Week 4......race weekend!!

Well after 4 weeks of solid training, I raced my first weekend 1,000m race and I fully expected to smash my last PB by at least 2 seconds but to my great disappointment, I simply nailed the same ole same ole. I am not discouraged though cause I have been working hard this past month and especially this past week..........I mean I can say quite a few things but they would only be excuses.....what I can say though, is even if the time is the same, I felt a lot better with my stride, I didn't even think about my corners as I leaned into them like I used to with my beautiful big black Honda Super Blackbird (can you tell I miss her??), and I will say that the last corner was hard to keep standing so I knew I was blowing up........I mean the day before, I got my fastest times on a 400m tempo and an 800m tempo and by simple calculation, I knew I was gonna do well race day but, like everything else in life, you never know........we are not in control.......otherwise, it would be too easy!!

I am glad that I am gonna have a few days off soon, I will welcome the break physically and mentally........most skaters I talk to take about 72hrs off every 4 weeks and usually take two days off during the week.........I am told that speed skating really blasts your legs and recovery is necessary........still learning here!! Of course, I get to see my family too and that will be great!!

The Dinos hockey team has a pre-season record of 5-1 so far and I have finally put all the right names to the right faces of the girls..........now I gotta give them nicknames........then I will forget their real names.........but I am having fun.

After 4 weeks though, I finally feel that my body is coming around and has adjusted to the specific training and to the diet. Of course, I had to change the intesity of my dryland training as I said earlier, speed skating really takes a lot out of you and I had to modify my diet to intake more carbs so now I am on a pretty much 50-50 diet of carbs and protein. Pasta only on Sundays just doesn't cut it anymore and you should see how much bread I am eating.......still, I am leaning out.....

So after 3 weeks of feeling too bloated, too skinny, too heavy, too tired, too hungry.....and believe me, I eat!!.......my monthly budget for food was $400 and I am already at $850 (after a Costco run)............I believe I have figured it out......good, cause I gave myself only the first month to get this kind of stuff out of the way so I can concentrate only on skating......so far so good and from a starting weight of 179lbs........I weighed in on Saturday at a solid 174lbs.

Also, after only 4 weeks, you would never know it if you saw me stretch, but I have become way more flexible than I have ever been.........I mean I stretch two and sometimes three times a day.......it is amazing at how much it helps prevent injury and how it makes you perform better when one is more supple. I feel great after a stretch and they last me anywhere from 30 mins or an hour if I really emphasize on breathing and meditation.........new stuff for me!!

And here's some news, I have the possibility of landing 2 jobs at the Oval......one working the front desk and the other, get this........driving the Zamboni....heh heh......can you believe that, after all my years of playing hockey......I end up driving a zamboni.........go figure!! I am really not sure if I want to work at all for that matter but I have to decide pretty quick.......the extra cash would help cause the way things are going, my budget will only last me three months and the asst coaching job doesn't pay at all......it would be cool to clean my own ice though..........stay tuned......

Sushi Sundays....after a greazzy breakfast, lunch calls for salmon sushi every Sunday.

Stretching during the NFL games.....that comes after the sushi....

Peace,

Dee

World Cup Qualifying times.....

So folks, just thought I would share this with you........the qualifying times for World Cup.

These are the times I have to get by the end of this season if I am going to consider going any further.........it's a tall order but very do-able......

The times were not far off of the goals I had set for myself initially before the season started.

World Cup qualifying time for the 500m is 37.50, my goal was 38.00.

World Cup time for the 1,000m is 1.15, my goal was 1.16.

World Cup time for the 1,500m is 1.55, my goal was 1.58

World Cup time for the 5,000 is 7.05, my goal was 7.30.

On all of the times, my gaps are not too far off so with training fulltime, I actually have a fair crack at this........all depends on how much hard work and dedication goes into it.......that part I have covered.........the other part is nailing down the techicals at high speed.........

So, there are my new goals for the end of the season, plain and simple...........during the season, my goals are to PB (personal best) on every race I run.........progress is the only key, no stagnation!!

Christmas time will give me a better idea........3 more months of hard work!!

Peace.

