Tia Cherie Fitness

Hi all,


I've decided to create a fitness blog. It's an idea I've been thinking about for awhile now and makes sense given sport is my main interest at the moment. The time now feels right because I have many ideas for the blog which will include favourite products, my fitness goals, active wear fashion and updates on parts of my daily life. Both sport and fashion are my interests so I've been thinking about whether to post everything on the one blog or have them separate. I think separately will be a lot more organised and I appreciate my current audience may not be interested in some of the fitness content I'm going to post. But I want to do it because it reflects my life more accurately at the moment. It's interesting the common misconception that it's impossible to like both fashion and sport. People I meet for the first time are always so surprised I do sport especially swimming and that misconception is usually based on my clothes. It shouldn't be that way. 

My fitness blog is Tia Cherie Fitness located here. 

I'm still setting it up at the moment. I know it's not a very creative name but I couldn't think of anything cool or exciting. Plus Tia Cherie is my relatively established Internet name so it makes sense to stay with it. 

I'll still be updating my fashion blog here as per normal. 

Pearl Beach

Last weekend I went to the Central Coast for swimming State Short Course Championships. I've been there a couple of times this year for swimming and it's one of my favourite ever locations. It is so incredibly beautiful. I also like Pearl Beach specifically because it's so secluded at the bottom of a mountain. It's like being in another world and provides the opportunity to forget about real life for awhile sometimes. There was also enough time after the swimming to enjoy the area. We went for a bushwalk on the Sunday to the top of the mountain and witnessed an amazing outlook into Pearl Beach and Patonga. I've always loved the Central Coast. Since I already live in the north of Sydney, it's not that far away (the start of the Central Coast is only 40 minutes up the freeway). My Nana  lived on the Central Coast (but much further up) for most of my childhood so I've spent lots of time there previously and have many memories. I would very seriously consider moving out of Sydney and to the Central Coast one day. I'd definitely be willing to commute into Sydney City for work each day (as it couldn't be worse than the 1.5 hours each way I do currently within Sydney). Here are my pictures from the weekend (I'll provide an update on the swimming meet later). 





















Back up the coast for swimming tomorrow. 

Life Lately

Half Marathon
Two days ago I participated in my first ever half marathon at the Blackmores Sydney Running Festival. I'd been considering a half marathon for a couple of months now but the thought of running 21.1km is very overwhelming so left the decision until only a couple of weeks before. I couldn't get the idea of a half marathon out of my mind so I knew I wouldn't be satisfied until I tried it. My goal was to run the whole thing and not worry about a specific goal time. I achieved this and did run the entire distance- time in the end was 2:03.51. I'd definitely do another half marathon (not for awhile!) my goal next time would be to get under 2 hours. The reason this feels like a huge achievement is because running is a new sport for me. I've only done it seriously for a few months now, July was my first ever running event and prior to the City2Surf in August, I'd never run more than 10km. I don't have the background in running that I do in swimming. Also, I've never done any specific training for a running event or for this half marathon. I've relied on my swimming training and, as a result of having a good fitness level, I'm able to give long distance running a go. There's no way I could have done this without the swimming. 
I convinced the husband to participate in the Family Fun Run which is a 4km. He came in the top half without running any of it! He's also agreed to come to the next running event which is in two weeks time.

Back to London
My sister went back to London yesterday after being here for three weeks. We had the best time together but now I'm really feeling her absence. We tried not to make a big deal of her leaving as I knew we'd talk again the next day. The hardest part for me is knowing this is intended as permanent- - we won't live in the same country again, the most I can expect is a couple of weeks together every year. I get through it by keeping incredibly busy especially with sport. If I need to be somewhere and I'm constantly around other people, I can't possibly feel what I might otherwise. Keeping busy and taking it one day at a time is the only way I get through anything in life and it's taken me awhile to learn that. Here is a re-post of my favourite picture of our time together.

Swimming
Swimming is still taking up a lot of my time. I've taken a two day break after running the half marathon and I think that's actually the longest I've gone without swimming all year. More than enjoying swimming, it's the desire to improve which motivates me to continue. Daily exercise and early mornings have become a way of life now; it doesn't feel right when I'm not doing that. It was amazing to do some swimming with my sister while she was here; I'm surprised she wanted to swim so often. I took her to weekly racing at swim club and it reminded me of when we were kids. I tried some outdoor swimming last week to see if it was warm enough again- I had the whole pool to myself! 

Spring
I'm enjoying the spring weather; everything in life seems better and more manageable in this weather. It changed so quickly, almost overnight it became warm again. I keep reminding myself training can only get easier now, I truly have no idea how I showed up to the pool at 5.30am each Monday throughout winter, for example. It'll be so enjoyable in coming months when it's hot at those early hours of the day. I took this picture at lunch time on a work day. I rarely see the city other than while in the area for work. 

