So so many ways to head this blog up. I could start with a heading like, "the most amazing race" or I could start with "I have done it" or even " one of the best days of my life". All these headings would be true and all of them would have a story behind them. A story with which I could share something amazing! My heading however is -
All honour to God and thanks to our support, without which this would not have been possible!!
(maybe a bit long)
I know a terribly long heading, but the only one that makes sense. So before I go moochy on you I want share my account of Ironman UK 2011.
A journey it is and one I would start again tomorrow. In fact we have. The journey takes at least seven months to complete along the way you keep falling, you keep getting up, you pull yourself through some very tough times and along the way learn to deal with pain, frustration, sleep deprivation and of course a love for having the ability to do it all! God uses you and strengthens you. You decide to try your own strength and come very short every time. Your relationship with your wife gets bent, stretched and pulled to bits, but by God's grace you become stronger harder and ready for more. Every facet of your life is tested during this journey and what seemed to be in human and crazy becomes normal, what once sounded like a bad idea waking up at 05:00 am on a Saturday then swimming 4 km, jump on your bike cycle 150 km and then running 20 km of that becomes a way of life, in fact what you and your wife call fun! Was all of the above worth it? hell yes and I'd do it again but never at God's expense.
So you might ask, AD enough of the corny stuff tell us about the day?
We woke up at 03:00 am on the morning, after only getting to bed at 11:00 pm, if you don't have a great nights rest on the Friday you are in trouble. Nerves and thoughts keep you from a deep sleep, plus all the food you are about to take in at three never really seems appealing. Bagels, cereal, more bagels sweets stuff and quick carbs is your fuel! You have 2000 calories fuel readily available you need to pull the other 7000 through your gut on the day.
My best friend!
Well before we go any further, I need to tell you about my best friend - her name is Louisa Jane previously known as Moore now Foster! Man alive I love this person and I would not have wanted to do this thing with anyone else. She is the star of this show later I will show you why. We trained together, hurt together, played together had fun together and had the privilege to experience so much together over the past 7 months. Be it up in the Alps, or at the far end of a lake some where. We have been stretched emotionally physically and relationship wise, but thank you God we got through it all! She was my motivation a lot of the time. Her perseverance makes me look like a little kid on a diet not being able to control himself when walking past a sweet shop. She shows tough times and is honest with herself in every situation, she is always quietly confident and I don't know another like her! I love her and count myself so Blessed to have been favoured by Christ to have a wife that understands me. She loves me and has patience with me a 30 year old child when it come to training, nothing is too much for her. When she looks at me with those eyes, I believe I can accomplish anything, you see I can say this, I am her hero (second to Pops of course) in her eyes I can do all things. Her look spurs me to be even more everyday.
So when 05:50 am Sunday morning came a crawling and we were standing in a massive lake with a 1500 other crazy cats, there was no one else's hand I would rather have been holding than hers!
The hooter went and it was a combination of legs arms and just plain no holes barred swimming that commenced! The dam wall has broken each man for himself. I went for open water, it probably added 200-300 meters to my swim but I would rather swim far away on my own than in amongst it. Think tank on, focus on your breathing and stroke and you'll be fine I kept telling myself. Round one done and I had done it in 29 min, go time I had a lot left in the tank. Pull kick breath brew get in and get out! My watch read 1:03 - my fastest 3,8 km swim ever and I was out and off!
T 1 went fast and out on the bike I went. When you hit the road your heart rate is at 178 bpm so you need to get that puppy under control because 180 km is not around the corner! I felt good the bike felt amazing and I was doing what I loved most, cycling! I was shouting at on lookers standing with their cups of coffee watching in their PJ's " Howzit come join us" obviously tough crowd at 07:00 am on a Sunday morning. I felt great and so happy God was with me carrying me through this thing. Greater is He that lives in me that he that lives in this world. I am at peace! 14 km in I hit a corner and made the turn only to be welcomed by nearly all my immediate family!
It brings tears to my eyes when I realise how Blessed I am to have such a amazing family. They have always supported me in all my doings. Standing on the side lines, never questioning my abilities, always giving a word of advice, humbling me some times (thanks Nix) I love my older sister like you can't believe. Such strength you'll be hard pressed to find in any woman, to see her with her 6 week old baby made me realise this ironman isn't it, there is more to life although it's great! My mom, man alive I think this woman is amazing in every way. She has done a great job with me and my sister. She is humility, the most humble person I know sometimes to her own detriment, but man alive do I learn from her! Praise God for you Lilias Hofmeyer Foster, I love you! Then my dad, my hero! This guy has walked a journey most can't imagine, but he is still walking! He keeps getting up and has set such a high bar for me to strive toward, he has set examples to follow and I can't ever imagine what I would have been without him. He is my dad and I adore him, he has done so so much, I won't ever be able to show or tell Him how much I appreciate Him. Then my man Waki!! My sisters' other son, a legend in the making a uncompromising 7 year old with the biggest heart. What a future I see in this little guy's life. My biggest fan I think! I missed my brother in law, but he was doing what a man does, provide. In that there is a lot I have learnt from him.
So I turned this corner and there they were, my family. I probably don't have to tell you I picked up the pace by about 20 km/h to show them I'm fresh and feeling superb! On we went, up hills down valleys, big climbs great descents and of course beautiful scenery. Another thing I learnt is take time to look around and enjoy what is going on around you, we race every where and forget to smell the roses!
With 10 km to go I started relaxing and started focussing on the marathon to come, one more discipline and I'm done a little jog around Bolton and I am a Ironman once again!! So into T2 I went. Four minutes later I'm running out with compression socks up to my bum to keep these muscles in tact. Consistency I told myself, just keep a good pace and finish. You run about 10 km to the loop then you do 30 plus km in the loop and finish. After what seemed like a hour I finally hit the loop and could start my last 30 km I thought, worst over now just go. About 5 km down the track I saw my dad first, then our friends!
These guys came all the way from London, no small sacrifice at all. All in there were 16 supporters. Each one special and each one playing such a amazing role in Lou and my life! It humbles you when you realise you aren't alone! People are praying for you all across the world, friends drive 400 km to come watch you run, swim and cycle. These guys were amazing, crazy but amazing! They cheered for about 6 hours, never asking about themselves but putting us first all the time. What can we do, how can we help, are you ok were the questions asked all the time! So selfless so kind. It made me realise how Blessed we are. Where most ask for five great friends, I believe we have been given even more. People I have only met once were txting us, calls were made the night before and even my clients were in on it! You guys made this thing so special and for you I can only say thank you so very much. I hope Lou and I can be there for you some day as you are for us, all of you!!
