Pre-Shopping!

People asked me if I was planning to shop while in New York. Some were surprised when my answer was not really. But I did have a Cunning Plan. Through the wonder of Zappos and Amazon.com, and Jenny's generosity, I pre-shopped some things that cannot be shipped to Canada. Waiting for me at Jenny's were a number of boxes. Including a 2.2X high definition digital telephoto lens for my camera. I think we can safely say it works, but I'll continue practicing. Thanks Jenny!!

MPV!

I understand I have earned the title of Blackie's MPV (Most Preferred Visitor) and back here The Boarder was Very Pleased to have me Back in Residence. He is a clever trainer and knows that punishing me for returning home would be counterproductive!

The Chelsea Piers pool is lovely — light and airy with a spectacular view of the Hudson through a wall of windows. I'm very glad Jenny and I managed to get out there. A quick spinach pie, and then it was off to the airport. Gen and I whiled away the time there gabbing, and despite a delay getting off the ground, our pilot made up the time in the air! Lise kindly scooped me up at the airport and delivered me to The Boarder.

There is still some unpacking to do (and I'll be darned if there isn't some laundry), but while I'm busy, you can at least have a look at the Finishers Medal.

A Day (Mostly) at the Museum!

Yesterday we Technosporters and Jenny began the day with a wonderful brunch at "Chez Gene"! Gene and Caroline put together a smashing spread in his Soho loft — we were dazzled. It was lovely to meet them and be joined by Jenny's friend Amy as well — it was a fine taste of the New York lifestyle. Fiona and Bruce began their journey home, Jenny went to work and for a run, Gen and I enjoyed the Museum of Natural History followed by a break at the Marquis Marriott, and a leisurely stroll around Times Square and Broadway at night. A busy and fun-filled day, for sure! By evening I had about as much energy as this guy:



Today Jenny and I will have a swim at Chelsea Piers, but shortly thereafter I'll make my way to the airport. It's been a wondrous and fantastic few days, that's for sure.

Little Red Lighthouse Swim ...

The water in the Hudson was GLORIOUS! It was a really a very comfortable non-wetsuit swim, although for quite a long while the George Washington Bridge failed to move visibly closer. I was certainly pleased to finally see The Little Red Lighthouse itself! Although I confess, at first I thought it was a buoy. There was some minor tidal assist, but clearly nothing like last year's push.

My back was not too happy about being forced to weight bear afterwards, but that was expected. I got out of the water pretty much under my own steam, with a hand or two extended along the way. I did manage the trudge to find a cab later, too. Right now I can still raise my arms above my head, but I guess we'll see if the same is true tomorrow ...

This is a very well organized race with a wave start, slowest to fastest seeded into groups by times based on prescribed swims or prior NYC swim events. You are lined up in numerical order, and checked off several times. Jumping off the dock the water felt quite cold, but really a few strokes in it was extraordinarily nice (and nobody I talked to encountered any flotsam or jetsam). The swells we did encounter were great fun! The scenery just spectacular. I truly would encourage anyone who is properly trained and able to make the cutoff times to try a swim in this waterway.

I did get a clock time, but I don't know how many minutes into the race my wave started, so I'll wait for the results to go up and post them then.

Afterwards, though, the wind had picked up and the sun was hidden behind cloud cover making it darn cold. Those mylar blankets were very popular!

The volunteers did a wonderful job putting The Little Red Lighthouse Swim together — I'm grateful to each and every one of them. Special thanks also to Jenny and Brent who encouraged me to do this despite the miserable six months I've had with my back, to Fiona and Gen for gamely dealing in, to Bruce (our number one fan and official photographer), to KD for helping me be as able as I could be under the circumstances, to The Boarder's sitters for looking in on him, and to my very supportive friends.

Everyone who completed the swim came away with long sleeved tees, finisher medals and goodie bags. I set up a great shot of the contents of the sling bag, but someone else laid claim to it almost immediately, so this is the best I could do!



Click for a better view of either some of the goodies or Blackie!