Smoothies
About a month ago I incorporated fruit smoothies into my diet. For as long as I can remember, I've had the worst possible diet, it'would be embarrassing to even mentioned it! In fact it wasn't until I discussed it out loud that I felt motivated to make some changes. I haven't changed completely but this is one daily improvement I've made. I previously didn't eat fruit at all and one of these contains berries and a banana. The other benefit is it takes about 5 minutes to make. I often have them for dinner after training. I previously would have ordered takeaway because of being too tired to do anything else. The husband will drink one if I make them so that's a bonus too. 

What have you been up to recently? 

Life Lately

It's been a week since my sister arrived and I've had the best time. I literally cannot comprehend how the time has gone so fast. My annual leave is over in just two days and what I'd do for just a few more days away from work. It's so hard knowing this time isn't forever and she will be returning to London in less than two weeks. Here are a few activities we've been up to!

The Bay Run
This is a popular 7km pathway/running track/cycle course along the waterside of the inner western suburbs of Sydney. I have surprisingly never run the course before, mainly because it's quite far away from where I live. However, it's something I've always wanted to do. There's a fun run held there annually, but this year it was unfortunately on the same day as a masters swimming carnival so I couldn't attend. Running here is so much nicer than elsewhere else and the course is overall relatively flat. I ran a total of 12km- almost two laps of the course (decided to walk the last 2km of the second lap to take in more of the scenery and enjoy the experience). I really want to come back.  

Bike Riding
I haven't been out on the bikes for months now so it was lots of fun to go for a ride around the streets. By the end of it, sister had decided bike riding wasn't for her! I'm always surprised how hard bike riding is on the legs. If it was easier I'd probably consider signing up for a triathlon some day. 

Parkrun
As a regular at the Parkrun, it was so nice to finally be able to take my sister to her first one- we'd been looking forward to this event for ages! She really enjoyed the experience. The weather was incredibly windy and the track was very wet so not the best conditions; I unfortunately just missed my goal time. I feel so annoyed at myself whenever my 5km time exceeds 25 minutes these days. How times have changed given my first ever Parkrun last year took me over 30 minutes to complete.  

City
We've been into the big city a couple of times now- once for drinks at the Opera Bar and Shangri La, and the other for Barangaroo on Father's Day. I love the first picture- she hates hugs, especially from me. 

Shopping and Movies
We've done so much shopping and seen three movies so far. I love seeing movies on weekdays since the cinema is so empty. I often make a point of doing this when I have a day off from work, and generally avoid movies at all other times. We've seen Absolutely Fabulous, David Brent: Life on the Road and Bad Moms. 

Fitness Goals Update- June

It's almost the end of July and I haven't even posted my swimming and running stats for June. 139km combined total for swimming and running which is the most I've ever done in a month. I really wanted to reach 60km for swimming rather than the usual 55km. I'm also enjoying running a lot lately because I don't get nervous or feel pressure competing the way I do with swimming. The training has been hard given the winter weather but I told myself I wouldn't miss a training session because of rain or cold. That makes it even more satisfying. It's paying off because I'm improving my personal best times. 


Here are my swimming stats for June:

and for running:

In terms of my goal to achieve the Million Metre award with Masters Swimming Australia, I'm now 37% of the way there (as at today, not sure end of June). 

Here's what else happened for the month:
-achieved a new personal best time at the Parkrun of 25 minutes and 2 seconds for 5km. I'm slightly disappointed to miss sub 25 minutes but can't complain given that my goal for this year was under 27. I know I'll get there.
-attended all four Parkruns for the month. 
-participated in another 4 swim club nights, very close to 25 consecutive weeks award. 
-continued working towards the million metres award with Masters Swimming Australia. I've completed almost 37% of the total distance required so far.
-kept up with the routine of training 10 times a week (5 swimming training, 1 racing swimming, 1 bootcamp, 3 runs)
-continued working on te Endurance Program with Masters Swimming Australia which involvces 62 long distance swims over the course of the year. By the end of June I'd completed 21/62. This is a tough program as the swims range from 400m to a continuous hour. 
-participated in a swim meet with Masters Swimming NSW with all personal best times- 100m breastroke 1.36.56, 50m backstroke 39.81 and 200m freestyle 2.48.06. 

What did you achieve last month? 

