Gear 2.0 Fitbit

Special guest this week on gear 2.0 former Olympian Stephanie Mccann impression on her Fitbit

Well it's been just over a month since I received my Fitbit as a birthday present from my fiancé Chuck and I have definitely become addicted to this new little fashion gadget!

I learned about the Fitbit in school because it's currently being used with various populations such as arthritis and cardio respiratory patients in the medical research field. I discovered, very quickly, how helpful it is to see your activity/ sedentary level considering I'm a full time student right now and tend to sit for half of my day. It allows you to set reminders to get up and move/ walk, an alarm to wake you up in the morning and sends you badges or reward messages that encourage you along the way. I was amuses on my first day when I completed my 10,000 steps and received a message telling me "I nailed it!". It proceeded to let me know I was "an overachiever" when I reached 20,000 steps for the day.

For those trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle and also monitor their dietary intake the online/iPhone app allows you to enter you food intake and see calories in vs. calories out. The app provides a good selection of food products in their database to choose from.

Another added bonus is the ability to track your sleep patterns and see how restless you are during the night. Sleep is essential when it comes to our health and with a busy lifestyle it tends to be the first thing we neglect.

Finally I have enjoyed the option of wearing the device in the water now that summer has arrived and I swim a few days a week. There is no fear if you accidentally leave it on in the shower either!

Considering I commute on my bike daily I have found the one disadvantage is the inability to accurately enter this activity. The only option is riding a stationary bike which is a bit different then road riding.

The device is charged through a USB plug into your computer and lasts roughly a week. This may be considered another hassle when compared to other devices on the market.

Overall I have to say its a fantastic device that can be accessories with various coloured straps and will help get you on track or keep you on track with respect to your health and wellness!! For those needing something to help spark a change this device might be it.

Cheers
Steph

As for me I am in Grand Rapidsnthis week for a 70.3 so stay tuned for the scouting report and a Gear 2.0 on a pretty cool bike bag.  Happy trails! 

Carpe Diem

Gear 2.0: Cloudsurfer by on_ running

Enter a new weapon in the running arsenal,  Cloudsurfer by on_running. XTERRA   Power couple and friends Jacqui Slack and Ben Allen have been running on these shoes for a while.  I was always curious So I finally got a pair of Swiss runners.  When I think Swiss I immediately think German precision, Italian passion and the French love, which is pretty much what I got in the shoe.  The Cloudsurfer by on_running is all that and more.  Sizing was bang on for me but that said I wear the box, size 12 which it seems that when you get there, all shoe compagny merge into singularity.  The Cloudsurfer is one of five shoes that on_running sells.  The Cloudsurfer is aimed at increasing your performance and can be used both for training and racing.  The shoe itself was very comfie as I put it on and the cushioning was great.  I have been on some short and long run and found that there were no "breaking period" required and that my stride felt a bit bouncier that usual.  There is a cool " I unleash your speed" motto written inside the shoe so bonus for giving me encouragement.  The toe box is generous and did not have any issues.   I don't have a large foot but I found that the top of the laces could feel a bit tight even thought I hadn't thight it too much but it has not affected my running.  On_ running will ship free which is nice as there are not many retailers in Canada.  I haven't had the chance to try any off thre other shoes ( I'd be happy too if they send me a freebe?) but I would say that if your I the market for runners to increase your training and racing performance, give it a shot.  I also have found that my running split have increase in training, although I have no scientific proof that it's based on the shoe alone. I have been very happy with mine I plan to race with them next week. In Grand Rapids for the US 70.3 qualifier to see how they perform in race condition.  Like the name say, it feels like I have been running on cloud.   Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Stottlemeyer 30

This weekend I went with Roy to race the Stottlemeyer 30 miles Mountain Bike race in Pouslbo, WA.  It's been a while since I have done a mountain bike race and I was sold with the lure of single tracks and a short drive from home.  The drive was not too bad but we had to take a ferry which added some times.  We decided to stay in a hotel the night before, that was the best decision we ever made!  It had been raining all night so you can imagine the kind of riding conditions that would be awaiting us.  Mud and more mud.  This race had a big field, around 270 for the 30 miler and another 100 or so for the 60 miler.  The 60 miler were sent off 30 minutes prior to our start.  I decided to seed myself upfront, knowing that if there were faster riders they would pass me before the single track begins but it would save me to have to fight slower riders.  The gun went off and for first little while, I was hanging on to a pace line of about eight guys making our way you the single track.  They slowly made their way and I stayed with about three guys, trying to navigate the muddy course, blind as I had never ridden this course.  I can tell you this, on a drys day, this would be a fast course.  In the mud it's a bit of a different story.  It was so muddy that during some section I would have to slow down my cadence dramatically or my wheel would just keep turning without being able to move forward.  The dry section were fast.  The race course was two loops so you can imagine by the second loop how much more churned up the course was.  I was quite happy to cross the finish line in 16th overall, good for 6 in my age group.  The times were 20 minutes slower than last year which is considerable in mountain bike racing.  This was a fun race and very well put together.  Plenty of stuff at the aid station to choose from and great spread at the end of the race.  I really recommend to add this race on you calendar next year, Roy and I sure will.  Now it's time to focus on the Grand Rapid 70.3, US national qualifier on June 6.  Than I hope to make my way to Victoria for Xterra Victoria.  I was also lucky to be selected to race for Canada for the ITU world championship in Zittau Germany and I am hoping toy link that with Xterra Czech the week before.  Stay tuned for Gear 2.0 with Steph feedback on her fitbit flex.  Happy Trail!

