I was feeling really tired this morning and didn’t really want to swim. I ended up convincing myself of about a million different plans to get the swim in, but they all ended with “just get out of bed and get it done”…
I went to Steve’s and still was half assing everything – just wasn’t in the mood… So I did some of his workout and then got out after about 45min… Whatever, I had a good swim on Sunday, Monday so I can have a lazy day on Tuesday…
2km TT
I hadn’t been out to NYAC in almost 3months but Greg convinced me to come out and just use the TT as a bench mark to see how things were going. Anyways I did and it was a good swim. I came in at 36:25 and felt really strong…. I’m getting ready…. 2 months to go…
Race Day 400m swim 15km bike and 5km run
So because Nathan was doing his first race today I decided to enter this race for adults that started much earlier in the morning. There was something about Milton that I didn’t want to be part of – maybe it was all the P3’s and Aero helmets in the try a try.
The swim was in the local Caledon Public pool – an 18m pool with 4 lanes. Waves were set off in 10 min sets with 8 people per wave. Hans Portan – Yes the same guy from the masters swim meet who was out of the water 6 min ahead of me in the 1500 race, was sharing a lane with me… I asked him not to lap me too many times, he laughed - Too humble…
In effect he only lapped me once in the 400m and I came out of the water with my fastest 400m swim at 6:45. Dave said my first 100 was close to 1:18 – Wow…
The bike was 5 laps of 3km – kind of silly but I’m glad I brought my road bike with all the corners and gears to change. I thought I finished the bike just under 30min – I was having slow transitions today and added a couple min here and there.
The run was strong! I felt great! And my issue with my Achilles was gone with my new shoes in tow… The route was a little up and down so it wasn’t my fastest 5km (Toronto Island 2yrs ago 22:20) and this one was 22:50 at a pace of 4:36. I was pretty pleased.
My finishing time was 1:03 and low and behold an age group win – yes a win – first place in the 30-34 age group! Wow that’s a first ever for me.
Nathan’s race,
I was really excited for Nathan today and so was he. We spent some time the night before and packed his bag. In hind sight – packed too much stuff but it was a fun experience. He loved getting together his favourite t-shirt and socks and making sure his helmet fit and tires were pumped up.
His actual race was about 4min since the swim was one length of that 18m pool and the bike was to the end of the parking lot and then the run was to the finish line…
He loved going to get his race number and go through body marking – he thought it tickled…
We then got changed and went to hang out near the pool to wait for our wave to be called. When we went into the pool, we saw all the kids putting on life jackets. Nathan was smiling because he knew that he was going to be the only kid in his wave without one – because he actually didn’t need one. He has been taking swim lessons for 2 solid years now and he can use big arms and actually do a couple strokes before pausing.
So we both got into the water and waited to start, and then some lady who worked for the race came up to Nathan and asked him if he wanted a jacket because the water was deep – well that spooked him and although he said no she then went and begged me to have a noodle to hold onto. I didn’t want one but she begged and I didn’t want to have an argument in front of Nate.
When the race started, Nate threw his plan out the window and decided that he was going to hang onto me for the length. I could have killed that lady but Nate was having fun and that’s all that mattered.
When we got out of the water he was on cloud nine. He ran down the shoot and was waving and giggling and having a blast. He loved the fact that he was going to ride his bike in a wet bathing suit.
We got his shoes and socks and shirt on and then put his helmet on jumped on his bike. I didn’t realize but the bike ride was to the end of the parking lot down a hill and he flew – I had trouble keeping up with him.
At the end of the parking lot, they re racked the bikes and he took off towards the finish line – another 100m away.
He crossed the finish line smiling – he had a blast! He loved his meddle and was wearing it all day.
Overall a great experience – Something I think he would like to do again. He was also impressed to see the older kids doing it on their own.
A day before my first race I was nervous going into today as Adam had always given me a super, almost why bother workout, today was different. There was no plan to taper for my race Sunday because that race was just a “go” race. I hadn’t done any speed work so it was go and get out there and have fun.
Am Swim
6x50 – 25 fast / 25 easy and then 8 x 100 fast on 2:00 with lots of rest. Each 100 I came right in at 1:43/44 and was super pleased with 16sec rest. The difference today was that I was really trying to over roll or what felt like over rolling. I don’t think I did anything different except for that and I think it really made a big difference time wise.
2-3 hr bike
The plan called for 2/ 3 hrs and was invited out with Larry Optis at Richmond Hill for a group ride. I wasn’t going hard and was looking to enjoy a nice spin ride. The group was sort of mixed so we agreed to stick together.
That worked out really well because along Weston Rd just at the top of that monster hill I blew a flat. I changed it and then upon inserting the CO2 I snapped the stem… With no more spares.. one of the guys lend me another and helped me back together. He had this great tool called a quick lever, that is a single lever that rapidly opens and closes the tire. It was incredible.
I came back in at 2:20 and now needed a trip to silent sports to pick up some stuff and to get a quick lever… I’m ready now…
Am Swim
My Swim that was called for Tuesday couldn’t happen because on Tuesday my legs were done after that 2 .5 hr run Monday so I chose to wait a couple days and do it today.
The workout was 3x 800m broken up – 1 – straight swim, 2 – pull and 3 – paddles and pull. It was a great workout - I don’t remember what the times were but I was pleased to have done it and logged another 3km.
45 min Run
This was straight forward with a little race prep of 6 x 30 sec at 5km pace. A Good run
Am Swim
My Swim that was called for Tuesday couldn’t happen because on Tuesday my legs were done after that 2 .5 hr run Monday so I chose to wait a couple days and do it today.
The workout was 3x 800m broken up – 1 – straight swim, 2 – pull and 3 – paddles and pull. It was a great workout - I don’t remember what the times were but I was pleased to have done it and logged another 3km.
45 min Run
This was straight forward with a little race prep of 6 x 30 sec at 5km pace. A Good run
