The winds were blasting again yesterday, so I decided to bike just past the BC/Alberta border. There is a nice set of outhouses at the bottom of the hill as soon as you cross into BC, and I thought that would be a good place to turn around.
There is another set of outhouses at what we locals call "The Lakes" -- right before you cross into BC, but these are the filthiest, most disgusting outhouses I have ever been in. They are so gross any time of the year. It's like all the most disgusting people on the planet -- the ones who don't know how to poop INSIDE the hole -- pull over and use these outhouses.
I have seen similar conditions in the open pit mines of Nepali outhouses. Seriously. In fact, these are the same outhouses that made international news a few months ago when some bonehead dumped a number of unwanted puppies down the men's hatch. As the story goes, a little boy had to pee, his Mom and Dad pulled over to the outhouse, and the little boy reported back to his parents that he could hear noises down the hole. The Pass was instantly mobilized and volunteers came out of the woodwork to jackhammer the outhouse open, rescue the puppies, and clean them up. All puppies were instantly adopted. :)
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Good swim, good run
Hit the pool yesterday and had somewhat of an epiphany - I had a heightened awareness of my stroke and what bad habits I revert to. I concentrated on how far underneath the water my hand went before I started to pull -- I noticed slight changes that made it more difficult for me to swim, and easier. Tomorrow,I'm heading out to the lake for my morning swim. :)
I was a hurting unit after the weights and core on Tuesday -- I was in more pain from that workout than from my Wasa race!! LOL! Go figure! I was going to head to the gym this morning, but decided against it -- I'm just too pooped.
Went for an easy run later on in the afternoon with Diva and Toby, but poor Diva had a really hard go of things. This is my same little dog who used to run beside the car going upwards of 50km/hour when we used to fool around on back gravel roads. She has always been used to running ahead of me, and the poor little thing has a hard time now just to keep up. Granted, I took her a bit further than what we've done lately, so it was my fault. She was really limping afterwards, so I am going to just start taking her on easy walks to the river where she can wade in and get her belly wet to cool down. (She's too afraid to swim since she's gone blind).
I also have this new arthritis medicine for her to try -- non-steroidal, so I am hoping this will help too. She still had a blast yesterday though -- the babies love it when they get really hot running, and then get to cool down in the water. The only difference is that now, it doesn't take too long for Diva to get pooped. :) I think I might start taking only Toby out with me for my runs, but it just breaks my heart to leave Diva at home. After a run, I can just take her and Toby out for a short little walk.
Today's schedule calls for a ride (YAY!) and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the winds aren't too hairy today. If there are no crosswinds, I'll head to Castle Mountain; otherwise I'll head toward Sparwood. I much prefer pedaling into a headwind, and then turning around and FLYING home!! :) :)
I was a hurting unit after the weights and core on Tuesday -- I was in more pain from that workout than from my Wasa race!! LOL! Go figure! I was going to head to the gym this morning, but decided against it -- I'm just too pooped.
Went for an easy run later on in the afternoon with Diva and Toby, but poor Diva had a really hard go of things. This is my same little dog who used to run beside the car going upwards of 50km/hour when we used to fool around on back gravel roads. She has always been used to running ahead of me, and the poor little thing has a hard time now just to keep up. Granted, I took her a bit further than what we've done lately, so it was my fault. She was really limping afterwards, so I am going to just start taking her on easy walks to the river where she can wade in and get her belly wet to cool down. (She's too afraid to swim since she's gone blind).
I also have this new arthritis medicine for her to try -- non-steroidal, so I am hoping this will help too. She still had a blast yesterday though -- the babies love it when they get really hot running, and then get to cool down in the water. The only difference is that now, it doesn't take too long for Diva to get pooped. :) I think I might start taking only Toby out with me for my runs, but it just breaks my heart to leave Diva at home. After a run, I can just take her and Toby out for a short little walk.
Today's schedule calls for a ride (YAY!) and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the winds aren't too hairy today. If there are no crosswinds, I'll head to Castle Mountain; otherwise I'll head toward Sparwood. I much prefer pedaling into a headwind, and then turning around and FLYING home!! :) :)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Big Fat Hairy Crosswinds
I awoke bright and perky yesterday morning -- I rode my mountain bike to the gym, then rode my tri bike to the pool, and then went for a bike ride. I decided to head out towards Beaver Mines and Castle Mountain -- the road is relatively clear of traffic and has lots of hills. Right after I turned off the highway, I noticed the crosswinds -- CRIKEY!!
They were so powerful, I had a difficult time just to stay on the bike. The crosswinds were generally coming from the west, but they would sort of mix around and blast me from all sides once in a while. Going downhill was just too scary for me -- I rode the brakes a lot yesterday!!
