Race Report – Kelowna Apple (Nationals)
"The route to personal excellence and meaningful self-growth is full of ups and downs; progressions and regressions; great leaps forward, backslides, and plateaus. But as long as the overall direction is up, you will ascend the mountain-and there are many mountains to climb in this life, all of different textures."
- Terry Orlick (In Pursuit of Excellence)
So where do I start? The race was a disaster. A complete and utter disappointment. As close to falling on my face as is possible without actually doing so. I could go on but I won't.
69th overall and 10th in my age-group in a time of 2:20, 10 minutes off my goal time. Sure, I had to swim without a wetsuit for the first time in a race, the bike course included a significant hill to climb each of the three laps, and it was probably the hottest weather I've ever had to run in (even with the cloud cover) but none of that was (or is now) a comfort.
I know what made it so difficult to deal with was the fact that, with the time away from school, I had dedicated the past month and a half completely to training. So much of what I did revolved around workouts, or getting ready for workouts, or recovering from workouts. I had become a full time triathlete.
And I was seeing improvements. In the past month I had smashed PB's in a 1.5 k swim and a 16 k bike time trial, and was running paces at the track that I had never dreamed I could do. So falling so short of expectations was a complete shock. Sitting at the finish line I just couldn't wrap my head around what had happened.
"You task is to make the journey from immediate loss to eventual gain as rapidly, smoothly, and comfortably as possible."
So the challenge, as is the case so often in racing and life, is to find a way to make that journey.
What makes it easier is to have those around you who each do their little parts in getting you through that transition. Thanks Mom, Dad, Martina, Alan, Steph, Brian, Amy and the whole rest of the LETC crew. For a chance to just sit and talk, for just asking how things went, for leaving me alone when I needed it, for not pushing when I didn't want to talk about it, for listening when I did, and most of all, for knowing when a smoothie would make it all better. Thank you.
So where to now?
"Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself and yourself alone one question: Does this path have heart? All paths are the same. They lead nowhere. They are paths going through the brush or into the brush or under the brush. Does this path have a heart is the only question. If it does then the path is good...if it doesn't then it is of no use. Both paths lead nowhere, but one has a heart and the other doesn't. One makes for a joyful journey; as long as you follow it you will be one with it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong, the other weakens you."
I think the fact that, after a short swim in Okanagan Lake yesterday morning on my own, sitting on the beach I was brought to tears at the thought of how disappointed I was answers the question for me. If this path didn't have heart I could've walked away from the finish line indifferent and unaffected. And to some maybe that's a more palatable option but that's not me. Sure it hurt to fail but that's what happens when you risk something.
"The pursuit of balanced excellence is both challenging and fulfilling. Relish its intensity, cherish its beautiful moments, and accept its risks. Many lives lack this sense of passionate absorption and personal meaning, the charged-up feeling, the flow of adrenaline, the body telling its master, I'm ready...let's go."
So let's go. Vancouver Triathlon in less than two weeks.
Silver for Simon, Gold for Triathlon
Wow. I don't think there are words to describe the men's triathlon last night at the Olympics. I love sports and moments like that are so rare. When an athlete you admire so greatly pulls out an unbelievable athletic perfomance you can't help but have chills. I was shaking afterwards I was so pumped.
Make no mistake, even though Simon came up short of the gold, what he did was not just a great physical feat but an even greater mental feat. To fall off the leading group's pace twice during the race and have the fortitude to pull yourself back to the group (and eventually past them as was the case at the finish) is so beyond the realm of "mental toughness" that Simon's ability to be classified as a mere mortal has to be brought into question.
That is what sport is about. It's something that no amount of corporate money, doping, or special speedsuits can buy. An athlete simply staring deep inside himself to find out what they are truly made of and being fearless enough to lay out there for everyone to see.
