I bought a Garmin Vivo Fit(Fitness Band) before I left for Europe. I wanted to share my thought on it.
There are plenty of fitness band on the market and they are not all created equal. I went with Garmin because I love their products, I race with the 910XT and if I had money I would have their power tap pedals, but I digress. The ideas of a fitness band is to encourage people to move and at least get some exercise during the day by counting your steps. In addition, Garmin Vivo monitor your sleep and tells you how often you move. This is all done via their software Garmin Connect which work on most phone (except Blackberry) via blue tooth technology. I like the fact that the Vivo has a small screen and you can scroll through it. I also has the time so it can double as a watch, which was I intended especially for work. There is no need to charge the Vivo as the battery will last about a year before needing replacement. I quite like that feature. Other bands need to be charged every couple of days. The Vivo will also display a red line, which will get longer which mean you haven't moved for a while. I also quite enjoyed the sleep functioned and was looking forward to see ho my night went when I downloaded it. The only downfall I saw was that there were no light to make the screen bright when it got dark( or there is a way I didn't figure it out) The clasp is good but I made the mistake to race with my vivo, and I lost it at ITU world in Germany taking my wetsuit off. Lesson learn, I wouldn't advise triathlon racing with your Vivo. I wanted to see how many steps it would record. I am disappointed as I was curious to see how many steps I do at work. Although brief I was quite happy with my Vivo and if you are in the market for a Fitness band, I would highly recommend it. Happy Trails!
Carpe Diem
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Czech Mate, Xterra Czech
Better be late than ever, since I finally got back into my blog, let's do a race recap of Xterra Czech.
The race took place in the town of Prachatice, which about 2 hours south of Prague. The weather that morning was on the fringe, promise of thundershower and rain were in the horizon. It was a late start, 1300, as it is with most European Races. I was nervous and and anxious, I hadn't swam over 5 weeks nursing a shoulder injury and I was wondering what would happen. It was a wetsuit legal swim but alas my shoulder told me that freestyle would have to wait. I began the task of breast stroking the entire swim course, 1500 meter which also believe to was on the long side. As exited the water I had to deal with the grim reality, I was one of the last one out of the water. I got on my bike and proceeded to give it all, slowly picking riders one by one. Now this course is long (37 km), has a lot of climbing (3500 feet or so) and has some technical sections. I saw my friends Al, Sean and Morgan cheering at a couple check point as they were in a relay, I waved quickly and forged on. I would ultimately pass 40 + people on the bike. As I came into transition and got into the run, the rain started. The run was a two loop course with again a lot of elavation and the first lap wasn't easy. When you race you have so many matches to burn and I felt that I had burned a lot on the bike. On one of the descent, my hamstring was debating if it was to cramp or not so I had to slow down. On the second lap by leg had settled and I was glad to cross the finish line. I would be lying if I said I was satisfied with my race, I thad hope to be able to swim freestyle and with being at least 8 minutes slower, it doesn't bode well in a very competitive age group. Another part of my was happy as I had been able to race, felt strong on the bike. This was a good race to shake the rust off after almost 2 months without a race. I was also grateful for all they people that had taken the time to work on my shoulder and help me getting back on track. Happy Trails!
Carpe Diem
The race took place in the town of Prachatice, which about 2 hours south of Prague. The weather that morning was on the fringe, promise of thundershower and rain were in the horizon. It was a late start, 1300, as it is with most European Races. I was nervous and and anxious, I hadn't swam over 5 weeks nursing a shoulder injury and I was wondering what would happen. It was a wetsuit legal swim but alas my shoulder told me that freestyle would have to wait. I began the task of breast stroking the entire swim course, 1500 meter which also believe to was on the long side. As exited the water I had to deal with the grim reality, I was one of the last one out of the water. I got on my bike and proceeded to give it all, slowly picking riders one by one. Now this course is long (37 km), has a lot of climbing (3500 feet or so) and has some technical sections. I saw my friends Al, Sean and Morgan cheering at a couple check point as they were in a relay, I waved quickly and forged on. I would ultimately pass 40 + people on the bike. As I came into transition and got into the run, the rain started. The run was a two loop course with again a lot of elavation and the first lap wasn't easy. When you race you have so many matches to burn and I felt that I had burned a lot on the bike. On one of the descent, my hamstring was debating if it was to cramp or not so I had to slow down. On the second lap by leg had settled and I was glad to cross the finish line. I would be lying if I said I was satisfied with my race, I thad hope to be able to swim freestyle and with being at least 8 minutes slower, it doesn't bode well in a very competitive age group. Another part of my was happy as I had been able to race, felt strong on the bike. This was a good race to shake the rust off after almost 2 months without a race. I was also grateful for all they people that had taken the time to work on my shoulder and help me getting back on track. Happy Trails!
