tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58191810668591159032024-03-14T07:27:51.039+11:00The Ranga TreeAilsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-35958033783122282392013-04-23T22:43:00.004+10:002013-04-23T22:43:54.720+10:00Choose wisely<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="When the Alarm Clock Goes Off You have a choice, Go back to sleep and dream you are running or put on your shoes, hit the road and make your dreams come true." height="400" src="http://theruniverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/CHOICE.jpg" width="400" /></div>
Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-1344060371135902192013-04-17T13:36:00.001+10:002013-04-17T13:36:15.070+10:00The Boston Marathon bombings and what they mean to an AustralianYesterday was a day like any other. I got up, went to work, and happily read the latest edition of Runner's World on the train, thinking about all the plans I have and what I want to achieve this year running-wise.<br />
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I got to work, turned on the computer, and when I loaded up my usual programs (Hotmail, Facebook and Twitter), my heart sank. Two bombings had happened at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. A couple of people dead, multitudes injured. Images of runners and spectators with their legs ripped open, blood gushing everywhere.<br />
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How could this happen?<br />
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I normally check my phone first thing in the morning, but since I lost my phone on the weekend it's been a little difficult. Finding out all this had happened that morning and I didn't know, for some reason made it even worse.Coming to work and finding this out, whilst I'd been happily unaware of it all on the tram reading about running seemed wrong.<br />
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What really struck me though, is the fact that it was the Boston Marathon. I'll never run in it. Hell, I'll probably never go to Boston. I haven't even run a marathon yet. But being part of the running community, and following blogs like <a href="http://ithoughttheysaidrum.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">I Thought They Said Rum</a> where Scott tried to qualify for Boston (or BQ as it's called), made me realise just how hard it is to get there, and how it's the holy grail of marathon running.<br />
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It made me realise that the people who were there had worked so Goddamned hard to get there, and for many of them, that dream is over. Whether it be the three who died, or the ones who got their legs torn off, or even the people who are uninjured but continue to wonder "What if?" every time they lace their running shoes up.<br />
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To me, that is the tragedy of what happened at Boston. People whose passion was running now tainted. The very thing that game them release from any stress, joy on a good good day, may now be the source of that stress. If running is your form of release and celebration, what do you do when the act of running becomes that source of stress and anxiety?<br />
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People have been posting on Facebook things like this:<br />
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And it is true. So much horror happens around the world on a daily basis that we become immune to it. For our own sanity we try to put it aside and try not to think about it otherwise the immensity of it will render us curled up in rocking back and forth in the feotal position. So when something happens that does resonate with us, that's when we are shocked. </div>
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I'm saddened by Boston because it's <i>my </i>community. My people. My sport. My passion. I know what it's like to train for something big, and to be on the course and looking forward to crossing that finishing line. </div>
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Maybe it's wrong that I'm more saddened by the Boston Marathon bombings that any of the deaths mentioned above. And so be it. </div>
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Today, I am thinking about those in my running community. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via Run the Edge on Facebook</td></tr>
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<br /><br />Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-56801774379356430862013-04-09T22:48:00.002+10:002013-04-09T22:48:31.609+10:00Words to remember<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="yes you are" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/4a/88/3f/4a883f987d52b5bff8a86c88eba96b0b.jpg" width="426" /></div>
Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-65963949864171672582013-04-01T10:01:00.000+11:002013-04-01T10:02:08.764+11:00Pole update - Intermediate 2 weeks 1 and 2At the end of term 1 in Intermediate 1 I was a little concerned about moving up to Inter 2 as I wasn't feeling as awesome at it as I'd like. Bloody Capricorn tendencies coming out. Now that I have started Intermediate 2 I feel fine - I'm not sure if I gained my mojo back or if it's more that some of the girls who would get every move right every.single.time straight away aren't in the class, but something is better.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="jazzminss:
Pole Dance Art – 18 Hot Moves on @weheartit.com - http://whrt.it/X38jKI
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via<a href="http://poleformysoul.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"> Pole for My Soul</a></td></tr>
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We spent a lot of the first class doing moves like the one above. I was able to do it with no hands straight off, so was really happy with it. It's just a really nice looking move that is easy to do, rather than the hard ones that don't look hard. </div>
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Week 2 was spent doing a lot of handstands. I can't find the pictures easily, but this is similar to what we were doing - lots of going into Batman and then sliding down into handstands and doing various leg things. I couldn't see my legs in the mirror so I don't know how they looked, but hopefully it was OK. </div>
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<img src="http://media.poledancedictionary.com/images/00095-forward-attitude-handstand-thumbnail-76166d248dc0862fdbdb8744f403e12bcda99d43.jpg" />Handstand variations</div>
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I went to the physio the day after as I'd hurt my back in a pole strength class two weeks before, and my physio asked me why I liked pole dancing. I thought about it for a while and said "Because it's like gymnastics for adults". Doing the handstands in class made me realise that my body can't really handle a lot of that any more (wrists can only take so much after all) so this is a brilliant replacement. </div>
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We did however do some other moves in the strength class, such as: </div>
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<img src="http://media.poledancedictionary.com/images/00224-sumo-squat-thumbnail-9cd9411f8d53430ebb7f84738ce1da4501b6107b.jpg" />Sumo squats</div>
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<img src="http://media.poledancedictionary.com/images/00058-cross-leg-l-climb-thumbnail-a8ed41b73830d4cd81611988bead081ad086d8ed.jpg" />Cross-legged L climb. </div>
