Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Farting And The Curious Dog

This post is going to delve into Too-Much-Information territory so don't say you weren't warned!

I've been eating a little bit of cheese lately. Yes, I know - mind blowing, earth-shattering news there. It's one of those foods that I had to cut down on when I developed a whole range of food intolerances while I was on Yaz. Before Yaz I'd have a bit of cheese most days and I really missed it when I had to cut it out but now, when my stomach is being well-behaved, I like to have a little bit.

And I can tolerate a little bit. Actually, that should read I can tolerate a LITTLE bit. By little I mean once or twice a week and not three days in a row. Yes, I broke my self-imposed-but-not-because-I'm-a-masochist rule. I ate cheese with my lunch on Friday, Saturday AND Sunday.

By Monday afternoon I knew that a storm was brewing. Thank goodness I work by myself and had no clients coming over. I was able to relieve the pressure without offending anyone. It's perfectly normal to fart between 15 to 25 times a day. I'd managed to produce my quota in an outstanding effort of 90 minutes - I'd like to think that I have special talents.

If only farting were as cute coming from an adult.

Unfortunately I was still going by the time I had to finish work so poor Iven was regaled frequently with the sound of a trumpet fanfare from the kitchen. We're pretty fancy about how we announce dinner in our house. But finally it started to settle and we were able to eat dinner in relative peace.

Dinner over, it was finally time to relax. I was lying on the chaise with Toby at my feet when I realised that I still hadn't played my final tune. And I'm ashamed to say that I was just too tired and Iven and I have been married too long for me to get up and be discreet. So, in the hope of not being a total bush-pig, I tried to let it out quietly and slowly. But this only made my trumpet sound like I'd used a mute. And to Toby's ears the sound was confusing and a little disturbing. He sat bolt upright. His ears went forward and his brow wrinkled quizzically. He tilted his head one way then the other trying to work out exactly where that strange noise was coming from.


Of course this made Iven and I laugh out loud which didn't help with my attempts to control the uncontrollable. And that made Toby's brow furrow even more. 

I promise I will be cutting back my intake of cheese from now on. Although if we ever need an evening of cheap entertainment I may break that promise.

PS - This post was written a full 24 hours ago. I gave myself a day to try to get Toby to replicate his quizzical, what-are-you-hiding-up-there look so I could capture it for all my loyal readers. I tried to make farty noises with my mouth. I tried an array of squeaky toys. I even went so far as to go to the shops and blow $3.00 on a bag of balloons because nothing does a weird farty noise quite like a balloon. But no luck at all. I have, however, found out that I can put balloons on the long list of things that Toby's afraid of.


Sunday, April 27, 2014

Weekend Highlights

Time is not my friend at the moment. There's been way too much to do in almost impossible time frames. I've been sacrificing weekends since March and even then only just been able to keep my head above water. I feel like a duck - trying to look like I'm floating gracefully along but under the water my feet are paddling frantically to keep up.

Working a lot of extra hours per week has meant that I've had to let a couple of training sessions go. Not easily done when you like ticking off every single session and adding up the kilometres run per week. But I'm not a full-time, sponsored athlete. And I need money to support my running habit. So sometimes I have to prioritise my paying job - but if anyone is open to sponsoring a 50+ runner who's not very talented but it enthusiastic, I'm open to negotiations. (Funnily enough, though, making rocky road has made it up the priority list a little higher than running. Probably because I need some reward at the end of another long day.)

So because life's been a bit of 'all work and little play' I've had to make the most of what little play I have had. Yesterday Iven and I stole a bit of precious time to go to the movies. The movie we'd decided to see was called The Invisible Woman - about Charles Dickens mistress - and because it wasn't a blockbuster we had to go to and arthouse cinema to see it.

Arthouse cinemas are wonderful things. They give you access to some interesting, obscure and downright weird movies. They generally appeal to an older demographic so you can rest your head back on the seat without fear of being infected with head lice. But being that the audience is a little older doesn't mean that it's better behaved. Older can often mean a little hearing impaired so whispers that are meant for your neighbour's ears only can be heard by the entire congregation. I left the theatre knowing how many times the coughing lady one row up had seen her GP about her nasty productive cough - eww phlegm overshare. And about the state of someone's daughter's divorce. Thank goodness no one got onto the topic of bowels because I've heard that ranks only second to weather in hot conversational topics in the elderly.

