tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82515633939218488272024-02-20T18:46:21.054-07:00Lisa Mensink--TriathleteA journal of my travels and racesLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-29140018404203675602010-08-08T01:09:00.001-06:002010-08-30T16:06:36.185-06:00Check out my new website........for all further updates. Goto to<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.lisamensink.com/blog/"><strong>www.lisamensink.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong> I'll be posting recent races/updates on that site from now on. Special thanks to Adam at Rev 3 and Trakkers for setting up the new site for me!!<br />
Cheers,<br />
LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-13512553718392346442010-07-20T12:45:00.000-06:002010-07-20T12:45:45.264-06:00Tour de Europa Stop #3<div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Race # 3: Hamburg World Champs Series. By far the most competitive race that I've been in this year. The swim was interesting, got stuck in the battle, got covered in green (the algae was rampant in the 26 degree water!), came out farther back than I should (coach so not happy with this!). Didn't panic, hammered on the bike , suffered real bad the first couple laps, we caught the leaders, I found my biking legs and moved my way to the front of the pack, so much nicer through the corners. Good T2, came out in the front of the race again, hamstrings and back not happy with me, lost contact with the lead runners, felt better the back half of the run, finished off in 17th place, a solid day in a strong field. Still a little frustrated since I know I can swim & run better than that!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Also check this out: I'm currently ranked #1 for the <a href="http://www.triathlon.org/files/events/rankings/itu_wcs_rankings_best_biker-women-2010.pdf">ITU World Champs Series Best Cyclist Ranking</a>!! There is some extra prize $ up for grabs at the end of the season if I stay in the top 3! </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Couple pics from Coach Bjoern who, with wife Stephanie were shouting at me the whole race:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUlKaPcTv0g0hC6bzLp1WUHvuwf3erQxSXbUv6YycM7L5ygeXb8_1hXG_wP1TOTDG2IxET0rlZ-WxJgQYZYZG0MG67hkB6K4lti_pQEK11RKiZKBEmQ_1qepUpYk1-VQJBYOWRF0Aksk/s1600/Hamburg+Run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUlKaPcTv0g0hC6bzLp1WUHvuwf3erQxSXbUv6YycM7L5ygeXb8_1hXG_wP1TOTDG2IxET0rlZ-WxJgQYZYZG0MG67hkB6K4lti_pQEK11RKiZKBEmQ_1qepUpYk1-VQJBYOWRF0Aksk/s320/Hamburg+Run.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCz6F814XGJ9evzGL-CTU7IreuVfd_J84Ls3tCJWtqo4rPZje16IYyDwF0MPaAxn7qRhNF6qlrkCIOdf03JaxLsqQCHIMOOits9M8KfNjqRp7ksvB98FHT7L3RE61PBq9LmncnQ7BsasI/s1600/Hamburg+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCz6F814XGJ9evzGL-CTU7IreuVfd_J84Ls3tCJWtqo4rPZje16IYyDwF0MPaAxn7qRhNF6qlrkCIOdf03JaxLsqQCHIMOOits9M8KfNjqRp7ksvB98FHT7L3RE61PBq9LmncnQ7BsasI/s320/Hamburg+bike.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Now back in the south of Holland. Road all the way to Germany today (boarder is only 5km away). Feeling pretty good today. London on Thursday. Race on Saturday. Again check out: <a href="http://www.triathlon.org/tv">www.triathlon.org/tv</a> for coverage.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Below: A modern windmill overshadowing a classic one on the right:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGqeeOIX0BxZd9FA2s3yQd_vBTE9MM9PFxzEVv8b_XkDoPmwfOGnX2HWpOA03UmFQP5LkkXK5-Q7CcSKmoT8_LKMFArzJU04OHcxGLCvfbr_G3QJubN5efkCN6AjQz7ZYc-jL2si4YpE/s1600/IMG_0132%5B1%5D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGqeeOIX0BxZd9FA2s3yQd_vBTE9MM9PFxzEVv8b_XkDoPmwfOGnX2HWpOA03UmFQP5LkkXK5-Q7CcSKmoT8_LKMFArzJU04OHcxGLCvfbr_G3QJubN5efkCN6AjQz7ZYc-jL2si4YpE/s320/IMG_0132%5B1%5D" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">One last thing: Check out my new website: <a href="http://www.lisamensink.com/">http://www.lisamensink.com/</a>. I'll be posting my blogs from there from now on, so change your bookmarks! I can't believe that domain name was free...what are the chances?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Til London.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Lisa</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-48180940820796830462010-07-17T11:21:00.000-06:002010-07-17T11:21:22.224-06:00Race Day...tomorrow...Well, it's finally getting close! The men's race in Hamburg was today and we are on Sunday. Sometimes I like to watch the men's race before ours, you get to scope the course, see how the race plays out, it gets me focused on my day to come. But sometimes, it's pure torture, I wish it was me out there racing, not waiting another 26 hours to race! Today, it was fun to watch and Bjoern, Lifesport coach extraordinaire, and his wife were out, so I had some company while spectating (although, I left them early once I decided my legs had enough standing). Now I'm ready for my turn! <br />
Tomorrow's start time is precisely 3:16pm local time. Why 3:16 you ask, I have no idea, but when the German's say 3:16, you start at 3:16 and I like it! Except for the fact that I have to wait all day to race! So you can check out the action on: <a href="http://www.triathlon.org/tv">www.triathlon.org/tv</a> <br />
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Back to reading my book and waiting for 3:16 to arrive.<br />
Cheers,<br />
LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-58530882512779767242010-07-12T10:02:00.001-06:002010-07-12T10:03:54.547-06:00Seeing black...and Orange....Race #2 completed. Let me tell you, it was easier said than done in the "European heat wave"! With temperatures soaring into the mid-30's it made for a HOT run! I had an excellent start in the swim, a solid bike where not much happened and then was first out of T2....I knew it was going to be a hot one, so I figured it was an all or nothing type deal...either I went for it and felt like a million bucks in the heat or I went for it and blew up in the heat. Well, it ended up being somewhere in the middle, not a great run but not a bad run for the conditions and how I felt (the run course was apparently ~10.5k). I hung on, just as I started seeing stars and things were about to fade to black, for an 8th place finish! I also missed out on being Dutch Champion (a feat I have yet to conquer!), a young Dutch girl had a great day and ran up from the second pack to finish 5th overall. Things are looking great for the Dutch women this season! <br />
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After the race I was driven down to the south of country to stay and train with the young Dutch team. On sunday night we all went to the town center to watch the football game.....here is the sea of Orange....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwj-SfAURhEnghCukruMrXfisFEVKGjXT60jEof6LPMJKrBWJ090_spu04rdpb_IuyT524NDA-Cv4aqnQZrnhYaURDdXDMokmV9y4bQ34f1LOPW-KL8qvHKQJOIBKrG8f1leP1r-f47jU/s1600/Netherlands+2010+014+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwj-SfAURhEnghCukruMrXfisFEVKGjXT60jEof6LPMJKrBWJ090_spu04rdpb_IuyT524NDA-Cv4aqnQZrnhYaURDdXDMokmV9y4bQ34f1LOPW-KL8qvHKQJOIBKrG8f1leP1r-f47jU/s320/Netherlands+2010+014+small.jpg" /></a></div>It was too bad about the outcome, otherwise there would have been quite a party around the country!<br />
