When I broke my neck in the year 2000, I was told I could never take up contact sports again......well here I am 9 years later and apparently I am in a contact sport. Not what you would think with Triathlon, and certainly not the case on a day to day basis, but today had some serious contact.
Lets start in the morning. After a good longish warmup the bouys were in place for a good set of bouy swimming. 4x50m Lanes is a lot of space if you look at it with no bouys. But with bouys it looks like a bath tub. So the workout was a good one....
2x (1x 5 loops, 2x 4 loops)
With the addition of a few euros to the group this workouts have been more interesting. This morning was just bad. Waterpolo came to mind as I had contact made at EVERY bouy! I guess it is good race prep, but less contact = faster swimming for EVERYONE.
Luckily I was able to have a contact free easy run following the swim.
Tonight was the first crit for the group this year. A hail/rain storm rolled thru just before the 630 start. Cold to start I quickly warmed up and felt in a good rhythm as the laps counted down. AMac had some good breaks, but unfortunately didn't have other stronger riders to go with him and hold the group off. Still good riding there white knight!
2 laps to go we hit a corner and BAM AP goes down right in front of me. WIth nowhere to go I proceed to ride over his bike, flip over my handlebars and have my bike go KAPOOey up in the air. Luckily we are both ok i believe, and the bikes didn't suffer any major damages. Needless to say I was a little steamed not to finish the race as I was feeling great. I cooled my jets as I TT'd down the Trans Canada mashing out in the Big ring home. There will be little sleep tonight though as I think adrenaline is still coursing through my veins.
All and all a good day on the gridiron.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
New Water Toy
Now this is how to fun on the lake this summer......
Apparently it can go up to 40mph and 50ft high. Although I wonder what would happen if it sucked up a big fish causing the water flow to stop....that might not be so fun if you were 50ft up.
Apparently it can go up to 40mph and 50ft high. Although I wonder what would happen if it sucked up a big fish causing the water flow to stop....that might not be so fun if you were 50ft up.
BlindWorm
This morning I met Swiss Nic for our long run out at Thetis. Chatting about the usual stuff, comparisons between TriCanada and TriSuisse...the usual characters like Marceau, Hug, Whitfield, McMahon came up during the 90' run over and around Stewart. I find it very interesting talking with him about similar situations between the two countries....for example,
"Nic, did Sven Riederers' bronze at Athens have the same effect that you have seen Whitfields medals have here."
"No not really, triathlon already had a popular participation and youth program underway, but Fabian Cancellaras' medals are a similar example."
He went on to explain how Fabians' Monster performance has rescued cycling in Switzerland from being tossed aside due to all of the recent doping cases and allegations.
Another interesting event happened with Nic this week. On an easy 30' run with AP and I, AP hurdled over a snake crossing the trail:
AP: "WHOA snake!"
Nic:"No, not a snake...was a Blindschleiche"
Me and AP: " Hahahaha...a WHAT?!"
Nic: " A Blindschleiche, looks like snake, but it isn't"
Me: "No I'm pretty sure that was a snake"
AP: " Yup , me too"
Argument ensued with no resolve but...
Later that day Nic showed me what he thought it was on wikipedia as a Slow worm or Blind worm. Native only to eurasia I guess that is why we didn't believe him, but goes to show there is some weird stuff out there.
With the PATCO championships approaching in under a month, Patrick has started to ramp up the intensity of the workouts. Cycling this week was tough. Yesterday we had one of the most race-like workouts this year. A two round longer brick of 15km cycle/2k run. The whole group if fit right now and it showed as no one was able to sustain a break on either bike portion. The second round was full on race effort, and it lived up to just that. The bike went like this, attack, chase, counterattack, repeat. On the 2k run AP and I had an epic battle following the same attack format of the bike....with 200m to go PK rides up on the scooter saying "HARD finish" , damn there goes AP!
Gorgeous day here, time to head out and enjoy it.
"Nic, did Sven Riederers' bronze at Athens have the same effect that you have seen Whitfields medals have here."
"No not really, triathlon already had a popular participation and youth program underway, but Fabian Cancellaras' medals are a similar example."
