Ironman Canada 2010
Cripes. Very long day.
I woke up at 3:30am to start eating, and getting some water. It was cold, dark and windy outside. Water temperature was around 18 degrees. Got some gear on, packed the last of the gear bags to take, and headed out in a warm layer around 5am to the athlete area. Got body marked, pumped the bike tires to race pressure, got some more fuel and water, then put on my wetsuit and got ready for the swim. At around 6:30 they opened up the swim entrance for us, and I parted ways with a few of the North Shore Tri club people I had bumped into, and hopped in the water. Did some light warming up, chatted with a few other athletes, watched the pros start (they get to start 15 minutes before us), popped even more fuel 10 minutes before the start, sang the national anthem, said a few good lucks to fellow competitors and... bang. Over 3000 people were registered, and this event is a mass start. All other IM events with large participation involve wave starts to make things less hectic, but apparently IMC enjoys being unique. I went hard out first, used the middle 'half' to regain energy, while swimming a comfortable pace, then pushed the last quarter again. Overall I got kicked in the head three times, bear hugged, grabbed and pulled at the ankle, and did my share of hitting people too. The swims always feel really long for some reason, but in the end I had my faster swim of the season with a 1:18 for the 3.8k course. I was also a little lost at times on the course, so I was technically swimming faster!
We got to the shallow part of the lake, at the finish of the swim, and it was stupidly rocky. Me and all the people around me were stepping so carefully, trying not to fall, and I wasn't exactly impressed with that... Went through transition, got my swim to bike bag, put on my sperm helmet, shoes and drank some water. The volunteers in transition were amazing (they take your swim stuff and put it in the bag, and help you with your bike gear if you need! Headed out to get my bike, and unfortunately they had a slight logistical mix up, which put me on the wrong side of the sunscreen volunteers (they rub you down real quick with sunscreen), so I did not have an opportunity for sunscreen heading out on the bike (NOT pleased). I did my best not to go out too fast right away, but the excitement, the cheering crowd, the other competitors, etc.... makes it tough. I was checking my heart rate monitor every 30 seconds in order to keep my pace in check, and I had managed to get out of town without going too hard (I'll explain more about why this is necessary later). We got the my main concern, McClean Creek Road, and it was a giant clusterf!ck of morons on bikes. When doing a triathlon, bike policy is ride right, except to pass. As I would learn, all the climbs basically meant ride anywhere you want to people. I had no way to pass anyone as the entire road was blocked off by people doing the exact same pace (why not go single file if you're all going the same pace!) and in fact, had to slow down a LOT to avoid crashing into them. I'll admit, it's a very difficult (steep) climb, lasting around a kilometer, but seriously, participant fail. At the top of the climb I hastily moved passed a lot of them, and on came the first joyous descent of the day. I have done a lot of research/reading into a good aerodynamic tuck on the bike, and it paid off well, I was flying passed people like they were stationary! I really enjoy the descent back to the highway, as it winds, but can be easily ridden all out. Got back on the highway, and now comes the long stretch out to Osoyoos. I was still holding back on my pace and checking my heart rate, yet I was passing people. It was somewhat confusing, as I was really concerned I was going too fast, but from what I could tell, I was going at an easy pace. Nice and scenic trip down to Osoyoos (not much to say), which cheering in both Okanagan Falls and Oliver, then we made the right turn that haunts most cyclists, the turn up Richter Pass.
This is the first of the two legendary climbs on the bike course (legendary in the world of IM) 11km in length. Unfortunately, despite the lack of tail wind coming from Penticton, there was a headwind as we turned almost 180 degrees to head up Richter. As with the entire bike course, I made sure not to push too hard at the beginning of the climb, and shortly I was in my comfortable pace, passing people like nothing. Partway up there was a photographer on the course, stepping in to take photos of cyclists, and as I was getting close a race official sped up and threatened to run him down. They started swearing at each other, and it was really quite amusing. I passed them (he took my photo) and they were still arguing. Don't know what happened in the end. Continued up to the top and on came the second descent of the day. Again, good positioning meant I was passing people like crazy. Unfortunately people were still being dumb about staying right, and I was almost across the center lane just trying to pass a few dummies. This descent is possibly the most scenic part of the entire course, as the entire valley below opens up while you're going down, quite spectacular if you're not in a hurry, and I enjoyed it quite a lot back when I road it in May, but today I had other things to focus on! Coming off Richter the course now challenges riders with 7 moderate climbs, or rollers. These were somewhat amusing, as people were slingshot-ing all over from very inconsistent strategies. I really had to go to the bathroom at this point, so things started getting screwy in my head. Time distorted, efforts were misperceived, etc... It felt like an hour when only 5 minutes would pass, small hills felt like they went on forever. I didn't lose any time, but I was in a very negative state. We finally made it to the Cawston out and back (the course is a massive loop of the Okanagan around 160k, and the little Cawston part is just what they need to make it IM length, 180k) which sucked more. The out and back didn't actually take very long, but it felt like hours had passed. I stopped at the aid station near the end of the out and back and used to portopotties and the mental distortions were going away. Unfortunately, as I was getting back into a good mental state for course, the headwinds started picking up and shortly after making it out of Cawston we were at the base of Yellow lake, the second of the legendary climbs, a 22km ascent to the twin lakes.
