Kelowna Race Report

The drive home always feels quite a bit more hectic then going to Kelowna, but now that I am relaxed sitting much more comfortably then in the car, I can prepare a race report and so here is how the race played out. I did all my usual morning rituals Granola 3 hours before, decals on and music playing to my favorite tunes then set up the transition area in the usual fashion.

Swim
So we were in the hands of the starter and my ranking of 21st put me smack in the middle of the field. "Take your marks," moved up to the line and the horn blew. 34 guys dashed for the water. Running in I got a swift knock to the left and one from the right as I flailed into the water. Not my smoothest entrance. I re-focused started to spin the arms and worked my way to the front of the pack. I set a strong pace at the front for the remainder of the swim to exit the water with a time of 17.41 non wetsuit.

T1
I ran hard out of the water to ensure a top spot out onto the bike. T1 was relaxed, smooth and flawless, Hi-Ho silver on to the bike and feet into the shoes right away. Fantastico!

Bike
The rain was coming down hard and the roads were slick but we threw caution to the wind and got to it. I looked back to see Paul Tichelaar and Daniel Wells. On the first hill Tichelaar really poured it on in an attempt to get away. We eventually realized it was inevitable that we were going to be caught by a group of 10 working well together behind us. Every lap there was an attempt for a break on the hill. 2nd lap Matt Chrabot made an attempt; I knew he was a strong rider so I followed bridging the gap and began working with him but we would be swallowed up on the flats. 3rd lap Tom Evens, Paul Tichelaar, Sean Bechtel and I made an attempt, again we were swallowed up on the flats. 4th and final lap I heard some discussion between Tom and Paul and 5 seconds later Tom is off about a hundred meters before the hill Paul didn’t go because he knew he didn’t need to. The pack arrived at the bottom of the hill and I knew if something were to happen it would have to be here. I looked down at some motivating words that I had pasted on to my stem and geared up. I hammered it up to Tom about halfway up the hill and yelled for him to jump. I swung past as he did not wish to break at the moment. At the top of the hill I was alone and figured I may as well hold the pressure. Tom changed his mind and joined me. We began to work well together. We were questioning whether to continue as it seemed the pack was playing with us but we kept pushing hard. I had a few close calls as we were trying to get everything we could out of every corner and it was quite slippery. It felt great coming into transition with Tom Evens.

T2
My dismount was almost out of control as I hardly used my brakes and it was because of my dismount that I moved into First off the bike and first out of the transition.

Run
Off on to the run I started at a strong clip chasing after the lead bike. For the first time I was leading the run in an ITU!...for 500m until Paul came by. I got into a pace that I thought I could hold but within the first lap my quads were clenching and cramping so I was passed by a pack of 5 including Chrabot, Messenheimer, Bechtel, Dahlz and Richmond. I accelerated to stick to a shoulder but fell off pace a km later. Collington and Sexton came by shortly after and I found myself working with them holding even with the pack of guys ahead of us. My cramping had gone away and we were bringing back athletes. In the final lap I pulled away from Collington and reeled in Richmond to finish with a strong sprint for 7th place with a 33.51(17.04, 16.47) 10km.

(7) 1:51:40 Andrew McCartney (1)17:41 (8) 58:15 (13) 33:51

My best performance yet...wish I was going to Germany. After 4 races this year I feel like I am starting to figure out this Olympic distance triathlon. I have learnt so much this year.

Congratulations to Scotty for racing his first ITU!


Till then, ciao for now,
Andrew

PS. I will add photographs soon.

Today’s Top 5

Top 5 Songs to drive to: (May be subject to change)

1. TV on the Radio – Staring at the Sun (Wow I love this song!!)


2. The Cars – Here in my Car (Sorry it was an obvious choice, also this isn't actually link to that song but another good one)


3. Cut Copy – The Twilight (Just press Play)


4. Sting – Desert Rose (Great song)


5. Brazilian Girls - Homme (sorry for the poor quality version)

More Photographs available at:

TPS SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHS

Thanks guys and I promise I will purchase some.

2007 Kelowna ITU Triathlon Pan American Cup

So it has been a pretty relaxed week setting up for Kelowna. I have been feeling especially strong in the pool. With a solid set yesterday consisting of 12x100m Descending from 1.07's to 1.01's. Probably not the perfect idea for a taper but I just felt the mental boost was worth the extra energy.


So I picked up my front wheel from Gabor Herner at Fort Street Cycle with a new front tire. A Continental Gatorskin, interesting tread great for this weekends race. Fort Street has been so good to me, setting me up with my ride this year with Cervelo and with a mechanic like Gabor I feel so confident that mechanically I am ready for anything. Came home got the bike ready and looking fast and started packing. Now I am ready to go, we leave nice and early for the long trek over to Kelowna but I look forward to the ferrie trip over, I think I will sit on the deck and soak up the wind before the 3 hour drive.

