Mon: nothing
Tues: Jog to and from swim. 2k in the pool, 2 hours
Wed: Mountain Bike 1.5 hour
Thu: ???
Fri: Hawt Laps 1 hour
Sat: Devon GP, Crit
I was feeling good so I rode out to Devon for the Crit. Double D (Derek Dowling, http://trihackeat.wordpress.com/) took my bag and drove me out to the Road Race the next day, awesome guy. It was a beautiful day, sunny, little wind and the ride would serve as an excellent warm up. No dogs chased me either. Got to Devon with plenty time to spare. Did some recon laps with Duncan from Fiera and got stoked to race. This was a points crit, meaning the winner wouldn't necessarily be the first across the line. We had 15 laps on a 900m course, a super short, balls out race. There would be 2 two intermediate sprints worth 5 points for the winner while the finishing sprint was 10 points. The idea was hit it right from the start and drive the pace. A parade lap behind a Camero SS and the whistle blew signalling the start of the race. I got to the front as soon as I could. Heading to turn 4, I attacked and heard a "LET HIM GO!" Damn it. Well at least I entertained the fans as I came outa the corner slightly ahead of the pack. I wanted to make a selection happen right away, this race was too short to hang around for the sprints but it was not to be. Some guys got dropped in the preceding laps but it was negligible. Laps started to blend into each other. I'm not too sure where I was heading into first intermediate sprint but I scored one point. I have no idea where I was on the second sprint because totally I missed it. It would come down to the final sprint. Heading into the last lap a TCR - TXR guy soled after turn 2. I heard "Catch his wheel!" So hammer down I countered too late to catch the TCR - TXR guy. A junior from Juventus came up to me and got in front of me. I didn't fret, he was tiny and I think I could have beaten him in the sprint. Him and I were well positioned to hit the corner fast. Then a Cranky's guy came on the inside. It almost ended badly for me. The junior from Juventus hit the deck hard trying to avoid the Cranky's guy. The Cranky's guy slide into the meridian too. After just briefly locking my rear brake I sprinted to the line to take second in the finishing sprint. With 9 points total I took third overall. Awesome cupcake. Both guys that went down in front of me did race the next day. The junior from Juventus finished 8th overall in the Road Race, what a guy, huge bandages over the right side of his body.
Sun Devon GP, Road Race
I woke up in the morning feeling kinda shitty. I have two excuses for this 1) took in a massive amount of suger in various forms after the Crit, 2) took way too much ibuprofen. I took the ibuprofen to disguise my knee but my knee was still nagging me. The pain is not what it used to be. It used to feel like someone was stabbing me. Now its more of a pulled muscle, not a joint pain. So starting the race I felt like barfing. It was an out and back that would take us up Genessee twice. I was trying to hang on right from the start. Feeling like barfing and being kinda cold was crappy. In an attempt to get the jersey on TV I went to the front when I had the space. The TCR - TXR guys were doing a lot of pulling so I thought I might as well put in some effort and maybe the barfing feeling would go away. Nope. Did my time, even sat up when a Speed Theory guy kinda soloed off the front for awhile. After awhile someone said "Okay time to bring him in" so we did. I went back to the middle of the peloton as we came to the downhill. I assumed I was still in the middle when I got to the bottom of the first hill. Nope. Not that I have the legs to keep up with the better climbers but that was a technical mistake, it is way harder to even catch on to the lead group when you are at the back of the peloton. Well time to go and attempt to catch on. Reeled in guys who had been left behind and three of us formed a great pace line. Then we caught a larger group. I had to pull the cord. We tried to get a pace line going but some of the guys were getting in the way. I tried to tell people "2 lines, pull through on the outside" It worked on and off but some guys just would not pull through. I was not pulling through too fast because I was following the wheel of the guy in front of me. I didn't care anymore, the race was over we were 3 or 4 minutes down on the leaders and we weren't gona catch them in that state of disarray. I needed to be by myself and just enjoy the rest of my day on my bike. Derek had a great race and finished 4th while his teammate Kyle took first. Good weekend for ERTC. Josh (ERTC) sneaked past Stefan (Fiera) for 3rd by like 2 cm. Good weekend for Fiera. Got some good results and TV time.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Week of June 11th, 2012, Fast Trax Ultra
Mon: CX Ride 5 hours total, split in half.
Tue: Climbing 1 hour
Wed: nothing
Thu: nothing
Fri: nothing
Sat: Fast Trax Ultra 50k - dropped out at 30k, not feeling good at all. Quads thrashed, black toenails, head ache. Wake up call, time to put amp it up for Auckland. It is time to change my attitude and get in the damn pool. I am racing for my country. Anywho. These two very different races but I didn't put in even a meager 6 months of training for this race. Here is an important quote on the topic.
