There was supposed to be a documentary feature about the eight years that Sue and I have been married, but it's being replaced with ongoing Katrina coverage.
What some people will do for ratings!
Love you Sue, even if we don't have our own tv special ;)
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Distance
I'm in Montreal for the weekend. Stef and I went for a long ride this morning, nothing hard, just keeping an easy pace over mostly paved trails. We got as close as we could to the F1 Track, where the Champ Car Series is having a race this weekend. We were within a kilometre of the track and could see the tents, I could also hear the cars all the way from here, about 12.5 km away. We did do dome gravel trails and a few sections of trails that are still being completed. Some good hills and some good descents (with some nice skidding). It was a great ride, we were gone for 2 1/2 hours and covered 47.5 km, according to Gmap Pedometer.
It was an intense first week. I'm really enjoying the learning, but it's really hard to be away from Sue and Darcy. If you've read Sue's blog, you'll know that Darcy's having a tough time adjusting to my being away. It's having an effect on all of us. Fortunately, next weekend is a long weekend and I'll headed home to see my favorite girls! Yee Haw.
It was an intense first week. I'm really enjoying the learning, but it's really hard to be away from Sue and Darcy. If you've read Sue's blog, you'll know that Darcy's having a tough time adjusting to my being away. It's having an effect on all of us. Fortunately, next weekend is a long weekend and I'll headed home to see my favorite girls! Yee Haw.
Monday, August 21, 2006
I love Air Canada
Have you seen Windsor Airport? If not, it's small. I think there is one gate. Yet, the last two times I've flown from Windsor to Toronto, my bags have been lost. What is up with that? How hard is it? There was only one plane in Windsor, how come my bags didn't get on it?
I won't even get into some of the other diasters that AC & I have shared. I could write a book about it.
My dear wife, who I totally ADORE for her wisdom, suggested last week that I take a uniform as carry-on, just in case. Being the obedient husband that I am, I followed her advice and packed everything I'd need for one day in my carry-on. Except toileteries. Now, my first day is done and I STILL DON'T HAVE ANY LUGGAGE!!! I'm told that they will be delivered today, but I'll believe it when I see it. Big points to Sue for coming up with her idea. Wow, I'd be so totally up the creek without that suggestion.
So here I am, with the clothes that I wore yesterday and the one uniform I carried on. Hopefully my bags come soon.
Like right now would be nice.
----------
UPDATE: 9:00pm
Apparently I'm quite a powerful writer. It turns out that as I was writing my little rant, my bags were being delivered that very minute. Hah. Oh wait, they were only 22 hours late, so it's really not THAT funny.
I won't even get into some of the other diasters that AC & I have shared. I could write a book about it.
My dear wife, who I totally ADORE for her wisdom, suggested last week that I take a uniform as carry-on, just in case. Being the obedient husband that I am, I followed her advice and packed everything I'd need for one day in my carry-on. Except toileteries. Now, my first day is done and I STILL DON'T HAVE ANY LUGGAGE!!! I'm told that they will be delivered today, but I'll believe it when I see it. Big points to Sue for coming up with her idea. Wow, I'd be so totally up the creek without that suggestion.
So here I am, with the clothes that I wore yesterday and the one uniform I carried on. Hopefully my bags come soon.
Like right now would be nice.
----------
UPDATE: 9:00pm
Apparently I'm quite a powerful writer. It turns out that as I was writing my little rant, my bags were being delivered that very minute. Hah. Oh wait, they were only 22 hours late, so it's really not THAT funny.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Some things
There are some tri pics up on my Flickr page. Jake took them(thanks eh!). I tried to post some here, but blogger can be stupid about those sort of things.
If you notice the one with the floating sludge, maybe that'll explain why I had a mini-barf or 'vurp' while I was swimming. I had forgotten about it until Monday afternoon. About 3/4 of the way through I had swallowed too much water and the GU energy gel I took before the swim was starting to fight back. Mix the two things together and a burp with a tiny little bit of flavor is what I got. Thankfully, nothing more than that.
Jake noticed that I came out of the water way sooner than he expected. There were about 15 pros who start 3 minutes ahead of everyone and then the men under 40 were the next wave to go. He figures I was in the top ten of my wave out of the water. I was first in my age group, but didn't know that at the time. It's funny though, here I am disappointed with my time, but top in my age group and well ahead of everyone else. When I got out on the bike about I started getting passed by a number of people who were flying. At the time I thought to myself, "Why are these guys so far back?" Never realizing that it was me who was so far in front.
Last night I went for a 5 km run. I had decided earlier in the day that I was going to break my PR of 21:11 and then Jake challenged me to break his record of 20:35. I got to the halfway point at 10:13 and was pretty sure I could match Jake's time. It was very hard work, but I cranked it out in 20:19! That works out to 4:04/km or 6:32/mile. Shattering my own PR by 52 seconds. I was gasping for air like I never have before; an awesome run. This way I leave my job with the fastest 5 km time at the shop, if only for a day.
