TriRudy Awards Night

Last night we (being the parents, and members of Bytown Storm as well as Rick Hellard) got Greg Kealey to attend an awards night for local triathletes. Greg came thinking that I was going to receive and award, but when I went up to receive a pretend award, I then presented his award to him. It was a little noisy in the room, and so I think half of the people missed my little rant, but I think Greg understood what was going on in the end. Anyways, I thought I would just post the speech in case anyone that may have missed it wants to read it....
Congratulations again, coach, on receiving the Dave Maskell Builder's Award!
Thanks to James Knox for the photos!

Its like I hear the gun a minute too late...

Cross country season has come to an end for 2009.
And man we had a good run.

This past weekend I participated in the AGSI cross country Nationals in Guelph. It was a very well run event (yes, the pun was intended :) and I was really surprised at the number of competitors out there.
I ran the junior race, which was for anyone born 1990 or later, and we had a huge field. I think it was about 160 girls! I have faced these numbers before at the high school championships, but with a bit more organization at the start. At OFSAA, every region is given their own cozy little box where there is lots of room and comeraderie. Not here!! I had to fight for a spot on the line, and luckily my team mate and good friend Domi saved me a patch of white strip.
After warmup and strides, before I knew it we were off and racing. The start was very agressive. I saw girls fall, girls elbow others, hands flying, hips checking, ponytails (literally!!) being pulled by other girls... There was no mercy! I had never seen this before, but I guess there is a first time for everything!
I had my usual brutally slow start...and by the 1km mark I wasn't in the top 100. There was no room to pass after the initial sprint, and for a moment I had to think to myself; "You can either go now and give it, and try to make up as much lost ground as possible, or just sit right in and ride the rest of the race out."
I knew that the last thought wasn't even an option, so I picked it up, ran through some bushes, over some tall ferns and small trees, and pushed to the front. By the second half of the last 2.6km loop I had worked into the top ten, and I was running a faster pace than the leaders. There just wasn't enough time or enough ground, and in the last bit I managed to pass two more girls and climb the last hill to the finish.
I was moderately satisfied with my race, and I did qualify for the worlds team. I didn't run much for the last couple weeks or truly prepare for this race, but it just kills me to think that, had I had a good start and been up with the leaders, I could have battled it out for the National title.
The worlds team will travel to Trinidad and Tobego as well as Poland in March. Declaration is mandataory by december 3rd, but unfortunately I don't think I will be able to attend. I have to focus on my goals and be smart with the races I choose...racing in march and then again in may is alot of travel and alot of coin!
Anyways, I was really excited to see some of the great runners out there. Shaaf, Ahmed, Meg Brown, Carson, Bairu, and our own Mr. Whitfield. It really was a great day!!

Wind me up and Let me go

Time for an update.

Well, well, highschool cross country season has sadly come to an end.
Here I am, seriously procrastinating on catching up on the homewrok I missed after two days of school forever lost. Oh well.

The cross country season started out slow, I only did the cross country races needed to qualify for OFSAA, as well as one race that I did in Sherbrooke, QC, for Asics.
The Asics race was a great experience in a beautiful park, Parc Lafontaine, and they were the Quebec Junior Road Racing Championships. I definitely think that I was a dark horse, as i am not from Quebec, but it was more of a race just for fun and I took it that way the entire way through.

As for school cross country, I did the NCSSAA west conference and city championships, doing only what I needed to qualify. We had one warm race and one cold race at the Walter Baker Park in Kanata, which I believe is a potential site for OFSAA next year. Samantha Klus, a midget girl who is also a member of the Storm, did amazingly well in all of her races and won both times for west conference and cities!!

Then, on friday, we were off to OFSAA, in Vaughan at the Boyd Conservation Area. I ran the course nice and slowly to get my footing a bit once we arrived after our 5 hour trip, and discovered the amazingly steep "Mammoth Hill" that I would have to run the next day. After some technical talk & thoughts we settled into our all inclusive resort....

The next morning it was up and away to the course, I had my usual breakfast, but upon failing to bring my own milk I ended up paying $2.00 for less than one cup of milk at the restaurant next door. So much for continental breakfast!! Oh well, guess I can't have eveerything....

We piled on to the buses and arrived in a timely manner, I had over four hours to relax and take in some races before the start. I got to catch up with some great people, girls that I had raced against before, old friends, and so on. I was very happy to see Craig T and his absolutely gorgeous daughter Kate...after helping to push his stroller I was mistaken for his wife (I guess they didn't quite catch the braces) but it was all in good fun :)

Coach Greg came out to catch the excitement, once he arrived I truly began to feel confident and relaxed. We discussed a couple approaches and easily came to an agreement on the best one, and soon enough it was time to watch Samantha race in the midget girls!

