From the News Herald in Panama City Beach, Florida
http://www.newsherald.com/headlines/article.display.php?id=1755
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The Season Begins
Last weekend I traveled over to the mainland with Rach and a bunch of Human Powered Racing athletes to take part in a small sprint triathlon in Delta. This was the first time I had toed a start line since Kona and needless to say I was a little less fit and there was a little less pressure. This race is a very low key event with many people using it as their first triathlon as it is a very "friendly" course (700m pool swim/ 20km flat ride/ 5km flat run). I used this race 2 years ago as a tune up for the season and came 4th as a number of short course athletes had also chosen to use it as a training day. Last year I was on the sidelines cheering at this one as it marked Rach's first race back (and first victory) since her accident.
This year Rach and I had the trash talk going with regards to the swim, we knew we would be starting together, or close so it was a question of who would have bragging rights over that 700m swim. Fortunately I ended up getting in ahead of her and enjoyed a pretty smooth lane which gave me bragging rights by about 9 seconds. As for the rest of the race, I knew my main competition would be fellow HPR athlete Bob Cooter. Bob is a beast on the bike and has brought his swimming and running to another level so I knew it would be a good test. He is also very fit right now with his training for the Honu Half in Kona at the end of May.
The way things worked out were great. Bob was in the water 40 seconds ahead of me, so we were able to exit the pool together and then we rode pretty much the whole thing together (legally) with another young kid (Kyle Kennedy;very strong on the bike). I was first into transition, but was gapped by Bob onto the run. It took me about 500m to make up the gap and then I was able to run at a rhyhtm that gave me a slight cushion. All in all a really fun day. Not the World Championship by any stretch of the imagination, but the competition with Bob and Rach in training and on race day made for a very fun event. To be out there with the rest of the team was fantastic. As well as placing 1st and 2nd in the mens race and 1st in the women's we had Noreen Russell take 3rd in her age group and Laura Fluit take 2nd in hers. Congrats to everyone who raced!
Next week I am heading back to Columbus, Ohio for the long drive down to Panama City Beach, Florida and an attempt to win my 3rd straight Gulf Coast Half! I will try and document some of this trip with pictures. You definitely see some strange things in the deep south.
This year Rach and I had the trash talk going with regards to the swim, we knew we would be starting together, or close so it was a question of who would have bragging rights over that 700m swim. Fortunately I ended up getting in ahead of her and enjoyed a pretty smooth lane which gave me bragging rights by about 9 seconds. As for the rest of the race, I knew my main competition would be fellow HPR athlete Bob Cooter. Bob is a beast on the bike and has brought his swimming and running to another level so I knew it would be a good test. He is also very fit right now with his training for the Honu Half in Kona at the end of May.
The way things worked out were great. Bob was in the water 40 seconds ahead of me, so we were able to exit the pool together and then we rode pretty much the whole thing together (legally) with another young kid (Kyle Kennedy;very strong on the bike). I was first into transition, but was gapped by Bob onto the run. It took me about 500m to make up the gap and then I was able to run at a rhyhtm that gave me a slight cushion. All in all a really fun day. Not the World Championship by any stretch of the imagination, but the competition with Bob and Rach in training and on race day made for a very fun event. To be out there with the rest of the team was fantastic. As well as placing 1st and 2nd in the mens race and 1st in the women's we had Noreen Russell take 3rd in her age group and Laura Fluit take 2nd in hers. Congrats to everyone who raced!
Next week I am heading back to Columbus, Ohio for the long drive down to Panama City Beach, Florida and an attempt to win my 3rd straight Gulf Coast Half! I will try and document some of this trip with pictures. You definitely see some strange things in the deep south.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Ohio Camp
It was another big weekend of training, but this weekend I was down in Ohio with the Columbus Human Powered Racing team. Rach and I flew in on Thursday and then were up the next morning to head down to Portsmouth (about a 2 hour drive south). We all stayed in the cabins at the Shawnee State Park which is the home of the DeSoto Triple T Triathlon. The terrain for training here is perfect, lots of hills and forests. We did loops of the Half Iron Course which brought hill after hill. Friday was a 3:30 ride late in the afternoon (hot and sunny) and then a team dinner and talk at the lodge. The next day was a 5 - 6 hour ride in the driving rain followed by a short transition run and then another team get together and talk at one of the fire pits. Today was an early start with a 21km trail run which we did on the Triple T course. It is basically a course that goes 5km up and then down X 2. This run was followed up by an icing of the legs in the lake and then the trip home. All in all, another great weekend of training with great people.
Here are some pictures from the camp!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Big Weekend!
The Three Amigos; Ben, Dave and Rob were pushing the pace all weekend!
Taking a breather after the 15% climb out of Cowichan Bay
Marsha and Heather enjoying the sun on the way up to Parksville
Chad with a pretty nice view at the top of the Malahat on Day 1
Luke holding court on Day 1. Who wants Chips?
Preparing to roll out from Broadbucks Saturday morning!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Parksville 360!
