Hello Amazing Divas,
I am sure you have been waiting with baited breath for my "resolutions" post and I surely don't want to disappoint but I am, instead, compiling a list of wishes for the new year. I may still do a list of resolutions and perhaps, I will share but for now I thought I would focus outwards . . . .
If the proverbial genie popped up and asked for my wishes for triathlon and sport for women in general, what would I say? What would make a significant difference in this quirky sport and more importantly, in the lives of the TriDivas who reside here?
1. Bring someone to the party. . . My hope is that we each bring a new person to triathlon in 2012. Maybe you invite someone to be on a team with you or you ask a buddy to volunteer at one of your races. . . whatever it is, just share; share why multi-sport is important to you and spark the next person. If we all do that the exposure to Triathlon will double over night!
2. Hardware for Canada . . . I am a huge supporter of this sport from both ends: novice all the way to the elite level. As 2012 is an Olympic year, my hope is to see Canada on the podium (podiums would be better) in London. I can already hear our anthem being played. Do what you can to support our team - big or small.
3. World Peace . . . that's right, world peace. The wish list wouldn't be complete without it. To be clear, I hope that we all find some peace in 2012; peace with our goals, peace with our balance; peace within ourselves. We are all doing triathlon for different reasons but I wish that, at the bottom of it all, is peace.
Happy and healthy 2012 to all you Divas out there :)
Thursday 29 December 2011
Monday 19 December 2011
Drop In Programs: Fun and Flexible
Happy Monday Divas,
As promised, this is my first review of local training opportunities. Drop-in workouts can be a great addition or substitute to your regular training regime. I appreciate this time of year when my master's swim training group takes a hiatus in order to attend a swim drop-in program that occurs at my pool.
I waited poolside to know where to hop in. It is important not to rock the boat too much when you first join a group. Let's face it multi-sport enthusiasts tend to be very routine dependant and any change to that can be upsetting. The last thing I want to do is make my lane mates resentful because they may put a serious hurt on me later in the workout.
The instructor showed up and told me where to go in a friendly jovial manner. My new training buddies were chatty and fun. Never under estimate the benefit of meeting new people and the benefit of mutual suffering. Today's workout was both challenging and low key. For me, it was challenging because it had only freestyle where I normally swim all strokes but it was low key as the pace was attainable (probably because I was guided into the appropriate lane for my ability).
Here is what we did:
800 m Choice warm up
200 m Kick
2 or 3 sets of
200 m Pull with 20 seconds rest
3 x 100 m swim with 15 seconds rest (descending 1 - 3)
400 m swim with fins
2900 m total
When choosing a drop-in program, I have a few recommendations:
1. Check out the instructor (no . . . not like that!) to identify his/her qualifications and experience.
2. Ask yourself: "Do I like this group?" Keep in mind you may be spending a lot of time together so if someone drives you nuts from the get-go, move on.
3. Is the class conveniently located? If it is not on the way to or from work or in your neighbourhood, you may be less likely to "drop-in".
4. Make sure the workout improves your performance whether it is speed or technique. As multi-sport gals, we certainly don't want to waste our time.
Finally, try lots of classes so you learn what you like or dislike. I will be reporting on other workout sessions in the near future so please send me a note if you have any suggestions.
As promised, this is my first review of local training opportunities. Drop-in workouts can be a great addition or substitute to your regular training regime. I appreciate this time of year when my master's swim training group takes a hiatus in order to attend a swim drop-in program that occurs at my pool.
I waited poolside to know where to hop in. It is important not to rock the boat too much when you first join a group. Let's face it multi-sport enthusiasts tend to be very routine dependant and any change to that can be upsetting. The last thing I want to do is make my lane mates resentful because they may put a serious hurt on me later in the workout.
The instructor showed up and told me where to go in a friendly jovial manner. My new training buddies were chatty and fun. Never under estimate the benefit of meeting new people and the benefit of mutual suffering. Today's workout was both challenging and low key. For me, it was challenging because it had only freestyle where I normally swim all strokes but it was low key as the pace was attainable (probably because I was guided into the appropriate lane for my ability).
