Why?
Because It allows me to get stuff for free!
Movies, Books, Music, Pictures.
But rather then argue the ethics of internet 'sharing' his post will one of the few that is all my own.
Since thesis writing I've had trouble getting back into training mode. Not Ann thou, shes been a lean mean running machine lately and has really ran (Damn I'm funny) with the barefoot running theory where she is planning on Running the Sydney Marathon in her Five-finger barefoot running shoes.
Before that thou a few days away we are running in the City to Surf 14km (along with 70,000 others!)
So this post is dedicated to our races we have done together.
Race 1 Las Vegas Marathon
I had never run more then 10km before in my life and only recently got into shape (Thanks to Anns inspiration). I decided to run the Las Vegas Marathon with Ann in December 2008.Ann had fallen ill a few days before the race, which I think was lucky for me as it slower her down enough that we ran together. 42Km was surprisingly easy and we finished with a decent time of 4:23, however the next day was where I paid the price for my lack of training.
Race 2 was the Wasa Lake Olympic Triathlon 2009
This was a training race for me after my first UCTC Sprint triathlon in preparation for the 1st Annual 1/2 IronMan Calgary. Wasa Lake was a training race for Ann for Great White North 1/2 Ironman, which became her entry into Ironman Canada. We went out to Wasa with Sally and had to borrow my Dads car due to what was likely some sort of car trouble with mine (Damn TurboDodges)
The Wasa Triathlon was awesome for 3 reasons.1) Before the triathlon while Ann and Sally were on a training ride/swim I went shopping an bought jeans
2) The swim course was marked short making it the best swim ever!
3) Me and Sally got to laugh at all the Newbs
Race 3 1/2 IronMan Calgary 2009
This was my goal race for the year, and Ann's initial goal race until she won her Ironman spot at Great White North. My training had fallen apart before this race due to selling my house and moving. So, rather than aiming for a medal winning finish (ya right), my goal for this race became not drowning in Ghost Lake.My swim was terrible, it got really wavy near the end, but had a pretty good bike ride (90km) except for the finish where I crashed spectaculary at the transition to the run. Luckily no injuries and I had a pretty good run after that. I was sprinting like crazy at the end trying to catch Ann at the finish (She started a few waves (Ha) ahead of me) but I missed her by a few minutes.
2010 Trail Running
Due to thesis writing and someones MCAT commitments 2010 became the year of the trail run with the goal race of IronLegs 50 Miler.
Race 4 Crazy Legs
Our first race of the year was the Nipika Crazy Legs 25km in the amazing location of Nipika Resort near Radium. We stayed with Byron and Carb loaded (Beer drank) the night before at his cabin in Invermere. The course was super nice and a great temperature. I ate way too many chips at the aid station but it was a great start to the year.
Race 4.5
Our next Big run wasn't a race but worth mentioning because it was an epic training run on the Cox hill part of the IronLegs course with Byron. Of course, being Canada, running the foothills/mountains in May can involve finding snow. And did we ever find snow.
Race 5 IronLegs Ultra at 80km trail run
The original plan was for Ann and I to run this race as a relay team of 2. Our sweet nerdy team name was 1.5 Fe[Me]N which stood for 1 and a half IronMen (me being the 1/2). I decided to tackle the course solo (with my longest train run being 40km) and Ann and Brooke joined forces creating team All Brann.Amazing course with 20,000 ft elevation change. Unfortunately for me I blew out my knee coming down Cox hill (Same hill as snow photos above) and had to limp/hop/walk the last 25km.
I finished with a respectable 11hr 7min. Would definitely like to tackle another Ultra.
Team All Brann killed it with an impressive 11hr 11min.
Race 6 Goofy Mathathon and a Half
Finally we did this as a fun race and a chance to visit Ann's Mum, the Disney World Marathon and a Half.
Training for this race, like most of the above it seems, was limited due to finishing my thesis and hurting my ankle on a 'Training' run though the Red Rock Canyon in Las Vegas.
Ann and Kendra were dedicated enough to do a 30Km + run in -20 Below weather.
Of course the Best part of the Disney Race is Disney after.
Next Sunday is our next race together, the City to Surf then the Sydney Marathon.
Them maybe I'll find some time to actually train properly for something..Like New Zealand IronMan...
but judging by above probably not.
