Ok, it's time for me to start keeping track of what I've been up to. Now that I've started to train again on a more regular basis. Here's a detailed overview of what I've done since fall 2004.
In order to improve my running throughout the 2004-2005 training season I really set my mind on running. I the fall of 2004, I ran my first ever 10 km run race. My goal was to 1. Finish, and 2. Hopefully finish under 60 minutes. And I did it I came in around 57:99. This was something I never thought myself ever being able to achieve.
Throughout the winter, I trained hard, really hard. My grades at school went up so high....I was feeling so good....Things got even better when I started seeing D. He really was a motivational factor for me and really supported and understood the what I was doing and trying to achieve...because he had similar goals. Seeing, and sometimes finding little papers in his tri or cycling books, with goals and achievements really inspired me to start paying closer attention and maybe start writting down some of my goals.
So my next run race came in February at Ile-Bizard I ran a 51:99. This I could not believe...my goal time was below 55 minutes and when I was running down the last stretch I could see the clock...I couldn't believe it. This gave me hope!!!
Next, school kinda kicked in so training slowed.
Over Christmas, I was planning on getting a new bike...and finnally on April 29th, the day of my last exam, I went to pick up my bike- boy was I happy. I think it took about a week or even a month for me to realize that it was actually mine.
Before I got the new bike, I made myself get outside and ride the Houde with my old bike so I would be able to really appreciate the difference....
I tried my very hardest in all the spinning practices to strengthen my leg muscles...so I wold be able to do the Ottawa-Kinsgton ride.
I started off the summer with a goal race being Magog Olympic distance triathlon...my first ever of that distance.
But shortly before, race season stared I felt terrible. I was always tired and really lacking energy, I blamed it on school. Even after school ended, I was always tired, every single practice felt like the worse one ever....I would sleep eight hoursat night then take 3 hour naps after lunch and sneak back into work....so my supervisor wouldn't notice.
Just before my last exam, I went to get my hair cut. My hairdresser noticed I had two bald spots. Was I ever freaked out....I do play with my hair all the time but had I realy pulled that many out....to create to large and growing totally bald spots (I didn't think so). But then when I noticed how much they were growing, and how tired I was, I decided to go see my doctor. She had no idea either, but I went to get a blood test which revealed borderline anemia...Which may or may not contribute to the hair loss.
After asking many questions,taking 1 week of iron supplements, and making sure with my doctor. I decided to take part in the longest bike ride I had ever done. The two day Ottawa-Kingston, 177km per day ride. I didn't really know if I would be able to finish...but I would try my best. It was so much fun, I learnt so many new things, and I would not have been able to to it without our group....Thank you!
My first triathlon of the season was in Trois-Rivieres, sprint distance. Boy, was I nervous. I knew I had really improved over the winter but by how much... I finished under 1:30:99 which was really good for a first race.
At the very beginning of the summer, I went to watch the Women's World cup circuit, for cycling, in Montreal, these girls really blew me away....I wanted to do it too...Our bike coach was there and I told her that I wanted to do that to....as direct as she is, she told I was too old and not very petite as most of the girls were. So, I put it aside in my potential but non-realistic goal section of the mind. A few weeks later at our training week/weekend our coach mentioned to me that she maybe thought I had some potential to race.
So during that nice week at the cottage with D. we had some nice time together in the woods. Where both of us learnt a lot about the other!!! The following Monday, I went to a meeting, got a uniform and was ready to race in the Ottawa Grand Prix in Gatineau. I had actually had the opportunity to ride the course with D. a few weeks before. The best part about this was D. actually came out to race too. I was SO happy, because I think that was one of his goals too. He did amazing, actually stayed with the pack for 20 km....Myself on the other hand, was in the pack at the start....but when the buzzer went off....I couldn't clip in (note: If you go pee in the woods before a race....clean shoes off afterwards). I did 1:23:99 for 42 km. I was really happy...but it was tough!
My next race was Magog, my first Olympic, my Dad came out, so I made sure I would go extra hard!!! I was so nervous for this race....I was shaking in the water. First, I went off course in the swim, then in the bike (which was really great) I got a chocolate power bar stuck down the back of my suit....wasn't so pleasant...when it slid down after getting off the bike. I ran as hard as I could...because I didn't want anyone to catch up...! I did around 2:42:99....I couldn't believe this...I was so happy. I felt like crap after the race....it was a super hot day and I spend about 20 minutes in the smelly port-o-potty...
Next race, Verdun sprint (first race with aero bars)....I was swimming with antilopes, and they were hilarious...I killed them in the swim....gave them a run for the money on the bike and they passed me as if I was walking in the run! I finished with about 1:15:99...I couldn't believe it....I ran my PB for the run...and I was more than 10 minutes faster then in Trois-Rivieres.
Next, Drummondville...I was plannning to do around 1:10 for the bike, 'cause it was a relatively flat course and I did it...but as soon as I got on the bike I felt like crap. I ran hard here...the weather was crap. D. came out and suffered the whole time, he was starving...and freezing. The race was great finished at 2:29:99...I kinda wanted to break 1:30:00, but I didn't want to think about it too much in case I wasn't able to do it.
Next, Provincial Champs for cycling....for the 20km TT, with according to Jac. was the most hills he had ever seens in a TT. I did ok...but didn't feel good at all. I ate way too soon before the race, didn't drink enough. I wanted to give up but I finished and not last!!
The following day, I did the 86 km road race, got lapped twice by the senior men...but I didn't give up, as a few did. Finished above 3hrs but I finished.
Last Tri of the season, I had BIG expectations for this one....My bike coach, really wanted meto go for the cup...and I tried my absolute best. For about a month before, I got my butt out of bed early on Thursday mornings...to practice on the track....I think I must have done the hairpin about 20 times in a row! I was so proud of my race...the fan club(Mum, Bru., Christ., D.) really helped, an my personal photographer!!! Thank you D. I ran as fast as I could, I just about craked and died after the first 5km...but I focused as hard as a could and just kept running...I could see the finish...but I was never getting any closer....and when I crossed that finish line, the season was over. Time 2:27:99. And it poured, and poured.
After September 17th, the Montreal Triathlon, I was quite miserable. I didn't want to train...I wanted to do anything but train...but mainly I wanted to EAT!....and I did...I'm paying for it a bit now.
But this feeling of dissatisfaction came from a very badly planned race schedule. Partly due to feeling so tired in the first part of the season. After about 3-4 weeks of zero-very little training was done. I wanted to do the Parc la Fontaine run race this year to compare, and I was REALLY, REALLY hoping for under 50 minutes but without training, I managed just a little above 50. Compared to a year ago, that's pretty good!
I was dying for a 5km TT, and finally one came along when our seasonally training called for running on the indoor track(October). I knew I could run under 25....and I did 23:52...This felt great.
These days my morale has improved and training has become very fun again!
Another small achievement, which was quite surprising, was during a (November 10th) swim practice, I managed to improve my 1500m TT time by almost a minute. to 22:30. My swimming as slowly been getting better but this was a nice surprise!
Finally, after this painfully long post, I want to use this final space to thank a bunch of people for everything they've done for me. This is mainly a reminder to myself. First D. Thank you so much...for sticking with me through my worst times, always listening to me, and NEVER giving up on me. Thanks to the whole team, who has really pushed me to be better and believe in my objectives as much as I do. To Is. who's path, I'd like to follow for next year. To mum, dad and bro, to my friends from team and outside...who listen even though they think I'm crazy. To Ann. who sees something in me that I don't see myself. Lastly, to Son. who helped me come to the decision I made in the summer of 2004...to join MTC.
