[caption id="attachment_5803" align="aligncenter" width="500"] First Lodge, good view of the glacier[/caption] The count down to Ironman Couer D'alene started about a week ago, with 6 weeks to go.  Going into my 20th week of training, this would be the biggest week of the training cycle.  Earlier then I would normally do, but I have a few weekends coming up that I won't be able to get the volume in.  With that said, a big week requires a big bike ride.  I've done some pretty big rides in the last year, and St. George Ironman would be one of the toughest I've done.  After charging up Mount Baker for my 3rd time, 2nd time solo in 4 years, this ride is still king.   Total route is almost 98 miles, with a starting elevation of 154 feet, climbing to almost 4300 feet.  Comparing that to last years St George Full ironman route with 4767 feet of gain, this ride has 5500 feet of gain with a mean class one right in the middle of the ride. [caption id="attachment_5801" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Route profile[/caption] I've posted pictures and have done a few paragraphs on this ride before and every time I do it, its amazing.  It takes about 75 kms to get the real climb started, after you've already been grind-ed down from the rolling climbs just to get there.  Once you climb out of the rain forest,  it's a postcard the whole way up. [caption id="attachment_5804" align="aligncenter" width="375"] Riding through the valley before climbing.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5805" align="aligncenter" width="375"] Just getting to the second, main base area. The very top was still under snow.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5806" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Office shot. about 6.5 hours in the chair.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5807" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Few wind storms. dirty snow and some pretty good tree fallin.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5808" align="aligncenter" width="375"] Snowpack.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5809" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Valley shot.[/caption]                

[caption id="attachment_5792" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Media and shirt for 2013[/caption] The BMO Vancouver marathon was my first running race almost 6 years ago, this year after missing last year due to Ironman St George...I ran the half marathon.  I have always enjoyed and usually do well running this race.  Had a tough time getting the legs going Sunday morning!  The start is a nice down hill rip, after a quick uphill start, and then the guts of the race takes you to best spots to go running in Vancouver.  For me, I just couldn't get into my rhythm, with rolling hills and a few quick turns, the mind and body just could put things together.  I've been waiting for one of these races to show up! From what I heard from a few people is that they changed the course again, I found the finish one of the toughest! I really enjoyed the old route once they took that nasty Stanley Park hill out.  But what can I say, despite my tough day, running in Vancouver on a sunny [caption id="attachment_5793" align="aligncenter" width="445"] Beer spot after the race.[/caption] day is amazing.  I've ran in Central Park, all around New York city, Hawaii, Seattle, Portland, Victoria, Couer D' alene, Las Vegas, New Orleans, St George, Calgary, many a small town, but Vancouver is still my favorite. I was hoping to break out of my 1 year long 1:20, but it still remains.  I came in at 1:20.33,  32nd out of 3992.  At some point this year, it will get smashed and I'll hopefully continue to improve.  Now the tri season is on the go with my first race in Victoria on May 26th.  Looking forward to it!  I'll be trying out some new gear, and will have a review of how it worked out later on.  Since I was running, I don't have any pics to share...sorry. Results for the race. Website

Looking at the long range forecast at the beginning of the week, made me want to get out of the rainy lower mainland. The interior was looking pretty good, so we decided to load the creeper up and head to the good weather. We landed in our favorite campsite in Oliver at the Lakeside Resort, which is also the center for the June 1st Oliver Half iron. Great site, great race and this weekend had great weather. Perfect spot for a mini training camp and some R and R before a racing a half marathon in Vancouver. Tempuratures were around the 16-18 range and had a lot of sun.  Saturday ride was pretty good since there were close to 150-200 other people out riding, nice change from the solo mountain climbs. I was also able to let the legs loose on the run, ran on the most of the Oliver half iron course and did some scouting. Too bad I won't be racing it this year! Facebook page for Lakeside Resort, Oliver BC Outback events [caption id="attachment_5763" align="aligncenter" width="500"] tt[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5758" align="aligncenter" width="375"] Most of these shots are right from our camp site, and right out the back door[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5759" align="aligncenter" width="376"] Sunsetting on Saturday[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5761" align="aligncenter" width="376"] tt[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5762" align="aligncenter" width="376"] tt[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5760" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Save the best for last.  I thought these two looked pretty funny sitting in there little car.[/caption]

Took off from my first trip to Idaho for some course intel for my Ironman race in June.  Some really good riding as well as some good weather, it was nice to be able to ride for 3-4 hours and still have feeling in my feet.  .  I am really looking forward to Ironman in June, and had a good time experiencing the city.  I am really pumped up to see what kind of show they put on for the event. Not only did I enjoy the training and change in scenery, but I hadn't driven most of the route either.  I didn't take a ton of photos, but did manage to get a few good ones.  The whole trip was quiet refreshing event though there was some serious training going down.  Had some serious server issues this week, hence this  post being a little late [caption id="attachment_5704" align="aligncenter" width="450"] I'll start with my favorite. This was at the campground in Moses Lake on the way home. We broke our trip up on on the way back. Some good sun setting.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5705" align="aligncenter" width="450"] I did most of my training through out the week, but there was a lot more out riding Saturday. I had the whole route to myself for 3 days til the weekend. This is my favorite section. It will look a lot different once the leaves are out.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5706" align="aligncenter" width="450"] On the flats on the way out to CDA. Maybe 1hr out from the famous Gorge.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5707" align="aligncenter" width="450"] I can't get enough of these trees. They line the lake, I'll see lot of these on the course. Bike and Run.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5708" align="aligncenter" width="450"] More trees, this one on Moses Lake.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5709" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Moses lake, last night on the trip.[/caption]          

