Toronto Island Triathlon This Weekend

Hello everyone, I have not been able to get my race report done from Orillia yet, lazy on my part i guess.  I will work on it in the next few days as I have been getting ready for Toronto Island this weekend on Sunday.

I have to say that last weekend in Orillia, was good and well I would say OK. The running was good for me, getting faster but the using of one arm while running is slowing me down I think still. There were hills in Orillia on the bike portion which were bigger than I expected and not being able to use both arms to grab a hold of the handlebars and pull as I am climbing was tough and ended up walking  part of the hills. Over all it was a good day, as my friend Steve had a great time and really did well on his first Duathlon coming in at a 2:06, I was a little behind him which gave him a good chance to relax and wait for me to cross the finish line (2:36)

Well this weekend, on Sunday, I will be heading over to Toronto Island in the Multisport Canada Series, which I won an entry into last week. This helps on entry fees as I lost out on two during the recovery from Peterborough Half Iron.  I have to thank Multisport Canada for the free entry along with Vorgee Canada as the Sponsor for the Contest Entries.

So this week has been running a lot and getting my legs turning over on the bike and trying to figure out a way to be able to climb hills on the bike. I won't have to worry this weekend as Toronto Island is a flat course, which I have truly come to love. Don't get me wrong I love hills but not when I have to stop and walk half of it.

Fundraising has been really really hard this year. I have a few that have made the pledge for when I hit the 500 mile mark this year and I know that will bring the $'s up for the Heart & Stroke.  This whole "Ice Bucket Challenge" has been the whole rage lately and that is Amazing to see how the funds have been raised for ALS. Very hard for me to do an Ice Bucket Challenge as that cold cold cold water hitting me would MOST LIKELY send my heart into an attack mode. Having not much of an living heart muscle, the extreme temperatures, either hot or cold, play havoc on this ticker of mine. So, friends out there.... you don't have to worry about me putting a challenge out there for you to get wet and shocked. UNLESS........ no really. I would love to come up with a challenge so that I can raise those funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. If anyone has any ideas that we could start, please let me know. I am a long way from my goal and the end of the year is coming up very fast.

Well, talk to y'all soon.

Damaged Heart

Welcome Back, Well me that is. Also Free Entry to Toronto Island

Friday, August 15th,

I know I haven't posted on here is a while and my apologies, but I have been healing and really started training late last week as the wound is healing well. There is still some pain left under the knee when I start out biking but goes away until I hit the road running. It is sticking with me, A lot of taping will be on both knees now as I am gearing up for this Sunday in Orillia for a Sprint Duathlon.

I have missed out on two races so far over the last 5 weeks, but I have to grind it out now until the end of the year. With two more IM 70.3 events coming up I need to get back into the pool as I haven't been able to be in there with the leg wound open.  

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Steve whom I went with to Buffalo to run the ½ marathon in May signed up for his first Duathlon which we will be doing together in Orillia this weekend. Steve has been runner for a long time and he is also training to do his first Marathon at the ScotiaBank Marathon here in Toronto.

I will be off to Running Free in Markham tomorrow to gather a few things that I will need for Sunday. Running Free has something on sale always for everyone, if you click on any of the items on the left hand side of the page it will take you directly to their website for online ordering. You can have it shipped to you or pick it up at there store in Markham as well.

Some really good news came today, as I have missed out on two races and entry fees gone as well, Multi Sport Canada who also runs a Tri Series on Ontario has picked my name as a Winner for the Toronto Island Weekend for a free entry into a race on the 23rd of August. Thank you Multi Sport Canada!!!!! So I will be doing a Sprint Du on the Sunday.

So I will be back next week with an Orillia Update.

