Swims, gyms, spins and granola wins!

While the world continues to spin under my feet, I have been trying to keep going and stay focused. Bloody hard I have to say. BUT! Today's harbour swim proved to be good for the mind, body and soul. A little laughter and fun amongst friends always helps and while I was worried I would swim in circles, I actually managed a half way decent swim and was able to hang on to Roberto's feet a couple of times. The spinning sensations were hardly noticeable in the water and I had a chunk of blu-tak in my affected ear so may be that helped too.

After we got home I had a crack at making my own granola mix. Wow what a mix! Oh to hell with it, I'm going to be a typical blogger 'if I'm not already' and write down my recipe.

I x bag of summer fruits dry muesli - Uncle Tobys
Raw nut mix of slivered almonds, cashews and macadamias
Chia seeds
pumpkin seeds
dried pear pieces
shredded coconut

to the dry mix I added a melted mix of 3 parts agave nectar and 1 part Manuka honey and approx. 30mls of melted coconut oil. This was enough to coat the dry ingredients. I had turned on the oven and set it to 180 degrees and the setting was for toaster.

Well, I got kicked out of the kitchen at this point and Big Gazza took over. He was obviously scared I would go horribly wrong, set fire to the kitchen or cut my hand off or something. But he then went about putting down thin layers of the mix of baking paper and toasting them for about 10mins before stirring. I think it took him 30mins or 3 turns per batch and I was happy to let him take the lead.

He lay the mix out and when it cooled I tipped it into a bowl and to the toasted mix I added dried blue berries, Goji berries, cranberries, and Inca berries......I love Inca berries.

Oh yeah baby, for dinner I had a bowl of the mix with almond milk. It wasn't too sweet, but crunchy and full of flavour.

WINNER!

I also made some egg mix muffins for breakfasts. Man I have this sorted.
I even cleaned up after myself. I can do no wrong.

Then we headed out to the gym for a legs work out. Hit the squats, presses, curls, hammies, extensions. Feeling good after adding a little more weight this week. My thinking is if I hit the legs on a Sunday night hard, hopefully by Saturday long ride I can walk again and turn the legs over. It's a theory. I'll get back to you shortly on how I go.

Also, back to the doctors on Tuesday for a check up on the ear and a third opinion on the BPPV.

Let the world stop spinning........

I can't believe it has been 2 months since I last hit the keyboard. Lots has happened. We stepped out of routine fuelled life for 4 weeks and celebrated our 20 year anniversary in Hawaii and Canada. So many spectacular places in the world. With satisfaction I can say that we sucked every memory, every possible experience out of this trip and relished in the flavours. From go to woe it was fast paced, punctuated by moments of pause. Every day presented something new to try, see or do. From renewing our vows to swimming with manta rays, cheering on the worlds best athletes to cheering on my own husband as he completed the 50mile ultra run to climbing a mountain in the snow. Incredible. I am so incredibly lucky. I have my health and the space within my life to do this.

Kona Manta Rays

I relaxed. Prior to the trip, I had a couple of weeks of ARGHHHHH! Possibly because I could taste the holiday the closer it got to me so that the pressure of emptying the in-tray was getting to me. But I had a 'uh oh' moment when riding with Megz and the AP Crew one morning. I just wasn't having fun. I could not find my happy thought. I tried to sing (literally) but no words would come. That's a worry team! I turned for home after 12kms of riding waving to Megz that I needed to go or there would be tears.

A trip to see Coach and a treatment and a chat always good for the body, mind and soul. "I think you need a break Sammi." yeah Coach, I think you may just be right. Gave myself permission to stop, gave myself a day off, ok 4 weeks. Sweet.



