The Transformation Begins

Hi All :).....

So as we all know life goes on. There's not alot that we either do or not do that stops it. Sickness, age, holidays ,work.... all of the above and more ... it still ticks along quickly and quietly. So while my life at the moment is pretty well consumed with work and training there are other things that need to be done... house renovations. Mmmmmm .. not the right time you say... I say .. when is??? We have been putting off starting these reno's for months and they just can't wait any longer. Will has been doing most of the hard work getting the backyard clear and ready for the pergola to go up hopefully next week. As with alot of those things its the prep work that takes all the time and once that's all done the rest is a little easier. I , on the other hand , have been busy with the inside. I have just ordered all the interior doors and handles , and this week I have people coming over to give me quotes on the window shutters and interior painting. The hardest part is getting the tradies to actually come over when they say they are coming!!!

Anyway, stay tuned to this spot 'cause things are afoot at the Vagnoni Household!!!

Another big week of training which I'll try and touch over quickly.

Monday was a 30k run which wasn't so much fun !! Reason.... let me take you back to last night. Will and I headed down to the Marina thinking we would get some wok in a box or something like that. I only eat gluten free pasta and rice noodles as I have a little trouble digesting the "real " stuff. Any how off we went and walking around the Marina and we saw Little Ceasars Pizza, without any thought on my part , we went in and ordered two of the most amazing pizzas. Now I haven't had a pizza in years and I was having a wonderful time devouring way too many slices!! Now lets fast forward to Monday's run. It was literally a run between the toilets!!! I had such an upset stomach!!! I learnt a very serious lesson .... not to break my own rules and stick to the foods I know won't turn my sessions into a quest to visit all the loo's along the northern beaches!!!

Tuesday and we had a 60k bike with 8 hill repeats. I woke to it bucketing down with rain. In fact it was apparently a 25year old record for the month of October that was broken that morning. Anyway I jumped on the windtrainer and did my best to simulate the hill repeats.

In the evening it was off to the track for a threshold set.

Wednesday morning 2.6k swim and Wednesday night we had our team meeting at Ross's house. Ross is the youngest member of our squad at 24 and he certainly excelled with a magnificant prawn and pasta dish (gluten free for me). It was here that we recieved our next part of the program.

Thursday and Fiona came over to join me at 4.30 in the morning for a multi brick session. 10mins on the bike, 10mins running x 5. I'm actually starting to quite like these sessions. Thursday night we met with friends for dinner. It was a great catch up and nice not to have to head off early.

Friday was a public holiday here in Perth so I had a little sleep in ( ya gotta grab them where and when you can), then headed off to the pool for a 4k set.

Saturday was windy !! I think we have had enough practice in the wind !!! The session was a 160k ride with a 10k run off the bike. About 55k into the ride , poor Lisa who came off her bike last week decided she didn't have enough bruises and scratches and came off again!!! This was a much worse fall than last week . Lucky no broken bones but she came off hard and is very battered and bruised. Will , being the gentleman that he is, offered to get her home safely and they headed off home. One of the most amazing things about training with a group of people like I have been for the past 13 weeks is that you really get to know each other pretty well. You get to share the ups and downs and really see the true person inside. I have got to know Lisa and every week she amazes me with her tenacity , persistance and strength , and I know that while this may have knocked her about.. it hasn't knocked her down and out!!! The same can be said for the other members of our squad... we are more than a squad we are a team , and although we may race this Ironman individually our efforts will be celebrated together.

Saturday night we headed out to the Hoffmans for an amazing dinner..( great food Robyn) and great company. It was a small group of people who had in some way been involved in the Melbourne Marathon.. either running the Marathon or coming along to some of the training runs for companionship.

Last but not least Sunday... an hour session with Shelley Taylor Smith that was great but I don't think my heart rate came down for the whole session, then a short 20min swim and then onto the bike for 40k joined by ..... you guessed it... more wind!!

So all up 19hrs and 43mins this week

Swim... 9.1kms...4hrs 5mins

Bike...285kms...9hrs 9mins

Run...60kms...5hrs 29mins

Core...1hr

So this weeks quote is for everyone out there that is kind enough to come along and read my blog , buts its especially for Lisa and Travis. Travis did last years Ironman and is coming over from Melbourne to do the same this year. Unfortunately for him he came a cropper on the tram tracks over there and didn't come out so good on the other side. Hope your back up and running soon Travis..

If you're trying to achieve,

there will be roadblocks.

I've had them;

everybody has had them.

But obstacles don't have to stop you.

If you run into a wall,

don't turn around and give up.

Find out how to climb it, go through it,

or work around it..

Michael Jordan