did it. Today was still a little scary , but I'm much more confident on my new bike ( love my Ceepo Mamba) although you gotta watch those big honky nuts scattered all over the road ..

I was also happy with the way I pulled up after the ride/run. In the past I would have come home shattered , on the couch, not achieving a hell of a lot for the rest of the day. But I had a busy afternoon catching up on jobs around the house, took a trip out to see Mum and Dad who have just got back from another of their jaunts around Australia and even managed to watch up to the 3rd quarter of the Eagles v/s Carlton game. .. Ok so I didn't manage to stay awake for that all important 4th quarter where the EAGLES WON!!! woo hoo. But I think I did pretty well all things considered.

So that brings me to Sunday. The last day of week 7 . The weather here has turned nasty again. The wind is howling and rain is coming down. But I no complain!! No running for me, nor riding just a nice 3km swim up at the indoor pool and I am done.

So don't forget to thank those close to you , who support you in whatever you do. We need those people. THANKS GUYS!!!!

This weeks totals..... 17hrs and 6mins

Swim...8kms 3hrs

Bike...261kms 9hrs 40mins

Run...50kms 4hrs 26