Finding my inner ninja

Well, I had a great time at the gym tonight, I have to give the guys at BPM a plug....if your in Wellington and want a great gym with really supportive and motivated trainers with a vast diversity of experience, physio, nutrition, personal training, health science this is the place to come. BPM is located on Taranaki Street, and mostly serves the Massey University Population and lots of teachers from Wellington High School, but it is also a public gym anyone can attend. I have never felt so supported in any other gym I have attended. And these guys are really active, they are always walking around checking people's progress, offering help. Also when mentioning some of my crazy training ideas and Massive Goals, they are in it with me 100% telling me know worries you will get there.

I am definitely getting stronger, and fitter, in fact a few gym members have started to ask what it is that I am doing, what motivates me, and have been watching my progress from afar, its nice that they are interested in what I am attempting. I am pretty determined during my workouts and a large woman running on a treadmill or cycling for an hour is bound to get a bit of attention and a few questions.

I was stoked today when in the changing room the girl that was on the treadmill next to me came up to me and said I looked really fit and that she had been looking at my treadmill settings during my workout and was surprised by the speed. That made me feel so great, and I have to confess, the running is really starting to feel better each time, I am definitely starting to find my "inner ninja".

I just have to run for the entire time....and eliminate the power walking sections of my treadmill workout. And that is just a matter of time, the lighter I get the easier it gets, and if I keep strengthening my knees with the biking and cross trainer then it won't be long before I can push through the pain barrier and run the whole 20-30 mins on the treadmill.
My long-term running goal is the Police Fitness Test of 2.4kms in 13 minutes 10 seconds.
And the ability to run a 10km distance without stopping.

I have so far signed up for 4 triathlons for 2011-2012. Two in November and Two in March. And just to make things even more challenging, the first one is the longest one. 4km Run 18km Bike Ride and 300 mtr swim.

The other three are all 300mtr swim, 10km bike, 3km run.

Feel free to join me on one of them if you want to come along for the ride.
1st one is in the Hutt.
2nd one is in Clive, Napier.
3rd and 4th ones are in Wellington.

So anyway....if you have not guessed it by now....

I have decided to have a crack at qualifying for entry into the NZ Police before my 40th birthday....I know...your all wondering if I have reached my mid-life crisis!

Nope - I just really miss working in a close-knit environment, never thought I would say it, but I actually miss that Military lifestyle. I don't want to be back in the Navy however, and I have always been interested in working for one of the emergency services and during my volunteer work with Victim Support I have come to find the Police to be a very interesting and exciting prospect for my next 1/2 of my working life.

Also I really think it is a better choice to find something active, instead of sedentary. I'm ready for a challenge, and the more weight I loose the more exciting I want my life to be. I'm just not ready to curl up and rock in my lazy boy for the rest of my life.

I think the most encouraging thing so far since announcing my interest in the NZ Police has been the overwhelming support of everyone, including friends and family and people that know me well. I was fully expecting some negative comments (based on my current weight) and lets face it I'm a little height deprived as well. But it appears that my passing Navy Training has instilled some faith in my friends in family, and based on my past achievements, and my current efforts, everyone is encouraging me to go for it, and that I would make a great Police Officer. The sheer will and support of everyone just might be enough energy to propel me over that 6ft wall when the moment arises.

I am so glad I went for that ride-along with Kurt and Lewis and spent some time chatting with Melanie.....Melanie really planted a seed that night (standing in the middle of the street, freezing cold on the night before the snow started) I said maybe I could find a civilian position, and she said "that won't be anywhere near as much fun" .....Thanks Mel...you got me thinking...and your right. I would also feel like a bit of a sell out if I didn't challenge myself and really give this a shot.

Finally to end today's blog....I rarely thank my parents for things, so on this occasion I want to say thanks for leading me into the direction of the Navy when I left school, for signing me up for an interview with the recruiter when I was in Wellington applying to be a student in Jazz School in 1990. I was so lucky I didn't get accepted into Jazz School, exceptionally lucky to start my working life in the Military.....this start helped me believe in myself and learn that I can push myself, the PTI's pushed me further than I ever managed I could go. I learnt that I can achieve challenging things, and this groundwork has been the basis of all of my success in life since. The Navy provided me with a strong mindset, and a great go hard or go home attitude. For that I will always be grateful. That mindset is really helping me push out that inner ninja at the gym.