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.

If you’re looking for female role models in sport, you need to look no further then Clara Hughes. She’s awesome! If you need convincing, you should read her “race report” for her gold medal performance in Torino here.

Last weekend I watched Clara win a silver medal in the World Championships, right here in Richmond. Congratulations, Clara!

Her race was awesome to watch in person. The finish was especially exciting as her lap times dropped. The longer distances in speed skating (5k, 10k) are very strategic. Pacing is key. If you pace well, you finish strong and win. If not, you explode. Clara finished strong.

Apparently, when she competes in Europe, she sometimes likes to pretend that the crazy Dutch fans are routing for her. But today, skating at home, it was different – and you could tell that Clara was moved by the support.

“Today it absolutely, emphatically was for me – for Canada – and it felt great,” the Olympic gold medallist said after winning a silver medal in the ladies’ 5000m
full article here

The skaters are going so fast when they finish that they glide around the track when they’re done. It took her a few laps to slow down, and as she skated the fans (me included) cheered like crazy. I was jumping up and down – and yelling right at her. You could tell that she really enjoyed the moment, and that her goal of skating well at home was really important to her.

The happy look on her face conveyed two reactions: 1) how important it is to celebrate when you reach your goals and 2) how overwhelming it can be when you realize how much support you’ve had along the way. I loved her happy and overwhelmed smile. Her response brought a quick tear to my eye. For me, she’s what amateur sport it all about.

Clara, you’re my hero!

Spring is here.  A new season.  I like spring because it brings sunshine, gardening, and brightness.  This year, I’m bringing some new changes into my routine.  It’s like a spring-time renewal.  With my Dad passing last year was a pretty tough year for me personally, and now, it’s time for some changes.  2009 is all about being happy and focusing on the family and friends.  Logistically, this means more time spent close to home…. and a combination of new + old groups/routines.

2009 seasons goals:

1. Be fit, be happy, get my tri-body on
2. Oliver Half Iron
3. Do something epic!

As for the “do something epic!”  I may try and qualify for IronMan or I may be going on a trip to Nigeria to do some educational aid work.  Both are very real possibilities.  I will know if the work trip is happening in the next month or so.  It will be one or the other.

With this new season upon us, I’m also working with a new coach. I really enjoy interacting with coaches.  I’ve been very lucky (throughout my whole career) to interact with a very talented set of coaches.  Andrew, from Athletic Endeavours has been my personal coach for the past couple of years.  He provided me with a supportive, encouraging and fun environment to enter into the world of triathlon.  I’ve come from total beginner to the cusp of “Age Group Greatness” [chuckle] under his guidance.  It’s been an excellent fit.  I would like to thank him for sharing so much with me.  I feel very lucky to have found Andrew when I did, worked with him as a coach, and now to have him as a friend.  If you’re looking for a coach, I can totally recommend Andrew.

But as I said, Spring is upon us and it’s time for something new.  What I’m looking for from a coaching program right now is: 1) A plan, so that I can feel like I’m training effectively and with purpose and 2) A plan, because it really helps me with motivation and drive. I’m good at sticking to programs.  I’ve also got a new set of goals and values for the season that includes setting up a new routine.  With that, I’m excited to be working with Calvin Gehlen from Finish Line Coaching. He uses an electronic system called Workout Log which works very well for me and my electronic lifestyle.  We’ve just started working together – and I’m excited to see where it takes us.

The teaching project was worth it, right? I made some big bucks for the budget. I did an awesome job. The students loved it. It was stimulating, I enjoyed it. The reviews were great!

I guess it was worth it. It sucks to be sick – and it was so exhausting. Projects like that tend to suck the life out of you. But at the same time, I love the fact that my work is worth putting my energy into. I’ll take being “over stimulated” over “not being stimulated at all”… every time!

I’ve spent the last couple of days recovering (both mentally and physically). And now, I have to refocus my energy. Next challenge, e-Venti Marathon – in less then 10 days!

Drinking beer at your desk on a Tuesday night is likely a sign that you’re working too hard.  Sigh.  I do have to admit, it sure does taste good.  I’m enroute to a 14hr work day, and it’s a crazy week/month.  I’m hosting (read – designing, developing, and delivering) a three day professional development workshop next week and 100+ students for a science education conference next month which has me max’d out.  I skipped training in favor of work today.  My training mate, Martina, recently took time off work for her training.  Me, I’m the opposite.  It’s all good – still motivated and stimulated – just in a very different environment.  I guess you could say I’m putting in the hours – one way or the other.

I started another blog today… called ScienceGirl.org. It’s a place for where I can connect students with science – and scientists. I’m constantly getting asked questions by high school students about what it’s like to be a scientist … so I thought I’d put up a site where I can continue those conversations. Cool, eh!

Oh yeah, training is swell. I’m coming out of hibernation and getting into good shape again. Today involves 45+ km of bike commuting and a yoga class. Life is in full swing!

Woah! It’s been 2+ months since my last post. Yes, I’ve been pretty much sitting on the couch since then (Ok, not exactly) but I’m happy to announce that I’m back into the swing of things with training. Two weeks ago, I started swimming, biking, and running with these guys. The workouts have a fun focus! For example, at this morning’s swim we started with 4 laps of the wave pool, and ended the workout with races – where you swim to the other end as fast as you can – oh yeah, and everyone started together in one big lane. As a reward for finishing in the top 5, we got to get out of the pool early. Ha! What fun! I’m glad to have found a workout routine that fits with my schedule and is located close to home (I can ride my bike for >10min to most workouts). It’s good to get back into training and the group energy is contagious. They’ve even convinced me to sign up for this marathon – where you can win with your poker hand that you collect by visiting every Starbucks in Richmond along the route. See what I mean, it’s fun!