After a few months of long distance running along the Esplanade walk / bike path in Hervey Bay, 15+ km hill runs on the Christensen St Hills and several 70 lap stints of the Damon Park stairs (5180 steps per session) my friend Emma and I finally achieved our goal – to run and complete the Great Wall Marathon of China 2011 …. All 42km + 5,164 steps!!!!!

Somehow I stumbled across the great Wall Marathon event online and right away I had a deep feeling I just had to achieve this, therefore I immediately proceeded to make this exciting, adventurous & challenging goal a reality!

This marathon is described my many running magazines, promotional advertisements, sports websites and runners / competitors as one of the “TOUGHEST” ever …. I thought, What perfect conditions for our first ever competitive marathon!!!

Two days before the marathon we went for an orientation day, had a look around and climbed the 3.5km section of wall steps that we would be completing twice during the actual marathon. The following day I was alittle embarrased and asked several other participants, “Are your legs sore?” and everyone said YES!
OMG we had to go into this marathon with aching leg muscles and severe sleep depravation, not the best way to take on a task such as this!!!

We had a 2.30am wake up call to climb on a bus for a 2hour trip to Yin Yang Square for the start of the race. The temperature was so cold!!! They had performers and loud music so we all joined in an amusing aerobics / dance routine and soon warmed up ready for the start of the race. Dencorub, sun cream, hat, hydration pack, knee strapped, camera, snacks TICK … and after a countdown we were off at 7.30am on the dot!

It turned into such a beautiful clear blue day being very hot at lunch especially for the second phase of the stairs! It was sensational to be out of the thick Beijing smog and able to breathe clear mountain air!

What a hard slog it was!
We both had knees troubles and been to see physio’s during our training. I have PFPS (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome) which with some strapping my knee didn’t hurt and tracked correct for the whole race. Emma’s sore knee played up but she pushed through the pain.

At the 36km mark we had 8km to go the first 3km being roughly 2,600 stairs again in the opposite direction then a 5km run home down a hill which we had climbed to begin the race. When I arrived back to the wall stairs, Emma decided to push ahead and after she went I literally hit a wall! OMG they were so exhausting with more up then down this time.
The extreme heat, not knowing if I had consumed enough calories or water also played on my mind as I was feeling a little nauseous and delirious.
But there was no way I was stopping!!!!
Just keeping going … one step after another, I told myself in my head (the same thing I said many times when climbing to Base Camp Mt Everest in Oct last year).
As I continued on the wall it appeared most others were it this same condition!!
After conquering the last few steps I found a second wind and ran the last five km home!

What a fantastic feeling to finally achieve that current goal after months of preparation plus not getting sick in China or an injury during training or on the day!

My personal time was 6:39:09 mins and Emma came in at 6:15:23 mins.

My Rank Information: Women 35-39 years

Rank category              20 of 34
Rank sex                      109 of 202
Rank overall                 391 of 582 

The Australian company we booked through Travelling Fit (the Marathon Package Experts) were extremely professional  and helpful with representative Paul Clements coming on the tour and handling all queries with ease then completing the marathon with us being his first also! They also supplied our Amazing shirts for the day … you could easily recognise the 200  Aussies in the race to cheer them on!!!

At the after party I also had the pleasure to meet and had a chat with Henrik Brandt from Denmark. He has completed all 12 Great Wall Marathons from when they first started and has the medals to prove it!!! He told me he would like to do at least 25!

Now, one must remember I’m not an elite athlete; I’m just a girl with a passion for adventure and life, so anyone can do these challenges if you put your mind to it!!!
It not about fast times, it’s about setting a goal, getting out of your comfort zone, working hard and completing the task no matter what!!!!
You will meet like minded people, build self confidence, feel fit and healthy, proud of yourself and learn to love yourself …because if you don’t no one else will!!!
Good Luck, Go Hard and Reap the Rewards!!!

A big thank you to the organisers and volunteers for doing such a SENSATIONAL job!!!!

Plus a big and huge thank you to my friend Emma for commiting to this also and being an awesome training patner, without her support this may not have been possible!!!

This Sunday on the 29^th of May I have to back up with a 30km trail run in Brisbane!

Hmmmm what next!

Great Wall Marathon videos here!

