Off to Mount Everest, then IMC 2008

Leaving March 22, 2008

2008-03-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

Off to witness Rob Hill's historic climb of Mount Everest.

You can read about his climb, as I write about it at http://www.nogutsknowglory.com.

We'll be back in June 2008 then racing Ironman Canada in August.

It's on

2007-10-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

Lot's happened since I last wrote: signed up for Ironman Canada 2008; found a coach that I think is going to take me to a new level; got married on October 5th; and ran a half-marathon yesterday--two days after the wedding, and it was Christine's idea.

For the past couple of years I'd been attempting to qualify to get into Ironman, but with little luck. This year I decided to make sure I'm in by traveling up to Penticton on Ironman weekend and signing up in person for next year. So August 2008 is my official date with destiny. It's been a long time coming.

Christine and I planned our wedding to coincide with the marathon weekend here in Victoria. I was originally entered in the marathon, and had been training to attempt a 3:10, the Boston qualifying standard for my age, but an injury in mid-August slowed me immensely.

As of last week I hadn't had a run longer than 10K in about 6 weeks. Two of three runs ended with forced walking after 3-4K. Things weren't looking good.

Christine gave me a little pep-talk: she said there were no quitters in this marriage. So I changed my registration to the half-marathon and resigned myself to a long walk in the morning. It was a perfect running day: mild, slightly overcast and 4500 people to suffer with. I figured I'd start off at a slow pace run and see how far I'd get.

I have really great training partners: one decided unbeknown to me to run alongside and pace me in. I put the pain in my lower legs aside, told myself that the Ironman run is going to hurt far more and just ran. I didn't care about time. I just thought, think about something else, have some fun, and count my blessings. And I did. 10K rolled by, 15K, then 16K, 17K, 18K really started to hurt.

I thought I'd start walking, and wait for Christine so we could finish together. But that little nagging "no quitters in this marriage" thing came up. So I kept running. And I ran across that finish line. It wasn't fast. I wasn't pretty. But I was there. And I couldn't be happier.

Life is full of little blessings. I'm pretty lucky. This next year is going to be great.

As I get a few things organized behind the scenes for next year's racing, especially what I hope will be a terrificly exciting announcement about my new coaching relationship I'll post here.

New Ride

2007-06-28T20:06:00.001-07:00

Doesn't need an introduction does it? Just 16.4lbs of pure workhorse. She's a beaut, and its been rainy all day. I'm like a kid in a toy store with no money.

Race Tomorrow

2007-04-28T19:52:00.000-07:00

It's been a really strange time lately.

I'm racing the Times Colonist 10K here tomorrow. It's our city's biggest race. It rained a lot yesterday. Did I say a lot? Today was really nice. I like running in the rain, so either way is good for me tomorrow.

Not really going to race it. I haven't had any real sustained hard efforts in my disjointed training lately, so my plan is to run it strategically. I'm actually planning on doing closer to 15 kilometres tomorrow. I am going to run for a half hour real slow prior to the gun going off. So I figure I'll get in at least 4-5 K there.

The first 5 K of the race are rolling; actually the whole race is a rolling course; there really is nowhere flat in Victoria. I figure I'll go out at 4:30/kilometre pace and then come back at closer to 4:10/kilometre. I'm just testing my legs and endurance tomorrow and figure that a negative split is always a good goal for a race that I don't expect to have a great showing in; I'm no where close to be able to better my personal best time over this course from two years ago. It was 39:30.

If I go sub 43 minutes tomorrow I'll be happy. Heck, I'll be happy even if I don't. Life's good. I love to run. I'm almost graduating.

Have a bunch of urological tests at the end of the week. I'm a bit nervous. I suspect the urologist is wanting to do a total revision of my ostomy. It's probably time... she turned 21 this year.

It's been so long...

2007-03-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

that I actually forgot my password.

Just a quick update. I've been struggling with my health for a few months now. Nothing hospital worthy, but just not getting any string of healthy weeks together to accomplish anything that could be described as consistent training.

As a result, I'm feeling like I've gained too much weight, feel sluggish in the pool, and heavy on the run. Biking has just been pretty much none existent.

Good news is, despite my general lack of health and fitness, I've had plenty of time to focus on school and I'm almost done. ETA to grad is July 07! Can't wait.

I've been running a lot these past few weeks in an effort to shed the pounds, and have really found some of the old love for running I had back when I was marathoning. I've decided to race a 10K in April, a half-marathon in May, and if I don't get into Ironman I will train up for the Victoria Marathon in October. Christine and I are getting married, likely in late October, so it should be a great month.

That's it for now.

Year In Review

2007-01-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

Everyone else seems to be doing it, so why not I?

2007 marks the second consecutive year of ostomyathlete.com on the web. 2006 was a banner year for the site. I had originally planned on using the site as a medium to get my message of active, healthy living out to other ostomates. The site took on life of its own as people contacted me to share their stories and their resources.

The Active Ostomates section was created to give pages dedicated to inspiring stories from other survivors of intestinal disease, cancer, and just about any other issue that leads to urinary and bowel diversionary surgeries.

In February of 2006, I had emergency surgery for a bowel obstruction; I had had numerous hospitalizations over the past 5 years or so for problems like this caused by adhesions--scar tissue. My surgery was more complicated than originally thought, and my stay in hospital turned from 7 days into 21. I came home feeling deflated and really sick.

Rob Hill and I had registered for the 2006 running of the TransRockies Challenge and I needed to get back to training in a hurry. I wasn't able to salvage my term at university either, so I headed into summer school. I recovered quickly and focussed on cycling for the rest of the year. Rob and I were very succesful with our challengingIDEAS mission: we continue to get very good media coverage for our awareness campaigns.

Some highlights of the year:

The challengingIDEAS website received over 50,000 'hits' since July 2006.

CanadaHomeHealth.com arrived as title sponsor just in time to save the challengingIDEAS team from what could have proved a disasterous experience at TransRockies. Their considerable financial and logistical support meant we were better positioned to take care of our health matters, including showers and a dry place to sleep every night, while pushing our bodies and minds to the limits of endurance.

Ostomy|Athlete.com is growing: when the site started it was immediately at the top of Google search for words 'ostomy' and 'athlete' - it continued this trend including words like 'inspiration' and 'transforming'. In its first few months, ostomyathlete.com would average about 1,000 'hits' per month. December 2006 saw a new high of 18,426 'hits'! This site has been viewed over 100,000 times in 2006. This has really helped me with my goal of sharing inspiring stories from ostomates and informative resources for healthy, active living with the world.

In 2006, we welcomed Joel Ellis and Susan F to the Active Ostomates section. Their pages continue to be some of the most viewed by readers of the site.

A feature article appeared about my triathlon endeavours in the November/December issue of Triathlon Magazine Canada. This was the first mainstream triathlon media to pick up my story. Hopefully this just marks the beginning. Thanks to Brian Boake for his excellent writing.

Ostomy Canada Magazine published, in print, the challengingIDEAS blog from TransRockies. Hopefully we will see this happen in The Pheonix in 2007.

I always love hearing back from people who have contacted me in the past: see Tricia's success story.

In 2007, I hope to:

Continue the upwards trend in viewer numbers on the sites.

Provide new and relevant articles for ostomates on a variety of topics related to healthy, active living that speak to the mind, body and soul of our 'recovery'.

I will continue my awareness campaign while I pursue an Ironman finish and an appearance at the Ironman World Championships.

And perhaps the most ambititous project I will embark on is this: I believe that more people with ostomies will pursue healthy, active lifestyles if their costs associated with their ostomy products received better benefits from provincial government Pharmacare plans.

Since 2003, when the BC government introduced Fair Pharmacare, my overall costs have consistently decreased, while my overall health has consistently increased. Despite my hospitalization in 2006, my visits to the doctor and the number of tests ordered have significantly decreased. This represents an overall cost-savings to the government.

My education allows me an opportunity to study this issue further. I am going to seize this opportunity and take a leadership role in advancing harmonized Pharmacare plans for Canadians with ostomies so that everyone, no matter which province or territory they live in, has the same opportunity and support to make pro-active choices about their lifestyles in the interests of disease prevention.

Provincial governments are responsible for health care programs in Canada. They all have different support programs for people with ostomies. In this area, it makes sense that the programs provide similar benefits for a wide variety of reasons. Ostomy product wear-time should not be the deciding factor in lifestyle choices.

Ah Winter

2006-12-18T13:25:00.000-08:00

Crazy times:

It's been really windy here. REALLY windy. Trees down, power out for days, crazy stuff.

I've been writing exams and finishing up school projects. Done now. Feels REALLY good.

I've been sick too. REALLY sick. Bad cold, moved from nose to throat to head to... crazy stuff. Took one whole week off any physical activity. I just couldn't have done it. Thought I was getting better last Thursday, then I had lost my voice by Saturday. REALLY crazy sickness; I just don't get it.

Good news: ran today: 40 minutes easy. Felt like I was trying to breathe through the rear end of a REALLY hairy dog on a wet day, but got it done and feel better for it. I'll dig out my winter clothes this afternoon and plan a week's worth of bike rides. It'll be good to ride outside and for longer than an hour for a change.

Have to work now that schools over. I have three weeks to come up with next terms tuition. Not gonna happen. Lucky for me, things always seem to have a way of working out.

Are U watching?

