Taper Time

Saturday morning run started and finished at the Logging Bridge with about 6 runners following hilly trails and some great views. Here Kevin and Steve are stretching after their sprint finish. I was happy to let the faster runners go ahead and watch the great entertainment!!

Into the Campbell River afterward for some recovery to the legs. There were people fishing just to the right of the photo, I am not sure they liked us scaring the fishes away??

After a swim at the lake on Sunday morning it was a flying leap onto the GURU and off to do some hill repeats. 17km into the ride is the the start of the 2km hill repeat,,,,,,

Ok,, now about 1 km up the hill,,, still not into the smallest gear yet. That is coming!!

Yup, I will keep to the right, so far I have never passed a vehicle going up this hill. Doubt I ever will, although I did see one Chevette struggling up the hill. I think it is the last one in existence?

OK, this is the steep part,, down the the smallest gear and cadence at 50. I did manage 60 on the 3rd rep just to try it. I like 50 better.

Almost there, a bit further and it levels out and I can spin my legs out,,,,,,,,

The hill levels out and I can see the turn around at the sign. 2km from the start at various steepness. A good place to take a gel I think :)

Ok, now the fun part. Trucks gear down,,, bikes gear up and "get aero" !!! 75km max for today, I wish there was a better tailwind, it is hard to get with a vehicle to draft here.

After swimming and biking and 2km run off the bike,,, oh ya, and some ice baths, it was time to make some of the famous Bree Wee Recovery Cookies. I love triathlon, I may not be great at it but I love it. Now, when it comes to the kitchen, well,,, no love there, and I am no good at all in the kitchen. I had to treat this project as an experiment. After clogging up the processor with dates I tried another method, or shall I say, another blade!!!

All mixed up, and ready for the oven, I think the experiment worked??

The finished product!!! Not as good as the Pro Bree Wee, makes, or Rocket Ricci, but I ate 2 of them awhile ago and am still alive. I think I may have to make another batch :)

Getting ready for Vancouver Half Ironman

When is it nice to get into a westuit and swim in a lake that is only 14.5c (58f)? Answer : when the air temperature is only 11c. A cool north wind has been blowing and made the water temperature feel warm. I am sure the ocean water in Vancouver will be colder, but last year it was Ok, so I am hoping for the same this year. I swam out and around the Island 3 times this morning and I guess the distance is 2500m. I need to use a gps and get and accurate measurement. Maybe this weekend??

Back home to get the GURU ready for the ride. Fluids ( I barely brought enough) , nutrition and shoes attached ready for a flying leap!!! My neighbours only gave me a 4 out of 10. It wasn't pretty but I did not end up on the ashphalt. So far my highest was an 8 out of 10. I think my neighbours think I am crazy. Why is a grown man in his "late" 40's doing such a silly thing. Listening to System of a Down and also Lady Gaga do not seem to make the norm either? I am glad I have great neighbours that understand why I go for a bike ride when the yard needs some TLC.

After my flying mount,,, and almost wipeout, I headed north first to get a bit of a hill in while I headed south. Heading south meant I had a tailwind for about 45 km!!! I love a tailwind.

The hill looks like it goes to the sky, but it is actually not that long or that steep. With the north wind I actually had to pedal fairly hard going down the hill on the other side.

Some nice scenery with a bit of snow on the mountains in the background.

Mount Washington, next right,,, I don't think so for today!!! This year is a year off,,, only a few Half Ironman races. Last year while I was training for Ironman Canada I would make the right turn and head up the mountain for some great hill training. Next year it is in the agenda also, but for now it feels good to cruise right past :)

Ok, just after the turn around at about 56km,,,, this means now I have 44 km of headwind. From what I can remember, the Vancouver race has a headwind in every direction so I try to embrace the wind and consider it good for training. Yes, my neighbours must be correct, I am crazy!! 44km in the aero position, no use sitting up and loosing speed. A lot of the ride back home was in the small chain ring, trying to keep the cadence up at 90rpm

The Vancouver Island Queen K!! Almost back to Campbell River now, heading north for 15km further then 180 turn and head back up the first hill at about 100k into the ride. Then mostly flat with the tailwind now. High gear, high cadence, and high speed, well, for me high speed :)

Ahh, finally, home and an ice bath!! A recovery drink and some reading material. The lake was at 14.5c so guess what the bath started out at,,, yup, 14.5c. And if I add all the ice from the ice maker where will the temperature drop to. Try 9.5c (50f)brr, a bit chilly, but it warmed up to 10!!! A few trips into the garage to spin on the GURU and then back to the ice bath. Three times total today and by then I really needed to get into a hot shower.

The GURU, in it's bedroom, resting for the next training ride before the Vancouver race. I guess I better get to bed and rest also :)