We spent 4.5 hours on the bus returning from Halong Bay to Hanoi. We stopped off at a tourist pit stop; a place where many tourist products are on show. There is also a sculpture park with prices of how much it costs to ship the scupptures to your home town....worldwide. 28 days, $45 to send one to Brisbane.
We arrived back at our Hanoi hotel and immediately we were taken to a waiting spot for out bus bound for Ninh Binh. We all crammed into a minibus - not enough seats for the number of passengers but we all chatted about travel routes and trips to our fellow passengers. We arrived at the bus travel office and were ushered onto an amazing lying down bus. The 'Camel coach' company had clearly oversold its tickets. We waved at some of our minibus mates as we drove off. The bus was going as far south as Hue - 15 hours or so. We were to be off the bus in just 2 hours. The tv screens in the bus were showing a strange musical show with singing and dancing.
We predicted that the bus would dump us out on the street and we would have to search for a taxi to our hotel, but as we arrived there was a car waiting. Our lucky travels continue!
We arrived at our amazing hotel: Ngoc Ann 2 hotel. The owner could not be more helpful. He talked us through our options for a one day tour..we paid $25 each for a car and guide for th day.
One day tour - Ninh Binh
Our first stop was the boat trip up the river at Tam Coc..as we arrived, we were greeted by a sea of school children. They were thrilled to see us and to practise their 'Hello, how ar you?' English.
We were in the boats for over a hour, snaking our way through rice paddy lined bends in the river..we were surrounded by looming limestone pillars, mountain goats climbing the cliffs. Such a beautiful place. The boat drivers were using their feet to power the oars, various techniques were witnessed. We skimmed under low caves that were pitch black before being guided out into the sunlight. The rice paddies were so green, a perfect time to see them so luscious.
There were photographers on the river who take your picture. They then run off, print and laminate them befor tacking you down further into your day tour to sell you them at an inflated tourist price. We later saw a laminator machine built into the back of a motorbike....but of course!
Thursday, 12 June 2014
Ironman Cairns 2014
Race report!
The weekend began with a short flight up the tropical north Queensland - I was expecting 28 degree humid heat but as we stepped off the plane we were greeted with gusty cool winds. Our hotel was smack bam in the middle of cairns town centre - which was 2 blocks away from the expo and finish line. We scurried around the expo, got all the freebies and bought a few last minute essentials. I looked through the bag and found this 'All world athlete' card that allows us early entry to the carb party!!! woohoo!! Off we went, starving!
Amazing set up - table service and speeches by a famous wheelchair athlete and also a lady who has got a rare motor neuron disease...the tears are flowing as I stuff as much food into my body as humanly possible. We head home to have a good sleep.
Saturday was a hectic day - took the bike for a spin. It felt amazing because I have been on the turbo trainer inside so much recently (too unmotivated to be out on the road for the last week). Went for a quick jog. Enjoyed a massive breakfast --- starting to wonder how my body can take so much food in! We take the bike up to the swim start to rack it overnight and that's where we are greeted by the wind and choppy sea. There were some people having a swim but they really looked as if they were going backwards!
We had Vietnamese noodles for dinner - yummy, before and early night.
I awoke at 4am and pulled the earplugs out of my ears, turned off the air-conditioning and then I heard it..-- the rain pelting torrentially against the window. My heart sank. Hopefully it would just be a short shower?! I kissed Brian goodbye and headed down to breakfast. There was an aussie pro munching his breakie as I headed in. We had a chat about the rain, he wasn't too worried about it.
We all had to get the bus out to the swim start - about 30 minutes. It was so dark and so wet! The whole bus was fogged up inside.
On arrival at transition, it was mayhem. Mud everywhere. I waded through the mud in my flipflops --- they often got stuck and then inconveniently pinged up suddenly, spraying mud all up my clothes! I sorted out my bike and joined the never ending toilet queue. Brian arrived and we found shelter inside the resort hotel. The staff looked horrified to have all these muddy wet people cowering in their lobby...waiting....waiting. My race didn't start until 8am. We did score a free coffee as some other people had both gone to buy coffee - free coffee was a highlight!
It was time to race. Headed down to the beach and as my feet hit the sand, I was astonished to feel that it was warm! The sea was about 24 degrees but the air must have been about 18. We were ushered into the starting pen and before I knew it, it was just 20 seconds to go! The brown churning ocean looked daunting. Beeeeeeep, the hooter rang out! My heart jolted as the adrenaline exploded within my chest! And we're off! There are no words that can really explain the carnage of a mass swim start. Squashed in on all sides with wetsuited bodies, thrashing to drive a straight line into the oncoming waves as they crash into you. Every breath vital, yet filled with spluttering salty water...when will I find clear water? Before I knew it we were at the first corner --- the first of 6 in all. At each of these corners, the field banked up as everyone doggy paddled around the big white cans. I finally got into a rhythm and then the red capped Japanese man came along. His freestyle swimming was smooth, however, every 4 or 5 strokes, he would switch to breast stroke ---- which is totally fine, except for his flailing legs that clobbered my face, arms, ribs repeatedly! The minute I thought that I had got rid of him, he's back! Bang! This went on for a good five minutes. I'm sure I swam zigzags to avoid him! As I turned the final can, I could see the beach, then I could hear the pa system cheering us on and celebrating each swimming victim as they emerged from the ocean. I was thrilled to be at the end -- after being in the pool twice in the last 5 weeks, I was in good spirits at 1:17 into my race.
The rain was still falling. Into transition and the mud was relentless. I got my bike shoes on and then put plastic bags over my shoes. I had to hold them in place as I hobble, bent over, out of the change tent towards my bike. I had to ditch the bags to wheel my bike, however, at which point my shoes got absolutely clarted in mud. Ah well. It was time to head out onto the bike course. The first few hundred metres were horrible as there were speed humps that were covered with rubber matting. I saw two people fall off, others were losing their drinks bottles and stopping to retrieve them. Finally, we were out onto the open road. The wind was slight but the rain was pelting my face.
Oh gosh, this is really long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, bike was ok - I felt pretty good on the way up to Port Douglas - beautiful scenery along the coast beside the ocean...despite the rain. First turn around and I was feeling good. People whizzing past --- the slower male swimmers who are just powerhouses on their bikes. Whooooosh! I had a low patch from about 110km until 140km, but just kept on going. I saw a million people with punctures and I kept checking that my wheels were in tact. At 140km I thought I was going to be able to get a sugar hit with coke, but was disappointed to find that there was none! I had to struggle through to 160km before I was awarded with my boke but by that time, it was a little late. I was feeling very flat and just wanted the bike to be over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Luckily the course was very flat with good roads so I just rolled back into town --- just over 6 hours (about 10-15 mins slower than was hoping for) but SO RELIEVED that it was over. The end of the bike is always the most mentally draining --- no-one around to cheer, it's a lonely road at that point in the race. Doubt fills the mind and no amount of 'genk it up' can really work! You've just gotta push through!
I roll into transition feeling very down. I wondered how I could run this marathon with my longest run being 21km! I peeled off the drenched socks and smothered my toes with Vaseline before putting on fresh new socks --- what a feeling! I jogged out of transition feeling heavy and depressed. 3 x 14km laps ahead. The first 5km was tough. I was still recovering from the sugar low and finally I saw Brian up ahead. I ran towards him and sobbed on his shoulder...to his dismay! haha He gave me a stern pep talk and a slap on the butt. From that moment on, I was grand. I was running my normal 4 hour marathon pace and I was back on track. Each aid station gave me more strength and more energy - the cheering (wet) crowd were no longer a blur of faces but clear, sources of power! Lap two was fantastic - it was still light, the kids were all doing the hand slap. Soon the third lap was approaching - the point where I can begin the countdown instead of counting up. Alas, the sun fell from the grey sky - the darkness and the cold set in. I was walking every 2km through each aid station then it was just 2km until the next one. Each aid station provided the dilemma, what shall I eat/drink now? What's going to help me? banana? lollies? more coke? redbull? water? who frikin knows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The trouble with the third lap was that it was dark. All the puddles that I had been avoiding the previous laps were now invisible. I groaned out loud as I splashed my way through the chilly muddy lakes! I saw Brian for the last time at 33km. 9 km to go - I can do this. I knew that I could keep going at this pace but no faster - I would finish just after 12 hours. I could hear the finish line from 41km....the pubs were loud as I jogged down towards the finish - I felt strong, my body felt good with no twinges but I was ready for it to be over!
With the rain STILL falling, I ran down the finish chute with the crowd roaring in my ears. I hugged the announcer and Brian had worked his contacts to get into the finish area - he was drenched! I kept going and walked through to the finisher area. I didn't want to stop moving because I knew that I would get cold, seize up, feel crappy, so I just got all my stuff and headed straight out the other side. Brian was there and we walked to collect my bike. We strolled home to the hotel slowly, in the rain, recapping the race. I didn't feel jubilant, just happy it was over. I jumped in the shower...amazed to find no chaffing, no blisters...no real evidence of the hardship that I had endured! Suddenly, the stomach was churning and it was time to vomit ----- all that coke, gels, redbull............so much liquid, it was gross!!!!!!!!! I lay on the bed feeling terrible and cold. Brian ordered takeaway pizza but I couldn't face it...more vomit then I fell asleep and woke at 1am. I couldn't sleep!!! I check in for my flight and browsed facebook. When I awoke Monday morning, it just felt like a really bad hangover - with that horrible vomit feeling. I felt better about my achievements and perked up. We went for a freezing swim in the beachfront pool before a massive breakfast. Airport, home....lazy afternoon.
School has been tough this week. My body has been absolutely fine but I've been so fatigued! So tired!!! Like a zombie!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is all! :) I don't think I'll do another one any time soon ---- maybe never. The training is so hard for me - I've lost that excitement buzz for the long sessions. I've got a half ironman in August...that will keep me on my toes!!
Friday, 5 April 2013
Vietnam April 2013
Easter holidays: Vietnam with Jaimee, Hannah, Matt, Rueben and Benji.
Wednesday 3rd April: airasia.com flight from Coolangatta to Kuala Lumpur. Connecting flight to Hanoi. Jaimee had bought her ticket Coolangatta - Hanoi and so she was able to check her luggage all the way through, but I had booked mine as separate flights and so had to collect bag at KL and check-in for Hanoi flight. A bit of a hassle, but we were able to pick up a Starbucks coffee on the way, which made up for it :) 8.5 hours followed by 3.5 hours
We were amazed at the efficiency of KL LCCT (Low cost carrier terminal). SO many planes on the tarmac! Small cultural differences already creeping in - older folk skipping queues, time after time..Air asia's motto is: 'Now everyone can fly!'
Visa on arrival in Vietnam was a good idea. We did NOT need the two passport photos. They accepted Dong and US$. We applied online at:
Taxi from Hanoi airport to Old Quarter cost 330 Dong - there is a sign outside that tells you this but the drivers still attempt to test your conversion skills by quoting us$25...instead of us$15. It seemed to take a long time to get there; crazy roads... horns blaring continuously.
