I have the technology

I've spent the last couple of days recovering from Sunday. It was a big day. It took us eight and a bit hours to ride the 210km (with a little help from a ferry ride). I'd come down with a cold the week prior so I wasn't 100% fit. But in the end happy with the effort.

Today marks the arrival of my new phone. I've been out of contract for ages and with the slow demise and functionality of my old phone it was time to upgrade. I will now have a camera with a somewhat decent resolution on me at all times. This makes me happy. I just have to get over the fear of dropping it.

Your fave app suggestions are welcomed!

Couldn't resist

Because I just couldn't help myself, a few more photos from the festival, but this time ranunculus. Of course.

Have a fab weekend. We're resting up for a very early start on Sunday morning. There's a whole lot of riding to be done. There's going to be some exhausted bodies in this household come Sunday night.

The weekend part I

Started with a hearty and healthy breakfast before climbing the 1000 steps at Ferntree Gully National Park. It's a workout! One that comes highly recommended and should definitely not be attempted with a hangover like I did last year (and failed miserably).

Another item crossed off the list. With a big thanks to my Mum for driving me out there, because hey, I deem it too far by scooter!

Promising

A whole free Saturday stretches before me. That my friends is a luxury not indulged in recently what with Grand Finals; a draw and the replay. Sunday sees 120+ km on the bike before next weekend's 210km for Around the Bay. The fact that the weather is going to be glorious helps tremendously.

Oh and if you ever wanted some bright colour in the garden, I highly suggest planting ranunculus. They really are super easy to grow.

The weekend

Pretty happy we made it to the Garden of St Erth on Saturday, because after five hours on the bike on Sunday we were fit for nothing!

Christmas in July

It's been a long time coming.

I picked my new bike up on Friday night and have been having a ball riding it to the shops, to lunch and to work ever since. I love being on a bike, any bike, but this is lots of fun. It's heavy as hell, but sturdy. I'm particularly bad at handling it at slow speed, but gosh its awesome when you're going fast. I love that I can ride it on wet roads and not end up saturated like on the road bike. Here here to a healthier lifestyle and to Mr T for my present!

Mountain air

One must question the 'fun' in fun run when it involves running up the Mt Buller summit. Hands down the hardest 5km I've ever run. Thankfully we had a chance to return and take in the sights without the labored breathing, pounding chest and tunnel vision.

A long road and a farewell

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen and a lot of time on the bike over the weekend. More kitchen adventures to be shared later in the week, but Friday night called for some comfort food that fit the 'carbo loading' category as Saturday saw my brother and I complete the Great Ocean & Otway ride (145km). I think if I had lay down 100km in, I wouldn't have got back up!

Sunday we said goodbye to my Nana, who will be remembered (amongst other things) as the woman who liked to start her day with cake for breakfast. I wish!

Quality time

I'll be spending some quality time with 'Pearl' this weekend. We're going to ride to the beach. It's not just down the road, more like 90km down the road. I'll definitely be up for some rest and relaxation after the effort.

Thankfully I've just finished One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and now I'm onto The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith making for some slighter easier reading on the sand.

Ho ho ho

Photo: Courtesy of Variety Santa Fun Run

So this is what Mr T and I did last night - that's us at the very back, we were late. Surely no better way to make a running comeback in the pouring rain especially when charity's involved. Sign me up for next year. Too much fun.

But wait, there's more

It's been six months since I've run by the river, I love what's appeared since I've been gone. Mentally the break has been good, physically it hurts like hell. But it's good to be back.

9985 Steps

I kind of gave up logging my steps on here, given I was also entering the data on the 10000 steps website. For the month of October I averaged 9985 steps per day. Which means I didn't quite make my target of 10,000 steps every day. The epic hangover, plus a week chained to my desk trying to meet a deadline didn't help. But it's not a bad exercise to have done. It certainly made me re-evaluate the need to take the car to the local shops and encouraged me to get out in the fresh air at lunchtime.

No challenge this month, with the weather on the improve I should be on my bike a whole lot more. Double happiness indeed.

