Tuesday 29 March 2011

Welcome to my nightmare

Let me set things straight right from the start.  I am not complaining about my life.  In fact, quite the opposite.  I'm a firm believer that we are the creators of our own destiny. 

I love that I am a busy working mum.  I love that my work is sometimes all encompassing.  I love that when it's not work that overwhelms me, it's my family, pick ups, drop offs, dance groups, soccer practice, exercise, bill paying - whatever it is that life throws at me.  I love that sometimes I drop one of the balls I'm juggling, cos I love the fact that I just bend down and pick the ball back up, rub off any hair or grit from off the floor and recommence my juggling.

So really, the title may well be "Living the Dream," however "Welcome to my Nightmare" is probably more likely to have people read it.  After all, don't we all love the doom and gloom stories more than the positive life affirming ones?

Let me tell you a bit more about me and mine.  I'm a mum of two amazing kids - a 13 year old daughter and a 10 year old son.  My girl is a dancer, my son a soccer player.  My very active husband of 18 years is an indoor cricketer who plays at representative level (think State and National rep) and has recently discovered a new challenge - triathlons. 

As a family we love to camp and spend many of our holidays camping with friends.  Hubby and the kids ski on our holidays at Easter and Christmas, but September is reserved for annual red dirt treks into the Outback.  The land calls to me at that time each year, and I'm busily planning this year's road trip.
I work full time in government as a Project Manager, and really enjoy the work that I do.  I've met some fabulous people, I'm constantly challenged in my work, and (most of the time) I enjoy getting up to go to work each day.

My group of friends is many and varied.  There are people I've known most of my life, and new friends whom I've only just met, and I value and love them all for different reasons.

I turned 40 recently, and over the 2 years prior to that milestone day, I befriended probably the person who is my closest friend, greatest rival and biggest inspiration.  Together we have lost a combined 30kg between us, have discovered a love of exercise and regularly train together to keep active and healthy.  She is also my best drinking buddy, but that's for another blog!!!!

This year, in celebration of our fitness aspirations and a show of sisterhood, my bestie and I are heading off on the Cycle Queensland event, cycling 570+ km from Goondiwindi to Stanthorpe.  Crazy?  Maybe.  Fun? Hope so.  Can't wait?  You bet - we're both raring to go - September cannot get here fast enough.

In preparation for the week long ride, we are starting to get in some longer rides on our days off.  Last weekend we both rode in 40km events at Mooloolaba, and this weekend, we're riding the 100km event at the Ipswich100.  If you're reading this and feeling a little inspired, it's a nice cruisy speed (given the distance neither of us are out to kill our best average speed), and we'd love some company.  Who knows, you may get bitten by the cycling bug as hard as we have been. 

That's me, front row with my sunnies on at the completion of the ride.  It was my first large pack ride, and while I was absolutely terrified to ride in such a large group, I realised how fun draughting is, and what a great way it is to conserve energy.  So it's pack riding for me in future I think!



Hubby and I have long had very different interests when it comes to exercise - he's a natural athlete who always seems to be great at whatever he plays, while I'm just average at everything.  It is great however that we've both discovered a love of riding, and it was great to share the ride with him last weekend.  That's him front left in the photo.

Anyway, really should leave something for my future posts.  My blogs are my chance to share my thoughts, log my journey on the ride of my life and maybe bring a few people along for the journey!

Until next time - keep those pedals turning!!!!

4 comments:

  1. welcome to the blogging world!! I look forward to following you :-)

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  2. hey hey Sue - love the blog. Look forward to reading the next - Leisa

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  3. My My how times have changed for you Sue.
    I can think back to the old days at Ozsports and just laugh, I think this is amazing and can not wait for more until next time - Sandy

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  4. love it Sue, you are far from average!

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