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BLOODY HARD! Basically you use your arms, with your thighs to anchor you before you pull yourself up again. I can get maybe 4 climbs in a row and that's it. </div>
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We also did lots of planks, push ups, wall sits, arabesque leg lifts and pole squats. The other killer move apart from the cross-legged L climb where the core exercises. You'd stand to one side of the pole and pull yourself up like you were going to invert. Instead you'd do 10 crunches then swap sides. 5 sets on each side. Ow. </div>
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Sadly my back is still sore today, several days after the physio (sorer in fact than it was previously...) so I'm taking it pretty easy. Hopefully it will be fine for Wednesday's class. </div>
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Here's some more prettiness to finish off this post :) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://poleformysoul.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Pole for my Soul</a></td></tr>
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Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-24915565021384201442013-03-28T06:23:00.002+11:002013-03-28T06:23:21.901+11:00Run 4 the Kids race updateWow. What an awesome run! R4TK was my favourite race before the half marathon, mainly because it was the only race I'd done. I first did the 5km there 3 years ago (first time ever running 5km), and then the long course 14.38kms the year after. It was training for the 14kms that I fell completely in love with running. I loved the free training sessions on a Mon and Wed, even forgoing a paid semester of acrobalance and tumbling on a Tues so I could go to the sessions pain free. Acrobalance was hard on the old muscles.<br />
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After missing out last year because I was on my honeymoon (life is so hard hey?) and missing ALL the training sessions this year because of the heat and work being stupidly busy, I wasn't feeling as prepped as I could.<br />
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I woke up early, had coffee and toast, sorted out my stuff and off I went for the tram. Halfway there I realised that I left my armband at hone. Nooo! Too late to turn around I kept on. Talking to fellow runners at the tram stop made be realise I could just hold my phone. You know you're tired when pretty much every other option but that goes through your head :-/ I spoke to another runner in the tram who was going her first run , and the 15km. The entire tram was filled with runners, which I really love. Nice to see others like me at 7:30 in the morning.<br />
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I met Dan in the city after he finished a 13 hour night shift and off we went. It didn't seem quite as well organised as last year - maybe because we were later than expected due to a very long toilet line at Fed Square. The entire pre-race was about waiting. But it was a good chance to people watch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lvs2P5-rXYA/UVNFEhBCHCI/AAAAAAAAASE/vr-BxOKFb44/s1600/IMG_1067%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lvs2P5-rXYA/UVNFEhBCHCI/AAAAAAAAASE/vr-BxOKFb44/s320/IMG_1067%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan and I before the race</td></tr>
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<img src="webkit-fake-url://0C2CA07B-A65A-460B-A49B-61F4A17AF09E/imagejpeg" /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAO94Dh0vkw/UVNFK0Z2dsI/AAAAAAAAASI/2IimV78hLHQ/s1600/IMG_1069%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mAO94Dh0vkw/UVNFK0Z2dsI/AAAAAAAAASI/2IimV78hLHQ/s320/IMG_1069%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory crowd shot </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pin6ROPozfw/UVNFRKITq6I/AAAAAAAAASQ/4qdS8N2iWSI/s1600/IMG_1072%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pin6ROPozfw/UVNFRKITq6I/AAAAAAAAASQ/4qdS8N2iWSI/s320/IMG_1072%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady on stilts. As you do</td></tr>
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I was in the Blue Zone, for people with a 50 min 10km pace (a little optimistic when I booked) and Dan was in the Orange Zone. We compromised in the Yellow Zone, until he got shamed by the announcer to leave. I was on my own after that,which I kinda like more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uREhqHtaDhw/UVNFWhdfkAI/AAAAAAAAASY/bzB-M-YDxzM/s1600/IMG_1074%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uREhqHtaDhw/UVNFWhdfkAI/AAAAAAAAASY/bzB-M-YDxzM/s320/IMG_1074%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they're off! No...just waiting. Just some of the 35,000 runners patiently waiting</td></tr>
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After around 10 or 15 mins for the waves to go through, we were off! And it felt good. Really good. Sure, there are heaps of people, but it's not as jam packed as the 5 kms and people actually run rather than walk. Very few prams too. And yes the tunnel is hot, but it's the friggen Burnley Tunnel - how often do you get to run through that??<br />
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The run to the Bolte Bridge was good. Feeling good, good pace. The clouds had cleared up (again!) so it started getting hot near the on ramp. The drinks station was a welcome relief. Then up the ramp. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself as I was powering up, thinking that my strength is my stamina-I may not go fast but I keep on going, whereas others were slowing down and walking. I was overtaking people and then...I got overtaken by someone I'd overtaken ages ago! RMH Staff Member t-shirt lady, I'm talking about you. I started running faster and eventually lost her.<br />
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By that time I'd reached the top, there was a cool breeze and the endorphins kicked in. I started grinning like a fool, waving at the cameras and taking in the views. It was SO MUCH FUN! I realised the benefits of holding my camera - taking photos was easy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rTbEueIWrU/UVNFYD2tEiI/AAAAAAAAASg/rCCaK2MXGXo/s1600/IMG_1073%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rTbEueIWrU/UVNFYD2tEiI/AAAAAAAAASg/rCCaK2MXGXo/s320/IMG_1073%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midrun view of Melbourne from the Bolte Bridge</td></tr>
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I stayed in the shade of the wall and ran down. I felt pretty good until about the 12km mark when I started flagging. People overtook me and my right ankle/calf started hurting. I kept on going slowly, and it was only the supporters that got e through. Never underestimate the power of supporters. In the final km there were heaps of kids wanting high fives-how could I deny them? They really helped me through. Thanks little dudes!<br />
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I finished the run in a respectable 1:25:54, with an average page of 5:43. I was hoping for 1:30 but thought it would be around 1:45. To say I'm happy with the time is an understatement - I haven't run anything below a 6:00 pace for a long time, and it was below 1:30. Dan finished his in 1:44:49, which considering he'd been up all night and didn't train is pretty spectacular.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWK0s_Brgzs/UVNFayoL3kI/AAAAAAAAASo/6GdzQISZ-tQ/s1600/IMG_1076%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UWK0s_Brgzs/UVNFayoL3kI/AAAAAAAAASo/6GdzQISZ-tQ/s320/IMG_1076%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A somewhat pink me waiting for Dan after the race</td></tr>