Week 3

Well, it feels like I have been here forever but it is only week 3 but on the other hand, I have totally lost track of days which I find good.....except when it comes to Sunday.....my day of rest........I definitely remember that day.

A little more volume again this week on my program and I am loving it. I believe things are coming along.......more small technical things to work on which would provide big results if I can nail them down.....

I tried yoga this week and although I knew that it could be strenuous, I realized that I don't need to be forcing myself anymore than I have been so I have decided to continue the stretching part, holding it longer with the breathing exercises but add a little meditation aspect to it.........my intention is to be and feel relaxed as I stretch.......I'll try it this upcoming week.

I scrimmaged with the Extreme womens team on Tuesday..........they played really well and it is only the beginning of the season. For my first time playing hockey since my knee surgeries, they held out okay and I did alright considering I was sucking Calgary wind and my timing was off a bit, and I lost almost every face off as I was playing centre......the next day though..........my groin muscles were screaming......just goes to show you the variance of strain on the same muscles used from speed skating to playing hockey.........

As for the women's university team, the Dinos, we won another exhibition game on Monday and lost one on Saturday so that makes us 3-1 for pre-season. We had the team pic taken earlier in the week and I'm in it.......go figure but at Saturdays game, Danielle and I made a decision that I would take the asst coach job............hmm......good thing I was in the picture then right?! The girls are great and its fun coaching them.......also, I will be modifying my own training regiment, as I may be training too hard now, so that will create time for the hockey. Looking forward to a packed season.

And it's finally official........I don't like slamming anyone on my blog but after two weeks of giving "benefit of the doubt"............Calgarians are some of the worst drivers I have ever seen!!!!!!!!! At first, like I said, maybe I was just running into these bad luck situations cause I seem to be a magnet for this but........no, it's really them. Take for instance on the highway..........not much traffic, people will merge onto the highway and go across 3 lanes to sit in the left lane, for no reason what-so-ever, and then drive 70kms in a 90kms zone........it's a passing lane folks!!!!!! I mean even heavy trucks hang out in the left lane........incredible and they are totally clueless........what is it with this infatuation of the left lane????

Now, in the city, people coming out of driveways from shopping malls or Tim Hortons or banks whatever, don't just come out in the first available lane to them.......noooooooo........they cross right into the left lane again cutting other cars off for no particular reason and do not accelerate to match speed........they are totally clueless!!!!!!! Now, when I am driving in the left lane and see a car waiting to turn from a driveway on the right side........I can guarantee you that car will cut me off.........left to left and right to right people!!!!!

As for intersections......ha........people turn in front of you, as you are coming through an intersection on the opposite side, like they are the only ones around and you are leaning on the horn cause they are about to be stamped with a Nissan logo as they get T-boned and they haven't a clue why you are honking!!!!!!!! Unbelieveable!!!!!!! And all this is happening at anytime of the day......from 0600am 'till I park my car in the evening........well, it definately keeps me on your toes.

I will give them this though........when there is a construction zone, and there are lots of them, they totally drive the 50kms posted speed........in Quebec, those signs don't mean anything.....they are taken as suggestions..heh heh.

Well, I have my first weekend race scheduled for next Saturday......I am curious if we have moved along yet. I will be racing the 1,000m only.......2 and 1/2 times around........I am psyched!!

My roommate Steve has been showing me some chords on the guitar and I would love to say that I am coming along but I am a little rough on it........music is the harmony of the soul.......although in my case..........it's the squeal in your ears....heh heh.

Me doing my Sunday sharpening......

Peace

Week 2......

Well that was hard.......to do absolutely nothing on Sunday......I am not used to that but it is part of my program......day of rest is to do nothing......well actually, I did go for a greazzy breakfast, which I will treat myself to every Sunday, then I did some groceries, and the weekly wash, stretched and massaged my quads with a roller, and checked out the local library here......they charge $20 for a library card......what a joke.

King James added more volume to this weeks program and it looked intimidating but I pulled it off. I really tried to just drop my shoulders as much as possible, almost to the point where I felt like a puppet and I also worked on my stride. Before I was skating with my head up to see the whole straight or turn but now, back to my skeleton days, I am just looking maybe 10m in front of me........so far so good.