You don’t become a champion by winning a morning workout. The only true way is to marshal the ferocity of your ambition over the course of many days, weeks, months, and (if you could come to accept it) years. The Trial of Miles; Miles of Trials.
-John L. Parker, Jr. (Once a Runner)
It was nevertheless an awesome fun course and a beautiful day. There is always such a great vibe at these races. Derek D had an awesome race and finished 2nd overall in the 30k.
Sun: Recovery Ride, awesome then I got a flat.
Total time: 11 hours.
Tue: Climbing 1 hour
Wed: nothing
Thu: nothing
Fri: nothing
Sat: Fast Trax Ultra 50k - dropped out at 30k, not feeling good at all. Quads thrashed, black toenails, head ache. Wake up call, time to put amp it up for Auckland. It is time to change my attitude and get in the damn pool. I am racing for my country. Anywho. These two very different races but I didn't put in even a meager 6 months of training for this race. Here is an important quote on the topic.
You don’t become a champion by winning a morning workout. The only true way is to marshal the ferocity of your ambition over the course of many days, weeks, months, and (if you could come to accept it) years. The Trial of Miles; Miles of Trials.
-John L. Parker, Jr. (Once a Runner)
It was nevertheless an awesome fun course and a beautiful day. There is always such a great vibe at these races. Derek D had an awesome race and finished 2nd overall in the 30k.
Sun: Recovery Ride, awesome then I got a flat.
Total time: 11 hours.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Week of June 4th, 2012
Mon: Ride out lakeshore
Tue: 1:20 15km run
Wed: 1:15 15km run
Thu: 30min run
Fri: Hawt laps, knee really really hurt.
Sat: work
Sun: work
Tue: 1:20 15km run
Wed: 1:15 15km run
Thu: 30min run
Fri: Hawt laps, knee really really hurt.
Sat: work
Sun: work
Monday, June 4, 2012
Week of Mon 21st, 2012
Mon: Climbed Roche Miette 6 hours
Tue: nothing, quads thrashed
Wed: Run 1 hour, legs felt awful initially but got better.
Thu: nothing
Fri: 12 hills, 5 Folk Fest, 5 Zoo, 2 Emily Murphy 1 hour 30 min
Sat: Ride, knee problems; Run, no knee problems 2 hour 45min
Sun: Pigeon Lake, 2 hours This was not bad luck. In borrowing Travis's wheels I understood that I might drop my chain. In an attempt to make an attack I dropped my chain. 10 kilometres in. I put in a good effort with Peter from Speed Theory to try to get back on but to no avail. No matter. That is bike racing. Bigger issue is that my knee still hurt while I was riding. I might have to go to a physio. It only hurts when I'm riding. Running is fine, swimming fine. My training has not been regular but it has been a nagging problem since mid winter. Campus Rec bought pedels for the spin which were shit.
Good hours this week. Nearly 12 hours. I think next week will be good as well.
Tue: nothing, quads thrashed
Wed: Run 1 hour, legs felt awful initially but got better.
Thu: nothing
Fri: 12 hills, 5 Folk Fest, 5 Zoo, 2 Emily Murphy 1 hour 30 min
Sat: Ride, knee problems; Run, no knee problems 2 hour 45min
Sun: Pigeon Lake, 2 hours This was not bad luck. In borrowing Travis's wheels I understood that I might drop my chain. In an attempt to make an attack I dropped my chain. 10 kilometres in. I put in a good effort with Peter from Speed Theory to try to get back on but to no avail. No matter. That is bike racing. Bigger issue is that my knee still hurt while I was riding. I might have to go to a physio. It only hurts when I'm riding. Running is fine, swimming fine. My training has not been regular but it has been a nagging problem since mid winter. Campus Rec bought pedels for the spin which were shit.
Good hours this week. Nearly 12 hours. I think next week will be good as well.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Week of May 14th, 2012
Mon: Nothing
Tue: Run, 1:40, 18k
Wed: Rained out, unprepared, no rain gear.
Thu: Nothing
Fri: Ride, 10 hills
Sat: Climbing Morro Buffs
Sun: Freaked out my sheep.
what
Tue: Run, 1:40, 18k
Wed: Rained out, unprepared, no rain gear.
