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Ironman Canada - TriathlonFull Ironman


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Penticton, British Columbia
Canada
Total Time = 15h 37m 24s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 3539/
Pre-race routine:

Up at the crack of sparrow farts, I mean 4:00 am. Tried to get down a bagel with peanut butter and a cup of green tea. Put together my bottles of Infinit for the bike and special needs bags and then got Matthew ready for the big day.
Event warmup:

Does standing in the pottie line for 30 minutes count? I was starting to think that I wouldn't make it to the start in time.
Swim
  • 1h 16m 34s
  • 3800 meters
  • 02m 01s / 100 meters
Comments:

Just amazing. This was the part that I had stressed about for months. I panic in a crowd in the water. But that didn't happen.

I headed down to the water just after the pros started. It was a sea of people. I scanned the crowds looking for my family or a familiar face in the mass of soon to be Ironmen but couldn't find anyone. It's funny how in such a large crowd you can feel so alone. But I reminded myself that this entire day was a test...a test of personal strength and I was the only one that would get me there.

And off we went. I was left of centre and took my time wading in until the water was chest deep. I was surprised at how much open pockets I could find, and just settled into a groove. I even managed to try drafting a few times. I did get a good smack in the back of the head rounding the first turn, but it didn't shake my spirit. I kept marveling in how good I felt, and how different things turned out to be. I swam right in to the shore and got up with a huge smile. First goal of the day completed!!

I thought for sure that I had swam 1:30, and was really happy when I found out what my swim time was :)
What would you do differently?:

Not a thing.
Transition 1
  • 00m
Comments:

I sure took my time here. Why not? It's a loooong day. I found a chair right away and was shaking. I was so cold. Arm warmers on, socks, shoes, number belt, helmet and sunglasses. Took a gel and some water on the way to the potties. I didn't want to have to stop at the first aid station for a pee :)

Headed out and saw some friends right away, then my folks further up. I was sad that I didn't see Darren and Matthew but it turns out that Darren missed me coming out of the water. He even stayed until the last person came out of the water and then started panicking that I had come in on one of the boats.
What would you do differently?:

Not much, maybe go a little faster.
Bike
  • 7h 58m 45s
  • 180 kms
  • 22.56 km/hr
Comments:

Ok. Not a stellar bike time for me, but then I am NOT a good climber. But what I beautiful course! Heading out of town, my legs felt fatigue from the start. I worried a little and hoped that this was not a sign of things to come for the rest of the day. I put my smile back on and reminded myself that ultimately the goal of the day was to finish, upright and smiling before 17 hours were up.

I had never ridden the course so I didn't know when/where the hills were coming. That might have been a blessing in disguise. I got passed quite a bit on the way out, and I think that I saw DrLeah go flying by too. But as we hit the hills I started to perk up a little and actually passed a few going up hill!

The out and back part of the ride was tough mentally for me. I think one lady riding by me called it the "pout and back". I was pouting. I stopped to grab my special needs bag and replaced my Infint bottles and grabbed some more water. there were a few people lying down and eating or stretching. One guy looked like he was having a snooze :)

By Yellow Lake I was starting to really have trouble with burning in my feet. But I was determined to keep smiling and enjoy the energy from the crowds. My friend Donna surprised me at Twin Lakes. I was soooo happy to see her. Loaded up with encouragement I put my head down and headed into the wind again.

Back into town after having some fun on the downhill winding bits. I saw my family and Matthew had a big smile for me. Energized again. Finally found the dismount line and a crowd of awesome volunteers. My friend Cathy had my bag ready for me to grab and a huge hug to go along with it. And then I saw Crazypop and just had to run over and say hello and give him a big hug. Off to the tent I went.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing for my first Ironman. I stuck to the plan of the day. Next time though, I am going to be a little more aggressive on the flats and I will definitely need to do a hell of a lot more hill training!
Transition 2
  • 00m
Comments:

I took my time here too. Changed my shoes, put my visor on, fuel belt and off I went to the potties again.
What would you do differently?:

