My Love Affair with Strava

It started innocently enough. My road bike lacks a bike computer so I used Strava to track distance.
Then I noticed the average speed feature.
Then I started paying attention to segments, Soon I was delaying my rides to have enough battery on my phone to preserve the ride. Rides were planned around doing the unriden segments. 

Then my Garmin 10 died and my replacement 910 uploads automatically to Strava, and it tracks run and swim.

Then I stopped biking and swimming and only was running. And perhaps I had a bit more time to pay attention to Strava and I think I have become a little obsessed.

Now, all runs that do not already have a segment get one. All segments that I do not have the CR for I obsess over. Any new segment that I can get to, is attempted. All runs are planned around potential QOM/ CR.

And the result?? I am running faster. I am paying attention to kilometre by kilometre splits. The numbers are there for me to easily pay attention to. I realize that at the end of a run I have to face either good numbers I can be proud of or numbers I should have a good explanation about. I enjoy thinking about what to call each run, if it will have an excuses for my slowness, or something neat to say about what I saw on my run.

The following of other people  I find not at all competitive but  motivating. If everybody else can get out for a run, there is no reason why I can't. It is cool to note everybody's routes. Fun to see what peoples training distances compared to distances racing.

Sure sometimes it is really depressing, ie. every damn segment on the Muskoka bike course but honestly next to a power meter I see no greater training tool right now.

Beach to Battleship, Beach2Battleship, B2B

Before I ever wanted to do an ironman, before I even learned to swim I knew about this race and I always knew it would be a bucket list race for me. No matter what,  I wanted to do this race sometime, and some how, this felt like it would be the right year to do it.  So what was the appeal?

The concept of a current assisted, almost in the ocean but safely not. A point to point race, a place I had only been a few times, and only a minor 16 hour drive there and back, what is not to love??

 For the three people who actually read this blog, you will be aware there is the minor point of ..I had already done an Ironman this year. Two months almost to the day ago. Yes I do realise the overwhelming bit of this. However, I did talk it over with some people and my logic was that, heck if I am trained for mountains I might as well take advantage of that fitness and do another. When I signed up. I was unsure if Ironman would be a one and done event and I had to sign up early to save $100 American. Thus, before I even attempted IMMT, I had my back up race in order...... ahh nope. I actually put B2B in the darkest closet in my brain. Minimal thought was put into it, I did not want to have a easy out for Trembant and Trembant was my A race. All along, I thought of Beach to Battleship as a little, extra. A bonus race that was to be fun, however once I was done IMMT, it took some time to get back into training.

I ended up resting until  September 8 then jumping back in. Not as intense, but volume remained. I missed a long run because I sprained my ankle. I always sprain my ankle before races. they are chronically swollen. My last long ride was completed in the  hurricane like winds  at an 24k hr average pace. Don't bother converting it Americans- it is slow. I was not as focused and may have stopped a few time on rides to eat lunch, like at restaurants. It was more of an ultra approach to triathlons than a marathon approach. Regardless, I knew I still was reasonably fit and I would finish. Finishing in daylight likely would not happen.

So point to point sounds fun right? Logistically, and time wise. Not so much. As I was being home stayed by a race sponsor*, and beggar's are grateful, I was staying further away from T1 or T2 then I would usually would. So the day before the race I had to Wilmington to drop off bags and then go to the start line at Wrightsville beach to drop of my bike. Then back to Carolina Beach to sleep so I could wake up at stupid o-clock to go back to Wrightsville beach to participate in the race. Did not bother with the dinner as I had Maya with me.

* My niece works for Outdoor Equipped and the company was a sponsor and I stayed at her house thus I am almost like an elite athlete and get hosted.

Matty Blacks glammer shot with a palm tree.

I am in love with American bumper stickers.

Maya was my official photographer, must teach her to focus.

.

 I spoke with several people the day before about what time to make it to T1, and thus was there so completely early but whatever. All I had to do was put my water on the bike and make sure my tires didn't pop in the night and then get a trolley ride to the swim start.

Interesting about this race is there is no morning gear bag. So if you go to the swim start alone as do most people, and whatever you do not take with you on with swim you donate to the beach. Was there rather early as was suggested. I had my coffee cup in hand, a banana for me and a friend to make and a gel. I was caring my wetsuit and had on old shoes,  miss matched socks, old uniform pants, old sweater, old t-shirt, throw away jacket from last years Niagara's falls race, and I was cold. There were people in  just their wetsuits. Just sitting waiting. Could not believe it.

Pasted the time chatting with people. I remarked that I knew I was I was only Canadian in the crowd as I was the only one drinking coffee.  An older man appearing to be sleeping spoke up. A Torontonian  who was in the midst of 8 ironman's in 8 weekends in a row. Or at least that is what he said. Actually I just looked him up John Wragg!!!! Oh my goodness. Now all his stories are making incredible  sense.


