Race number 1 of the redrafted 2012 season started off with a run at Lake Samish in Bellingham Washington. Racing helps to keep me focus on my goals as well as motivated, so Im going to head out to Las Vegas on March 17th to tackle the second race of the season. The Six Tunnels half marathon. A big reason why I choose Vegas is because it will give me a small taste of St George and the chance to experience the desert climate in preparation for May.
::Image taken from Mountain Man events flickr site::
I am really looking forward to seeing the Hoover Dam, the new bridge over the Colorado River and just the Vegas country side. It looks to be a small time run, with a lot to offer. It starts 18 miles from Las Vegas in Boulder City which is about 4 miles north of the Hoover Dam. They have a 5k and also a 2 person relay for people who want to take things a bit easier. All entry fees are below 100 US, with a shirt, mug and medal once your all done. Its a Saturday race and should be a good one to watch since its St. Pattys Day. If your looking for an alternative from the complete madness of the Rock and Roll race which sounded like a bit of a mess, this might be a great race for your next PR.
::screen grab ::
Looking forward to some sun, warmth and maybe a bit of biking on the Ironman St. George route. I’ll be bunked up at the Wyndham Grand Desert, which I have enjoyed staying at before. Pumped to race in Las Vegas again and hope to get under 1:20 this year.
Headed to one of my secret training spots, roughly 90 kms from my door in Washington state @ the Fidalgo Bay resort RV park. After a fun little adventure at the boarder we finally got settled in Thursday night with our fingers crossed for some good weather.
After waking up to some serious rain and wind we headed into Anacortes for breakfast and food shopping for the weekend. That ended up being most of the excitement. Didn’t do a ton of running, biking or any swimming for that matter but did try to enjoy it as much as I could despite the wind, rain, more wind, mixed with some cold and rain. Got one good 7-8 mile run wind run in, and a short crappy exercise bike session…but its the off-season, right?
With all the weather systems coming in and out, it ended up being a good chance to grab some interesting photos, so I obviously took full advantage, secret training spot ended with not a lot of training…
::One of the few breaks in the sky::
::Moon came out for a bit...::
::Of course once we leave it looks like it wants to clear up::
Felt like I was just writing and editing photos from this race last year. This year has gone by so fast, I guess when all you do is work, bike, work ,swim, work ,run, run , swim, and maybe a beer in there…things go by very fast. Mirroring last year, this would be my first race after the Ironman in Penticton. Traditionally this race has always been a bit of a fight for me, I had one of my worse marathon crashes here a few years back . After Ironman this year I really wanted to make up for a garbage marathon split. I was going after this race a little more relaxed with two really focused weeks of training three weeks before the race.
::This was at probably the best section of the race::
My plan was to go after the first 10km and hope to hold on for the rest of the race. This has to be the most controlled, relaxed, and enjoyable running race I have had to date. The whole race felt smooth, and just had a gel at the start and one at about 50 minutes with a few water splashes mixed in. I didn’t know my pace til about 5 km but knew I was goin pretty good and with my 10km split 38ish I felt I could set myself up for a pretty good time. Dropped about 2 minutes off my fastest with 1:21.5 , giving me a minute or two breathing room for a New York Qualifying time. I’ll be looking at getting under 1:20 mark in the new year.
As always this race is first class with a huge turn out and a good group of spectators. I am not a huge fan of the terrain but the ocean views and city streets make it one of the best for scenery. If you get a lucky, like we did this year without rain or wind, it’s pretty tough to beat.
Headed out last Tuesday afternoon to jump on a direct flight to New York for some site seeing, running, and New York Yankee baseball watching. Everything went awesome except my third day of running when I got caught in a rain storm and of course it was the day I was also planning on getting to Coney Island. Other then that some good pictures, a few laps around Central park, 2 long runs up the Hudson River, and a few good stories to tell.
First Day in we didn’t get in til late so just ate and went to bed… so first thing Wednesday morning after some coffee and bagel, I headed to Central Park. Our apartment was only 15 minutes walk to get there so it was perfect. I had an hour to get a run in before our 6 and half hour tour of the city. So I did a quick rip to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir and went around once and headed back in just under an hour. It nice to go for a run when your not the only one on a lonely country road putting in the time.
