Reading ‘Triathlete’ magazine, I came across an article that discussed ‘training paddles’ for swimming.  It intrigued me to the point where I went to Swimco the next day to pick up a pair. 

Training paddles will come in a variety of sizes, mainly having the bigger ones the more advanced training tool.  With swimming not necessarily an accessible commodity, I should be training more effectively when I get the chance. 

Why Use Training Paddles?
A lot of articles you may read in magazines in regards to training in fitness usually implies that through ‘consistent’ training, you should see results ‘in due time.’  However, training paddles help you feel the difference from day 1. 

Training paddles will help develop the muscles thats used in swimming.  On top of that, it will help you with a master an ideal swimming technique.  In this instance, you’ll be able to notice right away.  If your technique is good, you’ll be moving.  And vice versa, any errors in your swimming technique, you’ll be stationary in the pool.  The resistance will pretty much prevent any movement.  Pretty much, its like doing weights in the water.

After every session, there is no doubt you’ll be able to feel the development in your back and shoulder muscles that you use when swimming.  Training paddles don’t necessarily make you faster.  The cardio aspect of swimming still remains the same.  However the results of training paddles with respects to muscle development and form will effectively benefit even after a single session. 

On top of that, training paddles are cheap! 

About a month ago, I participated in the Bigfoot Triathlon Festival.  The beautiful thing about this event was that it focussed on breaking in any athlete that wanted to get themselves into the sport.  It was more of a social event rather than a competition.  This event is held in Penticton and Harrison Mills, B.C.

This year, however, was a fiasco of an experience.  First of all, Harrison Mills is approximately a 2 hour drive from where I live, so having a race early in the morning, my wife and I thought it would be best to stay the night nearby.  Receiving a call two days prior to the race saving that they relocated the race, to a location that was 30 minutes further.  On the way to the Chilliwack area, I received a call from my mother saying that a triathlon located in the Chilliwack area was cancelled due to road conditions. From here, I was scattering to get a hold of a race organizer who informed me that the news was in fact wrong and failed to mention that the race was relocated. 

The next morning, we woke up earlier than expected to make our way to Chilliwack lake.  On a long road down to a secluded park, we  had to sign in 20kms away from the start line.  In a lot of Triathlons, its nice and easy to see one transition zone.  This however was a two-transition zone race.  To get things in perspective, if you were to go to this race by yourself, you would have to bike your way back to the start line to get your car. 

The race consisted of about 100 competitors, with the vast majority of participants doing a triathlon for the first time.  We all met at Lake Chilliwack for the first leg of the race.




The Swim:
The swim was 400m.  Most sprint triathlons will be either 500m or 750m.  Having a 400m swim was suitable for the beginner as a swim (especially in the cold water).  On top of that, the whole duration stayed at the shallow end of the lake where the swim was pretty much in waters that was no deeper than chest deep.  In case a needed rest was in store, any competitor that needed it was able to do so.

The Bike Ride:
The cycling leg was 20km.  In this case, it was mostly downhill.  A nice way to ease triathletes to the race, however, there was no challenging aspect to the terrain whatsoever. 

The Run:
The run was a nice and challenging 5km run.  The first 2.5 was all uphill.  The turnaround point started a 2.5km descent to the finish line where you were able to finish the triathlon nice and strong. 

The BAD::
This race was poorly organized from top to bottom.  In regards to safety, there were no bodies to marshall the transitions, spot safety, etc.  The fact that this race was moved in the last minute meant a lot of things could go wrong when it came to the time of the race.  The race was delayed 30 minutes because the organizers were at the registration area, which was 20kms away from the start line. 

The GOOD:: 
The race was designed to appeal to the rookie triathlete.  Triathlons aren’t easy, but to have an event full of people that are aspiring to try the sport is a very delighful experience. Since the race, I have kept in touch with three participants of the race.  Its a good, if not excellent experience in the social aspect>

The Recommendation::
If you are to do this race….just have fun.  It isn’t an event thats high scale, so no point treating like it is one.  BRING SOMEONE!! You will want someone to drive the car from the start line to the finish line. And make sure to sign up for your next triathlon!! 

Personal Results::
Swim:: 4th out of the water
Bike:: 9th after the ride
Finish: 8th overall
Finish Time:: 1h. 18m.

