Coming into Week 4 of Block 1 Training / Documentary

Tomorrow is a 2 hour paddle in the delightful conditions Sydney has put on for us. With showers, a maximum wind speed of 26km per hour SW swinging to SE later in the afternoon = nice! Think I will be paddling after lunch so I don't get blown all the way to New Zeland (although, I must return for a visit soon but by airplane!)

Dad has been a superstar this last 3 weeks. Picking me up at home 3 mornings a week and taking me to where I need to be to train on my board, then waiting for me to finish training and then taking me into work in the city. Without dad, I would not be able to get the board training done that I need to. So thanks pops! YOU ROCK. And like this morning, even if there is no one else out on the water, the wind is blowing 18 nots and it's grey and overcast, I will still go out and paddle.... by myself!!!

This is me on my maiden voyage on the Lahui Kai board. 

Feet, neck, back, legs. These are areas of my body that hurt the most. Feet from rubbing on the pads on the board trying to get used to the rudder (which is proving to be more challenging than I expected especially in big swell). Neck back and legs hurting and being sore is all part and parcel of board paddling. Suck it up I hear you say, well damn straight!

After next week, I have a recovery week and it is definitely needed. So am looking forward to my weekend 26-27March with my best mate Louise (Laa Laa) for some baking, drinking, FOXTEL and CHILLLINGGG OUT.

The documentary is coming along nicely too. So check out the trailer and the website. Thanks to Jason Hooker :)

Documentary Trailer
Crossing The Channel Of Bones

Getting Organised

It is tough juggling a full time career with a full time sport. Social life... umm, Saturday evenings are my social night! With aims to keep progressing in my career and also exceed in my sport, burning the candle at both ends is an understatement. This is something many of us do, but sometimes, you need to sit down and re-evaluate things. What is important to you? What are your goals? Where do you want to be? These are all tough questions I have asked myself in relation to my career and my sport. My answer is: I want it all!! And whilst I am at a point in my life where I can be selfish with my time, it is now or never.

For a third year in a row, I am going to juggle my career and my sport. Although this year is going to be a thousand percent harder. Progression at work means more responsibility (and in turn more mental focus, learning and stress). Goals in sport means more training is required which drains you physically. My goal in sport is to paddle the Molokai channel solo on 31st July 2011. In 2009 and 2010, I did this event in a team which is much easier to manage, not only on the day of the event, but in the training leading up to it as well. I know there are many people out there that are doing similar things. These people are amazing. I train with amazing people who help me stay inspired and determine to reach my goals. By watching them achieve their goals, it makes me more determine to achieve my goals. It is a scary thing to say your goals out load, so I won't. But I will let you know when I achieve them!

It is less than 22 weeks now and I have 2 races to train for:
Race1: Maui paddle: which is a 9.56 mile down wind paddle on the north shore of Maui.
Race2: Molokai paddle: which is a 32 mile crossing between 2 islands. BIGGEST THING I WILL EVER DO in 2011.

Staying focused and motivated at work and at training will be tough. The mental and physical exhaustion is brutal. But with mental strength and being a smart athlete, I CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING I PUT MY MIND TO. So here goes...