Well I just completed another Ironman. That's #4 for me. The race began with highlights and ended with frustration. At this point, it is easy to finish the race; the tough part is doing it faster.
It was great having Allan look after me and seeing him and Baby (our dog) at multiple areas of the course. I saw her at one point on the run, and she went nuts - jumping and yelping and barking at me! Allan had to use a harness on her so she wouldn't choke herself trying to run after me. After the race, I was (and still am) very sore and Allan does a lot of things for me. Its funny how you just do a marathon, yet you can't fathom walking 2 blocks to pick up your gear. He picked all of my stuff up for me, which was great. I wonder how long I can use the "I just did an Ironman, and I'm sore" excuse?
The swim was the first time I didn't get punched in the face or kicked which was great! I tried a different area and swam inside of the buoys rather than in the middle of the 2000+ field of athletes. The result was getting some open water and being able to swim comfortably and relaxed. Last year I was getting pushed and punched and kicked so much that I was fighting a panic attack. This year I had open water and even got to stop a couple of times to take a look around, all while having a faster split.
I absolutely love the bike portion in Ironman Canada. The climbs (Richter's pass and Yellow Lake) are lined with crazy people who have been enjoying beer all day, yelling and cheering. I felt the strongest I ever have on the bike and was blowing by people on the climbs like they were standing still. After I passed about 50 people on Richter's pass, I looked back and they were gone! I also felt strong at the end of the ride, and after doing 180km I felt like I could have easily done more. All the strength work this year paid off on the bike!
I came into transition for the run in better contention than ever. I had some aggressive goals of being one of the top non-professional athletes in the race. With the run being my strength, I knew that I could seriousy catch and drop the girls ahead of me. There was a problem, however. I took in the same nutrition as I always do, but at the end of the bike I was getting really hungry. It was a bit worrisome because Allan was hungry at his Ironman and it really affected his run which ended up being a walk/run. I ate a gel (100 calories of sugary calories) at the end of the bike but was hungry again right away. Not a good sign! Usually I have to force down the calories on the run, but was taking in fuel before planning on doing so, and was still hungry afterwards. At the same time, I was scared to take in too much fuel, because your body doesn't absorb it as well while running - which could mean getting sick! I didn't feel great and there was a massive headwind, but I kept going because even though I was not running very fast I was still making up a lot of ground and got myself into ~30th non-professional overall. However, by the halfway point on the run I was completely out of fuel. I was weak, hungy, and felt light-headed. The way home turned into a speed-walk/run while consuming in coke and orange slices as every aid station. I couldn't wait to finish the damn thing because I was so hungry. I was bored and my tummy was growling. At the finish, I quickly consumed 2 pieces of pizza and a bag of chips. Then we went out for fries and a burger and milkshake. Then after about 4 hours of sleep, I woke up with a growling stomach and was again very hungry! I have never eaten so much food afterwards!
In the end I ran 30min slower than what I am easily capable of and ended up 60th female overall (out of about 1000) when I was in position to be in the top 20. That was disappointing. This race is so hard to nail (especially the nutrition and hydration part) when it takes about 11 hours to complete. The funny thing was that I gave Allan such a hard time for not eating enough calories, but looks like I did the same! I will have to practice that for next time...
Tammy
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
This is why!
This is why judging sports are so frustrating! Ivett Gonda probably sacrificed a lot of things to make it to the Olympics, only to have it taken away from her because of biased judging. Biased judging is the only reason I can come up with as to why she did not score any points. Clearly these judges know how a point is scored, yet they didn't count one of the many points that were obvious. We saw the same thing happen in boxing. Master Lee used to say 'If you knock them out, there is no question if you scored the point.' But unfortunately, you can't always knock someone out.
http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/taekwondo/story/2008/08/19/f-olympics-taekwondo-gonda.html
http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/taekwondo/story/2008/08/19/f-olympics-taekwondo-gonda.html
Monday, August 18, 2008
An Olympians blog
Check out the blog of our Olympic triathlon hopeful. http://simonwhitfield.blogspot.com/ He won gold in 2000 and is back on form this year. They get in the water after us in Victoria at the same pool. One of the girls that was in the Olympics for triathlon yesterday, Lauren Groves, crashed on the last lap of the bike and broke her wrist. Very unfortunate, and I felt so bad for her it made me sick. We have watched them around Victoria and the pool for the past year in preparing for the Olympics and it must be soooo disappointing for the whole squad. Of course we are proud of them no matter what.
One down.