He went on to explain how Fabians' Monster performance has rescued cycling in Switzerland from being tossed aside due to all of the recent doping cases and allegations.
Another interesting event happened with Nic this week. On an easy 30' run with AP and I, AP hurdled over a snake crossing the trail:
AP: "WHOA snake!"
Nic:"No, not a snake...was a Blindschleiche"
Me and AP: " Hahahaha...a WHAT?!"
Nic: " A Blindschleiche, looks like snake, but it isn't"
Me: "No I'm pretty sure that was a snake"
AP: " Yup , me too"
Argument ensued with no resolve but...
Later that day Nic showed me what he thought it was on wikipedia as a Slow worm or Blind worm. Native only to eurasia I guess that is why we didn't believe him, but goes to show there is some weird stuff out there.
With the PATCO championships approaching in under a month, Patrick has started to ramp up the intensity of the workouts. Cycling this week was tough. Yesterday we had one of the most race-like workouts this year. A two round longer brick of 15km cycle/2k run. The whole group if fit right now and it showed as no one was able to sustain a break on either bike portion. The second round was full on race effort, and it lived up to just that. The bike went like this, attack, chase, counterattack, repeat. On the 2k run AP and I had an epic battle following the same attack format of the bike....with 200m to go PK rides up on the scooter saying "HARD finish" , damn there goes AP!
Gorgeous day here, time to head out and enjoy it.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Oceanside Recap
When the alarm went at 4 this morning I had already been awake for since 3:30. I sort of lay there pretending to sleep, but my body knew it was time to start going and wouldn't let me sleep in that extra 30 minutes.
I had a good breakfast (perhaps a bit too much fibre...more on that later) and headed down to Oceanside from my homestay in Fallbrook, about 15 miles inland. My homestay couple, David and Kelly have been the best. Very helpful, super friendly and just great to get along with. David lent me his zipp 404/808 wheelset for the race and they let me use their pickup to get down to the race site this morning.
Onced checked in I marveled at the pro bikes, wow just like in the magazines. P4 is so dope! The sun was still not up so i rode my warmup with pretty much everything I had. Good stretch, setup and then got the wetsuit on and in for a very short swim WU. They only gave us about 5' for this and then had us tread water for another 5' waiting for the canon.
Lined up beside big matty reed I thought i would get some good feet. The swim went off pretty quick and a front group emerged from the middle of the start line which i didn't get into. I found myself swimming in the second group but was quite comfortable and relaxed. It was nice to have little to no contact in the swim, except for the bouys that i kept hitting for some reason. Up and out of the swim in 23 high was right where i wanted to be.
On to the bike Big Matty Reed and then Jordan Rapp came trucking by just crushing it already. Remaly came by at a good clip too, who i noticed was the only other pro to ride a road bike. Next time a TT bike is in order i think. The ride went ok...i felt good for the first 35-40miles but dropped off on the remainder. My back though held up alright. It was tight but no searing pain which i was dreading would happen. THe bike course was awesome. Challenging with notable climbs, but for the most part rolling. THe scenary was beautiful as we rode along the coast for about 20 miles getting cheers from the early morning surfers as they made their way down to catch a few. We then turned inland and rode through camp pendelton, one of the biggest military bases in the US. The aid stations were manned by soldiers and they could sure cheer as well. One highlight was riding along and seeing two tanks rolling along amidst the small bunker like hills. As mentioned the last 10 miles or so I started to slow down and get uncomfortable. I thought oh no this is going to be a long run...
With the flats slipped on I headed out onto the two lap run which had an interesting 400m sand section. Rather than feeling sluggish though I felt great! Good cadence and light legs I was thinking this is too good to be true. Then fittingly a first happened in my first half. The bowels started to grumble and gurgling ensued. At mile 2 i hit the porta john....whew that feels better.
Coming back on the first lap I had caught some other guys and then round 2 happened. Round 2 came on in a rush and I had little time to get it out. I could see the aid station about 500m away but I was also looking for the bushes. I saw a bunch at one intersection and was headed to them but at the last moment saw two police officers....that would have been an interesting ticket...I made it to the outhouse with seconds to spare. This stop was longer than the first but essential. WHen i got out the guys i had passed were up the road. When i re-passed them they did a double take..."shit stop" i say ....oooh they reply with a smile. From there on I continued to reel in guys and felt very strong out there all the way to the line for a 4:13 finish.
