Yesterday I competed in my second ever official Noosa Half Marathon.
I went with my good friend Cheryl who was competing in her first ever 10km run that I had trained her for.

Cheryl went Sensational! She smashed over 13mins off her training time which she had only ever run 7.5km of and ran the whole course nonstop with a PB of 1:10:24 mins!! Well done Cheryl, I’m very proud of you, especially from someone who once said, “I’m NOT running a step!” It’s Fantastic to see someone take not only their fitness but their MIND to another extraordinary level!

I also smashed out a 21km PB of 1:59:24 mins!!! I took 4:11mins of my old PB and did what I set out to do which was crack the 2hrs. Results here.
Cheryl being a massage therapist was awesome and gave me a quick rub down before the race to warm up my muscles and being on a 10 day Detox I was hoping to be in prime form!
I started out strong and felt it! But I was disappointed when my right knee went ( patellofemoral pain syndrome ) at the 13km mark and the Nurophen I had down my bra in case this happened was not there!! OMG! I had to run the last 8km in extreme pain which slowed me right down by 30+ seconds per km.

But at least I still achieved my goal of cracking 2hrs, which is Excellent, even if I could have taken a couple more minutes off (there’s always next year) and being on Day 6 of my Detox, I can’t celebrate for 4 more days LOL.

We stayed at the Sheraton Noosa and enjoyed luxury and excellent service from the staff, porters and chauffeurs and enjoyed a sauna and spa, great for our bodies! We also just stepped straight out of room to the start of the race, talk about convenience!

Another OUTSTANDING weekend of goal achieving, thanks Cheryl, Awesome Work! x

I started walking 10km, twice weekly with Jeanette Maynes. I was getting quite breathless at times, just doing this at a brisk pace. It took me about 1:55 mins to complete.

I loved walking, as I could take in glimpses of our Hervey Bay beach, and started to feel more motivated. I had no intentions at this stage, of running however, as I thought I didn’t have it in me to run anymore. I was into Zumba, Tai Bo, Dancing, but no running.

I had not done any running, in at least 20 years!

Over a period of about 1month , I gradually decreased my walking time.. I noticed that the labored breathing I had begun with, was disappearing, and that my lung capacity was improving. After about a month and a half, Jeanette had gone on a weeks trip, and I wondered what it would feel like to run. I was curious to see if I still could run. So, I very hesitantly tried to run 200m. Yes. I could do it, even though the lungs didn’t like it much. I tried a couple of 200’s together. Now, I really felt my lungs working!

When Jeanette and I resumed walking together, I let slip that I had tried “the running thing”. Well, that was it. Jeanette, started to increase our walks to running time. She quickly increased the 200m to 500m, even though I though “this was really pushing it”. Then up again to 2 x 500m. The next week it was 1 x 500m and 1 x 1km. The next 1  x 2km. Over a period of about 2 months, we increased this to a 7.5kms running which left 2.5km to walk. I was so amazed, as I felt the “block” in my lungs lift, and felt myself getting stronger.

Jeanette, was always encouraging, and gave me some positive “self talk”, which I keep using every time I run. This keeps me focused when my body tries to tell me “I can’t do it”. When I really was ready to stop on a few occasions, Jeanette made me push through it. I’m so glad she did this, as otherwise I don’t think I would have made it to the next level especially when I ran 10km nonstop in 1:10:24 hr at Noosa on the weekend.

In the beginning, I didn’t think I was fit enough or strong enough to run. I also believed you had to have a certain physique to be a runner, Thanks to Jeanettes’ coaching, I now know I’m made of tough stuff and have thrown away those preconceived negative thoughts about running. Besides feeling fitter, trimming down and breathing better, running has also enabled me to think of other areas of my life, and ask “what more am I capable of?” A big THANKYOU to Jeanette!

Cheryl Virgo – 8^th May 2012

Last weekend I participated in one of the most amazing experiences of my life, ‘Unleash The Power Within’, a 4 day seminar with Tony Robbins in Sydney.

The main reason of attending was to firewalk which we did on the first day, I didn’t feel any heat what so ever. From then on what happened was so profound.

I completely reprogrammed my mind and have removed negative experiences from my life / childhood and created a new timeline.