And finally, what an unbelievable advertisement for triathlon in this country. CBC stuck with the race the entire way and it was perfectly placed in prime time so I can only imagine how many people were watching. The story for it on cbc.ca has at least 5 times more comments on it than any other story this morning and the comments section on Simon's blog has been turn off I'm guessing simply because it got to be a little too much.
A sport that was already on the rise, triathlon can only be helped by such an amazing race (whether or not it was a Canadian who provided some of the greatest drama). That combined with the ITU on the verge of announcing their new multi-million dollar sponsor means a bright future for the sport.
A race report from Kelowna is on the way.
Morning Coffee – Kelowna Race Edition
I'm not racing this morning until 9:25 and we had to be at the race course by 6 for Alan to get ready so I've got some time to kill. So I thought I'd relax at Starbucks, with a coffee, and reflect on how I'm feeling before the race.
I spent some time getting myself focused yesterday. My biggest hurdle is getting over the fact that it probably won't be a wetsuit swim. I know I'm not going to be as fast but I have to remember that no one else will be either.
And I know the heat is going to be nasty but again, it's going to be nasty for everyone else as well. It's ok if it affects me, I just need to deal with it better than everyone else and I'll have an advantage.
Which brings me to an idea I had yesterday when I was trying to focus on the race and do some visualization: making it hurt. I realized/decided that come the race I have complete control over how much it hurts. I can stop at any time or I can push harder. The pain I'll feel will be a decision I make not an external factor that is out of my hands.
So that means I just have to decide to hurt. And realize that the more it hurts, the faster I'm going and use it to push that much more.
Until I cross the finish line. Then I can relax and cheer Martina on in her first big elite race.
Game on.
Kelowna Heat and Tapering
Arrived safe and sound in Kelowna yesterday. The drive here was much more enjoyable than the one to Cranbrook if only because it was way shorter. It is however a fair bit hotter here than in Vancouver (35 degrees today, tomorrow and race day) so we've been doing our best to get acclimatized. The "easy" 30 minute run in the afternoon heat yesterday was a start but was also a bit of an eye opener as to how tough it might be come Sunday.
Other than that, an easy bike ride this morning to check out the course and now just sitting on the porch outside our room, enjoying being in taper mode.
Up until this race, I had generally taken a fairly relaxed approach to tapering. For those not in the know, tapering is basically resting your body in the days (or weeks) leading up to a race. It gives your body a chance to fully recover from all of the training and "damage" you have done over the past months and complete all of the adaptations to that training that make you faster.
The tricky part is that it tends to be, well, tricky. Don't take enough time to rest and you wont be on top of your game. Take too much time and you risk losing some of the fitness you have built up and feeling flat due to a lack of intensity. It really is a fine line that is unique to every athlete. Some respond well to working hard right up until race today. Others need time completely off. So it's a learning experience to figure out what works for me.
In the past, I took it very easy in the week leading up to a race (trying to err on the safe side) but this time around I spent a little more time doing race intensity workouts right up until Wednesday (including a crit race on Tuesday). I'm hoping that the extra bit of intensity will keep me from feeling flat (like a did a little going into Worlds) on Sunday.
Just to illustrate the importance of tapering (and because I have yet to mention the Olympics or Phelps in this post), a comment from the very intelligent boys at Science of Sport about Phelps and his coach that I cannot agree more with...
Speedo LZR racers aside, two things that Phelps and his coach have clearly nailed are his training and tapering, for there is no doubt that he is on top form right now. To arrive at a competition and win is one thing, but to set records in doing so is a clear indication that he optimized his training and got his taper just right. To be sure, he and his coach have had much experience with this over the years, but to get it right in such a big way is no small feat and cannot be overlooked!
Well, back to "tapering". Although I'm not sure the candies Martina just brought back from Save-On for me are going to help any.
Good Enough
A "great" post on being "good enough" from Jordan Rapp. My favourite quote:
"Good enough" is a term that ought to be reserved for the toilets in the restroom at the pool, or the quality of paint of the lines on the road, or the amount of parking at the track.
