Go time!!!

Well, it is finally time to do what I came here to do!!
I had a great time on my practise ride, and although it is super non-technical, I think it will be a fun ride!
I was attempting some wave diving for the swim start yesterday....my timing was mostly off and I usually ended up belly-flopping in to the waves....will be more patient this morning!
The run---well the run I just always view as a run, it will be hard, but it just a matter of keeping the legs moving and finishing the final leg of the race.
Thanks everyone for your cheering!!
Thanks Shawn for making me come to this race!
I am glad that I decided to stick it out in the Pro Cat for this race....I think...we will see what I say about that after race...but it was worth it just for the cool interview and Photo shoot....and pink cap!
Thanks guys!!!
xoxo

Maui!

Maui is quite the place!!
I love the constant sound of the waves crashing against the rocks and shore down below. It is so loud, you would think it would keep you up at night, but it is actually calming to fall asleep with.

I will try to get out for my first pre-ride of the bike course today....after we go snorkelling at Molokini and Turtle Town :o) Avery is a snorkelling champ!! I love watching her floating and swimming and pointing at things under water!!

I hear the bike course, although non-technical will be a sufferfest....with relentless climbs, that as soon as you climb up them, just shoot you back down to start all over again, and with the wind and heat....I am still not sure how I will manage my hydration for this race!

I am just enjoying having this time with my family and watching the kids delight in the new experiences, that it hasnt really sunk in yet that I am racing a World Championships in 4 days, although sitting here listening to the waves crash, I am getting more and more nervous about the swim....
I did a short swim in a bay that we were snorkelling in the other day and it was OK.....although I felt like I wasnt even moving out there!!
Pretty soon it will be time to focus on why I am actually here :o) I think for now it is best not to worry about it, as I will realize that this is a entirely different kind of racing...but usually I can do whatever I set my mind to...and I am very good at suffering!!

7 laps----almost 100km in 6:20 hrs.
It was so hard!! It was so fun to race on my favorite trails in the World!!
Thanks Favorite and Cranbrook's new WildHorse cycling club for putting on this
awesome SIX in the STIX race!!!
OFF WE GO TO MAUI!!!!
Yikes!!

Whistler Nationals...

Wow, a little behind in the blogging!
Here is a quick report from the Nationals...where I had some high hopes for myself!
I started with a great swim, completing the 1500m in 25:30, which is slower than most Pro's was my fastest 1500 lake swim and got me out of T1 in 5th position.
Running in for Lap #2
One of many bridges on the bike course....I was passed by the rest of the Pro field on the bike course...the bike which has been fastest discipline has proved to be my weakest this season??
Still feeling good on the Billy Goat run....finishing 11 seconds behind 6th place. My run time was pretty decent, I was happy how strong I felt on the run.
The End! Finished 7th female Pro (out of 7...I should mention) 7th female overall.
Now that I have this blog done I can get on with more recent stuff!

attitude check....

Ok....a few minor breakdowns yesterday after my pre-ride...some tears....some wanting to drop categories.....it wasn't good.
I felt pretty good the first half, but lost it during the second the second half. I was not riding well.
I hope I have more focus out there this morning, especially on all the bridges!!!
Anyways...here I go, just focus and ride strong...

Fernie fun!!

Shawn on Swine Flu---isn't Fernie Glorious---Photo credit ---Phil :o)


The Little Woodland Artists...
Heading up the Ski Out Road at the top of Gorby ---heading up to Verboten Wald.
Shawn heading into Old Goats trail-Fernie BCWhat an amazing time we had in Fernie this past weekend!! There 9 families from Cranbrook camping at the Mount Fernie Provincial Campground, 9 families meant there were lots of kids, lots of riding and lots of fun!!
Most people may not know this about me....but when I get to a place like Fernie....a place with amazing, endless and easily accessible riding....I just want to RIDE!! I want to do 3 or 4 rides a day...and if I don't get to do this....well, let's say I can get a little antsy, maybe even a little grumpy. It proves to be difficult to be surrounded by this glorious riding and not just ride it all!!

