Kyle Jones
Canadian TriathleteMission Accomplished
The last three weeks have gone very well for me. The goal at the beginning of this trip was to improve my ranking and I scored maximum points over 3 races so I’m very pleased.
Yesterday was the final race of the three. We were in China for the ITU Weihai Premium Asian Cup. The race played out very similar to last week in Japan. Gavin Noble (IRL), Mitchell Robins (AUS), Brent and I exited the water together. We were later caught by Claude Eksteen (RSA) and Anton Chuchko (RUS) in the first 5k of the bike and the six of us rode together and got a lead on the rest of the field. I had a smooth transition and was first out onto the run. I was able to run controlled for the first 5k and then picked up the pace on the second half and opened a gap. I ended up winning by about 45 seconds.
Going into the race I felt good but inevitably I was carrying a bit more fatigue compared to the previous weeks. My legs didn’t feel quite as strong on the run but I was still able to execute my race plan and get the job done so I’m happy.
I’m back in Victoria now for a good block of training and then next up is the Edmonton World Cup on July 10th.
Amakusa Asian Cup
Today I raced the ITU Amakusa Asian Cup in Japan. Much like last week, the goal was to score as many points as possible in order to boost my ranking. I was able to do just that, coming away with another win. I am very pleased with the result!
I had a much better swim today, getting to the front early on and settling in to the lead group. We had a small group of seven exit the water together. Onto the bike there were five of us that worked really well together and by the end of the 40km we were able to maintain our lead on the rest of the field. I started the run fairly conservative as the first half was quite hilly. Gavin Noble (Ireland) went straight to the front and opened up a small gap. I ran about 20 metres behind him for most of the run. With about 1km to the finish I closed the gap and then surged up the final climb. I ran hard for a few hundred metres and it was enough to get a gap. I was very happy to get another win and share the podium with my teammate Brent McMahon, who finished 3rd once again. One more race next weekend in China and then I’m heading back home to prepare for Edmonton.
Off to Asia
This past weekend I raced the ITU Ixtapa Pan American Cup in Mexico. The race went very well. I won, and more importantly, scored some decent points to boost my ranking. There’s a recap of the race on the Triathlon Magazine Canada website here.
Immediately following the race I went back to my hotel, packed my bike, and headed to the airport to fly back to Canada. I’ve spent the last 2 days in Vancouver so I could get a Chinese travel visa. Everything went smoothly and it was actually a nice little break before traveling again. Kelly came over from Victoria which was a huge bonus! I’m now off to Asia for 2 more continental cup races. One in Amakusa, Japan and another one in Weihai, China. Should be a fun trip!
Back Country Zona
My technologically savvy training partners have inspired me to create a video of my own. Here’s my first crack at it:
All is well
It’s now been four weeks since the “bone crusher” and I collided in the pool and I’m happy to say that things have progressed very well. I’ve started swimming without my splint and the hand/wrist seems to be okay! I’m still being cautious as I don’t want anymore setbacks but everything seems to be back on track.
To be honest, this injury hasn’t affected my training too much. With the exception of some missed swimming the first week I haven’t really missed a beat in regards to my riding and running. In fact, I think all the trainer riding I’ve been doing has actually made me stronger. It will be nice to get back out on the road though!
Running has been coming along well. We’ve been doing things a little different this year and I seem to be responding well to the program. A couple weeks ago coach Jon had us run a half marathon as part of our training. Having never raced one before I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I enjoyed the distance. I struggled a bit from 5-10k but was able to get back on track in the second half thanks to some pacing from Jon. It was nice having him out there. I finished in a time of 1:07:35.
The triathlon season is officially underway with the Mooloolaba World Cup occurring just this past weekend. It was exciting following it online. I’m certainly getting anxious to race but I won’t be toeing the line for another six weeks. The past few years I’ve usually tried to hit the first couple races of the season, but with everything that has gone on we’ve decided to delay it a bit this year. It’ll be nice to get some more training in.
They come in threes
The last few months have been eventful. Surgery in November, followed by 6 weeks of recovery. Started back training in early January. Then, a week later I crashed hard on my bike at our camp in Maui. My head took most of the blow but thanks to my helmet I was okay. Other than some road rash the only injury lingering from the crash was my left hand/wrist. I must have jammed it somehow when I hit the ground because it’s been tender ever since. All the x-rays were normal but there was still some speculation on one of the bones in my wrist.
