Mr Bubbles

Ever likes to eat his wipes

I Love to eat Sand

Hiking

Little Ms don't take my picture actually sat down and asked for photo to be taken

Colleen Lantz Memorial Run

My third race in six days ....... yep it was a tough one.

At the start of the race I looked around and knew that a medal finish was possible. I knew a few of the other female runners by sight and figured I could do possibly well. I had a few factors riding against me. One was as mentioned it being the third race in six days, I was not hydrated enough, my ipod is acting up- music is a big motivation, and my right hamstring has been bothering me. I managed to get a pre race free massage so the hamstring was covered but everything else was a trial. I really worked at this race. It was hilly when I was expecting flat and it went on forever. I was in second place for the first 7km but I just didn't have the legs to keep it up thus I finished 3/26 females and 12/51 overall in a time of 46:49 which is actually a personal best. An improvement of 4.59 since my 10k road race. I guess those track workouts are REALLY working. For my efforts a gift certificate from the local running store, and a medal.

The race was a memorial to a young woman who was a runner who died in a car accident just six weeks after the birth of a long anticipated child. I didn't personally know her but the tribute given to her at the race had me sobbing. This was her dream to have a local race and her family followed through.

Shore to Shore Race

This race was less then 18hours after duelathlon so I wanted to do it but thought perhaps I would treat it was a training run, have a nice relaxed pace, chat with my friend Lyndsey, and enjoy the day. So I stood at the back of the pack, when the gun went off I didn't care, just got my ipod ready and started to jog. Then I thought there were too many people around me so I started passing people, so then I started moving a little faster, so then I set the timer on my watch ... then I decided to just race the darn thing. And race I did, in some magically way I managed to do the bloody thing in 1:o3:19- 4:83per kilometre. 56/210 Overall. This is an improvement of TEN minutes since 2006- and this is on sore legs and 5hours sleep. ( Ever had issues) Problem is I can't remember much of the race, I can remember thinking I was having fun, thinking I should saver the moment, thinking it wasn't to hot. I do remember thinking- oh another water station, and am I done already?? I feel bad cause I completely dumped my buddy but after the race was over the woman in the photo admitted to dumping her boyfriend and her friend. The funny thing about her was as soon as we finished she wanted to know my best times for everything, and kept going on about how she felt I could definitely run a 1:35 half marathon- I am just hoping to finish one......and remember it.
Today, I can walk but I am having issues with stairs.

Subaru Owen Sound Duethlon

This was an added race for me this summer as I had not planned to have a bike I felt I could do a reasonable time on but then yeah I got one. So going into the race I analyzed results from the one previous year it had been run. Based on my intense calculations my goals were to:
-Complete the 2km run, 20km, 5km run in 1:15.
-Run like my pants were on fire for the first 2km.
-Ride my bike at a 28km/hour pace.

The first run was a fast out and back in 8:03min- which I didn't think I could possibly move that fast. The bike was terrible for the first few kilometres then a guy from the tri club passed me and said something kind which got me out of my funk. The bike was mostly flat except for a killer hill which I had to do in the granny gear at the turn around point, but I averaged a 29km pace so that was a victory. I also was really feeling the rugged condition of the road. Third run was a tad slower then I would have liked- 24:14- averaging 4:52 km. Over all I completed the race in 1:14:23. Thus 34/82 overall, 7/33, 3/13 in my age category. For my efforts I received a plaque.

It was a well run race, I really liked the delayed start for the duelathetes allowing was to watch the swim start. The food post was OK- alot of product samples but a bag was given and you only got one trip through the line so I filled it up. More beverages would be great. ie. Juice rather then soda. I was hoping for a bigger race expo but it didn't really matter cause I didn't really get a chance to look anyways. Again to improve times I need to work on my bike time. Which will happen with more time. I also used a gel for the first time and felt it made a huge difference in fatigue levels and even joy of participation levels. Minorly disappointed that I didn't get a finishers photo as I spinrted the last 100 metres or so and passed somebody at the line which is where the photographers lens was trained on.