So, on the one loop, legs aching my mind playing havoc on me I made another corner only to be met by the most beautiful smiling Iron wife! Like a freaking stallion been put out to pasture with a prize mare I was renewed with energy, she shouted come on my love, it was enough to get me there! On the last loop we met again and her smile and encouragement was all I needed for that last 5 k push! I made it I came running in to the home stretch all on my own. Thank the Lord, selfish I know but I was able to enjoy the moment on my own no other athlete in sight. I crossed the line the TIMEX clock reading 10:53 the guy shouting over the Microphone those inevitable words - Adrian Foster you are a Ironman!! It was done and I had succeeded, but praise God not on my own, but only by His grace and love by the support of my family and friends and of course thanks to my amazing wife that was with me all the way!
Back to the star of the show! My wife came in at 11:47 - now most Ironmen would give a organ to ever break 12:00 hours if you know any amateur Ironmen ask them their times. 12-13 plus is normally a solid time. Breaking 12 hours on your first go is very good if you are a guy. Now breaking 12 hours for a first time and being a girl is amazing and a true testament of the woman I married!
We grew stronger throughout this experience we changed together and we came to much the same conclusion. If you are doing this to Glorify yourself, you are doing it for the wrong reason! We have been Blessed in every way, protected and kept from harm. We have achieved and we have failed in some ways but all in all we haven't taken our eyes of our saviour and thanked Him for this amazing ability to be able to take life at it's full extent and run with it!
There was a team spirit there. The guy had one arm, his mate had no legs and his mate had also lost his legs, but they were there Sunday morning doing the Ironman! What are you doing with what you have been given, we all aren't Ironmen, but God has given you a talent for art, music, dance, or just a amazing personality to help the poor. What are you doing with what you have been given! I pray to God that I am using all I have been given to reach people for Him and to love the journey I have been put on whilst doing it!
Until next year! We love you and thank you for all your support! Take care and God Bless you!
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Bargain Gear!! :)
Fun with the Fosters
Sunday, 7 August 2011
My Journey to Ironman UK, Our Journey!
Ironman is not just an event, a race or something you just do. As the title reads, it is a journey. A journey of 6 or 7 months where it needs to be your focus, your target, a point of destination! This is what I/we decided to make our destination nearly 8 months ago- Ironman UK. We made the decision to take on this responsibility and to take ourselves through it all; the pain, the tears, the laughter, the 5am wake ups, the joys, mental battles, financial sacrifice, and of course through this all you learn so much about yourself and this is what you bring to race day. That is what every athlete feeds on when they are about to enter into the water and into the journey of the day. Every Ironman will say that race day is the best part of it all! Ironman is a journey; you take yourself to places you never know existed within yourself. It is an experience, and what sets yourself apart from the rest are the ones that have endured the pain and joy of such a challenge (not only on race day that is the fun part!) put on the road to it… There is so much that I have learnt and I want to thank so many people for bringing me over that finish line. You were always there for me and encouraged me and for this, crossing that finish line was not for me, but it was for you…
So this is the last blog entry for my Ironman Journey. It is so hard to think that the journey is all over. I have had the whole week to reflect and to be honest it feels good, it feels amazing but let me tell you it is not the be and end all of my life. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to experience sport like I have, to be given the ability. But I can come away from this experience knowing that I am not addicted to it and it does not define me. It is so easy to have something consume you. I have already gone through that and I never want to let any sport define who I am. I can recognize that God has given me a gift for sport and so I will use it and I will enjoy it. God has given me this body to use on earth and I am going to make the best of it and really take it to the cleaners! Just kidding :-)
Getting onto my personal Ironman story. There is so much to say that I don’t know where to start. This blog is just going to be written just how I speak. Whatever comes into my head I put on paper. Whatever I feel in my heart I will put it in as I have prayed over this blog and I pray that whoever is on the receiving end can relate to it in some way or another. So here goes…
Before I go into the story, I want to say to you, believer or non-believer, that for the first time in a very long time I took my eye off God. Now what this means is that I totally slipped back into my old ways: a selfish, pushy, impatient, spoilt brat. When I gave my life to God, I surrendered myself to Him, not in weakness and because I was a pathetic and a useless human being, but because I wanted to change. I wanted my heart to change. I wanted more from life and I was tired of living for myself and doing things for me. The reason why I am explaining this to you is because in the days leading up to the event I turned back into this person I was, without even knowing it! It was really scary and I want to be honest with you all as I believe I have been through this for a reason. Now being a Christian for 5 years, your life changes and it is only when you go back to those old habits that you realise how ‘messed up’ you actually were, and how you saw things. So, now keep this all in mind when reading this. I want to create an atmosphere before the story even beginsJ So, AD and I arrived in Manchester on the Thursday afternoon. By this time the nerves or should I say anxiousness was just about hitting full tilt! After a long drive we drove straight to register at the expo and check out the scene. Experiencing Nice Ironman last year- the atmosphere was electric! Almost 3500 athletes and the buzz was incredible. I was a little disappointed as this expo was really small in comparison. I then started to focus on myself. I started to moan and say Í cant believe this expo’ there is hardly nothing to buy that actually fits and I need to find tri pants ASAP! That was my main focus and I wasn’t stopping until I had some. I was snappy and I was a spoilt brat. Here we were, my husband was so excited he was bouncing off the walls and just so excited and happy to be on holiday and not at work. Here he was just so happy to be somewhere new and enjoying the moment and here I was focused on myself and MY needs. How SELFISH! I was so angry at myself for being such a spoilt brat and for not realizing that my husband is excited and not to ruin the moment. The Lord came through for me once again, just reminding me to keep my focus on Him. There were no tri shorts I could see, then I went to a rack and there was my size- the last one, the perfect length and everything I needed. They even were on sale! That was the first of many incidents that happened in running up to the event. I wanted to share with you this one in particular as with this whole Ironman thing, it is so easy to be so self focused. You can be to a certain extent, but when it changes your character and makes you bitter then it is just not worth it! I thank God for my husband who teaches me about unselfishness daily by loving me like he does…
On Thursday afternoon AD and I cycled to the infamous ‘Sheephouse Lane’ the big hill climb that we will be doing 3 times on the course. To be honest I STRUGGLED! I was wearing these freaking compression pants that was seriously uncomfortable and my thighs were not having it. I crawled up the hill and nearly had a heart attack (hence the locals call it heart attack hill!) After that I was in tears. Self doubt crept in and all the feeling of weakness had come back in. It is just incredible how all these negative feelings can come back so easily. I hadn’t been spending time with God and being so focused on myself lead me to try and do this in my own strength and to do it MY way. Well let me tell you, I felt weak and I felt out of control. I was back to my insecure old self. I will never forget how I just hugged my husband at the bottom of that hill, in tears and in fear of what was to come. Flip man, looking back now I praise you Lord for going through it! It has made me realise that I KNOW, I know as I know where my strength comes from. You think it is cliché for every Christian to say that, well let me tell you my brothers and my sister there is a strength that I never knew existed and that is what I am going to share with you…
Friday was no better really, I hardly slept and the nerve-o-meter was climbing. It was all about me and what needs to be done. I know this is human, and can happen but let me tell you it steals ones joy and you forget to ENJOY THE MOMENT!! Family arrived and it was great having them there. Nix, my sister in law decided to come at the last minute and this for me, was so big. Having family there meant so much and for this I am so grateful. Sacrifice was made, people slept on the floor on the walls, wherever they could find space! The chaos only just began… Then friends started to arrive, our truly amazing supporters club. Let me tell you guys, I have never in my life experienced friendship and love like I did last weekend (except on our wedding dayJ). There were 16 supporters in total. People were coming far and wide and were making the effort to drive 5 hours away. Making sacrifices to come watch us. I couldn’t really fathom it and I thank God for the friendships that I have. They are real and special. They understand my heart and they have understood this journey and what it has taken and this means so much to me. So, there we were by Saturday there were 5 or 6 tents pitched on the back lawn of the B & B- committed and dedicated supporters!
