Video from Whitfields Blog.

Simon Posted this from our training camp down in Portland.
Yes...oddly entertaining.

interviews from the side (the lost tapes from portland) from swhitfield on Vimeo.

See also PK's Gingerbread, Nutcracker and lion Skit.

Thanks Simon,

That's all for now,

Ciao for now,

Andrew

More Music,

From Patrick Watson's Third Album 'Wooden Arms' comes this very pleasant tune with great lyrics. I feel this Album is a great follow up to the Album, 'Close to Paradise' and of course my favourtite Patrick Watson song, Drifters.

Patrick Watson - Big Bird In A Small Cage

When I think of Patrick Watson, I am reminded of Beirut. Here is one of my favourites.

Beirut - Postcards From Italy

Training update soon.

SNOW!! = More Indoor Training.

I guess you can call that training in a cave.

Ciao for now,

Andrew McCartney

How about some music.

First off, Here is a song by Dashboard Confessional. It is the Acoustic Version. I really like this version but I strongly recomend you check out both versions.

Dashboard Confessional - Get Me Right

Snow Patrol has always been one of my favourite bands, They came out with a "Up to Now" Album with all there hits so far. On this CD is a new Single that they originally wrote for Lady Gaga, who rejected it, then The Pussycat Dolls who recorded it but descided not to use it and so Snow Patrol simply said, fine lets use it. I am glad they did.

Snow Patrol - Just Say Yes

Lots going on here in Victoria. Training is going quite well. We have had about 2 weeks of clear blue skies and starry nights. No precipitation! And plenty of howling wind. As I reach the end of a second week of building, we have had some solid trainer rides and plenty of good efforts on the run. We have continued progressing with our weekly hill repetitions. We have been at Beacon Hill Park running 200m up the road to the flagpole. This week we are up to 15 reps. Again at Beacon Hill, a lap around the hill is a perfect mile as it was used for horse racing and so we did a set of 2miles, 1mile, 2miles, 1mile at a controlled steady effort. I got going a little faster then my goal pace of 5.20 but I was feeling pretty good. Monday and Wednesday are gym days. Strength sessions have always been a weekness of mine. I've had weak hamstrings, glutes, upper body(all...ha ha) and core. So I am really committing to Cam's strength program. In the beginning with the strength assessment, I maxed-out at 22 push ups, I cramped up after about 6 lunges and well the list went on. Now I have moved on from the PVC tubing, to actual weights and I am feeling less like a fish out of water. It has taken it's toll on me in the short term but I am excited to see the long term results.

Time for a little Lait de Poule,

Ciao for now,

Andrew

Do what cha gotta do.

Training Update....

I have just come off of a fairly relaxed training week. I didn't necessarily take it back on the mileage. There was simply not as much intensity to the sets. This created a good opportunity to get some massage in, get rid of some aches n'pains and refuel my body n'mind.

We have had a beautiful Autumn here in Victoria but winter has arrived and I have pushed myself out the door on the road bike on numerous wet and windy afternoons. I really don't mind these conditions. I have lived on the west coast all my life and in doing so it is imposed upon me to appreciate weather. However it is the lack of daylight that has an effect on me. The days are so short. I miss the rides back from the Criteriums around 9pm. Pedalling back from Caleb pike down the winding roads of Millstream absolutely exhilarated after a fun race, the light of those summer nights makes everything so vivid. Now it is dark at 4:30. Occasionally I will opt for a trainer ride(If there is a planned main set) or Rollers. If I have to do a 90min+ steady ride indoors I prefer rollers. I really notice a difference out on the road after some rolling sessions. I have a smoother pedal stroke and when I am climbing a hill, it feels less forced. The bike feels more like an extension of me.

Anyway whats next? Well back into some solid work. Simon and Kyle are back from Cross Nationals. Some fast running there but I think we are all excited to get underway with some solid training.

Well I will turn out the lights now,
Should be a good swim in the morning and a run in the afternoon.

Hope all is well n'ciao for now,
Andrew

Musique

Training Update comming soon but for now some Music.

