News reporter takes plunge and enters triathlon

THE REASONS for not entering this crazy race were numerous.

By Elizabeth Collings News Reporter

Atthe top of the fist: the kick-off three-day workshop eats into the first weekend of my week-long ski holiday. And if that's not bad enough, all of the workshops (10 in total) lead up to May 20 — the day of the triathlon but also my birthday and a long weekend. Finally, my swimming skills are limited: | cannot complete ore pool length of the crawl.

Nevertheless, | am going to go for it. What tipped the scales in favor of the triathlon was the memory of an interview ft had last year with North Vanceuver's David McAdam the week prior to his first triathlon. I recall be- ing rather jealous.

Yes, race-envy did it. As McAdam told me of his trials and tribulations leading up to the race his eves told the whole story: he was having the time of his life. I'd like to do that, | thought. Maybe one day.

Weil, one day arrived sooner than | anticipated. When race director Trish Holme asked me if Vd like to try :%e clinics and the short-cou’se triathton, I knew my time had arrived.

The first thing people will want to know is what kind of shape I'm in.

ft could be worse. A close friend of mine is a self-described “gym junkie’’ and often coerces me into visiting the weight room, { also dabble in no-jump fitness classes, but dropped out of aerobics and running years ago due to an injury.

The debit side of my fitness tevel shows a decided lack of the skills required for a triathlon. I'ma fair weather mountain biker but haven’t been near a 10-speed in vears. Past forays into the water consist largely of a laborious breast stroke from beach to raft and, at most. a few

Wednesday. February 6, 1991 - North Shore News - 15

NEWS photo Neil Lucente

GEORGE BUCHAR of Westview Cycle sets up News reporter Elizabeth Collings with a Zunow racing bike. Collings will be reporting regularly on the rigours of training for the short-course North Shore Spring Triathion to be held May 20. A beginner in the sport, she starts with an in- troductory workshop this weekend at recCentre Ron Andrews. Spots are still available for the

clinic.

lengths of the pool to cool off on hot days.

But, according to Panl Granger, a high level of fitness is Not a pre-requisite for the North Shore Spring Triathlon. Co- sponsored by the North Share

News and Westview Cycle. the triathlon includes a 730-metre pool swim, an 18-km cycle and a five-km run,

Granger, a triathlete of inter- national calibre, has been with the program since it started Last

year and will again be leading the clinics over thesnenxt four months.

He assures me that four months is enough time to prepare for the triathlon, regardless of fitness level.

“Tt vau have the desire to do something like that sou don't Need the fitness level. it will come. he says. bast year we had a vuy she quir smoking on the Thursday and started the program on the weekend.”

The clinies are designed for beginners and will teach neht from the ground up."’ Granger says,

For this weekend's workshop, participants should bring a swim sult, goggles, a bicycle (moun- tain bikes accepted), a helmer, running shogs and running end cycling togs. Bikes can be stored at Ron Andrews for the weekend.

According to Granger, people should hold off on buying cvel- ing shoes because it’s best to learn the basics of cycling with regular runners before getting fancy.

This came as a relief to me because my first stop had been Westview Cycle where owner George Buchar had set me up on a sleek-looking racing bicycle called a Zunow. Buchar says bicycle shoes will make me *‘ of the bike.”’

Granger agreed, saying that shoes with cleats are 20 to 30 per cent more efficient(read fast) but warns of potential mishaps for the inexperienced. He offers the same advice on triathion bars. Learn to cycle first, then buy the “investment” voods for greater efficiency and speed later.

The workshop will include an introductory session with Granger and a nutritionist on Friday night, hands-on swimm- ing and cycling or running on Saturday, plus a circuit training session and more workouts on Sunday.

“Hopefully by the end of the weekend you'll know where to start, how much time ir will take and just some of the basics on how to get through the spring triathlon.”’ Granger says.

After that workshop there will be clinics held alinost every weekend leading up to May 20. I've vowed 10 attend most of them, trading in my ski time for training time.

So, armed with encouragement from Granger and my friends, I'm looking forward to this weekend and thereafter my ski holiday. Afterwards, Pll report at regular intervals on my pro- press.

Just don't wish me to break a leg.

part

Soccer

THE NORTH Shore youth soccer district has placed teams in three of the four age divisions in the elite girls metro league.

In division one for 17- and 1S- year-old girls. the Narth Shore Aatees are in the middle of a seven-team pack with 12) points, one point behind the Buraubs Heights Blazers who are in fourth spot. It will be difficuls for either team to challenge the leaders at this point in the season because the top three teams are very

irls kicking their way to

Dunbar West and Surdel Devils are tied for top spot with 20 points cach while Westburn Fust- trac sits at 20. Each of these top teams has one more meeting against the other two. These re- maining games will grown the champion for this sear.

In division two for 16-seer-olds, the Stingers represent: North Shore in. an ecight-tgamt league. As in the past. this sear the age group is be- ing dominated by CIP Avenue United who are undeteated in 1s games and stand well atop the

Standings with 27 28 points. Atothe Christmas ®reak, Stingers stood tied for fourth with two other teams behind the mo Port Coquitlam entrigs, the Outlaws (19 points) and the Blazers (IS) pointy). Because of field conditions, few games have been played this year. The Stingers’ first and onls Ine wats fast week and untortunately for them was against the CHIf Avenue powerhouse. The twe goad strut out toss Teaves the team with only

oul of a possible

nine points. In che meantime, Ca- quithim Blizzard have had a win against cellar-dwelling Riehmond Falcons and Aldergrove Rebels hase had a te against the PeCo Blazers. This pulls both) teams marginally ahead of the Stingers. fn division) four for girls ander-l4, the Amaeans ate in their first year ot metro pkey in the fise-tegar Jeague. The Ama- ons hase had a tremendous re- cord sinee entering divistonal pdas with coastal and prosingial chin: pionships te cach of the last three

the top

years wher these titles have been awarded.

Metre realignment has changed the balance af power somewhat. The Amazons are battling it out in what has become a two-team race with the Central Fraser Valles Allestars. Each club has an iden- ucal recard af 9 wins, | Ge and 1 loss. Fheir onty losses coming at the hands of the other. Each of ‘ three other teams has no

pee oat othe title but vould recom the spoiler with a win of Uc against cither of the leaders.