I’d been waiting for a CT scan to get a better image and I finally got one last week, thanks to some action in the pool Tuesday morning. With less than 50 metres to go in the warm-up Jon Bird and I collided head on. As soon as we hit, I knew it wasn’t good. I’m pretty sure my left hand went directly into his shoulder. I got out of the pool and drove straight to the doctor. Luckily I was able to get right in for the CT scan.
It turns out the bone in my wrist was fractured and I now have 2 more fractures in my hand from the collision that morning. I saw a plastic surgeon on Friday and the outlook is positive. No surgery is necessary and he thinks with 4 weeks of immobilization everything should heal nicely.
So, swimming is touch-and-go for the next little while but running is going well and with the weather we’ve been having here lately riding the trainer isn’t a big deal. My bike has been glued to the trainer for the past 2 weeks so it hasn’t been much of an adjustment.
Anyway, it’s just another bump in the road and I know it could always be worse, so I can’t complain too much. They say everything happens for a reason, maybe it was to complete the set so I’ll be clear sailing for the rest of the season!
CAN Fund
Yesterday I was invited to a lunch hosted by the Canadian Athletes Now Fund. Jane Roos (founder of the CAN Fund) and Conrad Leinemann (former Olympic beach volleyball player who now works on behalf of the CAN Fund) were both in town visiting and generously invited a group of local athletes out for lunch.
Not expecting anything more than a quick bite to eat and some mingling, I was pleasantly surprised to be welcomed into the family as the latest recipient of the Fund.
I quickly ate my meal, partly because I was afraid one of the rowers might eat my sandwich, but more importantly because I had to get to the pool for our afternoon swim. I ran off to swimming with a big smile on my face and feeling grateful to be a recipient of this Fund. With 17 months to go before the Games in London I can’t think of a better time to be given this support. It will certainly make a difference. Thank you to everyone at the CAN Fund and to the many Canadians who have shown their support.
The CAN Fund is an amazing organization that works tirelessly to raise money and support our Canadian athletes. If you’re looking to donate or want to find out more about this organization please visit their website at www.canadianathletesnow.ca. Not only do you get a tax receipt when you donate but you will also find out which athlete you are supporting. The more money they raise the more athletes get funded.
Maui camp recap
I’ve just returned home from a 3 week training camp in Maui. At the beginning of January I was feeling pretty well recovered from surgery and ready to start doing some work, so this camp was just what I needed to get back on track. Aside from a bike crash at the end of week 1 I’m really happy with how things progressed. I’m much further along than I expected at this point. My fitness has come back quickly and I’m feeling stronger each week. Still lots of work to do but I’m looking forward to it!
Here’s a few photos from the camp courtesy of Ben Sporer, our physiologist and support van captain extraordinaire!
Early morning swims at Kihei Aquatic Center
Riding up Haleakala Crater
Open water swims at Wailea Beach
Running in Makawao with coach Jon
Riding the trainer in Haleakala National Park
Time for an update!
I’ve been in Maui for almost a week now. Aside from a couple storms we’ve had pretty good weather so far. It’s nice to be swimming outdoors. I don’t know what it is but swimming in an outdoor pool is so much more enjoyable. We haven’t been in the ocean yet but we’re planning a couple sessions for next week. There’s no better place to swim open water than Hawaii!
Riding here is just as I remembered, hills and more hills, which is good for me as I build up my fitness again. It’s pretty easy to get your heart rate up. You don’t need to think much, just keep climbing and stay on the wheel in front of you. Running has been a lot of the same. Lots of hills!
I’ve been happily surprised with how my training has progressed so far. Everything seems to be coming back much sooner than I expected. I’m definitely feeling a bit tired and sore but it’s nice to have that feeling again. After 3 weeks here I think I should be well on my way.
We have a great group here. On the mens side we have Simon, ARuss, AMac, and a new addition to the squad, Jon Bird. Everyone gets along well and we’ve been having a good time so far. I don’t have a camera here but I’ll be sure to steal some photos from the other guys to post.
Off to dinner now, another pow wow with the coaches at Whole Foods. Then back to the house for some foam rolling and more Entourage re-runs.
