CHINOOK HALF IRONMAN - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I dreaded the first 500m leg because in the open water swims I'd done before, I couldnt get the stroke and the breathing for about 5-10 minutes and when I did a lap on Friday, the first time with the wetsuit, it was awful.
But I got it right away!!! I told myself I could swim, the heart rate dropped as soon as I hit the water and found everything immediately. Crazy gave me a tip on navigation earlier in the week and my efficiency was terrific. I got bumped around a little bit but nothing too bad.
I found myself singing a tune, relaxing and warming up for the bike. The swim set up the confidence for the bike.

For this part, I wouldnt do anything differently. Felt strong and confident from the beginning.

As I didnt put watch on right away, my time might be a little off. I put all my stuff on the sidewalk, and was attacked by ants as I sat to put shoes on. Kinda freaked me out to have 10 or 20 ants crawling up my leg!!
Forgot to down my protien shake. Very nervous and tried to do too much at once. The transition needs practice while in training.


Seal each event gear in a ziplock bag. May consider having bike top under wetsuit, and placing shoes in peddles. Will try it in training this summer.

The bike course was intimidating to say the least.

Slow start to the bike, although I didnt think initially my legs were shaky. Once I got out of the city and onto the highway, felt much better, and drank some gatorade. Very strong wind, but thought it would be an easy ride back. Within the first 10 k, I was passed by about 8-12 people and it was a little disappointing.
After the first aid station I grabbed a fresh water bottle as we entered the Park. I was about 30 km in before I realized I hadnt geared down from the top derailer even during some pretty big climbs. I'd never been able to come close to that in Riding Mountain. My confidence was restored. Only 1 leak break was on the way out and I'm glad I mastered the fine art of doing it without dismounting!
Made the turn feeling strong and confiden, I had the wind! Wrong, oh so wrong. It had changed gradually and faced an even stronger headwind on longer hills on way in. But still felt great, nothing hurting, nothing stiffening up. Dran 3 bottles on way in to prepare for run. Again, kept my gear high.
Another quick tip a kind sole gave me, in that first stage, on the first climb, I was huffing loudly, didnt have my bike legs yet. He sadi something and I smiled and laughed and he said, "No, sit up and place your hands on top, you will breath easier".And all of a sudden, he made me into a climber!!
Came into T2 with confidence!

I would drink a little more, go from 5 bottles to perhaps 7, especially if the run is in the heat of the day. But I really felt that on this course, 330-340 was a good time for me. I had budgeted 4-4.5 hrs(cut off was 1300) and exeeded my own expectations.

I had put my run stuff back on top of my tri bag, so no ants. Really felt the heat after getting off the bike.

Need to practice a few things and get a routine down. A little anxious, but relieved that I made it to the last stage. Practice practice practice....

I knew after the first mile this would be a huge struggle. I was passed by several leaner people right off the bat. I got into the valley or desert as I will forever refer to it and hoped I could make two laps. Only drank a cup of water at the three stations and even though I knew it was not enough, I was nauseous and hurting and couldnt drink any more. Made it in 115, and if I did the second in 120, I'd break 7 hrs!

Second lap, managed to run untill the desert and at the 7.5-8 mile mark, I started to Bonk, or as I say, I saw the "purple haze" and stopped. May have faded out a bit but gathered my wits and started power walking. No way was this gonna beat me. The next aid station was 3 miles away and off I went. Passed by alot, but recieved encouragement from everyone, including my teamates as they went by. Got to the the last station ( I knew I'd see it again as this was near a turn around) and had 3 waters and a gatorade. Swong my arms with a vengeance and as I approched the turn around/check station, the girls told me I was walking angry and looking for a fight. I told them if I cant run, I was damn well gonna walk with an attitude.
To this point nothing was hurting, but I had to sit and get the gravl out of my shoes. Almost fatal as both calves cramped up and I swore like a drunken sailor. Again encoureged by the volunteers(didnt want them to see a grown man cry) I got up and carried on.
Actually managed to run a wee bit to the last station and grapped 3 more gatorades. Even the bike patrol ambulance crew liked my walking style. THis last area was really the only hill and then about a km to the finish. Ran a bit, walked a bit and ran the last couple minutes to finish strong, but left calf cramping badly, but no way was I giving in. Sucked it up and finished.

Carry 1 bottle on the run, and always fill it up. I got cocky friday night as my concers were the swim and the bike. Crazy asked me if I was taking my fuel belt and I said no, I should be able to make easch ststion and fuel up there. Dumb ass cocky mistake, but just something I'd differently, not an excuse for the walking.
Clothing was good, tri shorts through the whole thing.

Fell into the lake to cool down, tried to dive in and both calves cramped, screamed something nasty in the water. Got out and got the last massage, calves only. Drank water and gatorade.
Crazy and I loaded up the gear and went back to the hotel, ordered a large pizza, hit the hut tub for awhile. Ate the pizza, showered and went to the banquet. Had beef on a bun, beer and won a shirt and hammer gel bottle(expresso flavor). Debating whether to find out friends or head to the hotel. We went out for a drink and some wings and were back in by 930 or thereabouts.


I am/was the author of my own demise. My biggest hurdle is the excess baggage I am carrying. The heat was brutal and just about everyone had to walk at some point. But I know the performance would have been much better at 185, than 205. Thats the focus for the next 6-8 weeks.


The course was truly the greatest physical challenge I'd ever had. So when I say it was too hard for my abilities, it is not a critique of the course, merely of myself and my abilities, at this point. My decision making in some spots was poor, due to lack of experience,but I'd rather be brutally honest and learn from this experience than kid myself and say I'm ready for IM2006.

Overall, I really did exceed my expectations, and learned so much. Gotta thank Crazycanuck for getting me into this. We had a great time!