Do what cha gotta do.

Training Update....

I have just come off of a fairly relaxed training week. I didn't necessarily take it back on the mileage. There was simply not as much intensity to the sets. This created a good opportunity to get some massage in, get rid of some aches n'pains and refuel my body n'mind.

We have had a beautiful Autumn here in Victoria but winter has arrived and I have pushed myself out the door on the road bike on numerous wet and windy afternoons. I really don't mind these conditions. I have lived on the west coast all my life and in doing so it is imposed upon me to appreciate weather. However it is the lack of daylight that has an effect on me. The days are so short. I miss the rides back from the Criteriums around 9pm. Pedalling back from Caleb pike down the winding roads of Millstream absolutely exhilarated after a fun race, the light of those summer nights makes everything so vivid. Now it is dark at 4:30. Occasionally I will opt for a trainer ride(If there is a planned main set) or Rollers. If I have to do a 90min+ steady ride indoors I prefer rollers. I really notice a difference out on the road after some rolling sessions. I have a smoother pedal stroke and when I am climbing a hill, it feels less forced. The bike feels more like an extension of me.

Anyway whats next? Well back into some solid work. Simon and Kyle are back from Cross Nationals. Some fast running there but I think we are all excited to get underway with some solid training.

Well I will turn out the lights now,
Should be a good swim in the morning and a run in the afternoon.

Hope all is well n'ciao for now,
Andrew

Musique

Training Update comming soon but for now some Music.

30 Seconds To Mars never disappoints. Another Fantastic Music Video to go with this very powerful song. The lead Singer, Jared Leto Belts out this song so full of passion. This video incorperates what is called a "Critical Mass." Basically Bikes take over a town for a night every month. Victoria has its own, not as large as this but is a lot of fun. The Largest Masses take place in places like San Francisco and London, England. The video also makes references to the Artist, Banksy.

This is a teaser for the band's New Album coming out in December, "This is War"

30 Seconds To Mars - "Kings and Queens"

Enjoy.

Hope all is well,

Ciao for now,

Andrew

Back in Victoria

"Live With Wolves and You Will Learn to Howl" - Danish Proverb

This is how I would describe the training camp down in Portland Oregon. Well, I'm not quite a wolf yet and my Howl is more of a yelp, but boy did this camp help.

running w. Bairu and co. from swhitfield. Thanks Simon for both the opportunity and the Video.

So I have never run this much in my life. Honest. I was thinking, 2 weeks ago last year I had the ITband Surgery and it would be another 2 weeks till I water ran. Now I feel I have a huge head start on the season. Receiving advice, and encouragement from Alberto Salazar (Marathon Legend) (See Also) I know what to do and I feel I am on the right track.

I am back in Victoria for some time now, through Christmas into the new year and then off to Maui. Running is going quite well, due to all this fantastic training. My swimming is coming back. Technique is there, just need to build some strength back. I am in a good mindset these days. I look forward to every set as building blocks towards the upcoming season.

Tis the season to build my fitness but more on that later,

Ciao for now,
Andrew McCartney

Swimming On Campus. Short Video from Paulo Sousa.

Thanks to Paulo for his assistance and advice.

Training in Oregon

So Tuesday Kyle, Lauren, Simon and I. Packed up and drove down to Portland, Or. for a 10 day training camp with the Oregon Project Runners. The names that populate this team are amazing and the stats that go with them. The facilities down here are fantastic. There is a track in the woods. Thick forest surrounds and fills the center of the track! Every building is named by an athlete like the Lance Armstrong building is the gym and the pool. Tiger Woods building is the golf building and conference building. The Mia Hamm building is the Cafeteria. The list goes on. It is a nice change of scenery and a good chance to get some solid running in.

Day one was a basic introduction. We joined the team for a strength session in the middle of a soccer field then jumped into the pool for a quick swim workout. Later in the day we ran around campus for 50min plus drills and strides.

Day two we woke up to some hill repeats with the Project runners. A set of 10x230m repeats. I felt quite strong for the main set running them in about 40-42 sec each. From there we grabbed some coffee at a very cool cafe in Portland then home for a rest. After lunch we swam at the Lance Armstrong building. Again felt pretty strong in the pool. I enjoy the afternoon swims/workouts. From the pool we drove to downtown Portland for a trainer ride. Nearing the end of the ride I started to fade, hungry from the days efforts. Sushi at Mia's Sushi fixed that. Now I rest up and prepare for tomorrow's double run and swim.

Time for sleep. Hope all is well,

Ciao for now,

Andrew