Well, the time finally arrived and I made my way to Penticton for the Canada Ironman. I arrived here 12 days before the race and met my host family Mel and Sara, who have been fantastic in helping me with everything and making my stay nice and smooth.
I did do an Ironman 4 years ago but must say that this time around it still felt like my first one. I was more confident in the fact that I have 5 years of triathlon in me but was not too confident in my training as I have not done a race like this for some time.

Not to worry though, I was always going to get through but it was just a matter of how fast and my main goal to remain injury free, which I can say was a success.
The course here is made of single loops on all three legs, which means a field of 3000+ athletes with more than 1100 first timers! Good to see growth in the sport every year.
The swim kicked off at 6:45 for the pros in Lake Okanagan with a swim straight about 1600m then across 450 meters and then straight back.
I settled into position reasonably well and early in the swim and was just managing to hang on the back of a small pack of about 10. That was until my new goggles were starting to give me a big headache and hurt my face. I tried pushing through this but I started to slow a lot and lost the feet of the pack in front of me. So I thought I'd stop and give my goggles to the bottom of lake Okanagan. After this I had lost about 50 meters but I was feeling instant relief and took off in chase of the pack in front. I managed to catch them and swim my way to the middle of the pack by the time I excited the water in 53.41. A time I was happy with and good to be amongst the main contenders even though I knew I would not be one.
The bike course goes straight up main street and then out of town for the single loop with more than 1400m of climbing. Im not sure how that compares to other races around the world but it sure isn't a flat course. The first 60km was pretty fast with a tail wind. A few guys took off but I was not interested in chasing as I didn't think it would be wise for me to do that. I tried hard for most of the day to keep control of my output but with no way of measuring this it was always going to be a risk.
With a section called Richter Pass at about 70k, which is a long gradual climb. I stayed controlled there but looking back I think it was the following rolling hills for 40k where I was pushing a little too hard and had a real low patch toward the end of the bike that let my time down a little. But still happy to ride 5.01.49.
My goal was to negative split the run course and get to the half way point in about 90 minutes. I was on target to do that at the 15km point but the run course was a lot tougher running than it was riding it. The course is straight out and back with 5km before the turn rolling down hills and obviously rolling uphills on the way back. I really struggled through here and was drinking only coke for the run as I couldnt get the gel in. With the temperature in the low 30s and not any bit of shade it was taking its toll on me. I did manage to pass a few on the run but also did get passed by a few too!
My run time in the end was 3.18.19 which wasn't too bad as I felt at some stages it was going to be a lot worse.
With a finish time of 9.17.22 I was happy to see the end and could not have given any more.
I have enjoyed my time here and really like how nice the Canadian people are and hope I can get back here to have a better crack at the race.
I'd like to thank all this who have made this possible from sponsors such as P and G Meehan, Michart Plumbing, Ceepo bikes, LSDSports, Ryders eyewear, Champion System, Xterra wetsuits and Saucony.
Also thanks to DTR sports management for their on going support and Deanne for coming over here and helping me through the week and cheering on race day.
Now time for rest and holiday with Deanne!

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