2006-12-02T14:19:00.000-08:00

If you're in Canada and you follow politics you are probably aware of today being the day that the Liberal party is choosing its new leader.

I am political. I am not particularly politically active. I have my causes; but I don't see them being partisan; and to be completely honest, the party politics kind of put me off. I don't belong to a party, likely never will, and usually vote on an issue basis rather than searching for a party that reflects my ideals.

But I haven't been able to stray far from the TV, radio or internet today, because I am captive to the outcome of this convention. History shows that the leader of the Liberal party stands a particularly good chance of being leader of Canada sometime soon. In fact, I can't name a single leader of the Liberal party who didn't go on to become leader of the nation. Or more accurately, I should now say leader of the nations as our parliamentarians recently voted to recognize multiple nations in Canada.

I'm calling today out as political-elite pornography day. I have never seen a day where no less than three TV networks run coverage of a leadership convention commercial free for well over 12 hours. Nothing happens fast in politics. A commercial break doesn't mean the audience will miss anything; I'm guessing that the lack of commercials really is more indicative of how self-obsessed those that are in politics and report on politics have become--they just don't want to miss an opportunity to beat someone to a scoop, or stroke their own for predicting or calling something first. The porn reference is made by me more to suggest the borderline ethics of this whole method of selecting a leader by the Libs.

No other party operates like this. No other party gets the same level of media either at its leadership conventions. Because of this, the Libs decided to stay with the delegated conventions--which aren't really good for the grassroots of the party--and deliver the excitement in further conventions. Excitement is not a word I use to describe the coverage, but I am captivated non-the-less. Probably because I'm a political junkie.

I find it strange that adults act like teenagers at a pep-rally to 'motivate' support for their candidate. But the real ethical dilemma that the process exposes is the underground, dark corner, under the stairwell deals that get made by these people, often acting with intermediaries so that accountability can't be asked nor granted for actions that, if public, would likely be deemed as 'shady' at best. I expect more from people in power... I hope I'm not alone.

If you're a Liberal party member, enlighten me why this whole process hasn't changed to be more reflective of pluralist democracy: one-member one-vote, no whipping allowed.

I think my ideals are pretty progressive, but I continue to feel shut out and put off by the nature of the way things are done. I guess my inability to compromise my respect for other peoples' issues and concerns while providing every last one of them to have an ability to influence the outcome of the way we decide to govern ourselves will keep me on the outside for a while longer...

Hard Swim

2006-11-22T12:52:00.000-08:00

Swam this am as:

400 mix w/u
3 times 2 by 50 as scull with bouys, without bouys and band
400 swim free DPS
2 by 4 x 100 kick
2 by 4 x 100 band with paddles (oh my shoulders were done in here)
2 by 4 x 100 swim all out first 10 meters, then DPS on 1:40
400 w/d

good efforts, hard swim, tired body, exhausted mind.

School is winding down, or up... anyway you look at it stress levels are at max right now. Any workouts longer than an hour are starting to be impossible. Gotta study.

Crazy Week

2006-11-17T23:24:00.000-08:00

I feel like a chicken with its head cut off. Well maybe not. But I feel like I'been running around getting nothing done anyway.

Swim is great, run feels good. Can't find more than an hour and a half to cycle. It sucks, cause after trans rockies I was GOOD to go. Never better on the bike. I hate to think I'm giving that fitness back. But work and school hafta take priority.

Got to see myself in an actual triathlon magazine. Uber cool. Article was real well written, unlike this blogpost tonight. I'm up way too late, MEGA lost points, but had to work, and now felt like I should write something after the day I had.

4K swim this am. Too easy almost. Technique is bang on, right where I left off prior to February surgery. Glad to have it back two months into training. Still scheming as to what races to do next year. Definitely want to do IMC, but it may take a miracle to get me in. Otherwise, I hear Ottawa calling my name. Also going to go to Canadian Long Course Championships in Osoyoos. Tough bike, which may or may not be to my liking.

ITU changed their long course standards though. I can't speak from experience but I kinda think that the switch from 4K swim - 120K bike - 30K run to 3-80-20 is kinda bunk. It changes the format so much that the fast-twitch boys will be able to rip it up too quick for the slowtwitch guys like me. It's bad enough at the half-iron distance.

Oh well, I guess I just hafta go faster.

Thanks Brian for writing that awesome article. Guys like me, we admire people like you who have the full-time jobs, full-time families and still manage to squeeze in the training to finish the tri's. So anyone reading who thinks they don't have time to train and workout regularly. You do. Brian does. And he's got 4 kids.

Jasper Blake is racing in Aus tomorrow, or the day after if you are in my timezone. Go Jazz go... I'm calling something special. Check back soon for results.

Maybe too much swimming?

2006-11-15T21:36:00.001-08:00

What do you think, maybe I need to do some running and work off some of the bulk I've built up, eh?

Nother TT

2006-11-12T20:25:00.000-08:00

This time running. Was supposed to be 10K at 75% heartrate. I think I got a bit ahead of myself, heartrate averaged closer to 180 bpm. Should have been down around the 170 mark. Pace was ok, averaging 4:20s. I would race a true 10K around the 190 bpm mark, and that would give me closer to 4:00 pace. I still don't have my run legs completely back, so the whole thing is really skewed and I don't know what to make of it. So coachie can do it for me.

Been raining like heck here for days. Gave up looking for dry places to put my feet down in the lap of the lakes this morning. Kinda fun anyway, like being a kid and puddle jumping. It'll be cool to see the graph of heartrate, spikes every 30sec or so where I leapt the puddles.

Swam this morning too. Was pretty hard, did a stroke count/threshold set of 50s and also did 1600 as 4 by 400 descending. Feels early to be working so hard, but the hard work feeling is only cause its so early. I was tired today. Swam 3500m total.

Bean and I have had the neices for 48 hours - straight. She is a rock, I can't deal so I get to go for exercise breaks. Took the monkeys to the hockey game last night. It was their first time to a game like that. It was a fight fest, which I find entertaining, and they were entertained by the mascots. We had seats right down against the boards, and the look on the little one's faces as the first body check happened in our corner was priceless.

TT this am

2006-11-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

Did an 18K cycling time-trial this morning. Wasn't really for time, more for heart rate. Idea was to get a baseline on about 75-80% of max HR. Went out, weather was ok, roads a bit wet, but able to ride the TT bike anyway. Managed to maintain HR of 160ish average, for 18K and 30.5 minutes. Not bad, not great, but I'll take it. Haven't really lost too much fitness on the bike from the summer despite not logging big volume in the last month. If I can hold that for 180K and still run 3:30 at IMC, I'll be ok.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

2006-11-07T21:48:00.000-08:00

Been raining her for a while, almost a week. News full of flood reports all over the province. Tons of new building going on, I guess we'll see if its of good quality or not this year. Coach's house has issues, sorry coach.

Swam this morning. 3500 meters, feels like real training again. Though the training partners are starting to disappear. It is way more difficult to suffer through hard sessions on your own. Actually had some efforts in this am's swim. I'm happy with where I'm at in the water, makes it easy to go to the pool 5 days a week. Swam 400 metres for time in the middle of a 1k block. Hit 6:03, which isn't partcularly fast. Effort was supposed to be aerobic, I think I went about 85%... I'm pretty sure I've hit 5:45 before. Not too far to go to get back there. Technique is good, and focus is too.

I've been up to my eyeballs in schoolwork, my brain hurts. Sun comes out for all of two hours this afternoon, windy, but sunny. I look outside, rush to change into shorts (yes, shorts in November), plug into my iPod and throw on my shoes, out I go.

Nice and easy, just average around 4:30/kilometre over a hilly xcountry route around my part of town. Run for fifty minutes, felt great. Love these moments, where running felt like a break in my day rather than another 'thing' I have to do. Remind me to do this more. This is why I run. Yah, felt good.

It's been a while...

2006-11-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

since I posted. Sorry. I am having trouble maintaining forward momentum in life. I had forgotten just how difficult it can be to attempt to do three things too much: full-time university studies, full-time training, and part-time work. Thank goodness for Christine being so understanding.

Exciting news: a feature article on me is published in Triathlon Magazine Canada. Hopefully this will help bring some more awareness in for the cause... thank you Brian for writing this article, I'm touched that you felt motivated to do so.

Incidently, I met Brian at a local tri gear swap yesterday on campus. We had a quick chat about race plans for next season, both of us wanting to do Ironman distance races and the possibility of us both racing The Canadian in Ottawa. Gotta say: it'd be pretty cool.

On a more training note: went and swam yesterday am, did 4 by 500 for 2K total. this past week was a down week volume wise. Anyway, the swim has really come back for me. Hitting pace times, feeling good and streamlined, keeping up with Trav when we swim together, all great indicators.

The November Rain has started here, so biking has moved inside on the trainer. Not my favourite activity, and tough sometimes to get motivated. But we soldier on eh?

Running in the rain is one of my favourite things, so I think for November I will get some good miles in. Maybe even race a 10K at the end of the month.

Stadler, Jones Win... but the real story is...

2006-10-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

Macca, wow, what an effort from Chris McCormack of Australia to nearly run down a 10 minute deficit.

Lisa Bently, with another great run, and after having already raced two Ironmans this year, including IMC, finishes in third.