The movie wasn't great. Maybe it was my state of being busy, busy, busy and needing to go, go, go but I found a lot of the scenes really dragged. But the outing was great because of an interaction with the ticket collector.

We'd arrived early, bought our tickets and wanted to get a coffee to enjoy while we were watching the movie. But we wanted to check that they didn't mind us bringing one in. So we asked the ticket collector. He was probably in his late 60s and obviously enjoyed having a chat and a laugh with the patrons. He told us that we could bring in a coffee as long as it had a lid and as long as we got him one too. Oh, and he took two sugars.

So we went and got our coffees. And, because he wouldn't be expecting it, we got him one as well.

His face was priceless when we gave it to him. Confusion then surprise then a big smile. Heaven knows if he drinks flat whites but it didn't really matter.

We went and took our seats and a little while later he came down the aisle saying that no good deed should go unpunished. He presented us with a discount card to the cinema. I'm thinking that he wants us back so he can get more coffees.

The other highlights of the weekend (apart from two runs which were just what my head needed ) was the 1-0 win by the Roar football team to make it through to the grand final next weekend.

Luke and Becky off to the Semi-final.

And I discovered a pretty uncanny resemblance of the US Secretary of State to a muppet. Uncanny isn't it?!



So now it's over to you. What was the highlight or highlights of your weekend?

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Disappointment

Disappointments. We've all had them.

It may surprise you that I, myself have often been disappointed. Yes, I know my life seems to be a fairytale of blissful runs, perfect children (how could anything less than perfect come from this body?!), sugary confections and generally floating along from day to day on a rainbow created by a unicorn fart. But the reality is such a long way from this delusion that I like to have everyone believe. So I'm going to share a few of my disappointments - just so you can all feel better about your own.

I never got a pony when I was growing up. Unless you count the black ceramic horse that lost its leg during an unfortunate dusting incident and had to be put down. Note to all parents out there - if you give your horse-crazy daughter a ceramic horse she will probably be able to tell that it's not a real one. 

Then there was the disappointment when I was about eight when the person that I'd flung my arms around turned out not to be my favourite aunt but a stranger. That one's very memorable because of the good dose of embarrassment mingled with the disappointment.

I was incredibly disappointed the time that I noticed, halfway through eating it, that my cracker was full of weevils. And then I was incredibly nauseated. For the rest of the afternoon.

And I'm constantly disappointed that I wasn't blessed with a furnace-like metabolism. And that running a lot doesn't mean that you can eat a lot. And that chocolate isn't a low calorie, fat-burning super food.

But I would say my biggest disappointment ever came a few days ago.

It was the end of a long day at the end of yet another long week and I was enjoying a little down time in my pyjamas in front of the television with a cup of tea and a piece of rocky road. Okay, it was more like a slab of rocky road - don't judge!


At this point I need to explain a couple of things. 

First - I basically wear shorts and a singlet to bed. The singlet has a bra shelf in it - for comfort and modesty (in the past we have had young men drop around at all hours of the night so it pays to be prepared) and so things don't get too tangled up when I'm asleep.

Second - I'm not talking about any old rocky road. I'm talking about rocky road that's been custom made to please my palate. Yes it's basically chocolate and marshmallows and nuts but the chocolate is Toblerone and there's two types of nuts (toasted, slivered almonds and toasted pecans). And then there's the other mix-ins - chopped clinkers, marella jubes and, the piece de resistance, peanut M&Ms. 

So I'm lying on the chaise enjoying watching Biggest Loser with a hot cup of tea while savouring my little bit of heaven and trying to beat Toby to the crumbs that fall onto the couch. I'm relaxed and content. All's right with the world even if it's just for this moment. 

The program ended so I got up, put my dirty cup in the kitchen, sent Bubbles out for her last wee of the day (Toby either spends his days dehydrated or has an enormous bladder - either way he never needs to go) and I went to brush my teeth. Teeth-brushing done, I just glanced at myself in the bathroom mirror and noticed what appeared to be a lump - a weird deformity of my left breast.

Upon closer inspection this weird lump turned out not to be a tumour but a rather large piece of rocky road complete with nuts and marshmallows. Heaven knows how Toby missed this bit because he watches me eat like a hawk and pounces on any fallen food instantly. 

