Sean Bechtel: Daily ( ok sporadic ) News

McMaster Tri Clinic Fast Approaching

2011-11-24T11:11:00.001-05:00

All is calm on my home front. Been working away with the swim club and the York U run, which are a great fun and I hope everyone is learning a lot. There is still room available for both so if you were looking to sign up you still can at the Personal Best website.

The big event that is rapidly approaching is the McMaster Tri Clinic. It is a great day for the beginner to advanced triathlete or sport enthusiast who wants to try to do things better. It is on December 3rd and spots are limited so if you are interested I would suggest acting quickly. You only get 1 chance a year to learn from the best so don't wait until next year. You can sign up and get more information from following this link http://www.personalbest.ca/eventsandcamps/camps/19-mactriclinc

Other then that this weekend is the end of year banquet for the C3 which is always fun and a great night to catch up with the rest of the team and help get motivated for the next year.

That's all for now and I hope to see you at the McMaster Tri Clinic on Dec 3rd!!!!!

Drew Bechtel and the NYC Marathon

2011-11-02T13:08:00.000-04:00

Hey, I am a little late with this post because the race is this weekend but better late then never. My cousin Drew Bechtel is a type 1 Diabetic and has been since he was 5. I remember as a kid playing video games at our Grandparents and having to watch him take his needles multiple times a day. I was able to see first hand how serious Diabetes can be and how much time and effort it takes to try to live a normal life.

There have been some amazing advancements in the care of Diabetes and this has allowed Drew to achieve some amazing things. He has run multiple half marathons and one marathon. Drew is now running the New York City Marathon in support of the JDRF ( Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ) to help fund research to help battle Juvenile Diabetes so other kids can achieve what he has been able to.

Please visit his donation page to find out more about him and if you can make a donation to the JDRF.

Here is the link http://www.crowdrise.com/HelpDrewruntheNewYorkCityMarat/fundraiser/drewabechteluwoca

More information about the JDRF can be found at http://www.jdrf.ca

Working away at home

2011-10-20T16:04:00.002-04:00

Not a lot has happened since last post, I am slowly working away at home and getting well into the swim team and York U run workouts. The mornings are getting easier and easier and I am glad for that because there was a lot of coffee consumed for the first couple weeks.

I have started back with a bit more training myself, running mostly but look to get back on the bike once this wet weather passes!! It is the off season I can be a fair weather rider right now!! My neck is still a little gummed up and gets aggravated with swimming so I think a few more appointments are necessary.

If any one reading this is interested I have some spots left open for one on one swim coaching as well as spaces open for my swim club out of Mayfield Pool. email me if you are interested in more information.

I am going to start to run with my garmin again so maybe I will be able to post some of the great runs from the Orangeville area. I am really looking forward to training here next summer, I will make hills my friends, although I grew up in Caledon and there are lots there but they are bigger in Orangeville!!

Here are some pictures I found on a camera that was lost in the move. the first is riding down the back road to Mt. Lemmon in Tucson and the other is me and Little man ( Bernie ) for a walk close to home.

Thanksgiving and Beyond

2011-10-14T10:57:00.000-04:00

Not Much to write about again this time, the new swim group is going well, I am getting used to waking up in the morning now so that always helps a lot. As well as we just started our Tuesday York workouts and although we had a small turn out last week it will keep getting bigger as the weather starts to get colder.

I have not been training a lot but that's ok this time of year, I will get back at it soon as I need to run 22km for the Raid the Hammer in November, I am moving up to the big distance this year so we will see how it goes. Put my McMaster Geography degree to work!!!

Bernie is awesome so far and it is amazing how much he understands at such a young age. He can already sit and is pretty well house broken already, the only times he goes in the house is when K and I mistake his bark for just playing, we are now trying to get him to ring a bell when he needs to go outside. I don't want to say too much in case I jinx it but he has been more then expected so far!!

2011-10-06T16:03:00.001-04:00

First off I wanted to say good luck to all the athetes racing Hawaii this weekend especially the PB C3 Athletes that I train with all summer. Hope you all have a great race.
It has been a very busy couple of weeks in the Bechtel-Jeffs household with the addition of our new little man Bernie! He is a lot of work but we are slowly getting the hang of it. He knows to tell us when he needs to go outside but sometimes it is literally seconds before he goes.

I have not been doing a ton of training, just the odd run and bike here or there. I actually don't have a road bike right now, I was able to sell both my Shiv and tarmac so I am limited to my mt. bike which is not all that bad, I actually kind of like it. Maybe I will be able to do a few Xterra tri's next season.

The swim club is getting going. We have been going for 2 weeks now and i think everyone is starting to get into the swing of things. I like coaching in the morning way better then swimming in the morning!

Well thats about it for now, I think I am heading mountain biking tonight so that should be a lot of fun.

