Cali and OBB

Last week I've started working at Oak Bay Bikes. It's been an adjustment, but the shop is amazing. The guys there are super helpful (and patient!) and Karl, the owner, is one of the best bosses out there. Really, I don't think I could say enough about the fabulousness of the Oak Bay crew. Come into the store for a visit! I should be around all week except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

I'm hoping by throwing myself into this environment, I'm forcing myself to learn the things I want to know, but rarely put the effort into understanding. I'm wanting to know more about the trade and bike industry as a whole, and this will be the best way to do it!

A few weeks ago, I came back from a trip to California. The weather was beautiful, the people were entertaining, and though I didn't ride much, from what I did ride, it was incredible! Check out the pics:


We did some camping between the boy's race weekends. The scenery was unbelievable!

Stay fresh,

JS

Road Runner

It's official. I splurged, spent the seven dollars and I'm now a PIH'er! I'm pumped! For those of you who don't know what the Prairie Inn Harriers are, they are one of the biggest running groups in Victoria. Known for their love and passion of running, I'm hoping some of it will rub off on me.
I've been regularly attending the Lifesport Saturday runs, and they've definitely been making me quicker. However, I think that I need to get in more than one run a week. The Harrier's run on Tuesday night, Thursday morning, and Saturday morning. Although I wont be giving up my Lifesport run on Saturday, I think the extra two runs a week will hopefully make me faster!

This morning, I drove out to the Caleb Pike crit. I watched the boys race and walked around the course. It was such a beautiful day! It made me feel great knowing I was going to ride that afternoon. I met Jenny at the switchbridge and we did the reverse peninsula ride. Averaging about 30k an hour, it was perfect! It's been my longest ride since September, not to mention, some of the best company I've had on the bike in a while! Finishing our ride along the goose downtown, I felt like I could keep riding for a while. Ah, I've got to remember this feeling when I am feeling lousy on the bike. Today has been a fabulous day! As for tomorrow, I've got a swim at noon, and I'm hoping to make it to the OBB women's ride, if I can get my homework done in time. I've got one more week of classes.... I can't wait until this semester is over! I've got 4, 10-12 page papers to write, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!!

Keep fit and have fun!

JS

yew - bee - sea

Last weekend was the UBC tri. First of the season and also happened to be -1 degrees, so it hurt!! There was 4 races; short, sprint, olympic, and the duathlon.

I was a little choked that the week coming up to UBC, I caught a horrible cold/sinus infection. I made the best of it though, and took it as a training day.

I was really nervous for the swim. I've never done a pool swim before, and wasn't sure how it would be like swimming under the lane ropes every lane. It seemed a little confusing.

We headed across the day before, and I stayed with my cousin, Katie, who lives across the street from campus! Nathan, Julia, Danny, and I met up with G-Day to do a pre-ride of the bike course. Although my visit with Gav was cut a little short due to poor planning on my part, it was awesome to see him! Danny also gave my bike it's bi-annual cleaning. It's been a while since I saw it sparkling that white before!!

I had some super support pre-race; I met Mike Janes, a swimming/running friend of mine. (Sometimes, with a combination of me feeling really good and him having a hard training week, we are lane buddies!) He's a veteran at this race, and helped me check off my entire to-do check list. It was awesome having someone to show me where to go, what to do, and chat and hang out with!!

I had a great warm up; cutting it super close, I was about 20 minutes from my heat start. I wanted to watch Chris Miller's swim start and cheer him on before I did my race. Mark Schurch came up to me asking for an extra swim cap. No one else had one, so I ran back to my cousin's apartment about 3 blocks away, grabbed 2 swim caps, then headed back. My heart was pounding!

I ran to the pool deck, quickly undressed just to hear an official say "you're heat 1f? You just made it." I asked people what their predicted times were for the swim, and with a 24 minute goal, I quickly made my way to the front of the heat. I only stood there for a max of 60 seconds. I went second. The swim was fabulous! The swimming under the lane rope was a little awkward, but after about the 20th or so length, I got used to it! I swam 23:30!!

At -1 outside, I took my sweet time in "transition". There were two tents out of the pool; one for males, one for females. I took off my swimsuit, toweled off, put on my spandex. I kept telling myself to calm down because it's when I start rushing that I make a lot of silly mistakes. I then ran out of the tent and started my 400m run to the real transition. I kept my swim cap on my head for some extra warmth!!! I realized in transition that I forgot to put my race number with my stuff! Oops!

I felt really good starting out on the bike. The first lap was amazing - I felt strong, fast, and passed the girl who went first in our swim heat. After the first lap, I lost it... literally. I wasn't hurting, I wasn't sore... I just had no energy. I was disappointed that I was going so slow and couldn't push harder. It would be another story if I was in the pain box, or really pushing hard... but I had nothing to give. I wasn't expecting to be 100% with my cold, anyhow. Somewhere on the bike course, Nick Gottfried whizzed by me saying,
"Good work, Skinner!"
It was nice to see someone I knew, and give me some extra motivation!

