Poor little Rory and X Mas

Marnie brought Rory and Seth to the clinic last Wednesday after they both had been been battling coughs for a few days. I got home from work X-mas Eve and Rory was not looking or sounding good. Marn brought him down to the clinic, but being busy they sent him to the hospital. They ended up spending the next 7 hours being looked at by the doctors determining a viral infection. Concluding he could go home for the night but return in the morning for a check up, Marn walked in at 11pm.

X mas morning went to Jack and Christie's to open presents before hospital. 10 am we drove to the hospital with no idea what the next 56 hours would bring, some of the scariest moments of our lives. Rory's health deteriorated dramatically in the first 2 hours of our arrival. He became transparent white with his eyes and cheeks sinking in. He looked in so much pain while coughing. Doctor was on the phone back and forth with the Children's hospital in Calgary finally determining to keep him in Banff and hook him up to oxygen while monitoring those levels - was told half of Calgary kids had this infection - bronchialitis. Words cannot describe the fear of watching your 2 month old son in that condition and being totally helpless. After 2.5 days of Rory fighting strong, we came home last night.

X mas Eve we had planned to have friends over just when Marn proceeded to the hospital. A few friends stopped in while I watched Seth as Marn updated me with progress every hour. Seth and Reece were too cute together, non stop hugs and arms around eachother in the couch.

Mom and Dad arrived home this week after 1 month road trip in S.W States. After Vegas run, spent few weeks in Palm Desert and Springs. They witnessed the torrential rainfall that hammered California that dumped 11-15 feet of snow in 5 days in Mammoth!! They spent the day in Banff today seeing the boys and opening a few presents. Jealous of their tans.

O little Rory, you enter this world surprising us in 17 minutes being born on our bathroom floor and now 2 months later you become violently ill while staying strong and beating it....is this a sign of your strength to come?

Seth has spent the last 3 days at Jack and Christie's while we were at the hospital, we do not understand how lucky we are to have them living down the road. Seth has absolutely loved this time with them. Being a tad sick still himself, Seth spent last night and tonight still at their house even though we have been home. Cannot risk having Seth spread his cold to Rory as his immune system is still so weak. I have spent a few morning and afternoons with him playing with Marn having dinners the last 2 nights.

This afternoon I went skate skiing on the Spray Loop lugging Seth along for the first time this winter. Killer slug as usual noticing him weighing 25 lbs this year compared to 15 last winter. Unable to skate up a few hills but all good as excited to see strength progress the next few months.

Cheers to health and positivity in 2011! 

Older pics

Found a USB stick with a few older pics

wedding day cigars Mexico,mmmm

6hr Salty Dog race Salmon Arm - wicked course!

Passing Schooler at the line for 2nd 1A race - miss my ghetto bike

Start of the finishing few km hill at Stampede Road race - epic finish 

The boys

The boys are growing and changing in each of their own way drastically these days. Rory is 10 weeks old, has put on 3.5 lbs and grown 10cms, growing little boy. He started "cooing" and smiling which melts your heart for the first times. Seth is non stop repeating everything you say, the sentences he comes up with is impressive.

Just woke him up

Seth skiing

Went to Norquay this morning for a little skiing, 5th time for Seth. Last week he went up on the Cascade chair with Marn, he loved it! He went for 2 runs today, so funny. Warm sunshine made for a beauty day with the family :)

This afternoon as kids went down for a nap, I went for a x country ski with Scotty on Cascade Fire road. Burn burn up the hill, absolute loved it but sooo weak in the arms. 2 weeks ago went x country for 1st time with Colin at the Nordic Centre. Colin is a stupid specimen of strength, enough said. Excited to get back in shape here with upper body, skate skiing is so crippling. Dusted off the trainer last week, feeling bla after 5 weeks of ice cream and cookies :). Nice 45 mins of mixing 8 mins and 3 mins fast several times.

Mom nails her 1st Half Marathon

Mom and dad along with Alida and several of her friends entered last weekend's half marathon in Las Veags. Unfortunately Ali stubbed and broke her pinky toe 6 weeks ago while not recovering in time for race with Dad having issues as well, leaving mom at the start line.

Mom did her best training on the hills around their home in Fairmont. She would tell me she does not have any expectations being such a long distance. I assured her keep pounding those hills and you will be fine in the flats of Vegas.

Sure enough Mom nailed the race, she placed 5th out of 65 in her age group. 65 years old and running 22 km's. WE ARE ALL SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

At the start

An amazing job mom, you are an inspiration to all of us!!

