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. 

Internet Awesomeness

When I am working lots, which I have been lately I get really lazy and end up having a love affair with videos. Thus, I bring you favorites.


Miranda Sings...
Youtube vblogger turned internet mainstream via an appearance on Coffee in cars with comedians, or whatever Jerry Seinfeld current gig is called.

High Maintenance
A vimino series that I marathoned through in a morning. Heard about it on the CBC.

NFIM

 

 

This photo is now on my fridge. This photo will remind me on a daily basis until the ironman that you have to work hard for what you want and nothing replaces proper training. It will remind me that I am over just showing up to finish, I want to do better than that. It will remind me of bad it hurts to fail.

 

My motivation to complete the Niagara falls marathon was basically my friends. I am always sad when they go out for training runs with out me, and when they go away to races and have a good time I am devastated. I just do want to miss any of the good times. Everybody was going, one of my friends was trying for her Boston time, there is the appeal of crossing the peace bridge, and it is a flat course so I signed up. My training volume was not the worst, and there was cross training in the form of swim/ bike  but what I see of the meat and potatoes of successful marathon running is the long runs and  just wasn't there. I have reviewed marathon training plans and I was at 50-60% distance volume I should have been.

 

In summery I had one run of 33k, one 28K, one 25K and several around 18-22 leading up to the race. Some might feel that is adequate preparation, and for them perhaps it is good. I just can not pull it off.

 

Race started in Buffalo, around 6k of turn of the century  tree line streets. Very nice. Crossed the bridge with quite a wind. Was running with a friend intermittently. Went pee at the first porta potty I  saw around 10kish. Started to hurt around 15k. Held onto a 5:10ish pace for the first half in 1:49ish. . Was fueling really well. Salt tabs taken. Felt like I had energy but my legs just hurt so bad and they kept slowing down. When the 3:45 pace bunny passed me and there was no chance of hanging with, the only goal I had was to get to the end. I made a deal with myself that I could walk all aid stations with water and for a little break every two songs. Well wouldn't you know there wasn't enough water stations. At the top of the hill before the finish I saw Luke and was just sad at my state, stopped and walked with him for a bit. He offered to run with me in, but I hate how that looks so I kept on going. Saw some friends and completely stopped again, only kept going cause they told me to.  Slowly ran the finish shoot, marvelling  at my personal worseness. Realising that this was my worst death march... and vowed never again will I just come to do the distance cause it sucks.

 

 

 

 

No Winter Maintenance

 

Now that summer has passed and some time has passed to allow for healing, I can share this adventure from summer.

 

On a fine day, I thought it would be a marvellous idea to take the children to Metcalfe rock to hike and play on the rocks. I also think it is rather marvellous to take a new way every time I go somewhere, you never know what adventures may come.

 

Thus, on Grey road 13 I turned left. I was looking at a several editions old copy of the Bruce trail map and google maps on my phone. I knew  I had to head north- west and I would get there eventually. If a road looked interesting I went that way. Eventually I landed on a no winter maintenance road and I thought what fun! The road was rough, but not bad. However,  it just started getting worse. The puddles were getting bigger and bigger, and I realised I could not turn around, and I really didn't want to drive through what I had already driven though again. The hope was it would get better.

 

It didn't.

 

Then I hit the puddle, and got though it, well just to the edge and the car stalled. I had flooded the engine.

 

I didn't want to call Luke right away, I thought we would wait 20minites and try the car again. Meanwhile the children played with frogs and played in the forest. Silently I am freaking out with my mind going 10, 00miles of possibilities.

 

The 20minites did not help. Car would not start. Call Luke and admit I have done a very bad thing.

What follows is three hours of getting a CAA membership on my rapidly declining cell phone, and figuring out exactly where I was only to realise I WAS NOT ON A ROAD!

 

Apparently, I had gone off the no winter maintenance road to a snowmobile trail. No warning, no nothing. Thing is, CAA only responds to calls on roads. So I was kind of in the middle of no where with very happy and agreeable Ever and whining/ complaining Maya. Sure we could walk out of there but what about the car. Leave it for deer hunters??

