Rough week ending on a good note

Well I knew going into this week it was going to be heavy. Mike had 10.7 hours on the books planned for me and I got most of it done. I have to find a pattern for the daily stretching as that hasn't gone well, one day good, two bad. There was a run planned after a night shift and OH man that was wild... the body and mind were having a Battle Royal as to staying awake or passing out. I slept real good once I got home... I missed my turn and took the long way home. I got up that same day and tried to go swimming and dumb college kids were being punks in the lanes so I left and got to work early and had bites of my second breakfast in between my co-workers asking questions.

So I thought it was one bad day out 7 but other people had a different perspective. I guess they think I am mad when I am quiet. OOps onto another week.



Year to date training Swim 6:09 / Bike 7:10 / Run 5:41 / Weights 4:23

Best weekend in a while

After finding my favorite Sports Massage place no longer listed in the phone book a month ago I have finally found a replacement. I had a deep tissue massage on my legs and I can't believe how well I felt the day after. I had a run with no real issues for the first time in a while. absolute bliss!!!

I also tried Hot Yoga for the first time, my goal according to the instructor was to just stay in the room and do the posses that I could for 90 min at 100-105 degrees was amazing!!! I was able to do all but a few postures... the lady on the mat in front of me had herself bent over backwards and smiled at me as I sat their in disbelief / shock that the body could bend like that. I think doing yoga in that heat will be good for my flexibility and help me get used to exercising in heat (like IMC09)

My last piece of news is that I HAVE A TRI COACH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a meeting with Coach Mike and we both agree that this could work. (He was interviewing me as I was interviewing him for our jobs) It was very interesting talking with someone that had some similar training ideas and he has some of the pieces of the puzzle that I feel that I have been missing. He also uses the Total Immersion swim program with a twist so my Fall swim class wasn't wasted.

It was great to hear him say my work schedule is not weird and that he can create a great plan for me based on it. He also understood the wacky stresses shift work can put a person through. It was an eye opener it was the first time I have met someone that hasn't done nights but gets it.

In a few days I get my first plan from him and I can't wait!!! this year is gonna be great!!!!!

a WOW kinda night

OK first off check out this her name is Feist and the song is called 1234.... Ok you all know my music taste is on the Harder/Faster/Louder side of the scale. This is so not my usual style it is upbeat with no drum or base and her voice is like WOW!!!!. Well I saw this video a few weeks ago on Much Take Over and it has been in my head ever since... of course I didn't see the band name until today when I saw it in the Ads for the new Nano Ipod. Check her out!!! I just finished downloading all 4 of her albums!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Z-DIAthbM

Ok the next WOW was I did my first lesson in Total Immersion swimming... I got out of the water after an hour and I felt GOOD. No exhaustion, no Fatigue, no hunger, no pissed off hating life!!! I know it was only drills tonight but something clicked.... I should have gave this a better try 2 years ago when I read the book. I should have researched to find a coach in the area...

DOH!!!

I have just realized that my IMC post was super long... with no pictures :( I will have to fix that.... I only took a few hundred photos of that exciting weekend. My turn in 2009 Look out I got a plan! Ok now I just have to update "the spreadsheet" (quit laughing Ella!!!)

Now that I am on this path, my workouts have been going better. There has been a lot less 'randomness' going on. I have started back at square 1 with running. 20 min on a treadmill at Mount Royal College. Now that class is in MRC provides much motivational views ;)

I have even signed up for a few Running Room Events (EMS night run, Santa shuffle, and Resolution) to provide mini goals to get my ass moving.

But here is the big change for me. I have got myself into a Total Emerson swimming class.

Yes I know how to swim but this class will teach me to swim more efficient. Those that have watch any of my triathlons know that I am by far the most inefficient swimmer out there, I come out of the water last and out of breath! Mind you know that I have prescription goggles getting lost in the water is now a thing of the past.

IRON MAN CANADA!!!! Pre race

Last shift was Thursday and the fireworks were cancelled, plus TR was busy so I just went home and packed. Friday I woke up and started driving. I had a few plans change; I did not meet with Lori. I drove straight to Kamloops instead of meeting half way and then I would hike and camp. So I blast my way to Leah’s house. All I knew is that she lived on the North Shore. So I kept following the signs, when I got close I called her up and we had some confusion as to where I was in relation to where she was. So I remembered she said 12ave and I found a Casino parking lot and pulled over while waiting for her to find her map and call me back. She found her map and I said where I was. I was just across the street, what are the odds? So she has just moved in and not everything was in its new place, so I was entertained by watching her relax and chat with me but Kyle was itching to have all the big stuff in place.

So we go out for supper after looking at photos of Leah and Betty’s trip to China and a scrap book Leah made when she was very young and there were some cool photos of me as a lad. We drove around looking for a pub to eat at and found this Irish place. They offered a 3 POUND burger!!!! I hadn’t eaten much that day so game on!! Well I did about ¾ of it and began to feel rather disgusted with myself and I could not finish it. I tried eating a few pieces of lettuce from my salad but that did not feel right either.

In the morning we took off together. Leah and Kyle were going back to Calgary to pick up Andrea to take her to Edmonton and then they were to drive back to Kamloops. The things you do for the people that are taking care of your cat J I drove to Pentiction. I had planed on dropping in on my coworker Friday night while she was on vacation but because I drove straight to Kamloops it would be backtracking and I really wanted to get to IMC.

It was nice to drive on the highways that a few years ago I was riding on. I saw the Pentiction sign on the side of the mountain and became very happy. I stopped at the visitor info booth and got a Program and a spectator map for the race. The people there were very informed of the race and were happy it was here. So I got to lakeshore drive. The grandstands are all ready set up and every where you look there are fellow triathletes hanging around checking out one another and their bikes. I checked out the athlete’s village and bought some IM gear. A shirt that I will never wear but it will provide inspiration, a shirt I will wear because it does not say IMC on it, a car flag, and a Head Sweat running cap celebrating the 25 anniversary. I listened to an interview of the Head of the WTC and he has some interesting stories of past Ironman events he has put on.

I realized I better get a camp spot so I drove off, I realized that one of the campsites was right on the course… so guess which one I camped at J yah baby!!! Half the campground was athletes the other 40% was supporters and maby 10% had nothing to do with it and were getting nervous. There was one kid with a voice like a fog horn and around 9:30 you could tell the 90% were sending vibes saying shut up were going to bed. Of course at 4am we woke them all up. I wish the guy with the Harley had started it up at 4am it would have had the right start to the day. LOL!!!

Road Ride to Bragg Creek

Oh my how the mighty can fall. or at least forget the lessons of last years long bike rides. So I head off on the first long ride with my new bike. I see that Bragg Creek isn't that far away and think I can do it. What did I learn form this adventure.

1) Bring your cell phone!
2) Add on 25km EACH way to get to the City Limits
3) Bring more than 5 bucks because a Gatoraid, powerbar and a phone call cost more than that!!!!
4) pack more water!!!!
5) Have people in your life that will drive an hour to rescue your dumb ass from your own stupidity!!!!!!!!!!!! Many Many Many thanks to Bruce for driving to get me
6) remember your friends last names & spelling so you can look them up in the yellow pages for when you forget your cell at home.

I am now prepared for the loving abuse I am about to get........ maby