Physics Crossfit

I recently started a new chapter in my training; its called Crossfit.  I am training with Francois and Isabelle at Physics Crossfit on Trim Rd.  Its an awesome studio and the atmosphere is incredibly exciting.  I am finally learning how to lift a bar over my head with precision and good form.  The one thing that I really admire about Francois is that he is always checking and correcting people’s form when lifting the big weight…even the small weight.  He’s all about technique and it better be good or he’s make you do it again and again and again until you get it right.  You are left with a positive feeling and clear knowledge of how to lift properly.

Esprit de Montreal Triathlon

One of the best organized triathlons in the region.  Its completely safe and closed off to traffic.  I raced a personal best a the Esprit.  Mind you a torrential downpour moments before the swim start – not a welcomed moment.  The waves crested at about 0.75m.   Glad I wore my nose plugs.  Lessons learned though, in a crowd of 150-200 women, paratriathletes should have a staggered start.  I had women grabbing onto the legging of my wetsuit not knowing that there was no leg there !!  It shocked the heck out of a few women.

The bike course was on the Formula I circuit.  Fast, holy mackerel.  The run was around the rowing basin.  The original course for us was on gravel.  Fortunately the organizer changed the course when he learned that neither the wheelchairs nor a prosthetic leg (for above the knee amputees) work on loose gravel.  Loose gravel is a hazard. 

Even with the wicked winds I persevered.  This is a race that I will do next year.  I am looking forward to it already !!  Thanks Montreal.  Great city and great reception for the paratriathletes.

Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal

Ottawa-Orléans MPP (Member of Provincial Parliament) Phil McNeely and Glengarry-Prescott-Russell MPP Grant Crack hosted a wonderful ceremony at the Shenkman Centre in Orleans.  Every MPP in Ontario was allowed to nominate up to 14 individuals for the special honour established to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Queen's reign on the throne. The 21 local recipients were honoured for their dedicated service to their peers, their community and the province of Ontario.  I was one of the chosen recipients for Ottawa-Orleans.  I was awarded this medal for turning tragedy into triumph by taking up the sport of triathlon and winning two bronze medals at the ITU World Paratriathlon Championships, establishing the Canadian Forces Injured Soldiers Network and founding ParAthletes Canada, an organization that provides athletes with physical disabilities the equipment they require to participate in their chosen sport on a competitive level. 

Here is a picture of me with all of the other recipients:

I was truly honoured to be nominated for this medal.  Thanks Phil for having such confidence and faith in what I am doing to build my community.

Ontario Leading Women, Leading Girls Building Communities Award

On May 11, 2012 sixteen women and girls from Ottawa-Orléans were honoured at a special ceremony for local recipients of the Ontario Leading Women, Leading Girls Building Communities Recognition Awards.

The ceremony was hosted by Ottawa-Orléans MPP Phil McNeely and presided over by Windsor West MPP Teresa Piruzza, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues. 

The Leading Women, Leading Girls Building Communities Awards recognize and celebrate girls and women who demonstrate exceptional leadership in working to improve the lives of others in their community. This year's recipients represent a range of women from local business and students, to health care advocates and community volunteers.

Many thanks to my MPP Phil McNeely and the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues for their recognition of my pursuits.

Day 7 - Climbing the Great Wall

Well this site was as spectacular as ever. It was a touch anti-climatic in that it took an hour to drive to Metianyu but we only spent about 30 mins climbing the wall. It was quite crowded so moving up and down the stones was a bit problematic. I did not have any trouble walking or climbing but I had to watch where I was stepping. Lots of people stared.

The views of the countryside were phenomenal from the wall. Given the thickness of the wall's construction and the terrain of the countryside, I almost felt as if the Emperor's that had built the wall were a bit paranoid. Seriously...what invading army would plan an invasion thru the mountains with the equipment they would undoubtedly need to overtake the Forbidden City (the ultimate prize)? Just does not make sense. I am thinking that there were a few Generals with enormous egos that posted anyone they did not like to these remote areas. There is nothing around this wall for miles and miles. Complete isolation. Even food would have been hard to come by. Life on the wall would have lacked serious quality of life.

The luncheon afterwards was excellent. It was one of the best meals we have had all week. Many thanks to Ming Hua Chung our tour guide.


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Location:China

Day 6 - Post Race

We had a great post-race meal at a local restaurant called Auspicious. It was very very good authentic Chinese fair. We ordered about 10 different dishes and shared them amongst the team. YUMMY!!

Many thanks to Grant for breaking open his 12 yr old bottle of Rye that he picked up in the duty free shop. It did wonders for my hip flexors who were still slightly annoyed with me for putting them thru that grueling 20km bike on race day. They are fine this morning thankfully. My entire body feels fine.

I remain a. Little disappointed this morning but I have come to realize that there are just some things beyond my control. I gave it my best shot.

Lessons learned:
1. Get my bike adapted to include climbing gears. I have no ability to stand up so i need the extra


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Location:China

Day 5 - Race Day

I placed fourth!

This was the most demanding course I have ever raced. My training went well all summer but on the day, my training fell short of what I needed to climb the 8-10% grades over 500-800m of climbing and times that by 10 over the course of 23 km.

It was an amazing race. Well done China! I am glad I came and conquered the course but at the end of the day I did not have the proper equipment to climb these grades as an above the knee amputee. I should have changed out my front derailleur to a triple...just like all the other AK amputees. We need the granny gear to climb so I was taken on the hills and had no legs left for the run. It's unfortunate but nothing I can do about it now. My bike coach had thought that there was no grade over 2% and I took that info at face value. In hindsight, I should have done my own calculations.

Swim was ok but I was a bit off my rhythm. Got slammed at the start by the guys again. Oh well.

The run was ok but I had no legs left! Brutal run but I made it. I was never so happy to see the finish line.

Great experience and lots of lessons learned.



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Location:China