Decisions Decisions

So I know I said I was going to run the marathon this year and a bunch of other things...BUT sometimes things change. Things are still up in the air but my race season is shaping up a little differently than I planned.
I changed jobs recently and my new employer always puts a few teams in for the Hubbles Tri (formerly Mission 3 and Cross Cancer) so it looks like they're recruited me to swim on a team doing the Olympic distance.
My new ambassador-ship with CEP Canada has a little dealio with 5 peaks...and I think I heard my husband mention something about possibly wanting to race the series this year...I may join him.
And then there's ITU...Well I heard World AG is in Mexico in 2016 and there are 10 qualifying spots for each AG in the sprint distance...hmmmmm it's very tempting.

So many races, so much awesome summer to be had...stay tuned to see what's next!

Winter Training and Racing

This winter I decided to sign up for a few outdoor races to try and:

A) Keep my mileage up over the cold months
B) Spend more time outside enjoying our beautiful city
C) Justify a purchase of classic cross country skis

The first event was the Pack Mentality 25km run with partner, I signed up with running guru Craig Brososky with the intention that neither of us had been putting in a ton of mileage and it would just be a casual jog in the river valley. I had a good 18 or so Km in me but after we hit Keillor Road and headed down the trail towards Hawrelack my IT Band locked up and I began to limp. Craig, being the Physio-God that he is wouldn't let me hurt myself more so we hiked (which is an important step up from walking) in the last few km and finished on the Kinsmen steps in a mere 3 hours and 14 min.

Team Craessica, Pre-race

 

After the Pack Mentality I, of course managed to contract the classic post-race cold. which lasted well until xmas. Swimming and lifting took over as my regular fitness routine and the only runs I was doing were with my ETC pal Andras. We run the same LSD speed and usually manage to have a good chat along the ravine. I did manage a few runs with the rest of the ETC crazies...an amazing group of diverse triathletes!

 

Before I knew it, January was gone and it was time for the Hypothermic Half...WHAT?!?!?!

 

January had been relatively mild, I was sure the Hypo would be on pavement in the sunshine...The week before we got about 10cm of new snow and the temperature dropped to -20. Once again I felt like the mileage just hadn't been there, I had been on and off with my IT Band and I hadn't ran with Andras at all in January. He said he would run with me anyways and we would see how it went. The first 10km were fast, we averaged a 5:16/km pace and I felt strong. Then my piriformis locked up and I had to slow down. I convinced Andras to keep going without me while I walk-ran my way to a 2:06 finish...which really, wasn't all that bad. We all came home with a very glittery medal that spins...and brunch.

 

 

The very next weekend was the Canadian Birkebiener, originally I had signed up for the 31km event but since I hadn't been on my skis since Xmas eve I decided to drop down to the 13km event and just ski it for fun and for the experience of my first Birkie. With all that new snow from the week before the Hypo we were set for some lovely track setting and a good solid ski...until it snowed 10cm the night before. On top of freezing rain. Colin and I headed out to the Waskehagen Staging area early because i'm picky like that.

 

 

We hung around the site for about 90min, trying to stay warm, drinking cider...

 

When it finally came time to begin getting ready we checked my ski kick wax for the 100th time, I ate my PB and banana sammie and shedded my nice warm down-filled jacket.

 

Betty Designs represent!

 

I lined up close-ish to the start because I knew that there would be a huuuuuuge amount of slow skiers to pass. The beginning was pretty frustrating as the new snow made for tough passing and no grip. I decided to just pass when I could and take a break when I got enough ahead to stay ahead. Needless to say, a lot of my race was anaerobic. Around the 7km mark the 13km event joined with the 31km event and the trail was impeccably groomed, knowing I was over half way I relaxed and tried to enjoy the hills...LOL.

 

I crossed the finish line with a huge smile, knowing I had skied hard and my winter races were over (!!!)

 

We were hanging around the event site (drinking cider again) and caught the results on the screen, I was over the moon to see that I had placed 3rd in my age group with a time of 1:22 and I had also placed 38 overall in the 13km event (out of over 270 people)!!!!

 

On the podium!

 

So looking back on my winter of racing, I'm going to call it a moderate success. Still battling some nagging injuries but my fitness is where I wanted to keep it, now to focus on some solid swim training to get ready for GWN 2015!