NYC, Day 2

I am waging an ongoing campaign to become Blackie's Most Favourite of All Visitors!! Jenny seems to feel I am accomplishing said objective! To that end, I even let him play with the shoelaces belonging to my new Asic Tigers!



Yesterday Jenny took me out for a lovely Breakfast Near Tiffany's. Here in fact. And then we somehow managed to walk past FAO Schwartz to Tiffany's! Floors one and three were our destinations — the primary wonders I wanted to see were pearls. A pear shaped peacock tahitian mounted upside down inside a gold netted framework — it was a hot air balloon pendant. Frogs, with white south sea pearls, much like my own in earrings and a pendant. And fabulous conch pearls! Well, that took hours! None of my picks are featured on the Tiffany's web site, hence the lack of photos.

A nice quiet afternoon was spent alternately online, reading Dara Torres' book, and working my Blackie campaign. Dinner at a local Italian restaurant (pasta dinner!) was followed by a screening of Breakfast At Tiffany's with Jenny and Blackie. I'm sure the Hagen Dazs ginger ice cream was helpful to my cause.

On the Little Red Lighthouse front, I have bib number 165, and will be swimming in wave 4 today, waves start 5 minutes apart. Registration is 10:30-11:00, start is 12:05. It's a bit cooler today than it has been, currently 55°F heading to a high of 64°F. So we'll probably try to keep our gear on as long as possible!

More on the flip side!

NYC, Day 1

The Pierpont Morgan Library was OUTSTANDING! And I should note that the volunteers and staff were both pleased and impressed that it was how I chose to spend my very first full day in New York City! Mr. Morgan's study and library are quite literally awe inspiring — and it certainly did not hurt that among the items displayed in the library were a Gutenberg Bible and a selection of Books of Hours. The Blake and Puccini exhibits were wonderful, too!

Jenny, Lauren and I met for a Team New York Aquatics evening practice at Columbia's pool. Many thanks to Coach Conrad and the TNYA swimmers for making Lauren and I so welcome! When Coach Conrad read my waiver, he looked at the word Technosport and said, "You swim for Duane Jones!! Say hi to him for me!" And we followed up practice with a lovely al fresco dinner at a local Italian restaurant, including a wonderful cobbler for dessert! Carbohydrate loading, don't you know?

And now I should probably get ready for Breakfast Near Tiffany's!!

Mmm. Salmon!

Monday night three of us got permission from the head guard to stay after the lane swim and watch the underwater hockey players do their thing.

Fiona exclaimed, "It's like salmon spawning!"

And it was. Except for the big giant flippers. And snorkels. There were clumps of humanity swirling, diving, bubbles rising — people swimming over under through and around each other!

I should probably go pack now ... more from The Big Apple!

Monday Miscellany!

The Canada Army Run was a resounding success yesterday. I am thrilled to bring you a follow-up article on Master Corporal Jody Mitic's run, plus news of a world record set!

On the home front, I am now reaching the semi-panicky pre-travel stage where there is much to be done and dwindling time to do it in! The Boarder's sitters are almost all lined up — and while he and I will appreciate their help immensely, he won't be thrilled about the suitcases. Two swims till NYC!!!

And on a completely different note, how does one walk in these? Never fear, I wouldn't even try them on in a fancy New York store for risk of nosebleeds from the altitude or broken bones in a fall.

25 Shy ...

If I'd known we were going to have fly assigned in the last set yesterday morning, there's a strong possibility I wouldn't have made it part of my "not free" choice earlier! On the up side, I didn't feel I was drowning at the end of long course fifties. At the beginning of the season our Saturday morning practices are an hour instead of an hour and a half, so Fiona and I stopped in at Plant later in the day for a second dip. That brought my yardage since September 1/09 up to 40K, and since September 1/08 to just 25 metres shy of 501,000!

Chef Michael & Pastry Chef AD put together a lovely gathering at their place in the evening — it's always a treat to get together with old friends. And I was most grateful for the Rotors' help with transit. Happy 40th Young Michael!

In other news I have been living in an analog world since Friday. When I returned home from my errands, the view out the back door had changed. A tree, arising from a neighbour's property on Elm street cracked, a main branch split at the trunk (but did not fall to the ground) and took down my cable line. So that's been occupying more of my time than I would have liked.

