Elements of Erin 337

Whistler here welcome.  The SAA is coming to town to swim, bike and run this weekend.  

I have been thinking about this race for over a week now.  It was a tough one and I had not expected that.  Not that a 1/2 IM is ever easy, but I felt prepared and ready to race.  I have done this one before and remembered it being amazing.  The swim, bike and run course are scenic and challenging and familiar.  Being familiar with the course, I thought I had it made.  That, it seems, may have been a flaw in my logic. My two big races this year were Lavaman and St. George 70.3.  Both I had never done before.  They made my stomach churn in anticipation of race day.  Since I had never done them before, I was excited but never set a solid time goal for either. For Victoria, I was calm, confident and had set some solid time goals.  I set my 2013 time goals based on my previous time in 2009.  In 2009 my time was 5:47:37.  It was my second 1/2 IM and I remember feeling great in and after the race.  This year I can ...

And we are off to Victoria.  The ferry is full of tourists and triathletes.  Almost every 2nd car has bike on the back.  The weather is perfect, sunny and warm for this part of the world.

In preparation for the Victoria 1/2 Ironman this weekend, I took a day trip to Victoria a couple of weekends ago to ride the course.   Ellen, who is always up for cycling fun, was excited for the adventure. We took a 7am ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.  Parking at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, we rode on the ferry.  This is a cheaper option than brining the car over and much more fun.  It does, however, require a bit more planning.    Waiting for the ferry in the holding pen.  Yay, no rain! We paid the extra $12 to sit in the SeaWest Lounge.  Quiet environment, comfy chairs, unlimited Starbucks coffee, yogurt, fruit and cheese!  Well worth the extra money. View from the lounge. I had the map for the route loaded in my phone but forgot the paper map.  My concern was my iPhone running out of juice before we were done.  A BC InfoCentre popped up at the perfect time on the Pat Bay Hwy so we stop...

June 3 update **Thanks to everyone who enquired about my bike.  It is now sold and going to a great new home** _________________ To make room in my garage for a my new road bike, it is time to let my Orbea Onix move to a new home. This is a fantastic bike for the new or experienced cyclist looking for a full carbon road bike at good price. Details: $1700 2010 Orbea Onix Road Bike Size 51 (I am 5'6") SRAM Force group set (shifters, brakes, crank, derailleur) Shimano wheels with Continental 4 Season Tires Brand new Fizik saddle  Brand new bar tape SL-K Seat zero offset seat post Arundel Sport bottle cages Shimano 105 pedals (included if you want them) Interested?  e-mail me at erin337@telus.net

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!