6weeks with Anja and an exciting new sponsor. Welcome SMASHFEST QUEEN :)

Well its over 6weeks now since Anja was born and wow has she changed our lives :)  Pregnancy and labour was definitely not a walk in the park but its all worth it in the end.  It is true that no matter how painful their entry is you soon do forget all about it!
I won't go on and on about the labour but it didn't go how i imagined.  People say if the pregnancy is hard the labour will be a walk in the park.  Well it wasn't.  I have learnt that you just need to go with the flow with these things.  I had all these ideas about what i wanted, drug free etc but it wasn't meant to be.  Heading in to the labour i knew it wasn't going to be smooth sailing.  With a cracked rib i was already in a bit of pain, also absolutely exhausted from 2months of illness prior.  But she was coming out one way or another.
Within 30minutes of them breaking my waters things were really starting to ramp up, something odd happened and my contractions were non stop!  This I'm told is by no means normal and meant no chance to have a wander around, or take a chance to relax, recover, or just plain and simple not be in pain!  Without me even asking for drugs it was obvious they were needed.  Before i knew it they had called the anesthetist and he was busy trying to tell me to sit still so they could give me an epidural.  The problem was i was in so much pain i couldn't do anything anyone was asking of me.  It truly felt like my insides were splitting.  I remember Glen trying to hold me up and me vomiting.  As you can imagine its hard to remain completely still when you are vomiting haha.  Anyway eventually the epidural was able to be put in and i could somewhat relax.  I was started on the lowest dose so that i could still feel everything and know when to push etc.  What seemed like would be a quick labour because of the intense non stop contractions ended up around 10hours.
Anja had a rough time on her way out also.  She was very stuck.  They had to use a suction cup and even then when her head was out (which i was sure they must of pulled off) her body wouldn't follow. After what felt like a lifetime she was yanked out and rushed away, so no contact time for me :(  She wasn't making a lot of noise and so was rushed off to NICU.  She needed to be put on a machine to help her breath, as well as antibiotics and a drip.  It was a very strange sad feeling being left in a room without your baby who was finally out but not with you.  About an hour later i was wheeled to NICU in my bed and allowed to stick my hand through the incubator to touch her.  To be honest i was feeling pretty worn out and sick and don't remember much other than seeing my poor wee Anja looking terrible.  The doctors told me she was completely fine but it didn't look like it.

The next week was very long with the first two nights spent back and fourth from my lonely bed in the maternity ward to down in NICU seeing Anja, then she was allowed back with me but kept on a bili blanket for her jaundice.  After yet another week in hospital to add to my earlier stints we were definitely ready to come home.

Since she has been home she's been very ill with reflux, so the day is spent feeding, cleaning spew then re feeding to make up for what she's lost.  She has such a strong wee personality though and even though i have spent the better part of 6weeks up most of the night with her, holding her upright she is such a chilled baby always going with the flow.

On to the triathlon side of things.  Its been a bit tricky to get back in to training like i wanted as she started off not eating well (but having her tongue tie snipped fixed all that), and she doesn't sleep too well as her belly is always sore.  There is no place i would rather be though than making sure she is ok. Its amazing how fast the days go and how little sleep you can function on when its simply what you have to do!  I do manage to get around 5hours a week done at the moment though and as she improves that will increase.

Now on to some VERY exciting news.  I have a new sponsor coming onboard this season.  I would like to welcome SMASHFEST QUEEN. www.smashfestqueen.com
They are sponsoring my training and race apparel.  The brand is designed and owned by Hillary Biscay (ironman and ultra ironman champion, as well as finishing over 60 ironmans) and Michele Landry (also an ironman finisher and endurance fanatic, as well as a brand new mum :) )They are based in the US.  I first started wearing Smashfest Queen in 2014 and absolutely loved it.  Its really comfortable and fun to wear.  Not like a lot of the boring plain stuff you see these days.  I get so many people commenting on it when i race.  I am looking forward to continuing to train and race in their gear as well as checking out their causal wear.  Hopefully i will see more and more athletes wearing Smashfest Queen in New Zealand supporting the brand.  Dont assume its just for the girls as there is a really cool mens range out as well, and now some items for the small people in your lives so Anja is going to look very stylish.  Check out their website.

