BLERG!

So everything was going well with training, did a LONG run on the weekend and body was feeling confident and strong. Then Tuesday I had to go and be a clutz and roll my ankle. Details not necessary, but from the photo below you can see the outcome.

Nice and Puffy, and Black and Blue!

For comparison of my normal ankle, see here

I was having a conversation with my mom not 20 minutes before this happened saying that I wasn't planning on racing much this summer, and with yet another setback in my training, that seems like a good idea. This just sucks because I had told Mel that I would run the Vancouver Half Marathon this weekend with her to pace. Won't be doing that now... And my chances of winning the beer mile this weekend are also significantly decreased!

Got X-Rays done yesterday, they came up with nothing broken which is good, and am going to physio tomorrow morning.

BLERG!

Wake Up Call

Last night went out for a ride. Was going to be a quick and easy 25k before doing a short run. While out on my ride a friend of mine, Eric Suess who I have mentioned before FLEW by me on his bike. He was doing intervals so I decided to stick with him in his draft for as long as I could. Well, that didn't last too long. Last summer we were pretty much tied on the bike. It would appear as though that is no longer the case. I guess I need to get myself back in gear or else it will be a long summer.

In other news, my friend Kory is running his first Ultramarathon (50 miles / 80km) this weekend in Olympia Washington. Myself, his wife and a friend from the states are all going to watch/cheer on and crew the race. I'm pretty excited. Full report when I get back!

TEST WEEK!

I have many times mentioned the UBC Tri Club race series which unfortnuately I had to miss much of due to stupidity... my concussion.

As a result I decided to make up all the events I had missed out on in one action packed week!

Event #1, Monday evening, 5km run Time Trial:

I was going into the 5k with high hopes right before the concussion. Unfortunately those goals were no longer anywhere near realistic as a result of 6 weeks off. I started off fairly strong, probably too fast running my first km in 3:23. I quickly settled in and ran 2k in 7 minutes and then 3k in 10:40 meaning I was holding nice steady 3:40 pace from there. Unfortunately this is where it started to hurt. 3:50 for my 4th km bringing me in at 15:30 and the wheels started to fall off. I managed to scrape it together and finished in 18:26. Last semester 5k time: 18:08

I'm pretty happy with that but looking at my pace times it shows two things. First I went out too hard... And second that I completely fell apart. I want to give this another shot in a few weeks time when I am feeling more in running shape.

Event #2, Wednesday evening, Mile Run:

Weather for the mile was terrible. Dumping rain, cold and REALLY windy. This was the night when all the boats washed up to the shore in Vancouver. Not exactly ideal conditions to be running a mile in. I knew this one was going to hurt. My legs were still really stiff/heavy from Monday's effort, but I gave it a go anyways since the rest of the club was running it that night.

Lap 1 (72) Lap 2 (80) Lap 3(81) Lap 4 (83) Total 5:17

Matt and Vince Running the Mile

Again, my last semester time was 5:13 so not as good, however, conditions were significantly worse, and considering I had run the 5k only two days prior I will take it. Just to show the difference in my legs. my opening km in the mile was in 3:22 where as my opener for the 5k was 3:23. I feel as though i could put a lot more into this as well. Again, another task for a sunny day in a few weeks.

Event #3, Friday Evening, 10.2km Bike TT

I can't complain about conditions at all this time. They were great. Minor headwind heading out to the spit at Iona but then a great tailwind on the way back. Sum it up. went 16:22. Last semester I went 15:47 but that was fully decked out in triathlon geekery (disk, aerohelmet) whereas this day I was on my TT bike but riding in normal attire. So all considering happy and thing this was a good sign that my riding hasn't suffered too much.

Event #4, Saturday AM 8.2k Bike - 1.8k Run

This event was again another team one. The bike was somewhat of a gongshow as it started out with a mass start and so was just a hammerfest for the entire 8k. I think we finished the 8km in 11-12 minutes to give an idea of the pace we were holding. I was pretty happy, I came off the bike in 3rd just behind Matt and Barry. Onto the run I never caught up but also didn't give up any spots. Realizing I wasn't going to catch Matt and Barry I shut it down into control mode making sure that no one caught up from behind. Finishing in 19:18, good enough for 3rd.

All in all I'm pretty happy with the week and I'm confident if I had spread out the events a little more that they would have gone even better. But that being said now I know if I want to have a test week again in the future, I will have a reference for my ability with little recovery time.

Thats all for now. My next post will be describing a fundraiser I just took part in and will be a little more Risqué

Concussion, 2 Month Later

As I demonstrated last week with Storm the Wall, my concussion is pretty much gone. I am able to train full time now and haven't had any symptoms for a few weeks now. That being said my fitness is lacking.

