dreaming over the ocean

So, race reports.  Wow Wow Wow! Last weekend, I got to travel to Calgary , to participate in the 70.3.   This race has been on my bucket list for a while, as when I was living over the summers in Edmonton , it was close and convenient.  It just never quite lined up with my schedule, and I didn’t get the chance.  This year, it lined up perfectly.  I was nervous, I was excited, I felt fit and ready. Pre-race  Having had planned to get to Calgary in the car with Sean, Esther, and Dante, work schedule changed and I flew into Calgary on Friday night.  After a few “unplanned” barriers in our accommodation, Saturday ended up being a bit more hectic than planned.  3 athletes staying in 3 different places, with one car to get around was a logistical nightmare.  I forgot my transition bag for check in, I felt like I needed to make sure everyone around me had the best pre-race day possible, I made assumptions that I shouldn’t have, and I...

The last hour of work on a Friday afternoon is generally the toughest, right?  That’s what they say? I certainly am finding that true today. I also guess that the summer hold that much more anticipation! This weekend, Sean and I are off for a short two day trip to Penticton .  We would leave tonight, but, the heat is going to be sweltering, and we have to make accommodations for the dog. We are heading up there to Participate in the GranFondo: 180Km of cycling in 37 Degree heat.  YIKES!!!  I’m very excited though, and it seems like it is going to be a great event.  I just hope we can finish. Three weekends ago, I had just gotten back from Malawi .  I saw super sick.  That was not fun.  Two weekends ago, I spent it up in Whistler, with 5 other triathlon girls, doing a training weekend.  IT was amazing, and it really reminded me about how much joy it is to have “nothing but training” to do for a few days in a row.  Especially ...

Sean and I are currently on the ferry, making our way back home after a weekend on Vancouver island. Nice to get away from the regular bump and grind, and good to get a quick visit with the Birch side of the family.  We were taking the little trip to hopefully inspire young minds. That's the hope, anyway. A lesser known fact about my young life is that I am a private school graduate;  not only a private school, but a boarding school. My parents sacrificed a lot to send me away to a place that I would wake up to the ocean air every day, wear knee high socks and a tartan skirt, and be reprimanded for sneaking a pet hedgehog into my room to live in the closet. I'm not going to lie... I honestly think that if I did not go to Brentwood , I would not be the person I am today.  I would not have gone to WVU, because I would not have rowed. I may not have seen the world, because I would have stayed living in Edmonton. I also would not have had the house parent, coaches, friends, ...

Recently, i have had conversations about how the 3 different disciplines of triathlon always cause a little bit of a different result in terms of what i think about, or focus on, during my workout.   In swimming, I am totally able to focus on technique, my mind doesn't wander very often, and i like to focus in on exactly what i am doing, feeling, and seeing.   In  biking, I tend to think about the now.  what is going on in my life now, what are the conversations I am experiencing, what is going on later in the day, or this week, or what just happened.  In running, i tend to experience the deep emotions.  I either feel like crying, and work through the hard things, or I become exceptionally inspired, and feel like I can change the world. This past sunday was a great training day.  I am finally starting to believe that I will be able to finish Challenge Penticton. In August, I will finish 3.8km of swimming, 180km of biking, and 42 km of running. ...

there is something to be said about memories.  I know that they change, and they fade and the morph from what actually happened.  That being said, these past two weeks have been chalked full of memories.  these past two weeks have been some of those days where you have to pinch yourself to be reminded that this actually happens in life.  There is certainly a magic about New Orleans.  That's for sure.  There is a magic about the people you meet, the food you eat, the music you listen and dance too. Sunday afternoon, Kirsten and I did something that I would never imagine that I would do... we went to a PGA Golf tournament, the " Zurich Classic. " We got all prepped up, and went to watch golf for all of about 45 minutes, then went to the post-party ;)  Kirsten had gotten free tickets, due to her connections with the high-rollers of NOLA.  I thought the whole thing was pretty funny, as people got  really into it.   lots of ooooing and ahhh...