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Up Next: The Hamburg ITU World Championship race series event on July 18th. This one is at a decent time and should be covered live, click <a href="http://www.triathlonlive.tv/index/home">here</a>.Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-38062398900945466622010-07-08T03:26:00.000-06:002010-07-08T03:26:45.752-06:00Euro Week 1 & 1/2...the Cole's Notes version...<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've been a bad blogger lately! My apologies! Here is a summary of the last week and a bit. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It started off in the Dublin airport waiting 3 hours for a ride that never came, then a ride on the local bus (the milk run to Athlone) and a taxi ride to the hotel, with bike and bags in tow! There was a bag that was lost, a chat with local police and a lovely Irish couple who had rescued my bag! Then there was a race which didn't go so well. My mind & body still seemed to be somewhere in a time zone over the Atlantic. This lead to a missed bike pack, a transition penalty of 15 seconds for not putting my wetsuit in my box, and a run that felt like Leprecons were hanging onto my legs! Needless to say, the coaches and I made the decision to stop since I was well back and had 3 more races to come! Not a easy decision, since I hate having a DNF beside my name, but a professional one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQfOmFM42MHrbEzPTaHD15ty0GJxZGGElygu1DHOCbdpuXQWENcsWsxZEz07e5Wz06X5C7wL41YrHpvmLnioqg6dFp3pExS3xyPixr20YN_ifvRR28olvjCKUQa9MnVOz1txbMRPRuFk/s1600/IMG_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQfOmFM42MHrbEzPTaHD15ty0GJxZGGElygu1DHOCbdpuXQWENcsWsxZEz07e5Wz06X5C7wL41YrHpvmLnioqg6dFp3pExS3xyPixr20YN_ifvRR28olvjCKUQa9MnVOz1txbMRPRuFk/s320/IMG_0126.jpg" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now I am staying with my parents and niece in a little town north of Holten (the site of my next race). We are visiting my relatives who live out here and have come watch me race in Holten before. I'm feeling pretty excited for the race on <a href="http://www.triathlonholten.nl/">Saturday</a>, start #3 and I got a mention on the ITU race preview <a href="http://www.triathlon.org/news/article/holten_world_cup_preview/">article</a>.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's all for now! After the race it's off to the south of Holland and the BIG GAME is on Sunday, should be fun!!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hup Holland Hup!</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cheers,</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lisa</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-36436837820720035792010-06-29T13:12:00.000-06:002010-06-29T13:12:00.479-06:00and.....she's off....Just a quick post from the YYC AC lounge! After a couple months at home, with only a trip to Des Moines, I'm off on my next adventure.<br />
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This one includes a tour of western Europe. First up: European Championships in Athlone, Ireland this weekend. I fly into Dublin today. From there, I meet up with my parents & niece in Holland and race there. Should be fun to have the family there to watch! After that, Hamburg, London, a stop in the Swiss Alps and finally my favourite, Kitzbuhel!<br />
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I'll try to keep the updates frequent and with photos!! Check out <a href="http://www.triathlon.org/">http://www.triathlon.org/</a> for results and live feeds.<br />
Enjoy the summer!<br />
LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-65562606619257029262010-06-16T17:20:00.005-06:002010-06-17T19:05:38.317-06:00Grey, Red & GreenIn sticking with the colour theme of my last post, I'll use grey, red & green to describe my last week or so.....<br /><br /><strong><em>GREY: </em></strong>The colour of the sky everywhere I go these days. A rain cloud seems to be stalking me. Rain & clouds from the past few weeks in Calgary even followed me all the way to Des Moines, Iowa for the ITU World Cup event. I landed in a storm and took off in a storm. It poured pretty much continuously for 3 days, so much they had to cancel the kids race the day before ours due to lightening and flooding! Then race morning, I opened the curtains only to see this:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtDIol2Ibz1aa9R4MR-fgrCDHPdSsRgkcGin8qmkzfZpOpk0J1c-Q6UQyT8nnSlWicozcbzppgSyA7LgF5oz6G9fp54Rn917tcMEfmP2EPAdUQ_2t6U9Bbow2puBEIIPkCP4859le2o4/s1600/photo%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483528785659147826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtDIol2Ibz1aa9R4MR-fgrCDHPdSsRgkcGin8qmkzfZpOpk0J1c-Q6UQyT8nnSlWicozcbzppgSyA7LgF5oz6G9fp54Rn917tcMEfmP2EPAdUQ_2t6U9Bbow2puBEIIPkCP4859le2o4/s320/photo%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a> That's the only picture I took in Des Moines! I was certain that they would cancel the swim due to the lightening in the area but the rain fortunately stopped for the ITU races.<br /><div><br /><strong><em>RED: </em></strong> The colour of my back. Since it was still raining when I left the hotel for the race, sunscreen didn't even cross my mind! The sun did manage to pop out just long enough for the last part of the bike and the run. Since my skin has not seen the sun since I returned from Australia, I was a little crispy after the race. Made for an uncomfortable plane ride home!</div><br /><div></div><div><strong><em>GREEN:</em></strong> The colour of our grass after all this rain (still not as nice as our neighbours lawn!)...and the colour of a payday at the races! Hy Vee in Des Moines puts on a great race, takes care of the athletes and has the biggest prize purse in Triathlon. The $ went 50 deep, so it was nice to see 100 athletes lined up at the end of the race to get paid!!</div><br /><div></div><div>Since I made the decision to race DM only 2 weeks out, I wasn't expecting too much on the day, especially since my last triathlon was in April in Sydney. Coach & I made the decision to use this race as part of my prep for my 'tour de Europa' coming up in July. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />The race went something like this: In the water, I rolled with the punches, literally, had my suit pulled around a buoy, made up some lost ground on the second lap, excited front pack (minus the 2 ex-swimmers vying for the swim prime out front). On the wheels, my legs were lacking a bit of snappiness but I stayed out of trouble and in the mix. On the first lap of the run, my legs had forgotten the shock of running that hard off the bike, was passed by Emma Snowsill (the eventual race winner and superstar runner) like I was in the 'Fun Run', fell back a few spots but then found my legs and moved back up 5 spots. Finishing off in 14th place. Good hit out before the next round of races and a decent finish for a stacked World Cup field earning me a solid pay-cheque. </div><div> </div><div><br />Up next: a few more weeks in Calgary to sharpen my racing skills and then the Tour de Europa begins....more on that next post!</div><div>Cheers,</div><div>Lisa</div><div> </div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-24950675293658838562010-06-01T14:05:00.005-06:002010-06-01T14:30:00.763-06:00BlueBlue is the my favourite colour. It's a colour that makes me feel warm, calm and relaxed. I like to think about "blue" when things get uncomfortable....like during a massage (unlike what most people think, my massages are anything but relaxing!), or a particularly though session with my athletic therapist (Wendy @ Riverside Sports Therapy, she's the best), or when I really want to stop during a intervals with Coach Paul on the track....think blue, blue ocean, blue sky, Noosa blue, warm blue, relax....