That's right, I'm done at the print shop. It was hard to say good-bye. I had been there for seven years, three months and fifteen days, give or take. With both of our family's being out of town, we've taken to adopting people as our family. My co-workers were family and it's hard to see them go. I leave Sunday for my training period. It's 13 weeks long, but fortunately I'll be home again in two weeks for Labour Day. Sue will be on her own for a week and then she's taking in a boarder for a month or two. She's a girl who's getting pushed out by her current landlord and is getting married in December, so doesn't need a lease. The timing is perfect and Sue is excited about having adult company. Also, after Labour Day my sister has agreed to stay for a week to take care of Darcy. It sounds like Stef has a whole curriculum planned, hopefully she can keep up with Darcy's pace.
I'll have internet access while I'm away but I doubt I'll have much to blog about. My goal is to study hard and pass everything. They have great facilities so I'll also be able to keep my swimming, biking and running at a good level. No fall races for me this year. Next year I'll do an Olympic tri for sure.
Titcombe out.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Race Details
It was a perfect day. A little chilly when I left the house, but beautiful by the time the race started. We couldn't have had better conditions.
The Swim (800 metres):
Same course as last year, straight out & back along the shore. Because of this it's really shallow the entire way. My strategy this year was to be more aggressive and get towards the front of the pack. I was near the front, but really didn't settle into a good rhythm until the second half. Even though the lake was very smooth, I kept swallowing water and, for some strange reason, my goggles decided that today would be the first time they leaked. So I had to keep emptying them. I felt good the whole way, a decent effort, tired but not too tired. Here's where things get weird. I got to the timing mat and hit the split on my watch, 14:30. What? Two full minutes slower than last year. Very strange.
I did some looking at the results and compared times of big name people with their times of last year. Almost everyone, including the pros, was about 2 minutes slower. So, it seems a little fishy that everyone would slow down by nearly the same margin. I can see myself slowing down that much, but not the pros. There were some world class racers there and it just seems impossible that I would slow down by the same amount as they would. My conclusion is that either this years swim course was too long or that last years swim course was too short.
Anyway, I was now two minutes behind schedule and had ground to make up. After the swim, here is my placing:
14:30 - 40/161 overall & 1/19 age group
T1 (swim-bike):
As I'm running up the beach the swim cap and goggles come off. Last year they had kiddie pools to wash your feet of in (I slipped and almost fell), but there were no pools this year. Fortunately, I had planned to wash my own feet off anyway. I got to my bike, sprayed one down, put one sock on and slipped on one shoe (thanks to my YANKZ laces, highly recommended), then repeated the process on the other foot. Voila, I've got my shoes on all I have left to do is get my shirt on. Somehow I managed to put my shirt on half inside out and got stuck. So I wasted about 30 seconds wriggling out of my shirt, getting it the right way and finally getting it on.
Time: 1:54 (1:13 faster than last year).
Bike 30 km:
There's not much to report about the bike. I worked hard and kept the pace as high as I could. We were blessed with a tiny headwind for the first half, but I knew that the would be a tailwind for the second half. I was drinking gatorade every ten minutes and took a GU energy gel after 30 minutes. I think that I ended up over doing it on the bike and had too much stuff in my stomach for the run. Oh well, lesson learned.
My time on the bike was:
55:45 (32.3 km/hr) - 71/161 & 12/19 (18 seconds slower than last year).
T2 (bike-run):
Put the bike back on the rack, take off the helmet, start running.
Time: 43 seconds (15 seconds faster than last year).
Run (6 km):
I knew I was a much stronger running this year. It showed right away as I really didn't feel too bad off the bike and ran with a good stride immediately. A few people passed me in the first couple of km, but after the halfway point, I did not get passed once and must have passed a dozen or more people. I was running stronger as they were fading. In the last 2 km, an older gentleman and I were running together and started picking off people ahead of us. We hit the 5 km marker and I picked up the pace again, he was a few seconds behind me at the line. Turns out he was Richard Kniaziew, a local man who once did the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. His daughters have both been very successful triathletes. One of them, Blaire, place eight in her age group at Hawaii last year. Clearly I was in good company.
I was very happy with my splits:
4.41
4.35
4.28 - 13:44
4.26
4.29
4.18 - 13:13
Total run time:
26:57 - 51/161 & 7/19 (1:08 faster than last year).
The official standings have me at:
1:40:03 - 58/161 & 9/19 (3 seconds slower...)
They say that the clock doesn't lie and I won't argue what the clock says, but I know something is not right. Initially, I was disappointed about the swim putting me so far behind, but I figured that with the amount that I actually swim, the result was fairly predictable. But now I know that something was different from last year, either way I know I improved. I'll just have to go out and crank it up another notch next year.
