Craig is raising funds for the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand - he is keen, committed and we love his passion for a heart felt cause!
You can follow Craig's weekly progress through this page.
Just scroll down to see what his latest story is.
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| Mr Craig Bulloch | Craig and the Bodyneed Team working towards his goals |
Happy New Year.....1st January 2012
Posted: 1st January 2012 by Craig in Uncategorized
Happy new year everyone. I hope you all had a great night and am
all looking forward to a fantastic 2012. My New Years Eve well.....I was
in bed by 1030! Such a party animal that I am.....not!!!!
So it's only 60 days until the BIG day! I can't believe how fast it is approaching. I know I am on track to give it my 100% on the day. I am looking forward to it so much!
Back into the training this week and it has been great. Well apart from the rain that is! Just about every session this week I had to contend with a down pour. That I don't mind to much it is just the humidity that comes after the rain. It feels like your lungs shrink and it makes it just that little bit harder to get the air around the body where it is needed the most. But that just sounds like I am making excuses about how hard I found training this week. But it's not.....honest!!!!!
Like I say 61 days until the big day and I am $5,500.00 short of the target that I want to get to! This is also where my competitive side comes in! If you click on this link Fundraise Online you will be taken to a page that shows everyone that is doing Ironman and fundraising. You will see that I am at the top (hopefully I still am when you read this!!!!). Don't get me wrong I totally respect all the other people fundraising and all the money is going to a range of fantastic causes. I am just far too competitive for my own good and I want to stay at the top of this list!!!!! The only way I can do this is by your help!
I am still running the Trade me auctions and have some great items still to put on so I urge you all to look at them. Also a friend of mine David Icke has kindly donated some polo shirts. If any of you are planning on heading to Ironman this is where the shirts come in. If you donate a minimum of $20.00 I will give you a polo (obviously you can donate more if you so desire.....sorry I did have to put that in). On this polo you can unleash your inner artist and put anything you like on them to show your support. All I would ask is that you put somewhere on there my website and what I am doing.......How does that sound????? Other than that every dollar counts so if you find the odd gold coin down the back of the sofa and are wondering what to spend it on.....just remember the Mental Health Foundation of NZ and the great work that they put in to help out a hell of a lot of people, like me, that has suffered or continuing to suffer with a mental illness.
Anyway my friends I hope that 2012 has started off well for you all and best wishes for the 12 months ahead.
Take care
Craig
Merry Xmas everyone! 24th December 2011
Posted: 24th December 2011 by Craig in Uncategorized2
So this week has been a week off. A total relax! Safe to say I have been wanting to get straight back out there and do some training! But as I know the big km's are now upon me it was definitely good to have a wee relax and now I am physically and mentally ready for what lays ahead. I also read two books! I know it's not much but for those who know me will be thinking right now that I must have been reading picture books!!!! But I wasn't.....honest! I have never really been the one to relax by reading but I tell you what it worked a treat!
I also had plenty of time to work out what my next adventure will be! I have decided that I will carry on fundraising for the Mental Health Foundation because as I have said before if it weren't for the great work that they do people like me that have suffered from a mental illness have nowhere to turn. Next year they are running the out of the blue bike challenge. A team of cyclists will be biking their way up the country all the while getting the word out about mental health. It will be the second year that it has been run. I will be looking to join the cyclists on as many as the legs as I can. I would of loved to of completed the whole journey with them but it falls during exams for me so I will be doing as much as I can! So that is 2012 sorted!
As for 2013!!!!! I have had the thought/dreamt of a swim/bike/run along the length of the country! Yeah I know it sounds nuts! I was thinking.....Bike the south Island, swim the straight and then run the north!!!! Stark raving mad I know! But it will be all in the name of a fantastic cause! Yes I know I haven't even finished this part of my life and I am already thinking about the next!!!! But hey I have had a lot of time this week to think!!!! Let me know your thoughts folks......and yes I know I am totally nuts so you don't have to remind me of that!!!!!
So it's that year again! Xmas! How quick has this year gone! And what a year it has been. This time last year you would not have been far wrong to think that I was Santa's twin. Hell if you stuck me in a red suit I was the spitting image of the jolly red man! But a year is a long time and 20kg lighter I would now be able to use that same red suit as marquee! I am feeling great and the fittest I have been in years and I have all my great supporters to thank for that. I wish you all a safe and Merry Xmas.
Anyway team speaking of xmas I better get out and do my shopping!!!!!!
Take care
Craig
Rain rain go away...17th December 2011
Posted: 18th December 2011 by Craig in Uncategorized0
A couple of weeks ago at the round Taupo bike it was the wind and yesterday at the Rotorua Half IM it was the rain! And when I say rain I mean.....monsoon! It was hideous! I am just hoping that on Ironman day the weather shows us the good side! Just a bit of sun would be nice. Is that being greedy? The weather got so bad that the course had to be closed. So some unlucky people were unable to finish. But.....wait for it.......I finished! First Half IM done and dusted. And I felt great at the end of it. All be it a little water logged!
The day started off pretty well. Up at 3am to get down to the Blue Lake in Rotorua. The weather started off rather nice. Those of you who have been to the blue lake will know the hill that you have to go over to get to it. Yeah I would say it is more of a mountain after yesterday but more about that in the bike!
The swim was fairly normal....arms, legs and bodies everywhere jostling for position! I was only kicked in the head once but I did do my fair share of kicking. Sorry to the person who I hit square in the jaw! My bad.
Then the ride....wow I have never seen so much rain. Down the hills it actually hurt when it was hitting me in the face. I didn't realise at the time but down one of the hills I ended up get up to 85km/h! I knew I was going quickly but I didn't know I was going that quickly. Things could have turned to custard if anything went wrong!
Now back to that hill I mentioned.....I had ridden it before so I knew what I was in for. With about 500m to go to the start of the climb I had a chap pull up next to me and politely ask "Are you prepared to be owned?" I can't remember my reply....well I can but it is inappropriate for this site! The hill did own me! It hurt but was awesome to get to the top and cruise to the finish of the 90k. Just to have 21km of running in front of me!
The run was interesting. Through mud and what seemed like rivers and that was just on the roads! I was just glad to get it done! I could see why they closed the course in the end. The off road stuff was getting dangerous. But a big ups to the people that run the event it was a great day.
All in all a great day. I loved every minute of it. That is my last event before the big one. I now have a week off training now so I will chill and then I will be full on for the next couple of months! I can't wait.
On a more somber note. I was saddened during the week to hear of the passing of Jason Richards. I had written in a previous blog entry how he was a hero to me because of the way that he battled with his cancer but never let it get him down and carried on with his life. He was a great kiwi bloke and NZ Motorsport with miss him.
Anyway folks I hope everyone is well and has stayed out of the rain!
Take care and chat soon.
Craig
A massive thank you...11th December 2011
Posted: 11th December 2011 by Craig in Uncategorized0
So this week I have decided to talk about the people that have made this journey of mine become a possibility. My fantastic sponsors. If it wasn't for these guys I wouldn't be where I am today and to be honest if it wasn't for them the dream I had of raising money for the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand would be just that a dream. If you click on the sponsors names you will be taken to there site and I urge you all to go have a look at them. These are all very special people and I want you to get right behind each and every one of them like they got behind me.
Bodyneed Ponsonby: Lisa and her magic fingers and Karens Ironbody palates classes are a massive reason for me being able to still train hard and in fact walk! The team has kept my body mobile and for that I will forever be indebted to them. If it wasn't for their knowledge and professionalism I don't know where I would be right now! Anyone that needs there body sorted take my word for it. This team is the best around!
Fit-Goals: If it was up to me Kathy from fit goals would win the Helberg for coach of the year. Not that Ted chap for winning some cup named Bill! Kathy has been fantastic for me. Not only is she my coach she is also my motivator, friend and she is an inspiration for me as well. She has been through my ups and downs with me and I do feel sorry for her. But she knows how to treat me by calling a spade a spade. I have total respect for that when the chips are down Kathy will be there with me every step of the way.
Mission Nutrition: Claire, Jonny and the team at Mission Nutrition are absolutely amazing at what they do. I have never felt so invigorated and ready for battle in all my life. I wake up every morning and have so much energy for the day ahead. And I know that when it comes to the long training days and events that my nutrition has been 100% and that I will be running on all cylinders!!!!
Cameron Pools: If it wasn't for these guys I would be struggling with swimming a couple of hundred meters let alone the 4km that I have to do come ironman time. I must look a tad strange when I am doing my, long dog, shark fin and duck leg (all techniques I have you know) but I can't look that daft as I haven't been asked to leave the pool yet! The team there is fantastic. There is always a happy face on the front desk and the staff around the pool is always happy to help out......usually when I am buggered and need an excuse I have a yarn to one of the attendants!
Ludus Magnus: Train hard, have fun, and belong is the motto that Ludus lives by. And this couldn't be truer. It is like a family down at the Ludus. The training sessions are hard but you always feel like you have achieved when you walk out. I know I haven't been down for a while but Jo, Phil and the Ludus family is a major part of how I have changed both mentally and physically. Where the voice in my head used to say you can't do that! Cant has now officially been whipped from my vocab thanks to these guys anything is possible!
Reebok: My feet like they are running on pillows when I strap on my Reeboks. I definitely wont be getting lost when I where them....they are all sorts of funky colors but hey that's me....one to stand out in the crowed!
