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.

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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 :)