Big Day

I ran in the Race to the Taste fun run this morning (6km).  I did better than I thought I would and finished 2nd female. My plan all along was to do the fun run and then follow up with the pier swim, 90 minutes later.  It was a 1.2km swim around the Docks area near Salamanca Place.  I entered the swim before I could change my mind (and before I looked at the murky water).

It wasn’t too cold with a wetsuit, the water just tasted like petroleum.  I was pretty tired- I swam ok (although in more of a zig-zag pattern than a straight line apparently).  It was two laps of a rectangular pattern.  The big yellow buoys just didn’t seem to get any closer!  

Donna

Festive Season

I like this time of year but life gets a little more hectic…apart from Christmas, the school holidays upset my routine! This is the first year since my children started school that I’ve been working as well, so I’m trying to manage one day at a time.

I was running around the streets of Sandy Bay last night, cooling down for 10 minutes after a hard session on the grass, and I was passed by a P-plated Ute carrying a few young passengers. One of them called out to me: ‘EAT SOME FOOD!’

I took it as a compliment and decided they would be surprised how much I would eat once I got home.

Donna

Swim, ride, run

I did my first triathlon of the season (and my second ever) last weekend at Seven Mile Beach.  It was a ’sprint’ distance but not for me…750m swim, 20km ride, 5km run.

On the whole it was great fun, but the swim leg wasn’t!  I’m confident in the water but the sea was choppy and I drank enough salt water to make up for any electrolytes lost during the later stages of the race. 

The bike leg was my favourite- apart from when I ran the bike off the road and into the gravel on the turn. I passed a few riders though and enjoyed the flat and sheltered course.

I’d had enough by the run!  5km was long enough.  Trying to run after riding 20km on the bike is as close as I’ve experienced to competing in the steeplechase.  I was just glad I didn’t have to jump over anything.

Donna

Baby Steps

I am pleased with my improvement recently.  My running sessions are getting faster and  I’m getting a bit more comfortable on the bike as well.  I have been on a couple of small group rides and I am learning fast from some more experienced riders.  I don’t mind the uphill parts- it’s the downhill that makes me nervous.  Being told that baby oil on your legs is a good idea because it helps you slide across the road didn’t make me feel any better!  That being said, I think I’ll try it next time just in case.

Donna

Weekend of young athletic talent

I am looking forward to watching the Australian All Schools and Youth Athletics Championships (the All Schools for short) in Hobart this weekend.

I will be presenting the medals to the place getters in the steeplechase events on Friday and Sunday evenings.

My first national championship was in 1990 when the All Schools were also held in Hobart.  I was 13 years old and a bit annoyed I didn’t get to travel anywhere!  It was one of my proudest athletics memories.  It was pouring with rain and I won a bronze medal in the Under 15 3000m in 10.22, lowering my best time by more than 40 seconds.  

I didn’t think I’d still be competing nearly 20 years later!

Donna