There's a distinct chill in the air this morning — the temperature reading is 5°C (or 41°F) — but it is sunny and looking good for the Army Run. So I'll leave you with Mr. Sutcliffe's article on another one of the runners participating today. Best of luck to all!

Taperitis?

I've been following the NYC long-range forecast like some kind of an addict lately! And I confess, I got a bit panicky when I looked at Friday and Saturday in particular and thought about what outerwear I was going to take. Maybe that air temperature will make the water seem warm? So I did what my brother sometimes advocates. I threw money at the problem.* But in black. And it should have its sleeves shortened on Tuesday after 5:00. I anticipate being there very shortly after 5:00, on my way to practice. This is particularly good as I have a Wednesday afternoon flight ...

I also dashed to the v-e-t's around the corner to bring in Sufficient Provisions for The Boarder. So there's that done. And I withdrew USD from the bank.

In other news, part of a neighbour's tree has come down in the back yard, bringing the cable with it. So not everything is coming up roses — lest you think I was suddenly leading a charmed existence.

* In all honesty, though, I have a had a fall coat with hood on my shopping list, as dashes to the pool are ever so much nicer hat free.

The Boarder Reports ...

He was not Fully Apprised in advance of Adopting a Person that there are Times in their Training when they Regress.

Suddenly immune to positive reinforcement, they will Act Out. Relatively common are such behaviours as:

♦ Quickly and Without Warning Stuffing their Owner into a Plastic Box
♦ Lugging Said Box out to A Horrifying Car
♦ Ignoring all Pleas, Entreaties, and Vociferous Complaints on the Matter
♦ Enclosing their Owner in a Small Room Outside The Territory where Another Person Pokes, Prods, and Sticks!
♦ Stuffing Him back into the Aforementioned Box
♦ Transporting their Owner in the Horrible Vehicle back to His Rightful Place

However, it is also his experience that they are able to Refocus once back in A Familiar Environment, although they do prattle on about such things as 150 Gram Weight Losses and Potential Solutions for Tin Conundrums.

If these Regressions happen on an Annual Basis, he feels it is best to Suffer Through Them — albeit Not Quietly — with the knowledge that the Person Being Trained will just as suddenly Regain Sense and return to the Previous Level of Training as Evidenced by Testing.

Little Does He Know ...

We're off to see the v-e-t and get him his annual s-h-o-t-s. But he'll be only too aware shortly!



Perhaps we'll solve The Tin Conundrum, too. Cross your fingers, will you?

Serial Snippets!

When I walked in the front door of the recreation centre the gentleman behind the desk said, "You're here!"

"Yes," I replied, "it's Monday."

He then informed me he thinks I am "the Most Regular of the Regulars". So go ahead. Set your watch by me. Or at least your calendar.

♦ ♦ ♦

I could not make the young woman in the shower feel any better. She found the pool door locked.

"Isn't there a lane swim tonight?" she asked.

"Sadly, it is only 7:30 to 8:30," I told her. It was 8:35. Now which one of us hasn't made a similar mistake? But she was dreadfully embarrassed.

♦ ♦ ♦

"You were motoring out there tonight." This from a young lady leaving the locker room.

Really, I wasn't. I had been more than a little disappointed in my pace. But I try to recognize a lane swim is a lane swim, and a busy lane means you accommodate.

However, she told me she enjoyed swimming with people faster than herself, as it pushed her. Point taken. I unwittingly helped someone else along. That made a busy swim much more palatable!

Monday Miscellany ...

♦ my morning treat was seeing Lynn Redgrave and Christopher Plummer on Canada AM promoting My Dog Tulip at the Toronto International Film Festival (apparently 80 is the new 40!)
♦ Tony at SCAQ brings us this news from Blue Seventy: full body suits will be allowable by FINA in sanctioned open water swimming
♦ it's a cooler rainy evening here, so I am having macaroni & cheese for supper!
♦ a bit on aging muscles

Sunday Inspiration

Click here.

My apologies for the distracting ad. The article is definitely worth the trouble!

A New Swim Season?

