Elements of Erin 337

2015 is proving to be a weird and wonderful year so far.   The week before Christmas, I managed to jam my right pointer finger, damaging the tendons.  The condition is call Mallet Finger.  Look it up if you are interested.   The treatment for Mallet Finger includes mobilizing the affected joint for 8 weeks.   If you haven't realized how important your fingers are, try wearing this for 8 weeks.  It makes typing, opening boxes, turning keys in locks and using your iPhone a little more difficult than usual.   The good thing is it is was not painful. After wearing this for a few weeks, a running buddy was kind enough to knit me a finger warmer.  Because the splint is made from plastic, it made my finger quite cold.   The finger cozy got more attention then the splint did so I had to limit its use to running outside. As time went by, I started to have fun with the splint after a friend mentioned it looked like a hat. Two ...

Today there was snow in the forecast for Vancouver.  Alternate plans were made to accomodate my training but the snow never came.  So after a 1.5 hour indoor spin class at Speed Theory, and after coffee and breakfast with friends, I headed outside on my bike. Armed with hand warmers, a water bottle I hoped wouldn't freeze and my favourite Pearl Izumi thermal bike wear and my SAA thermal jacket I rode from Richmond out towared UBC.  I stopped just before UBC for some fun hill repeats, then rode home.   Even though the temperature was just above zero, it was sunny and glorious.  Not bad for a training day in February. Happy Training!

So it is October 2nd and I am updating my blog after giving it a long rest.   After my training camp in July, I regrouped, reviewed my training and racing plans for the remainder of the year and refocused on my goal of Challenge Penticton.   Needless to say, this took a lot of time and effort.  Training for any endurance race takes a lot of time and training and an iron distance race is no exception. Here is my race report, better late than never.  It is a bit choppy and detailed around nutrition ______________________________________ Wake Up -  3:15am Pre Race Breakfast: 2 hard boiled eggs Large White bagel with natural PB 1 banana 1 500ml bottle IMPerform Race Start  6:35am Swim:  1:13:44 Nutrition: none Morning was warm but windy.  Choppy on the water but no whitecaps.  Felt the chop on the way out. Sighting was challenging with the swells.  Eased up on the way back a bit.  Swam alone, th...

We started our trip to Osoyoos, BC late on Friday evening.  Leaving Vancouver after 6pm on the Friday of a long weekend is not a recipe for success.  The traffic was terrible, it quickly started to rain then got dark.  After a knuckle biting drive we arrived in Osoyoos at midnight, unpacked in less than half an hour and went to bed.   The SAA  group had agreed to meet at 8:30am on Saturday for a ride into Oliver BC and back then up Richter Pass.  Many of the members are doing Challenge Penticton or The Desert Half Ironman and wanted to practice.  The morning stated out overcast and quickly turned into a torrential downpour as we grouped to start the ride.  Of course, we went out anyway.   View from Hwy 97 at the #6 Road Turn Ellen thrilled she drove from Merritt BC at 4am for this Kevin, still in good spirits but very cold a the school in Oliver BC Me, wet and kinda' smiling? Tammi, Leslie, Ellen and me w...

Osoyoos here we come!   After having raced three times this year, I am off for my first training weekend of the season.  Usually, I would be going up to Penticton and Osoyoos feeling less fit and knowing the riding will be challenging.  The riding will still be challenging this year but I feel really read to conquer Richter Pass and The Rollers of the Challenge Penticton course tomorrow.   Plans are to swim, bike and run include Penticton, Oliver, Osoyoos and Cawston.  The weather is still on the cool side up there which should make for pleasant running and cycling but may be some chilly swimming. Looking forward to being out on the road with my family and tri club family. Happy Training!

Have you planned or even thought about your 2013 racing season?  I have always been someone who planned my life at least a year in advance.  Iron distance triathlon doesn't leave you much time to be spontaneous either.  Most events require you to train for a year let alone the fact you need to sign up for them a year in advance. So, here is what I have registered for in 2013.  In print and in real life, I have planned and #EPIC year! March 24, 2013 Olympic Distance Triathlon Lavaman Waikoloa, Big Island Hawaii   May 4, 2013 70.3 or Half Ironman Distance Triathlon St. George 70.3, St. George, Utah August 25, 2013 Iron Distance Triathlon Challenge Penticton Which races have you registered for in 2013? Happy Training!

Back in August, Tim , Ellen and I took a trip up to Penticton BC to volunteer for the 30th Anniversary of Ironman Canada.   Days before we were set to travel to the Okanagan, it was announced that this would be the final year of Ironman Canada in Penticton.  A new race organization called Challenge Family would be taking over the race in the years to come.   Initially, Ellen and I were both a little sad.  Part of our motivation for volunteering was to get 'front of the line' sign up for the 2013 Ironman.  This will be my 3rd iron distance race and Ellen is signing up for the 1st time.   This sadness didn't last long.   The opportunity to take part in the inaugural North American Challenge Family event was just to exciting to be sad about Ironman leaving.  Since then, Ironman Canada has announced that it will be moving to Whistler, BC. When Ironman Canada was in progress, we took off for a 100km ride of our own o...