Paddling Time Trial

So I have been trying to get out to outrigger canoeing practices through the winter as a way to cross train for Ironman. I hadn't been out in a month due to lots of different factors, but decided to do a 5km time trial in the single boat. I hadn't been in a single boat since November either as I've mostly been in the six man. It's different as you are not as upright and it's a little tippier. The route went from Granville Island, up False Creek to Science World and back. We managed to almost escape the rain, but not quite. As I was coming around the last corner, there was a surprise photographer who snapped this photo of me (thanks Mark).

Running Intervals

Oh my!! Last night I did running intervals for the first time in 10 years. It's been a long time since my legs felt lactic acid and that "dead" feeling. They are stiff today, but not as bad as I thought they would be. Of course, I was much slower than before, but still not too badly. I'm still within reach of my Ironman goals so that's good. I just have to keep up what I'm doing and be consistent. I went back to my former running group VFAC as I think it's a good place for me right now with lots of room to move up, but it's not ridiculously intense. We ran at Stanley Park and the trails we were running on were open which I was surprised at. So they are getting things cleaned up there which is great. Anyways, that's the new training news.

Mountain Bike and Grind

Well, I celebrated the first day of spring by doing my first mountain bike of the year. I went with my friend, Colleen, who I'm doing an adventure race with in a couple of months as a team of us 2 gals. We lucked out on the weather which was a glorious sunny day and kind of warm also. We had a great ride around Mount Seymour and came out with no injuries. Had some minor mechanical issues, but could at least get through the ride. Then, I met a friend to do a trail that's right beside the Grouse Grind. Holy cow was I tired by the end of that. There was some ice and snow at the top but with my study hikers it was no problem. It was a good reality check into the kind fo workout days I'll be having for the next few months. At least it was fun and I had great company AND no injuries!!!

Surprise Trip to Florida

I went to Florida last week with only 4 days notice!! I found out that I got work coverage for that week on the Tuesday and flew out on the Saturday. I've never planned a holiday with 4 days notice before. My folks are snowbirds down there every winter for a couple of months so was going to visit them and relax on the beach. I didn't even get a hold of them until the Thursday!!

They are up in the panhandle of Florida at a place called Destin, which is the coldest part. They stay at a golf resort called Seascapes which is right on the ocean with beautiful white sandy beaches that go on for miles. The weather was sunny every day, but spring like (around 21) and cool at night. The ocean there is very cold so couldn't swim in it - just dive in the waves. I did take my bike down there to get some training in. FYI for any of you that travel with bikes - Delta Airlines will let you take a bike as a second check in so you don't have to pay extra for it. I thought this didn't exist any more so that was a nice surprise!!

So I did some training, recovered from my cold, and hung out on the beach. I did play 9 holes of golf with my mom. She did tolerate playing with me since I'm not very good. But, I did get par on a full length par 4 hole - with a water trap near the green!!! Yeah, it was a surprise and not consistent with any of the rest of the holes. Imagine if I practiced. Oh well, it was fun to spend the time with her. There are some outlet stores right by where I was staying so had to do a little shopping. Anyways, it was a great surprise and I heard that it was a great week to be out of a really rainy Vancouver week.