First of all, I just want to give credit for the other people who have taken these photos... Sean (with his fantastic new camera), and Kirsten (with her Iphone).  If I didn't have these two, I wouldn't have the chronicles. I am supposed to be writing my final paper for school right now, and instead, I am sitting in a French Quarter Coffee shop just replaying and replaying my weekend in my head. I can't believe it is already a week after I have raced NOLA 70.3 (well... 2.1+52+13.1=67.2)... the time has just flown buy.  And, most of that time, I have no idea what I was doing.  I remember monday, when Kirsten brought us around NOLA looking at Banksy's and blighted properties  and graveyards , and having yummy breakfasts.  And, during breakfast, my beloved said something to the effect of "Are you going to phone air canada, and change that ticket?  I mean... its an opportunity not to be missed." but, really, it was this past weekend that just rocked my w...

was quiet for me this year.  No family around, which is something I normally like.  but, it was beautiful. I think easter is my favourite holiday of the year, and Maundy Thursday is my favourite day in the church calendar. so, I began easter celebrations on thursday with a dinner at St Stephen's, then I went to swim, and then I made my way at 11pm to go and pray for an hour at St John's the Evangelist (the Montreal Anglo-Catholic Church). Friday included a lot of paper writing, and Tenebrae at St John's again, with my friend Annie.  We then went to Benelux (and met my friend Leanna, who handing in her Master's Research project that day!!!)  where I had a 12-Beer sampler.  Which, was probably too much beer, but it was delicious.   Saturday included brunch with nursing friends, a long bike ride (100km!!!), and more paper writing.   Sunday included Sunday service at St Stephen's, post-service lunch, thanksgiving for the Presiden...

This weekend, I made a nice little "annual" roadtrip down to syracuse NY with my friend Annie  to go and visit our friend and coach Kelly Covert.   the excuse to visit was the annual Tipperary Hill Shamrock run.  Of course, it is a mostly fun, somewhat serious, significantly hilly (i saw a shirt that said "any hill that has its own name is going to be a push."), 4-mile (6.5 km) race.  Having had a recovery week this week, I was feeling good.  It was snowy (worried about ice!) and cold.  but super fun. It wasn't the fastest I have ever run (31:35), but it was the highest placing ("percentage wise") that I have ever gotten in running.  I placed 15th of 303 (top 4.9%) in my age group, and 87/1680 (top 5.1%) in females.  so, not so shabby. but, since i am overwhelmed with work, it was a short race, and i have not much else to say other than it was a great weekend, here are some photos.  back to the stressful life of a graduate student (ARG...

Last weekend, I went up to the infamous (at least here in Malawi) Cape Maclear.  It was great to get away from the city (once again!) to be able to hit up a little bit of sun and fun.  I was also given the chance to go and do the Mulanje Cross over... But, I was questioning the chances that I might have to get up to Cape Maclear, before I leave.  In addition.... it is crunch time!  I know it seems strange to consider the fact that I am actually in school while I am here in Malawi... but the end of the semester is just around the corner.  That means that my clinical rotation is finishing up (just two more days!).  I have a clinical note due this week.  I have a concept map that I need to present during the week of December 5th.  I have a rough draft of my manuscript (... aka... my new "research project" which is a manuscript, that often feels like I am writing prose,  on establishing inter-institutional global health nursing research coll...

I love mountains.  there is just something about them that makes my heart happy, serene, and peaceful.  I love them anywhere... From the mighty Denali , to the rolling hills of West Virginia  and Vermont , to the mountains in Petra, Jordan , to the close to home Rockies.   There is just something about them that makes my heart happy.  oh right.  I already said that. so, when I found out that Malawi has the highest peak in central Africa, south of those famous ones up in tanzania and kenya, and North of the Drakensberg's, I was thrilled.   Mount Mulanje   hits a maximum peak of 3002m (9850ft), which, for those of you who need reference points:  Blackcomb mountain is 1609m, Mt Edith Cavell  3363 m  & Mt Robson is 3959m.   this " monadnock " is situated about 2hrs away (ish) (on minibus time) from Blantyre.  Long story short, I arranged with a new Australian friend of mine, that we would be able to hit up th...

