The Great White North Triathlon - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

The swim was busy. I think this was good practice for IMC, since there are a decent # of folks who do this race, and the course is much more packed together compared to IMC. there was a lot of jockeying for position throughout the swim, but I just kept my wits about me and tried to stay in the grove.

Nothing. I felt good and didn't have to swim over too many folks. I think I was seeded correctly so that I was able to maintain a good pace. Very happy with my swim improvement at this race compared to last year! 4 minutes!

T1 was lumped into the bike. So my bike was probably closer to 2:50 or slightly less. Pointless to remark upon really since everyone is in the same boat.
Wetsuit strippers, I love them :) Sorry for peeing just before coming to shore! :S ha ha ha!
Greg and I had marked out where my lane was so I knew where to run getting out of the swim. The transition area was very congested, only one bike could run up the isle at a time, but it wasn't a problem for me. Didn't put my bike gloves on until I was out on the course.

Try out my spiffy new tri shoes... :)

Food: I started eating after turning off of 779. I had 4 fig newtons, 1 peanut toffee blitz cliff, 1/2 pack of sharkies, 5 pieces of beef jerky. Will have to check and see how much of that I actually ate...
Felt pretty good on the way out. Lots of men passed me, but not many women (apparently I passed some in my AG!). The way out felt good and strong, but the way back seemed to zap my energy.

Apparently I shouldn't be drinking NUUN, but something with actual calories. I don't think I ate enough on the bike, because I was already convinced the run would be a shit show before I'd even gotten off of the bike... perhaps I was bonking already...?

You have to package your gear up in a bag and drop it off at the beginning of the race (there are two separate transitions for this race) so you have to get into your bag at T2. I packed a cowboy hat thinking I would wear it for the run, so grabbed that, stuffed the gels in my suit, threw on my shoes and headed out.

Not wear a damn cowboy hat for a half marathon. Who does that!? Idiot!

I would have died had Greg not brough my visor to wear. I'd already started asking strangers, when I heard him say that he had a visor for me.
This run was the most difficult run that I've done to date I think. From the bike, my mind started playing games with me. I didn't want to run, I couldn't possibly run 21km. What if I injured myself - did I feel anything nagging - should I quit? What should I drink... do I want anything? should I quit? Maybe I should just walk, but should I walk, or should I quit? Oh shoot, here comes (insert name of person I wanted to stay ahead of here) - oh, and there they go... no... I shouldn't quit... okay... keep going. oh, there is Greg. Thank god, I'm so glad to see you! Keep running? You love me? Oh, come on, can't I just walk and be done?

I don't know... I guess maybe work on my nutrition on the bike more, so that I don't get dug into this bottomless pit of a hole...?

Crossed the finish line and fell into Greg's arms. Was pretty happy with seeing my time, as I had no idea what my time was all day. I wear a watch, but I don't look at it. I figure it'll be whatever it'll be, so what's the point in having that extra pressure. Knowing that I'd beat my last years time by so much, I was thrilled with how the day went.


I think my nutrition on the bike limited my ability to pull off a semi decent run. The heat may have got to me a little bit too.


Not enough porta potties on the run course.
Food at post race was not enough
Post Race dinner started too late
Food was not worth $20 (potato salad under cooked, beans under cooked)