Ironman 70.3 Mont Tremblant - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Very good swim for me. I'm more a back of the pack but noticed lately some improvements in my swim. Started at the end of the pack a little bit on the left, like my coach suggested.
After a couple of minutes, I was still fighting a bit with other racers but nothing crazy, just like more "I'm there, watch out, don't come too close".
I drafted a little bit and then things became clear after 4/500 meters.
Nice sighting, water was warm, perfect spacing of the bouys, first turn then second one and the swim exit was there.
The end of the swim was a little bit shallow and I hit a rock with my middle toe... It hurts! a lot!
I kept going, re-started swimming until the very end.
I was targeting something around 40/45min but more in the 45ish range... I was very surprised to see the clock announcing 40min! I was stoked and very happy.
Went off the water, find a good peeler, and I was jogging to my bike.

Not hit a rock at the end of the swim. It hurts and still hurts... Other than that, nothing different, I'm very happy with my swim :)

Long transition to the bike all carpeted so it was a very nice flat run. A lot of people cheering from both sides, it was very good to feel this atmosphere all around.
Arrived at the bike, dropped the suit, helmet on, bib on, and off I go on the bike. Nothing special there except for my toe...still hurting!!!

Nothing, great transition, long but comfy :)

Very frustrating start for me. I had a plan and I followed it, but that meant I needed to be conservative for the first 20 min... Everybody was passing me... EVERYBODY !!! All I wanted was to chase them but I knew it was not part of the plan... Follow and trust your coach... So I stick to my wattage numbers... 20 minutes later, I start to unleashed a bit of the power and it felt great. I rode the course the week end before (2 loops) so I knew exactly what to expect, the hills, the descent, the PERFECT road condition, it helped a lot!!!
I started to get on people, but was still managing my effort. I was very surprised to see my first split as 30kph. I was more targeting something between 25-28kph. But the numbers were exactly inline with my race plan so I didn't question anything.
My second split was the same, another 30kph average, and still very surprised by my day performance so far for the day. I knew the last section would be difficult due to the steep hills, but I was ready for them.
The last section was there, steep hills, but as a coincidence, a lot of people who flew by me at the beginning were there, and that time, I flew by them (still being in my numbers!!!), it felt great to see this. I'm sorry for these people but that's the race game ;)
Up to the turn around and once again, I followed my coach plan: Do not touch the brake on the downhill to the transition!!! So I put myself into the bars and let it go. It was great!!! good feeling, good sensation and good speed.
Overall, a very good ride and I felt fresh enough to run a half marathon after. The icing on the cake, I was targeting something between 3:15/3:30 and I got a 3:04! That was a blast :)
I noticed that I was able to ride with my toe's problem but if I was pushing too much in front of my foot, it was very painful... so I stayed without pushing in front of my foot and it was OK :)

NOTHING !!!!!
I loved it, every inches of it :)

Good transition, good dismount, wanted to do a flying dismount but didn't want to take any risk with my toe so I choose the safest way and ran with my cycling shoes.

Nothing, good transition

The run was hot but I tried to stay cool all along the run. Every sprinkler, I ran below. It felt great :)
I ran like my coach told me to do so, smart on the hills, shorten strides, helping with the arms and I was feeling very good.
I started to pass people, a lot of people, and I started to chase people from my AG :) One down, 2 down, 3 down, 4, 5, 6, and I lost the count.
I was having a very very good run. My toe was hurting my the pain was manageable. And it kept me away wanting to do a bathroom break. I walked on aid stations but every time I walked, the pain was rising so I kept running.
I was feeling great, strong and the last couple of hills were difficult but knowing the end was near helped big time.
A lot of cheering, a lot of volunteers, this course is a blast!!!
And when you see the last hill, you turn right into the village and the crowd is here, waiting for you, it is an amazing feeling.
I was doing a lot of maths in my head during the last 5 km to see if I could break the 6 hours mark, then the 5:55... I finally managed to see that I was even able to break the 5:50, so I gave everything in the last stretch into the village, high fiving people, smiling, having fun! and I did it: 5:49:02 as the official finishing time.

Nothing, I had an awesome run!

Nothing really, remove my shoes to see that my toe was all swollen and blue-ish/purple... looking like a broken toe for me... (having broken a LOT of bones, I know this feeling unfortunately...), so grab some foods, recover and went to the medical tent to grab some ice to put there. Nothing much I can do for now...


I don't know as I am VERY happy with my time. In my dreams, I was thinking something between 5:55 and 6:30... 5:49 ??? I'll take it and don't want to think about how could I have been faster that day... Who cares !!!??? ;)


Best. Race. Period.

Great venue, wonderful roads, awesome cheering and volunteers, fantastic organisation, I can't think of something bad about this race.
From the start to the finish, it was just freakin' unbelievable!!!

Just one thing, if they can remove rocks the next time from the bottom of the lake, that might be the only downside I can think of...

The big canon for the start, the snowbirds, the bike course, the organisation, everything was just perfect!!!

Now, time to rest and ice my toe... IM Lake Placid is in 4 weeks and I need to heal and rest... ;)