I arrived in Calgary on the 22nd July for the the Calgary 70.3 on the 31st. My first impression was not good. I thought you have got to be kidding. Are we in Melbourne? 8 degrees and pouring down after a sunny 2 weeks in California this was hard to swallow.

I met Vicci who I am currently living with and made the trip back to their place where I met her Boyfriend Steve and their dog Jazzy the Black lab, that farts like a trooper! Putting the gas issues aside I'm having a great stay here. It's pretty hard not to enjoy it when they cook my dinner every night, and of the greatest quality! It also has helped a lot to have them drive me where I need and happy to get me what I need to make my stay easier, so to Steve and Vicci THANKS! Do you mind if I stay here for another couple of months?
The race started at 6.10 am and we had an hour drive to get to the lake which meant a 3.30am get up which is hard when the sun is still up at 10pm. I felt like a I was 5 years old being sent to bed with the sun still out because 'you have a big day tomorrow'. Which I did.
The swim is in Ghost lake that is actually an Ice skating area in winter. So no need to guess that wetsuits are not optional. They are compulsory!
My swim was not too bad and I swam most the way in the second pack of about 5 of us. Although I did loose them at one stage, I was really happy I had the ability to bridge that gap back when I needed to.
Out of the water some 3 minutes down on the main guys but not in the last pack. A very exciting transition with a whole lot of strippers waiting for me. I knew they would be there and I thought this would be to good an opportunity to miss! So I stopped by for a brief moment and let them do there thing. Within seconds my wetsuit was off and I was running. (for those of you who have got the wrong idea in your mind the 'strippers' are there to rip your wetsuit off for you.
This was the first time I had ever had this at a race and I was amazed to see the amount of pros who did not use them. Out of all the guys that came out together I must have put at least 30 seconds into them by lying on my back!
Out of transition, minus the peck cramp I felt good. I was cautious of going too hard in fear of having my Glutes seize but also wanted to push a similar pace as I did two weeks ago to see how my training and body was handling it.
Usually I will feel a point in the bike where it's very hard and not a lot of fun but I didn't get that all here. I was moving at a good pace and feeling very comfortable. I rode down about 3 guys but also had two guys pass me which did not bother me because I was moving at my target pace and gaining confidence that my run would be better than last week. 
I rode about a 2:18, which was the same time as two weeks ago but this course was 4km longer and my glutes were much better, so therefore a tick in the bike box for Paul!
On the run and it's starting to get warm but not to hot, around the 22 mark and sunny. I wanted to run a even split but knew it would not be easy with some good hills on the way back and the heat climbing.
I think my nutrition and understanding of my body is getting better with not feeling flat at all through the day and knowing what to do when and if I get an upset stomach.
I didnt quiet do an even split but I did manage to do the 4th fastest run to come home in what I believe is 7th place but for some reason Hadley who finished a couple of minutes in front of me is not on the results and I am listed as 6th. Either way it makes no differnce as there will be no prize money for either place and it doesn't change my times.
I am going to hang about here in Calgary for a couple more weeks then make the drive West to Penticton for the Ironman on the 28th August.
Thanks to all those with the words of support. It's much appreciated from over here where it can get pretty lonely at times.
See ya all after IM!
Paul