How much fun has it been getting to IM Japan??? More than you can imagine. Luke and I had tried to pack as lightly as possible. I have this huge suitcase but for once it is filled with products/sports gear for others. After Japan we head to Bali for a race in which I am bring in loads of stuff for the under privileged children of Bali. More on that later but first I had to carry it half way around Japan. If it was not for a good cause I think Luke might have killed me.
After a few false starts from Fukouka we finally arrived in Goto. At the airport we meet our amazing host family...Masaki. Junko their daughter speaks fantastic English as she has just returned from 2 years in Australia. We are staying in their beautiful traditional Japanese home right at the finish line in town. I was especially excited as I have always had a bit of a Japanese fetish.
We settled in and got right out on the course to see what was in store. It seems to be quite a lot hillier that we thought but all was good.
On our second night we were taken to a fantastic Japanese restaurant where we ate ourselves silly on all the amazing fresh seafood. Most of the Masaki family and extended family lives in Goto. Dinner was a blast filled with loads of broken English, bad Japanese and some charade like conversation.
Tomorrow we will head out to view the whole bike course as Shane Smith from Tri Travel has offered to give us a lift with all his crazy Tri Travel Tour kids. It made me laugh to see and hear all the Aussies that are travelling together. So many of them were from Perth (my home town). It could be quite the fun car ride as they are all having a ball. Laughter seems to be the key to that group.
Stay tuned
Memphis
What an adventure getting ourselves to Goto. Thursday, June 19, 2008
Yum ...our first meal outside of an airport terminal
Mmm ... Tempura Udon in Fukuoka
A night in Fukuoka
Food Heaven
The joys of traveling with bikes!
A morning ocean swim in Goto Fukue
Checking out the bike course ... its hilly!
Sake anyone???
The land of vending machines!
Luke and I with our homestay Junko
Asahi and Sashimi ... mmm
Ironman Udon Noodles
The Goto City nightlife ... wild!
Traditional breakfast at our homestay
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Back on the mainland
Wow what a few days it has been since returning from Hawaii. We had some very important business to attend to in San Diego and we headed down in the Golden Turtle. Luke and I spent the weekend training up a storm on our old stomping grounds. It is was the final weekend before we drive up to Bend and then head out to Japan. Around running and riding the fabulous 101 we managed to fit in all the important grown up stuff and friend visits that were way over due.
With the "GT" all re-registered we packed up camp and headed north. A quick 2 day stop in Agoura Hills to visit K-Swiss and pick up our super sonic race kits and racing shoes and we will be ready to go on this trip. Neither Luke or I have really spent any note worthy time in Japan so we are so excited.
Triathlon is actually a pretty small community so there will be quite a few people to see in Goto. Hawaii's Bree Wee is going to give the raining champ Naomi a bit of a run for her money. I can't wait to see her out there in only her second IM ever. Sarah Pollett another Aussie along with the Doc will also be waving the green and gold.
Keep an eye out on Ironmanlive for Luke in the men's pro field. As for me the new coach has yet to say I can race for sure. I have had such trouble recovering from IM China that I don't know what I will be doing race day. All I know for sure is that I will be getting in the water if all goes well.
If I can't not to worry I have an amazing race in Bali the next weekend to look forward to as well as IM Canada in August. Sometimes your health just has to come first.
Stay tuned and fingers crossed.
Memphis
With the "GT" all re-registered we packed up camp and headed north. A quick 2 day stop in Agoura Hills to visit K-Swiss and pick up our super sonic race kits and racing shoes and we will be ready to go on this trip. Neither Luke or I have really spent any note worthy time in Japan so we are so excited.
Triathlon is actually a pretty small community so there will be quite a few people to see in Goto. Hawaii's Bree Wee is going to give the raining champ Naomi a bit of a run for her money. I can't wait to see her out there in only her second IM ever. Sarah Pollett another Aussie along with the Doc will also be waving the green and gold.
Keep an eye out on Ironmanlive for Luke in the men's pro field. As for me the new coach has yet to say I can race for sure. I have had such trouble recovering from IM China that I don't know what I will be doing race day. All I know for sure is that I will be getting in the water if all goes well.