I realised I was living my life with excellent standards but to reach the next level in life you must have ‘OUTSTANDING’ Standards which is only a 2mm gap you need to close. This will be beneficial in all aspects of my life especially my business.

On the last day we heard about nutrition which I also learnt some very profound new information and found this extremely interesting as I am studying to be a personal trainer.
I am now on day 7 of a DETOX Tony put us on and am loving it!!! No alcohol, caffeine and an alkaline diet + a few other new healthy & positive habits to incorporate.

This seminar was such a precious gift I gave to myself, the information was priceless and the results truly invaluable!!
Thank you Tony, you certainly did create value and more than expected!!!

Please, please, please start teaching your program in schools you could revolutionise the world even more by programming correct mind, body and nutritional habits from an early age!!!

Some other information I learnt from my notes:

- Emotion is created by Motion.

- Put yourself in a PEAK STATE!

- Who you spend life with is who you become.

- People lives are a direct reflection of the expectations of their peer group.

- Find a peer group that has higher expectations that your own.

- Find a team that is going to challenge you.

- Every single person has 2 primary fears: 1. You are not good enough  2.  You won’t be loved

- The only thing that stops you getting what you want is the story you tell yourself.

- Problems & Happiness have no relationship.

- Wire yourself for certaintly and you will find the skills

- We live what we hold in out subconscious

- Secret to wealth and happiness; to be a team player

- Treat people well who treat your poorly

- Life is about LOVE

- Proximity is Power!

- “If I can’t, then I MUST!”

- The secret of life, STANDARDS!

- Want to change your life then raise your standards.

- Raise your standards means turns your shoulds into musts.

- Compete with yourself.

- See things completed in your mind first.

- How much you earn or who you are in a relationship with comes down to your beliefs or values.

- Our rules & values can make it impossible to feel good.

- More joy = less or better rules

- When you are grateful there is no anger or fear.

- The secret to HAPPINESS is PROGRESS!

- I am not what I eat, I am what I digest & assimilate.

- 5mins of anger suppresses your immune system for 6-7hours

- Stress is the basis of what makes the body break down.

If you want to know the tools and strategies for an OUTSTANDING LIFE, book your spot for the 2013 seminar, it will change your life forever!!!! Click here to book!

- Learn the secret to peak performance that Anthony Robbins has used to transform the world’s elite athletes, entertainers, and business leaders.

- Discover how to break the unconscious fears that are holding you back.

- Storm across a bed of hot coals between 1,200 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. (You don’t have to, but you’ll want to!) Once you start doing the impossible (or at least what you thought was impossible), you can conquer the other fires of your life with ease.

…You’ll test and amaze yourself. But, most of all… you’ll grow.

Yesterday I had a little craft session with my mum, making some groovy cards!

It was so much fun!

Cutting, pasting, double sided sticky taping, decorations, ribbons, colours, glitter, stars, shapes, so much to do and choose from ….. Now this is something I will get right into!

How nice to make personalised greeting and birthday cards for friends and family …. certainly would  make me feel appreciated receiving a handmade card, made with LOVE!

Simply Google card making, then go to images for some great ideas!

How cool is this website, especially if you are creative, check it out! …thanks heaps Jackie xx

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. To get started, request an invite.

What Can You Do with Pinterest?

Redecorate your Home, Plan a Wedding, Find your Style, Save your Inspirations & Save Your Recipes!

In January 2009 I was 6months older than my real age!! OMG story here.

In August 2009 I was 2.4 years younger than my real age due to diet and exercise! Story here.

Today in December 2011, I am 5.3years younger than my real age!!

What’s your Real Age?
Take the test today and start turning back the years!!! Test here!!
Make sure you read your full report, it’s very interesting!

Thank you Mr Pitt for your wise words last night on Sixty Minutes, people put too much pressure on themselves believing you must be happy all day everyday!!
Content is good!

TARA BROWN: That’s OK. I guess the point is are you happy or are you unhappy?

BRAD PITT: I think happiness is overrated, truthfully. I do. I think sometimes you’re happy, sometimes you’re not. There’s too much pressure to be happy. I don’t know. I don’t really give a shit. I know I will be at times and I know I won’t be at times. Satisfied, at peace, those would be more goals for myself.

TARA BROWN: So, is Brad Pitt content today?

