Heart of the Rockies Triathlon

And you definitely knew you were in the Rockies, during this course!  This race is small and homegrown, it has a laid back feeling and filled with love and care because it's someone's pride and joy; it was started by Bruce Stroud who has been the race directed for over 30 years, this race is challenging and fun, I would come back for sure.

This past weekend, I went on a wee road trip with my mom and Reed to Invermere BC.  The drive was spectacular, we took a little (unintentional) scenic detour in Banff National park, and saw a giant moose grabbing lunch by the side of the road.  We stopped for a nice little picnic and took out time, Reed was super great the whole drive. 

Invermere is situated by Windermere Lake and is just about one of the cutest little towns I've ever been in.  It just screams summer-living.  Cafes, bakeries, patios and specialty shops along the main street are painted in bright inviting colours and highlighted with baskets and pots teeming with beautiful flowers. 

We arrived Saturday afternoon and after enjoying the town with a coffee and a stroll, we tried to find where you pick up the race kit.  This proved to be a bit more of a challenge than expected.... so after a few sharp words blaming the other one, we asked someone and found the place. 

That night we had dinner at a place called The Black Forest, which was all done up in Bavarian/German style, complete with waiters in laderhosen and huge plates filled with spatzel, cabbage, and schnizel!

Lemons!

Woke up Sunday morning, not exactly well-rested, looked outside and guess what I saw.... cloudy, rainy morning!  Of course!

8 o'clock start, so no big rush.  Arrived in the transition zone, set up my gear and was realizing just how small this race was.   I was all ready to go at 730, and went to nurse Reed before I hit the water, only to realize he decided to have a huge blow out in his diaper.  So grandma had to leave and get him changed, she consequently missed the race (better to hang out in a nice dry hotel room!) but they came back and saw me finish.

Rainy race morning!

The swim was a straight out and back.  Early on I caught some feet, it was a good pace, but I'm not sure he was sighting very well, it seemed we were zigzaging quite a bit.  But passing took way too much energy, and my swim form is certainly not so great right now...

The bike course takes you immediately up.  You climb out of town, and it was one of those courses where on the way out I was saying "Ok, all I'm doing is climbing, so the way back is going to be smooth sailing downhill!"  But then when I turned around, I just kept waiting for all those downhills, but seemed to be just doing more climbing...  At the turn around I was able to see that there were 3 women ahead of me.  My legs just don't seem to have that dig deep and pound on the pedals. 

I was however enjoying myself.  Despite the crappy weather, at least it wasn't cold, and this was my very last race, I had worked very hard to get myself into some sort of racing form.  I kept telling myself that eventhough I was in 4th place (one away from $) I had to be proud of all the hard work I had put in after having Reed.  Training had only started in February, and it was seriously started from ground zero!  Hadn't trained the bike in over a year, swimming had been all easy and running was slow, although I was able to keep it up until 33 weeks. 

I also had been thinking about all the workouts I insisted on doing and being consistent since Reed was 6 weeks old.  In retrospect it was the best thing for us all.  For me, I got to get out, get a break from Reed and get some very beneficial exercise, best natural remedy I'd say to beat those baby-blues.  For Reed, it gave him an opportunity to bond with other people in his life, daddy and grandparents.  It has made him very used to being with others and away from mommy, even if it was only for an hour or two a couple times a week, knowing that I will be back. 

Then the run.  Well the person who dreamed up this course was having a good chuckle.  It was literally 8km uphill and then 2km downhill.  You wound yourself up the backside of the hill that leads out of town along pathways, all little burner hills.  It was impossible to get into a rhythm, but I was feeling good, and was passing people.  It was 45min but I feel like that was a really good time for how hard it was.

I came across the finish line, not really knowing how I did, there were other races going on so hard to tell.  My mom, Reed and I went back to the hotel, got to love late check out, I had a wonderful shower and then we strolled around downtown, got a coffee and a giant muffin/cake.  And headed back for the awards. 

It turned out I came 3rd woman and won $200.  A very distant 10min+ 3rd, but I made the podium... if there was a podium.  This is me, very happy 3rd, and very proud momma.  It's a funny pic, because the race director is "moving right along" but "I'm not going anywhere until I get my 3rd place picture!"

I am done with triathlons for the summer, but I have other races planned, since running is going well and it's a lot easy to do one sport than three!  This Sunday I got offered a free entry to Mud Hero, an obstacle run, on a ranch outside of Canmore, looks like fun, I've never done anything like this!

Then I plan on doing Calgary Roadrunners trail race series, a 10k in Canmore in October and then the Last Chance Half in November.  Then maybe if all goes well a spring marathon!

Great White North = Great Cold Rainy North

I think I am getting soft in my old age, I just don`t seem to be able to suffer like I used to, but I finished. And that unto itself was an accomplishment in my eyes.

It was another rainy, cold triathlon weekend.  Why can`t we catch a break, it just really isn`t nearly as much fun racing in the rain as it is in the sun. 

