Im back again to update you all on whats been happening in Australia.
The weather has changed and its now getting cooler so a relief when it comes to doing the harder sessions, and the cool weather also helps me sleep better at night which I find beneficial for quicker recovery.

The racing has begun and the season off to a start with the Gold Coast triathlon on last weekend. And although I delayed my start and choose not to race this early it was good to watch Stu Hayes who I now coach do so well in placing 2nd to Brad K. Stu & I have been training together and things have been going really well and we are looking forward to a great season ahead.
I will keep you updated as we head towards the first world cup of the season Moololaba which luckily for us is only a two hour drive away. I cant wait.

See you soon.
Michelle

“Hello from bright and sunny Australia. Sorry to rub it in, i’ve heard reports that the weather your end isn’t too great, but hey I promise to bring the sun back with me in April - so not too long to wait now! All is well my end and it’s same old, same old really. Eat, sleep and train (not necessarily in that order) The training is going well and I’m feeling stronger everyday. Asked for a new chain and cassette from the lovely guys at Wiggle this week as my current one has taken a bit of a battering.

With training progressing nicely and knowing how important rest is in our preparation for the season, Stu (Hayes) and I have scheduled in a well deserved break. At the weekend we are going to Fiji for 5 days. I can’t wait…. We won’t have a complete break and we’ll probably run most days, but we’re leaving the bike box at home. I expect Stu will want to squeeze in some cheeky swim sessions while we’re away too, so I suppose I’ll pack the goggles and swim cap.

I’ll write again after our travels…. Until then remember take care.”

Michelle

After reading about Paul’s accident, I’m really not missing those dark cold nights in the UK. I’m so glad Paul was not hurt, it could have been so much worse. I hoping it hasn’t put him off of his training?? Keep up the good work Paul!!

Things are well my end and the training continues. The Criterium racing has been hotting up and this week I found myself hanging onto the A graders. Crit racing starts at 7am and we get up extra early to do an hours warm up before hand to make sure those legs aren’t still asleep. The racing lasts 50 mins plus 3 laps. We cover each lap in around 2 1/2 - 3mins, in the boiling heat and 80% humidity. It is really tough and I find myself gritting my teeth for the whole 50 mins. You should see me when I finish, I honestly look as though I have been under a shower - i’m soaked with sweat. Very attractive I tell myself!!

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A weekly update from Michelle:

You’re never going to believe it, it’s raining in Australia! It’s really humid too… The training is going well, we were up at 4.30am this morning for swimming. Geez it hurts getting up that early, my body doesn’t seem to function at that time and I couldn’t work out why my early morning coffee didn’t seem to taste too great either. Then I realised that I had forgotten to add the water and was in fact drinking the granules. Yuk!

I have also been playing mind games with the Kangaroos. I have beautiful lake lands to run over at the back of my house. Unfortunately the kangaroos don’t like sharing their lake land, they won’t budge for anyone, so you find yourself dodging the kangaroos.

The biking is coming along nicely and Saturday morning Criterium racing is a favourite training session…. Bring on those races!!