Swim
Eventually, it became light enough to put on my race tattoos, which I managed to only get 50% right. Discussed race nutrition to a fellow doing his first and basically developed a plan in 10mins for him to follow during the race as he had no idea what to do at all. Started walking down the beach to the swim start. And this is where I went a little wrong. Made a few minor errors. I was pretty focused in not getting in the water too quick that, maybe I took to long to get in the water. As in I was getting in with old men after I had given them hugs cause they looked cute. ie....- picture 29.  Perhaps I did not look out into the water so I would not realise how far I would have to swim, however that creates  a problem when  you have no idea what to sight nor do you know what is the best route to take. That channel was lined with a lot of volunteers on paddle boards, kayaks etc. but the path was so wide I found it hard to focus. I started out on the far right and eventually moved to the far left as I sight left and realised I could likely make a straighter line if I stayed closer to the guards. I also thought it might not be a bad idea to be close to the guards. I knew there was little chance I would drown but I found the water to be choppy, I had more than my fair share of salt water to drink. I had to take one break and mentally collect myself. I find it is a good idea to do that near life guards as they tend to worry about people who just stop. While reassuring myself I would not die in the ocean today I asked the guard if it was choppy and I was reassured I was not going crazy, it was indeed choppy and windy.  This thing about the current is it is amazing. At best I had hoped to be 1:15 cause really I do suck and I get worse in open water, so when I stopped my watch at 1:03:15 I laughed out loud! I think I am spoiled now and may only do current assisted races. No shame here.

T1
It was 400metres to get from the swim exit to t1- on rough pavement.... and I had brought only one pair of throw away shoes... So I ran very carefully on the smooth concrete curb and took a lot of time in the tent. Towel, socks, shoes. Helmet on. Helmet off. Towel, shirt on, jacket on, gloves on, gloves off, arm warmers on, jacket on. gloves on, helmet on. Finally GO. Perhaps if I wasn't so busy chatting with people about IM Maryland in the tent or remarking I wish I would have changed into a dry bra in the tent, I could have had a better time. I think it was 9 minutes.  Sure there was that long run but a average time seemed to be six minutes.

Bike
Immediately I realize the jacket is a mistake, it is like parachute, and it is too hot, but really what does it matter, I had no idea how fast I was riding. My speedometer was not working. My cadence meter, which I did not care about for a flat race worked fine. I swear it worked the day before. I have a garmin on my wrist but when I do multisport it does odd displays and I am too lazy to change it.
Basically for the full you do some time on busy 4 lane city streets and some bridges then some time on big 4 lane highways then the half and the full separates....... and this is where reading the race guide a little closer would have come in handy. You see there is a half race and a full race going on at the same time so I assumed that the full just completes the bike course twice, or something of that effect. I looked at the maps vaguely but I know I am not the one in the front and really I didn't know any of the roads so what does it matter. I will just follow the person in front of me. So it hits me, we are not looping back to Wrightsville beach, we are heading further north. Just to confirm the next person I pass I causally ask, 'Do not think I am dull but, um is this a two or a one loop course?'  Lots of nice flat pretty roads, problem with that actually is there is no wind break. Apart fro the final section on the oil refinery road, I think HWY 74, there was either a cross wind or a head wind or just why am I sucking  so bad wind. The flats offered no break. You have to work for the entire ride. And if you are ridding a TT bike, your best bet is to be in aero... and after about 4hours in aero, my neck and shoulders were killing me. All in all, stopped once to pee behind a car cause the port a potty line was to long, in a real port a potty once cause I was sick of the people I was riding with. Stopped twice to work out the tension in my neck. I grabbed two water bottles and three bananas. My criticism is the bike aid stations were not long enough. Could not get what I needed in a pass. Also one more could have been helpful, but not completely necessary. Saw at least five cemeteries, and oh how I wished I had my camera. Problem was each one had better shots and light then the last, I would have lost a ton of time just taking pictures.
The ride took longer then I anticipated, so long Luke thought I something mechanical must have happened. Every time  when I was  supposed to eat, I just kept on dreading it. Sick to death of gels.

T2
Arrive into Wilmington via a big bridge over the  Cape Fear river, you just hand off your bike and run through the Wilmington Convention center. They just hand  you your bags which is nice not to have to find them. Another cool thing is the change tent is located directly beside the nice indoor toilets. Took advantage,  however not as much as I would have liked. Time 6:23 which seems good.

Run

Run was two out and backs along the water, through downtown, past a oil refinery up a hill, and into a park around a never ending lake. Course was OK in theory, and really I have nothing to complain about there. Pretty, shaded, But I want to complain.

I am rather disappointed with this result. Official time is 4:52. With my garmin I have a moving time of 4:33.Either way I know I could have done this run faster. I started out well, first 16k were respectable. Then there was a bit of a up hill that I walked and had a hard time starting again. Then I saw Maya and Courtney and walked a bit with them. Did well to the turn around and back again until I hit the section around the lake. I just mentally broke down. With the smaller field I was just not catching people. I had a strong worry I was the last one.  I was lonely. I felt barfy, and my nutrition plan was completely messed up. I tried swallowing gels but I kept on gagging and throwing them up. I was cool switching to on course nutrition of clift shot jelly things, but not all the aid stations had them, and everything else made me gag. I met a fellow around 30k and and we had a nice visit  walking and talking about shark  attacks, but we separated cause I wanted to spend some time in the indoor washrooms at the turn around. By this time I just wanted to get done. I had been handed a light stick and I was depressed. Finally managed to latch onto another girl who might be my race twin as she just wants to talk all the way through as well. Thank goodness for her or I would have not stayed focused and would likely have walked it in. We didn't let the other walk and made a plan for the aid stations.  Saw Maya and Courtney again around 40k, they had been waiting at the finish but Maya was getting worried so they started walking back to make sure I was not dead. Nobody at the finish line, but I was OK with that. Rather disappointed in the finish line as it was in a gravel pit/ marnia.  I understand this race changes the run course yearly and used to finish in front of the waterfront court house but due to construction this was it..... a parking lot. This was one area that was much different than Ironman branded races. No grandstand, small area, no carpet or decorations . No medical personal that I could see. I didn't need them but I was looking just to compare and I did not see. The massage tent was just about done packing up. So for the final finishers.. it would have been quiet. I must mention a funny moment on the run. For some reason I stopped in front of a bar on the first loop and for some reason I took  a complete strangers beer and took a drink, I don't even like beer. I have no idea why I would do this, but at the time it felt like the right thing to do.