At this point, Saturday, tension was high. AD and I had to drop off our bikes at transition 1, we had to make sure our bags were hung up with our change of clothes etc. We then had to shoot across to transition 2 (which was a different place) and drop off our running stuff. Looking back I was such a self focused spoilt brat! I was just so anxious I forgot about the people around me and forgot about my God who removes all fear and who replaces it with joy and confidence and assurance. I was nervous, rightly so, but it got the better of me…
We then (all 16 of us) went to an IronPrayer meeting. This was a meeting for all athletes and supports to come together and Pray for the event and to pray over the athletes. It was a truly incredible experience: the venue was too small for the amount of people there- Amen! There we all were, young people coming together, who love God and who have all have a story, a past. We sat in that meeting and listened to fellow athletes testimonies. I cried, because I felt overwhelmed by all my friends and family who were there, who had come so far and who were so patient with me, even when I turned my back on them. I felt the pressure of performance. I felt that all these people had come so far, I don’t want to disappoint them and come over the line in 15 hours!! I just wanted everything to be smooth, no punctures, no ‘brick walls’. I cried because I realized that what I was about to do was not to glorify myself, but it was to glorify God. As I sat there and I closed my eyes, God spoke to me and he said, Lou, don’t worry, I am with you just trust me- I know your hearts desires… I know what you really want… To cut a long story short, it was an incredible evening. We heard touching stories from other athletes, and we all were inspired and encouraged. Hearing everyone else’s journey really was special.
Coming out of that, I felt so much lighter and I had a peace in my heart that I hadn’t felt for a few days maybe even weeks. I was so thankful… But let me tell you that it is not just plain sailing when you are a Christian, when you get closer and closer to God you are tested more and more. That night I was tested OH HOW I WAS TESTED! To cut a long story short I crawled into bed at 11pm that evening after watching this DVD that was compiled for us, to wish us luck for the day. They went around to all the home groups and filmed them wishing us luck. They did skits and sang and danced for us! Tears of joy ran down my face. I went to bed that night with peace in my heart and thanking God for all the prayers and thoughts from friends and family, and what amazing people there are in our lives. Thank you to you all…
Race Day:
Isaiah 60:1-3
“Arise, shine; For your light has come!
And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.”
And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the LORD will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.”
3am start, 4 hours sleep and an Ironman to do- how exciting! Race day was here at last, all that anticipation, all that worry, all that anxiousness I was ready to do this thing and to cast all that nonsense aside and to focus on what was to come. Ready to give this thing a good crack! It was go time... Bring it!!
Eating peanut butter and syrup bagels at 3am was a tough job but the Lord was with me from start to finish. I woke up with peace and excited for the challenge that lay ahead: the months of preparation, the early mornings- how could I not be ready? Oh yes, it was GO TIME!
That morning was beautiful. Perfect weather forecasts for the day. It was going to be a good one! In transition area, AD and I were getting our bikes ready and putting on our wetsuits. I heard a shout from the outside: LOU!! LOU!! My heart skipped a beat and I felt a joy I can’t explain. I sit here as I am writing with tears streaming down my face, thanking God for my friends. I turned and through all the athletes I saw our friends and family hanging over the railing, shouting my name. I could hear the proudnes in their voices, the love, the genuine care. It was so special and it put such a smile on my face- for the WHOLE race :-)
After a good group praying session, AD and I made our way to the water in amoungst it. This is it Bossie! The swim was a water start so we had to tread water for 10 minutes before the gun went. I will never forget holding my husband’s hand right before the gun went off. Now it was every man for himself. Let me tell you, that my husband was my biggest fan. Oh no, not the tears again! I will get to the thanks later, for now we are on the race. SO the gun went and it was a bun fight. But I got through it with not too much fighting J I was civilised! Now when you training for Ironman, in the beginning it is all about just getting fit. Then after your first event you are then thinking about time. What times you are ‘hoping for’ in the race. You will never know if you have done enough. The reality is, is that one can always do more! The key is to just trust in your training and to have faith in your preparation. What was to my advantage was that I had God on my side. You know I had set myself some unvoiced targets in my head, times I would like to achieve in each discipline. Let me tell you that God exceeded all my expectations! He knew my hearts desires! I aimed for a 1 hour 20 minute swim. I climbed out the lake at 1:10. I couldn’t believe it! I smashed itJ So happy it was a quick change and out on the bike. As I pushed my bike out of the exit, there were my supporters- screaming their lungs out! The announcer even couldn’t believe the support I had- it was awesome! As I mounted my bike and cycled out getting some food in, who do I hear screaming like banchees behind me? There were my friends- sprinting alongside me and running behind me shouting words of encouragement. They reminded me of my black brothers and sisters back home in the khaya’s running and screaming and shouting with their arms up in the air in an undignified way- man I love my friends! I just laughed and was screaming out Zulu words I never even knew I had! Man I love having black blood in me!! The bike could not have gone better. My nutrition was spot on, and the ride went well. God exceeded all my expectations with everything from time to nutrition to safety! I was just praying on my bike, thanking Him for my friends and saying sorry for turning my back on him in the days running up to the day. As I was 10km out, nearing the end I just prayed that I wouldn’t get a puncture. Then this scripture came to my mind, 1km out: “I will never leave you, I will never forsake you.”I thought God was going to give me a puncture 3km out or something ridiculous to punish me for turning my back on him- how silly is that! God does not punish. He asks nothing of us, just to love him. Pulling in there under 8 hours in total I was elated! Now it was for the marathon. I felt a tweak in my right hamstring, but I just prayed. About 8km’s or so into the race I picked out a friend out the bush- I think he was vomiting or something! I said to him come, we are going to do this!! So we became friends and we pushed each other until I could feel it was my time to push harder... The marathon- what an experience! The support from our friends and family was incredible. They went absolutely ballistic, not just for us but for everyone! Their energy and enthusiasm was like no one else’s on the side. They were calling everyones names encouraging them and high fiving them as they ran passed. How amazing...