Wheadon Creative: David at Wheadon Creative is a whizz on the computer and fantastic with a camera.....as you look at this website he is the one that sorted it for me....pretty darn great don't you think! Hell anyone that can make me look ok in a photo gets my vote for best photographer in the country....no the world!!!!
Sportsfuel: Andrew has supplied me with the fuel to get me through the tough training sessions. If you need gels or supplements or someone with the knowledge to help you out the team at sportsfuel are the guys to see.
Konstruct Clothing: You may have seen me in my training gear or in my casual wear. The guys at Konstruct are the ones that did the screen-printing for me. The amount of fantastic response I have had when I have been wearing the gear is amazing. I would suggest to anyone who is thinking of a way to market themselves or their business to get these guys to sort out your clothing!
Tineli: In my mind Tineli is by far the best cycling gear in the country. It's not often I could say that I can get off my bike after seven hours and not be walking like John Wayne! Next time you need cycling gear try out Tineli. I promise you won't be let down.
Bigfoot Podiatry: I have learnt to enjoy running and with the help of Bigfoot it doesn't hurt! I used to dread having to go for runs but after the first meeting at Bigfoot I was a new man....well not quite a new man but a man with a new running style! And since then I have come on in leaps and bounds! (Yeah I know cheesy but it's true).
Bike239: Will at Bike239 knows his stuff and I know that my bike is in good hands when I take it to him. The quality of service is second to none that I have experienced at a bike store before. As soon as you walk into the shop you are made to feel welcome and any question how daft it may seem (and I ask daft questions) will be answered in a way that you are in great hands.
Vitasport: Power-what used by the All-who!!! They obviously haven't heard of Vitasport. Now this is a sports drink! Pretty much all I have to say about it is that it's awesome! And I will never go back to those overpriced bottles of sugar that you get from the local store.
To me you are all my heroes. You didn't have to get behind this run of the mill kiwi bloke but you did and for that I will be forever indebted. You have changed my life and also helped me change the lives of others in the process. I can't thank you enough. And to be honest words just cannot do justice to how I feel when I think about the support that you have all given me.
So please get behind these fantastic people and their companies! Next week I will be filling you in on the Rotorua Half Ironman. So for now take care and have a great week
Craig
Moving target!! 2nd December 2011
Posted: 2nd December 2011 by Craig in Uncategorized2
I thought that now that I have lost around 20kgs while I have been training that the target that seemed to be on my arse for all drivers to hit may have disappeared...... how wrong I was! There I was having a training session down at the blue lake in Rotorua and I was peppered by paintballs from some youngsters who must have been on an end of year school camp!!!!! I had just finished a pretty tough hill and was breathing through my eyelids and spinning my legs out. Then I could hear the pop pop pop of paintball guns going off.....if any of you have played paintball you will recognise the sound. I thought that there must be a game nearby.....not that I was the one being shot at. I must say the youngsters weren't that good at shooting as I was only hit twice but my bike is now a lovely green color!
The worst part was when I was riding back past them they were clay bird shooting....safe to say my cadence went up as I wasn't staying around to see how bad their shooting was at that!
Apart from that it has been a great week of training. Which is a surprise after last weekend's ride around Taupo? I thought that my legs at the least would be a little jaded but everything pulled up pretty well! And now that the weather has started playing ball I am finding myself looking forward to getting out and doing the BIG miles that I will be doing over the next few months. Now that is something I thought I would never have said a year ago!
I also had another great massage from Lisa at Bodyneed. I have to apologise again for the people that are in around the Ponsonby area. The language that was coming out of my mouth was a little choice to say the least! But I must say I felt amazing after it. And then I did a couple Pilate's sessions after the massage and it's safe to say I felt like a new man when I walked out!
Anyway folks I am off to the local army surplus store to get some protective gear just in case those youngsters think it's a good idea to get out and shoot me again!!!!
I hope all is well
Take care
Craig
Round Taupo.... Done!!!!! 27th Mo-Vember 2011
Posted: 27th November 2011 by Craig in Uncategorized1
I will huff and puff and blow you off your bike!!!! If any of you were lucky (or maybe unlucky) enough to do the round Taupo cycle challenge you will know what I am talking about. I would say that the first 90k of the bike was into what felt like a hurricane. Just to show that I am only slightly over exaggerating the conditions the mountain bike challenge was called off because there were trees coming down!
The knee issues I had during the Karipiro half came back to haunt me but not to the extent that it had before. Well saying that the panadol I took at the 100k mark worked a treat!
Despite the wind and the dubious knee I was hell bent on finishing the course and I did! Yes I didn't set the roads around Taupo alight with speed but that was never my plan. I was out to enjoy the day and I would have to say I really did have fun- enough to be saying that I will be back again next year! Love punishment! But hey you have to be slightly mad to be doing what I am doing!
A massive thank-you has to go to my mum and dad. I dragged them out of bed at 4am to get me down to Taupo in time and then they traveled around the lake with extra fuel for me (flat coke was my savior with 10k to go!)
So now I have the Rotorua Half Ironman to look forward to in a few weeks. And after battling through the Taupo challenge I am sure I am now a step closer to having the mental strength to get through the half and then the ironman!!!!!
I hope you are all well.
Take care
Craig
Week in Chch! 20th Mo-vember 2011
Posted: 20th November 2011 by Craig in Uncategorized1
So this last week has been a quiet one. It was a recovery week after the half in Karipiro. I actually spent the week down in Christchurch doing video analysis work for NZ cricket. Had a great week down there and met some awesome people.
I was able to get out on the country roads for some good runs. It really is a gorgeous part of the world down there and it was sad to see the damage that has been done. All I know is the people down there are extremely strong to get through what they have. I also can't believe that it has been a year since the Pike River disaster. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the miners lost. And I really do hope they can get their boys back!
So next weekend is the round Taupo bike ride. It should be some fun. I just hope the weather holds because I know if the weather packs it in it could be a tough day!!!!!
Oh I must also add that I am now officially a year two physio student. I received the results for my exams and assignments last week and I don't think I have stopped grinning since. I honestly thought they had mixed up my results with someone else!
Anyway I hope all is well and I hope that everyone that did the tri in Auckland had fun this weekend.
Take care
Craig
Bugger...Karipiro Half IM.... 13th November 2011
Posted: 13th November 2011 by Craig in Uncategorized4
The morning had started so well but then it all turned to custard! I am talking about the Karipiro Half Ironman. It was an absolutely stunning morning. It was one of those mornings that you think to yourself it is great to be alive. Not a breath of wind, the sun was out. I couldn't have asked for a better day to get stuck into my first half ironman. I was relaxed. I knew this was just going to be a training day. I however was mentally jaded from the past two weeks of exams (my last exam was less than 24 hours ago) and if I am honest my body was a little underdone but I was never expecting what was going to unfold over the next few hours.
The gun went off at 8am for the 2k swim and it was all on. Legs and arms all over the place as everyone jostled for position to the first buoy. I had a couple of kicks in the head and someone thought I must have looked like a good floatation device because they decided to climb aboard and get a free ride! Not sure how much of the river I swallowed but I wasn't going to dehydrate during the race that's for sure! I was able to get into a rhythm and really enjoy the swim. I'm not sure how many of you have done a 2km swim in open water but for me my mind just started to wander. I mostly was thinking about why I was doing what I am doing! It worked as great motivation throughout the swim to know that I am doing something to help others. So I finished the swim in around 37 mins. No Thorpedo but I was pretty happy with it. Then it was a short run to transition and to get on the bike.
To the amusement of the MC of the day I was pretty relaxed in transition. So he decided to commentate on my every move (he must have been really bored). He did give me the gong of slowest transition of the day!!!! It is something I need to work on. So then it was off on the bike. 90km of rolling Waikato countryside. The only issue I had in the first 50km was having to stop for cows crossing the road! I found it amusing but there were some very serious athletes that let the farmer know what they really thought. Which to be honest I wasn't that impressed with. He was just doing his job. Some people really do have to chill! I was able to have a good chat to a few folk as we enjoyed the scenery and the great day. Yes I know it was a race but it was great to find some like minded people that were just out to have some fun and push themselves.
75km mark..... This is when it turned pear shape. My left knee decided to give up the ghost and stopped wanting to work! It was an extremely painful experience. I decided that as it was only a training day that I was going to pull out. I was totally gutted but had to look at the bigger picture. I know what the issue was and honestly it was my own fault. Over the past month I have neglected my legs in a way that I haven't been stretching and getting on the roller as much as I should be- it was just a recipe for disaster. But hey it was a learning curve.
I was able to take a lot of positives out of the day. My swim was good and I was averaging 30kmph of the bike. So it was a strange situation of being totally gutted but also happy. Gutted that I couldn't carry on and that it was my own fault but also I was pretty happy with the way things had been panning out.
Bring on round Taupo is all I can say and then the Rotorua Half IM where I can get a real gauge of how I am doing.
One word of advice.......NEVER take on anything the day after you finish your last exam of the year. Physically you may feel ok but mentally......NOOOOOOOO not a good idea.
Anyway my friends I hope everyone is well.
Take care.
Craig
19th of September
Dueling banjos! Yes
you read that right, dueling banjos!
That was the tune that Lisa, from Bodyneed, was playing on my hamstrings this morning!
Well that's what it sounded like to me in between my squeals (manly squeal of
course!) of pain.
