tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3666796886362507922024-02-08T03:10:36.851+13:00VoetstoetsVoetstoets loosely means "as is, where is". This blog covers some of my journeys, real or imagined, whether they involve travelling or not.Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-18215988843942644022012-09-10T21:09:00.001+12:002012-09-10T21:21:02.086+12:00A bit more pressure pleaseToday was always going to be an important day for me. I'd been hanging out for it for out about three weeks: my appointment with the cardiologist. In some respects it felt like an appointment with destiny. But deep inside me I felt the old ticker was fine - there were no real signs or symptoms that anything was wrong, and I after all I put it through it would seem weird that it would go postal onYardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-40671919217638918272012-08-14T08:58:00.000+12:002012-08-14T17:08:18.565+12:00The air that I breatheThis post is somewhat personal - more than I would normally talk about publicly. But I don't have the energy to explain my situation to those who need, or want, to know. And it describes a new journey for me. A journey not planned. A journey not wanted. And this blog is about my journeys.
On my flight back from Japan, after Challenge Roth in Germany, I had difficulty breathing. Not so bad that IYardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-37926379210622777512012-07-11T19:52:00.001+12:002012-07-11T20:07:02.566+12:00Challenge Roth 2012 race reportWriting a race report is kind of therapeutic: you get to deal emotionally with the good and bad bits of the race. I actually write much of it in my head while on the bike. It helps me get through those long hours. Most, if not all of what I write in my head never finds it's way into written words, and sometimes a report never gets penned at all. And when it does, you will find I ramble on. But Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-43326722013726376592012-07-07T22:57:00.000+12:002012-07-07T23:18:24.680+12:00Tomorrow is the big dayI am nearly set for the big race tomorrow, almost, just about, pretty much. There are a few things to sort out.
My cold started to clear midweek, and I am feeling pretty good right now, having spent most of the last few days resting up. The first time at an event in a foreign language country can be a bit daunting. Added to the complications are that the race start and T1 (transition 1) are someYardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-50377916474895537952012-07-06T17:43:00.000+12:002012-07-06T17:54:51.969+12:00The high price of foodNot long after arriving in Germany I became quite astounded by the exorbitantly high price of food. In New Zealand I mean. One euro currently buys around NZ$1.55 so the exchange rate is more favourable that it usually is for travelling Kiwis. But still, you could halve the rate and make it $3.00 per euro and food would still be cheaper in Germany than it is in New Zealand. And guess Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-38120317262573682552012-07-05T06:33:00.003+12:002012-07-06T17:55:05.904+12:00Narita to NürnbergIt seems to make a big difference to a long haul flight when you get a decent seat. Fussy as I am, I like to have a window seat. This is not to look out as it is too high to see anything most of the time. Rather, it helps me create my own little cocoon. I don't expect extroverts to understand that, but they probably will have lost interest by now and not read this far.
On the first leg to NaritaYardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-55612704779917394152012-07-03T10:34:00.000+12:002012-07-03T11:01:48.754+12:00Challenge Roth: the journey begins somewhat shakilyIn the course of my life I've lined up for more than 30 endurance races that are of ironman-distance magnitude, but not necessarily swim-bike-run triathlons. These races take up my focus for much of each year. They are my "big thing", and over the years I have invested thousands of hours and dollars, and given up a lot to feed my magnificent obsession. And since I was a kid I've always been proneYardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-2721574891709829022012-02-18T21:18:00.005+13:002012-02-18T21:35:28.430+13:00Webstock 2012For those who don't know, Webstock is a web technology conference that is held every year in Wellington. However, it is not just any conference - it is an outstanding one. Its mere name might suggest a kind of hippy sense of grandeur, and to an extent it lives up to that reputation. Geeks of today and the hippys of Woodstock are a long, long way apart, but I guess both share a compelling and Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-15595522657028485242012-02-05T22:20:00.004+13:002012-02-06T08:00:07.017+13:00Kinloch qualifierI really, really wanted to qualify for the triathlon world age group champs to be held in Auckland in October this year. Several years ago I could only ever qualify for the duathlon champs, but I was never able to do so for the triathlon. Not because I can't swim, but because the qualifying level is higher in triathlon; simple supply and demand economics.Last year I finally made into the tri teamYardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-18432859022656278362011-09-18T16:57:00.003+12:002011-09-18T17:03:46.193+12:00China odds and endsNow drink some. Like most visitors to China we preferred to stick to bottled water. This led to a rather funny incident at one of the security checks. My bottle was still sealed so they allowed me through. However the others were told very sternly on extracting their water bottles from their bag to "now drink". Most thought they had to drink the whole thing. Another was told to "drink a little" Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-58686024044268499132011-09-16T14:11:00.002+12:002011-09-16T14:15:01.062+12:00BeijingAfter the trip to the Great Wall I decided I had had enough of the Fengshan Training Centre. So while I had already paid for another night, I managed to secure a booking for that night in the same hotel I was going to be in on Tuesday and Wednesday. So I ordered a taxi, having to work quite hard to get the Volunteers to do it, because "the wait was long". Nevertheless it arrived in less than an Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-5194365165887500492011-09-16T06:41:00.005+12:002011-09-17T23:36:29.662+12:00The Great Wall of ChinaWhen I awoke to get ready for the trip to the wall there was a text from Mike sent after 3am. He said, don't expect the girls too early. I didn't and got on with some blogging, but within an hour of the appointed time, they arrived bright and cheery. Changping is not too far from the the great wall, there being too access points at Badaling and Juyongguan. Badaling is closest to Beijing so is theYardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-45339422200581704562011-09-16T06:34:00.002+12:002011-09-16T06:38:01.061+12:00The rest of SundayIf you look closely at