Iron Jack

I don’t know why I ever thought that I could get away with “a few weeks off” over winter - a few weeks turned into a few months, and before I knew it, I felt like I was right back where I started. I did attend one or two spin classes a week, andmanaged  a couple of walks, but nowhere near what I had been or should have been doing.

But, despite slacking off over winter, its important to move onwards and upwards, starting with setting the goal of completing the entire Contact Tri Series. 

I’m now entered into the series and I absolutely, totally have my motivation mojo back. The past month has been spent with two weeks re-introducing my body (and mind) to the concept of training, with the past two weeks getting more focused with distances and effort. I won’t try and pretend it hasn’t been hard. It’s been hell actually. To suddenly discover that I couldn’t even swim 100m when I have always been able to swim 1km effortlessly - let alone the fact I was regularly swimming 4km in a session just six months ago has been devestating! Fortunately I appear to have maintained my speed on the bike and the run - but I have absolutely no endurance and can only do minimum distances.

But I am underway and that’s the most important thing! The first triathlon is in just two weeks - I will be sorely underdone and it’s going to hurt, but it’s going to be fantastic!

There have also been some exciting developments over the past few months and I am proud to have some new partners on board for the upcoming season. Fuel Advertising from Tauranga is an innovative and exciting advertising agency supporting clients from around New Zealand. The company is full of kindred spirits who are loads of fun and super supportive. I’m also working with Cyclezone - Rotorua’s best bike shop - and their leading brand, Specialized. I believe in their products and their service is second to none. I also firmly believe that I would never have completed Ironman without their advice and support so I am stoked to have them on board for this next journey!

It is going to be a great summer of triathlon.  I’ve learnt my lesson - I know that I cannot ever afford to have “a few weeks off” - even if it’s just maintaining a walking regime. Starting again from scratch is too hard, too daunting and too disheartening. But I’m excited about training again and have my buzz back, and I can’t wait for the first race!

I had my own special spot on Radio NZ this afternoon, sharing my version of the “Best Song Ever Written” on Afternoons with Jim Mora.

Being the news junkie that I am, I’ve been addicted to listening to Radio NZ National for over 10 years. In the car, at work, when I’m working at home, its always in the background to keep me company - and up to date with all the latest news and current affairs here and around the world. Its my news fix!

And I always manage to find myself in the car, just after 1pm, many days a week - just in time to listen to other people’s nominations for the “Best Song Ever Written”. And they’ve had everything - jazz, rock, Sinatra, the works. Mike and I both have a pretty diverse taste in music so I’ve enjoyed nearly all of them - apart from Bob Dylan, sorry just don’t like him!

And every day I drive along thinking “I really must nominate a song one of these days”.

That day came last Thursday. I had travelled to Auckland on my day off ahead of some meetings on Friday. Having mucked up my long run the day before, I took the opportunity to get for a run around Cornwall Park - or One Tree Hill - in the centre of Auckland. Mike and I used to walk around there before we were married, and then with the dog before we had kids, and then with the dog and the buggy! But I hadn’t been there for years and had forgotten how gorgeous it is. Three and a half laps around Cornwall Park later and my long run was done. And an hour and a half of music from my MP3 player reminded me that I really had to make that nomination.

So I sent off my email with two nominations - one The Boxer, by Simon and Garfunkel, and the second, Lightning Crashes, by Live (and that’s a whole other story!). And they came back the next day asking me to be on the programme today! The Boxer it was to be.

So at 1:05pm today I found myself lined up and next on the show. I had a wonderful interview with Jim Mora - of course I can’t talk more than five seconds without getting onto my favourite topic - Ironman - but it is also a topic that’s very relevant to The Boxer. I’ve loved this song for years and years. My parents had lots of LPs so I grew up with them, and this song always struck a chord (no pun intended), with me. Its about a boxer, fighting to survive the long, harsh winter on the streets in New York - and its about never giving up. Which is what I think about all day, every day - never giving up on achieving my Ironman.

Every time the song comes on my MP3 while I’m out training, I replay it three or four times before I let the music move on. Its completely inspiring and it helps me get through.

Its definitely my Best Song Ever Written - and its helping me achieve my journey as well.