The Kelowna Apple Triathlon is the National Championships and will be for the next few years. The Nationals changes venues on occasion but Kelowna has got it through 2010. I have to say it's not the best run event I've been to and I think I'm being nice in saying it that way. Either way I made it through and finished 6th over all in the Age group race and 2nd for my age group of 35-39. Some guy from Winnipeg beat me, I didn't know there were even triathletes in Winnipeg?
A brief race report:
The swim was no wet suit because the water temp was to high. This favored me because I think I swim just as fast without it. Usually it gives people an advantage, so by not having the wetsuit it puts most people at a disadvantage. I had a good set of feet to draft behind.
The bike-- My legs are still sore from the peach classic a month ago and another race I did in between the peach and now. I really had no sustained power that I had in the peach. I was only 1 minute off the fastest bike split so it couldn't have been that bad. There was a nice little climb that split the field up nicely. 3 loops
The run---- I think the leg fatigue from the previous races filtered into a very poor run. I think the run was longer than 10km. I ran off course and missed a little out and back section. Thank goodness a volunteer let me do it twice on the second lap so I didn't get disqualified.
Link to the results page. http://www.raceheadquarters.com/results/2008/multi/KAT2008Olympic.html
Either way, I am a bit disappointed that I didn't place higher. I know I am capable of faster times. This year has been hard and I didn't really plan to do these short races so as a result I wasn't very well prepared for them. I just went off the fitness I gained for the Ironman which is totally different training. Some people say the Olympic and Ironman triathlons are totally different sports like Tennis and squash. In some ways they are. I'm not sure what to focus on? After the descent results in short course without preparing I kinda want to see how fast I can get for next year. Maybe I can win the National title for Age group. A goal, or maybe more of a dream, has been to go under 2 hours for an Olympic distance race. Ive done 2 in 2:04ish. If I could get my swimming back to before my injury, I'm sure that's almost 2 minutes right there. I have Ironman goals as well and maybe those are a bit harder but possibly more recognized in the Triathlon world. I will ponder these over the next 2 months before training starts in November for the 2009.
A brief race report:
The swim was no wet suit because the water temp was to high. This favored me because I think I swim just as fast without it. Usually it gives people an advantage, so by not having the wetsuit it puts most people at a disadvantage. I had a good set of feet to draft behind.
The bike-- My legs are still sore from the peach classic a month ago and another race I did in between the peach and now. I really had no sustained power that I had in the peach. I was only 1 minute off the fastest bike split so it couldn't have been that bad. There was a nice little climb that split the field up nicely. 3 loops
The run---- I think the leg fatigue from the previous races filtered into a very poor run. I think the run was longer than 10km. I ran off course and missed a little out and back section. Thank goodness a volunteer let me do it twice on the second lap so I didn't get disqualified.
Link to the results page. http://www.raceheadquarters.com/results/2008/multi/KAT2008Olympic.html
Either way, I am a bit disappointed that I didn't place higher. I know I am capable of faster times. This year has been hard and I didn't really plan to do these short races so as a result I wasn't very well prepared for them. I just went off the fitness I gained for the Ironman which is totally different training. Some people say the Olympic and Ironman triathlons are totally different sports like Tennis and squash. In some ways they are. I'm not sure what to focus on? After the descent results in short course without preparing I kinda want to see how fast I can get for next year. Maybe I can win the National title for Age group. A goal, or maybe more of a dream, has been to go under 2 hours for an Olympic distance race. Ive done 2 in 2:04ish. If I could get my swimming back to before my injury, I'm sure that's almost 2 minutes right there. I have Ironman goals as well and maybe those are a bit harder but possibly more recognized in the Triathlon world. I will ponder these over the next 2 months before training starts in November for the 2009.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Off to the races!!
Tomorrow morning we leave for Kelowna.
We'll be up at 4:30am to get things packed up and at the pool for a swim at 6:00 am, back home to pick up the bikes and Baby, tie up some loose ends and then onto the 11:00am Ferry. Into Kelowna around 5:00pm, with a quick bike ride for me to loosen up the legs after driving.
It's been a long time since I've had a week to have fun. I race on Sunday and then I'm on holidays. I will try and hit the links a couple of times and maybe hook up with the team I train with to ride the Ironman course on Saturday. Riding the course is something that a lot of athletes do if they are going up to spectate and support others in their big race on Sunday. It is aways a social ride with some fun racing up the big climbs. Othersise It's all about Tammy on the 24th.