<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477900372028597826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxrxSjfkVbSLsATpiet7ioQ6PmMU9Q-mh4yC8wrMAxIKS9YEAp0cjpFhVHA8p7QzweSW5BIvYU39bVYhScOgb5FO-uvxC4YjLGGZFnEc5uKExxzXEWb7g_erDoeT0-SC6xo_mX9nHLis/s320/blue+1.bmp" /><br />Ahhh....doesn't that make you feel relaxed??<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477900377295104674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEAg_EOipY-CoV8F4Iu3vmtyWY7e69wrsZAT33UDBDzhhfBXuwWO-jTh9zCRsFM9seFvGvb7zAyKCdCiojNm3_UdkcHoY2rHvMqgY3t5FabN96okUtvbXQ3PwMYMK6JfdBaSNMj5pXd0/s320/blue3.jpg" /><br />Getting into this frame of mind has been a challenge for me the last few days. I'm not going to sugar coat it, I've been downright blue about this:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477900386954948546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4d1QsCBxSZzVsufXN_3aTwte6KpAPZRPSj_lzCsk4Bj472yyaglaMA1xNwLv08xD0rnFj78MkT-nmpdDWSZdaYE6BYDxPBQyg0-gjnDWv6HyNZaZDm_Tl_4JK8d5HaBADlk4i1O6L3U/s320/Calgary+2010+050.jpg" /><br />The weather in Calgary has made me feel like this:<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477900852981114610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuBsn-rZSsGFLgf3RFGePcClU4wbqlnrdJ6G5Fpawnqpxd511Yggmp-3OpuLXZc7AYZfhaWrNGbt8yfzgikfT0g8EbMtoNUYM53AgxFuyDLvlLqnkg6JyiQ0NjMzCclu3JyZ5cFlmevI/s320/Blue2.jpg" />They promise me some blue skies tomorrow....hopefully that tames my springtime-in-Calgary blues! In the meantime, I'll keep thinking blue and keep the angry blue monster at bay....blue skies, warm blue oceans, yummy blueberries.....</p><p>Lisa<br /></p><div><div><div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-16904317692689262082010-05-25T10:18:00.006-06:002010-05-25T14:17:17.214-06:00I love monday's!I've had my head down and been getting some great training in since I got back in Calgary. Monday's have become my 'legs off day' or 'recovery' day, so after this last 2 weeks of high volume training, Monday was a day off training!! Although, it seemed to get filled with all sorts of house 'chores'!<br /><br />Spring WAS here in Calgary, at least for a few days. With the warmer weather came beautiful blooms that made my allergies flare up....I can deal with a week or two of sneezing if it means that the warmer weather is coming!!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475245889694926290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPAvUyUUpAL7YcnyGj2nRexEVdUPK6QA0pKLvwQelKrTFVMVaKEzqqCd-ELgFOTtRpAiVTBt118N1zCMM67xVW6jf2CWazYtzSQfsZfHN9O1ncZP_7TvNdgD0S0qCes-5-Tt9C6sJiXk/s320/DSCF0239.jpg" /><br />A beautiful day riding below. Although my next ride was in full winter gear this past weekend....brrr....it was chilly!!! Summer, please come soon!!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475245888401928834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisL96rJMApXZPjCr6fYff15u2D5mNzGV27TR6kyvYwyjjnOAwiHK3HtCqvayPAcxTQzrZvPhqDmfNA8_Pih8Omt4N0ouvUCHMjc9ipEPR8oVBCDAtgpNNhXAnl_8BNlANdcwmS3TISVHI/s320/Calgary+2010+048.jpg" /><br />I also got my new Team Timex Orbea Ordu (& my road bike!) fit right! Thanks to Luke Way for the fit, we made some good changes and I feel more comfortable, powerful & faster on my bikes already!! Check out <a href="http://www.triway.ca/">www.triway.ca</a> to read more about Luke and his bike fitting talents.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hGW_wsXjO7SNKdTsYwhX3LXU0aw7tDBRoqpjAQHMd_9jlT-kXqQ8rd9cv7TfATjTgZm0P95QnJOkxVBqR39TexH6hGQfLpMBtLa0ECmysFmtvBhIggtFp6Pm05Z_hdY_bcGtajgVGbU/s1600/Lisa+position+high_crop.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475245895049714146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hGW_wsXjO7SNKdTsYwhX3LXU0aw7tDBRoqpjAQHMd_9jlT-kXqQ8rd9cv7TfATjTgZm0P95QnJOkxVBqR39TexH6hGQfLpMBtLa0ECmysFmtvBhIggtFp6Pm05Z_hdY_bcGtajgVGbU/s320/Lisa+position+high_crop.bmp" /></a>Now I am organizing my trip to Europe, it's an action packed few weeks over there this year!! 5 races, a stop in the Swiss mountains and some visiting with family in the Netherlands. More on that trip later.....up next: <a href="http://www.hy-veetriathlon.com/">Des Moines ITU World Cup </a>race on June 13th.<br /><br />Back to training....1km repeats tonight at the track!!!<br />Lisa<br /><br /><div><div> </div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-68001264275220282292010-05-13T10:05:00.002-06:002010-05-13T10:17:16.416-06:00More St G PhotosMore random pics from St George.....Thanks to Lifesport Coach Bjoern for the photos!<br /><br />The Lifesport Ironman St George Camp crew:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5LyfFQU8oG9je7wiK91lriYQyYLcfljkQIfznFoI7bWuqzONMKKZ_nbS_Ua4TK-V85si_LoiEq75LuxY68dkNOOVViv7WFnolnZz6lurri2RU0rgrS9ELvV7CtyP-4GxT5k0MyxvThw/s1600/IMG_5065.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470786970034790914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5LyfFQU8oG9je7wiK91lriYQyYLcfljkQIfznFoI7bWuqzONMKKZ_nbS_Ua4TK-V85si_LoiEq75LuxY68dkNOOVViv7WFnolnZz6lurri2RU0rgrS9ELvV7CtyP-4GxT5k0MyxvThw/s320/IMG_5065.jpeg" /></a> On the new mountain bike, enjoying the sun!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QIU6-WvMM0ighg4L8SV5Tgp8pD92oAJowGFnaoaqmVmQNLJPpvDfzxmdvaAIAp475XXb44kBMn7cNP9tlDqqZCc6_v8OkPocgDG_sWNoe1H36ZlYNtMzl_y3RqjZwx1cMQBzQ6kKpfk/s1600/IMG_5073.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470786961156040194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QIU6-WvMM0ighg4L8SV5Tgp8pD92oAJowGFnaoaqmVmQNLJPpvDfzxmdvaAIAp475XXb44kBMn7cNP9tlDqqZCc6_v8OkPocgDG_sWNoe1H36ZlYNtMzl_y3RqjZwx1cMQBzQ6kKpfk/s320/IMG_5073.jpeg" /></a> My kind of Ironman Aid-station!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn36gsLAmlkKvlUWRb3o_JXckCLksyfhJPgYN-0V41cE28XA-dCjkh8-1lTBSSfAi9Bv3a66PrGXLWuuHBDmEwV-PJvqO3zHfO24VoZc-nXvbAoNxZTONUO-4kVbF_e733BNLsTh9RZ8/s1600/IMG_5170.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470786953828055090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn36gsLAmlkKvlUWRb3o_JXckCLksyfhJPgYN-0V41cE28XA-dCjkh8-1lTBSSfAi9Bv3a66PrGXLWuuHBDmEwV-PJvqO3zHfO24VoZc-nXvbAoNxZTONUO-4kVbF_e733BNLsTh9RZ8/s320/IMG_5170.jpeg" /></a>Richard and coach Paul enjoy a little draft....it was a WINDY ride!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wY6B0nyzFDOIcUuXKGdt1KEWZPrgj95geWI6vljtHV7_KUNC81B8hr4azMiXN_CzBvhlgBeXl2SkzPdc9FA4S3CtqmBu8YXN36WtSJdpC3RREbFUgmfMnIisZoJz861BBR_QPLQ8mC0/s1600/IMG_5141.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470786947362346930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wY6B0nyzFDOIcUuXKGdt1KEWZPrgj95geWI6vljtHV7_KUNC81B8hr4azMiXN_CzBvhlgBeXl2SkzPdc9FA4S3CtqmBu8YXN36WtSJdpC3RREbFUgmfMnIisZoJz861BBR_QPLQ8mC0/s320/IMG_5141.jpeg" /></a> Descending through Snow Canyon Park....my favourite road in all of St. George!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvDHuXGZHtTFU8qsOjVq5HSN5P_sfmPT28bxRyIFgtF1_S36RBbo7Wn6SzarLJrVxXH5krJaociNXEJNVf7oJLH_cnyPB9y5bYJN-FBf0jA0oAFfKtW4fKx_Aq36FLvz_m15BF4GL_WM/s1600/IMG_5193.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470786941544082194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvDHuXGZHtTFU8qsOjVq5HSN5P_sfmPT28bxRyIFgtF1_S36RBbo7Wn6SzarLJrVxXH5krJaociNXEJNVf7oJLH_cnyPB9y5bYJN-FBf0jA0oAFfKtW4fKx_Aq36FLvz_m15BF4GL_WM/s320/IMG_5193.jpeg" /></a> Good news....it's finally starting to warm up in Calgary!!! </div><div>Nothing like a 10k road race (so-so time), some swimming with 'chutes' & a short time trail on the new Orbea Ordu (love it!!!) to get my focus & fitness back on track for Europe in July!!<br /><br />Cross your fingers & hope we have seen the last of the snow for the spring!!