Training Update

Oi- To the AUS audience - Aloha to all Hawaiians at heart. And I guess a Gruess Dich to the German crowd.

I apologize to all who follow my blog about the lack of posts recently. It's been soo busy- but in a good way. I am back in Brissy and have been submerged in school, training and working more than ever. I am still spending a lot of time on my swim and I am seeing improvements. I join the RiverCity Swim Squad about 2 times per week and swimming in a group is awesome-ly more fun; not only because of the draft. Felicity Abram joins in once in a while.
Some changes in my training will most likely occur any time in the near future. Soon I will increase my bike and run again and I look forward to that. Regards the swim I will start to focus more on developing strength and increase overall intensity (yep-got it all sorted out (:
I also hope to be back with my coach Mike McMahon soon again. It's just too tough to be your own objective judge about what needs to be done. I am very pleased with my past couple of training blocks. Being in the Human Movements Program is awesome. Everything is soo interesting!! I wish I had more time to dig deeper into the subjects. For example I am currently learning more about Mental Toughness and what differentiates successful athletes from less-successful ones. I will put on a report on my website soon- along with some training reports from Sydney and Noosa- So:: Keep checking back!
Make it Matter.

Studying Hawaiian Style

How much better can it get? I love it!

Unlucky couple of days

The last two days were not really my days.. I broke my big toe 2 days ago because I stumbled over one of those concrete bumpers they put into parking lots to separate one parking spot from the opposite one. Stupid thing. It was dark, and HOW the hell shall I see that? Luckily the MT joint is ok and the pain is in check now. I can tell you that a big blue-green toe is uglier than a big toe already is. Good I got pedicure done not long ago.

Today then I skipped the pool and went for an ocean swim bc winds were slightly less. And got stung by menofwar real bad. It got me on the deltoid and throat and face. I was very far out and panicked and hyperventilated. It was horrible. And weird I don't remember my swim back to shore; the walk to the car seemed endless considering that I had to walk in the sand with my heavy backpack and broken toe. A young lady was walking along me and asked thousands of questions what's wrong with me..[I cut this short..]..and ended up saying, "well if it helps, you have an incredible body!" --HELLLOO? I am half dying (I was crying) and really did care sh&^% about my body, bc it is in insane pain!! I could not believe her comment! Anyways, I drove to safeway in my swimsuit all sandy all over and bought a gallon of vinegar and "showered" in the parking lot. People did not even care. That is what I really like about Hawaii. They don't care. In germany you'd be arrested going into the supermarket in a swimsuit. They knew it was jellyfish though.

Here is what I tried for the pain.. Anybody with experience plz let me know what works. For next time.
I kept swimming in saltwater, which seemed to ease up the pain.
Vinegar did not really do anything.
Meat Tenderizer does NOT help.
Hot showers help more than ice and cold.
Sitting in a hot car felt good.
I took Iboprofen upon my friends suggestion (she's a Doc)
Just don't touch it.

Love for the Ocean

It has been insane windy since I arrived on Oahu. The day I took this picture, I swam to the Moke's and it was the only day so far that it ws not been crazy windy. I swim a lot. I've been swimming in the ocean regardless of the choppiness and winds, and love it. I love the force of nature. Swimming while rain is the best. A friend of mine and surfer once said, "it is like having a real good conversation with the water". It is like that, indeed. Sometimes the water is so choppy and massive on the surface, and I think "oh man, that is going to be a tough one".. But then there is no strong current and turbulence under the surface. It has been like that a couple of times; I felt like a feather, just effortless , totally in the zone - just me and the huge water mass. Other times it feels like being flushed in a toilet boil. Not so fun. Like yesterday. It was so bad that I got dizzy from the ups and downs of the waves. In addition the sand gets whirled around and rocks back and forth. Kind of like a hypnotherapist that holds one of those turning spiral plates in front of your eyes and you are like "oohhwoow, I am falling- where am I"...Anyways. I love the ocean.

Ului

Cyclone Ului is approaching Queensland. 300 km/h. I better start blowing towards east; aka The Butterfly Effect. If plan A does not work: Superglue-made in US.

The Who

Just to write some thoughts down-

I am at a point in my life where my personality is taking on another explosion. New insights, understandings, viewpoints about me and life and things and situations.
What I am trying to say is: I usually plateau and "don't get it". But then it suddenly makes "boooomm" and I just take off -personally. New insights, new understandings, new view points, opinions, skills, motivation, energy, vigor, excitement and eagerness to live life to the fullest to be fully ME. Sort of like harvesting the result of Perseverance -
Thinking back in my life it has always been like this in no matter what area. For example when I was in gymnastics when I was about 5 years old, there was a skill on the bars that I just did not manage to acquire. People were debating why I don't give up finally.. Then the main competition came and I did it - on the spot.. Ever since I managed every single attempt of that particular skill and moved on with progressions of that skill ; and that FAST.
Right now one area of life this applies to is my swim. I am working hard. Improvements show but not as rapidly as I wish. I am just gonna hang out on my Plateau for a while... Knowing that I will improve and knowing what my coach also told me a few weeks ago: I am working hard and hard work will pay off.

In the last 2 years I often wondered why I am so plateauing in who I am.. (on a personality level). A few weeks ago, this big Boomm so finally happened. And now I am excelling with a feel of motivation and energy I have not felt for such long time. I have NO clue where I am nor where I will end up, but it's fun just to "fly" right now.

Thanks to all people who helped me by lending me an ear or shoulder the last few weeks. I all appreciate you very much!

home

I was lacking words on this canoe trip. Just inner silence and the knowledge, that this is my home. the ocean, the beach, the waves. That is were "God" is, where Higher Forces are, where Loving Energy lingers. Here and nowhere else.