Bike Fit

I finally got my Bike Fit done. All this winter when I get off the trainer my feet would be numb, which is not the greatest feeling when you know your going to have to run for 21km this summer.

So I went to Way Past Fast (yes I know they are now called "Speed Theory" but old habits die hard) and in half an hour Greg(?) had everything adjusted, I felt like I could ride that bike all day.

I saw my first Robin this morning so spring must be here. The Local Jack Rabitt is turning colors as well... I gotta get training because the spring break up dead time at work is driving me nutty.

Oh boy Spring is here.... NOT

I went for a drive out to Cochrane last weekend and I saw a few riders on the shoulder of the road. It was a bit of a slap in the face reminding me that I have not been training as well as I should be.

I had a good week, went swimming at the Talisman and a couple good runs. Now that I am in a relationship, I now understand all those articals that talk about Balance of work/tri/relationships.

As I write this there is a heavy snowfall warning in effect.... so much for the plan to get the new bike off the trainer and on the roadway. At least I am done with the Nightshift for a few weeks.

Lets just say I am motivated to get training right now.

St Pats 10km run

On Sunday the run went as well as to be expected J I came in at a time of 1:07:30, I ended up going out way too fast with a group. About 4km I thought "oh shit 6 more to go". I found a group of 4 people that were running at a nice pace for me so I stuck with them. I don’t know what it is but I like the out and back course. We were at the 3k and the fast guy was passing by, that means he was twice as fast as I was!!!! But when the regular folk get close to the turn around there’s a lot of congratulations and happy people cheering another on. The weather was perfect for running it was not cold or too hot so I was very happy.

I ran into an old coworker from IKEA, Cate from LP but now she is in HR. She told me that my old buddy Ron has moved on to some other company. I think that means all the guys I worked my butt off with before most people heard their alarms go off are no longer there… ah the memories. I also ran into Jacquie and she is getting a group together to run the Vegas marathon this year… I think I just may do it.

Some General Stuff

I woke up one morning and was looking at my log and I realized that I have spent the last year recovering from France. As sick as that sounds my body has not wanted to do much. I have finally figured out why my run has been so poor, an experiment with a pair of shoes went much longer than I should have permitted it to. I have been listening to Podcasts and web blogs of other tri athletes I shuffled around trying to figure out why I had no drive. There were times where I thought I had it but something new would change that. Now that I am working shift work it too was another adjustment. But then one day I wanted to run. I didn't force myself to put on the shoes and go out the door. That happiness led me to find my old neighbor Jill who is a personal trainer at a local gym. I needed to find something to increase my strength so I am not the last person across the finish line. I needed someone to kick my butt twice a week to help get me back on track. So far I know I have improved, first of many steps to get me back in action.

I am planning on doing the Last chance Half Marathon this fall. I don't do so well in the heat so I might as well aim for the coolness of the Fall weather. That being said I gotta go for a run before my pre-night shift nap.

Hertiage Point Sprint

Oh this is a funny story folks. Remember last year I came back from France and a week later I planned on doing this Triathlon? I pulled out because I was sick of the bike and wasn't ready for the swim or the run?? So this year I paid my fees nice and early circled the date on the calendar and did my workouts like a good lad...

Well the week before one of my co-workers quit. It was between me and one of my crewmates as to who was going to switch shifts and work an extra week of nights. As I am such a nice guy I thought there is enough time between my last night shift and the tri. I could do this.

Well I practiced in a lake to get used to the cold water and having my face in it. I was going for my runs and was getting no pains. Would you believe that it was the shoes that were causing my issues!! I have pair for stability and they were over correcting so its back to neutral shoes for me. My last night shift rolls around and I get home Saturday Morning, I set the alarm for a short 3 hr nap. I don't remember the alarm going off and I woke up at about 3:30pm... that was about 8hrs of sleep, I usually get 6 when sleeping during the day. So I run up to Way Past Fast to pick up my race package. I am laughing with Mark because I know I am going to be up all night now. He suggested I come to the site and work security.

