"First Few Days Down Under . . ."

(23/01/2012)

Anyone who follows me on twitter or facebook will know that my journey over to Australia wasn’t the easiest! Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t terrible but the 6 hour delay at Singapore wasn’t the best, bored, bored, bored!!!
I'll start with leaving home on the Thursday, after doing a little bit of training I was off to Heathrow with Mum and Dad, and yes the tears came from me and Mum (as they do every year) and even though Dad wont admit it, I'm sure I saw a glaze over his eye at the end, he always says goodbye by saying "just make sure your bloody careful", lol, Dad’s hey!



Then onto the first part of the journey to Singapore, the half way point between home UK and what was to become my home for the next 3 months, the Gold Coast Australia but with a 6 hour delay between the two, it was a even longer trip. Luckily Singapore airport is amazing, and has a swimming pool and gym, but in-between flights you can't do too much, so to conquer the boredom and fill the time, I did a 30 min run, and a what I think was a 2km swim, but a very dizzy swim, with me doing about 10 strokes a length!!! They need to invest in a 50m pool, lol!!!!



Second part of the journey went fine, I didn’t get the joy I did in the first flight, to lie down, but it was still fine and once I got on the GC I went to get some things sorted, i.e. transport! I picked up my rented scooter and went and caught up with Michelle. Good times.

So, I have been here now for a full week and I have had a mixture of sessions which I suppose is expected. Good and bad but none great or terrible yet but I have to remember I'm only in my first week, long way to go yet!



On Thursday evening I headed up to the other end of the coast where I was invited to Liz’s (Blatchford) and Glen's pad where we were treated to a BBQ, top chief Glenn cooked my steak nice a pink and Liz made some awesome home made pip, good feed. We had a great night, and I look forward to many more.

To end my first full 7 days here was crit day and it did not disappoint, I started off in B grade with me and a bunch of men, hmmm great stuff, and after 10 minutes I found myself dropped, lol, but then after a few minutes of time out, I jumped back in and held in for the rest of the 50mins and then with 3 laps to go I just held in, but that is all I can describe it as, holding in. Then to finish off with a hard run off, BOOM big day at the office with Team Dillon.



This morning (Sunday morning) was my favourite session of the week, long run in the lake lands, and there is loads a gossip at the minute to keep us going through the run, (that’s when I can talk from trying to keep with the pace of Michelle’s running speeds). Even though I love running at home, I think this is one of my favourite places to run in the lake lands with the roos’, but no snakes spotted on todays run, thankfully.



So, going into week 2 and it’s a pretty special build up, not because of a race, but to the best coach in world’s wedding day!!!!!! Michelle and Stuart are getting hitched on Friday (day after Australia day) so I'd like to end on a good note, and wish them both all the best for their big day, and good luck for a fantastic and exciting future together. I'm sure this will be the wedding of the year!!!!!

Missing you all at home, take care, until next time
Jodie xxx

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