I wish that would have said "Race Won," but there's still time.
Good race on Sunday. Up early (5am), out of the house by 6:20, at the race by 8am with an hour to spare. I've been to a few of these races put on by John Salt and they're well run, simple affairs. Get bib number, get bib, get bag, poop, wetsuit on, start race. Nice and simple.
The more of these I do, the calmer I am before the start. I was more nervous the night before, wondering how things would go, than I was 5 minutes before the start, warming up in the water. Calm like still water.
The swim was respectable. I've been in the water more this year so far than all of last year combined, and it showed. Only a 2:00/100m pace, but better than the 2:40 I did at the first race last year. Went by pretty fast too which was nice.
Came out strong, put on shirt, and off I went. Wind at the back for the first bit and the last bit, and a headwind the rest of the time. Still passed many who came out of the water before me. Finally started getting passed by the 40+ guys who started later near the end of the bike. That was ok though; some of them were pretty ripped. Did the ride in about 53 mins, average speed around 32kph. Not too shabby.
Run started rough, but a quick water and stop at the first aid station before 1km and I was good to go. Running legs came out of nowhere and I was off. Good, smooth run on nice soft dirt. Finished really hard and felt awesome crossing the line. Nice to be back Johnny!
Lakeside was a great venue. The lake rocked (aka didn't taste like Cryptosporidium) and the roads were quiet. I'll come back for sure.
Binbrook next weekend. Get to see if I improve over last year...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Putting down the hammer
It's been maybe two weeks since the last update. I was met with frustration when an old forgotten injury made itself known again; a sharp pain in my right buttocks. It almost feels bone related sometimes, but I'm pretty sure it's some type of wired muscle cramp. In any case, the last time it happened it was fixed by using my arch supports which I had until then been neglecting.
It worked this time as well. I wish I didn't have to use them only because they make my shoes heavy and I feel like the alter my foot stroke. However, being able to run without excruciating pain is more important so the supports are back to stay.
Otherwise things are hard. Hammered on the bike for two days last weekend, maybe for an hour at a time. Did a good run or two as well. This weekend I rode across town to Lesley St laying down the hammer the entire way. It was very good. I did a brick run shortly after arriving home that felt good until, two minutes from home, both of my quads cramped simultaneously. I hobbled home a destroyed old man.
Remember: drink Gatorade on the bike. It will save you.
Swimming tonight and hopefully a couple of short hard runs and rides throughout the week. First race is less than two weeks out now so things are coming to a head. I feel pretty good overall though so hoefully I will surprise myself on the 7th.
Plans are being pushed to get back to Vancouver in the next two months. That would cut short my triathlon season here, but I would possibly be able to do the Vancouver triathlon and possibly the new half iron too!
I look forward to running the seawall again.
It worked this time as well. I wish I didn't have to use them only because they make my shoes heavy and I feel like the alter my foot stroke. However, being able to run without excruciating pain is more important so the supports are back to stay.
Otherwise things are hard. Hammered on the bike for two days last weekend, maybe for an hour at a time. Did a good run or two as well. This weekend I rode across town to Lesley St laying down the hammer the entire way. It was very good. I did a brick run shortly after arriving home that felt good until, two minutes from home, both of my quads cramped simultaneously. I hobbled home a destroyed old man.
Remember: drink Gatorade on the bike. It will save you.
Swimming tonight and hopefully a couple of short hard runs and rides throughout the week. First race is less than two weeks out now so things are coming to a head. I feel pretty good overall though so hoefully I will surprise myself on the 7th.
Plans are being pushed to get back to Vancouver in the next two months. That would cut short my triathlon season here, but I would possibly be able to do the Vancouver triathlon and possibly the new half iron too!
I look forward to running the seawall again.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Windows of Opportunity
Sometimes you can't plan for everything.
Triathlon is a hard sport to train for because you're often stuck to schedules. If it's not the pool swim times then it's fitting a 4 hour ride into an already full day, or planning a long run, but only if it's not 4 degrees and raining.
Sometimes though, you find yourself with 30 minutes and no immediate responsibilities. You could sit at the computer or tv, snacking on rich foods and zapping your mind.
Or you could put on some shoes and run for a bit. Maybe it will hurt, maybe not. You'll definitely get stronger and faster though.
TV and computers can't do that for you...not yet anyway.
Triathlon is a hard sport to train for because you're often stuck to schedules. If it's not the pool swim times then it's fitting a 4 hour ride into an already full day, or planning a long run, but only if it's not 4 degrees and raining.