The Swim (800 metres):
Same course as last year, straight out & back along the shore. Because of this it's really shallow the entire way. My strategy this year was to be more aggressive and get towards the front of the pack. I was near the front, but really didn't settle into a good rhythm until the second half. Even though the lake was very smooth, I kept swallowing water and, for some strange reason, my goggles decided that today would be the first time they leaked. So I had to keep emptying them. I felt good the whole way, a decent effort, tired but not too tired. Here's where things get weird. I got to the timing mat and hit the split on my watch, 14:30. What? Two full minutes slower than last year. Very strange.
I did some looking at the results and compared times of big name people with their times of last year. Almost everyone, including the pros, was about 2 minutes slower. So, it seems a little fishy that everyone would slow down by nearly the same margin. I can see myself slowing down that much, but not the pros. There were some world class racers there and it just seems impossible that I would slow down by the same amount as they would. My conclusion is that either this years swim course was too long or that last years swim course was too short.
Anyway, I was now two minutes behind schedule and had ground to make up. After the swim, here is my placing:
14:30 - 40/161 overall & 1/19 age group
T1 (swim-bike):
As I'm running up the beach the swim cap and goggles come off. Last year they had kiddie pools to wash your feet of in (I slipped and almost fell), but there were no pools this year. Fortunately, I had planned to wash my own feet off anyway. I got to my bike, sprayed one down, put one sock on and slipped on one shoe (thanks to my YANKZ laces, highly recommended), then repeated the process on the other foot. Voila, I've got my shoes on all I have left to do is get my shirt on. Somehow I managed to put my shirt on half inside out and got stuck. So I wasted about 30 seconds wriggling out of my shirt, getting it the right way and finally getting it on.
Time: 1:54 (1:13 faster than last year).
Bike 30 km:
There's not much to report about the bike. I worked hard and kept the pace as high as I could. We were blessed with a tiny headwind for the first half, but I knew that the would be a tailwind for the second half. I was drinking gatorade every ten minutes and took a GU energy gel after 30 minutes. I think that I ended up over doing it on the bike and had too much stuff in my stomach for the run. Oh well, lesson learned.
My time on the bike was:
55:45 (32.3 km/hr) - 71/161 & 12/19 (18 seconds slower than last year).
T2 (bike-run):
Put the bike back on the rack, take off the helmet, start running.
Time: 43 seconds (15 seconds faster than last year).
Run (6 km):
I knew I was a much stronger running this year. It showed right away as I really didn't feel too bad off the bike and ran with a good stride immediately. A few people passed me in the first couple of km, but after the halfway point, I did not get passed once and must have passed a dozen or more people. I was running stronger as they were fading. In the last 2 km, an older gentleman and I were running together and started picking off people ahead of us. We hit the 5 km marker and I picked up the pace again, he was a few seconds behind me at the line. Turns out he was Richard Kniaziew, a local man who once did the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. His daughters have both been very successful triathletes. One of them, Blaire, place eight in her age group at Hawaii last year. Clearly I was in good company.
I was very happy with my splits:
4.41
4.35
4.28 - 13:44
4.26
4.29
4.18 - 13:13
Total run time:
26:57 - 51/161 & 7/19 (1:08 faster than last year).
The official standings have me at:
1:40:03 - 58/161 & 9/19 (3 seconds slower...)
They say that the clock doesn't lie and I won't argue what the clock says, but I know something is not right. Initially, I was disappointed about the swim putting me so far behind, but I figured that with the amount that I actually swim, the result was fairly predictable. But now I know that something was different from last year, either way I know I improved. I'll just have to go out and crank it up another notch next year.
Time = Huh?
The official results aren't posted yet but, according to my watch, my time was 1:40:00. Or, exactly the same as last year! Huh? How is that even possible? I knew I wasn't going to set a world record, but I was hoping for some improvement. Like not even a second or two? Weird.
Once the official results are posted I'll write a report and all that.
Once the official results are posted I'll write a report and all that.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Release the hounds!
Sunday is race day for me. I'll be competing in the annual Windsor Triathlon. It's an 800m swim, 30 km bike & 6 km run. Last year I finished in 1:40:00 and I'm very confident that I will improve upon that this time around.
As usual, I give myself three goals:
I know I can do less than 1:40:00.
I'd really like to do less than 1:35:00.
I'd love to do around 1:31:00 or better.
One last easy swim-bike combo tomorrow morning and then rest until Sunday morning. Then it's time to hammer.
As usual, I give myself three goals:
I know I can do less than 1:40:00.
I'd really like to do less than 1:35:00.
I'd love to do around 1:31:00 or better.
One last easy swim-bike combo tomorrow morning and then rest until Sunday morning. Then it's time to hammer.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Pirates - Movie Review
Warning, if I haven't seen it I will ruin the plot, not that there was much of one.
Okay Disney, what's the deal? I can't figure out who you're marketing this movie to. It's way too long for anyone, way to gory for kids under 10 and way to predictable for anyone older. What's up with that stupid love triangle? And I'd also like to question your lack of imagination and recommend that you try to invent new monsters.
