Chocolate Half Marathon

Today.. well I guess it is yesterday now, I did the Chocolate half Marathon in Port Dauilhouse. This was the inogernal year for the race, it sounded like a fun idea so I thought why not and signed up four days before the race. Thank goodness I signed up when I did because it actually sold out.

We made a weekend of the event. Rode the five cent carousal several times, saw the lift locks, and stayed in a hotel. Major fun for a 2 and 5 year olds.

Weather was great, under 20 degrees, overcast sky's. Not to hot, but warm enough to dump water on my head at the water stations. My plan was to go out and see where my fitness was at BUT also have fun. If I felt like walking I would, and if I felt like eating chocolate along the way I would. I started off the race dry, I had forgotten to bring some water to the race site and the only water to be had was in the BR. The BR with insane long female lines, so I got men a few times to go into the men's and fill up my empty coffee cup. Overall I was relaxed, I pushed, but took the time to eat a chocolate covered strawberry, chatted with some guys, and had a good time running. Now I usually have a bit of a iron stomach. I can take a gel without water- I hate carrying it. Drink water or Gatorade and be merry. Today, as the website said gels would be provided,so I didn't worry about bring one. Trouble was it wasn't until 13-15k. To late to make any difference. So I started taking in E- load at the stations. Uggg I am still in mild GI upset. I broke rule #1 nothing new on race day. I managed to beat the one person I wanted to. Far from a personal best at 1:42:42. But I felt good about it. I feel great now, not at all stiff. Solid effort but not over taxing. Funny thing was when I finished I felt I could definitely go longer.
I was disappointed at the finish.

For it being a big to do about chocolate, there wasn't a whole lot. Sure there was some on the course, but everybody I was running with missed out on it due to not being able to eat and run. We thought there would be oodles at the finish. Nope. There was ice cream, bagels, bananas, and little bags of chips. and a coupon for a free drink after 12pm at one of the bars in town. I gave my ticket away. I wanted to stick around for the awards, and possible draw prices but I finished around 1020, and the awards were not until 1230. I wonder if anybody waited. As well the big prise was for a years membership to the local gym. I would be giving that away to. My other minor complaint about the race was stupid but the tee- shirt was given in a little reusable bag, smaller then a gift bag. What am I to do with it now. It has no use. ......and don't get me started on the chocolate metal.

Orillia Kids of Steel

Adventures in DQ

This past w/e I did the Orillia try a tri. Yes I do know I try a tris are for people who have never done triathlons before... but really my training volume is so low I feel like I couldn't cope with a sprint distance. went into the race with the expectation of just having fun. I saw 2008s results were fairly slow, but really didn't over analyze them- as per my usual habit. I didn't even have a goal time.

Spent the night prior with Annie in Barrie, had done registration the day before after Maya did her race, so all I had to do was pick up my chip and get marked. Dumped Maya right away with Annie and got set up in transition. Had lots of fun just listening in on conversations, jumping in here and there to answers people questions. I really felt out of place- like I shouldn't be there as there was no mystery. The water was a warm 74, so not alot of wetsuits, but I was for sure wearing mine! Took my usual gel and went down to the water for a warm up- just as they were calling people out of the water, I thought I had 10min- but so much for that.

I went in the second wave, I didn't drown, got into a bit of a rhythm, but had to stop a few times just to calm down. Felt ok, only mild open water panic- mild waves. I also expereinced a triathlon first of having somebody swim overtop of me. I overtook a few in the wave before me, could see lots of my wave behind me- but did see lots in my wave ahead. I knew I would have some ground to cover. 81/321 OA. 375 metres at 10:71 or 2:45/ 100metre.

Into T1- got the suit off in record time- tons of body guide. I wore my new tri top and my bike shorts under, so all I had to do was put on my belt, helmet, and shoes and off I went. I found the course to be really rough. The people on mountain bikes with suspension at least had the advantage of not being bumped all over the place. The course was rather curvy and open to cars, thus my speed wasn't as I would like it but still I only did the passing- and alot of it. As it was a out and back I was able to pick out how many females I had to chase down. Fun! I rode ok, but i didn't work it too hard out there. My dismount was terrible. Really need to work on it. So slow, in fact two guys went pass me while I was slowly dismounting. Painful. The photo above shows me all alone in transition- no other bikes there- great feeling. 19/321 OA, 10k in 22:51 or 26.3km/hr.

On to the run, Lots of fun, felt good, not really a effort. Had fun passing the women ahead. During the bike I decided that I could probably make top 10. Then on the out and back run, I was sure there was like 10 ahead of me so whatever just do my best and picked off people on by one. There was one fit looking 35 year old in front of me that I passed just after the turn around who had the most amazing legs. So amazing in fact I spoke with her after the race, and she isn't even a runner- she is a master swimmer! On the run: 16/321 2.5k in 12:52 or 4:52km- which is rather slow actually. I really need to get brink workouts in.

After the race, I collected Maya from the Vanderkooys, got some food, cleaned up my transition, got changed, put away my bike- Then looked at the results. I knew I had most likely podiumed but was still surprised to see my time of 45:16. 22/321 overall. 5th female and 1/60 in my age group. The guys around me looking at the results were very pleased for me. Me.. well I had guilt about doing the whole tri a try thing when well maybe it is been done. Problem is I never get enough swim/ bike to feel not overwhelmed to do much else. Swimming once a week- although I'm sure I'm up to more than a km- just does not cut it. Bike well I usually get one 50- 60k bike a week in lately. But that is it. I knew this summer would not be for good training but still it sucks. I usually make a effort to get runs in.. but really between work and other stuff I have ran twice in the past seven days- and one day was this race. But back to not belonging.. I happen to see a blog post by the winner of the tri a tri- oh and he is a sponsored trek rider!!! And the woman who came third in my age cat orgy has quite the resume on sports stat.

