Can you say destination race....

Picture yourself swim/bike/running in the majestic mountains of Banff National Park! That's right folks, the Subaru Triathlon Series is bringing a race to Banff in 2010! If you're looking for something a little different (potential for wildlife sightings on the bike course is high!), have always wanted to swim in the sparkling blue-green waters of a mountain lake, or have dreamed of running down the streets of Banff in a tri-suit, this race is for you! Plus, you can add a couple days onto your trip and go for a hike or a gondola ride after! Oh yeah, a post-race stop at one of the chocolate shops in town is a must ; )

Here's the press release. Dec 1 registration opens...and it's capped!

Banff Triathlon Announced Registration Opens December 1st; Race Capped at 500 spots!!!

The Subaru West Coast Triathlon Series is excited to announce that Banff National Park will be added to the 2010 line up of races with the introduction of the Subaru Banff Triathlon. This race could quickly become known as the most beautiful triathlon in the world with the swim taking place in pristine Two Jack Lake followed by the cycle around the breathtakingly beautiful Minnewanka Loop. The run will trek around the town of Banff and finish down famous Banff avenue with the Cascade Mountain as the back drop and in to Central Park, nestled on the edges of the Bow River. Don't miss out on this incredible sporting experience - Banff National Park is the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains World Heritage Site, a global treasure of natural beauty, wildness, and diversity of life. The event will take place on September 11th and include an Olympic and Sprint distance event. Be part of the inaugural race in 2010! Registration will be capped at 500 spots and will open on December 1, 2009. For more information or to register click here.

Start planning 2010 now!!!

Deers, the yogi master & a new nemesis...

So I've had more urban deer encounters in the past week and 1/2 than I have seen all year. It all started last week during the morning walk that Shaggy and I take down the back alleys in the neighbourhood. We came to a backyard with a fake plastic deer in it--our neighbourhood was built in the 50's so it is a mix of the retired (with a plethora of lawn ornaments), empty nesters and young couples. I had walked right past it, Shaggy on the other hand, froze, transfixed by the deer. He got his back up (this is rarely done by him!) and stalked ever so slowly toward it, unsure what it was...it was hilarious. Then he got close enough to sniff it nose to nose and realized it was fake and trotted off satisfied. Next I saw the big guy cycling last week and a family of 5 (real ones) on the street early one morning on a walk with Shaggy. I was lucky enough to see them first and grab Shags before he took off towards them! Then I had to stop and let 2 deer leisurely cross the path I was riding on in Fish Creek on Thursday!

I also finally caught Shaggy's yoga in action. Stealing another recovery technique from Shaggy, I have made an effort to attend a weekly yoga/core class--even though I am probably the worst yoga-ist (if that's a word) in the class, with the exception of the core portion, which I excel at! Take note of Yogi Master Shag's aptly named 'downward facing dog' stretch--with a couch adaptation....this is done multiple times a day, he also regularly does the 'upward facing dog' stretch before heading outside....

On the training front, it's more of the same; swim (a lot)/bike/run (well, jog). Actually, I've been swimming so much that last week I came out of the pool after 6400m with hickies on my neck! This is what happens when you swim way too much and your skin is way too dry!! I also took a big blow to my already deflated swimming ego--I got beat by a breaststroker in a 100m showdown the other day...in my defence he races somewhere in the ballpark of 1:00 for 100m breastroke and it was after 4800m of swimming & sprinting on the friday of a big week of training--so I was a little tired! Either way, I have myself a new nemesis in the pool....watch out evil breastroker...as Dr. Claw would say...I'll get you next time Breastroker....next time!!

And since I can't bring myself to cheer for any team east of Winnipeg and my Stamps are out....Go Riders Go!

Over & out,

Lisa

Yesterday a 2.5hour base ride was on the schedule...thankfully the weather in Calgary is still decent, I want to limit my indoor trainer time as much as I can, so I suited up and headed South! I rode from the house to Fish Creek Provincial Park on my cross bike (=road bike with wider tires so you can take it off pavement) to play on the trails down there.

My cross bike is my old commuter bike and is named Jake. That's the name he came with, I didn't give him his name, kind of like a rescue puppy, he already had a name when I picked him out. It's been well used year round, so it's a bit rusty from being left covered in snow, outfitted with full fenders, a pannier carrier, a rear studded tire (for riding on ice & snow), a bell (mandatory on Calgary pathways, and they will ticket!) and is a bit of a beast (compared to Maddy!).

All suited up. At first I thought I was over dressed but once I dropped into the park valley, I wish I had more on!! Love the white leg warmers??

Ice on the creek...brrrr....but the ride was still fun. I rarely head to the park, so every turn was new stuff--I just couldn't feel my toes...

