Hi All,

I had my last triathlon race of the season on the labour day weekend. It was the women's triathlon in Milton. This was actually the first triathlon I had ever raced back in 2003 and after that was set on training for more triathlons. I always try to go back to this race whenever I can. During the last couple of weeks in August I could tell my body was wanting a little break so I made this one the last race. I had come 2nd overall a couple of times in the past but this year I wanted to win it.

The swim went okay but I found myself swimming by myself as I was in the first wave and the 2 girls ahead of me were just too fast for me to swim with. I got on the bike and tried to catch up to the other girls. I managed to pass both of them just before the turn around and was coming back in. Although it's great to be leading a race I have found it difficult as often the volunteers are not ready for you. As I was approaching the turn to go back into the conservation area I was told I was going left (to do another loop) but I was fairly certain I was going right. Fortunately I didn't turn the wrong way but definitely slowed down a lot to make sure I was heading the right way. It was a simliar thing coming into transition. Whistles were going etc as they are trying to clear the way for me coming in. The run course was different than in previous years so I definitely questioned at times whether I was going the right way as there is no one around.

Anyhow, in the end everything turned out fine. I managed to finally finish first in the sprint triathlon race and won a pair of running shoes which will be handy. I also got a sports bag for a draw prize so I figured this was a good race to finish the year with!

I'm taking a little bit of time off now. I'm hoping to get in a couple of fall running races and then perhaps some Master's swim races in the winter? I never tried a Master's swim race before so maybe this is the year....

Heather

Wow, what a ride!

First let me start by saying that short distance events are not my strength. The longer the race, the better I perform, but if I wanted to make the 2009 World's Team for the Long Distance Du, I had to qualify using a half-sized event.

The race takes place on Isle Notre-Dame in Monteal. The course was a 10k run, 40k ride followed by a 5k run. The course is smokin' fast! The run takes place around the 1967 Olympic Rowing basin, it's a 5km loop of a dead flat course. The ride consists of 9 laps around the F1 race course (circuit Gilles Villeneuve). Again, with the exception on about a 20m elevation gain/loss each lap, this was also dead flat.

Once the gun went off, the jack-rabbits disappeared around the basin, and I choose the snowball approach, that being start slow and build speeed as my body comes to life. Out on course, the sun beat down on the athletes, with temperatures closing in on 30`, up the south side of the basin, the wind was calm and at you back, but as you rounded the corner, the breeze picked up and was blowing staright into your face. Two laps down, second one faster than the first. Still feeling good - but very hot!

Out on the ride, the course was littered with the Iron distance athletes who started hours earlier, the sprint and olympic athletes and tons of people. First lap helped me get acquainted with the lines and the traffic, but it became very clear as I turned my nose to the wind that aero bars were a BIG advatage. I managed to muscle and spin my way through the remaining 8 laps, in less than record time, but nevertheless, I was closing in on the last run. The only question was - what was left in the legs? Still feeling good - but very hot! (still)

The last lap of the basin and with 50km in my legs, I am feeling better than ever. As the sun beat down, I was passing many of the people who set out on a tear in the first run. I spent about 1.5km following a group of guys including one in my age group, hiding from the wind, but feeling strong. With 500 m to go, I stepped out and headed for the finish. I crossed the line feeling strong (and HOT!).

At the end of the day, I paced myself to a qualifying spot 2009 World's.

Esprit is a FAST race and great course. Consider putting it in your race plan!

Cheers,

Scott

Hey,

Is anyone else heading up to Owen Sound for the triathlon? I'm heading up to watch the sprint on Sunday and competing on Monday. Hope to see some other Polar wear there!

Heather

Hey Everyone,

I made the trip up north to a smaller race this weekend in Barry's Bay. I had never been up there before and the country is beautiful so it was a nice drive up. I must say this was one of the nicest bike courses i have ever been on. It was a new bike course this year but the pavement was recently paved and smooth with lots of room to ride on the shoulder at times. The course was an out and back course with about 4 steady hills each way and smooth fast downhills. Fantastic! It was a little busy as you arrived into town as none of the roads were closed but it was only one intersection. It was a well organized race with some good competition and it included a BBQ afterwards and excellent merchandise prizes, all for $30!