I’m having problems loading the interview into this blog post, but here’s the link to the website where you should be able to pick it up! If the post moves, you could search for Jacky James.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons

Yes, with just six months to go until NZ Ironman 2011, I have made an incredibly big and gut-wrenching decision which is to change coach. This is a massive decision that has not been taken lightly.

Lawrence is a sensational coach. He coaches a number of very fit and fast people and they are doing exceptionally well under his leadership and guidance.

But I wasn’t.

In short, I am a mum, a wife and an employee and those things all come first and always will. I have a sensational boss who has agreed to let me work four days a week until after Ironman so that I can accommodate all those things even better in my life, particularly training. That extra day a week has made a massive difference and I think I’ll always be grateful to him for his support. But, at the end of the day, if our toddler has been rushed to hospital with suspected pneumonia - I’m not going to be training.

I hadn’t been seeing much improvement for a while, which was proving incredibly frustrating for us both, and I was losing my motivation. Something had to change.

Around this same time I read an amazing book called Inspired Novice to Ironman Finisher. Its about five people who did Ironman in 2008. When I read the first chapter about Tauranga woman Kathy Miller, I felt like I was reading a book about my life. Her experience, thoughts and challenges were so similar to mine it was almost spooky! I got to the end and I knew that if she could do it, I could do it too. She’s so passionate about triathlon and helping other people achieve their goals, that she’s had a career change and is now a Tri NZ certified coach.

As very fortunate luck would have it, one of my training friends, Alison, had her number. I met her for coffee in Tauranga and immediately claimed back some of my inspiration and motivation. It took several more weeks to make the final decision - simply because it was such a big decision to make. But at the end of the day, I’m the one who has to swim, bike and run across the finish line, so the training had to be right.

Its now been seven weeks - can’t believe its been that long - and training is going incredibly well. I’ve had a wee hiccup with my war wound on my bottom (see previous posts!), but I’ve seen major improvements in all areas - swim, run and most importantly, the bike. Full credit to Lawrence, some of that improvement is due to him and the time he  invested in me this year. But a big chunk has been about my head and getting it sorted with Kathy’s help and support. And almost most importantly (for me) is that her philosophy is about having fun!

I’m excited to be training every day. I’m devestated when I’m not. I’m working hard and I’m seeing the results. I think we have the mix right and its working. Just as well…only 142 days to go!

“Just think of it this way,” the text from Ironman Stu said. “This is your Christmas break.”

Nothing like a reality check from chief motivator Stu.

I’ve been incredibly sick for seven days now, and haven’t trained in that time and won’t be for a few more days yet. Tonscillitis, combined with a nasty sinus infection has meant no breath, little sleep and grumpy tendencies.

We’re currently on holiday in Auckland and I had a sensational training week planned - a 10km road race on Sunday, a spin class with the North Harbour Triathlon Club on Tuesday, lots of running around the waterfront and a few spin sessions to keep the legs ticking over. Not only have I achieved none of that, I’ve barely been able to make it out of bed to enjoy the incredible weather that Auckland has turned on. We’ve also had to change our holiday plans and a few days in Tairua, Coromandel, is now also off the cards.

To say that I’ve been feeling miserable, sick and very sorry for myself would be the understatement of the century.

But, as Stu inadvertently reminded me with his text, there is always a silver lining and finding the “glass half full angle” is my speciality - in fact its what’s expected of me.

So, yes Stu is right, this is my Christmas holiday, because there certainly won’t be one come 25 December. Training will step up significantly in September and from December, it will be all on. I seem to recall Stu saying earlier this year that the main goal of training the year before Ironman is to hit the last three months of training injury free, and to be mentally and physically ready to put in the hard yards. That all rings very true to me just now.

So while I’m frustrated not to be able to make the most of the sunshine and hit the waterfront for a run, this is my time to have a break and I am making the very most of resting as much as I can and focusing on getting well. I still have several months of groundwork to do before peak training, so its vital that I’m well truely over the bugs so I can hit the ground running.

232 days to go.

Now, where’s that glass? Its time for a refill.

In an exciting new development in the Ironjack journey, I am proud to be supporting the Silver Ribbon Foundation, by creating awareness and raising money for its cause.

The Silver Ribbon Foundation was initially established as the Leonie Coates Gynaecological Cancer Charitable Trust. The Trust was established four years ago, with a bequest from Leonie Coates’ family to raise awareness about gynaecological cancers and to provide support to women who suffer from any kind of gynaecological cancer, including ovarian, cervical, virginal and others.

