Fabulous Forces

"A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man."
Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces.

 I love this quote. Sure, it has mythological connotations mixed with mystical powers, trials and tribulations, great gifts for achieving the goal (aka: boons) resulting in the discovery of important self-knowledge.  But it also rings true in our everyday lives of the 21st century. We wake up to face mostly unknowns (try as you might to control your every minute) and use our critical thinking to overcome, persevere and break through to a better place and become a wiser person. For all these experiences, we become individuals of depth, curiosity, patience, and respect...we become HERO'S every day.

This heroic introduction leads me to...nowhere really...except how I have decided, after a long hiatus of writing, to "take stock" of my fabulous forces and mysterious adventures since the fall. By writing them here, its my way of capturing the memories and reflecting on the many quality experiences that happen over a short period of time.  Not surprisingly, most of my mysterious adventures are the result of someone(s) special doing nifty things that opened a door for me to take part. And usually those someone(s) are my hero's, they keep up with themselves, share in the social media community, write about the nuances of life and capture the essence of exploring something new every single day.

Let's make this brief and let's make it fun. And most importantly, let's make sure you are inspired to take stock of your mysterious adventures thanks to fabulous forces.

Whirlwind Finale

Wrapped up the race season in a whirlwind with Hurricane Sandy blowing through Florida over the Rev 3 Venice Ironman weekend. Swim became a run. It went: Run, Bike, Run. Amazing race experience with the Rev 3 crew.  Unlike the New York Marathoners, at least we got to run. #nocomplaining

 

Learning the Slopes

Blew right into a new role with my company, Sunice (Fletcher Leisure Group) as the VP of Sales for USA, Sunice Ski Apparel.  Ill prepared and overwhelming but full of newness and challenge. Walked the walk and learned as fast as I could about selling ski apparel to ski shops from the east to west coast of North America. Humungous help from the Sunice team, namely Derek Faith and Grace Maurer.

 

Mont Tremblant

Merry Ho-Ho'd at Mont Tremblant. Second favourite place to Whistler. We were a house full of kids and adults ridden with the flu blended in with tons of love, laughter and the X-Box. Highlight was snowshoeing up the mountain with Louis Ludwig on Boxing Day.  Gifted my brother a stationary windtrainer for his dust covered road bike. I wonder if he'll ever use it?

Be Awesome

Joined Jasper Blake and his stellar coaching company, B78 Coaching [Be Awesome], as a coach for aspiring and veteran endurance athletes. B78 emphasizess the fun factor mixed in with a whole lot of excellence, integrity, commitment, consistency without compulsion and of course, awesomeness.

 

 

 

 

Montreal YUL Snow Storm

Attempted to fly out of Montreal on December 27th, 2012 however Mother Nature had other plans. A massive snow storm struck the city causing havoc to traffic, flights, and millions of holiday plans. Spent 10 hours aboard a plane waiting, hoping and praying for the plane to take-off so I could meet Steph Corker at the pool at 6:30 a.m. the next morning. Instead, the flight was cancelled and I had the pleasure of meeting Stuart Wild. A Montrealer, now Whistler resident currently working as a helicopter in Afghanistan for the US Army when not kite surfing in Mexico. One of a kind and unforgettable individual.

Loppetting

Kicked off 2013 on the skate ski trails of the Whistler Olympic Park. Linked up with a few jack rabbits soon coined my "regulars" as we all prepared for the Payak Loppet on February 23rd. Completed a 30km Loppet in February followed by a 50km Loppet in March. Wow, 50km is a long way on skate skis. Now I know. Maybe never again.

 

 

Solitude

Thanks to my new role with Sunice, I was able to experience skiing in Utah at Solitude Resort with the crew at Powder Magazine. The editors wore our duds as we got to know each other on the chairlifts and at Après.  Sunice will be featured in the Powder Magazine Gear Guide, October 2013! Yoohoo. Oddly, hardly any of them have skied at Whistler. Must change that.

Apple TV Neophyte...converted

Weekended at Whistler all through January, February and most of March. Sadly without my partner in crime, Roslyn Boniface, since she broke her ankle on January 1st while carving turns down Bear Paw run. Dang! That sucked.  Recovery strategy included an investment in Apple TV. With my guidance, she pounded through Downton Abbey, Damages and Homeland. Not to mention the books she devoured and a revolving door of visitors and caretakers. Ros is back in action full throttle.

 

 

C'est Le Weekend

Whistler...best part of my life. Downhill skiing with a solid crew of entertaining mashers after dropping off their kids at ski school. The days usually wrapped at 1p.m. at top of either mountain with a lengthy lunch and maybe a glass of wine.  The alternate day was spent skate skiing through Norwegian Woods, Madeley Lake and the Olympic Connection trails. Every glide, pole and offset was bliss. Best part of the ski is the Cafe Mocha and banana bread to refuel.

 

 

Madness at Method

Method...my winter training haven for the bike. Three, maybe four, times a week, I pedaled my way into some form of bike fitness under the remarkable guise of Jamie Armstrong. Jamie is a cyclist extraordinaire. When lucky, we'd be side by side along with 20 some uber committed, fit and first rate riders busting out 60 minute sessions. 

 

Side note: Ironically, Jamie tried to participate in the New York Marathon but Hurricane Sandy changed the plan. Jamie witnessed the wreckage.  He then went on to run the Boston Marathon this April. Thankfully he finished in 2:59 and was clear of the bombing site. Yet, he now carries a first hand experience with devastation and heartbreak following such brutal and senseless acts of cruelty. The Method community  was at a standstill awaiting news from Jamie following the explosions. Tremendous relief to learn Jamie and others we knew were okay. Heartfelt condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Partners

Method is one of my committed supporters as professional triathlete. Dizzy Cycles, Specialized, Broadway and Burrard Chiropractic, B78, Polar, Smith Optics and Flora and Udo's Oil are also on board to help me be my best self as a athlete. Connecting with this team of groovy companies is a must and something I always wish I did more of. I have recently added a few more supporters to my team which I will formally announce in a short while.

Soulful Steph

March was a fun month. Yeah, real fun. Hopped on a plane to join Steph Corker in Santa Monica for the LA Marathon. 26.2 miles, point to point, from Dodgers Stadium to Santa Monica pier. She rocked out a sweet run and got to celebrate with all her Lululemon peeps. I jumped in for a few miles to cheer her on  (even drank some fluid from the aid stations which I still feel guilty about).  We did it all - Lemonade, Abbot Kinney Street, Gratitude Cafe, Soul Cycle (this deserves its own blog), outdoor swimming, beach runs, retail therapy and incredible memories.