After the race Maya and I had our picnic on the lawn waiting for the awards with some other tri club members who had done the sprint. I honestly think they were more excited for me than I was. But they were honest and said- just enjoy it- it only gets more competitive after this. We went out of our way to have burgers at Weber's then drove home.

I was really happy with my race until Luke said congratulations, he had looked at the results but I was disqualified!!! Sunday was absolute agony, I went from bliss to being frustrated, angry and everything in between. It wasn't easy either with Luke teasing me saying I had cheated. Over and over I went over the possible reasons why I could have been DQ.

• The course was open, thus a bit of traffic weaving- I did always go to the right, but did a couple of times make eye contact and hold up my arm asking them to wait while I passed.
• I passed a guy on the right- but to be fair he was in the middle of the road, and I yelled right to warn him. - I did ALOT of passing on the bike - drafting, but really I'm sure I didn't
• In T2 a man in the sides was yelling to his friend to beat the girl in green ( that would have been me) and I yelled back something like " oh no she does not'. I actually talked to the guy after the race saying I loved a bit of that friendly trash talk.
• At the beginning of the run course a man literally walked in front of me- I yelled watch out but still made contact. I kept on going while saying sorry, and the man said sorry repeatedly. I can't be responsible for his actions can I? Or was I to provide a written letter at that point?
• I may have possibly gone the incorrect way around the bikes in transition after the swim- a bit dazed- gone right instead of left. BUT nobody stopped me, I didn't hear anything- I only noticed due to friends photo's.

Anyways, I emailed the race directors, and OAT, and by Monday afternoon I had an answer and a promise that sports stat would remove the offensive DQ. Those DQ'd did the swim on water noodles and their timing chips were taken after the swim. There were 2 sets of timing chips used, some with stickered numbers on them to match the bib numbers - these were on red bands, the rest on black bands. Your chip number may not have recorded correctly.

And that is why I almost decided never to do another triathlon in my life. Now onto sprint distance...maybe.

Speech

 

Most irritaing habit of this 5 year old???
Ending every word with "ie".

I want to be this guy..

Edited by Luke to embed the video

Brew Vanderkooy

The the most hansome dog... according to all the random strangers who just have to tell me how wonderful he is.
He who wants to sleep under the covers with me.

Luke: Why is Brew scared of me?
Anne: Maybe cause you threw him from a bridge.

Brew is a Dog. He is missing his Mommy.

Collen Lantz Run for Youth- A tale of THREE races

Today was the big day, for more then a year I have been waiting for Luke to run a race with me! Well not quite together, nor the same race- but was the same event.

I participated in the 10k race, Last year I got third, this year I got third. Different course so I can't really compare times. Actually rather difficult as it is hilly, and many turns keep you thinking you are close to the finish line, only to have you turn again. There was a section with fresh stone and chip that bothered me for some reason. I was in second place for half of the race, then started trading with another runner for third ( female), and I think I could have held onto to her for another few K's but then I had to stop and tie my shoe so I lost my groove. As well my knees were on the rather painful side, thus thinking it is physio for me... or I could lose 8 pounds. I thought there would wayyy more competition this year as the shore to shore and sauble was cancelled. Oh and I wore my tri tank for the first time in a race......short but somewhat cute i think. The green saugeen tri club members were all very cool.

Maya did the 1k fun run... and it was a real 1k. When asked about her race all she had to say was she didn't warm up. She ran a consistently even pace, and didn't want to sprint to the end so she 'wouldn't be too tired.' I don't think she was out of breath at the end.

Luke didn't want to write a race report. BUT I am insanely proud of him for WINNING the 5k stroller roll pushing Ever with a time of 27:20. As we were all putting on our race bibs, Ever was sad cause he didn't have one so I made him #1 little boy. Next Luke goal....half marathon????? Don't tell him that.

Big Girl

On Friday we picked Maya up from Silver Lake Camp. She went for the scamper week- four days and three nights of intense under 8 fun!!! She had a cook- out, went swimming, ate $4 worth of junk food, got mail, slept on the top bunk, and I think held onto her councillors hand for the entire time. She loved everything except the games- unfortunately Silver lake is game heavy, but overall a good time. She did brush her teeth and change her under ware but did not comb her hair, or have her hair put up.... but all of the kids looked rather dirty... but that is what camp is for.
Maya has been attending Silver lake since she was inutero, either as my nurses helper, or Stephanie's nurses helper.
Maya says THANK YOU GRAMMY FOR CAMP.

On Camping

I am not sure I like camping.

I should like camping, I can be dirty, I can go many days without bathing, I like challenges. I am a friend of the wild.

Sure you get out into the semi- wilderness, it is a cheap night away from home, but it is work.. Like at home but worse cause you are 'camping'.

I don't know if it is worth it.

I mean it took us THREE hours to pack up everything we needed for two nights away. Then we spend TWO hours setting up the tent, blowing up the air mattress, getting the bedding in place, putting up the eating tent, and then secure a tarp to the trees. Then walk a km for water, then run two to go the the bathroom, then cook dinner on the campstove that is older then me, then heat water to wash dishes. Meanwhile, am constantly looking at the weather wondering if it will rain, spraying on bug spray, watching the kids to ensure they do not fall in the fire, oh and try to stay cheerful and enjoy this family time while battling to maintain life.

Maybe when I do not have a toddler, maybe when I can go and be guaranteed it will not be damp, rain, or be cold.

I think I was just meant to be a cottage person. Wish I was meant to be a cottage person with the financial resources to be a cottage person.