The Trust’s mission is to educate the community to raise awareness about all gynaecological cancers and support those affected. 

Sadly, in New Zealand, one woman dies every day from a gynaecological cancer. Early detection saves lives. A smear test detects abnormalities that may lead to cervical cancer, however, a smear test cannot detect ovarian, uterine, vulval/vaginal cancers. It’s vital that every woman knows the symptoms for early detection. It may save your life – or the life of someone you know.

I have decided to support the Silver Ribbon Foundation for very personal reasons. In 1999, after a series of abnormal results from smear tests, I underwent a lletz procedure to remove cancerous cells from my cervix. I have been clear ever since, but it was a scare I am anxious not to be repeat. Then, tragically, last year, our close friends and our own family lost a dear and wonderful Mum, Aunt and friend to ovarian cancer. We miss her every day.

I will be using the Ironjack journey to help achieve the Silver Ribbon Foundation’s goals of raising awareness of gynaecological cancers in the community, as well as raising money for their cause. You can donate to the Silver Ribbon Foundation through the Ironjack fundraising site http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/ironjack/

For further information about the Silver Ribbon Foundation and the signs and symptoms of gynaecological cancers, check out www.silverribbon.co.nz

I hope you will help me support this important cause.

I have well and truly got the mid-winter blues. We had the shortest day this week - thank god - so I’m really hoping that means it will be a short slide into summer. I’m sick of the rain, I’m sick of the wind and I’m sick of the cold - and this is from the person who usually prefers winter to summer! But that’s what a few weeks interrupted training and another sore throat will do to you.

I do tend to the blues anyway. That’s our code word for irrationally irritable and emotional. You know that your equilibrium is slightly off when you start crying at the ads on the TV! God help anyone around me if I was to watch Lassie!!!

Exercise and my training has really helped with the blues. They come fewer and farther between, and now are usually simply a sign of having worked some really long hours and being a bit run-down. Quite a good signal that it’s time to take stock and a good look around. Hence I’m having Monday off to get on top of things and get the start of a quality training week under my belt.

With the help of a few good friends (Mrs P, Nina, Alison and Mike especially) I have come up with a few strategies to kick the blues away and get back into training.

Firstly, I won’t be swimming in the outside pool until it starts warming up and is a bit lighter in the morning - September probably. I’ve always tried to stay in the outside pool because its 50 metres, and it takes a LOT of 25 metre lengths to make up 3kms! But, if its 3 degrees outside and it means the difference between swimming or not, then the indoor pool it is. That’s the first step for this week.

Secondly, taking that day off to get things sorted and fit in my sessions.

Thirdly, planning my week properly! Things have been so busy at work that I stopped planning out my workload. Come Monday, there will be times and slots for doing different pieces of work - and my email will be closed down for two hours at a time while I get that work done. (My other work goal this week is to get one of my colleagues using his electronic diary!! Nothing like setting big goals!) Efficient Jacky is back in business! 

In line with this, the fortnightly meal plan will be on the fridge tomorrow, ahead of going to the supermarket to buy everything we need for those two weeks. But not only will I be planning our dinner meals, I’m going to plan each day for me as well so there are no surprises and I don’t get caught out. I’ve got two weeks (theoretically) in the office in Rotorua so now’s a good chance to get the nutrition sorted too.

There is nothing like putting a plan in place to start taking back control of life. And with that, I think I’ll get on the bike!

If anyone else has some good ideas about training and getting through the winter please let me know!

Stay warm everyone!

Its raining cats and dogs outside - and pigs, monkeys, cows, and I’m pretty confident I just saw an elephant go floating down the driveway towards the stream. Okay, I might be exagerating just a little bit, but you get the idea - we’ve been hit by a weather bomb and its not pretty.

The only positive to be found in this weather forecast - and its not a positive at all - is that I’m stuck inside with strep throat and a full blown cold. But, being the eternal optimist and owner of the “glass half full” philosophy, I’m determined to find the positive in all of this. The only good thing about the weather is that I’m so sick I can’t train - and the only good thing about being sick is that the weather is so foul I probably wouldn’t want to be out in it anyway!

But there the positives end for today I’m afraid.

I’ve now been off training since last Tuesday - yep, I’m coming up to a week.