Don't get me wrong here. Lisa is amazing at her work. I can't
speak highly enough of how she has been able to keep my body on track.
She
really has amazing hands! I am just a wuss when it comes to pain!
So as you may have guessed by the tightness of my body this week has been a hard week of training. Apart from dodging showers and being blown all over the show when out running it has been really good. It is going to be a little strange next week as I have a full week off training! How am I going to cope? I really don't know! It is going to be bizarre not strapping on the shoes for a run or getting on the wind trainer. But I will embrace it since I have only a few months until the first half ironman.
Speaking of embracing things I am learning to embrace hunger. Johnny from Mission Nutrition has sorted out my new eating regime and it has worked a treat because this week I have been able to shed around 1.5kg! Keeping me on track for my goal of getting below 100kegs in 7 weeks! If anyone ever needs to know anything about nutrition the team at, Mission Nutrition, are amazing at their jobs.
So the uni break is now over with and I am pretty happy with what I have been able to get done. Loads of uni work and loads of training! Now its head down butt up for the next couple of months until exams are finished. There never seems to be enough time in the day!
Anyway my friends I better get some more essay writing underway. Oh and look a blog that didn't say anything about the World Cup of the odd shaped ball! (I def had to rein myself back from saying how great the opening was and how awesome the games have been so far!!!!)
Take care
Craig
12th of September
So it's here. It has been a long time coming and I have been counting down the days. I just can't believe how quick it has come around. Yes that's right it is mid semester break! What did you think I meant? Nothing else is happening is it? Oh you were thinking I meant the World cup of the oval shaped ball! No not interested in that! (That should be the new tui billboard because it should be followed by a big YEAH RIGHT!). It's all on like Donkey-Kong!! I am like kid on Christmas Eve. I am so excited about the whole event and it is amazing how the cities have embraced it. Safe to say I have never seen so many flags on cars in my life. C'mon the mighty All Blacks.
Before I go too much off on a tangent I better tell you how things have been this week. (Just in case there is someone out there that is actually not interested in the world cup!).
I was able to get another ocean swim in! And this time it wasn't too cold. After that was a ride along the waterfront. To the person who decided to sit on their horn at me...... it was a bike lane I was in you were the one encroaching on my space and yes I did flick you the bird and shout expletives at you- not that you would of noticed as you drove along thinking the world revolves around you! It still amazes me how some people really don't get the old- share with care slogan when it comes to bikes and cars. Don't get me wrong. I have seen some shocking cycling going on along the waterfront and think to myself no wonder people get hit but shoot when I am near enough on the foot path there is no need to try and side swipe me. And my butt isn't as big as it used to be so it's not taking up to much space now so they can't use that as an excuse! The rest of the week was pretty uneventful with a lot of training and uni work going on!
Anyway enough of the rant! I had another appointment with Johnny at Mission Nutrition this week and told him of the challenge I have set myself of getting below the 100 mark before the end of the world cup! It is good to hear that it is doable but I know it is going to take a hell of a lot of self control on my behalf to get there! I have even put my mother on strict instructions not to bake over the seven week period of the cup and all rubbish food in the house has to be kept under lock and key!!!!!!
Anyway my friends it's time to start my warm ups for the big game!!!! You never know, the way that the team has been selected this year the phone may just ring and Ted will be on the other end of the line!!!! (That is the second tui add of this blog!)
Take care everyone and enjoy the spectacle that is RWC 2011
Go the mighty All Blacks and not to forget the Warriors to!
Take care
Craig
5th of September
First ocean swim done for the year. It was a week ago but I am just starting to get my voice back to normal! It was a fantastic day- a great (cold) swim, a 35k time trial on the bike and then a run around the bays. All in all a great day was had. Then it was the physio ball. That was a good night apart from the fact that my little toes ended up looking like balloons (oh and the All Blacks losing to those folk on the west island). The blisters I got from my shoes were hideous- thank goodness I don't have to wear dress shoes often. Give me jandals any day of the week!
This weeks training has been good, if not a little bit sporadic. Uni work has kicked in and something had to give. And I have said all along Uni will always come first. The highlight though was the run I went on out at Bethels beach. Some amazing scenery out that way and I can't wait until summer when I know those dunes and tracks will become like a second home!
So the RWC is not far away! And I have decided to set myself a wee goal. The reason for this is to make sure that I stay on track with training. I will be going to seven games over the cup and know that there will be a lot of temptation to fall off the wagon- rubbish food at the stadiums, the amber nectar will be flowing everywhere and all this would maybe add to me missing some trainings. So, here it is, I have set a goal of getting down below 100kg before the end of the cup. I am sitting at 106kegs at the moment. (I started at 118kg). You may think that 6kg isn't much to lose over that time but I know I am being realistic. So bring on the world cup and my wee challenge!
Anyway back to the grindstone and my essay. I hope that everyone has had a great week.
Take care
Craig
29th of August
Blink and you will
miss it.
For you cricket fans out there I am not talking about the amount of
time it took the English to beat up on the Indian batsmen.
I am talking about
the year! I mean, come on now, where has it gone. It is just flying by.
I know
years seem to go faster as you get older but this is just ridiculous.
I am only
21 and 144 months old but jeepers the year has dead set gone! I will hate to
think how quick the years will go by when I get to my parents age..... I am sure
after that comment I won't find out! Sorry Mum and Dad J (you know I am kidding.......right......honest.......)
One more week and it is mid semester break at uni for two weeks (and before anyone says it). It is not a holiday! I will be working my butt of to get my assignments done and get in some good hard training because there is the small fact of the Rugby World Cup that I want to get my teeth into! (Mum and Dad if you are still reading at this point please read that last sentence as..... there is the small fact that I have exams in eight weeks!). So yes I will be full on over the next few months and will love it.
Training this week has been great. Spring hasn't quite sprung just yet but it is definitely getting close. I biked up over Scenic Drive. For those of you who don't know scenic drive it is in the Waitakere Ranges and at one point I looked over the cliff and a plane was flying lower than I was so let's just say there are some fun climbs out there on those hills (Oh and I may be prone to the slightest exaggeration every now and then!). It was such an amazing day and I was able to enjoy the views over Auckland and the surrounding districts. When I say I enjoyed the views I should have made myself clear I should have said- once I stopped breathing through my eyelids and my heart settled back into my chest I was able to take in the views! None the less we live in the most amazing corner of the world.
On the topic of training I will be doing brick sessions (swim, bike, run sessions) down at St Heliers on Saturday mornings if anyone is keen to join. The more the merrier I say! There is already a couple of us that will be braving the water to have a paddle about but by all means if you want to join in please feel free to contact me. And the added bonus of a few good cafes down on the waterfront after a good session! So like I say if you fancy a workout and a yarn feel free to give me a hola at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Anyway I better get back to my essay writing. I hope everyone is well.
Take care my friends
Craig
22nd of August
197 Days to the big day! Where is this year going? I can't believe that it is only just over six months until 2012 Ironman! So along with university work I am pretty much starting to stress out a little! (Only a little though). This week has been a recovery week in the training so it has been pretty low key! So I bet you all think I will keep this short and sweet.
But guess what I am not going to let you off that easy! I am going to get a little serious on you and talk you through a little more about the reason for me doing for me doing the 2012 ironman for the Mental Health Foundation of NZ. So you all know that I was in a position of, if I am totally honest, within hours of pretty much ending everything. This is where I have to thank my family and closest friends. They have all been amazing every step of the way and now that I am back on track I can now see the hell that I must have put them through.
I was too stubborn to ever admit that anything was wrong and I always felt that if I was to admit that I had an issue that I would be a lesser person for it. But guess what.... That was total BOLLOCKS on my behalf. I have had nothing but total support from the people I care about and their support has helped me get to the point where I am now. I love life more than ever before. I sometimes think that I may have missed out on a lot because I was being chased by the big black dog (a name I have given depression because it is like a big black dog chasing you and you can't shake it off!) but when I think about my future I know I have the world at my feet!
So when I started to get out and exercise again I couldn't believe the change that I felt. It was pretty much straight away as well. Yes it was really tough to get off the couch that first time but I was like Forest Gump when I got started and I haven't looked back. And that's when I decided that I wanted to get the word out there that being active is the key when you a feeling a little blue! Honestly try it! Even just a wee walk. You will feel so much better for it.
So now that I have come through the other side of depression, you may well ask how I knew that I had something wrong. Well I didn't- it was my family that knew. But please if you are reading this and you may think you are depressed ask yourself a few questions-
Are you having sleeping problems?
Do you have mood swings, feeling angry and snap at people?
Do you have an impaired memory and loss of concentration?
And do you find it hard to relax?
These are the questions that I ask myself if I ever feel like I am taking a back step. And I ever say yes to one or more of them then I take a step back and chill and take a look where I could possibly change a few things. So if you answer yes to a few of these questions then maybe you should seek help. Don't think that it will get better because it won't!
So there you go my friends. I hope this wasn't too deep and meaningful but I thought I would just tell you some more about me and about what I am doing.
I hope this finds everyone well.
Craig
Au-de-chlorine by
Craig Bulloch will be hitting the shelves soon people!
Well maybe not but
everyone seems to be bringing out their own smell's that I thought what the
heck I may as well get into the action.
The main reason for this is because no matter what I do I can never get
the smell of chlorine out of my skin.
I feel sorry for the people sitting next
to me at uni with the smell permeating out of me. If anyone can tell me how to
get rid of the smell I would love to know!
