Great White North 2011 Coming Up!

Well the next big test is this coming Sunday.  The Great White North Triathlon on July 3rd.  Half-Ironman - 2 km swim, 90 km bike and 21 km run.  Last year I finished the race in 6 hours, 8 minutes.  The goal this year is to finish under 6 hours.  I believe it is doable.  I think the real key will be to be stronger on the bike.  I hope for my swim to be at least what it was last year and with any luck a bit better.  But we are talking only a few minutes if there is to be improvement.  Run I do hope to do better on.  Last year finished in 2 hours, 23 minutes whereas in a standalone 1/2 marathon I've done just over 2 hours.  So let's try to get in at 2:15.  Bike - really hoping to be in at less than 3 hours.

So far weather conditions look better than for the race last year.  Some forecasts have even said possible high of 28 degrees.  Seems set for a cold swim regardless with overnight low of 10-12 degrees.  Oh well - cold water and aggressive competitors should keep away my fear of drowning!  Of course the biggest factor is going to be wind during the bike portion.  Hoping for light!

My only other worries at this point are some dizzy spells I've been getting in the last few weeks and some nether region discomfort that has also flared up in the past week.  Good thing it's only a 90 km bike ride!

Watch for an update on Sunday night!

Rain, rain, go away...

I thought a pic of Martin Sheen rising out of a rive/swamp in Apocalypse Now might be appropriate to describe the type of weather and outdoor training opportunities we've had here in Alberta of late.  For a summer that was touted as going to be above average temps by both the Farmer's Alamana and Environment Canada we sure haven't seen much sun, never mind heat.  At this point, I can pretty much count on one hand the number of quality, outdoor bike rides I've been able to take part in.  Couple of hill repeat sessions on a Thursday night and a couple of longer Saturday rides and that's about all. 

At this point, only 2 weeks to go to the next big event - Great White North on July 3, 2011, which is a half-marathon.  I'm feeling pretty confident for that race coming up despite not getting in a lot of outdoor activity.  However, I'm becoming more and more concerned about my readiness for the big event at the end of August - Ironman Canada.  I have visions of an over 7 hour bike ride just like last year and I want to do better than my performance in my 1st event in 2010. 

So to that end going to try to orchestrate two big rides in July/very early August.  Tour de Alberta at 185 km on July 24th is looking like a for sure bet.  Don't know what the terrain is like but the good thing (I've heard) is that it is very well supported.  The other option being contemplated, with Heidi, is the Edson/Hinton and back again route.  Evidently 180 km bike ride as well.  So hoping to instill some pain and confidence in my ride before Penticton. 

Only time will tell!