So where does disappointment come into this story? I had brushed my teeth!!!! 

I've heard that your character can be measured by how you handle disappointments. I'd like to think I handled this one with good deal of class and grace. I popped that piece of rocky road out of my bra shelf and into my mouth. Then I rinsed my mouth and went to bed. 

Please don't tell my dentist.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Easter Break-in

Many, many years ago our house was broken into.

We'd been out at my parents' place for dinner and arrived home to find the back door and some windows open. But weirdly, nothing had been taken (or if it had been, I didn't notice). The kids' Playstation was out on the coffee table. What little jewellery I had was still in my top draw (the left one, if you're wanting to know specifics for your own nefarious purposes - really don't have much that's not junk). All our electronic stuff was where we had left it. As fas as burglaries went, we'd been lucky. And that was probably because of our very old, very blind Labrador cross.

Fast forward to this Friday. Easter Friday. We were out at another family function - Easter brunch at my sister's house. It's a family tradition and it's a good one. The entire extended family gathers and eats till we need to sleep - which wasn't that late for me due to our long run that morning and the accompanying early start.

This year we had a few additions to the gathering. An Aunt and Uncle were over from Western Australia. And then there were my niece's beautiful little boys - the cutest little Easter Bunnies I've ever seen.


It was a lovely morning of food and laughter and talking and more food (thank goodness I started the day with a run) but by midday we were ready to find a bed so we took off home.

We walked in the house. Nothing unusual to tip us off that something had happened in out absence. Toby and Bubbles greeted us at the door - Toby with the closest soft toy he could grab in his mouth. We walked up the hallway and through the kitchen I could see that the back door was wide open. And at that point I knew something was terribly wrong. 

We'd been broken into again. A million things raced through my mind. Grateful that my dogs weren't hurt but annoyed that Toby had probably greeted the burglars with the same soft toy he'd greeted us with - useless guard dog! Then there was a very short list in my head of what I'd be upset about if it had been taken. Just one item. My Grandma's engagement ring. It's the one thing I have that is irreplaceable apart from our family photographs and I can't imagine a burglar wanting to steal those.

My frantic, racing head was brought to a screeching stop when I heard a voice from the lounge room. A voice that I hadn't heard (except over the phone) since two days after Christmas. My #1 son had decided to make a surprise trip home. Nothing was terribly wrong at all - it was all wonderfully right.


Best Easter surprise ever!

Everyone was happy he made the trip home but Toby has made the most of his visit and the extra cuddles.

And of course a special trip home deserved the ritual baking of Sam's favourite cupcakes - decorated in a seasonal theme.

I hope you've all had a great Easter. And if you didn't get any Easter eggs I have to apologise. Toby is still holding the Easter Bunny hostage until he gets some too.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Last Word On Canberra


Three days and the muscle soreness from running Canberra is finally abating.

I wasn't this sore after any of my half marathons last year and I'm pretty sure that the culprit was the many hills/inclines/positive gradients that Coach Chris said weren't there. I don't know why I ask him about hills when he doesn't feel them. That's the second time he's lulled me into a false sense of security.

I was a little disappointed with my run on Sunday if I'm going to be perfectly honest. Not that I thought I could have given any more in the race. It was more the lead up and the failure to manage my anxiety and how much that physically takes out of me. But I know that the first race of the year is usually one of my most anxious so it should all be up from here. I hope.

I was also a little disappointed in something I saw on the course. It was a sign on the side of the road that was warning motorists that the road was to be closed due to a 'fun run'. This was about 15k into both the marathon and half marathon courses. At that point 'fun' was the last thing it was feeling like. I thought it was a little demeaning to what thousands of us were all doing. But I guess it's easier to put 'fun run' on a sign than 'serious endurance event with incredible athletes of vastly differing abilities but all with one goal - to achieve their dreams!' Might have been too hard to read all that while you're driving at 80k along the parkway so I'll forgive the sign writers.

But disappointment aside, there's always positives to take away from every race. Like the camaraderie of a group who all love to do the same thing. We are such kindred spirits. In fact one man felt such a kindred spirit that he took it upon himself to tuck the size tag back into my singlet around the 8k mark. I totally get it - it had probably been bothering him for the last 7.9k and he wanted to save his fellow runners from the annoyance.

