Embracing the grind!
I was checking in with Dawna Chartrand to see how her training is going ahead of her invite-only Static Monsters strength competition in Ireland next month. The Static Monster format was developed to make it accessible to as many people as possible by using fewer pieces of equipment and using just two functional lifts—the deadlift and overhead press.
Dawna was almost apologetic for not having much to share but did share that it is really just a regular grind four days a week of strength training followed by personal training on Sundays in Elliot Lake with her trainer, Yanick Baillargeon at Muscle Factory. “The grind is not pretty or very exciting. I was sidelined and had to modify training for a while and chose not to compete at Strongman Provincials as a precaution against injury this past weekend.” She is pleased with her deadlift as it is coming along nicely and feeling really good about that. Her log press is her “weaker point,” but she will just keep plugging along.
I am often struck by the thought that athletes only get noticed on competition day if everything goes well or horribly wrong. If things go well, many think, “well aren’t they a gifted athlete!” They do not see the months of hard training but not over-training, navigating injuries, peaking properly, etc. Dawna is doing what needs to be done, embrace the grind. She welcomes anyone to see what some of her training and equipment looks like on Instagram but would likely think, there isn’t anything too exciting!
Andre goes to Ottawa!
You know it has to be a slow news-week when I have to write about myself, but some may find this trip interesting or even informative.
As I am writing (on my phone), Sunday the 27th, I am on night seven of a bike-packing trip to Ottawa. The trip took me across on the Chi-Cheemaun (where I sent last week’s column) on Monday the 21st to where I am now, at Sharbot Lake Provincial Park. I have about 650 km completed with another 130km to go.
A bit of background first: essentially, the concept is like back-packing on a hike but on a bike! I have had it in my mind to try a trip for quite a while but on a much smaller scale that would likely involve fishing, of course and maybe a weekend. I had been purchasing some gear as I could, for over a year, when my daughter invited me to go to a concert in Montreal. In a moment of weakness I decided this would be my first trip!
Now, I don’t say this to be boastful, but I wasn’t worried that I could not do it. I chalk it up to a whole whack of questionable endurance events, myself and friends have tried over the years. I have been uncomfortably tired in ways not even approaching what this trip has been like. In fact, it has been fun and relatively easy!
I did do some training of course but nothing even as long as my daily average over the last week. You can take it at your own pace, rest when you need to, eat when you feel hungry, etc. If you have done some longer rides and your ‘sit muscles’ are toned, the physical fitness part will likely be fine.
The things I have learned or didn’t expect may be interesting to know. For instance, I have done a lot of camping over the years and thought that part would’ve been easier. However, when packing a backpack for a hiking trip, if something doesn’t quite fit inside your knapsack you can still strap it to the outside. It is not ideal of course, but if you don’t mind looking like Jed Clampett moving to Beverly Hills, it can be done. On a bike, there are constant vibrations interrupted by sudden, jarring jolts that will rattle something loose. Sorry, Highway 7, for that one funky New Balance; I had no idea when I lost it. A quick back-tracking ride produced nothing. Walking around in biking shoes is not fun.
Poison ivy and I have had a long and itchy relationship my whole life as I am extremely allergic. I have become a botanical expert in spotting and avoiding the three-leaved menace. A great portion of my ride has been on repurposed rail-bed trails and are amazing for many reasons but this. I can see the stuff—it is not reaching out to grab me as I ride by. The best I can figure is that I ran over some and I transferred some of the urushiol oil allergen to myself by brushing against my tires. Due to the persistent nature of this oil (it can be potent for years), I must be continually spreading the oil around. Without the ability to isolate and properly clean equipment and clothing, and here I am!
The few inconveniences, though, have been far outweighed by the wholesale experience. I am using a cycling app that routes me through trails, roads with bike lanes or less heavily used backroads. It has introduced me to areas that I have never and would never see through the windshield of a car.
The wildlife you can see from a bike is amazing. You are quiet enough and quick enough to sneak up on things you can’t while walking or automobiling. I haven’t seen on Manitoulin, cottontail rabbits, jumping mice and wild turkeys doing their best Roadrunner impressions, pulling away from me at 20kph! It is a way to vacation, you might want to try.