 

 

Safe Touring

In the final days of March came a backcountry skiing adventure with Deanna Wigmore and Brent Lokash. Brent was our fearless guide on a less than ideal backcountry ski day. Low visibility, high winds, cool temps and two inexperienced touring chicks made for a high stress day. With unwavering confidence, Brent navigated us over mountains, across ridges and down powder runs like a pro. Started at 9a.m. and finished at 4p.m. #againagain

Zero Ceiling

Once safe from the backcountry, Brent invited a few go-getters to join him in raising the profile of a very cool organization called Zero Ceiling: an adventure-based learning program that empowers at-risk youth and young adults to develop life skills and achieve personal growth.  First fundraising event: May 25th at Scandinave Spa in Whistler. #bethere

Torah

April 13th finally arrived. The day RuthieShugarman has been waiting for almost as much as all her friends and loved ones. Her daughter, Talia, was celebrating her Bat Mitzvah. Guess where? Whistler. It was #betterbiggerthanawedding. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlWMR_7WbgI (Watch this!)

In words: Adventure Rabbi from Colorado led service at Squamish Cultural Centre (in Whistler) serving grilled cheese sandwiches and butternut squash soup as appies, family a go-go, friends aplenty, love over-boiling. Talia was poised, articulate and so grown up when reading and singing. She was #outstandingfora12yearold! Food-a-licious, slide show of Talia's life (wow!), dancing to best band and play list ever, memento photo opportunities, dessert table was sugar & chocolate art. Most heart-stopping was Ruthie and Talia #gorgeouselegantelated. And by the way, I am converting.

Not quite these guys but pretty close

Guys-only Dolomite Training Group

Its official. I am just one of the guys when it comes to cycling. Thanks to an annual cycling trip to Europe organized for 12 well heeled 40-something guys (mostly husband's of my girlfriends), I have tons of training partners for long bike rides.  They are all fit, all committed and almost all have shaved their legs.  When we head out for a 4hour ride, I hang on. I dig deep to stay in the pack. And, when they drop me, they wait, likely because I am a girl.

Girls-only Half Marathon Training Group

Those biker dudes all have incredibly driven, beautiful and talented wives and they too are fit, fast and fabulous. Half a dozen of us have committed to the Whistler Half Marathon on June 1st. They have instilled their trust in me to bring them to the start line with considerable run fitness and endurance.  Training weekend coming up in May! Can't wait.

 

 

Swimming

Swimming. Swimming. Well, for the past few months, I have a renewed relationship with swim practice. That is 5:30 a.m. three mornings a week plus 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. Since Kelly Taitinger has started coaching our Masters Club, I have been working harder and smarter in the pool than ever. Sweat in the pool? Always. Getting stronger? Absolutely. http://www.canadiandolphin.ca/CoachesBio_2.aspx (Kelly's Bio)

 
Super Human Games

Start line

Finish line

As summer nears so do key dates with start and finish lines and a pack of other super human athletes standing on the same start line gunning for the same finish line. Whilst our fabulous forces and mysterious adventures are all a little different, our quest for self improvement and discovery is not unique.

Here is a tentative, but fairly firm, list of all the mysterious adventures I have completed and have lined up:

 
February 11 - Vancouver Half Marathon - Done with Steph Corker with PB for her!
February 23 - Whistler Olympic Park Skate Ski Loppet (30km) - Done and 5th!

March 10 - Snowqualmie Skate Ski Loppet (50km) - Done and won!

May 4 - Ironman St George 70.3, Utah

June 1st, Whistler Half Marathon

June 8 - Ironman Boise 70.3, Idaho

June 23 - Ironman Mont Tremblant 70.3, Quebec

July 15 - Ironman Lake Stevens 70.3, Washington

August 25 - Ironman Canada, Whistler

 

Life is good. Life is a mysterious adventure with fabulous forces. Be The Hero.

Embracing Winter through Nordic Skiing

Ashley Holden (left) and Christine post skate ski at Mount Washington

As endurance athletes specializing in a multitude of activities best suited for warmer climates and sunny skies, the winter months can be some of the most challenging to endure. In order to survive the cooler temperatures and wet pavement we need more gear, moisture wicking layers and discipline to relentlessly clean our bikes.  While the process of "winter riding" can be therapeutic and highly rewarding, some you may be looking to experience winter for all it has to offer. Rest assured there are many winter activities to boost your heart rate and recruit the same muscle groups used in swim, bike and run. 

Despite dark cool mornings and precarious footing, Winter is still a terrific season to be consistent in the pool and head out for purposeful runs. Cycling, however, can sometimes take a back seat in favor of activities such as Skate Skiing, Snowshoeing and if time, resources and accessibility permits, Backcountry Skiing. 



Skate Skiing has been my sport of choice for the past number of years. Once I invested in quality gear (good boots are essential) and learned my way around the local Nordic Trail Systems, it made it easy to pack up the car and hit the mountains a few times a week.  From observation, and as most great sports do, Skate Skiing has been quickly drawing in many triathletes, cyclists and runners who live in four season climate zones.

Nordic Skiing is the umbrella term for both Skate and Classic styles of cross country skiing. Classic Skiing is done in "tracks" and keeps your legs and arms moving in a forward and backward plane. Skate Skiing is similar to ice skating but with poles and is done in the middle of the trail where "corduroy" groomed snow is best. Classic Skiing is far more cerebral where sound technique is critical for enjoyment and improvement. Classic also requires more attention to snow conditions such that the ideal wax is applied to the ski to prevent slippage and tremendous frustration. Skate technique also calls for efficient movement and appropriate wax but can still be enjoyable by the "somewhat" fit to "very" fit athlete. Better yet, your day won't be ruined if you don't have the ideal wax on for the snow conditions, you just may not keep up with your buddies. The learning curve for Skate Skiing is steep especially with regular practice and a few competent skiers to follow and mimic.

Whichever activity you choose, Nordic Skiing is highly aerobic, higher than running in fact, and works the entire body from arms, back, core, gluts, hamstrings, quads and calves. It transfers brilliantly to any endurance sports and makes hill climbing on a bike or on foot seem easy.  Unless you can ski on a completely flat trail (impossible to find in British Columbia), it does not offer an "easy" button option. Try as you might to go for an "easy" Skate Ski considerable effort is inevitably required for most Nordic terrain.  However, what goes up must come down so after a major hill climb you are sure to be rewarded with a fun and fast decent.