But the way I look at it is that it
means that I am putting in the hard yards in the pool and I am feeling great
with the way my swimming is coming along.
The guys and girls at Cameron Pool are awesome and are so supportive.
Along with swimming,
the Ironbody pilates class at Bodyneed every Thursday at 6pm with Karen is
coming along great. It's really targeted towards athletes like Ironmen and triathletes. Bodyneed really know their stuff! It's a great class and really worth going to if you want the edge over everyone else.
Apart from the fact (to the great amusement of the class)
that I struggle with knowing my left from my right! So next week I will vivid
an L and R on the appropriate hands! It has also been a good solid three weeks
of trainings where I haven't missed a session and I am feeling so much better
for it. The km's are racking up now and having the base fitness means I am
getting in everything that Kathy (Fitgoals) throws
my way! FANTASTIC is all I can say. Have I said I love the journey that I am
on!
On a completely
different note (yup off on another tangent)........The question of the year is.........
What is everyone up to for the Rugby World Cup Final???? If you have no plans
then I would ask you to consider this great event being hosted by The Mental Health Foundation of NZ at the Formosa Country Club (follow the link
and go straight to their page). It will be a great event and they are catering
for everyone from the Corporate down to the sports lover. $75 (which at the
moment will get you the left sleeve of an All Blacks jumper) will get you a BBQ buffet, unreserved seating,
outdoor entertainment - live band fireworks, cash bar and you get to Watch the
Closing Ceremony and the FINAL on a 9 x 16 ft BIG (and that is big) screen in the
Cascade Restaurant. (The price of this option will go up at the end of the
month). All proceeds from this event will go towards the MHF. I can't think of
any better way to enjoy a great day with family and friends than to be at Formosa to
watch history being made (and no I am not going to tempt fate and say the All
Blacks will win!)
Anyway my friends I
am keeping this week short and sweet. I hope this finds everyone fit and well.
Take care
Craig
8th of August
Ok I must apologise. I have had it pointed out a couple of times (thanks mum and Roger) that I had a spelling error in my last update! I used the word cue instead of queue. I thought I was being really subtle (I am usually as subtle as a Rodney Hide jacket) but in the end it was just an error but, in those word that have recently been made famous "naturally I finished" my blog and posted it. But in my defence I did admit I had a thick shake for a brain (see last update if I have just lost you with that comment!). So please accept my apology and lets "flush the dunny and move on" (oh dear another quote I hear you sigh! You must all think I have run out of things to say or that I am going slightly mad. I am just glad this is not a university paper or my whole blog would be filled with references! And let's be honest I past the slightly mad stage when I decided to take on the iron man!)
How's my training been? I hear you ask. Well I will tell you. And if you didn't ask I am going to tell you anyway! It has been another great week this week. Kathy from Fit Goals has been amazing over the past few weeks from when I had my meltdown. I really do like to go from zero to hero but Kathy has been able to rein me in and I am now training a lot more regularly than I was, in fact most days I am training twice a day! Which I must say, if anyone told me in January this year, that I would be training the way I am now I would of phoned the men in the white coats to come and pick them up because I would of thought they had gone stark raving bonkers!
I am up to 2.5k in the pool and also getting some good runs in off road. But I am now officially getting sick of the sight of my wind trainer. Come on daylight savings is all I can say. I love getting out on my bike as much as possible especially when the weather has been like it has been for the last week. We really do live in the most amazing corner of the planet and there is no better way of exploring it than on a bike. Saying that most of the rides I do get out on are so hilly that I am breathing through my eyelids and really don't notice much of what is going on around me. Those of you who do bike will know what I mean (I hope).
I said a few weeks back that I had had some dry needling done from Lisa at Bodyneed. Well I had some more done this week. And this time it was on my ITB's. They have been as tight as......... (Insert the tightest thing you can think of here!) But after a good massage and some of my beloved needles (said with a lot of sarcasm) my legs are feeling absolutely amazing. I am sure Lisa has magic hands. I always walk out of Bodyneed feeling like a million bucks. I do, however, feel sorry for Lisa because she has to endure some fairly colourful language from me! (I know what you must be thinking now- Craig colourful language.... never.... he is such a nice boy!!!)
Anyway my friends I have wasted enough of your time for another week. I better get back into the uni study.
Take care
Craig
1st of August
Study, train, study, train, eat, train, sleep, study oh and
at the weekend I fit in work with the Waikato rugby union. So this is my life.
At uni we have been told by our lectures that to do well in our course that
they expect us to do at least 48 hours of uni work per week. There is one small
issue I have with this. It is the fact that when I lined up in the cue for
brains I thought I was in the cue for milkshakes and I asked for a thick one!
In other words I need to work doubly as hard as the "nerds" on the course. But
like I have said before I absolutely love every minute of it and wouldn't
change anything.
What I do know is that I have a greater respect for the people that are training for big events that have fulltime jobs and families. I really don't know how they can cope and they must have the most amazing spouses! I am lucky in the fact that I only have to look after myself- some (mum and dad) may say that I can't even do that! But all joking aside (only for a second) I really do think you guys are amazing that are training for big events and have families and jobs to look after. You are all O for awesome!
On the training front this week. It has been another great week. I was able to get out and run some great trails around the sugar factory and have also got myself a waterproof mp3 so those long swims are now more bearable but I do lose count of my laps after about 10! As for the bike I am still getting some sessions done on my trainer and at the weekend's I am loving getting out on the back roads and getting some good clean air through my lungs. On that note is anyone keen to get a small group together and hit some roads at weekends? I look at doing my long rides on Sunday's. So if anyone is ever keen please get in touch.
For those of you who have seen me will know that I am looking like a racing driver with all my fantastic sponsors and what I am doing printed on my clothing. With that in mind, I have been so humbled by the amount of people and I am talking complete strangers that have come up to me and talked to me about what I am doing and that what I am doing is a great thing. It's just small things like that that let me know that yes I am making a difference. I have raised over $3k for the Mental Health Foundation so far and really want to get to that $10k mark. This week on trade me is the Shane Cameron print. Be looking out soon there will be a Rafa Nadal signed print!
Anyway I hope all is well. Take care and safe training!
Craig
25th July 2011
Uni and training has pretty much been my life this week and
this is how it will be for the next 12 weeks. But honestly in both cases I love
it. Uni started with a hiss and a roar which included a camp! The camp
consisted of a lot of mud rain and climbing things. More or less team building!
Pretty good fun I felt like I was back at school again! Not that I can remember
school because those memories seem like such a long time ago.
My training this week has been great. My coach Kathy from Fit Goals has stripped my training back to the nuts and bolts and making sure that I am consistently training rather than blowing a valve on a long ride and then being shattered for the next week! Along with the usual running, cycling and biking I also went to Ludus Magnus for the first time in a month. Safe to say I am feeling it now but it was great to get back and catch up with the guys and girls there.
Also on the training front I have been doing an Ironman specific Pilates course with Ree at Bodyneed. For those of you that know me you are probably having a wee chuckle to yourself right now and saying that Craig and Pilates should never be used in the same sentence. Well I can tell you it is absolutely amazing. For someone who has never been to a Pilate's course I didn't know what to expect. I was thinking that I was turning up for an hour of stretching. I can honestly tell you that I was so wrong with that assumption. It is so much more than just stretching. It is hard to explain the difference in my body that I have noticed over the past few weeks and they are so numerous that I wouldn't know where to start but the major thing is my breathing. I thought my breathing was pretty good. Well I am still alive and haven't turned blue from lack of O2. So why would I think that I would need to be taught how to breath? After being taught how to breath properly trainings have gone up a notch or three. Being able to breathe properly during trainings has meant that I don't feel so sluggish by the end of training because I am getting the right amount of oxygen to where it is needed whereas before I wouldn't be utilizing my lungs to their full capacity. I would suggest to anyone that they should get involved with one of the Pilates course at Bodyneed.
On a side note. Keep an eye out on trade me this week as I have a signed limited edition print of Shane "The Mountain Warrior" Cameron that I will be putting up. The auction has been going great and it is all your support that is going to get me to the target of the $10k that I set myself at the start of this Ironman journey.
Anyway I hope everyone is well and is drying out after the last few weeks of horrid weather.
Take care
Craig
18th July
First ironman breakdown! That's right. With all the time that I have missed over the past couple of weeks I have ended up questioning if I am where I should be in relation to training. The straw that broke the camel's back was when I blew a tire on my wind trainer. I can hear you ask "How can you blow a tire on wind trainer?" my thoughts exactly and I still have no idea. But that was it. I had to question if the ironman gods really were having a laugh at me. I go from having a dubious IT band, to having man flu then onto this! When will it end? I know you make your own luck but shesh this is going a little far don't you think?
All I can say is a massive thank you to my coach Kathy from Fit Goals. She has been fantastic. I told her that I have been questioning myself and her words were that I am doing well. She has got me back to basics for the next few weeks to build up on what I have missed in the last few weeks. She also said that in no uncertain terms am I to play catch up on what I have missed. It will just lead to disaster. I am so lucky to have such a fantastic coach. I have never had a coach that has had to live the ride with me. I have had plenty of coaches for team sports but all they were there for is a little bit of technique not to the extent that Kathy has been here for me. Kathy has been a coach, a mentor and most of all someone who I can talk to about what I am going through. Safe to say I am now back on track. So this was my first melt down but I am afraid to say it that it won't be my last. Nature of the beast!