Sean

2011-09-28T16:14:00.000-04:00

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

2011-09-15T10:12:00.000-04:00

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

2011-09-13T15:02:00.002-04:00

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

2011-09-07T11:31:00.001-04:00

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

Race Recap

2011-08-22T12:11:00.002-04:00

I raced this weekend in Orillia at the Subaru Tri series race. I never usually get to race this one because for the last couple of years it has been the same day as Nationals. From this race I was looking for some improvement on my swim and bike from Windsor as well as more run speed. I felt good for the first part of the swim but started to fade on the second half but forced myself to swim hard because Len had picked it up I would think to drop me before the bike. I knew I needed to stay with him and did. The first 5 km of the Orillia course was pretty tough with a lot of hills. I struggled a little on the bike but found my groove at about the 10km mark. I started feeling really good and with Len still insight I was able to pass him. That did not last long, maybe 5km before he passed me back and I rode with him for the last 10km of the bike. I still felt like I had some missing on the hills so it is something I will have to work on a bit before Muskoka. Getting onto the run I felt great right away and ran hard from the start. I am really happy with the run except for my breathing. I know my legs could have gone harder. This race helped boost my confidence for the next couple of weeks and I am glad Len was there so I could have a good gauge on my fitness.

I would also like to congratulate my other team mates who raced this weekend, Andrew Yorke who raced in his first WCS race in Switzerland and finished an amazing 21st spot running a 15:30 5k. As well as Johnny Raz and Taylor who raced in Kelowna with Johnny finishing 5th Canadian and 3rd U-23 and Taylor just getting caught out on the swim but working hard on the bike and Run.

I am sorry for the lack of Pictures, I will start to take some more because I know I like them.

Sean

weekend racing

2011-08-20T09:38:00.003-04:00

This will only be the second year in 10 where i am going to miss racing nationals. I am a little upset but i really don't think i would have been ready to race well and I am looking to save the hard effort for Muskoka in 3weeks. I am going to do a small race this weekend in Orillia as a tune up and some good speed work leading into the last couple hard weeks for Muskoka.

Krystal and I also got to go into our new condo yesterday and it looks great with the counter tops and all the lights done, now we are just waiting on the electric hook up and we can move in.

I am up at Krystals cottage this weekend as well because it is close to Orillia and i just love being up here and now that I can get internet it just makes it even better. Also good luck to all other c3 and PB athletes. Kick ass this weekend.

Public Swim Etiquette

2011-08-17T16:53:00.004-04:00

I posted on Facebook the other day that I was kicked by a slower swimmer while at a free swim at my local pool. It seems like everyone has some type of story of other mishaps while at public swim so I thought I would start creating a code of ethic for the local open lane swim.

Fill all lanes first.
If lanes marked 'fast, med, slow' this is meant in relation to other swimmers in the pool, not how fast you think you are.
Breast Strokers try to stay in a lane with other people doing breast stroke.
Pay attention to what others are doing in the lane, if it looks like the faster swimmer is about to start don't go just before them.
It does not matter how long you have swam at the pool, you do not own that lane.
Wear proper swim attire.
Be willing to adjust workout based off numbers in the lane and being courteous to others.

That's all I can come up with now, this list is very informal, it is more of just a rant but if anyone can think of any more rules let me know and I will add it.

On another note I had a great bike ride today with Rich Pady we did 118km at 36km/h average on a route we felt simulated the Muskoka course. I felt strong the entire way. I also wore my CEP compression sleeves for the first time riding, it will be something I will continue to experiment with leading into Muskoka.

Ok, that's all for now.

Sean

Weekend Update

2011-08-15T16:37:00.002-04:00

This weekend I was supposed to run 2 clinic days in Huntsville for people looking for a preview of the 70.3 course. I did not get the turn out I would have liked but I think those who came on Sunday got a lot of good information about how to have a great day on the course. I am excited about next year and organizing a few bigger events throughout the winter spring and summer to really get people going for the race. More to come on that later as I finalize the plan.

Not a lot more to catch up on, our move in date for our condo was moved back another month, that is twice now where we were less then 2 weeks from move in date only to find out there was another delay. I know the place is done because I have been in it they just won't let us move in. So the new date is Sept 15th but could be earlier but I think that is very unlikely.

Well that's about all, just a few more weeks until Muskoka 70.3 and training hard.

Later

Windsor C3 Dominance and Weekend Muskoka 70.3 Training Days

2011-08-08T09:11:00.002-04:00

After another hard week of training back in Caledon I went down to race in Windsor which is always one of the big races in Ontario. I was not sure how my speed was going to be for the short race because of my longer training for Muskoka 70.3. I knew my biggest competition would be from team mate Andrew Yorke who is Canada best U-23 triathlete and is in the best shape of his life right now. The race was the perfect distance to really make our talents even with a shorter swim a flat and fast TT bike and a 6km run. I did not have the swim I knew I could and Yorke had 20sec on me exiting the water and by the time I got onto the bike the gap was around 30sec.

