The Thanks
The kids (Best supporters ever and my inspiration)
Wife(Kid wrangler and mover shaker)
Dad and Brother (Best transition team without them my race would not be what it is)
Tri It Multisport Calgary (Best tri store around, Iron Elvis lives)
Alberta Paraplegic fund (helping out with equipment needed to even attempt)
Rest of my family, friends, Spanish Villa group, volunteers and supporters
Steve Fleck (doesn't know it yet but is going to hook me up with a nineteen wetsuit and shirt)
Pre Race
Had a great sleep, felt great got to T1 setup talk to some pro's (Jordan) wished them luck
Swim - 1:26:45
I had planed to start for left as I heard that would be the best place to not get beat up but its so shallow and since I don't walk I decided on just left of the buoy line deep enough that everyone had to swim about 4 people back. I was fine until I hear a guy say "No broken noses" and thought WFT never thought of that and we are off.
First 400m a little rough but much better then I thought it would be I swam the buoy line the whole way out got bunched at the front of the buoy but after the buoy was open, I got elbowed, dunked and grabbed but felt it was ok, if someone was overly aggressive or zigzagging I just stopped for a sec and let them be. Turns felt fine and stayed to the right of the buoy line on the way back.
Super pumped for the swim I kept thinking I would be 1:30 - 1:40 and really figured it would be 1:40 so at 1:26ish happy and surprised
Bike - Offical DNF - or just under 11hours
Was out on the bike in 1:35ish and felt great I was aiming for over 25km average out to the bottom of Richter Pass, I was passing people and being passed hit McLean Creek felt good, my plan to get water at McLean Creek was to not happen as they were out, got through the top of McLean Creek unscathed by the tacks but saw a lot of victims tore done to Ok Falls and on my way to Richter Pass.
Just pass Ok Falls by shoulders started to feel crappy something I had not felt before so stretched a bit and kept on going.
I hit the bottom of Richter Pass at over 25km average and felt good shoulders sore, again no water, now as I was climbing it just did not feel right I just did not seem to have the power to climb I was loosing time fast and being passed a lot, I just kept going lots of support from everyone even when I got passed by sister Madonna Buder she called my name and wished me luck.
At the top of Richter I knew that I was going to miss the cut off my average speed was destroyed and now I just wanted to see by how much I would miss it.
Great going down, rollers no big deal just got through them hit the section after the rollers and again could not find the power to put down.
Must have gotten a second wind on the out and back felt good speed was up, hit the special needs, at this point I am the last person they find my bag I switch out my camelbak and keep going at this point they are closing aid stations as I keep going but I have been able to get some water and I am fine for nutrition so I keep going, I am told by the great support crew that I have a few hours to the cut off and they will keep supporting me till then.
I turn right after the out and back towards yellow lake and I start the long climb to the top, again the power just does not seem to there my shoulders are angry and my speed is not so good.
I hit the penalty tent at yellow lake at 5:30 I meet up with the official and given two options go back with them(recommended) or continue unsupported I choose to continue.
As I am climbing I keep thinking if I see that van again I am getting a ride back I am no longer having fun, I am sore and keep thinking this was just to much to soon at times I am doing 3km/hr and stopping every 1km to rest, I finally hit the very top and cruise down to transition and arrive to meet my family my boys are waiting and run with me into transition at 7:30.
Post Bike
Everything feels fine accept for my shoulders it was strange mentally I felt fine the rest of my physically felt fine but my shoulders were just done something I had not thought as I had not had an issue with them like this before.
Post Race thoughts
-Swim great
-Bike an hour longer then I wanted to be I figured I would be at worst 10hours on the bike not 11
-Not sure why my shoulders gave out so fast, could be from the swim, I think it could also be from pushing around Penticton for a week before the race more then I would at home.
-So much support from everyone
-Two guys from ST I met stood out not sure why but they offered words of encouragement, Steve and Nick thanks for you kind words
I am still decompressing and not sure what I will do next, I have a lot of support from people to try again next year but I am not sure, the bike may not be doable within the time cutoff, I might focus on some halves and sprints but I keep having this feeling of unfinished business.
