diary
27.7.2010: Taupo Half Marathon
Stage two in the build up to Ironman New Zealand 2011 kicks off this weekend with the Taupo Half Marathon. It?s an event I?ve done before, but this time I?ll have someone else with me on the sideline ? yes Steve is doing his first ever half marathon and I couldn?t be more proud.
Training has been hard through fighting illness, darkness, rain and the cold, but I?m confident come Sunday that I?ll be set and ready to go.
My aim is to try to run the whole distance. If I can do that I?ll be stoked. And of course to support Steve cross his first half marathon finish line.
So bring on the fine weather, its time to get the thorlos ready ?. Half marathon here we come.
12.7.2010: Fighting the cold
I'm fighting the cold in two ways at the moment, I have a cold, and its cold outside.
I always knew winter will be the tough time, the time when the darkness makes me want to stay at home and the cold making me want to stay in bed in the morning.
But if I want to do an Ironman in March - I cannot do that.
Already I am 7.5kg lighter than I was at Christmas time, the body is toning and the muscles developing once again.
But now I just want to shake off the last of this cold, and then we are on the homeward stretch of winter - the days longer, and warmer. Yes the glass is very much half full.
11.6.2010: Orcon - Shout Out!
One of the biggest challenges many Ironman athletes face, other than the obvious mental and physical challenge, is a financial one. Put simply, the sport is not cheap, with the entry fee for the event alone costing almost $800. Not to mention the entry fees for lead up events, equipment and training gear, food, travel, accomodation ... the list is endless.
My first Ironman cost me about $10k alone!
But despite the cost, Ironman is still an unbelievable experience and one I would never so 'no' to. Even after finishing three, there is still an urge, a passion, to continue doing more. Not only for my own personal satisfaction, but also because Ironman enables me to help others in need - New Zealander's with CF.
So it's a very good news day when you approach a company for support and they choose to back you. Orcon (leading internet and communications company) has very kindly agreed to sponsor my entry fee. This is a HUGE help to get to the start line, and the best way I can show my thanks is to ensure I give it my all to finish the event, but also to invest time and energy into fundraising for CF.
To Duncan, Scott and the team at Orcon - THANK YOU!
I encourage everyone to please check out Orcon's website www.orcon.net.nz. I am an Orcon customer for phone and internet and they are truly brilliant to deal with. They are cheaper than some of the other major internet players, have a fantastic service, and what I love the most is that whenever I do need to call them its trouble-free. So if you are not an Orcon customer, I do urge you to check out their website and consider to change.
Orcon - on Saturday 5 March 2011, I want to do you proud! I'll be doing my best. Thanks for you support.
16.5.2010: Thunderstorms and Beaches
With the weather forecast for the R4 Cycle on the weekend being for squally thunderstorms, heavy rain and northerly winds, we had great reason to be a tad worried about the 92km that we faced between Rotorua and Whakatane by bike.
Mum, Steve and my aunty Janice all rolled into Rotorua to take part in the event, and we woken up at 3am by heavy rain, thunder claps and lightning. I must admit, rain I could have handled but I would have not cycled in the torrential rain that belted our ceiling during the night.
We sat in our cars at the race start waiting for the rain to stop, and thankfully it did. Just over half an hour before the start of the race the sun came out, the wind died, and the grey clouds rolled away. In fact I experienced only one shower of rain throughout the entire 92km, which was amazing considering the forecast. And as soon as we finished the thunder and lightning returned. It was as though it knew to behave for those 4 and a half hours.
While Steve and Janice raced ahead, Mum and I rode together ? in what was our first cycle event together. Mum did really well considering being sick the week before, and not being able to train as much as she would of liked. She also got a puncture, but took it in her stride. And even though by the time we got to Whakatane the finish line was being packed up and everyone had pretty much already gone ? we finished and we were proud.
Steve and Janice did AMAZING, Steve in his first cycle event. I?m proud of them both! It?s been great seeing Steve go from thinking a 15km cycle is a long way, to completing the event in great time.
Event one of the ten event plan has been achieved ? and it felt great! It is my first event for some time and it was special getting amongst it again, feeling the nerves, fuelling on adrenalin, sivving through the race pack to see if there is anything exciting, and crossing a finish line.
Now that the cycle is behind us, Steve and I will begin to focus on our running so we are fully prepared for the Taupo Half Marathon in a few weeks time.
But for now we are heading off on holiday to Bali for 10 days to recharge the battery, and get ready for the next nine events.