So, after a 1/2 ironman, and two olympic distance Events in less than a month, all I can say is..... PHEW!  my body hurts!     Honestly, I always say that I love racing so much more than training.  I mean, if there is not a goal at the end of the tunnel, why would we bother?  but honestly, at the end of the day, your body just says WHOA.  slow down there. and, it is that time.  I have a rest week this week.  I might even skip my ever-loved outdoor pool master's class.  I  will only race another two races this season.  A 10km trail run in mid-July, and a 1/2 iron on the 21st of August.  Then, it will be off to my love.  Then, it will be off to Africa. There is so much to do between now and then.  Like the getting my eyeglasses.  And the dentist appointments.  and the doctor appointment (all this week). and the waiting for my new passport. and the applying for a Malawi Student Visa.  and buying a plane ...

and, just before i go to sleep, after my flights from edmonton to calgary to montreal.  i thought i would give you a photo or two from the weekend.  it was delightful.  and sunny. and fun.  it was EASTER! so very very very nice to see the boy i like for a great weekend away. more to come, though!  and, you gotta admit.  we are just way to cute. ;)

So, yesterday, i found out that the class i normally have on Friday's was not happening. Know what that means? It means that this morning, I was able to wake up to the sunshine coming through my windows, rather than waking up to my alarm. I don't have to be anywhere until 3:30 this afternoon. I will spend the day doing school work in my PJ's, then go buy an aeropress ... (The boy i like is saving me from drinking crappy, instant coffee in the morning. That's a reason why i like him. he values the coffee snob in me.) Then, I will head down to the rowing bassin (on my bike... it will be my 1hr recovery ride, there and back) to coach the boys of Selwyn House School . I kinda (and, in kinda, i mean, really) like coaching these kids. It just brings the fun back into rowing. And, it also means that I get to take full control over the program, because the other "coach" knows pretty much nothing at all about rowing. Then, back to mile end for some Yoga and...

I am super duper tired. no matter what, it seems as if i can't get enough sleep each night. but, thus is life. so, just sayin that this post is prolly going to be short... training is crazy these days... i am in the last week of my second strength/tempo block of the winter. And, one of the things about these weeks, is that running is loaded to the front end of the week. on sunday, i have a long run. on monday, an hour endurance. on tuesday, a 45 min tempo effort, doing mile repeats. and, i don't know about you, but, many times, i thin that running is the necessary evil attached to the end of two beautiful activities. i am not a runner. but, something has clicked in the last few weeks. all of a sudden, i have learnt to run in my zones. this has been a LONG time coming. I remember many many post-workout comments of "are you sure that you want me running in HR zones that low? i can bike in them... but, running, my HR can't stay below 150..." now, i feel ...

This weather is LAME! yesterday, it downpoured all day long, and was melting snow. Today, it has changed to snow, and it accumulating like crazy. and, you want my bet... that walking outside will be hazardous, because there is probably a large sheet of ice underneath this nice blanket of snow. deadly. and, i have no desire to do a long (1.5hrs) run on the treadmills at the Y. Esp. since you are only supposed to run on them for 30 minutes at a time. spring, please come soon. so, I have been a bit moody this week. I think that it started off with my concept map presentation early this week, in which I felt I did awful. I sent a follow up email about it, which did make me feel better about it. just because i felt like I was able to voice some of my thoughts. so, hopefully i won't fail. But, my guess, is that I will get about 60%. Which, in my program is a fail. and, i hate that. On thursday night, I also had a 3hr long conversation with the boy that i like. and, to tell ...

