Friday & Saturday

Friday was pretty much a cruisy day for me. I did a small run in the morning and then a recovery swim of 4km.

Saturday morning I swam with the group, total was 5km. I did a main set of 4x50m, 4x100m, 4x150m, 4x200m twice through. It was a pull set as I'll be doing at 90km criterium race tonight.

Putrajaya CycleFest

Start time was 8:30p.m., we got there at bout 7:30p.m. Got registered and socializing, by the time I realized it was 15mins to the start and I havent even pin my race number on. RUSH RUSH, didn't even warm up!! It was an open category so I would have to race with the guys. The race went off and I felt the lactic acid shoot up so fast, I would never do that again. Always remember to have a good warm up, the whole ride was so painful but I was the last girl standing. Even though I almost got lapped by the guys but they finished the race before they could so my pack only did 77km. I was great!!

Great day of training

Yesterday I had a really good day of training. I swam in the morning.

600m every 4th 50m BK

5x200m (50m fist/50m swim)

6x400m (200m swim/ 200m kick) on 7:30

16x50m fins (scull with fly kick)

It went very well, I felt good in the water. I like Paul too, he pointed out some of my mistakes. I'll have to pay more attention till i get it changed.

Evening I had to do a 3km time trial on the track, here are the times:

1st km 3:40

2nd km 3:45

3rd km 3:55

Total: 11:23

Avg HR 185bpm

Max HR 194bpm

I'm quite happy with the results.

The last few days

Haven't updated my blog for a few days, so here's what I've been up to. 

Monday- I went for a 60mins run in the morning, was feeling very good. Total distance was 13km. I                          didn't train anymore because I had treatment in the afternoon.

Tuesday- Morning I rode 85km at Puncak Alam (3 loops), did some SE's. And swam in the evening, just                     easy.

Wed- Rode 85km mostly flat, did some pacing work with a friend. Enjoyed the ride so much. Evening just

          a 40mins recovery run as i have to do a 3km TT on the track tomorrow.

Mad ride

On friday and saturday a few of us went for a 65km ride, some just wanted to get the body back after CNY. All the dinners and late nights. It was good for me too because I could only ride for now, the crash in OZ has caused some muscle spasm and I had to get it treated before I could swim and run. I didn't know the crash was that bad. But it's all good now.

Yesterday went for a 85km bike ride with PCC, it was a mad ride. Initially it was suppose to be a fat burning ride but someone started the fire before we even had to. We caught up with some riders that started somewhere else and it was all ATTACK!! Til almost end of the ride, i was able to give them a fight. Not gonna let them go so easily, hehehe. It was also really hot, we finished the ride at bout 12noon. Had lunch and chit chat.

Loving it

I have no idea why does training seem so easy here. I swim, bike and run much better. On the run the legs don't feel so heavy and on the bike the bike don't feel so heavy. I cant explain it. On tuesday I went to the pool and did a 7km session and I could follow the swimmers, it was such a good feeling. On the bike I enjoy the group that i was riding with 100km doesn't seem so far. OK lets stop talking bout this, I'm back home and loving the training, that's most important!!

Chinese New Year

After flying home on thursday, my mum booked my flights back to home town on friday. Apparently my aunt from my mum's side had stroke, she couldn't talk and couldn't recognize anyone. It has affected the left side of her brain. Unfortunately I didn't make it home in time to see her, she's still alive but my family was heading to MIRI to see my dad's cousin.

Back in November my dad's cousin felt his feet going numb, and after a few weeks he couldn't feel his legs. Now he's bed ridden, nobody knows the cause of it. He use to be so active, black belt in Karate and diving for an off shore company. I was very glad I made it back to see him, it was a very sad moment. We couldn't stay long with him because my brother and I had to resume training but we contributed some money to help their family. I guess everything happens for a reason.

During that few days we managed to visit some old family members and friends. It was so nice to see them again, that place brought back so much sweet memories for me. 