I worked hard on the first lap of the bike but I had only pulled back 30 sec and started the second lap with him. I knew I was in trouble at this point because I knew I needed close to 2 min to be able to hold him off on the run. I went as hard as I could on the second lap and opened a gap but it ended up only being 1 min at the end of the bike.

I ran as hard as I could but Andrew caught me at about the 3km mark and there was no way I was staying with him. I ran steady the rest of the race and finished 2nd. It is always hard to loose but I am glad it was Yorke.

This weekend I am running a training weekend in Muskoka on the 70.3 course. There will be 2 parts. The Saturday will be a more advanced group that will swim in Peninsula Lake (can't guarantee it will be the exact course) then head out and ride the entire 95km bike course. After the bike there is a run on the course. The Sunday will be similar but will be more instruction based. We will swim in Peninsula Lake then bike the first and last part of the bike course and will likely be around 50km. After the bike we will also have a run. Both days are designed to be more training days to get comfortable on the course with instruction and secrets from me throughout the day.

Here is a summary and time line of the weekend.

Time Line:

Saturday: Advanced day

9:30-10:00 - Meet at Deerhurst beach ready to swim first.
10:00 - Start the swim, (may not be able to swim exact course because of boat traffic)
10:50-11:00 - Finish swim and start to get ready for bike
11:30 - Start bike of the course (95km)
3:00-3:30 - Finish bike
3:30-4:30 - Run after bike
4:30 - Post day wrap up.
7:00 - Potential Group Dinner after long day

Sunday: Novice Day

9:30-10:00 - Meet at Deerhurst beach ready to swim
10:00 - Start lesson in open water swimming ( breathing / sighting technique )
10:15 - Start Swim
10:15-11:00 - Swim in Peninsula Lake
11:30 - Ready to ride and start lesson on the bike course
11:45-2:30 - Bike on course (not entire course )
2:30-3:30 - Run off the bike
3:30 - Post day wrap up.

Email me at Sean@personalbest.ca if you are interested.

Some News

2011-08-04T11:51:00.005-04:00

If you don't already know this last weekend I asked my long term girlfriend Krystal Jeffs to marry me, and she said yes!!! Not that I thought she would say no but there is always that little thought in the back of your mind that says what if. I thought I would be able to breeze right through the conversation but it was way harder to make that big step in my life. Now that I have I could not be happier and without a doubt know I made the right decision!!

On the other side of my life I am getting ready for the big race in Windsor ON, it is one of the few races in Ontario that still has substantial prize money, I remember talking to some of the first generation pros and they tell stories of being able to win $7-8000 in a summer just racing in Ontario. For example, 4 years ago I was 3rd at the Muskoka Long course and came away with $2500, not bad! 2 years ago I won the race and won $1500, not as much as 3rd a few years before but still not bad. This year I won the race again for a grand total winnings of $250! I know it is all a business and I understand that everyone likes to see maximum profits but if we want to continue to see high end racing in Ontario we need to find a way to bring the Pros back. They make the races more exciting, give the kids something to look up to and can also help give back to the other athletes by doing clinics and seminars in the days leading up to the race.

Anyways, I am really feeling good leading into the race this weekend but I know it is going to be a tough one with 2 of my younger teammates who will challenge me for the win! Bring it on guys.

Sean

Update

2011-07-27T12:38:00.002-04:00

Just an update from the road, things have been going well for the last couple of months, training has been picking up and I have had a few good races and as always a few bad races. I was able to win the Muskoka Long Course which is one of the biggest races in the Province although 4 years ago I was 3rd there and won $2500, this year while winning only won $250. It does not really keep the motivation high to race. I am training hard now for Muskoka 70.3 and starting to get more involved in coaching. I am planning on running a clinic to help people fine tune for Muskoka 70.3. We will ride and run the course and swim but the swim may not be on the course. We are still fine tuning but if you are interested let me know.

Maybe it is about Time Again

2011-04-17T00:03:00.006-04:00

Hey Guys, Long time again I know. Did not do very well on my new years resolution did I. I have been busy training in Tucson and working at the camps. We have had a lot of camps come through and that has kept me busy. I wish I could say that is the reason I have not updated but it has been more the fact that when I am not training I am resting or working with the Ironman Austria gangs training plans and many of my own athletes. It is funny because I have not written in a while but I don't really have a lot to say. I think it can all be said with picturesThis is from a Snowmobile trip I took with my dad before I left for tucson

The Pool in Oro Valley
New Race Suit for the Year

New Years Resolution

2011-01-10T18:47:00.008-05:00

It always seems like I start off every entry with "I know it's been a while" so that is why this year it is my new years resolution to be better at writing blogs and keeping every one up to date with what is going on.

So here is what is going on.

