Off Season

In order to keep a bit sane with the little amount of training I am doing in this time of year, I have been keeping myself busy. I am working my way through a massive text book based on Dreamweaver. This is a program designed by Adobe for the creation of websites.

On a lighter side I have been distracted by the ocean. Out on the open sea sailing a Laser out in Cadboro Bay or windsurfing in Cordova Bay. My windsurfer is a garage sale special, pretty water logged, but still manages to get going in a constant wind. Now sailing a Laser is another challenge, harnessing the wind the best you can without being taken over and capsized. Its a riot.

Oh and you can't forget Dock Ball. Scotty, Craiger, Big Matty Sharp and I head down to the docks of Elk Lake and play a very serious game where we either kick or toss a volleyball DBall Regulation size) between two docks about 15m apart. (Regulation distance) with the goal to land the ball on the opposite dock. It gets a bit more complicated but those are the basics. Oh ya and we take ourselves and this new found sport very seriously....

Ciao for now,

Andrew

A Year in Review

Here I sit, legs up, one week into my off season. This is the time of the year for reflection. Over the span of this year I went from running no more than 5 minutes to running a 10km personal best of 32.15 off the bike. It has been quite a journey. Here is my Summary.

In October I had my IT band released. As soon as the swelling went down I was in the pool slowly increasing the range of motion. New years eve I ran through the streets of my neighborhood at midnight. The first run out on the road in more than a year. It felt symbolic.

I followed this up with two fantastic Training camps. Mid January a small group of us set up camp in Maui. The island was amazing, the company was top notch, and the training was exactly what I needed to give me a jump start to the season. Second Camp was in Tucson Arizona. Although I had a slow start to the camp I kept the pressure on, overcame the lows and I believe I became stronger because of this.

My first Triathlon in 2 years would be the Sooke Spring Sprint triathlon. This was a fun tune up for the Pan-American Championships around the corner.

At the PATCO Oklahoma ITU, I had some difficulty with cramping but it was a good start to the season. In a strong field I lead the swim and mixed it in a breakaway of about 6 athletes. I would pay for this in the run mixed in with some nutritional issues. I finished up 3rd in U23 Pan American champs and 12th overall.

From Oklahoma I flew directly to Austin, Texas. I did a lot right in Austin with a lot of good decisions both before and during the event. Mediocre swim, disappointing ride and a redeeming run. Running a 32.50 off the bike to finish off 9th overall.

Montreal’s Couteau du lac ITU Pan American Cup sure was an adventure, to say the least. Although we were not totally tapered nor was I feeling 100%, it was more the dynamics of the race and a number of uncontrollable circumstances that gave me this sub par result. From there a small group of us flew to Des Moines, Iowa for both the Hy-Vee World Cup and the Team Triathlon World Championships. Saturday was the World Cup. I felt so honored to be a part of such a prestigious race. I had little expectations leading up to the event until it was announced that there would be a swim prime of $5000. I looked back to see others giving me the thumbs up. I had an opportunity. Come race day I had convinced myself to go for it. I lead from the start and exited first claiming the swim prime. However out on the course the coaches saw my struggle and pulled me off the course in order to focus on the Team Triathlon World Championships.
I was the Anchor for the Canada B team including Paula Findlay, Kyle Jones and Marianne Hogan in the Team World Triathlon championshps. By the time I was tagged off we were in 5th place with Matt Read (USA “A”) right in front of me and Bevan Docherty (New Zealand “A”) right behind me. I managed to hold even with Matt and hold off the hard charging Docherty. What a fantastic experience.

Early July I was off to San Francisco for a Continental Cup. It was fantastic traveling and learning from Simon. After a strong swim I was joined by Whitfield and 2 others as we created a strong lead. In a moment of weakness I found myself off the back of the break and would ride the remainder two laps solo. 3rd off the bike I managed to find my legs early in the run and I ended up finishing 2nd making it my first podium in an ITU.

After a strong training block including a climb up Hurricane Ridge and many strong track sessions it was off to Kelowna’s Lake Okanogan for the Senior and U23 National Championships. With a strong swim and a breakaway of 6 athletes we worked well together to create a minute and twenty second lead over the chase. Off the bike I posted my personal best 10km of 32.15 to capture the U23 National Title and 5th place overall.