Biggest decision

I've made the biggest decision in my triathlon career, I surrendered my BG ITU Scholarship. It was a very hard decision to make but after much thought I'm willing to give myself more time to develop SLOWLY as a triathlete. I still have no idea what it takes to become a successful triathlete, I think that I have pushed myself a bit too quick. I made it up to the top too fast, that's just my personality as I've been an athlete all my life. I won SEA Games gold medal just 6 months into triathlon, I had so many injuries after that. My body was trying to get me to slow down but I obviously ignored it. I love triathlon so much, I love it more than I love swimming.

When LOH applied the BG ITU scholarship for me and I got it I was so happy, finally I could do the sport that I love most. Last year went well, the New Zealand trip didn't end up too good but I learned so much from it. I made many friends and they were mostly World Class triathletes, I didn't really fit into that category. All the races went good, I manage to cross the finish line in 2 World Cup races and 1 World Championship. How great is that just 1 year in the sport!? End of last year I was beginning to feel the exhaustion, I was constantly getting sick and my body was weak. Went for many check ups but found nothing was wrong so went on training. After claiming my 2nd SEA Games tittle I had to have a break, and I did.

My brother ( swimmer ) had qualified for Beijing Olympics, me as a older sister feel the discomfort when we have family dinners when the topic arise. Family members will ask " So Kim how close are you to qualify for Beijing??" Of course I know I'm no where close, often I feel neglected as all the attention goes to my brother. So I made up my mind that I wanted this Olympic spot even though knowing its not my time yet. Living a dream too big for my ability at the moment. Of course Libby has been constantly reminding me that their target for me is 2012 London Olympics.

This trip to Australia has woken me up from my fantasy. I woke up one morning realising that I'm making a big mistake but I try to get that thought out of me and  worked very hard to keep up with the others in training. I had a bike crash one day because I was so tired, Jamie was so angry at me he threw my bike one side and was shouting at me. Saying things like I was just plain lazy and couldn't even keep up with kids that were only doing triathlon for 2 months. He never even consider that I came from an off season and straight into training with people who was 12 weeks into their season. I was very upset but I pulled myself together and continued with the ride. Even when I was in pain I had never missed a training session. Jamie aspects me to keep up with Barbara and Alana (runner since age 9) in the runs when they are running so much faster then I could ever run, I try very hard. So a recovery run for them is a hard run for me, everyday is a hard day for me. I know how it feels to come back into the groove after doing no training for 3 weeks so I decided to give myself time. One day I will feel very good and I think that I'm getting strong but the next I'm in a pit, feeling down. I can't go on for 8 weeks like this so I booked my ticket home the next day and surrendered my scholarship.

I was losing the passion I once have for training, and when I don't have that passion I will never be successful. I want to give myself more time and take this one step at a time. We don't become champions in a fort night, nobody does. I'm still going to do TRIATHLON because I love it too much to give it all away. Take this one year to get back the enjoyment in training. And when I'm ready to face the challenging world of triathlon I will let Libby know.

I would like to apologize to BG ITU for letting you all down, I know you have spend so much money on the last year but this is what I feel is best for me right now. My family is supporting me with my decision and I hope my country will too. 

Monday Blues

Menu for today:

Gather at North Beach 6:20a.m. for 3 hrs ride heading North

11a.m. Swim

4p.m. 30mins LSD run prior gym

4:30 gym

My body is starting to get back in the groove, the ride which was a killer ride 2 weeks ago doesn't seem that bad today. I was actually enjoying the ride, of course there were parts that was breathtaking but most parts were fun!! Never thought I'd feel that way. On the way back from the ride I had a flat, it was pouring all the way during the ride. I shouted out " flat tyre!!" but the rest didn't hear me I guess so I stopped to change. After taking out the tube and checked the tyre, taking the new tube. Then I realise the valve wasn't long enough, what do I do know. I called Barbara and waited in the rain for her, her tube had holes in it. After much thought I had an idea, I pumped the tube a lil and tried to stuff it in the tyre. It worked!! I made it back home safely.