So, it's too long. It runs around 2:20 and could easily be 40 minutes shorter. As most people that I've talked to have said, "It's long and nothing happens." Ohhhh, there's Capt. Jack Sparrow using himself as a human pole vault! Ohhhh, there's Turner being overbearing and super-clever. Ohhh, there's Capt. Jack again speaking circles around everyone. Ohhhh, there's Turner escaping from a rolling prison ball, and then from a rolling water wheel. Ohhh, a three man sword fight. And my favorite, ohhhh, a scary octopus like monster that can will swallow you whole and then keep you undead for a hundred years on the ocean floor.
This monster has already been in some small films that have had limited success. I believe you'll find it in "Return of the Jedi", he eats Bobba Fett. And it makes a cameo (in it's flashy new water form) in "Fellowship of the Ring" as the fellowship is entering the mines of Moria. Seriously, this is the best Disney can come up with? Pretty uncreative.
What bugged me the most was how Keira Knightley's character turns herself into a no good pirate floozy. She challenges Jack to do what is right and not to force her into a situation where her honor would be compromised. For a moment we think he's abandonned everyone and his beloved ship, The Black Pearl. In the end he returns to what he wants most, his ship and goes down with it, proving that he is a man of (moderate) honor, after all he is still a pirate. Knightley's character, one the other hand, abandons her honor to lure Capt. Jack into being trapped on the Pearl while it is under attack. Is that really the character type that Disney is looking to sell to young girls?
Writing: poor, trying to be way to clever way too often.
Acting: Depp is very funny, I like him. Knightley is nice to watch, but a terrible character. Bloom tries to do too much with very little.
Action: Cool, but repetitive and the sequences are too long.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Okay Disney, what's the deal? I can't figure out who you're marketing this movie to. It's way too long for anyone, way to gory for kids under 10 and way to predictable for anyone older. What's up with that stupid love triangle? And I'd also like to question your lack of imagination and recommend that you try to invent new monsters.
So, it's too long. It runs around 2:20 and could easily be 40 minutes shorter. As most people that I've talked to have said, "It's long and nothing happens." Ohhhh, there's Capt. Jack Sparrow using himself as a human pole vault! Ohhhh, there's Turner being overbearing and super-clever. Ohhh, there's Capt. Jack again speaking circles around everyone. Ohhhh, there's Turner escaping from a rolling prison ball, and then from a rolling water wheel. Ohhh, a three man sword fight. And my favorite, ohhhh, a scary octopus like monster that can will swallow you whole and then keep you undead for a hundred years on the ocean floor.
This monster has already been in some small films that have had limited success. I believe you'll find it in "Return of the Jedi", he eats Bobba Fett. And it makes a cameo (in it's flashy new water form) in "Fellowship of the Ring" as the fellowship is entering the mines of Moria. Seriously, this is the best Disney can come up with? Pretty uncreative.
What bugged me the most was how Keira Knightley's character turns herself into a no good pirate floozy. She challenges Jack to do what is right and not to force her into a situation where her honor would be compromised. For a moment we think he's abandonned everyone and his beloved ship, The Black Pearl. In the end he returns to what he wants most, his ship and goes down with it, proving that he is a man of (moderate) honor, after all he is still a pirate. Knightley's character, one the other hand, abandons her honor to lure Capt. Jack into being trapped on the Pearl while it is under attack. Is that really the character type that Disney is looking to sell to young girls?
Writing: poor, trying to be way to clever way too often.
Acting: Depp is very funny, I like him. Knightley is nice to watch, but a terrible character. Bloom tries to do too much with very little.
Action: Cool, but repetitive and the sequences are too long.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Word verification
I've been getting some 'comments' lately that haven't been contributing to the blog. So I've turned on the word verification thingy.
Sorry for any inconvenience. Spammers stink.
Sorry for any inconvenience. Spammers stink.
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Oh boy.
I was at the pool this morning and I've started to recognize some of the regulars. Two that really stick out are a pair of older men and that are seriously overweight. I'll call them Mr. Big #1 and Mr. Big #2. They know each other and are forever talking about different business ideas in the locker room. I'm pretty sure that Mr. Big #1 is the owner of a couple of local restaurants. Sometimes Mr. Big #2 makes it into the pool for a swim. I think Mr. Big #1 just uses the hot tub.
Today they and I were the first three people in the locker room. The combined weight would have been somewhere in the neighbourhood of 860 lbs., and I tip the scales at 160 lbs. Since the triathlon is next weekend, I was using this as a chance to practice getting dressed while wet and getting used to biking after swimming, so I was getting my locker set up and putting my stuff in order when I heard a clapping sound.
I turned around to see that Mr. Big #1 had sat down on the bench between lockers, but he was naked. His enormous 350 lbs. butt was firmly planted on a slotted bench in a communal locker room. I shuddered and nearly gagged. As I promise to myself, I will never touch that bench or any other bench in that locker room ever again.
Today they and I were the first three people in the locker room. The combined weight would have been somewhere in the neighbourhood of 860 lbs., and I tip the scales at 160 lbs. Since the triathlon is next weekend, I was using this as a chance to practice getting dressed while wet and getting used to biking after swimming, so I was getting my locker set up and putting my stuff in order when I heard a clapping sound.
