So the Vancouver Half Marathon was a complete success. What a gorgeous race course. I had a blast. Now back to the real world for another couple of weeks...
Monday, June 28, 2004
Sunday, June 20, 2004
"Desire is the world's toughest training partner."
I read this today on Tereza Macel's website. It's so true. I'm finding that I feel so incredibly motivated and driven right now, and all I want to do is train, train, train. The hardest thing to do is to give my body proper rest so that I don't burn out. I want to do well in this sport, I want to excel, some day to win. That only comes with a tonne of hard work. I can DO that. I can put in the work. It's the patience to see the gains come slowly, to tell myself to not rush the process. I have no doubt that I *can* get there, but it's so hard to settle for such long term goals. So I set up short term goals to satiate the desires within me. Fast swim times, more power on the run, bike, bike, bike, bike! One of my best friends is close to being the top triathlete in Ontario, he'll make it for sure, and I am so proud of him. Go Cory! I know you can do it! Here I sign out, settle back into reading info on triathlon sites and letting my body rest for my race next weekend...wish me luck.
I read this today on Tereza Macel's website. It's so true. I'm finding that I feel so incredibly motivated and driven right now, and all I want to do is train, train, train. The hardest thing to do is to give my body proper rest so that I don't burn out. I want to do well in this sport, I want to excel, some day to win. That only comes with a tonne of hard work. I can DO that. I can put in the work. It's the patience to see the gains come slowly, to tell myself to not rush the process. I have no doubt that I *can* get there, but it's so hard to settle for such long term goals. So I set up short term goals to satiate the desires within me. Fast swim times, more power on the run, bike, bike, bike, bike! One of my best friends is close to being the top triathlete in Ontario, he'll make it for sure, and I am so proud of him. Go Cory! I know you can do it! Here I sign out, settle back into reading info on triathlon sites and letting my body rest for my race next weekend...wish me luck.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Well, training has hit full swing again. What a week! I took a day off after the race and then was right back at it. Legs are feeling tired but very strong. In fact I'm feeling fitter than ever right now. Coming up the hill at the end of my run today, it was the FIRST time i've ever made it up that hill without my HR spiking! Woohooo! One more day of cycling and a swim for me, a long run sunday, and then back to taper for the Vancouver 1/2M. This cycle is very strange; I'm racing every two weeks until August, so the plan is
1) race
2) recovery 2 days
3) regular training the rest of the week
4) taper
5) race
we'll see how my body holds up. So far so good.
1) race
2) recovery 2 days
3) regular training the rest of the week
4) taper
5) race
we'll see how my body holds up. So far so good.
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Lakeside Sprint Triathlon - Lakeside, Ontario
Saturday June 12, 2004
So...this race was officially my first triathlon. I've done inter-club and training simulation sessions, but because of the injury last year my season got canned. This was the first time I was in a "real" race setting against non-teammates.
Race goals: To finish! (preferably without pain, or death :D)
The night before the race:
My best friend's last night in London before she leaves for Europe to backpack for 6 weeks. So...I headed out to the bar to celebrate with her. Home by 11 and in bed shortly after. Holy dreams! More like nightmares...about my bike breaking, not being able to find the entrance to transition...all night long.
6:40am: woke up, had my usual breakfast of oatmeal and a glass of orange juice. I packed the night before so I was good to go.
Arrival:
Caught a ride with a teammate - she has a nice big SUV so we were able to fit both bikes nicely in the back. Arrived at the race, picked up our kits, got body marked, and set out transition.
Swim: 500m 12:06
We were in the second wave, females 20-24. I was one of two athletes without a wetsuit for this race. The water was beautiful and warm though, so not a problem at all. Mass start in deep water. I only got kicked in the head twice, so I feel pretty lucky :) The swim went right around the lake, and the buoys were giant and orange so sighting wasn't a problem. It took a minute or two to get my groove, and then I settled into the stroke nicely. Decided to play it safe and just found someone to swim beside, kept up with her the whole way. Coming out of the water was an adventure; the clay bottom of the lake was incredibly slippery so we ended up walking out most of the way. Hit the beach running.
T1: 1min46
Goggles and swim cap off while running to the bike rack. Quick sip of water, race shirt/number, helmet on, sunglasses and bike shoes on, ready to go...and a girl knocked her bike over onto mine. Geesh! Ah well - untangle and go.
Bike: 18k 41:39
It only took two tries to get clipped in to my pedals this time, which was really nice! And out we go. The course was set out in a "T" pattern so there were two turn arounds (fun fun!). Uneventful bike, a couple BIG hills which really challenged the legs, but I felt pretty strong throughout, kept my heartrate pretty steady. I got passed a few times, passed a few people. I know I'm slow on the bike, but that's what I'm concentrating on this season.
T2: 1min11
Bike shoes off, socks and running shoes on (gotta love "speed laces"!!), hat, grab a gel and tear it open while heading onto the run course.