Then one lap to go.. I said to myself, I can do this! I can ACTUALLY cross that line under 12 hours- NOOOO!! I started to push myself, keep that rhythm going, keep that smile on my face, treasuring the pain I was feeling, because I knew it was temporary. I came around and got my last band and that was to say ‘you are on the home stretch!’I started to get tears in my eyes and I could feel the Holy Spirit running with me and all around me. I was passing people and running strong. People on the side watching were clapping as they couldn’t believe I was on the home straight and on my way in. It was a dream and all a blur really. I started to feel like I wanted to vomit about 400m from the finish. My salivary glands were working over time! I actually thought I was going to vomit. I just prayed and kept pushing. I came around that corner feeling like a super star- the first red carpet I have ever ran on! Crowds shouting and realising that I did it under 12 hours. This was a dream, a time that God had given me in my heart. I time I thought that I would never be able to accomplish unless something extra ordinary happend! 11:48 crossing that line. The year before AD did an 11:47. How amazing hey?! Same times! I crossed that line, feeling elated and grateful I had finished, but I did not feel that feeling of I DID IT!! Yes ME ME ME! I did it, look at ME!! I AM AN IRONMAN! NO. I crossed over that line feeling that this was a journey, a journey my husband and I took together, to grow in our faith, to realise that it will never fill you. Yes, it is great and it is an amazing feat- but I crossed that line feeling content, that this story will be used for His Glory, not for my own. And here we are...
In ending I want to thank all my friends and family for the support you have been. For believing in me and for being patient with me. That medal that hangs there is not just mine, it is ours! To Maryke and Lieb, Amber and Warren, Amy, Keith my cuzzakstani, Jolene and Henning, Belinda and Herbie, my dear family Ma Lil and Pa, Nix, Wakkie and Sakkkie- to you all that made the journey, thank you so so much! Having you all there really meant so much to me. When you go through an incredible and touching experience you automatically feel connected and like you have endured it together. I cannot thank you enough for your support, no words can explain... Thank you!
To my family and friends who could not make it, thank you for being there for me and for understanding and realising my dream. I appreciate it!
This is not a book so I am going to now end off;-) Last but but not least to my beautiful husband. AD, you have been there for me through the hard times, through the doubting times. You always built me up when I felt weak. You always pulled me up to the sacrifice of yourself. You had the patience, the love and the care that was never-ending. The way you have been there for me throughout this whole journey has been one that I will never forget. It has made us stronger. Climbing those Alps with you and experiencing those views together through pain and sweat are memories that I will hold with me. I have absolutely loved this adventure with you. The tough times and the good times. It has all been worthwhile. You believed in me and are my biggest fan and I dedicate this one to you.
Then above all and everything, to my God. My unfailing God who looked after me, who kept me safe throughout the whole journey. I cannot thank you enough and I love you with all my heart. Thank you for changing my life the way you have. For giving me the eyes to see, too really see life for what it is and from a different angle, a Godly angle. For loving me even when I turned my back on you and tried to do it in my own strength! It is you I give all the glory to. Keep humbling me and keep changing my heart.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-3
Until Next time, God Bless and take care
Lou xxx
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Good evening sports fans!
Well it's here and a week from now my wife and I will be finished with Ironman UK and probably already be plotting Wales a month later! We obviously need help in certain area's of our life! Jokes we love and we love a challenge. Go time baby.
Through out this whole process I have come to realize many many things about myself. I am not bullet proof, I am not as hard I as think I am, my body is actually only a piece of flesh and it can fatigue. What else have I realized? Well this is the big question probably some of the more important realizations I had to make in this journey called Ironman.
What a hype and what a high. You train your self insane for eight odd months do a few other events along the way and then compete in one of the greatest physical tests known to man. You push yourself over the line after swimming 3,8 km, cycling 180 km and running 42 km. You push your body through the most pain you possibly can bear. You mentally take yourself where you have never been before and force yourself to endure more than you thought physically possible! Why? Because I can and I worked for it. Then you wake up the next day and it's all over! You have achieved and you have accomplished more physically than most will ever dare. You have done something once you yourself thought impossible. You now belong to a elite bunch of humans that have taken on this same journey as you have and succeeded.
You have made it well done, here is your finishers T-shirt and here is your meddle! It's a amazing feeling, I have done it once and that is I have embarked on this journey again. Your learn much about yourself, others and just life in general.
One of the things that hit me most last year after waking up in a empty flat on my own was that this is all temporary. Man alive, I got on my bike and cycled down to the Ironman village that was a buzz with athletes and shops the previous day. It was abandoned half the stores were closed, so I headed to the boulevard only to see the banners had been taken down and the run course broken up. I headed to the swim beach only to find it was all over, gone!
Now the reason I am telling you guys this is that even after you achieve such a massive feat, it is still only temporary. I watched the Le tour de France the other day, one rider lost His uncle and was tired of riding. He said there is more to life than this and he has realized this, the bike is not everything.
This blog is at the fore front of the Ironman. I am shaved up, chest and legs. My wife cut my hair. I am nearly at fighting weight and I am as excited as a fat kid in a candy shop, but as I move closer I am well aware that this thing I love does not define me, nor will it ever be able to fill me. Next week this time it's all over. My beautiful friends, amazing parents and my beautiful Blessing of a wife will be sitting talking about a day I will never forget. Monday will come and Tuesday I will e back at work. The Ironman would have come and gone and I will be richer in experience and life, but I know that it will never be able to fill me. I have realized that only God can always be the one that can fill me and make this experience all the sweeter.
I know this because I will have Him along side me all the way. Last year I was singing Worship songs on the bike, the guys thought I had lost it already and I was only 3 hours in. God was there when I doubled up with cramps and could not run, He was there when I gave Him the glory over the finish line and He was there when I woke up the next day alone in a flat.
Many athletes go into a depression after this massive feat, what now is the question? I can tell you honestly, I probably would. God will be there at Boltons' start line He will be there at the finish line. You know what I love about this sport is the fact that I will have 10+ hours next Sunday to give Him all the Glory and Honor for carrying us through a Ironman!
