Ok, just finished having a good stretch and a cool down. My intention today was simply to walk out my goal training route and measure my heart rate and time to do so.

The distance covered I have calculated to be approximatley 11km (just over my 10km target distance) from my home to the end of The Esplanade where it meets Hutt road is 5.5km, so there and back - job done!

I don’t even feel nackered either which is a bonus. Based on the readings from my Polar watch, my average heart rate was 125 (being around 89-92 at rest) with a maximum heart rate of 137 depending on the terrain and the crosswinds I faced during my leisurely walk :loopy:

taking into account a pit stop halfway for a rehydrating beverage. It took me about 1 hour and 45 mins to walk 11 km. That’s WALK. I’m aiming to be able to run a 10km run in under 1 hour. If I do it in less than 50 mins I will be extremly pleased with myself!

So, why have a I started off my training like this?

I guess it’s the physics freak deep inside me, I am approaching this whole training and get ready for the race thing as a big experiment if you like, so - now after today I have a baseline. Some data for how long it takes to walk a set distance prior to any training. It will act as my control. So, by the end of 12 weeks I will repeat this exercise and see for example if there is any difference in

a) time taken to complete
b) average heart rate
c) maximum heart
d) at rest heart rate

In theory also after doing the anaerobic exercises suggested in a number of programs I have seen - I ought to be able to cut down my recovery time considerably. Not to mention my wasteline :happy: (assumes a cocky military style stance… “Huuwaaa!!”)

…Preferrably my new employer would like me to start 24th September, assuming I can get the Visa/Work Permit sorted in that time?  Plus I have to somehow miraculously sell my house in that time (or at least get the ball rolling to that end before I go)….

Tomorrow is officially my 9th Anniversary of starting with my current employer so I thought it would prove rather an auspicious date to pick for handing my my notice too!  So, 4 weeks left of a job, that has lost my heart and soul, and just under 2 months before I enter a new world!

I know I am going to miss all my colleagues, friends and band mates like crazy, but this is all part of life change…the world has been made small thanks to the internet and communications, so although I will be gone, I will not be forgotten

…One thing WILL remain a constant, and that is this BLOG!!

In order to improve chances on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning NZ), I am continuing to do homework.  Not just the technical side - although that would encompass the majority; given this is a phone interview across a large distance I appreciate they will want to build as close a picture of my character as possible, this will likley be done through a certain level of behavioral questions - which they have kindly forewarned me will happen.

Whilst it’s difficult to be right or wrong in these types of situations it has allowed me the opportunity to sit down, and gather some examples of different situations in the past of certain skills - for example: working towards a goal, or under pressure.  In fact I recommend anyone going for an interview to give this a go, because if nothing else it will give you plenty of relevant things to talk about in order to qualify your application, plus it’ll add confidence to your approach!

In my opinion a large proportion of failures and nerves in an interview is through lack of preparation, and in some cases people simply not knowing “why” they are there!  I’m lucky I have a circle of friends and colleagues who push me in the right direction mentally all the time :)  (maybe they just want rid of me????   He said in a paranoid tone!)…

Nuff said, anyways - I “could” stay up all night as I am really that fired up about all this now, but that wouldn’t do my clients any good in work tomorrow, so I’m off to get some sleep.

For what may seem obvious reasons to some, I decided to bite the bullet in recent times and go for a new position with a different organisation; (I know I am still a bit of a tease with this) - anyways; it would appear I am getting an initial interview which for this kind of change is a major hurdle surmounted, I expect I will still have to survive a few rounds of interviews before I can set things truly in motion…

Of course here’s the catch - sell your house, your car, get rid of most of the none essentials within your personal belongings and life; and catch the next flight to….

New Zealand!

…and start a new one

See?  Told you I don’t do small change!  I’m really looking forward to a chance to work in an environment that isn’t profit driven; which will hopefully recognise my potential and encourage me to grow (professionally and personally).

On a more sombre note, this does have it’s consequences, I’ll be leaving my immediate family and the brass band I have been a member of for years, they will struggle with a weakened front row - but I see these as necessary sacrifices in my personal development.

Of course I “still” need to be selected from the short list yet, so fingers crossed everyone!