End of season thoughts

December 1st tomorrow, reiterate this was the fastest year of my life. Marnie finding out she was pregnant end of January, a very busy summer with limited time spent with Marn but 1000 fold more time with Seth, to the birth of another son October 6th.

With an intense life schedule, Marn and I's individual time outside of "family" was limited to say the least. Marnie, who I am so proud of for this, taught yoga through the winter. She overcame nervousness at first (fair enough) to becoming an inspiring yogi so naturally. We both did our best to get out x country a number of times lugging Seth behind me. 2 - 3 hrs week were spent jumping on the trainer downstairs for a quick sweat.

Spring arrived quickly with Prairie Roubaix race mid April, Velocity stage race May 2nd and Banff stage race mid June. Valuable learning experiences all in their own way. Spent next 1.5 months riding a whopping 4hrs putting on 12 lbs :) But enjoyed those months with Seth and Marn on a few road trips and plenty of bikes to Cascade ponds relaxing in the sun.

2 months after last race had spur of moment entry to road provincials finishing 4th with then the Bow 80 being cancelled mid September. Boom end of summer just like that. My first cyclo cross race ever on Halloween blew me to pieces, note to self ride more than 2 hrs the previous month - hilarious how much it hurt and how blown I was. Cross is so wicked, next year? If only I had a cross bike.

Happy overall with the 4 races, considering my busy schedule. I am able to preach the "less is more" expression, though that was my only option of training. All my training is from my own studies on the internet, magazines and picking the brains of friends so happy with results. Must solve how to 'peak' exactly for a certain weekend.

Do I hire a coach, sure that would be ideal, spare a few g's for me anyone? No seriously am setting a few race goals for next season with hopes of a mountain bike race or two. Will keep at my suffers on the trainer this winter and get out x country skiing with the family - weight of Chariot with the boys in it will be around 40 lbs :)

Seth's 2nd b-day

Seth turned two on November 24th, wow. In 2 years a child goes from an infant to a little boy able to pronounce full sentences....and to his first day on real skis :)

Caribou Properties provides an unreal deal for parent employees. For a minor amount of money, your child receives boots,poles,skis and helmet from the company's two rental shops in town and then simply return everything at end of season. Sure beats having to purchase new gear every season for them due to outgrowing the equipment - thank you for supporting local families Caribou Properties.

So on his birthday we picked up the shop's smallest gear (size 14.5 boots :) and went between our house on the small decline. Seth loved it, he was non stop giggling saying " I ski I ski", hilarious! Cannot wait for the magic carpet at Mt. Norquay. With recent snow as well, heard several x country trails are track set, perhaps tomorrow?

Intrigued by the candle flame

Excited for cupcakes

First time carrying skis

The harness was perfect

View from our couch, one of the most beautiful in the world :)

Few pics

The boys are growing too quickly. Seth is too much as a big brother and he knows it too. Marn and I are through the roof with how lucky we are to have these little dudes.

,

Omi & Opi brought pre b-day cake for seth

Rory lounging

5 weeks old tomorrow

Rory is 5 weeks old tomorrow. Where did that go yet that night seems ages ago. Little guy is doing well, routine of eat poop and sleep, nice life :)

Nana bought matching outfits - too cute!!

Loves his books

3 weeks old

Winterstart Run

Got voluntold to enter this years 8.5 km Winterstart run representing the Fox against the other properties. I don't run I said, well you bike was response....sure why not. It had been years since I had actually gone for a solo run....granted was up Tunnel this summer lugging Seth in the backpack.

Went well, forgot how mentally draining running can be, many thoughts going through your head running in the dark.

35:49 put me 78th out of 1030 people. Only goal was not too blow which I succeeded, still the HR was up entire time. People were blowing left right and center on the hill by Rocky resort. Thought my time was fine until I saw 27 minutes for winners - ha ha.

The comp beers in the parkade was the topper to a fun night....3 days later and certain body parts are still aching :)

Another year of sponsorship with Banff Lodging Co :)

I would like to thank Banff Lodging Co for support this year with my biking. Exciting news I just signed on for another year as well!

I am proud to have them as a sponsor as I believe in many of their values. I will continue with having their company logo on my jerseys and stickers on my helmet and bikes, with word of mouth recognition as well.

They truly support the community in many areas, most recently purchasing every elementary and high school student a ski pass for Mt. Norquay for the third year running - remarkable!!