Run: 4k 21:07
Ok, they SAID it was 4k but I think it was more like 4.5. Talking with other athletes after the race, everyone agreed. Legs felt GREAT, and it only took a few minutes to work out the bike in them. After the first 1km I found my racing stride and just kept passing people. If it's any indication, the girl who placed 1st in my age group did her run in 20:27, so i was less than a minute slower (but, we KNEW i was ok at the running bit). I felt sooo strong during this run, and was absolutely elated! Big smile on my face the whole time. It was such a gorgeous day! As I approached the last 200m, I saw my dad, camera in hand. He'd come to surprise me and see me finish! Sooo special. It was awesome.
Total Time: 1:17:48
Place: 5th in age group. Not too bad for my first race. I'm pretty happy. And I met my goals. Finished, no pain, (or death). Whew! Met up with my teammates at the finish and we had a giant celebratory hug.
The run finish:
Me and my teammates:
My coach and teammates:
Post-race. I was RAVENOUS. I think I ate everything in sight yesterday, and it was just a sprint! Needless to say, I am absolutely stoked and so content.
Saturday June 12, 2004
So...this race was officially my first triathlon. I've done inter-club and training simulation sessions, but because of the injury last year my season got canned. This was the first time I was in a "real" race setting against non-teammates.
Race goals: To finish! (preferably without pain, or death :D)
The night before the race:
My best friend's last night in London before she leaves for Europe to backpack for 6 weeks. So...I headed out to the bar to celebrate with her. Home by 11 and in bed shortly after. Holy dreams! More like nightmares...about my bike breaking, not being able to find the entrance to transition...all night long.
6:40am: woke up, had my usual breakfast of oatmeal and a glass of orange juice. I packed the night before so I was good to go.
Arrival:
Caught a ride with a teammate - she has a nice big SUV so we were able to fit both bikes nicely in the back. Arrived at the race, picked up our kits, got body marked, and set out transition.
Swim: 500m 12:06
We were in the second wave, females 20-24. I was one of two athletes without a wetsuit for this race. The water was beautiful and warm though, so not a problem at all. Mass start in deep water. I only got kicked in the head twice, so I feel pretty lucky :) The swim went right around the lake, and the buoys were giant and orange so sighting wasn't a problem. It took a minute or two to get my groove, and then I settled into the stroke nicely. Decided to play it safe and just found someone to swim beside, kept up with her the whole way. Coming out of the water was an adventure; the clay bottom of the lake was incredibly slippery so we ended up walking out most of the way. Hit the beach running.
T1: 1min46
Goggles and swim cap off while running to the bike rack. Quick sip of water, race shirt/number, helmet on, sunglasses and bike shoes on, ready to go...and a girl knocked her bike over onto mine. Geesh! Ah well - untangle and go.
Bike: 18k 41:39
It only took two tries to get clipped in to my pedals this time, which was really nice! And out we go. The course was set out in a "T" pattern so there were two turn arounds (fun fun!). Uneventful bike, a couple BIG hills which really challenged the legs, but I felt pretty strong throughout, kept my heartrate pretty steady. I got passed a few times, passed a few people. I know I'm slow on the bike, but that's what I'm concentrating on this season.
T2: 1min11
Bike shoes off, socks and running shoes on (gotta love "speed laces"!!), hat, grab a gel and tear it open while heading onto the run course.
Run: 4k 21:07
Ok, they SAID it was 4k but I think it was more like 4.5. Talking with other athletes after the race, everyone agreed. Legs felt GREAT, and it only took a few minutes to work out the bike in them. After the first 1km I found my racing stride and just kept passing people. If it's any indication, the girl who placed 1st in my age group did her run in 20:27, so i was less than a minute slower (but, we KNEW i was ok at the running bit). I felt sooo strong during this run, and was absolutely elated! Big smile on my face the whole time. It was such a gorgeous day! As I approached the last 200m, I saw my dad, camera in hand. He'd come to surprise me and see me finish! Sooo special. It was awesome.
Total Time: 1:17:48
Place: 5th in age group. Not too bad for my first race. I'm pretty happy. And I met my goals. Finished, no pain, (or death). Whew! Met up with my teammates at the finish and we had a giant celebratory hug.
The run finish:
Me and my teammates:
My coach and teammates:
Post-race. I was RAVENOUS. I think I ate everything in sight yesterday, and it was just a sprint! Needless to say, I am absolutely stoked and so content.
"A top age-grouper once said all triathletes are addictive personalities. We're addicted to the endorphins, the rush of putting our bodies through rigorous training in pursuit of physical conditioning, mental clarity and heightened spiritual awareness - or something like that. And frankly, haven't we all noticed we're mentally less sharp and spiritually deficient if we miss a workout or two?" (source: http://www.triathlete.com/art.asp?1=8&2=62&3=43&pg=1)
So true...
So true...