The 6 and a half hour tour was pretty good, but since UN was in session the whole east-side of town was grid lock, so we ended up sitting in traffic for awhile. Got a few boat rides in, saw the 9/11 site and memorial, and all the popular buildings.
Day 3 started out with another run to Central Park, but this time I was going to go all the way around. After doing some shitty research of a back of a running magazine, I though it was going to be a 14 mile run. Well after going around once in 45 minutes, I did it again. Two loops and some pretty fun sites. Bike riders crashing, weirdos running, walkers walking into bikes, and horsees. It was a great first loop, but the humidity was crazy the whole week, so the second loop was in slow motion.
Day 4 was going to be a bit rough, after having no rain the first three days, it rolled right in. I was hoping to hit a few new spots that I missed from the last time I went but it was raining so hard it made it pointless. At around 11 am I had to get out and do something. So I went straight east down w48th street to the Hudson. The last time I went to New York we walked all along the Hudson from about Canal Street and headed into Wall st. So this time I would head in the opposite direction towards the George Washington Bridge.
The first 40 minutes was awesome, a bit of rain to cool me down from the muggy heat, but once I was within a mile of the bridge it started to drop pails of water. Once I got to the bridge I was a running in rivers. Took a few looks around, then turned around and headed back. I was the only one with 6 miles on the way back. Not a single soul out, not even the homeless Mexicans that were drinking on the way out. Of course my legs were starting to feel the 20 plus kms I did yesterday and made it for a not so enjoyable rip home.
After some relaxing and wondering around in the rain, the next day started of great. A walk along the Brooklyn Bridge, then another run along the Hudson but towards Wall Street. Then the day finished off with a trip Down to the Bronx, to watch the Yankees put the boots to the Red Sox.
::the sky at the end of the game was..well pretty amazing. This was shot in 35mm film.::
Great trip with some good solid running and more photos to follow…
The long awaited trip to New York with my Grandfather and Fam has finally come. What was suppose to be a trip to Boston to run the Boston Marathon in April, has turned into another trip to New York. Thanks to an 8 hour sell out of the Boston Marathon, I get to enjoy a trip and don’t have to run a marathon so……… i’m not complaining. (new rules for Boston just came out actually…)
:: Probably one of my favorite shots in Time Square. This is on Artprojectonline ::
I am really looking forward to my week away to see a few more spots then I did when I went a few years back. A friend and I had an amazing time and packed a ridiculous amount of things in just a long weekend. Yankees game in the old Yank stadium, Time Square, Empire State building, Grand Central Station, Wall Street, a Central Park Run, Pretty good hike along the river and Broadway, and of course a few pub stops.
:: This was back in 2008, for sale on artprojectonline ::
One thing we didn’t do was run around the whole Central Park, all 14 miles of it. You know you like to run, when one of your highlights is going to be running around a park. I found a map of park and all the different areas that you can enjoy, as well as a site that has city running tours. Ill just be doing my usual lace up and see how it goes, but we are staying a pretty reasonable distance to the park and will be doing a number of runs there to get me ready for my half marathon coming up in Victoria.
::Victoria last year, be my four time runnin::
Of Course another Yankee game verus Red Sox will be the real reason why I am excited to head back. Hopefully the Red Soxs hang in there for their Saturday game, so all the big boys will be out playing. Be jumping on a plane this afternoon and coming back Sunday night. I’ll be packing my camera as well as shooting some 35m film if I can find it!
Here are some shots from the the last week. Trying to enjoy some of the extra free time, as well as shots the day before IMC sunday morning. Got all my packages ready to go and tackle the course. Doesn’t look little there will be any surpise rain or hail this year. Should be a great day. 7 am start with hopes of a sub 10 day. Hopefully the heat won’t wear me down too much.
::Amazing night for a ski::
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::Did some visiting at a cabin up the lake, could handle waking up to a place like this::
::Last weekend on Pitt Lake::
Everyones gear getting all a line for tomorrows start. It’s going to be a sunny and hot tomorrow.
