UFC at Coteau-du-Lac and Canada Day

Trying to smile after drinking 2 Litres of water for CCES...

I am in serious need of a nap!

So this is much overdue, but I raced at Coteau-du-Lac in Quebec last Saturday. It was a national Junior series race as well as a Continental Cup race, and the set up and accommodations were excellent. I really noticed a difference between the transition zone set up from this year and last year, and it was a lot smoother and thought out.

I arrived the day before and looked over the course before heading over to the pre-race meeting a couple of kilometres away. In the meeting we learnt of a new rule now being enforced in all TriCan and WC races. For the first time ever, we were going to be using a penalty box for any infractions over the course of the race. The penalty box was to be placed on the run course, and the athlete may decide on when to serve their penalty (first or second lap). For those who are curious, a fifteen second penalty is given if an athlete false starts, drops any equipment on the way to transition, touches their bike before fastening their helmet, mounts before the mount line, dismounts after the dismount line, unbuckles their helmet before racking their bike, and fails to put their helmet in the equipment box (we didn't have equipment boxes for this race).

Anyways, I headed back to the hotel for dinner with the team and Andrew McCartney. Then settled in for the night. The race wasn't until the afternoon the nest day, and I enjoyed the chance to sleep in (which means 7am) and relax before the race.

We arrived on the race site with pouring rain and cooler temperatures, and soon learnt that the race was not wetsuit legal. I warmed up and did the normal preparations. Unfortunately, our swim warmup was a little short, but I got in a couple starts and was ready to go.

I got a decent spot on the pontoon, but I wasn't prepared for the blast of the start horn and the thoughts in my head revolved around, "boy, I bet that water feels chilly without my nice warm wetsuit". I didn't have a great start, and I found myself being pushed back as the pack closed in. This is when I received a swift kick to the face. A girl's heel connected right with my right eye, and of course my goggles. I couldn't really see out of that eye and my vision went blurry and white. Sighting was slightly difficult, as was the run up the stairs to transition. I now have a pretty sweet looking black eye...I will get some pictures up when I can!!

Out of the water, I was farther back then I wanted but I knew I had to minimize any damage on the bike. After two laps of working with Domi Jamnicky and Mag Rochette, I was slowly starting to see out of my right eye. It became obvious that there were some effective team tactics going on, and with this being an important qualifying race for Worlds in September, it wasn't hard to understand why a strong team would take this approach.

Once I got off of the bike I did what I could on the run, but I had lost too much time to run to the spot I wanted. Overall, I learnt where I can make some corrections and prepare for the next race!

In other news - Happy Belated Canada Day! I trained a bit in the morning and then went up to a friend's beautiful cottage to relax and celebrate.

Canada Day Road Race

Ottawa Race Weekend

BBQ Set up

Yesterday I woke up to grey skies, but by early afternoon the sun had come out and it was starting to warm up. It was a perfect day for the Great Glebe Garage Sale and the first couple races of the Ottawa Race Weekend.

Matt used his charm to attract the woman customers...

Corey worked out for endless hours in the gym just for this occasion.

Matty P manning the barbecue

Every May, a local community here in Ottawa called "the Glebe" organizes a huge garage sale. And I mean huge. The streets are swamped with people and pretty much everyone in the area is trying to sell or give away their stuff. It is a fun occasion if you are wanting to hunt around for items, but if you are trying to get anywhere downtown you can expect a very long wait. People cross the street left and right and against the lights and at random times. I had to put all of my driving skills to work as I...

1) attempted to drive to Landsdowne park, (fail: they charged for parking and all I wanted to do was pick up my race kit!)

2) find some parking close to the pavilion where the expo was, (another fail: there were cars everywhere and in a humongous Honda Ridgeline I couldn't exactly "squeeze" into any of the convenient small little spots. Parallel parking is also a challenge)

3) make my way over to Kunstadt to help out with our fundraising barbecue (success!: after it took me about half an hour to drive one kilometer)

I gave up on trying to get my race kit for the 10km scheduled for that evening, and figured I would just walk from the store to the pavilion through the crowds of people. Luckily my amazing friend, Jamie Stephenson, went with his pup and picked it up for me!!

