My first Triathlon

It's funny how many people continuously ask me how many triathlons I've done or what my Ironman time is. Well the truth is, I've never done a tri until the past weekend when I hit the Oliver 1/2 Ironman as a way to finish up a great week of training. I was originally hoping to have climbed Mr. Rainer with my team mates of "nuun Sport Multi" and then hussle back across the border in time to collect my race package. However, after several emails to the race directors asking about a late package pick-up and getting no response, I realized that I might be cutting it a bit too close. So instead, I declined on Rainier and drove Saturday morning to Oliver to check in and get sorted.

I've never had much interest in triathlons purely because I love off-road racing and the freedom of the trails. I enjoy working with tri-athletes though, as the principals of training don't change and the multi-sport world just keeps everything super interesting! One of my athletes was racing this weekend so it was a great opportunity to see him in action and learn a bit more about "tri-athlon" in terms of all the do's and don't do's on the race course. The weather in Oliver was super hot and it was great to get out for a swim and to test some new goggles and to ride a bit of the course. We spent Saturday evening watching the hockey game and then I retreated to my campground for the night, having the greatest sleep in the back of the old Subaru!

5am Saturday morning I got up, ate my oatmeal, banana and dried fruit and then headed over to the TA to set up my bike and get ready. I was feeling good and full of energy. I was in the 2nd wave start at 7:07 with all the women. Now......not being a great swimmer and never having swum with hundreds of people, I was a little nervous. I positioned myself on the far right hand side. However, I only made it out about 100m before a full panic attack set in. All I could see was hands and water flying, people were on top of me. My heart rate went through the roof: it was my nightmare come true. I thought seriously about turning around for fear of drowning. But then, I took control of myself. I started to breast stroke, calmed myself down and did that for about the next 600m. I just knew that I would be out there for a LONG LONG TIME. Sure enough, I eventually got my own water to swim in and I settled down and actually swam. 44mins later (10mins off what I knew I could do) I was out of the water, charging through the TA and onto the bike.

My new Cannondale Slice had only just arrived the week before. Thanks to Dave and the Corsa Cycles team, we had done a few bike tweaks and adjustments to get me comfortable on this fast machine but I had no idea if I could hold aero position for 90km. However, I got on the bike and felt amazing!!! I put the shitty swim out of my mind and then just focused on the job at hand. I had to put time on the bike and start catching people. I had a great ride. I ate and I drank, I climbed the few small hills well and I pushed big gears on the flats. My confidence was up for staying in aero on the descents. I actually didn't even care if I were to launch off my bike, I just wanted to fly!!!! I was about 6mins slower then I thought I would be on the bike but that's ok, it was onto the run. I came up less then 5mins slower then the top females! I'll take it, all things considering.

My pure goal on the run was not too be passed by anyone! I found my running legs at about 5km into the 21km. I felt relaxed, the breathing settled and because there were people all around, I just started to give 'er. My pace increased each Km and by 15km in, I was wishing that I had another 20km to run because for me, that is just when I start to feel good. I really disliked the flat road though...where are my hills?!!! Anyways, I ran strong to the finish, 10mins slower then the winning female but not too far off the other women. Decent.

Just a great way for me to complete a 19 hr training week. Can't help but wonder, had I actually been fresh, how different the race would have gone! I for sure need focus time on the swim though but luckily, the Ultraman 10km will be nothing like that! I've got a great support network of friends here in Squamish who are helping me with this swim aspect.

Thanks to Volker and Jane for a great weekend. Congrats to all the other CBC athletes who hit the Whistler 1/2 marathon too, your excited post race emails were on my mind throughout this race!

Next up? All my attention turns to final prep for the Ultimate XC race in Montreal's Mount Tremblant in 2 weeks time! I'm really looking forward to seeing the extremely tough course that awaits. We also have our Women's Running + Conditioning Camp in Tofino this coming Fri-Sun and I can't wait to meet everyone on the west coast for a great time!

Busy busy, as usual :)