Photo and link above from The Barrie Examiner who did an interview with me for my 2013 New Years day Polar bear swim fund raiser to raise funds for my Lake Ontario swim July 28 2013
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Extra Extra read all about it!
http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/2012/12/28/mans-polar-bear-dip-helping-him-raise-money-for-cancer-care-and-lake-ontario-swim
Photo and link above from The Barrie Examiner who did an interview with me for my 2013 New Years day Polar bear swim fund raiser to raise funds for my Lake Ontario swim July 28 2013
Photo and link above from The Barrie Examiner who did an interview with me for my 2013 New Years day Polar bear swim fund raiser to raise funds for my Lake Ontario swim July 28 2013
Monday, December 24, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Mom on the mend
It's been 9 weeks now and my mom is finally going home this Sunday after being in the hospital for 4 weeks and 5 weeks in a convalescent hospital while she heals from her broken humorous which was broken in two places after falling on steps back in September.
She is looking healthy and strong now, but still can't lift her arm more then 10 degrees, mostly because for the first 6 weeks she had her arm immobilized as the doctors wanted her bones to heal completely because of the nature of the break in her humorous before starting any type of physio. She will continue with physio at home with a home care worker which will be sent daily to her home while she continues to recover.
As for my son who over the last nine weeks has been living at my moms house, house sitting and looking after my moms cat and living the life of a bachelor, which he has been enjoying immensely, will be coming back home to his old room.....
Life is getting back to normal!
:)
She is looking healthy and strong now, but still can't lift her arm more then 10 degrees, mostly because for the first 6 weeks she had her arm immobilized as the doctors wanted her bones to heal completely because of the nature of the break in her humorous before starting any type of physio. She will continue with physio at home with a home care worker which will be sent daily to her home while she continues to recover.
As for my son who over the last nine weeks has been living at my moms house, house sitting and looking after my moms cat and living the life of a bachelor, which he has been enjoying immensely, will be coming back home to his old room.....
Life is getting back to normal!
:)
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
13 hours in Emerge with mom
13 hours in Emerge until my mom got a room......
Finally my mom is all comfy in a room in the Hospital.
Oh but wait?!! lets start from the beginning. Last Friday my mom 75 years young, fell going to try her first fitness class in her life at the community center in her retirement community where she lives. Well before getting to class, actually walking up the stairs to class, she fell on the steps and broke her humours in two places...OK your all caught up.
Yep, my mom fell again and with her broken arm and weaken state she couldn't get up! .....
Last night after Joanne was playing phone tag with my sister in-law about mom not answering the phone, Joanne and Melissa my daughter went to check on my mom in the evening about 7-8pm and found my mom laying on the kitchen floor bloodied and not able to get up after losing her balance while trying to make a cup of tea after the health nurse left in the morning, and yes the kettle was still plugged in! fortunately it didn't burn the house down with mom.
Joanne called 911 and went to the hospital having Melissa drop her off knowing she will be there a while, so Melissa came home.
When I got home from work last night after 1 am, I found a note saying my mom was in hospital. I check with Victoria as she was still up, what happened? All she knew as she was at work and was texting with Joanne was that mom went to the hospital and she was waiting for a call from Joanne to pick her up! So I told Victoria I'll go check instead.
I went to hospital, found Joanne and mom in acute emerge area then sat with Joanne and my mom who was laying in a bed dosing off and on while on an IV morphine drip.
My mom had already been in x-ray and had blood and urine work done by the time i got there and we had to wait to get x-rays and test results back so the Doctor could decide to admit her, which he did when he got around to us, at around 5am.
Joanne and I went home after that, caught a few hours sleep, then went to moms house to pick up some things she wanted and got back to the hospital around 1pm to find her all comfy and looking better in her room that she got into just before we arrived.
While we were there the Doctor came in and talked to mom while doing an exam and to gather some info about what happened and said mom will be here a few days to recover. We stayed a while longer then finally left mom to rest.
Finally my mom is all comfy in a room in the Hospital.
Oh but wait?!! lets start from the beginning. Last Friday my mom 75 years young, fell going to try her first fitness class in her life at the community center in her retirement community where she lives. Well before getting to class, actually walking up the stairs to class, she fell on the steps and broke her humours in two places...OK your all caught up.
Yep, my mom fell again and with her broken arm and weaken state she couldn't get up! .....
Last night after Joanne was playing phone tag with my sister in-law about mom not answering the phone, Joanne and Melissa my daughter went to check on my mom in the evening about 7-8pm and found my mom laying on the kitchen floor bloodied and not able to get up after losing her balance while trying to make a cup of tea after the health nurse left in the morning, and yes the kettle was still plugged in! fortunately it didn't burn the house down with mom.
Joanne called 911 and went to the hospital having Melissa drop her off knowing she will be there a while, so Melissa came home.
When I got home from work last night after 1 am, I found a note saying my mom was in hospital. I check with Victoria as she was still up, what happened? All she knew as she was at work and was texting with Joanne was that mom went to the hospital and she was waiting for a call from Joanne to pick her up! So I told Victoria I'll go check instead.
I went to hospital, found Joanne and mom in acute emerge area then sat with Joanne and my mom who was laying in a bed dosing off and on while on an IV morphine drip.
My mom had already been in x-ray and had blood and urine work done by the time i got there and we had to wait to get x-rays and test results back so the Doctor could decide to admit her, which he did when he got around to us, at around 5am.
Joanne and I went home after that, caught a few hours sleep, then went to moms house to pick up some things she wanted and got back to the hospital around 1pm to find her all comfy and looking better in her room that she got into just before we arrived.
While we were there the Doctor came in and talked to mom while doing an exam and to gather some info about what happened and said mom will be here a few days to recover. We stayed a while longer then finally left mom to rest.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Vindicated myself sort of?
So with my disappointment with Saturdays bike performance, Sunday I went out on my bike and rode to Wasaga beach again for another 90kms. I have to say it was a whole lot hotter, in the 90'sF with high humidex. Just the way I like it! But boy it was hot! I only took two bottles with me, one was my energy drink the other was just water, usually it's enough to get me there and back on a normal out and back like the day before, but as hot as it was I drank both bottles by the time I got to Wasaga beach. It's a good thing there is a public washroom and was able to refill both bottles up with fresh cold water.
I managed to ride the 90km in 3:12hrs two minutes faster then Saturday, but with still pain in my hip/hamstring and butt. But at least I finished up with my180km ride in total, sort of vindicating myself.
Yesterday I went for a recover swim at Centennial beach and was amazed at how much warmer the water was compared to Saturday! It had to be at least 10F warmer, I was even able to swim without my wetsuit. It's amazing how with wind direction, how much difference it makes with the water temp in the Bay.
Now it's time for me to get ready for the Barrie half marathon this coming Sunday. I really don't know if i will be able to run it? Or even put on a suffer-fest of a walk/run 3 hour attempt? I will decide on Sunday morning if I do it. Hopefully with my next visit to the chiropractor on Wednesday will help my hip enough to run.
:)
I managed to ride the 90km in 3:12hrs two minutes faster then Saturday, but with still pain in my hip/hamstring and butt. But at least I finished up with my180km ride in total, sort of vindicating myself.
Yesterday I went for a recover swim at Centennial beach and was amazed at how much warmer the water was compared to Saturday! It had to be at least 10F warmer, I was even able to swim without my wetsuit. It's amazing how with wind direction, how much difference it makes with the water temp in the Bay.
Now it's time for me to get ready for the Barrie half marathon this coming Sunday. I really don't know if i will be able to run it? Or even put on a suffer-fest of a walk/run 3 hour attempt? I will decide on Sunday morning if I do it. Hopefully with my next visit to the chiropractor on Wednesday will help my hip enough to run.
:)
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Barrie Ironman challenge is a bust
I feel guilty for not being able to finish what I started today. But I learned allot about what i can and can't do!
My plan was to raise money for my charity RVH cancer center by attempting a full ironman distance challenge of a 3.8k swim 180k bike and 42k run or until my hip/hamstring gave out which i knew it would. I was hoping to get some donations? But that wouldn't matter either way, as when I set out to do this challenge, I did it for myself.