::if I have as much dedication as this couple, I should be fine tomorrow::
::a lot of $$$ on bikes in one spot::
::bags are getting lined up for tomorrows big race::
A packed weekend that started off in Seattle for two baseball games, Mariners vs Tampa Bay. First game was a write off, second one was pretty dam good, then whipped up to Sunshine Valley.
::these two are wondering were everyone is...::
::he actually hit this guy and broke his leg...almost::
::good weekend for ball::
:: ::
Headed home Saturday after the afternoon game and drove up to Sunshine Valley to visit my Parents. I guess it was a good weekend to visit since a lot was going on up there. Mud racing, music, and mud and music. So not a lot but probably a lot for Sunshine Valley. Its too close to Manning so I am not sure how many times I’ll be back. Rode my bike home Monday morning to get my training in. Nice huge downhill swoop into Hope and the Fraser Valley. Tons of crap on the rode to flatten a tire…ended up getting a flat in Harrison… Pretty fun long weekend that will shoot me into a traper for Ironman week.
:: This kid almost bucked himself off::
:: yep, I saw tongue:: shorty after I took this, I got a mean look from her...::
:: Old Silvertip Ski Area :: Interesting little rope tow ::
:: The Lions Den: Kinda wanted to kick down the door to see how many emptys where in there::
Ventured up to Kelowna for what would be my last race before Ironman Canada. July 16th was the Across the Lake Swim, a 2km race that goes across Okanagan Lake. This year it was sold out, and thanks to the race organizer I was able to race due to “I thought I was signed up” issue. Caps at 500 people with a 8am start from the Indian Reserve on the West side of the lake. I had a small melt down in the morning because I found out in the morning I wasn’t in the race and had to get my butt down to City Park. Got down to a full parking lot and missed my ride on the houseboat that take other side for the start. Lucky we had time to get over to the other side with time a lot of time to spare.
Bag was full of "non race garbage" stuff.
5 wave start with 2 minute gaps between each one, the slot that I got had a 3rd wave start. 5 minutes into the swim I started to reel in the second wave and by about 15-20 minutes, started to get some blue caps that started in the first wave. The race is a straight swim which makes it pretty easy to spot were to go. Was happy with my 25:14 finish, was hoping to get under 25 but still my fastest 2km swim yet. I was first in the 55-65 age group which is also awesome, I think I was second in my actual age group with a 16th overall time, a lot of fast swimmers at this event!
Enjoyed the event, and there is also a pretty huge package with a towel, cap, water bottle and enough food product to get you through the weekend with out having to buy food.
From the Swim start. The old guy on the deck didn't lke me taking pictures. I hope he was in the 55-65 age group.
After a little nap I was hitting the streets for a 160km ride. I decided to stick in Kelowna for weekend, since booking a single night in Penticton is a giant pain in the ass. Bought a map at the Walmart and figured out a large loop from the Westside of OK lake to Vernon, and then followed the Kelowna Grand Fondo route back. (which was earlier that morning.) Didn’t really enjoy much of this ride since the first 60km was on no shoulder road with step climbs and twists. After that was done, some black cloud decided to follow me and shoot some lighting bolts down, followed by buckets of rain. This happened twice on the 5 and a half hour rip, lucky it was warm out.
::
The main focus of this ride was to try and keep relaxed, and figure out some different fueling strategies. I’ve been using mostly powerbar products mostly because the local grocery stores around here only carry them. Been pretty happy with my energy levels on my big days and think I’ll be using their products on race day. I am also trying out their Engergy Bites which will replace the clif bars that I have been using in the past. I find the energy bites a bit easier on the taste buds and don’t dry up my mouth as much as the clif bar.
View from the back of the creeper at the camp site in Kelowna.We stayed at the former Waterslide Campground, no waterslides anymore so they changed their name...can't remember what it is though.
After my big Saturday, made it over to Penticton for a 25km run on a large section of course. (the tough parts) and then hoped on my bike and rode the same 25km to give the legs one last pounding before the drive home. Feeling good in the weeks ahead with a 360km workout week under my belt, with an eye on 400km this week.
