Ironman Canada - TriathlonFull Ironman

I started in the middle near the front, I had planned on starting on the left side but the middle was pretty empty. The start was uneventful for me with minimal contact which was a surprise as this was my first Ironman. Started at a higher stroke rate (which is what a I practiced) and then settled in to a nice pace. Found a few fast feet and rode them for a bit but came in over an hour. Wanted to be under but wasn't going to risk the day to shave a couple of minutes off the swim.

Maybe push a little harder and not worry about drafting as much.

My wetsuit sticks to my legs like glue. I put BodyGlide on my calves before putting it on but even with 2 wetsuit strippers it still was tough to get off. Decided the day before that I was going to walk through the transition area as running would only make me feel rushed. I wore my tri shorts with bike shorts over top of them under the wetsuit so there was minimal work to be done in the change tent.

Figure out why my wetsuit is so hard to get off my lower legs.

Because I exited the water near the front I had the privilege of being passed by a lot of people on the way to Osoyoos. Lots of people riding in packs, a number of people were blatantly drafting. I kept my own pace though as I knew I had to keep energy for the run. The climbs up Richters and Yellow Lake were a surprise for me as I passed a bunch of people up both mountains. I didn't feel as though I was working hard, just spinning. I guess adding the 11-28 cassette a month ago was a good idea. Stopped at the special needs for about 10 minutes for a snack and bathroom break as planned.

I liked my time as I was aiming for 6 hours. However I couldn't ride aero as much as I wanted to. I tweaked a muscle in my neck/upper back a couple weeks ago and could only hold the aero position for short periods before it got too uncomfortable.

My legs were feeling stiff when I got off of the bike. I didn't attempt a flying dismount as I knew I was going to take my time in T2. Got Bike to Run bag and walked to change tent. Wasn't moving too quickly in change tent considering all I had to do is take off bike shorts as my tri shorts were on underneath. Probably could have been about 6 minutes faster.

Probably not sit down on a chair next time, my body wasn't keen on getting up.

On the bike I was planning on using Perpetuem in my nutrition but about the halfway point on the bike course my stomach told me that it had enough of that drink so I stopped. I thought at the time that I have to make sure I take in more sodium on the run. I ran/walked the first 10 km's just under 7 min/km which was my plan. Shortly thereafter I started to have GI cramps so I started to walk more. I had Salt Stick tabs with me and took one which seemed to make it worse so I stopped that. At every aid station, took ice for the hat, cup of cola, 2 cups of water and mixed up fruit or gels. It wasn't until after the turn around it dawned on me that I should try to get more sodium so every aid station I started to take a salt tab, a cup of chicken brother and some water. After 3 aid stations of that I started to feel much better and got back to my run/walk strategy.

I had planned on breaking 13 hours but when I was 3 km's out from the finish I figured that wasn't going to happen so I stuck with my plan and just enjoyed coming back into town. I ran from the final turn around to the finish.

More salt tablets and start taking them earlier.

Went to the food area and had a slice of pizza and then found the wife.


Lack of sodium and time to adapt to nutrition changes.


Previous participants told me that this was a great race; from the course, to the volunteers to the spectators/local residents. I was not disappointed. The final run to the finish was amazing, never thought I would hear a crowd roar for me.

I hope Challenge keeps up the atmosphere of the race as that what really makes this special.

I would race this course again.