BRAD PITT: Content. OK, I will go with content. Uh, I dare say so. I probably won’t be next week.

TARA BROWN: But then you will be the week after?

BRAD PITT: But then I will be the week after, so I’m content with that.

[Info via Sixty Minutes, Imag via Female First]

OMG I would be SO lost without my Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor!

It cost me $125 and is the best money I ever spent! (Thanks for the tip T)

I use it every day to accurately gauge my calories burnt exercising and feel naked without it!!!

I even wear it when cleaning and gardening! (Obsessed!)

This Heart Rate Monitor is now down to $114 on ebay and delivered the following day!

Body measurement features

• Average and maximum heart rate of training
• Heart rate – bpm / %
• HR-based target zones with visual and audible alarm
• Manual target zone – bpm (upper limit)
• Polar EnergyPointer
• Polar OwnCal® – calorie expenditure
• Polar OwnCode® (5kHz) – coded transmission

Data transfer

• Compatible with polarpersonaltrainer.com – opt. with Polar FlowLink
• Recording features
• Totals
• Training files (with summaries) – 99
• Weekly history

Training features

• Graphical target zone indicator
• HeartTouch – button-free operation of wrist unit

Watch features

• Backlight
• Date and weekday indicator
• Display text in English, German, Finnish, Swedish, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian
• Dual time zone
• KeyLock
• Low battery indicator
• StopWatch
• Time of day (12/24h) with alarm and snooze
• User replaceable battery
• Water resistant – 50m

“An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast; a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind.” - Buddha

Latin & Burlesque dance performance!!!!
It’s Party Time!!!
Saturday 12th November 2011 @ The Bayswater Hotel!
Come and learn to how to SALSA & ZUMBA®!!!!
REOW!

RSVP Here All Welcome!

More info here!

HERVEY BAY’S OWN BUDDHIST CENTRE!!!!

PLEASE PLEASE HELP with immediate renovations it will bring you good karma!!!!

Please support Choeying our beautiful resident Buddhist nun to bring peace and harmony to our minds and community plus to attract visitors to the area to help with our fragile local economy.
When up and running the centre will teach meditation and Buddhist philosophy, offer massage, yoga classes, counselling services and a Vegetarian Cafe!
A perfect sanctuary to work on inner peace!

399 The Esplanade Torquay, feel free to drop in and lend a hand or offer your services!

For more information on The Oddiyana Dharma Sanctuary and meditation or to contact Choeying please click here!

399 The Esplanade Torquay, feel free to drop in and lend a hand or offer your services! For more information on The Oddiyana Dharma Sanctuary and meditation or to contact Choeying please click here!

The response and offer of support from the Hervey Bay community has warmed my heart and I dedicate their merit to the well being and happiness of all beings. I would like to thank the sangha members (Buddhist Community) for their selfless courage in turning their lives upside down to make this happen for the benefit of all beings. I welcome the overwhelming community support in helping this community centre be transformed into a place that brings the community of Hervey Bay together in a heartfelt way. A healthy connected community benefits the whole community…alone we suffer coming together with wisdom and compassion in our hearts we are powerful and peaceful. Thank you Hervey Bay with love and appreciation choeying xooooo

For 3 days I have listened to some of the most amazing and inspiring millionaires from our country and the world including Anthony Robbins, Robert Kiyosaki and DONALD TRUMP!
Event details here.
Talk about being on the biggest high ever!

As a motivated professional business woman it is extremely important to me that I learn from the absolute best for dynamic self improvement and that I am an EXPERT in my field improving what I can offer my clients in solving their business advertising problems to increase their confidence, profit and client base.

I like to set huge goals and go for them to inspire others to shoot for their dreams also and my latest goal was to have a photo taken with my business IDOL the legendary DONALD TRUMP currently valued at SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS!

Trump was introduced to the stage by Australian Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins.

I just LOVE Trump and especially his TV series The Apprentice. He is such a wise, educated, funny  and intelligent business man with a hardcore, can do attitude and to me a great mentor.
He is inspiring, motivated, professional, successful, speaks his mind on all matters, extremely family orientated and I felt a real kindness in his presence.

Trump said, “I believe, get even with people, if they screw you, screw them back ten times as hard!”