Sidenote: I have some seriously amazing friends/training buddies!! I keep asking how I managed to score that...!? Lame, I know... but true!

After the 4th lap, I headed back to the transition. After thinking about my race number for 40km, I realized I would just take the number off my helmet and put it on my shirt. It worked. I switched over my orthotics and I was set to go!

Just running out of transition, I passed this group of people. In the corner of my eye, I see no other than Matt Corker. A friend I went to high school with... a very exceptional guy always challenging me to be better... at everything!
"Matt Corker!?!?!!", I yell as I run off course.
Him and other course directors are yelling at me,
"No, that way!! You're going the wrong way!" .... Oops!
Back on course about 50m away, I scream, "Matt, see what your handsome face does to me!?!?"

The 10Km hurt. It always sounds way easier when I'm NOT running it. Even now, I'm thinking "It can't be that bad... it's only 10km." Nope, I've got to remember that it hurts! I should start building into doing more brick workouts to get me used to that feeling.

It took about 6.5km until I could feel my feet again. If I hadn't run 10k before, I would be screwed. I kept saying to myself,
"You've done it before, you can do it again", over and over and over.

I saw Chris Miller riding his bike along the run course when I hit the 8km marker. Oh how I wanted to take his bike from him. He cheered for me as he rode by, I yelled out
"Hey, lemme borrow your bike. I swear, I just for 2km!!"
He laughed, but not the result I wanted. I wanted that bike so badly.

It felt good crossing that finish line and stopping. I keep forgetting the feeling of the 'racing high' you get every time at the finish of a race... it's what keeps me going, keeps me signing up, keeps me attending practices. Well, that and chocolate, of course!

It was great to talk to Matt Corker for a bit, without running at the same time! He's been at UBC for 3 years now, and I've been on the island for 2.... and this is the first time we've met up. Anyone that knows me, knows I'm petrified of Vancouver and the GVA, but I realize I definitely need to make a bigger effort to come across more and visit with friends.

Pictures aren't posted yet, but I'll post the important ones when they're online. You can check results here.

The picture production with my #1 boys is in the works... soon to be posted!! (Yes, MY #1 boys!)
Mike Janes - 1st short 20-24
Chris Miller - 1st sprint 25-29
Mark Schurch - 1st sprint 35-39 (Wait Mark, you're how old!?!?)
Nick Gottfried - 1st first olympic 25-29

Also, HUGE props to: Nathan 'Nate Dawg' Doering, Julia 'Goolia' Musial, Danny 'Stopwatch' Sessford, Heather 'Natural Talent' Hollman, Anna 'Secret Weapon' Dahonick, Hannah 'Stripping' K, Ali 'Superstar' Boyle, Katie 'Super Support' Skinner, Gavin 'Up for Anything' Day and Matt 'Always Smiling' Corker.

These people are so rad, so motivating, so inspirting.. not to mention they are also extremely good looking, it almost disguists me. Almost.

Keep fit and have fun,

J 'Shotgun' S

Better Late Than Never

Before I start on my blog, I first want to recognize all the beauty around me and all the wonderful influences in my life. The city of Victoria, on Coast Salish territories is one of the most amazing places I've been. My friends and family provide me with enough love, support, motivation and inspiration to not only keep up with what I am doing, but appreciate every second of it. I am so blessed!

Now, on to my entry.

Lent. It's been on my mind the past week or so. Lent represents the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, refraining from the temptations of the devil. This is a symbol of sacrifice and commitment, which ends on good friday and leads to his resurrection at Easter. Now, I know I'm a little late. I think the fear that my motivation and self-will most likely would fall 39 days short of that time period has been impeding my commitment. I think today, I finally found what I've been needing. It just struck me.

Over the past year, I've become less religious and more spiritual. Some might group the two together with the same definition. If you would have asked me a few years ago if there was any difference, I would have answered, 'slim to none'. Now, I hold a definition that has a vast separation between the two. I think this is partly due to my year-long Indigenous Studies class where, among many things, we analyze the influence of religion on the assimilation and integration of Canadian aboriginal peoples into white settler culture, and the demolishing effects of the Indigenous cultures. This has played a huge factor into my ideas and knowledge of religion, gods, and the meanings of life. I must say, I do feel an overwhelming sense of guilt concerning the first nations. I try to tuck those feelings away, deep inside of me. It doesn't work that well. Instead, I'm trying to use that energy for positive things. Appreciating this land, the people, and all the different cultures that make life as fabulous as it is. Increasing awareness is also high on my list. We've forced the Catholic/Anglican religion on the first nations tribes during the contact and throughout the post-contact years. This has been detrimental to the aboriginal peoples, and the ripple effect is showing throughout aboriginal communities now. There is part of me that aches with heartache and makes me want to disassociate with religion because of this.

