Mathieu O'Halloran's Blog

Hey a lot has happened in the past few weeks. I finished off my preparation for IM China, had to take care of some paper work in the city and go some new sponsor goodies for the race.

I now travelled to the city before my flight to organize a few details before I leave, and also to make sure that I am close to the airport since I have an early morning flight on Thursday.

Been testing out my race set up in training, you know all the little details like what I will be wearing, ridding and eating. All of which have been tried tested and trued.

My home in Subic Bay is actually pretty close to the race site in China, its pretty much shares the same ocean and weather and wind. My guess is that renting a boat and floating there would be faster than taking the plane, but that’s risky and out of my budget.

Last year’s race in China was well, a disaster. Not just for me, put for many athletes on that day. I even saw the race winner, walk a few times…

This year, I am without a doubt much more prepared, mentally, physically and technically. The past 2 months have very different from last years before the race.

From what I see on the website, it will be the same course as last year, besides double the loops on the swim. Which will make it more complicated, and well break things up easily with many turns and possible currents and also the over lapping of the slower athletes.

The one thing that’s clear in my mind, is that both years I raced in China, there was crazy rain the week going into the race. And then on race day, it was clear, hot and humid.

Looks like different forecast for this year as the race is earlier. But you never know…

What’s that saying, third time lucky?

Hey well one of the tricks I like to use recovery quicker is having a steamy sauna.

I am very lucky to have a neibourg who’s got one of those home saunas!

The infomercials for these are hilarious; you see this super fit people “claiming” that they got their bodies from the sauna! There are a few scents that can be added like cinnamon or mint and even a head cover!

I found the magasine on the floor!

My favorite time to have a sauna is mid day on an active recovery day. Another good time is right after supper, I really feel who it helps me to digest my food!

Ideally I would have a Sauna where I can lay on my back, because that my favorite non-training position…But it’s a small compromise…

The sauna has been my “go to” solution to a vast amount of problems like hangovers, sinus infection, fatigue, fevers, sore muscles, injuries, ect.

One thing about the sauna is to not over do it, because the benefits can go backwards! I don’t recommend more than 30 minutes. It’s not because a little bit is good, that a whole lot more is better!

During the day the wind blows.
And at night, it howls.

Whether I’m with my big black paddles swimming.
Or going up and down, round and round while ridding
And doing laps of the loop or at the track running.

The wind is my friend one minute, and the next it’s my worst enemy.
Occasionally it likes to play both sides.

I can’t see it.
I can only feel it.

At the pool, it will make waves.
And make a warm day feel chilly.
Sometimes, the real challenge is when my hands are out of the water.

There’s nowhere to hide.
Especially on my ride.

I can’t get out of the saddle, or shift my gears.
No way to see the end of as it seems to be whispering in my ears.

Around the track head on, when I’m about to pop.
On the next straight I feel great and rock!

In the cross wind, it feels like a rush.
Or just a sucker punch.

But my attitude is the same as on the rigs.
Head down, ass up and get her done!

When its windy.
It dont phase me

Hey I don’t remember my first day of school, or my first kiss or my first bike but I will always remember the first time I had coffee!

It was in the winter of 2004, my friends Chris needed an early morning ride to school as I was on my way to swim training. He offered to buy coffee at Starbucks in return for the favor. So once we got there, I just got whatever he was getting, a caramel macchiato.

I drank it slowly as we drove and then dropped him off on campus. Then I got to the Commonwealth pool and was starting to feel the buzz coming! It was a Tuesday and that means time trial! I was feeling chatty that morning and was on top on the water during warm up!

The time trial was my best, by a long shot in training!

I later called up Chris and told him about my swim, and he said “go figure eh”

From that Tuesday, I have been addicted!

Coffee to me means phase one, I can feel the buzz comming as soon as I smell it! It has helped me get through late night pizza shits during the playoffs, grave yard shits on the rigs and prepared me for some serious training session.

Now a days, I have coffee or tea or a supplement before almost every session.

I have had the chance to be part of a coffee roasting party in Kenya, tasted some great Borneo coffee, freeloaded some Brazilian stuff from Reinaldo and even taste some super potent from Baguio!

There are so many other coffees I want to taste out there!  I will make it a point to travel the world one day, in search of a new cup of coffee!

For racing, if done right, it can have very positive effects on an athlete’s performance, depending on the abstinence and how/when it is taken during the race.

There are many non-drinkers out there that claim it will dehydrate you quicker or compel you to start to fast or make you jumpy. But if you’re used to it, there no reason why one cannot cope.

I have meet many people who are “I don’t like it” or “I don’t need it” and it’s very funny, and not to generalize, but often those are the people who are late for appointments and/or just move around slowly…Again, I’m not generalizing, but I know lots of people who stand that position!

