Another big week with team Giga Bike........i'm smashed- the goal, 6 big days of riding with a run off the bike each day and a recovery swim. My legs feel rubbery....here's how it panned out:
Day 1- 4 hours riding with two TT's one climbing, one flat road....swim after for an hour....still coming around from viral infection
Day 2- 4 hours riding with hills at the end that i had to bail from, really stuffed up. Ran off the bike for an hour
Day 3- 5 hours sooke to port renfrew ride, one of the greatest rides here on the island....five hours of hills along the coast past surfers, people fishing, crazy drivers.....it's awesome. we had the best group out with a ton of great riders and the last hour we were moving fast, huge effort....i'll include a blog about this ride later, it was dyno-mite....or you can check out the post at www.triathletemag.com somewhere on there, i just posted it. Did a short run off the bike and bonked like crazy and ended up devouring subway, cookies, chips, ice tea....i downed it with all speed then finished the day in the pool....biggest day in ages.
Day 4- 4 hours chill day, everyone was pretty smashed from yesterday- ran off the bike an hour or so.
Day 5- 4.5 hours with 8*5mins in team time trial format in a hurricane...seriously, the wettest i've been on a ride in a long time and complimented with gale force winds....a day brought to us by global warming i am sure. great run off the bike, my heart is fit but legs still need to get there. good swim to finish the day
Day 6- 6 hours, hilly route through duncan and shawnigan....70min run off the bike and a small swim. My legs feel like rubber. Sometimes we border overtraining, this week was no exception but i think it's important to bust down some preconceived notions of what is possible. and now i watch the oscars contemplating a career in the movie industry.
Total this week-
Swim- 6 hours
Bike- 28.5 hours
Run- 5 hours
Total- 39.5 hours.......craziness is this sport
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
A series of Interviews- REID COOLSAET
I couldn't think of a better dude to start an interview series with than Reid Coolsaet, legend, stud and the fastest red head over 5000m in Canada.....the guy even has a wicked good name.
Reid's been givener on the track and out in the trails for years now and as the Beijing Olympics get closer he is only 4 seconds off of the Canadian A standard. He's a fast bastard and a heck of a skateboarder. I know alot of people will be rootin for him this year and next to get to Beijing....myself included.
What is on your schedule this year and what is the primary objective?
I just got done a couple of indoor races and I was pleased with the results (7:56 3000 and 13:42 5000) even though many of my track workouts weren't quite at the pace I was looking for. So I'm pleased with my fitness heading into the outdoor season where I plan on opening up with a 10 000 or two on the track and then focusing on 5000's once June rolls around. I really want to knock off some standards for the upcoming major meets, Pan Ams, Worlds and the Olympics.
How fast do you need to run to make Beijing?
The IAAF A standard is 13:21.50 but Canada is asking for 13:19.71 for the 5000m. The B standard, which the COC may or may not recognize, is 13:28.00 for 5000m and 28:10 for the 10 000m.
What is your PB for 5km, 1500m, 10km?
1500 - 3:41.53
5000 - 13:23.30
10 000 - 28:39.54
You can be the best athlete in the world at any other sport, which one would you pick and why?
Skateboarding. Chill out and get paid a ton. My good friend, Mark Appleyard, is one of the best and I see how he lives. Landing a trick on a skateboard is such a good feeling, and if I was able to do the best tricks... well then...
About a year or two ago you attempted a sub 4 minute mile on a skateboard, tell us a bit about that...what inspired it, the result, is there a link to a YouTube video or anything?
I was telling some guys at practice one day that I thought I could skateboard any distance from a mile and up faster on a skateboard than I could run. Most people thought that I was an idiot but I was pretty confident I could. I went over to this unfinished track in Guelph that's currently asphalt and did 800m under 2:00 by myself. So I went back to my house called up a bunch of teammates and said "it's on, I'm gonna break 4 for the mile." We went back and I skated a 3:49 mile. It wasn't hard aerobically but it was tough on my legs. I'll have to get it up on youtube one of these days.
Would you rather be rich or stupid?
Is this a trick question? You'd be stupid to pick stupid. Not that being rich is the best thing, but it would suck to be stupid.
Jessica Simpson or Scarlett Johanson?
Scarlett for sure.
Meryl Streep or Susan Sorandon?
Are you asking me who's a better actress? Meryl.
What's the toughest workout you've ever done?
On paper it would be 44 X 200m with very little rest on a very hot day. But some of my toughest workouts are those ones that aren't going that well and I struggle the last few intervals running crappy times. Its always easier when you're running fast or PB's.