Anyway, I had a solid race and placed 4th overall in the women...just missed the podium! grrrr I definitely would like to go back next year to this race and I highly recommend it!

Good luck this weekend for those racing in Peterborough!

Heather

I've posted pictures from the Muskoka Sprint and Long Course on Shutterfly. There are some good pictures of Tom, Jeremy, James and Simon racing.

Heather

Hi Guys,

It was great to see so many Polar athletes out at Muskoka this weekend. I raced on Saturday and had a good race. My body definitely seems to like racing in warmer weather. It felt like a completely different race compared to last weekend in the cold and wet conditions out in Vancouver.

I was watching the long course on Sunday and managed to take some pictures of our team racing. I will post some and send them to you. Great race guys!

Heather

Finally, my first race of the season is behind me. Unlike the rest of you, I am a late starter, but nevertheless, I strapped on my shoes for my first race of '08 and my second half. I did my first half in Tuscon in December '07, as a training run and came in in 1:36 so I reset the goal and committed to Ottawa early in '08.

Ottawa Race Weekend is a BIG deal, there are races all over the place, and nothing is small. Take for example the 5k run that had 6300 runners, 7300 in the 10k, 8300 in the half, and 3300 in the full. Lots of people - lots of excitement!

Anyway, I was in the lead corral with a great position to start. When the flag dropped, the opening pace was torrid! First 2K were done and over with in about 6 and a half minutes - way to fast for me but what a rush! After we crossed in front of parliament, we made our way across the river to Gatineau. Somewhere along the line I had developed the ill conceived notion that this was a flat race - and boy did I pay. We ran in Gatineau for 7km of the race and all it did was go up. Around every corner there seemed to be another hill. I actually don't remember going downhill at all, well maybe once, for about a block, then we turned a corner and went back up. By the time I hit the 10km mark, my legs were feeling the opening pace and the hills. From the 10km mark through to 14km, the race went down the east side of the canal, we crossed UP and over to the west side of the canal and headed for home. A quick check of the watch and I realized I was cutting it close. Here's where I hoped my training paid off and it did. I picked up the pace in the home stretch and pushed it. I looked up as I crossed the line 1:28.36, a PB (getting a PB is not a real accomplishment when your first race was a training run).

Ottawa was a great race, and I'd recommend it to anyone. Next up, not sure. . . Moon in June in Burlington, ON or the KW Classic Bike Race in Kitchener, ON.

Hey Everyone!

I ventured back to my hometown to race the Mississauga 10km this weekend. I haven't raced a 10km race in a few years so I was curious to see what I could do and to see what kind of running shape I was in for the World Chamiponships (Olympic distance) in a few weeks. I had posted some 21 minute and change 5kms over the past few months but my previous PB for 10km was 46 minutes. So I decided to aim for 45 minutes.

The weather was great and the course was good except for some spots along the waterfront paths that were a bit 'buggy'. Needless to say I had a little extra protein along the way. Involved with the 10km was a student relay challenge where the students were running 2.5km and then tagging their team mate. It was great as there were always a crowd of people at every 2.5km increment and also some very excited and energetic runners during most parts of the race which kept me energized and going. I hit the 5km mark at 21:41 and felt pretty good so I thought I'd go for it and try to maintain that pace.

I struggled a bit between the 7.5 and 9km markers but didn't let myself look back to see if any other female was behind me. In the final km I was able to pick it up again and finish strong in front of a large crowd near the finish line. There were a few people along the course that were cheering "Go polar!" As I was about to cross the finish line I heard the announcer say that I was the third female to cross the line which was a nice surprise. My chip time was 43:11 which I'm very happy with.

Next race...Victoria's Duathlon

Happy Training!

Heather