Signs, signs, everywhere are signs!

There are signs of Ironmania everywhere around town!!! Braydan and I went out for a little 'walk-about' town to see the peeps and the transformation of small town Penticton into an Iron City. We first had to make a few stops at my new stomping grounds since we have been staying here. In the past 12 months, our little shopping complex grew from a Tim Horton's coffee to an amazing Organic Grocery, Starbucks, T-Bone's, and Cobb's Bread. What more could a mother of three and a triathlete need in just 50 paces from my doorstep! I am in heaven. I don't have to take a car to load up on groceries I don't have room for. We come home from the day at the beach and walk to the stores and decide what we are going to cook up on the Bar-B-Q. Amazing!

The hotels are filling up and there are athletes out getting in their last minute training in the lake, and on the roads.

This sign is conveniently located right at the finish line area! I will be looking for this around 6pm Sunday night!

Down town artwork.

The sign right at the transition area exits says it all.

Boxes and boxes of tri-geek clothing just waiting to be opened for the grand opening tomorrow morning. It is like boxing day sales in these tents come 9am Thursday! The athlete's go crazy for M dot merchandise.

Downtown Starbuck's art.

Made completely out of bike parts, of course.

These guys were great. And Bree, if you are reading this. I was paid the best compliment here today. A couple of the employees asked me if I was "Bree Wee"?? I got a huge smile on my face and said "No, but I know her!" And they were like, " Really, wow!!" Thanks Bree!

The bike works guys got my girl all pretty and in tip top shape for race day! She looks fast!!!

I love Brady. He loves the simple toys we had as kids. He was so happy today, after we picked up a slinky for him!

After the walk-about, this triathlete took a very, very, rare nap! Well needed, and now I am off to Whole Foods to listen to Jordan Rapp talk about race day nutrition!

Have a great day!!

Monday Morning of IMC Race Week!!!

Really???? Is it that time already??? Monday morning of IMC race week. The town of Penticton has grown by double in the last week. There are "Iron Bods" everywhere! My early morning swims with the lake to myself, not having to site for oncoming traffic has come to an abrupt halt! This morning there were at least 30 Tri-Geeks coming and going out on the 'flat calm' lake. A nice change from yesterday's windy morning chop. Apparently there were more than just the two swimmers I saw out there, as the rollers were deep enough you could not see to your left or right if someone was beside you.

Taper week went extremely well... Too well actually. I fell into vacation mode way too easy. I had some help though. We were fortunate to have the best friends ever come and keep us company for the week. It was easy for me to get up at the crack of dawn, get my training in before anyone was awake, and then spend the rest of the day laying on the beach and catching up with Rhonda and Sarah while the "boys" and the "boys and girls" swam, swam, and swam some more. A couple nights we were at the beach until 9:30. Just love those evening swims!

My little Braydan. Now 11, and man he is so cute. He is like his mom though. We both get way too cold in the lake swimming without a wetsuit on. He keeps me company when the other two boys stay in the water for hours.

This has got to be one of my most favourite pic's of the summer!

Braydan

I absolutely love my underwater mode of my camera. It still makes me a little uneasy using it under the water, as I don't want it to fail again.

Jordan

Nathan

Nathan, working on that stream line technique.

Nathan in stealth mode under the water.

Eden and Braydan.

So cute watching these guys. An 'all boys' family needs an 'all girls' family to hang out with. They were so cute. I just loved watching them hang out together. Eden was teaching Brady how to do a hand stand roll over.

Rhonda and I at the beach until who knows how long while the kids swam in the light of the moon. So cool!! Rhonda will be back this weekend to be part of the cheering squad and maybe, just maybe, get in that line up Monday morning for IMC registration.

Jordan, Nathan, Annika, Eden, and Braydan.

The gang and taco night with mom's famous "Mango Salsa".

No vacation is complete without making a couple of visits to the go carts. Josh is looking all "Chillaxin" here while he crushes his competitors on course.

Jordan loving the hair blowing in the wind and "driving". He has caught the driving bug and cannot stop talking about what car he wants to buy when he gets his drivers licence.

Braydan!

Gabe!

Nathan!

Josh, Brady, Nathan, Gabe, and Jordan!

Finally, after like 3 years, I have an updated Summer photo of my friend Sarah and I at the beach. So good to see everyone!

Monday morning "Race Week" swim. I actually had a little nervous tummy going into the water today. Now that the friends are gone, the real race week taper begins. No more ice cream until after the race! I have already picked out what I want Shawn to have for me at the finish line. Rhonda and I found some "Dutch Dairy" Chocolate milk at "Whole Foods Market". It is like drinking a chocolate bar. I always have such a hard time trying to figure out what I want to have right after coming across the finish line, as the nausea that sets in right after increases like 10 fold when you see the nasty pizza they are serving in the food tent. After my chocolate milk, we are going out for dinner, and I plan on getting something super creamy and full of fat!