Felt surprisingly ok Sunday. Tired, but minimal muscle stiffness. The drive home I was dreading, was actually not so bad

Crash

If something is going to happen to anybody, it is going to happen to me. Frankly I am surprised that I have not been struck by lightening.

Saturday, there was a gathering on the peninsula so of course I did not attend the gathering but brought along my bike to ride cause it is flat there, and I need I the flat I can get to prepare for beach to battleship.
Was having a lovely time, great decent down the escarpment at Big Bay, went wide around a curve to avoid a puddle and hit the edge of the road fell hard.
I think I possibly did a one 180 as I felt the bike spin around me, with my feet still attached.  I had took the impact to my head and my left shoulder. Didn't loss consciousness, and surprisingly did not crack my helmet.
As nobody stopped to make sure I was ok, rode back into Wiarton. Perhaps a little nauseous and defiantly sore.
As I was working ER that night registered myself for ER and got some drugs to make it through the night. Continue to be sore and nervous about swimming.

Immt 2015

This has been rather delayed in its posting but I have reasons....

- It has been hot and my palms are too sweaty to type.

-I fall asleep too early to do anything in the evening.

-The children demand too much attention, not to mention Luke.

Thus, here we go. Going to try to provide more detail then usual as I tend to read other bloggers race reports to scoop out fine details that may be to my benefit. Also, a lot of pictures have already been posted on all my other social media sites so these are the left behinds. My official race photos look like I am having a seizure cause I might be the least photogenic person there is.

Pre race...

When I signed up for IMMT, Luke thought it would be fantastic to invite his whole family, so he asked and they though why not,  so it was to be a big Mccutcheon- Bellamy adventure. Stephane B called the accommodation people to book in August of last year and she booked into Tour De Voyagers which may have been the most perfect hotel EVER.

Seriously, it was at the finish line, and the expo, right on the bottom of the small gondola so we could just hop on/off. Easy to get in/out of the village.

We arrived Thursday early afternoon and I went to the expo right away expecting to find the Argon tent as it had been there for the 70.3 and has a large Quebec presence. I have been having issues with my seat and possibly thought I would need to new clamp. The bike guy in town had Macgivered it and we were sure it was pretty stable but he/ I wanted to be sure SURE, cause really carbon tri bikes are not really his area of expertise.  So I wander around with my bike and there is no Argon tent, and I am freaking out. There were dealers in Ottawa and we could have stopped.... anyways the official bike mechanic people gave me a smile and told me I had lots of time and sent me into Chemin du Village which has a argon dealer in the old village, and along the run course, so I actually knew where it was and could bike to it. Low and behold, my seat was fine, they just replaced the bolts to have neoprene on them which apparently is a good thing. Was a good time, left a tip for dealing with me quickly and was on my way confident I wouldn't have to worry about my seat, just my tires, derailer, and any other moving part or basically fixed part on my bike.

My bag packing took several hours, many lists consulted and trips to the expo. Big believer in the wish I would  have had it if I didn't pack it, so I packed a lot. I had lube and spare socks in every bag. Electrical tape and zip ties in bike special needs, extra shorts in case I had diarrhoea, and any case scenario that could be solved with pharmaceuticals  I had had the pill for it.

Swim

Goal- 1:30

Coming into the swim all I wanted to do was survive. I am a turtle in the water. Just slow and steady... well, perhaps not steady.
Down to the water in plenty of time, suited and lubed up. On and off crying with worry/ excitement. Day had dawned already warm at 6:30... and foggy. So foggy I could not see past the first swim buoy. Saw this initially as good thing as I had no idea how far out I had to go, and thus kept the freaking out to a minimum. Lined up and ok and just before the gun goes off I realise I am wayyyy to front of the pack, I needed to be back, but then the gun goes off and I have to move forward cause that is what everybody else is doing. I do ok until the first buoy, ok until the second, by the third I feel like I am going to die in this mess of people wildly thrashing around me. Catching drafts but all in all I am completely overwhelmed. At that moment I consider quitting, seriously. I imagine conversations that I would have to have explaining why I quit and thus  realised just how pathetic that would be. I madly try to problem solve this hell I am in. I decide the only thing I can do is wait until my wave passes, and the next one until I have clear water. I then realise that my take some time, and seeing as I am not fastest swimmer and how would I explain I didn't even make the swim cut off I have no choice but to keep on going. So passes forth and fifth buoy and then I loss count cause I my energy is being used to actually see the buoys. After I passed one, I had to stop and look intently for the next one, the fog was so thick and I guess my goggles are just to tinted. In any event I  might as well been swimming blind. A little while later I assumed a massive storm had unexpectedly blown in as it was suddenly rather wavy. I had pleasant thoughts of water rescues and being shuttled to shore. When I did not hear a call for evacuation after awhile I called up to a kayaker asking about the sudden surf like conditions and apparently a boat went by, personally I didn't know ocean freighters were in Lac Trembant. A few buoys go by, there was quite a few of them and I am hearing a lot of shouting going on, I assumed several people had to be calling for help, I imagine at the back end of the swim where I am now people are dropping like flies. Being as I am a nurse I figure I am a caring person and I should be helping, but I do not want to, I just want to keep swimming so I can get to land sooner.  Slowly it dawns on me that it is a volunteer yelling 'aller', or go in English. But I do not know what aller means. So I stop and tell her she has got to stop cause she is stressing me out thinking people are drowning.  Few more buoys go by and I try to catch feet here and there. I am on the look out for Dave cause I assume he must have past me in all my stopping to sight where I was going.  Finally though the fog I can see the swim finish and it took forever to get there. I kept on looking up but it seemed to get further and further away. I may have been one of the last few out of the water at 1:33. I am all good with this considering I do not think humans were not meant to swim.
Time: 1:33   Pace 2:28/100metres     78/91


