Wild About It: Speedo Silicone Cap

June 22, 2016July 4, 2016Leave a comment

Last weekend I did my first open water swim of the season. While getting ready to hit the lake I was chatting about gear with the gals and began gushing over my cap – if you follow me on Instagram I’m sure you’ve see my cat cap (pictured below) – but it wasn’t just the print – the texture and feel is what really gets me. If you don’t know the different between a silicone and latex cap – please read on!

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For many years I happily trained for triathlon in my previous races latex swim caps. Each race provides a cap to distinguish the wave of start for the swim (and also promote their race/sponsor). I was very happy wearing these cheap latex swim caps (and was even protective of my Muskoka IM70.3 cap), I didn’t know any different, and really thought all caps were the same – until last December when Speedo USA gifted me a promo code to invest in new gear for my upcoming season.

I had never purchased a swim cap (always used race caps) so it wasn’t even on my radar that there was a difference until I saw these epic prints while deciding what to buy with my code and for the look, scooped a couple up.

When these caps arrived, and I began training in them, they have 100% changed my perspective on caps and I will NEVER train in a latex cap again.

Here’s why:

The Soft Silicone and Mico-Grid texture won’t snag or pull hair – I swear! and they do too! My hair is certainly the longest it’s ever been for a training cycle and I often put it in a bun then use this cap and the fit is great and I can seriously just pull it off my head without worrying about snags or pulls. These caps are often good for medium to long hair.
The super soft silicone offers a relaxed fit, compared to my experience with super tight latex, that helps to prevent headaches over longer duration swims. It undoubtedly stays put on your head, but isn’t squeezing your brain in the most uncomfortable way.
Silicone caps offer greater elasticity and increased stretch compared traditional performance caps. Great for people with big heads, big hair, or just easy of putting on and taking off – again – no more snags!
It’s not latex. Latex caps are typically thin and don’t last long ripping very easily. They often come in only one colour (boring!) and can sometimes smell because of the rubber material. Also if you have a latex allergy, silicone caps are for you.

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Silicone caps come in a variety of colours and patterns and can be purchased from any swim retail store. In Canada check out SportChek or if in the USA, get yours from Speedo.com. Prices range from $9-$30.

Road to 70.3: Week 7

June 20, 2016June 20, 2016Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe that as I’m writing this I will be starting the second month of my 5 month training program. Time certainly is flying and the great news is that I’m still having fun.

Last week was another big build with one three hour brick – eventually this will grow to be around 7 hours. Finishing workouts like this require prep – not only the physical prep of the body to get to a place where it’s doable – but also prep of life – having the time to get it done – having the supplies/fuel you need to be successful. Time is often no problem – I’m able to get it done – I’m still a little unorganized when it comes to fuel and supplies, so that will continue to be my goal.

Here’s how it went down:

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MONDAY: As with every Monday, today was a double run day. Sprints with our workplace crew at TMX, followed by Sprints with Tribe. This was my first real sprint session back after my ankle and I really enjoyed picking up the pace. The CNE was packed with people on their way to a concert, but we dodged the crowds and got the work in. Certainly not as fast as pre injury, but I’m looking forward to working on that in the coming weeks.

TUESDAY: I did my first of two big bricks this week on Tuesday, alone. I got in a 1.5km swim followed by a 50min bike. I got my 10km run in after teaching YFit on a special Tribe run with City Running Tours Toronto. This run was a charity event supporting the fires of Fort McMurray. The tour was their music history tour – it was a lot of fun, but my legs were spent and felt like bricks.

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WEDNESDAY: I switched up the 45min ride for our Tribe 5km run. With all the other Tribe events happening this week only a couple gals showed up, so we kept it nice and light. Stretching and rolling filled up the rest of my night.

THURSDAY: After a blogger event in the morning I took part in the Bike For Tykes charity spin class. I rode for 60 minutes with all funds raised going to SickKids. This was my third time participating in this fun event for a great cause.

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My day ended with another sweating for social good event with the Black Lungs Ekiden Relay. This is a very fun crew event where local run clubs an crews enter teams of six to run the distance of a marathon. Tribe had 3 teams, and I was very happen to run a 6.1km leg of the race. As a result I kept the remained of my training light (aka I didn’t swim). If was a lot of fun, filled with Tribe Love, and many laughs.

FRIDAY: Knowing I wouldn’t be available to work out on Sunday I moved around my weekend brick and got it done today. After training a morning client I started with a 1.5km swim at 10:30am, hopped on my bike for two hours, and during a very hot point in the day went out for a short 4km run. The heat was brutal and my lack of fueling prior to the workout and during the swim and ride really showed. I simply wasn’t prepared with great breakfast food and then taking quality food with me during my workouts. Again, I just need to get my butt in gear and have great food to fuel on and train with all the time.