This was just the perfect way to start the week. Today's high is to be 28C. The forecast for the week is calling for Tuesday a high of 27C, Wednesday 28C, Thursday 33C, Friday 31C, and Saturday a high of 33C!!! So glad to be here acclimating in this weather. Here's hoping my Hawaii and Penticton 'hot and windy weather' training will give me some good heat resistance come race morning!

Only 6 more sleeps until the 3:45am wake up call Sunday Morning!

Happy Monday!!

12 more sleeps and counting!!!

I am finally at the Ironman Canada race site anticipating the big event in 12 more sleeps! OMG!! Where has the time gone? When you sign up for a sporting event a year in advance it sure does make life fly by. I remember posting the IMC and Kona countdown tickers on my blog page thinking I had so much time to prepare mentally and physically to make my 40th year as eventful as possible! I have had an excellent adventure leading up to this race this year. Coaching and supporting some of the most amazing friends in triathlon this year has made my own training and racing even more special. It brought a fresh start to the year, new training partners, new friendships, great adventures, and I feel I have had the best race season to date. Now, I just need to keep that good energy going through the next week and a half into next Sunday. This morning I was up at the crack of dawn eager to get out in the water. Which is a very good feeling to have in taper time. "Tapering" for IMC is definitely something to master. You would think it was just a piece of cake. Reduced training volume, no big deal. But what comes with that is the overwhelming feelings of "but did I do enough", "I feel like I should be doing more", "Oh, I can't eat all that food anymore cause I am not burning all those calories anymore", "what am I going to do for the rest of the day, I have only one workout, and it's done, now what?... Oh yeah, put my feet up, sit on the beach and watch the boys swim, relax in a tube and float down the canal, read, put my feet up some more, eat a little, sleep some more.... Nice! I need to make piece with this taper thing, it sounds like a good thing.

My Kona inspirational swimming cap! Look coach, I have my 'tempo' trainer with me too! Oh yeah, and my Lisa Bentley signed IMC lucky pack sack for my early morning wake up call to the "Peach" at Okanagan Beach!

We swim way out to those clay bluffs across and back race morning! 3.8km (2.4 miles for the americans)

The infamous "Peach" just before the finish line. When you see that after 11 hours and 59 minutes and 58 seconds you just want to kiss it! This year, here's hoping I see it at least an hour earlier than last year! "Our hopes and dreams should never be smaller than our memories"!

Have a beautiful Tuesday.

Martinis and Pedicures... Oh my!

My one last hurrah and only 49 more sleeps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kathy and I post mineral soak, exfoliation, and in this pic masking our feet. Yes, there is a hint of green going on there. The products were amazing! That will be the best my feet will look and feel for a long time now.

Not sure if the above picture should be on here... Hopefully Coach doesn't see this. Actually, I was really good. The "Arbonne" and Martini party could have gotten way out of hand, but the athlete in me kept me from loosing control over the alcohol consumption on Friday night. Sarah Seeds had all the "Run Leaders" over for an amazing Arbonne/Martini Party. We were to bring a Martini to share with the recipe and then we were all to taste them and vote on our favorite. Mine was titled, "The Ironmantini"... Of course. I won everyone over in presentation, but it did not win the big prize of the night.

This was my last weekend of sin. As of tonight, I am cut off of wine, chocolate, dairy, and anything else I fall victim to that does not go with the Ironman diet for the next 7 weeks!! Only 49 more sleeps until game time! Watching the race coverage of the Vancouver Half Ironman and the Desert Half in Osoyoos today has given me a boost of energy to make every workout count!

Enough about my training and racing!...

I have to brag about one of my very bestest friends and athlete from Kamloops, Rhonda Eden! She made a come back this year into the Triathlon world like a ROCK STAR!!!! Rhonda's last half was the Oliver Persona Half in 2007 in 40`C weather. It was a grueling race in the heat. Well, today in the Vancouver Half, she rocked that course out there today and I so would have loved to have been at that finish line to give her the biggest hug and kiss!!! 5:42 Personal Best!! She took off well over an hour and a half off her last Half Ironman time and she did it with a huge smile on her face! I wish I had a picture to post of her, but they will be on the LifeSport website soon! I am So! So! So! proud of you Rhonda! Way to go girlfriend! Rumour has it she is going to be around the Penticton area at the end August... Standing in a very famous line up.... Registering for a very special race!!!.... IMC 2010!! Woo Hoo Rhonda, you will love it!

Life Is Simple: Swim-Bike-Run-Eat-Sleep! Cheers!

