Tuesday 31 May 2011
Monday 30 May 2011
The Fat Nut....
Update on the coconut - After recently stacking on a couple of kilos I was curious to understand my sudden gain in weight. Initially I was stumped, as I had been in a regular training pattern and eating normally. I racked my brain for an answer and after a lengthy process of elimination it came to me.
In preparation for the Mui Ne triathlon in May I had begun drinking the water from fresh coconuts. In fact (now that I'm coco-free for more than 1 week) I will admit up to 2 per day...with each coconut containing around a pint of water!
I had heard the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals would help stave off leg cramps - Something I have suffered from in endurance events for many years. What I didn't hear about (or bother to check out before I begun my coco binge ) was the other thing the coconut has.......calories.
I had heard the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals would help stave off leg cramps - Something I have suffered from in endurance events for many years. What I didn't hear about (or bother to check out before I begun my coco binge ) was the other thing the coconut has.......calories.
The good: This food (the water) is very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Vitamin C, Riboflavin and Calcium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese.
The bad: This food is very high in Sodium, and a large portion of the calories in this food come from sugars.
The bad: This food is very high in Sodium, and a large portion of the calories in this food come from sugars.
Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3115/2#ixzz1Nz01YJdu
If you have a problem with coconuts or know someone who does contact 1800-COCO-COLD-TURKEY or log onto http://www.coco-nuts-anonymous.com/
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| 'Dua Tuoi ' ... Bought everywhere on the streets of HCMC... |
Sport is not just about blokes...
It's also about the the arts....
Quinn on stage with Dancenter.
And in the 'non sport ' moment of the day...
...me with some random cover band at the Black Pearl Bar - Vung Tau, Jan 2011...
More street pics from Vietnam
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| Quinn is known as the best rip sticker in primary... |
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| The boys at the beach shower, Mui Ne... |
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| From the Thu Thiem Bridge - See my posting on Saigon Bridges Fun Run course... |
....and in the 'non sport ' moment of the day...
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| Levi and Georgia & Mac all being super cute.... |
Leave a comment on SSLS and breakfast is on me!
How can this be? Nothing is for free in this world! Especially in Saigon! Well screw that! This is dead set free.
I guarantee to personally come down from my office and buy anyone who posts me a comment a succulent Banh Mi and Ca phe da at the famous 'old lady' street seller on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai...out front of the centec tower. HAVE I GONE MAD? Maybe? Must have been all the coconuts?...but its your treat! Thats right. A bread roll with your choice of pork or fried egg and an ice coffee with 28 sugars ABSOLUTELY FREE. All you gotta do is leave me a comment. Its that easy. Call me a dickhead. Call me a nut.! Post anything. I dare you! I'll be straight down that elevator to fix you up with old Chi Oi's special heart starter breaky!
Furthermore - If anyone decides to 'follow me' receiving updates of my blog and identifying themselves as a fan of my literary work - I will buy you the whole freakin banh mi stand and send missus chi oi home early!
You better believe it!
Your sincerely
Managing Director & CEO of Saigon Straight Line Sports
Matt Natalotto.
I guarantee to personally come down from my office and buy anyone who posts me a comment a succulent Banh Mi and Ca phe da at the famous 'old lady' street seller on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai...out front of the centec tower. HAVE I GONE MAD? Maybe? Must have been all the coconuts?...but its your treat! Thats right. A bread roll with your choice of pork or fried egg and an ice coffee with 28 sugars ABSOLUTELY FREE. All you gotta do is leave me a comment. Its that easy. Call me a dickhead. Call me a nut.! Post anything. I dare you! I'll be straight down that elevator to fix you up with old Chi Oi's special heart starter breaky!
Furthermore - If anyone decides to 'follow me' receiving updates of my blog and identifying themselves as a fan of my literary work - I will buy you the whole freakin banh mi stand and send missus chi oi home early!
You better believe it!
Your sincerely
Managing Director & CEO of Saigon Straight Line Sports
Matt Natalotto.
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| (..a much nicer version of Chi Oi's Banh Mi stand..) |
Dear Jonathan,
G'day Jonathan,
Believe me when I say 'I feel your pain'! In December 2010, I suffered a brocken eye socket (Zygoma) , broken upper jaw and other facial injuries in a footbal clash.
When I watched your incident on TV I flashed back to that day here in Saigon in our international match against the Cambodian Cobras where I was taken out first few seconds of the match. Like you I ran off the ground, unassisted, blood streaming down, pushing the trainers away, wanting to fight on but I knew my day was over.
