Ironman 70.3 Cairns – My Journey

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On Sunday 11 June 2017, BEXI triathlete Michelle Nicholas became an Ironman 70.3. This is her inspirational story:

It is simply the best experience! The training, the inspirational buddies, the journey of ups and downs and the most incredible feeling of crossing the finish line. It takes you to another level!

I wanted to do an Ironman for around 20 years. When my eldest, Gemma, completed the Coolangatta Gold at 16yrs-old, I felt inspired to get fit and focus on myself again.

I signed up for Beauty of Exercise’s beginner triathlon program last year (2016) and completed my first sprint triathlon. After that I was hooked and started dreaming of completing an Ironman 70.3.  I signed-up a year out and starting surrounding myself with the right people. My coach, Debbie Solms, was fully on-board and excited for me. My BEXI buddies were amazing – even though they weren’t doing the event, they still committed to train with me.

I truly didn’t think I was capable and leading up to Cairns I was very nervous and worried that I would let myself down and my BEXI buddies down if I didn’t make it.

The weekend was awesome! My gorgeous BEXI buddy and lovely friend Monique, travelled to Cairns to support me.  The day before the race we went to the swim/bike transition and sat in a beautiful restaurant in Palm Cove enjoying a healthy meal, looking out at the swim course and feeling mentally prepared. Monique was a calming presence who kept my mind off the race and we spent the afternoon laughing lots. I loved that day.
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Race day I got up at 3.15am, my bus to the swim start was 4am. Preparing for a full day on the course, I rubbed sunscreen on my body… only to realise that my race number tattoos were never go to stick. Lucky for permanent markers!
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A few friends came to find me at the start to wish me good luck. I felt special that they’d woken early and made the effort to see me. The swim was fantastic, dark and murky in the water, but with the rolling start I didn’t feel like I was fighting my way through the crowd. I had a great rhythm from the start and I never once thought anything negative.

I couldn’t believe I was actually doing this and I was really loving it.

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I started the bike with the biggest smile on my face. The hills were longer and harder than I had imagined but I took it in my stride and did my best. Turning around at Port Douglas was a highlight, as I realised I made the cut-off time!  This enabled me to enjoy my race.
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Shortly after disaster struck!  My gears jammed and I was restricted to using the small chain ring for the rest of the ride.  I was slow but I was never going to give up!  I finished the ride in under 4hours which I quietly wanted to do (but didn’t think I was capable of). Monique was waiting for me at the bike finish which gave me a good chance to have a giggle and a quick chat.
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I set off on the run and my legs felt like lead weights for the first 5km.  The crowd along the run course were so very supportive and yelled my name like I was their best friend, it was a great pick me up when I needed it.  The run isn’t my strong leg, I was negative towards myself and didn’t like that I was so very slow – but I finished (finally) and the elation of the finish shoot was worth every single slow step. It was worth every sacrifice I had to make in training for this event.
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That finish shoot I had dreamed and visualised for one year, finally came true. The journey from start to finish was worth every sacrifice. I was an Ironman 70.3! 
Photo credit: Delly Carr
TAKE ON THE IRONMAN 70.3 CHALLENGE OR MIX-IT UP!

If you would like to take on the IM70.3 challenge or mix it up, then join our BEXI team as we train for IRONMAN70.3 Western Sydney and the Long Course Weekend.

It takes just 8-Steps

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Manifesting what we want in life is not as daunting as we think. We often fill our minds with negative talk which convinces us that our dream is not possible. At the same time, when we fill ourselves with positive talk, positive things happen.

All it takes is just 8 steps:

  • Set a goal – without a goal we have no direction. With no direction we’ll go nowhere. Be clear of what we want – write it down and remind ourselves daily of what we want.
  • Gratitude – feel grateful for what we have now. Our health, our family, our friends, where we live. We will realise we are already blessed and this will drive us to want to achieve.
  • Believe – once we are clear about what we want and believe that we can achieve our goal, the universe will conspire to make it happen.
  • Visualise – image that we have already achieved our dream. Focus on how good it feels to cross the finish line –  to become a 5km runner, a marathoner, a triathlete. This will bring our dream closer to us.
  • Affirm it – affirm our intentions daily, as if the event has already happened. This will bring our dream even more closer to us.
  • Stay positive – we attract what we put out there, so look for the positive in everything. Positive thinking attracts positive energy. Positive energy attracts positive people.
  • Take action – once our intention is clear, we will receive inspiration from those around us. Feed off the inspiration and we will blossom.
  • Meditate – a daily meditation practice will connect us with ourselves on a deeper level, as well as with the universe. This is when the magic happens!

