solid week

Training was good this week and now I have a day off tomorrow. I was finally able to establish a proper swim schedule which was long over due and so it looks like Tuesday,Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings wil be what happens for the next while.

Monday

I awoke at 5am all warm and cozy with the sound of rain belting the windows and the wind howling so obviously the thing to do is to go back to sleep, but not today as these are some of the mental battles that will take place and so I had some water and gatorade along with some light stretching and was out the door at 5:20. I returned an hour later soaked and very awake! There is something about running in the pissing rain and the darkness of the early morning that I hope to explain over these next few months. Anyway,tomorrow looks the same weather wise and I'll be running 15 minutes less but swimming in the evening for 30min or so.

Turn it up!

Entering the last week of October reminds me of a few things such as,it's been two months since I've registered for the race and time is going too fast so I need to turn up the training and increase the focus from focused, to pin point dedicated determination! So as a new week approaches I intend on utilizing every hour of the day.Starting tomorrow I'll see what I can accomplish in a 24hr day and where I can make improvements that will benefit my training for the next 10 months. I look forward to waking up ambitious and healthy and with a strong desire to be better!

summer over

So the 15 day's since my last post I've been training twice a day and have been very strict with my diet. Monday's have become the one day in which no training takes place but every other day starts at 5 o'clock with a run before work and then after work I'm on the bike to end the day. Now once again my swimming needs to increase but that will become the main focus over the fall/winter seasons. For now I'll be training between 4-5 hrs a week just to achieve a proper base without burning myself out because come February I'll begin my ironman training program which will see my training range from 6-11 hours a week right up to race day. Focused and having fun on this journey.

It's real

I'm back from my Penticton road trip as a registered participant for the 2011 Ironman Canada! I'm still soaking in all the excitement and the inspiration of that weekend and I have a better understanding on how that massive event takes place.
Volunteering at the finish line was quite the expierience as I saw people scream for joy,scream in pain and even collapse but I felt honoured to hand their finishers hat and t-shirt to them as they finally crossed the finish line. I also had a chance to scope out all the viewing areas,the transition areas and places to be and not be, but best of all I now can visualize the whole set up. The picture above is the start of the race and thats where 2800 athletes start the swim across Okanagan Lake and back, on the mountain in the picture is a highway that leads to either Kelowna or Vancouver but from where I'm standing the vehicles are the size of a grain of rice! quite the swim that is.
So now what happens? Well the first thing I plan on doing is sorting out my diet and that will begin Friday morning with the Wild Rose 12 day herbal cleanse which will immediately help me focus on nutrition and combined with some good runs and gym time I should fall nicely into form and a base training schedule.

Ironman Canada 2010

1 more week

Wow! what a month it's been. I've had a pretty busy August and it has'nt included much training but it has certainly been full of second guessing this whole journey of completing a full ironman triathlon. These eight months have been full of ups and downs and side tracks, and that's before I have even registered! However, I've managed to stay focused and remain dedicated to my goal.So the oil change has been done on the car,the hotel confirmation phone call has just been placed and the financial shell game continues but I'm all in for a road trip to Penticton to sign up and officially Ironmaninize!!!

Getting closer

So with six months gone by since I started this journey, I'm starting to feel the excitement of things as it gets closer to registration day for the IM.Even though it's only the registration,it represents a hell of a lot to me and I expect things to be turned up once that takes place. With a five hundred plus entry fee,I just want to be officially all in! until then I'm just enjoying summer healthy and training six days a week.

Bring on July

It's been a horrible June and I'm looking forward to July or at least summer actually arriving! Not only has the weather been grey and gloomy but I've been recovering from a slight calf strain which has kept me from training as much as i'd like.I've also been approached for promotion in my company so these past few weeks have also included some trying times for my future plans going forward as far as work is concerned and today I have an interview for this possible new position,so more to follow on that I'm sure. This morning I received a confirmation for this years Ironman volunteer position so we'll be working the finish line handing out medals to this years participants from 5pm-9pm so that will be cool being on the opposite side as I plan to earn one of those medals next year! I'm going for a nice swim now.

volunteering

I've been contacted by someone from the Vancouver Triathlon about my volunteer application, so July 3,4th will be spent down at Spanish Banks beach.Next year I plan on participating in this race and it will probably be the last one before Penticton. My wife Izumi will also be volunteering with me which is cool! I actually talked her into doing the same in Penticton so we'll be working together there as well,good job Yome!

rolling right along

Trying to figure out which bike to buy is really difficult and I`m glad that I can`t afford one at the moment because I keep changing my mind. Training is still a little casual but I anticipated that and that`s why I`ve given myself plenty of time to adjust. Getting stronger and more focused though and I plan to time it just right with the registration in August, my 39th birthday. Rest in peace Dennis Hopper.