 

***And just to add icing on the cake...i'm excited to announce ive been chosen to be an ambassador for CEP Compression! More details to come soon about this awesome company!***

 

Like I always say...If you CAN compress it, why WOULDN'T you?!?!?!

 

 

 

 

Stuff I'm Diggin'

Welcome to the first edition of 'stuff i'm diggin'/love/need/want! 

I am currently IN LOVE with ALL the Betty Designs gear! I've been a fan for some time of the styling, bright colors and general awesomeness but only got my first gear recently.

For Christmas, my wonderful husband bought me exactly what I asked for...The Betty Designs pink tri kit. I debated about sizing for a long time, luckily I have several lovely ladies in my life that were more than willing to help start the obsession by allowing me to try their Betty gear on for size. 

For the record, this is a Large in both pieces. The shorts are a little snug but I wouldn't want them any bigger either. (side note: i'm a lulu 6-8) 

Both are nice and thick (no see thru here), well made material. the shorts stay in place and the tank is cut perfectly for a female...no chafing here either! I love love love the wide band at the bottom of the shorts. so many times you get a narrow sticky band and it's annoying and  leaves a mark.

After getting this awesome gear I took advantage of a couple sale items that I thought were essentials. The team vest in black and a basic racerback logo tank. I ordered a large in both and and am satisfied with the fit. The vest is a tad on the short side and I don't have room for much underneath. I have worn it running and it was that perfect outer layer for a warm winter day!

Lastly...today they re-stocked the Specialized Keg gear holder, which i've been waiting a month for! Another xmas gift I received was a rear waterbottle cage set up for my TT bike (once again, EXACTLY what I asked for!) Upon receiving I went to order the Betty holder and it was sold out. And rightfully so...how CUTE is this??? Not to mention functional.

Lastly, I ordered a pink truckers hat with logo because really, everyone needs a couple trucker's hats and why not the hot pink one to match everything else? I can't wait to see what Betty comes out with next! #pinkisfaster

Goal setting updates

Well I never thought I'd be adjusting my goals this early but that's how it works sometimes...

Life has been super busy the last few weeks and the weather hasn't been helping either. I'm dropping down to the 13km Birkie because I just haven't been out on my cross country skis. It's sad because I hate giving up but I can't see myself even finishing 31km at this point. 

I had a minor hiccup in my 'staying injury free' goal but I decided to deadlift my body weight last week and it was a little much. I'm fine now but I have to get back to work on my rehab exercises. So my new goal is to be more diligent at preventative medicine. 

My CSIA level 1 was amazing! Aside from having gastritis and being doubled over in pain for half the course....I've already been offered 2 ski school positions and been 'promoted' within the CADS program! I'm now a senior instructor in a fancy red jacket and I got to teach all the ski progression training to the new CADS instructors! 

As for racing, I've already signed up for GWN half and Coronation. AND....the GWN training camp weekend with Jeff Symonds! 

2015 is looking pretty amazing so far!

2015

New Year's Day. I'm sure there will be more than enough of this going on and even though I set my training goals in October when I'm planning my next race season it's a good time to put them out in the universe and make myself accountable to my goals and intentions for the year ahead.

In no particular order....
1. Sub 6 hour half ironman. I'm so close, with a few minor tweaks, this is more than achievable.

2. Squat my body weight. I have some work to do here...currently at #105 for 5 reps...in theory my 1RM based on that is about #130, 30lbs to go

3. Blogging more (oh heeeeyyyy). I've had this blog for some time, it's a good outlet, great place for race reports and gear reviews, might keep me out of trouble

4. Finish the 31km Birkie...Feb 14

5. Stay relatively injury free. Do my rehab exercises before I'm forced to, listening to my body.

6. Strength train all year. I normally take a break from May to Sept, just because of the volume of training and lack of time. My goal is one good lifting session per week.

7. Run my first full marathon. On the road. I've done an ultra on the trail, it's time to run the 42.2 on the black top. Edmonton Marathon.

8. Complete my CSIA level 1 and use it with my CADS training to make a big difference. I'll be doing that this weekend so watch for a course review!

9. Be more involved in my volunteer activities. I could seriously just do these as a career but as all of them require money I don't think that's going to happen. CADS and CSP are all taken care of but I'm looking forward to becoming more involved with the ETC.