I have to give huge props to David Lee, he became the first wheelchair athlete to finish IMC within the time cutoffs. He was a paralympian in Beijing for handcyling a personal trainer and devoted a month of training in Penticton to finish the race.
I heard a quote from Jordan and it has been eating away at me
"Chase your dreams, don't believe anything is impossible, only believe in the possible" -Jordan Rapp
IMC is my impossible but also a dream I hope mentally and physically it can become my possible one day
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Kelowna National Championships
Had a great race person best for swim, bike and run and that added up to a PB for the whole race.
750m swim - 15:52
20km Bike - 48:55
5km Run - 19:08
Total - 1:29:33
Under 1:30 WooHoo I wanted to go under 1:30 and I did so I was pumped
I finished 3rd behind two great guys racing with the Canadian National team, one guy crushed me by 15min the other only 6min I lost it on the bike.
This result motivated me to seriously consider moving to the short distance and make a run at the national team
750m swim - 15:52
20km Bike - 48:55
5km Run - 19:08
Total - 1:29:33
Under 1:30 WooHoo I wanted to go under 1:30 and I did so I was pumped
I finished 3rd behind two great guys racing with the Canadian National team, one guy crushed me by 15min the other only 6min I lost it on the bike.
This result motivated me to seriously consider moving to the short distance and make a run at the national team
Monday, August 15, 2011
Two amazing upcoming weeks
Sunday 21st 2011 Canadian National Triathlon championships, I plan to own it.
Sunday 28th Ironman Canada I have been dreaming out this for years and look forward to taking in the whole experience, nervous about it and at times feel under prepared but I suspect that is normal, regardless my kids will see me do the biggest race and event of my life and will be cheering me on all the way and that will get me across the finish line!!
Sunday 28th Ironman Canada I have been dreaming out this for years and look forward to taking in the whole experience, nervous about it and at times feel under prepared but I suspect that is normal, regardless my kids will see me do the biggest race and event of my life and will be cheering me on all the way and that will get me across the finish line!!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Lake Chaparral Triathlon
This was the third year I have done this event and its one of my favorites
This year sticking with the sprint distance as that is the official para distance.
Swim - Got in a good warm up swam well out in 17:57
Bike - This is a tougher bike course due to a steep hill and with the handcycle climbing is tough. They also altered the course this year to make sure that it was a full 20km, unfortunately the extension went onto a road that is not in very good shape super bumpy, started to get spasms and thought that if I have to do this section too many times I would pull out. finished the bike in 55:59(this includes t1 and t2)
Run / Push - Got a good start, I worry a bit about the pathways and passing people but no issues this time. Ended up with a 21:12 run time
Overall 1:35:08 great time for me getting faster every race ended up 79th out of 177 finishers felt great to not finish last or near the end.
This year sticking with the sprint distance as that is the official para distance.
Swim - Got in a good warm up swam well out in 17:57
Bike - This is a tougher bike course due to a steep hill and with the handcycle climbing is tough. They also altered the course this year to make sure that it was a full 20km, unfortunately the extension went onto a road that is not in very good shape super bumpy, started to get spasms and thought that if I have to do this section too many times I would pull out. finished the bike in 55:59(this includes t1 and t2)
Run / Push - Got a good start, I worry a bit about the pathways and passing people but no issues this time. Ended up with a 21:12 run time
Overall 1:35:08 great time for me getting faster every race ended up 79th out of 177 finishers felt great to not finish last or near the end.
Swim Swim Swim
Decided to do a last minute 3km swim race with Xterra at an event in Canmore at quarry lake. Event Link
Figured this would be a good test event for IMC to see if I can swim 3km as I have focused mostly on the bike.
Started off well took me about 500m to get in my grove which tells me that I need to make sure that I get in a good warm up to get my heart rate up so that I can settle in faster into my swim.
Swam the 6 laps coming back was the toughest the high winds kept pushing me to the right and I have a tendency to move that direction also so off course a bit.
Ended up doing the 3km in 1hour 15min supper happy about it was hoping for an 1hour and 30min.
I am on track for my swim at IMC so that is great just have to figure out how to bike and the day will be in the bag.
