Perth Crew Merchandise

The story of how Perth Crew chose RED as our colour goes back to the pre-season of Round 1 2011 for Mish's 12wbt. Mish & Commando came to Perth for a book signing & Biggest Loser tour & we were figuring out how we would find each other so decided we'd all wear one colour, and seeing as Mish's Biggest Loser team was red that sealed the deal!

We then totally ROCKED out at the Round 1 2011 12wbt Finale in Melbourne debuting our Perth Crew shirts! There wasn't many of us at that finale...but here we are...

From there the SEA OF RED grew and grew at finales and local fun run events in Perth. Our "blinglets" as they have fondly become known as were then debuted at the Sydney finale in Round 3 2011 with "It's the Perth Crew RUN" on the back which was a quote from Mish when referring to how crazy we are (in a GOOD way right Mish?!!). Maybe us arriving en masse at finales like this had something to do with it?!

MANY a time one of us has been walking or running around the river and seen another red top or cap and stop to say hi, and there is nothing better than doing a fun run and seeing another Perth Crew person and finding that extra strength to keep on going!!

The truly AMAZING Sally Wegener looks after all of our Perth Crew merchandise, and has done so from the very beginning. You can now purchase singlets, blinglets, t-shirts, caps & visors!

Singlets & Tees are $30. They have "JFDI 12wbt" on the front, and "Perth Crew" on the back.

Blinglets are $40. They have "Perth Crew" in diamontes on the front, and "It's Perth Crew RUN - www.12wbt.com.au" on the back. 

And the caps & visors are $15. The cap has "Perth Crew" on the front and "JFDI" on the back and the visor has "Perth Crew" on the front. 

To place an order, check out "Perth Crew Gear Orders" in the "Files" section of the Facebook group. Go Perth Crew, INSPIRE & BE INSPIRED!!!

Written by Sarah Buck, 12wbt Perth Crew Admin

The Melbourne Marathon - Moira's Story

The Melbourne Marathon is an iconic running event and it celebrated its 35th anniversary this year. Five Perth Crew members were part of a 300 plus contingent that travelled over from Perth to participate in this exciting event – Andrea Bell (marathon), Karin Smith (first-time marathon), Leanne Bank (half marathon), me (first-time half marathon) and Sarah Stopher (injured but still ran 5.7 km). More than 32,000 entries were received across the five events and Melbourne turned on a near perfect day with warm but still conditions - reaching a balmy 22 degrees. 

After having spent the Saturday day preparing our gear, taping up knees, picking up race bibs, hydrating, getting nervous, carbing up…….all of us were down at the MCG early on race day. There were so many emotions and nerves but we were all excited to be at the “G” and see it all set up for the event ahead.

Hot air balloons in the morning

My knee all taped up

First off at 7 am were the marathoners. Sarah and I escorted Karin Smith to the starting line on Batman Avenue. There were hot air balloons everywhere and a fantastic atmosphere. Karin was so nervous but she had worked so hard and despite a last minute health scare for her leg, she was ready and with one last hug we said “see you for lunch” and off she went. We KNEW once she started that she would make it to the end. I’m not sure she was so convinced but we certainly were. Once the marathoners had left – my nerves really hit. I had an hour to get myself prepared, my bag dropped off, a last loo stop, a warm up and a stretch etc. Then it was down to the start line for me too.

The start was really exciting. There were quite literally 1000’s of runners heading towards the city then past Flinders St station and onto St Kilda Road. I was pumped!!! After about 4 km, I pulled back my pace and let the excitement settle and started taking it all in. St Kilda Road is magnificent. The Arts Centre, the Shrine of Remembrance, the Botanic Gardens, Commercial Road and up to the Junction…….the heart of Melbourne. As we ran up St Kilda Road towards the junction, the half marathoners started to cheer because the leading marathon runners were heading back towards the G (they had already done close to 30 km). It was so inspiring to see these guys, the focus in their eyes was amazing and they were running faster than I can sprint. I was struck by the incredible spirit, camaraderie and support that all the runners were showing to each other. 

