It's March..and I rode outside...

Yes, it is March and I got my first outdoor ride in today - 60Km's from the house to OK Falls - and then a bit further to Tickleberry's - a summer hot spot for ice cream - it is there in the background and in the picture below.... And then back into town via the "hard route" - up the hill onto Hwy 97 and back into town via the IMC course. A bit of climbing today - my weakness...a lot of work needs to be done - but I felt pretty strong during the ride - considering this has been my first pretty full week and it was an outdoor ride with hills. Maclean Creek road, the climb out of OK Falls...all good baby! And just under 2h15 of riding time...not too bad. I picked the super serious/hard core/out in the cold cyclist look for the pic - what do you think??? ;-)

Actually I was pretty warm for a brisk little ride - but when the wind was blowing or during any steep descents - like the one down into OK Falls - it got a bit chilly - so I was happy to be warm...and I think the temperature was below 10'C today - to think that it was 15'C yesterday.

I was super stoked though because it was "supposed" to rain and snow today - nothing...well a few drops later in the evening - but nothing during the ride....so all was good.

Tomorrow is my long run and then week 1 of the Team Impact plan is in the books - with over 10 hours logged for the week - that is HUGE for me at this time of year. However, the trick will be maintaining that type of output...here is to being on the TOC list (and maybe heading into the Hooded Merganser)....a bit more freedom....

I am very excited to get the new bikes up and running - I just hope that the CSC baby will get sold....it is a bit overkill to have 3 P3's in the house...

Tonight I used a suggestion from the coaches and invested in two bins to do the self-ice bath strategy. Fill one bin with ice cold water and the other one with warm water. 10mins each leg in each bin twice....that ice bath is killer for the first 3-5 mins - it is so cold...but should help with the recovery and dealing with my achilles/lower leg issues...

Will keep you posted on how that works...now that the weekly running frequency has been increased to 4-5 times per week.

Volume 3 - Tidbits of Training

I am pleased to also announce a few updates to the stable of bikes...when we first moved to Penticton - I sold my Cervelo P2SL - which in hindsight - probably wasn't the best idea - I thought I was going to get a mountain bike or a road bike - but a chat with Seth and my thoughts quickly changed..."If you are going to race triathlon, you should spend time on a triathlon bike"... seems to make sense n'est-ce pas? I think when we have a shed (and maybe full time jobs) - I might still entertain the idea of a mountain bike - there are just too many trails out here that would be so fun to explore - and it is a type of riding that we might be able to do together... so maybe next year.

Anyway, I found a great deal on a Cervelo P3 aluminum bike - the Cervelo authorized paint shop in California - had a spare frame laying around as a project paint job that was never used. So it is a brand new frame that Toby painted for me...this will be my training bike.

I am really lucky to have great support from the Speed Theory guys and able to secure a great deal on the new P3 this year - so I advertised my bike on Slowtwitch and had a buyer - we had an agreement in place - and a new P3 came up in my size due to a cancellation elsewhere - so we quickly nabbed it. Again, hindsight would be 20/20. The buyer decided to back out of the deal - so I am desperately trying to sell my 2006 race machine - please, if anyone is in the market for an immaculate P3C - let me know...

I am fairly confident that once the season kicks into higher gear - I will have no problem selling the bike - but it is just that it might take a month or two to do so....or if worse comes to worse, I'll just have to sell the new one...

But let's hope not!!!

Volume 2 - Training

Well...actually have a few things to update you on.

First off...

Since we moved to Penticton - it seems only right that we should be training more - so both Hallsy and I joined up with Coach Kev and Coach Olly's indoor cycling program. And it has been a god send. We have completed 2 - 10 week programs. Hallsy would ride Mon/Wed with a more introductory group and I rode Tues/Thurs with the Advanced group - although I think we basically did the same workouts - so not much different. But it has been the most time I have spent on my bike outside of outdoor riding season in a long time. I am keen to see what kind of improvement it will make. For these last 10 weeks - I also joined in on the Sat cycling session. So that was 3 bike sessions a week. Not too shabby. Unfortunately, I didn't run much and haven't been able to swim at all ... but I really wanted to focus on riding this off-season.

It was fantastic to have a group to "go to" and I think it helped us stay motivated.