Rainbow Lake - 16km hike

 

Returning home its back to the bump. ok, I can deal with work etc and off we go again. Big Gazza is fired up after being bitten hard by the ultra running bug. Me, I'm struggling a little to get going after gaining some weight (5 KILOS!!!) Don't anyone panic just yet.....too LATE. And I have a case of Vertigo. Yep, I need the world to stop spinning so darn fast please, literally. It's making it very hard to remain in the upright position, in fact laying down in bed and rolling is waking me up from my sleep with the vertigo.
  

Big Gazza on the 2nd lap

                                                  

So that's me. caught up. Next challenge on the horizon, get fit (yeah I know you have heard it all before), get back to race weight, Yeah yeah yeah and have fun at Canberra 70.3 with the Onion Man, Slippery and Big Gazza. Not sure who else from the Crew is going.

Inaugural Loop Ride

5:30am and I am rolling, as quietly as my little WRX will allow me, into Roberto's driveway. We strap his bike to the roof and head to the rendezvous to meet The Onion Man. He flashes his lights as he rolls in behind us and then we are heading North to meet the Crew.

By 6:15am we are ready to go. Group 1, the big kids, set the pace and before long their tail lights disappear around a corner and that is the last we see of them for the day. In group 2 there's Me, Lil Dog, The Onion Man and Slippery aka Roberto and Col. We set a comfortable pace out, letting our legs have a chance to warm up. Speaking of warming up, the weatherman suggested we would touch 24degrees. Who could ask for more. But the morning is still fresh and I had battled with what to wear. The forest and deep in the valley can be bloody chilly first thing in the morning. I decided on 3/4 pants and summer gloves. Good call in the end.

Behind us was Group 3. We never saw them all day either, once we were underway. The usual run up Bald Hill and I was a little apprehensive about how I would feel on the climb. I hadn't done it for 2 weeks and that can be a long time between drinks sometimes, and that can bite you bad. But the chest and legs were in good form and I didn't hurt as much as I thought I would. It always hurts mind, just the scale of pain slides dramatically up and down depending on the load during the week and my attitude.
Once at the top we stopped for a photo. After all, this was the first ride for Slippery and The Onion Man that would take in the entire Loop course. It had to be documented!

Some good fun there teasing Al before we headed into the Park. With Col turning home early, the two boys sat behind L.D and I chatting like a pair of old chooks. We hit the bottom of the valley and it wasn't too bad, but we continued the pace and started the ascent to Gerrie. A comfortable climb with L.D and I still on the front. 

Once at the top we hit the rolling flats to Audley and further than any Onion Man or Slippery had been before. 4 x for L.D who had to do the last 2 times on her own. Good mental prep but a tough ride on your own. I had guilt, I should of been there with her. The boys were going to be in for a treat, we descended steeply down into the Audley Weir, crossed the river at eye level, which is always a surreal feeling, and then started the next heavy climb. I had warned the boys that there was another climb but they set the pace and soon I was left chugging away at my snails pace. I noted to some delight though, that they never really got too far ahead of me. I flagged badly here for a while, the hills taking their toll on my legs. Along the flat highway and now heading home I struggled. We made it to the garage and the Coke went down a treat, along with 2 GUs and a handful of lollies. I need to remember to pack a banana next week. Need more real food.

Once again the legs were dialled to churn over and we descended back down into the valley once more. The course now completing a 'P' shape and we were heading home. One more climb out of the Park, back to Bald Hill and homeward bound. We came down Bald Hill with the 'Slow Down' sign blinking at me angrily saying I was over 60kms an hour, actually 64.5kms ooowargh speeding!

The next hill we went down was a little scary as I changed gears my chain jammed and locked and there was no coming back. I eased on the brakes and managed to pull up, but the chain was jammed hard. Nothing to do but lift the little Cervi over the road barrier onto the footpath. I was pretty exposed on the side of the road trying to play mechanic. Finally under control I hunted down the other three. They were in a panic by now, waiting for me and knowing that I should have caught them on the descent, they assumed me splattered across the road I think.

Once over the Sea Cliff Bridge the mind and body said "HOME" and with renewed energy I sat directly behind the boys and pushed some massive gears to stay on them. L.D said later she was hard pushed to keep up with us.

