Last week was about getting back into the swing of things after my head cold - but swimming and running were challenges as I had to ensure I had a store of tissues with me as I was just so full of thick stuff ... but did feel better afterwards by clearing out the sinuses!

Friday and Saturday were off days, due to a hospital visit on Friday. I won't bore you with the details, but I think all is now ok and we are back on track with training. Being in hospital twice in the last 6 months is more than enough !!

Anyway - the Spring weather has arrived and it is such a wonderful feeling running out there in the warm sunshine and only wearing summer running gear. Sunshine certainly makes it more inviting to head out the door and want to train. Goodbye Winter (I hope).

Well, yet another week down. The last week was a bit of a non event, as Wednesday afternoon (just after my long run) I immediately came down with a raging head cold which saw me very sorry for myself, and a very early night.

I don't usually get colds or flus, so this was rather surprising and annoying. But with my head feeling like a stuffed pumpkin, my throat on fire, and my nose dripping constantly, I reached for all known remedies and saw it out.

So a fairly hard week turned instead, to a week of being sick. I did think of trying to sweat it out, but my energy levels were so low from the bugs I think I would have made myself really sick if I did.

Anyway - things are now on the mend, and today tried a short 40 minute easy run, which was not easy, as my heartrate is 15-20 beats above what it normally is - obviously still trying to fight the bugs in my body. The bugs have headed south to my chest, so breathing is not the greatest yet .... but at least I am recovering.

Sunday afternoon was a bit of a treat. Our sponsor Alpe Gear got us all together for a meet and greet, and a photo session. It was a little strange meeting everyone else, as it feels like we already know each other from the blogs and email correspondence between us. Thank you Steve and Simone for your support and encouragement. Rumour is that our photo will be in the next Endurance magazine .... eeks!

Yet another week down and we are into September. I don't know where the past few months have gone, as it feels like yesterday when I started on this Ironman journey but it has been at least 6 months! It makes me realise that the remaining time is going to fly by without me knowing it so I can't skimp on the training.

The last week was an easy week - YAY!! I am getting to really love my easy weeks which come around every 4 weeks. The next 3 weeks are building up to some pretty heavy mileage for me, so am a little concerned on how the body will cope - but we can only wait and see.

My right hamstring had a little niggle last week causing me to miss a run session, but it was well timed as it was not a key session. I ended up going out for an hours walk to try and get it freed up, which seemed to help enormously.

So, not too much to grumble about (yet) and overall am enjoying the challenge.

The last week all went pretty well, until I got a killer of a migraine on Thursday afternoon, which took me out of action all of Friday as well. So lost a couple of swims, and 2 short runs - but got all the key sessions in which is the most important thing.

My long run was on Thursday morning, and it was well timed - the weather was a stunner. Clear blue skies, no wind to speak of and temperature not too warm, but not cold - perfect!

To make the most of the glorious weather, I decided to do a North Shore run which took me alongside Takapuna, Narrowneck, Cheltenham and Devonport beaches - all which were sparkling and beautiful. It made up for the crap weather we have had.

Sunday bunch ride was also great - no wind - YAY!! Great morning, a little brisk at the start, but it warmed up as the morning went on.

This week coming up is back to an easy week, but in saying that, I still have 1:30 run to do today, and have been told we have a run time trial of 6km to do on Saturday - eeks!

That's about all for this week - nothing much else to report - yet ....

Another week down - they do sure fly by. Had a pretty good week overall, so can't complain.

I am so over the Winter weather - the wind and rain in Auckland this Winter has been awful. However, today it is a stunner - clear blue sky and no wind - just wish it would stay around a bit more as it really makes you want to go out and enjoy it.

Well, my body feels a lot better than it did after the Taupo Half Marathon. On the day, my hamstrings were very sore and causing me grief, especially my right one. After the run and several times on the drive back to Auckland, I stretched them to try and relieve some of the pain. When I got home, I ran a lovely hot bath and put in some D'Lux Bath Recovery that my massage therapist put me onto, and it was lovely to have a soak. I then followed this by more stretching.

So, Monday morning I was not prepared for my quads to be on fire and totally cease up! My hamstrings were great (amazingly) but now my quads were very unhappy and painful. It took about 5 minutes to be able to straighten my legs when I tried to get out of bed, so I could walk to the bathroom - just as well I wasn't too desperate to get there.

After doing regular stretching during Monday, I had a massage booked for Tuesday afternoon. My regular massage therapist is away, so tried a new one. And it was just what I needed. My quads were still painful to touch, but nowhere near as delicate as Monday, so it was great to get them massaged - I must say I do like the pain of deep massages.

So, attention this week has been on swimming, and I have had a pretty good week (for me). I feel that I am getting somewhere with this frustrating sport. Longest session to date: 3.3km, so slowly getting the distance up. Then I had a lesson with my swim coach, and she introduced me to paddles.

Tip: put your goggles on before putting your paddles on.

So after a few lengths of total uncoordination as they felt weird and had minds of their own - I started to get the hang of them. I have always had fairly good upper body strength, due to my earlier years I spent in the gym and pilates, so am looking forward to using these to develop my technique and strength.

The long ride on Sunday was aborted again this week, due to the wicked weather that went through Sunday morning. Why is it that Sundays seem to attract a storm in Auckland? So got on the trainer again.

The next 3 weeks are going to be hard. They are building up to a very big week - I feel tired reading the programme. Thanks Tony! Let's hope the body and mind are willing.

Well, yesterday was the Taupo Half Marathon. Unfortunately I had an awful run so trying to forget about it quickly!

It was great to meet Kathy on Friday night (one of the chosen 5) and hear how she is going. I have just read her blog - and like she mentions, it is as if we know each other, due to our blogs and Alpe d'Huez's sponsorship. Well done Kathy on your PB.

After having weeks of really great runs, and being on course to run around 2 hours, about 8 km into the run, my old problem with my right leg emerged, and caused me grief. So from there it was a limp/hobble home as best I could. Never mind ... will just have to work harder and ensure this doesn't happen again.

Thanks to Wendy from Catelli's Motel for cheering for me - and my friends in Auckland for their txts.