30 Seconds To Mars never disappoints. Another Fantastic Music Video to go with this very powerful song. The lead Singer, Jared Leto Belts out this song so full of passion. This video incorperates what is called a "Critical Mass." Basically Bikes take over a town for a night every month. Victoria has its own, not as large as this but is a lot of fun. The Largest Masses take place in places like San Francisco and London, England. The video also makes references to the Artist, Banksy.

This is a teaser for the band's New Album coming out in December, "This is War"

30 Seconds To Mars - "Kings and Queens"

Enjoy.

Hope all is well,

Ciao for now,

Andrew

Back in Victoria

"Live With Wolves and You Will Learn to Howl" - Danish Proverb

This is how I would describe the training camp down in Portland Oregon. Well, I'm not quite a wolf yet and my Howl is more of a yelp, but boy did this camp help.

running w. Bairu and co. from swhitfield. Thanks Simon for both the opportunity and the Video.

So I have never run this much in my life. Honest. I was thinking, 2 weeks ago last year I had the ITband Surgery and it would be another 2 weeks till I water ran. Now I feel I have a huge head start on the season. Receiving advice, and encouragement from Alberto Salazar (Marathon Legend) (See Also) I know what to do and I feel I am on the right track.

I am back in Victoria for some time now, through Christmas into the new year and then off to Maui. Running is going quite well, due to all this fantastic training. My swimming is coming back. Technique is there, just need to build some strength back. I am in a good mindset these days. I look forward to every set as building blocks towards the upcoming season.

Tis the season to build my fitness but more on that later,

Ciao for now,
Andrew McCartney

Swimming On Campus. Short Video from Paulo Sousa.

Thanks to Paulo for his assistance and advice.

Training in Oregon

So Tuesday Kyle, Lauren, Simon and I. Packed up and drove down to Portland, Or. for a 10 day training camp with the Oregon Project Runners. The names that populate this team are amazing and the stats that go with them. The facilities down here are fantastic. There is a track in the woods. Thick forest surrounds and fills the center of the track! Every building is named by an athlete like the Lance Armstrong building is the gym and the pool. Tiger Woods building is the golf building and conference building. The Mia Hamm building is the Cafeteria. The list goes on. It is a nice change of scenery and a good chance to get some solid running in.

Day one was a basic introduction. We joined the team for a strength session in the middle of a soccer field then jumped into the pool for a quick swim workout. Later in the day we ran around campus for 50min plus drills and strides.

Day two we woke up to some hill repeats with the Project runners. A set of 10x230m repeats. I felt quite strong for the main set running them in about 40-42 sec each. From there we grabbed some coffee at a very cool cafe in Portland then home for a rest. After lunch we swam at the Lance Armstrong building. Again felt pretty strong in the pool. I enjoy the afternoon swims/workouts. From the pool we drove to downtown Portland for a trainer ride. Nearing the end of the ride I started to fade, hungry from the days efforts. Sushi at Mia's Sushi fixed that. Now I rest up and prepare for tomorrow's double run and swim.

Time for sleep. Hope all is well,

Ciao for now,

Andrew

Hatley Castle er "The X-Mansion"

Going into the Second Official Training Week and I am pleased with my fitness so far. At least in the Running and Swimming disciplines. My obvious focus being my run. Already I have had some encouraging runs, in good company with good efforts. Last Sunday, I began with an hour run with a group, through the trails of Hatley Castle. You can really get lost in there. The Film X-men was filmed there and it doesn't get old when I run under the gate and yell, "X-Men UNITE!" Then I get a look of dissapproval from the others. Tuesday was a 15km run with 20min zone 2 and 10min zone 3. I am not too familiar with my zones and ended up running more zone 3 from the start and maintaining. Anyway, it made for a great workout and certainly put a smile on my face. Thursday's run consisted of pure, simple, gutsy, fun, Hill Repeats. 14x20 second sprints up a steep trail on Mount Doug. My old Vikes Cross-Country Stomping grounds. From an outside view running up and down a hill... must seem like madness. Most recently, I had an A n'A Meeting. (Andrew n'Andrew Meeting) Russell and I ran around the lake including a scramble up Bear Hill for a 70min run. Andrew leaves tomorrow for some racing so best of luck to him. Along with all the running miles I have about 5-6 three and a half kilometer swims and a number of 90min rides. So although I notice the lack of milage on the bike my swimming is coming along nicely and am maintaining that feel for the water. Overall, training is going well, having way too much fun and super excited for the new year.