Thank you once again Wim and Banff Lodging Company    http://www.bestofbanff.com/ 

Tour duh Banff

Wild Bills bar in Banff was the scene of part 2 of RMR's fundraiser. Same players with a few friends from Banff, props to Kucey for laying down some strong times - less is more hey Kuce. Great to see Chad and his pops take part, thats the spirit all in the name of fundraising.

Times were a tad slower than Sunday, ended 4th overall after several tries. Fun rerun of Sunday final with Alex and Ian. Being fastest over the 2 events combined I received a full weeks pass for Mt. Norquay :) Any  takers for the pass, make me an offer. Good job Liz on taking the womens while receiving a pass as well, hopefully you were still able to claim the board from the raffle draw.

Met some nice people, particularly Ian who I inquired about training / nutrition the week leading up to races, might as well pick somebody's brain who knows what their doing. Good luck with your winter season Ian.

Hope to see another event this winter, opportunity is enormous for a bigger badder event. Thanx Dasha and others for hosting.

Halloween

Beautiful night in Banff brought out double the kids on our street from last year, bought 180 pieces of candy and almost all gone.

Seth was absolutely the cutest kid in town in his dragon outfit. Marn took him to a few homes then he handed out candy to other kids , he was so proud of himself.

Cross Race & Tour duh Canmore

Yesterday brought my highs and lows of fitness, thats what it felt like.
On the trainer Monday and Tuesday for quick sessions:
Monday 8 min SS  3 min Off  3 min HC then 8 min SS x 3
Tues      20 sec on 10 sec off for 5 minutes  repeat twice more
Felt well during those especially the 20 sec intervals. Rest of week was busy so only chance was a quick Saturday light spin with several 30 sec bursts to keep the legs firing.

Cross Race - practice laps put on a smile on my face with excitement of my first cross race and the gong show of a course - plenty of off camber with punchy hills.
Was top 6 for first 2 laps feeling good then BAM hit the wall like I have never experienced. Seriously out of nowhere my legs felt like lead weights, complete blocks. Honestly have never bonked or shut down like that ever. Still trying to figure it out, fair enough your HR is through the roof asap in cross races but wow. Remember looking down at watch and see 17 minutes in, OMG still 35 mins to go. Hung in there as much as I could, still managed  15th out of 30 I believe. Tough intro to cross but had a riot :)

kisses from seth

Later that night Tour Duh Canmore - Drake bar
3 stationary bikes set up to computer portrayed on screen for whole bar to watch. 15 seconds give or take
First attempt was horrendous. My legs were complete blocks with enormous amounts of lactic acid flowing, 16.7 secs put me 24th of 38 people :) Thought well was a tough cross race today lets hit the beers and watch the event now. Keith beside me put an impressive 13.5 sec.
We both bought in $5 for another chance. Well 3.5 secs faster and all of a sudden I  am in 3rd overall with 13.2 secs.
Finals with 3 of us. Beer gave me extra boost and a 12.2 sec appears on screen with myself winning! Hilarious shaved 4.5 secs off my first try. Guess I needed to clear the lactic acid out the first run...nice Starbucks gift bag and 3 month gym membership for Life Works - $222 value

So bizzare day with my legs, complete hitting the wall to edging out impressive cross country athletes.

Wednesday is same event at Wild Bills in town, winner from both events receives a pass for Mt. Norquay.

Family walk this morning up Tunnel Mtn, Marn's first since giving birth. Afternoon spin on trainer to flush out the legs which felt nice with a few longer intervals thrown in there. Seth and I went for a swim at Banff Springs in the afternoon, mmm the hot tub was perfect! Tasty yellow curry tonight and call it a night soon.

See what Wednesday night brings :)

Perhaps a Cross race ahead

Over at Keith's Oct 19th where he informs me of upcoming Tour Duh Canmore Oct 31st at the Drake and halloween cross races. Last years event ended up being one of the funniest most random nights of the year, who would have thought an indoor bike race. At the same time we were looking at pictures from his cross races last 2 weekends, man do I wish I had a cross bike. The entire concept of cross is so wicked in so many ways. You against the course, full throttle for 1 hr, sand pits, jumping barriers, cruel 15 m climbs with 180 turns....why am I not in this sport? Oh ya no time or cross bike. Keith replies well I do have an extra bike as he has previously said..

