My kind of get-a-way!

A couple of weeks ago I raced in one of the Vancouver Island Road Running races and was able to catch up with the folks from LifeSport. While waiting for results, they all talked me into coming down to Victoria for a little "mini training camp" weekend. I was, of course, all for the idea. Oh yeah! Bring it on... Putting it past the family and making it a reality was another thing. Easier said than done with this "working-triathlete-mom"!! It wasn't a for sure thing until Thursday afternoon when I found out from my buddy Sarah that her sister was willing to be my "home stay" for the weekend! Free accommodations!!! Yes!!! Thank you Sarah for asking your sister, and thank you, thank you, thank you Dani for opening up your home to me on such short notice to a stranger!!! Dani Rocks!

Friday morning, I am up at the crack of dawn to get kids ready for school and pack fast! I have to be in Victoria by 11:45 to swim with the Lifesport crew at noon!... I had such a great swim. I was a bit nervous and did not want to seed myself in a lane that was too challenging, so coach put me in lane 4. I ended up swimming better than I have been, and was getting a little more rest between my 100's than he wanted! Yay!! But! That was not the highlight! Lucy Smith appeared in my lane and was going after me. If anyone knows who Lucy is, they will know, I was peeing my pants thinking... "I'm leading the lane that Lucy is swimming in"! Check out her blog and all her athletic accomplishments over the last 25 years!!! She's one fast 41 year old!!! So at the end of the swim, Lucy gives me a "pat" on the head and says "Thanks for that, you made me work"!!!... Now, if only I could ride and run like her!...

Oh yeah, and check out the very important "post workout/race recovery bar"!!! Never leave home without it!

After our swim, I went out with Coach Bruce for a 3.5 hour base ride around Victoria. The weather was spectacular, and the ride was throughout the entire lower end of Vancouver Island! After the ride, I was treated to some famous smoked salmon, cream cheese, and red wine, at the Regensburg's home. Talk about recovery nutrition or what! Saturday we ran at Elk Lake in preparation for the insanely hilly Hatley Castle 8km run race we were about to do Sunday Morning.

Hatley Castle

Coach Bruce and I post race!

Coach gave me specific instructions on how to tackle the 8 km race today. I was to stay in zone 3 heart rate until after the hill at the 2.5 km mark to save myself for the 350 meter-16% grade hill that we had to climb shortly after. Man was I feeling my legs after the hills on this one. Apparently, people go out too fast and are walking by the time they hit the hill. I didn't walk, thank god! But, I would just get to the top, and the burn in my legs would slow me right down, and it took a few minutes to get the pace up again. This would be fine if the hills were to stop, but they just kept coming like that. Then at 6.5 km, we had 1.5 km of very steep downhill and then 500m again of another gradual climb to the finish line! Ugh!... This is where I counted 4 people passed me at the end. I so have to work on those hills!

Coach Paul getting his 8th place finish ribbon!

Coach Bruce on the podium as well!

Coach Dan's close up of his 3rd place 30:55!!! For Men 45-49

My 5th place for Women 40-44!! It doesn't help that one of the BEST runners in Canada is in my age category! Cheryl Murphy (1st overall female) in a big time of 29:55 (6 min/miles) Holy can that girl run! Yes, she is a mother and works full time too! I am not worthy!

Overall, the weekend was exactly what I needed! But, now back to reality and working early Monday morning will really send a shock back to my system!

Happy Sunday!!