We arrive at Hanoi Guesthouse www.hanoiguesthouse.com
The ladies there were wonderful. Great rooms with snacks and water. Good location: the minute you step out you are immersed in a flowing stream of scooters with the occasional vehicle squeezing past. Bodies are walking in every direction - maintaining course as the scooters and motorbikes pricy and swerve to avoid collision. Terrifying to watch!
Our hotel was happy to offer us a Halong Bay Tour but we seemed to be in the street that had all the tour operators, so very easy to shop around. We booked through Kangaroo Tours travel. A pile of glossy brochures to skim through - all the boats looked beautiful in the pictures. 2 days 1 night $69. Transfers to and from Hanoi included.
With this booked and paid for, we began our first day of exploration in Hanoi. First we visited the lake with the red bridge. Ngocson temple. I tried pineapple off the street and was surprised to taste the chilli dust sprinkled on top! We the walked about 2km across town to Ho Chi Minh's palace and Mausoleum. We witnessed some guards military training in the sweltering heat before heading back across town in a 7 seater taxi to a supermarket where we were able to pick up snacks for our Halong Bay Tour the following day. The supermarket was interesting; lots of rows of sauces and spices, rice noodles and pho noodles, lots of Japanese and other Asian snacks. You can't take your handbag into the supermarket with you.
The girls fancied some new sunglasses. We found ourselves on 'sunglasses street' and began bartering for a good price. They sales girls assured us that we were buying the best Korean fakes.
For dinner, we visited a vegetarian restaurant called Tamarind Cafe, across the street from our hotel. They had 3 separate menus: Indian, Malaysian and the Vietnamese/vegetarian menu...overwhelming! But great food.
We were all fighting jet lag so after dinner we decided to treat ourselves to a massage. 'Snowdrop spa' was able to accommodate all 6 of us. (No.6 Luong Ngoc Quyen Str.) Jaimee and I were in one room. The ladies were chatting the entire hour. Good pressure, almost too sore but my body needed it - it's not two weeks since the ironman! The ladies were walking on our backs and using their knees, too! We strolled around the busy hectic streets and then collapsed into bed.
Friday 5th: woke up early..tried to make the instant coffee in my room but I ripped the pack open and the powder went up my nose! Not a good start.. Breakfast at the hotel...bread and eggs.
We were told it would be a two hour bus journey out to Halong Bay, but it soon turned into a 4.5 hour trip! The roads weren't too hectic, just slow. It was scenic with all the green rice paddies and small rural villages.
We arrived at the port for Halong Bay and our tour guide 'Bee' announced that we would all be operating as if on a single day tour due to a predicted storm.. The government controls the paperwork for the boats out on Halong Bay. If the weather is a threat, they ban overnight tours. Although it was a glassy still day, we were given the option of returning to Hanoi that night...another 4.5hrs on a bumpy bus, or a night at a hotel on an island. We chose this option and would stay at 'The Hidden Charm' hotel on Tuan Chau Island.
The island is being developed into a tourist resort island. There is a lot of construction but it looks like it will be many years before this is a fully functional resort island paradise!
On our Halong Bay boat cruise, we stopped at some incredible limestone caves before continuing to a floating village where we kayaked around some more stunning caves. The kayaks were in a bad state - holes...it's amazing that we didn't sink! Such a beautiful location....stunning backdrop. We didn't do as many analog Bay activities as we had hoped, but there wasn't much we could do about the weather.
Saturday 6th: we got up and had breakfast before embarking on a 7km jog around the island. I've been eating so much food - it's all delicious and new. The running felt hard after 2 weeks of no sport!
We now await our bus back to Hanoi..we have an hour to have dinner before boarding another bus that will take us down to Ninh Binh, another 2 hours.
Friday, 30 March 2012
Ironman Melbourne 2012
It's a brand new Ironman for Australia - it sold out in 4 minutes (I woke up at 4:30 am in London to make sure I got in). Jaimee and Janine are friends from our time in Japan, both teachers with new jobs, too - we all signed up together.
Thursday: managed to leave school right on time with the kids to make my flight!
The days leading up.......FREEZING and so windy. It's only a 2 hour flight from where I live to Melbourne, but the weather is very different. I could never return to living in a freezing climate...ever!!!
Night before the race, we are at Janine's mum's house - they did a house swap so that we could sleep closer to the start. Janine had forgotten her goggles in the city - her little sad face, stressful! Stu (husband) to the rescue, went back to get them for her. We watched Kona Ironman videos and stretched........panic setting in. Surprisingly good sleep. 4:15am, wander into the kitchen - the genki girls are there! Crumpets and oatmeal and COFFEE...pile into the car. Dark. Arrive, people everywhere, spotlights shining down on transition area. Pump tyres, put the drinks on the bike, check on the girls...done....Our little spot for putting on our wetsuits was great, had lots of time to get organised, photos :) The pros are off 15 minutes before us...time to line up to head down to the beach. waiting waiting, finally through, less than 5 minutes until we're starting...quick! Walk in up to waist deep.........sheeeeesh FREEZING. No time to be wimpy - head first dive under....gotta warm up this wetsuit!!! ;) We swim to the first of the two bouys that mark the start line and suddenly the horn goes.....not really in the best position - but off we go regardless. Swimming with a slight current at the start, looking for the left turn, looking, looking, where is it!? The problem was it was such a wide channel of people, they actually needed to squish us all in together a bit more so that navigation wasn't so much of a problem. Finally turned onto the long back straight section...........it went on forever, swimming into the current...choppy waves when you go to breathe. Again, wide channel, hardly any canoes to keep you in close...turned the final corner to come back towards the pier - flying along with the current again...thank goodness...Looked at my watch underwater..1:15...initially I was disappointed (I swam 1:09 in Germany) but then I sort of checked how I was going, I felt good, not over-doing it...it was cold, arms and hands frozen.
Felt good coming out of the water at 1:17....current and poor navigation. Ran up to the transition tents - run through and pick up a bag, run further into the change tent....tip the bag out on the floor - NOT MY BIKE SHOES..........quick, stuff it all back in the bag - run back into the other tent...against the traffic of sodden wetsuits, replace the bag and pick up MINE.....oh dear oh dear...transition take 2! No help required, got the suit off, put on the talcy socks, arm warmers struggled to go on over the damp freezing arms.....grrrrr, so cold. Go!
Got on the bike and felt SO happy to be on the bike. I was expecting to be going into the wind but it was behind me, so I felt great heading out onto the bike. At about 40km we experienced the TUNNEL...massive motorway tunnel. Speeding down at about 60km/h but it was just so WARM! Turnaround, I was expecting to be hit with the wind in my face, but it was more of a crosswind, so still was able to go quite easily. So needed to peeeee...WHAT?!?!?! In Strongman and Roth I didn't pee once on the bike....but I was not sweating at all here.......so I was just totally over-hydrating myself. I just could not pee on the bike. (I did that in NZ once.....and I didn't like it!!) 70km - ouch, started to feel the dreaded left hamstring thing....it's been really bad over the last few weeks......90km, pick up special needs bag and pop 2 panadol.....pain got less..thank goodness!!! Third section - headwind....pee stop..again!! Unbelievable!!! Cold wind. Lowest emotional state of the race....Grrrrrrrrrrr. Finally, turnaround for the last time, wind behind me, heading back towards town - last 45km let's go!! There's Jaimee - Go Jaimeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...more panadol... there's Janine!! Go Janineeeeeeeeeeeeee.......not many cyclists around now, everyone just struggling for home. 180km...so happy to get into transition...jumped off the bike, good transition - vaseline on the toes...fresh socks...lets go! Started out tentatively, but soon I realised that my legs felt amazing!! Started my stop-watch........did the maths......right....slightly slower bike than planned....I need to run 4 hours to get 12 hours....oh dear...I feel ok though, DO IT! All the people were shuffling, I felt like I was flying, felt in my element. Everyone cheering, Great running girl, go girl...bla bla bla....Supporters pushing me on....picking off one person at a time...Keep the gels up....coke....gatorade....
It was a high level race - not many average people....finished up 31st in age group out of 49...but still so happy with the mental state and the run; I've felt drained this week, but ready to put my bike together and go for a spin, maybe tomorrow!
The hamstring thing is a problem. 12 weeks until Japan 70.3.......unbelievable! Exciting!!! I need a few weeks of rest before ramping it up again!!
Excited to be doing it all again next year!!! :)
Thursday: managed to leave school right on time with the kids to make my flight!
The days leading up.......FREEZING and so windy. It's only a 2 hour flight from where I live to Melbourne, but the weather is very different. I could never return to living in a freezing climate...ever!!!
Night before the race, we are at Janine's mum's house - they did a house swap so that we could sleep closer to the start. Janine had forgotten her goggles in the city - her little sad face, stressful! Stu (husband) to the rescue, went back to get them for her. We watched Kona Ironman videos and stretched........panic setting in. Surprisingly good sleep. 4:15am, wander into the kitchen - the genki girls are there! Crumpets and oatmeal and COFFEE...pile into the car. Dark. Arrive, people everywhere, spotlights shining down on transition area. Pump tyres, put the drinks on the bike, check on the girls...done....Our little spot for putting on our wetsuits was great, had lots of time to get organised, photos :) The pros are off 15 minutes before us...time to line up to head down to the beach. waiting waiting, finally through, less than 5 minutes until we're starting...quick! Walk in up to waist deep.........sheeeeesh FREEZING. No time to be wimpy - head first dive under....gotta warm up this wetsuit!!! ;) We swim to the first of the two bouys that mark the start line and suddenly the horn goes.....not really in the best position - but off we go regardless. Swimming with a slight current at the start, looking for the left turn, looking, looking, where is it!? The problem was it was such a wide channel of people, they actually needed to squish us all in together a bit more so that navigation wasn't so much of a problem. Finally turned onto the long back straight section...........it went on forever, swimming into the current...choppy waves when you go to breathe. Again, wide channel, hardly any canoes to keep you in close...turned the final corner to come back towards the pier - flying along with the current again...thank goodness...Looked at my watch underwater..1:15...initially I was disappointed (I swam 1:09 in Germany) but then I sort of checked how I was going, I felt good, not over-doing it...it was cold, arms and hands frozen.
Felt good coming out of the water at 1:17....current and poor navigation. Ran up to the transition tents - run through and pick up a bag, run further into the change tent....tip the bag out on the floor - NOT MY BIKE SHOES..........quick, stuff it all back in the bag - run back into the other tent...against the traffic of sodden wetsuits, replace the bag and pick up MINE.....oh dear oh dear...transition take 2! No help required, got the suit off, put on the talcy socks, arm warmers struggled to go on over the damp freezing arms.....grrrrr, so cold. Go!
