feeling more like a swimmer again (big smiley face!)

at home

This week I've been swimming more and starting to feel more like a fish again.  woot woot!!!  My shoulders are feeling pretty good, and it makes me so happy to be reconnected with my love, the water.  (Bill's okay with my love affair, in fact he even benefited today, drafting off me back to shore lol)

For the 2012 year, this week marked some milestones for me:

• 1st open-water swim (in Mont Tremblant); 
• 1st triathlon (Mont Tremblant 70.3);
• 1st swim in Lake Ontario (Wednesday with the Tri Club of Burlington);
• the most swims done in the week (5);
• 1st LOST swim; and
• today's swim in Lake O logged me on the mymsc site at over 2million meters swum (since I started logging on their site)

It has been great to be back in the water again obviously, but it has been made even better because of the great people I get to be in the water with.  (BMSC summer swimmers and LOSTies (57 in Lake O today, amazing) you all make me smile bigger)

Happy swimming everyone,
Melanie (happy swimmer)

Mt Tremblant 70.3 (half ironman)

When Bill and I first heard they were having a 70.3 (half ironman) race in Mt Tremblant, we got excited and signed up.  This was back in September, when I didn't know what my shoulder prognosis was and hadn't been running or biking in what seemed like forever... But we had been to Mont Tremblant once before in our youth, and ridden our mountain bikes up the mountain and that was enough for us to be fairly certain it would be a good race course...

Bill and I drove up part way after work Friday and finished the drive to Mt Tremblant early Saturday afternoon.  It poured rain most of the drive up and also most of the drive back, but the whole time in Mt Tremblant was sunny and beautiful...it's like a magical place... (although by the end of the run, one might have appreciated a cloud and a little rain shower, it was a warm raceday)
We checked into our little hotel, a little down the road from the main village, in fact tomorrow we would run by the accomodation during the race (I was tempted on the run to see if they'd still let me use the room for a rest even though we had checked out race morning)  After bringing in our bags, we headed off to registration, bike check-in and a practice swim. 
The village was crowded and we had a hard time finding parking; we were a little too close to the heart of the action and were directed away from the town square to a bigger parking lot and found one of the last spots, this helped us decide to get there early race morning.