Damaged Heart

Guelph One Duathlon DNF to PB ½ Marathon next day

Well it was an interesting week leading up to last weekend with the Duathlon and ½ Marathon back to back.  This is going to be a longer read for you as I am writing about both of the races this weekend. I hope you enjoy my pain and enjoyment that I went through this weekend. It may sound a little rough, but I still had a fantastic weekend and knowing that I am still getting closer to my Goal of Racing 500 Miles this year and raising money for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Training was light as I needed a break, feeling run down and weak. Monday was an off day, Tuesday was my hill training day. There was a big storm that ripped through Toronto area, but really blasted up in Angus where a tornado ripped through about 100 houses. Wednesday I did a little brick workout, small as I knew that I was in two races over the weekend, Thursday was a light 10k run and when I woke up Friday, I started to feel under the weather a little bit. It was a nice rest day, did a few things around the house, prepped my bike and final kit packing for Guelph on Saturday.

Guelph One June 21st

Ivana and I left about 6:15 on Saturday for Guelph, made the Timmies Run then arrived in Guelph about 7:20, registered in and then prepped my area in transition to get ready for a 8:20 start of the Olympic Duathlon. It was 2K run - 40K bike and 10K run. Saw Michelle, who I came across the finish line with in Cambridge last week, setting up right near me. Ivana and I then went down to the start of the Olympic Triathlon to see them start the swim portion and then headed up to the road for my start. There was Michelle at the start, wished each other the best and then we were off.

I felt okay when we started, but about ½ km into the run just after a hill climb, my stomach was cramping and not feeling good at all.  At that point, I lost my breakfast and anything else that was there. Well maybe everything gone, I will be able to run now and I will have to get some food into me the best I can for the rest of the day.  I finished the 2K run last into transition with a 14:42 and 2:32 in transition and then off on the bike I go.

Michelle

I figured I could get out about a few km's then grab some food and see what happens.  Stinger in me some water and then push. I passed a few on my way out to the 5K, then grabbed a GU and some water and then about 8km I felt that rumbling in my stomach again. I didn't even get to stop the bike and there I went again. 

Me Heading out for a 40K Ride

Headed back on the road again, a few stops as I was cramping up a bit in my back, then made the turnaround at the 20k mark and thought okay half way there.  Just past the 23k mark, pulled over and you guessed it. Again calling Ralph on the great white phone (well the side of the road) and as I jumped off my bike, laid it down all of my water and G2 poured out of my bottles, a couple drops left for me that's all.  Gained my composure, and up in the saddle again until 34k and psssssssssttt. I popped a tire. As I am trying to change the tire, sweat is just dripping off me in my face burning my eyes. I should have taken maybe the first sign on the 2k run and called it a day, but noooooo I am a little stubborn (well maybe a lot), but after the tire blow, I said I will make it back into transition and call it a day. I didn't have anything left in my tank to head out for a 10k run anyways.  I make it back and told an official that I am not continuing, handed in my chip and that was my day. 

I racked my bike and Ivana and I headed to the finish line to cheer on all the other athletes and to look for some of the other Team Running Free athletes.

Barbara

It is really nice having Ivana there with me as she can get a lot of photographs (so I can eventually look back when I am not able to do this anymore) of other TRF athletes and some of the Elite ones as well.  It is also nice to be able to cross the finish line and know that she is there sharing this experience with me. She has made every race except the Buffalo ½ marathon, but she was up watching me cross the finish line via the internet as they had a live video feed and she texted me to tell me what my finishing time was. 

I saw Barbara Smiley-Goldman, TRF Markham, in transition before the race, (didn't know who she was) then saw her just after my mishap on the 2K run as she was heading back towards transition.  Barbara finished 2nd in her Age Group, Nice Job Barbara. Then at the finish line I met Ray Haywood, TRF Barrie, as he finished his Triathlon. We talked for a bit and he gave me some info regarding the upcoming Half Iron Distance in Peterborough on July 6th and what I will be in for. Thanks for the tips Ray.

MEC Toronto ½ Marathon June 22nd

So after heading to bed early after the dismal day in Guelph, I woke up late on Sunday morning, rushed around getting ready, then drove down to Tommy Thompson Park in Toronto. Ivana didn't make it with me on this lovely morning, she stayed home to work on the back patio stones. So I was off to a race without her.

