Mar18 - Farewell Brisbane & the wonderful ppl i've met

Training with the Crocs (http://crocsquad.com/)

TUESDAY : THRESHOLD RUN

The beaten track Run & Swim coach : Rod Cedaro

Note : I am not sucking in *grrrr*

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY : SWIMMING SESSIONS

*no group pic coz not many ppl came for class*

THURSDAY : BIKE SPINNING SESSION

Brad Beven & Anne Garton

MONDAY - FRIDAY (8AM-5PM)

3/5 of my direct managers : David Bazley, Parker Nelson & David Parker

*I’ll always remember Dave Bazley as one of the most sporting managers (check out his costume for Christmas Party)

Other Mgrs : Paul Keogh & Mark Carney

Legal Mgr : Adrian Baron (he FBs :p)

Asistants & Sexytaries of John Holland
Sitting : Mary, Natalie, Bronwyn & Kylie
Standing : Tiare, me & Belinda

Michelle & Chrissie

Farewell to Brissie Australia
Quote from Arnold
“I’ll be back!!”

Apr05 - Twilight Run 2009

The sun setting over the Brisbane River, thousands of runners and walkers enjoying an April evening... pounding the pavement, putting their bodies to the test. Grimaces, smiles and a few frowns are some of the expressions temporarily occupying the faces of participants...
Finally as the sun sets, expressions change as men and women of all ages beam coming across the finishing line. Looking towards the finishing clock, realising a personal best, reaching a goal and most importantly having participated in Queensland's only Twilight Half Marathon and 10km Festival.

After months of swim, ride & run racing & training, not once did I blinked an eye to register for this run. A big plus to it was that it was a night run. So no sun nor hills to complain about. It was about time i started my long distance running again after only training 10km runs for my tri events. The last time I ran a 21km was Gold Coast Marathon last year June. So I was just hoping for the best.

I was in kinda a jam coz being Sunday, no buses runs at night. So at final resort, the dreadful taxi, which meters clicks the same tempo as ur pulse. The drive was only 15minutes away costing me $17.50 :O

My 1st nite run. Weather was playing tricks on us. Rain, sun, cloud, rain grrr...make up your mind!!! Starting point was the running tracks of University of Queensland, with various events suited for everyone. Ello..if an 8year old can run 1km sprint, so can u. There were soooo cute...

I wore my new green running skirt, with 2 side pockets to keep my gels. I regretted carrying my camera coz my camera suxs at night shots plus it was heavy too.

The ground was wet and the roads were dim. Oz is really saving $$$ on electricity coz the distance between the lightposts was quite far. So in between was quite dim. I got disoriented.

We were told that distance marker was showed, but I don't see any. Then i noticed some markings sprayed on the ground. Ellooo..how to see at nite lah. So i couldn't time split at all. Only 2 water stations (10km) grrrr...Spotted 4 guys wearing Singapore Marathon Finisher shirts. I cut 2 of them *big smile*.

Anyway, i sprinted towards the finish line on the running track. Like stadium mah...imagine Olympics ekkekek...

I was glisterring with sweat since it was hot & humid. I looked at my watch after crossing the line. 2hrs 1min. WHAT THE HECK!!! The Curse of the 1min. Someone helpppp me!!!!

Mar28 - Mooloolaba Triathlon 2009

Approaching its seventeenth year the Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival is an annual three-day celebration of multi-sport events, hospitality, entertainment and lifestyle products, all supporting Australia`s second largest triathlon event.
The numerous swimming, running and cycling activities encourage local participation, providing competition options for people of all skill and ability levels. Furthermore, the festival attracts interstate competitors, bringing the nations best athletes together in a fun and vibrant atmosphere, to swim, bike, run and party.

With my expired driving license, I was unable to rent a car for this big trip but thankfully a colleague was racing as well, so “tumpang”. Phew! It was a 2 hr journey up to the Sunshine Coast, closer than Noosa though. Directions was easy to follow with easy road signages. I didn’t know that there was a Underwater World up north. I’ve always thought it was only at Gold Coast.

Australian beaches are always beautiful. With no rubbish in sight, compared to “others” ;p Dedicated safety zones are marked with lifeguards keeping a closed eye. I can’t say I’ve ever went into the sea before (other than racing). I’ve always found the water too cold while the sand was too hot.

Since it’s a tourist attraction, shops & restaurants was not to be missed. This is also one of the best spots for family outing with caravan designated parking spots for the “outback” experience.