We will be up dating you guys each day and let you know how we are moving on!
There are many many things in this life that drive us, for me only one has stayed constant, never letting me down and always showing me the way. Where do you find yourself today.
Have a Blessed week
much love Ad
Through out this whole process I have come to realize many many things about myself. I am not bullet proof, I am not as hard I as think I am, my body is actually only a piece of flesh and it can fatigue. What else have I realized? Well this is the big question probably some of the more important realizations I had to make in this journey called Ironman.
What a hype and what a high. You train your self insane for eight odd months do a few other events along the way and then compete in one of the greatest physical tests known to man. You push yourself over the line after swimming 3,8 km, cycling 180 km and running 42 km. You push your body through the most pain you possibly can bear. You mentally take yourself where you have never been before and force yourself to endure more than you thought physically possible! Why? Because I can and I worked for it. Then you wake up the next day and it's all over! You have achieved and you have accomplished more physically than most will ever dare. You have done something once you yourself thought impossible. You now belong to a elite bunch of humans that have taken on this same journey as you have and succeeded.
You have made it well done, here is your finishers T-shirt and here is your meddle! It's a amazing feeling, I have done it once and that is I have embarked on this journey again. Your learn much about yourself, others and just life in general.
One of the things that hit me most last year after waking up in a empty flat on my own was that this is all temporary. Man alive, I got on my bike and cycled down to the Ironman village that was a buzz with athletes and shops the previous day. It was abandoned half the stores were closed, so I headed to the boulevard only to see the banners had been taken down and the run course broken up. I headed to the swim beach only to find it was all over, gone!
Now the reason I am telling you guys this is that even after you achieve such a massive feat, it is still only temporary. I watched the Le tour de France the other day, one rider lost His uncle and was tired of riding. He said there is more to life than this and he has realized this, the bike is not everything.
This blog is at the fore front of the Ironman. I am shaved up, chest and legs. My wife cut my hair. I am nearly at fighting weight and I am as excited as a fat kid in a candy shop, but as I move closer I am well aware that this thing I love does not define me, nor will it ever be able to fill me. Next week this time it's all over. My beautiful friends, amazing parents and my beautiful Blessing of a wife will be sitting talking about a day I will never forget. Monday will come and Tuesday I will e back at work. The Ironman would have come and gone and I will be richer in experience and life, but I know that it will never be able to fill me. I have realized that only God can always be the one that can fill me and make this experience all the sweeter.
I know this because I will have Him along side me all the way. Last year I was singing Worship songs on the bike, the guys thought I had lost it already and I was only 3 hours in. God was there when I doubled up with cramps and could not run, He was there when I gave Him the glory over the finish line and He was there when I woke up the next day alone in a flat.
Many athletes go into a depression after this massive feat, what now is the question? I can tell you honestly, I probably would. God will be there at Boltons' start line He will be there at the finish line. You know what I love about this sport is the fact that I will have 10+ hours next Sunday to give Him all the Glory and Honor for carrying us through a Ironman!
We will be up dating you guys each day and let you know how we are moving on!
There are many many things in this life that drive us, for me only one has stayed constant, never letting me down and always showing me the way. Where do you find yourself today.
Have a Blessed week
much love Ad
One week to go!!
"What we have is based upon moment-to-moment choices of what we do. In each of those moments, we choose. We either take a risk and move toward what we want, or we play it safe and choose comfort. Most of the people, most of the time, choose comfort. In the end, people either have excuses or experiences; reasons or results; buts or brilliance. They either have what they wanted or they have a detailed list of all the rational reasons why not."~ Anonymous
For me this really spoke volumes especially throughout this entire Ironman journey. It is so easy to rather play yourself down and to not believe in your training as we, like all human beings, do not want to be set up for disappointment or failure. We sometimes would rather play it safe because if you don’t achieve the time or goal that you set out for, then you will let yourself down and the people around you down. I know this feeling too well. I would rather not set myself targets in case I never met them. I didn’t want to face that disappointment or be that failure. I think I was too hard on myself back then therefore, I believe, I never reached my full potential- why would you if you keep holding yourself back?
This ironman journey is now drawing to a close. I have mixed feelings as I have really enjoyed this road, learning about myself and having the experiences I have had- good and bad. They have moulded me and will be with me for the rest of my life. I have enjoyed having a goal and I have enjoyed the smaller goals in between too (It makes it all the fun!). Experiencing this with my husband is unexplainable. We have seen the world from an angle together that not many people do experience and for this I am truly grateful. I thank God for my body and for what I have been able to achieve with it- too this point. Now it’s just for race day- come on bod you can do it! As I was saying that Ironman has had its ups and its downs, but I regret none. It has taken sacrifice but it has only built me up on the inside and for that I will not exchange for anything.
I am looking so forward to race day. I am looking forward to the pain, the emotions, the hardships, the challenges, the feelings of wanting to give up but then push through. I am looking forward to crossing that line (no matter what time it is) as the experience is all I am after. A good time would be a bonus! People ask me what time I want to do it in, I really don’t have a clue. I have a personal target but that will come if my nutrition is right. I have put in the training and the hours are there. It is now just up to my body, my mind and of course (very important) my nutrition.
This next week is going to be amazing and I look forward to sharing everyday with you guys on the blogger! So keep tuned in and we will keep on updating. Thanks for your support so far- we nearly there!!
Have a blessed week and much love
Lou xxx
A few Quotes I would like to share with you:
"Fear is probably the thing that limits performance more than anything - the fear of not doing well, of what people will say. You've got to acknowledge those fears, then release them." --Mark Allen
There is advantage in the wisdom won from pain" -- Aeschylus "
In my failures, I saw the darkest part of myself, where I was weak, where expectations did not meet reality. Until you face your fears, you don't move to the other side, where you find the power." -- Mark Allen
A person fails to reach their potential when they fail to pay the price.
"When a man says 'I cannot', he has made a suggestion to himself. He has weakened his power of accomplishing that which otherwise would have been accomplished." ~ Muhammad Ali
My favourite:
"Fear is probably the thing that limits performance more than anything - the fear of not doing well, of what people will say. You've got to acknowledge those fears, then release them." --Mark Allen
There is advantage in the wisdom won from pain" -- Aeschylus "
In my failures, I saw the darkest part of myself, where I was weak, where expectations did not meet reality. Until you face your fears, you don't move to the other side, where you find the power." -- Mark Allen
A person fails to reach their potential when they fail to pay the price.
"When a man says 'I cannot', he has made a suggestion to himself. He has weakened his power of accomplishing that which otherwise would have been accomplished." ~ Muhammad Ali
My favourite:
“Ï can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” – Phil 4:13
“But we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” - Romans 5:3-5
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Three weeks of radio silence!!
