My Very First Half Ironman! Time: 5 hours 29 mins I’ve been pretty slack over the past 5 weeks. At first it was because Scott was in a taper week for Kona, then he was in Hawaii for 2 weeks. I can’t get up early to train if there isn’t anyone else getting up. Scott came back and it was 2 weeks of no training for him. So not much training for me All this [...]

Many NZ triathletes have been training all winter for the ITU World Champs Beijing in September. Here is a pre-race checklist that covers just about everything that you will need for transitions, in addition to some tricks of the trade.It also is handy to use for any races you plan on doing from Sprint to Ironman – some rules may mean that bikes will be racked the night before race day and not allowed to do a [...]

2k swim, 90k bike, 21k run Well the basics are like what Arthur Lydiard devised in the 50s and 60s to produce multiple gold medalists and world record holders in the form of Snell, Halberg, Magee and Baillie etc etc…. What you need to do is to build up the stamina and strength to complete the distances. And remember it is a triathlon, not a swim race, bike race or run race. If you have [...]

Beginner triathletes and often more experienced age groupers and even the pros often ask this question and get it wrong. What most people forget is a swim-bike-run and your overall time is more important than individual split times. For the beginner triathlete it is more than likely that you are going to be on the race course for anywhere from 4.5hrs to 7hrs, so it’s definitely not a high intensity effort. The Swim So you [...]

The Contact Tri Women Series are on the look out for 10 women all across New Zealand to become the Tri It Girls for the 2012 season. The 10 ladies will be taking us all along on their journey by posting on the Tri Women Facebook page and also on their website. Who are the lovely ladies they are looking for? Women that are: Trying out a new triathlon training plan Getting back into exercise [...]

Who says training over winter has to suck?! Yes, it’s cold, dark and sometimes wet here in Christchurch. But it also means it’s time for the indoor wind-trainer sessions at John Bull Cycles. Last winter I struggled with getting motivated to do my bike sessions. I had my windtrainer set up in the garage with the ipod plugged into Scott’s flash stereo system. I’d listen to the IM Talk podcast or some other music nice [...]

I had the opportunity to try out custom fitted orthotics, so I thought I would. I’ve been a bit iffy about trying them as I’ve never been injured (touch wood) so I wasn’t sure if I should change if I’m not broke. But with the opportunity to try them for free I thought – why not! I know there are things about my running style and biking style that I can change. Whitney, a friend [...]

I’ve been trying to pick which half ironman (70.3) races I’d like to do. I found it annoying that there isn’t really one list of all the races, so I’ve decided to collate one in-case anyone else would find it handy. And also for my use in the future. If anyone has any others, put them in the comments or flick them through to me and I’ll add them in   New Zealand Half Ironman Events Karapiro [...]

The first part of the week has been a bit of a loss for swim training, because of the big earthquakes this week Jellie Park pool has been shut for a few days. This is where I swim most mornings. They’ve left the outdoor pool open because QE11 is shut from earthquake damage. Usually the outdoor pool shuts in March. At the moment it’s open until July 15th, but hopefully longer. It’s definitely hard getting [...]

When I used to do lots of weight training a few years ago my personal trainer suggested I have a protein shake after every workout to help rebuild my muscles. The trainers aim to get you putting on kg’s of muscle and losing bodyfat %. This is a great thing if you are just wanting to be healthy and look good. Slim down rather than bulk up Now that I’m training for triathlon this changes. [...]

I love the taste of yoghurt. It’s simply fermented milk; probiotic bacteria is introduced, the milk curdles and releases lactic acid. From what I understand this makes yoghurt easier to digest than milk. The healthy bacteria make yoghurt really good for you, although for all it’s benefits I’ve been feeling really bad as I buy cartons of the stuff.  Partly because I’m not sure it’s that good for me to include so much dairy in my [...]

If you’re a triathlete in New Zealand I’m sure you know the Triathlon World Champs Grand Final is in Auckland in 2012. This year they are having a qualification race for New Zealanders on Sunday Nov 20th. Registration started at 10am today and looks like they aren’t sold out yet. So get in there! It’ll be one of the best races you can do. You can sign up here: www.triauckland.co.nz Event schedule for 2011 Event [...]

I’ve been following the ‘Metabolic Efficiency’ eating plan for about 3 weeks now. Previously I used to eat a bowl of porridge after my swim each morning – but with the metabolic efficiency plan I’m cutting out the grains for the off season and increasing healthy fats and protiens. I’ve been playing around with scrambled eggs for breakfast and this is one recipe I made in the weekend and absolutely loved it. I’ve had it [...]

