Season summary

My last race of the season, the Junior Elite World Championships, were held in Beijing China, a place I have never been before and am not exactly sure would want to go back for a holiday!! Everyone in China was very nice and helpful, however, after breathing in hazy polluted air for a week, I appreciated coming home to fresh air and blue skies!
The race itself was a strong showing for me, but was a bit of a different race experience than I have ever had before. After not a fantastic start to the swim, I found myself behind the first girls coming out of the water and in the seconds pack. There were about 7 of us in the chase pack, and over the first 2 of 3 bike laps, we caught the girls in front of us. The bike course was very challenging, with a few descent uphills and downhills, as well as lots of corners and a 180 degree turn. It was cool racing on the Olympic course, and it is not to be underestimated. After the third lap of the bike, we were a pack of about 12, and I left T2 in 3rd position. The first lap of the run was tough, and the steep downhill and uphill on the out and back run really takes the energy out of your legs. Heading onto the second lap, I was in around 9th spot, and was really starting to the feel the effects of racing hard for 50 minutes. I held my position on this lap, running into 9th place for the finish. I improved my placing from last year (12th) and also had a  much better race, but was a little disappointed that I didn't break the top 8, which was my goal. But I know I can't exactly complain about being in the top 10!

So the season is over, and now I am back into full on school. I had my first two mid terms this past week and can hardly believe that first semester is almost half over already. I am keeping busy with everything and just got back into training about a week ago after a week off. For Thanksgiving weekend, my family and I are up in Tofino for a late summer vacation. We're staying in a little wood cottage right close to the beach The change of scenery has been really nice, and so has being able to walk along the beach and hear the waves crashing in every morning.

Last, but not least, I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me this year and all other years. Thanks to Triathlon Code sponsors: Nineteen wetsuits whose suits I loved racing in this year, Specialized bikes whose equipment never let me down (no crashes this year!), and Champion Systems whose trisuits and gear I practically lived in all summer. Thanks to Frontrunners, Oak Bay Bikes, and Procity Bikes for helping me with last minute race preparations and bike tune-ups. Thanks to all my coaches and supprt staff who help out not only at races but throughout our entire training season. Thanks to LifeMark at PISE for the great support in massage (you kept me in one piece!).Thanks to all my family and friends cheering me on and offering words of encouragement. And thanks to anyone else who follows triathlon and reads this blog....I couldn't do anything without all of you.

A very long post about everything

The last few weeks have been really busy with three races in about 20 days. It began on June 26th in St. Malo, Manitoba with the first junior series race of the season. As this was the first time I would be racing other triathletes from across the country, I was very nervous, and wondered how fit I actually was and how I would compare. The race started great...I had an almost perfect swim with a flawless start and soon found Hilary's feet to draft off of. Falling off her pace in the last 100 m, I was second out of the water close behind her and with about 20 seconds to our next competitor. This big lead coming out of the water was very exciting, and the two of us pushed the 20 km bike out and back along the quiet prairie road. Working hard right to transition, the chase pack still made up time on us and our lead dwindled to about 5 seconds at the dismount. I had a solid run, but not my best to date. Focusing on my own pace, I tried to accelerate when Ellen Pennock ran by me, but was not able to hold it. Although I ended up second in this race, the result was bitter sweet as Ellen took the win.
With only 2 weeks until the next race, the priority after St. Malo was to recover and prepare for the Pan-American Triathlon Championships in Edmonton on July 10th. The next week of training was tough, but I knew that in a few days I would be tapering again.
My race in Edmonton was very exciting. Although I was nervous for this race, I had a little more confidence coming into it as I knew where my fitness was at, unlike before St. Malo. I also had a very good swim in Edmonton. The start was more congested, but after about 200-300 m I was on Hilary's feet again and this time I stayed there right to the end. Having a bit of trouble removing my wetsuit and getting my helmet on, I excited transition behind my teammate Alison Hooper, who wasn't far behind us coming out of the water. The three of us worked the first of two bike laps hard, powering up the hills and holding off the chase pack. Going onto the second lap with about 18 seconds lead, we decided that working hard on the second lap to hold the chase pack off wasn't worth it. We continued to work together until the chase pack of about 6 or 7 girls caught us and I did my best to conserve energy. Going onto the run, I felt much better than in St. Malo. I held a strong pace and didn't beat myself up when Ellen Pennock passed me. I held off Mexico's Adrianna Barraza to place second and finished very proud.
Still no time to take a breather! Our next race was 6 days later in Penticton, BC...junior series race number 2. I was feeling very confident going into this race as Ellen has been the only competitor to beat me this year and she wasn't racing (a bit of a relief!). The race unfolded smoothly. I had a great swim start, worked with Hilary on the swim (I pulled the first half, then drafted her for the second half), and came out of the water just behind her. I had a bit of a messy T1 again, and started the 8 lap bike course with Hilary and Alison. Stevie Moore bridged up after the first lap and unfortunately Alison crashed while we were lapping an athlete. So the next 7 laps (1.25 km out, 1.25 km back... lots of corners!!), Hilary, Stevie, and I built up a very comfortable lead on the rest of the field. Heading onto the run, I just had to run strong and stay in the lead. It was a challenging run as we had 5 laps of 1 km, but I felt fit and ran to first.
So after these three races were over, I had to wait the official word to find out if I made the World Championship Team....and  I can now tell you that I will be heading to Beijing, China in September!! It felt so good to have made the team again this year and I am looking forward to the next month and a half of preparation.
I am also very excited to race my first Olympic distance triathlon on August 7 at the Sooke Chase, and to race Nationals this year in Kelowna, BC...one of my all-time favourite race courses!
So hopefully that catches you up a bit!