Funny how it works, L.D can climb like a mountain goat where I am a strong time trialler. If only we could take a little of each others strengths and blend into one, we would make an awesome team. L.D was saying she was having trouble holding the weight on her due to the large work load, She is off to the Nutrionist to get some help. As for me, I sniff food and it clings to my bones. We definitely could use a little of each others body types lol.

A great day out, and guess what? We get to do it all again next week!

1 step backwards, 2 steps forward.........

Well, the one step backwards has got to be the weight. Ya hit an all time low on the scale with a mighty 59.9kgs and then you just fall in a heap and pack it all back on in a fit of winter blues and casseroles. 63.7kgs this morning. Gotta get back on the wagon.

On an upbeat, the training is back to consistent and the running is PAIN free. Say it again PAIN FREE!!!! Yeah, let's hold on to that moment of sheer happiness. It's also a great motivator for keeping at it and refocusing on the race season which fast approacheth.

Sunday is the planned Duathlon championship at our club and then the plan is to head up to mum and dads for a game of golf with Dood for Father's Day. Next race after that is Pinkies. Triple challenge.

Time to get serious......once again!

Backsliding with nowhere to go.........

And that's how I feel at the moment. I usually have a goal or two up my sleeve that keeps me motivated and heading in a direction, usually forward, but that depends on the day of course and injury status.

However, this year (post Ironman that is) I have no real goal. I chewed over attempting to get to world championships in the Olympic distance. Even identified which qualifying races I would need to do to get there. But it all seems a little distant and I am left wondering if it's really what I want to do. hmmmm. I know I don't do well without something to obsess about. A-type personality that I am. So currently I am obsessing about houses, jobs, travel, life, ooooh the new Suburu BRZ mmmmm very nice. Come to mumma I want you bad. But slap on the wrist. You know you don't want another loan Sammi. Sooo, boring as it sounds, the obsession needs to be PAY THE MORTGAGAE OFF.

Not a bad goal really. The implications would be that I could retire....nice. Not fair that Big Gazza has to keep working while I sit at home knitting. Part-time would be good though I have to say. I have found lately that I am feeling tired/old. I don't mean to say I am getting old, pht I'm only 47 for crying out loud. But it has been go go go for a few years now and maybe I just need some down time. Fear there of course is that once you snooze you lose. I also don't want to lose my AP Crew family. Its been a blast being a part of something so tangible and elastic. As a group we are growing and evolving constantly. We rejoice in the triumphs of others, celebrate the wins, hug the crew member who is injured or benched and rally round to encourage each other. The cold of winter has kept me insulated and a little lost.

But, I do feel a sense of waking up. After all, Spring is just a short week away. The winds have started and I know the temperatures will drop again. But soon this little grub wrapped in her winter cocoon will wake up and see the sun again. Come on Spring....you can do it. Get here fast. Sammi needs some light, warmth and a refreshing slap up the side of the head to get going again.

Climbing out of the National Park to enjoy the sun and view



On Bended Knee................

Wow, ok, ummmmm well that was unexpected!

So, it's a typical Saturday morning roll out with the Crew. Only Megzy in the third group so we combined 2 & 3 group and headed out into a glorious clear dark morning. We did the usual catchup chats with each other. How's your week been? etc. I was next to Winks and she was telling me she hadn't been on the bike all week. Great! She is a strong rider and with fresh legs she is going to want to go out hard. Me on the other hand, had been going hard at it all week. 2 x wind trainer sessions with nothing left in the tank each time and a TRX session with approx. 100 squats meant the legs were trashed and a couple of run sets would make sure the pins were getting stronger but they definitely weren't up to race speed and climbing hills at break neck speed.