The winds were so fierce, I had shifted down to my lowest gear and was barely moving at all, and this was how the first 10 kilometers of the climb went. It was unbelievably rough. The wind was raging, it started raining, terms I've heard from other racers include monsoon-ing. Yellow lake is a mostly gentle climb (just long) with two steep sections near the top. Huge crowds lined to road, Tour de France style on the first steep ascent, and I think they may have protected us from the wind a little, as we were able (barely) to make it up. We turned around a bend and the wind FINALLY let up (we've basically been riding in a headwind from the base of Richter to this point, save for half of the Cawston out and back). Up the last steep climb, made it to the lakes, and after a short foray at the top winding around the scenery, it was time for the third, and fastest descent. Again, I had to deal with people who don't know what the right side of the road is, but it wasn't quite as bad as Richter, and we made it down, went even farther downhill next to Skaha lake, and finally were back into Penticton. If you've ever wondered what sitting on a hard bike seat feels like more 6 hours, I wouldn't recommend it. On top of that, your back is killing you. Needless to say, I was VERY happy to get off the bike. If it weren't for those ridiculous headwinds at the base of Yellow lake, I probably would have gotten my bike course goal (6 hours) but I'm in no way disappointed with just over 6:30 given the conditions.
Back in to transition, grabbed the bike to run bag, and it was time to head out AGAIN. I honestly felt like I had accomplished enough with my day, but... there was still a marathon ahead. Put on my runners, thankfully got some sunscreen this time, and headed off for what was going to be the most challenging part of the day. The start and finish of the run goes by Lakeshore drive, so the crowds can amass there and have something to cheer at all times. Just as I was heading out the race leaders were coming in, and they passed me in good form. I went my way, they went their way. I definitely wanted to just join them and cross the finish. Oh well, why not run a marathon instead? We head through town, again through large crowds, for a few miles, and then we go to the side of Skaha lake, and run all the way down to the other end, to Okanagan Falls. On the way I kept my pace in check, felt great, gave a little girl a high five, chatted with a few runners. Getting to Okanagan lake was alright, but my ankle was starting to act up, and given I've injured both of my ankles recently (one this year, one last year) I didn't want to take any chances, and was reduced to a walk. I walked the majority of the way back, doing a few runs here and there, gauging my state, and it wasn't until I started chatting with another runner around the 7k to go mark that I felt I could maintain a run. I don't know why, but running with the guy just seemed to alleviate all the pain I had been feeling before (note: pain, not soreness. Very different in a runner's world, and I was by all means still very sore.) He met up with his family a little later, waiting on the sidewalk a little before hitting main street in Penticton, we wished each other well and I kept trekking. So incredibly tired and sore, I ran the majority of the last 7k (I haven't done any more than a 5k run in the last two months, to give an idea of how bad an idea this was) and was FINALLY done around 8:40 at night (7am start). Very, very long day. Got shuttled through the finish area, got a medal, t-shirt and hat, had a photo taken, all the cool stuff. Then wandered around ready to pass out for awhile. I'm pretty sure I was dehydrated at the finish, as water had gotten to the point where it's taste made me want to throw up, so I just stopped drinking it 10k from the finish. Bad idea, but puking wouldn't have helped the situation...
Throughout the day I saw cows, deer, a horse, a fat caterpillar and various species of fish. I was not disappointed with my finish, as realistically, I trained less than half as much as most competitors, didn't do ANY marathon training at all, and tapered my training too much close to the event, so I did quite well! I'm still disappointed in the sense that had I done the training I had set out to do, I would definitely have gotten my sub 12 goal, even though the course is legendary by IM standards.
My sunburns aren't as bad as they could have been, which I'm thankful for, but I shouldn't have had any... I'm definitely going to have to mention this to someone so they can improve it for future years. I have no real plans for now, definitely not doing IMC next year, but I think I may be able to come back in a few and qualify for Kona (world championships) for shits and giggles. If I'm not stinking rich, I doubt I'd actually go, not to mention the weather in Kona isn't pleasant, and I dislike humidity... but we'll see.