Got on the bike and felt SO happy to be on the bike. I was expecting to be going into the wind but it was behind me, so I felt great heading out onto the bike. At about 40km we experienced the TUNNEL...massive motorway tunnel. Speeding down at about 60km/h but it was just so WARM! Turnaround, I was expecting to be hit with the wind in my face, but it was more of a crosswind, so still was able to go quite easily. So needed to peeeee...WHAT?!?!?! In Strongman and Roth I didn't pee once on the bike....but I was not sweating at all here.......so I was just totally over-hydrating myself. I just could not pee on the bike. (I did that in NZ once.....and I didn't like it!!) 70km - ouch, started to feel the dreaded left hamstring thing....it's been really bad over the last few weeks......90km, pick up special needs bag and pop 2 panadol.....pain got less..thank goodness!!! Third section - headwind....pee stop..again!! Unbelievable!!! Cold wind. Lowest emotional state of the race....Grrrrrrrrrrr. Finally, turnaround for the last time, wind behind me, heading back towards town - last 45km let's go!! There's Jaimee - Go Jaimeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...more panadol... there's Janine!! Go Janineeeeeeeeeeeeee.......not many cyclists around now, everyone just struggling for home. 180km...so happy to get into transition...jumped off the bike, good transition - vaseline on the toes...fresh socks...lets go! Started out tentatively, but soon I realised that my legs felt amazing!! Started my stop-watch........did the maths......right....slightly slower bike than planned....I need to run 4 hours to get 12 hours....oh dear...I feel ok though, DO IT! All the people were shuffling, I felt like I was flying, felt in my element. Everyone cheering, Great running girl, go girl...bla bla bla....Supporters pushing me on....picking off one person at a time...Keep the gels up....coke....gatorade....
It was a high level race - not many average people....finished up 31st in age group out of 49...but still so happy with the mental state and the run; I've felt drained this week, but ready to put my bike together and go for a spin, maybe tomorrow!
The hamstring thing is a problem. 12 weeks until Japan 70.3.......unbelievable! Exciting!!! I need a few weeks of rest before ramping it up again!!
Excited to be doing it all again next year!!! :)
Now to begin the 2 weeks of Easter Holidays....beach....reading....harping...eating...drinking...chilling! :)
Update from July 2011 to March 2012
Quick update on my life:
Returned to Australia in August after an extended holiday in the UK, enjoying the sights and sounds that are so familiar to me. Lots of friends to catch up with, lots of leisure cycling with old training friends. Lots of shopping, lots of eating, a fair bit of drinking.
I played the harp with the band Fenech-Soler. We recorded a track and performed on a boat on the Thames. It was fabulous, a day in the life of a rock and roller :)
By the end of August, I was ready to head back and as a newly qualified teacher, it was time for some hard job hunting and WORK.
At first, plenty of CVs flying around the local area - a few volunteering days. Playing on my strengths took me to supply teaching music for a few days. A violin teacher observed me and realised that I was to be the answer to their current dilemma - they had a gap to fill for the rest of the term - 7 weeks of work teaching stringed instruments soon came my way. Right, I'm a harpist, I can deal with the musical aspects of different instruments. Now I was teaching kids how to play the violin, viola, cello and double bass. End of term reports were due - end of term concerts!! It was hectic! But it felt very natural for me and I was soon learning the violin myself so that I could get a firmer grasp of why they were finding certain areas tricky. All ended at the end of term, and it was a great experience. The kids are very lucky to have free music lessons at school!!
Christmas holidays came, as did the sisters. Eilidh brought her family from Singapore, and Kirsty had announced that she was moving to Manly, Sydney. The weather was much better than the previous year. The 5 weeks went extremely quickly!!
Towards the end of my instrumental music contract, I had applied for a job on seek.com - which is just a normal jobs website. I had simply uploaded my CV for a 'primary' position at an Anglican College.
Much to my surprise, I was called for interview and was offered a job teaching year 4 for semester 1 - 2 terms. I was thrilled, but terrified. I've never had my own class before. A huge opportunity and so wonderful that they had the insight to look at my character, my skills and past experiences. In the first weeks it was hectic, but the children are so good - they realise that they are lucky to be at the school, they wholeheartedly believe that they are at the best school in Australia. All the staff are hand-picked, everyone has sport in their background - ex-olympic sprinter, ex-pro ironman triathlete, cage fighter, marathon runners, ultra-marathon runners, ex-elite cyclists......such an interesting staff-room. Because all the students are so good, there is none of the usual whinging and moaning at morning tea time...Everyone love their job, and it is a dream come true really; I love my job. It's extremely hard work, but very rewarding. I now understand why teachers get these holidays - your whole life gets put on hold during term time!!
I had signed up for Ironman Melbourne - March 25th. Was it a good idea with a new job? As it turns out, yes. Although I was super busy, it was achievable and I think it kept a good balance in my life. It's essential to have interests outside school to keep your mind and body healthy!! :)
Returned to Australia in August after an extended holiday in the UK, enjoying the sights and sounds that are so familiar to me. Lots of friends to catch up with, lots of leisure cycling with old training friends. Lots of shopping, lots of eating, a fair bit of drinking.
I played the harp with the band Fenech-Soler. We recorded a track and performed on a boat on the Thames. It was fabulous, a day in the life of a rock and roller :)
By the end of August, I was ready to head back and as a newly qualified teacher, it was time for some hard job hunting and WORK.
At first, plenty of CVs flying around the local area - a few volunteering days. Playing on my strengths took me to supply teaching music for a few days. A violin teacher observed me and realised that I was to be the answer to their current dilemma - they had a gap to fill for the rest of the term - 7 weeks of work teaching stringed instruments soon came my way. Right, I'm a harpist, I can deal with the musical aspects of different instruments. Now I was teaching kids how to play the violin, viola, cello and double bass. End of term reports were due - end of term concerts!! It was hectic! But it felt very natural for me and I was soon learning the violin myself so that I could get a firmer grasp of why they were finding certain areas tricky. All ended at the end of term, and it was a great experience. The kids are very lucky to have free music lessons at school!!
Christmas holidays came, as did the sisters. Eilidh brought her family from Singapore, and Kirsty had announced that she was moving to Manly, Sydney. The weather was much better than the previous year. The 5 weeks went extremely quickly!!
Towards the end of my instrumental music contract, I had applied for a job on seek.com - which is just a normal jobs website. I had simply uploaded my CV for a 'primary' position at an Anglican College.
Much to my surprise, I was called for interview and was offered a job teaching year 4 for semester 1 - 2 terms. I was thrilled, but terrified. I've never had my own class before. A huge opportunity and so wonderful that they had the insight to look at my character, my skills and past experiences. In the first weeks it was hectic, but the children are so good - they realise that they are lucky to be at the school, they wholeheartedly believe that they are at the best school in Australia. All the staff are hand-picked, everyone has sport in their background - ex-olympic sprinter, ex-pro ironman triathlete, cage fighter, marathon runners, ultra-marathon runners, ex-elite cyclists......such an interesting staff-room. Because all the students are so good, there is none of the usual whinging and moaning at morning tea time...Everyone love their job, and it is a dream come true really; I love my job. It's extremely hard work, but very rewarding. I now understand why teachers get these holidays - your whole life gets put on hold during term time!!
I had signed up for Ironman Melbourne - March 25th. Was it a good idea with a new job? As it turns out, yes. Although I was super busy, it was achievable and I think it kept a good balance in my life. It's essential to have interests outside school to keep your mind and body healthy!! :)
Monday, 18 July 2011
Race Day
I slept pretty well and woke up at 4am, quick breakfast of porridge, toast and very good coffee. Mr Meier was up ready to take me on the back of his scooter to the start of the race - he knew all the short cuts through the back fields, we skipped out all the crazy pre-race traffic - legend!
I got my bike organised and found Rich, the panic began to set in - people everywhere - pumping up tyres, putting bottles on bikes, checking gear, pulling on wetsuits...Beautiful cloudless morning.
The pros start was at 6:30am, I watched them head off before joining the other herd of pink swim caps as we were ushered into the canal. Suddenly it was time to go - I fell into the rhythm that I would try to maintain for the duration of the 3.8k swim.
It didn't feel like the usual battering, I seemed to be in open space within minutes - I looked around just to check I was still on course - all good. I spent the whole swim trying to sit on other swimmers' feet - it's tough to find people who are swimming at the same speed, and also, there's no guarantee that they are swimming in a straight line! ;) It did seem to go on and on, then the final turn and up out of the water with a firm hand from the volunteers - 1:09 - (I swam 1:16 in New Zealand, so a good improvement). In New Zealand I managed to spend 13 minutes in transition - I was out of T1 in under 3 minutes this time - it felt great to be whizzing along on the bike, smooooooth roads.
I was feeling pretty good on the first lap, I was trying to push myself but was constantly worried about saving my legs, and the fear of running out of energy. I accidentally dropped my mini gel bottle - so at each aid station I was really conscious that I needed to be grabbing gels as well as drink bottles. No hot cross buns for me this time, no loo stop at the half way point - I was here to race this time!
I made the first lap maintaining a 30k/h average, but I was feeling a little depleted after all the hills, I spun into the 2nd lap determined to do my best to get off this bike as soon as I possibly could! The crowd support was amazing - each village had a huge support crew. There is one hill where spectators gather, 'Solarer Berg'. As you turn to go up the hill, all you can see is a SEA of faces - a huge crowd, 4 or 5 deep on each side of the road, cheering you up (Tour de France style) with just a tiny corridor tunnel to cycle up. I definitely shed a tear the first time up, with a big smile - it really does lift the spirits - my spirit was in need of some lifting during the second lap, goose bumps, pretty much downhill to the finish. I was so happy to roll into T2 in just over 6 hours; I was feeling pretty tired, but I thought that my run would survive it...
I dashed out onto the run course, legs felt ok - no twinges or cramps. First you run steadily uphill out of the town to the canal. Chrissie Wellington was completing her marathon, we passed, I had a long way to go! She looked like a machine, smiling as she powered on to a new world record time. As I emerged from the forest on the canal path, the searing heat hit me like a slap in the face. I spent the first 10k getting into a good running rhythm, the next 10k melting in the heat...by the half way point, I was ready to quit. My watch had gone bonkers in the swim, so I had ditched it on the bike course. I had no idea what time it was or how fast I was running etc. At 21k I decided to ask someone for the time. 4:21pm. My brain then painfully slowly worked out that if I could run the next 21k in under 2.5 hours, then I'd come in under 12 hours - an hour quicker than NZ. I knew this was achievable, so, mentally, I was back in the game! Hooray! However, physically, my body began complaining - I've never had stomach problems during a race before...I visited the facilities 4 times during the last 20k...not good. I was getting from one aid station to the next, walking through it - wondering what on earth my body needed to make it function properly...I just felt so sick! Watermelon seemed to be the most appealing on the table, probably not the best for the guts, but it got me to the end!
