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All funds raised during my ride across Australia went to either the Australian or New Zealand Heart Foundation depending on the donor’s wish. It was a thrill to be named Best Individual Fund-raiser for 2011 by the Queensland Branch of the Australian Heart Foundation. Special thanks to EVERYONE who supported my ride.
ABOUT ME
BRENDA NOONAN
BRENDA NOONAN
What a journey life is!!
Here I am, in my late fifties, biking across Australia - who would have thought I would ever do that!
Many "friends" say I am mad - they are probably right - but it is something I want to do ..... why? I don't really know - maybe just to prove to myself that I can set a challenge for myself, train for it and achieve it!
I am also taking the opportunity to use this to raise money for the Heart Foundation.
A bit of my background .........
I was born in Whakatane, New Zealand, the middle child of three, and the daughter of school-teacher parents. I enjoyed a wonderful family upbringing in rural parts of the North Island of New Zealand - (Manawahe, Tapapa, Horotiu and Otaika). It was a wholesome, enjoyable life with a great balance of schooling, music lessons, horse riding and holidays!
Upon leaving school, my career path can only be described as unpredictable with significant changes in direction as different opportunities presented themselves! From starting as a clerical cadet with the Department of Labour, to supervising in the "EDP" sector of the banking industry, and operating those marvellous old "main-frames" during the 70's. More computer roles in private enterprise followed during the 80's and then a fantastic period of self-employment manufacturing presentation dress rugs for the horse-racing industry. After the sale of that business working as a "temp" in both New Zealand and Australia has enabled me to enjoy a diversity of roles, through a variety of business activities. Its also enabled holidays to be fitted in at regular intervals!
For over 30 years I have been involved with the breeding and racing of standardbred horses. I still have interests in 3 broodmares (currently located in Te Awamutu, New Zealand) and sell their progeny as yearlings each year. Its great watching how they perform on race tracks in New Zealand, Australia and USA.
I also adore dogs, and bred and showed Boston Terriers for over 20 years in New Zealand. I was a long-time Secretary for the Boston Terrier Club and active in the dog-show world including roles on the Ladies Kennel Association committee.
1999 saw a big change when, following the sale of our business, we moved to the suburb of Scarborough on the beautiful Redcliffe Peninsula in Queensland, Australia - Paradise!!
My "dog" involvement became that of a volunteer for Guide Dogs Queensland. To date 36 guide dog puppies have been through my home at various stages of their education. They have mainly been Labradors, a few Golden Retrievers, and also some selectively bred Labrador / Golden Retriever crosses. Many have made the grade as guide dogs, others have had "career changes" with some going to corrective services, others as companion dogs for people with disabilities and others to be much loved pets.
Always a battler against weight problems, after 5 years living in Australia, my situation became serious. It became apparent that I had to do something about it!! I had tried most diets without any lasting affect - and had reached a stage of being seriously overweight, totally unfit, had high blood pressure and unacceptable cholesterol levels.
I changed to a healthy eating (and drinking) plan (thanks to the Weight Reduction Clubs of Queensland - Redcliffe Branch). I also started to exercise! The result has been a new, 36 kg lighter, fitter me!! I started walking in "fun runs" etc in the 50 - 55 year old female category - better late than never!!!!
I enjoyed these events so much, from a library book I taught myself to jog, and discovered the joys of road running - progressing from 5 km fun runs, to 10kms, to half-marathons and eventually completing the Auckland marathon.
Triathlons also became part of my life - numerous sprint distance events, and the furthest so far - (maybe a Half-Ironman still beckons) the Mooloolaba Olympic Distance event.
Along the way, my interest in bike riding grew - 3 times Brisbane to the Gold Coast 100km, the 100 mile (160km) "Century" ride from Brisbane to Noosa, and some thoroughly enjoyable "touring" in New Zealand and South Australia.
I have completed one "open water" swim, and I intend to look at these more seriously in the future!!
I love overseas travel, and another "goal" of mine is to compete in an event in a different country each year, so besides the numerous events in Australia and New Zealand - I have done a sprint distance triathlon in Tipperary, Ireland, a half-marathon in Portland, Oregon, and an 8 km fun run in Paris, France
But for 2011 - its this goal - to bike across Australia - and raise funds for the Heart Foundation!!
Here I am, in my late fifties, biking across Australia - who would have thought I would ever do that!
Many "friends" say I am mad - they are probably right - but it is something I want to do ..... why? I don't really know - maybe just to prove to myself that I can set a challenge for myself, train for it and achieve it!
I am also taking the opportunity to use this to raise money for the Heart Foundation.
A bit of my background .........