Here is what we did:
800 m Choice warm up
200 m Kick
2 or 3 sets of
200 m Pull with 20 seconds rest
3 x 100 m swim with 15 seconds rest (descending 1 - 3)
400 m swim with fins
2900 m total
When choosing a drop-in program, I have a few recommendations:
1. Check out the instructor (no . . . not like that!) to identify his/her qualifications and experience.
2. Ask yourself: "Do I like this group?" Keep in mind you may be spending a lot of time together so if someone drives you nuts from the get-go, move on.
3. Is the class conveniently located? If it is not on the way to or from work or in your neighbourhood, you may be less likely to "drop-in".
4. Make sure the workout improves your performance whether it is speed or technique. As multi-sport gals, we certainly don't want to waste our time.
Finally, try lots of classes so you learn what you like or dislike. I will be reporting on other workout sessions in the near future so please send me a note if you have any suggestions.
Wednesday 14 December 2011
Stats and other fun stuff
Hello Divas,
A quick post today as I could not contain my excitement! I was checking the 'traffic' on the TDN blog as I do most days and I was pleased to see how many of you checked out the interview with Teann (see Conversation with a TriDiva - December 9). All I can take from this statistic is you want to see MORE INTERVIEWS!
Thank you for voting with your eyes and computer keys. . . . I will be including a conversation each month. If you have suggestions as to a particular Tri-gal, please let me know or if you would like to see other topics, I am open to suggestions.
Enjoy the day!
A quick post today as I could not contain my excitement! I was checking the 'traffic' on the TDN blog as I do most days and I was pleased to see how many of you checked out the interview with Teann (see Conversation with a TriDiva - December 9). All I can take from this statistic is you want to see MORE INTERVIEWS!
Thank you for voting with your eyes and computer keys. . . . I will be including a conversation each month. If you have suggestions as to a particular Tri-gal, please let me know or if you would like to see other topics, I am open to suggestions.
Enjoy the day!
Monday 12 December 2011
Potential
Happy Monday,
Potential. . . .the catch-all phrase thrown around by athletes, coaches, teachers and parents. It is used in many forms:
Reaching your potential
Achieving your potential
Knowing your potential
See your potential
It can be a vicious cycle of self abuse. Did I do my best? Am I peaking at the right time? I had a coach say to me once, "an athlete can't know his/her potential" Great. . . .How will I know when I have reached my potential when I can't know it? The truth is others can see our potential so we are almost obligated to get feedback from outside ourselves. . . a coach, a mentor, a training partner, a sister.
Wouldn't it be great if we could support each other in reaching our potential rather than tearing each other down or competing with one another? (See - Mean Girls post in October) Wouldn't it be great if we held each other accountable and, more importantly, able?
I found this great quote from Goethe and I challenge you readers to get out there today and see the potential in others.
If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that
Potential. . . .the catch-all phrase thrown around by athletes, coaches, teachers and parents. It is used in many forms:
Reaching your potential
Achieving your potential
Knowing your potential
See your potential
It can be a vicious cycle of self abuse. Did I do my best? Am I peaking at the right time? I had a coach say to me once, "an athlete can't know his/her potential" Great. . . .How will I know when I have reached my potential when I can't know it? The truth is others can see our potential so we are almost obligated to get feedback from outside ourselves. . . a coach, a mentor, a training partner, a sister.
Wouldn't it be great if we could support each other in reaching our potential rather than tearing each other down or competing with one another? (See - Mean Girls post in October) Wouldn't it be great if we held each other accountable and, more importantly, able?
I found this great quote from Goethe and I challenge you readers to get out there today and see the potential in others.