3 months

Now that I was able to lock up a place to stay in Penticton I now now have three months left until lockdown! To me that means 90 days to be prepared to spend a year training for this Ironman. A long lonely journey it will be as i don`t know any runners,swimmers or cyclers but could probably fill the room for the after party. I`m still trying to figure out which bike to purchase and it`s leaning towards a solid road bike, yesterday it was an entry level tri bike but that saga still continues.So for now I`ll just make sure to swim more and more and more!

Hockey

Now that the Canucks are out of the playoffs once again, I can concentrate on the Ironman path properly, having a playoff game every other night is hectic especially in this city. Izumi and I heading across the border this Saturday to do some shopping at a Seattle outlet mall and I plan on stocking up on running gear and swim shorts and whatever else we can find for the summer season. As for penticton I think I missed the boat as far as finding a place to stay,it should of been done a lot earlier in the year because everything is booked or places have doubled their prices and ask for a minimum 4-5 night stay..that ain`t happening! not with the amount of money I`m dropping for the entry fee. So the plan is starting to look like a solo cruise to Penticton and whatever happens...happens.

Penticton

Now that my one week holiday is coming to an end and I`ve had a chance to catch up with friends and family it`s time to start thinking about Penticton. The only way I can register for the Canada Ironman 2011 is to be there and registration is the Monday after the race each year. So this weekend I applied on line to volunteer for this years race as a catcher so I can help people once they cross the finish line. I`m still trying to find a hotel but one way or another I`ll be there to soak up all that atomsphere on Ironman weekend which is the last weekend of August and to start my one year countdown!

What`s next?

Now that the race is over and i`ve had a few days to not think about running or any other tri activity it`s now time too. First though I`m happy with my time because my previous best in a half marathon was 1:51:05 in Seattle and 7 minutes is a great improvement! Now it`s time to move forward,I was scheduled to meet my swimming coach this week but I`ve decided to wait another month so I can just spend time on my own in the gym and pool to get back to form.

Official half marathon time

1:44:43

race day!

I was up at 5am today having oatmeal and blueberries with a grape Gatorade G2 and stood on the patio taking in the fresh air. After doing my usual stretching routine and making sure I take advantage of the washroom as many times as need be, I notice it`s about 6:15 and that gave me 45min to get to the start line. I took the skytrain to stadium station and of course once I got there I needed to take a leak and all the full marathoners were lining up for the port a potties because the full started at 7:30, so once the gun went off for my half I was counting the people in front of me...in the port a potty line! and it was at 10. When it was finally my turn I remember hearing the announcer say "looks like we have a couple late ones they better hurry" so I burst out of the johnny on the spot and Izumi`s there telling me to hurry up! so I head to the start and everyone has started which means i almost started dead last. Now the good thing about starting late is that I`ll spend the majority of the run passing the back of the pack and slower runners. Anyway 3 miles in it starts pissing rain, so I`m soaked after 25 minutes but I was expecting that. Once in Stanley Park I was looking forward to prospect point hill and once up that I took my powerade gels and then decided just to go for it! Now I planned on doing that but actually running from Lion`s Gate bridge to BC Place stadium was pretty cool with people cheering along the way! I wanted to finish between 1:45 and 2:00 so I`m waiting for the official time on the Vancouver Marathon website.

Sunday weather

Today the forecast for Sunday calls for rain and I hope that holds true for some reason as a rip around downtown,chinatown gastown and Stanley park in the rain fits the way I`ve been training,minus Vancouver of course. right now I`m looking at a map of the course and I`m thinking that once I hit prospect point,which is the last hill,I`ll push it from there to the finish line at BC Place and that`s about five miles.The feeling between body and and mind will decide that though after the first eight.

