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

ITU race report from the deep South!

I was in a bit of an unknown territory this morning, a swim with no wetsuit or no speed suit allowed, this should be interesting. On race morning I'm always a bit nervous, but adding the fact that I was wearing the Canadian colors, it seemed to add a bit of weight on my shoulders. This race format was different and the men get their own start. I exited the water in 30 min, not as good as I hoped for but not as bad as well. Off to a fast transition and out on the bike course, trying to reel the competition. You have to understand, this bike course did not have a lot of room to pass, which makes it hard at times for me to pass faster swimmers but slower riders. At one point, an American rider past me, on the right, without even announcing, to add he pushed me and I ended up crashing against a tree. He never said a thing or even apologisied. I got up on my bike and forged on, trying to recuperate the time, position and people I had passed. There was one big climb on this single track course, although long, it was gradual. Once I arrived at blood rock, a section that deserved that name, I elected to get off my bike and run it. After that it was mostly down hill back to transition. I had a another fast transition and headed out on the two 5 km loop. The run wnt well, minus a fall close to the end of the first lap. I would book the course in 2:39 , good enough for 13/29 in my age group with 8th fastes bike split in my age as well. This race was a very neat experience and the usual suspects Al, GL and Allison were also racing. In addition, great job by Pete Lombard from Gum, whom I met when I raced there. NHL raced the entire course with a broken rib, what an inspiration. As for me, my next race will take me to Grand Rapid, Michigan in 3 weeks for a traditional 70.3. Time for me to rest. Happy trails! Carpe Diem

News from the deep south!

We are about 24 hours away from the race. This is definetly a bit different since the ITU is involved. I'm looking forward to race, 8:05 start for the men. The course consist of two 750 m laps, 24.5 km of mountain biking and 10 km trail run. I think this will be a fast race. Again, this will be a special day for me, wearing the Canadian colours, having my family name on my kit, very cool. The weather is supposed to be nice and warm, just the way I like it. Time for an early bed time, will shall see what comes of it tomorrow. Feel free to follow the action at www.xterraplanet.com As usual, I will post my post race impression about the race tomorrow. Hope you will follow me, Happy trails! Carpe Diem

On the road to the ITU world cross championship

After a long day of travel yesterday to Pelham, Alabama I was up early this morning. After a quick breakfast and putting my bike together, I headed over Oak mountain Park, the theatre of this year's ITU world cross Championship. The bike course had been shorten a bit but it is a very cool course. Mostly single track with twists and turns, it will be a fast course. One big gradual climb and the more descents awai with a few tricky section. This will be a non wetsuit and no speed suit race for the swim. It will slow me down a bit but I guess it will make for a fast transition! Weather is beautiful and the race should be fun. A stacked field of 29 in my age group with only 2 Canadians and one South African to compete against team USA. I picked my race packet today as well, I wispoke wearing #254 for this race. Tomorrow another light swim and a run, race starts at 8:15 local time. Feel free to check it out. Il keep posting updates. Until then, happy trails! Carpe Diem

Racing for Canada, what an honor!

In just about 11 days I will be in Pelham, Alabama for the ITU cross world championship. I am fortunate that I wll be wearing the Canadian colors with the Maple Leaf. I will be joined by a dozen or so Canadans, some age groupers, some pros, in representing Canada. I just got my race kit a few days ago, pretty cool to see your name printed on your race kit. I'm looking forward to race and see all my Xterra friend down there. Training is moving along but I also know the the competition will be fierce, my age group tends to be extremely fast so will see what happen. Hope you are all getting out there's the weather is getting better. As usual I will be blogging as soon as I arrive in Alabama next week. Until then, happy trails! Carpe Diem