I’m doing my first half ironman this year. ohhhhh exciting I’m moving up to the adults races. I’ve done loads of sprint triathlons and 3 olympic distance races. I’ve been racing for a year and a half so I think I’m ready to give it a go. Ashburton Half Ironman My first one will be the South Island Half Ironman in Ashburton in November. I think they are changing the date to Nov 5th since [...]

An event put on by John Newsom to get Christchurch people active over the winter months after the earthquake. I think it’s a great idea. Although not too many people signed up – about 200 all up. It was pretty crap weather at the start of the day, wet and cold for the juniors at 10am. We were lucky, by the time it was 11am and the start of our race there was a patch [...]

Time for some new runners since my old K-Swiss Kona and Keahou are getting a bit old. Swapped the blue for the red K-Ona S this time. They have heaps of other colours available in other countries, but in NZ it’s only blue or red. I wish they had the ones that have the countries flags on them. Although the closest to NZ would be the Australan flag K-Ona shoe I’d still want it and [...]

I raced the Sydney age group World Champs race on Sunday. It was a quick visit, flying over Sat morning and back on Monday night. Now I’m very tired and can’t wait to hit the sack! Results: 2:31:12, 16th in age group 1500m swim / 40km bike / 10km run Sydney triathlon results I arrived on Sat morning and went straight to the hotel room. I was staying with Emma and Chris Rathbone. Lucky they [...]

I’m heading over to race in the Sydney ITU age group race this Sunday. Part of it’s racing on the Olympic course which is pretty cool and we get to race over the Sydney harbour bridge. That’s sounds good too, but also could be scary windy. The last race I did with a bridge in it was in the Catlins and I came off my bike! But lucky for me I still managed to win [...]

I thought it was just a normal occurrence, that when you go for a 2 hour+ run everyone gets chafing from their clothes. That’s what’s been happening for a while and I just use the good old Body Glide or anti-chafing cream before training. But ahha! I’ve had some Icebreaker shorts for a month now and they are great. I didn’t think anything of them as I’ve been running only in those shorts for the [...]

I just received this by email and it gave me a giggle so thought I’d share it. Geonet/Christchurch Earthquake is your homepage People all over the country offer you a place to stay “Munted” and “buggered” are official technical terms You go ‘pfffff’ when Wellington has a 4.5 earthquake that’s 40km deep You see a nice park in another city and think it would make a good evacuation point You sleep in one suburb, shower [...]

Olympic Distance Triathlon 1500m swim / 40km bike / 10km run PB 2 hours 24 mins 14 seconds 4th in age group 3rd in overall triathlon series for my age group This is my ‘A’ race for the triathlon season. With a pretty interrupted lead up to the race I’ve been in a bit of a dream land. After the Feb 22nd earthquake in Christchurch this is how the 2 weeks before went: Christchurch earthquake [...]

This is a post by Scott about his race at IMNZ last week. His very first Ironman and he did awesome! 9 hours 14mins 57seconds and is off to Kona Ironman World Championships! You can see all the 2011 Kona qualifiers here Pre-race Up at 4:30 for breakfast 4 pieces of toast, peanut butter and jam. Mmmm Coffee (first in two weeks), this felt great and straight away got me focused. I arrived at transition [...]

Most of you reading this will be based in Christchurch so you know the devastation that has come with the Feb 24th 6.3 earthquake. I don’t want to dwell on it. It’s just such a sad time for all. I was on the 4th floor of a building in the CBD at the time. Along with about 52,000 other people working in the CBD.    Air New Zealand has been great by putting on $50 [...]

Update: Ok since I wrote this post I have since been told this is a myth! Now I don’t know what to believe! What does everyone else think? Under desk or beside? Under bed or beside? Under door frame? So it seems this email has been doing the rounds and it was on Campbell Live or Close Up because so many people were taking it as gospel. The experts here were quite concerned that people [...]

Sports massage I’m feeling much better after a slow week last week. I’ve had 2 of my now regular Monday massages and I’m feeling really good. She didn’t go super hard on the first one, but last Monday she gave my muscles a good deep sports massage. I’ve had 2 good training sessions since then – 2 hour bikes and runs off the bike. And they felt so good – well they did feel like [...]

After talking with a friend and my sister I’ve been thinking about alternatives to milk. Not that I’m totally off milk. Just so I don’t have it as much. And after hearing all the bad things about soy milk I’ve decided to make some almond milk. So here we go! Ingredients 1 cup soaked almonds 2 cups water 2 medjool dates 1 tsp vanilla 1. Purchase a nut milk bag You can purchase this bag [...]