8 days

Well it was another rainy,windy early morning run and with eight days until the half marathon I know I`m prepared for whatever the forecast will be May 2nd, although the seven day weather watch starts tomorrow. Tomorrow will also be my last long run and comparable distance to next Sunday as I`ll spend the week keeping it easy and steady. I`m looking forward to getting back to the gym and the pool once this race is over because I`ve just been focused on this for a good month or so but I`ts still a step towards ironman and I want to keep training so that I`m ready for when I start an ironman training program later this year, so I`m training so that I`m fit for training, make sense? Anyway this afternoon I`ll have some strongbows and go watch some Whitecaps ball.

speed

Up at the crack of dawn to work on my race pace today and that just means that i ran fast and steady. The long distance part of running is the easy part for me but running those distances as fast as i can is the challenging part. Farther and faster! There's something I like about pushing my body and feeling what it can do, there's a place on the edge where I like to be and I like to be there at a maximum heart rate. Wow deep, guess I'll have a chance to attain my next zen moment in 11 days.

april 18

So far this month I've been working double the hours than I normally do and my training has taken a dip because of it but with two weeks until the Vancouver half I'll be focused and locked in on training and diet. With the weather warming up it makes for some great early morning runs and this morning I ran down Royal Oak hill around Deer lake then back up Royal Oak hill and then back home. Now going down that hill was fine,I had a great view of the north shore mountains and on my right was the lake surrounded by all the green trees and fields, no cars just birds chirping and a crazy woodpecker sitting on top of a metal street light post and pecking the shit out of that thing! I laughed out loud then just breathed in all the fresh morning air as I glided down this massive hill. I was about half way down when I thought to myself..I going to have to run back up this fucker! Now the run around the lake was great as always just incredibly peaceful with a loon floating across the middle of it leaving a v wave pattern behind it, and I thought about stopping and taking all of this serenity in but once I start running i don't like to stop. Anyway here comes the "Hill" now there are some cars that have trouble getting up this thing so running up it feels more like a mountain climb! and that's what I eventually pictured in my mind once the leg burn set in, so with each arm movement I imagined pulling a rope..baby steps pull,baby steps pull! c'mon Jamie get up this hill..c'mon!!! Once I'm at the top I'm just gassed but I'm still 25 minutes from home so I take in some gatorade and run the rolling hills home. Now Izumi and I can enjoy our Sunday drive maybe some shopping but me and the legs will wait in the car thanks.

Easter

Easter Sunday started with a 8.5 mile bike ride then immediately followed by a 4 mile run in 32.24. My run was at about a 8 minute mile pace which felt really comfortable if I was to average that in a marathon I'd end up with a 3 1/2 hour finishing time. I've trained hard three out of the four days this month which leads nicely into Easter dinner with some very important people and as I look out from my patio and the first thing I see is the brilliant colours of the neon signs that read "Liquor Store Open" reminds me to go buy some wine to enjoy with family.

Good Friday

Up at 7:00am to run and it was a wet and windy one once again. After the first few miles i ended up at local track and decided to do some laps and once I got on the track it was calm and peaceful and I start thinking about where I'm going to take Izumi for dinner tonight, and then as I round the end just behind the net all of a sudden it's a head wind from hell with rain smacking my face and I'm feel it trying to push me back and then once I round the opposite end it's back to calm and I think to myself how about that Greek place in North Burnaby? So I did eight laps then went back to the streets but all those laps were the same,calm one way and nasty the other. So continuing on I must have ran past a bakery because the smell of freshly baked bread filled my senses which lead me to one question of course, How come my only choices of bread in Japan was the white thick sliced 5 piece bag or the bonus 6 piece thicker sliced family bonus pack? Then came a hill and of course running up the hill,head wind was coming down the hill and my thoughts went straight to c'mon c'mon get up the hill!! Then I was home. Now as as I sit here typing this my windows are rattling from the wind so it probably wasn't the best day for a run so with the half marathon exactly a month away I hope a lot of people decided not to run today!

just begun!

Having March come to end tomorrow has made me reflect a bit on the first three months so far, and one thing that stands out is that this will become a lifestyle! At the moment I'm a stronger and faster runner with a couple personal best's recorded, and swimming is progressing nicely and I'm about ten pounds lighter than Dec 31 2009! These three months include the three weeks in Japan with no training at all, except arm wrestling Kirin's. I realize there will be days where the merlot is flowing in place of the gatorade or the plate of strawberry cheesecake is there istead of just strawberries alone but when i see the calendar filled with 20 plus days of training and times scribbled on it each month, it makes me feel like on the right path and this path has just begun!