The cool thing about this weekend, was that since I had started tapering for Whistler....and was actually just exhausted, I listened to my body this weekend and let it rest!
That being said, of course I did get in some amazing rides :o) Friday night headed up, with the girls and did the bike course for an upcoming race called Tears and Gears---13.5km of awesomeness with great single track climbs and a taste of many of the trails up above Coal Creek...
Had an amazing time on Project 9 (one of my favorite climbs I have done) and the down was good too :o)
Sunday we headed up, right out of our campground to Sherwoody-Old Goats (another super sweet st climb) --MegaHertz, which brings you into Ski hill boundary and down Verboten Wald.
I must say, I love ski hills more in the summer then winter!
There was always someone to ride with, always fun kids to hang with....and surrounded by amazing friends....awesome.
I felt like I spent the majority of the weekend just chilling, lots of playing with the kids, and totally relaxed and happy with the amount of riding I did!!!
And I slept until 10am every morning!! That never happens, it was awesome!!
Now I am feeling better, feeling ready for Whistler---kids are at Nana's and Grandpas's....I just had a massage----and maybe a nap before I start packing!
Legs are feeling good----so much better than a week ago.
I just want to have a good race this weekend----I want to feel good and fast---- that's all!

Canmore XTERRA race report.

Overall female finishers Danelle Kabush, myself and Kelly Geisheimer
Rob----had an close encounter with a fun section call the Coal Chutes!
Finally, a little to say about the highly anticipated Canmore XTERRA last weekend!!
I have been looking forward to this race, as I don't actually compete in very many XTERRA events!
2 years ago, I won the inaugural Canmore XTERRA, and last year came in close second to Danelle Kabush. The second place finish last year got me pretty stoked, as Danelle is an amazing XTERRA athlete, having placed second at Worlds in the past!
She was 3 months post baby last year!! Crazy, she is amazing!
I went to the race without kids and husband this year, leaving them with some good alone time, and traveling with a friend, Rob who was doing the race as well.
With just me (and the race) to think about, I was pretty relaxed and feeling good about the race.
THE SWIM!! 1000m
Yeah me!! Finally had a decent swim! 2 minutes faster than last year, which in a 1000m swim is a good improvement.....actually was hoping for one minute faster, but I will take it!!
It felt like a pretty crazy swim out there!! I guess with a bit faster swim, puts me in a different race, there are actually other swimmers around me, I am not alone at the back anymore, it was awesome!! People in front and on both sides the entire swim!!
The Mountain Bike 22km
A faster swim also makes for a different race on the bike, not as many riders to pass, and more back and forth with the guys, it was super fun as well, and I felt like I had a great ride out there!
The descents went smooth (well as smooth as they get on my Orbea ht) felt good on the climbs as well!
I was able to catch all the girls before the end of Lap 1 (with Kelly Geisheimer being the last one, she has a super strong ride, and has an incredibly fast swim)
I finished Lap 2 without catching Danelle......and not knowing where she was, but knowing I would never catch her on the run!!! She is super fast!! I was just hoping that I wasn't too far back....boy was I wrong....
The Trail Run - 8km
Lap 1 of run felt good, I was testing my ankle a bit, hoping it would hold up, and it did, so I tried to push is a bit more, The first half of Lap 2 felt better, but felt myself slowing down after that :o(
I was just running hard, hoping nobody else would catch me at this point!
I was very happy to reach the finish line in second.
My Uncle Ken had come to watch, nice to have someone there watching! I asked how far back I was......the look on his face said it all :o)
He guessed around 10 mins....ugh!! Awful, imagine my disappointment, when I found out it was actually 15 minutes!!
I finished in 2:35
10 minutes faster than last year....the course was a bit drier, but happy with an improvement for sure!
2 weeks until XTERRA Nationals in Whistler, I was contemplating switching Cats, but will stay where I am, I am not the fastest out there, not as fast as I wanted to be this year....but I am hoping for a good strong race there!
Thought about not going to Maui for Worlds, but since that has been my goal for the entire past year, seems kind of like quitting to do that, and with a couple good months still to train, and hopefully get my mountain bike to where I think it should be, I will be doing it!!

Canmore XTERRA....ready.

Transition #1 - Quarry Lake

Just a picture of my babies that I miss so much already!! I am sure they are having a way more fantastic time at home with Daddy, then following us around here in Canmore!! I guess easier for us as well....but life is not complete without these guys....

Looking back towards the Lake, a bit of a run to Transition!

Canmore!! It was a beautiful day here today!! A gorgeous sunny day!

Rob Veg and I are without families this weekend, we headed up to the Nordic Center for a pre-ride of the bike course, which is the same as last year, but unlike last year, it is nice and dry.....yipppeee!!