Sam had an amazing first race at OFSAA, I can remember my first provincials back in Thunderbay...25 hour bus ride, snow, freezzing cold, sleeping giant, not knowing what to expect...it is all about gaining experience!! She did a great job in staying strong and placed an impressive 16th, better look out for this girl!

Some eventful occurences happened throughout the day, but most notably was the deer collision during one of the races. This deer did not collide with a car, but rather a poor girl. There were rumors that she now has a broken collarbone...my coach and I joked of images of a dear emerging from the forest with a jersey around one antler and a shoe hanging off the other...poor girl....

As it happens when time passes, it was eventually time for me to warm up and get to the starting line. I had some interesting experiences in trying to locate a washroom without a one billion person line up, which, if anyone is wondering, is the only hint that I will give if they are questioning the reason why there were numerous burs stuck to my hair and clothing... :P I was placed in box #1 with the rest of the girls from the NCSSAA region, and we were the very furthest to the left. This was a slight concern since the first turn was a sharp right after the initial sprint, but it worked out just fine in the end. I was happier that we got to avoid the gargantuan mud pit in the centre of the field.

The initial sprint....my least favorite part....
But guess what? It went amazingly well. I think I learnt my lesson after having to run up to the front from more than 100 back last year at OFSAA. I was told that most people would be looking out for me, so there was no point in holding anything back. I quickly made it the rest of the way up to the front and held a steady pace. I wanted to may anyone who wanted to stick with me work hard, and was very conscious of getting into the forest section in the lead pack, where opportunities for passing were very limited. All of my worries kind of evaporated once I got out there and started running - it was all I had to do, just run.

With some focus and great cheering from some good friends and family, I build up a pretty solid gap and glided into a pace. I believe I finished with a 25 second lead on second place, although Ian Donald was quite disappointed that I didn't have a victory dance planned. Next time....

Overall it was a fantastic day, beautiful weather, great course, with some triathletes from the Bytown Storm, Tristan Woodfine, Domi Jamnicky and I, coming out on top of the Senior division. Tristan had a breathtaking race, dominating from the start, but it wasn't much of a suprise. I think he was greatly inspired by my performance and decided that he had to do just as well :) He knows I would have teased him forever if his result was any different. :P Domi Jamnicky also had a stupefying race...she had an unbelievable sprint finish at the end and really put everything out there, as she does with every race. Her effort was truly evident to everyone watching. Woohoo everyone.

I couldn't have done it without everyone there, thanks to my coaches, parents, sister, aunt, friends, and one particular white haired gentleman in particular. (no Craig, you are never to tell Greg about his IDENTICAL twin :)

Well the month of November still hold some myseries, including OTFA provincials and Nationals in Guelph...as well as my birthday!

See you at the races!
(I wanted to be as cliché as possible)

Full Results
http://www.trackdatabase.com/viewmeet.php?current_meet=zzzz_db258

Pictures soon to come!!!

Very Late Canda Games Report...

Team Spirit!!

Well aren't I just the most efficient blogger ever. Almost a week after canada games and here I am giving my report. Anyways, at least I am doing it right??

I arrived last friday in to some beautiful weather in Summerside, PEI. All of team Ontario got a chartered jet to the island, so we just walked right up onto the tarmac and into the belly of the plane. It was definitely a very full plane...not a lot of room for much movement which ruined the idea of a dance party :) The paparazzi in Summerside was going crazy as I stepped off the plane, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. Almost as soon as we arrived we were shipped of for H1N1 screening, and then we were given our room keys (which I held on to for dear life - it costed $75 to lose one of those buggers!) I made my way up to my room, lugging around my overpacked suitcase, and snagged a bottom bunk. The room that the women triathletes stayed in was jam packed like a can of sardines. There were 14 girls rooming with us...all rowers!! The rowers were a really nice bunch, slightly noisy at times, but they had reason to celebrate as they pretty much cleaned up in all of their events.

The athletes village contained a couple of games rooms and the cafeteria, where we spent a lot of our time ;) Unfortunately, over the course of the week i didn't get a chance to take in many other events, but we did get out to some wrestling, beach volleyball, cycling, and rugby.

Ian, me, Dorelle

On the first day we headed out for a fun spin and dip in the ocean...at first I was afraid to get in the water because the ocean kind of has a reputation of being cold, but it was extremely warm and welcoming! (A little salty, but I won't be picky...) I swear it felt like a bathtub, I didn't want to get out until coach CT mentioned that we would miss dinner if we didn't get out butts in gear and back to the village.

We also had to head out to the Ontario pep rally and the opening ceremonies the next day. I am not the biggest fan of huge crowds and loud noises, so standing in the arena at The Credit Union place waiting to be called in and seated for the ceremonies was not quite my idea of fun.