Whitecaps FC

I picked up my seasons tickets for the Vancouver Whitecaps last night at their 1 year countdown event before they enter the MLS. This will be the last year that games will be held at the 5000 seat Swangard stadium because they'll be moving to BC Place once the roof is taken off and that seats 60,000,so I'm looking forward to soaking up the final year of a small outdoor park atomsphere in Burnaby before it becomes massive again in downtown Vancouver. The first game is April 11th at 4:00 so that means the first tailgate is April 11th around 2:00! Training is still going good and I'm still getting 6 good days in a week with swimming now inserted nicely into the schedule, I've been able to get in a good hour and a half of laps in the pool this week. I'm also waiting patiently for the snow to melt on the local mountains as the Grouse Grind awaits and I'm looking forward to adding that to the weekly plan and also the first long weekend of the year is near and a few us are planning on hiking Mt.Brunswick.

rain

Of course the hardest downpour we had today was the hour and a half while I was running this morning!

First day of spring

Started with a casual 4 mile run this morning and I'm feeling the core workout from yesterday,tomorrow will be the long run of the week and it might be done in the rain but I haven't decided where it's going to be yet,looking out my patio gives me a few ideas but the weather will help me decide in the morning. I was able to get a few things done today which included sending in an application for a volunteer position at the Vancouver Triathlon on July 4th which will help me get a feel of the whole atomsphere that is triathlon, also signed up with a swim coach that will help me find my proper form for open water swimming and lastly, officially registered for the Vancouver Half Marathon on May 2nd, Good weekend so far!

back to the pool

So today was a day off..from running, and so I went to the gym/pool and started with a core workout that focused on my legs,back and shoulders but nothing too heavy just specific bursts to help make me stronger in the three phases of the triathlon. Next I hopped on the stationary bike for 30 minutes and finally finished with a 30 minute swim and the pool is still an ass kicker! but it's one of the reasons i've given myself plenty of time to get ready for the Ironman because as now I'm gassed after 50 metres and the Ironman is around 4000 metres in Okanagan lake! lol crazy. Also I have time to build my savings up for things such as a bike (kind of important to have) wetsuit,entry fees etc. Anyway the days young and it's a sunny Friday better go find something to do with myself.

New PR

This morning I ran around Burnaby Lake in a personal best time and I took about 40 seconds off the previous time. It's a great feeling breaking personal times and I don't how to explain it but today is a good day!

Mid March

Wrapped up five straight days of training with a 1:34.04 run this morning and I'm feeling good so I'll take tomorrrow off and then get back at it Tuesday instead of two straight days off that way if I need a break i can relax Friday or Saturday. Funny how I'm thinking of the next day of training instead of rest day tomorrow but that's where the head's at and I'm focused so it must be a good thing, I'm sure when i wake up tomorrow I'll appreciate the rest.

weather

It's looking like it's going to be a challenging week weather wise with low temperatures and lots of rain forecasted,but that's never stopped me before as it's satisfying when you finish a race in the summer and you recall being cold and wet in the Jan-April runs, now with that being said I had a nice speed workout on the treadmill this morning! but tomorrow's Burnaby lake run should be nice and muddy. With a regular running routine taking shape now, I plan on getting back to the pool next week but not sure when or how often just yet because I like to do the training first then see how my body feels rather than scheduling everthing beforehand.

Friday Run

So each time I leave my door step to go for a run it's going to be a hilly one and that's just because of where i live. So this morning I drove down to Marine Way and Byrne Road and parked behind the Canadian Tire and started running towards foreshore park which is pretty much the Fraser River and there's a trail that runs parallel to the river and it's nice and flat. The good thing about that is, my run is steady and relaxed and my mind can just wonder similar to Burnaby Lake but more open and straight,with my neighbourhood runs there's a lot of mental conversations between me and the hills! Anyway the river run starts at the Burnaby/New Westminster border pretty much and it's also the flight path for planes approaching the airport so with all the planes I've been on in the last 6 months it was easy to lose myself as i saw them fly overhead. One instant that stood out was my trip to Phillipines to visit my friend and his family and there was a bunch of us in his pool with San Miguel beers in one hand and trying keep a volleyball up with the other hand,and when the ball left the pool it pretty much landed in the ocean! yeah a pool beside the ocean,that was a tough today! So snapping back to reality I've run through burnaby and halfway through East Vancouver as I approach Knight street bridge i decide to turn around because the airport is getting a little too close! lol. I show up back at the car about an hour and a half later and that fruit punch gatorade g2 never tated soo good! Another great start to the day.