UGH! i think that winter should just move a long. It snows every fricken day. it is slippery. it is wet. it is not pretty anymore (ok. that is the pessimism talking. snow on trees, and in parks is always pretty). it takes effort to go everywhere. and i can't wear sandals or ride my bike in a skirt. running is slow, and my feet get wet. wind chill gets to the bones. and, did i mention how riding is getting a little scarier to me these days? yeah, well, it is. move along, winter, move along. I liked you. now, i am just done with you. I will give you until the end of my holiday (Feb 28th), before you need to pretty much stop. Or, I will NOT be happy. this week, training has been pretty good. Other than a random 24hr bug or funny food I got on thursday that made me cut my swim short, and on friday, sleep all day, feel achey, and carry a very minor fever, it was decent. Missed a run last monday (for some reason, it seems as if that run is the workout in the week i miss ...

when it is this quiet, it means that it is not quiet in other parts of life. craziness has been happening. and, if you don't believe me, then look at this. It was my "concept map" which was due on monday of this week.... it can be seen HERE because it is tooooooooo big to upload! sheesh. complicated. this is a representation of a cholera outbreak in a refugee camp in Kenya: Kakuma . it is a pretty crazy exercise to go through, but I am confident that the next one (due on march 2nd! ugh, 2 days post-holiday. guess what I am going to be doing in the sun?!?! yup, concept mapping) is going to be WAY easier. so, instead, on the africa front, i will post this picture. it is pretty powerful, i think. on the weekend, though, I got a FANTASTIC long XC ski in, up at Mt. Tremblant. because I don't ski much, but i love it, I *always* feel the body afterwards. I do wish I had photos, but, alas... I do not. I went with people from the YMCA tri team, and there was on...

today, i have had a lovely day. After yesterday, where I didn't really leave the house at all, it was time to wander outside. Despite the fact that I do enjoy "work at home" days, I also find that I can feel quite isolated. Especially this semester, where it now seems like we are finally in a graduate program... everyone in my class is spread out between supervisors, and locations, and different placements, and different practice times, etc. We don't get so see each other much, especially compared to this first year and a half. But, I suppose, if I am going to be spending 4 months in Malawi next fall , I need to get used to it! So, knowing that I had strength and a run on tap for today, I thought that I would use the morning to do some work in a cafe, eat breakfast, then yoga and run it up. But, I woke up with a bit of a headache (and was really worried it was going to end up being a full fledged migrane), so I went back to sleep. 1.5 hrs later, I woke up, an...

so, not much to talk about today. maybe except for the fact that going to church these days has been great... mostly because it has just about doubled in size, with those new people all being around my age. which adds a great different vibe. and one that i LIKE! it feels good not to be one of the only token 20-something's in the congregation. and, coming home from church this morning, i encountered this on the street.... not everyday where you get to see one of those :) anyway, nothing really eventful in training this week, except that I am really feeling the end of this 3 week strength block. I am crossing my fingers for a recovery week! we shall see, as soon as my training peaks is updated for the week. other than that, i had an amazing run last night, in -15C weather, and starting at 7:45pm (meaning it ended just after 9ish). I had no idea that a cold-"late-night"- endurance run in the middle of winter could be so invigorating. and, i wasn't even cold!!!...

there is pretty much one thing i would rather be doing right now, that sitting comfy in my bed writing a blog about my wonderful weekend. and that would be sitting comfy in my bed having a skype conversation with the boy i like. but, he decided to go to tron. And will be back at about 11. and, frankly... that is too late for me. and, there is only 1 thing that is beneficial about that. and it is that... I do not have to go see tron with him. at any rate. Today was a LOVELY day. The weekend was lovely, after a slightly chaotic 2nd week back at school (is it really supposed to be feeling so disorganized?!!?) I had a little sleep in on saturday morning, because it was "Travel Day." travel day to where, you might ask?! SYRACUSE! my friend annie and I piled into a small rental car with the black flying machine in the back, and down to the states we went. We went down, because I was having a train-this testing and video weekend, at the YMCA in downtown syracuse... which has ...