Winter is quickly becoming my favorite season thanks to my Nordic adventures and a close group of friends that also enjoy the awesome trails in the Callaghan Country (Whistler Olympic Park), Cypress Mountain (North Shore) and Lost Lake (Whistler).  Most of my ski outings are between 90 minutes to 3+ hours. When feeling creative, I can manage to circle the trail system without ever re-tracing my original route. When possible, I aim to be one of the first skiers on the trails to christen the freshly groomed snow and connect with the environment. The best conditions are minus 5 with a crispy feel to the snow under foot.  If your skis are waxed and you're dressed appropriately,  there is only one option...a heart pumping fitness building magical day.

For the competitive souls out there, Nordic Skiing offers a host of races (aka: Loppets) to choose from. Most races offer a 15km, 30km and 50km option with the 30km being the most popular distance. Both classic and skate techniques are usually offered as options and the start is very similar to a swim start...mass, chaotic and body parts flying everywhere. Appropriate seeding and a strong "kick" are helpful in order to get to the front and find your own snow. 

If you have not yet tried Nordic Skiing, I encourage you to give it a glide. It will humble you at first but with perseverance and maybe a lesson, you'll grasp it quickly and yearn for more. Maybe you'll even sign up for a Winter Triathlon (Mountain Biking, Skate Skiing & Running)!

See you on the slopes.

Christine

Half Ironman Muskoka 70.3, Sept 9, 2012

How is it possible that I lived 20+ years in Montreal and never made a short trip west to visit the glorious lakes within the District of Muskoka, the heart of the Canadian Shield and a playground in both the summer and winter months? I guess the real answer is that our family spent vacation time and weekends in the Quebec Laurentians or Florida, both places satisfying our ski and golf desires.

After 3 consecutive years of signing up for the Muskoka Half Ironman but never making it there (for very legitimate reasons), this year was it. I finally made it to the resort town and the start line.

Travel.

Between work and racing, it would be fair to say that I travel a fair amount. I have therefore learned the ins and outs of early check-in, upgrading to an exit row, pre-paying for my excess baggage (I'm over it now and just pay the bike box fee), preparing for optimum in-flight hydration and planning for just the right amount of reading material to make a five hour flight feel like two. My goal is to minimize the stress of travel and feel as fresh as possible when the plane lands. In reality, this pseudo "low stress travel" routine works only so well since by the time I have packed and commuted to the airport with a ridiculously cumbersome bike box, wheel bag, suitcase, aero helmet, laptop, Ipad, nutrition supplements, massage tools and compression socks, I am not only ready for a nap but have also acknowledged a million glares and responded to numerous questions pertaining to what is in "that" thing or "you're a wide load." I have also gotten into a silly habit of making eye contact with the baggage handler as I watch my bike box slide away on the belt to remind him that it is fragile material in that box..."will it be handled with care?" "Ma'am, we handle all baggage with kid gloves." Yeah, sure. Once my bags are checked I usually switch in to surrender mode and focus on the controllable aspects of my trip ahead like staying hydration and entertainment.

Being a Nexus member has significantly reduced the wait time through security with the exception of scanning my spare wheel which slows the process down a bit. Vanity is far from a priority when I travel. I may be wearing lip gloss but it clashes with my "easy to slip on" runners, lululemon pants and plain Jane Timex watch while void of any jewelry and utilitarian carry on bag that holds as many travel tools as possible. I always recall lessons learned from the movie Up In Air with George Clooney. His traveling scenes really helped me become a proficient traveler...avoid line ups with kids, old people or vacationers. His theories work a better part of the time.

Flight.
If I sat next to me on a plane I can guarantee even I would find myself entertaining. Here's how it goes....

Once seated with extra leg room on the aisle for quick access to the lavatory, I start my "routine." Be it pulling on my compression socks, lodging my massage ball under my tight hamstring, snacking on my home-made veggies, drinking my whole-food protein shake, reading a book before starting on the movie I uploaded on my Ipad or doing some work on my laptop, I am clearly preparing to take the next five hours in action. The boredom on this flight will not take me down. I sometimes order the carrot sticks or apple slices and maybe a glass of half juice half water no ice. I visit the washroom a number of times as an excuse to stretch my legs and get some circulation going. Only in very rare circumstances do I allow more than social graces to strike up between myself and my seat mates. In all honestly, I am a flying comedy show.

As luck would have it, my Toronto bound flight had me sitting next to a young guy dressed in corduroy jeans, work boots, a worn t-shirt and baseball cap. Let's call him "Boots". Thinking back, I don't even think Boots had a bag. I know he had a wallet that was molded to his butt because he needed to access it to pay for his red wine. He greeted me as soon as I sat down to which I replied "hello." This would not be a trip I was going to chit chat on for 4.5 hours. I had things to do (like watch the third episode of Homeland). He thankfully managed to strike up a conversation with "Window Guy" which relieved me of serious pressure. Since Boots had no book, no magazine, no ear phones and no interest in external entertainment, my "routine" filled this role for him nicely. He was thoroughly enjoying watching me getting comfortable and wiggle around on my massage tools. He didn't hide the fact that he was observing me but I am more than confident that I did a fantastic job of ignoring him. While he ordered three bottles of red wine, I sipped on a Vega Chocolate smoothie. He must have been concerned about my comfort because he offered to turn off my air after witnessing me pull on my compression socks (thinking I was cold instead of trying to avoid the horrific pooling in my ankles). He peered into my Tupperware container to see what I was eating and had the audacity to nudge me while fully engaged in the character development of Homeland's Season Finale to ask me how long the flight was. How could one not know a flight from Vancouver to Toronto would be long enough to warrant bringing at least a magazine on board?

Boots impressed me. He literally sat there for five long hours staring at the back of the seat in front of him (between watching my narcissistic behaviors) with only his thoughts and a few bottles of red wine. He didn't nap, he didn't flip through the Enroute Magazine and he didn't even get up to take a wiz. As we disembarked, Boots walked off with only his sweatshirt and chain linked wallet in the back pocket of his corduroy's. As we made our way up the gang plank, he said "well, you taught me a lot. Next flight I'll bring tight socks for circulation, protein shakes for nutrition, a baseball to roll on, a plethora of magazines and earphones." And I said, "Next flight I'll be drinking red wine." He thought that was pretty funny.

