Just starting out

In June of this year I won my age category at the St. Malo triathlon. There are 2 significant outcomes of this, and they’re connected. First, that meant that I qualified for the 2014 World Triathlon Championships in Edmonton next August. Hard to imagine – me qualifying for a world championship! I get to wear the Team Canada uniform, which I have to purchase myself mind you. I can almost see myself standing on the podium with a gold medal between my teeth yet somehow still able to sing O Canada at the top of my lungs with tears streaming down my cheeks! That’s after I’ve walked through the streets of Edmonton chugging a pitcher of beer that a delirious and adoring fan thrust into my hands, and then being interviewed on TSN. Hmm, that’s already been done. 

Edmonton isn’t the most exotic of locales but hey on the practical side it’s close to home, easy to get to, no significant time zone changes, affordable and will have food that I’m familiar with. I haven’t been to Edmonton since the mid 90’s when I was there on business a few of times. The last time Sigrid was there was in the winter of 1974 when we passed through on our way to Jasper, so that’s a bonus too. 

Here’s the second significant outcome, and the reason for my starting this blog. Pure Lifestyle, one of the main sponsors of the race, was offering to two athletes who qualified and registered for the Worlds the fabulous prize of one year of strength training to help them prepare. If you’ve put one and two together you’ve figured out that I’m one of those athletes. I can’t find enough appropriate words to describe this, so I’ll just say I am honoured, grateful and excited. This is spectacular and a super opportunity. Usually at this time of year, the end of the tri season, I’m tired, burned out and looking forward to a few weeks of rest. Right now however I am keen to get started and I’m keeping up with my training. 

The Pure Lifestyle program starts in October and Blake Wood will be putting me through my paces. I expect agony and ecstasy, blood sweat and tears (likely in the reverse order), new and exciting exercises, and a whole new focus for me and my training. And to become stronger, fitter, healthier, and more ready to do a race than ever before.

I’m thinking of getting a bit of a head start by beginning a light weight training program of my own in hopes of avoiding some of the aches and pains, but a friend who’s had Blake as a trainer told me not to waste my time – he’s going to make me ache no matter what I do. 

I want to share this experience and my journey over the next year or so with others through my PureJohn blog. It will be interesting, insightful and most of all – fun. More to come – stick with me as we both find out what’s coming next! Who knows where this will lead?