This week I skated first thing in the morning and dryland in the afternoon just to see if I would have more energy in the quads. It was also to accomodate Danielle and help out with the practices as I am still working with her until she finds a fulltime asst coach. I am really enjoying being on the ice and the girls are great and quick learners so I will have some withdrawl symptoms when my time is done there........hopefully she will keep me on for some practices. The early skates seemed to work so I think I will stick to this program......I just really don't like waking up at 0530........

The Extreme womens team coach Bjorn wants me to fully suit up and practice with his team just for a different dynamics during practices. These girls are National team members and they know how to play hockey.........I am just not sure yet if that is a good option for me as I am trying to 'unlearn' all my hockey habits to progress in speed skating.......we'll see.......never close a door to an idea or opportunity so next week I agreed to play in their scrimmage as a test to see if I can actually help or it will simply be 'playing' hockey.

My good buddy Joel was down on business here and we had a chance to catch up. It was good to see someone from home so we went to lunch......I won't say what I drank but hey, I was happy to see him, then I brought him by the house to check out my digs and then I brought him by the Oval. Now there's another person, aside my daughter, that knows my life here in Calgary. Too bad we didn't bump into Jessica Zelinka as Joel has a soft spot for her.......but I will try to hook it up Joel......heh heh.

Anyways, I felt my stride coming along this week as I was completing tasks more efficiently. Last week I could barely hold a .39 second lap on progressives and this week I was holding .33 second laps when it should have been .39 so that's good.

Saturday races began this weekend but James and I have decided to start racing the last week of Sept.........just to continue on technical stuff........I don't want to resort to 'old style' so I agree that it is a safe bet to not start racing just yet.

In the pics, Danielle Goyette and I at the Oval......talk about accomplishments...8 World Championship Gold medals......2 Gold and 1 Silver Olympic medals.....simply amazing...Danielle is a pioneer in women's hockey.....

Joel and I at the house just chillin'.

My young, redheaded, good Dutch friend Jordi (J pronounced as Y) who is always helping me on the ice trying to improve me........very nice kid and I always appreciate his comments.

A nice surprise found in my luggage from my daughter which is now hanging on the wall facing my bed so I see it every single day.

My wife, as I met her at Calgary airport during one of her quick turn-arounds....nice to see her, especially when she brings me goodies....heh heh.

And of course, King James and I at the Oval.

Peace

Week one......

Well, I am a hurting unit but I figure these aches and pains will last about a week or two until I get accustomed to the specific training.....but I am loving it.

I was very surprised when I called the Oval on Labour day Monday and they were open so I got in a weight workout and a skate.........so, the pain started early...heh heh.

But, with King James at the helm, newly configured skates, new speeed suit, I am feeling good.......although James came out for a session with me on Thursday and once again, this sport humbled me......we were doing progressive laps and I realized I have work to do......

My roommates are cool guys, both looking to start high profile charter accounting jobs and they are studying hard now..........exams are coming within weeks for both of them so I keep interupting them......just joking. The house is well located.....close to the Oval and lots of shopping.

We had a little furnace issue this week......yes it is that cold here while you folks back home are enjoying Jamaican weather. Anyways, I called my buddy Frank from Ottawa at 11pm, he is really amazing, and just over the phone, he hooked us up......unbelievable.....we had heat. Thanks Frank.......anyone need a furnace or AC guy, let me know.

Starting to bump into the same people at the Oval and they are getting to know me too. Met Cindi Klassen the other day in the gym.....saw her last season but didn't want to bother her while training but in the gym, I introduced myself and we chatted awhile.

Congratulated Clara Hughes the other day too on a great job she did in Beijing.....both very nice people.

I hear more donations are coming and that's great cause it seems that money is flying out of my pockets. My colleagues Maria and Manon and her husband Anthony from Montreal sent me a cheque just out of the blue. That is so amazing and I thank them dearly......to go out of their way to help me financially and encourage me with their kind words is truly special.

The RCMP Mess Fund came through for me again also this year buy donating $500 towards my quest. I thank them enormously for their support and will make them proud. I also thank Luc who stood in for me to plead my case as I was already here in Calgary.