I was kinda ‘kiasu’ about my accommodation. I had a bad experience the last time I raced in Noosa (another tourist attraction). Last minute booking of accommodation during peak season will cause heart-attack. Plus majority of these apartments/resorts demand a minimum of 2 night stays. So once the date of the race was announced, last year, I quickly booked a room closest to the starting line at a reasonable price. Newport apartment was only 5minutes walk away with 2single & 1double bed & kitchenette for $195.

I shared the room with 2 ladies (whom I’ve never met before) but from another triathlon club. Aussies trust each other. They cooked up a carbo dinner of pasta with tuna, avocados, tomatoes & cheese. Yummmyyy…I even asked for seconds. Okawari!!

Registration & bike check-in was textbook. I was glad that it was a river swim rather than the sea. It’s difficult trying to swim when each time u turn your head to breathe, the waves hit u. The weather was crazy. It rained for 10 minutes, then sunny, then cold wind.

The expo organisation was pretty unique. Rather than having it in a tent, it was located at the side along the road that we were gonna raced on. My sliver was dripping with the number of stuff that I had in my wislist, but there was a lock over my wallet to prevent me from spending. Triathlon is an expensive sport. U just wanna keep upgrading.

Triumph sponsored, Emma Snowsil, also Beijing Olympic winner (sorry wrong spelling above) graced us with her presence for an autograph session. I wasn’t that hyper about it coz I’ve already taken a picture with her at Noosa.

I was ecstatic that my name was printed on the bib. Plus it was a great motivation as the supporters would cheer out for you. I was like “huh? Wat? Who calling me?” :p

Swim (1.5km)

Changed from the sea to the river. Woohoo!!! The surfs were huge. And I sucked at sea swim. It was a comfy swim but I think it's time to evaluate where I should park myself in the crowd. I always stayed the back coz I didn't want anyone to swim over me. But also had to suffer from the slower ones in front. I had to actually breaststroke in the start.

Transition Area

Big parking lot with men divided into age group while women only 2 categories : <25yrs>25years. But the biggest complain was that I had to run 800m from the Swim Out. It really hurt running barefoot on tar road at the same time trying not to land on ur heel. I was cringing. My 1st time wearing my new triathlon skirt (works as my race belt as well).

Cycling (40km)

Rolling hills until we hit the highway. Loooovee the flat surface. Just spinning away. Rain pelted against my face. I felt like i was zooming until the u-turn. After making that turn, I spoke too soon. Headwind for nearly 20km. Had to put in extra effort to push myself. I did my feet-out-of-shoes transition that I practiced, but lost my grip of the bike (after getting off it), the bike fell. I accidentally kicked the bike, barefoot. Received a bruised on my toe.

Run (10km)

Starting of the run was uphill. Then dooowwwnnn...then flat, then u-turn. Then upppp..then u-turn. Wonderful isn't it. They had to give the u-turn on top of the hill. I maintain pace the whole way. Never felt soo high over gel. Really a boast of energy. On my last lap back, after hitting the hill, I sprinted towards the finish line.

My target was sub3. This was my 3rd OD Tri. When I crossed the finished line, my watched said 3hrs 1min. U've seriously gotta be kidding me!!! I put the blame to the distance between the swim & transition area. But then, I wanted it to be at the river. *Sniff sniff* Oh well, more training & better luck next time.

Mar22 - Jenn can't bake

It’s one of those days that I felt like doing something differrent. So I decided to bake a cake. I bought one of those easy-to-bake instruction cake mixtures from the grocery shop, consisting of cake flour & icing powder.

My target? The chocolate mudcake that looks too yummy from the bakery. Only cost $5. Seriously!!!


Cake Ingredients :-
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 milk (FOC, from office)
- 3 tablespoon of margerine
- Cake flour

Icing ingredients :-
- 3 tablespoon of margerine
- Icing powder

Simple isn’t it. Thankfully my housemate had loads of utensils. So I’ve got the mixing bowl & rice cooker pot ready. Why the rice cooker pot? That’s my ‘microwave’. I don’t have a baking bowl. Anyway, rice cooker I don’t have to jaga time loh. Just set “Cook” :p




Ok let’s see.
Step 1 Mix all the cake ingredients together. Slowly pour the milk in cause it took me ages to harden the mixture, since the milk is liquid. I think I was stirring for about 10-15mins. Arms also sore liau. Ello..my legs strong, not my arms.

Step 2 Lather the insides of the baking bowl with margerine. U don’t wan the cake to stick to the bowl. It works like a non-stick pan. Get it? Anyway, this way the cake would just “plop” out of the bowl when done.