So, I came to the end - it was emotional - I had fought the mental battle from half way through the bike course. My overall time was 11:44 - over an hour and a 1/4 faster than my first attempt - albeit on a different course. Very happy with the improvement, I feel lucky! For me, this is a good result. My lack of proper training since Strongman was evident in the run. I'd love to have broken 4 hours on the marathon - but, again, I didn't do enough run training to make these dreams come true!
SO, there is the challenge for the next race! Always room for improvement...but as I sit here on a sofa in London.........as my fitness goes down the drain with every lazy day...can I face another race like this? The answer: of course, yes! But with my life being so up in the air at the moment, I think I'll stick to half ironmans for the next 12 months before signing up to another full. I need to focus. I need to get established in the supply teaching market before hopefully arranging something more stable for the beginning of 2012, then when things are feeling more settled, I'll start rallying the crew for another grand destination race :)
My Video:
I got my bike organised and found Rich, the panic began to set in - people everywhere - pumping up tyres, putting bottles on bikes, checking gear, pulling on wetsuits...Beautiful cloudless morning.
The pros start was at 6:30am, I watched them head off before joining the other herd of pink swim caps as we were ushered into the canal. Suddenly it was time to go - I fell into the rhythm that I would try to maintain for the duration of the 3.8k swim.
It didn't feel like the usual battering, I seemed to be in open space within minutes - I looked around just to check I was still on course - all good. I spent the whole swim trying to sit on other swimmers' feet - it's tough to find people who are swimming at the same speed, and also, there's no guarantee that they are swimming in a straight line! ;) It did seem to go on and on, then the final turn and up out of the water with a firm hand from the volunteers - 1:09 - (I swam 1:16 in New Zealand, so a good improvement). In New Zealand I managed to spend 13 minutes in transition - I was out of T1 in under 3 minutes this time - it felt great to be whizzing along on the bike, smooooooth roads.
I made the first lap maintaining a 30k/h average, but I was feeling a little depleted after all the hills, I spun into the 2nd lap determined to do my best to get off this bike as soon as I possibly could! The crowd support was amazing - each village had a huge support crew. There is one hill where spectators gather, 'Solarer Berg'. As you turn to go up the hill, all you can see is a SEA of faces - a huge crowd, 4 or 5 deep on each side of the road, cheering you up (Tour de France style) with just a tiny corridor tunnel to cycle up. I definitely shed a tear the first time up, with a big smile - it really does lift the spirits - my spirit was in need of some lifting during the second lap, goose bumps, pretty much downhill to the finish. I was so happy to roll into T2 in just over 6 hours; I was feeling pretty tired, but I thought that my run would survive it...
I dashed out onto the run course, legs felt ok - no twinges or cramps. First you run steadily uphill out of the town to the canal. Chrissie Wellington was completing her marathon, we passed, I had a long way to go! She looked like a machine, smiling as she powered on to a new world record time. As I emerged from the forest on the canal path, the searing heat hit me like a slap in the face. I spent the first 10k getting into a good running rhythm, the next 10k melting in the heat...by the half way point, I was ready to quit. My watch had gone bonkers in the swim, so I had ditched it on the bike course. I had no idea what time it was or how fast I was running etc. At 21k I decided to ask someone for the time. 4:21pm. My brain then painfully slowly worked out that if I could run the next 21k in under 2.5 hours, then I'd come in under 12 hours - an hour quicker than NZ. I knew this was achievable, so, mentally, I was back in the game! Hooray! However, physically, my body began complaining - I've never had stomach problems during a race before...I visited the facilities 4 times during the last 20k...not good. I was getting from one aid station to the next, walking through it - wondering what on earth my body needed to make it function properly...I just felt so sick! Watermelon seemed to be the most appealing on the table, probably not the best for the guts, but it got me to the end!
SO, there is the challenge for the next race! Always room for improvement...but as I sit here on a sofa in London.........as my fitness goes down the drain with every lazy day...can I face another race like this? The answer: of course, yes! But with my life being so up in the air at the moment, I think I'll stick to half ironmans for the next 12 months before signing up to another full. I need to focus. I need to get established in the supply teaching market before hopefully arranging something more stable for the beginning of 2012, then when things are feeling more settled, I'll start rallying the crew for another grand destination race :)
My Video:
Singapore, Germany and Challenge Roth
Off on travels again. 2011 has been absolutely crazy. The final semester of my teaching course consisted of 7 weeks of lectures and assignments followed by 6 weeks prac in a school – all the while I was training for Strongman, back on my little island in Japan. This was a race I was afraid to attempt when I lived on the Island of Miyako. After the strongman race, I spent the last few days of my holidays in Japan camped out on Theresa’s floor studying for my English curriculum exam which was just a few days after I returned. With strongman and all my exams out of the way, next came 6 weeks of school practicum. Not only was I in school 8 – 4 everyday, I was having to prepare all the lessons, write up self reflections on each lesson and learn the content material for a lively year 6 class. There were numerous troublesome lads in the class, which always adds a challenging element. Anyway, the weeks flew by. Thursday night became ‘date night’ due to my waitressing Friday and Saturday and playing the harp Sunday nights at the local French restaurant, Allure. How on earth was I going to squeeze in ironman training too? With little energy and little motivation after just having completed strongman…it has been a struggle. Credit goes to Brian for dragging me out to the pool, taking me on long challenging cycles and spurring me on when I had zero energy or motivation to do anything but sleep!
Singapore
First stop Singapore to spend a few days with Eilidh, Kevin, Kyla and little Evie. Hanging out with a real family is fascinating – Kyla: a cute, energetic, well-behaved 2 year old and Evie: also cute, 3 month old, helpless little munchkin, who doesn't want to sleep - just in case she misses something!
Perfect ironman build up - I swam in the pool every day. I ran a 10km race and came 49th out of 4,500 people (which was very strange for a 51 minute time... - I was trying to take it easy.) I turbo trained in the air-con on Kevin’s bike. I drank champagne at Ku De Ta (the big ‘boat’ on top of the new hotel/casino at Marina Bay Sands) and danced until 2am…and ate the most fantastic food. I took the bus tour, the boat tour and visited the Terracotta Warriors exhibition. I strolled through China town and refrained from buying a single item (I was already totally overweight with luggage!) On the way back I will visit the Japanese Daiso 100 yen store…Daiso is seriously taking over the world – hooray!
Germany Day 1 – the longest day
As the plane came in to Munich through a thick blanket of early morning fog, I started to get excited: a new country, a new language, a host family awaits and on Sunday….a HUGE challenge.
After the 11 hour flight, I made it to Munich train station and chilled out in starbucks and caught up on emails, facebook and skype. I get my email to say that, congratulations, I'm now an officially registered teacher – I can work as a supply teacher immediately but I still need to attend an interview before I can pick up a contract or permanent position. I will prepare for this over the next month and sort that out on my return to Australia. Scary!!!
I catch the train, with my bike and 6 kgs of luggage, off to the little village of Roth – where this iron-distance triathlon will take place on Sunday. I’m staying with a host family in the neighbouring town of Eckensmuhler – it feels just like the German exchange I did at school when I was 16!
Roth is a little village about 30 minutes by train south of Nuremberg. It’s 2 hours north of Munich. The world’s best triathletes come to take part in this race – it is an epic race and this year is a 10 year anniversary. I’m excited to be part of it, but always a little concerned about the distances and my mental game!!
Getting around with this bike box is not too bad, but it’s not the best bike box design. I already had a few issues – I got off the train on the wrong side – the side with no lift…I had to wait for the next train and go THROUGH it and out onto the other platform, I thought I was going to be stuck on a random train!
The bakeries here look amazing – huge bread rolls and sandwiches with ham and cheese exploding out of them, so European!
I got off the train at Roth to see a lady waving Australian flags at me! Gloria spent a year in Australia and loved it – I hope she’s not disappointed that I’m actually Scottish! Her English is perfect. My German is terrible! Max is 15 and has big exams this week. He is wearing a neck scarf because his girlfriend gave him a love bite! Mr German Meier doesn’t speak any English but helped me put my bike together – well, he pulled out all his tools…friendly! Helga’s English is good and she seems excited to have me here.
I get shown around the family house. I’m in the basement – with the sauna and the sun bed! So, a very chilled afternoon just reading all about the race, planning when I need to be where over the next few days.
I struggled to stay awake in the lead up to dinner. Delicious dinner, it was pork sausage layered with pasta – like a lasagne, in a creamy mushroom and bacon sauce. After dinner, Helga suggests we go for a ‘drive’ up to the canal. From looking at the map earlier I knew it was close. They disappear and come back in full lycra cycling kit! I stick to my jean shorts and grab my bike helmet. I got Max’s bike – good quality mountain bikes. We cycled along dirt paths until we hit the canal and follow it along for about 1km and we find the swim start point for Sunday’s race. The water looks a little green…slightly worrying! We then cycle on…and on…and on…round 2 lakes, probably out for about an hour! But beautiful, so beautiful, paths surrounded by green forests and grassy fields. Quaint houses with perfect gardens. Absolutely beautiful around here.
Saturday is the bike check in - waaaaa suddenly it's time to pack up the transition bags, think about all the little details required for the race - how much nutrition to take, what bag to put dry socks in, sunscreen, charge the ipod...Rich and Olivia picked me up, we put the bike and other gear in the car then Rich reminded me that I needed my timing chip to check the bike in - I sprinted downstairs to my room and ran up the dark corridor and SMACK - I'd run straight into the open door - I bashed my eyebrow, chest and knee.......On the way there, in the car, I could feel the lump forming on my eyebrow and my knee throbbing.... I also happened to noticed my tyre had a HUGE slash in it - I decided it wasn't worth the risk, so I popped into the bike shop and bought a new one - nothing like a bit of drama!! Prior to this, I had felt overly organised, I wasn't stressed about a thing. Nothing like a smack in the head to shake things up! Bike check-in was easy - then we drove some of the bike course to get a feel for it.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Strongman 2011
A lot has happened in my life since I last 'blogged'. I was just starting semester 1 of 2 for my primary teaching diploma. Well, semester 1 went great, loved it. Met a lovely man :) The summer holidays came, as did the entire extended family for Christmas, Semester 2 came...I'm half way through the semester, I start my next 6 week prac placement in school soon, then I'll be DONE! Amazing! So, I'm in Japan for the Strongman Triathlon - a race I never believed I could do when I lived here...I guess I had unfinished business with this island after all!
I arrived in Okinawa to stay with Theresa for a few days before coming down to Miyako. Great to see Theresa and Mo-chan. Hannah came down from Kobe. Jaimee, her boyfriend and I had all travelled together from Brisbane. It was quite a reunion! We went to the Canadian Bar, Eager Beaver - Paul Patry was also preparing for the Strongman, so it was good to touch base with him before the race.The rest of the weekend we basically walked around reminiscing and eating...it was perfect!! (and a lot colder than I remember!)
So, Brian, my boyfriend, is a pro triathlete and had already been invited to take part in the race - he was injured last year and couldn't go, so it's amazing that we were both planning to race this year! His flights were paid for, so we travelled separately. He was lodging at the nicest resort on the island, I was in the guest house - not perfect, but not the end of the world.