C is my blood type, and I always wonder how much slower humans evolution would have been without it

Hey I though writing a blog about training and living in South East Asia from my point of view would be great long distance peer support to my new teammates or anybody who’s interested!

In the past 29 months, I have spent 25 of those, here in SE Asia and here are my top 10 lessons, does, don’ts I have personally experienced and witnessed!

#1 Strait off the plane, take it easy for a few days, I have seen many experience athletes  land and start training right away, only to get sick or overly tired a few days onto it. Let your body adjust to the time and climate change.

#2 Local foods can be a delightful and memorable experience! If you’re eating out consistently, best is to pick one or two restaurants that you deemed to be sanitary, best is reference from the locals!

#3 Clothing, make sure that you have a spot where you can hang you sweaty clothing after a session before you put them in the laundry bag! Don’t skimp on laundry duties because dirty clothes don’t just smell, they are healthier!

#4 Dry your shoes quickly on double runs days or even back to back days because it will take extra drying timein the humid climate! Clean the shoes consistently, as they will accumulate bacteria and will break down quicker is you don’t “maintain” them! I have learned this one the hard way…

#5 Take care of the little pains, like blisters/cuts/scrapes/sunburns/sore throat as if they are left untreated, the little foreign bacteria might cause some big problems and infections down the road! Especially if you will be bare footing flip floops or sandals around town!

#6 Bike maintenance is very important is the humid climate. Keeping all the screws/bolts clean, lubed up and tight will decrease the chances of any malfunction. Especially with the internal caballing, cable and its housing might last only a few weeks if left unmaintained.  Very important with the Cervelo!

#7 Aircon, one thing you will experience, will be going from hot humid outdoor weather to instant cold and dry climate inside the buildings, at the hotel, restaurant, bank, ect. Best is to keep the aircon that you can control at mild temperature and then for the others, having a clean, dry pair of clothing handy might avoid any drastic change in your body temperature many times in a short period of time!

#8 The sun is stronger here than in Europe and North American, we are much closer to the equator line of which is a more direct sun. Wearing long sleeves is a much more sensible idea then sunscreen for the bike and run. 

#9 Massages here are super duper cheap, which will give you a range of the very good to the very bad. Best, is to ask around, DON’T get the cheapest and stay loyal to a good massage therapist! If you’re getting your first massage from a therapist, make sure it’s not around a big session just so you get an idea of what you’re getting at first. Constant, simple and clear communication is always important when in a country where English is the second language.

#10 Spicy foods, not my favorite. I have eaten lots of it, but I have had many bad aftermath experiences. Burning diarrhea and heart burn that last for a few days. The spicy foodIt will fill you up quicker since your mouth will be creating more enzymes and saliva, without getting a fair amount of calories that is require in a TBB training camp. My Thai favorites are the sweet and sour chicken, chicken fried rice, the cashew salad and noodles, the papaya salad/chicken fried noodles are all delicious and non spicy! But to be sure, not spicy in Thai is “MY PET!” 

Anyway, if some of you have any questions, do feel free to ask J

  Hey this weekend was my b-day and it was loaded with events!

It started with my 24^th b-day, then with a 8am Saturday 2 hour schedule ride that started at TBB Subic ride with coach Melvin who was prepping for his return to competition after 2 years.

10h30 and I was already eating my b-day cake with my Joyette, after a nap I went for a swim, meet with some local friends, eat pizza, get race kit for race tomorrow!

This was an Olympic distance, 1^st of the series of local Pino race series where I was able to get a “guest racer” slot for free, getting thins for free, en enormous aspect of being a developing professional triathlete!

Wake up

Bananas, coffee, hardboiled eggs with salt

Ride to race start in the darkest

6h30ish Race time start

Swim no wetsuit cool water

T1

Get flat @ 15km on rear wheel on a road that I have ridden over a 1000 times

Fix flat in about 6 minutes?

Ride in 2^nd place for a while

Feel the strain of the race and sudden stop for puncture

T2

Slip on my pair of AVIA Bolts 2

From first strides I know this will be good run

Run fast with the goal of lapping people over a 3.3km run course

Win race by 9 mins

Greeted by Joyette

Run a victory lap, literally

Ride back home

Figure out that I only mustered 65 PSI on fixing my clincher wheel

Have a victory meal!

Ride to the pool for another swim

Homemade lasagna

Hot shower

Joyette

Sleep

.

 Sitting is unhealthy, no not sitting on a bike, but on a chair.

While sitting, our spine is curved, organs are compressed, knees and hips get stiff. It can easily lead to a very common and painful back problem, lumbar compression.

Lots of people know this, but still because of life’s demands and circumstance, billions spend a copious amount of time sitting each day, whether at work, at school, in front of the computer or desk, in the car or on the bus.

