hayleyearth

Anyone here applied for someone for a visa from SA to visit NZ or been part of someone's application process? Did you guys notice how expensive it is!?! shooooot! Most expensive visa I will ever have to pay for (it's for my mom)... NZ$165 + R528 + R120 And worst is she cant get the "parent" one yet, as I am not a resident yet, so next year I will have to pay it all again when she and my dad comes together.

I would have love to do the Coromandal Classic this year (just the duo, not multisport), but I am just not fit enough yet and one has to have a support system though - as in someone with a car to drive around and meet at different points etc Regarding the MOTU or events like the Whaka100, I don't have a MTB really suited for it. Mine is a trail machine and now that Wayne has picked it up I bet he can confirm how heavy it is...haha (I am though thinking of selling my DH bike and getting a more 'distance friendly' MTB, I feel more comfortable these days for endurance activities, it is also 'easier' in my aging body). The MOTU Duo does look very very tempting though....and I might just be keen to borrow a MTB bike somewhere for it. https://www.motuchallenge.co.nz/motu-duathlon This week my exercise has been bad bad bad! I had a bad cold and immune has been low so didn't want to pick up the bugs in the office that could spread to my lungs etc so I stayed out of the cold/rain which resulted in this: I am planning to ramp things up with the weekend of the 25th Nov as my peak goal so I think I am going to add a few (running and riding) events into the mix just to work a bit more on pace (as that is what I lack when I train by myself all the time). Small goals will keep me excited and going in times the weather might not be great or when motivation is low. Side note: I am thinking of flying my mom over too from end of Aug till about end Oct. She has not been to NZ yet and obviously missing me as it has been over a year since she has seen me. Flights with Qantas are real cheap now from SA. She is also turning 60 in August, and as my last weekend spend in SA was taking my folks away for my dad's 60th, I thought it will be great to spoil my mom a bit too for her 60th... and I guess it is a bit selfish of me (haha) as she will for sure spoil me here too with taking care of normal day to day things (like preparing food etc).

Resting heartrate tracking while sick.... On Sunday I started having 'cold' symptoms when I woke up, blocked and runny nose and a bit of a drip down my throat. I went for a ride though (in the cold) and by Sunday afternoon I just felt depleted and needed a nap, woke up feeling worse. Monday I sneezed a million times at work and nose ran like mad (no coughing). Tuesday woke up with a sore throat and totally clocked nose and I decided to stay home and overdose on fvf (fruit & veg & fluids). Wednesday woke up with voice almost gone and feeling crap so stayed home again fvf'ing. (Actually had sweet potato, broccoli and carrots mashed up for breakfast...haha) At this time I started to think "this is going to take me ages to get over" and I was just hoping it wont move into my chest....I took my resting heart rate to see where I am at 48bpm. That is not normal for me when my system feel down, 44-48 is my normal good health resting heartbeat, sick I am usually around 58-64.... Today, Thursday I am starting to feel better, back at work with running nose and glassy eyes but I am really wondering what is up with it and wonder if it means I can go for a run this afternoon already... ummm

Did another solo half this Saturday for training (as in just ran from home a random route by myself), 1h56m. Very comfortable pace and unfortunately had no water along the way so could feel my body taking strain regarding that from about 14km in. Had enough energy to go do a 60km ride straight afterwards. 5 weeks, 5 days left before my 1st half marathon race, I don't think I will make my desired time though Also, sneezing non stop this morning, with a sore throat starting and glassy eyes.... I was hoping to go do a short 5km this afternoon, but think getting to be will be a better idea.

Keen! https://aucklandmtb.co.nz/trails/hunua-trails/ It is closer to home anyway

Dawie..... In my brokenness I could still laugh out loud about the "I have fond memories of when after would actually show helmet hair"

I'll be wearing Intense socks And I'll be the tired one

9:30am Sunday right?

I had brain freeze on my ride home yesterday! It is cold out there. I used my car today.... mainly because I needed to go see supplier, but now I am kind happy about it looking outside

****! My biggest fear at this moment. I'm overdosing on fruit and veg all day long. Sounds like you have enough going there for a couple of us at least :/ good luck!

Did my return on Friday the 7th July, got my R28k today. Never been disappointed with SARS to be honest. Maybe just because I am a 'simple' case.

So who is coming to join me for a lap of Around Taupo this year? I think I will do 2 consecutive laps this year, so going to look for people just to get me through lap 2 (when about the last or 2nd last group goes maybe).. http://cyclechallenge.com/the-event/entry-info/dates-and-fees/

Which one will you recommend for a woman?

Talk about weather..... damn but it is beautiful out there now! I went for a run over lunch time along the water side in East Tamaki. Sun, gravel path, water, green grass = happy me!

Haha... I've started road cycling in Aug 2015 actually already Just over 9000km since then (yes yes not enough, but bike did spend a bit of time in a container too etc etc).

Need to prepare better for this winter riding... These dhb jackets are really amazing, I have one I have been using almost everyday now and it is the only part of my body that doesn't get cold on my ride (in the morning and evenings) these days. And my damn tyres wear off sooooo quickly here in NZ!

Where it usually takes me on a Monday. .. work...at least past nice scenery (yes it's a volcano in the back there)

Anyone want/need something from Wiggle? I am ordering today..

One of my top 3 favorite things in life is so go on such solo adventures here (yes even if the rain might fall at times too). There are endless amount of roads each with their own breathtaking views and I find myself every time a bit more. I didn't get to do one this weekend and this morning I can say I feel a bit 'robbed' from something that my soul needs. Although a rode my bike a bit this weekend, THAT is the main reason I ride, to explore. Looking forward to this weekend to ride with you all....... hope the weather for Sunday isn't as predicted currently though!

Hahaha! This week has been difficult again, compared to last week. I was on the brink last night to do indoor riding... my flat mate actually told me "just use my trainer" ..he didn't know I have one of my own. I just cant get myself to do indoor training of any sorts. I got poured on properly on Wednesday on my ride from work. It was difficult to see where I was going actually. And my brakes didn't work as good (road bike). This morning I braved it in with a swimming cap under my helmet. I didn't want my hair to be soaking again as I am feeling a bit of a snotty nose, scratchy throat and drip starting. I think it is of riding and running in the rain the last week /weekends. This morning was a nice ride though. Have to say, the sunrises are beautiful the last week or so. Hard to believe soon I will be commuting in full lit skies again.

So those are non-tarred roads? I am most probably getting a CX bike in December, something a bit more gravel friendly but still good for distance. Would love to go explore like that.

Who hacked Patches's account?!?! Runnnniiinnnggg?

I am struggling so much finding the right shoes. Spent R1899 a few weeks ago and R2400 last week again. Either the shoes feels too small (short = blue toe nail) or too big/long/roomy (same damn size in both US9)... The latest pair is the NB 880 v7 and although I have only been on two runs with them I can feel the weight difference between them and the NB Zante v3 immediately. I will give myself another 100km or so on them to decide if I need to look into others again,

To a bike shop.... This bike hasn't been in one since I bought it. I snapped the rear gear cable on my ride and had to single speed half of Auckland before I could get an open bike shop, even put it in myself as their mechanics wasn't working in a Sunday...

Something amazing happened this week....I rode to work and back (if I make it back safe this afternoon) everyday this week That is 150km of commute this week thus far. Rule #5 had to be applied a few mornings, but now that I know I am capable of arranging day activities/to do's around this I think I will do it more often. I do find myself to be more hungry too though.