2200 athletes + their coaches and managers + loud music = very accurate and scary insght as to what it would feel like to be a pickle in a pickle jar that is in the oven next to a boombox.

In case that formula didn't make a lot of sense (I am rather confused by it myself), it was hot and sticky and noisy. I did manage, however, to grab a 15 minute nap on the floor.

Dorelle, me in blue :)

We then paraded into the Opening Ceremonies by province, and I was later told I was on TV. Each and every athlete shook the prime minister's hand (except me of course...) and then we sat on benches for another 3 hours until the ceremonies had finished. Then it was back on the bus and over to the athlete's village. The line up for food into the caf was quite long, as everyone was returning from a 6 hour sojourn. Coach CT decided that we should wait it out by going for a run and ice bath instead of standing around some more. Our wonderful mission staff, Stenphanie, snabbed some bags of ice, and so the amazingly cool kiddie pool was waiting for us as we returned from our shuffle.

Over the next couple of days before the race we got in a couple of swims and some biking and running, jst staying loose and keeping sharp for the individual event.

OKAY, now the Race Report.

The individual event was on tuesday, we had gorgeous weather; slightly windy, sunny, not a hint of rain or dark clouds in the sky. I am a huge fan of the heat, so it was shaping up to be a great day. We biked over to the site, and arrived to find that the water in the bay was very choppy and turbulent. I was hoping that it would calm down as I got my bike chacked and prepared my transition, and luckily it seemed to get a little more calm and tempered. The water was between 24-25C, so it was not wetsuit for me! I warmed up in my wetsuit however, and then before I knew it, it was time to get going! We lined up on the pontoon by province, and it was a nice clean start. I felt okay in the swim, it wasn't my greatest and I just concentrated on staying on some fast feet. I got out of the water quite a bit farther from the leaders than I wanted, but I knew that I would make it up on the bike. I had been having some great sessions and I had the confidence that I would be able to bridge the gap, it was my only chance and I needed to be in sight of the lead group off the bike if I wanted my podium spot.

This is where things got complicated. I hopped on my bike and soon formed a small drafting group with a couple of ladies from Quebec, one of my Ontario team mates, and one girl from Manitoba and Nova Scotia. I knew that we had a solid draft pack, as I had worked my way up to the leaders with a similar group in Coteau-du-Lac. But after the first lap, I knew something was wrong. Up to this point I had no idea that team tactics would come into play in the individual event, and I thought that we would see that later in the team event (or relay) on friday. I guess I was just really naive, and so when I was faced with it, it was thoroughly unexpected. It became obvious that my strength as a runner was well known, and so tactics were employed to slow my draft group so that I was not within stiking distance on the run.

After a rather frustrating bike, I transitioned to the run and just gave it, pushing the entire time to make up for time lost on the bike. I had a strong finish and just kept racing, I ended up with the fastest run time of the day. I believe I have had the fastest run split in every one of my triathlons this season!

All in all, I learned a lot from this race and got to experience something that I will be faced with in many of my future triathlons. I have been told to take the tactics employed against me as a compliment and a true sign of the respect I have earned as a quick runner. I know now exactly what I need to work on for the upcoming season to ensure that I can always race my own race. As much as it was a frustrating suprise, it will ultimately benefit me in the end and make me a stronger triathlete.

Wow this is getting long!! I will sign off for now and post an update about the second half of the week very soon. Hopefully my brain will be able to remember everything!

Articles from the Ottawa Citizen

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Triathletes+disappointed+Canada+Summer+Games+results/1905279/story.html

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Carp+triathlete+helps+Ontario+team+bronze/1919673/story.html

National Capital and other things...

Heya! Man the weather can be so gross here in Ottawa - there has been a constantly circulating low-pressure system over our little valley and so we have been getting nothing but rain and clouds :( But, for the two days that I needed some nice weather iI ended up getting some...
On Wednesday I decided to do a fun 5km race on the track at Mooney's Bay for the last of the Twilight Series races. It was the last race to be run on the track due to the fact that they are tearing it up to lay down a wonderful (hopefully bouncy and unblemished) new one! The race was supposed to go off at 8:30pm, but there were more participants in other prior races than the organizers had projected and our race was delayed until 9pm. It was definitely the latest I have ever raced. After warming up twice in the already hot and sticky air, we went to line up. I was suprised at how many people showed up for this tiny time trial, but it made the race more fun. I took the pace out nice and easy and just really tried to have fun with it. At no pint did I put pressure on myself, and just kept a steady enjoyable rhythm. Apparently all my training has paid off because I ended up finishing my "fun" race in 17:02! However, being my first ever 5000m on the track, I am not sure I really appreciate going around in a circle that many times!!
Then, this past Saturday, I did a local non draft-legal triathlon, also at Mooney's Bay. The sun was shining and it was absolutely gorgeous!! It was also a great race, so relaxing with no pressure at all. I ended up finishing first woman and third overall...damn those boys :) I will get them next time.
There are only 9 days until I leave for Canada Games in PEI. I am very excited. It will be a small field but a fierce one. I just have a couple more days of prep, but training has been going pretty well overall, and I will soon start my taper.

