Canadian Women In Triathlon History Triathlon is a very young sport and it's history is still being written. Cam and I (Elise) have been involved in triathlon one way or another since the beginning so a lot memories we have of our early days in the sport are really our observations of the birth of this sport.  When we read old articles (note: this comment is likely only relevant to those of us who recall the old days of magazines and still have a huge cache of them), it prompts a memory rather than informs us of something we didn't already know.  We have lived this history and we hav ..read more

It’s hardly news that exercise is good for your physical health, and has long been extolled for mental health as well. But research shows that exercise and training has profound effects on brain structure itself, and especially in regions most affected by depression and mental disorders. But, here's another area where the good news keeps coming. Exercise also provides other, more subtle benefits such as focus, a sense of accomplishment and sometimes social stimulation, all of which are therapeutic in their own right. Maybe we won't have any Einstein-level revelations while on a bike ride but ..read more

My last attempt at an Ironman was a full 10 years ago and it didn’t go to plan to say the least.  My first and only DNF wasn’t as difficult to take as I thought it would be.  I started having stomach issues less that 12 hours before race start and spent the night on the bathroom floor by the toilet.  Still, I started the race, hoping that maybe if it was something I’d eaten, it would be out of my system. I knew that if I couldn’t eat or drink, I wouldn’t be able to finish.  By 60k into the bike, I felt like I’d hit a wall.  By 70k I felt like I was going backwards.&nbs ..read more

If someone were to ask me why I ride, I just wouldn't know where to start but I guess my first thought would be "Why wouldn't I ride?"  Certainly, there is a lot of hesitancy about safety issues surrounding riding on the road but good judgment and a little planning can offset the big risks:  when you're motivated, you can find a way.   The Facts When it comes to riding in the City of Edmonton or many other urban centers, the facts are pretty clear: We are riding more:  In Edmonton, the number of bike trips we are collectively taking in and around the city has doubled ..read more

We sincerely hope you take the time to read it this Remembrance Day and remember all the brave souls who helped secure our right to freedom and liberty. --------------------------------------- On November 11, 2020 but we pay our respects to the men and women who gave their lives in the line of duty.   We'd like to pay tribute to the Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion which operated from May 1916 until November 15, 1920. Thank you for taking the time to read about this little-known group of soldiers.     Canadian soldiers had extensively used Bicycles in world war one, for qu ..read more

OUR RACE GOALS ARE ON HOLD. THAT DOESN'T MEAN ALL HEALTH GOALS NEED TO BE. - By Spencer Proctor, PhD Many of us were were getting close to peak fitness for an upcoming event or race, kicking off the 2020 season. With almost everything cancelled for the time being, you're probably asking yourselves --  what should I do now with my training regime, how long will this last (a while), and what can I do to keep myself in the best holding pattern? If you have not considered already, a revised goal can be one way of re-directing your energy in a focused manner and still be able to maintai ..read more

There is likely no more powerful anti-ageing drug than fitness and health.  Now that I/we are here, all I/we have to do is work hard to stay here. (Just so you know, I'm on it!) Go to the gym and lift This is not an option but a necessity for maintaining strength and power.  You will lose muscle fibres as you get older. It's a fact and, before you've even given it a thought, that process has already begun.  In fact, it starts when we are in our 20's, back when we thought we had lots of time; we thought we were in the prime of our lives. The only way to avoid losing streng ..read more

Cycling is a great way to stay active and enjoy the outdoors, but it's important to take safety seriously. Wearing a helmet is a crucial step in reducing the risk of head injuries in case of an accident. However, it's not enough to just put on any old helmet – it needs to fit properly to offer the best protection. Don't worry, fitting a helmet isn't complicated but it can take a few minutes. Let’s go through the steps so you can make sure you get it right. Step 1: Get comfy First things first, make yourself comfortable and take a deep breath. Now, let's get started!  And, by the way, your ..read more

I am writing this piece a we near the end of winter in our northern community and we are finally entering that part of the year where we have more hours of daylight than darkness, when it is no longer dark when we are doing our morning and evening commuting, where we actually have to use sunglasses again.  So, as you dig out all of your sport and fashion sunglasses after their winter hibernation, this is as good a time as any to consider why cycling eyewear is important and what to consider.  Here goes. Cycling Eyewear: What To Look For Eyewear is essential for cycling for a variety ..read more

If you are 100% happy with where your fitness and performance is at, you keep on doing what you’re doing so “Kudos” to you!  And please share your secrets.   But for the rest of us who are still seeking that best training or racing day, here are a few simple, straightforward things you can do to get to the next level or stay at the top in 2023. Here goes: Number 1 - Be Consistent.  Don’t start and stop. Keep training and find and stay on a progression that will effectively meet your goals.  Breaks in your training can result in a loss of fitness as well as skill ..read more