I kept feeling off balance, like something was literally on my back -- I even swerved a number of times trying to get my centre of gravity back. It was only when I finally arrived back home that I saw who the culprit was....
They were so powerful, I had a difficult time just to stay on the bike. The crosswinds were generally coming from the west, but they would sort of mix around and blast me from all sides once in a while. Going downhill was just too scary for me -- I rode the brakes a lot yesterday!!
I kept feeling off balance, like something was literally on my back -- I even swerved a number of times trying to get my centre of gravity back. It was only when I finally arrived back home that I saw who the culprit was....
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Pity Party Trip Over, Official Results In
Ok, so after a good knock on the head and a solid email from my very good friend, Cath, I am now back to normal. No more griping about my swimming -- I promise. I guess I just had a sudden attack of masochism or something! ;)
I hereby promise to continue swimming with as much heart and soul and pure enjoyment as before. :) :)
Here are my official times:
Swim: 30:47
Bike: 1:17:21
Run: 51:42
Total: 2:39:48
Place: 12/34 AG
Jake's Time: 1:05:06 (!!!!!) :):) :)
I hereby promise to continue swimming with as much heart and soul and pure enjoyment as before. :) :)
Here are my official times:
Swim: 30:47
Bike: 1:17:21
Run: 51:42
Total: 2:39:48
Place: 12/34 AG
Jake's Time: 1:05:06 (!!!!!) :):) :)
Monday, June 16, 2008
New Frigging PB Baby, Yeah!!!!
For Jake's race report, please see the previous post!!! Now, onto my race report...
I was so excited about Jake's race, that I had no nervous energy left over for my own! Race morning started off as usual -- lots of people with all their gear strewn all over the place. I had every intention of arriving early enough to get a choice bike rack, but didn't quite make it, and so was stuck in the very middle as usual. :P
Jenna's poop fairy came to visit again and again -- thanks Jenna!! LOL!!
I met up with a family from the Pass -- the guy, Mike did IMC last year, and his wife would be doing her first ever triathlon that day -- the Olympic too! I hung out with Mike (it's funny, there are all these Mikes all over the place. I'm introducing my Mike, to another Mike. Mike, this is Mike. LOL!!), his wife, and their son, Chris before the race started.
After squeezing into my wetsuit we headed down to warm up in the cold water. Wasa was the first outdoor swim I ever did and was the first time I had a full on panic attack, so I always make sure to completely immerse myself in the cold water BEFORE the race to get the shock over with. It wasn't too bad, but it was still frigging cold! :)
After singing the national anthem, (I was thrilled how many people actually sang along this year!) the race started. Not much about the swim to say here --I chugged along as best I could, only zig-zagged a little bit, swallowed a bunch of water at the buoy turn-arounds, and tried to keep it movin'. I did head-butt one poor swimmer by accident though -- Sorry, whoever you are!! I nailed this person right in their side. I am a terrible swimmer and usually just ping-pong off everyone around me to keep swimming in a straight line. To be fair, it was a gentle head-butt. I just don't move fast enough to do any damage.
Two laps in the lake and then I shakily emerged from the water. My swim time was the pits -- almost 2 minutes slower than last year -- 30:47 WTF?? More griping about this later...
My wetsuit didn't give me too much grief as I pulled it off, but I did get my right foot stuck and it just wouldn't come out -- AAAARGGGHH! LOL!! As luck would have it, the guy in the bike rack next to me was there at the same time -- making it even more congested.
Finally I got out on the bike, and despite some pissiness from this one girl at the mount line, I took off happy! I quickly overtook said pissy chick which I never saw again -- this pleased me immensely!!
I had a FANTASTIC bike -- I overtook tonnes of people --I couldn't believe it!! I have never been in this position before. I couldn't believe how many people I passed! I kept spinning my legs, and even though there was a strong headwind (whoopity-do, that's normal for me!),I felt strong and great. At the turnaround, my inner thighs started to hurt -- it's so weird, this year, my quads and hammys are OK, it's my inner thighs that start to hurt! LOL!!
It wasn't a bad hurt, it was just interesting to see how much I could push myself. I kept passing people right until the end of the bike ride!
New Bike PB -- 1:17:21!!!!!
I ran into transition and stood there temporarily lost in the middle of the sea of bike racks for a few moments! LOL!! I couldn't tell where in the world my running shoes were, but I quickly spotted them! Hahahahaha!
I took off out of transition and felt really good. I was going the same pace as everyone around me for 1km or so, and then I started to pass people again!! People passed me too, but I was so thrilled that I was passing other runners and I was just going my normal pace!! Yahoo!!!!