Apparently though, some 26 year old kid from Portugal decided to light up the energy lab with a blistering 2:43 marathon. This after a respectable 4:50 bike split. You'll be hearing about Sergio sometime near in the future.

Ah, to be this fast... maybe one day. I better get to bed early, get up early tomorrow and hit the pool. Feeling a bit better than earlier, actually want to eat again.

Race Day: its on!

2006-10-21T13:40:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here suffering through the online coverage of Kona Ironman. I'm suffering, not because the coverage is bad - although the extensive product plugs are getting a bit old - but because I have managed to pick up a bug or some food poisoning in the past 24 hours.

A few surprises at this years race. Normann Stadler is riding away again. He did this a couple of years ago. The pro men let him get away, and then Peter ran an amazing marathon split to try and catch him unsuccessfully. I would have thought that the men wouldn't make that mistake twice. However, it could well be more that they aren't letting him have the time, more like he is taking it from them.

Nice to see Dr. Tom Evans, a dentist from Penticton, BC, is doing very well. This guy is pretty amazing. A practicing dentist and a pro triathlete with several Ironman wins to his name. He is up in the top-ten and staying fairly close to the overall leader.

After a less than perfect swim, it seems as though Lori Bowden, one of my all time favourites, is too far back to be in contention. But I've watched her race for years and it always seems like she turns it on half-way through the bike and then has an amazing marathon to get herself into the mix. My prediction: if she gets off the bike near 20 minutes of the leader, she will run herself into a top-three finish.

More later...

Kona Week: Welcome to the Big Show!

2006-10-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

It's the start of Kona week. And we all know what that means: hype, groundshaking hype and online chat galore on web forums like Slowtwitch.com and Trinewbies.com. I like these forums, don't get me wrong, but any venue that allows anonymous posters to write just about anything they please will become less-than-accurate sources of the street-level goings on of Alii Drive.

Over on OstomyAthlete.com, I have a bit of a remedy for this: follow the journals of 3-time Ironman World Champion, Peter Reid and his good buddy, and incidently one of my coaches, Writer Guy. Just follow the links on PeterReid.com to hear all about the shenanigans of two triathletes focussed on participating in the race-community rather than in the race itself.

I love this week, it always gets me motivated to take my training to a new level. Though I am approaching it with a different mindset this time. When Peter won Ironman in 1998, I decided to take up the sport. No other single event has had such a motivating impact for me. And I have watched with baited breath as he has raced almost every year since. Pete's not racing this year. I refused to believe he had retired in 2002; he was just too young still, had too much to do in the sport. I know he's gone now. And I am aware he won't be back. It feels strange to not have any one particular person to follow on race day - Jasper is opting out this year to focus on ITU Long Course Worlds. Oh, to be a fan with no iconic figure to worship!

I am going to do something different this year: I will take this week to turn my dreams into a plan to get there - to the big show - sometime soon. 2007 will be the start of a likely long campaign to arrive at the World Champs, to race. So I will ramp up the mental part of my training, and lay off the potato chips as I play arm chair athlete on Ironman Saturday. You can follow the progress of the race live at Ironman.com.

Ran a local race today

2006-10-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was World Ostomy Day. To celebrate, Christine and I ran in the local 8K road race at the Royal Victoria Marathon this morning. The weather was wet; but I rather enjoy running in the rain so it was nice. Didn't look at the watch at all, but now I have the racing bug again. It was pretty cool to see the fast half-marathon runners whip past us at the halfway point.

Bean did really well. She ran the whole time which is good for someone who doesn't run on a regular basis. I think she's encouraged and may run the Island Race Series this winter.

Then we had breakfast, but not before a big cup of Americano from Fantastico; man how I love that coffee... Happy WOD everyone, hopefully you did something to recognize yourselves.

Feels good

2006-10-05T17:24:00.000-07:00

to be a triathlete again. I'm into my second or third week of training; everything's a blur with school pressures mounting up again. This weekend is thanksgiving up here in the frozen land that is Canada. Ok, that's a tired joke, 'cause everyone knows we're not that frozen. Back to training.

So running, swimming and biking feels good after a prolonged period of just cycling. We're moving away from doing so much drill in the water, which I am glad for because drill is tiresome mentally. My run volume is back up to 2.5-3 hours per week, which is fine for base at this stage; it will increase exponentially in the coming months. The biking has definitely decreased in volume, but I am still getting 10-12 hours in every week, and six 1.5 hour swim sessions.

This weekend, on Saturday, its World Ostomy Day. To breathe the "Live Life to the Full" into my weekend, Christine and I are going to run the 8k event at the Royal Victoria Marathon. The marathon is consistently one of the top ten destination marathons in the world. It usually gets over 10,000 people registered in the various events. I have never done the 8k, just the full marathon in 1999 and the half marathon in 2004, where I had my PB in the distance. I'm looking forward to just running for fun with Bean. We have never run together, so it should be interesting. I'm predicting a 45 minute 8k with her carrying me across the finish line - she's tough; she used to play pro-hockey so she can handle my weight.

Been paying attention to all the media on global warming lately. Its good; it makes me want to use the car a lot less. I've learned that it isn't the corporations that are the biggest polluters, its us. I turn off the lights more, think twice about leaving the computer turned on etc. Its a complicated issue for sure, but we can all make lttle differences incrementally just by practicing a bit of awareness and common sense. There, that's my random thought of the day.

Day Two of New Program

2006-09-27T12:52:00.001-07:00

Well, training is back on. Swims are mild and a bit boring, but considering that I haven't really been training my swim since before my February surgery, I'm good with this.

Yesterday (and today for that matter) was:

2800 metres as:

400 mixed w/u then:

2 times 3 by 400 as:

50 drill/50 swim.

Drills are all stroke improvement and balance exercises. So we swim 1600 metres as freestyle and do drill for 1200 metres. Swims will go like this for a couple of weeks as the fitness returns.

I have been running too. Even got some new shoes yesterday which always makes me happy. Mostly just 30 minute trail runs, around 7-8 kilometres. Easy pace, always able to talk kinda thing. Easy rides on the bike too... no more than several hours. Three weeks from now, the volume and intensity will increase, so I'll enjoy these weeks for as long as they last.

Exciting news too: for the first time in my triathlon career I will be benefiting from personalized coaching. I have had a coach for several years, but the program hasn't been tailored to me specifically. No more, if I want to achieve some of my goals next year, I will need to have workouts specifically tailored to my plan, so I have splurged.

Next Week is New Program Start

2006-09-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

Wow, how time has flown over the past week or two. I've been super busy doing very little training and tons of planning, school work and writing. Seems like everytime I put my head down, words come a flying out.

Putting the finishing touches on my points program for next season, which starts Monday, strange as that is. But it goes something like this: I get points for doing things that aid my training, and I lose points for doing things that harm my training.

For example:

Bad = -points.
Skip workout = -5 points.
Eat junk food = -2 points.
Awake past 10:30pm = -2 points.

Good = + points.
In bed before 9:30pm = 2 points.
Ice legs in ocean after run sessions = 2 points.
Hit target paces/splits in key workouts as per goal outlines = 1 point.

I figure that I should have to work harder for points, and that the penalties should be large, that way there is added incentive to stay on track. There are more aspects to my points plan, but I am already approaching that 10:30pm hour here and I need to start practicing for next week, so G'nite.

Good couple of days cycling

2006-09-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

Man, I love this time of year: no structured workouts, ride my bike more than run or swim, no coach to yell profanity at me to try and make me go faster. Such Joy!

Alas, it is all coming to an end next week: we're back in the water early Tuesday morning. In all honesty, I can't wait. I am really excited to build on the gains I have made in cycling this year and to transform my racing into some serious results. Lookout Ironman, here I come.

I'm busy with school, and trying to get caught up with some writing that I need to complete: sponsor oligations and what not. Life sure does get hectic in a hurry. It will be good to get some structure back into my training: that always spills over into my day-to-day too.

My mind is working a-mile-a-minute these days. I've got to figure out what's going on because its keeping me up at night. All positive stuff, but ideas keep popping into my head at inopportune moments, yah know? I've taken to keeping a pad and pen beside my bed just to write some of these thoughts down.

Must go for a run, seems like the only meditative moments I have right now.

Running legs are back

2006-09-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

My, how time flies. Running legs are back, feels good. Will start to increase my weekly volumes soon.

Off to school. Taking 3 writing classes right now: busy, busy. But I'll be learning some cool things for the web so you will get to see my experimentation on ostomyathlete.com

Friday Funnies

2006-08-31T16:24:00.000-07:00

Oh wait, that' tomorrow. Life is a blur right now. Working way too much; haven't had a day off in over a week, still a week to go before one is lined up too. Poor me, yah right. Late August early September is the only time of year where I actually attempt to work for a living. This year I especially have to, but that's a whole other issue.

Anyway, went for a ride yesterday with Dawn, and my soon-to-be brother-in-law, wow-that's-a-lot-of-hyphens. (Good thing I'm doing a copy-editing course in September, eh?). Mike is a RCMP officer on the Sunshine Coast and this year he's riding the Cops for Cancer fundraising 7-day road ride. He's built much differently than your average cyclist: more like a wrestler. dawn and I rode our mountain bikes so that the terms would be a little more even, or so we thought. Mike was a power house. We had to work really hard to shake him loose on the hills. I have a feeling that wrestler's going to do fine on the bike for 7 days. He's the one in the pic on the link above with thighs as big around as my waist.

