I Think I Can!!

Usually we cannot tolerate winter and head off to someplace warm. Yeah we are a bunch of wusses! This year we are determined to "gut it out" this winter and stay home. Trying my best to have the Postive Mental Attitude.

We are also trying to get out and do the winter activities I enjoyed so much when I was younger. It seems the older I get, the less I want to deal with the cold.

My memory of last winter. Around this time we were on the Big Island of Hawaii and enjoying the beauty. Hapuna Beach was one of our favourite spots.

The waves were awesome!! We boogie-boarded all day. We would see sea turtles in the surf quite often too.

Looking out from Alii Drive near Dig Me Beach. I am visualizing these scenes to get through the latest cold snap here in Ontario. It is supposed to warm up somewhat next week to a balmy 3 or 4C - can't wait!

Thinking warm thoughts - Cheers!

It's Freakin Cold!!!!!!!!

It is freakin cold!!! With the windchill it is -25C. That's plug in your vehicle cold. I'm usually good for anything that is -15C and warmer but this is brutal.

Not a good time to be a dog.

My sentiments exactly. It's usually this sort of weather that makes me want to escape south. I have the attitude of  "no vacation this winter - we can tough it out" then a cold snap comes and I'm scanning last minute vacations.

Thought this was funny. Get it?!

We're not really this extreme although the big Quebec ice storm a few years back had scenes like this. So what to do for training when it's freakin cold?!

Well I have the Around the Bay 30K race in late March to prepare for. I need to run today but it's not smart to be outside. My 2 options: Go to McMaster University and run on the 200m indoor track - not ideal for the mind but I could be in shorts and do some speedwork then follow it up with a swim in the 50m pool (it's long course day). My other option is to pay for a gym day pass and do the treadmill. Ok, just typing the word treadmill makes me cringe - hate it!!! That settles it I'm heading to Mac.

The Around the Bay 30K course - oldest race in North America (older than Boston!). It's flat for 18K then lots of hills for 8K then flat to slight downhill for last 4K with the finish at center ice indoors in Copps Coliseum - always nice to be warm when finishing. The other great thing is that there are thousands of seats to sit in after the race while you wait for friends without freezing your arse off - very cool.

This year they are using a new coral system based on previous finish times. Based on my results I will be in Coral B (2:15-2:30) so that should work well for me as I should be in a group that will be running a similar pace. In the past the first couple of km is usually reserved for navigating around people who have not seeded themselves appropriately. I had to send proof to the race organizer of my results and I have received confirmation that I will be in Coral B. Currently my running is going well with a long run of 22K completed and I felt good on the hills. As always I'd like to improve on my previous time. I did 2:26 in 2011 and anything under that would be great. Barring weather issues or injury I feel like this goal is attainable - we shall see!

Keep warm y'all - Cheers!

Lance on Oprah

 "Yes Oprah I did, in fact, take PEDs during my entire professional career. It is how I won 7 Tour de France titles and built up an empire of loyal fans. Not only that I was able to use some slight of hand by creating both Livestrong.com and Livestrong.org. You see, one Livestrong goes to Cancer support, the other goes to lining my pockets and give me much-needed access to private jets and my vacation home in Hawaii. I bullied, trashed people's reputations, and had them blackballed so they could not pursue a career in cycling in order to keep the lies intact. I have the ultimate set of lawyers to get my sue-on! The fact that I lied under oath, through the media, doesn't matter because during this interview I'll get teary-eyed, talk about my cancer supporters, how I disappointed them, how the cause is what matters, how cancer is evil (this will likely be the only truth!), and how I just want to move on with my life (translation = get a reduced ban so I can compete at Ironman. My doping in triathlon is a non-issue cause I have passed the tests! Hahaha that's funny Lance!). Finally, Oprah, I would like to spin this by saying sorry (won't clarify what I'm sorry for or to who - I'm really just sorry for getting caught) and talk at length about my family, my desire to spend time with my kids, and support the cause. Oprah, thank you for taking time to meet with me and jumpstart your ratings on your failing network. You always look after the little things like the bendy straw in my water - top notch! Enough talk - let's go for a ride! My doctors are waiting in the next room to hook us up!"

