If your reading this you might be surprised because this is the first new blog in about 3 weeks. A lot has happened to me in three weeks but i wont go into the details too much...well maybe
I raced squamish and then the peach classic back to back after nationals and squamish was awesome, peach alright. In squamish i pushed the swim and then drilled the bike knowing that ben H would be coming to get me. Rode well and run well too. I really like trail running and i think it suits to my strength. Constant changes in direction and choosing the best line is what pays the bills in trails. Was shocking to hear near the end of the race that one lady had been chased off the course by a momma black bear and her two cubs! Triathlon is like a box of chocolates...never know whattya gonna geet. One other highlight of that weekend was driving back over the duffy lake road home. Lillooet has the best radio station ever! No commercials just 70's and 80's rock. we are talking stones,doors,police,beatles,Zeplin oh and it goes on..its like a station where some dude has hooked up his i-pod on shuffle for the weekend and left the station!
Peach went alright. I wanted to beat Matt Seeley (grandmaster of the Montana tri club) but it wasn't to be. Swim was out and back and out went well, i stayed on Travis chater's feet and we were on our own to the turn around. Then we turned and "I was blinded by the light" the sun that is, couldn't see travis or the lead kyak. so on my own i screwed up the back leg royally offcourse and come out in anger. Seeley came by me about 5k into the bike and that was the last i saw of him. I needed a good 2 and a half minutes from the swim to have a chance but had less than one. Ben then caught me 30k in. I picked up my tempo, making sure to ride with him to transition. On the run we were even steven until the climb where i put on maybe 20 seconds. That turned out to be the tsn turning point as that is about what i would come in ahead of him at. Made sure to gorge on the fresh local fruit post race and then uneventfully drove home thinking why on earth some german engineer hasn't invented oscilating air vents in cars, like regular house fans have.
From the peach i've stepped it down a notch or two here in revelstoke. I did find out i've qualified for the world university championships in lausanne, switzerland. That should be an amazing once in a lifetime experience and has got me stoked here in the stoke. So i've been organinzing some fundraising for that trip as Triathlon Canada isn't giving a penny.
that brings me to now...today nothing more than a 3hr ride to blanket creek down to the campground and then back to Clough road where we drilled out 3 hill repeats. That is a good hill to prepare for the Lausanne course (which you can all view if you go to www.triathlon.org link in on the bottom of page) which has has steep nasty hills in it.
oh i hear the bbq calling my name, it saying "gimme something to grill ba-bee"
keep on enjoying the summer
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Nationals
well i;m sitting in the winnipeg airport and thought i'd blog up the race in brampton this past weekend
Conditions were not the greatest not only was it hot and humid it was also very windy. I think the temp was 31 with close to 100% humidity. Although it wasn't raining so i don't know if it is correct to say 100% is it Nolan? Winds were gusting up to 50k.
The swim was nuts. that's how i can sum it up, just nuts. Picture 60 guys on a beach lined up and then with the shot of a gun sprinting into the lake. I got punched in the mouth right away and then half way to the first bouy someone elbowed me in the eye and busted off my googles. With all the wind it made the lake very choppy. Literally i felt like i was a prisoner trying to escape from alcatraz.
Anyways, i was able to not get too far behind and had a fast transition out on to the bike. Caught up with a some group including mike simpson (probably the best cyclist at the race) and we quickly caught more guys and then closed in on the second chase group. I barely hung on until we reached that second chase group. Once there thought the pace eased up. We rolled into T2 in a group probably areound 15 or 20.
Out on to the run i set off with the front of the group. The run was good but i died around 8k getting a stich and then pain in my chest. I was done when i crossed the liine and quickly headed to the med tent where i got ice and could lay down.
I didn't get lapped by simon whitfield which was awesome and i finished 22nd out of 55 (`15th canadian). Overall very happy with the result. have to wait to see if i got one of the two university worlds spots, not likely but maybe....
We went to the party dinner afterwards and gorged out on chocolate fondue mmmmmmmmmm
spent yesterday relaxing and zzzzzzzzzzzz in caledon and then today made my homeward bound.
I will see most of you soon
next up is squamish and then peach classic.
all for now.
Conditions were not the greatest not only was it hot and humid it was also very windy. I think the temp was 31 with close to 100% humidity. Although it wasn't raining so i don't know if it is correct to say 100% is it Nolan? Winds were gusting up to 50k.
The swim was nuts. that's how i can sum it up, just nuts. Picture 60 guys on a beach lined up and then with the shot of a gun sprinting into the lake. I got punched in the mouth right away and then half way to the first bouy someone elbowed me in the eye and busted off my googles. With all the wind it made the lake very choppy. Literally i felt like i was a prisoner trying to escape from alcatraz.
