Reflection

Wednesday is normally a run with the girls however today they are travelling or recoverying from a party last night, so an opportunity for me to hit the pavement on my own, take in some of Liza's sounds on the ipod and reflect. 

So Im dreaming about the Ironman 2013 finish shoot and I start to get emotional! (clearly made the right decision to enter) was thinking about Liza's marathon running day buddy and how he had completed the Auckland Ironman, which shows how long ago that was.  But it was interesting to hear how he walked down the finish shoot so he could take in the atmosphere etc... now I had always thought I would try to run the final few metres but then on relfection unless the clock is counting down the final few mins, then why not walk after all you have been out on the course for 16hours (my prediction), why rush the final few metres, why not enjoy the glory?? mmm.....

Buggar a hill... a change of thought ..... so last night Liza and I where thinking we would go for a quite walk along Takapuna beach, yeah right!  Forgot the State Swim series was on, we must have bumped into at least 10 folks whom we had met over the last 6 months through training.  What a difference from my ChCh days when I was training for the Lakehood Half Ironman, 99% of training I did on my own with the guidance of my bro.  Now days it is rare for me to do any session by myself.  How much my life has changed, I have never been so happy! :)

For record purposes this is what my current training program looks like:

M - 60min Running Group (drills etc)
T - 120min ride with Quay St, 60min swim in pool
W - 60 to 90min runnning, 60min Ocean swim at Takapuna
T - 120min ride with Quay St, 60min swim in pool
F - Day Off
S - Brick, with 60min Ocean Swim, 90min Ride, 60min Run off the Bike
S - 4 to 5hours long ride

And the Dick of the Day is awarded to...

Yes you got it! There is no doubt I am the winner today. So 5am alarm, got dressed in the dark, picked up the bits and bobs (helmet, lights, garmin etc..) then diligently put the bike onto the car.  5.50am nice and early to meet the Quay st. ride group in town. As I'm putting the bike together I realised I left the bike shoes at home. Dum ass!!!!!! So I hung about to say hi, with embarrassment admitted my error, all had a laugh then confessed that at some time they had done the same thing previously.  Cricky imagine if I did that on race day ?

Liza's Day in the Sun!

The Artists, Caitlin (left) and Amelia

What a wonderful day (Sunday 28th Oct), light breeze, sun shinning, a great day for a 42k run ... after all the support Liza has given me and will give me, today was her day! The Auckland Marathon.

The alarm starts screaming at a crazy 4am, time for Liza to stuff down some breaky and begin preparations for her day ahead.  Apply the vaseline, blister plasters .... oh and bring me a coffee in bed as I try to steal another 20mins of sleep.  Drop Liza down at the birkenhead ferry at 4.50am, for her cruise to the start line at Devonport.

The Banner, "Go Aunty Liza!"

I raced off to put up the banner (which the girls made yesterday) somewhere on the last leg on the course.  Surely being so early, this would be easy ??? but NO race organizers already have the course layed out and roads closed off.  The short story, I had to drive long and far to get to the back of Mission Bay, then leave the car and go for a jog in the dark to find a suitable spot.


By the time I got back home, I had to through the bike on the back of the car and other essentials (like a first aid kit!, water and dinasour lollies) and head back down to the course.  Ditched the car down bottom on Onewa, and started to bike the route looking for my girl.  She was crusing down Lake Road at a good steady pace!  I met her again on Quay St, see photo, she was in a good space, nice and steady run.  I was able to ride on the cycle path all the way down to St Heliers and back, hence was able to provide text updates to her adoring fans :).  Around the 27k so hooked up with another racer and they managed to help get each other around the course, sweet!

At 24k and still running

A bit of a hard grind especially when she hit the normal 30k wall and had to revert to a bit of a walk, but as I say as long as you keep moving forward it is all good.  I skipped away for the final few ks to wait at the finish line, but seems she got a burst of speed as the announcer called her name as she crossed the line, I had to ditch the bike and run!.

A mere 6hours and 9mins :) and as some say you have a goal to bet next year hehe.  But for now, enjoy in the victory and finishers medal.  Well done my love xx

Yay the finisher medal!

Brick with Iron Maori

Another Saturday, and the perfect morning for a dip in the ocean and a few hours on a bike.  A leisurely 7am kick off, so down at Takapuna beach by 6.30 to allow enough time to stuff yourself within your wetsuit and register, if your extra keen some warm stretches with Brent Foster.  Although must admit moving and stretching within a snug rubber suit is not so easy or I expect glamorous to watch.

Anton showing off, throwing in a few push ups

Today's swim session was better executed this morning as everyone was split into four different groups to match your swimming ability, meaning each group had a coach and you focused on learning skills specific for you.  I was a Baraacuda, rather than a Dolphin, perhaps this describes my swimming ability ? aggressive ??  Today we learn't about drafting and swimming on the hips of others, I can tell you it works and swimming is easier.  But if the person your drafting is not used to swimming in a straight line you can end up all over the place.  Today I think we spent more time swimming over top of each other.

The ride was good, meet up with the Iron Maori team, only a few more weeks before their Half Ironman in Napier so everyone was up for a 80k ride after their swim and perhaps a run off the bike.  We all got our butts round the course, only a few breaks :) to be had.  Back at the car at 1.30pm, so after a 7am kick off I needed to make tracks home as we had the girls coming over.  So buggar, no opportunity for a quick run.

Thanks all!!

Taking a break at Silverdale

The reward

The perfect poached egg :)

Another great day for a ride with the Quay St Gang, the hardcore (me and one other) kicked off with a 5.30am start and we met up with a few others at 6am. Another awesome ride and an opportunity to grill some of the experienced guys about the Taupo Cycle Challenge, it seems we may have a dedicated group who want to ride the entire 160k together and utilize each others energy and skills to drag us all around the course.  Suites me as I have no idea what Im in for !  But I am told I need to get out there for a lot more long rides, thanks for the advice camp mother!.


Liza went for a run and met us at the cafe later.  mmm perfectly poached eggs on toast and a long black, the reward for the 4.50am alarm. :) and Mrs J loves to score the extra slice of 5 grain bread, your welcome.

Liza (in red) and the Quay St Gang

Blame it on the flashy car

So true story I swear!  Yesterday I was dressed in my togs bout to run out the door for swim squad, when Liza pulled up in her car.  Planning to save time she climbed out and I jumped in.  Got to the pool, when I stopped, the dam car died. 

Realized that Liza's flash car has a keyless option, meaning you don't need the key in the ignition but you do need it near by ..... Yup you go it! Still in Liza's handbag at home.  Couldn't lock the car, start the car ... a big fat nothing !!!!!  By the time I had put out the emergency call for Liza to bring the keys, the swim session only had 20 mins left, so I flagged it.

Good intentions....ruined by a flashy car!

Do you like my new Coffee Table Centre Piece?

I promise to polish it everyday, whilst in my care :)