I turned around to see that Mr. Big #1 had sat down on the bench between lockers, but he was naked. His enormous 350 lbs. butt was firmly planted on a slotted bench in a communal locker room. I shuddered and nearly gagged. As I promise to myself, I will never touch that bench or any other bench in that locker room ever again.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
After thoughts
It's Thursday and my legs finally feel normal again. I can walk downstairs again without any trouble and I had some decent power on my bike rides today. Which is good, because I'm going to do my first post-race run today. Just an easy 2 miles to remind my legs what it feels like to run. Hopefully they cooperate.
I was looking over my splits. Each 5 km got slower, not surprisingly.
5: 23.35
10: 24.37
15: 25.05
20: 25.35
This race offered free massages to anyone who signed up. I thought that was going to be a treat. The problem was that the tent was full of people who ran the 5 km race and were getting full-body massages, so the people who ran the 10 km had to wait for them and the people who ran the half-marathon (21.1 km) had to be last to get a massage. Jake told me that the same thing happened to him after running the Forest City Marathon (London) in May. He eventually saw an open table and just lay down. Someone got mad that he cut in front of her kids, who ran all of 2.5 km, but he didn't really care. After all he had just run a marathon, that's 42.2 km, if you care.
Maybe I'm coming across like a jerk (it's my blog, I can do that here), but does anyone who ran 5 km really need a 45 minute full-body massage? I ran 21.1 and I only wanted my legs. There's got to be a better method of giving free massages. Surely there could be cut-off time frames for the other races and then when the half-marathoners come in, they get priority? But again, unless you set the world record, does anyone who ran 5 km really need a massage? So after signing up, I waited around for almost 15 minutes and still had at least 20 minutes to wait when I decided to leave. That could be part of the reason that it took four days for my legs to feel like legs again.
I was looking over my splits. Each 5 km got slower, not surprisingly.
5: 23.35
10: 24.37
15: 25.05
20: 25.35
This race offered free massages to anyone who signed up. I thought that was going to be a treat. The problem was that the tent was full of people who ran the 5 km race and were getting full-body massages, so the people who ran the 10 km had to wait for them and the people who ran the half-marathon (21.1 km) had to be last to get a massage. Jake told me that the same thing happened to him after running the Forest City Marathon (London) in May. He eventually saw an open table and just lay down. Someone got mad that he cut in front of her kids, who ran all of 2.5 km, but he didn't really care. After all he had just run a marathon, that's 42.2 km, if you care.
Maybe I'm coming across like a jerk (it's my blog, I can do that here), but does anyone who ran 5 km really need a 45 minute full-body massage? I ran 21.1 and I only wanted my legs. There's got to be a better method of giving free massages. Surely there could be cut-off time frames for the other races and then when the half-marathoners come in, they get priority? But again, unless you set the world record, does anyone who ran 5 km really need a massage? So after signing up, I waited around for almost 15 minutes and still had at least 20 minutes to wait when I decided to leave. That could be part of the reason that it took four days for my legs to feel like legs again.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
There is Strength in Numbers.
It was hot here today. I don't know what the actual high was, but yesterday set a local record. The course had some shade, but not nearly enough. I covered myself in Darcy's SPF 50 sunblock, even still my nose got a little burned.
Jake and I ran well and chatted together for the first eight km. We passed a few people, we got passed by a few people and we played tag with some others. We tried to run through the water stops, but we quickly realized that it was more important to get the water in us then to splash it on us. At about the eight km point Kelly, one of the people we'd been playing tag with, joined us. She has run eight marathons, including Boston twice. I was impressed. During the rest of the race we found out that she is turning 40 and has two kids, 7 & 9. She didn't look like it! So now there were three of us running together. The chatting we did really helped take the focus off the heat.
We got to the half way point (10.5km) in 50.44. I was very happy
with that time, considering the heat. Sue, Darcy and my in-laws were waiting for us at the turn-around and gave us some bags of oranges that I had prepared. The oranges really hit the spot. I was having trouble drinking Gatorade (some mild nausea) and was only able to take in water without feeling sick, so the oranges helped get rid of the sugar taste left by Gatorade and gave me a bit of a boost too.
At about 14 km I started to have trouble. I was running well, but couldn't keep cool. It was here that I was most glad for having these two more experienced runners chatting. Even though I couldn't say anything, the conversation really kept me distracted from the task at hand and I knew that I couldn't let them get ahead of me. If they had dropped me, I surely would have crumbled. I really learned the truth to the saying 'there is strength in numbers'. At 16 km, as I walked through the aid station, I got my wind back and started to feel better. "5 km left. I know I can run 5km." That was all that was going through my head.
