Maybe in Oz

Sometime late in 2017 I made the decision to try and run a 5k every day in 2018.  Inspired by friends who were running one a month, and others who run much more than that.  Little did I know the challenge that lay ahead. Day 1: (don't worry, we won't rehash all of them...) New Years Day in beautiful Cradle Mountain, Tasmania.  Early morning run in a truly spectacular setting, with a monster hangover.  Great plan!  But it can only get better from here right? New Years Eve.  What could possibly go wrong with running 5k the next morning! Cradle Mountain, Tasmania.  Not a bad spot for a run (minus the hangover) The next big obstacle was the Audax 140km bike ride in the mountains outside of Bright.  An early morning climb up Mt. Buffalo and then decending back to Bright before 2 more climbs up the front and back of Tawonga Gap. After a long day in the saddle there was still a run to do.  Not my fastest, but still ticked the legs over ...

Last weekend Phil participated in the Ironman Triathlon in Busselton, Western Australia.  This was his seventh Ironman, but it was by far the most crazy that we have been a part of. We flew in to Perth and drove the 2.5 hours South to Busselton.  Phil checked in that afternoon and got his race bags and number.  Saturday morning he turned them all in, one for the bike, one for the run, special needs bags for each, and a street bag for after the race.  There is a lot of organisation involved in these races and it's always amazing when he doesn't forget something.  He did a practice swim to get used to the wetsuit and water temperature and claimed to be looking forward to the 3.8 km swim the following morning. Phil checking out the swim course The Busselton Shoreline Game face Love this Ironman Quilt at the local patchwork shop - perhaps they can add a shark! Ironsherpa in action Sunday morning we got up at 4:30 am, which was a lot easier tha...

From the Ironman- One day I will train properly for these silly races… This race was put on the schedule as it was the last full Ironman distance in Australia that I had not completed.  I did the 70.3 a few years ago and really enjoyed it, and also we were due for a holiday. I signed up for this race long before all of the drama of the cancellation of IM Melbourne and everyone being reallocated to this race or Port Mac a few weeks ago. Additionally, my parents wanted to come out and see me race again and to see the Great Barrier Reef (while it still exists).  We left the house early on Friday morning for a 9am flight.  It was a damn good thing we did as there was a semi truck fire on the freeway that closed it down during the morning rush hour.  As we sat in the lounge watching the chaos on TV and also watching all the bikes headed over to oversize baggage, the race brain began to kick in. The flight was full of triathletes and there is always a nervous buzz of...

Happy 40th Birthday to my favourite (and only) husband.  40 is a big birthday, it's one of those where you get together with friends and family to celebrate.  Since we're far away from most of them, I gathered pictures from them all so they could still be part of this day. Why Hi Phil?  Phil has a thing for blondes, especially with pony tails.  Whenever we see a hot blonde I tend to whisper to him "Hi Phil" as they swish by.  One day I randomly ended up at a charity lunch where Tenley Molzahn from one of the Bachelor shows was helping.  Phil had a giant crush on her when I forced him to watch the show, so I gave $20 to the charity for a picture of her with a Hi Phil sign.  He couldn't believe it.  And so the Hi Phil began. So Phil, from all your friends and family, happy 40th! The original - Tenley Molzahn Code Red Coworkers Code Red Coworkers Aunt Cheri, Uncle Paul, cousins Lisa and Robbie The coffee girls near work ...