It started on Wednesday with a sore throat that got progressively worse during the day to a complete wipe-out that night, followed by Thursday and Friday off work with an unbearable sore throat and pending head cold - as well as a toddler with croup. Following Oli’s tonsillitis earlier last week, then Toby’s croup, it was my turn to hit the Dr on Saturday morning. Apparently little kids get tonsillitis - big kids get strep throat! Unfortunately two kids shut inside the house for a wet weekend does not bode well for rest, and I woke up this morning to find a full blown head and chest cold had settled in overnight. Marvellous. Again, not boding well for training.

So I’ve spent the day counting raindrops, talking to the dog, and checking out all my favourite triathletes websites for inspiration and motivation. It would be fair to say that I’m concerned about not training - I’m trying not to get panicked at this stage however. I’m more worried about losing fitness. I had finally got up to running 10kms in just over an hour, had finally got back into the pool and was trying to break the cycle (no pun intended) of bad bike rides.

I’m doing everything I can to get better. Taking the antibiotics religiously, eating plenty of fruit and veges, sleeping whenever I can - and not working, which is a huge effort for me. I’ve left a message for coach to talk about a plan of attack for recovery, but am very very conscious that I need to shake this once and for all - I don’t want it coming back all winter.

So that’s where I’m at. How’s your training going?

I am officially entered in the 2011 NZ Ironman. Am really excited and completely petrified at the same time.

But at least I’m in, unlike many other people who have missed out.

For the first time ever, the NZ Ironman event has reached capacity and it sold out in just 13 days! It caught many people out, many who will be first-timers whose goal was only ever going to be doing “an Ironman”. From now on, if you even think you’re going to want to do an Ironman, you’re going to have to be ready to enter as soon as it opens - you won’t have the luxury of waiting until October (or even later) to decide if you’re ready or if you’re injury free.

It’s going to change the nature and culture of the NZ event forever.

Approximately 800 entries had been filled in the first five days, with the vast majority of those going to Australians who had already experienced their two Ironman events selling out - one sold out in less than 24 hours. So there may well be more Ozzies than ever before, and potentially, less of the average back-of-the-packer who simply wants to survive. Those people have always been at the heart of NZ Ironman so I hope that doesn’t change too much.

It also means that relatively new, local events like Challenge Wanaka are also in for a sudden increase in numbers, as those who seek to simply complete an Ironman look for a new event to enter. Challenge Wanaka sounds like an amazing event in stunning scenery, but how will its unique experience be impacted by a sudden influx in numbers?

At the same time, setting early goals and planning to achieve them isn’t a bad thing. Surely there’s nothing like the motivation of being entered to keep you going?

So I do have mixed feelings about what this means for the event.

But as a result of entering, I am living, breathing, eating and freaking out about Ironman more than I ever have before. I dream it - or rather I have nightmares about it; my training programme has gone up a huge level; I’m reading everything I can get my hands on - and unfortunately I’m not sure that is helping! I’m also sick and have already missed three days of training which doesn’t help!

I’m sure this panic phase will pass. There are still 287 days until the start line. How bad could the training possibly be?? Yeah right!

Anyway, I’m lining up alongside some fantastic friends and training buddies for next year’s event. Here’s the list so far:

Mary Ann Patterson - my fairy god mother and constant motivator, supporter and friend. She may have moved to Palmerston North, but that hasn’t stopped the banter and phone calls and us giving our coach grief!

Alison King - the journalist I was never going to be, fellow redhead and training buddy. 2011 will be her fourth - yes fourth! - Ironman and she’s after new times that shes not yet ready to share - I know she’ll get them too.

Ben Shaw aka Binga - one of the key people in the whole Ironjack journey. Ben did his first Ironman in 2005 and was meant to do his second in 2006 - the year the swim was cancelled. He’s been battling injuries and babies ever since but is determined to get back to the start line. He’s always been my inspiration to do triathlon, and then Ironman, and I’m stoked we’ll be lining up together next year. He’s also married to one of my closest friends.

Ingrid Tiriana - one of the first people I met at RATs - and quickly discovered we had a common friend! Ingrid is a true Ironman inspiration (I say that a lot don’t I? I guess its because pepole who do Ironman are completely inspiring!) Anyway, Ingrid did her first Ironman in 2009 - after suddenly discovering a random heart problem during her training for 2008. Despite this, she achieved her goal of finishing in 2009 and now she’s back for more!

