This is the longest span of time I have ever let pass since 2005 to write a little bit about my adventures of preparing for an endurance event or comical training escapades. A few times I have asked myself why I willingly chose to cease writing for a few months, why I willingly decided to make other activities a priority and what, I wonder, would motivate me to sit down and write again. I recall the internal shift of pulling inwards and losing interest to share via the written word for others to see, read, and perhaps judge. This shift came right after Ironman Canada 2008. My parents, along with some friends, Britni and Warren Bakk, graciously came to experience the Penticton event unfold – a race I have now done six times. As like most of us, I can now see that something was not right from the get-go - my body was not “clicking.” Maybe I had raced too much already, many I was tired, maybe I was over excited to have my parents watch, or maybe I was just not that into the race? Regardless, it came, went, and made me a stronger person and athlete as a result. Having both my parents there was a real treat and I am hopeful they will come to a few more.
Shortly after Ironman Canada, I had an interesting discussion with an acquaintance that has watched me train and race from afar over the years. He asked if he could make a few suggestions to help my performance (in his opinion). Since I was more intrigued than anything, I spent a considerable amount of time sharing my experiences with this person and listening to his feedback and input. Sometimes a distant observer can offer the most accurate perspective. It was at this point when I decided to operate a bit more internally and keep many of my thoughts to myself until I was ready again to put words on paper. I went on that September to race in the Sooke Half Ironman (http://www.lifesport.ca/) where I place a stunning 2nd next to up and coming talent Haley Cooper.
Shortly after Ironman Canada, I had an interesting discussion with an acquaintance that has watched me train and race from afar over the years. He asked if he could make a few suggestions to help my performance (in his opinion). Since I was more intrigued than anything, I spent a considerable amount of time sharing my experiences with this person and listening to his feedback and input. Sometimes a distant observer can offer the most accurate perspective. It was at this point when I decided to operate a bit more internally and keep many of my thoughts to myself until I was ready again to put words on paper. I went on that September to race in the Sooke Half Ironman (http://www.lifesport.ca/) where I place a stunning 2nd next to up and coming talent Haley Cooper.
For most of September and October, I traveled over to Victoria on the weekends to prepare for Ironman Arizona. This was an intense block of high mileage training with Steve Kilshaw and Jasper Blake who were preparing for the same race. Together, we toughed out the Pacific Northwest weather and bonded through epic rides up and down the Patricia Bay Highway. Again, always smarter after the fact, I may have pushed my needle a bit too much during that block and arrived at Ironman Arizona with lingering fatigue which caught up with me on the run. I finished up in the top 10 and ended my season fulfilled and ready for a break from structure.
Another major change was to start working with Client Lien as my coach. Clint is based in Victoria, BC and close friends with Lori Bowden and Peter Reid amongst a multitude of other triathlete types around the world. He once coined himself a competitive athlete but now revels in working with others, sharing his knowledge and passion as a coach, mentor, and the ultimate motivator. Clint’s personality, disposition, and temperament really jives with my character. He is a laid back guy all the while stirring up some great training blocks, encouraging smart efforts and recovery practices. He doesn’t over analyze any situation but is astute enough to read into the subtleties of a training log, conversation, or lagging swim times. Better yet, his interest in his athletes is unconditional, meaning one’s performance or fitness level does not correlate with their worth. His athletes are first and foremost highly valued individuals with depth and integrity. At a very distant second, they are seeking to do their best in sport under his guidance. Clint willingly, without arrogance I might add, gives back to the sport through his endless hours of swim coaching, group rides, and coached track sessions. On occasion I asked myself where this sport be if we didn’t have dedicated people like Clint encouraging a thriving community of participation. And furthermore, do we acknowledge these efforts? Surely the volunteer or coach is putting in the effort because they love what they do and are not looking for validation but it never hurts to express one’s appreciation. As I head out solo for my ride and run I often refer back to Clint’s efforts with admiration, gratitude and respect.
December quickly became January or so it seemed. I was well recovered from any fall racing or training and ready for something different from years past to build my fitness back over the winter months. On January 1st, the stars aligned while snowshoeing up Mont Tremblant. In minus 30 temperatures, my friend and guide, Louis Ludwig, and I were sweating buckets. As my heart rate soared and my lungs burned, there was nowhere else in the world I’d rather have been. And so it was - for the winter months, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing were the sports of choice with only a small amount of running, biking and swimming sprinkled in. The white snow, blue sky, and view from the mountaintop spoke volumes and were timely reminders of how small and meaningless we all are. On many occasions, I was overwhelmed with appreciation and a sense of privileged for these experiences. For some reason the training effects felt a distant second to the main benefit.