Burnaby Lake Run

Well finally I've run my favorite trail run the 11k loop around the lake! The last time was Nov.12th at a time of 50:03 and this morning was 52:31 so i'm still in the ball park and it's good to know where i'm at. A few thoughts that i had during the run included such things as..was that a frog? look at all those Canadian geese! okay focus on breathing, wonder how mom's doing? should call her more! wish there was more work at the docks, just breathe and stay relaxed, i really should get my shoulder looked at soon, and that's about it. I'm also leaning towards running the Vancouver Half marathon instead of the full, just because of where I'm at training wise and that way i can start spending more time swimming and less time trying to cram in long miles into 8 weeks(injury magnet) so.. still finding the right balance but it's coming and a September or October full marathon seems more probable. As for the shoulder..well i've had a nagging pain in my upper arm/shoulder that i've been trying to shake off since late November so I finally went to the walk in clinic and was told it was a rotator cuff injury but nothing serious.

picture

So sitting here bored because i'm not training today i thought i'd mention the name of the picture above. Yasaka-No-To Pagoda in Kyoto,Japan. It was last rebuilt in 1440. I was there a couple weeks ago and I can remember when we were walking around the city and we turned down a side street and we could just see the top of this pagoda and you walk up this windy hilly road watching it grow before your eyes until it towers over you,just an awesome peaceful place! A blue sky and those cherry blossoms in bloom would of made that pic even sweeter.

March

Now that the games are over and I've had a few weeks to get my conditioning back to where it should be, i'll up the tempo of my training and begin to follow a strict diet which will see no sugar,dairy,pasta or alchohol just to name a few things. So after 5 straight days of early morning runs and afternoon core workouts topped off with a rowdy olympic beer swilling Sunday, I'll just go to work tomorrow and come home to rest...but now I'm already thinking of where to run Tuesday morning.

Canada Hockey Gold!

The streets are crazy right now! cars up and down the street with flags waving and the downtown core looking like it's going to be a looong celebration.

new shoes

Well I just ran in a new pair of Nike Free 5.0 and they felt great,they're the lightest shoe i've ever used so we'll see how training goes in these. My runs are still between 30-40 minutes and those are beginning to feel like warm up's so it's good to end my runs feeling like i can do much more. Soon I plan on running 10k 5 times a week with a long run every sunday but it's crucial to ease the miles in just to avoid injury. Next week training will start becoming more intense as the olympics get ready to wind up and that will help me keep focused because there's a lot going on around here,I never expected these games to be so much fun, I'm referring to the whole atomsphere around the city there's been something happening everywhere everynight! One thing for certain though, winter's been interesting!

Training again

Finally after an unexpected month away I was able to continue training today! It was great spring day in winter. I went for a 29 minute run and it felt good,it's always nice to get the first one out of the way. I'll spend the next couple of weeks or so just getting my cardio back to where it should be and then I'll get back to following a specific regimen that includes all three areas of the triathlon. It looks like the Vancouver Marathon is about twelve weeks away so I've got some mileage building to do.

jet lag

I'm just bagged! trying hard to get back to normal but my time zone is somewhere else.

Home

This small one bedroom condo looks massive! and I can walk through the doorways without ducking down,I have two bumps and a couple scratches on my forehead from banging my head because i'm pushing 6'2 and many of the doorways in Japan are lower. It was a pretty hassle free flight as i thought Vancouver airport would be a mess with the olympics but straight in no hassle but the time difference is going to mess me up a bit but I have couple days to adjust before work. Now as far as training goes i'm anxious to get going, but not having done anything for a few weeks i realize i need to start allll over!and i know once i get that first one in and that blood pumping i'll be off. For my BT friends thanks! I think I'll posting a question on how to get re-started just to see what kind of feedback comes back as i can always use the tips and motivation. I also need to pick up a new pair of runners so that search begins now as I'm always looking for the perfect pair but still haven't found them..also need to sign up for the Vancouver Marathon in May.Anyway I'm now in the comfort of home and apparently the olympic torch is coming through the neighborhood so i'll try catch a glimpse.

ok one more

Being a few feet away from some train tracks and then all a sudden Whoooosh!! out of nowhere the mighty Shinkasen(bullet train) just silently rips by us! just awesome. Flying from Tokyo to Osaka over Mt Fuji as the sun sets was pretty memorable as well.Those are just a couple of moments I wanted to write down while they`re so vividly stuck in my head and there will be more both bad and good, but once I return this will return to an Ironman journey with riveting inputs of treacherous laps in the pool combined with mysterious training runs throughout Vancouver! So ends my last post crossed leg on the floor on a tatami mat in Osaka Japan,next post from a chair in a condo.

