Sunday, July 20, 2008

Olympic Prep Week 1/5

Hard to believe this picture is only from 2002...UCTC sprint triathlon on a mountain bike.  It was a cold and rainy day, I put a shirt and shorts on in transition...the next year I did my first Olympic distance race! 
2005 my first ITU points race, 2006 my first World Cup, 2008 Beijing!!  I'm still trying to wrap my brain around that one!!!  Still a little surreal! 
After Hamburg I flew home for a quick visit, dinner with the family, a frantic visit to the bike shop, and then back on a plane to Victoria.  Coach Paul convinced me to join in a Lifesport training camp they were putting on after the Vancouver Half Ironman.  So I joined in with a strong group of long distance (Ironman & Half Ironman) athletes--Bree Wee, Katya Myers, Caroline Smith, Eileen Swanson, Janet Neilson and Sam Mazer, Coach Dan Smith, plus a couple brave spouses and locals joining for a workout or two.

After scoping out the schedule, I was a little nervous training with the long distance crowd, especially after a week off and all the travel, but I was hoping the girls would be tired from the race the weekend before.....NOPE, they hammer it no matter how tired they are!!  Tuesday, was fairly easy, base ride & run and a long lake swim.  Wednesday started with a tough pool swim followed by a hilly ride, a one-on-one meeting with sport psychologist Terry Orlick (very motivating!) and then intervals in the lake that evening.  Thursday turned into a 'survival' swim which was followed by an awesome group talk from Coach Regensburg in the morning and then a killer 8x2k repeat run set!  Coach Dan was there to pace me....I was thankful for that...and Bree was there to make me stay with him...doesn't that girl get tired!?!  The day finished with a leg icing in the ocean and an another yummy wild Salmon meal at the Regensburg's.  

Phew....Friday was legs off and only an open water session.  Needless to say, I was tired by Saturday which started off with a fartlek run that I really worked hard.....then, after an hour rest.....a 5hour+ bike ride!   With Coach Dan 'bomb-da-downhills' Smith in the lead, the pace of the ride was a little tough for me!  It turned into a 5 hour draft practice, with the only thing I could think of the last 1.5 hours was 'don't lose Dan's wheel, you don't want to ride back on your own' over and over!  I had to pull some Tour de France style descending--tucked in low on my bike--to keep up with him on the downhills!!  Once I made into town I abandoned my car at the Lifesport office and went straight back to Erin's (where I'm staying) and luckily she was already cooking dinner! Excellent!  Today (Sunday) was a 2 hour base run, I was dropped by the group within 10min--my legs were killing me--but they came around after 45min and I finished 'er! Then back to the lake in the afternoon for a cruiser swim.  It was great camp, most of the girls have now gone home and my legs are exhausted....man those girls are tough...i don't know how they do it!!  An Ironman won't be on my schedule any time soon!!  Sorry Paul!

Thanks for all the posts and e-mails!  Hi to everyone at NuVista--sorry I haven't replied to the e-mails, please see above for the reason I haven't!  I promise to stop by the office soon!

4 more weeks!
LM


15 comments:

BreeWee said...

Whoa, you wrote such an awesome story, LOVE the first tri photo with the t-shirt on! ha ha ha. Who would have thought the girl riding a mountain bike in her first tri would be the same girl headed to the Olympics!
PLEASE keep posting on your Olympic journey... it is so exciting!

Samantha said...

Lisa! you're awesome. I can't wait to watch you race in Beijing (via internet)! I really enjoyed tagging along with you guys this week and trying to keep up. Great job on the LONG ride yesterday. I waved at you guys when you zoomed past in the opposite direction on the Malahat! Oh, and I agree with her too...keep posting!

henk said...

Hi Lisa, since yesterday your start number in Beijing is final (draw by ITU during Worldcup Kitzbuhel). You have 39 and next to Murua Spain and Bennett USA. Sander has start number 2!!
Wish you all the best the coming weeks.

Henk

Anonymous said...

As a proud parent (of an Olympian)I always look to your blogs with anticipation to see how things are going. Ocassionally I suggest the odd correction or two, as is a parent's right, on grammer and spelling. But today's post has a new issue-neologisms. What the heck is a "fartlek" run? It is great to see the progression from 2002 to now. Remember Lethbridge, now that was the race of the (Ice) Ages! Keep the training productive and we will see you soon-after your next fartlek run.
Dad

Eileen Swanson said...

Lis, your dad is sooo funny! Thanks for letting me draft off of your feet in the lake swims. You are so awesome and all I could think of was how super cool it was to be training with an Olympian ;-) I am so proud of you! Thanks for all of the encouragement and advice! I am going to GO FOR IT!
Love,
E

Anonymous said...

As the proud Aunt (of an Olympian), I too, look to your blogs with anticipation to follow your progress. Unlike your Dad, I do not suggest corrections on your grammar or spelling....however, I am with him on this one, what the heck is a "fartlek" run? I am so impressed by your dedication and determination, to accomplish so much in a short period of time. You truly are an inspiration!
Keep up the good work!!
Louise

Anonymous said...

Oh....Louise....you missed your chance....
Fred, Fred, Fred....I know it is NOT my right....but honestly....
how can I possibly resist ??
The spelling is 'occasionally'...
that's two "c's" and one "s".
chuckle, chuckle, lol

Lisa,
We really enjoy your blog !! The excitement of Beijing is building.
You go, girl !!!
A

Anonymous said...

Oh...yah...it's 'grammar'...
too, too funny...
I know...I'm just being a
smart - - -
A

Anonymous said...

Damn, when you think you've got it down pat, you do the dumbest things. Quick typing and no spell chek in this window! Error on purpose this time. Caught and outed by A!
Fred AKA Dad

Lisa said...

Sweet--the grammar king was busted!

Fartlek=swedish for 'speed play'. It's a run where you vary your pace. ie. 12x(2'fast pace with 1.5' recovery pace). Sounds fairly easy but it depends on how hard you work the 2' interval! Sorry, should have defined that one!

Anonymous said...

Ahhh A, how sweet to see Fred busted, you are my new best friend. Of course I am the younger brother who had the smart (never going to say smarter) older brother who when growing up was always keen to give advice (neologism). Nice entry Lisa, loved seeing the progression from old to new. Brought back memories from when your proud papa would keep us updated on your progress before your blogs. Actually he still keeps us updated. So from this proud uncle and from Oma your hard work and diligence is inspiring.

Tom

Oh and Fred, there is a spell checker in this window ...

The Young Family said...

Wow - Olynpics!! What a wonderful story you have! Found you through bree's site. I am excited to watch you race in Beijing! I am a newbie to the sport, and love to hear all about you ladies taking on the full IM!! Very insperational!

Emily

The Young Family said...

Oops, after reading the other comments I am sure to get caught on mis-spellings! Trying to type to fast!!

Em

Anonymous said...

Okay, as the teacher in the family, I am embarrassed and dismayed. Who says being in school for 15 years in the medical field makes you a master speller? This is a rhetorical question, no need to answer.

Lisa,

Keep up the positive thoughts during your training. Remember, when you didn't talk to the family before the race in Germany, you qualified!

Jenn

P.S. I need that lawnmower STAT! The medical reference was for you, Fred.

Anonymous said...

We're on the Lisa watch. Looking forward with the race. Stick to your game plan.

Your training will pay off. Again.

e, Sara and Miles