Instead of putting on a cape, Whitfield takes off his visor with less than a kilometer to go and fires it into the crowd. He then runs down a gap between himself and 3 of the top triathlon runners in the sport, hammers right through them and grabs the race by the throat. With absolutely nothing in the tank he holds onto silver for the gutsiest live sports performance I have ever seen.
The gold medal winning men's 8-rowing team had a great quote: "The medals are awarded in the summer but earned in the winter." Some of the training Whitfield & Co. do is all about that: http://simonwhitfield.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 18, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
You gotta put it on paper...
Rule number 1 in Goal Setting is the title of this post. As the adage goes, if you want something to happen than you have to write it down. Since deciding to do this race almost a year ago, I have been wondering what kind of time I could/should be shooting for.
In all honesty, it is a scary question. The moment you answer it, an extra piece of accountability is added to things. Far easier to keep it unanswered or at the very least the answer to yourself. But life is far too short for that. I always knew I'd have an answer because as Rule #1 dictates: you gotta write it down...Rules 2 and 3 are ensuring the goal is specific and it is achievable.
So while finishing will be an accomplishment it is important for me to shoot for something more specific - something specific like 10.5 hours.
There you have it. 1) Written down. 2) Specific. 3) Achievable? We will see...
In all honesty, it is a scary question. The moment you answer it, an extra piece of accountability is added to things. Far easier to keep it unanswered or at the very least the answer to yourself. But life is far too short for that. I always knew I'd have an answer because as Rule #1 dictates: you gotta write it down...Rules 2 and 3 are ensuring the goal is specific and it is achievable.
So while finishing will be an accomplishment it is important for me to shoot for something more specific - something specific like 10.5 hours.
There you have it. 1) Written down. 2) Specific. 3) Achievable? We will see...
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
August 5, 2008
Hard to believe the August long weekend is already behind us. The Olympics start this week, the Blue Jays are out of playoff contention, teachers and students are counting down the days until the first bell rings, and I am now inside three months to Ironman Florida.
FUNDRAISING UPDATE
$22,000!
That is where we are. With out target efforts now achieving 220% of our goal, we have raised the stakes. Our new target is:
$50,000!
Go hard or go home right?! To help us achieve this, we are holding a Family Fun Day at Brampton's Chinguacousy Park. With a bunch of stuff to do, prizes, BBQ etc. it will be both an event of celebration and appreciation. There will be much more coming on this but please keep SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH open on your calendar.
There is a group of very dedicated and committed people working on getting us to the big 5-0. It will be a fun 3 months.
TRAINING UPDATE
Training and racing this season have been going well. This past weekend I did the K-Town Triathlon, which was my last scheduled race until the big dance in November. It was a solid outing building on the 1/2 Ironman I did in Peterborough a few weeks ago. After improving my time in Peterborough by over 20 minutes I was excited, motivated and completely prepared to really race Kingston hard. My plan was to race the swim hard and hopefully stick with a fast group so I could get on the bike course and let’er fly like I did in Peterborough where I had my fastest ever bike split regardless of distance. Hopefully I would have enough gas in the tank to hang onto the run.
So I did get into a fast group for the swim but one in which I probably shouldn’t have been in. I had to work too hard and realized that as I got to the turnaround and then out of the water with my heart already racing and not a lot of time gained, this race was going to hurt. The bike was much the same although the crosswinds proved to be challenging for everyone. Out on the run I focused on keeping my legs turning over and was able to reel some people in. When it was all said and done I was happy with my race and the lesson learned that trying to rev up too early does not lead to getting time in the bank but rather just a painful day of racing!
I plan on providing more frequent updates as things get closer to November. The kind words, emails and encouragement I have been getting as Racing for SickKids gathers steam has been awesome and humbling. I would be lying if I didn't say the thought of others knowing what we are building towards wasn't a source of energy and motivation when I am hurting the most in my races and workouts. Thank you!
FUNDRAISING UPDATE
$22,000!
That is where we are. With out target efforts now achieving 220% of our goal, we have raised the stakes. Our new target is:
$50,000!
Go hard or go home right?! To help us achieve this, we are holding a Family Fun Day at Brampton's Chinguacousy Park. With a bunch of stuff to do, prizes, BBQ etc. it will be both an event of celebration and appreciation. There will be much more coming on this but please keep SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH open on your calendar.