Christine

New bike, new helmet, new shoes... oh my!

Yay! I finally got to ride my new bike this week and I love it! I went in for a bike fit on Wednesday (thanks so much Bill!) and did my first hard bike workout afterwards. The hills are definitely easier to go up and it is so great to have smooth shifting and a shiny clean new chain that doesn't make noises!! I'm trying to ride as much as possible before the race next weekend, so hopefully I will have practiced enough with all my new gear to be ready to use it on race day.

Christine

Almost ready...

I am so close to riding my new bike, I am just aching to feel the speed of my new Specialized Amira, but there are still a fwe more things to do...the final touches. I was so excited to pick up my bike from the bike store and bring it home, and was hoping to get on a give it a quick ride, but encountered an unexpected problem that sort of ruined the moment. My bike came with pedals attached to it that I tried to take off only to realize I needed a pedal wrench (which I don't have). It was such an anticlimax to just leave it sitting against the wall all afternoon because of something as silly as not being able to get the pedals off!! I've arranged to borrow a pedal wrench tomorrow so then the fun can begin!  I really hope that everything is ready to go by the time the first junior series race rolls around, which is coming up on June 26th in St. Malo. It is sort of hard to believe that I will be racing again in about 2 weeks, but I am feeling ready. We are heading into our last hard training block before the race and I plan to make the most of it. The race is like the light at the end of the tunnel which I will keep my eyes on over the next two weeks.

Christine

Thank you sponsors!

Today was a pretty exciting day... a whole bunch of stuff arrived from our great sponsors!! It was like Christmas...or an early birthday...or winning the lottery (I imagine at least!). This morning I tried out my new Nineteen wetsuit in the pool and really liked it. It felt really good in the water and fit me just right! I can't wait to wear it in Thetis Lake this weekend! Next, I picked up my helmet, cycling shoes, and race wheels from Specialized...the final touches to complete our package. We will hopefully be on the new bikes next week as the components came in the other day and are being assembled as you read! I am so excited to use all this new gear and finally say goodbye to my beat up cycling shoes and chipped paint job on my old bike. Thanks everyone for supporting Triathlon Code... I'll be wearing your name proudly this summer!

Christine

North Shore Triathlon

Well, now I'm eating my words... there was not a drop of rain at the North Shore Triathlon on Monday! But I think everyone was relieved to have some nice weather for a day! I had a really good first race of the season, the race played out pretty well exactly how I wanted it too. I felt really strong in the swim, and I came out of the water just behind Hilary so we were able to work together on the bike. Drafting helped the 4 loops go by fast, soon we were running into T2. I ran out of T2 first and held my position on the run. I felt good on the run as well, which was a good confidence booster. Despite the run course being very hilly, I felt quick and light and was happy with my run split. I try to take something away from each race that I can improve on, so over the rest of the summer I will continue to work on my 180 degree turns on the bike, my running stride and range of motion, as well as smoothing out my T1.

Until next time!

Christine

Race season here I come!

Have my first race of the season coming up in  a few days...the North Shore Triathlon. Alison provides a very accurate description, but she forgot to mention that it ALWAYS rains! I haven't done this race in the last 2 years, but it was one of my usual competitions when I raced Kids of Steel. I can't remember a year that it wasn't overcast with at least a drizzle if not full on rain pouring down. I always love the first race of the season. I get really excited and nervous at the same time...it takes me a while to remember that I do this probably eight times every year! But it always feels like I am starting something new each season, it is the first taste of the summer ahead. This year, it is a big relief that the first race is a training race... no pressure to qualify for anything, no stress of racing athletes from all over the continent, no plane ride or time change to adjust to. The only expectation is that we race our hardest, which is what we all love to do anyway! So I'm looking forward to taking a little family trip over to Vancouver and racing.

