diary
20.6.2011: So what's next?
With Ironman #4 complete, the big question is - what's next? For many Ironman athletes post-race is a time of the Ironman blues. I havn't had the chance for that as life as been kept fairly busy.
My focus lately has been on my job. Since early May I have stepped into an acting role which has taken a considerable amount of time, but its something I've wanted to give my all. So while my goal is not physical, its been an exciting goal of learning and development.
I've also had some time to do some speaking engagements, including Hukanui School students, Wises group and coming up in October the Waikato Dio Sports Prizegiving.
I've also booked an all important holiday, and are busy planning for our wedding day next February.
So while there isn't an Ironman knocking on the door, my current goals are just as challenging and rewarding.
Please remember to keep in touch if you have any questions or if you have a speaking engagement you would like me to present at.
Aaron
15.4.2011: Ironman NZ - 80mm of rain
On Saturady March 5 Ironman NZ through a big challenge with 80mm of rain falling throughout the day. Despite the added obstacle, I had a great swim, comfortable bike and a long painful chaffed and blistered run to finish the race in 15 hours 58 minutes. I also took my total fundraising tally, thanks to your support, to $27,500. In a sport where finishing is winning, I was so proud to have finished my fourth event, and with the tough day it was, finishers of the 2011 will appreciate that if you can finish the 2011 event - than anything is possible! What is next in store? I'll keep you posted. Thanks for all your support.
17.2.2011: Finding a Better Space
Check out my latest column in the Feb 16 edition of the Hamilton Press on how being active has helped me with depression.
16 Days to Go!!!!
2.2.2011: Selfish?
Check out my latest colulm in the Feb 2 edition of the Hamilton Press on how setting goals doesn't have to be selfish.
Kinlcoh triathlon in 3 days time... bring it on!
30 days to Ironman NZ.
7.1.2011: Feeling the HEAT
It's a hot hot summer, and I'm feeling it. I just returned home from an 18km run in 25 degree heat. The legs were aching the minds were playing games, but I didn't give in and I kept running the entire way and went the full distance I set out to run - no shortcuts, although it was tempting at times.
With just 9 weeks to go now is the time when the LONG hours out training get done. The weekly 100km + cycles, 20km + run and 3km + swims. But it's only for 9 more weeks and come March 5th it will be so worthwhile.
There are just two more build up events along the way now, the Kinloch Olympic Distance Triathlon on Waitangi Day and the Across Lake Taupo 4.2km swim the weekend before Ironman.
There is no doubt about it, I'm feeling the heat, and its not just the temperature!
21.12.2010: Taupo Half Ironman - Done!
I'm a half Ironman once again after I tackled the Taupo course in just over 7 hours. In what was fairly trying conditions I had a good swim and a great cycle, only to struggle on the run.
But I'm really stoked with finishing and am pleased with my time. It was a fantastic event organised by fantastic people and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was the perfect preparation for Ironman, and now that there is just over 10 weeks to go, I'm at the business end of the preparation.
The next 10 weeks will test me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It's bloody hard work. But at the end of the day so long as CFNZ gains the maximum benefit it will all be worthwhile.
Let the countdown begin!
7.12.2010: NZer of the Year Awards
Not one for seeking accolade I was hesitant about writing about this in my blog, however I?ve decided that I will in order to say thanks for your nominations for this award and for all the support I have been given to help me achieve my goals. Without that support it would have made things a lot lot harder for me.
Two weeks ago I received a letter in the mail from the New Zealander of the Year Awards 2011 informing me of my nomination in two categories, Young New Zealander of the Year, and the Local Hero Award. In reading the letter I assumed that there must have been an error to have been nominated in two categories, but last week the Awards organiser rang me to inform me that I had in fact been names a semi-finalist in both categories. As you can imagine I was delighted to hear the news, if not somewhat baffled as I know of plenty of incredible New Zealander?s who would be worthy of the recognition.
On Monday three finalists for each of the five categories will be announced, and an overall recipient for each award will be named at a function in early February.
I feel incredibly humbled to have been nominated and been named a semi-finalist. I know many of you have read about this in the newspapers and have contacted me offering your congratulations and support. Thanks for this. Whilst I never set out on my journey to help others in order to receive recognition, it is really quite moving to know that it is being valued, and this puts me in great stead to continue doing what I do.
But without sounding cliché, I would have not have been able to take the journey I have been on for the past six years without the support from my family and friends, from organisations like thelowdown.co.nz and CFNZ who have made things easier for me, to everyone who has donated money, helped proof read my book, travelled to support me on a sideline, or offered their support in another way. Whilst it may appear an individual pursuit, it hasn?t been. Without that core support I wouldn?t be in this position.
