First Post 0f 09

Month - 15 k
YTD - 15 k

4 months since my last post and to be honest I wouldn't have a clue what went on with my training. I did run but not too often and certainly didn't keep a record of what I did or have been doing.

Anyway what has been going on, well Oct through to Dec I was on a course that didn't really give me much time to plan any sort of training or in fact enable me to have much of a life. I did what I could when I got the chance which maintained an average level of fitness but nothing to talk about.

When I returned I had about 3 weeks of work left prior to starting my Xmas holidays. Work was busier than ever but I always made time to get some sort of training under the belt before startng the mundane stuff.

During this month I also looked around at getting my bike repaired, the gears have been playing up for a while so I enquired about replacing them. After I was told $800+ I decided that I would
look at the cost of a new machine. After a long deliberation I bought the same bike I already have just 10 years newer, a 09 Avanti Giro. The reason for this purchase is that one of my goals ths year is to compete in some triathlons. I have done a few smaller ones organised by my work over the years but have decided to take the plunge and actually compete in an event with the public.....scary.

I was considering Noosa but the hype of that event has made it quite expensive to enter and although it will be a tough event I have no issue in riding or running 40 and 10 k respectively. The swim is my downfall and for Noosa it is 1500m....Daunting however in true Shane fashion I have set my sights on something that is probably unrealistic but the component that I most uncomfortable with the swim is only 1900m, 400m extra. You may have guessed it but my goal next year is to complete a Half Ironman Triathlon, sounds alot more prestigious hey! I am pretty sure it will be the GC as it usually runs in October giving me plenty of time to train and or chicken out. It will also be what I think be my last few months in SE Qld aswell as I will probably be moving at the years end due to my work, which is the added incentive on making the startline whilst I am near the event.

Continuing on, after begining my Xmas leave on the 19 Dec, I spent Xmas at home with my family before leaving little Sammy with my mum and setting Sail on the Pacific Dawn cruise ship from Sydney with my wife for 12 nights in the South Pacific. Great time, plenty of food, drinks, relaxing and snorkling and not much else. I managed to squeeze in one 5 k run on the treadmill whilst we were travelling between islands which is tricky at times due to the rocking of the boat and one session whilst we were anchored of another 5k which was alot easier.

I returned home last thursday 3 kg heavier and went for my first run on Saturday of 4.5 k in 19 mins and another 5.5 k in about 23 mins on Sunday. I am still managing to maintain close to 4 min pace over these distances but not too comfortably but hey its a start.

I have a few things is the pipeline this year different to any other year in regards to some events. The triathlon I have already spoke about but I am also a member of a 4 person team competing in the Kokoda Challenge event in the GC hinterland. 96km walk through the hills and trails of the area replicating as close as possible the Kokoda Track in PNG. A charity event were every member of the team walks the entire distance, so that will be a tough one. The only other event I plan on like every year is Warwick, hopefully I am around to again compete in this event, this year will be my 5th consective one that I would have completed all 5 races, so I will be entering the hall of fame :-)

Anyway that's all for now I have another 2 weeks off work but have a few things this week that will prohibit me training with the running groups I never see anymore and have probably disowned me :-( but I will endeavour to make a few sessions leading up to the Australia Day long weekend before heading back to work on the 27 Jan.

Peace out