Alba's Gravenhurst Triathlon Race Report and the transformative power found within

Speaker 1: 0:01

Welcome back to another edition of the Red Leaf Fitness podcast, a show dedicated to bringing you stories, interviews and conversations about living a healthy, resilient and productive life. I'm your host, sean Blinch, and I want to thank you for making time to listen to this episode today And, if you like what we're putting down, we would love it if you would follow, rate and share this podcast. Alright, now let's get down to business. Welcome back to the Red Leaf Fitness podcast. On Friday, july 7th, i'm sitting here with Alba.

Speaker 1: 0:39

Hi Sean How are you doing today?

Speaker 2: 0:41

Doing great Good. Thanks for having me.

Speaker 1: 0:44

Oh, you're so welcome. Thanks for joining Of course. We have a very special edition of this episode where we are going to do a race recap for one of the most inspiring stories that has happened within the Red Leaf in the last 12 months. in my humble opinion, I've been waiting weeks to sit down with Alba to talk all the better. But first of all, how are you today? What's going on with your world lately?

Speaker 2: 1:11

I'm great. I'm great today. I'm happy it's summer. Yes, It's been, I guess, like a month since we did the try. So I've kind of refocused training to just like getting stronger and like enjoying the summer And we started a back squat cycle. That's been really fun.

Speaker 1: 1:34

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 1:35

And scary at the same time.

Speaker 1: 1:36

Totally.

Speaker 2: 1:38

And yeah, like work's busy, just, you know, trying to enjoy the summer as much as possible.

Speaker 1: 1:44

It's so short.

Speaker 2: 1:45

It's so short, it's like we're halfway, almost halfway through.

Speaker 1: 1:49

Honestly, i think about that all the time, and not only are we halfway through the summer, but we're all halfway through the year.

Speaker 2: 1:55

Yeah, we're actually past the tipping point, which is crazy.

Speaker 1: 2:00

It drives me. Sometimes I let that bug me where I'm just like you know I spend so much of our Canadian winter just sort of living in the future And I'm just like you can't even enjoy your January or March because it sucks outside.

Speaker 2: 2:15

It sucks And you're looking forward to the warmer day. So you're always like counting down And I think like we just need to get away from that mindset and just like enjoy even the shitty days as much as possible. Right, It's it's work, it's work.

Speaker 1: 2:31

Yeah, it's not easy. And like, yeah, it's even coming from someone who's like I'm not an avid snowboarder, but like I you know I like being out and doing winter sports, but still like there's just something healing slower about the summer. That's just like um.

Speaker 2: 2:51

Do you take your little one to the slopes? Yes, well, it's cute.

Speaker 1: 2:54

Yeah, It's still within kind of like the stressful phase because it's a it's learning and he gets frustrated, Uh, but you know you got to grind through that to get to the good stuff.

Speaker 2: 3:03

So, it's.

Speaker 1: 3:04

It's been really cute, though It's sort of it's wonderful Like one on one time with me and him.

Speaker 2: 3:08

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 3:09

And then uh, so I'll start that up with Sadie as well in the future.

Speaker 2: 3:12

I'll be cute, yeah.

Speaker 1: 3:15

Um, speaking of good weather and getting out in it, that's one of the most amazing. That's one of the things that I fell in love with triathlon about, and it didn't actually start with, like, um, the swim running part It actually. For me, it actually started with with cycling. Um, just like being it. It was just. It was a great way to just grab the summer and grab the good weather and just slow it down.

Speaker 2: 3:36

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 3:36

Just be in it. Yeah, Uh, I'd love for us to segue into uh, your story with getting into swim bike run, because they think it's really cool. It's very unique And you also were so, Alba, on how you attacked it before, before we started that, the, the uh, the recording Alba was had very um, creatively coined the term hurricane Alba, which has a really good ring to it, uh.

Speaker 2: 4:08

I think it's a, it's a term now, yeah.

Speaker 1: 4:11

A lot.

Speaker 2: 4:13

Yeah, Yeah. No, it was the very hurricane Alba, uh, fashion, uh, doing the triathlon. But, honestly, like it was you guys that got me thinking about doing it. Um, I think it was you, Sean, and also Michelle, that said like, Hey, you should do a triathlon, Uh, and I was like, okay, sure, Um. And then, I think at some point it became available for sign up And I think, um, you and Michelle send me the link and said you know, this is the one that we're doing and sign up for it. And, uh, I went on and I signed up for the triathlon And then I think I remember texting you saying, um, Sean, I just uh googled what an Olympic triathlon is And, wow, There's a lot of distance there. Um, but I was really excited to, uh, you know, like, try it and do the training And like it's just something so completely new. Um, that really excited me, uh, in the moment. And then as well, when you know it was all said and done, you know, uh, just as an observer, you take a challenge head on.

Speaker 1: 5:29

Have you always been like that?

Speaker 2: 5:32

Um, i think I probably kind of changed my mindset and maybe became a little bit more like that, um, in like more recent years, um, where, you know, i just kind of thought, like what do I do to take care of myself? Like what am I doing to like get out of my comfort zone? And you know, i think I may have had this discussion with you in the past like public speaking was something for me that I didn't enjoy and I was very uh, nervous about. So I started doing it at work, like I started, you know, like participating in committees that gave me, that gave me those opportunities.

Speaker 2: 6:10

And I feel like I've just kind of taken that mindset and you know most things and like just become a yes person and not a no person And sometimes I mean, like that might bite you in the behind If you say yes to too many things. But I think, like just being reasonable with experiences and, you know, just trying new things, getting out of your comfort zone There's always a lesson to be learned, uh, when you try a new challenge. But also, you know you have to be mindful that there is preparation and you know you do have to commit the time um to, you know, be prepared for that challenge.

Speaker 1: 6:48

Right To to like, if you're going to commit to something and you're going to bite that off, you got to be able to make sure that you yeah to some extent right.