I could write more, but check out is in 20 minutes...... so ba-bai
I woke up at 3:30am to start eating, and getting some water. It was cold, dark and windy outside. Water temperature was around 18 degrees. Got some gear on, packed the last of the gear bags to take, and headed out in a warm layer around 5am to the athlete area. Got body marked, pumped the bike tires to race pressure, got some more fuel and water, then put on my wetsuit and got ready for the swim. At around 6:30 they opened up the swim entrance for us, and I parted ways with a few of the North Shore Tri club people I had bumped into, and hopped in the water. Did some light warming up, chatted with a few other athletes, watched the pros start (they get to start 15 minutes before us), popped even more fuel 10 minutes before the start, sang the national anthem, said a few good lucks to fellow competitors and... bang. Over 3000 people were registered, and this event is a mass start. All other IM events with large participation involve wave starts to make things less hectic, but apparently IMC enjoys being unique. I went hard out first, used the middle 'half' to regain energy, while swimming a comfortable pace, then pushed the last quarter again. Overall I got kicked in the head three times, bear hugged, grabbed and pulled at the ankle, and did my share of hitting people too. The swims always feel really long for some reason, but in the end I had my faster swim of the season with a 1:18 for the 3.8k course. I was also a little lost at times on the course, so I was technically swimming faster!
We got to the shallow part of the lake, at the finish of the swim, and it was stupidly rocky. Me and all the people around me were stepping so carefully, trying not to fall, and I wasn't exactly impressed with that... Went through transition, got my swim to bike bag, put on my sperm helmet, shoes and drank some water. The volunteers in transition were amazing (they take your swim stuff and put it in the bag, and help you with your bike gear if you need! Headed out to get my bike, and unfortunately they had a slight logistical mix up, which put me on the wrong side of the sunscreen volunteers (they rub you down real quick with sunscreen), so I did not have an opportunity for sunscreen heading out on the bike (NOT pleased). I did my best not to go out too fast right away, but the excitement, the cheering crowd, the other competitors, etc.... makes it tough. I was checking my heart rate monitor every 30 seconds in order to keep my pace in check, and I had managed to get out of town without going too hard (I'll explain more about why this is necessary later). We got the my main concern, McClean Creek Road, and it was a giant clusterf!ck of morons on bikes. When doing a triathlon, bike policy is ride right, except to pass. As I would learn, all the climbs basically meant ride anywhere you want to people. I had no way to pass anyone as the entire road was blocked off by people doing the exact same pace (why not go single file if you're all going the same pace!) and in fact, had to slow down a LOT to avoid crashing into them. I'll admit, it's a very difficult (steep) climb, lasting around a kilometer, but seriously, participant fail. At the top of the climb I hastily moved passed a lot of them, and on came the first joyous descent of the day. I have done a lot of research/reading into a good aerodynamic tuck on the bike, and it paid off well, I was flying passed people like they were stationary! I really enjoy the descent back to the highway, as it winds, but can be easily ridden all out. Got back on the highway, and now comes the long stretch out to Osoyoos. I was still holding back on my pace and checking my heart rate, yet I was passing people. It was somewhat confusing, as I was really concerned I was going too fast, but from what I could tell, I was going at an easy pace. Nice and scenic trip down to Osoyoos (not much to say), which cheering in both Okanagan Falls and Oliver, then we made the right turn that haunts most cyclists, the turn up Richter Pass.
This is the first of the two legendary climbs on the bike course (legendary in the world of IM) 11km in length. Unfortunately, despite the lack of tail wind coming from Penticton, there was a headwind as we turned almost 180 degrees to head up Richter. As with the entire bike course, I made sure not to push too hard at the beginning of the climb, and shortly I was in my comfortable pace, passing people like nothing. Partway up there was a photographer on the course, stepping in to take photos of cyclists, and as I was getting close a race official sped up and threatened to run him down. They started swearing at each other, and it was really quite amusing. I passed them (he took my photo) and they were still arguing. Don't know what happened in the end. Continued up to the top and on came the second descent of the day. Again, good positioning meant I was passing people like crazy. Unfortunately people were still being dumb about staying right, and I was almost across the center lane just trying to pass a few dummies. This descent is possibly the most scenic part of the entire course, as the entire valley below opens up while you're going down, quite spectacular if you're not in a hurry, and I enjoyed it quite a lot back when I road it in May, but today I had other things to focus on! Coming off Richter the course now challenges riders with 7 moderate climbs, or rollers. These were somewhat amusing, as people were slingshot-ing all over from very inconsistent strategies. I really had to go to the bathroom at this point, so things started getting screwy in my head. Time distorted, efforts were misperceived, etc... It felt like an hour when only 5 minutes would pass, small hills felt like they went on forever. I didn't lose any time, but I was in a very negative state. We finally made it to the Cawston out and back (the course is a massive loop of the Okanagan around 160k, and the little Cawston part is just what they need to make it IM length, 180k) which sucked more. The out and back didn't actually take very long, but it felt like hours had passed. I stopped at the aid station near the end of the out and back and used to portopotties and the mental distortions were going away. Unfortunately, as I was getting back into a good mental state for course, the headwinds started picking up and shortly after making it out of Cawston we were at the base of Yellow lake, the second of the legendary climbs, a 22km ascent to the twin lakes.