I got up at 6am to give me plenty of time to get ready for my 8am swim start by fueling up with fresh brewed coffee, bananas and stroopwafels, and then do my business, then get my gear together and so on.
I left my house for the beach at 7:30am. When I got to the beach the water was calm with a slight fog wefting over the lake at spots. I unpacked my gear and sat for a few minutes on the picnic table by the beach and looked out over the water psyching myself up for the swim which would be cold. I put on my wetsuit and walked to the water with my scuba gloves to keep my fingers warm, goggles and swim cap in hand. I filled my swim cap up with the lake water and snapped it over my head, Damn! that's cold! I grabbed my second swim cap and did the same putting it on. I put my scuba gloves and goggles on, then walked into the water. My toes went instantly numb! Shit this water is freezing!! allot colder then my last swim on Wednesday. I estimate the water temperature was around 52F or just over 11C I said to myself, this is going to hurt!
I walked in deeper and my wetsuit was keeping me warm but my toes were just numb! I then dunked down....Bowahawahawaaa I yelled, THAT IS FRIGGING COLD!
I was having second thought of doing my swim now. I then tried a few strokes to see if I can get used to the water? Five stokes in I pull my head up because my face was numb. I said to myself, no way! I have nothing to prove? I don't want to die!
I stood up and looked around, then in disappointment I walked out of the water to go back to my gear. As I stood by my gear looking out at the water I said Shit! I can't do this! I looked around some more and said, I have to do this! I said, a little cold water shouldn't stop me? I'm about extreme! Not a pussy who says things and then doesn't do them.
I walked back into the water and dunked in. I started my watch and started to swim! ten strokes in I pull my face out again and i said, NO, I can't it's too cold.
I stopped my watch and started walking back, but while I walked back with numb toes, I started thinking of the one year I was registered for Coeur D'alene Ironman in 2007 and had to pull out because of my torn PF... and I thought of my friends who did that race, where the water was just as cold. Most of them didn't start the race because of the cold water and the others who did start, finished the swim, but didn't finish the race.
Well I drew strength from that thought Saying I'm not a whoose and started my watch up again and started to swim. I jumped up again and yelled in my thoughts, come on!! ....I stopped my watch and walked back to my start. I then dug in deep and said, I have to do this!
I reset and started my watch for the third time and off I went! Stubborn and determined I forged on, my face and toes numb with pain, I said to myself the pain will go as I warm up from swimming. I stuck to the shore line in case I had a panic attack or worse heart attack! not that it would help if I did. lol
My arms were tingling as I took each stroke in the icy water,( I'm wearing a sleeveless wetsuit) thank god I had the wherewithal to use my scuba gloves, although they were by no means toasty but kept enough of the cold from my fingers from becoming numb.
I kept going along the shore thinking will I pass out from the cold? how will I know if I'm getting hypodermic? when should I stop? I started getting anxious, but keep my cool and kept on swimming.
By the time I got to the end of the first length of 12, I was feeling better and swimming good. My toes were numb but not hurting as was my face and my arm were warming up from the active swimming but still tingling. I then decided I was ok to swim out to the outer buoys to swim back and forth along the buoy line.
As I swam, I hit icy water stretches and then just cold water stretches if that makes sense? either way it was cold but the warmer cold water felt better! lol
I finished my first lap and swam around the buoy before stopping to have a look and decide if I can go on. OK I said, lets go!
I was swimming smooth and went back and forth, end to end of the buoys. after my 3rd lap of 2100m I looked at my watch and was surprised with my time of 37min. I kept on going.
Now I'm thinking again, am I getting hypothermia? how will I know? what if I pass out and no one is here to see me? Fuck that! I kept on going!
I finally rounded the fith length to start my 6th length out, which would only be three quarters of the length and back then back to the beach for a total of 3900m approx.
As I hit the beach I stopped my watch and posted a time of 1:14:12 Not bad I said. I started to take my wetsuit off and I couldn't get my balance, I felt real wobbly and having the hardest time pulling my wetsuit off my feet falling back into the water. lol
Finally I pulled it off and walked back to my gear and dried off. I grabbed my stuff and went back to my car to drive home....Whew! a little hypothymic but the swim is done!
When I got home I stuffed my face with a banana, then grabbed my stroopwafles and headed to my hot tub to warm up before heading out on my bike.
Ahhhhhhh, I was shivering but the hot water felt good. My toes were tingling but the good kind, with warmth. lol I need to get my body temp up as I felt hyperthimic, as I know the first sign of hyperthermia is rapid shivering. lol I felt better after about five min and got out, dried off and put my bike gear on. I grabbed my bike helmet, yes! helmet! lol Glasses and gloves, wore my windbreaker golf shirt over my sleeveless race shirt because the temp outside was still in the low 60F and of course my bike shoes.
Off I go! The weather was threatening as they were calling for T-storms so it was overcast with partial clear skies. The temp was nice, being cool and humid. perfect for riding in the mid 60F but I still prefer 80F which it will be tomorrow. Good thing I warmed up in the hot tub! I don't think I would have warmed up on the bike if I went straight out after my swim!
My ride was going smooth, I was drinking my premixed energy drink. I had two bottles for the first loop and two bottles back home in the fridge for the second round trip, plus water in my aero bottle on my bars. For solid food I had gummy's which pack a good sum of cals as well as gives something in my stomach to digest so I don't get that hollow stomach feeling, I hate that!
All worked well, I got to Wasaga beach for the turn around and started back home. I felt strong but my hip/ hamstring was starting to hurt. As many know, I've been nursing this problem for 6 months now and have been getting ART done on my hamstring and hip, which is helping but I'm not there yet, although I though I could be? ...In any case I forged on.
The weather was turning out beautiful! the temperature was getting warmer and humid which I like but now I'm going in what seems to be a wind or uphill? my cadence was slowing down, my hip was hurting more and losing power on the peddle, so would get out of the saddle more often to stretch.
Now I'm feeling like I riding with my brakes rubbing and saying to myself what is going on? I look back and my rear tire seems low? Shit! I hope I don't have a slow leak or flat! I ride on for a few more km then I stop to check the pressure with my thumb and it seem low, but no deflating. I realize then I didn't pump up my tires before I left and since there was little wind on the way out to Wasaga I didn't notice, but now on the way back with more uphill and a little more wind I'm noticing, specially since I'm losing power in my left leg because my hip is hurting.
I finally make it back to finish the first loop of 82k, but since I knew I wasn't going to be able to do the second loop I continued on up to Anne and down to Carson Rd and then back to my house to make up the distance of 90km.
I reached my house 90.01km in 3:13hrs averaging 28kph. ....but my hip was to sore to continue on.
So what went wrong? ...I'll tell you,.... nothing went wrong! It was a perfect day to try to do this Ironman challenge, but I'm was just not physically able to at this time because of my hip pain.
I think it's smart of me not to attempt to go one and do the full 180km or to run after, which I couldn't if I wanted to, and didn't.
Although I do think the cold water did zap a little strength out of me, but once I warmed up, drank and feed, I was fine. I feel had a good performance and I know I could have gone on if not for the hip pain. There is no reason for me to suffer or do harm to myself ? I'm not out to prove anything? I just wanted to challenge myself which I did and learned allot.
Maybe next time I will get er' done! ...it just wasn't to be today. Now it's time for beer!
:)
My plan was to raise money for my charity RVH cancer center by attempting a full ironman distance challenge of a 3.8k swim 180k bike and 42k run or until my hip/hamstring gave out which i knew it would. I was hoping to get some donations? But that wouldn't matter either way, as when I set out to do this challenge, I did it for myself.
I got up at 6am to give me plenty of time to get ready for my 8am swim start by fueling up with fresh brewed coffee, bananas and stroopwafels, and then do my business, then get my gear together and so on.
I left my house for the beach at 7:30am. When I got to the beach the water was calm with a slight fog wefting over the lake at spots. I unpacked my gear and sat for a few minutes on the picnic table by the beach and looked out over the water psyching myself up for the swim which would be cold. I put on my wetsuit and walked to the water with my scuba gloves to keep my fingers warm, goggles and swim cap in hand. I filled my swim cap up with the lake water and snapped it over my head, Damn! that's cold! I grabbed my second swim cap and did the same putting it on. I put my scuba gloves and goggles on, then walked into the water. My toes went instantly numb! Shit this water is freezing!! allot colder then my last swim on Wednesday. I estimate the water temperature was around 52F or just over 11C I said to myself, this is going to hurt!