Carpe Diem
ITU world championship
Race Report, ITU world cross, Zittau Germany
The day started gloomy, rained part of the night. It was grey, cold and wet. As we roll into transition, the rain stopped, making everyone wish this was it for the race, how wrong were we. My wave was starting at 10 am. After warming up, it was clear that my shoulder was better but not enough to free style, had to accept the fact and try to catch up on the bike. The gun went off and I settled into my stroke, watching yen the main field slowly leaving me behind. As exited the water, I was faster than the week before but still had a long road ahead. By then the sky had opened up again but I decided to stick to my usual race, no socks, no jacket. I figure I had to show that Canadians could race in cold conditions and though it out. As I mentioned , there is always something special about wearing the maple leaf, I wasn't about to disappoint. I started picking riders one by one, not knowing if they were in my age group or not. On the first hike a bike section I saw Allison Moore who had started ahead of us, a quick hello and I forged on, carrying my bike on my shoulder. I was very muddy, muddiest race I have ever done. Halfway through the race, I also started running out of breaks, I suspect air in my brake line. As I came in through transition, I had no clue where I was standing but I would finish the 36km bike in 2:08. By then it had stopped raining but I was covered in mud from head to toe. I made the decision not to out some socks on for the run as my feet were too dirty. The run course suits me, short climbs, flats and down hill. As I suspected I started blistering around km 3, but I was willing to deal with it. I cross the finish line in 3:24 which was good for 15/37 in my age and 106/260 overall in the Men. My good friend Alan Moore finished in 3 in his age and my roommate extraordinaire Gl Brown finished 2. This was a though race with some of the hardest bike conditions I have seen in a while. Thanks to Gray/Synergy for the wicked bike and wetsuit, Sugoi for the great clothes, Vega for my nutrition and Cap's Westwood maple ridge for taking care of my bike. Now there are a few people that deserve a special thanks. First and foremost my Fiancée Stephanie McCann for looking after y shoulder and putting up with me being away and racing, wouldn't be able to do it without her. As well my physio Christina Mattiello and Chiro Kevin Lunnie. In addition, Nadine from restore physiotherapy who also too great care of me and my shoulder. Without these treatments I wouldn't never been able to make it to the start line. Special thank to my work NWPD and my coworker for the support and help. One more race in this years calendar, Xterra World Maui. I have 8 weeks to get ready and work on my swim. Hope you enjoyed the journey, Happy Trails
Carpe Diem
The day started gloomy, rained part of the night. It was grey, cold and wet. As we roll into transition, the rain stopped, making everyone wish this was it for the race, how wrong were we. My wave was starting at 10 am. After warming up, it was clear that my shoulder was better but not enough to free style, had to accept the fact and try to catch up on the bike. The gun went off and I settled into my stroke, watching yen the main field slowly leaving me behind. As exited the water, I was faster than the week before but still had a long road ahead. By then the sky had opened up again but I decided to stick to my usual race, no socks, no jacket. I figure I had to show that Canadians could race in cold conditions and though it out. As I mentioned , there is always something special about wearing the maple leaf, I wasn't about to disappoint. I started picking riders one by one, not knowing if they were in my age group or not. On the first hike a bike section I saw Allison Moore who had started ahead of us, a quick hello and I forged on, carrying my bike on my shoulder. I was very muddy, muddiest race I have ever done. Halfway through the race, I also started running out of breaks, I suspect air in my brake line. As I came in through transition, I had no clue where I was standing but I would finish the 36km bike in 2:08. By then it had stopped raining but I was covered in mud from head to toe. I made the decision not to out some socks on for the run as my feet were too dirty. The run course suits me, short climbs, flats and down hill. As I suspected I started blistering around km 3, but I was willing to deal with it. I cross the finish line in 3:24 which was good for 15/37 in my age and 106/260 overall in the Men. My good friend Alan Moore finished in 3 in his age and my roommate extraordinaire Gl Brown finished 2. This was a though race with some of the hardest bike conditions I have seen in a while. Thanks to Gray/Synergy for the wicked bike and wetsuit, Sugoi for the great clothes, Vega for my nutrition and Cap's Westwood maple ridge for taking care of my bike. Now there are a few people that deserve a special thanks. First and foremost my Fiancée Stephanie McCann for looking after y shoulder and putting up with me being away and racing, wouldn't be able to do it without her. As well my physio Christina Mattiello and Chiro Kevin Lunnie. In addition, Nadine from restore physiotherapy who also too great care of me and my shoulder. Without these treatments I wouldn't never been able to make it to the start line. Special thank to my work NWPD and my coworker for the support and help. One more race in this years calendar, Xterra World Maui. I have 8 weeks to get ready and work on my swim. Hope you enjoyed the journey, Happy Trails
Carpe Diem
Friday, August 8, 2014
15 hours to go, Czech Xterra world tour
With 15 hours to go, one can only hope all is good. Had to get a new rear tire as I had a cut that wouldn't seal. The usual suspects are all here, my roommate ! XTERRA legend GL Brown, the Moore's are racing as a mini tribe doing the relay. The weather is supposed to be nice which will hopefully help to dry off the course. It's going to be a challenging bike course for sure. I went for a quick loop on the run course this morning , more climbing but some fast descent and flats as well. The race finishes in the old town squares of Prachatice which is pretty cool. I will have #79 for this race. Stay tuned for the post race report, race starts at 1300 local time. You can also follow some of my adventures on tweeter @chuck98
Happy trails!
Carpe Diem
Happy trails!
Carpe Diem
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Xterra Czech and ITU world Germany
Well after traveling for more than 30 hours and having my bike sent to Paris(unsure why as I didn't even fly there!) I'm now in Prachatice 2 hours south of Prague. I went scouting the bike course this morning and was lucky to go with a bunch of pros, Branden, Joshia Suzie which is always great to learn from them, as well as Chris. The sun was shinning and I was wearing my swanky new Sugoi Brandchampion kit. The Czech course is your typical European course, lots of climbing, fire roads but as well some nice technical descent. The sun was shinning and the course had some mud but the first part was good. When you arrive in town, you are sent on some good technical ascent but sadly it started raining, it was getting quite cold and I had issues with my back tire. The ride was good and it will be a challenging course for Saturday race. I was quite happy to get a hot shower as I was shivering when I got home. Race starts at 1300 on Saturday so I will try to go for a light run tomorrow to see the race course. Hopefully the sacrifices to the Xterra god ( lost luggage, bike issues) will ensure nice weather and a descent swim. Stay tuned for more news, happy trails!
Carpe Diem
Carpe Diem
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