Twisted Sisters V's Wild.

I've been a very bad blogger of late and now have to do several posts to keep you all up to date with the  Twisted Sisters and my stitching.

The Twisted Sisters and The Chubby Hubbies continue to train as a team but illnesses at times over the last 6 weeks have interrupted all our training schedules. Susi no Bum, Moi and the Chubby Hubbies have all succumbed to the usual seasonal coughs, colds and tummy bugs. Babette continues to deal with a hip injury and is now on strict rest with Bell's Palsy. Poor Tracy ( aka Miss Prissy ) has been really sick with two serious infections and has had a cancer scare. Luckily she has been given the all clear but still remains quite unwell.

However we have continued our training as best we can . Susi no Bum makes us report for duty the minute we show any signs of life. We are all enjoying our Sunday morning breakfast runs. An early 0600 start, 30 to 40 km. trail run  followed by a team breakfast at Susi's or Tracy's farms. Breakfast is not healthy despite Susi's best efforts. So while Susi eats her carrot and celery sticks the rest of us tuck into jam, scones and lashings of thick cream !

Two weeks ago our Sunday morning breakfast run was through the Warren Conservation Park.
The Plan : a 30 km. circuit through the rugged bushland to Williamstown for coffee and home in time for breakfast.
All went well for the first 5km. Chubby Hubby Mike had his Garman with him so we had no need to be concerned .....
And so we allowed him to lead us into the depths of the Mt. Crawford pine forest totally dependent on his GPS which he assured us he could use.
Now Mike quite fancies himself as Bear Grylls , but I'm thinking Bear would not get  The Twisted Sisters so badly lost.

 Things going pear shaped at 5km. when Daryl, Mike and Tracy abandon the GPS.

 The bushland became increasingly dense which is amazing because all this area was burnt out 2 years ago in a bush fire.

The terrain just got steeper and steeper.

Daryl with Mike behind trying to work out where we are.

 Susi no Bum tripped and fell on a rock. Once we established she had a pulse we quickly took a photo to prove she is human. We were all secretly hoping she had broken a leg so we could cut short the torture she had planned for us.

 This waterway was not meant to be here.

 

 This hill was so steep we had to pull ourselves up using a chain. This was in real snake territory but Tracy made me feel sooo much better telling me the snakes were all home giving their children morning tea.

 And steeper.

 Another Where the Hell are We meeting !!

 This water was not on the map we were following and somehow we had to get over it.

 Only the Twisted Sisters would get this lost.

 Susi stuck on a log with no way to go.

These fungi were everywhere and they started to look tasty when we got hungry.

We never found our coffee shop, we got home in time for a late lunch courtesy of Tracy's husband who came out in his truck to finds us.

Happy trails,

Cheers Karen.

Running with Prostates.

Since I started my Blog last year I have received many emails from ladies asking how to join and run with a running team when you are no longer a " Spring Chicken ".

These girls all want to start running to get fit, loose weight and experience some of the adventures I write about. But most are intimidated by the thought of running with experienced and very fit athletes,

It has been my experience that the running fraternity encourages folk of all ages and fitness levels to join in. If you are not up to running then power walkers are also welcome. Most organised events have a walking category. People of all ages and abilities participate and those runners who are extremely fit and fast always encourage those of us who are somewhat slower. When I am out on a group run or even in an event I will always make a point of spending some time encouraging a newbie..

When I first started running with the South Australian Road Runners I had been in training for about a year with a personal trainer  and had progressed from not being able to run at all, to running 10 to 15 km. comfortably. At organised group runs everyone organises themselves into small groups based on distance and whether you are a walker, jogger or runner.

I always join in with the long distance jogging group and there are many mature aged men and ladies in this group, although mostly men.

The older men are great to run with especially if you want to improve your time and distance.

If they are still running in their 60's or 70's then they are usually ex marathoners and have a lot of running knowledge which they are happy to share. Many of them will still be running the marathon.

But I am not a nurse for nothing, and so when I see an older male runner I think PROSTATE.

So here's the secret girls; these boys tend to run the longer distances, But happily for me require frequent toilet stops. So, whilst they are all in the Loo I get the chance to catch up with them, catch my breath and  run a long distance with frequent stops.

 Two Chubby Hubby's looking for a toilet stop.