I have been busy working with Barrie coaching the Ironman Austria Crew and many of my own athletes. I have tried to ramp up my training but since new years I have had something wrong with my neck, it has been tight for over a week now and kind of seems to go in waves. I am almost living in Nigel's office to keep me going.

I don't have a lot of news other then that, the other day I went snowmobiling a little with my dad, although the snow was a little thin it was still awesome to get out.

I guess I will also take this time to show a few other things what have gone on, some what of a picture blog

Getting back to the Grind!!

2010-09-27T20:17:00.003-04:00

After a lot of thought I decided to call it a season after Syracuse. I am still recovering fromthe race, my calf's still get tight while running but I am enjoying mountain biking without that crashing cloud hanging over my head. The other day Krystal and I went up to 3 stage mountain biking, the riding was not that great because of the wet trails but had one of the most out of the blue moments I have had. Because of the wet trails Krystal and I decided to take the roads home. If you know me of course I need to take all the small roads convinced it is going to be a short cut. We start to cruise down this hill which was really big for southern Ontario (would have been about 10min to climb back up) and realize the road has been flooded by a beaver dam. We sat there wondering the best way around and were starting to take off our shoes when we started to hear a car coming down the road. We go to opposite sides of the trail when Krystal says "your not going to believe this" That's when the H1 Hummer comes around the corner. I start talking to the guy and he asks if we wanted a ride accross the swamp, haha!! No hesitation on my part!!!! So Krystal and I jump on and ride across. It went from a disapointing ride to something I will never forget. If you are ever in the Collingwood area maybe take a day and experience H1 Hummer Adventures.
Here is a pic that I got quickly, I thougt I was taking a video but only took a picture. You can still make it out

2010-09-20T19:50:00.004-04:00

These last 2 weeks were very busy for me race wise. It was the first time I have ever done back to back 70.3’s so I did not know how I would respond. First off was Muskoka, it is my home town race so to speak, only being a 3 hour drive away from home. Everything leading in the race went perfect and I was ready for a big day. I felt great in the water and at the half way mark decided to take the lead to string things out a little before the bike. By the end of the swim there was a group of 3, myself, Paul Mathews and Craig Alexander. Paul hammered of the start of the bike and Craig and I were unable to go with him. I rode with Craig until the 65km mark where he started to pull away from me. I ended up 1 min down from him and Raynard Tysink (sp) who passed me late on the bike and 4 min down from Paul. I went really hard on the bike trying to stay with Craig and I payed for it on the run, I started cramping and had a hard time just getting to the finish line. I ended up 6th getting passed twice on the run. One spot out of the money which sucked but really not a bad race considering the quality of field.
My next race was in Syracuse NY. it was a last minute decision but I came out of Muskoka fairly well and since it was close thought it would be a good idea. I did recover well during the week and felt better and better. During the race I decided not to lead the swim and try to save some energy for the first part of the bike to give myself a better chance to stay with Paul who was doing the double as well. I tried as hard as I could with out overdoing it at the start of the bike but I just could not go with him and Andrew Yoder and settled into my pace for the rest of the 90km. Getting off the bike I was surprised that everyone was saying I was in 2nd, I thought I was 3rd but I guess Andrew pulled out somewhere on the bike, so that was a present surprise. I was running pretty well to start, I usually know within the first 5km whether it is going to be a good run. In Muskoka that's when I was starting to cramp but in Syracuse that is when I started to feel like I could start running faster. I was eventually passed at the 5 mile mark by one guy but was able to hold on the rest of the run and finish 3rd, my best finish in a 70.3 event.
Not sure what the race plan is now, there might be another race but I know a lot of time is going to be spent planning the rest of the winter for the Ironman Austria group.

All photos are courtesy of Don McCormick dmccormick@muskoka.com

Nationals in a Few Days

2010-08-19T12:20:00.006-04:00

Been a while again between posts, I did well for about 2 weeks then let it slide again for a few months. So what has happened?
The first race of the year that I really wanted to well at I ended up getting sick right before the race and spent the Wednesday and Thursday in bed sick so my body was just out of tune for the race, as well as I ended up crashing while dismounting. I landed really hard on my hip and really affected my run. A local photographer was able to get a picture of me mid crash and it appeared on the cover of the local paper. Thanks Kevin Stroud Photography for the photos.

From the Lens of Kevin Stroud Photography
13 Veterans Way, Huntsville, On P1H 1P3

To recover from the fall I took a week off and skipped the Michigan 70.3. It was a great week off where Krystal and I were able to spend some time at our cottages. It was a great couple of days.
I was back at it at the end of the week and started my hard training towards Nationals. It took a few days to feel good again. I was still feeling a little sluggish until this weekend when I raced the Windsor Triathlon, it is one of the few races in Ontario with prize money and I wanted redemption for Muskoka because I knew I was fit enough to win. The race went exactly how I wanted it to, leading out the swim, then trying to stay close to Len on the bike and run hard until I knew I had the victory.
This last week has been prep and fine tuning and I am starting to feel really good and I am excited to show that my Olympic distance racing career is not over!!