“We are the Champions my friends!!!!!”
42.2km including 5,164 steps!!!
China Great Wall Marathon 2011; Emma 6:16mins, Jeanette 6:40mins! (21/05/2011)

Below: Orientation Day “Bring It On!!!!”

Tiananmen Square Beijing

The Forbidden City Beijing

How cool is this, if I wasn’t going on holidays for two weeks I would SO do this!!!!!! Always next year!

Live Below the Line is an incredible new awareness and fundraising campaign that’s making a huge difference in the fight against extreme poverty.  

“Join thousands of Australians Living on $2 of food a day for 5 days and help fight extreme poverty.”
If Hugh Jackman can do it, I could do it!

$10 for groceries for 5 days, hhhmmmmmm I think I would require frozen vegies, lots of bread (fills me up), pasta, eggs & some oats.

Ok I just did a dummy Woolworths Shop Online:

Homebrand Vegetables Mixed 1kg   - $1.71
2 x Homebrand Bread – White Sandwich 700g  - $1.29
2 x Homebrand Pasta Spirals Small 500g  - $0.65 each
Homebrand Eggs 12 700g  - $2.91
Homebrand Oats Rolled 750g  - $1.28

TOTAL: $9.78
(22 cents left over for some choc drops from the corner store! OMG NOICE!)

Brekkie: Oats, Boiled Egg & Piece Of Toast
Lunch: Boiled Egg Sandwich
Dinner: Pasta Sandwich & Vegies!

YUMMY!

 

The week of Live Below the Line is a week like no other. From May 16th – 20th, thousands of Australians will spend just $2 each day on food, and use their daily experiences to bring extreme poverty to the centre of conversation in homes around Australia. How to Participate click here! or make a donation!

This looks interesting:

Imagine if you could get paid to pound the pavement?
A wage for working out?
All you need to do is put a band on your wrist, get out & about.
It detects when you’re active & after 60 minutes it displays a code. All you need to do is upload the code online & you get free reward points. There are some big players behind the project: Target, JB Hi-Fi, EB Games, Apple Itunes, Rebel Sport, Myer & David Jones are offering a range of rewards!

Awesome for children, they can make their own money from being healthy and shop to reward themselves!

Click here to learn more!!!

[Info via Today Tonight]

While everyone was enjoying the Anzac Day public holiday today, I thought I would take advantage of the day off work, to work on my business with a photo shoot for my latest work marketing campaign for Design House!

I decided to use the services of Lisa Klein Professional Makeup Artist as Lisa is a close personal friend of mine. We grew up as neighbours and best friends when we were young and hung out together nearly every day. I used to love to braid Lisa’s waist length red hair and paint her nails when she was a little girl.
Now Lisa has made beauty her passion and creates human masterpieces!
She really does a professional and extraordinary job and has extreme pride in her work with thorough product knowledge!

Give Lisa a call if you want to be noticed as the ‘Princess of the Party’, ‘Bride of the Year’ or ‘Boss of the Business Function!’

Lisa Klein Professional Makeup Artist, click here to see Lisa’s facebook page and amazing make overs | wedding make up!

I also can’t wait to see my photo shoot proofs from Stewart at Stewart Photography!
We certainly  came up with some exciting new concepts today!!!
Show me the ‘Money Shot’ Stewart!

Our official team shirts have arrived with the print being Sponsored by Design House!

We will be participating in the INAUGURAL KOKODA CHALLENGE BRISBANE and raising money for the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program.  Our contribution is helping young people to gain confidence, direction, life skills, new friends and the knowledge that anything is possible!!!

Helping Aussie teenagers to reach their full potential – Our efforts are having a direct impact on a young person’s life!

We will be taking part in a 30km trail run in D’Aguilar State Forest at Brisbane on the 29^th of May.

If you would like to make a donation to support us and this Awesome cause please click HERE!

More info here!

Pictured below team members; Jeanette, Scott & Tania!

While others enjoyed a relaxing Saturday morning I and my friend Emma endured 5.5 hrs of Pain and loved every minute of it!

I currently have PFPS – Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome.
My left knee is not tracking right. So it was Awesome to tape my knee and run through the pain and make that distance!

