Update : 2030 I'm ready to rock! Everything's ready.

All week, I had this unpleasant feeling that the less I would do, the best it would be for me. The last 2 weeks weren't good physically and it's still going on. I decided that it would be best not to touch the bike before T1 tomorrow. I won't even warm up on the bike. As for the rest we'll see. I should be able to do a good race and après on verra...

This morning run consisted of five pick ups of 15 seconds each. I walked for 45 seconds, jogged slowly for a minute and repeated. Ran for 20 minutes.

Goal for tomorrow's race is to beat last year's time. But it's tough to predict since I'm not sure the distances were right. The swim was short a few meters for sure since I swam 1:23/100m, the bike was good for me last year (21 mph) and the run was good too (6,25min/mile) but I could improve it this year.

(Note to self: Ran with Asics Cumulus with socks. Broken toe still hurting)

Update : Brick at Lac Beauport. Pool is still closed here so every training this week is at the Lake. Sucks a bit since it's 25 minutes away and I have to deal with a lot of traffic on my way back. The water wasn't that cold today. (As a sidenote, I hope I can wear my flotation device (aka wetsuit) on Saturday.) The swim was very good this morning. We started from the dock and headed in direction of Patrick Roy's mansion (yes, the famous goalie), then we targeted another house and crosses the lake for a second time and headed back to the starting point. I swam along side from someone faster than me and more experienced. It was really cool since I didn't have to push to keep with him and it made me realize I was good at sighting. He was going in a straight line and he was zig-zaging a lot. Slow transition, talked, changed, taped, took a gel and went for the run. I stayed between 140 and 160. Second part of the run is more hilly so I stayed more in the 150 zone. I had to flirt with the 9 min something/mile to stay under 158. Overall good.

(Note: Ran with Asics DS trainer with socks.)

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Not a lot of time before Saturday... The whole left leg is not in a good condition. I think I'll avoid any bike until the race. Even after a little 5 minutes of trainer yesterday night, the knee started to inflamme late last night. It sucks a bit to be forced to "slack" like that since my schedule didn't allow me to ride at all last week so it's been 2 weeks without real biking action (except on Sunday). We'll see.

Today is an OWS. As I'm typing (yes it is very early), it just started to rain A LOT! It's 58F...and it's still "pitch black" outside. I'll go for the swim anyway. Yay! NOT Then, I'll decide if the run is a good idea or not.

On another matter, a few days ago, Québec city's mayor died in her sleep. She was only 70. That is sad considering she was just elected a few months ago and she didn't have time to carry through what she was elected for... Andrée P. Boucher was a well known mayor in all the province of Québec and a very respected woman. The city of Québec is going to be 400 years old next year and that was one of her project. There will be a lot of festivities and cool stuff going on. So I thought I could insert some few cool shots of the city until 2008. The famous "Pont de Québec" turned 100 years old yesterday.

Update : Massage was great. Painful but great.  No teeth marks or screams but great. You get the idea ;-)

Lot of time in the car and in a meeting.  It went well and took some great pics of things you wouldn't believe...  Then, came back home.  Was going to ride when the sky opened up.  Went for the trainer instead.  After 5 minutes, I told Mr knee that he was a stupid _ _ _ of a _ _ _ _ _ and went for something else.  Some ST.  Didn't last long before I said something nasty again. Oh well...must be that stupid massage! ;-)

The day starts with 1 hour of massage. Kinda nice but not that much knowing how this guy wants to put me in pieces. He said he wanted me to pay for the teeth marks on his table!!! Pfffff....

Meeting today. A lot of car. I hope I'll be back soon enough to squeeze a little ride to test the knee.

Have a good day! :-)

Swim was a bit short since I was late. I missed a big 2-3 minutes ;-) Sighting was dead on. Focused on 1) trying to kick with the whole leg instead of only the feet and 2) rotating excessively from one side to the other and making it one motion when breathing. Overall = good. Water cold at first but was okay after 2 minutes.

Ran with BIG Asics DS trainer with socks. I hate them...too big, too heavy. Had a gel during transition. It was Z1 running. I should do some intervals sometimes but can't really afford it with the shins and knees so I'll have to stick with what I'm doing I guess.

Brickety brick this morning at the Lac Beauport. It should either involve a combination of OWS and run... or OWS and anti-inflammatory for the knee. We'll see ;-)

Then, meeting for most of the day. Done. Meeting went well and was very productive. We'll be ready for the collective bargaining with the union! Bring it on... ;-)

Update : My riding partner didn't show up at the meeting point so I went alone. It started very slow as I was feeling tired and sluggish. After what appeared to be 2 hours 30 minutes, I had to climb that 1.5 mile hill. I climbed it 2 weeks ago and it was very easy. But at first, the HR were very high and the legs weren't there. Fifteen minutes later, I took a gel and continued to pedal slowly. After a littlewhile the "gel effect" started to kick in... Like a kick in the butt, I started to have power and picked up the speed big time. For more than half of the ride, I stayed between 22 and 23 mph with the wind helping a little for a part of it. Then I slowed down a bit to rest the knee. I picked it up again for a "all out" 5km in aero and sitting forward, avg 26mph. Then a little cool down of about 6 miles. Knee was not that bad. Icing it right now. Not sure the change in seat position had an impact but felt good though. Nice ride afterall, must be careful with nutrition before starting the ride.

It's beautiful outside. It's 73F and some clouds. I'm heading out for a 2 hour ride. I tried to make some seat adjustments this morning to help the knee (not good when you have to specify "which" knee problem...)

I hope everyone have a good day :-)

Blister update:  Ouchy! Big toe as a new BIG friend. And then it could be friends with the one on the left foot... ;-)

Update : THAT was a LOT of fun!!! We weren't a lot today since a few of the elites are racing tomorrow, though the 2-3 studs were there even if they are racing. We did a 15 minutes WU. Then, 2 on each dock (there are 4 of them very close), we practiced dive starts. We had to hurry (1500 m race pace all out) to a buoy and then come back to the beach. I did great the 2 times where I finished before one of the elite :-) Then, 2 standing in depp water start. I was toasted from that 1500 race pace all out action but managed to do ok. And then a little 5 minutes CD.

Very slow transition, taped the knee, blablabla and ran with Mylene. Slow pace to help her recover from last weekend's HIM she did. It was a very comfortable pace for me but it was ok with me.

Was raining again. Ran with Mizuno racers, no socks.

Lac Beauport again with the club. Nothing original...OWS then run around the lake.

Can you picture 600 military musicians on an ice rink all playing "Amazing grace"? You should try...it's worth it!