And there was the joy of being able to run on such a beautiful day in a different place. Way nicer to run when the temperature is 10C and dry than 22C and humid. 

 And then there was the satisfaction of getting the media coverage that I so rightfully deserve for my feats of athleticism. You may not have noticed me in the first picture so I've zoomed it in - just for those of you who were never good at finding Wally.


Would I do Canberra again? Definitely. And maybe I'd do a few tempo runs on Hillside Tce in the lead-up now that I know what I'm in for.

Next up - Great Ocean Road in four and half weeks. 

Sunday, April 13, 2014

After a big weekend like the one I just had, it's hard to know exactly where to start so I'll start at the beginning.

Saturday morning I woke up hours before my alarm was meant to go off. It had started already. My heart was racing and there were cold fingers of anxiety wrapping themselves around my intestines and squeezing. My brain was working in over-drive trying to keep everything together. It was amazing that Iven could sleep with all the noise that was happening inside my head. I was fighting a losing battle and when I finally admitted this I took a little white pill and managed to get a few more fitful hours.

The internal battle started up again the moment my alarm went off. This time I didn't try to fight it. I just took the pill and got myself ready. I was so pissed off and disappointed with myself. I know in my head that I can sit on a plane for an hour and a half and I can spend a couple of days relaxing and sight-seeing and catching up with friends and I can run 21.1k. But somehow this message gets lost between my brain and my adrenals and these waves of helplessness take over and I'm rendered almost comatose.

Iven got me to the airport and just knew that the best course of action was to walk me in and sit with me until I had to get on the plane. We were pretty early so I talked to the flight attendants at my gate and told them I was a nervous traveller and would it be possible to board the plane early? They were so lovely and reassuring. They said to just come up when they asked for passengers that needed assistance boarding. A little ironic that I need assistance to board yet I'm running a half marathon the next day.

The flight was over in the blink of an eye - mainly because I slept pretty much the entire way. One side benefit of those little white pills. And when we arrived the anxiety had settled and I felt blissfully normal. Actually, I felt a little excited because I was about to spend the rest of the day with one of the nicest people I know. KD was picking Elio and I up from the airport and I was going to have a one-on-one sight-seeing tour of Canberra for the most of the day.

But once she dropped me back at the hotel, those little flutters of nerves started up again. All I had to do was meet up with my friends to go to dinner. It shouldn't have been hard but tell that to my cortisol-secreting organs. Another white pill - but it was either that or eat no dinner at all and that's never a good idea before a half marathon.

Of course dinner was great. Of course there was nothing to be anxious about. Of course we talked and laughed and laughed and laughed and talked. It was a great night.


Sunday morning came too soon. It was about 2:00am when my anxiety head woke me up. Ughh! Four hours until my alarm was supposed to go off. Four hours of my head skittering around like slaters under an upturned rock. I wasn't going to make it to the start line if I couldn't settle down. Another white pill and I slept till the alarm woke me up. Then it was just a matter of forcing a banana down, dealing with things that need to be dealt with (yes, I do mean the toilet), getting dressed and meeting everyone down in front of the hotel. I'm pretty sure I totally had them fooled that I was calm. Or maybe not.

The morning was perfect. Blue skies but cool. The start area wasn't crowded and we found the rest of the group for a pre-race photo. 


For the first time ever I didn't have to hit the porta-loos. And that's not necessarily a good thing. A short walk up to the start. A little wait and then we were off.


 The goal for the first kilometre was to keep it easy. Hard to do when it's mostly uphill. My legs didn't feel great - a little bit jelly-like and that's not because I've started to celebrate Easter early. Too much adrenalin and cortisol and too much mental energy spent just getting to the start line. I told myself that they'd warm up. That I'd work my was into the run. That I could only do what I could do on the day and that would be enough.

And they did improve. A little. By kilometre 6 they were starting to feel okay. That lasted till about kilometre 11. And that's when the mental games really began. Try to stay focussed. Run the kilometre you're in. Look for your friends on the out and back sections. Distract yourself with the views - the lake, the autumn leaves, the spectators. Breathe in the smells and the crisp fresh air - but do it quickly because you're working really hard.

The hills just kept coming. They were never steep. Just long and slow and relentless. The uphill kilometres dropped my pace to around 5:20 and the downhills seemed to be consistently around 5:08 except for the spectacular 4:54 which was probably an error of judgement.