I walked in deeper and my wetsuit was keeping me warm but my toes were just numb! I then dunked down....Bowahawahawaaa I yelled, THAT IS FRIGGING COLD!
I was having second thought of doing my swim now. I then tried a few strokes to see if I can get used to the water? Five stokes in I pull my head up because my face was numb. I said to myself, no way! I have nothing to prove? I don't want to die!
I stood up and looked around, then in disappointment I walked out of the water to go back to my gear. As I stood by my gear looking out at the water I said Shit! I can't do this! I looked around some more and said, I have to do this! I said, a little cold water shouldn't stop me? I'm about extreme! Not a pussy who says things and then doesn't do them.
I walked back into the water and dunked in. I started my watch and started to swim! ten strokes in I pull my face out again and i said, NO, I can't it's too cold.
I stopped my watch and started walking back, but while I walked back with numb toes, I started thinking of the one year I was registered for Coeur D'alene Ironman in 2007 and had to pull out because of my torn PF... and I thought of my friends who did that race, where the water was just as cold. Most of them didn't start the race because of the cold water and the others who did start, finished the swim, but didn't finish the race.
Well I drew strength from that thought Saying I'm not a whoose and started my watch up again and started to swim. I jumped up again and yelled in my thoughts, come on!! ....I stopped my watch and walked back to my start. I then dug in deep and said, I have to do this!
I reset and started my watch for the third time and off I went! Stubborn and determined I forged on, my face and toes numb with pain, I said to myself the pain will go as I warm up from swimming. I stuck to the shore line in case I had a panic attack or worse heart attack! not that it would help if I did. lol
My arms were tingling as I took each stroke in the icy water,( I'm wearing a sleeveless wetsuit) thank god I had the wherewithal to use my scuba gloves, although they were by no means toasty but kept enough of the cold from my fingers from becoming numb.
I kept going along the shore thinking will I pass out from the cold? how will I know if I'm getting hypodermic? when should I stop? I started getting anxious, but keep my cool and kept on swimming.
By the time I got to the end of the first length of 12, I was feeling better and swimming good. My toes were numb but not hurting as was my face and my arm were warming up from the active swimming but still tingling. I then decided I was ok to swim out to the outer buoys to swim back and forth along the buoy line.
As I swam, I hit icy water stretches and then just cold water stretches if that makes sense? either way it was cold but the warmer cold water felt better! lol
I finished my first lap and swam around the buoy before stopping to have a look and decide if I can go on. OK I said, lets go!
I was swimming smooth and went back and forth, end to end of the buoys. after my 3rd lap of 2100m I looked at my watch and was surprised with my time of 37min. I kept on going.
Now I'm thinking again, am I getting hypothermia? how will I know? what if I pass out and no one is here to see me? Fuck that! I kept on going!
I finally rounded the fith length to start my 6th length out, which would only be three quarters of the length and back then back to the beach for a total of 3900m approx.
As I hit the beach I stopped my watch and posted a time of 1:14:12 Not bad I said. I started to take my wetsuit off and I couldn't get my balance, I felt real wobbly and having the hardest time pulling my wetsuit off my feet falling back into the water. lol
Finally I pulled it off and walked back to my gear and dried off. I grabbed my stuff and went back to my car to drive home....Whew! a little hypothymic but the swim is done!
When I got home I stuffed my face with a banana, then grabbed my stroopwafles and headed to my hot tub to warm up before heading out on my bike.
Ahhhhhhh, I was shivering but the hot water felt good. My toes were tingling but the good kind, with warmth. lol I need to get my body temp up as I felt hyperthimic, as I know the first sign of hyperthermia is rapid shivering. lol I felt better after about five min and got out, dried off and put my bike gear on. I grabbed my bike helmet, yes! helmet! lol Glasses and gloves, wore my windbreaker golf shirt over my sleeveless race shirt because the temp outside was still in the low 60F and of course my bike shoes.
Off I go! The weather was threatening as they were calling for T-storms so it was overcast with partial clear skies. The temp was nice, being cool and humid. perfect for riding in the mid 60F but I still prefer 80F which it will be tomorrow. Good thing I warmed up in the hot tub! I don't think I would have warmed up on the bike if I went straight out after my swim!
My ride was going smooth, I was drinking my premixed energy drink. I had two bottles for the first loop and two bottles back home in the fridge for the second round trip, plus water in my aero bottle on my bars. For solid food I had gummy's which pack a good sum of cals as well as gives something in my stomach to digest so I don't get that hollow stomach feeling, I hate that!
All worked well, I got to Wasaga beach for the turn around and started back home. I felt strong but my hip/ hamstring was starting to hurt. As many know, I've been nursing this problem for 6 months now and have been getting ART done on my hamstring and hip, which is helping but I'm not there yet, although I though I could be? ...In any case I forged on.
The weather was turning out beautiful! the temperature was getting warmer and humid which I like but now I'm going in what seems to be a wind or uphill? my cadence was slowing down, my hip was hurting more and losing power on the peddle, so would get out of the saddle more often to stretch.
Now I'm feeling like I riding with my brakes rubbing and saying to myself what is going on? I look back and my rear tire seems low? Shit! I hope I don't have a slow leak or flat! I ride on for a few more km then I stop to check the pressure with my thumb and it seem low, but no deflating. I realize then I didn't pump up my tires before I left and since there was little wind on the way out to Wasaga I didn't notice, but now on the way back with more uphill and a little more wind I'm noticing, specially since I'm losing power in my left leg because my hip is hurting.
I finally make it back to finish the first loop of 82k, but since I knew I wasn't going to be able to do the second loop I continued on up to Anne and down to Carson Rd and then back to my house to make up the distance of 90km.
I reached my house 90.01km in 3:13hrs averaging 28kph. ....but my hip was to sore to continue on.
So what went wrong? ...I'll tell you,.... nothing went wrong! It was a perfect day to try to do this Ironman challenge, but I'm was just not physically able to at this time because of my hip pain.
I think it's smart of me not to attempt to go one and do the full 180km or to run after, which I couldn't if I wanted to, and didn't.
Although I do think the cold water did zap a little strength out of me, but once I warmed up, drank and feed, I was fine. I feel had a good performance and I know I could have gone on if not for the hip pain. There is no reason for me to suffer or do harm to myself ? I'm not out to prove anything? I just wanted to challenge myself which I did and learned allot.
Maybe next time I will get er' done! ...it just wasn't to be today. Now it's time for beer!
:)
Friday, June 8, 2012
Ironman Barrie Challenge for support of my journey to Swim Lake O
I have been thinking of ways to raise money for my journey to swim Lake Ontario 2013 in support of RVH and came up with this personal challenge. Saturday June 9, 2013 I will be doing the first Barrie Ironman challenge.
So I am in taper mode today checking out the expo at 2 Hook court Barrie,(my house) fueling and resting for the first Barrie Ironman Distance challenge tomorrow here in Barrie, starting with a 3.8k swim at Centennial beach at 8am, then riding from my home at 9:30am to Wasaga beach and back twice with a third shorter 20k loop to make up a distance of 180km total before I set off on a 42k marathon on a 7k out and back loop 6 times starting Approx 4-4:30 from my house.
I am doing this challenge in support of my Josef's journey continues, A swim for life 52km lake Ontario swim 2013 next year for RVH Cancer patient care.
Please come by and give me a shout of encouragement during my Marathon run/walk/waddle/shlog which will start from my house at 2 Hook court Approx 4-4:30pm down to Livingstone, running along Livingstone to Anne St. then north to Carson Rd and back for 6 loops. I will be collecting donation at my house or on route, or you can make a donation on line on my link to the right of this blog.
Thank you and wish me luck!
http://www.active.com/donate/52kmlakeontswim
So I am in taper mode today checking out the expo at 2 Hook court Barrie,(my house) fueling and resting for the first Barrie Ironman Distance challenge tomorrow here in Barrie, starting with a 3.8k swim at Centennial beach at 8am, then riding from my home at 9:30am to Wasaga beach and back twice with a third shorter 20k loop to make up a distance of 180km total before I set off on a 42k marathon on a 7k out and back loop 6 times starting Approx 4-4:30 from my house.