Since arriving close to 8p.m. EST (Thursday), I decided to spend the night in Toronto and drive to Huntsville in the morning (Friday). The weather had cooled considerably after what has been one of the hottest summers in history. The radio was forecasting showers for Saturday but clearing for Sunday with cooler than normal conditions. I tuned out all weather reports sensing that the weekend would be as gorgeous and hot as it had been all summer. How wrong I was.

After a fairly uneventful two hour drive to Huntsville, I pulled into my home for the next three nights, Canada's Best Motel. It wasn't glamorous but it would do. All the rooms were ground level which makes unpacking a bike and associated gear much easier. Some people like the penthouse, I like garden-level close to an exit. Elevators are not even in my vocabulary and stairs are a nightmare. Again, all in the name of minimizing travel stress.

Since I had no training to do on Friday, there was ample time to drive the bike course and visit the race expo at Deerhurst Resort on Peninsula Lake. By this time, I was craving a bit of company and conversation. So much so I started to rack up some cell phone minutes and spent far too much time at the expo chatting to the vendors and race mechanics. Everyone suggested driving the bike course since it was touted as hilly and technical. I normally opt not to drive race courses anymore in favor of more rest time outside of a car. In this case, I turned up the radio and navigated the 94 kilometers looping the Lake of Bays and winding through Dwight, Dorset and Baysville. Lake after lake after beautiful view after hill after turn after hill after turn sums up the landscape and geography. It was a glorious route and certain not to be a fast.

After a solid five hours of driving in one day, I found a really nifty farmers market called Father's Daughters Market. Besides homegrown vegetables and organic grain fed chicken, I found a delectable homemade chutney called Beet & Cream Cheese. I am not sure what made it so good but I polished off three containers of it during my entire stay in Huntsville.

Saturday morning was as the weather man predicted. I drew open my burgundy-mustard-olive colored curtains to a wet, soggy and dark morning. Sheets of rain were pummeling the parking lot. Plan B was formulating in my mind since the rain had no plans of letting up.

I made my way to Huntsville's Summit Gym in hopes of finding a spin bike and a treadmill. Success. While riding on the spin bike, I was lucky enough to be joined by another racer with the same idea. We struck up conversation and turns out he was the owner of Summit and the Director of Water Sports at Deerhurst. Fun job! Mark was his name. Mark helped me locate a safe bay to swim in as well as share some "locals" tips of the Muskoka race course. I love insider knowledge...makes me feel I have a little something special in my toolkit.

The rain never let up. My only option was to let go of what was clearly uncontrollable. One major stressor for me was the parking logistics on race morning. Due to the location of the transition (Deerhurst Parking Lot), no cars were able to park on the resort. All racers, spectators, volunteers and anyone else breathing were to park a few miles away and shuttle in. As elevators and stairs are not my friends, shuttles are worse. I do everything in my power to avoid shuttles at races. I can't explain it, I just have a thing about avoiding shuttles. Maybe I fear the bus will breakdown or I won't get an exit row or aisle seat. Whatever the reason, I'd rather beg borrow and steal my way to transition than load a shuttle bus. At Timberman 70.3, we found a local resident willing to sell us a patch of his beautifully mowed lawn for race day parking at a very reasonable price tag of $20. We were 100 meters from transition and felt like we won the lottery.

I knew the 18th fairway of the Deerhurst Golf Resort was not a parking option so I arrived unnecessarily early (before they closed the roads to traffic) and parked at a Pub one kilometer away from transition. Despite having a heavy pack, bike pump, wetsuit and water bottles, I was thrilled with such rockstar parking. Easy in and easy out. Turns out, I started a trend as many others followed my lead (or maybe they had the idea in the first place ...)


Race Morning & Swim.
It was a cool 8 degrees on race morning. It took a full 20 minutes of jogging, arm circles and dynamic stretching to warm up my core and even consider changing from my fleece to my wetsuit. The skies were clear, the transition was calm, and all the athletes were putting on their game faces. With only a few minutes before the start, I found some internal quietness and was quite ready to get the show started. Fog hovered over the lake refusing to burn off before the unusually late 8:00 a.m. start time. Racers were wading into the lake by the hundreds. The anthem was sung, the was gun fired and our wave was off as was I but on no one's feet. "What were you thinking CF? Starting behind Chris Legh? He'd swim a solid 7 minutes faster than you on a bad day." Despite feeling fantastically hydrodynamic in the water, my positioning was less than desirable. I found myself smack between the front group and second pack, alone and a bit frustrated that I was not making up any ground to the swimmers ahead and likely working a bit harder than necessary to keep my pace. I suffered in silence making my way as fast as possible around the buoys. The exit was tricky to spot with the sun beaming straight into our line of sighting. To spectators, swimmers must look pretty drunk, fishtailing all over the place before finally crawling up to shore. A drunken sensation rang true as I finally exited the warm waters of Peninsula Lake.

Swim to bike transition is a burner. The course goes straight uphill for 300 meters (10% grade) before weaving through the bike racks in hopes of locating your own two wheeler. My only saving grace was hearing Tara Norton, her husband Bruce and their new baby Maya cheering on my uphill battle. It was heartbreaking to wait another 4+hours before I could finally meet little Maya and hug Tara and Bruce.

Bike.

I decided to dress for Everest in anticipation of the cool ride ahead and prevent any hypothermia disasters reminiscent of Lake Stevens 70.3 not so long ago. While pleased with my decision to layer up, it takes a few extra minutes to yank clothing over wet skin. The volunteers and spectators were surely thinking "this girl is moving in slow motion while her competitors are riding away." My thoughts: "Ya, but they will freeze their butts off while I'll be toasty warm."

The ride did not disappoint with difficulty and scenery. The pro field was well ahead of all the age group competitors so we never really saw anyone until the tail end of the bike. I gave my best effort at being comfortable being uncomfortable. From what I recall my mind was focused only on the task at hand although I am sure I considered a nap or a warm bath at some point. As we entered the last town and final aid station, I was ready to disrobe. This was no small feat since I had no plans of stopping. Thanks to persistence and a large dose of precariousness, I unzipped and single armed my way out of my jersey tossing it to the side amongst water bottles and Gu wrappers. Maybe one of the volunteers picked it up and is making of use of it. It was a great jersey and I hope it finds a good home.