Every kilometre that ticked over was internally cheered - another one down where I didn't walk. I told myself that if Trudy (a friend who was just behind me) caught me I could walk some of the uphills. But the competitive part of me was damned if I was going to let that happen so I slogged onwards.

And then finally we were into the last kilometre. I saw KD on the side of the road and that gave me a huge lift. I high-fived the kids lining the streets with their hands out and their smiles made me smile. Someone yelled that we only had 500 to go so it was time to sprint. Yep, that wasn't going to happen. And then it was all over. Hooray!!

The group assembled for a post-race pic and to share war-stories. Elio and Ian ran PBs. Congratulations to both of them. Most of us found the hills challenging. But we all finished with a smile on our face.
Special thanks to Trudy for letting me use her photos.

Today I'm a little stiff and sore but satisfied with my 1:50:52 finish time.  


My first race of the year is usually the worst as far as anxiety goes so I'm expecting my next will  be a lot calmer. At least I hope it will be.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Four Days Till Canberra



The countdown is on. Four days till Canberra. So far so good. My inner crazy lady has so far not come out to play and I'm taking a lot of encouragement from that.

Last year before my first interstate race I spent the whole week before in a stomach-churning state of anxiety culminating in a quick trip to the doctors for a script to get me through it. So already I'm counting this trip as a win.

I even had a moment last night when I got excited about going - so nice to feel like a normal person for a change. All it took was a few texts back and forth with a lovely friend who lives down there. It was a reminder of why I'd chosen Canberra in the first place. Any day I get to spend time with Karen is a good day. Between her and my in-laws, I've got most of my free time covered. And that's a good thing because less free time = less time to think = less chance of being a crazy lady.

I'm so happy with my state of mind that I've set myself some goals for the race. My first is to get to the start line without drugs. If I can do the whole weekend without breaking into my stash I'll be happy.

The second goal is to eat on Saturday. Believe me this can be no small task when I'm nervous. My stomach just closes up and I can't force anything down. It's great for weight management but not so great for running an endurance race.

The third goal is to run it under 2 hours. Can you see what I'm doing here? That's right - I'm putting absolutely no pressure on myself to perform. That can (and will) happen once the gun goes off and I get caught up in the race excitement. I know I can run under 2 hours - I've been doing that on my long slow Saturday runs every week. And by taking away any pressure I've got a better chance of meeting my first two goals. It's a plan that's almost genius in its simplicity.

And I have a mantra - "You can only run as fast as you can run." How's that for no pressure? No expectations - I'm just going to do the best that I can do on the day.

I just have one favour to ask. In the spirit of putting absolutely no pressure on myself, please no mention about race times in the comments section.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

No, It's Not A Chore And Yes, I'm Delusional.

Today I found out that I've been deluding myself for years.

That's probably not a surprise statement to some of you who are convinced that I am slightly delusional. Just add that to the long list of mild psychiatric disorders that I like to claim. Mild enough so that some people don't notice and mild enough so I haven't been locked away yet. And mild enough so I haven't felt the urge to buy any cats lately.


The tip-off that I've been delusional was going in to the brand new Coles supermarket at our local shopping centre. And the thing I've been delusional about is thinking that grocery shopping is a chore. Apparently it's no longer meant to be a chore. It's meant to be an experience, according to the employee at the entrance who told us to enjoy ours. 

I've been doing it all wrong for decades now. Every Thursday I grab a trolley. The trolley-grabbing is like the start gun and the aim of the race is to get around every aisle and complete my list in the shortest time possible and without knocking over any pensioners. Because knocking over pensioners really slows you down. Especially if their body somehow becomes tangled up in your trolley and you can't dislodge it. It's like deploying one of those parachutes on a dragster.


Grocery shopping had been considered a chore since the dawn of time, or at least the advent of supermarkets and supermarket trolleys. But some genius (who I'm convinced never does their own grocery shopping) has decided that we need to enjoy our grocery shopping experience more. We need to saunter down each of the aisles at a bridal walk speed, taking in each and every offering on display and weighing up the merits of white bread vs wholemeal vs wholegrain. Or maybe bread rolls would be a better option?

And if you happen to be faced with a decision conundrum, well now you can spend time pondering it over a cup of freshly made, barrista-poured coffee. With a muffin for only $4:00. In the little coffee nook with the mood lighting. Yes, I'm being serious!!