Later

First week home

2010-05-10T21:04:00.003-04:00

Been a busy first week back in Caledon. Spent the first few days in just getting everything back in to order, clothes put away, bike stuff organized and everything else that needed to be done after being away for 3 months. Krystal left for the Joe Martin Stage Race in Arkansas on the Tuesday so we only got to see each other for 2 days before she left. One of the days were her birthday though, I am just getting used to being 26 and now she is 27, where does the time go.

This last weekend we had the McMaster Tri Clinic in Hamilton, it was supposed to be a 3 day event but turned into 2 days. This gave us Friday to train ourselves which was nice except for the rain. Saturday was the big day and it went very smoothly besides the 100km/h winds on the bike which made the long ride a little shorter. Sunday how ever was really cold and after 3 months away -3 felt like -100, I was not very happy at the start of the ride but as I got into it I started to come around.

tomorrow morning is a quarry swim, not sure if it will be swimmable after the last few nights of sub 0 temps but I will give it a try. Then a nice speed run later in the day.

Well that's about all, going to watch the last period of the Pittsburgh - Montreal game, hoping the pens knock them out!!!

Xterra Vegas Pre Race

2010-04-24T23:04:00.002-04:00

Just a little clip from in my hotel room while getting ready for my first ever Xterra Triathlon in Las Vegas

Vegas Baby!!

2010-04-23T00:54:00.004-04:00

Well it is not that exciting, although I am heading in the Vegas direction I don't think I will actually make it to the strip. The race is in Henderson which is just south of Vegas but at least I will be able to see the lights.

This will be my first ever Xterra race and I am really looking forward to it. There is no pressure on me and no one thinks I will be a factor in the race. I guess I don't even know if I will be a factor. I have never really done a real mountain bike race so I have no idea how fast I am. I hope I am pretty quick because I do love mountain biking and would love to be able to do more of it during the summer. If I get blown away though I think the bike will have to be put back into the garage until the season is over.
I am all packed up and ready to go and just about to head to bed because I do have an early start tomorrow. Also I am planning on pre riding the course tomorrow with my helmet cam so I can review it tomorrow night and really get to learn the curves. It is amazing how much of a difference that can make. In some of my training I would do multiple laps and would always get faster in the later laps and I am sure this is because you learn your way around.

Stumbled upon this picture the other day and made me miss it. I have a great new one thanks to Gears Bike Shop but I had some great races on this bike, now I just have to create the same memories on my new one!!! I will leave you with the only mountain bike picture I have

Getting in the Groove

2010-04-19T23:54:00.005-04:00

Don't really have much to say but I wanted to get into the rhythm of keeping the blog going on a more regular basis.

Today Hans, Bob and Andrew did their first workouts in Tucson and started with a 5000m swim, then a 2 hour hard mountain bike, I am still getting comfortable keeping my speed over some of the technical sections but I am getting better. I think the trail that I took today will help though, it was just a big rock garden, I thought it would be hard to go down but it was actually easier the faster I went, just floated over the top of the rocks. Off the bike I just did a 20min easy run and felt good.The Rockey trail (Sutherland trail)

Thats about all, just another biking picture, later

Long Time Coming

2010-04-17T16:00:00.003-04:00

Hahaha, yeah I know it has been a long time you don't have to remind me. Finishing up the last few weeks here in Tucson getting ready for my first race in Las Vegas. It is going to be my first Xterra and I am really looking forward to it.

We have been in Tucson since Feb 12th and spent the first few weeks working with the Personal Best Training Camps. After the Camps were over we had some time to get some really good training in and Dave and I have not let the opportunity go to waste.

This next week I have some faster more specific workouts leading into Vegas and Dave is starting to get ready for Florida 70.3 so our training is going to take some different directions for the next few weeks but our last training camp gets here in a few days so there will be some other guys to train with while Dave is doing his longer stuff.

Anyways that is everything summed up pretty quick, here are a few videos of some riding I took with my new helmet cam.

So that took way to long so I am just going to put links to the other videos

Golder Ranch Mountain Biking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgcJQDG6XeI

That's all for now, hopefully it will not take 5 months to update again

Sean

South Carolina and xc skiing

2009-12-16T18:23:00.006-05:00

Hey, don't have a lot of time to write, Mark just got home from BC and we are about to sit down to a good old fashion family dinner.
South Carolina was great, lots of good riding and decent weather, it was a little cold on the last day but not too bad.
Today I did my first XC ski of the year, the conditions were better then I thought they would be, they had just got a few cm of snow last night and was snowing throughout the ski. I think I am going to go back on Friday so conditions should be great by then.
Lastly today I went with my mom and Jackie and cut down a xmas tree from our farm, it was really cool not to have to buy one, just walked to the back cut it down carried it back and set it up!!
Cool, so here are some pics from SC
hope you have a great holiday season.