</div><div>Lisa<br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-65556942241411670352010-05-05T12:05:00.005-06:002010-05-05T12:49:40.294-06:00Rippin' it up in St G & the return of winter...Last week Richard and I packed up the car and headed 1900km south for a little fun in the sun on our mountain bikes & to watch the Ironman in St George Utah! Here's some pics of our mountain biking adventures:<br /><br />Miles & miles of singletrack to cycle on... <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467856325216235074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji55wfKrPPBJqtZR11On5dwB4trHSJLBtqldOCbiiRfrUlBOGauSf40pRcp4-nJBdUByS0dWxXf8CWeInuCumkS_Tsc8YMuvtZvc-BxOE8qr06oYx4btptqU73UamsVojFnbIfvO1rMFg/s320/St+George+2010+023.jpg" /> The 'Acid Drops': fun to play in:<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467856335719862722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39EzvBM8qZaDmrD59nRfmAOPsVJmQk4AcAPwYt8gG2bRUQr_Ngfh5rAf4gL2D_PQqJg4FMtwUvEitk4w-sThpYdDy90-1jvo9X7DPd9fwuXk6ZiO21zhEFNYB9lPfG16PnCEdFpGhhek/s320/St+George+2010+028.jpg" /><br /><div>Richard demonstrating how it's done:</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467856360806567090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOBrgYMbKV2aqEel60lbmsnLOc5AmgsSiliWDnpEJQuGde63hbi-UwoseKyEX2N5rb2Vr_FJIZ-dfgp1JJsyfomH_mChW9ODbXIjN85Zz6gtrkYcBX5vlKRfad3RA0mr7kKCVhgxVlFro/s320/St+George+2010+032.jpg" /></div><div>Me dropping down.....Xterra here I come!!</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467856349973001058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eG8ami63oFVYkCcAXvTUjMv7lEoEbHsuKCFjrcHTnhNLde_CRN1aPnVkWz64Jw4HLvUadFilAMLxN_mEwU06q0riOwUDH25pPoLbRJ0gerBb08hvOw1k8ANk-phT6bfvcdh2o7bzQeY/s320/St+George+2010+029.jpg" /> <div>Enjoying the blue sky & vista views of the surrounding rocks.... <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467856334734460338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-aKvtoccyACjN3viqiPjEyH-CGqRpI49Q_wSYncAKxs9yuP0grCguponrG07MWKs-Xz874oJz1pQqh5XjgqMOO488-wDUBNcO0I85hj3_V9Do-LO69_223QhXXPA5VAyQxk-R31fa0IQ/s320/St+George+2010+024.jpg" /></div><div>Still love the geology...perified wood in the Navajo sandstone....</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467856733992218114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfmJXYd8FeX0lcwV6THcduOeeSFQI0r8DUIlRye9IPjEWcJSWkfmv_5TttOjRNwGx-TcQVuqFhb-WB542QKHr8ksi4e9EmYI_rHpvmEhzGTqcX7UKDv5MGLR5T8sHZ6rKG0ocNcZRdbg/s320/St+George+2010+050.jpg" />We returned this week, after a drive home so windy it pushed my roof rack back a foot, to the lovely spring weather of Calgary.....ahhh back on trainer as the snow is still flying!!! Boo hoo!!</div><div>Lisa <div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-20292864728871369582010-04-21T20:29:00.003-06:002010-04-21T21:06:19.830-06:00Spring FeverAfter returning home & a long chat with the coach, I've been on a 10-day mini-break. Meaning, unstructured on-my-own training sessions. It's been good chance to clear my head and rest the body. Luckily the weather in Calgary has been cooperating! It's been 18-23 degrees and sunny for the past week and I've taken full advantage of the early spring weather!<br /><br />I've cleaned the garage, done loads of laundry, BBQ'd up a storm, steam cleaned the floors, pulled out the deck furniture, started my taxes (got bored part way through) & raked the lawn....this turned out to be a 2 person job....below is a pile of pine cones from 1/4 of our front lawn.....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785683319157074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbfdPrJy5PZG-S9xAlDHycrJa5bPbuQj_O4GmpLvPXzMYhiwuxHhJ4OzDXS23-Z4dMU0ldB1mW88SYGQST840-a-KXnTYiWbNVDnzjHFPouERAkcrlPTChfHpo6BduOI4XnQw17RKnV8/s320/Calgary+2010+037.jpg" />I guess our 50+ year old pine trees decided it was time to drop ALL their cones at once! That and it's been a dry year in Calgary....<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785689496079282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWrc1LS_4z6YuJs4dKFZkxbMfKTQxdREuJm98lwHmWKy77gpzOaIGxHDD9MHe7mroMHMZfYBoihLmtR-tsY9Psk48InaY7Eyx7e-yfgZOWHAe_4Y9oHao9X8AqxITxGutKGFJvlaE9XI/s320/Calgary+2010+041.jpg" />I have been doing some 'training' too. The weekend involved heading to the mountains to cycle Elbow Valley--one of the roads closed during the winter--makes for some great early spring cycling. This one is on highway 66 west of Bragg Creek (closed until May 15th)...how often do you get to ride in the mountains on a paved hilly 2 lane road with NO CARS??<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785672635091890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2berUCPwOfPNPffaVlaWZwI1CyU9598-4TVV2SPY92oRSXJiPNccqxlU1KqH9DP7EU8kW9rWox-oRfGomj3BsDlgbcKmQzoej8RhL7Q1XtVLfE3-8CQFKScWQP_qfCScBrnohHeCErxs/s320/Calgary+2010+026.jpg" />The view from the back of my helmet on one of the climbs, still pockets of snow on the sides but the road was clear all the way up & over the pass! It's a fast decent!<br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785659463129698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDGqf2chgLnL9tHrSx6c3J3_7XoqZJtxgfle-SLlsUC4C9nPw-J1qtYVBYvw7IqDYL5wKqIoe-sBmgU8gMSy4ci7rsJG6lMDt7xf_Cx_3OWP9vlGHbKaGpVyqyBY1EJ-kVvUOPPVTbqg/s320/Calgary+2010+028.jpg" />I had such a good time on the weekend that I headed out solo today to do some hill repeats. Blue skies, 23 degrees, no cars, just me, the road, and nature! Seriously, I didn't see anyone out there until my way back to the car!<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462785648004969250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84bpMkByKmXMTVtvfzZ83vyWpax8Ms_zmScp40XmWS08Lg6SNkmQ-MJZ02Df3_iLdbGuZjF1Q9BNOhfKrzBkxHaxl0tW6m4eG4ThAdtBGst7YM09fjEIeqzdP9mng66t_R0fTVog6yhE/s320/Calgary+2010+042.jpg" /></div><div>One more shot of the view....ahhh....love those mountains!!!</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462789813495268866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NuuIKw4AvH9U0_erBFoWWixbPTIIWTfnxnB4GPOMZCzz8Y6yauiz9xMmb2j3yn5Qc0hDqgE-Ukx478BNFQmeBLL8OiW9pge7XCtfinEl2Z5YNkKfP_jh-nIpyGTWpn7LfrVQ19lWTcc/s320/Calgary+2010+046.jpg" />Up next: Round 2: Summer racing prep-training. I'm feeling refreshed (except for the sore back from raking!), motivated and eager to get back at it! Bring on round 2!<br /><br />Lisa</div><div></div></div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-49026557888619477132010-04-10T21:37:00.003-06:002010-04-10T21:50:57.241-06:00A rough day at the office...I'll make this one a quick one, cause I need a shower!<br /><br />It started with a punch in the face and ended with a needle (after 3 tries) in the arm. Not my best day out there. I salvaged a horrible swim with a strong bike to get myself (and a couple other girls) back on the lead pack. I decided to spot everyone a few seconds in T2 and started the run off the pack of girls at the front. I had some up & down moments running, feeling the heat and the liters of harbour water I decided to drink during the swim...it was sloshing around! Then I went too soon for the sprint for 20th and finished in 22nd spot. They grabbed me at the finish, strapped me in some Hannibal Lecter chair and wheeled me to the medic tent before I knew what was happening and stuck me with a needle....apparently I didn't look so good...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458719818185437586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkgx9fCiaWkY_vT_gd_Pzo_t4_uS6hXAZEffx_m3-IHHcyXWt5-wBQ5xaQC6xHiX2oG5ZSViBV3I5A5Wed5GaC4GAwrPwX9eQmaQP7LZOLUAHmAkH1S6bU7tFElMBd8liRXRKhFG813o/s320/Australia+2010.jpg" /><br /><p>Not the result I wanted but there were some positives, so I'll focus on those. Plus, the IV made me feel fantastic after! Guess I have to give them more local emergency contacts too...Richard couldn't make it to the medi tent in time...