T1
On the run back to transition along the red carpet, I saw Luke and let him know I actually survived my extended time in the water. I even kissed him I was so surprised myself. Then I need to pee so bad, and thinking of chafing, I decide not to let urine soak into my bike shorts but wasted precious seconds waiting for and using a loo. Transition was easy. I decorated my bags with scraps of garbage ( literally pulled garbage and cut it into strips) tied to the strings. All I had to do was put on socks, shoes helmet, glasses,  and sunscreen and go. But where the heck was my bike? I ended up having to look at my wrist for my number and then find my spot. Although considering in my age group I was 78/91 where should have been so few bikes left to chose from there should have been no reason for the frantic search and rescue.

Bike
Goal 7:00
Funny how our memories work. At the 70.3 in 2014 I found the bike to be rather challenging, so every hill I rode, every hot day, every bit of wind I rode into I complained yes, but was thankful cause I knew it was preparing me. so I kept on waiting on the course to get hard, but really it wasn't. I loved that course, and all day I was thankful it wasn't Muskoka, cause that course it hard. No joke.
Was still foggy when I got on the bike but quickly by the time I was out on the highway it had burned off, and we were in for a roast. There was no wind so if that was the price I had to pay I am ok with that. But seriously it was hot. I drank so much I had to stop and pee I think twice but maybe three times. On my second loop I opened my tri top and held out my bra and offered my bust to a teen boy volunteer doling out ice. 
My plan was to eat a granola bar at the top of the hour, salt taps at 15 and 45 and gel at 30. But I get on the bike and I just didn't want the granola bars I  had lovingly packed. So I did some quick calculations and figured if I stopped for special needs to get my back up gels I would have enough. So that's what I did. With one to spare at the end. On course nutrition is honey based... and I am allergic/ sensitive.
The only mechanical issue I had was the  brand new bright red bar tape I had put on three days ago came loose and it drove me nuts so I stopped at a mechanics tent to tape it back on. Oh and my left shoe didn't unclip so I had to go to the loo in my sock, that was really REALLY gross. Which brings me to another interesting point. The port a loo was a two seater....
Spent most of the day just people watching, looking out for my people, checking out all the cute kits. Making bits of conversation here and there. On the  hard out section I reminded all the people I was riding around that when we were coming back I didn't want an ambulance ride today cause really the back section was scary. The screams on on your left becoming frantic as I am sure some crazy speeds reached, and for petes sakes people hold your line and stay right! Even I got boxed in a few times. Did my best to spin the up hills and push hard on the downs... within reason.
Time- 6:37                           48/ 91 AG             27.1km/hr



T2
Jumped off the bike with surprising ease and was prepared to walk into transition, but I saw somebody else jogging so I thought I would and I think I burst out laughing cause it didn't hurt. Was surprised about that. Initially my clothing plan for the day was to wear tri top all day which I did but on the bike wear tri shorts and bike shorts then quickly take off bike short and go out on the run in tri short. However during the sauna that was the bike ride I thought it would be best to take both off and put on my lulu run shorts cause they would be cooler.


