Had coca-cola at the 35th km and It allowed me to be ok until the end. Would have liked to sip on a Mr. Freeze... ;-)

Massage


- Stomach bloating during the event (river water quality?)
- Flu and sinusitis caught 3 weeks before the event might have affected me a little bit on the bike but I'm not event sure of this...


Right after my first half-ironman in july 05, my main goal was to train for the Iron distance triathlon which would take place a year later. My training unofficially began in the autumn (mid november, after parental vacation) as I was training for cross-country skiing. The real program for Ironman began late january for a long 20 weeks. As for the program, this is one I did myself based on the experience I got while training with a coach for mountain bike races. The training for IM is rather different though (less intensity, more endurance...). In January, I began having troubles with my brachiis, probably from training too hard outside at very low temperatures. I had this condition for almost all winter long but I was able to manage it so I could keep training. Doctor also helped me with aerosol corticosteroids. Training was ok and a 50km x-country race mid march confirmed that I was in shape (same time as previous year with a little less effort). By the end of april, I was quite in shape and began to do longer rides outside when I hit the wall. Kind of a training burnout that lasted for about 10 days. I put then put myself on B-Vitamins and lowered the intensity and volume of training. During that period, a half-marathon with my little girl in the jogging stroller also confirmed that my shape was ok... Training continued... 3 weeks before the event, I had a race (short) where I scored very ok despite the fact that I was training for longer distances. The only problem though is that I got the flu right after that race and that it lasted pretty much until the Ironman... I was a little bit discouraged but my girlfriend (who's also my Training manager/Sports director) said that this little break would just allow my body to rest and that I'd be ready comes race day. I beleived her and kept training but with lower intesity/volume (it was taper time anyway...). Came the week before the race and I was pretty much confident... All the logistics were set up (tapering plan, nutrition plan, gear list, etc.). My brother Patrick would support me the evening and all the event long, which is a precious gift ! The night before the race we slept at a friends place. I slep very good (thanks to mp3 player!). We woke up at 3:45, went to the site, had breakfast (bagel w/cream cheese and peanut butter, coffee, etc.). The swim start was at 6 o'clock. Swim leg went very good ! On the bike, I started to feel bloating in my stomach and couldn't eat anything during the first hour. I didn't want to stop to go to the toilet that early on the bike but I had to... It really was a must and then I began to being able to eat. Bloating continued all day long but toilet visits made the day... I kept hydrating weel all day long and tried to eat as much as possible. At about 140km on the bike, I couldn't drink complex sugars sports drink anymore, nor was I able to eat solid foods. I began to drink gatorade and eat sport gels (Carbooms) until the end of the race. I kept my glycemy until the 35th km of the marathon where I put myself on coca cola. After 12hours16min, I passed the finish line very proud of me, but also very thankful to all the people who helped me and supoprted me during that unique day. The parts of the race that I will remember the most are those when I stopped to chat with people, etc. All that being said, I would say that, even if one encounters problems during training or during the race, doing the Ironman is possible if it is a long term project and if long term training and preparation had been made. This is one of the most beautiful sports experience in my life and I'll sure do it again !