A good friend (ahem….Glenn) gave me a great suggestion for a place to swim.  With the first Triathlon around the corner, I needed a place to train. 

But before that, the swimming training portion was never the easiest.  Considering its not the most convenient segment to train for.  Firstly, you need to find a facility, whereas running and biking is readily available for you.  Secondly, training in a swimming pool, even though its training, definitely doesn’t match the simulation as swimming in open water: no resting areas or edges, currents, winds, temperature, etc. 

Next, I felt that triathlons were something that seemed fun so I went hunting for a wetsuit.  Considering I had friends that informed me that Harrison Mills, the place that was supposed to be hosting the Bigfoot Tri, has VERY cold water.  Triathlon wetsuits are expensive, no joke!  And understanding the difference between triathlon wetsuits and diving wetsuits were a real eye opener so you don’t buy a wetsuit just for the sake of buying a wetsuit.  Not to mention renting a wetsuit, as logical as it sounds, is still an option.  A pricey option, but not compared to a wetsuit that I found on Craigslist for $70.  A Quintana Roo!! Full wetsuit designed for cold water triathlon racing.  Funny enough, the wetsuit DID NOT fit!!  It could have, if I lost a good 5 pounds.

Excited to try the wetsuit, I picked Glenn’s brain to a suggestion on where I can swim a lake, and he recommended a place in Belcarra Regional Park.  White Pine Beach is a starting point of Sasamat Lake.  Across is a tiny rock jetta measured at approximately 570 metres.  First off, I needed help putting that wetsuit on.  And secondly, taking a dip in the cold lake water with a wetsuit is just the start of knowing why triathletes love using a wetsuit.  On top of that, swimming through the lake water was just like gliding through.  On top of that, the buoyancy of the wetsuit was just useful as I wasn’t used to going more than 100m without a break.  You can just sit there on the surface of the water and tread ever so lightly.  The total workout was just a little bit more than a kilometre, and it was a great feeling!

With the triathlon a week away, I decided to train again back at the lake.  However, 2 days prior to that swim, I decided to hit Grouse Mountain and do the Grind…not once, but twice.  It actually did the trick because after that session, I did not need anymore help to get into the wetsuit. But with the previous experience of lake swimming, a necessary 2km swim was in store.

With two days left till my first triathlon….this training session was the real kicker. 

Is Tumblr crashing my computer?

Anyways, I’m finding it closer to my first triathlon.  The upcoming tri is an event strictly for beginners.  So pretty much, it eases you into the bigger races using a very friendly environment that everyone can enjoy. 

This will be taken place at Harrison Mills, about an hour and a half away from Vancouver. 

Yesterday, I dragged my friend Christian to Stanley Park, where the Merrell Tri will be held in September.  I decided to get riding back on my bike as well as go for a run of a good well paced 5km. 

Today, was Grouse Grind day.  I will leave another entry for my friend’s restaurant another time, but I went to my friend’s restaurant because he will be participating with me the Merrell event, hence we need to be training together soon enough. 

On Sunday, we’re planning to hit Port Moody with our wives where we can swim in the lake, bike the roads and run the park all in one swing.  At the same time, it will be a great chance to try on our new wetsuits!

Yes….I got me a wetsuit! 

Last week, the wife and I decided to celebrate our anniversary in Mazatlan, Mexico.  A small 5 day vacation in a beautiful city.  This time around, we weren’t on any cruise ship, nor were we in an all exclusive.  Frankly, the reason why I was super excited was because the last two trips to Mexico was pretty much filled with American food.  Now that we had our timeshare resort a few moments away from town, we decided to find new places to eat, and new places to eat we did!!

And to add….I just said, f*ck it!  I know there is a workout area here, but nevermind! 

On top of the fact that the whole resort faced the beachside, it was perfect weather every single day, the food really was the highlight of the holiday.  To tell you the truth, I have never eaten so many chips on holidays before!! 

Anyways, with my trial triathlon less than a month away, that 5 days was a good 10 pound gain.  Definitely not regretting it either.  But when you have authentic Mexican food where your seafood is cooked in butter and served in corn tortillas, you’d say f*ck it too!!

More pics to come!!

picture caption:  Picture of a ceiling banner I took at Senor Frogs.  Pretty fitting if you ask me.