Jo

What you call a blonde with a brain cell??
A golden retriever!

What do you call a blonde with 2 brain cells??
A pregnant golden retriever!

Jokes courtesy of my big brother!

Well I had my luverly injection on Thursday and I have to confess that it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It still felt obliged to make a bit of a fuss though. The doctor said he normally gives footballers this treatment and I was his first female runner. He did then say he would stick to footballers as they didn’t cause such a commotion! Bl00dy cheek! I’m not sure if it’s done the trick or not. He said if it was going to work then I would feel the benefit immediately as the anaesthetic would dumb down any pain. Well it felt worse straight after so I don’t know. I’m feeling worse in my back now so maybe that’s where the whole problem stems from anyway?
At least I can now start to use my legs while swimming which is a relief otherwise I’m going to end up with shoulders like the Thorpedo (I’m not exactly feminine in the shoulders already!)
This is Ian Thorpe by the way – not me, before anyone thinks of a clever comment to leave!!!
I do like swimming and after Ed’s complimentary comment in the pool today I feel a bit more inspired to get to the pool more often now. When the weather gets warmer I must try and find an open air 50m pool as that was one of the things I was looking forward to about living here – swimming outside (not the sea – not many unknown creatures!)
Right – must sort out my ‘tropical holiday’ gear! Now, where is that bikini??

We received some bad news last night about a good friend who has died at the age of 43. She was English but had been living in New Zealand for the past 3 years. The circumstances are absolutley tragic and heart breaking (I won’t go into that here) and my thoughts are with Graham and Abigail. God bless JoJo.
Can’t think of anything else to say

Got a possible job offer and then another place called me this evening, after I sent them my CV on spec., to ask for an interview tomorrow!!! I’ve never been so popular – well apart from the one occasion I offered to buy a round of drinks in the Black Bull circa 1992!
Well the new car is sooper dooper – an automatic so I don’t even have to move my left leg any more. I tell you, I’m getting to used to being a complete sloth.

I even made Ed have a takeaway Pizza last week.
I saw the magic doctor on Monday (got into heaps of trouble at work too ‘cos of it!!) and I HAVEN’T got a stressie or cartilage tear. Phew To be anal about it I’ve got a small hamstring tear at the insertion (bum to you and me), inflammation of a groin bursa and back spasms because of the aforementioned. Got to have rest (dull), physio (expensive) and an ultra sound guided injection in my groin (nice!) but should be back on my toes in about 3 weeks. The winter season is over for me now but there’s always the summer. Actually (and don’t tell Tim/OM/coach) I’m more gutted about missing the rest of the ski season! Still, we’re off to tropical Queensland next week for some sun, sea, snorkelling and stingers so I don’t feel too bad about it!!
Wish me luck for tomorrow

We got one!! Not quite a station wagon but an Astra hatch. We pick it up today
Hooray – I’m mobile again!! I had to go to Clayton from the city the other day for an interview on the Pakenham line – it was an experience. I think I’ve been spoiled by using the Sandringham line where you can at least get a seat.
Talking of trains I did my good deed for the day yesterday and handed in a set of keys a guy left on the seat next to me, into Hampton cop shop. If you know anyone who left their keys on the Sandringham train who got off at Balaclava, then that’s where they are now.
Not much else to say really. I had the MRI scan on Wednesday and am seeing the doc for the results on Monday. I’ve done absolutely NOTHING in the way of exercise for ages now so my fitness must have long gone by now I was getting fit too – really frustrating!! Even more frustrating now as the training group have got a middle distance group going as well as the long distance group which is much more suited to me and I missing out!! Bah
We go to Queensland a week on Tuesday though

I saw the magic sports doctor today and she is worried! I’m having an MRI scan next week to find out if I have,
a) Synovitis
b) Stress fracture in my hip – eeek!
c) Cartilage tear in my hip joint – eeek!
No running, no biking, no swimming, no pool running and only limited walking for me until we get the results. So guess what? I’m not racing at Sandown tomorrow I thought something was up. I’ve have numerous massages on the area from very good people but it just wasn’t working and now I can see why. If it’s just synovitis (just!) than I guess it’ll be a cortisone jab somewhere personal and I’ll be on my way again. The others don’t really bear thinking about at this stage so let’s not worry about that just yet eh? However, Franz (Ed) & I were planning to hit the slopes again next weekend and that now looks in jeapody which makes me very sad Does anyone else think that the track at Olympic Park is hideously hard? I always seem to be very achy after training on it but don’t seem to be so bad after training on Sandringham track.
So apart from that nothing much has been going on. We are car hunting again this weekend. Em – I had an Astra estate, sorry station wagon in the UK and it was a great car but I think they are too new here for me to be able to afford one. I saw the Viva the other week too. The Viva was a car that Vauxhall (General Motors) had during the 70’s in the UK and it has a certain, ahem, image problem! I’m sure it’s a very different car here though but I think I’ll keep looking.

I suspect I’ll end up with a mid sized hatch ‘cos they’re cheap.
I’m off on a company conference next week for ‘Death by PowerPoint’! Last year they went to Lorne – this year, where are they going?? The airport!

Franz Klammer – roll over!!!
We had the best time in Mt Buller being terrorized by boarders and small children. It was the best fun we’ve had in a weekend for years and we are now totally hooked! Already planning a day trip back there before we head to the tropics in 3 weeks time.
The weather was pretty murky for most of the time but when the cloud cleared there were some great views. My camera battery died on the second day so we didn’t get many pictures bit here are a few:

Other news – I’m not sure if I can race on Saturday as my hamstring/hip is now so bad I can hardly extend my leg forward when running. This is something I’ve had for years but has now got to the stage where I’m going to have to do something about it. Hey ho – yet another injury to add to the ever growing list! Maybe I should go back to triathlon training as I didn’t get nearly as many injuries with that! I just feel resigned to getting a problem every few months at the moment. Old age I reckon. At least the weather is so poo that I don’t feel like I’m missing anything by not running.

