The Power of the team

I was checking my facebook page and there are tons of posts from the folks I have ridden over the years with as part a charity ride from Toronto to Montreal.  Yep, that is over 600K but its very manageable as its over six days.  The longest day is 126K and the shortest is 50K.  When I made the decision not to ride this year I did not realize how much I would miss this adventure and my fellow riders.  I often post on facebook my excitement about Wednesday night and Saturday morning spin class and sometimes but not that often about Thursday night swim.  It isn't just the challenge of the class that gets me motivated its the people I'm with.  Like the bike rally we are all like minded and trying to reach a goal.  Yes, Coach Paul puts us through our paces but it just seems so much more doable when I'm with my tri-buddies.  I am looking forward to the Durham Triathlon Club starting its season.   We have a great club here in Durham Region and if your interested in joining see: www.thedrtc.ca. 

The DRTC provides a track night to work on our running and biking skills plus two outdoor swim nights.  From what I hear we are very lucky to have the outdoor swim. Our coaches set the marks and are in their kayaks watching us along with one or two people keeping watch on shore.  Sometimes it takes a few minutes to get started as we count the number of swimmers in the water to ensure the number matches the count on shore. One would think this would be easy but sometimes its the hardest part especially if one is vertically challenged.  It seems our start point is always at chest level for a normal person so I'm bobbing away in my wetsuit as I can't touch the ground while everyone else is standing. To give you an idea here is my friend Jeff and I at our last race in 2011 - Wasaga beach.  I would venture to say Jeff is a wee bit taller than the average person but honestly I don't have a true perspective on that.  As a child I wanted to be taller than my mom and I made it by a whole 2.4 inches.
 

My next race for Gate 3:16 Outreach Center is in five weeks. Wow that put some butterflies in the tummy.  I know my training schedule will let me succeed the only challenge is that outdoor swim.  I hope to get into the lake before the race because if I don't it will be my first outdoor swim of the season.  As Coach Paul says I have a job to do so even if its the first swim I got to get it done. My friend Ron will be there along my side. He helped me conquer the Guelph try-a-tri, my first triatholon, so that will help for sure. I'm a little behind on my funding as I hoped to be at $2000 by my second race and only at $750.00.  I have challenged myself to race $1000 per race.

An update on the nutrition front.  Although not 100% I do feel that it was much better than previous weeks.  Posting it here seemed to help to keep me on track a bit better.  I had a big treat last night.  A craving for chocolate came over me at Buckingham's Meat and I broke down and had a Crispy Crunch.  I don't recall the last night I had a chocolate bar - mmm good.  I'll be heading home, Ottawa/Almonte, this week for business which can prove a challenge for eating.  We will see how it goes.  The plan is to swim at the Nepean sportsplex which offers a 50m lane swim.  I will only need to count 40 laps versus 80. Wohoo

Until next week get out there and put a bit of fitness in your life.