Olympic Fever

Olympic fever and scorching temperatures seem to be gripping the UK! We (ok so I actually mean Russell Ben’s dad here) just need to make sure the “IT” is in place to ensure the TV is cued up to record the events on our not to be missed list. Even I do not think I have it in me these days to stay up past my bed time to watch the action live.

We did, however, get up a few mins earlier to watch the final sprint stage of the Tour de France before our swim rather than post number 1 session of the day. And Ben even found it in himself to move away from the I phone to ensure the Twitter feed did not reveal what happened. Being a bit of a fan of Mark Cavendish, or “Cav” as I feel comfortable referring to him as, I was a tad nervous and then somewhat excitable as the Sky train stormed up the Champs Elysee. As the excitement rose, so did I from my seat, the coffee had to be put down at this point in case of a spillage and then boom, the missile was launched! As Cav celebrated victorious with his arms aloft in the air, so did I!

For “Operation Kona” we are working on a 4 week cycle, with the 4th week in each block being just a tad lighter, I won’t go as far as saying easier as that would be all lies. We have just finished our first 4 week block, heading into block 2 and yep you have guessed it each block increases in intensity and volume as we get closer to race day, mid Oct. Ben has passed me “his notes” for my perusal which basically looks like my punishment for the next 8 weeks, although I am unsure of my crime. It’s a rest day tomorrow, I better enjoy it and wrap myself up in compression gear!

Since I started tapping away at this blog entry the games have commenced and so has our next block of training. We caught a few minutes of the Opening Ceremony and wow it looked like one heck of a show. In fact, Mr. Bean and his contribution to “Chariots of Fire” nearly made us late for our chilly early morning jetty swim. Lucky Queenie to have Daniel Craig escort her to the ceremony, I wonder if 007 will accompany me to my next sporting event?!?! In between our sessions we are catching up on the Olympic action which sounds like its red hot whilst we are letting our muscles repair and more to the point getting our beauty sleep. Being in Aus I am somewhat more clued up about what’s happening with the green and gold, boxing kangaroo athletes as opposed to my cool clad squad of GB athletes. The cool clad bit gave it away, I do not think Stella Mc Cartney was a bit “Lucy in the sky” when she designed the team kit.

Over the weekend we had a visit from an Auntie and Uncle (Lynne and Geoff) which was great to catch up with them. It did of course mean Ben’s mum, Marg was whipping up a storm in the kitchen and the will power had to come into play to pass on the choc pot desserts, I did accept the offer for a glass of vino, I did not want to look rude or a complete looser!!! Just as FYI here Ben opted for the choc dessert and no beer!
Training as eluded to earlier in the entry has been getting rather fruity shall I say. The sessions are starting to creep closer to 5 hours + and a cheeky double swim has made its way onto the programme, the double swim is post our very intense run squad. Oh and the run squad session now has “extras” added on for us whilst the normal people cool down, stretch and tuck into brekkie!

The weather over the past few weeks has certainly been on our side, it is for the locals still winter but there are certainly no complaints from me, I was back running on the beach with a singlet and visor. Although the wind was pretty vicious, a southerly I think the weather man would say, a full frontal I would call it or running into a brick wall, either way I was going nowhere fast.

I will not be going anywhere tomorrow, neither fast nor slow if I do not go and change my flat tyre. Team benben has had a serious run of bad luck with flay tyres over the past few weeks. Being positive it does of course mean I am getting somewhat of an expert, although, I am not convinced future employers are really seeking candidates with the ability to change inner tubes as part of the required or preferred skills set!!!

Until we are next on the blog, take care followers and come on Team GB, I am being reminded one Aussie swimmer alone has more medals than the entire GB team to date!

Here we go again......

Ben indicated the first few weeks back training after our month off would be tough, we are at that point and there was no word of a lie. Dependent upon the session has determined what’s been screaming louder, legs or lungs, lungs or legs, or both!!

To mix things up this block and to keep things as social as possible we joined the local Cycle Club. Weekly Saturday group races are a popular date in the diary. Armed with some fellow tri buddies, Dan and Amy we hit the start line at 2pm. There are 4 groups A through to D, A are the speedsters who complete 6 loops of the 10km track through to D who tackle 4 loops of the track. Nothing to do with the first letter of our names but Ben went “B” and I went “C”. Although I wrote above Saturday races are a firm fixture, I went with a group ride mentality rather than race. Rookie error on my part, I think I was swearing by the 2nd hill less than half way round the first loop! Never the less and despite some expletives I held on with my group until a mechanical meant I was changing an inner tube on the penultimate lap and could not contend the sprint finish to the line. Ben I think was foxing and playing with his group, I reckon he is up for a cheeky break-away over the next few weeks! Will team benben be slipping on the “maillot jaune”!!!