There is a group of very dedicated and committed people working on getting us to the big 5-0. It will be a fun 3 months.
TRAINING UPDATE
Training and racing this season have been going well. This past weekend I did the K-Town Triathlon, which was my last scheduled race until the big dance in November. It was a solid outing building on the 1/2 Ironman I did in Peterborough a few weeks ago. After improving my time in Peterborough by over 20 minutes I was excited, motivated and completely prepared to really race Kingston hard. My plan was to race the swim hard and hopefully stick with a fast group so I could get on the bike course and let’er fly like I did in Peterborough where I had my fastest ever bike split regardless of distance. Hopefully I would have enough gas in the tank to hang onto the run.
So I did get into a fast group for the swim but one in which I probably shouldn’t have been in. I had to work too hard and realized that as I got to the turnaround and then out of the water with my heart already racing and not a lot of time gained, this race was going to hurt. The bike was much the same although the crosswinds proved to be challenging for everyone. Out on the run I focused on keeping my legs turning over and was able to reel some people in. When it was all said and done I was happy with my race and the lesson learned that trying to rev up too early does not lead to getting time in the bank but rather just a painful day of racing!
I plan on providing more frequent updates as things get closer to November. The kind words, emails and encouragement I have been getting as Racing for SickKids gathers steam has been awesome and humbling. I would be lying if I didn't say the thought of others knowing what we are building towards wasn't a source of energy and motivation when I am hurting the most in my races and workouts. Thank you!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Happy belated Canada Day!
After now blasting through the $10,000 mark in fundraising I am very happy to report that our baseball tournament raised another $5000 for SickKids! Further, I have been eagerly awaiting news that will significantly add to this total and will keep you posted on any news.
Everyone's generosity is appreciated and please know I have been training hard to put out a big effort not only in November but in my other upcoming races. Speaking of which, this weekend is the Peterborough 1/2 Ironman which is a 2k swim, 90k bike, 21k run. Anxious to go fast...I just got a new aero helmet that should help me squeeze out some time on the bike. I just got it today and have been wearing around the office to get used to it. And yes, I look as ridiculous as the picture in your head suggests...
At the very least I will let'er fly on Sunday. Looking forward to a couple days rest prior including the start of the Tour de France on Saturday.
After now blasting through the $10,000 mark in fundraising I am very happy to report that our baseball tournament raised another $5000 for SickKids! Further, I have been eagerly awaiting news that will significantly add to this total and will keep you posted on any news.
Everyone's generosity is appreciated and please know I have been training hard to put out a big effort not only in November but in my other upcoming races. Speaking of which, this weekend is the Peterborough 1/2 Ironman which is a 2k swim, 90k bike, 21k run. Anxious to go fast...I just got a new aero helmet that should help me squeeze out some time on the bike. I just got it today and have been wearing around the office to get used to it. And yes, I look as ridiculous as the picture in your head suggests...
At the very least I will let'er fly on Sunday. Looking forward to a couple days rest prior including the start of the Tour de France on Saturday.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
June 17
The Anti-Charlie Brown?
An interesting time these last few days. I felt like a little kid in ways...I left the house early Friday morning on my bike and only really came back to eat and sleep. The rest of the time I got to play. Friday was an amazing day. I started riding my bike in Hamilton, went to Oakville, Sherway Gardens, downtown Toronto and back home (Woodbridge). After over 125k riding that day, the first drops of rain I felt were just as I pulled into my street. More impressive was who I got to spend the time with and the stories I heard. The National Kids Cancer Ride is making their way across Canada. I got to spend a day with them. Read about it here. Amazing. Proof that a small group of good people can do great things.
I followed this up with the 8th Annual Lawnboy Cup. I am hoping to get some pictures to put up here, but another successful year. Again the weather co-operated 100%. As the last car pulled away from the diamond on Friday evening the storm started and all day Saturday was amazing. Even after taking a ball in the face, I had a great time. (Yes, I realize what the glove on my hand is for, but it was a bad bounce!)