I also ran into this guy below...it hard to see but it was a large young male with new a small rack of antlers. I cycled within a meter of him--it totally scared me when he stood up right beside me! After I took this picture with my phone, he turned towards me on the path and started trotting towards me. I dropped my phone in my pocket and got out of there....he was young but BIG!

As for the rest of my training, it's been up and down this week in the pool. Monday, I was a killing it in the pool, tuesday/wednesday, not so much! I think I'm just a bit rusty on the all important recovery and nutrition that is needed with the higher volume of training. I've decided to take a few notes from Shaggy's play book. He's always ready to go for each walk/run/ball chase session....but in between workouts, he recovers like a rockstar:

Well, I'm off to rest up for swimming....it's time trail night, I have to be on my game--move over Shaggy!!

Oh yeah...this is for Louise and the Saskatchewan rellies: GO STAMPS GO!!!

Lisa

Tryin' to find a rhythm...

The first week back is always the toughest. I'm tired, I have muscles so sore & exhausted that just getting out of bed is a challenge (not complaining, I love the aches and pains that come with training, even missed it a little over the last 6 weeks!), and I have a new schedule to adjust to. I find the hardest thing is finding my rhythm....the first week, I forget things for workouts, I'm a little late due to traffic or parking, or forget to check the gym hours to make sure it's open! It just takes a week to get my act together again!

As for the training, I am back RUNNING!!! Pain free too! It's going to be a slow build but I'm loving every step! In the pool, it's been about finding my rhythm too, this past season, we didn't focus on my swimming and my stroke & endurance suffered a bit. I'm currently swimming with the UofC team and getting my butt kicked daily! The other day was 'circuit day' or as I renamed after the practice, 'torture Lisa day'. I'll spare you all the details, but it included swimming attached to a bucket pulley system, we swam pulling a GIANT bucket full of water up the pulley. I almost drown. Then we moved onto my personal fav, 'chutes'! That's right, swimming with a parachute attached to you. here is a pic of one below:
Don't be fooled, it looks small, but man it is hard!! There was also some underwater swimming, again a fav, and countless pull ups from getting in and out of the pool! I could barely drive home! The next day was filled with so many flip turns my toes ached from pushing off the wall. The good news is....after a couple of weeks of barely making the sets, I'm starting to see some gains and feeling a bit of rhythm in the pool...finally!!

As for the bike...this weekend, while watching the race that I was supposed to be at, I will be doing my first 'test set'....coach wants baseline numbers to start the season off...oh it's going to hurt!!

GOOD LUCK at Clearwater!!!
Lisa

An important day

Why walk when you can run?

Day 1 starts Monday!!! My official return to training is a 'go' tomorrow. I'll be starting a light walk/run program, maybe some water running (my fav), get back on the bike--my cross bike until is gets too cold--and tons of swimming with the U of C group!

After 6 weeks off, copious amounts of Halloween candy consumed (Triathlete on off-season+ Halloween=trouble!), tons of house 'projects' completed, countless walks/hikes with Shaggy, and a good mental break--I'll have some work to do to get back into form for next year. Clearwater 70.3 Worlds Champs is next weekend, sucks that I can't be there but I'll use it as extra motivation to kick-start the 2010 season!

Good Luck to all those racing next weekend--wish I was there with you!!

That's all for now.
Lisa

CeraSport on Board!

When I first started racing Triathlon, I really struggled with hydration and nutrition. After some experimentation with various electrolyte drinks my first couple seasons racing, I was down to plain ol' water on the bike--I just couldn't stomach the super sweet drinks or some of them just didn't sit well when I raced. Once I started competing at a higher level, I realized that water just wasn't going to help me get great performances--especially in hot weather.Enter CeraSport. This rice-based electrolyte drink works great! It's not super sweet (but has great variety of flavours) and since it's not sugar-based, my stomach loves it! CeraSport is now one of my valued supporters, here is the official press release. You can order this great product online or chat with me if you want to try it, check their site out: http://www.ceraproductsinc.com/.


And yes, the pumpkin on the left was mine!
Stayed tuned....my return to training has been scheduled for Nov 9...and yes that includes running!!! SO excited!

Lisa

I know I won...

Happy Halloween!!
Richard & I had our annual pumpkin carving contest yesterday, I'm pretty sure I won, but you can decide....which one do you like better???

A candle light version:
Other than that it's been a week full of Shaggy walks, a persistent cold/flu that just won't leave me, a Metric concert, raking leaves and changing light fixtures! No running yet....boo hoo...one more week off.

I've been dreaming of running....I may have even tried a few steps the other day--I had to keep up with Shaggy on the path!

Lisa