oh dear...

So it turns out the Maui camp wasn't meant to be for me this year.

I crashed on the bike during our first long ride, fracturing my left clavicle and right wrist. How it happened is a bit of a blur, but from what I remember something flew out of a jersey onto the road during a technical descent, resulting in some reactive breaking. The good news is that the injuries weren't worse, and both bones will heal up nicely, especially under the care of our fantastic support staff. The unfortunate news is that hubby, Adam will be taking on the role as hairdresser, esthetician, chauffeur, chef, and chick-flick renter as both arms are currently out of commission. I trust his cooking skills but I have a feeling I will be opting for a buzz cut in the near future...

It was sad to leave the camp as we were just getting rolling. We really have a great group of dedicated, hard-working, and positive athletes and coaches this year and it was inspiring to train with them, even if it was just a few days. I already look forward to joining the gang when they return to Vic and hopefully in Tucson next month.

A special thanks to Kirsten and Paula for taking such good care of me. Washing my hair in the sink, feeding me brownies, brushing my teeth, fixing my ponytail every two minutes, and even waking up to see how I was in the night. And to Brent for packing my bike as I just sat there like a princess (honestly I wanted to help...).

This has all been typed with one finger so I am going to take a rest now. More on the recovery soon.

Daily shop at Mana Foods

lauren at mana foods (yippie heaven) from swhitfield on Vimeo.

Thanks to Simon for another fun video.

And, yes, I am a total yuppie...

thats how its done. from swhitfield on Vimeo.

Intuition

I am not writing this from Maui where I should be if all had gone according to plan. I am still in BC, but at least now am confident with how things are going...and finally en route to Hawaii!

I've struggled with some tightness in one leg for a few weeks but it wasn't until last Monday that I realized, OK, this is more than just tightness. It eventually became a sore spot in my knee and if past experiences have taught me anything, I know NOT to mess around with knees. Obviously training through pain (the bad kind) is never a good idea so I was careful to get right on recovery and treatment. I started to see improvement quickly and by the weekend I was able to do a shorter run. But, the soreness was still there....a bit..... and I hoped so very much that it would settle down in time for our flight on Monday. But, you can't give your healing body a deadline.... It was definitely better, but my gut was telling me not to get on that plane. I needed another day to let the body heal before the trip and the start of the camp. This was not an easy decision though and many thanks to Adam, Patrick and Kirsten who were at the airport check-in to offer support (yes, this decision was VERY last minute). It was bizarre to drive away from the airport, with the car full of luggage, amidst a rain and wind storm, after begging the check-in lady NOT to put me on that plane to Maui. YES, crazy I know, but you've got to follow your intuition sometimes.

Finding the cause of the knee troubles has been a tricky process. I am usually a believer of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy, and maybe even more so now...

On a happier note, I am the proud owner of my first ever garden! It's on our rooftop and is waiting for some TLC once I return next month. The goal is to grow some edible veggies this summer, but if my developing green thumb lets me down, at least I can have some fun playing in the dirt!

New Year, New Name, New Blog

This is a new year and I have a new name and with that comes a NEW blog, one that will be updated on more of a regular basis (because I know everyone out there is dying to hear about the little dogs I saw, the tasty treats I enjoyed or the latest sea (or pool) creatures I've encountered). I am currently setting up the new blog and will post the link to Lauren Campbell's adventures in the coming days.

This winter has been nothing other than amazing. From the training, to family time over the holidays, to spending our first Christmas in Victoria in the new apartment, to the wedding, it is one that will stick with us forever. The wedding was incredible. Honestly, I don't think I can describe it any other way than to say it was perfect. It was very "us" which was exactly what we wanted. There were probably just as many tears as there were smiles and laughs which was unexpected for Adam and I as we've had the last 9 years to build this bond. I guess I had thought of this as more of a celebration than anything else. Geeze, was I ever wrong... weddings are emotional! The waterworks started as soon as we looked at each other and continued right through the end of the vows. It was an incredibly special day and we felt so lucky to be able to share it with our closest friends and family.


The honeymoon consisted of a swim at Commonwealth Pool with bridesmaid Sarah "Saucey" Groff. Adam was off for a run (swimming is not his thing these days) so as you can see, married life has been same old, same old right from the start. And, that's not a bad thing as I wouldn't change this life for anything in the world.

Next up is the Maui training camp. We are off on Monday for three weeks of hard work in the sunshine and I cannot wait. I feel as though I've set up a really strong foundation this winter but now it's time to get some power in the legs. I know one certain volcano that should do just the trick...

Wedded Bliss

Tragic

I don't really know what to say in a moment like this.

We have lost an incredible person.

You will be missed tremendously, Pete.

Peter - Our Friend and Colleague

It is with absolute shock and sadness that we have to inform you of the tragic death of our colleague and close friend Peter Holmes.

Peter passed away yesterday in an accident while hiking on a local mountain in Vancouver.

It is ironic in Peter’s line of work as Communications Manager, that words will never be able to describe what he meant to us all and the effect he had on all of those around him. While Peter worked with us for the last nine months, it seems like he was a part of our family since the beginning. Peter was a shining light of happiness and energy and truly touched all our lives in a deep way. We will always treasure his wit and humour. As those of us who knew him well can testify, he was a social butterfly who brought happiness to so many of our lives and those of whom he met on his international travels. Peter loved his job as much as those around him loved him. In only a short period of time he made close and treasured friendships with colleagues, athletes, event organisers and media alike. Anybody who Peter touched in life is for the better.

The triathlon world and all our lives are immeasurably poorer without Peter in it.

This has been a tragic week for the triathlon world. We have lost another family member. May we all rally together to commemorate Peter and Emilio.