There was 3 (No Swag) races going on there starting with the ½ marathon at 8:45am and then a 10K and a 5K. I arrived about 8:42, got in line with the other 10 and 5K'ers, grabbed my bib, the ½ sounded off and started, then I grabbed my chip tied on and then I was finally off and behind everyone. It was getting warm out already by this time, so I kept a slower pace not knowing how I was going to feel after yesterday.

By the 5K mark I was 36:12 feeling pretty good, grabbed some water and kept going and then turned around and headed back for the half way turn around. I was keeping a steady pace, started passing a few other runners.  The course was nice and flat with a view of the city that you only get from being out on a boat looking back to the skyline. There were a lot of pot holes in the road and a few patches of larger stones that were spread across the road as well. You had to watch your footing but other than that it was a great day to run and have a fun day.

I was only looking to be able to complete this race to add to the milage towards the year, I wasn't looking for anytime in mind at all.  I hit the 10K mark and I was 1:13:04 my best 10K and I really thought I might have a chance at attempting to maybe PB under 2:42, but I knew that as I would keep going it would get hotter and I would slow down a lot more.

Nothing exciting was happening out there on the second loop of Tommy Thompson Park, I hit the 15K mark and I started running the numbers as I was a 1:54:36. With 6K left I felt a little slow and maybe I will get there. WELL, my Garmin stopped and I didn't know what I was at now. At least they had the course well marked with K Markers and I just kept my feet turning over taking shorter strides and not walking more than 20 seconds at a time.

I was finally at the 20K mark and started to see the finish line. I could see the clock and it was showing 2:3????, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me but as I crossed the finish line it was 2:36:??  YES YES YES, I PB'd. Well when I checked online, my chip time was 2:35:25. HUGH finish and by 7 minutes better than 2 years ago.

So, here I am the day after getting a DNF in Guelph, to getting my Personal Best on a ½ by 7 minutes AND NO ONE was there to see me doing or even get a photo of me. Well MEC had their photographer there and he did take a photo of my finish but it hasn't been posted yet. I will update once it goes online. I texted a friend of mine, then called Ivana and told her.

MEC ½ PB 2:35:25

Well this will be a busy week with just Monday off but will be back on Tuesday getting ready for Peterborough Half Iron Distance on July 6th.

Hope everyone has a great week.  I'll post something more before Peterborough.

I want to thank all of the volunteers at Guelph and MEC Toronto for being there and making races possible for me and others who enjoy getting out there and pushing ourselves.

Damaged Heart

Subaru Cambridge Duathlon - Anniversary

June 16th

Well today is my 6th anniversary or birthday it all depends on how you look at the glass - half full or empty.  I tend to look at it as a birthday of sorts as it was a re-birth on my life 6 years ago when I had the Heart Attack. Today I spent some of it at the same hospital that I was taken to on the day I had the Heart Attack, as my mother had to go there for a little operation.  It was a different day spending it there knowing how far I have come in the last 6 years. So lets move on.....

SubaruCambridge Duathlon

Dino and Kelly came for the drive to Cambridge with us early morning. Drive was nice with getting my Timmies for the haul. We arrived at Shade's Mills Conservation Area around 7:30 and headed over to registration, bib'd, marked up and bike racked up.  It was well set up withe easy transition before getting my gear laid out in order. Another Team Running Free Athlete came up to me and said hi and introduced himself as Alain Lai from Markham team as well. It was nice meeting someone else and from the same team. We chatted a bit wished each other luck and I was off down to the beach to watch the start of the Triathlon. When the Elites went off, one guy (Ben Sayles) took the lead and just kept gaining ground on the other athletes. Out of the water in 9:54 and kept his lead all the way. I was at about the 8km mark on the bike when he flew past me going in the other direction with about a 3 minute lead before the next guy came by.  Ben won the triathlon in 1:19 and change.

Well 9:15am is rolling around and the Duathletes are getting ready to start our Sprint Duathlon. When I signed up for it, I didn't look at the run course. We started on the beach for the 2km

portion, ran on the beach, then the grass and then I finally got to see some road, but quickly made the turn around and back to transition through the beach. I didn't want to start out to fast as i had to keep looking down for my footing. It was a good time for me 12:54 with a 1:58 in transition and then off on the bike I went.