By incorporating the above steps into our thinking, we will start to see the magic happening in our life. Give it a try!

Positive thinking evokes more energy, more initiative and more happiness!
Upcoming dates to diarise:
– 08 Jul Blackmores 10km Bridge Run – 10-wk training program
– 17 Jul Term 3, 2017 – commences
– 05 Aug NEW! Tri-FIT Long  Course Weekend – 12-wk training program (coming soon)
– 05 Aug NEW! Ironman Western Sydney 70.3 – 16-wk training program (coming soon)
– 25 Aug NEW! Delicious Daily Dinners – 3hr Cooking Workshop (coming soon)

It takes all of you!

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It inspired me, it overwhelmed me, it humbled me, it took all of me! The spirit of the Comrades Marathon.

On Sunday 4th June 2017, I had the enormous privilege of standing on the start line of the Comrades Marathon 2017.  It was an absolute dream-come-true. As a kid growing up in South Africa, I was brought up having a huge appreciation for this race. Every year the race was televised from the start to the finish – 12hrs+ of viewing – the South African nation was caught up in the grips of the Comrades fever. I was in awe of the runners who took part and had a huge respect for each and every one of them.

At 5am on the 4th June 2017, I was huddled in my starting chute with my gorgeous hubby, Martin, and good friends Sue & Richard Ollerhead. It was dark, the atmosphere was electric – combination of nerves and excitement – lots of people rushing to get into their starting chutes… and then the singing started. The entire field of 20k runners were singing Shosholoza and the South African national anthem – it truly brought a lump to my throat. This was followed by the music of Chariots of Fires (again, very emotional), then the iconic Max Tribold’s Cock Crow…. and bang, the start gun at 5.30am. And we were off!

I can recall the entire experience step-by-step, but will save that for another post. Instead, I wanted to share a few (of the many) special moments that truly touched me:

  • As a South African brought up in the apartheid era, I was completely humbled by the spirit of the Comrades. Blacks, whites, nationals, internationals – everyone was united by the raw emotion of the Comrades. Throughout the entire day, the 20k field of runners were cheering and supporting each other along the way. No matter who you were and where you came from, we were all equal – united in this beautiful sport.
  • The support on the day is second to none. There are crowds of supporters from start to finish – the entire 88km. Singing, dancing, cheering, calling out your name, handing you food, drinks, spraying you with water – creating the most amazing atmosphere! You truly felt like an elite runner competing in the Olympics.
  • The organisation of the race is on par with the Olympics. It is flawless! From pre-race registration, the ongoing communication, international ambassadors for each country, race registration, expo, hospitality, logistics, refreshments every 2km, choice of refreshments, pacing buses, entertainment, medals, photos, etc. All international runners, together with their supporters, had access to an international tent at the finish where they were served food and drinks all day. It was position right next to the finish line – so truly amazing for our families/supporters.
  • On the Friday before the race, I joined the international athlete course tour. Part of the tour was to visit the Ethembeni School for the Disabled – one of the Comrades official charities. As the bus stopped, the children we waiting for us with welcome signs for each country. Despite being faced with adversity, these children had the biggest smiles on their faces. They sang and danced for us and gave us each a beautiful, hand-made beaded bracelet. The colours of the bracelet were those of the Comrades Marathon and Ethembeni School, and consisted of 88 x beads – one for each km of the race. There was hardly a dry eye in the audience.
  • After the tour I was hanging out in the hotel lobby. Sitting next to me was a young African runner who was chilled and relaxed. His buddies came to join him and sat down for a cup of tea. There was much excitement in their conversation (in Zulu/Xhosa). At one stage I overheard them talking about their race pace of 3.50-4.00/km. I looked over at them and asked if they were planning to run the race at that pace. They all laughed and their coach asked me if I knew who they were. They were the gold-medal runners! (Ludwick Mamabolo finished 4th in 5:42; and Sphiwe Ndlela 6th in 5:45.) Truly humble and super-friendly gentlemen.

Two weeks later and I am still on a high. This event is without doubt one of the most rewarding races I have ever done! Now to consider returning next year for the ‘Back-to-Back’ medal…

It was tough, for sure… but that’s what makes finishing all the more sweeter.

Below are a few low-res pics taken on the day… enjoy! 