I am starting to get regular massage done - might as well take advantage of the "no limit" benefits that we are paying for - they cover 80% off our massage and physio treatments - which is very helpful. I am also seeing a fellow triathlete for phyiso work - but the progress has been painstakingly slow so far - I tried to test out the shoulder today at the pool and lasted 50m before I had to resort to spending 45 mins alternating between kicking and breaststroke. OUCH! But we are going to try and take a more aggressive approach next week.

As I am anticipating...hoping really....that I won't be working as much from now until the end of the school year, I asked if Olly would coach me to Ironman this year. I am very excited about having a local guy coach me and I think he will be a good match. He is somewhat of a structured guy and I seem to thrive on having a program that explicitedly lays out what I am supposed to do. This week was week 1 of the program and I love it. I have really found that I need that "rest" time in order to take advantage of the workouts - for instance, today - I had 3 and 1/2 sessions planned (one being a massage)...so it was a rather full day - impossible to even think about had I been teaching today - but very manageable when I can nap in between sessions.

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This Spring Break has been a great time for me to catch up on rest - I was extremely tired for the first week - easily able to spend 10 hours in bed sleeping and trying to catch up on the ZZZZ's. I am not very good when I am limited in being able to sleep. When I am teaching - I will often wake up and lay in bed for hours before actually getting up...then I am pretty tired all day - come home and nap - try to do some prep work or marking and then back to bed again..it was/is a vicious cycle for me. I think that I probably got a handful of "good night's sleep" these past 4 months while teaching. I am just too worried about what is going to happen the next day at school. I feel that it was largely due to the fact that the subject was so "unknown" to me - I really was making things up as we went along...a wee bit stressful for my OCD....

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As I have mentioned previously, I also feel that the lack of rest and recovery last summer played a large part in my preparation for IMC 08.... with all the "things" we had to do last summer and the physical aspect of moving and quick home projects pre-Ironman - it was not an ideal preparation at all...this year appears to be heading in quite a different direction..and I am very excited about it.

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I am already giddy with Week 1 of Olly's program - it feels so great to be able to log the right number of workouts and hours and to feel "pumped" for each session...it is what excites me to be a triathlete...the sense of accomplishment - every set in the workout, every workout, every day following the program and every week doing what we set out to do...with the end goal being a very successful day in August. All too often, I had to struggle with missed workouts here and there in Calgary and then try to play catchup in the summer...I am hoping that won't be the case here.

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It also helps that the weather is "nicer" here - it isn't Perth by any means, but we don't have snow and we can almost get out on the road and ride our bikes - in fact, Sat is supposed to be my first outdoor ride...and the weather should cooperate....so you'll get a post then for sure. When it is warmer out - it is much easier to motivate yourself to go for a run - or even to set the trainer up and see the sun outside...

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I will keep you posted on how things are going.

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In terms of how I feel - I know that I did a brick session after last week's indoor cycling session and I have never felt as "light" on my feet during a brick as I did last week - granted the bike session was only 1h30 - and the run was 20mins off the bike. But it was a pretty tough 1h30 bike - and not the usual - set up the trainer in front of the TV and ride for 90 mins and go run - there was some pretty hard work in there...a good quality session. I also know that I feel much stronger on the bike - which simply adds more confidence....

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Good thing as Oliver Half Ironman is only 11 weeks away...

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Need to get this shoulder thing sorted out soon.

Can I still post here?

So it has been about a lifetime since my last post...so I can't possibly update everything at once. This will be a mini-series of updates.

This is #1.

Job Situation.

When we first moved to Penticton, it was rather a risky move. We both left fulltime jobs - moved out here - with little guarantee of any jobs. We were both assured positions on the TOC list (Teacher On Call)...but that could mean 2 days a week, 2 days a month, or 4-5 days a week...you never knew.

Hallsy was lucky and scored a part time gig at a middle school - McNicol Middle School. It was supposed to last until Christmas - however, she was lucky and it was extended to the first week in March. It was a 0.52 position - but it was steady income and a good step into the division. She really enjoyed being back teaching PE. The kids at the school REALLY enjoyed having her there as they had not had a PE trained teacher EVER it seemed...so their PE had been mostly dodgeball or some sort of low organizational game. Hallsy brought in units like football, soccer, badminton, and wrestling. Not to mention the all time favourite - FITNESS! Who knew that middle school kids would love running the Indy 500 - but it was a HIT and a half. Nice job! Let the mini-triathlete training begin.

