Wow - people are amazing

By Virginia Winder
When you're a kid, you have no idea about the road rules.
So the poor boy racing around the corner towards me on his scooter had no idea why a crazy lady on a red bike was screaming: "Go left, go left."
I was committed, you see and knew I'd hit him if he didn't move.
He didn't, so I slammed on my brakes and fell. Again.
I didn't hit him - the mother in me just couldn't do that.
Luckily, this part of the walkway has just been resealed so I fell on smooth concrete. No grazes, just bruises this time.
Why didn't I go right? Because it was a tight turn by the Fitzroy camp ground and while I could see Scooterboy in the mirror that has been so artfully placed to show oncoming traffic, the truth is I panicked. These clip-in bike shoes have got me a bit spooked. OK, I'm terrified.
"You can't keep saying that," my husband Warren says.
So, about three minutes before, I'd been biking along yell-singing out: "I'm brave, I'm fearless."
Don't worry, nobody else was around.
It was bravado of course and then bang, Scooterboy loomed.
He endured a gentle lecture about keeping left, but just stood there looking a bit baffled, probably wondering why the silly lady had fallen anyway. 
After he scooted off, my tough, mean husband made me get back on my bike and keep going.
I was all for going home.
But I got back on my undamaged (yes, pouting again) and oh what a glorious ride it was too!
There were so many people out on the coastal walkway on Tuesday morning - parents and kids on bikes, on tandem bikes, people of all ages wandering, power-walking, running, some with dogs and others pushing mountain buggies. My favourite was a guy on a skateboard with surfboard under his arm.
Last night I went for a fast walk home from The Most (100.4FM) after doing my radio show, Waxing Lyrical, and felt great. Even did a circuitous route via the walkway, energised by my latest favourite exercising song - Lonely Boy by The Black Keys.
The good news is my foot problem has improved greatly and I can walk without pain.
The bad news is that when I went to physio this morning, I immediately switched to shoulder treatment. My first fall before New Year appears to have strained my left rotator cuff because that's the side I fell on.
Annoyingly, that means swimming is out for a wee while, but I'm certain I'll recover incredibly quickly.
I love my swimming, especially with my niece Rebekah!
So that means I just have to focus on my biking and my walking.
That's the beauty of triathlon training; there are options.
Tonight, I walk/ran to Fitzroy Beach along the walkway. I didn't plan to run, but went with Camille, my French daughter, and she has such a fast stride I had to keep running to catch up and then of course I kept running to pass her. Then she'd run to pass me, so then I'd have to catch her up.
"Restraint," I could hear Coach Clint yelling in my head, even louder than The Black Keys, so I let her go in the end. Oh, OK, she cleaned me up!
Now, many of you will know there have been a couple of stories about KCL Property owner Bryce Barnett and myself in the Taranaki Daily News this week. The front page story is about our joint quest to fight obesity in Taranaki by leading from the front.
Since publishing on Tuesday, the response from people has been overwhelmingly supportive.
I have had phonecalls, emails, texts, Facebook messages and posts, comments on this blog and been stopped on the beach and in street.
People are amazing.
Wow.
As this journey progresses, I will do my best to research the answers to all your questions, go to the experts and find out even more information.
So feel free to contact me, ask more questions, tell me about your own journeys and share ideas about people who are doing amazing things.
Then I'll write about as many as I can.
Because, while my personal mission is to become a fit, healthy, athlete, I am firstly a writer, so that will be my gift to you all - my words.

Yesterday, I:
Biked about 15km
Walked about 6.5km
Drank 2 cups of coffee
Drank heaps of water
Worked for 1 hour
Ate 3 nutritious meals
Went for 2 swims in the sea (but didn't put any pressure on shoulder!)
Spent time with good friends
Slept, badly, for about 7 hours

Today, I:

Walked for about 30 minutes
Drank 1 cup of coffee
Drank some water (not enough!)
Worked for 3 hours
Ate 3 healthy meals
Went for 1 swim in the sea
Slept well for 8 hours