By the time I got around Albert Park Lake and was back on St Kilda Road, I was starting to fatigue a little. Suddenly I felt an arm come around my shoulder and it was Andrea Bell saying to me “you can do this”! This was one of those classic Perth Crew moments and it felt like a warm hug enveloping me. I could do nothing but whimper as Andrea charged off to finish her marathon. She looked back a bit worried but I was fine and it was JUST the boost I needed to JFDI. Eventually I hit the 20km mark and there were photographers everywhere so time to get my “sexy on”, get the sunnies off and start flashing a few good smiles!! One last down hill bit and it was into the “G”……my goal was to be upright when I ran across the line and that I did!  I ran into the G - OMG OMG OMG!! Time to stop and give my legs a good slapping (literally) so I could still walk and wait for everyone else.


We were getting updates on Karin’s progress and we knew she was not far away. Unbeknown to us – Andrea Bell had gone back to the course (after running 42.195 km) and found Karin and ran the last km with her. The emotions were flowing thick and fast for Karin and to have Andrea with her on that last bit was another amazing Perth Crew moment. Karin crossed the line knowing she had done it – she had run a marathon!!! 

Karin getting her Marathon Medal

We all did it!! It was a special day and a special race with a little pirate and a little angel watching over us as we ran.

Karin & I

Karin & Sarah

Sarah did a PB, Karin and I “popped our cherry” for the full and half marathon and Leanne and Andrea smashed it. Throughout the event, we were getting a stream of messages and posts from Perth (and beyond!) wishing us luck and cheering us home – I love Perth Crew!

Written by Moira Clay, 12wbt Perth Crew Member

You can read Karin's marathon story here!

The Melbourne Marathon - Karin's Story

At approximately 12.15pm EST on 14^th October 2012 I crossed the finish line of the Melbourne Marathon. This was my first but hopefully not my last marathon. The battle to get there was not only a physical but a mental one. The feeling of self-accomplishment was overwhelming to say the least! Being an avid football fan the fact that I was going to be running onto the haloed grounds of the MCG was reason enough to be nervous. Add to the fact that I firstly had to run 42.195kms just heightened my anxiety.

My training programme was slightly unorthodox as I didn’t have a coach and was really just picking up information as I requested it from Perth Crew marathoner Andrea Bell and the guys at The Running Centre.  Added to the mix was a trip to Bali 5 weeks out from marathon and then a couple of very nasty infected mosquito bites that threatened to destroy my dreams of obtaining this goal. Seventeen days of antibiotics and NO running at 3 weeks out meant my final long runs of 32kms had to be missed. I had a great cheer squad with the Perth Crew that was silently praying to the gods of all religions, and the universe in general, to just fix me.  Eight days out and I did a test run of 25 minutes through Kings Park with Sarah Stopher and I’m not sure who was happier that neither of us broke. I continued to do a 6-7kms run every day until Friday morning just to remind my leg muscles that they were going to need to move a long way for me on Sunday!

On Friday evening after a 45min delay Moira Clay, Sarah Stopher and myself left on a plane bound for Melbourne. Thankfully my travel companions calmed and reassured me as the self-doubt demons in my head were screaming at the tops of their lungs. Saturday morning was a trip into the Expo to pick up my bib and absorb some of the magic that is the Melbourne Marathon Festival. A bit of stress relief shopping and a lovely late lunch did stop the nerves for a while. Saturday evening was a last check of clothes, fuel belts, and setting alarms for the big day ahead.  Thank goodness there was some Perth Crew up and on facebook at midnight as by 3am Melbourne time I wasn’t sleeping anymore and my room-mate was still in the land of nod.

With Moira & Sarah - Life is a Gift

At the start line

We arrived at the “G” at just before 6am. Saying we were nervous would have been the understatement of the century! We were all heading into unknown territory. Sarah’s battles with injury had her just wanting to finish unbroken. Moira was lining up for her first half marathon just 13 short months since being proud as punch for running 2kms straight after Brisbane Finale, and I was attempting to squash a life time of feelings of self-doubt and  failure by finishing something I had started.

There were many highlights along the way but one of the most memorable was at the 41km mark. Two Perth Crew members, Leanne Bank and Andrea Bell were walking towards me. Here were two people who had inspired me to run further than I ever dreamed I could and they were there cheering me! Andrea then stunned me by handing her gear to Leanne and saying she was going to run me into the MCG. After already running the marathon herself I saw this as one of the most selfless acts anyone had ever done for me. She knew my nerves would threaten to engulf me as I neared the finish and she guided me towards the line. I will never forget it. 

Flinders Street

St Kilda Road

Today I can say these words. “I am a Marathon Finisher. I completed the 42.195kms course”.  I only have one message for anyone beginning their journey to a fitter, healthier lifestyle….JFDI!