Now for some music....

I am really enjoying this song by Muse a band from England. Enjoy.

Muse - The Resistance

From Toronto, Ontario. Hawksley Workman caught my ear with this sentimental song called, "No Reason to Cry Out Your Eyes"



Well that is all,
Ciao for now,
Andrew McCartney

Off to a Running Start.

Kind of sappy but a sweet song. "Landon Pigg - Falling in love at a coffee shop" See also the real music Video Click Here. What a fantastic Video and story. Nice Coffee shop too.

"A journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step." - Unknown

Oh wow, here we go!!! We are officially back to it and not a moment too soon. I had a week of completely nothing then I just did whatever for a week and this next week we are back to it. Even though it was only a single week of no activity it feels like it was a month.

I am swimming about 3 times a week. This is interesting as within each 3km swim it seems to take the first 1.5km to feel my normal long smooth stroke in the water. Like I am re-learning each session. I have been running a lot. A nice build. Nothing hard just slipping on the shoes and running out the door, no direction in mind just running and enjoying the view.

Last night my cousin Silas and I went to celebrate his Belated birthday by grabbing a bite at the Noodle Box, couple of Milkshakes at the Rogers Chocolates Soda Shop and then off to the Save on Food Centre for the Blue Man Concert. It was pretty cool cruising around town with my cousin. I felt like Silas was "PonyBoy" and I was "Soda Pop" from "The Outsiders".

I am now training full time with the Senior High Performance Training Squad under the guidance of coach Philippe Bertrand. I am already super excited about possible hill repeats next week!! Bike or run I am not sure, but I am happy either way. I look forward to a 10 day training camp down in Portland Oregon with a number of notable runners. Then in the New Year we are back in Maui for three weeks of fun and hard work. For now, I need to get in shape.

Ciao for now,
Andrew McCartney

Off Season

In order to keep a bit sane with the little amount of training I am doing in this time of year, I have been keeping myself busy. I am working my way through a massive text book based on Dreamweaver. This is a program designed by Adobe for the creation of websites.

On a lighter side I have been distracted by the ocean. Out on the open sea sailing a Laser out in Cadboro Bay or windsurfing in Cordova Bay. My windsurfer is a garage sale special, pretty water logged, but still manages to get going in a constant wind. Now sailing a Laser is another challenge, harnessing the wind the best you can without being taken over and capsized. Its a riot.

Oh and you can't forget Dock Ball. Scotty, Craiger, Big Matty Sharp and I head down to the docks of Elk Lake and play a very serious game where we either kick or toss a volleyball DBall Regulation size) between two docks about 15m apart. (Regulation distance) with the goal to land the ball on the opposite dock. It gets a bit more complicated but those are the basics. Oh ya and we take ourselves and this new found sport very seriously....

Ciao for now,

Andrew

A Year in Review

Here I sit, legs up, one week into my off season. This is the time of the year for reflection. Over the span of this year I went from running no more than 5 minutes to running a 10km personal best of 32.15 off the bike. It has been quite a journey. Here is my Summary.

In October I had my IT band released. As soon as the swelling went down I was in the pool slowly increasing the range of motion. New years eve I ran through the streets of my neighborhood at midnight. The first run out on the road in more than a year. It felt symbolic.

I followed this up with two fantastic Training camps. Mid January a small group of us set up camp in Maui. The island was amazing, the company was top notch, and the training was exactly what I needed to give me a jump start to the season. Second Camp was in Tucson Arizona. Although I had a slow start to the camp I kept the pressure on, overcame the lows and I believe I became stronger because of this.