I typically don't prepare for races with a 6hr bike ride, day of baseball, and only 3 hrs of sleep, but Kat and I woke up early Sunday AM to head up to Huntsville for the Muskoka Chase Triathlon. Ignorance is bliss and although I have done this race 3 times now, I am sure my mind will allow my body to forget how hilly the course is for next year. Even the swim feels like it is up hill. I have often described longer races (the Marathon, the 1/2 Ironman) as mini-movies in which you go through a wide range of emotions...this one was just like that. I could feel in my warm-up that my hip flexiors were kinda ticked off at me but I was determined to push the pace and see what happened. My swim felt pretty good but my time was weak considering the effort. My bike was terrible. I had no pop in my legs, was getting passed liked crazy and honestly, feeling sorry for myself and like a baby.
The excuses were all set: the big workouts that week, the lack of sleep, no rest/taper etc. I was very close to shutting it down for the day. Glad I didn't. I started the run and Kat was there yelling encouragement and I joked the Friday ride didn't help but just started running. Not pushing the pace, but on a sort of autopilot. Good things started happening. Over the first 5k I starting picking people off (always feels good to get those that beat you on the bike) and it seemed at the 5k marker I was passing people in bunches. Not going nuts but working hard and just cruising. It was getting warm so was grabbing 2-3 cups water at every aid station and made sure I got 3 gels in me no matter what my stomach thought. By 10k I was really working to reel some people in especially those in my age group (they write your age on your calve in marker). With only about 100m to go I tracked down one more 30-34 year old male at the top of the hill and kicked it for the line hoping to match at least what I did last year. As it turns out, my surprising run on tired legs lead to a new personal best time and my highest finish in my age group at Muskoka. Nice.
Finally, it was home and inside. Once there the sky opened up and the rain and lighting came down in an amazing display from nature. I feel a bit like the anti-Charlie Brown: lately it is sunshine and not a storm cloud that is following me around.
FUNDRAISING
With over $10,000 in donations our initial target is reached. We obviously underestimated the power of this. What will the next 4 months bring?
An interesting time these last few days. I felt like a little kid in ways...I left the house early Friday morning on my bike and only really came back to eat and sleep. The rest of the time I got to play. Friday was an amazing day. I started riding my bike in Hamilton, went to Oakville, Sherway Gardens, downtown Toronto and back home (Woodbridge). After over 125k riding that day, the first drops of rain I felt were just as I pulled into my street. More impressive was who I got to spend the time with and the stories I heard. The National Kids Cancer Ride is making their way across Canada. I got to spend a day with them. Read about it here. Amazing. Proof that a small group of good people can do great things.
I followed this up with the 8th Annual Lawnboy Cup. I am hoping to get some pictures to put up here, but another successful year. Again the weather co-operated 100%. As the last car pulled away from the diamond on Friday evening the storm started and all day Saturday was amazing. Even after taking a ball in the face, I had a great time. (Yes, I realize what the glove on my hand is for, but it was a bad bounce!)
I typically don't prepare for races with a 6hr bike ride, day of baseball, and only 3 hrs of sleep, but Kat and I woke up early Sunday AM to head up to Huntsville for the Muskoka Chase Triathlon. Ignorance is bliss and although I have done this race 3 times now, I am sure my mind will allow my body to forget how hilly the course is for next year. Even the swim feels like it is up hill. I have often described longer races (the Marathon, the 1/2 Ironman) as mini-movies in which you go through a wide range of emotions...this one was just like that. I could feel in my warm-up that my hip flexiors were kinda ticked off at me but I was determined to push the pace and see what happened. My swim felt pretty good but my time was weak considering the effort. My bike was terrible. I had no pop in my legs, was getting passed liked crazy and honestly, feeling sorry for myself and like a baby.
The excuses were all set: the big workouts that week, the lack of sleep, no rest/taper etc. I was very close to shutting it down for the day. Glad I didn't. I started the run and Kat was there yelling encouragement and I joked the Friday ride didn't help but just started running. Not pushing the pace, but on a sort of autopilot. Good things started happening. Over the first 5k I starting picking people off (always feels good to get those that beat you on the bike) and it seemed at the 5k marker I was passing people in bunches. Not going nuts but working hard and just cruising. It was getting warm so was grabbing 2-3 cups water at every aid station and made sure I got 3 gels in me no matter what my stomach thought. By 10k I was really working to reel some people in especially those in my age group (they write your age on your calve in marker). With only about 100m to go I tracked down one more 30-34 year old male at the top of the hill and kicked it for the line hoping to match at least what I did last year. As it turns out, my surprising run on tired legs lead to a new personal best time and my highest finish in my age group at Muskoka. Nice.