Carpe Diem

SUN RUN

I apologize for the late blog, just been busy.  The Vancouver Sun Run was two weeks ago.  This  Vancouver staple is a 10 km starting downtown Vancouver.  It has been running for 35 years and my work was putting a team in so I told myself, why not.  Now you have to understand it's a big race, 45000 plus runner from all walks of life come to do the run, some fast, some slow and of course some pros.  Steph and I were able to make our way close to the front of the start.  Not that I'm the fastest but it makes it easier not to have to dodge people while running.  It's been a while since I ran strictly 10 km on its own and I was hoping for a good tome, despite the cold morning with some rain.  As the gun went off I was able to position myself on the side and not having to fight with anyone to get to my pace.  The first km is down hill which can be a bit deceitful when you start looking at your running pace.  As I settle I am always amaze at home many people were present to cheer runners on.  As I weave my way to the finish line, I was quite please with my result.  Steph wasn't too far from me and it was nice to have been out together.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Saipan where it all started 4 years ago.

My first Xterra was on this very island 4 years ago amidst a Tsunami, this is where it all began, met some life long friends in the Moore's and the Browns and Xterra racing took off from there.  Fast forward to this morning, where 60 brave souls lined up on the beach where the American invasion forces landed some 70 years ago.  The swim was interesting, a strong current combined with a low tide  made for dolphin swimming where you push off the bottom and stay under to avoid the current.  Too bad I couldn't practice that in the pool with Rich.  I came out of the water  middle of the pack and  hit the pedal to the metal on the the first climb in order to catch up on age groupers.  The bike course is challenging with a lot of climbing.  I passed some peoples but for the most part I was alone on the ride.  A cloud cover was welcome during the assault on Mt. Tapochau  but some strong winds almost threw me off my bike!  The coral section was rideable today which  made it better but those last climbs were taking a toll.  After a quick transition it was time for the run, which is also grueling.  It's a jungle trek!  By that point I have no clue where I stand in the race. As I exit Death Valley I can see a runner ahead of me.  As I catch up I see that he's an age grouper, I passed him, look at my pace on my watch and hope he wouldn't be able to keep up.  All I could hear was the sound of his runners hitting the pavement.  I just hope I had more in the tank than him as I made the right turn heading along the beach with about a mile to go.  Luckily for me I would cross the finish line ahead, claiming my age group and a first overall amateur for the second week in a row and again I have punched my ticket for Worlds in Maui.  Congrats to pro Ben Allen and Carina Wasle for their win.  A big shoutout to Roy who cross the finish line healthy and happy.  Jay for a hard day of racing.  The commander winning his age group, GL for being such an inspiration and to Allison for breaking the Saipan curse.  I also need to thank a few people, first and foremost my fiancée Stephanie who, although stuck in school, was cheering from afar and always support my racing endeavors.  To my sponsors, Caps Westwood Cycle, Synergy/Gray, Sugoi and Vega nutrition, for the products I get to use, I'm grateful.   It's been two weeks of great training and racing, the next couple of days will be for some R and R before heading back to reality.  It wouldn't be Saipan if I don't get to eat some BBQ spam!  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Battle ground Saipan

Saipan has seen its fair share of battles, major launching point for the US during WWII.  I suspect it might see its share of mountain assaults tomorrow morning when the gun goes off at Xterra Saipan.  Pro field is stack and it should be a battle both on the men and women, this shall be interesting at the finish line.  The race consists of two 750 m swim laps with a beach run in betweent.  Next is a 30 km mountain bike and finishes with a gruel 12 km trail run.

After a very light workout this morning, we just came back from packet pickup.  Funny enough I have number 120, I had 20 in Guam. Not too sure what the weather has in store so will find out soon enough in the morning.  This is a smaller field than Guam but will be non the less competitive.  We shall see where the chips may fall when the dust settle from amphibious and  land attacks.  Stay tuned for the post race report.  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem

Tale from the trails...Death Valley

Very warm conditions in Saipan we try to have our workout down early in the morning.  Went rode the back side of the course yesterday with the tribe and Alex from Russia.  He's a very strong age grouper and one to watch for sure on race day.  Thx to a person that shall remain nameless ( that's you commander) the climb to Tapochau to hook back to the course was not easy. Mean while GL and Allison found a much better mode of transportation.  With the back side completed and the coral no less slick, we headed to the Tank to Tank swim, a beautiful 1200 m open water swim to WWI tanks with full of  sea life.  This morning, Roy, Jay and myself headed out to ride the first half of the course where Jay would continue on to do the whole thing.  Conditions were dryer than 2 days ago which should be good if it stays that way for race day.  Roy and I than got a ride to Death Valley on the run course to take a look at it.  Imagine a dried river bed with lava and Coral rocks, drops and cave to navigate.  It's another run course where gloves are mandatory.  So that's it until race day.  Very light workout tomorrow.  Just changed my derailleur hanger as I bent my other one on day one.  Two days to go until Xterra Saipan!  Happy trails!

Carpe Diem