By the time the final 15k came along, I was good and ready to dismount my bike. The ride really had no momentum, no extended downhill, no straightaway to make up ground. It was just a heck of a lot of short and steep hills with one final kicker that generously loads the legs before rolling up to the orange tape and word "DISMOUNT" (and fantastic spectators and volunteers). Thanks to a few volunteers paying attention, I was informed of my position as 5th Pro coming into T2. If I held this position, I was on the podium and in the money...but let's not focus on the outcome just yet...

Run.

The sun was finally heating up the air temperature to double digits so no parka or wool mitts required for part three of this race. Drat, those first few running steps feel like crap. At least my arms didn't fill with lactic acid as they did at Timberman. I hear you thinking, ARMS?! Despite the fact that 90% of triathlon is using our legs, my arms tend to fill up with lactic acid the first few steps of the transition run. Maybe from all the waving I do along the route...

Within the first kilometer of the run, I could check on my truck. Safe, still there. My mind could rest now and focus on foot turn over and a steady, strong, rhythmical pace. With no surprise, my bladder was at least 3/4 full and the major debate was whether I should stop to relieve myself or keep going in hopes I can empty as I run or hold on till the end. Since the female pro field was fairly close and I would have a lot of explaining to do if I gave up a spot due to a :20 second pee break, I held it.

If the bike was hilly, the run was mountainous save for a false flat section on the highway after leaving the Deerhurst grounds and before turning right into a subdivision. After 3 kilometers, I found my groove and almost felt like I had a few gears to play with. Up and down, turn and weave was how the run went. At the 10k mark, we U-turned to retrace our steps for 2 kilometers before the course led us onto the Fairy Bay Trail (a paved, meandering, rolling, uneven path). My body started to fatigue considerably in this section of the race (16-19 kilometer). The little muscles in my calves started to scream, my lungs were burning and my neck was tired of holding my head up. Even my cheeks and jaw were getting sore. Maybe a few calories would help? Maybe relaxing my shoulders would ease the pain? Maybe recruiting more gluts would do the trick? Every little bit did help by only the slightest of a small margin.

The few guys I was running with were well off the back by this stage and I was left with the sound of my breathing and fluctuating thought patterns. Still in 5th place with no major threats closing in, it was just a matter of maintaining forward movement. Back onto the Deerhurst grounds and facing the last 2 kilometers was sheer agony. The course drops us down into a valley before sending us straight back up to the finish line. On any given day I would have been dancing up the hill on my forefoot and pumping my arms. I did pump my arms but needed my entire foot plant and a very slow turnover to ensure I made it to the top. At the 20km mark, I checked in with my truck...okay, still there. The crowds were getting thicker and louder as was the feeling of satisfaction and possibility that a finish line exists. As many races do, the final 200 meters wrapped us around the transition zone allowing everyone to cheer the racers into the finish line chute. At the time it feels like an unnecessary addition prolonging the pain. Either way, we all need to cover 21.1 kilometers no matter what the course configuration.

Delighted to have maintained the 5th spot on the podium, it took me a few minutes to integrate my race execution and revel in a job well done. I am far from satisfied with 5th place knowing that as I build more strength and power there lives an even better performance within me. In the grand scheme of things, it was thrilling to deliver what I did on the day.

I could finally address my now full bladder and find Tara, Bruce and Maya for an overdue hug and visit. The only issue with spending time with Tara at a race in Ontario is that she is like the town Mayor. Everyone knows her and wants a little piece of her. A conversation with Tara was worse than the bike course....no momentum. Thankfully, we made a dinner date for Monday at her house in Toronto where we could visit uninterrupted.

Bruce, Tara Norton and Maya cheering us on!

Muskoka is a place and race I will continue to return to. The experience exceeded my expectations and was another reminder why the sport of triathlon brings so much richness and adventure to my life.

To come full circle, I must share that my return travel routines tend not to deviate too much from my outbound travel routines. And clearly the universe was sending me a message since my seat mate was yet another inexperienced traveler. Much like Boots, this gentleman (let's call him "Newbie") introduced himself and was craving social interaction. Newbie was quick to inform me that this was his first flight ever (and he was well into his 50's). He said, "I normally drive to Vancouver." With a stunned look on my face, I replied, "You'll notice this is a much faster option." He too flailed away at trying to get my attention, interrupt my movie watching, ask about my compression socks and sneak a carrot stick but I would have none of it and nestled into my entertainment and comfort zone. He was left with staring at the back of the seat or out the window for yet another five hour flight. If guys like Boots and Newbie can sit un-entertained for this long, makes me think they would be great endurance athletes going strong for the long haul. Maybe I'll experiment with traveling sans stimulus on my next flight. Or not.

Thanks for reading, if you made it this far. I played a bit more - mocking myself and the adventure. Jesse Thomas has a wonderfully entertaining blog on his life as a professional triathlete and inspired this cavalier entry. www.leapdaysports.com

Christine

Vancouver Olympic Triathlon, September 3rd

Rockstar Jeff O'Connell (5th overall) & I (1st female & 6th overall) with our medals.

www.multisportcanada.com

Huge thanks to Vivian Thom, Molly Evanshen, Ashley Holden, Jamie & Sharon & Riley & Blake Armstrong, Jasper Blake (B78 Coaching), Specialized, Udo's Oil, Dizzy Cycles, New Balance and Blue Seventy for all the cheers and support.

So fun to sleep in our own bed before a fantastic race in Stanley Park and race with all the Vancouver based triathletes. A rare treat.

Do YOUR Best

On Sunday, August 19th, I had the opportunity and privilege to start Ironman Timberman 70.3 in Gilford, New Hampshire. 2500+ athletes plunged into the warm waters of the glorious Lake Winnipesaukee some 8 minutes after the men's and women's pro waves. Sunshine and near perfect race conditions made the day that much more pleasing for its participants and spectators alike.

Timberman had been on my radar for a few years after hearing how well organized it was coupled with the idyllic setting of Gilford. Its location was also a smooth four hour drive south from my hometown of Montreal so my travels allowed me to visit family and to a race. My mom joined me for the weekend so, for consistency, we made it an adventure  including a post-race hike up Belknap Mountain followed by burgers and watermelon sangria at the much touted Patrick's Pub.