 

Meanwhile, all afternoon in between my mental breakdowns and fits of crying we had been working. In the forest we had found three landscaping buckets, you know with the holes in them. We spent hours bailing out that puddle, it had actually been to the height of the grass. Head to toe we were covered in mud when a bearded man on a ATV found us.

 

He told me how you are not suppose to drive this way cause it is a swap. How when he was a teenager it was a corduroy road  and on the weekends he would drive home from Collingwood this way but big trucks mudding had wreaked the road, and he told me he could get the car out of the puddle. I had never prayed so hard as when he made several attempts to get the engine started. I had never cheered so loud when he got through the puddle. I cried and hugged him freely. Which to those who know me is very rare. I offered him any amount of money he wanted. He refused, but I got his name and when I made it back to town I bought a case of beer cause that is what he drinks and made sure he would get it.

 

Lesson learned: You have to drive slowly though water, and maybe the road well travelled is Ok sometimes.

 

Barrelman

I am sure what made me sign up for Barrelman. The concept of the locale, the flat roads, the chance to do another build for the big build of 2015? Regardless, I signed up and did not prepare to race it. Mentally, I prepared like I was going into to do a sprint tri, or a little 5k. Six hours racing just does not compare. It hurts a tremendous amount more.

The race has two transitions, and we had to rack and register the day prior in Welland. Nice touch having my name on the wrist band. Interesting touch that nobody actually checked my photo ID. Shirt was ugly so didn't bother trying to change it for one that fit. Lesson learned: I hate women's cut shirts. Scoop neck shirts make me look like I am a waitress fishing for tips. 

The day dawned dark with rain clouds forming. Caught a ride  with friends from our hotel to the buses that transported people from T2 to the swim start. If they had not been coming Luke would have had to get up at 6am to take me. Unfortunately a logistical problem is the buses leave from a parking lot that is not within walking distance from downtown, which if you are coming with family who expect a lie in on a Sunday morning is rather inconvenient. A taxi may be in order. My usual routine of running my coffee purchased the night before though the coffee maker and eating cold porridge out of a zip lock bag was employed on the bus ride over. Got off the bus and it was pouring rain. Hid out in the arena for awhile. Rain let off and got my bike and all my bags ready. Went back into the arena for some morning business and chats with internet friends, and finally made my way down to the water.
Had some hopes that current assisted swim would magically make for a fast swim. But I always suck at swimming apparently. 44: and change. Got a bit choppy toward the end and it started to rain. Was thinking, 'great here is the rain'. Was prepared to spend the entire day wet as the forecast was not looking nice. I didn't care. Meant I didn't have to worry about sun screen.


The transition zone was wedged between the Welland arena another building. Felt clausiphobic. There was a rather large parking lot beside the water at a community wellness centre, not sure why they could not support a active activity and let us use the parking lot?
As soon as I got out of the water I started running, though my transition was pretty OK. I did put on socks but really 4 mins?? I didn't stop for tea so have no idea why so slow.

So I didn't exactly train for the bike. I mean. I may have last biked 90k at Tremblant. I had maybe three rides over 50k since then. But really it was a flat course, couldn't be any worse then my 20k ride into work right??? So wrong. There was a wind. Sure the tail wind was tremendous, but the cross and head winds were so much work. I honestly thought I would blow off the road at times. It was the windiest riding I have ever done. Oh and I had sprained my ankle again on the Monday prior and actually got a bit of whip lash to my neck which also caused some tension to my head so for three hours I had a pounding headache.  Never so happy to get out of aero when it was done. The course was pretty enough. A section beside Lake Erie, crossing bridges, and riding under the Welland canal was very cool. I actually pushed that bike as hard as I could that day, happy to say my split was 3:07 for 92k. An added bonus was the sun came out.