Danielle Goyette, who played on the womens Team Canada, now coaches the womens University team here asked me to help her out during their training camp this week so that gave me extra ice time and I was feeling it but I enjoyed it........my good buddy Serge referred me to Danielle.........I even met Cassie Cambpell as she was helping Danielle too.

So after a full week of dryland, speed skating, and hockey camps........Advil has become my best friend........hoping to have a massage set up for next week too.

I fully expected to hurt for at least the first two weeks until my body gets acclimatised to the training, the altitude, and my new eating habits. I may have to tweak a few things here and there to make my sched and training more efficient but I will figure it all out this month.

The picture is taken from where I am currently living and I found it very odd and coincindental that I can see Canada Olympic Park, where I spent so much time on the bobsled track and ice house in 2005.......click on the pic and you'll see the track.........a sign?........who knows.

The other pic.....my roommates......Steve on the left and Warren the one not smiling......

Peace.

Aug 31st, Day 3......Calgary bound....

Okay, up and at 'em........I think I can make it to Calgary today.....I was originally going to be there for the 1st as everything is closed for Labour Day....no training but what I have come to realize when I'm driving is that......what else is there to do?? I mean if I only drive 8 hrs, stop in an unknown place.....to do what? So I figured, keep driving till it gets dark instead of putting a time line on it......it has worked out so far.

I miss my girls though.......I have been texting my wife once I get to certain towns and different States so that way, she and my little daughter can track me on my journey........kinda like them being with me.

Montana, what a beautiful vast landscape..........flat at times and rolling hills other times. Its like I am the only one on the road........this is why people don't use the T-Can highway.

The speed limit here is also 70mph which is about 115kms.........I have been on cruise control at 120kms pretty much the whole trip.......nice and relaxed........sometimes too relaxed. Actually, with no one to talk to, I have discovered that I am a pretty good singer so I am thinking of Canadian Idol once all this is done. In the pic I am not singing but you do strange things when you drive a long time by yourself.....

Remember the double dashboard footrests, well I started getting confident again and only ventured one foot up but lo and behold.......after passing a family in a van towing a trailer, I rise up on a crest and there he is.......a big ass Clydesdale horse starting to cross the road on my left.......now this is a one way each side highway so his snout was mere inches from my face as I flew by and down the other side.........my main concern was the family I just passed.....they were coming and didn't know what was waiting for them and I had no way of warning them......the only hope I had was that the horse, who was walking along like a veteran, he has done this before and was not spooked when I went by so I was hoping he didn't stop walking.....then I saw the van coming in my rear view mirror so I knew they made it through.. It is amazing that in the Universal plan that maps out our lives......mere seconds and timing dictate if we stay or go.......simply amazing!!

Needless to say, feet were back in place and hands were at 10 and 2.....heh heh.

The funniest part in Montana was the tumbleweed, yes it exists, just like in the western movies, cause one went right by me........there are some serious cross winds when its flat.......I had to laugh.

Okay, 4 States, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Montana, and 5 animals, black bears, deer, raccoon, horse, I didn't tell you about the dogs, and of course, 1 tumbleweed,...........good drive, all is good........until I get to the CDN border.

Those clowns........Labour day weekend and they have one lane open so only about 70 cars ahead of me but it takes 1 1/2 hrs to get to the dude that tells me that 1 1/2hrs is great time and that 7hrs wait will be the time tomorrow.......and he seemed proud of it.
Needless to say, with my luck, does he not tell me to pull up to bay 2 for a vehicle check......great, there goes my time.......it was 3:30pm when I got there, and I was anticipating being in Calgary for supper......NOT!!

I pull into bay 2 where there are 3 young lads strapping on their latex gloves......yes I was a bit worried but I knew I could take them.....heh heh. Once they realized what I did for a living......they spent some quick time on the car and I was free to go......sheesh!!........5:30pm.....

It was raining the rest of the way so I knew I wouldn't have to wash the car that was full of all kinds of bugs, actually, while in line at the border, birds were flying onto my bumper picking off the bugs for some chow and just feasting on the hood.......good thing my wife wasn't with me cause she really doesn't like birds, but its amazing though.....evolution.....one crunched up bug is a meal for another......