Wednesday Mornings we have been mixing it up with a run squad, yes it’s that one that hears the alarm ding at 4.59am and we are limbering up in the dark. Porridge tastes even better at 7.30am knowing that a tough session of the day has already been nailed. The coach has some testing sessions in the post, I hear rumors of 10 x 400m’s holding your best pace on descending rest and 10 x 800m’s again holding your best pace, let me know if you would like any more details!

Thursday evenings are another date in the diary, this time swim squad. I exit the water after most sessions exhausted, telling myself swimming sucks and I might take up duathlons. (Duathlons requires no swim but a killer combo of run, bike, run!)

Sunday morning is shaping up to be an open water swim, followed by a caffeine injection followed by our long run. The other Sunday was a stunning winters morning here on the East Coast, sun rising with some bite, little swell in the ocean, coffee date and social run arranged for post open water swim, typical triathletes Sunday morning. What was less than typical was the company we had out swimming, whilst negotiating the jetty I could see the boys (Ben and Dan) standing up, looking around them, and then I saw it …………a fin, followed by another fin. I probably swore again at this point until the boys reassured me it was friendly flipper, 2 dolphins not 2 human eating sharks looking for breakfast, brunch or lunch.

Outside of Operation Kona which is now in full swing! I keep myself busy with my to do list, Ben on occasions has started to jot a few things down which from time to time resemble a list. We have been living the dream or should I say our dream for just over 9 months now, which can only mean just under 3 months remaining. I am sure to some living our dream would be more like living hell!!! Thoughts of returning home and the associated jobs, another list have started to cross my mind.

Ben and I have also been putting our “marketing hats” on helping Russell and Marg (Ben’s parents) with some new business ideas for their motel. Oh and how have I not already slipped this into the blog…..for those that know me well are fully aware my cuisine skills are somewhat LTD…..Well you will be shocked to hear I have been whipping up some pasta dishes to keep the boy going, ham, pea and mint was a winner. Ben and I cook on a Tues and Fri eve, kicking Marg out of the kitchen.

On that note I had better slope off and slide into some lycra before I get a hiding of my own!!!!
Be back blogging soon, lots of love team benben x

Red Centre Holiday

We last left you quaffing Shiraz in the wineries of the Hunter Valley. Since then we have had a whirlwind tour of Sydney to do the sights with Mum then it was off to the Alice Springs for our bush trip. On arrival at the airport we picked up Penny, Mum’s fellow travel companion who joined Mum, Ben, Kimmy (Ben’s sister who lives in Alice) and I for our 10 day adventure. Below is a selection of some highlights…..

Fri: We kicked off in style with a Champagne sunset. Just a few k’s out of the town centre and along an off road track, the sort most would not even attempt!! Undeterred Kimmy kicked “Big Red” her trusty steed, a Toyota land Cruiser into 4x4 mode to maneuver us to our sunrise spot. This was to be our first taste of what the Red Centre had to offer………and wow, vast, arid, stunning, natural beauty, a wilderness are just a handful of words which can be used to describe our uninterrupted view.

Sun: The highlight of our trip in Alice was to be our 5 nights out bush, camping. It was an early morning wake up call, no lycra, yeah!! Instead, get Big Red packed for our trip, we have all packed a car numerous times for trips so no more details really need to be given except I bet you have not done this after checking the dip stick?!? Put the dinner on so it will be ready after our 500k journey to Uluru, Ayers Rock. Back to dinner, one of Kimmy’s tricks is to cook a chook under the bonnet, I thought things like this only happened on Top Gear, move over Clarkson!!!

Mon: We were treated to another of Alice’s natural beauties the Olgas, Katja Tjuta. We got up close and personal by marveling over these beauties with a 4 hour walk. Aside from the Olga’s, something else caught our eye, a random camel with a terrible over bite wondered by and a man doing the same walk as us which involves scrambling over rocks on occasions and negotiating the up’s and downs wearing flip flops or thongs as referred to over here! Oh and he had his must have nestled under his arm like a Louis Vuitton clutch, his red I pad!! A trip out here is not complete without witnessing a sun set and chilly sun rise over The Rock.