Finally, it was home and inside. Once there the sky opened up and the rain and lighting came down in an amazing display from nature. I feel a bit like the anti-Charlie Brown: lately it is sunshine and not a storm cloud that is following me around.
FUNDRAISING
With over $10,000 in donations our initial target is reached. We obviously underestimated the power of this. What will the next 4 months bring?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
June 10
3 Months Old
After seeing far too much of a hospital ward as a newborn, Jon finally went home and came back for another set of procedures and surgery at 3 months old. He was 12lbs at this point. The objective was to patch the hole at the rear of the heart (VSD) and to relieve pressure on the pulmonary artery thru neck surgery. The doctors executed perfectly on this however the pressure on the pulmonary artery would continue to surface as an issue and as a result from the numerous surgeries it would result from a build up in scar tissue.
Research
It is important to remember that in addition to funding things such as daily floor operations and equipment purchases, donations received also provide much needed capital to fund investment in research. Ideally, this investment generates a return in the form of new discovery, treatment, and breakthroughs that translate into longer and higher quality of life. Childhood cardiology is no exception to this. Had Jonathon gone through similar treatment today there is a high probability he would have had a pacemaker/defibulator implanted to ensure his heartbeat stayed regulated as it would in a typical heart such as yours or mine. While I am unsure whether it was unproven, unavailable and/or simply advised against for kids that young it wasn’t considered an option at the time.
Fundraising
I can’t believe we have crossed over the $8000 mark. With the baseball tournament this weekend, I look forward to telling you we have smashed our initial target. This is awesome! Thank you!
After seeing far too much of a hospital ward as a newborn, Jon finally went home and came back for another set of procedures and surgery at 3 months old. He was 12lbs at this point. The objective was to patch the hole at the rear of the heart (VSD) and to relieve pressure on the pulmonary artery thru neck surgery. The doctors executed perfectly on this however the pressure on the pulmonary artery would continue to surface as an issue and as a result from the numerous surgeries it would result from a build up in scar tissue.
Research
It is important to remember that in addition to funding things such as daily floor operations and equipment purchases, donations received also provide much needed capital to fund investment in research. Ideally, this investment generates a return in the form of new discovery, treatment, and breakthroughs that translate into longer and higher quality of life. Childhood cardiology is no exception to this. Had Jonathon gone through similar treatment today there is a high probability he would have had a pacemaker/defibulator implanted to ensure his heartbeat stayed regulated as it would in a typical heart such as yours or mine. While I am unsure whether it was unproven, unavailable and/or simply advised against for kids that young it wasn’t considered an option at the time.
Fundraising
I can’t believe we have crossed over the $8000 mark. With the baseball tournament this weekend, I look forward to telling you we have smashed our initial target. This is awesome! Thank you!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
June 3
We just sent out a Racing for SickKids update and over the next couple weeks I plan on sharing a bit more of Jon's story with you. June is a special time in that it is the month he was born and the anniversary of his death. Since 2000 his family and friends have used the excuse of a baseball tournament to celebrate his life and raise money in his memory. In many ways it is the beginning of summer...
Milton Triathlon - June 1
While jumping into 61 degree water on a Sunday morning is about as fun as it sounds, that is where I found myself this past weekend to kick off the triathlon season. After a solid swim, a mediocre bike, I managed to have a pretty strong run to finish 13th in my age group (of 61). My time was identical to last year however this year I trained hard instead of resting for the race. Also encouraging is that after only 3 weeks recovery from the marathon my legs were there for the run (but man did they hurt from the 3.5hr bike and 2+hr workouts I did the preceding two days). Next stop: the Muskoka Chase which will probably have the most competitive field after the Ironman this season.
Milton Triathlon - June 1
While jumping into 61 degree water on a Sunday morning is about as fun as it sounds, that is where I found myself this past weekend to kick off the triathlon season. After a solid swim, a mediocre bike, I managed to have a pretty strong run to finish 13th in my age group (of 61). My time was identical to last year however this year I trained hard instead of resting for the race. Also encouraging is that after only 3 weeks recovery from the marathon my legs were there for the run (but man did they hurt from the 3.5hr bike and 2+hr workouts I did the preceding two days). Next stop: the Muskoka Chase which will probably have the most competitive field after the Ironman this season.
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