Triathlon has made me soft..

So I’ve came to the conclusion I’m no longer one drywall. Especially 9 by 4 ½ foot sheets of 5/8’ths. That shit is heavy! Shoulders went numb after about thirty seconds. After a change in work a few years ago and no longer having to do mason work and lug around rock all day, I've turned into a softie. Ah I miss the summer life on Little Dent despite 10-12 hr days.

"This was my old job for a couple summers"

"And this is what we did post-work"

So much for riding on Saturday as things got dragged out then into town to visit family who I love so much. Kinda makes you realize how selfish this sport is when all you wanna do is hop on the trainer for 2:30 (yes I was actually looking forward to 150minutes of trainer time), but instead you help out and visit. Back home then get dinner ready and have a beer with Senor aka Dad (I love that man). Perhaps a few days off in a row will help me finally fight off the bugs given to me by all the kids over the past few weeks.

So sunday morning after pancakes, it was back to the drywall then headed into town and put up my grandparents fence which got blown over in the winds. Once again training was on hold today as family comes first. Unfortunately I left my parents with a stomach ache that didn’t work itself out till around noon today. Woke up at 6am to see if the pain went away and go swim but it was still there. I hate missing the group sessions. So it was off to work then to Commonwealth later on for a 90min trainer ride with a nice mix of high-cadence and big gear work.

Prior to the weekend, training was going well and ticking along. It’s always ticking along eh….Lots of wet runs but they’re all enjoyable. I just need a little bit more consistency as there always seems to be something that pops up to screw up a session. Last Thursday while it was dumping rain, I wasn’t sure who in our group was down to run, but wasn’t expecting for……7 or 8 of us to be out there. I didn’t show it, but I was quite happy to see everyone out. The rain seemed to ease off (which was just my imagination) and off we went. Around the park, up and down some hills, and some drills. Everyone chatted away while I just hung out at the back. Not saying much, just chilling. I like that. I enjoy the company and hearing everyone around, but I’m not one to chat during training. Once in awhile sure, but that’s just my personality and I generally quiet. All in all, I’m sure a great time was had by all.

Girlfriend is in Vancouver for the week so it’s just work and train which is nice sometimes but I have brownies courtesy of Mom to share with her and as if open the tin, it’s all downhill. My latest binge is doughnuts. Safeway sells a dozen old fashioned cinnamon/sugar doughnuts for 3.69 which spells trouble. And there is no pacing, just full on. I’d even give Homer J Simpson a run for his money.

This morning was a swim then was supposed to run but my energy is still not back yet even after a good night sleep. Wondering what has caused this change in my body. Time to load up on water and a solid lunch, etc will hopefully get me going again.
See how I feel after soccer with the kids and maybe hit up a night time run.

Anyways time to eat then throw balls at kids. Come on energy....

I'm pretty sick of hearing about this H1N1. I chuckle with everyone saying just because they're sick, they have it. Damn media. Though with pretty everyone getting sick, I just think it's just the change of seasons the with the rain and colder temps, it's just the usual sickness floating around. My immune system is usually pretty high but lately I'm really focusing on eating good stuff. Kale, Bok Choy, spinach, pomegranates, oranges, etc. All these good foods are so tasty anyways.

On a work note, I'm pretty jazzed that we've started doing a lunch-time program at Tillicum Elementary. The school receives funding each year for books but with a full library, we've been contracted to start a program mid-day which is something totally new. Even after doing this job for over 2 years, I have still been a little nervous working with these kids since they're all gr 3-5 which is a little older then what I'm used to. But just after two weeks, myself and Lee have already started to see changes in the kids and the principal has even noticed some change already. Just after two weeks, that's huge. Teaching is a job where there's no immediate change after the day but over time, when that change happens and you can see it, it's more rewarding.

Training is going great and my swimming position has improved but now just need to build up my endurance. Legs and glute are feeling better but not totally fixed. But I know that what I'm doing is helping me. Started running in some Adidas Glide's and am loving'em. They're neutral shoes which are what I should be running in. Time to keep plugging away and being consistant.

"It's winter gear time again"

And sounds like I'll be heading to Israel in mid August for my sister's wedding. Not definately the best time to go there, but it works for them and it'll be rocking. No races over there that time of year but have looked around and wonder if maybe I should stop off somewhere.....Hmmmmm. I gotta start hanging out with people who get married locally. Next trip up to my parents, I shall scout out this years' tree.