I am convinced that chairs and sitting cause such in-efficiency in today’s society, making people lazy, slow and complacent.

One episode of Seinfeld comes to mind, it was when George Kostanza was out shopping with his finance Suzan, and he spotted the security guard who stood beside the entrance all day, and it made George so angry, that he fought for this man so he could get a chair to sit in.

Well, at the end of the episode, the final scene shows that store getting robbed, and where was the security guard? Sitting and sleeping in the chair George got for him.

Personally, I avoid sitting as much as possible, I sometimes watch TV and do computer work upside down, for better blood flow and if I am not on the move, I lay flat on my back or stomach. When I fly, I always get the aisle seat, ideally in the emergency escape row for the extra leg room. But it’s because I get up and walk around often!!!

 Maybe someday there will be an alternative put  together, where people can do their work in a better position than sitting. Maybe Homer Simpson was on to something, in that one episode when he got the new job in the new city and he recommended that his employees all get “working hammocks”  and hi boss added a new floor to his house that day, well yeah that’s a little farfetched idea, but at least he was thinking

Myself and my Joyette celebrated the new year @ the Lighthouse, which might be the most prestigious hotel in Subic Bay and front row seats to the fire works display!

But like a wise man, I now only judge, when its all done up with.

I dont have much to show for my 2009, but I did get to sincerly prove my character and improved character on a few occasions. Which is something that cannot be bought, borrowed or pretended.

I will acknowledge, learn and leave my few faillures behind, and carry on with me the few things I am proud of 2009: Finishing Ironman China, guiding a handlefull of athletes to personal bests, my long term relationship with Joyette and my runner up @ the Laguna Phuket.

My new years resolution is simple, yet verychallenging and  its to be more professional in all aspects of my life.

So onwards with professionalism!

Hey me and Joyette celebrated Christmas by making a sarap Lasagna! 

HOMEMADE!

The day’s starts with hill reps, my favorite hill are about 1 km long and is not all that step but has a very consistent gradient. I like to do this session in the morning because my digestive track is mostly empty, my legs are fresh enuff and ready for the highest power output and intensity of the day.

The effort time is always much longer than the recovery time because of the short downhill. I ride a lower cadence to get the most out of this power session!

With that done, the next session is an indoor trainer session. The theme of this session is rythum so its race cadence, my intervals are the same length as the recovery because I’m not done for the day yet. I do a short warm up and a long warm down and get off that thing and clean up my mess!

Yes the weather is very nice outside!

The final session is the time trial. It’s also done at race cadence, but sometimes a little above and is an all out effort. I always tend to feel pretty crap at the start of this one, but I find my legs quickly and then the pain and strain moves in right after

Ryder Hesjedal

I also got some tiny mangoes in my christmas stocking!

Heres a tiny mango versus a normal mango!

J

Hey since if been back to the Philippines, I spent a few days in the metal jungle called Manila! I had some meetings and shopping to get done and also get a haircut and pedicure, with lots of time spend in traffic…

So not wanting to spend more time than I had to here, I came back to Subic for the weekend and prepare for my next training block over the holidays!

It all started by just re-organizing my living space after a little internal flood…But nothing important got damaged because all the valuable stuff that I own (computer/credit cards/bike/Canadian passport) are always with me when I travel! Yes those encompass all of my valuable life possessions…

Anyway I got back into training, I swam 30 000m in just 4 days because I find that swimming helps me recovery from the race/party/travel/manila and since I did not swim all that much in the past couple weeks, I was feeling pretty chippy in the water J I know this kind of millage is an okay week of running for some of my competitors who are presently in the “off-season” but not for me

At this time of year in the Philippines, the weather gets “colder” which means about 15 degrees in the mornings and then 20 to 25 degrees during the day with a slight breeze and low humidity! It kinda feels like summer in Victoria B-C

The pool water is now “cool” so not many people come and swim, so I tend to have the whole pool to myself actually, kuya Raffy finally persuaded the school to suspend the PE classes at this time of year because for the last 4 years, it always been a battle for him to get the little kids in the water!! Rumor is that the ocean water is warmer than the Brent pool!

I also ran some laps of “the loop” which I will be re-visiting often over the next few weeks!

Cycling is good, since the add congress a few weeks ago, the airport road has been fully opened, seriously I think it took then 15 months to make some holes in the tarmac and then fill then back up over a 1km stretch of road, seriously, next time just hire a bunch of ruffnecks, you don’t even need to pay them, just fly them over, given some free San Miguel beers and they’ll “get her done” in a few days!

Subic is actually pretty quiet at this time of year, most of the crowds will go back to the provinces or just group up and make a whole lot of noise in Manila, so I will have Subic all to myself J

Until new year’s………………………………….