After building up some fitness this past year, a few fun victories at the "Lifesport" Victoria (June) and Vancouver (July) Triathlons as well as a mediocre performance at Lake Stevens 70.3 in mid-July, my engine was idling for a satisfying effort at Timberman. Mentally there was very little that could happen to rattle my cage. I had a sense of confidence in my willingness to endure some serious discomfort. Relatively speaking, racing entails some suffering while facing that sensation with eyes wide open. No matter who you are accepting this discomfort goes with the decision when you sign up for a race if part of your M.O. is to break through the barriers and enter a zone you didn't know existed.

Truth be told, when the gun goes off and I often hear myself saying "is this how awful it is supposed to feel?" or maybe "damn, this hurts" and quite typically "I gotta slow down." Now, I'd like to report that my stronger voice always speaks up and dampens these weak thoughts however that would be a lie. Nonetheless, as I gain more experience, my stronger voice, the confident one, the one that invites pain in, the one that believes anything is possible, the one that supports my every dream and the ones that knows much more than I even fathom, gains more air space and speaks louder with each and every challenge. It says "you got this" or "dig deep, the strength is there" or "do YOUR best, that's all you need to do." When I listen attentively  to these grounding words all the tension, anxiety and uncertainty melt away. Focus takes over and determination leads me through a journey, unique every time. Of course, these voices ebb and flow but as time goes on the peaks become far more prominent than the valleys.

I could sit here and recount my every stroke and stride of Timberman but oh how boring. If you were hoping to participate in this race I can offer that the venue is stupendous. Consider getting a quaint motel or bungalow on the lake, park near the start on some one's lawn for twenty bucks to avoid the morning shuttle from Gunstock Resort and plan for tons of spectator support, amazing volunteers and home-made ice cream at the finish. The swim start requires some dolphin diving, the bike course has some decent climbs and the run feels like a route you'd choose for a long Sunday jaunt along a shore (apparently Mitt Romney lives close to the run route). The run is two loops, out and back, offering spectators and athletes multiple viewing opportunities.

So instead of telling you how awesome, sometimes ironic and momentarily devastating my race was, I'd rather share how I composed myself the morning of the race. These thoughts were largely inspired by reading some of the Ironman New York recaps (weekend before) along with a plethora of other influences I have witnessed over the course of the past few...years.

Admittedly, I have also been reading The Hunger Games trilogy (to avoid reading the Fifty Shades trilogy) and while the plot is unforgiving, the protagonist, Katniss, is a survivor. Her character is creative, skilled, confident, resourceful and extremely passionate. Her aptitude to survive and fight came to mind a few times during the day.

But I digress.

Here are my work in progress thoughts that keep me grounded, focused, calm, motivated and encouraged:

big day ahead. respect it.

do my best as i define that to be.

unleash my best effort.

trust. savour. thrive.

nerves are energy.

nothing to prove.

go beyond.

test my own fitness.

give my best effort every second.

And so, these thoughts led me to 5th place female pro and a PB at this distance. It also led me through a remarkable journey that I shared with my mom and many others that have been a part of my efforts. In the big picture, one race day is only a small stepping stone yet pivotal in that I can refer to it again in the future.

A special call out to Jeff O'Connell that has been a steadfast training partner for years. Of late we have completed a few quality sessions together in the pool, on the road and through the trails. These sessions came to mind not just a few times during the race. Gratitude to the Velvet Hammer is an understatement.

Next up, Vancouver Triathlon on September 3rd followed by Ironman Muskoka 70.3 on September 9th.

Send me your inspiration so I can share with others. Do YOUR Best.

Come On, Let's Talk About Me

Scott Tinley, two-time winner of Hawaii Ironman, was recently interviewed on the Legends of Triathlon podcast. He mentioned how triathlon has a tendency to foster narcissism in the participants taking it too seriously. This comment halted my forward momentum on a foam roller massaging my quads in anticipation of my track workout scheduled for the next morning while drinking my recovery potion with the perfect mix of spirulina, CoQ10 and antioxidants, wearing two different types of compression apparel (calf sleeves & tights) and waiting for my ice bath to fill. How ironic.

The tendency to be experienced as narcissistic haunts me and sends me running scared of spending too much time with overly obsessed and self important triathletes more concerned with the latest aero helmet or their own glistening muscles than gratitude for being able to experience magical places, meet interesting people, develop a strong healthy body or inspire others to participate in sport thanks to their own example. It is also why it takes me so long to post new blog updates that report something meaningful no matter who logs on. I ponder endlessly with what subject to write about or what message to share since surely my pool times, bike intervals or run splits interest people less than my own intrigue with retelling them. Isn’t reading about meaningful experiences far more engaging than how awesome I felt on a six-hour bike ride after a 5km morning swim and quick 45-minute transition run (my days never look like this)? Quite frankly, when friends report unprompted on the minute detail of an epic workout, my ears shut out all sound and my mind goes blank for fear my apathy will show through.

Don’t get me wrong, I find myself as curious as the next guy about Chrissie Wellington, Chris McCormack and the Brownlie brother’s training program, what they had for breakfast, how they carry their salt tabs and what mental tricks they play to stay focused. I seek out little nuggets of insight in hopes of learning something new that will help me reach new levels of fitness and performance. But I would hope, after all the years of racing and training (and life), this information is assimilated with what is already working in relation to my reality. More importantly, that I am giving my best effort regardless of numbers, bike weight, wheel depth, medals or weekly training hours.

Lest we forget, triathlon is an individual sport. It can be very isolating. It can lead to a sense of imbalance with little to no empathy left over for much else. It is therefore no surprise how the occasional triathlete has narcissistic tendencies or selfish and egotistical character traits.

Let me spare you the time to find a direct link to the Wikipedia definition of Narcissism:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissismhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism  

“In everyday speech, "narcissism" often means egoism, vanity, conceit, or simple selfishness. Applied to a social group, it is sometimes used to denote elitism or an indifference to the plight of others. In psychology, the term is used to describe both normal self-love and unhealthy self-absorption due to a disturbance in the sense of self.”

Further down the definition are seven deadly sins of narcissism:

1. Shamelessness: Shame is the feeling that lurks beneath all unhealthy narcissism, and the inability to process shame in healthy ways.

2. Magical thinking: Narcissists see themselves as perfect, using distortion and illusion known as magical thinking. They also use projection to dump shame onto others.

3. Arrogance: A narcissist who is feeling deflated may reinflate by diminishing, debasing, or degrading somebody else.

4. Envy: A narcissist may secure a sense of superiority in the face of another person's ability by using contempt to minimize the other person.