Dog tired after double-dose days

By Virginia Winder
It's possible I overdid things a little today.
Went for a 3.5km walk with the dog, but it wasn't a fast outing because it's hard to pump my arms and hold a leash.
Think I'll take Xena for pleasure strolls instead of the power walks.
Still, we boht enjoyed sniffing the fresh, salt-laden air and walking beside a messy teal sea.
This evening I went to spin class at the gym and it was great. Found it much more manageable than last time, although I did get cramp in my feet.
One of my classmates said that to stop this happening I need to push down on the pedals with my heels, rather than my toes.
The women also assured me my nether regions would "harden up" as I get used to the bike seat, so am feeling positive about cycling.
When I got home I went for a quick walk around the block to start teaching my body about transitions.
Must admit that I'm a bit shattered now, so this is just a short blog because bed beckons.
Tomorrow is Thursday, so I just may have a rest day, but still take the dog for a gentle trot.
A friend sent me a wonderful email tonight and reminded me how far I've come.
That first day of exercise I only managed a 20-minute walk - now I'm fit enought to exercise twice a day.
Still, I have a long way to go to do a half-ironman, but it's all just one step, one stroke, one pedal push at a time...

Today, I:
Worked for 3 hours
Walked 3.5km
Completed a spin class at the gym
Did a short transition walk at speed
Drank heaps of water
Drank 2 cups of coffee
Slept for 8 hours
Ate 2 healthy meals and then indulged in a delicious curry dinner, but didn't eat too much rice
Went to the movies with my friend Glenys and my teenagers

Fitness freak in disguise

By Virginia Winder
Lots of people have begun saying that I look different.
Some haven't even recognised me because my hair is longer and I'm getting smaller.
I'm sure it has nothing to do with my sunglasses. But are they Batgirl or Catwoman glasses?
It was interesting wearing them out walking yesterday because people's reactions were so different.
Some adults just wouldn't look at me, like I was a madwoman, kids grinned at me and teenagers gave me that OMG look, thankful I wasn't their mother.
The truth is they were the only sunglasses I could put my hands on in a hurry. But I quite like them, simply because they are so ridiculous and one should never take oneself too seriously.
My kids bought them for me at the Big Day Out this year, so they've got to be good, don't they?
Walked 7.8km yesterday. I've got this great gadget - my Sony Walkman (no they are not sponsoring me) - which tells me how far I have walked, how many steps I've taken, how many calories I've burned and, of course, it plays my fantastic walking tracks to inspire me.
As I walked along yesterday, I grinned at the world with Monty Python's Bright Side of Life playing in my ears. The weather was lovely and I saw one of my friends on the walkway near Ngamotu Beach.
"I nearly didn't recognise you," Irena Brooks yelled from her bike.
"I suppose it was the glasses," I replied crossing the road.
"No, they helped me realise it was you," she said.
Damn, cover blown.
Perhaps a cape next time?
"You look different - fitter, healthier," she said.
We chatted about fitness and what a great day it was. I told her about my stair sprints and she admitted she didn't know I was a sprinter when I was younger.
Everybody always assumes that because I was a surf lifesaver I was a great swimmer. I'm not bad, but my reason for joining was to race along the hot black sand. If you're reading this from afar and never been to Taranaki, you may not know we have black ironsand on our coast.
On sunny days it burns your feet, so you have to run over it. I've always reckoned that's why our region has always had so many top beach sprinters.
You have no idea how much I would love to sprint again.
I have sprinting dreams, kind of like flying dreams. I also have skateboard-riding dreams, but that's another story, completely.
The closest I get are those hills, which I power up in my walking version of fartlek training, similar to what I did in my running days.
Anyway - that was yesterday.
I'm sitting here finishing this off in my togs!
Just walked to Fitzroy along the walk way (including underneath Kawaroa) and went for a swim in the sea with Warren, who went for a run.
It was gorgeous.
I wanted to go for a bike ride today, but didn't fancy pedalling home and getting hot again. Guess I will get used to that though, because I'll be doing it lots this summer.
There are things I'm looking forward to as I get fitter and slimmer:
Getting a new pair of togs (when I get under 100kg).
Wearing a T-shirt with those short, short sleeves (when my arms are firmer).
No longer having to only shop in the larger women's section.
Having a waist again.
But most of all, being able to run again.
Hmm, I wonder if I could skateboard again too - or at 48, perhaps I should leave it to the next generation.
Second thoughts... a long board for my 50th birthday? I reckon!