On another note, there may be a few of you that follow NZ cricket. I am a cricket tragic. It is the game that I have played all my life and I was lucky enough to of played professionally around the world. This is not what I was wanting to say. I was going through the online newspapers this last week and found an article about an ex-black cap, Iain O'Brien. He has come out and said that he has been fighting depression for a while now. It is guys like Iain that I admire because it is not easy coming out and talking about such personal things. You can read the full article here.
So the trade me auction has raised over $1300.00 and it is still rising. I have been totally humbled by the support that I have been getting in relation to all the donations that I am getting for the auction. Keep an eye out in the next few weeks there will be some more amazing auctions. If I wasn't the one selling them I would be the one bidding on them!
I hope this finds everyone well.
Take care.
Craig
11th July
So another week has past. And what a week it has been. Well not really but I just wanted to try and get your attention. I finally was able to get over the man flu which I am happy about. I did however miss a couple of days because of it which annoys me. For me it is more mental than physical when I have to have an enforced day off. The whole feeling great after training is such an important part of why I am doing what I am doing. It is an easy thing for me to say that getting off your butt really does change the way you feel because I have been doing it week in and week out now for a few months. I just want to get across to people that maybe feeling a little down, or feel like things maybe getting on top of you that just getting out and doing something really does make a difference. I know I have said all this before and I will say it many more times and guess what? I am not going to apologise for sounding like a broken record. When it comes to this I am so passionate about it and just want to make sure EVERYONE knows what physical activity can do to your mindset.
Training this week has been curtailed somewhat by the man flu and also the weather but I am happy that the Tour de France is on TV. Let's just say MySky is a wonderful thing. It is great to have something to watch when on the wind trainer putting in some k's! And I haven't lost a group sprint at the line yet! One thing that would make it even better is if it was all in 3D. It would make you feel like you are right there in the thick of the action. I just can't wait until the weather starts to play ball because the tour only last another couple of weeks and there are only so many French Chateaus that you can look at on TV!
On the trade me front in the next few days I will be putting some more goodies on. Something for everyone!
Anyway I hope that this finds everyone in good health
Take care
Craig
4th July
A week of firsts! First time of having dry needling (by Lisa at Bodyneed), first time I have watched my brother on TV and the first time I have been to a Pilate's class! Oh and the small case of breaking a spoke when out on a ride so it was the first time I have had to walk along river road in the Waikato in my lycra. Let me tell you, Hamilton isn't the best place to be wearing lycra at the best of times. I am just lucky that it was out in the country so the only strange looks I was getting was from the cows in the paddocks!!!!
So the dry needling was interesting! Like I say I have never had it done before and I am not the biggest fan of needles- I wouldn't say I am a wuss.... Well ok yes I would say I am a wuss. Lisa was doing such a great job so I thought I would ask how far the needles were going in! Wrong move on my behalf on that one! I will just leave it at that. But I would highly recommend it just don't ask to see the needles!
My brother will be happy that he has made an appearance in this blog. Since he was on TV I thought I better mention him. If any of you were watching TV3 on Wednesday night and saw the inside New Zealand show on the dubious chap that stole a wad of cash from the ASB you would have seen him and no he wasn't the one that did the stealing he was the forensic accountant that put him behind bars. I know you will be thinking wow that sounds like a really GREAT TV show..... of course I know you would have said the great part with a sarcastic twinge to your voice! But I must admit I actually thought it was pretty good and wow it is amazing what make up can do. My bro actually looked like he had been on a tropical island for months before the filming! Sorry Blair I just had to rub it in! I am sure we will be seeing you in the next thin lizzy advert.
Thursday night was the first night I have been to a Pilate's class. It is going to be so beneficial and no doubt you will hear me talk about it over the next few weeks (well 10 to be exact!). Fantastic is a word that I can think of to describe the class. I won't bore with all the details now but it is great to go to something with a great bunch of like minded people!
Now to the broken spoke! The less I talk about this the better as I don't want to have you to picture me walking along a country road in my lycra. Not a lot to do when that happens apart from slinging my bike over my shoulder and walking home! So there I was a bloke walking down a country road in lycra....... (Sounds like the start of a really bad joke!!!!)...... but I was lucky that someone took pity on me and decided to pick me up. When talking to this person they said that they didn't think I looked as though I would pose a threat to their safety if they gave me a lift!!!!!!
And yes I am sure you were all waiting for the update on the Tough Guy challenge that I was meant to of done. I woke early on Sunday to get ready for the 12k mud run but I just didn't feel right. If there is one thing I have learnt over the past couple of months it is that I have to listen to my body and it was telling me that I would be stupid to try and complete the run. I ended up back in bed for the rest of the day. Man flu had taken grip. Every inch of me aches and the worst case of blocked nose! Totally gutted that I missed it but to be honest I would rather miss something that I was just using as a little fun than to miss a week of hard training because I didn't listen to my body.
Finally I just thought I would add that the trade me auction that I started last week raised $500 in the first week. I was totally stoked with that and think that this week could do better!!!!!
I hope all is well
Take care
Craig
27th June
250 days until the big day! Yes I am already counting down the days and the fact that there is also a countdown clock on my website makes it pretty hard to forget. The way this year is going the next 250 odd days are going to fly by and I will be on the starting line in no time.
So how is my training going???? In the words of the one and only David Tua it's "O for Awesome". I love getting out there and putting my body through things I never thought would be possible. Before I started on this journey I would usually make up an excuse not to get moving. I would reach for another chocolate biscuit and tell myself tomorrow but tomorrow never comes. It was always the easiest thing to choose.
But not now- the natural high I get from the endorphins after training is absolutely amazing. But if ever I am out training and I feel like it's getting a little tough, which it does every now and then, I think about something Bruce Lee once said (sorry for all the quotes this week!) "If you always put a limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." These words get me through the tough trainings.
This week I caught up with Monique at Bigfoot Podiatry. She has me working on my running style to sort out the issues with my IT band. A new running style is something to get used to that is for sure and if anyone has seen me run over the past week they may have had a wee giggle to themselves because I know that I must look rather amusing but it is working! Monique is absolutely awesome at her job and I would recommend her to anyone that was having issues with their lower limbs.
I also had another appointment with Johnny at Mission Nutrition. He is also outstanding at his job. I am so lucky to have such an awesome team behind me. My body hasn't felt so great for years. I had the skin fold test done! Any of you that have had this done know what I am talking about. For those of you who don't know about it- It is more or less just giving an accurate gauge on fat percentage. Johnny has given me a wee goal. He wants me to get down to 15% body fat by the time the race comes around! That is a pretty massive drop compared to where I am sitting at the moment. Like everything else I am taking on with this ironman I am going to take to this full on. I will be a shadow of my former self!
One final thing the trade me auction is now up and running and I have the first couple of things on there. There is something there for everyone. If you click on this link you will go straight to the auction http://trade.me/craigsauctions
I hope this finds everyone well.
Take care
Craig
20th June
The Night Before
I am writing this as I sit on what could possibly be the most uncomfortable hotel bed in Wellington! Every time I move I feel like I am in the middle of the ocean in a massive swell! I may be one of the first people to ever get seasick on dry land. Also there is a small issue and it is a small issue- it is a single bed. Those of you who know me know I am not the smallest person in the world so I am all over this bed like white on rice!
Anyway now to the reason for me being down in the capital and it's not to see my new best mate John Key. I am down here to do the Wellington half marathon. I am really looking forward to it. In twelve hours time I will be making my way down to the start line at the Cake Tin. By all accounts it's going to be wet but I really hope that the wind stays away.
I am looking at going around the two hour mark but I guess it all depends on the day and how my body pulls up!
Off to sleep now to get some shut eye before the event.
Two Hours until run
Here I am, once again, sitting on the end of my bed. I must that there was no seasickness and I can honestly say I did have a half decent sleep! I have had my creamed rice for breakfast and now supping on some water. Hmmm the two things that I didn't want today are here in force.....Rain and wind!!!! Bring it on I say. Anyway I better start with my pre race ritual..... Well I guess I should have one of them so I will just make one up as I go. Chat soon.........................
Finished
Epic failure is all I can say. I am totally gutted. The weather was absolutely rubbish. When I say rubbish I am talking about horizontal rain- the type that hurts when it hits you. And there was no respite from the wind. That wasn't the issue though. I could handle the fact that I was taking one step forward and three back. It was the fact that my body decided to pack in.... again. It is starting to really get on my nerves. I was feeling really good and the two hour mark that I had set myself was one that I thought was achievable. Once again though 10km in my right knee decided give up the ghost. It just sucks when my mind is saying yes but my body just can't do what I want it to do. Frustrating is one word that springs to mind but I am sure I used many other choice F words that really can't be repeated!
It was then a six hour drive back to Hamilton to reflect on the day. And the thing that I can take out of this is that it is all a learning curve and that I would rather have these speed humps now as I train and not in the Ironman where it counts.
So that was my first outing at the Wellington marathon. I am the type of person to say that can't be the way I remember the Wellington half. Maybe 2012!
I hope all is well.
Take care
Craig
13th June
The prime minister is signing a doodle and sending it to me! Yes you read that right. John Key is going to do a wee drawing and sign it for me. This is one of the few things that have been donated for me put on trade me to auction off for the Mental Health Foundation. Some of the other things that have been generously donated so far are.