Speaker 2: 6:56

Like I think we've talked about it Like you're never going to be a hundred percent prepared or feel a hundred percent confident doing something. So, whether it's public speaking or a triathlon, or you know, like um half marathon, a five K race, whatever it is that you're looking to do, you may never feel a hundred percent, but I think, like a lot of that, you know um, like that little bump that will get you to a hundred percent. Like I feel like you find that during the race you know what I mean Like all of a sudden, you're like, hey, like I can do this, like you know I'm well prepared, and it's just like a little bit of that mindset shift that say, like you know, i'm just going to go and do it and I'm going to try my best, and if I get it done, i get it done. If not something happens, then at least you tried right And you showed up, and that's more than most people out there.

Speaker 1: 7:49

I really, really love that whole sound bite. Um, that was really special And and um for a lot of the folks that listen to this that come to the gym if you don't have the chance to work out with Albury or a seer um on the weekends and stuff, she's really like that's. That's through and through how she approaches stuff And I can say that like watching her race was one of that was such a treat For me seeing you finish.

Speaker 1: 8:15

I was lucky enough to be the see that I was the first person to see you come flying around that corner like hurricane Alba. The biggest smile on your face. It was absolutely epic and I was speechless.

Speaker 2: 8:29

It was, honestly, was so nice seeing your face. I was like Sean, I made it, Uh, but it was also a little bit of confusion. I'm like where do I go? I'm like where do I cross this finish line?

Speaker 1: 8:41

Yeah, the run shoot on the way back in was wasn't, uh, totally clear. You know? another thing that I want to go back and just think about. You know, something cool that you just said was um, you know you're you at one point, um, you decided that you were a yes person.

Speaker 2: 8:58

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 9:00

And uh, you were. You have the awareness that that can be a that can bite you in the butt.

Speaker 2: 9:08

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 9:09

And what I think, what I think is interesting about that is that, like I, immediately, when my head went to the binary of like, okay, well, like, comparatively, if you were a no person, which one is going to give you a more net positive? And I was like, oh my God, immediately in a yes person, like, yeah, like, i think, also being such a, you know, an outgoing, generous person, your, your, your, your yeses are probably like always the first thing on your on your mind, right? But if you think about the other side of it, where it would just be like if you, if you, how many, how many opportunities would we, would we miss out on?

Speaker 2: 9:52

Yeah, you rob yourself of opportunities and growth.

Speaker 2: 9:56

And I think that you know, whether you're saying yes to like I don't know triathlon or you know something fitness related or something else in your life, like it's just you're learning so much from it, right, like there's just personal growth that you reach that like if had you said no, you'd be robbing yourself of that opportunity. And I like that's just how I see it. You know, of course, you know there's boundaries and stuff. You know, like am I going to say, yes, a full Ironman right now? Probably not. There's a lot, you know I have to do Sean things to get to that point.

Speaker 2: 10:35

But yeah, like within certain boundaries, like it's important to try new things and challenge yourself, and I think that's where you find you find growth and you learn things about yourself that you know maybe you hadn't known. And you can take all of that into your personal life, like I think what I learned from doing the triathlon and just being able to push in those like moments where you know they just felt like mentally hard, i think I can take that to my work, i can take that in my personal life with you know stuff that you're dealing with And like that's a lesson that I'll forever value.

Speaker 1: 11:11

So yeah, You when you said that to me. I don't know if it was the Monday after or it was the day of or something, but I kind of had goosebumps when you said that And I was like, oh my God, i really want to talk to Alba and I hope she's down to do the podcast again, but I think that that's so. I think that's so incredible because really, and it just is sort of hitting me that you know really what this conversation about is. This is, this is a chronicle, this is a tale and a story of life out of the comfort zone. Yeah, and I think that's why it was so important to me and why it spoke to me. And just seeing you go from when I picked you up to go swimming on that cold winter day which, by the way, i don't know if you know how nervous I was that day to go swimming, because swimming was so intimidating to me, yes, you know, and it's starting to not be that intimidating now, but it's been.

Speaker 2: 12:10

Oh my God, you're amazing in the water.

Speaker 1: 12:13

Thank you, I mean you really are.

Speaker 2: 12:15

I'm not just saying that like, yeah, you're incredible, so proud of yourself, you put in so much work.

Speaker 1: 12:22

That's so sweet, thank you. I feel less. I'm so happy about my progress, but the progress is so hard one. It is in the pool for me. But when I think about like you know that when I think about when we went and did that swim to everything that you've gone through and overcome so much shit, like you had the most incredible travel schedule Yeah, but that could have been a showstopper for 90% of people.

Speaker 2: 12:53

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 12:55

What do you think it was about that, where you were just like, yeah, okay, well, this is what it is, but I'm still going to commit to that thing.

Speaker 2: 12:59

Yeah, and you're exactly right. I think April, may and June ended up being extremely busy. I started a new job in mid April and that was very much also getting out of my comfort zone, doing something completely different, and I think it has been stressful when you're, you know, moving from something that you're very like, you're good at, you know all the facts, like you're the expert in your domain, and you're moving into a role where now, like you're learning everything from the beginning and you're faced with a lot of ambiguity. And then, at the same time, i had signed up for two CrossFit competitions Amazing.

Speaker 1: 13:38

Yeah, this.

Speaker 2: 13:39

Festivus and team challenge, to be exact, and I was also traveling twice.

Speaker 2: 13:46

So it became one of those things where I had promised myself that I wouldn't, you know, give up on experiences with my friends and family just because, you know I felt overwhelmed and you know, like, like that was important for me to do.

Speaker 2: 14:04

So I'm like you know what, we're going to figure out a way and we're going to get everything done The CrossFit competitions, the training, the job situation, and I think it was just like trying to balance everything and, like you know, seize every moment, like I remember doing both team challenge and Festivus, and that was a lot on the body and a lot of training for it too, because I wanted to obviously, like, perform well and not let my team down. But I remember doing that on like the Saturday, and then the next morning I went swimming with Michelle and Jeff at the pool. So it was basically, you know, just saying like, hey, i might be a little bit tired, i may not have the best swim of my life, but that's still going to make a difference in my training and I'm still going to be able to, you know, practice everything that I've learned And it's going to progress me And I think it was just like you know, fitting in a lot in a day, but just trying to get it done and, you know, feeling comfortable in it.