</p><p>Off to enjoy a few hours in Sydney. Home Monday. Back to the drawing board...</p><p>Lisa</p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-76512600128770078672010-04-09T23:21:00.003-06:002010-04-09T23:26:36.361-06:00Boomerang<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UkcpM1kTKlKjVvGBuU3I8fFGqzipu3Z1Px-YnmrTXgF-GCS0AjRiqy234rweMnr1Smwl9mlA-PT17DTPN74zfwHsoRM9BB8qRkGZzKEpxPl7fkJRluxlCcT273EBIadKYKCOwr562DI/s1600/Australia+2010+092+bridge+small.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458374875150166898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UkcpM1kTKlKjVvGBuU3I8fFGqzipu3Z1Px-YnmrTXgF-GCS0AjRiqy234rweMnr1Smwl9mlA-PT17DTPN74zfwHsoRM9BB8qRkGZzKEpxPl7fkJRluxlCcT273EBIadKYKCOwr562DI/s320/Australia+2010+092+bridge+small.jpg" /></a> Race time 5:50pm MST Saturday night. Watch live: <a href="http://www.triathlon.org/tv">www.triathlon.org/tv</a><br /><br />Sydney is awesome, just wish I had an extra day after the race to tour around! That's alright, I'll be back. Peter's roommate gave me the nickname Boomerang, 'cause I just keep coming back!'<br /><br />Til after the race!<br />LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-52521417655971824802010-04-06T21:05:00.003-06:002010-04-06T21:25:45.985-06:00A Wise Old Blind Man Once Said....My last full day in Noosa went like this:<br /><div><div> </div><div>An early wake up call and off to my last surf swim session. Since it is "fall" here, the days are getting shorter, so it was still a bit dark as we entered the water at 5:45. After watching an episode of my favourite Aussie show last night, Bondi Rescue, about a shark sighting (turned out to be a seal!), my imagination was in full swing this morning! We started doing some intervals in the water when the sun came up. The sunrise over Noosa National Park was amazing...I wish I had my camera. Then on the very last interval, I caught a nice wave and rode it all the way into the beach. I left my last surf swim satisfied!</div><div> <br /><br />Then it was back home for brekky and a quick rest beofre heading off to the track for some intervals. First I had to stop at the used book store to swap out the books I'd finished for one for the trip home. On my way out, I had my head down reading the back of my new book when I looked up and a smiling old blind guy (complete with white cane) was walking briskly towards me. I had to make a quick move to jump out of his way and he must have sensed me, cause he smiled and said "You have a happy day!" and walked on. I said "Thank you, I will!" With that positive greeting, I was off to the grass track for my intervals/steeple chase (the track was wet & full of obstacles like sand and thick grass!). Here's a pic of the sand trap in Lane 1:</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457227954858565330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3GYnfMidwcbqSMLzp8dy_9bXHm5EgMPgRm4uNM_YeY-8pR8DUC1Qe543vwZMPxXnIxF1MB3rA6QKgxw30-qIY0Tn2B-lXgEOWsytHBOgs-hrSE2jrB80DmTrJXJarFpJ48J03V79baA/s320/Australia+2010+089+track+small.jpg" /></div><div>My intervals went awesome, mainly because whenever it hurt, I just thought of the blind guy and it made me smile!</div><div> </div><div>Then I had to say goodbye to Red. I was a little sad but he served me well. Till next year Red!</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457227945903343714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLF0Y66_Rsj_1vlAB9w5N-m40-TD9-sxmCac5ptvmVWBy43eMRdFVzAbSEyNDwL8Qk8LBCcrk3IirkLc8rWZDRJohcF4p7fChhCJ2SgFDz85AEEhh19iDdPH0ccjKRxsy54oBWm5z8tU/s320/Australia+2010+091+scooter+small.jpg" />Next, I finish off my last full day in Noosa with a massage. Ahhh, doesn't get better than that! Off to Sydney tomorrow and race day on Sunday!</div></div><br /><p>In the words of a Wise-old-blind Man in Noosa:</p><p>You have a Happy day!</p><p>Lisa</p>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-86642185601352430262010-04-03T01:10:00.002-06:002010-04-03T01:17:51.386-06:008 DaysI’ve finally started to feel like I’ve recovered from the Mooloolaba race. Think I was a little more dehydrated from the race than I thought. I had a rough couple days there but now feel like a million bucks. A couple hard training sessions and massage seemed to have done the job!<br /><br />Here’s a pic from the ITU site: that’s me leading the bike pack:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455805626748819394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPErKeCqlwjll1wFjZ5wbxUwYhBowKLSs_KaR-OBpGRlc6CsuRvfKYcG7E3qCeQuBFrzVvn-nBwnWcU9wF23Hzy8KrL4FOkIrlKtXQOhQN2y-0aiXC_K2xXnpoM-yIbHPoIJsKTjbTSWA/s320/592-mooloolaba%2520womens%2520bike%2520%2520-%2520lisa%2520front%2520copy.jpg" /><br /><br />Only 8 days left in Oz. The last week of a training camp is always the hardest. Usually your mind/head is ready to get back to home after 6 weeks. I miss Richard, my friends & my family (missed my nephews B-day AGAIN). On the other hand, I really love it here in Noosa, so I’ll be sad to leave. I’m onto my ‘lasts’….the last Saturday group ride, the last surf swim, the last Sunday trip to the market for tropical fruit, the last poisonous snake encounter, the last ‘bush rat’ living with me….<br /><br />This will be the site of my last swim session on Thursday morning:<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455805632111848114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoq1zgVe26g-hsQB6srcpRK762zH-oNU6tP1WkQumEhOqVa7OCE9giAFMgGiXlX6Amc1tks15l2JmmJkpve7RYaDKr10s86h_RKfeTclUJGEViZLkRbQ-5id-BkS6Ac0Gf9Fg0clwTXM4/s320/Australia+2010+025+small.jpg" />I’m determined to make all my ‘lasts’ the best yet. My last mile repeats were again epic, a little lonely without my training buddies, but I dedicated every repeat to them (this time it was hot & sunny and not a bush turkey in sight girls!). I can’t wait for my last surf swim session on Wednesday…watch out waves, here I come! Then it’s off to Sydney on the 8th, race on the 11th (evening of the 10th for NA), and then HOME on the 12th!<br /><br />This time it they should have VIDEO coverage of the race: <a href="http://www.triathlon.org/tv">www.triathlon.org/tv</a><br /><br />Til my next sporadic update…<br />LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-43988925368212805702010-03-29T17:04:00.001-06:002010-03-29T17:06:28.426-06:00Leader of the Pack...for 5.5km anyway...The first race of the year done.<br /><br />Here’s a quick summary of the race:<br /><br />Swim: Awesome start, got through the surf unscathed and out front. Couple swimmers to my left that came to the first buoys first, so I tucked in behind. It was probably the most civilized World Cup swim I’ve ever been in. It’s so much nicer at the front of the pack! Only problem was around 1k, my swim cap came right off my head, so I had 500m of swimming with my hair swirling around my eyes and face. I screwed up my exit from the water (mainly due to the fact that I had a mat of hair blocking my view!) and it put me a bit farther back on the exit but still front pack.<br /><br />Bike: I had to work a bit to make up the ground I lost coming out of the water but got on the lead pack fairly quickly. The ride was a bit disappointing, no one really willing to work. I tried to get the group going but the effort seemed not to work. This lead to the chase pack almost catching us in T2 and bringing along some strong runners with it (& the eventual winner).