But wait, there's more

- when you run with men in their 70's and you are in your 40's or 50's then you are still a youngish chick in their eyes which is great for your ego.

- older men are too polite to beat you.

- they don't upset you hormones by running without a shirt and displaying god dammed gorgeous 6 packs, pecs and biceps.

- they don't do Snot Rockets on the pavements like many of the younger male runners do.

If you really want to run with girls then choose fellow Wobblies as it's easier to concentrate when you feel better about yourself. 

 Three chubby prostates in a row.

 And three little maids are we.

But whatever you do, DO NOT RUN WITH MAMIL'S   (  middle aged men in Lycra  )

So not a good look and you really don't want to be seen with them. Plus you never know whose watching.

And so ladies, what ever your age, pluck up the courage and run. It's fun.

I didn't run my first marathon until I was 52. And yes, they time me with a calendar instead of the clock, but I still do it.

Of course you can always do what a group of my friends and I have done. We formed our own running team and often compete as a team.

 Our running team, The Twisted Sisters.

Thankyou for visiting my blog

Enjoy life and laugh at yourself

Karen.

The Bold and the Beautiful does Deep Creek.

 Yes dear Reader, a scene of absolute tragedy akin to an episode of an American Soapie unfolded on our monthly trail run to Deep Creek Conservation Park; and starring none other than the Chubby Hubby and 3 beautiful ladies Gay, Julie and Moi.




Soft Bold and Beautiful music playing here if you please.

Deep Creek is located about 100 km. south west of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The trails in this area are very isolated and remote, physically demanding and often unmarked.
40 intrepid trail runners loaded into buses and cars at 6am. to begin the 2 hour drive to the start. 

We all formed small running groups for safety and set off for distances between 11 to 19 km's. Our group covered 17 1/2 km's but no matter what distance was covered most agreed it was the toughest trail run they had ever done.

 

So when did the Soap Opera begin you ask ?
Well, the Chubby Hubby started this event as he always does, a slow lumbering and grumbly pace.
" you're going too fast " he moans !!!

The next 10 -20 km. " Isn't it great me being out here supporting you. "

The business end of the run is always " What the  f#@k  am I doing out here ? "

All was going well as we descended down the long and rocky trail into Deep Creek Cove. The scenery was amazing and Kangaroo Island was almost close enough to touch.

  

Last week when race organiser Terry did a recky, Deep Creek was almost dry. But overnight rains turned it into this.

 

And it was here that the trail run all but became a swimming event. We all had a blast playing in the water as we crossed it. But what goes down must go up and Deep Creek doesn't get it's name for nothing.

 

 The water in this creek came up to my waist as I crossed it.

 Julie crossing the rocks.

 The climb out was amazing and if you enlarge the above photo you will see one of our runners going up the cliffs. A very steep ascent on all fours, climbing rocks and ledges and no marked trail.

 Girls just wanna have fun !!

Luckily the other Twisted Sisters weren't with us today so we didn't get lost !!

Chubby Hubby wanted me to take a photo here ! Well with what hand ?? I was clinging on for dear life and the only view I could see was Gay's bottom who was in front of me.

I don't much like heights but I must admit that this climb was brilliant. However it was about here that Chubby Hubby had his first Tanti ! During the final ascent to Tapanappa lookout he lost his breathing rhythm.

Tragic brow wipe here !

" I can't breathe. "

Moi, " Well never mind, oxygen is over rated "

Soap opera glare here - - - - 

It was about this time we got the man dying in the desert routine from him.

Now if Susi no Bum had been here we would surely have left him to die.

But Gay and Julie were completely sucked in. BIG TIME.

" Just leave me, save yourselves and let me die. " he murmurs.
Gently Julie and Gay help him onto a fence post, concern in their eyes. Meanwhile I'm looking around for a pillow to stuff over his head. I can't stand a noisy death scene.

In the ultimate act of trail runner sacrifice Gay gives him her last jelly bean !   " Just try Daryl, it's only 800 metres to go and no more hills " she lies.
He allows her to put the jelly bean between his parched lips.


Tragic Soap Opera look here - - - 

Moi, the woman of his dreams, leans forward and gently cups his face between her hands. I lean forward and whisper into his ear,

" TOUGHEN UP CUP CAKE AND MOVE IT "

Now the last 2 km. I must admit were not particularly nice.
Seriously, who would put these stairs in here.