Run
Goal 4:30

Going into this race the biggest goal I had was to not end up doing a death march. A death march is any time in a race, be it triathlon, trail, or traditional road runs. My past experience with phenomena has been limited, but it leave an impression and a dread of it happening again. Happy to say it didn't happen.
Started out excited about the run, which quickly led to confusion. It is a two loop course and I spent the majority of the race wondering if people were on their first or second laps. Seriously, I was so confused I was getting mad. Like a couple of chatty Cathy's  who looked so fresh when I was getting pretty tired on my second when they were on their first but I assumed they were on their second. I was only competing against myself really but it would have been nice to know.
My mantra was powerful forward progress and really focused on just moving. I think I hit the porta potty only once but I was taking in so much fluid, it was just so hot sweating it out. I honestly think it got hotter the long I was out there. I had brought along a compression sock in case my ankle starting misbehaving but I ended up using it constantly to wipe sweat. Ice  or la glace as I learned to say in French at every aid station. Ice in my mouth, my bra, my pants, and in my hands. I am a big believer is the cooling powers of being wet/ evaporation so was soaked by the time I finished.
Luke was on his bike for portions of the race keeping me updated on my friends racing progress, and just keeping me company, I was conscious of the fact his presence could be called pacing so sent him on his way often. Really enjoyed seeing my people on the course, Luke's father was at the split for the finishline/ second lap and I had to laugh when he pointed me to the finish, thankfully I was with it enough not to do that hahha. Stopped when I saw Ever for a quick little snuggle.
Great to see my friends looking so strong out their on the run. I had a fear that Dave actually died or didn't finish the swim for some irrational reason. I actually thought that people lied to me when I asked if he was OK so I would keep on going, It wasn't until I saw him at an out and back that I stopped worrying about him being dead.
I completely expected to find a friend and chat, but I just could not find that right person to hang with. Either I was to 'fast' or they were not chatty enough. Did meet a few people and went out of my way to talk to many. At one out and back section I called out every persons name I could see on bibs which actually helped the time pass. Got lots of smiles. I danced a few times just to move in a slightly different manor, and it was fun.
Time- 4:41       35/91 AG          6:39/km pace

Grand Total- 13:08:27

Overall, my goal was to be 12-14hours, and I think a sub 13hour finish would have been possible, had it not been for the heat or of I even had any idea what my race time was. I had a Garmin on but I had messed up switching from the bike to run and only had a combination of the two running. I did know that to finish in day light would be sub 14ish and that was my overall goal. Next time I will make sure I know what my race time is, cause when I crossed the line I had no idea where I was at.
The entire day I felt strong and in control ( except for the first half of the swim), of course I made it that way. Mentally I was strong and knew what I had to do. I dug deep, but I know I can go deeper/=faster, but perhaps not so much in the swim.

I find it so interesting that in my age group alone I passed 35 women. Obviously due to swim waves and those who did not finish,  I did not actually pass that many people but overall in the swim I was 2017 /2350. By the finish line I was 1193/2350 thus I moved up the standing and passed 824 people.
When I say I passed people all day, I really mean it. Apart from a couple of men on the bike and one female on the run I do not recall being passed. If anybody was going to get a passing pendity on the bike it would be me.

Moving forward, I am training for the full at Beach to Battleship cause I figure I am trained, just have to maintain, YOLO and I have a free place to stay.

Thress

1. Rear derailer hanger completely shirred off, derailer got caught in the cross fire. $150 plus gas/ parking to Toronto to a dealer to fix.

2. Chain snapped in two. $60

3. Seat fell off. Bolts completely stripped.  FREE- cause the bike shop is nice.

Bike is less then two year old.

70.3 Muskoka

Race Take away.. I think I learned what full iron pace is.... unfortunately found out while racing a half iron.  I am completely OK with this result. I saw improvement mentally and met my goals except for the run, which was justified.

2013

Total time- 6:16:09
Swim- 45:08
T1-6:08
Bike-3:29:29
T2-1:47
Run-1:53:19

2015
Total Time- 6:17:33
Swim-42:51
T1-4:48
Bike-3:23
T2-1:59
Run-2:04:12

Swim
For once did not dread getting in the water, had a good time chatting waiting and was looking forward to the swim. Water was an amazing temperature, prefect for swimming. Did really well not to stop and remained completely focused until I took I huge bonk to the head. Immediately started coughing and sputtering. Girl beside me knew what she did and kept on saying sorry, I waved her on while sputtering and then got wacked again! Could see life guards watching so before I fully recovered kept on going. Spent the next 15or so minutes debating to myself about when I could look at my watch for the swim time. Then turned at the buoy to the finish and felt like I was swimming against the current. Just could not speed up and slowly made my way in, only to find that during the bonk my watch must have stopped. Had left shoes on the golf green cause the last time I did this was torture running up the paved hill on pavement. Into T1 and out in reasonable time.

Bike
Reset my watch for time and just kept very controlled until I was off the stick. Spun up the hills and pushed the downhill's/ flats. Felt a rub around the turn onto 35 and checked my rear tire, nope it was fine so kept on going, but I was sure it was there. After the aid station in Dorset I stopped and checked the rear again, then it dawned on me... Front. Yep there was a rub. Loosen off my brake- the one bike adjustment I actually know how to make and things got considerably easier.  Stayed really positive and upbeat and had a ton of energy. Every time I have done this course it becomes easier. Was flying by the end. However, I may have sandbagged it a bit. One fellow commented on my chatting with an acquaintance about how nice it was we were out on a Sunday ride, and another friend had to tell me to leave her. Also my hydration system needs to become a system and not just a lifting of bottle from the frame cause that takes way to much time as I have been pointed out several times. Managed to drink three bottles, healthy type granola bar top of every hour. Gel at 20/ 40min. Salt tab at 15/45min. Wished I could have check list reminding me if I had taken something cause I question myself often if I did or not.

Run
And this is where seemingly things fell apart, but that was far from the truth. Coming into this race I was confident I could run really well. Then the weather report happened. It was hot, and it was the heat of the day and really the race has that long section along HWY 60 and I am fickle, I hate it. Thus I made the best of it. Along the first section I made friends with Paul and at the turn around Bob. We chatted the entire way back. As in easy but steady running. I have never sprinted the finishing shoot cause I usually empty the tank, this time it was 3/4 full at the finish line. I think I would have run faster but  American Bob was giving me splits in miles due to my non finding saltitiles Garmin. I basically made the decision to have fun on the run. It was not fast, far from it, but I hade a good time. Water and ice every aid station- lost time walking through these. Salt every 30min, gels every 30min.