My first Triathlon in 2 years would be the Sooke Spring Sprint triathlon. This was a fun tune up for the Pan-American Championships around the corner.

At the PATCO Oklahoma ITU, I had some difficulty with cramping but it was a good start to the season. In a strong field I lead the swim and mixed it in a breakaway of about 6 athletes. I would pay for this in the run mixed in with some nutritional issues. I finished up 3rd in U23 Pan American champs and 12th overall.

From Oklahoma I flew directly to Austin, Texas. I did a lot right in Austin with a lot of good decisions both before and during the event. Mediocre swim, disappointing ride and a redeeming run. Running a 32.50 off the bike to finish off 9th overall.

Montreal’s Couteau du lac ITU Pan American Cup sure was an adventure, to say the least. Although we were not totally tapered nor was I feeling 100%, it was more the dynamics of the race and a number of uncontrollable circumstances that gave me this sub par result. From there a small group of us flew to Des Moines, Iowa for both the Hy-Vee World Cup and the Team Triathlon World Championships. Saturday was the World Cup. I felt so honored to be a part of such a prestigious race. I had little expectations leading up to the event until it was announced that there would be a swim prime of $5000. I looked back to see others giving me the thumbs up. I had an opportunity. Come race day I had convinced myself to go for it. I lead from the start and exited first claiming the swim prime. However out on the course the coaches saw my struggle and pulled me off the course in order to focus on the Team Triathlon World Championships.
I was the Anchor for the Canada B team including Paula Findlay, Kyle Jones and Marianne Hogan in the Team World Triathlon championshps. By the time I was tagged off we were in 5th place with Matt Read (USA “A”) right in front of me and Bevan Docherty (New Zealand “A”) right behind me. I managed to hold even with Matt and hold off the hard charging Docherty. What a fantastic experience.

Early July I was off to San Francisco for a Continental Cup. It was fantastic traveling and learning from Simon. After a strong swim I was joined by Whitfield and 2 others as we created a strong lead. In a moment of weakness I found myself off the back of the break and would ride the remainder two laps solo. 3rd off the bike I managed to find my legs early in the run and I ended up finishing 2nd making it my first podium in an ITU.

After a strong training block including a climb up Hurricane Ridge and many strong track sessions it was off to Kelowna’s Lake Okanogan for the Senior and U23 National Championships. With a strong swim and a breakaway of 6 athletes we worked well together to create a minute and twenty second lead over the chase. Off the bike I posted my personal best 10km of 32.15 to capture the U23 National Title and 5th place overall.

Still fresh in my mind is the U23 World Triathlon Championship in Australia. With the Previous results from Kelowna I stepped onto the start line with high hopes. After a rather stressful morning I had a solid swim putting me in good position. Once on the bike my legs became flat. I struggled through the ride and a couple of kms into the run. Only then did I find my legs and began fighting back. I would end up in 15th place. Certainly not the result I was hoping for but the best that I could do on the day.

So there you have it. However, those are the results, the facts and the finished by-products. The season was much more than that. It was full of experiences, lessons and the people you meet and get to know, in which I have had many. I have been given so many fantastic opportunities like travelling to and racing in Australia for the first time. Given the chance to represent Canada in Both the U23 World Championships and the Team Triathlon World Championships which I have Triathlon Canada to thank. I also owe a big thanks to Michelle and Michael Garel (my Home stays in Austin, Tx.) and Congratulate them on their new Baby Girl, Leah. So happy for you two! A big thank you to Fort St. Cycle for your huge support. Thanks for now 5 years of support from Mizuno. Very much appreciated. Thanks to my team mates who have put up with me and my odd ways and thanks to Patrick Kelly for his guidance this year and of course my parents for being there for my highs and lows.

It has been an arduous battle back to get to this point and they say through great disappointments come great things. I have had some great disappointments and these great things have yet to come to fruition, but I am getting closer. I believe they will. You know whats fantastic? I finished my final race of the year and discussions began regarding what to work on for next season right away. I LOVE IT! Its like Sam Mussabini telling Harold Abrahams, “Mr. Abrahams, I can find you another two yards” from Chariots of Fire. I am so incredibly excited about the work that is ahead of me, it hurts. The sooner I start the healthier.