Speaker 1: 15:04

I think you also what I hear, what you've been talking about, i think you also really set up expectations really well on an intrinsic level. So you know, if you heard what Al had just said, it was just basically like, okay, i'm going to show up for this swim, but it may not be like my Olympic Michael Phelps swim here, but it's going to be something.

Speaker 2: 15:23

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 15:23

And so I think it's really cool how you're able to sort of identify and triage, like the value. It may not be that, but the value is here and that's good enough.

Speaker 2: 15:36

Yeah, yeah, and sometimes it's about showing up right, like even every single day at the gym, right, you're not going to feel 100%, you may not have like your you know best performance on your one rep max or whatnot, right, but I think, like showing up and, you know, trying and trying to get something out of that workout, like it's better than not moving right, and I think that you know you can apply that to a lot of things. So any progress is progress in my opinion, and I think that's kind of how I tackle the training, like, yeah, i'm tired, i'm sleepy and I could potentially sleep two more hours, but also swim would be great right now. And you know, the coffee after and the chats also very rewarding. And I mean, half the reason we do these things is the social aspect of it, right? So those you know experiences and bonds that you build with people. So it's, you know, yeah, well worth it. It's so good Ella.

Speaker 1: 16:42

It just now. I'm starting to think back just about how, how you were saying earlier, just about how. what do you, what would you miss? And you don't know what you're going to miss And those opportunities of growth where you go out and you do a thing. I really relate with you on that level. by the way, like that one really spoke to me because I have a internal flag or an internal alarm that goes off If the second something scares me, it grabs my attention And I think, like you do, and my thought process goes why does that scare me? What am I missing if I don't do it? And what am I?

Speaker 2: 17:27

getting if.

Speaker 1: 17:28

I do it And usually 90% of the time what I'm getting out of it is delivered beyond my expectations And I could talk a little bit about that, about that happened to me in my first time doing Gravenhurst. But could we talk? could we go to race day, yeah, and can you set up like how actually could we go to maybe race week and the night before and just sort of set up how that went for you?

Speaker 2: 18:01

Yeah for sure. So race week, i came back from Brazil on the Tuesday, yeah, and then I had Wednesday, thursday and Friday to just kind of like, you know, start car bloating and you know getting that fuel in. And I will give a shout out. And I've had this conversation with Michelle too. I'll give a shout out to Impact for their nutrition planning because both Michelle and I followed their kind of like pre-race nutrition plan on how to car bloat And I will say, going into Saturday, which was race day, i felt very well, nourished, very energetic and throughout the race had no issues with like any cramping or any sort of like fatigue, like the energy was there. So I'll give them that shout out and you know, just like the amazing work that they did with our nutrition plans back in.

Speaker 1: 18:59

January, February. That's tactic nutrition. Tactic nutrition Amazing.

Speaker 2: 19:03

Did I say impact? I was thinking impact kitchen. But yeah, tactic nutrition everyone.

Speaker 1: 19:07

I followed it too. Yeah, I'm so glad it worked for you. I followed mine almost to a tee pretty much, but I'm so glad it worked.

Speaker 2: 19:13

Yeah, it really did So. Yeah, so back to race week, came back, did some, like you know, loose end training Yeah.

Speaker 1: 19:24

Have you been in your wetsuit?

Speaker 2: 19:25

Nope. So going into the race, i had not been in my wetsuit. I had tried it on at home once before in January when I bought it. I did fear that because I had gained a little bit of muscle mass from CrossFit in the last few months. I feared it would be a little bit tight on me. So I did try it on and I'm like, okay, it zips up, like that's good. I hadn't been in open water yet So that part was, you know, frightening me a little bit. But you know I felt comfortable that having the wetsuit on would you know, just kind of give me that support. Being in open water on race day So yeah.

Speaker 2: 20:09

So the prepping with the car bloating started and kind of going into the night before the Friday when we went down to or up to Gravenhurst, there was just, yeah, there were a lot of nerves in the air. I think all of us were very kind of like nervous. You know what is it gonna be like. The forecast was thankfully great, like just good temperature, sunny, not a lot of wind. So we were very blessed with like just amazing weather And I slept pretty okay the night before, like I think I got a full eight hours of sleep which is unheard of.

Speaker 1: 20:48

That's so good.

Speaker 2: 20:49

Right, so very happy with that. And then just waking up in the morning, like you can, just like you know, like you're tummy's nervous, like you're feeling, you know, you're almost like it's hard to eat though you know you need to eat. But I think the moment that we grabbed all our things and we got to the you know, the race area, like there's just excitement, like there's all these people are pretty, like you know, everyone's dressed up, like ready to go, there's music, there's just like you know, just good vibes in the air. And I feel like I kind of forgot that And I was like dancing and like just like happy And I'm like Sean, i'm gonna go shopping in your, you know, tri-bag with like all your equipment and stuff. So it was just like a really good vibe getting there.

Speaker 2: 21:41

But then at some point, your mindset kind of shifts and you're like, okay, i need to get my stuff ready. I need to lay out, you know, like, my bike, my helmet, all my running gear, all my snacks along the way And I, for you know, anyone who hasn't, you know, kind of had that experience before like you lay out all your stuff that you're gonna use throughout your transitions for the three disciplines on the grass with your bike, and then you know as you transition you have everything ready. So you're putting it on and you're off you go. So yeah, like we put our wet suits on and kind of lined up at the boat, and that's where it started. So I'll pause there.

Speaker 1: 22:28

So I just wanna talk. I just wanna help paint the picture for the transition area. So Alba's Ray started on a boat. She jumped off the boat and started swimming. But what we're talking about is she's as she finishes her swim and she has to run into a certain area and get out of her wetsuit and then get onto her bike. Can you talk a little bit about any of the tips and tricks on how you set up that transition, that sort of set you up for success on the bike?