The competitive spark in me decides I must enter these events for a late season suffer. So I have 10 days to get back in shape after over 1.5 months off and enter Oct 31st cross race in Calgary and the Drake that evening :)  Size up Keith's bike next few days and head out for a rip on the trails.

Next day morning jog with Seth up Tunnel, urrggg 20 minutes of 175-180 HR. Afternoon on the road bike, was a little kid out there. Usual grind by Surprise corner around Tunnel with a few laps around Minnewanka and Johnston lake. 2 hrs of absolute burn soaking up every second out there with beauty 15 degrees and sun.

2 days later
Plyometric jumps 10 times x 3 sets. Holy the best value 3 minute workout hands down!!
Right after those on trainer inside - had to dust it off as it had been a while
1 min on   1min off     x 5  repeat set
40 sec on  20 sec off  x 5  repeat set
20 sec on  15 sec off  x 5  repeat set

Love that workout, key is too pace but quite hard when HR so high. Purposely no recovery time between intervals, perfect training for demands of cross courses.

Worked this morning then jogged up Tunnel with Seth in pack. No matter how many times up there, always kills. But was just off a few seconds of times late summer.

No expectations for Oct 31st race, just have a riot and try and hang in there while not throwing up. Hope to get out or on trainer at least a few times this week.

Almost 3 weeks old

Enjoyed my 7 days off work, days were actually mostly spent with Seth going swimming, wagon rides, jogs up Tunnel and bikes. Us being out gave Marnie time to catch up on sleep. Seth is so gentle and sweet with Rory, non stop hugs and kisses.
                                                        
                  
                                                                     Already a yogi

2nd bathtime

New Addition to our family!!

Marnie's due date was Oct 18th.

Oct 6th evening 11:17pm Marnie wakes me up with extreme contraction pain saying we are going to the hospital asap.

Bag is packed, call Marn's mom to come up, call midwife to meet at hospital as no time to come to our house where all of a sudden Marn in bathroom says the water "sack" and head is coming out! Sure enough go to bathroom and indeed a head is out! 

Won't dwell to much now but called 911, grab towels, Marn's mom walks in to her daughter on floor with a baby coming out. Mom and I turn into MD's and deliver our baby boy on the bathroom floor with the help of 911. Paramedics show up as Rory is on mom's chest, off to hospital.

17 minutes from when Marn woke me up to delivery of baby!

Rory Sean was born 11:33 pm happy and healthy.

meeting for 1st time

Bow 80 or lack of

Oh the Bow80, half the stress of this race is making the sign up in April. Sold out in 20 minutes this year where a few friends missed the boat.

So with only 4 races on my calendar this summer, the Bow 80 was a race I was waiting 4 months for as it is so epic in so many ways. After road provincials I was pumped to keep my fitness and go in a race where there was no drafting, no hiding in the pack, it was you against the trails with epic 1 hr ascents and descents. Even though I realized I would not have time to ride 5 hrs of training - time to win race - I was relying on my mental strength to pull me through. Hard intervals on the trainer when I had time between work and family with a few rips around tunnel mtn and minnewanka had me excited to battle.

Unfortunately mother nature stepped in and dropped snow and freezing temps the week leading up. After last years gong show with snow and pulling half the field off the course, the race organizers cancelled the race a few days out for safety concerns.

Murphy's Law the temps were high teens to 20's next 2 weeks. In his e mail Bob mentioned looking for earlier date next year - lets hope so as this race always ends up with weather issues.

See you next year Bow 80

Somewhat of an anti climax for me now with cancellation of this race, where next race is literally 8 months away. Work so hard at achieving a fitness level then all of a sudden done for 8 months. Well not quite done per say but I thrive for the race competition of biking and now so far away until next challenge. Saying that super excited for x country ski pulling 2 little ones around - 40 odd lbs - to keep the fitness alive over winter and come out strong in spring for Velocity again...??

Rest of Summer and Provincial Championships

After Banff Race, put on 12 lbs and biked a whopping 2 hrs the entire next month.

Spent time with family enjoying time together. A few trips away to Kelowna and Marn's moms place at Little Bow Lake.

End of July after 1.5 months of relaxing and zero biking, decided to enter Road Race Provincials in 3 weeks. Road 3 hrs / week tops with indoor intervals when I had time.

Similar to Banff Race, days out was laughing at the 107km distance as I had literally rode that distance once the past 2 months :)  Staring line with Robbie he was complaining he took 1 week OFF the bike last month where I laughed to him I have ridden one week in last 2 months.