I could have gone a lot faster here.
Run
  • 6h 00m 49s
  • 42.2 kms
  • 08m 33s  min/km
Comments:

Well....not much running got done here. But I didn't give a rat's azz. The first half of the run, I tried to run between the aid stations but by 10 miles that wasn't working as well as I had hoped. My stomach was starting to retaliate. By this time I couldn't stomach any more Infiit, so I stuck to chicken broth and water for the rest of the run. And then I ended up walking more and more. It seemed that when I ran, my stomach would get really upset and then I would walk until it settled down. Weird. BUt I didn't care. I was having a blast! I loved the crowds, I loved the volunteers, I loved that I was so close to becoming an Ironman.


What would you do differently?:

More running in training. Different nutrition plan for the run.
Post race
Event comments:

I'll be honest. I looked at the time and did the math. I could have sucked it up and ran more to try to make my super secret goal. But then, the end result would have been completely different. My plan for my first and maybe only Ironman was to smile the entire day, have a great time, and finish feeling good and with the biggest shit eating grin ever. I did that. And I have never felt so proud.

For me, Ironman meant crossing the finish line. The time was secondary. It meant seeing new friends (Haz, DrLeah, Crazypop) and sharing the day with my family.

IMC was amazing. The volnteers were awesome, and so were the crowds of supporters that stayed out in the dark and the rain to cheer us glow sticks in. It's a day in my life that I will never forget!




Last updated: 2008-02-22 12:00 AM
Swimming
01:16:34 | 3800 meters | 02m 01s / 100meters
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
Suit:
Course:
Start type: Wade Plus:
Water temp: 0F / 0C Current:
200M Perf. Good Remainder: Good
Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
Waves: Good Navigation: Good
Rounding: Good
T1
Time: 00:00
Performance:
Cap removal: Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
07:58:45 | 180 kms | 22.56 km/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Wind:
Course:
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 00:00
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
06:00:49 | 42.2 kms | 08m 33s  min/km
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Course:
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]

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2008-08-28 1:24 PM

User image

Veteran
235
10010025
Subject: Ironman Canada


2008-08-28 4:18 PM
in reply to: #1635304

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2008-08-28 4:29 PM
in reply to: #1635304

Master
1320
1000100100100
Chilliwack, BC
Subject: RE: Ironman Canada

Great job out there. You seemed very happy in T2! You had FUN and I do believe thats the main part!

 

2008-08-28 6:26 PM
in reply to: #1635304

Master
1567
10005002525
Kauai, Hawaii
Subject: RE: Ironman Canada

Excellent job having fun! You are an inspiration that it is fun! I was watching via thread and live feed.

 I think the burning in your feet may have been you thawing out from the swim? You said you were cold after, when my feet warm up after I have been skiing they always burn.

2008-08-28 7:02 PM
in reply to: #1635304

Master
1748
100050010010025
Port Moody, BC
Subject: RE: Ironman Canada
Excellent Heather, sounds like you had a really fun and enjoyable race. Glad you stuck with it and became an IRONMAN! Way to go, very proud of you buddy!
2008-08-28 7:27 PM
in reply to: #1635304

Pro
4100
20002000100
Wherever the trail takes me, WA.
Subject: RE: Ironman Canada
Great job... Especially with all the different types of weather thrown at us Sunday!  WAY TO GO!!!


2008-08-29 7:28 PM
in reply to: #1635304

Lethbridge, Alberta
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Ironman Canada
Congratulations!
... smile the entire day, have a great time, and finish feeling good ...
It sounds like you had your priorities sorted out pretty well. Good job!!
2008-08-30 12:34 AM
in reply to: #1635304

Member
7

Subject: RE: Ironman Canada
Great Job,

Your warm-up was about the same as mine last year. I am so glad you made the day yours and had lots of fun.
2008-09-06 8:14 AM
in reply to: #1635304

Member
45
25
Winnipeg
Subject: RE: Ironman Canada

nice job on your first ironman.  i know you had some challenges earlier in the year, but you did it!

congratulations ironman!

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