Give Away Winner

Congratulations to Alice for winning the Photo card Give Away.  I have left a message on your blog with my contact details so I can arrange shipping!

Thank you to everyone for entering.  I will do this again in a couple of months.

The cards Alice chose were...

xox

Back to Start Running

Thanks so much for everyone for participating in my Question Day yesterday.  It was a lot of fun for me to read everyone's replies.  I'm going to do it every Thursday.

Now, I don't really like to gripe and be negative on here.  I am trying to create a positive uplifting place.  But I have to have a gripe today...

If you are an accomplished runner, one who can already run 5kms at a decent pace, or who runs several times a week for an hour at a time - DON'T JOIN A START RUNNING GROUP AND MAKE EVERYONE ELSE FEEL LIKE CRAP!

Ok, I feel better now.  10 people turned up for the start of Term 3 of Start Running.  2 of us had been there before but not completed the 10 week block due to injury/illness.  Three were new to running but already had a reasonable amount of fitness.  One had been a runner but had had a year off.  And 4 were good runners and I want them to leave...  There is an intermediate running group going at the same time - these people should be in that.  But it's not up to me.

Anyway, as it was the first week we just did some laps of the path near the YMCA where we meet.  The path is a 1.3km there and back loop.  The group did it 3 times, I did it 2.5 times.  I have lost SO much running fitness.  I really thought the increases I have made on the bike would offset the lack of running, but no such luck.  I tried keeping up with the group on the first lap as we started "slow" (or David's definition of slow anyway).  I managed about 300 metres before my lungs felt like they were going to explode.  As a group we alternated between walking and running, but I just couldn't keep up - again.

I am really angry at myself for stopping and letting myself lose so much fitness.  I have not really had an excuse.  A few little injuries but nothing that should have kept me away for this long.  I am so disappointed in myself.  I had a chat with David - the leader of the group - and he said that I have improved before and I can do it again, I just have to be willing to put the work in.  Which is 2 runs in the week, plus Start Running on Thursday nights.  I need to get myself a pair of sneakers that actually fit.  And I need to just suck it up and get out there, even if it is 4 degrees and raining.

So I am going to take this anger and disappointment and turn it into something positive.  I am going to run twice a week in between the Group.  I am going to ride.  I am going to find a yoga class to join to work on my flexibility.  And above all - I am going to STOP EATING SO MUCH CRAP!!!!!

There, I said it.  No more crap.  I am not as fit as I thought I was, and I am not as healthy as I thought I was.  And the time to change things is now.

xox

Don't forget, just a few days left in the Photo Card Give Away.  Make sure you tell me your favourites.

xox

Getting to Know Each Other - Question Day

I got this idea from Spunky Suzi.  Each week she has a day where she asks 5 questions in an effort to get to know her readers and encourage participation.  I love the idea so I am "Borrowing" it from her. :o)

So here are the questions.  I'll answer them in the first comment then I would love to hear your answers.

Enjoy.

1)  What did you have for breakfast today?
2)  What is your favourite Pizza Topping?
3)  Do you have pets?
4)  What is your favourite exercise?
5)  What is your favourite sandwich filling?

Before you go, don't forget to enter my Give Away if you haven't already!

xox

Aiming for 100

Ever since I started seriously riding over 2 years ago I have talked about doing a 100km ride. Well, time to stop talking and start DOING! Before 2010 is out I will have ridden 100kms in 1 day. My PB to date is around 75kms and that was well over a year and a half ago. This weekend just gone I did 42kms. I figure if I add 5-10kms every couple of weeks, I will easily be there by the end of the year.

This Saturday is a ride day and I want to do at least 50kms.  I need to go to the Library and then I thought I would visit my Grandma in the Nursing Home.  My place, to the library, to Grandma's, to home is a little over 50kms I think.  I don't mind if it takes me all day.  I just want to rack up those kms.  Each day I do a big ride is one step close to the goal of 100.

Yesterday I finished working on my next Children's Picture Book story and was brave and sent it to a publisher.  I sent it to the same publisher that did not accept my first one.  It is very different to the first one though so I am hoping to get a better response.  The first one is currently with my second choice of publishers.  But while I am waiting the agonising 4 months to hear back from these places, I will start working on the next one.  I have a few in draft form, I just need to work out which one I will work on next.

Don't forget to check out the Give Away I am running for 3 free "Photo Cards by Kylie Ann".  Competition runs until Sunday night.

xox

Give Away

I have decided to do a Give Away of a set of 3 of my Photo Cards.

Below is all the cards I have currently in stock.  All you need to do to win is leave a comment stating what are your three favourite cards from the ones pictured below by Sunday July 25 (this Sunday).  I will then do a random draw from all the entrants and the winner will receive the three that they have selected.

GOOD LUCK!

Blue Wren

Calla Lily

Champagne

Chocolate

Flamingo

Holly Hock

Japanese Flowers

Lemur

Meer Cat

Penguin Love

Pink Rose Bud

Purple Flowers

Rose Bud

Sunset at Port Victoria

xox