When she left the school - she was given a number of cards from her students with very motivating and kind words - it was so incredible to see what a difference a person can make in such a relatively short time. Nice job!

Hallsy was also able to make a lot of new friends - which is great. And some of them like to do "crafty" things....put that basement to good use!!!!

I was on "home improvement" detail for September as I think I had one day of work that month - was beginning to get my Earls application ready to go. Then I got a call about a job possibility at Princess Margaret Secondary...it was a Social and BMod program. It was a fulltime position - but only a 3-5 week appointment for a medical leave. I was really "iffy" about teaching at high school again... as I really thought I wanted to be at the middle school level. But it was a job and a great opportunity to do some work...so I scooped it up.

I can tell you that I was very glad I did - it was a great opportunity. The kids were a bit goofy and could be challenging - but for the majority of time, it was "fun" to be back teaching and working with kids. I was also able to learn some new philosophies regarding teaching and learning from some of the teachers at the school. This division has a lot of "progressive" thinking in terms of the profession - so it was fun to be involved in some "out of the box" thinking. While the position was relatively short term, it was a fantastic first step. From there, I was told that I would be put on Maggie's preferred TOC list - yes, good reference.

I finished the position at Maggie at the end of Oct...didn't really think anything new would come up until after Christmas - yippeee - a couple of months of rest. Well, that didn't last but a week - and I got a call from Pen High. The principal at Maggie had recommended me to the principal at Pen High for a Social 11/French 9/Learning Center position. YES, you read that right French 9 - what the heck were they thinking....I mean I have French as a "supposed" teachable subject - but come on - I hadn't spoken it since ... hmmmm... 1998....could be a challenge and a half - but it was only supposed to be until Christmas break - so suck it up - gain some more brownie points with the Division. I agreed to take it on...it was after all more experience, a positive sign to the HR department, and another fulltime contract.

I was a bit nervous about the Social 11 as well - as it is the provincial exam course in BC - you don't have to take Social (or History/Geography) in grade 12 here. Social 11 is the last mandatory Social course you need to have to graduate. And there was "internal" pressure for me - as the teacher I was taking over for is a Social/History guru...and a fantastic teacher. Thankfully I got a lot of help from colleagues who were more than willing to give me EVERYTHING they had in order to help out the "new guy" and John was a great mentor.

The position was extended until Spring Break - so mid-March. The job went a bit longer than anticipated....we knew that was in the plans and is the reason we decided it was important to make the journey back to Manitoba to see the grandparents over Christmas. We just never know what is around the corner in terms of employment. We both feel we have been super lucky since arriving - there are TOC's here who have never been on a fulltime contract or any contract.... so we must be doing something right. All the feedback we have gotten so far has been incredibly positive. Teachers, students and parents have all been really great...and colleagues make a point of saying really positive, encouraging things. That makes a world of difference to us. It really goes to show how much a kind word here or there means to some people.

All in all, the experience at Pen High had its ups and downs - but I left the school on a high and I would really like to be back at either school. It makes me glad that we made this decision to come out here. I wasn't sure if it was a good one at the beginning - I wasn't sure if I really wanted to teach again - but my experiences have been overwhelmingly super positive so far - with only a few days when I would come home and really question whether or not this was such a great idea....

Currently, we are both on the TOC list - I have 2 days booked for that first week back next week - and I am sure that we will get at least a couple of days a week (at a min) from now until June... and really - that might be enough to keep us going until after the summer.

I feel fairly confident that we will both have fulltime positions for the upcoming school year - maybe not fulltime positions in the Division - but at least year long contracts ... John has told me that we have come out at the opportune time - there are a number of retirements or moves that will be made in the next year or two at Pen High for sure in the Social Department - and he has given me a lot of support in terms of wanting me in at the school. He often said that the "school is lucky to have such a hard working dedicated individual" and that I was "great with high school kids". ... again, a few simple words of encouragement can really make a difference...and the sense that you are appreciated for the work you do.

Hallsy and I are both looking at some part time opportunities to hold us together over the summer however as these first couple of years might be a bit "tight" for us.... Hallsy has applied at a few wineries and I will be heading into the Hooded Merganser (our favourite restaurant) to see if they need some "mature" (i.e., OLD) servers...

