Triathlon Dirt

Royal Victoria Marathon Race Review

So, I finished my first marathon this past Thanksgiving weekend in Victoria. And.....
I did great. But enough about me, you want to hear about the race!

Royal Victoria Marathon this Thanksgiving Weekend.

I'm running in my VERY FIRST EVER MARATHON!!!! The Royal Victoria Marathon. Yep, that's right, in just four days time I'll be doing a (hopefully) four hour and fifteen minute run around Victora, B.C.

I'm staying at the Howard Johnson's Hotel which is less than a few kilometers from the race start line.

I've even picked out my Victoria Post Marathon celebration restaurant. I want a meal from Re-Bar Modern Food! I own their cookbook... Rebar: Modern Food Cookbook.

I'm sick. I'm in peak mileage for my marathon training.

I'm sick. I'm in peak mileage for my marathon training. But no, I'm not here to complain about it for once. I only blog when I'm down and want to complain. Sol the good news is that I've resolved not to worry about missing training this time whilst I'm sick. There is no use crying over spilt milk and things like this have happened to me before during peak training times and I've still pulled through on race day. I'm not going to let this affect me mentally when I know they won't have a huge effect physically. (Remember when I got sick when training for the half ironman? I still did that without any real hinderances).

I'm even just looking forward to getting out there more and even a little excited to get back into doing speed work for the next four weeks before the marathon. It feels like so long since I've really done any speed work and I really found that was one of things that really helped me this last year improve on my over all fitness. The 10min x 6 speed running intervals really made my half ironman training. I can't wait to really give it my all. It's tough, but I'm excited to push it again. (I say this eagerly from the couch of course).

Happy Running & if you're sick like me.. take it easy! Train smart and not hard! (Even if it is your first half or full marathon, you'll make it, even if you have to walk!).

The bad news for me is that I'm starting to wonder if this is turning into flu.

Post Triathlon Weight Gain?

Two months ago I finished my very first half ironman. I was in the very best shape of my life. I was toned, healthy and eating as much as I liked of anything I liked. Admittedly a lot of carbs and protein but there was no limit to what I could put in my mouth. Really, no matter how much I ate, I still lost a bit of weight each week. Not a lot, maybe just a half or a quarter of a pound, so I just kept eating.

Now, I've realized that that can't continue and I'm going to have to reduce the intake. I'm not like normal people, I have very little self-eating control. Plus, what the heck is NORMAL intake. I'm going to have to play around and be disciplined to figure it out.

I wonder how much weight gain is normal or if you should aim not to gain any weight. I guess the latter would be ideal if I really was at my 'healthiest'. What do you think?

Oh, I should mention... I did start lifting some weights which I hope accounts for SOME of the weight gain, at least! I've only gained a few pounds (3-4) but I notice it and I'd like it not to continue.

Canada's Olympic Triathlon Team (2008):

Triathlon Canada has named its men's team for the Beijing Games this that start in just 6 days time:

• Simon Whitfield (who finished 2nd in the world last season)
• Paul Tichelaar
• Colin Jenkins

Triathlon Canada has also named the 3 women who will compete in the Summer Olympics.

• Carolyn Murray
• Kathy Tremblay
• Lauren Groves in Beijing

Sadly, one of my favorites and future hopefuls, Kirsten Sweetland who was ranked 34th in World Cup rankings, will not compete in Beijing because of a foot injury. (According to CBC.ca)

The triathlon portion of the Olympics will take place on August 18th & 19th. You can download the official Olympic Triathlon Schedule (XLS spreadsheet) here.

The Triathlete venue is a temporary structure in Beijing this year.
There are some good 360 degree interactive views of the triathlon race course area here.

www.bj2008.gov.cn

Sydney, Opera House forecourt, 17 September 2000, Games of the XXVII Olympiad: Simon WHITFIELD of Canada, gold medallist, at the finish line of the triathlon event.

23km run review for Sunday. On my way to the Marathon!

I did my first ever 23km run on Sunday morning.