With about 4 km left things were starting to turn for the worse again. Jake is a very nice guy. He was in a really good mood today and thanked every single volunteer and police officer on the course. As he and Kelly joked with each other I thought to myself, "Jake is really in a good mood. But, that good mood is really starting to p!ss me off." I gave myself a little head shake and thanked him for keeping me in the race. With 2 km left Kelly said that she wanted to pass the girl that was in front of us and she took off. She went by easily and it completely crushed the other girl. As soon as Kelly went by, the other girl started walking. She was broken. When Jake and I went by, with about 1.5 km left, she looked really disappointed.
We caught Kelly again at the last turn and pushed her to keep up with us for the finish. But once I could see the line, I just let everything out and Jake and I sprinted for the line. I heard the announcer say, "Here come two guys who can feel the finish line!" I crossed about a step or two ahead of Jake. Our second half was done in 52.34. A very solid split.
Our splits were very steady throughout the race. Right around 4:45-5:05/km. Our first one was too fast, 4:24. But our last one was just as strong, we finished the last one in 4:25. For the record, I beat him to the line. But officially, he is listed ahead of me in the standings. I'm okay with that because if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have been where I was. He did all the work, I just tagged along for the ride. Total time: 1.43.18, 19/55 overall & 10/17 in age group.
I feel great about it. For the first time this race has ever been held, it was top notch. Things were very organized and the aid-stations were pretty well done. My biggest beef was that plastic cups are really hard to drink out of while running. But that didn't matter, because I walked through most of the aid-stations. And I got to meet Shelley in person. It was an honor to get my finisher medal from someone who's completed five Ironman races.
Great to meet you Shelley, thanks for putting together such a great event!
Jake and I ran well and chatted together for the first eight km. We passed a few people, we got passed by a few people and we played tag with some others. We tried to run through the water stops, but we quickly realized that it was more important to get the water in us then to splash it on us. At about the eight km point Kelly, one of the people we'd been playing tag with, joined us. She has run eight marathons, including Boston twice. I was impressed. During the rest of the race we found out that she is turning 40 and has two kids, 7 & 9. She didn't look like it! So now there were three of us running together. The chatting we did really helped take the focus off the heat.
We got to the half way point (10.5km) in 50.44. I was very happy
with that time, considering the heat. Sue, Darcy and my in-laws were waiting for us at the turn-around and gave us some bags of oranges that I had prepared. The oranges really hit the spot. I was having trouble drinking Gatorade (some mild nausea) and was only able to take in water without feeling sick, so the oranges helped get rid of the sugar taste left by Gatorade and gave me a bit of a boost too.At about 14 km I started to have trouble. I was running well, but couldn't keep cool. It was here that I was most glad for having these two more experienced runners chatting. Even though I couldn't say anything, the conversation really kept me distracted from the task at hand and I knew that I couldn't let them get ahead of me. If they had dropped me, I surely would have crumbled. I really learned the truth to the saying 'there is strength in numbers'. At 16 km, as I walked through the aid station, I got my wind back and started to feel better. "5 km left. I know I can run 5km." That was all that was going through my head.
With about 4 km left things were starting to turn for the worse again. Jake is a very nice guy. He was in a really good mood today and thanked every single volunteer and police officer on the course. As he and Kelly joked with each other I thought to myself, "Jake is really in a good mood. But, that good mood is really starting to p!ss me off." I gave myself a little head shake and thanked him for keeping me in the race. With 2 km left Kelly said that she wanted to pass the girl that was in front of us and she took off. She went by easily and it completely crushed the other girl. As soon as Kelly went by, the other girl started walking. She was broken. When Jake and I went by, with about 1.5 km left, she looked really disappointed.
We caught Kelly again at the last turn and pushed her to keep up with us for the finish. But once I could see the line, I just let everything out and Jake and I sprinted for the line. I heard the announcer say, "Here come two guys who can feel the finish line!" I crossed about a step or two ahead of Jake. Our second half was done in 52.34. A very solid split.
Our splits were very steady throughout the race. Right around 4:45-5:05/km. Our first one was too fast, 4:24. But our last one was just as strong, we finished the last one in 4:25. For the record, I beat him to the line. But officially, he is listed ahead of me in the standings. I'm okay with that because if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have been where I was. He did all the work, I just tagged along for the ride. Total time: 1.43.18, 19/55 overall & 10/17 in age group.I feel great about it. For the first time this race has ever been held, it was top notch. Things were very organized and the aid-stations were pretty well done. My biggest beef was that plastic cups are really hard to drink out of while running. But that didn't matter, because I walked through most of the aid-stations. And I got to meet Shelley in person. It was an honor to get my finisher medal from someone who's completed five Ironman races.
Great to meet you Shelley, thanks for putting together such a great event!
Time
Official time: 1:43:18 (7:54/mile)
Something like 18th overall. Jake really help me through some tough times. The heat was insane.
Full report to come.
Something like 18th overall. Jake really help me through some tough times. The heat was insane.
Full report to come.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Prediction
So what do I think I'll run on Sunday?
Goal: Finish the race.
Must beat this time for my own pride: 1:45
Goal: Finish the race.
