Saturday, August 28, 2010

There's No Better Place to Be...

I had the fortunate experience while living overseas to see some beautiful beaches. Particularly in Malaysia and Thailand. But as I am back home and enjoying day to day living, it is clear to me that Australia still has the best (and cleanest) beaches in the world.

Today, I went out on a 45km bike ride through the Jervis Bay National Park with my friends Jay and Mackerz, a very hard ride which involved a lot of time just churning the pedals, trying to stop the dark thoughts from entering the head, trying to stop the pain from making me want to stop.

It was my first real "ride" for over 12 months, since the horse incident, and I was so relieved to make it to the end of the 45kms feeling reasonably strong and fit. My back didn't hurt too much, and my legs felt that they had some of their old capacity back in them. Of course, I am carrying around 7 kgs more than what I was back prior to the accident, and I could feel it as I rode today, but the lung capacity felt reasonable, and my stamina remained strong despite the challenges to medium inclines.

Given Jay had just finished competing in a half marathon, I was only seven minutes behind him and three or so minutes behind Mackerz on the first 24km "sprint" to the end of the National Park.

At the end of the ride on the way back, I was ten minutes behind him and two mins behind Mackerz.

So, for a kid on a comeback, that ain't all that bad.

And what a way to see some of the best beaches in Australia.



Irongirls. Made of tough stuff.



Jay wishing he was still living back in the UK (NOT!)



Jay and Mackerz.


Makerz and I.



Gorgeous Murrays Beach


Murrays Beach again...



These Jervis Bay beaches have some of the whitest sand in the world.



....and its only 2 hours from my home....

I Heart Australia...for the first time in a long time.

.

2 comments:

  1. Hey Kate,
    You are so right about australian beaches, specially Jervis Bay. Kylie, koko and I now live down at JB, it's magic.... total bliss :).
    Good on you for tackling getting on your bike again and enjoying the challenge!
    Michelle

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  2. We may have to pitch our tent there after the triathlon, I think I could be convinced to stay forever.Ma x x x

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