Ironmans are the premier event in triathlon because they are so hard. After the huge disappointment in Couer D' Alene when Tammy got a nasty stomach virus the night before the race and could not start, she has put a lot of her hopes in a good performance in Penticton. I have to say, she is as fit as I've ever seen her and she will be pushing herself to her limits out on the course. I have a route planned out to catch her at all the key points so me and Baby (our dog) can try to make her smile for a second. Should be a blast, I'm looking forward to it.
I will post the links to results when the races are over.
We'll be up at 4:30am to get things packed up and at the pool for a swim at 6:00 am, back home to pick up the bikes and Baby, tie up some loose ends and then onto the 11:00am Ferry. Into Kelowna around 5:00pm, with a quick bike ride for me to loosen up the legs after driving.
It's been a long time since I've had a week to have fun. I race on Sunday and then I'm on holidays. I will try and hit the links a couple of times and maybe hook up with the team I train with to ride the Ironman course on Saturday. Riding the course is something that a lot of athletes do if they are going up to spectate and support others in their big race on Sunday. It is aways a social ride with some fun racing up the big climbs. Othersise It's all about Tammy on the 24th.
Ironmans are the premier event in triathlon because they are so hard. After the huge disappointment in Couer D' Alene when Tammy got a nasty stomach virus the night before the race and could not start, she has put a lot of her hopes in a good performance in Penticton. I have to say, she is as fit as I've ever seen her and she will be pushing herself to her limits out on the course. I have a route planned out to catch her at all the key points so me and Baby (our dog) can try to make her smile for a second. Should be a blast, I'm looking forward to it.
I will post the links to results when the races are over.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Sleep deprived?
I wonder how people would function if they got up in the morning without an alarm clock after a good nights sleep. I remember seeing a guy with his coffee mug, baggy eyes, doing a zombie impression at the traffic lights and thinking 'is he happy to be in that state?' I know I'm not!! Tammy on the other hand is a sweetheart, tired or not:) riiiiiight.
We are both very sensitive to fatigue due to our schedule which I will share with you soon. It's retarded sometimes what we can get done in a day. ( or not get done if we're tired) Tammy always thinks she does more things but as I have to point out its quality over quantity that matters.
Anyway, We have decided to try and do something about our sleep because it is seriously hampering our ability to recover from training. It's not that we train as much as the professional athletes but we don't have the time to rebound on a daily basis by resting, stretching and allowing the muscles to reduce tone. We know that deep sleep allows the body to relax and release growth hormones and so on. Last night I got 4 hours , not enough when preparing for a race. Could not go to sleep.
The Plan!!! We bought sleep Cd's from a Dr. Jeffrey Thompson. These are Neuroacoustic Audio Programs. They use brain wave pacing and frequency that simulates certain stages of consciousness. We got 4 different ones. We will use them with our mp3 and ear buds to go to sleep and during naps. The traffic is also keeping us up at night since we moved bedrooms. The ear buds should help that. http://www.neuroacoustic.com/
Next we got melatonin from the health store and we will take 9mg 1 hour before bed. When Tammy has time she will let you know all the benefits. It's crazy how good it is. There are a lot more benefits than just sleep.
If this doesn't work we'll have to resort to a classic sedative......alcohol.
Good times.
We are both very sensitive to fatigue due to our schedule which I will share with you soon. It's retarded sometimes what we can get done in a day. ( or not get done if we're tired) Tammy always thinks she does more things but as I have to point out its quality over quantity that matters.
Anyway, We have decided to try and do something about our sleep because it is seriously hampering our ability to recover from training. It's not that we train as much as the professional athletes but we don't have the time to rebound on a daily basis by resting, stretching and allowing the muscles to reduce tone. We know that deep sleep allows the body to relax and release growth hormones and so on. Last night I got 4 hours , not enough when preparing for a race. Could not go to sleep.
The Plan!!! We bought sleep Cd's from a Dr. Jeffrey Thompson. These are Neuroacoustic Audio Programs. They use brain wave pacing and frequency that simulates certain stages of consciousness. We got 4 different ones. We will use them with our mp3 and ear buds to go to sleep and during naps. The traffic is also keeping us up at night since we moved bedrooms. The ear buds should help that. http://www.neuroacoustic.com/
Next we got melatonin from the health store and we will take 9mg 1 hour before bed. When Tammy has time she will let you know all the benefits. It's crazy how good it is. There are a lot more benefits than just sleep.
If this doesn't work we'll have to resort to a classic sedative......alcohol.
