Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Running, Swimming and Riding

The training is going full on at the moment, with my running pretty much back at full capacity. There are still some minor gripes in my right ankle, but I think it's just me being paranoid due to the recent Achilles injury. Last week was my most full on week of training yet with 13.5hrs of training, with 72kms of running being part of that total time. There was also two fastlane swimming sessions at kits pool, an open water swim at Jericho beach, a hill climb on the bike up Cypress Mountain and a few loops of Stanley Park to round the week up.
This week is a ramping up week with some intense interval training for my running, with a 2hr long slow run at the end of the week, but thankfully this ramps up leading into a "rest" week next week, that comprises of some less intense intervals as well as "shorter" long slow runs.
This morning (July 24th) we had a beautiful open water swim with a bunch of people I swim with every Wednesday. We swam from Kits Beach to Jericho Beach. It was a total of 3km in 1hr. The water was warm, sun was shining and it was as still as can be with the water reflecting like a mirror. It could not have been a better start to the day :-)

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Old Photographs

So I was going through some old photographs from past holidays, and came across my set from Coffin Bay, South Australia. Having been living in Vancouver for a while, looking back at these photos, the blue, crystal clear water really stands out, and I realise that I took Australia's beaches for granted. Anyways, I hope you like these photos.
Port Lincoln
Sleaford Bay
Somewhere towards Ceduna
Coffin Bay National Park

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Vancouver International Triathlon

So I finally competed in my first Triathlon. It was awesome for many reasons. Firstly it was my first Triathlon - enough said. Secondly, it was my first race back from my Achilles injury, and everything went well. Thirdly, although I took it easy and had so much energy left at the end, enough that I knew I could have raced the whole race over again, I still got a respectable time. So now I will be signing up for my next triathlon with the aim of pushing myself, tightening up my transitions and hopefully shaving a good 15 mins off my time of 2hrs24mins.
The Vancouver International Triathlon is such an amazing triathlon. It is held just near Jericho Beach, with the swim in the ocean, the ride up and around UBC, giving it a nice little hill climb, and the run along the beach and through the forest at Jericho beach. It was such a picturesque race full of so many competitors that were just stoked to be out in the sun being active. Vancouver couldn't have put on better weather either, with crystal clear skies, no wind and a balmy mid 20's. Needless to say, I'm totally hooked on triathlon now.
Pre Race Dinner
Pre Race Organisation
Empty Transition Zone
Me on the run leg

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Home made bread

So I decided to start making my own bread. I can't believe all the shit that you get in bread when you buy it from the store, so I had completely cut it from my diet. But with all the training I am doing, it is sometimes nice to just have a good slice of bread to keep you going. Anyways, this loaf was super easy.
800gm organic whole wheat flour 200gm unbleached organic white flour 14gm yeast 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar (to activate yeast) pinch salt about 550ml water.
Bake for 45 mins at 420F with a tray of water on the oven shelf below to steam the bread and get a nice crust.
homemade bread
homemade bread

Friday, July 5, 2013

Running Training

So I am finally back onto running training. I have been ramping up for two weeks now, steadily increasing pace and length of sessions. So far so good with the achilles. I am stoked to say the least, but still being ultra cautious. The timing has fallen just perfectly for me to sign up for the Vancouver International Triathlon, which is on Sunday the 14th. I wont be pushing it too hard as it will be an experience just racing a triathlon for the first time, but it will be good to see how the Achilles handles the training leading up to the race as well as the race itself.
I have been doing a mix of long runs, and intervals to build up pace. But generally it is just fun being out running again. The swimming has made a huge difference to my heart rate which is nice as I feel the time off running hasn't affected my pace. I had my last physio appointment and have the all clear from him to only see him again if I feel I need to. So fingers crossed the recovery continues in a positive way.

Kitsilano to Jericho Swim

So the other day, the crew that I swim with on Wednesday mornings decided to swim from Kitsilano to Jericho Beach. It is a 3km swim and we did it in 1hr 10mins. It was an amazing way to start the day, the sun was up and the water was surprisingly warm. Couldn't think of a better way to start the day than floating out in the ocean watching the sun rise over Vancouver.

Portland

It has been a while since I last posted. I have been busy with all sorts of things, but mainly training and work. I also found the time to travel to Portland on a bit of a roadtrip down the I-5 (what a shit road), and back up the 101 (what an amazing road). Portland was amazing, it is such an interesting city, we spent so much time just wandering around sampling food and drinks from crafty food places, as well as immersing ourselves within the citys architecture.
Highlights of Portland were Powell's Bookstore, Salt and Straw Ice Cream, and Prasal Vegetarian restaurant. We managed to get some running in too - I always love running in new places - around the Willamette River running trail.
So after two days of Portland we headed over to the coast and hit the 101 up to Cape Disappointment State Park to camp. It was an amazing campsite and such an amazing night. We ate dinner sitting on the beach, watching the waves roll in from the Pacific Ocean while the sun set, then woke to a moody drizzle in the morning to which I enjoyed a 6km run up and down the beach while watching the waves crash to shore. One of the best runs I've ever gone on, it was so relaxing, and I finished with an "ice bath" in the cold Pacific Ocean.
Following this was a long drive back to Vancouver along the 101. However it was an amazing drive, I just think next time we will have to take an extra day so we can stop more frequently to see the beautiful sights up close.
Portland
HWay 101
Cape Disappointment
Salt and Straw Ice Cream
Powell's Books