It was the usual registration, but  the whole area was wonderfully set up and would make for a great place to finish.  You just got this feeling the whole town was into this race.  We bumped into Joanne and Rob Kent, John S and Ronald H at bike transition, chatted with them a bit and then went off to check out the swim.  Per the Kents' advice, we went to the swim finish since it was closer to transition, but it was still about 500m run from the water to T1.  We put the wetsuits on and went for my 1st open water swim of the year.  The water was warm (I would have preferred to go "naked", but needed to try the wetsuit, in case the situation changed by tomorrow)  The water was quite rough as there was a strong wind, my shoulder was bugging me in the waves, but I was enjoying everything else about being in there (I realized how much I've missed open water), and riding the wave back into shore was fast and fun!
The afternoon had flown by, we grabbed dinner on the patio adjoined to our accommodations, and found a convenience store (after some fun trying to translate into French).  With the alarm set for 4:30am, we got to bed early and managed to get a good parking spot race morning.  PB and banana sandwiches and Ensure in the car for breakfast then headed to T1 to get it set up.  Going in I saw Sue, an old HAC swimmer and Delta alumni (we had a powerhouse school team back then) she was doing the relay, the swim portion, and then was there cheering me on at the end of the ride and at the finish.  It was so nice!  
Bill and I then followed the crowd to the swim start.   The volunteers were all decked up and whooping it up; it was bound to be a loud day...  
Mt Tremblant went all out.  They had the Snowbirds fly overhead a couple times in formation, before and a cannon blast for the pro start at 7.  Bill started in wave 4 at 7:15 and my wave was 20 minutes after his.
I chatted with another woman who was also one half of a racing couple, commenting how nice it is to do this stuff with our partner.  I also tried to reassure a women who confided to me that her nerves were making her feel sick, oh and it was her very 1st triathlon ever!
My game plan was to play it safe, stay off to the side, keep the shoulders out of harms way.  But it was funny it seemed like no one in the wave wanted to step up and be on the front line, so maybe if most of the girls weren't going to be to aggressive, I could be a little less timid.  I found someone swimming basically the same speed, a little off the shortest line, but appeared to be going straight, so I caught a draft until the turn, when I went wide to avoid the cluster and lost her feet.  The water temp was warm, approx 74F (good chance it will be no-wetsuits for the full in August, if you are doing it), the water was flat this morning, and it was pretty much an uneventful swim.  I did like the placement of the buoys (they were close and easy to sight) There was a shallow part a fair bit away from the finish, I did some cross body strokes (another hint from Rob) and then it deepened again before the long shallow finish...I was able to pull the wetsuit down to my waist before I actually was out of the water.  Volunteer "strippers" did the rest.  I checked my watch and calculated a 40 minute swim, not too good, but I was unharmed, so was just happy to move on to the next leg (later when checking results I find my swim was actually 34 minutes, I had forgotten my watch was 5 minutes fast; so then I'm really happy with that swim!~particularly given my setbacks this season)  
The girl who's pump I borrowed was in T1 at the same time, we said a quick good job to each other and we were off on the bike.
I liked the bike, I had done the 1st 40k on the computrainer and once again, love the feeling that the actual race was easier, it's a nice feeling.  The road were almost all freshly paved = fast and smooth.  There were some hills to keep it exciting, but I don't think they were ever killer.  And no technical descents, which is good for me, seeing as how my biggest fear in a race is spilling.  It was particularly good for us since we didn't have a chance to pre-ride or drive the course before-hand; there were no surprises, such as a hill right after a blind turn, where we would have benefited from a dry-run.  Probably the hardest part was 70 to 80k, which is up and down hill after hill, but not quite close enough to carry the speed from the downhill into the next up hill.  But again they really weren't too bad, and I'm saying that even though I was getting tired. I expected to be tiring towards the end as I'd only had a few longish rides this season (and was always fading towards the end of them), but today I did feel pretty good through the whole ride.  The last 10k was coming the other way on these hills, but this time it was a net downhill, so it was fast and fun back to transition, not to mention pretty scenic.
[3:06 for the bike ~ pretty happy with this leg too] 
In T2 I notice they already had our morning clothes bags returned, very efficient.  I start the run, I feel the heat of the day, I feel the sunburn on my skin starting (which I think is my only complaint regarding the race - I didn't see any volunteer sunscreen appliers before the bike)  I feel some discomfort in my back and shoulder as I try to adjust to running position.  Then just after the 1k marker, I feel the muscle above my knee seize up.  I walk, grab a bunch of stuff from the aid station, honey stinker waffle, banana, water, take a salt tab and an aspirin from my own stash, walk & eat.  Start back to a little shuffle when it's flat and walk whenever it's uphill til the cramp in my knee disappears.  I take consolation in the fact that I backed off at the 1st sign of a problem and managed to work it out (although it took a couple km, at least I avoided a total blow-up so early into the run).  At our little hotel the course changed from the slightly hilly road and goes to a straight flat railtrail.  I thought it was nice, it was still pretty much unshaded though.  I tried the ice in the hat trick and it picked me up until it melted...  I enjoyed seeing the other runners coming the other way, looking for the few people I knew; first I saw Mark, then Bill, then John, then Ronald, then I hit the 9.5 turnaround, and saw Joanne.  Then  I caught Ronald walking, gave him a pat on the back and some encouraging words and kept shuffling.  When I saw Ronald at the next turnaround before heading back on the road, he was running again, which was good to see.  Back on the road, the spectators were out in full force, making noise, out with their hoses, I focused on these people.  I saw some kids playing in at one of the hoses as I approached, they quickly and politely got back before I got there I ran through the spray and cupped my hands to gather some water and splashed them,,, they got a kick out of it and cheered real loud.  Then we took another little trail, and the view it offered was wonderful! of the ski mountain, at least we didn't have to run up that to the finish.  Back on the road, I knew we were getting close, but I had also heard we had a couple uphills right before the finish; I wanted to push through them, but I let myself walk up, I had done my job for the day and this way I could ensure I had a enough left in the tank to fly down into the finishing chute! and at least look reasonably fast for a moment. 
[run time 2:28 ~ it is what it is, and there is lots of time to get this back up to snuff, and even though it was slow, I did negative split it, so I think it was a smart run, especially for me, as I tend to run on emotions /heart instead of my head]
All in all I thought it was an excellent race!  Mt Tremblant really stepped it up! 
My final time was 6:15:27, it wasn't an easy course and all things considered, I am happy with my race.

In summary, June really isn't the best time for me to race as much as 1/2 IMs, but I'd seriously consider doing the full (it's in August) one of these years. (but of course I have to check out lots of other locations too, so we will see)
Unfortunately Bill and I had to pack up and head home pretty much right after.  It was a long drive to end a long weekend, but it was a really good one!  (Work on Monday was the next challenge)  

happy fathers day to the special biking dads in my life

A couple weeks ago I watched the coverage of Ryder Hesjedal make history by becoming the 1st Canadian to get on the podium in a grand tour cycling event (the Giro d'Italia).  This was so exciting, being Canadian and enjoying cycling myself.   More memorable for me though was that I was watching it with the 2 guys who have really been major forces in my introduction and continued interest in cycling.

Me and my daddy

1st guy - my dad.  My dad used to ride his bike to work everyday, he taught me how to ride, and still rides in a weekly cycling group (he's in his 70s btw)  I still remember on one bike ride when I was little, he chased some guy who honked at us, defending our right to share the road, but forgetting I wasn't quite able to keep up and had no sense of directions. He realized and came back to me, but I'm pretty sure he told the driver (nicely) not to honk at cyclists for simply using the road, first.  

Cycling (watching or doing it) with my dad, is something that we have always enjoyed together.  I also think I can thank my dad for my athletic spirit and leading by example on a fitness for life precept.  Thanks dad, keep riding!

