end of camp, been on plane, seen on news

So the training camp in Flagstaff has come and gone.  Starting the camp I was thinking how was I ever going to have a good workout let alone have a successful camp up there and be ready for a World Cup in four weeks when I could barely do a easy workout without feeling exhausted and out of breath.  Well I got over being exhausted after every workout and recovered faster but I think that I just got used to being out of breath after every effort no matter how long even if it was just 10 seconds long.

I am now in beautiful Mooloolaba, Australia for my favorite race of the year (I think that it is just because I like the city here so much).  It is the first World Cup of the year and I am well prepared for the race.  I arrived late afternoon yesterday and having done a couple workouts down here at sea level, it feels great.  I am not huffing and puffing after my efforts and everything feels really easy...exactly why we go to altitude in the first place!

On the flight down from Vancouver to Sydney we all got upgraded into business class and got seats in the "pods".  That helped out a lot for sleeping because you can lie completely horizontal and make your seat into a bed, although not the most comfortable bed I have ever been in!  We missed our connection out of Sydney because we were late getting in but were booked on the next flight only 60min later than the original.  Then we had to wait a couple hours for other athletes in Brisbane to pick up because we were all booked on the same shuttle that the race organized.  It made for a long day.

So we have done 5 workouts since we got here and they all felt great.  I am really looking forward to racing this weekend.  The weather has not been as good as last year, a little rain outside as I type this and thunderstorms in the forecast for the rest of the week including race day.

The local news (Channel 7) came and interviewed us today at our hotel.  I have uploaded the "sit in front of the TV with the hand held point and shoot camera while trying to keep the camera steady and being very quiet" version of it to You Tube and posted it below.  We should be getting the DVD version of it later on this week if the TV station drops it off.  I will post that version on You Tube which should be much clearer and steadier.

Do The Test

Now this is how you edit a video

More on training and other stuff soon.....

Who thinks 2 spots is better than 1 in the Olympics?

It seems like a very simple answer...the more athletes from your country at the Olympics the better.  Yea, yea...I know...it is not about participation but about performance here in Canada, but when we are talking about a developing country I think that it is very important that they qualify as many athletes as possible.  This increases the countries exposure to the world and increases the sports exposure within the country.  The National Sport Governing body would also probably give the sport more money in the future if more athletes represent their country at the Olympics.  We all know that the Olympics are the pinnacle for many sports including triathlon and most kids involved in sport dream of one day representing their country in the greatest sporting event in the World.

OK, so why am I making a big deal about all this?  Well yesterday was the African Triathlon Championships.  Every continent has a Championship this year and the winner of each race earns their country a spot on the start line in Beijing.  Well it just so happens that South Africa has a exceptionally fast athlete that is ranked in the top 25 in the Olympic Rankings which guarantees him a spot on the start line without winning the Continental Championships.  BUT no athlete can earn their country two spots in Beijing, only one spot per athlete.  

So when this athlete went ahead and won the African Championships by 10 seconds ahead of HIS OWN COUNTRYMAN it made absolutely no sense at all.  If he let his countryman win the race, that would have guaranteed South Africa two spots in Beijing if that athlete kept his ranking high enough throughout the rest of the year up until Worlds in Vancouver (last race for qualification).  If he was worried about maybe getting injured later on this year and falling way down the rankings and not earning a spot on his own, I bet that South Africa would have choose him over his countryman who earned the spot to represent South Africa at the Olympics because he is a much better triathlete.  I just do not get why he wouldn't let the other guy finish ahead of him, he was just 10 seconds behind.  Surely their National Federation talked to him about this beforehand, it would have been in their best interest.  Maybe they just did not know about this rule, but can they be that ignorant about something so big?  Maybe he wanted money and the other athlete or the National Federation did not pay him?  But could someone be that selfish towards another athlete from their country?  I bet that other athlete had the same dreams as him growing up...in fact, I bet he has the same dreams as that other athlete NOW!  Maybe this athlete wants to be the only male triathlete from his country at the Olympics because he likes all the attention and fame?  But can someone be such a prima donna when so much is on the line?  Maybe he just likes winning...then who could blame him!

I feel sorry for the athlete that came in second, actually, I feel sorry for the whole country of South Africa.  When someone has an opportunity to do good for their country it should be second nature to take that opportunity and use it.  I invite this athlete to come and train with our group sometime to see what being a teammate is all about.  The offer is always open.

Quarterlife

Today was my 25th birthday and I celebrated it by doing a tough treadmill workout of 5x3min with 2min rest.  Then I had a nap and went to the pool to do a 200 for every year since my mom spat me out.  Afterwards we went to the Outback where Joel treated me to a nice steak dinner and then off to Coldstones where the ice cream was on them because it was my birthday.  Then we played the game Catch Phrase.  Not a bad day.

Week one is done here in Flagstaff...2 more weeks left and then off to Australia for World Cup #1.

I AM SKELATOR!!!

20 Questions With Yours Truly