If I can't not to worry I have an amazing race in Bali the next weekend to look forward to as well as IM Canada in August. Sometimes your health just has to come first.
Stay tuned and fingers crossed.
Memphis
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Hawaii Training Camp final days
After two fantastic weeks here in Hawaii our training camp has come to an end. We have had such a great visit here. We had a beautiful homestay up on the mountain with Dawn Henry ( Hawaii's greatest massage therapist ). Luke had a terrific race where he came in 2nd to Macca at the IM 70.3. We both got in some good solid training, me for IM Canada and Luke for IM Japan.
In our final two days we got the chance to get off the Queen K and do a spot of site seeing. A day at Hapuna Beach along with a trip up to Wiapio topped the two weeks off perfectly. Finding Huli Sue's dinner up at Wikaloa was an unexpected bonus. Below are some happy snaps that we took.
Next we are off back to Agoura Hills for our last training block before IM Japan.
Stay tuned
Memphis
P.S Congrats to my little brother Zac .... I hear you are going to be a "DADDY"
In our final two days we got the chance to get off the Queen K and do a spot of site seeing. A day at Hapuna Beach along with a trip up to Wiapio topped the two weeks off perfectly. Finding Huli Sue's dinner up at Wikaloa was an unexpected bonus. Below are some happy snaps that we took.
Next we are off back to Agoura Hills for our last training block before IM Japan.
Stay tuned
Memphis
P.S Congrats to my little brother Zac .... I hear you are going to be a "DADDY"
Friday, May 9, 2008
Getting back on the horse!!!!!
Well it's been 2, nearly 3 weeks since IM China and I finally feel good again. Whilst the race was hard it was not what you would call fast...ha ha ha. Race recovery is different every time for me. This time I took 2 weeks off and only swam, spun or walked once a day. Some days just a stretch. Now this means that mentally I am now rested and ready to train hard and properly again. However that down side of 2 weeks off after a race and 1 and a 1/2 weeks of taper is that I gain too much weight. I am not what you would call the skinniest of triathletes to start with so it is quite noticeable. I don't worry about it too much as I am doing all the right things and all the right training now. It seems to fall off pretty quickly. Clearly choc chip cookies are now off the menu.
I have had a great opportunity over the last week to get some computrainer skill assessment for my bike. Erik from K- Swiss ( my new shoe sponsor, movies quoter extraordinaire and fellow IM Canada racer this year) has been amazing and has hooked us up. Previously my ability to sit on a wind trainer has been limited as I get completely bored out of my skull in about 15 mins. However this programme is FANTASTIC!!!!!! It shows you so many things and gives you so much to think about and to work on. I love it. I am looking forward to seeing how this affects my cycling over time.
We have been lucky enough to be staying out the back of Malibu Canyon for the last 2 weeks and Erik, Jenni, David and Cheryl have made us feel like family. The riding is spectacular and the trails are awesome.
I am off to Florida for the 70.3 next Friday. I have no idea how I will feel racing so soon after China but I will do my best as always. I will be heading straight over to Kona after the race for a massive IM training block leading into IM Japan.
Take care and stay tuned!!!!
Memphis
PS. July 4th will be all time this year. Camping with the Corbins may be the seasons non racing highlite and I am getting excited.
Friday, April 25, 2008
DA SEXY NEW RIDE!
Check out my sexy new Trek from my new team - Team Timex!
Please send name suggestions!!!!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
San Francisco and the new ride.
After a long flight with sore feet Luke and I have arrived in San Francisco. We picked up the "GT" and headed to our friend Dani's house. I was so excited to be picking up my new ride. A Trek TT. While I have loved my little QRoo my new team "Timex" hooked me up with this super pimped out bright orange speed machine. I headed on over to the boys at Bike Nutz and got fitted this morning. I will be back on the bike by tomorrow. Luckily really as the QRoo has been lost in transit and wont be here for a few days. I am signed up for Wildflower but am pretty sure that the blisters on my feet wont be recovered in time so it will have to wait to Florida 70.3 to rip it up.