As much as I've been working, I've also been lazily watching far too much late night TV which is contributing to my generally sleep deprived state: even athletes let it go sometimes. The final season of the Sopranos is on right now everynight from 10-11. I can't miss it. Also can't get enough of Rockstar:Supernova. Lukas is my guy. He is just so entertaining, kind of like Mick Jagger. I'm not a huge fan of either one's music, but you have to admit that they are uber-talented, and super entertaining.

Now to actually talk about triathlon: in the little spare time I have right now - actually I'm the king of multi-tasking so I watch TV and write at the same time - I'm working on a points scheme to maximize my training. It will award points for things I do that contribute positively to my training, and subtract points for things I do that contribute negatively to my training. I'll post it in its final form so you can steal it, publish it and make your millions with my ideas (actually I learned them from elsewhere so they aren't really my ideas anyway).

Good luck on Sunday Simon!

I'm Back.

2006-08-29T11:42:00.000-07:00

Have to start off this blog post with a huge congrats to Jasper Blake for winning Ironman Canada this past weekend with a hugely inspiring performance.

Ok. So TransRockies is over. It was a fantastic experience. You can read all about it at challengingIDEAS.org.

It's been three weeks since we got back. I took a week off training immediately post race. Went back to work right away; which I wasn't too thrilled about, but cash is needed desperately for school; so we do what we have to do right?

After the week off, and once the saddle imprint had finally faded from my backside, I got back on the bike. Legs felt great, lungs and heart were not thankful though. It is really hard to take time away from training.

So now I'm working back into base phase training. Slowly.

I won't swim for a while, certainly not anything seriously anyway. Will pick that back up toward end of September. Running again, which feels weird, because I haven't had any real run program going since my illness back in Febreuary 2006. But getting out for 6k runs 3 or 4 times per week until I get my legs back. Just have to remember to keep them slow pace for a while.

Still feeling great on the bike; which I needed as its my weakest discipline. So the plan is to maintain this speed and strength through the base period. I'll be doing some cycle racing - mostly off-road marathon style - a couple of times in September. That should help out a bit.

Till next time.

New Website = New Blog

2006-07-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks to our new sponsor, CanadaHomeHealth.com, Rob and I will have a website entirely dedicated to our participation at the TransRockies race. We have chosen to name it challengingIDEAS.org.

The name of the site is a bit of a play-on-words with dual meanings. The first is in reference to the challenge of competing in the TransRockies to raise awareness of the IDEAS society; the second, reflects our desire to challenge the prevalent ideas in society about people with intestinal diseases and to challenge the limitations that people with the illnesses feel they have because of their sickness or ostomies.

Please click on the link to redirect yourself there. It is a work in progress for the next day or two, but by the end of the week (July 27 or so) it should be full of good info.

HEAT WAVE

2006-07-22T17:43:00.000-07:00

We've been experiencing a bit of a heat wave here in British Columbia. So today I decided to go for a good long ride around our waterfront - considering that I live on an island, it goes on just as long as I want it to. My mom lives on the drive, and her condo door was open when I rode past, so out comes the digicam and an impromtu photo shoot begins. Beautiful day, Beautiful ride.

Exciting new title sponsor announcement!

2006-07-19T22:05:00.000-07:00

If you have been following along with our training, you'll know by now that our bid to win some support from a local contest was unsuccessful. But out of the unfortunate came a fantastic, and much more appropriate opportunity thanks to the great people at Norfolk Canada Home Health.

So from henceforth, Team IDEAS becomes Team CanadaHomeHealth.com/IDEAS. We have a great partnership with a fantastic company in Guelph, ON that believes in the mission of IDEAS and ostomyathlete.com.

Now we can concentrate on our training. Look for a new website soon that we will use to promote the mission of this race, post our daily race blog updates and pictures and connect you with all of the important people and organizations who have helped to make our participation in the TransRockies possible.

Still Training (today was North Shore in Van)

2006-07-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

Rob and I had a good ride today: some really technical single track and some faster fire road sections.

I came over to Vancouver to take advantage of Christine's work-paid hotel - the Four Seasons, its REALLY nice - and to get some miles in with Rob. We work well together, have some laughs, and both get inspired by similar things, so I think we're positioned well to have a good race at TransRockies.

We got our team helmets yesterday too. They are Catlike Kompact Pros, and they are so light you can barely notice them on your heads. Really cool.

Another long ride on the North Shore tomorrow before Christine and I head home. We'll do a long ride on Thursday too to cap off a really productive week of high volume and intensity training.

New BIG week VOLUME and INTENSITY

2006-07-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

Ok. So we are both back into our respective towns, and almost recovered from travelling. Here we go:

This week:
Today (Thursday) was 4 hours on th mountain bike, just trying to find the legs.
Friday is 5 hour ride, road or mountain, attack hard all up hills as 85% max maintained effort with 15 sec all out sprints up hill every 2 minutes (if hill is long, do more, if hill is short, do less)
Saturday is four hour mountain. Steady state uphill.
Sunday is five hour road, intensity for the first three hours, two hour recovery spin over last two hours of ride.
Monday is four hour mountain. Steady state uphill.
Tuesday and wednesday we'll ride together in Vancouver, trying to get 5-6 hours on both days of pure hill climbing.
Thursday is 2 hour super-slow recovery ride, high cadence to spin out the legs.

THANKS FOR VOTING: and back from camp

2006-07-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks for voting; we'll know if your votes were enough on July 15th. Keep your fingers crossed!

Ever seen Zoolander? That pic is our rendition of Blue Steel and Magnum. Guess which is which.

Back to training: Rob gets in from Japan on the 12th. I rode today, not too long or too hard: legs felt slow after a week off. Though you can't call camp a week off. I did swim for twenty minutes upstream in the Bow river when we went rafting: does that count as training? Anyway, next two days are hectic and I have to travel more so training is still going to be down unfortunately, but big volume starts again on Thursday: we'll be doing another seven day circuit for at least 550k-600k - mix of on and off-road, but mostly off.

More to come soon...

We need your vote!

2006-06-30T17:00:00.000-07:00

Please Help: IDEAS needs YOU!

Rob Hill (of No Guts Know Glory fame) and I will be racing at the 2006 TransRockies Challenge race in early August. We have been training hard and have entered an online contest to gain some technical and logistical support for this event. The contest is through a great company in BC called RaceFace. They manufacture high-end mountain bike components.

Rob and I are racing to give more exposure to the Intestinal Disease Education and Awareness Society. We want to show everyone in the world what ostomates, and Crohn's and cancer survivors can do.

So what can you do. Well, our entry was shortlisted, so this means we have a video online and the internet community gets to VOTE on who they want to see win this contest. Please click on this link and follow the directions on how to access the voting. If you feel compelled to support our cause vote for us. If one of the other stories touches you, vote for them. It's that simple. It may take you a few minutes, but if you would like to see Robert and I attempt one of the greatest challenges any ostomate has faced (besides being ill) then give us your vote.

If we win this contest it means we get a dry place to sleep at night (as opposed to being in a tent on the ground) and a shower at the end of a long day (which means we get to change our pouches in somewhat better conditions). We also get a mechanic to help with our bikes, which is huge, because in a race like this the last thing you want to have happen is to go down with bike failure.

Voting starts July 1, 2006 and ends on the July 7, 2006. Please take the time to help us out. For more information check out RaceFace here and the TransRockies here.

You will need Quicktime: get it here

Big Week Starts Today

2006-06-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, so seven days of cycling in a row to get ready for big efforts at TransRockies. We'll be riding some longer days, and some of what I would call my normal long days (5 hours or so); though those will be only two or so days. Anyway, really important to get the legs used to the idea of riding hard on consecutive days + consecutive days.

So, this week is:

Sunday (today): two hours really fast on the road. 65-70K.
Monday: 3 hours on the mountain, seated, hard efforts up hill (90% heart rate). 50-60K.
Tuesday: 4 hours on the road 100-110K.
Wednesday: 5 hours long slow distance on the mountain bike. 80-90K.
Thursday: 4 hours road ride 100-110K.
Friday: 3 hours on the mountain, seated, hard efforts up hill (90% heart rate). 45-55K.
Saturday: Two hours on the road 60K max.
Weekly volume should be about 475-525K. This is a BIG week. We'll be tired.

Week after is travel for Rob, to Japan; going to do some promotional work.
John is going to Ostomy Camp. Can't wait.

day before the last day

2006-06-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

tomorrow I turn in a take home final, but not before I write another final at 8:20am. Then I am free for the summer, Yah. I won't be working much either, just training and maybe like 12 hours a week of work.

swam this am: everyone else is tapering, so short and fast, my heart rate was too high.

as:

600 warm up = 300 pull, 300 kick/drill mix

4 times this:
150 pace sprint last 25 on 2:30
100 pace sprint first 25 on 2:00
100 pace on 1:45
50 pace sprint last 25
go for a walk around the deck, arm swings and recover hear rate.

6 times 50 on 45 sec warm down

then I was in the books all day.

Tomorrow after my exam = 4 hours on the bike. Can't wait.

An Up and Down day

2006-06-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

First the good news: game 7 tonight, Go Oilers GO.

Then the bad: read an article today announcing the news that Peter Reid, 3 time Ironman World Champion is retiring. No more races; well not Ironman races anyway.

