It was yet again another big training weekend, with a long ride on Saturday north of the city we ventured through Markham, Stouffville, Uxbridge, etc. for a total of 6 hours and 15 minutes followed by a 1/2 hour run off the bike. These long rides seem to wizz by and the fact that I can walk the next day amazes me! The gradual build up in cycling has paid off and my endurance is building. A celebratory meal at Tim Horton's finished off our training day before heading home. Needless to say I was pretty wiped and between doing some laundry and grocery shopping the day was pretty much done. The days are just flying by!
Sunday was an Olympic triathlon in Guelph. Annette and I set off at 6 am to drive up and prepare to race "tired". Meaning, on top of all our training that week, it was suggested to do a race to practice nutrition and transitions plus tackle an open water swim. It took a bit longer than usual to get out to Guelph and there was a bit of a line to get into the Conservation Area where the race would be starting. We quickly set up in the transition area, collected our race kit, and made one last stop at the washroom before heading down to the water. 1500 meter swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run...piece of cake, right! I made it down to the water with a few minutes to spare, whipped on my goggles and cap just in time to hear GO!!! It was a mass start with over 600 people in the water all part of the giant "washing machine" in the lake. I kicked hard and tried to dig deep to get out of the pack although I was in quite a thick spot with other swimmers. As I arrived at the first buoy I wondered if it was a double loop, I could not remember and figured, oh well, I'll just follow everyone else. It was a double loop, so when we arrived at the shore we jogged along the beach and went back into the water to do it again. By this time it had spread out a bit luckily. On my way up to the transition area Irene came up behind me and gave me a friendly tap on the shoulder and off we went. The bike was steady with a bit of head wind and rolling hills. It was a beautiful day! Coming in after finishing the bike I prepared to dismount at the line and lost my balance falling off my bike yet again, fortunately with no injury. I have become good at bouncing back from the pavement. I nearly took Claire out who came up behind me and lost her balance. In some ways I was thankful it was her and not some stranger, Claire was ok and we moved in and out of the transition area into the run. The day was pretty hot and I had tried to set myself up to take it at an easy pace and not push it with my hamstring still not being 100 %. It felt a bit tight for the first couple kms and then I managed a comfortable pace finishing just over 3 hours. Phew!!!
There is such a strong community of triathletes always cheering and there for the support of others. After hitting the food tent we usually find our groups and congratulate our peers followed by swapping stories about the race. Everyone pretty much agreed that the swim was BRUTAL! Another successful training weekend completed.
Sunday was an Olympic triathlon in Guelph. Annette and I set off at 6 am to drive up and prepare to race "tired". Meaning, on top of all our training that week, it was suggested to do a race to practice nutrition and transitions plus tackle an open water swim. It took a bit longer than usual to get out to Guelph and there was a bit of a line to get into the Conservation Area where the race would be starting. We quickly set up in the transition area, collected our race kit, and made one last stop at the washroom before heading down to the water. 1500 meter swim, 40 km bike, and 10 km run...piece of cake, right! I made it down to the water with a few minutes to spare, whipped on my goggles and cap just in time to hear GO!!! It was a mass start with over 600 people in the water all part of the giant "washing machine" in the lake. I kicked hard and tried to dig deep to get out of the pack although I was in quite a thick spot with other swimmers. As I arrived at the first buoy I wondered if it was a double loop, I could not remember and figured, oh well, I'll just follow everyone else. It was a double loop, so when we arrived at the shore we jogged along the beach and went back into the water to do it again. By this time it had spread out a bit luckily. On my way up to the transition area Irene came up behind me and gave me a friendly tap on the shoulder and off we went. The bike was steady with a bit of head wind and rolling hills. It was a beautiful day! Coming in after finishing the bike I prepared to dismount at the line and lost my balance falling off my bike yet again, fortunately with no injury. I have become good at bouncing back from the pavement. I nearly took Claire out who came up behind me and lost her balance. In some ways I was thankful it was her and not some stranger, Claire was ok and we moved in and out of the transition area into the run. The day was pretty hot and I had tried to set myself up to take it at an easy pace and not push it with my hamstring still not being 100 %. It felt a bit tight for the first couple kms and then I managed a comfortable pace finishing just over 3 hours. Phew!!!
There is such a strong community of triathletes always cheering and there for the support of others. After hitting the food tent we usually find our groups and congratulate our peers followed by swapping stories about the race. Everyone pretty much agreed that the swim was BRUTAL! Another successful training weekend completed.
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