One more Japan post

Well a couple more days in downtown Osaka have passed and the non-stop action of the maze of a subway system and non stop wave of humans flying past me at all angles have now given way to quiet walks in the country,with non-stop humans flying past past me on bikes.we are preparing to head home soon as the Olympics are due back home so things should be a bit more tame.Soon the soaker tub will be replaced with a too small cold tub and the beer vending machines replaced with wine fridges filled with January`s un-used gatorade.I`m looking forward to running on empty tree lined streets early in the morning once again but this time i have so much more in my thoughts when i do.

kyoto day 2

Well we had to go back to Kyoto today just because there is too much to see as far as historical sites,there should be some nice pics that i can post on facebook soon and that will be it for Kyoto. Where I`m staying is a place called Takatsuki which is far from the downtown core of Osaka but between Kyoto and Kobe so everything is just a train ride away.I`ve actually found out that Takatsuki has a half marathon in January so I`m now thinking i need to come back for that. I peeled the paint off a few kareoke walls today as well. Tomorrow we`ll head to downtown Osaka and that trip to Kobe for the beef.

japan week two

Well two weeks ago i was doing laps in a pool and training 2 times a day and today i was in Kyoto walking around castles where samurai once roamed,this is turning out to be a journey indeed! My next stop will be a Kobe steakhouse for some Kobe beef which is a must do especially being from Vancouver and having been at a restaurant called Kobe steakhouse which doesn`t compare obviously. Just a few thoughts while I`m on the computer sitting on the floor here in Osaka,great food, Beer vending machines,heated toilet seats,fantastic transportation system and finally beer vending machines! Man could i use a chair about now,lol anyway i`m going stand up bang my head and head out with pocket full of yen and ironman dreams still very much alive. Thanks to all for the well wishes.

Japan

A week ago my wife`s stepfather passed away so the next morning we packed up our things and took whatever savings we had and flew to Japan to take care of my mother in law.It has been extremely heartbreaking this week especially going through my first traditional japanese funeral but the hard part is over and now we are going to do some travelling here and shopping. Everyone is doing well and we will probably extend our stay just to make sure mama will be taken care of. I thought twice whether or not to include this info on here but figured it`s a big part of my year.Needless to say i`m still looking forward to coming home and training my ass off! but for now Japan`s where the hearts at.

bike day

Actually stationary bike day and 90mins of it! sooo exciting but looking forward to some roads soon. Some new swim goggles came in the mail today and yes I'm wearing them now on a friday night while I'm on the computer and they're holding up pretty well..haha, so tomorrow I'll be up early and run to the pool and swim it up! Right now there's a benefit for Haiti going on and I've donated twice this week, but it got me thinking that maybe i can raise money somehow for a cause while I train for the ironman,just another random thought as they tend to pop up easily on the bike or on the run but not while i'm swimming as my favorite swimming thought is breathing!

Hill run

Up bright and early as the sun's about to rise,I have a small bowl of oatmeal with almond milk and glass water,some light stretching,a quick pull of G2,lace up and gone. Now I'm at ease as I find a nice pace a few minutes in to my morning run around the hilly streets of Burnaby, breathing in the fresh morning air I think to myself "this is awesome" I then realize that there's no need for a toque,gloves or a jacket for that matter as it feels like spring and the winter olympics are here in 22 day's! Anyhow 40 minutes goes by and I arrive home energized for the work day ahead.

Rest Day

Half a month now has gone by and it's amazing the amount of time that is spent on training. I do realize this is a lifestyle and it's one that i'm definetly comfortable with, I get so much energy knowing that it's how far I can push myself and how well trained i need to be in order to accomplish this! In a strange sort of way the rest day's are harder but I can imagine that will change. I'm also thinking of the races i should be entering soon and the Vancouver Marathon in may is one that i plan on doing but the Vancouver Sun Run probaly not because 50,000 is a busy race unless I want beat my previous time..damn it! ok maybe haha. The major one will be my first triathlon and that decision is to follow so these were just some of my rest day thoughts.

