Been a few weeks since I did my last race and I am really enjoying the time away.  I feel like I can get so much more done in a day work wise when I don't have 3 workouts to do.  I am really enjoying the work I am doing and finding it way easier to wake up early to coach swimming then it was to swim in the morning.  I guess part of my enjoyment over the last few weeks has also been that Krystal and I are now in our new house in Orangeville and love it.  It is everything we need, except room for all our bikes but that is why you have parents right!! 

In other news Krystal and I have a new addition to our family, his name is Berney and he is an 8 week old Aussiedoodle.  I don't have any pictures right now but when Krystal gets home I will load some up.

Sean

Timex Vertical Challenge

I guess I am not done racing this year yet!  I have been invited to compete at the Timex Vertical Challenge this Saturday in Blue Mountain as part of the Centurion Bike Ride.  I will be one of 16 riders fighting it out up Scenic Caves Road for some prize money and bragging rights!!  I am not sure how I will do.  A 3km all out climb is a lot different then a 90km TT with a run after.  I know I am riding well but it is so different then I am used to or trained for that I have no idea what to expect.  Either way I am expecting a really cool atmosphere and a great experience.  Come out to watch if you are in the area because I know it will be a great show as well there is a free concert featuring Sam Roberts in the Village right after the event.

In other news, I am expecting a call today regarding key pickup for Krystal and my new house.  I have been waiting a long time to move in and I can't wait to get settled.  I feel like I have been living out of a box for the last few months, and combined with spending 3 months in Tucson I have not felt settled for most of the year. 

The Only pic I could find of me climing, I think I would get laughed at if I showed up with an aero helmet and TT Bike to the Vertical Challenge

Muskoka Race Report

I am not entierly sure how to feel coming out of this weekend. The Thursday before the race I kinked my neck right after my bike ride and was not able to train the rest of the day Thursday and all of Friday and could barely stand up straight.  But with some emergency Chiro work by Heather Pady up in Muskoka I was pretty well fixed by race time.  I wish I could have used that as an excuse for my run.  Race day came and I was feeling pretty good.  Because of my neck I had not swam since Tuesday and was nervous about how I would feel.  I actually felt pretty good and found Wolfgangs feet and let him tow me around the swim.  I felt really good and was actually looking back to be sure we were still maintaining our gap.  Coming out of the water I was able to relax for the run up the big hill and starting the bike feeling pretty good about how I was feeling.

I took the first 20km fairly steady on the bike and kept on thinking I was going to get caught but when I got onto hwy 35 and was able to see some length behind me I was happy to see that there was no one insight.  I felt great and was in good spirits up until the 75-80km mark where some of the steeper hills started to take a toll on me and I could feel some fatigue in my legs.  I knew I might be in trouble after the steep hill on North Portage road just after the Portage Inn because my legs were getting really tired.  Looking back I definatly went too hard on the bike but I felt great for the longest time and it was a pretty quick decline when I started to feel tired. 

As soon as I started running I knew I was going to be in trouble.  Going down the first hill on Canal Road I could already feel the cramps coming on.  I took it really easy for the first 4km while eating and drinking what I could to get some energy back.  Going up the hills I felt like I was walking and did not have any energy in my legs and going downhills I could not run fast because I would cramp and probably fall on my face.   I got passed at the 15km mark by Michael Lovato and knew there was no chance of staying with him so I kept up as fast of a pace as I could and eventually finished the race. 

I am really happy to have my best ever finish in a 70.3 race, but I know I could have won the race, I can't blame it on just my run, it was a combination of a lot of things that I did wrong and next time I will make sure that my big 70.3 of the year is not my first so I can work out the bugs and be able to get it right on the big day. 

Maybe Next Year!!

Sean

Muskoka this weekend

I have some mixed feelings about the race this weekend.  It is always great to race against the best in the world like i have the last couple of years in Muskoka but this year because of the world champs on the same days Craig will not be at the race.  This now leaves the race open for someone new to win.  I think there is a good chance that will be me.   I am feeling good and motivated and feel like my fitness has really come around in the last few weeks.  I am heading up early Friday and have a press confrence that afternoon.

In other news i am going to be holding another seminar on the 12th with information about the new swim club I am starting on the 19th.  We are going to have 3 workouts a week (tue,thur morning and sun afternoon) with myself coaching the majority of the workouts.  Everyone is welcome free of charge for the Monday seminar and if interested can sign up there.

I am going to have a new bike setup for the race so here is a sneak peak

Sean