I am doing this challenge in support of my Josef's journey continues, A swim for life 52km lake Ontario swim 2013 next year for RVH Cancer patient care.
Please come by and give me a shout of encouragement during my Marathon run/walk/waddle/shlog which will start from my house at 2 Hook court Approx 4-4:30pm down to Livingstone, running along Livingstone to Anne St. then north to Carson Rd and back for 6 loops. I will be collecting donation at my house or on route, or you can make a donation on line on my link to the right of this blog.
Thank you and wish me luck!
http://www.active.com/donate/52kmlakeontswim
Friday, May 25, 2012
Round the lake ride
This Saturday May 26th I'm getting ready to do my longest training ride of the year,....OK, OK,... ever! Besides my four Ironman's I have done, which the bike portion of the race is 180k I have never ridden this far in training. The most I have ridden in training for all my Ironman races was around 100k.
So where will I be riding? I'll be riding with a few friend around the perimeter of lake Simcoe starting in Barrie all the way around and back. --> Lake Simcoe route and I think we have one support vehicle who will carry extra water and food.
Why? A friend of mine Nathan Brooks is getting ready for a 24hr bike race and needs to get in some long rides, so he set up this ride with him for support and I and glad I can help him out. I don't know if I'll say the same after the ride!? lol
Wish me luck!
:)
So where will I be riding? I'll be riding with a few friend around the perimeter of lake Simcoe starting in Barrie all the way around and back. --> Lake Simcoe route and I think we have one support vehicle who will carry extra water and food.
Why? A friend of mine Nathan Brooks is getting ready for a 24hr bike race and needs to get in some long rides, so he set up this ride with him for support and I and glad I can help him out. I don't know if I'll say the same after the ride!? lol
Wish me luck!
:)
Monday, May 21, 2012
First open water swim
What a weekend! temps in the high 80'sF, it feels like Mid July!
Well I thought since it's feeling like summer why not go down to the lake for a swim.
At first I was going to go for a ride and do 30k easy ride, but when I grabbed my bike the rear tire was flat! and i don't have any spare tubes to change it out. This being a long weekend and a holiday Monday no stores are open, .....so much for my ride?
Well instead I took down my steel raleigh road bike hanging in the garage, filled the tires up and decided to go down to Centennial beach and see if I can swim yet?
As a rule Kempenfelt bay waters, which is part of Lake Simcoe the second biggest lake in Ontario takes until late June to warm up enough to swim, but being a mild winter and warm spring and now with the Hot weather this week I though I would give it a try.
I rode down to the beach and parked my bike along one of the trees at the beach and stripped down to my bathing suit I was wearing and put on my swim goggles from my back pack. I slowly walked into the water which felt cool but nice in this heat, and with no wetsuit on and just my speedo on I waded down to my mid section and dunked down to my shoulders and finally dunked my head!
The water temp was about 50F but on this hot day it felt refreshing! I sat there under the water to my neck to get used to the cold and after about 5 min I started out for my swim along the beach front at about 4 feet of depth so if I got to cold I could stand for safety. I tried to swim head down but the water being so cold gave me brain freeze, the same feeling you get when you eat ice cream to fast! EEK!
I swam for about 200m front crawl lifeguard style with head up and felt good. My body was adjusting but my skin was tingling with pins and needles from the cold water. By the time I turned to swim back I started getting used to the water and was swimming head down back to where I started and had enough and got out because I didn't want to get hypodermic. I then sunned myself on the beach a while to dry of and rode back home.
Who would have thought I would be swimming on the May 2-4 weekend and specially in Kempenfelt bay! I remember once when I was little, 8-9 years old, being up at my cousins cottage on the May 2-4 weekend and swimming there in this kind of hot weather, but it was a smaller lake and not as cold being a smaller shallower lake.
Man if felt good to swim in the lake! I hope the weather keep up and stay warm so I can continue and eventually swim longer in the lake.
:)
Well I thought since it's feeling like summer why not go down to the lake for a swim.
At first I was going to go for a ride and do 30k easy ride, but when I grabbed my bike the rear tire was flat! and i don't have any spare tubes to change it out. This being a long weekend and a holiday Monday no stores are open, .....so much for my ride?
Well instead I took down my steel raleigh road bike hanging in the garage, filled the tires up and decided to go down to Centennial beach and see if I can swim yet?
As a rule Kempenfelt bay waters, which is part of Lake Simcoe the second biggest lake in Ontario takes until late June to warm up enough to swim, but being a mild winter and warm spring and now with the Hot weather this week I though I would give it a try.
I rode down to the beach and parked my bike along one of the trees at the beach and stripped down to my bathing suit I was wearing and put on my swim goggles from my back pack. I slowly walked into the water which felt cool but nice in this heat, and with no wetsuit on and just my speedo on I waded down to my mid section and dunked down to my shoulders and finally dunked my head!
The water temp was about 50F but on this hot day it felt refreshing! I sat there under the water to my neck to get used to the cold and after about 5 min I started out for my swim along the beach front at about 4 feet of depth so if I got to cold I could stand for safety. I tried to swim head down but the water being so cold gave me brain freeze, the same feeling you get when you eat ice cream to fast! EEK!
I swam for about 200m front crawl lifeguard style with head up and felt good. My body was adjusting but my skin was tingling with pins and needles from the cold water. By the time I turned to swim back I started getting used to the water and was swimming head down back to where I started and had enough and got out because I didn't want to get hypodermic. I then sunned myself on the beach a while to dry of and rode back home.
Who would have thought I would be swimming on the May 2-4 weekend and specially in Kempenfelt bay! I remember once when I was little, 8-9 years old, being up at my cousins cottage on the May 2-4 weekend and swimming there in this kind of hot weather, but it was a smaller lake and not as cold being a smaller shallower lake.
Man if felt good to swim in the lake! I hope the weather keep up and stay warm so I can continue and eventually swim longer in the lake.
:)
First ride out to Wasaga
Saturday I rode out to Wasaga beach for the first time this year, I couldn't ask for better weather! Clear blue skies little wind and balmy temps in the 80'sF.
The plan was to do a half iron distance training day, so I got up early, after only 6 hours sleep, remember i don't get home from work until 12 12:30am and don't go to bed until 1am usually. So I set my alarm for 7am, the pool opens for lane swim from 7:15 to 8:15 so i figured I can grab a quick snack and get to the pool by 7:30 to do my 2000m swim.
I got up and looked around the kitchen for something to eat, i saw some mini tarts, one maple flavor and one lemon and downed them and off I went to the pool. I got lucky and there was an empty lane. I jumped in and started to swim....Bammm! 2000m in 35min, done!
I drove home and put my bike gear on and grabbed my bike and was off to Wasaga by 9am. As i was sailing along I'm saying to myself what a great day out! about half way out, not a cloud in the sky except for a X formed by two Jet planes jet stream and hanging over what looked like right over Wasaga beach. so i said to myself X marks the spot! lol
I reached Wasaga beach in 1:20 stopping at the beach front looking around for a few min and eating my stroopwaffles washing it down with the rest of my energy drink for the ride back.
The ride back was still smooth sailing with clear blue skies and a little wind, more like a breeze, but alas, the ride home was still against the wind, making my ride a little more difficult! But I still keep my pace up even with my hip hurting.
For most of the ride, Ok actually from the start of the ride my hip was hurting, I've been dealing with sciatica pain for over 5 months now and only recently have gone to a chiropractor to get it fixed, albeit, I've only had 3 sessions with the chiropractor, my hip and hamstring have been getting better, but it still hurts.
I reach my home and finished in a time of 2:50 over 85km, averaging 30kph, I didn't do a full 90 k because that is all the road I had.? lol
In the end I had lots of energy and felt strong except for my hip hurting from my sciatica, so I decided I wasn't going to run any of the 7k loops I had planned to run for the 21k half distance, to do a full half ironman training day. Oh well! I still had a good training day!
:)
The plan was to do a half iron distance training day, so I got up early, after only 6 hours sleep, remember i don't get home from work until 12 12:30am and don't go to bed until 1am usually. So I set my alarm for 7am, the pool opens for lane swim from 7:15 to 8:15 so i figured I can grab a quick snack and get to the pool by 7:30 to do my 2000m swim.
