Fionas update
21st - 30th August Fiona Southorn
21st
I awoke today to the sound of birds, i had a good sleep and got up to check out the regular Olympic update on TV while i had my brekie, I got out early on the bike again today so i have a nice long recovery before track training later today. Little mini hill sprints today with a couple of corners like Beijing. We had a short track session so i warmed up on the ERG again, completed my 10minute tempo behind the motorbike easily coping now with 52km/hr, will make Nik go faster next week. Tonight’s training was three 2km efforts in race gear at race pace using the start gates, need to get used to the timer counting down and the noise of the gate letting me go. The first two were better than last week, the last one i went down a gear as i was starting to cough from the cold air and hard efforts. I rewarded my self with a bath tonight for all my hard work.
22nd
Nice early morning walk before gym again, today i have to go for my hep A vaccination, really looking forward to that ............ “was that it” was my reply after the pin prick, i have had my blood tested so much i thought this would really hurt, na! Not sure what all the fuss is about. It took forever though, the doctor wasn’t there so we had to wait for him while watching Dr Phill. Another heat session today, had Bon Jovi on to help get me through the hour.
23rd
Well Sat has rolled around again, last training day of the week so i really wanted to give it heaps. At 9am Simon and i headed out to practice my cornering included in seven 4 minute efforts, i followed him into some of the corners to practise my lines, looking up and around the bend. After this we did a twenty minute effort which i did chasing Simon up the road, i was pushing myself going as hard as i could, couldn’t catch him but was happy with the 2 ½ hour ride. Unfortunately once i got back i couldn’t stop coughing until i choked constantly. The coughing wore me out more than the ride. I took Jane our blind rider out for a walk to post postcards. Sat night some friends from the Australian team came out to the Vines for dinner, was really great to catch up properly instead of saying hi/bye when we swapped track sessions.
24th
Sunday, rest day, yippee! Still coughing which is a worry. My auntie picked me up early and we went back to her place to watch my cousin and friends bottle their Port and re-store their wine. It’s a lot of work but they enjoyed sampling their home made products. I declined to try the port and the wine but did enjoy the lunch and catching up with rellies. I was dropped off back at the Vines in time for a meeting with Rod the sports psychologist who was on his way home from the Olympics. Then off to the next social gathering, a barbeque at Brian’s rellies place, another nice dinner, i had met them 4 years ago and was nice to see them again.
25th
The birds are waking me up early so i got up for a walk before the gym, i’m getting my hair done today at Ellenbrook, girls day out, three of us in the hair dressers, mine took forever, i was getting hungry, quick bit of grocery shopping then heat training and the day was gone. Rod gave me a relaxation recording so i tried it out, slept ok,just didn’t want to get up.
26th
Those birds again! As it gets lighter in the mornings the birds get up early, wish i could sleep in, oh well. Time for a walk anyway, if i didn’t get up so early i wouldn’t of seen the huge kangaroo sitting in the bush right next to the path i was walking on, gosh he was close and really big! I had a easy road ride, Amy would like my cough to go away before i start training hard this week, track was very easy today also, my Auntie Ann came down to see me, she had two joey’s with her, this is what she does, nurses kangaroos that are hurt and babies that have lot their mums. Really cute, the one with no hair was not so cute, looks kinda like a rat. Got a lovely surprise tonight, my Poppa rang to wish me luck at the Olympics, it was 1am in the morning back in NZ!
27th
It’s supposed to rain today, but i woke to a lovely morning to those birds again. I got out for a walk before i had brekie and hit the gym, i’m to start backing off the gym and weights this week. Just made it on time for my massage today after starting the day off thinking i had plenty of time. It was such a great day is sat outside to read in the sun, 23deg they say. I was tempted to skip the heat training and do a road ride thought better and did what my coach says, bathroom it is. Criky it was hot, my feet got all sore and my fingers were so swollen, i couldn’t wait to get out of there. I walked down to the Ausie Mart and was still on fire, got myself an iced coffee, mmmm tasty. Jane came for tea again tonight, was nice to have company.
28th
I woke up to the sound of aeroplanes, first few weeks here they started around 4am, there is an aerodrome nearby, this morning was about 5am. I picked up Simon to head out for a road ride, 2 hill climbs then we did a 15min two up time trial at moderate intensity included in an easy two hour ride. I promised jane date scones again before she left so decided today was it, great recovery food. The team heard and they all came over, no leftovers for me. No time for rest it was off to the track a bit earlier today. I’m a bit nervous about my cough so we opt for only a 5 minute tempo then three four lappers hard out in a smaller gear than usual, this didn’t tax my lungs too much but my times were faster than they have been since i got here. It was fantastic to know i’m on track and a good confidence boost too.
29th
I was up early today to get to the gym and complete my heat training. I had promised to take Jane to the mall shopping, we got her sandals for Beijing and new earrings. She also wanted to go to the nougart factory, i wasn’t going to say no to that. I also volunteered to take her to Physio and pick up Amy from the airport. By then the day was almost gone. The manager at the Vines put on a lovely dinner for us as a farewell to the team, i ate too much, never mind, they kept bringing out more food, ride to say no, teehee.
30th
I had a restless sleep and woke knowing i had another long day ahead with a couple of hard training sessions. The morning was over 2 hours with a 20min effort to warm up and then 4 seven minute efforts hard out, was a struggle this morning and my heart rate was low. After a quick recovery i headed up to the cafe to meet my aunties for lunch and hold the baby joey’s for a photo session, Amy thought they were great, We only just made it to the track on time. I was to practice starting on the opposite leg for a bit fast start, and a few short pursuit efforts. Was feeling a bit shattered but the starts went well. I rode back to the Vines, had thermals on today as it has cooled down again. The others are leaving tonight so we ventured out to the airport after raiding the leftovers in Jane and Annaliisa’s pantry. Was a late night, i need sleep, might get some tomorrow.
Cheers
Fi
About Fiona Southorn
I am very proud and honored to be sponsored by Avanti Plus Whangarei, Tracey and Paul have been a tremendous help during my campaign to get my bikes up to speed for the Beijing Olympics. I’m riding the Avanti Crono on the road and Avanti Pista on the track. Their generosity has been the best I have ever encounted, staff are friendly and happy to help and are always interested in my racing and results.
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