I am very happy with this result. swim and run were just as hoped, and the bike was ok. I think with a TT bike/position and some more specific training at longer half race pace efforts I could ride 10' faster by September.
David took some great photos at the race, here they are:
Sarah Groff Leading the Womens Race in her first 70.3!
Me on the second lap of the Run
The Battling Brits
Jordan Rapp had a good one
Big Matty Reed Destroying the Run
I had a good breakfast (perhaps a bit too much fibre...more on that later) and headed down to Oceanside from my homestay in Fallbrook, about 15 miles inland. My homestay couple, David and Kelly have been the best. Very helpful, super friendly and just great to get along with. David lent me his zipp 404/808 wheelset for the race and they let me use their pickup to get down to the race site this morning.
Onced checked in I marveled at the pro bikes, wow just like in the magazines. P4 is so dope! The sun was still not up so i rode my warmup with pretty much everything I had. Good stretch, setup and then got the wetsuit on and in for a very short swim WU. They only gave us about 5' for this and then had us tread water for another 5' waiting for the canon.
Lined up beside big matty reed I thought i would get some good feet. The swim went off pretty quick and a front group emerged from the middle of the start line which i didn't get into. I found myself swimming in the second group but was quite comfortable and relaxed. It was nice to have little to no contact in the swim, except for the bouys that i kept hitting for some reason. Up and out of the swim in 23 high was right where i wanted to be.
On to the bike Big Matty Reed and then Jordan Rapp came trucking by just crushing it already. Remaly came by at a good clip too, who i noticed was the only other pro to ride a road bike. Next time a TT bike is in order i think. The ride went ok...i felt good for the first 35-40miles but dropped off on the remainder. My back though held up alright. It was tight but no searing pain which i was dreading would happen. THe bike course was awesome. Challenging with notable climbs, but for the most part rolling. THe scenary was beautiful as we rode along the coast for about 20 miles getting cheers from the early morning surfers as they made their way down to catch a few. We then turned inland and rode through camp pendelton, one of the biggest military bases in the US. The aid stations were manned by soldiers and they could sure cheer as well. One highlight was riding along and seeing two tanks rolling along amidst the small bunker like hills. As mentioned the last 10 miles or so I started to slow down and get uncomfortable. I thought oh no this is going to be a long run...
With the flats slipped on I headed out onto the two lap run which had an interesting 400m sand section. Rather than feeling sluggish though I felt great! Good cadence and light legs I was thinking this is too good to be true. Then fittingly a first happened in my first half. The bowels started to grumble and gurgling ensued. At mile 2 i hit the porta john....whew that feels better.
Coming back on the first lap I had caught some other guys and then round 2 happened. Round 2 came on in a rush and I had little time to get it out. I could see the aid station about 500m away but I was also looking for the bushes. I saw a bunch at one intersection and was headed to them but at the last moment saw two police officers....that would have been an interesting ticket...I made it to the outhouse with seconds to spare. This stop was longer than the first but essential. WHen i got out the guys i had passed were up the road. When i re-passed them they did a double take..."shit stop" i say ....oooh they reply with a smile. From there on I continued to reel in guys and felt very strong out there all the way to the line for a 4:13 finish.
I am very happy with this result. swim and run were just as hoped, and the bike was ok. I think with a TT bike/position and some more specific training at longer half race pace efforts I could ride 10' faster by September.
David took some great photos at the race, here they are:
Sarah Groff Leading the Womens Race in her first 70.3!
Me on the second lap of the Run
The Battling Brits
Jordan Rapp had a good one
Big Matty Reed Destroying the Run
Friday, April 03, 2009
Oceanside
Oceanside is beautifull
Have the best homestay
Kept my rookie questions to myself at the pro meeting
Water is not as cold as Thetis
Feel fit
Ready for some fun
Early wakeup.....4am
Much more after the dance
Have the best homestay
Kept my rookie questions to myself at the pro meeting
Water is not as cold as Thetis
Feel fit
Ready for some fun
Early wakeup.....4am
Much more after the dance
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