With Andrea & Sarah

I did it!

  Written by Karin Smith, 12wbt Perth Crew Member

Stay tuned for Moira's story about her half marathon adventure, and you can check out more photos of the Perth Crew team on the day on our Facebook page by clicking here!

Welcome to the 12wbt Perth Crew blog

Hi everyone!!! Well we've decided to launch the 12wbt Perth Crew's very own blog! This will be a spot for us to continue to "Inspire & Be Inspired". As you know the Perth Crew Facebook page is a place where we network, motivate each other, share our triumphs and provide support for our health, fitness and weight loss goals. In an effort to keep the page as a safe place for us to vent and share private information we made the decision to keep the Facebook page a private group and only allow those who are members of the 12wbt and living in Perth to join. This blog will give us a spot out in the world wide web to share with everyone who is interested in what we are up to. Please feel free to pass the details of the blog on to any friends or family who may be curious. 

We will try and update the blog regularly with profiles of our successful members and photos of our events. If you have any ideas on what posts you would like to see included just let us know. Guest bloggers are also more than welcome - please email 12wbtperthcrew@gmail.com with your post and any photos you would like included!

Written by Sarah Buck, 12wbt Perth Crew Admin

Some of the Perth Crew members on Today Tonight

A few of us were lucky enough to be interviewed by Today Tonight for a slot about the Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation. Wow what an experience!!!

Written by Sarah Buck, 12wbt Perth Crew Admin

12wbt Perth finale wrap up video

We still can't believe we FINALLY got the 12wbt finale in PERTH!!! Here's a thank you video from us all :)

Written by Sarah Buck, 12wbt Perth Crew Admin

A video message for the Perth Crew

A video message for the Perth Crew from those who have inspired and been inspired....

Written by Sarah Buck, 12wbt Perth Crew Admin

The 12wbt finale is coming to Perth!!!!

Written by Sarah Buck, 12wbt Perth Crew Admin

What the Perth Crew achieved in the space of ONE WEEKEND!!!!

I always love checking in on Facebook on the weekends to see all the amazing things the 12wbt Perth Crew are up to, so I thought i'd put together just SOME of what this amazing group of girls (& a few guys!) got up to just in the space of a few days. FRIDAY NIGHT:

MMA Circuit Training - where the girls work in pairs through a circuit with an experienced fighter/trainer.

Kimax - Another regular Friday night event. Nothing better than punching and kicking stuff to kick off the weekend!!!!

SATURDAY:

Central Crew Bridges Walk - a massive shout out to the amazing Bec Higgs who SMASHED her record by over 25 minutes (!!!) and also to Theresa & Cathie who after coming across a guy passed out called the ambulance and waited with him until they arrived.

The Running Centre - Running Clinic & Shopping - A few of us are doing a 5 week running course with The Running Centre so when training was done we enjoyed breakfast & coffees and were joined by a few other Perth Crew girls too!

 

Then Bec stopped back in to TRC for a new pair of sneakers!

Lorna Jane Shopping - After breakfast Noala & I headed to Lorna Jane and ooopsies, "slipped and fell" and purchased just a few things! 

Another river walk with a 4 legged friend - Petina went for a walk along the river with her puppy dawg Kuli 

Outrigger Regatta - Jodie competed in 22kms of outrigger racing and was feeling the burn!

 

A HUGE weekend for Bree - Proving that this fitness thing isn't just for those in their 20s and 30s, the amazing Bree did an 8km run and 2 hour Kayak on Saturday (and then followed it up on Sunday with another 12.5km run AND a 26.5km bike ride!!).

Andrea's Cycle - Andrea & her husband Jon set out on their longest ride ever (in both distance and time). 135kms!! WOW!!!!

SUNDAY:

Tough Mudder Training - A group of us are well in to training for the Tough Mudder event (coming to Perth in 2013!). The training is run by some ex armed forces lads, and each week the location is different. This week it was at the beach.

 

Hillarys Triathlon - A few of the girls competed in this event. Including first timer Carolyn - way to go mate!!

 

Mandurah Island Challenge - A group of the girls completed the 6.4km run/walk part of this event

 

Indoor Rock climbing - A few of the girls have got the bug so headed to do some climbing

 

Perth Trail Series - Andrea competed in this 17.3 km trail run and destipe a bloody battle with soe rocks WON her age division and was the 4th female overall!!!

