Golden Bear Open 2013

This past weekend was the GBO, the universities annual top tier track and field event. The 3000m was scheduled for Friday night, and if the seed times were any indication, it was going to be a fast race. My 8:55 performance at the Alberta Open 3 weeks ago ranked me 11th out of 12 athletes, granting me access to some prime real estate on the outside of the track. From the gun, I settled into 8th position, knowing that 3000m is a long way to go and the pace will sort things out. Trying to maintain a consistent pace and avoiding any sudden surges, I moved up the pack and found myself in 3rd by the mile. My distance coach, Sean Baynton, was on the back straight and his voice was the only noise I listen to the whole race. "Jamaaaaa! stayyyy patient!""Patience Jama!" At 2km there was a surge from the front that ripped the pack apart, dividing the race into two. The race was now between myself and two others, Curtis Merry of U of C, and Matt Johnson of U of R. The pace continued and with 500 to go I couldn't match their next surge, and I began fading off the back. Curtis and Matt ran a fantastic race with Curtis edging Matt at the line by half a second, and I came through 6 seconds later in a time of 8:42, a new personal best!

Saturday was the 1500m. I was a little tired from Fridays efforts, and my game plan going in was to do what I needed to win my heat, nothing more nothing less. A friend of mine, Bruce Penner, a great guy and huge supporter of track in Edmonton. His son, Isaac, upgraded from the junior ranks to compete in the open division. He is still in high school and to compete with Uni athletes is no easy task but I respect him for doing it. The pace in the opening km wasn't recording breaking to say the least and I felt comfortable in the pack in 4th position. Things picked up with 400 to go, and the selection was myself, Isaac, and Paul Mangiel. At 200m, Isaac went to the front and tried to pull away, I just latched onto his heels and with 50m to go I sprinted by for the win. 

The GBO as a whole was a great success, obviously with a PB in the 3000 things are looking up. The teams off the University of Manitoba next week and with their banked track and lower altitude, hopefully there'll be some more fast racing. 

A look back at the year that was

With the New Year upon us, I can't really think of better time for me to start up my new blog. Timing is everything right? But before we look at what 2013 has in store, I'd like to look back at the peaks and valleys of 2012. With all variables considered, this past season was my best so far. It marked the first time I earned some cash racing, and also my first experience competing in Europe.

St. Albert 10 Miler

The season began at the St. Albert 10 miler in mid-April. Its a great event, with one of the most challenging courses I`ve raced on. We did a race prep session the weekend before in order to get a good understanding of the course and to determine which tactics to use race day. We were even lucky enough to have Kevin following in a support car. He captured some good video, with even better tunes.

One Dangerous Commute

When able to do so, I commute on my bike around town, especially living in the University area; it’s easier to get around on 2 wheels rather than 4. As with all things in life, this comes with some risk. It was the end of April, and I had just finished writing my last University exam that afternoon. In the evening I did a track session with the Academy, and then headed back to school to use the Wi-Fi. It was around 9-10 by the time I left for home on my bike. I was having issues with my chain jumping off the cassette from time to time but neglected the problem because I was so busy studying for my exams, I just didn`t have to the time to take it in for service. I was 4 blocks away from home when the chain jumped off again, but this time it caught me off guard, which caused me to loss my balance and I ended up crashing over my handle bars. I knew instantly something was broken but still hoped it was just a strain. I waited until the morning to head over the University hospital to have some X-rays done. To no surprise......

I had fractured my right radial head. It was a crushing blow, made even worse by the fact that the Triathlon season was just about to start, and all the good work I had done in the water over the off season was now effective useless. Earlier in the year I was hired on as a domestique for local legend Stephen Paiano of PRW, but you’re not much of an asset if you can’t grip the handle bars in cycling. Its funny looking back, he was the first person I called after leaving emergency, even before my parents, just to make sure he didn’t purchase my race license for me as we had discussed the day before. I ended up taking a couple days off, but was back running within 3 days of the fall, and cycling on the trainer in 5. It was an interesting adaptation for the season, many of the Triathlons I wanted to do were now replaced with a full schedule of run races, and it was also at this point we started to seriously look at Duathlon World Championships.