Out on the 30km bike course it wasn't long before I found my first hill. ¾ of the way up I just lost power, unclipped and ended up walking, jumped on and tried to make up some ground. From here out to the 15km Turn-around, it was a fantastic ride, little rollers, flat stretches and some nice scenery (cows, horses). My left arm was hanging in there for me, resting nicely on the handlebars not having to switch my big ring to go over the hills. BUT on the last Klick of the bike course I changed gears to start the climb and my arm collapsed, my head went down between the handlebars and my left foot, there is where i lost balance and fell out to my left with my feet still clipped in. I am glad now that it was up hill not down hill. Gathered myself, got up and fixed the chain and got back on the bike. My shoulder was hurting, my arm now just dangling with not much strength left to put it up on the bar and climbed the hill holding on with just the right arm. Made it back to transition, off the bike, trying to run but my arm was just flopping beside me. 1:20:03 (Ben finished the whole Tri in 1:19:??) lol. While Racking my bike, I wanted a medic so that I could have my left arm Tensored to my body to be able to run the last 6km segment. I asked to strap my arm to my body, but they just didn't know how to????? well no tensor bandages in their kits, so we tied a sling around my arm and body and off I was.... so I thought, got stopped and they wanted me to sign a waiver to continue.  (I understand the legal aspects of why, but my problem with the arm and muscles was already noted on my registration and I had already signed my waiver. Didn't need to sign another. Told them nothing was hurting and then I just started to run out and go.) 4:29 in transition.

The run was interesting, between my shoulder bouncing around and starting to hurt and the fact that we were running in the bush trail, roots, rocks and half the time I am looking out for SNAKES. Sorry I don't like snakes, not bad if I see them, but not if they sneak up on me. So I am seeing sticks that I think are snakes but their not. Then I think it was stick, but NO it was a little garder snake. LOL.

Going up one of the little hills at about the 3km mark, I caught up to a woman and we chatted and ran together for the rest of the 4km. We came down the last hill, turned left and she said lets go and we crossed the finish line together. Thanks Michelle Svartsjo for the company.

Finished the race in 2:33:51 64th place out of 71 (not last) my 6km was very disappointing for me but with one arm not being able to go through the motion and a little pain, it does slow you down. 6km 54:29 a 9:05/km.







I have to say nice job Alain for finishing 17th overall.

Alain Lai Team Running Free

Cambridge.... I would definitely come back and do this race again next year. This was the first time it has been run in Cambridge, so PB's were set and course record was set as well. Subaru Triathlon Series put on a great event, the Volunteers were amazing as well as the chit chat among the athletes, newbies and veterans.

So now, I am getting ready for a big weekend, Guelph Olympic Duathlon (52km - 2-40-10) on the Saturday the 21st and then the MEC ½ Marathon on the 22nd in Toronto. Then I will have a week and a bit off until Peterborough Half Iron Duathlon on the 6th of July. It will be a good weekend as we will get to see my parents who live up there.

Have a great week everyone.

Damaged Heart

Special Race this weekend, Not Niagara

Hello, So, Niagara has been what I have been training hard for as it was going to be a hard race for me at the 50km distance and I haven't done a Marathon since 2011. Well Niagara won't be happening due to a registration problem, as I didn't get a confirmation back when I did my entry online. I had checked the site and didn't see my name on the competitors listing so I had to email then phone and was told no it wasn't there and that the 50km had been sold out by then.

Well, onto looking to make up the difference in the milage that I will be missing out on, so I found a Sprint Duathlon in Cambridge, as part of the Subaru Triathlon Series, for Sunday, then an Olympic Duathlon in Guelph next Saturday, then my ½ marathon for the MEC Toronto is already scheduled for the Sunday. Then I will have a week off before Peterborough's Half Iron Duathlon on the 6th of July.