I have always enjoyed the city of Penticton but I’m getting increasingly frustrated with trying to book weekends and events there. Once again I try to come into town and get a good solid weekend in and get let down by not one but all the campsites in the city. I was leaving right after work on Friday and was going to arrive just a touch after 10. I called ahead to see if there were any sites that didn’t have an issue with this, after calling three sites, I got told no. Two close at 10 and another at 8. I got so upset with this that I just blew off Penticton completely and headed to one of my favorite spots in Oliver, where I stayed for my half ironman. Once again Lakeside Resort pulls through for me with no issues at all, and in the end works out to be a great place for a training camp. Maybe that’s why there is a half iron race there…
Oliver is a mere 20 minutes outside of Ok Falls or Osoyoos, depending on which way you go. Both cities have the Ironman Canada bike course going right through and OK falls is were the run turn around is. So I loaded up the creeper and headed to Oliver.
Got in just before ten, had a shower and got ready for my 165km bike starting from Oliver. (shortened the ride, took the rip through Penticton out…) Got up around 8 and finished up my ride around 2, threw on my runners and did one loop of the half iron course to finish my Saturday. Sunday was a quick dip in Tuc-el-Nuit Lake were the swim of the Oliver race took place, with a quick drive to OK Falls for a long run. A reverse route of the Ironman run route. I started at the turn around and then came back once I hit Penticton for a out back of 25kms. Once the run was done, I jumped in the lake to get the salt off and cool the legs down for a 4 hour drive home. All around solid weekend with about 10 hours of training in two days.
After moving my whole training to Oliver, I actually feel that Oliver is probably the best option for a quick training weekend. Laid back, less restrictions on all the bullshit and its tough to beat the setting of the Lakeside resort. 35 bux a night, with nice bathrooms and showers, lake front fire pits, store close by, and a nice quite setting. Here is there facebook page for more info.
Getting ready for two races this weekend quick open water swim on Friday in Port Moody with another half ironman in Vancouver on Sunday…
some shots from the Saturday night after training.
just up from the campsite
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Lake for the Oilver halfiron, campsite just to the right.
Headed to one of my favorite spots for a mini training camp and some fun out on the beach. Took the Creeper out to the usual campsite at the Sandlake sand dudes just outside Tillamook and used this as the in and out for my training.
One of the three Capes on the scenic route off the 101.
Road thru Pacific City both on Saturday and Sunday. Just before the road joins back up with the 101 hwy.
We were able to drive onto the beach without any problems about 10 minutes from where we camped.
Just about to head home, all packed up.
Did my long run in Portland and was great run along the banks Columbia River. Could have gone forever, paved trail that goes from Jantzen Beach all along the Columbia and past the airport. Went out for about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Did my 100 mile ride on Sunday and couldn’t quite make it to Newport but was a great ride none the less. Apparently I missed a bike race by one day…didn’t know it til I got there. Reach the Beach, Portland to Pacific City. Something I’ll have to keep in mind for next year.
Headed out for an early season house boat trip on the Shuswap for a pretty dam good stag. Weather was awesome and the lake was cold as hell. Went with Waterways again, second time in almost as many years.
Water level was high enough that we had to get the CNN bridge to open up.
View from the wheel house
Temp got up to and over 20 on this day. Pretty easy to enjoy the day.
Water was cold and the freezing level looked pretty low judging by the snow line.
Headed out Thursday after work for the show in Calgary at Endeavor Arts. Spent Friday and Saturday getting things ready for Saturday, then headed out to Banff for some late season ski touring.
Ready to go.
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On the way to Banff to Calgary. I miss the big skies.
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Got some sun on the second day.
First lap of the day.
Hard to see the track after my ass slide on the first run and got the camera filled with snow.
Did a trail run at Aldergrove lake on Wednesday. Pretty freakin awesome day, sun came out… spring is coming. Stretched out 10km in there, trail running has been pretty good last few weeks. Been incorporating it more into my training to keep things a little fresher.
To the right gives you a pretty good view of Washington.
Nice change in trail.
Probably the most interesting part of the run.
It was suppose to be a track day on Thursday night but ended up running up to Hemlock Thursday to squeeze one more day of skiing in before it gets warm. Hemlock has gotten 211cms in the last week. I have never scene a snow pack like this up there…ever.
Walls of snow. Was cool in the morning so had some good turns first thing.
This was the last run of the day. Was getting pretty warm up there in the afternoon.