Christine

Welcome home... not!

After a two and a half week training camp, I'm now back home in Victoria. I was feeling ready to come home from my "holiday" in the sun... but now I kind of just want to go back to Arizona!! Flying in at midnight Tuesday evening, of course the first thing to greet us was Victoria rain... a little depressing after two weeks of sunshine! Luckily, we cleared customs fairly quickly and all our luggage came through. My mom met me at the airport and drove me home, and I curled into my bed at around 1 am. With the next morning off I had the opportunity to sleep in as late as I wanted. I turned off my alarm and just slept...until 6:45 (I wish I could sleep in!!). Wide awake, I figured I might as well go to the morning swim at 7:30 and jump in for 3 km easy. All ready to go (and on time too!) I walk down to my car to find that the driver side door is slightly ajar, my glove compartment is open, the little bit of change I leave in the car is spilled out on the seat, and my car battery is dead... wonderful. I was really frustrated because a similar thing happened when I was away for two weeks in Budapest for Worlds last year...honestly, if your going to break into my car and not steal anything at least close the door!! So, seeing as there was nothing I could do to fix my car immediately, I thought I would just take the bus to swimming. As a UVic student, I was planning on just using my student card as bus fees are included in tuition...but I soon discovered that my student card expired April 30th, so I would have to pay. Just coming back from the states, all I had was American change, and not very much. Figuring the fee wouldn't be any more than $1.50, I was shocked to find out that my 3 minute bus ride cost me $2.50! By the time I was finished putting in all my nickels and dimes in the slot I was at the pool! After my ordeal getting to the pool, I had a good swim, and it was nice seeing all my team mates and coach again. It wasn't exactly the welcome home I was hoping for... but hey, at least I'm home.

Christine

A very frustrating day.

Well today was a bit of a nightmare. It was one of those days when lots of little things don't really work out the way you would like them to, and when taken individually they don't seem a big deal, but when piled on top of each other can push you over the edge.
This morning I woke up with a bad cold. I don't get sick very often, so when I do I am pretty miserable, especially when it happens in the middle of a training camp and I am forced to miss workouts. Being sick for a few days can really make you lose perspective. I know in the grand scheme of things it is not the end of the world to miss a few training sessions due to sickness as these things happen (although  have been very fortunate and this is the first time I have gotten sick since August), but at the same time (like today) it seems like a big deal. So I lay in bed this morning, sniffling and croaking, alone in the house, while my training partners were swimming laps in the pool. My mind wanted to do it, but my body was not letting me.
After a lazy morning came a kind of hectic afternoon. We had to change rooms after two nights at our accommodation to another room about 50 meters away... which is just a really annoying inconvenience. Like I said before, this alone is not a big deal, but when you have a head cold and are not exactly feeling at your best, this is just a drag. So I stuff all my training gear into my overflowing suitcase, push it down the stairs, and transfer everything across the parking lot to my new home that is the mirror image to the one I was just in. I was stuck in no-man's-land for a few hours while those who were in the room I was about to occupy packed their things and left. All I wanted to do was lay down and rest, but that didn't happen until about four hours later....ugggh.....
So, after moving all my stuff over (about 5 trips across the parking lot in all), I discover that my computer has a virus and now I can't use it.... this kind of sucks... especially when you are sick and lean on technology for entertainment and sanity. I have to wait until I am home to get my computer fixed, so will have to beg other people to let me use theirs, which is hard in a house of athletes when you have germs. (I promise to try my best not to sneeze on it and will disinfect as soon as I'm done!).
To sum up, I am really tired, snuffly, have piles of gear to unpack (which is still sitting at the bottom of the stairs), and have no computer..... but there is a bright side... I finally got all my marks for my second term at university and did very well on all my finals!

Christine

Pay off

Through all the gruelling hours of training, through the mornings you wake up when you don't want to, and through the nights you spend collapsed on the couch because you actually can't move after the days work, sometimes we can lose sight of why we put ourselves through this. My simple answer is that it pays off and then it is all worth it, which is what this week of training proved to me.
It started on Tuesday when I had an awesome swim. Surprising myself at the speed that came out of me, at first I was shocked...where did 8 seconds in a 200 free come from?! But I wasn't complaining. The next rep proved to me that it wasn't just a fluke as I equalled my first time. The new sense of confidence I felt was instantaneous, and that motivation powered me through the rest of the workout. Reflecting on my swim that night, I realized that I did know where those 8 seconds came from. I had built fitness through the hours and hours of swim training in winter months, and I was just now seeing it all fall into place as the hard work payed off. This theme continued through my other workouts, where I saw improvements in my cycling and running.
Getting faster is the best feeling for an athlete. With it comes confidence in your abilities, motivation to push yourself farther, and excitement for race season when you can prove to everyone what your made of. So keep working hard...the results will follow.