The task was hard work and we ran over 33km of the distance then Emma’s knee hurt pretty bad for some reason (her turn for the physio) so we did some walking as not to risk injury.

We felt we could have run another 3 – 5km’s of that if Em’s knee didn’t play up and taken 1/2 an hour off the time but I’m really just happy we made it!

I decided to throw up at the 32km mark as I had too much red Powerade sloshing around in my stomach LOL!!!  

I burnt over 2,500 calories and I’ve just had a lovely 2.5hr nap plus the legs feel okay (so far, see how they are tomorrow)!

The picture below is from Runkeeper , our iPhone GPS plotted out our course.

The picture (top right) is our next Marathon in a month.
42.2km on the ‘Great Wall of China’ + 5,000 steps ….. YEOW I can’t wait!!!!!
That one should test us!

I have finally found what I would call my BIBLE!

…. something that makes clear and concise spiritual and life sense to me! Finally!

Beginning my spiritual journey over five years ago, when I finally realised I can make choices and changes in my life, I had heard of Louise Hay but never picked up her books.

OMG her philosophy based on forgiving your past, reprogramming our negative and self destructive though patterns and learning to love ourselves is universal to every human being!

We are each responsible for all of our experiences.
Every thought we think is creating our future.
The point of power is always in the present moment.
Everyone suffers from self-hatred and guilt.
The bottom line for everyone is,
“I’m not good enough.”
It’s only a thought, and a thought can be changed.
We create every so-called illness in our body.
Resentment, criticism and guilt are the most damaging patterns.
Releasing resentment will dissolve even cancer.
When we really love ourselves, everything in our life works.
We must release the past and forgive everyone.
We must be willing to begin to learn to love ourselves.
Self-approval and self-acceptance in the now are the key to positive changes.
When we really love ourselves, everything in our life works.

I have been learning abit about Buddhist meditation but feel being brought up Catholic and finding that too constricting in my life I don’t really want to take on another religion at this stage plus focusing on different breathing patterns and counting colours associated with calm abiding meditation was not especially what I was looking for. But I agree with Louise’s comments on meditation and think I will give that ago:

Meditation in any of its forms is a wonderful way to quiet the mind and allow your own “knowingness” to come to the surface. I usually just sit with my eyes closed and say, “What is it I need to know?” and then I wait quietly for an answer. If the answer comes, fine; if it doesn’t, fine. It will come another day.

This is another concept I like and see a lot of people struggling with:

So many of us feel that money is the most important thing in our lives and that we could not live without it. This is not true…. Our breath is the most precious substance in our lives and yet we totally take for granted that our next breath will be there. If we did not take another breath, we would not last three minutes. Now if the Power that created us has given us enough breath to last for as long as we shall live, can we not trust that everything else we need will also be supplied?

Being brought up Catholic and taught as a child that sex before marriage is a sin, I also absolutely love this philosophy now that I am free to chose what I believe is right for my body and values…

Who told you to deny any part of your body? Certainly not God. Our sexual organs were created as the most pleasurable part of our body to give us pleasure. To deny this is to create pain and punishment. Sex is okay, it is glorious and wonderful. It is as normal for us to have sex as it is for us to breathe or eat.

Just for a moment try to visualise the vastness of the Universe. It is beyond our comprehension. Even our top scientists with their latest equipment cannot measure its size. Within this Universe there are many galaxies.

In one of these smaller galaxies in a far-off corner, there is a minor sun. Around this sun a few pinpoints revolve, one of which is called Planet Earth.

I find it hard to believe that the vast, incredible intelligence that created this entire Universe is only an old man sitting on a cloud above Planet Earth … watching my genitals!

This book is also amazingly illustrated by Joan Perrin Falquet!
I thrive on colour and this version of the book is full of it, creating a positive happy vibe.

Reading this book feels to me like what I think winning the Lottery would feel like!!!!
I hope you feel the same when you read it! x
Don’t delay like I did!

Thank you Louise, all my love Jeanette xoxo

My Book Store HERE!

Ok, I’ve registered for another little challenge with my adventurous friends Scott and Tania. We will be taking part in a 30km trail run in D’Aguilar State Forest at Brisbane on the 29^th of May.