Talking with my coach he has decided I should have some time off training. I’ve been feeling flat for a while with no real reason. I’m not obviously injured, although I do have a wee annoyance behind my right knee. My race in Kinloch last weekend was average. I got 5th in my age group and I really need to pick that up for Nationals in Wellington on March 12th. “If you can’t accept losing [...]

The Contact Triathlon Series held a race in Christchurch for the first time today. It was held at the Pegasus man-made lake. The day started fine but a little chilly, 9 degrees when I left home at 6.30am. Temperatures were soon into the twenties and over 400 people were getting ready for races ranging from the children’s Contact 1:2:1 to the 3:9:3 and the trophy sprint distance events (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run). I [...]

Scott and I travelled down to Wanaka Thursday afternoon. Friday turned out to be perfect weather. Really hot though. It was a high of 28 degrees. My race – Wanaka Contact sprint triathlon 750m / 20km / 5km My race – the sprint triathlon started at 3:40pm and it was still really hot.  The water was flat as a pancake. I took my spot on the far left looking out the the water. I wanted [...]

This weekend is once of the great triathlon weekends in New Zealand. Friday Jan 14th: Contact 3 : 9 : 3: 300m swim / km bike / 3km run Contact Trophy Sprint Triathlon: 750m swim / 20km bike (5 laps) / 5km run (2 laps) Contact Elite Sprint Triathlon: 750m swim / 20km bike (5 laps) / 5km run (2 laps) Saturday Jan 15th: Lake Wanaka Half:1.9km swim / 90km bike / 21km run Challenge [...]

Scott helped me put on my new ISM Peloton saddle last night. I watched this video which is a great help and shows pointers of what you should be doing. There are a few things to note, like the level of the rails under the saddle and the height. Below is the video to help you set it up correctly on your bike. With my Avanti I couldn’t get the seat to go down enough [...]

I was very lucky for Christmas this year! A few of them were triathlon related – Scott gave me an ISM Adamo Peloton saddle for my bike and the new Blueseventy Flare togs. I love them and I can’t wait to get the new saddle on my bike and try it out. I had no idea he was getting me that. They are known for making long rides a lot more comfortable. So I’ll try [...]

My neice raced in her first duathlon at school. She’s only 5 so the distances are only short. So cute! Here she is with the future budding athletes!

We had the Christchurch Triathlon Festival last Sunday (19th Dec). One of the main sponsors was John Bull Cycles – bike shop in Christchurch. I think it was their first time sponsoring a triathlon event and I hope they continue! John Rastrick was at the event with 2 Avanti tents and loads of gels and gear for sale if anyone needed last minute gear. A few days before the race John gave me some of [...]

My boyfriend Scott (McNab) bought his first time trial bike only a few weeks ago now. He had one race on it – the South Island Half Ironman. Before that race he had trouble fitting our race wheels on because of the brakes. Apparently on the new model of bike they have changed this, but with his current model you need to file down the brake pads a hell of a lot or change the [...]

It was another gorgeous day in Christchurch with a high of about 30 degrees. What am I doing on a wind trainer? I had a swim this morning, about 1.5 hours at Jellie Park then off to the hairyLemon office for the day. After working behind a computer all day I can’t say I get excited about a long bike ride. But if it’s outside around the beautiful scenery of the Port Hills  it’s 100% [...]

It was a lovely evening for race 2 of the Surf n Turf series last night. This Wednesday my boss Graham had signed up too. He bought his first wetsuit a few days ago, but hasn’t swam in the open water yet. We have told him it’s a bit different that swimming in the pool – but I don’t think he realises yet how different it is. Noone does until you get in and see [...]

I’ve picked my races for the 2010 / 2011 triathlon season. Could be useful for anyone out there who is wanting to find a local race this Summer. Some great motivation to start exercising and tone up for the beach! 1. Triathlon Festival Christchurch (19th Dec 2010) I recommend doing this race, Pegasus is such a nice place to swim and the run is a nice flat one around the edge of the lake. This [...]

Last night was the first race of the Christchurch Surf n Turf series. They have lots of races going on at the same time. Last nights options were: Short run – 3km Long run – 5km Short course ocean swim – 400m Long ocean swim – 900m Short aquathon – 400m swim + 3km run Long aquathon – 900m swim + 5.5km run Multisport surf ski / kayak Scott and I entered the long aquathon (900m [...]

In Scotts lead up to Taupo Ironman he did the Karapiro Half Ironman last weekend. He did so well, came 6th with the 4th fastest run time. Which is amazing considering he has been injured for so long now and has only been able to run for a short time. It feels like only a month that he’s been able to run properly. So this is exciting with the prospect of him doing well in [...]