SATURDAY: Although we have started our Tribe SeaWheeze training, many of our crew are continuing to come out for 10km. Anticipating this I went out prior to our crew workout to get some extra km in. This plan worked out very well and allowed my to hold pace with the 10km ladies while getting my full workout in.

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Saturday afternoon I met up with Courtney, Mel, Kat, and Ale for a brief and dang cold open water swim. We went to Cherry Beach, which wasn’t as packed as I had anticipated and took to the water. The cold really got the best of me. I did about 400m but my hands, feet, and face just couldn’t handle it. I was still happy with the work, but know i’ll need to get out there even more as I prep for my half iron man.

SUNDAY: Today was my rest day and was all about family. I had hoped to do a strength workout, but I slept in until 9am (so nice) before attention a family event for the remainder of the day.

My goal for this week is to take either Thursday and Friday and ensure my kitchen is stacked with great food to fuel my workouts. I need to make sure I have quality breakfast foods that will sustain me and get used to riding and running with hydration for my long efforts.

Missed a week of my training?

Week Six Week Five Week Four

Week Three Week Two Week One

Road to 70.3: Week 6

June 13, 2016June 14, 2016Leave a comment

For the first time in my training this cycle I actually thought to myself “I feel strong”. With my hamstring and lower back/hip injuries, and of course my ankle, it’s been a while that I’ve run or lifted weights and actually felt pain free and powerful. Happily, this happened last week.

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MONDAY: Today continued our 10 week workplace wellness run club out of the Stock Exchange. This is a very fun group with a variety of paces and always lots of laughs. We did 7km of intervals, and as I was supporting all runners my pace varied. I usually follow this workout with our Tribe interval workout, however today Tribe Mentor Allison was going to lead the workout, so I enjoyed an evening of stretching and rolling at home.

TUESDAY: After a long weekend of working out I wanted to bump my cross training/rest day. I also knew I had a Tribe run on Wednesday so I wouldn’t be able to take Wednesday off. Today I went to Studio Lagree in the morning. This is a Pilates studio that uses reformer machines. I always get a great workout here and this was the first time in a while that I actually felt strong and back to myself after my various injuries. I spent the afternoon planning a new YFit class profile and taught later Tuesday evening.

WEDNESDAY: Today’s workout was a 60min tempo run and 30 minutes of either strength or flexibility. With our Tribe run being only 5km I added on to the start of the run and made it back in time only by the skin of my teeth. My legs were feeling heavy, but I am certainly feeling better movement through my hips and spine. We kept the pace steady and even included a small sprint to the finish. Post run eats were had at Tex Mex Radio Bar – it’s always great to spend time not running with our crew.

THURSDAY: Today Kat and I got in a morning brick consisting of a 2km swim and 20km bike ride. My ankle often starts off pretty stiff during my swims but loosens up after about 100m. For the ride we mixed up our route and headed East towards Cherry Beach and the Leslie Spit. East has way to many stop lights and the first and last 2.5km were incredibly slow as we navigated the waterfront trail. I had a noon hour appointment at my chiropractor and was happy to share how good I’ve been feeling during my workouts.

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FRIDAY: This morning Kat and I took off extra early to get in a 95 minute ride. We rode to High Park and did a series of loops – including High Park, but also Ellis Avenue. Ellis is very steep and was a key part of my 2014 70.3 training. It is a challenge and when you get to the top of the hill breathless you feel this amazing sense of accomplishment – we did it twice before riding back. I actually didn’t realize this workout was to be a brick – so after the ride enjoyed a good sit on my couch.

SATURDAY: Today was another brick fail. I did a great run with Tribe getting in 75minutes and followed it up with brunch – it was delicious but not the brick I was to be doing. Later in the evening I stretched but didn’t swim as was scheduled.

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SUNDAY: Nancy was in town today for a Mirvish show so after teaching my final weekend YFit for the summer and watching How To Get Away With Love and Murder we went for a 45 minute swim. Nancy trains with a club in Hamilton and has frequent swimming instruction as part of her training, she shared with me a drill I repeated three times (2 lengths zipper, 2 lengths hands in fists, 2 lengths head up, 4 front crawl). I enjoy swimming with my sister as she’s stronger then me and often challenges me to work harder which I enjoy.

In order to better plan my week I’ve been taking my schedule (as viewed at the top of the post) and integrating it into my daily planner. Clearly by my couple brick mishaps I need a better process, so I feel that this transferring of my training schedule into my work/life schedule will really help me pull everything together. Will it work? Stay tuned.