At front of race first half where hung back for a bit. Last quarter at front again with 2 other guys chasing 2 people down. Hilarious as nobody else was helping, 1 guy actually yelled back for help and still nothing - how can one fell good with themselves siting mid pack watching others. Again part of road racing and I am on the wrong side of the strategy but who cares - I am racing 3 times all summer not going to hand mid pack.

Final 500 metes at front with others while spending zero energy being smart where guy comes mocking by with  Harlee and Matt on wheel. I hesitated for .02 sec (why)? which cost me race Ended 4th . Fellow RMCC rider Matt placed 3rd - nice!

Happy with 4th considering rode 3 hrs once in 2 months so surprised I had the legs for race.

RMCC 3rd and 4th

Spring Bike Races

Mid April Speed Theory hosted a hilarious race - Prairie Roubaix.
Cat A consisted of 4 - 18 km laps with 2 km's being full on gravel. An unofficial race to say but still 50 guys showed up for our category! Not thinking first lap with sitting about 35th place going into 90 degree turn to start gravel where the entire pack got blown apart like no tomorrow. Mad sprinting watching the top guys hundreds of meters up. Spent next 54 kms with heart rate through the roof hanging on with 5 guys while finishing 23rd. Great mid April session

May 1st Velocity Stage Race Edmonton  Was not going into race but 2 week out got the go ahead
Cat 3
Time Trial   8th   Not too happy with results as felt stronger
Criterium    8th   Fun race being at front of race entire time. Boxed in at sprint finish - urrrgggg
Road Race 8th   At front again entire race chasing people down, missed 2 man break. Darren 3rd, Steve 4th
Omnium     8th  
Happy but should a could a would a - maybe too much time up front but whatever not happy with sitting mid pack watching others. Do realize this is road racing where its all strategy with smartest man winning but felt well and had fun out there. Chalk it up with another road race learning experience  :)

Banff Stage Race

Signed up in March with RMCC's Invite Team for the Banff Race (able to receive temp upgrade from Cat 3). With Marnie pregnant I did not know what the next summer would bring with being busy with 2 children and no time for cycling. Seemed like a good idea 3 months out but as 2 months passed my riding time was literally 4 hrs / week, reality was setting in with what actually was going to happen riding with Cat 1' s who ride 20 + hrs / week and last stage being 145 km's. Marnie was asking me why not just race in Cat 3 and podium etc...thought only live once go for it and learn from this. Kept at my 1 hr indoor interval sessions in the meantime with getting outside a few weeks out with laps around tunnel.


87 riders total in Invite Race

Prologue Hill Climb 1.5 km's   28th  Top time on my team

Lake Louise Race   80 km's    43rd  Did what teammates said not to but just happened -must be in top 20 at  Baker Creek as no room to move up - too bad as envisioned beauty hill finish sprint. Received 30 sec penalty for crossing line which dropped me to 43rd from 25th

Criterium                 Was top 15 for first 15 laps then flatted. Changed wheel at pit when commissionaire said to go out then all of a sudden was lapped. RATTLED at this as thrown out there at wrong time by him

Time Trial               Gave my all but lost minutes and minutes to the big guns

Tunnel Road Race  145 km's 40th   Dropped on 10th lap up Rocky hill

Omnium Overall      43rd out of 87 guys    RMCC was 7th of 15 teams

Happy overall with experience under my belt racing with Cat 1, too bad about Crit. Not bad for a dad who was riding 4 hrs / week.

TT Start

                                                                 Tunnel start

         Crit start

Crit

Summer update

With Marnie back at work May 1st and us deciding to not enroll Seth in Daycare, we had a busy summer to say the least, Marn and I had 1 day OFF together as we juggled our schedules to watch Seth.

Friend Erin and her cute 3 yr old son Leland watched Seth 2 days / week where the other days we managed. Saying this Seth and I spent 10 fold more time together spending our days going to the Banff Springs pool, "running" up Tunnel Mtn, biking and generally loving our time together. 

Families must make sacrifices to make things work financially, this was our summer for this as day care costs $800 / month with somebody else raising your child. The day will come for daycare / pre school, but in the meantime we did what we had to do to make it work - thanx to Erin and Leland for all their help. 

summer time

Kelowna July

Little Bow Lake

Stanley Glacier Hike July

On his trike

In his pool

Wow - been 5 months

Well Oct 14th and tonnes to update, thought I would add a few pics from winter as Seth was too cute.

Torch relay in Banff

Rink across the street

1st time on skis in backyard