Ok that Air Force flyover was awesome.... Got started calmly and essentially got to work. Just kept going on some smooth water. I stayed a bit outside, wasn't that much traffic but easier to avoid it that way. There are 13 buoys out, 2 across, 13 back. Around buoy 8, it started to get very choppy. Waves coming at us and made staying straight s challenge. At that point, the faster swimmers from the next wave started to catch up and clutter the water, along with us catching up to the next group. At the halfway point I was around 41 minutes, which was a bit faster than I figured I'd be. As I made the turn back in, I knew it would be more work. The chop was tough and the current started to move out. I was shooting for a 1:35 swim and got it. Only time I broke stride was to avoid a canoe and lol for clearer water. Given the conditions, I was real happy. Could have easily been 5 minutes faster had there not been choppy waters. As I would soon find out, this was only going to be the beginning of weather issues.

Can't think of anything. I'm not fast, so maybe work on my efficiency and form a bit more.

It's a bike of a hike to T1. I walked and jogged but was also looking for my family. I saw them all just before the tent. Stopped to say hi, get a pic, then move along. Got my gear on and put some chamois cream on to pret for the ride and was good to go. Volunteer grabbed my bag and off I went. As I was rolling my bike out, I noted a flat front tire. Couldn't find a pump and was directed to the mechanic. They gave me a new tune, which took at least 4 minutes. Thanks for the urgency!! But off I went

No idea how I got a flat, but not get a flat.

First 4 miles were pretty smooth. Montee Ryan is rolling hills, more so than I expected it to be, but knew that from earlier rides that week. But kept my Bert rate down because I had a lot of mileage ahead. About 4-5 miles in, the first few rain drops came, then it got heavy and just did not relent. It was a factor the whole ride. The single file hills on montee Ryan meant slow downhills and no momentum up. Especially when you get cut off by people that slow down to a crawl. Once I hit 117, I opened it up a bit. Mainly flat with some rollers and one long downhill out (uphill back). Stopped for a bathroom break. And essentially times those with fluid reloads at the same time. Went to the bathroom but did not use the Porto potty unless it was a deuce. Uneventful first lap until Chemin duplessis. Hills are short and steep but if prepared, nothing that should blow you up. But seeing people fly don the otherwise made me nervous with the road conditions. The roads are marked an the turnaround is about 80km. The way back downhill was a good opportunity to lower the HR. But it was tough with the wet course. Found out later there was a really nasty wipeout. Somebody lost it down hill and took out people going up. Saw the family at the turnaround and went back at it. Really focused on my nutrition during montee Ryan and the way out on 117. This lap, the rain and wind picked up. The headwinds on the way back were brutal. You could see the top half of the trees along the way bending toward you. The last climb up 117 wasn't easy. Once back on montee Ryan, I knew I just had duplessis between me and a marathon. So went at it. Better this time around. Glad I saved some energy because I pushed harder up the hills and passed a lot of people. Down and off to T2 where my family greeted me again. At this point the pros were finishing the race. Saw my family, stopped and talked to them for a few minutes and then headed back to the tent.

Pushed a little harder. But as a first timer, I didn't want to blow up.

Got my bag and changed shoes pretty easily. I wore my tri suit under my bike shorts so just peeled those off. Put on some body glide, grabbed my cap and headed out.

I talked to my family for a few minutes. Good to reassure them I was ok, and see some happy faces, but not good for the clock.

My intent was to do a 5 minute jog / 1 minute walk plan. That lasted one minute. My legs were stiff. Fought through it a bit for the first few miles but it got sore. I got to an aid tent and found the first person that didn't speak any English. I wanted Advil. A fellow racer offered me some Tylenol and I took it. It worked. Started to loosen up and I eventually caught up with a buddy I met checking in and in transition. We kept pacing each other and we're doing a walk run plan until our HR would leave zone 2. I know I could have gone harder but did not want to be the person crawling at the end. I intended to finish under cut offs. My goal of 15 hours was severely impacted by weather and not important anymore. We kept at it and saw family at the half way mark. Blisters were forming and were hurting. Stopped taking in as much INFINIT as I was hoping to because my stomach had enough. Switched to bananas, cliff shots and chicken broth. And lots of water (l'eau in French). Ran / walked with a few other people along the way and was feeling fine. Again, didn't want injuries or too much fatigue to get in the way. Anything past 14 miles was uncharted territory for me. Around mile 21, I was feeling pretty achy and saw two women pulling out some pills out of a plastic baggy. Reminiscent of going to Phish concerts :). I asked if they had any salt because mine fell out of my amphibole pack. They gave me what I needed and off I went. Other than a few hills, I jogged most of the last 4 miles. As I approached the last mile, I ran a lot faster. All the thoughts of everything going through my mind. From my fight with cancer, my wife's fight with cancer, to all the early morning workouts,..... I slowed up for the approach. Unless you are shooting for a qualifier to kona, slow down, suck it all in. I saw my family and was fighting back tears... Until I heard Mike Reily yell my name. Biggest smile EVER

The run/walk partner made it easy to pass the time as it got late. However I lost time as he had a few potty stops that I didn't need. Again, I wasn't thinking about time.

I could have fought through it more but again, uncharted territory here. I probably could have used a little more run endurance, but not complaining at all.

Got my finisher goodies and a bottle of chocolate milk. And of course poutine. I ate it like a dog, no fork, just inhaled it. I was stiff so went for a massage which helped. Saw m family and gave them a huge hug. My wife asked me "how did you do?" To which I responded "I can totally beat this time next year"

Will I? Not likely. Maybe another year.


Weather. Even season ironman finishers and pros were telling me how hard this race was given taco digits. From the choppy water to the rain.


What a tremendous experience. A co worker of mine said the day I was leaving, "you've been depositing the money for months now, just go cash the check". He was right. Trust your training. What an amazing time.

Becoming an ironman isn't just the physical and mental effort. It's family and friends. My wife picked up a few extra chores for me to allow me to train. We made some plans around it too. That said, I'm no pro and skipped a few sessions for family plans.

When my so. Asked me about doing an ironman and I wasn't sure, he said "you always tell us, if you want something, work hard and you can do it". So I did. As ironman says "anything is possible"

Mont Tremblant is a fantastic venue for family. Easy to get around and loads to do. We had an awesome vacation with an ironman.