Step 3 Pour the cake mixture into baking bowl. Straight forward enuff? After that, u can go lick the remaining mixture :p




Step 4 While the cake is being baked, I wish to say u can mix the icing, but I would suggest leave this for later. I did this immediately, then being a dungu, I put it into the fridge. Yes, u get nice cooling chocolate, but it hardens. How do u expect to ‘apply’ on the cake leh? I had to microwave to melt the chocolate. So avoiddd…

Step 5 Once the cake is done, take the cake out. U have to cool the cake before putting icing on it. So ‘terbalikkan’ the cake only a plate or watever. Mine came out kinda fluffy fluffy. I guess it looks pretty good though the center a little sunken.

Step 6 NOW… u can do the icing while waiting for the cake to cool. Pour the icing powder into a bowl & mix it with 3 tablespoon of margerine. Yes, this might look weird, coz it did to me. I was wondering how the heck to mix margerine with powder? In the end, it came out well.




Step 7 (final) This is the final step. Icing the cake. U can try to be as creative as u want but I guess there’s a limit on how ugly it would turn out to be :p

Tadah!!! With just 7 easy steps & about 1.5hrs, I did something that I never thought I would do. I do say, it does taste pretty good, if you really love chocolate cake. Reminder to self, don’t spread too much icing, if you don’t fancy it.

Mar20 - Skirtini Party

A passion born, the SkirtSports line launched in 2005, mirroring the idea that women should never have to sacrifice femininity for performance in their workout clothes. In the first year, skirts flew off the shelves, selling out by mid-season, to runners, cyclists, triathletes, tennis players, and fashionistas, and the Skirt buzz grew.
- http://www.skirtsports.com/-

I received an invitation from Intraining Running Centre to attend a Skirtini Party to launch the latest thing to ladies running attire; sports skirt. I’ve done my research and found many running skirts in the market by Nike, NB, running skirts, skirt sports, sports skirt etc. I think majority give the same impression; make ladies feel feminine even when playing sports especially running. But think of it, when did tennis skirt first started? Why now? Some questions I really don’t bother asking out loud.

Anyway, it was a closed party. Only a handful of ladies attended but since it was a Friday evening, I wouldn’t blame the rest. Unlike me, I don’t quite have a live other than training. Thankfully they served us fingerfood to keep my tummy from rebelling. My mocktail was non-alcoholic aka fruit punch. As we were waiting for more people to arrive, I tried out a few skirts which added to my confusion what was the difference because they all kinda look the same. Just a little info. We all know that beneath the skirts, we wear undies.

Below is a little explanation on what is worn with the skirt sports. Most of them are builded-in with the skirt.

* The attire is modelled by volunteers. So there is no guarantee on how good or not they look.

GYM GIRL SKIRT
Skirt Sports' Gym Girl skort offers the appeal of a short skirt, the convenience of shorts and the mobility, fit and comfort of spandex stretch.

MARATHON GIRL SKIRT

Power up your marathon in this Marathon-Girl skirt from Skirt Sports. Skirt Power is their line of pretty yet technical fitness wear you'll love wearing anytime.

* What’s the difference between the 2? Err…Marathon Girl has a slit on the side for better ventilation and stretchiness. While the Gym Girl is fitted, that also comes with a longer length for those who doesn’t which to show more leg

SKIRT SPORT SUMMER DRESS
Skirt Sports Summer dress is your perfect casual outer layer whether you are going for a walk in the park, need a swimsuit cover-up, or heading out on the town for a day of shopping.

SKIRT SPORT SWEETEST THING

It’s Capris! It’s a lightweight, flirty booty-covering Skirt! It’s the revolutionary Capri-Skirt Combo! We call it the Sweetest Thing in honor of our favorite U2 tune. Guaranteed to nurture a dry kind of love while you’re working up a sweat

SKIRT SPORT TRIATHLON SKIRT

This cover-up-styled skirt can be just as easily worn for the run of a TRI or a walk on the beach. With hidden snaps for your race number, you need not worry about safety pins. Silicone waistband gripper holds the RaceBelt Skirt in place; no more riding up to your "real waist!"

As the clothing line has grown in popularity, SkirtSports recently debuted their soon-to-be-infamous national SkirtChaser Race Series in Austin, TX. The race kicks off with a kids "mini chase" and follows the next day with an adult race, including an all-women's start, followed by a men's "SkirtChaser" start three minutes later and concludes with a block party and fashion show.
- http://www.skirtsports.com/-

Did u get it? It’s a race where the girls get a few minutes head start, then the guys comes running after. I dunno what the incentive will be though. Reminds me of my primary school days playing catching :p Anyway, the fashion show ended with a boy chasing after a girl. Tadah!!! Ok lah..the session gave me a pretty good overview.

The gullible me, bought 2 skirts. A running and triathlon skirt. So try to spot me wearing them during a race.