5. Entitlement: Narcissists hold unreasonable expectations of particularly favorable treatment and automatic compliance because they consider themselves special. Failure to comply is considered an attack on their superiority, and the perpetrator is considered an "awkward" or "difficult" person. Defiance of their will is a narcissistic injury that can trigger narcissistic rage.

6. Exploitation: Can take many forms but always involves the exploitation of others without regard for their feelings or interests. Often the other is in a subservient position where resistance would be difficult or even impossible. Sometimes the subservience is not so much real as assumed.

7. Bad boundaries: Narcissists do not recognize that they have boundaries and that others are separate and are not extensions of themselves. Others either exist to meet their needs or may as well not exist at all. Those who provide narcissistic supply to the narcissist are treated as if they are part of the narcissist and are expected to live up to those expectations. In the mind of a narcissist there is no boundary between self and other.

Calling all triathletes narcissistic is incredibly over generalized, unfair and simply untrue. To simply be aware of this tendency and admit to the reality is a fair statement and can even be used to enjoy the sport more.

Scott Tinley’s interview came on the heels of reading my coach’s retirement blog, which revealed similar observations as Mr. Tinley.

Jasper is entertaining, insightful and honest. It is absolutely worth a read.

http://www.jasperblake.com/2012/02/retirement-blog/

In his first few paragraphs, Jasper says:

“This blog post is long overdo because I retired at the end of August but quite honestly I sometimes struggle with the whole notion of the social media world we live in these days. It seems quite self-serving and narcissistic to even contemplate writing about oneself. Like really, do people honestly give a shit? If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that nobody gives a shit more about your shit than you do. Yet we tend to think everyone does actually give a shit but here’s the problem; most of us are so consumed with our own shit we don’t actually care that deeply about someone else’s shit unless it somehow affects our own shit. Twitter, Facebook, blogs- all are weird ways to get attention but at the same time it’s a cool way to share stuff. So sometimes I’ve felt like putting this blog up and sometimes I read it and think, “wow who gives a shit?””

When I read his entry, I found myself nodding, laughing out loud, experiencing a long overdue reality check not to mention learning about his earlier years and evolution of who he is today. As I have mentioned in a few entries, Jasper’s outlook on sport and self is based on principle and integrity with a light hearted attitude on things that don’t really matter (i.e. results) while underscoring significant importance on things that do matter (i.e. doing your best). He is unwaveringly consistent with his “rules” of life as a friend, coach and mentor. His most admirable character trait is that he never takes anything personally (Rule #1). No need for him to, he knows where he stands, with two feet firmly planted on the ground making him the antithesis of narcissistic. How lucky am I to have him in my life and influence my perspective and belief systems.

So here I sit, three weeks post an Olympic Triathlon race http://www.triseries.ca/ (Victoria, June 17th) I wasn’t sure would be possible after fracturing my hip in September and preparing for another race tomorrow (Vancouver, July 8th). There is a sense of calmness, appreciation, giddiness and elation passing through me. Why I decided to write about narcissism eludes me but if nothing else it will serve to remind me of this unattractive character trait I hope to keep at bay.

Tomorrow’s race starts on the edge of Vancouver taking the athletes into the Pacific Ocean followed by multiple loops around the University of British Columbia’s world-renowned campus and a finishing run leg out and back on the beach front walkway. There will be the odd “Joe” lining up their gels with precision on the top tube of their bike, organizing their transition zone Martha Stewart style, checking and rechecking their tire pressure or monitoring their heart rate and pacing to the beat and millisecond in the fanciest new neon runners and compression socks.

But, like water off a duck’s back, none of that matters. We are all in the sport for our own reasons. If at the end of the day, we pass on a little inspiration with selfless intention using sport as a platform for a larger audience than ourselves, narcissism won’t haunt us.

Oh and by the way, I won.

Train. Cycle. Fit. Run. It’s June.

The sport of cycling is exploding. Friends you’d never imagine riding a bike are gearing up with clip-less pedals and shammies. All the cool kids are wearing helmets these days.

Thanks to event such as Gran Fondo, Centurion’s, endless Learn To Ride Clinics and a Canadian win at the Giro D’Italia cycling has taken a giant leap forward becoming remarkably attainable for anyone and everyone. Bike shops are embracing the spike in business and staffing their floor with knowledgeable sales associates to help onlookers find two wheels specific to their goals and lifestyle. The really good shops are taking it a step further by supporting them with necessary bike fitting, servicing, tools and all the sporty apparel. All this commotion means business to them so of course they are sharpening up and welcoming new sales with open tills. My sense is, however, that the shops that have been around for a while are genuinely excited about the growth of the sport and the new found passion that is spreading like wild fire. Many shop owners got into the bike business for the love of sport and wanted to share that thrill with others. They wanted a life surrounded by tires, tools, carbon fiber and chain rings. Chances are success has found them while simultaneously enhancing countless lives with the sport of cycling.

Riding a bike has played a significant role in my life and training protocol over the past 9 months. Since September ’11 to February ’12, I was unable to run due to a fracture in my femoral neck. Fortunately cycling, being non weight bearing and highly cardiovascular, was my sport of choice with some skate skiing and swimming thrown in for variety and cross training. It was not unusual for me to be logging endless indoor miles at Method Personal Training or on my computrainer 6 days a week. Riding in Method’s stupendous indoor cycling classes was as close as I was going to get to the paved road. The workouts are road specific and progressive in nature with almost immediate transfer to outside save for wind, gravity and potholes. Best of all, everyone else in the class was an avid cyclist, triathlete or mountain biker. The camaraderie of a class could be likened to riding in a pack whizzing down the highway. Come sunny weather and warm temperatures, all of us would be thanking the hours we spent building fitness in a cycling studio all winter.

Summer is quickly approaching. Daylight sticks around until well past my bedtime. If the calendar isn't telling us it is summer, the cyclists will. Driving home from the pool last Saturday morning, the witching hour for group rides to start (~8:00 a.m.) at a smattering of coffee shops around town, one would have thought the roads were shut to cyclists. My heart skipped a beat as I absorbed the volume of riders heading out on a glorious morning with temperatures rising to 22 degrees. Bike lanes were three deep, gears were clicking over, faces were smiling, pedals were circling round and round, and wheels were rolling smoothly along the pavement. It was the first Saturday Vancouver would be guaranteed beautiful weather and sunny skies. Arm warmers and balaclava’s not required. Cyclists planned ahead and were taking on the streets in grand packs soon to form a peloton, engage with friends and soak in the wind and oxygen.

