Since everything is but an apparition,

Perfect in being what it is,

Having nothing to do with good or bad,

Acceptance or rejection

You might as well burst out laughing!

LONGCHENPA

Had a good day.

So woke up to a ride this morning which I decided to roll out with the Victoria Wheelers. Today instead of the usual Lands End ride we went west. Through Collwood, through East Sooke and along some brilliant roads. Some of which I have never even known about. For example this one short hill. I believe it was Lombard Dr. off of William Head Road. It must be no more than a km long but it is between two farms and it reminded me so much of Koppenberg in the Tour De Flanders in fact I think I heard someone yelling, Boonen, Boonen, Boonen! He he. Except no Cobles. Thank goodness. Here is the actual Koppenberg and the real Boonen powering up this infamous climb.

The Drive and Birthday Swim

As the Flagstaff camp came to conclusion Dano and I packed up and began the long trip home. After some nerve-racking sections through the mountains entering Oregon(Fog), we decided to pitch tent in a little town called Ashland. By Pitch a tent I mean check into a Super 8. Up at 4am and on the road at 5 we had our minds set on Port Angeles, the 2pm Coho boat but we didn't factor in the slow traffic of the mountains. So off to the border crossing we drove. 45min wait at the border and off to the ferries. I sat on the roof of the ferrie with the guitar and a book, wind in my face thinking how much I miss the ocean and the west coast. It was so rejuvenating.

I arrived home at 6:45 after 12 hours of traveling, perfectly on time for my birthday dinner and Pavlova(my favourite) for dessert. Yikes, I'm 21. A quick check of the e-mail and there s a message from Joel, "Happy birthday Andrew - you should do your 10k tomorrow in the pool to celebrate. Let me know how that goes." Ha ha ha, right, is he serious?...

So today around noon I hopped onto my town bike and arrived at the pool and I was totally disappointed to see it was bloody Short Course!! 10 bloody kilometers of short course swimming!! I am going to make myself dizzy! To keep it simple I began with 3000m pull-padels...paused...2000 pull-padels...2x1500 pull-padels(it was at this point that I started to feel the 26hour drive)...200kick...and finished her off with 1800 pull-padels...Done...I Staggered over to the coffee shop and home for a nap. Note to self for the next time I do 10km swimming, try some bi-lateral breathing, my neck is killing me.

So I am glad to be back on an Island and at 0 ft. of altitude.

I'M HOME!
Ciao for now,
Andrew

Ha ha ha.

In the big hard world

"I read somewhere... how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong... but to feel strong. "

-Christopher McCandles

What a Fantastic Day! Got up this morning to a crisp, quick and easy 3km swim in the pool.
Arrive home. Cook up some Blueberries Pancakes with mixed fruit topping. Rest well and this afternoon was the highlight of the day. I had a 2.5 hour ride on the schedule. I have been feeling a tad blue that we will be leaving this beautiful city soon. Plus there have been a number of experiences that I had yet to do. Visit the Grand Canyon, visit Sedona and of course the wonderful Snowbowl climb.

But today in my 2.5 hour ride, I rode out in the direction of Snowbowl alone. I arrived at the base and glanced at my watch. It would be perfect. I may just have enough time. So I did it. I climbed for what I believe to be 7miles of climbing. Not hard but hey in the words of Scotty, "Hills kills and always wills" but it didn't exactly kill, I mean how could it with such a view. It was stunning! snake like roads gusty winds and snow surrounding. When I arrived at the top I felt kind of out of place. Here I am in my spandex, mixed in with hundreds of snow boarders wondering what I was doing up here. The absolute peak of the mountain is about 12,633ft high but the ski village is 10,333ft. So correct me if I am wrong but it is about an avg. of 9% grade. The Descent was another challenge. Descending down tight corners at top speeds all the while keeping an eye out for gritty sand for when it gets icy. But the Descent was as brilliant as the climb. Riding home I had a smile from cheek to cheek.
Really, I was inspired by watching, "Into the Wild" and I wanted to see something spectacular and I will leave Flagstaff quite content. Plus much of the movie was filmed in Arizona so it feels familiar and the rest reminds me of Toffino.

Here is "Eddie Vedder - Hard Sun" The theme song and Video for "Into the Wild"

Hope all is well,
Ciao for now,
Andrew

Quote...

"Coach: What are yer legs?
Archie Hamilton: Steel springs.
Coach: What are they gonna do?
Archie: Hurl me down the track!
Coach: How fast can ya run?
Archie: Fast as a leopard!
Coach: How fast are ya gonna run?
Archie: Fast as a Leopard!
Coach: Well, all right, Leopard, let's see ya do it then!"

-Opening lines from the movie Gallipoli

[S]no[w] Way!

Ok, that was corny...

So after 3 weeks of fabulous weather. Often shorts and t-shirt we must "pay the piper."

Last night it dropped from a cozy 9c to a now(noon) -4c and Snow!! Wow it has been some time since I have seen snow! I don't know if i should be excited or disappointed. Because to a Victorian snow is a big thing, I should be outside building a snow man. But on the other hand this is not a positive for training. Today it meant Base treadmill run this morning. Yup...for training I much prefer 15c+ weather. But this will have to do. So happy delayed White Christmas.

I have recently discovered an interesting group. They are The Vitamin String Quartet. What they do is they take a rock song, most often a Heavy metal song(they appreciate the Irony) and turn it into a Classical piece. Let me know what you think.

Here is The Vitamin String Quartet tribute to "Tool -Sober"

Depending on who you are you may prefer the original.
I think this is a brilliant cover.

I am off for my mid day nap.
Ciao for now,
Andrew

3 Weeks Come Past...

...and one remaining.

And so a quick update from Flagstaff; So 3 weeks almost finished and one to go. I believe I have adapted to the altitude but with the adaptation the training has picked up too. This week we will be logging at least 30 hours of training and many many miles. Training has been very intense. Near the end of the second week I had a number of moments were I was not sure I could last the 4 weeks but then I would surprise myself with a jump in fitness. All of a sudden I could manage as long as I make sure I am getting enough calories. I am still reading lots on sport Psych and Nutrition so I am applying it and I do notice the difference. With my readings I am finding ways to re-focus when times get tough either in training or out. With some helpful advice from Simon and Jordan, I have adjusted my position on the bike with a shorter stem, opening up the lungs some more and helping handling. Perhaps it is just mental but In a 90min ride I felt a difference. But the true test will be tomorrow on our usual Flagstaff Group Ride.

I am keeping up with my Guitar practice as I have new motivation. My little cousin Silas, is quite the musician! And he has recently taken up the drums. He tells me he learnt Stairway to Heavan by Led Zeppelin. A beautiful song and great guitar. So the challenge is to learn it by the time I return to Victoria so we can rock out. Silas, it is coming along nicely. I'ts all memorization now.
On the side I am working on some Cat Stevens, some Everlast and M'aparie (see 'Breaking Away') A serenading song. He he.

But I should be off, I will leave you with a number of photo's.

I hope all is well,

Ciao for now,

Andrew

Doesn't this look great. Thanks Paul for lending the car to us for our time down south.

Working Hard.

Up at the Naval Observatory.