I was born in Whakatane, New Zealand, the middle child of three, and the daughter of school-teacher parents. I enjoyed a wonderful family upbringing in rural parts of the North Island of New Zealand - (Manawahe, Tapapa, Horotiu and Otaika). It was a wholesome, enjoyable life with a great balance of schooling, music lessons, horse riding and holidays!
Upon leaving school, my career path can only be described as unpredictable with significant changes in direction as different opportunities presented themselves! From starting as a clerical cadet with the Department of Labour, to supervising in the "EDP" sector of the banking industry, and operating those marvellous old "main-frames" during the 70's. More computer roles in private enterprise followed during the 80's and then a fantastic period of self-employment manufacturing presentation dress rugs for the horse-racing industry. After the sale of that business working as a "temp" in both New Zealand and Australia has enabled me to enjoy a diversity of roles, through a variety of business activities. Its also enabled holidays to be fitted in at regular intervals!
For over 30 years I have been involved with the breeding and racing of standardbred horses. I still have interests in 3 broodmares (currently located in Te Awamutu, New Zealand) and sell their progeny as yearlings each year. Its great watching how they perform on race tracks in New Zealand, Australia and USA.
I also adore dogs, and bred and showed Boston Terriers for over 20 years in New Zealand. I was a long-time Secretary for the Boston Terrier Club and active in the dog-show world including roles on the Ladies Kennel Association committee.
1999 saw a big change when, following the sale of our business, we moved to the suburb of Scarborough on the beautiful Redcliffe Peninsula in Queensland, Australia - Paradise!!
My "dog" involvement became that of a volunteer for Guide Dogs Queensland. To date 36 guide dog puppies have been through my home at various stages of their education. They have mainly been Labradors, a few Golden Retrievers, and also some selectively bred Labrador / Golden Retriever crosses. Many have made the grade as guide dogs, others have had "career changes" with some going to corrective services, others as companion dogs for people with disabilities and others to be much loved pets.
Always a battler against weight problems, after 5 years living in Australia, my situation became serious. It became apparent that I had to do something about it!! I had tried most diets without any lasting affect - and had reached a stage of being seriously overweight, totally unfit, had high blood pressure and unacceptable cholesterol levels.
I changed to a healthy eating (and drinking) plan (thanks to the Weight Reduction Clubs of Queensland - Redcliffe Branch). I also started to exercise! The result has been a new, 36 kg lighter, fitter me!! I started walking in "fun runs" etc in the 50 - 55 year old female category - better late than never!!!!
I enjoyed these events so much, from a library book I taught myself to jog, and discovered the joys of road running - progressing from 5 km fun runs, to 10kms, to half-marathons and eventually completing the Auckland marathon.
Triathlons also became part of my life - numerous sprint distance events, and the furthest so far - (maybe a Half-Ironman still beckons) the Mooloolaba Olympic Distance event.
Along the way, my interest in bike riding grew - 3 times Brisbane to the Gold Coast 100km, the 100 mile (160km) "Century" ride from Brisbane to Noosa, and some thoroughly enjoyable "touring" in New Zealand and South Australia.
I have completed one "open water" swim, and I intend to look at these more seriously in the future!!
I love overseas travel, and another "goal" of mine is to compete in an event in a different country each year, so besides the numerous events in Australia and New Zealand - I have done a sprint distance triathlon in Tipperary, Ireland, a half-marathon in Portland, Oregon, and an 8 km fun run in Paris, France
But for 2011 - its this goal - to bike across Australia - and raise funds for the Heart Foundation!!
BEFORE AND AFTER:-
Not so sure that I should put these pictures here - but here goes!!!!!!
Start pics are at 95 kgs when I struggled to walk around the block!!
After pics one is just after completing the Mooloolaba Olympic Distance Triathlon, (about 58 kgs) and the other after a 10 km race last October in Whangarei, New Zealand (about 62 kgs).
Since initially losing 36 kgs, I tend to fluctuate between 58 and 64 kgs depending on how much training I am doing, but I do feel I have mastered my demons and I certainly don't wan to re-visit the old me!!!
Hoping this big adventure starting in March will see me back down around the 58 kg mark
Not so sure that I should put these pictures here - but here goes!!!!!!
Start pics are at 95 kgs when I struggled to walk around the block!!
After pics one is just after completing the Mooloolaba Olympic Distance Triathlon, (about 58 kgs) and the other after a 10 km race last October in Whangarei, New Zealand (about 62 kgs).
Since initially losing 36 kgs, I tend to fluctuate between 58 and 64 kgs depending on how much training I am doing, but I do feel I have mastered my demons and I certainly don't wan to re-visit the old me!!!
Hoping this big adventure starting in March will see me back down around the 58 kg mark
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