I guess if you are an athlete of his talent, determination and capacity, you would understand that sport will always be a part of his life.

I am compelled to write this afternoon because I have had the priviledge of watching Peter train for the past couple of years. Actually I should really couch that; I have seen Peter train. I have shared a swim lane with him. I have ridden past him on the bike (we were always going in opposite directions, because if we were going in the same direction I would have seen Peter ride past me, then watch him quickly disappear around the next corner). He was often at the lake, swimming at the same time as me. We have done bouy laps together; I have swam on his feet. We've talked on deck. I've bought gear off of him. We have toed the same start line at a local duathlon; he won, of course. He knows me to see me. I feel priviledged to write these words, superficial as they are.

Peter embodies everything that is great about the sport of triathlon. Its heroes are everyday people who work harder than almost anyone. They swim in the same public pools, ride on the same public roads, run on the same public trails. When I was running marathons in the late 90s, I watched Ironman on TV religiously, knowing that as I got older, I'd learn to swim, get fit on a bike and be able to get through the challenge. As I watched Peter, I began to dream that I would be able to compete at triathlon.

Peter has overcome plenty in his career: burnout, overtraining, serious illness, relationship stress. Yet everytime he stepped out on to the race course, his drive, intensity and absolute dedication to being his best shone through in his performance. I believe him to be Triathlon's Lance-like character.

Regardless of Peter's performances at Kona, I admire him for his character. Peter impresses me because he knows when to turn things off. I read that one of his most compelling reasons for knowing that this was his year to retire was that he was skipping key workouts. It is intensely difficult to stay on track with workouts. That is often what seperates average athletes from great athletes - us average athletes rarely recognize this, nor take responsibility for it either, and inevitably end up overcompensating for it. Peter, I admire you for recognizing this, accepting it, and moving forward, rather than clinging to the past. I can only imagine how difficult this decision is.

I am on my way to fullfilling my Kona dreams. I won't be as fast as you. But I know that when I run down the last few kilometers of the Queen K highway, you will be on my mind because you are the single biggest inspiration I have had for my triathlon career; and I thank you.

Let's Go Oilers!

2006-06-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

Want some inspiration? Check it: OILERS!

Europe on the Brain

2006-06-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Only because I'm now writing an International Relations theory paper on European Integration; ask me about it sometime, its fascinating.

Swam this am: also did this workout last friday. It might be my new favourite. Hurts so good.

3 by 300 warmup as 300 pull, 300 kick, 300 drill

then 3 times this as main set:

2 by 50 as 25 hard 25 smooth on 1:15
300 GRP on 4:45 (about 20 sec rest, more if I go faster)
300 GRP on 4:45
300 pull/paddles set rest = 1 min

Been logging alot of bike miles since last week.

Friday was 3 hours, sat and sunday were two hours each really fast. Monday was 15k mountain run. Yesterday was 2 hours at faster than my normal Olympic distance race pace.

Because I have had to spend time on the computer writing, I have had to cut down riding times. So to balance, intensity must go up. Back up to big volume tomorrow, 4 hours +.

Craziness

2006-06-08T17:18:00.000-07:00

Am swim yesterday as:

900 mixed warm up

then
3 by 100 as 25 sprint, 50 pace, 25 sprint on 15 sec rest
400 at GRP
200 pull paddles

repeat above set times 3

500 pull warm down.

Got out on the mountain bike for 3 hour HILLY ride. Rode with a friend who usually kills me up hill. I put the hurt to him, felt strong all day. In the TdF they call this feeling 'no chain'.

Been trying to write a paper on Canadian Foreign Policy all week. Got it done finally this morning, turned it in then headed out for another mt.bike ride. Went solo for 3.5 hours, felt ok, not as good as yesterday but still fairly strong.

Swim tomorrow, then mt.bike for 4 hours. Going to do a circle circuit of hill repeats. The laps are about 45 minutes, so it will be hammer the uphills, focus on technique on the down side.

It's my dad's 65th birthday tomorrow. So happy birthday pop.

Friday training

2006-06-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

Swam this am

1100 meter warmup, mix of pull and swim

pyramid as:
50 really hard 10 sec rest
100 hard r1=20sec
200 pace r1=45sec
300 pace r1=1:00
200 pace r1=45 sec
100 hard r1=20sec
50 all out

then 500 pull paddles warm down

Now I'm off for a good hilly ride, minimum 3.5 hours, weather is kinda grey, looks like I'm getting wet, so a mountain biking I be going.

I was doing so well...

2006-05-31T13:48:00.000-07:00

at keeping this blog updated; alas, it has been over a week since my last post. Crazy busy though with tons of travelling and not much training unfortunately.

Back at it hard today. Swam this am as:

500 swim mixed
400 pull
300 kick all as warm up.

then

2 times 3 by 100 meters descending each 100 down to GRP on 1:45 r1 = 1:00
2 times 3 by 100 meters ascending from GRP on 1:45 r1 = 1:00

300 warm down

Then out for a good three and a half hour ride with some training partners. Really good fast pace, and I hung in. Had nothing to do with my EVERTI EAGLE TT bike. Nothing. That thing doesn't make me any faster: ok of course it does. It is only the fastest bike on the planet.

Tomorrow I have first open water swim of the year, then school then out for another 3.5 hour ride, with lots of hill repeats thrown in.

Friday is am swim and 4 hour mountain bike ride.

Oh, and by the way: OILERS are going to the Cup Finals. I'm a wee bit excited.

New Week

2006-05-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

Ok. Tuesday was a right off. But Monday was ok. Rode for 1:45 yesterday on the trainer doing some really good intensity, legs were tired today.

Wednesday will be swim 4000 meters.
Study for Thursday exam.
Wednesday night race = 1 hour ride to race site, 1 hour really intense criterium style road race, 1 hour warm down home.
Thursday will be 4 hour ride attack the hills. Then watch game four of Edmonton/Anaheim series where hopefully my Oilers will win the series in four games.
Friday is another long ride, 3-4 hours on the mountain bike. But not before an AM swim.

Christine's brother is getting married on Saturday, so I will take my bike over to the mainland a go for a ride with Rob on Sunday afternoon. And hopefully Monday too.

Man are the legs done (like dinner)

2006-05-20T15:52:00.000-07:00

Hard week; did I say hard?

Yesterday really capped 'er off.

Am swim as:
400 swim
400 drill
4 by 100 kick all warm up

Main set:
400m continuous at 1:25/100m pace 30 sec rest.
300m pull/paddles
400m same as above
300m swim easy focus on distance per stroke
400m same as above
300m as pull/paddles
400m same as above
300m warm down mixed strokes
total = 4000 meters

Then it was onto the mountain bike. My legs have been done for days. Went for a really hard road ride on Thursday with my training partner Dawn. She 'dropped me like its hot' on EVERY hill; if I felt wind on my forehead I knew I was going backwards in a hurry. So I pretty much killed myself to stay with her.

Friday's mountain bike effort is always hard. There is really no such thing as an easy day on a mountain bike because the hills are just that much steeper. So with spent legs from four days of riding previously, I just managed to suffer through yesterday's 4 hour ride. I imagine that this will seem rather easy when compared to those seven days in August; man I'm looking forward to them.

Anyway, Saturday is an active recovery day for me this week, mostly out of necessity. Sunday will be an am run (most likely 12-14k) followed by a swim, most likely 2500 meters, volume down and intensity up for about 6-800 meters.

Sunday evening is Game Two of the Oilers/Ducks series. I will have to bbq up some serious red meat to replenish my iron and protein stores after this week's serious training. Back on the bike Monday.

I haven't written much about how I am feeling in my training given my February surgery. Really my expectations haven't been too high. Apart from going out and getting punished by Dawn on Thursday, I haven't felt too bad. Friday morning I felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach overnight; its amazing how much we use our ab muscles on the bike. But given that I am a ok today, I'd say its a good thing and I am healing well.

Food wise things are going pretty good. I have kept a bit of a journal of intake and how its made me feel. I don't have any clear patterns; sometimes I feel like crap after good food, sometimes I feel great after junk. IBS is funny in how my guts react to fat, protein, sugar and raw foods. I have been experimenting with different energy bars and drinks, trying to figure out what I am going to use on the eight hour rides at TransRockies. I think I have found something that works for me, I will write about that product in another entry.

Base period over; let the fun (pain) begin

2006-05-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, base phase done. No more 'easy' riding from here on in.

Today is 10K run, couple of repeats thrown in: 2k warm up, 1k hard, 1k easy, 1k hard, 1k easy, 1k hard, 1k easy, 1k hard, 1k warm down. Rob you can substitute weights for run.

Then, 2 hour bike: high cadence on the flats and downhills and then hard efforts UP every hill, push a higher than normal gear for reduced cadence and increased resistance. Heart rate should be 90% of max plus uphill, 70% max on flats etc.

Tomorrow we bike 3-4 hours, again with efforts on the hills, adjusted for length of ride down slightly to between 80-85% max efforts. Again recover on flats and downhills without allowing heart rate to descend below 65% of max.

am swim for me too on Wednesday; most likely 4k or so.

Thursday is 14k run, long slow distance. 2 hours recovery spinning on bike. high cadence, easy gears, 65% of heart rate consistency. Then its off to the gym for weights.