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It was then straight home for a big brekkie of eggs, mushrooms, spinach and toast, and bed for Dan.<br />
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It's really relit the fire for a marathon. I just had so much fun running this one I really want to get that feeling again, and have something to aim for.<br />
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All in all, a great day and a great race.Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-46304627118795741432013-03-18T18:41:00.001+11:002013-03-28T06:07:14.568+11:00Pole update week 7 and 8Wow, I've been slack on the blogging front hey!<br />
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We did some pretty cool stuff at pole over the last couple of weeks. I missed one session because I was in Canberra for work, but came back to some awesome stuff. I think this first move is my favourite. I'm not entirely sure what it's called, and <a href="http://poledancedictionary.com/moves/?category=inverts&level=I" target="_blank">Pole Dance Dictionary</a> calls it inside leg hang so I'll go with that. It's incredibly easy but looks really nice.<br />
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<img src="http://media.poledancedictionary.com/images/00318-closed-inside-leg-hang-thumbnail-6c048b57f361a063866dd6a37485c90cd777340f.jpg" />Inside leg hang<br />
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I can't really remember the other moves we did since we did some choreography for our end of term performance (which was rubbish! rubbish I tell you!) but it was fun.<br />
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And there ends my token blog post ;)Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-21250817274606663692013-02-24T23:09:00.000+11:002013-03-28T06:06:57.710+11:00 Pole update weeks 4 and 5This weeks' pole class was fantastic, which was in start contrast to the week before. Week 4 we spent on the spin pole. Spin pole looks amazing - most of the performances you see are on spin pole - but it's very hard to do. It's a completely different set of muscles and thought processes, and there is centrifugal force to contend with. I walked our of the class feeling a bit shit. There was one move I just couldn't get, and I was not feeling at the top of my game.<br />
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Luckily, that changed this week. We learnt a bunch of new tricks and a lot of them were strength based, so I did pretty well. <br />
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<img src="http://media.poledancedictionary.com/images/00017-backwards-chair-thumbnail-45d8beca7bebb56fbe986f3f95e52ef577b72568.jpg" />Reverse chair - my favourite move, but you switch over so you're going in reverse.<br />
<img src="http://media.poledancedictionary.com/images/00029-boomerang-hold-thumbnail-48b7b56cd4ef8fd59f294cd899402a2ed8c4c467.jpg" />Boomerang hold - we called it something lese. Pretty difficult to hold and killer on your upper thighs.<br />
<img src="http://media.poledancedictionary.com/images/00243-backwards-showgirl-thumbnail-937d2b6a75b9a8aafe43691a0d2a8fe64119dc51.jpg" />Backwards dizzy spin - we did pizza legs/wonder woman into backwards dizzy. Fun.<br />
<img src="http://media.poledancedictionary.com/images/00258-eye-opener-variation-thumbnail-97c412f1ec7945e992919c023e130bffdd89844a.jpg" />Hello boys! Our was slightly different - the plan is to open your legs wide (hence the name), so similar to boomerang hold above. Again, good upper thigh workout<br />
<img src="http://media.poledancedictionary.com/images/00245-floater-thumbnail-a4ca8ad6033c9774a1433fe15823051e515e30cb.jpg" />Pizza legs/Wonder Woman<br />
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All images are from a nifty site, http://poledancedictionary.com/moves<br />
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In other news, I bought a chin up bar on Friday. Worth every cent of the princely $12 I paid. Looking forward to the gun show :-D<br />
<br />Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-41543470727308187912013-02-13T08:53:00.002+11:002013-02-13T08:53:41.976+11:00Pole Update - week 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week's pole session was pretty good. We learnt a lot of new moves but I left feeling like I could have done them better and with more finesse. I'm still good at the strength moves but not so much at the pretty moves. Anyway, practice makes perfect right?<br />
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In order for me to remember some if the moves (and give me a wonderful excuse to google pole dancing), here are some of the moves we learnt:<br />
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Advanced layback<br />
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<a href="http://www.onlinepolestudio.com/images/sidespiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Side Spiral" border="0" src="http://www.onlinepolestudio.com/images/sidespiral.jpg" /></a><br />
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Side spiral<br />
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Inverted crucifix minus one leg<br />
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<img src="http://www.onlinepolestudio.com/images/79.jpg" /><br />
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I've also realised that I am going to have to live with constant bruising. I saw this in <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DakotaFoxPoleDance?fref=ts" target="_blank">Dakota Fox's Facebook</a> page and swiped it. Have already bought some arnica ;)<br />
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<br />Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-6391912062490665282013-02-08T04:50:00.002+11:002013-02-08T04:50:46.650+11:00Caving and kayaking<br />
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My brother have a tradition where we buy each other Red Balloon vouchers to do something active for Christmas and/or our birthdays. As both of our birthdays are around Christmas time, this invariably means that we're frantically trying to use them before they expire. This was one of those times.<br />
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I bought my brother a full day Caving and Kayaking adventure for two people which we used on the weekend. After an early start driving tyhrough torrential rain (never a good feeling when you're doing something outdoorsie) to pick my brother up and then head to Wonga Park for the kayaking, we arrived to shambles. The company organising it really weren't organised and it was a hit of a shambles. We eventually got going though, and found kayaking to be pleasant, if a little boring.<br />
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The rain had cleared up and we paddled along the river, surrounded by Aussie scenery and trees. We went through a couple of Stage 1 and 2 rapids, which really aren't rapids. Because it was the middle of summer the water level was low so we would constantly get snagged on rocks, and being a large inflatable two-person kayak meant that they would lodge themselves and stick there.<br />
