Team JForce
Swim, Bike, Run. What more can one say. This site is designed for athletes to discuss there days, ramble on about training, ask questions and just plain have fun. I open this forum to help create the team that is Team JForce in memory of our friend and mentor Jason Lapierre. Post results, share times, arrange meetings. It's all here! Use it and love it. We all have some shoes to fill, so lets get at'er and kick some serious butt.
30 comments:
Hey Schwany, great idea on the blog. And since there's no post yet, I thought someone better kick this thing off.
Well I must say this whole triathlon thang is rather addictive. It doesn't seem that long ago (at Jay's memorial cycle to be exact) that I hestitatingly told Annabelle I'd do the Sylvan Lake tri with her, not giving it much thought. A month later I'd traded in the mtn bike for a road bike, 2 months later and I was doing my first tri course. And now I'm even thinking about my tri training schedule when I get married in the Philippines. Annabelle & Mark, Jay obviously left his power of inspiration in good hands.
The blog is a great spot to share training stories, experiences and remember the man who inspired us to all do it in the first place. Thanks to Mark for getting the site up and running. You are a true friend who inspired Jay just as much as he had influenced you.
I am grateful every day that we all are somehow influenced by the man behind the JForce team. He holds such a strong presence in all of us and I know that will give us the edge to kick some serious butt!!
When I told Jay that I had wanted a "recreational" bike that I could ride on the pathways in the city, I knew he was up to something the minute he came home with my new road bike. Little did I know at the time that it would all lead up to this. Somehow, I think that was part of his plan.
2 years ago, I would have told you that I couldn't see myself doing the sport. Today I'm here and loving the experience of it all. Learning a lot about myself, the challenges of the sport, and pushing your limits. To be able to share that and the rewards of self accomplishment, is something I look forward to with the team.
Cheers....
To new experiences, new friendships, and a new journey that I know will take us for one hell of a ride!
I completed my first tri last Tuesday, albeit a small one. It was the last day of my Talisman tri course and we completed a 500m swim, 20 min on the stationary bike, and a 5km run. My biggest concern (well, my only concern actually) was the swim portion, given that I'd never swam a consecutive 500m before. It was far from fast or efficient, but I did manage to hop out the pool after 16 mins with plenty of energy left for the bike and run, leading to an overall one hour finish. And it was a nice taste of transitioning too. I've still got a long way to go before Sylvan (or any lake swim), but my first 500m certainly gave me a wee bit of confidence. Just gotta keep working now. Many a false step is made standing still.
Slainte.
Happy New Year everyone! You may already know, but registration for the Sylvan 1/2 is open. Check out sylvanlaketri.com.
Asides from Sylvan, I have an idea what races I'll do this season, but haven't made any concrete decisions yet. Has anyone else? There's a calendar of events at triathlon.ab.ca. (Schwany, are you still planning on posting your schedule here?)
As for training, things are going well. The UCTC Christmas swim course helped me shave 3.5 mins off my 500m already, but that's nothing compared to how Irene and Annabelle are doing. (Keep up the good work ladies!
Is everyone else getting as excited for the season as I am?
Hey team. Rode this weekend and last from Canmore to Banff. The 1A is also in good shape. Anyone want to ride next Sunday afternoon?
ps. 50 spots left for the May6 in Edmonton.
A ride sounds good, especially after 5 weeks off. I managed to get in a few runs and swam in the ocean so I didn't totally take a vacation from training. But I didn't ride once while I was away, so hopefully I can keep up.
Sorry boys.... I'll be out of town this weekend. I'm in for a ride next weekend if you guys head out.
Congrats to all of the JForce team members who competed on May 6th!!! I bet those JForce jerseys looked awesome! Way to go, keep it up! ((((((((what a ride!)))))))
Thanks Josie,
The UofA sprint tri was a great time. Annabelle and I both felt really good after the race and got a good taste of triathlon...especially the transitions. We were both happy (but not content) with how we did, and now have a good base for the next one...can't wait.
And the jerseys and shorts truly did look awesome streaking across the course.
Good job ladies on the 1500m swim TT Tuesday. Carol your a rocket! Irene- 2mins off your time... Way to go!!
Minnewanka loop or 1A today?? Let's plan to head out at 4:30...
Great ride ladies. Blue bird evening with a warm breeze. Enough to hook you hey! Thanks for the ride, see you Sunday.
Thanks for a great ride on Thursday night Mark. It was a beautiful ride with the sun setting over the mountain peaks. And it gave me the right kind of boost for my race tomorrow!