Well there is no excuse except a complete lack of motivation and having nothing to say other than keep grinding. It's been a hard few weeks and it all came about quite unexpected. One day I was on track mentally and the next I was just hanging on by a thread!
I am sitting here in a flat in France looking out on to the Alps. Our flat is looking out on to a ski resort with massive ski lifts and mountains surrounding us. I'm sitting here in awe of creation while watching tour de France. Man alive this place is amazing.
Lou and I have just come back from a mountain bike ride and have seen some things I have never in my life seen or experienced in my life before! You have got to love this sport and the way you can just experience nature and life first hand!
Two days ago we rode a stage of the tour de France, it's a kind of a sportive bike race thing with a difference! This guy was only 112 km long, but what a beast. I won't normally say that a race or training session was a beast, but this thing was very much a machine! There were three climbs all. The first one was 12 km long the second 17 km long and the last 12 km long with 21 hair pins up the mountain.
What a experience and such amazing views! You can post a picture you can try and explain it, but nothing can describe this beautiful cycle!
These last weeks I might have mentioned have been funny. I think I peaked too early, but after taking a few steps back I am feeling fresh and ready to role.
I had to realize that you can only control what is right in front of you. And also when you have a problem you have to ask yourself is there a possible solution to it? If there is follow through on it, but if there isn't then take the hit and get over it! As I have said many times before this whole experience teaches you so much about yourself.
These last few weeks I have just held on, I have suffered over training a injury and just all round fatigue! But after getting through all this I have realized I still can do this thing. I can still push myself and yes I can still reach my goal!
My life manual still says, what a man thinks of himself in his heart so he is. So what do I believe I am and am capable of? I believe the best is yet to come and with 14 days to go, I am excited to see what all this training and effort has led me to.
Sorry for being so slack. As from next Monday I'll be posting a daily blog to share the 7 days up to the big easy!
So what is it you think of about yourself today? A tough question, but hopefully it's a positive answer.
Have a Blessed week much love AD
I am sitting here in a flat in France looking out on to the Alps. Our flat is looking out on to a ski resort with massive ski lifts and mountains surrounding us. I'm sitting here in awe of creation while watching tour de France. Man alive this place is amazing.
Lou and I have just come back from a mountain bike ride and have seen some things I have never in my life seen or experienced in my life before! You have got to love this sport and the way you can just experience nature and life first hand!
Two days ago we rode a stage of the tour de France, it's a kind of a sportive bike race thing with a difference! This guy was only 112 km long, but what a beast. I won't normally say that a race or training session was a beast, but this thing was very much a machine! There were three climbs all. The first one was 12 km long the second 17 km long and the last 12 km long with 21 hair pins up the mountain.
What a experience and such amazing views! You can post a picture you can try and explain it, but nothing can describe this beautiful cycle!
These last weeks I might have mentioned have been funny. I think I peaked too early, but after taking a few steps back I am feeling fresh and ready to role.
I had to realize that you can only control what is right in front of you. And also when you have a problem you have to ask yourself is there a possible solution to it? If there is follow through on it, but if there isn't then take the hit and get over it! As I have said many times before this whole experience teaches you so much about yourself.
These last few weeks I have just held on, I have suffered over training a injury and just all round fatigue! But after getting through all this I have realized I still can do this thing. I can still push myself and yes I can still reach my goal!
My life manual still says, what a man thinks of himself in his heart so he is. So what do I believe I am and am capable of? I believe the best is yet to come and with 14 days to go, I am excited to see what all this training and effort has led me to.
Sorry for being so slack. As from next Monday I'll be posting a daily blog to share the 7 days up to the big easy!
So what is it you think of about yourself today? A tough question, but hopefully it's a positive answer.
Have a Blessed week much love AD
The Alps - Etape Tour de France
For the last few weeks you haven’t heard from us and for this I am sorry. Things have been pretty hectic on this side and trying to squeeze it all in has been a skill! My blog before this one was the one on France when I went away on a schools activities week. Then I got home after that trip for 4 days and then my hubby and I were off back to France to do a stage of the Tour de France called the Mondovelo Etape. This is a mountain stage and the
riders will be riding this on Tuesday- so do take a look!
So lets download on our trip to France, the Alps. Oh man oh man oh man! There are no words to describe the mountains; snow capped, the vastness of the landscape like it never ends, the rivers and lakes, the French villages, the food, the weather, the people and the cyclists everywhere. It was all just so much to take in and to appreciate all at once...When we arrived after an exceptionally long days drive, we arrived at the foot of the Alp D’Huez infamous 21 hairpin mountain. As we were driving up it I thought to myself this was the LAST climb we will be doing on race day AFTER doing 2 massive climbs before!? I started to doubt myself and my training... We then decided to do it. Wow, is all I can say. The first part is the steepest, but it gets slightly better. After 70 minutes of climbing and once I had reached the top of this mountain, I looked down and the views and seeing what you have just achieved is awesome. It was a small milestone in the greater scheme of things, but when you put yourself through it and do better than you thought you would before you even started makes one feel good. So that was that. I could tick the first ‘Col’ off the list.
The next day we descended down the infamous Galibier, a massive 2700m mountain. AD and I decided to recce this one too on the Saturday. Now THIS one is a mother. I absolutely LOVED it and wanted to do it again. I didn’t struggle half as much as I thought I would. AD flew up the mountain- he is a machine. The climb is 17km and let me tell you the views from start to finish are unexplainable. The valleys you are going up and the windy roads and streams are just breathtaking. The photo’s you see are the ones on top of the Galibier 2 days before the race. What a day!
When coming back to London, I said to AD that I swear that I have put on 2kg’s. I am not surprised because let me tell you, yes we burnt calories, but we definitely made up for it!! The croissants, the cheese, the baguettes, the desserts- all AMAZING! I loved every minute. So on Sunday we just carbo loaded for Mondays race. I was a little nervous but I was more excited. I couldn’t wait- I thought to myself, man what a challenge! Give me a challenge! Gimme that mountain ;-) The rest of Sunday was just registering at the athlete’s village and some shoppingJOnly a little...