Friday is long slow ride day. Again 4-5 hours, hilly route, effort will be consistent throughout. So not taking it too easy anywhere on the route, nor pushing extreme efforts either.

Happy Mom's day

2006-05-14T08:20:00.000-07:00

Well Mom, I guess you did pretty good, right?

Who am I kidding, you're the best mom ever.

So in honour of you, I ran this morning while you are at work. Went out with Dawn and ran a good hard 10 kilometers or so. Now my legs are tired, I'm hungry, and I would really just like to hit the couch. Much like you must have felt everyday that I lived with you. But like you taught me: no rest for the wicked. So I am off to the pool to swim 2500 meters.

As:
500 warm up mixed
5 by 100 at GRP on 1:35 (about 10 sec rest/100)
500 pull/paddles
5 by 100 at GRP on 1:35
500 pull/paddles

Then like you mom, just when I think my day isn't going to get any longer, I will be off to work. I'll put in four hours at the group home. Then I will come home and make you dinner, we'll have some gourmet lamb burgers, and corn salsa. And only because you are the best mom ever, we'll watch our beloved Oilers in game five tonight. See you soon.

Big volume day

2006-05-10T15:55:00.000-07:00

Swam this am:

1000 meter w.u. as 100pull/100swim times 5

10 by 100 at 1:25/100 pace on 2 minutes

250 at sub 1:25/100 pace

450 pull paddles

then I was shattered.

4 hour bike ride after a rest and meal post swim.

Now I am really tired... so hitting the couch to do some readings, then watching the Oiler game tonight.

Changing plans

2006-05-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

It's really important to be flexible when training for big events.

Got together with Rob on Wednesday for a couple of workouts. It was good to finally ride together and get a sense of each other's abilities on a mountain bike. Its gonna be a great race: our abilities are close enough to work together.

Rob worked me over in the gym too. I don't normally do much weight lifting, it's the easiest workout for me to skip I guess. I am ashamed to say that all we did was go through the exercises I should be doing, and not use much weight or do any sets, and my legs were SHATTERED when I rode yesterday. So the exercises are effective, or I have just done alot of bike mileage this week. I am at 10+ hours of riding through four days, so most likeley it is a combination of the two.

Weekend is gonna be busy with work and training. I haven't been in the pool all week so I will do some swims both days. And of course more biking.

There is something surreal about seeing inside one's self...

2006-05-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Had a fairly busy weekend. Not too much training went on unfortunately; sometimes life does in fact get in the way, eh?

Didn't race Sunday morning either, despite nice weather, but looking back on it, racing a 10K would have been pushing myself a bit given that I have been running again for only two weeks.

Had a look inside myself this morning: not metaphysically either. I went for a loopogram and some other test that involves a camera, bright light, lots of water, 5 nurses, a couple of students and a urologist who is training to race a half-ironman in June. I hit a new low this morning too; my blood pressure registered at 60 over 35 at one point during the test - I was sweating, it wasn't feeling too good and the rush to get the oxygen flowing seemed a bit alarming. But really I think this was due to my having watched my insides on TV; I'm just a wee bit squeemish when it comes to my insides.

But looking back on it, its pretty cool that the technology exists to go inside and have a peek, and is relatively painless too. I am coming to a new equilibrium with my body these days; after recent surgery and in an effort to solve some of the IBS issues I'm dealing with, a lot of effort and attention is going in on my part. So I am starting to perceive these tests with a bit more curiosity and a lot less apprehension.

Well, I could write all day, but I had best go tackle the wind on my bike for a couple of hours. Tonight, my Oilers are going to try their best to make it to the next round of the playoffs for the first time in many years. I don't want to miss it.

I start classes again tomorrow, so swim volume will be down this week. Tuesday is 3.5 hour ride, again 70% effort at max. Wednesday is am swim and 4 hour hilly ride. Thursday is run day, up to 10K this week; and weights. Friday is am swim and 3.5 hour hilly mountain bike ride. Saturday is am swim and 4.5 road ride, long and slow, slow, slow. Sunday is group ride in the morning, which tends to turn into a bit of a pissing contest, so it will be more like a tempo ride or race simulation. I hope I'm ready... Rob, you'll just be hammering for three hours ok?

End of a good week

2006-04-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

Today is:

am swim as:
1000m warm up, drills, kick, swim and pull
3 times the folowing as main set:
2 by 50m = 25 sprint, 25 easy on 1:15
2 by 100 at GRP on 1:35
300 at GRP on 5:00
400 pull/paddles on 6:45

Afternoon bike is 3 hours mountain ride, high cadence, 70% effort

The week has flown by. I worked a fair bit more this week than I usually do so I am tired. No rest for the wicked though. Two more days then an easy one on Monday.

Wednesday training

2006-04-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

Started up with a swim this am:

300 swim, 200 drill, 400 as 50 kick, 50 boardflap, 300 pull as warmup

4 by 50 as 25 hard, 25 easy first 10 meters of hard = dry eyes; on 1:30
4 by 50 as 25 easy, 25 hard first 10 meters of easy = underwater; on 1:30

2 times following as mainset:
100 Goal race pace(GRP)per 100m pace time for John is 1:24 over 1500m; 10 sec rest (r1)
150 GRP; 15 sec r1
200 GRP; 20 sec r1
250 GRP; 100 easy (lactic flush)
(2nd set I did pull, less pace)

2 by 500m pull/paddles long and slow focus on stroke length and streamline
total swim mileage 4000m

My legs are pretty shattered today from having done some really good bike mileage in the last two days. I decided to not ride today and went for a 40 min easy run with my training partner Dawn. This was our first post-surgery run together and the pace was ok. We brought her dog, so I would get plenty of opportunities to catch my breath whenever nature called.

All things considered I'm pretty happy with how quickly my fitness is coming back. May 8th will be three months post-surgery and hopefully I will be back up to regular run volume by then. I'm already at regular bike and swim volume, of sorts. Bike volume will increase 25% in May and then another 15% on top in June. By late June, should be peaking towards 17-18 hours on the bike weekly.

Tomorrow I have a Dr's appointment; let's hope all is well in the infection department (he's an infection specialist). Then it will be another three hours on the bike; let's hope its not raining.

Feels like summer

2006-04-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

Today was a beautiful day in paradise. Temperatures up to around 20 degrees celsius, which I'm not positive but I think is close to 70-80F. Regardless, gorgeous, and I spent it doing what I love to do on days like today: riding my bike.

But not before the morning swim:

500 warm up
3 by 100 kick on 2:00
3 by 200 swim/pull on 3:20
4 by 100 as 50 kick, 50 board flap drill
500 pull paddles
5 by 100 kick with fins
400 pull paddles
300 ez warm down = 3500 total.

I'm also playing around with some different nutritional products right now. I am trying to address some of the symptoms of IBS; I think diet is going to be a huge factor in my long term maintanence of my health.

I find the times that I tend to eat less than ideally are when I'm snacking hungry. Then I tend to grab what I call junk carbs - quick sources of food like: rice crackers, stoned wheat thins, wheat free toast etc. I'm experimenting with a more complete meal replacement product that is completely vegan and made with whole plant nutrients. I chose this product because it is alkaline, which maintains the body's PH balance, and aids in digestion. This is key for dealing with the symptoms of IBS. I'll let you know how it goes.

I had a really good 3:45 ride today with a friend of mine who is a local Cat 2 racer. I was able to keep up for the most part; since this was a chatty ride anyway, much to my praise.

When I ride that kind of time - we probably rode about 80k or so - I have to eat. So I tried one of my new vegan bars and it worked great: enough energy to get me through the volume and easy on my belly. I also use up alot of water and usually some carbohydrate replacement beverage like gatorade or eload.

Tomorrow is a bike and run day, so I will be following my programmed 2 hour mountain ride followed immediately by about 30 minutes of easy pace running.

Ah... development

2006-04-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

Went for a ride this afternoon after work. I had a three hour mountain bike ride programmed so I decided to head out into the back roads around Victoria and visit some of my favourite trails.

About an hour into my ride I came across something totally unexpected: a road, or the beginnings of one, where no road should be. Victoria is experiencing an unprecendented housing boom. Every available pocket of land is being bought up to be built up. I am all for people having somewhere to live. But I wonder why they want to live in this area that I ride in.

Our best area for mountain biking in Victoria is known as The Dump. It isn't some clever name dreamt up by extreme dudes on extreme bikes. No, in our case its literal. We ride on the city's garbage dump. Or right beside it would be more accurate. Why on earth would anyone want to develop this land?

I won't continue my anti-development diatribe. But I will say that I don't get it, and I hope the development will be small and cyclist friendly.

At any rate, I was successful in not letting it spoil my 3 hour ride.

Back to the pool tomorrow morning, then a run before work; most likely 7 or 8 kilometers. If I am feeling good after work in the afternoon, I'll jump on the bike for an easy 1.5 hour: spin the legs out etc.

I'm off to make dinner now; tonight is sauteed brocolli and pork with tons of ginger and garlic and I think I'll make a sweet bell pepper salad with madarin orange ginger sauce. Or maybe it will all get kicked into a big stir-fry - yah, that's what I'm eating.

When fear is unfounded

2006-04-20T13:58:00.000-07:00

After three days of training pretty hard, I programmed a fairly easy day today.

Had to get up and drive a friend to the airport very early, so came home and went back to bed until I woke up (I am embarrased by what time that was). Anyway, back to training.