And with that I offer my HUGE thanks.
6.12.2010: Half Ironman this weekend!
2km swim, 90km cycle, 21km run. The last big test before the big one on March 5th. And I?m feeling amazing too. On Saturday I did my second biggest swim ever - 4km. I went to the pool hoping to do 2km and felt so great I just kept going.
And after the 160km Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge I?m feeling confident with the bike too.
Bring on Saturday, I?m itching to go and I can?t wait.
After this weekend the drive to raise funds and awareness for CFNZ will begin once again! Watch this space ?.
29.11.2010: Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
There is nothing more rewarding than hearing the stories of people who have made contact with me and telling me of their own obstacles they have overcome (or are working towards overcoming) and how some part of my own journey resonated with them and acted as a catalyst for change. I find it quite moving. Everyone has their own story and their own obstacles, and I feel honoured to be able help others realise their goals. For some this is simply making contact over text message, for others email, and others in person ? but there are some wonderful stories out there and some New Zealander?s achieving really amazing things.
One story that has touched me this year is a Taupo mother, Debs, who set herself a goal of doing Ironman after reading my book Purpose. She had the motivation of raising funds for charity, but also to prove to her two sons that anything is possible.
On the weekend Steve and I started the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge with Debs, my third cycle challenge, and Steve?s first. For Debs this is a key build up event looking ahead to Ironman. For Steve this was his second event towards his Erin Baker Award.
It was a stifling hot day, and I was pleased with my final time in 6 hours 21 minutes. And for the first time in a cycling event I had the privilege of watching Steve achieve his goal when he crossed the finish line in a little over eight hours. Words cannot describe the feeling of pride I felt seeing him knock off another challenge. For Steve, Erin Baker is his Ironman and he?s doing so well.
For Debs, it was a day of mechanical failure and heat. But she toughed it out finishing in ten hours. And while I know Debs was aiming for a faster time, being out on that course in that heat for ten hours is a huge achievement in itself and her ?never say die? attitude won on the day. This is the attitude that you need to take to an Ironman, as it?s a mental game as well as physical. But its so exciting seeing these goals being achieved, from an out of the blue email to me back in March, Debs is now just 14 weeks away from her Ironman challenge and it?s a privilege to share the journey with her.
24.11.2010: Hamiton Press Column
From January 2011 through to March 2011 for those of you living in Hamilton will need to keep an eye out in your Hamilton Press each week as I?ll be writing a column on the final stages of my 2011 Ironman journey. The editor of the Hamilton Press is really excited about helping me change lives, and offered their support ? something I am really grateful for.
I?ve decided to write this column for two reasons:
1. Is so that CFNZ, the charity I support, gains the maximum benefit.
2. To help encourage and inspire Hamiltonian?s that anything is possible and to live their dreams.
One of the things that keeps me motivated is helping others achieve their goals. Through putting myself forward to assist with the national thelowdown.co.nz project, I have an open door policy, and should anyone want to come to me for advice or simply to talk, I?ll always make myself available to listen.
And while I would never openly share their stories, as I promise confidentiality, I?m encouraged to see a number of young people making contact with me, and I?m even more encouraged when they stay in contact and share their goals and achievements with me. I always do my best to help someone, not as an expert, but as someone who has been through a heck of a lot of highs and lows, and I hope that by sharing my own experiences and lessons learnt, that some of those people who decide to email, text or facebook me, are able to walk away having learnt something about themselves and what they need to do to get to a better place.
Depression is a funny wee thing to deal with, and having been through it myself and through my experience helping others it really is horses for courses. I really admire the work being done in New Zealand around depression, and in particular the lowdown.co.nz project that I am involved with. If you are someone looking to find a better place, or even have mates or family who you are looking to help, it?s a website well worth checking out.
www.thelowdown.co.nz
17.11.2010: Staying Safe
The unfortunate and sad loss of life on the roads this past five days of people on bikes is a much needed reminder that both cyclists and other road users need to share with care.
Bikes are vehicles, and whether people behind the wheel like it or not, they have a right to be on the road. However in saying that not all cyclists are experienced either, and this is when they can sometime come into difficulty. General rule of thumb is to always (always) stay left, wear bright clothing, have lights on your bike when it is grey weather, and always treat every car like an idiot is behind the wheel.
For drivers, its about ensuring you give cyclists room, have patience, SLOW DOWN, and look. Even when you are stationary, opening your car door is a hazard, as I've found out the hard way almost losing my own life at in incident in Wellington.
Sure our roads need improving, sure there will also be inexperienced cyclists and drivers on the road, but people don't need to die. Let's all work together for a safer future on our roads, show courtesy, patience, understanding and just slow down. Lives are too precious to lose simply because have become 'lax' in our road use.