Getting excited

2009-12-02T09:23:00.006-05:00

First off I would like to congratulate Gears Bike Shop on their amazingly successful evening Friday night. Simon Whitfield was there with his new book signing autographs and doing what Simon does best. Simons Gold in Sydney was the reason I made the switch to triathlon and I remember my first ever time racing him I actually beat him out of the water then rode with him for the bike. He did out run me by 10min lapping me part way through his last lap. After that race I knew I had a future in the sport because I knew I could compete against the Olympic gold medalist. I am sure every pro triathlete in Canada has a story as to how Simon has motivated and helped them reach a level of the sport they never thought possible.

As for myself, I have been getting back into training, doing a few trainer rides and running a fair amount. Just getting back into it slowly. I have been feeling pretty good and I am very excited about the new year. I have bene back swimming for the last 2 weeks and it is coming back quick although the 6000m workout Monday took a lot out of me and I think today is 40x100!!

To help kick off the new season a few friends and I are heading down to South Carolina for a mini camp of mostly riding. If you have never been it is a cyclists dream. There are endless mountain roads amazingly paved and courteous drivers. There is a national forest there as well that has miles and miles of gravel access road to run on and the town of Pickens has a 25m indoor pool which is only 20min away. We leave in about a week but it can not come quick enough for me!!!!

Enjoying the Nice Weather

2009-11-16T17:09:00.004-05:00

Of course while I am training for Austin we get a cold spell that forces me indoors or to ride and run with countless layers on now that it is time relax and recover we get close to record temps and have not seem rain in a long time. This last weekend I was able to ride in shorts and jersey and was still sweating where this time last year we were digging out from the first snowfall of the year.

With my knee feeling a lot better I decided to head out for a mountain bike ride with Tyler Lord, Andrew Woegerer and Brian. We went to the Pines close to Belfountain and had a great ride, the trails were dry an were in great shape. It was the most fun I have had on a ride in a long time and it was great to get back out on the mountain bike. I did end up getting a flat about 200m from the end of the ride which was actually the first flat of the year, I kept on meaning to say that but I did not want to jinx myself but now that the streak is over I thought I would mention it. I would have to attribute it to the tuffy's I keep in my tires year round and changing tires when they become damaged. thanks to the guys at Gears Bike Shop for keeping me going.
This is not from this weekend the pic is from a few years ago but was the only one of me mountain biking I have!!! (notice the front wheel!!!)

Going to run tomorrow at York and test out the knee again, I think it will be fine but I will still take it easy. I am really looking forward to getting back into the grove.

Chill Time

2009-11-03T14:33:00.003-05:00

Sitting at home doing some work on the computer looking out the window watching snow flurries drift by, glad I do not have to go out training in it for awhile. I thought I would be able to handle training in the cold and I thought I did a pretty good job leading into Austin, but after the race it was ovouse that I was lacking that last gear that would have allowed me to have a great race. I was just a little behind in everything and in such a tight race that little difference can make a huge difference in the end.

I am now taking a few days off to let some little issues get better then I will start doing the local run and trainer workouts to keep some fitness throughout the winter. I am especially looking forward to some xc skiing I will have an extra month at home this winter so there is a better chance for some good snow. The last few years we have been skiing mid to late November so not much more waiting. Maybe somebody with some skiing knowledge can gie me some technique pointers

In Austin

2009-10-23T18:56:00.003-04:00

Got into Austin last night, got the rental car and got to the hotel, spent some time looking for a grocery store which was harder then I thought, but eventually found one.

Today I went to the race site and swam, it was choppy but I think that will be beneficial for me. When I took my wheel out of the case I realized there was a little dent with what seemed like a crack as well, maybe it is time for a new disk wheel, I guess I will just have to win this weekend to be able to afford it.

I drove the bike course today as well, it was tough to follow, I did not have a map and when I tried to print one off at the hotel it did not work. So I was driving around with my computer open to the web page, I had a few wrong turns but I got through it all.

Until then it is resting up which I have been doing a lot lately but it is a welcome break from the last few weeks.

I know this was boring but I am pretty board, oh well, Sunday will be exciting.

Later

Cold Cross Ride

2009-10-14T20:03:00.004-04:00

Had a great cross ride today. The last long hard ride needed to be changed up do to cold temps and strong winds, I knew I would be able to get a better workout riding the cross bike through the hills. Nat Faulkner came up for the ride as well. Started off cold as we headed down the escarpment for the first time, we realized that there was still snow on the ground from the night before proving that it was really cold out!! Even right at the end of the ride at 3:30 there was still snow in the shade. Seems kind of early for snow to hang around all day but you get what you get. We weaved around all the roads finding all the hills we could, the pic is of Lavender Hill just outside of Dunedin, those who think Southern Ontario is flat ask me to take you for a ride and I will show you otherwise. During the ride Nat and I came up with the idea to create a cross century ride through the hill. We are thinking that this year will be small among friends but if they like it we might try to grow it, it is one of the best places I have ever ridden, single lane gravel roads up and down the escarpment with switch backs and 80km/h gravel descents with trails and paved roads thrown in as well.