The winds were so fierce, I had shifted down to my lowest gear and was barely moving at all, and this was how the first 10 kilometers of the climb went. It was unbelievably rough. The wind was raging, it started raining, terms I've heard from other racers include monsoon-ing. Yellow lake is a mostly gentle climb (just long) with two steep sections near the top. Huge crowds lined to road, Tour de France style on the first steep ascent, and I think they may have protected us from the wind a little, as we were able (barely) to make it up. We turned around a bend and the wind FINALLY let up (we've basically been riding in a headwind from the base of Richter to this point, save for half of the Cawston out and back). Up the last steep climb, made it to the lakes, and after a short foray at the top winding around the scenery, it was time for the third, and fastest descent. Again, I had to deal with people who don't know what the right side of the road is, but it wasn't quite as bad as Richter, and we made it down, went even farther downhill next to Skaha lake, and finally were back into Penticton. If you've ever wondered what sitting on a hard bike seat feels like more 6 hours, I wouldn't recommend it. On top of that, your back is killing you. Needless to say, I was VERY happy to get off the bike. If it weren't for those ridiculous headwinds at the base of Yellow lake, I probably would have gotten my bike course goal (6 hours) but I'm in no way disappointed with just over 6:30 given the conditions.
Back in to transition, grabbed the bike to run bag, and it was time to head out AGAIN. I honestly felt like I had accomplished enough with my day, but... there was still a marathon ahead. Put on my runners, thankfully got some sunscreen this time, and headed off for what was going to be the most challenging part of the day. The start and finish of the run goes by Lakeshore drive, so the crowds can amass there and have something to cheer at all times. Just as I was heading out the race leaders were coming in, and they passed me in good form. I went my way, they went their way. I definitely wanted to just join them and cross the finish. Oh well, why not run a marathon instead? We head through town, again through large crowds, for a few miles, and then we go to the side of Skaha lake, and run all the way down to the other end, to Okanagan Falls. On the way I kept my pace in check, felt great, gave a little girl a high five, chatted with a few runners. Getting to Okanagan lake was alright, but my ankle was starting to act up, and given I've injured both of my ankles recently (one this year, one last year) I didn't want to take any chances, and was reduced to a walk. I walked the majority of the way back, doing a few runs here and there, gauging my state, and it wasn't until I started chatting with another runner around the 7k to go mark that I felt I could maintain a run. I don't know why, but running with the guy just seemed to alleviate all the pain I had been feeling before (note: pain, not soreness. Very different in a runner's world, and I was by all means still very sore.) He met up with his family a little later, waiting on the sidewalk a little before hitting main street in Penticton, we wished each other well and I kept trekking. So incredibly tired and sore, I ran the majority of the last 7k (I haven't done any more than a 5k run in the last two months, to give an idea of how bad an idea this was) and was FINALLY done around 8:40 at night (7am start). Very, very long day. Got shuttled through the finish area, got a medal, t-shirt and hat, had a photo taken, all the cool stuff. Then wandered around ready to pass out for awhile. I'm pretty sure I was dehydrated at the finish, as water had gotten to the point where it's taste made me want to throw up, so I just stopped drinking it 10k from the finish. Bad idea, but puking wouldn't have helped the situation...
Throughout the day I saw cows, deer, a horse, a fat caterpillar and various species of fish. I was not disappointed with my finish, as realistically, I trained less than half as much as most competitors, didn't do ANY marathon training at all, and tapered my training too much close to the event, so I did quite well! I'm still disappointed in the sense that had I done the training I had set out to do, I would definitely have gotten my sub 12 goal, even though the course is legendary by IM standards.
My sunburns aren't as bad as they could have been, which I'm thankful for, but I shouldn't have had any... I'm definitely going to have to mention this to someone so they can improve it for future years. I have no real plans for now, definitely not doing IMC next year, but I think I may be able to come back in a few and qualify for Kona (world championships) for shits and giggles. If I'm not stinking rich, I doubt I'd actually go, not to mention the weather in Kona isn't pleasant, and I dislike humidity... but we'll see.
I could write more, but check out is in 20 minutes...... so ba-bai