Thu: Nothing
Fri: Ride, 10 hills
Sat: Climbing Morro Buffs
Sun: Freaked out my sheep.
what
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Drayton Valley Triathlon
As I sat on the pool deck I was trying to remember the last time I went swimming. It was April 5th. It hurt a lot. I splashed around and got passed by the other person in my lane, who was doing backstroke half the time. On a whim Josh and I signed up for the Inaugural Drayton Valley Triathlon. A sprint distance with the aforementioned pool swim, a smooth bike course and run in town. We drove down the bike course into a smoky haze. There was a wildfire burning between Drayton Valley and Lodgepole. We were early and by the time the race started, the smoke had cleared out. It was interesting to hear someone discussing a possible evacuation alert and evacuation procedure in the event of a hazard after taking EAS 295 Human Dimensions of Environmental Hazards. But I digress.
The Swim
There was a self seeding starting. You lined up and found people swimming close to your time. I was in the last group of people, Josh was in the group ahead of me. This was not going to be a head to head race but a time trial between the two of us. On the registration form I had put down 11 minutes. I might have swam that time... once, maybe. Wasn't going to be today. I had no form, no rhythm to my breathing, no flip turning. It was awful. But when they waved that kickboard under the water I could not have been happier. I did my last two lengths and got the hell out. Out the door, down the carpet to T1, barely sneaking under 12 minutes.
Lesson: Swim, even a little bit. Maybe like once a week even.
The Bike
I grabbed my stuff got over the mount line and almost nearly had a good mount. I missed my pedals and stalled a bit. Finally in I took off. I knew it was going to be a right (outa T1), left, left, left. I was a little strange riding in the left lane. The road was narrow and athletes were going to be coming both ways. I had to pass right as someone was on coming. Sketchy. However, the organizer explained at the beginning of the race that course will be modified next year so athletes weren't riding head on. The race was awesome overall but more about that later. I don't know what was going through my mind on the last left but I nearly went right. Sloppy. Know thy course. From here it was a straight out and back on buttery smooth asphalt. It was honestly one of the best road surfaces I have ridden on in Alberta. I have ridden extensively but it was really nice. There was a slight tailwind and the road sloped downhill ever so gently. I should really ride with my Garmin. I don't know what speed I got but it was quick. There was a coulee that provided a short and sweet climb that we would hit twice. Another issue was when I was cresting the top of the coulee. I couldn't get my RPMs up. Can't remember if I dropped it into my little ring. In talking to Josh after I might have been putting out to much power in the middle of the climb. Anywho, after the turn around the way back was a gradual uphill. Not to steep and thank god no the headwind was not bad. Took the rest of the corners well on the way home. Getting into T2 was a little strange. It was nearly 180 degrees onto a pathway. Got my feet outa my shoes before the turn (and speed bump) and came flying into transition. Kelly, the ATA Technical Delegate even said "good dismount." Two relay team members had to jump out of my way or I would have flatten them. Finished with a 33:24. Super fast bike course. Having taken up bike racing has really helped. Maybe. A big thank you to Josh for lending me his Carbones again, so nice.
Lesson: Pay better attention and more hills.
The Run
The goal from last year was to run better off the bike. I did that, ran a 20 minute 5k at KALRATS and 40 minute 10k at Edmonton ITU. I've still been doing repeats so I felt strong. I don't have a heavy legs sensation off the bike anymore. I started well but needed water. I drank on the bike but my water tasty funny. This has happened at other pool triathlons. The course followed the sidewalk along the bike route to a left and to the pond. There were still lots of people on course and I was able to see one guy who was in the same lane as Josh. I never saw Josh on the run which freaked me out. I saw him start the run when I was riding to transition. He saw me when I got to the pond to start my laps. I missed him. Did my two laps around the pond and started on my way back. Like the bike it was a gradual uphill to the finish. This was an awesome course. Fast but not easy. My breathing was getting really bad with about a kilometre left. Josh came to the penultimate corner and cheered me on. When you are already digging as deep as you can, nothing is better then your friend yelling at you to dig even more. Slowtwitch quoted one reporter from Japan, in discussing the finish line at Kona, "Behind that is hell, beyond it is heaven." I dropped down right after the line and caught my breath. The run was about 500 metres short. Including T2 I got 18:25.
Lesson: Keep up with the workouts, maintain running fitness.
Damn it hurt... and I liked it. The organizers did an awesome job with the race. It was inexpensive (only $60) and it was a good race that incorporated a KOS (which was only $10!), a Corporate Challenge, Team and Individual categories. The town put it on and had measurable results because attendance in the pool increased. The winners of the Corporate Challenge got a massive trophy to show off. Again the course was fast yet challenging. It felt like the town came out to watch. It was a great atmosphere of people. That is why I race triathlon. Everyone is happy even though they are in so much pain. I'm planning already to back next year.
Oh yeah, and I beat Josh by 34 seconds. And took first overall with a time of 1:03, a PB.