On to the run. Some spectator guy was waiting to get into the port a loo outside of transition, and I just ran right in. I counted, I was less then 20sec. but a slight dick move. I just really had to pee and I did not want a repeat of every other race with the worlds worst chaffing.
The run course was very challenging. Some nice sections intermingled with urban, full sun. The back end was just kind depressing. Some long suffering uphill's. There was lots of volunteers and police presence but in general did not actually notice anybody spectating near the falls. Enough aid stations.
I had hoped to go sub 1:50 off the bike which I know I have in me, but ended the day with 1:56. On the first lap I just felt sorry for myself. My head was pounding to the extent I may have cursed at a medic for not having Tylenol. It was no electrolyte problem- I just had tension. I just could not find that happy place. Found my family towards the end of the first lap and saw some friend which helped. Worked hard to catch up to my friend Dave. I had really hoped we could run it in together but it just was not his day. Post race I diagnosed an allergy to honey on him. Due to the lack of  spectators just found the day quiet. The aid stations did not even have music. I was even hoping for Christian music at the aid station on the grounds of a monastery, all I had was the pounding of my head to keep me company. Found it frustrating not knowing which runners were on their first or second lap of the 10k course. Also found it frustrating watching people cheat on an out and back section.

 

Completed in 5:55, which is ok. Could I have done better with proper training and a better mental attitude, yes.

 

Oh and this is why you are always  nice to front desk clerks- best rooms with a view.

 

On another note, Luke and the kids had brought bikes in anticipation of paid parking and thought it would be simplest just to park once and ride around and to the race site from there. We are actually not sure how any family made it to Kingsbridge park as the roads were all closed leading to it.

 

 

Against

The utmost of my wrath was once directed towards plastic bags. Now it seems most people unless they are selfish, self centred individuals realise the use of bags is wrong and opt for a  reusable bag or box. Or is they carried said items up to the cashier, then maybe they can carry their purchases home.

Now my wrath is directed towards receipts.

I do not want them. They are useless pieces of paper. Why in the world would I want to scrap of paper that proves I just spent $48 at the liquor store. If I can not remember the figure to add to my most important personal budget database then I think I have got other things to be worried about.

Waste of trees. Waste of my money to dispose of them in paid garbage removal. I would use the scraps of paper as toilet paper but apparently there are some risks of BPA exposure to skin.

I really do not care about proof of purchase as every store has security cameras, and while to are at it, I refuse those stupid stickers cashers put on toilet paper.

Basically, I make cashiers cry.

Mt Tremblant 70.3

You know sometimes when you are by yourself and you have all those funny little thoughts and wish you could somehow remember them all so you could share them in a cool blog post, yah that.

Last year in August somebody had the bright idea to sign up for Mt Tremblant  70.3. We all assumed it would sell out quickly, which it did. Thus at that point I was signed up for two half ironmans without even ever done one.
Luke and I made the trip to Quebec solo, as in without the children. Initially we were going to stay at a strangers house but when we realised  that the logistics of getting to the race site was going to be complicated and so we ended up splitting the cost of a condo on site with friends. I say on site loosely as it was .750k away from the village and it was straight uphill and .75 of a kilometer is rather long when you have a ankle that looks like a sausage. More on that later.

 Was rather excited to get this race number, was rather disgusted in the lack of Canadian history people seem to have. 1867 was the year of Canadian confederation for the people who I am disgusted with.

 

Training went resonablly well. Felt very compressed as long bike training did not start until May as winter dragged on and on in Bruce County. And then there was my run. As in I basically had not ran in a month. After the sprain in May, I basically desided that I didn't need to run train as I didn't want to damage my ankle further. There are somethings I just am good at, and running is one of them. So I felt my ankle was better and was going to do a light jog the Monday prior at Allan park.

 

Fail. 100metres in and I was on the ground again.

 

At that point there was nothing I could do. I iced for 6hours post as that is the current research. I did my best to stay off of it except for work and figured I would be walking the 21k. The swelling was horrid, and bruising worse. Pain- not so much. It just felt unstable.  I think mentally I was in a worst place then my ankle. I just felt defeated.

 

 

 

Mt Tremblant definitely had the triathlon hype going on. The place was buzzing. Everywhere within a 50km radius seemed to be intent on making triathletes welcome. The place is host to four races this year so I am not surprised. I did the check in on Friday night which seemed to be the best time. No wait at all. Bought a long sleeve shirt, sticker, and traditional water bottle at the store. Really wanted a tri top but practiced restraint.