Sometimes though, you find yourself with 30 minutes and no immediate responsibilities. You could sit at the computer or tv, snacking on rich foods and zapping your mind.
Or you could put on some shoes and run for a bit. Maybe it will hurt, maybe not. You'll definitely get stronger and faster though.
TV and computers can't do that for you...not yet anyway.
Short times, long goals
It seems hard to fit in the time required to make this goal possible. I was only able to swim for 20 minutes today before it was time to leave for the train. That and 3 people showed up to crowd the fast lane and I didn't feel like punching them in the face repeatedly as we passed one another.
Didn't really do anything last week. Swam monday, ran Friday. That was it. I told myself it was a rest week before the really hard stuff started. Today was supposed to be the hard stuff, but it was meh. Might run when I get home, but I still need to get the gf a birthday card. And puppy probably needs to poop. And i'll be hungry.
So many things to do, so little time.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Finding my inner Nemo
Another monday another swim. Wanted to avoid it a bit but I know I'm all but fucked if I don't get more swimming in before the race season starts. Besides, if I'm going to treat my job with blah, I had better treat my sports with some drive and determination.
I have decided that even though I may only get 20 or 25 minutes of swimming in on a given day, its better than nothing. Most of my race swims will only be that long anyway so good focused effort on these swims should provide sexy race day results.
Today's swim felt particularly good. The first few laps we're just phenomenal and I was shocked by how fast the bottom of the pool flew by. I tired fairly fast, but that initial burst made me hopeful that my old form was coming back. I felt pretty fluid through the rest of the swim and ended on a high note which always rocks.
Will try really hard to live up to my personal promises and get in the water again on Wednesday, to try once more to find (and keep) that elusive Nemo.
I have decided that even though I may only get 20 or 25 minutes of swimming in on a given day, its better than nothing. Most of my race swims will only be that long anyway so good focused effort on these swims should provide sexy race day results.
Today's swim felt particularly good. The first few laps we're just phenomenal and I was shocked by how fast the bottom of the pool flew by. I tired fairly fast, but that initial burst made me hopeful that my old form was coming back. I felt pretty fluid through the rest of the swim and ended on a high note which always rocks.
Will try really hard to live up to my personal promises and get in the water again on Wednesday, to try once more to find (and keep) that elusive Nemo.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Head down, grit teeth, plod on
One of those days.
I suppose drinking 4 pints of beer the night before a long ride is not generally considered a good idea, but I went ahead and did it anyway. It was our friend Kris' birthday and I really needed to unwind after a pretty stressful week of work (tax season at the private bank...yay).
When I awoke this morning, I had the usual shitty symptoms; dry everything, hangover smell, the works. My legs also ached for some reason. It's not like I did any running yesterday, but they didn't seem to care. Just standing still had the same feeling as being 80km into a ride, that growing, dull pain that shrinks your world to just your body and your bike, and the painful relationship they share.
Rain was in the forecast for the afternoon, but I figured I'd get home before it hit. As I sit here now, 10 minutes after arriving, it appears I was right. Thunder booming outside never sounded so sweet, to know that I'm not stuck out in the open with it.
The wind was coming out of the southwest again. Great. Another 50km of pushing against God's maniacal breath. Unfortunately, unlike last week's bright spirits and willingness to tackle the unknown, this week I was just a miserable wreck. Again, the beer probably didn't help, nor did the sore legs. I was never tempted to give up, but I was a bit of an emotional basketcase, wanting to break into tears whenever the wind kicked up, or simply because the sound of it constantly filling my ears was driving me mad.
This time I made it to the south side of Lake Ontario. That felt good. I didn't make it as far as I wanted (was going to do two loops of the Hamilton Beach Trail) but it was longer that last week which was very rewarding.
While riding, I had expected the rain to come from the southwest, where the wind was coming from. By the time I hit the turnaround in Hamilton though, I saw that the storm had flanked me and was now darkening the skies all across the north side of the lake, my route home.
I'm not sure if the speed I was going could be considered "booking it," but I put the hammer down for most of the ride home.
It hurt.
A lot.
By the time I hit Port Credit, I was done. Legs throbbing, wind blowing against me again (first from the east, then the west...wtf?). I almost cried when I was nailed by a steady breeze turning north on Southdown road. What did I do to deserve this?
In the end I made it home, a victory I guess. Small occasional drops of rain made themselves felt on my bare arms, but I managed to beat the storm home.
I think I'm going to pass out for a while. I hope the dog doesn't shit herself.
