2011 - getting to this point.

As mentioned, today's post is a brief hash about getting to where I am now.

2010 was riddled with injuries, but also many memorable moments - hiking through the Bungle Bungles, exploring the Kimberley, climbing waterfalls etc, as well as a revisit to my favourite place - Karijini National Park, which is seriously like Disney Land for adventure lovers!

It was also my first year in over a decade as a civilian, and the year I was supposed to take my fitness to a different level. It was the year I tried my hand as a cook - first on a cattle station, and then in a resort in Kununurra.

I started a relationship at the beginning of the year, and it ended towards the end of the year. But I was able to share my year of travels with a great woman.

So, returning to Perth towards the end of last year, having put a few kilos back on due to injury, working in a kitchen all day, and flat-out laziness, I was determined to get back into the swing of things. Newly single, new job, new home = new beginnings, for sure.

I had planned to run 100km for New Year's Eve - you know, finish 2010 and start 2011 with a marathon either side of midnight. Didn't count on the blisters though! So after 30km I headed home, but finished it off a couple of days later.

Given my increasing rate of injury, I was very much aware that I had to train smarter this year. I've always struggled taking the time to stretch properly. So now I ensure I do at least two stretching classes a week. I tried Bikram Yoga, which was fantastic, but honestly, it was just too expensive when an entire gym membership cost less and gave me complete access to the gym, pool and unlimited classes. So now I do Body Balance to remain limber.

My main focus this year has been two-fold:

1. Gain enough endurance fitness to successfully break the record on the Bibbulmun Track.
2. Increase my upperbody strength in order to be able to successfully regain entry into the Navy - this time as a Clearance Diver.

So I have (mostly) only been working a 4-day week, in order to focus on training, which has included a LOT of running and hiking/walking, and time in the gym.

Some days I struggle. Like today. After a hard slog on the trail in 35 degree heat on Monday and Tuesday, followed by 3 and half hours in the gym yesterday (light weights session/Body Combat/Body Pump/Body Balance), my legs - and particularly feet - just really don't feel up to it today. Which is ok, because Thursdays I work 12 hours, and is supposed to be a rest day. Keep reminding myself to train smarter, not necessarily increasingly harder.

So I'm off to work soon, which I enjoy (most of the time). I am particularly passionate about one aspect of my job, and that's being a weight loss consultant, where I get to help people change their lives. Definitely the most rewarding part of what I do!

Well, now that I've given a very brief history as to who I am and why I'm here, from now on it will be a more traditional blog - sharing of the day's events, thoughts, successes and yes, even failures.

I hope to generate interest in Endurance for Charity. But I also hope that somewhere out there someone is able to either take comfort or some new bit of advice away from my blog.

Have a great day!