Figured this would be a good test event for IMC to see if I can swim 3km as I have focused mostly on the bike.
Started off well took me about 500m to get in my grove which tells me that I need to make sure that I get in a good warm up to get my heart rate up so that I can settle in faster into my swim.
Swam the 6 laps coming back was the toughest the high winds kept pushing me to the right and I have a tendency to move that direction also so off course a bit.
Ended up doing the 3km in 1hour 15min supper happy about it was hoping for an 1hour and 30min.
I am on track for my swim at IMC so that is great just have to figure out how to bike and the day will be in the bag.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Lake Chestermere Triathlon
Quick race update.
One week after the Desert Half I decided to do a sprint distance event this would be the first Lake Chestermere Triathlon
I decided to do the sprint distance as this is the official distance for para triathlon and the last time I did a tri a week after a half it was rough to I figure this would be a good event
Swim
- Good seemed long but was out in under 20min, got my goggles knocked off but was in the mix and needed more experience in a group.
T1
- Was quick my team and I are starting to really get it together
Bike
- Overall the course was flat "YEA" one small uphill and a head wind but I felt fast I was passed 'expected' but I also did some passing something that I am doing more often so happy about that.
T2
- Quick
Push
- First hydration system is better when the tube is clean first few drinks where gross
The run is on a pathway started out nice but the middle was twisty and undulating this makes it tough to get a rhythm and maintain a good push on the chair, one steep hill in the middle made is tough also so not great but got it done.
Finish 1:40 49/90 overall and 8/11 for age group
This was the first local race that I was not last or close to last I was right in the middle felt so great, I hope to get my time down to the 1:30's. I would also like to place in the top half of my age group and top 20 over all.
This was a fun race put on by MultisportsCanada I have been doing their local races for the last 3 years and they always put on a great event... Oh their best event is the Lake Chaparral tri tough course but best post race meal at any event I have done worth it just for the post race food
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
DNF Happens to the best and now me
Osoyoos Desert Half Iron race report
So what do you do when you want a challenge and want to try part of the Ironman Canada course you sign up for the hardest half Ironman 70.3 you can in Canada.
Well that is the Osoyoos Desert Half Iron
The only reason I deiced on this course was that it was a great chance to do a dress rehearsal for IMC my 'A' race for this year.
It really started the week before I use Infinit and have gotten use to it but being scattered brained I waited until I was out to re-order I also wanted to change my formula so I did that and sent an email for some more information, well I got in contact with Darcy he was a huge help and spent quite a bit of time with me on the phone to get my formula dialed in (oh I found out he is the president after my order was placed how often do you get the head of the company help you out)
I spent the week getting ready doing a few last rides and hitting my favorite tri store Tri It Multisport for clothing and nutrition and my new sweet Zoot tri bag those guys are the best.
I left Friday morning with my Dad one of my two man support crew we did the long drive up to Osoyoos hitting the Bike Barn in Penticton, then into Osoyoos got some dinner and relaxed, my Brother then showed up at 3am he is my second man in the support crew.
Got up Saturday and we all drove the bike course my brother kept saying it would not be a problem but in my head I new the bike cutoff was going to be tough very tough and I later found out that my Dad was thinking the same as me.
My Dad and brother went for a ride out to Oliver, I went for a ride on the run course to check it out and get the arms spinning a bit, good ride and got a chance to see the run and figure out some things that might be an issue with the racing chair.
We all went to the pre race meeting and I got a chance to meet Joe the RD, the head medic and the head official. We had a chance to talk about some concerns with the transitions, access and some support such as having my brother follow me on the bike and run. They were all very helpful and supportive and really wanted to make this a success for me. We got my equipment to transition and set up then off for a quick bite and off to bed.
Got up on race day and felt good headed to transition to find out that our plan to the swim had to change, but that was the only issue and took care of it.
Swim
- Got in the water and felt good talk with a guy at the start found out later his name was Nathan (oh he won the day) really great guy. The horn goes off and so do I now usually I just wait for the group to go by and I hang in the back but this time I decided to get in the mix not sure I enjoyed getting beat up but needed the experience, I fell back a bit but I felt strong and was going straight. I finished the first loop it felt fast the second loop was tougher but still felt good. Last year at the Calgary 70.3 I did the swim in 1:15 this time I was hoping for a 1 hour swim well this time I pulled out a 45min swim!!! I came in so fast that my support crew was caught off guard I felt great.