I suppose drinking 4 pints of beer the night before a long ride is not generally considered a good idea, but I went ahead and did it anyway. It was our friend Kris' birthday and I really needed to unwind after a pretty stressful week of work (tax season at the private bank...yay).
When I awoke this morning, I had the usual shitty symptoms; dry everything, hangover smell, the works. My legs also ached for some reason. It's not like I did any running yesterday, but they didn't seem to care. Just standing still had the same feeling as being 80km into a ride, that growing, dull pain that shrinks your world to just your body and your bike, and the painful relationship they share.
Rain was in the forecast for the afternoon, but I figured I'd get home before it hit. As I sit here now, 10 minutes after arriving, it appears I was right. Thunder booming outside never sounded so sweet, to know that I'm not stuck out in the open with it.
The wind was coming out of the southwest again. Great. Another 50km of pushing against God's maniacal breath. Unfortunately, unlike last week's bright spirits and willingness to tackle the unknown, this week I was just a miserable wreck. Again, the beer probably didn't help, nor did the sore legs. I was never tempted to give up, but I was a bit of an emotional basketcase, wanting to break into tears whenever the wind kicked up, or simply because the sound of it constantly filling my ears was driving me mad.
This time I made it to the south side of Lake Ontario. That felt good. I didn't make it as far as I wanted (was going to do two loops of the Hamilton Beach Trail) but it was longer that last week which was very rewarding.
While riding, I had expected the rain to come from the southwest, where the wind was coming from. By the time I hit the turnaround in Hamilton though, I saw that the storm had flanked me and was now darkening the skies all across the north side of the lake, my route home.
I'm not sure if the speed I was going could be considered "booking it," but I put the hammer down for most of the ride home.
It hurt.
A lot.
By the time I hit Port Credit, I was done. Legs throbbing, wind blowing against me again (first from the east, then the west...wtf?). I almost cried when I was nailed by a steady breeze turning north on Southdown road. What did I do to deserve this?
In the end I made it home, a victory I guess. Small occasional drops of rain made themselves felt on my bare arms, but I managed to beat the storm home.
I think I'm going to pass out for a while. I hope the dog doesn't shit herself.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Why?
Consciousness. What is it? The feeling of knowing. Knowing what I am, who I am. Full control over the decisions I make. Why I do what I do. What inspires me to take those first steps? Would a horse run for 14 hours just to prove a point? Would it know what it was doing, or remember why it had started that morning by the end of the run that evening?
I stood on the sidewalk today, motionless as the rain fell around me, tapping the new leafs of small trees in front of me. My dog was sniffing in the dirt, then she was pruning the bushes, eating still-attached branches and probably tasting sap. As I watched her I wondered if she knew what she was doing? Was she doing it for a purpose or simply because some unknown force pushed her to start eating bitter branches off tiny trees.
While she did that I looked down at my one free hand (the other was holding the leash). I opened and closed my hand a few times, thinking all the while that I had full control over this process, that I could start and stop at any time, and that more importantly I was the one who initiated the movement. Would a dog stretch out it's left paw and marvel at the movement, ponder the significance of evolution all the while? Why do I have paws, and what creatures came before me that made these paws a necessary evolutionary step in the world.
Humans are considered to be one of the great endurance-based creatures on Earth, one of the few that can run almost endlessly. Some think it is this that has allowed us to thrive on this planet, that we were simply able to outlast our prey in the great game of cat and mouse. Eventually our foes would tire, and we would still be there, pursuing.
Many thoughts have gone through my head since I began the great journey of running and cycling and swimming that now so consumes my life. One primary idea has been the one that says all humans are endurance animals and that a return to that form of lifestyle is deep seeded within us, harkening back to our early days when all we did was hunt and run.
I still wonder if dogs have sentience, the ability to know and understand what they are doing? What I know for sure is that I do, and I choose the life I lead, to punish my body, and praise my body, and keep it nourished, so I can run for 14 hours just to prove a point.
I stood on the sidewalk today, motionless as the rain fell around me, tapping the new leafs of small trees in front of me. My dog was sniffing in the dirt, then she was pruning the bushes, eating still-attached branches and probably tasting sap. As I watched her I wondered if she knew what she was doing? Was she doing it for a purpose or simply because some unknown force pushed her to start eating bitter branches off tiny trees.