This reminded me of how local managing Director Malcolm Quinn of the Fraser Coast Independent Newspaper stole $2,505 from me for a ticket to meet and greet and have a photo taken with Mr Trump three years earlier. Mr Quinn failed in his attempt to put on this similar event in the past with Donald Trump and still owes him $950,000 plus Australian business people $1.5 million! (More info here, here, here and here).

From that day on it became a goal that I must achieve to have my photo taken with Trump! I even photo shopped a photo of Trump and I two years ago to begin the Law of Attraction process.

After Trump finished his speech at the event, I went back for a question / answer session with him.  When I had pushed my way through 150 VIPs and security, bravely attracted Trump’s attention to ask for a photo and was given the go ahead he was wearing the same pink tie he had on in my photo shopped image!
I said to him that Malcolm Quinn had ‘screwed’ me for money in the past as he also had done to Trump. Trump then said to me, “Who’s that?” … I laughed in agreement!!

He looked me in the eye and asked me directly if I had enjoyed his speech to which I replied with honesty I thoroughly did!!! We also made a few other small comments. I then made my way to the back of the room, where I was on such an adrenalin rush that I had achieved another long term goal that my knees began to shake!
Of course I have no doubt we will meet and converse again on many occasions.

Meeting my business idol and finally achieving my goal to have a photo taken with him has made me believe even more in the Law of Attraction, being positive and that anything is possible in life!!! What an absolutely amazing, thought provoking and sensational experience! One of many more to come!

A big thank you to Michael Burnett from Empowernet for successfully organising such an Amazing event!!

Before the seminar I also ran 9km in the Sydney Running Festival across the Sydney Harbour Bridge plus checked out the beautiful Sydney Chinese Gardens afterwards!

Some of Trumps’ quotes from his speech:

-       “Be totally focused, you can’t take your eye off the ball”
-       “Rich people don’t like rich people, historically, well I don’t”
-       “I like Losers to be my friends”
-       “The harder I work the luckier I get”
-       “You can make yourself Lucky”
-       “You need passion, go against the tide”
-       “Go with your gut, go against the tide, I like that”
-       “Get even with people, if you don’t they will continue to go after you”
-       “If someone screws you, screw them back in spades!”
-       “Always get a pre-nup!”
-       “Think Big, it’s much easier”
-       “Focus on the positive”
-       “The word momentum is very important”
-       “Believe in yourself, see yourself as a one man band, see yourself as victorious, you have to think like a WINNER!”
-       “Can you take the pressure!”

More news on Trumps visit here.

Yesterday myself, Jeanette Maynes | Model (first time ever) from (Design House - graphic and website designer) and Lolita Valerga | Artist from (Shades of Inspiration - henna and face painting artist) came together as Model (canvas) and Artist to create an Organic interpretation of the theme “Wired for Sound” based on elements and forces of nature for the Melbourne Body Art Competition 2011.

Lolita and I have been friends for 15 years since we did a ‘Certificate in Arts’ together.

We were in the BRUSH & SPONGE category and started painting at 11am, with brushes down at 5pm, then made our way to the judge’s room for judging at 5.30pm and hit the catwalk at 7pm.

Unfortunately we did not come a place as the competition was fierce but we had an absolute ball taking on such a fun adventure that took a couple of months preparation. We were certainly a crowd favourite and as they say “Art is in the eye of the beholder”!

We were also quite the crowd pleaser at Crown Casino having a couple of wind down drinks after the event!

Please read our concept and development for the ’Wired for Sound!’ theme here!

Melbourne Body Art Competition at Carlton Brew House, Abbotsford Saturday 20th August 2011, The Melbourne Age Newspaper Image Gallery here.

Fraser Coast Chronicle News here.

A huge THANK YOU to Lisa Holmes editor of ‘Runner’s World’ (my favourite mag) for a mention, 2 images and editorial piece in this September’s edition!

This is one of my favourite meals so I thought I would share it with you …  I think usually they say a cup of, not two hand fulls LOL!!!!  ‎4 ingredients …. any more then that and I FREAK OUT! (My Caesar Salad has 6, that’s tops for me!)

10.08.2011: Since I wrote this story my Dad said you can use up to 4 or 5 eggs.

[Info via Holstee Manifesto]

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

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]