Speaker 2: 23:01

Yeah for sure. So like we put our towels on the ground and just kind of had, like this is like what I need for the bike. So you know, i had my biking bib, i had the snacks that I was gonna eat on the bike.

Speaker 1: 23:16

I had.

Speaker 2: 23:17

so there were these not like gels but like I don't know, like gummies from Exact Yeah.

Speaker 1: 23:26

Oh, those are nice yeah.

Speaker 2: 23:28

Yeah, they were very easily digestible. I feel like they never upset me.

Speaker 1: 23:32

So I had those.

Speaker 2: 23:33

I had a cliff bar. I had bananas. I had other snacks, too that I may not mention, like I had a few Oreos in my bag.

Speaker 1: 23:42

Best. I can't help but think back. Do you remember our first race together, when we did the half?

Speaker 2: 23:48

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 23:50

And do you remember your race pouch?

Speaker 2: 23:52

Yeah, it was exploding, but we ate it all. We had all the snacks.

Speaker 1: 23:57

I was floored. I was like yo that's gonna, we're gonna see that whole thing, but you ate it all.

Speaker 2: 24:02

I was totally wrong.

Speaker 1: 24:04

That's the funniest visual for me. Oh, my God.

Speaker 2: 24:08

But it's just so important to fuel.

Speaker 2: 24:10

It is Yeah, and then like next to it, you have all your running gear right, like all your like your running shoes, like whatever you're wearing, and you know, in these types of races and disciplines, like you have to be very efficient with what you're wearing. So, like for me, i was gonna run in my biking shorts because, like there's just not a ton of time or even space to change, like you'd have to really waste a lot of time to go into the. You know, like whatever you can actually change, that people can't see you.

Speaker 1: 24:45

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 24:46

So yeah, all that stuff was laid out and kind of like ready to go, So that really helped. you know, shave some time off.

Speaker 1: 24:55

So when you, so you, when you made your transition from swim to bike, you were in. you were in bib shorts under your wetsuit, I had a bathing suit under my wetsuit.

Speaker 2: 25:08

Got it And then. so we went in the water and then, when I came back, i just put my bib shorts over my bathing suit.

Speaker 1: 25:15

Perfect.

Speaker 2: 25:16

And then I biked in bib shorts in a jersey And then when I finished the biking I came back I took my jersey off, kept the bib shorts that had like the little like suspenders, and I ran basically in like my bathing suit top and bib shorts and running shoes. So yeah, quite the look, but you know it was efficient, It worked.

Speaker 1: 25:40

I'll tell you, i'll give you a comment on that. Look And this comes from coach Karen Lou She's like oh my God, only Alba could make that look so good.

Speaker 2: 25:52

And I was like right. Thanks, Karen.

Speaker 1: 25:55

Why does this work right now? But it did.

Speaker 2: 25:58

It did. Yeah, it was a little bit, a little strange, but it worked.

Speaker 1: 26:04

You're honest, you obey by no rules.

Speaker 2: 26:06

Yeah, no, it was efficient for me in the moment Hurricane Alba operates Hurricane Alba way. Exactly, but I do want to talk about the boat part.

Speaker 1: 26:17

Yeah.

Speaker 2: 26:18

Because I feel like that was one of the most surreal experiences. Like, i feel like there's a lot of triathlons And I think for the most part, some of them, you're swimming from the shore, yes, to a certain midpoint in them back. But the grave in her striathlon is very unique, in a sense that you go on the steam whistle boat and you kind of go on it by heat. So you guys were on the first boat that was dropped off because you guys are fast and you were speedy in the water. So then for us slightly slower folks, we were on the second boat with the red caps and the white caps. So the experience was, as such, where you go on the boats in order of your cap color And then the boat takes you to a certain midpoint in the water and then you're going in heat. So, for example, the red caps get dropped off in the water, so you're basically jumping, i think like what, seven feet.

Speaker 1: 27:24

Something like that.

Speaker 2: 27:25

Yeah, something like that, from the boat in the water And you have about two to three minutes get yourself ready and then off you go. So that experience I just kind of watching people go in before you, you're like, oh man, like this is gonna be interesting. And then it's your turn to jump off the boat into the water And I remember thinking like, oh, my God, i don't wanna jump, but you don't have a choice And you also have like two seconds to do it. So you just like you go in and then, like all of a sudden, you find yourself like in the water and you look back and you're like, oh, i felt like a Navy SEAL being, like you know, deployed to a mission in the water. So that part was really cool and very scary at the same time. But like I just think back to it and I'm like like, just so cool.

Speaker 1: 28:21

So cool, the coolest, it's the coolest thing. Yeah, that was my. I had the exact same thought and exact same experience when I did it the year prior. That was my first moment of transformation. I remember I'm a lot, you know, can you talk about, because the boat's not fast.

Speaker 2: 28:41

No, it's not.

Speaker 1: 28:42

Which gives you a lot of time in your thoughts.

Speaker 2: 28:45

So much time.

Speaker 1: 28:45

So what's happening for you? as you're like, are you leaning on the rail, like looking out?

Speaker 2: 28:50

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 28:51

So what's going through your mind?

Speaker 2: 28:53

Yeah, it was basically like, oh, at what point should I zip up my wetsuit Thinking about that and then thinking like, oh man, like this is gonna be quite the experience, Like you're starting to get butterflies or all kinds of feelings. You're looking through and you're like, well, there's jet skis around, Like I hope they know we're going in the water. And, funny enough, when we were jumping in the water, someone comes in with a boat and says like oh, you know, there's like jet skis in the water. And like I think people should watch out. So we get an announcement that says like oh, hey guys, like when you're swimming, just be careful for the jet skis. And we're just like, really like so that was interesting.

Speaker 1: 29:39

Probably one of the last things that you wanna be hearing in that particular moment.

Speaker 2: 29:44

Yeah, you're like, okay, maybe they'll see us They created CHOP.

Speaker 1: 29:47

I don't know if you-.

Speaker 2: 29:49

They do. Yeah, I drink a lot of water.