First practice of the new season was this morning. Of course, mine isn't actually over yet! It is always so nice to see people after the break. Showers just may be a little longer than usual! It was, as early practice always are, a shorter and drillier practice than when the season is in full swing — but it was long course. A second swim will definitely be in order later in the day. We will probably head out to the pond mid-afternoon.

I'm pleased to say that I got in a 4,500 metre pool swim yesterday though — and it pretty much salvaged my training week! And on my way over there I took a slight detour to the local veterinary clinic to see about alternate tins for The Boarder, and found 3 samples. I think I can safely say, Tin 1 won't do. He'd devoured a day's supply by noon, and won't touch his kibbles now! Perhaps with Tin 2 or Tin 3 we will find a balance between Palatability and Affordability!

In other Boarder news, I borrowed an old scratching post of Tipper's for him. He ignored it completely and disdainfully for days. Then suddenly, and I do mean suddenly, two days ago he Developed A Keen Interest. So I have been praising him wildly and rewarding him with attention each time he uses it. Hopefully this will eventually lead to a new chair for me!

Bits & Bobs

There was a brief two day training haiatus while my nose did a fine impression of a leaky tap. Things seem a bit more under control now, so I'm hoping to have decent swim this afternoon.

The coach swimmer ratio last night for campers was 1:3 — hard to do better than that! And I confess, I wasn't sad to be on the deck for the deep water kicking. One of the other swimmer coaches picked up my AG placing ribbon on Saturday and brought it to me last night, so now you can see the weekend bling. Don't ask how many swimmers there were in my age group!



Weatherwise the sunny streak continues, but The Boarder is finding Sunspot Placement Problematic (at best). The sunspot has Moved making brushing there Nigh on Impossible. You know, people often don't appreciate the trials he goes through!

I will also be making a slight detour on my trip to the pool to see if the nearby v-e-t carries food that Meets his Specifications. It seems that his regular supply has completely dried up, and my ability to forage for appropriate tins is now being Called into Question. Oh, sure, there are still kibbles, which are All Very Well and Good, but are Not Tins!

Campy!

Swim camp started last night with an outstanding coach-swimmer ratio of 1:3. The three of us going to New York were among the coaches on deck, so we quickly put our heads together about gear. We all have a track jacket marking us as Canadian — Gen and I have this Masters Swimming Canada jacket, Fiona another variant. So folks will know where we're from! We worked on finding the swimmers' relaxed spots, deep push offs,
streamline, rolling from front to back and back scull.

Speaking of Fiona — her husband Bruce was my chip runner on Saturday. Here's the link to "my" first finisher photo (click next twice for my final race pictures). I think I look much less frightening here than in my swim exit shot! Thanks again, Bruce!

Also on the swimming front today, I bring you a lovely article from The Citizen featuring marathon swimmer Paula Stephanson. Well worth the read!

After 19,000 metres so far this month, my arms will still go over my head, but they don't want to swim freestyle! So I will try to jam a bunch of things into today that I've been putting off to the proverbial tomorrow. To The Boarder's displeasure, this may just include Evil Vacuuming.

Monday Miscellany ...

Another day, another swim! It's easy to wonder if you should have gone longer, but today I have a good excuse, and it's a bit unusual. You see, I couldn't get a locker. With Labour Day and the compressed pool schedule, there were so many people at Aquafit, some were turned away! And there were no lockers available I could reach. At least without climbing on a bench, which really isn't a good plan for me. A very nice Aquafit gal took her stuff out so I could put mine in and go swim!

The lane swim cleared out nicely, though, so we had a most enjoyable swim, all short stuff! A nice contrast to pond and river swimming.

Swim camp starts tomorrow — coaching Tuesday and Thursday evenings will make my schedule kind of tight this week, though. Technically, it is the last build week before New York!

If you're not already following Jordan Rapp's blog, I highly recommend you stop by and read his Ironman Canada race report.

And finally, speaking of races, I invite you all you swimmers, runners and triathletes to link to your worst race photo in the comments, or to this post when one appears. I'm creating a new tag just for the occasion: terrifying race photos! I am certainly not brave enough to put it up here — you'll just have to follow the link.

