A nice muddy ride

First ride of the year with The Red Tsunami. It started as an easy ride but got more intense as we got closer to Sidney. The group broke into two subgroups depending on the fitness level/speed of the athletes in each group. I was leading the group for a while until we decided to get into a pace line which brought some rest and a bit of recovery. The only disadvantage to draft on a day like this is to get really muddy all over....but I guess it's part of being a warrior....can't be tough with rosy cheeks all the time.

Total time: 2h57 mins
Total distance: 77 kms

Racing Machine?

I don't really feel like a racing machine lately...training is down for the holidays (voluntarily) and it feels like not training is hard on the body. Yes it is weird but I am sore from not doing much. My foot is still sensitive and there's still a bit of pain. But I want to run....no....I NEED to run! So I ran. 20 minutes, slow pace...but I am not complaining because I am alone out there in the midday mist with the air full or earthy smells...the best things the West Coast can offer. I will go for another short run in 2 or 3 more days and see how everything feels. Ok....now time for a little ice bath....

I just feel like sh*t...

Yes, you read it right! This is how I feel lately. Tired, frustrated and a whiny. I never whine, never! But today I'll make an exception.

Last week has been hard, I felt tired and swam only once. I did every other workout, some were better than others but today I just feel like I did not sleep for 72 hours.

Coach C. tells me I am adapting....but adapting from what? From everything I am used to do at this time of the year? I am not doing much more than previous years but, yes, I work harder. I give more and I have to say that I am doing weight training twice a week, something I haven't done while triathlon training. But other than that...that's it! Have I ever felt like that before? The answer is YES....twice! In December (!) 2009. My excuse for feeling like that was a marathon in October without any recovery before getting back to training...that was a good reason! The second time was in February 2010 while training for Ironman Canada. My coach just increased the long rides to 3.5 hours (not much) but I really felt it. Again...I had a valid reason for feeling like that. This time I don't see the reason....or do I?

I also have that nagging low level pain in my left foot...it's still there, creeping and stealing my energy! I am whining but I know how lucky I am to be healthy and able to afford that expensive sport. I am whining for nothing....I am whining because my body is adapting to increased stress I impose on it. I whine because I cannot complete all the workouts I am assigned.

Ah...just shut up Dom! Zip it!

48 hours with a pro ITU triathlete - The Don

Peroneal tendonitis

PERONEAL TENDONITIS...this is what I have. I felt like running today but applied a bit of wisdom: Every time I have an injury, I decide to delay by at least a week my come back to activity. I found the culprit...my NEW shoes! I recently purchased a pair of Brooks Launch. I liked them, they're light, they feel good but they also cause my foot to roll outward a bit too much. It's ok to roll but it needs to be controlled and these shoes fail to do that. Consequence: Peroneal Tendonitis! I haven't run in more than a month and I can't wait to go back if only for a little 5k. I will buy a new pair of Asics Nimbus...the shoes that always worked for me. I am also going to tape my foot as demonstrated on this YouTube video....I really hope I can increase my distance fairly soon!

Ah....swimming...

Swimming has never been easy for me. I started only a few years ago and I have to say that 99% of the time, swimming is a struggle. The good thing is that this year I am swimming faster than I ever did: I can now do several 100m in 1 min 30 secs. I know, it's not fast but for me it is an achievement. I was told by coach Kim today that I should be able to finally be able to do sub-90 seconds/100m by February. To me, what really matters is not so much the speed but how relaxed I can get in the water. When my neck stays loose I do well but usually, by the end of my training session, I feel tense and....yes....slow!

PHOTO: http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-2512682239

Bike training inside? No problem!

Today's weather in Victoria did not allow us to ride outside. Cold temperatures and black ice do not mix very well with tiny rubber tubes. We did our training inside at Commonwealth Place where it's quite hot and humid. We had an amazing time! While riding, my friend Finn and I were imagining riding in various places real or not. At some point, I mentioned something about this Wyle E. Coyote vs Road Runner episode....a classic!