Race Day:
So up early early to eat. Then at 7am we descended from our ski resort into the Modane village for the start. For me there were just MEN EVERYWHERE on bikes. I started to get a little nervous as I was thinking where are the women? But then I started to look and I could see... phew! It was such a great atmosphere, and what a morning. We were in Pen 8, so we waited for 40 minutes before departing. Then it was our turn. Booom!! From start to finish i loved every second. Man it was amazing! Just pushing up those hills and then descending then pushing up again and then a massive decent and then one last push! Guys, there are no words to describe how amazing it is. If you enjoy cycling (even just a little) I would recommend you go do it. You won’t regret it. At the top of that mountain you look back and all you see are cyclists, going through the same pain as you going through, chugging away digging deep and feeling the burn. I love it. The best thing was having the roads all to ourselves! What a pleasure! No potholes:)
The last hill, I pushed. It was a stinker and people were walking. It was a great feeling to finish strong and give it my all. Coming in the home straight felt like I was in the tour de France. It was awesome. In the end, I came 19th out of the women and 2650 out of 6700 riders. My hubby did so well, even better in fact. He came 556 out of ALL the 6700 riders!!! He is a machine.... It was great, we did it, we took the photo and we got the T-Shirt. Happy days!
The rest of the week was good too. AD and I did some cycling, mountain biking and some swimming. It was much needed down time and we enjoyed our time in the Alps.
It is now down to business... Two weeks left. This time in two weeks I will be running, running and getting closer to accomplishing my goal I set out to do 8 months ago. I cannot believe that it is here and that we are two weeks to go. I am getting excited. I am going to trust in my body and my training. It is going to be tough, no doubt but I am going to give it a good go! I am going to enjoy the moment as this moment, right now is all we have and all we can control. Now is all we have.
Lastly: Your dreams are meant to inspire you, not haunt you. Let those rigid goals go and be playful. Have fun, enjoy the experience. Expect things to go wrong and remember how you deal with them is what makes you the person you are. Ironman is the little smidgen of life, all the joy, the pain, the suffering and emotions that life can offer all on one day. Yes, I am sure it is going to be amazing, but one thing I realised after doing the Etape in France is that, things like this will never fill me. Yes, I get a kick from it and a massive high, but it will never fill me. What I do know is that my life has changed and the way I see things has changed and that is thanks to my God and my Faith. Without it, this would not be possible and I can see it all for what it is.
Take care and God Bless
Cornerstone “lou” :)
Beautiful France - School trip JULY 4th
Hey folks! So sorry that I have not posted a blog for the last 2 weeks- things have been crazy as the end if the school year is drawing to a close. Reports had to be done, functions had to be attended to and my folks arrived too:) I also had to try and squeeze in some training somewhere in amongst it all. So I do apologise for this being WAY overdue!
So the title for my blog this week is beautiful France. Oh my word how beautiful it is! All you Londoners will be very jealous when I say that I have been in France for 8 days, soaking in the sunshine and better yet being paid for it! Did I mention that I love my job? :) so, me and 3 teachers and 35 AWESOME kids went away on an annual schools activities week in the Dordogne, France. (for those not knowing where on the map that is, I would say somewhere in the middle near Brive, and 2 hours drive from Bordeaux) and all I can say is what a PLACE! Absolutely picturesque- mountains, lake, villages. It was a great week of activities and so much fun was had by all. In the build up towards the trip I was extremely worried about how I was going to do my training when out there. I was going to take my bike but then decided against it at the last minute. It was a chance to focus on my run and swim and boy did I do just that:)
Day 1: We arrived on Sunday morning after a 20 hour coach ride to a Sweltering, blisteringly hot day (the hottest they had this year) it was a stinker! The kids did loads of team building and climbing activities all day. Then idiotically myself and the Kirk (My boss in the PE department and good friend) decided to go running to check out the landscape. We are set in the mountains so I knew it was going to be a tough one. After 1 hour of running up and down hills and breathing like asthmatic over weight pigs we were spent. Absolutely and truly spent! Every last bit of me was emptied. It was so so hot it was unbearable. My heart rate was ne'er below 175bpm! Now that's some serious interval training!
Day 2: We were a little wiser this time and the day started of with a 70 minute canter with my good mate Kirkwood. We went up and down hills, but it was better as it was a lot cooler. What a beaut of a day! After climbing that mountain and seeing that view and the sun rising up through the mountains I knew this was all such a blessing. being paid to be in France and experiencing such peace and surrounded by simple living. It's all I ever want and ever dream of- is simple living with a whole lot of love. I pray everyday that the Lord keeps humbling me so I will never take the simple pleasures in life for granted. That I savour every moment and hold that joy in my heart. Man it's great to feel alive!!!
That morning we left to canoe down the Dordogne river and stay there in a Bivi (makeshift shelter/tent) under the stars with the kids. What a perfect day and an even more perfect night. What an experience- lots of fun was had by all. The river was amazing and the sun she was shining! My tan report: lightly bronzed.
Day 3: Woke up to the river in front of me and the mountains behind it. It was superb. What an experience! After breakfast we packed the canoes and of we headed to round off day 3. Time was flying but we were all having an awesome time making new memories and getting to know the kids. What characters each and every one is. What a pleausre getting to know them all. It's like we are all a little family.
Tan report: sun kissed, slight short tan unfortunately. But sun is still there but was not as harsh.
Evening was great. Chatted with the locals, made new friends and enjoyed the evening sun.
Day 4, we on Wednesday: this was lake day. So I caught I glimpse of a Lake on the way into France but never realised it was that lake we were going to. Now let me tell you all, I have seen many a lake before- but THIS one, oh my, but THIS one is was just hands down the winner. It was absolutely beautiful. A MASSIVE man made lake, fresh water. It was huge. Not even kidding. So today was my swim and run day. Apparently you can run aroun the lake and it's about 8km. I thought it was more along the lines of 7km per lap. So as was planned, Kirky and I slipped out wetsuits on and gave the lake a good go. It was scary at first but I soon got into it and loved every second. I swam right in the middle and all around. It was awesome. After 1 hour and 10 minutes I jumped out and was then bombarded with questions from the kids. They couldn't believe it and thought I was mad. I just laughed:) we (the kirk, flemmers and myself) then put on our running shoes and proceeded to do a some laps. I wasn't sure how many I was going to do but I wanted to do 3. So after lap 1 Kirky decided to call it a day, then it was down to flemmers and myself and when stopping for a quick rehydrate after lap 1 I decided to drag a 6th former with me out from the lake. He was game and so then proceeded with the spontaneity and ran with us around the lake for lap 2 ( with his buoyancy aid on!) what a champ. After lap 2, flemmers was down and I was on my own. The rest was at lunch and the last lap was my victory lap. I gave it a good go even though my body was sore. It was great having finished. Afterwards the kids couldn't believe it and the questions started coming again. Something triggered though because when we got back to the village everyone went for a run! Ha ha haa;)
After lunch I tried my turn at stand up paddle board- man it was INCREDIBLE!!
Tan report: cheeky Burn through the clouds. Very sun kissed.
