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.

Ménage à trois

I recently read that the most complicated of relationships is a threesome. There always tends to be a power struggle, and it occurs to me that I am in one.


Myself             My Bike               The Wind


Presently the wind is the dominant force in the relationship, the bike and I have discussed it and unless the wind agrees to always stay behind us, it simply is not welcome anymore.

Woodstock 2014

Ahead of Mt Tremblant 70.3 this year I felt it would be beneficial to do one triathlon, just to remind me of the 'process', and to scare me. It did.

Swim- 750 metres of pure terror. I like pool swimming, love open water. Put me in a triathlon swim and I become a panicking, hyperventilating mess. The water at Woodstock was cold, but once I got going, it didn't bother me at all. There is no focus and I basically can only go two rounds of 4 breaths without freaking out about everybody swimming so much faster then me. So I am doing my crappy front crawl with the person doing breast stroke. At one point, unconsciously when I stopped swimming to gather my courage to continue I said out- loud, 'I hate swimming'. Laughs had by all the people on their backs around me. Times like that I wonder why I even bother.

Bike- Was excited to try out new bike, but even though the course was easy just felt like I could never really open up. The course wasn't a pelition like Guelph lake last year, however I felt like my full potential was not realised.

Run- was reasonable, pushed. Back end on pavement kind a sucks but 5k just goes by so fast. Enough water stations for a warm day. Had fun except about 10metres from the finish line. A women in front of me looked to be about my age so I called out to her, asking if the age on her calf was 33 or 37. When she answered back 37, I responded ' Well you better get going as I am 36.' And she took off, She had more of a kick then me, and she did take off. While I was putting forth a valiant effort my left ankle encountered a root and I went all topsey - turvey. Did not fall but should have rather then try to recover and wrench my ankle in ways it was not meant to go. End result- no running for at least two weeks, very thick and swollen. Going to chiropractor, a lot.

So where does this leave me for Mt Tremblant?? Wanted a sub 6hours- will settle for sub 6:10, and even then I feel like I have done nothing to get me there. Best intentions do not always manifest themselves to show for anything,

Small

And now for some reader feedback... that is if I have any LOL.  What I want you to do is take a look at these three pictures and tell me which one represents a $160 FIST certified triathlon bike fit? For the real keeners out their you should know I need to switch out my 80mm stem for a 70mm as of yet.
Also the real keeners will note my bike is too big. About 2cm in reach length apparently. It was a concern when I bought it that it was slightly too big. The good thing is, all my angles are spot on, and I am making it work.
Big dance is Mt tremblant 70.3, and it currently occupies a lot of my thoughts as in:

• Now if I can take 5min off my swim, 3 min off my transitions, 10min off my bike time, and 2 min of my run time maybe I can get sub 6 hours.
• But what about if I have to go pee, how quick can I get off the bike and pee, what about lines at the port a pottys?
• I need a new matching outfit to match my bike.
• Convince Maya to use my old bike helmet so I can buy a new matching helmet.
• Will the water ever warm up so I can get open water swim training in?
• Will it ever stop being completely miserable outside so I can ride?
• What if I am developing a stress fracture in my femur like Krista Duchene?
• Maybe I am eating to much in training?
• Should I spend the extra $40 on a used carbon stem? Vs the $18 at MEC
• What about an aero bottle? Maybe I can mount a regular bottle holder with just zip ties.
• I should really learn how to change a tube quicker then 30min, Will have to carry iphone so I can watch a YouTube video for help.
• And it goes on and on, you would think this is Kona I am so excited.

Ms Seamstress

 

 

Today I played seamstress. I say played cause I am not actually one, I just like to pretend. Sometimes it turns out well, and other times not so much.

 

Exhibit A-  Leather dress. Well not real leather, but kinda like. A hand me down from a friend who lost weight, and a lot of it came from her boobs. No matter how much weight I loss, mine always remain. Dress fit great, except for the torso. Mine is short. So ripped out the shoulder seam, cut out some of the shoulder, redid the shoulder with gathers for the excess fabric, all good until time to deal with the excess trim. I accidently cut it where I should have not, not a lot of extra fabric and thus .. this. Can't win them all. Will have to wear my hair down if I ever find an occasion to wear the dress. Makes me wonder where she wore the dress.

Exhibit B:

 

Not sure where I bought this used French collection XL shirt. Really liked the pattern, and thought it mostly fit. Not so much. Realised it was way to baggy  and was going to donate it when it dawned on me I could just take it in on the sides. So I did and now it looks fabulous. Luke photobombed my shot so he could show off his beard so show how hip he is. Mostly it is just grey to me.

