Ironman Canada - TriathlonFull Ironman

The swim start was one of my biggest fears. Nick and I decided to start right smack dab in the middle. The race started. I walked the first 10 metres and then dove in. You would think being in the middle would mean getting pushed and kicked but for the first 500 metres I had 10 feet of open water in all directions. After that, you would have the odd person try and swim over you - but all I remember thinking to myself was finding it so peaceful in the water swimming in the middle of 3000 people. On the way back I got a little off course and was out of the draft but tried to swim back to the draft line. I had to pee really bad on the way back and couldn't do so until I was about to get out of the water which was great because the porta potties in transition were lined up 5-deep.

Stay on someone's toes - draft better!

Had my wetsuit half off before getting into transition. The wetsuit strippers took one tug and my suit was off. Lost my goggles somewhere along the way. The change tent was packed - so walked through and changed outside. Got some suntan lotion put on my shoulders and lower back (forgot about my ears - which would have been bad if it was really hot). Put my helmet on and went to my bike. It was nice - on the end of the rack and only 7 rows (of 50+) from the bike mount spot.

Not much. It was fast. Couldn't figure out where I was supposed to drop my clothes bag after I had changed.

The bike was my weakest of the 3 disciplines.Riding up main street out of town - I saw Krista, my Mom, Dad and Brother in their Lime Green Team Sali shirts. A huge boost to see them! The first 20 km were so packed it was difficult to get any pace in. Got passed by a lot of speedy cyclists. Got to McLean Creek road and going up the hillI got boxed in so lost a lot of momentum. After that, a nice down hill. The next 40km to Osoyoss was flat and fast. I averaged about 32km/hr not working very hard. On the way, a girl named 'Faye' passed me. I thought her water bottle was leaking and spraying me, but when I looked, he saddle was wet and a liquid was leaking out. She was peeing! That was pretty gross and I yelled at her but I don't think she acknowledged me. I then got to the famous "Richter's Pass" 1500 foot climb in elevation over 11km. Lane had caught up to me and we started climbing it together. It was awesome to have him there beside me and I made it up most of the way with him. The support on the side of the road the whole way up was tremendous. It was like we were in the Tour de France! After the long climb, there was a nice descent. My speed picked up to 65 km/hr - which was pretty scary as there were some really bad cross winds that could push you off the side of the road. at about 75 km into the bike - I bonked a little bit. There were 7 big rollers that took their toll on me.The out and back at 110km-130km was awful on the mind. I did make it to the bike special needs and had a few All dressed chips and a peanut butter and honey sandwich. Next we travelled 30km (120-150) into a 60 km/h head wind with some sleet and rain. I remember being happy just carrying a speed of 20km/h. There were lot's of drafting penalties! This was supposed to be the recovery point before the climb up to Yellow Lake. When we got to the first climb at yellow lake, you could see fans lined up on either side the whole way up. It was crazy! The 2nd climb was difficult, I was out of the saddle the entire time. Some yelled go Mike! and I looked over and it was Mel Mackenzie! After we climbed to the top it was a fast 25km drop back to Penticton. Got back into town and main street was crazy!

I had 5 power bars, 2 double formula E-load water bottles, 3 waters, Power Gel Gummies, Half of a Peanut butter and honey sandwich and some all dressed chips.

Pushed harder on the out and back.

Quick Transition. A volunteer grabbed my bike when I came in. A volunteer named "Boon" Helped me put my shirt, socks and shoes on and stuffed all of my nutrition into my shirt pocket. A huge help.

Nothing

The run was my strong point. As soon as I got off the bike, I knew I could finish this race and become an Ironman. The only things I worried about were: 1. Cramping and 2. Stomach. My legs felt great off of the bike. The first part of the run was through Penticton and was just packed. I was running a 5:00 min/km pace at the start and told myself I had to slow down. I caught a girl 2 km into the race and paced with her the whole way. We ran the first 10km in 55 minutes (too fast). We would walk through aid stations and up hills but run the rest. The half way point we were there at 2:10. I grabbed my special needs bag and grabbed some all dressed chips and 2 Advil. Nick told me to pack water as well because there was no aid station. We walked most of the hills on the way back and then from 15km in - ran most of the way at a 6:30 pace. At every aid station I would grab a glass of gatorade and a glass of ice water. I thought that it would slosh around in my stomach but I took salt pills to help absorb better. My stomach was great and didn't let me down. On the way back I thought a lot of the tough training days along the way, the saturday morning runs with Nick and Brendan in the middle of January! Once I got back into town about 5km away from the finish, I got excited and started enjoying the moment. There were a lot of locals lining the streets and cheering Go Michael! (as my name was on my bib). I kept picking my pace up and thanking them for their hospitality. I picked up to a 5 min/km pace in the last 2km and kept passing people. I got to Lakeshore and ran past the finish line for the 2km out-and-back. The first thing I saw when I turned the corner was Krista and my family! I ran and saw Lane, who had helped me so much on my long bike rides (and even gave me advise earlier in the day while we were on the bike) he was about a minute in front of me. I hit the turnaround and kept a smooth strong pace passing people. I saw my family and Krista about 20m from the finish and just put my hands on my head in disbelief that I was about to become an Ironman in a few short metres. I got to the finish line and the announcer yelled my name and said this was my first Ironman! I got across the line and in 12:49:59! I finished just before dark. I saw Deb Duncan who was volunteering at the finish line! Gave her a huge hug and she took me to the recovery station. She brought me 4 pieces of Pizza ! ! ! (my favourite) and I basically breathed on them and they were gone. I could feel them coming back up but I scarfed down two more and just sat in a chair for an hour and a half. Just euphoric! I saw my family and Krista after and they said I was just glowing. I couldn't take the smile off my face and my eyes were like a little kid's on Christmas! Overall, It was a great day!

Had 4 salt pills, 2 gels, lots of gatorade, lots of ice water. Advil. All dressed chips.

Sat down on a chair for an hour and a half. 4 Pieces of pizza. Lots of cold water.


Training on the bike. I needed more time in the saddle!


I can easily say this was the best experience of my life. I had a dream of doing Ironman 5 years ago when I completed my first half marathon. After 2 marathons, 3 half ironmans and countless other races, I really did not think this goal could have been achieved so quickly! A lot of supportive people (Mom, Dad, Matt, and of course Krista) and a lot of good mentor's (Brendan, Nick, Lane, John M, Doug Mackenzie). Honestly can say I would never have been able to do this without the insight and knowledge they provided!

I don't know if you can duplicate the feeling of crossing that line. It truly was a privilege to have that much fun at Ironman!