Still fresh in my mind is the U23 World Triathlon Championship in Australia. With the Previous results from Kelowna I stepped onto the start line with high hopes. After a rather stressful morning I had a solid swim putting me in good position. Once on the bike my legs became flat. I struggled through the ride and a couple of kms into the run. Only then did I find my legs and began fighting back. I would end up in 15th place. Certainly not the result I was hoping for but the best that I could do on the day.

So there you have it. However, those are the results, the facts and the finished by-products. The season was much more than that. It was full of experiences, lessons and the people you meet and get to know, in which I have had many. I have been given so many fantastic opportunities like travelling to and racing in Australia for the first time. Given the chance to represent Canada in Both the U23 World Championships and the Team Triathlon World Championships which I have Triathlon Canada to thank. I also owe a big thanks to Michelle and Michael Garel (my Home stays in Austin, Tx.) and Congratulate them on their new Baby Girl, Leah. So happy for you two! A big thank you to Fort St. Cycle for your huge support. Thanks for now 5 years of support from Mizuno. Very much appreciated. Thanks to my team mates who have put up with me and my odd ways and thanks to Patrick Kelly for his guidance this year and of course my parents for being there for my highs and lows.

It has been an arduous battle back to get to this point and they say through great disappointments come great things. I have had some great disappointments and these great things have yet to come to fruition, but I am getting closer. I believe they will. You know whats fantastic? I finished my final race of the year and discussions began regarding what to work on for next season right away. I LOVE IT! Its like Sam Mussabini telling Harold Abrahams, “Mr. Abrahams, I can find you another two yards” from Chariots of Fire. I am so incredibly excited about the work that is ahead of me, it hurts. The sooner I start the healthier.

Thanks for reading,
Ciao for now,
Andrew McCartney

U23 World Triathlon Championships Race Report

Not the season ender that I was hoping for, but perhaps this result will sit better in a week or two. I know I can do better and for now, I will sit down and think about the positives and negatives. Here is how it played out.

I began the day sticking to my plan nutritionally. Using the pre-race routine that I have used for both the San Francisco ITU and Kelwona’s Nationals. Andrew Yorke and I rolled over to the race course including a ride out the spit and back with some acceleration. We arrived, and I instantly had to re-apply the 3’s of my number 31 so it would not appear as E1 to the crowds. Minor mistake. Moving on. As we brought the bikes into transition our aerobars were checked to make sure that they were legal. The set up that I had been using for the majority of the year was not sufficient. Thanks to the fast and creative thinking of Gabor, our team mechanic I was set. However with the delay I had 15min to set up my bike and jump in for a swim warm up, meanwhile struggling to stay calm and composed.


We were marched up to the start line and the horn went off. I had a rather slow start. I certainly built into the swim finding my arms while rounding the second buoy. I held my position around 4th for the first lap and after a fast run about and dive into the water I lead the remainder of the swim. I ran hard out of the water, fast transition and began riding hard. As for the remainder of the ride. I simply felt weak. I got all my nutrition in and did what I could, but it was simply an off day on the bike. I found myself entering transition at the back of the lead pack in about 20th place. Starting the run with a deficit. It took me about a kilometer and a half to find my legs and I began working my way through the pack to finish in 15th place. Results can be found HERE. Click Here for news article.

Congrats To Paula on her Bronze Medal.

Off season is all that remains. My body is in need of an off season however my mind is not. All I want to do now is get started on the next season. Coaches say 3 weeks off season; I am willing to negotiate something a bit shorter. ;)

I just stepped in the door from the long day of traveling I better not sleep during the day or else it will be a struggle later so I need a coffee!

Year in Review report coming soon,

Till then, Hope all is well,
Andrew McCartney

Distractions

It is advised that it is not good especially someone like myself to think about the race too much in the days leading up to the big day. You must find distractions. There are many ways to do this, Music, Games and Good Company. I have found all of these so helpful while I have been here. I have also returned to an old hobby of mine. I have always loved interesting photography. How can you tell a story with a single photograph? How do you guide the viewers eye in order to see everything the photographer saw in the scene? You can focus in on one object, make what you find not important blurry. There are many tricks to the trade.