Anyways, i was able to not get too far behind and had a fast transition out on to the bike. Caught up with a some group including mike simpson (probably the best cyclist at the race) and we quickly caught more guys and then closed in on the second chase group. I barely hung on until we reached that second chase group. Once there thought the pace eased up. We rolled into T2 in a group probably areound 15 or 20.
Out on to the run i set off with the front of the group. The run was good but i died around 8k getting a stich and then pain in my chest. I was done when i crossed the liine and quickly headed to the med tent where i got ice and could lay down.
I didn't get lapped by simon whitfield which was awesome and i finished 22nd out of 55 (`15th canadian). Overall very happy with the result. have to wait to see if i got one of the two university worlds spots, not likely but maybe....
We went to the party dinner afterwards and gorged out on chocolate fondue mmmmmmmmmm
spent yesterday relaxing and zzzzzzzzzzzz in caledon and then today made my homeward bound.
I will see most of you soon
next up is squamish and then peach classic.
all for now.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Speedy the Dragon
Brandon reminded me that i left one important member of the family out in the last blog. Speedy is his pet bearded dragon and no one messes with him.
Got a good look at the swim course last night and tonight. One big loop in a spring fed quarry pond. there are a lot of those around here. This one is clean and tastes like chalk.
Went to the briefing afterwards and got sign in etc...we did get lost looking for the place though.
Got in a short spin on the way the home and got in just in time before the acid rain started to fall. suffered a few minor burns but nuttin serious.
the mens field is looking deep 60+ elites including whitfield and courtney atkinson from aus. they're televising the event and it will be on tsn in a couple weeks. #39 will be me hopefully not too far behind.
tomorrow in the relay and my host family is in it so i'll be out cheering and watching it.
Next blog wiill be after the race with some good news.
Got a good look at the swim course last night and tonight. One big loop in a spring fed quarry pond. there are a lot of those around here. This one is clean and tastes like chalk.
Went to the briefing afterwards and got sign in etc...we did get lost looking for the place though.
Got in a short spin on the way the home and got in just in time before the acid rain started to fall. suffered a few minor burns but nuttin serious.
the mens field is looking deep 60+ elites including whitfield and courtney atkinson from aus. they're televising the event and it will be on tsn in a couple weeks. #39 will be me hopefully not too far behind.
tomorrow in the relay and my host family is in it so i'll be out cheering and watching it.
Next blog wiill be after the race with some good news.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
East is East
arrived out east and have settled in with my homestays. Great family. The dad sells fitness equipment and high performance testing for hockey players. Two kids one 11 one 15. The mum i'm not sure what she does cause i've only seen her once since i arrived for 5mins.
A nice running trail runs right outside there house and beautifull rolly riding around in this area. Erin is the town near caledon and brampton.
yesterday, went for an easy run on the trail with 15wu 25 mins mid-tempo followed by 10cd. the trail smelt like dill pickles, quite good to run to.
got the bike reassembled and out of the box and went riding for an easy 1hr30. It is a farming communinty so tons of small roads and not too much traffic.
went down to look at the swim course last night but we were too late to swim. today we'll get there in time.
then the dad drove around with me for what seemed like ages showing all sorts of different bike routes around Erin. super-enthusiast with sports i tell ya.
next update probably tomorrow after the race meeting.
A nice running trail runs right outside there house and beautifull rolly riding around in this area. Erin is the town near caledon and brampton.
yesterday, went for an easy run on the trail with 15wu 25 mins mid-tempo followed by 10cd. the trail smelt like dill pickles, quite good to run to.
got the bike reassembled and out of the box and went riding for an easy 1hr30. It is a farming communinty so tons of small roads and not too much traffic.
went down to look at the swim course last night but we were too late to swim. today we'll get there in time.
then the dad drove around with me for what seemed like ages showing all sorts of different bike routes around Erin. super-enthusiast with sports i tell ya.
next update probably tomorrow after the race meeting.
Friday, June 23, 2006
The Reincarnation of Loaf
You thought i was dead....gone...blogxtinct, but i've made a voldermort resurgence to avenge the nahsayers and bisbelivers in my meaning.
I am back baby! and ready to blog.
There is no way i can recap almost a whole month off from this blog but i'll try anyways.
After i left vancouver I came home to the stoke and had a few solid swims and runs before heading to Provincials in WAsa.
The resort that had cabins literally right on the start line had gone into receivership so that put a bummer on what was otherwise a good race.
We stayed in Kimberely at the North Star Motel and we watched the oilers beat the canes in game 3. Boy Don Cherry if there is one thing that i'll remember about the '06 playoffs apart from the oilers getting so close and then to have Ward and a prehistoric ape (canes captian) snatch the cup, it is DC's suits, WOW!
The race.......swim...most chaotic start i've ever had....the first bouy was too close and everyone was jammed into the first turn. swallowed too much water and got kicked in the kidneys. Came out slower than i wanted and had a mediocor transition.
