UPDATE..........

G'day,.............well, life sure can get a bit crazy!

OK......the challenge, - now I am midway through week 5!  Am doing not too badly but unfortunately haven't quite kept up the '6 day a week' intense training schedule.  Am more at the moment keeping up an active lifestyle, lots of incidental activity and work related movement but only 3-4 intense sessions a week.  I consider that an 'acceptable' maintenance level......but still could be organising myself better to 'up the ante'!  Down about 4-4.5kg over the 4.5 weeks so far, definitely fitter, faster AND STRONGER strength wise.  Am infact enjoying resistance training more than ever before really to complement running, cycling, swimming.  I'm working toward more muscle definition, can see a small improvement there!  I have a love/hate relationship with the stationary rower......am up near 2.3km in 10 mins on level 10 but I really cane myself with it!  But I feel the benefits!  Eating wise, - not to bad either in all honesty for my goals at the moment, could be better but I'm not ashamed!  Personal organisation and time in bed each night are areas to improve in.

Have sent away assessments for my correspondence Nutrition Course.......I completed everything and I guess I will find out in the next few weeks whether I passed successfully.  I enjoyed the course, but finding time to work full time, (and a little extra), commute, more commuting to gym, complete training sessions, study, have a social life, keep on top of personal organisation such as cooking, washing, cleaning etc, have some downtime and then to get to bed on time is sure challenging!  I know it's nothing worse than what most deal with but life to me felt busy enough before study!  Adding study and deadlines I sometimes felt overwhelmed.    Then there is all the planning for the NZ move!

Well, - I leave for Thailand on 19 Oct which is only just over 5 months away and all paid for!  Only about 5 months left of work at current job!  I am excited for Thailand!  I bought a Mountain Designs travel pack earlier this week!

I have had many temptations and thoughts of leaving work even a month earlier, (say in 4 months) and then either taking a quick round the world trip, or even just a week or 2 in Hawaii!  I have wanted and talked about doing lots of overseas travel, (holidays and adventures) for years.  But I figure a trip, accom and activities etc in Hawaii would cost at least $5000, money I should prob not spend right now! Europe, America, Canada even worse. Maybe a long term aim to work toward.

In July or August I will need to organise for my big items and most of my stuff to be shipped to NZ and picked up from current address.  Therefore the last few months I will be living minimally.

Oh yeah, I went to watch the footy a couple of weeks ago.  Haven't decided if I will enter the HBF Run for a Reason in a few weeks.  Only thing holding me back is that I know I'm no-where near as fast as I was last year, and (for me) last year I achieved a cracker finishing time.  This year I know I would be at least 10 mins slower if not close to 15 mins slower over 14km......which could mean rather than being happy to finish...........I'd feel annoyed which is not the best way to finish a race!  I'm also thinking about the City to Surf on last Sunday of August, - entering that in either the 12k aiming for a PB or knuckling down and attempting the half marathon...........in an attempt to go under 2 hours in a 'half' finally!  But the 'half' plan would require lots of focus from now!  Full marathon..........outta the question!  Just not that dedicated and am enjoying the cycling, swimming and weight training too!

I'm sure there will be a few social gatherings in the next few months, - will definitely miss Perth as I think Perth and WA is an awesome place to live!

Talk soon

Pip :-)