Calgary 10 km

Now instead of competing at the Edmonton Coronation Triathlon, I headed down to Calgary for their cities 10k. Thanks to Jon Bird, the Alberta athlete coordinator, I was able to attain a complimentary entry. Elite status. VIP treatment at this race was great, plenty of pre and post race food and drinks, and excellent support staff aiding wherever need be. The race went okay; I went in with no expectations and finished 4th. Considering I had broken my arm not even 3 week prior, it was just another step in the right direction. I didn’t walk away empty handed though, the top 5 finishers were given an authentic Calgary Stampede Cowboy hat. Every Albertan needs a little Country in them.

 

Pops and Willy Kimosop

Edmonton Blue Mile

In my eyes Edmonton is one of the greatest running communities in North America. Our green ribbon provides us a world class network of trails and from this solid foundation the community thrives. Allowing local organizers to host and experiment with exciting and ambitious race concepts. Last year marked the 1st Annual Blue Mile road race, held completely within Old Strathcona. Starting from Old Scona High School the race travelled east to 105th street, south two blocks down to Whyte Ave, then along the Ave until 108th Street, north two blocks back to 84 Ave, then straight back to the finish in front of Scona. In the race I was only able to hold on till about 400-300 meters left to go; when your training for a 10k it’s very difficult to develop the speed endurance required for the mile. 4:21, I`ll take that. As for the guys that beat me that day, and to be more specific, the winner, something seemed off. Obviously I wasn`t able to witness the finish but from what I heard afterwards, the winner had no problem sprinting out of the group to cross the tape first, aviators and all. At the time no one suspected anything, and why would anyone? A few months went by, and just as the USADA investigation into Lance Armstrong was starting to heat up, a very interesting article was published in the New York Times. The winner, Christian Hesch, had admitted to using EPO, over a 2 year period which including the Blue Mile. Doping isn`t anything new to sport, we hear about doping controls in the Olympics and other major international sporting events, but for the first time, it had effected me as an athlete. It was a difficult pill to swallow at the time but that is the reality of the state affairs in sport right now. Well worth a read

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/sports/runner-christian-hesch-describes-doping-with-epo.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Whyte Ave- Where's Waldo?

So Flossy

Mr.Hollywood himself

Donovan Bailey Invitational

Up next was the Donovan Bailey Invitational. A stop on the national summer track series calendar, held at Foote Field. It was an amazing event, the 100m World Champion, Yohan Blake in attendance, as well as the majority of Canada's national track team and plenty of top quality American and Caribbean athletes. My race, the Devil's 5k, was a natural crowd favourite. Each lap the Devil would pick off one athlete at the back of the pack until the race with narrowed down from 20 athletes to about 5 or so. 

My run fitness at the time was great, which allowed me to be in control from start to finish. Here's the race in its entirety. http://www.flotrack.org/video/642087-M-Devils-5k-Last-man-Standing- my 1st win of the season!

Great White North Triathlon

My good friend, Stephen Paiano, approached me in early June to see if I was interested in taking part in his relay at the Great White North Triathlon. I was hesitant at first, having never completed a half marathon before but eventually decided to go ahead with it. Stephen (Executive Director of Triathlon Alberta), Chantell Widney (Elite ITU Triathlete) and I were a pretty good team on paper. Chantell would tackle the swim, Stephen on the bike, and I'd finish it off on the run. The goal going in was to break the team course record, and that’s exactly what we executed. Chantell swam great, Stephen held his own on the bike and I even surprised myself with a 1:12 half marathon to finish it off in an overall time of 3:59:52.

