Hi All

So I have been terrible…  it has been 2 weeks since the race and I am finally going to talk about it.  Not that it went badly..  in fact it went very well.

I thoroughly enjoyed it!   What a lot of fun.  I had hoped to finished the 40 km race between 2 and 2 and a half hours, considering my training was fairly light.   7 weeks earlier when I started training, I did 20 kms in 2 hours 20 minutes.   My unofficial time was 1:57:27,  a full 30 minutes less than I had hoped.
The course was great and the weather perfect. We all got off to a great start with everyone behaving well and no jostling which is always good.  Unfortunately 1 rider just ahead of me at the first gravel turn lost control and fell.  After that though, never saw anything untoward again.

Marcell managed to catch me every now and then, although he missed the first checkpoint due to a wrong turn.  Hence the photos.  His videos are more extensive and will post them as well later, once edited together.  He was complaining though that I am not gesturing or responsive – of course most of the time, any response would probably not be more than heavy breathing.
The hardest part was absolutely the last 15 minutes.  Up David Avenue to the top corner was indeed the hardest part of the entire race, but I did it.  It felt great to finish and afterwards, they had laid out a spread of fresh fruit, yoghurts, drinks, hot dogs, you name it.

A great wrap to finish the race.  Lisa and Alan came to the finish to cheer me on,  and I missed Lisa M who was jogging along the path..  Sorry Lisa…
A huge thank you to all my supporters,  the money you helped raise is going to a great cause here in the Tri-Cities.
Will be doing some more again soon…    Anyone interested in the Mud Run Ride in August?
Later

M

So I am keeping up the cycling, which is good, especially as they published the route map for the Wheel to Heal next month. We will let everyone know where to come cheer me on closer to the time.

The last week I have completed 3 rides, a 20 km, 31.5 km and a 26.5 km. Now I can start ramping up to the 40 km distance. With only 19 days to go, training time is getting short. The good news is that I am seeing improvement. Despite the very heavy head winds along the Pitt River section today, I had my fastest average speed of 15.28 km/h across the 26.5 km route.

I have been very lucky to have some very generous friends, so here is a shout out to Alan & Lisa and Bill & Barry for their sponsorships. I am now more than half way to my target. Would love to exceed it too So for the rest of you, go here… do some good… Karma time…

Further to my comments about the Poco Trail in my last post, it is good to note that a section has been opened through the First Nation land to complete the circuit from Colony Farm to Red Bridge. Thanks to all parties concerned with making this happen.

So the next few days are not looking too good weather wise.. most likely rain till Friday, but then the sun should be out for the weekend! Woohoo!

Later

M

Ok, So I have now completed two long rides in the last week. Mick and I did a 22.7 km ride on Saturday along most of the PoCo trail, with a stop at the Gillnetter – it was a beautiful day although a bit chilly in the wind when not riding. It was certainly good to get out and ride together.

This morning I did my second ride of 31.6 km. Let me just say that if the 40 km ride on May 16 includes David Avenue, it is going to be a rough one! However, I did manage to ride all the way up David Ave without stopping, so that is already a major achievement.

As I am cycling the area more and more, the one thing that is definitely needing to be addressed is the PoCo trail between Colony Farm and Red Bridge. Really, it has been almost 3 years since it has been closed, and no progress has been made on getting the trail repaired or relocated? I realize that this part of the trail is under the control of both Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, but is there any need to drag something like a bike trail repair out for so many years?

Anyway, till I catch up with you all later

Martin

Ok, so the first week didn’t go as well as I would have hoped.. Only managed 3 days of solid exercise. But was back on the bike again today, and managed to get a full hour on it without dying.

Hopefully in the next day or so, with the sun coming out, I will be able to get on to the road and do a couple more hours. With only 38 days to go, its getting tight.

Thanks to Lisa for donating towards my fund raising effort. It is much appreciated. With so many friends, I should be able to make much more than my target. Yes I am challenging you all!

Click here!

Later

M

Ok, So I have in the last couple of years led a relatively sedentary life, and always blamed my work hours for not getting enough exercise. This is no longer a valid excuse for me. Even the weather is not an excuse.

So in an attempt to motivate myself and to help get myself fit again, I signed up to do a 40km charity cycle race here in the Tri-Cities: The 2010 Wheel to Heal.

This week I started in earnest with my preparations, despite the weather outside. My plan is to spend 5 minutes more each day on the bike – whether its the stationery bike in the house or my mountain bike around town. I have 47 days to go to get fit enough to do 40 kms and to raise at least $300 for the Eagle Ridge Hospital, which is our closest emergency medical center and who need much needed funds for new and improved equipment.

As of today, I have been able to spend 55 minutes on the bike and have raised $20 (Thanks Mick!)

Check back again to track my progress and click here to sponsor me!

Martin

msquared at the Canucks Game

Tonight I got to sit rinkside at the Canucks vs Sharks pre-season hockey game. This was my very first live hockey game and it turned out to be a really exciting game.

The first period was completed with a 0-0 score and during the second, the Sharks went on to score 2 goals while the Canucks were still on 0. Most of the time was spent at the Sharks end but not when it counted. Luongo looked miffed to put it mildly.

So the third period was rocking! In the space of three minutes the Canucks scored 3 goals! The energy in the arena was incredible. The Sharks tied the score just before full time and the game went into 5 minutes overtime. Couple of close calls but no goals.
It came down to the shoot out which Canucks one by the skin of Luongo’s pads so to speak.

Needless to say, it was a great game to be at for my first one. Definitely got me hooked.

Have some photos coming soon.

Martin