The course is super fun, starting with a longish climb before dropping into a technical little descent...after that there are some nice hard pack climbs, rooty climbs and some longer rooty descents. I chose to ride my Orbea Hardtail for the race, and although it is a little rattly on these roots, I still think was the best choice for me, for this course. I have been feeling pretty fast on this bike! I just have to make sure to really watch my lines in those sections!

Had a fantastic swim in Quarry Lake, where the swim will take place, the water is perfect! I just need to remember to not swim like a fool!! I tend to forget my form when I race!!

I had my ankle taped again on Friday, I have been having some rolling issues during trail runs, that make it quite difficult to run confidently and with speed, hopefully the taping helps, and my ankle holds up!!

Everything is done, bike and gear are ready, and it was quite a relaxing day.....everything went smoothly, and quickly....and we are left with a couple of hours to chill.......this is why the rest of the family decided to stay home, but I am longing for some noisy children (who would love running around this hostel) and longing for my millions of hugs and kisses...and it has only been one day!!! Crazy!

I just need to remember Avery's race tip....and I quote

"Mommy, just swim, bike and run as fast as I do....then you will win"

I will steal some of her confidence!

Rob---setting up Camp---hope we don't have any noisy roomies tonight!!

Race prep.

Sometimes resting to maximize peformance can be more difficult than the overspeed treadmill sessions, long hill climbs, or the long swims. Staying still is hard....

With only 4 days until XTERRA Alberta, in Canmore, my time training has been decreased and I am left feeling tired, sluggish and lacking energy, but with a few more short workouts planned this week, and lots of rest (yeah right) I am hoping to go in to Canmore feeling springy, fast and ready to raceDuring this time of taper, I have read that your immnue system is not as strong, and certain foods can wear down your immune system even further, such as certain sugars.

I am focusing this week on eating a diet plentiful in foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, brocolli, green tea and tomatoes, and I have noticed that these foods are actually staples in my diet anyways!
We spent the past weekend camping at the beautiful Champion Lakes, and if there is ever a harder time to not eat loads of crap, this is the time, and although, our trailer is usually clear of any offending foods...it always seems to appear!! I was able to control myself (most of the time)
The other challenge, is not eating too much, but eating enough...and of course all the right stuff....no ice cream and cookies last night when we were at friends for dinner (almost felt rude saying "no") and cutting out my daily glass of wine :o(

With the kids being older, you would think that I would get a solid nights sleep....but most nights, I still have one or the other waking up, but of course it is not nearly as tiring as when they were babies! So this week, I am cutting out all of my early morning workouts! No more 5:30am wake up calls for me, sleeping until 8:00am is my goal....and going to bed before 10:00pm, every night this week! So far, so good!

I am trying to relax this week (as relaxed as life gets with 2 kids) and stay mentally strong and positive! I start doubting my training, and how I will perform this weekend...did I too too much, did I do too little? Fortunately I have had a structured, coached training schedule all year, so I have high expectations, and although this race isn't the biggest race I will do this summer, it will be a good benchmark for the upcoming Whistler Nationals and Maui Worlds!!

I also have to give my neglected legs a wax, because that will make me faster for sure....whatever you think will make you faster, will make you faster :o)

After days of riding and lots of hours on the saddle.....Shawn, well went to Pharmasave, asked sonme poor guy working there, what he would recommend for his chafed bum :o)
The Rossland Grand Finale!! We were super lucky enough to have Rossland Xterra racer. Kelly Geisheimer take us on an awesome 30km ride, looping together amazing singletrack climbs like Drakes and Tamarack and down the crazy fun Super Mega Death trail, and a climb back up Doukabour! It was an amazing ride, she was a super awesome rider!!!

Nice legs!!
WE squeezed in one more ride called RedTop-Redhead! This one brings you Red Mountain and then down a really fast, fun trail! We had such a nice time in Rossland, the trails were so easy to find, and once on them, very well marked! Still trails we need to go back and explore!!

I had a dream....

I feel like kid again!! Well like a 24 year old again!! The kids have been at Nana's and grandpa's...and I am so happy that they are having a nice time with them....and I don't feel like I need to rush back...just ride, ride and ride.....life is pretty quiet and easy like this, hasn't really had this feeling since having kids!! I am loving this, but I don't really like quiet and easy :o) I love noisy and busy and would never go back, wouldn't change a thing! I have said this before, and I will say it again...I am a lucky, lucky gal!!
Shaw and Paul hiking our bikes up PowerSlave in Nelson...I am not much of a shuttler, but this ride was incredible!! We were riding for 3 hours, all in the pouring rain, and I was still happy as punch!!! PowerSlave was a bit tough, steep and rooty, a few sections where I was walking, but still good!