10.11.2010: Building Momentum
I?ve felt this feeling before. Throwing myself in the deep end to complete an Ironman, and with less than four months to go the feeling of being excited and scared all at once.
The clock is slowly counting down to race day, 5 March 2010. Behind the scenes I?m currently amping up the training ? all so come race day I will have a shot of making the finish line.
3.8km swim, 180km cycle, 42.2km run, all within a 17 hour time limit. This is why I am doing it once again.
Ironman has not only changed my life, but I do Ironman to change the lives of others. Through Ironman I am able to raise awareness and money for CFNZ, a make a true difference. It?s a charity I share a close association with, and it?s one very worthy cause.
Also, through the support I provide through thelowdown.co.nz helping young Kiwis at risk, I hope that through Ironman I can encourage and remind young people that if you believe in yourself then anything is possible.
The next three months of my life are dedicated to these two causes. It is my goal to have a final fundraising tally of $30,000 for CFNZ, and I?m confident I can get there. To date I?ve raised $23,500.
So also behind the scenes I?ve been working away on a strategy to help get me to that $30,000 mark. All will be revealed soon, but I?m pleased to say that over $2000 in prizes have been donated, a newspaper is going to follow the final few months of my journey, and some well-known people will be getting behind my campaign.
The journey is beginning to turn the curve towards the home stretch, there is still a looooooooong way to go and a lot of blood sweat and tears to be shed, but with the smell of summer, Ironman is within reach.
Thanks for sharing the journey with me.
11.10.2010: Hamilton Half Marathon - Done
6 minutes off my Taupo half marathon time, and tough hot conditions. I'm really pleased my effort. Just over 20 weeks to go now until the big day, and I'm feeling great!
Next build up events will be the Round the Bridges and the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. I havn't done the cycle challenge since 2006 so it would be good to tackle the lake once again.
26.9.2010: Hamilton Half ... not the perfect prep
The Hamilton Half Marathon is this weekend which both Steve and I have entered. I was hoping to really ace this event, however after a slight niggle in my ankle/foot I havn't been able to as much training as I would have liked. Thankfully I've been made to slow down at a time when the weather has been terrible.
After the half the gear changes to a focus on more cycling. The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is not far away now, and I'll be lining up to take on the event for my third time.
I've also entered the Taupo Half Ironman for December.
My prize pool is coming together really well too. I can't wait to launch it later in the year. Very exciting times ahead as I count down to the final 22 weeks to go until Ironman NZ 2011
31.8.2010: Springing into gear
More hours of daylight, warmer weather .... I'm feeling great!
Time to kick the training mode out of second gear and begin to focus on the events ahead. There are a few we have lined up for the next few months, kicking off first with the Hamilton Half Marathon and Round The Bridges, then in November cycling Lake Taupo, and following up with the Taupo Half Ironman prior to Christmas. Steve is doing them all with me which makes it double exciting!
It's also time to kick into fundraising mode to ensure CFNZ gains the maximum benefit. Behind the scenes I'm putting together a wee fundraising plan, which, come December I will roll out. I'm aiming for $6500 to take my total fundraising tally for the charity to $30k. I'll get there!
I'm also really happy to have been matched with Riley Graham as my CF buddy, a brave 7 year old in Auckland. We get to share the next 6 months of the journey together which is going to be exciting!
13.8.2010: 200 days to go!
Yup that's right, it's from now that the countdown really begins. The stepping-stone events to build up the fitness are knocking on the door, and the fundraising plans are beginning to take shape. My goal afterall is to change lives - CFNZ will benefit from the next 200 days of blood, sweat, exhaustion and tears.
Steve and I kicked it all off last weekend by both completing the Taupo Half Marathon. For Steve this was his first event to tick off towards the Erin Baker Award, and for me it was an opportunty to support Steve and test my fitness. Despite blisters and cold weather - we did it!
The next event we're lining up for is the Hamilton Half Marathon with the aim of bettering our times. And we've inspired our amazing friend Hilda to give the 10km walk a go! Woo Hoo!
Fundraising plans are all taking shape too - for now it is trying to pull together some amazing prizes - so if you're a business who would like to support my campaign, please contact me - we can change lives together.
After a month of change in our household with both Steve and I starting new jobs, me in new role at work with a new boss and a new team, and for Steve he's taking on the challenge of Flight Centre as a travel consultant, things are finally settling back into normality again making training easier to achieve, and we finally have weekends together!!! Thanks to my work mates for making it a breeze, and to Crystal, Gemma, Vicky and Karen for making Steve's transition fun, easy and exciting.
200 days, bring it on!
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!