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The highlight of the kayaking was getting tipped into the drink at a rapid which we approached from the wrong angle (we were a little rubbish).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenes like this always make me happy</td></tr>
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After a really average and soggy lunch we drove to Yarra Junction for the caving section. Heading up to the caves through rainforest made me feel right at home. The earlier rain had made everything smell divine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group, a rag tag mix of Aussies, Canadians and Brits</td></tr>
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We got suited up in helmets with head torches, our old clothes (they really should stress that more) and went into Britannia Caves. The caving system opened up a couple of years ago and is a great beginners cave. As someone who is mildly claustrophobic I can contest that it's good for beginners. Knowing that everyone else is able to get through, and people do every day (two groups a day) meant that I felt pretty comfortable doing it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming out of the section of terror</td></tr>
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The photo above is me coming out of a section where I almost panicked. To get through you need to submerge in water and make your way along until you reach the end - only a couple of metres. However, when you're covered in water with rock above you, it's pretty easy to get a little freaked out. The smile on my face above was a very relieved smile.<br />
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The final bit we did was named after 127 Hours, where you basically need to chimney yourself down more than 5mt to get to the bottom. I went last, and despite everyone who went before me doing it, man, it was a little scary. You need to use your arms and knees to brace yourself and just use that pressure to slooowly move down the rock. My brother called out "Just tense your bum and use your butt cheeks!", which strangely wasn't the first time he said that on the day, but that wasn't as easy as it sounded (also I didn't want to completely destroy my jeans...). I was again trying not to freak out which meant I was going really slowly, thus making it harder on my muscles to move down. When I started getting further my brother called out "Just slide", which I did, and it turns out I was closer to the ground than I thought.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with some caving peeps. The lady was hilarious</td></tr>
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We ended up wet, filthy, covered in mud and silica (which isn't coming off my clothes after two washes), sore and very very bruised. It was awesome. I don't think I'd do it again in a hurry, but certainly as a once off I enjoyed it. And the instructors were pretty cool. All in all it was the highlight of the day.<br />
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We ended up in Warburton and I had the most amazing crack turkish bread. Seriously, I don't know what they put in the avocado dip but it was pretty much the best thing I have ever tasted. Good work cafe, good work.<br />
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As an aside, when i was contorting myself through the rocks I heard my bad knee crack a couple of times and it's been sore all week so no running. I'm hoping anti inflams and ice will help, but it's not looking good<br />
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Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-34538625847206016112013-02-05T19:27:00.002+11:002013-02-05T19:27:32.782+11:00Pole update - week 2<br />
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We had a really good class last week. After having the last class cancelled due to hot weather, it was cold and rainy and good to be inside. We started the warm up which includes lots of fan kicks, which I'm rubbish at. I asked the teacher Ally to go through it with me, and since the rest of the class were also a bit rubbish we all went through it. So I think I can confidently say I know how to do fan kicks. Hopefully. </div>
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It was straight into climbing the pole three times right to the top and then down but not touching the bottom. It was more tiring than expected. But then we got to do my favourite part of the night - inverted crucifix! </div>
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It's pretty cool holding on with only your legs, although getting down or out of the move isn't very attractive - a painstaking slide into an awkward handstand or just down to the ground.</div>
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We also had a go on a spin pole, which was pretty full on - definitely a different set of muscles and doing everything. Our instructor said that at some point this term we are going to have a lesson purely on the spin pole. I foresee lots of awesome and injuries in my future :)</div>
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We also did a bit of sexy dancing to pad out the lesson. I think our instructor must despair of us because I certainly wasn't looking sexy, and sadly my classmates weren't either. But we can totally learn that, right. Right?</div>
Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-13685894709247439902013-02-05T19:17:00.004+11:002013-02-05T19:18:23.513+11:00Good to knowA friend sent me this when I was having a hard day recently. Sometimes it's worth remembering.<br />
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Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-28247531180172112472013-01-20T17:08:00.001+11:002013-01-20T17:08:20.222+11:0032 by 32 - Go ParasailingThis week I celebrated by 31st birthday. Normally I make big plans but this year didn't really feel like doing much - just dinner with friends, as there were other substitute birthday plans happening already. I went to a gig, had a family dinner with the in-laws and...parasailing!<br />
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My brother and I have a tradition where we buy each other adventure vouchers every year for Christmas and/or our birthdays. Invariably these end up being used in a rush around my birthday because they're summer events and expire soon. As it was with parasailing, which is why I put it on my <a href="http://therangatree.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/32-by-32.html" target="_blank">32 by 32 list</a>. It's a nice easy win ;)<br />
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D, my brother R and I drove to Rye, along the Mornington Peninsular. The day started our overcast with rain forecast but ended up sunny - thanks global warming! We didn't really know what to expect and we were the last ones on the boat, then off we went.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R and I about to take off</td></tr>
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A couple of people went before us, then it was time for D and I. We strapped in and up we went! It was a lot of fun and very relaxing. We could see for ages and the water was the most amazing colour. When we eventually came down we thought we would get dunked in the drink, but only our legs did. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weee!</td></tr>
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I went straight back up again with my brother, and was able to lie back as I was seated a little differently and really enjoy it. It was a little windier so we were buffeted around more, which was a lot of fun. We did get dunked.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost...</td></tr>