If we always do what we know we can do, we never grow…

Blackmores Sydney Running Festival 2017

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The run that’s for everyone! Join your family for the 3.5km Family Fun Run, or join forces with your running buddy for the newly certified 10km Bridge Run. Take it to the next level and sign up for the Sydney Half Marathon, OR… if you’re looking for a pretty damn special goal, commit to the Sydney Marathon. 

Whatever your goal, we’ve built face-to-face training programs to support you take on the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival on Sun 17 Sept 2017.  The course is flatter, faster, takes in the iconic Harbour Bridge and finishes at the stunning Sydney Opera House.

Our community is built on supporting each other achieve our goals. We surround ourselves with like-minded friends who motivate and inspire us along the way. Our programs are tailored to start where we’re at, progressing gradually – with the key goal to get us to the start line in full fitness and injury-free.

Our Programs
Race Distance Training Program Training Starts
Sydney Marathon 42.2km 16 weeks 27 May 2017
Sydney Half-Marathon 21.1km 12 weeks 24 June 2017
Sydney Bridge Run 10km 10-weeks 08 July 2017
Our Training

Our programs are built around 3 x weekly coached training sessions focusing on speed, strength and endurance.  We train together as a team, as this offers encouragement, motivation, accountability for showing up and a great sense of camaraderie between fellow running buddies.  Training programs are prepared in periodised blocks and provided via Training Peaks. This allows us to provide individual plans that best suits your needs and goals, as well as giving us the feedback and analysis tools we need. Our aim is to progresses you gradually, so that you train safely and without injury.

What is included?
  • Periodised training plan based on your race distance
  • 3 x weekly face-to-face coached group session – speed, strength & endurance training
  • Analysis and feedback on training data
  • Goal setting
  • Mental skills and strategies
  • Race nutrition and recovery
  • Race tactics and guidance
  • Motivational support
  • Access to private online forum
  • Membership of a supportive, like-minded community
What is excluded?
  • Race entry fee
  • Travel, accommodation and meals
  • BEXI technical race singlet

OUR COMMITMENT! We are 100% committed to making sure you line up on the start line feeling fit, healthy and injury-free. Which is why we are offering participants of this program, the option of joining our Strength-FIT program for the reduced price of only $12 per session. Commit to a 10-week Strength-FIT program for only $120 (vs $200 as standalone program).

Your Investment
Program Investment + Strength-FIT
42km Race-FIT $420 (3 x $145/pm) $540 (3 x $182/pm)
21km Race-FIT $360 (3 x $125/pm) $480 (3 x $162/pm)
10km Race-FIT $300 (2 x $155/pm) $420 (3 x $142/pm)

 

Sign up for Sydney’s iconic running festival – REGISTER TODAY!

You can if you think you can

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Last Sunday (30 April 2017) we took part in the MS Fun Run in Sydney. It was a great event, supporting one of our BEXI runners who has Multiple Sclerosis.  She is a constant inspiration to all of us. ❤️

A few of our team members signed up to do the 10km fun run – pushing them well and truly out of their comfort zones. If others were struggling with MS on a daily basis, then surely they could attempt to run 10km. None of them had ever attempted to run 10km, so they were feeling very nervous and apprehensive. On the day they teamed up with each other and ran together the entire way. Crossing the finish line, beaming with a huge sense of achievement!  Some were rather emotional at accomplishing something they thought they could never do.  It was very special to share their excitement.

Disappointingly, the course measured short and was only 8km – due to road restrictions by the Council.  So whilst the girls felt denied the opportunity to achieve their goal – they also realised that they WOULD have achieved their 10km goal on the day. Why??? Because they had engaged their minds and were mentally prepared for 10km.

This proves the point beautifully – “you can if you think you can”.

Well done to everyone who took part in the MS Fun Run – it was an honour to support such a worth cause. Big thanks to our BEXI community for all their fundraising efforts!

Special mention to young Amelie Chan (8yrs) who was the fastest U18 female on the day – woohoo, we have a BEXI champ in the making ?

Motivate your mind. Your body will follow.

 

Active Lifestyle Studio – Timetable

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Three Mental Strategies for Endurance Running

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As a runner, our biggest asset (or sometimes our greatest enemy) is our brain. Physical training is important, but that alone is not enough to put wings on our feet. What we feel on and off the road has a huge influence over how we perform once we lace up.

Professor Tim Noakes MD (author of acclaimed Lore or Running – and a real guru in the running world!), recommends we train our brains to cope with ‘discomfort’. Interval sessions, hill repeats, tempo runs, endurance runs – exactly the type of training sessions that should be included in our training programs. What is a hard training session one week, becomes a manageable session the following week. Why? Our brains become conditioned to accept and manage the ‘discomfort’ – twinned with an improvement in our physical conditioning.