Just over a week until Austin and I am feeling really good, I had my best run workout of the year yesterday and I have been feeling great on the bike, one last race then I get to spend some good time getting the personal best coaching off the ground.

Later

Update

2009-10-03T17:01:00.002-04:00

Not much to update on, the last 2 weeks have been some really hard training and with the weather starting to get cold it can be pretty tough sometimes to get out. I have not been dry on a bike ride in 2 weeks and with temps around 10 the long rides get cold. On the flip side though it is perfect running weather!! I am going to keep training hard for the next 2 weeks then start to rest for the last race of the season in Austin Texas, I have had some of the best weeks of training of my life so I am hoping for a good race.

On a different note, Krystal after a lot of time spent volunteering signed on with the Peel school board and is now officially a teacher! No one worked harder then her to get her spot and it proves that when you want something enough just keep working hard and things will happen.

Just started to rain again glad I am done training for the day. I am actually looking forward to the snow!!

Update

2009-09-19T17:10:00.005-04:00

Another good week of training. It took a few days to recover from the race but I am feeling really good now. Tyler Lord and I put in a great day on friday but just our luck, after 3 weeks without rain in Caledon we get poured on. The last time I had to ride in the rain was when I last rode with Tyler up at my cottage.

Today I swam in the quarry but I had the rude awakening when I had to scrape the frost off my car before I could drive there. The swim felt kind of surreal though, it was so calm and there was steam coming up from the water I wish I had a camera but I didn't so you will have to take my word.

Tomorrow is the Kinetico 10miler followed by the Kids race, so far we have 800 kids racing, we were hoping for 1000 to set the new canadian record but that might have to wait until next year, still 800 is pretty good.

I was able to get a few more pics of the Muskoka race courtesy of Jen Coombs so thanks Jen for taking them.

A few Pictures from Muskoka

2009-09-16T11:10:00.004-04:00

Muskoka 70.3

2009-09-14T20:00:00.002-04:00

Just got home from Huntsville after a great weekend away up north. I was lucky enough to get a room with Bob and Caron at the Deerhurst resort it was the perfect place to prepair for the race because it was within walking distance of everything. Krystal and I got up mid day on Friday and in time to get some training in. Saturday I did my basic pre race workouts and also was part of a pro Q and A with Craig Alexander and Miranda Carafre. That was a pretty cool experience

Race day came and I knew I was ready to have a great race based on how relaxed I was. I was joking with Krystal and bouncing around the hotel room at 5am. I walked over to transition from my room and got everything set up then walked to the swim start. I felt great warming up and was ready to go.

the race started and I was quick to find feet I was 3rd in line and felt comfortable the rest of the way. I was 2nd out of the water and 3rd onto the bike. Quickly there was a separation and I was able to get away with Craig, Richie, and Paul. After a very quick and hilly first 20km it settled down and the 4 of us rode away from the rest of the competition. At the 70km mark we got back into the hills and I started to find the pace a little to rich for me. I made the decision to let them go and ride my own tempo the rest of the bike. I got off the bike about 90sec down but feeling good, I ran really well for the first half and was on pace for a personal best half but the fast pace at the start of the bike started to catch up with me and I slowed down. In such a competitive race it caused me a couple of places but I ended up 6th and first Canadian.

The race was a huge confidence booster and motivator for the rest of the year.

Thanks again to Bob and Caron for allowing us to stay with them and of course to my favorite person in the world, who keeps me relaxed and focused leading into the race and who gives the best pre race massage, Thanks Babe

I should have pics soon.

A fresh Start

2009-09-08T20:58:00.003-04:00

Just a quick update about the last few months, again I am saying sorry for not updating but I spent some time freshening up my blog in hopes to get motivated to keep it up to date.
the first couple of races were not the greatest but I ended up winning the prestigious Muskoka long course. I then did a few hard weeks of training for the National Long course Championships in B.C., I did not race very well but learned a lot. The nest big race I did was Steelhead 70.3 in Michigan where I did race well running within 2 min of Andy Potts for the 2nd fastest of the day. That day I ended locking up a few bones in my foot which did not allow me to go to Nationals, the first one I have missed in 7 years. I decided to take a few days off and went camping with Krystal which was great. I am over the injury now and have put in a couple good weeks getting ready for Muskoka 70.3.