Good times.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
70lbs of Blueberries!!??
Yes that is correct. Last year we got 50lbs and we ran out in April. We use them for our power shake. It's supposed to be the magic berry? Tammy has started her Sport Nutrition Advisor certification. She loves this stuff, and she is the most diligent person when it comes to nutrition. If she wasn't around I would be eating crap all the time. As it is I can't help myself when it comes to food. I'm blessed with a crazy metabolism so I can get away with it. Tammy has to be learning something all the time. She may be addicted to schooling? The CSNA (Certified Sports Nutrition Advisor) is a designation obtained from the Corry Holly institute and he is Affiliated with Dr. Colgan.
Dr. Corey Holly is a Naturopathic Dr. and big into boosting sport performance from natural methods, as opposed to testosterone drugs and other cheating methods. Things like boosting testosterone and Human growth hormone using the bodies own processes. Doing it naturally is of course the hard way and takes serious discipline. Discipline is not hard to find in sport, most athletes are doing everything they can to get better and most are honest so they will learn these techniques.
These courses take time and money, two things we seem to always be short on. Speaking of which I better go help bag these blueberries or someones gonna get hurt real bad!!
Dr. Corey Holly is a Naturopathic Dr. and big into boosting sport performance from natural methods, as opposed to testosterone drugs and other cheating methods. Things like boosting testosterone and Human growth hormone using the bodies own processes. Doing it naturally is of course the hard way and takes serious discipline. Discipline is not hard to find in sport, most athletes are doing everything they can to get better and most are honest so they will learn these techniques.
These courses take time and money, two things we seem to always be short on. Speaking of which I better go help bag these blueberries or someones gonna get hurt real bad!!
All-on-4! Teeth in a day
If you're not familiar with what I do, I fabricate false teeth for people. Traditionally they are removable teeth. (Not bridges or crowns)I just finished a course on the placement of 4 implants and placing permanent teeth in less than 4 hours. Technology is soooo cool there are few things that really interest me in Dentistry but I have to tell you this is exciting stuff. There are a lot of people who struggle with removable dentures and in reality so do all the dental proffesionals who make them. A person can literally have there denture fixed (screwed into place) and non-removable in one day. This used to take a minimum 6months and up to 2 years to make happen with multiple surgeries and bone grafting from the hip.....Fun stuff. Now no grafting and in one day. I think I found my calling. Making removable dentures is tough.....doing All-on-4 would be fun! Marketing starts Today! Anyone interested?
Here it goes!
If you haven't noticed this is Olympic time and our PVR is going full time. This has been a tiring week as Tammy and I are recovering from a local race that we trained through in preperation for 2 important races coming up. I am going into the National Age-Group championships in Kelowna which is an Olympic distance on Aug 17, and Tammy is doing an Ironman in Penticton the week after. We will be staying at Tina's place (sister) in Kelowna for the whole week. We are both looking forward to the time away from everyday life.
This is supposed to be the peak of our season and it's been a long season. Right now our priority is to rest and recover. There are no fitness gains to be made this close, just maintaining what we have. We went for a ride today and Tammy did a personal best up this little climb to Durrance lake in Victoria. She wasn't feeling great and was holding back a bit. This is a good sign as she still has 2 weeks till race day and a lot of recovery can happen between now and then. She is going to rock this year.
Some of you may not know that I had a Bike accident in mid March and broke my collar bone. It's added a few complications that I would have prefered to avoid but I did eventually recover. I'm not 100% yet because there are some muscles that are not happy to be working from a different position in the shoulder so they get cranky. The collar bone broke right where some muscles attach, so you can imagine the connection is different. I have great therapists and I just keep moving forward. Not much else you can do.
This is supposed to be the peak of our season and it's been a long season. Right now our priority is to rest and recover. There are no fitness gains to be made this close, just maintaining what we have. We went for a ride today and Tammy did a personal best up this little climb to Durrance lake in Victoria. She wasn't feeling great and was holding back a bit. This is a good sign as she still has 2 weeks till race day and a lot of recovery can happen between now and then. She is going to rock this year.
Some of you may not know that I had a Bike accident in mid March and broke my collar bone. It's added a few complications that I would have prefered to avoid but I did eventually recover. I'm not 100% yet because there are some muscles that are not happy to be working from a different position in the shoulder so they get cranky. The collar bone broke right where some muscles attach, so you can imagine the connection is different. I have great therapists and I just keep moving forward. Not much else you can do.
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