It's 11:29pm and 7 hours to the opening of the transition clinic to my first race! I'm in my JForce gear, wide awake and my belly is full of knots. AGH!!! Good thing I slept 10 hours lastnight. I am so, so, so excited for us guys. Annabelle, Carol and David - let's kick some serious butt tomorrow and have some fun!!!
Cheers to JForce!
AWESOME job on today's tri... Way to go team!!!
Great warm-up for Arbour. Looking forward to another great race.... Lots of personal bests today... Catch some zzzz's guys.... well deserved!
Hey guys and gals,
About 6 years ago, Jay created a little 15km time trial course on Lower Springbank road. It's just west of 101st where the start is. It's clearly marked as I did a paint job on it this morning. Head west for 7.3km where you'll see the turnaround and back east for 7.7km. It's in yellow and you can't miss it. I rode it today pretty hard and I definately sensed Jay's presence on that road. I'd love to ride with you guys on it during training so let's put something together.
Sounds good to me Rick. Let's plan to ride next week.... maybe Wednesday evening? Anyone else interested?
Yeah, Wednesday sounds good to me. I should be somewhat recovered from Arbour by then.
GOOD LUCK ON ARBOUR TOMORROW EVERYONE!!!
15k TT this Wed. Meeting @ 7:30pm Second Cup Westhills and heading out to Lower Spring bank.
Everyone welcome!
Wow, what an amazing time. Everyone should be so proud of themselves. We all did a great job and the support out there on the course was a huge motivation. I certainly couldn't imagine doing something like that without anyone else to give you that push. Congrats everyone...way to make the man behind it all proud.
You said it David – the day was amazing! Wow! It's definately going to be one of the hardest things I've ever had to do - but hands down one of the best. A year ago I didn’t know how to swim except to float on my back, hadn’t owned a bike since I was 10 (banana seat) and never ran more than 200 meters because…well why? So, a half Ironman in my rookie year - crazy!
The big race day started out with clear blue skies and luckily, I found a nice pocket of space in the swim. Except in the beginning when I couldn't shake someone right at my toes. They were trying to pry themself between Annabelle and I...sorry, I didn't know that was you David! Annabelle and I knocked into each other a couple times, but we're used to that by now. And thanks for pointing me into the right direction Annabelle, I didn't mean to take you off course with me. I did lose you at about the 500m area but was comforted to find you again somewhere around 1000m. I was thrilled to see us coming into the beach around 43 minutes!
Transitioning into the bike didn't seem as painfully long as watching it on video. I think it’s going to be featured on what NOT to do in transition. Anyway, the ride was long and sometimes lonely, so, it was awesome to see and hear the JForce support squad pumping us up. Josie, Dezz, Jen, Ella, Jo-Dea, Hon, Freddy, Cyn, Joy and anyone I missed – thank-you!
Over 3 hours later, the moment I had been trying to avoid for the past 10 months began... 21K run. I won't lie - it was hot, painful and hard - but I finished it. Nevermind that it took me about 3 hours. I'll just have ALOT of time to shave off for next time! It was motivating to run into most of team JForce on the route (Erin and I even stopped for a hug). And thank goodness to coach Tony who was there every few km to motivate my sluggish butt. I still can’t believe Mick came for me with about 3 km to go – amazing guy. Jason and Mo thanks for helping me into the last stretch.
The finish line was more overwhelming than I expected with all my family and friends waiting. There were so many people that helped to bring me to that line, not just that day but within the past year. Annabelle, who knew 25 years of friendship could grow into this? Thank-you for taking me along this beautiful journey with you and it just the beginning. It’s changed me for the better and I could not have done it without you there motivating me. I admire your strength and courage and I’m so proud to honor Jay’s life with you. What a way to remember a great man! I'm sure he was smiling down proud.
We’ll have to celebrate properly when I get back in a couple weeks!
Aug 1st 15 km time trial 25:05
Previous TT (Umm, what date did we do that first one?) 25:37
Nice work tonight everyone.
august 1 15km TT on the J-Force course. 22:24. Previous best for the year was 23:01. I'm very proud of the push I see out there from you guys....Awesome work!!!
June 20th 15k TT 26:25
August 1st 15k TT 26:35
Good job guys!
August 22 TT 25:02.
Awesome job tonight everyone. We should be getting Raymond and Mick's times on here too.
Mark, you are the epitome of hardcore. I'm so proud of you. Just imagine what you'll do when you actually have time to train!
I know Lapp was smiling down on you Sunday.
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