So the countdown is now well and truely on for 2011 NZ Ironman. Even though there are moments of real panic, I am also extremely excited. It’s time - bring it on!

Start line 2010 Ironman

Great quote today from a work colleague, and very applicable to how I’ve felt about training in the last couple of weeks!

Training has certainly been very up and down for a little while - since the triathlons stopped actually! Its getting colder, work has been busier, the days are shorter and I have to pack more into every day. I went on a bunch ride that not only threw my confidence - but threw out my whole training week because I couldn’t move for three days!

I was missing more and more sessions - and starting to feel worse and less confident as every week went past.

“I think we might need to peg it back a bit before we move forward,” I said to Coach while propped up on the physio table one day. “I feel like I need to have fewer sessions where I hit every one, before we build up again - and I get some confidence back.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Coach.

Pardon? You agree with me doing less? That’s a first!

“Let’s drop the swimming for a month. Swim squad is on hiatus for a month anyway, its your strength, so the obvious break for a few weeks.”

Fantastic. I felt better immediately.

And I’ve hit every training session since, so it was obviously a good idea.

Saturday’s session was interesting - and challenging - and fun! A RATs triathlon club group session at the Blue Lake to do hill reps. Now doesn’t that sound like fun?

I literally dragged my heels out there because I knew it would be hard going. We did two laps of the field as a warm-up, with me bringing up the rear. Then the hill reps started. Ten of them up to the top of the paddock. I headed off at a fair pace, and just about threw up by the time I got to the top!

“PUMP THOSE ARMS JACKY!” yelled Coach. “Power your way up the steep bits okay?”

“Okay,” I grimaced.

We jogged back down. I did the next few at a slightly slower pace. And the last few slightly slower than that. But I still did them. Very satisfying! I was always well behind the rest of the pack - but it was a completely supportive, friendly and “safe” environment. As I said to Lawrence later:

“I don’t mind being last as long as you don’t!”

After all, he’s the one who reminded me not so long ago that this is my race, my finish line and my Ironman. That is my mantra and I repeat it nearly every day.

So following on from the challenging but satisfying hill reps on Saturday, I had a FANTASTIC run home from work tonight. I was feeling very nervous about running home tonight actually. It was meant to be an hour at L3 heart rate zone. I knew it would take me a bit over an hour and involved some long, slow uphills. I decided I’d do a L2/3.

But I didn’t need to! Level 3 all the way! The first 20 minutes flew by and I was a third of the way home. I didn’t even look at my watch for the rest of the run. One hour, eight minutes later I was walking in the door having run 8.5km - feeling very relaxed and comfortable.

Its getting easier and its an amazing feeling!

And apparently, according to the expert, I’m doing very well.

I am sore. Very very sore. Challenging bunch ride for me on Sunday which left me not only feeling stiff and sore in every part of my body, it also left me quite disheartened. But that’s a blog post for another day.

Important to move onwards and upwards and what better way to restore the faith than by a run on part of the Ironman course in Taupo!

Whenever I go to Taupo for work I always make sure I drive through Reporoa along the Ironman cycle course. By travelling it every second or third week I’m starting to get quite familiar with its dips and dives. Of course, that will be nothing to actually riding the course on my bike, but its a good start.

Today I also had enough time to take a very early lunch break and fit in my run down there as well.

I set off at a decent pace - heart rate zone three to be exact - and managed to maintain that for most of the run. I started just up from the swim/start finish, and then ran along the lake front until I got to the Napier/Taupo Highway - a good milestone turnaround point, and exactly 25 minutes, theoretically making it a 50 minute round trip. The loop back was slightly faster so I finished in just over 45 minutes, having run just under 6km. This is getting slightly faster for me, so I’m pleased with today’s effort.

Of course, the big reality check is that isn’t even one quarter of the Ironman marathon, but it still felt great. I’m a big one for visualisation, and as I was running I could literally picture the path on the day, with crowds of people on either side. I could feel the heat, and the exhaustion, and while it was nowhere near an accurate re-enactment of the day, I do feel like it was a good start. Even just realising I would be running on cobblestones for around half of the Ironman run was an important note to take.

So all in all, a good day out.

Postscript: Having the theme song to Rocky coming on the MP3 player may have been over-doing it just a little however.