Tues: We were back in Big Red on route to Kings Canyon where we had been promised a secret camp spot by Kimmy. It was so secret it kept us all guessing for a while including Kimmy. In her defense it was dark and she last visited the spot 4 years ago. A sign, a grid, a fence line, a track then a clearing in the bush for our swags is what we were looking out for. For those not offay with a swag, it’s something you sleep in. No tents you just jump in your sleeping bag and then in your swag. It has a waterproof outer which will keep you dry in a shower and comes with a mini mattress for comfort. Sleeping in our swags was a real highlight, laying in your warm cozy bed, with the snap crackle and pop of the fire to keep you toasty, gazing at the stars was just magic and the stuff dreams are made of. Oh and just for your comfort…..…yes we found our secret camp spot. This was home for the next 2 nights.

Weds: Happy birthday to you etc etc etc happy birthday to Ben etc etc etc. The 20th June was Ben’s 32nd and our 2 year anniversary. Who would have believed it, 2 years ago Ben asked me to do his wetsuit up at a race and the rest they say is history! His special day was celebrated with another stunning walk around Kings Canyon. Guess who we saw, the flip flop / thong man still in his preferred choice of footwear but guess what, this time another member of the party donned the same choice!!! I will let the pics do the talking. For those that know my mum, Jenny B as she is known did not disappoint, she did not quite make it out to the UK with her famous cupcakes, instead, she came armed with gifts, balloons, a banner and candles. The boy did not go without a cake, cue his sister who whipped a very naught but nice dark choc and date cake. Champers and nibbles then wine and a slow cooked lamb stew were on the menu. I think we will all agree a day and a b’day / anniversary to remember.

Thurs: Back on the road or should I say dirt track! Our destination was Glen Helen which meant we had to take on the red dirt and dust of the Mereenie Loop in order to reach the sandy banks of the Finke, where we would be setting up camp for our last night out bush. Collecting wood was a daily ritual for our fire, it seemed as the week progressed we were getting more and more game. It looked like Jenny and Penny were returning from their wood scavenging with a whole tree!

Our last supper was a feast to remember, Roo (kangaroo) was on the menu. Kimmy was in charge of the meat, I buried the sweet pots and corn in the coals, whilst Ben whipped up the onions, mushrooms and aubergine. Jenny and Penny like most nights kept our glasses topped up!!

Fri: The West Mac Donald range led us home back to Alice Spring, to ensure we could keep enjoying the wonders of the landscape to the bitter end, we detoured via Orminston Gorge and Ellery Creek big hole.

Sat: The Beany Festival had come to town!! Everywhere should have one of these they are so much fun. Over 5,000 Beanies from all corners of the country had descended on Alice for the annual event. It really is quite extraordinary what some creative people can do with wool and it’s also quite random what some people put on their heads to keep warm!!! Never shy for a bit of retail therapy I hit the stalls! 3 beanies came home with me, Ben found 2 to keep him cozy. We mixed with the locals (many with their new head adornment) for dinner at the local, Penny very kindly treated us to our 2nd last supper at Monte’s.

Sun: Our penultimate day, coffee’s, the markets, back to Monte’s for lunch, visit to the Royal Flying Dr’s museum, meeting some of Kimmy’s ladies, soaking up the sun and atmosphere of Alice was all part of the order of the day.

Mon: Back to the chaos in Sydney!! It is hard to sum up the beauty of the outback. It bears no resemblance to anywhere I have ever visited or may never visit again. Maybe the best way I can sum up this place is to say make sure a visit in on your “bucket list”!
Tues: Last day in Australia for Jenny and Penny, Wed cue the Kleenex for a goodbye.

I hope you have all noticed this entry of the blog has one major omission, the use of lycra has been absent. For those who thought it would not be possible, it is and it was. We had a month off, we have done nothing since the ironman.

Operation Kona as I have called it started on Monday 2nd July, I feel like a 20 a day chain smoker. My bottom muscles even ache as I sit on the comfort of our bed typing. Goodness knows what is going to ache tomorrow as we have hit 2 hard sessions already today. Run squad which kicked off at 6am, cue the alarm 5am and yes for those wondering it is still dark! Then a swim, Ben called the session a mixed bag, I would call it hard!!! Bring on the pain train, “toot toot”!!