But as for the race itself, I have always loved the swim course. It will basically be a two lap version of last year’s course. As for the bike course, wow what a course. Should be a blast! The course takes us along Ellis Dr. up an amazing climb as you look over the City of Kelowna. We do this course and this hill 4 times. The run is along the shore and should be hot. Hydration will be very important. I am afraid I don't have a Map of the run course but you will just have to trust me in that it is a beautiful 4 lap course.

I have been inspired by not just a Junior sweep from victoria on the mens side but also Brittany Imlach. Brittany blew a tire in the junior race on a corner, road rash all along her side, but did she give up? No, she pulled herself off the ground and got herself a second wheel and continued to race. Although she got DQed for outside assistance(The wheel) she is one tough cookie. Well done Brittany. She's the one on the cover of Vogue above. He he. /\

I have just finished watching Empire of the Sun, a very sad movie made in 1987 the year I was born by Steven Spielberg staring the very young Christian Bale as Jim 'Jamie' Graham who is captured in 1941, and taken to Soo Chow confinement camp, next to a captured Chinese airfield. Amidst the sickness and food shortages in the camp, Jim attempts to reconstruct his former life, all the while bringing spirit and dignity to those around him. It is a movie that really hits you deep. Very Sad. I chose the clip below due to the song the boy sings...'The Ambrosian Junior Choir - Suo Gan'

But I should be getting off shaving and I’m not talking about my face. Hehe.
Ciao for now,
Andrew McCartney

Aries March 21 - april 19

"Water, welfare, wood, witches and cake. A seemingly unconnected series of events will come together into one big party this month. All of the loose ends that have been hanging around in the back of your mind will come to the fore, and in typical Aries fashion you will herd them together and the resolutions will fall into place one after the other. Make sure you do not forget the basics otherwise the strong growing foundation on which you are standing could wither away, leaving you to flounder. This is a fantastic month. A series of wows."

Ok so I don't normally read Astrology but this morning with my bowl of Cereal I was reading through the Peninsula Times and found this astonishing article! Evidently I am either going to have a wicked party or my race in Kelowna should be a good one.

• Three "seemingly unconnected series of events" (Swimming, Biking and Running) will come together? Hmm...


• "do not forget the basics" (Gels, water and transitions)
  

"A series of Wows"... Crikey!

Ciao for now,

Andrew

Yaw

Well that was “Yaw.” Yaw like mentioned in ‘The Philadelphia Story.’ So what is Yaw, yaw is I suppose joy but yaw can be something different for anyone. Today, ‘Yaw’ was a workout, well I guess two workouts sort of blurred into one. But boy was it yaw, finishing a workout so tired that all you can do is smile, giggle and nurse your aching muscles.

(Click on photo for funny scene)

But here is the workout:
First off we met at Thetis Lake for a strong ride through the very hill roads of Metchosin and Happy Valley. Although I was not a 100% on the ride I hung in through some tough times. The pace was stiff as I managed to stay on the pack. I found the hills quite manageable. (Besides bad position near the beginning of the ride) Quite the ride!

Off the bike and into our running gear, my first hard workout in the new Precision 8’s. What beauties!
The set was 3km tempo, 2km tempo, 3x1km race pace and 4x400m hard all on the Galloping Goose a gravel trail along the shores of east Sooke.
So I had a solid set off the bike, I had rhythm! Calves were on the edge of cramping for the last 100m of the 3rd km and all through the 400's. On the last 400 Simon set a challenge for me and it was nice to know I still have my indoor track speed.

3km tempo
3.20, 6.45, 10.09

2km tempo
3.14, 6.34

3x1km race pace
3.12, 3.02, 3.04

2x400m hard
1.14, 1.11
2x400m cruise then sprint
1.12, 1.03

Oh that was Yaw.

Also we had a solid set in the lake making for a personal best of 15.30 for the 1400m loop in Thetis Lake the other day.

Well till next time,
Ciao for now,
Andrew

Ps one last funny scene from The Philadelphia Story:

Race Report: One step at a time

First off Happy 50th Post and Happy BC day.

So the Drummondville Quebec ITU and National Championships

I came to Drummondville with the plan to prove something. Mainly to prove something to myself. I believe I am getting closer, one step at a time but here is what happened:

Race morning I got up, had a giant breakfast at 8am. Power nap. Finished packing for the day and prepared my bike. I began riding to the course at about 11am. As soon as I arrived my nerves were settled as I socialized with fellow athletes. Coffee at noon, run, swim and I was ready to race.

After a few nervous seconds on the line the gun went off and 40 guys dashed for the river. I was a little slow off the line but made it up with an extra step and dive. I began to absolutely spin the arms like mad and had open water and the inside lane. A group of 3 formed off the front. Dano, Sean and I were pulling away and would stay away for the remainder of the swim. We exited the water very motivated to do something special.

Quick transition and we were off working together like a well oiled machine. Taking strong, smooth pulls. Sadly with such a strong chase pack including Paul Tichelaar and Victor Plata it was inevitable that we were going to be caught. So at about the 8km mark it became a pack of about 11 guys. The pack maintained its hasty pace building time on the second pack.