I got up and looked around the kitchen for something to eat, i saw some mini tarts, one maple flavor and one lemon and downed them and off I went to the pool. I got lucky and there was an empty lane. I jumped in and started to swim....Bammm! 2000m in 35min, done!
I drove home and put my bike gear on and grabbed my bike and was off to Wasaga by 9am. As i was sailing along I'm saying to myself what a great day out! about half way out, not a cloud in the sky except for a X formed by two Jet planes jet stream and hanging over what looked like right over Wasaga beach. so i said to myself X marks the spot! lol
I reached Wasaga beach in 1:20 stopping at the beach front looking around for a few min and eating my stroopwaffles washing it down with the rest of my energy drink for the ride back.
The ride back was still smooth sailing with clear blue skies and a little wind, more like a breeze, but alas, the ride home was still against the wind, making my ride a little more difficult! But I still keep my pace up even with my hip hurting.
For most of the ride, Ok actually from the start of the ride my hip was hurting, I've been dealing with sciatica pain for over 5 months now and only recently have gone to a chiropractor to get it fixed, albeit, I've only had 3 sessions with the chiropractor, my hip and hamstring have been getting better, but it still hurts.
I reach my home and finished in a time of 2:50 over 85km, averaging 30kph, I didn't do a full 90 k because that is all the road I had.? lol
In the end I had lots of energy and felt strong except for my hip hurting from my sciatica, so I decided I wasn't going to run any of the 7k loops I had planned to run for the 21k half distance, to do a full half ironman training day. Oh well! I still had a good training day!
:)
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
I witnessed a biker crash and was the first responder.
Today was interesting, I was coming home from my chiropractor and stopped at the lights of Anne and Livingstone in Barrie, I was behind a car who was making a right turn as I wanted to do also. The light was red and as i watched from behind, he engaged to make his right turn when a young 20 year old biker was crossing on his green light through the intersection at a nominal speed. the driver braked as the biker swerved just missing being hit! The driver then proceed to drive on passing the biker again as I stop at the corner then proceed to make my right turn onto Livingstone. As I accelerated and started to catch up to the biker who was in the curb lane with the driver of the van in front of him and I was on the inside lane, I was about to slow up beside the biker and roll down my passenger window to say something to him like what an A-hole the driver was! ...But instead as I caught up to the biker with the van driving in front of him, I noticed the biker having words at the driver in front of him, like cussing him out! not that the driver could hear him, it looked to me a natural reaction of anger, talking out loud getting it out, if you know what I mean?
So I just drove by the two, but keeping an eye on them in my rear view mirror as I passed the van. I then noticed the driver was slowing with the biker still behind him riding pretty fast, I would estimate 30-35kph based on the speed I was driving by them. I didn't really notice but I think the driver was signaling to make a right turn into a driveway, his driveway! But then it looked to me the driver stopped suddenly and the biker quickly puts his brakes on while swerving to try to avoid the van, but instead with a loud bang! he hits the back window and corner of the van with his bike and body with a loud thud, shattering the back window of the van to pieces and putting a dent in the rear of the van as well as smashing the left driver side tail light! His body crumbled down to the ground as his bike flung off to the side with one of his carbon aero bars snapping off his bike and dropped in the middle of the inside line.
I then stopped, check for traffic and pull a u-turn around and pull up back behind the van and biker. I jump out of my car and asked the biker if he was OK as he stood up grabbing his arm in pain. The driver got out of his car at the same time to access the damage, and looked bewildered! he said he was just turning into his driveway and the biker rammed into his van! The biker, now standing wincing in pain shows me his right arm as he had his left hand over a deep gash with blood pouring out. He asked if I had something to wrap around. I quickly went back to my car and grabbed a roll of paper towel I keep in the trunk and pull out a length of paper towel and fold it into a big square for a compression bandage to place over the wound and told him to hold and compress, then I grabbed more paper towel and placed over top of the blood soaked first compression towel to stop the bleeding which it seemed to be stopping.
At this time a city worker in his recycle truck pulls up and stops to see if he can help. I yelled at him to call 911 as I don't have a cell. He called 911 and the ambulance fire and police came within 10min.
While waiting for the ambulance another man from one of the houses came by with a towel which he wrapped over top of the compressing towels that were in place and I proceeded to talk to the biker, which I found out his name , which was Brad I think? I'm bad with names, lol and his age, 20, and asked if he was hurt anywhere else? which he said his shoulder, which I could see was scrapped but not bleeding. I ask if he could move his fingers, which he showed me he could. Then he says to me while sitting on the curb, I have a race on Sunday! I said really which one? he said The Victoria Duathlon in Waterloo Ont,. I said yes I know that race as part of the Subaru series, and told him I was a triathlete myself. I then told him not to worry, a few stitches in your arm and you'll be good as new! ...but I said your bike is a different story! I said i hope you have a back up bike, which he commented, yes! The ambulance arrived and I stepped aside as they looked at him and then got him in the ambulance to take to the hospital.
While the paramedics where accessing Brad one of the fireman say to me hey Joe! I look over and it's a friend and tri club member, Fire chief Kevin White, we start talking and i tell him what happened then we talked about biking ect. lol Then I turned to the policeman and gave him my information as a witness in which he said he will call me later if need be.
Well, as I see it, and saw it! I say Brad was lucky with no serious injury, just some stitches in his forearm. but also I see it as Brad was destine to be in a bike accident today! He is very lucky! because I think if he was hit at the intersection he would have been worse off!... and as fate would have it he lucked out there but was destined to get knocked down some time today no mater what! which happened not one or two minutes later with less seriousness or even death!
As for who was at fault? I think the driver of the van was aware of Brad behind him since he almost hit him at the corner while he was attempting to make a turn into his driveway, and being aware, I think he stopped rather then making the right turn into his driveway because I think he tough the biker brad was going to ride though along side of him along the curb, ....but at the same time I think Brad was thinking the van was turning right into the driveway so he would go around the outside of the van, but the van stopped suddenly and with Brad speed and the sudden stopping, Brad didn't have time to react slamming his brakes and enviably slamming into the back of the van as I saw it!
:)
So I just drove by the two, but keeping an eye on them in my rear view mirror as I passed the van. I then noticed the driver was slowing with the biker still behind him riding pretty fast, I would estimate 30-35kph based on the speed I was driving by them. I didn't really notice but I think the driver was signaling to make a right turn into a driveway, his driveway! But then it looked to me the driver stopped suddenly and the biker quickly puts his brakes on while swerving to try to avoid the van, but instead with a loud bang! he hits the back window and corner of the van with his bike and body with a loud thud, shattering the back window of the van to pieces and putting a dent in the rear of the van as well as smashing the left driver side tail light! His body crumbled down to the ground as his bike flung off to the side with one of his carbon aero bars snapping off his bike and dropped in the middle of the inside line.
I then stopped, check for traffic and pull a u-turn around and pull up back behind the van and biker. I jump out of my car and asked the biker if he was OK as he stood up grabbing his arm in pain. The driver got out of his car at the same time to access the damage, and looked bewildered! he said he was just turning into his driveway and the biker rammed into his van! The biker, now standing wincing in pain shows me his right arm as he had his left hand over a deep gash with blood pouring out. He asked if I had something to wrap around. I quickly went back to my car and grabbed a roll of paper towel I keep in the trunk and pull out a length of paper towel and fold it into a big square for a compression bandage to place over the wound and told him to hold and compress, then I grabbed more paper towel and placed over top of the blood soaked first compression towel to stop the bleeding which it seemed to be stopping.
At this time a city worker in his recycle truck pulls up and stops to see if he can help. I yelled at him to call 911 as I don't have a cell. He called 911 and the ambulance fire and police came within 10min.