And I doubt Phelps would say going home with 5 gold medals is "good enough". Only 3 more to go.
Unfortunately, Canada is starting to think just winning a medal, in any event, is "good enough". Hopefully the CBC reshows the interview with fencer Sherraine Schalm after her loss. It's a "great" insight into what the COC thinks is "good enough" which really is just a reflection what the government and the public think is "good enough".
He Is Mortal
Lance Armstrong finishes 2nd in Leadville 100.
But Phelps may not be. Only devine intervention can explain the US comeback in the 4x100 freestyle last night. 2 down, 6 to go. Tonight the 200m freestyle.
And the rowing boys cruised to an easy victory in their heat last night. And finally some pictures of them with Ben in them.
Morning Coffee
One week until Nationals in Kelowna. Until then some random morning (mostly Olympic) thoughts...
- One week until Nationals also means one week until the triathlon races at the Olympics (Sunday night for the women, Monday night for the men). Simon seems poised to win another medal but is going to be hard pressed to repeat his gold medal performance from Sydney against competition like Gomez and Docherty. But he may have a secret weapon with support like this.
- A quick kudos to CBC for their online coverage of the Olympics. In the past two days I've watched sports that I've never had a chance to see like weightlifting and fencing and, just as importantly, used their website to actually learn what was going on and appreciate them. More than any of that though, it also allows those who are involved in and passionate about their sport to watch their events from start to finish instead of just getting a 10 second clip about how Canadians did in the event. Knowing I get to watch the triathlon races uninterrupted is awesome. If you haven't already, go check it out.
- On an Olympic note, the men's eight rowing team was supposed to start their redemption tour but weather delayed their first heat until tonight. If you don't know their story, here's a good primer with a video for those adverse to reading (you know who you are). Knowing Ben (you know you've made it when you have a wikipedia page) from university when he was not as dedicated an athlete as he is now (I'll spare him the specifics) I'll be watching all the way through and cheering them on. My favourite quote from them: "We train this hard so that on a bad day we can still win gold. That's the bottom line."
- More Olympics. I mentioned Kyle Shewfelt's battle to compete at the Olympics last week and while he didn't make it to the gymnastics final there was a moment worth mentioning. On his first go at the vault in qualifying he "nailed" the Shewfelt (yes, he has a move named after him already). But it was the look on his face immediately afterwards that caught me (I'll post a video if I can eventually find it). It was one of an athlete who had done everything he possibly could to prepare and performed exactly as he hoped, no matter what score the judges gave him. As he said afterwards, "That was perfection. That was beautiful."
- One last Olympic comment. Michael Phelps is a freak. The only way he doesn't win 8 golds is if one of his teammates lets him down on one of the relays.
In terms of training, slogged through a 90 minute ride on the trainer yesterday but found a little something at the pool in the afternoon (thanks to a tip about my breathing from Alan) so that made me feel a little better despite being tired. Combo bike-run session at the track today and then a rest day before some final preparations next week.
Training Update
It should be said when things are going well, it's a lot easier to write about than when things are tough. The last couple of weeks have seen me put in some weekly hours beyond what I'm used to and thus have spent some extra time laying around trying to recover for a 2nd or 3rd workout of the day. But I'm writing now...
After a weekend of struggling on the bike (so much so I was convinced there had to be something wrong with my bike) I spent Monday recovering and then Tuesday was an easy morning swim and run. Still not feeling right on the bike I opted out of the Tuesday night crit and relaxed in the sun while watching Martina and Alan duke it out instead.
Wednesday morning we were at the track as usual but for a combo bike-run workout. We even got a few pictures this time around. My only complaint is that it looks more like noon than 5:30 in the morning. We'll have to take some in the winter when it's pitch black out and the sun still isn't up when we're done.
The workout itself went well with three overpace (40 sec) 200's after a bike and then three pace (3:40) km's after a bike. Unlike the bike, the run had been feeling pretty good and the 3:40 pace felt, dare I say it, almost easy.