Edmonton ITU World Cup

The Edmonton ITU World Cup Triathlon was next up on the calendar. The focal point of the season for the ETA, and is the goal of every Academy athlete to one day compete at home. With my injury still not completely healed, I was unable to take part in the age group race (I have yet to achieve my world cup swim standard) and instead took on the role as the official media transporter. Golf kart and all. The race itself was a great success for the Canadian National team, both Kyle Jones and Lauren Campbell won the men's and women's elite races and a number of young athletes had the opportunity to race at the world cup level for the first time.

United Cycle Indy 10 km

Last year also mark the inaugural running of the United Cycle Indy 10k. Another example of how great the running community is in Edmonton and its ability to host great events. Two laps on the Indy circuit made for a fast race, but the weather had something to say about that. Race day was cold, wet and windy which obviously changed the race completely. The leading group was just Francois Leboeuf and I, and with the conditions in consideration, neither of us wanted to lead, but rather be tucked in behind the other, sheltered from the wind. This stalemate lasted the entire race until 400m left to go, where I was good enough on the day to sprint away and take the win. 

St. Albert Sprint Triathlon

By the time early August rolled around I was finally ready to race a Triathlon. The club was heading up to St. Albert to take part in their cities Tri in preparation for Kelowna's Continental Cup. Being my first race back from injury, I was happy with the result, still heavily dependent on my ability to reel people in on the run I eventually finished 3rd behind Kris and Kevin.

Sandy Beach Duathlon

Sandy Beach was the scene for the next race, my last chance to practice before leaving for Europe. A modified Duathlon, 5k-20k-5k distance, non drafting affair. I made the decision the night before not to use race wheels, just my training set up, and a decision that almost cost me dearly. In the opening leg I was able to open up a 2-3 min lead on my main competitors, Kevin (ETA Coach) and Matt (one of my training partners). But once on the bike I knew my lead wouldn't last long, with Kevin in full time trial set up and Matt on carbon wheels it was matter of limiting my losses. Just before the turn around point on the bike they caught and proceeded to pass me. I tried to keep up but with no luck. They arrived in transition 2 about 2-3 minutes ahead of me, and it was full gas from the moment I got off the bike. If I had any chance in catching Kevin, it was going to be in the last km. The turnaround provided me with the first time check, and it seemed Kevin was 1 min ahead with 2.5 k to go. It was going to be close but do able, and with under a 500m to go, I got on to Kevin's heels. Just as he did to me on the bike, I proceeded to pass him at a speed he couldn't match, and crossed the line for my 3rd win of the season.

Winning always has its perks, this time around it was a pair of adizeros

University of Alberta's commitment to sporting excellence

September was a very important month for both me and the Academy. A new partnership between us and the University distance running program now allows ETA athletes to compete for the university without compromising our already demanding training schedule. The coaching staff now in place fully understands that even though we are training for two other events, the fitness benefits gained through theses means does not have a negative effect on our performance. It’s been proven over and over that some of the finest endurance athletes in this city are Triathletes, something that is finally being respected at the University level.

Nancy France ITU Duathlon World Championships 

September also mark my trip to Nancy France for u-23 Duathlon World Championship, my first opportunity to represent Canada Internationally. Leading up to the race I was spot on, maintaining my highest ever numbers on the bike and constantly running sub 3 minute km. Everything was on track for me to perform well. I arrived in Nancy five days early to do the normal race prep, get over the jet lap, course familiarization, and to enjoy eastern France while I could. The race was to take part completely within the city core, centered around Palace Stanislas, A UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

The elite men and u-23 races were combined, making it a hard fought affair. From the gun it was full gas for 2 hours, with nonstop bombardment of attacks, surges, and team tactics to make it the most mentally fatiguing race I've done in my career thus far. I unfortunately suffered from cramping in both legs during the second half of the first run, something I was never able to completely recover from, but I didn't fly across the Atlantic to make excuses. As with everyone else in the race, I pushed through the pain and finished 11th, just out of the top ten and within top 15, which was the main goal of the trip.