Today was my first run day in over two months. The February surgery put a real damper in my plans. I had managed to get back into the water and out on the bike about two weeks earlier than I thought I could. But I was afraid to run too soon. I figured all the up-down motions would really cause some hurt and/or trauma to my healing intestines.

I figured an easy 5 kilometers was a good place to start; I also figured an easy pace would be around 5 minutes per kilometer. I plugged myself into my ipod and went with no expectations.

Right out my front door is the beginning of a 5K loop around the campus of the University of Victoria. I started my watch to time me, just out of curiosity; there was no plan to maintain a particular pace.

The run felt ok for having been away for so long. I jogged the cobwebs out of my legs and then settled into a fairly comfortable zone. The next think I knew I was back at my starting point. I checked my watch: 20:40. I checked my watch again.

I am surprised because that pace is almost a minute per kilometer faster than I thought would be comfortable for me. I guess my fears about running were unfounded: no pain, no cramps, no discomfort, no lack of speed, and I felt like I could have carried on for another 5K at least.

I will follow this run up with a few more between now and this time next week, hopefully getting back into cruising my local 12K route as I was back in January.

There is a big 10K race here next weekend - over 10,000 participants; that gives me 10 days to 'ease' into it. I guess I'll sign up with no expectations other than the pleasure of being back at it again!

Wednesday: Just gotta get thru it

2006-04-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

Swam this morning.

1000 meter warm up as 200 swim/ 200 drill (catch up and finger drag)/ 200 pull/ 200 kick/ 200 pull.

4 by 50 (25 all out effort, 25 easy)
3 by 100 goal race pace (GRP) on 1:45
300 pull/paddles

4 by 50 same as above
3 by 100 GRP pull on 1:45
300 pull/paddles
total 2500 meters

Last night's design meeting was impressive; or more accurately, the founder of Lululemon was impressive. Down-to-earth, honest, open and appreciative of the participant's time: this guy knows how to run a business. This is the same person who founded Westbeach, the surfwear shop - now he has Lululemon and a store that has hemp clothing. His businesses definitely demonstrate his commitment to the environment and also to healthy, active lifestyles. If you are familiar with Lululemon's yoga pants you will be appreciative of his efforts.

Nice crowd there last night, including the current women's Xterra world champion. I love living in Victoria; its amazing who we get to rub shoulders with.

Well off to start my 3 hour mountain bike ride. It's a bit overcast here today, so I am expecting to get wet this afternoon. Hopefully I'll find some good trails to push myself up; though my legs are tired, still trying to get used to multiple decent mileage days. Have to remind myself that three weeks from now I'll look back at this week as very little volume.

Tuesday training

2006-04-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Busy day today:

up at 6:30am and in the water by 7:30. Did:

5 by 500 as:
300 pull, 200 swim warm up
5 by 100 at moderate effort on 1:45 (worked out to be about 10-12 seconds rest, I'm swimming really slow right now)
500 pull with paddles
5 by 100 pull moderate effort on 1:45
500 pull with paddles warm down
total 2500 meters

Spent the morning researching irritable bowel syndrome and diets to help control some of the symptoms. Some really interesting stuff. Just google it of you're curious; I was especially interested in the alternative treatments.

Had an appointment this afternoon until 3 ish so didn't get on my bike until then. Rode pretty decent pace for 2.5 hours.

Off tonight to a Lululemon design meeting; apparently they're getting into the triathlon market. This is the company that made yoga pants fashionable. Should be interesting. I'll keep you posted on the good stuff.

Here we go...

2006-04-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

For the next 15 weeks or so, Rob Hill and I will be ramping up our training for the 2006 TransRockies Adventure Race. This blog will serve as our online training journal so you can follow along with the crazy bike mileage and weight sessions that we will be doing... oh, and as always, I'm sure Rob will still be climbing, and I will still be hitting the H2O for some swims.

John will be posting the prescribed bike and swim workouts, and Rob will throw in the weight training sessions.

Week One
Monday: two hour bike, moderate pace - base training.
Tuesday: two and a half hour bike, same as above.
Wednesday: three hour bike, choose a hilly route, keep heart rate at 70% of max on hills.

Back at it again

2006-04-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

Well I am happy to say that I am healing well and back at training. I have been swimming and cycling regularly and will start running again next week.

Ostomy | Athlete.com has undergone a major overhaul. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the new site, so don't be shy.

I read something recently that said if you want to get your blog read more frequently all you had to do was mention Pamela Anderson's Breasts. I think it is a shame for other sites to have to stoop to such a low-level to get read.

Ok you caught me, I am pretty low-stooping, I know. But really its just part of an experiment to see if what I read is really true; you can't believe everything you read these days.

I have obviously had too much time on my hands lately.

I was at the local Victoria Cycling League race last night... man those people were flying. My training partner Dawn won the girls event. The Cat 1,2 men were givin' er... dudes taking off the front all race long. Can't wait to be back in shape enough to join in the fun. 'Course I'll likely be shrapnel off the back of the pack for the first few races. Feels like startin' anew all over again.

No complaints from me really though... considering everything I've been through in the past couple of months I can't be complaining about being on my bike even if I am outa shape a little.

Expect the Unexpected

2006-02-28T13:30:00.000-08:00

quick update... I had emergency surgery at the beginning of February. I arrived home today (Feb 28). By laptop decided to quit on me and it has my site on it; plus its a mac and the other machines I have in the house aren't... needless to say, its gonna be a while before I get it up and running and update the website.

I will post the full story asap.

Cheers,

John

Ostomy | Athlete going to Ottawa?

2006-01-05T19:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you all.

I am back at school after four months of working a research job, having spent far too much time in front of a computer at a desk. Not that my time in front of a computer will change much, but at least now I can take my laptop to the coffee shop instead of tying myself to a desk. Sometimes a change of scenery is all one needs for a renewed sense of excitement.

It has been raining here in Victoria now for 18 days straight: saw it on the news tonight and didn't believe it. But its true. And I have been spending a lot of time on the bike trainer so I know the news can't be wrong. If you are in Canada, and have watched the news lately, you'll know we are in the midst of an election campaign. I am a political science junkie, so I am immersed in the campaign coverage.

I don't want to use this blog for partisan purposes: also I don't belong to a party, never have, probably never will, so I don't know which party you could accuse me of being partisan of. But I do want to air out some of my thoughts on politics and elections.

The major issues for me are not the one's that politicians speak of very often. I think the most important issue in our democracy is declining voter turnout. Especially in young people. It is a complicated situation that doesn't have any clear answers, but I have yet to hear a good reason for NOT voting, so I would challenge you to give me one.

One of the most prevelant thoughts on the issue, is that politicians have lost touch with the realities of daily life for us ordinary citizens. I would say this: if you are reading this blog, you are not ordinary. You probably have an ostomy or are an athlete. In either case, you are part of a very select few with very special interests. I encourage you to explore who is running in your riding and find out his or her positions on issues that are key to having an ostomy or participating in sport, or both.

I know that I am going to explore the various positions on medical issues. I don't believe that there are black and white solutions to solve hospital wait times; but I do know that the costs associated with having an ostomy are leading people to choose less active lifestyles - and therefore a lesser quality of life - for increased product wear time. I see a connection there and believe that people who lead more active, healthy lifestyles spend less time in the hospital; so it makes sense that in an effort to make our health care systems more efficient and provide better service, we should explore the idea of providing more funding for ostomy products and encourage more participation in sport and recreation and other health choices.

Before January 23rd, I will go to an all candidates meeting at the University here, and I will ask my question. My guess is that when I say ostomy, most of the candidates will look at me with confusion on their faces. So I guess I might be doing them a service by introducing them to an issue that is near to me. When I tell them I'm an athlete too, I will be introducing them to an issue that is dear to me. If I can demonstrate the connection between the two, my objective will be acheived. The Federal government in Canada doesn't fund ostomy supplies because they don't make any direct decisions on medicare, or pharmacare. But I know that whoever ends up as Member of Parliament here may play a role in discussions at some point that could lead to direction on policy at some other point: it is amazing how small and interconnected the groups are in provincial and federal political circles.

I guess my point is this: no effort, no matter how small, is wasted. Only opportunities are wasted. Big things have always started small. I encourage you to participate in your democracy in any way you feel comfortable. I'll let you know how my participation goes in a later entry...

A New Inspiration

2005-12-18T10:58:00.000-08:00

Have you ever found that life just seems to work out? That what you need is sometimes given to you precisely when you need it; especially when you can't identify what it is that you need?

I had an experience this week that fell into that realm of my world. I 'met' a new friend this week. I can only use the word met loosely, because somehow meeting someone through the internet still doesn't seem to replace the real thing for me... but this 'meeting' was extremely positive none-the-less.

I bet your curious now aren't you? You are probably thinking: "Oh my, John's signed onto an internet dating site". Benny, you're probably thinking: "Oh my, does Christine, John's fiance, know what he's up to when she's not looking?"

Sorry to disappoint. I guess I should apologize on two accounts, first off my bad attempt at some humour, and secondly, for misleading you all into thinking that suddenly this blog might get juicy. Its not: funny nor juicy. Sorry.