Speaker 1: 29:51

Yeah, me too. I got smoked a couple of times because of boat and small craft traffic and stuff, for sure.

Speaker 2: 29:58

Yeah, but yeah, a lot of nerves while you're on the boat, a lot of time to think about your decisions like why am I here? Am I ready? You know you doubt yourself a little bit, but you're like I'm here for a reason And like there's nothing that will stop me from making it to the finish line. So yeah, it was awesome.

Speaker 1: 30:16

So they call your color up. you start doing that like that lineup file up thing Which seems to go really fast for some reason.

Speaker 2: 30:24

It was not two minutes, it was like 30 seconds Yeah.

Speaker 1: 30:27

And then you know, when you get to that corridor where it's like either it's you and maybe six other athletes and then like a, maybe like a boat captain or something, Yes. And then that's the part where you jump.

Speaker 2: 30:38

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 30:39

What are you feeling at that point?

Speaker 2: 30:43

Just so much adrenaline, as well as like just unknown uncertainty, right Like the whole experience is so unique in itself. You've never practiced this before.

Speaker 2: 30:55

Like even if you've done open water swim in your training with your wetsuit. You've never jumped off a boat to go swim in a triathlon. So the whole experience in itself is so unique. And then you find yourself in the water, which you know like for many people, you know you kind of panic a little bit. I don't know if that happened to you in your first triathlon, but there was that immediate sense of panic, and part of it too is that you know it is a little bit hard to breathe in your wetsuit. So you know I was trying to get water in it, just to kind of like loosen up a little bit, but I did feel a lot of panic in that moment that you know unfortunately carried for at least half of my time in the water, for sure.

Speaker 1: 31:45

So yeah, Was that the beginning of the Navy SEAL moment where you're walking up and you're like Yeah, i'm being deployed to some like pretty important mission, right now Like this real shit Yeah and it wasn't a foreign mission.

Speaker 2: 32:00

It was a mission of finishing the triathlon and you know all the experiences along the way of doing it, so it was my personal mission.

Speaker 1: 32:11

Absolutely was, and you feel like you're going through it with these other people who are. How did it feel to realize that you're not showing up to an event with a lot of, like you know, grumpy, mean mugging like super elite athlete people right?

Speaker 2: 32:28

Yeah, i mean, it's a very small event if you think about it. I think it was like 600 people. So it's 600 people who are, you know, brave enough to like do the exact same thing. And you know, everybody was so nice, like trying to like, you know, encourage each other, and But the moment you jump in the water, you're kind of like you're on your own, like it's you and you know, 1500 meters to the shore. So it's just, you know, like it's quite awesome to think about. You know, all these people showed up and put all their fears aside and you know they're trying.

Speaker 1: 33:10

The adrenaline that Alva is describing on you and your walk up to the door where the captain says jump and swim away is unexplainable. It is. I don't think there's any. There's not enough ketamine out there that could give you the same level of organic. Your body is pulsing, and I mean in a good way. It dissolves, fear dissolves, and it doesn't mean that it doesn't come back, but there is a moment where it's silence.

Speaker 2: 33:44

Yes.

Speaker 1: 33:45

There's a stillness in that moment where you make the decision and you jump and it's so transformative So you plunge into the water. You probably so. When you jump off seven feet, you probably go under seven feet.

Speaker 2: 33:57

Yes.

Speaker 1: 33:58

And you come back up and you're like, oh my God. And then, so at that point, what happened?

Speaker 2: 34:03

At that point we had to pee. so I'm sorry that I have to say this, but you're fueling a lot and you're drinking a lot of water, So, yeah, you're peeing your wetsuit for anyone who's gonna do a triathlon? You have to get comfortable doing that. So we got that out of the way and then we swim a few meters to line up So kind of it's like an informal line of people where you would start.

Speaker 1: 34:31

Big old buoys.

Speaker 2: 34:32

Exactly. Yeah, so you have like a few I like a couple of minutes to almost like kind of find your rhythm into the swim, like as you're kind of swimming up to that initial points. So for me that rhythm wasn't coming along. I was very panicky.

Speaker 1: 34:51

Just before the steam whistle goes from the boat, just before the steam whistle goes and then you kind of hear like the horn or the steam whistle horn whatever.

Speaker 2: 35:01

And off you go, everybody is swimming away and you're just kind of trying to find your lane because, like you don't want to be, you know like, ran over by people. So I stuck to the side a little bit, which I think helped, like just to give me my space and not feel, you know, suffocated by people around me. So I think, like, if you're considering doing a triathlon, like that's one of the tips that I would say, like just kind of try to find your lane on the side. And yeah, i was having a really hard time breathing and you know like getting into the rhythm of you know, i tried my front crawl, i tried my breaststroke and it wasn't working for me, like I was really struggling because I couldn't breathe in my wad suit. I think it was the panic of the moment. But I'm like you know what, like hopefully I'll find the rhythm as I keep trying.

Speaker 2: 35:53

So, for illustrative purposes, you're swimming to a green buoy that's like 250 meters from the start of like that unofficial line, and then, once you reach that buoy, you're turning and you're swimming straight to the dock or the shore for 1,250 meters And that like that sort of path is mapped by like red buoys and you're, you know, like if you're kind of wanting to keep track or, like you know, try to stay in a straight line, you're, you know, visually following those buoys and you know, trying to stay within their distance. So yeah, so for me that first 250 meters. I think there was a little bit of current that was against us, it felt really tough and I was sinking to myself.

Speaker 2: 36:43

I'm like, oh man, like if the rest of the swim is like this, like it's going to be a struggle, but the moment you made that turn like it felt a little bit better. But again for me, i was very panicking in the water and I remember running into Daniel.

Speaker 1: 36:58

So cool, It was so cool.

Speaker 2: 37:01

It's like it's so nice to see, like a familiar face in the water. So Daniel was like, oh, hey. I was like oh, hey, daniel. And Daniel was like, hey, how you doing? I'm like I'm freaking the F out, but I'm like good. So you know, we just kind of set our hellos and, you know, kept swimming, ha ha ha.

