Tucson Training Complete

What a wicked 10 days of training! I left last Thursday and got stuck at DFW because of a freak snowstorm. I finally made it to Tucson on the last flight out of the airport...it was either that or take a 18 hour bus ride! Nat wasn't happy with the 4am pick up but he is the man for coming and getting me. The crew training together was me, Sean, Dave, Nat, Yorke, Taylor, Nate and Sarah

So here is what we did in a nutshell;)

Friday: 4500yard swim/2 hour ride (welcome to Tucson)/Drills with Nate and a 35min run
Saturday: 5000 yard swim/3 hour tempo ride (tough) / 30 min run off bike
Sunday: 5000 yard swim/ 2 hour run with 3x25build in the middle. Sarah stuck it out with me as we ran/ 90 min rude
Monday: 5000 + yard swim/ 2.5 hour ride
Tuesday: 5000 + yard swim (hardest paddle set ever)/ 2 hour ride/50 min run in the trails
Wednesday: 5000 yard swim/ 2.5 hour ride with 2 x 20min steady/20 min cruise run
Thursday: 5 hour ride (Mt. Lemmon)
Friday: 3000 yard swim/2 hour ride/ 20 min run off bike
Saturday: 2 hour ride/ Swim at U of A 5000m +/ Track workout 15 w'up 3x800 6x400 3x200 15min
Sunday: 3.5 hour ride (Sarah and Tyler race up Gates Pass) /70min run steady off bike

So that is how it went. I am feeling really good after the week. My body is really holding up to the training and I am super motivated for the season. I am super happy with the performance of my new Specialized Transition from Gears. It was so responsive both on the flats and the hills! Also getting my ISM Breakaway saddle on the bike really kept me comfortable on those long rides, without loosing power. Thanks Ira and Dave! Also a quick shout out to Saucony for the gear, which looks great for 2010! Can't wait for the new shoes they have coming out!! Exciting!!

Nutrition was key over there because of the dry heat. I used Cera Sport EX1 to keep from slowing down. By far my favourite drink for training and racing, sits well in my belly.

MT. LEMMON DESCENT http://www.twitvid.com/27E80

The Roads We take

Today I headed over to a Middle School in Mississauga to talk to the grade 8's about careers and life. This coming from a guy who wears sweat pants everyday. It was good to give the kids a different perspective on life and the paths you can choose.

I remember being in their shoes and thinking, "what the hell am I going to do when i grow up?!" Even through highschool it was tough to figure out what to do. All I knew was football and didn't 'apply' myself, as the teachers would say. After being told by NCAA's teams I would be only on special teams for the 1st season that is when I smartened up went to college, graduated then travelled. I think the best thing I ever did was travel because it got me to where I am today. Actually funny enough I found out about triathlon from a group of guys in Australia who are friends with Craig Alexander, Paul Ambrose and Chris Macca...funny eh! Must have been a sign to have ended up down this road.

Not only did I find a sport I truly love but I wife I met at a running store and friends who enjoy the same things I do. It has been a great journey and I wish the kids I met today all the best in the journey ahead. Mine is still going strong and I can't wait to see what is next!

Also thanks to Cera Sport and Saucony for all the sway today. The kids loved the Cera Sport drink and were begging for more. I went dry after a few classes! It is the best sports drink around and makes the tummy feel good on hard sets. Also to Saucony for the great shirts. Didn't think kids fit into shirts that small but they all did..haha

Cheers!

All About Speed

Tonight was a solid day of training. Sean met me at the pool this morning and we threw down a 4000m swim including some very serious video taking we did! Video can me seen on youtube under tylerlordtri. This evening I headed to the track with the best running coach around Gord Dickson. If you don't know who Gord is google that name and you will be impressed with his credentials in running. Now to make me that fast!!

Tonight was a tough one. Especially on a 200m track. 4 x 2K with only 200m recovery. That is 10 laps of the indoor track in Mississauga. I was able to hold 40 seconds per 200m and come in around 6:45 per 2km. Feeling fast and focused on getting that half down.

This weekend is a long run in Mississauga with my team the Nomads. They are a fast group of runners who are committed to getting the job done! 1:50 is the run and going to take it really cruisey. Krista if you are interested in coming down for a run, could use a partner with matching gear. Drop me a line if you can make it tyler_hiperformance@hotmail.com

Run starts at 7:30am on sunday from the Rivergrove Community Center. Going to be a cold one so keep warm!

Race Pictures

Of Course right after I post a blog new pictures show up. Check out Krista and I in the Saucony Gear

"Look This Way!"

So this is what happens when you aren't ready for a picture! Accept an award then BAM! Turn and can't even open my eyes..Had the Saucony Gear on, all good!

Robbie Burns 8km Race Report

Today was the 30th anniversary for the Robbie Burns 8km race in Burlington, Ontario. First off, I want to thank the race director Bob Brake for a great event, with fast competition, great prizes and great food! I totally recommend his races to anyone looking for a good time.

I was pretty excited for this race. I have been working with Gord and the Nomads on my speed at the track and in tempo runs so was excited to push the pace at this race. The goal was to go out and stick around 3:30 to 3:32 per km. At the start line I met up with Krista, who is a great runner and now with Saucony! Also another Saucony team mate Mitch Free. We had the same goal in mind so it was going to be a fun day.

First 1km we took out pretty easy around 3:32. In most races it gets down into the 3:20 range so was pretty happy about that. At the 2 and 3km mark the pace was feeling good and we again did around 3:32 and change. I was feeling good at this point and we had a group of around 6 or 7 people running fast. The front 7 were just ahead but out of reach. I am not in 3:20 pace yet...but will get there! At the 5km mark everyone was looking good and I made a move. I had to push the pace because there were too many fast kickers in the group for me to beat at the line. I dropped it down to a 3:28 and people started to drop off. Krista stuck right with me and Mitch wasn't going anywhere either. As we passed the 5km mark I wish we had a photographer because Saucony was representing with 3 across. At the 6km mark Mat Reid tried to make a move and I wasn't letting him go. This put a bit more hurt on the guys behind and separated the pack even more. I surged with a km left and only 1 guy got me at the line. Finishing time 28:19, which put me 9th overall and 3:32 per km.

I am super happy with the race and the outcome. I am becoming more and more confident everyday in my running ability and excited to see what I can do off a bike. Next year is sub 28 and I will be ready.

On another note training has been going great. I have some awesome friends around to help with all 3 sports. My cycling is going really well and the watts on the bike are over what I expected this time in the season!

Krista drop me a line and we have to do some running together! Have some great trails in Oakville.

Only a couple weeks until Arizona! Super excited to get out on the bike and train!

Hiperformance Turnpike

This weekend was great. I had a chance to meet up with Dave and Karsten in Guelph. We rode our trainers for, what felt like 5 hours, was really 2, and then did a run in the snow. Of course the one time we forget the camera we come across 2 dear just standing watching us run. Would have been a great video, watching Karsten wrestle a deer, just kidding!

My new Specialized Pro From Gears made its debut on the trainer and it didn't disappoint. I am super impressed with the bike and how responsive it is when you push on the peddles. I am not giving anything away on the wattage output just yet, wait until race day;)

Well riding dave told me a quote, which summed up what I am trying to do as an athlete. I am not the most religious guy in the world but this quote came from the bible. 1 COR 9:24

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."

Here is the updated version on what it means:

"You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally."

Hope this inspires someone out there.