Later that evening when I couldn't go to sleep at midnight I almost did just that. But no I surfed the net until 3am when my head nodded off and hit the computer desk. I left the light on and set my alarm, (the same one I used earlier) and drifted off for a 3hr nap. Catch the trend here? 3hr nap, alarm clock.... yep I slept in again! I woke up at 8:05 and couldn't figure out why the sun was in the room. I cussed and swore because the swim had started at 8am. I drove towards the course but I pulled over and had breakfast... being at a race that two years in a row you signed up to do would be more than I could take emotionally.

Stanley Park (happy b-day)

Training has been lets just say interesting this year. I got a walk up call in the Innisfail race, they say your lack of training will show on race day.... So I have been working on finding a balance with my new shift rotation. Four 12hr shifts then four days off makes it a weird workout schedule. I have been going to the Talisman Center when the 50M pool is open which I think has improved my swimming. I have not worked on the bike except for going around Glenmore Reservoir at least once a week. Running, well now here is the heart of the problem. I have been neglecting my stretches that should help my calves. They had been doing well I went for a 6km run with no pain a week ago. Two days before the tri I went for a run and 1Km into it they both locked solid. I hobbled home muttering and cussing at myself trying to stretch the heck out of them.

The day before this Tri I helped my buddy Dan move into a really nice home. It was fairly warm out and we worked fairly hard to get the job done before it got really hot. I stepped on the scale and I lost 4lbs in 24 hours by doing this move. The other plus is that I have taken possession of his neglected bike. This is the bike that in High school when we would ride the loop he would sprint ahead of me and give me that "come on slowpoke" look.... now it is my bike may it have some sprinting power left in it for me.

Morning of the tri and I am still thinking it might be a good idea to not race. This past turn over from night shift didn't go so well and I have been feeling under the weather. Got some food in me and looked at my packed bag at the bottom of the stairs and that was it... I had a race to do. I rode the bike to the park because parking is limited and it is not that far... really it's not. Some of you might remember I rode from downtown to UofC for my very first race using Home Road to get there. (one of those hills were your car drops a gear or two to get up for the out of towners)

I had a lot of nervous energy this morning, now that I think of it, this is how your suppose to feel after tapering. I got there really early to get a good spot on the rails. I finally met the other Miller that I see on the confirmation lists. As I was in the first heat after the briefing I got ready. My lap counter was a bit late in identifying herself so that got my heart rate a bit up there as we got our 2 min warning.

The swim I put my head down and went to work. There was a no-show so it was me and another lady which was nice, because I didn't feel crowded at all. Mind you she passed me three times. My arms were sore but not dead weight like Innisfail at least I was able to get myself out of the pool on the first try. Boy it was a long run to the transition area. When I got my heart rate monitor on it said 199......... oh crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The bike was fun. There was large section that is being re-constructed so it was a bit tricky, so bad it was a no pass area. My tri buddy Mike was volunteering in this area and it was good to see a familiar face. I was glad I used this route for training because there are some parts where you just need to chill and recover and others where you just crank on it. There are a lot of positive volunteers on course... I just love it when they get into it. This course had a bunch of police covering it. This one poor guy had a "lady" out of her car waving her arms and flapping her gums about not getting to church on time. The same guy a lap before blew his whistle and yelled at someone that was trying to go on the right side of a sign that said stay to the left (as I left for the day I told one of the other cops to give him a pat on the back) The hill wasn't bad on the first time round but I think it grew each time I went past. Thank goodness the two ladies at the top of the hill were full of one-liners :) The down hill would be a lot more fun if there wasn't such a sharp hairpin at the bottom.