On February 22nd, I raced in the Whistler Nordic Ski Loppet that covered 30 km and most of the Nicholas North Golf Course. Being a timid Nordic racer, I started at the back (sound familiar to all you non swimmers?) and let the “fast” girls go. Big mistake. After the first climb, I was stuck behind those that had a good sprint but no endurance. The fun part was herringboning (skis in a “V” quite similar to scrambling up a hill) through others in the narrow trails while working my way into the top 10. Upon finishing this excursion, I realized why Nordic Skiers tend to have the highest V02 max levels of most athletes. Every muscle in the body gets worked with no reprieve.
This race seemed to mark the shift away from winter sports back towards the traditional swimming, biking and running. Fortunately, my dedicated training partner, Britni Bakk, and I were able to link in for some indoor computrainer sessions. We’d set up, as we have for a few years going now, in my unfinished makeshift garage, with a new itunes playlist and some concoction of intervals to pass the time. We were purposefully both on track for Ironman 70.3 California on April 4th, Ironman 70.3 Honu on May 31st followed by Ironman Coeur D’Alene on June 21st.
In my logbook, my training seemed to be coming along and California was scheduled as a season opener to get the cylinders firing. Now that it is over, it was the platform I needed to practice the mental, physical, and organizational steps for my 2009 racing season. From the travel, taper, preparation, transition, and raw exposure during a race, I was left hungry for more after crossing the finish line. As it turned out, the highlight was not the race; it was my travel companion (and second mom), Roslyn Boniface, and our accommodations in Fallbrook, San Diego. The Grierson’s (Jackie & Dennis) are long time golfing companions of my parents from Montreal who have made Southern California their home. They graciously opened the doors of their “guest house” for Ros and I, making us feel like we’d landed in heaven. Perched on top of the rolling hills overlooking endless acres of vineyards and avocado orchards, their home can be likened to a sanctuary. We lounged on their deck with a miniature putting green, infinity pool and mindless magazines at our disposal. Roslyn brought her golf clubs and planned to play at a local golf course while I was resting. As her luck would have it, the Grierson’s already had golf games lined up and included Ros in their foursome at one of the most prestigious courses in Southern California, Pauma Valley Golf Course.
Roslyn was a brilliant wingman and awoke at the crack of dawn to join me on race day. I left her in the very capable hands of Clint and his social crew. Amazingly enough, Jackie and her daughter, Cassandra, arrived just in time for the final stretch of the run. As a memento and expression of our thanks, I left behind my “hat” (a.k.a. helmet), as Jackie liked to call it, a term she will never live down.
My attitude towards specificity training started to shift after the California trip. I was, and still am, open to the workload and dedication to lift my fitness for Honu and Coeur D’Alene. Up until this point, I had been maintaining consistent training and following my program but willingly diverting from the structure of “specificity” in favour of fun, social, or a different sport. I’d maybe opt for a road ride instead of a triathlon ride if it meant I could ride with a group. Or perhaps I would participate in the masters swimming workout when Clint had suggested a straight 4000-meter set. I figured there were a million ways to get fit and if option B was more appealing than option A, I was game. Playtime and sharing experiences with others were (and still are) a high priority for me. Despite adding more structure, I am still of this playful mindset but practice it with a bit more consideration. My roadie friends will have to endure riding with me whilst I am on my TT bike.
It is almost one week until I leave for Hawaii. Steve Lafave, my surrogate brother, is joining me for the race. He’ll be a wonderful energy to have as company and always keep things light and fun. This race is very low priority since we have had two four-week “builds” in the past six weeks. The first two “build” weeks were daunting on paper and approached with trepidation. I sailed through the training (and intensity) without draining the tank dry…until the final two days. The final 48 hours were painful. I was done. Almost to the point of declaring “dysfunctional.” The upside was that I was granted a full week’s recovery prior to starting the second build.
Now in the middle of a second build, I have rediscovered the roads of Whistler and Pemberton. Whistler, an international resort destination for winter and summer travelers, is home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The Sea to Sky community is bustling as they prepare to welcome the onslaught of international visitors and athletes next February. Until then, it is a training haven equipped with arduous mountain climbs, endless rural roads, soft packed technical trails, a 25-meter swimming pool, icy lakes for post training sessions and best of all, some great training partners.