Fitness Goals Update- May

Wow, what a busy month it was in May! 130km combined total for swimming and running which is the most I've ever done in a month. It was huge progress being able to run 75km for the month without getting injured, finally I'm getting past my long term ankle problems. There is no better feeling than achieving a personal  best and I love that there is almost no limit on the goals which can be set and attained. Some of the training is becoming harder given it's now winter (especially the 6am runs and 5.30am swims) but it's lucky we're having a milder season than usual. 

Here are my swimming stats for May: 

...and for running:

In terms of my goal to achieve the Million Metre award with Masters Swimming Australia, I'm now 27% of the way there. It's taking an incredibly long time but will be completely worth it once complete. 

Here's what else happened for the month:
-achieved a new personal best time at the Parkrun of 25 minutes and 44 seconds for 5km. I am so incredibly happy and surprised. My goal for this year was under 27, so under 26 was never even a consideration. Running has never been serious for me, just something I've done from time to time when having fitness from another sport...but now I am very motivated and interested to see where this could lead. I'm wondering if I can crack the 25 minute barrier by the end of the year. 
-attended two Parkruns this month and volunteered for the first time. I would have liked to go to all four for May but couldn't because of conflicting commitments with swimming. I'm enjoying the Parkrun more than ever right now.
-participated in another 4 swim club nights so getting closer to the 25 consecutive weeks award.
-continued working towards the million metres award with Masters Swimming Australia. I've completed almost 27% of the total distance required so far. 
-kept up with the routine of training 10 times a week (5 swimming training, 1 racing swimming, 1 bootcamp, 3 runs).
-continued working on the Endurance Program with Masters Swimming Australia which involves 62 long distance swims over the course of the year. By the end of May I'd completed 16/62. This is a tough program- especially the 400m fly, 800 individual medley and the 800 fly (haven't even attempted that one yet). 
-participated in two swim meets with Masters Swimming NSW- many personal best times.

The highlight of the month was our club presentation for the summer season where I won two trophies. Not bad for my first half season in the club- so happy!!

What have you achieved in May?

Pearl Beach: Central Coast

Hi all. Just a quick post to show you these beautiful pictures from my weekend away at Pearl Beach on the Central Coast. Although I’ve been to the Central Coast many times before, this was my first time specifically at Pearl Beach. I love this place and it’s not too far from Sydney. It’s very peaceful and pretty; in its own secluded area which felt like a temporary escape from reality. The purpose of the weekend was to participate in a swimming meet but we made a whole weekend of it. I had the best time ever. 

Fitness Goals Update- April

When I look back on my fitness goals post which I wrote at the start of the year (here) they all seem so basic. It's only May and I've achieved all but one goal; I didn't know what to expect at the beginning of the year so I set my goals relatively low. I never thought I'd be where I am now but there is still so much I want to achieve. I like that sports are all about personal bests. There is no better feeling than achieving a new best time and I love that there is almost no limit on the goals which can be set and attained. I also like how sport makes me a stronger person; the 5.30am starts, the cold weather, pushing through difficult sections of training, it all makes for a better person overall. 

114km combined total for swimming and running this month and just over 30 hours spent at sport. I'm very happy with that. This is the most running I've been able to do for a number of months after injury. I'm still struggling a little with plantar fasciitis which is frustrating but able to run through it within guidelines. 

Here are my swimming stats for April: 

...and for running:

As I've mentioned a few times, one of my goals is to achieve the Million Metre award with Masters Swimming Australia. I do A LOT of swimming and even that is only enough to reach about 5% of the total distance per month. However, as I'm now over the 200km mark it feels as though I'm finally getting somewhere. It will be so worth it once I get there.

Here's what else happened for the month:

-attended three Saturday morning Parkruns. This is significant because I'd only been to one this year and had three months off due to injury. 
-achieved a new personal best time at the Parkrun of 26 minutes and 36 seconds. I am so happy because it is my first time under 27 minutes for the 5km. I didn't think I'd reach this goal for a few more months so I can't believe it. 
-participated in another 4 swim club nights (seventeen in a row now. I'm aiming for the 25 consecutive weeks award).
-continued working towards the million metres award with Masters Swimming Australia. I've completed almost 21% of the total distance required so far. 
-bought a Fitbit and having so much fun with it!
-added extra training into my routine with my swimming friends 
-decided to attempt the Endurance Program with Masters Swimming Australia. This involves 62 long distance swims before the end of the year and so far I've completed 8. I've done the 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle, 400m backstroke, 400m breastroke, 800m breastroke, 400m fly, 400m individual medley and 800m individual medley so far.  
-participated in the Masters Swimming NSW State Long Course Championships at Sydney Olympic Park.I won gold medals in the 50m breastroke, 50m backstroke and 200m breastroke, as well as silver medals in the 50m butterfly and 200m backstroke.

What have you achieved in April?