We will be participating in the INAUGURAL KOKODA CHALLENGE BRISBANE and raising money for the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program.  Our contribution is helping young people to gain confidence, direction, life skills, new friends and the knowledge that anything is possible!!!
Helping Aussie teenagers to reach their full potential – Our efforts are having a direct impact on a young person’s life!

If you would like to make a donation to support us and this Awesome cause (like the fabulous Toni & Rosie have!) please click HERE!

Our team name: ‘Smells Like Team Spirit’ is based on the famous song by Kurt Cobain of Nirvana ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ which was very cool when I was a teenager.
On April 8, 1994, at age 27, Cobain was found dead at his home in Seattle, the victim of what was officially ruled a suicide by a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth aged from 15  to 24 years especially with bullying on the rise whether from peers or social media or just life’s pressures; affecting their self confidence, self worth and provoking feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, depression and loss of direction in life.
The word teen was substituted with team, cause that’s what we are and the funds raised are going to support teens and their self esteem, it’s all really very universal and interconnected!!

…. Bring it on, I / we can’t wait!

MAY 29, 2011 MARKS THE INAUGURAL KOKODA CHALLENGE BRISBANE.

In honour of the Kokoda Spirit, this new 30km event winds through some of Brisbane’s toughest terrain.

The track undulates through the green scenery in the west of Brisbane Forest Park.  Starting at Brookfield showgrounds you and your team will make your way up to the half way checkpoint at McAfee’s Lookout before returning to showgrounds via the tropical terrain of D’Aguilar National Park that is reminiscent of the Owen Stanley Ranges in Papua New Guinea.

The 30k distance coupled with wide open fire trails makes this the perfect event for beginners or runners having a hit out. Teams of two, three and four will find the course is not without toils, as you descend down to a creek bed you encounter a sharp turn onto a narrow trail aptly named ‘hell hole’ – ensuring that you don’t forget the meaning of endurance before arriving at the finish line. Click here to find out more.

Here is some very interesting information in regards to how many calories are in junk food. Check out the table at the bottom of this page

From 1 February this year, all major fast food chains must display the kilojoule (calorie) counts of their food with the same prominence as the price. For instance, the Grand Angus has 2630 kilojoules (630 calories). This “in-your-face” information is designed to make consumers take stock of what they, and their children, are eating.  

It’s not only the Macca’s, Pizza Huts, Pizza Havens, Eagle Boys and KFCs that have to comply. Any food outlet that has 20 or more outlets in NSW, or 50 or more nationwide, will have to display the average adult daily energy intake of 8700kJ plus the kilojoule content of their foods. They have a year to comply.  

So if I ate a Grand Angus 630 calories + a large fries 452 calories + a chocolate thick shake 440 calories = 1522 calories (that is over a whole days calorie intake for me in one meal)

To burn that off I would have to run nonstop for two and three quarter hours! 

There is an awesome calculator on the My Doctor website for working out how many calories you burn during different exercises. 

[Image & Information via Foodwatch & My Doctor]

Well I have found another new love to add to my fitness regime and that’s SPIN (RPM Classes) 3 to 5 times a week!

WHAT IS RPM?
Take on the terrain with your inspiring team coach who leads the pack through hills, flats, mountain peaks, speed work and interval training. Discover your athlete within – sweat and burn to reach your endorphin high.

1.    Warm Up – Warm up the legs and increase the blood supply to the working muscles.

2.    Pace – The intensity increases as you work through intervals of speed to prepare for the demands of the class ahead.

3.    Hills – Designed to increase leg strength and endurance, you perform a series of climbs with increasing intensity.

4.    Mixed Terrain – After some initial active reovery, we ride a series of fast flats and short climbs.

5.    Intervals – You burn lots of calories in this track! It’s a race simulation with a series of attacks which will peak your heart rate. The main objective is to work and revcover through interval training.

6.    Speed Work – After some initial active recovery, you develop fast leg speed through high-speed intervals.

7.    Mountain Climb – As in Track 3, the focus is on strength and endurance in a series of climbs that build in intensity. This is the last working track.

8.    Ride Home – Finish the journey and recover by lowering the heart rate and flushing the working muscles.

9.    Stretch – A final stretch to complete the workout and assist recovery.

Most people go once and vow never to return where as I get excited at the prospect of a full hours maximum workout every time guaranteed that hits the PAIN meter!!

