Ironman Canada - TriathlonFull Ironman

Decided against wearing the garmin in the water. Didn't want something crazy to happen and lose it. So left it in T1 bag.
Lots of action in the water.
Really felt like I was being pulled out to sea in the mass. I started off to the left and a few people back. Thought I could hang in the middle and enjoy the swim. Was a kickfest for the first few hundred metres, but it seemed to settle down for me a bit until the first turn. So much contact. Glad I am a bigger guy, and it didn't seem to phase me to much. At one point on the small 400m straight away, I got kicked in the gut. That actually stung a bit. I really questioned at that point how I could get kicked in the middle of my stomach,but kept going. the 1800m back seemed to take a while, but got to the shore, stood up, looked at my cheap old Nike watch and it read 1:13:xx. I was quite happy with that.

Not alot. I felt under control, didn't want to push too much as it's a long day.

I got nothing. I honestly have no idea why this took so long. I got out of the water, grabbed my T1 bag, ran into tent. opened bag up, got all lathered up in chamois butter, put on jersey,shorts,shoes,etc. walked out and got some sunscreen from a cute young girl. got on my bike.
9:47 was in the bottom 10% of racers. what a waste of time! Wasn't a potty break or anything. I am a talker. but I didn't sit down and chat. Whatever. My wife was on my case as to what took me so long. People thought I was sick in the bathroom.

I guess everything. I would do everything different and maybe in a different order.

was rush coming out of T1. Biking down main street with the cowbells and 1000's of people was exciting. I wanted to ride easy today.It was going to be hot, and I needed everything in me for a the run. Spun up Mclean Creek. didn't see any tacks, but saw tonnes of flats. heard about the tacks after the race. Some people. Really? We come to your town to end oodles of money and you want to throw tacks on the road? Anyhow, road superduper easy out to Osoyoos. Turned at the Husky gas station and onto Richter's. Got in the granny gears and rode easy up the 4 tables of Richter's. Chatted with a few people as we were riding all of 10 km/hr. Really enjoyed the crowd once were closing in on the top. High 5'ed the announcer guy at the top, and then hit 70km/hr on the descent. Few near misses on the way down. Momentum carries me nicely downhill. The 7 rollers weren't all that much fun, but got through them, and onto the out and back. Saw a few people I knew on that road, and hit SN. Stopped and grabbed my bag, and enjoyed some Salt&Vinegar chips. Took a boy's bathroom break on the roadside, and off I went to Yellow Lake. It's such a slow 17km climb, that sometimes you don't feel like you are climbing. I felt at times like I was just getting lazy on the pedals, as the false flats maek you rethink your pedalling. Felt very TourDeFrance-ish as we were all single laned in by people as we were hitting the top. AHA the top of Yellow Lake. Its all downhill from here. Except when it's windy, like it was that day. So there was some free speed out there, but a few of the spots I felt like I had to pedal to maintain my balance and speed. But got through there and came back into town. Was great seeing my team tent set up at Cherry Lane Mall. So I got a big cheer as I rode in past them, and back down to T2. Dismounted and gave me bike to another super volunteer.
Stayed on top of nutrition with the Infinit and some gels. Felt good coming of the bike.

I think next time I could push a wee bit harder on the bike. I was pleased with how I executed the ride, but felt like I could maybe have pushed more. First time at the distance though, so I wasn't sure how hard to push.

Blistering fast pace! Was a little freaky getting into T2, and seeing a guy on a stretcher and a guy puking as I arrived in the tent. I did chat here a bit. Saw a guy that looked familar from previous RR's I've read. It was Birkierunner. He didn't seem to be having a very fun day.
Full kit change, and out for the run.
Got sunscreened by the same girl again. I think she was waiting for me.

I guess this one was smoother? Not sure. I debating keeping the Desoto tri shorts on for the run, but thought running shorts might feel better in the heat.