While waiting for the ambulance another man from one of the houses came by with a towel which he wrapped over top of the compressing towels that were in place and I proceeded to talk to the biker, which I found out his name , which was Brad I think? I'm bad with names, lol and his age, 20, and asked if he was hurt anywhere else? which he said his shoulder, which I could see was scrapped but not bleeding. I ask if he could move his fingers, which he showed me he could. Then he says to me while sitting on the curb, I have a race on Sunday! I said really which one? he said The Victoria Duathlon in Waterloo Ont,. I said yes I know that race as part of the Subaru series, and told him I was a triathlete myself. I then told him not to worry, a few stitches in your arm and you'll be good as new! ...but I said your bike is a different story! I said i hope you have a back up bike, which he commented, yes! The ambulance arrived and I stepped aside as they looked at him and then got him in the ambulance to take to the hospital.
While the paramedics where accessing Brad one of the fireman say to me hey Joe! I look over and it's a friend and tri club member, Fire chief Kevin White, we start talking and i tell him what happened then we talked about biking ect. lol Then I turned to the policeman and gave him my information as a witness in which he said he will call me later if need be.
Well, as I see it, and saw it! I say Brad was lucky with no serious injury, just some stitches in his forearm. but also I see it as Brad was destine to be in a bike accident today! He is very lucky! because I think if he was hit at the intersection he would have been worse off!... and as fate would have it he lucked out there but was destined to get knocked down some time today no mater what! which happened not one or two minutes later with less seriousness or even death!
As for who was at fault? I think the driver of the van was aware of Brad behind him since he almost hit him at the corner while he was attempting to make a turn into his driveway, and being aware, I think he stopped rather then making the right turn into his driveway because I think he tough the biker brad was going to ride though along side of him along the curb, ....but at the same time I think Brad was thinking the van was turning right into the driveway so he would go around the outside of the van, but the van stopped suddenly and with Brad speed and the sudden stopping, Brad didn't have time to react slamming his brakes and enviably slamming into the back of the van as I saw it!
:)
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Mississauga Marathon..Joanne Smoked me!!
Yes! it's true! Joanne Smoked me at the Mississauga half marathon on Sunday May 6, and finished 25min faster then me with a 2:33. Congrats to her, all her hard training paid off! ,,,Oh I finished with a 2:58.
Now how can that happen? Well to start out with, I did no run training except for a couple of short 1-2k runs. Why? because I couldn't run without pain with my sciatica, so I didn't run to train for this race. All in all except for the pain I had the whole race, I think I did pretty good! :)
You can check out myYou Tube video ...enjoy!.... Video
Race day report.....
Joanne and I got up at 4:30 and got our gear and nutrition ready for the race which included my Go Jo Juice, you know the green stuff I concocted with a great taste and packed with lots of energy to carry us though the race, and of course my stroopwaffles! Joanne grabbed her energy bars and filled her fuel belt bottles with Go-Jo Juice because she like's the stuff! She also made and packed some oatmeal into a thermos to eat on the way down, I ate a couple of stroowaffles and was planning on getting an egg Mcmuffin and coffee at the drive threw for the drive down to Mississauga. When we got to McD's and I ordered my EggMcmuffin to my suprise they said there don't serve breakfast yet? I said WHAT!! It's morning!! The person said they don't serve Breakfast until 5am? I said WTF!! and ordered coffee and a muffin to go.
On the road now heading down to Mississauga, it was still dark and the moon was shining bright to the western horizon, Tonight was a full moon and tonight they were calling it the super moon because it was going to be in the closest orbit to earth making it look bigger then normal! I must say it was bright!.....This picture doesn't do it justus as I was driving trying to take the picture.
We got to the race sight parking lot were we caught the first shuttle bus that was organized to take the racers up to the race start about 10 mins away. There was a chill in the air but as the morning light rose there was clear blue skies and the forcast for the day was going to be perfect for running with a high of 18C. When we got to the starting area we met up with some friends and tried to stay warm until the race started.
Joanne staying warm beofre the race...
Me putting on a tencer for my bad knee
Joanne relaxing before the race
So far I haven't mentioned about my sore back and hamstring, but now I'll let you know. With every step while I jog I get a shooting pain radiating down my left leg, my left hamstring pulling and hurting at the same time and as I walk or jog I look like a penguin waddling about moving my body side to side to compensate for the pulling in my hamstring.
Before the race started they played the national anthem then the cannon went off! we are on are way!! Weeee! ...well so I thought? We didn't start moving for a few minutes as we seeded ourselves back at the 2:15-2:30hr finisher area of the start line, we then started to slowly walk up to the start line with the crowd of 10,000 participant in the race. It took about 3 mins to get to the start line and off we were, we started to run keeping pace with the 2:30hr pace bunny.
Start of the run as we crossed though and beyond the start line, Cool buildings behind Joanne
Joann and I ran together keeping pace with the 2:30hr pace bunny to the 8k mark where I had to slow down as my whole leg was radiating with pain, I told Joanne just keep up your pace and go on, I never saw her again! I continued on at my own pace walking and jogging and videoing the rest of the way I got to the 10 k make in ruffly 1:14 and was thinking maybe I can manage a 2:35-2:45hr race? but as the run continued I was getting slower and hurting more, even to the point Of quiting! But no I couldn't do that, so I pushed on, run 100 feet walk a hundred feet, and tried to amuse myself along the way to take the pain of my hip and hammy away.
I finally got to the lake shore and knew I had just a few more Km's to go, maybe 4k? As I hobbled along, the lake, lake Ontario was as flat as a pancake and I thought to myself, next year I'll be swimming across here and I sure hope the lake will be this calm!! ...I continued on and in the distance I can here the announcer calling people in the finish with music blaring. I only had a little way to go. With camera in hand video taping coming into the finish I hear my name being called and with a chukle I hear the announcer say, "Josef is even videoing his finish" Which I did! lol
Done! 2:58 and change for a finish! I made it under three hours with no training and a cripple body! Is that amazing? or just stupid? I think most people would say it's stupid! lol But I don't care, I had fun pain and all, It's not like I would die or something!? and Joanne accomplished a great goal with her official first half marathon! and getting a PB of over 20 min on her un-official Half Mary I did with her last year of 2:49.....
Check out my left hand holding out my camera videoing my finish.
When I crossed the line I went straight to the med tent to get some work done on my leg to ease the pain a bit, then I collected my medal and met up with Joanne where I said to her "You smoked me!!" and she quickly replied, "YES I DID!! lol We then met up with friends and took some pictures, said our byes and went home where I had some well deserved nutrition and hydration waiting for us.
Our finisher pose....
Of course the finisher medal bite!
Some of my Barrie tri club friend after the race..
Joannes and my Running room clinic friends
You can check out my You Tube video I made of our day, enjoy ....Video
:)
Now how can that happen? Well to start out with, I did no run training except for a couple of short 1-2k runs. Why? because I couldn't run without pain with my sciatica, so I didn't run to train for this race. All in all except for the pain I had the whole race, I think I did pretty good! :)
You can check out myYou Tube video ...enjoy!.... Video
Race day report.....
Joanne and I got up at 4:30 and got our gear and nutrition ready for the race which included my Go Jo Juice, you know the green stuff I concocted with a great taste and packed with lots of energy to carry us though the race, and of course my stroopwaffles! Joanne grabbed her energy bars and filled her fuel belt bottles with Go-Jo Juice because she like's the stuff! She also made and packed some oatmeal into a thermos to eat on the way down, I ate a couple of stroowaffles and was planning on getting an egg Mcmuffin and coffee at the drive threw for the drive down to Mississauga. When we got to McD's and I ordered my EggMcmuffin to my suprise they said there don't serve breakfast yet? I said WHAT!! It's morning!! The person said they don't serve Breakfast until 5am? I said WTF!! and ordered coffee and a muffin to go.
On the road now heading down to Mississauga, it was still dark and the moon was shining bright to the western horizon, Tonight was a full moon and tonight they were calling it the super moon because it was going to be in the closest orbit to earth making it look bigger then normal! I must say it was bright!.....This picture doesn't do it justus as I was driving trying to take the picture.
Joanne staying warm beofre the race...
Me putting on a tencer for my bad knee
Joanne relaxing before the race
So far I haven't mentioned about my sore back and hamstring, but now I'll let you know. With every step while I jog I get a shooting pain radiating down my left leg, my left hamstring pulling and hurting at the same time and as I walk or jog I look like a penguin waddling about moving my body side to side to compensate for the pulling in my hamstring.