While the race in China was brutal it has done nothing to diminish my seasons enthusiasm and I am hanging out to get training again.
As soon as all lost luggage is here in SF we will head on down to the Wildflower course. Luke will be racing no matter what and i will be training hard for Florida in a month.
Stay tuned
Memphis
IRONMAN CHINA.... Marching through the gates of hell.
Holy Moly
Ironman china was the hardest race I have ever been in. It was so hot my feet literally melted. In spite of my attempts to keep cool by dousing myself with as much water as I could get my hands on I still managed to take my body to boiling point.
It's funny how days such as this one turns out. I started the swim and on the first lap swam about 500 mts off course. I didn't panic and just made sure that on the second lap I didn't follow everyone else and swam against the strong current and stayed on track. 1.06 swim is a personal worst but hey that's racing and I shrugged it off and headed out on the bike.
I was attempting to go with a new plan and go really easy on the bike. I have always had a poor marathon and many had suggested that I push too hard on the bike. Time to try something new. I focused on my nutrition and paid absolutely no attention to where and how fast all the other pro girls were going. I was sticking to my plan. First lap on the bike I rode 2.40. I had thought that the course could be quite fast as the roads were amazing. On the second lap 2 things happened. The first was the soaring temperatures.... it was now 42-45 degrees out the back of the bike course. Secondly the winds had picked up. I rode in to town with a super slow bike for me 5.50.
At this stage I truly believed that my plan would leave me with the chance to run a 3.45 marathon. I had done everything I had needed to. All nutrition/salt/liquids had been taken on the dot. I came off the bike with the mental plan that in spite the time loss due to being conservative I would make it up on the run. My legs felt so fresh and amazing. I was ready to go.
Three meters into the run and my plan was blown to smithereens. I have raced Hawaii and Malaysia but never have I felt the heat like China. I had completely underestimated the heat while on the bike. Off the bike it was so suppressive I couldn't believe it. The rest is history really. I ran and ran and ran but I felt like I wanted to walk from about 6 kms. I made it. I did walk the aid stations and one foot bridge but I fought so hard and did not loose a single place. This was a miracle really. In the end I think I would have been better off with my usual tactics.
The next pro girl was nearly an hour behind me.
In the end I finished in 8th place and I feel like I have walked through the valley of death and made it through the other side. I made the decision shortly afterwards that I will now race only 70.3 and half IM until IM Canada in August. I don't think the body would handle another anytime soon. Besides the run training I need to do will be much better achieved without the build up and taper that is involved with IM.
Thankyou to everyone who supports me in this amazing journey.
Stay tuned
Memphis
The beauitful Sheraton Resort where the race started
The Highways are amazing here in Haikou
Rice paddy ... Ox and cart ....
Motor-pacing China style!
Relaxing at the Sheraton
Riding through downtown Haikou
Evergreen Park, Haikou
Race start
Only 90km to go
It was HOT out there!
Running through downtown
Amanda's MASSIVE blister!
Hanging out after the race
Saturday, April 19, 2008
China China China
Holy Cow
This has been the funniest build up to a race ever. 3 days ago all looked a little scetchy as a typhoon was rolling on in. 60-80 mile an hour winds and massive waves were looking likely to cancel the whole event. But in true Ironman majic today it is sunny and 32 degrees.
Luke and I are having a great time and I am ready to race. The field looks good. The course could be fast but if the winds come up it might not be.
Stay tuned and check out the action on www.ironmanlive.com
Love Memphis
This is short as china's internet services are slow :)
This has been the funniest build up to a race ever. 3 days ago all looked a little scetchy as a typhoon was rolling on in. 60-80 mile an hour winds and massive waves were looking likely to cancel the whole event. But in true Ironman majic today it is sunny and 32 degrees.
Luke and I are having a great time and I am ready to race. The field looks good. The course could be fast but if the winds come up it might not be.