 

Atb 30k 2014

Going into Around the Bay, was not feeling overly optimistic. Training was far from ideal in grey/ Bruce counties this year, not a lot of time to train with family commitments.... and both are poor excesses.

 

I am the queen of no excesses police. You can always make time, and I do own a treadmill. However I just was not in the right head space to do this winter. Happens.

What I have been doing is a lot for more core work, and frankly I think it made a difference. Not a lot of long runs in, but I still felt strong.

 

Basic plan was to stick with my friend Matt at the beginning so I wouldn't go out to fast, which I am rather fond of doing, and stick with him until I couldn't any more. Just run by feel.  He was much more motivated than I to follow a race plan. So I just hung out with him and another guy from our triathlon club. When he geled so did I. We took turns setting the pace. I mostly said, 'is it necessary for us to be doing a 4:45 pace.' Hung around a 5:05 pace mostly. At around 20k we met up with a friend who had done the 15k relay and wanted to run the rest of distance in cause it was such a nice day. Her and I chatted for a bit then she decided to walk a bit. Meanwhile, my buddy had fallen off pace or I had been going ahead of pace and I was all alone. Had a singular dance and song party. Ran/ walked up the big hill, looked for Matt again, figuring he would be right behind and realised I would have to take myself to the finish line.

 

At that point, I think it is 27k. I was done. I knew I only had 15 or so minutes left but my:

-bra strap was chaffing

-had to pee

-right quad hurt

-worried I was getting a sun burn

- was thinking about other friends and wanted to find out how they were doing.

 

Pace varied widely here. Put that Happy song on repeat and just pushed it on. Finished in 2:34:40, which isn't bad, considering, but I will never be happy.

 

2014-2:34:40- Whatever

2013-2:38:42- Ran with a friend.
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.

 

 

This really hurt, had to pop. I wore toe sock and lubed my feet so I am rather upset about this state of affairs.

Argon18

For the last couple years I have felt like I am putting a ton of work into the bike, but my return has been minimal. Nothing I could do on my road bike could help me get faster. Sure the common saying is it is not the bike but the engine, but I say the engine is working fine but you can only push that civic so fast.

My 1.5 year plan is an ironman distance 2015, and in an ironman you ride for 180km. That is a long way to feel that you are working way to hard. I want every advantage I can get. Hence, it was decided I needed to pay for some speed.

 

I have always said I wanted used. There is nothing wrong with a used bike that has been maintained. So for the last six months I have looked regularly on kijiji. Pink bike, slow twitch, and word of mouth that I was looking. Only one bike really piped my interest and overall, after consultation with people more knowledgeable than I,  I felt it was over prised.

 

Thus, the Toronto bike show. Friends went on Friday and Saturday and basically told me I would be crazy not to go. Very good deals in my price range.

The thing about the bike show is, for some venders, it is basically a flea market. Bike stores come with last years or even older stock with the hope of unloading it for any sort of a profit. Thus the best time for a deal is Sunday afternoon.

I had done some calls ahead, knew what some stores where bringing, and zeroed in one them. I had no shame is saying what my budget was and no shame in saying exactly what I had to get out of that money. I know how to bargain well, and I knew exactly the MSRP was for most bikes I was looking at. Most important, I wasn't afraid to drive home with nothing.

 

Then I saw this bike and I feel in love. Matte black. I LOVE matte black. I repanted Evers bike matte black. The sales person was a very nice soft spoken fellow, and his boss was willing to haggle. I thought about every angle for a price reduction, and I was signigicantlly under budget. At the cash register, just to be a jerk, after I had paid I asked if I could have haggled for any lower, and I was told he lost $150 on the bike. So I think I am good.

 

The one thing that is not good is the bike fit. Part of my haggling was about the bike fit. I saved mucho money from not getting it from that bike shop. It is in downtown Toronto, so the trouble of getting down there and paying for parking just wasn't worth it. I have been fiddling at home with it since I bought it and with likely go someplace a tad easier to get to in the next couple of weeks.

 

The thing is I have always admired Argon 18 bikes since I saw Bree Wee ride one years ago, I have a minor girl crush on her. Canadian company. But mostly I bought it for the matte black. I buy shoes on appearance also.

 

I have been riding it on the trainer and find it so smooth as comparied to my roadie. As this is the winter from hell it will be May before I ride it out of doors.