Tuesday post remain fatigued and some minor soreness in the legs and even though I am disappointed  about the time, I feel it was a success and good training and really nothing I could have done differently. Did not give it my all and I am ok with that.

Chesley Community Classic

In my year of only racing a few times, and those races have to be expensive, I did a cheap simple 5k, in fact we all did. All except Maya, cause she is lazy, I am not being mean I am stating a fact.

 

Basically decided to do the race a few days prior, mentioned it to Luke and apparently he wanted to do it to, cause he definitely trains to race. (This is a sarcastic comment) There was a 1k as well, so we offered it to Ever and he said, no, which we took to mean yes cause it takes him a while to warm up to ideas.

 

This is the year of ironman, so of course I did an 80k ride prior with just in time to get changed, say hello to a few people and toe the line. Small race- 67 people between the 5 and 10k, an additional 30 people in the 5k walk.  From the get go, only one other female in front of me, comfortable pace. Actually a really nice course, featuring the prettest streets in Chesley and a old railway bridge that as been renovated to a pedestrian walking bridge, there was even some nice trail. Shaded, which was good cause I was hot, hot and dumped water at the water stations on myself. Passed the lone female in front of me at around 3k and just cruised in with some kid boys. Final time 23:46, pace of 4:45. By no means a PB, but an ok effort considering I was not working as hard as I could have. Luke, apparently worked as hard as he could, and was sore for two days. Funny at the finish line repeatedly  hearing the race announcer stating people were crossing the finish line  in a time of 24:28. This was repeated for at least five minutes. Clearly he had no idea of how time passes.

 

The kids race seemed to be the main draw with 86 participants. Which I missed. I texted Luke in the middle of my ride to say that he had better check the start time of the kids race, so I missed Evers epic battle for 4th pace, being beat out only by a 12, 11, and 9 year old. Although there were 9 and 10 year olds in the 5k with very respectable sub 25min times. Evers time was 5:40 for 1k so could use  some work. The fun was at the finish line where he was given a metal as first female... yah then they took it away. Good times.

 

Parks

This picture was taken in a park, hence its relevance. Maya had nice shorter hair and Ever looked like a beach bum.

Here is the thing. I hate parks.
I do not like going, I find them very boring. The kids do not need me to play with them, thus I am left just being. This time of year I am left being cold and bored. I usually bring a book or phone, but overall I am bored. I want to move forward and by far would rather take the kids for a ride or a walk but they always want to stop at a park, but then what can I do?
 I go through the garbage looking for beer bottles but that only takes so long. Which brings me to a really cool thing we saw in Emerald Isle NC.

I saw at first what I thought was a large area with gravel in it. Obviously it was not gravel that you would see around here, but costal type dirt. I assumed another play structure would be going in that spot soon. However,  I saw another woman at the park, and while her son played she was sitting and playing in the dirt. After I had surfed the internet for a while, and the kids played, and I was silently dying of boredom I went over to her and just started talking.
Turns out the dirt pile actually was to be a archeology feature. It was full of fossils and neat rocks and even sharks teeth. That would make parks around here more entertaining for me, the person who pays for the parks with my taxes.

Redo

My birthday is in April, more often than not it is a cold, rainy day. Not worth celebrating, not worth going outside. I want to do cool stuff on my birthday, but that involves there not being snow on the ground. Thus I think I deserve a redo in a few months.

Next year I am travelling.

Luck ran out- ATB 2015

2015- 2:48:04- WTF??

2014-2:34:40- Whatever

2013-2:38:42- Ran with a friend and sang songs.
2012- 2:54:51- Paced a friend to sub three.
2011- 2:25:20- Raced.
2010- 2:37:04- Tried to race- crashed.
2009- 2:31:27- First timers luck.

 

To be honest this is the worst result, and one I wish I could be erased from the record books. The sad thing, I think it was the year I was most prepared..

 

I have been doing exactly as I have been told by my triathlon coach, felt like I could lay down a good race, I missed one long run but other that, I have done everything,  but I have two possible reasons for my shame.

1. There was a gastro bug that hit the town of Chesley. I work in the emergency department for the town of Chesley. I started feeling nauseous the Tuesday night prior. Low level, figured it was just shift work. Wednesday, tired but managed a good swim. Thursday, it was a struggle to get out of bed. I figured it was just post nights residual tiredness, or cold depression. Attempted my bike workout of the day, but when I had only gone 7km in 30min I realized that perhaps I was not doing well. I called in sick to work on Friday, which I have done only three other times in 14 years of employment. By the eve I felt well enough to go with the family to the pool. Saturday, did my run, but just felt tired and uninterested in food. There are some other details but this is not a medical chart. Ate some of dinner on Saturday but really had to force to food down.

2.  This was my 7th straight year. I enjoy having a reason to train in the winter, I enjoy the trip with my friends. However,  I am sick to death of Hamilton and this race course, and the pavement/ concrete. I need a mental break, next year I can still go but ride my bike or volunteer.

