Hit by that nagging feeling of guilt and tiredness

By Virginia Winder

Early morning: Long Bay on the North Shore with Rangitoto in
the distance. Photo: Warren Smart

Yes, it's been too long and I've had people nagging me to write.

Fair enough, but wait, I do have an excuse.

I have started a new/old job at Puke Ariki, been training and battling tiredness and a sore throat.
Come blog-writing time, I've turned tail and headed to bed.
Yes, I've been absolutely sapped of energy.
Let me tell you though, the final Big Day Out was a great workout. Got up a sweat dancing, jumping, arm punching and running up and down steps from stage to stage.
It wasn't a terrific nutrient day though, mainly because I had way too many coffees and, dare I admit it, energy drinks. My actually food choices were good and I didn't have any alcohol, but I didn't get any sleep because of caffeine overload.

I mean none.

Not surprisingly, the hint of a sore throat appeared the next day.
It was a full day too, one that began with a visit to Otara Market (a great place for lycra bike shorts).
Later on we went swimming in a tiny bay off Jervois Rd near where my brother used to live in Auckland before he moved to the heat of Perth.
The following day, I did a two-hour workout at Long Bay Beach, where I went for a walk-run and a swim.
We had a great time staying with long-time friends and came home on Monday feeling replenished, but yes, with a nagging feeling of unwellness.
Back in New Plymouth, I went for a walk-run after my radio show on the Most FM and on Wednesday easily managed 20 lengths of the outdoor pool with only a slight niggle in my left shoulder.
Oh this getting older thing is a pain!
I do my best to ignore the fact I'm just shy of 50 and am reintroducing my body to hard training after nearly two decades of physical slumber (does serious concert-going count as hard exercise?), but those strange twinges still keep happening.
Anyway, nothing is going to stop me.
Well nearly nothing.
Yesterday, I came home from work at Puke Ariki and went straight to bed and slept.
Last night we got bad news, which I won't go into here, but I didn't sleep well after that. Just lay there thinking about life and families and how precious people are.
I've also been thinking about our health and how we work so hard at our careers, but not at keeping well. That was me. I got my priorities all mixed up and now my own health comes first.
None of us are any good for anything if we're sick, are we?
So it all comes back to balance and already those demands of life and work are coming at me.
Incredibly I said no to a job this week because I couldn't fit it in.
Elton John sang "sorry" is the hardest word. I reckon it's "no".
Now, the big news is that on Sunday I'll be doing my first triathlon.
It's just a wee one and I hope I'm going to be able to manage it.
I'll make a judgement call when I wake up tomorrow, but am pretty positive all will be well!
I will, I will!

Fingers crossed this throat will be better and my energy will be back.

Can feel the healing powers of sleep calling.

So, hi ho, hi ho, off to bed I go...

Today, I:

Worked for 8 hours

Did no exercise

Have felt unwell

Ate three nutritious meals

Had 1 cup of coffee

Had 1 chai latte

Drank a few glasses of water

Slept about 12 hours (but 8 fitfully)

From Paris to Paris - the big dream

By Virginia Winder
My day began and ended in Paris.
Well almost.
Met a friend at Petit Paris for morning tea and a motivational chat. Another friend, a Kiwi who has been to Paris this year, joined us.
We talked of dreams, songwriting and the peace of this place by the sea.
The other woman, a Frenchwoman from Paris, works at Sport Taranaki.
She talked about tramping on the mountain after work in summer, staying in a hut overnight and getting up early, walking off and heading to work. She inspired me so much I bought tramping boots on the way home.
Now ready to tackle Te Maunga o Taranaki.
My exercise for today was not on land, but in the pool. Swam 50 lengths of the 25-metre indoor pool and am feeling fitter and faster.
Came home and watched Tonga beat France in the Rugby World Cup - allez la rouge!
Then got Skyping.
The first call was to my sister, Felicity, and her husband, Bevin, who are house-sitting in Sydney, near Manly. Go the Warriors!!! Gosh, I'm getting more patriotic by the day!
The second Skype was to Camille, our French daughter, now living in Paris.
Camille was a French exchange student who lived with us for a few months in 2006. We love her dearly.
We also have a Swiss daughter called Jeanette and an Italian daughter called Lucia. We love them too!
Can't show favouritism!
In fact, we often say these young women would probably be great mates if they met each other.
Now, you're probably wondering what on earth this has to do with my quest.
Actually a huge amount.
You see when my doctor suggested I consider stomach reduction surgery, I instantly thought: "I could spend that money on a trip to Paris."
So, along with the goal of losing half my body weight and completing a half-ironman I want to go to Europe to celebrate the year I turn 50. Warren also hits the half-century in 2013, so we've got a double reason to go.
But it's important to have tangible, achievable goals closer at hand. That means the Big Day Out in January 2012, camping at Oakura Beach after that and the triathlon on January 29. Have got my eye on a series of walk/run events this summer and am also considering a mountain summit in a few months' time.
For now, I'm living this moment, training for my life and dreaming of Paris.

Today, I:
Ate three healthy meals
Drank lots of water
Slept for 8 hours
Worked zero hours
Swam 50 lengths of a 25m pool
Spent time with friends and family