Jade and her winning smile


Anyways, the Bytown Triathlon club set up a bbq next to the Kunstadt in the Glebe in order to help raise money for training, travel, races, etc. I am not sure of the numbers yet, but I think we sold a fair number of burgs, dogs, and refreshments.

Cheese!


Also, last night (I say night because the race didn't start until 6:30pm!) I participated in the 10km race here in Ottawa. It was windy and warm, and the course was more challenging then I expected it to be, but overall it was a great experience. Jamie was nice enough to run with me, and it made the 10km go by so much faster!
The start went out just fine (fast, as usual, but what do you expect after we have all been stadning around in a coral for 15minutes!!) and I eased into a comfortable pace. My goal was to reamin consistent, and if anything make the last half a bit faster then the first. At the half way point we have to cross over a bridge and run up the other side of the canal to the finish. It was uphill and as soon as we turned around and started heading back the wind was right in our faces. The wind and the hill took a fair bit out of me, and my last haf was actually slower! I talked to Jamie after the race and we both agreed that around kilometer 7 it felt like the end would never come!

The Elite women left about 5minutes before the rest of the field, and then the rest of the 10 000 people were given the go-ahead. I was happy to catch a couple of them near the end, but I was upset today when I learned that I could have won $350 USD had I had the intelligence to register as an Elite! Instead I got a finishers medal and I wasn't even mentioned in the paper!!

Next time...

I will try to find some pictures of the race to put up soon! Other than that have a great rest-of-weekend and thank you to everyone who came out to support the runners and cheer us on!! It makes all the difference.

And good luck to everyone racing the half and the marathon today. Especially my friends Francine Eastwood, Dr. Francovich, Ms. Chan, Ryan Cain, and Dave M. and any others that I may have forgotten!

Link to the results for the 10km
for the 5km

Congrats to Matt Polson (first competitive 10km race ever!) Matt Vierula (rocked the 10km with style) Olivier Mouyau (possible the world's coolest pace bunny) Jade Gregory (coming back from a hard winter - owned the 5km) Jasmine Labonte (sub 25 woo-hoo!!) and Francis Hupe (our french connection)
And some of the younger Bytown members; Sam Klus (great race at OFSAA East regionals only a couple days earlier!) Elyse Charrier, Alec Jarvis, Pat Smith, and many others!

Ixtapa Photos

The dive from Zihuatanejo Airport to Ixtapa resort destination.

On the shuttle to the hotel- Alexander, Jason, and Greg. (And Tristan's foot)

The most awesome suit ever - Jason Wilson, Barbados.

Watching the Elite / U23 race from close to the aid station.

On the podium...I think I will need a vest of my own :)

Yes, these lovely ladies are wearing pants and full long sleeves as I feel the sweat run down my back in a t-shirt and shorts.

Our wonderful hotel.

Ixtapa, Mexico - PATCO 2010

Well, after a brief (cough) hiatus from blogging I have decided to start up again. Since it is finally race season, I will actually have something to talk about!!

Okay so, Race numero uno - PATCO Pan American Championships. Worlds qualifier. Arguably one of the biggest races of the season. This is one race that determines a lot for the rest of the year...if the swim is not cancelled.

I left on the 18th of May at 3:00am to catch a flight in the Montreal Airport at 7:30am. After checking in, I was on my way to the sunny and warm Mexico City, where I had a 3 hour layover, and then finally on to Ixtapa. We were very lucky on our flight to Mexico City; the plan was almost empty and I got an entire row to myself. Not too shabby!

Mexico City Airport

Coach and his Starbucks

We arrived in Ixtapa and the weather was amazing! Warm and clear skies, perfect for me. For the next couple days we settled in and get used to the heat. It was fun to hang out with Team Canada and get to know some interesting people who live on a tiny island in the Caribbean.