Fine Training Day!

So, on the down side, 1:14:52 according to the official results. On the up side, I popped into the pool for the crowded 4:00-5:00 swim, so I got almost 6K in yesterday. An excellent training day overall.

Here are some of the half-iron swim start pictures I took.

Very Nice But Pokey Training Swim!

The river water was outstanding this morning. My speed ... not so much! However, the point of the morning was to do a 4K training swim at 10K pace, and I'd like to think I accomplished that! Apparently (and I use that word for a reason) I was slower than 1:14 and faster than 1:15 including one (possibly two) 500 metre +/- trips by Bruce to the timing mat. To say there was some administrative confusion around timing would be putting it mildly. Fiona, Mike and another swimmer I don't know didn't even get a time when the results were finally posted hours later -- and somehow I have exactly the same time as another swim only competitor, which is Mighty Suspicious!

I could have been much more aggressive in my pacing — I got behind some feet that didn't really want to let me by, so I just followed them for 2K. It was a lazy decision, partially based on the assumption that if I tried to pass, the feet would speed up with me. But overall, I'm happy enough with it. I could probably swim at or near that pace for another 6K.

Also, I did pop my head up and thank each kayaker and paddle boarder for being out there.* Most were quite surprised! After trying to sort some of the timing issues (apparently unsuccessfully), I went back to the swim start/finish and watched the sprint, super-sprint, try-a-tri, and half-iron swims — camera in one hand, cowbell in the other.

* Many thanks to all the other volunteers I did not thank in person, but who also made the event possible.

Surprise!

Oh, it was devilishly hard to drag my sorry butt out of the pool yesterday afternoon. I knew I had to — the maximum on the plan was about 1,000, as that would take me to 18,250 from Thursday to Wednesday. And I did. But it was a shame, really. I was all by myself in the lane!!!!

Hopefully tonight a pond swim, then a rest day tomorrow, with packet pick-up in the afternoon. Up Saturday? Body marking at oh dark thirty, followed by a sunrise dip in the river.

Ann and I have evidently not been to the Rideau Centre as much of late, as our plan to meet at the Elephant & Castle Pub last night was foiled by the fact it's no longer there! So across to The Highlander it was. Men in kilts. How can you go wrong?

Ice Baths & Hot Showers ...

For those who have followed the exploits of Ray Zahab (Running the Sahara), here's another. But it may be slow to load.

In unrelated news, I hope these will fit! And be liftable.

The pond is changing with the seasons — we had a lovely swim last night, but the first loop was a bit brisk! By the time we got out, though, the beach water felt lovely and warm.
With cooler nights and warm afternoons there are lots of thermoclimes now, so it's a bit like swimming through ice baths and hot showers! Fiona and I tested The Old GU In The Swim Cap Trick and can report it is quite workable. I gave the Vista goggles a run, and except for not resealing them after GU removal (note to self made!), they worked like a charm. No fogging or leaking. Contacts still safe and sound. So I've got that going for me!

Errands and Gear!

Yesterday I piled on the errands, as I have been reluctant to head downtown lately. Bank, check. Drug store, check. New battery for phone, half check. I had to order it. Annual physical, check. And two bonuses.

The first was Gear! I happened on a sale of Speedos (and Tyr swimwear) at Sports 4. I scored an endurance flyback (photo below). For my American friends, it is available here. And a lycra suit, just like the old one that was consigned to the trash this year, but in with red as the accent colour. Then, at Running Room, a new stick of Body Glide to take to New York, as well as a pair of Aquasphere Vista goggles to test. Mine are clear though.



Often when I go to the doctor's I stop at Bridgehead. Yesterday I had a sandwich, brownie, and iced coffee. An older gentleman who came in as I was having dessert thought my brownie looked good. So when he got his brownie and coffee, I invited him to join me. Gerry, an 84 year-old ex-army man, and I had a wonderful chat — and I am inclined to think that we made each other's days!

P.S. The odometer officially starts again today. My August was a new high of 59,000 metres, my annual total was 460,822 (yes we swam widths one day!).