<br /><br />Run: I came out of transition slightly behind and worked hard to run up to the girls ahead. I was running in a group of 5 women at the front of the race (!). I was feeling great, relaxed and positive—then around 5.5k I had a small lapse in concentration and a gap opened up between me and the other girls….I wasn’t able to close it after that. I managed to stumble my way around the course, the heat was having it’s way with me, tried to minimize the damage, but was passed by 4 girls in the last 1km, but I managed to steal a spot back at the line with a sprint to get in there for 9th.<br /><br />Since this finish equals my best world cup finish, I’m happy with this result. Also, as my first race back post-stress fracture, I wasn’t expecting much, I also know that I can run faster and just need to tweak a few things before the next race.<br />I’m trying to find some photos that I can post, but if you go to <a href="http://triathlon.org/multimedia/slideshow/C495/">http://triathlon.org/multimedia/slideshow/C495/</a> there a couple good pics in there.<br /><br />Now, I have 10 more days in Noosa, a short flight to Sydney, and then the first World Championships Series race on April 11th. The competition is sure to be even fiercer but after last weekend, I know I’m ready for that step up!<br /><br />More later,<br />LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-85866192736435000232010-03-22T19:00:00.001-06:002010-03-24T18:07:17.949-06:00The Great Aussie BBQAhhh....the rain has subsided for a the last few days...cross your fingers it stays away for the next fortnight (had to use that word, they use it here all the time!)!<br /><br />Here is the beach where we jump in the water at 5:30am for our surf swims:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlHbzO3tA9DkiQT2DHIUr7Aj-MamgNsLfohzq4ysVG19Wda-laPRnlCEcKs54HZDIdC6H1I2fTc0hT1PLe5Zq3Yg5MH8gZVPJ13-_N58L_02QBTfLy2AVdISoJjqd94Kw5srxxsewlTs/s1600-h/Australia+2010+069+Small+Beach.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451628435729611890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlHbzO3tA9DkiQT2DHIUr7Aj-MamgNsLfohzq4ysVG19Wda-laPRnlCEcKs54HZDIdC6H1I2fTc0hT1PLe5Zq3Yg5MH8gZVPJ13-_N58L_02QBTfLy2AVdISoJjqd94Kw5srxxsewlTs/s320/Australia+2010+069+Small+Beach.jpg" /></a>The gang also took advantage of the break in the hurricane winds to have a BBQ. Coach Paul trying to figure out the grill....<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9cLLKR61g6WoRWZ7B3DyfG137ZiKSAKSRIXDoihwRGGqW846uF9GouYobgjhwkcJ_bL1Pkmc8wZ-h3jRQ_SwOdJ7YvOQc-BUGBXWxkbGwx2SxANAJsmlQ82vFcljPROGRRW43a2VFGY/s1600-h/Australia+2010+065+small+Paul.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451628430096700498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9cLLKR61g6WoRWZ7B3DyfG137ZiKSAKSRIXDoihwRGGqW846uF9GouYobgjhwkcJ_bL1Pkmc8wZ-h3jRQ_SwOdJ7YvOQc-BUGBXWxkbGwx2SxANAJsmlQ82vFcljPROGRRW43a2VFGY/s320/Australia+2010+065+small+Paul.jpg" /></a> He got it sorted and grilled up a feast for all to enjoy:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBhoirpQQam75N1rg4EyF9Y7_3xYVmR7XGcWK3P2EfSMT0QOKLXmGca6JpgYQ-C32g4wic1t_Px7xOb4VUdiGtZbtz25MPVqUzuWYrM-oT8imuGfV7QXVpP1lcYGLSdpZWQpzBFacrbI/s1600-h/Australia+2010+067+small+L%26P.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451628419017674370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEBhoirpQQam75N1rg4EyF9Y7_3xYVmR7XGcWK3P2EfSMT0QOKLXmGca6JpgYQ-C32g4wic1t_Px7xOb4VUdiGtZbtz25MPVqUzuWYrM-oT8imuGfV7QXVpP1lcYGLSdpZWQpzBFacrbI/s320/Australia+2010+067+small+L%26P.jpg" /></a> Up next: Mooloolaba World Cup on Sunday (Saturday evening for North America). Check out <a href="http://www.triathlon.org/">www.triathlon.org</a> for live coverage and details. Should be a good hit out...first big test of the season!!</div><div> </div><div>Hope everything is well back home!</div><div>Lisa</div><div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-55888116175057710702010-03-13T14:16:00.003-07:002010-03-20T16:24:28.257-06:00Riding The WaveTraining camps are a bit like our surf swim sessions out here. You head out from the beach full of energy and optimism, working hard but feeling good, ducking under the waves as they roll towards you. Finally you emerge on the back side of the break in the open ocean, enjoying the swells as they roll by. Then it’s time to swim back to the beach. Sometimes your timing is perfect, you catch the best wave and ride it all the way into the beach, sometimes you try your hardest but just miss the good ones and have to swim it in without the help of a wave. Other times you go for a big one and realize, a moment too late, that you aren’t going to make it and have to let the power of the wave have it’s way. Sometimes you make it out with little damage, other times you get smashed hard into the sand and aren’t sure which way is up! No matter how you get back to the beach, you turn around and do it again.<br /><br />My camp here in Noosa has been a bit like that. Ups & downs and a few smashings. I’ve had some epic days out here. One day, while doing hill repeats solo on my bike it started to pour. As soon as I finished my workout, the rain stopped, epic. The only other person out there was a local who I would pass going the opposite direction every 10’ or so and wave at. We ended up riding together a few days later, again in the rain, and bonded over our rain/hill riding day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HDwN161qEpSCderTSpEgU5ksnZ6qn2mQja0Q-zVMXoJJ-NECVGs0zT2ZkHo3gRrh5QNGeKPsLmVCT51iS6fMR3iB-lRFdTeP-JNWRy5WuDAEg8AFJrPXFzGcZ9MKRq6YuUqKkUvsyXA/s1600-h/Australia+2010+Noosa+hill+water+small.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448230666526878482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HDwN161qEpSCderTSpEgU5ksnZ6qn2mQja0Q-zVMXoJJ-NECVGs0zT2ZkHo3gRrh5QNGeKPsLmVCT51iS6fMR3iB-lRFdTeP-JNWRy5WuDAEg8AFJrPXFzGcZ9MKRq6YuUqKkUvsyXA/s320/Australia+2010+Noosa+hill+water+small.jpg" /></a> Corner 7 on Noosa Hill:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_cfSkaDZfLWvRvDJ27ZrbzgGAzuECMX_rvzO8wm4hnMCyxJpBoY9NhzmJ6yq6poP1_nI4f65s-arZw97z5OGTKGzoQtVxyujzQeDlLTCkj7o_zddVsaXbFPEf2bZilMvvgvyTqrNjp8/s1600-h/Australia+2010+noosa+hill+corner+7+small.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448230656980251938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit_cfSkaDZfLWvRvDJ27ZrbzgGAzuECMX_rvzO8wm4hnMCyxJpBoY9NhzmJ6yq6poP1_nI4f65s-arZw97z5OGTKGzoQtVxyujzQeDlLTCkj7o_zddVsaXbFPEf2bZilMvvgvyTqrNjp8/s320/Australia+2010+noosa+hill+corner+7+small.jpg" /></a> Then there are the epic workouts that you wish someone else, even a stranger, was there to witness. In the driving rain & wind I headed out on my scooter to a quiet dirt road to run my intervals on (I’m sticking to softer surfaces here, since my bones are prone to stress fractures!). I got there soaked, cold and not very motivated. I managed to pull myself together and had a fantastic workout witnessed only by Red, my scooter! Another epic one.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aG8K2dC-XezlcE59o007AtEDyVgJegSAkxnfVf2eCncfcVLjbIBMl7iYigf4nGmT9OWkm86dqwrRS0o-Mn8WK-W2DayhWjoRcQMcBcJ89TfWzQrnduwe0S4pjGvSyi59lmEAsljqmak/s1600-h/Australia+2010+scooter+small.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448230653941959458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8aG8K2dC-XezlcE59o007AtEDyVgJegSAkxnfVf2eCncfcVLjbIBMl7iYigf4nGmT9OWkm86dqwrRS0o-Mn8WK-W2DayhWjoRcQMcBcJ89TfWzQrnduwe0S4pjGvSyi59lmEAsljqmak/s320/Australia+2010+scooter+small.jpg" /></a><br />My legs covered in sand post run.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHuiA9sqAf9UpNWZVMKQKzkEgnf0FAQmL8gJo4e9txab8Gva6_rfchBLEXG8vKnfuC76Gqy-_cI-iFQTGgfh5SD62NBoxVqZAdeOfZg5WlkRBRGFEtQQOplJzeW7ImdK4owEv-uZWt9s/s1600-h/Australia+2010+Leg+small.