This 50 year old guy passed me wearing the exact same tri suit as me -- NICE. At one point, the 50 year old guy, another girl and me were all running one behind the other wearing the same tri suit. I soon passed that girl too! ;) But I'm wanting to buy a new trisuit!! LOL!!!!
I had a great run -- didn't feel like puking, and felt strong the whole way. As I approached the finish line, I saw it was 2:39 and a few seconds. I thought to myself, "F$@k! I HAVE to get under 2:40!!! LOL!! I did!!!!! YAHOOOOO!!! A new frigging PB!!!
My total time was 2:39 and change -- I forgot to write it down and the results aren't up on the site yet.
I set a new ALL-TIME PB for the 10km...
51:42!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When all was said and done, I ended up taking 6 minutes off my previous OLY PB!!!!!! :) :)
The only thing that really sucked was my swim -- I felt so demoralized after seeing I was that much slower than last year -- especially with all the extra swimming I've been doing. I was feeling really great about setting a new PB, but at the same time I felt so disappointed all my hard work at swimming is just not paying off.
What the hell am I doing wrong? Is it possible that some people just can't swim, no matter what? I feel like everyone knows a secret and I am left in the dark... how in the hell can I be getting worse? I just totally SUCK at swimming and I am wondering whether or not I should even put so much effort into my swimming workouts anymore. It seems like everything I do is just not enough and I just feel so utterly miserable about the whole swimming thing.
I just have no motivation to wake up early and go swimming anymore --I think I am just going to go at noon and just tool around. After all, last year I was a much faster swimmer -- why kill myself in the pool, when I am not even improving?
OK, enough about the gripe -- but I experienced such conflicting emotions that I had to get this off my chest.
Can't wait to read everyone else's race reports!!!!
I was so excited about Jake's race, that I had no nervous energy left over for my own! Race morning started off as usual -- lots of people with all their gear strewn all over the place. I had every intention of arriving early enough to get a choice bike rack, but didn't quite make it, and so was stuck in the very middle as usual. :P
Jenna's poop fairy came to visit again and again -- thanks Jenna!! LOL!!
I met up with a family from the Pass -- the guy, Mike did IMC last year, and his wife would be doing her first ever triathlon that day -- the Olympic too! I hung out with Mike (it's funny, there are all these Mikes all over the place. I'm introducing my Mike, to another Mike. Mike, this is Mike. LOL!!), his wife, and their son, Chris before the race started.
After squeezing into my wetsuit we headed down to warm up in the cold water. Wasa was the first outdoor swim I ever did and was the first time I had a full on panic attack, so I always make sure to completely immerse myself in the cold water BEFORE the race to get the shock over with. It wasn't too bad, but it was still frigging cold! :)
After singing the national anthem, (I was thrilled how many people actually sang along this year!) the race started. Not much about the swim to say here --I chugged along as best I could, only zig-zagged a little bit, swallowed a bunch of water at the buoy turn-arounds, and tried to keep it movin'. I did head-butt one poor swimmer by accident though -- Sorry, whoever you are!! I nailed this person right in their side. I am a terrible swimmer and usually just ping-pong off everyone around me to keep swimming in a straight line. To be fair, it was a gentle head-butt. I just don't move fast enough to do any damage.
Two laps in the lake and then I shakily emerged from the water. My swim time was the pits -- almost 2 minutes slower than last year -- 30:47 WTF?? More griping about this later...
My wetsuit didn't give me too much grief as I pulled it off, but I did get my right foot stuck and it just wouldn't come out -- AAAARGGGHH! LOL!! As luck would have it, the guy in the bike rack next to me was there at the same time -- making it even more congested.
Finally I got out on the bike, and despite some pissiness from this one girl at the mount line, I took off happy! I quickly overtook said pissy chick which I never saw again -- this pleased me immensely!!
I had a FANTASTIC bike -- I overtook tonnes of people --I couldn't believe it!! I have never been in this position before. I couldn't believe how many people I passed! I kept spinning my legs, and even though there was a strong headwind (whoopity-do, that's normal for me!),I felt strong and great. At the turnaround, my inner thighs started to hurt -- it's so weird, this year, my quads and hammys are OK, it's my inner thighs that start to hurt! LOL!!
It wasn't a bad hurt, it was just interesting to see how much I could push myself. I kept passing people right until the end of the bike ride!
New Bike PB -- 1:17:21!!!!!
I ran into transition and stood there temporarily lost in the middle of the sea of bike racks for a few moments! LOL!! I couldn't tell where in the world my running shoes were, but I quickly spotted them! Hahahahaha!
