Three Bullets Advice Needed for IM Canada...
OMG, yet another IM that Coach P has not done (yet). I need your help folks...tell me your inner secrets and darkest memories re IMC so I can help the Team with another 3 bullets list! Thanks!!
P
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OMG, yet another IM that Coach P has not done (yet). I need your help folks...tell me your inner secrets and darkest memories re IMC so I can help the Team with another 3 bullets list! Thanks!!
P
Comments
Hi P,
I did IM Canada in 2006 and 2007. Here are my "stream of conscious" observations (i.e., IMHO) ...
[] One lap S/B/R!! Yeah baby. It's better for the mind.
[] Be prepared for a hot, although dry, day e.g., 90+ degrees F
[] Transition -- No racks for your bags i.e., T1, and T2 bags are laid out on the ground (grass) in Rotary Park. T1 bags at one corner of transition and T2 diagonally across (but not exactly at opposite end).
[] Swim -- Mass beach start. Beach is looonng and narrow. Sighting heading out is challenging because visual markers are difficult to find due to desert-like terrain, landscape and vegetation. On first segment, look for "v-cut" in the hills towards Sage Mesa as your visual cue. Houseboat(s) will mark first turnaround. Second segment is short. After third (final turnaround) athlete's will be facing shoreline so, tons of visual cues on the horizon.
[] Bike -- Forget the aero helmet ... it's friggin' hot enough already!!!!
-- Steepest climb comes at about 15km marker, McLean Creek Road ... very steep but short - about 1km. Keep your eyes on the road in this section because in 2004 and 2005, locals threw tacks on the road. This wasn't a problem when I did race ... apparently, Mounties were on the case and scarred of yokels. Road in this area is narrow a la Haselton out-and-back in Placid. Very winding and technical course heading into town of Okanagan Falls. Be careful, 90 deg left-hand turn into town following descent).
-- From Ok Falls, mostly downhill past towns/villages of Oliver and Osoyoos. Once in Osoyoos (60km mark), right-hand turn at Husky service station and ta da ... Richter Pass, a sustained 11km climb. Absolutely no shade. Don't be shy to load up on water at Aid station and pour it over your head to stay cool.
-- Series of rollers (about 7) after Richter ... ride fearlessly downhill and use momentum to get you up next hill ... repeat.
-- Special needs is at about 120km mark along the Cawston out-and-back ... this is where you're likely to lose focus and drift. And, worry about climb to Yellow Lake. Road and area is flat ... and borrrring! STAY FOCUSED!
-- Enjoy throngs of spectators cheering you up road to Yellow Lake ... once at the top ... you're not done climbing. hey - where did the crowd go?!! A short climb to Twin Lakes awaits.
-- Finally, roaring, 30+km steep downhill back to Penticton and bike finish. Nice, windy, wide road.
Run -- Did I mention that it's hot in Penticton in late August??!! Be prepared. Really, only one challenging climb ... virtually at the halfway point ... you turnaround and whooaa Nellie - yes, you have to run up that. Longer than heartbreak hill in Placid but less steep.
Finally, GLORY.
Peeps, drop me a line if you have any questions.
Sorry, P for droning on.
-30-
I agree sighting on the outbound leg is difficult but the markers are big. Comming home sight on the twin towers.
The ride, yes the climb at km11 MaClean Creek road will catch those off gaurd who have not riddent it and it is very rough pavement right now.
One word of advice on the flat section to richter is Do Not get caught up in the TT. So many people take off, typicaly a helping tail wind with the exception of 08 and it will cost ya, stay in your pace.
And yes, it is easy to lose focus in the out and back. it is borng, rough at times and if hot very hunid because of the fruit trees and irrigation.
The highway from the exit of the out and back to yellow lake summit has been re-surfaced however, not the shoulder. With respect to the climb up to twin lakes, be wary again if hot there will be cross winds.
It is downhill a lot the last 30k but Do Not stop pedalling.
The run is fantastic, once out of town enjoy the course. If there is a chop on the lake you can expect a head wind to the turn around.
Try to run up the hill out of special needs it can cost you quite a bit walking the entire distance.
Comming backinto town there is a gradual rise for about 2 km you don't reallize the down on the way out but you will know it as this is also mile 21-22 and it seems to go on forever but then it is flat to down hill all the way to finish.
Do not be mistaken how long the final section is when turning onto lakeshore drive before the finish. Most people try to pick it up and then find out later that last leg is 1.5km.
To summarize my 3 bullits:
1. be carefull not to get csaught up in the TT to the base of Richter.
2. sing, tell yopurself jokes, whatever during the boring out and back.
3. hang in there at mile 20-21 what seems like a long hill does end.
TG
Mile 18 or 28.9 Km lets just call it 30k
Here is my best measurement from google earth.
http://www.byrn.org/gtips/imc_tips.htm