I flew to Miyako on Wednesday and was met at the airport by the invited athletes co-ordinator - which was strange - I was meant to be heading into town to my little guest house by taxi. He explained that he didn't realise that I, the girlfriend, was a competitor. It turned out there was an uneven number of pros, and Brian asked if the rooms could be rearranged to allow me to room with him, and the co-ordinator said yes! Amazing! So, I got to stay at the best hotel, with all the pros, it was brilliant! It really heightened my strongman experience and build up to the race. Because I knew the island, and could speak some Japanese, I felt useful, driving everyone around, which is always good!
Wednesday night we all went out for dinner. In the middle of the night, Brian starts throwing up...and again...and again...and by morning is half dead :( Through vomiting and a dodgy stomach, he'd managed to lose 5 kgs overnight! We took him up to hospital and they put 2 IV drips through him and gave him some other medicine to stop the vomiting etc. I got him back to the hotel and went out on a cycle to get supplies and register for the race. I managed to find Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup - surely that sorts everyone out! Basically, because it was Thursday, with the race being Sunday, there was still time to build up his energy again, as long as he kept food in his belly! It was stressful - he'd come to win this race...and here he was, a total mess :(
So, Friday was Jaimee's birthday and the carbo-loading party...very fun day! The biggest cake you've ever seen in your life!
Saturday was packing race bags, racking the bikes, eating...stressing...early to bed.
Sunday...race morning. Amazingly, the sea was the calmest I've ever seen it and not a whisper of wind - the flags hung limp against the poles. This is extremely rare for Miyako...being an island.
I felt totally disorganised, I was running around putting talc in my socks., squeezing gels into little bottles for the bike, changing laces in my shoes, charging ipods...it was a mental couple of hours. Brian threw up again before breakfast...indicating that whatever bug was in his tummy was still there :(
Luckily, Jaimee was there to keep me straight. We headed down to the swim start and melted into the crowd of wetsuits. (I think I'm pointing at the pros heading off on the swim start...I don't even have my goggles on!) So, the swim was good. I definitely got bashed more than my fair share, but it thinned out quite quickly and only had crazy contact at all the corners on the course. Beautiful 3k swim - you can see the sandy bottom, fish and coral the whole way round, water was about 23 degrees c.
Swim predicted time: 1hour.....actual time: 52 mins. Hooray! Smiling right from the start!
Due to the lack of wind, everyone was feeling optimistic about the 155k bike leg. It was such a beautiful day, the water looked amazing as we cycled around the island. I did the first 30k in exactly an hour, and I managed to hold that pace the whole way round. Although drafting is totally illegal in these races, there were definitely huge packs of speedy men all coming past me...packs...drafting. They had blokes on scooters with whistles, but I don't think they were busting people properly. I felt a bit heavy in the legs at the 100k point, so I tucked into my food - 2 power bars that had melted together in my bento box...I never want to eat another one after that, grim! But it did the trick. I was sticking to my nutrition plan, 6 gels in the first 100k, and the power bars. I had oreo biscuits waiting for me in my special needs bag at 100k - I felt like I'd had a real boost to get me through the next 55k - the wind had picked up a bit. At 120k I decided that enough was enough - time to bust out the ipod tunes - although it's not encouraged, it's not forbidden either, so I thought I'd go for it, just one ear! I managed to roll into transition at 1:15 pm - giving me a bike time of about 5:15. They lump the 2 transition times into your bike time...so, my recorded time is 5:29 - maybe 7 or 8 minutes for each transition...hard to know exactly, but my transitions were definitely quicker than in Ironman NZ!
We had visited a Junior High school on the Friday morning - the same students were at the bike transition volunteering, so they were thrilled to see me racing, pointing me in the right direction, handing me my kit bag etc...It definitely gave me a boost to see them so excited!! :) 2 of the current ALTs helped me out with some sunscreen and an update on Brian's race. When I heard that he was in about 20th place on the run, I knew that something bad had happened - he should've been at the front. My bike predicted time: 5:45-6:00...actual: 5:15-ish = thrilled + legs a bit wobbly!
I set out on the run with my music blaring (my original plan was to save it for the 21k half way point...but I needed the rhythm!!) It was H.O.T. I knew I was going to struggle with the heat...I saw the race leaders coming towards me when I was about 12km in - it's an out and back course, so you can see everyone who's in front of you! The Japanese athletes had run a good race, the first 6 or 7 were all Japanese. Then I saw Anton, from Ukraine, and a few others, then I saw Brian - he looked to be running well, he had teamed up to run with Eneko from Spain. At least they only had 10k to go!
I got to the turn around in 2 hours...the first 10k was tough, getting the legs going, I ran solidly from one aid station to the next. A lot of the course has some sort of slight gradient - I'd run really fast down the slopes and Paul Patry witnessed me walking up one of the hills...I was on the way back, he was on the way out - his first long distance race, he was doing great!!
Next I came across Jaimee - she had set off on her run without her ipod! Oh noo!! I had about 10k to go, so I decided that her need was greater than mine - I'd had a great day and was full of cheer and genkiness. I strapped my sweaty ipod onto her arm and sent her on her way. Jaimee's first long distance triathlon too, she was full of genki spirit!! So fun!!
The last 10k, as always, seemed to take forever... winding through the streets of the town - it's never a direct route to the goal. So many people out cheering - saw a few of the Jet English Teachers - always a huge support. Dave had been doing the announcing all day, at the swim start and the bike transition.
Stopped for a photo with Shimoji san, we formed a mini irish band when I lived on the island! I'm amazed he recognised me (I used to have blonde hair).
FINALLY, I was at the end...I was hoping for a sub 4 hour marathon, but was happy with 4:10 because everything else had gone so well! I felt happy with all the little details: nutrition, choice of clothes, music...it had all gone better than I had expected!
Predicted finish time 11 - 12 hours. Actual time: 10:32 :)
As soon as I finished, I got interviewed...aaaaa the life of the gaijin in Japan!!! I felt good and happy...able to walk and speak, at least! It's a crazy atmosphere down at the strongman finish line. I showered and caught up the race gossip with Brian. Then we cheered Paul home, and then Jaimee!! Hooray!! Everyone home safe!!
Went home on the bus back to the Tokyu Resort, crawled up in a ball and just lay there - unable to sleep due to all the sweet gels, and the body just tingling with shock and trauma from the day! We went for a 1am stroll around the hotel lobby, in search of a vending machine.
Monday was busy. Breakfast - still not much of an appetite - despite the best breakfast/brunch buffet ever! Then car up to transition to pick up our bikes, then cycle home - stopping to get medicine on the way - I have been coughing up green gunk for almost a week now, I think I'm finally on the mend today (Tuesday). Quick chill in the ocean before heading up to the awards ceremony party. So much food and beer - everyone just hobbling around, struggling to stand through all the speeches!!
We picked up our certificates and glanced over the results. I was 3rd in my age group (25-29), 20th Woman and 305th in the whole 1300 or so starters - so happy!! Hooray! Brian was also 3rd in his age group (25-29), and 18th overall - not bad for being in the state he was!!
So, for male age group awards, they give a nice big blue award folder to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the age group - so Brian got that. For the girls, they only give it to 1st in the age group :((((( So, I felt very sad about this! Brian changed his certificate with mine and gave me his blue folder, sweet man! It's much harder to place in your age group as a man, so I DO get it, but still!!! Girls LOVE awards too :)
So, that's pretty much it...I could go on and on and on and on about all the finer details, but I'm sure it only means something to me!
It was a great way to come back to visit this place that means so much to me. I'm looking forward to a few more days of chill time on Okinawa before heading back to Uni exams next week, then that 6 week block in school.........I'm pretty shattered right now, so I'll be sleeping in tomorrow!
The count down is on for the next Ironman race - Challenge Roth, July 10th, Germany!!
Thanks to everyone for all the messages and comments, it means the world to me. And I've said it before, that all you people who are taking an interest in this - it's only because you've done something like this before, or you're maybe motivated by it...that means that you've got the ability to do it too! It's hard work training for something like this, but it's such an amazing feeling to have completed something you never thought you could do!
I arrived in Okinawa to stay with Theresa for a few days before coming down to Miyako. Great to see Theresa and Mo-chan. Hannah came down from Kobe. Jaimee, her boyfriend and I had all travelled together from Brisbane. It was quite a reunion! We went to the Canadian Bar, Eager Beaver - Paul Patry was also preparing for the Strongman, so it was good to touch base with him before the race.The rest of the weekend we basically walked around reminiscing and eating...it was perfect!! (and a lot colder than I remember!)
So, Brian, my boyfriend, is a pro triathlete and had already been invited to take part in the race - he was injured last year and couldn't go, so it's amazing that we were both planning to race this year! His flights were paid for, so we travelled separately. He was lodging at the nicest resort on the island, I was in the guest house - not perfect, but not the end of the world.
I flew to Miyako on Wednesday and was met at the airport by the invited athletes co-ordinator - which was strange - I was meant to be heading into town to my little guest house by taxi. He explained that he didn't realise that I, the girlfriend, was a competitor. It turned out there was an uneven number of pros, and Brian asked if the rooms could be rearranged to allow me to room with him, and the co-ordinator said yes! Amazing! So, I got to stay at the best hotel, with all the pros, it was brilliant! It really heightened my strongman experience and build up to the race. Because I knew the island, and could speak some Japanese, I felt useful, driving everyone around, which is always good!
Wednesday night we all went out for dinner. In the middle of the night, Brian starts throwing up...and again...and again...and by morning is half dead :( Through vomiting and a dodgy stomach, he'd managed to lose 5 kgs overnight! We took him up to hospital and they put 2 IV drips through him and gave him some other medicine to stop the vomiting etc. I got him back to the hotel and went out on a cycle to get supplies and register for the race. I managed to find Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup - surely that sorts everyone out! Basically, because it was Thursday, with the race being Sunday, there was still time to build up his energy again, as long as he kept food in his belly! It was stressful - he'd come to win this race...and here he was, a total mess :(
So, Friday was Jaimee's birthday and the carbo-loading party...very fun day! The biggest cake you've ever seen in your life!
Saturday was packing race bags, racking the bikes, eating...stressing...early to bed.
Sunday...race morning. Amazingly, the sea was the calmest I've ever seen it and not a whisper of wind - the flags hung limp against the poles. This is extremely rare for Miyako...being an island.
I felt totally disorganised, I was running around putting talc in my socks., squeezing gels into little bottles for the bike, changing laces in my shoes, charging ipods...it was a mental couple of hours. Brian threw up again before breakfast...indicating that whatever bug was in his tummy was still there :(
Luckily, Jaimee was there to keep me straight. We headed down to the swim start and melted into the crowd of wetsuits. (I think I'm pointing at the pros heading off on the swim start...I don't even have my goggles on!) So, the swim was good. I definitely got bashed more than my fair share, but it thinned out quite quickly and only had crazy contact at all the corners on the course. Beautiful 3k swim - you can see the sandy bottom, fish and coral the whole way round, water was about 23 degrees c.