Your return to footy a few weeks later was immpresive.! Especially the fact you kicked 5 goals.
On my return to football I did take a mark in the goal square for the Swanies in the 'Legends' anzac day friendship match. I slotted it, ran back to the bench, took a few autographs and retired on the spot (age 41). I've now turned my hand towards umpiring. So unlike you, I'm very glad to see you're playing on and I wish you all the best for the future. Hope you get you're confidence back soon...
Kind regards - Matt Natalotto (Vietnam Swans)
Believe me when I say 'I feel your pain'! In December 2010, I suffered a brocken eye socket (Zygoma) , broken upper jaw and other facial injuries in a footbal clash.
When I watched your incident on TV I flashed back to that day here in Saigon in our international match against the Cambodian Cobras where I was taken out first few seconds of the match. Like you I ran off the ground, unassisted, blood streaming down, pushing the trainers away, wanting to fight on but I knew my day was over.
Your return to footy a few weeks later was immpresive.! Especially the fact you kicked 5 goals.
On my return to football I did take a mark in the goal square for the Swanies in the 'Legends' anzac day friendship match. I slotted it, ran back to the bench, took a few autographs and retired on the spot (age 41). I've now turned my hand towards umpiring. So unlike you, I'm very glad to see you're playing on and I wish you all the best for the future. Hope you get you're confidence back soon...
Kind regards - Matt Natalotto (Vietnam Swans)
p.s I thought I looked rough...!
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| Me (December 2010) |
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| Jonathan Brown - 2011 |
Sunday 29 May 2011
More Miscellaneous Sports Pictures - 2011
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| The kids hanging out at the sports center |
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| Big day at Suoi Ngoc beach after the Mui Ne Tri... |
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| Some of the core group of Swannies... |
Crossfit Saigon
47 Thao Dien Road Cnr. Le Van Mien
District 2, HCMC Vietnam
Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 5.45am
Saturday 7.00am
Saturday 28 May 2011
Miscellaneous Sports Pictures - May 2011
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| Transitioning on the The Laux - Mui Ne off road Triathlon. |
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| ...More Action at the Madagui Jungle Adventure Race where james and I placed 4th..... |
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| My Final game of footy, ANZAC Legends Match - Vung Tau. |
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| ..Shay and Fraser watching their dads play in the legends match |
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| Kids cutting loose at the Full Moon Resort after the triathlon... |
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| ...More Madagui ... |
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| The family cooling off after a huge race day... |
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| Shay putting in some spints... |
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| You will notice I am trying to umpire from 30m behind the play looking through 3 guys!... |
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| The fantastic kids start en masse.! |
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..more fun in the sun... |
Bike Review #01 - The 'Laux'
"Vo Thi Sau is a treasure trove of bike shops and the astute cyclist can sometimes find a bargian or 3".
Today we will look at my recent purchase, "The LauX'! An unashamedly Chinese branded beast which trys so hard to be something its not...but in the process becomes something else!
2" deep track rims on a flat bar hybrid? Why? Who knows but it works for me and the acceleration you get with these inflexible wheel set is exciting. I fell in love with this bike as soon as I saw it but on close inspection noticed it needed a few improvements.
Modifications;
Price; 4m VND ($190USD)
Where; Vo Thi Sau (East side)
Rating; 6.5/10
Today we will look at my recent purchase, "The LauX'! An unashamedly Chinese branded beast which trys so hard to be something its not...but in the process becomes something else!
Modifications;
- New bottom bracket (seal unit)
- New tyres
- New Derailleur
- New Cranks
- SPD Pedals
Price; 4m VND ($190USD)
Where; Vo Thi Sau (East side)
Rating; 6.5/10
Auskick Saigon Continues Sundays 9.00am at Parklands. District 2.
Fee - 100,000VND /wk
Contact Matt for details +84 123 896 80 89
matt.natalotto@gmail.com (or leave a comment here!)
Sport, Sport and more Sport...
Saturdays 8am AIS Soccer - At the AIS Sports centre - Thao Dien.
On Saturday the 12th June we will have a full 11-side match at the Parklands field. This will be a great opportunity to show all the teachers and parents just how far the players have come over the past few months. Each player needs to bring;.
On Saturday the 12th June we will have a full 11-side match at the Parklands field. This will be a great opportunity to show all the teachers and parents just how far the players have come over the past few months. Each player needs to bring;.
- AIS Sports Shirt
- A white Tee shirt or football shirt
- 70,000VND
Tuesday 24 May 2011
Almost 30 Students, Teachers and Parents from the Austalian International School of SaiGon competed in the Le Fruit Off road Triathlon at Mui Ne - 2011
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| Peter O and the AIS kids |
The race was held on the 21st May on Suoi Ngoc beach and run by Vietadventures.