June is the month when everything ramps up outdoors almost regardless of the weather. People are ready to get outside and I find myself joining in the fresh air wave. Finally back to a normal training regime with strong healthy running legs, a deep well of cycling fitness and significant time in the pool, the season ahead is looking promising. jasper and I have decided to oil my race gears with a few short distance events in June & July to set my system up for later season half ironman races in Maine, Vermont and Miami.

With these goals in mind, my training hours are increasing, as is the specificity to racing. Two mini training blocks with significant time on the bike (pointing up hill when I can) and longer running distances with stabs of intensity are now in the bank. Thanks to Specialized, I am now on a SHIV TT bike and Venge Road bike with all the bells and whistles. Equally as exciting has been my new relationship with Dizzy Cycles on West 4th. Dizzy, a major Specialized dealer, is supporting me in my racing efforts this year with supreme service, bike fit and gear. Dizzy has been on the block and in the hood for years. Everyone knows Dizzy and their untarnished reputation in the community. Dizzy is a cyclist’s institution, equally geared to the commuter as to the high-end racer with toned quads and no biceps. They can ride the ride and talk the talk priding themselves on having one of the best bike fit and mechanic teams in the city.

A bike fit process is extensive but essential if riding strong, long and powerful are goals. Dizzy follows the BG Fit (body geometry) protocol developed and perfected by Specialized. The Specialized Lululemon Pro Cycling Team
http://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bc/SBCWideGlobalPages.jsp?pageName=BGFIT under went a BG Fit and report on the benefits on the http://www.specialized.com/ website.

Fresh off an in-depth bike fit with Dizzy myself; let me summarize what their team did for me:

• Increased comfort riding in an aggressive aero position
• Increased power with every pedal stroke
• Adjusted saddle height to maximize hamstring and upper body flexibility
• Enhanced efficiency thanks to optimal muscle recruitment and activation
• Reduced tension in neck and shoulders
• Relaxed foot position with cleat re-positioning and re-alignment
• Best of all, reduced overall tension in my body when dismounting to head out for a run.

I can not underscore the importance of a bike fit with a professional. For comfort alone, it is worth the investment of money and time.

Dizzy has its own “new look” this year with new cycling kits and revitalized branding. The kits are kinda vintage, kinda retro but mostly sleek and sexy. The gear fits brilliantly and goes noticed when rolling along on my Venge. My relationship with Dizzy is just getting started. I am eager to introduce avid road cyclists, triathletes and mountain bikers to the talents and expertise at Dizzy. They are authentic in their service and stand by their products.

Off the bike comes the run. The bike to run was never a problem in my youthful days. My body just said, “run” and I ran, commonly passing everyone to take the win. 15 years later, I’d be fibbing if I said that the transition was still as automated. That said, I am experiencing some distance memories of flexible hip flexors, powerful gluts and quick turn over with energy to spare at the end of each session. For the most part, Jasper Blake, my coach, formulates a program so specific to my performance goals that our ongoing communication is helping to refine each session to near perfection. This, coupled with a functional strength program and opting for a minimal running shoe care of New Balance, the time on my feet feels light, fast and almost easy. New Balance suggested I try the new NB1400, packed with performance, edge, simplicity, and speed. Weighing in at 5.7 oz, this shoe feels like a slipper with just enough protection from road rubble. The fabric on the shoe is ultra supple with a seamless upper. Without even trying this shoe encourages fast, efficient strides with adequate cushioning and support. I’d easily take it out for a 5km or long distance training run.

June is here. It is the month to dial things in on the bike, hone run speed and splash around in a wetsuit somewhere fresh. Thanks to the explosion of cycling, new bikes, optimum fit and some solid fitness, motivation to find a peloton is made easy. Thanks to a pair of shoes that invites performance and weightless effort, running off the bike with new vigor is an effortless transition.

  

Race Schedule:

June 17th, Oliver Olympic Distance Triathlon

July 8th, Vancouver Olympic Distance Triathlon

July 15th, Lake Stevens Half Ironman 70.3

August 26th, Maine Rev 3 Half Ironman
September 5th, Vancouver Olympic Distance Triathlon
October 28th, Miami Half Ironman 70.3

Let's Do This.

Get’er done,

Christine

Method Personal Training, Announcement!

Dear clients & friends,

I am very pleased to share the newest addition of our team at Method with you. Welcome Christine Fletcher, Professional Triathlete and Method Ambassador.

We are making changes and efforts to improve areas that will bring better service and systems to you and there is no doubt Christine Fletcher is the person who will strive to do this with us.

If you are ever in the Method studio during the 8:00 a.m. and/or 5:00 p.m. indoor cycling classes or sporadically through the day, you may have run, quite literally, into Christine Fletcher or “Fletch” as we affectionately call her. Christine started training at Method over 2 years ago as a way to incorporate quality indoor cycling sessions into her already intense swim, bike, run program. She was drawn to Method by word of mouth and we were acquaintances on the triathlon scene years ago.

“Method represents my training hub that embodies excellence, passion, focus, dedication and community. I was looking for a place that would compliment my existing training program with threshold and progressive workouts. I found this and so much more. Over and above the awesome workouts are Method’s people, philosophy and positive energy. Method is a diamond in the rough. I am always trying to introduce new people to this gem of a training studio,” says Fletch.

Method has embraced Christine and her goals as much as she has embraced Method, our philosophy and the value we always promise to deliver to our clients. In an effort to support this budding relationship, we are very pleased to bring Christine on as an Ambassador of Method Personal Training and involve her in fundamental aspects of growing our services, strengthening the Method brand in the community and executing on new ideas that will elevate our own game.

Christine is heading into her 10th year as a professional triathlete having completed 20 Ironman including 6 World Champion Hawaii Ironman and countless Half and Olympic distance triathlons, running events and road cycling races. Over the next couple of months, we hope you will have a chance to exchange stories with Fletch and feel the positive impact both she and Method are having on your experience in the and outside of the studio. http://www.christine-fletcher.com/

Sincerely,
Jamie
Method Personal Training
2228 Marine Drive
West Vancouver, B.C.
http://www.methodpersonaltraining.com/

"For all your goals, there is Method"