T2 I realized the importance of getting to the front before transition. I believe I need to work on this because of course everyone wants to get to the front. I think I just need to be a little more aggressive. So in spite of a very smooth transition I was in a poor position on to the run.
On this day I came off the bike and my running legs were there. Building into the run due to the heat I got into a rhythm. Quite a battle unfolded between Jordan, Dano and I. All of us trying to out do one another. A strong sprint for the last 250m made for a close finish between Andrew Russell, Jordan Bryden and I finishing within 10 seconds of each other.

Click here for the full results.

So overall…I have mixed feelings about the race. In one sense I am happy because all those bricks and runs off the bikes are starting to kick in on race day. On the other hand I realize that I do have more in me for the run and can probably take a bit more of a risk earlier in the race. And you always wonder about the “What ifs” like what if with a bit more assistance could we, in the front pack have stayed away.

So what’s next? Well in two weeks I will be in Kelowna at one of my favorite races. Except this year the course will take us up a massive hill several times! I LOVE IT! “Hills Kills and Always Wills!” Should be a blast! But more on that later.
Well till next time, ciao for now,
Andrew

Todays Top 5
Top 5 most memorable videos according to 'Listed" MTV

1. Johnney Cash - Hurt (Wow Emotion)
2. Micheal Jackson - Thriller (A true Classic)
3. Weezer - Buddy Holly (Quite humorous)
4. Fatboy Slim - Weapon of Choice (Again quite humorous)
5. REM -Everyone Hurts (This would be higher up on the list if it were mine)

My Honorable mentions:

Micheal Jackson - Smooth Criminal

REM - Losing my Religion

Pre-Race Report

So as it gets closer to the race I begin to listen to increasingly harder music. Music that drives me to get excited and get that "Harden the F Up" attitude going. Right now It is "A Fire Inside" aka AFI. Sort of a punkish style of music but not as much screaming as some punk groups. Great voice. My favourite would have to be either "AFI - Love like Winter" or "Silver and Cold" Great Video.


So I have returned from the National Awards Banquet following a very delicious dinner and I am going through my check list. Double check with me.

• Bike Lubed Up and Clean -- Check
• Helmet -- Check
• Bottles in Freezer Ready to Go -- Check
• Legs Shaved -- Check
• Bags Packed -- Check
• Goggles -- Check
• Racing Suit -- Check
• Cycling Shoes on Bike -- Check
• Running Shoes -- Check
• Elastics -- Check
• Baby Powder -- Check

Let me know if I am forgetting anything.

As for the race itself... From our short swim in the river both kerry and I have agreed that it is fast water. The sort of fast water found in Kelowna. It just feels like you can grab a lot of water and glide. Great feeling, it my be mental but hey I will take it. I am ranked 19th so I should be able to get a good start position. I believe I will choose far Left and hopfully stay out of trouble.

The Ride is completely flat so It will be a fast ride. only technical part will be an interesting lollypop at the end and the 180* near transition.

The run I shall focus on maintaining a strong pace the whole way. As coach says dig in and enjoy the pain. That comment just brings a smile to my face.

Well I know what to do...give'r.

Ciao for now,

Andrew McCartney

Todays Top 5

Top 5 AFI Songs:

1. "Silver and Cold"
2. "Love Like Winter"
3. "Third Season"
4. "Miss Murder"
5. "The interview"

Pre-Drummondville Adventures

"I was always trying to get the best out of my components. Then you screw a screw too tight. Or it breaks or a thread is wrecked. If you don't screw a screw to tight ten times you'll never know how far you can screw." -Bjorn Riis (Team CSC)

I will leave you with that, a different way to think of the old saying.

Into un-familiar lands for a very familiar reason. Drummondville, Quebec for both Senior and U/23 Nationals. I have been quite calm so far, nerves not seen until now. It kind of hits you. Today it hit me half way through a lovely dinner. But it was an interesting day.

I slept in to the ripe hour of 9:45 or so began putting the bike together and realized I have a piece of glass lodged into the tire of my front wheel. Sooo, kindly Kerry lent me her bike and I struggled down about 7kms of road to the shop balancing a wheel in one hand and steering with the other. Got there waited 2 hours for it to be fixed as storm #1 rolled past. So no riding for 24 hours. Soo Kerry on her bike and I running, ran down to an outdoor pool which was delayed for some time due to storm #2. Storm #2 was amazing! I was reminded of one of my all time favourite runs of my life thus far. It must have been either Vancouver or Kelowna but I was running through a forest and I was being literally chased by a storm, lightning, thunder and rain. Very exhilarating. Well this run is up there with the best. Dashing through the extreme weather. I do enjoy extreme weather. Didn't get into the pool but made it up later in the day in the river.

But I lay here now, a tad nervous and trying to calm myself down from quite the day in this quaint town of Drummondville. So I am off and a pre-race report is to come.

Take care,

Andrew McCartney