Bill ripping it up

The other guy I was watching the finish of the Giro with was my husband Bill.  Back (way back) when Bill and I were dating, he got me to try mountain biking.  It became something I really enjoyed and made for some good dates.  I'm thinking specifically of the time it was so muddy, the mud had clumped in the wheels and made it impossible to ride.  We had to stop and remove the mud with our hands.  Mud in our hands plus a loving look at each other = mud fight!  

And in recent years, Bill's been my bike coach, bike maintenance guy, and training friend.   Thanks Bill!  And here's to many more clicks together.

Ryder (cool name, kinda like Cadence?)

I believe Ryder's win will help continue to build cycling in Canada but I need to thank these 2 guys, my dad and my husband, for building my love of pedal power.






P.S Happy fathers day!
Hope you get out for an enjoyable bike ride!
Love Mel xoxo

Update on Madhu's trial swim

 

Madhu wasted no time, he wanted to get his trial swim under his belt.  He set off again, one week after his crazy 1st attempt in freezing cold lake O (see previous blog).  And today was a success, he completed his 6 hour swim and emerged looking good and strong and I was there this time to snap a couple pictures and shake his hand. 

getting high 5s from Michelle



Bill can't get enough of helping Lake O crossers





You are looking at the face of success!



Great job Madhu! 

One big one left...

close enough to see it through binoculars, just isn't close enough!

So my friend Madhu, accomplished marathon swimmer and Lake Ontario crossing aspirant, decided to try his trial swim this afternoon/evening.  The trial swim is a 6 hour/16k OW swim that must be completed in order to get the go ahead to attempt a Lake Ontario Crossing.  Madhu decided to step up the challenge by doing it when the Lake was pretty cold! (55F) and yes he has to do it without a wetsuit.

Bill and I offered to help support his attempt by taking turns kayaking beside him.  Bill finishes work earlier than me and was able to be there for Madhu's start at 3pm.  I would get there after I was done work around 6 and the plan was to switch with Bill in the kayak.  Only complication, we don't have a cell phone.  It's hard to meet up with someone somewhere out on the lake without a cell phone!  I stopped in at Madhu's house, close by where they'd be swimming to use their home phone to call the boat to let them know I was close, but his wife and kids weren't home. So then I headed to Coronation Park, and searched far and wide with my binoculars, but couldn't find them,,, hmmm.  I was about to go to another location to try again and I saw the pay phone (they still exist). Got a call into the boat and was told to go to Maple Grove, a fair bit east of where I was, good thing I called because I was going to go the other way to continue searching.

I made my way to Maple Grove and with my binoculars I find them.  They were pretty far off-shore.  I wave my yellow lifejacket around and hope they see me.  I had said in an earlier email amongst the team that I didn't have a cell phone, so I figured they would know I'd be at Maple Grove shortly after my previous call and would plan to come ashore for the switch-up.  But they thought since I phoned that I had a phone and would phone again.  So they never came and I watched Madhu and the team progress along for over an hour.  At one point, I watch the zodiac zip off in the other direction, at 1st I worried if Madhu had been pulled from the water and was being rush back to land, but the kayaks and the sailboat continued in the original direction (I couldn't really see Madhu in the water through the binoculars, but I knew he was still swimming by the way the boats/kayaks were moving)

Then another guy showed up where I was and I asked him if he had a cell phone.  He said yes so I ran up to the car to grab the phone numbers I needed for borrowing this guys phone; and who drives up but Rob Kent, another marathon swimming friend & Lake O aspirant too.  He tells me he had been out swimming with Madhu, and I realize he was why the zodiac zipped off, to take him to shore.  But he also tells me they are going to pull Madhu because of the cold.  Rob told me he had gone "naked" with Madhu for 1/2 an hour that was all he wanted to handle.  He reassured me that Madhu was okay, still coherent, answering questions, and not shivering, but he said that he had said he was cold and that he had the claw (a frozen looking hand position that can happen when in cold water).   Rob called the boat told them he found me and we were told they were going to head back to Bronte Harbour, towing the kayaks.  So I drove off to Bronte, Rob went home.  I was a little sad for Madhu, but really he accomplished alot in this swim (approx 5 hours in my estimate, haven't heard official word yet) and the attempt will benefit him as that's what acclimatizing is all about, each time you can do more and more.  He can try it again (and maybe this time I won't have to watch through binoculars haha)

You may think that's the end of my view (or lack there of) for Madhu's trial swim story, but no, I'm not done with feeling out of touch.  I'm at the sailboat's mooring, waiting, an hour goes by, two... what is happening???  I final decide to go looking for another pay phone (after leaving a little note for Bill on his car, so he doesn't show up and wonder where I've gotten to).  I find another pay phone, call the boat and find out that while they were getting everyone onto the sailboat, a rope got in the motor or something and cut it out, they were tacking back slowly and were waiting for TOWARF to come and tow them back.  Madhu was fine!  Bill said to go ahead home, and now I just wait for him to get home too. :)

What a weird night!

Madhu, my attempt at helping to support you was thwarted by my cellphonelessness, but I was watching your progress through binoculars (slightly further away than I had hoped) And I am very impressed! (I did dip my toe in while I watched you out there, so I can only imagine how you kept your whole body in there for that long!)