Yesterday I ran 10km in the Bridge to Brisbane along with a record 45,265 other people!

The first ever Bridge to Brisbane was 12 years ago.
I was up at 4am to make my way to the event.
At 6.25am the gun went then after half an hour later I finally reached the start line and had to immediately tackle the Gateway Bridge. There was a strong breeze and it was pretty hot in some sections. I finished in 1:07ish, slower than usual but the two bridges took a bit more effort than other runs I’ve been on.

The last contestant crossed the finish line about 11.20am; five hours after the first 10km runners left the Gateway Bridge.

The race was extremely well organised and I was excited to be a part of the big event. Only criticism there was nowhere near enough portaloo’s for 45,000 runners, they could have had at least 3 to 4 times what was provided!

Official Result: I came 11,806th place in the time of I:07:51 ….. (Note to self for next year; don’t have a big night out at the Casino on the Friday before!)

After recently completing my fourth month of Bootcamp I was looking for another challenge and decided a 24km run across beautiful Fraser Island should do the trick.

I thought to achieve this I would need a team of fit, motivated ladies that liked a good laugh & chat!!! Therefore as usual Emma was a definate from the start and Robyn, Yvonne & Heidi (Beachfit Instructor) volunteered at a later date to be part of the “NO EXCUSES” team proudly sponsored by Design House.

On Saturday we laughed, chatted and took numerous photos as we slogged it out through soft sand, bush tracks and rainforest trails. We started at Kingfisher Bay, running past Lake McKenzie and finished at Central Station. There were a couple of close calls when Yvonne nearly twisted an ankle and towards the end we had to resort to some Panadol at the 22km mark to take the edge off the pain in our legs! Having never run more that 10km before (excluding Heidi) we couldn’t believe that all up we would have run more than 19km + of the course.

The 24km distance took us 3:41mins (Heidi coming in at 1:58mins). We achieved this by focusing on ‘bar & spa’ our goal at the end!

Design House also sponsored our 24km finisher’s medals at the end to keep as a reminder of our big achievement. What an amusing & challenging day with some fun & inspirational ladies, who are now the face of Queensland trail running, click here to read more!

The event was organised by Greg from traQ (Trail Running Association of Queensland):

Another tough day in paradise! Yes that’s some of our runners relaxing in the spa pool at Kingfisher lodge, Fraser Island. This group of four were tempted to enter by their BeachFit instructor Heidi, never having run further than 10km before. All four finished the 24km to Central Station, resisting the tempting fallback option of stopping half-way at Lake McKenzie.…..click here to read more.

We had a fantastic time, the event was really well organised and can’t wait for the next one!!!

Today after seven months from my initial test I decided to test My Real Age again, which you can do here;
Click here, What’s your Real Age?

I’m very happy with my new result, now being -2.4 years younger than my real age!
Bootcamp must be working!
NO Pain, NO Gain!

What is Your Real Age?
Are you happy or is it time to do something about it!!!

[Related Story here]

Fraser Island Adventure 2009: (24km) Sat 22 Aug

Once a year opportunity for an affordable visit to Queensland’s most beautiful offshore island, limited places for 50 runners and 30 overnight walkers.
Online entry open, link here.

Two options;

24k: Run from Kingfisher Bay Resort via Lake McKenzie and Pile Valley to lunch at Central Station. Lift back by bus including stopover at Lake McKenzie.
Walkers to Lake McKenzie also welcome. 

Trek: 4WD bus drop-off to Central Station campsite; walk your chosen route out, for example returning to Kingfisher Bay via Basin Lake and Lake McKenzie.

Chop Chop you have till Friday to register! Click here to find out more….  

[Information & images via TRAQ]

This year I have felt the urge to learn to meditate and in March I was fortunate to meet Choeying Dolma who I feel will be perfect for the job! “When the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear” (related story here). Choeying is soon to start her latest Calm Abiding Meditation course…. I think this one may clash with my current schedule but the next one I may be able to finally start my learning…..please read on to see if this course might be just what you need in your life right now! 