Now how about when you want to show movement, activity, with a scenery and you find everything so important to the viewer? You could take a very wide photo that you may look once at and say, "ah that's nice." Now try taking a large amount of photographs lay them together and your eye cant help to follow the story jumping from one piece to the next. It isn't perfect but nor is the world. People are not standing still all the time. The ocean is never still. The only constant is the horizon and landmarks. In some opinions this is as realistic as you can get. This is my personal favourite technique. Hope you like it.
Till next time,
Ciao for now,
Andrew McCartney

Day 1 on the Gold Coast

After 24+ hours of traveling we have made it safe and sound in the very beautiful Gold Coast Australia. We arrived late last night to our hotel located directly on the water. Andrew Yorke and I are sharing a room located front row center looking over the beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. Last night, considering the earth IS flat I looked north east out to see the lights of Vancouver. I gave them a wave.... no, to look out day or night all you see is the Horizon and maybe and perhaps a weather system a thousand miles away. Anyway the view is breathtaking. I also find the people watching is pretty good from the 25th floor. You can see the surfers bobbing in the water avoiding the very obvious rip currents that line the coast. And of course the many people scattered across the very soft golden sands.

Sharks....Well my mind has been put at ease regarding the "Landlords of the sea" or the "Grey Coats" I can see the shark nets along the entire shore. But today we swam in the pool. A very nice pool at that. Nice easy set. A mix of 200s and 300s getting the cob webs out. Run along the water with some accelerations then a bike ride before dusk along the coast and testing out the course. More on the course later.

For now I am sitting comfortably out on the balcony with the moon creating a magnificent glimmering reflection on the water and tonight I will let the thundering ocean put me to sleep.
Till next time,
Ciao for now,
Andrew

An Apartment With a View

Not Bad, not bad at all.

10 days...

I'd like to begin with some music if you would care to listen. I have three songs I'd like to share. The first is a bit of a joke as it relates to my upcoming travels.

Men at work - Land down under

Cliche?

Yes Very Much So.

On a more serious note here is a song that is not new but rather unknown. Which I feel is a a great shame.

Sufjan Stevens - Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland

One last song to share is from an Irish Band, many must know the band The Cranberries. The incredibly shy Dolores O'Riordan is easily recognized by her voice. The Cranberries will be re-uniting and are working on a new album. Here is my Favourite song of theirs.

The Cranberries - Zombie

La Dolce Vita is ready to race. I know it is a bit early, but I do like to get the as Sam calls, "High Heals for the cocktail partry" aka the race wheels on early. Ride it a couple of times in town make sure gearing is right and no unexpected trouble. Again in the words of Sam, "Day one at the Spa" this referring to the clean up job I have done to make it nice and clean.

I have had a couple of good lessons in the value of training as of late. I have learnt that the gains are not so much acquired on the days you feel strong. The big gains are when you feel horrible and struggle through the bad days. The goal is to make those bad days as close to the good days as you can. This is the key to consistency. Of course this doesn't mean try and feel bad, it just means don't fear the tough days and a bonk is not such a bad thing. Since Kelowna, we have jumped right back into training full on. With a bit of illness and accumulated fatigue I have simply focused on making the hard days as close to the good days as I can like in a set of 6 miles on the trails of Elk and Beaver Lake and this mornings swim. I continue to practice my recovery strategies. Icing, Epsom salt, massage and healthy eating.

Travel day is just around the corner, I leave Thursday September 3rd and yes the nerves are increasing. Gradually getting more quiet. Packing a bit. Setting goals of thinking mainly positive and trying to leave no stone unturned. I have a lot of good people around me, who believe in me but the nerves and the pressure and the want to prove comes from inside. I have never felt so prepared for a World Championships before, with a proper taper I know what I need to do and that excites me.

For now it is nap time.

Prep for a good session this afternoon.

Ciao for now,

Andrew McCartney