You could burn between 600 – 1200 calories per class, talk about shed those extra kilo’s in no time flat!

Oh and it’s wise not to eat before your first class!!!

I do my classes at Breath Health Club in Hervey Bay where I also do Body Pump (weights), Body Combat & Zumba Classes (all classes go for an hour).

[Information via Les Mills website]

These floods are HORRENDOUS!! Lives, homes, businesses & belongings are being LOST! Towns have no food, fuel or supplies with more rain on the way! Lucky we’re QUEENSLANDER’S and can handle ANYTHING!!!!! Though if you’d like to help us, please donate here (any support will be graciously appreciated!) Thanks MATE, we’ll pay it forward!!!!

DONATE HERE

I never thought I would see the day when I had to say something nice about a Queenslander, but that time has come.

I don’t think I have ever been as proud to be an Australian as I am now. I have watched the reactions of Queenslanders to the devastating floods and have been amazed at their resilience and courage.

Many of them have lost everything, their homes, their businesses and sometimes their lives – yet with all that they keep their sense of humour and look on the bright side – I can’t find one – they dig in and help each other; they don’t sit and bewail their fate, nor do they complain about the government or the rescue services. They are not blaming others for the natural disaster that has ruined them. I shall walk taller and hold my head high and be grateful for being an Aussie from now on.

David Edwards

Quote from www.news.com.au | Full story on the flood disaster here

Toowoomba yesturday …

WOW, I have so many exciting ideas and goals for this year, 2011, that I could just burst!!!

Do You???

If not, this clip ‘Will Smith Wisdom’ may help to inspire you …. one must live their best life!!!

“Those That Take The Hard Road Through Life – Find Life Easy. Those That Take The Easy Road – Find Life Hard.”

This website is an absolute GEM; WIGGLE!

It really has saved me hundreds of dollars on training equipment especially running shoes. 

For example my Asics Ladies Gel Moriko 5 GTX Shoes; trail running gore-tex (waterproof) shoes I wear for Bootcamp are currently $87.90 including shipping to Australia (normally takes about a week) 

RRP on the Australia Asics website and in sports stores is $220! 

My Asic & Nike normal runners I always save between $100 to $150 compared to what I would pay in Australia! 

Every cent counts nowadays!

Top right had side of the Wiggle website you can change the currency to Australian.

Finding the cost of a spray tan each week over the summer festive season putting a hole in your pocket?

Here is a natural alternative you can apply yourself in the comfort of your own home for about $26 – $29 a bottle. You should get a couple of months out of a bottle so very cost effective.
The application may take a few attempts to master doing it yourself to get a nice even colour!
Delivery was very prompt.

One is a spray and one is a lotion, definitely a safe way to have a gorgeous golden glow this summer!

Santorini Fake Tanning Lotion 250ml

AWARD WINNING ORGANIC SUNLESS TANNING SOLUTION

Santorini Sun is the ultimate self tan lotion. It’s an innovative self tan lotion – giving you that luscious, just returned from the Greek islands, sun kissed glow.

Santorini sun is the perfect blend of natural ingredients that will keep skin moisturized, radiant and hydrated throughout the tanning process. It is formulated with organic oils (high in antioxidants) green trea extract, organic herbs, vitamins and natural colors. Our slimming agents go to work while your tan develops. Discover a slimmer tanner you!

Designed for those who settle for nothing but the deepest and darkest tan attainable, without the risks. Slow fading, long-lasting, in a certified organic breakthrough formula. This is the ultimate, red carpet glamour, MUST-HAVE fashion accessory!
 

Lavera Self Tanning Lotion 150ml

All natural paraben-free skin care and makeup made in Germany for over 20 years. Made to the strictest European standards with Certified Organic Ingredients, Lavera is perfect for even the most sensitive skin!

Product Features
Get a safe, natural looking tan without sun exposure! Organic soy extracts provide the active ingredient and are combined with extracts of sugar to deliver a smooth, foolproof application and a natural, even result. Organic jojoba oil, calendula, aloe vera and rose water offer moisturizing benefits and leave skin feeling refreshed.

Special Innovation Prize 2002 Europe.