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448230638493685490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHuiA9sqAf9UpNWZVMKQKzkEgnf0FAQmL8gJo4e9txab8Gva6_rfchBLEXG8vKnfuC76Gqy-_cI-iFQTGgfh5SD62NBoxVqZAdeOfZg5WlkRBRGFEtQQOplJzeW7ImdK4owEv-uZWt9s/s320/Australia+2010+Leg+small.jpg" /></a>Then there was what I call the ‘Misery Loves Company’ workout. Mile repeats on a sandy track in the national park, complete with wild Turkey’s running around. We were all in this one together, in the pouring rain, slugging out mile after mile—but this time, no camera--I couldn’t have done it without my fellow training mates out there suffering too! I also had a chance to return to that gravel road, with Heather & coach Paul, and in the hot sun we toughed out a long tempo run while Paul provided the aid station, again epic.<br /><br />Along with these epic days, there were also the smashings, a swim where I thought I might drown if I didn’t have a pull buoy, a 4 hour ride where I had to ingest way too many Power Gels just to keep the pedals turning in the gale force head wind that appeared the last few kms! These days make you stronger too, mentally & physically.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDai-v0ye0v13phQr3_RntcM2uCkhnKE9euX2f9lZOb8NDWlLQxbIsAseodWxgTTffHnnbxnVvIjngzl1qu5z74meHNKowMk7E6E6Xyyk_0WZJZ0NDn19VPEheSXfgLqYAcQq9FzyAao/s1600-h/Australia+2010+054+small.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450844367486904274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDai-v0ye0v13phQr3_RntcM2uCkhnKE9euX2f9lZOb8NDWlLQxbIsAseodWxgTTffHnnbxnVvIjngzl1qu5z74meHNKowMk7E6E6Xyyk_0WZJZ0NDn19VPEheSXfgLqYAcQq9FzyAao/s320/Australia+2010+054+small.jpg" /></a>Anyway, training has been going well for this time of the year, and it looks like cyclone Ului that has been causing the torrential downpours is almost gone…I also finished my first race of the 2010 season…the Splash & Dash 4 Ca$h! Unfortunately, I finished second to a young Aussie whipper snapper, but it was good to get a short race in before Mooloolaba next weekend, I haven’t raced since September last year…almost forgot how! More on the upcoming races later.</div><div><br />That’s all for now!<br />Lisa </div></div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-36352528093127560252010-03-13T01:32:00.002-07:002010-03-13T01:37:26.077-07:00Lisa’s guide to Dealing with Australian Wildlife EncountersWhat is it? Something like 9/10 poisonous snakes live here? Killer spiders, evil ants, & sharks…My rules for Australian wildlife are simple; never touch any animal/insect I come into close proximity to, never walk barefoot in the grass, never be the first one down a pathway in the morning, and always pretend that shadow you saw in the water was just a friendly dolphin.<br /><br /><div>We named the giant spider that lives in the garden Charlie (see photo in last post). We thought this would make him seem less of a threat, more like a friend. My friend Charlie decided to try to trap me in his web the other morning…that’s what I get for being friendly I suppose. The wind and rain destroyed his normal garden entrapment during the night, so he decided to build a new one ACROSS the driveway and wait for me to walk into it in the morning! Luckily, my roommate, Birgit, was there to save me and took down the rest of the GIANT web with a stick! Thanks Charlie. </div><br /><div>The next day, while running down the pathway deep in my own thoughts (well, more like in a world of pain since my legs were killing me that day!), I nearly stepped on a Brown snake…one of the most deadly snakes in all of Oz….I startled it and had trapped it between me and a steep sidewall…..<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448034134338342674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZC1CEaNG7pbcGu_3qdP7iBeDIq5zFmpzO3fJp4WkjbuwRClHAQXAQSyBs6-BnsbPfn-ekaZ_Y2nY5_xUXGqdyCHo6bRNUFKvapgB3QwgqySTGwlWtGvrbDnHSv2-k9ySBcn-IMRwMaU/s320/brown+snake.jpg" />Here is a pop quiz. When you see a strange animal in Australia, likely poisonous or just wants to eat you, how do you react? You:<br /><br /><strong>a)</strong> Freeze in your tracks, stay as motionless as you can…maybe it will think you are a tree and go away.<br /><strong>b)</strong> Stop, whip out the camera, get as close to it as you can for the money shot and post the pic on your blog. Poking it with a stick & aggravating it to get a better photo is ideal.<br /><strong>c)</strong> Jump up & down, wave your arms, show your teeth and charge the animal. Use the “I’m bigger & louder than you are” technique to try to scare it off. Doesn’t that work for a Grizzly??<br /><strong>d)</strong> Scream like a girl, shout profanities, and run off faster than you ever have, never looking back!<br /><br />If your answer is d) that is exactly what I did when I saw the snake start to slither beside my foot! Her name is Maggi and she lives just off the pathway (I had to return the same route and was on high alert, but only found the entrance to her den). Hopefully Maggi and I never meet again.<br /><br />Till my next wildlife encounter...<br />LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-75048010121207076972010-03-09T20:47:00.004-07:002010-03-11T00:58:45.356-07:00Meet me at the grass track, high noon....It’s been just over a week in Oz. The rain has taken a little break and the sun is shining, bringing with it the heat. The other day Coach Paul had a special track session planned between my morning bike with the group (always a good leg burner) and my late afternoon pool strength (pull) session. That left the only time to run around noon. Cruel you say? Yes, but not on Paul’s part; our ITU races are always set for the heat of the day, so these sessions are good for me to acclimatize to the heat & sun that will probably be out for race day! To make the run session extra fun (sense the sarcasm) the track here is grass… it was wet and muddy and slopes to one side. Ahhh fun!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446847315341308082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituA-oer8JSfeW-HgsXvAD15y1bFyHSdwT-GbEgK0gzHusrNnFi7XeqCvMo0kJ0Wm2MKSkwoF8lFsOR6pC0MnWVhm3ijkIpAmqu33VG0IcJlkkTQWsmHkXLll7yp7MRN7PQNUoG4CPeyU/s320/Australia+2010+023+Small.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446847325651346978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFJ1D-xAdNA0HLcHB2ZxncgHYqA7Lyjzn1ghBDupGzgVwejrSEJDmDXgGYU8RcKCIvL0v8Eyc2d3VTJZACK0nIkGQM85Llo836aCkl2qzadNX9qLiho1Du2ANY7a9SrOsjNt1RZDK4ZA/s320/Australia+2010+025+small.jpg" /><br />Now training is in full swing and the first race of the season is approaching fast. Mooloolaba is March 28 & Sydney is April 11th. I will post more on those later. Just a short update for now.<br />Hope all is well at home!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446847333031120050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueBtyivP6uqyPPma1uJCw_X2Xbb_29OfJkjdMP1B52Y2miL7t7GhQ8FZtTBxQdzDrqSp8TJDW1nEub0xt5TQm4kROZGVfJJ-zoT44BxlIOcLMXwXoLDQcV02BMbzdwjuZwJBzKc11tqg/s320/Australia+2010+027+small.jpg" />The guy above is our neighbour....it gives me the willies just looking at this picture...I have to sprint by him at night!<br />LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-24648911086241869742010-03-05T16:58:00.002-07:002010-03-05T17:01:21.214-07:00No Worries Mate!Well, I've been a bit AWOL the last week or so. I made it to Australia and the internet situation is a little dodgy....apparently my email account was hacked and sent out a rather random email to everyone in my contacts list!! So, if I haven't chatted with you in awhile and you got that email, HI, and I'm sorry, delete it!!!<br /><br />Anyway, I'll write more later. All is well here, lots of rain but it's warm and I'm outside, so I can't complain!