Ed & I are now in month 10 of winter – when will it end???? At least in the snow it was bright – foggy but bright if you know what I mean?

Did you think I’d dropped off the end of the planet? Well almost – this is Australia after all!
I just got bored with writing this so stopped.
Anyway, I’m back and can’t think of anything to say now, hmmmmmmmm
Well, running is going well. I’ve done a few races and think I’ve done quite well. I certainly felt good, especially the last one which was an 8km XC. I would usually die at about 5km but I kept it going all the way through this time AND made it into the Division 1 team where we finished 2nd!!
We also did a road relay near Bendigo which was excellent fun. Here are the division Sandringham team – don;t be fooled by the crop tops. It was freezing!!!

Despite getting lost in the car and a few route finding issues on the run we had a great time but finished LAST in our division. A few of us stayed overnight in Bendigo (my first weekend away in Australia!) and went for a meal etc . However I came down with a stinking cold the next day and had to miss a bit of training the following week. My ferritin (iron) levels were very low at 15 a few weeks ago so I’ve been scoffing iron pills (and kangaroo steaks) every day and I think there is an improvement as I don’t feel quite so tired all the time now. I’ll have another blood test next week to check the levels again. There is also something particular going on with my hip and hamstring which I need to get checked out too! Dr K will be busy with me!!!
We are off skiing to Mt Buller on Friday for the weekend and I’m feeling a bit nervous! I’ve only been once about 20 years ago (do you remember THAT holiday, Jane??) and Ed has never been so watch this space for a full report next week.
I went to help out at Riding for the Disabled (RDA) today in Moorabbin. It was great and I only got trodden by a horse once. The kids were very sweet and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. I’ve also volunteered to help out with Wildlife Victoria on their helpline initially and maybe as a rescuer once I’ve done the training in Sept.
Oh, and we are going buy another car but can’t find anything small enough at the moment. Needs to be about 2 litre, station wagon, reliable and cheap-ish. Any ideas?? All I can find are Falcons and Commodores which are HUGE!!
That’s all for now folks………………….

Oh I forgot to mention that winter just improved by about 100%. Today has been about 17 deg and sunny. The washing was on the line, the doors were all open and I ran in sunnies, singlet and shorts for the first time in ages!!

No not another injury but on the car this morning! There it was – sitting there all smug-like, winking at me, saying ’so, you wanted to live in Australia did you??!’ What the………..this wasn’t in the script There are palm trees at the end of the road and parrots flitting about in the sky and……FROST!
Sigh, roll on summer. I am so over winter. It’s been going on since last October! At least we had heating in England. Why oh why, does a country that has frost not build it’s houses with heating?
OK, I’m not really whingeing – I’m just in shock!
Anyway, Mr Ed is sunning himself in New York this week where the weather is lovely. He working very hard though – trips up the Empire State Building, lunch on the beach, boozy lobster dinner with a mate and shopping in Gap!
Meanwhile I consoled myself with a whole packet of dark chocolate TimTams yesterday

……and feeling it!
Ed arranged a secret ‘do’ for Saturday night for my birthday, inviting as many new friends of mine as he could to dinner in Hampton. It was fab. I had no idea and got such a shock when I walked into the restaurant and saw them! The expected romantic dinner for two turned into dinner for eight! It was a great evening and I even managed to stagger up for a long run at 7.00 the next morning. The run was from Kew (along the Yarra) and the last time I ran this one was when I got problems with my foot so I was pleased to get through it this time without any problems. The run was followed by breakfast with the running group before going home, showered and off shopping! I was knackered by the end of the day. What is it with shopping that tires me out so much?? Maybe it was the chocolate overdose of 2 hot chocolates (I don’t like coffee), French toast and white chocolate brownie? Nothing else that day – just that! Whaddya mean I need to look at my nutrition?? Anyway, we bought an oil filled radiator so are feeing a bit more toastie in our freezing box of a house! I’m going to look at two houses this afternoon (avec heating!!) so see what you get for your money! Not much in Hampton I think……..
Also getting my hair done today. I went in to book highlights and have been talked into lowlights AND highlights! They saw me coming, eh? God knows what it’s going to look like but I’ll give it a go.
Now – running. What IS going on?? I’m doing all the right sessions and mileage but I just seem to going backwards! The two races I’ve done recently have been disappointing and my training is also going the same way. Last nights session was tough (for me, as I prefer short reps) but I stuck with it and finished it but I really struggled to keep up with the group who seems to just be running away from me all the time. A few weeks ago I was up there sharing the lead and last night I was off the back I’m determined to stick with it though as it’s these sort of sessions that I need to do. I’ve always been weak on long reps so hopefully I’ll improve but so will everyone else and I’ll still be left behind. BTW, the session was 1400m, 1200m 1000m & 800m on the track (Olympic Park with the grass sticking out into lanes 1 & 2 so we may have run a bit further). My sort of session is more like 16 x 200m! Now, I really much stop moaning!!
Thanks for all my birthday wishes and anyone who couldn’t make it on Sat, we’ll have to get together for a post birthday drink or something. Maybe an Ausrun get together? Anyone fancy that?

………..happy birthday to me,
happy birthday dear me-eeeeeeeeeeee,
Happy birthday to me!!