This weekend, I:
Worked for 6 hours (Sunday)
Have eaten only delicious, healthy meals
Walked for 7.8km (Saturday)
Walked for 4.9km (Sunday)
Slept for 7 disturbed hours (Friday night)
Slept for 10 blissful hours (Saturday night)
Drank lots of water
Drank 4 cups of coffee (2 each day)
Started reading a book (I haven't read one for months)

Running for the All Blacks and other mind games

By Virginia Winder
Over-working is appallingly bad for my health.
On Friday, I worked for 18 hours. That was 3am to 9pm, without a lunch break and no dinner.
Blame the migraine, which put me back terribly when I still had deadlines to meet.
Not only was my brain fizzing with over-use, but I had no time for exercise, my family, friends, the dog, eating properly or writing this blog.
Even had stress chest pains again.
I did walk home from town though, which sort of counts as activity, but not training.
When I went to bed I couldn't sleep properly because my mind wouldn't shut up and I was terribly restless.
Saturday was another rush day and I missed exercising because I was too tired to get up early, then had a radio slot to do (love it) and an early wedding (beautiful and wouldn't have missed it for the world).
Won't beat myself up though because nothing good will come from it.
I did start to feel down though and thinking "I'm a failure" thoughts, but decided it's better to be kind to myself and simply start over again.
There's this wonderful song by Michael Franti called Never Too Late, which always reminds me that at any moment of any day, you can start over again.
So am back into it.
Went for a 1 hour 15-minute fast walk today and even ran some of it. To make certain that my Achilles wasn't injured, I only ran downhill.
Well mostly. I was on the lee breakwater and my aim was to fast-walk past this couple in front of me before they reached a particular puddle. If I got there first the All Blacks would win, but these people were getting too close so I had to break into a run. Whew, I made it.
Ridiculous, I know, but we play these little mind games don't we? A mate of mine called Mark Belcher plays mind soccer while out running. If he passes someone he gets one point and if he gets passed, the opposition gets a point.
I got some big ticks for eating today and yesterday. Made an extreme effort to choose healthy food and feel better for it.
People are always giving me great tips and research information, like this one about monkeys and protein (click on link - after you've finished reading!).
In other news, I did a cardiac exercise stress test this week. It was a followup to my wee trip to hospital with chest pains several weeks ago. My resting pulse was 55 and it took ages to get my heart rate up to the required level for the test and, afterwards, I was down to under 100 in less than three minutes. Apparently all of these things were great news.
I've also lost more weight!
Slowly, surely it's happening, even though I do get damn impatient.
Meanwhile, my quest to be better continues...
This week I'm having a session with a personal trainer from the gym to get my triathlon schedule on track and have an appointment with one of Taranaki's best swimmers for some style tips.
Have definitely increased my water intake, which one friend suggested may have been the reason for my migraine.
Another woman talked about how she has lost heaps of weight simply by running and healthy eating - not dieting - and how it's completely changed her outlook on life.
"I feel like I have woken up from a very long sleep," she told me.
Inspirational stuff!

Today, I:
Walked/ran for 1 hour 15 minutes (and the All Blacks!)
Slept for 10 hours
Ate fantastically well
Drank heaps of water
Had three cups of coffee