Speaker 1: 37:23

Did you guys meet at the Green Buoy at the turnip point?

Speaker 2: 37:26

No, we met like maybe about 500 meters in.

Speaker 1: 37:30

Okay.

Speaker 2: 37:31

Yeah.

Speaker 1: 37:31

So you were well past the turnaround and you were on your way.

Speaker 2: 37:34

Yeah, i was on my way. I think I had just turned on my back because I still couldn't breathe at that point. So like I tried everything, it was just basically like hey, keep swimming. And then hopefully, like that rhythm and like the panic will go away. And I think, about 750 meters in, i'm just like I could see people pass me and I saw one person with a white cap and I'm like you know what, i can't let that person pass me. Like at this point it's become like my personal goal that that person is not going to pass me and I'm going to make it to shore. And I remember like just being turned on my back and thinking like if Terry Fox can run a marathon with one leg, i can make it to shore. You say that? Yeah, i was saying that to myself, oh my.

Speaker 2: 38:18

God. And it was funny because it's like at that moment you're trying to like hype yourself up and say anything to yourself, to just like keep going. So you know, i found that person in the crowd that wasn't going to beat me. I hype myself up and then I just started swimming and it was like the most erratic swimming but I made it to shore.

Speaker 1: 38:39

Did you breathe? Did you get your breath?

Speaker 2: 38:42

It was on and off, so like I had to keep my head out a couple of times and then like, yeah, it was very erratic but it worked And I made it. And I did get asked a few times by the paddle, the people on the paddle board if I was okay And I was like, yeah, i'm fine, i'll keep going. But yeah, i made it. I kind of found my rhythm. I didn't let that person behind me beat me Not that it matters, but sometimes you have to find an anchor. So I got out of the water and you know, for again, for like kind of FYI, like because you've been vertical for so long and you guys had told me that that you'd feel dizzy Coming out of the water, yes, so I think the swim took me about 50 minutes or a 55. So I've been almost, i've been vertical for almost an hour and coming out of the water I was extremely dizzy. I was kind of like you know, walking and like Just try not to fall walking along that deck.

Speaker 1: 39:46

What do you call that? the Yeah, yeah, like that the deck, the deck is a really dizzy feeling.

Speaker 2: 39:53

Yeah, it was. It was quite the experience, but I remember seeing Dana and Ed at the. Yeah end of that deck and you know, it was just like so nice to see familiar faces again And they're like how was it? I'm like that was the longest swim of my life.

Speaker 1: 40:13

There's. There's three. If you're listening to this and you're ahead of your first triathlon, there's a. There's three highlights that I really wanted to share what Alba was saying that Right from the beginning, that if you're to talk to any really seasoned Tri-coach, the first thing that they're gonna tell you about the swim is do what Alba did, which is get off to the side. It is such a brilliant thing to do and it's so important to find your piece and It sounds like That was really intuitive for you.

Speaker 1: 40:44

And so you did that, and so that's a huge piece of advice. The second strategy that I noticed that Alba's talking about was The, the positive self-talk. It is so incredibly important to say nice things to yourself when you're in your darkest moment. I Like to to describe this when I'm talking to clients and I'm talking to people going ahead of their thing. In your darkest moment, be your brightest light, and you were doing that and it's so good. And then the third thing that I thought was really impressive was You actually pace bunny. Yeah, like that's such a critical strategy for a race level. I Feel like that's really rare and quite special to be in your first triathlon and be like, no, you're not gonna pass, like I've let way too many people pass me like now I have you know some Like dignity.

Speaker 1: 41:38

I'm trying to preserve.

Speaker 2: 41:39

But no, it really doesn't matter. But like I you know, that was me in the moment, like that's just kind of what pushed me a little bit.

Speaker 1: 41:47

Absolutely. You know that gave you some wings and so that's so neat. There's so much transformation that happens in this swim and it's been a treat listening to you know describe it sort of stroke by stroke. Is there any other advice that you would get you would give to somebody who's thinking about jumping in and doing this with a Us next year.

Speaker 2: 42:07

Yeah, i mean honestly, the skin, the swim is the scariest part I feel like, unless like you're, you know, an experienced swimmer. So I would say, like, practice that as much as possible, sometimes, like what you've learned in your lanes in the swimming pool may not necessarily Transition a hundred percent in the water because of those other elements like the unknown, but like, if you have practice and you feel comfortable and you know Trying to get in open water before the race would be very important, just to kind of get that Experience. But I do feel that with like our crossfit background, like running and biking, comes along a little bit easier than the swim part. Swimming is the most humbling discipline in my experience from the triathlon. So like spending the time there is, i think, important, yeah, and yeah, like, once you get in the water, i think it's just like knowing that you've done the preparation, you have the equipment and you know like your wet suit is kind of like, you know, keeping you afloat huge.

Speaker 1: 43:15

Not a lot of people don't know that it's.

Speaker 2: 43:16

It's super buoyant super buoyant, yeah, so it it's basically like a safety blanket, right Like it's. yeah, it's, it really helps. You Like just kind of get to shore and you've done the preparation, so it's just like you know, kind of Like your mind said that you're in the water now There's nothing that can stop you, you're gonna make it and once you get out of the water, it's. You've almost like finished, like one of the hardest parts of the triathlon.

Speaker 1: 43:44

Yeah, for sure I like how you are describing crossfit. So crossfit, my first love, is probably one of the most potent tools a triathlete Can use any like even a new triathlete. You're gonna be amazed that the energy systems training that you do on a daily basis within your classes at your box, how that comes alive in the race and how that comes alive in your you are so Well built.

Speaker 2: 44:09

Oh, I don't realize don't mess you up.

Speaker 1: 44:12

No because you're like wall balls. I do these all day, you know no problem.

Speaker 2: 44:17

It's so true.

Speaker 1: 44:18

Yeah, the, the our tendons are really strong or our quads are like we. Crossfit is Slowly coming into the endurance world and I think they don't really. I think they're sort of looking at it more like hit training, but you're seeing this massive trend of a lot of weightlifting Starting to blow through triathlon, which is really really neat. So I'm so glad that you you commented on that one.