The run was alright until the first hill. I got half way up this tiny little thing and I could feel both calves get stiff, by the time I got to the top they were solid. So the walk with a pinch of running began. It was frustrating to see other racers moving along, but I had my own demons to deal with. The pretty volunteer on the west end of the run raised my spirits when she said "your the third guy I have seen" then I realized there were only 3 guys in my heat and that meant I was yet again going to be the last placed Male in the race. On the last bit of the race some guy passed me and in the back of my head it yelled "RABBIT" in the past when my head calls out a rabbit I do my best to keep up and eventually pass the rabbit. Pain be dammed all power to the feet!!! As I passed this Sunday morning jogger I thanked him for pulling me along and he smiled at me.

Another race in the bag! I got myself a 5min massage and some food and felt much better! As I went to transition to get my stuff a young lady turns and asks if I am Randy from the Running Room... Turns out that in her first clinic my old instructor told them about my website. It made me feel proud that maybe this website has helped someone. But in my foggy state I didn't get her name, after a bit I could hear Amber's voice (my coworker at SLB) yelling DUDE get her name!! But I couldn't see her anywhere.

I stuck around for a while and chatted with people I recognized from other events and some new people... gotta practice those people skills :) This was the first race I left before the door prizes were handed out... 3 years now and I haven't won anything yet so I thought it would be safe to head early on this birthday of mine. So I slowly road home down Maclead trail because there is no hill on it :) And I went out and bought some parts for Blue Lightning... ah the name for this new bike will come to me sooner or later.

Innisfail Sprint

The night before was the lobster feast in Rocky. It was nice to show support for something my mom was involved in. But I didn’t enjoy eating the lobster, really chewy and left bits in my teeth that bugged the heck out of me. The place mat had instructions on how to eat the Lobster and it said the green part was the best meat… it was the fraggen guts of the critter!!! That kinda grossed me out and then the thing rolled over and I saw the eye. I just couldn’t take that.

The nutrition for the morning was 2 packs oatmeal and a glass of water. I grabbed my bottles out of the fridge and I mixed up the Gels, I had left the drink powders in the car that night so I mixed them at transition. Got myself signed in and received my ribbing from the guys from Kensington. Set up my spot as if it was going to rain. Garbage bag fits over the bars and cloths.

Swim started and I felt good for the first 300, then I was passed by one lady a total of three times and the other lady once. I really slowed down in the last 250. The ledge of the pool is a bit higher than the water so when I paused I was stretching to hold on. So after a few laps of this my shoulders felt like logs and by the time I was to pull myself out of the pool I could not feel my arms. My lap counter was great, very positive which was very nice.

Got out finally, I think I was the last out again, (sigh) passed a few people on the way to the racks. I tried a different shirt this year a full zipper and I still had problems getting it on. I felt strong heading out until I realized the tailwind was helping me a lot. I rode on my own but with a lady way ahead of me. I finally caught her around the 12km mark, as I went by I said “I thought I would never catch up to you” we laughed and carried on into the headwind. There was a dang good hill to climb while going into the headwind. I slowed down a lot. Made it back to transition and felt like it was a quick one until I realized the gels I got ready were in the car…. Crap!!

Off to the run, this is the first Tri I have done without my sipping Gels for the run. I also had not taken my vitamin A(dvil) so my calves were going to be a concern. Sure enough at the 2km mark my legs locked up like oaks and reduced me to a stumble walk run combo. A female voice comes behind me and says “I thought I would never catch you” It was the lady I passed on the bike. One of the volunteers was talking on her cell as I came up. I heard her say hey I gotta go and then turned and encouraged me along… She was very positive and was great to talk with her for a few moments as she ran across the street with me. Then the hill came up, at the bottom I thought wasn’t it bigger last year?? Half way up I was muttering and cussing that it grew over the year. In the last KM I was passed once again, but at that point I was running for 1 min then walking for 4. It was sad really.

Wanda and Rob were there at the finish line taking photos and cheering me on. It was nice to see them and my Running Room friends at the end of this adventure. I was disappointed with myself when I saw the time of 2:04 it was a good 25 min slower than last year. I knew I had a disappointing winter but this was online for all the world to see. I got some work to do for Heritage Point