I've only ever done 22km before. I think with my half ironman base it helped make this long run relatively painless. I'd had only 5 or 6 hours sleep the night before so I'd anticipated a tougher run. The first few km were hard to warmup but after a few k I was back on track.

We did one medium sized hill (UBC, if you live in Vancouver) and I found it to be quite easy. I think the strength training and cross training (biking) is paying off on my running more than I realized. I'm noticing more and more than Im not really having bad runs anymore, knock on wood, I'm beginning to wonder if I should have gone with the fast 4 hour pace group, haha! No, I think it's best that I don't strain myself on my first ever marathon and stick with the 4hrs - 4.15plan. (Heck, I wouldn't cry if I was 4.20+!)

Day after (monday:
My quads are a little tight, but not sore. Just not 100%... more like 85%. I could handle a short run today but I'm holding off until tomorrow. It's strange having two 'rest' days a week. I feel like I should be doing something.. get my lazy ass off the couch!

Looking forward to 26km next week... woohoo!!! Marathon runner!

Apparently Ms. Jennifer Lopez herself is going to do a triathlon

I read in Vancouver's 24HRS this morning that the one and only J.Lo aka Jennifer Lopez has set her eye on a triathlon in October. According to her hubby, Marc Anthony, on the TV show 'Extra' :Jennifer is training for a triathlon. In October."

Just 8 months after giving birth to twins she's on the road to her first triathlon? Good for her! The super star was snapped on vacation in Italy this week with her bikini body back, following the February birth of tots Max and Emme.

You go girl! (Seriously, it is very ambitious and I hope she does well).

PS. Can you imagine the peloton that'll form right behind her on the bike portion? I wonder if the no-drafting rule will still be enforced, haha.

Vancouver Subaru Sprint Triathlon Race Report (July 113th, 208)

On Sunday I completed the Vancouver Subaru Sprint Triathlon. It was really fabulous. The weather was sunny yet not too hot (as we started early in the day) and the water was cold but not unbearable with a wet suit.

Day before Jitters: Subaru Sprint Triathlon (2008)

I've just finished getting my race gear together for tomorrow's Subaru sprint triathlon down on Jericho beach. I'm not going to lie. I'm really, really, worried about it. I'm not worried I won't finish or anything like that.. but just worried about my performance in general. I think I've been slacking and it's going to show in my time.

I've biked twice since the ironman. (Ok.. four times.. but two of them really don't count because they were on the trainer and I didn't push it at all).

I've swam 3 times since the half ironman. Yes, you read that right.. just three times in well over a month.

The only thing I have going for me is the run portion. (I've been putting in my fair share of running since my marathon training started).

I did 'taper' this week. Only short and fast distances (skipped my longer marathon speed runs) though I'm not sure what I'm tapering from, haha. I stopped my stregth training too just for this week as I'm still getting sore after due to the newness of it all.

I've got a lot of pressure from my husband to perform and I think it's getting to me.

I also drank last night and am a tad hung over today. Will that affect me tomorrow? Probably.

I gotta get my positive thinking back. I'm heading down for the open water swim lesson at 3pm and to check my bike in. Maybe seeing my friends and getting in the sprint triathlon spirit of 'fun' will help.

Volunteers needed for the Vancouver Subaru Triathlon (Sunday July 13th)

Volunteers Needed!
They are short of volunteers for the race and need your help! Volunteers get a great shirt, food and goodies, and the satisfaction of helping the athletes achieve their goals. If any of your family or friends are joining you and wish to get involved by volunteering, please get them to fill out the volunteer registration form located at www.lifesport.ca/Volunteer.php Thank you!

Homestays Needed
We are looking for host/hostesses for elite triathletes who will be coming to Vancouver for the race. The Home Stay Program is to provide these athletes with a FREE place to stay during the week. At a minimum, we require interested host/hostesses to provide a private bedroom, access to a washroom with a shower or bathtub and a safe place to store the athlete's equipment, and of course, friendly West Coast hospitality! Anything else you could provide to your athlete such as transportation, meals, etc, would be greatly appreciated. Please email shantel@lifesport.ca if you are interested.