m y T r i L i f e

Let me explain....

So.... what's four for four mean? Four races, four times rain! The weather gods have not been kind to me this season. However, the long term forecast for Great White North hot hot hot! I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Can I have just one race in the sun?

This past weekend, I participated in a great little super-sprint distance at Half Moon Lake, only a 15min drive from here in Sherwood Park.

As usual the day before my rainy races this season, the weather was perfect and sunny on the Saturday. I had a long ride on the schedule so I decided to explore the roads south of Edmonton. My initial plan was to ride to Wetaskiwin and back. However, the highway seemed a bit sketchy, with narrow shoulder, and plenty of trucks hauling wide trailers. I'll have to find some back roads to Wetaskiwin or ride earlier in the morning when traffic is light. Instead I turned west and out to the Devon and Calmar area.

At Calmar, I stopped at the world famous Calmar bakery. The roadies in Edmonton say that it is a favorite fuel stop. I chose two maple walnut donuts, 70c each, cheaper than Timmie Ho's! And WOW, they are the best donuts I have ever eaten. Definitely worth the trip! According to Kyle's half-iron nutrition guidelines... I probably had to drink 2L of water for the amount of calories consumed! However, a liter of Evian from the nearest gas station would suffice, and off I went.

After 5.5hrs in the saddle, I was back home and HUNGRY. Nothing like an good ride to bump the metabolism! I consumed an enormous amount of food for the next 48 hours.

Sunday. Woke up and peeked out the window... darkening skies as forecast. The rain started on my drive to the lake, and continued to increase as the morning progressed. Naomi opted to skip this race, and sleep in, even though she was entered. A good choice, as the conditions would turn to DOWNPOUR during the run. Fortunately, the heat from the previous day kept the air temps in the high teens, making it bearable.

I had a good swim again, coming out in 4th, kept it up through the bike, then dropped a place on the run.... my legs didn't seem to want to co-operate until about 6km into the run... and the run was only 7.5km... too late! A good hard effort to start my taper into Great White North. I have to say, I bought a new Desoto T1 wetsuit and it ROCKS! Fast swim, and the fastest wetsuit removal I have ever done. So long to my old Orca suit, maybe I'll give it to a newbie... anyone want it for free?

posted by Greg Nicholson @ 6/25/2008