Being Here

I'm back! I've been moved to blog by the absolutely unreal celebratory energy flowing through this great city and country. Every day I am more amazed by the spirit and emotion spreading like wildfire from downtown Vancouver all the way across this country. It truly is a BEAUTIFUL thing!

The picture above was taken during a celebration of the 7th (of 8) goal Canada scored against Norway in the opening game of the hockey tournament. Every goal, every gold, is celebrated with equal vigour to the one before it. That day, I belted out Oh Canada 6 different times, each rendition raising the hair on the back of my neck and sending chills throughout my body.

I've been working right in the thick of the sea of Red and White at the HUGE celebration site at LiveCity Yaletown. 10,000 people gather each and every night to hear some great Canadian and International entertainment and to celebrate the accomplishments of our great athletes. Did I mention...it's a BEAUTIFUL thing!

Today, I head into "work" (this 2 week gig is a secondment from my regular job in the Community Centre) just in time to watch Canada take on the US in the biggest game of the tournament thus far...never have I looked so forward to punching the clock and getting started.

First a short ride and a run...yes I am still racing triathlon! On that note, I'm healthy and looking forward to my first year duking it out with the fast kids in the Pro ranks!

Stay tuned for more on that and more on the last week of these great Games!

Ready?

My training log says I'm not ready.

Fuck the training log, BRING IT!

WE RIDE!

WE RIDE! was the war cry of Clan Young, adopted as they defended the Scottish border country from England. My Dad toasted the passing of his father in July of 2007 with these two words, it was a powerful moment for me to see my Dad so proud of his name, his family and his heritage. A few short days after the passing of his father, Dad underwent tests that confirmed his lungs were filled with hundreds of BB sized tumours.

That was a hard week for all of us and while everyone tried to think positive thoughts - it was pretty clear that we were gonna be in for a tough year. Today is the first Father's Day that I haven't been able to pick up the phone and call or drive over for a visit and that sucks. This weekend with great thoughts and memories running through my head I thought of those two words and decided to bring those memories with me as I rode solo from through the mountains to the ocean and back. If I can't raise hell along the border in Scotland on horseback, I can swing a leg over the bike and pound the pedals for 5 hours wishing I was!

I noticed myself at times passing several minutes with funny memories like the time he asked my permission to sing the "obscene version" of Mony Mony at my wedding (the answer was a resounding HELL YEAH!), or the night around the campfire that a flaming marshmellow was flung out of the fire and into his hair.

Interspersed with the fun memories were some tougher memories from this past year. Exactly one year ago this weekend I took part in the 1st ever Ride to Conquer Cancer. Dad was SUPER pumped to meet me at the finish line in Niagara Falls but we got a call the night before and he was to sick to make it.

Today I've been lucky to have a few hours with my thoughts, remembering the peaceful smile and wave he gave E and I as we left his hospital bed for the last time. Father's Day will always be a tough one but it's been cool to reflect and reminisce - I'm gonna go ahead and say that it has been a Happy Father's Day!

This is me "running"...

It wasn't pretty and I'm feeling REALLY banged up today but I did a little (21km) jog yesterday for the first time in about 6 weeks! After a very controlled yet solid swim and bike I put the runners on and gave 'er a go.

Despite some rather poor turnover and serious over-striding - thanks for noticing Mark!, not too mention the lack of specific fitness - I survived and managed to salvage an 8th place finish amongst a strong pro field.

The Good:

I feel like the swim and bike are "there." I was pretty conservative for most of the first two legs in anticipation of less than optimal run prep. This race was a good confidence builder in that it shows I can hang with the big boys.

I also snuck in a little suffering lesson - you learn a lot when you suffer. That run yesterday had me suffering...but I got through it. I'll remember that in 12 weeks.

The Bad:

I feel like I could have been fighting for a podium spot. I was totally in the mix at the front of this race and prior to this setback I was running well (enough) to be able to stay up there. Similar to 2 weeks ago when I dropped out of the Oliver Olympic with a 4+ minute lead - it sucks to have to have to say: "would've, could've, should've." At some point it will be nice to just do it.

The Ugly:

C'mon this is the Okanagan Valley, nothing's ugly here! I can't wait for IMC!

Game ON!

Oliver Half this weekend...and I can run!
We'll see how the aqua jogging and ellipticaling translate to real live, ground pounding running. Nothing like a 21.1km test after a little swim/bike warm-up.

I'll just be glad to get through this healthy and focus on the next 12 weeks of prep for Ironman Canada!

Cheers, ian

I guess the answer is...injured

I'm still struggling with this yet to be diagnosed hip injury. I've been pretty bummed about it as my prep for the season was STELLAR. I was running better than ever and finally felt like a complete triathlete.

I was pumped to finally kick off the season with a solid result this coming weekend in Oliver. Today I made the decision (along with my PT) to hold off on any running until I get the results from a bone scan. I'm swimming and biking well so I'm still gonna head to the Okanagan and race - I'm just leaving my runners at home and handing in my chip in T2.

I'll get the results on June 4, 2 days before the Oliver Half. If it's just a soft tissue injury - I can make the decision to run based on how I'm functioning at that point. It may get ugly late in Half Mary but I'll be glad to be pounding the pavement!

On another note, I was shocked and saddened to read about the passing of professional cyclist and triathlete Steve Larsen. It definately snapped me out of feeling sorry for myself and made me appreciate the ability to get out there and enjoy moving my body everyday...even if it is aqua jogging!

Be well, IY

"Are you hurt or are you injured?"

For the past couple of weeks, it's been hurt. Little "hurts" come and go when you're training. Right now I've got some pain and inflammation in my right hip flexor/adductors that I've been able to manage over the past few weeks with ice, advil and some ART. Today I woke up and it felt worse than it has in a while. Running was/is going sooooo well and I really hate to miss sessions but I pulled the shoot on today's run until I get the above question answered - hopefully tomorrow!

I've got a great ART practitioner (Dr. Jenn Turner at Moveo Sport and Rehabilitation Centre) who also happens to be a great friend from my university days and one helluva triathlete! I've been seeing her for the past couple of weeks and she's kept me going.

My internet diagnosis has had me freaking out about it - could it be a stress fracture...a torn labrum? My voice of reason: Dr. JT thinks it's muscular and is confident she can fix it! As I said, she's great and I trust her. I mean if she's good enough to be Svein Tuft's personal fixer-upper, she's good enough for me!

'till next time.
IY