In front was Big Gazza, and for only the second ride out with the Crew and under Coach's tutoring now, and The Onion Man. Behind me chatting happily were Megzy and Lil Dog. What a great bunch. Problem was after about 8kms it was apparent with Gazza on point, he also had fresh legs, having not been on his bike for a few weeks. Now Coach had told him in his program to sit on a really easy pace, but Gaz was fresh and the legs were spinning as fast as his mouth and when that happens he just rides off the front. I told Megzy and Lil Dog to hold our usual speed and before long there was a good gap starting. Finally, Gazza looked to see where we were and realised he was going too hard. I gave him the 'you're a dead man look!' and he gave me the 'Whaaaaat?' look back. I rolled to the back and gave him the 'What did Coach tell you? You are going to hard for us girls to keep up. Get behind and stay there!' Obediently and a little disgruntled he got in behind and the bunch slowed to a cruise pace that would see us last the 90kms through the hills.

Meantime, I had to make amends with Gazza who has the ability to keep his pouty face right through the ride. I started chatting and when he started to come round, I did my usual singing as the sun came up and threw a few, 'I love yous' into the mix to mend the hurt. At one point he said 'You better love me.' He had a curious look on his face that left me with a 'what do you mean? of course I do. response.

We continued on and hit the base of Bald Hill. This just never gets any easier! I climbed slowly. It wasn't pretty folks. Gazza went on ahead. No dramas this time as you have to climb at your own pace and I secretly hoped the hill would take the gusto out of his legs. When we reached the top the first group with Skip, Bangers, Coach and the rest of the gang were there having a quick break. The AP.10 Crew have been dominating the winter roads in the park. There are so very few other people braving the 3-4 degrees in the valley. We gathered to recover and have a laugh.

Just before the first group headed out Gazza (who is off his bike and wondering around, a bit strange but...) anyway, he calls out to everyone. 'Before you leave, I have an announcement to make...' I'm thinking shut up this is not your group we don't do this....shit!' He is getting teary and his voice is a little tight. I'm thinking what the hell is he upset for, oh no he is going to tell everyone he is pulling out of the Ultrarun. Gaz no, you didn't say anything to me earlier about wanting to pull out.

And then, he is saying that we are going to be renewing our vows in October in Hawaii on our 20 year anniversary. I'm thinking, Gaz everyone knows we are heading to Hawaii, I told them already, there's no need to make a big deal about it..........oh my, he is on one knee. WTF! He is looking up at me and he reaches into his pocket and brings out a ring. 'Sammi, will you marry me again?' I am totally surprised. I had absolutely no idea what he was up to and I laughed and went scarlet.

On the top of Bald Hill, in front of our AP family, he asked me finally and officially to marry him. See the first time, he never actually asked me, we just sort of arranged a quick, cheap wedding. This time he was on bended knee with the Crew to validate him, on top of a hill that has been a huge challenge for me and with a view of my home of 47 years. I could not have been more excited and in love with him more than at that moment.

I said YES! As the Crew clapped and congratulated us.

Signing up for another 20 years

Morning Campers............

A huge weekend!

Off to Berry with the Crew for a Tri Camp Weekend. Big Gazza and I arrived last and yet we live closest to Berry. But we had to finish watching the Tour DF climb the Col De Ventoux. Well worth it. It was bucketing rain when we arrived and as always Gazza set me up inside and then did the return trips to the car bringing all of our gear. I love that man!

We chatted, opened a bottle of wine, had dinner and settled in. Over 20 athletes and friends and even a couple out of towners.  Coach called a Crew talk and Gazza and I disappeared quickly into the bedroom before returning wearing our onseys. We got some odd looks, and a few laughs. It can't all be serious. Coach told us the plan for the weekend and then we headed off to bed. What a fantastic venue. We had a queen size bed with ensuite; luxury.

Saturday morning was freezing. We dressed ready for a big day on the bikes. We headed off and a huge group gathered in the middle of Berry. It was an amazing feeling being part of such a huge bunch of riders. We stopped for the obligatory photo and then headed off in our respective groups towards Robertson. The aim was to go up Berry mountain into Kangaroo Valley, climb up the other side of the valley before following the escarpment to Fitzroy falls to Robertson, before hitting Kanagloon loop and returning the way we had come. This would be a 100-110km ride.