Speaker 2: 44:42

Yeah, and I feel like you have a third lung from crossfit.

Speaker 2: 44:45

Oh, yeah, honest Like I didn't feel particularly tired or like exhausted from an endurance perspective during the race. I think it's just mostly, like you know, your body starts to feel fatigued in a sense, so like your muscles are, you know, maybe getting a little crampy or your legs are hurting, or if you have injuries, maybe you're kind of feeling them flare up. But like from an endurance perspective, i kept looking at my apple watch on the run and it was like 140 beats per minute and I'm just like that's.

Speaker 2: 45:15

I could push, but then, like my body, or like my legs were not in Cape, were not capable of, you know, pushing more, but from an endurance perspective I felt fine. So I I, you know like all of that is crossfit and like what crossfit had done for my body.

Speaker 1: 45:34

To that point. You were well fit for this.

Speaker 2: 45:37

I was well fit for the event, yeah.

Speaker 1: 45:40

And to give a frame of reference when I was talking about 140 beats per minute. That's a pretty zone to area likely for her and then in her Metcons and stuff She's probably working at like anywhere between 170 and 190 for her zone five. So she was well off her max heart rate. You know, i want to share one real quick story because I I think it sort of fits in. So when I rounded that green Buoy to come in, and I think that was the 1250 mark, my goggles Lost tension.

Speaker 1: 46:16

Oh no so I started swimming and I couldn't. I couldn't see out of one eye Because the right eye seemed to be suction cupped into the eye socket.

Speaker 1: 46:27

Oh no, the left one, as I was like, okay, so I closed one eye and I started swimming. Well, soon the right eye unsuctioned and I kept flipping up onto my back to dump the water out of the lenses and Push them back onto my head, but for some reason I just I couldn't and I kept pulling the the the rope and I was like why isn't this getting? Where's the tension on these?

Speaker 1: 46:50

things and then I got to like I guess would have been maybe the I Swam maybe 50 meters like that, flipping back and forth, and I was panicking, i was.

Speaker 1: 47:00

And not only was I panicking, but I was mad Yes and I was pissed and I was like okay, sean, you gotta get your shit together, you gotta make a decision right now. What are you gonna do? So I grabbed the stupid goggles and pulled them down onto my neck, closed my fucking eyes and swam like a son of a bitch And I went into and this is such a huge shout out to Team Atomic and Coach Kelvin, who taught me this thing called a five two breathing pattern, which is basically your head's under water. My eyes were closed and I would take five strokes, come up onto my right side, take two nourishing breaths, swim five strokes, go up onto my left side, take two nourishing breaths. And I drew it just as hope to God.

Speaker 1: 47:50

I was straight And most of the time I was. I would pull more to my right side a little bit because it was more dominant on that side, but for the most part and so I just wanted to share that because, like you, also had that moment where it was way more stress inducing- Yes, yeah.

Speaker 1: 48:12

The feeling of not being able to have a breath is absolutely terrifying. Cortisol driving everything. But you made a decision in the middle of it And I think that was one of the coolest things that you shared, like on race day with me. It was like you fucking finished it.

Speaker 2: 48:30

Yeah, i think, like once I got to the dock, i was like there's nothing that will stop me from finishing the rest of this And, like to your point, like there's just so many things that can go wrong, right, like your goggles might break down or you may not be able to breathe, or like your equipment, you know, like you get a flat tire, like all kinds of things can go wrong. Thankfully, i think the things that went wrong for us were we managed through them and we were able to continue. But I think it's just keeping that mindset that things will go wrong And I think you just have to like kind of find that you know power within you to just say I'm gonna put this aside, i'm not gonna let it bug me and I'm gonna continue. You know, granted that whatever goes wrong, it's not like race ending But, yeah, like coming out of the water and, you know, transitioning and fueling in the transition area.

Speaker 2: 49:23

I gave myself some time to, like you know, feel less dizzy and like just you know kind of pick up my breath. And then I got on the bike and, honestly, the first two to three kilometers were really tough because, like your legs and like everything is just a little bit tired And I think what was particularly hard, and like a little bit, you know, mentally hard was that I was seeing a lot of people turn back while I was, you know, kind of headed towards the 20 kilometer mark of the bike. So I was basically biking on my own for a majority of that race, and even running on my own because I had spent so much time in the water and in the transition area coming out of the water. So I think I shared this with you, jean, like I was basically singing to myself on the bike, like I went through all the top 40 songs. There was a specific song that really, really did it.

Speaker 2: 50:20

for me. It was just like the one that goes like country roads, take me home because you're actually biking on a country road. Yeah So yeah, it was quite the experience, but it was just such an awesome bike ride. Like you know, you're like in cottage country and you're biking along this beautiful country road and take me home.

Speaker 2: 50:48

And I was learning how to use my gears properly and I found the rhythm of my gears and, for context, sue, i had learned how to clip into my bike like a week before Karen taught me here on the very grounds we're on today. So everything was coming together on the bike and I was so excited. I was like, oh my God, i figured this out, like I can actually like bike properly. And I remember reaching the 20 K mark and turning back and I was like like hell, yes, like you know, like I'm halfway through, and like the biking on the way back was so much easier for some reason.

Speaker 2: 51:27

Maybe it was just like the terrain or like you're going more downhill. I'm not really sure what it was potentially like, mentally too. And I remember hitting the 35 K mark and I was like okay, five more K, five more K on the bike. And I remember then, you know, hitting the 40 K mark and coming into the transition area and Jeff Smith had finished his race and he was there and he's like, you know, like fuel up and get your water bottle with you and just go And like that's exactly what I did. I had something to eat, like maybe a banana. I grabbed my water bottle and that was the best idea because, although they had stations along the run, like I had electrolytes in my bottle and I just kept drinking a lot in the beginning and I didn't cramp up and, you know, I felt like well, Yeah.

