mytrilife

2006 almost over....

After a turbulent year, 2006 is almost over. I spent most of the year trying to figure out just what the hell I wanted to do. I'm glad I decided to finish the year with the trip to Australia. Probably the best decision I made all year.

Since my post about starting my training season again, my life has revolved around getting back to a regular routine and improving my diet. Eat, work, train, sleep. Pretty simple stuff, but much needed after a month and a half of moving around and too much fast food.

I should explain "improving my diet". This has meant, no dairy, no sugar, no bread. It also means no booze... but there's too much good Aussie wine for that to happen. If you can get in Canada, you should also try Coopers Beer, great stuff from a commercial brewery, especially thier "Best Extra Stout". The new diet has done wonders for my energy levels, and hopefully my overall health. I still cheat now and then.... my addiction to bakery goods is strong!

There has been time for some entertainment.... I went to the new James Bond flick, Casino Royale. In my opinion, best bond movie ever! As well, there was a Christmas party/piss-up downtown with Heather's co-workers. A few too many pints that night, but all good fun, partying with the Aussies was great.

Before moving to Adelaide I posted to the Australian triathlon internet message board to get more information on the best place to live and train in Australia. I already had a good feeling I would end up in Adelaide, so I started communicating with Helen who runs the Tribe Triathlon Club. She gave me tips on where to live and train before moving. I met Helen, and her partner Scott at their small club triathlon in Woodside, a small town in the Adelaide Hills on Dec. 17. About a week later, Helen sent me an email asking me if Heather and I would like to house-sit thier place in Balhannah over the Christmas holidays. It sounded like a great chance to get out of the busy city into a quiet rural setting, so we said ok!

So, right now, I am writing this post from their house in Balhannah. It is approximately 25km outside Adelaide in a community that is retirees, livestock farmers, wineries, and orchards. It is gentle rolling hills covered with excellent bitumen roads for cycling and running. There is a pool about 6km down the road we can swim in as well. The first couple days out here were a bit dreary. For the first time since moving to Adelaide, we have had some cool, rainy weather. A welcome relief from incessant heat and sun, but we had hoped for nice weather to enjoy Christmas. Oh well..... I guess I could be fighting snow back home!

We've managed to get a few decent training sessions in the hills. The roads are even better than I imagined. The drivers, while fairly aggressive, seem to respect cyclists, I never feel in as much danger here as I do back home. I have heard horror stories about how the drivers treat cyclists in other parts of Australia, so I am pleasantly surprised. I suppose it has something to do with the sheer number of cyclists here.

Yesterday, a trip down to Brighton Beach for my first long ocean swim. The water is only about 19C, so we opted for wetsuits. The ocean here is sheltered by the Fleurieu Peninsula, so the wave action is pretty minimal. It is surprisingly clear, and quite salty, but lacks much sea-life near the beaches. I have yet to see anything in the water. That's not such a bad thing.... because if you have schools of fish.. you get sharks! The beaches are also patrolled by land and air (to spot any sharks) by the Surf Lifesavers.

Today (Dec. 29) we went out for a run in Belair National Park. We both felt a bit tired, so it turned into a hike. A very interesting place. It's a mix of typical Australian bushland, and a mish-mash of non-indigenous plants planted by various settlers in it's early development. Strange to see four California Redwoods in Australia.. that is for sure! We followed that with some good pizza and a pint from Grumpy's, the local craft-brew pub down the road.

On another note, I'm starting to adapt to the Australian way of life. I bought myself a pair of "boardies" (surf shorts), and a pair of "thongs" (flip-flops, no... not the underwear). I swear if Australia had a national shoe.. it would be the thong. I've also watched a bit of the Ashes Cricket series... the Australians have far outplayed the "Poms" (British) and won the series.

Not much planned for New Years Eve. We will probably move our gear back to the city from Balhannah, then probably go to bed early. Yeah, I know... booooring! I'd rather get up early on New Years day and ride down the coast while everyone is still sleeping off their hangover from the night before. I kinda wish I was in Sydney though, the fireworks display from the Harbour Bridge is one of the best in the world.

Ok, hope that is a good enough update for now! Sorry, no pics, I keep forgetting the camera. I promise to try and remember is from now on.

posted by Greg @ 12/28/2006