IM Canada
Done this race 7 times now.PB'd last year but only by 2 mins to this year 2011.This was also my 23 rd IM.been trying for a slot since I started triathlon 8 years ago.I'm now shortly to be 58-----god that's old !!!
But anyway --you'll not find a better organised/supported race nor a better course.One loop swim in calm,clear water even if there are 2850 other guys out there---oh and I include the women in that ,big field for them at over 900.One loop bike with two long hills but not out of the saddle stuff and plenty of yee ha down the other side and you should just about make up the lost average going up on the downhill.The out and back is a bit disheartening but isn't tough and fairly flat and neutral to average speed.After second hill to yellow lakes lots of downhill to the finish.Winds can be a bit harsh and it can get very hot.I focussed on hydration not nutrition and I'm a big guy at 90 kg(198 lbs).had about 300 cals per hour but took in extra electrolytes with water.My drink bottles were electrolyte also with about 240 cals in them.Had one gel per hour,last one with caffeine.At special needs on bike and run had a mixed botlle electroltye.Note the special needs at Canada is at 120 km ie 2/3 s distance.I took one bottle normal mix and one three times which I sipped with water from the aid stations.No solids at all---its very hot espcailly in the Keremeos Valley and you don't need foo sitting in your gut especially with a long climb to come.Replaced bike bottles at special neexds with two normal strength.looking back even though my mix was only 6% I think I would have made it more like 4% and drank more at that---its a taste thing after 4 hours or so.
My race plan was a 1.10 swim,did 1.13 due to some poor sighting but nevermind finished swim strong and could have gone again.Bike split aim was 5.30 using 20 mph average as a gauge (sorry Rich but I work better with that than my power meter).Done that 3 times before at Canada and felt ok at end of bike --but !!! Found it tough to hang onto the 20 mph so didn't force it as race day was like an oven and dry.Came in 5.43.Start of run a small bottle of super hydro(SIS),one gel per hour and sports drink(half a cup plus half cup water) at every aid station.Normally I'm right up there after swim/bike but then lose it on the run.This time was passing people,38th in age group after swim,9th after bike and finished 4th----AND got my slot to Kona.I've suffered with bad VM cramps in the past--this time I kept up the eletrolytes with another bottle at the special needs and a packet I had to mix at about 30 km.cramps did start to twinge on way back but I had a small bottle of pickle juice and took that which seemed to work---sounds awful but after all the sickly sweet stuff its a relief-only about 2 tablespoons of it --straight pickle juice from a gherkin jar.
As it was predicted to be very hot I had arm coolers on all day( throw water on them and you get immediate cooling and no sunburn) plus I made myself two little pouches from a face flannel to hold ice and ran with a fistful of ice in each hand all day ---it really does coool you down !!! Run split to the turn was 1.59 and spot on target---the last part of the first 21 km is hilly and it really bites on the way back hence my split of 2.13 on way back.last half mile I noticed a guy trying to pass me that looked as if he may be in my age group so I tried as hard as possible ,felt like a sprint but was probaly 10 min mile pace.He was in my age group and I got him by 16 seconds--yep Kona slot by 16 seconds--that's tying a shoelace or missing out some of the later aid stations---never give up!!
Now to the serious stuff --every year at 8 am Fridday morning they have the Underpants run in aid of a local charity to provide bikes for kids in triathlon.You buy a pair of specially printed underpants at the sports shop just up from Starbucks for 10$ the day before ideally.Take the Underpants Oath with everybody else then run through the streets of Penticton for 2 or 3 km---but very easy --its a laugh only.Pose on the beach,in front of the hotels and OAP homes etc etc--go on just do it !!
Eric Blakie
Eric Blakie
Comments
Eric - congrats on a hell of a race! I just had to go and check the enhanced results to see how the race between you and the other guy (Doug) played out - here's the tale of the tape:
Eric,
Great job on the race execution and getting a Kona Slot.
Gordon
@ Craig – the blow by blow recount give an interesting perspective on how close this race for that slot was all day! Thanks.
Had to stop for a pee in T2 but those timings are spooky !!!
Eric - WAY TO GO! Eight years/23 races is a big Karma bank to draw from. ENJOY the day in Hawaii - soak it in.