I took off out of transition and felt really good. I was going the same pace as everyone around me for 1km or so, and then I started to pass people again!! People passed me too, but I was so thrilled that I was passing other runners and I was just going my normal pace!! Yahoo!!!!
This 50 year old guy passed me wearing the exact same tri suit as me -- NICE. At one point, the 50 year old guy, another girl and me were all running one behind the other wearing the same tri suit. I soon passed that girl too! ;) But I'm wanting to buy a new trisuit!! LOL!!!!
I had a great run -- didn't feel like puking, and felt strong the whole way. As I approached the finish line, I saw it was 2:39 and a few seconds. I thought to myself, "F$@k! I HAVE to get under 2:40!!! LOL!! I did!!!!! YAHOOOOO!!! A new frigging PB!!!
My total time was 2:39 and change -- I forgot to write it down and the results aren't up on the site yet.
I set a new ALL-TIME PB for the 10km...
51:42!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When all was said and done, I ended up taking 6 minutes off my previous OLY PB!!!!!! :) :)
The only thing that really sucked was my swim -- I felt so demoralized after seeing I was that much slower than last year -- especially with all the extra swimming I've been doing. I was feeling really great about setting a new PB, but at the same time I felt so disappointed all my hard work at swimming is just not paying off.
What the hell am I doing wrong? Is it possible that some people just can't swim, no matter what? I feel like everyone knows a secret and I am left in the dark... how in the hell can I be getting worse? I just totally SUCK at swimming and I am wondering whether or not I should even put so much effort into my swimming workouts anymore. It seems like everything I do is just not enough and I just feel so utterly miserable about the whole swimming thing.
I just have no motivation to wake up early and go swimming anymore --I think I am just going to go at noon and just tool around. After all, last year I was a much faster swimmer -- why kill myself in the pool, when I am not even improving?
OK, enough about the gripe -- but I experienced such conflicting emotions that I had to get this off my chest.
Can't wait to read everyone else's race reports!!!!
Jake's Second Triathlon!!
For the first time in a long time, Wasa in the middle of June was beautiful -- sunny and hot. The kids' triathlon was on Saturday and the adults' was on Sunday. Mike and I rolled into Cranbrook Friday evening and then left for Wasa the next morning for Jake-a-roo's second ever triathlon!! Yay Jacob!!!
After race package pick-up, we headed back to his cabin so he could don his racing attire. Now, this was a big thing, because of a wardrobe malfunction during last year's race. Last year, Jake wore those cool knee-length baggy shorts that he figured out weren't so cool for swimming and then running in. Let's just say the Coppertone kid was out in full force last year -- full on bum views!! LOL!
This year, Jake and I sat in front of the computer and decided to order the red kid's tri jersey. I asked him if he wanted to get the bike shorts too, but at 13 years old, the tight bike shorts were a no go. Hahahaha! Anyways, when he changed into his gear, we still had a bunch of time, so we got to talking about the bike short thing. Jake's Mom is a tiny chick and brought out her pair of bike shorts and asked Jake if he wanted to just try them on. He did and while a little reluctant at first, he decided that he was going to race in them. Bonus!!! :) :)
Doesn't he look like the total tri-dude? LOL!! Yay Jake!! Afterwards, I got him to practice putting his socks and shoes on, and then we headed to transition. (Check out his socks!!)
Jake's race was the last to go, so we just hung out at the beach and cheered for the other kidlets. I took Susi's que (heh-heh-heh no pun intended, well maybe!) and brought pompoms along. We also brought an air horn and a toy tambourine.
Jake took a small nap, while I took a brief moment to worship the sun! LOL!!
It was about this time that my camera does what I do during the swim -- crap out. I had bought new batteries and charged them, but lo and behold, suddenly the camera window, said "Change Battery Pack". We hauled out Mike's super nice camera and then it did the same thing too!! Remember what I told you all about me and technology? Sadly, here is where the pictures end. For the second year running, we didn't get any pics of me racing in all my sweaty, grimacing glory -- ummm, maybe that's a good thing? LOL!!
Finally, Jake's race began. He did so awesome -- swimming his little heart out,and when he exited the water, we waved our pompoms and blew that air horn like crazy. I jogged up to transition to watch him put his shoes on, and the poor little guy was disoriented from the swim, and I could see how difficult it was for him to overcome the dizziness! LOL!!! But he did it,and then he was outta there!
Last year,he rode his mountain bike, this year he borrowed his Mom's road bike. The only thing was that he neglected to actually ride it a bit before his race. Thus, he didn't know how to change the gears. It was stuck in the hardest gears the whole race! LOL!! I said, to him afterwards, "That's OK, that's what these races are for -- keep learning!" Besides, our goal for each race is to ALWAYS finish and to ALWAYS finish smiling, and he's true sport!! :) :)
He got out on the run, and ran his little heart out -- when he came across the finish line, he pounded his chest -- his trademark finish!! LOL!!
