Might need to add this to my to do list...

Just a short one...

So not much to report but I wanted to let everyone in on what has been going on.
I completed my level two tri coaching in Vancouver last weekend, overall it was a pretty good experience with a lot of opportunity for practical work with some athletes who were kind enough to come out. I was especially happy to be able to coach some swimming, as that is my weakest area, and I don't get very much opportunity to work with athletes in the pool.
In other news, I had a bit of a set back with my stress fracture. I got two runs in before I started to have soreness in my shin again. I am trying to be smart about this (rather than just push through as I usually do), so I have backed off again, back in the pool for water running!
I was pretty depressed about this set back for a couple of days, but I have calmed down and focused back on training. I need to keep my focus on this being a development season. I have a lot of years ahead of me in this sport, and healing properly for a career is more important than one race.
So the summary is, Swim good, Bike GOOD, run In progress...
good wishes for all!

Fun times x2...

Exciting times for me this last week!

Firstly Noa asked me to help out with a bike clinic she was running for Team West Coast. The goal of the clinic was to teach basic group riding skills and bike handling, not a small task to fit in to two and half hours on a Saturday morning!

Noa and I had a plan for what we wanted to do, but I didn't really have any idea what to expect. The clinic started with a quick 20min ride just to get an idea of where everyone was and what we needed to focus on. Right from the start I was actually pleasantly surprised, everyone was comfortable on their bikes and group cohesion was better than I thought it would be.
Getting right into it we had the group ride for about 40min practicing single file and double file riding, while I was hanging out at the back keeping an eye on everyone. Hanging on to the back of a group is actually pretty tough! Trying to stay close enough to stay in the draft, but far enough away that you don't impede the rider falling back is a delicate balance that was new to me.

The group cohesion fell apart a bit when we moved in to double file riding, so Noa and I took everyone to a parking lot to practice some close quarter bike skills. It always amazes me how fast simple drills can make people comfortable with a skill. Just having everyone ride in pairs touching shoulders, or with hand on shoulder, made them realize that they were much more capable than they had realized.

From there we moved into some basic obstacle courses and bike handling drills, before taking the group out to the Observatory to see how they did with a bit of a climb! Already everyone looked so much better riding in a group, the gaps closed right up and people were filling off the front like pros! Then, despite a bit of happy complaining, they rocked up the observatory like it was a mole hill!

Moving right on from the bike clinic on Saturday, to the TC clinic on Sunday! Because I haven't been able to run, I have been leading the TC 10k walk group at Cedar Hill Rec, and I am so excited to see how everyone is coming along! I have a whole range of ability levels, from people with time goals, to one older lady recovering from a series of medical problems. No matter the reason though, everyone has been working hard and are well on their way to meeting their goals! Of particular note, however, the woman who is recovering from a stroke has more than doubled her activity levels in 8 short weeks! and I have one woman who wants to walk to 10km in under an hour and a half and I think she needs to adjust her goal, faster!!

I always forget how much I love coaching and running clinics, it is fantastic working out in the community with athletes of all ability levels. Seeing people reach their goals is highly rewarding!

Finally a short note on my training. I am happy to report that I went for my first run yesterday after two months off with a stress fracture! I am taking it really easy and knocking of every piece of wood I can find, but hopefully I will be ready to go in New Orleans!

Paralympics are super cool!

This is one of the Videos from the Canadian Paralympic Committee's new (and first) add Campaign. It features Canada's Steph Dixon, 19 time Paralympic medalist and one of the most incredible people I know.
For those of you that don't know the Vancouver paralympics are starting in a couple of days and Canada is home to an unbelievable array of Athletes. I am so excited to see Vancouver again play host to the worlds most talented athletes and make no doubt about it these athletes are amazing!
So please remember to come out and support the paralympics! Write to your local TV stations and tell them you want to see more coverage!
For those of you in Victoria this Saturday the torch relay is coming through, so come out and join in the spirit!!!!
In case the video doesn't work here is a link to facebook http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=848870200731



Pictures are even better when in video form!

Thanks Kamal for putting a sweet video together, He promises version 2.0 when he gets more pics!

Tucson The end...

Just a short on to sum up the camp in Tucson.

I had a fantastic time a my first triathlon training camp. I was a wonderful experience to be surrounded by amazing people totally focused on being the best we could be in every workout. Everyone pushed their limits and were surprised by the results.

On my end, having to focus on only swimming and biking lead to the biggest week of cycling I have ever had, ridding across Canada included. I was very happy with how i handled the training, especially with how I was able to push myself during the harder efforts and big climbs! At the same time though I realize how far I have to go, as my mobility and muscle imbalances, amplified by the huge training volume, led to me finishing the week with a very sore hip that caused me to miss the last workout of the camp.

With Noa's help I am looking at all my training very positively right now. I am not exactly where I would like to be, but I am learning a lot about myself and what I need to work on. Being new to the sport and relatively new to endurance sports in general, I am amazed at how far I have come already and can't wait to continue growing!

I'd like to leave you with a beautiful new addition to the "playing for change" sound track. This program continues to amaze me with the quality and power of music from around the world!