Swim predicted time: 1hour.....actual time: 52 mins. Hooray! Smiling right from the start!
Due to the lack of wind, everyone was feeling optimistic about the 155k bike leg. It was such a beautiful day, the water looked amazing as we cycled around the island. I did the first 30k in exactly an hour, and I managed to hold that pace the whole way round. Although drafting is totally illegal in these races, there were definitely huge packs of speedy men all coming past me...packs...drafting. They had blokes on scooters with whistles, but I don't think they were busting people properly. I felt a bit heavy in the legs at the 100k point, so I tucked into my food - 2 power bars that had melted together in my bento box...I never want to eat another one after that, grim! But it did the trick. I was sticking to my nutrition plan, 6 gels in the first 100k, and the power bars. I had oreo biscuits waiting for me in my special needs bag at 100k - I felt like I'd had a real boost to get me through the next 55k - the wind had picked up a bit. At 120k I decided that enough was enough - time to bust out the ipod tunes - although it's not encouraged, it's not forbidden either, so I thought I'd go for it, just one ear! I managed to roll into transition at 1:15 pm - giving me a bike time of about 5:15. They lump the 2 transition times into your bike time...so, my recorded time is 5:29 - maybe 7 or 8 minutes for each transition...hard to know exactly, but my transitions were definitely quicker than in Ironman NZ!
We had visited a Junior High school on the Friday morning - the same students were at the bike transition volunteering, so they were thrilled to see me racing, pointing me in the right direction, handing me my kit bag etc...It definitely gave me a boost to see them so excited!! :) 2 of the current ALTs helped me out with some sunscreen and an update on Brian's race. When I heard that he was in about 20th place on the run, I knew that something bad had happened - he should've been at the front. My bike predicted time: 5:45-6:00...actual: 5:15-ish = thrilled + legs a bit wobbly!
I set out on the run with my music blaring (my original plan was to save it for the 21k half way point...but I needed the rhythm!!) It was H.O.T. I knew I was going to struggle with the heat...I saw the race leaders coming towards me when I was about 12km in - it's an out and back course, so you can see everyone who's in front of you! The Japanese athletes had run a good race, the first 6 or 7 were all Japanese. Then I saw Anton, from Ukraine, and a few others, then I saw Brian - he looked to be running well, he had teamed up to run with Eneko from Spain. At least they only had 10k to go!
I got to the turn around in 2 hours...the first 10k was tough, getting the legs going, I ran solidly from one aid station to the next. A lot of the course has some sort of slight gradient - I'd run really fast down the slopes and Paul Patry witnessed me walking up one of the hills...I was on the way back, he was on the way out - his first long distance race, he was doing great!!
Next I came across Jaimee - she had set off on her run without her ipod! Oh noo!! I had about 10k to go, so I decided that her need was greater than mine - I'd had a great day and was full of cheer and genkiness. I strapped my sweaty ipod onto her arm and sent her on her way. Jaimee's first long distance triathlon too, she was full of genki spirit!! So fun!!
The last 10k, as always, seemed to take forever... winding through the streets of the town - it's never a direct route to the goal. So many people out cheering - saw a few of the Jet English Teachers - always a huge support. Dave had been doing the announcing all day, at the swim start and the bike transition.
Stopped for a photo with Shimoji san, we formed a mini irish band when I lived on the island! I'm amazed he recognised me (I used to have blonde hair).
FINALLY, I was at the end...I was hoping for a sub 4 hour marathon, but was happy with 4:10 because everything else had gone so well! I felt happy with all the little details: nutrition, choice of clothes, music...it had all gone better than I had expected!
Predicted finish time 11 - 12 hours. Actual time: 10:32 :)
As soon as I finished, I got interviewed...aaaaa the life of the gaijin in Japan!!! I felt good and happy...able to walk and speak, at least! It's a crazy atmosphere down at the strongman finish line. I showered and caught up the race gossip with Brian. Then we cheered Paul home, and then Jaimee!! Hooray!! Everyone home safe!!
Went home on the bus back to the Tokyu Resort, crawled up in a ball and just lay there - unable to sleep due to all the sweet gels, and the body just tingling with shock and trauma from the day! We went for a 1am stroll around the hotel lobby, in search of a vending machine.
Monday was busy. Breakfast - still not much of an appetite - despite the best breakfast/brunch buffet ever! Then car up to transition to pick up our bikes, then cycle home - stopping to get medicine on the way - I have been coughing up green gunk for almost a week now, I think I'm finally on the mend today (Tuesday). Quick chill in the ocean before heading up to the awards ceremony party. So much food and beer - everyone just hobbling around, struggling to stand through all the speeches!!
We picked up our certificates and glanced over the results. I was 3rd in my age group (25-29), 20th Woman and 305th in the whole 1300 or so starters - so happy!! Hooray! Brian was also 3rd in his age group (25-29), and 18th overall - not bad for being in the state he was!!
So, for male age group awards, they give a nice big blue award folder to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the age group - so Brian got that. For the girls, they only give it to 1st in the age group :((((( So, I felt very sad about this! Brian changed his certificate with mine and gave me his blue folder, sweet man! It's much harder to place in your age group as a man, so I DO get it, but still!!! Girls LOVE awards too :)
So, that's pretty much it...I could go on and on and on and on about all the finer details, but I'm sure it only means something to me!
It was a great way to come back to visit this place that means so much to me. I'm looking forward to a few more days of chill time on Okinawa before heading back to Uni exams next week, then that 6 week block in school.........I'm pretty shattered right now, so I'll be sleeping in tomorrow!
The count down is on for the next Ironman race - Challenge Roth, July 10th, Germany!!
Thanks to everyone for all the messages and comments, it means the world to me. And I've said it before, that all you people who are taking an interest in this - it's only because you've done something like this before, or you're maybe motivated by it...that means that you've got the ability to do it too! It's hard work training for something like this, but it's such an amazing feeling to have completed something you never thought you could do!
More Photos: Copy and paste this link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150552672170088.665768.614915087&l=56123a37d3
Thursday, 22 July 2010
8 and a half months...and it's over
Well, 8 and a half months ago I ditched the old London Bank job, packed up my little life and bounced around South and Central America...then back to London, then on to Australia, then off to Canada, then back to Australia...zero structure, zero commitment, zero Sunday blues...zero job offers...zero income...
Now it's all over, routine is finally upon me. Pretty much finished my cert III in Fitness, have found it super interesting so far. It's going to be taking a back seat until November I reckon!
This week is the lead-in week for my Diploma in Education programme...they are holding a mid-year conference. It's all a little overwhelming - I'm part of the semester 2 intake, so there are loads of people doing the same courses who have already done a semester and a prac placement. Hopefully they'll be handy when it comes round to assignment writing time! :) I'm quite liking the prospect of a hectic semester, then a HUGE long summer break, then another hectic semester...then back to the simple life?!? haha. There's free food at this conference, it's amazing...morning tea is like high tea at the Ritz...every type of cream cake you can imagine. Funny looking around at all the different types of people who are psyched about becoming teachers...and soooo many stupid questions at the end of each lecture!! Some people just love the sound of their own voice - I suppose they'll make great teachers though!
One of the lecturers was explaining the risks of social networking sites etc... 'my space - which used to be a big thing a few years ago', I love that they had to explain that - how young are some of these students?? eeeek. So far the majority of the lectures have all been about behaviour management...if you can control your class - you're in! Also kids these days are not lazy - there must be another explanation, one of a zillion new learning disorders that we must learn to identify. 'The kids are disgusting and I can't do anything - maybe it's you who's crap'. Waaaaa hahaaaa.
Zooming up to uni on my scooter is awesome, just like being in a computer game. It costs $3.50 to fill her up, and she'll go 100km on that ;) No parking worries at the other end woohoo.
I finally had to break out the alarm clock - 5am to go cycling, 5:30am to go swimming...soon it will be light and the strange birds will be singing their crazy aussie song, that should help.
Proper lectures start next week - Mon, Tues, Weds pretty full on. Thursday OFF, Friday 8-10am!! Just 6 weeks of lectures, then exams, then 6 weeks in school, then holidays!! It's going to FLY!!!!
My hip has been sensitive lately - I did long runs 3 weeks in a row...I've now stopped the long runs...pretty depressing really. I don't think I could handle the same injury all over again!!! I'm training for the Gold Coast Half Ironman in October. I think if I ease up a for a bit now, I'll still have time to build up some running before the race. Sigh.
My brain is fried! Miss McRae, over and out.
Now it's all over, routine is finally upon me. Pretty much finished my cert III in Fitness, have found it super interesting so far. It's going to be taking a back seat until November I reckon!
This week is the lead-in week for my Diploma in Education programme...they are holding a mid-year conference. It's all a little overwhelming - I'm part of the semester 2 intake, so there are loads of people doing the same courses who have already done a semester and a prac placement. Hopefully they'll be handy when it comes round to assignment writing time! :) I'm quite liking the prospect of a hectic semester, then a HUGE long summer break, then another hectic semester...then back to the simple life?!? haha. There's free food at this conference, it's amazing...morning tea is like high tea at the Ritz...every type of cream cake you can imagine. Funny looking around at all the different types of people who are psyched about becoming teachers...and soooo many stupid questions at the end of each lecture!! Some people just love the sound of their own voice - I suppose they'll make great teachers though!
One of the lecturers was explaining the risks of social networking sites etc... 'my space - which used to be a big thing a few years ago', I love that they had to explain that - how young are some of these students?? eeeek. So far the majority of the lectures have all been about behaviour management...if you can control your class - you're in! Also kids these days are not lazy - there must be another explanation, one of a zillion new learning disorders that we must learn to identify. 'The kids are disgusting and I can't do anything - maybe it's you who's crap'. Waaaaa hahaaaa.
Zooming up to uni on my scooter is awesome, just like being in a computer game. It costs $3.50 to fill her up, and she'll go 100km on that ;) No parking worries at the other end woohoo.
I finally had to break out the alarm clock - 5am to go cycling, 5:30am to go swimming...soon it will be light and the strange birds will be singing their crazy aussie song, that should help.
Proper lectures start next week - Mon, Tues, Weds pretty full on. Thursday OFF, Friday 8-10am!! Just 6 weeks of lectures, then exams, then 6 weeks in school, then holidays!! It's going to FLY!!!!
My hip has been sensitive lately - I did long runs 3 weeks in a row...I've now stopped the long runs...pretty depressing really. I don't think I could handle the same injury all over again!!! I'm training for the Gold Coast Half Ironman in October. I think if I ease up a for a bit now, I'll still have time to build up some running before the race. Sigh.
My brain is fried! Miss McRae, over and out.
Friday, 9 July 2010
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
New beginnings
I couldn't find a job.