 

My pre race instructions were to ' pick a solid effort that feels easy at the start and the effort to maintain builds throughout the run'. So I started at the front of the open corral, which seems right. Plan was to start out with Matt, and go from there. I did feel like we started out to fast, but not to bad- reasonable comfortable. Was hot soon, had to fuss and tie my jacket around was waist I was so hot, I usually never overdress. Had a moment when Matt yelled to run like hell to beat the train, which I had no idea what he was talking about until I clued in the dinging was the train coming and we crossed the tracks. Took a while to recover. Lost Matt around 10k when I had to walk to fix my jacket. Told him I would catch up... and I just was not recovering. Made a deal that I work hard until 15k, then realized I could go another 5k working hard, but at 20k I was done. I had been taking a gel every 5k until that point. Drinking well at every water station, but I was done. My fatigue level was high and my hamstrings/ calves were killing me. I was 1:42 into the race and  I realized that if I ran a 60min 10k I could make it sub 2:45, and quite frankly I found that seriously depressing, so I kinda gave up. Just didn't care anymore. Cause I feel I am better than that, and I figured out that my luck that I mostly have for this race, just didn't show up this time. I also realized that I was sick, still was. As I write this a week later and note the difference between how I feel today vs. last week is night and day. I never quite realize how sick I am until it is gone.

 

I am left here wanting a do over, but you can never redo a race day.

Tired and Training

In the middle of the night, when my eyes are shutting but it isn't 7:30 yet and I can't go home, I amuse myself with race reports. Races I have done, races I hope to do or just random bloggers random race stories, just cause I am that stranger reading your blog. I love it.

I am have developed minor girl crushes, or perhaps it is plain and simple envy for some racers and their great performances. Or even if it is a rough day and diarrhea is dripping down your leg, I am still interested and entertained. My internet buddies that I have never met and they do not know I exists but I feel I kin- ship with them.

Thus, I entertained thoughts of blogging about my ironman training year, but an avenue of social media that I have not participated in is iTunes....

Thus I bring you, Tired and Training.  An occasional series about my life and journey to IMMT.

On Writing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On occasion I like to write. Creative type content. Types that are of interest to me. I like to read fiction, however even my dreams are boring so I doubt I could come up with anything remotely interesting. I also need to have a purpose. I can not just be given a topic and be told to get to work. So really I have little outlet. Thus, I am the communications co-ordinator for the triathlon club I belong to, basically that means I write silly emails. In January we had our annual banquet where we gave out silly awards. They were nominated by fellow members so it wasn't just me pointing fingers. Thus, here they are, just cause I wanted to share these again just cause I actually spent some time pouring over this. 

 

Data Geek This is the member who can not walk out the door without the latest and greatest endurance gadget. They always know kilometre splits and elevation gains from each workout.. They are a slave to updates and new releases. Naked if they do not have their data. If it didn’t happen on strava it it didn’t actually happen.



Super fan

This is the true triathlete fan Be it the WTC, ITU, multisport series, or xterra. They know the professional like they are friends, even if they have never actually met. They read the blogs, like on facebook, and follow on twitter.  They also give back. If not participating at events they are volunteering.

 

Grease monkey

Always tinkering, adjusting and cleaning. This member is forever making minor modifications to their bike, in quest to be more aero.  True believer in the saying a clean bike is a fast bike.  Switching out gear sets, helmets, and aluminium for carbon.

 

No Frills Athlete

Innovative and creative. This athlete is always looking to save a buck. Be it with home made energy gels or making modifications to their aero bars themselves.  Makes due with they already has and usually maximizes it potential. A good deal is a free deal, thus donations of second  hand used gear is always welcomed

 

Quiet Competitive

Arriving at events smiling and saying they are just happy to be participating. However on the inside they are steaming with an competitive edge, be it with themselves or other people. They constantly beat themselves up over a few lost seconds and are basically are never happy with their performance, which is usually outstanding. They are driven to excel, and driven to shave their arms just cause then they can go a little bit faster.

 

Transformers

This is the member who has taken it to the next level. They did what they didn’t believe possible. Stepped up the training and achieved new heights of awesomeness. They worked hard, and will never be the same again.

 

Cheerleader

The loudest spectator at every race, be it a member or devoted family member. They cheer with their voice or with their cowbells. They cheer if they are racing or watching. All with a huge smile, hidden behind a camera, capturing every moment.  An enthusiastic gift to all racers  who may just need that boost of energy to get them to the finish line.

 

Tri- Excuses

This member has good intentions… but….something always gets in the way. They didn't train cause work, school, children, injury. They bonked in the race because there wasn’t enough water and their nutrition was off. Over did it in the swim, flatted on the bike, and blew up on the run.  Oh and they didn’t taper and peaked too early.

 

Endurance Junkie

You can never train enough is the motto of this triathlete. Always questing for epic training days, looking to maximise training time to load up heaps of volume. Bricks, Fartlek ,  and tempo they do all the workouts...alot.

 

Off Roady

Why be on the roads when you can be riding tight and technical single track? This is the member who lives and breathes the forest.  The rider who can debate the merits of full vs. hardtail bikes, not to mention downhills. The runner who always runs with a backpack because you just never know. Is mostly covered in mud, and only has brown socks. Perhaps they don’t swim but paddles.

 

 

My 2014 in Books

List taken from my good reads list, thus not exhaustive. Just FYI, no I do not want to be your friend on goodreads. I use this list to help me recall what I have read, do not care about you really.



