The swim was making me a bit nervous since 1) every non-wetsuit swim isn't my favorite since swimming isn't my strenght 2) the waves were gigantic. The start was ok, I placed myself at the front on the right (first turn was to the left) but we weren't that far off since there was place for maybe 10 to 15 people and then the other were piling up in the back. The start included men from 18 to 34.

Did I mention there was waves the size of a cow? I thank God I swam before in a lake, with some waves because otherwise, that could have been panicking. I stayed calm even if I couldn't breathe or if I swallowed water. The sighting was impossible sometimes if not well syncronized with the waves since they were all you could see for the most part.

I tried to stay focus on my form but it was tough, it was more of a survival mode and try to finish, as fast as I could considering the conditions.

(That slow time includes T1)

I'm not sure, maybe push harder but I think I gave a lot. I'm not "satisfied" with the swim but with those conditions, I'll take it.

I've known better. I struggled with my helmet for what appeared a long time. Except that it was good. I had a good run with the bike into the transition area and overtook a few guys in it and also made my way around some gringo sliding all over the mounting line with his metal cleats on the asphalt!

Practice T1 with aero helmet more, opposed to with regular helmet.

I started the 2 first KMs kinda conservative. I knew my friend Pierre was in front since his bike wasn't there anymore. I learned a few moments later he was with another club member. That made it even more of an incentive to go get them. I decided to make my way towards them not too fast and keep it comfortable. I didn't want to be all out to get them and then fall flat right after and not be able to drop them. It was easier than expected and passed them quite fast. (After the race, Pierre told me he thought at the time I wouldn't be able to keep that pace when I passed him, which I did. :) ) After a few other passes, someone else had a target on his back! An ex-guy from the club that beat me in Lac Beauport, the first race of the season...by 10 seconds. I passed him slowly and wasn't sure if, once again, I would be able to keep the pace. Right after passing him was a lot of big hills. 3 consecutive ones that weren't allowing the legs to recharge. I thought he would pass me again at this point since his strenght his the bike. I, later learned that I was more than 3 minutes faster than him on the course. Yay!

After that, not much people to pass since the other in front were faster and there weren't so many clueless people from other categories / distances. There was the guy from Gatineau's race that I passed on the 10th lap (bike) and passed me like I was walking during the run. This time HE passed me and I tried to follow him, which I did but he was slowly getting away (he finished 58 seconds faster than me).

I finished the bike without incidents and juice in my legs. Reached 50mph in a downhill just before T2.

Not much. I went hard and tried to keep the pace up. I was passed by maybe 2 or 3 riders on a 40km stretch so very good for me, and 7th fastest bike split is a taker for me! :)

Very good first part of T2. I was very aggressive and even overtook someone just before a 180 going to our rack. Maybe not very polite but I was WAY faster and I'm not sure he even realized what happened! ;)

Once the bike was racked is where the nightmare began! Helmet off was good. Tried to put my shoes on. It didn't go well at all. (Long story short = because of my foot injury, I train with shoes a lot more padded since 3 weeks. Before, I was running all the time with racers without insoles in them. The running guru I went to see told me I could run my tris with the racers but that I should put back the insoles on. Also, I should mention I put Vaseline in my shoes to help get him easier and protect from blisters) When I put my shoes on, the insoles wrinkled under my toes so I removed the shoe (left) and tried to arrange that. I put it back on and it didn't change a thing. I decided I would go like that.

After a few steps I realized it wasn't a good idea but I could suck it up for 10km... Soooo not comfortable that I decided after 1km to stop, yes Steve stopped and sat his @ss and removed ONCE AGAIN the shoe. I wasn't calm at all at the moment and tried to do as fast as I could. Tried to put back on the insole, and then my foot, thought it was ok and then left. It wasn't ok, and maybe even worse. This time... the hell with it, I decided I would run anyway and be rewarded with great blisters at the finish line. Blablablah, I had an ok run, got lots of water, passed a lot of people and was passed by 1 or 2 I think. Got a lot of "Come on Vaillancourt" because of the new suit!

The course had a very hilly section of 1km or so. I kept a good pace and reduced my stride in it. Second time around I still had a good pace and increased it 5 minutes before the finish.

Glue the damn insoles!

Talked with a lot of people. Went riding with Pierre and Yann for 30 minutes or so. Got a massage. Ate. Talked some more. And sat my @ss in the car for the 3 hour drive.


Insoles. That is stupid.


Very cool race...except for the 15$ fluo shirt! ;)