If I accept you as you are, I will make you worse; however if I treat you as though you are what you are capable of becoming, I help you become that
Friday 9 December 2011
Conversation with a TriDiva
Meet Teann Dhariwal. . .An amazing tri-gal who I have had the pleasure of knowing for several years. The following is a great conversation we had a local coffee roost and the first of many (I hope) such meetings. I plan to include one of these each month highlighting ladies just like us; racing, training, contributing.
Teann is a 29 year old nurse who has been racing and training for 7 years and even though she is relatively young in the sport, she has an impressive triathlon resumé. From 2008 to 2011, Teann could only get better. What seemed like humble beginnings at Coronation triathlon in 2008 - 2009, Teann was a student of the sport and continued to hone her craft. She had great improvements from 1:48 in 2008 (1 km pool swim, 28 km ride and 8 km run) to shaving six minutes off this the following year. Qualifying for the National Age Group team in 2010 was the high point of the season as Teann came back from the disappointment of not qualifying the previous year.
I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I did (My comments are in italics):
TDN: What brought you to the sport of triathlon?
Teann: In high school, I swam and ran. It was probably because you didn't have to "make" the team. You could do it because you liked it. Swimming was there because I have always loved swimming.. . I hardly got any training at that time but I always wanted to learn to do butterfly because it looks cool. I wonder what it feels like to do that. In university, I got involved with the tri club. It was a small group and it was just forming. At the time, I was also riding horses and that was my main sport. I decided to do a triathlon in 2004 so I read a book and did Millennium Place triathlon (The book was Triathlon Training Bible - if you need to know). I rented a road bike that was meant for a man (seriously?!?!). It was huge!
That was summer 2004 and on November 28th of that year, my horse had to be put down as he broke his leg. Not even a month later, I bought my first road bike. I needed something. . . .My true love was gone, I had an interest in triathlon and I needed something to consume my time. In learning how to "make a horse dance", I learned to appreciate the technical parts of learning a sport.
TDN: Which, of the three disciplines, would you say is your strength?
Teann: Probably the strongest in running and swimming.
TDN: What is your routine when you are training?
Teann: I like to train in the morning. I like to get it done early and then at night I can relax or go for a little run. I swim 3 times, ride 2 times and run 4 times per week. I don't do weights and I am changing that for this season because it is so important. I tend to do the complementary activities in the off-season like Pilates. Flexibility and strength are so important and I have learned that over time. One other thing that I have learned is nutrition! I have to eat throughout the day instead of having no energy for the second workout of the day.
TDN: What do you think about before you race?
Teann: For the past couple races, before I get in the water, I am always thinking about calm breathing because I know once the race starts that the adrenaline will be going so I just keep thinking "get in a rhythm, get in a rhythm, get in a rhythm. If I let my nerves get to me, then I am panicking. For the past few races, I would think to myself "I can do this" (powerful!).
TDN: And during the race?
Teann: Sometimes I am thinking about stupid things like "Don't miss the buoy!". It is different for each sport: For biking, I have fears so I think: "Don't flat!". For the run, "Get in the zone . . listen to your breathing"
TDN: Why did you decide to go to World Championships?
Teann: Ever since I was young, I wanted to go to the Olympics and in horseback riding, it is very difficult so on my "Bucket List" that desire turned into competing internationally. I wanted to do something that I had to qualify for; something that I earned.
TDN: What was your experience being a National Team member for the 2011 team in Beijing?
Teann: I liked the idea of being part of a team and the team atmosphere. . . It was very cool to race on the Olympic course in Beijing. The way that had the race set-up was great because we went past the grandstand 4 times on the run so every time, there was a huge cheer and you would get all energized which you don't get in a normal race. Opening ceremonies were something out of the Olympics as the Chinese organizers went all out. We felt respected as canadians by all the athletes. You meet really great people. . . there was one gal I met from Vancouver who I trained with the week prior and hopefully, we will see each other again if she comes to Edmonton.
TDN: What was the high point of the Worlds' experience? What was the low point?