The Flight of Gemma Hardy-  Irish, or Scottish novel. Can not remember. Motto of the story, everything almost always works out in the end.

Neverhome- Second book of the year where a women disguises herself to go and fight in the American civil war. Fast following, I like the gender issues but can not stand the war. I also like the strong women theme.

TomBoy- Graphic memoir of a female to will not conform to cultural stereotypes and her story while navigating childhood and adolescence. Teen aghast.

Midnight Crossroad-  Charlene Harris new series. Vampires, talking cats, and clairvoyants. So much love. I really should have waited until all three in the planed three book trilogy are out. I hate waiting. Excited about characters from her previous writings to make an appearance.

Family Pictures One husband, two families. Really how can a person be so stupid?

Station Eleven One of my new found loves this  year has been post- apocalypse novels. This one features present day 10 years post apocalypse. Flash backs give the back story as to where the characters came from. I love this author. The story is gripping and I found myself reading to fast, thus I will have the pleasure of re reading in the future. Highly recommend.

The Witches Daughter- Recommend by a friend. Slightly too graphic and violent and satanic for my tastes. A witch through the ages, and how she became. Story was interesting enough, just a little much.

After the End Teen novel. Realised about half way through it was a series.... next book not due until may 2015. Girl grows up isolated, knowing nothing little of the outside world then suddenly thrown into real life.. just didn't feel believable. I get it that it is fiction,  just left me feeling dis satisfied. Will read the second book though.

What we Hide Teen novel. English boarding school during the 1970s. Felt like I was missing the back story. Forgettable.

Why Grissery Bears Should Not Wear Underpants Funny comic. Not graphic novel, comic. Adult humor, although Maya did read it, but rather disguised, discarded it due to language.

Vivian Vs the Apololypste - Another teen novel, another novel about the end of the world, another novel that is a series that I didn't know about until the last page. A lot of teen drama for the world ending.

El Deafo - Graphic novel of ones coming of age being deaf. Maya really liked, bought her copy with birthday money.

Ashfall Series I read this series of books after Luke highly recommended them. I read these while on a mini holiday and just read them straight through. Teen series, with some teen drama but the story is so enthralling and riveting. The fall of society based on a the eruption of Yellowstone and the nuclear winter that follows in the mid-west USA. I find I frequently am thinking about some of the scenarios that the characters faced and how I would respond in the same situation. A recurrent theme in the novels are the procurement and securement of food and supplies. Usually, I am rather conscious of wastefulness, however even more so now. Highly recommended.

Through the Woods-  Creepy graphic novel. Had to tell Maya not to read it cause she might get nightmares. So would Luke.

The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August - Imagine living your life over and over again. All the different paths you would chose to take, and the memory to recall them all. A standout from the year. Science fiction but set in reality. Highly recommend.

Vintage- chick lit about clothes. Very predictable but none the less fun.

Then and Always- Very Marian Keyes but not her.

The Plain Janes- Cute graphic novel, which surprisingly made think about doing random acts of creativity. Have not yet done so yet but want it. Must get on that.

This is Not a Test- The world has been taken over by zombies... again and it a series again. 

This One Summer- Graphic novel about the two girls on the  cusp of maturity in Ontario's cottage country. Maya repeatitlly signs it out from the library.

A Week in Winter - I am sad that I have read Mauve Binchys last novel as she has passed away. I have been reading her since I was a teenager. Always with the same delight with how she weaves a story and its characters together.

The Here and Now- I didn't really expect to like this novel. The authors efforts in the past have been fun, some serious undertones but this was surprisingly good time travel teen drama.

Sister Wife - Teen polygyny drama. Felt a little formula.

Star Island- Silly fun read. Good for a beach holiday.

No Humans Involved- A otherworld book I amazingly had not read. Found at the hospital. The author came to Hanover this year and sadly I was working so could not see her.

No More Saturday Nights - Teen drama from when I was a teen. Found in a bin I have of books. Re- read it just for fun.

The Forever Girl- Alexander McCall Smith is a writing machine. Do not recall that much about the story. It was set in the Cayman islands and I read it in February and now I wonder why I do not live in the Cayman islands, at least in the winter.

I Shall Be Near to You I liked this book so much I bought a copy. Actual I had to cause I dropped in the bath and it was the library and they are anti a little bit of wrinkled pages. Again if only library fines were tax deductible. Cross dressing civil war drama. Sad endings.

Neverwhere - Very fantasy but I think there was a snow storm. It got confusing. Too many details.

Longbourn- I think I really liked this servant story, however I do not remember a single detail.

Anya's Ghost- Graphic novel. dark, would not allow Maya to read it, but I think she did anyway.

Journaling

To much self reflection and overthinking leads to anxiety i aways say, however saving of minior insignificant memories is rather important in a life. 

Hence, the question a day for five years journal. Found while late night surfing. Apparently there is one for kids which questions are funner, and one for couples which would be a little to ego stroking for my tastes and just to much. 

Luke and I are both taking a moment to write the answer to a simple question once a day. Should be interesting to note the changes in answers as the years past. 

One random sample questions....

~what do you lie about? 

~today I wore

~who was the last person you had an interesting conversation with? 

~what topic are you bored of talking about. 

~what's your mission? 

The last was a tad too deep.