Wow, did I ever feel confident before the gun on the swim. Off I went and was feeling great. Found my stroke and breathing right off the bat, I could see the buoy and took a good line. It was perfect!

Then all hell broke loose. All of a sudden at 300m? my chest started to feel tight and I couldn't breath. My heart rate must have shot up and I couldn't put my face in the water. This lasted until I rounded the first buoy and was breath stroking, billions of people passing me and giving me the fin!
I looked back and there were very few people behind and I just stopped. This was supposed to be a relaxing start for me and it was anything but. So I took my line and as quickly as it came on, it was over and I could swim again. I have no idea what happened, but I was fine the rest of the way. I couldn't go fast as I didn't want to bring on the anxiety but I just stayed in the nice rhythm I had built up and finished over 6 min faster than last year, not having a clue and feeling very disheartened.

But on the plus side, physically I felt great!

I can only figure that just two OWS were not enough, even though the weather was crap here. I needed to make more of an effort to get in long before this event.

Grabbed a swallow or two of Gatorade I had waiting and hit the John, then got into my stuff and off I went.

Nothing really, not sure of my time but was happy with how this went. Definitely couldn't have waited to use the washroom, and we were expressly forbidden to pee of the bike, which I actually practiced.

I had a plan, and it involved "sacrificing" on the bike. Last year I kept the chain in the top ring as often as I could, even when I was climbing. This year I was going for a higher cadence and trying to save the legs. Plus I knew I didn't have the volume I wanted, again, due to weather.
It was a nice morning, strong cross winds and overcast sky. Sipped about every 2 miles and cliff bar at 8, 24 and 45 miles. A couple off pee breaks.
It was a great course and on the way out you could see the mountains and I kept thinking I was the luckiest guy in the world to be out here doing this, even as Starcorp and the young lady I came out with smoked me!
The back tightened up between 30-50 miles but simply got off for a minute and walked and it loosened up. Legs felt great and mentally I was having a ball. Passed two poor souls within 100m of each other who were fixing flats.


I think if I had had a little more volume it would have been better, but I did follow my plan and made my 4 hour goal and wasn't concerned about my bike time 'cause I felt so good after.

This went well, no confusion, although one pin came out of my number and I had to redo it. Kept same socks on, put shoes on, changed shirt, put on race belt and drink belt then shades and cap. Basically built from the ground up. And drank a bit.

Well, I felt strong here and looked forward to my worst discipline. I had a rough time briefly on the swim, a slower bike, but smooth transitions and mentally and physically I was in good shape. Can't think of anything I needed to do differently here.

When I started the run I had no idea what time it was and how much time had elapsed. I felt things were slow, but strong which gave me confidence I could run this run, which was the first goal.
I bought a drink belt the day before at the Running Room and had a frozen Gatorade in it. So it was nice and cold when I started.
The first lap was smooth, no tough spots except at a little out and back in the park. They take your number here to make sure you did the full course and the volunteers were great. Had to explain where Dauphin was and this little conversation got me back on track as I was feeling a little tired.
Made the first lap and looked at the clock thinking I was at or over 6hrs but miracle of miracles, it said 5:44! I was probably gonna make my second goal of breaking last years 7:17, and had a shot at goal number three, break 7 hrs. This was a long shot as I was fatigued, but not hurting. Figured if I could run this lap at 5 miles and our, it would be ok.
Then it started to rain. Lightly at first, then enough to get ya wet. I thanked each and every volunteer for staying out for us late comers and their attitudes really helped. There was a little thunder and lightening, but the rain stopped after I got into the park. At the washroom station, one of the volunteers ran in his sandals with me for a minute or two and that was a great gesture.
Now, every step I ran in the park was a personal victory as it was wat this point last year I bonked and had to walk the last five miles. I was still running, smiling and feeling great, but tired yet still pain free. No blisters, cramps or other maladies. About 9-10 miles in or halfway in this loop, I had issues and had to jump off the path along the river and relieve myself. Boy, did I ever feel refreshed after that! Think it gave me a second wind and I ran a little harder.
The last aid station is at the base of a hill as you climb back in to the residential area and I grabbed cold water and Gatorade and walked up it. I asked one of the volunteers what time it was and he said it was going on 3 pm. As I walked up the hill I realized that I was still under 7 hrs and had a shot. I thought it was less than a mile to finish and I dropped my cups and picked it up. I sort of mentally went over how good a day this really was for me and how happy I was to be here and how good I still felt. So my last though was, what if I could break 7 hours with a strong finish?
I ran hard and strong and hit the chute at 7:59:52 and then crossed the line a couple seconds later feeling like a king.

There is nothing in the world like crossing the finish line.

Absolutely nothing. Took Gatorade with me, walked the aid stations and drank there, had three gels along the way, saw a few deer and had gas in the tank at the end. Not that it mattered in the big picture, but wearing my watch would have probably helped a tiny bit?
This run was the first time in 5 races of varying types that I ever ran a sub 2.5 hr 13 miles.

Jan was there to take a pic, then boom, the rain absolutely poured down from the heavens. It was great. I just looked up and laughed. Walked down to the lake and stuck my face in to wash off the salt, phlegm, gel,snot Gatorade,and whatever else I picked up. We grabbed our gear and walked over to the food and had watermelon, chips, bagels, and cookies in the rain, with a big grin on my face, "soaking" up the moment.
We had a 10-15 minute walk with the bikes and gear to the parking area but I didn't care. Jan was good about it. She did 623 and had time to change, call home and do her hair before I came in. As we neared the van, it started to hail! What a time. We laughed good and hard, got back to her uncle's and had a few beer before the banquet.


I'll always say its a weight thing. I trained less but smarter since February, working hard on my nutrition and am ready to take it to the next level after reaping the results this time. Taking 17 minutes off last year's time and running the run is a victory for me. I followed my plan as best I could given the circumstances and with another year under my belt, I may finally have a handle on this stuff!


Now, the race itself was superb. This is a very challenging course and of the 10 people who came out with me last year, for a variety of reasons, none came back out this year.
Mike Bock organized a great couple days including on-line registration, informative emails, good web sight, race kit pickup, swim practices, pre and post race banquets, swag, medals and a host of other things.
The volunteers were the finest kind. They are out there to help and encourage and made it a very positive experience for me and everyone else.

I'll be back!