Love the Lance on Oprah Bingo!

See ya Lance - have a good one!

Cheers!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARA!!!!

With her favourite guy!

Sitting by the fire - always nice.

Love the game face!

Love ya!

Cheers!

Must Read - Candian AG Triathlete of the Year

http://triathlonmagazine.ca/2013/01/sections/feature/triathlete-of-the-year-milos-kostic/

Do yourself a favour - read up on this guy. Unbelieveable! Destroying the myths of aging.

Cheers!

Muskoka Fun!

Love Muskoka! Beautiful playground no matter the season. I had to do some work in North Bay and when I do I always stay in Huntsville. Sara and Logan tagged along as it was still Christmas Break. It was busy and there were various "characters" at the resort.

Before I get to that, though, Muskoka with snow means winter fun. While I was working Sara and Logan went cross country skiing. At the end of the day Logan and I then went skating. After that we finished up with a swim. I call that a Logan triathlon!

Deerhurst always looks nice during the wintertime.

The resort was definitely busy. A couple of groups made an impression. First there was the "Hallway Pluggers". This encompassed 2-3 families that literally plugged the hallway of the hotel with all their gear, kids, etc without even considering moving to allow others to pass through. I'm fascinated by such ignorance. Over two days they consistently got in everyone's way - it was to the point where I was beginning to think they never ventured anywhere but remained in their "special place"

The second group was the "Lettuce People." It started in the front lobby where a couple of soafs and chairs were placed by the big fireplace with a big coffee table in the middle. The Lettuce People put out their own picnic spread with a couple of heads of lettuce and some tomatoes. They had their own buffet in the middle of the lobby - very cool. The next night we had dinner and our waitress was relating how she served a family the night before and the woman ordered a salad, which, of course, is not out of the ordinary. The waitress continued by saying just a few minutes after bringing the woman her salad she pulled out a green pepper, cut it up, plus a bag of cabbage and added both to her salad. The waitress said that was a first for her! Finally when we left our room to head home a boy was arriving at the room next door with a head of lettuce and a tomatoe!! It turns out Lettuce People were our neighbours the entire time!!

Good times as usual - there sure are some interesting characters out there! Perhaps I'm one too and just don't realize it.....Nah!

Cheers!

2013 Resolutions

2013 - it's going to be a busy year. I have goals - I will state them, work towards them, adjust as I go and see where I end up. The resolutions should be challenging to ensure growth.

Truth!

Sometimes the challenge is to just get started. Small changes over time lead to long-term achievements. While doing the work it can sometimes be difficult to measure progress. I keep a log because it helps me to track my progress.

So my resolutions:

1) Support Sara on her comeback trail. With her illness in 2012 she was not able to be active. She currently is gaining back some consistency with frequent short runs and slowly gaining back energy. Racing is not as much fun without her participation.

2) Support Logan for 2-3 Kids triathlons. Love the kids racing - always inspirational and it's always fun.

3) Sub 2:25 at Around the Bay 30K race. I did 2:28 in 2010, 2:26 in 2011, had taken 2012 off, and signed up for 2013. Gets me out the door!

4) Ironman Lake Placid sub 11:00. I went 11:09 in 2011, I feel stronger and I have never pushed the bike. My goal is 1:05 swim, sub 5:45 bike and sub 3:50 run (I have gone 3:57 and 3:53 my last 2 IM runs so I feel confident).

5) Ironman Florida sub 10:45. Not sure on this one as I've only done hilly Ironmans but I'm curious to see how I do on a flat course. Peter Ames is also doing this race - if I can train with him over September and October I should be golden.

6) As of January 1, 2013 I weigh 166lbs. This is the result of the holiday festivities and was expected. By March 1st I'd like to be sub 160, a goal of 3lb weight loss per month - certainly doable. When I'm under 160 I get the race results I'm looking for. As the warmer weather comes I reduce even further. I usually do Ironman at a weight that ranges between 150-154lbs.

7) Get all home projects done this spring so that summer training is clear. Sara will like this one!!!

That's all for now - best of luck with your resolutions!

Cheers!