Stay tuned and check out the action on www.ironmanlive.com
Love Memphis
This is short as china's internet services are slow :)
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
IRONMAN NEW ZEALAND
Hi Everyone,
I am back on the Gold Coast after last weekends IM New Zealand.
I did a PB time in the race and finished 13th in my first race as a professional.
However to be honest I was REALLY disappointed as I spent a total of 10-15 mins on the side of the road during the bike leg with MASSIVE ass cramps. It was just 5 kms out of the swim transition and there was really no reason for it which is sooooooooooo frustrating. It happened 5 separate times during the day.... on the bike off the bike on the bike off the bike I was never in a rhythm the weather was terrible , blowing a gale, but I really hung tough and finished the bike hard. I PBed my swim by 5 mins which was such a great start... the swimming training with the 16 year old super fish paid off. In the end my bike time was OK 5.40 but I am now a 5.20/30 rider. I went into the run with sever pain down my glutes but had to finish as I have promised myself that even if I walk I would get over that line. With 10kms to go I found a glimpse of the run legs that I had worked on over the last few weeks and ran home soooooooooo hard. I ended up with a PB as I mentioned but as you can see no where near what I was expecting. But you all know that I am a fighter and I will be back to fight another day on April 20 with IM China.
I have pulled up OK .... I will now take only a few days off and go to Sydney for 4 days work. Then it's off to the sunny coast with Belinda G, Luke and Mathias for some good hard training before Port Macquarie... I am not doing that race but my boy Lukey is. YAY go LUKEY!!!!!
I absolutely loved racing hard and feeling the pressure. I was beaten by a few age grouper too which sucks but it makes me even more determined to get it all right in the next race. I was so glad that one out of the three legs was a good reflection of how hard I have been training.... next time it will be all three. The best thing about this decision that I have made to be pro is that I know that I have created the opportunity for myself to go at it again in just a few more weeks.
I live with no regrets and I heard a great quote the other day
"Champions take chances and the pressure is a privilege"
While I am yet to be a champion, I am here in this life of mine willing to take this chance. This chance will pay off and I know that it is a privilege to have all of my friends support me.
Thanks a million to everyone that sends an email of support!
I am back on the Gold Coast after last weekends IM New Zealand.
I did a PB time in the race and finished 13th in my first race as a professional.
However to be honest I was REALLY disappointed as I spent a total of 10-15 mins on the side of the road during the bike leg with MASSIVE ass cramps. It was just 5 kms out of the swim transition and there was really no reason for it which is sooooooooooo frustrating. It happened 5 separate times during the day.... on the bike off the bike on the bike off the bike I was never in a rhythm the weather was terrible , blowing a gale, but I really hung tough and finished the bike hard. I PBed my swim by 5 mins which was such a great start... the swimming training with the 16 year old super fish paid off. In the end my bike time was OK 5.40 but I am now a 5.20/30 rider. I went into the run with sever pain down my glutes but had to finish as I have promised myself that even if I walk I would get over that line. With 10kms to go I found a glimpse of the run legs that I had worked on over the last few weeks and ran home soooooooooo hard. I ended up with a PB as I mentioned but as you can see no where near what I was expecting. But you all know that I am a fighter and I will be back to fight another day on April 20 with IM China.
I have pulled up OK .... I will now take only a few days off and go to Sydney for 4 days work. Then it's off to the sunny coast with Belinda G, Luke and Mathias for some good hard training before Port Macquarie... I am not doing that race but my boy Lukey is. YAY go LUKEY!!!!!
I absolutely loved racing hard and feeling the pressure. I was beaten by a few age grouper too which sucks but it makes me even more determined to get it all right in the next race. I was so glad that one out of the three legs was a good reflection of how hard I have been training.... next time it will be all three. The best thing about this decision that I have made to be pro is that I know that I have created the opportunity for myself to go at it again in just a few more weeks.
I live with no regrets and I heard a great quote the other day
"Champions take chances and the pressure is a privilege"
While I am yet to be a champion, I am here in this life of mine willing to take this chance. This chance will pay off and I know that it is a privilege to have all of my friends support me.
Thanks a million to everyone that sends an email of support!
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