Directions
Use: For face and body. Exfoliate skin thoroughly and apply as you would body lotion, using light, sweeping movements. Tanned effect visible within 1-2 hours. Can be built up to achieve desired intensity. Remember to use sun screen for outdoor protection. 

[ Information and images via Inspired Wellbeing ]

PS. I found the top one worked the best

What a fool proof way to shed a couple of kilos leading up to Christmas.

When everyone else is putting them on why not take a couple off!!!! 

It’s also another Fantastic FREE application for the iPhone.

My progress in week one was 2kg…. (though I did burn 4297 calories exercising for the week on top of my 1200 calories a day intake!)

Created by MyFitnessPal – Free Weight Loss Tools

MyFitnessPal is a diet and fitness community built with one purpose in mind: providing you with the tools and support you need to achieve your weight loss goals.

Losing weight isn’t easy – we know. But with a membership to MyFitnessPal.com, you’ll get the tools you need to successfully take weight off – and keep it off. And best of all, everything on our site is 100% FREE. So put away your credit card – you’ll never have to pay a cent….

With a 100% FREE membership you get:  

• The easiest to use food diary on the web -
Track what you eat with just a few clicks from anywhere with an internet connection – at home or at work

• A searchable food database of over 593,000 items -
and it’s growing everyday!

• Your own personal food database -
add your own foods and recipes at any time and access them from anywhere with an internet connection

• Free mobile apps for iPhone and Android -
so you can log your meals and exercise even when you are on the go

• Support and motivation -
from people just like you – Our discussion forums let you learn from others, share your own tips, receive and give encouragement, and make friends.

• A personalized diet profile -
customized to your unique weight loss goals.

• Flexibility -
our system can support any diet like Atkins, the South Beach Diet, the Zone, and more. No matter what diet you’re on, we can help.

What is your BMR?

Your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) is an estimate of how many calories you’d burn if you were to do nothing but rest for 24 hours. It represents the minimum amount of energy needed to keep your body functioning, including breathing and keeping your heart beating.

Your BMR does not include the calories you burn from normal daily activities or exercise.

Figure out your BMR here

[ Information via My Fitness Pal ]

Today’s exercise was an early morning bike ride from Hervey Bay to Burrum heads which I mapped out with my iPhone RunKeeper free application that I just LOOOOOOVE for all my exercise GPS records and stats!

The 40km ride took 2:20mins with detours through Dundowran and Toogoom followed by a 2km walk to cool down. A triathlon friend of mine that we passed on our ride said to me, “How did you handle the head wind on the way home?”  I replied “Oh not a problem!” …. as we were picked up in my ute (one doesn’t want to overdo the exercise or encounter a head wind, heaven forbid!) We stopped at the Salty Squid in Toogoom for a delicious bacon, eggs and coffee brekkie on the way home!
Definitely a fun exercise excursion to be done on a regular basis…

This morning we decided to give Mt Tibrogargan a go for some exercise as I heard this is quite a hard mountain to climb. Well it certainly was and I didn’t even get past the first rock scramble! It was practically vertical and quite scary with not much to hang on to.

There were some people about 15mertres above me on a ledge and they said if you were having trouble there don’t come any higher as they were concerned as to how they were going to get back down to where I was.

It is quite common for bush walkers to be rescued from this mountain and flown out by helicopter, so common sense prevailed and we decided to come back down and walk around the mountain instead!

That night it was off for some fun at the Sunshine Coast Business Awards held at the University with over 600 attendees. The food was delicious and the event was very well run. There were a few problems with the PA system towards the end but our MC Richard Champion made sure the night flowed and was quite amusing.

Wow how much has this town changed since visiting there as a child!

The trail running / hiking track was awesome with a gorgeous swap and boardwalk plus a lot of soft sand.
There were a few goanna’s on the track and we rescued a tawny frog mouthed owl from the side of the road and delivered it to the local vet which unfortunately meant we ran out of time to find a second trail to run.

I enjoyed some beer and whiting for lunch at the Woodgate Beach Hotel and sat on the top deck with a magnificent view. Definitely a trip to do again.

(That’s not actually Lhotse Face it’s the Khumbu Icefall)

Lukla Airport Oct 2010

Drinking chang (local beer) plus thanking and dancing with our local trekking crew.