In the Runner’s World book ‘The Runner’s Brain’, Jeff Galloway (USA Olympic Runner) shares his three mental training methods that he has used for over 40yrs:

  1. Visualise the Race

    Rehearse the outcome over and over. Imagine what you will feel like at certain stages in the race. When you will have strategic nutrition breaks, when you will walk, etc. Visualise key milestones in the race (historic building, bridge, park), where your supporters will be waiting for you, the various terrain (hills), etc. Rehearse your race step-by-step.

  2. Use Magic Words (Mantras)

    Magic words distract you from the discomfort while connects you to your inner thoughts:

    • Relax – There is no pressure on me | I am relaxed | I am enjoying the endorphins | I feel comfortable
    • Power – I feel good about myself | I know what I’m doing | I can do this | I am going to nail this
    • Free – I feel light as a feather | I am floating through the crowds | I am running smoothly

  3. Use Dirty Tricks (Mind Games)

    These are quick fixes to get you from one point to the next. Imagine wrapping a giant invisible rubber band about the runner ahead of you, start cinching him/her in towards you so that you can feed off their momentum. Another trick is to create songs of the names on posters of those who are being supported – i.e. Angela | Pamela | Sandra | Rita… “Mambo No. 5” ?

There is no right or wrong mental strategy. What works for one person, may not necessarily work for another. The key take-out is that we should identify which mental strategy(ies) work for us and then practice them over and over again.

 

If you train your mind for running, everything else will be easy — Amby Burfoot

Injury Recovery Program

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Sports injury – we’ve all been there ?

Training for a key event, everything is going to plan… and then bang! Our hammy explodes… or our knee flares up… or plantar fasciitis rears its nasty head.

“I’ve hurt my [body], but I want to keep training. What can I do?”

As exercise professionals and athletes, we understand the pains and frustrations involved in incurring an injury while training for a big event. Which is why we are motivated and driven to support our clients in reaching the start line. We understand the cause of the injury (following advice from a medical professional) and then build an individual recovery program to support your rehab.

What is our Injury Recovery Program?

Our Injury Recovery Program is a 6-week program focused on restoring strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, endurance and power – to get you to the start line. It is achieved through various strength & conditioning exercises and drills. We work closely with you to identify and understand the cause of your injury (following the diagnosis from your physiotherapist/medical professional) and then build an individualised recovery program to get you strong and fully recovered so that you can continue training for your event.

“The aim of a recovery program is to regain pre-injury levels in all aspects of physical fitness.”

Who is this suitable for?

All athletes who are currently struggling with an injury or who are coming back from an injury. It is important that you have been diagnosed by a medical professional.

How is the program structured?

Each week (during the course of the 6-week period) you will have access to the following training:

  • 1 x 30min one-on-one personal training session with Exercise Physiologist (Coach Marcel Soares)
  • 1 x 60min individual training session in gym (to use at your convenience)
  • 1 x 60min group strength training session lead by Exercise Physiologist (Coach Marcel Soares)
What is the investment?

The 6-week investment is $420 – which includes a total of 18 x training sessions. (Total can be split into instalments – 2 x $215)

➡  Invest in your body – sign-up today!

’10km Self-Love’ Holistic Program

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Our ’10km Self-Love’ Holistic Program is exciting on every level. It includes all of our passions – meditation, yoga, running, strength, pampering, reading, relaxing, sunshine, beach and best of all… spending quality time with amazing like-minded individuals.

What is self-love?

Self-love is that feeling of unconditional love, gratitude, happiness and a regard for one’s well-being:

  • It’s taking care of ourselves so that we feel healthy and beautiful
  • It’s words of affirmation and positive self-talk
  • It’s treating ourselves to something that we’ve always wanted
  • It’s giving ourselves permission to do the things we enjoy
  • It’s surrounding ourselves with people who inspire and encourage us

The relationship with ourself sets the tone for every other relationship we have 

What is our ’10km Self-Love’ Holistic Program?

It’s a 10-week program where we practice well-being, happiness and gratitude. We surround ourselves with a community of like-minded people and then meet three times weekly to enjoy a nourishing yoga practice; balanced strength training and mindful running.  Our program culminates with our ‘Self-Love’ Retreat in the Gold Coast – which includes a weekend of feeling healthy, happy and nourished.