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We then checked out Gannamatta beach, which is the ocean side of the peninsular where all the surfers go. Man, it looked awesome! Pretty rough though - not sure if I want to surf there any time soon!<br />
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All in all it was a great day out. Parasailing is really peaceful and easy, and not at all scary. If you're thinking of doing it definitely give it a go.<br />
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Hope you all had a good weekend!<br />
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<br />Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-83280050602122286792013-01-13T16:35:00.002+11:002013-01-13T16:35:42.827+11:00Ridiculous runs and Domestic Goddesses<br />
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This weekend has been a great one! Saturday I bit the bullet and went shopping for new runners. After getting shin splints from my last ones (which were gain analysed and all that jazz) I was a little concerned about getting new shoes. After spending more than I planned on, I have shiny new runners. Perfect for running in my first Hash House Harriers. </div>
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After signing up to a random HHH a year ago, I was finally able to attend a meeting. Basically HHHs are known as drinking groups with a running problem, or running groups with a drinking problem (depending on your view point). So I knew it would be a good day.</div>
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Dan came along and we met up at a pub in the city, with about 13 other people, many of them HHH virgins as well. We got told what it's all about and then off we went. It was hilarious. Running through the city yelling "On on!" or "On left" while tourists and locals stared at the rag tag group of crazy people running was awesome. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running down Little Bourke St (Chinatown)</td></tr>
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After 11kms running through the city and surrounding areas, we ended up back at the pub for a drink and an initiation into HHH culture. After chatting and promising to come back next month, Dan and I decided hearty Mexican was in order, so Taco Bills was the next port of call. Being a birthday club member meant that my meal and a slice of Mexican cake was free (SCORE!). I always forget that you really should wear your stretchy pants when you go to Taco Bill. We rolled ourselves home and parked on the couch to watch much more fit and talented people than us dance on TV. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truth</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Today I was feeling all domestic goddessy and made some zucchini muffins from the epic haul in our garden. </span></div>
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I made the muffins using <a href="http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/savoury-muffins-L1642.html" target="_blank">this recipe</a> as a base, and substituting the ham, capsicum and mushrooms for a grated zucchini, 1 small carrot and three sundried tomatoes. It was pretty awesome.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicousness</td></tr>
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I also made vegie stew with lentil dhal for meals during the week. What I'm really happy about though is that I've only had 5 drinks this week, so I've stuck to my resolution of only having 6 drinks a week, even though drinking is a large part of HHH culture. Next week is my birthday week though so that will be quite hard, but this week it's been easier than I thought. Hooray! Fingers crossed for next week.</div>
<br />Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-74825402726688900842013-01-06T20:48:00.000+11:002013-01-06T20:48:59.127+11:0032 by 32When I first started this blog I had a <a href="http://therangatree.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/30-before-30-recap.html" target="_blank">30 before 30 challenge</a> where I aimed to do 30 things before I turned 30. Since 30 is a seminal age, the items on that list were bucket list items and smaller yet still significant items.<br />
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I'll be 31 on January 15th, and would like to redo this list. However this time there is a random mixture. Some big things, but many little things. Some are things that are on my new 'one day list', which is a list of those things that you'll always say you'll do one day then forget about. I did one of these things today but will post about it another time. Some are other ones that I had on my big list but couldn't get around to. <br />
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So, in no particular order, here is my 32 by 32 list. <br />
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1. Do the splits<br />
2. Cage dive with great white sharks<br />
3. Learn to surf<br />
4. Do a ghost tour around Melbourne<br />
5. Do vertical splits again (i.e. splits up a wall or pole)<br />
6. Go parasailing<br />
7. Get my chest to the ground when stretching my legs out<br />
8. Run a marathon (or another half marathon, but let's aim high shall we!)<br />
9. Bike ride along the beach<br />
10. Do a somersault on the trampoline<br />
11. Visit the Melbourne Museum<br />
12. Have high tea<br />
13. Visit Scienceworks<br />
14. Register for Tough Mudder or Oxfam Trailwalk<br />
15. Do Febfast<br />
16. Sew a skirt and love it (or at least one that I can wear often)<br />
17. Try aerial or hooping<br />
18. Do Bikram yoga<br />
19. Bake bread from scratch<br />
20. Cook with Rhubarb<br />
21. Make a delicious three course meal<br />
22. Make Ice cream or sorbet<br />
23. Cook one meal per month that I've pinned to my <a href="http://pinterest.com/ailsag/food-p0rn/" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a><br />
24. Play golf<br />
24. Read at least one classic<br />
25. Do the Bay West Trail<br />
27. Do Barefoot Bowling<br />
28. Have dinner at Milanos<br />
29. Go to the Art Deco 1920's pub/restaurant<br />
30. Wednesday night trivia at the newly discovered pub up the road<br />
31. Do the entire Yarra Scenic Drive <br />
32. Sail a long ship<br />
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Join me as I do my 32 by 32 challenge. Do you have any items you've always wanted to do? <br />
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<br />Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-8682193220282480142013-01-02T23:15:00.005+11:002013-01-02T23:15:47.853+11:00Brand new year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love this time of year. The craziness of Christmas and New Year's is over, and it's a brand new year. Everything is filled with opportunity and there is a chance to wipe the slate clean and think about what you want the coming year to be.<br />
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I have many plans for 2013. One of my favourite things to do is go to the hills and hike for a while, find a nice spot to settle in and then go through my goals from the year before and see how it went. I didn't do this for 2012 which made it a little difficult to assess the year against my goals. Since it's been such a crazy year though it's not the end of the world. There were things I definitely accomplished, and things I didn't have on my list which I did accomplish, so it's all good.<br />
