Gettin' Cranky Wit It

Been trying to do most of my own bike maintenance. This was probably the biggest job I've taken on so far. I just replaced the original Race Face crank with a Shimano 105 Compact. I have the tools to build a house or dismantle a car but had to borrow a few things and do a pile of digging just to find the right tools for this job. Bikes are not standard! In fact, I needed different tools to remove one crank than I did to install the other. It'll be all worth it though when I'm spinning up those hills that once tortured me! Had it it out for a first run today, almost 70km (my longest ride to date) with a few good climbs. Definitely an improvement over the old set up. Still have to do some work on my legs though; what kind of tools would I need to swap those?

Old crank (my nickname) partially, and incorrectly, dismantled.

Lots of research and a few borrowed tools later and the old crank is history

Shiny new 105 ready to rock.

Trails and Beavers

30 easy minutes on the IM scedule turned into a quick little trail ride. Fun stuff. New beaver dam on the trail since last year. The beaver was not feeling particularly social.

Doctor's NS Youth Run/ Fiddler's Fun Run

The family had a running kind of weekend. On Saturday the girls blazed the youth run. They both had a great time. What a long way they've come in just a few years. Becca decided to take Sunday off but Jody, Anna and I all took part in the Fiddler's Fun Run. Jody and Anna did the 5k and I did the 10. It was the first time Anna did a 5k race on her own and she loved every second. She was the youngest runner of the day and completed the slightly long 5k course in 40 minutes. What a champ! Jody picked up a pb for the distance. I had a great run on very tired legs. Saturday was an hour in the pool followed by 2hrs on the bike and a fast 20 minute run. I wasn't sure what I'd be able to do on Sunday but I went out fairly strong and thought I could keep it up for the 10k. I ended up with a pb for 10k and finally broke the 50 minute mark. My finish time was 50:27 for 10.25 k but my 10k time was just under 50 minutes. I will take it.

Monday is my off day in this Ironman schedule. I love Monday. Tuesday was a hard track workout and then a great, solid 1:20 ish workout in the pool. Today I rode from Howie Centre to Bras Dor in a nasty headwind. The legs are done for the day. Run/swim day tomorrow!

The crew!