Tomorrow is the third annual Human Powered Racing Parksville 180km/180km.
Originally this started as a credit card ride. Put a credit card in your bike jersey, ride as far as you can, crash in a cheap motel, order pizza and then turn around and try to get home the next day.
Now it is a bit more civilized with 3 support vehicles and reservations booked at a set motel in Parksville. It is still 180km both ways with the Malahat to climb both to and from. The Malahat seems a lot bigger on the second day. Last year we lucked out with sunny skies and a tail wind in both directions. I don't expect that kind of luck again, but dry conditions would be appreciated!
Here is the route;
http://snipurl.com/2468b
Report to follow!
Originally this started as a credit card ride. Put a credit card in your bike jersey, ride as far as you can, crash in a cheap motel, order pizza and then turn around and try to get home the next day.
Now it is a bit more civilized with 3 support vehicles and reservations booked at a set motel in Parksville. It is still 180km both ways with the Malahat to climb both to and from. The Malahat seems a lot bigger on the second day. Last year we lucked out with sunny skies and a tail wind in both directions. I don't expect that kind of luck again, but dry conditions would be appreciated!
Here is the route;
http://snipurl.com/2468b
Report to follow!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Rhythm!
When I talk to athletes about racing I am often find myself telling them to find rhythm.
Whether it is swimming, biking or running, finding a flow of movement that becomes rhythmic is what I am always striving for. Finding a fast rhythm is optimal, but that usually takes care of itself once you find yourself concentrating on nothing but breathing and form. When you look at all of the greats in any sport they have this in common. When I watch the guys (Peter Reid, Tim Deboom and Mark Allen really stick out in my mind) who win Hawaii year after year, they are hurting but you wouldn't know it because they are metronomes out there.
I find training to be similar. I have to find a rhythm from day to day. Luckily I have found that again. Since returning from California my day to day routine has been established and there is a rhythm to it. I love it when I get into this mode. All is well, the work is getting done and I am healthy. It is as if my body has decided it is time to go again. Let the season begin!
Whether it is swimming, biking or running, finding a flow of movement that becomes rhythmic is what I am always striving for. Finding a fast rhythm is optimal, but that usually takes care of itself once you find yourself concentrating on nothing but breathing and form. When you look at all of the greats in any sport they have this in common. When I watch the guys (Peter Reid, Tim Deboom and Mark Allen really stick out in my mind) who win Hawaii year after year, they are hurting but you wouldn't know it because they are metronomes out there.
I find training to be similar. I have to find a rhythm from day to day. Luckily I have found that again. Since returning from California my day to day routine has been established and there is a rhythm to it. I love it when I get into this mode. All is well, the work is getting done and I am healthy. It is as if my body has decided it is time to go again. Let the season begin!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
TIRED!
Ok, that was a crazy week;
Saturday March 22
Ferry/Drive from Victoria to Yerika, California
Sunday March 23
Drive from Yerika, California to Oceanside, California (California is a bloody big state)
Monday March 24
Swim - 4000m
Bike - 3:00
Tuesday March 25
Swim - 3000m
Bike - 2:30
Run - 50min
Wednesday March 26
Bike- 3:30 (Wednesday San Diego Ride = FAST)
Swim - 2000m
Ducks/Kings Game
Thursday March 27
Swim - 4000m
Run - 1:05 (Tempo)
Friday March 28
Bike - 5:00 (Palomar Climb and Lake Henshaw loop. AWESOME)
Swim - 2000m
Saturday March 29
Watch and Cheer Cali 70.3 -
Run - 1:30
Sunday March 30
Drive from Oceanside, California to Salem, Oregon
Monday March 31
Drive from Salem, Oregon to Vancouver, B.C.
Springsteen - 2:30 (it is a workout being on the floor at one of his shows)
Tuesday April 1
Drive/Ferry from Vancouver, B.C. to Victoria
Bike 1:00 - Easy Spin to loosen out legs from travel
Saturday March 22
Ferry/Drive from Victoria to Yerika, California
Sunday March 23
Drive from Yerika, California to Oceanside, California (California is a bloody big state)
Monday March 24
Swim - 4000m
Bike - 3:00
Tuesday March 25
Swim - 3000m
Bike - 2:30
Run - 50min
Wednesday March 26
Bike- 3:30 (Wednesday San Diego Ride = FAST)
Swim - 2000m
Ducks/Kings Game
Thursday March 27
Swim - 4000m
Run - 1:05 (Tempo)
Friday March 28
Bike - 5:00 (Palomar Climb and Lake Henshaw loop. AWESOME)
Swim - 2000m
Saturday March 29
Watch and Cheer Cali 70.3 -
Run - 1:30
Sunday March 30
Drive from Oceanside, California to Salem, Oregon
Monday March 31
Drive from Salem, Oregon to Vancouver, B.C.
Springsteen - 2:30 (it is a workout being on the floor at one of his shows)
Tuesday April 1
Drive/Ferry from Vancouver, B.C. to Victoria
Bike 1:00 - Easy Spin to loosen out legs from travel
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