Lead Articles

We are Australia we have a (female) bobsled team!

Dianna Henry — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

If you describe yourself as an ambitious, fit athlete with a hunger to win, you could be our woman! The Australian Women’s Bobsleigh team is currently looking for new recruits! After competing at the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics, team Pilot Astrid Loch-Wilkinson needs new recruits as brakewomen, to compete in Europe and North America, towards the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.

Astrid will be hosting a series of ‘open days’ to recruit for the vital role of ‘breakwoman’ to help push the team to Olympic glory. The brakewomen plays a major role in the initial push of the bobsleigh, reaching speeds of 40km/h before jumping onboard the sleigh. The success of the run depends on the success of the push and seconds gained at the top can equate to podium finishes at the bottom.

Exercise can sometimes be depressing, especially when you hit your thirties!

Dianna Henry — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

I know that doesn't seem like a very motivating or inspiring statement, but unfortunately it is true. Just as life isn't always rainbows and lollipops, neither is exercise. People are always claiming that 'oh exercise releases endorphins and makes me feel great' which is true, but sometimes the psychological barriers can trump the feel good hormones.

This is where I am at with exercise at the moment. I have spent the last year or so in an attempt to regain my past fitness levels. Things keep getting in the way (shin splints, an operation, engagement, life...) and it is really annoying. I know it is up to me and that I can't really blame these things.

In the past few weeks, I've been attending Booty Camp (like boot camp, but for women only and no whistles). The good thing about it, is that it is helping me to re-establish a routine and that it is forcing me to exercise and strengthen my whole body (instead of just my legs like when I run or ride).

The bad thing about it is that the day after each session, the DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) in every little muscle that isn't used to being used reminds me of how unfit I am compared to in the past. And my current physical inability to do certain things (like push-ups) at the number of repetitions I used to is also very depressing.

Active Woman Profile - Wendy Clarke

Dianna Henry — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

(That's Wendy in the middle with the drink bottle after completing her first triathlon!)

Name: Wendy Clarke

Age: 46

Suburb: Moorooka

Occupation: Systems Administrator

Current exercise goals: Get fit enough to complete Gold Coast Half Marathon

Current activities: Running, walking, yoga and the odd bike ride

Club/Coach: Nil

Upcoming events: Gold Coast Half Marathon, Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run

What you enjoy most about your favourite way to work out: the “happy, calm” feeling I have when I’m finished! The improved relationship I have with my body - being able to notice the difference in my flexibility and strength.

What financial costs are involved in your favourite way to work out? Yoga - $60 for 6 sessions, $25 yoga mat. Running – shoes $200 – being outside – free!

Have you always participated in an active lifestyle? If no, at what age did you start? No. At 45 I started getting involved in corporate events – rowing and triathlon (although I went through a gym/weights fad in my late twenties)

In October 2009, for reasons unknown to anyone, nine of us workmates decided getting up at 4am to row a boat, something none of us had done before, twice a week for six weeks was a good idea! There is only a six week training schedule leading up to the Corporate Challenge Regatta day! We surpassed all expectations including our own, on Regatta day ending up with a win and two second places!

Then in Feburary 2010 , 3 of us signed on for the Nissan/BRW Corporate Triatlon – 400m swim , 10km bike ride and a 4km run! When we signed up I could not run 500m (I kid you not!) and I had never ridden a road bike! Just the training was a huge challenge, but crossing over the finishing line on the day was just amazing (exhausting – but amazing!) and now I am regularly running 10.5km as I train toward the Gold Coast Half Marathon.

What would a regular training week be like? At the moment – Monday nights are yoga nights and 3-4 running sessions.

What are your sporting goals over the next year? I have to say I am a bit focused on the upcoming events and have not really thought about what comes next!

Proudest personal sporting moment? Completing corporate mini-tri

What sporting activity have you not tried before but would like to? Rock climbing, mountaineering

What motivates you to stay active? The next event! And the feeling of wellness I have by staying active.

Who are you inspired by? People around me who do amazing things – Kim – constantly challenging herself with new ways to be active, Michael – who continues to do amaze me with the events that he does – Noosa triathlon! Real everyday people who work, have lives and somehow find the time and energy to be active and to excel!

Favourite inspirational saying/quote? I dare you (read me) to be better!

52 Week Challenge - Week 4 - Bondi to Bronte Walk

Dianna Henry — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

I love living in Brisbane. I really do. But there is one thing about Sydney that I just adore - its proximity to the beach.

And now there is another thing - the Bondi to Bronte walk.

This would have to be one of the most scenic vistas for working out. And it is free!! It isn't a secret, thousands of people plod the walkway every day. Some extra keen people run along it. From Bondi to Bronte return is 8km. Just past the Bronte Surf Club, but just before Clovelly, there is an amazing cemetery on the hill. I really like cemeteries and so we walked through this as well which adds an extra kilometre or so.