Read more at triathloncode.blogspot.com

Getting excited...

Well, things are winding down at school as I approach my last few final exams, and winding up in triathlon as race season is almost upon us! Watching Paula Findlay, Kyla Coates, and Jeff Phillips race in Australia really got me excited for racing, even though I still have two months before my first big competition! This year is quite different in that the Pan-American Triathlon Championships, a race that is usually in April or May, is in July, so a bit of pressure is relieved as this won't be the first race of the season. Feeling some speed coming, I'm getting motivated for the next 2 months of training. As well, I will finally be getting a new bike and making the jump from steel frame to carbon frame! I upgraded from my first road bike, a broken down and fixed up pink steel frame, about 5 years ago to a handcrafted Berg bike, also steel and pink (had to keep the tradition!). Now, as a member of Triathlon Code, a group of developing triathletes with our eyes on olympic dreams and sport greatness, Specialized has sponsored us with new bikes! I was fitted on my Amira Comp on Wednesday and even on the wind trainer it feels fast!! I can't wait to take it out on the road. Read more about Triathlon Code by visiting our website www.triathloncode.com  and blog triathloncode.blogspot.com

Time for a much needed rest

At the end of three quality weeks of training, a few days of recovery are much needed. In my experience, recovering is just as important as key workouts, and can also sometimes be just as difficult to push yourself through. As an athlete, it is second nature to push yourself hard during back to back workouts, and to rush around crazily to get everything done in a day. We desire to keep the pace up and not slow down...however, every few weeks, it is necessary to take a breather.
Unaccustomed to laying on the couch for hours on end, avoiding unnecessary movement, or staying out of the sun, doing nothing can be easier said than done (even though there is actually nothing to do!). For me, the worst part about not training is boredom. Sitting inside all day, away from sunlight, fresh air, and my training buddies really affects my mental state, but makes me all the more grateful to get back out training the next day!
So, being completely exhausted at the moment and looking forward to a few slower days, I also have to reassure myself that it is OK to have nothing to do! I have learned that in order to be able to do everything I want to do, I have to do nothing (as backwards as that sounds, hopefully you get my point!).

Commitment...it means showing up to practice no matter what.

Well, today was a day that I'll look back on years from now and still remember.
It started with snow. Waking up this morning for swim practice, the weather conditions didn't quite register in my brain until I was scraping a 2 inch thick layer of snow off my 1992 Toyota Corolla, a car which has definitely seen better days. Although I have only ever driven in the snow once before, I was not too worried about getting to the pool as I only live about 5 min away; however, this short treck proved to be more exciting than usual.
Driving about 20 km per hour along the snow covered road, I am forced to take a detour to avoid the traffic jam in front of me as cars with twice the power of mine are getting stuck going up a hill. Stupidly, I decide to take my chances on an even steeper hill (steeper than I remember). Zigzagging back and forth in order to not slide backwards, my car's wheels are spinning, barely gripping the pavement, but somehow (I guess luck was on my side today) I make it to the top of the hill. Getting stuck for a second at the intersection, I arrive at the pool safe, but not sound. Just thinking about all the bad things that could have happened on the way here, I wondered why I even tried driving at all (next time I will definitely walk)...but not showing up to practice was not an option.
After a solid swim with my team mates, I managed to drive home on cleared roads without too much trouble, and rest for an hour before our afternoon bike session.
Realizing that my car was no match for the unrelenting snow, I arranged a ride with Alison to our indoor bike practice at PISE (about a 10 minute drive away). Too afraid to even drive to her house, I decided to tough it out and trudge through the snow with my wind trainer resting on my shoulders and my bike rolling along beside me. About 20 minutes later, I finally turn up her street, now dragging my bike behind me as the wheels are so congested with compact snow that they are pretty much dysfunctional. Finding my way through the blizzard to her car, stage 1 of my journey is over, and I can breathe for a short while. We arrived at PISE after sliding through an intersection, and more trudging through the snow. This journey was truly epic.
After this morning's swim, and the past two days of solid training, the bike session felt tough. But considering all the trouble we went through to get here, we were not about to sit back and waste the next 2 hours. One by one, people leave the building, passing by us with looks that seem to say "You're crazy". I don't take offense to this. What some people don't realize is that we're not crazy, just committed. Committment means showing up to practice no matter what. We choose not to take the easy road.