I love my bike!!!!!

Comox Valley Cycle Club's Wednesday Night TT's!

Yes, I did get some new wheels... I had to. They were on sale, and Simon at "Simon's Cycle's" told me it was a deal I could not pass up. My first race on them was the Victoria New Balance Half Iron. Man, news travels fast. I arrived at the Wednesday night TT following the race and was swarmed by the the guys and them quoting my splits from the race and my 4 minute improvement on my bike split from last year. I'd like to take the credit for the improvement, but the "Techy" speed demons think it has to be the wheels. Well, I will take whatever these wheels will give me. My next TT, I took off 19 seconds. Then last night was our 32 km, 2 loop course route. My best time on this course was a 26:04 for one loop (16.1 Km). Last night was my first time doing the 32 km. As we were getting ready to start, I had huge butterflies, and I was so nervous. The guys that start after me, usually pass me by the half way mark, and fly by me like I'm standing still. I always have this thing that if I am going to ride a fancy bike and fancy wheels, I better do them proud! I passed a few of the younger riders on the first loop, made it around to the start of the next loop and had not been passed yet. I started to get a bit nervous and thought, maybe they knew something... Maybe I went out too fast, and now I am going to blow up on the second loop. Just shortly after my mind was starting to wander thinking about why the men were not hot on my butt, and the hills started again, the first one came by me, as per usual. Except, this was not one of the guys I expected. He is like half my age and was on a road bike!! No fancy wheels, no aero helmet, no TT bike. Just pure strength. I paced myself up the hilly section, and found myself still close enough to that young whipper snipper, that I decided to put on the game face, and push like I have never pushed before. I always read about racers pushing till they puke, or till their legs are totally cramped, so I told myself to suck it up and real him back in. Within seconds I was on his butt, and yelling at him "on your left"!!!! Oh my god, did that ever feel good! He looked at me like I had two heads. I peddled so hard, I did not want to see him again! Just as we were starting to make our way back towards the finish, I had a few of the fast guys pass me as I was expecting, but this time, I didn't let a lot of space get between us and held on (not drafting) as best I could. My final split for the night... 54:40!... I'll take that.

Have I told you lately how much "I love my bike"!!! Oh, and yes, the new wheels! Every time I get on my Cervelo, I get so excited to see how much time I can take off, and I am so looking forward to seeing how Ironman Canada will go this year. The last two years were plagued with injuries from my "Snow to Surf" crash and my ankle roll over last year. This year, so far, so good. 52 more sleeps until the big day! I am in a recovery week and feeling anxious to be doing more, but, I am listening to coach, being good, and letting the last week of training sink in and make me stronger. If any of you have a local cycle club that has regular TT nights, I believe those have helped me immensely in my improvement in my cycling. They make you push harder than you would normally, and you break down those cells in your lungs to build up stronger for the next time. I have had my normal post "TT smoker cough" since last night. A good indication that I gave'r my all out there! Happy Training!!!

Swim-Bike-Run-Eat-Sleep-Swim-Bike-Run...!

New Balance Half Ironman!

http://raceheadquarters.com/results/2009/multi/NewBalanceHalf2009F.html

The New Balance Half Ironman was on Sunday! I need more time to sit down and give a great summary of how the day went. For me, it was one of the most rewarding weekends of my life. Congratulations to Sandy and Trish, my two yummy mommy athletes, that finished their first Half Ironman distance event. Sandy went 5:45 and Trish was 6:16 (on a freshly rolled ankle that was swollen and taped) You guys rocked! I had my own personal best of 5:05! I took 16 minutes off my time from last year! Still, it was not enough to be standing on that podium. Man those women in their 40's are lightning fast!!! Pictures and race report to follow.

Yes, I am still alive!!

There is no place like.... Hawaii! Yes, I know, I did not keep up my end of the deal with this blogging thing. I have left everyone hanging for the last two months. I definitely will not recap the last two months, but I will share with you our family get-a-way that was well worth the time, energy, and $$ to get there. We did not actually think we were going to pull this trip off. This has been the worst year ever for Shawn and his employment in the Heli-Logging Industry. We had purchased the plane tickets last fall with airmiles prior to the great depression of '09 hitting us hard, but managed to find last minute cheep accommodations, and ate out at a restaurant like only four times, cooked all our meals in the condo, and shopped locally at the farmer's markets! That was my kind of holiday. There were no big tours with fancy tour companies. Just plain old fun in the sun. Oh, and yeah, I did the Hawaii 1/2 Ironman. Just a little 40th b-day present to me. Yes, some of you could think of 40 other things you would rather do for your 40th, but for me, that was just the icing on the cake. Loved, loved, loved the race! I recommend it to everyone. If you would like a little taste of what it is like racing in Kohala Coast where the magical Ironman World Championships take place and are like me, that can't get a "Kona" slot to attend the event. You can sign up for the 70.3 and feel half of what they feel on race day. My goodness, I have never raced in such extreme heat before. Even the locals were saying it was hot for them.