While she did that I looked down at my one free hand (the other was holding the leash). I opened and closed my hand a few times, thinking all the while that I had full control over this process, that I could start and stop at any time, and that more importantly I was the one who initiated the movement. Would a dog stretch out it's left paw and marvel at the movement, ponder the significance of evolution all the while? Why do I have paws, and what creatures came before me that made these paws a necessary evolutionary step in the world.
Humans are considered to be one of the great endurance-based creatures on Earth, one of the few that can run almost endlessly. Some think it is this that has allowed us to thrive on this planet, that we were simply able to outlast our prey in the great game of cat and mouse. Eventually our foes would tire, and we would still be there, pursuing.
Many thoughts have gone through my head since I began the great journey of running and cycling and swimming that now so consumes my life. One primary idea has been the one that says all humans are endurance animals and that a return to that form of lifestyle is deep seeded within us, harkening back to our early days when all we did was hunt and run.
I still wonder if dogs have sentience, the ability to know and understand what they are doing? What I know for sure is that I do, and I choose the life I lead, to punish my body, and praise my body, and keep it nourished, so I can run for 14 hours just to prove a point.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Don't think so
I saw a sign while out running the other day on the Lakeshore path. It said "Joggers keep right."
I stayed to the left. I don't jog. I RUN, stupid fucking sign.
Let this be a lesson; never use the term jogging to describe what a runner does. Actually, just forget the word jogging even exists. It has no place. Anywhere.
I stayed to the left. I don't jog. I RUN, stupid fucking sign.
Let this be a lesson; never use the term jogging to describe what a runner does. Actually, just forget the word jogging even exists. It has no place. Anywhere.
Monday, April 27, 2009
The catch
The secret to a successful swim stroke, or so I'm told. I think I nailed it today. Briefly though, so briefly that I'll probably forget it by the time I'm done eating whatever snack I will be eating in 20 minutes time.
Writing from the phone on the train is fun.
Hit the pool today after a multi-week hiatus. No reason for the break really. Definitely not overtrained. Rain was the blame last week. Probably laziness the week before.
I realize now that I will need at least 2 days per week in May in order to do remotely well come the first race in June. I will need to stay downtown Wednesdays as well and train home to accomplish this. I don't want to give up my long Saturday ride, nor do I want to swim on Friday nights. Such is the trouble with swimming in Toronto: shitty hours. Certainly not going to swim in the lake anytime soon. The pollution isn't even the issue. That motherfucker is cold! I threw my dog in last week and she still hasn't forgiven me.
I think I'll try to bike tomorrow, but we'll see. My left as cheek hurts like hell when I walk and I might need a day off to recoup. That or a nice ass massage.
Will need to see what the girlfriend is up to.
Writing from the phone on the train is fun.
Hit the pool today after a multi-week hiatus. No reason for the break really. Definitely not overtrained. Rain was the blame last week. Probably laziness the week before.
I realize now that I will need at least 2 days per week in May in order to do remotely well come the first race in June. I will need to stay downtown Wednesdays as well and train home to accomplish this. I don't want to give up my long Saturday ride, nor do I want to swim on Friday nights. Such is the trouble with swimming in Toronto: shitty hours. Certainly not going to swim in the lake anytime soon. The pollution isn't even the issue. That motherfucker is cold! I threw my dog in last week and she still hasn't forgiven me.
I think I'll try to bike tomorrow, but we'll see. My left as cheek hurts like hell when I walk and I might need a day off to recoup. That or a nice ass massage.
Will need to see what the girlfriend is up to.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Misty
Today's run reminded me of Vancouver. Cloudy and wet. Not very warm. Probably wasn't the best idea to wear shorts and a t-shirt, but I figured I'd run hard enough not to feel it.
Not so much.
13km with the Running Room crew. Stayed around the front for the first half since I didn't know where the turn-around was. Nice to say hi to the odd runner that I'm just getting to know, but I was itching to go thoroughbred with my legs. Stumpy running is no longer my thing.
Got to the turn around and let them go. 165bpm is my new 136bpm. Fuck endurance building. I will form the base while I feel the wind in my hair. Running for me has started to feel like driving. My legs move smooth, my body goes horizontal, and I just let it sit on cruise control while I enjoy the scenery.
Blew past some lady like she was standing still. Nice.
I get my motivation from seeing how much I can beat people. Socializing or running with the group really isn't my thing. I use them to propel me though, and I works well. I want to be back, dressed, stretched, almost done my Americano when the second person gets back from the run. This is how I will make myself fast.
100km on the bike yesterday, and the legs felt good enough for this run today. Fuck yeah.
Need to start swimming still. Too bad I'm afraid of water.