I will however, always believe in a "god", a higher power, an ultimate being. I believe this is the same god that all religions believe in and pray to. Ironically, this would be the reason to my final commitment to Lent. In a religious sense, but more so in a spiritual sense. I know it's coming late, but for me, it is going to symbolize not only suffering and sacrifice but motivation, determination and love.

As I was leaving class today, walking along campus grounds, I passed by a drumming circle, and a native singing. I stopped. I listened. I smiled. The sun was shining and I felt amazing! Seriously, can it get any better!?!? What a wonderful celebration, a wonderful culture, wonderful people!

Long ago, I had a "thankful" journal, writing at least 5 things I was thankful for that day. I'm resurrecting that. I'm hoping to reignite my appreciation for the little things, and living my life spreading as much love and positive energy that I can!

How are you celebrating Lent? Better yet, how are you celebrating life?

J

Hatley

Yesterday was the Hatley Castle 8K.

After talking with Paulie the night before, he convinced me I should race... and I'm glad I did! I keep forgetting what the 'runner's high' is like, and I'm reminded with every race I enter.

The course is notorious for showing no mercy on the steep climbs and rolling hills. Heading for the start line, I was beginning to question myself if this was a smart decision... but it was a little late to be backing out then --too many people have already seen me.

Hoping to run under 40 minutes, I crossed the finish line at 41:04 - which isn't a bad time for me. I was thinking sub 40 was a little unrealistic. But, on the plus side, I got a calf massage at the end!! And total bonus: my masseuse was pretty dang cute.

Today, my body feels pretty good! I'm pumped.... I have no aches, no pains! Perhaps I wasn't pushing hard enough.. !? I must say, I gave it a pretty hard effort on the last 500 m stretch. There was a fleeting 2-3 seconds at the finish line where I thought it was possible I could have met my '09 goal, and puked. Sigh... It vanished pretty quick, though.

I'm hoping to get into a regular running routine to get myself into better running shape. I'm looking into joining a running team. A little ambitious, I know... but all those runners from PIH, Westshore, or Running Room are so fit and look so damn ripped. I'm hoping I can hold off from my regular junk food binge - wish me luck!!

I've also given some serious consideration to running some longer running races. The Merville 15k is coming up... and maybe even a 1/2 sometime this season.. ? I suppose that would mean that I have to be doing some longer training runs... I'll keep you posted on how/if those go!

Meanwhile, here's a picture of me from the race:


Keep fit and have fun!

J

ah, simply marvelous...

These past three days have been my saving grace.

It all started Wednesday. I woke up early. Ran at 10:30, swam at noon. Came home, had lunch then napped for two hours. The rest of the afternoon was dedicated to creeping on facebook, organizing my room, lazing around. Thursday was much of the same. Swam at 9:45, home for lunch at noon, then had a nap. I cut it to 30 minutes to avoid the groggyness I experienced the day before. It worked - I woke up feeling rather refreshed. My afternoon consisted of lots of wasting time, facebook, and writing emails. Then at 5:30, it was off to spin. I don't know if it's possible, but I bet I lost around five pounds through my sweat. That was the first night I did the run off the bike. Just a ten minute steady jog, but it felt great! I'm hoping it's getting my body prepped for UBC, which is only 2 weeks away!!

Today, I'm hoping to be slightly productive and get a start on some papers due next week :-(

The last few weeks have been hellish to say the least. The copious amounts of work and stress have been wrecking havoc on my body; mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I couldn't even begin to explain how low I've been feeling, so reading week couldn't have come at a better time. The last few days have been reminding me of my hawaii days...

...riding to the hot ponds...
...running along shower drive...
...swimming in the pahoa pool because it's warmer than the hilo one...
...talking with the hippies at the pahoa market...
...going into town for random fun events...
...ecstatic dance...
...sunday markets...
...safeway sandwiches...
...the 'be cool' loop...
...richardson's beach..
...being serenaded to sleep by the coqui frogs...
...talking with Chad at Safeway...

ah, simply marvelous...


J

Tuh - aw - muss

Two years ago today, Tom was riding his bike down Elk Lake Drive when he got hit by an astro van. In celebration of this anniversary, his recovery, his amazing positive attitude, motivation, devotion to a better lifestyle and making life as awesome as possible... this blog entry is dedicated to him.

Tom is nothing short of amazing. No more than a month after his accident, he was back riding on the roads again!

Today, Tom is still dealing with side-effects of his accident, but still continues to train as hard as he can and keep a positive mentality.

He's taken a horrible situation, and gives it a positive light; making other cyclists aware of dangers on the road, reminding drivers to be more cautious when they're driving, and generally helping others grasp a greater appreciation for life and striving to achieve all the wonders that comes out of it.

Tom is one of the most amazing people I know. I look up to him as a big brother, an athlete, a person, a friend. I'm very glad he didn't get completely crushed by that astro van!

Got 5 minutes? Check this link!

Keep fit and have fun!

J