Friday, October 18, 2013

Becoming a home owner




After months of stress and road blocks we have finally bought a house and we moved in on Wednesday. It does not quite seem real at the moment as we have been moving and ferrying things between our old house (a rental) and our new one. Mark and I have also been cleaning like maniacs and we both managed to get pretty nasty colds and unfortunately we just had to push through it to get everything done.

I have realised that even though we have problems from time-to-time that when things are full on we somehow manage to balance each other out through most things. It is quite funny that the things that stress me out do not faze Mark and then vice versa. So when I am in full on meltdown mode; Mark is calm. I really have to apologise for not being myself and being a total bitch for the last few months; we were really just trying to hold it together until we managed to get across the line. Also, there were a lot of RPM classes that usually ended in tears for me.

A week out from moving I had a massive anxiety attack during Body Attack (how timely) and had to leave early. I went and got Wendy’s and bawled my eyes out while eating my burger. In retrospect I think that it was a combination of doing my second ever B.A. class on my own and I have realised that when I am with strangers my anxiety goes WAY UP. Also, who new trying to co-ordinate my feet and arms would be such a mission and it’s not like I have not done aerobics in the past!

Thank you to the people who helped and supported us; you have been AMAZING and without you we would not be where we are now! Huge love to my work colleagues who have put up with me through this process!

So here’s to our house! It also has a hobbit wall!

Working Out Away from Home


When I went to Korea I had the best intentions to exercise at the same frequency as when I am in New Zealand. Suffice to say this DID NOT happen! I went so far as to find local gyms that did Les Mills classes and then I found one around the corner that actually offered Spin and Hot Yoga etc.; when I went there though I could only join for large blocks of time. I was really gutted.

When you are away from home be it for work or a holiday then be prepared for the hotel gym to not be great or even just being too tired to workout. I worked really long days and by the time I got back to the hotel I just wanted to rest, relax and recharge.

I did go to the gym once (once I actually found it) and can I say that working out in 19 degree heat at 6am in the morning is not pleasant. Plus I was the ONLY women there…talk about uncomfortable.

This is what I think:
  • Have some workouts that you can do either in your room or outside (there are quite a good selection online)
  • Use the outdoors as much as possible; running, walking, cycling, stairs, body weight exercise etc.
  • Listen to your body and if you are still adjusting to time differences then go with it and exercise early morning or later in the evening if that is what works for you
  • Plan to do it
  • You might not be able to do as much as normal however try and do something

Just keep moving and if you cannot move as much as you would normally then adjust your eating.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Events 2013 vs. 2014



Before The Crank 13/09/13

I can’t actually believe that it is the 1st October…seriously? Where did that time go? Our RPM instructor today said “7 weeks until summer” to motivate us to work harder; I am sure I pushed myself a bit harder after that!

This year I wanted to increase the number of events that I did vs. 2012 and by May I had already done the same amount that I did in one year. Then I went to Korea and everything kind of fell over from there.  On the plus side I have continued with my RPM journey and tomorrow night I am going to try Les Mills Body Attack for the first time; yes I am FREAKING OUT. I do need to start walking etc. again otherwise in November I am going to DIE with three events!!

So this is 2013 vs. what I plan to do in 2014

2013 (3 x events still to go)
20th January - Westfield Albany Lakes SummerSeries Race 1 (10km) Time: 1:47:33
10th February - Westfield Albany Lakes Summer Series Race 2 (10km). Time: 1:51:02
3rd March - Westfield Albany Lakes Summer Series Race 3 (10km). Time: 1:48:05
10th March – Ports of Auckland Round the Bays (8.4km). Time: 1:36:49
17th March - Coatesville Classic (8km). Time: 1:33:07
The Crank 6am 13/09/13
23rd March – Partners Life Dual Motutapu (#1620) – Rangitoto Traverse (10km). Time: 2:37:18
14th April - Whenuapai Half Marathon (#0071) (10km). Time: 1:47:01
21st April - Orewa Beach Half Marathon (10.5km) Time: 1:59:20
12th May - Mazda ORock 6K Obstacle Course - (6km) Time: 1:14:14
20th July - Charity Spin Cycling Ride
13th September - The Crank
17th November - Sculpt 6K (6km) Time: 107.14
30th November - Walking Stars (21km) Time: TBC


2014 (so far)
26th January - The ColorRun™ (5km) Time: TBC
23rd February - Mazda ORock6K Obstacle Course - Time: TBC
9th March – Ports of Auckland Round the Bays (8.4km). Time: TBC
22nd March – Partners Life Dual Motutapu – Rangitoto Traverse (10km). Time: TBC
TBC April - Whenuapai HalfMarathon (10km). Time: TBC
13th September - The Crank
XX November – Adidas Auckland Marathon (10km). Time: TBC
XX November - Sculpt 6K(6km). Time: TBC

So there we go! Bring on 2014!

Who is with me????