Thanks for reading,
Ciao for now,
Andrew McCartney

U23 World Triathlon Championships Race Report

Not the season ender that I was hoping for, but perhaps this result will sit better in a week or two. I know I can do better and for now, I will sit down and think about the positives and negatives. Here is how it played out.

I began the day sticking to my plan nutritionally. Using the pre-race routine that I have used for both the San Francisco ITU and Kelwona’s Nationals. Andrew Yorke and I rolled over to the race course including a ride out the spit and back with some acceleration. We arrived, and I instantly had to re-apply the 3’s of my number 31 so it would not appear as E1 to the crowds. Minor mistake. Moving on. As we brought the bikes into transition our aerobars were checked to make sure that they were legal. The set up that I had been using for the majority of the year was not sufficient. Thanks to the fast and creative thinking of Gabor, our team mechanic I was set. However with the delay I had 15min to set up my bike and jump in for a swim warm up, meanwhile struggling to stay calm and composed.


We were marched up to the start line and the horn went off. I had a rather slow start. I certainly built into the swim finding my arms while rounding the second buoy. I held my position around 4th for the first lap and after a fast run about and dive into the water I lead the remainder of the swim. I ran hard out of the water, fast transition and began riding hard. As for the remainder of the ride. I simply felt weak. I got all my nutrition in and did what I could, but it was simply an off day on the bike. I found myself entering transition at the back of the lead pack in about 20th place. Starting the run with a deficit. It took me about a kilometer and a half to find my legs and I began working my way through the pack to finish in 15th place. Results can be found HERE. Click Here for news article.

Congrats To Paula on her Bronze Medal.

Off season is all that remains. My body is in need of an off season however my mind is not. All I want to do now is get started on the next season. Coaches say 3 weeks off season; I am willing to negotiate something a bit shorter. ;)

I just stepped in the door from the long day of traveling I better not sleep during the day or else it will be a struggle later so I need a coffee!

Year in Review report coming soon,

Till then, Hope all is well,
Andrew McCartney

Distractions

It is advised that it is not good especially someone like myself to think about the race too much in the days leading up to the big day. You must find distractions. There are many ways to do this, Music, Games and Good Company. I have found all of these so helpful while I have been here. I have also returned to an old hobby of mine. I have always loved interesting photography. How can you tell a story with a single photograph? How do you guide the viewers eye in order to see everything the photographer saw in the scene? You can focus in on one object, make what you find not important blurry. There are many tricks to the trade.

Now how about when you want to show movement, activity, with a scenery and you find everything so important to the viewer? You could take a very wide photo that you may look once at and say, "ah that's nice." Now try taking a large amount of photographs lay them together and your eye cant help to follow the story jumping from one piece to the next. It isn't perfect but nor is the world. People are not standing still all the time. The ocean is never still. The only constant is the horizon and landmarks. In some opinions this is as realistic as you can get. This is my personal favourite technique. Hope you like it.
Till next time,
Ciao for now,
Andrew McCartney

Day 1 on the Gold Coast

After 24+ hours of traveling we have made it safe and sound in the very beautiful Gold Coast Australia. We arrived late last night to our hotel located directly on the water. Andrew Yorke and I are sharing a room located front row center looking over the beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. Last night, considering the earth IS flat I looked north east out to see the lights of Vancouver. I gave them a wave.... no, to look out day or night all you see is the Horizon and maybe and perhaps a weather system a thousand miles away. Anyway the view is breathtaking. I also find the people watching is pretty good from the 25th floor. You can see the surfers bobbing in the water avoiding the very obvious rip currents that line the coast. And of course the many people scattered across the very soft golden sands.

Sharks....Well my mind has been put at ease regarding the "Landlords of the sea" or the "Grey Coats" I can see the shark nets along the entire shore. But today we swam in the pool. A very nice pool at that. Nice easy set. A mix of 200s and 300s getting the cob webs out. Run along the water with some accelerations then a bike ride before dusk along the coast and testing out the course. More on the course later.

