Yep, we were back at it last week visiting more schools around the Metropolitan area, and I felt like I was back working full time again. There have been some ridiculous early mornings so I could fit everything in the day. And I am an early morning person…I love it…most of the time anyway! It was definitely another reminder of how lucky I am to do what I do!

There have been plenty of memorable moments though. 200 – 300 kids crammed into a gym, Guy with a microphone getting them to take part in an instant triathlon. Sometimes it worked, other times it was instant chaos!!! But as long as they enjoyed the Triathlon experience then mission accomplished!

They do have to take their shoes off though for the swim section of the Triathlon but then putting them back on was a bit of a challenge. Especially for the year 3’s!

It is nearly time to think about tapering for Ironman New Zealand, but a few key sessions early in the week will be the focus first. Although it has been a tough week, my early morning long run last week was so special, watching the sun rise, dolphins in the river and seeing so many other people out running and cycling. It is just the lifestyle in Perth. Then the Raffles ride on Saturday with a misty drizzle up in the hills all morning but as soon as you ride back down into the city it was stinking hot humid!

Most people know we have a number of animals living in our house! Cats, the dog Bailey, birds, fish pond…you name it! A big training day on Saturday and Guy and I return home exhausted and ready for an afternoon nap. The first thing we see is Molly (above) and Cinder (below) enjoying the afternoon sun and doing exactly what we wanted to be doing! They get to do this all the time! Oh… to be a cat living in our house!!!

Time to think about packing…and packing warm! Arm warmers, rain jacket, gloves! Who know’s what New Zealand will be like this year. Last year it rained the entire time and Guy spend the day in a garbage bag!

You are probably wondering what do I mean by Aussie kids?? Well, everyone in Australia knows that Aussie Kids are Weetbix kids and last week was the beginning of Guy and I visiting schools for 2 1/2 weeks promoting health and exercise but more importantly Triathlon and in particular the Weetbix Triathlon!

All the details for the Perth event of this national series can be found in the link below

http://tryathlon.weetbix.com.au/my-location/perth

This is only part of the set up we take to every school with us! I am surprised it is fitting in the back of the car! So if you are under 15 years of age or have kids under that age, then enter this great event. It is a lot of fun and besides myself and Guy being there on the day there will be Olympians and other incredible ambassadors for staying healthy and keeping fit!

In between schools it has been a solid week of training that I have been very happy with. After a few days to recover from the Half Marathon and some bike issues that I thought were going to destroy my week of training, thanks to some amazing people it was all smooth sailing. Well, tough, hot, sweaty, tired legs type of sailing but all good! Thankfully we only had a 3 day heat wave last week and the weekend has been very mild compared to normal. But I was reminded that sunscreen is still a must on a cloudy day…wind burn on the legs and I thought I was doing so well avoiding the cyclist tan line!

ATTA put on another well organised Time Trial this morning in Pinjarra. 70km with a little rain to start off with and wind a long the highway, it was a good hit out before New Zealand. Although Guy and I are now getting concerned because we are becoming used to the heat and were chilly this morning for a change…how are we going to cope in New Zealand!

Exciting weekend with so much racing, Geelong, Falls Creek, Panama 70.3, I can’t wait for it to be my turn!

But first…you guessed it…I am heading to bed for a good nights sleep! Yah!!

The fun times continued this weekend. The focus early on last week was recovery from the State Olympic Distance Champs but then it was back into some quality sessions leading up to our weekend away in Busselton. We come here ofter for the Ironman, Half Ironman, training camps or just weekend events. Being only just over 2 hours away it is easy to pack the car up on a Friday afternoon and be there before it is dark! And off course Busso is home to the longest Jetty in the Southern Hemisphere and the one we swim around for Ironman Western Australia.

It was a gorgeous day…a little but cooler than what we have experienced over the last couple of weeks but perfect for a hard run!

The goal for me was to just run faster than last year! I was confident I was in better shape than then but you just never know what might happen. As always the first couple of km’s we fast much quicker than I was planner to run but I just went with it having a little giggle to myself thinking if I blow…I blow!! The pack’s didn’t take long to spread out but I still found myself with others for the first 5km. After that it became solo, me and my garmin. The way it should be I guess! I focused on my cadence and just settling into my pace.

There was a low patch between 12 – 16km where the wind had picked up running along the coast and I could see the times slowing on my Garmin per kilometre but I just kept pushing knowing the turn was near and there would only be 5km’s to go! No worries!

Heading back into town with around 4km left a couple of guys ad caught me from behind and it saw it as much chance. We begin to push each other, taking it in turns at the front, setting the pace and picking up the pace. It was exactly what I needed. We ran together to the end I was excited to see I had achieved exactly what I was hoping for! Job done!

And no…I am not injured just sporting the cool Rock Tape!! The reason for this…less impact on my quads, not as sore post Half Ironman, back into quality run training sooner rather than later. There are so many reasons it can be used and if you know nothing about it…check it out! Rock Tape!!

It was then time to enjoy! A trip to the Berry Farm in Margaret River with the family resulted in some amazing food and wine! Then back to Abbey Beach for a BBQ with friends!

A sleep in Sunday morning was definitely the highlight although the spot of Tennis with my brother and his wife Robbie was also very entertaining because none of us can play Tennis!! Although Guy seems to get mistaken for Andy Murray quite often that is where the similarities end!

Swimming with Ruth, cafe’ for lunch then a leisurely drive home and I am not complaining! by tomorrow morning the R and R will be over with 4 weeks to go until Ironman New Zealand there is still lots to be done in the next few weeks.

Goodnight 🙂