"12 feet of white pine goodness"

Time for some lunch and tv time then off to work. I love working afternoons :)

My monthly post

I gotta update this thing a bit more often. Lacking the time/motivation to blog lately. The joys of a simple life. October has been a good month so far. Training is ticking along and my glute is actually improving I think. And I'm also enjoying some trainer rides which is very out of the ordinary for me. I have a really solid weekly routine that allows to get in quite a few sessions during the day without having to get up with the chickens. I find this works much better for me as I work till 7 or 8 during the week. Motivation is high and I'm excited about the "process of getting faster." I forget where I read that, but it wasn't me, great quote. Everything is just steady, the joys of October. My mistakes from the past year have been made, learned from, and adjusted for. Now I just have to follow through on it.

2010 is going to be a good year with the chance of racing elite. I forget where the idea came from, but anyways I ended up on TriBc somehow reading about membership and it said somewhere that if you finish top 10 in your provincial championship, you can apply to race elite the following year. I placed...9th (damn Shawnigan Lk) back in May so technically, I can apply to race elite for 2010. I thought about this for awhile and am still sorta thinking about this, but I wondering what it would be like. I can't win races and a top 5 is tall task, but I can learn. Learn how to race, prepare, train, etc. It's part of the path I want to take in the sport. I asked Kamal for some advice on it as he raced elite in 2009. Nothing set for sure but I'm leaning towards applying to race elite for 2010. I don't do the sport for fun, I do it because I love to compete. I love to test myself against others.

Our little group is doing pretty well and it's nice to train with people who have the same goals, abilities, and are of the same age. Makes for a very positive environment. Time for bed as I'm working for a couple hrs in the am then off to run or do something.

Goodbye summer..

With the colours and temperatures changing, it can only mean one thing, hockey season is just around the corner. So pumped. Summer camps ended a couple weeks ago so the past couple weeks have been quite relaxing as I wait for work to pick up again. Sort of a waiting game which is unfortunate as I like to know what to expect for the week ahead, but it means I can still get in some good training and run errands.

Last time I posted was mid August so there is definitely much to update on. Hannah and I went up to Penticton for the week before IMC. Prior to the trip I just wanted to go for 5 days or so but we stayed longer and it was an awesome trip. Swims at Skaha, running through the vineyards, and riding all over made for some awesome days. My favourite was probably the day before we left as we rode up Richter Pass and around there for a couple hours. No idea where we were going and just riding. Screaming down some long decents buts was sans computer so no idea how fast we were going.

We came back to Victoria after a beautiful trip and back to reality. Training is ticking along and just easy miles. Nothing long or hard, just putting in the time. I’m hoping to have a solid fall/winter and be ready to race in spring. Thinking an early year focus. But being ready to race means being healthy.
On the injury front, I started from the ground up and fixed the problems. Retul with Noa, cycling and running orthotics from Bruce at West Coast Orthopedics, Trigger Point massage tools, and then finally, I’ve been seeing Atila Apt from Synergy Health for massages and some ART. After my first massage, I woke up the next day feeling sooo much better. Ah I wish I dealt with this back in February. Mistake noted. So I’ve seen Atila a total of three times within the past 8 days and it’s definitely made a big help. I’m going to keep it up for a couple more weeks then ease off. Pretty sore today after Monday’s session, OUCH!

Hannah’s work is taking her on the road a lot for the fall so I’ll be “baching it,” on and off for a while. Luckily I’m stocked up on fresh Lingcod, crab, and salmon. Mmmm cod burgers. Just need another trip of the beer store and I'm set.

My coach Noa is starting up a team for athletes looking to develop and to take their racing to the next level. We’ve had a meeting about some of our goals and I think we’re all on the same page, same level, and same goals so I think it should make for a good fit and a positive environment. It’ll take a little bit to get going but and figure out our schedules but I reckon it’ll be a swim or two, ride or two, and run or two. Stay tuned for more info.

Time for beers and to make my sexy lady some dinner.

