Off-season Anguish

Ask any athlete and they will tell you that one of the hardest parts of an athlete's year is the down time...Or maybe that's just me. Coming off of the triathlon season I jumped right into the XC season thus the reason why I am on an active break now. 'Active break' meaning, I throw a run in here, a swim in there and a bike ride anywhere especially with all this wonderful weather we are having here in Victoria. To think it is snowing in Edmonton and over in Ontario makes me appreciate the moderate weather of Victoria. Plus I don't mind the rain. It makes you feel hard core as people are staring at you as they drive by in the pouring rain. Although on those really stormy days you can find me in the Mezzanine of the Commonwealth Pool Spinning away on the rollers. For those who do not know what rollers are you can see it in this photo, here only without the cool shades. I started this early last year. Rollers are designed to create a more round pedal stroke. Instead of "smashing" the pedals downward only. All in all it is to make you ride in a straight line and increase your efficiency on a bike. You start out just hoping to stay on the thing and later going no handed or standing. Last time I rolled I did ten minutes no hands and another 10min standing a new personal best. I think I will hold off on the one legged spinning or the one leg one arm. It is nice to know that in my time off I haven't lost too much in the skill department. I also feel I haven't lost much in the swimming technique department. I had a swim on Sunday, just a minor 2km dip but it's all coming back. I just focus on the catch and I glide along. Now fitness, that is a different story but no need for swim fitness this early in the season for me. I will bring that up in in March. But I am off. My coffee is finished, my blog is up to date and I have a class to get to. So till next time I bid you adieu.

Your friend, Andrew McCartney

Back to full Force

I believe this is the perfect time to write my first real Posting. Due to Low Iron I had been having a few hard weeks getting into the XC Country season with the Vikes. But with the latest Results I have the go ahead to begin setting a base for the Indoor Track Season and the Triathlon Season that follows. It began this morning with a 40min Base run around Cedar Hill Park. First Run back was a tad rough but I felt a lot better on the second half of the run. I will just build from this each workout adding 5-10min. After I had a nice breakfast with the triathlon guys at a restaurant called "Johns Place," nice little place and Good Coffee. Zipped on home and Got to work on a Critique of an art show. I have just returned from the Gym which was quite a workout. First time out is always the worst. I am going to be sore tomorrow. I iced for 10min in the ocean to make the shock to the body a little less.(1 Recovery Point) You always feel so much better after a dip in the ocean. On my way home you just pull in to the Mt. Doug Park and walk down the long beach to the icy water. It is not as good as it is down on Dallas Road but it does the Job. You will notice as I go along that I will keep track of my Daily Recovery Points. This is a game we are playing in the Centre to ensure good recovery after a workout. The Rules for the game are located Here. Well I am off to my Studies and then a Halloween Get together this evening. I am dressing up as Jimmy Page. I have painted the Dragon onto the side of a pair of tight Black Pants, a wig and a open silver top. Although I am unsure I want to lug around the guitar too much. I am happy to be back and excited for the training to come.

AJM

An Introduction

Hello,

My name is Andrew McCartney and I am a high performance triathlete living and training in Victoria BC, Canada at the National Triathlon Training Centre. Follow my progression and the day-to-day stories as I pursue an Olympic dream.