Well the Niagara was going to be a special race as I was going to dedicate it to a wonderful woman, good friend, great wife and a great mother to 3 boys. I will now make the dedicated race the Sprint Duathlon in Cambridge in the Memory of Marina Pezzetta. Yes, you might recognize the last name, it is Dino's mother. Marina passed away in April 2009 from a Stroke. As I have said, I will put names up on my "In Memory" page and will add them to my jersey as the year goes on. Marina was a great wife to Antonio "Tony" Pezzetta, Mother to Dino (Kelly), Ronnie (Ellen) and Danny (Maria). a great friend to Ivana and I as well as to Ivana's family.

Well, I hope to see some of the Team Running Free members in Cambridge, as I haven't see any so far. It would be nice to talk with a few.

Damaged Heart

Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer

Hi everyone. I have made a New Page Tab up above for "In Memory" of those that have passed away due to Heart Attacks or Strokes in which I will be doing this 500 Mile Journey in memory of those. If you would like someone you know to be listed on that page and my Jersey's please let me know.

Friends of ours, Dino and Kelly, we off last weekend to ride from Niagara Falls to Toronto on the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer for Princess Margret Hospital.

Ivana and I headed down Friday night with Dino and Kelly to Niagara so that they could check in their bikes and get checked into the hotel for the night. Get some good rest before the trek to Toronto. Well, bike check in was good, Pasta dinner at Planet Hollywood was really good, we all went for a walk from Clifton Hill to the Falls and back, then came their night of listening to Karaoke until 2 am before things settled down. Their room was right outside the outdoor bar with drunk people attempting to sing. I am sorry Dino and Kelly, but I was laughing inside and feeling sorry for you both at the same time.

Ivana and I headed back to Toronto, picked up Miss Holly (Maya's BFF) and went home for a nice restful night of sleep.

Holly and Maya

Kelly would text us during the day, Saturday, to let us know how they were doing on the road to Hamilton. Saturday was a very hot day for their ride, but Sunday turned out to be great for riding  as the sun was mostly behind cloud cover.  Ivana, the dogs and I were out most of Saturday in the yard doing work with Holly helping Ivana in the flower garden.

Sunday came really early for me, up at 4:!5 out for a scheduled 16 mile run, but had to turn around earlier than expected. Knee was really starting to put a hurt on me, damn tendon was starting to swell up a bit. Cut the run short at 12 miles knowing I had some hill training and speed work during the week. This knee might be a bit of a bother to me on Saturday for the Ultra 50Km in Niagara. 

The Ride had an app to be able to track your riders, so on Sunday, we found Dino and Kelly on the app, It's Your Race, and in the beginning it was looking close to a good estimate of where they are according to check points. Ivana and I had taken the dogs out late morning for a walk and when we returned we checked on the app for Dino and Kelly. At 12:!5pm their position said they were at Medieval Times, which is right close to the finish line, we were still 40 min drive from downtown and were not going to make it.  We flew out of the house and headed downtown, about 10 minutes later, Kelly texts Ivana and says they just stopped for lunch break and were about 30km away from Toronto. Damn APP!!!!  Well we still headed down there anyways. 

There still was not a lot of people in Toronto cheering on as the bikers came through the finish line. I have heard that the finish line in Niagara is better.  It was amazing to see all the riders coming in and especially seeing the riders with a Yellow Flag attached up from their bike. The Yellow Flags indicated that those riders were Cancer Survivors.  So, not trusting the APP as to the position of Dino and Kelly, we sort of hung around the finish area waiting, but the Announcer was great as he could see the riders around the bend before the finish line and would state that "here comes a Yellow Flag". Then I would go up to the finish line and see if it was Dino that was coming. As I had mentioned in a blog before, Dino is a Survivor and has been cancer free for about ten years now and this is his second ride. Well Dino and Kelly did come across the finish line and looking good as well. This was Kelly's first ride and she was feeling the aches and pains and more aches of what comes with riding a bike and for that distance of over 200km's in two days. Ivana and I are so proud of them for grinding it all the way home and with no bike problems at all.

Just some of the Yellow Flags

Just some of the Yellow Flags

There was just over 5200 riders for the weekend and raising over $20 Million Dollars for Princess Margret Hospital. Each of the riders has to raise a minimum of $2,500.00 to be able to ride in this Epic Event, so that is a tuff job in itself to raise the funds during the year and then make your body go through the weather and road conditions and sitting in a saddle for that long. Way to go to everyone who rode and sponsored, and from what I heard, and an amazing Volunteer staff all along the route and at the rest areas.