Got on the bike and found myself in 3rd. Not for long though as Mike simpson came tearing by with disc wheel and all. Held the bleeding to a minimum on the bike and came into T2 in 7th.
The run felt horrible but in actually fact i was running pretty well. passed 2 and grabbed some coke at an aid station.
In the end i was 5th and 100$ in the back pocket. It was probably the hardest race ever for me...see photo below.
From then on I had my 24th birthday. Saw many friends at big bear and have been training steadily.
Dad swallowed a fly and got an infection, i had water in my ear for 5 days and felt like Kramer in that one episode and its finally starting to get warm.
One little sneaky thing i've been doing, well not that sneaky, is i've put in some sauna sessions. No not with the swedish swim team JP, but 1hr sessions at 40+ celsius and full humidity on the bike trainer. hopefully this will help with the heat at nationals i'm expecting.
speaking of those, i am heading out tomorrow. Doing a duathlon in kamloops on sunday then flying out on tuesday. Have a homestay hooked up down which will save a lot of cash.
I don't know how a whole week in the T.O will go. I can't stand the yuppies who come out of there to come to UBC let anyone going and staying in their natural habitat.
Will try to keep you posted on how things onfold there.
th-ht-th-th-thats all folks
Trust me...it is hurting right about now
The smurph himself made an anticipated appearence
See what i mean about it hurting
I am back baby! and ready to blog.
There is no way i can recap almost a whole month off from this blog but i'll try anyways.
After i left vancouver I came home to the stoke and had a few solid swims and runs before heading to Provincials in WAsa.
The resort that had cabins literally right on the start line had gone into receivership so that put a bummer on what was otherwise a good race.
We stayed in Kimberely at the North Star Motel and we watched the oilers beat the canes in game 3. Boy Don Cherry if there is one thing that i'll remember about the '06 playoffs apart from the oilers getting so close and then to have Ward and a prehistoric ape (canes captian) snatch the cup, it is DC's suits, WOW!
The race.......swim...most chaotic start i've ever had....the first bouy was too close and everyone was jammed into the first turn. swallowed too much water and got kicked in the kidneys. Came out slower than i wanted and had a mediocor transition.
Got on the bike and found myself in 3rd. Not for long though as Mike simpson came tearing by with disc wheel and all. Held the bleeding to a minimum on the bike and came into T2 in 7th.
The run felt horrible but in actually fact i was running pretty well. passed 2 and grabbed some coke at an aid station.
In the end i was 5th and 100$ in the back pocket. It was probably the hardest race ever for me...see photo below.
From then on I had my 24th birthday. Saw many friends at big bear and have been training steadily.
Dad swallowed a fly and got an infection, i had water in my ear for 5 days and felt like Kramer in that one episode and its finally starting to get warm.
One little sneaky thing i've been doing, well not that sneaky, is i've put in some sauna sessions. No not with the swedish swim team JP, but 1hr sessions at 40+ celsius and full humidity on the bike trainer. hopefully this will help with the heat at nationals i'm expecting.
speaking of those, i am heading out tomorrow. Doing a duathlon in kamloops on sunday then flying out on tuesday. Have a homestay hooked up down which will save a lot of cash.
I don't know how a whole week in the T.O will go. I can't stand the yuppies who come out of there to come to UBC let anyone going and staying in their natural habitat.
Will try to keep you posted on how things onfold there.
th-ht-th-th-thats all folks
Trust me...it is hurting right about now
The smurph himself made an anticipated appearence
See what i mean about it hurting
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Stoked
back home in the stoke and it is nice nice!
easy track session this am.
15min WU
6 strides
2x800 (2:26,:29)
4x400 (1:09,1:10,:11,:11)
3 sets of strength
6 strides
short cool down
had a modern muffin, some lunch and then headed to willamson's for the first open water swim this year.
lake was surprisingly warm, just worked on some sighting with fogged googles and did some interval stroke work. 50mins total followed by easy spin to Lee's and then back.
Pad Thai hot hot mama
so pumped for gerricks, gonna kick some ass!
easy track session this am.
15min WU
6 strides
2x800 (2:26,:29)
4x400 (1:09,1:10,:11,:11)
3 sets of strength
6 strides
short cool down
had a modern muffin, some lunch and then headed to willamson's for the first open water swim this year.
lake was surprisingly warm, just worked on some sighting with fogged googles and did some interval stroke work. 50mins total followed by easy spin to Lee's and then back.
Pad Thai hot hot mama
so pumped for gerricks, gonna kick some ass!
Sunday, June 04, 2006
blog break
Took a break from blogging here, call it laziness or whatever.