Teann: Honestly, the high point was crossing the finish line; it felt so good. . .I did it and it felt like a long journey. I think I put a lot of stress on myself leading up to the race because I didn't qualify the first year. The low point was when I looked at the results! (TriDivas - always hard on ourselves)
TDN: What advice would you give to a 'sister' trying to qualify for the team?
Teann: Through training, I have learned that a person's potential is limitless. It is possible, it is achievable if you just set your mind to it and decide this is what you want to do. (I told you she was amazing)
TDN: How do you celebrate your successes?
Teann: Usually, I look forward to a massive meal! Going out with my husband and friends.
Thank you so much Teann for allowing us into your tri-world!
Teann is a 29 year old nurse who has been racing and training for 7 years and even though she is relatively young in the sport, she has an impressive triathlon resumé. From 2008 to 2011, Teann could only get better. What seemed like humble beginnings at Coronation triathlon in 2008 - 2009, Teann was a student of the sport and continued to hone her craft. She had great improvements from 1:48 in 2008 (1 km pool swim, 28 km ride and 8 km run) to shaving six minutes off this the following year. Qualifying for the National Age Group team in 2010 was the high point of the season as Teann came back from the disappointment of not qualifying the previous year.
I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I did (My comments are in italics):
TDN: What brought you to the sport of triathlon?
Teann: In high school, I swam and ran. It was probably because you didn't have to "make" the team. You could do it because you liked it. Swimming was there because I have always loved swimming.. . I hardly got any training at that time but I always wanted to learn to do butterfly because it looks cool. I wonder what it feels like to do that. In university, I got involved with the tri club. It was a small group and it was just forming. At the time, I was also riding horses and that was my main sport. I decided to do a triathlon in 2004 so I read a book and did Millennium Place triathlon (The book was Triathlon Training Bible - if you need to know). I rented a road bike that was meant for a man (seriously?!?!). It was huge!
That was summer 2004 and on November 28th of that year, my horse had to be put down as he broke his leg. Not even a month later, I bought my first road bike. I needed something. . . .My true love was gone, I had an interest in triathlon and I needed something to consume my time. In learning how to "make a horse dance", I learned to appreciate the technical parts of learning a sport.
TDN: Which, of the three disciplines, would you say is your strength?
Teann: Probably the strongest in running and swimming.
TDN: What is your routine when you are training?
Teann: I like to train in the morning. I like to get it done early and then at night I can relax or go for a little run. I swim 3 times, ride 2 times and run 4 times per week. I don't do weights and I am changing that for this season because it is so important. I tend to do the complementary activities in the off-season like Pilates. Flexibility and strength are so important and I have learned that over time. One other thing that I have learned is nutrition! I have to eat throughout the day instead of having no energy for the second workout of the day.
TDN: What do you think about before you race?
Teann: For the past couple races, before I get in the water, I am always thinking about calm breathing because I know once the race starts that the adrenaline will be going so I just keep thinking "get in a rhythm, get in a rhythm, get in a rhythm. If I let my nerves get to me, then I am panicking. For the past few races, I would think to myself "I can do this" (powerful!).
TDN: And during the race?
Teann: Sometimes I am thinking about stupid things like "Don't miss the buoy!". It is different for each sport: For biking, I have fears so I think: "Don't flat!". For the run, "Get in the zone . . listen to your breathing"
TDN: Why did you decide to go to World Championships?
Teann: Ever since I was young, I wanted to go to the Olympics and in horseback riding, it is very difficult so on my "Bucket List" that desire turned into competing internationally. I wanted to do something that I had to qualify for; something that I earned.
TDN: What was your experience being a National Team member for the 2011 team in Beijing?
Teann: I liked the idea of being part of a team and the team atmosphere. . . It was very cool to race on the Olympic course in Beijing. The way that had the race set-up was great because we went past the grandstand 4 times on the run so every time, there was a huge cheer and you would get all energized which you don't get in a normal race. Opening ceremonies were something out of the Olympics as the Chinese organizers went all out. We felt respected as canadians by all the athletes. You meet really great people. . . there was one gal I met from Vancouver who I trained with the week prior and hopefully, we will see each other again if she comes to Edmonton.