[caption id="attachment_5692" align="aligncenter" width="425"] Little break from the rain, enjoying one of my favorite stretches of road.[/caption] Some days are hard then most, especially when you know before hand that you're heading out on a long bike ride knowing that a thunderstorm is coming your way.  You go for it and just hope that there might be a small chance that it will miss you when you are out there. [caption id="attachment_5693" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Looking out onto the lake[/caption] When I'm training which is usually solo, it's the small things that count.  Its also the small things that get me out the door.  I have a few spots that I use to get me out of the winter slumps.  On Saturday I had a good long session on my bike and decided that enough is enough and had to get outside.  My motivation to go out in a storm...about a .5km section along Cultus Lake that reminds me of the now Challenge Penticton course.  Its fallows the lake and winds along the mountain just like it does in the interior in Penticton.  It's a little piece like that, that brings you full circle.  It humbles you and somehow takes a 3.5 hr ride on your shoulders.

After a lot trial and error and trying to push my style and idea, my work is looking more of the image of what is inside my head.  On a recent trip to Vancouver Island I took a panoramic photo while we were on the ferry heading through the Georgia Straight   It was a cold and grey day, but off to the south was a small pocket of sun, trying to blow the clouds off. [caption id="attachment_5535" align="aligncenter" width="393"] 3 images stitched together[/caption]   The original panoramic is 5 photos long, but to make it work with the wood that I had I cropped it to make it look right.  After a few stain tests and a re framing the piece came out better then what I thought.  As most of the pieces I do, this is a one-off original.   [caption id="attachment_5537" align="aligncenter" width="384"] Looking from the side. Cedar Frame[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5538" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Final Piece. 16 inches x 4 foot[/caption]

Going into this season I wanted to improve on my 2012.  One of the big things I want to fix was trying to get a bit more comfortable on my bike,  I had it fitted but still just couldn't get my seat happy. I felt that my position on the bike was good, but I thought I would try a few different seats to see if that could help out.   Some new tools going into this 2013 season, new seat! [caption id="attachment_5653" align="aligncenter" width="500"] New Seat, Cobb SHC 170[/caption] I cycled through the cobb collection and found that the SHC 170 the best.  I've been riding on it for about 4 weeks and there is a huge difference from the specialized SL gel 40.   I rode on the V-flow and found it too wide, the V-flow plus and had the same problem and the Max just felt a little too bulky and wide.  Not only was the SHC the most comfortable, its also is a racing seat.  The big reason why this seat works for me is the "thigh guides" that stops chafing from the seat. [caption id="attachment_5654" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Older Elite trainer, resistance was getting a bit too easy and the wheel was getting a little rough.[/caption] At the beginning of the 2011 season I was having a few issues with my trainer.  The first was a flop out after I didn't fully lock in the bike, as well as a wheel the bike rode on was getting worn out.  So after a nice sideways lean to it and a worn out wheel I went out and got another trainer.  Well after two years on the current trainer the wheel is once again twisted and wonky.  The biggest reason for a new trainer this year is that I was finding the resistance on the trainer a little too easy. [caption id="attachment_5655" align="aligncenter" width="500"] A -frame power fluid--- with a nice large Elastogel wheel.[/caption] Going to this model with provide more resistance, a quieter spin and  reduction in wear by 20 percent.  It also claims to be able to with stand heat...time will tell! Product list COBB SHC170 and locally can be bought @ trigeeks.ca   -- twitter handle @tri_geeks Cobb website.  twitter handle @cobbcycling Elite httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMtqpZka2iY&feature=player_embedded      

[caption id="attachment_5585" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Just out in front of the visitor center about 20 minutes before race start.[/caption] These small venue races continue to grab me.  Despite the usual small scale problems, I just love the uniqueness that each race brings.  After my first US race experience almost three years back at Lake Samish, I think this might be my new favorite half marathon route.  Almost flat the whole way, with one mean hill at about mile 6  and few little ones to break it up at bit, it just has a taste of everything.   My actual race was fun and will definity look at to do it again i the future but I had my share of problems before the running shoes even go on. After a longer then normal boarder wait, then just getting to pick up my race bib in time( which they didn't have) then getting caught in the state park for peeing in public and not paying for parking.  I would say I really enjoyed the experience.  I couldn't tell you the numbers for racers, but I am guess 200-300 between both the full and half marathon ( Boston Approved by the way). Since it was my first go at it, I had know idea were to go.  I studied the maps but once your out there and the blood is going, I went a little blank.  I had to ask the police were to go on almost all the turns and a few times I almost made a wrong turn.  My favorite was the grump policeman that said I was a cheater because I was going to miss going around the cones.  Which I went back around;) [caption id="attachment_5586" align="aligncenter" width="350"] One of the top ladies coming into the finish. Sh'es about .2 miles out from the line.[/caption] I spent almost the whole race about a half a mile behind first place and third was about the same, going at it on a solo mission.  The scenery is great, and since the weather was near perfect for February  I was able to see a lot.  Coming back on the flat road and looking out into the ocean was a nice back drop to finish off the race.  Its too bad that there are two other races going on in BC the week before and the same week or else I could see a lot more Canadians coming down.  About 45 bucks gets you entered, shirt included.  This year it wasn't chipped but I do believe it has been in the past if or when enough runners are entered.  My watch gave me a 1:20- :21 which I believe was second best.  I'm looking forward to the spring to get back down to get some solid triathlon training in down there with the camper. Little side note, I was unaware of this man but he was there-In full gear too.  Marathon Man--Sorry I didn't have my camera... Event website. [caption id="attachment_5587" align="aligncenter" width="500"] You run along most of the coastline with a view like this one...The winds stayed away. Wasn't even an issue.[/caption]