Not so much.
13km with the Running Room crew. Stayed around the front for the first half since I didn't know where the turn-around was. Nice to say hi to the odd runner that I'm just getting to know, but I was itching to go thoroughbred with my legs. Stumpy running is no longer my thing.
Got to the turn around and let them go. 165bpm is my new 136bpm. Fuck endurance building. I will form the base while I feel the wind in my hair. Running for me has started to feel like driving. My legs move smooth, my body goes horizontal, and I just let it sit on cruise control while I enjoy the scenery.
Blew past some lady like she was standing still. Nice.
I get my motivation from seeing how much I can beat people. Socializing or running with the group really isn't my thing. I use them to propel me though, and I works well. I want to be back, dressed, stretched, almost done my Americano when the second person gets back from the run. This is how I will make myself fast.
100km on the bike yesterday, and the legs felt good enough for this run today. Fuck yeah.
Need to start swimming still. Too bad I'm afraid of water.
Mental Barriers
Three weeks ago 55km seemed like a long distance to plan to ride. My average rides "back in the day" in Vancouver were around 60km, from Kits to Horseshoe Bay and back. I rarely went more than that. Now that I think back, I'm not sure why. I think the terrain around Vancouver made it more difficult; you couldn' t go too far in one direction without running into a mountain or river. More specifically, you couldn't go on a road forever before you had to hit a busy highway.
Cars and bikes don't mix too well.
Toronto is surprisingly good for cyclists though. You can travel in a straight line here for a long time. There are usually a lot of cars though, and the bike lanes are non-existent, but there are places you can go.
Three weeks ago it was a big loop, down Lakeshore to Winston Churchill, up to Burnhamthorpe, back to Royal York, and down to home. Busy around Square One, but otherwise ok. Legs hurt after 55km, but it was a good start considering it was the first real ride I've done since around August last year.
Two weeks ago I wanted to try going to Burlington. I wasn't sure if I'd make it all the way there, but I set out down Lakeshore on a nice day and kept going until I felt like turning around. I made it to downtown Burlington, stopped for a look at the Burlington Skyway which was creepily close to me, and promised I'd make it there next week. 82km.
Then yesterday I went for it. Same route, nice day, left earlier than before, knowing it would take me longer. Wind was against me the entire way, which sucked, but I kept going because I knew that the trip home would be oh so sweet (it was).
Through Burlington, under the Skyway, all the way to the outskirts of Hamilton. Then back.
100km.
Pretty fucking sweet for my third weekend out.
I think I'm going to try writing these while I'm out. I think I'm funnier after 50km and a Clif Bar.
Cars and bikes don't mix too well.
Toronto is surprisingly good for cyclists though. You can travel in a straight line here for a long time. There are usually a lot of cars though, and the bike lanes are non-existent, but there are places you can go.
Three weeks ago it was a big loop, down Lakeshore to Winston Churchill, up to Burnhamthorpe, back to Royal York, and down to home. Busy around Square One, but otherwise ok. Legs hurt after 55km, but it was a good start considering it was the first real ride I've done since around August last year.
Two weeks ago I wanted to try going to Burlington. I wasn't sure if I'd make it all the way there, but I set out down Lakeshore on a nice day and kept going until I felt like turning around. I made it to downtown Burlington, stopped for a look at the Burlington Skyway which was creepily close to me, and promised I'd make it there next week. 82km.
Then yesterday I went for it. Same route, nice day, left earlier than before, knowing it would take me longer. Wind was against me the entire way, which sucked, but I kept going because I knew that the trip home would be oh so sweet (it was).
Through Burlington, under the Skyway, all the way to the outskirts of Hamilton. Then back.
100km.
Pretty fucking sweet for my third weekend out.
I think I'm going to try writing these while I'm out. I think I'm funnier after 50km and a Clif Bar.
First Post!
I have decided to start a second blog. The first one was a personal diary to record the buildup I did for my first (and so far only) Ironman, Ironman Canada in August 2007. I haven't really touched that one since.
For this year, 2009, I want to try and podium a race. Since all of the races I'm doing are short course races, the emphasis for training is shorter and harder. More speed, less time. More pain, less time in pain (hopefully).
The plan is to write after every workout. We'll see how that goes...
For this year, 2009, I want to try and podium a race. Since all of the races I'm doing are short course races, the emphasis for training is shorter and harder. More speed, less time. More pain, less time in pain (hopefully).
The plan is to write after every workout. We'll see how that goes...
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