Morden Triathlon - Half Iron Distance - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

I entered the water behind everyone and got into my rhythm quickly. I felt great my sighting was great. After I made the left turn around the first I realized that the wind was kicking up a huge chop. I was on fire though because I was timing my strokes and breathing so that the waves would break over my head while it was in the water and my breaths were between waves! I was very happy with that. When I finished my first lap there was a triathlon official trying to wave me to the transition chute and everyone was screaming and cheering...I looked at him and said that was my first lap...I still have one more, but if you want I'll jump on my bike now! The crowd was laughing and I think they even cheered me harder after that!! I felt really alone on my second lap. The waves were now white caps and I kept going...it was really cool, I felt calm and steady, I didn't panic I just rolled with the conditions. Conditions which I would think were possible some of the worst we could have around here.


Given the crappy conditions and the white caps on the second lap there is not anything I could do to make this swim any better than it was. Other than train more etc...this was thew best I could have hoped for. It must be said that I didn't really swim until this last Christmas when I took stroke development classes. Swimming was never something I did...ever!

I took my time in T1. I knew I was in for a long ride so I just sat down striped my suit off and put my socks on and rested for maybe 30 - 40 seconds.

Nothing

That was the hardest bike ride I've ever been on. There were many people turning around and calling it a day. The first 30k (approx) were dead square into a wind of 50km/h with gusts up to 70km/h...oh ya and it is up a gradual incline too! It was very difficult to even hold a straight line. Forget about riding fast! I looked down and could not believe it that I was going as hard as I could and still the speedo would tell me 12km/h...wow! On another section of the course we rode for about 40k with very difficult side winds. There were a couple of downhills and a couple of "category 1" climbs (they felt like that to me!!) It's easy going down these hills but the cross winds really freaked me out...I rode the brakes most of the way down :(. By now the rain had started and it wasn't a nice warm rain...no...it was like little bullets, nice! I did really well on the first 2 climbs, shifted nicely and kept my cadence up. I controlled my breathing nice. On the last big climb I decided about 1/2 the way up to pack it in...it was about 1km up into the wind, with little rain bullets...I walked the rest of the way up. I am OK with that...no sense killing yourself just to climb a hill. You have to remember that I still do weigh 225lbs!!! It takes a lot of grease to get my arse up anything! It was a good call as that little walk break (about 5 minutes) gave my legs a fresh feeling when I "re-mounted my machine"! The last 20k or so was straight down wind. AAAAHHHHHH!!!!! that was nice I did not touch my pedals much I just coasted back down and let the wind push me (about 40km/k!)

There were many times I thought about throwing in the towel. I wanted to get off the bike and just go somewhere warm...maybe get a coffee, there was a Timmy's just out side the race sight. There were many times I thought well I'm on the bike course there aren't that many officials...how the hell would I drop out anyways! I guess I'll have to make the best of it and ride, ride, ride...no wait that should have been survive, survive, survive. No amount of training could have prepared me for the conditions we faced. I know if others could do it in 3:30 so could I...they faced the same conditions etc...they however don't carry the same amount of fun jelly on there skinny little frames as I do. I am very happy that I was able to squish the little voice in my head that says..."you should pack it in boy, you don't need to be here...you don't belong."

I am so proud of my performance on the bike at this event...I can't put words to it. I FINISHED IT,YES I DID IT.

"HEY ARE THERE ANY CUT OFF TIMES HERE?"

Thankfully no there is not! Racked the bike. An official came over to "chat" with me as I changed...she was awesome as she was assessing my capacities to continue, very positive! People in this sport are the best...even though I am slow and sucking gas big time they cheer you on...as hard if not harder than the top athletes. It really is an emotional thing for me...it just pumps me up...it says so much about the human spirit and what true sportsmanship is all about. I try very hard to thank everyone on the course especially the volunteers who have to wait for people like me to finish.

I flipped my shoes on put my fuel belt on and ran out the chute to start my run...full of positive energy.

Nothing.

My plan was to run 8 and 1's. I stuck to that plan for the entire run...I set the auto pilot on slow and steady and enjoyed the scenery. I could have run a little faster...but I didn't know how far "the wall" was at this point and I wanted to finish this thing off in good shape and happy. I drank at every aid station and joked with the volunteers a lot each time I'd pass them...in case you didn't know me that well...I tend to joke around when I feel stressed it helps to calm me down...it's just who I am. The worst thing about this run is that you have to pass by a Dairy Queen 4 times!!! The only time I walked when I should have been running was up a really steep incline on the golf course...it just didn't make sense to run up it. That would have waisted too much energy for me.

I could have done 10 and 1's or even just took a walk break at each aid station.

Light stretches...a visit to that damn Dairy Queen. (small blizzard please, I think I earned it!!) It was funny all the old people looking at the numbers on the back of my calves..."ya'll know ya got some felt pen on ya there, boy!"

yes I know!


Certainly not my mental approach...I was a mental machine fighting away the negative thoughts.

I do know that I must keep working on dropping weight...I have lost 70lbs since I've taken up the triathlon lifestyle...I need to make up a shirt that says that! I will never be a fast athlete, am have no misconceptions about that. My swim stroke could improve of course...have you ever seen how fast a walrus can swim? My running is what it is...a slow shuffle. On the bike, which by the way is very aerodynamic, my body shape and size makes it difficult to climb (down hills are scarier than hell!) I am generally happy with my regular bike performances.


I just need to keep up with what I am doing and most importantly keep the positive attitude I have.


The volunteers at all the events I've done are awesome. This event was very difficult both physically and mentally. It was very welcoming to see the smiling faces of the people who give up their personal time, just so that people like me can chase their dreams.

In the past year and a half I have gone from couch potato to duathlete to triathlete. I've dropped 70lbs, I have a huge store of energy, I can chase my 6 year old son around all day and not break a sweat...my wife likes what she sees ;) and I've made some great new friends.

I was warned a little while back that this tri thing is addictive...all I can say is: "where can I score my next fix?"