The walkway meanders along the coast line and passes through Mackenzies Bay and Tamarama Bay. Sometimes you're right on the edge of the cliffs.

There are a few flights of stairs - so the super eager can really push themselves by running up and down these.

But on the day I did it, it was more about having a good gossip and 'earning' brunch than training!

There are a number of ocean pools along the way, but it was far too cold for me. A few keen people were swimming though.

If you live in Sydney and haven't done this walk you are crazy. I literally dream about it now!

If you live elsewhere in Australia, add this to your 'to do' list now!

52 weeks of challenges

Testing out 5 ways to keep active in the great outdoors – by Magda Biniaszewski

Dianna Henry — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

I get bored easily but I like to keep my body moving regularly especially now that winter has raised its ugly head. Like many women, I make the occasional appearance in the gym but getting myself into the gym mode takes time and lots of effort. Plus there’s the stuffy air, unflattering lycra outfits and all those vain men flexing what they think are muscles in front of the mirror.

So one day last year when a friend suggested spending a Sunday afternoon learning to sail on Sydney harbour for a bargain price, I jumped at the chance. The sailing lesson was organised by Club 02.

Club 02’s philosophy to exercise matches my own. The club offers its members an opportunity to try a large variety of outdoor activities at discounted rates. Margaret O’Brien, Club 02’s founder, told me she started the company because she also found that getting to the gym was a chore, but to her, being outdoors is not a chore at all.

An astonishing 70% of Club 02’s members are females. ‘Sydney women are so proactive and willing to go out and do things. It’s a good fit for busy women,’ says Margaret.

Olympic Exclusion adds significance to upcoming World Champs for Aussie Softball Champ

Dianna Henry — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Tomorrow, Thursday 10th June, 2008 Olympic bronze medalist Kylie Cronk will set off for the Women’s World Softball Championship which is now the pinnacle competition for softball players following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to remove the sport from the 2012 and 2016 Olympic programs.

Cronk is the vice-captain of the Australian women’s softball team, the Aussie Spirit, who are currently ranked third in the world.

At this year’s World Championship in Venezuela the Aussie Spirit will seek to build on their bronze medal finishes at the 2008 Olympics and 2006 World Championship to claim Australia’s first women’s world softball title since 1965.

26-year-old Cronk, who has played over 150 matches for Australia, said she is not daunted by the promise of tough competition in the early stages of the World Championship with placement in the same pool as America and China.

“My entire focus for the last twelve to eighteen months has been to firstly gain selection into the team to play at this World Championship, and then secondly to succeed at this World Championship.

52 Week Challenge - Week 3 - Booty Camp!

Dianna Henry — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

The first two challenges were fairly casual affairs and so I thought I should try something a bit more structured.

Booty Camp operates in multiple locations in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

I've never done a boot camp, however have often seen people in parks and wondered whether it was actually any good.

The course I've signed up for is two morning sessions a week for six weeks, so 12 sessions all up. I want to re-train myself to get out of bed early and also gain upper body strength and tone.

In the first session we just did testing. This very much appealed to me because I like having benchmarks and being able to track progress. The testing isn't as scary as it seems. It caters for all levels of fitness and ability. In our group we had a wide range of levels.

If you can float, roll and walk - you can do a triathlon!

Dianna Henry — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

One of the biggest triathlons (in terms of hype and participant numbers) on the Australian calendar is the Noosa Triathlon. This year it is being held on Sunday, 31 October. Entries were supposed to open yesterday, but due to a IT issue, it isn't possible to sign up just yet. Keep checking their website for details of when entries are open.

Entries in the individual events usually fill up within a day. Why are so many people so eager to 'do the Noosa Tri'? I think it is a number of reasons. Firstly, it is a world class event and so it attracts some of the top athletes in the world but still manages to cater for the less elite. Secondly, there is the most amazing atmosphere - in the races and the town.

My philosophy on food - variety is the spice of life

Dianna Henry — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Last week I wrote an article entitled 'Weightloss is not a mystery. There are no magic tricks.' In this article I wrote about the fact that, generally, if kilojoules in is greater than kilojoules out, then there will be weight gain. I received some feedback from people about this and so I thought I'd better clarify my views on diet!

I'm not a dietician, but I think I am a fairly healthy person. I rarely get sick and have not had any major health issues in my 30 years of living. I put a lot of this down to a pretty decent diet.

52 Week Challenge - Week 2 - race walking

Dianna Henry — Thu, 27 May 2010 14:00:00 GMT

This week’s 52 Week Challenge was race walking. I’m very glad to have tried it because it is one of those things that I have always seen on TV during the Olympics and never really understood. I can tell you now that there is not much similarity between layperson walking and race walking! My ‘coach’ was a friend Belinda (another ex-lawyer!) who used to compete.