NEW PB for JAKE 1:05 and change --- 300mswim, 15km bike, 3km run!!!! Last year's time was 1:22:57!!!!!!
Way to go Jake!!!!!
After race package pick-up, we headed back to his cabin so he could don his racing attire. Now, this was a big thing, because of a wardrobe malfunction during last year's race. Last year, Jake wore those cool knee-length baggy shorts that he figured out weren't so cool for swimming and then running in. Let's just say the Coppertone kid was out in full force last year -- full on bum views!! LOL!
This year, Jake and I sat in front of the computer and decided to order the red kid's tri jersey. I asked him if he wanted to get the bike shorts too, but at 13 years old, the tight bike shorts were a no go. Hahahaha! Anyways, when he changed into his gear, we still had a bunch of time, so we got to talking about the bike short thing. Jake's Mom is a tiny chick and brought out her pair of bike shorts and asked Jake if he wanted to just try them on. He did and while a little reluctant at first, he decided that he was going to race in them. Bonus!!! :) :)
Doesn't he look like the total tri-dude? LOL!! Yay Jake!! Afterwards, I got him to practice putting his socks and shoes on, and then we headed to transition. (Check out his socks!!)
Jake's race was the last to go, so we just hung out at the beach and cheered for the other kidlets. I took Susi's que (heh-heh-heh no pun intended, well maybe!) and brought pompoms along. We also brought an air horn and a toy tambourine.
Jake took a small nap, while I took a brief moment to worship the sun! LOL!!
It was about this time that my camera does what I do during the swim -- crap out. I had bought new batteries and charged them, but lo and behold, suddenly the camera window, said "Change Battery Pack". We hauled out Mike's super nice camera and then it did the same thing too!! Remember what I told you all about me and technology? Sadly, here is where the pictures end. For the second year running, we didn't get any pics of me racing in all my sweaty, grimacing glory -- ummm, maybe that's a good thing? LOL!!
Finally, Jake's race began. He did so awesome -- swimming his little heart out,and when he exited the water, we waved our pompoms and blew that air horn like crazy. I jogged up to transition to watch him put his shoes on, and the poor little guy was disoriented from the swim, and I could see how difficult it was for him to overcome the dizziness! LOL!!! But he did it,and then he was outta there!
Last year,he rode his mountain bike, this year he borrowed his Mom's road bike. The only thing was that he neglected to actually ride it a bit before his race. Thus, he didn't know how to change the gears. It was stuck in the hardest gears the whole race! LOL!! I said, to him afterwards, "That's OK, that's what these races are for -- keep learning!" Besides, our goal for each race is to ALWAYS finish and to ALWAYS finish smiling, and he's true sport!! :) :)
He got out on the run, and ran his little heart out -- when he came across the finish line, he pounded his chest -- his trademark finish!! LOL!!
NEW PB for JAKE 1:05 and change --- 300mswim, 15km bike, 3km run!!!! Last year's time was 1:22:57!!!!!!
Way to go Jake!!!!!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Ready, Set, WASA!!!
I'm leaving for Cranbrook later this afternoon!! YAY!! Jake's triathlon is Saturday, and mine is on Sunday. I'm more excited about Jake's race than I am about mine!! LOL!
The weather is supposed to be nicer this weekend, so I'm looking forward to a race sans rain. My goal for this event is to kick my own butt pretty severely -- I'm aiming for a new PB!!!!
I'm ready to give 'er hell!!
I have still been getting flats on my rear tire,and finally took it into Gord again yesterday. It was fine when I arrived, but when I rode back to town, it was flat again. It was a bonafide Kelsey flat again -- A teensy weensy bit of metal embedded in the tire. Gord changed my rim tape next, and my Madge is pumped and ready to rock and roll on Sunday. :):):)
Have a great weekend everyone!! :):)
The weather is supposed to be nicer this weekend, so I'm looking forward to a race sans rain. My goal for this event is to kick my own butt pretty severely -- I'm aiming for a new PB!!!!
I'm ready to give 'er hell!!
I have still been getting flats on my rear tire,and finally took it into Gord again yesterday. It was fine when I arrived, but when I rode back to town, it was flat again. It was a bonafide Kelsey flat again -- A teensy weensy bit of metal embedded in the tire. Gord changed my rim tape next, and my Madge is pumped and ready to rock and roll on Sunday. :):):)
Have a great weekend everyone!! :):)
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