T1
- We thought it would be around 10-12 min but we hit it in 8min this was great considering I have to be lifted out of the water pushed across the beach, change and get on the bike so far so good.
Bike
- At this point we figure I will have 5 hours to do the bike this would put me past the official cutoff time but close enough that I would not be so far off it and would be able to continue on the run.
- The climb from the start to the top of Richter's is about 14km I just found a good gear and pushed up by the time I got to the top my average speed was 9km/hr, I go over the top and expect to tear down the back side well not much of a tear down with the head wind I could not get over 70km/hr slow for me, but I am feeling good and hope I can make up some time.
- I then hit the 7 rollers on the way to the turn around they crushed me I actually hit my highest max speed going down them. The issue with the handcycle is that its momentum drops quickly and since you cant stand or get over the cranks all power comes from spinning or just grinding up so its near impossible to power over any of the rollers as they are to long and get to steep at 7%-11% my average speed was going up but not enough but the head wind was coming down.
- I hit the halfway point at 3hours, 30min later then I wanted but I was still feeling good I could feel some fatigue but it was ok, I got back onto the highway and thought 'hey that feels like a head wind impossible mother nature wouldn't mess with me like that' well she can and did looking at some streamers on a line and sure enough it was a strong headwind, oh well just another challenge.
- Back to the rollers and knowing how fast I came down them I knew they would be tough going back I pushed up and over them, at around 50km in I had a feel sorry for myself moment but told myself to suck it up and I did, I hit the last aid station got some fluid gave a thanks to them for sticking around and off I went.
- The climb up the back side of Richter's felt better and faster so that was good, but then my brother got a call saying that I had missed the cutoff time and they where going to pick me up!! so every time I saw a van I thought my day was done I could see the top and really did not want to be picked up. Just as we are about to crest the top I hear my brother swearing then I see the van and I think how could they stop me a the top, I climb 4000feet and don't get a chance to tear back down to finish the bike!! I get closer they just wanted to make sure I was ok and if I needed anything super cool so I crest the top and start heading down into the head wind of course so no top speed but all good.
- Now due to my time I know I have missed the cutoff I also know that I can do the run in an hour and half but seeing the time I wont even have that so I just enjoy the rest of the ride down, and think back to what I have just done, I also expected to have all the road opened up again to traffic but no all intersections are still controlled so I slow down and thank them for sticking it out I get a police escort back to transition and I am done the bike.
DNF
Well that was it missed it by about 30min, still I got lots of support from everyone and Joe was there to see me in great guy.
I headed out to the finish to see some other racers in and grab some food, and got a chance to see what my finish will look like next year.
Hit the awards after talk to lots of great people and met up with Nathan who approach me at the start.
This was the biggest challenge I have done yet and learned a lot about myself and what I need to focus on more leading up to IMC.
Hard race but amazing support, organization and racers make this a must do race I will come back a crush this course... well maybe not crush just beat it up a little.
So what do you do when you want a challenge and want to try part of the Ironman Canada course you sign up for the hardest half Ironman 70.3 you can in Canada.
Well that is the Osoyoos Desert Half Iron
The only reason I deiced on this course was that it was a great chance to do a dress rehearsal for IMC my 'A' race for this year.
It really started the week before I use Infinit and have gotten use to it but being scattered brained I waited until I was out to re-order I also wanted to change my formula so I did that and sent an email for some more information, well I got in contact with Darcy he was a huge help and spent quite a bit of time with me on the phone to get my formula dialed in (oh I found out he is the president after my order was placed how often do you get the head of the company help you out)
I spent the week getting ready doing a few last rides and hitting my favorite tri store Tri It Multisport for clothing and nutrition and my new sweet Zoot tri bag those guys are the best.
I left Friday morning with my Dad one of my two man support crew we did the long drive up to Osoyoos hitting the Bike Barn in Penticton, then into Osoyoos got some dinner and relaxed, my Brother then showed up at 3am he is my second man in the support crew.
