Happiness is a garden party with loads of your friends. Last night, we had tons of fun. We’re looking forward to next weekend.

On Wednesday, I’m going to race the 4km swim at Sasamat lake. I love this photo of me and my Dad. Apparently, I’m having a tantrum.
Swimming outdoors is one of my favorite things.  No more tantrums.

I caught the 7am ferry over today and rode my bike over to Victoria to cheer for my friends in the Half Iron race. This race holds a special place in my heart – as my first big triathlon. I found a spot at the top of the hill just after McTavish Road. As soon as I was settled, the motorbike for the lead male zipped bye. Perfect timing. I brought my bell, and cheered for all the racers. I had fun cheering for all my friends… and lots of fun cheering for all the rest of the racers. Loads of smiles and good comments came my way. One racer even said, “Wow! You’re exactly where I needed you.” Another comment, “Less Bell, more Push” – from a big guy struggling up the hill. [laugh] It was a good time. I then rode to the Elk Lake to catch up with everyone on the run, and hang out with my friends. We caught the 4pm ferry back home, enjoyed some good laughs, and I had a nice chat with Steve King. Another successful Victoria Half Iron – this time as a spectator.

Here’s a photo of my friend Erin at the finish,

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I’ve just reviewed my race report from two years ago and I’m starting to think about goals. I’d like to beat that time – 5:27:42 but mostly it’s about the attitude. If I keep a positive & strong head space, just like Oliver run in ’07 & the last stretch of e-Venti this year, the experience will be great!

The plan for the swim. Be aggressive, get a central spot that’s still a bit off to the side. (Watch out for right in the middle – Oliver can be a rough start). Swim hard then visualize technique pulling. Get some toes, like Kelowna ’07. Think strong swim, great start! Sight often.

The plan for the bike. Confidence. You’ve done this TT already. Confidence. Keep those 30+kph speeds up there. Keep the HR around 155. This is where you’re racing today. Drink every 5 min, eat every 30min. Make sure to take on 3rd gatorade bottle at aid station. Pour water on head, if it’s hot. Confidence, do it just like you did it before. This is the race. Big circles, work hard, good cadence.

The plan for the run. Focus on head space & rhythm. Use the visuals of e-venti stretch home to set the rhythm. Cool off at water stations. “Go forever” & “Doing well, baby, doing well!” Eat every 45min, drink every 10min.

Regular training is totally out this week because I’m in Fort Collins, Colorado for this conference. It’s a really great meeting — inspiring and exhausting all at the same time. I’ve made many valuable connections to follow up on already and it’s a total change of pace.

I’m so busy. It’s really quite ridiculous. Fortunately, I like busy. This weekend (tomorrow actually) it’s up to Penticton/Oliver for a Training Camp. Then I have a super crazy work week (and probably weekend). I’m off to a conference in Fort Collins on Tuesday. I’m back to Vancouver on Monday. Then, the A-Race in Oliver. Yowsers, what a fun ride!

The 2007 Delta triathlon is the last time I did a sprint triathlon. My time was 1:13 with swim of 13:17, bike of 38:16, and run of 21:48. This year my goal is to break 1:10 – which means I will have to gain 1 min on the swim and 2+ minutes on the bike. Jeez, I’m starting to get nervous. Shoot. A big goal like this means thinking smart about transitions. Ok, I need a more relaxed goal too – to try and take the pressure off. Nervous doesn’t work for me. So the real goal… is to survive the morning of volunteering for the kids race by eating and dressing well. I’m sure the kids will put me in the right head space. It’s not about the clock. It’s about having a good time.

Digging, digging and more digging. It’s my version of an Easter training camp. Manual labor is pretty tough on the body. We spent the whole weekend building this new rasied bed for the garden. Let me tell you, filling 15ft x 4ft involves hauling a lot of 40lb buckets of dirt/manure/compost. I’ve already got onions, and leeks in the new bed. The first pea has also broken ground along the fence, garlic is about a foot high, and carrots/chard are in the ground. We also planted a row of raspberry bushes as a garden boundary (right behind the bench). It’s looking good out there in the back yard.

Last Thursday, I went for a 2hr kayak in Porpoise Bay. It was beautiful and calm. The water was crystal clear. If it wasn’t for the 9oC water temperature, it would have been a lovely swim.