And who knows what opportunities will come up - but I won't be missing the marking, prepping, etc. of a contract position - it might be nice to TOC - go in - do your day - and head home - to train a few km's on the bike or run!!!!! ;-)

Tomorrow's post - training....

Exam week - time to recoup

This week is exam week at school. We only get 1 week here for exams as opposed to the 2 weeks with the Calgary Board - but that is because the Okanagan teachers get 2 weeks at Spring Break. So basically we will have time to mark our exams and get a bit of a break during the week. It is a good time to recoup. I'll take the time to get things ready - especially in my French class. For my Social 11 Linear (all year class), we are starting topics that I have already taught with the semester class...so that should make things a bit easier. I will make changes to the process, but at least I've been through it once already. I do have to make up my plans for the new semester class - World War I and the 20-30's. Could be a bit stressful...but just have to worry about a 6 week block until Spring Break - and then we are supposed to be on the regular TOC list...but you never know...

I had a great opportunity to meet with Olly Piggin this past weekend (Team Impact) - to briefly outline the season of triathlon training. I am very excited about the opportunity to have a much greater focus this year. If I am able to run a few times a week and continue to make the weekly bike windtrainer sessions with Team Impact (3 times a week) - then I will be right on track for ramping things up after Spring Break...perfect timing!

Still need to get my shoulder looked after...that nagging shoulder injury has not gone away - and I am unable to hit the water until that happens...so I hope to make an appointment this week. Miss having my physio guru's here in Penticton.

Down for the count...

Darn flu....yesterday I was feeling very achy and sore ... and I knew what was going to be in store for me. I am glad that I realized what was happening and didn't push myself to go to cycling...even though I really wanted to.

So today has been spent in bed - worrying if my students are behaving properly for my TOC....ironic isn't it? Thankfully Dr. Hallsy has been on top of things while she has been home.

I am going to place part of the blame on Auntie Wendy...as she just sent us an email wondering if any of us came down with the flu after the trip to Winnipeg. Usually I get sick around Christmas time every year - and this year - I thought I had beat the bug....but now look at me - see picture above!!! Arrrggghh! I think by trying to deal with it properly though - the pesky little bug won't be around long.

Here's hoping that I can log some more training info later in the week - only 2 weeks to exams!!!

I am back....but need some time to compose...stay tuned....

Yes...we are back in business...and the New Year's resolutions have begun - including another commitment to training with the local triathlon guru's. Hallsy and I have both signed up for a bit of Coach Kev's cycling pain - and loving it! We ride 2-3 times per week for the next 9 weeks now (week 1 is in the books!).

It is that time of year when the goal setting starts - it is complicated with our mystery job situation - but we both feel that we should make an effort to get things moving. What was the point of moving to the Mecca if we can't take advantage of the location and the lifestyle?

At the end of the day - I will be glad to be back on a structured program and it is helpful to do the training with a group of people. Now if I could only get this shoulder thing sorted out - life would be good.

Just a quick update - I'll post some pic's of our latest "trouble maker". We both had contract extensions - Hallsy to the end of Feb (likely to go longer) and mine until Spring Break (mid-March). Not bad considering we were going to have to be working at Earls and Rona to make ends meet. But we have been very fortunate to have very regular work. Hallsy has been working since the beginning of the school year. I had Sept off - but then was hired for 3-4 weeks at Maggie (one of the high schools in Penticton) during the month of Oct - had 3 days off - and wasn't expecting anything until the new year - however, was recommended to the principal at Pen High - and have been working at Pen High since the beginning of Nov. It is very hard to teach material that I have limited experience with and even less resources - but I have enjoyed the challenge and have (for the most part) also enjoyed being back in the classroom - even with these high school kids! They are a pretty good bunch - one of my LC students put it ever so bluntly the other day - "Why do we stress you out - we're just kids"....you know what - he has a very valuable point - and has helped me change my perspective on things.

I think we are both just only now recovering from our Christmas break - aka the Epic Journey Across Canada - with little Destructo in tow. We love Kona - but she really caused us a lot of stress during the trip - with problems at both stops in Calgary - thankfully Mark and Michelle are somewhat understanding - or at least they were able to fake it well!

Will post more information tomorrow - as I will undoubtedly be procrastinating with the stack of marking that is sitting on my desk....