The Great White North Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Started strong, then settled into a good pace. First buoy was congested and lost a bit of time navigating around the 'campers'. Didn't like having to get out of the water and run around buoy on the beach but didn't feel too dizzy to start the second lap or coming out of the water for T1 so it wasn't that bad.

Not much. Start my watch at the right time.

Fumbled a bit with my gear. I thought I laid it out alright but the wind must have blew it over.

Better organized will shave some time here.

A PB for the bike! Rained quite steadily for a good portion of the race. Passed a good deal of TT bikes. That was nice! Listened to body and did not drink or eat on a schedule. Took 6 gels and only had 2 of them. Took 3 bottles and barely drank two of them. Felt good, other than the rain, for the entire bike race. Another first was being able to 'relieve myself' on the bike. With the rain, worked quite nicely! :)

Get a TT bike? :)

This was a bit of a gong show. My rack was way in the back and was steered in the wrong direction for a bit. Oh well, not a big issue. With the rain and cold bike, I realized when I got off my bike that I could not feel my toes. Running with the bike was not working so I had to walk to my rack. As I do not wear socks on the bike, I wanted to get on my compression socks for the run. Bad idea as I didn't pack a towel for T2 and it took what felt like forever to get them on. Ran out and realized I still had my cycle gloves on a few meters out of T2. Threw them off to the side. Luckily I got them back after the race.

In the morning, did not go to T2 and see where I was going to be. NOT put on compression socks. I'll go with compression sleeves, as I have done in the past. Take off gloves. Follow the order that I usually do.

Felt very good to start. I alternated the aid stations. First I would run through and only grab water. Drink some then throw the rest on my head. Kept me cool. Other aid stations, I would walk, take a bit of Gatorade. Skipped the last two aid stations as I felt very strong. The last one that I stopped at I took some flat cola. Ate no solids on the run and only 3 gels at km 6, 18 and another one I can't remember. Finished strong! PB for the run!

Not use compression socks but sleeves. Start off a bit slower. Not sure about that comment as I felt it was an excellent run!

Ecstatic! PB overall. Shaved off 54:19 from last year's time (didn't train much last year and had a crappy race) and 16:44 from my previous best time. A long way from 4 years ago and my first Half Ironman distance race of 7:20:??.


Rain on the bike slowed all down a bit, I think. Poorly managed T2.


New organizer this year. Was well run in years past but it was awesome this year. Had a Ironman feel to it right from package pick up to the finish! I'd love to do this race every year but may be doing Ironman Coeur d'alene next year. Only a week apart. Highly recommend this race to others! There was a good variety of new and experienced triathletes.