Heading out was pretty good. A little hard to see the first buoy since some boats were in the way, but then found the buoy, around, and continued. A little off course right after the turn, but re-gained my direction and continued. Under the bridge. I found navigating to the next turn a little confusing with the third turn buoy seeming to be more visible than the second one - I kept wanting to go there (and it's to the right, my swim bias). But back on track, rounded the second buoy, and a short bit to the third buoy. By this time, I found a comfortable pace and a gal who was swimming the same pace. My bias is right, hers seemed to be left, so between the two of us, we seemed to keep each other on course. Under the bridge and to the last turn buoy. I noticed the water had more swells by this point, so I found myself getting pushed to the left a bit. Adjusted course and continued. Around the last turn buoy and back to the boat ramp. Again, lots of boats in the way, so figuring out where to go was difficult. Also the swells were now more noticeable to me. Tried to stay on some feet, but first person I followed suddenly switched to breast stroke. By this point, some of the guys from the next wave had caught us, so I tried to follow them - yeah right. Finally in, up the ramp, and across the mat.

Up the ramp, took off top half of wetsuit, then wetsuit strippers took off the suit from there. Grabbed bag, went to side, toweled off, and put on socks, shoes, helmet. Ran to the bike entrance, ran to my bike, grabbed the bike and ran to the mount line. Had to run a fair distance to get bike and then to get to mount line.

I haven't practiced hills enough, and I knew this course had a few. My plan was to go easy up the hills and use the time for nutrition, and then take advantage of gravity bringing me down the hills. Worked well. I also planned to ease off the bike to save a little more for the run. Didn't help - maybe I should have pushed a little harder on the bike instead.

At the two aid stations, I grabbed a banana, which weren't peeled (GWN has spoiled me). A few sharp turns with traffic, which marshals and police kept well controlled. All the same, athletes were asked to slow down for some of the turns - lost a little momentum.

Slow and steady up the hills, even the big on out of Cochrane. Loved the downhill sections.

Passed by the fast boys from the later heats, and a couple of gals from my age category. Passed a lot more other folks along the way.

To heck with the run after - bike hard! :)

Put on second pair of socks (anti-blister measure), runners, hat, and small flask of gatorade.

It was hot. I was tired. Took a bathroom break in first km. Hit every aid station - water for my head kept me cool. Even better were the ice cubes I put into my hat. Broke down and had Powerade at some stations, and even had some Coke in the last couple of stations. Couple of big hills. Initially planned to walk only the aid stations and the hills. Then it became walk any incline. Then walk when I wanted to. Some side stitches and hamstring cramping slowed me down too.

But it was a nice day, and I enjoyed visiting with people on the way.

It was what it was. It was the best I had in me today.

Got my belt-buckle medal and de-chipped. Found the food tent and was sad that there was no watermelon (spoiled by Sask races). Ate a banana, a protein power bar, a banana, and drank juice and water. There was pizza, but the thought of pizza didn't appeal to me. Stretched a bit, then looked for Max and Shannon. We eventually found my bags (one was AWOL for a bit), and then walked back to the parking area (over 2km).

Ice bath (brr) back at the hotel. Blogging. Supper. Sleep.


I didn't put in the training this year - life gets in the way sometimes - and it showed. That and having a cool spring/summer and then racing in warm weather - not used to that.


I like the course - it is challenging but do-able. A few first-time organizational issues (e.g. late changing the swim heats caused one of our friends to miss her time, return bus for spectators did not go right back to t2 and so my friends missed all of the pros). Could use more aid stations on the bike. Pre-race and post-race activities paled in comparison to some other races I've done, but I guess they were on par for other M-dot events. I would consider doing this race again some year.

Full results available here.