The finale event is over course the New Zealand Ironman ? an event I entered on Monday, and sold out a few days later. Yes, Ironman New Zealand has sold out for 2010. Unbelievable but true. It?s going to be a fantastic year for the event. I can?t wait to be part of it.
I?m hoping to announce shortly a sponsor who will be supporting me with the Ironman dream for cystic fibrosis. Watch this space.
10.5.2010: Let's get it started!
This is it! This Saturday is event number one on a journey that will see me through to Ironman New Zealand 2011. Come March 5th 2011 I want to complete my fourth Ironman event. I WILL DO IT!
This weekend is the R4 ? a cycle from Rotorua to Whakatane with Steve, Mum and my aunty Janice. It is the first of ten events I have lined up between now and Ironman to ensure I?ll be ready for the big day.
Training for this weekend has gone well, I?m particularly impressed with how well Steve and Mum have handled the training ? this weekend will be a big achievement for us all. The forecast is for showers, but at least it is not looking to be too cold or too windy.
Ironman New Zealand entries are open and selling fast so I?m hoping to be able to enter sometime soon to avoid missing out. Then there will be no turning back!
The journey has begun, bring on event number one!
4.5.2010: Is Business A Sport?
Is there a difference between sport and business? While one is definitely physical and the other more skill/money orientated, I would be one to argue that in terms of planning, preparation and execution that there are many similarities.
Like sport, business is also an emotional, mental and stressful journey. I know while out training I?m definitely thinking ahead, targeting certain dates on the calendar to perform, designing a programme and timeline or what I need to achieve to get there, working out how much it will cost me to achieve the goal, the inputs that I put into the tank (food) and the correlation to the outputs (my performance) and lastly looking beyond that goal to see what the next challenge will be.
Business is the same. There are deadlines, busy moments, and quieter ones ? all requiring preparation and planning. So in terms of that there are loads of similarities and being able to apply a training schedule to a business model is a definite skill.
But the cornerstone of both sport and business is the support we have. Whether it is through a network (training partners or other businesses), or from our family and friends ? they are essential. I could not have done three Ironman events without the support of my family, nor could a businessman run a successful business without the understanding and support from home.
So what is the best way to look at this then. Is it to treat sport as a business, or to treat business as a sport. While both are competitive, taxing, rewarding and challenging, I would argue that looking at them through a same lens offers considerable benefit. Maybe that?s why many of the word?s top sports people are also great businessman, Sarah Ulmer, Mark Ingle, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter to name a few local examples but there are many many more. The mental toughness gained through tough competition has no doubt made these people more successful at running a business ? and they are all successful businesses.
A while I don?t own a business, one day I plan to. And by applying the lessons learnt through sport into the business environment looks to be a great place to start.
21.4.2010: Sacred Heart Rowing
Tomorrow night I'm the guest speaker at the Sacred Heart Rowing prize giving, and after a small break four month break from speaking it's great to be getting back into it. I'm excited!
It is my aim this year with my own personal goals of completing an Ironman to share my passion as much as I can, and I aim to make as many speaking appearances as possible.
In two weeks time I have another lined up with a group of businessmen in Hamilton.
It's exciting and I'm pumped!
If you would like me to join you to speak at a function please check out the details on my website. I would love to be able to make a difference wherever I can.
6.4.2010: Cycling Idiots
I've managed to cycle to work every day this year (bar two when I needed to drive) and its great to see so many cyclists out there cycling. The world is a better place when there is less cars and more cyclists on the road. However there are some idiots too!
Ipod riders - you know who you are! ipod in your ears while cycling isn't cool, all it is saying it 'I don't care about my safety and I'm even LESS concerned about your safety'.
Non-helmet riders - again you know who you are! Hamilton is full of them! Face it! Helmets are not cool! However concussions and drolling out the side of your mouth isn't cool either, so WEAR YOUR HELMET! Three years ago I was knocked off my bike in a serious Oriental Bay accident involving a clown who didn't look when opening his door. Without my helmet, I might not even be alive today. So please, wear your helmet, and treat every car like it is an idiot driving. You can never be too cautious.
Winter is coming too and so is the number of people with naked knees out cycling. This doesn't mean you're tough, it means you are an idiot! Protect your knees and wear leg warmers.
With that said its great to see so many cyclists out on the road, but it would be a LOT better if you had your ipod out of your ears, helmet on your head, and wrapped up knees on those cold mornings! Cycle wise everyone, don't be an idiot!
10.3.2010: Ironman NZ
Watching Ironman NZ this week brought back so many memories. Down at the start line watching the athletes enter the water I was nervous, and I wasn't even racing! It's such as amazing day, my favourite day of the year - I'm addicted.