- John Key Doodle
- Family pass and six luge rides at Skyline Skyrides Rotorua
- Playing Shirt signed by the Black Caps
- Signed memorabilia from Greg Murphy
- 2 Six month subscriptions to the Healthy Food Guide
- Ironman book
- $150.00 voucher from Palate restaurant Hamilton
- Japan Playing jersey from John Kirwan
- A day on set with The Crowd Goes Wild
So as you can see things are coming along nicely with some great things to auction. I am so thankful to the people and companies that have donated. If anyone out there has anything that they would like to donate to the cause please feel free to contact me. I will also be setting a link up on my website at www.craigbulloch.co.nz so that you will be able to go straight to the auctions on trade me.
At the start of my journey I set the goal
of raising $10k for the Mental Health Foundation and I think with the generosity
that has been shown by so many people that this goal will be achieved. It also
proves to me that what I am doing is worthwhile. Honestly, if I don't make the
$10k it won't be the end of the world I just want to able to look back when I
am old and grey and say I was able to do my little bit to help change some
lives. I am sure you can guess that I am extremely passionate about what I am
doing. I have already met some amazing people along my journey and I am
thankful to everyone.
So this week has been another quiet one on the training front. It has been all
head down butt up with study and assignments and I think winter has finally hit
us. I ended up getting a new windtrainer and a training DVD that goes with it.
It is called tough love and has a difficulty rating of 9.9 out of ten (It
should have been called- You must be stark raving mad to even think about
trying this!!!) But I loved it and on the cold wet weekends when I am meant to
be doing my long rides I will be setting up on the windtrainer and getting my
tough love fix! There was also the small fact that I got one year older. I am
now 21 and 144 months young. Safe to say I have had an interesting life but
would never change a thing.
My next event is next weekend down in Wellington where I am doing another half marathon my aim is to get below the two hour mark. That is knocking 30 minutes off the last run but I think, no I know, that I can do it.
I hope everyone is wintering well.
Take care.
Craig
7th June
Nil, nothing, zero, zilch, ning, not a
sausage!
I am guessing you may be getting the general idea.
I am talking about
how much I had left in my tank after this week! I feel as though I am running
on an oily rag.
To make matters worse everyone around me is dropping with the
flu I am just hoping that I don't get it! Because man flu is not good!!!
Oh and
then there is the small matter of three exams coming up for uni! Never mind I
will just plod on through get everything done and not moan....too much!
It has been another great week of training
with no major issues to report.
I did however have a soft tissue massage with
Lisa (Bodyneed) on Tuesday. And once
again she was able to work her magic on my legs that were feeling a little bit
like lead. But I must say that I am lucky I am single because the bruises that
I had after the session I am sure questions would have been asked!!!!!
But like
I say it was well worth it and I apologise to anyone that may have been in the
waiting room because I did let out a few choice words when the tight spots were
hit- which in this case was on a very regular occurrence.
I think I probably
sounded like Gordon Ramsey on a bad night in his kitchen!
So I have started collecting for the trade
me auction. I already have a couple of things which include subscriptions to
the healthy food guide (thanks Claire from Mission Nutrition), a signed
Japanese rugby jersey from John Kirwan, a signed Black Caps playing shirt from
Jesse Ryder and a digital camera from Ricoh.
So if anybody has ideas or wants
to donate anything for the auction please feel free to contact me on
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Congrats to Stacey to for having her baby
last a few weeks back. Also, well done to, the Britomart block challenge team
on their running last weekend and raising funds for Christchurch.
So I am keeping it short and sweet this
week as I am head down butt up trying to get as much study done as possible.
I hope you all are well!
Take care,
Craig
30th May
Week after the first step!
So it's now been a week since my first step towards my final goal of Ironman
2012. My body pulled up a lot better than I thought it was going to. It has
been a quiet week on the training front this week with a couple of short runs,
bikes and a 2km swim set. This quiet week of training has been pretty good
because I have been able to get on top of my uni work (what is it with uni wanting
all the assignments in at the same time?).
On another completely different note! (You may have guessed by now that I like
to go off on tangents). I saw someone who in his situation could be forgiven
for feeling a little sorry for himself and feel totally helpless and fall into
the clutches of depression. I am talking about the V8 supercar driver Jason
Richards (like I have stated before I am a closet petrol head). For those who
haven't heard his story he is suffering from cancer and has been having treatment
in the USA but instead of
feeling sorry for himself, and getting down- he has said bugger this, more or
less flicked the bird at his ailment and last weekend he got back into a car at
the Winton race track in Australia.
Absolutely amazing.
Another Kiwi who I draw inspiration from is a chap called Aaron Fleming. He has
written a book called purpose. It is about he has overcome adversity to become
an Ironman. It was one of those books that you just can't put down. I would
love to be able to write a book about my journey from Zero to Hero!
It's stories like this where I pull my inspiration from, because you realise
that these people don't deserve to be in the places they are now and are
dealing with it the best they can. For me when I start to hit the wall when
training all I have to do is think about people like Jason Richards and Aaron
Fleming and I get extra energy. I think they are totally amazing because at the
end of the day they could give up but they choose to fight. It just makes what
I am going to go through on my travels to Ironman look like a wee drop in the
bucket compared to the tough times that face people like Jason and Aaron.
And now I will divert off onto another tangent! What I am going to do now is
ask you for your input. Now that I have my website up and running I can now
concentrate on why I'm doing this. Raising funds for the Mental Health
Foundation. I know I can send emails and use facebook, but I want other ideas
about what I can do. I have raised $1,000.00 which is a great start but I am
looking at raising $10,000.00. I have said all along that it's not about the
money and if I can change one person's life on my journey then I would have
achieved something spectacular. But I have set the goal of the $10k and I want
to reach that. I know if it wasn't for the Mental Health Foundation I don't
know where I would be and feel the least I can do is reach this goal for them.
So this is what I am asking of you....... (I can always just ask for money but
that would just be far too easy).
I want you guys to give me some ideas about
how I can achieve this goal of getting the $10k.
Have a think and please let me
know.
You can get hold of me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Please let me know what you all think.
I look forward to hearing from you
Take care
Craig
22nd May
Personal Best!!!!
Well I guess since it was my first ever half
marathon it would be!
So I am writing this after having an ice bath (I
apologise if an image of me in a bath has just popped into your head - I
pretty much wouldn't wish that on an enemy).
I don't know what hurt
more the last two km's of the Huntly Half or the ice bath (sorry again
for the mention of the bath I promise I won't mention that again).
Safe
to say that my body knows I have run/walked a half today and I love it.
Like I have just mentioned I ran/walked the half.
The reason for this
is the fact that my Bodyneed team Stacy (physio), Lisa (massage therapist), Podiatrist - Monique
(Bigfoot) and running coach Kathy (Fit Goals) all told me not to push myself and just
to get through today as it is still ten months out to the big one. Safe
to say it would be the first time that I have listened to four women in
relation to what I am doing.
I am glad that I did! Yes my body is sore
but I have pulled up so much better than I thought I was going to and my
calf held up.
On a separate note, I have had all my clothing screen printed with all my sponsors and I have on the back what I am doing. I would have to say I wouldn't look out of place as a V8 supercar driver with the way the gear looks; it looks fantastic and a massive thank you to Konstruct for doing the screen printing.
The reason for me diverting to this is
that when I was walking I had so many people come up to me and talk to
me about the Ironman and the Mental Health Foundation.
It was a great
feeling to know that people were taking notice of the shirt and also
taking the time to talk to me.
I want to say how proud I am of my mum for getting through the 10km
walk.
She looked like she was breathing through her eyelids by the end
but what an awesome effort Mum.
And for my brother I am sure he is an
albino Kenyan! Left me in his dust!
Team Bulloch did well. Oh and Dad -
you can have your support crew job back!
Oh no I may have been a little hasty when saying my body was all good. I will keep this short and sweet because at the moment my fingers are the only piece of me that doesn't feel as though they will seize up!
I hope everyone is well
Take care
Craig
(Bodyneed = Well done Craig.....awesome!!)
16th May
So another week of training under my belt- I do have to say that said belt has lost a couple of notches and I also now only seem to have half as many chins! (I still enough chins to fill half the Chinese phone book but not fill it like I used to!) Not that the reason for me doing this was to lose weight but it definitely is a great side effect of all the training and eating right!
Well on the training front I have had to have a couple of enforced days off due to feeling a little poorly. I am guessing it was the training I was doing in the rain and such like last week. A week out from my first event- I didn't want to overdo myself and have nothing left in the tank for when it comes to running around the wee Waikato town.
I am glad I got rid of the target off my back that the boy racers seemed to be aiming at a few weeks ago because with it being the first weekend of duck shooting I didn't know if going out around the Waikato was going to be a good idea. By the sounds of the amount of shooting that was going on I am not sure if there were a lot of birds being hit or just some very poor shooting going on. It did however make me ride just that little bit quicker when I heard the volley of shots ringing out around me. At least I know now what to do to make me pedal just that little bit quicker! Just get some random in camo gear firing pot shots into the air!
Whilst I have been slogging it out this week with uni work I got to thinking (one of the many times that I have procrastinated while trying to write a assignment) that the people that are training for the ironman and other events that have full time jobs and families are absolutely amazing and I have no idea how they do it! I guess this is why it is a good time for me to take on this challenge because I do have more time than most to get the trainings in.
