Highlights From the Past Week

This past week was my official week training with Coach Carolyn, so I had an actual schedule to follow. Although I definately have been ramping up quite a bit in the 2 weeks prior to the past one, I was kind of just doing whatever I wanted, whenever I felt like it. The final result from week one is fairly good, I did all the workouts, I felt great doing all of them, however, I am feeling exhausted today... and the thought of doing it all again next week makes me feel even more exhausted!

Because it's been 2 years since I did Ironman, I have quickly forgotten a few key things about training. This week... I was reminded very quickly of a few of these things. First off, I am convinced that there is an apetite stimulant in the chlorine of YMCA pools throughout the world. I think it's their ploy to make a profit at their snack shops. After I swim, whether it's 2000 meters or 4000 meters, I am ravenous! I would eat, anything and everthing in sight! I forgot that I used to always pack myself a snack, and I wouldn't even store it in my locker, I would in fact roll it up in my towel so that I could literally eat it the moment I got out of the pool. After 2 swims this week where I felt as though I was going to die of starvation and the walk from the change room to the snack shop (SEE - they got me!) felt as though it was the entire Ironman in itself, I learned on the third swim! I won't forget again for the rest of the season! I swam quite a bit through the winter in the pool at the University, it has become clear to me that they are obviously not in such desperate need to increase profits through the concession stand, they have not added the special drug to the chlorine (or maybe it's all just in my head...).

A second memory whipped me in the face (literally). The wind. Is it Chicago that is named the windy city? I think Calgary can easily take that nickname over! I biked 132 km (was supposed to be 135 km, but my turn around was in the middle of a hill, so I opted to turn around a wee bit early). I was EXTREMELY proud of myself for doing the distance because I have definately not been biking through the winter, so I was impressed that I still had it in me... but more so, my entire 132 km I was accompanied by a mini tornado of wind. I really wanted to dump my bike and hitch-hike home. Because I was riding by myself, and because I had plenty of time to just think, I spent a lot of time concentrating on the wind. After 5 hours of accurate observation, I would like to point out that the wind blows in 3 directions at once here in Calgary. I had a cross wind (from both sides) and a head wind, for the entire ride! This route starts out heading west towards the moutains, turns off to the south, then I turn around and come back north, and back on the highway I go east. I never once had the wind at my back. Can someone please explain to me how this is possible. This little encounter I had with the wind resulted in a bit of an angry rage. I was fuming, red-faced-smoke-coming-out-of-my-ears mad. The wind and I are not yet on speaking terms again. I ride 150 km this coming Tuesday, if it's windy, I will bike straight past my car and directly to my local pyschiatrists office to enroll myself in Anger Management 101.

Lastly, I was reminded of an unavoidable thing... tan lines. I would just like to point out, Craig and I recently returned from a tropical vacation which was strategically planned for the end of April so that I would return with a perfect, tan-line-free tan for the start of the season. It would give me enough "base" to pull out my shorts, like everyone else, on the first summer-like day and then I wouldn't need to blind my neighborhood with my otherwise pasty-white legs (a result from a LONG winter!). Although the tan is still there, the perfectly even tone is not. Oh well, it was bound to happen at some point. I'm the proud owner of bike shorts/run shorts/tank top/jersey/arm warmer lines. I'll wear them with pride.

Off the topic of Ironman training, but extremely worthy to be noted, today my husband, Craig, passed the entrance exam for the Calgary City Police. I am extremely proud of him and I'm so excited to see where this journey takes us! Craig is currently a plumber, which is a great career also, and Craig is happy to be doing it, but he has always talked about being a Police Officer, so I'm thrilled that he went after that dream. Whatever Craig does, I know he'll continue being a great employee, and an even better husband, I'm just happy to be apart of the journey with him. And let's be honest, what girl doesn't love a man in a uniform (but I'll take the plumbers bum-crack too). Uncle Bruce would be very proud, as you may or may not know, this family has an exceptional amount of law-abiding citizens, because practicially everyone is a police officer (including Uncle Bruce - retired).

That's all for now... more to come soon!

Some of the Crew!

Like I mentioned previously, it takes a lot of support for me to do this whole Ironman business, so I'd like to introduce some of, but certainly not limited to, my support.

First is Auntie Rosie. Equally as special to me as Uncle Bruce, Rosie is the best aunt in the whole world (2nd to me of course). She is extremely supportive of everything I've ever done, which I'm sure everyone can agree with, makes such a huge difference! I'm hoping that Auntie Rosie and I can cross the finish line together on race day, because this endeavor is meant just as much in her honor as it is for Uncle Bruce's.


Next, my coach, Carolyn, who I am thrilled to be training with again! Carolyn was my coach for 2006 and 2007, and she has taught me so many things! I know that Carolyn limits the amount of triathlete's that she coaches in a year, so I am eternally grateful that she agreed to take me on so late in the season! Even though we don't live in the same city, I've found her program works very well for me, and we communicate almost daily by email. I look forward to seeing her in July and August!