10,000 steps

This little guy is my new best friend. My October fitness challenge is to walk a minimum of 10,000 steps everyday, with the help of a slightly over excitable pedometer. There's actually a bit of a competition starting at work on the 7th of October, but I thought I'd get some practice in early and challenge myself for the whole 10th month. Same deal as last month, 10,000 steps EVERY DAY and I will reward myself with something a little bit special. Probably this because I didn't quite make my goal last month.

Steps: 10,861

And another thing...

Photo: Magnolia and flower illustration no. 6692 by Kari Herer Photography

The start of a new month brings challenges. This time it's personal. I'm no stranger to setting myself physical tasks and September is about moving EVERY SINGLE DAY for a minimum of 30 mins (which from here on in will be referred to as the 30/30 challenge). If, by the end of the month I manage to do that, not missing one day I will treat myself to the print above (or hopefully one similar if it sells out!) I absolutely love the combination of illustration and photography.

I'm done for today: 40 mins walking. Only 29 days to go.

Slow Sunday

Yesterday was an incredibly difficult day on the bike, we battled hills, wind and rain. I'm not sure it could have been more unpleasant. As the Golden child said, it's one of those days that makes you want to ride more to get that much fitter and yet at the same time makes you never want to ride again. I have no doubt I will get on the bike again, it just might be after this windy weather subsides. At this stage there seems to be no end of it.

Today was far more low key. A slow start including coffee, breakfast and papers in bed. This afternoon there were patches of sunshine that meant some time could be spent in the garden. I planted some more rocket, basil (though I'm sure it's still too cold), coriander, mini beetroot and baby carrots. I also harvested the first of our tiny potatoes.

Heading into the weekend

I bought this material the other day to fill in time after missing my train. Having a fabric store so close to the station is often dangerous. For me, anyway. Hopefully this weekend I'll have some time to do something with it. Seems unlikely at this stage.

Tomorrow the Golden Child and I are riding in the Whittlesea Challenge. 108kms of it. I might need a nap after that. Then I'll frock up and accompany Mr T to the Melbourne Awards Ceremony at the Town Hall. Sunday involves football and hopefully some much needed down time.

Enjoy whatever it is you're up to this weekend!

Slowing down

I did my best Punky Brewster imitation for a jaunt on Mr T's heavy but steady mountain bike. My usual ride involves lycra and is light and fast, but I'm increasingly leaning towards getting a 'townie' for commuting. Something less full on so I can cruise to the shops and to work (saving the need for a full wardrobe change). The whole style over speed is most appealling. I wanted to see if I'd enjoy the lack of pace so I choose today to ride to the footy. About 12kms each way. I loved it even though it was windy. I'm wholly convinced that I will adore riding my new slow bike!

Turns out this round is 'green' week for the AFL. The City of Melbourne had organised free valet bike parking at the ground and were giving away a bell. Score.

Talking of scores, I won't mention Richmond's dismal effort. We were playing for percentage after the first quarter.

Cross that off the list

There are nine things on my list of 'Things to do in 09'. Running a stand alone marathon is one of them. That's happening this weekend. I'm dragging Mr T to the Gold Coast and running 42km on Sunday. Racing means a fairly quiet weekend taking it very easy. I've done my research and found all the decent cafes that serve good coffee within walking distance from our hotel, so that should keep the boy happy.

This has been a tough event to train for, particularly these last few weeks as the weather has become colder, wetter and windier. Running and I have a love/hate relationship. I hate that it hangs over my head when it's a training day, it's frustrating that I am not a natural born runner but I love being outside in glorious sunshine and I relish the satisfaction of completing a long run. And who could forget the endorphins!

Back in 04, I started training for my first ever triathlon. Four years later I completed Ironman (3.8km swim, 180km ride, 42km run). It's an incredibly selfish sport, sometimes all consuming, but gives you an incredible sense of achievement. It requires dedication, determination, self belief and toughness - mainly mental, but also physical. Sunday marks the end of this craziness for now. I believe exercise is a really important part of my life. But I'd like to see more balance in my time between the active and the creative. I look forward to getting back on my bike that's been sorely neglected these past few months, visiting the yoga shed just up the road from home more often and having more time during the week and on weekends to take up creative pursuits. This is why I started this blog to document the transition and following results.

Enjoy your weekend whatever you're pursuing.
And viva le tour!