πββοΈ Nice to be back in a lake

πββοΈ Nice to be back in a lake
πββοΈ Hazy out there from the forest fires on todayβs run
After three weeks with a Readiness to Train score around two, Iβm glad to be back in the green. Time to get active again!
Tall Trees Muskoka. π
Reflecting on yesterdayβs stomach troubles, I have to consider the deep fried butter tart I had the night before the race. A delicious concoction of a butter tart, wrapped in a cinnamon coated churro, topped with vanilla ice cream. Not traditional triathlon nutrition, but Iβve decided it prevented anything worse from happening, rather than contributing to the trouble.
πββοΈπ΄πββοΈ I do these things because theyβre hard. This was was the hardest yet: ridiculous humidity and some bad nausea on the bike made this one a struggle. 45 minutes slower than my last two attempts and every minute was earned. But, this is likely the one Iβll remember most.
Family Place Restaurant. π
Race fuel
πββοΈπ΄πββοΈ Iβm always worried that Iβm forgetting something. Pictures like these help, plus a packing list in Apple Notes
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Part of the appeal of triathlons for me is that you need to stay adaptive and resilient, always adjusting to race conditions and feedback from your body.
Today was a good example. Cold weather and intense winds led to the swim being cancelled. So, the triathlon became a duathlon. Although I missed the swim, it was the right call. Still, it takes a moment to recalibrate to starting with a run, adjusting your transition strategy, and sorting out a pace target.
The winds made the ride rather harrowing, lots of gusts, plus a headwind for the big escarpment climb π₯΅. Then on a steep descent, we got buffeted around while peaking at 70 km/hr. After one particularly strong gust, a rider behind me shouted out some profanity that was totally warranted.
At least the second run was mostly well sheltered and I could push the pace a bit.
Overall, still lots of fun though. This is my fourth time racing this event and theyβve all been well done.
πββοΈπ΄πββοΈ First race of the season tomorrow!
I actually enjoy this part β the setup. Laying out all the gear, checking the list, thinking through the transitions. Thereβs a quiet focus to it. A bit of nervous energy, sure, but also a sense of calm from knowing Iβve put in the work.
Getting everything ready is more than just packing β itβs part of the ritual. It helps me visualize the day ahead and ease into race mode. Time to trust the training and enjoy the race.
πββοΈ Nice break after several days of rain for todayβs long run
A new feature in HealthFit shows that Iβve been pushing the training too hard. A better balance would be 80% in low aerobic. Although I feel okay, Iβll fit in more recovery runs and rides
πββοΈ Recovery run
Monarch Park. π
πββοΈ Track Tuesday: 3x 1 mile + 3x 800m
Riverdale Collegiate Institute. π
πββοΈ Mixed intervals
πββοΈ Much better weather today than yesterday for a run
πββοΈ I donβt have a bike at the in-lawβs. So out for another run
πββοΈ Pool is closed today, so swapped in a long run
Riverdale Collegiate Institute. π
πββοΈ Night swim
πββοΈ Tried a new route on todayβs run
πββοΈ π to shorts π to wind and rain on todayβs run
π΄ After some deliberation, I ordered the Zwift Ride. With a straightforward setup, Iβm ready for tomorrowβs long ride in Watopia!
πββοΈ Rare treat of having a lane to myself on todayβs swim
πββοΈ Sidewalks were mostly clear on todayβs recovery run
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Over the past three years, I’ve traveled more than 7,600 km through the virtual worlds of Zwift (adds up to a ridiculous 11 days and 11 hours on the saddle). This has all been on my main racing bike in a somewhat awkward setup that I described earlier:
I donβt have enough space in my house for a spot fully dedicated to cycling. So, Iβve got the bike trainer tucked in a corner of the basement and then I slide our basement couch out of the way and move the bike in front of the TV when Iβm riding.
The whole setup is a nuisance, especially for some of those really early morning starts. Moving furniture around while in the dark and only half awake isn’t great. So, I’m considering the new Zwift Ride.
I think the pros are (in order):
While the cons are:
Given all of this, I’m leaning towards getting the Zwift Ride. There’s a spot in the basement with enough room for it and I like the idea of just getting on and riding. However, the recent tariff nonsense seems to have cleared out the Canadian inventory. So, I have some time to think this over, before making the investment.
For more on the Zwift Ride, DC Rainmaker has a good video.
πββοΈ Winter wonderland on todayβs run. Slippery and uneven conditions helped keep the easy pace on target while adding in extra ankle and calf work.
π What Aging Can Teach Us About Sustainable Success
With that in mind, here are a few lessons Iβve learned as an aging athlete who can still run pretty fast, but is having a lot of doing it.
- Stop short. Almost always.
Thereβs an old adage in running that you should have one more rep in the tank. Itβs also called the no hands on your knees rule. Both get a simple point, the risk of pushing to get that final repeat is seldom worth it. The benefit is small, if it even exists.
I’m tempted to write this on my shoes. Good advice that I followed this morning: the workout called for 5–8 reps and I stopped after 5 good ones.
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Thanks to a pre-Christmas flu and general busyness over the holidays, my triathlon training took a dive.
This past week, Iβve really tried to get back into it. As a result, my watch and phone have been pointing out that my training load has spiked and are suggesting caution.
At the same time, my readiness to train has been correspondingly increasing. Iβve been using this increase, plus generally feeling good, to keep the training intensity at the right level without overdoing it.
Seems to be working so far. Now that I feel like Iβve regained momentum, Iβll ease off on the training progression to stabilize on a more modest increase over weeks. I donβt need to relearn the lessons of overtraining and injury!
GΓΆran Winblad has a good video on how to use RTT and HRV as one indicator in training. Worth investigating for your training too.
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 β
π₯ΆπββοΈ Shortest and coldest swim of the year
πββοΈ Simultaneously ridiculous, inspiring, and intriguing
Tuesday, November 26, 2024 β
πββοΈ New running shoe day!