"Loaded up"

"Somewhere on the otherside of Ricter Pass, no idea where we were going"

"Mmmm"

"My nightly routine for the week"

Looking forward

Well hard to believe it's mid-August and the summer is almost over. Wednesday, I had a fitting with Noa for my road bike which went really well and made a few little tweaks. Definitely felt better on the road today. I sorta brought up the idea of calling it a season and not doing Sooke. It's something that I'd thought about a couple times but not very seriously until recently. Basically since February, I have never trained or raced at 100%. First it was my IT band for a couple months, then my glute for the rest of the year. My training was more of "ok, how can I keep training and not make this worse?" The problem was never really dealt with but it's hard to when the season arrives and it's time to test your fitness level. I'd love to race Sooke, but it'd probably end up just like Shawnigan Lake or Vancouver. Those races were both very mentally frustrating for me and I don't want to risk damaging my body more, just to race for shits and giggles. If I'm racing, it’s because I want to go fast, not just "race". Perhaps I should just race and grab every power gel and race swag I can get my little hands on....I'd be set for next year!

So after some talking with Noa and thinking, it's best to call it a year and deal with my injury now and plan for 2010. Considering all things, I had a good year racing and made some good gains in my level of fitness. I felt in my best shape just before the NB 1/2 and was recording good times in training. After that race, I was unable to train at that same level and I could feel that. My plan for next year has yet to be determined, but I'm thinking of having an earlier season focus. Once summer time rolls around, my job becomes very mentally and physically demanding (who'd think throwing balls at kids would be stressful). So for the next couple weeks, I'll just do what I can then after the Labour Day weekend, start up again. Me and Hannah have a hellish week coming up, then we both have next week off and will be heading on a little trip around BC. Loading up the mini-van with bikes, beer, and clothes and just heading to wherever. Any suggestions on places to go? I hate crowds though.

Anyways I have some more snakes to cut out for the kids tomorrow and stuff to get ready. It's all about 2010 now..

Ah Gold River...

Lately life has been all over the place. 3 of the last 4 weekends I've been up island and had to work a couple days in Duncan last week so it feels like I'm constantly on the road. Poor 'yota. This past weekend I went on our annual golf trip to Gold River. Despite the fires, we still ventured north and camped two nights at Muchlat Lake and played 54 holes during the weekend. Came out ahead but had a few scares during the rounds. Now it's back to Victoria and thankfully I have a really easy week at work. The summer was starting to take it's toll and was starting to affect my work a bit so an easy week was a huge help. Kinda feeling like a "stay-at-home" guy but I must say, it isn't so bad as I enjoy cooking and I had shit laying around everywhere after the weekend. Scored some brownie points by making some quinoa salad that my buddy Jairus showed me and even made Hannah lunch. I'm such a catch!

I'm feeling so-so physically, but my body was in rough shape for the weekend. My long ride-brick on friday really left me sore and was wondering if I should just call it a season and pack it in. Sleeping on a little foam for a couple days didn't help and the beers didn't mask the paid as I had hoped. Anyways the pain has subsided and this week I'm focusing a lot on build my core, glutes, and overall strength. Aka, gym everyday. Probably a good thing as I've been putting down Corona's like water as of late it seems. I don't think I was physically ready for the training this year and over-looked my general strength and core a bit. Another thing learned.

Saturday, Hannah and I are off to Vancouver for Chris Miller's wedding. Should be a great time on a boat, doing flips and shit. Probably ending up staying in Vancouver then coming back early sunday.

Anyways, time to get ready for soccer with the kiddies. Here's a few pics from the weekend.

"Why I packed compression socks, I have no idea, but I'm glad I did."

"Mike posing with the fires in the back ground"

"Our sweet spot at Muchlat"

Reset

As the days pass, my body rests and recovers. The mind clears and resets itself. Sometimes it has to be done purposely, other times on it’s own. All things must be taken in moderation, in my case, training especially. After being triathlon focused since…back in the fall, it was time for a break. Ailments and imbalances needing attention. Into the shop for a couple weeks then back onto the road.

With the break, comes a time to relive moments; some memorable, others not. “Savor the joys and efforts worth remembering, not the bad ones. Use the low points as fuel.” My tank is full and it’s ready. I will not make the same mistakes I did earlier. I know how I want to race and come Sooke, I’m going to show it.

Just over 7 weeks out, time to re-focus. After a father/son fishing trip though. Perhaps I'll get the talk that I'm still waiting on...

"Reflecting and learning"