I have some big goals about getting back in to training and racing this summer so it will be interesting to see how it goes. I think I'm going to just have to cruise with the motto "take each day as it comes".

Trying to remain active while Pregnant! The ugly truth...

Sitting here over 35weeks pregnant i realize the fact that it has been a VERY long time since i posted anything.  My last post was in October last year following Challenge Weymouth.  I had started off my summer 2014/2015 training well with a few of my favorite events through out December and start of January with some great results but early January i found out that i was around a month pregnant.  Everything as i knew it was about to change.  I definitely had a false expectation of what the upcoming 9months would be like.  I had in my mind and especially after reading several pregnant triathletes blogs that i was going to remain fairly active through out being able to swim bike and run.  At a more leisurely pace of course but that exercise in some form would still be a part of my daily routine.  Oh how wrong was i!

Once i found out i was pregnant i immediately got back in to full time work to save for the upcoming bubs.  The change from training outside a lot to being inside most of the day standing on my feet working took its toll.  But i think i was still getting in around 3-5hours training a week in those first few weeks and feeling great.

I then got hit by morning sickness.  Which as many of you probably know can be more like all day sickness :)  For basically 6 weeks all day every day i spent the hours curled up on the sofa or in bed.  My fitness totally went out the window at this stage.  Once that ended i tried to get back in to a little bit of exercise but it added to nothing much.  As the days got shorter i was only really able to jog or swim either side of work if i had the energy which ended up being maybe 2-3times a week for maybe 30mins.  I didn't fancy trying to ride my bike in the cold and dark plus it seemed to be very uncomfortable, even on the wind trainer.  I think the last time i got out on my road bike was March!

Looking forward to getting back out riding in Central Otago again :)

Next up after the morning sickness i started getting really bad headaches and dizzy spells at work.  Who knows whether it was standing for 8hrs a day on the hard concrete floors at the pool, the chlorine or the heat!  Its actually a great place to be working in the middle of winter as its so nice and hot but with the pregnancy it wasn't agreeing with me.
Lucky just around the corner was a trip to Europe with Glen for 4weeks.  This 4weeks at the end of my 2nd, start of 3rd trimester was probably the best i have felt through out the pregnancy.  It was relaxing and i was able to get in a few jogs, swims and MTB rides.

Since I've been back home for the last 4weeks i have been really crook in and out of hospital, doctors, midwife appointments with chest infections, pulled muscles in back and tummy and now the past week some weird reflux thing where i spend a lot of the time running to the toilet!  All you can do is laugh though through this whole process.  On the funny side we just had our bathroom renovated and the edge of the bath is the perfect height and distance away from the toilet to sit on when your head is down the loo.

Today was a big win…after 4weeks of no exercise again i managed to go for a 30minute aqua jog with my sister.  Its crazy how something so simple like this can make you feel human again.  Having a really supportive family and partner makes all the difference.  Poor Glen still has to go to work all day after being awake most of the night listening to me.  I think we may actually get more sleep once the baby arrives :)

It is after all only 9months of your life and at the end of it you get this cool new wee human to hang out with.  Its made me realise just how much i love and miss exercising.  Although staying active during my pregnancy hasn't really worked for me i have learned to accept the fact that everyone is really different.  I have huge motivation to get back in to training and racing this summer and all the new challenges i will face with having to fit around our baby.

Exciting times ahead.  Watch this space.

Challenge Weymouth 3weeks post race!

After a two week break from training extended by another week with being crook i am really looking forward to getting stuck in summer racing in New Zealand.