Before the race started they played the national anthem then the cannon went off! we are on are way!! Weeee! ...well so I thought? We didn't start moving for a few minutes as we seeded ourselves back at the 2:15-2:30hr finisher area of the start line, we then started to slowly walk up to the start line with the crowd of 10,000 participant in the race. It took about 3 mins to get to the start line and off we were, we started to run keeping pace with the 2:30hr pace bunny.
Start of the run as we crossed though and beyond the start line, Cool buildings behind Joanne
Joann and I ran together keeping pace with the 2:30hr pace bunny to the 8k mark where I had to slow down as my whole leg was radiating with pain, I told Joanne just keep up your pace and go on, I never saw her again! I continued on at my own pace walking and jogging and videoing the rest of the way I got to the 10 k make in ruffly 1:14 and was thinking maybe I can manage a 2:35-2:45hr race? but as the run continued I was getting slower and hurting more, even to the point Of quiting! But no I couldn't do that, so I pushed on, run 100 feet walk a hundred feet, and tried to amuse myself along the way to take the pain of my hip and hammy away.
I finally got to the lake shore and knew I had just a few more Km's to go, maybe 4k? As I hobbled along, the lake, lake Ontario was as flat as a pancake and I thought to myself, next year I'll be swimming across here and I sure hope the lake will be this calm!! ...I continued on and in the distance I can here the announcer calling people in the finish with music blaring. I only had a little way to go. With camera in hand video taping coming into the finish I hear my name being called and with a chukle I hear the announcer say, "Josef is even videoing his finish" Which I did! lol
Done! 2:58 and change for a finish! I made it under three hours with no training and a cripple body! Is that amazing? or just stupid? I think most people would say it's stupid! lol But I don't care, I had fun pain and all, It's not like I would die or something!? and Joanne accomplished a great goal with her official first half marathon! and getting a PB of over 20 min on her un-official Half Mary I did with her last year of 2:49.....
Check out my left hand holding out my camera videoing my finish.
When I crossed the line I went straight to the med tent to get some work done on my leg to ease the pain a bit, then I collected my medal and met up with Joanne where I said to her "You smoked me!!" and she quickly replied, "YES I DID!! lol We then met up with friends and took some pictures, said our byes and went home where I had some well deserved nutrition and hydration waiting for us.
Our finisher pose....
Of course the finisher medal bite!
Some of my Barrie tri club friend after the race..
Joannes and my Running room clinic friends
You can check out my You Tube video I made of our day, enjoy ....Video
:)
Friday, April 27, 2012
I've just posted a new Donation link on my "Swim For Life" Blog for my 52km Lake Ontario swim http://josefsjourneyswimacrosslakeontario.blogspot.ca/ On the right side of the page titled "Please make
donations through link below."
All proceeds through this link will be going to Royal Victoria Hospital Cancer Patient Care with my goal to reach $20,000 which will be presented to RVH after I complete my 52km Lake Ontario swim in August 2013.
Or you can go directly to my Donation page 52km Lake Ontario Swim For Life
On that note, So far I have raised $70.00 for my cause, which you can see on the fund raising thermomitor I have posted on the right of my Swim for Life page when you scroll down.
So please give generously
Thank You.
All proceeds through this link will be going to Royal Victoria Hospital Cancer Patient Care with my goal to reach $20,000 which will be presented to RVH after I complete my 52km Lake Ontario swim in August 2013.
Or you can go directly to my Donation page 52km Lake Ontario Swim For Life
On that note, So far I have raised $70.00 for my cause, which you can see on the fund raising thermomitor I have posted on the right of my Swim for Life page when you scroll down.
So please give generously
Thank You.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Back to winter???
Spring has come and gone and we are back to winter!? We are having a blast of winter today with a snow storm dropping accumulation to my displeasure, but kaiya doesn't seem to mind......
Kaiya sniffed out her bone I gave her yesterday and started chomping down on it in the snow.
This was yesterday, Kaiya in her dog house, she loved the treat I gave her, a beef knuckle.
As for me and training? still no running with less then two weeks to Mississauga half marathon, I guess my run training will be the day of the race where I will play it by ear, or should I say by the feeling of my back and hamstring. My plan now will be, I'll start out with Joanne staying with her at her pace for the first 10k and see how I feel, by that time I will be in either so much pain I'll walk or drop out? or push ahead if I can. In the mean time I'm just continuing on with keeping my fitness up with my swimming three days a week, give or take 2000m per swim.
...Ahhh the spoils of less is more training. lol
:)
Kaiya sniffed out her bone I gave her yesterday and started chomping down on it in the snow.
This was yesterday, Kaiya in her dog house, she loved the treat I gave her, a beef knuckle.
As for me and training? still no running with less then two weeks to Mississauga half marathon, I guess my run training will be the day of the race where I will play it by ear, or should I say by the feeling of my back and hamstring. My plan now will be, I'll start out with Joanne staying with her at her pace for the first 10k and see how I feel, by that time I will be in either so much pain I'll walk or drop out? or push ahead if I can. In the mean time I'm just continuing on with keeping my fitness up with my swimming three days a week, give or take 2000m per swim.
...Ahhh the spoils of less is more training. lol
:)
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Kaiya learning to fetch
Been busy with work, had to do a course in Mississauga for work on my own time on Saturday from 9 - 4 and for the next two Saturday's this month, all day without getting paid, just so that one day I might be able to post into a day position, as I have been working evenings for over 16 years with nine of those years at my current job, and it's about time I started living and working a normal life by working on days 7-4 Monday to Friday's
I'm only swimming 3 times a week and waiting for the weather to warm up a bit more so I can ride more! I've only been out on my bike about 4 - 5 times so far, and am eager to get back to my regual training of biking every day of at least 30 min with my long ride on the weekend of at least 3 hours.
I haven't been running except for a couple of 2k runs the last week, as that is all my back can take with the numbness running down my leg and tightness of my glute and hamstring, stoopid sciatica!!
He is Kaiya learning to fetch.....
I'm only swimming 3 times a week and waiting for the weather to warm up a bit more so I can ride more! I've only been out on my bike about 4 - 5 times so far, and am eager to get back to my regual training of biking every day of at least 30 min with my long ride on the weekend of at least 3 hours.
I haven't been running except for a couple of 2k runs the last week, as that is all my back can take with the numbness running down my leg and tightness of my glute and hamstring, stoopid sciatica!!
He is Kaiya learning to fetch.....
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
New Puppy
Meet our new member of the family Kaiya, She was born Jan 13 2012 and we brought her home March 18 2012. She is an Alaskan malamute ( Sled dog ) and is a registered pure breed. Both her mom and dad are champion show dogs and come from a great bloodline which includes her Grandfather who was North American champion! She is registered as Spiritrun Snow Princess and is owned by my daughter Victoria, but Kaiya will be the family dog with everyone taking interest in her welfare. If she turns out like the breeder expects, she might be put in shows to up her pedigree and maybe win a few certificates and ribbons.
Besides puppies, my training has bee spuratic, but was able to get out on some nice 30km rides outside as we have had some nice summer like weather over the past two weeks, I even got out a couple of runs and of course my regular 1-2000m swims. But now we got a weather check and it's been cold the last few days but will be warming up again to normal temps of 10C-14C So hopefully Saturday I will get out on my bike again.
Sorry for the lack of post over the past while, I've just been lazy, and am still nursing my back, But I fully intend to get my ass in gear and start doing more training as my sciatica has been getting better and I've started to do a little running since I do have a half marathon in May to train for. lol
:)
Besides puppies, my training has bee spuratic, but was able to get out on some nice 30km rides outside as we have had some nice summer like weather over the past two weeks, I even got out a couple of runs and of course my regular 1-2000m swims. But now we got a weather check and it's been cold the last few days but will be warming up again to normal temps of 10C-14C So hopefully Saturday I will get out on my bike again.
Sorry for the lack of post over the past while, I've just been lazy, and am still nursing my back, But I fully intend to get my ass in gear and start doing more training as my sciatica has been getting better and I've started to do a little running since I do have a half marathon in May to train for. lol
:)
Friday, February 10, 2012
I thought I was suppose to be swimming?
I thought I was suppose to be swimming, not running!