So next weekend, the 22nd of May, is the first of my build up events, a half marathon. How am I feeling about it? I hear you ask eagerly waiting on some profound answer! Ok maybe that's bold of me to think that you were sitting where ever you are thinking that! But anyway I will tell you. I am, really really excited! I truly am. I can't wait to get out there on the course and do my very first half marathon. Once I get that under my (ever decreasing) belt I know that I am just that little bit closer to becoming an Ironman. The thing that I am most chuffed about is the fact that I have my mother doing the 10km walk. She is an amazing person and with her and my dad's help I have turned my life around. Speaking of my dad I have had to sit him down and talk him through about being my crew- falling asleep in the car as he waits for me to bike by to give me some drinks isn't what I would call being proactive when it came to being a good crew member. Sorry dad! My brother is also going to do the half. I would like to say that we would be running it together but he is the whippet in the family and will leave me in his dust! But I am sure my competitive nature will kick in and I will pursue him for at least the first hundred metres!
Are any of you doing the Huntly? If you are all the best of luck and I just hope that the mighty Waikato turns on the great weather for the day.
Take care everyone
Craig
9th May
Jim Hickey
you have a lot to answer for!
Well I guess I could say something to the weather
gods but let's be honest they won't be listening and I doubt Jim will either.
The reason for my frustration is the fact that driest I was for my first four
trainings this week was when I was in the pool!
So yes I was caught in some big
downpours while out on my bike and then when I was out running.
I shouldn't
blame anyone since it was my idea to get out there and do the training but I
tell you what..... I felt great at the end of it! Well I suppose in hindsight I
shouldn't have a go at MR Hickey at all and should just say keep up the good
work and hit me with your best or worst of the weather because come rain, hail,
wind or on the odd occasion, sun I will be out there and putting my body
through the rigors of training. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
So yes
apart from having very soggy Reeboks and cycling shoes this week's training has
been pretty good. Well apart from Sunday where I had a wee hiccup. Why I
thought getting up and watching the mighty Chiefs play the Bulls at three in
the morning was a good idea I will never know. Maybe I am just rugby tragic!
But this is what I am putting down to my poor training session. Along with the
emotional night on Friday and before you jump to any conclusions I am not
talking about that wee wedding that was going on with some Prince- (I thought
that when women got married that there husband was their prince! So what was
the big deal about this wedding- Or am I wrong and I apologise to any Royalist
that may read this please keep reading I promise not to mention the monarchy
again) What I am talking about the Breakers taking out the NBL....... Ok I am a
sporting tragic- well it's what happens when you have two older brothers that
are extremely competitive. Ever since I can remember I have, been wanting, to
beat them anytime time we play any sport. I still think I can beat my oldest
brother at golf and he is a professional in the USA! But I digress- ahh yes I
was saying that my poor form on the Sunday was from the fact that I hadn't had
a decent kip the night before and honestly I take note of what Johnny from
mission nutrition had said I should be eating and hour or so before I train
this was the first and last time that I didn't eat properly before a long
training. Let's just say after my ride when I started to run my legs turned to
custard and I struggled to get through the set time. But I am putting this down
to a lesson and I like to think I am a quick learner!
So the rest
of the week has been good- a good two km session in the Cameron Pools (who have
been generous enough to sponsor a swim pass up until the ironman) and also a
great workout at Ludus Magnus. If you haven't heard of Ludus give them a look
on the web www.ludusmagnus.co.nz. The one hour sessions are amazing
and it's such a great atmosphere. Safe to say I won't be stepping foot back
into a normal gym again Ludus Magnus trainings are the way forward..... You heard
it here first!!!!!!
So another
big weekend of sport ahead! But I will be utilizing mySky and taping it because
I have to get my priorities right!!!!!
One last
thing my web page is up and running now so please if you have a spare two
minutes please have a look.
It would be great to get some feedback on it. A
massive thanks to David from Wheadon Creative who has sorted it all for me
because there is no way that I could ever of done anything as professional as
what he has done for me!
Me and technology don't see eye to eye all the
time!!!!
Take care
everyone
Craig
2nd May
You little ripper!!!
I
am getting back to 100% (some may argue that I have never been 100% and they
probably have a good argument there).
This week I have finally been able to
start to get some decent hours in training.
One question I do have though is
what is about boy racers in Waikato?
I know that I have a large rear and just
because it's the size of a baby elephants it doesn't mean you can try and swipe
me with your rear view mirror!
There is enough room on the road for your rust
bucket and me! So that's my rant for the week- you must be getting used to them
by now!
Like I say I have been
able to get out on the roads and get some good km's under my belt. I had
forgotten how great it is to be out on the road letting my mind wander- well
until I just about get clipped by some numpty in some lowered Mazda then he is
the one that has the audacity to flick me the bird as though it was his right
to try and run me down! But I digress. Admittedly the first ride I went on I
would have probably been better off to wear my wetsuit rather than my cycling
gear because I didn't know if I was swimming or cycling half the time! And I
must add here- if anyone is looking for a training buddy for long rides I am
always keen! I just love getting out on the bike and seeing this great country
of ours.
Then came the first
proper run. When I say proper I mean a very short, very easy 20min jog and if
anyone saw me they wouldn't be wrong in thinking that my run looks suspiciously
like a walk! Anyway the fact that I was coming off a torn calf still played in
the back of my mind. So I was just taking it easy. The first wee hill came up
and I had flash backs of the day that I tore the calf. But the work that Stacey
from Bodyneed has put in over the last few weeks put my mind at ease and I was
able to finish the run with relative ease. It's now only three weeks out from
the Huntly Half marathon. I am really looking forward to it. Yes I don't think
I will be out breaking any records but it will be a great for my mental
preparation for the other events that I have coming up. Namely the Wellington
marathon in June. For someone who doesn't like running I am started to get really
excited about all the events that are coming up over the next few months.
I was also able to get
a good few trainings in in the pool. I thought I was going to sink like a rock
but I surprised myself and was able to do the drills that were set for me from
my coach from fit goals, Kathy. I am definitely feeling really excited to see
what the next few months throws up. I know that there is going to be constant
ups and downs but I also know that I am in the best hands possible to get me
through these.
With all the training
I have been doing I have been able to get stuck into the eating plan that
Johnny from Mission Nutrition has set up for me. It has been amazing and I
really think that the way I have been feeling during and after trainings is
down to the guide he has given me. I totally recommend having an eating plan
set up for yourself no matter what your lifestyle is. The team at, Mission
Nutrition, are awesome and can help out with anything to do with nutrition.
Anyway I hope everyone
is well.
Craig
25th March.
Happy Easter everyone and "Lest we forget" the amazing ANZAC's that gave their lives for this wonderful country of ours all those years ago.
So another week's has past and I have finally been given the news that I was longing to hear since I tore my calf..... "you can start running again". I just about hugged Stacey when she told me that! And for someone who is no great fan of running- well not at the moment anyway, it was a great moment. It felt like this is where my Ironman journey can start in earnest.
You little ripper I hear you all say. That's right you won't have to endure my ramblings of how I long to be out running the streets. You will now be hearing me go on about how little time I have to fit everything in but bring it on I say. This is what I signed up for so rain hail or shine I will be lacing up the shoes, squeezing into my lycra (oh I can say goodbye to the wind trainer- well for the time being anyway) or somehow getting into myself into my wetsuit and getting out there all in the name of Mental Health and to finish Ironman NZ 2012. I guess I will have to curb my enthusiasm and ease myself back into things but I am sure my coach, Kath, from Fit Goals (www.fitgoals.co.nz) and the awesome team at Bodyneed will be able to sort me out!!!!
So as you may have guessed over the past few weeks I have had allot of time on my hands to think about the enormity of this task that I am taking on. I haven't at any point second guessed myself but it is one hell of a scary thing to think that in ten months time I will be lining up at the start of ironman New Zealand. I came across a wee poem the other day which deals with being scared about taking on a risks and thought that I would share it with you- Like I say I have had a allot of time on my hands.
To Risk by William Arthur Ward
"To laugh is to risk appearing
a fool,
To weep is to risk appearing
sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk
involvement,
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true
self.
To
place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To
love is to risk not being loved in return,
To
live is to risk dying,
To
hope is to risk despair,
To
try is to risk failure.
But
risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The
person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing"
When I read this it struck me two fold. It relates closely to when I was struggling with my depression, where I didn't want to risk being judge by others by reaching out or exposing my true self and then when it came to the ironman the last line summed it up for me perfectly. I know that life is full of these sorts of decisions where we have to sum up risks and we may be worried about the consequences but this is what shapes the people we are. I know I took allot from this poem and maybe you can to.
Phew that was pretty deep and meaningful for me! I know I am meant to be blogging about my training and things but with the torn calf I have had way too much time on my hands and thought that you may be interested in what is going on, because allot of this road I am on over the next year is going to be both physically and mentally demanding.
If you have got this far I hopefully haven't bored you too much!
Anyway I hope everyone is doing really well.
Take care
Yours from zero to hero
Craig
April
18
So another week has come to an end and I haven't done nearly as much training
as I had wanted but I know that I have to be patient.
Being on the injured list is no fun at all.
Oh I must make an apology too.....
For those of you that may have been in the Ponsonby area last Friday you may
have heard some loud wailing that sounded like a cat's tail had just been stood
on.
Don't worry it was only me!
I was having my first massage with Lisa. But it was all good!!