 

MORE shopping - A few of the girls hit our face places - The Running Centre and Lorna Jane.

 

Recon Mission - Lesley headed out to check out a section of the Bibulmen Track for a group cycle she's planning on hosting for us soon!

So there you have it....just SOME of what the Perth Crew got up to this weekend!!!

Written by Sarah Buck, 12wbt Perth Crew Admin

Why I think Perth Crew is kinda cool - Part 2

One of our Perth Crew members Kerrin is an amazing woman. I know she will be pissed off with me saying any of this, but that says a lot about her character really. Kerrin is a single mum to two beautiful little boys Morris & Marley. Around 18 months ago Marley (at the age of 15 months) was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (you can read more about his journey here). So not only is Kerrin parenting these 2 boys and dealing with regular hospital visits for Marley's treatment (and all that comes with it) - she also works full time AND makes the effort to workout attending boot-camp regularly. Frankly, it pisses me off when I hear people make excuses about how they can't find time to workout, because if ever there was anyone who had a potentially valid excuse it's Kerrin. Anyway, that's all just a bit of background.

A little while ago Kerrin mentioned that the Make a Wish foundation was no longer accepting wishes due to funding cuts. Kerrin was given the opportunity to make a wish on Marley's behalf some time ago, but felt Marley needed to be old enough to make his OWN wish and that it wasn't right for her to decide for him (just another testament to the amazing woman she is). Marley's wish was to swim with dolphins. Things started ticking over in my head, and I ran past a few close friends the idea of fundraising to see what we could possibly organise. I wasn't 100% sure given our members had just so generously donated to get Andrea over to see Mish (see my previous post). This wonderful group of ladies encouraged me to pursue the idea further, especially the beautiful Lara who really helped me dream bigger than I ever thought possible.
Long story short...we were able to send Kerrin, Marley and Morris over to Coff's Harbour for a week all expenses paid - including airfares, accommodation, meals, tours and an amazing experience swimming with the dolphins. We even had enough funds left over to purchase Marley a new Ipad 3 to use for all the time he spends in hospital and made a small donation to the Make a Wish foundation. 
I need to send out huge thank you's to - the 12wbt Perth Crew (and their friends, family and workplaces) who donated the bulk of funds, to the Qantas Perth Help Fund who also made a substantial donation as well as some of their very special employees who organised access to the lounges, a business class upgrade and getting the boys in to the cockpit, to Novotel Coffs Harbour Resort who put together an amazing discounted accommodation & meal package for us and to Pet Porpoise Pool who were nothing short of amazing, and lastly to my parter in crime Lara who was instrumental in putting it all together with Novotel & Pet Porpoise Pool. Here are a few of the highlights...

 

Pretty special huh? You can see the full set of photos here. I think you can see why I think Perth Crew is kinda cool?!!!!!!

Written by Sarah Buck, 12wbt Perth Crew Admin

Why I think Perth Crew is kinda cool - Part 1

The beginning of 2012 has been pretty huge in the life of the "12wbt Perth Crew".

As well as getting on with the business of being fit & healthy though, we are trying very much to have a "social conscience" and to raise funds for charities where possible. The Perth Crew has such an amazing generosity of spirit. We have registered FOUR teams for Relay for Life this year, and already raised over $3,000 - with the event still months away. Prior to our end of round dinner there were some girls unable financially to pay for their tickets and the "Angels" were formed, with members donating their own hard-earned money to allow others to attend. It's pretty special. But for me, by far, 2 events stand out that Perth Crew has helped happen this year (and it's already March!!!).

In January, a little 1 liner Facebook status went out from Mish Bridges mentioning that she was looking for someone who'd done her Lean & Strong program and was able to get over east to film an interview with Mish as well as a heap of videos/photos for the 12wbt exercise index. We like to laugh and joke that the Perth Crew grows like a weed and rolls like an avalanche, accumulating people along the way....and sometimes the same happens with an idea! A few people put forward the name Andrea Bell, and next thing you know the Perth Crew had raised enough funds for her airfares & accommodation to get her over there!!! Cool huh? For those of you who are 12wbters you can see Andrea get interviewed in the Week 2 video, and in a ton of exercises in the "exercise index" (including skipping, chest press machine, pec dec machine & reverse flys).

   

I'll be back with a separate blog post in the next day or two about the second (event cooler) special thing Perth Crew has been a part of!

Written by Sarah Buck, 12wbt Perth Crew Admin