I will let you know how it goes

Last Month

2009-02-02T21:27:00.006-05:00

Although it was tough to leave family and friends Nat and I headed down to sunny warm Tucson to start to get our early season training underway.
The first week in Tucson had a little bit of everything. After spending 3 days in a car you can imagine we felt a little rusty for the first couple of days. We did a couple easy rides and swims kept the running to a minimum while our legs got rid of the rust built up over the off season.
The weather was perfect the first week here, we did not see a cloud and it was close to 70 every day. I think the first cloud we saw was exactly a week after we got here, we didn’t know what to do.
We have been here for 3 weeks now and can really feel the fitness coming back. We have been riding a lot more, this last week we got up to almost 400km and starting to run a lot more. One thing about Tucson is there is never a shortage of running trails. It is a runners paradise, all roads have wide gravel shoulders or if you want to drive a little out of town there is an endless maze of trails and you will never be able to run them all.
After coming to Tucson for the last 3 years I am starting to really know my way around but I am still finding new places to ride and run. Today we ran at Golder Ranch and followed the 50 Year Trail then went for a ride and headed up Oracle Road and decided to take Hwy 79 north towards Phoenix. We found a side road and followed that for a few more miles. It was such a quiet road through the middle of the desert. Unfortunately I had mechanical problem, a stick came up and took out my derailleur which in turn caused my hanger to come out of place which ended up smashing into my rear dropout cracking the carbon. Needless to say I had to hitchhike home. The third car to go by picked me up and brought me back to my car so it was not that big of an issue besides my broken bike.
The next week looks like it is going to be much of the same, perfect weather without a cloud in the forecast, slowly getting back into shape and enjoying the time here more and more.

Until next time

Back at it!!!

2009-01-14T18:22:00.007-05:00

Officially I am now a University Grad with a B.A. Geography/Geology from Mcmaster. It took a while but it is all the same in the end. I am just glad to have that monkey off my back so I can get back into the job I love being a Triathlete.

After spending time at home with my family and Krystal over the holidays, it was time to get down south and start to get back into shape, I let my fitness slide over the last few months with school and the injury but now I am rested, healthy and ready to get fit again.

I just finished my second day of training here in Tucson and I am a little more out of shape then I thought I was, today we did 2.5h easy on the bike, with no real climbs, followed by 40 min running exploring the trails around our house. We did not find too many but there were a lot more options to try another time. Lastly we did another easy swim at the Oro Valley pool.

The house we are staying at is really nice and fully furnished so unlike 2 years ago where the only chairs we had were fold up lounge chairs it is nice to have a place to put our feet up other then our bedroooms.

I really hope to keep this blog up to date through out the year so i can keep everyone in touch with what I am up too, and my journey back to peak fitness.

School!!!

2008-09-23T22:24:00.004-04:00

As a kid you always dream about the day where you no longer have to go to school, i got close but then decided to postpone it so I could spend some time training. I am now back at school and in the final straight. I never took more then 3 classes but this year I am taking 5 it is going to be tough but I know I can manage it.
With my time off, i have been able to catch up on a few social activities as well, it may not be that good for training but this is the time of year to do it, sometimes you just need to go out and have a little fun to help get your mind off things!!
It is only 2 more months until Krystal is home, the first 6 months were tough but it seemed to go by pretty quickly, she came home for her mid-semester break and I got to see her for a couple of weeks. She has been back a couple times for weddings but only for a couple of days and with all her comitments we did not have much time together. These last 2 months are going to be tough but when it is over she will be home for good and things will get back to normal!!
I am still trying to get over my knee injury as well, I am currently seeing the physio at school and go see the magician Robert Taylor on friday to try to get ahead of this thing.
Well that is about it for now

Decision time

2008-09-08T19:16:00.002-04:00

The last week has been pretty stressfull with finding a new house to live in, moving into my new house, getting registered for school, picking classes, deciding whether or not to do Muskoka 70.3, as well as trying to train. But I feel like everything has fallen into place now so I can settle down and get back into a routine.
I decided not to do Muskoka, it was a tough decision because it is such a big race within a couple of hours of my house, but my knee was just not getting any better and although I had planned on only swimming, riding and playing the run by ear, I really did not want to sacrifice the cross country season because I believe that it is more important for future development.
I see a doctor Wednesday and start physio on Thursday so hopefully things get back in line soon.
As for everything else, Nat Faulkner my training partner for the year just had an awesome tune up race for Hawaii, he did Ironman Wisconsin and was leading the entire race including the pros after the bike. He started 10min back from the pros and was 2nd overall off the bike, he was 9 min back from the leader which put him 1 min up on him as well. He was only planning on running 1 of 2 laps to not kill him self too close to Hawaii. I think with a couple more good weeks of training that he has a realistic chance of placing top amerature.
I know that next year is going to be a good with with both of us putting in some god training miles!!
Saw Alexisonfire on the weekend, there was a free concert at Mac which was awesome!! I wish I knew more of their songs I think that would have made it more enjoyable.