We were met in almost every aisle by a smiling assistant who enquired about our day. Or whether we needed any assistance finding a product. Thanks, but my day so far has been disappointing, having just seen possibly the worst movie ever (Noah, if anyone's interested). And no, I don't need assistance unless you'd like to run interference for me so I can get out of here quicker.

I'm not used to shop assistants who smile and offer help. I much prefer the ones that sneer and treat you with disdain. At least I know that they're sincere. But this 'niceness' seems to have become an epidemic - I'd noticed on Thursday that the staff at the Woolworths around the corner had lifted their game, terrified that they'll lose what they'd previously taken for granted - their customers.

All that sweet insincerity just got on my one last nerve left intact after the two and a half hour travesty that was Noah, but the tension was broken when we passed a hearing aid shop on the way out. A woman was out front spruiking for free hearing tests. I asked Iven if he was interested. His response? 'Interested in what?' He hadn't heard what she was saying. I'm thinking that she was heading for a very slow day if her target market isn't getting her message.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Disco Lights, Spiders Webs and How To Get To Sesame Street.

Yesterday was our last time running trails for the next few months. We're in the middle of autumn (even though the temperatures still feel like it's summer) and it's quite dark when we meet at the beginning of the session.

It was dark enough yesterday for Coach Chris to encourage us to wear lights so we'll be more visible to cars, bikes and each other. Being the coach, he has special lights - not just the one you can get from Kmart for the back of your bike. No, his light has a bank of separate lights and different flashing modes. And being that it was the last trail run for the season, he'd put it on disco mode.

It was a little disconcerting for those running directly behind him. We're used to the steady on-off-on-off style of flashing. We're all hard-core trail runners (stop laughing Chris). We don't need fancy. We disdain fancy. We openly mock fancy - which I pretty much did when I said it looked like there was a party going on in his pants. I'm sure no one would have taken that the wrong way.

Our intrepid and fearless leader was out in front forging a path through the thick forest. Okay, that might be an exaggeration but there was a couple of trees. And where there's a couple of trees there's usually a couple of spiders. A couple of industrious spiders who've been hard at work all night creating a lovely home for themselves - that Coach Chris promptly and carelessly destroyed.

It was at that moment that the disco lights became relevant.



Okay, that might be a little mean. Coach Chris looks nothing like the man in that GIF. A man who runs up to 200k a week will never be as heavy as that. So I found a more relevant one.


And that made this picture that he sent last night funnier than it should have been.


I mentioned before that our Coach is a fearless and intrepid leader but I forgot to also mention that he is also tenacious. He decided that he'd find his way to Sesame Street by hook or by crook. And he did it by the only means that a man of the modern generation has at his disposal. He asked a woman. And the woman he asked had all the answers and told him where to go.


I have Siri set to the male voice and when I asked him he had absolutely no idea where we were in the first place. 

Looks like I'll have to change my Siri setting.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

2014 - The Year Of The Rollercoaster.

I wrote in my last post about my irrational fears about travelling to races. So it seems even crazier that I spend some of my day yesterday doing this.



Yes, I've registered for the Melbourne Marathon again. Because there's no better time to do something scary than when you're already scared. This time I'm hoping will be a hell of a lot better than last. It could hardly be any worse.

Today I'm planning on registering for the other races that are on my mental to-do list - the 10k at the Gold Coast and the Jetty to Jetty half. 

I told my husband all this last night and he had difficulties keeping his eyes from rolling to the back of his head.

"So you're telling me that you're getting nervous about going down to Canberra BUT you're signing up to other races?"

Yeah I had no answer to that except that one day, if I do enough travelling and racing, I might not get nervous at all. There was a time when this actually was my reality - before I got sick and knew just how weak my body could be. I have a clear memory of standing on a start line with my heart rate in the 50s and actually feeling relaxed. I figure that if it happened once it can happen again.

Here's how my racing year's looking so far -
April - Canberra Half
May - Great Ocean Road Half
July - Gold Coast 10k
         Jetty to Jetty Half
August - Sunshine Coast Half
October - Melbourne Marathon

2014 looks like it's going to be an 

I hope I manage to ride with a smile on my face like these girls.


And not with a mouth full of chunder.