What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
I'm not sure but, one of my favorites is "Run the first half of the race with your head and the second half with your heart." That's been around for a while but Trent reiterated that for me last summer.
What's your most memorable result so far?
Coming in second at the World University Games in the 5000m. I was coming off a bad performance at Worlds and I was not too confident going into the race but as I clipped off laps I started feeling better and better. I took the lead with 400m to go and got passed in the last 200 by a guy that had beat me by almost 30 seconds at Worlds the week before.
Who wins in a race between Dave Scott Thomas and Trent Stellingwerff?
This question sets me up for a scorning either way but if I was putting down money I'd go with Trent.
Coolest run you've ever been on (location or company)?
Monarch trail/Main loop in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. Has to be one of the best running routes anywhere.
You can have dinner with anyone....who and why?
Lasse Viren, I'd like to ask him about training and peaking. But that answer probably changes every day.
What do you want to do when you grow up?
Importer/exporter and a lawn bowler on the side... 2040 commonwealth games.
Why are triathletes so cool and why do you idolize us so much?
Triathletes are so cool because you guys always wear hats and visors on the run section and, make fun of duathletes. I idolize you guys because of the amount of hours you have to put in and the ability to get recreational athletes interested in elite racing (that last sentence is actually true).
Thanks Reid, count me in for 2040 and giver shit this year.
**THIS JUST IN** Thanks Derek for the link to Reids skateboard mile...check it out.
http://trackie.ca/content/interviews/interview.php?id=40
Reid's been givener on the track and out in the trails for years now and as the Beijing Olympics get closer he is only 4 seconds off of the Canadian A standard. He's a fast bastard and a heck of a skateboarder. I know alot of people will be rootin for him this year and next to get to Beijing....myself included.
What is on your schedule this year and what is the primary objective?
I just got done a couple of indoor races and I was pleased with the results (7:56 3000 and 13:42 5000) even though many of my track workouts weren't quite at the pace I was looking for. So I'm pleased with my fitness heading into the outdoor season where I plan on opening up with a 10 000 or two on the track and then focusing on 5000's once June rolls around. I really want to knock off some standards for the upcoming major meets, Pan Ams, Worlds and the Olympics.
How fast do you need to run to make Beijing?
The IAAF A standard is 13:21.50 but Canada is asking for 13:19.71 for the 5000m. The B standard, which the COC may or may not recognize, is 13:28.00 for 5000m and 28:10 for the 10 000m.
What is your PB for 5km, 1500m, 10km?
1500 - 3:41.53
5000 - 13:23.30
10 000 - 28:39.54
You can be the best athlete in the world at any other sport, which one would you pick and why?
Skateboarding. Chill out and get paid a ton. My good friend, Mark Appleyard, is one of the best and I see how he lives. Landing a trick on a skateboard is such a good feeling, and if I was able to do the best tricks... well then...
About a year or two ago you attempted a sub 4 minute mile on a skateboard, tell us a bit about that...what inspired it, the result, is there a link to a YouTube video or anything?
I was telling some guys at practice one day that I thought I could skateboard any distance from a mile and up faster on a skateboard than I could run. Most people thought that I was an idiot but I was pretty confident I could. I went over to this unfinished track in Guelph that's currently asphalt and did 800m under 2:00 by myself. So I went back to my house called up a bunch of teammates and said "it's on, I'm gonna break 4 for the mile." We went back and I skated a 3:49 mile. It wasn't hard aerobically but it was tough on my legs. I'll have to get it up on youtube one of these days.
Would you rather be rich or stupid?
Is this a trick question? You'd be stupid to pick stupid. Not that being rich is the best thing, but it would suck to be stupid.
Jessica Simpson or Scarlett Johanson?
Scarlett for sure.
Meryl Streep or Susan Sorandon?
Are you asking me who's a better actress? Meryl.
What's the toughest workout you've ever done?
On paper it would be 44 X 200m with very little rest on a very hot day. But some of my toughest workouts are those ones that aren't going that well and I struggle the last few intervals running crappy times. Its always easier when you're running fast or PB's.
What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
I'm not sure but, one of my favorites is "Run the first half of the race with your head and the second half with your heart." That's been around for a while but Trent reiterated that for me last summer.
What's your most memorable result so far?
Coming in second at the World University Games in the 5000m. I was coming off a bad performance at Worlds and I was not too confident going into the race but as I clipped off laps I started feeling better and better. I took the lead with 400m to go and got passed in the last 200 by a guy that had beat me by almost 30 seconds at Worlds the week before.
Who wins in a race between Dave Scott Thomas and Trent Stellingwerff?
This question sets me up for a scorning either way but if I was putting down money I'd go with Trent.
Coolest run you've ever been on (location or company)?