For now I am sitting comfortably out on the balcony with the moon creating a magnificent glimmering reflection on the water and tonight I will let the thundering ocean put me to sleep.
Till next time,
Ciao for now,
Andrew

An Apartment With a View

Not Bad, not bad at all.

10 days...

I'd like to begin with some music if you would care to listen. I have three songs I'd like to share. The first is a bit of a joke as it relates to my upcoming travels.

Men at work - Land down under

Cliche?

Yes Very Much So.

On a more serious note here is a song that is not new but rather unknown. Which I feel is a a great shame.

Sufjan Stevens - Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland

One last song to share is from an Irish Band, many must know the band The Cranberries. The incredibly shy Dolores O'Riordan is easily recognized by her voice. The Cranberries will be re-uniting and are working on a new album. Here is my Favourite song of theirs.

The Cranberries - Zombie

La Dolce Vita is ready to race. I know it is a bit early, but I do like to get the as Sam calls, "High Heals for the cocktail partry" aka the race wheels on early. Ride it a couple of times in town make sure gearing is right and no unexpected trouble. Again in the words of Sam, "Day one at the Spa" this referring to the clean up job I have done to make it nice and clean.

I have had a couple of good lessons in the value of training as of late. I have learnt that the gains are not so much acquired on the days you feel strong. The big gains are when you feel horrible and struggle through the bad days. The goal is to make those bad days as close to the good days as you can. This is the key to consistency. Of course this doesn't mean try and feel bad, it just means don't fear the tough days and a bonk is not such a bad thing. Since Kelowna, we have jumped right back into training full on. With a bit of illness and accumulated fatigue I have simply focused on making the hard days as close to the good days as I can like in a set of 6 miles on the trails of Elk and Beaver Lake and this mornings swim. I continue to practice my recovery strategies. Icing, Epsom salt, massage and healthy eating.

Travel day is just around the corner, I leave Thursday September 3rd and yes the nerves are increasing. Gradually getting more quiet. Packing a bit. Setting goals of thinking mainly positive and trying to leave no stone unturned. I have a lot of good people around me, who believe in me but the nerves and the pressure and the want to prove comes from inside. I have never felt so prepared for a World Championships before, with a proper taper I know what I need to do and that excites me.

For now it is nap time.

Prep for a good session this afternoon.

Ciao for now,

Andrew McCartney

Kelowna Senior and U23 National championship Race Report

This season has seen a constant progression from one event to the next, learning from each event in order to get to that perfect race. Although this past weekend was not perfect it was however a personal best. About 45 of Canada’s best put their foot to the edge of the warm waters of Kelowna’s Lake Okanogan for the Senior and U23 National Championships. Again what a course, what an atmosphere! The course was completely lined with cheering crowds and encouraging voices. Although it is a good 3hour drive + Ferry trip away, I do feel I am racing in front of the home crowd. I went in ranked 5th behind Simon Whitfield, Brent McMahon, Paul Tichelaar and Kyle Jones. All very accomplished athletes at an international level.

The event began sprinting into the water. I quickly moved to the front and set a steady pace forming a gap that I would hold to the finish of the swim. I exited the water with a time of 17.52 with a 38 sec buffer to the next athlete out of the water. This allowed me to stay calm, have a fast transition and warm into the ride. I rode up the first climb comfortably keeping an eye out for Simon, Kyle and Andrew Russell. I jumped in with them on the descent. With the first of six laps finished, we really got rolling smooth hard pulls to keep the pace high. Paul Tichelaar and Brent McMahon joined us on the third lap for the remainder of the ride. From then on there were no attacks on the climb just a mutual agreement to keep or increase our lead. Our gap remained hovering around a minute and would dismount with a minute and twenty second lead. My transition was decent and the 6 of us exited transition within a second or two of each other. I began the run quite conservatively setting a pace that I believed I could hold. I felt strong springy and fast so I went with it. Simon had quickly gapped out Kyle, Paul and Brent while I held a 15-20sec gap behind the three of them. On the final lap I did let the gap slip up to about 35 seconds to finish in an all time 10km personal best of 32.15 off the bike, earning me a close 5th overall and the U23 National Championship title.