Day 5: we were also at the lake and I was preparing for a good one today. Weather report: hot. Health report: sore throat but pushing through. Body report: legs feeling super. Hornet juice is amazing! I was ready to absolutely cane this session! Started off with a super swim, very comfortable 70 minute swim. Then it was the run. I had my sights set on 4 laps today. That's just short of 30km. I had to do it! So the first 2 was with the lads and it was a steady but good pace. This time hotter so it made it slightly harder. I knew the route now so I knew what was coming... My mates then ditched me and I dis another 2 laps on my own. The last lap was a tough one, but mentally I am tougher now. I needed that. I felt so good after I finished and I couldn't believe I was injury and pain free. Absolutely epic! I thank the Lord for my body and what it is capable of! May I use this thing you gave me and use it well!
What a day- just rested for the rest of it and caught a great tan. Report update: super bronzed and very happy:) but missing my hubby. Wish he was there- he would have loved it!
That night: teachers quiz night. Our school one! Man we are brainy!! What a night:)
Day 6: excursion day.It was fantastic. The food, the sights- I have fallen in love with France!
Ending off: I miss my husband and it is going to be great getting home. It was an amazing trip and some good training was done!
So the title for my blog this week is beautiful France. Oh my word how beautiful it is! All you Londoners will be very jealous when I say that I have been in France for 8 days, soaking in the sunshine and better yet being paid for it! Did I mention that I love my job? :) so, me and 3 teachers and 35 AWESOME kids went away on an annual schools activities week in the Dordogne, France. (for those not knowing where on the map that is, I would say somewhere in the middle near Brive, and 2 hours drive from Bordeaux) and all I can say is what a PLACE! Absolutely picturesque- mountains, lake, villages. It was a great week of activities and so much fun was had by all. In the build up towards the trip I was extremely worried about how I was going to do my training when out there. I was going to take my bike but then decided against it at the last minute. It was a chance to focus on my run and swim and boy did I do just that:)
Day 1: We arrived on Sunday morning after a 20 hour coach ride to a Sweltering, blisteringly hot day (the hottest they had this year) it was a stinker! The kids did loads of team building and climbing activities all day. Then idiotically myself and the Kirk (My boss in the PE department and good friend) decided to go running to check out the landscape. We are set in the mountains so I knew it was going to be a tough one. After 1 hour of running up and down hills and breathing like asthmatic over weight pigs we were spent. Absolutely and truly spent! Every last bit of me was emptied. It was so so hot it was unbearable. My heart rate was ne'er below 175bpm! Now that's some serious interval training!
Day 2: We were a little wiser this time and the day started of with a 70 minute canter with my good mate Kirkwood. We went up and down hills, but it was better as it was a lot cooler. What a beaut of a day! After climbing that mountain and seeing that view and the sun rising up through the mountains I knew this was all such a blessing. being paid to be in France and experiencing such peace and surrounded by simple living. It's all I ever want and ever dream of- is simple living with a whole lot of love. I pray everyday that the Lord keeps humbling me so I will never take the simple pleasures in life for granted. That I savour every moment and hold that joy in my heart. Man it's great to feel alive!!!
That morning we left to canoe down the Dordogne river and stay there in a Bivi (makeshift shelter/tent) under the stars with the kids. What a perfect day and an even more perfect night. What an experience- lots of fun was had by all. The river was amazing and the sun she was shining! My tan report: lightly bronzed.
Day 3: Woke up to the river in front of me and the mountains behind it. It was superb. What an experience! After breakfast we packed the canoes and of we headed to round off day 3. Time was flying but we were all having an awesome time making new memories and getting to know the kids. What characters each and every one is. What a pleausre getting to know them all. It's like we are all a little family.
Tan report: sun kissed, slight short tan unfortunately. But sun is still there but was not as harsh.
Evening was great. Chatted with the locals, made new friends and enjoyed the evening sun.
Day 4, we on Wednesday: this was lake day. So I caught I glimpse of a Lake on the way into France but never realised it was that lake we were going to. Now let me tell you all, I have seen many a lake before- but THIS one, oh my, but THIS one is was just hands down the winner. It was absolutely beautiful. A MASSIVE man made lake, fresh water. It was huge. Not even kidding. So today was my swim and run day. Apparently you can run aroun the lake and it's about 8km. I thought it was more along the lines of 7km per lap. So as was planned, Kirky and I slipped out wetsuits on and gave the lake a good go. It was scary at first but I soon got into it and loved every second. I swam right in the middle and all around. It was awesome. After 1 hour and 10 minutes I jumped out and was then bombarded with questions from the kids. They couldn't believe it and thought I was mad. I just laughed:) we (the kirk, flemmers and myself) then put on our running shoes and proceeded to do a some laps. I wasn't sure how many I was going to do but I wanted to do 3. So after lap 1 Kirky decided to call it a day, then it was down to flemmers and myself and when stopping for a quick rehydrate after lap 1 I decided to drag a 6th former with me out from the lake. He was game and so then proceeded with the spontaneity and ran with us around the lake for lap 2 ( with his buoyancy aid on!) what a champ. After lap 2, flemmers was down and I was on my own. The rest was at lunch and the last lap was my victory lap. I gave it a good go even though my body was sore. It was great having finished. Afterwards the kids couldn't believe it and the questions started coming again. Something triggered though because when we got back to the village everyone went for a run! Ha ha haa;)
After lunch I tried my turn at stand up paddle board- man it was INCREDIBLE!!
Tan report: cheeky Burn through the clouds. Very sun kissed.
Day 5: we were also at the lake and I was preparing for a good one today. Weather report: hot. Health report: sore throat but pushing through. Body report: legs feeling super. Hornet juice is amazing! I was ready to absolutely cane this session! Started off with a super swim, very comfortable 70 minute swim. Then it was the run. I had my sights set on 4 laps today. That's just short of 30km. I had to do it! So the first 2 was with the lads and it was a steady but good pace. This time hotter so it made it slightly harder. I knew the route now so I knew what was coming... My mates then ditched me and I dis another 2 laps on my own. The last lap was a tough one, but mentally I am tougher now. I needed that. I felt so good after I finished and I couldn't believe I was injury and pain free. Absolutely epic! I thank the Lord for my body and what it is capable of! May I use this thing you gave me and use it well!
What a day- just rested for the rest of it and caught a great tan. Report update: super bronzed and very happy:) but missing my hubby. Wish he was there- he would have loved it!
That night: teachers quiz night. Our school one! Man we are brainy!! What a night:)
Day 6: excursion day.It was fantastic. The food, the sights- I have fallen in love with France!
Ending off: I miss my husband and it is going to be great getting home. It was an amazing trip and some good training was done!
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