Monarch trail/Main loop in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area. Has to be one of the best running routes anywhere.
You can have dinner with anyone....who and why?
Lasse Viren, I'd like to ask him about training and peaking. But that answer probably changes every day.
What do you want to do when you grow up?
Importer/exporter and a lawn bowler on the side... 2040 commonwealth games.
Why are triathletes so cool and why do you idolize us so much?
Triathletes are so cool because you guys always wear hats and visors on the run section and, make fun of duathletes. I idolize you guys because of the amount of hours you have to put in and the ability to get recreational athletes interested in elite racing (that last sentence is actually true).
Thanks Reid, count me in for 2040 and giver shit this year.
**THIS JUST IN** Thanks Derek for the link to Reids skateboard mile...check it out.
http://trackie.ca/content/interviews/interview.php?id=40
Monday, February 12, 2007
Friday, February 09, 2007
Sweat Hog
Today i decided that despite all the other evidence in support anyway.......the body is THE COOLEST THING EVER....better than anything you could ever invent or anything you could make up in movie.
I've had this viral thing since tuesday, knocked me completely flat and the sweating i have done during sleep absolutely blows my mind. I'm sleeping like a king despite the crazy fever and man is my body ever sweating it out. Last night I completely and utterly soaked myself and the bed. I had to wake jude up to show her...the bed was quite literally soaked through......it was the most amazing thing i've ever seen......cool cool cool.
I am feeling better today and should be good to go tommorow. Anyone else out there ever have crazy night sweats or wicked good body stories.
I hope to do some more super sweating tonight it's going to be awesome.
I've had this viral thing since tuesday, knocked me completely flat and the sweating i have done during sleep absolutely blows my mind. I'm sleeping like a king despite the crazy fever and man is my body ever sweating it out. Last night I completely and utterly soaked myself and the bed. I had to wake jude up to show her...the bed was quite literally soaked through......it was the most amazing thing i've ever seen......cool cool cool.
I am feeling better today and should be good to go tommorow. Anyone else out there ever have crazy night sweats or wicked good body stories.
I hope to do some more super sweating tonight it's going to be awesome.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Jude rules
Yes she may be addicted to home and garden TV but for good reason, i arrived home to another job done to our house which just rocks......every time i leave she takes on a new challenge, hard wood floors, painting, drywalling, you name it, she does it. so this trip she decided to wall paper the ceiling in the living room and painted it which has been waiting to happen for a year now. Wallpaper the ceiling you ask?......yes so did i ask? but it looks amazing, textured paper makes it look like an old victorian ceiling, classy, stylish and lots of sweat equity. A special thanks to good friend Michelle (my swan) who pitched in big time and is owed one good dinner and a new haircut to get the wallpaper glue out.
Also, as a side note, here are a couple funny pictures. One is of my coach Andrew McNaughton in his glory years with Steve King, the other of Tim and Jude and I, Tim also gets man of the year for doing some painting of the sweet pad and the other is the Kwaz....man of the year....every year.....thanks for the bike this weekend, it was sweet as sugar, even though i didn't ride it.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
US and Pan Am Winter Triathlon Champs- and the whirlwind that follows
This life can be a whirlwind adventure sometimes. This weekend in Winter Park Colorado was no exception.
Winter triathlon is a newer sport and still very grass roots, the perfect mental break during the year to stay fit and race. I love winter sports and it's a good excuse to get out in the snow.
This race was the US and Pan Am winter champs...7km run, 15km mountain bike and 9km cross country ski all on snow. To say it was a tough effort would be a huge understatement, i was completely smashed at the end of that race. The altitude was definitely a factor but I think it went really well regardless and I feel fit. 9,500ft from sea level I certainly wouldn't recommend but I think I handled it well. Run I went out conservatively, 90seconds down at the end, it's a real slog running through snow, a pain in the ass to be honest but everyone is in the same boat. The bike is hilarious....2 loops, the first one pretty chill on account of hard snow but after 120 people have dug up the snow it is a complete gong show. Each loop started with a steady climb followed by a straight downhill where we were pushing in the biggest gear. I did two massive headers over the bars...wheels track in the snow and at 35km/hr before you know it you've done a complete endo over the handle bars, it happens so quickly it takes a second to figure out what happened. I managed to make up some ground and came off the bike in 3rd or 4th. The ski was ridiculous.....i figure if i was swimming i would have drowned for sure. It was all about survival, my eyes felt like they were turning completely square and i was starting to get tunnel vision. I was passed by two guys and all I cared about was finishing.....it was comical! Finally race done, 7th place, great effort and onward. I was first of the sea level idiots if you do loser math.