Shawn on PowerSlave

Ahhhh...Placenta!! Another Nelson ride that was one of my firsts!! There has been a lot of work put into this trail and it is smooth...well except for all the roots and rocks, and still pretty flowy----we connected on to this one after PowerSlave.

Illuminati-----connected on to this one after Placenta---- A little bit Xcountry riding after all of our DH fun!! Good trail---these guys take good care of their trails around here!!

Headed to Rossland after our epic Nelson ride-----and here we are...and this is awesome!! Headed up to Centennial trails and did Techno Grind and then Kootenay Columbia trail up to the top of KC mountain and did the Ridge down----this is Shawn coming down KC Ridge. These are great XC riding, lots of good climbing and awesome, fun smooth, fast descending!

Top of Kootenay Columbia Mountain....I am going to LOVE it here in Rossland!!!

Nelson---Way too much fun!!

The riding in Nelson is just way too much fun!! Challenges me, and ups my confidence about my riding---which I kinda need after bombing my last race! The climbs up are good grunts---but feel good---and the downs are tougher than the riding I normally do, and improve my technical riding skills and make me feel like I am as good a rider (or better) than I was in the midst of my racing career!!


Log Jam-----the first ride I ever did in Nelson----so many years ago! Years later, it is still amazing, a sweet bit a singletrack, with great flow and just enough roots and rocks to keep things interesting!! SO MUCH FUN!

We hooked up onto a new trail after Log Jam called Toe Jam-----this one wasn't quite as flowy, and a bit more chewed up, but still super fun!!

EliSim----this trail is up in Mountain Station, and is absolutely my new favorite ride!! It is a fast flowy ride that seems to go on forever!!! It does have some man-made bridges, but they are all super duper friendly!! The roots and rocks on this trail are just little guys :0) friendlier than Log Jam---but super fun still!!This one gets you whoo hoooing!!

A friendly bridge on EliSim.

Another bridge on EliSim--even has a railing and is nice and wide---but still makes you feel like you are doing something exciting and brave!

Avery walking the SkyTrek ----she has been talking about doing this since last year----She

was awesome----but is was pretty scary up there!!

Heading out for another ride in Nelson and then over to Rossland----hopefully hook up with a local Rossland rider for some fun trails!!

Riding in Revelstoke!!

Avery---my little two wheel rider, ripping it up!! She already has had a couple of crashes.
More about getting my ass kicked in Revelstoke's---Stoked to get Spanked race soon---but first some pics of the totally Rad riding in Revelstoke!!!

TNT- Watched a guy go over the bars in front of me on the first lap of the race.....and I went over my bars on the second lap!!

TNT----super Fun! Mount Macpherson trail system

Hemlock Groove

Quarry trail

Fairmont Fantastic 3

Shawn at the Finish!

Rob---heading out of the pretty transition area for the run!

Shawn, exiting the swim!

Waiting for the race to start! We started our fantastic Canada long weekend with a little race in Fairmont called the Fantastic 3. Shawn and I competed in this race last year, and we enjoyed it so much that we returned this year. Last year we left the kids with my mom, but wished they were with us, as the kids would have loved the Hot Springs and other Canada Day festivities being held at the Resort in Fairmont!

This is a pretty relaxed event consisting of a 600m swim in the Fairmont pool, 6km mountain and 4.5 km run. The mountain bike was improved this year, taking out the 3km road climb up to the ski hill and replacing it with another (newish) singlestrack section, that was super fun, with little river crossings, bridges and plenty of rocks and roots to keep things fun! The run takes you below the lodges and then back up nice trails along the river.....so lots of gradual ups, that felt pretty tough for a short race!

There were only about 30 competitors in this race, so this race is pretty relaxed and fun, and with a pool swim, short mtb and run....it is a great starter triathlon for anyone intimated by bigger races but wanting to thier first off-road tri!

It is such a great race and venue, that even Shawn, who swears off triathlons will do this one....