I have my very own Bike Mechanic! My dad makes up a fairly crucial part of my training because he takes care of my bike for me and all of the little things that need to be done. He also texts me faithfully while I'm doing my long rides, just to make sure I'm still alive. 2 years ago, we sent my dad to a bike mechanics course, I may have had some hidden motives in that gift, but I am so grateful for how much he helps me out. For some reason, I just can't seem to pump my bike tires up much above 100 psi, and I prefer to ride at 110 psi. So my dad pumps my tires, checks things out, oils the chain, and all the other stuff that I don't even know about that needs to be done. Equally as important, he provides the funds for my mom to have a fully loaded fridge, which I often partake in. On that note, I am never giving my house key back! My dad is quite a gifted cyclist himself, unfortunately, we don't often ride together because he just can't seem to keep up with me (...or perhaps it's the other way around).


Although my work/school schedule doesn't really allow me the luxury of joining a triathlon group or club of any kind, I do have a great running partner. Zoe and I run together once a week at 6am and it is certainly a highlight! Our run is about 13 kms, and we have an ongoing goal to do it in less than an hour. We've been extremely close, but there are a few lights that seem to work against us on the days when we are feeling extra good. Zoe and I met in Africa more than 8 years ago, and were instantly connected because of our running! We've travelled through many foreign countries together, with our running shoes in tow, and 2 years ago, an amazing change of life plans brought Zoe and her husband, Arin, to Calgary (originally from Toronto area). Even though it may not be forever that we are neighbors, I will treasure every day that we have living so close. Zoe and I ran the Seattle marathon together in 2007.


Last, but certainly not least is, the captain for the cheer squad! My sister, takes her job extremely seriously, and she makes it very clear that she is the captain. Alison has been to almost all of my races (at least, all of the important ones), and through the years, there has definately been quite a few. My first niece, Aria, attended her first marathon when she was only 6 weeks old! Poet, niece #2, will become an IronBaby this year when she is only 4 months old. The girls have been exposed very early, so I'm really holding out for a future marathoner (although genetics would probably suggest more of a musical inclination). Alison plans her cheering routes, routines and attire very seriously and is fairly die-hard about it. Not only does she, and her squad, make me feel like the most important person out on the race course, she also spends endless hours, rain or shine, cheering for each and every person in between. If you are attending or racing in Ironman this year... you can be sure that you will see her, with pompoms. Also to be noted, much like my mom, Alison's fridge is always well stocked (even with a new baby!), this makes me very happy. I would gladly add that spare key to my key ring as well.

So here are a few people that make my life so much more enjoyable. There are certainly a number of other people, but I won't bore you will every other contact that I have out there. My family really is so great, all of them. This will be the fourth summer in a row where their summer vacations have been diverted to more race appropriate locations. Craig is a great husband, he even rubs my feet (only on rare occasions), and he makes everything I do possible. They call me crazy, but secretly I know they love it just as much as I do.

Ironman #2

I have officially commenced training for my 2nd Ironman...about 9 months late! I have 3 months until I swim 3.8 km, bike 180 km and run 42.2 km. I completed Ironman Canada in 2007, it took me 14 hours and 29 minutes, I trained faithfully for 12 months prior to race day. I always hoped to complete another Ironman one day, however, I certainly didn't plan on doing it during this decade.


On April 29, 2009, my Uncle, Bruce Bowman, died very suddenly of a Brain Aneurysm. Uncle Bruce and I shared the passion of triathlons, and we had a very special bond because of it. It takes a very different and "special" person to commit to the training, and an equally "special" person to understand why we do the the things we do. Uncle Bruce completed his first Ironman at Ironman Canada 2008, he was registered to compete again in 2009 as a 60 year old! The only time to register for Ironman Canada is in Penticton, the day after the race, for the next year. Pretty much you pay your dues, sign your life away, and have 364 days to be stressed out about it (in my case anyways). Ironman administration has a very strict "no transfer" policy, so within that year, if you become injured, or choose not compete, you cannot transfer your entry over to someone else.

I want to do something to honor my Uncle's life. Anyone who knew him can agree with me that he was an amazing man. His accomplishments are far to many to list, he was extremely generous, in so many ways, every moment of his life was filled with greatness. Bruce Bowman leaves an amazing legacy. The best way that I know how to honor Uncle Bruce's 59 years and how much he meant to me is to complete his Ironman for him. Ironman Canada has granted me a one-time exception to take over his entry and race in his place.

For those of you who were touched by Bruce's life, or perhaps never even had the chance to meet him, you can follow my training for the next 3 months, and we can honor him, and celebrate his life together. As much work as Ironman training is, it is also A LOT of fun! Even though I physically complete the race by myself, there is no way I would ever be able to do it without the support of my "crew", so in a sense, we all do it together.

I'll keep you posted....