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I have a long list of things I plan on doing this year. Here's what I have so far:<br />
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<b>2013 goals</b><br />
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<li>Do the splits</li>
<li>Run uninjured (i.e. do stretches and exercises EVERY DAY)</li>
<li>Drink no more than 6 alcoholic drinks per week</li>
<li>Do the vertical splits for pole dancing</li>
<li>5 deadlift chin-ups</li>
<li>Pay back uni debts</li>
<li>Get my chest to the ground</li>
<li>Start saving for a house</li>
<li>Learn to surf</li>
<li>Swim with great white sharks</li>
<li>Be less bitchy and judgmental</li>
<li>Be more calm</li>
<li>Do more yoga</li>
<li>Eat clean 70% of the time</li>
<li>Make new friends</li>
<li>Make fitness friends</li>
<li>Go to the hills once a month</li>
<li>Volunteer regularly</li>
<li>See things through to the end </li>
<li>Be more proactive</li>
<li>Be disciplined</li>
<li>Use social media less</li>
<li>Lose 3kg of fat (more than happy to gain in in muscle)</li>
<li>Be more loving</li>
<li>Call my best friend more</li>
</ul>
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There are too many items on the list and I know there are many items which don't have anything easily quantifiable. This is my wish list though, and I think I will start trimming it down into easily achievable goals. I also have something big planned for the coming year, so watch this space!<br />
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2013 - it's gonna be a good one!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">;)</td></tr>
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<br />Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-30184219448024537772012-11-16T18:17:00.000+11:002012-11-16T18:18:47.904+11:00F*uck Yeah Friday!Today has been a series of niggles and gripes, and it's only 8:06am! Let's change it around with a F*ck Yeah Friday and think about awesome stuff. Yes? Yes!<br />
<br />
These are some things that have been making me smile this week:<br />
<ul>
<li>Riding Susan. I'm really enjoying this bike. I feel safe and steady, and even managed to overtake someone! Granted she was grandma age. But sometimes you gotta take a win where you find it. </li>
<li>I went to hot yoga for the first time last week and loved it! I haven't sweated that much in... Well, ever I think, but it was good. It felt very detoxing.</li>
<li>On Sunday I was in the area so called a friend and went to a bar in the hills I've wanted to try for ages. Cider on a sunny day = win</li>
<li>I went for my first run in three weeks last night. 8kms of slow awesomeness right there. </li>
<li>My husband. It's been a stressful week and he's cooked and cleaned and been generally awesome <3</li>
<li><a href="http://catsthatlooklikepinupgirls.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Cats That Look Like Pinup Girls</a></li>
<li><span style="text-align: center;">Ben Davis' </span><a href="http://bendoeslife.tumblr.com/post/35728823036/i-recently-got-some-advance-copies-of-the-book-i" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">book</a><span style="text-align: center;"> is being released on New Year's Eve. It's my birthday two weeks later. Just sayin'</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;">How good does this fruity Christmas tree look? Via pinterest</li>
</ul>
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I hope everyone has had a wonderful week and takes some time to think about the amount of awesome, no matter how small, in their lives. Have a great weekend xx</div>
Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-20352751855388178212012-11-09T12:54:00.000+11:002012-11-09T12:54:07.057+11:00F*ck Yeah Friday!I've haven't done a F*ck Yeah Friday for a while, so without further ado, here are some things that have been making me thankful of late :-D<br /><br />
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Hope that you are all having a Fantastic day :-)) x" border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/394005_484517258255054_1354940552_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Melbourne Cup public holiday means that this is a 4 day week. Since it was a Tuesday it really feels like it's a 3 day week. YES!</li>
<li>I joined the iPhone brigade. Expect instagrams and other iPhone-type stuff</li>
<li>I did chin ups for the first time in ages and hurt everywhere!</li>
<li>Obama won, and Romney lost. Even in Australia we're pleased with this result. </li>
<li>Speaking of Obama, <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/its-1am-at-fox-news-and-this-is-the-graveyard-shift-20121108-290pd.html" target="_blank">this story</a> made me laugh</li>
<li><a href="http://galadarling.com/article/5-days-in-the-dark-the-hurricane-diaries" target="_blank">Gala's</a> account of Hurricane Sandy was amazing</li>
<li>Good things are happening at work</li>
<li>I went for my first run in two weeks (and got thwarted by my dog who insisted on eating dead birds). Nevertheless, it was good</li>
<li>I'm on my way to doing splits again. It will happen by the end of the year</li>
<li>I've ridden by bike into work once this week and lived! Woohoo!</li>
</ul>
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It has been a good week. I hope everyone else has had a good week too :)</div>
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Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-29132554140530541782012-11-04T12:36:00.000+11:002012-11-04T12:36:18.852+11:00Weekend stuff - the 5 minute chocolate mug cakeIt's been a pretty cruisey weekend so far, which has been good. It's been one of those weekends which has been a bit of a struggle between what you want to do, what you should do, and what you can do. Don't you hate that? Finding the right balance is always hard.<br />
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Friday night started off well, with me making a healthy dinner (Asian soup with vegies and noodles) for my housemate. She kept on craving cake, despite the crazy amount of chocolate currently in the house. I suddenly had a brain wave and remembered that you can make a chocolate mug cake. That's right, a cake in a mug. Dangerous. Only not so much, it turns out.<br />
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She made the <a href="http://www.novicehousewife.com/2012/01/16/the-most-dangerous-chocolate-cake-just-for-one/" target="_blank">nutella mug cake</a>, and I made a generic chocolate cake whose recipe I can't find again, although I added some peanut butter. How did it turn out?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V8fHTrFZyrI/UJXD5Dz6aGI/AAAAAAAAAOw/289NC26QR5A/s1600/2012-11-02_21.55.54%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V8fHTrFZyrI/UJXD5Dz6aGI/AAAAAAAAAOw/289NC26QR5A/s320/2012-11-02_21.55.54%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate cake just out of the microwave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GO6B4Erf6Q/UJXD809yYmI/AAAAAAAAAO4/p0hZ2oCXnxM/s1600/2012-11-02_22.09.06%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GO6B4Erf6Q/UJXD809yYmI/AAAAAAAAAO4/p0hZ2oCXnxM/s320/2012-11-02_22.09.06%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and you see what I mean</td></tr>
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Yeah. It was rubbery, dense and lacking in flavour. We ended up putting nutella over them, and they both tasted a little better. Although with the amount of ingredients used, you could easily make something just as awesome, and if you have nutella all you need is a spoon!<br />
