LIVESTRONG

Hey guys,

Cancer and cancer support are two things very close and important to me, as of March 2009 I will be working with the Lance Armstrong Foundation as a LIVESTRONG Global Leader increasing awareness and support among athletes worldwide.

The message behind LIVESTRONG is very clear, to pass on knowledge, advice and support to sufferers and survivors alike. To clear the path for a future, within communities, governments and across continents without cancer.

I hope to help promote the message of the LAF through my position as a sportsman will work with the LAF to find ways to raise awareness and support both within triathlon, sportsmen and women along with everyone I meet along the way.

Livestrong,

Mike

Article

http://www.deesidepiper.co.uk/sport/Winning-start-to-season-for.5064891.jp

Hands

Second Degree Frostbite ;

"Reddening of the skin, throbbing, burning sensations followed by bleeding or swelling"

According to environment Canada at the time of my race on Sunday morning it was -3 plus the fact I was riding my bike at 50kph makes the temperature around -13 degrees. This seems to have had a pretty rough effect on my hands and have been in a bit of pain today ... especially while out riding my bike in the cold.

You can't win every battle though and it looks like my hands aren't too bad, the bleeding has stopped but the stinging is still lingering.

Bleeding hands : (

oh and if anyone ever gets frostbite...don't put moisturiser on it! STINGS!

Haha well I hope everyone is training hard, especially those *Fraser and Denise* who are either in or heading to very warm climates!

Mike

Cold

Just in case you didn't believe me about the temperature yesterday...

(this morning in Vancouver)

I would also like to say thanks to my friends at Speed Theory (www.speedtheory.ca) for yesterday, they helped me with all my bike needs running up to the race and continue to help me out almost every day. Also during the race yesterday I ran in my new running shoes for the season, Newtons, I raced in the 9.2 Ounce Men's Neutral Racer and they are ridiculously light. Made running off the bike a lot easier when it feels like there is nothing holding you down. The only store here in town who stocks them is forerunners (http://www.forerunners.ca/) and I'd say just go in and try a pair on...they're good.



Thanks again for all the support yesterday!

Mike

UBC Triathlon

First race of the year. Done.

It was about 3 degrees here today, add in the wind, being wet and the trisuit and I'd like to think it was below zero...sounds better anyway :)

Lined up for the start around 12noon, it was so cold that most (all but 3 I could see) racers were taking advantage of the poolside "changing tents", in they went in their swimming gear, out they came covered in thermals, gloves and hats. I think in reflection gloves would have helped...especially when I was stuck in T2 with my helmet on...thanks to the marshals for helping me out.

Swim went well, I got to lead out due to my fastest entry time which was nice having clear water...until about 550m in where I quickly encountered the previous heat which had some stragglers. Unfortunately I couldn't afford to wait until the end of the lane so just snuck past each of the swimmers I met, hope I didn't cause them any trouble but I tried my best to get by unnoticed.

T1 was ok, slower than I wanted mainly due to the cold and the unswept route into transition.

Once on my bike though I got into the rhythm and started to work the first lap. There is a slight 4km downhill on each lap which was great to get the speed up, plus a total of 3 turn arounds on each lap which made spotting where my competition was easy. After the swim I had about 80 seconds on second place so I knew where to look on lap 1, it looked like I'd managed to gain another 20 seconds or so on lap one so I put the hammer down a bit more come lap two. That said the cold had started to get to my face, chest and hands so I started to feel a bit chilly, no matter I kept the cadence up and had put in a solid 2.5 minute gap on second place come T2. Time wise I was on track for under an hour but a dwindled 60 seconds or so getting marshal assistance with my helmet, realising this I sped into my trainers and off onto the run course.

Was amazed by the support on the 5km, everyone I passed from the earlier heats slowed down and cheered me past, some of the local cyclists road with me shouting support and keeping me relaxed as I ran. Everyone from my residence had come out in force to cheer me on and it really does help when your friends are there

A new best 5km time by 3 minutes plus a new course record quickly made me forget the cold...and the fact it is only March. Great first race and presume this means the training seems to be working!

Mike

UBC Triathlon ... maybe

I'm sitting in my room, 20 hours out from the first race of the season ... and it's snowing.

Being honest I knew it would snow, the forecast was for snow and given my previous history with the sport of triathlon it is only customary for it to snow. At least 7/10 races I compete in seem to have weather limitations, be it severe rain, wind, flooding, snow ... jelly fish (ok not weather but they're scary). Snow hit my first race of the season last year just as we were exiting the swimming pool into T1...a quick throw on of a 2xU jacket and off I went.

My main concern is they cancel the race tomorrow, snow is just snow, rain is just rain. We train in it all the time so I have no problem racing in it but I realise the safety issues so cancelling is really the only option when it is really snowy. Currently its snowing hard but not sticking, as long as it stays off the roads we should be ok.

The race is a Sprint, 700m/20k/5km, swim in the outdoor pool, bike around the main road (2xout and back) and the run is through campus. Its a pretty big race with thousands of entrants each year but I think there will be a few no shows tomorrow if its still under zero!

I'll post again tomorrow after the race,

Let's hope it's on ... can't wait,

Mike