First just a brief review of my race at Challenge Weymouth.  After Ironman Copenhagen my plans changed from flying straight home to adding one more race to the trip so off to the UK i went.  I had a blast in London for a week with my great mate Sara and then went 10days staying in Portland getting ready for the race.
Race day really didn't plan out as i hoped it would.  I was feeling great and Copenhagen seemed nothing but a distant memory.  I definitely felt like the 3weeks between them was enough.  But in the end i struggled all day with a sore lower back finishing in 5th place in a race i thought i could of been more competitive.

Race morning was very windy with the sea looking very rough causing the swim to be shortened to a 1900m 2lap course.  I am pretty sure i like many others would of been out there for a lot further than that as i ended up washed up down shore both laps!  It was an amusing swim though.  On to the bike i was feeling great and got up to speed catching a couple of girls very early on in the first couple of kms. Once i hit only 10km though i suddenly started getting a really sore lower back.  I couple of times i even got off the bike to try and stretch it but no matter what i did it wasn't going away.  It then started radiated down my legs and i felt as though i had no power at all.  I spent most of the ride feeling sorry for myself that i couldn't hammer the bike like i had been looking forward to. Especially on the hilly course.  I groveled my way around, many times wanting to pull out but somehow got myself to transition 2.

The run wasn't any better which i was pretty sad about as i haven't yet been able to put my legs together on the run.  The pain was getting so bad that when i had to make a toilet stop i was pretty much lying down in the port-a-loo and thought i was going to have to kick the door open to ask for a hand back up!   There was nothing i could do but have a chuckle and get to the finish line.

Well done to the girls on the podium.  They deserved to be there.  Not much more else to say about the race other than:
If you are going to race pro don't get one of your supporters to ride around the bike course with you.  It was surely noted by more than just me and its such bad form aka cheating!  I would say that probably applies to everyone no matter what category you enter in.

A massive thank you to Patrick and Rachel for hosting me in Portland.  Was a great wee place to set up for a few days training and get ready for the race.

A few weeks now to get back in to the swing of things and get ready for the next race.

Thanks to
CYCLEWORLD DUNEDIN
KINETIC HEALTH
SHOE CLINIC DUNEDIN
VO2COACH
Aloe Up Sun and Skincare
Nathan Performance Gear
For your continued support.
Check these guys out.  They really know their stuff!

Ironman Copenhagen

After two more Olympic Distance hit outs (Erlanger and Mainfranken) in Germany placing 2nd in both i was definitely ready for something a bit longer.  Two weeks to freshen up, head to Copenhagen and race an ironman.  Its always sad leaving Germany as its such a great place for training, great people and usually great weather :)

In Copenhagen i was lucky enough to have Jan as my home stay and also help from Uffe (last years home stay) which made getting to all the necessary things during race week easy and stress free.  Also great support crew on race day.

On to the race.
The swim was amazingly good for me! I made a conscious effort right from the start to try and swim as fast as i could and hold on as long as i could to avoid swimming alone.  It worked and i exited the water in 54mins.  Although i still managed to swim off course again like last year although this time because i was following the others in front!  Second out of the water with Daniela Ryf leaving us for dust.

photo: Martin Paldan

On to the bike with Sophie Goos, i tried to keep her in sight and it worked for around 70km, even taking the lead at one stage but my technical skills in the rolling suburbs with all the corners was rubbish and i lost touch.  Was definitely a very windy bike ride with no real tail wind break for very long but i was enjoying it none the less.  Apart from a nagging feeling that my brakes were ever so slightly rubbing every time my wheel turned! Which was a lot!  Definitely miss not having my Cycle World Dunedin guys here to keep my S Works Shiv in tip top shape.  Bike and wheel got a bit of a knock on the flight over and was not playing nice.  Second and final loop of the bike i was really starting to feel the struggle in the legs…maybe the wheel or maybe the fact i was having a shocker nutrition wise and had ran out of drink twice with over 30mins each time no fluid! Rookie mistakes or blonde mistakes, take your pick :)

photo: Martin Paldan

Was a lonely ride other than passing a few people on their first lap and it was pretty hard to tell where the other pro women were.  In the last 10k i nearly had a big crash with a few road barriers blowing over and when i quickly moved to avoid them a lady on a MTB came at me from one direction while a car from the other! A big back wheel fish tail, a lot of swearing and me somehow staying upright i was on my way to T2.  I was really looking forward to the marathon part for once in my life but my legs had a whole different idea of what was going to happen!