Must beat this time for my own pride: 1:45
I know I can beat this time is I run well: 1:40
If conditions are ideal would like to run: 1:35
The forecast is for 33C on Sunday. So if it's hot and sticky first thing in the morning, I'll run slower so that I don't totally fade in the second half. If things go well, I'd like to run the first half in 46 minutes and the second half in 50 minutes.
I've done my last short run already and will rest for the next two days (while travelling back home). My legs should be pretty fresh Sunday morning.
I've done my last short run already and will rest for the next two days (while travelling back home). My legs should be pretty fresh Sunday morning.
--- UPDATE: It is sorching hot here in Windsor, so I'm going to add at least five minutes to all of these. I'd rather finish on slowly on my feet than not at all.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
12 mile break down
I did my last long run on Monday. As if a 12 miler isn't long enough, the weather made it feel longer. I started at 8:10 pm, so at least the sun was behind buildings and I didn't have to roast, but it was still 31C. I ran slower, as planned, in the heat and I drank a lot more than usual. I was done my bottle by mile 7 and used the city water fountains along the river to refill. I stopped three times to soak my head, the last time I did a full head-dunk into the Bert Weeks Memorial Fountain. That was really nice. I only lost one pound on this run.
I ran well enough for the first four miles, done in 34:36. The next four were hard. I was going into the wind and the heat was getting to me, finished those in 37:50. The last four miles were hard to run because my legs were feeling pretty tired, having already put in ten miles on the bike getting to and from work. But with the sun now completely gone and the temp dropping, I got through them in 34:36. The last four miles were exactly the same speed as the first four miles. Weird. Total time was 1:47:16 @ 8.56/mile.
My schedule has me taking it easy this and next week (which is good,because I'll be on vacation) short runs of 3, 4, 6 & 2 miles before the1/2 Marathon Sunday July 30th.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
8 miles - hot and sticky
I did an early morning run today. Jake & I started at 7am, which is good practice for me because I don't normally run in the morning and I've been wondering what I'd do to fuel myself before the half-marathon. Jake suggested that I eat before bed and drink a lot too. It worked great. I had a bottle of Gatorade for the run and never had any problems. Except for the heat.
We did a 4 mile out & back. The first 2 were shaded, very nice and comfortable. 3 & 4 were with the sun at our backs, but into a stiff head-wind. Not bad, but it did make us work. I was happy when we hit the turn-around, or I thought I was. 5 & 6 were possibily the worst two miles I've ever run. Not for pace, but for suffering. It was early enough that the sun was right in our eyes and it was already very hot. The wind was now behind us, so it felt like we were running through a sauna. I don't think I could have done another mile into the sun. Neither one of us said much during that time, we could afford the extra energy. Miles 7 & 8 were back up through the shaded streets and we both recovered right away. We were soaked and dripping, but it was a great run. I lost about 3-4 lbs. in sweat.
8 miles - 1:01:43 @ 7.43/mile
We did a 4 mile out & back. The first 2 were shaded, very nice and comfortable. 3 & 4 were with the sun at our backs, but into a stiff head-wind. Not bad, but it did make us work. I was happy when we hit the turn-around, or I thought I was. 5 & 6 were possibily the worst two miles I've ever run. Not for pace, but for suffering. It was early enough that the sun was right in our eyes and it was already very hot. The wind was now behind us, so it felt like we were running through a sauna. I don't think I could have done another mile into the sun. Neither one of us said much during that time, we could afford the extra energy. Miles 7 & 8 were back up through the shaded streets and we both recovered right away. We were soaked and dripping, but it was a great run. I lost about 3-4 lbs. in sweat.
8 miles - 1:01:43 @ 7.43/mile
Thursday, July 13, 2006
I'm the flatman
While biking to work this morning I heard a sound that I'm not at all familiar with, PPsssssssttttt. Oh man, I got a flat.
Fortunately, I was only 2 km from work, so I made it there by slowly riding on the rim. I honestly can't remember the last time I got a flat while riding. I do remember having a tube explode on me while filling it, but not while riding. After taking the wheel apart, turns out my tire blew the side wall and the tube popped. Oh well, I suppose I should be satisfied with eight years out of that tire...
Fortunately, I was only 2 km from work, so I made it there by slowly riding on the rim. I honestly can't remember the last time I got a flat while riding. I do remember having a tube explode on me while filling it, but not while riding. After taking the wheel apart, turns out my tire blew the side wall and the tube popped. Oh well, I suppose I should be satisfied with eight years out of that tire...
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Vonage
I hate using Bell Canada. It drives me crazy that we use them for both phone and internet. So recently the option of internet phone came to Windsor and we signed up with Vonage. So far it couldn't have gone any smoother. I've called their help line and actually been able to talk to a human.
Yes, shocking, I know.
Thanks for the crappy service Bell. I hope you don't miss ripping me off too badly!
Yes, shocking, I know.
Thanks for the crappy service Bell. I hope you don't miss ripping me off too badly!