Reasons why Shawn does the Fairmont Fantastic 3

1. Registration includes a free beer at the finish

2. Includes free Burger

3. Free beer.

4. Enjoy a dip in the Hot Springs with the kids post-race

5. Free beer

6. Includes a nice techy shirt

7. Free beer

8. They changed the race course to include just awesome singletrack.

9.Free beer

10. Free beer.

Next up.....not sure. The Lungbuster is on Saturday, a 9km bike up to the Lost Boy Lodge at the Fernie Ski hill. We have raced this one the last couple of years, and "enjoy" it. I say enjoy, but a 9km switchbacking climb can never really be called enjoyable.

With a yummy lunch, music, prizes and an amazing view fromt the Lodge, it is a great race to do....and plus a super duper fun ride down when it's all over!!

Revelstoke also has a race that I have been wanting to do, and we will be heading over there......so, we will see!

Round the Mountain...twice!

Sunday marked the first annual Round the Mountain event in beautiful Kimberley BC. The organizer's of this event should be extremely proud of themselves! The events went off as scheduled, trails were marked clearly, the finish area was perfect to attract spectators and competitors to hang around, and awards were presented in a very timely fashion!
I had been looking forward to this event, as I enjoy doing races close to home, and I was excited to ride this Round the Mountain route in it's entirety! I was not disappointed, although it was a tough, grueling run, it was beautiful! For some reason I always forget how hard these races are going to be....but I soon remembered after just minutes in to the run, as you start running up and up and up!! You get a reprieve after about 5 km and get to cruise down a bit, after which the singletrack running is always good for taking your mind off the hurt, as you have to be so focused on the trail, to not trip over all the rocks and roots...I still found myself hitting the dirt a few times! The steep ups on Coral were....steep....but after this, was the home stretch...kinda, there was one more evil twist, as you hit the Xcountry ski trails and think (well I thought) was just going to cruise you back to the start/finish, and it did, except, they managed to cram in some switchback climbs.....and some were steep...it hurt at this point!!
Alas they are some smart people, and right after this, it cuts on to some super hard pack, fun singletrack, and that is what takes you to the finish! It was fabulous!
I say fabulous, but I actually still can't walk, as I feel as though someone took a hammer to my quads!
I was sure looking forward to the bike after the run, and it was super fun! I enjoy the climbing more on the bike, and again that last bit of singletrack to finish the race was superb!!
There are some fast riders around here, and I found myself riding alone for a bit after the initial climb...before being pushed a bit with riders closing in on the steeps in Coral and then being passed on Rock Slide trail......sure wish I could still stick a bit closer to those fast guys!!
This was a great event!! I recommend registering early next year, as I think it will sell out FAST!!
Thanks Kimberley Orienteering for an amazing day!

Things to get excited about!

I made a unicorn pinata!!
Early morning swim at Jim Smith
Avery's new dolphin floaty
Jackson on his new Sharky floaty!

With Wasa over, I still find myself with many things to look forward to!
I Enjoyed a great local bike race last Sunday, hosted by Favorit bike shop. It was held up in Eager Hills, it is a super fun 8km loop with a good climb and some fast, fun singletrack.
There was an amazing turn-out with close to 40 riders! We did 3 laps of this course, and let me tell you, it doesn't matter if it is a local weekend race or a Nationals XTERRA, it is still just as hard! There are some fast riders around here, and trying to keep up to them is good training! I was hoping to keep up to a few more....but just couldn't do it! I felt like I was riding strong, and had a great race! I also learned my lesson for not carrying an extra tube on this day :o(

Being lucky enough to have kids and still train and race, my life is full of things to get excited about! I certainly get very excited about the races I do, but with everything being so busy, I look forward to my scheduled workouts (even if it is on my treadmill or trainer!) I look forward to our beautiful early morning swims at Jim Smith, and I definitely get excited about getting out for a mountain bike ride!
This is where life gets really good though! I love Monday gymnastics day, I get excited about taking my kids to gymnastics! I get excited about Sam Steele Days, about a day at the park, Fort Steele or just a day exploring downtown. The Library!! I love it when I know we are going to spend a few hours at the library, and I look forward to the days that I know we are just going to chill at home, or visit with friends! :o)
I find I have something to look forward to every day!! Life is good :o)
With that being said, I am really excited about the kids birthday party today! I am super proud of the unicorn pinata I made!
Tomorrow is the first annual Round the Mountain race in Kimberley!! This is going to be so much fun! This event consists of a 20km trail run in the morning, followed by a 20km mountain race (same trail) Racers can choose the run, bike or both!
Shawn and I had a chance to pre-ride the course this past week, and it is so much fun! The run will be tough, the ride will be amazing!
I am very excited!