Last weekend raced the sooke to sambrio road race. 80km challenging course but it suited my climbing strengths. Felt good and strong the whole ride and finished in the front group. Ran 30 minutes off the bike throughout sooke getting chased by a boxer, not so fun.
Sunday took the day off and hung out with marty. We watched parts of the pro crit at bastion square and saw XMen 3 later that night.
Monday - took the 9 ferry and rode back home. Went up to ubc for a swim and then did a run of 10 min WU, 6xstrides, 20 min steady and 10 CD.
Tuesday - Swam in the Morning, then it was my GRADUATION. The last detail to end a long 6 years at UBC. Felt good to shake hands and get my diploma. My parents and sister were there to see me and it made me proud to have them there. We had a faculty lunch on granville island and went out downtown that night. I rode the tuesday nighter as well. As per usual got blown out in the sprint. Tried a breakaway but it didn't materialize.
Wednesday - Went with my family over to sydney to do some sailing. Unfortunately there wasn't any wind. We motored over to salt spring and stayed the night.
Thursday - Double Run day . First run on salt spring was solid. A lot of good hills there to work on so i did 10 min WU, stretch, 15 min steady, 4mins hard, 12xhills (45s) with 1:30 recovery. 10 min CD. Second run was an easy 40 mins in sydney along Lands End road. Again no wind so we had to motor back to Sydney
Fri - Got up early with Var and swam at the Commonwealth pool. Main set of 6x200 on 3mins averaging 2:45. Felt good. Did about 3km distance. Ran just before dinner of 15min WU, 15 min steady, 4x3min race pace with 2min recovery, 10 min CD.
Sat - Come back over to Vancouver with Mum and DAd and went to pick up my new BIKE!!! It had finally arrived. Rode out to Horshshoe Bay and back , WOW I like it. Alot of response and the power transfer feels amazing!! Partied hard saturday night as sort of a going away birthday bash.
Sun - the usual hung over breakfast at Sophies saw Hui eat the following:
2pancakes
5 eggs
2 sausage,bacon,ham
hashbrowns
Toast
I don't know how he does it.
had a needed nap and then rode 1hr 40 easy up around UBC
Swam at kits pool (137.5m) in the evening
550 WU
550 Pull
550 Drills and kick
10x125m (2stroke, 2pull, 2stroke, 2 pull, 2 stroke)
7 x (25 easy/ 25 hard)
400 CD
4150m Total
Whew, now i;m caught up to date
Last weekend raced the sooke to sambrio road race. 80km challenging course but it suited my climbing strengths. Felt good and strong the whole ride and finished in the front group. Ran 30 minutes off the bike throughout sooke getting chased by a boxer, not so fun.
Sunday took the day off and hung out with marty. We watched parts of the pro crit at bastion square and saw XMen 3 later that night.
Monday - took the 9 ferry and rode back home. Went up to ubc for a swim and then did a run of 10 min WU, 6xstrides, 20 min steady and 10 CD.
Tuesday - Swam in the Morning, then it was my GRADUATION. The last detail to end a long 6 years at UBC. Felt good to shake hands and get my diploma. My parents and sister were there to see me and it made me proud to have them there. We had a faculty lunch on granville island and went out downtown that night. I rode the tuesday nighter as well. As per usual got blown out in the sprint. Tried a breakaway but it didn't materialize.
Wednesday - Went with my family over to sydney to do some sailing. Unfortunately there wasn't any wind. We motored over to salt spring and stayed the night.
Thursday - Double Run day . First run on salt spring was solid. A lot of good hills there to work on so i did 10 min WU, stretch, 15 min steady, 4mins hard, 12xhills (45s) with 1:30 recovery. 10 min CD. Second run was an easy 40 mins in sydney along Lands End road. Again no wind so we had to motor back to Sydney
Fri - Got up early with Var and swam at the Commonwealth pool. Main set of 6x200 on 3mins averaging 2:45. Felt good. Did about 3km distance. Ran just before dinner of 15min WU, 15 min steady, 4x3min race pace with 2min recovery, 10 min CD.
Sat - Come back over to Vancouver with Mum and DAd and went to pick up my new BIKE!!! It had finally arrived. Rode out to Horshshoe Bay and back , WOW I like it. Alot of response and the power transfer feels amazing!! Partied hard saturday night as sort of a going away birthday bash.
Sun - the usual hung over breakfast at Sophies saw Hui eat the following:
2pancakes
5 eggs
2 sausage,bacon,ham
hashbrowns
Toast
I don't know how he does it.
had a needed nap and then rode 1hr 40 easy up around UBC
Swam at kits pool (137.5m) in the evening
550 WU
550 Pull
550 Drills and kick
10x125m (2stroke, 2pull, 2stroke, 2 pull, 2 stroke)
7 x (25 easy/ 25 hard)
400 CD
4150m Total
Whew, now i;m caught up to date
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