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 [...]

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’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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 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% [...]

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 [...]

Well I’m home from my month long trip around Europe and back to the shaky Christchurch. Time has just flown since I’ve been back! I hope people haven’t had too much damage from the earthquakes and that you are all ok. I just want to thank everyone for all your help and support over the winter months. I really appreciate all your help motivation, I couldn’t have gone without all of you! Canterbury Triathlon Awards [...]

So it’s finally time to fly out of NZ! I’ve never been on a flight longer than 3.5 hours so a 30 hour flight is a bit nerve racking for me. This week has been filled with errands. No spare time, with training and getting everything ready to leave. Yip, I always leave everything to the last minute. It’s human nature, or is it just me? Christchurch Earthquake This morning we had a 7.4 scale [...]

Twenty-nine year old Debi Hazelden is off to Budapest in September to represent New Zealand at the 2010 World Triathlon Champs – but she needs Canterbury’s help to get there! Debi was selected to represent New Zealand after winning her age group event at the National Triathlon Sprint Championships in Kinloch in February – just three months after she started formally training with a coach. “I have been around social sports since I was a [...]

The weather is so pretty wet here in Christchurch over the past week. 4 degrees these days and snowing in the hills! So cold it makes me remember that I don’t really like the NZ winters. I always think it’s so nice during the summer and then the winter hits… I’ve never had to train during a NZ winter yet so here we go – my first one! I’m asking for everyones help – we [...]

During the winter months it gets dark too early to bike outside after work. In the weekends, my fingers are crossed for a day without rain on the Sunday so I can bike outside. Last weekend here in Christchurch was a wet one. On Sat I did an hour run which was nice in the rain. Running isn’t too bad in the wet since your body temperature rises quite a bit. On the Sunday, I [...]

I’m proud to announce I’m now part of Team John Bull. A great bike shop on Moorhouse Ave in Christchurch. They stock everything you need as a cyclist, including some lovely bike porn to go in and drool over.  I’ll be doing that in the next month as I need a new bike to take to Budapest in September. The bike I’m after will be in the range of $4,500 – $10,000 so a super [...]

Last week we travelled to Wanaka for a good friends (and partners cousin) wedding. They have been planning this for a while. Since I lived with them I wasn’t expecting much of a surprise, but wooah it was so amazing. Absolutely perfect day and I was even holding back a few tears as they walked down the isle. They both looked so great it all seems so surreal now. Wanaka is so pretty. I went [...]

I just had this movie emailed to me by my coach Graham Park. Great movie since I’m off to Budapest in Sept!

Training for a triathlon requires us to fit training for swimming, cycling and running into each week. Enough training to help you improve. The question is: How do I fit this into my already hectic life? So you already have a full time job and other commitments; Seeing friends, working, overtime, studying, renovating, running errands, going out for drinks, going out for dinner, spending time with your partner, gardening, cleaning, kids, the list goes on. [...]

I’ve made a list of the places where beginner triathletes can cut down their time. These are all easy things, which I used to do when starting out. 1. Wear the Clothes You Want to Race in Under Your Wetsuit This is an easy way to cut down your race time. I used to do this, wear my swimming togs while swimming and put on shorts and a top to go onto the cycle. Putting [...]