• Do you suffer from stress and not sleeping?
  Would you like to learn positive ways to have a stress free life? 
• Do you suffer from anger, depression, anxiety, grief or other negative states of mind?
  Would you like to improve your mental health? 
• Do you have trouble finding forgiveness for self and others?
  Would you like to find forgiveness and free yourself from suffering?
• Do you suffer from chronic pain?
  Would you like to be able to free yourself of pain? 

Calm Abiding meditation has a proven record for dealing with whatever difficulties, whether mental or physical, that we experience in life . . . all we need is the willingness to learn new skills to help us make gentle but significant changes in our lives. 

Choeying Dolma would like to extend a warm welcome for you to join her next Calm Abiding Meditation Course.
Yoga classes at the beginning of each meditation class by qualified teacher / practitioner Nicole Martin. 

Dates are as follows:
Starting Sunday 23rd August from 9.00am – 2.00pm
Thursday 27th August from 6.30pm – 9.00pm
Sunday 30th August from 9.00am – 2.00pm
Thursday 3rd September from 6.30pm – 9.00pm
Followed by a weekend retreat on:
Saturday 5th September from 7am – 6.30pm
Sunday 6th September from 7am – 6.30pm

Retreats are an essential ingredient to establishing a firm practice of meditation. Everyone says that it was the retreat that really made the changes in their life to begin to manifest.

Please phone The Meditation Room on 4125 5530 to make a booking as seats are limited.
Course fee                            $60
Pensioners                           $50
Please bring a plate to share for lunch on Sundays and the retreat weekend. Tea/Coffee provided.
Address: 14 Layde Court, Urangan, Hervey Bay.

This morning it was up early at 7am for an 8km run with the Fraser Coast Runners & Walkers Club.

We started at Gataker’s Bay at Point Vernon running around to the boat ramp just past the Gables then back being 4km, repeating this to complete the 8km. 

It was a beautiful morning and the scenery was sensational with magnificent views of the whole Bay! On completion we enjoyed a coffee, snacks, a chat, congratulated the winner’s on their race times & prizes were drawn. 

What a friendly bunch of people to let us join in there run and social activities. I can’t wait for the next one! 

For more information on the Club and upcoming walks / runs please click here .

Sunday it was up early for the Viridian Noosa Half Marathon 10km run.

My friend Emma & I had a perfect day with over 2,000 competitors taking part on a totally flat course along the scenic Noosa Sound & Gympie Terrace. The organisation, registration & race kit systems, volunteers and overall event was extremely professional and well run.

The only negative for me was the race started at 8.05am so it was after 9am by the time I finished making it pretty hot for me to be running in the sun at this hour of the day.

Other than that we had a fantastic run and fun time in Noosa. I had the best meal ever the night before at Krung Thep a Thai restaurant overlooking the Noosa River where I enjoyed delicious Satay Chicken washed down with Crown Lager!

I took 6.06 mins off my best time completing the course in 01:01:27mins though at the 9km mark I was really debating why I was running this far!

We thoroughly enjoyed and deserved our beer and spa after the race. (One must have balance it their life!)

Not sure when I’ll do my next 10km run as it certainly takes it out of you, especially backing up with Bootcamp at zero five three zero hours the following morning!

On Saturday it was off to Noosa for the Noosa Half Marathon. As it has been awhile since I visited we decided to pull in and check out the Eumundi Markets.

The markets have grown considerably since my last visit a few years ago and the quality of the food, stalls and entertainment is still the best I’ve ever come across.

I met a lovely bloke from ERD (Educational Reptile Displays) who was not quite able to fully help me develop a liking for snakes on this particular visit anyway! Next trip I might have the courage to hold it on my own!

A visit to the markets is definitely a pleasant way to spend a few hours on a Saturday!!!