afternoon workout

Well I was able to leave work early today and so I headed straight to the pool and got a 30min swim in followed with a 30 min treadmill run. At the moment I'm trying to get a proper pace set in the water but no matter how controlled i start,I still end up going much faster than i should and that's gassing me! I see people in other lanes looking so controlled and as if they could go forever..In time I'll get there. Also today I picked up a copy of local hero Simon Whitfield's book "Simon Say's Gold" He won the first gold medal for the triathlon at the Sydney olympic games in 2000. I was teaching english in Japan at the time and I can remember vividly watching that race and cheering and pumping my fist in the air as he took the gold! I was so far away from home but at that moment i was so proud to be from Vancouver! Since then there's been something brewing and 10 years later I'm finally doing something about it. What's up my fellow BT's? nice to see ya' let's do this!!

Wed 13th

Well, back at it after a couple days off and I started with watching a promotional video on youtube of the Kona Ironman in Hawaii. So then I was pumped and ready to start training again,then I drove to the pool (just happened to have the same song on cd from that youtube video playing) get changed,make sure my goggles are tight,swinging and loosening up the arms and then I dive in! pull,pull,breathe,pull,pull breathe! the first 25m are smooth and my forms tight then after 50m need to catch my breath... and once again the pool cooled my jets haha. The full Ironman swim is 3862m and in Penticton that will be in Okanagan Lake with a few thousand people swinging and kicking around me! Anyway I swam for another 30 minutes then jumped on the bike for 53 minutes then drove home cranked that beat satisfied with another step towards ironman, next day of rest will be Monday and until then swim,bike run! Ohh and I'm extremely motivated to see Mom,Carly and Shirley now on here as followers.

10 days

First of all a special hello to my three followers haha! Ten day's in and not much to say except that A) 80min on a stationary bike numb's the butt, B) at the gym the new year's resolutionist's are starting to drop off, and C) I like swimming,and finally D) every single day means so much and that's good living!

more swimming

So it took 25:41 to run to the pool and then i spent 32:56 in the pool,then ran back home in 29:30 so that was a good workout and I'm feeling it right now! Tomorrow I'll drive to the pool for a 40min session and Sunday I'll be back on the bike for for 80min,Monday's will now be rest day's and next week I should have a set training schedule that will be swim heavy for the time being.

Tri shopping

Went to Pacific Multisport today it's a Tri shop on 28th and Main and the guy there was cool telling me the bikes they carry and how I could get a custom bike made from scratch from a company called Guru which is from Montreal,I'm still leaning towards a Cervelo though from Speed Theory on 4th or La bicycletta on Broadway but I still need to save my twoonies and loonies. I've ordered some Aqua Sphere goggles for the pool off ebay as I expect to be swimming three times a week now. Did some weights and core exercises in the gym today,tomorrow I'm going to run to the pool and swim for 32min then run home,it's 5k each way.

Pool Time

Well I took my training to Canada Games Pool in New Westminster today and spent 25 minutes doing lengths and after 2 full lengths of the front crawl i had to stop to catch my breath,and at that point I was still only in the water for less than five minutes! however once I slowed down and concentrated on breathing properly things were good for the next 20min. Today was a far cry from a 2.5 mile swim in an open lake but now I have an idea about the level of training this will take. After the swim I rode the stationary bike for 48min,and I think within the next couple of weeks a proper training schedule will start to form.

day 3

So here's where i'm at three day's into the year,first of all i feel great and that i can do much more which is a good sign but all the miles and hours are still to come and rest and injury prevention is crucial and i get that. Anyway yesterday i went to the gym twice to work on my core strength and to do some stationary bike spinning and early this morning a 35min run around the neighbourhood,Sunday mornings are great for runs because there no one out there.I was going to wait until February to do some swimming but i'm too curious to see where i'm at in the water so wednesday morning i'll hit the pool and do some lengths but until then i'll rest up a couple days.

Ok so I woke up this morning in a new decade and the first thing I did was weigh myself and so I’m starting 2010 at 200.8 lbs or 91.3kg if you’re using a Japanese scale. Next I grabbed a Gatorade out of the former wine cooler and went to the gym spent 33.06 on a treadmill at a 9 min mile pace which is slow and steady. This month I’ll be focusing on building up my endurance by running and also getting comfortable adjusting to a new healthier diet. I’ll look back at this post and remember day 1 running for a half hour on a treadmill! Haha let the games begin. Happy New Year.