My view of the ocean, putting my feet up days before the race. The kids loved coming to boogie board here.

My Pro friend Bree Wee after she gave a group of us a little pre-race buoy swim practice session, some ocean water racing tips, and some great draft practice. Man that girl can swim. She wasn't feeling the greatest prior to the race, but you would never know it. That girl just gives her 100%, even when she is not feeling it, I so need to get me some of that attitude! I'm trying.

Coming out of the ocean pre-race warm up. This had to be the best swim I have ever had. No, it was not my fastest, but it was warm, clear, congested, and I loved every minute of it. Because it is a mass start, if you cannot get into a pack of fast swimmers fast before the first buoy turn, you will be stuck with around 500 other swimmers going at the exact same pace. I could not move forward, backward, sideways, or under. I just had to ride the masses and hope that we were all swimming at a fairly decent pace. Shawn thinks he saw 33 mins on the clock when I came in. It was a super long transition from swim to bike. My new Blue Seventy Speed suit was the funnest suit to swim in. I so do not want to get back into the choking feeling of the full wetsuit for the Victoria 1/2 this weekend.

Post race prune feet. They don't look as bad as they did in real life. I thought for sure while I was running, that the entire bottom of my feet were coming off. It was so hot and humid, I spent probably 15 mins of my 1/2 marathon time just trying to keep myself cool through the aide stations. The volunteers had 2 Litre soda bottles with the top cut off full of ice water and would pour a full one over your head for you while you 'walked' through. Then, I would get two cups of ice. One to pour over my head and one to pour down my bra top. No, there was no frost bite, but I made a lot of noise running with the ice sloshing in my top, my shoes full of water and my salts taps rattling in my back pocket. I was quite the site. One of my favourite parts of the race was the post race grilled Mahi Mahi fish burger. After the nausea subsided and I was able to make room for something more appealing than gels, salts, and gatoraide, I gulped down the burger and beers that were given to us. Yes, 3 beers to be exact. Nice! Shawn says all races should have beer tickets, as I can only have one sip and I'm done. So needless to say, the Stella's went down mighty fine for him.

Just one of the many shopping trips to the farmers market one block from our condo!

Yes, I take my recovery days very seriously! While the boys played in the waves, I put my feet up.

One of our favourite spots. Black sand beach at the north end of the island. If you have a copy of the new Runner's World Mag, Bree Wee is running up the trail we took to get to this amazing spot.

The boys voted this the best spot on the Island. Killer size snow cones. Actually, they had the smalls. The large were as big as footballs and you could get them with ice cream inside.

Another great spot for body surfing and boogie boarding.

"Magic Sands" beach. Otherwise known as "Disappearing Sands" beach, or "White Sands" beach. During the low tides you have some great white sand and great waves to play on. When the tides are up and the surf is up, the beach just gets hit hard with the waves and you loose the beach. This beach was just 2 miles from our condo and voted best place to hang out for our boys. The last day they were there, the waves were so big, the lifeguards would not let our guys in the water. The locals wait for sometimes weeks at a time for the surf to come up, so they were packed in on their boards and had no mercy for the visitor's getting in their way.

A Lava Tube off the main highway.

While you are in Hawaii, you have to go jump off the lava cliffs! We drove two hours to the "southern most tip of the US", "South Point". We met some locals that took us under their wing and showed us some sweet spots to cliff jump, swim in sea caves, and climb up blow holes safely. They were awesome people! The boys could not get enough of the cliff jumping thing. Very freaky! Yes, their mom had to jump too. I was a cliff jumper too back in the days of Shuswap lake. Mom's no chicken!

Brady's leep of faith! He was so brave!

Another highlight of my trip, was the hike from the South Point cliffs to the "Green Sand Beach"... Our local friends told us to pack a lot of water and expect to walk for 3 miles. They said it was well worth the journey. The boys were so good. It took us exactly 1 hour to hike to this special place and was well worth the trip. There are so many magical places to explore on the big Island. And, I know, if you were to hook up with some locals, they could probably show you even more secret spots that they don't like the outsider's knowing about. I could go on and on, but I must close for now. Enjoy the pic's we took tons. Unfortunately, my new underwater camera was not as shockproof and waterproof as they said it would be and filled with water the first time we used it. Have to send it back for an exchange. I am racing in Victoria this weekend with my two yummy mommies, Trish and Sandy who are doing their first 1/2 ironman!!!! I will keep you posted on the weekends festivities! Cheers!