As soon as i took off on the run in 3rd place, i could tell my legs were not going to do what i know they are now capable of these days.  They were so heavy and cramping from my butt to my calf!   I kept thinking any minute i was going to fall over.  About 6km in to the run i could see 4th place Mareen Hufe wasn't too far behind and i really needed the toilet.  It was far too early in the marathon for the non toilet option so i made a pit stop and by the time i was out she had moved in to 3rd.  The second half of the marathon was very slow for me although i kept a consistent pace.  It was now all about just getting my aching body to the finish line and not losing any more places.  It wasn't my fastest time but am happy with a PB in the swim and bike.

Congrats to everyone that raced.  It was a windy, wet, sunny day!

Meant to be flying back to New Zealand today but coach Keegan has thrown a spanner in the works and instead i have changed my flights to London!  Couple of weeks to hang out with my good buddy and fellow Iron distance racer Sara and then on to Challenge Weymouth for another Iron distance event.  Nothing like spicing things up.

Germanys a hoot!

Time certainly flys when you are having fun and enjoying great weather.  Ive already been here for 2.5weeks, having competed in an Olympic Distance and Classic Distance triathlon, been to a world cup final soccer party….admittedly falling asleep and missing the end of the game, and watched the best Iron distance race in the world – Challenge Roth.

Making the long journey in the motor home back to Rednitzhembach (7hrs) today after the weekends race I thought I would put the fingers to the keyboard and look back at the last couple of races.

First up was the Karlsfelder OD Triathlon with a longer bike thrown in for fun.  This went pretty well despite feeling a tad knackered from the long haul flights over from New Zealand only a couple of days earlier.  I came away with 2^nd place and was happy enough with this.  The girl that ran past me around half way through the run was on a mission and I barely had time to think as she whipped by.  Very impressive stuff!

I have really been trying to work on my run over the last couple of months and I can definitely feel some improvements happening so looking forward to testing the legs out over the longer Iron distance again in a few weeks.

Next up was the big journey to Waren for the Muritz Classic Distance Triathlon which is  a 2km/80km/20km.  I didn’t realize it was so far away when entering but it was worth the trip.  A comfy ride in the Baum Family’s new motor home and a day of relaxing on the lake after the race made it a great weekend.  The race started at 12pm which was a new experience for me.  Getting a sleep in was great but feeling a little sluggish sitting around all morning waiting to get going was not so great.

The swim started off with a beach start with the men and women together.  It was really shallow and reminded me of Challenge Wanaka a couple of years back. My hopeless duck dives ended up with me eating sand and being trampled from behind.  That aside I just seemed to have an absolute shocker in water.  We had 2x 1km laps with a wee beach run in between.  After the first lap I got a 15min call, 2^nd girl.  Hmm shit I better swim faster this next lap! Not able to see anyone in front I knew the lead girl was already miles away.  Second lap done and a 33min call, 4mins down on lead girl SHIT I thought, should I just stop now! German camera men were yelling “where you been, where you been?!” was rather embarrassing! 

On to the bike and in a bit of a panic I made a plan to go absolutely as hard as I could until I found the lead girl.  This may not of been the best idea, as my legs were already feeling fried but I figured today was a good day to try the “go until you blow” theory.  Around 35km I caught her and was really paying for it.  The wind was getting really strong and the sun was melting me.