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This weekend was also for bike rides with the dog. I'm still loving Susan my bike - she's perfect for lazy rides. Bike riding should <i>not </i>be a race in my opinion (I may just be saying that because I ride very slow).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookie and Susan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookie enjoying the creek</td></tr>
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I'm really missing running (it's been 9 days since my last run), but at least having a bike is helping a little.Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-15428124536248755512012-10-23T13:45:00.001+11:002012-10-23T13:45:51.069+11:00Operation Kickstart<br />
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Last week I was feeling sore and stressed out of my eyeballs. Life is really good, but it reached the point that even the things I love doing such as spending time with wonderful friends was stressing me. I needed some <i>me </i>time.<br />
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I had a bath on Saturday night with crystals, oils and candles, and it occurred to me that I haven't taken my crystals out since well before the wedding which was seven months ago tomorrow(!). Nor have I been to the hills and out on one of my sanity saving hikes through the ferns for around the same amount of time.<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/51087776992462141_LMmQeA5L_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My beloved Dandenong Ranges <3" border="0" height="170" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/51087776992462141_LMmQeA5L_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Even though life has been great, I haven't been focusing on the things that make me truly happy or that make me a better person. And so Operation Kickstart was born.<br />
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<b>Operation Kickstart - because every campaign must have a wanky name. </b><br />
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I decided that I needed to make some changes in my life, both on a personal and a physical level. And the best way of doing that is to do <i>one small thing every day towards that goal. </i><br />
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Sometimes it's about changing habits, or sometimes it's about taking tiny steps towards something big.<br />
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There's lots of ways Operation Kickstart can work. The point of it is to make a promise to yourself to start making changes, and then actually doing them. It's a good way of being mindful of the fact that you do have something you want to work towards and keeping it in the front of your mind rather than forgetting about it (tax returns are a good example of this!).<br />
<br />
To start it off, here's a couple of my pledges:<br />
<ul>
<li>Go for a solo hike in the forest (Sunday)</li>
<li>Having bircher muesli for brekkie yesterday rather than toast (Monday)</li>
<li>Having a delicious noodle and vegie soup for dinner rather than pasta (Monday)</li>
<li>Catching up with family today and it will not be strained. </li>
</ul>
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And most importantly, I bought a new bike!! A friend was selling it so I snapped it up. I rode it home on Sunday and it rode like a dream, so I'm very much looking forward to many lazy bike rides this Spring and Summer! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/c67.0.403.403/p403x403/579222_10151030350150736_725230289_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Photo: Selling my pushbike!
Pretty much brand new 3 speed ladies Schwinn cruiser.
Has white wall tires and a basket!! Bright red with white accents :-)
Only rode it 3 times. $200 ONO!" border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/c67.0.403.403/p403x403/579222_10151030350150736_725230289_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Susan</td></tr>
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<br />
It will definitely help with getting more exercise in and since it has a basket I will be able to ride it up to the shops. This will assist with Operation Kickstart I'm sure.<br />
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I'm looking forward to Operation Kickstart. I hope you join me :)<br />
<br />Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-91183541043986534412012-10-18T18:05:00.004+11:002012-10-18T18:05:43.279+11:00StuffI haven't posted in a while, so here's a picture:<br />
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:)</div>
Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-71001538782163886542012-09-30T15:24:00.000+10:002012-09-30T15:24:19.853+10:00Final pole class<div style="text-align: left;">
This week was my final class in beginner's pole. Since I couldn't make it on Monday as I was in Sydney, they were able to fit me in on Tuesday, which was absolutely fantastic. </div>
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The first thing I noticed about the girls in the new class is that they were <i>good</i>. We had to climb three times and then invert, which they all did easily. Compared to my class where it was only me and another girl (who was on her third round of Beginners and is also doing Intermediate) that could invert, it was really inspiring and made me want to lift my game! </div>
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We had to do a performance for the other group and vice versa, so we learned a routine based on most of what we'd learnt over the past 8 weeks. I always forget what comes next in things like dances, tai chi or karate (which is why I no longer do them), so this was an interesting challenge. For the most part it was fine - I did better than expected, although I did forget a step which meant that Fan Legs didn't work. And because a lot of it was on the floor my knees are still bruised, several days later. But all in all, it was fun! </div>
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Someone took a photo and put it on FB, so you can see what it was like! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm in the green shorts</td></tr>
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We did our routine in front of the girls doing Fan Dance 2, so we had an audience. It was pretty good when they'd cheer at an awesome move, particulalry when we all slid down in Fireman's pose at the same time. We then watched the them do their routine, and it was great to see. It really is quite body affirming as there are all these women of different shapes, fitness and colours doing their thing wearing not a lot. It takes balls to do it, so well done to them!</div>
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Unfortunately both Beginners and Intermediate 1 are booked out for term 5, but I might be able to do a casual pole strength class. I'm interested to see what that is like. I'm hoping it will be a heap of conditioning and stretching exercises and will fill the void until next year. Fingers crossed!</div>
Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-85516916635241768372012-09-24T22:42:00.002+10:002012-09-24T22:42:50.175+10:00Pole dancing<br />
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Unfortunately, this was my last class in pole dancing tonight. And due to a last minute (yet awesome) work trip I couldn't make it!<br />