When are the sessions?

Our 10-week program starts on Sat 29 April 2017. You get to choose 3-weekly sessions that suit your availability:

Day Session Time Activity Location Coach
Monday 9:30 – 10:30 Balanced Strength Active Lifestyle, Collaroy Renata Malinauskas
Tuesday 06:00 – 07:00 Mindful Running Jamieson Park, Narrabeen Debbie Solms
18:30 – 19:30 Balanced Strength Active Lifestyle, Collaroy Renata Malinauskas
19:35 – 20:45 Nourishing Yoga Active Lifestyle, Collaroy Nicole Grace
Wednesday 09:30 – 10:30 Balanced Strength Active Lifestyle, Collaroy Renata Malinauskas
18:30 – 19:30 Balanced Strength Active Lifestyle, Collaroy Renata Malinauskas
Thursday 06:00 – 07:00 Mindful Running Long Reef, Collaroy Debbie Solms
09:30 – 10:45 Nourishing Yoga Active Lifestyle, Collaroy Nicole Grace
18:30 – 19:30 Balanced Strength Active Lifestyle, Collaroy Renata Malinauskas
Friday 06:00 – 07:00 Balanced Strength Active Lifestyle, Collaroy Regan Wilson
Saturday 08:00 – 09:00 Mindful Running Jamieson Park, Narrabeen Debbie Solms
08:00 – 09:00 Balanced Strength Active Lifestyle, Collaroy Regan Wilson
>> click here for additional Strength & Yoga options (from 15 May 2017)    
What is included?
  • Choice of 3 x weekly meet-ups
    • Nourishing yoga practice – to stretch our body and open our minds
    • Balanced strength training – to improve our mobility, flexibility, balance, strength and core
    • Mindful running – to slow our minds and improve our health
  • ‘Self-Love’ Retreat at the Gold Coast (30 Jun – 2 July 2017)
    • 10km fun run (it’s all about fun and participation – leave your watches behind)
    • Nourishing Yoga
    • Guided Meditation
    • Refreshing Herbal Teas
    • Swim, Sauna & Steam
    • Foot Salt Scrub
    • Relaxation (bring a good book!)
  • Weekend program logistics (full program on Fri 30 Jun – Sun 2 July 2017)
  • Motivational support
  • Access to private online forum
  • Membership of a supportive, like-minded community

I am mine, before I am ever anyone else’s 

What is excluded?
  • 10km race entry fee (Gold Coast 10km on Sat 1 July 2017)
  • Travel, accommodation* and meals – to/from Gold Coast
  • Additional pamper treatments (massage, manicure, pedicture, etc.)
  • Eating out – wholefood cafe’s (yummy!)
  • BEXI technical race singlet
What is Investment?

The 10-week investment is $450 (or instalments – 3 x $155/pm) — program starts on Sat 29 April 2017.

NB: It is recommended that you book your flights as soon as possible to secure a good price (currently $200 return, as of end-March).
*We are currently holding a few gorgeous apartments in Surfers Paradise.

Our Gold Coast Marathon | Half-Marathon programs will also culminate in our weekend retreat.

♥  Make happiness your priority – register today! ♥

Why we love Strength Training

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At the start of the year we introduced our new Strength-FIT program. It has become such a hit with our athletes, that we have added an extra session to the timetable. So why do we love strength training?

Yes, strength training will add definition to our muscles and shape our toned bodies (we like that!), but working out with functional strength and/or weights does so much more.

Strengthening muscles and joints improves flexibility, balance, mobility, core and day-to-day functional strength.

Here are our top 5 reasons for adding strength training to our regular training routine:

  1. Strength training protects bone health and muscle mass. After puberty we begin to lose about 1 percent of our bone density and muscle strength every year. (I’m 50yrs this year and have noticed the reduction in my strength!)
  2. Strength training helps develop better body mechanics – flexibility, balance, movement, posture.
  3. Strength training plays a role in disease prevention – arthritis, post-menopausal women, Type 2 Diabetes.
  4. Strength training boosts energy levels and improves our mood.
  5. Strength training helps maintain weight loss – our bodies continue to burn calories after training
  6. [BONUS] Strength training with a brilliant coach (thanks Marcel) makes all the difference!

Next time a coach or a friend recommends our BEXI strength training to improve your running, cycling, swimming, or just your day-to-day functional strength, jump on board. It’s not all about lifting weights, it can be as simple as squats, lunges, push-ups and sit-ups. Ask any of our BEXI athletes, they’ll share the love.