Hi Everyone,

This week I am getting to enjoy what seems like my first real recovery week of the year and I had to ask myself, what could I do to ensure that I enjoyed my recovery time but also didn’t end up with some sort of other fatigue.

I started the week off by going to Invermere, BC to support my girlfriend Jodi Etcheverry in her 2nd ever triathlon.  Although I had spent a short time in the area years ago I had never really had the time to enjoy the way I did this week.  Like I said I was there to watch the triathlon.  And I enjoyed it tremendously.  I always have a great respect for athletes of other sports and seeing what it takes for them to succeed full time athletes and weekend warriors alike.  I was also able to see the more technical aspect of the triathlon equipment, which I thought was very interesting but also very expensive looking.  After the weekend I decided that if I could learn to swim middle of the pack I would like to give it a try sometime.

Following the triathlon we spent three days in Invermere enjoying the different cycling option the warm beach in the afternoon often kicking off the day at the Kicking Horse Factory and Cafe.  We were even able to go Seedooing which was a exciting new experience.

So with a scenic 2 hr drive we were back in Canmore and preparing for the remainder of our rest week.  We were taking off to Saskatchewan for a quick visit with our families and for a Wedding.  So the question remains will I be recovered ? For me personally I think so.

I have added some photos of our time in Invermere, enjoy because it is back to business on Monday with a 5 hour ride.

The start line, I think the most intimidating part.

Jodi Etcheverry and Nick Pacas still smiling despite 6 am wake up

Cyclist warming up for his leg of the team event.

My dream tri bike set up with my dream rims.

Jodi

Nicky finishing her first ever triathlon.

The campsite

Old Marina

Me enjoying the water protected by my "little wayne sunglasses"

Me enjoying a good book in the shade.

Smiles a sign of a good start to a rest week.

This past week and a half the Biathlon National Team has completed our first testing week and the week was given the name “Rocky Mountain Testival”  I was not the person who named it and assumed at first it was in relation to the fact there would be an extra amount of testoterone brewing for the start of each test.  However I now believe it was because it was a “test” week.

Anyways the field tests we did were completed in the following order. I will also give the top 3 finishers in each test.

Uphill Run Sulphur Moutain

This a run from the bottom of Sulphur Mountain to the top where we thankfully take the gondola back down to the botoom.  This run is 4.92 km and 690 meters of elevation gain.  I was unable to race because of my knee and did Rollerski race pace intensity instead.

1st Brendan Green 30:59

2nd Pat Cote            32:25

3rd Nathan Smith 33:17

as you can see this test is very tough as you can tell from the time gaps.

Norquay Uphill Rollerski Test

This is a test on rollerskis and is more specific to skiing. It is approx 5 km long and has 180 meters of climbing.

1st Scott Perras 19:30

2nd Brendan Green and Robin Clegg 19:47

3rd Jaime Robb 20:10

Double Pole Test,

In this test we basically have to DP from the quarry up to the Nordic Center turn off.  I believe the distance is approx 1.2 km and the effort is max.  We must cover the distance 7 * Double Poling and 1 * Skating.  There was a pretty annoying head wind.  I did however manage to post my top time in a very strong head wind in my last DP interval. The top times were.

Double Pole

1st Scott Perras 4:15

2nd Scott Perras 4:20

3rd Jaime Robb 4:21

and last but certainly not least in the sport of Biathlon the precision shooting test.  This test is scored on 6 targets 3 which are prone and 3 which are standing.  Both targets are the same size for the test and scored the same.  On every target there is a possibility of scoring 100 points.

1st Robin Clegg 500

2nd Mat Stachura 499

2nd Tyson Smith 499

So as you can see testing was tough and tight at times.  We basically have 2.5 – 3 months to knock these times down once more before focus will be on snow once again.  I apologize for the lack of photos it can be very tough to photography and do max intensity:)

Happy Canada Day!

Today I was able to take in the Canada Day Run which is part of the Canada Day festivities in Canmore, Alberta. And by take in I mean be a spectator. I am proud to say that the winner of the race was my teammate Brendan Green of NWT.

The Pack from the start.

My relaxing position while I wait to snap some photos

Jaime Robb mid stride

Tyson Smith aka Thunder Thighs

A little fuzzy because of his speed Rich Petit (Wax Tech & Stand Up Comedian)

(Pat Cote and Brendan Green) Race Leaders going into final stretch.