Don't get caught without...

...TP! I know there are many of us that have gone on a trail run, just eaten not too long before, and get that sudden urge to go to use the can. I had that urge today. Being a geologist, I have seen some beautiful places while squatting behind a tree, but I always have TP. Next time I will remember that all-important, recycled white tissue.

Hit snooze this morning, then promptly turned the alarm off in my drowsy state. Awoke two hours later, oops. No swim today after all.

Early night tonight. Must do laundry first...

don't look in mirrors

Totally random, but I looked at myself in the mirror today and realised I have skinny legs. I need to work on that.

It's that time of year again: Costco is getting ready for easter, while the rest of the world is getting their christmas decorations up. Even mini easter eggs are being advertised as available the "other 364 days" of the year! Bloody hell...takes away from the novelty a little don't you think? Christmas doesn't really get me as excited as others, so it's really just another excuse to eat a lot of chocolate and candy, and then feel like crap for eating it all.

Adam and Rachel raced IMAZ yesterday (along with many others, who all had really good days!) and placed up there in the pro mens and womens field! Awesome job! 2 of the most humble people I know and totally deserving of their successes. I have a lot of respect for everybody that made it all the way through the end of summer and into the fall, still training and focusing for a big race while the majority of other athletes are taking time off and doing 'base' work!

Meanwhile, I am trying to plod along with training. Nothing really has been clicking in the pool lately which is kind of disturbing. The miles are being banked in the runners though, and biking has been fun with the incorporation of some muddy cross rides!

I have to stop procrastinating now.

Following flowing water

That's right, it's THAT time of year again...rain, puddles, mud...good fun for trail running and cross riding! This weekend I got good and muddy on a 3hr cross ride, riding the trails around Elk and Beaver Lakes, scooting over to mt Tolmie, and then hitting up mt Doug on the way back to the lakes. There is such a sense of accomplishment when you look at your reflection in the car window and your face and body is covered in mud. Good times!

Today was a 90 min run on the trails. Nick and I did some adventuring, getting slightly lost and backtracking a couple of times. Following flowing water is generally a good sign that you are heading downhill, but it makes for a slippery and muddy run! Almost lost Nick to the bushes today.

This week has been up and down. The beginning was fine, getting over being sick, but then Wednesday hit me hard. I didn't have the energy warming up for the thetis lake relay, and then when my turn came around I just didn't have it. Felt like I was so out of shape well before half way. Thursday followed the same trend. Started out the day with an awful swim in which I jumped out at 2k because I was DONE. Didn't have the energy. Then, a noon-hour run left me knackered with what should not have been that hard. It seems like anything where there was some intensity knocked me down right away. Hopefully this coming week starts off on a better track!

I should go take my wet, muddy shoes and clothing out the car...don't want it to start smelling worse than it does.

Thetis lake 20k relay

Thanks to Leif for signing up last minute and letting Tyler off with just one loop of the lake ;)

We ended up 4th O/A behind 2 NTC teams and a running group from Nanaimo. It was a fun hilly, muddy run and it was SOLD OUT this year again! I think there were 150 teams (?) entered. What a great day to be running the trails.

Full Results

Runner Needed!

We need one more runner to take on a 5k leg of the 4 x 5k relay out at Thetis Lake tomorrow. If you know anybody that would be interested let me know! So far, we are a group of 3 22-24 year-olds. Thanks!

On another note, I think I had the swine flu but it's allllll gone...except for the cough. The last 2 days in the pool were tough getting a feeling and rhythm back. Holding 1:20 for 100s on a easy to moderate effort didn't feel bad this morning so I still have a ways to go to get back in swimming shape.

Leaving on a musical note...

New Toy!

This is my new Toy! It's an Orbea Mud Cyclocross bike and it's awesome!! Already bailed on it today, on my first ride, because of some foot crossover with the front wheel. We've all fallen at a stop light before...haha!

Today was my first day of exercise since Sunday. After our Sunday run I developed a cough which immediately worked into my chest, then progressed into aches and chills - your basic flu symptoms. So, I've been out of commission for the last 2 days. The ride today was short (an hour and a half) but totally knocked me down. The lungs were hurting and I was seriously lacking in the energy department! It was fun anyway! Im hoping to get a solid sleep tonight and wake up in good enough shape to swim in the morning.

Just rolling along otherwise. Getting more volume in the running department which is great. Unfortunately, with my tatoo and then being ill keeping me out the pool, I haven't put very many miles in lately. That will have to be fixed quickly! It's also the PIH Theitis Lake 20km relay (XC run) in one week so I gotta get my ass in gear, get healthy and get a team together!

For now, it's time to rest.

A quick meal

Dinner last night. Really simple: chicken breast, pruscuitto, cherry tomatoes, olives, red pepper, garlic, spinach, asparagus - all cooked in one pan together.

Making quick and simple meals with lots of flavour is so easy to do!







This is the view I woke up to Sunday morning. Looking East-South-East over Victoria. Beautiful morning sunrise.