Rode on Mountain Back to Uni in the rain just to find that the pool is closed for a Swim Carnival. No lanes available til 12:30p.m. the girls were deciding what to do til Ben arrived and said he had to work so we drove to a pool in Corrimal did our set there and it was still raining.

1000m/800m/600m/400m/200m

200m pull TT (2:28)

3x300m pull tempo/ 4x50m (30m P200/ 20m easy)/ 6x25m paddles

10x100m fins (25m fly !!!/ 50m free drill/ 25m free !!!)  

Cruisy Day

Yesterday was a cruisy day, no training. My body really needs it. I was awaken by an awful stomach discomfort and couldn't really get back to sleep so I did some things on the computer and cleaned up the house a bit. It was only 9a.m. and i decided to take a bath and have a walk at the mall. I did a few things in town and then headed home, had some lunch.

Looking through my house mates DVD collection, without knowing I watched 4 movies. Very interesting movies, some I've watched in the past. That was pretty much a day of lazing around and recuperating.

Training went well

Saturday

Jamie is away, went for a race with the junior athlete's in NZ. There was still a small group left behind to train, Jamie left the program.

7a.m. Swim 

400m fr/bk

4x100m 75m bk/25m br

4x50m scull/swim by 25m

8x75m (25m 6 kick roll/ 25m 6 kick change/ 25m build to P200)

HR set

24x100m @ 1:40 holding sub 1:20

* I was the only girl doing this set, I started out with 1:10's so I decided to tag along with the boys on the 1:35 cycle. It        slowly faded into holding 1:15's but i still went on 1:35 cycle.

11a.m. Ride

Start from North Beach to Mount Keira- Sandon Loop and back

6x6mins SE

1/2/4/5 ( 4 mins holding cadence 50-60/ build last 2 mins to high cadence )

3/6 ( 30secs ez, 30 secs supra, 60mins ez, 60mins supra, 90mins ez, 90mins supra )

* I think i held myself pretty well on those SE's after a HR set in the swim this morning.

   After the 3rd set the other girls got closer to me but they didn't do the HR set. They did 8x400m bouy and    band.

20mins LSD run (own)

Thought I need a change

Was it just me?? Or maybe its the culture here. The last time I was here someone in the car threw a bottle at me while I was riding, it hit my face. I tried so hard to hold back tears but couldn't, I was just lucky I had my shades on. My friend didn't have to see that. Of course it wasn't pleasent feeling but......

Its just my nature to be a bit shy and quiet, I like to be alone sometimes and do my own thing. I do have friends and best friends at home but its hard for me to make new ones. I really envy the way Barbara gets along with everyone she meets, just by observing her I learn something. 

After much thought and search  within myself I think I do have that lil fun and humor in me. I could do it so easily back home, there should be no reason why I cant do it here. People here are different but they are still humans. So I decided to make change, I cut my hair real short for a start. It feels so much better in training, one thing to stop worrying about. And I actually feel so at home after making that change. I still have 5 weeks to go here I might as well enjoy myself in training and get energy from the group to keep me going. Good luck to new Kimmy!!

Oh happy day

I woke up this morning feeling very happy, something is not very right. Oh well I took advantage of this day. Our program was to do a open water swim at 8a.m. with wet suit and a long run at 9a.m. I left my wet suit in my bike bag which was in the garage and I didn't have the keys to it so I couldn't swim with wet suit. Very bad idea cuz it was freezing this morning it hailed last night, I only did 1 loop and ran out to get changed.

 

80mins run was to be done so I waited for all and then and we off we went. I could only follow them for 20mins then decided to do the rest myself, its suppose to be an aerobic run and race pace last 3km. I'm glad I did it well. Had good lunch and rested up for gym at 4:30p.m. I concentrated on my core stability.