Wasaga Beach Olympic Triathlon

Race: Wasaga Beach Sprint Duathlon
Date: Saturday September 8, 2007.
Location: Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Description: Duathlon 5km/20km/2.5km
Website: www.multisportcanada.com

This was my big big race!, the one that I prepared for the entire year, it was very special for me and meaningful, since it was The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Canada goal race, which I join them in order to honor Eva Caron (4 yrs), my friends’ daughter and my complete inspiration.

Everything starts at the beginning of the present year; when Jude, Eva’s father, told me about his family’s very unfortunate situation: Eva has been diagnosed with Leukemia. After trying to absorb the terrible news, I have decided that there has to be something, at least, that I could do for them to give my support. I heard about The Leukemia Society Team in Training and after consulting with Jude, decided to join them and perform a race for Eva.

Since then, for them, my entire year of training was with a purpose, I’ve never been that motivated in my life before. One thing is just to train and race because you like it and the other one is because you are fundraising while helping a friend and his family.

The Race:

We (my whole family) head to Wasaga beach area the day before around 5:00 pm, arrived there around 7:00 pm to join the members of the Team in Training for our pasta dinner. After dinner we went to the hotel to have some rest to be ready for the following morning.

The morning of the race day was initiated with a cold weather with strong winds making the lake wavy and choppy. Consequently, the race officials have decided to cancel the swim, changing the International Olympic Distance Triathlon (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run) to an International Olympic Distance Duathlon (10K run, 40K bike, 5K run). Despite the fact that the swim, my favorite discipline of the three, was cancel, my motivation to perform well that day won’t be vanish by any decision or reason. Even if they have cancelled the bike as well and change the entire event to a 100K run and I knew that I will be able to do it and finish it in a good shape even though I have never run more than 12K in my life.

10K Run

The run consisted in two 5k loops starting on beach for about 300 m running in the sand to the boardwalk. After that, it was all pavement, boardwalk and a little bit of ravine (grass). I felt strong during the entire run.

40K Bike

The bike leg was slightly hilly, with strong winds. The first 20K I felt good but with “threats” of having a cramp in my right calf twice. I think that the hydration with Heed and the consumption of two Powerbar gel prevents me of that. Also, and probably because of my extremely positive mind set the cramps never took place. I was always thinking in Eva, repeating to myself: “I have to finish this race feeling strong, for Eva”.

5K Run

The last five kilometers were “easy” since I was relieved of leaving the bicycle knowing that my calf will be thankful for that.
With a lot of energy still on my tank and only 5K to go, I have decided to give it all from the very first K, again always thinking on Eva.
I finish strong, felling absolutely great and happy for just being able to be there and offering my humble “help” in this way.
Just for the records, I set up my best performance ever, finishing forth out of 25 within my age category.

At the finish line I saw the Caron Family that came all the way from Cambridge to cheer me up. Eva cooked some cookies “only for me”. They were really delicious. Thank you.

My courage and determination to finish this race is nothing, absolutely nothing compare to the immeasurable adversity that Eva and her family are going through, they are the real heroes of our lives. Wish you all the best, get well soon.

Horacio