Nothing to Update really...

Well the past couple of weeks have been rather uneventful since the race. I have been doing a fair bit of babysitting, plant sitting, house sitting, and overall general sitting. I feel so lazy!! It is time to get back to it. Summer days seem to stretch out for so long when there is not a full day of training ahead - but I have really been craving the training sessions that I do get!
Anyways, it has been semi rainy with some suprisingly sunny days...I have been doing alot of cooking with my spare time and I guarantee that no one can make recipes that compare to my muffins, bread, or energy bars!
I just wanted to congratulate the Junior Worlds team that was selected recently, I was disappointed to not be a part of it but I wish them all the best of luck.
READY to start the work needed to prepare for Canada Games!
NO MORE SITTING!

A couple Gatineau Pics

Found a couple of pictures from the race in Lac Leamy that I am not overly embarrassed to post!!

Exiting the swim...eyes closed!

On the bike - with a little smile.

The Race...LacLeamy

I was called fifth and received a decent starting position...Far Right! The wind was blowing and I was hugging my towel and jacket around me, praying it wouldn't start to pour again!!
The start was okay - I had no room at all to dolphin dive and got kicked in the face, what a wonderful beginning! I had to stand back up and shove my goggles back on my face, and then boogy after the pack. The swim felt okay, I just concentrated on breathing and staying relaxed. Getting out of the water was fun, the mats were quite slippy thanks to the rain...sprinting all out to try to make up some ground...
I had a nice suprise once I jumped on my bike and went to put on my shoes. My BIG toenail came off and was hanging on by a small piece. This made biking rather enjoyable. I had a new friend in my shoe that was bumping and sliding along as I rode. He was quite a painful friend to have indeed.
By the end of the bike I was more than ready to run. I knew that the front pack had quite a lead and that if I wanted to make up time I would have to do it - FAST. Once again, my little friend joined me as I tried to shove my feet into my racing flats. He did not seem to want to seperate completely from my toe and just kept holding on.
I felt great on the run, nice and smooth...just a bit of panic...I saw the other girls running by in the other direction and just gave it what I had. I ended up with the faster run split by almost a minute (I think) not bad! I was disappointed with where I finished, my swim definitely requires more work. It was amazing motivation to see that I only needed to be a couple seconds faster in the water and I would have been with the huge lead pack. Time to keep on truckin'! :)

Man where is summer??? WE NEED SOME SUN !
Jo

Junior Nationals

Well well.
This past weekend I competed in the Junior Elite Nationals in Lac Leamy along with about 40 other girls from around Canada. It was a miserable weather - we haven't had one nice race in the Junior Series yet!! It was pouring all morning, nice heavy rain with some lighter breaks but overall wetness. I had some fun hiding out in the outhouse and our team tent...procrastinating my warmup until the rain seemed to let up a bit.
Finally, I dragged my soggy butt on to my bike for a spin with my good friend Jade which turned out okay, the legs felt great and light. We ended up biking along a boardwalk and the wood was quite slippery, as we transitioned back from wood to pavement Jade fell and slid along the ground...her second wipeout right before a race!!
We tunred around and headed back, Jade was alright with no injuries. Slipping my feet into nice wet shoes, I did a short warmup, jumped into my wetsuit and into the water. It was a non wetsuit swim, but I have had problems staying warm before a race so I kept my wetsuit on until we were called forward.

Day Two

I made it!!
The second day of having a blog... how exciting.
Not up to too much today, it has been rainy and depressing since the moment I woke up this morning. Nothing exciting to report here in Ottawa.
I have been listening tentatively to the weather reports for Nationals in LacLeamy on Staurday...so far it looks like we will have a cloudy and rainy competition day (yay my favorite?)
The course it fairly technical at some points and I am positive that some rain would make it truly interesting.
Off to watch Canada's Next Top Model and let my brain rot for a little while :)
jo

Welcome to the blogging world...

WELL
After reading the blogs of many others and deciding that it may be a fun chance to get myself out there and consume my free time...I started a blog.
No promises, this may work out well or I may decide to shut things down in a couple weeks (or hours) but I might as well give a try.
First of all - this feels kind of strange for a couple of reasons
1. I do not know if anyone will read my wonderful messages
2. I have an unmatched talent for rambling
3. I do not want to inherit any friendly stalkers
4. My cat is digging his claws into my leg as I type
5. I don't know what else to write
Anyways, I am going to play around with the blog a bit and explore...hopefully find myself some fans.