Race morning was just stupid o'clock. Transition closed at 6:30am, my wave wasn't until 7:48. So basically I did nothing from 6:15- 7:20 but sit and stew about my ankle. Sure I got body marked, but really why do I need a volunteer to do that?  Next race I am bringing a sharpie and marking myself. The guy didn't even listen to me when I said to put my marking on my right leg as I would be wearing a compression sock on my left. He could have even put it higher on my leg. I mean I am not in the running for any age group awards but I like looking at other peoples ages so why should others not be able to see mine?

Prior to the swim start found a nice quiet area to get my wetsuit on, except I couldn't. I had to pee so bad and the line for the porta potties was too long, and I kinda wanted to pee in the water once I started so I was saving it,  but I couldn't wait. So I had to tell the other people in my nice quiet area that I had to pee on the grass, so they said in broken English, ' so we should turn away?' But I was already peeing.
Good thing the race had not started cause that was an automatic DQ.
Lined up to start the swim and saw a women was a bandaged ankle. We shared sad injury stories and suddenly I felt better about my ankle knowing that there was somebody else in my situation.
Started on the far left with the intent on staying there. Well my sighting has been getting better, but not that good. I was all over the place, and once the other waves started passing me I felt like I was in a over stuffed washing machine. It was one of the roughest swims I had ever been in. At one point somebody was pushing off on my chest with their feet. I swim that slow I am like a wall. Joy.
Honestly, I thought I was swimming well, when I looked around I was with the same colour cap as myself, and there was even times when I got into a rythum. In reaility I was slower than Musokoa. Another nice thing about Tremblant was the red carpet from the swim exsist to tranition. I avoided the strippers as I didn't want anybody near my ankle and at muskoka I found it to be a confusing affair. I can strip myself. Took the time in transition to put on arm warmers, and one left sided compression sock. Sang along to the music playing and noticed that the pros didn't wait for me. Bummer.

 

 

Out onto the bike, which was wonderful. Never realized how much traffic can cause stress while racing until there is none. Wide open highways with smooth as butter pavement. The only rough section was in the town. Even then was not bad. That being said. I lost two water bottles on bridge bumps from my read saddle holder. Mostly pleased with my ride. I say mostly except for two points.

1. Uphills, My triathlon bike does not climb well. I run out of granny gears. My road has three in the front, this bike has two and it is a standard crank. So either I need to learn to climb better with what I have or get a compact which seems to be all the rage. Mostly I climbed at 11km/hr cadence in 50s. That is not fun.

2. Downhills. I am scared of going over 55km/hr.  Alot of free time is lost with my fear. All I can think about is road rash and fractured pelvises and rib fractures punctured lungs, and cracked helmets and mushy brains.

 

Had a good time talking with a few other women. Playing leap frog. It was a beautiful day and there was little wind. Really nice to be out there. The only section I didn't like was the going out of the rollers section. I just could not get my gearing right and those short uphills were killer. A woman remarked to make that I had a lot of joy, and I really did. It was a wonderful ride with mild wind. I have having a nice weekend with Luke, and it occurred to me that really my ankle was such a first word problem.

The entire ride I was slightly concerned that something would happen and I would have to unclip, except with my ankle I could not, at all. I even tried. Just could not do it. So obviously my shoes stayed off my bike while I did a nice dismount. Transition was reasonably quick. Arm warmers off, bib on, dose of toradol for my ankle,  shoes on and go. For the record. I always sit on the ground.

 

On Saturday I had previewed the run course on my bike. So I knew that it was very do-able. Basically an out and back. Hilly town section, flat trail section and back to the village via hills.

I had no expectations of the run. I expected to be walking if it was bad. I did carry for the entire run a soft compression ankle brace, and a rigid plastic brace so if my leg broke I would be ok to finish.

So I set off, started by walking  some of the down hills as the pavement impact was what I was expecting to hurt..... but well I was reasonably fine. I do have a really high pain tolerance- ie. two babies born at home in my bed. Some discomfort started at 7k, but very tolerable. Basically I didn't push, walked the aid stations and small portions of the hills, endured and finished. I love out and back with the opportunity to see friends, to cheer and try to calculate everybody's finishes. Dysfunctional mental math is what gets me through, that and my really bad singing. I was taking requests this race though. So many aid stations had music which was wonderful and really they had to be every kilometre.

Ankle pre- race.

 

The one thought that I had the entire race was.. 2015 double it??? And I think so.