Most of the Crew had never ridden this route before. Neither had I, but I know the road extremely well having driven it with a horse float on the back several times in a previous life when I rode eventers. I know the grade of the mountain climbs and I knew I was going to struggle as the week before I had finally taken the 27 'granny gear' off the cassette and gone down to a 25, what was I thinking? Anyway, we headed up the mountain. I was in the second group with Skip, Lil Dog, Gazza, Bangers, and a few others. I was feeling ok, but a little apprehensive. We hit the climb and dialled the legs into churn. However, before long I realised that the 25 was a bad choice and I immediately regretted not taking 5 mins to swap it back to the 27. I had to dig in deep and actually thought at one point the brakes had got stuck on the back wheel. I dropped out of the second group thinking I might be better in the third group. Before long though I was working bloody hard, wheezing up the hills and sweating profusely through the layers I had put on and was falling out of the back of the third group. I rounded a sharp bend following Gazza's line out wide and stood up on the peddles and dug in deep. I couldn't breathe. I heard Simmo say 'why aren't you singing Sammi?' Singing? I was having trouble breathing let alone sing as well.

Pain shot through my chest and my lungs were screaming. My head kicked in, 'this isn't right!' I called to Megs 'I'm coming over.' She made room and I rolled into the gap and onto the verge. I came to a stop halfway up the climb. Pain in my chest. I took a minute to recompose myself and get my breathing back in check. Hill start, great. I got going again, but not far. I found a driveway and once again rolled to a stop. Gazza, Roche and Doc Vince were there with me. Doc started diagnosing me....how old are you? 47. Any history of heart issues?  and so on. Well, he said, if I were you I would go back, or are you going to be one of those stoic people who carry on and then drop dead on the ride? I wouldn't let you go back to training without a stress test. GREAT! Gazza took lead and demanded we turn back. I tried to tell them it was just because I had a very tight crop top on. I took it off and felt a lot better. But no good. We rolled back down the hill defeated. We reached town and I insisted that I was fine, so much so we rode on and did a further 25kms on a flat course.

By the time the Crew rolled in from, what I later found out was an incredibly hard, freezing cold, wind driven rainy ride, Gazza and I had made lunch and lifted our status to short term heroes. After lunch we rolled out in convoy to the local pool. The wind had picked up and I was very pleased and relieved when the call went up that there were 3 lanes booked for us in the indoor pool. Whew! We did the set, but while we swam I kept one goggled eye on Bazza. He is one of the best open water swimmers in Aus. The guy doesn't kick! What the! His action is effortless and he slips through the water. I immediately wanted to stop kicking too. ok, maybe there is some more work to do as I sank to the bottom of the pool. But the image is in my mind and the drills Coach is setting are helping.

A night at the pub was a chance to talk to Jono. He is an amazingly inspiring athlete who is also legally blind. Not only did he ride with the boys (he has no periphery vision) but he swam with us too. He is heading for the Olympics in Rio. I have added his facebook page www.facebook.com/JonathansRoadToRio. After a lively chat, he left me with some parting words. He said Sammi....'Swim to stay in it, bike to be in it, run to win it!' Thanks Jono and all the best for Rio. Before bed, we once again gathered to have a team chat. So chuffed when Coach rolled into the room in his Onsey! woohooo.

An early morning start again on Sunday was a run set. Again I was apprehensive as the itb hadn't been tried off road since Ironman. I am happy to say that they (and I) made the session through without issue. Though the fitness has gone badly south as far as running is concerned. No real instruction from Coach on the day, so I figure there wasn't much with the form to correct. It was more about seeing how far the itb could get me.

A final question and answer session and it was time for home. Good times peeps, good times!