the photos of me on the bike you will notice I have my water bottle tucked down the front of my trisuit. After the very first corner on the cycle I decided to have a drink, and when I tried to put the water bottle back in its cage behind my seat the whole thing came away in my hand. I needed the water bottle as there were no electrolytes, or even water, out on the bike Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-63278624283253569852011-09-15T00:03:00.005+12:002011-09-15T00:21:45.509+12:00World Triathlon Champs 2011 - Race ReportSunday, 11th September, 2011. Race day. I opted for the bus to the start which meant a 3am start. I figured I would be woken up by the noise and/or nerves, so thought it better to save myself the 40 minute walk in the morning on my already tired legs. I went to bed with Mr zopiclone the night before, so I was pretty much out of it from 9pm. As expected we arrived at the race start some 40 minutesYardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-18700785485884557702011-09-13T20:35:00.003+12:002011-09-15T00:09:23.926+12:00The day beforeSaturday, 10th September, 2011. So my race is tomorrow. I start at 7.40am, but my only option is to get on the bus at 4am! This means getting up at 3am. The whole thing sucks really, and I am so disappointed. I suppose it is just as well I was in bad shape with a knee that probably won't see me through the 10km run. If I was in good shape I would be livid. But nevertheless I have spent an Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-81421789959062944542011-09-13T14:06:00.002+12:002011-09-13T14:10:21.719+12:00The parade of nationsThursday, 8th September 2011. Now because I am some 3km from the race venue, and also far from the registration and other gathering venues I am reliant on the laid on bus services. They plan the bus departures an hour before we have to be there, and return an hour after the end of whatever it is. The trip is only 10 minutes and so a 30 minute activity turns into a 3-6 hour ordeal. One can get a Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-70549816775980477772011-09-13T13:11:00.004+12:002011-09-17T12:15:56.651+12:00Arriving in BeijingWell after having my original flight booking bumped 3 hours and then a further one hour delay I arrived in Beijing much later than expected. Of course it was another hour later based on Japan time too. My whole trip had been very carefully planned to only fly in the day, and arrive at my destination early afternoon and get to bed on time.It took an hour to clear customs. Then the cattle herding Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-73792844289197308502011-09-13T12:49:00.002+12:002011-09-13T13:18:11.705+12:00Sayonara JapanWednesday, 7th September, 2011. By now I was nearly dead on my feet, so after a good nights sleep and a leisurely breakfast, I had an hour or so to explore the Ginza shopping area near the hotel. I had this idea of "Ginza bargain" in my head. Well, the street was full of the likes of Louis Vitton and Alfred Dunhill. It was great to visit the Apple store in Tokyo too. The product range continues Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-27751642953565750602011-09-12T10:40:00.006+12:002011-09-13T12:49:26.230+12:00TokyoOn the Tuesday we visited the Imperial Palace, the electronics distict, and one of the market style areas, and managed to fit in a visit to a temple as well. I was fairy trigger happy with my camera, shooting from the hip at times.The electronics shops are amazing. From tiny stores with a floor area of about 1 by 2m selling only one type of component through to multi-floor computer shops, it Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-9394518640452224052011-09-11T22:12:00.005+12:002011-09-12T10:23:44.651+12:00Lake KawaguchiI hoped the morning would bring some clarity, but it was not to be.The view from my room. There is an old Japanese legend that says only the righteous can see the mountain. It's great don't you think?Nevertheless we hired some mountain bikes to ride around the lake. I enjoyed the little trip, but was a bit disappointed to see what was, until very recently a lovely resort town that had fallen intoYardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-30968211947119344912011-09-11T17:52:00.006+12:002011-09-11T20:48:42.180+12:00Tokyo - day one[This, and the next few posts are somewhat delayed, but I am trying to catch up now. Many social networking, blogging and photo sites are banned in China. It's taken a while to get around this. Not that I did it on my own, there is a whole industry around it - one just has to work out how it works, and you play a cat and mouse game picking the right private network servers.]As soon as I had Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-11440102660385215332011-09-04T00:44:00.009+12:002011-09-17T12:02:39.312+12:00Flight footnote[These next few posts are somewhat delayed - once I got to China I was no longer allowed access to a number of websites including Blogger/Blogspot and Picasa Web for the photos. It has taken a while to circumvent the "Great Firewall of China". Now that I have done so, I have some catching up to do.]I had a good flight, and I am now comfortable ensconced in my hotel in Narita. Getting a window Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-54018450343744500602011-09-03T16:00:00.001+12:002011-09-11T20:38:42.518+12:00Rules about keeping a travel blogThe first rule about keeping a travel blog is not to get behind. Once you are behind, it seems to become too big a job, and you end up not doing anything. The second rule is to not get to hung up about typos and grammatical correctness. It just takes too long. The reader must take what they get, or nothing at all.And the first blog of the trip is usually the longest and the hardest, because you Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-75814073674674083272011-06-10T07:28:00.003+12:002012-07-03T11:41:00.576+12:00Cairns footnoteMy most devoted fan
Just after I entered the departure lounge in Cairns a four year old boy ran up to me with a huge smile and threw his arms around my leg and wouldn't let go. Somewhat taken aback I tried to shake myself free, at first thinking he had mistaken me for his dad. It's happened before - kids that high have trouble looking up. But then I realised who he was.
During the race he Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366679688636250792.post-4247742780129418922011-06-08T15:27:00.003+12:002012-07-03T11:40:41.106+12:00Farewell Cairns, hello life
All too soon my time in Cairns has come to an end. It has been a fantastic trip. I am sitting by the pool at the motel on one of those pool chairs (there is no martini though) waiting for my airport shuttle.
The race was really good, but very hard. My feet are still sore from the blisters. I have never had them so bad during the race, nor have they troubled me so much afterwards. Apart from Yardboyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16748532683045238231noreply@blogger.com0