Christine

A long overdue update...

Well, so much for my goal to update once a week! Unfortunately, the only excuse I can come up with is that I was busy... I know,  the truth is not very exciting.

So what exactly have I been doing? To sum up, school, training, sleeping, and cleaning.

First, school. I've been handling my second semester at UVic much better than my first. Discovering the stress and anxiety of falling behind, I have been doing my best to stay up to date in all my classes, which means LOTS of reading. I've gotten my first midterms over with and am now enjoying reading break. Even though classes only started 6 weeks ago, a break from the books was definitely needed!

Second, training. January sped by and we are deep into February with March just around the corner. My first big competition is not until June, so I have a few solid months of quality training to get under my belt before I hit the races. My swimming has been coming along surprisingly well, and I have finally broken through the dreaded "plateau" that I've been on since I was 15, which is something that seems to happen to a lot of female swimmers around that age. It is really exciting to see my hard work from the past few years paying off, as I get faster in workouts. With an 800 time trial bound to come up soon, I am very excited to see what I can do.
Over reading break, I was hoping to go somewhere warm and sunny for a training camp, but unfortunately, those plans fell though. Staying in Victoria in some ways will be very good for me, and will make managing school a lot easier. And just because we are not going anywhere, doesn't mean there won't be a training camp!

Third, sleeping. Sleep is crucial to being able to do the first two well and consistently. I avoided getting sick all winter, and hope to keep up this good routine by continuing to get enough sleep, which can get really hard around exam time. Now that reading break is here, and an undoubtedly a hard training camp is about to begin, I don't think being in bed by 9:00 pm will be a challenge!

Fourth, cleaning...one of the things I hate about living by myself. It was an amazing discovery to find that the dishes do not magically become clean, or that my clothes don't just pick themselves up off the floor...and the amount of time it takes to do all these things!! Really mom, I don't know how you do it.

Until next time (no promises on when that will be!)

Christine

2011! A new year... a new blog!

Well, I am officially entering the world of blogging. Let me introduce myself.

Birthday: June 13, 1992

Age: 18

Hometown: Cowichan Bay, British Columbia

How I came to be a triathlete:

I raced my first triathlon, the Victoria Youth Triathlon, when I was nine at the recommendation of my swim coach. Immediately loving the sport, I continued to race in the Kids of Steel Program until the age of 15. I am now preparing to race my last year as a Junior Elite.

Training History:

I swam with the Duncan Stingrays Swim Team from the age of 7 to 18. I began triathlon specific training when I was 13 with Kelly’s Kids Triathlon Team, coached by Kelly Guest. I currently train with the National Triathlon Center coached by Patrick Kelly.

What I love about triathlon:

This sport is great because it is not just one sport. Boredom is not a factor with the continual variation of swim, bike, and run training. Racing triathlon provides a feeling of accomplishment far above what I felt in other sports. I also love the fact that every race is different, and every race is unpredictable.

Why I do triathlon:

Sport has always been a huge part of my life. Although triathlon requires a great amount of commitment, there is honestly nothing else I would rather be doing. My triathlon career has provided many great memories, and has allowed me to travel around the world. As well, the friends I’ve made along the way make it all the more worthwhile.

My Inspiration:

I’ve never really had a role model in triathlon, but there have definitely been people that have inspired me along the way. My coaches, team mates, as well as up and coming athletes, are all people that have helped motivate me on a slow day, and continually push me to be a better athlete and person.

Highlights:

Kids of Steel Successes:

Two-time winner of US Youth Elite Nationals (2006, 2007)

Two-time Western Canadian Champion (2006, 2007)

Winner of three gold medals (aquathon, duathlon, triathlon) at BC Summer Games (2006)

Junior Elite Accomplishments:

Junior Elite National Series: 1st 2008, 3rd 2009

Canadian Eastern Championships: 3rd 2009, 1st 2010

Canadian Western Championships: 3rd 2009, 1st 2010

Junior Elite Nationals: 3rd 2008, 6th 2009

2009 Canada Summer Games: 4th individual triathlon, 1st team relay

Pan-American Triathlon Championships: 5th 2008, 7th 2009, 3rd 2010

2009 Australian Youth Olympic Festival: 5th

2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games: 14th

2010 Junior Elite World Championships: 12th

Since graduating high school last June, I now live in Victoria and train with the National Triathlon Center. I am very excited for the upcoming 2011 season.