Then came Wednesday night's 16km bike club time trial. After the weekend I expected very little of myself and simply hoped to beat my time of 25:04 from the spring as I had, at the start of the year, set a goal of 25 minutes by the end of the season (last year my best time was 28 minutes).
Turns out there might not be anything wrong with my bike. I ended up hammering out a time of 23:13, nearly two minutes faster than in the spring and put a bit of fear into Alan that I'm going to catch him soon as I was less than 30 seconds behind him. Overall, a definite confidence booster going into Nationals next weekend.
Yesterday I had a solid morning swim, an easy spin on the bike in the afternoon and then a good track workout in the early evening (to hopefully get used to running in the heat before Kelowna) with five 1 km pieces at pace. Again, at the faster than normal pace (3:40) I felt strong even after the tough workouts the day before. More good news for next weekend.
So today has me doing a swim and then an easy run in afternoon but not before I finish watching the opening ceremonies of the olympics this morning. Yes, nearly three weeks of sports morning, noon, and night (well, mostly night). I don't think it gets much better than that. And thanks to the internet and cbcsports.ca with as many as 9 feeds you can watch pretty much every event from start to finish. What could be better than round of 64 action in badminton or the 10 m pistol finals? But for tonight...
Rob's Event Pick of the Night: Men's Cycling Road Race
Recent Tweets
- New blog posting, Quick Updates - http://robeakin.com/dm
- After 2 months of race focus, had forgotten the exhaustion of long bike rides. Two 3 hour rides this weekend. Hope I'm ready for the Fondo.
- Just ate a 900 calorie salad. Can you even call it a salad anymore when it's equivalent to one and a half Big Macs?
- Holy crap. Bettman is such a douche he thinks he can renegotiate the CBA when it suits him. - http://t.co/t9bUgRD
- Pumped about getting on the ice for the first time in years tomorrow. Too long since I played a sport where you have to wear a jock. #odd?
Calendar
Leading Edge
- My first triathlon. Vancouver Tri Sprint September 6, 2010 September 6, 2010Results are not up yet, though I know that Martina won Olympic, and Teresa and Bronwyn were first and second respectively in Olympic 50-55 Age Group. I will post full results as soon as they are available. So, what to write for this mornings race report? It has been strange to contemplate doing this race. […]
Martina Wan
- S4 Week 47 – GO IM’ers! August 29, 2010Just want to say best of luck and congrats to all the amazing people doing Ironman this weekend!! You guys are amazing in taking on this feat … and maybe one day I will be there : ) […]
Engineered Athletes
- You can learn more from failure than success… August 23, 2010You can learn more from failure than success. In failure you’re forced to find out what part did not work. But in success you can believe everything you did was great, when in fact some parts may not have worked at all. Failure forces you to face reality. Fred Brooks I was reading an article […]
Tri Thinking Pink
- Post Game Show September 5, 2010Some final analysis to wrap up my IMC report. As before, you can follow these links to see the previous parts if you haven't read them yet: the Pre-Game Report, the Swim & T1 Report, the Bike Report, and the T2 & Run Report.I've had a week to reflect on the race now and have come to many conclusions. I'll start with the immediate after […]
Alive With Sport
- Getting outdoors August 9, 2010I seem to be immune to the triathlon bug this year. You know the bug – the one hits for weeks or even months after you sign up for some race that scares the pants off you. Not that I’m cured, I do forsee that this bug will hit again in the future. It’s just […]
Tri’n Fool
- Calgary Pre-Race Report August 27, 2010Last year the pre-race logistics were a pain. Staying out of town, and with one car between my Mum and I made it even messier this year. I needed to register and pick up my race package at the Westin downtown then truck all the way out to Ghost Lake (about 90 km out of Calgary) to drop off my bike and my T2 bag, then head all the way back to the hotel.I was […]