A few days after getting my concussion I missed out on a 5k run TT at the track. I was really hoping for some good numbers that day. With the UBCTC race series wrapping up this coming weekend I really wanted to get my 5k in.

Net result, coincidentally on the 2 month anniversary of my concussion, Lauren and I went out to the track and I ran a solo 5k while she timed me.

The weather wasn't too bad, temperature was good, no rain, and a descent bit or wind, but nothing to complain about.

I started off feeling good, 3:22 first km and managed to hold steady 89-90 second laps up until roughly 2.5k.

I went through 2k in 7:00 and 3k in 10:50. I wanted to beat Matt Reeve's time of 18:28 which meant I needed to run two 3:50km. Should be easy, however, my lungs and legs decided otherwise. My lap times were slipping up to 95 seconds for a couple of them. Hitting 800 to go at 15:30 I just wanted to pull out a few sub 90.

In the end I put together a pretty solid 18:26. Pretty happy considering the training I've done since the concussion, however, its upsetting because I feel that prior to the concussion this would have been an easy task where as last nights run nearly killed me.

I hope to do another one in a month or two and really gauge my fitness. Hopefully this is just the beginning.

Thanks to Lauren for coming out and timing and cheering me on.

STORM THE WALL - Athlete Profiles

With the finals in both the Ironman and Ironwomen division only a dozen hours away, an athlete profile seems appropriate, as such the daily recaps will be a little delayed. With the largest UBCTC showing in Storm the Wall history, a few podiums are guaranteed along with a strong potential for the top spot in both the male and female division. As mentioned previously, the girls have out-performed the guys with 5 advancing to the finals where as in the mens division only three made it forward.

As such, I shall profile the girls first!

Yup, everyone here looks female

In no particular order, I will begin by profiling the SWIMMERS:

RACHEL SCHOELER: Strength clearly in the swim. Expected to be the first to exit the water. Rachel will need to put together a strong bike run combo in order to maintain her lead. Demonstrating that she has the legs two semesters in a row in the UBCTC Aquathon, Rachel is a strong favourite for the win.

MELANIE THOMPSON: A swimmer turned triathlete could almost be characterized as an all rounder if it weren't for her dominant swim. Although she may be a few strokes back from Rachel out of the pool, her triathlon experience on the bike and run will show to be a fearsome adversary to all challengers.

Next we move into the second category of competitor: THE ALL ROUNDER

At the elite level potentially the largest threat. Will this be the case in STORM THE WALL?

BRITTANY BUCHANAN: Sneaking up on her competitors, Brittany is strong in all three events slowly stalking the leaders until reaching the wall she is upon them. It has been mentioned that Brittany is the silent hunter as her shoes create no sound as she runs surprising many as she come up behind them. Not a Storm the Wall freshman, Brittany will put together a strong race.

MELANIE VAN SOEREN: After a few quick lessons on cornering from Sherwood, Melanie demonstrated that her bike does in fact follow her line of sight two weeks ago on the crit course. Working on the technical aspects of the bike has made her a real threat on the bike. Put together with a solid swim-run and a most spectacular wall execution could put Mel ahead of the rest.

And finally the RUNNER:

CLAIRE H: Running people down is her specialty. Coming out of the water in the tail end of a race would typically worry most triathletes, however, Claire has such a dominant run that she easily catches up much of her deficit on the first uphill sprint. Coming in with the fastest UBCTC female time to the wall, Claire will be running with each other girl in her sights, hoping to pick them off one by one.

The woman's champion could be any one of them. With only 23 seconds separating these five in their semifinal, its sure to be an exciting race!

Nice Legs Ladies

The mens field is more simple, there are only two types of competitor in the mens field. The Swimmers and the all rounders.

THE SWIMMER:

NATHANIEL JANZEN: Main hopes ride in his ability to demolish the field in the swim. Match to that a huge improvement in his biking and running over the past year and he is a sure threat. Having reached the wall the fastest all week, Nathaniel will just have to make sure he makes his way over the wall. With his 4th place finish last year, he definitely will be looking to move up.

THE ALL ROUNDER

MATT REEVE: Matt is a workhorse plain and simple. Although his fitness may not be at its prime, you can pretty much guarantee that he will bring the hurt when the time comes. This mental toughness is what won him second place in the Aquathon as he broke Vincent's spirits on the run. Will the same be done in the final by putting together a strong swim/bike/run combo?

VINCENT LAVALLEE: NUFF SAID!

After tomorrow, will these three men still be friends?

364 days of smack talk, finally realized!

Also, is Nathaniel smacking Matt's ass?