Anyways, finally made it to the house where I'll be staying and I was on my own so, I cleaned out my room, vacuumed, made my bed, unpacked, and finally had a late pasta supper and hit the sack.......now, I am getting so old, and after 3 days on the road, I forget why I came here in the first place?!.........yea right, I will welcome the whole day off tomorrow to find my legs before the reality of my trip hits me on Tuesday.

Peace

Aug 30th, day 2......another State

So after experiencing that beautiful sunrise, I hit the road for a long drive ahead of me........the goal was to reach Minot North Dakota.

So out of Michigan and into Wisconsin I go.......black bear country.......I don't know what it is but the black bear is everywhere as a symbol and I quickly realized why as a black bear cub darted out from one side of a four lane wide town street to the other right in front of me..........I was just wondering if Momma bear was not too far behind........

I had to stop at this place where a guy made animal carvings from actual whole trees.........it was so impressive at a glance as I flew by that I had to stop, turn around, and go check it out to simply tell the guy that his work was amazing. There were huge carvings......I am talking as tall as a tree. I took a pic of one that was in the process.......

Anyways, long drive and so I had to find ways to get comfortable and stretch out my hamstrings and I found that my dashboard made for perfect footrests....do not try this at home!!
Neverthless, that didn't last too long cause the bears must have fallen asleep and the deer took over the road.....unreal.....you know those signs that say 'deer crossing' and you laugh cause you wonder, how do the deer know that this is the place to cross the road......let me tell you, smart deer up in northern Wisonsin.......they knew and they were everywhere......now I woulda laughed if there was a flashing deer (instead of a flashing hand) stoplight!!

So, after over 1,200kms and 13hrs of driving, I reached Minot. I have been here once before when I drove to Regina and at Minot is where I headed north into Saskatchewan......it was small then or I didn't really see it properly but it is a bustling little town.........big enough to host some kind of race that I couldn't find a hotel room.......that sucked cause I didn't want to drive another minute and it was dark by now. Well, off I go to the next town of Stanley another 45 mins away and I wasn't expecting anything and........I was right.......nothing, although I almost nailed a raccoon at 70 miles an hour (that's the speed limit), I am sure I got its tail but it scared the crap outta me....those beedy eyes shining at me......I wonder if the raccoon sees my eyes shiny when looking at me??...........I am sure he saw my mouth wide open!!

Anyways, my car was my bed and I quickly realized that......you can't fully stretch out in a car. I parked in an old folks home parking lot cause it had a cross on its sign and knew I would be safe there.

Needless to say, I was up early at 6am and hit the road pretty much after a quick coffee pick up and a brushing of teeth........let's go to Montana......

Peace

Aug 29th, day 1.......off we go.....

First day on the road......departure was difficult.......initially, I wanted to hit the road at about 6-7am but realized that it woulda been hard on my little freak and since she had gymnastics camp at 9am, I decided to wait until then......just easier if she leaves first....

So I hit the road at about 10am and of course, since my planned route is to go thru the northern States after I reach Sault Ste. Marie, I forgot my passport at the office so really, I left at 1030am after all was said and done......

The ride was okay but geez, we gotta do something about our Trans Canada highway........I mean it is the main highway joining all of Canada but it can be very slow at times.........finally, I make it to the Soo.

At the border, the US customs guys are pretty cool, we started talking about skating and playing hockey and he was eyeballing one of my hockeys sticks and I had to tell him before he asked........no you can't have one!!

So I made it to Marquette, Michigan and after over 1,000 not so quick kms and over 12hrs of driving.......I pulled into the first hotel I saw and that was an Econo-Lodge.......I didn't even know they still existed.......let's just say that the best part was the included breakfast. The room was a blast from the past like 1970s but it served its purpose, a so so sleep and a hot shower.

The next morning, up and at 'em at 0730 with a beautiful sunrise over Lake Superior........some scenery words cannot describe.......I guess this is where I realized that my adventure has really begun and that a lot more scenery, images, and experiences were more to come.....

Peace