The Swim
There was a self seeding starting. You lined up and found people swimming close to your time. I was in the last group of people, Josh was in the group ahead of me. This was not going to be a head to head race but a time trial between the two of us. On the registration form I had put down 11 minutes. I might have swam that time... once, maybe. Wasn't going to be today. I had no form, no rhythm to my breathing, no flip turning. It was awful. But when they waved that kickboard under the water I could not have been happier. I did my last two lengths and got the hell out. Out the door, down the carpet to T1, barely sneaking under 12 minutes.
Lesson: Swim, even a little bit. Maybe like once a week even.
The Bike
I grabbed my stuff got over the mount line and almost nearly had a good mount. I missed my pedals and stalled a bit. Finally in I took off. I knew it was going to be a right (outa T1), left, left, left. I was a little strange riding in the left lane. The road was narrow and athletes were going to be coming both ways. I had to pass right as someone was on coming. Sketchy. However, the organizer explained at the beginning of the race that course will be modified next year so athletes weren't riding head on. The race was awesome overall but more about that later. I don't know what was going through my mind on the last left but I nearly went right. Sloppy. Know thy course. From here it was a straight out and back on buttery smooth asphalt. It was honestly one of the best road surfaces I have ridden on in Alberta. I have ridden extensively but it was really nice. There was a slight tailwind and the road sloped downhill ever so gently. I should really ride with my Garmin. I don't know what speed I got but it was quick. There was a coulee that provided a short and sweet climb that we would hit twice. Another issue was when I was cresting the top of the coulee. I couldn't get my RPMs up. Can't remember if I dropped it into my little ring. In talking to Josh after I might have been putting out to much power in the middle of the climb. Anywho, after the turn around the way back was a gradual uphill. Not to steep and thank god no the headwind was not bad. Took the rest of the corners well on the way home. Getting into T2 was a little strange. It was nearly 180 degrees onto a pathway. Got my feet outa my shoes before the turn (and speed bump) and came flying into transition. Kelly, the ATA Technical Delegate even said "good dismount." Two relay team members had to jump out of my way or I would have flatten them. Finished with a 33:24. Super fast bike course. Having taken up bike racing has really helped. Maybe. A big thank you to Josh for lending me his Carbones again, so nice.
Lesson: Pay better attention and more hills.
The Run
The goal from last year was to run better off the bike. I did that, ran a 20 minute 5k at KALRATS and 40 minute 10k at Edmonton ITU. I've still been doing repeats so I felt strong. I don't have a heavy legs sensation off the bike anymore. I started well but needed water. I drank on the bike but my water tasty funny. This has happened at other pool triathlons. The course followed the sidewalk along the bike route to a left and to the pond. There were still lots of people on course and I was able to see one guy who was in the same lane as Josh. I never saw Josh on the run which freaked me out. I saw him start the run when I was riding to transition. He saw me when I got to the pond to start my laps. I missed him. Did my two laps around the pond and started on my way back. Like the bike it was a gradual uphill to the finish. This was an awesome course. Fast but not easy. My breathing was getting really bad with about a kilometre left. Josh came to the penultimate corner and cheered me on. When you are already digging as deep as you can, nothing is better then your friend yelling at you to dig even more. Slowtwitch quoted one reporter from Japan, in discussing the finish line at Kona, "Behind that is hell, beyond it is heaven." I dropped down right after the line and caught my breath. The run was about 500 metres short. Including T2 I got 18:25.
Lesson: Keep up with the workouts, maintain running fitness.
Damn it hurt... and I liked it. The organizers did an awesome job with the race. It was inexpensive (only $60) and it was a good race that incorporated a KOS (which was only $10!), a Corporate Challenge, Team and Individual categories. The town put it on and had measurable results because attendance in the pool increased. The winners of the Corporate Challenge got a massive trophy to show off. Again the course was fast yet challenging. It felt like the town came out to watch. It was a great atmosphere of people. That is why I race triathlon. Everyone is happy even though they are in so much pain. I'm planning already to back next year.
Oh yeah, and I beat Josh by 34 seconds. And took first overall with a time of 1:03, a PB.
Week of May 7th, 2012
Mon: 1 hour run
Tue: Climbing 1 hour; run 30min
Wed: nothing
Thu: 1.5 hour ride, 1 hour run
Fri: Hills and Hawt laps 1 hour
Sat: nothing
Sun: Drayton Valley Triathlon, head to head with Josh. Cool Down ride.
7.5 hours total
Tue: Climbing 1 hour; run 30min
Wed: nothing
Thu: 1.5 hour ride, 1 hour run
Fri: Hills and Hawt laps 1 hour
Sat: nothing
Sun: Drayton Valley Triathlon, head to head with Josh. Cool Down ride.
7.5 hours total
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