Before I knew it, race day had come. My team mate, Domi, had just arrived in Ixtapa the night before the race, but she was as happy and as optimistic as ever. Her attitude gave me a huge mental boost, and I told her that the sun had finally arrived for real.

Race morning I was woken up quite early, but I proceeded to eat my breakfast and complete any last minute preparations that were necessary. Then, it was time to head down to the lobby and spin over to the race course.

After getting my numbers and transition set up, I headed down to the water to start my swim warmup. I, personally, had not seen the waves that morning, but Domi had been out practicing the night before. All she could talk about was the size of the waves that evening, and speculation about what if they cancelled the swim. I assured her that it would not be cancelled, but I was so wrong!! Kyla describes the ever growing size and aggression of the waves well in her post.

Before I was even down to the beach, they had announced that the boats were not allowed to be launched into the water and that the Junior event, that was starting in less than 30 minutes, was to be turned into a duathlon. We would complete a 2km run, followed by the standard 20km bike and 5km run.

Craig Taylor, the lead coach, remained calm and focus. He called all of the Canadian athletes together and made the new change cleat to everyone. Canada still needed those Worlds spots, but the race would most likely not be used to determine the athletes selected to fill the spots. Some of the athletes, most notably Matt Sharpe, stepped forwards and thought immediately of a team approach. CT assured them that he didn't want anyone throwing their race away. It was really important to see others thinking of the "team" first. They deserve a lot the respect and recognition.

For me, I had a million thoughts going through my head, but I knew that with less than 20minutes to go it was time to change my warmup, reset my t-zone, and talk strategy quickly with my coach.

The race was underway before I knew it, with the men leading out about 5minutes ahead. The first run was really smooth and controlled. I had talked with Greg and he told me not to kill the pace and just settle in. There was no point in breaking away, because then I would just waste my legs and have no one to bike with.

I came into T1 with a large pack of girls, and we proceeded onto the bike. Christine Ridenour and I attacked a couple of times, and one attack of Christine's put a big gap in the group. We formed the lead pack, with four Canadians, two Mexicans, and one lone American. Christine worked amazingly well on the bike, and the grouped worked pretty well together, although there were always a couple girls just sitting in on the back.

We came into T2 where I was second out behind Christine. It was fun to experience that wobbly ache in the legs that comes from a good ride for the first time again this year. I built into the run, and I was in first by the turnaround on the two lap course. I continued to build my pace and put a bit of a lead on the others. At one point I remember telling myself that I had won, and that I just had to keep taking one more step - the finish would come soon!

Overall it was a great race, a great environment, and a great experience. I was ready for a triathlon, but I guess two out of three will have to do for now!

The rest of the day was spent watching the Elite / U23 race and eating a ton at the hotel buffet. Congratulations goes out to all of the U23 women and men, who had to race 2 hours in the heat of the day. Their bravery and effort was unmatched! Also, to the junior men, who like to play bumper cars with their bikes and forget their shoes.

One last shout out has to go to Alexander Hinton, who had a blistering first run and absolutely destroyed the competition and claimed the number one spot going into T1. As we all know, that was REALLY the only title that matters.

After a day in the sun the whole group headed out to celebrate and let loose.

DONE and DONE

Well it is the time of year that leaves a tingle in my head and an overall feeling of awesome goodness...I am all done exams!! I can't believe that I only have to go through this once more in highschool; then I guess it is on to much bigger and better things.
I am excited to catch up on some sleep and rest, de-stress myself you might say. I am really going to enjoy some time off and I am couting the days until training camp!!
And boy do I ever miss the sun. Here in Ottawa cold, windy, and yucky seem to be the prevalent conditions. It is hard to get in decent runs when the wind is blowing so hard it feels like you are standing still. Which happened to me just yesterday... I swear if I had stopped running I would have begun to travel backwards.
Anyway nothing much to update for now (I live such and exciting life... :) just basking in the joy of not having my nose pressed into some sore of textbook!

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!!