From the 70 year old's, to the 120kg women, to the mother's of four, to those with a disability, the Ironvirgins to everyone who makes that startline. I admire you. Having been there I know the hard work it takes to make the start line - and the day itself is a celebration. Ironman changed my life forever - I owe so much to the sport.
Watching Ironman this year makes we want to do another. I feel part of the family, and I want to get to know my rallies even more. I want to be an Ironman again.
In 2007 I completed two Ironmans, NZ and USA, since then I've done a half Ironman, but otherwise I've very much focussed on my career, my relationship, and gave my body a rest.
So .... what am I saying. In 2011 I want to be at the start and finish lines of Ironman 2011. I'm pumped, I have the support of my family and Steve, and I want to do it.
I'm going to train through winter and come out the other end ready to rock n roll.
And what has got me really really really excited is someone close to me is also thinking of doing it with me. Nothing could mean more for this to happen, and it's really got me excited and pumped.
I've also chosen to voluntarily coach and guide a Taupo Mum to take on the challenge for the first time.
My journey for Ironman 2011 has begun, I'll keep you posted - join me for the ride. I want to do it again!
1.3.2010: R4
In just over two months time Steve, Mum and I will be lining up at the R4 - my first cycling event in some time and the first with both my Mum and my partner.
The ride from Rotorua to Whakatane will be fun. Mum's training is going well, and considering it was only a few years ago that I taught her how to ride a bike she's doing really well.
This will also be Steve's first cycling event, and his training is going well. He's been cycling for over a month now, and he says hes finding it easier. He's even got bike shorts and a cycling top.
At the moment I'm cycling 100km a week just commuting to work. Great fitness and its saving me money too. Over $1000 a year from bussing, and over $2o00 if I was driving. And the funny thing is, I actually cycle to work faster than what I can drive it, or bus it. Why more Hamiltonian's are not cycling to work and leaving their car at home I'd never know. It would make it an ever better place to live.
Most people don't cycle because it will 'mess their hair', or 'make them sweat'. I say get over it - get on the bike, get fit, save money and enjoy it!
I'll keep you posted on the R4 - May 15 is d-day for us all.
13.2.2010: Olympic Flame
Watching the olympic couldron being lit yeseterday in Vancouver brought back so many memories. Running with the olympic flame was one of the most amazing things ever, words can hardly describe the feeling of having one of the world's greatest symbols of hope and unity in your hands - for that one small moment it truly feels like the whole world is in your hands.
When I ran with the torch in Canberra in the lead up to the Beijing Games I always knew it was going to be an amazing experience, but it wasn't until I had the flame in my hands that it all came a bit surreal.
And the greatest thing is that you get to keep the olympic torch you use. I've shared mine at many different places in New Zealand giving people a once in a lifetime opportunity to hold the torch. A special souvenier and a special memory.
Enjoy watching Vancouver, from watching the opening ceremony the Olympic spirit is alive and well.
8.2.2010: Earth Hour 2010
Last year I was lucky enough to be invited as a national ambassador for Earth Hour. I work everyday towards making Hamilton's environment a better place, both now and for the future, and Earth Hour was a perfect way to demonstrate this passion.
I was also the Project Manager for Earth Hour and worked alongside the Waikato Times to ensure Hamilton embraced the event and so it had longevity in its messaging.
With the pressure being placed on our planet, Earth Hour is back again in 2010 on March 27th, and I'm delighted to once again be invited as an ambassador for the event alongside Helen Clark, and to also be Project Manager again for Hamilton.
I'm currently working hard to ensure Hamilton marks the event in an appropriate, unique and exciting way. It's a challenge, but I'm doing my bit. If we all did our bit, the environment wouldn't be put under such great strain, and our world would be a better place to live.
Check out www.earthhour.org.nz to find out more information, and help us make a difference but reducing your environment footprint.
10.1.2010: How great is summer?
While back at work, I?ve spent five days at the beach over summer and boy was it great! Nothing beats waking up and having nothing planned, and nothing to worry about apart from what to eat, what to wear and to apply sunscreen. Absolute bliss!
Our dog Bella also came on holiday with us for the first time, and went for her very first swim. And what proud parents we were! Sound silly doesn?t it, but it really is like watching a child grow up.
On Saturday it was down to New Plymouth to visit my grandmother, and boy what I beautiful drive that is down the coastline. It?s been a while since I?ve done that drive, but it was a great reminder about just how stunning that coastline is.
