Honeymoon Hike replaces Apple Triathlon

The Master Plan

August 13^th:

• GET MARRIED

August 14^th:

•  :)

August 15^th-18^th:

• SWIM & BIKE & RUN: total 6-7hrs
• Swim at Jasper activity pool and Banff Fairmont hotel 50m pool
• One road cycle
• Early morning and/or late afternoon runs
• Cross-training: Mtn Biking and Hiking

August 19^th:

• AQUATHON: 2.5K run-1K swim-2.5K run (in association with Apple Triathlon)

August 20^th:

• RACE PREP: 30min run drills & 1:15 quick interval course cycle; pick up race package and check-in bike at transition
• Eat well and sleep well

August 21^st:

• 5:00 Transition Opens
• 9:35 Race Start

The Real Deal

August 13^th:

• GOT MARRIED!!!

August 14^th:

•         :) :) :)

August 15^th-18^th:

• Swam at Jasper activity pool (1:20); no road cycle; 3x runs
• Mountain Biked (one fun afternoon)
• Hiked Cascade Mountain in Banff: 3,000m; hiked an extra 5K loop (why? Too eager at the start); 1hr later we are on the right trail; 5hrs later Alex’s legs have died but we want to summit (the mountain); 6hrs we got to the top (no tears); 8.5 hrs later we are at the bottom and I have to drive because the mountain destroyed my husband’s legs; 16hrs later we wake up and each step is painful for both of us

August 19^th:

• AQUATHON: Yes, I still want to race it...but I will just use it as a warm-up (it is a really casual race)...but I am too competitive and I win...then Alex and I continue to shuffle around like old people.
• ICE BATH

August 20^th:

• RACE PREP: 30min run drills & 25min ride my bike to transition; pick up race package (that they didn’t have for me) and check-in bike at transition
• Both sets of parents and arrive and we eat bison and makes a new plan

August 21^st:

• 5:00 Transition Opens
• 6:00 Alison wakes up
• 6:15 Alison still does her run drills
• 7:00 Alison has breakfast
• 8:00 Alex has breakfast and we repack the car
• 9:35 Race Start
• 9:40 Alison and Alex cheer on the Women 20-24
• 11:20 Alison and Alex meet their parents at the beach for family time and a swim in the Okanagan Lake 

I am very happy with the decision not to race.  I really wanted to race, but with a good pair of legs.  I don't need to race just to know I can finish.  I want to race to do well.  Looking at the results I should have been close to the overall podium if not on it.  Looking at the Elite Women results I have raced and beaten two of the women that competed which is very interesting...!

Cascade Mountain