Speaker 2: 52:17

And then on the run, it was just again like I was by myself and you're seeing everyone, you know, come back. And I remember running into Michelle on her way back and I was like Michelle, keep going, you're doing so well. Who, by the way, killed it? Yes, She, yeah, she was so consistent and just a beast, like just awesome.

Speaker 2: 52:41

And then I ran into Daniel later on and I was like Daniel, we run into each other again, Yeah And yeah, like just just kind of kept pushing on the run, tried to run the whole thing and maybe walked up a couple of the hills, but your body's like pretty like be down at that point And I think it's just a mental power of like what's left between me and the finish line is just 10K, Like that's basically how I thought about it And, you know, kept like chipping away at that distance And then at about nine kilometers I remember just thinking like all of a sudden this like adrenaline, I'm like I'm almost at the finish line. So like that last kilometer was Hurricane Alba, Like I don't even know where like I think you remember me coming through the finish line.

Speaker 2: 53:33

I just like fast and I'm like I'm not even sure where that came from.

Speaker 1: 53:38

It's unforgettable. I can see it now in my mind. Came whipping around that corner.

Speaker 2: 53:43

Yeah, i was like I'm making it to that finish line, yeah.

Speaker 1: 53:47

You came right around that corner. You were not only going fast, but you had the smile on your face, like you were ear to ear.

Speaker 2: 53:55

And I was just like look at her right now. I was so happy Like nothing was going to stop me.

Speaker 1: 54:05

I love all this And I just you know. I think what I've really learned from this podcast is just how mentally strong you are, like. I think that that's so ingrained in you And it doesn't matter. Like if you, if people get really serious about any sport, that's the hardest thing, like that's the final frontier. So if you have that and that's something that's such an ace in your pocket, no matter what you do.

Speaker 1: 54:26

I want to talk a little bit about just about how you the feeling when you came up off the dock and when you got onto the bike and when you actually, in particular when you rounded that the 20 K corner on the bike, the feeling of nothing can. I did that, i overcame that. Now I can do this. Can you talk a little bit more about that?

Speaker 2: 54:52

Yeah, for sure. I think like it's important to celebrate the milestones in during the race, right? So it's like I just completed the 1500 meter swim, like that was the hardest discipline for me And I'm like I did that. Right Now it's basically jumping on the bike and then on the run. So, jumping on the bike, i'm like, okay, i'm on the bike now And reaching the halfway point, the 20 K mark, i'm like I am now halfway through, like I've hit the halfway mark of the biking, And I'm like all that's left between me and like finishing this discipline is just another 20 K. Like what's another 20 K? I just did that.

Speaker 2: 55:30

So I think like it's just important to like celebrate those moments and recognize like the progress that you've made throughout the race, because I think ultimately, it just like plays into the mindset that you have to keep pushing all the way to the end. It's really like glass half empty, half full, right. It's how you think about it. A lot of times you could be like, oh man, i have so much left. But it's really like, oh man, i just did all that. And now it's like you know less than before, like every single kilometer you're like one kilometer less that you have to complete.

Speaker 2: 56:06

Clock each one, just another, one down And just another one down And you're just basically like marking those off And you're like, hey, like I just did that And I didn't really focus like am I going faster, am I going slower? It was just like I'm doing it, right, and it doesn't matter how long it takes me, like I think the ultimate goal was that I would finish the race, and you know also, i didn't want to be last And I also managed not to, but it didn't really matter, right, like it was just trying to keep that mindset and celebrating every moment along the race.

Speaker 1: 56:43

So friggin good Abba. Yeah, that last part, just like really it's it. You're just totally encapsulated at all.

Speaker 2: 56:52

And also just want to add like it's not a chore, right? So it's like trying to actually enjoy it, and I think you had told me that, that you just try to enjoy every portion of it. So try to enjoy the swim and you know, like embrace that part And then when you're on the bike, try to enjoy that, and then when you're on the run, try to enjoy that. And I know that it's like mentally hard and physically, you don't. You know you're like you're pretty tired, but it's still like celebrating the fact that you're doing this and you're able and well to be there and do it. So like just kind of feeling blessed in that moment. And I think for me, like it was just trying to like think of all that and just keep going.

Speaker 1: 57:35

It's so important. It's just like pulling a bucket out of the same well, of what you were talking about Just like.

Speaker 1: 57:39

I'm not looking at this as last half empty, i'm not looking at how much is left, i'm looking at how much I've already done And that is like such momentum. And, of course, like you know, none of these things are really about the race day, are they like? it's never really about that CrossFit event or the open, or the your first triathlon, or if your 10th triathlon, or your Ironman. It's not about that at all. It's about the person you become on the way there, like that's really the magic.

Speaker 1: 58:05

And so what I was talking about? like this, like you get to be there, you get, like you are, you are this age on this day once in your entire life. How fucking cool are you right now? You were a rocket. You were an absolute weapon on this bike. These are the kinds of things that you need to be arming yourself for, And so I mean Hurricane Alba, the mindset coach of the century, right here. Like I, I loved this conversation.

Speaker 1: 58:34

Yeah, it's been really great, You know on that note, i want to respect your time so we can wrap it up, but this was a real treat, so thank you so much for sitting down.

Speaker 2: 58:42

Thank you And like thank you to you and Michelle for actually getting me to do this And you know, like, like, you took me to my first swim lesson, which was so funny, you know I thought I was like I was so nervous, i was nervous, i was nervous.

Speaker 2: 58:57

You know, calvin asked me to like you know, like swim so he can see. And I was like, yeah, i'm pretty comfortable in the water. And I was swimming with my head out and he's like, oh, like, do you want to put your head in? I'm like, no, i don't do that. And he's like, yeah, you need to put your head in. And I'm like, okay.

Speaker 2: 59:13

So I mean it was a process of thanks to you for, you know, inspiring me to do this And then also taking me to my first swim, and then Michelle and Jeff, like they were, you know, my training partners throughout as well, like through the swim and some of the run and the bike. So, yeah, like you guys have been awesome. So thank you.

Speaker 1: 59:33

Well, it's been my pleasure, Abba.

Speaker 2: 59:35

My pleasure too.