<br /><br />LisaLisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-82074557939709763932010-02-25T13:59:00.003-07:002010-02-25T14:20:23.166-07:00Coast to Coast & the Other Side of the WorldEvery year I say I want to cut down on the number of trips I take and have an easier, quite schedule. Every year that plan gets derailed somehow, this year seems to be no exception either. I don't know how it happens but suddenly I'm booking plane tickets, signing up for races in the middle of winter and packing my bags!<br /><br />After a quick week in Victoria that involved some swimming, some sweating, some mile repeats and hills with my Lifesport teammates, I left the budding cherry blossom trees for a blast of winter on the opposite coast.....<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442289412770944498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUSOpHPU4jUkkCH3YlSCBrIax2QALdlINWXvFFdr-kVX2y8DqNxhsMW1smmetRWuXaiQ9w2-egHF9hsZhrYxCjSRZwNKSZOK91fF9cZvwOcxmYlEjVtZCV9GsbonDNeh5rUAYkDuckf4/s320/IMG_0061.JPG" /><br />This trip was to meet all my new Team Timex buddies. Why New Jersey you ask? Timex is partnered up with the NY Giants and we were able to make use of their fancy new practise facilities....this place is sweet!!!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442289420762923874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5mvZBuk7bNXPUdkGNdsXQUEU0blNtMA2UVXoyyQfVzphp7PDyeMnTvagk-xHy_l43IklW_yV0pPpT_xIl7vb8EcGpoHEf-vI5F2DOFzaIkcwSQI8sQYmZR5Wvg01lRWZGMSlvQCMZoU/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" /><br />We also played a little football...for me this was an hour of avoiding the football and trying not to tear something in my knee....so fragile!! Seriously, Triathletes should not be allowed on the field!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIwZCeKtIkeTCvWKQ6Shp5KsyVnF0LkEUyzU0_RdTAkwVGU_fepQtoePYCbH-QWGNkXm-HTV3X_Kq6NrF4AfEn5onq60enAOo7Meyh_Bro_uBx_DyVXERITOK7Z_HXPpvi2SXHyi9ZwM/s1600-h/IMG_0063.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442289892141334786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIwZCeKtIkeTCvWKQ6Shp5KsyVnF0LkEUyzU0_RdTAkwVGU_fepQtoePYCbH-QWGNkXm-HTV3X_Kq6NrF4AfEn5onq60enAOo7Meyh_Bro_uBx_DyVXERITOK7Z_HXPpvi2SXHyi9ZwM/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" /></a> There was also the night at Medieval Times....I thought these places didn't actually exist except on the Simpsons...Not sure what to say about this place except...Go Red Knight!<br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442289423108954066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0kxNlhs0zxVfcV-_8kNl_gRy90t9N7LdE3ZhbDsQymY5AKQYBthlglkKngFvrcBRdEj4mUQlK6Avl_6VxYt_H4IVNh1n_30SmdTyubSLxhcs_g9RHWYkt9fG1xvl9cJ2FzcaPlJZJGY/s320/IMG_0068.JPG" /></div><div>And since we had a view of NYC from the Timex facility, there was an evening in NY! Here I am with Triathlete & coach, Chris Thomas, in Times Square. Lights, lights, lights....</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442289433767553858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFQNUeLAEcsjY_pfbN6kFSEVwIEUaZzHZFsjxk6G4jiJncyh4BUKzbGqPb-oVuc3bjTZ3NpFWT7fzfi4P649FqMHkBw-ONe9XXs2XBRHNbAhgriISqXUMrfDA1nyJf3f5fI_fbugqIQE/s320/IMG_0075.JPG" /> Up next? I'm packing for the long journey to summer....going back to Noosa, Australia for some training and races to see where the training is at. Then I can focus on what I need to' tweak' when I get back in April and get down to some serious work for the summer races in Europe!!</div><div> </div><div>Start counting those airmiles....<br />Lisa</div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-52175963011932856382010-02-12T18:23:00.003-07:002010-02-12T18:32:41.091-07:00On the road again....Let the games begin...not just the Olympic games in Vancouver, but the 2010 travel season for me! I'm currently in Victoria for a quick camp to kick off my season right. Then I travel over the New York (well New Jersey, NY just sounds cooler) for a Team Timex gathering. Then home for a whole week of quality Richard time and laundry/packing time. Then it's down to Australia to get down to some serious business!!!<br /><br />My morning wake up view, not too shabby!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifipT68zDzYNPFZ9UpveDsZhsJ47WgKHSo9Hy3Vm0deAQjkk249VL7Tae1zgkg8BsyZqpSjmmZ5IQJ8aYQGpaXTFew2dCux_7NQvjMWUQqEkmDNW05xkUW8JAC_ZPPDgd97veap1x2X5s/s1600-h/World+Championships+2009+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437532780186758914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifipT68zDzYNPFZ9UpveDsZhsJ47WgKHSo9Hy3Vm0deAQjkk249VL7Tae1zgkg8BsyZqpSjmmZ5IQJ8aYQGpaXTFew2dCux_7NQvjMWUQqEkmDNW05xkUW8JAC_ZPPDgd97veap1x2X5s/s320/World+Championships+2009+002.jpg" border="0" /></a>Right now I am watching the opening ceremonies for the winter Olympics, half awake, half asleep, hungry but too tired to cook. It's been a tough couple days for me, just what I needed to get my butt in gear--or at very least, very sore!!<br /><br />After 5 months of no travel and relative calm, LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!<br /><div> </div><div>Time for 2 weeks of televised Olympic watching!! </div><div>Lisa</div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251563393921848827.post-32659254501863826332010-02-04T11:17:00.004-07:002010-02-04T11:34:09.720-07:00The Case of the Missing Quatchi..<em>The Crime</em>: The other night Richard and I discovered that one of stuffed Quatchi's, the best mascot for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games, is MIA & there is no evidence of his whereabouts....<br />Our matching key chain Quatchi's that we both got for Christmas presents:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDjl9kMAmHcgpADcWpxXvN9EpZF2Clz_6XktCKSQ8DWg6He37nOiB7F0fK9u50N8yIvRe-2j7cTtculDt92YK6lsKNbBqDgWEdK9XdLaK56biiH_tS6z6dUfUOJrrC3Y1Ml8Otw9J8Rw/s1600-h/Calgary+2010+019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434454574740822194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDjl9kMAmHcgpADcWpxXvN9EpZF2Clz_6XktCKSQ8DWg6He37nOiB7F0fK9u50N8yIvRe-2j7cTtculDt92YK6lsKNbBqDgWEdK9XdLaK56biiH_tS6z6dUfUOJrrC3Y1Ml8Otw9J8Rw/s320/Calgary+2010+019.jpg" /></a> <em>The prime suspect</em>: Piper (aka The Red Devil). No way, you say, she's too sweet and innocent to do something to Quatchi?!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBUBDBcuq-7mcOYldEG4bHQWFvDSw2cSrZVfrjRfDnWEMX3DYcwjz3qLQpteQHIlNQk8NabJgkAkT04aalXNrICDdrOke-9dKuusBs7hVcIwZP1Cu-O-VEkqRlseqIQAycJTL4RQQDwQ/s1600-h/Calgary+2010+020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434454571241792434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBUBDBcuq-7mcOYldEG4bHQWFvDSw2cSrZVfrjRfDnWEMX3DYcwjz3qLQpteQHIlNQk8NabJgkAkT04aalXNrICDdrOke-9dKuusBs7hVcIwZP1Cu-O-VEkqRlseqIQAycJTL4RQQDwQ/s320/Calgary+2010+020.jpg" /></a> Piper is an Irish Terrier who is very cute but also very tough and too smart for her own good! We dog-sat her when she was a puppy...she destroyed any stretching tool (foam roller, TP massage stuff) I left out and played a game of 'catch-me-if-you-can' with little muddy paws on our carpet...but that was a couple years ago. Now she's mellowed but I'm convinced she's upped her game! I close all the bedroom doors when I leave her alone but I'm almost certain she's stashed Quatchi somewhere (or ate him, but no evidence of that yet...).</div><div> </div><div><em>The Verdict</em>: Innocent until proven guilty. Piper is off the hook until I find some more evidence. Who knows, maybe Quatchi is hiding in the laundry...<br /><br /><div>Not a triathlon related post....I've been watching too much Law & Order.</div></div>Lisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824044846277669667noreply@blogger.com1