I just signed Joanne and I up for our second half marathon for this summer. The first is the Mississauga half, May 6th http://www.mississaugamarathon.com/default.shtml and our second is the Barrie Half marathon June 17. http://www.barriehalfmarathon.com/
I'm not taking these events serious, I'm just doing it for fun with the wife, oops, I mean with MY wife! I know how women hate that term. lol who is determined to beat me in both of these event, and told me I'm not allowed to do any more run training then what I have been doing! which is non! lol Ok, I said with a smurk, but you still won't beat me!! :)
:)
I just signed Joanne and I up for our second half marathon for this summer. The first is the Mississauga half, May 6th http://www.mississaugamarathon.com/default.shtml and our second is the Barrie Half marathon June 17. http://www.barriehalfmarathon.com/
I'm not taking these events serious, I'm just doing it for fun with the wife, oops, I mean with MY wife! I know how women hate that term. lol who is determined to beat me in both of these event, and told me I'm not allowed to do any more run training then what I have been doing! which is non! lol Ok, I said with a smurk, but you still won't beat me!! :)
:)
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Local Paper Article on the Winterfest Polar bear
The Polar bear dip was also covered by our local paper which was focused on Jennifer and her support for her charity. if you look close that is me in the bottom corner watching her twist.
:)
:)
Monday, February 6, 2012
Barrie Winterfest Polar bear dip
I did the Barrie Winterfest polar bear dip this Sunday and not only did I go in first again, I invited Jennifer Robinson ( Olympic figure skater and 6 time Canadian ladies Champion ) to join me as the first dipper!! and I was also one of the last dippers as I went in for a second dip at the end......I also raised some money for RVH Cancer center and my 52km Lake Ontario swim in Aug 2013. ....It was a good day! :)
I had my camera on a tripod while I went in and one of the lifeguards was standing in the way blocking most of the view.
Here is the you tube link of the video I made.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aouarbgT0j0
Oh! And, I made the Barrie 6pm news clip for the fifth or 6Th year in a row for the polar bear dip! Wooo! ...Albeit it was like for 3 seconds or so this time, and the focus was on Jennifer Robinson doing her double twist into the water! .....Damn! If i thought about it, it would have been cool if I thought of doing a double twist in sync with her, being the springboard diver I am!
I had my camera on a tripod while I went in and one of the lifeguards was standing in the way blocking most of the view.
Here is the you tube link of the video I made.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aouarbgT0j0
Oh! And, I made the Barrie 6pm news clip for the fifth or 6Th year in a row for the polar bear dip! Wooo! ...Albeit it was like for 3 seconds or so this time, and the focus was on Jennifer Robinson doing her double twist into the water! .....Damn! If i thought about it, it would have been cool if I thought of doing a double twist in sync with her, being the springboard diver I am!
Friday, February 3, 2012
NEW PUPPIES!! TuckerxLibby Pups Jan 31/12
We are getting a new pup! A breeder friend of mine Jennifer Remazik, who breeds Alaskan Malamutes at http://www.spiritrunmals.com/ (which are dog sled dogs) and also shows and races her dogs, had a new litter and I made the mistake of showing the pictures of the pups to my daughters and Joanne! Well Joanne and i are on board about not having another dog after Amber our beagle died last May, but the girls and specially Victoria went nuts about getting one of these dogs! So Joanne and I gave in on the condition they pay for the dog, plus buy the food and care for the dog, specially walking the dog every day, as these dogs need lots of outdoor running a there are bread as a working dog whether it is pulling sleds or hiking trails carrying back packs etc. The are a magnificent dog and very strong and intelligent and need to be well trained.
So as it stands, this will be Victoria's dog, which Melissa will finance until Victoria pay her back, Ahem! lol...... but the dog will still be the family dog as Victoria and all my kids for that matter still live at home.
The girls will be going up to the breeder, Jennifer at http://www.spiritrunmals.com/ weekly to check on the pups as we won't be able to bring one home until they are fully weened and they learn a little socializing from the mother dog, as well as the Jennifers other dogs to teach the pups how to behave with no biting and intermingle etc.
There are 6 pups in this litter 3 males and 3 females, and we will be getting one of the females, but not until Jennifer decides on her choice of keeping any of the dogs, so we can't pick ours yet for a few more weeks and we won't be able to take our pup home till the first week of April at the latest, hopefully sooner.
Pups after about a week
Video of pups at two weeks, eyes open, starting to walk around and talking....
So as it stands, this will be Victoria's dog, which Melissa will finance until Victoria pay her back, Ahem! lol...... but the dog will still be the family dog as Victoria and all my kids for that matter still live at home.
The girls will be going up to the breeder, Jennifer at http://www.spiritrunmals.com/ weekly to check on the pups as we won't be able to bring one home until they are fully weened and they learn a little socializing from the mother dog, as well as the Jennifers other dogs to teach the pups how to behave with no biting and intermingle etc.
There are 6 pups in this litter 3 males and 3 females, and we will be getting one of the females, but not until Jennifer decides on her choice of keeping any of the dogs, so we can't pick ours yet for a few more weeks and we won't be able to take our pup home till the first week of April at the latest, hopefully sooner.
Pups after about a week
Video of pups at two weeks, eyes open, starting to walk around and talking....
Friday, January 27, 2012
Getting back on track
The funeral was nice and Elizabeth Farkas Wilson has been laid to rest. It was also nice to see some old faces and talk of old times, to bad our reunions are only at funerals or wedding.
Now time to focus back on training....
So lets see? were did I leave off? ....
Oh Ya! riding my bike on the trainer, which is sitting in the middle of my living room. Yee Ha!
Still no rec pass,so no swimming. It's only been a month! I won't lose much fitness?
Still to cold to run outside! for me! So no running......When will Winter end!?!?! ..even though it's been a mild winter with not much snow. Hehehe
Woo Hoo! it's almost Feb and only six weeks until Spring!!! It won't be long before I get the bike out on the road again, and maybe do some running to!
I miss swimming. I hope Joanne get a job soon so she can renew our rec pass! So I can get back into the pool....How will I be able to swim across lake Ontario if I can't practice my swim? ...I guess I'll have to do it the same way that I did my Ironman, without allot of training and being stubborn like a mule! Ya! thats it!!
:)
Now time to focus back on training....
So lets see? were did I leave off? ....
Oh Ya! riding my bike on the trainer, which is sitting in the middle of my living room. Yee Ha!
Still no rec pass,so no swimming. It's only been a month! I won't lose much fitness?
Still to cold to run outside! for me! So no running......When will Winter end!?!?! ..even though it's been a mild winter with not much snow. Hehehe
Woo Hoo! it's almost Feb and only six weeks until Spring!!! It won't be long before I get the bike out on the road again, and maybe do some running to!
I miss swimming. I hope Joanne get a job soon so she can renew our rec pass! So I can get back into the pool....How will I be able to swim across lake Ontario if I can't practice my swim? ...I guess I'll have to do it the same way that I did my Ironman, without allot of training and being stubborn like a mule! Ya! thats it!!
:)
Sunday, January 22, 2012
I'm bummed!
I just got word my God mothers oldest daughter Elizabeth Wilson Died today! She was only 60 years young. The funeral will be on Thursday Jan 26.
When my parents emigrated from Hungary to Canada in 1956 they met on route with another couple Teresa and Alex Farkas and became best friends ever since.
When my parents got settled and working steady in the early 60's, bought their first house in North York, a suburb of Toronto, The Farkas's also bought a house around the corner from us just because their friendship was that strong! Both my Brother and I grew up with Liz and Katy, Liz's younger sister. I have great memories playing with Liz and Katy as a kid.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Ed Wilson, Liz's husband and family! ...Dame! this is sad. RIP Elizabeth Wilson (Farkas) : (
When my parents emigrated from Hungary to Canada in 1956 they met on route with another couple Teresa and Alex Farkas and became best friends ever since.
When my parents got settled and working steady in the early 60's, bought their first house in North York, a suburb of Toronto, The Farkas's also bought a house around the corner from us just because their friendship was that strong! Both my Brother and I grew up with Liz and Katy, Liz's younger sister. I have great memories playing with Liz and Katy as a kid.
My heartfelt condolences go out to Ed Wilson, Liz's husband and family! ...Dame! this is sad. RIP Elizabeth Wilson (Farkas) : (
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