To the USA and back HOME

I just spent the last 7 weeks in Santa Monica- California with Team Sirius for a great training block and some pre race preparation for Ironman Cairns.

I have to say the last few weeks have been all smooth sailing of building fitness, and working on my technique in all three disciplines.

There are some fun and fabulous Team Sirius athletes under the guidance of super coach Siri Lindley who train and base themselves right there in LA!

I musn't forget our very special team Mascot Coach Kalvin, Siri's dog, he was a resue dog who is the most adorble and loyal friend anyone could ask for. He is Siri's second set of eyes, whilst driving he keeps his eyes on the road, this is good as sometimes Siri gets very distracted;)

 Coach Kalvin also makes sure we are all doing our job as he travels in the front passanger seat,(the whole 5 hour long rides), making sure we are all working hard!

The training in Santa Monica is fantastic, with swimming at Culvar Aquatic Centre which has included the likes of Lance Armstrong and Chris  McCormack.That's the sort of coach Siri is, she has the best athletes in the world wanting to come and play!

The running in LA is diverse from mountains ,canyons and beach tracks for celebrity spotting if you choose to venture down town.Running along the famous Venice Beach or 'Muscle Beach' you are sure to see at least one celebrity or one want to be celebrity anyway!

Biking is always challenging , but you get incredibly fit ...and fast!The tough climbs with every long bike ride starting with Topanga, or another canyon gets the legs burning from the very start.The climbs range from hard to very hard ;),and to finish off a tough 2500 metres of climbing you can hammer along the PCH which is flat and super fast!

Now I'm back home in Oz and ready to race ,and hopefully defend my title at Ironman Cairns.This is the most picturesque race I have ever done and I would love nothing more than to be able to win on home turf!Rumour also has it that Lance may be racing there next year, a little more incentive for me to go fast and be inspired to go back and defend in 2013!

Stay posted for Ironman Cairns... looking forward to it more than ever ,and hoping to give my mum a good bday present on Sunday!