Congrats Dino and Kelly!!!!

Well I am off now for some Hill Training with my friend Steve tonight and then speed work tomorrow night.  Rest Friday and up early on Saturday for the drive down to Niagara on the Lake for a 7 am start. Let everyone know how it went on Monday or Tuesday next week. 

Go Team Running Free Members this weekend in Niagara.

Damaged Heart

Becel Ride For Heart

WOW, over $6 million dollars raised on Sunday for the Becel Ride for Heart in Toronto. THIS IS WHY I AM RIDING

Sunday morning was the Ride for Heart, for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, which is a part of my Goal to Race 500 Miles in 2014 to raise funds for. Part of the Gardner Expressway and the DVP were closed down for half of the day so that 14,000 riders could get a chance to cycle the roads without any vehicles in the way. Most of the time on the DVP it is a parking lot, I was travelling faster on my bike than if I were in my car.

The morning started early at 4 am getting ready, load the bike on the rack and drive downtown to the Exhibition Grounds for the 6 am start. This was my first time riding in this event and it was a must with many thanks to Dan Penfold at Ride for Heart for getting me all set up this year.

There were riders of all ages, abilities and families getting out for some exercise and raising money for research and equipment for a disease that affects Canadians every single day. Riders had a choice of three routes, 25K, 50K or 75K everyone starting at the same place and ending at the same place. I was on the 75K route which started between 6-6:30am with the other routes staggering later. 

We headed from Jameson entrance onto the Gardner heading eastbound to the DVP, up the DVP all the way to York Mills which was the turn around point.  Had a nice break at York Mills, a little drink and snack, then on my way down hill for some nice breeze and speed. Turned around at the Bayview Extension and back up again to York Mills for the second turnaround. I know that it is a climb all the way to York Mills from about the Bayview Extension, but having to go a second time at it, I really wasn't looking forward to it again. Along the way, I stopped to see the amount of riders all coming up the DVP, there were tandem bikes, old style bikes, a (i don't know what you call it) car bike, it is in one of the pics and of course envy bikes, the thousands and thousands of dollar bikes, yes TT and Tri Bikes. I took a lot of photos and some videos along the way. 

I know that it says that there was not suppose to be ANY Peloton riding or they would pull you off the course, but as I am riding along in the centre lane, I can hear this roar, almost like a low engine, getting closer and closer. I turned my head to see about 20 bikes gaining ground really really fast and the sound that it makes as they all go past you is a rush feeling. 

Coming back into the downtown core, you really were starting to see the bigger crowds as most of the riders were leaving from 8:30 to 9:00. It was a see of red helmet covers and the background of the downtown core.

After coming back from the South Kingsway loop for the 75k'ers we came up the Jameson exit to a crawl as we had to get off our bikes and walk the rest of the way to the finish area, as all of the 25, 50 and 75K riders converged into one lane area leading up to the finish and park area. 

As I am walking in, I see my wife (which was a surprise as she was at home this morning) along with my friends Dino and Kelly at the finish line.  So at the finish line, I am and the 110.1 mile mark of the 500 miles for the year, or in Metric 178.3km. On the 14th, I will be running from Niagara on the lake to Niagara Falls and back again for the Ultra 50Km race. So when I get to Niagara Falls, I will be over the 200k mark and for those who have pledged so much per 100km, get ready for another payment to the Heart & Stroke and I thank you so much for pledging this way as well as it makes me drive harder to get to the final goal of the year.

Dino and Kelly will be riding from Niagara to Toronto this weekend for the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer. As I had said in a previous blog, Dino is a Cancer Survivor and will be riding again and this year his wife will be making her first ride on a brand spankin' new bike, hopefully she has a nice soft saddle. Good luck with the ride and have fun out there the most Dino and Kelly. We will see you at the finish line, Ivana, me, Maya and Holly.


Damaged Heart