Full Results can be found Here. More photographs coming soon.

In spite of little taper and nervousness, I am very pleased with the result. It is the perfect motivational boost leading into the U23 World Triathlon Championships on September 11th. I feel nutritionally, I am just about spot on, tactically, I am getting much wiser and most importantly my confidence in my capabilities and ability to perform under pressure has increased.

Ok the final count down; just over 3 weeks left till the big race of the season. I will allow myself a couple of days of soft pedal but come Wednesday we are back at it in full force. I am lucky to have the entire national team going to Australia (and more) join myself and team mates for a Training camp here in Victoria. This will be great! It will be an opportunity to bond with and prepare one another for Australia. We are now not so much competing for spots, as attempting to put the best foot forward for Canada. It should be an awesome 3 weeks of training. Looking forward to it.

Ciao for now,
Andrew McCartney
No Cotton Wool

Pre-Kelowna ITU Report

En rout to Kelowna I will take this opportunity to write a Pre-race report the nerves are turning into excitement and anxiety. Distractions needed! That’s why a blog is such a great way to get what is on my mind out on paper and I bit out of my mind. So what is on my mind….Besides the wonderful food and coffee of the Blue Moose Coffee House.

Well, I have always been one who is good in a crisis, but I was tested Thursday right before leaving. Technical difficulties seem to only be noticed or come about right before the big event, but I guess that is why you test out the race gear out before the gun goes. In Montreal I remember hitting a pothole and I heard a loud crack sound. I checked the wheel there, seemed fine; I raced on my Zipp 303s for Des Moines and San Francisco only so often noticing a wobble. I dismissed it as simply sloppy riding. You can probably see where this is going. I got the bike ready to race, cleaning up the bar tape, spit polish and mount the race wheels. I began riding and as I applied the brakes I heard a dreadful knocking sound. I pulled over to see the carbon rims crumpling under me. This is where being good in a crisis came in… after a couple of token curse words and a consideration of my options I became comfortable with the concept of racing with my trainers, an added challenge. Because of the amazing developments in social networking and the fantastic sporting community I live in, I had 3 offers of race wheels. All very generous offers and very much appreciated. I ended up checking out the Gear swap and picked up a pair of Zipp 404s for a great deal. I was hoping to upgrade to some deeper rims at the end of the season but this way I have a crisis averted some racing wheels for Kelowna and some deeper more aerodynamic rims for Worlds. ;) Can’t wait to hit the roads again, and not just ripping around the neighborhood.

2007 Kelowna ITU

As for the race, anyone who knows me, knows how much I love this course and that’s when it was 4 laps. Now 6 laps of the bike rout including the hill in the middle. What more could you ask? Non-wetsuit swim? Yes indeed. Warm weather? It’s the Hawaii of Canada. A view? We run along the boardwalk of the lake. All in all super excited, little bit of nerves and a little bit of anxiety.

“Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave.” – Rainer Maria Rilke

I arrived yesterday, Rode what I thought was the course and was pleasantly surprised to find I was correct. Then after dinner and before dusk went for an Urban run, through the streets of Kelowna. I am feeling quite springy and ready to go.



This is the life,
Ciao for now,
Andrew McCartney
No Cotton Wool.

A song that I have had in my head lately is a catchy new tune from Green Day. It will probably get in your head too.

Green Day - 21 Guns.

Here is another Catchy tune, This song has attitude. I really like the mix between the male and female voice. You are really seeing this more now for example the collaboration of Robert Plant & Alison Krauss or The Stars. Both highly recommended.

Band of Skulls - I Know What I Am

New Race Suit

Just in the nic of time my new race suit arrives. Just the motivational boost I need. Thanks Kiwami.

Ciao for now,

Andrew McCartney

Be Powerful Beyond Measure

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a Divine child.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people wont feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest universal glory that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others"

-Marianne Williamson