879 metres of stairs to get up and out. UGH !!!

Julie, Gay and I decided we sounded like female tennis players when pulling ourselves up these.

Meanwhile back in the Soap Opera, the death scene continued.

We found this waterfall and had a great time cooling off in it.

We all crossed the finish line and the Chubby Hubby like Lazarus rose from the dead and broke the minute mile getting to the door of the Yankalilla bakery.

Thanks for dropping by,

Cheers Karen.

A Runner does not a Stitcher make.

O

 
Okay, so I might be able to traverse high mountains and deep gullies on a muddy trail, wrestle with 3 metre Brown Snakes, out run a big Red Kangaroo, and run lunatic trails with Susi No Bum and the Twisted Sisters in all weathers. But I cannot, I repeat cannot stitch and sew a bloody handbag from Amy Butler's latest book, " Style Stitches ".

The bag in question " Miss Maven Ruffled Handbag " looked easy enough, but what I failed to see in the directions was " for experienced stitchers only " and " idiots should not attempt ".

All went well until I got to the handles and then things went seriously pear shaped. I stitched and unpicked, stitched and unpicked, profanities were profuse and said bag was sent into orbit across the stitching room. When all else fails, blame Madame Bernina and she was threatened with this ------
 

Miss Frilly Bloody Impossible Bag was at risk of being used for Target Practice !!!!
 

When things go wrong just aim and FIRE.

This is how I dream of sewing, serene and relaxed and it's  so never going to happen.

Just when Amy Butler and her book were receiving the venom of my spleen along came DF Leanne from The Stitching Room.

 

Leanne to the rescue.

With Leeanne's help this was the final result. Ta dah . A bag which can be used and whose life was saved by an experienced stitcher.

 

Of course I am still stitching up a storm with my hand sewing as part of the Crazy January Challenge.

Another finish " Ira Ray Crow " from The Goode Huswife.

 

A freebie from an unknown source.

 

 My Sister's completed Pink Basket.

Next project for the Crazy January challenge to be stitched.

I also love this book by the Blackbird Design Girls and have chosen to do the Hexagon pin board as another project for the January challenge.

The Hexagon pin up board in progress.

 

A Lizzie Kate finish, block 2 of the Green Flip it Series.

Thanks for stopping by,
Cheers Karen.

Mutual Community Challenge.

Adelaide in January buzzes with the excitement of The Tour Down Under.

Our event is now well recognised on the world pro cycling calendar and we attract all the world's top cycling teams here to compete.

American Bike Racing Champion Lance Armstrong, has always been very supportive of out event and this year chose The Tour Down Under as his farewell professional race.

Our city literally explodes with Lycra : the good, the bad and the ugly. I do believe there is strong evidence for some Lycra Police during January.

It's impossible to avoid all the excitement this event creates and most of South Australia gets involved.

Several community rides/events take place in conjunction with the TDU, and this year Chubby Hubby, Moi and DF John cycled in the Mutual Community Challenge Tour.

 Chubby Hubby and John waiting to start the race.

 Chubby Hubby and Moi at the start line.

 This race takes place on stage 4 of the TDU and you do the same circuit as the professional riders do and get to go through the same finishing line. It was such a buzz.

 The professionals start the same route 6 hours later and so you have to pedal hard to be finished in time for them.

Everyone waiting to start.

 The race was 135 km. from Norwood to Strathalbyn and there were 4 distances to choose from. The ride took us through the beautiful country roads of the Adelaide Hills and much of it was uphill.
Whilst cycling uphill was tough, I feared for my bloody life going down the big hills.
It's well documented on my blog about my " Klutziness " on a bike and so me cycling downhill at 40 to 50 km. per hour was almost suicidal.

 I am happy to tell that I successfully completed the ride with John and the Chubby Hubby, did not fall off and still had clean underwear !!

 Nearly 8000 riders took part and many people lined all the roads to cheer us on. It was also good to be able to cycle past folk who were having to push their bikes up some of the hills. Some of the hills were killers and it would have been much easier to run up them.
But as Dear Friend Susi No Bum would say, " Fake it till you make it. "

 John, Moi and Daryl after we finished.

 The finish line.

 Moi.

Chubby Hubby Daryl.

Thanks for dropping by,

Cheers Karen.