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My friend K and I had been deliberating whether or not we'd do another class. I was keen to, but she wasn't sure. If we weren't going to do it I had plans to follow my physio's instructions and do Pilates instead.<br />
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In the last session I was the only one who was able to do the basics for Spiderman ( I still don't think that's it's real name). Basically it's where you jump upside down on the pole, wrap your legs around it and then slide down to the bottom. Next class would have been removing my hands so it was just being held up by my legs, but unfortunately I wasn't in class today. Boo!<br />
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It looks a little something like this, minus the arms holding on. And in this photo doesn't look nearly as awesome as it is:<br />
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<a href="http://poleaerobicsworld.com/community/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/pole-dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://poleaerobicsworld.com/community/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/pole-dance.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
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I realised after spending a tram trip to work thinking about how I could do a vertical splits move up the pole and what grip I'd need my hands to be in for maximum effect, that I should probably do another class. Luckily, my friend decided she wanted to continue so we've reenrolled in Basics again. I could <i>probably </i>do Intermediate, but it will be good to perfect some of the moves and keep on practicing them.<br />
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After looking at a lot of the <a href="http://sillygrrl.com/" target="_blank">Sillygirrl</a> archives where she had been trying to get stronger and more flexible, it inspired me to do the same. So now I am pledging to do the splits by the end of the year (which I haven't done in about 12 years), and open up my hips so my middle splits are more splitty (which they're so not at the moment).<br />
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I'm really looking forward to it. It's nice to have something where being strong and flexible is a requirement. rather than just a nice to have tacked on the end. I'm really looking forward to getting bendy flexy again. To goals!<br />
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<br />Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-38254803111018027772012-09-13T22:02:00.001+10:002012-09-23T21:25:13.590+10:00Running<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Two runs in two days. Life is good. </div>
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<img alt="YES :-D" height="320" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/109986415870243841_0gdNPPwm_b.jpg" width="274" />
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<br />Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-17124711659282755592012-09-11T13:41:00.000+10:002012-09-11T13:43:15.772+10:00Pole progressIt's been ages since I last posted! Things have been good but crazy. Fitness-wise, not a lot has been happening. Injury (shin splints/tight calf and bad neck/back) has meant that I've been out of action for a while.<br />
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Pretty much the only thing that I've been doing is pole dancing. Which is pretty awesome.<br />
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We've been doing a lot of climbing lately, and this is one of my favourite tricks/positions: The Seat<br />
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It takes a bit of strength to clutch the pole with your thighs, and it hurts a fair bit, particularly on your foot as you've used it to climb and it's now gripping the pole. Both of my feet have massive bruises from the climbing! </div>
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Last night was a mixed bag in terms of performance. We learnt some new spins which just didn't really work, and even practising some older ones just wasn't working, so it was all a little hard. And then we did a final trick which involved going upside down. It was the basis of an intermediate trick, and I was the only one to do it, so that was kind of awesome. I thought it was called spider legs, but trying to Google search that got me some weird responses :-/ </div>
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It it pretty much this one, which is the start of the Eagle. </div>
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<a href="http://content5.videojug.com/33/330526b9-5843-1e27-21f0-ff0008cf024a/how-to-do-the-eagle-in-pole-dancing.WidePlayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://content5.videojug.com/33/330526b9-5843-1e27-21f0-ff0008cf024a/how-to-do-the-eagle-in-pole-dancing.WidePlayer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have a couple of weeks left of the class and I'm weighing up what to do from here. I think it's hurting my neck and shoulders so it may not be a long term thing. But it's really fun, and I'm enjoying doing something different that incorporates both strength and flexibility (I don't really have the sexy/coordinated aspect so am not going to focus on that!). We could do the Beginner course again to perfect everything, which many people do, or move onto Intermediate which I'm technically good enough to do but not as good as I'd like to be. </div>
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Decisions, decisions! </div>
Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5819181066859115903.post-9132863374642345402012-08-10T13:00:00.000+10:002012-08-10T13:00:45.766+10:00F*ck Yeah Friday!it's been an interesting week this week. I had grand plans of being very active and doing lots of running and weights. Unfortunately things like the weather, Olympics and general laziness laid that to rest.<br />
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What awesome things have been making me smile this week?<br />
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<li>First <a href="http://therangatree.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/pole-dancing.html" target="_blank">pole dancing session</a> this week.</li>
<li>Nurofen Plus. I hurt my back (I think from too much sitting on the couch watching the Olympics) and they are the only things getting me through today. </li>
<li>Trying to find balance:</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="yin & yang" height="320" src="http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload/189784571767952279_1a4tH8SO_f.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="257" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via pinterest</td></tr>
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<li>Getting tickets and album on order for the Tread album launch tomorrow. Woot!</li>
<li>Going for a fast 5km run listening to Disturbed after work and having it STILL BE LIGHT!</li>
<li><a href="http://www.runningoffthereeses.com/2012/08/09/we-could-be-starving" target="_blank">This post</a> on Running off the Reeses on being angry if you're hungry. Amen sister!</li>
<li>Words of wisdom:</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/578844_271664079599769_1911496038_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="228" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via Run the Edge (facebook)</td></tr>
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</div>Ailsahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09740372310208414737noreply@blogger.com0