Ok, now that that ramble is over, let me get into the main point here:

I have been having a hard time training lately. The last few months I have been working in a 9-5 Monday-Friday job and really haven't been able to focus on training. I still train, just not with the same mental focus or intensity. I have been feeling frustrated as of late, because I haven't been able to keep up with my training partner on the run - and I used to have no problem doing that - and that Dawn is even swimming faster than me - and she NEVER used to be able to do that. Unfortunately I am a competitive person and these realities were creating some issues for me.

Then in a totally unrelated event, a gentleman named Charlie got in touch with me through my website. He had some extremely complementary things to say to me; and his race resume is extremely complementary to him. I was deeply touched. And deeply inspired. Charlie has an ostomy like me: different diseases, different ostomies, but same none-the-less. I needed Charlie to get in touch with me this past week. I don't think Charlie knew that, and I know that I didn't know it.

Yesterday, I had a great swim and a fantastic bike ride out in the sun. I felt alive and motivated; I felt smooth and fast in the water; I felt strong and motivated on the bike. I feel inspired to write today too! And judging from the lack of blog entries over the past two months you know I needed that inspiration desperately! So this entry is dedicated to my new friend Charlie, who approached me unknowing that I needed a deep impact to motivate and inspire me. I view this as a gift greater than any material possession - it is a gift of spirit. Who knew that the internet would become a tool of spirit?

PS: Benny, can't wait for you to get here so we can get our bike on... them's gonna be days of pain: more likely for me than for you but great anyway I look at it!

What's passion?

2005-12-04T13:45:00.000-08:00

This time of year I get to do a lot of things that I don't normally incorporate into my life. Usually because they involve being awake and alert past 9 pm.

Last night I went to see the Victoria Symphony and a pianist named Andre Laplante. I have seen him before, and I will gladly see him again. I do like classical music, and music in general, but I see him not just for his musical talent. You see, Andre is a bit of a hero to me. I have no desire to be a concert pianist; I don't play piano; and I can't name or recognize very many classical works. But Andre is living the life that I believe we are all meant to live: he is living his life's work.

I have never witnessed anyone more passionate, more absorbed and more happy than this amazing man. His hair is white and long... kind of like what you would expect of an eccentric genius. He pulls it back in a pony tail; but by the time his performance is over, it is unkempt and dishevelled, falling in his face. Nothing could look more perfect or natural. While he is playing, his face is a mix of pure joy, concentration and wrapture. He is absolutely consumed by the utter joy of playing. And the audience is absolutely consumed by the awe of this spectacle. I honestly think it wouldn't matter what he was playing, because it is in the 'how' that his message is communicated.

I got thinking last night because of this; it kept me up, and it woke me up after I fell asleep. In my life, I measure success not by dollars in a bank account, nor wins on a scorecard, or by how many people like me. I measure success by how I sleep at night, because when I am living my life as closely aligned to my passions as I can, I sleep really well. Yes, sometimes aspects of our lives that are beyond our control interefere with this. I believe we need to accept those circumstances and not use them as excuses, instead recognizing the control we do have and excercising that to fullfill our life's work, closely aligning it with what makes us passionate.

I learned a long time ago that what makes me passionate is not likely to make me wealthy; but it will lead to a richer life than a life lived in the pursuit of material excess to satisfy the emptiness that is caused by living a life that is not led by my passions.

It took me some time to figure out what my life's work is. I have also learned that this evolves over time. In learning to accept that, and to reflect on it, I have learned that a night's sleep interupted by thought can occasionally be a grand thing. Last night served as a reminder that I need to re-adjust my path again towards my goal of recognizing my life's work and living it. And so it is.

What's on my ipod?

2005-11-08T21:57:00.000-08:00

I am always fascinated by what music gets people going. Here's what's on my ipod shuffle at the moment:

Neighbourhood #3: The Arcade Fire
That Song: Big Wreck
Nothing Changes: The Watchmen
Downtime: Gandharvas
Rebellion Lies: The Arcade Fire
Overrated: Pilate
All These Things That I Have Done: The Killers
In Love with a Bad Idea: Matthew Good
My Maria: Brooks and Dunn (cuz you can't leave home without a little country)
All Uncovered: The Watchmen
Fix You: Coldplay
Into Your Hideout: Pilate
The Oaf: Big Wreck
Yeah: Usher featuring Little John
Bitter Sweet Symphony: The Verve
Run: Snow Patrol
Man I Used to Be: K-OS
Walkin with a Ghost: Tegan and Sara
Slow Motion (yes the entire album): David Gray

What's on your ipod?

I know I haven't written in a while

2005-10-28T21:55:00.000-07:00

Just because I haven't written doesn't mean I haven't been thinking. I appologize for my absense; I have been fighting my body as of late, getting sick and what not.

I had an interesting conversation earlier today that got me thinking about impediments to active, healthy living. As an ostomate I am acutely aware of just how expensive it can be to have had or be unhealthy. I spend about $250 a month on ostomy supplies. That works out to around $3000 a year. Considering that the roof over my head costs me $350 a month, I'd say its fairly significant.

Now, I don't get the wear time out of my ostomy products that most others get; I sweat a lot, shower a lot and swim a lot; all that water leads to the products coming off like band-aids in a pool. This is a result of choices I make. If I lived a lifestyle that was geared more towards extending the wear time of my products, I would likely get 5-6 days out of them instead of 1-1.5. When my parents were paying for my supplies, they actively encouraged me to extend wear time (read nag, nag, nag).

At that time, I didn't participate in sports, I watched a lot of TV and ate a lot of chips... I was slightly overweight - enough so for my doctor to say something to me. I was also more prone to getting colds, flu and kidney infections. Now I don't get sick anywhere near as much, am not really overweight and watch considerably less television (but I never miss 24). I have to say that the wear time versus quality of life debate is strongly argued towards quality of life.

I live in Canada; my provincial medical plan covers some of the cost of my ostomy supplies - it has a large deductible ($1500) anything over it pays 70%; and my extended medical plan picks up 80% of my out of pocket expenses. So when all is said and done I figure I am out of pocket about $600 of the $3000 I spend each year. I had to put the money out first, but not bad coverage, really. I am fairly lucky, I have heard of quite a few people who don't have any help at all.

I'd like to know from all of the ostomates who read this blog: do you give up on quality of life, to get more wear time? Do you not participate in recreation or sport because you don't want to spend the money on ostomy supplies? Would this change if you had better assistance with your ostomy supplies?

Can we be supporting our athletes better than this?

2005-10-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

I don't complain often, but...

When I started this blog I made a commitment to try not to use it in a negative manner. In other words, I didn’t want to use it to voice my complaints. But tonight, I am deviating from that commitment ever so slightly.

Ironman Canada was televised yesterday here in Canada. I had been looking forward to watching all week. I made sure that I freed up noon till one so that no distractions would bother me. I unplugged my phone; I locked my doors; I made popcorn and I got down to business.

I won’t say which channel; but if you live in Canada it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out the culprit. Anyway, race goes off… I’m waiting to see the story unfold. I’m waiting to hear or see a mention of Canadian Trevor Williams who goes on to beat several pros and win the age-group overall title. I’m waiting to see the story of Sister Madonna Buder, become the first 75-year-old woman to finish Ironman. I’m waiting to see the drama of Ironman racing: the pain, the perseverance and the story of overcoming obstacles against all odds; this is what makes triathlon so great.

I race triathlon because it just might be the last sport where pros and amateurs race together on the same course at the same time in the same race. I race triathlon because of the respect that each and every athlete has for one another because we know that we are all suffering no matter how fast we finish. I race triathlon because when you do, something changes deep down inside of you and the only people who understand this are the other participants of our glorious sport.

NBC’s coverage of Ironman Hawaii introduced me to triathlon. Watching Peter Reid win in 1998 inspired me to take a turn in triathlon. I wept when Simon Whitfield won gold in the first ever-Olympic triathlon event; I shouted him in to the finish as if I were cheering Joe Montana at the Superbowl. I could do this because of television coverage.

So when Subaru Ironman Canada was televised and the coverage was inadequate at best, and uninspiring throughout, I wept for the missed opportunity. It is nothing short of tragic that a national sports network could not get it together enough to convey the true nature of a 17-hour race in one hour of TV. There simply is no excuse. There is a plethora of triathlon resource people connected with Ironman, or other triathlon organizations to exploit. Everyone in the sport of triathlon in Canada and around the world wants to see our sport grow; triathlon changes peoples lives for the better.

So I say to that sports network (ok, no secrets anymore)… next time tell the story of the race: all of it, not just the winners or the pro who crashed out. You are a Canadian network and there were no less than half a dozen up and coming pros there who didn’t even get a mention. You didn’t tell Trevor’s story, or mention his name. When you fail in this matter you are not supporting our sport, or our athletes.

Very few athletes in Canada can make enough in their sport to pay for their racing and training. This will change if our athletes get the media attention they earn. It will certainly change as our sport grows, and attracts many more participants. TV coverage is instrumental in this process. By conveying the story of the whole race, TV networks can inspire and motivate people to get out and try triathlon; perhaps if they did this, their advertising revenues would increase with their ratings? Seems like common sense to me.

I have to ask these questions after my rant: Am I alone in wanting to see the story of the athletes who finish late in the race? Am I alone in wanting to see the story of the athlete who overcame illness, accident or tragedy and is racing anyway? Am I alone in wanting to see the story of the up-and-comers? Write me and tell me what you think.