I survived until the end of the bike…just...and managed to get a gap on the second girl!  Right just a run to go then I can stand still J Going round and round in my head was don’t do your usual fade on the run and look like a staple! Am sick of being the girl who gets to the run and cant hold it together. The run was super hot and I felt as though I was running scared the whole time looking behind me which is stupid because one day im definitely going to fall over or run in to something doing that.  Some things never change though I guess as I always use to get a bollocking for looking out of the rowing boat at the other crews.  I managed to distance myself a little from the girls behind at every 5km turn around.  Every aid station I was grabbing as many cups of coke and water as i could.  Even my arms and legs were getting a load of coke. Figured it couldn’t hurt J

I was really happy to come away with 1^st place as I had been really tired heading in to this race but the body still managed to stay strong and do what was needed even though I thought I could collapse at any minute.  PAIN IS DEFINITELY ONLY TEMPORARY.  Now back to some good training, 2 Olympic distance races to go and then the biggy Ironman Copenhagen in 4weeks.

Big thanks to the Baums for taking me in to their home for the 4^th year and being great supporters at the races.

Keegan at Vo2coaching for always being a great support and pushing my body to what I sometimes don’t believe it can

Cycleworld for their help with Specialized products – aero is everything!

Casey at Kinetic Health for getting my body ready for Germany

Robbie and Stacey at Shoe Clinic Dunedin – finally think my feet are behaving in these shoes and Aloe Up Sun and Skin Care and Nathan Performance Gear for their great products

5 marathons in 5 weeks ending it in style at the Rustic Run!

Firstly a huge thank you to Terry Davis, Ed Stevens and all their team for putting together this amazing event.  They had so many different runs taking place at the same time giving plenty of options for everyone.  Everyone I know is always asking for great local events that are affordable to attend, have a good social aspect and great scenery.  The Wild Earth Ascent and Rustic Run answered this.  I really hope to see this event supported by a lot more local people next year.  I know it sure beats heading out for a lonely long run.

A big goal of mine this year is to work on my running for my Ironman racing.  Hence running 42k+ each weekend for the past few weeks.   When I heard about this race I wanted to be on that start line.  While it may seem crazy to go out and run this distance every weekend (although im guessing not to the people that took part in one of these events) having finally beaten my injury ive had for over 12months I couldn’t think of anything better.

On to the race…  Packing up the car and heading to central for the weekend is always a great change.  The weather in Dunedin had been so cold and damp and I couldn’t wait to get out of there!  Well I forgot that I mostly head to central in the summer and it was actually pretty freezing up there but was so still, with not a breath of wind.  Race morning came like any other and I was excited about the fact I was only running a marathon and didn’t have a whole ironman nor the 3.30am wake up call.

Out to the location at the Gold Miners Trails in the pitch black with the head torch on and it was time to go.  I was suddenly thinking what have I got myself in to? As I am far from a mountain goat with my running ability and was sure I was going to fall over a million times.  Luckily I had only signed up for the Rustic Run and not the Wild Earth Ascent J (maybe next year).  My marathon race consisted of 8x 5 and a bit km loops.  They were a great change from the roads I am use to.  Made up of wider trails, rocky parts, single tracks, grass and some good wee hills up and down, all making the time go by.  There was also the option of a half marathon around the loops or straight up the mountain!

As I got around each lap the hills got bigger and the legs were turning to jelly but there was always a group of friendly spectators to send you on your next lap and Glen there to hand me my goodies.  The great thing about this event is you can set up your own aid station and drink and eat what you like J Proud to say I didn’t fall over once, only a few close calls and actually really enjoyed all those laps, coming away with the win.  Definitely a must do race to put on your calendar for next June.  Hope to see you all there.  Big ups to my sponsors Kinetic Health, Shoe Clinic Dunedin, Nathan Performance Gear, Aloe Up and Cycle World Dunedin who all keep me in this sport.

