dreaming over the ocean

So, maybe perhaps because of a intriguing conversation that i was apart of on monday night, in combination with watching (perhaps) my favourite movie of all time, Amelie, on Saturday, I have been somewhat introspective in the last few days.  and, it is late, so i will not dive right into it. but, pretty much, it goes on the realm of: what is it that causes happiness, or the sense that a day has gone well, or why we wake up some days feeling like shit, or like we can conquer the world, or like the world has conquered us...  or, what makes us feel confident, or inconfident?  what causes us to be introspective, or to analyze, or to just brush it off?    and no, this is not asking the question "why do we have emotions" or even, "what causes emotions" but maybe more so: "how do we respond to the emotions that we experience?" how do we give credit, when credit is due?  was it the good or bad weather, or was it a person, or was it physiological, or was it god ans...

Bicycle Freedom!!!! I might actually look serious in this photo: Getting our bikes into the truck for transport to T1, up at alice lake. Some times my bike and I like to act a little frivolous.... Race number, and shameless plug for Bikes on the Drive :)

so, this is my wetsuit: sometimes (im not going to lie), it makes me feel like a superhero.  i know how ridiculous that sounds.   but truely, this thing is amazing.  i like to think that i am a pretty good swimmer.  i even like to think that i am significantly better than a lot of other triathletes, especially since triathletes are (seemingly) naturally land animals. i mean, i was a competitive swimmer for about 8 years as a child, even reaching provincial level, and winning a few medals there... in the pool, i feel so good.    however, that being said, open water swimming is a whole new ball game .  when i put on my suit on the shore, i feel like a superhero.  i do a land warmup, and i get into the water.  i start swimming.  and, then, out of nowhere , i start breathing deeply, my heart rate soars, and i start panicking.  and, this lasts for about 500-750 meters. i feel like i am going to drown, die, and end up on the bottom of the ocean at kits beach, never to be found again. and, i ...

that title is a quote... can you name it? outward bound quote of the day...suitable to happenings this week... "Eventually all the pieces fall into place...until then, laugh at the confusion, live for the moment, and know that everything happens for a reason. " - Anon when i ride my bike, i feel like i am flying.   that is what i thought today, many times...  I rode out to gibsons (on the sunshine coast) today, with Erika, my roommate. the map, plus the 15 km on the sunshine coast side of the ferry, is my route today, approximently.  First off, I would like to say kudos to erika, who has become a much better cyclist since she has included commuting to work into her daily schedule.  previously, some of those hills may have been too much for her, but she was able to stick it today!!!!   the reason that we did this ride was 2 fold.  #1, though, was to go to look at a house i am going to be sitting for 10 days in august... it is beautiful, sea views, hiking/running trails, etc. ...

So, this post may seem somewhat out of character from my normal entries, but, every once and a while, something unexpected and surprising will happen. and so, I write.  and, i write right from my heart.   and, it starts with this... the other night, i was reminded of this bible verse, from a journal entry that I had written years ago... i don't quite remember the senario that I wrote it in, but, it was quite appropriate for what happened to me this past weekend: Hebrews 13:2.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.    There is this thought in hiking or outdoor communities that you meet "trail angels" along the way.  Strangers that you have a large connection with, and help out in one way or another along the trail, and they do the same for you.  Then, everyone just goes along on their own appropriate trail.  On Thursday, at the boarder crossing while I was riding the bus home, I met this friend.  From LA, California...

So, a week following the lake stevens 70.3, I was excited and nervous and in high anticipation of my own olympic distance triathlon.   I had hesitated in entering the Squamish Tri, because i wasn't sure if i was ready to compete. If i was in good enough physical shape.  But, it is like everything in life.  you have to bite the bullet, and go for it.  I have all the necessary equipment...  sweet pink race belt, purple and pink and black race kit, pink and blue bike, and an amazing super wet suit.  so, in all aspects, i was ready to go.  I had a great week of tapering, which included some open water swims,  a brick w/o, leisurely day of cycling, and sea kayaking while in washington state, and climbing the grouse grind on thursday afternoon... By friday afternoon, i was walking about 6 inches higher off the ground because my energy level was almost too much to handle. Other than a few blips in transportation, I loaded up on the carbs from friday, and on saturday.  And becasue I am chr...

So, I said that I would give a race report about the lake stevens 70.3 on July 6th, down in washington state, and about my more recent olympic distance tri at Squamish on July 13th (this past sunday). Lake stevens: Day before race, Caitlin, Risha and I go for a moderate length bikeride, to the race expo and info meeting.  We see donna there, and pick up our race packets.  We then finish off, by riding to lake stevens... The ride was nice, but unfortunently along fairly busy roads. about 25 km or so, so it was nice to just get our legs spinning.  Donna did a short 30minute brick workout at the course to get her legs moving as well. Dropped off Donna's and Caitlin's bikes, and headed out for a nice big pasta dinner :)  Found out that Donna drinks beer now, and she had a pint with dinner (this made me feel quite a bit better about my own beer drinking habits ;) ) Went to sleep and woke up nice and early, in the realms of 4:15am.  Made our way to the course, and got a little psyche...

Spent this last week in washington state, with some of my friends from West Virginia University, from my rowing team.  We participated in Lake Stevens 70.3 Triathlon, in which Donna Stullken did the full race, and I teamed up with Risha Kelley, and Caitlin Everett to do the relay.  We did amazing, and Donna was inspirational.  I will give more details on the race soon. Rook was our general support and phenomenal fan base.   As for now, I want to post pictures!!!! Thank you risha for taking phenomenal photos! On the ferry back to seattle from a day of bike riding on Bainbridge Island. Finding a dock on Bainbridge, where we went on a leisurely afternoon bike ride.... Donna rented a hybrid.  it was a little different from her "Specialized Transistion" bike, but, it is BIKE FREEDOM  anyways.   :) Sea Kayaking in the San Juan Islands.   Here, donna and i are practicing ninja, balancing moves. Donna, going the wrong way. The man of the trip, Bradley , hanging out in the hull o...

So, today is Canada day.  and, since last year, this day will forever be etched into my memory as one that I became way to closely acquainted  with the back of a pick up truck, while riding my bike.  Yes folks, it is one day to the year that i had one of the worst days of my life, and i broke my arms.  Which, to this day still do not feel "normal."    What a year.   Canada day is closely followed by july 3rd, which is my birthday.  I will turn 25.  and, although I have been in high anticipation of this birthday, mostly because 24 sucked ass, i also feel like it is a huge leap in terms of birthdays.  it is a marker birthday.  I know that I am not in many of the places that i would have hoped to be, or obtaining some of the goals that i have wished, by the time i turned 25.  yet, in so many other ways, there is little regret of the path i have taken.  the people i have met, and the experiences that we have shared are often stunning and fantastic and amazing.   ON thursday, I w...