Overall, it was a very fun weekend getaway.  It was an exceptionally well-run race, organized very similarly to an ironman, with all the different gear bags, and wrist bands and tons of volunteers to help you at every moment.

But the fun for me is in the race atmosphere, the people, the vibe, the energy, the loud speakers, the music, the hype, the positivity - Steve King as announcer, the best!  Although I think he said as I was heading onto the run course that I was having the ``race of a lifetime``... not quite Steve, not quite...)

So after a couple cry sessions in the car on the drive down, again we stopped for a super nice picnic outside of Edmonton, we arrived in Stony Plain (actually we stayed in Spruce Grove 20min outside). 

Race weekend for us has become a very different affair.  With Reed, there is just so much more to think about and get organized.  Race morning I was again more concerned with making sure everything was in order for him, it`s a long race, but now that he`s eating solids it`s easier for everyone.  I admit I did go with the store bought baby food in a jar, seriously nothing wrong with it, just be careful to buy the stuff with no sugar or salt added, ie. blueberries vs blueberry dessert.  I got him bananas and sweet potato, his favourites! 

On race morning, I almost didn't start.  It was a miserable morning.  And I just didn't like the  idea of 5ish hours racing in crap.  Also the idea of little Reed out there too, althoough he would be covered and bundled in his BOB.  But when the grandparents said they would be going back to the hotel room with him, I felt much better.  I rallied and set up my stuff in transition.  See, I'm kinda becoming a mental baby...

Water was warm, so my sleeveless wetsuit did the trick just fine.  I swam alright.  Considering I only get in one maybe two swims a week, on my own, I can't complain.  It was a mass start, which is always fun, men and women duking it out altogether.  My waterpolo days have seasoned me to not back down from any swinging elbows or flailing feet!  During the second loop, I found I was competing for the same feet with someone... "Hey, I recognize those feet...!"  It was Colin.  I let him go and tried to stay on his, I admit I was doing a bad job of not touching him, it was just so congested, I was banging him, swimming on his legs etc.  He knew it was me too, not many women in sleeveless out there.

Swim = 30min ish.  Ok, not bad. But certainly on the slow side.

Out on the bike, I struggled.  I have only about 3 rides of over an hour... never more than 60k.  I did all short hard stuff on the trainer, so out there for a 90k ride was certainly pushing the limits on my fitness.  I also struggled with the part of my brain that was coming up with great reasons why I should quit... too cold, frozen hands that couldn't even shift gears, wishing I was cuddling with Reed in a warm hotel room, it doesn't matter if I don't finish, everyone is passing me (that's the downside of mass start, the men just blow by you in droves during the bike ... also got passed by quite a number of girls... there were some fast ladies competing ... Danelle Kabush, Annette Kamenz, Tanya Salamon, Kelly Lynn Marcotte... who had a great race!), headwind, etc etc.

But by 60km and the turn around I was starting to bounce back.  Not sure why, I guess I just started to force positive happy thoughts instead.  I finally started to not accept any speeds below 30km/hr and trying to keep my average above 33km/hr.  I almost did it, ending by averaging 32.9. 

Bike = 2:44 and change.  Not bad, not great, but I felt strong still and was pumped to run, if I could run around an hour and half, it could still turn out to be a not too bad race...

I started out awesome, the first 5k in 21min.  I was passing many of the guys who blew by on the bike, which felt super fanstastic!  No stomach issues, and still smiling and thanking the volunteers and wishing competitors good luck as we passed each other.  I can gauge how good I'm feeling by the amount I will interact with others on course...  Anyways I stopped looking at my watch, which may have been a mistake.  But like so many others, the wheels just fell off in the last 4k, my leg turn over just wouldn't pick up anymore.  I lost about 5min in those last kms. 

Run = 1:40.  I can't be upset about that. 

I am re-learning about the things to appreciate in racing.  It can't all be about posting awesome splits.  When the time and training have not been optimum, you have to find others parts to keep you motivated.   Like how lucky I am even to toe-the-line, after having a baby 6mos ago, I certainly proved it to myself that racing and getting in shape are in the realm of possible.  I lost all the baby weight (a very very big motivator!!) and can comfortably race again.  I may not be "crushing" it but I am getting it done!

I am super happy about the whole weekend.  We stayed for the awards and banquet and hung out with friends and met new friends.  I came 8th overall women and 2nd in my age category, and even got a nice little plaque...

Colin race = FANTASTIC!!  He had a super great race!  I am so proud and happy for him.  He came 6th, against a tough field.... just out the of money ... bummer....  He had the 2nd fastest run split overall, only 2min slower than none other than the amazing Jeff Symonds!!  He did 4:12 overall time, and ran a smokin' 1:20.  He had even been conservative on the bike, in order to have good legs to run on.  All part of his ironman prep.  He will kick ass in Penticton! 

Next race for me in a week.  Heart of the Rockies.  Then that's all for me, just going to be #1 fan for my hubby!!