Got up Saturday and we all drove the bike course my brother kept saying it would not be a problem but in my head I new the bike cutoff was going to be tough very tough and I later found out that my Dad was thinking the same as me.
My Dad and brother went for a ride out to Oliver, I went for a ride on the run course to check it out and get the arms spinning a bit, good ride and got a chance to see the run and figure out some things that might be an issue with the racing chair.
We all went to the pre race meeting and I got a chance to meet Joe the RD, the head medic and the head official. We had a chance to talk about some concerns with the transitions, access and some support such as having my brother follow me on the bike and run. They were all very helpful and supportive and really wanted to make this a success for me. We got my equipment to transition and set up then off for a quick bite and off to bed.
Got up on race day and felt good headed to transition to find out that our plan to the swim had to change, but that was the only issue and took care of it.
Swim
- Got in the water and felt good talk with a guy at the start found out later his name was Nathan (oh he won the day) really great guy. The horn goes off and so do I now usually I just wait for the group to go by and I hang in the back but this time I decided to get in the mix not sure I enjoyed getting beat up but needed the experience, I fell back a bit but I felt strong and was going straight. I finished the first loop it felt fast the second loop was tougher but still felt good. Last year at the Calgary 70.3 I did the swim in 1:15 this time I was hoping for a 1 hour swim well this time I pulled out a 45min swim!!! I came in so fast that my support crew was caught off guard I felt great.
T1
- We thought it would be around 10-12 min but we hit it in 8min this was great considering I have to be lifted out of the water pushed across the beach, change and get on the bike so far so good.
Bike
- At this point we figure I will have 5 hours to do the bike this would put me past the official cutoff time but close enough that I would not be so far off it and would be able to continue on the run.
- The climb from the start to the top of Richter's is about 14km I just found a good gear and pushed up by the time I got to the top my average speed was 9km/hr, I go over the top and expect to tear down the back side well not much of a tear down with the head wind I could not get over 70km/hr slow for me, but I am feeling good and hope I can make up some time.
- I then hit the 7 rollers on the way to the turn around they crushed me I actually hit my highest max speed going down them. The issue with the handcycle is that its momentum drops quickly and since you cant stand or get over the cranks all power comes from spinning or just grinding up so its near impossible to power over any of the rollers as they are to long and get to steep at 7%-11% my average speed was going up but not enough but the head wind was coming down.
- I hit the halfway point at 3hours, 30min later then I wanted but I was still feeling good I could feel some fatigue but it was ok, I got back onto the highway and thought 'hey that feels like a head wind impossible mother nature wouldn't mess with me like that' well she can and did looking at some streamers on a line and sure enough it was a strong headwind, oh well just another challenge.
- Back to the rollers and knowing how fast I came down them I knew they would be tough going back I pushed up and over them, at around 50km in I had a feel sorry for myself moment but told myself to suck it up and I did, I hit the last aid station got some fluid gave a thanks to them for sticking around and off I went.
- The climb up the back side of Richter's felt better and faster so that was good, but then my brother got a call saying that I had missed the cutoff time and they where going to pick me up!! so every time I saw a van I thought my day was done I could see the top and really did not want to be picked up. Just as we are about to crest the top I hear my brother swearing then I see the van and I think how could they stop me a the top, I climb 4000feet and don't get a chance to tear back down to finish the bike!! I get closer they just wanted to make sure I was ok and if I needed anything super cool so I crest the top and start heading down into the head wind of course so no top speed but all good.
- Now due to my time I know I have missed the cutoff I also know that I can do the run in an hour and half but seeing the time I wont even have that so I just enjoy the rest of the ride down, and think back to what I have just done, I also expected to have all the road opened up again to traffic but no all intersections are still controlled so I slow down and thank them for sticking it out I get a police escort back to transition and I am done the bike.
DNF
Well that was it missed it by about 30min, still I got lots of support from everyone and Joe was there to see me in great guy.
I headed out to the finish to see some other racers in and grab some food, and got a chance to see what my finish will look like next year.
Hit the awards after talk to lots of great people and met up with Nathan who approach me at the start.