No matter where you are this summer, I hope you are enjoying it!
22.12.2009: Season's Greeetings
Boy oh boy has the year gone fast! I know we say that every year, but it really does feel like yesterday I was travelling to Taupo for Christmas.
Some of my highlights from this year are:
1. My trip to Sydney in July - was a great week away
2. Steve and I getting a new puppy Bella, she has been a joy to watch grow up
3. Getting out and about meeting people around New Zealand at schools and various events
4. Knowing that my book Purpose has made a difference from the many emails I've recieved
5. Big achievements at work organising major events and campaigns for Hamilton
I hope you all rest up and enjoy a good holiday break.
Also get well soon Nan! You'll be out of hospital before you know it!
Merry Christmas
Aaron
16.12.2009: 10 years!
Ten years ago, my lung collapsed for the first time and my Poppa just passed away. Time has flown by since!
At the time my Dad spent his 50th birthday party in the Whanau Room at Taupo Hospital, and only days later we had the funeral for Poppa.
Ten year's on we are planning a much better day to celebrate Dad's 60th this weekend, something he deserves after the tragedy surrounding his last big milestone.
But for me celebrating 10 years is a huge relief. Dec 16 will remain tattooed in my mind for the rest of my life as one of my darkest days, and while I have scars to prove it, boy does it feel good to be alive and happy!
3.12.2009: One year on and $23,000 fundraised
On Dec 2nd 2008 I launched my self-published book Purpose in an attempt to help motivate and inspire other Kiwis to live their dreams. It's a project that took a year to complete, with many weekends locked away in my bedrooms writing and editing - but it's something I'm very proud of, and I'm so pleased I did it as from people reading my book many have gone on to set themselves amazing goals and achieve - and they are just the ones that have got in touch with me, I'm hopeful there are others out there as well.
One of the catalysts for me beginning my Ironman journey, and my journey of discovery, is that I worked alongside Cystic Fibrosis Association of NZ to help make a difference by creating awareness and raising money so young kiwis with CF have the barriers reduced for them to be participating in sport and recreation - which is great for their lungs, increasing their functioning and increasing precious longevity.
After years of fundraising, from Ironman through to the selling of my book, I'm pleased to announce that I've now fundraised $23,000 for CF kids in New Zealand.
And I'm going to keep going, it's a cause close to my heart and I'll continue to fundraise in order to make a difference. It's a charity that I am proud to be associated with.
Thanks for all your support in helping me achieve this
26.11.2009: Active Communities Strategy for Hamilton
In October 2008 I began working on pulling together key partners working in Sport and Recreation in Hamilton to develop Hamilton's first Active Communities Strategy. Today the Strategy will be launched at the Hamilton Yacht Club, a great step forward towards better communication and more sustainable working for the sport sector in Hamilton.
There are three themes to the strategy, inspiring motivation, enabling participation and working smarter. Inspiring Motivation is probably the theme most close to my heart, as it's all about encouraging people to get active and to set goals. It's about playing frisbees and kicking balls around in a park, or playing backyard cricket with the family.
Hopefully in a year's time the strategy would have grown some legs and I will be able to report to you some of the successes, but for now its great to see the Sport and Recreation sector in Hamilton getting together to work towards a common vision.
For more information check out http://www.hamilton.co.nz/activecommunities
29.10.2009: Getting Broadband Connected
I recently moved house to a suburb in north Hamilton, and something that I'm having great difficulty getting connected is broadband, something it seems I have taken for granted. But is it really that hard? I live in a nice part of Hamilton, well established now, yet apparantly there is no provision for us to join any network.
I've been visiting the telecomm's websites about how 'easy' it to get broadband installed, and about how great their services are - but right now I'm seeing the complete opposite.
Telecom - 4-5 months waiting time
TelstraClear - 4-5 months waiting time
Slingshot - nothing
Vodafone - nothing
Orcon - the friendliest so far doing thier best
For NZ's fourth largest city, and living in a high density urban area, you think getting broadband connected will be a piece of cake - it seems its not.
So for now we have dial-up. It's like going back in time, and boy is it frustrating. In a world where we rely on the internet everyday, when its gone you don't realise how much we do actually rely on it.
I'll keep you posted with the company we have the most success with. But for now I'll continue to get used to the sound of the modem dialling up again ... and playing a game of cards while waiting for a page to load up.
