Gear 2.0 : road and trail shoes

I purchased a couple of pairs of runners and thought I would share my thoughts on them with you. The first pair is the Asics Gel Noosa Tri shoe. This shoe is build for road racing and is very light. The colour scheme is funky and to be honest I like it. It's very comfortable without socks for at least a 10 km or so. I ran a half with it without socks and got a few blister. Overall I really like it but I would probably recommend it for sprint and Olympic distance, especially if you are a heavier runner. Although I love the shoe, I'm not too sure I would wear it for a full Ironman. I probably pushed it for a 70.3. Overall I highly recommend it if you are looking for a fast light road race shoe. The second pair I purchased is the Salomon Misson X trail shoe. Now I am a big fan of Salomon for the trails, that brand has been with me in all my off roads adventures from Mexico to Guam and Saipan. The Mission X is advertised as a cross over from a trail shoe and if needed can be used on the road for shorter distance. After going on a trail run on the weekend I was happy with them but would add this caution: if you're looking for an aggressive stable shoe for roots and rocks, this might not be the right choice, that said its light and performed well in semi dry conditions. I hope that all of you have had a chance to get out there this summer. As for me, the adventure starts again in a week where I will be leaving to compete in the so,d out and highly coveted Xterra France Championship, part of Xterra world tour. As usual I will be blogging about my experience and the race, hope you will join me. Happy trails! Carpe Diem

Grand Rapids half Iron

As I woke at the crack of down before the race, I couldn't imagine a better setting than the Moore's kitchen, looking directly on a still river where the swim would take place as the sun was rising. Transition was a short 5 min bike ride from the house which is even better! With 1200 athletes registered in sprint, Olympic and half, the transition was quite big. I was in the second swim wave and the water was quite nice and it was a wetsuit swim! On the way back, sighting was very difficult as the sun was just at the right angle making it impossible to see. I was pleased with my swim time and it was now time to head on the TT bike. I knew this course would be fast and I was hoping for a good day on the bike. Luckily I didn't get any issue I was able to sustain a 35.9 km/hr pace for the 90 km. after a quick transition it was time to head for the half marathon. By the the sun was out in full force and temperature was close to 30 degrees. My pace was good on my first 10 km but alas I wasn't able to hang on on the second lap. I was still please to run a respectable 1:48 on the run although I was hoping for a little faster time. I clocked the half at 4:58, reaching my goal of a sub 5 hour half, bearly mind you. Al and Allison both finished their Olympic Tri as well. Another good friend nicknamed C2 also finished the sprint. What great time I has visiting and staying at the Moore's for this event. I couldn't have asked for more. I now have to rest a bit, I also have some nice blisters on my feet. The next race will take me to the heart of Alsace in France for Xterra France in July. As usual, i'll be blogging about my experience. Until then, I hope your enjoying some sporting activities and good friendships just like I did. Happy trails! Carpe Diem

Team V

I'm currently in Grand Rapids, Michigan for a 70.3 this weekend and visiting friends. I was invited to go ride with my friend Al's riding group. They are middle aged men meeting once a week to go road riding. I was assured this would be an easy ride, of course I believed him until we are in a pace line doing about 47 km/hr, granted with a tail wind, but I was thinking to myself, I have to race in a few days. What great time it was but it thought me a lesson, never think that a bunch of middle age men will take it easy on a road bike. The evening was concluded with food and drinks and what better way to end. I'm glad I was able to go ride, these guys definetly seized the day. Until Sunday, happy trails! Carpe Diem

Getting ready for my first 70.3 of the season!

This weekend coming up I will be racing in my first and perhaps only 70.3 of the season. 70.3 or half ironman distance is a 2 km swim, 90 km bike followed by a half marathon (21.1 km) So I had to ditch trail runners, mountain bike gear for the road flats and the Tri bike. This Sunday I will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan visiting my good friend the Moores and the Browns. I'm already back east for family affairs so this will just be a short trip on my way back to the coast. I have to admit I usually don't have a bike when I visit my family so to be able to ride next to the St-Laurent river was pretty cool and a good way to train and forget about the daily stress. It should be interesting to see what happen in Grand Rapids since this distance is a bit further than the Xterra races. Speakingbor wich, I will also be heading to race Xterra France in July, but on thing at a time. So stay tuned to the Grand Rapid Tri result and post comments. I hope you are all out there taking advantage of the warmer weather. Until then, happy trails! Carpe Diem