Friday Morning Lights and The Stag

It has been an eventful three weeks since I last posted. Friday marked the end of a solid three weeks of training. We had on the menu another 1500m TT. It seems to be a PTC ritual to swim a hard 1500m or 2000m at the end of our 3 week mesocycle when fatigue levels are at their highest point--an event that I will now refer so as "Friday Morning Lights"--a time when you have to HTFU despite wanting to sit in the jacuzzi. Coach CT is a wise grasshopper and there is in fact method to his madness. I toughed out a 17:31 (new practice PB) despite being quite tired. Add in 3x300 in 3:27 on 4:15 after the 1500, and you have a solid 2400m main set and a quality 4500m swim workout. Done and done and in the bank. I am really pleased with my swimming at this point in the year. Each month seems to get faster and the 'harder yards' have yet to begin.

The weather has been fantastic the past couple of weeks--and we have had a few good bikes and runs. It has been a real challenge trying to train like an elite athlete--while working like an age-grouper with too much overtime and not enough sleep. But don't for a second think that I am complaining. Achieving balance is a wonderful on-going process of life. I am truly enjoying: growing LPC by coaching several champions and spending countless hours learning new ways to build upon my coaching philosophy and methodology, helping my big sis as a consultant for Loaring Physio, being a race director for the Loaring Triathlon (which will soon surpass the $100 000 barrier in raising funds for the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for breast cancer research), and of course, helping organize the upcoming wedding with my beautiful fiancee. To be truthful--Bre takes the huge bulk of the credit, as does Brian and Janet, for their incredible wedding organizing efforts. Bre even put together this wonderful website. She is such a sweetheart--I am one lucky chap :-)

So I certainly have a lot of projects on the go and this is an extremely exciting time in my life. Long gone are the days of 'living the dream' and worrying about little else then sleeping/eating/training/racing. Although I can't train (and recover) as much as I have in the past--I still believe that this will be my best year of triathlon racing. The season will get to a late start but the fitness is slowly building and I hope to be race worthy by the middle of June. Although stress levels are a wee high at times, and time management skills are constantly being tested--I can't stop smiling and look forward to each day. Less than five weeks before my wedding. Wow!

Saturday was a VERY special day. A day that will never be forgotten. A full day of bonding with all of my 'Band of Brothers'. Saturday was my stag. My numero uno, Miro Tot, and the rest of my incredible groomsman helped put together a magical day. It is rare for all of us to get together with our busy schedules. But this past Super Saturday--we jammed in a month of activity and a decade of memories. Six of us started the day at 7am and headed to Michigan to ride the beautiful Potowatomi Trail.

Then we went Rock Climbing in Ann Arbour. It was my first time rock climbing and I had such a blast.

We were pretty tired by the time we got back to Windsor--but Red Bull gives you wings and in a flash it was off to a feast of celebration with thirty of my closest male friends. What a day/evening.

A monster thanks to all who joined for a part of this wonderful weekend. Stay tuned for my next post that will be introduce the key members of my Band of Brothers--the Groomsmen.