And the whirlwind begins....race ends 12:15....check out time is 12:30....rush home, pack bikes, skis and bags and shower in 20mins, drive back for awards, run to car to high tail it to Denver for flights at 5pm, rush in, enjoy lounge, watch super bowl, fly to Toronto........arrive 1:45am, sprint with bags to Budget rental car which closes at 2am, barely get car, drive to Martins, arrive at 3am, sleep until 7am, meetings all day and into the night....wake up this morning sick as a dog, no great surprise there.....fever and sore throat....and now, in AC lounge again where i took a shower and ate more cookies.....can't wait to get home.
heehaw.
Winter triathlon is a newer sport and still very grass roots, the perfect mental break during the year to stay fit and race. I love winter sports and it's a good excuse to get out in the snow.
This race was the US and Pan Am winter champs...7km run, 15km mountain bike and 9km cross country ski all on snow. To say it was a tough effort would be a huge understatement, i was completely smashed at the end of that race. The altitude was definitely a factor but I think it went really well regardless and I feel fit. 9,500ft from sea level I certainly wouldn't recommend but I think I handled it well. Run I went out conservatively, 90seconds down at the end, it's a real slog running through snow, a pain in the ass to be honest but everyone is in the same boat. The bike is hilarious....2 loops, the first one pretty chill on account of hard snow but after 120 people have dug up the snow it is a complete gong show. Each loop started with a steady climb followed by a straight downhill where we were pushing in the biggest gear. I did two massive headers over the bars...wheels track in the snow and at 35km/hr before you know it you've done a complete endo over the handle bars, it happens so quickly it takes a second to figure out what happened. I managed to make up some ground and came off the bike in 3rd or 4th. The ski was ridiculous.....i figure if i was swimming i would have drowned for sure. It was all about survival, my eyes felt like they were turning completely square and i was starting to get tunnel vision. I was passed by two guys and all I cared about was finishing.....it was comical! Finally race done, 7th place, great effort and onward. I was first of the sea level idiots if you do loser math.
And the whirlwind begins....race ends 12:15....check out time is 12:30....rush home, pack bikes, skis and bags and shower in 20mins, drive back for awards, run to car to high tail it to Denver for flights at 5pm, rush in, enjoy lounge, watch super bowl, fly to Toronto........arrive 1:45am, sprint with bags to Budget rental car which closes at 2am, barely get car, drive to Martins, arrive at 3am, sleep until 7am, meetings all day and into the night....wake up this morning sick as a dog, no great surprise there.....fever and sore throat....and now, in AC lounge again where i took a shower and ate more cookies.....can't wait to get home.
heehaw.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Winter Park- Pan Am Winter Champs
I arrived in Denver last night after a day of travel through Calgary. The best part is that after 20 years of traveling I finally got elite status with air canada so there are some perks. I make sure to take advantage of the lounges even if it's just for 5 minutes, just to say i went in there and had a free cookie. the lounge in calgary was not the swankiest lounge i have been into but still worth the trip, i enjoyed a hearty bowl of soup and some cookies courtesy of air canada. i also figure there is a small chance i might meet celine dion in one of the lounges on account of her singing the new air canada promotional song....i figure they would probably let her in the lounges after that.
The drive to winter park from denver was 2 hours and goes over a 12,000ft pass which i definitely felt, i wasn't quite bleeding from my eyes or anything but i felt a bit sleepy. i am looking forward to the race, the gong show of trying to organize a bike has all been sorted out and i am good to go. i'm staying with the legendary mark tarnopolsky, the youngest tenured professor at McMaster university and one heck of an aerobic engine. Also joining the Canadian contingent is Martin Rydlo, adventure racing guru and sayer of many funny things. Trips like this totally rock, no pressure, good company and a chance to shake life up a bit. I'm looking forward to hitting it out tommorow here at Devils thumb.
In the mean time, keep fit, have fun and I will let you know if i cross paths with Celine.
The drive to winter park from denver was 2 hours and goes over a 12,000ft pass which i definitely felt, i wasn't quite bleeding from my eyes or anything but i felt a bit sleepy. i am looking forward to the race, the gong show of trying to organize a bike has all been sorted out and i am good to go. i'm staying with the legendary mark tarnopolsky, the youngest tenured professor at McMaster university and one heck of an aerobic engine. Also joining the Canadian contingent is Martin Rydlo, adventure racing guru and sayer of many funny things. Trips like this totally rock, no pressure, good company and a chance to shake life up a bit. I'm looking forward to hitting it out tommorow here at Devils thumb.
In the mean time, keep fit, have fun and I will let you know if i cross paths with Celine.
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