Updates

Since some friends have new blogs I am feeling inspired about posting on ours.
I also think it may be time for a change in temple as well as a proper title graphic. We will see I guess.

Anyway we are off to Anne's Duathlon now so I hope that goes well.

Beach

We are home from the beach and wondering how everybody is dealing with the fact we brought all the sand home with us.

Sauble

My parents rented a cottage at Sauble this week. So Anne has been here since sunday afternoon. I have been here on and off due to work stuff, but I will probably be here for the day today.
Weather has been great, except for a huge storm last night, but I hope that makes the waves nice and big for today :)

When ever teen girls fawn over Ever and say he is sooo cute I sternly tell them that he is not and they should be using birth control. These are strangers.

Kincardine Womans Triathlon- Duelathlon

This was to be one of my big races in the summer- and result wise it was. My goals were to complete the race ( 3k run, 12k bike, 3k run) in less then a hour, finish in the top 10 overall, and make the podium of age group. I completed the race in 55:14, fifth overall, and second in my age group. As the top overall duelathlon winner were given prises that bumped me up to first overall in my age grouping. For my efforts I won a hat and a laminate piece of paper. I am a little ticked that I didn't get a metal.

Overall I felt the race went well, the start was delayed due to fog for the swimmers due I waited at the start line for a while talking up my competition. The duelathlon went in two waves, my wave went first and I got to the front of the pack and stayed there so I was the third duelathete to come into transition. That went really smooth, only hold up was getting on my bike gloves. I think in the future I will just wear them for the first run. I had prepared to be in the proper gear for the hill leading out of transition and from then on I just kept on passing people until I hit the final hill, and as I improperly changed my gears I dropped my chain and jammed it. At least one minute later I was on my way VERY thankful I had practiced fixing my chain and wearing the bike gloves. Second transition was great, remember to rack my bike then take off my helmet and kept on running. Did some more passing, saw some friends in passing and finished strong.

Really pleased with the race. I know I need to work on my bike time, but I think the track workouts are really helping as evidenced by 4.36 minute km. I was also really pleased with all my Saugeen Triathlon friends who did so well- we had three people on the podium. For those who didn't make it on the podium- everybody made their personal goals for the race.
Couple of negative notes- they a few double numbers including myself so I didn't get a race kit, the above mentioned lack of metal, and please could we get some better post race food. Chocolate milk, sandwiches??? Sorry I really do not like the under ripe bananas and wasteful individual yogurt cups, and please do not get me started on the sausages.

Meet Chester

In the foreground of this photo is my new love, Chester. Chester is a 2006 Devinci Chicane bought used from a fellow Saugeen Triathlon Club member. Him and I have much bonding time even with our short time together thus far. Chester is going to help me with the bike portions of my duelathlons.
In the background Trek is sad as he has been down- graded to everyday useage, and poor Brodie has been so neglected by Luke that they are barley on speaking terms.

TEN!!!

My beloved husband I have been married for ten years today! Still no engagement ring on my finger, but there is always 15 years.

HBC Run For Canada- Algonquin Park

How Not To Meet Your Target Time

• Arrive with only a half hour to spare
• Wait in line to use the Port- a - Potties for 20min
• Have no time for a warm up
• Get in the starting line way back of where you should be
• Forget to double check laces and have to stop to tie one lace
• As the other lace is not tied well, ankle not well supported, and thus roll over on ankle and trip and roll when not paying attention on loose gravel

My goal for the HBC 10k was 50min and chip time I finished in 50:57. As it is a bigger race I didn't think I could place, and I didn't. 79/400 overall, 21/ 240 females, 5/59 Age group. I was excited by the really cool finishing metal and technical tee- shirt. The food post race was the usual crap- under ripe bananas, apples from who knows where, bottled water, and harvest crunch graula bars. No photos as I went there alone and didn't know anybody there.