Life is just a walk in the park

By Virginia Winder
Avoided the bike again today, but in my defence, the chain needs oiling.
I couldn't find the lubricant, so headed to Pukekura Park and took to the hills.
Took some up-and-down paths off the main track and listened to music in just one ear. With the other I listened to the birdsong.
The music in my earphone was, appropriately, REM. That was one my favourite ever concerts at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands, so could imagine that wonderful night while walking past the outdoor stage.
After that is a peaceful path through bush and a long hill up to the puriri tree that I used to run when I was younger. It was a killer then and still is, but walking is definitely easier.
During my running days with my dad, friend Susan and sometimes my bro, we'd get to the top gasping for breath and have to stop for a minute or two.
The walker in me, just kept right on going today.
Went via the zoo and peered at the monkeys, then through the Kunming Garden where a woman was meditating on the beauty of the place.
Then I meandered, at a fast pace, back down through the park and around the top lake until I saw a cheery bunch of teenagers. It was my son and five mates, and they greeted me with hugs. Cute.
Can't imagine not exercising now and am loving it.
Talked with my friend Susan on the phone today - yes the same running Susan from all those years ago - and we talked ocean swims and triathlons. Have decided I want to take part in events during February, March and April, so watch this space for other race entries.
Have to get ready to watch the All Blacks now - Warren and mates are at Eden Park.
Will drape myself in an AB flag for luck.
GO NZ!

Today, I:
Walked for 1 hour
Worked for 6 hours
Ate extremely well, focusing on fresh, nutritious, unprocessed and protein-packed foods
Drank just 1 coffee
Drank 1 chai
Drank quite a bit of water
Slept for 8 hours

Fast walk with Michael Franti

By Virginia Winder
Had a slow day but a brisk walk invigorated me.
Listened to Michael Franti and Spearhead as I strode along the walkway.
Great beat for walking! Felt so energised afterwards.
This is a short post because it's half time in the France vs England quarterfinal of World Cup. The earlier quarterinal was tough because I wanted both to win. Poor Ireland, good on ya Wales.
It's OK to have a slow day, my husband keeps telling me.
He cooked a fantastic fish curry for tea tonight. He's such a master.
I ate well, rested, made plans, read, dreamt and finally tidied my terribly messy bedroom.
You would think that I'd have moved on from my teenage untidiness, but every now and then I digress. Badly.
I like the idea of decuttering for 15 minutes every day, so will have a go at that tomorrow.
Also, I've been slack at biking, which is my weakest discipline for this upcoming triathlon.
All the books I've been reading say you should focus on your weakest link. To be honest, it should be my strongest because I've got strong legs.
So tomorrow, will get on the bike.
Back to the rugby...

Today, I:
Ate three healthy meals and am cutting back on my carbohydrates
Had 1 coffee
Drank more water
Drank 2 glasses of pinot gris
Walked for 50 minutes listening to music
Worked for 2 hours
Slept for 8.5 hours overnight

Dreaming of marine creature style

By Virginia Winder
Swam next to a dolphin tonight.
There was this young woman who hadn't been in the pool for a few years and she just glided past me, effortlessly.
We met at the end of the pool and I remarked on her speed.
Turns out she only learnt to swim as an adult and discovered she had this exceptional gift, though was incredibly modest about it.
We discussed style and she gave me some tips, including running my thumb up the inside of my body before reaching out for the next stroke.
Have decided that since I will have hours and hours of pool training ahead of me, I'll get some expert advice and a schedule.
This human dolphin was incredibly inspiring. Although I won't be able to grow her size 11 feet, I want to emulate her style so I too can slide through the water like a marine creature.
Before swimming, I went for a 50-minute walk and have moved on from stories to music. That means I'm fit enough to stride out to a fast beat.
Tonight it was Kasbian, an English band I discovered at last year's Big Day Out. Kept imagining myself in the mosh pit for January's BDO, because Kasbian is one of the headline acts! Yay!
Just got the new album,Velociraptor, and it's great.
If my teenagers read this right now, they would say: "Mum you just think you're so cool - and you're not."
Put that in there, just so you know that I live with humbling influences and no, don't think I'm cool. Never, ever!
But determined... oh yes, more than you can ever imagine!

Today, I:
Swam 60 lengths of a 25m pool
Walked for 50 minutes at a fast pace
Ate two healthy meals - I forgot breakfast, so came home for lunch to eat my muesli
Drank a smoothy of half a banana, juice from home-grown oranges and a splash of yoghurt
Slept terribly again (about 4 hours)
Worked for 8 hours
Hung out with whanau