natbikes.com

NAT FINDS SOME TIRED LEGS: Now why would our endurance superstar feel tired.
I mean he only did Hawaii Ironman 2 weeks ago, then doubled back this
weekend at the XTERRA WORLD CHAMPS.  I haven’t had a chance to talk to Nat,
but his swim coach will be proud of a great swim to start the day.   Nat
finished a bit off the overall pace, but very few of the athletes in the
event were stupid (I mean tough) enough to do an Ironman just 14 days
before.   Nat will be headed back to Ontario in a few days, and is excited
to catch up with his many friends/supporters who have been so gracious over
the past 12 months.
-team C3online.com newsletter. (more…)

Mrs Loeberg taught me in grade 9 that I should not to start a sentence with ‘And’.  And look where it’s gotten me!

So I received a K-Swiss care package today.  I was expecting a set of track pants, one pair of shoes, and was hoping for maybe a pair of socks or a t-shirt.

The box was so big that it took up more than it’s half of the front of the rental car (my mtb was in the trunk, and a Specialized super sweet 18.5 lb Carbon Stump Jumper was taking up the back seat).  I need to clone myself 7 times to wear all this stuff. (more…)

Pre Game

As with my other IM experience, you are on the go from the day before you leave, until 6pm the night before the race, and then you have a few minutes to relax, a few more hours for nerves, and at 4am you’re awake.  I wasn’t very nervous, as I’d done all that I could, woke up and ate ‘the usual’ oatmeal with salt stick.

Drove to the venue, body marking here = stamps with paint.  I find a quiet spot, and go through my race in my head, and make my way to the water to get some swimming in before the start.  After swimming out a bit, I stop to watch the sun rise over the volcano, and realize that Craig Alexander (eventual winner) is watching it beside me.  We chat, and I’m the last guy to wish him luck before the start (as Scott Tinley paddles by an a surfboard).  (more…)

Hey,

I have very limited internet access, but after some crazy fluid retention in my legs, I am mostly recovered, and will start training for Xterra on Friday.  I have a few hikes around the Island (hitch and with shanks) planned and I’m really really glad that I have little bit of extra time here to check the place out and be able to enjoy Hawaii.  I’m in Hilo now and it raining, but I came back from the farmers market with 4 different varieties of avocado (there are over 300 grown on the island, but because of the large California lobbying groups they can’t sell them in the supermarkets, so the organic flavorful ones are cheaper than imported mushy hass ones.  Classic.  I’m excited for the potluck tonight to try out my haul. (more…)

Well it is called Ironman not wussie man.

My first feelings immediately following the race were to apologize to all of you who have supported me in one way or another.  I have tried to make a trade mark of coming through in clutch situations, especially when long bike rides are involved. (more…)

The Secret Goal: Simply it’s to be the fastest age grouper.  You will be able to track my progress online at www.ironman.com - go to the ‘athlete tracker’ and punch in my name.  Also there will be a live commentary where I could be getting some play.

I’ve gotten in the habit of predicting my race times, the day before the event.  In Kona, it’s a little tougher, because the currants in the swim.  Wind, and heat make huge differences (20 minutes or so) in the bike and run splits.  The training I have been doing all season, and especially the last month is essentially to program myself so that these paces and distances come automatically.  I will be your friendly, focused dream crushing robot on cruise control. (more…)

Hey,

I would like to thank everyone for the notes that they’ve sent me and the huge support network of friends, family, and extended family, and families who adopt me for months at a time.  I’ve been too busy the last few days to post up every comment, but I have people pulling for me from as far away as UN Peace Keeping in Sudan, and of course no one will be more nervous than my father back home in Bracebridge and my other ‘homes’ around the continent.

Sean Bechtel, who was training in the trenches with me from the beginning, and the C3 team have been a huge support.  Barrie Shepley was room mates with Simon before his gold medal in Sydney, and he’s my room mate/ supporter down here. (more…)

Well the flight was long.  Backed up airplanes in San Fran ment that there were delays, and somehow my bags made it to Kona before I did.

It’s cooler here than Vegas, I used blankets last night, which I haven’t used in weeks (check that’s taken care of).

(more…)