Happy running

Tams

2weeks post Ironman Australia AND welcome to my new sponsor KINETIC HEALTH

Since my last post i realised i have done 3 triathlons so thought it was time for a look back at what i have done!
First up was Challenge Batemans Bay in the middle of March.  It was a whirlwind few days.  First Glen and i set off on a few flights to Sydney then jumped in a car and drove the 3+hours to Batemans Bay.  Arriving in the dark after a long day of travel we set off for a wee jog.  Nice and warm, super :)  I enjoyed this race.  It had a good tough bike course with lots of climbs.  I fell backwards on the run though loosing 3 or 4 places and finished with 8th place.  Not a great result but a good training day.  Back in the car straight after the race to Sydney then flew home first thing the next morning.  Very tiring

Next up the following weekend was the Otago Triathlon Standard Distance Championships.  I was looking forward to this race.  Although not a huge amount of competitors it is a good short hard hit out. I came away with the win and 3rd across the line.

The next weekend it was off to Wanaka for the Southern Lakes Half Marathon.  I knew this was going to be a challenge as my run training was limited going in with a niggly calf but i hadnt ran a half marathon in a long time so wanted to see where i was at.  Finished 2nd with a 1.25.  6minutes off my PB but good to have a solid run.

Now on to Ironman Australia.  I had competed in this event last year but pulled out half way through the run with a knee injury so i really wanted to go back and have a better crack.  Glen and i headed over a good few days before the event to get ourselves ready.  I knew i was a little underdone training wise with injuries having bothered me off and on over the past year, but thanks to working with Casey from Kinetic Health for the past couple of weeks my body was feeling injury free.  This made me very excited to race.  There hadnt been many days in the past year that i would set out training and not feel strain coming from my calf or knee.

My swim felt pretty good.  Coming out in 55mins was great considering my lack of consistent swim training.  On to the bike i was feeling pretty good and by 45km had worked my way up in to 3rd position.  I was able to hold this until around 135km when Mel Burke from NZ came flying past me.  I was starting to tire in the wind.  Everyone said they felt the bike course was really windy and hard but i definitely think it was still easier than winds we have seen at Challenge Wanaka.  That race prepares you for anything!  The last 20k of the bike i found my energy again and was actually enjoying the climbs.  Its the first time i havent been dying to get off my bike and would of minded another 50k.  Coming in to T2 i was surprised to find out that i was only 30secs behind Mel.  I was excited about the marathon ahead, the legs were feeling great and i knew all i had to do was have a solid run and i could finish in the top 5.  That was until around 5km in to the run when i started to feel pain in my feet like i have never felt before!  The soles of my feet felt like knives were going through them and no matter what i tried to do the pain wouldnt go away.  I tipped water on them, loosened the laces, stopped and stretched and tried to run on different parts of my feet.  Nothing was working and it was just getting worse.  As i started to walk and watch people pass me there wasnt a lot i could do.  Then and there i made the decision that i was going to finish somehow so i spent the second half of the marathon walk/jogging.  Everyone out on the course was great.  There was no way i could just walk off the course when all these other people were racing and getting to the finish.  I saw Glen was also having a bad marathon and was also on the walk/jog stage.  We both got to the finish line and it was the best feeling.  There was going to be no regrets the next day.  I did what i could.  In the back of my mind i was still excited about these non injured new legs i had and knew one day they were going to run like they should.

A couple of days of R&R and then back to NZ.  Big thanks to the Hurlston family for putting Glen and i up in Port Macquarie.  Also my sponsors Cycle World, Shoe Clinic Dunedin,  Aloe Up Sun and Skin Care, Nathan Performance Gear and coach Keegan Williams.
AND
A huge welcome aboard to Kinetic Health, who are going to be taking care of my injury prevention and treatment.  Casey and her team really know what they are talking about with sporting injuries and keeping the body in tip top condition.  The results i have seen already with Active Release Therapy has been amazing.  If you want to check out more about what is on offer at Kinetic Health check out their website
http://kinetichealth.co.nz