TDN: What was the high point of the Worlds' experience? What was the low point?
Teann: Honestly, the high point was crossing the finish line; it felt so good. . .I did it and it felt like a long journey. I think I put a lot of stress on myself leading up to the race because I didn't qualify the first year. The low point was when I looked at the results! (TriDivas - always hard on ourselves)
TDN: What advice would you give to a 'sister' trying to qualify for the team?
TDN: How do you celebrate your successes?
Teann: Usually, I look forward to a massive meal! Going out with my husband and friends.
TDN: What was your biggest obstacle leading up to Worlds? How did you overcome it?
Teann: Consistency in training. It was hard because you would think that if I missed a workout, you won't have the fitness for race day. You are trying to decide should I push through this or should I take it easy on this day. Because I have suffered from some injuries, it is knowing how far to go and when is it too much.
I don't know if I have ever overcome this. I feel like this is an ongoing challenge. The hard part of doing three sports is that you feel like you are never doing enough.
Well Readers, this was my first attempt at an interview and I really hope that Teann's honesty shone through. She epitomizes the adage that "anything is possible". While I trained beside Teann, I had no doubt that she would be successful due to her commitment to consistency and attention to detail.
Monday 5 December 2011
Boiling Frogs, Falling Trees and Aware Divas
Good Morning Readers!
Another Monday. . . another chance to get going on whatever goals we are moving towards. Can you feel them? . . . . the cobwebs . . .they creep in slowly. Almost like the frog slowly heating up in the boiling pot of water (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog).
Small changes can work for us or against us. If we make tiny, almost imperceptible, alterations in our diet or exercise, we can make serious movement towards huge change. I remember adding incline to my treadmill workouts and although, the first three weeks weren't fun, I know that the transition to outdoor running in the spring was sooooo much easier.
How do small changes work against us? Like the frog, we almost don't notice when we choose bad habits or the easier way. Not to get too philosophical but are you giving up on yourself (even just a little)? Just for this week, take stock, look at all the routine things you do: cream in the coffee, parking spot at work, spinning class at the gym, masters' swim workout. When given the option (more challenging, healthier, more fun), what do you do? Most of the time, no one notices! It is like the tree in the forest that no one hears when it falls. The frog doesn't know it is about to boil to death. He thinks he is in a comfy hot tub!
Now, this is not a guilt blog. I am too experienced (ok. . . .old!) to beat myself up with guilt but I also know that awareness tends to be the best motivator. Once I am aware of my choices, I tend to re-evaluate and, more importantly, re-choose.
So get out there, take inventory and report back!
Another Monday. . . another chance to get going on whatever goals we are moving towards. Can you feel them? . . . . the cobwebs . . .they creep in slowly. Almost like the frog slowly heating up in the boiling pot of water (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_frog).
Small changes can work for us or against us. If we make tiny, almost imperceptible, alterations in our diet or exercise, we can make serious movement towards huge change. I remember adding incline to my treadmill workouts and although, the first three weeks weren't fun, I know that the transition to outdoor running in the spring was sooooo much easier.
How do small changes work against us? Like the frog, we almost don't notice when we choose bad habits or the easier way. Not to get too philosophical but are you giving up on yourself (even just a little)? Just for this week, take stock, look at all the routine things you do: cream in the coffee, parking spot at work, spinning class at the gym, masters' swim workout. When given the option (more challenging, healthier, more fun), what do you do? Most of the time, no one notices! It is like the tree in the forest that no one hears when it falls. The frog doesn't know it is about to boil to death. He thinks he is in a comfy hot tub!
Now, this is not a guilt blog. I am too experienced (ok. . . .old!) to beat myself up with guilt but I also know that awareness tends to be the best motivator. Once I am aware of my choices, I tend to re-evaluate and, more importantly, re-choose.
So get out there, take inventory and report back!
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