I've started a certificate III in Fitness, which leads on to a certificate IV in Fitness...which means that I can be a personal trainer, or work with group fitness....I'm doing it online, so that I can cram in as much as I can before my Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary) starts at the end of July. This year is now the year of taking on new skills! It's also the year of checking out this huge country and deciding if I want to be here.
I have an awesome little scooter, zipping around the coast on it. It costs $3 to fill up, and that lasts 100km!
I'm swimming in a 50m heated outdoor pool, cycling around the countryside - coastal routes or mountain routes galore, running with a serious group twice a week - intervals and hills. (My right shin has been hurting, and my right hip has also been a little sore. I think it's because the running that I'm doing is the toughest I've ever done in my entire life - I'm taking a week off to see how it is.)
I'm still missing people...but am thankful for the world that is facebook, and emails, and iphone applications!
I've started a certificate III in Fitness, which leads on to a certificate IV in Fitness...which means that I can be a personal trainer, or work with group fitness....I'm doing it online, so that I can cram in as much as I can before my Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary) starts at the end of July. This year is now the year of taking on new skills! It's also the year of checking out this huge country and deciding if I want to be here.
I have an awesome little scooter, zipping around the coast on it. It costs $3 to fill up, and that lasts 100km!
I'm swimming in a 50m heated outdoor pool, cycling around the countryside - coastal routes or mountain routes galore, running with a serious group twice a week - intervals and hills. (My right shin has been hurting, and my right hip has also been a little sore. I think it's because the running that I'm doing is the toughest I've ever done in my entire life - I'm taking a week off to see how it is.)
I'm still missing people...but am thankful for the world that is facebook, and emails, and iphone applications!
Friday, 21 May 2010
'Homeward' bound
I find myself lying on an airport sofa - staring up at an altered
Asian piece of art, with the Taipei sun streaming through the tinted
roof...11 hours done, 9 to go with china airlines. But first, a day in
the airport :)
My toothpaste was confiscated at security in Vancouver :( this is my
first mission of the day. Next mission is shower - there are only a
few places where renting hotel rooms by the hour is seen as acceptable
(airport being one of them)!
Asian piece of art, with the Taipei sun streaming through the tinted
roof...11 hours done, 9 to go with china airlines. But first, a day in
the airport :)
My toothpaste was confiscated at security in Vancouver :( this is my
first mission of the day. Next mission is shower - there are only a
few places where renting hotel rooms by the hour is seen as acceptable
(airport being one of them)!
I managed 2 movies on the way over - The one about the South African
rugby team winning the rugby world cup, and the other one was Percy
Jackson - demi god.
Already missing my new moose travelling friends :( for them the
travelling continues, but I suppose it's the same for me. So much to
explore in Oz, not a minute to waste!
Travelling gives you so much perspective; I just hope I can hold onto
it this time.
Sent from my iPhone
Monday, 17 May 2010
The Moose Tour
Hiya,
Well, I'm on the Moose Tour - currently in Banff. It all started in Vancouver on May 11th. Our little mini-bus was driven by French-Canadian Philippe - very charismatic and enthusiastic about everything - mainly skiing. We drove up to Whistler stopping at various scenic view points along the way. Our hostel was on a stunning lake. The next day we went skiing on Blackcombe Mountain - still really great snow up the top. It was totally hard on my body, I think the ski boots were a little tight, had sore muscles and bruises!! Didn't fall over too much, super fun. I forgot how much I loved skiing :) We headed back to Vancouver that night, stayed in the Jerico Park Hostel - again, amazing location, right by the beach and very close to University of B.C. (Perry's old Uni). I went for a run early the next morning and came across a sign for a beach: 'Clothes Optional Beach'. Haha. There seems to be a lot of nude sun-bathing here!! We saw more nude sun-bathers in Whistler, on the 'Lost Lake'.
The next day we joined a new bus - with Shelly as the driver - great chick, works way too hard but is furiously passionate about her job, and her beautiful country. She's a great guide and has really added huge value to our experience. The first day we crossed through the Fraser Valley, we stopped in a beautiful rainforest - Bridal Falls - a stunning huge waterfall. Then we headed into desert country - Merrit - the Canadian Capital of Country Music. It was a really strange little place, it gets up to 40 degrees celcius in the day and they have to use sprinklers to make anything grow!! Felt very weird after seeing all the snowy peaks and having been skiing just the day before! We stayed on the shores of Shuswap Lake (about half way to Banff from Vancouver). They had these old broken bicycles for us to get down to the lake - no tyres, no breaks, some with broken handle bars, it was hilarious. We got the whole group into the whole 'jumping' for pictures thing. After dinner we sat in the hot-tub before an early night. The next day we had another long drive to Banff - we passed through 4 national parks on this day. We witnessed the destruction that the pine beetle is causing to the pine forests in Yoho National Park. Basically, the pine beetles lay their eggs in the trees and the trees die. The problem is that the extreme cold and snow used to keep the beetle population at bay, wiping them out every winter. With the warmer winters the beetles are taking over and dominating entire hillsides, killing all the trees. They say that the forest will take 100 years to regrow. In Banff National Park they have decided that to burn the forest is the lesser of two evils, as the regrowth period is only about 30 years. Coming in to Banff we saw a black bear looking for grain on the railway tracks!
We arrived in Banff on Friday night, just in time for Caribbean Karaoke Night. It was a great party. Rebecca and I won prizes for best dressed :) Drank a fair amount, cheap drinks and karaoke, always a fun happy time :)
The next day I had a sore head! But we were back on the bus heading north to Jasper along the Ice-fields Parkway - a famous route through the centre of the rocky mountains. On the way up we stopped at lake Louise, a stunning lake with a huge Chateaux, still partially frozen. We stopped at the Columbia Icefields centre, where you could do a trip onto the Athabasca Glacier. There is a HUGE amount of snow and ice up on the Columbia Icefields. The trees in the area only grow branches off one side of the trunk because the glacial winds are so cold. In the visitor centre over the winter they recorded a temperate of -57 degrees celcius!!! So cold!!!!
We saw a black bear at the side of the road - the whole mini-bus had our camera jammed against the window, this big bear was just wandering along the side of the road, then he stood up to scratch himself on a tree ;) It was amazing!! Shelly told us that black bears have to eat something like 20,000 calories a day when preparing for hibernation!! Insane!
We stopped at numerous canyons and waterfalls along the way, all absolutely stunning. The snow-capped mountains looming up all around are unbelievable, I have a zillion photos of mountains at the moment...we had amazing weather, blue skies the whole way.
Our hostel in Jasper was an eco-hostel, with no running water. They did have a well outside, you had to pump up the water and use it for cooking etc. We weren't allowed any food in the dorm cabins for fear that the bears would come and eat us!
The next morning we jumped back on the bus and headed south along the icefields parkway towards Banff. We stopped at even more stunning locations along the way, spotted another bear, and lots of Bighorned sheep, climbed up more waterfalls, then our last stop of the day was at Lake Peyto. We hiked up through the snow to a high viewpoint - the snow was up to our waists....jeans and trainers were probably not the best snow hiking gear. We did see someone trying it in shorts....his legs were bleeding all over the snow! Gross!! Some of the group turned back, it was really hard going, but the view was amazing. We could hear avalanches on the opposite mountain!! This cute Aussie girl was so miserable, her feet were totally numb and she didn't notice that her shoe had come off in the snow!! We had to dig into all the footprints to try and find this shoe, she was so upset and was really worried about frostbite, but I think she's ok! It reminded me of the time Kirsty and I hiked up Gaustatoppen mountain in Norway - having to dig out your legs from the freezing snow - hands all numb!!
Anyway, after that we hurried back to Banff and jumped into the showers at our swanky hostel - which used to be a hotel :) Shepherd's Pie for dinner before the Sunday Night Pub Crawl...Everything was running super late so we actually only went to one bar before going to Club Arora - I think there are only 2 clubs in Banff - it's a very small place!
Today is the 'free day' in Banff. We were going to hike up another hill and get the Gondola back down, but our trainers are all still wet from yesterday's hike - we're all a bit knackered and just happy to be chilling out and walking around this cute little town, gazing up at the snowy mountains all around.
It's an amazing part of the world, so much nature. Looking forward to the rest of the trip - we go as far as Kalowna tomorrow, visiting more scenic spots and a winery. Then the last day we head back to Vancouver, then I fly back to Australia the night after that. It's been a really quick trip!! I am starting to think about my new Australian life again...putting my life back together, finding friends, finding a job, finding triathlon clubs, finding some new definite direction...!!!
Well, I'm on the Moose Tour - currently in Banff. It all started in Vancouver on May 11th. Our little mini-bus was driven by French-Canadian Philippe - very charismatic and enthusiastic about everything - mainly skiing. We drove up to Whistler stopping at various scenic view points along the way. Our hostel was on a stunning lake. The next day we went skiing on Blackcombe Mountain - still really great snow up the top. It was totally hard on my body, I think the ski boots were a little tight, had sore muscles and bruises!! Didn't fall over too much, super fun. I forgot how much I loved skiing :) We headed back to Vancouver that night, stayed in the Jerico Park Hostel - again, amazing location, right by the beach and very close to University of B.C. (Perry's old Uni). I went for a run early the next morning and came across a sign for a beach: 'Clothes Optional Beach'. Haha. There seems to be a lot of nude sun-bathing here!! We saw more nude sun-bathers in Whistler, on the 'Lost Lake'.
The next day we joined a new bus - with Shelly as the driver - great chick, works way too hard but is furiously passionate about her job, and her beautiful country. She's a great guide and has really added huge value to our experience. The first day we crossed through the Fraser Valley, we stopped in a beautiful rainforest - Bridal Falls - a stunning huge waterfall. Then we headed into desert country - Merrit - the Canadian Capital of Country Music. It was a really strange little place, it gets up to 40 degrees celcius in the day and they have to use sprinklers to make anything grow!! Felt very weird after seeing all the snowy peaks and having been skiing just the day before! We stayed on the shores of Shuswap Lake (about half way to Banff from Vancouver). They had these old broken bicycles for us to get down to the lake - no tyres, no breaks, some with broken handle bars, it was hilarious. We got the whole group into the whole 'jumping' for pictures thing. After dinner we sat in the hot-tub before an early night. The next day we had another long drive to Banff - we passed through 4 national parks on this day. We witnessed the destruction that the pine beetle is causing to the pine forests in Yoho National Park. Basically, the pine beetles lay their eggs in the trees and the trees die. The problem is that the extreme cold and snow used to keep the beetle population at bay, wiping them out every winter. With the warmer winters the beetles are taking over and dominating entire hillsides, killing all the trees. They say that the forest will take 100 years to regrow. In Banff National Park they have decided that to burn the forest is the lesser of two evils, as the regrowth period is only about 30 years. Coming in to Banff we saw a black bear looking for grain on the railway tracks!