Here was me thinking that since I can touch my toes I am not holding to much
tightness in my body.....how wrong I was!!
It was the first time that I have had a soft tissue massage and I felt amazing
after it.
I can't wait until the next one and this time I will make sure that I don't
squeal like a big baby- well I can't promise but I will try :-)
Also had a great physio session this week with Stacey on the reformer machine.
The machine really makes you concerntrate on correct movement - I love them! Photo's of me in action coming tomorrow on this website, so check back Tuesday!
So my pleas of getting some interesting workouts for the spin trainer worked
and I have been able to put in a few hours on the bike.
Fingers crossed next week I will be out on the roads.
All I can say is watch out Auckland
I will be unleashing the Lycra for the first time in a while!
When one of my friends found out what I was doing over the next year he sent
something on Facebook.
I wouldn't usually do this but I'd like you all to take a look at this link.
I am
not ashamed to say it but I was moved to tears when I watched it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH943Az_lPQ&feature=related
(Note there is a religious element to this video - if it bothers you turn the sound down - you get the gist of the wonderful story either way :-) )
The father's unconditional love for his son is just amazing and their motto in
life is "Yes you can" - it has inspired me - I know I can and if I waiver on my journey this story will keep me going. AMAZING!
I hope that everyone is well and fingers crossed that when you are reading this
Holden will be celebrating a great win in Hamilton......oh
come on... I am from Hamilton
you couldn't think that I am not a petrol head. I do however draw the line at a
mullet!
Take care my bodyneed friends.
Craig
April 11th
Can
somebody please tell me how to make a training session on a wind-trainer
interesting? Sitting in one place turning over your legs on a bike for a few
hours can get really boring so if there is something I am missing out on please,
please, please let me know!
Well as you may have guessed by that short rant to start with I am starting to
get back into my training very slowly but I am starting for feel semi human
again after getting cabin fever by not doing anywhere near as much training as
I want to do!
This week I have been humbled by the amount of support that I am getting for
what I am doing. I thought when I took this on that yes I would get a few
people to back what I am doing but this week I have even had two newspapers
getting hold of me to do stories on me. I better dust off the glad rags just in
case they want pictures! I knew that when I started out on this road to conquer
the iron-man for mental health that it was a big undertaking but now I know how
massive it really is not only for me but for the people around me that have
seen what I am up to.
It is the first time that I have thought that I may be able to change some
one's life and tell you what it is a fantastic feeling. From coming from a
point where I could ended everything eighteen months ago I have now done a
complete 180 degree turn to a point where I am in a position that I can help
someone fight their depression.
I had my first meeting with Johnny at Mission Nutrition last week and when I
saw what I have to eat during the days when I am training there was definitely
a massive sigh of relief- I will not be going hungry that is for sure! Claire
and her team at mission nutrition are amazing and know anything and everything
when it comes to you nutrition requirements so I highly recommend if you want to
carry on your healthy lifestyles go along and see them.
I also had another physio appointment with Stacey at Bodyneed Ponsonby this
week and I'm making some really great progress plus I got my first sports
massage too with Lisa.
Both experiences were amazing and I left feeling I was making even more
progress with my recovery and I'll be back to full training soon.
Anyway, hopefully next week I will be able to start giving a better idea of how
my training is tracking.
I also made a mistake in my first blog my fundraise online page is www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/CraigBulloch/ that will take you to give
you a little more information about myself and why I have chosen to do what I
am doing.
I hope everyone is well
Yours from Zero 2 Hero
Craig
April 4th
Wahoo- There is a
light at the end of the tunnel.
If I was to say that last week I would have
said that light was a train coming at me from the other end of the tunnel but
not this week.
After seeing Stacey for another session on my leg I am feeling
like a million bucks and have been able to get back to Ludus Magnus for a
couple of upper body sessions before I get the all clear to start getting back
out and building up some fitness for my first event, the Huntly half in May.
Back to Stacey a massive thank you to her for the work she has done on my calf.
I truly believe she has magic hands each time I leave I my leg feels a million
times better but the she positiveness she exudes is so infectious and I walk
out knowing that I am in great hands and know that I will be making the
starting line of my events in the best possible condition.
In relation to training this week as you probably can guess I haven't been able to do as much as I want and it is interesting because I can feel my whole mood change. I know that this is only for a short time because in no time I will be back out there pounding the streets. It struck me that this is exactly why I am doing what I am doing. I have got so used to the great feeling that getting out there and doing some form of fitness gives me that when I am sitting around doing nothing, I have been with my torn calf over the past few weeks, my whole mental process changes and I become unmotivated. But I have learnt how to deal with this and also know, as I said, I will be back out and about in no time at all. I just want people to realize how important it is to get out there and do any type of fitness and you will begin to feel better.
I have my first nutrition meeting this week with the team at Mission Nutrition, so there goes my mum's baking. I am so thankful for Claire and her team for taking me on and am looking forward to getting to know the in's and out's of Ironman Nutrition.
Anyway I hope that everyone is enjoying the last of the summer!
Yours from Zero to Hero
Craig
My training officially started last week and just my luck I was doing some hill sprints- yes I know hills and sprints should never be used in the same sentence- I tore my calf! I hit the deck hard and things flashed in front of my eyes, well not that elaborate but I was gutted. But thanks to the team at Bodyneed I will be back on my feet again, back out on the roads and on the bike very soon- but it is safe to say I will not be doing hill sprints again!So who am I and why was I doing hill sprints?.... My name is Craig Bulloch and I am planning to take on the 2012 Taupo Ironman - from zero to hero... all in the name of raising money and profile for an organization I believe are doing awesome things for kiwis - the NZ Mental Health Foundation.
Here is my story...
A 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and then to finish off, a 42km marathon...
Yes, that's right, I am going to be doing the 2012 NZ Ironman in Taupo. Some said I have a screw loose and maybe I do to be taking on this massive challenge but I feel like I am doing it for a great cause. I will be raising money for the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation. With the help of the fantastic team at Bodyneed this dream will be made into reality in March 2012. When I hear those words... ‘Craig Bulloch, you are an Ironman' I will know that I have done it for such a fantastic cause and that will be all the sweeter.
Just a little bit about me to begin with. I am from Hamilton; I guess I should have put that last just in case it stops you from reading! I am 32 and started at AUT last July after the business that I owned went pear shaped and I decided to do something I should have done many years ago and that is study Physiotherapy. I should also warn you this is the first time that I have ever written anything that has been published. English was never my strongest subject at school; to be honest I went to school to play sport and eat lunch! So forgive me if I waffle a little but I just want people to know what I am doing and the reasons why I have taken on this mammoth task.
It has been around five years now since I was first diagnosed with depression and through those years there have been ups and downs that have ruined relationships and put strains on friendships. I would lock myself in my room for days on end not wanting to face the outside world. One of the lowest points was when I ruined my Mum's 60th birthday. To add to things, a friend committed suicide a couple of years ago and I saw firsthand how this affects family and friends. I can say that I have been to that place where I thought there is no point in carrying on and if I am truthful the only reason I didn't harm myself was because I saw what his family had to endure the few days after his death.
This brings me to the present and the reason for me wanting to do an Ironman and raise funds for the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation. It may sound simple but for me it's all about being active. It was about the same time that John Kirwan said that he suffered from depression and that doing exercise or activity a few days a week made him feel better, that I started to get off the couch to do things. To hear someone that I admired as a child say that he suffered from depression took some of the stigma away that can be attached when diagnosed with depression. I know this may sound cheesy and it probably is but those advertisements that JK did have saved my life.I bought myself some shoes and started running a couple of days a week. I was surprised that after just a couple of days I started to feel different, I felt better about myself. I started to look in the mirror and like what I saw, not that anything had changed in two days but it was just something inside. That last comment makes me sound vain but when I was at my lowest I would look in the mirror and see a shell of a person looking back at me. I then bought myself a road bike and started riding three or four times a week. And all the time I was feeling better about myself inside and out. I didn't have a clue about the science behind it but I just knew that when I trained I felt better and if I didn't do something for a more than a few days I would start to slide again.
I want to spread the word that getting out and doing some form of activity a few days a week can make you feel better both inside and out. During this time I also went to a psychologist and found that talking to someone definitely help lift the dark cloud that I felt was following me around.I will be raising funds for the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation. One in five New Zealanders will experience mental illness every year. Mental illness not only affects the person diagnosed but family, friends and work colleagues as well. The Mental Health Foundation helps as many people it can each year and I want to let people know about the great work they do. I also feel fundraising for them is the least I can do, because if it weren't for groups like the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation I don't know where I would be these days.
Since I am taking on such a big event as the Ironman, I will be doing some smaller but definitely not less significant events as ‘practice' for the NZ Ironman. These will be-
Huntly Half Marathon 22nd May
Wellington Marathon 19th June
Tough Guy/Girl Challenge 3rd July
K2 Cycle Challenge 29th Oct
Karipiro Half Ironman 12th November
Rotorua Half Ironman December
So as you can see it will be a tough year but it will be extremely rewarding. You can follow me at www.fundraiseonline/CraigBulloch/ or at www.craigbulloch.co.nz even better, come join me on course and do one of the challenges with me!
We all know someone with a mental illness and it will be a great way to show your support. Yes I am fundraising for what I believe to be a great cause but I also think that I will have succeeded if I hear that just one person has turned their life around and decided to take on depression like I did and come out the other side.