Saturday, July 08, 2006
One slow stroke at a time
I did a swim today (my first this year), got to the pool early and was the first one in. My plan was to do an easy 1000m, not worry about time, just put in some time and get my strokes in. I was doing sets of 50m with 15 seconds break in between.
The first 200m felt fine. Hard work, but not too bad. When I hit 500m I knew that I wasn't going to be able to do the full 1000m. My stomach was starting to turn and I knew that fighting through just wasn't worth it at this point. So I decided to stop after 800m. I was pretty beat.
What really bugs me about this pool is that it is WAY too hot for swimming lengths. Last year they'd post the temp. and it was always above 85F. I'm sure it was at least that hot today. Swimming is hard enough work, doing it in a bath is just plain uncomfortable. I tried to cool down with a shower, but after ten seconds, that even turned hot.
By the time I got changed and left for home I was sweating. You shouldn't sweat after swimming.
The first 200m felt fine. Hard work, but not too bad. When I hit 500m I knew that I wasn't going to be able to do the full 1000m. My stomach was starting to turn and I knew that fighting through just wasn't worth it at this point. So I decided to stop after 800m. I was pretty beat.
What really bugs me about this pool is that it is WAY too hot for swimming lengths. Last year they'd post the temp. and it was always above 85F. I'm sure it was at least that hot today. Swimming is hard enough work, doing it in a bath is just plain uncomfortable. I tried to cool down with a shower, but after ten seconds, that even turned hot.
By the time I got changed and left for home I was sweating. You shouldn't sweat after swimming.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Decision Time
Maybe you remember me writing that I might have to wait up to two years to hear about getting a new job, maybe not. Well, as I posted, I forwarded the last bit of paper work that they needed last Tuesday. I was ready to sit and wait for how ever long I needed. Well the wait wasn't very long. I had an offer emailed to me the very next day. So over the last week I've been in contact with them, getting info about where I'll be staying for 13 weeks (just outside of my home town Montreal), how the program runs, how if I fail one test I'm immediately sent home (yeah, no pressure!) and of course, when I'll be taking the program. I'll be in class M-F all day, but I'll have my evenings and weekends to myself. Which will be nice because I'll be able to spend time with my parents and sibs. I've been given two choices, neither are great, but I think I've made my decision. I can go from Aug 21-Nov 16 or Sept 5-Nov 30.
Two weeks difference that really makes no difference in the long run. If I go in August, I get to miss our anniversary. If I go in September, I get to miss Sue's birthday. Either way, I'm in the dog-house. The Sept option has a bit of an advantage. One of my goal races is the Montreal Triathlon (Olympic distance) on Sept 16. If I go in Aug it means that I'm going to lose almost a month's worth of biking and some crucial swims before race day, I could still do the race, but I wouldn't be satisfied giving it a half baked effort. If I go in Sept I can use the two weeks before the race to taper and be in great shape to give it my all on race day. What to do? This is where I've realized that the 'advantage' of going with the Sept option is actually a disadvantage.
I'm going there to train for a new career, not race a triathlon. I've got to be focused 100% on learning new material, not on how my training for an inconsequential race is progressing. If I don't do the triathlon this year, will I regret it? No, not at all. It would have been fun, but my life won't change either way. If I do the triathlon this year and get injured or fail a test because I was focused on the race and then lose my shot at a great career, will I regret that? Yes, forever. I cannot mess up this opportunity. I have to be focused for 13 weeks of intense learning and the triathlon will only be a distraction.
I'm going to go in August and not do the triathlon. It's not like the training I've done so far is wasted. I still have the 1/2 marathon at the end of July and the Windsor Triathlon in the middle of August, before I leave town.
Two weeks difference that really makes no difference in the long run. If I go in August, I get to miss our anniversary. If I go in September, I get to miss Sue's birthday. Either way, I'm in the dog-house. The Sept option has a bit of an advantage. One of my goal races is the Montreal Triathlon (Olympic distance) on Sept 16. If I go in Aug it means that I'm going to lose almost a month's worth of biking and some crucial swims before race day, I could still do the race, but I wouldn't be satisfied giving it a half baked effort. If I go in Sept I can use the two weeks before the race to taper and be in great shape to give it my all on race day. What to do? This is where I've realized that the 'advantage' of going with the Sept option is actually a disadvantage.
I'm going there to train for a new career, not race a triathlon. I've got to be focused 100% on learning new material, not on how my training for an inconsequential race is progressing. If I don't do the triathlon this year, will I regret it? No, not at all. It would have been fun, but my life won't change either way. If I do the triathlon this year and get injured or fail a test because I was focused on the race and then lose my shot at a great career, will I regret that? Yes, forever. I cannot mess up this opportunity. I have to be focused for 13 weeks of intense learning and the triathlon will only be a distraction.
I'm going to go in August and not do the triathlon. It's not like the training I've done so far is wasted. I still have the 1/2 marathon at the end of July and the Windsor Triathlon in the middle of August, before I leave town.
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