29.9.2009: Marlborough Sounds and the Tsunami
On Sunday I'm taking my partner for a day trip to the Marlborough Sounds from Wellington, shooting across on the Interislander and doing an eco-tour of the Sounds. It's been a number of years since I've been in that part of the country and I can't wait, and Steve has never been before so hopefully it will be a real treat.
I'm hoping that we will get to see dolphins and some of the marine wildlife, one of the Sound's greatest assets.
On a sidenote - my greatest sympathy to the people of Samoa and family in New Zealand with the devastation from today's tsunami. No doubt the world will come together to assist you through this trying period. Kia kaha
24.9.2009: World of Wearable Arts
Two years ago I stood backstage at WoW in Wellington having just met Prime Minister Helen Clark and Phil Keoghan from The Amazing Race, dressed up in a coffin awaiting the announcement of the winning garments.
I modelled two garments in the 2007 show. One called 'Wooden Be Seen Dead' where I walked inside an upright coffin, the second was a winning garment from two years earlier made by ex Green MP Mike Ward.
Being part of WoW was an amazing experience. It allowed me to do performance modelling on stage, and after 11 shows 33,000 people saw the show. Having moved from Wellington I can no longer be part of the show, but for the first time I'm actaully going to watch the show as a spectator. I spent two months in rehearsals for WoW 2007, but never got to see the show. This time around I'm looking forward to being able to sit down, relax, and enjoy the show knowing exactly what is going on backstage.
WoW is truly one of NZs greatest shows - I can't wait!
16.9.2009: eDAY 09
On Saturday I helped out at eDAY 09. It was part of my job to organise the 50+ volunteers on the day, and despite rain we had an awesome day.
860 cars came through the drive through site to drop off waste, and we collected a total of 71 tonnes of e-waste. Massive!
Well done Hamilton for keeping the e-waste out of the landfill. E-waste such as computers and cellphones can have nasty toxins which can be harmful to the environment, and eDAY is one way of disposing of them responibly, and for free.
23.8.2009: Kawerau College
Over the next few months I'll be making a special trip to Kawerau College - the winning school from my Telethon auction. The person who won the auction was a parent of two students at the school 10 years ago, and thought it would be something nice for the school to celebrate.
I'm looking forward to the event, should be great fun! Plus is raised $500 for Kids Can and the national telethon.
8.8.2009: A few hours to go....
There are just a few hours left of Telethon and before my online auction on Sella closes raising money for KidsCan. Make sure you make a bid at http://www.sella.co.nz/general/sports/other-sports/4rpfw3/
Telethon is about to hit one million dollars. Well done NZ!
4.8.2009: Raising funds for Telethon
One project that I have been involved with for a number of months now is Telethon and trying to think of some creative ways to raise money for KidsCan this weekend when the Big Night In hits our screens on TV3 - the first telethon in 15 years.
I currently have an online auction going to help raise funds for the cause with support of Celebrity Speakers. This auction closes on Sunday afternoon.
You can view the auction online here: http://www.sella.co.nz/general/sports/other-sports/4rpfw3/
The prize is for:
The winning bidder of this auction will elect a school for Big Night In supporter Aaron Fleming to visit for a day, along with the Olympic Torch used for the Beijing Olympic Games.
Aaron will deliver a motivational address to all students at the chosen school, spend time in the classroom and give every student the opportunity to hold the Beijing Olympics torch.
Aaron's presentations are very popular and his story is gripping, emotional and truly inspirational. He can talk about change, overcoming adversity, goal setting and perseverance, and has the ability to make a real difference in the lives of the students at the winning school.
His emotional, inspiring story will leave the students with renewed respect for what can be achieved when you put your mind to it.
This prize has been sponsored by Aaron himself with the support of Celebrity Speakers NZ Ltd.For more information on Aaron Fleming check out www.aaronfleming.co.nz.
This is an auction not to be missed, and will be a prize that the students will never forget.
The nominated school must be located in the Central Plateau, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Waikato, Auckland or Northland region, and be a decile 1-5 school. Aaron?s visit must take place in the 2009 school year.
Check it out and get voting everyone! Let's raise some money for KidsCan!
24.7.2009: Restyle 09
One of my latest projects is as the Event Organisor for Restyle 09, an annual wearable arts show in Hamilton. This year's show is going to be huge, as we had record entries and around 130 garments will be strutting the stage next Saturday night. It's a great event to organise, as it showcases the talented and creative people of the Waikato region, whilst it also delivers a strong sustainability message.
Lots of my nights over this next week will be spent at rehearsals as we prepare for a huge show next Saturday.
For more information check out http://www.hamilton.co.nz/restyle. It would be great to see you there.
A