This was the biggest challenge I have done yet and learned a lot about myself and what I need to focus on more leading up to IMC.
Hard race but amazing support, organization and racers make this a must do race I will come back a crush this course... well maybe not crush just beat it up a little.
Monday, June 20, 2011
KOS Triathlon
My boys both did it, this last weekend both my boys Jack and Zach did the first Elbow Valley KOS race.
It was a very cold day and the water was like ice Jack got in and did the swim Zach walked up to the water and turned around so funny he's not dumb.
Jack did the bike and rocked the run, Zach did half the bike and walked the run he was not really having fun at this point so I was just trying to keep him going and happy he finished and said he never wanted to to a triathlon again, little did he know that I already have him signed up for another in August but he thinks he might do it.
It was a very cold day and the water was like ice Jack got in and did the swim Zach walked up to the water and turned around so funny he's not dumb.
Jack did the bike and rocked the run, Zach did half the bike and walked the run he was not really having fun at this point so I was just trying to keep him going and happy he finished and said he never wanted to to a triathlon again, little did he know that I already have him signed up for another in August but he thinks he might do it.
Woo Hoo Got a Grant
Great news I was lucky enough to receive a grant from the "Alberta Paraplegic Foundation, Active Living Fund"
It is enough that I will be getting a new hand cycle a Force R, I have just ordered it and will be picking it up in 5 weeks I hope that it will help give me an edge in getting through IMC.
It is enough that I will be getting a new hand cycle a Force R, I have just ordered it and will be picking it up in 5 weeks I hope that it will help give me an edge in getting through IMC.
Paternity
I started Paternity leave in May, I had a huge list of things that I wanted to do and so far not much has been done but I have had a chance to spend more time with my kids and family that is great.
I once again did the golden triangle this year a 300km bike ride over three days this year I was able to complete the who first day and felt great over 100km two huge climbs and felt great, Day two was a tough day only got about 50km done and 30km on the third day but felt great and was an improvement over last year.
I also did the Calgary Marathon for the 3rd time it was very good I took over 40 min off my time last year finishing in under 2hours I was going fast enough that I was stopped as they did not have the roads closed fast enough.
Next up last few weeks
I once again did the golden triangle this year a 300km bike ride over three days this year I was able to complete the who first day and felt great over 100km two huge climbs and felt great, Day two was a tough day only got about 50km done and 30km on the third day but felt great and was an improvement over last year.
I also did the Calgary Marathon for the 3rd time it was very good I took over 40 min off my time last year finishing in under 2hours I was going fast enough that I was stopped as they did not have the roads closed fast enough.
Next up last few weeks
Winter update
Well in June and winter is way over but I need to add in what I was up to so quick and easy point form.
1) I started doing cross country skiing, I was not going to do any at all but got the chance to attend Canada Winter games in Halifax I so needed to get out and go for it. By the time I got to Halifax I got about 10 days in so my expectations where not to high but that was OK I had a great time got to compete with some great guys I ended up with a perfect record of three last place finishes.
2) I continued to teach the local CADS alpine program here in Calgary and had a great time with that, I did not get in too many days of alpine skiing this season but the days I got in was great and look forward to spending a lot of time in the mountains next season with the family.
Well that was winter next up spring
1) I started doing cross country skiing, I was not going to do any at all but got the chance to attend Canada Winter games in Halifax I so needed to get out and go for it. By the time I got to Halifax I got about 10 days in so my expectations where not to high but that was OK I had a great time got to compete with some great guys I ended up with a perfect record of three last place finishes.
2) I continued to teach the local CADS alpine program here in Calgary and had a great time with that, I did not get in too many days of alpine skiing this season but the days I got in was great and look forward to spending a lot of time in the mountains next season with the family.
Well that was winter next up spring
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Avenue Magazine... I'm in it
I was lucky enough to be selected as one of five Calgarians in this moths featured article in Avenue Magazines "Life Re-Imagined" feature
Life Re-Imagined
Life Re-Imagined
One more makes Three
So December 11th I welcomed my newest addition, her name is Scarlett and she is amazing
New year should blog
Well its a new year and I have been neglecting my blogging so hope to get some more updates soon
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