Congratulations to all the AIS people who competed, especially the many first timers. It was a very challenging course but nothing was going to stop those people who had trained so long and hard for this. However despite the tough conditions and challenge just to complete the race I have not heard one person say they wouldn't like to do it again! Everyone had a great time!
The magic of these events is the fact teachers, parents and kids get to do something together! As much as we love cheering our kids on, and sometimes them cheering us on - there are not many sports where adults and kids all compete together. Special mentions to Mallory Beaumont - The youngest (possibly ever) 'sprint category' finisher! Jude Scott, Jay Russel, Thor Beaumont and Luc Kobberger who came first, second and 3rd in their categories and Ms Gamble - Who swam, rode and ran for 5hrs :10 minutes. Amazing!"
(Little to Big)
Gecko Children Category 50m open water swim, 2km mountain bike, 500m run
Jude Scott - 19.0 (1st boy)
Thor Beaumont - 19.0 (2nd boy)Noah Kobberger - 21.0 (4th boy)
Petra Glazebrook - 22.0 (2nd girl)
Shay Natalotto - 22.0
Rebecca Skauen - 23.0 (3rd girl)
Gecko Junior Category 100m open water swim, 4km mountain bike, 1km run
Jay Russell - 29.0 min (2nd boy)
Luc Kobberger - 29.0 min (3rd boy)
Christopher Skauen - 29.0 min (4th boy)Aiden Scott - 30.0 min (5th boy)
Darko Glazebrook - 31.0 min (8th boy)
Samuel Courtine - 33.0 min
Isabella Lambert - 37.0 min (5th girl)Sofia Lambert - 37.0 min (6th girl)
Timothy Glazebrook - 39.0 min
Quinn Natalotto - 40.0 min
Sprint Category 350m open water swim, 20km mountain bike ride, 5km beach run
PerChristian Skauen - 1hr:50min (9th Man)
Ros Natalotto - 2:16 (10th Woman)
Branco Gojsic - 2:22
Craig Lambert - 2:34
Mallory Beaumont - Youngest Sprint finisher!
Noah Beaumont - (good on ya dad!)
Stamina Category 750m open water swim, 40km mountain bike ride, 10km beach run
Matt Natalotto - 3hr:13 min (6th man)
James Dowling - 4:16
Rob Sommerville - 4:24
Fleur Gamble - 5:10
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Shay had a good first race! |
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The AIS kids 
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'Christopher had a great race too. |
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Fun in the pool afterwards... |
Tuesday 17 May 2011
Riding skills - Put them on your check list!
1. Braking - Use front brakes with care! Never on lose dirt (Unless in a very steep down hill decent) and never ever when you are cornering! Applying the front brakes 1/2 way around a corner is the quickest way to taste the dirt.
2. Bumps and Dips - Get out of the saddle! Standing on the pedals will give you greater control and less pain.
3. Pedal power - Most people riding in flat shoes will pedal with the heel or arch. Actually you will get much more efficiency by pedaling with the ball of your foot. Try it - You'll like it.
4. Gears (Who needs em!?) - Its true!..Gears are overrated, over used and can cause stress and frustration! Common mistakes are; Incorrect gear selection, Cross chaining (causes chain to jump and grinding noise) and changing gears while pedalling up hill (or under load) causing the chain to drop or even break.
What you should do; Find a mid range gear you are comfortable with - Leave it in that gear -Pedal faster down hill, slower up hill .
Of course if you face a steep climb, get into a low gear nice and early, not 5 meters up the slope! And in a tail wind head for a top gear and make some hay!... But in most cases leave them alone and keep it simple!
Sunday 15 May 2011
Auskick Saigon
The overnight rain bought some slippery conditions and it wasn't long before the kids found the biggest mud hole on the field. We did some tough 1 on 1 drills followed by a competitive game which finished 2.2 goals each! I think most will agree the progress of the kids is fantastic and the pictures show how much fun they are having.
Thanks to all who have made Auskick a success so far in 2011!
'Shay getting the kick away under some intense tackling pressure'...
'omg!'
'A big marking contest'
'Lloyd was dangerous up forward '
'Fred gathered many possessions in mid field'
'Lewis had a great game'...
'When your opposition is on the deck - Celebrate!'
'Jay kicking - nice smother attempt Lloyd'
'Big kick by Gus into the forward line with 2 on the mark??!'
'Champions celebrating!'
'Good work kids'
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