I had no idea how this was going to go. It was hot. I had this crazy orange scarf that you could put ice into one end and then velcro around your neck. It was a lifesaver. I didn't need to worry about sponges in the top or anything. I looked a little like a boy scout, but looks were pretty much irrelevant at this point. Anyhow, planned on running 5 min and walking 1 for the first bit. I wanted to keep my HR under control and not get too crazy on the way out to OK Falls. So ran through the first funky out and back in town. I KNEW this is where Michelle and the girls were going to be. I hadn't seen her since the swim, and the girsl all day. Sure enough they were there with there "DADDY IS SUPERMAN" and "RUN FASTER DADDY" signs. I really did not want to lose it so early in the run. So I ran to them, gave them all kisses and told them I'll see them soon. had a buddy at the next aid station, so chatted with him as I started to fuel up. Really tried to drink a cup of water at every aid station, and if I wasnt sucking back Pepsi, then it was a gel. Once I hit the hills of Okanagan Falls, I knew i was nearing the turnaround. Got there, grabbed my S&V chips and some notes from the girls. I walked and ate my chips, reading the notes as I walked up the hill out of the turnaround. It sucked not having any water while eating those chips! I have the 3 notes from Michelle and the girls sitting here in our computer room at home still. "Daddy don't give up. Just go again. Run as fast as you can. Daddy be as fast as a Superman.I love you Daddy, you have superpowers." That was the 4 year old's note. Reading them got my going again. It was so hot out there. Every aid station was stocked for me and I took advantage of anything and everything on the way back. Last few aid stations were 2 shots of pepsi, shot of chicken broth and a glass of ice water. It was nice when the sun FINALLY went behind the mountain top. I hit Skaha Lake and ran into a teammate who was out biking around. It was nice to see a familiar face again. I knew I only had around 8k left, and the day was going to be over. I came around the corner and my coach was out there. Today was not a day about time goals, but of course we all set them in our mind. she asked me what mine was. I told her I thought 14hrs would be great, but super secret awesomeness goal would be 13:30. I had around 6.5k left and an hour to get there in to break 13:30. So off I went. The crowd started to pick up as I hit town main street. Turned off left towards the out and back which sucked when the finish line is just to the right. and the turn around here is longer than it was on the way out. I kept running down to the turnaround, and once I saw our hotel I saw the family and the team. I lost it. I started crying big time. Ran up to the girls gave them big kisses and I'm sure nice and sweaty hugs. I thanked Michelle for being there for me through this all. Or at least I think I did. I was blubbering. I left with Michelle and my coach running with me but I left them in my dust for the last 700m. I was so focused on getting there before 13:15. I passed a few people before the blue carpet. I had it all to myself. I heard my name, looked at the clock and knew I was going to break 13:15. I did a few fist pumps and allowed myself to celebrate a bit, but didn't doddle, and crossed the line.

Oh, and I am an IRONMAN!

It was a hot,hot run. I probably could have ran a bit more than I did. but I enjoyed the run. I can't believe I can say that now. But I did feel like I enjoyed it. It hurt some, but I got through it.
Celebrate a bit more in the chute. I don't know if I fully enjoyed that moment as much as I could/should of.

crossed the line, had a couple catch me and grabbed a medal tshirt and hat. Couple teammates who were volunterring back there took over and brought me to the recovery area tp get a pic and sit down. We chatted for a bit about the day,and they tried to give me some food but all I wanted was some water. Michelle came and rescued me from the recovery area and we gathered up my bike and bags. Went back to where the team was and ate a couple ham buns and a triple chocolate brownie ice cream cone while watching other come in.


I felt like I hit the majority of my key workouts along the way, but maybe I didn't take nutrition along the process as seriously as I could have.
another 10 or so lbs off this frame, and I'd be a machine!! :)


Awesome volunteers everywhere. Great,great race. heard they ran out of water at a few aid stations on the bike. I think that is due to them throwing PERFORM at us instead of gatorade. PERFORM wasn't available up here until a month or so before the race. So I believe everyone was taking water on the bike.