Camping

Well I went camping with my coworkers instead of doing the Calgary 10k race... Didn't even pick up my package. So in the last 2 years I think this makes race #5 that I payed an entry fee to and did not go to. Race directors must just love me, giving them this money and not using the services that they provide. Somewhere a Scottish ancestor is rolling in their grave.

Anyhoo. I woke up at a decent hour and picked up Amanda. I realized I camp with very little when she made 5(?) trips up the stairs to get all her stuff. I took #22 highway to see some scenery, I am going to have to drive this in the fall when the colors are changing.

Got to Twin lakes and set up camp then rushed over to Crimson Lake to suntan while the sun was still out. I even brought out the wetsuit and got into the water to try it out. I have gained some weight since I last put the rubber suit on. Matt had to help zip it up. It felt good to be in the lake with the suit on, I only did 15 min of swimming, but hey a swim is a swim.

Thank goodness I bought an ax otherwise people would not have been able to cook their supper. Mental note when people say can I tri chopping it is a wise idea to stand back a bit. It was alot of fun going back to Rocky with people that hadn't been there before, as I drove I kept point out stuff. Ela was driving behind me in her car and was laughing because all she saw was me pointing.

The drive back to Calgary was quiet, Amanda read her book and I tried not to dooze off. I dropped Amanda off in time for her to turn around and go into work. and I went and slept for 5 hours. I guess the body was used to the nightshift and was fighting to sleep in the day like it knew how.

Random thoughts

So I bought this Neoprene Swim Cap thinking it would keep my head warm while I swim in the Lakes.... hopefully in turn keeping the rest of me from turning blue. I have tried it out in the pool twice and both times someone has asked me about it. The weird thing is that it keeps my head a bit higher in the water as I swim which helps when I breath to my left. WHO knew!!

Now that Glenmore Pool is on the summer hours it is so much easier to go swim laps just before my night shift. I discovered last week that if I went for a swim on my lunch I was more alert at the unholy hour of 4am which has caused me trouble in the past. So this week I am going to swim before shift, and then run on my lunch. Hopefully a few days of that doesn't drain my energy too bad. If it does I will alternate each work day with a swim and run.

Ela from work has organized a camp trip and we are going to Twin Lakes outside of Rocky Mtn House.... so I am skipping another race I signed up for sigh, and am going to train on some of my old routes. there is a bunch of trails to run on so maby I can get my shit together for Sylvan. I can only hope :)

My Vacation of Training

Well I finished the annual unplugging from society for an another year. My time to be the Hobo I truly want to be. This year I had hoped to do the heavy training weeks for my first half Ironman.

So I have completed: 4800m of swimming, 140km of biking, and 22km of running. I planned on 25 hours between the 3 sports but only did 12.

Swimming - has greatly improved distance wise but am still gonna be one of the last people done.

Biking - I rode 70 of the 90 km of the Sylvan Course and when I first drove it and looked at the hills I got kinda worried but after riding them they aren't that bad. The ride that Bruce rescued me on had much more climbing in a shorter distance. I mean I have rode up Ventoux twice and Alpe duHez once so what the heck am I worried about right?

Run - I am getting upset with my calves, it seems like it is a gamble if they are going to be alright. Who knows it could be mental issue that I can't seem to get past the 5km marker on my runs lately. But it could be I just need to eat more bananas.

Overall - I am so glad I found a nutrition plan that will work for the bike, I am upset at the rain in the start of my time off but it was my choice not to go ride or run in the monsoon :) I haven't lost as much weight as I had thought I would, but 2000 calories burned on a bike ride is still good.

With less than 4 weeks left, I am panicking less because I know that this will not be my last attempt at the Half Ironman and this was a learning experience that I am going to build on.

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

who knew???

Well I am just finishing up another Night shift Rotation and I have had a mental breakthrough. Clay and I were on a run and as usual I struggle for the first few Km's and I took a few more walk breaks than I care to admit to. On the way back he made a comment that I have let my mind overtake my legs and if I let that happen how did I get to the top of Ventoux??

The next night I went to Talisman Center and pounded out a 1000m swim. I felt great and if I didn't have to be back to work I would/could have gone for another 500m. Today I woke up early (around 2pm) and decided that I would ride around Glenmore before going to work... it started to rain on the far side but it was a nice rain. I ended up riding through an off leash dog park which always make me nervous.

It was a good ride on the way to work.

A new Beginning

Amazing what a week can do for a person. My GF broke up with me so what do I do.... Go for a 7km run!!! I felt so much better no stress, the next day I got on the Rocket and rode the Glemore Res loop... Just so happy!! I have been running in the middle of my shift and enjoying it greatly.

Crash down

Oh you ever have one of those weeks where shit just hits the fan?? Some of my choices lately have raised their ugly head. I attempted to go for a run in the sun before my nightshift and my damned calves were locking up. I am so angry, I have a race in a week and this problem is comming back. So it is back to the small runs and maby twice a day to get the distance in.

I have 11 weeks to get my shit together for Sylvan and I am worried. This is my prediction for the race... barely survive the swim and make the time cut. Have a good bike ride and do rather well.... but the run, if I make it past the 10km marker I will be happy.

I have some life choices to make, things getting in the way, people bringing me down with negative crap. I need to get focused if I am going to survive.