We arrived in Banff on Friday night, just in time for Caribbean Karaoke Night. It was a great party. Rebecca and I won prizes for best dressed :) Drank a fair amount, cheap drinks and karaoke, always a fun happy time :)
The next day I had a sore head! But we were back on the bus heading north to Jasper along the Ice-fields Parkway - a famous route through the centre of the rocky mountains. On the way up we stopped at lake Louise, a stunning lake with a huge Chateaux, still partially frozen. We stopped at the Columbia Icefields centre, where you could do a trip onto the Athabasca Glacier. There is a HUGE amount of snow and ice up on the Columbia Icefields. The trees in the area only grow branches off one side of the trunk because the glacial winds are so cold. In the visitor centre over the winter they recorded a temperate of -57 degrees celcius!!! So cold!!!!
We saw a black bear at the side of the road - the whole mini-bus had our camera jammed against the window, this big bear was just wandering along the side of the road, then he stood up to scratch himself on a tree ;) It was amazing!! Shelly told us that black bears have to eat something like 20,000 calories a day when preparing for hibernation!! Insane!
We stopped at numerous canyons and waterfalls along the way, all absolutely stunning. The snow-capped mountains looming up all around are unbelievable, I have a zillion photos of mountains at the moment...we had amazing weather, blue skies the whole way.
Our hostel in Jasper was an eco-hostel, with no running water. They did have a well outside, you had to pump up the water and use it for cooking etc. We weren't allowed any food in the dorm cabins for fear that the bears would come and eat us!
The next morning we jumped back on the bus and headed south along the icefields parkway towards Banff. We stopped at even more stunning locations along the way, spotted another bear, and lots of Bighorned sheep, climbed up more waterfalls, then our last stop of the day was at Lake Peyto. We hiked up through the snow to a high viewpoint - the snow was up to our waists....jeans and trainers were probably not the best snow hiking gear. We did see someone trying it in shorts....his legs were bleeding all over the snow! Gross!! Some of the group turned back, it was really hard going, but the view was amazing. We could hear avalanches on the opposite mountain!! This cute Aussie girl was so miserable, her feet were totally numb and she didn't notice that her shoe had come off in the snow!! We had to dig into all the footprints to try and find this shoe, she was so upset and was really worried about frostbite, but I think she's ok! It reminded me of the time Kirsty and I hiked up Gaustatoppen mountain in Norway - having to dig out your legs from the freezing snow - hands all numb!!
Anyway, after that we hurried back to Banff and jumped into the showers at our swanky hostel - which used to be a hotel :) Shepherd's Pie for dinner before the Sunday Night Pub Crawl...Everything was running super late so we actually only went to one bar before going to Club Arora - I think there are only 2 clubs in Banff - it's a very small place!
Today is the 'free day' in Banff. We were going to hike up another hill and get the Gondola back down, but our trainers are all still wet from yesterday's hike - we're all a bit knackered and just happy to be chilling out and walking around this cute little town, gazing up at the snowy mountains all around.
It's an amazing part of the world, so much nature. Looking forward to the rest of the trip - we go as far as Kalowna tomorrow, visiting more scenic spots and a winery. Then the last day we head back to Vancouver, then I fly back to Australia the night after that. It's been a really quick trip!! I am starting to think about my new Australian life again...putting my life back together, finding friends, finding a job, finding triathlon clubs, finding some new definite direction...!!!
Thursday, 6 May 2010
May 6th
Well hello there. I should really have checked the last thing I
blogged about...sorry if I repeat myself here!!
blogged about...sorry if I repeat myself here!!
So after a 'familiar' few days in Taipei I arrived in Vancouver.
Hannah picked me up and we went for celebration cocktails up
vancouvers revolving restaurant. Great to see her, just like old times
- except this time she's getting married!! We spent the week preparing
little bits and bobs - drawing up table cards, seating plans,
playlists, decorations, all the last minute arrangements. It was great
to have something exciting to focus on! Maiko San - teacher from
Okinawa, and I took one day off to go to Bancouver Island. Beautiful
ferry ride over - you go through all these little narrow inlets,
gorgeous scenery. I spotted an orca? a whale? a killer whale?? Not
sure - just saw the large slow dorsel fin! Victoria is a cute little
town but Vancouver island is HUGE!!! I didn't feel like I did it
justice - you'd need to rent a car and zoom all over the place.
We also skipped south of the border into the US to do some last minute
wedding shopping. Much cheaper down there. Outlet malls :) amazing! We
ate cosco hotdogs...amazing at the time - felt rancid later :(
The wedding day came, hannah looked amazing. Matt (her bloke) is great
- he's American but studied at the same university as Hannah - they
never met each other but they share all the same friends! Fate must
have been keeping them apart until they were ready!!! Thank the lord
for facebook bringing them together years later :)
Great wedding. Photos in the forest by Cultus Lake then the ceremony
then reception - then clean up party!! :)
The next day I went to meet the happy couple so that I could get
hannahs car for the week they are in Mexico! We stumbled on an Asian
shopping plaza, with a huge 100 円 store inside - bigger than the
one I found in Taipei! Everything was $2.
So, I have the apartment and the car - it's great! I went up to north
Vancouver and hiked around the forest up Lynn Canyon and Rice Lake -
perfect running trails up there. Watched the big hockey game on tv
last night - the Canucks lost :( it's the play-offs and everyone is
very serious about it!
Today I decided to venture back to the US - as far as Seattle. It only
took 2.5 hours to get here - the weather is beautiful. I walked around
the Pike Market. I found the original starbucks :) went up the space
needle, (really cool view and has loads of information about the city)
went up to Capitol hill to the Asia art museum - the first Thursday of
the month, all the museums are free in Seattle. They had an exhibition
of Japanese woodblock paintings. Really beautiful. Then strolled back
to downtown. My hostel-The Green Tortoise- has free dinner! I'm off to
check it out!
Tomorrow I'm going to run around the city, then drive back to
Vancouver - stopping at a big triathlon shop and the Nike outlet mall
on the way north :)
I jump on a 9 day backpacker tour on Tuesday, it was the most economic
way to see everything. I'm excited!
Sent from my iPhone
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Pre-wedding Vancouver!
Sooooo, the rest of my Taipei experience was pretty good. I discovered the biggest 100 yen (Japanese $1 shop) in the top of 'New York, New York' shopping mall. It was brilliant, I was in there for hours! I went to the National Palace Museum and saw an exhibition on Mongolian treasures. I ate out at the street markets and bought lots of stuff!! Taipei is super cheap!! I had to post a box home already!!
I arrived in Vancouver Friday night and Hannah was there to meet me - she even had a sign! It was brilliant to see her, just like old times. We drove in to Vancouver and went up a revolving restaurant for a celebration drink - we managed to get the cover charge waived as Hannah is soon getting married! They love a romantic story! :)
The last few days have flown by. We've been making lots of preparations for the wedding, making table cards, play lists, organising all the final details, scouting for photo venues...it's been great!!
It's so cold here!!
We popped south of the border, into the states for a spot of shopping - everything is much cheaper down there.
About to head out to a BBQ. Running in the morning. Printers tomorrow.
busy busy, but fun fun.
I arrived in Vancouver Friday night and Hannah was there to meet me - she even had a sign! It was brilliant to see her, just like old times. We drove in to Vancouver and went up a revolving restaurant for a celebration drink - we managed to get the cover charge waived as Hannah is soon getting married! They love a romantic story! :)
The last few days have flown by. We've been making lots of preparations for the wedding, making table cards, play lists, organising all the final details, scouting for photo venues...it's been great!!
It's so cold here!!
We popped south of the border, into the states for a spot of shopping - everything is much cheaper down there.
About to head out to a BBQ. Running in the morning. Printers tomorrow.
busy busy, but fun fun.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Taipei day 1
I arrived last night. It's the first time I've been back to this part of Asia since I left Japan almost 3 years ago. I was immediately struck by how similar everything is to Okinawa here - MOS burger! Family mart! I suppose just reading the kanji again too - although it's Chinese here, Japanese language has many Chinese characters, so even though I can't speak Chinese, I can tell the meaning of some things, which is nice.
I found my hostel fine, right next to Taipei's main station. Everyone always forgets to mention that Taipei's main station is humongous. It literally takes 30 minutes to find your way out of the correct exit. It's a new hostel, complete with 'mini single rooms'. I have one, it's tiny, but it has nice details...a lamp, pretty cherry blossom painting on the wall, air-con...and remarkably NINE power sockets!!
This morning I woke up and researched Taipei a bit online then decided to head out to the south, Taipei Zoo. Apparently the largest zoo in Asia, it cost me less than £2 to get in! I saw the pandas (sleeping) and the penguins (in their freezy enclosures) and the giraffes, zebras. I was most impressed with the hippos. One hippo managed to get his jaw stuck between some railings...not a good idea! I have photos.
After trekking to the far end of the zoo I decided to jump on the shuttle train up to the MaoKong Gondola. It's a pretty extensive gondola system, going up and down and over a few different hills, terminating on a tea mountain, which conveniently overlooks the whole of Taipei. There are loads of tea 'plantations' here, and lots of tea houses, and a 'how tea is made' factory thing.
After walking around all day I decided it was time to get back on the gondola, back on the metro and get some food before going up Taipei 101 for dusk. I was in the queue to get up to the observation deck for what seemed like forever. Plenty of time to people watch. I gave my place in the queue up 4 times because the people behind me were so argy bargy! Beautiful view from the top, you get a free audio guide woohoo. It is an amazing building. Then I came home, and I'm wrecked!!
I found my hostel fine, right next to Taipei's main station. Everyone always forgets to mention that Taipei's main station is humongous. It literally takes 30 minutes to find your way out of the correct exit. It's a new hostel, complete with 'mini single rooms'. I have one, it's tiny, but it has nice details...a lamp, pretty cherry blossom painting on the wall, air-con...and remarkably NINE power sockets!!
This morning I woke up and researched Taipei a bit online then decided to head out to the south, Taipei Zoo. Apparently the largest zoo in Asia, it cost me less than £2 to get in! I saw the pandas (sleeping) and the penguins (in their freezy enclosures) and the giraffes, zebras. I was most impressed with the hippos. One hippo managed to get his jaw stuck between some railings...not a good idea! I have photos.
After trekking to the far end of the zoo I decided to jump on the shuttle train up to the MaoKong Gondola. It's a pretty extensive gondola system, going up and down and over a few different hills, terminating on a tea mountain, which conveniently overlooks the whole of Taipei. There are loads of tea 'plantations' here, and lots of tea houses, and a 'how tea is made' factory thing.
After walking around all day I decided it was time to get back on the gondola, back on the metro and get some food before going up Taipei 101 for dusk. I was in the queue to get up to the observation deck for what seemed like forever. Plenty of time to people watch. I gave my place in the queue up 4 times because the people behind me were so argy bargy! Beautiful view from the top, you get a free audio guide woohoo. It is an amazing building. Then I came home, and I'm wrecked!!
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
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