10. Continue to have fun with my training and racing, I'm a better athlete when I'm relaxed and enjoying life...I'm not aiming for a sponsorship or worlds so why not be a happy gal and sing karaoke in transition, bike for beer, and run with a smile on my face.

I'm back in a New York groove

I've deviated a bit from the ole blog in the past couple years, I've been meaning to get back into it...here's a link to some of my race reports, etc on Tumblr as I attempt to amalgamate everything!

http://albertaskygirl.tumblr.com

Why I don't bash

Just recently, I have seen a few posts and articles being shared around social media stating, Why I don't do (insert fitness trend/sport here). Which inevitably causes a person who is involved in said activity to retaliate and perhaps share another post referencing why they DO that particular activity versus another and so a vicious cycle of fitness bashing begins.</p>

As a trainer, I fully understand that not all fitness trends are created equally. We have seen plenty of fads come and go and some have returned again, but quite a few have stuck around and I don't think they're going way anytime soon. Let's talk about some of the ones people seem to hate on the most:

1. Crossfit. The pink elephant in the room really. If your gym/box has good coaches, you will learn the movement standards before lifting heavy weights and going for maximum exertion. If your box has poor coaching, you won't and you also probably won't be doing Crossfit for very long. I don't agree with going all out, all the time but I do agree that we need to know how far we can push our bodies and a lot of boxes ARE doing it right and focusing on mobility programs, skills, and strength.

2. Zumba. I'll be the first person to say that dancing and coordinated movements are NOT my strong suit, however; how many people do Zumba that would normally do nothing at all? Like it or not, Zumba has gotten more people off the couch and onto the dance floor than any other fitness trend. Sure, you might get over zealous and twist your knee or ankle the wrong way, but you could also do that dancing in your kitchen. From what i've seen, a good Zumba instructor will teach you the moves to ensure you are groovin as safely as possible.

3. Running (marathons and ultra marathons in particular). "Running that far will ruin your knees" said someone's Grandmother. You know what will ruin your knees? Sitting on your butt and gaining weight that your joints can't handle. I know marathoners, fast marathoners, who can train 3 runs a week plus strength and cross training and still qualify for Boston. Once again training smarter, not harder is the way to go. Also, humans were built to run! We evolved to an upright position over thousands of years only to be put back into a hunched over, sitting position by technology. Running makes you stand tall, a glorious life in extension!

4. Bodybuilding/fitness competitors. I've often heard people say things like,' i'd never want to get that big,' Or 'That's disgusting!' Or 'Why would you ever want to parade around stage all tanned up and in a tiny bikini in front of all those people' I've thought the same myself, but I also know the time and discipline required to walk that stage. I have total respect for the figure athlete because they put in the work. Average Jane can run a few times over a few months and probably finish a marathon, it might not be an awesome time, she might walk half of it, but she will get her finishers medal and shirt. Fitness Jane can't just walk on stage after a couple sessions in the gym. There's weights, endless hours of cardio, posing sessions, suit fittings, weights, hair extensions, tanning, weights, and let's not forget practicing walking in those shoes! Everyone in that audience will know if they haven't put in the work.

5. The 'alternative' activities. I didn't want to make this a 432 point article so this section includes, but is not limited to: Pole Dancing, Roller Derby, yoga, obstacle course racing, Femm Sport, mud or colour runs, zombie runs, Barre fitness, I could go on for days. Time and time again I am picking my jaw up off the floor when I see what some ladies can do with a metal pole, you want to talk about core strength? Same goes with Barre, I have some friends who do this and they are absolutely ripped! I wouldn't mess with anyone who does derby, the amount if training and testing they have to go through before they are even allowed to participate in a bout (roller derby game) is intense! Yoga has been around for centuries, I don't even know why anyone would bash yoga. It's yoga! Any of the themed runs can be classified in the fun category, why wouldn't you want to race through river valley trails being chased by people dressed up as zombies trying to steal your life ribbons? 

So no matter what you love to do, or how you want to challenge your body, it's all good. As long as you're doing something that gets you off the couch and gets your blood pumping. We as athletes and trainers should be celebrating ALL kinds of fitness. Because fitness is awesome!