Race: Subaru Ironman Canada
Date: Sunday August 26th 2007
Location: Penticton, B.C.
Description: Triathlon
Website: www.ironman.ca
You might say that my prep for Ironman Canada started last year after the 2006 race. I was one of the thousands of crazy people who camped out overnight for entry into IMC 25th Anniversary. I was fortunate to have a friend John who was as crazy as I was. Also having a support crew, Michelle (girlfriend now wife) to bring me and John breakfast in the morning. As I look back to 2006, I think that is where my prep also ended for IMC 25th.
Race Day
The day started by seeing Sister Madonna Buder in the transition area. I should have asked her to bless my bike…
Swim
The swim at IM Canada is a one loop triangle. A friend of mine, Marie was competing
in her first Ironman and 3rd triathlon of her life. She was very nervous. I consider myself
to be a poor swimmer, so I decided to help Marie through the swim. I had the markers
write her name on the bottom of my foot to help guide her. Unfortunately that lasted for
about 15 minutes before we became separated. I finished the swim the same time as
Steve King, the voice of Ironman Canada who was competing this year.
Bike
Going into the bike I was a bit concerned. My front tire had been giving me quite some
trouble the last while. In the weeks leading up to the race I had several flats. I had
changed the rim tape, but still flats. I asked the guys at the Bike Barn to take a look at it.
They readjusted the rim tape. 35km into the bike, you guessed it…a front flat. Lucky I
had some electrical tape, I went nuts covering the inside of the rim with it. It worked
because the front tire lasted for the rest of the race. Unfortunately my back tire didn’t
fare so well. I picked up thorns twice in Ricthers Pass. The first was about 1 km into the
climb and the 2nd flat near the top. Just after the 3rd flat I spotted the bike support truck
and traded them 3 flat tubes for a 1 good one. Suckers. I didn’t really see much of the bike course after that my eyes were focused on the tires. Oh did I mention that I also had the pleasure of getting a wasp sting me several times between the eyes during the out and back part of the course?
Coming in off the bike I saw Marie but she did not finish the bike course, we talked a bit and then she cheered me on. Thanks Marie.
Run
I don’t remember too much of the run other than seeing Roger Hospedales in the process of his PB at an Ironman event. Congratulations Roger! If it took him 13 races to figure things out then I still have a few more to go.
Results
Swim 1:41:50
T1 12:53
Bike 8:13:14
T2 12:23
Run 6:22:16
Total 16:42:34
This race season had not gone according to what I had hoped for. I am glad that I still participated in the races I did. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Team Running Free and especially team mate Roger Hospedales for a memorable season.
Angus – congratulations you are an Ironman! You made it with plenty of time to spare!
too bad about the flats – that sux. even worse the wasp stings – cripes, hope you didn’t wipeout! Now that would have been very funny! 😉
Thanks brother. I was waiting for your first report. Funny stuff.
You did well considering all the stuff going on in your life this year.
Doing these Ironman races are not the same without you being there.
I’d like to continue a trend we had going of finishing together, but not as slow as we used to do it.
Angus. Congratulations on your Ironman finish. Not too many people can say that, so you are one up on many of us. Very unfortunate about the flats, but you must be a pro at changing them now. And a wasp sting to boot! All that, & you kept going! Good for you! The next one will only be better. Congratulations on a great race & your marriage.