We have moved...

I am no longer posting on this blog because I have decided to incorporate both my Ironman wife diary entires with  regular posts on all things triathlon on my TriCrew website which has been recently re-designed.

TriCrew is all about a triathlon lifestyle. How best to train and race, eat well and stay healthy, avoid injury, remain focussed, and plan so you can achieve your dreams and enjoy the journey of racing triathlon. A triathlon lifestyle requires a balance between your work, your family and your passion. We want to encourage, inspire and share your triathlon journey.

Come and check it out here.

If you have subscribed to this blog I would love it if you visited TriCrew and subscribe to my new Feedburner if you want regular updates. You can also subscribe to my newsletter which I will launch in August.

I look forward to continuing to share our triathlon journey with you and hear more about yours!

Lisa xx

Ironman Melbourne has arrived!

Now this must make everyone involved in Ironman Melbourne nervous! I am nervous and I'm not racing.

As I write, I am watching the coloured net bags being packed, final checks on nutrition, supplies and equipment.

Last night as I talked to fellow Ironman wives I felt overwhelmed by the discussions on how we get from T1 to T2 and the finish line - it's not an easy task being a supporter either!

So this post is short and sweet since there are many things to sort through today. You may enjoy my post The Day Before which I wrote before the Hawaii Ironman last year. There is a lot to organise and think through!

I wrote a post on my TriCrew last night.

For a some supporter tips for the day see here. Make a plan, tell your athlete and on the day things may  happen but you can only do your best - they know you are there supporting whether they see you or not.

IronmanLive and the IronTrac app will help you track your athletes but one tip from experience, all the trackers may melt down and you will have to reply on your trusty watch, your instinct and other supporters!!

To follow us on our race day experience, join me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

If you are here in Melbourne, I wish you all the best as an athlete and supporter. I hope you have an amazing day with special memories, goals achieved and challenges met.

See you out on the course!

Ironman Melbourne: 4 sleeps to go - words of wisdom?

There are so many words of wisdom to inspire - a few that are repeated amongst triathletes include:

 - or "memories last forever"

ANOTHER: 

You can quit and nobody will ever care 

but you will always know..

And one to repeat to yourself when you are digging deep....

A few other favourites of ours:

From our friend, Tim:

"Every decision you make, you make about yourself"

From runner Steve Prefontaine:

"A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish himself into exhausting pace, and then at the end, punish himself even more."

And anon:

 "You finish last in 100% of the races you don't start."

So here is hoping all of you competing in Ironman Melbourne get to the starting line, make the right decisions for you, manage to push through the pain, do the best you can on the day and come across the finish line with a medal and many special memories.

Final words from the mouth of my Ironman:

   Bring it on!

Ironman Melbourne: 5 Sleeps - Making a List & Checking it Twice

Packed yet? Are you organised or not so? Do you pack last minute or make a list and check it twice (or three times) ?

I have to admit that Ironman is looking more organised than me this time around - maybe because I'm thinking it's only Melbourne and I only have one child in tow...

However, I need to remind myself I ended up buying warm clothes last time so maybe I need to be bit more prepared (I should really be packing not writing) - then again Melbourne is the shopping capital!

But, it's not about me... and the most important luggage is the bike and the kit of course!

To help you in your packing endeavours, here are a few tips to avoid suitcase and travel disasters when travelling by plane to a Triathlon:

• Don't pack C02 cartridges (and don't forget to buy at other end!)
• Make sure you double seal the electrolyte powder (pretty sticky stuff if it leaks!) Ditto with gels. I use snap lock bags then plastic Decor container to double seal.
• Lots of plastic shopping bags are useful to pack dirty shoes and smelly lycra
• Don't pack too many t-shirts - you usually add 2-3 new Tri ones to your collection each race.
• Use a Decor  container to store all the little stuff like bike tools and salt containers.
• Take race kit for all weather conditions.
• Pack the expensive stuff like watch, SRM and iPod in your carry on.
• Take wet weather gear for supporters - and a good back pack (you will be walking far)
• Don't forget the camera, charger and connector cords. Video camera?
• Triathlon ID required for check in

All I can think of for  now. Very useful that we are heading to Melbourne since you can get most things there if you forget :-)

Any more tips you can add?

For some more packing and travel tips - check our PJ's suggestions here.