Matchman's Group - FULL! (Page 4)

Well, you turn your back for a minute and look what happens!....This will take me hours to catch up, that'll teach me for not paying attention.

The weather is pretty good here at the moment - mid 20's (that's celcius) consistently so it's perfect for outdoor activity.  We're just rolling off the back of our summer and heading into the colder months but even so, it doesn't snow here or get cold enough to.  We are also in a drought at the moment so it doesn't even bloody rain!

I'll swap ya, sunshine for rain....

What type of bike(s) do you ride? Cheap MTB I got as a present from my sister one Christmas many moons ago, so as you can imagine she's no speed machine.

What's your longest bike ride? 12 km a few weeks ago

What's your longest run? 6 km a few weeks ago

mmm....now does that make anybody feel better about themselves?

Name: Aaron Harnden

City, State: Australia, Victoria, Bacchus Marsh (country town on the outskirts of Melbourne, pop. 15000)

Why Triathlons?: I was fortunate that a good friend of mine had the same new years resolution - to get fit.  He suggested we that we should do something when we reached our goal.  A former work mate of mine was into triathlons so I suggested it.  I nearly had a coronary arrest when I discovered how long an OLY tri is - but I'm sticking with it.  Now that I'm training with the triathlon in mind it's motivated me 10 fold.  I really enjoy the fact I have to work on swimming, running, and cycling and doubt I'll get bored with it anytime soon.  I also like the fact that the skies the limit, when I do the OLY tri at the end of the year, I might aim for a HIM the year after or god forbid an IM the year after that..but let's not get ahead of ourselves 

Favorite Workout: Swimming - except for when the pool is packed then it quickly becomes my worst. I'm also liking the new strength program I've been doing and the changes it's making.

Favorite Healthy Meal: mmm...Healthy meals are a new thing to me...I love a good fruit salad, is that a meal?

It didn't take me that long to catch up after all.  Happy training crew, I've got a cold or something and need to have a few days rest.

Cheers,

Aaron.

Cheers mate, I hope the old girls got 40km's in her....it might be touch and go....lol.  A work mate offered me the use of his old racer until I get some "more appropriate" wheels, so I might take him up on the offer. 

Do you think I'll need to get some bicycle shorts or will I get away with them?

I'll go for a decent ride first thing Saturday morning...I'll need to do it first thing, it's forecast to be over 38deg over the weekend (that's 100deg F for you american folk) so the sun will fry me like a prawn cracker.

I'm heading down to watch one of the rounds of the state triathlon series on Sunday.  I want to see what it's like at the starts and hang around the transition area and maybe pick up a few tricks from some of the competitors.

Have a good week training guys and gals, go out and kick your own ******!

Cheers,

Aaron.

My 12 year old nephew told me this joke while I was helping him with his maths last week, I happened to be taking a sip of my drink at the time and some nearly came back out of my nose - I apologise in advance.

Did you hear the some mathematicians found a way to solve the problem of constipation?

They worked it out with a pencil.

I did a fitness test on one of the exercise bikes at the gym today and it said I had a maximum aerobic capacity of 12.4 METS.  Has anybody done a test like this before?  I really like to find a chart that shows average, poor, good ranges for certain age groups.  If anybody finds one while surfing away could you send me a link?

Thanks,

Aaron.

Matchman himself has hardly heard from Matchman.  Sorry, kids.  Its been a cRaZy couple of weeks.  I've been either working or in rehearsals for the world premiere of an opera setting of Grapes of Wrath.  Its been really fun and rewarding but my workouts have definitely been suffering.  Since we opened on Saturday, things are a little better and work has slowed a bit.
Looks like all of you are doing a great job and keeping at your workouts.  Love the question and answer thread we've got going.  You've all probably seen my "why tri" so here's some of the rest plus a couple of new ones:

Bike: '05 Quintana Roo Kilo.  I've not even come close to being worthy of my steed but I'm workin' on it.  What I find crazy is that this is an "entry level" tri bike and still cost me $1300.

Longest Bike: 45 miles give or take?

Favorite workout: A nice long run on an overcast/misty day with temps about 50F.  Warm enough for shorts but cool enough for a long sleeve tee and a stocking cap for my bald head.

Longest Run: 14 miles

Longest Swim: I think I did 3300 yards in a workout last summer.  Felt mighty good even though I don't like the pool much.

Favorite Healthy meal: Ahi tuna, just barely seared on the outside and a whole pile of steamed broccoli, maybe a sweet potato for a little carb action. 

Favorite pre-race/big workout meal: Steel Cut Oatmeal (aka Irish Oatmeal) with a little butter and brown sugar and a big cup of coffee.  Real Oatmeal is literally one of the best pre-race meals ever.  

As for the weather here in Minneapolis, its sucked for the past two weeks.  We're talking wicked cold weather.  The weekend before last we didn't get above 0F for DAYS.  Fortunately, I'll be outside biking and running in about a month if the weather gods cooperate.  

Now to Ms. Danielle, go to Italy and enjoy yourself.  You won't lose any fitness or gain any weight. Even if you did, who cares?!?!  Its a freakin' week in Italy!

Finally, I believe Stephen's marathon is this Sunday, the 18th.  Best of luck to you!  That makes two of us racing on Sunday.  What are the rest of you going to do to keep up?  

Cheers, all!

Tom