Off they come...

Its happening all around me. People are coming off their bikes left right and centre. A lady I work with who we describe as a christmas tree on 2 wheels was knocked off by a policeman!! Yep, you heard me right. Crazy. Then on the weekend my other half was riding along and managed to go into a corner just that bit too quick, found a bit of gravel, and have a look at the result!
Poor boy. However, Im still yet to work it out, but the brand new Liquigas Team gear he was wearing for only the second time... the worst it had on it was blood and grease. No holes, no tears, nothing. Amazing. He was another story though, holes and tears in his shoulder, back, hand, and hip.... he's presently sporting a 20cm bruise across his hip, which for someone who never bruises is impressive to say the least.

As for me. Safetly on the saddle. I did my ride (maxed at 61km/hr coming down the hill and the whole time was thinking DONT COME OFF, DONT COME OFF, DONT COME OFF!!) tackled some decent hills and a headwind. Completed my 50km's and still felt good. Its a shame I didn't have the time to keep going, as I think I had another 20ish km's in my legs yet. All fares well for the TDU ride.

Exciting. I have been able to ride to work regularly now too which helps me heaps. So todays plan... ride in, run home, gym tomorrow morning then ride home tomorrow night. Its great. After all the injuries and hassles Ive been having to finally get back to some decent exercise is wonderful.

Time ticks away though, every day Im closer to getting my ankle recon, so I best make the most of the time I have hey? Before I have to sit tight for 3 months!

Tour Down Under Ride 2010

So this is the ride... now, Im only doing the 111km from Woodside but I have a feeling that might be challenging enough!!

Im a slacker!

Im the first to put my hand up and say it... Ive been a slacker. Sorry.

Not exercise wise, just my blog.... that said... since Ive been back in Adelaide the weather has been getting better and better... Im loving the approaching summer and have been making the most of it.

I completed my rego yesterday for the Tour Down Under ride, 111km of it... one of the boys from our group is trying to convince me to do 164km, but to be honest, Im not sure that I would make it that far!!! Seriously. I parted with my hard earned $145, but figure that the event itself will be worth it, let alone the training rides on the way, the new jersey and the day off work!! :-)

We have been riding regularly as a bunch on Sundays, now that Im not so much of a wimp, I might get in a midweek ride (weather allowing - see, told you I was a wimp!) as well... keeping on top of my commuting to work should see me right.

Sundays ride was tough, it was 60km, which isn't too far in the cycling world, but in the Sue world when you're trying to keep up with all boys its a challenge. Got home from it in one piece tho, SMASHED a protein shake smoothie and chucked on my compression tights. Still had empty legs for yesterdays ride to work, but I also have a feeling it might have something to do with my blood donation last week as well.... they say you can't do it all, but Im fairly confident Im going to try!

There WILL be hissy fits if the hospital give me an early call up for my ankle surgery though. Fair warning.

A week does wonders!

So as I suspected, a week up on the Gold Coast has done wonders not only for my motivation, but also for the size of my bum and my fitness too!

Warm weather is so enticing. Getting out of bed at 6.30am isn't a chore when its SO beautiful out. I had a ball, I love the great outdoors, and going for 3 runs in a week was the first time I have done this outside in so long. Beats the treadmills any day!

Running with fellow exercise enthusiasts is not only motivating but also keeps you in check. Ain't no slacking when there are other people watching, let me assure you. Towards the end of the week, the runners around me started to change from the shufflers and the trotters to the lean, mean kind that stride out and make things look really really easy! Yes, the Gold Coast half ironman was coming to town, and so were the people that were competing. It made me realise just how much I still want to do that.... it also reaffirmed my goal to firstly run a half marathon, then to back it up with a half ironman.

Now to get that ankle fixed!